Accurate estimates of aboveground biomass (AGB) in tropical forests are critical for supporting strategies of ecosystem functioning conservation and climate change mitigation. However, such estimates ...at regional and local scales are still highly uncertain. Airborne Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) and Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) can characterize the structural and functional diversity of forests with high accuracy at a sub-meter resolution, and potentially improve the AGB estimations. In this study, we compared the ability of different data sources (airborne LiDAR and HSI, and their combination) and regression methods (linear model - LM, linear model with ridge regularization - LMR, Support Vector Regression - SVR, Random Forest - RF, Stochastic Gradient Boosting - SGB, and Cubist - CB) to improve AGB predictions in the Brazilian Amazon. We used georeferenced inventory data from 132 sample plots to obtain a reference field AGB and calculated 333 metrics (45 from LiDAR and 288 from HSI) that could be used as predictors for statistical AGB models. We submitted the metrics to a correlation filtering followed by a feature selection procedure (recursive feature elimination) to optimize the performance of the models and to reduce their complexity. Results showed that both LiDAR and HSI data used alone provided relatively high accurate models if adequate metrics and algorithms are chosen (RMSE = 67.6 Mg.ha−1, RMSE% = 36%, R2 = 0.58, for the best LiDAR model; RMSE = 68.1 Mg.ha−1, RMSE% = 36%, R2 = 0.58, for the best HSI model). However, HSI-only models required more metrics (5–12) than LiDAR-only models (2–5). Models combining metrics from both datasets resulted in more accurate AGB estimates, regardless of the regression method (RMSE = 57.7 Mg.ha−1, RMSE% = 31%, R2 = 0.70, for the best model). The most important LiDAR metrics for estimating AGB were related to the upper canopy cover and tree height percentiles, while the most important HSI metrics were associated with the near infrared and shortwave infrared spectral regions, particularly the leaf/canopy water and lignin-cellulose absorption bands. Finally, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the remote sensing data source (LiDAR, HSI, or their combination) had a greater effect size than the regression algorithms. Thus, no single algorithm outperformed the others, although the LM method was less suitable when applied to the HSI and hybrid datasets. Results show that the synergistic use of LiDAR and hyperspectral data has great potential for improving the accuracy of the biomass estimates in the Brazilian Amazon.
•Data source had a greater effect than regression algorithm to improve AGB estimate.•Single LiDAR and HSI models performed similarly, but HSI required more metrics.•The most important LiDAR metrics were based on canopy cover and height percentiles.•NIR and SWIR were the most informative spectral regions for biomass estimation.•Combining LiDAR and HSI metrics improved R2 in up to 21% relative to single models.
The effect of different proportions of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) silage (CPS) and intermittent water supply (IWS) to crossbreed goats' diets on carcass traits and meat quality were ...evaluated. The IWS caused a reduction (p = 0.03) in the percentage of leg fat in the animals. The rib eye area, carcass weight, and physical-chemical characteristics were not affected (p > 0.05) by the CPS or IWS. The IWS reduced (p = 0.04) the elongase enzyme activity. The CPS inclusion in the diet reduced C22:0 (p = 0.01), some branched-chain fatty acid (BCFA), C20:1 (p = 0.03), c13-C18:1 (p = 0.01) fatty acids. Therefore, in situations of water scarcity, an intermittent water supply of up to 48 h and diets with up to 42% cactus pear silage, can be adopted in goat feedlot, without affecting carcass traits and meat quality.
Silicon (Si) nanoparticles can attenuate nutritional disorders caused by phosphorus in forages through nutritional homeostasis. This paper aims to evaluate the effects of P deficiency and toxicity in ...Megathyrsus maximus cultivated in two types of soils and to verify whether Si application via fertigation can mitigate these imbalances. The following two experiments were carried out: cultivation of forage plants in pots with Entisol and Oxisol, in a 3 × 2 factorial design, with three nutritional levels of phosphorus (deficient, adequate, and excessive) and two Si concentrations in the irrigation water (0 and 1.5 mmol L
). Height, number of tillers, rate of leaf senescence, dry matter production, C:N, C:Si, C:P, and N:P ratios; and C, P, and N use efficiencies were evaluated in two growth cycles. P imbalances hampered carbon assimilation, C:N:P homeostasis, and dry matter production. Nanosilica fertigation promoted silicon uptake, improving C:N:P homeostasis and nutritional efficiency in plants under P deficiency and toxicity. Leaf senescence was reduced with addition of Si in plants grown in Oxisol in the three nutritional states of P. Silicon attenuated the stress caused by P toxicity in Entisol and Oxisol, improving production in plants without nutritional stress in Oxisol. The supply of Si nanoparticles in the cultivation of M. maximus can contribute to a more efficient and sustainable use of phosphorus in pastures.
