Medium Texture Research Articles

Growth, production and nutrients in coriander cultivated with biofertilizer

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of doses of a biofertilizer, formulated with a mix of plants (BMV), on the growth, production and nutrients in coriander cultivar Verdão. The BMV was prepared with crushed parts of the species Flemingia macrophylla, Musa sp. and Azolla sp. The trial was carried out in a greenhouse, in Yellow Argissol, with medium texture (V= 36.4%). The experimental design was of randomized blocks with six replicates. Besides BMV doses (0, 5, 10, 15 and 30%, in water), an additional treatment with bovine manure biofertilizer was added (10% in water). Inorganic ingredients blended into biofertilizers as chicken manure were incorporated in soil of growing-beds. The evaluated traits responded to BMV doses linearly. A decrease in green mass (GM) of plants, from 1.43 to 0.88 kg/m2, which is the commercial product, and plant height, from 31.33 to 24.02 cm, was attributed to the astringency of Musa sp. in the biofertilizer, together with N shortage. The plant aerial part dry mass (DM) increased from 11.29 to 13.75 g/100 g due to fibrous stems under nitrogen deficiency. Nutrient contents increased (B and Zn), did not range (N, S, and Cu) or decreased (P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn) and accumulation increased (N, S, K, B, Zn and Cu), decreased (Fe) or did not change (P, Ca, Mg and Mn). The analysis of the principal components showed DM and accumulations of P, K, Ca, Mg and S in the same direction and antagonism of N with Ca and Mg, attributed to loss of N at alkaline pH, by natural phosphate (FN) in BMV. And also, DM, B, Cu and Zn accumulations increased concomitantly while accumulations of Fe and Mn did not compete. The manure biofertilizer surpassed the BMV in GM (1.38 and 1.21 kg/m2, respectively), as well as accumulations of N and K.

Micronutrientes catiônicos: fontes, doses e ambientes

The objective of this work was to characterize the availability of Cu, Mn and Zn in four Latosols Triângulo Mineiro, using fertilizers in the form of EDTA chelates, oxides and sulfate. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial arrangement (3 x 8), and the combination of three sources (chelates EDTA, and in the forms of oxide and sulphate) in eight concentrations (10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 mg L-1 micronutrient) with three replications in each soil. The fertilizer EDTA chelate is more efficient in the availability of Cu and Zn compared to other tested sources (liquid and sulfated source), the evaluated soils. The use of fertilizer EDTA chelate base provides an increase in Cu concentration (copper) and Zn (zinc) in the evaluated soils (Yellow Oxisol medium texture - soy cultivation and Yellow Oxisol medium texture - maize crop). Samples from the very clayey Oxisol (native savannah) the availability of Cu increases linearly as a function of the application of savannah fertilizer (EDTA). The chelated fertilizer (EDTA) increases linearly more sharply Zn levels in soil samples Oxisol clayey and Oxisol of medium texture. In general, the application of fertilizer chelated (EDTA) provides increases in levels of Cu and Zn.

Alkalinized sewage sludge application improves fertility of acid soils

ABSTRACT Although it is known that alkalinized sewage sludge raises the pH of acid soils, there is limited knowledge regarding its effects on other soil fertility indicators, such as P and K availability and soil organic C content. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate how the application of alkalinized sewage sludge affects the fertility of acid soil. Twenty sewage treatment plants were selected throughout Paraná State (Brazil), and samples of alkalinized sewage sludge and samples of the most representative agricultural soil of the region were collected (covering soils with medium, clayey or very clayey texture). Each soil was incubated for 60 days with doses of sewage sludge (0, 10, 20, 40, and 80 Mg ha-1) from its region and equivalent doses of limestone. The alkalinized sewage sludge was superior to limestone in the correction of soil acidity (pH, Al3+, and H + Al3+) and P and Ca2+ availability. The sludge also increased Mg2+ availability in all soils, K+ in seven soils and organic C in three soils. The very clayey soils (higher buffering capacity) supported higher sludge doses than did clayey and medium texture soils. The alkalinized sewage sludge application in acid soils proved to be an interesting alternative to recycling this type of waste, because it improved soil fertility and could reduce costs associated with soil management and crop fertilization.

