bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current status, complications and prospects of fecal microbiota transplantation therapy
Authors: Tadashi Ohara
Published: May 2021

Currently, the emergence of highly virulent mutants in Europe and the United States has caused refractory recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (RCDI) to be a problem in clinical practice. In 2013, the Netherland group demonstrated breakthrough therapeutic efficacy in fecal microbial transplant (FMT) treatment clinical trials for RCDI, and FMT treatment is rapidly gaining attention. In addition to RCDI, FMT treatment has been attempted in various gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and chronic constipation, as well as extragastrointestinal diseases. In this review, I would like to describe the current status, complications and prospects of FMT treatment.
Burden and depressive symptoms in health care residents at COVID-19: A preliminary report
Authors: Daniela Betinassi Parro-Pires , Sérgio Henrique de C Matias Barros , Fernanda Sabina HD Araújo , Daniel Zandoná Santos , Luiz Antônio Nogueira-Martins , Vanessa de Albuquerque Citero
Published: May 2021

This paper focuses on the mental health burden on medical and healthcare residents during the 1st wave of COVID-19 pandemic crisis in 2020 describing the activities of a mental health service for residents (NAPREME) in a public university, UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil; and a preliminary study showing an increasing of depressive symptoms and depression among residents. Data is related to the screening interviews of medical residents and healthcare multi-professional residents who sought the mental health service from March to December 2020. A comparison was conducted with the same period in 2019 (covering a period when Covid-19 was not affecting the Brazilian population). There was a 22% demand increase in 2020. Of the total amount who sought treatment: 23% were medical residents, 22% nursing residents, and the remaining distributed among other professions; and 58% were first year residents and 34% second year. Data from the BDI questionnaire showed some variance between the two years: the mean score for 2020 was 24.67 (± 7.86) which is in the depression range, higher than the mean score of 19.91 points in the previous year (± 10.15) which is only in the depressive symptoms range (p < 0.005). In the pandemic period there was an increase in residents with depression from 49% to 70%. Depression, anxiety, stress and burnout syndrome were observed, demanding psychological and psychiatric care for this population. Assessment of residents’ mental health will continue during 2021, during the 2nd wave of COVID-19 and an additional analysis will be conducted along the year.
Sildenafil citrate in healthy and diseased hearts
Authors: Seriki Samuel Adinoyi
Published: May 2021

Sildenafil citrate is one of the frontline drugs used to manage erectile dysfunction (ED). Chemically, it is described as 1-[[3-(6,7-dihydro-1-methyl-7-oxo-3-propyl-1H –pyrazolo [4,3-d]pyrimidin-5-yl)-4 ethoxyphenyl] sulfonyl]-4-methylpiperazine citrate (C22H30N6O4 S). It is a highly selective inhibitor of cyclic guanine monophosphate-specific phosphodiesterase type-5. There had been heightened concerns following reports that sildenafil citrate may increase the risk of cardiovascular events, particularly fatal arrhythmias, in patients with cardiovascular disease. So the cardiac electrophysiological effects of sildenafil citrate have been investigated extensively in both animal and clinical studies. This article ties up the various outcomes of the investigations with a view to guiding physicians and patients that use sildenafil citrate to manage erectile dysfunction, especially as it concerns its effect on their cardiovascular function in health and in disease. Sildenafil citrate could impact negatively on ailing hearts, but on a healthy heart, there may not be any such impact, rather, it improves on heart performance as it lowers the blood pressure.
Characterization of the immune response in neuroimmune disorders in children
Authors: Nicolas Chiriboga , Jennifer Muñoz-Pareja , Jose Irazuzta
Published: May 2021

Background: A misguided auto-reactive injury is responsible for several types of central nervous system (CNS) conditions in pediatrics. We propose that, in some of these conditions, the adaptive immune system has a common cellular immune pathogenesis, driven predominantly by T cells, despite variability on the phenotypical clinical presentation. Methods: We have characterized the CD4+/CD8+ adaptive immune response (AIR) on pediatric patients presenting with clinical symptoms compatible with Neuroimmune Disorders (NID). Flow cytometry with deep immunophenotyping of T cells was performed on peripheral blood obtained during the acute clinical phase and compared to an age-matched cohort group (Co). Results: We found that pediatric patients with confirmed NID, exhibit a pattern of dysregulation of CD4+ lineages associated with autoimmune processes. Discussion: The autoimmune associated CD4+ dysregulation was associated with patients with NID, as compared to healthy controls and patients with non-autoimmune diagnoses. If we can improve our capacity for early accurate diagnosis and meaningful disease monitoring of pathogenic T cell subsets, we can both expedite disease detection and may serve as a guide to the administration of effective immunotherapeutic agents.
Effects of Free Time on Quality of Life in Elderly Caregivers
Authors: Hirano Akemi , Suzuki Yusuke , Hayashi Toshio , Ina Koichiro , Onishi Joji
Published: May 2021

