Stratification of yerba mate seeds in a commercial nursery and the emergence monitoring

Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil. is a native species in Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Propagation is carried out by seeds that have a low germination rate and morphophysiological dormancy. In order to increase the germination percentage, stratification treatments and emergence monitoring were tested. For this, yerba mate seeds were subjected to stratification treatments: Treatment 1 - seeds between two sand layers; Treatment 2 - seeds between two sand layers and commercial substrate covered with corn straw; Treatment 3 - seeds between two sand layers with the addition of 4.0 g "L" ^"-1"  of slow-release fertilizer (16-8-12 - 6 months); Treatment 4 - seeds between two sand layers covered with corn straw; and a control treatment - seeds without stratification. The stratification period for all treatments was 180 days, and at 120, 150, and 180 days, 100 seeds were removed per repetition from each treatment for emergence tests, with weekly observation for 180-days in a completely randomized design. After that period, the tetrazolium test was performed with the seeds that did not emerge. At 120-days of stratification there was no emergence and at 150-days it was 0.83%. At 180-days, treatment 3 showed the highest percentage - 13.19%. Seeds without stratification do not germinate and after 180-days of emergence the amount of non-viable seeds increased in all treatments. Stratification in sand with slow-release fertilizer favors the emergence of yerba mate seedlings.The propagation of Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil. is carried out by seeds that have a low germination rate and morphophysiological dormancy. In order to increase the germination percentage, stratification treatments and emergence monitoring were tested. For this, yerba mate seeds were subjected to stratification treatments: Treatment 1 - seeds between two sand layers; Treatment 2 - seeds between two sand layers and commercial substrate covered with corn straw; Treatment 3 - seeds between two sand layers with the addition of 4.0 g  of controlled-release fertilizer; Treatment 4 - seeds between two sand layers covered with corn straw; and a control treatment - seeds without stratification. The stratification period for all treatments was 180 days, and at 120, 150, and 180 days, 100 seeds were removed per repetition from each treatment for emergence tests, with weekly observation for 180-days in a completely randomized design. After that period, the tetrazolium test was performed with the seeds that did not emerge. At 120-days of stratification there was no emergence and at 150-days it was 0.83%. At 180-days, treatment 3 showed the highest percentage - 13.19%. Seeds without stratification do not germinate and after 180-days of emergence the amount of non-viable seeds increased in all treatments. Stratification in sand, combined with controlled-release fertilizer favors yerba mate seedlings emergence. After 180-days of emergence in germinator plants at 25°C, there is an increase in non-viable seeds amount. Seeds that did not undergo the stratification process do not germinate and present a higher dormant seeds percentage after 180-days of emergence

Estratificação de sementes de erva-mate em viveiro comercial e acompanhamento da emergência

