Addressing agricultural labour issues is key to biodiversity-smart farming

Thomas Daum Frédéric Baudron Matin Qaim Ingo Grass (2023, [Artículo])

There is an urgent need for agricultural development strategies that reconcile agricultural production and biodiversity conservation. This is especially true in the Global South where population growth is rapid and much of the world's remaining biodiversity is located. Combining conceptual thoughts with empirical insights from case studies in Indonesia and Ethiopia, we argue that such strategies will have to pay more attention to agricultural labour dynamics. Farmers have a strong motivation to reduce the heavy toil associated with farming by adopting technologies that save labour but can negatively affect biodiversity. Labour constraints can also prevent farmers from adopting technologies that improve biodiversity but increase labour intensity. Without explicitly accounting for labour issues, conservation efforts can hardly be successful. We hence highlight the need for biodiversity-smart agriculture, that is farming practices or systems that reconcile biodiversity with land and labour productivity. Our empirical insights suggest that technological and institutional options to reconcile farmers' socio-economic goals and biodiversity conservation exist but that more needs to be done to implement such options at scale.

Land Sharing Trade-Offs CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION LABOUR SUSTAINABILITY

Las patologías de los recubrimientos en muros y su repercusión en la salud respiratoria de los usuarios

Rosario Tovar (2023, [Tesis de doctorado])

251 páginas. Doctorado en Diseño Bioclimático.

El nivel de calidad del aire interior (CAI) tiene incidencia directa en la salud humana, por eso, es objeto de estudio del diseño bioclimático, toda vez que éste promueve el aprovechamiento de los factores ambientales para la creación y acondicionamiento de espacios en los que los usuarios experimenten confort y bienestar. Además, de impulsar la construcción con sentido común, en donde prevalezca el uso racional de los recursos y una baja dependencia energética. En la presente tesis se pudieron identificar las propiedades de los materiales más comunes que conforman los recubrimientos de muros (cal, cemento, mortero de cemento y yeso) para reconocer los que mejor se adaptan al clima en la Cd. de México, mismos que según se pudo constatar, contribuyen en el control de algunos factores de riesgo (físico: humedad, químico: tóxicos y biológico: microbios) relacionados con una baja calidad del aire al interior de las viviendas. Tal función mitiga o reduce la aparición de algunos de los padecimientos respiratorios más frecuentes en los usuarios como: alergias, asma, rinitis, gripe y sinusitis. Los análisis a los que fueron sometidos los recubrimientos de cuatro materiales ligantes, permitieron evaluar su desempeño ante factores ambientales semi-controlados (temperatura, humedad relativa y concentración de dióxido de carbono) inherentes al funcionamiento del propio espacio interior y al lugar de emplazamiento del mismo. Obviamente, todos los recubrimientos reaccionaron de forma distinta y acorde con las propiedades físicas y químicas de los materiales presentes en cada uno de ellos. Siendo las variaciones más representativas y satisfactorias, las relacionadas con la permeabilidad y el efecto biocida de los recubrimientos hechos con mezcla de cal. Las patologías que mostraron algunos recubrimientos a lo largo del periodo de monitoreo, debido a la insuficiente gestión de la humedad, al alto desarrollo microbiano y a la naturaleza química del material ligante, fueron criptoeflorescencias, moho, bacterias y desprendimiento/diseminación de partículas; mismas que se consideraron definitorias para establecer que al igual que los seres vivos, los materiales de construcción necesitan rangos higrotérmicos específicos, que permitan su óptimo estado de operación. En apego a lo anteriormente citado, es que se considera conveniente concientizar a la población en temas tan importantes para el bienestar social, como la selección de materiales y -consecuente- conservación de los recubrimientos de muros, no sólo para disminuir los costos de ejecución y mantenimiento, sino para aprovechar sus propiedades, ya que tienen una incidencia directa en lo relacionado con el control de las condiciones ambientales básicas, la regulación de la calidad del aire interior y por ende, en la salud de los usuarios. Dicha labor puede iniciar en la etapa formativa de los profesionales de la construcción, con la intención de normalizar el estudio o correcta selección de los sistemas constructivos en función del clima, pero también identificando la función de cada espacio; para garantizar así, que las propuestas de diseño responderán -satisfactoriamente- a los requerimientos de regulación de la humedad, mediante su absorción, transpiración y/o evaporación.