Phosphorus (P) imbalances are a recurring issue in cultivated soils with pastures across diverse regions. In addition to P deficiency, the prevalence of excess P in soil has escalated, resulting in ...damage to pasture yield. In response to this reality, there is a need for well-considered strategies, such as the application of silicon (Si), a known element for alleviating plant stress. However, the influence of Si on the morphogenetic and chemical attributes of forage grasses grown in various soils remains uncertain. Consequently, this study aimed to assess the impact of P deficiency and excess on morphogenetic and chemical parameters, as well as digestibility, in Zuri guinea grass cultivated in Oxisol and Entisol soils. It also sought to determine whether fertigation with nanosilica could mitigate the detrimental effects of these nutritional stresses. Results revealed that P deficiency led to a reduction in tiller numbers and grass protein content, along with an increase in lignin content. Conversely, P excess resulted in higher proportions of dead material and lignin, a reduced mass leaf: stem ratio in plants, and a decrease in dry matter (DM) yield. Fertigation with Si improved tillering and protein content in deficient plants. In the case of P excess, Si reduced tiller mortality and lignin content, increased the mass leaf:stem ratio, and enhanced DM yield. This approach also increased yields in plants with sufficient P levels without affecting grass digestibility. Thus, Si utilization holds promise for enhancing the growth and chemical characteristics of forage grasses under P stress and optimizing yield in well-nourished, adapted plants, promoting more sustainable pasture yields.
The experiment aimed to evaluate the fermentative and nutritional profile of the silage of four soybean plant genotypes (BRS 333 RR, Pampeanas: C50, C60, and C70) ensiled with levels of sugarcane (0, ...25, 50, 75, and 100%). The experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design, in factorial scheme 4 × 5 (four soybean genotypes and five levels of sugarcane inclusion) with four replicates. Silages with 100% soybean plant presented the highest levels of butyric acid (P < 0.001) and ammoniacal nitrogen (P < 0.047); however, the intermediate addition of sugarcane contributed to lactic fermentation (P < 0.001). Besides, there was a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) for the recovery of dry matter, which ranged from 83.28 to 95.29%, with higher values observed for silage with the same proportions of soybean plant and sugarcane. It was verified that the crude protein content exhibited decreasing linear effects (P < 0.001), varying among 4.60 to 7.48% in the silages. It was concluded that the highest recovery of dry matter, the best fermentation profile, and the highest levels of crude protein and digestibility occurred in the inclusion between 25 and 50% of sugarcane in soybean silage, with the superiority of the C50 soybean genotype.
The aim of the study was to analyze gender inequalities in types of physical activity (PA) and in the use of screen-based devices among schoolchildren from both urban and rural areas in Brazil.
Data ...from two population-based surveys conducted in 2019 (urban areas: n = 2,479; 52.6% girls; age = 9.2 ± 1.51 years) and 2022 (rural areas: n = 979; 42.6% girls; age = 9.4 ± 1.52 years) were used. PA (active play, nonactive play, home chores, and structured physical activities) and the use of screen-based devices (TV, cellphone, videogame, and computer) were self-reported in a previous-day-recall online questionnaire (Web-CAAFE). Absolute gender inequalities were evaluated and presented as equiplots. Relative gender inequalities were evaluated by the prevalence ratio (PR) and respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), which were estimated by Poisson regression, with adjustments for age and BMI z scores.
Girls from urban and rural areas presented a lower prevalence of active play and a higher prevalence of home chores. The prevalence of nonactive play among girls from urban areas was also lower; however, their prevalence of structured physical activities was higher, especially among girls aged seven to nine years. Girls in both urban and rural areas presented a higher prevalence of TV viewing and lower use of video games.
The gender inequalities observed in the types of physical activities and in the use of screen-based devices could be considered potential correlates of the likelihood of girls' and boys' compliance with the physical activity guidelines.
