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In grape and wine production, one of the main relevant and recurrent diseases is downy mildew, caused by the fungus Plamospara viticola. It is frequently present in wine production worldwide, with a significant high annual incidence in some regions. Since the discovery of Bordeaux mixture (copper sulphate and lime) in the 1880’s, many formulations based on copper (Cu) have been developed and used in viticulture production. https://coppereplace.com/.

It is now an accepted principle that epigenetic alterations cause cellular dyshomeostasis and functional changes, both of which are essential for the initiation and completion of the tumor cycle. Oral carcinogenesis is no exception in this regard, as most of the tumors in the different subsites of the oral cavity arise from the cross-reaction between (epi)genetic inheritance and the huge challenge of environmental stressors. Currently, the biochemical machinery is put at the service of the tumor program, halting the cell cycle, triggering uncontrolled proliferation, driving angiogenesis and resistance to apoptosis, until the archetypes of the tumor phenotype are reached. Melatonin has the ability to dynamically affect the epigenetic code. It has become accepted that melatonin can reverse (epi)genetic aberrations present in oral and other cancers, suggesting the possibility of enhancing the oncostatic capacity of standard multimodal treatments by incorporating this indolamine as an adjuvant. First steps in this direction confirm the potential of melatonin as a countermeasure to mitigate the detrimental side effects of conventional first-line radiochemotherapy. This single effect could produce synergies of extraordinary clinical importance, allowing doses to be increased and treatments not to be interrupted, ultimately improving patients’ quality of life and prognosis. Motivated by the urgency of improving the medical management of oral cancer, many authors advocate moving from in vitro and preclinical research, where the bulk of melatonin cancer research is concentrated, to systematic randomized clinical trials on large cohorts. Recognizing the challenge to improve the clinical management of cancer, our motivation is to encourage comprehensive and robust research to reveal the clinical potential of melatonin in oral cancer control. To improve the outcome and quality of life of patients with oral cancer, here we provide the latest evidence of the oncolytic activity that melatonin can achieve by manipulating epigenetic patterns in oronasopharyngeal tissue.

Pesticide application equipment (PAE) is the last part of the chain during the plant protection process. The use-phase of plant protection products (PPP) has been addressed in two EU Directives: 128/2009/EC and 127/2009/EC. This last one covers all the mandatory technical requirements to be fulfilled by new sprayers prior to their placement in the market. The objective of this research was to develop a potential decision support system (DSS) to evaluate and quantify the degree of implementation of all the required characteristics of new sprayers, including not only the mandatory requirements but also specifications widely described in the corresponding harmonized standard ISO 16119. It includes 10 independent elements of the sprayer, including a list of technical specifications listed in the applied standards ISO 16119 and ISO 16122. The relative influence of every one of the different elements has been quantified based on previous research. The algorithm enables the establishment of an objective relative classification of the sprayers to differentiate among different machines, mainly based on their quantified environmental contamination risk. The DSS can also discriminate among sprayers that should not reach the market due to their non-compliance with any of the mandatory requirements.

Epithelial cells can undergo apoptosis by manipulating the balance between pro-survival and apoptotic signals. In this work, we show that TRAIL-induced apoptosis can be differentially regulated by the expression of α(1,6)fucosyltransferase (FucT-8), the only enzyme in mammals that transfers the α(1,6)fucose residue to the pentasaccharide core of complex N-glycans. Specifically, in the cellular model of colorectal cancer (CRC) progression formed using the human syngeneic lines SW480 and SW620, knockdown of the FucT-8-encoding FUT8 gene significantly enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis in SW480 cells. However, FUT8 repression did not affect SW620 cells, which suggests that core fucosylation differentiates TRAIL-sensitive premetastatic SW480 cells from TRAIL-resistant metastatic SW620 cells. In this regard, we provide evidence that phosphorylation of ERK1/2 kinases can dynamically regulate TRAIL-dependent apoptosis and that core fucosylation can control the ERK/MAPK pro-survival pathway in which SW480 and SW620 cells participate. Moreover, the depletion of core fucosylation sensitises primary tumour SW480 cells to the combination of TRAIL and low doses of 5-FU, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, or mitomycin C. In contrast, a combination of TRAIL and oxaliplatin, irinotecan, or bevacizumab reinforces resistance of FUT8-knockdown metastatic SW620 cells to apoptosis. Consequently, FucT-8 could be a plausible target for increasing apoptosis and drug response in early CRC.

