Distance learning for farmers: Experience during the pandemic

Andrea Gardeazabal (2023, [Documento de trabajo])

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic's disruption of farmer training—a crucial component for enhancing the resilience and livelihoods of smallholder farmers—CIMMYT innovated educational solutions to sustain capacity building in agri-food systems. Addressing the challenges of limited mobile device access, poor internet connectivity, and digital illiteracy, CIMMYT implemented two pilot projects in Mexico. These projects facilitated distance learning for adult farmers in rural areas, employing both internet-based and non-internet methods. The non-internet approach utilized traditional media like print, while the internet-based approach leveraged WhatsApp for educational content delivery. Building on these experiences, CIMMYT expanded its offerings by creating micro -courses delivered through WhatsApp, hosted on the Co-LAB's new Learning Network platform, specifically targeting farmers. This paper delves into the various strategies, methods, and techniques adopted, documenting the learning outcomes, results, and key conclusions drawn from these innovative training initiatives.

Distance Learning Digital Inclusion Innovative Training CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA DISTANCE EDUCATION CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT METHODS COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

Statistical machine-learning methods for genomic prediction using the SKM library

Osval Antonio Montesinos-Lopez Brandon Alejandro Mosqueda González Jose Crossa (2023, [Artículo])

Sparse Kernel Methods R package Statistical Machine Learning Genomic Selection CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA MARKER-ASSISTED SELECTION MACHINE LEARNING GENOMICS METHODS

A novel method for genomic-enabled prediction of cultivars in new environments

Osval Antonio Montesinos-Lopez Brandon Alejandro Mosqueda González Jose Crossa (2023, [Artículo])

Genomic Best Linear Unbiased Prediction Gains in Accuracy Genomic Prediction Novel Methods CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA GENOTYPE ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION METHODS ENVIRONMENT

Multimodal deep learning methods enhance genomic prediction of wheat breeding

Carolina Rivera-Amado Francisco Pinto Francisco Javier Pinera-Chavez David González-Diéguez Matthew Paul Reynolds Paulino Pérez-Rodríguez Huihui Li Osval Antonio Montesinos-Lopez Jose Crossa (2023, [Artículo])

Conventional Methods Genomic Prediction Accuracy Deep Learning Novel Methods CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA WHEAT BREEDING MACHINE LEARNING METHODS MARKER-ASSISTED SELECTION

The pedestrian trajectories derived from the barriers of the public space

Amanda Casillas Ana Victoria Casillas Zapata (2023, [Artículo, Artículo])

Walking behavior respond to various factors, both internal and external, the first one is linked to the pedestrian's motivation, and the second one is linked to the opportunity offered by the built environment. The public space in the cities represents the main articulator of pedestrian movements, allowing flexible or fixed types of trips to be carried out. Therefore, those urban spaces that are detached from the network conformed by the pedestrian infrastructure could limit accessibility and alter the paths of travel. This study addresses the cases of three neighborhood parks that in recent years have had their configuration transformed by closing their perimeters in a partial or total way; the main objective of this study is to identify the types of pedestrian trajectories that derive from these barriers, as for those who move from within the neighborhoods and those who move from outside. These trajectories were analyzed under a qualitative approach and a descriptive scope. This allow us to determine that the parks, according to their disposition, have the potential to attract or repel the pedestrian movement, whether they were used as a destination or a connection place for displacement. In this way, it was possible to determine that the pedestrian trajectories are conditioned by the reduced permeability of these spaces.

Pedestrian mobility Public space Parks Barriers movilidad peatonal espacio público parques barreras conectividad HUMANIDADES Y CIENCIAS DE LA CONDUCTA HUMANIDADES Y CIENCIAS DE LA CONDUCTA

On-farm storage loss estimates of maize in Kenya using community survey methods

Hugo De Groote Anani Bruce (2023, [Artículo])

Maize is the most important staple in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with highly seasonal production. High storage losses affect food security, but good estimations are lacking. A new method using focus group discussions (FGDs) was tested with 121 communities (1439 farmers, 52% women) in Kenya's six maize-growing zones, to estimate the maize losses to storage pests and analyze farmer practices. As control strategies, half of the farmers used chemical pesticides (49%), while hermetic bags (16%) and botanicals (15%) were also popular. Relative loss from weevils in the long rains was estimated at 23%, in the short rains 18%, and annually 21%. Fewer farmers were affected by the larger grain borer (LGB) than by maize weevils: 42% in the long rainy season and 32% in the short rainy season; losses from LGB were also smaller: 19% in the long season, 17% in the short season, and 18% over the year. Total storage loss, from both species combined, was estimated at 36%, or 671,000 tonnes per year. The greatest losses occur in the humid areas, especially the moist mid-altitudes (56%), and with smaller loss in the drylands (20–23%). Extrapolating the point data and overlaying with the maize production map shows the geographic distribution of the losses, with the most important area found around Lake Victoria. FGDs provide convenient and cheap tools to estimate storage losses in representative communities, but a total loss estimate of 36% is higher than is found in other studies, so its accuracy and framing effects need to be assessed. We conclude that storage pests remain a major problem, especially in western Kenya, and that the use of environmentally friendly technologies such as hermetic storage and botanicals needs more attention, both by the public extension service and private agrodealers.

