Residual biomass potential of commercial and pre-commercial sugarcane cultivars

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is an efficient and sustainable alternative for energy generation compared to non-renewable sources. Currently, during the mechanized harvest process, the straw left in the field can be used in part for the second generation ethanol and increasing the electric energy production. Thus, this study aimed to provide information on the potential for residual biomass cultivars of sugarcane cropping system. This study provides the following information: yield of straw, depending on the calculated leaf area index and the number of tillers per linear meter; primary energy production of several sugarcane genotypes; contribution of dry tops and leaves; biomass yield; and evaluation of fiber, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Preliminary results obtained by researchers of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, and reCviews related studies are presented. The results suggest that the production of sugarcane straw content varies according to the cultivars; the greater mass of sugarcane straw is in the top leaves and that the potential for the crude energy production of sugarcane per area unit can be increased using fiber-rich species or species that produce more straw. The straw indexes was shown to be a good indicator and allow the estimation of straw volumes generated in a sugarcane crop. The cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin composition in sugarcane is distinct among varieties. Therefore, it is possible to develop distinct biomass materials for energy production and for the development of sugarcane mills using biochemical processes and thermal routes

ARIA 2016: Care pathways implementing emerging technologies for predictive medicine in rhinitis and asthma across the life cycle

The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) initiative commenced during a World Health Organization workshop in 1999. The initial goals were (1) to propose a new allergic rhinitis classification, (2) to promote the concept of multi-morbidity in asthma a

Global impact of COVID-19 on stroke care and IV thrombolysis

Objective To measure the global impact of COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of IV thrombolysis (IVT), IVT transfers, and stroke hospitalizations over 4 months at the height of the pandemic (March 1 to June 30, 2020) compared with 2 control 4-month periods. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional, observational, retrospective study across 6 continents, 70 countries, and 457 stroke centers. Diagnoses were identified by their ICD-10 codes or classifications in stroke databases. Results There were 91,373 stroke admissions in the 4 months immediately before compared to 80,894 admissions during the pandemic months, representing an 11.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] -11.7 to -11.3, p < 0.0001) decline. There were 13,334 IVT therapies in the 4 months preceding compared to 11,570 procedures during the pandemic, representing a 13.2% (95% CI -13.8 to -12.7, p < 0.0001) drop. Interfacility IVT transfers decreased from 1,337 to 1,178, or an 11.9% decrease (95% CI -13.7 to -10.3, p = 0.001). Recovery of stroke hospitalization volume (9.5%, 95% CI 9.2-9.8, p < 0.0001) was noted over the 2 later (May, June) vs the 2 earlier (March, April) pandemic months. There was a 1.48% stroke rate across 119,967 COVID-19 hospitalizations. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was noted in 3.3% (1,722/52,026) of all stroke admissions. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a global decline in the volume of stroke hospitalizations, IVT, and interfacility IVT transfers. Primary stroke centers and centers with higher COVID-19 inpatient volumes experienced steeper declines. Recovery of stroke hospitalization was noted in the later pandemic months.Paroxysmal Cerebral Disorder

A VP3/VP1 gene polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of chicken anemia virus in broiler samples Teste de reação em cadeia de polimerase dos genes VP3 e VP1 para detecção do vírus da anemia das galinhas em amostras de campo