The purpose of this systematic review is to provide an overview of the existing knowledge on the therapeutic potential of melatonin to counteract the undesirable effects of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. To this aim, we summarized and critically reviewed preclinical- and clinical-related evidence according to the PRISMA guidelines. Additionally, we developed an extrapolation of melatonin doses in animal studies to the human equivalent doses (HEDs) for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) with breast cancer patients. For the revision, 341 primary records were screened, which were reduced to 8 selected RCTs that met the inclusion criteria. We assembled the evidence drawn from these studies by analyzing the remaining gaps and treatment efficacy and suggested future translational research and clinical trials. Overall, the selected RCTs allow us to conclude that melatonin combined with standard chemotherapy lines would derive, at least, a better quality of life for breast cancer patients. Moreover, regular doses of 20 mg/day seemed to increase partial response and 1-year survival rates. Accordingly, this systematic review leads us to draw attention to the need for more RCTs to provide a comprehensive view of the promising actions of melatonin in breast cancer and, given the safety profile of this molecule, adequate translational doses should be established in further RCTs.

Sulfur and nitrogen mustards, bis(2-chloroethyl)sulfide and tertiary bis(2-chloroethyl) amines, respectively, are vesicant warfare agents with alkylating activity. Moreover, oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammatory response induction, metalloproteinases activation, DNA damage or calcium disruption are some of the toxicological mechanisms of sulfur and nitrogen mustard-induced injury that affects the cell integrity and function. In this review, we not only propose melatonin as a therapeutic option in order to counteract and modulate several pathways involved in physiopathological mechanisms activated after exposure to mustards, but also for the first time, we predict whether metabolites of melatonin, cyclic-3-hydroxymelatonin, N1-acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine, and N1-acetyl-5-methoxykynuramine could be capable of exerting a scavenger action and neutralize the toxic damage induced by these blister agents. NLRP3 inflammasome is activated in response to a wide variety of infectious stimuli or cellular stressors, however, although the precise mechanisms leading to activation are not known, mustards are postulated as activators. In this regard, melatonin, through its anti-inflammatory action and NLRP3 inflammasome modulation could exert a protective effect in the pathophysiology and management of sulfur and nitrogen mustard-induced injury. The ability of melatonin to attenuate sulfur and nitrogen mustard-induced toxicity and its high safety profile make melatonin a suitable molecule to be a part of medical countermeasures against blister agents poisoning in the near future.

An orchard variable-rate sprayer applies the appropriate amount of plant protection products only where they are needed based on detection data from advanced sensors, a system that has attracted increasing attention. The latest developments in the detection unit, variable control unit, and signal-processing algorithm of the variable-rate sprayer are discussed. The detection of target position and volume is realized with an ultrasonic sensor, a laser scanning sensor, or other methods. The technology of real-time acquisition of foliage density, plant diseases and pests and their severity, as well as meteorological parameters needs further improvements. Among the three variable-flow-rate control units, pulse width modulation was the most widely used, followed by pressure-based, and variable concentration, which is preliminarily verified in the laboratory. The variable air supply control unit is tested both in the laboratory and in field experiments. The tree-row-volume model, the leaf-wall-area model, and the continuous application mode are widely used algorithms. Advanced research on a variable-rate sprayer is analyzed and future prospects are pointed out. A laser-based variable-rate intelligent sprayer equipped with pulse width modulation solenoid valves to tune spray outputs in real time based on target structures may have the potential to be successfully adopted by growers on a large scale in the foreseeable future. It will be a future research direction to develop an intelligent multi-sensor-fusion variable-rate sprayer based on target crop characteristics, plant diseases and pests and their severity, as well as meteorological conditions while achieving multi-variable control.

The present study explored the impact of inhibiting α(1,6)fucosylation (core fucosylation) on the functional phenotype of a cellular model of colorectal cancer (CRC) malignization formed by the syngeneic SW480 and SW620 CRC lines. Expression of the FUT8 gene encoding α(1,6)fucosyltransferase was inhibited in tumor line SW480 by a combination of shRNA-based antisense knockdown and Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA) selection. LCA-resistant clones were subsequently assayed in vitro for proliferation, migration, and adhesion. The α(1,6)FT-inhibited SW480 cells showed enhanced proliferation in adherent conditions, unlike their α(1,6)FT-depleted SW620 counterparts, which displayed reduced proliferation. Under non-adherent conditions, α(1,6)FT-inhibited SW480 cells also showed greater growth capacity than their respective non-targeted control (NTC) cells. However, cell migration decreased in SW480 after FUT8 knockdown, while adhesion to EA.hy926 cells was significantly enhanced. The reported results indicate that the FUT8 knockdown strategy with subsequent selection for LCA-resistant clones was effective in greatly reducing α(1,6)FT expression in SW480 and SW620 CRC lines. In addition, α(1,6)FT impairment affected the proliferation, migration, and adhesion of α(1,6)FT-deficient clones SW480 and SW620 in a tumor stage-dependent manner, suggesting that core fucosylation has a dynamic role in the evolution of CRC.

Este artículo reflexiona acerca de las relaciones existentes entre el diseño gráfico y el collage, poniendo de relieve afinidades y diferencias en cuanto a metodología, procesos de trabajo y función. Pasa la mirada por una serie de diseñadores que han utilizado el collage en su trabajo profesional pero también en sus obras artísticas fuera de encargo. Asimismo, pone de relieve distancias y encuentros entre el Arte y el collage, tratado éste último frecuentemente como subalterno del primero, llamado arte mayor, al igual que el eterno debate entre Arte y diseño, dicotomía en la que se ven inmersos los diseñadoresartistas, sobre todo en España.

