Behavioral repertoire of the Brazilian spiny-rats, Trinomys setosus and Clyomys laticeps: different levels of sociality / Repertório comportamental dos ratos-espinhos brasileiros, Trinomys setosus e Clyomys laticeps: diferentes níveis de socialidade

Abstract Behavior is a useful trait for comparative studies that provide the comprehension of phylogenetic relationships among species. Here, we present a description of two spiny-rats species' behavioral repertoire, Clyomys laticeps and Trinomys setosus (Rodentia: Echimyidae). The affiliative and agonistic behavioral patterns were sampled during a three-year study of captive populations of wild animals. Observational data were collected in two phases under different arrangements of individuals in groups. We also compare the behavioral traits of T. setosus and C. laticeps with the known behavioral patterns of Trinomys yonenagae. We add categories to the previous descriptions of T. setosus and a standard ethogram for C. laticeps. Trinomys setosus showed a visual and vocal display we called foot-trembling, which was not described in this form and function for other species studied until now. We discuss the differences in their sociality levels and similarities and differences among behavior patterns and repertoires.

Resumo O comportamento é uma característica útil para estudos comparativos que fornecem a compreensão das relações filogenéticas entre as espécies. Apresentamos aqui uma descrição do repertório comportamental de duas espécies de ratos-de-espinho Clyomys laticeps and Trinomys setosus (Rodentia: Echimyidae). Os padrões comportamentais afiliativos e agonísticos foram amostrados durante um estudo de três anos em populações de animais silvestres em cativeiro. Os dados foram coletados em duas fases sob diferentes arranjos de indivíduos em grupos sociais. Comparamos as características comportamentais de T. setosus e C. laticeps com as da espécie mais conhecida, T. yonenagae. Adicionamos categorias às descrições anteriores de T. setosus, e um etograma padrão para C. laticeps. Trinomys setosus mostrou uma exibição visual e vocal que chamamos de saltitar, que não foi descrito nesta forma e função para outras espécies do gênero estudado até agora. Discutimos diferenças nos níveis de socialidade e similaridades e diferenças entre os padrões comportamentais e repertórios.

Seminal plasma nerve growth factor signaling on the reproductive physiology of female llamas

The ovulation mechanism is one of the fascinating physiological processes in reproductive biology in mammals. From the reproductive point of view, the species have been classified as spontaneous or induced ovulators. Although the release of GnRH followed by the preovulatory LH surge is shared between both types of ovulation, the stimulus to initiate GnRH release varies between both categories. In spontaneous ovulators, ovulation depends on the systemic concentration of ovarian steroids, however, in induced ovulators, different stimuli such as copulation, environmental, and social cues can facilitate or induce ovulation regardless of the increases in systemic estradiol concentration. In this review, we document evidence that a male-derived protein is the main factor responsible for inducing ovulation and also modulating the ovarian function in the domestic South American camelid, the llama. The neurotrophin beta-Nerve Growth Factor (β-NGF) is the principal factor present in the semen of llamas responsible for inducing ovulation in this species. After the intrauterine deposit of semen during mating, β-NGF is absorbed through the endometrium to reach the circulatory system, where it reaches the hypothalamus and stimulates GnRH release. The potential site of action of this neurotrophin at the brain has not been elucidated, however, hypotheses are raised that the factor may cross the blood-brain barrier and stimulate upstream neuronal networks that lead to the stimulation of GnRH-secreting neurons. It is possible that β-NGF could be sensed at the median eminence without crossing the blood-brain barrier. Finally, it has been observed that this factor is not only a powerful stimulator of ovulation but also has a luteotrophic effect, resulting in the development of a corpus luteum capable of secreting more progesterone when compared to other ovulation-stimulating analogues.(AU)

