A reflection of the use of the life cycle assessment tool for agri-food sustainability

In pursuit of agricultural sustainability and food security, research should contribute to policy-making by providing scientifically robust evidence. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is an excellent candidate for generating that evidence, thereby helping the selection of interventions towards more sustainable agri-food. The purpose of this article is proposing a basis for discussion on the use of the LCA tool for targeting and monitoring of environmental policy interventions in agri-food. The problem of reducing the environmental burden in agri-food can be tackled by acting on the supply and/or demand sides and may benefit from the collaboration of supply chain stakeholders. Agri-food policies that most benefit from LCA-based data concern cross-border pollution, transaction costs following the adoption of environmental standards, adoption of less polluting practices and/or technologies, and business-to-consumer information asymmetry. The choice between the methodological options available for LCA studies (attributional, consequential, or hybrid models) depends on the purpose and scope of the study. The possibility of integrating the LCA with economic and social impact assessments-e.g., under the life cycle sustainability assessment framework-makes LCA an excellent tool for monitoring business or sectoral-level achievements with respect to UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals

Efeito do cultivo da soja na dinâmica da população bacteriana, em solos de cerrado

The effect of soybean cultivation on the population dynamics of the bacterial community was evaluated in two "Cerrado" soils of São Paulo State, Brazil. The experimental areas, in the vicinities of the cities of São Carlos and Barretos, were previously cultivated, respectively, with Paspalum notatum and Brachiaria decumbens. The bacterial population densities in these soils varied from 398.1 x 103 to 467.7 x 103 cfu (colony forming units) and from 123 x 103 to 218.8 x 103 cfu/g of dried soil, respectively, in São Carlos and Barretos soils. Soybean cultivation in both soils resulted in increments in the total bacterial population density, in the actinomycetes population, and in the bacterial population resistant to the antibiotics streptomycin and chloramphenicol. Actinomycetes were present in these soils mainly as spores. Soybean cultivation did not alter the actinomycetes spores/hyphae ratio when comparing rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric soils. The results show that soybean cultivation affected the bacterial population of these soils.Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a influência do cultivo da soja sobre a dinâmica da população bacteriana, em dois solos de Cerrado do Estado de São Paulo, originalmente cobertos com Paspalum notatum (em Barretos) e Brachiaria decumbens (em São Carlos). Nesses solos, a densidade da população de bactérias em geral variou de 398,1 x 103 a 467,7 x 103 e de 123 x 103 a 218,8 x 103 ufc (unidades formadoras de colônias)/g de solo seco, respectivamente. O cultivo da soja, em ambos os solos, resultou em incrementos variados nos números de ufc/g de solo seco da população de bactérias em geral, das resistentes aos antibióticos estreptomicina e cloranfenicol, e de actinomicetos. A população de actinomicetos ocorreu no solo principalmente como esporos, e as variações das relações esporos/hifas entre os solos não-rizosférico e rizosférico não foram significativas. Os resultados evidenciam que o cultivo da soja influenciou de forma diferenciada a população desses solos

L’analisi del ciclo di vita come strumento di supporto alle decisioni evidence-based in agricoltura

Il presente articolo propone una discussione sul contributo del metodo Life Cycle Assessment alle politiche evidence-based, soprattutto per favorire l’adozione di innovazioni più ecologiche e ridurre l’asimmetria informativa B2C, nell’ottica degli obiettivi 2030 di sviluppo sostenibile (Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs)

Topological First-Order Systems with Landau-Ginzburg Interactions

We consider the realization of N=2 superconformal models in terms of free first-order $(b,c,\beta,\gamma)$-systems, and show that an arbitrary Landau-Ginzburg interaction with quasi-homogeneous potential can be introduced without spoiling the (2,2)-superconformal invariance. We discuss the topological twisting and the renormalization group properties of these theories, and compare them to the conventional topological Landau-Ginzburg models. We show that in our formulation the parameters multiplying deformation terms in the potential are flat coordinates. After properly bosonizing the first-order systems, we are able to make explicit calculations of topological correlation functions as power series in these flat coordinates by using standard Coulomb gas techniques. We retrieve known results for the minimal models and for the torus.Comment: 37 page

