ABSTRACT The hidden hunger for Se in the world population is well known. As a strategy to address this issue, this study aimed to biofortify onion (Allium cepa L.), since it is a condiment vegetable consumed by different economic classes and is widely used in the food industry. To this end, Se doses (0, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 200 g ha-1) and application forms (soil and foliar) were evaluated on the biofortification of the bulb and crop yield. The Se source was sodium selenate. Via soil, Se was applied together with NPK fertilizer in the pre-transplantation of the seedlings. Via foliar application, Se was sprayed 77 d after seedlings were transplanted. The Se increased yield up to 99 g ha-1, which was 14.7% higher than the yield obtained in the crop not fertilized with Se. Foliar application of Se was more efficient than soil application in the biofortification of onion, although both were effective. With the dose that promoted the highest yield, the Se concentrations reached 0.487 and 0.317 mg Se kg-1 in onion dry mass, when the supply was made via foliar and soil applications, respectively. The increase in Se supply did not influence bulb quality, as demonstrated by the macro- and micronutrients content and pungency.

Resumo Introdução: A trombocitemia essencial (TE) é uma condição pouco comum e assintomática na maioria dos casos. No entanto, podem surgir sintomas como cefaleias, síncope, vertigem, dor torácica, eritromelalgia e distúrbios visuais transitórios. Os eventos hemorrágicos e tromboembólicos são os grandes riscos desta patologia. O objetivo da partilha deste caso clínico é alertar para uma patologia rara que pode passar despercebida e causar eventos potencialmente graves. Descrição do caso: Sexo feminino, 43 anos, raça caucasiana, antecedentes de hepatite B crónica, sem antecedentes cirúrgicos nem medicação habitual, incluindo método contracetivo hormonal. Recorreu a consulta com queixas de enfartamento precoce, dispepsia e epigastralgia com três dias de evolução, negando alterações do trânsito intestinal, características das fezes, náuseas ou vómitos. Exame físico e endoscopia digestiva alta recente sem alterações de relevo. Foi consultado o estudo analítico que a utente realizava regularmente no hospital, verificando-se que o valor do número de plaquetas se encontrava consistentemente a rondar os 500.000/uL desde há três anos. Pediu-se ecografia abdominal que descrevia trombose parcial da veia porta e do seu ramo esquerdo. A doente foi medicada com enoxaparina 60 mg 12h/12 h. Foi realizado angio-TC abdominal, estudo pró-trombótico e estudo genético e iniciou varfarina 5 mg 1x/dia, inicialmente sobreposta com enoxaparina 60 mg 12/12h. O angio-TC viria a confirmar a trombose da veia porta e confirmou-se positiva a mutação JAK2 V617F. Assumido o diagnóstico de TE e iniciado tratamento citorredutor com hidroxiureia 500 mg em dias alternados. Comentário: Este caso chama a atenção pelo excesso de plaquetas secundário à TE, ainda que ligeiramente acima do valor de referência, ter originado uma trombose da veia porta. Pretende-se alertar os médicos de família para a importância de realizar um estudo atento, valorizando pequenas variações sustentadas fora dos intervalos da normalidade e fazer uma referenciação correta e atempada quando necessário.

Abstract Introduction: Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is an asymptomatic rare condition in most cases. Nonetheless, symptoms like headache, syncope, vertigo, thoracic pain, erythromelalgia, and transient visual disturbances may surge. The major concerns of this pathology are hemorrhagic and thromboembolic events. The aim of sharing this case report is to alert for the existence of this rare pathology that can go unnoticed and cause potentially serious events. Case description: Female, 43-year-old, Caucasian. Background of chronic B hepatitis, without surgical background nor usual medication, including the contraceptive pill. She appealed to a medical appointment with an early feeling of fullness when eating, dyspepsia, and epigastric pain in the last three days. She denied changes in intestinal habits, feces characteristics, nausea, or vomiting. Physical examination and recent upper endoscopic study were normal. The hospital medical record was examined, verifying that platelet levels were consistently rounding 500,000/uL for the past three years. An abdominal ultrasonography was requested, and it described a partial portal vein and left branch thrombosis. The patient started enoxaparin 60 mg every 12 hours. It was conducted an abdominal angiotomography, prothrombotic, and genetic study, including the JAK2 V617F mutation. The patient started warfarin 5 mg one time daily, initially overlaid with enoxaparin 60 mg 12h/12h. The abdominal angiotomography would confirm the portal vein thrombosis and the JAK2 V617F mutation study was positive. It was assumed the diagnosis of ET and was initiated cytoreductive therapy with hydroxyurea 500 mg on alternated days. Comment: This case report shows that the excessive platelet count, secondary to ET, even if slightly above the reference value, caused a portal vein thrombosis. We aim to alert family physicians to the importance of doing a careful study, valuing little sustained variations out of the normal intervals, and referring correctly and promptly when necessary.

