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The monitoring of grain and seeds characteristics is fundamental to maintain postharvest quality. Grain mass changes through CO2 levels monitoring can reduce the product deterioration by anticipating actions to maintain the grain mass quality. This study aimed to develop a CO2 monitoring system in stored grains/seeds and to analyze its efficiency. The analysis was performed in four crop species (brachiaria, sunflower, corn, and soybean) with different water content and sanity condition. The system hardware was composed of a controller micro board, CO2 sensor and data stored module. The system routine was developed in C++ language. The monitoring of CO2 and flammable gases was performed for system analysis and verification. The system monitoring developed showed efficiency in CO2 levels determination in stored grains/seeds and low-cost, being a viable and applicable tool aiming to the maintenance of postharvest quality. The monitoring of grain and seeds characteristics is fundamental to maintain postharvest quality. Grain mass changes through CO2 levels monitoring can reduce the product deterioration by anticipating actions to maintain the grain mass quality. This study aimed to develop a CO2 monitoring system in stored grains/seeds and to analyze its efficiency. The analysis was performed in four crop species (brachiaria, sunflower, corn, and soybean) with different water content and sanity condition. The system hardware was composed of a controller micro board, CO2 sensor and data stored module. The system routine was developed in C++ language. The monitoring of CO2 and flammable gases was performed for system analysis and verification. The system monitoring developed showed efficiency in CO2 levels determination in stored grains/seeds and low-cost, being a viable and applicable tool aiming to the maintenance of postharvest quality.

The efficient use of water and energy is fundamental to a sustainable agricultural practice. Deficit irrigationscan contribute to saving water and energetic resources. This work aimed at analyzing the influence of waterreposition in the water and energy efficiency use for growing tomato cocktail type tomato. The experiment wasconducted in vegetation house, and the randomized design was adopted with five levels of water reposition(25, 50, 75, 100 and 125% of evapotranspiration in culture (ETc)) and six repetitions. The morphological contentswere evaluated (number of bunches, number of abortions, fresh mass of aerial part, stem diameter and height),SPAD index (Soil Plant Analysis Development), water demand, productivity, energy use and energy productivity.Data were analyzed through variance analysis, average comparison, regression analysis and correlation. Waterdeficit affects growth, development and productivity of cocktail type tomato. The morphological developmentand the production yield show high correlation with water availability. The water replacement of 75% of ETc hasshown better efficiency in water and electricity use in growing cocktail type tomato., A utilização eficiente da água e da energia é primordial para uma prática agrícola sustentável. Irrigações deficitárias podem contribuir para economia dos recursos hídricos e energéticos. O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar o efeito da reposição hídrica na eficiência da utilização da água e da energia no cultivo de tomate tipo coquetel. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, sendo adotado delineamento casualizado com cinco níveis de reposição hídrica (25, 50, 75, 100 e 125% da evapotranspiração da cultura (ETc)) e seis repetições. Foram avaliados componentes morfológicos (número de cachos, número de abortos, massa fresca da parte aérea, diâmetro do caule e altura), índice SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development), demanda hídrica, produtividade, uso de energia e produtividade energética. Os dados foram analisados por análise de variância, comparação de médias, análise de regressão e correlação. O desenvolvimento morfológico e o rendimento produtivo apresentaram elevada correlação com a disponibilidade hídrica. O déficit hídrico afetou o crescimento, desenvolvimento e a produtividade do tomate. A lâmina de 75% da ETc demonstrou melhor eficiência da utilização da água e de energia.

The quality of cotton fiber is a fundamental criterion for determining the commercial value of the product, being influenced by the conditions of cultivation. The study aimed to evaluate irrigated and non-irrigated cultivation systems and the management of silicon fertilization on cotton fiber characteristics. The experiment was carried out in the field in Selvíria-MS, in the 2017/2018 agricultural crop. It was adopted a randomized block design, in a 2x6 factorial scheme, with two cultivationconditions (irrigated and rainfed) and six doses of Si (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 400 g ha-1), with four replications. Seeds of the genotype TMG 11 WS were used. Irrigation was carried out with sprinklers spaced at 6x6 m. The application of Si via leaf was carried out at 50 and 70 days after emergence. From thecotton fiber, the characteristics of length, micronaire, strength, uniformity, elongation, reflectance, yellowing, degree of leaves, impurity and impurity particles were analyzed. The data submitted to analysis of variance by the F test, the means compared for the cultivation condition, and regression analysis for the amount of Si. The cotton fiber in irrigated cultivation showed improvement in the characteristics resistance, reflectance and yellowing.The application of Si via leaf reduced the leaf grade in the cotton fibers.

