Influence of broken kernels content on soybean quality during storage

Although it is recognized that the post-harvest system is most responsible for the loss of soybean quality,the real impact of this loss is still unknown.Brazilian regulation allows 15%and 30%of broken soybean for group I and group II(quality groups),respectively.However,the industry is not informed about the loss in the quality parameters of soybeans and its impacts during long-term storage.Therefore,the objective was to evaluate the effect of the breakage kernel percentage of soybean stored for 12 months.Content of 15% of breakage kernels did not affect soybean quality.However,content of 30% of breakage kernels affected significantly soybean quality,which was evidenced by the increase of up to 75% in moldy soybeans,72% in acidity,50% in leached solids,27% in electrical conductivity,and the decrease of up to 12% in soluble protein,6.4% in germination and 3.5% in thousand kernel weight after 8 months of storage.Although the legislation establishes a percentage limit,it is recommended to store soybeans with up to 15% breakage kernels.On the contrary,values higher than that can cause a significant reduction in soybean quality,resulting in commercial losses.

Determinants of Satisfaction at Work and Its Reflections on Performance

This study examines the relationship between job satisfaction and performance,investigating personality traits and satisfaction aspects among employees of a Federal Higher Education Institution.A questionnaire was administered to 658 participants,using structural equation modeling for analysis.Results highlighted that challenging work,neuroticism,and self-esteem significantly influenced overall workplace satisfaction,while general satisfaction,self-efficacy,and lack of attention were key determinants of work performance.This emphasizes the importance for managers to prioritize factors enhancing employee satisfaction,as it positively correlates with job performance.

Effects of Imazethapyr-Based Herbicide Formulation in the Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Hepatocyte Cell Line (ZF-L): Cytotoxicity and Oxidative Stress

Seizures of agrochemical formulations have increased in Brazil and Rio Grande do Sul is among the Brazilian states with the highest number of seizures of these products obtained illicitly. The use of illicit formulations can cause significant harm to agricultural production, the environment, and non-target species. This study evaluated the cytotoxicity and oxidative stress of a seized formulation containing the herbicide imazethapyr (IMZT). Characterization of the herbicide included gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and thermal analyses (thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)). Hemolytic and cytotoxicity assays in ZF-L hepatic cells showed IC50 values of 12.75 µg/mL, 3.01 µg/mL, 2.67 µg/mL, and 1.61 µg/mL for erythrocytes, [3(4,5-dimethyl)-2 bromide-5 diphenyl tetrazolium] (MTT), neutral red (NR), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays, respectively. The median IC50 of 2.84 µg/mL was used in oxidative stress assays, revealing increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, reduced total sulfhydryl content, and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity. This study is the first to report in vitro oxidative stress induced by IMZT in the ZF-L cell line, emphasizing the importance of in vitro assays for assessing the toxic effects of seized agrochemicals on human health and the environment.

Optimization of the Traditional Method for Creating a Weather Simulation file:The Pelotas.epw Case

The basic assumption of an energy-efficient project is the proper relation with the local climatic context.To analyse a building’s performance before its construction,it is necessary that the object to be designed is recreated in a virtual environment,to evaluate its thermal balance.In order to recreate this virtual environment,it is necessary to use computer programs,and that requires a file composed of a weather database organized hourly in a specific year and defined,in the case of this article,from a TRY(test reference year).The objective of this study is to prepare a weather file for the city of Pelotas,RS,Brazil.This research was structured in five stages.In the first stage,the TRY was determined.In the second stage,the necessary variables for the preparation of the weather file to be used in the programs EnergyPlus?and Design Builder?were created and treated.In the third stage,weather files were prepared in.epw and.try formats.In the fourth stage,the weather file generated was simulated and compared with two other weather files belonging to the same bioclimatic zone.In the fifth and last stage,a typical day was elaborated for the city of Pelotas.As a result,the importance of optimization of the EPW generation process based on algorithms was highlighted.It was also verified that although we have three nearby cities with similar characteristics,it is possible to have differences of simulation results when the appropriate weather file is not used.