ABSTRACT In semi-arid regions, where seasonal drought or irregular rainfall distribution are common occurrences, agricultural management techniques or strategies, such as the use of bone meal and/or hydrogel, can mitigate adverse conditions and ensure crop production. This study aimed to evaluate the efects of bone meal doses (0, 250, 500, 750 and 1,000 g pit−1), in association or not with hydrogel (0 and 5 g pit−1, respectively), on the leaf nutrient content of the dwarf cashew cultivar BRS 226. The leaf nutrient contents were evaluated during two growing seasons. For being a good source of macronutrients, the bone meal increased the levels of N, P, Ca, K and Mg in the dwarf cashew leaves. The leaf contents of the micronutrients Zn, Fe and Mn decreased with increasing bone meal doses. The nutrient accumulation in the leaves of the dwarf cashew planted in pits with bone meal and hydrogel has the following order: N > K > Ca > Mg > P > Mn > Fe > Zn > Cu. The application of bone meal at levels close to 600 g pit−1, mainly with the use of hydrogel, is a viable fertilizer alternative for dwarf cashew.

RESUMO Em regiões semiáridas, onde a seca sazonal ou a distribuição irregular de chuvas são ocorrências comuns, técnicas ou estratégias de manejo agrícola, como o uso de farinha de osso e/ou hidrogel, podem mitigar condições adversas e garantir a produção agrícola. Objetivou- se avaliar os efeitos de doses de farinha de osso (0, 250, 500, 750 e 1,000 g cova−1), em associação ou não com hidrogel (0 e 5 g cova−1, respectivamente), sobre o teor de nutrientes foliares da cultivar de cajueiro-anão BRS 226. Os teores de nutrientes nas folhas foram avaliados durante duas safras. Por ser boa fonte de macronutrientes, a farinha de osso aumentou os níveis de N, P, Ca, K e Mg nas folhas do cajueiro anão. Os teores foliares dos micronutrientes Zn, Fe e Mn diminuíram com o aumento das doses de farinha de osso. O acúmulo de nutrientes nas folhas do cajueiro anão plantado em covas com farinha de osso e hidrogel tem a seguinte ordem: N > K > Ca > Mg > P > Mn > Fe > Zn > Cu. A aplicação de farinha de osso em níveis próximos a 600 g cova−1, principalmente com o uso de hidrogel, é uma alternativa viável de fertilizante para cajueiro-anão.

ABSTRACT Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for growth and yield of sweet potatoes; in sandy soils, sweet potato yield and quality may be limited by application of low P doses, mainly in degraded areas. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of P doses on yield and quality of sweet potato root tubers grown in tropical sandy soils with different initial P availabilities: 23.2 mg dm-3 (high P - crop rotation) and 3.7 mg dm-3 (low P - post degraded pasture). Two experiments were carried out in a randomized block design, with four replicates. The treatments consisted of P doses (0, 22, 44, 88, and 176 kg ha-1) applied to the planting bed. Tuber yield, number and mean weight of tubers, P concentration in leaves and tubers, exported P, as well as the percentage of starch, reducing sugars, total sugars, and sucrose in the tubers were evaluated. P concentration in the soil was evaluated at the end of the experiment. In the area with high P availability (> 20 mg dm-3 - resin), increasing P doses did not increase root tuber yield and decreased root starch concentrations. In the area with low P availability (< 3.7 mg dm-3 - resin), root tuber yield and starch concentration peaked when applying 68 and 33 kg ha-1 of P, respectively. In areas after degraded pasture, with low initial soil P concentration, P fertilization for sweet potato crops should be carried out with a P dose of 68 kg ha-1. In areas with crop rotation and adequate soil P concentration, P fertilization should be carried out to replace the amount of P exported by the harvested root tubers to avoid decreases in soil fertility.