Os teores de pigmentos foliares estão diretamente relacionados com as condições de desenvolvimento da planta, sendo a determinação realizada por métodos diretos e indiretos. O trabalho teve como objetivo relacionar os valores do índice SPAD com o conteúdo de pigmentos foliares na cultura da ervilha. A determinação foi realizada em folhas de plantas em estágio reprodutivo, apresentando coloração variando de amarelada para verde escuro. A determinação indireta foi realizada com o equipamento SPAD 502 e a determinação direta por espectrometria utilizando acetona pura como extrator. Foi realizada análise descritiva, correlação e de regressão nos dados. O índice SPAD obtido variou entre 8,2 e 42,2. O teor absoluto de clorofila é elevado em valores de SPAD superiores, ajustado por modelos quadráticos. Foi obtido elevada correlação entre índice SPAD e pigmentos foliares (clorofilas a, b e totais) em folhas de ervilha.

Evapotranspiration and the estimation of crop coefficient (Kc) are essential information for irrigation management, contributing to increase the water use efficiency and optimizing resources, mainly using local data. This study aimed to determine the water consumption and the crop coefficient of cauliflower (Barcelona hybrid) in the northwestern region of Paraná. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Technical Irrigation Center belonging to the State University of Maringá, in Maringá - PR. The crop evapotranspiration was determined using constant water table lysimeters, and the reference evapotranspiration was estimated by the Penman-Monteith method (FAO), using climatological data collected in an automatic meteorological station. The cultivation was carried out from April to July. The total water consumption by the cauliflower was 215.11 mm, a higher value than that available in the FAO recommendations. The crop coefficient (Kc) recommended values for local conditions are 0.74 for the initial stage, 1.86 for the intermediate stage, and 1.50 for the final stage.

Introdução: A pandemia de coronavírus (COVID-19) impactou não apenas a saúde física, em decorrência da síndrome respiratória aguda grave causada pelo vírus, mas também impactou a saúde mental, as áreas econômica e a social. Além disso, o foco do cenário pandêmico foi a contingência do COVID-19, o que propiciou o aparecimento ou o agravamento de outras doenças. Dessa forma, os escopos originados da pandemia tornaram-se potenciais desencadeantes de quadros de estresse e de interferência na qualidade de vida da população. Proposição: avaliar o índice de estresse percebido e a qualidade de vida da população em dois grupos de pessoas: primeiro, as que tiveram diagnóstico confirmado de COVID-19 e, segundo indivíduos que não contraíram a doença. Materiais e Métodos: Participaram da pesquisa 66 indivíduos, entre 18 e 60 anos, sendo 33 de pessoas sem contaminação e 33 pessoas que tiveram diagnóstico confirmado. Os participantes responderam dois questionários: O questionário de estresse percebido (QEP), para avaliar o estresse e outro questionário para avaliação da qualidade de vida (SF-36). Resultados: A análise mostrou que o QEP dos indivíduos não contaminados foi menor (0,64 + 0,04); em comparação aos indivíduos que tiveram o resultado positivo para doença (0,73 + 0,02) (p = 0,0484), diferença estatisticamente significativa, o que mostra que os casos positivos têm percepção que estão mais estressados. Na análise do SF-36, apenas o domínio Capacidade Funcional apresentou diferença estatisticamente significativa, sendo que os voluntários que não tiveram a doença apresentaram um maior valor (93,3 + 2,0), que os contaminados (73,0 + 3,6) (p < 0,0001), o que sugere melhor qualidade de vida aos primeiros. Conclusão: O estudo apresenta resultados que indicam que a pandemia impactou negativamente a saúde da população, pois os participantes diagnosticados com COVID-19 tiveram maior estresse percebido e menor qualidade de vida, em comparação aos não contaminados.