Viral infections constitute a tectonic convulsion in the normophysiology of the hosts. The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is not an exception, and therefore the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, like any other invading microbe, enacts a generalized immune response once the virus contacts the body. Melatonin is a systemic dealer that does not overlook any homeostasis disturbance, which consequently brings into play its cooperative triad, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-stimulant backbone, to stop the infective cycle of SARS-CoV-2 or any other endogenous or exogenous threat. In COVID-19, the corporal propagation of SARS-CoV-2 involves an exacerbated oxidative activity and therefore the overproduction of great amounts of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). The endorsement of melatonin as a possible protective agent against the current pandemic is indirectly supported by its widely demonstrated beneficial role in preclinical and clinical studies of other respiratory diseases. In addition, focusing the therapeutic action on strengthening the host protection responses in critical phases of the infective cycle makes it likely that multi-tasking melatonin will provide multi-protection, maintaining its efficacy against the virus variants that are already emerging and will emerge as long as SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate among us.

ABSTRACT Farming operations are usually performed implements driven by a power take-off (PTO) from tractors. Some manufacturers offer PTO settings named as economic (540E). Such configuration drives implements at lower tractor’s engine rotation, thus providing lower fuel consumption. An engine performance using standard (540) or 540E settings are different and poorly studied. The amounts of pollutants emitted by engines vary mainly with the applied load and rotation. The aim of this study was to compare the performance and exhaust emissions of a farming tractor engine under different PTO loads, using both standard (540) and 540E settings. Specific fuel consumption using 540E was an average 14.7% less than the standard setting. However, 540E promoted increasing levels of gas opacity, CO, CO2, NOx, and HC for the highest PTO power demands.

Blister or vesicant chemical warfare agents (CWAs) have been widely used in different military conflicts, including World War I and the Iran-Iraq War. However, their mechanism of action is not fully understood. Sulfur and nitrogen mustard exert toxic effects not only through the alkylation of thiol-bearing macromolecules, such as DNA and proteins, but also produce free radicals that can develop direct toxic effects in target organs such as the eyes, skin, and respiratory system. The lack of effective treatments against vesicant CWAs-induced injury makes us consider, in this complex scenario, the use and development of melatonin-based therapeutic strategies. This multifunctional indoleamine could facilitate neutralization of the oxidative stress, modulate the inflammatory response, and prevent the DNA damage, as well as the long-term health consequences mediated by vesicant CWAs-induced epigenetic mechanisms. In this context, it would be essential to develop new galenic formulations for the use of orally and/or topically applied melatonin for the prophylaxis against vesicant CWAs, as well as the development of post-exposure treatments in the near future.

Canopy characterisation is a key factor for the success and efficiency of the pesticide application process in vineyards. Canopy measurements to determine the optimal volume rate are currently conducted manually, which is time-consuming and limits the adoption of precise methods for volume rate selection. Therefore, automated methods for canopy characterisation must be established using a rapid and reliable technology capable of providing precise information about crop structure. This research providedregression models for obtaining canopy characteristics of vineyards from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and satellite images collected in three significant growth stages. Between 2018 and 2019, a total of 1400 vines were characterised manually and remotely using a UAV and a satellite-based technology. The information collected from the sampled vines was analysed by two different procedures. First, a linear relationship between the manual and remote sensing data was investigated considering every single vine as a data point. Second, the vines were clustered based on three vigour levels in the parcel, and regression models were fitted to the average values of the ground-based and remote sensing-estimated canopy parameters. Remote sensing could detect the changes in canopy characteristics associated with vegetation growth. The combination of normalised differential vegetation index (NDVI) and projected area extracted from the UAV images is correlated with the tree row volume (TRV) when raw point data were used. This relationship was improved and extended to canopy height, width, leaf wall area, and TRV when the data were clustered. Similarly, satellite-based NDVI yielded moderate coefficients of determination for canopy width with raw point data, and for canopy width, height, and TRV when the vines were clustered according to the vigour. The proposed approach should facilitate the estimation of canopy characteristics in each area of a field using a cost-effective, simple, and reliable technology, allowing variable rate application in vineyards.

