THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS IN SMALL DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

The expected benefits from herbicide resistant transgenic rice in Uruguay are estimated with stochastic simulation techniques. Economic surplus methods that account for private profits are used to measure the magnitude and distribution of the benefits between producers and a multinational firm. Further, the adoption rate of transgenic rice is endogenous in the model and depends on the expected profitability of the technology. The results show that the potential benefits from the technology are relatively small because of the small production base. Multinational firms are, therefore, unlikely to develop locally adapted transgenic rice varieties without strategic partnerships with local institutions.Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Surface roughness effects on runoff and soil erosion rates under simulated rainfall

Soil surface roughness is identified as one of the controlling factors governing runoff and soil loss. Yet, most studies pay little attention to soil surface roughness. In this study, we analyzed the influence of surface roughness on runoff and soil erosion rates. Bulk samples of a silt loam soil were collected and sieved to 4 aggregate sizes: 0.003-0.012, 0.012-0.02, 0.02-0.045, 0.045-0.1 m. The aggregates were packed in a 0.60 by 1.2 m soil tray, which was set at a slope of 5%. Rainfall simulations using an oscillating nozzle simulator were executed for 90 min at intensity of 50.2 mm.h-1. The surface microtopography was digitized by an instantaneous profile laser scanner before and after the rainfall application. From the laser scanner data, a digital elevation model was produced and a roughness factor extracted. The data revealed longer times to runoff with increasing soil surface roughness as surface depressions first had to be filled before runoff could take place. Once channels were interconnected, runoff velocity and runoff amount increased as aggregates were broken down and depressions were filled. Rough surfaces were smoothed throughout the rainfall event, diminishing the effect on runoff. Final wash rates were comparable for all different applications. The simulations reveal that the significance of soil surface roughness effect is the delay in runoff for rougher surfaces rather than the decrease of soil erosion amount

Development, sensitivity and uncertainty analysis of LASH model

Diversos modelos hidrológicos têm sido desenvolvidos no intuito de auxiliar na gestão de recursos naturais em todo o mundo. Porém, a maioria desses modelos apresenta um alto grau de complexidade em relação tanto à necessidade de base de dados, quanto ao número de parâmetros de calibração. Em virtude desses fatores, se torna difícil a aplicação em bacias hidrográficas que têm bases de dados reduzidas. Neste artigo é descrito o desenvolvimento do modelo Lavras Simulation of Hydrology (LASH) em uma estrutura de SIG, buscando enfatizar seus principais componentes e parâmetros, bem como suas potencialidades. Além da descrição do modelo, também foram realizadas a análise de sensibilidade, a redução do intervalo de parâmetros e a análise de incertezas, anteriormente à fase de calibração, utilizando metodologias específicas (método de Morris, simulação de Monte Carlo e o método Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Equation (GLUE)), com a base de dados de uma bacia hidrográfica experimental tropical brasileira (32 km²), a fim de simular a vazão total média diária. O LASH é um modelo classificado como determinístico e distribuído, que utiliza dados de longo termo e poucos mapas para predizer vazão na seção de controle de bacias hidrográficas. Foi possível identificar os parâmetros mais sensíveis do modelo para a bacia hidrográfica de referência, os quais estão associados com os componentes de escoamento de base e superficial direto. Em função do limiar conservador utilizado neste estudo, foram reduzidos os intervalos de dois parâmetros, dessa forma gerando resultados simulados mais realísticos e também facilitando a calibração automática do modelo com um menor número de iterações necessárias. O método da GLUE mostrou ser eficiente frente à análise de incertezas relacionadas à predição de vazão na bacia de estudo.Many hydrologic models have been developed to help manage natural resources all over the world. Nevertheless, most models have presented a high complexity regarding data base requirements, as well as, many calibration parameters. This has brought serious difficulties for applying them in watersheds where there is scarcity of data. The development of the Lavras Simulation of Hydrology (LASH) in a GIS framework is described in this study, which focuses on its main components, parameters, and capabilities. Coupled with LASH, sensitivity analysis, parameter range reduction, and uncertainty analysis were performed prior to the calibration effort by using specific techniques (Morris method, Monte Carlo simulation and a Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation -GLUE) with a data base from a Brazilian Tropical Experimental Watershed (32 km²), in order to predict streamflow on a daily basis. LASH is a simple deterministic and spatially distributed model using long-term data sets, and a few maps to predict streamflow at a watershed outlet. We were able to identify the most sensitive parameters which are associated with the base flow and surface runoff components, using a reference watershed. Using a conservative threshold, two parameters had their range of values reduced, thus resulting in outputs closer to measured values and facilitating automatic calibration of the model with less required iterations. GLUE was found to be an efficient method to analyze uncertainties related to the prediction of mean daily streamflow in the watershed

