Forecasting temperature time series for irrigation planning problems

Climate change is a reality and efficient use of scarce resources is vital. The challenge of this project is to study the behaviour of humidity in the soil by mathematical/statistical modeling in order to find optimal solutions to improve the efficiency of daily water use in irrigation systems. For that, it is necessary to estimate and forecast weather variables, in this particular case daily maximum and minimum air temperature. These time series present strong trend and high-frequency seasonality. This way, we perform a state space modeling framework using exponential smoothing by incorporating Box-Cox transformations, ARMA residuals, Trend and Seasonality.This research was partially financed by Portuguese funds by the Center for Research and Development in Mathematics and Applications (CIDMA) and the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (”Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia” - FCT), within project UID/MAT/04106 2019. This research was partially financed by Portuguese funds through Portuguese Foundation for Science and Tech nology (”Funda¸c˜ao para a Ciˆencia e a Tecnologia” - FCT), within project UID/MAT/00013/2013. FEDER/ COMPETE/- NORTE2020/ POCI/FCT funds through grants PTDC-EEI-AUT-2933-2014116858-TOCCATA and To CHAIR - POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028247 Financial support from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) within the frame work of Strategic Financing UIDIFIS/04650/2013 is also acknowledge

Genetics of Euglossini bees (Hymenoptera) in fragments of the Atlantic Forest in the region of Viçosa, MG

With uncontrolled deforestation, forest fragments remain, which in most cases are in different stages of regeneration and present isolated populations. In the present study we analyzed the genetic patterns of Eulaema nigrita populations in seven Atlantic Forest fragments of different sizes and successional stages in the region of Viçosa, MG. This was done by RAPD molecular markers. We observed that the area of the fragments had no effect on the genetic variability of E. nigrita in the direction predicted by meta-population models. Medium-sized well-preserved woods presented the lowest variability, whereas large and small woods were statistically identical. The evidence supports the notion that rural areas present greater dispersal among fragments, implying greater similarity between the populations of fragments located in rural areas when compared to fragments in urban areas.Com o desmatamento descontrolado das florestas há a formação de fragmentos de mata que, na maioria das vezes, se encontram em distintos estágios de regeneração, mantendo populações isoladas. Neste trabalho foi feita a análise dos padrões genéticos de populações de Eulaema nigrita de fragmentos de mata Atlântica de diferentes tamanhos e estágios sucessionais por meio de marcadores moleculares RAPD da região de Viçosa, MG. Pode-se verificar que a área dos fragmentos não apresentou efeito sobre a variabilidade genética em E. nigrita na direção predita pelos modelos de metapopulação. Uma mata de tamanho médio e bem preservada apresentou a menor variabilidade, enquanto matas grandes e pequenas foram estatisticamente iguais. As evidências sustentam que áreas rurais apresentam maior dispersão entre fragmentos, implicando maior similaridade entre as populações de fragmentos localizados em áreas rurais se comparados com fragmentos nas áreas urbanizadas

Learning to cycle: from training wheels to balance bike

Background: Learning to cycle is an important milestone in a child’s life, so it is important to allow them to explore cycling as soon as possible. The use of a bicycle with training wheels (BTW) for learning to cycling is an old approach practiced worldwide. Most recently, a new approach using the balance bike (BB) has received increased attention, and several entities believe that this could be most efficient. Drawing on the work of Bronfenbrenner (1995) and Newel (1986), this study aimed to analyse the effect of BB’s use on the learning process of cycling independently. Methods: Data were collected in Portugal from an online structured survey between November 2019 and June 2020. Results: A total of 2005 responses were obtained for adults and children (parental response). Results revealed that when the BB’s approach was used, learning age (LA) occurred earlier (M = 4.16 ± 1.34 years) than with the BTW’s approach (M = 5.97 ± 2.16 years) (p < 0.001); or than when there was only the single use of the traditional bicycle (M =7.27 ± 3.74 years) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Children who used the BB as the first bike had a significantly lower LA than children who did not use it (p < 0.001). To maximize its effects, the BB should be used in the beginning of the learning process.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Importance of Tests for the Complete Lorentz Structure of the t --> W+ b vertex at Hadron Colliders

The most general Lorentz-invariant decay-density-matrix for $t\to W^{+}b\to (l^{+}\nu)b$, or for $t\to W^{+}b\to (j_{\bar d}j_u)b$, is expressed in terms of eight helicity parameters. The parameters are physically defined in terms of partial-width-intensities for polarized-final-states in $t\to W^{+}b$ decay. The parameters are the partial width, the $b$ quark's chirality parameter $\xi$, the $W^+$ polarimetry parameter $\sigma$, a "pre-SSB" test parameter $\zeta$, and four $W_{L}$-$W_{T}$ interference parameters $\eta$, $\eta^{'}$, $\omega$, $\omega^{'}$ which test for $\tilde T_{FS}$ violation. They can be used to test for non-CKM-type CP violation, anomalous $\Gamma_{L,T}$'s, top weak magnetism, weak electricity, and second-class currents. By stage-two spin-correlation techniques, percent level statistical uncertainites are typical for measurements at the Tevatron, and several mill level uncertainites are typical at the LHC.Comment: Minor clarifications. Expression for r_{+-} corrected. 19 pages LaTex + Tables + 1 Figur

