Characterization of Rice Yield Based on Biomass and SPAD-Based Leaf Nitrogen for Large Genotype Plots.

The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) images for biomass and nitrogen estimation offers multiple opportunities for improving rice yields. UAV images provide detailed, high-resolution visual information about vegetation properties, enabling the identification of phenotypic characteristics for selecting the best varieties, improving yield predictions, and supporting ecosystem monitoring and conservation efforts. In this study, an analysis of biomass and nitrogen is conducted on 59 rice plots selected at random from a more extensive trial comprising 400 rice genotypes. A UAV acquires multispectral reflectance channels across a rice field of subplots containing different genotypes. Based on the ground-truth data, yields are characterized for the 59 plots and correlated with the Vegetation Indices (VIs) calculated from the photogrammetric mapping. The VIs are weighted by the segmentation of the plants from the soil and used as a feature matrix to estimate, via machine learning models, the biomass and nitrogen of the selected rice genotypes. The genotype IR 93346 presented the highest yield with a biomass gain of 10,252.78 kg/ha and an average daily biomass gain above 49.92 g/day. The VIs with the highest correlations with the ground-truth variables were NDVI and SAVI for wet biomass, GNDVI and NDVI for dry biomass, GNDVI and SAVI for height, and NDVI and ARVI for nitrogen. The machine learning model that performed best in estimating the variables of the 59 plots was the Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) model with a correlation factor of 0.98 for wet biomass, 0.99 for dry biomass, and 1 for nitrogen. The results presented demonstrate that it is possible to characterize the yields of rice plots containing different genotypes through ground-truth data and VIs.

Efecto de la suplementación nutricional sobre el balance energético en vacas lecheras en trópico bajo / Effect of nutritional supplementation over negative balance in dairy cows under tropical conditions / Efeito da suplementação nutricional no balanço energético em vacas leiteiras nos baixos trópicos

Resumen Introducción. La producción lechera intensiva o semi intensiva demanda alta oferta de alimentos para cumplir con los requerimientos nutricionales de la misma, éstos no logran ser proporcionados a la vaca recién parida en pastoreo, por la depresión del consumo, los cambios metabólicos y endocrinos ocurridos durante el periodo de transición. El menor consumo de alimento y el aumento en las exigencias para producción de leche, llevan al animal a un Balance Energético Negativo (BEN), el cual debe ser superado rápidamente para garantizar una mejor tasa reproductiva y una mayor producción de leche. Objetivo. Estudiar opciones de suplementación nutricional durante el periodo de transición, para reducir el Balance Energético Negativo. Materiales y métodos. Se emplearon 28 vacas adultas, en un sistema semi intensivo de producción de leche, ubicado en trópico bajo. Se formularon cuatro tratamientos: TT1, grupo control; TT2, grasa sobrepasante; TT3, nitrógeno no proteico encapsulado, y TT4, monensina sódica. Se analizaron hormonas y metabolitos relacionados con energía, proteína y minerales. Mediante ultrasonografía, se determinó la dinámica folicular y la presencia de cuerpo lúteo, igualmente se evaluaron indicadores reproductivos y producción de leche. El periodo de muestreo hasta los 105 días posparto permitió el análisis de la primera fase de lactancia e incluir el periodo fisiológico en el cual se espera que la vaca lechera reanude su actividad reproductiva. Resultado. Se presentaron variaciones en los periodos correspondientes al periodo de transición para los principales indicadores del metabolismo energético. La reactivación ovárica mostró que no fue rápida, sin embargo, hubo efecto sobre los días abiertos y la eficiencia reproductiva. Conclusión. Las concentraciones de hormonas y metabolitos analizados no presentaron variaciones significativas. Se evidenció efecto de al menos un tratamiento frente al control; igualmente, se presentaron variaciones en algunos periodos analizados. El comportamiento reproductivo fue deficiente.

Abstract Introduction. The intensive dairy production demand high food offers to fill the nutritional requirements of the lactation, these cannot be provided to the peripartum cow, by the depression of the consumption and metabolic and endocrine changes occurring during of the transition period. The lower consumption of dry matter and the energy demands for high milk production, take the animal to the Negative Energy Balance (NEBAL), which must be overcome quickly to ensure a better reproductive rate and a higher milk production. Objective. To explore different nutritional options during the transition period, in order to reduce negative energy balance. Materials and methods. 28 cows were used, in a semi-intensive dairy cows system, located in the tropics. Four treatments were used: TT1, control group; TT2, high energy density; TT3, non-protein nitrogen encapsulated, and TT4, monensin sodium. We analyzed hormones and metabolites related to energy, protein and minerals. By ultrasonography, it was determined the follicular dynamics and the presence of corpus luteum; likewise, we evaluated the reproductive indicators values and milk production. The sampling period up to 105 days postpartum allowed for the analysis of the first phase of lactation and covers the period in which it is expected that the dairy cow is in gestation. Results. Some variations were observed in the periods corresponding to the transition period for the main indicators of energy metabolism. Ovarian reactivation showed that it was not rapid, however, there was an effect on open days and reproductive efficiency. Conclusion. The concentrations of hormones and metabolites analyzed did not show significant variations. The effect of at least one treatment against the control was evident; likewise, there were variations in some analyzed periods. Reproductive behavior was poor.

