As cochonilhas-algodão da vinha (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) na região do Oeste

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Protecção de Plantas - Instituto Superior de AgronomiaMealybugs are major pests in many grapevine-growing regions in the world, including Mediterranean countries, South Africa and California. The damage caused by mealybugs is linked to sap uptake, honeydew secretion and associated sooty mold development, toxin injection and virus transmission, such as Grapevine Leaf Roll associated Virus-3. In this study we aimed at evaluating the pest-status of mealybugs on vineyards in the Oeste region of Portugal, identifying mealybug species and estimating their infestation level. Therefore, a survey was carried out in 71 grapevine plots, mainly at the counties of Alenquer, Arruda dos Vinhos and Torres Vedras. In the infested plots, samples of adult mealybug females were collected and preserved in 4 parts of 95% alcohol + 1 part of acetic acid for slide mounting and species identification. Information on pest history of mealybugs, possible factors involved on mealybug pest status, as well as on the adopted management strategies was obtained based a questionnaire answered by the farmers or technical managers. All sampled plots were qualitatively evaluated regarding the infestation level of mealybugs, using the following notation: 0 - No detected mealybugs; 1 – Low infestation level; 2 – Moderate infestation level; or 3 – High infestation level. A quantitative estimation of the infestation level was performed in eight selected grapevine plots. Mealybugs were detected on 76% of the sampled plots. Two mealybug species were identified: Planococcus ficus (Signoret) and Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret), in 36 and 22 plots, respectively. Both species were associated only in five plots. Planococcus ficus was the most frequent mealybug species in Alenquer and Arruda counties. On the other hand, Pseudococcus viburni was most frequent in Torres Vedras. About 38% of the farmers carried out at least one insecticide treatment to control mealybugs. Chlorpyriphos was the most used active ingredient. No apparent relationship was observed between grapevine varieties and crop susceptibility to mealybugs. Although, mealybug outbreaks have been more commonly associated with older vineyards, we observed several cases of very young grapevine plots with high levels of mealybug infestation. Possible causes are discussed. Low, moderate and high levels of mealybug infestation were recorded in 51%, 17% e 7% of the plots, respectively. The infestation level in the eight plots studied ranged between 2,2% and 39,9%. The infested plants, within each vine plot, showed a clumped pattern of spatial distribution.----------------------------Este estudo teve como objectivo avaliar a importância relativa das cochonilhas-algodão (CA) da vinha em 3 concelhos da região do Oeste, esclarecer a identidade das espécies existentes e estimar a respectiva intensidade de ataque. Para o efeito, foi realizada uma prospecção, em 71 parcelas, sobretudo, nos concelhos de Alenquer, Arruda dos Vinhos e Torres Vedras. Para além da recolha de amostras, para posterior identificação específica, foi efectuado um inquérito aos proprietários ou aos técnicos das explorações agrícolas, para conhecer o historial dos ataques e respectiva importância, eventuais factores de nocividade, bem como as estratégias de protecção adoptadas. A intensidade de ataque foi estimada qualitativamente em todas as parcelas, tendo-se procedido à estimativa quantitativa em oito parcelas. As CA foram detectadas em 76% das parcelas, tendo-se identificado as espécies Planococcus ficus (Signoret) e Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret), em 36 e 22 parcelas, respectivamente. Cerca de 38% dos inquiridos efectuaram, pelos, menos um tratamento insecticida contra CA, tendo o clorpirifos sido a substância activa mais utilizada. Registaramse ataques fracos, moderados e fortes de CA, em 51%, 17% e 7% das parcelas, respectivamente. A intensidade de ataque nas oito parcelas variou entre 2,2% e 39,9%. As cepas infestadas, dentro de cada parcela, apresentaram padrão de distribuição agregado