The current work evaluated spray coverage and pest control effectiveness against the grape berry moth (Lobesia botrana) by two different spray technologies and volume rates: A spray gun (high-volume sprayer—HVS) calibrated at 1000 L ha−1 and a conventional orchard sprayer calibrated at 500 L ha−1 (OS500) or 250 L ha−1 (OS250). Experiments were carried out in three different grape varieties over two years in mountain vineyards on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. The median coverage for HVS remained above 80% for all three varieties, while that for OS500 ranged from 26% to 56%, and that for OS250 from 18% to 37%. Infestation by the grape berry moth varied from about 2.5% for Palomino, to 8% for Carignan and 3.2% for Xynisteri. Infestation in sprayed plots remained below 1.8% for all treatments, varieties and study years. Although infestation levels in OS250 were not different than the control in two varieties, the infestation levels among sprayer treatments did not differ by more than one percentage point. The current work suggests that lowering application volume and pesticide amount to 50% or more, in some cases, provides adequate control and represents an effective option for reducing pesticide use in vineyards.

Leaf deposit and ground losses generated from spray application in mountain viticulture were evaluated. Four treatments were examined: A spray gun (1000 L ha−1, High-Volume Sprayer—HVS), a motorized knapsack sprayer (200 L ha−1, Low Volume Sprayer—LVS), and a conventional orchard mist blower calibrated at 500 L ha−1 (OS500) or 250 L ha−1 (OS250). The four treatments were assessed using the same tank concentration of tracer in two training systems: a trellis and a goblet. Sprayer treatment, vine side, and vine height significantly affected leaf deposit (p < 0.05). The absolute amount of leaf deposit increased with application volume, but when the amount of deposit was standardized to 1 kg ha−1, LVS resulted in the highest deposit, followed by HVS, OS250, and OS500. Deposition for the goblet system was ca. half that for the trellised vineyard. Ground losses standardized to 1 kg of tracer ha−1 were twice as high for HVS than for LVS, and four times as high for HVS than for OS250 and OS500, in both training systems. The current work suggests that low volume applications in vineyards are a viable and more environmentally friendly alternative than high volume treatments.

Garlic is a polyphenolic and organosulfur enriched nutraceutical spice consumed since ancient times. Garlic and its secondary metabolites have shown excellent health-promoting and disease-preventing effects on many human common diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, blood pressure, and diabetes, through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering properties, as demonstrated in several in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. The present review aims to provide a comprehensive overview on the consumption of garlic, garlic preparation, garlic extract, and garlic extract-derived bioactive constituents on oxidative stress, inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, skin, bone, and other common diseases. Among the 83 human interventional trials considered, the consumption of garlic has been reported to modulate multiple biomarkers of different diseases; in addition, its combination with drugs or other food matrices has been shown to be safe and to prolong their therapeutic effects. The rapid metabolism and poor bioavailability that have limited the therapeutic use of garlic in the last years are also discussed.

Agitation inside agricultural sprayer tanks can be studied while using an international standard procedure, based on obtaining internal samples of liquid. However, in practice, this test is not easy to perform. Herein, we propose the explicit study of the mixing procedure with biphasic computer simulations using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). An experimental test was performed on a 3000 L tank of a commercial air-assisted sprayer, with two different agitation system configurations, in order to compare the results of several theoretical physical models of biphasic flows for CFD, both Eulerian and Lagrangian. From the analysis of these theoretical models, we conclude that the Volume of Fluid model is not viable and the Discrete Phase Model produces erroneous results, while the Eulerian and Mixture models can both be useful. However, the results obtained suggest that complex streams generated by real-world agitation systems produce more errors in calculations. Both models can be conducted in the design phase, prior to the implementation of the machine. In addition, the computer simulations allow for researchers to analyse the mixing process in detail, making it possible to evaluate the efficiency of an agitation system according to the time that is required to reach mixture homogeneity.

Canopy characteristics are crucial for accurately and safely determining the pesticide quantity and volume of water used for spray applications in vineyards. The inevitably high degree of intraplot variability makes it difficult to develop a global solution for the optimal volume application rate. Here, the design procedure of, and the results obtained from, a variable rate application (VRA) sprayer are presented. Prescription maps were generated after detailed canopy characterization, using a multispectral camera embedded on an unmanned aerial vehicle, throughout the entire growing season in Torrelavit (Barcelona) in four vineyard plots of Chardonnay (2.35 ha), Merlot (2.97 ha), and Cabernet Sauvignonn (4.67 ha). The maps were obtained by merging multispectral images with information provided by DOSAVIÑA®, a decision support system, to determine the optimal volume rate. They were then uploaded to the VRA prototype, obtaining actual variable application maps after the application processes were complete. The prototype had an adequate spray distribution quality, with coverage values in the range of 20−40% and exhibited similar results in terms of biological efficacy on powdery mildew compared to conventional (and constant) application volumes. The VRA results demonstrated an accurate and reasonable pesticide distribution, with potential for reduced disease damage even in cases with reduced amounts of plant protection products and water.