Occurrence and molecular characterization of Giardia duodenalis from naturally infected dogs in the municipality of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil / Ocorrência e caracterização molecular de Giardia duodenalis em cães naturalmente infectados no município de Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Giardiasis is an important and prevalent zoonosis in dogs and humans caused by Giardia spp. The close relationship between pets and humans has physical, emotional and social benefits. The dogs have an important role in Giardia duodenalis cycle and transmission. This study aimed to verify the occurrence of the parasite in dogs from Central Region, in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, from April to October 2018. Dog feces (230) were submitted to Faust coproparasitological and molecular analyses. The positive samples in the nested-PCR (β-giardin gene) were sent for DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses (Neighbor-Joining). The occurrence of G. duodenalis, was 5.6% (13/230) and 4.3% (10/230) detected by coproparasitological technique and nested-PCR, respectively. There was no difference in the sensitivity of the tests used. From the faecal samples analyzed, there were no differences among the variables: diagnostic techniques, local, sex, and age of the animals (p>0.05). Only in the stool examination methodology a difference was observed between the ages (p<0.05). G. duodenalis assemblages were C and D, frequently reported in dogs. The close relationship between dogs and people may allow co-infections of circulating parasites in the population, including Giardia spp. and increasing the risk of transmission of zoonotic agents.(AU)

A giardíase é uma zoonose importante e prevalente em cães e humanos, sendo causada por Giardia spp. A estreita relação entre animais de estimação e seres humanos traz benefícios físicos, emocionais e sociais. Os cães têm um papel importante no ciclo e transmissão de Giardia duodenalis. Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar a ocorrência do parasita em cães da Região Central, em Santa Maria, RS, Brasil, de abril a outubro de 2018. As fezes de cães (230) foram submetidas a técnica coproparasitológica de Faust e análises moleculares. As amostras positivas no nested-PCR (gene β-giardin) foram enviadas para sequenciamento de DNA e posterior análise filogenética (Neighbor-Joining). A ocorrência de G. duodenalis foi de 5,6% (13/230) e 4,3% (10/230) detectados pela técnica coproparasitológica e nested-PCR, respectivamente. Não houve diferença na sensibilidade dos testes utilizados. Das amostras fecais analisadas, não houve diferenças entre as variáveis: técnicas de diagnóstico, local, sexo e idade dos animais (p>0,05). Somente na metodologia de exame de fezes observou-se diferença entre as idades (p<0,05). As assemblages de G. duodenalis encontradas foram C e D, frequentemente relatadas em cães. A estreita relação entre cães e pessoas pode permitir co-infecções de parasitas circulantes na população, incluindo Giardia spp. e aumentando o risco de transmissão de agentes zoonóticos.(AU)

Occurrence and molecular characterization of Giardia duodenalis from naturally infected dogs in the municipality of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil / Ocorrência e caracterização molecular de Giardia duodenalis em cães naturalmente infectados no município de Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Giardiasis is an important and prevalent zoonosis in dogs and humans caused by Giardia spp. The close relationship between pets and humans has physical, emotional and social benefits. The dogs have an important role in Giardia duodenalis cycle and transmission. This study aimed to verify the occurrence of the parasite in dogs from Central Region, in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, from April to October 2018. Dog feces (230) were submitted to Faust coproparasitological and molecular analyses. The positive samples in the nested-PCR (β-giardin gene) were sent for DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses (Neighbor-Joining). The occurrence of G. duodenalis, was 5.6% (13/230) and 4.3% (10/230) detected by coproparasitological technique and nested-PCR, respectively. There was no difference in the sensitivity of the tests used. From the faecal samples analyzed, there were no differences among the variables: diagnostic techniques, local, sex, and age of the animals (p>0.05). Only in the stool examination methodology a difference was observed between the ages (p<0.05). G. duodenalis assemblages were C and D, frequently reported in dogs. The close relationship between dogs and people may allow co-infections of circulating parasites in the population, including Giardia spp. and increasing the risk of transmission of zoonotic agents.(AU)

A giardíase é uma zoonose importante e prevalente em cães e humanos, sendo causada por Giardia spp. A estreita relação entre animais de estimação e seres humanos traz benefícios físicos, emocionais e sociais. Os cães têm um papel importante no ciclo e transmissão de Giardia duodenalis. Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar a ocorrência do parasita em cães da Região Central, em Santa Maria, RS, Brasil, de abril a outubro de 2018. As fezes de cães (230) foram submetidas a técnica coproparasitológica de Faust e análises moleculares. As amostras positivas no nested-PCR (gene β-giardin) foram enviadas para sequenciamento de DNA e posterior análise filogenética (Neighbor-Joining). A ocorrência de G. duodenalis foi de 5,6% (13/230) e 4,3% (10/230) detectados pela técnica coproparasitológica e nested-PCR, respectivamente. Não houve diferença na sensibilidade dos testes utilizados. Das amostras fecais analisadas, não houve diferenças entre as variáveis: técnicas de diagnóstico, local, sexo e idade dos animais (p>0,05). Somente na metodologia de exame de fezes observou-se diferença entre as idades (p<0,05). As assemblages de G. duodenalis encontradas foram C e D, frequentemente relatadas em cães. A estreita relação entre cães e pessoas pode permitir co-infecções de parasitas circulantes na população, incluindo Giardia spp. e aumentando o risco de transmissão de agentes zoonóticos.(AU)