The relationship between LGBT executives and firms’ value and financial performance

Drawing on resource-based theory, we analyze the relationship between having LGBT executives in a firm’s leadership positions and its value and financial performance. The existence of LGBT executives is considered to be associated with employee and customer goodwill towards LGBT-friendly policies and practices and to lead to human capital and reputational benefits. Our findings suggest that there is a positive effect of the presence of LBGT executives on a firm’s value, both directly and indirectly, through its effect on the firm’s financial performance. We interpret this as suggesting that besides the direct effect of the existence of LGBT executives on a firm’s value, an indirect effect also exists, mediated through financial performance, presumably through the effect that this has on employee and customer goodwill towards LGBT-friendly policies and practices. As far as we are aware, our study is the first to examine the impacts of the presence of LGBT executives, as well as distinguish between its direct and indirect effects on firm value.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The effect of artificial shading on microclimate conditions in a soybean crop

Foi estudado o efeito do sombreamento artificial sobre a resistência estomática e as condições microclimáticas na cultura da soja (Glycine max (L.) Merrill). As telas plásticas usadas para regular o nível de radiação solar (30%, 50%, 70% e 100%) alteraram a qualidade da luz incidente sobre as plantas. No entanto, a temperatura e a umidade relativa do ar não foram modificadas, embora a temperatura da copa das plantas tenha decrescido com o sombreamento. As plantas sombreadas apresentaram maiores valores de resistência estomática que as plantas expostas a plena radiação solar.The effect of artificial shading was studied on stomatal resistance and microclimate conditions in a soybean crop (Glycine max (L.) Merrill.). The plastic screen used to regulate the solar radiation level (30%, 50%, 70% and 100% of sunlight) altered the quality of the incident light on soybean plants. White the air temperature and relative humidity were not modifield, the canopy temperature was reduced by shading. Shaded plants showed greater values of stomatal resistance than the plants under full sunlight

Growth and solar energy conversion in soybeans grown under four solar radiation levels

O crescimento e a conversão da energia solar em soja (Glicyne max (L.) Merr. cv. 'UFV'-2), sob quatro níveis de radiação solar incidente (30%, 50%, 70% e 100%), foram estudados em condições de campo. As colheitas de material foram realizadas em intervalos regulares de 14 dias. As taxas de crescimento da cultura decresceram com a redução da radiação solar, sendo as diferenças devidas a menores taxas assimilatórias líquidas e a menores índices de área foliar nas plantas sombreadas. A taxa assimilatória líquida e a taxa de crescimento relativo declinaram tanto com a ontogenia como com a redução da radiação solar. A razão de área foliar aumentou com sombreamento, devido principalmente às variações na área foliar específica, uma vez que a razão de peso foliar não apresentou alteração sensível. A eficiência de conversão da energia solar aumentou com o sombreamento e decresceu com a ontogenia das plantas. As eficiências máximas de conversão da energia solar foram 1,70 1,65%, 1,91% e 2,26% para 100%, 70%, 50% e 30% da luz solar incidente. Os valores da eficiência média de conversão da energia solar foram 0,33%, 0,48%, 0,45% e 0,59% em ordem decrescente de densidade do fluxo de luz.Growth and efficiency of solar energy conversion were studied in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) cv. UFV-2 grown under four levels (30%, 50%, 70% and 100%) of solar radiation incidence under field conditions. Plant samples were collected every 14 days regularly. Crop growth rates decreased with reduction of solar radiation, and these differences were due to reduced net assimilation rates and to smaller leaf areas presented by shaded plants. Net assimilation rate and relative growth rate declined with ontogeny as well as with reduction of solar radiation. The leaf area ration increased with shading, mainly due to variations in specific leaf area, because leaf weight ratio did not change significantly. The efficiency of solar energy conversion increased with shading and decreased with plant ontogeny. Maximum efflciencies of solar energy conversion were 1.70%, 1.65%, 1.91% and 2.26% for the 100%, 70%, 50% and 30% light treatments. The average efficiency of solar energy conversion throughout the entire crop cycle was of 0.33%, 0.48%, 0.45% and 0.59% for the decreasing light levels

Development and assimilate partitioning in Glycine max grown under four light flux densities

