Estratégias de propagação de barueiro (Dipteryx alata Vog.) e jatobazeiro do cerrado (Hymenaea stigonocarpa MART)

Pós-graduação em Agronomia - FEIS

What is the best additive to use at the ensiling of sugarcane SP81-3250?

Our objective was to determine the best additive to use for the ensiling of sugarcane SP81-3250 based on the nutritional properties and aerobic stability of the silages. The additives evaluated were (1) and (2): salt (NaCl) at rates of 1.0 or 2.0 kg/100 kg fresh sugarcane (as-is basis), respectively; (3) and (4): quicklime (CaO) at rates of 1.0 or 2.0 kg/100 kg fresh sugarcane, respectively; (5) and (6): commercial inoculants Silobac (R) and Maize All (R); and a control treatment. The addition of quicklime reduced the NDF and ADF contents of the silages by 11% compared with the control treatment, but did not increase the digestibility. On the other hand, after 24 h of in vitro fermentation, the application of 1.0 and 2.0% salt reduced the gas production by 34.15 and 33.55 mL/g OM, respectively, and the IVOMD was reduced 5.74 and 5.90%, respectively, compared with the untreated silage. Moreover, the addition of quicklime elevated the pH of the sugarcane silages, with a trend towards an increase in the DM recovery. In contrast, the bacterial inoculants did not alter the pH values, but there was an upward trend for a DM recovery. After the silos were opened, the silages that were treated with salt (independent of the dose) and 1.0% quicklime exhibited greater stability. We recommend applying 1.0 kg of quicklime to each 100 kg of sugarcane at the time of ensiling to improve the nutritional characteristics of sugarcane silage variety SP81-3250.

Gestão do ouro azul no contexto globalizado Neoliberal: bem econômico ou bem social?

The neoliberalism based on the Washington Consensus advised privatization as the most effective alternative for the management of natural resources. The question is what is prioritizing efficiency, market or welfare? The growing concern about the water issue has been highlighted in discussions in international policy debates, and what it turns out is the prominence of corporate and economic interests over social and environmental. The water is in crisis, there are several sources of popular conflicts around the world contrary to how this resource is being offered, as the Water War occurred in 2000 in the city of Cochabamba. It is necessary to respect its limitations to ensure their future availability and choose the best development model that favors the effectiveness of their control. The international proliferation of commercial vision concerning water stipulated privatization of their management as ideal rule, which increased rates, concentrated income, has not improved the quality nor promoted the conquest of equal access to water for most systems that provides these services, this is, privatization has not brought positive results that outweigh the harm of its implementation. Water is an essential commodity for life of living beings, in all its stages, basic reason to develop plans, rules and commitments that ensure its conservation and provide, as soon as possible, a valid alternative for the sustainable management in long term

Q-angle static or dynamic measurements, which is the best choice for patellofemoral pain?

The elevated Q-angle seems to be one of the most suggested factors contributing to patellofemoral pain. Females with patellofemoral pain are often evaluated through static clinical tests in clinical practice. However, the adaptations seem to appear more frequently in dynamic conditions. Performing static vs. dynamic evaluations of widely used measures would add to the knowledge in this area. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the reliability and discriminatory capability of three Q-angle measurements: a static clinical test, peak dynamic knee valgus during stair ascent and a static measurement using a three-dimensional system. Twenty-nine females with patellofemoral pain and twenty-five pain-free females underwent clinical Q-angle measurement and static and dynamic knee valgus measurements during stair ascent, using a three-dimensional system. All measurements were obtained and comparisons between groups, reliability and discriminatory capability were calculated. Peak dynamic knee valgus was found to be greater in the patellofemoral pain group. On the other hand, no significant effects were found for static knee valgus or clinical Q-angle measurements between groups. The dynamic variable demonstrated the best discriminatory capability. Low values of reliability were found for clinical Q-angle, in contrast to the high values found for the three-dimensional system measurements. Based on our findings, avoiding or correcting dynamic knee valgus during stair ascent may be an important component of rehabilitation programs in females with patellofemoral pain who demonstrate excessive dynamic knee valgus. Q-angle static measurements were not different between groups and presented poor values of discriminatory capability.

Aedes aegypti proliferation in stormwater retained in Best Management Practices

The present study aimed to evaluate the risk of Aedes aegypti proliferation in structures used in compensatory techniques for urban drainage (Best Management PracticesBMPs). These drainage structures are utilised to reduce flood peaks due to surface runoff, and they have been used in many countries. However, many of these structures have been designed to keep water surfaces exposed for a certain period of time, depending on the type of project. Exposed water surfaces may become an ideal environment for A. aegypti proliferation in tropical and subtropical areas where the rainy season occurs during the summer. Thus, data regarding the mosquito life cycle, consecutive rainfall pattern and emptying time of these structures were collected. A comparison of these data led to the evaluation of the associated risk of A. aegypti proliferation in BMP structures. The risk of mosquito proliferation ranged from 1.1% to 3.3%, depending on the rainfall pattern, A. aegypti life cycle phase and BMP activity.

Evaluation of the best-designed graded exercise test to assess peak treadmill speed

This study examined the influence of different speed increments during treadmill exercise tests on peak treadmill speed (Vpeak) and its relationship with a 1-h treadmill running performance. 18 male recreational and amateur runners (10-km running pace: 10–15 km·h−1) performed, in an alternate order, 3 continuous incremental exercise tests with different speed increments (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 km·h−1) on a motorized treadmill to determine Vpeak. Thereafter they undertook a 1-h time trial on a treadmill. Vpeak was determined as either (a) the highest speed that could be maintained for a complete minute (Vpeak-60 s), (b) the speed of the last complete stage (Vpeak-C), or (c) the speed of the last complete stage added to the product of the speed increment and the completed fraction of the incomplete stage (Vpeak-P). The Vpeak values were highly influenced by the different speed-incremented rates and the Vpeak-P determined during the protocol comprising speed increments of 1 km·h−1 presented the highest correlation with 1-h time trial performance (r=0.89). The results suggest that a protocol with speed increments comprising 1 km·h−1 and with a 3-min stage duration should be used as standard for the determination of Vpeak to assess aerobic fitness and predict endurance performance in recreational runners. Furthermore, the Vpeak-P should be used for the determination of Vpeak.