Larger Grain Borer Maize Weevil CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA MAIZE STORAGE LOSSES PESTS SURVEY METHODS

Universal fixation system for pad printing of plastic parts

JOSE ALEJANDRO FERNANDEZ RAMIREZ (2023, [Artículo])

Pad printing is used in automotive, medical, electrical and other industries, employing diverse materials to transfer a 2D image onto a 3D object with different sizes and geometries. This work presents a universal fixation system for pad printing of plastic parts (UFSP4) in response to the needs of small companies that cannot afford to invest in the latest technological advances. The UFSP4 comprises two main subsystems: a mechanical support system (i.e., support structure, jig matrix and braking system) and a control system (i.e., an electronic system and an electric-hydraulic system). A relevant feature is the combination of a jig matrix and jig pins to fixate complex workpieces with different sizes. Using finite element analysis (FEA), in the mesh convergence, the total displacement converges to 0.00028781 m after 12,000 elements. The maximum equivalent stress value is 1.22 MPa for the polycarbonate plate in compliance with the safety factor. In a functionality test of the prototype performed in a production environment for one hour, the jigs fixed by the plate did not loosen, maintaining the satisfactory operation of the device. This is consistent with the displacement distribution of the creep analysis and shows the absence of the creep phenomenon. Based on FEA that underpinned the structural health computation of the braking system, the prototype was designed and built, seeking to ensure a reliable and safe device to fixate plastic parts, showing portability, low-cost maintenance and adaptability to the requirements of pad printing of automotive plastic parts.

Use of AI tools declaration: The authors declare they have not used Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in the creation of this article.

Acknowledgments: To the company Plásticos Decorados and Centro de Tecnología Avanzada (CIATEQ A.C.) for the facilities and support to carry out this work. To the Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologías (CONAHCYT) for a Ph.D. scholarship support number 500839 and CONAHCYT SNI.

Conflict of interest: The authors declare there are no conflicts of interest.

Modular fixtures Jig matrix Prototype design Pad printing Fixture methods INGENIERÍA Y TECNOLOGÍA CIENCIAS TECNOLÓGICAS OTRAS ESPECIALIDADES TECNOLÓGICAS OTRAS OTRAS

Más allá de los colores del amaranto

JESUS ALFREDO ARAUJO LEON Víctor Aguilar Hernández Ivonne Sánchez del Pino SERGIO RUBEN PERAZA SANCHEZ ROLFFY RUBEN ORTIZ ANDRADE Ligia Guadalupe Brito Argáez (2022, [Artículo])

El amaranto tiene una amplia gama de colores atrayentes, desde amarillos, violetas hasta rojos intensos. Esta heterogeneidad de tonalidades llamó la atención de civilizaciones que se desarrollaron en todas las latitudes del continente americano, como es el caso del imperio azteca que integró este cultivo a su cosmovisión ceremonial para ofrendas a diferentes deidades, dejando una herencia prehispánica cautivadora de su historia. Más allá de los colores, el presente trabajo tiene como objetivo abordar las propiedades nutricionales y beneficios para la salud humana de la diversidad de fitoquímicos que son responsables de los interesantes colores del amaranto.

AMARANTHACEAE AMARANTHUS BETALAINAS METABOLITOS SECUNDARIOS MEXICO SALUD HUMANA BIOLOGÍA Y QUÍMICA CIENCIAS DE LA VIDA BIOLOGÍA VEGETAL (BOTÁNICA) DESARROLLO VEGETAL DESARROLLO VEGETAL

Efectos del cambio climático en los recursos hídricos de México : volumen III : atlas de vulnerabilidad hídrica en México ante el cambio climático

Polioptro Martinez-Austria CARLOS PATIÑO GOMEZ (2010, [Libro])

Tabla de contenido: 1. Índice de vulnerabilidad social -- 2. Escenarios climáticos en México proyectados para el siglo XXI -- 3. Impacto del cambio climático en la temporada -- 4. Vulnerabilidad hídrica global: aguas superficiales -- 5. Vulnerabilidad de la agricultura de riego en México ante el cambio climático -- 6. Calidad del agua.

Este libro, que se suma al acervo generado y acumulado en material de cambio climático en neustro país, más que mostrar una visión catastrófista, es una invitación a la reflexión sobre la necesidad de tomar medidas que permitan reducir la vulnerabilidad de nuestro país y afrontar, de la manera más adecuada, las amenazas relacionadas con el cambio climático.

1. Índice de vulnerabilidad social -- 2. Escenarios climáticos en México proyectados para el siglo XXI -- 3. Impacto del cambio climático en la temporada -- 4. Vulnerabilidad hídrica global: aguas superficiales -- 5. Vulnerabilidad de la agricultura de riego en México ante el cambio climático -- 6. Calidad del agua.

Cambio climático Efectos del clima Recursos hídricos Vulnerabilidad hídrica Atlas México CIENCIAS FÍSICO MATEMÁTICAS Y CIENCIAS DE LA TIERRA

Especies de abejas sin aguijón en áreas urbanas en Yucatán. Parte II: nidos con entradas poco visibles

JOSÉ CHAVIER DE ARAUJO FREITAS (2023, [Artículo])

Existen especies de abejas sin aguijón que tienen las entradas de sus nidos poco visibles: en grietas de cavidades de árboles, paredes de construcciones urbanas, muchas veces mimetizadas y haciéndolas muy sensibles a la destrucción de estos, al momento de hacer alguna poda de árbol, remodelación o construcción. Algunos géneros de abejas en áreas urbanas y alrededores de ciudades de Yucatán que podemos identificar en esta situación son: Trigonisca, Plebeia, Cephalotrigona, y la especie Frieseomelitta nigra. La poca notoriedad de sus entradas las hace muy vulnerables a ser destruidas en ambientes antropizados.

ABEJAS SIN AGUIJON NIDOS POCO VISIBLES POLINIZADORES YUCATAN MEXICO BIOLOGÍA Y QUÍMICA CIENCIAS DE LA VIDA BIOLOGÍA ANIMAL (ZOOLOGÍA) INVERTEBRADOS INVERTEBRADOS