Caregivers who contribute to health care of their patients are significantly more likely to experience emotional difficulty, physical difficulty, and financial difficulty, than caregivers who do not contribute. This study aimed to examine the effects of free time on health-related quality of life among elderly caregivers of dementia patients. In the intervention group, caregivers set aside free time every 30 minutes three times a week, while continuing to care for patients. During the free time, caregivers were free to spend time at home and do whatever they wanted. The control group received only usual care. The intervention period was six months. The Vitality subscale score of the SF-36 decreased significantly in the intervention group, despite more than half (57.1%) of participants showing improvements or no change in the rank of this subscale relative to baseline, as assessed by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (not significant). Caregivers indicated that daily caregiving resulted in an accumulation of physical fatigue, and they continued to have little mental leeway. Caregivers also had difficulty securing free time, which may have hindered improvements to their vitality. There is a need to develop a home-based program that can alleviate caregiver stress and improve their quality of life.
A Study on the Influence of Family Upbringing Style on Teenagers' Mental Health
Authors: Cheng Chunhua
Published: May 2021

With the frequent occurrence of adolescents' psychological problems, it is of great practical significance to study the mental health of adolescents. Because the family environment of different teenagers is different, the education method and educational environment of each family may have a huge impact on the mental health of teenagers. The article will study the impact of family parenting on the mental health of adolescents based on the comparative method and the literature research method.
Performance evaluation of the sewage treatment system SANEBOX
Authors: Marcus Vinicius Faria de Araujo  , Luisa Jardim Faria de Araujo e Sousa  , Marina Jardim Faria de Araujo
Published: May 2021

Sewage treatment processes have been increasingly the target of research aimed at developing solutions that meet environmental standards at lower costs for society. The generation of sanitary sewage and its final release, without treatment or with inefficient treatment in sewage networks, lakes, rivers or oceans have aggravated the quality of water resources and put at risk the health of the population given water-delivery diseases. This article aimed to evaluate the results obtained by the Treatment System called SANEBOX, for the treatment of sanitary sewage, considering a period of two years of monitoring campaigns in it. Additionally, a comparison is made in terms of achieving environmental goals of this System with other conventional technologies that have usually been implemented in Brazil. The guiding parameters for this evaluation were Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Sedimentable Materials (SM), Total Suspension Solids (TSS), Vegetable or Animal Oils and Greases (OGv/a), Tensoactive Substances That React to Methylene Blue (MBAS), Ammoniacal Nitrogen (N-NH4+) and Phosphorus (P). The results obtained show that the SANEBOX System has similar performance and, in some parameters, much higher than the conventional Sewage Treatment System, either in terms of removal of pollutants, or in terms of occupied area, energy consumption and nuisance to neighborhoods by bad odors.
Utilization of Elephantopus scaber as traditional medicine and its bioactivity
Authors: Marina Silalahi
Published: May 2021

Elephantopus scaber has been used various ethnic groups in Indonesia and other countries as traditional medicine. Comprehensive study of the bioactivity of E. scaber is still limited, therefore this paper aims to explain the relationship between the use and its bioactivity. The writing of this article is based on a study of literature published online and offline used keywords E. scaber, bioactivities of E. scaber and uses of E. scaber. Ethnobotanically, E. scaber used to tread wound, nephritis, edema, chest pain, fever, scabies, sores, coughs, tonics, fever, and bronchitis, and asthma. The local communities in China, E. scaber leaves have been developed into "tea" to cure various diseases. The bioactivity of E. scaber is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anticancer, hepatoprotective, stimulates hair growth, anti-diabetes mellitus, anti-wound, antioxidant, and overcoming kidney disorders. Deoxyelephantopin is one of the main sesquiterpenes lactones derived from E. scaber has anti-cancer anticancer development. The development of E. scaber tea as an anti-cancer needs to be further investigated because this plant is very easy to find in Indonesia.
Pengaruh Kompensasi Dan Beban Kerja Terhadap Kinerja Melalui Kepuasan Kerja Pegawai UKPBJ Sekretariat Daerah Mojokerto
Authors: Sugiarti Anny , Hadiyati Ernani , Orbaningsih Dwi
Published: May 2021

This study used the quantitative data with an explanatory research method, while the samples were 44 employees with the status of the Civil Apparatus of Nation at the UKPBJ Regional Secretariat of Mojokerto City with details: 7 employees of the Election Working Group, 29 Procurement Officers, 8 employees of the Secretariat Section. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) based on Partial Least Square (PLS) was chosen to analyze the hypothesis. The results of this study indicated that: "i) compensation didn’t has a direct effect on employee job satisfaction at the UKPBJ Regional Secretariat of Mojokerto City"; ii) workload didn’t has a direct effect on employee job satisfaction at the Regional Secretariat UKPBJ Mojokerto City; iii) compensation didn’t has a direct effect on the performance of employees at the Regional Secretariat UKPBJ Mojokerto City; iv) workload has a direct influence on employee performance at the Regional Secretariat UKPBJ Mojokerto City; v) job satisfaction didn’t have a direct effect on employee performance at the Regional Secretariat UKPBJ Mojokerto City; vi) compensation didn’t have an indirect effect on employee performance through job satisfaction at the UKPBJ Regional Secretariat of Mojokerto City; vii) workload didn’t have an indirect effect on employee performance through job satisfaction at the UKPBJ Regional Secretariat of Mojokerto City.
The Role Of Organizational Supporting In Moderating The Whistleblowing Behavior Intention
Authors: Iskandar Azwar , Hartati Ita
Published: May 2021

