Biorational and conventional insecticides efficacy to control thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Perg.) on strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) at Morelos state, Mexico

Objective: To evaluate the insecticidal effectiveness of biorational and conventional products as alternatives to control thrips and their phytotoxic effects in strawberry cultivation. Design / methodology / approach: The research was carried out in strawberry cv. Camino Real during its flowering stage - fruiting established in open ground; A completely randomized experimental design with seven treatments and four replications was used. The treatments evaluated were: T1: neem oil extract, T2: paraffin oil, T3: garlic extract + hot chili pepper + cinnamon, T4: spinosad, T5: imidacloprid + lambda cyhalothrin, T6: bifenthrin, and T7: control. Applications were made weekly and the mortality evaluation was carried out by counting the number of live thrips per flower. With the obtained data, an analysis of variances and a mean comparison test (Tukey, p ≤ 0.05) were performed. Results: Significant differences between treatments could be identified (p ≤ 0.05); imidacloprid + lambda cyhalothrin and bifenthrin caused the highest mortality of thrips with 92 and 93 % efficacy, respectively. Spinosad obtained good results, ranking as the second-best option with 90 % control efficiencies; neem extract stood out as an excellent biorational pest management alternative with 77 % control efficacy in its last evaluation. No phytotoxic effects were observed from any of the treatments on the crop. Limitations on study / implications: It is important to continue the study in the laboratory to obtain the LD50 and LD90 of the management alternatives, as well as an MRL analysis of the molecules used. Findings / conclusions: The proposed protocol evidenced the efficacy of biorational and ecological thrips control treatments in intensive horticultural systems.

Modeling the Impacts of Climate Change on Yields of Various Korean Soybean Sprout Cultivars

Soybean sprout is an important food ingredient in East Asian cuisine. Soybean growth is highly sensitive to temperature and photoperiod. Thus, it is important to determine the optimal base temperature for an accurate yield prediction. The optimal base temperature can be varied by cultivars. In this study, six soybean sprout cultivars that are commonly grown in Korea were planted in South Jeolla province, South Korea between 2003 and 2018. Data on phenology were collected from the field and used to determine the optimal base temperature for each cultivar. As a result, variations of optimal base temperatures of cultivars ranged from 0 °C to 15 °C. In simulation, three plant parameter sets, including Soy15, Soy6, and Soy0, were created. Soy15, Soy6, and Soy0 represented soybean cultivars with base temperatures of 15 °C, 6 °C, and 0 °C, respectively. In simulation results, the values of percent bias were under 15%, indicating that the Agricultural Land Management Alternative with Numerical Assessment Criteria (ALMANAC) could reasonably simulate soybean yields. Among these three cultivars, Soy15 had the smallest yield, while Soy6 had the highest yield. In climate change scenarios (SSP245 and SSP585), both maximum and minimum temperatures were increased by 1–3.3 °C. With increasing temperatures in the future period, grain yields for all cultivars decreased. The yield reduction might be because the high temperature shortened the length of growth period of the soybeans. Among the three cultivars, Soy6 was a promising cultivar that could have a high yield under climate change scenarios.

Plantaciones de Acacia una opción de gestión forestal para propietarios forestales = Acacia plantations a forest management alternative for forest landowners

Dentro del conjunto de nuevas especies forestales de interés comercial se encuentran algunas del género Acacia, las cuales han demostrado interesantes resultados en el país, en función de su crecimiento y aptitudes de uso. Su madera presenta usos alternativos (pulpa para papel, maderas redondas, madera aserrada), sus flores proporcionan miel de calidad y es considerada una excelente especie para la recuperación de suelos, principalmente por su propiedad fijadora de nitrógeno. Estos usos son complementarios y requieren turnos cortos de rotación, características que la convierten en un recurso económico interesante de aprovechar por parte de los propietarios y la industria forestal local. Para su difusión INFOR ha implementado un programa de transferencia tecnológica, que dentro de sus actividades ha contemplado establecer Unidades Demostrativas de Acacia, evaluar su desarrollo local y hacer difusión y capacitación como medio de extensión y fomento a su uso como alternativa productiva para el país. Para esto se apoya en instituciones públicas y operadores forestales relacionados con el tema, como parte de la estrategia para la promoción. Es presentada la metodología utilizada para el establecimiento de las unidades y la transferencia de conocimientos técnicos y comerciales, en la búsqueda de la masificación y uso de las acacias por parte de propietarios y empresas.