The propagation of Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil. is carried out by seeds that have a low germination rate and morphophysiological dormancy. In order to increase the germination percentage, stratification treatments and emergence monitoring were tested. For this, yerba mate seeds were subjected to stratification treatments: Treatment 1 - seeds between two sand layers; Treatment 2 - seeds between two sand layers and commercial substrate covered with corn straw; Treatment 3 - seeds between two sand layers with the addition of 4.0 g L-1 of controlled-release fertilizer; Treatment 4 - seeds between two sand layers covered with corn straw; and a control treatment - seeds without stratification. The stratification period for all treatments was 180 days, and at 120, 150, and 180 days, 100 seeds were removed per repetition from each treatment for emergence tests, with weekly observation for 180-days in a completely randomized design. After that period, the tetrazolium test was performed with the seeds that did not emerge. At 120-days of stratification there was no emergence and at 150-days it was 0.83%. At 180-days, treatment 3 showed the highest percentage - 13.19%. Seeds without stratification do not germinate and after 180-days of emergence the amount of non-viable seeds increased in all treatments. Stratification in sand, combined with controlled-release fertilizer favors yerba mate seedlings emergence. After 180-days of emergence in germinator plants at 25°C, there is an increase in non-viable seeds amount. Seeds that did not undergo the stratification process do not germinate and present a higher dormant seeds percentage after 180-days of emergence.A propagação da Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil. é realizada por sementes que apresentam baixa taxa de germinação e dormência morfofisiológica. Com o intuito de aumentar a porcentagem de germinação foram testados tratamentos de estratificação e acompanhamento da emergência. Para isso, sementes de erva-mate foram submetidas a tratamentos de estratificação: Tratamento 1 - sementes entre duas camadas de areia; Tratamento 2 - sementes entre duas camadas de areia e substrato comercial coberto por de palha de milho; Tratamento 3 - sementes entre duas camadas de areia com adição de 4,0 g L-1 de adubo de liberação controlada; Tratamento 4 - sementes entre duas camadas de areia coberta com palha de milho; e um tratamento controle - sementes sem estratificação. O período de estratificação de todos os tratamentos foi de 180 dias, e aos 120, 150 e 180 dias foram retiradas 100 sementes por repetição de cada tratamento para os testes de emergência, com acompanhamento semanal durante 180 dias em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Após esse período, com as sementes não emergidas foi realizado o teste de tetrazólio. Aos 120 dias de estratificação não houve emergência e aos 150 dias foi de 0,83%. Aos 180 dias, o tratamento 3 apresentou a maior porcentagem - 13,19%. Sementes sem estratificação não germinam e após 180 dias de emergência aumentou a quantidade de sementes não viáveis em todos os tratamentos. A estratificação em areia, aliada ao adubo de liberação controlada favorece a emergência das plântulas de erva-mate. Após 180 dias de emergência em germinador a 25°C ocorre aumento na quantidade de sementes não viáveis. Sementes que não passaram pelo processo de estratificação não germinam e apresentam maior porcentagem de sementes dormentes após 180 dias de emergência

Avaliação da qualidade de sementes de erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil.) oriundas de diferentes plantas matrizes

Yerba mate seedlings with genetic and physiological quality, high rates of sowing survival and resistance to environmental stresses are necessary for the implantation and establishment of productive plants that will provide quality raw material. However, the production of seedlings, in most cases is carried out from seeds, which are collected from mother-plants with few selection criteria. In this sense, the work aimed to investigate the quality of the seeds of yerba mate after processing by flotation from different mother-plants, by obtaining information about the biometric characterization (longitudinal and transversal measure), water content, a thousand-seed weight, evaluation of the seed integrity and viability through the tetrazolium test. The seeds were collected from 10 mother-plants located in three cities in the yerba-mate region Alto Vale do Taquari – RS state, Brazil. In the integrity assessment, the number of not full (empty and deteriorated) and full (with and without visible embryo) seeds was counted. In the tetrazolium test, the percentage of viable and non-viable seeds was evaluated. The seeds of the different parent plants showed statistical differences for all the variables analyzed. The analysis showed that there are differences related to biometric parameters and water content and, consequently, in the weight of a thousand seeds. Yerba mate shows a varied percentage of empty and deteriorated seeds. The percentage of non-viable seeds is high, which significantly reduces the viability of the seed lot.Mudas de erva-mate com qualidade genética e fisiológica, altos índices de sobrevivência no plantio e resistência a estresses ambientais são necessários para a implantação e estabelecimento de ervais produtivos que irão fornecer matéria-prima de qualidade. No entanto, a produção de mudas, na maioria dos casos, é realizada a partir de sementes, as quais são coletadas de plantas matrizes com poucos critérios de seleção. Nesse sentido, o trabalho teve como objetivo investigar a qualidade das sementes de erva-mate após pré-limpeza por flutuação de diferentes plantas matrizes, por meio da obtenção de informações sobre a caracterização biométrica (medida longitudinal e transversal), teor de água, peso de mil sementes, avaliação da integridade das sementes e viabilidade por meio do teste de tetrazólio. As sementes foram coletadas de 10 plantas matrizes localizadas em três municípios da região ervateira Alto Vale do Taquari – RS, Brasil. Na avaliação da integridade foram contabilizadas a quantidade de sementes não íntegras (vazias e deterioradas) e íntegras (com e sem embrião visível). E no teste de tetrazólio foi avaliada a porcentagem de sementes viáveis e não viáveis. As sementes das diferentes plantas matrizes apresentaram diferenças estatísticas para todas as variáveis analisadas. As análises mostraram que há diferenças relacionadas à biometria e teor de água e, consequentemente, no peso de mil sementes. A erva-mate apresenta percentual variado de sementes vazias e deterioradas. A porcentagem de sementes não viáveis é alta, o que reduz significativamente a viabilidade de um lote de sementes

