The controlled biodegradation of ametryn and methomyl has been performed, in accordance with the OECD Zahn-Wellens/EMPA procedure, by use of an enriched mixture of activated sludge collected from three domestic waste-water-treatment plants (WWTP). During the process concentrations of ametryn and methomyl in the water samples were isolated by solid-phase extraction (SPE); recovery rates were 98.9 and 93.2 for methomyl and ametryn, respectively. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to determine final pesticide concentrations and for metabolite identification. The efficiency of aerobic biodegradation of ametryn and methomyl was evaluated by measuring both the decrease in the concentration of the pesticides and global properties such as the chemical oxygen demand (COD). The acute toxicity of ametryn and methomyl was evaluated by use of the ToxAlert100 biological test, which is based on inhibition of the bioluminescence of Vibrio fischeri. There was significant correlation between results from primary and ultimate biodegradation and those from determination of toxicity. Pesticide concentrations were always reduced to below the limit of detection in less than 17 days. High COD removal (90-96%) was achieved in 28 and 18 days for methomyl and ametryn, respectively.

There are few reports on the progress achieved through recurrent selection for quantitative resistance to diseases in tropical or subtropical maize (Zea mays L.) populations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the progress achieved after four cycles of full‐sib S1 recurrent selection in eight subtropical populations from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). Selection was primarily for improving polygenic resistance to the northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) induced by Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.) Leonard & Suggs, and the common rust (Puccinia sorghi Schw.). Evaluations were made under three environments (high, medium, and no disease pressure) represented by two locations each. A very rapid increase in resistance was obtained for both diseases (19 and 6% cycle−1 for NCLB and rust, respectively) without changing the maturity of the populations or reducing grain yield potential as measured by planting under relatively disease‐free conditions. Under disease pressure, yield was found to be associated with resistance to NCLB (r = 0.52**; significant at P = 0.01), reduced stalk lodging (r = −0.51**), and greater number of ears per plant (r = 0.60**). Results suggest high heritability values for polygenic resistance to NCLB. It was also demonstrated that the full‐sib S1 recurrent selection methodology employed was highly effective in achieving the initial breeding objectives in all the populations involved.

No abstract

Un proyecto internacional desarrollado entre noviembre de 2007 y julio de 2009 se propuso implantar y evaluar un sistema de ayuda entre iguales en un centro de secundaria de Inglaterra, Italia y España, como medio de mejora de la convivencia. Los sistemas de ayuda entre iguales implican típicamente seleccionar a algunos estudiantes y entrenarlos para ayudar a sus compañeros. Mediante un diseño de grupo control con dos grupos, se formó a los ayudantes para poner en marcha un servicio de ayuda entre compañeros en los centros objeto de la intervención. Se presentan los resultados españoles de los cuestionarios de evaluación del programa, en la que participaron 248 estudiantes implicados en el programa y posibles usuarios del mismo, y 35 profesores, implicados y no implicados en el programa. Los resultados señalan que el programa es positivamente evaluado, apoyando su continuación profesores y alumnos, que coinciden en señalar las consecuencias positivas para víctimas y alumnos ayudantes, y en considerarlo un recurso para mejorar la convivencia en el centro.Palabras clave: Ayuda entre iguales, clima escolar, mejora de convivencia, participación de adolescentes, cambio emocional. an international project aimed to establish, run and evaluate anti-bullying peer support systems in one secondary school in each of England, Italy and Spain. School anti-bullying peer support systems typically involve some pupils being selected and trained to help pupils. Using a 2 group pre-test post-test control group design, we have helped train school peer supporters and establish peer support systems in the intervention schools. For the evaluation of the programme, 248 involved and non-involved students and 35 involved and non involved teachers were surveyed using an open-end questionnaire. Here we report the outcomes of this evaluation study based on data already gathered in Spain. The results point at the positive evaluation of the programme by teachers and students, who both alike stress the positive impacts on the victims and peer supporters and see it as a resource for improving schools' daily life.

2003) Representaciones acerca del maltrato entre iguales, atribuciones emocionales y percepción de estrategias de cambio a partir de un instrumento narrativo: SCAN-Bullying, Infancia y Aprendizaje: Journal for the Study of Education and Development, 26:1,[63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78] To link to this article: http://dx. ResumenA partir de intereseses teóricos y metodológicos se diseñó un instrumento en forma de historieta gráfica que narra una relación de maltrato por abuso de poder en la escuela, como punto de partida para explorar las representaciones acerca del fenómeno. Dos equipos, portugués y español, entrevistaron individualmente a un total de 120 niños y niñas de 9, 11 y 13 años, equiparados en edad, género y país, acerca de distintos aspectos de las relaciones que ilustra la historia. Se presentan aquí los relativos a la naturaleza de la relación, las atribuciones emocionales y la percepción de estrategias de resolución. Si bien se identifica desde muy pronto la relación de maltrato que subyace a la historia, el patrón de atribución emocional es diferente según la edad, el género, el papel del personaje y la perspectiva que se adopta como víctima o agresor. Las estrategias propuestas muestran la relevancia de las de carácter cognitivo, así como la influencia de la edad y del objetivo -resolver el problema o aliviar el malestar emocional-, al acudir en busca de adultos o de iguales. Palabras clave: Maltrato por abuso de poder entre iguales, representaciones infantiles del maltrato, método narrativo gráfico, estrategias de solución, atribución emocional en la victimización. Representations of peer victimization, emotional attributions and coping strategies using a narrative tool: SCAN-Bullying AbstractConceptual and methodological concerns lead to the design of a new instrument in the form of a scripted-cartoon narrative depicting a school bullying relationship due to abuse of power. This served as basis to explore children's ideas on this phenomenon. Two teams, a Portuguese team and a Spanish team, interviewed individually 120 boys and girls aged 9, 11, and 13 years, equally distributed by age, gender, and country, on different socio-cognitive issues related to peer relationships represented in the story: the nature of the relationship, emotional attributions, and perception of coping strategies. While the story is easily identified by every age group as one involving maltreatment, there is a sex-, age-and role-effect in emotional attributions to the story characters, particularly when the subject perceives him/herself either as a victim or a bully. The strategies referred to suggest the relevance of cognitively-based strategies, and the influence of subjects' age and goal -changing the situation or alleviating emotional distress-when seeking adult or peer support.