The level of indoor air quality (IAQ) has a direct incidence on the human health, therefore, is the object of study of bioclimatic design, since it promotes the harnessing environmental factors for the creation and conditioning of spaces in which users experience comfort and well-being. In addition, to encourage construction with common sense, where the rational use of resources and low energy dependence prevail. In this thesis it has been identified the properties of the materials that make up the most common wall coverings (hydrated lime, cement, cement mortar and gypsum) for recognizing those that best adapt to the weather in Mexico City, as it could be verified, they contribute to the control of some risk factors (physical:moisture, chemical:toxics and biological:microbes) related with a low indoor air quality at dwellings. This function mitigates or reduces the appearance of some of the most frequent respiratory ailments in users such as: allergies, asthma, rhinitis, flu and sinusitis. The analyses to which the coatings of four binding materials were subjected, allowed to evaluate their performance in the face of semi-controlled environmental factors (temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration) inherent to the operation of the interior space itself and the place of its location. Obviously, all the coatings reacted differently and according with the physical and chemical properties of the materials in each of them. Being the most representative and satisfactory variations, those related to the permeability and biocidal effect of coatings made with hydrated lime mixture. The pathologies that some coatings showed throughout the monitoring period, due to insufficient moisture management, the high microbial development, and the chemical nature of the binding material, were cryptoefflorescences, mold, bacteria and particle shedding/dissemination; they were defining to establish that in similar way to living beings, building materials need specific hygrothermal ranges, to let them works in an optimal state. According with the above, it is considered convenient to raise awareness among the population on issues as important for social welfare, such as the selection of materials and -consequently- conservation of wall coverings, not only to reduce the costs of execution and maintenance, but to take advantage of their properties, since they have a direct incidence in all related with the control of basic environmental conditions, the regulation of indoor air quality and therefore, in users’ health. This work can begin in the formative stage of construction professionals, with the intention of standardizing the study or correct selection of construction systems depending on the weather, but also identifying the function of each space; to guarantee that the design proposals will respond -satisfactorily- to the requirements of humidity regulation, through its absorption, transpiration and/or evaporation.

Muro, recubrimientos, patologías, salud. Wall, coating, pathologies, health. Indoor air pollution--Health aspects. Architecture--Health aspects. Interior walls. Protective coatings. Lime as a disinfectant. Building materials. Communicable diseases--Transmission--Prevention. Contaminación del aire interior. Muros interiores. Revestimientos. Cal como desinfectante. RA577.5 HUMANIDADES Y CIENCIAS DE LA CONDUCTA CIENCIAS DE LAS ARTES Y LAS LETRAS ARQUITECTURA DISEÑO ARQUITECTÓNICO

Automated in-season rice crop mapping using Sentinel time-series data and Google Earth Engine: A case study in climate-risk prone Bangladesh

Mustafa Kamal Timothy Joseph Krupnik (2024, [Artículo])

High-resolution mapping of rice fields is crucial for understanding and managing rice cultivation in countries like Bangladesh, particularly in the face of climate change. Rice is a vital crop, cultivated in small scale farms that contributes significantly to the economy and food security in Bangladesh. Accurate mapping can facilitate improved rice production, the development of sustainable agricultural management policies, and formulation of strategies for adapting to climatic risks. To address the need for timely and accurate rice mapping, we developed a framework specifically designed for the diverse environmental conditions in Bangladesh. We utilized Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 time-series data to identify transplantation and peak seasons and employed the multi-Otsu automatic thresholding approach to map rice during the peak season (April–May). We also compared the performance of a random forest (RF) classifier with the multi-Otsu approach using two different data combinations: D1, which utilizes data from the transplantation and peak seasons (D1 RF) and D2, which utilizes data from the transplantation to the harvest seasons (D2 RF). Our results demonstrated that the multi-Otsu approach achieved an overall classification accuracy (OCA) ranging from 61.18% to 94.43% across all crop zones. The D2 RF showed the highest mean OCA (92.15%) among the fourteen crop zones, followed by D1 RF (89.47%) and multi-Otsu (85.27%). Although the multi-Otsu approach had relatively lower OCA, it proved effective in accurately mapping rice areas prior to harvest, eliminating the need for training samples that can be challenging to obtain during the growing season. In-season rice area maps generated through this framework are crucial for timely decision-making regarding adaptive management in response to climatic stresses and forecasting area-wide productivity. The scalability of our framework across space and time makes it particularly suitable for addressing field data scarcity challenges in countries like Bangladesh and offers the potential for future operationalization.

Synthetic Aperture Radar Random Forest Boro Rice In-Season Maps CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA SAR (RADAR) RICE FLOODING CLIMATE CHANGE

Character association study in maize hybrids developed through integration of rapid cycle genomic selection and doubled haploid technology for heat stress tolerance

Prakash Kuchanur Ayyanagouda Patil Pervez Zaidi vinayan mt (2023, [Artículo])

Multi-Parental Synthetics Rapid Cycle Genomic Selection Phenotypic Correlation CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA MAIZE HEAT STRESS MARKER-ASSISTED SELECTION DOUBLED HAPLOIDS PHENOTYPIC VARIATION CLIMATE CHANGE

SOCIO-SPATIAL TRENDS: A GENERAL READING OF PUBLIC SPACE IN HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS

Mariel Organista Camacho Karen Estrella Martínez-Torres Claudia Rivera-Torres (2023, [Artículo, Artículo])