Using SSM for structuring decision support in urban energy planning

This paper describes the use of Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) as a tool for problem structuring, which is the first phase encompassed in a methodological approach currently under development to provide decision support based on Multi‐Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) in energy planning problems in an urban context. In order to apply the methodology to a real‐world problem, a medium sized Portuguese city has been chosen as the decision setting. SSM is used for characterizing as precisely as possible the decision problem context, identifying the main stakeholders and their relations, and discerning the relevant criteria at stake for each one. Future work directions based on this phase are also envisaged. Santrauka Straipsnyje aprašoma operacinės sistemos metodologija (OSM), kuri bus taikoma kaip daugiakriterinės analizės metodais pagrįsta sprendimų paramos sistema miesto energetikos planavimo problemoms spręsti. Siekiant metodologiją pritaikyti realiame gyvenime, eksperimentui buvo parinktas vidutinio dydžio Portugalijos miestas. Operacines sistemos metodologija taikyta kuo tiksliau nustatant pagrindines problemas, identifikuojant pagrindines suinteresuotas šalis ir jų santykius, nustatant vienas kitam įtaka darančius rodiklius. Numatytos būsimos darbo kryptys. First published online: 10 Feb 2011 Reikšminiai žodžiai: operacinė sistemos metodologija, daugiakriterinė sprendimų analizė, miesto energetikos planavima

Using SSM to rethink the analysis of energy efficiency initiatives

This paper reflects an attempt to rethink the process of analysis of energy efficiency initiatives using soft systems methodology (SSM) as a problem structuring tool. The aim of the work is to provide public and private initiative promoters or evaluators with a structured support for a more informed decision regarding the implementation of energy efficiency measures. The SSM approach contributed with the identification of all market players and their relations, as well as the insight into the deficiencies of current methodologies. Some future work directions are also proposed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Structuring an MCDA model using SSM: A case study in energy efficiency

This work presents the use of a problem structuring method, Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), to structure a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) model, aimed at appraising energy efficiency initiatives. SSM was useful to help defining clearly the decision problem context and the main actors involved, as well as to unveil the relevant objectives for each stakeholder. Keeney’s Value Focused Thinking approach was then used to refine and structure the list of objectives according to the perspective of the main evaluators identified. In addition to describing this particular case study, this paper aims at providing some general guidelines on how SSM may facilitate the emergence of objectives for MCDA models.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Stress Intensity Factor Solutions for CTS Mixed Mode Specimen

The Compact Tension Shear (CTS) specimen is used to study fracture and fatigue under mixed mode I/II loading conditions. Existing K solution was developed for fracture studies and it does not consider the effect of crack deflection. The aim of present work is to develop KI and KII empirical solutions for cracks with different crack length, loading angle and crack orientation. A total number of 1120 cracked geometries were studied numerically by the finite element method and solutions were fitted to numerical predictions. An average difference of 0.53 % was found between numerical predictions and the solution proposed for KI. For KII the difference is higher, but the equivalent stress intensity factor showed a difference of only  1% because KII is lower than KI. Experimental work was developed to study fatigue crack growth in CTS specimens. The cracks always adopted a direction approximately normal to loading direction, i.e., tend to propagate under mode I

Effects of low-frequency noise on cardiac collagen and cardiomyocyte ultrastructure: an immunohistochemical and electron microscopy study

"Introduction: Low-frequency noise (LFN) leads to the development of tissue fibrosis. We previously reported the development of myocardial and perivascular fibrosis and a reduction of cardiac connexin43 in rats, but data is lacking concerning the affected type of collagen as well as the ultrastructural myocardial modifications. Objectives: The aim of this study was to quantify cardiac collagens I and III and to evaluate myocardial ultrastructural changes in Wistar rats exposed to LFN. Methods: Two groups of rats were considered: A LFN-exposed group with 8 rats continuously submitted to LFN during 3 months and a control group with 8 rats. The hearts were sectioned and the mid-ventricular fragment was selected. After immunohistochemical evaluation, quantification of the collagens and muscle were performed using the image J software in the left ventricle, interventricular septum and right ventricle and the collagen I/muscle and collagen III/muscle ratios were calculated. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to analyze mid-ventricular samples taken from each group. Results: The collagen I/muscle and collagen III/muscle ratios increased in totum respectively 80% (p<0.001) and 57.4% (p<0.05) in LFN-exposed rats. TEM showed interstitial collagen deposits and changes in mitochondria and intercalated discs of the cardiomyocytes in LFN-exposed animals. Conclusions: LFN increases collagen I and III in the extracellular matrix and induces ultrastructural alterations in the cardiomyocytes. These new morphological data open new and promising paths for further experimental and clinical research regarding the cardiac effects of low-frequency noise.