Tree ecophysiology in the context of climate change

Forest structure and function strongly depend on and concurrently influence environmental conditions.Tree performance is generally governed by its genetics and environment;thus,recent hotspots in this field include tree genotype×environment,phenotype×environment,and functional trait×environment interactions.The editorial,review,and 22 original research articles in this Special Issue,"Tree ecophysiology in the context of climate change",highlight ecophysiological phenomena(e.g.,climate hormesis,seed germination,tree mortality),processes(e.g.,tree metabolism,photosynthate allocation,nutrient uptake and transport),indicators(e.g.,carbon sequestration,pollutants),measurements(e.g.,thermal time methods,soil quality indices,vegetation spectral index,and near-infrared leaf reflectance),and modeling(e.g.,climate correlations with tree growth,photo synthetic phenology,hydraulic strategies,OliveCan model)in the context of global climate change.Understanding forest-environment interactions from an ecophysiological perspective as climate changes provides insights into species fitness in suboptimal environments,species competition for limited resources,and phylogenetic divergence or convergence of species,and predicting species distributions.

Bitcoin:Exploring Price Predictability and the Impact of Investor Sentiment

This article addresses the predictability of Bitcoin’s price by examining relationships between Bitcoin and financial and emotional variables such as the Fear and Greed Index(FGI),the American Interest Rate(FED),and the Stock Market Index(NASDAQ).Through the use of statistical techniques such as the Johansen Cointegration Test and Granger Causality,as well as forecasting models,the study reveals that,despite the notorious volatility of the cryptocurrency market,it is possible to identify consistent behavioral patterns that can be successfully used to predict Bitcoin returns.The approach that combines VAR models and neural networks stands out as an effective tool to assist investors and analysts in making informed decisions in an ever-changing market environment.

Physical activity volume,frequency,and intensity:Associations with hypertension and obesity over 21 years in Australian women

Background:Optimal patterns of accrual of recommended levels of physical activity(PA)for prevention of hypertension and obesity are not known.The overall aim of this study was to investigate whether different patterns of accumulation of PA are differentially associated with hypertension and obesity in Australian women over 21 years.Specifically,we investigated whether,for the same weekly volume of PA,the number of sessions(frequency)and vigorousness of PA(intensity)were associated with a reduction in the occurrence of hypertension and obesity in women.Methods:Data from the 1973-1978 and 1946-1951 cohorts of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health were analyzed(n=20,588;12%-16%with a Bachelor's or higher degree).Self-reported PA,hypertension,height,and weight were collected using mail surveys every 3 years from 1998/2000 to 2019/2021.Generalized Estimating Equation models with a 3-year lag model were used to investigate the association of PA volume(metabolic equivalent min/week)(none;33-499;500-999;≥1000,weekly frequency(none;1-2 times;3-4times;5-7 times;≥8 times),and the proportion of vigorous PA to total volume of PA(none;0%;1%-33%;34%-66%;67%-100%)with odds of hypertension and obesity from 2000 to 2021.Results:The cumulative incidence of hypertension was 6%in the 1973-1978 and 23%in the 1946-1951 cohort;27%of women in the 1973-1978;and 15%in the 1946-1951 cohort developed obesity over the period.Overall,a higher volume of PA was associated with reduced odds of hypertension and obesity.When the volume of PA was considered,the odds of hypertension did not vary according to the frequency or intensity of PA.However,increased proportion of vigorous PA to the total volume of PA was associated with a small additional reduction in the risk of obe sity.Conclusion:PA volume appears to be more important than the pattern of accumulation for the prevention of hypertension and obesity.Incorporating more sessions,particularly of vigorous-intensity PA,may provide extra benefits for the prevention of obesity.

