Pesticide discharge and water management in a paddy catchment in Japan

Concentrations of several pesticides were monitored in a paddy block and in the Kose river, which drains a paddy catchment in Fukuoka prefecture, Japan. Detailed water management in the block was also monitored to evaluate its effect on the pesticide contamination. The concentrations of applied pesticides in both block irrigation channel and drainage canal increased to tens of μg/L shortly after their applications. The increase in pesticide concentrations was well correlated with the open of irrigation and drainage gates in the pesticide-applied paddy plots only 1–3 days after pesticide application. High concentration of other pesticides, mainly herbicides, was also observed in the inflow irrigation and drainage waters, confirming the popularity of early irrigation and drainage after pesticide application in the area. The requirement of holding water after pesticide application (as a best management practice) issued by the authority was thus not properly followed. In a larger scale of the paddy catchment, the concentration of pesticides also increased significantly to several μg/L in the water of the Kose river shortly after the start of the pesticide application period either in downstream or mid–upstream areas, confirming the effect of current water management to the water quality. More extension and enforcement on water management should be done in order to control pesticide pollution from rice cultivation in Japan.

Analysis of the alveolar recruitment maneuvers applied at seven intensive care units

Introduction: During the past years, alveolar recruitment maneuvers (RM) have produced growing interest due to their beneficial potential in pulmonary protection, and have been introduced in clinical practice. Objective: To describe and analyze the knowledge of MR and its application at seven intensive care units in the city of Cali, Colombia. Methods and materials: Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study with an intentional sample of 64 professionals working in seven intensive care units and who apply MR. The self-completed survey was made up of thirteen questions, and the application period was two months. Results: Out of 64 professionals surveyed, 77.8% of them follow a protocol guide; 54.7% employes during RM the ideal Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), which maintains a saturation > 90% and a PaO2 > 60 mmHg; 42.1% tolerates airway pressures between 35 and 50 cmH2O; 48.4% perform RM with a progressive increase of the PEEP and a low tidal volume. Conclusions: Regarding the knowledge related to RM, heterogeneity was found in the answers. There is currently no consensus about which is the most effective and secure way to implement an MR. This study can be the starting point to create awareness towards the revision of knowledge, capacities and abilities that are required to perform RM.

Efeitos do período e volume de aplicação na segurança dos tratoristas aplicando herbicidas na cultura de cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos do período e volume de aplicação na segurança da atividade de tratoristas aplicando herbicidas na cultura de cana-de-açúcar com o pulverizador de barra montado em trator e a eficiência de equipamentos de proteção individual (EPIs) e de uma cabina acoplada ao trator. As exposições dérmicas de 13 condições de trabalho foram avaliadas e analisadas estatisticamente por meio do delineamento inteiramente ao acaso e do esquema fatorial 3 x 2 x 2 + 1. O fator A foi a condição de exposição: 1) exposição dérmica potencial (EDP) - sem nenhuma medida de segurança; 2) exposição com cabina no trator (Cabina); e 3) exposição com as vestimentas (EPI). O fator B foi o volume de aplicação: 1) 200 L ha-1 e 2) 100 L ha-1; e o fator C foi o período de aplicação: 1) diurno e 2) noturno. Como testemunha foi avaliada a EDP do tratorista aplicando na atividade usual de 300 L de calda ha-1, no período diurno. As exposições dérmicas (EDs) aos herbicidas considerados nessas condições de trabalho foram estimadas por meio de dados substitutos das EDs avaliadas ao cátion Cu+2 adicionado como traçador nas caldas aplicadas. O pulverizador utilizado foi do modelo PJ 600, com barra de 12 m de comprimento e 24 bicos de jato plano TT 110 04 ou TT 110 02. As 13 condições de trabalho avaliadas foram classificadas como seguras (MS>1) para o tratorista aplicando os herbicidas glyphosate (48% i.a.), MSMA (48%), diuron (46,8%) + hexazinone (13,2%), clomazone (50%), sulfentrazone (50%), ametryne (50%), diuron (50%), isoxaflutole (75%), metribuzin (48%), 2,4-D (80,6%), ametryne (30%) + clomazone (20%), ametryne (73,25%) + trifloxysulfuron (1,85%) e tebuthiuron (80 %) e inseguras para o herbicida atrazine (50%), nos dois períodos e nos três volumes de aplicação, e ametryne (50%), na aplicação diurna e 100 L de calda ha-1. As aplicações noturnas e os volumes de aplicação reduzidos tornaram as condições de trabalho mais seguras, exceto para o atrazine. A eficiência dos EPIs para a aplicação de 300 L ha-1 variou de 69,5 a 89,3%, e a da cabina do trator variou entre 76,4 e 83,3%, em relação aos volumes reduzidos de 100 e 200 L ha-1.