RESUMO O fósforo (P) é um nutriente essencial para o crescimento e produtividade da batata-doce, e em solos arenosos, a produtividade e a qualidade da batata-doce podem ser limitadas pela baixa dose de P aplicada, principalmente em áreas degradadas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de doses de fósforo na produtividade e qualidade das raízes tuberosas de batata-doce cultivadas em solos arenosos tropicais com diferentes disponibilidades iniciais de P; 23,2 mg dm-3 (P alto - rotação de culturas) e 3,7 mg dm-3 (P baixo - pós pastagem degradada). Dois experimentos foram conduzidos em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de doses de P (0, 22, 44, 88 e 176 kg ha-1) aplicadas no sulco de plantio. Foram avaliadas a produtividade, número e peso médio de tubérculos, teor de P nas folhas e nos tubérculos, exportação de P, além da porcentagem de amido, açúcar redutor, açúcar total e sacarose nos tubérculos. No final do estudo foi avaliado o teor de P no solo. Em área com alta disponibilidade de P (> 20 mg dm-3 - resina), o aumento das doses de P não aumenta a produtividade de tubérculos e diminui as concentrações de amido nas raízes. Em área com baixa disponibilidade de P (< 3,7 mg dm-3 - resina), a produtividade de tubérculos e a concentração de amido atingiram o máximo ao aplicar 68 e 33 kg ha-1 de P, respectivamente. Cultivo de batata-doce em área após pastagem degradada com baixo teor inicial de P no solo, a adubação fosfatada deve ser realizada na dose de 68 kg ha-1 de P. Em área com rotação de culturas e teor adequado de P no solo, a adubação fosfatada deve ser realizada para repor a quantidade de P exportada pelas raízes tuberosas colhidas para evitar a perda da fertilidade do solo.

ABSTRACT Root biomass plays a vital role in nutrient cycling for the maintenance and functioning of different ecosystems. In this context, this study aimed to determine the stocks of elements in root biomass under different covers in the Cerrado of Tocantins, Brazil. The research was conducted in different vegetal coverings: agriculture, pasture, Eucalyptus sp., and native Cerrado forest. Root biomass was collected in six trenches, 70 x 70 cm, and a depth of 50 cm through sieving. Macro and microelement stocks were determined in root biomass. Macros and microelements showed higher average values for the native forest. With the change in vegetation cover, N, P, and S were higher in agriculture, with stocks of 1.82 Mg ha-1, 1.83 Mg ha-1, and 9.6 Mg ha-1. In a planted forest of Eucalyptus sp., macroelements K, Ca, and Mg were higher, with stock values of 16.06 Mg ha-1, 25.91 Mg ha-1, and 5.02 Mg ha-1, and microelements, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn with values of 0.05 Mg ha-1, 0.04 Mg ha-1, 5 Mg ha-1, 0.7 Mg ha-1, and 0.08 Mg ha-1 in root biomass, respectively. Thus, the planted forest of Eucalyptus sp. promoted greater stocks and cycling of elements, with greater stability of the organic material.

