Water stress on crops can severely disrupt crop growth and reduce yields, requiring the accurate and prompt diagnosis of crop water stress, especially in semiarid regions. Infrared thermal imaging ...cameras are effective tools to monitor the spatial distribution of canopy temperature (Tc), which is the basis of the daily water stress index (DWSI) calculation. This research aimed to evaluate the variability of plant water stress under different soil cover conditions through geostatistical techniques, using detailed thermographic images of Neem canopies in the Brazilian northeastern semiarid region. Two experimental plots were established with Neem cropped under mulch and bare soil conditions. Thermal images of the leaves were taken with a portable thermographic camera and processed using Python language and the OpenCV database. The application of the geostatistical technique enabled stress indicator mapping at the leaf scale, with the spherical and exponential models providing the best fit for both soil cover conditions. The results showed that the highest levels of water stress were observed during the months with the highest air temperatures and no rainfall, especially at the apex of the leaf and close to the central veins, due to a negative water balance. Even under extreme drought conditions, mulching reduced Neem physiological water stress, leading to lower plant water stress, associated with a higher soil moisture content and a negative skewness of temperature distribution. Regarding the mapping of the stress index, the sequential Gaussian simulation method reduced the temperature uncertainty and the variation on the leaf surface. Our findings highlight that mapping the Water Stress Index offers a robust framework to precisely detect stress for agricultural management, as well as soil cover management in semiarid regions. These findings underscore the impact of meteorological and planting conditions on leaf temperature and baseline water stress, which can be valuable for regional water resource managers in diagnosing crop water status more accurately.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
ABSTRACT The study aimed to characterize the spatial structure of variability of biophysical indexes of vegetation through images obtained by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles under strong heterogeneity and ...anisotropy, using geostatistical procedures. Plots with different types and densities of culture were evaluated in a didactic vegetable garden. Five vegetation indexes obtained from aerial multispectral camera images were evaluated parallel with geostatistical analysis and anisotropy investigation for multiscale spatial modeling. For the studied domain, geometric anisotropy was identified for the biometric indexes. The spherical model presented a better fit when anisotropy was not considered, whereas the exponential model had the best performance in the anisotropic analysis. Contrasting targets were better identified in multispectral images and considering anisotropy. The Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index is recommended for similar applications.
RESUMO O estudo objetivou caracterizar a estrutura espacial de variabilidade dos índices biofísicos de vegetação através de imagens obtidas por Veículos Aéreos Não Tripulados, sob forte heterogeneidade e anisotropia, usando procedimentos geoestatísticos. Avaliou-se parcelas com diferentes tipos e densidades de cultura em horta didática. Avaliaram-se cinco índices de vegetação obtidos de imagens aéreas de câmera multiespectral, em paralelo com análises geoestatísticas e investigação de anisotropia para modelagem espacial em multiescala. Para o domínio estudado, foi identificada anisotropia geométrica para os índices biométricos. O modelo esférico apresentou melhor ajuste, quando não se considerou anisotropia, enquanto o modelo exponencial foi o de melhor desempenho na análise anisotrópica. Alvos contrastantes foram melhor identificados nas imagens multiespectrais, e considerando a anisotropia. O Indice de Vegetação Ajustado ao Solo é recomendado para aplicações similares.
Hydrological studies in small basins are essential for
investigating the role of distinct processes on water resources conservation
and to assess the impact of the natural ecosystems on improving ...water
security especially in semiarid environments. In Brazil, the cooperative
hydrological Network REHISA (“REde de HIdrologia do SemiÁrido”)
comprises hydrologists from several universities of Brazil, focusing on
field measurements, monitoring and modeling activities in well instrumented
experimental rural catchments located at different regions and biomes in
Semiarid environment. Water scarcity is a common aspect among the
catchments, as well as risks of soil and water degradation. The objective of
this work is to present assessments of near surface soil moisture
spatial-temporal distribution, and to evaluate the impact of soil
conservation techniques in reducing runoff, using small-scale experimental
plots in a representative catchment of the Pernambuco State, Brazil. The
study catchment is located in Alto Ipanema River Basin (AIRB) (with an area
of 150 km2), which is located at the semiarid region of the São
Francisco River (area of 641 000 km2). Soil and water monitoring was
performed in experimental plots with different soil cover conditions (Bare
soil plots; Plots with natural cover – Caatinga Biome vegetation; Plots with
cactus Palma barriers; and Plots with mulch cover – Dry grass mulch at 4 t ha−1), where probes were installed for high resolution soil moisture
assessment. In addition, regular soil moisture monitoring campaigns were
conducted at 7 different locations, using a capacitance probe, with arboreal
and shrub Caatinga vegetation, pasture and bare soil, predominantly
Brachiaria decumbens. Mulch cover runs close to the Caatinga cover, but
still with higher runoff generation, and presenting lower soil moisture
temporal mean values. Caatinga was highly effective in terms of soil and
water conservation at the small basin scale for both the dry and the wet
season, resulting in a positive nexus between vegetation and water
availability at the region.