Public policies for enhancing diffusion of technology: a network analysis for a dairy farmer community in Minas Gerais, Brazil

The objective of this study is to apply Social Network Analysis (SNA) approach to improve the understanding of how to shape effective information diffusion policies among small-scale dairy farmers in rural communities of Brazil, for whom milk production is an important source of income. We interviewed 24 dairy farmers representing all participants of a dairy farmer association in a small-scale production community in the Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Two sociograms were built by means of an adjacency matrix representing the two internal networks, friendship (F) and advising (A). The beta-centrality and betweenness centrality measures were calculated to identify central farmers and correlate with efficiency indicators in each network (F and A) using a quadratic assignment procedure (QAP). The two internal networks structures and individual thresholds of adoption were represented in an agent-based model (ABM) to simulate the spread of the information among farmers. Our simulations indicate that the assortativity degree of social networks affects the information diffusion among farmers, highlighting the importance of opinion leaders versus convincing a critical mass to implement innovation strategies. Our analysis suggests that vertical policies focused on local opinion leaders will be more effective for enhancing the adoption of techniques that involve investments in private goods such as the adoption of artificial insemination, whereas horizontal policies, such as broadcasting information, will be more effective in encouraging investments in public and semi-public goods, such as the purchase of community cooling tanks and techniques for enhancing milk quality.(AU)

Sense of belonging and social identity on the settlement intentions of rural-urban migrants: evidence from China / O efeito do senso e identidade social nas intenções de assentamento de migrantes rurais-urbanos: evidências da China

Drawing upon data from the China Labor-force Dynamics Survey (CLDS) of 2012 and 2014, this paper uses the panel binary choice model to examine the determinants of the settlement intentions of rural-urban migrants. Results showed that both a sense of belonging and social identity play important roles in determining rural-urban migrants settlement decisions. Besides these, wage, education, and health also affect the willingness of migrant workers to settle in a given area. Therefore, to promote urbanization, policy-makers should pay attention to the subjective demands of rural-urban migrants. We suggested that decision- and policy-makers help such migrants improve their social networks and eliminate identity discrimination, so as to encourage their willingness to settle in cities.

Com base nos dados do Laboratório de Dinâmica da Força de Trabalho da China (CLDS) de 2012 e 2014, este artigo usa o modelo de escolha binária do painel para examinar os determinantes das intenções de assentamento de migrantes rurais-urbanos. Os resultados mostram que tanto o senso de pertencimento, quanto a identidade social, desempenham papéis importantes na determinação das decisões de assentamentos de migrantes rurais-urbanos. Além destes, salário, educação e saúde também afetam a disposição dos trabalhadores migrantes de se estabelecerem em uma determinada área. Portanto, a fim de promover a urbanização, os formuladores de políticas devem prestar atenção às demandas subjetivas dos migrantes rurais-urbanos. Sugerimos que autoridades e formuladores de políticas públicas ajudem esses migrantes a melhorar sua rede social e a eliminar a discriminação de identidade, de modo a incentivar sua disposição de se estabelecer nas cidades.