This study aimed to analyze the influence of the attitude toward behaviour and perceived behavioural control on whistleblowing intention, and the role of organizational supporting of employees as moderating variable in the influence of the attitude toward behaviour and perceived behavioural control on whistleblowing intention of employees. This study used primary data from a questionnaire, simple random sampling method and quantitative approach of Moderate Regression Analysis (MRA) technique. This study empirically showed that the implementation of the whistleblowing system has not been successful. Based on the three hypotheses proposed, all of them were not proven and accepted. The attitude toward behaviour has no significant effect on whistleblowing intention by the employees. The perceived behavioural control had a significant effect on whistleblowing intention by employees. In other that, the current organizational support of employees can not play a role as moderation influencing attitudes and perceived behavioural control over internal whistleblowing intention. The government needs to create special laws and rules to give enough law protection for the whistleblo¬wer in the public sector.
Kâr Amacı Gütmeyen Kurumlarda Bir Pazarlama Aracı Olarak Gerilla Pazarlama: Gençlik ve Spor Faaliyetleri Örneği
Authors: (ZCİMEN@GMAİL.COM) Zafer , ÖZBEY Ömer , DOĞAN Doğukan
Published: May 2021

Tüm dünyada geniş kitlelerin takip ettiği spor organizasyonlarındaki artış, teknolojinin iletişim bakımından gelişimi ve spor sektörüne ilginin artması kurumları, hedef kitlesine ulaşma biçimlerinde farklı yollar denemeye sevk etmektedir. Tüketicinin ilgisini çekmek için farklı yöntemler kullanılarak yapılan stratejilerden biri olan gerilla pazarlama, sporun toplumun tüm kesimlerine etkili bir şekilde ulaşabilme özelliğini kullanarak hedef kitleyi etkilemekte birçok avantaj sağlamaktadır. Geleneksel pazarlamadan farklı olarak şaşırtıcı, yenilikçi, dinamik, hayal gücü yüksek ve taklit edilmesi kolay olmayan mesajları sayesinde tüketicilerin bilinçaltını etkilemekte ve istenilen mesajı kalıcı bir şekilde vermektedir. Spor pazarlamasına ilginin artması ve diğer sektörler tarafından spor aracılığıyla yürütülen pazarlama faaliyetleri de göz önünde bulundurulduğunda bu çalışmada, genel olarak pazarlama, gerilla pazarlama ve spor endüstrisinde gerilla pazarlama kavramlarının incelenip ülkemizde kâr amacı gütmeyen gençlik ve spor faaliyetlerinde gerilla pazarlama kullanılarak hedef kitleye ulaşmak ve sunulan hizmetlerin bilinirliğini artırmak amaçlanmaktadır. Bu amaçlara ulaşılabilmesi için kâr amacı gütmeyen gençlik ve spor faaliyetlerinin etkin bir şekilde topluma duyurulabilmesi çalışmada belirtilen gerilla pazarlama örneklerinden yola çıkılarak bu uygulamaların etkili ve verimli bir şekilde kullanılabileceği yapılan araştırma sonucunda değerlendirilmektedir.
PENERAPAN ANALISIS REGRESI DATA PANEL PADA INDEKS PEMBANGUNAN MANUSIA DI PROVINSI PAPUA BARAT
Authors: Ningsih Desti Setya , Matulessy Esther Ria , Matualage Dariani
Published: May 2021

Panel Data Regression Analysis is a combination of time series data and cross section data. The purpose of this study is to determine the best model for panel data regression analysis on HDI in West Papua Province and to determine the HDI model in West Papua Province. The data used in this study are West Papua data in the 2019 Publication Figures and 2019 Publication Human Development Index data. In the process of determining the best model, estimating model parameters with 3 approaches namely CEM, FEM and REM, then testing model selection, classical assumption test, model equation checking and finally model interpretation. The results of this study indicate that the best regression model is FEM with individual effects and time effects with a good model of 91% which means that HDI in West Papua Province is explained by GRDP, RLS, JPM and UHH. The equation model is as follows:

Based on the equations that have been obtained, the variables that have a significant effect on HDI in West Papua Province are RLS and UHH.
Về việc xếp hạng các trường đại học Việt Nam
Authors: Giao Ha Nam Khanh
Published: May 2021

Việc xếp hạng trường đại học đã trở thành một chủ đề thu hút mối quan tâm của mọi thành phần xã hội ở mọi quốc gia trên thế giới. Bài viết phân tích các tiêu chí xếp hạng các trường đại học trên thế giới, và suy nghĩ về việc xếp hạng các trường đại học tại Việt Nam
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Authors: depp johnny
Published: May 2021

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Expression Analysis using kernel Extreme Learning Machines
Authors: Khan Jawad
Published: May 2021