This paper aims to investigate the performance of mulch cover with coir dust (Cocos nucifera L.) and cover crop with Palma cactus (Opuntia ficus indica Mill.) as soil and water conservation ...techniques, in a laboratory soil flume under simulated rainfall. Palma cactus plants oriented at 90° and 30° angles with the slope direction were considered. Simulations comprised uniform advanced and delayed rainfall patterns. Runoff hydrographs and soil loss were monitored at the downstream end of the flume. Soil moisture and flow velocity were measured, and several hydraulic parameters of runoff were estimated. Results show that both mulch cover with coir dust and cover crop with Palma cactus were effective in reducing runoff and soil loss and increasing soil moisture content, thus being both suitable soil and water conservation techniques for semiarid environments. Coir dust was more effective than Palma cactus. Palma cactus oriented at a 90° angle was slightly more effective than Palma cactus oriented at a 30° angle. Differences between advanced and delayed rainfall patterns on the hydrological and erosive response were more pronounced for the mulch cover condition, where no runoff and soil loss were observed at the downstream end of the flume for the advanced rainfall pattern.
ABSTRACT Maize crop under rainfed conditions is widely grown in the Brazilian Northeast on community farms for human and animal consumption. The application of mulch could be adopted to enhance ...rainwater harvesting and soil moisture levels, although such practice is rarely applied in rainfed cultivation. This study aimed to evaluate the spatial variability of maize productivity, based on soil physical attributes and plant growth and yield, under a rainfed regime in the presence and absence of mulch in the Brazilian semi-arid region. The study was conducted from May to September 2016 in Pesqueira - PE (locality of the Semiarid of Pernambuco State, Northeast, Brazil), during which the development and production of maize in experimental plots were evaluated, and maize was grown using the traditional cropping system with and without mulching. Two grids with 40 points in a 4 × 10 m mesh were established, with spacing of 1 m for soil sampling and maize biometric evaluation. For statistical analysis, 30 samples were randomly selected from each plot. Maize cultivated in the presence of mulch showed higher development, with symmetrical distribution for all variables except for soil moisture and stem diameter. Sand content, soil moisture, height of the first cob, number of leaves, leaf length, plant height, and cob weight presented moderate to strong spatial scale dependence for the two cropping conditions, with higher spatial dependence consistently observed for the development parameters in the covered area.
RESUMO O cultivo de milho em sequeiro é amplamente explorado no Nordeste Brasileiro pela agricultura familiar, para alimentação humana e animal. Para melhorar a captação da água da chuva e a umidade do solo, pode-se adotar a cobertura morta, embora essa prática ainda seja raramente aplicada no cultivo de milho de sequeiro. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a variabilidade espacial da produtividade do milho, com base nos atributos físicos do solo e no crescimento e produção da planta, sob regime de sequeiro na presença e na ausência de cobertura morta na região semiárida. O estudo foi realizado de maio a setembro de 2016 em Pesqueira-PE, avaliando o desenvolvimento e a produção de milho em parcelas experimentais, adotando-se o sistema tradicional sem cobertura morta e com cobertura. Estabeleceu-se dois grids com 40 pontos em malha de 4 x 10 m, com espaçamento de 1 m para amostragem de solo e avaliação biométrica. Para análise estatística, foram sorteadas trinta amostras aleatoriamente em cada parcela. O milho cultivado na presença de cobertura apresentou maior desenvolvimento, com distribuição simétrica para todas as variáveis, exceto para a umidade do solo e o diâmetro do colmo. O teor de areia, a umidade do solo, a altura da primeira bifurcação, o número de folhas, o comprimento da folha, a altura da planta e o peso da espiga apresentaram de moderada a forte dependência espacial para as duas condições, com maior dependência espacial sempre observada para os parâmetros de desenvolvimento na área com cobertura morta.
