Criteria currently employed in algorithms that identify low-level jets (LLJs) in South America utilizing rawinsonde and gridded model data fail to detect an important number of LLJ events. This study discusses shortcomings in the existing approaches for LLJ identification in South America and proposes modifications to the criteria regarding layer depth for LLJ identification and wind direction. Episodes of southerly LLJs, which have received less attention in the La Plata basin, are also included in the investigation. A sensitivity analysis of LLJ detection in South America upon the choice of the criteria applied to a sample period of 15 years (1996–2010) of gridded numerical data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR), and to a 20-yr dataset (1996–2015) of actual rawinsondes for the La Plata basin, reveals the benefits of revising the criteria. The modified criteria allow for the characterization of a wider spectrum of LLJs over key regions of South America, such as over the Bolivian–Paraguayan border, Sierras de Córdoba in Argentina, and southern-southeastern Brazil. This wider range of events includes elevated LLJs, mostly with strong zonal components, that account for approximately 20% of the full sample of LLJs identified in the rawinsonde dataset investigated here. The revised criteria have the advantage of retaining the identification of episodes that meet the consecrated definition of the South American LLJ, while at the same time providing an augmented sample of such wind systems. Our results provide further insights into the forcing mechanisms of distinct types of LLJs in South America, ranging from topographic to baroclinic effects.

Abstract. In this study, high-frequency, multilevel measurements, performed from late October to mid-November of 2015 at a 80 m tall tower of the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO) project in the central state of Amazonas, Brazil, were used to diagnose the evolution of thermodynamic and kinematic variables as well as scalar fluxes during the passage of outflows generated by deep moist convection (DMC). Outflow associated with DMC activity over or near the tall tower was identified through the analysis of storm echoes in base reflectivity data from an S-band weather radar at Manaus, combined with the detection of gust fronts and cold pools utilizing tower data. Four outflow events were selected, three of which took place during the early evening transition or nighttime hours and one during the early afternoon. Results show that the magnitude of the drop in virtual potential temperature and changes in wind velocity during outflow passages vary according to the type, organization, and life cycle of the convective storm. The nocturnal events had well-defined gust fronts with moderate decreases in virtual potential temperature and increases in wind speed. The early afternoon event lacked a sharp gust front and only a gradual drop in virtual potential temperature was observed, probably because of weak or undeveloped outflow. Sensible heat flux (H) increased at the time of the gust front arrival, which was possibly due to the sinking of colder air. This was followed by a prolonged period of negative H, associated with enhanced nocturnal negative H in the wake of the storms. In turn, increased latent heat flux (LE) was observed following the gust front, owing to drier air coming from the outflow; however, malfunctioning of the moisture sensors during rain precluded a better assessment of this variable. Substantial enhancements of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) were observed during and after the gust front passage, with values comparable to those measured in grass fire experiments, evidencing the highly turbulent character of convective outflows. The early afternoon event displayed slight decreases in the aforementioned quantities in the passage of the outflow. Finally, a conceptual model of the time evolution of H in nocturnal convective outflows observed at the tower site is presented.

ABSTRACT. The objective of this study was to analyse residues of fungicides and insecticides in rice grains that were subjected to different forms of processing. Field work was conducted during three crop seasons, and fungicides and insecticides were applied at different crop growth stages on the aerial portion of the rice plants. Azoxystrobin, difenoconazole, propiconazole, tebuconazole, and trifloxystrobin fungicides were sprayed only once at the R2 growth stage or twice at the R2 and R4 growth stages; cypermethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin, and thiamethoxam insecticides were sprayed at the R2 growth stage; and permethrin was sprayed at 5-day intervals from the R4 growth stage up to one day prior to harvest. Pesticide residues were analysed in uncooked, cooked, parboiled, polished and brown rice grains as well as rice hulls during the three crop seasons, for a total of 1,458 samples. The samples were analysed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD) using modified QuEChERS as the extraction method. No fungicide or insecticide residues were detected in rice grain samples; however, azoxystrobin and cypermethrin residues were detected in rice hull samples.Keywords: Oryza sativa L., food, gas chromatography, pesticides, grains quality. Resíduos de fungicidas e inseticidas em grãos de arrozRESUMO. O estudo objetivou analisar resíduos de fungicidas e inseticidas nos grãos de arroz submetidos a diferentes formas de processamento. O trabalho foi realizado no campo durante três safras agrícolas com a aplicação de fungicidas e inseticidas sobre a parte aérea das plantas de arroz. Foi realizado um tratamento com a aplicação dos fungicidas azoxystrobin, difenoconazole, propiconazole, tebuconazole, trifloxystrobin no estádio de desenvolvimento R2, e outro tratamento com os mesmos fungicidas com duas aplicações nos estádios R2 e R4 em parcelas individuais. Um tratamento com inseticida consistiu na aplicação de cypermethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin, thiamethoxam no estádio R2, e outro tratamento na aplicação de permethrin com intervalo de cinco dias entre as aplicações a partir do estádio de desenvolvimento R4 até um dia antes da colheita. Foram analisados resíduos de fungicida e inseticida nos grãos polidos e integral, cru, cozido e parboilizado, e na casca de arroz, totalizando 1.458 amostras. As amostras foram analisadas por cromatografia em fase gasosa com detecção por captura de elétrons (GC-ECD) usando QuEChERS modificados como método de extração. Resíduos de fungicidas e inseticidas não foram detectados nos grãos de arroz. No entanto, resíduos de azoxystrobin e cypermethrin foram detectados na casca de arroz.