Clinical feature and genetic analysis of a family affected by congenital bile acid synthesis defect type 2: identification of 2 novel mutations in AKR1D1 gene

Congenital bile acid synthesis defect type 2 (CBAS2) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by biallelic mutations of AKR1D1 gene, which encodes the Δ4-3-oxo-steroid 5β-reductase. Cholestatic jaundice is the main clinical manifestation, accompanied by malabsorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins. This paper reported the clinical and genetic features of a CBAS2 patient definitely diagnosed by AKR1D1 genetic analysis. An 8-month-old male infant was referred to the hospital with the complaint of jaundiced skin and sclera over 7 months. On physical examination, growth retardation and malnutrition were discovered besides mild jaundice of the skin and sclera. The liver was palpable 8 cm below the right subcostal margin with medium texture, and the spleen was not enlarged. On liver function test, elevated levels of bilirubin (predominantly conjugated bilirubin) and transaminases were detected, but serum total bile acids and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase levels were within the normal ranges. Liver histopathologic analysis showed disorganized bile ducts, obvious multinucleated giant cells, significant cholestasis in hepatocytes, together with portal and interstitial fibrosis and lymphocytic infiltration. Via next generation sequencing analysis and Sanger sequencing confirmation, the infant proved to be a compound heterozygote of the AKR1D1 variants c.579+2delT and c.853C>T(p.Q285X), two novel mutations originated from his mother and father, respectively. CBAS2 was thus definitely diagnosed, and chenodeoxycholic acid was given orally. As a result, the abnormal liver function and hepatomegaly were improved gradually. On a follow-up 3 months later, a soft liver was palpable 2.5 cm below the right subcostal margin, and all liver function indices recovered to normal ranges.

A STUDY ON EVALUATION THE STATE OF SCHOOL FEEDING AT SHARKIA GOVERNORATE

A survey study was carried out on sample of pupils, their families and their teachers about the status of school feeding at Sharkia Governorate. Sample including pupils, their families and their teachers was collected from different schools. The samples included both Rural and Urban schools at Sharkia Governorate. A questionnaire was prepared including demographic information, food pattern and knowledge as well as their remarks about the school diet presented through the school feeding program at Sharkia Governorate .The data was collected using t Questionnaire sheet through personal interviews with pupils, their families and their teachers. The collected data were statistically analyzed. Data indicated that males presented 55% of the sample, while females presented 45%. Concerning age of pupils it could be noticed that 2, 14, 39, 34 and 11% of the pupil’s samples aged nine, ten, eleven, twelve and thirteen years old, respectively. According to school class it could be noticed that 10, 34 and 56% of the samples were in fourth, fifth and sixth class, respectively. Data also indicated that 16% of the studied pupils sample were suffering from obesity. However 22% of the studied pupils sample were suffering from Thinnest. Data also indicated that the pupils sample had lower food awareness because higher per cent age of them did not take their breakfast at home before going to school, higher per cent take foods from school canteen including chips and soft drinks, with out make sure of food validity. About the school meal presented to the pupils higher per cent age did not accept the colour, taste, smell and texture of the biscuit meal. Also they suggested that chocolate taste, vanilla smell, light colour and medium texture must be found in the biscuit meal. Also they suggested that the school meal must include milk and dairy products. Regarding to some remarks about school meal provided to pupils sample from their teachers. Their answers included number of workers in meal distribution is suitable, the workers are not qualified, healthy and trained. Meal transportation is unsuitable, warehouse, unsuitability of school meal warehouse ventilation, unsuitability of school meal warehouse hygiene, adaptation and space. Also, the provided meal is not sufficient to pupils need. On the light of the obtained results the following reconditions must be taken into consideration to improve the Egyptian school feeding programs outcomes for the education programs must include nutritional knowledge to improve the nutritive pattern and appearance of pupils. The media programs must include nutritional knowledge to improve the nutritive pattern and awearance of the families which must be refluxed on their children. The system of school feeding program must be revised to improve the school feeding meal to include different types of foods with particular importance on including the school meal some dairy products. Great attention must be followed by improving the conditions of school meal transportation, suitability of school meal warehouse, suitability of school meal warehouse ventilation and suitability of school meal warehouse hygiene. Also, the provided meal must be sufficient to pupils need. The workers must be qualified, healthy and trained.