A PCR assay was designed for amplification of the highly conserved VP3 gene and a 5' region of the VP1 gene, for the diagnosis of CAV in organ samples of broiler flocks suspected of chicken infectious anemia. A comparison of the VP3/VP1 PCR with in vivo virus isolation revealed 100% agreement of the results, with 13 positive and 3 negative samples in both assays, indicating that the VP3/VP1 PCR is a specific diagnostic method. Tissues from additional 24 broiler chicken flocks, with CAV-like lesions and clinical history were then tested only by the VP3/VP1 PCR and a reference PCR with published primers for the VP1 gene. Nineteen samples resulted positive and one negative in both PCR, while another 4 samples were positive only in the VP3/VP1 PCR. These results indicate that the VP3/VP1 PCR is a sensitive, specific diagnostic test, suitable as an alternative to the expensive and time consuming in vivo virus isolation method, specially considering the difficult diagnosis of CAV strains not readily adaptable to MSB-1 cell culture.Desenvolveu-se uma reação em cadeia de polimerase (PCR) para amplificação do altamente conservado gene VP3 e da região 5' do gene VP1, para o diagnóstico do vírus da anemia das galinhas (CAV), diretamente em amostras de campo de órgãos de frangos de corte com suspeita clínica da doença. A comparação entre o PCR VP3/VP1 com isolamento viral in vivo indicou 100% de concordância dos resultados, com 13 amostras positivas e três negativas em ambos os testes. Órgãos de outros 24 lotes de frangos com lesões e história clínica compatível com CAV foram testados com o PCR VP3/VP1 e com um PCR de referência com primers conhecidos para o gene VP1. Dezenove amostras resultaram positivas e uma negativa em ambos os PCR e quatro foram positivas apenas no PCR VP3/VP1. Estes resultados indicam que o PCR VP3/VP1 é um teste de diagnóstico sensível e específico, aplicável como alternativa ao método caro e demorado de isolamento viral in vivo e especialmente considerando-se amostras do CAV não adaptáveis a cultivos de células MSB-1

Efeito do raleio e do anelamento do tronco no crescimento, produção e qualidade da ameixeira japonesa Effect of thinning and of trunk girdling on growth, production and quality of japanese plums

Na produção de ameixas (Prunus salicina Lindley) para consumo in natura, o tamanho do fruto é um dos aspectos mais valorizados. O raleio de frutos é tradicionalmente utilizado para obter, entre outros efeitos, a melhoria do tamanho dos frutos remanescentes. Uma antiga prática, que está recebendo renovada atenção, é o anelamento, que em muitas situações pode aumentar o tamanho dos frutos e antecipar a colheita. Este trabalho avaliou os efeitos do raleio manual de frutos em intensidades de 0, 25, 50 e 75%, associado ou não ao anelamento do tronco (4 mm de largura), sobre o crescimento, a produção e a qualidade da ameixeira cv. Amarelinha. O experimento foi conduzido na Estação Experimental Agronômica da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (EEA/UFRGS) no ciclo 1995/96. O raleio foi realizado em 16/10/95, 36 dias após a plena floração, e o anelamento, sete dias após o raleio. O raleio reduziu a produção proporcionalmente à intensidade de raleio aplicada. O anelamento antecipou a colheita, diminuiu a firmeza e a acidez titulável, e aumentou a relação sólidos solúveis totais/acidez titulável dos frutos; mas diminuiu o vigor e o crescimento das plantas. Nenhum dos tratamentos alterou significativamente o peso médio dos frutos.<br>In the production of plums (Prunus salicina Lindley) for in natura consumption the fruit size is a very important feature. Fruit thinning is traditionally used to increase fruit size. Girdling is a practice which is deserving renewed attention, since in many situations is useful to improve fruit size and to advance harvest. This study seeks to evaluate the effect of manual fruit thinning at intensities of 0, 25, 50, and 75% associated or not to trunk girdling (4 mm wide) on the growth, production and quality of plum cv. Amarelinha. The experiment was carried out at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Experimental Research Station (Southern Brazil), during the growth season of 1995-96 (August - June). Thinning was applied on October 16, 1995, 36 days after full bloom, and girdling seven days after thinning. Thinning decreased total fruit yield proportionally to the applied intensity. Trunk girdling anticipated harvesting, decreased fruit firmness, titratable acidity and increased the ratio total soluble solids: titratable acidity of fruits, but decreased the vigour and vegetative growth of the trees. None of treatments affected significantly the mean fruit weight