The development of products with buffalo milk has increased due to its peculiar characteristics, such as taste and high content of total solids, which has attracted consumers and the food industry.In ...this context, the objective was to develop and evaluate the microstructural properties of chocolates with different concentrations of buffalo milk powder (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) through polymorphism, microscopy and rheological studies. For the polymorphism, the X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) was performed, while the crystal morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The addition of levels of more than 10% buffalo milk caused notable changes in XRD diffractograms, demonstrating the appearance of different polymorphic forms. Microscopy analysis revealed changes in the structure of the matrix with an increase in the concentration of buffalo milk, presenting more continuous surfaces, associated with milk proteins, which have emulsifying capacity. The Herschel-Bulkley model adequately described the flow behavior of the formulations. There was an increase in all rheological properties (yield stress, viscosity, thixotropy and loss tangent (tang δ)) in chocolates with higher concentrations of milk. For that, the composition of the milk influences the degree of structuring of the chocolate. Considering this technological information, it is important to highlight that the production of buffalo milk chocolates shows potential for technological innovation.
Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da alimentação suplementar de resíduos de feijão no desempenho produtivo e nos parâmetros sanguíneos de vacas leiteiras em pastejo. Foram ...utilizadas oito vacas mestiças, com peso médio de 500 kg, distribuídas em duplo quadrado latino 4×4, alimentadas com alimentação suplementar de 134, 240, 348 e 449 g kg-1 de resíduos de feijão na ração concentrada. Os animais receberam a suplementação após a ordenha no período da manhã e da tarde. A inclusão de resíduos de feijão não alterou os pesos corporais médios e os escores corporais; no entanto, reduziu a produção de leite. Os teores de gordura, proteína bruta, lactose e extrato seco total não foram alterados pela inclusão dos resíduos de feijão. A concentração sanguínea de glicose e colesterol não foi alterada pela adição do resíduo antes do fornecimento de ração concentrada e nem quatro e seis horas após essa alimentação. A inclusão dos resíduos de feijão na ração concentrada de vacas leiteiras em pastejo, com produção média diária de 13 kg, reduz a produção de leite. Todavia, a utilização desses resíduos pouco influencia a composição do leite e os parâmetros sanguíneos.
Owing to the potentially harmful adverse effects of current anti-inflammatory drugs, there is a need to identify new alternative substances. Thus, this study aimed to perform a phytochemical analysis ...of A. polyphylla to identify compounds responsible for its anti-inflammatory activity. Several fractions of the A. polyphylla extract were obtained and evaluated in an ex vivo anti-inflammatory assay using fresh human blood. Among the evaluated fractions, the BH fraction displayed the highest percentage of PGE
2
inhibition (74.8%) compared to the reference drugs dexamethasone and indomethacin, demonstrating its excellent potential for anti-inflammatory activity. Astragalin (P1), a known 3-O-glucoside of kaempferol, was isolated from the A. polyphylla extract for the first time. In addition, a new compound (P2) was isolated and identified as the apigenin-3-C-glycosylated flavonoid. Astragalin showed moderate PGE
2
activity (48.3%), whereas P2 was not anti-inflammatory. This study contributes to the phytochemical studies of A. polyphylla and confirms its anti-inflammatory potential.
Worldwide, cosmetics (especially eye shadows) are widely consumed and have a great impact on the economy. The aim of this study was to determine the multielement composition, focusing on essential ...and potentially toxic elements, in cosmetics (eye shadow) exposed to consumption in Brazil. Concentrations of 17 elements (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, Ti, V and Zn) were determined in samples (produced in China and Brazil) using a sequential optical emission spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma (ICP OES) after acid digestion, assisted by a closed digester block (6 mL of HNO
3
+ 2 mL of H
2
O
2
+ 1 mL of Triton ×-100 + 1 mL of ultrapure water). The method was validated by linearity, precision, accuracy, limits of detection (LoD) and quantification (LoQ). The elements were quantified (in µg g
−1
): Al (852–21,900), Ba (3.47–104), Cd (1.70–6.93), Cr (< 8.53–66.6), Cu (< 0.480–14.5), Mn (92.20–1,190), Ni (< 4.23–40.7), Pb (< 2.16–5.06), Sb (1.10–10.5), Sr (0.760–46.0), Ti (32.0–440), V (< 0.85–1.7) and Zn (24.90–2,600). As, Co, Mo and Se in all the investigated samples were found to be below the LoQ values of ICP OES. In this study, regardless of sample compositions and origins (Brazilian or Chinese), high levels of Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Ti, V and Zn were observed, exceeding the recommended maximum tolerable limits, according to Brazilian and global legislations, which may present potential risks to human health and the environment.
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