Manejo de cordas-de-violas (Ipomea hederifolia, Ipomea nil e Merremia aegyptia) com herbicidas em cana crua na época seca

A presente pesquisa foi conduzida em uma área de cana-soca crua, localizada no em Bocaina, SP, com a cultivar RB85-5156, plantada no espaçamento de 1,4 m entrelinhas, em solo de textura arenosa, com o objetivo de estudar alternativas de manejo com herbicidas aplicados em pré-emergência na época seca, adotando-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Para a aplicação dos herbicidas, foi utilizado um pulverizador costal, com pressurizador de CO2, a uma pressão constante de 200 kgf.-2, e reservatório com capacidade para 2 L de calda, conectado a uma barra equipada com 6 pontas de pulverização modelo DG110.02, espaçados 0,5 m entre si, a uma velocidade de deslocamento de 1 m s-1, proporcionando uma taxa de aplicação de 200 L ha-1. As avaliações de controle de plantas daninhas e fitotoxicidade dos herbicidas na cultura da cana-de-açúcar foram realizadas aos 30, 60, 90 e 120 DAA. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância pelo teste F e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey ao nível de 5% de probabilidade. Os herbicidas diuron + hexazione + sulfumeturon-methyl, amicarbazone, amicabazone + isoxaflutole, sufentrazone, imazapic; e tebuthiuron + isoxaflutole podem ser considerados como alternativas de controle eficazes para as diferentes espécies de corda-de-viola (Ipomoea hederifolia, Ipomoea quamoclit e Merremia aegyptia) quando aplicados em cana-crua na época seca em solos areno-argilosos (textura média). Em relação à seletividade da cultura da cana-de-açúcar, não foram observados sintomas significativos de fitotoxicidade dos herbicidas quando aplicados em pré-emergência total até o 120 DAA.

The effect of mechanical processing on avenanthramide and phenol levels in two organically grown Italian oat cultivars.

Avenanthramides (AVNs), free and bound phenols and their antioxidant capacities (ORAC) were evaluated in two Avena sativa L. cultivars, Donata and Flavia. The cultivars (cvs.) were grown in loamy and medium texture soils and assessed after industrial dehulling and milling. Total dietary fiber, β-glucan, starch and proteins were also evaluated. Cv. Donata showed 2.8 fold higher AVN storage as compared to cv. Flavia, which was linked with genotype. The accumulation of AVN content was also influenced by the texture of the soil. Dehulling resulted in a 75 and 37% AVN decrease in cv. Donata and Flavia, respectively. The dehulled grains of cv. Donata showed 40% reduction in free phenolic content, whereas the dehulled grains of both cvs. showed 67% reduction in bound phenols. Milling affected the bound phenolics and their antioxidant capacity. Cv. Flavia showed 1.3 fold higher β-glucan than that of cv. Donata. Total dietary fiber was reduced by 50 and 12% after dehulling and milling, respectively, while marginal changes in proteins were observed after milling. The results suggest that the choice of genotype and the kind of dehulling processes that are employed are essential considerations in the production of oat-based products with high AVN content and extra health benefits.

Magnetic resonance based texture parameters as potential imaging biomarkers for predicting long‐term survival in locally advanced rectal cancer treated by chemoradiotherapy

The study aimed to investigate whether textural features of rectal cancer on MRI can predict long-term survival in patients treated with long-course chemoradiotherapy. Textural analysis (TA) using a filtration-histogram technique of T2-weighted pre- and 6-week post-chemoradiotherapy MRI was undertaken using TexRAD, a proprietary software algorithm. Regions of interest enclosing the largest cross-sectional area of the tumour were manually delineated on the axial images and the filtration step extracted features at different anatomical scales (fine, medium and coarse) followed by quantification of statistical features [mean intensity, standard deviation, entropy, skewness, kurtosis and mean of positive pixels (MPP)] using histogram analysis. Cox multiple regression analysis determined which univariate features including textural, radiological and histological independently predicted overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). MPP [fine texture, hazard ratio (HR) 6.9, 95% CI: 2.43-19.55, P<0.001], mean (medium texture, HR 5.6, 95% CI: 1.4-21.7, P=0.007) and extramural venous invasion (EMVI) on MRI (HR 2.96, 95% CI: 1.04-8.37, P=0.041) independently predicted OS while mean (medium texture, HR 4.53, 95% CI: 1.58-12.94, P=0.003), MPP (fine texture, HR 3.36, 95% CI: 1.36-8.31, P=0.008) and threatened circumferential resection margin (CRM) on MRI (HR 3.1, 95% CI: 1.01-9.46, P=0.046) predicted DFS. For OS, EMVI on MRI (HR 4.23, 95% CI: 1.41-12.69, P=0.01) and for DFS kurtosis (medium texture, HR 3.97, 95% CI: 1.44-10.94, P=0.007) and CRM involvement on MRI (HR 3.36, 95% CI: 1.21-9.32, P=0.02) were the independent post-treatment factors. Only TA independently predicted RFS on pre- or post-treatment analyses. MR based TA of rectal cancers can predict outcome before undergoing surgery and could potentially select patients for individualized therapy.