Manuka honey (MH) is a natural food with many beneficial properties to human health, thanks to its high variety of bioactive compounds; however, little is known about its bioaccessibility. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the polyphenol compounds, the antioxidant capacity and the anticancer activity of MH subjected to an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion in human HCT-116 colon cancer cells. Raw MH and digested MH (DMH) were assessed for total polyphenols and flavonoids by spectrophotometric and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) using different methods. Cell viability, intracellular ROS production, apoptosis, cell cycle and colony formation capacity were tested after treatment with MH or DMH. Results showed that total polyphenols, total flavonoids and TAC were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced after in vitro digestion. In addition, MH and DMH at 8, 16 and 24 mg/mL had similar effects in inducing intracellular ROS production and in inhibiting the colon formation ability; MH induced a more marked apoptosis compared to DMH, while cell cycle was blocked in S phase by MH and in Sub G1 phase by DMH. Our results increase knowledge of the effect of gastrointestinal digestion on the biological effect of honey against colorectal cancer.

Drift is one of the most important issues to consider for realising sustainable pesticide sprays. This study proposes and tests an alternative methodology for quantifying the drift potential (DP) of air blast sprayers, trying to avoid the difficulties faced in conducting field trials according to the standard protocol (ISO 22866:2005). For this purpose, an ad hoc test bench designed for DP comparative measurements was used. The proposed methodology was evaluated in terms of robustness, repetitiveness and coherence by arranging a series of trials at two laboratories. Representative orchard and vineyard air blast sprayers in eight configurations (combination of two forward speeds, two air fan flow rates, and two nozzle types) were tested. The test bench was placed perpendicular to the spray track to collect the fraction of spray liquid remaining in the air after the spray process and potentially susceptible to drift out of the treated area. Downwind spray deposition curves were obtained and a new approach was proposed to calculate an index value of the DP estimation that could allow the differences among the tested configurations to be described. Results indicated that forward speed of 1.67 m/s allows better discrimination among configurations tested. Highest DP reduction, over 87.5%, was achieved using the TVI nozzles in combination with low air fan flow rate in both laboratories; conversely, the highest DP value was obtained with the ATR nozzles in combination with high air fan flow rate. Although the proposed method shows a promising potential to evaluate drift potential of different sprayer types and nozzles types used for bush and tree crops further research and tests are necessary to improve and validate this method.

Background: Although colorectal carcinogenesis has been intensively studied, the published investigations do not provide a consistent description of how different carbohydrate determinants of colorectal epithelium are modified in colorectal cancer (CRC). Objective: This study is an attempt to characterize the terminal fucosylation steps responsible for the synthesis of mono-(Leª/Le x) and difucosylated (Le b/Le y) Lewis antigens in healthy and tumour CRC tissue. Methods: An immunohistochemical study of Lewis antigens' expression was undertaken, along with screening of the fucosyltransferase (FT) activities involved in their synthesis, on healthy and tumour samples from 18 patients undergoing CRC. Results: Analysis of α(1,2/3/4)FT activities involved in the sequential fucosylation of cores 1 and 2 showed significant increases in tumour tissue. Expressed as μU/mg and control vs. tumour activity (p from Wilcoxon's test), the FT activities for Leª/Le b synthesis were: lacto-N-biose α(1,2)/α(1,4)FT, 65.4 ± 19.0 vs. 186 ± 35.1 (p < 0.005); lacto-N-fucopentaose 1 α(1,4)FT, 64.9 ± 11.9 vs. 125.4 ± 20.7 (p < 0.005); Leª α(1,2)FT, 56.2 ± 7.2 vs. 130.5 ± 15.6 (p < 0.001). Similarly, for Le x/Le y synthesis were: N-acetyllactosamine α(1,2)-/α(1,3)FT, 53.4 ± 12.2 vs. 108.1 ± 18.9 (p < 0.001); 2'-Fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine α(1,3)FT, 61.3 ± 10.7 vs. 126.4 ± 22.9 (p < 0.001); 2'-Fucosyllactose α(1,3)FT, 38.9 ± 10.9 vs. 143.6 ± 28.9 (p < 0.001); 2'-Methyllactose α(1,3)FT, 30.9 ± 4.8 vs. 66.1 ± 8.1 (p < 0.005); and Le x α(1,2)FT, 54.3 ± 11.9 vs. 88.2 ± 14.4 (p < 0.001). Immunohistochemical Le y expression was increased (p < 0.01 according to Wilcoxon's test) in tumour tissue, with 84.6% of specimens being positive: 7.7% weak, 15.4% moderate and 61.5% high intensity. Conclusions: Results suggest the activation of the biosynthesis pathways of mono-and difucosylated Lewis histo-blood antigens in tumour tissue from CRC patients, leading to the overexpression of Le y, probably at the expense of Le x.