Aims
The hallmarks of type 2 diabetes (T2D) are hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance. These factors, at the cellular level, are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and increased glucose ...uptake. Such events are poorly explored in the context of the salivary glands. In this study, we present a series of eight cases of a distinct salivary gland lesion characterised by multiple oncocytic cysts, and we provide new pathological insights regarding its pathogenesis.
Methods and results
Seven patients (87.5%) had confirmed T2D, and obesity was identified in five (62.5%) patients. Clinically, the patients showed bilateral parotid gland swelling with recurrent episodes of pain and enlargement. Imaging examination revealed multiple cystic lesions in both parotid glands. Microscopically, the parotid glands showed multiple cysts of different sizes, lined by oncocytic epithelial cells. Intraluminally, strongly eosinophilic glass‐like crystalloid material was observed. Immunohistochemical studies were performed, and the most notable finding was glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) overexpression in the oncocytic cysts which is not observed in any other oncocytic lesion of patients without T2D. In addition, high expressions of mitochondrial antigen, fission 1 protein and mitofusin‐2 were observed in the oncocytic epithelium of the cysts. Furthermore, most of the oncocytic cysts showed a pattern of cytokeratin expression consistent with striated ducts.
Conclusions
These results strongly suggest that T2D is associated with alterations in GLUT1 expression in the cells of striated ducts with mitochondrial dysfunction, causing a hyperplastic process characterised by multiple oncocytic cysts. For this lesion, the designation of ‘diabetes‐associated–bilateral multiple oncocytic cysts of the parotid gland’ is proposed.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Pregnant and postpartum women infected by COVID-19 are at increased risk of adverse outcomes, including negative effects on their mental health. Brazilian maternal mortality rate due to COVID-19 is ...2.5 times higher than overall mortality rates. This study aimed to understand how pregnant/postpartum women experienced the COVID-19 suspicion/investigation or confirmed infection in different Brazilian cities, the pandemic's consequences to women and their families, and their needs to improve maternal health services during public health emergencies.
We conducted a qualitative study with 27 women with COVID-19 and 6 of their family members, as part of a multicenter study among 15 maternity hospitals in Brazil. We applied in-depth interviews through telephone calls when women received the diagnostic or had a suspect infection and after 60 days. Another semi-structured interview was applied to their close family members. The interviews were considered through thematic analysis.
From the thematic content analysis three major themes emerged from the first and second interviews: (Cucinotta and Vanelli, 2020) assistance received by the woman and newborn in the medical services; (World Health Organization (WHO) 2021) stigma/fear of contamination from health workers and from family and friends reported by the women; (Allotey et al., 2020) the COVID-19 pandemic impact.
Before the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine, pregnant women experienced fear of death, hospitalization, quarantine, loss of family members, and financial repercussions, resulting in physical, psychological, and socioeconomic impacts on these women's lives.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
IntroductionThe aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical, epidemiological and laboratory aspects of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and postpartum in 16 maternity hospitals.Methods and ...analysisA prospective multicentre study, with five axes. First, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among women admitted for childbirth will be described in a cross-sectional study. Second, maternal and perinatal outcomes will be assessed in a prospective cohort study including pregnant or postpartum women with suspected COVID-19. Third, a cohort of positive COVID-19 cases with sampling of a variety of biological material. Histopathological and viral analysis of biological maternal and neonatal samples will be performed, and the assessment of nutritional variables to evaluate the association between vitamin D and severity of infection. Fourth, a monitoring and evaluation committee to collect relevant healthcare information and plan actions in centres facing the pandemic. Furthermore, qualitative studies will be performed to study pregnant women, their families and health professionals. Fifth, an ecological study will monitor the number of live births, stillbirths and other outcomes to explore any trend among the periods before, during and after the pandemic. Data will systematically be collected in an electronic platform following standardised operational procedures. For quantitative study components, an appropriate statistical approach will be used for each analysis. For qualitative data, in-depth interviews recorded in audio will be transcribed, checking the text obtained with the recording. Subsequently, thematic analysis with the aid of the NVivo programme will be performed.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was obtained (letters of approval numbers 4.047.168, 4.179.679 and 4.083.988). All women will be fully informed to sign the consent form before enrolment in the study. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences.
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