PRODUCTION, DECOMPOSITION AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BANANA LITTERFALL

ABSTRACT The characterization of litterfall in forest and agroforest systems is important to better understand the cycling of nutrients, however, few studies on litterfall of fruit trees, such as banana, are found. Therefore, the objective of this work was assess the production and decomposition and chemically characterize the litterfall of banana genotypes cropped in a dystrophic typical Red-Yellow Latossol, with weak A horizon, medium texture in a hypo-xerophytic Caatinga in the Southwest of Bahia, Brazil. A completely randomized experimental design was used, with twelve treatments (genotypes) and five replications. The genotypes Preciosa, Pacovan-Ken and Maravilha presented the greatest dry weight. The genotype Fhia18 showed the longest half-life of litterfall decomposition. The banana genotypes Preciosa, Maravilha and Pacovan-Ken produce the greatest contents of litterfall, and their chemical characterization shows the descending order Ca&gt;N&gt;Mg&gt;K&gt;S&gt;P for macronutrients and Fe&gt;Mn&gt;B&gt;Zn&gt;Cu for micronutrients. The banana genotypes PV-79-34, Garantida, Pacovan, JV-42-135, Prata-Anã, Pacovan-Ken, Preciosa and Maravilha present the lowest number of days for decomposition of the litterfall accumulated.

Productivity and agronomic characteristics of sugarcane under different tillage systems

Sugarcane production has increased in recent years mainly because of the demand for ethanol. Soil preparation in areas where sugarcane has not been planted yet can increase productivity by improving physical and chemical characteristics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of soil tillage on agronomic traits and productivity of sugarcane. The experiment was conducted in the municipality of Goianésia (GO) on a Red-Yellow Latosol of medium texture using the CTC-2 variety. The experimental design was randomized blocks with six treatments and four replications. The treatments were: T1) desiccation + moldboard plow + harrow, T2) moldboard plow + harrow, T3) harrow + moldboard plow + harrow, T4) no-till, T5) subsoiler, and T6) harrow + disc plow + harrow. The number, diameter, height and productivity of stalks were evaluated. The treatment which resulted in the highest number of stalks was harrow + moldboard plow + harrow; however, this treatment was differed only from the treatment with moldboard plow + harrow. The seedbed preparation with desiccation + moldboard plow + harrow and also harrow + disk plow + harrow provided the highest yield of sugarcane stalks. The no-till treatment proved to be a viable alternative, since it did not differ in productivity from treatments that provided the highest yields. It is a more economical form of cultivation when compared to the other treatments studied in this work.

Zinc, copper and manganese availability in soils treated with alkaline sewage sludge from Paraná state (Brazil)

ABSTRACT In Paraná, most of the sludge generated in sewage treatment plants is subjected to the prolonged alkaline stabilization process. Although it is known that the alkaline sewage sludge contains micronutrients such as Zn, Cu and Mn, little is known about the availability of these elements in soils treated with this type of sewage sludge. Thus, the objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of alkaline sewage sludge from Paraná on Zn, Cu and Mn availability in soils. Twenty sewage treatment plants were selected throughout Paraná, where alkaline sewage sludge and the most representative agricultural soil of the each region were collected. Each soil was incubated for 60 days with alkaline sewage sludge rates (0, 10, 20, 40, and 80 Mg ha-1) from their region. Subsequently, Zn, Cu and Mn availability was determined using the Mehlich-1 extractant. The alkaline sewage sludge increased Zn availability and decreased Mn availability in most soils. Cu showed intermediate results, with increased availability, primarily in medium texture soils and decrease in most of the clayey soils. In soils with pH close to ideal for the plant growth, the alkaline sewage sludge rate should be carefully calculated so that there is no excessive increase in the pH and Zn, Cu and Mn imbalance.

