A yield architecture framework to explain adaptation of pearl millet to environmental stress

Functional knowledge of the physiological basis of crop adaptation to stress is a prerequisite for exploiting specific adaptation to stress environments in breeding programs. This paper presents an analysis of yield components for pearl millet, to explain the specific adaptation of local landraces to stress environments in Rajasthan, India. Six genotypes, ranging from high-tillering traditional landraces to low-tillering open-pollinated modern cultivars, were grown in 20 experiments, covering a range of nonstress and drought stress patterns. In each experiment, yield components (particle number, grain number, 100 grain mass) were measured separately for main shoots, basal tillers, and nodal tillers. Under optimum conditions, landraces had a significantly lower grain yield than the cultivars, but no significant differences were observed at yield levels around 1 ton ha(-1). This genotype x environment interaction for grain yield was due to a difference in yield strategy, where landraces aimed at minimising the risk of a crop failure under stress conditions, and modem cultivars aimed at maximising yield potential under optimum conditions. A key aspect of the adaptation of landraces was the small size of the main shoot panicle, as it minimised (1) the loss of productive tillers during stem elongation; (2) the delay in anthesis if mid-season drought occurs; and (3) the reduction in panicle productivity of the basal tillers under stress. In addition, a low investment in structural panicle weight, relative to vegetative crop growth rate, promoted the production of nodal tillers, providing a mechanism to compensate for reduced basal tiller productivity if stress occurred around anthesis. A low maximum 100 grain mass also ensured individual grain mass was little affected by environmental conditions. The strategy of the high-tillering landraces carries a yield penalty under optimum conditions, but is expected to minimise the risk of a crop failure, particularly if mid-season drought stress occurs. The yield architecture of low-tillering varieties, by contrast, will be suited to end-of-season drought stress, provided anthesis is early. Application of the above adaptation mechanisms into a breeding program could enable the identification of plant types that match the prevalent stress patterns in the target environments. (C) 2003 E.J. van Oosterom. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

3: Rehabilitation principles for treating chronic musculoskeletal injuries

Evaluation of patients for rehabilitation after musculoskeletal injury involves identifying, grading and assessing the injury and its impact on the patient's normal activities. Management is guided by a multidisciplinary team, comprising the patient, doctor and physical therapist, with other health professionals recruited as required. Parallel interventions involving the various team members are specified in a customised management plan. The key component of the plan is active mobilisation utilising strengthening, flexibility and endurance exercise programs. Passive physical treatments (heat, ice, and manual therapy), as well as drug therapy and psychological interventions, are used as adjunctive therapy. Biomechanical devices or techniques (eg, orthotic devices) may also be helpful. Coexisting conditions such as depression and drug dependence are treated at the same time as the injury. Effective team communication, simulated environmental testing and, for those employed, contact with the employer facilitate a staged return to normal living, sports and occupational activities.

Programa Eurosocial II: plan anual de acci??n 2014

O presente Plano Anual de A????o (PAA 2014) inscreve-se em clara continuidade com os precedentes exerc??cios program??ticos do programa EUROsocial II. No entanto, na medida que se passou o equador e se entra na reta final do Programa, se realizou um grande esfor??o para concentrar a????es e se focar em pa??ses que apresentam menos riscos e maiores condi????es de viabilidade para o alcance dos resultados esperados. Neste sentido, no ano 2014 vai representar um ponto de inflex??o, no que culminar?? grande parte das a????es do Programa, documentar-se-?? uma boa parte dos resultados conseguidos, projetando para o ano 2015 linhas de trabalho mais intersetoriais e estrat??gicas. Por conseguinte tem-se um PAA mais simplificado e melhor estruturado (de 10 ??reas tem??ticas passou-se a 4 macro-??reas), com uma dimens??o regional mais potente que tem permitido elevar a dimens??o estrat??gica do programa, e com a????es mais interconectadas e coerentes que respondem melhor a uma vis??o unit??ria do Programa. Neste exerc??cio de programa????o tanto os s??cios operativos como os s??cios coordenadores t??m sabido conjugar melhor os dif??ceis equil??brios que deve manter o programa: orienta????o a demanda vs. gest??o para resultados; dimens??o regional vs. abordagem de problem??ticas a n??vel nacional; dimens??o estrat??gica vs. dimens??o operativa. Tamb??m se incorporou algumas das recomenda????es realizadas por parte da avalia????o de meio de percurso que se realizou no segundo semestre do 2013.