Uso de soprador contínuo com fluxo vertical de ar no beneficiamento de sementes de erva-mate

Ilex paraguariensis é propagada principalmente por sementes, porém os lotes apresentam alta porcentagem de sementes vazias e deterioradas, tornando-se importante investigar práticas de beneficiamento para aumentar a pureza e viabilidade inicial do lote. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o potencial do uso do soprador contínuo com fluxo de ar vertical no beneficiamento de sementes de erva-mate. Sementes de sete matrizes foram expostas a fluxos de ar vertical nas aberturas 0; 3,5; 4,5; 5,5; 6,5 e 7,5 cm, resultando em frações leves (aleta) e pesadas (base). Foram avaliados o percentual de sementes não íntegras (vazias + deterioradas), viáveis, não viáveis e peso de mil sementes (PMS) retidas na base e aleta do soprador. A porcentagem de sementes não íntegras retidas na base do soprador reduziu com o aumento da abertura do fluxo de ar, também houve redução da fração de sementes viáveis e para a porcentagem de sementes não viáveis não houve diferença. O PMS de todas as matrizes apresentou aumento significativo na fração contida na base à medida que aumentou a abertura. Conclui-se que o uso do soprador aumenta a qualidade física e fisiológica das sementes de erva-mate ao promover a remoção de sementes não íntegras (vazias + degradadas). As aberturas de 5,5 e 6,5 cm, com velocidade terminal média de 100 km h-1 são indicadas para o beneficiamento de sementes de erva-mate, considerando a viabilidade e o PMS obtidos neste estudo.Ilex paraguariensis is mainly propagated by seeds, but the lots have a high percentage of empty and deteriorated seeds, making it important to investigate processing practices to increase the purity and initial viability of the lot. The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of using a continuous blower with vertical air flow in the processing of yerba mate seeds. Seeds from seven mother-plants were exposed to vertical air stream at openings 0; 3.5; 4.5; 5.5; 6.5 and 7.5 cm, resulting in light (fin) and heavy (base) fractions. The percentage of unhealthy seeds (empty + deteriorated), viable, non-viable and a weight of a thousand seeds (WTS) retained in the base and blade of the blower were evaluated. The percentage of unhealthy seeds retained at the base of the blower reduced with the increase of the air flow opening, there was also a reduction in the fraction of viable seeds and for the percentage of non-viable seeds there was no difference. The WTS of all mother-plants had a significant increase in the fraction contained in the base as the opening increased. It is concluded that the use of the blower increases the physical and physiological quality of yerba mate seeds by promoting the removal of non-integral seeds (empty + degraded). The opening of 5.5 and 6.5 cm, with an average terminal velocity of 100 km h-1 are indicated for the cleaning of yerba mate seeds, considering the viability and the WTS obtained in this work

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

Production of He-4 and (4) in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S=2.76 TeV at the LHC

Results on the production of He-4 and (4) nuclei in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S = 2.76 TeV in the rapidity range vertical bar y vertical bar <1, using the ALICE detector, are presented in this paper. The rapidity densities corresponding to 0-10% central events are found to be dN/dy4(He) = (0.8 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.3 (syst)) x 10(-6) and dN/dy4 = (1.1 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.2 (syst)) x 10(-6), respectively. This is in agreement with the statistical thermal model expectation assuming the same chemical freeze-out temperature (T-chem = 156 MeV) as for light hadrons. The measured ratio of (4)/He-4 is 1.4 +/- 0.8 (stat) +/- 0.5 (syst). (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 3663 population-representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults

