Innovative approaches to integrating gender into conventional maize breeding: lessons from the Seed Production Technology for Africa project

Rachel Voss Jill Cairns Michael Olsen Esnath Tatenda Hamadziripi (2023, [Artículo])

The integration of gender concerns in crop breeding programs aims to improve the suitability and appeal of new varieties to both women and men, in response to concerns about unequal adoption of improved seed. However, few conventional breeding programs have sought to center social inclusion concerns. This community case study documents efforts to integrate gender into the maize-focused Seed Production Technology for Africa (SPTA) project using innovation history analysis drawing on project documents and the authors’ experiences. These efforts included deliberate exploration of potential gendered impacts of project technologies and innovations in the project’s approach to variety evaluation, culminating in the use of decentralized on-farm trials using the tricot approach. Through this case study, we illustrate the power of active and respectful collaborations between breeders and social scientists, spurred by donor mandates to address gender and social inclusion. Gender integration in this case was further facilitated by open-minded project leaders and allocation of funding for gender research. SPTA proved to be fertile ground for experimentation and interdisciplinary collaboration around gender and maize breeding, and has provided proof of concept for larger breeding projects seeking to integrate gender considerations.

Crop Breeding On-Farm Trials Tricot CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA GENDER CROPS BREEDING ON-FARM RESEARCH SOCIAL INCLUSION CITIZEN SCIENCE MAIZE

How diverse are farming systems on the Eastern Gangetic Plains of South Asia? A multi-metric and multi-country assessment

Brendan Brown Pragya Timsina Emma Karki (2023, [Artículo])

While crop diversification has many benefits and is a stated government objective across the Eastern Gangetic Plains (EGP) of South Asia, the complexity of assessment has led to a rather limited understanding on the progress towards, and status of, smallholder crop diversification. Most studies focus on specific commodities or report as part of a singular index, use outdated secondary data, or implement highly localized studies, leading to broad generalisations and a lack of regional comparison. We collected representative primary data with more than 5000 households in 55 communities in Eastern Nepal, West Bengal (India) and Northwest Bangladesh to explore seasonally based diversification experiences and applied novel metrics to understand the nuanced status of farm diversification. While 66 crops were commercially grown across the region, only five crops and three crop families were widely grown (Poaceae, Malvaceae, and Brassicaceae). Non-cereal diversification across the region was limited (1.5 crops per household), though regional differentiation were evident particularly relating to livestock and off-farm activities, highlighting the importance of cross border studies. In terms of farmer's largest commercial plots, 20% of systems contained only rice, and 57% contained only rice/wheat/maize, with substantial regional diversity present. This raises concerns regarding the extent of commercially oriented high value and non-cereal diversification, alongside opportunities for diversification in the under-diversified pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. Future promotional efforts may need to focus particularly on legumes to ensure the future sustainability and viability of farming systems.

Agricultural Production Systems Farming Systems Change CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION CROPPING SYSTEMS DIVERSIFICATION FARMING SYSTEMS SUSTAINABLE INTENSIFICATION

Obtención de materiales nanocompuestos semiconductorsemiconductor para producción de hidrógeno por fotocatálisis heterogénea

Obtaining semiconductor-semiconductor nanocomposite materials for hydrogen production by heterogeneous photocatalysis

Yilmair Rodríguez Santillán (2023, [Tesis de maestría])

