Training, development, and evaluation of on-farm culturing as a technical resource to reduce the use of antimicrobials in dairy herds in the Midwest Region of Santa Catarina State, Brazil

ABSTRACT: On-farm culturing is a technology booming in Brazil. It is based on the microbiological diagnosis of milk samples collected from clinical cases of bovine mastitis, on the farm where the animals are handled, quickly, simply, and at an affordable cost. With this resource, after 24 h of incubation, the isolated microorganisms are classified as gram positive or gram negative, helping to make decisions regarding the therapy of the animals. Considering the relevance of the Midwestern region of Santa Catarina State in the national dairy production scenario, the objectives of the study were: 1) to promote the technical training of the farmers in three dairy farms located in Treze Tílias-SC, 2) to assist in the implementation and evaluation of on-farm culturing as technological resource viewing the reduced use of antimicrobials in herds. In addition to the rapid acceptance by the farmers and their efficient training, with the use of the technology, there was a 45-50% reduction in the use of antimicrobials in dairy herds. This result demonstrated a significant effect on animal health, and determines an important cost reduction for farmers, as presented in detail in this manuscript.

SISTEMATIZAÇÃO DE UMA EXPERIÊNCIA AGROECOLÓGICA NO CERRADO BRASILEIRO: SUBSÍDIOS PARA O PLANEJAMENTO DE UNIDADES PRODUTIVAS DE BASES ECOLÓGICAS

Este estudo consiste na sistematização de uma experiência agroecológica a partir do ordenamento e síntese dos processos do seu uso e ocupação. A experiência iniciou em 1984, em unidade agroecológica pioneira, com características neorurais, na região Centro-oeste do Brasil. A pesquisa contou com entrevistas não estruturadas, levantamento de campo, pesquisa bibliográfica e documental (fotografias, revistas, jornais, imagens de satélite e fotografias aéreas). Utilizou-se a ferramenta Google Earth para avaliar o mosaico de agroecossistemas resultante da ação agroecológica no espaço e tempo. Os resultados apontaram uma dinâmica complexa do processo de construção de agroecossistemas e redes sociais, configurando-se num desenho agroecológico que ultrapassa as fronteiras físicas da propriedade. O processo de síntese e análise relatado, além de empoderar os protagonistas, traz a luz do conhecimento científico aprendizados de uma experiência empírica de um modo de vida integrado à natureza, com riqueza em variedade, diversidade e possibilidades nos processos biológicos, sociais, econômicos, éticos, morais e culturais, que pode inspirar e subsidiar outras iniciativas de base agroecológica. Palavras-chave: neoruralidade; gerenciamento agroecológico; redesenho da paisagem; agroecossistemas. Systematization of an agroecological experience in the Brazilian Cerrado: subsidies for the planning of productive units of ecological bases ABSTRACT: This study consists of the systematization of an agroecological experience from the ordering and synthesis of the processes of its use and occupation. The experience began in 1984, in a pioneering agroecological unit, with neorural characteristics, in the Midwest region of Brazil. The research included unstructured interviews, field surveys, bibliographic and documentary research (photographs, magazines, newspapers, satellite images, and aerial photographs). The Google Earth tool was used to evaluate the mosaic of agroecosystems resulting from agroecological action in space and time. The results pointed toward a complex dynamic of the construction process of agroecosystems and social networks, configuring itself in an agroecological design that goes beyond the physical boundaries of the property. The reported process of synthesis and analysis, in addition to empowering the protagonists, brings to light scientific knowledge learning from an empirical experience of a way of life integrated with nature, with a wealth of variety, diversity, and possibilities in biological, social, economic, ethical, moral and cultural processes, which can inspire and subsidize other agroecological initiatives. Keywords: neorurality; agroecological management; landscape redesign; agroecosystems.

Potential of corn hybrids for fresh consumption

The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of corn hybrids for grain productivity and fresh produce marketability in two crop seasons. The experiment applied the completely randomized block design with three replications, during 2013-14 and 2014-15 crops. Ten hybrids indicated for the Midwest region of Goiás state were used, namely 2B512PW, 2B587PW, 2B707PW, 30F35HR, 30F53YH, BRS1055, BM3061, P3646H and P3862YH. Hybrid AG1051 was used as control. The studied variables were ear height (EH), unhusked ear productivity (UEP), husked ear productivity (HEP), marketable ear productivity (MEP), marketable ear length (MEL), marketable ear diameter (MED), grain mass (GM), and gross revenue (GR). Records show that hybrid P3646H achieved results lower than the control in all the analyzed variables, regardless of the crop season, whereas hybrids 2B512PW, BRS1055 and P3862YH showed figures similar to AG1051 in 2013/14 crop and lower ones in 2014/15. Therefore, would not represent direct market competitors, as the control hybrid holds a significant share in the domestic market. Hybrids 2B587PW, 30F35HR, 30F53YH and BM3061 presented the greatest suitability for fresh corn consumption, as featured the highest number of favorable traits for that market.