Resumo Introdução. A produção leiteira intensiva requer alta oferta de alimentos com os quais preencher os requerimentos nutricionais da vaca em lactação e sob pastejo, mesmo estes não consigam ser entregues na vaca recém-parida, pela depressão do consumo e as mudanças metabólicas e as endócrinas acontecidas durante o período de transição. O menor consumo de alimento e as grandes exigências para a produção do leite geram no animal o Balance Energético Negativo (BEN), o qual tem que ser superado com rapidez para garantir um melhor desempenho reprodutivo e uma maior produção leiteira. Objetivo. Estudar diferentes opções nutricionais durante o período de transição para reduzir o balanço energético negativo. Materiais e métodos. Foram empregadas 28 vacas num sistema não intensivo de produção de leite no tropico baixo. Foram analisados quatro tratamentos: TT1, grupo controle; TT2, energia de alta densidade; TT3, nitrogênio não proteico protegido, e TT4, monensina sódica. Analisaram- se hormônios e metabolitos relacionados com energia, proteína e minerais. Foi avaliada a dinâmica produtiva e através de ultrassom foi determinada a atividade folicular e a presença de corpo lúteo. O período de amostragem até os 105 dias pós-parto, permitiu as análises na primeira fase da lactação e o período fisiológico no qual esperasse que a vaca fique prenha. Resultados. Foram apresentadas variações nos períodos correspondentes ao período de transição para os principais indicadores do metabolismo energético. A reativação ovariana mostrou que ela não era rápida, empero melhorou os dias em aberto, afetando a eficiência reprodutiva. Conclusão. As concentrações de hormônios e metabolitos analisados não apresentaram diferenças significativas. Foi achado efeito de quanto menos um tratamento frente ao controle; igualmente, presentaram-se variações em alguns dos períodos analisados. O comportamento reprodutivo foi deficiente.

The pursuit of healthier communities through a community health medical education program.

BACKGROUND: Distinct periods in the community health undergraduate medical program at the University of La Sabana (Colombia) were identified in its evolution from 1999 to 2013. We describe each period and explain the succesion of changes toward improvement. METHODS: An ordered review of the community health program was constructed based on the retrospective recollection, classification, and analysis of information from document archives and interviews with participants. The review of the experience reconstructs periods of the program, organizing the evolution of its learned lessons and identified changes across the development of community health projects (CHPs) and the phases followed in their implementation. RESULTS: Two principal stages were identified, the first when students' CHPs involved only schools, and the second when students worked in a broader array of community settings. Identified phases of the community health cycle leading to identifying changes across the program timeline were focus of the community-campus partnership; development of relationships among participants; health and health determinants' assessment; defining project goals and objectives; devising a project activity plan; implementing and gathering results; disseminating project achievements; and building sustainability of program activities. Periods were bounded by important new characteristics introduced in the pursuit of healthier communities. DISCUSSION: Understanding the evolution of the program revealed the key concepts and practices in setting community health apprenticeship scenarios for the various participants. Overall, trust and commitment from stakeholders requires competent facilitators able to build meaningful and sustainable collaborations that can translate the purpose of community health practice into an effective teaching-learning experience. Institutional capacity building and collaborative practice contribute to improvements in the community health program and its ability to be flexible to adapt to different contexts. Periods reflecting improvement in this school's programs over time can help others identify key elements that need to be integrated into a community health medical education program.

Adaptación funcional y psicosocial después de cirugía de articulación temporomandibular / Functional and psychological adaptation after temporomandibular surgery

El propósito de este estudio fue describir los cambios funcionales y psicosociales experimentados por los pacientes que se sometieron a tratamiento quirúrgico temporomandibular ATM. En 10 pacientes en los cuales se hizo reposicionamiento discal de la ATM se evaluó el grado de adaptación funcional y psicosocial mediante un cuestionario aplicado antes y tres meses después de la cirugía. El cuestionario constaba de 77 preguntas: 48 pertenecientes al índice OHIP (Oral Healt Impact Profile) agrupadas en los siguientes ítems: limitación funcional, afección social, alteración física y malestar psicológico; 9 preguntas con respecto a la apariencia de la cara y 20 preguntas del test de ansiedad y depresión de Zung. Los resultados mostraron que antes de la cirugía los pacientes encuestados, en general no presentaban un componente psicosocial y depresivo importante y que si en algunos casos había compromiso leve, este mejoraba después del procedimiento quirúrgico. De los aspectos investigados el más comprometido antes de la cirugía fue la limitación funcional. Todos los aspectos presentaron mejoría clínica después de la cirugía. La limitación funcional mostró una mejoría del 44.9 por ciento, la afección social del 61.6 por ciento, la alteración física mejoró un 30.9 por ciento y en el malestar psicológico la mejoría fue del 39.5 por ciento…