Efeito de Bacillus sp. e Trichoderma sp. no crescimento micelial de Sclerotium rolfsii

This research aimed to evaluate the antagonistic effect of bacterial isolates of the genus Bacillus sp. and the fungus Trichoderma sp. on the mycelial growth of Sclerotium rolfsii, causal agent of sclerotia rot in plants Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (cowpea). The assay was conducted using the crop pairing technique. The pathogen was obtained by the isolation of V. unguiculata (L.) Walp. with symptoms of the disease. The antagonists used were: Bacillus subtilis (LCB 30), B. subtilis (LCB 45), Bacillus sp. (BMH), Bacillus sp. (INV) and Trichoderma sp. Evaluations of mycelial growth were made when the entire surface of the culture medium was presented BDA-colonized by S. rolfsii in the treatment control (pathogen grown in the absence of antagonist). For the analyzes, a completely randomized design with five replications was used. The isolates B. subtilis (LCB30), Bacillus sp. (INV) and Trichoderma sp. They are capable of inhibiting fungus mycelial growth of S. rolfsii by reducing the fungal colony on 53.77%, 29.22% and 34.00%, respectively, with isolated B. subtilis (LCB45) and Bacillus sp. (BMH), inhibited 13.55% and 21.55% growth S.rolfsii, respectively, did not differ statistically from the control.Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo, avaliar o efeito antagônico de isolados bacterianos do gênero Bacillus sp. e do fungo Trichoderma sp. sobre o crescimento micelial de Sclerotium rolfsii, agente causador da podridão de esclerócio em plantas de feijão caupi (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp). O ensaio foi conduzido utilizando a técnica de pareamento de culturas. O patógeno foi obtido pelo isolamento de plantas de feijão-caupi com sintomas da doença. Os antagonistas utilizados foram: Bacillus subtilis (LCB 30), B. subtilis (LCB 45), Bacillus sp. (BMH), Bacillus sp. (INV) e Trichoderma sp. As avaliações do crescimento micelial foram realizadas quando toda a superfície do meio de cultivo BDA (Batata, Dextrose e Ágar) apresentava-se colonizada pelo S. rolfsii no tratamento testemunha (patógeno cultivado na ausência do antagonista). Para as análises foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco repetições. Os isolados B. subtilis (LCB30), Bacillus sp. (INV) e Trichoderma sp. são capazes de inibir o crescimento micelial do fungo S. rolfsii, reduzindo a colônia fúngica em 53,77%, 29,22% e 34,00%, respectivamente, sendo que os isolados B. subtilis (LCB45) e Bacillus sp. (BMH), inibiram 13,55% e 21,55% do crescimento de S. rolfsii, respectivamente, não diferindo estatisticamente da testemunha

In vitro selection of biocontrol agents for the control of Fusarium sp.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the in vitro antagonistic action of Bacillus and Trichoderma sp. in the control of Fusarium sp. responsible for damages in plants of Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp (cowpea). The assay was conducted using the crop pairing technique. The pathogen Fusarium sp. was obtained by the isolation of cowpea plants with symptoms of the disease. The antagonists used were: Bacillus subtilis (LCB 30), B. subtilis (LCB 45), Bacillus sp. (BMH), Bacillus sp. (INV) and Trichoderma sp. Mycelial growth evaluations were performed when the entire surface of the PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar) culture medium was colonized by Fusarium sp. in the control treatment (pathogen cultured in the absence of the antagonist). For the analyzes, a completely randomized design with 5 replications was used. From the results obtained, it can be inferred that the isolates of Bacillus spp. and Trichoderma sp. have the potential as antagonists against Fusarium sp., the isolate Bacillus subtilis (LCB 45) responsible for inhibiting 25% of the mycelial growth, and the treatments with B. subtilis (LCB 30), Bacillus sp. (BMH), Bacillus sp. (INV) and Trichoderma sp., Inhibited 59.4%, 46.5%, 46.4% and 37% growth of the colony diameter of the causal agent of fusariosis in cowpea plants, respectively