Accurate crown characterization of large isolated olive trees is vital for adjusting spray doses in three-dimensional crop agriculture. Among the many methodologies available, laser sensors have proved to be the most reliable and accurate. However, their operation is time consuming and requires specialist knowledge and so a simpler crown characterization method is required. To this end, three methods were evaluated and compared with LiDAR measurements to determine their accuracy: Vertical Crown Projected Area method (VCPA), Ellipsoid Volume method (VE) and Tree Silhouette Volume method (VTS). Trials were performed in three different kinds of olive tree plantations: intensive, adapted one-trunked traditional and traditional. In total, 55 trees were characterized. Results show that all three methods are appropriate to estimate the crown volume, reaching high coefficients of determination: R2 = 0.783, 0.843 and 0.824 for VCPA, VE and VTS, respectively. However, discrepancies arise when evaluating tree plantations separately, especially for traditional trees. Here, correlations between LiDAR volume and other parameters showed that the Mean Vector calculated for VCPA method showed the highest correlation for traditional trees, thus its use in traditional plantations is highly recommended.

Gentiana Lutea root (G. Lutea) is a medicinal herb, traditionally used as a bitter tonic in gastrointestinal ailments for improving the digestive system. The active principles of G. Lutea were found to be secoiridoid bitter compounds as well as many other active compounds causing the pharmacological effects. No study to date has yet determined the potential of G. Lutea antioxidant activity on lipid oxidation. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an extract of G. Lutea on lipid oxidation during storage of an emulsion. G. Lutea extracts showed excellent antioxidant activity measured by DPPH scavenging assay and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. An amount of 0.5% w/w G. Lutea lyophilise was able to inhibit lipid oxidation throughout storage (p < 0.05). A mixture of G. Lutea with 0.1% (w/w) BSA showed a good synergic effect and better antioxidant activity in the emulsion. Quantitative results of HPLC showed that G. Lutea contained secoiridoid-glycosides (gentiopiocroside and sweroside) and post column analysis displayed radical scavenging activity of G. Lutea extract towards the ABTS radical. The results from this study highlight the potential of G. Lutea as a food ingredient in the design of healthier food commodities.

Spraying techniques have been undergoing continuous evolution in recent decades. This paper presents part of the research work carried out in Spain in the field of sensors for characterizing vineyard canopies and monitoring spray drift in order to improve vineyard spraying and make it more sustainable. Some methods and geostatistical procedures for mapping vineyard parameters are proposed, and the development of a variable rate sprayer is described. All these technologies are interesting in terms of adjusting the amount of pesticides applied to the target canopy.

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of the fluid velocities generated by the agitation system of an air-assisted sprayer was developed and validated by practical experiments in a laboratory. The model was developed considering different settings of the agitation system: Three water levels in the tank (1000, 2000, and 3000 L); two different numbers of active nozzles (2 or 4); and three working pressures of the agitation circuit (8, 10, or 12 bar). Actual measurements of the fluid velocity into the tank were taken using an acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV). CFD simulations made it possible to estimate fluid velocities at 38% of the measuring points with relative errors of less than 30%. Additionally, the CFD models have allowed the correct prediction of the general behavior of the fluid in the tank considering mean velocities depending on the setting parameters of the agitation system (water level in the tank, hydraulic circuit pressure, and number of active nozzles).

The aim of this curricular activity consists in the organization of an annual day for early detection of hyperglycemia. This is accomplished by working groups of fifth-year Biology degree students from the Molecular Pathology course. The activity is developed in collaboration with a local Diabetes Association, which will coordinate with the University and with all the technical, logistical and staff requirements needed for the event. The educational purposes of this initiative are diverse and extend to the various fields of a good integral training that renders highly skilled students. These include: i) the promotion and development of specific subject capabilities (referred to training in getting, processing and transmitting data concerning the predisposition to the disease), ii) the familiarization of students with social and voluntary associations of individuals affected by the disease, and iii) the development of transversal skills related to the management of resources, improvement of discipline, coordination and teamwork, quality awareness, as well as the need for ongoing training throughout professional life. The design of the activity is open, beginning with work within a laboratory of ideas, and finally pre-workshop practice.

Actividad curricular consistente en la organización, por grupos de alumnos de 5º curso de Biología (de la asignatura Patología Molecular) trabajando en equipo, de una Jornada anual para la detección precoz de la hiperglucemia. La actividad se desarrolla en colaboración con una Asociación de Diabéticos local y precisa de la coordinación con ella y con los responsables universitarios para la disposición de todos los requerimientos técnicos, logísticos y de personal que se necesitan para el evento. Los objetivos formativos de esta iniciativa son diversos y se extienden a los variados registros de los que se compone una buena formación integral. Entre ellos puede destacarse desde el fomento y desarrollo de capacidades específicas de la materia (referidas a la capacitación en la obtención, tratamiento y transmisión de datos concernientes a la predisposición a la enfermedad) hasta la familiarización de los estudiantes con el voluntariado social y el asociacionismo de afectados por enfermedades (indistintamente patologías raras o de alta prevalencia), pasando por el cultivo de competencias transversales referidas a la gestión de recursos, a la mejora de la disciplina, la coordinación y el trabajo en equipo, a la cultura de la calidad y a la conciencia de la necesidad de una formación continuada a lo largo del ejercicio profesional.El diseño de la actividad es abierto, de manera que primero ejercita respecto al trabajo en el seno de un laboratorio de ideas para, a continuación, canalizar el resultado de éste hasta su materialización práctica mediante un taller preprofesional.ABSTRACTCurriculum initiative for the development of transversal skills in Health Sciences.The aim of this curricular activity consists in the organization of an annual day for early detection of hyperglycemia. This is accomplished by working groups of fifth-year Biology degree students from the Molecular Pathology course. The activity is developed in collaboration with a local Diabetes Association, which will coordinate with the University and with all the technical, logistical and staff requirements needed for the event. The educational purposes of this initiative are diverse and extend to the various fields of a good integral training that renders highly skilled students. These include: i) the promotion and development of specific subject capabilities (referred to training in getting, processing and transmitting data concerning the predisposition to the disease), ii) the familiarization of students with social and voluntary associations of individuals affected by the disease, and iii) the development of transversal skills related to the management of resources, improvement of discipline, coordination and teamwork, quality awareness, as well as the need for ongoing training throughout professional life. The design of the activity is open, beginning with work within a laboratory of ideas, and finally pre-workshop practice.

