Eficácia de cabines adaptadas na proteção dos operadores de tratores em aplicações de agrotóxicos na cultura da macieira / Effectiveness of non-original cabins for the protection of tractor operators in pesticide applications in apple orchard

Os turboatomizadores produzem corrente de ar que carrega as gotas pulverizadas auxiliando sua distribuição, contudo, muitas gotas são perdidas para o ambiente. O uso de cabines pode reduzir a exposição do operador. Foram instalados experimentos visando avaliar a exposição dérmica e respiratória potenciais e a eficiência de isolamento da cabine em aplicações de agrotóxicos em pomares de maçã. A calda foi composta por água mais os produtos Mancozeb e Captan (3,0 L ha-1) e Fenitrotion (1,5 L ha-1). Estimou-se a exposição dérmica com uso de absorvente íntimo feminino afixados na vestimenta do operador e no interior da cabine. A determinação analítica foi feita por Cromatografia Líquida em cromatógrafo, com detector de UV-VIS e arranjo específico de diodos. Os analitos foram extraídos por ultrassom, conforme determinação da NBR 10004 e descrito pela Agência de Proteção Ambiental dos Estados Unidos da América. Não foram detectados os comprimentos de onda referentes aos produtos testados até o limite de 200µg kg-1, indicando haver boa vedação e isolamento do operador dentro das cabines testadas.

The air-assisted sprayers produce air stream, which carries the droplets aiding their distribution. However, many droplets are not deposited on the target and are lost to the environment. The use of cabins can reduce operator exposure. Thus, this study aimed to assess the potential dermal and respiratory exposure and the cabin insulation efficiency in pesticide applications in apple orchards. The spray was composed of water plus mancozeb and captan (3.0 L ha-1) and fenitrothion (1.5 L ha-1). The dermal exposure was estimated using absorbent cotton pads fixed in the operators protective clothing and inside the cabin. The analytical determination was carried out by Liquid Chromatography with a UV-VIS detector and specific diodes array. The analytes were extracted by ultrasound, as established by the NBR 10004 and described by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The wavelengths related to the products tested were not detected up to the limit of 200 µg kg-1, indicating that there are good sealing and insulating of the operator inside tested cabins.

Eficácia de cabines adaptadas na proteção dos operadores de tratores em aplicações de agrotóxicos na cultura da macieira / Effectiveness of non-original cabins for the protection of tractor operators in pesticide applications in apple orchard

Os turboatomizadores produzem corrente de ar que carrega as gotas pulverizadas auxiliando sua distribuição, contudo, muitas gotas são perdidas para o ambiente. O uso de cabines pode reduzir a exposição do operador. Foram instalados experimentos visando avaliar a exposição dérmica e respiratória potenciais e a eficiência de isolamento da cabine em aplicações de agrotóxicos em pomares de maçã. A calda foi composta por água mais os produtos Mancozeb e Captan (3,0 L ha-1) e Fenitrotion (1,5 L ha-1). Estimou-se a exposição dérmica com uso de absorvente íntimo feminino afixados na vestimenta do operador e no interior da cabine. A determinação analítica foi feita por Cromatografia Líquida em cromatógrafo, com detector de UV-VIS e arranjo específico de diodos. Os analitos foram extraídos por ultrassom, conforme determinação da NBR 10004 e descrito pela Agência de Proteção Ambiental dos Estados Unidos da América. Não foram detectados os comprimentos de onda referentes aos produtos testados até o limite de 200µg kg-1, indicando haver boa vedação e isolamento do operador dentro das cabines testadas.(AU)

The air-assisted sprayers produce air stream, which carries the droplets aiding their distribution. However, many droplets are not deposited on the target and are lost to the environment. The use of cabins can reduce operator exposure. Thus, this study aimed to assess the potential dermal and respiratory exposure and the cabin insulation efficiency in pesticide applications in apple orchards. The spray was composed of water plus mancozeb and captan (3.0 L ha-1) and fenitrothion (1.5 L ha-1). The dermal exposure was estimated using absorbent cotton pads fixed in the operators protective clothing and inside the cabin. The analytical determination was carried out by Liquid Chromatography with a UV-VIS detector and specific diodes array. The analytes were extracted by ultrasound, as established by the NBR 10004 and described by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The wavelengths related to the products tested were not detected up to the limit of 200 µg kg-1, indicating that there are good sealing and insulating of the operator inside tested cabins.(AU)

