Spatiotemporal analysis of rainfall and temperature variability and trends for climate resilient maize farming system in major agroecology zones of northwest Ethiopia

Kindie Tesfaye Dereje Ademe Enyew Adgo (2023, [Artículo])

Spatiotemporal studies of the annual and seasonal climate variability and trend on an agroecological spatial scale for establishing a climate-resilient maize farming system have not yet been conducted in Ethiopia. The study was carried out in three major agroecological zones in northwest Ethiopia using climate data from 1987 to 2018. The coefficient of variation (CV), precipitation concertation index (PCI), and rainfall anomaly index (RAI) were used to analyze the variability of rainfall. The Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator were also applied to estimate trends and slopes of changes in rainfall and temperature. High-significance warming trends in the maximum and minimum temperatures were shown in the highland and lowland agroecology zones, respectively. Rainfall has also demonstrated a maximum declining trend throughout the keremt season in the highland agroecology zone. However, rainfall distribution has become more unpredictable in the Bega and Belg seasons. Climate-resilient maize agronomic activities have been determined by analyzing the onset and cessation dates and the length of the growth period (LGP). The rainy season begins between May 8 and June 3 and finishes between October 26 and November 16. The length of the growth period (LGP) during the rainy season ranges from 94 to 229 days.

Climate Trends Spatiotemporal Analysis Agroecology Zone CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA AGROECOLOGY CLIMATE CLIMATE VARIABILITY MAIZE

Partial least squares enhance multi-trait genomic prediction of potato cultivars in new environments

Rodomiro Ortiz Paulino Pérez-Rodríguez Osval Antonio Montesinos-Lopez Jose Crossa (2023, [Artículo])

Potato Traits Cross-Validation Breeding Data CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA LEAST SQUARES METHOD POTATOES ENVIRONMENT PLANT BREEDING

Agro-morphological characterization and estimation of genetic parameters of spring maize hybrids in the inner plains of Far-West Nepal

Sandesh Thapa Darbin Joshi (2022, [Artículo])

Heat Resilient Maize Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation Heritable Traits CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA GENETIC PARAMETERS MAIZE HYBRIDS

Thermal and mechanical properties of PLA-based multiscale cellulosic biocomposites

MIGUEL ANGEL RUZ CRUZ Pedro Jesús Herrera Franco Emmanuel Alejandro Flores Johnson MARIA VERONICA MORENO CHULIM LUCIANO MIGUEL GALERA MANZANO Alex Valadez González (2022, [Artículo])

In this work polylactic acid (PLA) based multiscale cellulosic biocomposites were prepared with the aim to evaluate the effect of the incorporation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) on the PLA biocomposites reinforced with cellulose microfibers (MFCs). For this, PLA composite materials reinforced with both MFCs and with a combination of MFCs and CNCs were prepared, while keeping the content of cellulosic reinforcements constant. The thermal and mechanical properties of these multiscale PLA biocomposites were characterized by thermogravimetry (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), flexural mechanical and, dynamic mechanical (DMA) tests. Likewise, they were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the replacement of MFCs by CNCs in the 1–5% range appreciably modifies the thermal and mechanical properties of multiscale compounds. For example, they increase the thermal stability of the materials, modify the PLA crystallization process and play the role of adhesion promoters since the mechanical properties in flexure increase in the order of 40% and the storage modulus increases in the order of 35% at room temperature. Also, the addition of CNCs increases the relaxation temperature of the material from 50 to 60 °C, thereby expanding the temperature range for its use. © 2022 The Author(s)

MULTISCALE BIOCOMPOSITES CELLULOSE MICROFIBER CELLULOSE NANOCRYSTALS HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE PROPERTIES INGENIERÍA Y TECNOLOGÍA CIENCIAS TECNOLÓGICAS TECNOLOGÍA DE MATERIALES PROPIEDADES DE LOS MATERIALES PROPIEDADES DE LOS MATERIALES

Synthesis of Ferroelectric and Multiferroics Thin films of BiMnO3/ SrTiO3 and Structural, Piezoelectric, Magnetic, Optical, and Mechanical Properties Characterization

Glory Valentine Umoh (2022, [Tesis de doctorado])