Effect of Soil Textural Classes on the Biological Nitrogen Fixation by Bradyrhizobium Measured by 15N Dilution Analysis

The current study was conductedas a pot experiment to determine the effect of soil texture on biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) of six most efficient local isolates, specified, of Bradyrhizobium. Cowpea (Vignaunguiculata L.), as a legume host crop, was used as a host crop and 15N dilution analysis was used for accurate determination of the amount of N biologically fixed under experimental parameters specified. Soils used are clay loam, sandy clay loam and sandy loam. Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF), in different soil textural classes, was as in the following order: medium texture soil &gt; heavy texture soil &gt; light textured soil. Statistical analysis showed that there is a significant variation in BNF % among six Iraqi isolates in the three soil textural classes. There is a significant variation in the number of the nodules of the six Isolates in one soil texture. However, nodules number does not agree with the BNF% in the same soil for any isolates. Statistical analysis of the data showed that there were significant differences in plant dry weight among the soil textural classes all over local isolates used in this study. Data also showed that there were significant differences in dry weight under different isolates.

Effective thermal conductivity of micro-inhomogeneous media containing imperfectly bonded ellipsoidal inclusions

In this paper we consider the problem of thermal polarization of an ellipsoidal inclusion surrounded by a thin conducting layer. To calculate the effective thermal conductivity of a medium containing such inclusions we use the homogenization scheme named the effective field method. The application of this scheme allows one to take into account the texture of micro-inhomogeneous medium. We obtained the solution for a set of parallel and randomly oriented ellipsoidal inclusions with a thin layer with surface conductivity. Our calculations show that the effective thermal conductivity depends on the size of inclusions.

English

The consolidation of crambe crops in the agricultural and industrial scenarios comes up against the lack of recommendations and technical information on their cultivation. Thus, this study aims to analyze the effects of boron fertilization on a crambe crop cultivated in two oxisols. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse owned by the Agronomic Institute of Parana, in the city of Santa Tereza do Oeste - PR. The treatments were arranged in a 2×3 factorial scheme. Two oxisols with different textures (clayey and medium texture) were used, and three boron rates (0, 1, and 8 mg kg-1) were applied to the soil. A randomized complete block design with five replications was used. The experimental unit consisted of a vase containing 2.0 kg of soil with two crambe plants. Plant height, dry matter yield of roots, stems and fruit, number of fruit per plant, number of branches per plant, 100-seed weight and leaf boron content were assessed. Soil texture did not affect any variable. There was no significant interaction between the boron rates applied and soil texture. Plant heights, number of branches per plant and fruit dry matter were not influenced by the boron fertilizer. The number of fruit per plant as well as the dry matter yield of roots, stems and fruit was higher with the application of 1 mg B kg-1 of soil. The amount of boron in the leaves was proportional to the fertilizer rates applied. The application of 8 mg B kg-1 of soil caused toxicity symptoms on crambe leaves. Key words: Crambe abyssinica, fertilizing, nutrition of energy crops.

English

Vegetative propagation were studied in order to implement Khaya senegalensis A. Juss. wood production, conservation and genetic improvement programs. The objective of this research work was to establish the requirement as well the appropriated concentration of indolbutiric acid (IBA) in the K. senegalensis leafy stem cuttings to produce new plants. The basal end of the leafy stem cuttings were immersed, at first subjected to the so called slow method, in a 5% ethanol solution with 0, 100, 200 and 400 mg L-1 of IBA for 12 h and, as another procedure, the so called quick method, to a 50% ethanol solution with 0, 3000, 6000, 9000 and 12000 mg L-1 of IBA for 5. The leafy stem cuttings were transferred to plastic trays filled with 9.5 L of medium texture expanded vermiculite in which the cuttings had their basal end immersed to a depth of 3 cm in an 8.0 x 8.0 cm spacing. The experimental units were distributed according to a completely random design with five replications. Each experimental unit consisted of twelve cuttings. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse under a 50% of shade condition during the period from January to June of 2012. The quick method, in comparison with the slow one, gave the best results in terms of percentage of rooted stem cuttings and height of the sprouted plantlets. In the quick method, no differences between IBA concentrations were observed. The slow and the quick methods did not differ as to stem cuttings survival, total root length per leafy stem cutting, number of roots per stem cutting, plantlets survival and percentage of sprouted plantlets. It was concluded that K. senegalensis may be propagated by leafy stem cuttings taken from plantlets of seminal origin without the use of IBA. Key words: Khaya, Senegal mahogany, vegetative propagation, auxin, seedlings.