Exploiting Thrips Aggregation Pheromones to Develop a Lure-and-Kill Strategy for the Management of the Bean Flower Thrips

The potential of semiochemicals to lure insect pests to a trap where they can be killed with biopesticides has been demonstrated as an eco-friendly pest management alternative. In this study, we tested two recently characterized male-produced aggregation pheromones of the bean flower thrips Megalurothrips sjostedti (Trybom), namely (R)-lavandulyl 3-methylbutanoate (major) and (R)-lavandulol (minor), for their field efficacy. Moreover, compatibility of these pheromones and two other thrips attractants, Lurem-TR and neryl (S)-2-methylbutanoate, with the entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE 69 has been determined. Our study revealed that the M. sjostedti aggregation pheromones have dose-dependent antifungal effects on the EPF viability, but showed no fungistatic effect at a field-realistic dose for attraction of thrips. (R)-lavandulyl 3-methylbutanoate had similar antifungal effects as neryl (S)-2-methylbutanoate 8 days after exposure; whereas, Lurem-TR had a stronger antifungal effect than other thrips attractants. In the semi-field experiments, all autoinoculation devices maintained at least 86% viability of M. anisopliae conidia after 12 days of exposure. Field trials demonstrated for the first time that (R)-lavandulyl 3-methylbutanoate increases trap catches. Our findings pave a way for designing a lure-and-kill thrips management strategy to control bean flower thrips using autoinoculation devices or spot spray application.

An Empirical Analysis on Determinants of Accounting Internal Control Effectiveness: Evidence from Emerging Market

Prior research mentioned internal control as a useful management alternative to improve enterprises’ operation performance and information quality. According to Trenery (2013) internal control can be fundamentally divided into two functions of operating and accounting internal control. The paper aims to identify the determinants of accounting internal control effectiveness that are addressed in existing literature review. Primary data was collected from samples of 109 members of board of directors and chief accountants in Vietnam by direct interview and email survey. The data was analyzed using exploratory factor analysis of SPSS software to illustrate the potential factors of accounting internal control effectiveness. The result shows that there are several determinants of accounting internal control effectiveness such as: good financial ratio, efficient resources deployed, errors found in the financial reports that are convergent into three specific groups of factors, namely: effectiveness and efficiency of accounting activities, reliability of financial reporting and compliance with law and accounting regulations. Based on the research findings, some suggestions are given to enterprises in Vietnam and other emerging markets to improve the effectiveness of accounting internal control.

Anesthetic considerations in patients with implantable devices and chronic pain surgery

The use of advanced invasive techniques for the control of chronic pain in patients with multiple comorbidities is becoming increasingly common. Neuromodulation offers a new management alternative involving the infusion of one or more drugs into the epidural or intrathecal space through a fully implantable infusion pump. It also involves spinal stimulation, a minimally invasive technique in which electrodes are positioned in the epidural space and connected to a pulse generator that is implanted subcutaneously and generates pulses designed to suppress the noxious stimulus. This article will describe the anesthetic considerations in cases of implantable drug delivery systems, and spinal and peripheral nerve stimulation devices. Additionally, patients with electrical or drug neuromodulation devices may present to anesthetic practice for surgical indications unrelated to their chronic pain pathology. Hence the importance of being familiar with the basic components of these devices, how they work, what drugs they use and the potential associated complications in the perioperative context, in order to ensure proper management and patient safety.