Expression analysis is a topic covered under affective computing which is under a lot of research inthe field of computer vision. We propose an expression analysis algorithm that utilizes kernel ELMsand CNNs to determine the state of the expression. The expressions include sadness, happiness,fear, anger, disgust, surprise and neutral. The first step is to detect the face in the image and to dothat we use the DPM face detector and for extracting the features we use the VGG face network.Once we have the features of the face selected in the image we use kernel extreme learningmachines (ELM) due to it’s high speed of execution and the accuracy. Seven ELMs are needed toobtain predictors for seven expressions. The prediction is then performed using a fusion networkthat obtains features from two independent networks. Along with the input from the two networks,scores are taken from all the ELM models as input, to enhance accuracy
From hand to eye: A meta-analysis of the benefit from handwriting training in visual graph recognition
Authors: Araújo Susana , domingues miguel , Fernandes Tania
Published: May 2021

Handwriting (HW) training seems to boost recognition of visual graphs and learning to read more than other learning experiences. However, effects across studies appear to be variable and the underlying cognitive mechanism has been elusive. We thus conducted a meta-analysis on 50 independent experiments (with 1525 participants) to determine the magnitude of this HW benefit in visual graph recognition, while enlightening the underlying cognitive mechanism, by investigating four types of moderators: training program (type of control training, presence/absence of phonological training, and HW tasks adopted); set size and training regime (duration and frequency of training session and total amount of training); granularity of visual discrimination and perceptual learning tasks; and age of participants. The benefit from HW training was moderate-to-large and significant (Hedge’s g = 0.58, SE = .09) and was also modulated by type of control training (larger relative to motor, g = 0.78, than to visual control, g = 0.37), phonological training (larger when it was absent, g = 0.79, than present, g = 0.47), and granularity of visual discrimination (larger for fine-grained, g = 0.93, than coarse-grained, g = 0.19). These results are consistent with symbolic accounts that hold that the advantage from HW training in visual graph recognition is about perceptual learning rather than the motor act. Multiple meta-regressions also revealed that training regime modulated the HW benefit. We conclude that HW training is effective to improve visual graph recognition, and hence, is still relevant for literacy instruction in the present digital era.
The chiastic structures of Sūrat al-Yāsīn, Sūrat az-Zukhruf, Sūrat al-Qalam, Sūrat al-Luqmān, Sūrat al-Fāṭir, and Sūrat al-Qāf
Authors: Rizvi Syed Muhammad
Published: May 2021

Chiastic structures are an important feature of the form and composition of the Qur’an. Previous studies identified chiastic structures that span the length of an entire sura in suras such as al-Baqara, al-Yūsuf, al-Burūj, and al-Māʾidah. Here, I propose tentative chiastic structures in the following six suras: al-Yāsīn, az-Zukhruf, al-Qalam, al-Luqmān, al-Fāṭir, and al-Qāf. To the best of my knowledge, this study is the first to add these six suras to the growing list of those chiastic structures that span the length of an entire sura. Identification of chiastic structures at the sura level may contribute to our understanding of suras as coherent units, and may also reveal intratextual connections of exegetical value.
Exploring the Health Outcomes of Conditional Cash Transfer Program in Rural Philippines
Authors: Peñalba Ericson H.
Published: May 2021

The Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps), the first conditional cash transfer (CCT) program of the Philippine government, has become a popular approach aimed at improving the health and educational status of disadvantaged households. Its implementation is expected to advance the government’s health agenda, particularly in terms of child mortality reduction and maternal health improvement. Despite the growing evidence on the positive health outcomes resulting from the implementation of CCT programs, evidence remains limited to the qualitative evaluation of health care service utilization among beneficiary households. In this regard, by employing key interviews and focus group discussion, this study aims to examine the impacts of 4Ps on health and nutrition as experienced and perceived by beneficiaries at a community-level implementation. After subjecting the interview transcripts to thematic network analysis, the results reveal six dominant themes: enhanced health practices, improved uptake of health care services, increased awareness on health issues, improved living conditions, responsive program implementation, and persisting implementation challenges. While it is evident that the positive impacts are reflective of the beneficiaries’ strict compliance to meet the program conditionalities, there is still much to be done to ensure the sustainability of the program. The provision for adequate health care should then be supplemented with reinforced delivery of the program’s learning component (family development session) and support mechanism to the implementers.
Agriculture: Is climate change a serious issue?
Authors: Cruse Richard M.
Published: May 2021

A changing climate coupled with rapidly increasing demand for agricultural products will offer challenges greater than any previously experienced by global agriculture. The changing above ground environment, including air temperature, precipitation and carbon dioxide concentrations, will impact crops directly as these factors impact plant physiologic processes. Less well recognized is that for world agricultural demands to be met, vast increases of nutrients and water must be supplied to crop plants from soils in which they grow. This must occur while expansive areas of currently farmed soils are being degraded, projected increased frequency of climate extremes will intensify current soil degradation pressure, and aquifer stress is limiting production in important grain producing areas. Expansion of agriculture into currently unfarmed areas could improve global food security; however continued conversion of agricultural land to other more economically viable uses will act to counterbalance agriculture’s spatial expansion. The soil scientist challenge to help maintain soil productivity on soil less suitable for crop production in the face of increasing crop production demands will require imagination, innovation, and investment greater than currently occurring.
Minimum tillage and vegetable crop rotation
Authors: Arboleya J. , Gilsanz J. C. , Alliaume F. , Leoni C. , Falero M. , Guerra S.
Published: May 2021