CT Textural Analysis of Large Primary Renal Cell Carcinomas: Pretreatment Tumor Heterogeneity Correlates With Histologic Findings and Clinical Outcomes.

The purpose of the present study is to determine whether CT texture features of newly diagnosed primary renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) correlate with pathologic features and oncologic outcomes. CT texture analysis was performed on large (> 7 cm; mean size, 9.9 cm) untreated RCCs in 157 patients (52 women and 105 men; mean age, 60.3 years). Measures of tumor heterogeneity, including entropy, kurtosis, skewness, mean, mean of positive pixels, and SD of pixel distribution histogram were derived from multiphasic CT using various filter settings: unfiltered (spatial scaling factor, 0), fine (spatial scaling factor, 2), medium (spatial scaling factor, 3-4), or coarse (spatial scaling factor, 5-6). Texture values were correlated with histologic subtype, nuclear grade, pathologic stage, and clinical outcome. When a coarse filter setting (spatial scaling factor, 6) was used, entropy on portal venous phase CT images was positively associated with clear cell histologic findings (odds ratio [OR], 134; 95% CI, 16-1110; p < 0.001) and was negatively associated with non-clear cell subtype findings (papillary spatial scale factor, 6; OR, 0.016; 95% CI, 0.002-0.132; p < 0.001). ROC curve analysis for entropy (on portal venous phase images obtained with a spatial scaling factor of 6) revealed an AUC of 0.943 (95% CI, 0.892-0.993) for clear cell histologic findings, with similar values noted for non-clear cell histologic findings. The mean of positive pixels and the SD of the pixel distribution histogram were statistically significantly associated with histologic cell type in a similar fashion. Entropy, the SD of the pixel distribution histogram, and the mean of positive pixels were associated with nuclear grade, most prominently when fine or medium texture filters were used (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant association of texture features noted on unenhanced CT, including the SD of the pixel distribution histogram, the mean of positive pixels, and entropy, with the time to disease recurrence and death due to disease (e.g., for entropy noted on unenhanced CT images obtained with a spatial scaling factor of 6, the hazard ratio was 3.49 [95% CI, 1.55-7.84]; p = 0.002). CT texture features (in particular, entropy, the mean of positive pixels, and the SD of the pixel distribution histogram) are associated with tumor histologic findings, nuclear grade, and outcome measures. The contrast phase does seem to affect heterogeneity measures.

CALIBRAÇÃO DE SONDA ARTESANAL DE USO COM TDR PARA AVALIAÇÃO DE UMIDADE DE SOLOS

The Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) has been a very important tool for the quantification of the water content in the soil. However, to use the calibration equipment is necessary to obtain accurate values of volumetric moisture, having in view that there is a difference between the types of materials of the matrix of the soil and porosity. In view of the exposed, this work had as objective to develop and calibrate probes of TDR equipment usage in different soil types. The calibration was performed in laboratory conditions, using soil samples wrapped in PVC columns with volume of 0.0078 m3. The probes handcrafted with three rods spaced (0.022 m) and 0.15 m in length, were installed vertically in the soil columns, with a probe by column. There were the weighings of the soil columns in digital scale and daily readings of the dielectric constant with the TDR equipment 100. It was found that the cubic polynomial model was adjusted properly for the estimation of soil humidity in function of the dielectric constant for the five types of soils, highlighting a best fit for the data of the soil of sandy medium texture (Franco sandy soil), presenting a low value of RMSE (root-mean-square of the errors), which attests to the good performance of the model and also presents low value of MEA (mean absolute errors) resulting in a better data adjustment by the equation and a better efficiency of the model.

A new tool for life cycle inventories of agricultural machinery operations

The interest in environmental assessments about agricultural processes is fast growing and asking for new tools for accurate impact evaluations. The methodology commonly used to go through these studies is the life cycle assessment, of which the inventory phase (life cycle inventory, LCI) is an essential step. For studies focusing on agricultural productions, the completion of LCI is particularly complex: taking into account the pedo-climatic and mechanical operative variability is evidently difficult. However, the prediction of the environmental impact of mechanical operations caused by the agricultural sector is essential to quantify the impact categories for which it is responsible. A new tool, ENVIAM, was developed to complete LCI to guarantee the availability of local data that describe the mechanical and pedo-climatic conditions occurring in the Po Valley area and widely applicable as well. It calculates mechanical power requests, directly consumed inputs (&lt;em&gt;i.e&lt;/em&gt;., fuel, lubricant) and material consumption of a productive system by taking into account soil texture, specific machinery operations and coupling solutions as defined by the user. A subdivision of working time and defined engine load have been considered to calculate fuel consumption; with regard to outputs, exhaust gases emissions from internal combustion engines have been assessed by evaluating the emissive stages of belonging as stated by the EU Directive. A case study was also performed to highlight the differences that occur when an analysis is fulfilled in a context with features different from the average, and resulted in significant variations for the inventory. In more details, a comparison was carried out both with Ecoinvent database and within ENVIAM. With regard to fuel consumption, by changing the soil texture, the analysis showed a range between 64%-184% for sandy and clay soils, respectively, if compared with medium texture ones. With this tool, local contexts defined either as real or as optimised coupling solutions can be investigated to assess their environmental impact.