Sense of belonging and social identity on the settlement intentions of rural-urban migrants: evidence from China / O efeito do senso e identidade social nas intenções de assentamento de migrantes rurais-urbanos: evidências da China

Drawing upon data from the China Labor-force Dynamics Survey (CLDS) of 2012 and 2014, this paper uses the panel binary choice model to examine the determinants of the settlement intentions of rural-urban migrants. Results showed that both a sense of belonging and social identity play important roles in determining rural-urban migrants settlement decisions. Besides these, wage, education, and health also affect the willingness of migrant workers to settle in a given area. Therefore, to promote urbanization, policy-makers should pay attention to the subjective demands of rural-urban migrants. We suggested that decision- and policy-makers help such migrants improve their social networks and eliminate identity discrimination, so as to encourage their willingness to settle in cities.(AU)

Com base nos dados do Laboratório de Dinâmica da Força de Trabalho da China (CLDS) de 2012 e 2014, este artigo usa o modelo de escolha binária do painel para examinar os determinantes das intenções de assentamento de migrantes rurais-urbanos. Os resultados mostram que tanto o senso de pertencimento, quanto a identidade social, desempenham papéis importantes na determinação das decisões de assentamentos de migrantes rurais-urbanos. Além destes, salário, educação e saúde também afetam a disposição dos trabalhadores migrantes de se estabelecerem em uma determinada área. Portanto, a fim de promover a urbanização, os formuladores de políticas devem prestar atenção às demandas subjetivas dos migrantes rurais-urbanos. Sugerimos que autoridades e formuladores de políticas públicas ajudem esses migrantes a melhorar sua rede social e a eliminar a discriminação de identidade, de modo a incentivar sua disposição de se estabelecer nas cidades.(AU)

Descarte de peixes ornamentais em águas continentais brasileiras registrados no YoutubeTM: ausência de informação ou crime ambiental deliberado? / Ornamental fish dumping in Brazilian continental waters recorded on YoutubeTM: absence of information or intentional environmental crime?

O aquarismo é um hobby praticado mundialmente com aumento de popularidade no Brasil nas últimas décadas. A soltura de peixes ornamentais em ambientes naturais é equivocada, sendo considerada introdução de espécies e crime ambiental. Dessa maneira, objetivou-se verificar a existência de registros de solturas disponíveis na web, na mídia social Youtube™ no Brasil. A busca por vídeos com situações de soltura ou descarte foi realizada entre julho e dezembro do ano de 2018, totalizando-se 616 horas de busca. Como resultado, obteve-se 48 registros de solturas, sendo as mais incidentes as regiões do Sudeste, Nordeste e Sul. São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo e Rio de Janeiro foram os Estados com maior número de registros. Registrou-se 33 táxons de peixes (18 gêneros e 15 espécies) e dois híbridos, sendo muitas delas espécies invasoras. A maioria dos praticantes não tem conhecimento sobre a ilegalidade do ato ou a possibilidade de impacto ambiental. O perigo das solturas ornamentais quanto à oportunidade de invasão biológica, a pressão de propágulo empregada e os conceitos equivocados sobre ecologia abordados nos vídeos são discutidos. Sugere-se a conscientização dos aquaristas e maior controle sobre o hobby, sendo as redes e mídias sociais uma nova ferramenta para os órgãos fiscalizadores detectarem distúrbios que possam prejudicar os ambientes naturais.

Fishkeeping is a hobby practiced worldwide, with increase of popularity in Brazil in the last decades. The dumping of ornamental fish in natural environments is a mistake, being a form of introduction of species and environmental crimes. In this way, the aim of this work was to verify the records of dumping available on the web, on the social network of YouTube™ in Brazil. The search for videos was carried between July and December of 2018, totaling 616 hours of searching. As a result, 48 dumping records were obtained, with more incidents in Southeast, Northeast and South regions. São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro were the states with higher number of registers. Were registered 33 taxa of fish (18 genera and 15 species) and two hybrids, many of them invasive species. Most practitioners are not aware of the illegality of the act or possibility of environmental impact. The danger of ornamental dumping as to the opportunity for biological invasion, the propagule pressure employed, and the misconceptions about ecology in the videos are discussed. It is suggested an awareness of the aquarists and higher control over the hobby, where social networks are a new tool to identify disturbances that could damage natural environments.

Descarte de peixes ornamentais em águas continentais brasileiras registrados no YoutubeTM: ausência de informação ou crime ambiental deliberado? / Ornamental fish dumping in Brazilian continental waters recorded on YoutubeTM: absence of information or intentional environmental crime?