Soil quality improvement by reducing soil tillage is one tool of sustainable agriculture. Covers crops left on soil surface prevent soil erosion, reduces evapotranspiration and weeds, and improves soil infi ltration; key factors for a successful vegetable production on heavy clay soils. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of cover crops plus ridge tillage on soil water content, soil, physico-chemical and biological properties and on vegetable yield. In 2005 at INIA Las Brujas Research Station was established a fi eld experiment on a Typic Argiudoll soil, of silty clay loam texture with a 3% slope. Conventional treatment with fallow periods was compared with sustainable treatment included cover crops and minimum tillage. Onion (Allium cepa L.), cabagge (Brassica oleracea, Capitata group), carrot (Daucus carota), sweet potato (Ipomoea batata) and squash (Cucurbita moschata x C. maxima) crops were included in the study. Black oat (Avena strigosa), foxtail millet (Setaria italica) and forage sorghum (Sorghum sudanense x S. bicolor) were the cover crops. Soil water content was measured by time domain refl ectometry on soil surface and by neutron probe in depth. Weed population was evaluated by number and dry weight. Soil biological activity was determined by soil respiration. Weed population and weight of weeds were reduced with minimum tillage as compared to conventional treatment. Soil water content was higher at certain periods on minimum tillage and biological activity was better on minimum tillage. Vegetable crop yields were similar on both treatments.
Landscape management for sustainable supplies of bioenergy feedstock and enhanced soil quality
Authors: Karlen Douglas L. , Muth David J.
Published: May 2021

Agriculture can simultaneously address global food, feed, fiber, and energy challenges provided our soil, water, and air resources are not compromised in doing so. As we embark on the 19th Triennial Conference of the International Soil and Tillage Research Organization (ISTRO), I am pleased to proclaim that our members are well poised to lead these endeavors because of our comprehensive understanding of soil, water, agricultural and bio-systems engineering processes. The concept of landscape management, as an approach for integrating multiple bioenergy feedstock sources, including biomass residuals, into current crop production systems, is used as the focal point to show how these ever-increasing global challenges can be met in a sustainable manner. Starting with the 2005 Billion Ton Study (BTS) goals, research and technology transfer activities leading to the 2011 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Revised Billion Ton Study (BT2) and development of a residue management tool to guide sustainable crop residue harvest will be reviewed. Multi-location USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Renewable Energy Assessment Project (REAP) team research and on-going partnerships between public and private sector groups will be shared to show the development of landscape management strategies that can simultaneously address the multiple factors that must be balanced to meet the global challenges. Effective landscape management strategies recognize the importance of nature’s diversity and strive to emulate those conditions to sustain multiple critical ecosystem services. To illustrate those services, the soil quality impact of harvesting crop residues are presented to show how careful, comprehensive monitoring of soil, water and air resources must be an integral part of sustainable bioenergy feedstock production systems. Preliminary analyses suggest that to sustain soil resources within the U.S. Corn Belt, corn (Zea mays L.) stover should not be harvested if average grain yields are less than 11 Mg ha-1 (175 bu ac-1) unless more intensive landscape management practices are implemented. Furthermore, although non-irrigated corn grain yields east and west of the primary Corn Belt may not consistently achieve the 11 Mg ha-1 yield levels, corn can still be part of an overall landscape approach for sustainable feedstock production. Another option for producers with consistently high yields (> 12.6 Mg ha-1 or 200 bu ac-1) that may enable them to sustainably harvest even more stover is to decrease their tillage intensity which will reduce fuel use, preserve rhizosphere carbon, and/or help maintain soil structure and soil quality benefits often attributed to no-till production systems. In conclusion, I challenge all ISTRO scientists to critically ask if your research is contributing to improved soil and crop management strategies that effectively address the complexity associated with sustainable food, feed, fiber and fuel production throughout the world.
Soil quality assessment of Uruguayan agricultural soils
Authors: Morón Alejandro , Quincke Andrés , Molfino Juan , Ibáñez Wilfredo , García Adriana
Published: May 2021

The process of agricultural intensifi cation in Uruguay brought up questions about the impacts on the soil. In order to analyze the soil quality status in the departamentos of Soriano and Río Negro, we sampled 108 fi elds to determine soil organic carbon (SOC) and potentially mineralizable nitrogen (PMN). Average losses were 20% in SOC and 42% in PMN in the 0-15cm sampling depth. About one third of the sampled fi elds had losses between 30 and 60% in SOC and between 35 and 80% in PMN. Losses in SOC and PMN varied among edaphic environments. Results about the effects of soil use and management on SOC and PMN are not conclusive. This paper concludes with reference values for SOC and PMN for the different edaphic environments studied.
Ability of the “profil cultural” method to assess the soil structure of untilled layers
Authors: Boizard H. , Peigné J. , Capowiez Y. , Roger-Estrade J.
Published: May 2021