Distribuição espacial da umidade superficial do solo em uma bacia hidrográfica experimental do Sudeste do Brasil

Soil water content is essential to understand the hydrological cycle. It controls the surface runoff generation, water infiltration, soil evaporation and plant transpiration. This work aims to analyze the spatial distribution of top soil water content and to characterize the spatial mean and standard deviation of top soil water content over time in an experimental catchment located in the Mantiqueira Range region, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Measurements of top soil water content were carried out every 15 days, between May/2007 and May/2008. Using time-domain reflectometry (TDR) equipment, 69 points were sampled in the top 0.2 m of the soil profile. Geostatistical procedures were applied in all steps of the study. First, the spatial continuity was evaluated, and the experimental semi-variogram was modeled. For the development of top soil water content maps over time a co-kriging procedure was used having the slope as a secondary variable. Rainfall regime controlled the top soil water content during the wet season. Land use was also another fundamental local factor. The spatial standard deviation had low values under dry conditions, and high values under wet conditions. Thus, more variability occurs under wet conditions.A umidade do solo é essencial para o entendimento do ciclo hidrológico, uma vez que controla a geração do escoamento superficial, infiltração de água no solo, evaporação do solo e transpiração das plantas. Este trabalho objetivou analisar os padrões espaciais da umidade superficial do solo e caracterizar a média e o desvio padrão espaciais da mesma ao longo do tempo em uma bacia hidrográfica experimental localizada na Serra da Mantiqueira, MG. As medidas da umidade superficial do solo foram conduzidas a cada 15 dias, entre Maio/2007 e Maio/2008, usando um equipamento TDR portátil, em 69 pontos amostrados na camada de 0-20 cm. Procedimentos geoestatísticos foram aplicados em todas as etapas do trabalho. Primeiramente, a continuidade espacial foi avaliada modelando-se o semivariograma experimental. Mapas de umidade do solo foram desenvolvidos com base na cokrigagem usando o padrão de declividade como variável secundária. O regime de chuvas controlou a umidade superficial do solo durante o período úmido, devido aos altos conteúdos de umidade. O uso do solo também foi outro fator fundamental na distribuição espacial da umidade do solo. O desvio padrão espacial apresentou baixos valores sob condições secas e valores mais altos sob condições úmidas

Interrill and rill erosion as affected by plot configuration on a sandy loam Hapludalf soil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de parcelas de erosão com seções transversais da superfície do solo retangular (STR) e triangular (STT) na perda de solo e água e na erodibilidade, em sulcos e entressulcos. O experimento foi conduzido em 1998, em um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo distrófico arênico, preparado convencionalmente. As dimensões das parcelas de entressulcos foram de 0,50 m por 0,75 m; nos sulcos com STR, as dimensões foram de 0,20 m por 5,90 m, e nos de STT, de 0,50 m por 5,90 m. Utilizou-se chuva simulada constante de 65 mm h-1 nos entressulcos, durante 90 minutos. Nos sulcos, após pré-umedecimento do solo, foram aplicadas cinco vazões extras crescentes de 0,0002 m3 s-1 até 0,0010 m3 s-1. A desagregação nos entressulcos Di (2,09.10-4 kg m-2 s-1 nas STR e 3,35.10-4 kg m-2 s-1 nas STT), a erodibilidade nos entressulcos Ki (1,77.106 kg s m-4 nas STR e 2,00.106 kg s m-4 nas STT), a erodibilidade em sulcos Kr (0,0110 kg N-1 s-1 nas STR e 0,0074 kg N-1 s-1 na STT) e a tensão crítica de cisalhamento tc (2,61 N m-2 na STR e 2,00 N m-2 na STT) não foram estatisticamente diferentes nos dois formatos de seção transversal, e podem ser determinados usando-se qualquer um dos formatos de parcelas em solos de textura superficial arenosa.The objective of this study was to compare rill and interrill erodibility and critical shear stress, for two configurations of soil surface: rectangular (RCS) and triangular (TCS) cross-sections. The experiment was done in 1998 on a conventionally tilled Hapludalf with a sandy loam soil surface texture. The interrill plot dimensions were 0.50 by 0.75 m, while for rill, the dimensions were 0.20 by 5.90 m for RCS, and 0.50 by 5.90 m for TCS. Constant simulated rain of 65 mm h-1 was applied on the interrill plots for 90 minutes, whereas for the rills, besides rain to prewet the soil, five extra inflows of 0.0002 m3 s-1 up to 0.0010 m3 s-1 were applied. The interrill detachment rate Di (2.09x10-4 kg m-2 s-1 for RCS and 3.35x10-4 kg m-2 s-1 for TCS), interrill erodibility Ki (1.77x106 kg s m-4 for RCS and 2.00x106 kg s m-4 for TCS), rill erodibility Kr (0.0110 kg N-1 s-1 for RCS e 0.0074 kg N-1 s-1 for TCS), and critical shear stress tc (2.61 N m-2 for RCS e 2.00 N m-2 for TCS) were not statistically different for the two cross-sections, and can be determined on any of the plot configuration for sandy loam soils

