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Action video-games (AVGs) could improve reading efficiency, enhancing not only visual attention but also phonological processing. Here we tested the AVG effects upon three consolidated language-based predictors of reading development in a sample of 79 pre-readers at-risk and 41 non-at-risk for developmental dyslexia. At-risk children were impaired in either phonemic awareness (i.e., phoneme discrimination task), phonological working memory (i.e., pseudoword repetition task) or rapid automatized naming (i.e., RAN of colours task). At-risk children were assigned to different groups by using an unequal allocation randomization: (1) AVG (n = 43), (2) Serious Non-Action Video Game (n = 11), (3) treatment-as-usual (i.e., speech therapy, n = 11), and (4) waiting list (n = 14). Pre- and post-training comparisons show that only phonemic awareness has a significantly higher improvement in the AVG group compared to the waiting list, the non-AVG, and the treatment-as-usual groups, as well as the combined active groups (n = 22). This cross-modal plastic change: (i) leads to a recovery in phonemic awareness when compared to the not-at-risk pre-readers; (ii) is present in more than 80% of AVG at-risk pre-readers, and; (iii) is maintained at a 6-months follow-up. The present findings indicate that this specific multisensory attentional training positively affects how phonemic awareness develops in pre-readers at risk for developmental dyslexia, paving the way for innovative prevention programs.

Determining the competitive ability of bean cultivars and the economic damage level (EDL) caused by alexandergrass is important for the implementation of integrated weed management. This work aimed to evaluate the interference of alexandergrass and determine the level of economic damage when it competes with seven carioca-type bean cultivars. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized experimental design, with treatments consisting of the carioca bean varieties IAC Imperador, IPR Curió, ANFC9, IAC Milênio, IPR Tangará, IPR Sabiá, and BRS Pérola and 12 alexandergrass densities for each cultivar, ranging from 0 to 560 plants m−2. Plant density, leaf area, soil cover, and shoot dry matter of alexandergrass were evaluated 35 d after emergence. The variables alexandergrass plant density, grain productivity, control costs, bean price, and herbicide efficiency were used to estimate EDL. The cultivars ANFC9, IAC Milênio, and IPR Tangará were the most competitive, and IAC Imperador, IPR Curió, IPR Sabiá, and BRS Pérola the least competitive against alexandergrass. The highest EDL values were observed in the cultivars ANFC9, IAC Milênio and IPR Tangará, which ranged between 3.80 and 15.70 plants m−2 of alexandergrass. The cultivars IAC Imperador, IPR Curió, IPR Sabiá, and BRS Pérola showed the lowest economic damage with 1.10 to 5.60 plants m−2 of alexandergrass.

This study analyzes the nutritional life cycle assessment (LCA) of bakery products and the current state of the art. The analysis focuses on (1) the importance of applying a methodology, such as LCA, in a general way and the division into different stages considering the UNI EN ISO; (2) the development of nutritional LCA; (3) the difference between functional units in LCA and nutritional LCA; and (4) the different nutritional LCA approaches. The study emphasizes the lack of nutritional LCA studies regarding the bakery category, underlining the urgent need for this type of investigation concerning this specific food sector.

ABSTRACT: Phytoregulators have been used as grapevine defoliants in cluster zones to manage and improve grape quality and production. The present study evaluated the effect of the phytoregulator ethephon on the grapevine defoliation of the cluster region, Botrytis bunch rot (BBR) epidemiology, and the viticultural performance of ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, during the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 growing seasons, in the highland region of the Santa Catarina State, Southern Brazil. Ethephon was applied in the bunch region of both sides of the grapevine vegetative canopy, at the phenological stage of beginning of ripening (BBCH-81) in five active ingredient doses (0 mg L-1 (control); 720 mg L-1; 1,440 mg L-1; 2,160 mg L-1; and 2,880 mg L-1), following a randomized block design with four replications and five plants per replication. The following parameters were evaluated: BBR epidemiology, vegetative, productive, and technological and phenolic maturation. The increasing ethephon doses significantly reduced the linear leaf drop and affected the technological and phenolic grape maturation parameters, improving the must pH, total polyphenols, color 420, 520, and 620 ղm, color intensity (°hue angle), and anthocyanin, and reducing the total solubre solids in the ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ grapevine. However, this significant effect on the linear leaf drop and the technological and phenolic maturation parameters did not interfere with other vegetative, productive, and BBR epidemiology parameters evaluated in the edaphoclimatic conditions of the highland region of southern Brazil.