In France, agronomists have studied the effects of cropping systems on soil structure, using a field method based on a morphological description of soil structure. The “profil cultural” method (Manichon and Gautronneau, 1987) has been set up to perform a field diagnostic of the effects of tillage and compaction on soil structure. However, this method was developed and mainly used in conventional tillage systems, with ploughing. As several forms of reduced, minimum and no tillage systems are expanding in many parts of the world, it is necessary to re evaluate the ability of this method to describe an interpret soil macrostructure in unploughed situations. In unploughed fields, soil structure dynamics of untilled layers is mainly driven by compaction and regeneration by natural agents. Amongst them the role of climate and earthworms is essential and it is of major importance to appreciate the natural processes of soil structure regeneration. The “profil cultural” method is based on a visual observation of the macroscopic structure of different zones in the top part of the soil profile. Therefore, the method must be able to take into account the change in soil properties due to the presence of cracks and macropores. The objective of this presentation is to review the ability of the morphological method to describe the structure of untilled layers. Complementary indicators of biological macropores and cracking are proposed to complete the previous description.
Application of non-invasive geoelectrical probes to capture subsoil compaction
Authors: Hoefer Gunnar , Bachmann Joerg
Published: May 2021

Due to decades of trafficking, subsoil compaction is nowadays a common phenomenon of agricultural used land. The detection of specific subsoil compaction areas is necessary to delimitate actual and future economical costs arising from additional material or nutrition input. Furthermore, ecological cost-intensive main and side effects like soil degradation, erosion, and fl ood magnification have to be considered. The common verification methods for subsoil compaction such as punctual boreholes or soil pits are too time consuming, laboratory drawn, too invasive and only show the local state of the mechanical strength and are generally not suitable for regionalisation on at least the field scale. On the other hand, new approaches to image the problem by using lessinvasive probes provide a good spatial resolution but cannot give a priori any information about the state of mechanical stress. Our approach may solve this problem as we used various non-invasive geophysical sensors like EM38, Georadar, Veris 3100, and the Geophilius Electricus sensor. Data like apparent electrical conductivity [ECa] or electromagnetic reflection [EMR] were compared with the special mechanical precompaction strength factor [K0] obtained from soil pit/ laboratory and penetration resistance [PR] measurements. Primarily we tested the validity of the underlying assumption that horizontal stress components can be used to characterise the compaction state of the soil and the significance of geophysical sensors to regionalise inhomogeneities in soils. The results for loess soils show for various sites a strong correlation between penetration resistance [PR] and the signals of the geophysical sensors. This is mainly caused by a high response to an increased water content in the significantly compacted subsoil layers. The results indicate that in precision agriculture nearly all of the applied geophysical sensors can be used for the capture of subsoil mechanical strength. Therefore our methodology is a useful tool for the regionalisation of subsoil compaction.
Aggregate stability and aggregate-associated carbon in no-till and reduced tillage practice in Finland
Authors: Sheehy Jatta , Regina Kristiina , Six Johan
Published: May 2021

No-till (NT) and reduced tillage (RT) treatments can potentially enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) stabilization and soil aggregation. The turnover rate of SOC is affected by soil aggregate stability and the distribution of SOC across different aggregate-associated soil fractions. Carbon turnover rate slows down when soil aggregation increases and C is protected within stable microaggregates (53–250 μm). We studied the long-term (~10 yrs) effect of NT and RT practice on SOC stabilization in four soils typical for the boreal region. Distribution of SOC in different soil fractions was analyzed by wet sieving and further isolating microaggregates (mM) from large (>2000 μm, LM) and small (250–2000 μm, sM) macroaggregates. Aggregate stability decreased in the order of NT > RT > CT at all study sites. A general trend of redistribution of SOC was found at all study sites, i.e., the LM fraction gained SOC whereas the sM fraction lost SOC under NT compared to CT, while three out of the four sites did not show any significant changes in total SOC content under NT compared to CT. Our results show no increase in the amount of mM fraction in NT practice. On the other hand, our hypothesis that there would be more SOC incorporated in mM fraction in NT and RT treatments compared to CT practice was corroborated at three of the four study sites. Overall, our results indicate that the potential to accumulate SOC under NT or RT compared to CT is limited in boreal agroecosystems.
Comparison of measured 137Cs data and USLE/ RUSLE simulated long-term erosion rates
Authors: Alonso Jimena , Audicio Paola , Martinez Leticia , Scavone Martin , Rezzano Emilia
Published: May 2021

