Update: Outbreak prediction for Asian soybean rust in Iowa

Last year, Asian soybean rust moved slowly and did not show up in Iowa. Because of the dry weather conditions that prevailed during the 2005 growing season, one cannot draw a meaningful conclusion. Therefore, soybean rust remains a major concern for soybean producers in the northern regions. A common question asked this winter has been: what is the risk of a soybean rust outbreak in the upcoming season

A New Method for the Improvement of Data

Introduction – The use of the average analytical signal for the construction of curves by the least squares method (LSM) over the standard addition method (SAM) is widespread. It would be advantageous, however, to fi nd a way to avoid intermediary averages, which are known to be the cause of signifi cant increases in standard deviations (SD). Objective – To develop a protocol that uses all gathered data to create curves by LSM over SAM. To use Excel® for the estimation of y = mx + b and R2 rather than using LSM equations for the SD of m, x and b. Methodology – The level of lead (II) in the bark (cork) of Quercus suber Linnaeus was determined using diff erential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). Three current samples were taken for each of the four standard additions. These signals were combined for adjustment by LSM. The results were compared with those obtained after averaging the current for each addition, and the expression of uncertainty in the measurements determined. Results – The new method shows an expanded uncertainty of ± 0.3321 μg/g (nearly 1.42%). The diff erence between the results obtained by the new and the old method is 0.01 μg/g (23.41 and 23.40 μg/g). The limit of detection changed approximately from 4.8 to 4 μg/g and the relative SD approximately from 9 to 6%. Conclusion – The absence of intermediary averages in curves improved the determination of lead (II) in cork by DPASV. Estimation of SD only with LSM equations produced results that were signifi cantly worse. The changes are large enough to transform an apparently internally non-validated procedure (repeatability for precision) into an internally validated procedure

Ornamental flower meadows vs tradicional lawns in mediterranean climate: general public preferences and perception

In Portugal lawns are used everywhere, even in small places where they are just to be seen. This creates a problem because in a Mediterranean climate turf-grass has to be watered to stay green. But people’s preferences seem to influence the design of green spaces using lawns everywhere, not considering the fact that lawns are more expensive economically and ecologically than other alternatives as ornamental flower meadows Over the last years an effort has been made to use alternatives to turf-grass, environmentally more sustainable, as ornamental flower meadows, trying to apply their ecological and aesthetic qualities and to influence the general public. In this work we intend to test these ideas, trying to get people’s preferences and perception of this different herbaceous vegetation cover. To do this, three different groups of people: landscape architects, landscape managers, and general public - will be asked about their perception and preference concerning different types of herbaceous vegetation cover. The method used is photographs with different sceneries using landscapes with different types of herbaceous vegetation cover that will be shown to the groups. The answers will be separated by gender and age groups. The different variables studied are the colour (one colour or multi-colour), the flowers (presence or absence), the management techniques, and the biodiversity. In this study we attempt to explore current attitudes towards the use of both lawns and ornamental flower meadows in public urban green spaces. The importance of biodiversity and sustainability in people’s preference and perception will be discussed

Impact of self-attraction and loading on Earth rotation

The impact of self-attraction and loading (SAL) on Earth rotation has not been previously considered except at annual timescales. We estimate Earth rotation excitations using models of atmospheric, oceanic, and land hydrology surface mass variations and investigate the importance of including SAL over monthly to interannual timescales. We assess SAL effects in comparison with simple mass balance effects where net mass exchanged with the atmosphere and land is distributed uniformly over the global ocean. For oceanic polar motion excitations, SAL impacts are important even though mass balance impact is minor except at the annual period. This is true of global (atmosphere + land + ocean) polar motion excitations as well, although the SAL impacts are smaller. When estimating length-of-day excitations, mass balance effects have a dominant impact, particularly for oceanic excitation. Although SAL can have a significant impact on estimated Earth rotation excitations, its consideration generally did not improve comparisons with geodetic observations. This result may change in the future as surface mass models and Earth rotation observations improve

Dibujantes de la Argentina: Edmundo Maristany.