O aquarismo é um hobby praticado mundialmente com aumento de popularidade no Brasil nas últimas décadas. A soltura de peixes ornamentais em ambientes naturais é equivocada, sendo considerada introdução de espécies e crime ambiental. Dessa maneira, objetivou-se verificar a existência de registros de solturas disponíveis na web, na mídia social Youtube™ no Brasil. A busca por vídeos com situações de soltura ou descarte foi realizada entre julho e dezembro do ano de 2018, totalizando-se 616 horas de busca. Como resultado, obteve-se 48 registros de solturas, sendo as mais incidentes as regiões do Sudeste, Nordeste e Sul. São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo e Rio de Janeiro foram os Estados com maior número de registros. Registrou-se 33 táxons de peixes (18 gêneros e 15 espécies) e dois híbridos, sendo muitas delas espécies invasoras. A maioria dos praticantes não tem conhecimento sobre a ilegalidade do ato ou a possibilidade de impacto ambiental. O perigo das solturas ornamentais quanto à oportunidade de invasão biológica, a pressão de propágulo empregada e os conceitos equivocados sobre ecologia abordados nos vídeos são discutidos. Sugere-se a conscientização dos aquaristas e maior controle sobre o hobby, sendo as redes e mídias sociais uma nova ferramenta para os órgãos fiscalizadores detectarem distúrbios que possam prejudicar os ambientes naturais.(AU)

Fishkeeping is a hobby practiced worldwide, with increase of popularity in Brazil in the last decades. The dumping of ornamental fish in natural environments is a mistake, being a form of introduction of species and environmental crimes. In this way, the aim of this work was to verify the records of dumping available on the web, on the social network of YouTube™ in Brazil. The search for videos was carried between July and December of 2018, totaling 616 hours of searching. As a result, 48 dumping records were obtained, with more incidents in Southeast, Northeast and South regions. São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro were the states with higher number of registers. Were registered 33 taxa of fish (18 genera and 15 species) and two hybrids, many of them invasive species. Most practitioners are not aware of the illegality of the act or possibility of environmental impact. The danger of ornamental dumping as to the opportunity for biological invasion, the propagule pressure employed, and the misconceptions about ecology in the videos are discussed. It is suggested an awareness of the aquarists and higher control over the hobby, where social networks are a new tool to identify disturbances that could damage natural environments.(AU)

Structural Attributes Dynamics of the Brazilian Broiler Production Chain

Brazil is one of the worlds largest broiler meat exporters. Broiler meat is one of the most consumed meats worldwide. The most significant challenge for strategic business management when optimizing the financial returnis knowing exactly where to invest. The same happens in the broiler production chain. The present research aimed to investigate which were the most central actors in the broiler supply chain and the dynamics of the chain. The current study was done based on the poultry chain business relations, from 2000 to 2015, of the leading actors of the Brazilian broiler production chain. The centrality indicator was established through social network analysis (SNA) approach, to determine their positions in the chain as a whole. The most used indicators within network analysis are those designed to identify the extent to which one actor occupies a more central position than another. The Gephi® software was applied to calculate the structural attributes and indicators of the network. Results were estimated using the RapidMiner® software. A model was presented that shows one infrastructure indicator as an explanatory variable. The findings indicate that the centrality indicator was weakly influenced when compared to the other variables, such as market demand, wide variations on the scenario, and mergers or acquisitions.(AU)

Structural Attributes Dynamics of the Brazilian Broiler Production Chain

Brazil is one of the worlds largest broiler meat exporters. Broiler meat is one of the most consumed meats worldwide. The most significant challenge for strategic business management when optimizing the financial returnis knowing exactly where to invest. The same happens in the broiler production chain. The present research aimed to investigate which were the most central actors in the broiler supply chain and the dynamics of the chain. The current study was done based on the poultry chain business relations, from 2000 to 2015, of the leading actors of the Brazilian broiler production chain. The centrality indicator was established through social network analysis (SNA) approach, to determine their positions in the chain as a whole. The most used indicators within network analysis are those designed to identify the extent to which one actor occupies a more central position than another. The Gephi® software was applied to calculate the structural attributes and indicators of the network. Results were estimated using the RapidMiner® software. A model was presented that shows one infrastructure indicator as an explanatory variable. The findings indicate that the centrality indicator was weakly influenced when compared to the other variables, such as market demand, wide variations on the scenario, and mergers or acquisitions.