RESUMO As biomassas radiculares desempenham um papel importante na ciclagem de nutrientes, para manutenção e funcionamento dos diferentes ecossistemas. Diante desse contexto, o trabalho teve como objetivo determinar os estoques de elementos em biomassa radiculares sob diferentes coberturas no Cerrado em Tocantins, Brasil. A pesquisa foi conduzida em diferentes coberturas vegetais: agricultura, pastagem, Eucalyptus sp. e floresta nativa de cerrado. As biomassas radiculares foram coletadas em seis trincheiras com dimensões 70 x 70 cm, e profundidade de 50 cm através do peneiramento. Os estoques dos macros e microelementos foram determinados em biomassas radiculares. Os macros e microelementos apresentaram valores médios maiores para floresta nativa. Com a mudança de cobertura vegetal N, P, S, foram maiores em agricultura, com estoques de 1,82 Mg ha-1, 1,83 Mg ha-1 e 9,6 Mg ha-1. Em floresta plantada de Eucalyptus sp., os macroelementos K, Ca e Mg foram maiores tendo valores de estoques respectivamente de 16,06 Mg ha-1, 25,91 Mg ha-1 e 5,02 Mg ha-1 e microelementos B, Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn com valores de 0,05 Mg ha-1, 0,04 Mg ha-1, 5 Mg ha-1, 0,7 Mg ha-1 e 0,08 Mg ha-1 em biomassas radiculares. Deste modo a floresta plantada de Eucalyptus sp. promoveu maiores estoques e ciclagem de elementos, com maior estabilidade do material orgânico.

RESUMO A suplementação mineral adequada pode ser uma estratégia para viabilizar o uso de água salobra na produção de hortaliças. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito das concentrações de nitrato de cálcio nas trocas gasosas foliares e na produção de couve (Brassica oleracea L.) fertigada com soluções nutritivas salinizadas. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados (4 + 1), com quatro repetições. Foram utilizadas cinco soluções nutritivas, sendo quatro foram preparadas em água salobra (6,0 dS m-1) contendo quatro concentrações de Ca(NO3)2 [(750, 1.125, 1.500 e 1.875 mg L-1)] e um tratamento controle (solução nutritiva padrão usando água de baixa salinidade, 0,5 dS m-1 (750 mg L-1 de Ca(NO3)2) . As seguintes análises foram realizadas: trocas gasosas foliares, área foliar e produção de matéria fresca. A solução nutritiva padrão forneceu maiores valores para taxa fotossintética (13,06 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1), condutância estomática (0,19 mol H2O m-2 s-1), transpiração (2,76 mmol H2O m-2 s-1), eficiência instantânea do uso da água (4,73 mmol CO2 mol-1 H2O), eficiência instantânea de carboxilação (0,053 mmol CO2 mol-1 CO2), área foliar (2,78 cm2 por planta) e produtividade de matéria fresca folhas (2,64 kg por planta).O Ca(NO3)2 não anulou, mas atenuou o efeito deletério do estresse salino nas trocas gasosas foliares, com exceção da produção da couve (massa fresca de folhas).

ABSTRACT Adequate mineral supplementation can be a strategy to enable the use of brackish water in the production of vegetables. This study intended to evaluate the effect of calcium nitrate concentrations on leaf gas exchanges and yield of kale (Brassica oleracea L) fertigated with salinized nutrient solutions. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block experimental design (4 + 1), with four replicates. Four nutrient solutions prepared in brackish water (6.0 dS m-1) containing four concentrations of Ca(NO3)2 [(750, 1,125, 1,500, and 1,875 mg L-1)] and a control treatment (standard nutrient solution using low-salinity water, 0.5 dS m-1 (750 mg L-1 of Ca(NO3)2) were used in the study. The following analyses were performed: leaf gas exchanges, leaf area, and fresh matter yield. The standard nutrient solution promoted higher values for photosynthetic rate (13.06 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1), stomatal conductance (0.19 mol H2O m-2 s-1), transpiration (2.76 mmol H2O m-2 s-1), instantaneous water use efficiency (4.73 mmol CO2 mol-1 H2O), instantaneous carboxylation efficiency (0.053 mmol CO2 mol-1 CO2), leaf area (2.78 cm2 per plant), and leaf fresh matter yield (2.64 kg per plant). The Ca(NO3)2 not nullified but mitigated the deleterious effect of salt stress on leaf gas exchanges, except for kale yield (leaf fresh matter).