La producción de hidrógeno mediante fotocatálisis heterogénea a través del fotorreformado de metanol ha surgido como una estrategia para abordar los desafíos energéticos y ambientales actuales. Este proceso combina la conversión de una mezcla metanol/agua, con la eficiencia de la fotocatálisis para generar hidrógeno limpio y renovable. Uno de los factores más importantes en el proceso de la fotocatálisis heterogénea, es la capacidad que presenta un semiconductor para absorber luz con energía dentro del rango del espectro visible. El g-C3N4 es uno de los materiales más estudiados recientemente para la producción de hidrógeno, ya que presenta una banda prohibida de 2.7 eV, aparte de una alta estabilidad química y térmica, así como un bajo costo de producción. Sin embargo, el g-C3N4 tiene limitaciones en su eficiencia debido a la rápida recombinación del par electrón/hueco (e- /h+), lo que reduce la tasa de producción de H2. Para superar esta limitación se suelen hacer modificaciones por medio de dopantes o formando uniones con otros semiconductores, como las que se hicieron en este trabajo. El nanocompuesto que se utilizó para la producción de H2 mediante el fotorreformado de metanol es el Pt/MnCo2S4/B-g-C3N4 que consiste en una estructura formada por nitruro de carbono grafítico dopado con boro (B-g-C3N4), sulfuro de manganeso-cobalto (MnCo2S4) y platino (Pt). El B-g-C3N4 actúa como el fotocatalizador clave en la reacción de producción de H2 ya que cuenta con una estructura de banda electrónica adecuada que le permite absorber luz solar y generar pares (e-/h+) para activar la reacción. El MnCo2S4 se empleó para favorecer la separación y migración de los portadores de carga. El papel del Pt fue el de acelerar la reacción de reducción para la formación de la molécula de H2. La serie de fotocatalizadores de Pt/MnCo2S4/B-g-C3N4 que fueron sintetizados, demostraron una alta estabilidad y actividad fotocatalítica en la producción de hidrógeno a partir del fotorreformado de metanol/agua, tanto en condiciones con luz UV como en condiciones con luz visible, permitiendo alcanzar una producción de 947.9 μmol g-1 h-1 y 716.4 μmol g-1 h- respectivamente.

Hydrogen production through heterogeneous photocatalysis via methanol photoreforming has emerged as a strategy to address current energy and environmental challenges. This process combines the conversion of a methanol/water mixture with the efficiency of photocatalyst to generate clean and renewable hydrogen. One of the most crucial factors in the heterogeneous photocatalysis process is the semiconductor's ability to absorb light within the visible spectrum energy range. Recently, g-C3N4 has been extensively studied for hydrogen production due to its 2.7 eV bandgap, high chemical and thermal stability, and low production cost. However, g-C3N4 has limitations in its efficiency due to the rapid recombination of electron/hole pairs (e-/h+), which reduces the H2 production rate. To overcome this limitation, modifications are often made through dopants or forming junctions with other semiconductors, as is done in this study. The nanocomposite used for hydrogen production via methanol photoreforming is Pt/MnCo2S4/B-g-C3N4, which consists of a structure composed of borondoped graphitic carbon nitride (B-g-C3N4), manganese-cobalt sulfide (MnCo2S4) and platinum (Pt). B-gC3N4 acts as the critical photocatalyst in the H2 production reaction. It possesses an appropriate electronic band structure that absorbs solar light and generates electron-hole pairs (e-/h+) to activate the reaction. MnCo2S4 was used to promote the separation and migration of charge carriers. The role of Pt is to accelerate the reduction reaction to form H2 molecules. The series of synthesized Pt/MnCo2S4/B-g-C3N4 photocatalysts demonstrated high stability and photocatalytic activity in hydrogen production via methanol/water photoreforming, both under UV and visible light conditions, achieving a production rate of 947.9 μmol g-1 h-1 and 716.4 μmol g-1 h-1, respectively.

hidrógeno, fotocatálisis, fotorreformado, metanol, nanocompuesto hydrogen, photocatalyst, photoreforming, methanol, nanocomposite INGENIERÍA Y TECNOLOGÍA CIENCIAS TECNOLÓGICAS TECNOLOGÍA DE MATERIALES PROPIEDADES DE LOS MATERIALES PROPIEDADES DE LOS MATERIALES

Planting rice at monsoon onset could mitigate the impact of temperature stress on rice–wheat systems of Bihar, India

Carlo Montes Anton Urfels Eunjin Han Balwinder-Singh (2023, [Artículo])

Rainy Season TIMESAT APSIM Agricultural Production Systems Simulator Climate Adaptation CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA RICE WHEAT MONSOONS WET SEASON CROP MODELLING CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION

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

Testing innovations for adoption of newer and more adapted maize varieties

Michael Ndegwa Pieter Rutsaert Jason Donovan Jordan Chamberlin (2023, [Objeto de congreso])

Changing Production Conditions Genetic Innovations Maize Hybrids CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA TESTING MAIZE VARIETIES YIELDS FARMERS EXPERIMENTATION

Una articulación fundamental: la emancipación

Nicolás Amoroso Boelcke (2023, [Capítulo de libro])

El concepto, la circunstancia de la enseñanza que aquí abordaremos, tiene el propósito de restituir ciertas situaciones que corresponden al propio ejercicio de la instrucción y a aquellas otras que hablan del acontecer, por ello el trabajo. Tiene las variables tanto de la experiencia real como de las otras sobre las que se han escrito, una de ellas, al final, plantea una situación paradójica que se refiere a la del maestro ignorante que, básicamente, tiene como propósito mostrar que el conocimiento es algo que está en el alumno y que el docente debe limitarse a tratar de que aflore y se exprese de la mejor manera posible. Nos habla de la independencia y de las características que puede tener una educación rigurosa y rígida, en contraposición con una más flexible. Lo mismo sucede con el pensamiento desde nuestra América, de la educación dependiente a una educación libertaria.

The concept, the circumstance of the teaching that we will address here has the purpose of restoring certain situations that correspond to the exercise itself as those others that speak of the happening for it the work. It has the variables of real experience as of the others about which they have been written, one of them, in the end, poses a paradoxical situation that refers to that of the ignorant teacher that, basically, has the purpose of showing that knowledge is something that is in the student and that the teacher must limit himself to trying to bring it out and express itself in the best possible way. It tells us about independence and the characteristics that a rigorous and rigid education can have with a more flexible one and the same happens with the thought from our America, from dependent education to a libertarian education.

Emancipación, docencia, alumnos, investigación, juego. Emancipation, teaching, students, research, play. Interaction analysis in education. Microteaching. Teacher-student relationships. Transformative learning. Educational innovations. Análisis de interacción en la educación. Relaciones maestro-estudiante. Aprendizaje transformador. Cambio educativo. LB1034 HUMANIDADES Y CIENCIAS DE LA CONDUCTA PEDAGOGÍA TEORÍA Y MÉTODOS EDUCATIVOS

Modelo híbrido de sistemas energéticos para la evaluación del uso de energías renovables

Carlos Iván Torres González (2020, [Tesis de maestría])

En este trabajo proponemos un modelo híbrido para evaluar diferentes escenarios de generación de electricidad con energías renovables que maximiza el bienestar social desde la perspectiva económica contemplando un enfoque técnico sobre la estructura de costos de producción de electricidad. Adicionalmente, realizamos 2 simulaciones del modelo propuesto al sistema eléctrico de Baja California Sur para 10 períodos, contemplando 4 escenarios de producción limpia diferentes. De los resultados observados en ambas simulaciones podemos remarcar 2 puntos en términos de políticas públicas. El primer punto es la importancia de tener múltiples generadores que funcionen con combustibles renovables si se desea producir una proporción significativa de electricidad con FER. El segundo punto es el trade-off entre bienestar y emisiones de CO2. Los resultados sugieren que el aumento del consumo de electricidad es un elemento importante para aumentar el bienestar social. A su vez, el aumento de consumo eléctrico implica un aumento de producción, y por tanto un aumento de emisiones de CO2. Los resultados de la segunda simulación sugieren que con el aumento de la capacidad de generación limpia y costos eficientes, se pueden alcanzar niveles de bienestar casi iguales a los tradicionales, pero con la mitad de emisiones de CO2.

Electric power production -- Effect of renewable energy sources on -- Mexico -- Baja California Sur (State) -- 2015 -- Mathematical models. Carbon dioxide mitigation -- Effect of renewable energy sources on -- Mexico -- Baja California Sur (State) -- 2015 -- Mathematical models. CIENCIAS SOCIALES CIENCIAS SOCIALES