This study aimed to determine the negative impact of volunteer soybean plants on bean crop yield and the tolerance of bean genotypes to the herbicides ethoxysulfuron and halosulfuron. To determine the impact of volunteer soybean plants on bean crops, a field experiment was developed, with sub-sub-plots, and four replications. The main plots contained two bean cultivars, while the sub-plots received two soybean sowing times (0 and 7 days after the beans had been sown), while the sub-sub plots contained five soybean plant densities (0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 plants m-2). The tolerance of the bean genotypes was evaluated with two experiments in a completely randomized design with three replications. They were arranged in a 28 x 3 factorial design (bean genotypes x herbicide doses). Each soybean plant per m2 reduced bean crop yield by 4%. The recommended doses of ethoxysulfuorn and halosulfuorn resulted in tolerance levels above 70% for all the studied bean genotypes. Highlights: • The herbicides ethoxysulfuron and halosulfuron, are registered in Brazil for the control of volunteer soybean plants in bean crops. • To date, the impact generated by volunteer soybean plants competing with bean plants is unknown. • The tolerance of 28 bean cultivars to herbicides ethoxysulfuron and halosulfuron was determined using dose label and double the dose. • The impact of volunteer soybean plants on bean crops was determined using two bean cultivars and two soybean sowing times. • The bean genotypes displayed a highly variable response to the herbicides ethoxysulfuron and halosulfuron; however, when the label recommended dose of the herbicides was used, the tolerance levels observed were over 70%. • Each soybean plant is capable of causing a 4% reduction in bean plant grain yield, regardless of the establishment time of the soybean plants or the bean genotype.

Understanding the correlation between straightforward analytical methods and sensory attributes is pivotal for transitioning to sustainable packaging while improving product quality. In this context, the viability of eco-sustainable packaging alternatives for single-packaged croissants has been investigated through examining the correlations between analytical methods, sensory attributes, employing quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA), and consumer survival analysis. The performance of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), a petrochemical plastic film, against paper-based, compostable, and biodegradable films over a 150-day croissant storage period was compared in this study, examining both physiochemical and sensory perspectives. The results showed a correlation between a lower water vapour barrier in packaging materials and increased moisture migration and croissant hardness, as assessed by the Avrami kinetic model. Notably, given its reduced barrier properties, the compostable film accelerated sensory profile deterioration, as evidenced by QDA results. Shelf-life estimation, assessed by consumer rejection, underscored the viability of the biodegradable film for up to 185 days, surpassing BOPP, paper-based, and other biodegradable alternatives. Using linear regression, physiochemical parameters associated with predicted shelf-life were elucidated. Overall, croissants were rejected by 50% of consumers when they reached humidity levels below 18%, water activity below 0.81, firmness exceeding 1064 N, pH above 4.4, and acidity below 4.5. Based on the results of this study, biodegradable packaging emerges as a promising alternative to traditional BOPP, offering a sustainable opportunity to extend the shelf-life of croissants.

Exotic plants, such as Eragrostis plana in southern Brazil, may cause significant problems in agriculture. This study aimed to elucidate the influence of E. plana rhizosphere soil on wheat germination and initial development. Bioassays with soil sampled from an infested agroecosystem were carried out using wheat as the target species. A factorial design was used, crossing soil from the horizontal and vertical distances from the E. plana tiller base and considering seasons as a blocking factor. The interaction between season and vertical and horizontal soil positions influenced normal wheat seed germination, with the lowest values (69%) observed in the winter bottom and intermediate soil positions. The highest abnormal seedling percentage (17.6%) was recorded in the summer middle vertical soil position. Dormant wheat seeds were higher (7%) in the spring bottom and distal soil positions. The season was the most important factor for germination, but hypocotyl, radicle, and total wheat seedling length also varied according to soil position. Shorter hypocotyls and seedlings were registered in the summer soil surface, while shorter radicles were observed in the proximal horizontal soil position in the same season. This variable response of wheat germination and seedling development to the infested soil demonstrated E. plana seasonality. The influence also varied according to the distance from the plant tiller base. These findings may be used to improve E. plana management in infested fields and to understand the mechanism of action of its allelochemicals in future research.