O desenvolvimento e a partição de assimilados foram estudados em soja Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. 'UFV-2', submetida a quatro níveis de luz (30, 50, 70 e 100% da radiação solar incidente), em condições de campo. O número máximo de folhas e a altura máxima das plantas coincidiram com o início do enchimento de grãos em todos os níveis de luz. A redução da densidade do fluxo radiante produziu aumento na altura das plantas e redução no número de folhas e de vagens. O sombreamento alterou a partição de assimilados entre os diversos órgãos, mas não modificou a ordem sequencial dos drenos metabólicos preferenciais. As taxas de acúmulo de matéria seca em cada órgão foram tanto mais elevadas quanto maior o nível de luz incidente. As taxas de acúmulo de matéria seca das raízes foram mais afetadas pelo sombreamento do que as dos outros órgãos.Development and assimilate partitioning were studied in Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. UFV-2 under tour light levels (30, 50, 70 and 100% of sunlight) in field conditions. Irrespective of light flux densities, the maximum number of leaves and maximum height of the plants were attained at the onset of grain filling. Stem elongation increased and the number of leaves and pods were reduced by decreasing light levels. Shading altered the assimilate partitioning among parts but did not change the sequential order of the preferential sinks. The dry matter rates of each organ increased as the light flux densities increased. The rates of root dry matter were more affected by shading than the rates of dry matter production of the other organs

Growth, dry matter production and productivity of soybean grown under four solar radiation levels

Foram estudados, em condições de campo, o crescimento, a produção de matéria seca e a produtividade da soja (Glycine max (L.) Merrill), sob quatro níveis de radiação solar incidente (30%. 50%, 70% e 100%). O crescimento apresentou três fases distintas: A inicial - da germinação à floração-, na qual o crescimento foi relativamente lento; a intermediária - entre a floração e o inicio do enchimento das sementes -, quando o crescimento foi acelerado; e a final - fase do desenvolvimento das sementes -, em que o crescimento voltou a ser muito lento, com tendência a atingir um patamar. O sombreamento reduziu o acúmulo de matéria seca na planta e nos seus órgãos. Os valores máximos da produção de matéria seca dos órgãos foram atingidos em torno do 92º dia para as folhas, 104º para as raízes, independentemente do nível de luz; no caule ao 103º dia a meia e plena radiação, e ao 108º dia após a emergência, nos níveis de 30% e 70% da luz incidente. Houve uma defasagem de dez a quinze dias entre os crescimentos máximos do caule e folha. A matéria seca acumulada nos pericarpos e sementes aumentou vigorosamente até a colheita final nos maiores níveis de luz, e de forma lenta nos menores níveis de radiação incidente. Houve uma correlação linear (R2 = 0,97) entre o rendimento de sementes e a biomassa. O sombreamento prolongou o período de acúmulo de matéria seca dos diversos órgãos, principalmente o período de maturação. A redução da radiação solar aumentou a razão parte aérea/sistema radicular, o acamamento de plantas e o aborto de flores e vagens. Já o índice de colheita não foi alterado pelos diferentes níveis de luz.Growth, dry matter production and productivity of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merril), grown under field conditions al four light levels (30%, 50%, 70% and 100% of sunlight) were studied. Soybean growth presented three distinct phases: initial phase, from germination to flowering, in which growth was relatively slow, intermediate phase, between flowering and beginning of seed filling, when growth was accelerated; and, phase of seed development, when growth was very slow, with tendency of reaching a plateau. Shading reduced dry matter accumulation in the whole plant and its organs. Maximum dry weight productions of the organs were reached at the 92nd day for the leaves, at the 104th day for the roots, independently of light levels, at the 103rd day under half to full sunlight, and at the 108th day after emergence at 30% and 70% of sunlight for stens. There was a ten to fifteen-day difference between maximum stem and leaf growth. The dry matter accumulated in pericarps and seeds increased strongly until to final harvest in the highest light levels and slowly in the lowest light levels. There was a straight linear correlation (R² = 0.97) between yield and biomass. Shading extended the period of dry matter accumulation to all organs, meanly the maturation time. Solar radiation reduction increased shoot/root ratio, plant lodging and flower and pod drops. The harvest index was not modified by light levels

Flowering Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) Strips Do Not Enhance Ecosystem Services in Azorean Orchards

ABSTRACT: Ecosystem services (ESs) and disservices (EDs) are routinely estimated from changes in service provider densities without measuring their actual levels. By using the sentinel approach (i.e., exposing a plant, seeds, and prey models in a standardized way), we tested how coriander (Coriandrum sativum) strips planted in mixed orchards on Terceira Island (Azores, Portugal) affected ESs/EDs via herbivory on lettuce plants, seed predation on wheat and weed seeds, and predation on artificial caterpillars. Vertebrates had more influence than invertebrates on ESs and EDs. Herbivory (ED) after 2 weeks was similar in the coriander and the control plots, while seed predation was higher in the control than in the coriander plots on both wheat grain (an ED: 30.8% vs. 15.3%) and weed seeds (an ES: 2.5% vs. 0.4%). Vertebrate predation (ES) rates after 48 h were significantly higher in the control (9%) than in the coriander plots (3%), while no difference was observed for invertebrate predation. Coriander strips did not support increased ES/reduced ED levels in this habitat. The sentinel approach is effective to quantitatively compare multiple ESs/EDs under different farming management strategies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio