Progresso e controle da mela-das-sementes (Claviceps maximensis) de Brachiaria brizantha.

Verificou- se a eficiência de uma ou duas aplicações de Pi raclostrobin + Epoxiconazole, Mancozeb, Triadimenol, Azoxistrobin + Ciproconazole, Trifloxistrobin + Ciproconazole ou Tebuconazole no controle da mela-das-sementes de Brachiaria brizantha cvs. Marandu e Xaraés, durante a safra 2004-05. Também foram avaliados os indutores de resistência Acibenzolar-S-Metil e Silicato de Potássio (via aérea ou solo). Triadimenol, com uma ou duas aplicações, Piraclostrobin + Epoxiconazole, Azoxistrobin + Ciproconazole, Trifloxistrobin + Ciproconazole ou Tebuconazole, com duas aplicações, foram promissores no controle da mela-das-sementes do capim-marandu. Já para a cv. Xaraés, melhor controle foi alcançado com o Piraclostrobin + Epoxiconazole, independente do número de aplicações, Triadimenol, Trif loxi strobin + Ciproconazole ou Tebuconazole, com duas aplicações. Não houve correlação entre os dados de produção de sementes puras e a intensidade da mela. Com relação ao progresso da mela-das-sementes de B. bri zantha cvs. Marandu e Xaraés, constatou-se que a doença manifestou-se em períodos frios associados à umidade relativa alta. Na cv. Marandu a doença ocorreu na fase final da cultura, enquanto que na cv. Xaraés, a mela foi detectada na fase de intenso florescimento. Foram constatados aumentos na intensidade da doença em ambas as cultivares. A mela-das-sementes ocorreu em 64% das panículas da cv. Marandu e em 81% das panículas da cv. Xaraés; cerca de 20% e 18% das flores/sementes, respectivamente, foram afetadas. Os resultados demonstraram existir correlação positiva entre os valores de incidência e severidade da mela

On the Globular Cluster IMF below 1 Solar Mass

(Abridged) Accurate luminosity functions (LF) for a dozen globular clusters have now been measured at or just beyond their half-light radius using HST. They span almost the entire cluster main sequence below ~ 0.75 Msolar. All these clusters exhibit LF that rise continuously from an absolute I magnitude M_I ~ 6 to a peak at M_I ~ 8.5-9 and then drop with increasing M_I. Transformation of the LF into mass functions (MF) by means of the most recent mass luminosity relations that are consistent with all presently available data on the physical properties of low mass, low metallicity stars shows that all the LF observed so far can be obtained from MF having the shape of a log-normal distribution with characteristic mass m_c=0.33 +/- 0.03 Msolar and standard deviation sigma = 1.81 +/- 0.19. After correction for the effects of mass segregation, the variation of the ratio of the number of higher to lower mass stars with cluster mass or any simple orbital parameter or the expected time to disruption recently computed for these clusters shows no statistically significant trend over a range of this last parameter of more than a factor of 100. We conclude that the global MF of these clusters have not been measurably modified by evaporation and tidal interactions with the Galaxy and, thus, should reflect the initial distribution of stellar masses. Since the log-normal function that we find is also very similar to the one obtained independently for much younger clusters and to the form expected theoretically, the implication seems to be unavoidable that it represents the true stellar IMF for this type of stars in this mass range.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal. Contains 28 pages with 6 figure

Agro-forest management and soil degradation in Mediterranean environments. Towards a strategy for sustainable land use in vineyard and Olive Cropland

Landscape fragmentation typical of the Mediterranean region is the result of long-term settlement history and continuous socioeconomic interactions among countries. In complex agro-ecosystems of the Mediterranean basin, formulation of practical guidelines aimed at counteract soil and land degradation, water depletion, rural area depopulation, and the loss of agricultural knowledge is imperative. Based on a multidisciplinary, integrated approach, the present contribution discusses the role of traditional agricultural systems in ecosystem services provision, considering together economic sustainability and the medium-term ecological benefits. A permanent monitoring of rural areas specialized in traditional crop production such as olive and vine may support optimal selection of cultivars finely adapted to a warm climate. A competitive agricultural system may consider human well-being, social equity, and conservation of natural resources, to ensure a high level of services for current and future generations. Recovery and conservation of agricultural resources provide positive externalities and social benefits at both local and regional levels. Understanding the multiple use and functions of tree crop landscapes will contribute to improve food security, land quality, and the provision of related ecosystem services

Historical micronutrient psychiatry: descriptive analysis of patients with pellagra admitted to the “San Lazzaro” asylum in Reggio Emilia (Italy) in the decade 1901-1910

This study aims at describing the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients affected by pellagra and admitted to the “San Lazzaro” psychiatric asylum (Reggio Emilia, Italy) from 1901 to 1910 besides exploring possible gender differences for the collected information. Data were collected from the admission register and clinical records of those patients who were admitted to the San Lazzaro Psychiatric Hospital receiving a diagnosis of pellagra at their first admission. The pellagrous patient population was characterised by a higher rate of hospitalisation for women (64.3%) and the number of hospitalised patients suffering from pellagra gradually decreased from 1901 (78; 8.3%) to 1910 (8;0.7%). The most common profession for men admitted with pellagra was farmer/agricultural labourer, while most of the women were housewives. A characteristic shared by both the male and female population of inpatients was very high rate of illiteracy: only one patient was recorded as being able to read and write. The generic diagnosis of “mental illness from pellagra” was predominant (70%), while “dementia from pellagra” accounts for 17.85% of the admission diagnoses: no statistically significant differences between men and women were found in the frequency of diagnosis. Half of the patients, both men and women, died while being inpatients. This study confirms previous findings about the case mix of pellagra patients admitted to psychiatric hospital at the beginning of the last century in northern Italy and highlights the significance of the relationship of psychiatry with other medical disciplines and the sociocultural milieu

Multivariate approximation: Theory and applications 2020

A summary of the main facts about the Conference ‘Multivariate Approximation: Theory and Applications’ (MATA 2020) held at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Perugia (Italy), on January 16-18, 2020 and the contents of the associated Special Issue appearing on Dolomites Research Notes on Approximation, are here reported

Determining noise and vibration exposure in conifer cross-cutting operations by using Li-Ion batteries and electric chainsaws

In many activities, chainsaw users are exposed to the risk of injuries and several other hazard factors that may cause health problems. In fact, environmental and working conditions when using chainsaws result in workers' exposure to hazards such as noise, vibration, exhaust gases, and wood dust. Repeated or continuous exposure to these unfavourable conditions can lead to occupational diseases that become apparent after a certain period of time has elapsed. Since the use of electric tools is increasing in forestry, the present research aims to evaluate the noise and vibration exposure caused by four models of electric chainsaws (Stihl MSA160T, Stihl MSA200C Li-Ion battery powered and Stihl MSE180C, Stihl MSE220C wired) during cross-cutting. Values measured on the Stihl MSA160T chainsaw (Li-Ion battery) showed similar vibration levels on both right and left handles (0.9-1.0 m s-2, respectively) and so did the other battery-powered chainsaw, the Stihl MSA200C (2.2-2.3 m s-2 for right and left handles, respectively). Results showed a range of noise included between 81 and 90 dB(A) for the analysed chainsaws. In conclusion, the vibrations and noise were lower for the battery chainsaws than the wired ones, but, in general, all the values were lower than those measured in previous studies of endothermic chainsaws