The use of a scanning Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system to characterize drift during pesticide application is described. The LIDAR system is compared with an ad hoc test bench used to quantify the amount of spray liquid moving beyond the canopy. Two sprayers were used during the field test; a conventional mist blower at two air flow rates (27,507 and 34,959 m3·h−1) equipped with two different nozzle types (conventional and air injection) and a multi row sprayer with individually oriented air outlets. A simple model based on a linear function was used to predict spray deposit using LIDAR measurements and to compare with the deposits measured over the test bench. Results showed differences in the effectiveness of the LIDAR sensor depending on the sprayed droplet size (nozzle type) and air intensity. For conventional mist blower and low air flow rate; the sensor detects a greater number of drift drops obtaining a better correlation (r = 0.91; p < 0.01) than for the case of coarse droplets or high air flow rate. In the case of the multi row sprayer; drift deposition in the test bench was very poor. In general; the use of the LIDAR sensor presents an interesting and easy technique to establish the potential drift of a specific spray situation as an adequate alternative for the evaluation of drift potential.

Emilio Gil fundó, junto a otros tres socios, Tau Diseño en 1980 a partir de un pequeño estudio anterior cuando se dieron las circunstancias que hacían necesario profesionalizar la estructura de algo que había venido funcionando sin una base empresarial hasta entonces. Entre los cuatro socios fundadores no había ningún titulado en Diseño. Procedían del campo de la Arquitectura, el Periodismo o incluso un licenciado en Filosofía Pura. En los años en los que Tau Diseño se constituye, lo habitual era la práctica de la profesión a título individual: pequeños estudios alrededor de una persona que, en algunos casos, se valía de algún ayudante maquetador o arte finalista. Sin embargo Tau nació con la intención de ser un grupo de profesionales que se complementaran en sus diferentes especialidades. El diseñador declara que su intención no era formar un estudio propio sino todo lo contrario: una aventura compartida que respondía a su concepción del diseño como adecuación a unos objetivos, al margen de un estilo personal, y no como obra de autor con una impronta de estilo personal. Fiel a este planteamiento Emilio Gil presenta en este artículo tres proyectos que responden a esas intenciones: un libro de referencia sobre la historia reciente de nuestro Diseño: Pioneros del Diseño Gráfico en España, la imagen del Máster de Gestión Cultural de la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid y el cartel de la edición 75 de la Feria del Libro de Madrid.

The use of electronic devices for canopy characterization has recently been widely discussed. Among such devices, LiDAR sensors appear to be the most accurate and precise. Information obtained with LiDAR sensors during reading while driving a tractor along a crop row can be managed and transformed into canopy density maps by evaluating the frequency of LiDAR returns. This paper describes a proposed methodology to obtain a georeferenced canopy map by combining the information obtained with LiDAR with that generated using a GPS receiver installed on top of a tractor. Data regarding the velocity of LiDAR measurements and UTM coordinates of each measured point on the canopy were obtained by applying the proposed transformation process. The process allows overlap of the canopy density map generated with the image of the intended measured area using Google Earth®, providing accurate information about the canopy distribution and/or location of damage along the rows. This methodology was applied and tested on different vine varieties and crop stages in two important vine production areas in Spain. The results indicate that the georeferenced information obtained with LiDAR sensors appears to be an interesting tool with the potential to improve crop management processes.