Uso de regulador de crescimento em cultivares de feijão de inverno

A aplicação de reguladores vegetais, com a finalidade de aumentar a produtividade das culturas, tem merecido, nos últimos anos, grande atenção de pesquisadores. No entanto, alguns resultados têm se mostrado contraditórios. em face disto, este estudo teve como objetivo verificar os efeitos da aplicação de regulador vegetal sobre os componentes da produção e a produtividade de grãos de duas cultivares de feijão de inverno, em condições de Cerrado. O experimento foi realizado no outono-inverno de 2007, na Fazenda Experimental da Unesp, Campus de Ilha Solteira, localizada no município de Selvíria (MS). O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados, no esquema em faixas, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos constituíram-se da combinação de cinco doses do regulador vegetal (0 L ha-1 0,5 L ha-1 1,0 L ha-1 1,5 L ha-1 e 2,0 L ha-1, que é composto por três hormônios vegetais (cinetina, ácido giberélico e ácido indolbutírico), em duas épocas de aplicação: no estádio vegetativo (V4) e reprodutivo (R5). Características vegetativas como altura das plantas de feijão, altura de inserção da primeira vagem, número de grãos por vagem e massa de 100 grãos não foram afetadas pela aplicação do produto. No entanto, sua aplicação no estádio reprodutivo (R5) aumentou o número de grãos por planta e a produtividade de grãos das cultivares de feijoeiro Carioca Precoce e IAC Apuã. Para este aumento, a melhor dose foi 2 L ha-1do regulador vegetal.

Nitrogênio em cobertura no feijoeiro cultivado em plantio direto

O cultivo do feijoeiro em sistema plantio direto apresenta diferenças na dinâmica de nutrientes, principalmente do N, requerendo mais informações para o seu manejo adequado. O trabalho foi realizado em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, em Selvíria (MS), e teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de doses e épocas de aplicação de N sobre a produtividade do feijoeiro (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 3 x 5, constituído pela combinação de três épocas de aplicação (15, 30 e 15 + 30 dias após a emergência) e cinco doses (0, 35, 70, 105 e 140 kg ha-1 de N) do fertilizante nitrogenado (uréia) em cobertura, com quatro repetições. A aplicação de N em cobertura, aos 15 e, ou, 30 dias após a emergência, proporcionou acréscimos nos componentes da produção, até à dose de 140 kg ha-1 (maior dose), acarretando aumento da produtividade do feijoeiro irrigado em sistema plantio direto.

Effect of airborne particle abrasion protocols on surface topography of Y-TZP ceramic

This study aimed to evaluate Y-TZP surface after different airborne particle abrasion protocols. Seventy-six Y-TZP ceramic blocks (5×4×4) mm3 were sintered and polished. Specimens were randomly divided into 19 groups (n=4) according to control group and 3 factors: a) protocol duration (2 and 4 s); b) particle size (30 μm, alumina coated silica particle; 45 μm, alumina particle; and 145 μm, alumina particle) and; c) pressure (1.5, 2.5 and 4.5 bar). Airborne particle abrasion was performed following a strict protocol. For qualitative and quantitative results, topography surfaces were analyzed in a digital optical profilometer (Interference Microscopic), using different roughness parameters (Ra, Rq, Rz, X-crossing, Mr1, Mr2 and Sdr) and 3D images. Surface roughness also was analyzed following the primer and silane applications on Y-TZP surfaces. One-way ANOVA revealed that treatments (application period, particle size and pressure of particle blasting) provided significant difference for all roughness parameters. The Tukey test determined that the significant differences between groups were different among roughness parameters. In qualitative analysis, the bonding agent application reduced roughness, filing the valleys in the surface. The protocols performed in this study verified that application period, particle size and pressure influenced the topographic pattern and amplitude of roughness.

Influence of air abrasion tips and operation modes on enamel-cutting characteristics

Objective: To assess the influence of air abrasion tips and system operation modes on enamel cutting. Methods: Forty bovine teeth were abraded with the air abrasion system Mach 4.1 for 10 and 15 seconds, employing conventional and sonic tips of 0.45-mm inner diameter and a 90° angle, and 27.5-μm aluminum oxide at 5.51 bar air pressure in continuous and pulsed modes. The width and depth of the resulting cuts were measured in SEM. Results: The multivariate analysis of variances revealed that, compared to the sonic tip, the conventional tip produced shallower cuts independent of the operation mode and the application period. Conclusions: The cutting patterns observed in this study suggest that the pulsed mode produced deeper cuts when both the conventional and sonic tips were used, and that the sonic tip cut more dental tissue than the conventional one.