Outcomes of Anti-Spike Monoclonal Antibody Therapy in Pregnant Women with Mild to Moderate COVID-19

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of anti-spike monoclonal antibodies (MAb) in the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in high-risk patients who are pregnant. Methods: The database of patients treated with monoclonal antibodies in the Mayo Clinic Midwest region was reviewed for patients who were pregnant at the time of infusion. Manual chart review was performed to collect demographic details as well as COVID course for both the mother and the infant if delivered. The data are presented using descriptive methods. Results: We identified fifty-one pregnant patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 who were treated with MAb (4 with bamlanivimab monotherapy, 3 with bamlanivimab-etesevimab combination, and 44 with the casirivimab-imdevimab combination). No adverse effects were reported, and no patient required COVID-19 related hospitalization. Twenty-nine patients delivered healthy babies, there was one case of intrauterine fetal demise secondary to a congenital Ebstein anomaly (not related to MAb treatment), and twenty-one were uncomplicated pregnancies. Conclusion: MAb infusions were well tolerated in pregnant patients considered at high risk for COVID-19 complications, with no observed adverse effects to mother or fetus. Although preliminary data suggest MAb therapy in pregnancy is safe, further research is recommended to fully assess safety and efficacy in pregnancy.

Exploring Midwest manufacturing employment from 1990 to 2019

Using data from the Current Employment Statistics program, this article explores manufacturing employment dynamics between 1990 and 2019 in the Midwest region of the United States. The article compares and contrasts employment trends for both the region as a whole and the individual states that comprise it. Additionally, the article presents an examination of selected detailed industries. For context, the article uses periods within historical business cycles to frame analysis of manufacturing employment trends.

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Integrated Pest Management in Soybean Crops in the Midwest Region of Brazil

Soybean is the most traded agricultural commodity in the world and the main agricultural product exported by Brazil. The study was conducted in Midwest region of Brazil, during the 2018/2019 harvest. The conventional pest management carried out by the rural producer and the integrated pest management with biological control carried out by the MS Foundation were compared. After data collection, operational costs were calculated for both managements and subsequently an environmental cost and a cost-benefit analysis of the application of chemical pesticides were performed. An adapted model of environmental cost and cost-benefit analysis was used. The results show the economic viability of adopting biological control in one of the tested areas. This was due to the greater amount of pesticide applications by the farmer in conventional management, showing the importance of analyzing the environmental cost of the pesticides and avoiding products that have a high impact on non-target individuals.

Development and assessment of the usability of a web-based referral to treatment tool for persons with substance use disorders

Background Hospitalized people with unhealthy substance use should be referred to treatment. Although inpatient referral resources are often available, clinicians report that outpatient referral networks are not well-established. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the development and usability testing of a web-based Referral to Treatment Tool (RTT © 2020 Trustees of Indiana University, all rights reserved) designed to identify treatment centers for people with unhealthy substance use. Results The RTT was conceptualized, developed, and then populated with public use and local survey data of treatment centers from 14 market ZIP codes of hospitals participating in an SBIRT implementation study. The tool underwent initial heuristic testing, followed by usability testing at three hospitals within a large healthcare system in the Midwest region of the United States. Administrative (n = 6) and provider (n = 12) users of the RTT completed a list of tasks and provided feedback through Think-Aloud Tests, the System Usability Scale, and in-person interviews. Patients (n = 4) assessed multiple versions of a take-home printout of referral sites that met their specifications and completed in-person interviews to provide feedback. Each administrative task was completed in less than 3 min, and providers took an average of 4 min and 3 s to identify appropriate referral sites for a patient and print a referral list for the patient. The mean System Usability Scale score (M = 77.22, SD = 15.57, p = 0.03) was significantly higher than the passable score of 70, indicating favorable perceptions of the usability of the RTT. Administrative and provider users felt that the RTT was useful and easy to use, but the settings and search features could be refined. Patients indicated that the printouts contained useful information and that it was helpful to include multiple referral sites on the printout. Conclusion The web-based referral tool has the potential to facilitate voluntary outpatient referral to treatment for patients with unhealthy substance use. The RTT can be customized for a variety of health care settings and patient needs. Additional revisions based on usability testing results are needed to prepare for a broader multi-site clinical evaluation. Trial Registration Not applicable.

Agricultura familiar como portadora de inovações no desenvolvimento sustentável na região centro oeste

Agricultura familiar na região Centro Oeste tem sido palco de inovações agrícolas no país, que se pautam nas práticas imbricadas da econômica solidária e da produção agroecológica, por meio da mobilização de recursos reciprocitários. Family farming in the Midwest region has been the scene of agricultural innovations in the country, which are based on overlapping practices of economic solidarity and agro ecological production, through the mobilization of the reciprocal resource.