Multiferroic characteristics of BiMnO3 thin films offer great prospects to explore, either

in terms of ferroelectricity, ferromagnetism, or ferroelasticity. Ferroelectric and

ferromagnetic materials can be used in data storage due to their electrical and magnetic

properties. Ferroelastic can find its application in microelectromechanical systems

devices. This dissertation focused on the synthesis, characterization, and improvement of

the multiferroic properties of polycrystalline BiMnO3 thin films as well as the elaboration

influence of Cu on the magnetism of BiMnO3 thin films. BiMnO3 films were grown on

three different substrates, Si (001), Pt-buffered Si (001), Nb-doped SrTiO3 (100), and also

doped with different amounts of Cu. The films were characterized using techniques such

as X-Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), HRTEM

observations, by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), atomic force microscopy

(AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, Visible-near-IR

spectroscopy (Vis-NIR), electron energy loss spectrometer (EELS), nanoindenter,

superconductor quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer, and finally, the

polarization-electric field (P-E) hysteresis loops of the BiMnO3 thin films were conducted

at 200 and 300 K. There are several studies on the growth of thin films, however, they are

not clear and in some cases contradictory, therefore, different parameters were controlled

during the deposition in terms of working pressure, RF power, substrate, deposition

10

temperature, and target to substrate distance. After deposition ex-situ thermal treatment

was carried out in order to compensate for the volatility of bismuth and also to eliminate

secondary phase.

Kramer’s–Krӧnig analysis was used to determine bandgap, via a polynomial fit in the

energy loss function (ELF) plot with an Eg = 1.63 eV, complex dielectric function, and

static dielectric constant, ε* = 4.68 of the grown BiMnO3 thin films. The reflection

coefficient Ґl of the BiMnO3 thin films was used to elucidate the reflection loss in the

BiMnO3 thin films. XPS analysis revealed the existence of Mn charge transition of 3+

and 4+ states. Resistivity result describes BIMnO3 as a semiconductor. The

nanomechanical characterization demonstrated that the region of penetration depth was

below 10% of BiMnO3 film thickness. Young's modulus (E), hardness (H), and Stiffness

(S) were measured to be 142 ± 3 GPa, 8 ± 0.2 GPa, and 44072 ± 45 N/m respec

SÍNTESIS DE MATERIALES Materiales Multiferroicos CIENCIAS FÍSICO MATEMÁTICAS Y CIENCIAS DE LA TIERRA FÍSICA OTRAS ESPECIALIDADES FÍSICAS OTRAS OTRAS

Multispectral-derived genotypic similarities from budget cameras allow grain yield prediction and genomic selection augmentation in single and multi-environment scenarios in spring wheat

Jose Crossa Osval Antonio Montesinos-Lopez Morten Lillemo (2024, [Artículo])

Multispectral Imaging Grain Yield Genomic Prediction CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA GRAIN YIELDS HIGH-THROUGHPUT PHENOTYPING SPRING WHEAT

Do provisioning ecosystem services change along gradients of increasing agricultural production?

Ronju Ahammad Stephanie Tomscha Sarah Gergel Frédéric Baudron Jean-Yves Duriaux Chavarría Samson Foli Dominic Rowland Josh Van Vianen Terence Sunderland (2024, [Artículo])

Context: Increasing agricultural production shapes the flow of ecosystem services (ES), including provisioning services that support the livelihoods and nutrition of people in tropical developing countries. Although our broad understanding of the social-ecological consequences of agricultural intensification is growing, how it impacts provisioning ES is still unknown. Objectives: We examined the household use of provisioning ES across a gradient of increasing agricultural production in seven tropical countries (Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Nicaragua and Zambia). We answered two overarching questions: (1) does the use of provisioning ES differ along gradients of agriculture production ranging from zones of subsistence to moderate and to high agriculture production? and (2) are there synergies and/or trade-offs within and among groups of ES within these zones? Methods: Using structured surveys, we asked 1900 households about their assets, livestock, crops, and collection of forest products. These questions allowed us to assess the number of provisioning ES households used, and whether the ES used are functionally substitutable (i.e., used similarly for nutrition, material, and energy). Finally, we explored synergies and trade-offs among household use of provisioning ES. Results: As agricultural production increased, provisioning ES declined both in total number and in different functional groups used. We found more severe decreases in ES for relatively poorer households. Within the functional groups of ES, synergistic relationships were more often found than trade-offs in all zones, including significant synergies among livestock products (dairy, eggs, meat) and fruits. Conclusions: Considering landscape context provides opportunities to enhance synergies among provisioning services for households, supporting resilient food systems and human well-being.