Habitat use and seasonal activity of insectivorous bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in the grasslands of southern Brazil

In temperate zones, insectivorous bats use some types of habitat more frequently than others, and are more active in the warmest periods of the year. We assessed the spatial and seasonal activity patterns of bats in open areas of the southernmost region of Brazil. We tested the hypothesis that bat activity differs among habitat types, among seasons, and is influenced by weather variables. We monitored four 1,500-m transects monthly, from April 2009 to March 2010. Transects corresponded to the five habitat types that predominate in the region. In each sampling session, we detected and counted bat passes with an ultrasound detector (Pettersson D230) and measured climatic variables at the transects. We recorded 1,183 bat passes, and observed the highest activity at the edge of a eucalyptus stand (0.64 bat passes/min) and along an irrigation channel (0.54 bat passes/min). The second highest activity values (0.31 and 0.20 bat passes/min, respectively) were obtained at the edge of a riparian forest and at the margin of a wetland. The grasslands were used significantly less (0.05 bat passes/min). Bat activity was significantly lower in the winter (0.21 bat passes/min) and showed similar values in the autumn (0.33 bat passes/min), spring (0.26 bat passes/min), and summer (0.29 bat passes/min). Bat activity was correlated with temperature, but it was not correlated with wind speed and relative humidity of the air. Our data suggest that, in the study area, insectivorous bats are active throughout the year, and use mostly forest and watercourses areas. These habitat types should be considered prioritary for the conservation of bats in the southernmost region of Brazil.

Habitat use and seasonal activity of insectivorous bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in the grasslands of southern Brazil

In temperate zones, insectivorous bats use some types of habitat more frequently than others, and are more active in the warmest periods of the year. We assessed the spatial and seasonal activity patterns of bats in open areas of the southernmost region of Brazil. We tested the hypothesis that bat activity differs among habitat types, among seasons, and is influenced by weather variables. We monitored four 1,500-m transects monthly, from April 2009 to March 2010. Transects corresponded to the five habitat types that predominate in the region. In each sampling session, we detected and counted bat passes with an ultrasound detector (Pettersson D230) and measured climatic variables at the transects. We recorded 1,183 bat passes, and observed the highest activity at the edge of a eucalyptus stand (0.64 bat passes/min) and along an irrigation channel (0.54 bat passes/min). The second highest activity values (0.31 and 0.20 bat passes/min, respectively) were obtained at the edge of a riparian forest and at the margin of a wetland. The grasslands were used significantly less (0.05 bat passes/min). Bat activity was significantly lower in the winter (0.21 bat passes/min) and showed similar values in the autumn (0.33 bat passes/min), spring (0.26 bat passes/min), and summer (0.29 bat passes/min). Bat activity was correlated with temperature, but it was not correlated with wind speed and relative humidity of the air. Our data suggest that, in the study area, insectivorous bats are active throughout the year, and use mostly forest and watercourses areas. These habitat types should be considered prioritary for the conservation of bats in the southernmost region of Brazil.(AU)

Habitat characteristics and insectivorous bat activity

Some factors that influence insectivorous bat activity in the temperate regions have been identified through the use of ultrasound detector. However, the factors that might influence Neotropical insectivorous bat activity remain poorly known. The major objective of our work is to check if spatial complexity of vegetation and bodies of water also influences insectivorous bat activity in the Neotropics. The number of bat passes was counted using an ultrasound detector for eight nights, randomly distributed through one year, in an area of Atlantic forest in Southeastern Brazil. Two types of comparisons were carried out: first between forested, forest edge and open habitat, and second between open habitat with and without a water body nearby. All these areas were sampled in the same eight nights, for five minutes in each site. The number of feeding buzzes was also recorded for the second comparison. For the first comparison the largest and smallest number of bat passes was counted respectively for edge and forested habitat. Bat passes occurred in the forested habitat only in the beginning of the night, suggesting that this habitat was used for roosting with foraging occurring in the other habitats. For the second comparison, open habitat with water had a greater number of bat passes and feeding buzzes than open habitat without water. This result suggests that insectivorous bat activity in the Neotropics is also influenced by spatial complexity of vegetation and the presence of bodies of water, as has been documented for the temperate zone.