Rodents detect chemical information mainly through the olfactory and vomeronasal systems, which play complementary roles to orchestrate appropriate behavioral responses. To characterize the integration of chemosensory information, we have performed electrophysiological and c-Fos studies of the bulbo–amygdalar network in freely behaving female mice exploring neutral or conspecific stimuli. We hypothesize that processing conspecifics stimuli requires both chemosensory systems, and thus our results will show shared patterns of activity in olfactory and vomeronasal structures. Were the hypothesis not true, the activity of the vomeronasal structures would be independent of that of the main olfactory system. In the c-Fos analysis, we assessed the activation elicited by neutral olfactory or male stimuli in a broader network. Male urine induced a significantly higher activity in the vomeronasal system compared to that induced by a neutral odorant. Concerning the olfactory system, only the cortex–amygdala transition area showed significant activation. No differential c-Fos expression was found in the reward system and the basolateral amygdala. These functional patterns in the chemosensory circuitry reveal a strong top-down control of the amygdala over both olfactory bulbs, suggesting an active role of the amygdala in the integration of chemosensory information directing the activity of the bulbs during environmental exploration.

The knowledge regarding the crop water demand and its vegetative development is the basis for anyagronomic scientific research. This study determined evapotranspiration, crop coefficient, fruit growth rate,stem, and photosynthetic activities of the melon. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment at the Technical Irrigation Center (CTI) of the Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM) in Maringá-Pr. The hybrid used was the melon Cantaloupe Torreon grown vertically. Irrigation was carried out via drip based on accumulated evapotranspiration. Reference evapotranspiration was estimated by the Penman-Monteith-FAO method using data from an automatic weather station, and crop evapotranspiration was measured using constant groundwater lysimeters. Caliper performed measurements of the plant’s lap and fruit in formation. The SPAD index measurements occurred on the third leaf of the main stem and the leaf closest to the fruit. The melon’s water demand was 388.16 mm. The crop coefficient values obtained were: 0.95, 1.03, and 0.99 for the initial, intermediate, and final stages. The growth rate of the cervix increased from 7 mm to 35th day after transplantation. In 14 days, the equatorial growth of the fruit was 98 mm. The SPAD index registered a maximum of 105 for the third leaf and 112 for the fruit leaf., O conhecimento referente a demanda hídrica da cultura, assim como a compreensão de seu desenvolvimento vegetativo é a base para qualquer pesquisa científica agronômica. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo determinar a evapotranspiração, coeficiente da cultura, taxa de crescimento do fruto, caule e atividades fotossintéticas do meloeiro. O experimento foi conduzido em ambiente protegido no Centro Técnico de Irrigação (CTI) da Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), em Maringá-Pr. O híbrido utilizado foi o melão Cantaloupe Torreon conduzido verticalmente. A irrigação foi realizada via gotejo com base na evapotranspiração acumulada. A evapotranspiração de referência foi estimada pelo método de Penman-Monteith-FAO utilizando dados de uma estação meteorológica automática e a evapotranspiração da cultura foi mensurada utilizando lisímetros. As aferições do colo da planta e do fruto em formação foram realizadas por paquímetro. As aferições do índice SPAD ocorreram na terceira folha da haste principal e na folha mais próxima do fruto. A demanda hídrica do meloeiro foi de 388,16 mm. Os valores do coeficiente da cultura obtidos foram: 0,95; 1,03 e 0,99 para os estádios inicial, intermediário e final. A taxa de crescimento do colo teve aumento de 7 mm até o 35° dia após o transplante. Em 14 dias o crescimento equatorial do fruto foi de 98 mm. O índice SPAD registrou máxima de 105 para a terceira folha e máxima de 112 para a folha do fruto.