Co-nanoencapsulated meloxicam and curcumin improves cognitive impairment induced by amyloid-beta through modulation of cyclooxygenase-2 in mice

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder and complex mechanisms are involved in the physiopathology of Alzheimer’s disease.However,there is data suggesting that inflammation plays a role in its development and progression.Indeed,some non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs,such as meloxicam,which act by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 have been used as neuroprotective agents in different neurodegenerative disease models.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of co-nanoencapsulated curcumin and meloxicam in lipid core nanocapsules(LCN)on cognitive impairment induced by amyloid-beta peptide injection in mice.LCN were prepared by the nanoprecipitation method.Male Swiss mice received a single intracerebroventricular injection of amyloid-beta peptide aggregates(fragment 25–35,3 nmol/3μL)or vehicle and were subsequently treated with curcumin-loaded LCN(10 mg/kg)or meloxicam-loaded LCN(5 mg/kg)or meloxicam+curcumin-co-loaded LCN(5 and 10 mg/kg,respectively).Treatments were given on alternate days for 12 days(i.e.,six doses,once every 48 hours,by intragastric gavage).Our data showed that amyloid-beta peptide infusion caused long-term memory deficits in the inhibitory avoidance and object recognition tests in mice.In the inhibitory avoidance test,both meloxicam and curcumin formulations(oil or co-loaded LCN)improved amyloid-beta-induced memory impairment in mice.However,only meloxicam and curcumin-co-loaded LCN attenuated non-aversive memory impairment in the object recognition test.Moreover,the beneficial effects of meloxicam and curcuminco-loaded LCN could be explained by the anti-inflammatory properties of these drugs through cortical cyclooxygenase-2 downregulation.Our study suggests that the neuroprotective potential of meloxicam and curcumin co-nanoencapsulation is associated with cortical cyclooxygenase-2 modulation.This study was approved by the Committee on Care and Use of Experimental Animal Resources,the Federal University of Pampa,Brazil(approval No.02-2015)on April 16,2015.

Antimicrobial activity of alexidine alone and associated with N-acetylcysteine against Enterococcus faecalis biofilm

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of alexidine（ALX）,alone and combined with N-acetylcysteine（NAC）,in eradicating two Enterococcus faecalis strain biofilms.The biofilms of E.faecalis ATCC 29212 and the clinical isolate E.faecalis D1 were grown in the MBEC-high-throughput device for 24 h and were exposed to five twofold dilutions of ALX（2%–0.007 8%）alone and combined with100 mg？mL21NAC,for 1 and 5 min.Eradication was defined as 100%kill of biofilm bacteria.The Student’s t-test was used to compare the efficacy of the associations of the two irrigants.After 1-min contact time,ALX eradicated the biofilms at all concentrations except for 0.007 8%and 0.015 6%–0.007 8%with E.faecalis ATCC 29212 and E.faecalis D1,respectively.Similar results for eradication and concentration were obtained when it was combined with 100 mg？mL21NAC.After 5 min of contact time,ALX alone and combined with NAC eradicated all enterococci biofilms.ALX showed antimicrobial properties against the two E.faecalis strain biofilms tested at very low concentrations,and its combined use with NAC was not seen to enhance its activity.

Relative Competitiveness of Nimblewill (Muhlenbergia schreberi) with Tall Fescues and Kentucky Bluegrass

Nimblewill (Muhlenbergia schreberi) is a warm-season perennial grass (weed) native to the United States and Canada with low palatability. This species is dominant in many horse pastures in which bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is the primary forage. Tall fescues infected with endophyte fungae gives tall fescue plants greater competitividade ability and enviromental stress tolerance than their noninfected counterparts. The purpose of this study was to compare the relative competitiveness of nimblewill with bluegrass and tall fescues (Lolium arundinaceum) with or without endophytic fungi (strain AR584) through experiments using a replacement series design. Replacement series experiments were conducted in pots to evaluate the growth of species in a pure stand and in a mix stand with variables rates. Species competitiveness was evaluated based on the relative yield and relative yield total (and competitiveness index) of the dry weight of shoots from species grown together. Nimblewill was found to be more competitive than bluegrass, and all tall fescues were more competitive than nimblewill. Our results demonstrated that the presence of endophytes in three different tall fescues did not alter the competitiveness of these fescues with nimblewill, but the tall fescue Kentucky 31 was more competitive between tall fescues. Based on our finding, we concluded that fescues are recommended, especially without the endophytic fungi to suppress nimblewill in implantation of pastures to horses.