Habitat characteristics and insectivorous bat activity

Some factors that influence insectivorous bat activity in the temperate regions have been identified through the use of ultrasound detector. However, the factors that might influence Neotropical insectivorous bat activity remain poorly known. The major objective of our work is to check if spatial complexity of vegetation and bodies of water also influences insectivorous bat activity in the Neotropics. The number of bat passes was counted using an ultrasound detector for eight nights, randomly distributed through one year, in an area of Atlantic forest in Southeastern Brazil. Two types of comparisons were carried out: first between forested, forest edge and open habitat, and second between open habitat with and without a water body nearby. All these areas were sampled in the same eight nights, for five minutes in each site. The number of feeding buzzes was also recorded for the second comparison. For the first comparison the largest and smallest number of bat passes was counted respectively for edge and forested habitat. Bat passes occurred in the forested habitat only in the beginning of the night, suggesting that this habitat was used for roosting with foraging occurring in the other habitats. For the second comparison, open habitat with water had a greater number of bat passes and feeding buzzes than open habitat without water. This result suggests that insectivorous bat activity in the Neotropics is also influenced by spatial complexity of vegetation and the presence of bodies of water, as has been documented for the temperate zone.(AU)

Use of the metal detector to determine the prevalence of metallic foreign bodies in dairy cows in Araçatuba region, Brazil / Utilização do detector de metais para a determinação da prevalência de corpos estranhos metálicos em bovinos de raças leiteiras na região de Araçatuba-Brasil

Com os objetivos de determinar a prevalência de corpos estranhos metálicos nos animais de rebanhos da região de Araçatuba-Brasil, verificar a presença de animais com reticuloperitonite traumática nestes rebanhos e correlacionar a presença de sinais clínicos de reticuloperitonite traumática à positividade quando da avaliação pelo detector de metais, foram pesquisados 138 animais adultos, sendo 48 animais na propriedade 1, sendo 24 animais positivos à passagem do detector de metais, 32 animais na propriedade 2, nenhum positivo, 28 animais na propriedade 3 sendo 3 positivos e 30 animais na propriedade 4 sendo 7 animais positivos. Sangue de 11 animais foram colhidos para a realização de hemograma, porém nenhum deles apresentou alteração. Podemos concluir que a utilização do detector de metais como auxiliar de diagnóstico é de fundamental importância, pois permite um diagnóstico mais precoce o que diminui os gastos e melhora a chance de sucesso no tratamento e que propriedades melhores manejadas tem menor incidência de ingestão de corpos estranhos metálicos e portanto menor probabilidade da ocorrência da doença.

To determine the prevalence of metallic foreign bodies in animals from flocks in the region of Araçatuba-Brazil, to verify the presence of animals with traumatic peritonitis and if there a correlation between the presence of clinical signs with a positive result on the metal detector exam. 138 adult dairy cows from four farms were used: 48 animals from property 1 with 24 found positive on the metal detector exam, 32 animals from property 2, with no positive results, 28 animals in property 3, with 3 positives and 30 animals in property 4, with 7 animals positive. Blood of 11 positive animals was collected for the hemogram, however none of them showed any changes. We can conclude that the use of the metal detector as an auxiliary diagnostic test is of extreme importance, since it allows an earlier diagnosis which diminishes the expenses and improves the possibility of success of the treatmente and that anials from properties with good management practices have a minor incidence og ingestion of metallic foreign bodies, therefore a lesser probability of occurrence of the disease.

Bat community species richness and composition in a restinga protected area in Southeastern Brazil

In Brazil, restingas are under severe human-induced impacts resulting in habitat degradation and loss and remain one of the less frequently studied ecosystems. The main objectives of the present study are to describe the bat community in a restinga in Paulo Cesar Vinha State Park, Guarapari municipality, state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. Fieldwork was conducted twice a month from August 2004 to September 2005. A total sampling effort of 40,300 m²/h, represents the largest sampling effort for sampling bats in restingas to date. Bats were sampled in five different vegetational types in the area. Captured bats were processed recording information on species, sex, age, forearm length and weight. Shannon Diversity and Jaccard indexes were used to analyse diversity and similarity among habitats in the Park. A total of 554 captures belonging to 14 species and two families were obtained. Noctilio leporinus was recorded through direct observation and an ultra-sound detector also registered the presence of individuals from the family Molossidae, without being possible to distinguish it at specific level. Frugivores were the most representative guild. Richness was higher in Clusia shrubs (11 species) and Caraís lagoon (10 species). Shannon diversity index was estimated at H' = 1.43 for the overall sample, with Caraís lagoon representing the most diverse habitat (H' = 1.60). The greater similarity (J = 0.714) was observed for the two areas under high human influence.