Implementa????o de uma pol??tica ambiental no ??mbito do Plano de Desenvolvimento Sustent??vel do Rio Grande do Norte

Num contexto marcado pela difus??o e consolida????o do conceito de desenvolvimento sustent??vel e como desdobramento do Projeto ??ridas ??? estrat??gia de desenvolvimento sustent??vel para o Nordeste brasileiro ???, ?? promulgado, em 1997, o Plano de Desenvolvimento Sustent??vel do Rio Grande do Norte ??? P.D.S./R.N. Constatado o insatisfat??rio grau de cumprimento de suas a????es, este trabalho busca identificar e analisar os fatores que dificultam a implementa????o do P.D.S./R.N., fazendo recorte de uma de suas pol??ticas ??? a pol??tica ambiental. O pressuposto assumido pelo presente trabalho ?? o de que a dificuldade de implementa????o da pol??tica ambiental, contida no P.D.S./R.N., deve-se, de um lado, ?? inefici??ncia do Estado e, de outro, ?? baixa capacidade de articula????o dos atores sociais. Em contraposi????o aos fatores identificados como dificultadores do processo de implementa????o da pol??tica ambiental, s??o sugeridos aspectos pass??veis de aumentar as possibilidades de sucesso de uma pol??tica dessa natureza.

O mar não está para peixe : uma etnografia dos conflitos socioambientais em torno da Zona de Proteção Marinha e da comunidade pesqueira do Bugigão – RESEXMAR do Corumbau/Bahia.

A Reserva Extrativista Marinha (RESEXMAR) do Corumbau foi criada no ano de 2000, a partir de uma ação coletiva, iniciada em 1997 por meio das lideranças de pescadores locais, na busca de instrumento jurídico que garantisse o acesso exclusivo dos recursos pesqueiros contra a atividade da pesca comercial de camarão sete-barbas que se instalou na década de 1980. Durante o processo de criação da RESEXMAR do Corumbau, os pescadores obtiveram apoio de órgãos governamentais, como a Coordenação Nacional de Populações Tradicionais (CNPT) e de entidades ambientalistas do terceiro setor – Associação Pradense de Proteção Ambiental (APPA), e posteriormente a Conservation International do Brasil (CI-Brasil). Entretanto, após a criação da RESEXMAR do Corumbau – entre os anos 2000 e 2002 – foi elaborado o Plano de Manejo que orientaria a gestão da Unidade de Conservação (UC). O documento foi capitaneado pela equipe técnica e científica vinculada à CI-Brasil, tendo como ponto de destaque a criação de áreas de exclusão total da atividade da pesca, por meio da Zona de Proteção Marinha (ZPM). A ideia de uma ZPM, para a CI-Brasil, era que de forma indireta e em médio e longo prazo, os pescadores se beneficiariam com o possível aumento de produção de pescado, contanto que 30% de cobertura de recifes tivesse algum tipo de proteção dos processos ecológicos, tais como reprodução e crescimento de espécies. Durante as discussões do Plano de Manejo e atualmente uma parcela de pescadores locais contestaram os limites da ZPM, pois iria restringir o acesso aos recursos pesqueiros. No entanto, tal contestação foi suprimida pelas relações não formais que os membros da CI-Brasil possuíam com o núcleo familiar principal da Vila do Corumbau, forçando os demais em um acordo formal temporário. Tal questionamento evidenciou um conflito de conjunto de normas distintas entre pescadores artesanais em relação à CI-Brasil e IBAMA: a pesca artesanal ‒ um tipo de ação que segue normas específicas das quais elementos humanos e não humanos interagem conjuntamente, evidenciando um conhecimento prático e corporizado constituindo um modelo compreensivo de mundo e de natureza; conceitos modernos e globalizantes de uma natureza totalmente desvinculada das práticas locais artesanais, com forte articulação de uma entidade ambientalista de alcance internacional, guiada pela emergência das questões ambientais, imprimindo no local (o lugar da prática da pesca tradicional) a ideia de um espaço (Áreas Marinhas Protegidas), desencaixado de formas específicas de natureza/culturas.