ABSTRACT The correct nutrition of orchards from fertilizer management directly influences fruit yield. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the nutritional status of orchards of the ‘Montenegrina’ mandarin (Citrus deliciosa Tenore) grafted on Poncirus trifoliata Raf. in southern Brazil. The study included analyzes of soil and leaf tissue from 58 commercial orchards. More than 60% of the orchards were diagnosed with K and Mg insufficiency and more than 30% had an excess of N. There was an insufficiency in Mn and Zn of 60 and 96%, respectively, despite the levels of these micronutrients in the soil being high in both depths studied. In addition, no significant correlations were observed between the contents of a given nutrient in the soil and in the leaves, except for the Ca/Mg ratio. Insufficiency was observed in the leaf contents of K, Mg, Mn and Zn and excesses of N and Cu in the orchards. The use of phosphate and potassium fertilizers requires adjustments due to the excessive content of these nutrients in the soil. Pre-planting acidity correction and soil acidity management in ‘Montenegrina’ mandarin orchards already implanted needs to be optimized.

Abstract The use of whole fruits and vegetables, including the parts usually discarded during food processing, is an alternative to reduce the quantity of agro-industrial wastes. This study aimed to evaluate papaya seeds' nutritional and bioactive potential in two ripening stages. The seeds in the stages 0 and 5 of ripening were analyzed regarding their physicochemical composition, while the oil and the hydroethanolic extracts of the seeds were studied in respect of their fatty acid profile, total phenolic content, antioxidant and antimicrobial capacities. The seeds in both ripening stages show good nutritional quality, because they are sources of protein, fiber, and oil. The oil extracted from the seeds is majorly composed by oleic fatty acid (around 70%). The seeds extracts did not present antimicrobial activity against Salmonella enteritidies, Escherichia coli e Staphylococcus aureus. However, they presented high contents of total phenols (58.1 and 36.0 mg GAE⁄g dry extract for seeds in the ripening stages 0 and 5, respectively) and good antioxidant capacity, according to the FRAP and ABTS●+ assays. Papaya seeds provide nutrients and bioactive compounds and their use is a promising alternative to reduce the disposal of food wastes in the environment.

RESUMEN: La hojarasca tiene valores fundamentales de carbono acumulado en su biomasa, con una participación esencial en todo el sistema forestal, tanto, para la captura de carbono como para los beneficios al ciclo biogeoquímico en el suministro de la demanda nutricional del suelo. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar las características de la hojarasca de clones de eucalipto en relación con el aporte de biomasa, carbono y nutrientes en cada una de sus fracciones formadoras en un sistema de producción integrado a los 10 años de edad. Se evaluó la producción acumulada de hojarasca de dos híbridos, Eucalyptus urophylla x E. grandis (AAC 645) y E. urophylla x E. camaldulensis (AAC 33). La colecta se realizó en áreas de 1 m 2 para cada clon y se evaluó la biomasa de hojarasca acumulada, el contenido de carbono, el contenido de nutrientes y el stock de cada componente de la hojarasca. El clon AAC 645 tuvo la biomasa de hojarasca y el stock de carbono más altos. La fracción de ramas en ambos clones mostró mayores promedios de biomasa y carbono acumulado, así como soporte nutricional. El clon AAC 645 presentó mayor contenido de nutrientes totales, excepto Ca, Mg y S.

ABSTRACT: Litter has fundamental carbon values accumulated in its biomass, with an essential participation in the whole forest system for both carbón sequestration and for the benefits to the biogeochemical cycle in supplying the soil's nutritional demand. This study aimed to evaluate the litter characteristics of eucalyptus clones regarding the contribution of biomass, carbon, and nutrients in each of its forming fractions in an integrated production system at 10 years of age. The accumulated litterfall production of two hybrids, Eucalyptus urophylla x E. grandis (AAC 645) and E. urophylla x E. camaldulensis (AAC 33), was evaluated. The collection was carried out in 1 m2 plots for each clone, and the accumulated litter biomass, carbon content, nutrient content, and stock of each litter component were evaluated. Clone AAC 645 had the highest litter biomass and carbon stock. The branch fraction in both clones showed higher biomass accumulated carbon averages, and nutritional support. Clone AAC 645 had higher total nutrient content, except for Ca, Mg, and S.