An analysis of the Brazilian researchers on freshwater fish genetics and reproduction as coauthors in academic papers

Science is a social activity in some senses: first, in any of its fields science is an accumulated body of knowledge inherited from generations of antecessors by its practitioners, the scientists. In second place, the results of the scientific findings are shared socially and finally, those results to be successfully achieved demands from the researchers a high grade of collaboration, through the formations of a social network. The collaboration between researchers may result in the publication of an academic article. This publication serves as an index of the existence of a social network of collaboration between researchers and may reveal how a specific field of knowledge has been established, who are the researchers that act as facilitators among colleagues as well as to give some clues about the direction the specific field may unfold.The objective of this work was apply techniques of Social Network Analysis on the community formed by the Brazilian researchers, that are granted a CNPq scholarship on research productivity, with an interest in genetics and reproduction of freshwater fishes. Their linkage in co-authoring research papers published byacademic journals were examined. For the determination of this community and the academic articles, the existing data of researchers in the PlatformLattes of the CNPq database were extracted through the applicative ScriptLattes, which search for the works published in co-authorship. Later, on these data was applied a software dedicated to the Analysis of Social Networks, and graphs of social network and some of its metrics were obtained. The analysis found the Lattes CVs of 33 researchers who published 1156 articles in co-authorship in 502 different journals. As a result, the analysis shows that these researchers form an academic network with low density, and in twenty periodicals were published 25% of the articles produced in co-authorship by those researchers.

An analysis of the Brazilian researchers on freshwater fish genetics and reproduction as coauthors in academic papers

Science is a social activity in some senses: first, in any of its fields science is an accumulated body of knowledge inherited from generations of antecessors by its practitioners, the scientists. In second place, the results of the scientific findings are shared socially and finally, those results to be successfully achieved demands from the researchers a high grade of collaboration, through the formations of a social network. The collaboration between researchers may result in the publication of an academic article. This publication serves as an index of the existence of a social network of collaboration between researchers and may reveal how a specific field of knowledge has been established, who are the researchers that act as facilitators among colleagues as well as to give some clues about the direction the specific field may unfold.The objective of this work was apply techniques of Social Network Analysis on the community formed by the Brazilian researchers, that are granted a CNPq scholarship on research productivity, with an interest in genetics and reproduction of freshwater fishes. Their linkage in co-authoring research papers published byacademic journals were examined. For the determination of this community and the academic articles, the existing data of researchers in the PlatformLattes of the CNPq database were extracted through the applicative ScriptLattes, which search for the works published in co-authorship. Later, on these data was applied a software dedicated to the Analysis of Social Networks, and graphs of social network and some of its metrics were obtained. The analysis found the Lattes CVs of 33 researchers who published 1156 articles in co-authorship in 502 different journals. As a result, the analysis shows that these researchers form an academic network with low density, and in twenty periodicals were published 25% of the articles produced in co-authorship by those researchers.(AU)

Digital soil mapping using reference area and artificial neural networks

Digital soil mapping is an alternative for the recognition of soil classes in areas where pedological surveys are not available. The main aim of this study was to obtain a digital soil map using artificial neural networks (ANN) and environmental variables that express soil-landscape relationships. This study was carried out in an area of 11,072 ha located in the Barra Bonita municipality, state of São Paulo, Brazil. A soil survey was obtained from a reference area of approximately 500 ha located in the center of the area studied. With the mapping units identified together with the environmental variables elevation, slope, slope plan, slope profile, convergence index, geology and geomorphic surfaces, a supervised classification by ANN was implemented. The neural network simulator used was the Java NNS with the learning algorithm "back propagation." Reference points were collected for evaluating the performance of the digital map produced. The occurrence of soils in the landscape obtained in the reference area was observed in the following digital classification: medium-textured soils at the highest positions of the landscape, originating from sandstone, and clayey loam soils in the end thirds of the hillsides due to the greater presence of basalt. The variables elevation and slope were the most important factors for discriminating soil class through the ANN. An accuracy level of 82% between the reference points and the digital classification was observed. The methodology proposed allowed for a preliminary soil classification of an area not previously mapped using mapping units obtained in a reference area.