Exploration of Imaging Biomarkers for Predicting Survival of Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Antiangiogenic Chemotherapy.

The objective of this study was to compare imaging biomarkers, including (18)F-FDG PET, CT perfusion (CTP), and CT texture analysis (CTTA), in predicting the survival of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with antiangiogenic chemotherapy. A total of 35 patients (17 men and 18 women; median age, 64.0 years) with advanced NSCLC treated with antiangiogenic chemotherapy were evaluated. CTP and FDG PET were performed before the therapy, and blood flow, blood volume, mean transit time, and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max) of the tumor were measured. Texture parameters, including the mean value of pixels with positive values (MPP) and entropy (a measure of irregularity), were also measured on pretherapeutic unenhanced CT images, using CTTA software with a medium texture scale filtration. The best percent change in the tumor burden was also measured. These image-derived tumor parameters were then compared with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). In univariate Cox regression analysis, MPP and entropy were significantly correlated with PFS (p = 0.01 and p = 0.01, respectively), whereas SUV max, MPP, and entropy were significantly correlated with OS (p = 0.03, p = 0.04, and p = 0.0008, respectively). In Kaplan-Meier analysis, high MPP and low entropy were significantly associated with favorable PFS (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.03, respectively) and OS (p = 0.0009 and p = 0.005, respectively), and low SUV max was significantly associated with favorable OS (p = 0.01). CTP parameters and the best change in the tumor burden had no associations with survival. In multivariate analysis, only entropy was identified as an independent prognostic factor for OS (p = 0.02). CTTA is the optimal imaging biomarker for predicting the survival of patients with advanced NSCLC treated with antiangiogenic chemotherapy.

Effect of local conditions and machinery characteristics on the environmental impacts of primary soil tillage

The interest in environmental assessments about agricultural processes is high and asks for tools for accurate impact evaluations. The methodology commonly used in these studies is the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), of which the inventory phase (Life Cycle Inventory – LCI) is the essential and most complex step to fulfil, for agricultural productions in particular. The reason is that taking into account local variables such as soil texture and mechanical operative solutions for the agro-mechanical operations is difficult.The aim of this study was to perform a case study to quantify the environmental impacts through LCA of alternative ploughing solutions and to quantify the differences that occur when an analysis is fulfilled with inventories completed with two different tools. First, when a database furnishes average data (Ecoinvent) and, secondly, when the inventory is completed with a tool that considers local variables. In particular, the used new tool is ENVIAM (ENVironmental Inventory of Agricultural Machinery operations), which was developed to take into account local variables. Finally, a subsequent goal was to quantify the environmental impacts through LCA of alternative ploughing solutions. Using ENVIAM, mouldboard ploughs were compared with slatted ploughs and variables such as the number of ploughshares, the field shape ratio (i.e. the ratio of field length and width considering regular quadrangles) and soil texture differed. Fuel consumption and exhaust gases emissions were calculated as function of working time, engine load and European Standard Emissive Stage. The functional unit was “1 ha tilled in a primary soil tillage operation appropriately and completely carried out” and the International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) characterization method was used for the impact assessment. The most common implement present in Northern Italy, the 3 ploughshares mouldboard plough, was considered as baseline scenario. When working on medium texture soils, discrepancies with Ecoinvent were not negligible (less than 9% for Climate Change and Ozone Depletion). However, they resulted even 2–3 times higher for Particulate Matter and Mineral and Fossil Resources Depletion. Instead, when soil texture differed, dissimilarities were considerably higher. For example, Climate Change impact category ranged between −46.2% and +108.1% of the identified baseline case (with sandy and clay soils, respectively).