The 137Cs technique of quantifying soil erosion is used to provide field data to compare with the empirical model USLE/RUSLE for predicting long-term erosion rates in afforested lands. Caesium-137 from atmospheric nuclear-weapons tests in the 1950s and 1960s, deposited worldwide on the land surface by precipitation, has become an important tool for assessing soil erosion and sedimentation in a wide variety of environments. The underlying hypothesis to support the use of 137Cs measurements to estimate rates of erosion or sedimentation is the assumption that a reliable relationship can be established between the degree of increase or depletion of the soil caesium-137 inventory relative to the baseline or reference inventory and the total depth of soil loss or accumulation. The reference inventory is usually established by sampling adjacent, stable sites, where neither erosion nor deposition has occurred. Where sample inventories are lower than the local reference inventory, erosion may be inferred. Similarly, sample inventories beyond the reference level are indicative of deposition. Estimation of sediment production by erosion has traditionally been solved through the use of empirical models as USLE and its corrected version RUSLE (Renard et al., 1997), and extensive work has been done regarding calibration and validation of its main parameters under Uruguayan local conditions (Clérici y García Prèchac, 2001). The results of a trial run of the technique on Eucalyptus forested microcatchment (97 ha) are presented. The expected distribution of deposition was derived from the reference sample activity: 373,5 Bq/m2. Evidence of soil erosion in the catchment’s middle slope was deduced whereas soil cores from the lower slope had more than expected activity indicating deposition. Results indicate a good agreement between the 137Cs data and USLE/ RUSLE predicted erosion in the slope.
Influence of tillage on some soil chemical properties and Eucalyptus grandis growth
Authors: Pérez Bidegain Mario , Resquín Fernando , Rachid Cecilia
Published: May 2021

Afforestation has increased rapidly in Uruguay since the Congress in1989 passed a law that promotes commercial forestation. This has raised public questions about the long term effects of forestation on soil quality and tillage requirements. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of tillage intensity on some soil chemical properties and wood production. The experiment was carried out in a Mollic Hapludalf , and planted with Eucalyptus grandis in 1992. A randomized complete block design with three replicates was established. Tillage treatments included: pitplanting (PP), intensive tillage of the whole surface (IT), reduced tillage (RT) that corresponds to 1/3 of the surface, and unplanted soil (US). Soil organic carbon (SOC), pH(H20), pH(KCl), and exchangeable Al was measured in the planting row from 0-2.5, 2-5, 5-10, and 10-15 cm depth after remove all soil surface litter, 8 and 19 years after plantation. Diameter breath height (DBH), tree height (Ht), and wood volume (WV) was determined. Soil pH (H20) was higher in PP than the mean between IT and RT 8 years after plantation; however soil pH (H20) was higher in US than the mean of all tillage systems from 10-25 cm depth. Tillage systems did not affect soil pH (H20) 19 year after plantation. Soil pH (KCl) was higher in PP than IT and RT mean from 0-0.025, 0-025-0.05, and 0.10-0.15 m depth 8 years after plantation. Pit planting had more SOC from 0-2.5 than the other tillage systems in both evaluations. DBH, Ht, and WV were not affected by tillage systems. This research indicates that tillage systems effects on soil pH detected 8 years after plantation tends to disappear when the plantation was 19 years-old. Pit-planting had more SOC than intensive tillage systems while maintaining the same wood production than more intensive tillage systems.
Comparing measured with simulated vertical soil stress under vehicle load: Are the measurements or the models wrong?
Authors: Keller Thomas , Lamandé Mathieu , Arvidsson Johan , Berli Markus , Ruiz Siul , Schjønning Per , Selvadurai Patrick
Published: May 2021

The load transfer within agricultural soil is typically modelled on the basis of the theory of stress transmission in elastic media, usually in the semi-empirical form that includes the “concentration factor” (v). Measurements of stress in soil are needed to evaluate model calculations, but may be biased because transducers do not read true stresses. The aim of this paper was to measure and simulate soil stress under defined loads. First, we investigated the accuracy of the transducers in situ by measuring stress at high spatial and temporal resolution at 0.1 m depth under a known load. Stress in the soil profile at 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 m depth was measured during wheeling at field capacity on five soils (13-66% clay). Stress propagation was then simulated with the semi-analytical model, using vertical stress at 0.1 m depth estimated from tyre characteristics as upper boundary condition, and v was obtained at minimum deviation between measurements and simulations. The transducer readings over-predicted the true vertical stress by 10%. Consequently, the measured stresses were corrected before further analysis. For the five soils, we obtained an average v of 3.9 (for stress propagating from 0.1 to 0.7 m depth). This was not significantly different from v = 3, i.e. v for homogenous, isotropic and linear-elastic material. We noted that v was strongly dependent on the accuracy of stress measurements, and on the upper stress boundary condition used for simulations. Finite element simulations indicate that for an elasto-plastic layered soil (topsoil over plough pan over subsoil) propagation of vertical stresses is not appreciably different from that in a homogeneous isotropic and linear-elastic soil unless layers with (unrealistically) high soil stiffness are considered. Our results highlight the importance of accurate stress readings and realistic upper model boundary conditions, and suggest that actual stress propagation was in line with predictions according to elastic theory for the conditions investigated.
Productividad del agua en maíz, con diferentes niveles de riego deficitario en clima húmedo
Authors: Hayashi Raquel Mayumi , Dogliotti Santiago
Published: May 2021