ABSTRACT Salt stress stands out as one of the main limiting factors in agricultural production in arid and semi-arid regions, due to its osmotic and ionic effects on plants. In this context, the objective was to evaluate the physiological responses of sugar-apple seedlings irrigated with saline wastewater under different doses of NPK. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, in a randomized block design, in a 3 x 5 factorial scheme, with four replicates. Three irrigation waters were tested: local-supply water (control), reject brine and fish farming effluent, and five doses of NPK, referring to the proportions of 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125% of the N:P:K fertilizer recommendation of 100:300:150 mg dm-3. Seedlings were cultivated in 2-dm3 containers filled with sandy soil for 90 days after sowing. At the end of this period, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and biomass accumulation were evaluated. The use of reject brine and fish farming effluent to irrigate sugar-apple seedlings reduced photosynthetic activity and biomass accumulation. The best physiological responses and biomass accumulation occur at NPK doses of 75% (75:225:112.5 mg dm-3 of N:P:K) for seedlings irrigated with local-supply water, 60% (60:180: 90 mg dm-3 of N:P:K) for seedlings irrigated with reject brine, and 40% (40:120:60 mg dm-3 of N:P:K) for seedlings irrigated with fish farming effluent.

RESUMO O estresse salino destaca-se como um dos principais fatores limitantes na produção agrícola nas regiões áridas e semiáridas, devido os efeitos osmótico e iônico sobre as plantas. Neste contexto, objetivou-se avaliar as respostas fisiológicas de mudas de pinheira irrigadas com águas residuárias salinas sob diferentes doses de NPK. Para isso, o experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, em delineamento de blocos casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 x 5, com quatro repetições. Foram testadas três águas de irrigação, sendo elas água de abastecimento local (controle), rejeito de dessalinizadores e efluente da piscicultura. E cinco doses de NPK, referentes as proporções de 25, 50, 75, 100 e 125% da recomendação de adubação de 100:300:150 mg dm-3 de N:P:K. As mudas foram conduzidas em recipientes com capacidade de 2 dm3 preenchido com solo de textura arenosa por 90 dias após a semeadura. No final desse período foram avaliadas as trocas gasosas, fluorescência da clorofila e o acúmulo de biomassa. O uso do rejeito salino e efluente da piscicultura na irrigação de mudas de pinha reduziu a atividade fotossintética e o acúmulo de biomassa. As melhores respostas fisiológicas e acúmulo de biomassa ocorrem nas doses de NPK de 75% (75:225:112,5 mg dm-3 de N:P:K) para mudas irrigadas com água de abastecimento, 60% (60:180:90 mg dm-3 de N:P:K) para irrigadas com rejeito salino e 40% (40:120:60 mg dm-3 de NPK), para irrigadas com efluente da piscicultura.

ABSTRACT The constant monitoring of water quality is fundamental for the understanding of the aquatic environment, yet it demands great financial investments and is susceptible to inconsistencies and missing values. Using a database composed of 59 sampling campaigns, performed for 12 years, on 10 monitoring stations along the Iguassu River Basin (Southern Brazil), this study presents a model, based on feed-forward neural networks, which imputed 1,370 values for 11 traditional water quality parameters, as well as 3 contaminants of emerging concern (caffeine, estradiol and ethinylestradiol). The model validation errors varied from 0.978 mg L-1 and 0.017 mg L-1 for the traditional parameters, for caffeine the validation error was of 0.212 µg L-1 and for the hormones, the errors were of 0.04 µg L-1 (E1) and 0.044 µg L-1 (EE1). The models underwent two techniques to understand the operations performed within the model (isolation and nullification), which were consistent to those explained by natural processes. The results point to the validity of modeling water quality parameters (especially the concentrations of caffeine) through neural networks, which could lead to better resource allocation in environmental monitoring, as well as improving available datasets and valuing previous monitoring efforts.

