Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a highly contagious disease with high morbidity and mortality rates in veterinary medicine. This retrospective study aimed to identify epidemiological characteristics and potential risk factors associated with CDV infection in dogs exhibiting neurological manifestations. The diagnosis was confirmed through immunochromatographic antigen testing, RT-PCR, or Lentz corpuscles identification. Dogs diagnosed with central nervous system (CNS) disorders unrelated to CDV served as the control group. Age, breed, weight, sex, and neuter status were compared between groups using logistic regression (p < 0.05), the log-likelihood method, and log odds ratio (LOR) calculations. Clinical signs, seasonality, and vaccination protocols were documented. Prevalence, mortality, lethality, and survival rates were determined. Younger dogs (p = 0.00690; LOR = −0.01438) and Shih Tzu (p = 0.00007; LOR = 1.53774) and Lhasa Apso (p = 0.000264; LOR = 1.76084) showed a significantly increased likelihood of developing neurological signs due to CDV infection. Most CDV-infected dogs exhibited multifocal CNS involvement and accompanying extra-neural signs. The highest occurrence of CDV-related neurological signs was recorded in autumn. Many infected dogs had an updated vaccination protocol. The prevalence of dogs with CDV was 4.72%. Mortality and lethality rates were 1.94% and 47.06%, respectively. The median survival time was 754 days. The identified epidemiological characteristics and risk factors provide essential insights for improving preventive strategies against CDV infection.

Photoperiod sensitivity affects the rice development cycle and its flowering. Crop simulation models, such as ORYZA (v3), use equations that depend on two main parameters calibrated by the user: sensitivity to photoperiod and minimum optimal photoperiod. Day length, determined by latitude and day of the year, also affects crop development. This study explores the interaction of these parameters in the ORYZA (v3) phenological model. When the optimum minimum photoperiod is shorter than the day length, photoperiod sensitivity delay or inhibit flowering. To ensure a proper simulation, these parameters need to be adjusted to avoid excessive prolongation of the vegetative phase. If calibrated incorrectly, or if let in constant low photoperiod conditions, the plant may remain in the vegetative state. The model presents challenges with cultivars that are highly sensitive to photoperiod in conditions where day length is constantly longer than the ideal minimum photoperiod. This situation may generate uninterpretable results and complicate the calibration of parameters via optimization algorithms. Therefore, it is crucial to properly adjust the optimal minimum photoperiod based on latitude and limit photoperiod sensitivity to ensure accurate and precise simulations of flowering.

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a critical disease in veterinary neurology, marked by high morbidity, mortality, and frequent neurological sequelae. This study aimed to identify epidemiological patterns and risk factors associated with neurological manifestations of CDV infection. CDV-naturally infected dogs with neurological signs were retrospectively analyzed and compared to a control group of dogs with other CNS diseases. Infection was confirmed using antigen tests, RT-PCR, and/or Lentz corpuscle observation. Clinical signs, seasonality, and vaccination protocols were documented. Prevalence, mortality, lethality, and survival rates were also determined. Younger dogs (p=0.0069; OR=-0.01438), Shih-Tzu (p=0.00007; OR=1.53774), and Lhasa Apso (p=0.000264; OR=1.76084) were more likely to develop neurological CDV signs. Most CDV-infected dogs exhibited multifocal CNS involvement (10/17) and accompanying extra-neural signs (16/17). Motor deficits represented the most frequent neurological manifestation (13/17), while myoclonus was observed in only one-third (6/17) of the cases. Cases were more frequent in autumn (8/17), and many dogs had updated vaccination protocols (6/17). The prevalence, mortality and lethality of dogs with CDV were estimated at 4.72%, 1.94% and 47.06%, respectively. The median survival time was 754 days. Young adult dogs, particularly Shih-Tzu and Lhasa Apso, are more susceptible to neurological CDV manifestations, with the highest incidence in autumn.

The upland rice production is primarily concentrated in a vast area of central Brazil. Given the region’s environmental variability, the performance of rice cultivars can differ signifcantly. This study aimed to identify the key climate factors infuencing the upland rice yield in the central region of Brazil, encompassing four states: Goiás, Mato Grosso, Tocantins and Rondônia. A dataset comprising 177 trials involving commonly cultivated and well-adapted upland rice varieties, derived from the Embrapa’s rice breeding dataset, was analyzed. These trials were conducted in randomized blocks, with three replications, from 1996 to 2018. The generalized additive model approach was employed to adjust the non-linear relationships between environmental factors and grain yield, revealing four climatic variables: maximum air temperature throughout the growth cycle, minimum air temperature at panicle initiation, degree-days from emergence to panicle initiation and degree-days throughout the growth cycle. An increase in the maximum air temperature and degree-days throughout the growth cycle tend to decrease rice yield, while an increase in the minimum air temperature at the panicle initiation and degree-days from emergence to panicle initiation tend to increase it.