Licitações sustentáveis: um estudo sobre a aplicação do decreto nº 7.746/2012 na contratação de serviços pela Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo – UFES

Este estudo objetiva analisar o tema Licitações Sustentáveis, as quais se destinam a integrar preocupações ambientais e sociais às aquisições públicas, no contexto do debate e da busca pela sustentabilidade. Foi realizado um estudo de caso para investigar como a Prefeitura Universitária da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (PU/UFES) está operacionalizando e lidando com a obrigatoriedade de adoção das licitações sustentáveis nas contratações de serviços efetuadas, considerando o período de 2010 a 2013. O principal intuito desta pesquisa foi identificar se essas contratações estão em harmonia com as diretrizes de sustentabilidade vigentes nas legislações nacionais, a partir da Instrução Normativa MPOG nº 01/2010 e, sobretudo, no que se refere ao Decreto nº 7.746/2012 e seus desdobramentos posteriores. Com isso, objetivou-se também apontar dificuldades operacionais e propor um Plano de Intervenção para melhorar a implementação de critérios sustentáveis nas referidas contratações. Em relação à metodologia utilizada, os métodos empregados foram o dedutivo e o estudo de caso. A pesquisa foi aplicada - quanto à natureza; qualitativa – quanto à forma de abordagem; descritiva e exploratória – quanto ao objetivo geral; e bibliográfica/documental – quanto aos procedimentos técnicos. O questionário/formulário e a entrevista semiestruturada foram os instrumentos utilizados para a coleta de dados. Os resultados da análise do estudo de caso realizado na PU/UFES revelam que apenas menos de um terço dos editais investigados apresentam critérios de sustentabilidade. As principais causas encontradas se dividem na falta de conhecimento dos atores envolvidos e na ausência de interesses, iniciativas e colaboração de setores relacionados. Com isso, o trabalho aponta para a necessidade de avanços em direção ao cumprimento das obrigações legais em vigor e à promoção da sustentabilidade nas contratações licitadas.

La Argentina y el Plan Marshall: promesas y realidades

El artículo analiza los intereses y prioridades de la política económica externa de los Estados Unidos y las complejas relaciones entre Washington y el gobierno de Buenos Aires en relación a la puesta en marcha del Plan Marshall de reconstrucción de Europa Occidental. La no participación de la Argentina en él dificultó su proceso de industrialización al restringir su comercio con el viejo continente e impedirle obtener las divisas necesarias para comprar en los EEUU, proveedor fundamental de los bienes que necesitaba.

Brazil and the economic, political, and environmental multilateralism: the Lula years (2003-2010)

This article discusses Brazil's multilateral policy under Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's administration, highlighting economic, political and environmental themes. The main argument is that Brazil's multilateral relations during this government reached a new significance with the reinforcement of international coalitions and the articulation with the country's new development model. The country has been using multilateral forums as a way to achieve international projection and support for its development project, highlighting bargaining aspects, variable geometry coalitions and the strengthening of South-South cooperation

The G-77, BASIC, and global climate governance: a new era in multilateral environmental negotiations

The G-77 has historically organized the participation of developing countries in multilateral environmental negotiations. This article analyses the impact of a new coalition of emerging powers - Brazil, China, India, and South Africa as BASIC - on the G-77's role in climate governance. While there are important benefits for both sides in their relationship, I argue that the G-77 is also disadvantaged in several concrete ways by the BASIC countries.

Environmental issues and international relations, a new global (dis)order - the role of International Relations in promoting a concerted international system

Is it possible to talk about the rise of a new global (dis)order founded on the challenges posed by environmental issues? Through the review of the state of the art on the subject, this article analyzes the growing importance of the environment, and natural resources in particular, in international relations; and aims to raise awareness among International Relations scholars to the potential positive impact of the development of the discipline in integration with global environmental change studies.

The 1623 Plan for Global Governance: the obscure history of its reception

Abstract In the present article we analyze the characteristics and the reception of the first plan for global governance, the New Cyneas by Émeric Crucé. With this goal in mind, we examine the history of its readings and the possible influence on the Duke of Sully's project for European confederation, the case most often cited by historians of ideas. Our analysis takes into consideration the 17th century reception, the scant dissemination of the work and the possible causes of its limited impact. Our conclusions support, on the one hand, the novelty of Crucé's principal ideas, and on the other, their limited impact over the time with the exception of the period surrounding the creation of the League of Nations.