Digital soil mapping using reference area and artificial neural networks

Digital soil mapping is an alternative for the recognition of soil classes in areas where pedological surveys are not available. The main aim of this study was to obtain a digital soil map using artificial neural networks (ANN) and environmental variables that express soil-landscape relationships. This study was carried out in an area of 11,072 ha located in the Barra Bonita municipality, state of São Paulo, Brazil. A soil survey was obtained from a reference area of approximately 500 ha located in the center of the area studied. With the mapping units identified together with the environmental variables elevation, slope, slope plan, slope profile, convergence index, geology and geomorphic surfaces, a supervised classification by ANN was implemented. The neural network simulator used was the Java NNS with the learning algorithm "back propagation." Reference points were collected for evaluating the performance of the digital map produced. The occurrence of soils in the landscape obtained in the reference area was observed in the following digital classification: medium-textured soils at the highest positions of the landscape, originating from sandstone, and clayey loam soils in the end thirds of the hillsides due to the greater presence of basalt. The variables elevation and slope were the most important factors for discriminating soil class through the ANN. An accuracy level of 82% between the reference points and the digital classification was observed. The methodology proposed allowed for a preliminary soil classification of an area not previously mapped using mapping units obtained in a reference area.(AU)

TUBERCULOSE BOVINA NA SERRA GAÚCHA: ASPECTOS EPIDEMIOLÓGICOS, LABORATORIAIS E EDUCAÇÃO EM SAÚDE

A tuberculose bovina é uma doença de caráter crônico,causada pelo Mycobacterium bovis e que pode ser transmitida para os seres humanos. Ela se caracteriza pela formação de granulomas nodulares e gera inúmeros prejuízos econômicos. Os últimos dados publicados sobre a situação epidemiológica da tuberculose bovina no Rio Grande do Sul, do período de 2015 em diante, nos apresenta um aumento de focos da doença. A região da Serra Gaúcha, por possuir muitas propriedades principalmente leiteiras, sempre está em destaque quando o assunto é tuberculose. Deste modo, o presente trabalho buscou identificar os animais positivos para a doença na região da Serra Gaúcha, através da ocorrência de um abate sanitário, coletando as lesões sugestivas para a enfermidade. Posteriormente buscou-se identificar as micobactérias provenientes de tuberculose bovina através da análise microbiológica e molecular e a comparação dos testes diagnósticos de tuberculinização e análise molecular para a doença, contribuindo para um melhor entendimento da epidemiologia das infecções causadas por M. tuberculosis/M. bovis. Na pesquisa participaram 25 bovinos positivos para tuberculose provenientes das cidades de Barão, Paraí e Picada Café/RS, sendo coletadas 28 amostras de lesões granulomatosas durante o abate sanitário. Dessas foram processadas 5 amostras provenientes da cidade de Barão/RS para análise bacteriológica, sendo que apenas uma apresentou resultado positivo para o Complexo M.tuberculosis. Já para a análise molecular, foram processadas 10 amostras, das quais 3 eram provenientes da região de Barão e 6 da região de Paraí/RS. Destas, apenas 5 foram positivas tanto para o Complexo M.tuberculosis, quanto para M.bovis. Além disso, foram aplicados questionários para consumidores e produtores de leite e derivados da região com o objetivo de quantificar o conhecimento de ambos frente a doença para auxiliar na criação de estratégias de controle e prevenção da tuberculose, o que, resultou em dois guias informativos disponibilizados via redes sociais para a população e três artigos a serem publicados em periódicos. Com este trabalho, concluiu-se que a tuberculose zoonótica ainda está muito presente nos rebanhos da região se tornando um risco a saúde humana e animal. Observa-se a necessidade de estratégias de controle e erradicação da doença através da testagem periódica dos rebanhos e o investimento em estratégias de saúde única com a aplicação de diagnósticos diferenciais para tuberculose zoonótica em saúde humana. Além disso, estratégias de educação em saúde para os produtores rurais e uma disseminação maior de informações sobre a doença para a população podem se tornar aliados no controle e prevenção da doença.