En esta colección de la Serie Documentos presentamos a los dibujantes y artistas que pasaron por nuestra institución, lo que representa una tarea nada fácil. Sin embargo, con las imperfecciones del caso, iniciamos este trabajo esperando que, en un futuro próximo, esta iniciativa sea continuada dentro de las diferentes Divisiones que conforman la estructura de nuestro Museo. En este primer artículo mostramos algunas de las imágenes que pudimos rescatar de Edmundo Maristany, una figura polifacética, ya que, entre sus logros se encuentra el descubrimiento de un cometa que hoy lleva su nombre y el escrito de sonetos publicados en la década del cincuenta. A través de sus dibujos de vertebrados, sabemos que trabajó para el Dr. Emiliano Mac Donagh en el Museo de La Plata y para el Dr. Carlos Marelli en el Jardín Zoológico de nuestra ciudad

Electroanalysis of Heavy Metals in the Cork of Quercus Suber

This will enable Pb(II) determination optimisation, regarding environmental aspects of the perpetuation of Quercus suber Montado (similar to Forest). It will also allow a more profound toxicological quality control of corks (barks). These two last referred aspects are very related ones, once accepted that the more advanced could the certification of the quality patterns of corks (barks) be, more will be the sustainability of Quercus suber ecosystem. Which we believe can be done, amongst other vectors, by studying such an important environmental issue as heavy metals. It is shown that Pb(II) quantification in the cork (bark) of Quercus suber tree (Cork Oak) is possible, using Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (DPASV). The samples digestion was made in a mixture of H2O2 and HNO3 1:8, in a closed recipient at approximately 90 ºC. The measures were made in NaCl 0.1 M, using a Hanging Mercury Drop Electrode, a Glassy-Carbon Rod Counter Electrode, and an Ag/AgCl/KCl 3M reference electrode, after a 180 s deposition step. The results have shown the determination of a coherent stripping potential of -0.405 V (SD=0.0005 V), and a fine linear adjustment after the standard addition method (R2 = 0.997). They have also revealed the interest of further studies. The need to test other electroanalysis requisites was understood, and imposed by the proof of the complex nature of the matrix

Mapeamento da favorabilidade da temperatura para Euschistus heros F. (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) em soja na região sul do Brasil em cenários de clima atual e futuro.

Dentre as pragas que acometem a cultura da soja no Brasil destaca-se o percevejo-marrom Euschistus heros. O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os impactos potenciais das mudanças climáticas sobre E. heros a partir da determinação de faixas de favorabilidade para o aumento populacional deste, por meio do mapeamento de áreas favoráveis na região sul do Brasil em cenários de clima futuros projetados pelos modelos do IPCC. Faixas de temperatura variando de desfavorável a muito favorável foram propostas e integradas a um sistema de informações geográficas alimentados com dados de clima atual e projetados para as décadas de 2020, 2050 e 2080 para a confecção de mapas nos cenários A2 e B1. Com base em dados bibliográficos da biologia da praga, foi determinada a faixa de 26 a 28ºC como a mais favorável ao seu ciclo biológico. Abaixo de 14ºC foi determinado como desfavorável e entre 14 e 20ºC e acima de 30ºC como pouco favorável. Uma vez que os cenários futuros indicam incremento nas condições médias de temperatura, foi predito um aumento na área muito favorável ao estabelecimento de E. heros em relação ao clima atual no sul do Brasil, o qual foi mapeado como favorável entre os meses de dezembro a abril

Mapeamento da severidade da ferrugem asiática da soja na região sul do Brasil em cenários de clima atual e futuro.

Dentre as doenças que ocorrem na cultura da soja no Brasil destaca-se em importância a ferrugem asiática, causada pelo fungo Phakopsora pachyrhizi. O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o impacto potencial de alterações nos padrões de precipitação em cenários de clima futuro na severidade da ferrugem asiática na Região Sul do Brasil. Um modelo de predição da severidade foi integrado a um sistema de informação geográfica alimentado com dados de clima atual (1961-90) e futuro (2020, 2050 e 2080) predito pelos modelos do IPCC (cenários futuros A2 e B1) para a geração de mapas de severidade. Em cada um dos oito cenários possíveis, foi gerado um mapa mensal com a severidade delineada em cinco classes (0-100%) com base na chuva acumulada para os meses de outubro a abril. Os resultados mostram que, no período de maior ocorrência da ferrugem (dezembro a fevereiro), no cenário atual, o maior percentual de área da região (de 70 a 80% da área) apresentou severidade média entre 40 e 60%. Já nos cenários futuros, os modelos projetam um pequeno incremento na área geográfica nessa mesma classe, variando de 70 a 90%, para o mesmo período, sendo mais alto na década de 2080