No Brasil, as restingas sofrem severos impactos humanos que resultam em perda e degradação de habitat. Além disso, constituem um dos ecossistemas menos estudados. Os principais objetivos deste estudo foram descrever uma parcela da quirópterofauna do Parque Estadual Paulo Cesar Vinha, município de Guarapari, Estado do Espírito Santo, e descrever a estrutura de comunidade de morcegos nessa área de restinga, no Sudeste do Brasil. O trabalho de campo foi realizado duas vezes por mês, de agosto de 2004 a setembro de 2005. O esforço de amostragem total foi de 40.300 m²/h, que representa o maior esforço de captura para morcegos em restingas até o momento. Os morcegos foram capturados em diferentes tipos de vegetação e tiveram as informações de espécie, sexo, idade, comprimento do antebraço e peso anotadas. Os índices de diversidade de Shannon e Jaccard foram utilizados para analisar a diversidade e a similaridade entre os habitats. Foram obtidas 554 capturas representando 14 espécies e duas famílias. Noctilio leporinus foi registrado através de observação direta. Com o uso de um detector de ultrassons, registrou-se a presença de indivíduos da família Molossidae, não sendo possível a identificação da espécie. A riqueza foi maior no ambiente de Clusia (11 espécies) e na lagoa de Caraís (10 espécies). O índice de diversidade de Shannon foi estimado em H' = 1,43 na área total amostrada, com a lagoa de Caraís, representando o habitat mais diverso (H' = 1,60). A maior similaridade (J = 0,714) foi observada entre as duas áreas sob maior influência antrópica. Um aumento no número de pesquisas em áreas de restinga é importante para garantir melhores medidas de conservação para esse ecossistema.

Avaliação de dois métodos de diagnóstico precoce de gestação em ovelhas: ultra-sonografia transretal e detector de prenhez para pequenos ruminantes (DPPR-80®) / Evaluation of two methods for early pregnancy diagnosis in ewes: transrectal ultrasonography and pregnancy detector for small ruminant (DPPR-80®)

No período de março a maio de 2001, foram realizados os exames ultra-sonográficos em 88 ovelhas do Núcleo de Pesquisas Zootécnicas Sudoeste - Instituto de Zootecnia. Os animais foram examinados entre o 19º e 33º dia de gestação pela ultra-sonografia transretal com exames executados em dias alternados, e do 25º ao 45º dia pelo detector de prenhez para pequenos ruminantes (DPPR-80O). O diagnóstico foi considerado positivo pela ultra-sonografia transretal por meio da visualização do saco gestacional e embrião. Após o 25º dia de gestação foi observado também o batimento cardíaco embrionário, cuja freqüência é de 160 a 200 batimentos por minuto. Esta observação foi dada como diagnóstico de gestação. Os nascimentos confirmaram os resultados dos exames. Dentre 88 fêmeas acasaladas, 3 abortaram durante o experimento e foram retiradas do grupo. Das 85 fêmeas restantes, 64 pariram. O diagnóstico de prenhez por meio da ultra-sonografia transretal apresentou 35,29 por cento de acurácia no 19º dia de gestação, culminando em 82,35.00 por cento no 31º dia de gestação. Pelo detector de prenhez, a acurácia foi de 24,71 por cento no 25º dia de gestação e 34,12.00 por cento no 45º dia. Foi possível visualizar os batimentos cardíacos do embrião pela ultra-sonografia transretal à partir do 21º dia de gestação e os primeiros placentomas foram observados ao redor do 25º dia de gestação. A ultra-sonografia transretal mostrou-se um método superior ao detector de prenhez para pequenos ruminantes, para diagnóstico precoce de gestação em ovelhas.(AU)