The Alicante Survey of MAssive Stars in Hii Regions (A-SMASHeR) is aimed at finding the ratio of massive stars that are born in isolation. We present LIRIS/WHT images and EMIR/GTC spectra of the massive stellar content in A-SMASHeR regions. Our preliminary analysis yields ∼20% of regions hosting relatively (or truly) isolated massive stars.

We present results from our ongoing infrared spectroscopic studies of the massive stellar content at the Center of the Milky Way (GC) and across the obscured Galactic disk. Together with the full characterization of these clusters, we seek to obtain a present day metallicity 2-D map of the inner Galaxy and characterize the influence on the bar in the chemical evolution. We will also constrain the clusters IMFs, infer the presence of possible top-heavy recent star formation histories and test massive star formation channels: clusters vs isolation.

Crop–weed interactions are affected by environmental alterations resulting from a crop’s presence, such as modifications in temperature, light quality and quantity, and moisture conditions that could modify weed performance. The objectives of this work were to study (1) how soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] crop structure modifies the environment under the canopy and large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.] plant structure, biomass, and seed production and dormancy; and (2) the relative importance of these environmental changes on the weed’s characteristics. A field experiment in a completely randomized block design with five replicates was performed to evaluate narrow and wide interrow spacing and soybean maturity groups 3 and 4. Measured variables were intercepted solar radiation (RAD); red–far red (R-FR) ratio; humidity; minimum, maximum, and alternating temperatures; and weed biomass, tillers per plant, height, and seed dormancy. Crop canopy reduced solar radiation, R-FR ratio, and daily average maximum and alternating temperatures. Soybean presence reduced the weed biomass, tillers and seeds per plant, and seed dormancy. High solar radiation intercepted by the crop during the reproductive phase was the main environmental variable related to reductions in weed biomass, tillers per plant, and fecundity. The combination of low temperature and solar radiation received by developing seeds was more related to seed dormancy than the rest of the variables. Crop management decisions focused on the fact that keeping the crop canopy alive for a longer time at the end of the season would not only reduce the weed growth but also seed dormancy.

We present results from our ongoing infrared spectroscopic studies of the massive stellar content at the Center of the Milky Way. This region hosts a large number of apparently isolated massive stars as well as three of the most massive resolved young clusters in the Local Group. Our survey seeks to infer the presence of a possible top-heavy recent star formation history and to test massive star formation channels: clusters vs isolation.

Recent detection of a large number of apparently isolated massive stars within the inner 80 pc of the Galactic Center has raised fundamental questions regarding massive star formation in a such a dense and harsh environment. Are these isolated stars the results of tidal interactions between clusters, are they escapees from a disrupted cluster, or do they represent a new mode of massive star formation in isolation? Noting that most of the isolated massive stars have spectral analogs in the Quintuplet Cluster, we have undertaken a combined analysis of the infrared spectra of both selected Quintuplet stars and the isolated objects using Gemini North spectroscopy. We present preliminary results, aiming at α-elements vs iron abundances, stellar properties, ages and radial velocities which will differentiate the top-heavy and star-formation scenarios.

The Galactic center (GC) region hosts three of the most massive resolved young clusters in the Local Group and constitutes a test bed for studying the star formation history of the region and inferring the possibility of a top-heavy scenario. Further, recent detection of a large number of apparently isolated massive stars within the inner 80 pc of the Galactic center has raised fundamental questions regarding massive star formation in a such a dense and harsh environment. Noting that most of the isolated massive stars have spectral analogs in the Quintuplet cluster, we have undertaken a combined analysis of the infrared spectra of both selected Quintuplet stars and the isolated objects using Gemini spectroscopy. We present preliminary results, aiming at α-elements versus iron abundances, stellar properties, ages and radial velocities which will differentiate the top-heavy and star-formation scenarios.