Phosphorylation of p66Shc and forkhead proteins mediates Aβ toxicity

Excessive accumulation of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) plays an early and critical role in synapse and neuronal loss in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Increased oxidative stress is one of the mechanisms whereby Aβ induces neuronal death. Given the lessened susceptibility to oxidative stress exhibited by mice lacking p66Shc, we investigated the role of p66Shc in Aβ toxicity. Treatment of cells and primary neuronal cultures with Aβ caused apoptotic death and induced p66Shc phosphorylation at Ser36. Ectopic expression of a dominant-negative SEK1 mutant or chemical JNK inhibition reduced Aβ-induced JNK activation and p66Shc phosphorylation (Ser36), suggesting that JNK phosphorylates p66Shc. Aβ induced the phosphorylation and hence inactivation of forkhead transcription factors in a p66Shc-dependent manner. Ectopic expression of p66ShcS36A or antioxidant treatment protected cells against Aβ-induced death and reduced forkhead phosphorylation, suggesting that p66Shc phosphorylation critically influences the redox regulation of forkhead proteins and underlies Aβ toxicity. These findings underscore the potential usefulness of JNK, p66Shc, and forkhead proteins as therapeutic targets for AD

Estabilidade de agregados em solos cultivados com eucalipto

The objective of this work was to evaluate the aggregate stability of tropical soils under eucalyptus plantation and native vegetation, and assess the relationships between aggregate stability and some soil chemical and physical properties. Argisols, Cambisol, Latosols and Plinthosol within three eucalyptus-cultivated regions, in the states of Espírito Santo, Rio Grande do Sul and Minas Gerais, Brazil, were studied. For each region, soils under native vegetation were compared to those under minimum tillage with eucalyptus cultivation. The aggregate stability was measured using the high-energy moisture characteristic (HEMC) technique, i.e., the moisture release curve at very low suctions. This method compares the resistance of aggregates to slaking on a relative scale from zero to one. Thus, the aggregate stability from different soils and management practices can be directly compared. The aggregate stability ratio was greater than 50% for all soils, which shows that the aggregate stability index is high, both in eucalyptus and native vegetation areas. This suggests that soil management adopted for eucalyptus cultivation does not substantially modify this property. In these soils, the aggregate stability ratio does not show a good relationship with clay or soil organic matter contents. However, soil organic matter shows a positive relationship with clay content and cation exchange capacity.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a estabilidade de agregados, em solos tropicais sob cultivo de eucalipto e vegetação nativa, e avaliar as relações entre a estabilidade de agregados e alguns atributos químicos e físicos do solo. Foram estudados Argissolos, Cambissolo, Latossolos e Plintossolo dentro de três regiões com cultivo de eucalipto, nos estados do Espírito Santo, Rio Grande do Sul e Minas Gerais. Para cada região, os solos com vegetação nativa foram comparados aos solos com preparo mínimo sob plantio de eucalipto. A estabilidade de agregados foi determinada por meio da técnica da curva característica da umidade em alta energia (HEMC), isto é, a curva de retenção de umidade na sucção muito baixa. Este método compara a resistência dos agregados à quebra em uma escala relativa de zero a um. Deste modo, a estabilidade de agregado em diferentes solos e práticas de manejo pode ser diretamente comparada. A razão de estabilidade de agregados foi maior que 50% em todos os solos estudados o que indica que o índice de estabilidade de agregados é alto tanto nas áreas com cultivo de eucalipto quanto naquelas com vegetação nativa. Isto sugere que o manejo do solo adotado para o eucalipto não modifica substancialmente este atributo. Nesses solos, a razão de estabilidade de agregados não mostra boa correlação com o conteúdo de argila ou de matéria orgânica. Entretanto, a matéria orgânica do solo mostra uma positiva correlação com o conteúdo de argila e com a capacidade de troca de cátion