Utilization of Pineapple Crown Fiber and Recycled Polypropylene for Production of Sustainable Composites

Nowadays,the production of consumer goods is based on the use of non-renewable raw materials,which in recent years has been performing as a problem for the environment.Considering the large number of available biofibers in nature,their use in the development of polymeric composites has inevitably emerged,it is also necessary to take into account the countless discarded plastics that still have the potential to be reused.In this work,fibers were extracted from pineapple crown residues and utilized to compose sustainable composites using recycled polypropylene from cups discarded in the trash as a matrix.However,it is known that for good performance,it is necessary to achieve a good chemical interaction between the fiber and the matrix.In order to improve this interaction,alkaline mercerization treatment was carried out on the surface of the fibers removing some components incompatible with the polymer.In this work,the effect of the mercerization treatment on the properties of the fibers was studied,as well as their interaction with the matrix.The effect of fiber concentration on the mechanical and thermal properties of composites was also evaluated.Levels of 5 and 7 wt%were used for both natural and mercerized fibers.A decrease in the number of degradation stages was observed through thermogravimetry analyses(from four in natural fiber to two in mercerized fibers),showing that the mercerization performed on the fibers was effective.An increase in the degree of crystallinity of mercerized fibers was also observed through the results of X-ray diffraction.Both techniques indicate that amorphous compounds,such as hemicellulose and lignin,were partially removed.Through the tensile test,it could be noted that all composites presented higher values of de elastic modulus than recycled polypropylene without added load;however,there were no differences in the elastic modulus between the different types of fibers and load levels.Therefore,it is interesting to use fibers as reinforcing agents in polymers;however,the treatment did not increase the mechanical properties of the composites.In parallel,other factors,such as the dispersion of the components,must be taken into account to justify this result.

Evaluation of Daylighting and Thermo-EnergeticPerformance in Administrative Building in the South ofBrazil

Daylight is a fundamental element to obtain built environments that promote environmental comfort and energy efficiency. However, strategies that enhance the building daylight performance can affect its thermal energetic performance. In this sense, research that addresses these aspects at the same time is considered essential. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the daylighting and thermal-energetic performance of administrative environments in a public institution, and to propose strategies that will enhance the use of daylight and lower energy consumption. Therefore, for future projects, and considering new buildings, and retrofit, this research will be an important reference. The research was developed through a case study of an administrative building model, in which the characteristics of solar orientation, light shelf use, glass type, and light and dark colors in walls were modified and combined, deriving it into models proposed. The daylighting performance evaluations were performed through dynamic simulation with the Rhinoceros for Diva software, and the thermal-energetic performance evaluations with the EnergyPlus software. The results of the work showed that a suitable solar orientation has a great impact on the automation of daylight and the energy consumption of the evaluated models, followed by the type of glass and the use of the light colors in internal walls, and that the use of artificial lighting with dimerization is fundamental as a complement to the daylight autonomy. For the boundary conditions of the study, the use of light shelves modified neither the daylight performance nor the thermal-energetic performance of the evaluated models.

Chemical Characterization and Cytotoxic Activity of Antarctic Macroalgae Extracts against Colorectal Cancer

Background/Aim: Antarctic seaweeds are considered a promising source of compounds with anticancer activity. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most incident cancers with high mortality rates worldwide. This work aimed to characterize chemically extracts of the Antarctic macroalgae Iridaea cordata, Cystosphaera jacquinotii and Desmarestia anceps and to evaluate the cytotoxic effects against human colon cancer HCT 116 cell line. Materials and Methods: The extracts were obtained by depletion using an ultrasound probe and were identified by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Results: Hexanic and chloroform extracts of the I. cordata and the hexanic, chloroform and methanolic extracts of D. anceps were able to inhibit growth of colorectal cancer cells in the three different incubation times (24, 48 and 72 h). Through GC analysis, 01 compounds were identified in the hexane extract and 02 compounds in the chloroform extract of the algae I. cordata. The hexane extract of D. anceps macroalgae presented 5 compounds, chloroform extract 10 and methanolic extract 3 respectively, with special highlight to fucosterol. Carotenoid analysis by HPLC identified β-carotene in all species, while zeaxanthin was present in the spectrum of I. cordata and C. jacquinotii. Fucoxanthin and violaxanthin were confirmed in the brown seaweeds C. jacquinotii and D. anceps. Conclusion: Extracts of macroalgae I. Cordata and D. anceps may be a source of therapeutic agents against CRC.