Objetivos: Evaluar los resultados de una nueva modificación de la esclerectomía profunda no perforante (EPNP) denominada espolonectomía. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo no aleatorizado y comparativo que incluyó 98 ojos (grupo A) operados con espolonectomía, que consiste en la combinación de la escisión del espolón escleral con EPNP. El grupo control (B) incluyó 53 ojos operados con EPNP clásica. Durante 12 meses se estudiaron la presión intraocular (PIO), los medicamentos antiglaucomatosos que requirieron y las complicaciones. Resultados: La PIO media disminuyó de 25,69 ± 8,11 preoperatoria a 15,73 ± 4,16 mmHg después de la cirugía en el grupo A (p < 0,001). En el grupo B disminuyó de 26,66 ± 5,93 preoperatoria a 18,19 ± 5,93 mmHg postoperatoria (p < 0,001). Las diferencias entre grupos de la PIO postoperatoria fue estadísticamente significativa (p < 0,001). A los 12 meses después de la cirugía, el 13,27 y el 52,83% de ojos en los grupos A y B requirieron tratamiento antihipertensivo tópico (p < 0,001). La tasa de éxito absoluto después de la cirugía fue del 87,5 y del 47,17% en los grupos A y B, con una tasa significativamente mayor de éxito relativo en el grupo B (p < 0,001). No hubo diferencias significativas entre los grupos en la tasa de complicaciones (p = 0,960). La complicación postoperatoria más frecuente fue la microperforación de la membrana trabeculo-descemética en ambos grupos. Conclusiones: La espolonectomía es una técnica segura y eficaz en comparación con la EPNP convencional y parece una alternativa prometedora en el tratamiento quirúrgico del glaucoma, optimizando la eficacia del tratamiento y minimizando las complicaciones. Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of a novel modification of the non-penetrating deep sclerectomy (NPDS) approach for glaucoma management called spurectomy. Methods: Observational comparative non-randomized retrospective study including 98 glaucomatous eyes of 76 patients operated on with the spurectomy technique consisting of the combination of the excision of the scleral spur with NPDS (group A). A control group (group B) including 53 glaucomatous eyes of 43 patients operated on with classical NPDS was also included. Changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) and medications required as well as complications were recorded in a 12-month follow-up. Results: Mean IOP decreased from 25.69 ± 8.11 preoperatively to 15.73 ± 4.16 mm Hg postoperatively in group A (p < 0.001). In group B, mean IOP decreased from 26.66 ± 5.93 preoperatively to 18.19 ± 5.93 mm Hg postoperatively (P < .001). Differences between groups in postoperative IOP was statistically significant (P < .001). At 12 months after surgery, 13.27% and 52.83% of eyes in groups A and B required topical antihypertensive therapy (P < .001). The rate of absolute success after surgery was 87.5% and 47.17% in groups A and B, with significantly higher rate of relative success in group B (P < .001). No significant differences among groups were found in the complication rate (P = .960). The most common postoperative complication was microperforation of the trabeculo-descemetic membrane in both groups. Conclusions: Spurectomy is a safe and effective technique when compared with conventional NPDS and seems a promising alternative in the surgical management of glaucoma, optimizing the efficacy of the treatment and minimizing complications.

La segregación escolar, entendida como la distribución desigual de diversos grupos sociales en los centros escolares de un territorio, resulta de extraordinaria importancia para la equidad y la igualdad de oportunidades educativas de la población. Buena parte de los estudios sobre segregación escolar aproximan el fenómeno mediante el cálculo de índices que proporcionan una imagen general del sistema educativo en diferentes contextos territoriales, permitiendo hacer comparaciones entre ellos, pero no informan sobre las condiciones políticas o sociales de los contextos territoriales y educativos que puedan clarificar los factores condicionantes de los procesos de segregación. Este artículo analiza la segregación escolar del alumnado de origen extranjero en los centros escolares de la ciudad de València (España). El análisis relaciona los índices de segregación del conjunto del sistema, de los distritos de la ciudad y de la titularidad de los centros con datos de segregación residencial en el mismo territorio, con la distribución y características de los centros y con aproximaciones a las estrategias familiares. Los resultados sugieren múltiples procesos de segregación en los que las escuelas reflejan la segregación residencial de su entorno y emergen, además, segregaciones de carácter estrictamente escolar condicionadas por la política educativa, la selección de los centros escolares y la elección estratégica de las familias.