e use of pesticides assists in integrated programs that aim high yield and quality grains in irrigated rice (Oryza sativa L.). However, the use of pesticides can pose risk to rice quality as well as the environment and general population. erefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the dissipation and persistence of fungicides (azoxystrobin and difenoconazole) and the insecticides (lambda-cyhalothrin and thiamethoxam) in irrigation water, soil, rice plant, panicle, and rice grain. e study was conducted in the eld during the 2011/2012 crop season, with fungicides and insecticides applied to the aerial parts of the rice plants, the samples were collected in di erent moments during a 40-d monitoring period a er the application of the pesticides. Laboratory analyses to detect pesticide residues were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography and by gas chromatography. Pesticide residues were detected in irrigation water and rice plants during the 40 d of monitoring. Azoxystrobin, difenoconazole, and thiamethoxan were transported into the environment due to over owed water from the rice eld, however pesticide residues were not detected in soil. Azoxystrobin, difenoconazole, thiamethoxan, and lambda-cyhalothrin residues were detected in rice hull, however, no residues were detected in neither brown nor polished rice grain.

Resumo -O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de reguladores de crescimento sobre o estabelecimento inicial e o desempenho agronômico de cultivares de arroz irrigado, em diferentes sistemas de cultivo. O experimento foi conduzido em ambiente controlado e em campo, com as cultivares Irga 424 e Irga 425, e os produtos ácido giberélico, tiametoxam e Haf Plus. Em campo, os tratamentos foram testados nos sistemas de cultivo convencional e pré-germinado. Em ambiente controlado, as substâncias avaliadas promoveram a germinação de Irga 425, com incremento de 50% na germinação com o uso de tiametoxam, e de 39% com Haf Plus e ácido giberélico. Em campo, esse desempenho foi dependente do sistema de cultivo e da cultivar utilizada. O ácido giberélico causou estiolamento inicial, com reflexos na estatura da planta, na emissão de perfilhos e na deposição de biomassa vegetal. Tiametoxam e Haf Plus estimularam o perfilhamento das cultivares de arroz, nos dois sistemas de cultivo. Apesar de todos os produtos estimularem o número de panículas por metro quadrado, sua influência na produtividade de grãos não foi observada nos sistemas avaliados.Termos para indexação: Oryza sativa, ácido giberélico, estabelecimento inicial, sistema pré-germinado, tiametoxam. Performance of rice cultivars with the use of growth-regulators in different cropping systemsAbstract -The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of growth-regulating substances on initial establishment and agronomic performance of irrigated rice cultivars, in different cropping systems. The experiment was carried out in controlled environment and in field conditions, using the cultivars Irga 424 and Irga 425, and the products gibberellic acid, thiamethoxam and Haf Plus. At field, treatments were tested with conventional and pre-germinated sowing systems. In the controlled environment, the evaluated substances promoted the germination of Irga 425, with an increase of 50% in germination with the use of thiamethoxam and of 39% with Haf Plus and gibberellic acid. In the field, this performance was dependent on the system and the cultivar used. Gibberellic acid caused initial blanching, which reflected in plant height, tiller emission, and deposition of vegetal biomass. Thiamethoxam and Haf Plus stimulated tillering of rice cultivars in both cultivation systems. Although all the products stimulated the number of panicles per square meter, there is no influence on grain yield in the evaluated systems.Index terms: Oryza sativa, gibberellic acid, early establishment, pre-germinated system, thiamethoxam. IntroduçãoAlém do estresse causado por baixas temperaturas, o estabelecimento das plântulas de arroz (Oryza sativa L.) pode ser afetado por diversos outros fatores. Características intrínsecas de cada genótipo de arroz podem condicionar plântulas mais ou menos vigorosas, o que está associado a balanços hormonais. Porém, a atuação do ambiente sobre a semente também é de grande importância.No sistema pré-germinado, é comum o acamamento das plantas, o que pode ser agrav...