Rotação e técnicas de manejo de biomassa em sistema plantio direto no cultivo de soja e milho

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Ciência do Solo) - FCAV

Nebraska Turfgrass Conference

I’m delighted to be here with you, and look forward to visiting with as many of you as possible both today and in the future. I’ve just completed one year in my job as University of Nebraska Vice President of agriculture and natural resources and Harlan Vice Chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and it has been a learning year for me. As I start this second year, I look forward to learning even more about Nebraska and its citizens, and one of the ways to best do this is to hear what you are thinking. I want to know what you consider Nebraska’s greatest needs, now and in the future. I want to know how you think the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources can help meet those needs. I seek ways all of us working together, can find efficient and effective solutions to Nebraska’s concerns, and I want to know your interests in our work – what you think we do well, what you think we could do better, what you think the needs of the future will be.

Science and the Climate Change Debacle

As I write this on the first business day of 2010, I find myself thinking about the importance of respecting alternative views --- not only alternative political views, but also alternative scientific views. Good science requires that we understand the limits of knowledge and continuously seek the truth through respectful questioning, replication and review. In the climate change debate, which recently culminated in a disappointing and largely ineffective conference in Copenhagen, these salient principles of science were grossly violated. Well respected climate scientists proceeded well beyond the limits of their knowledge and became policy advocates. They demeaned anyone who dared to disagree with their findings or to suggest that limiting CO2 emissions may not be the best policy choice at the present time. Disagreeing with the “experts” became disrespected professional behavior, even within the academic community. This approach has not served the interests of anyone very well.

When Is the Best Moment to Assess the Ankle Brachial Index: Pre- or Post-Hemodialysis?

Background: Cardiovascular disease is an important cause of death in patients on dialysis. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a prognostic factor for cardiovascular disease. The ankle brachial index (ABI) is a noninvasive method used for the diagnosis of PAD. The difference between ABI pre- and post-dialysis had not yet been formally tested, and it was the main objective of this study. Methods:The ABI was assessed using an automated oscillometric device in incident patients on hemodialysis. All blood pressure readings were taken in triplicate pre- and post-dialysis in three consecutive dialysis sessions (times 1, 2, and 3). Results: One hundred and twenty-three patients (85 men) aged 53 +/- 19 years were enrolled. We found no difference in ABI pre- and post-dialysis on the right or left side, and there was no difference in times 1, 2, and 3. In patients with a history of PAD, the ABI pre- versus post-dialysis were of borderline significance on the right side (p = 0.088). Conclusion: ABI measured pre- and post-dialysis presented low variability. The ABI in patients with a history of PAD should be evaluated with caution. The applicability of the current method in predicting mortality among patients on hemodialysis therefore needs further investigation. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel

Web Scale Discovery Systems – How to assess the best solution

The University of São Paulo has been experiencing the increase in contents in electronic and digital formats, distributed by different suppliers and hosted remotely or in clouds, and is faced with the also increasing difficulties related to facilitating access to this digital collection by its users besides coexisting with the traditional world of physical collections. A possible solution was identified in the new generation of systems called Web Scale Discovery, which allow better management, data integration and agility of search. Aiming to identify if and how such a system would meet the USP demand and expectation and, in case it does, to identify what the analysis criteria of such a tool would be, an analytical study with an essentially documental base was structured, as from a revision of the literature and from data available in official websites and of libraries using this kind of resources. The conceptual base of the study was defined after the identification of software assessment methods already available, generating a standard with 40 analysis criteria, from details on the unique access interface to information contents, web 2.0 characteristics, intuitive interface, facet navigation, among others. The details of the studies conducted into four of the major systems currently available in this software category are presented, providing subsidies for the decision-making of other libraries interested in such systems.

Evidence on the best chlorhexidine concentration to perform oral hygiene: meta-analysis

Although scientific literature has demonstrated the relevance of oral hygiene with chlorhexidine in preventing ventilation-associated pneumonia, there is a wide variation of concentrations, frequency and techniques when using the antiseptic. The aim of this research was to assessthe best chlorhexidine concentration used to perform oral hygiene to prevent ventilation-associated pneumonia. A systematic review followed by four meta-analysis using chlorhexidine concentration as criterion was carried out. Articles in English, Spanish or Portuguese indexed in the Cochrane, Embase, Lilacs, PubMed/Medline and Ovid electronic databases were selected. The research was carried out from May to June 2011. The primary outcome measure of interest was ventilation-associated pneumonia. Ten primary studies were divided in four groups (Gl-4), based on chlorhexidine concentration criterion. Gl (5 primary studies, chlorhexidine 0.12%) showed homogeneity among studies and the use of chlorhexidine represented a protective factor. G2 (3 primary studies, chlorhexidine 0.20%) showed heterogeneity among studies and chlorhexidine did not represent a protective factor. G3 (2 primary studies, chlorhexidine 2,00%) showed homogeneity among studies and the use of chlorhexidine was significant. G4 (10 primary studies with different chlorhexidine concentrations) showed homogeneity among studies and the common Relative Risk was significant. Statistic analyses showed a protective effect of oral hygiene with chlorhexidine in preventing ventilation-associated pneumonia. However, it was not possible to identity a standard to establish optimal chlorhexidine concentration.