Short-term effect of physical activity on sleep health:A population-based study using accelerometry

Background:Regular physical activity(PA) is an important behavior in improving sleep health.However,the short-term effects of PA on sleep are still controversial.This study aimed to verify the effect of different intensities of PA practiced in different periods of the day on the subsequent sleep night in a population-based cohort of young adults.Methods::Prospective analyses were conducted for PA performed during the day and its effect on the following sleep night using data from the22-year follow-up of the 1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort in Brazil(mean age of participants-22.6 years).Wrist-worn accelerometry was usedto measure both PA and sleep parameters.Regarding intensity,we analyzed the sleep effect of light PA(LPA),moderate PA,and vigorous PA,stratified by sex.Sleep variables were sleep time window(STW;the difference between sleep onset and sleep end),total sleep time(TST;the sum of minutes classified as sleep in STW),and sleep percent(SP;SP=(TST/STW);expressed in percentage).We performed generalized estimating equations using Stata software.Results::The means of STW,TST,and SP were 443.6 min/day,371.1 min/day,and 84%,respectively.Time spent in moderate PA and vigorous PA in the morning and afternoon was not associated with sleep variables.Among men,10 min/day of morning LPA increased TST by2.56 min/day.Among women,10 min/day of morning LPA increased SP by 0.15 percentage points.Afternoon LPA also increased SP by 0.09 percentage points for women.Night PA seems to have an inverse effect on sleep variables for any intensity and both sexes.Conclusion::The effect of PA on sleep health is intrinsically related to the period of the day in which it is performed.The effect magnitude is different between sexes.For better sleep health,it is preferable that PA be performed during the day.

Liquefaction of Kraft Lignin at Atmospheric Pressure

Kraft lignin was liquefied using polyethylene glycol#400(PEG)and glycerol(G)in a weight ratio of 80/20(w/w)and sulphuric acid(SA)as catalyst under atmospheric pressure at 160ºC.The three independent variables:reaction time(60,80 and 100 min),percentage of lignin(15,20 and 25%,w/w),and catalyst concentration(0,3 and 6%,w/w),were varied resulting in 27 experimental runs.The effect of these reaction conditions on the properties of the polyols was evaluated.The statistical analysis showed that only“the percentage of lignin”did not influence the properties of the liquefied products,however,reaction time and catalyst load were important parameters.The resulting liquefied products were characterized by FTIR analysis.

Growth and Biomass Allocation of <i>Muhlenbergia schreberi</i>

The main goal of this research was to evaluate the growth of nimblewill (Muhlenbergia schreberi), an emerging threat to forage grass. Our initial experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design, with 17 treatments (i.e., weeks) and 4 repetitions. Seventeen growth evaluations (i.e., treatments) were carried out every 7 days, totaling a 119-day cycle, followed by an analysis of the variables such as stolon number, length, number of leaves, dry matter, biological productivity, growth rate, and relative growth rate. A second experiment was conducted over a 5-week period to compare the growth variable between nimblewill plants and pastures. For all variables, the results showed that the weed grass developed slowly within the first 5 weeks after germination, indicating that this would be the best time to implement a chemical or cultural control measure. It was also observed that cultures with a rapid growth in the first 5 weeks after emergence could easily suppress weed growth. At the end of the experiment, stabilization of all variables was observed. However, additional observations are required to obtain more accurate results.