Toxicity of Jatropha and Neem Oil Combination on Pink Hibiscus Mealybug

Maconellicoccus hirsutus (pink hibiscus mealybug) is a polyphagous pest species reported in about 350 species of host plants worldwide. The chemical control method is still the most used for the control of agricultural pests. In view of this, we aim to evaluate the potential of the concentration of oils extracted from the species Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Jatropha curcas (Jatropha) on M. hirsutus, aiming at a management alternative for the pest. The experiments were carried out in air-conditioned chambers at a temperature of 25 ± 1ºC, relative humidity of 70 ± 10% and a photophase of 12h. The concentration 3% (v v-1) (defined in preliminary dilution tests) was used in the tests, with 11 interaction ratios between the oils. Mortality was assessed daily up to 72 hours after spraying. The application was carried out in two ways: indirect - on the food and walking surface; and direct - about insects. The indirect application caused higher levels of mortality in relation to the direct application. However, there was no significant difference between the concentrations for the indirect application. In the form of direct application, the combination of 60:40% neem oil and jatropha oil was the treatment that provided the highest mortality of the M. hirsutus (86.21%). The combinations between neem and jatropha oils demonstrated the potential to control M. hirsutus in both routes of application, being an alternative for the management of this pest.

A review on tramadol toxicity: mechanism of action, clinical presentation, and treatment

Aims As an analgesic that acts upon the central nervous system (CNS), tramadol has gained popularity in treating moderate to severe pain. Recently, it has been increasingly reported as a drug of misuse with intentional overdoses or intoxications. This review focuses on tramadol intoxication in humans and its effects on different systems. Subject and method This narrative review provides a comprehensive view of the pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action, and incidence of tramadol toxicity with an in-depth look at its side effects. In addition, the main approaches to the management of tramadol poisoning are described. Results Tramadol poisoning can affect multiple organ systems: gastrointestinal, central nervous system (seizure, CNS depression, low-grade coma, anxiety, and over time anoxic brain damage), cardiovascular system (palpitation, mild hypertension to life-threatening complications such as cardiopulmonary arrest), respiratory system, renal system (renal failure with higher doses of tramadol intoxication), musculoskeletal system (rhabdomyolysis), endocrine system (hypoglycemia), as well as, cause serotonin syndrome. Seizure, a serious nervous disturbance, is more common in tramadol intoxication than with other opioids. Fatal tramadol intoxications are uncommon, except in ingestion cases concurrent with other medications, particularly CNS depressants, most commonly benzodiazepines, and ethanol. Conclusion With the increasing popularity of tramadol, physicians must be aware of its adverse effects, substantial abuse potential, and drug interactions, to weigh its risk–benefit ratio for pain management. Alternative therapies might be considered in patients with a previous overdose history to reduce risks for adverse outcomes.

In search of a theoretical framework of factors influencing work and life balance

Work and life balance (WLB) has gained noticeable attention amid the pandemic. Even before the outbreak of COVID-19, the increasing pace of life encouraged the investigation of individual and organisational aspects of WLB. Physically and mentally healthy people help society develop and grow. Health issues caused by work and life imbalance lead to dissatisfaction with both work and life, which, in turn, leads to higher stress and stress-related illnesses, for instance, burnout. From the organisational point of view, WLB is a factor in analysing the efficiency of an enterprise. The consequences of a work-life imbalance are intentional or unintentional absence, high employee turnover, low productivity, higher insurance costs, low job satisfaction, and others. WLB has been examined recently as part of employer branding since a shortage of labour prompts organisations to look for strategies to attract and retain employees. In this paper, content analysis is carried out to provide a theoretical framework for WLB and job satisfaction issues. Special attention is paid to the literature on WLB factors affecting the organisation and the individual. It is concluded that critical factors include both individual and organisational ones. Among them are job involvement, tenure, workload and scheduling, organisational culture (leadership, recreational opportunities, flexibility, supervisor support, autonomy, boundary management, alternative working methods etc.), occupational stress, and salary. These factors differ in their significance, particularly when viewed across several fields.