Gender inequality, and in particular wage gender inequality, has been considered a political priority in many countries over the last decades, with the focus centered on reducing the so-called gender pay gap, i.e., looking for a mean-convergence. However, approaching gender averages does not imply fairer (total and gender) wage distributions. Using micro-data from a nationally representative sample of Spain’s working population (N=216,769), we decompose total wage inequality into females and males’ wage inequality (within groups) and gender inequality (between groups) and explore the extent to which these depend on those labor characteristics previously identified as determinants of the average differences between men and women (“gender pay gap”). For this dataset, the analyses show that gender wage inequality is higher than total wage inequality and both, total and gender wage inequalities, increase with a worker’s age and education attainment.

The technological quality of cotton fiber is a fundamental criterion for determining the commercial value of the product, being influenced by the conditions of cultivation. The study aimed to analyze irrigated and non-irrigated cultivation systems and the management of silicon fertilization on cotton fiber characteristics. The experiment was carried out in the field in Selvíria-MS. It was adopted a randomized block design, in a 2x6 factorial scheme, with two cultivation conditions (irrigated and rainfed) and six doses of Si (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 400 g ha-1), with four replications per treatment. Seeds of the genotype TMG 11 WS were used. Irrigation was carried out with sprinklers spaced at 6x6 m. The application of Si via leaf was carried out at 50 and 70 days after emergence. From the cotton fiber, the characteristics of length, micronaire, strength, uniformity, elongation, reflectance, yellowing, degree of leaves, impurity and impurity particles were analyzed. The data submitted to analysis of variance by the F test, the means compared by the Tukey test (p

Evapotranspiration and the estimation of crop coefficient (Kc) are essential information for irrigation management, contributing to increase the water use efficiency and optimizing resources, mainly using local data. This study aimed to determine the water consumption and the crop coefficient of cauliflower (Barcelona hybrid) in the northwestern region of Paraná. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Technical Irrigation Center belonging to the State University of Maringá, in Maringá - PR. The crop evapotranspiration was determined using constant water table lysimeters, and the reference evapotranspiration was estimated by the Penman-Monteith method (FAO), using climatological data collected in an automatic meteorological station. The cultivation was carried out from April to July. The total water consumption by the cauliflower was 215.11 mm, a higher value than that available in the FAO recommendations. The crop coefficient (Kc) recommended values for local conditions are 0.74 for the initial stage, 1.86 for the intermediate stage, and 1.50 for the final stage.

To evaluate the outcomes of a novel modification of the non-penetrating deep sclerectomy (NPDS) approach for glaucoma management called spurectomy.Observational comparative non-randomized retrospective study including 98 glaucomatous eyes of 76 patients operated on with the spurectomy technique consisting of the combination of the excision of the scleral spur with NPDS (groupA). A control group (groupB) including 53 glaucomatous eyes of 43 patients operated on with classical NPDS was also included. Changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) and medications required as well as complications were recorded in a 12-month follow-up.Mean IOP decreased from 25.69±8.11 preoperatively to 15.73±4.16mm Hg postoperatively in groupA (p0.001). In groupB, mean IOP decreased from 26.66±5.93 preoperatively to 18.19±5.93mm Hg postoperatively (P.001). Differences between groups in postoperative IOP was statistically significant (P.001). At 12months after surgery, 13.27% and 52.83% of eyes in groupsA andB required topical antihypertensive therapy (P.001). The rate of absolute success after surgery was 87.5% and 47.17% in groupsA andB, with significantly higher rate of relative success in groupB (P.001). No significant differences among groups were found in the complication rate (P=.960). The most common postoperative complication was microperforation of the trabeculo-descemetic membrane in both groups.Spurectomy is a safe and effective technique when compared with conventional NPDS and seems a promising alternative in the surgical management of glaucoma, optimizing the efficacy of the treatment and minimizing complications.

Chapters 6 to 15 in this book provide a complete view of the feasibility of Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) in protected crops. Within the framework of an advanced sustainable production system, IPDM is the primary response for the growers facing consumer demands of high quality products while at the same time addressing environmental, health/safety and socio-economic issues. Most examples of successful IPDM commercial systems have started with appropriate planning of the necessary research. However, the fact that researchers have developed an IPDM programme does not necessarily mean that growers will automatically implement it. In this chapter, we have summarized the entire process to transfer the innovative knowledge from research to practical application, with special emphasis on the application of biological control (BC) of pests and diseases and the commercial development of biological control agents (BCAs).