RESUMO O monitoramento constante da qualidade da água é fundamental para o entendimento dos ambientes aquáticos, mas este esforço demanda grandes investimentos financeiros, além de estar suscetível a inconsistências e falhas na obtenção dos valores. Usando uma base de dados composta por 59 campanhas amostrais, realizadas durante um período de 12 anos, em 10 estações de monitoramento ao longo da bacia do rio Iguaçú, este trabalho apresentou um modelo baseado em redes neurais artificiais que preencheu 1.370 valores para onze parâmetros tradicionais de qualidade da água. Os erros de validação do modelo variaram de 0,978 mg L-1 a 0,017 mg L-1 para os parâmetros tradicionais, enquanto para a cafeína, este erro foi de 0,212 µg L-1 e para os hormônios de 0,04 µg L-1 (E1) e 0,044 µg L-1 (EE1). Duas técnicas (isolamento e anulação) foram aplicadas nos modelos para se entender o relacionamento treinado pelo modelo entre as variáveis de entrada e saída. Os resultados apontam para a viabilidade da aplicação de redes neurais para a modelagem de parâmetros de qualidade da água (em especial, a cafeína), o que poderia levar a uma melhor alocação de recursos no monitoramento ambiental, além de expandir os bancos de dados disponíveis e valorizar os esforços despendidos para este monitoramento.

ABSTRACT Agroforestry systems have the potential to increase soil organic matter, with effects on soil carbon and nitrogen contents, but information on the application of these systems in semi-arid regions is still scarce. This study aimed to analyze soil carbon and nitrogen stocks in the conversion of native forest from the Caatinga Biome into integrated agriculture systems in the Brazilian semi-arid region. We evaluated the following management systems in the Haplic Inceptisol (Cambissolo Háplico eutrófico): (1) Intercropping area, cultivated with corn and Massai grass; (2) Caatinga (natural vegetation); (3) AFS10: agroforestry system with native woody forest rows occupying 33 % and agriculture occupying 66 % of the total area; and (4) AFS20: agroforestry system presenting inverse proportions of AFS10. The agroforestry systems were intercropped with sorghum or millet, pigeon pea and Massai grass. We collected disturbed and undisturbed soil samples at the layers of 0.00-0.10; 0.10-0.20; 0.20-0.40, 0.40-0.60 and 0.60-1.00 m for analysis of carbon (SOC), nitrogen (N), soil bulk density, and calculation of SOC and N stocks and C/N ratio, two years after the conversion of natural vegetation to the agricultural area (intercropping) and agroforestry system (AFS10 and AFS20). We applied principal component and cluster analysis to explore the data, and confidence interval to compare the means of accumulated SOC and N stocks up to 1 m soil depth. No differences exist for the properties analysed in superficial layers (0.00-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m), regardless of land-use systems. AFS20 increase the SOC content and, consequently, SOC stock, in subsurface layers; on the other hand, intercropping increases N content and N stock. AFS20 presented higher accumulated SOC stocks up to 1.00 m (114.97 Mg ha-1). Agroforestry systems management is an alternative for increasing carbon sequestration under the conversion from Caatinga to agricultural areas.

ABSTRACT Agrosilvopastoral systems have been used as sustainable production models that can promote soil organic carbon (SOC) storage. However, there are no simulation studies with the Century model to estimate the SOC accumulation capacity in the long term, analyzing the effects of management and climate change in integrated crop-livestock-forest (ICLF) systems. This study aimed to simulate soil C dynamics in two chronosequences of land-use composed of native vegetation (NV), degraded pasture (DPA) and ICLF system in the Cerrado of Minas Gerais, in addition to designing future scenarios to verify the potential of SOC accumulation through climate change. The results showed that the Century model reliably simulated the SOC stocks in the two chronosequences evaluated. The model predicted an increase in SOC stocks at two sites by converting the DPA system (46.04 and 42.38 Mg ha-1) into ICLF systems (54.94 and 51.71 Mg ha-1). The Century also predicted that a 20 mm decrease in rainfall and a 2 °C increase in temperature in the tropical regions studied could reduce the SOC stocks more expressively in degraded pastures, while agroforestry systems could show a smaller reduction in SOC stocks. In addition, the results showed that replacing degraded pastures into agrosilvopastoral systems, especially in clayey soils, contributes to increasing SOC stocks. Thus, agroforestry systems are potentially viable to maintain the sustainability of agriculture in the face of climate change.