AVALIAÇÃO DA BIODEGRADAÇÃO DO INSETICIDA IMIDACLOPRIDO EM REATOR DE BANCADA

Na Região do Vale do São Francisco, no estado de Pernambuco, o manejo da uva requer a utilização de inseticidas para combate às pragas, dentre eles, destaca-se o imidacloprido. A utilização de inseticidas acarreta na geração de efluentes contaminados, provenientes das sobras da pulverização e das águas de lavagens dos equipamentos destinados a essa atividade, os quais, se não forem tratados corretamente, podem contaminar os recursos naturais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a biodegradação do inseticida imidacloprido, empregando reator de bancada, combinando aeração e esterco caprino. Para avaliar as melhores condições de biodegradação, utilizou-se um planejamento fatorial 22 verificando a influência da razão efluente / biomassa (95/5 e 80/20) e do tempo de detenção (15 e 23 dias). As variáveis avaliadas foram nitrogênio total, oxigênio dissolvido, temperatura, carbono orgânico total, contagem de microrganismos e análise do imidacloprido no efluente e no esterco caprino. Verificou-se que os microrganismos presentes no esterco caprino foram promissores na biodegradação do imidacloprido

Stringy instanton corrections to N=2 gauge couplings

We discuss a string model where a conformal four-dimensional N=2 gauge theory receives corrections to its gauge kinetic functions from "stringy" instantons. These contributions are explicitly evaluated by exploiting the localization properties of the integral over the stringy instanton moduli space. The model we consider corresponds to a setup with D7/D3-branes in type I' theory compactified on T4/Z2 x T2, and possesses a perturbatively computable heterotic dual. In the heteoric side the corrections to the quadratic gauge couplings are provided by a 1-loop threshold computation and, under the duality map, match precisely the first few stringy instanton effects in the type I' setup. This agreement represents a very non-trivial test of our approach to the exotic instanton calculus.Comment: 63 pages, 5 figures. V2: final version with minor corrections published on JHEP05(2010)10

Acute Delta Hepatitis in Italy spanning three decades (1991–2019): Evidence for the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccination campaign

Updated incidence data of acute Delta virus hepatitis (HDV) are lacking worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate incidence of and risk factors for acute HDV in Italy after the introduction of the compulsory vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 1991. Data were obtained from the National Surveillance System of acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA). Independent predictors of HDV were assessed by logistic-regression analysis. The incidence of acute HDV per 1-million population declined from 3.2 cases in 1987 to 0.04 in 2019, parallel to that of acute HBV per 100,000 from 10.0 to 0.39 cases during the same period. The median age of cases increased from 27 years in the decade 1991-1999 to 44 years in the decade 2010-2019 (p < .001). Over the same period, the male/female ratio decreased from 3.8 to 2.1, the proportion of coinfections increased from 55% to 75% (p = .003) and that of HBsAg positive acute hepatitis tested for by IgM anti-HDV linearly decreased from 50.1% to 34.1% (p < .001). People born abroad accounted for 24.6% of cases in 2004-2010 and 32.1% in 2011-2019. In the period 2010-2019, risky sexual behaviour (O.R. 4.2; 95%CI: 1.4-12.8) was the sole independent predictor of acute HDV; conversely intravenous drug use was no longer associated (O.R. 1.25; 95%CI: 0.15-10.22) with this. In conclusion, HBV vaccination was an effective measure to control acute HDV. Intravenous drug use is no longer an efficient mode of HDV spread. Testing for IgM-anti HDV is a grey area requiring alert. Acute HDV in foreigners should be monitored in the years to come