Human nature implies social interaction in diverse environments, where public space, seen as an essential mediator, becomes disconnected, impersonal, and deteriorated exterior spaces, coupled with a lack of interest in participation, inclusion, and personal development. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze the socio-spatial relationships in public spaces based on the inhabitant perception of two housing developments in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. This study used a mixed methodological approach to collect information by applying the following instruments: a questionnaire on public spaces, a series of in situ and aerial photographs, and field observations. A total of 196 surveys were applied from 2016 to 2019; the morphological, typological, and functional characteristics of the public space were also observed. The results evidenced an imminent need to carry out their daily activities on a smaller scale and intensity within the housing complex with a level of spatial satisfaction within a scale of 6.37/10. In this regard, the inhabitants reported a higher attendance of the public space use in Los Encinos in contrast to Villas (62.6% and 39.3%, respectively), even though the travel times were shorter in Villas. Regarding the public space usefulness, both cases weighted spatial understanding followed by access ease to the housing complex with a Pearson correlation coefficient equal to or greater than 0.47. In this sense, spatial relations showed dispersion, disorganization, and fragmentation from the ephemeral. In contrast, social relations were considered impersonal, hurried, and of convenience, subordinated to the conditions of the environment, being that personal well-being is built from relations with the exterior and with the collective itself.

Baja California Habitability Public space Social Developments Social-espatial relation conjuntos habitacionales, habitabilidad, Baja California, espacio público, relaciones socioespaciales. HUMANIDADES Y CIENCIAS DE LA CONDUCTA HUMANIDADES Y CIENCIAS DE LA CONDUCTA

Influencia de las fases lunares en fertilidad, tasa de preñez y partos de vacas mestizas en el trópico seco.

CANUTO MUÑOZ GARCIA ROSENDO CUICAS HUERTA JUAN GONZALEZ MALDONADO EFREN ESTRADA PAQUI ISIDRO JAUREGUI PLATA JULIO CESAR GOMEZ VARGAS (2023, [Artículo])

There is speculation about moon phases influencing animal reproductive performance. A study was carried out to shed light on the influence of moon phases on estrus presentation, pregnancy rate, calving presentation, and offspring sex in cows from the Mexican dry tropical region. The reproductive data of 580 crossbred cows from 2010 to 2021 was organized according to reproductive events (estrus presentation, gestation, calving presentation, and offspring sex) occurrence during moon phases (new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter). The data were analyzed by Chi-squared test and logistic regression. The full moon reduced the estrus presentation (p0.05). It is concluded that the full moon reduces estrus presentation in crossbred cows. Moon phases do not influence the gestation, calving presentation, and offspring sex.

estrus calving offspring sex CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA CIENCIAS AGRARIAS CIENCIAS VETERINARIAS FISIOLOGÍA ANIMAL

Análisis de las conexiones matemáticas en la enseñanza y aprendizaje de la derivada basado en un networking of theories entre la Teoría de las conexiones y el Enfoque ontosemiótico.

CAMILO ANDRES RODRIGUEZ NIETO (2021, [Tesis de doctorado])

Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología No. 602990

In research in Mathematics Education, models have been reported to analyze mathematical connections in which specific connection categories are considered. In the literature, it was identified that the most used model is the Businskas with contributions from other researchers. However, the problem refers to the fact that some categories of connections limit the analysis of mathematical activity and, therefore, the research suggests that the established categories are validated and, if possible, new categories of connections are reported. Other investigations focused on exploring mathematical connections and understanding the derivative reveal that high school students, pre-service teachers, and some in-service mathematics teachers have difficulty connecting multiple representations of the derivative (e.g., algebraic, or symbolic, verbal, graphic, tabular) and establish connections between partial meanings about this concept.

Networking of theories Mathematical connections Onto-semiotic approach semiotic function derivative teacher students HUMANIDADES Y CIENCIAS DE LA CONDUCTA PEDAGOGÍA TEORÍA Y MÉTODOS EDUCATIVOS TEORÍAS EDUCATIVAS

Gender analysis of household seed security : A case of maize and wheat seed systems in Nepal

Hom Nath Gartaula (2022, [Libro])

Seed Security Mountains CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA SEED SYSTEMS MAIZE WHEAT ROLE OF WOMEN WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION

Farmers’ perspectives as determinants for adoption of conservation agriculture practices in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

Ajay Kumar Mishra ML JAT (2022, [Artículo])

Understanding the farmer's perspective has traditionally been critical to influencing the adoption and out-scaling of CA-based climate-resilient practices. The objective of this study was to investigate the biophysical, socio-economic, and technical constraints in the adoption of CA by farmers in the Western- and Eastern-IGP, i.e., Karnal, Haryana, and Samastipur, Bihar, respectively. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was administered to 50 households practicing CA in Western- and Eastern-IGP. Smallholder farmers (<2 ha of landholding) in Karnal are 10% and Samastipur 66%. About 46% and 8% of households test soil periodically in Karnal and Samastipur, respectively. Results of PCA suggest economic profitability and soil health as core components from the farmer's motivational perspective in Karnal and Samastipur, respectively. Promotion and scaling up of CA technologies should be targeted per site-specific requirements, emphasizing biophysical resource availability, socio-economic constraints, and future impacts of such technology.

Smallholder Farmers Agents of Change Technology Diffusion Climate-Smart Practices CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA SMALLHOLDERS SOCIAL STRUCTURE IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE

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