En regiones de clima templado y húmedo como Uruguay el riego estabiliza y aumenta los rendimientos de los cultivos estivales, suplementando las precipitaciones. El riego a demanda tiene mayor consumo de agua, afectando la sostenibilidad del sistema de producción por el uso ineficiente de los recursos, y es ambientalmente negativo (uso excesivo de agua dulce y energía para su extracción). Es necesario evaluar alternativas de riego deficitario que aumenten la productividad del agua riego. Para ello se evaluaron tres láminas máximas de reposición: (T2) 3 mm día-1, (T3) 6 mm día-1, (T4) 9 mm día-1, y (T1) testigo sin riego, (solo agua de lluvia), sobre la producción de maíz, para definir estrategias de riego más eficientes. Los resultados indican que existe respuesta a diferentes niveles de riego deficitario. Cuando las precipitaciones fueron superiores al promedio, su mala distribución durante el ciclo del cultivo generó déficit hídrico en momentos puntuales, afectando el rendimiento. El T1 y T2 no cubrieron la etc durante el Periodo Crítico y llenado de grano, causando menores rendimientos.  El T3 y T4 dieron rendimientos mayores y en el promedio de tres años fueron diferentes significativamente. El T3 no siempre cubrió la etc, pero la reserva del suelo y las precipitaciones contribuyeron para cubrirlo, ahorrando casi 20 % de agua de riego respecto a T4. Sin embargo, los indicadores de productividad del agua (eua, euar) muestran que T4 es mejor estrategia de riego, aunque realice menor aprovechamiento de las precipitaciones y del agua del suelo.
Peach Tree Short Life in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil
Authors: Mayer Newton Alex , Ueno Bernardo
Published: May 2021

The Peach Tree Short Life (PTSL) is a syndrome that causes severe damage to peach trees, usually between one and eight-years-old, which can lead to the scion death. In Brazil, it has importance mainly in the Rio Grande do Sul State, which is the largest Brazilian peach producer. First reported in the Pelotas area, in late 1970s, the syndrome continues to cause damage, with varying intensities among years. Several causes have been reported in national and international literature, involving biotic and abiotic factors. In Rio Grande do Sul, due to the predominant use of mixtures of scion peach pits from canning industry for rootstock production, it is not possible to know varietal identity of tree root system in commercial orchards. This genetic variability which causes heterogeneity among trees, can at the same time under the environmental selection pressure, be used in a clonal selection program in situ, in search for tolerant sources. In another strategy developed by Embrapa Clima Temperado, evaluation of cultivars, species and interspecific hybrids as rootstocks are also underway. In the present paper, we report main technical and scientific advances on PTSL in Rio Grande do Sul and the focus on search for tolerant rootstocks and quality of nursery trees.
Considerations on the management and prevention of virus and virus-like diseases of stone fruits in Uruguay
Authors: Maeso Diego
Published: May 2021

The following agents were reported in Uruguay in stone fruit trees: PNRSV (Prunus necrotic ringspot virus), PDV (Prune dwarf virus), ACLSV (Apple chlorotic leafspot virus), ApMV (Apple mosaic virus) and PLMVd (Peach latent mosaic viroid). PNRSV and PDV are widespread, their plant to plant transmission in the orchard and by seed was confirmed and causes important losses in nurseries and commercial plantations. ACLSV, ApMV y PLMVd are not widely disseminated, and PPV (causal agent of sharka, Plum pox virus) was not found. Certification of fruit tree plants supervised by the INASE is mandatory. Healthy propagative materials of cultivars and rootstocks are available, but growers prefer the cheapest plants with less coverage of certification. A limited, uneven, and decreasing demand for healthy plants threatens the sustainability of the system. Phytosanitary requirements to prevent the entry of new pests (quarantine) are established by Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries. Official phytosanitary documents required are often difficult to obtain by the suppliers of new cultivars or rootstocks and the risk of pest introduction is high. For this reason, many countries have post entry quarantine stations where introduced plant materials are kept under surveillance until release to the industry. Some fruit producing regions that have important diseases perform plant eradication programs, control of vectors and replacement with certified plants; but, according to the current sanitary status of stone fruit trees in Uruguay, that would not be necessary yet. Conversely, it would be advisable to: 1) prevent the arrival of new pests, considering to set post quarantine plant stations, 2) keep an active surveillance to early detect sanitary problems, 3) encourage sanitary quality on certified plants and 4) develop new orchards using virus-free certified plants.
Peach: costs analysis and crop profitability in Uruguay
Authors: Buschiazzo Marcelo , Diaz Andrés , Vazquez Eduardo
Published: May 2021

Peach crop area in Uruguay has seen a reduction over the last years. A possible reason for this is a decrease in return. Consequently, this paper aims at studying whether or not peach growing is a profitable activity for growers. Data supporting this study came from Mercado Modelo of Montevideo and the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries. Results show that higher productivity in early harvested peaches is necessary to meet the break-even point. Indeed, current cultivar assortment in Uruguay, according to harvest period, prevents peach from being a profitable activity. Consequently, improvements are suggested in order to increase returns. That is the case of selecting cultivars with high production per hectare along with high quality characteristics. In addition, fruit thinning times and methods as well as number of pickings during the harvest season should be revised in order to decrease harvest costs. Furthermore, peach growers should choose technologies that allow an increase of labor efficiency in pruning, thinning and harvest. Therefore, higher number of plants by hectare should be fostered along with implementing training and pruning systems that reduce final size of plants. All the mentioned adjustments would help to decrease costs of production.