Background Underweight and obesity are associated with adverse health outcomes throughout the life course. We estimated the individual and combined prevalence of underweight or thinness and obesity, and their changes, from 1990 to 2022 for adults and school-aged children and adolescents in 200 countries and territories. Methods We used data from 3663 population-based studies with 222 million participants that measured height and weight in representative samples of the general population. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in the prevalence of different BMI categories, separately for adults (age ≥20 years) and school-aged children and adolescents (age 5–19 years), from 1990 to 2022 for 200 countries and territories. For adults, we report the individual and combined prevalence of underweight (BMI &lt;18·5 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). For school&#x2;aged children and adolescents, we report thinness (BMI &lt;2 SD below the median of the WHO growth reference) and obesity (BMI &gt;2 SD above the median). Findings From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity in adults decreased in 11 countries (6%) for women and 17 (9%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 that the observed changes were true decreases. The combined prevalence increased in 162 countries (81%) for women and 140 countries (70%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. In 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity was highest in island nations in the Caribbean and Polynesia and Micronesia, and countries in the Middle East and north Africa. Obesity prevalence was higher than underweight with posterior probability of at least 0·80 in 177 countries (89%) for women and 145 (73%) for men in 2022, whereas the converse was true in 16 countries (8%) for women, and 39 (20%) for men. From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of thinness and obesity decreased among girls in five countries (3%) and among boys in 15 countries (8%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80, and increased among girls in 140 countries (70%) and boys in 137 countries (69%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. The countries with highest combined prevalence of thinness and obesity in school-aged children and adolescents in 2022 were in Polynesia and Micronesia and the Caribbean for both sexes, and Chile and Qatar for boys. Combined prevalence was also high in some countries in south Asia, such as India and Pakistan, where thinness remained prevalent despite having declined. In 2022, obesity in school-aged children and adolescents was more prevalent than thinness with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 among girls in 133 countries (67%) and boys in 125 countries (63%), whereas the converse was true in 35 countries (18%) and 42 countries (21%), respectively. In almost all countries for both adults and school-aged children and adolescents, the increases in double burden were driven by increases in obesity, and decreases in double burden by declining underweight or thinness. Interpretation The combined burden of underweight and obesity has increased in most countries, driven by an increase in obesity, while underweight and thinness remain prevalent in south Asia and parts of Africa. A healthy nutrition transition that enhances access to nutritious foods is needed to address the remaining burden of underweight while curbing and reversing the increase in obesit

Development and validation of HERWIG 7 tunes from CMS underlying-event measurements

This paper presents new sets of parameters (“tunes”) for the underlying-event model of the HERWIG7 event generator. These parameters control the description of multiple-parton interactions (MPI) and colour reconnection in HERWIG7, and are obtained from a fit to minimum-bias data collected by the CMS experiment at s=0.9, 7, and 13Te. The tunes are based on the NNPDF 3.1 next-to-next-to-leading-order parton distribution function (PDF) set for the parton shower, and either a leading-order or next-to-next-to-leading-order PDF set for the simulation of MPI and the beam remnants. Predictions utilizing the tunes are produced for event shape observables in electron-positron collisions, and for minimum-bias, inclusive jet, top quark pair, and Z and W boson events in proton-proton collisions, and are compared with data. Each of the new tunes describes the data at a reasonable level, and the tunes using a leading-order PDF for the simulation of MPI provide the best description of the dat

MUSiC : a model-unspecific search for new physics in proton-proton collisions at root s=13TeV

Results of the Model Unspecific Search in CMS (MUSiC), using proton-proton collision data recorded at the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb(-1), are presented. The MUSiC analysis searches for anomalies that could be signatures of physics beyond the standard model. The analysis is based on the comparison of observed data with the standard model prediction, as determined from simulation, in several hundred final states and multiple kinematic distributions. Events containing at least one electron or muon are classified based on their final state topology, and an automated search algorithm surveys the observed data for deviations from the prediction. The sensitivity of the search is validated using multiple methods. No significant deviations from the predictions have been observed. For a wide range of final state topologies, agreement is found between the data and the standard model simulation. This analysis complements dedicated search analyses by significantly expanding the range of final states covered using a model independent approach with the largest data set to date to probe phase space regions beyond the reach of previous general searches.Peer reviewe