Otimização da tecnologia de assistência de ar em pulverizador de barras através da umidificação do fluxo de ar

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Efeito de bioestimulante sobre a produtividade e qualidade fisiológica de dois cultivares de feijão cultivados no inverno

Pós-graduação em Agronomia - FEIS

Aspectos produtivos e sanitários de sementes de feijoeiro em função do uso de diferentes coberturas de solo no sistema de plantio direto

Pós-graduação em Agronomia - FEIS

Practical handling of AIO admixtures - Guidelines on Parenteral Nutrition, Chapter 10

All-in-one admixtures (AIO-admixtures) provide safe, effective and low-risk PN (parenteral nutrition) for practically all indications and applications. Water, energy (carbohydrates and lipids), amino acids, vitamins and trace elements are infused together with PN either as industrially-manufactured AIO admixtures provided as two- or three-chamber bags (shelf life usually more than 12 months) completed with electrolytes and micronutrients where appropriate or as individually compounded ready-to-use AIO admixtures (compounding, usually prepared by a pharmacy on either a daily or weekly basis and stored at 2-8 degrees C). Physico-chemical and microbial stability of an AIO admixture is essential for the safety and effectiveness of patient-specific PN, and its assurance requires specialist pharmaceutical knowledge. The stability should be documented for an application period of 24 (-48) hours. It is advisable to offer a limited selection of different PN regimes in each hospital. For reasons of drug and medication safety, PN admixtures prepared for individual patients must be correctly labelled and specifications for storage conditions must also be followed during transport. Monitoring is required where applicable. Micronutrients are usually administered separately to AIO admixtures. In case compatibility and stability have been well documented trace elements and/or combination preparations including water-soluble or water-soluble/fat soluble vitamin supplements can be added to PN admixtures under strict aseptic conditions. AIO admixtures are usually not used as vehicles for drugs (incompatibilities).

Effects of lime content and amelioration period in double lime application on the strength of lime treated expansive sub-grade soils

The addition of lime into soils has been widely used to stabilize the expansive sub-grade soils when the road pavements are constructed on them. It is common practice to apply a half of the required lime amount and allow a certain time period for lime to react with soils (Amelioration period) before applying the rest of lime and compacting the sub-grade. The optimum amelioration period is essential to minimize the construction delay and to gain the higher strength. In this study, two different expansive soils procured from two different locations in the state of Queensland in Australia were first mixed with different lime contents. A soil mixed with a particular lime content was compacted at different amelioration periods (e.g.: 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 hrs) to obtain soil samples to measure the Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS). The results suggested that for a given amelioration period, UCS increased with the increase in lime content. The optimum amelioration period could be within 14~17 hours for most of the lime contents in tested soils. This could suggest that the current 24-48 hour amelioration period specified by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main roads could be reduced.

Sampling Period Selection of Control Application Connected to FlexRay Bus

Flexray is a high speed communication protocol designed for distributive control in automotive control applications. Control performance not only depends on the control algorithm but also on the scheduling constraints in communication. A balance between the control performance and communication constraints must required for the choice of the sampling rates of the control loops in a node. In this paper, an optimum sampling period of control loops to minimize the cost function, satisfying the scheduling constraints is obtained. An algorithm to obtain the delay in service of each task in a node of the control loop in the hyper period has been also developed. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

A note on application of hills procedure for growth-curve analysis of Indian major carp, Labeo rohita (Ham.), during the gonodal development period at Shillong, Meghalaya

The present study deals with the length increment data of 15 adult Labeo rohita (Ham.) over a period of five months by the applicatin of finite difference method at an altitude of 1496 m above mean sea level at Shilllong, Meghalaya.

Long period gratings in multimode optical fibers: application in chemical sensing

We propose and demonstrate a new technique for evanescent wave chemical sensing by writing long period gratings in a bare multimode plastic clad silica fiber. The sensing length of the present sensor is only 10 mm, but is as sensitive as a conventional unclad evanescent wave sensor having about 100 mm sensing length. The minimum measurable concentration of the sensor reported here is 10 nmol/l and the operating range is more than 4 orders of magnitude. Moreover, the detection is carried out in two independent detection configurations viz., bright field detection scheme that detects the core-mode power and dark field detection scheme that detects the cladding mode power. The use of such a double detection scheme definitely enhances the reliability and accuracy of the results. Furthermore, the cladding of the present fiber need not be removed as done in conventional evanescent wave fiber sensors.