Electronic canopy characterization is an important issue in tree crop management. Ultrasonic and optical sensors are the most used for this purpose. The objective of this work was to assess the performance of an ultrasonic sensor under laboratory and field conditions in order to provide reliable estimations of distance measurements to apple tree canopies. To this purpose, a methodology has been designed to analyze sensor performance in relation to foliage ranging and to interferences with adjacent sensors when working simultaneously. Results show that the average error in distance measurement using the ultrasonic sensor in laboratory conditions is ±0.53 cm. However, the increase of variability in field conditions reduces the accuracy of this kind of sensors when estimating distances to canopies. The average error in such situations is ±5.11 cm. When analyzing interferences of adjacent sensors 30 cm apart, the average error is ±17.46 cm. When sensors are separated 60 cm, the average error is ±9.29 cm. The ultrasonic sensor tested has been proven to be suitable to estimate distances to the canopy in field conditions when sensors are 60 cm apart or more and could, therefore, be used in a system to estimate structural canopy parameters in precision horticulture.

Canopy characterization is a key factor to improve pesticide application methods in tree crops and vineyards. Development of quick, easy and efficient methods to determine the fundamental parameters used to characterize canopy structure is thus an important need. In this research the use of ultrasonic and LIDAR sensors have been compared with the traditional manual and destructive canopy measurement procedure. For both methods the values of key parameters such as crop height, crop width, crop volume or leaf area have been compared. Obtained results indicate that an ultrasonic sensor is an appropriate tool to determine the average canopy characteristics, while a LIDAR sensor provides more accuracy and detailed information about the canopy. Good correlations have been obtained between crop volume (CVU) values measured with ultrasonic sensors and leaf area index, LAI (R2 = 0.51). A good correlation has also been obtained between the canopy volume measured with ultrasonic and LIDAR sensors (R2 = 0.52). Laser measurements of crop height (CHL) allow one to accurately predict the canopy volume. The proposed new technologies seems very appropriate as complementary tools to improve the efficiency of pesticide applications, although further improvements are still needed.

An acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV) was used to analyse the impact of an agricultural sprayer’s agitation system settings on fluid velocities inside the tank. A 3000 L capacity sprayer equipped with a 4-nozzle hydraulic agitation system was used. ADV measurements were carried at 32 points inside the tank under the following settings: circuit pressures of 8, 10, or 12 bar; water level in the tank of 1000, 2000, or 3000 L; 2 or 4 active nozzles. An agitation test with a concentration of 0.4% copper oxychloride was employed to analyse the concentration of active matter as a function of tank fill level and number of active nozzles. All parameters significantly affected the fluid velocity, which increased with increasing pressure, but decreased with increasing water level in the tank and an increased number of active nozzles. Concentration tests showed greater active matter concentrations when higher velocities were recorded by the ADV. The ADV was shown to be a useful tool for the rapid assessment of fluid velocities; in the future, it could be used to validate the design of agitation systems, and to estimate their capacity to ensure an adequate level of active matter concentration in the fluid.

Canopy characterization is essential for pesticide dosage adjustment according to vegetation volume and density. It is especially important for fresh exportable vegetables like greenhouse tomatoes. These plants are thin and tall and are planted in pairs, which makes their characterization with electronic methods difficult. Therefore, the accuracy of the terrestrial 2D LiDAR sensor is evaluated for determining canopy parameters related to volume and density and established useful correlations between manual and electronic parameters for leaf area estimation. Experiments were performed in three commercial tomato greenhouses with a paired plantation system. In the electronic characterization, a LiDAR sensor scanned the plant pairs from both sides. The canopy height, canopy width, canopy volume, and leaf area were obtained. From these, other important parameters were calculated, like the tree row volume, leaf wall area, leaf area index, and leaf area density. Manual measurements were found to overestimate the parameters compared with the LiDAR sensor. The canopy volume estimated with the scanner was found to be reliable for estimating the canopy height, volume, and density. Moreover, the LiDAR scanner could assess the high variability in canopy density along rows and hence is an important tool for generating canopy maps.

ECM es una aventura musical que tiene bastante de proyecto personal. Fundada en 1968 por Manfred Eicher en la ciudad alemana de Munich ha editado desde entonces más de mil referencias en dos colecciones distintas: la especializada en jazz y a la cual debe su primer prestigio y, más recientemente, “New Series” centrada en música clásica tanto contemporánea como de grandes compositores históricos. Además de por la selección de su cuidadísimo catálogo y por un sonido y unas producciones musicales exquisitas, ECM se ha distinguido desde sus primeros lanzamientos por la calidad gráfica de sus cubiertas, consecuencia del trabajo de los directores de arte Barbara y Burkhart Wojirsch, Dieter Rem y, más recientemente, Sascha Kleis, aunque en el fondo el auténtico Director de Arte, e inspirador del estilo gráfico de ECM es, como todos sospechamos, el propio Eicher. Se intuye que lo suyo ha sido una forma de diseñar sólo con ideas, con propuestas conceptuales, sin llegar a la concreción o a la realización material de las fotografías, de la composición final o de la organización tipográfica de la cubierta. La calidad de las cubiertas de ECM justifican la aparición de Windfall Light, un libro recientemente editado por Lars Müller Publishers que recoge sus portadas en una publicación diseñada de forma tan cuidadosa y bella como el propio material gráfico que presenta.