Agricultural Production Zones Agricultural Intensifcation Synergies and Trade-Offs Landscape Multifunctionality Social-Ecological Systems CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA AGRICULTURE INTENSIFICATION ECOSYSTEM SERVICES LANDSCAPE SOCIAL-ECOLOGICAL RESILIENCE ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

Gender, rainfall endowment, and farmers’ heterogeneity in wheat trait preferences in Ethiopia

Hom Nath Gartaula Moti Jaleta (2024, [Artículo])

Wheat is a vital cereal crop for smallholders in Ethiopia. Despite over fifty years of research on wheat varietal development, consideration of gendered trait preferences in developing target product profiles for wheat breeding is limited. To address this gap, our study used sex-disaggregated survey data and historical rainfall trends from the major wheat-growing regions in Ethiopia. The findings indicated heterogeneity in trait preferences based on gender and rainfall endowment. Men respondents tended to prefer wheat traits with high straw yield and disease-resistance potential, while women showed a greater appreciation for wheat traits related to good taste and cooking quality. Farmers in high rainfall areas seemed to prioritize high straw yield and disease resistance traits, while those in low rainfall areas valued good adaptation traits more highly. Most of the correlation coefficients among the preferred traits were positive, indicating that farmers seek wheat varieties with traits that serve multiple purposes. Understanding men's and women's preferences and incorporating them in breeding and seed systems could contribute to the development of more targeted and effective wheat varieties that meet the diverse needs of men and women farmers in Ethiopia.

Trait Preferences Multivariate Probit Model CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA WHEAT AGRONOMIC CHARACTERS GENDER RAINFALL PROBIT ANALYSIS

Cálculo del tensor dieléctrico efectivo de medios anisotrópicos granulados

Calculation of the effective dielectric tensor of granular anisotropic media

Carlos Enrique Román Velázquez (1999, [Tesis de doctorado])

En este trabajo nos hemos dedicado al problema del cálculo de la respuesta dieléctrica de sistemas formados por partículas anisotrópicas. Desarrollamos dos enfoques que aplicamos a dos distintos tipos de sistemas. En el primero, dentro de la aproximación dipolar, desarrollamos un formalismo para el cálculo del tensor dieléctrico efectivo de un medio compuesto granular con partículas anisotrópicas. Esto se hace dentro de la Aproximación de Campo Medio (ACM) basados en un modelo estadístico microscópico del material. Siguiendo un desarrollo riguroso, justificado en todo momento, desarrollamos una extensión de la ACM para este tipo de materiales. Esto nos ha permitido obtener correcciones al tensor dieléctrico efectivo al considerar correlaciones orientación-posición de las partículas, que son despreciadas usualmente en el método de cálculo de la ACM. Uno de los objetivos en esta parte es presentar una alternativa a los modelos fenomenológicos basados en la extensión de la ecuación de Maxwell Garnett o del método de Lorentz tomados de la teoría de la respuesta dieléctrica de medios con inclusiones isotrópicas. Por otra parte, lo riguroso de nuestro formalismo nos permite resolver controversias existentes entre los resultados de otros modelos no suficientemente justificados. En un segundo enfoque desarrollamos una representación espectral multipolar de la respuesta dieléctrica efectiva de un medio constituido por partículas esferoidales con tamaños, posiciones y orientaciones arbitrarias. Esta representación permite determinar la respuesta del sistema directamente de sus propiedades geométricas. Este método lo hemos aplicado a dos importantes sistemas de partículas anisotrópicas de geometría restringida. En el primero de ellos calculamos la polarizabilidad efectiva de una partícula esferoidal situada sobre un sustrato. En este caso la representación espectral de la respuesta dieléctrica nos ha permitido desarrollar un estudio sistemático de las propiedades ópticas de este sistema y determinar la importancia de las contribuciones multipolares en la respuesta del sistema como función de la forma de la partícula, su distancia al sustrato, y las propiedades dieléctricas del sustrato y el medio en que está inmersa. Aplicamos este...

esferoides, dieléctrico, multipolo CIENCIAS FÍSICO MATEMÁTICAS Y CIENCIAS DE LA TIERRA FÍSICA OTRAS ESPECIALIDADES FÍSICAS OTRAS ESPECIALIDADES FÍSICAS

Epistasis activation contributes substantially to heterosis in temperate by tropical maize hybrids

Liu Xiaogang Yunbi Xu (2022, [Artículo])

Genome-Wide Association Study Epistatic Effects Protein Interaction Multiple-Hybrid Population CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA HETEROSIS MAIZE PROTEINS HYBRIDS