Influence of the Degree of Maturation on the Bioactive Compounds in Blackberry (<i>Rubus</i>spp.) cv. Tupy

Fruit consumption is primarily due to the increasing awareness of consumers on the health benefits of a healthy diet. Thus some small fruits stand out because they have bioactive compounds that may have health benefits. Among these fruits is the blackberry, which contains different levels of bioactive compounds depending on the maturation stage. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical and physicochemical compositions of blackberries (cv. Tupy) at three maturation stages. It was observed that during maturation, there was a decrease in acidity, carotenoids and tocopherols and an increase in the total soluble solids, pH, anthocyanins, antioxidant activity and total amount of phenolic compounds. Epicatequin was the major phenolic compound found in blackberries.

Physiological and Phytosanitary Potentials of Coriander and Radish Seeds

Information on seed vigor of the vegetable crops is always important and necessary due to the increasing demand of high quality seeds for sowing and high-value commercial. The cultivation of these species, conducted intensively, should be established with seed high potential physiological and health for the development of a more productive and sustainable agriculture. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential physiological of seed lots of radish and coriander. The experiment was conducted at the laboratory of seed analysis and greenhouse of the plant science department of the Federal University of Pelotas in South Brazil. Four radish seed lots, cultivar ＂Saxa＂, and four coriander seed lots, cultivar ＂Verdito＂ were used. Germination seed test, first count of germination, accelerated aging test, electrical conductivity and seedling emergence were used to evaluate the physiological quality of the lots. The experimental design was completely randomized design with five replications. Means were compared by Tukey test. The accelerated aging test was the most efficient test in assessing the physiological quality for both lots of radish seeds and coriander and this test provide coherent results with seedlings emergence.

Growing Food on Green Roofs:The First Step of an Interdisciplinary Approach

Under the many available strategies for the adoption of sustainable practices,the urban agriculture emerges as a relevant alternative.Urban naturation is the vegetative treatment of built surfaces,using plants adapted to the local environmental conditions.The vegetation is a highly relevant element to the regulation and balance of extreme climatic conditions.It also affects buildings thermal comfort and energy use,when assuming functions of control regarding solar radiation,air relative humidity and air movement.Besides the role of climate control,the vegetation can also play a role in food production.The growing of vegetable crops,spices and medicinal herbs has gained the urban spaces of Brazilian cities.The growth of plants at home or in the urban environment,described as productive landscape,becomes one of the few ways of contact with the elements of nature.Therefore,the urban agriculture can create natural spaces in the urban centers,thus,promoting the comfort into two scales:the urban scale and the building scale.On the other hand,the addition of vegetation for food production on built surfaces assumes a multidisciplinary effort.It is needed to technically respond to the suitable choice of substrate and plant species,to the nutrition values of the cultivated foods and,therefore,to the building physics that supports the food production.The aims of this investigation project are:(i)to increase international partnerships in the subject(the Federal University of Pelotas,in Brazil;the Lund and the ALNARP Universities,in Sweden;the Polytechnic University of Madrid,in Spain;and the Arizona State University,in the United States);(ii)to bring information on both the building energy efficiency and the outdoor microclimate as a consequence of the green roof establishment;(iii)to generate a cultivation guide for food production on rooftops.Thus,this paper presents the first step of the research interdisciplinary approach,which deals with the construction of the Cultivation Guide for Rooftop Farmings.Through a literature review,data from 19 food plant species were compiled to inform their proper growth and management.Additionally the same data will be used as the inputs for the modelling of the outdoor microclimate and indoor thermal comfort provided by those species.Exemplifying results in the form of synthesis tables,this paper shows the data of substrate and vegetation for two vegetable species:lettuce and tomato.

Antioxidant and Antifungal Activity of Naphthoquinones Dimeric Derived from Lawsone

This article reports the evaluation of antioxidant and antifungal activity from synthetic naphthoquinones derived from lawsone. The antifungal activity was carried out through the inhibition of exoenzymes produced by Candida albicans. The inhibition of phospholipase and the proteinase production by Candida was similar in all derivatives tested;however, the difference between the enzyme production of the control and test does not show statistical difference in any of the studied strains. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity using DPPH radical-scavenging assay showed an important activity for all naphtoquinone derivatives.