Integrating environmental and economic life cycle analysis in product development: a material selection case study

Purpose Achieving sustainability by rethinking products, services and strategies is an enormous challenge currently laid upon the economic sector, in which materials selection plays a critical role. In this context, the present work describes an environmental and economic life cycle analysis of a structural product, comparing two possible material alternatives. The product chosen is a storage tank, presently manufactured in stainless steel (SST) or in a glass fibre reinforced polymer composite (CST). The overall goal of the study is to identify environmental and economic strong and weak points related to the life cycle of the two material alternatives. The consequential win-win or trade-off situations will be identified via a Life Cycle Assessment/Life Cycle Costing (LCA/LCC) integrated model. Methods The LCA/LCC integrated model used consists in applying the LCA methodology to the product system, incorporating, in parallel, its results into the LCC study, namely those of the Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) and the Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA). Results In both the SST and CST systems the most significant life cycle phase is the raw materials production, in which the most significant environmental burdens correspond to the Fossil fuels and Respiratory inorganics categories. The LCA/LCC integrated analysis shows that the CST has globally a preferable environmental and economic profile, as its impacts are lower than those of the SST in all life cycle stages. Both the internal and external costs are lower, the former resulting mainly from the composite material being significantly less expensive than stainless steel. This therefore represents a full win-win situation. As a consequence, the study clearly indicates that using a thermoset composite material to manufacture storage tanks is environmentally and economically desirable. However, it was also evident that the environmental performance of the CST could be improved by altering its End-of-Life stage. Conclusions The results of the present work provide enlightening insights into the synergies between the environmental and the economic performance of a structural product made with alternative materials. Further, they provide conclusive evidence to support the integration of environmental and economic life cycle analysis in the product development processes of a manufacturing company, or in some cases even in its procurement practices.

The quest for a sustainable product: An environmental study of tyre recyclates

The main objective of the present study is to assess the environmental advantages of substituting aluminium for a polymer composite in the manufacture of a structural product (a frame to be used as a support for solar panels). The composite was made of polypropylene and a recycled tyres’ rubber granulate. Analysis of different composite formulations was performed, to assess the variation of the environmental impact with the percentage of rubber granulate incorporation. The results demonstrate that the decision on which of the two systems (aluminium or composite) has the best life cycle performance is strongly dependent on the End-of Life (EoL) stage of the composite frame. When the EoL is deposition in a landfill, the aluminium frame performs globally better than its composite counterpart. However, when it is incineration with energy recovery or recycling, the composite frame is environmentally preferable. The raw material production stage was found to be responsible for most of the impacts in the two frame systems. In that context, it was shown that various benefits can accrue in several environmental impact categories by recycling rubber tyres and using the resulting materials. This is in a significant part also due to the recycling of the steel in the tyres. The present work illustrates how it is possible to minimize the overall environmental impact of consumer products through the adequate selection of their constitutive materials in the design stage. Additionally it demonstrates how an adequate EoL planning can be an important issue when developing a sustainable product, since it can highly influence its overall life cycle performance.

Improving the environmental performance of bedding products by using life cycle assessment at the design stage

Improvement of the environmental performance of processes and products is a common objective in industry, and has been receiving increased attention in recent years. The main objective of this work is to evaluate the potential environmental impact of two bedding products, a polyurethane foam mattress (PFM) and a pocket spring mattress (PSM). These two types are the most common mattresses used in Europe. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) shows that the PFM has a higher environmental impact than the PSM. For both products the main cause of environmental impact is the manufacturing process, respectively the polyurethane foam block moulding process for the PFM, and the pocket spring nucleus process for the PSM. A scenario analysis shows the possibility of reducing the environmental impact of the products’ life cycle using an alternative End-of-Life scenario, resorting to incineration rather than landfill. Two strategies were also studied in order to reduce the environmental impact of the PFM: (1) reutilization of foam that was sent to the waste system management, and (2) a 20% weight reduction of the polyurethane foam. The second strategy has proven to be the most effective.