O artigo, escrito em forma de ensaio, versa sobre o direito à Educação no Brasil, na perspectiva de uma escola justa, partindo da argumentação de Dubet. O objetivo do artigo é discutir a escola justa, a partir da realidade brasileira. Partindo da premissa de que a simples presença na lei não é suficiente para garantir o direito de todos à Educação, o artigo começa discutindo a Educação como direito social. A análise é feita partindo do ponto de vista histórico, em diálogo com as ideias de Libaneo, Holston e Carvalho, que discutem os dualismos da cidadania e da Educação no Brasil. Argumenta-se que, desde a origem da pedagogia moderna, já se discutia a necessidade de que todas as crianças fossem à escola. O artigo conclui que, para se chegar à justiça escolar, é preciso muito mais do que, simplesmente, garantir, de forma igualitária, o acesso à sala de aula; é necessário caminhar para a humanização, que é a garantia da dignidade humana para todos.

Context: There is no consensus between farmers and researchers about timing for ryegrass desiccation before corn sowing, considering interactions between ryegrass straw, nitrogen immobilization, and allelochemical release impacting corn growth. Aims: This study aims to assess the effects of different desiccation timings of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and nitrogen management on corn. We sought to elucidate whether corn growth inhibition is attributable to allelochemical release or nitrogen immobilization. Methods: A two-year field factorial experiment was conducted, with Factor A comprising fallow and three ryegrass desiccation timings before corn sowing, and Factor B involving two nitrogen fertilization methods to evaluate N immobilization. Laboratory experiments assessed allelopathic properties using a 3 (desiccation periods) × 5 (ryegrass extract concentrations) factorial design. Assessments included corn (Zea mays) germination, seedling radicle and coleoptile length, and germination speed. Results: Ryegrass desiccation timing of less than 20 days before corn sowing reduced corn stature at the beginning of development and grain yield, due to nitrogen immobilization and allelopathic influences possibly exercised by caffeic acid and epicatechin present in roots and shoots, released as residues decomposed. Non-desiccated ryegrass aqueous extracts reduced germination speed and germinability. Root/shoot extracts reduced seedling elongation. Desiccated aqueous extracts at 15 and 30 days before corn sowing didn't present inhibitory effects. Conclusion: Nitrogen enhances corn growth regardless of ryegrass influence, under these experimental conditions. Ryegrass desiccation timing affects corn yield; and delaying corn sowing post-desiccation mitigates losses. Ryegrass extracts inhibit corn germination and viability, regardless of concentration, possibly due to phytotoxic compounds. There is disagreement among researchers and farmers about the best timing of Italian ryegrass desiccation before corn sowing. The influence of ryegrass desiccation times before sowing on corn grain yield and phytotoxicity bioassays suggest an important allelopathic effect. To avoid loss of grain yield, it is recommended that the planting of corn should take place at least 20 days post-desiccation of the ryegrass straw. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil stands out in the world for being one of the largest producers and consumers of common beans and cowpeas. However, the cultivation of this agricultural species is exposed to competition with weeds for water, light and nutrients. One of the management methods for weed control is the use of pre-emergent herbicides. Although pre-emergence herbicides are beneficial in controlling weeds, it is important to know the dynamics of these products in the soil, especially their residual effect. Two experiments were carried out to assess the tolerance of bean genotypes to the pre-emergent herbicide S-metolachlor in two Brazilian soils. Bean genotypes have differential tolerance to S-metolachlor when grown in soils with different characteristics. The Vigna spp. were the most affected by S-metolachlor, especially the red Adzuki. Plant growth was more sensitive when grown in sandy soil for most species. Total chlorophyll content was not affected for most genotypes in the two soils evaluated. The differential tolerance of the genotypes in both soils confirms the potential of S-metolachlor to cause damage to the bean crop, especially in sandy soil. The S-metolachlor was efficient in controlling sourgrass and selective to the bean cultivars (Pérola and Talismã) in both soils evaluated. Alexandergrass behaved differently in the soils evaluated, showing tolerance to the application of S-metolachlor when in Oxisol and sensitivity in Ultisol.