Aim to evaluate the clinical efficacy of an acetaminophen analgesic by comparing its prescription in fixed versus on-demand schedules after periodontal surgery. The hypothesis of the study was that the fixed regimen would be more effective than the on-demand regimen for postoperative analgesics following periodontal surgery. Methods An open randomized clinical trial was conducted. The 68 patients who needed total flap surgery to restore supracrestal tissue attachment or surgical treatment of periodontitis were randomized”. Visual Analogue Scale was used to assess pain. The fixed group (n = 34) received 500 mg of acetaminophen every 4 hours for 2 days. The on-demand group (n = 34) was instructed to use the acetaminophen “as needed,” at intervals of no less than 4 hours between doses. Ibuprofen was the rescue medication for both groups. Pain scores and medication use were recorded 2, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after the surgical procedure. The study was registered at the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials under RBR-7wv259. Results The two groups did not differ in relation to the frequency or the intensity of pain in a 48-hour period (n=20 in the fixed group, and n=22 in the on-demand group), or even in the intention-to-treat (n=34 in each group). Individuals who experienced moderate to severe pain used rescue medication more frequently in both groups. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion Both regimens were effective in controlling postoperative pain after periodontal surgery.

Abstract The adoption of growth regulators can be an alternative method to modulate the quality of the propagation material and obtain reproductive precocity. The objective was to evaluate if a gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitor affects the morphophysiological, biochemical and anatomical parameters of sour passion fruit seedlings and if such alterations affect the reproductive period. Two trials were conducted. In trial I, 40 days after emergence, the seedlings were immersed up to the substrate level in paclobutrazol (PBZ) solutions at concentrations of: 0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 mg L-1. At 45 days after the application of PBZ - DAA, the morphophysiology, biochemistry and anatomy were evaluated. Trail II was conducted in pots, using seedlings from trail I with 45 DAA of PBZ. At 200 days after transplanting, accumulation of shoots and roots fresh and dry mass (g), flowering speed index, total number of reproductive organs and SPAD index were evaluated. In seedlings, restriction of shoot growth induced by PBZ was associated with root increment, seedling quality, photosynthetic pigments and optimization of gas exchange. A shorter period of transition from the juvenile – vegetative phase to reproductive is observed when the seedlings were submitted to PBZ concentrations.

Resumo A adoção de reguladores de crescimento pode ser um método alternativo para modular a qualidade do material de propagação e obter precocidade reprodutiva. Objetivouse avaliar se os parâmetros morfofisiológicos, bioquímicos e anatômicos de mudas de maracujazeiro azedo são afetados por um inibidor da biossíntese de giberelina e, se tais alterações afetam o período reprodutivo. Foram conduzidos dois ensaios. No ensaio I, aos 40 dias após a emergência, as mudas foram imersas até o nível do substrato em soluções de paclobutrazol (PBZ) nas concentrações de: 0, 40, 80, 120 e 160 mg L-1. Aos 45 dias após a aplicação de PBZ – DAA, avaliou-se a morfofisiologia, bioquímica e anatomia. O ensaio II foi conduzido em vasos, utilizando mudas do ensaio I com 45 DAA de PBZ. Aos 200 dias após o transplantio, foram avaliados acúmulo de massas fresca e seca da parte aérea e raiz (g), índice de velocidade de florescimento, número total de órgãos reprodutivos e índice SPAD. Em mudas, a restrição do crescimento da parte aérea induzida pelo PBZ foi associada à incremento radicular, qualidade de mudas, pigmentos fotossintéticos e otimização das trocas gasosas. Menor período de transição da fase juvenil – vegetativa para reprodutiva é observado quando as mudas foram submetidas a concentrações a PBZ.