Bovine tuberculosis is a chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis and that can be transmitted to humans. It is characterized by the formation of nodular granulomas and causes countless economic losses. The latest published data on the epidemiological situation of bovine tuberculosis in Rio Grande do Sul, from 2015 onwards, shows us an increase in the number of outbreaks of the disease. The region of Serra Gaúcha, for having many properties mainly dairy, is always highlighted when the subject is tuberculosis.Thus, the present work sought to identify animals that were positive for the disease in the Serra Gaúcha region, through the occurrence of sanitary slaughters, collecting the suggestive lesions for the disease. Subsequently, we sought to identify mycobacteria from bovine tuberculosis through microbiological and molecular analysis and the comparison of diagnostic tests for tuberculinization and molecular analysis for the disease, contributing to a better understanding of the epidemiology of infections caused by M. tuberculosis/M. bovis. 25 cattle with tuberculosis, from the cities of Barão, Paraí and Picada Café / RS, participated in the research, 28 samples of granulomatous lesions were collected during sanitary slaughter. Of these, 5 samples from the city of Barão/RS were processed for bacteriological analysis, of which only one showed a positive result for the M.tuberculosis complex. For the molecular analysis, 10 samples were processed, of which 3 were from the region of Barão and 6 from the region of Paraí/RS. Of these, 5 were positive for both the M.tuberculosis complex and M.bovis. In addition, questionnaires were applied to consumers and producers of milk and dairy products in the region in order to quantify their knowledge of the disease to assist in the creation of tuberculosis control and prevention strategies, which resulted in two information guides made available via social networks for the population and three articles to be published in journals. With this work, it was concluded that zoonotic tuberculosis is still very present in herds in the region, becoming a risk to human and animal health. There is a need for disease control and eradication strategies through periodic testing of herds and investment in unique health strategies with the application of differential diagnoses for zoonotic tuberculosis in human health. In addition, health education strategies for rural producers and greater dissemination of information about the disease to the population can become allies in the control and prevention of the disease.

Cães e gatos domésticos em Unidades de Conservação: uma abordagem de Saúde Única

A presença de cães e gatos dentro e no entorno de Unidades de Conservação (UCs) brasileiras é relatada como um problema por diversos pesquisadores e gestores dessas áreas protegidas. O contato de animais domésticos não supervisionados com o ambiente silvestre pode resultar em impactos negativos para a fauna silvestre, para os próprios cães e gatos e para as pessoas que interagem com essas populações. Um impacto negativo importante é a transmissão de doenças, muitas delas zoonoses. Nesse contexto, torna-se necessário o manejo populacional e sanitário de cães e gatos que vivem próximos às UCs. A partir de uma abordagem de Saúde Única, este estudo é parte do Programa Cãoservação, que aborda essa problemática na UC Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho e teve como objetivo fornecer subsídios para auxiliar na educação ambiental e sanitária; na prevenção e controle de zoonoses; e no manejo populacional de cães e gatos, em locais onde ocorre a interação entre humanos, animais domésticos e a fauna silvestre. Para isso, foram realizados (I) o diagnóstico de percepção da comunidade pelo método do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo; (II) a identificação de fatores de risco e análise espacial para cinco doenças caninas (toxoplasmose, leptospirose, neosporose, leishmaniose e brucelose) em três anos consecutivos, por modelos de regressão logística e análises de cluster espaciais; (III) uma intervenção na comunidade com a elaboração de um material educativo próprio; e (IV) a divulgação científica do Programa Cãoservação em diversos meios de comunicação. Os resultados mostraram que a percepção da comunidade em relação aos temas abordados é diferente do comportamento que exercem e a vulnerabilidade da comunidade afeta diretamente o tema da pesquisa. As doenças caninas de maior preocupação foram a toxoplasmose e leptospirose por serem zoonóticas; terem apresentado maior prevalência e incidência; e com aglomerados de casos próximos ao Parque. Os resultados das entrevistas deram origem a um material educativo infantil. Esse material foi utilizado na intervenção prevista na comunidade (ação educativa), enviado a outras UCs e disponibilizado on-line. A divulgação científica foi feita pelo site oficial, redes sociais e mídias tradicionais. Ações para diminuir a vulnerabilidade social na comunidade combinadas com um manejo adequado da população canina são recomendados neste e em cenários semelhantes, especialmente nos bairros próximos às áreas protegidas. Autoridades em saúde humana, bem-estar animal e conservação devem trabalhar continuamente em conjunto e com a comunidade para alcançar resultados melhores e de longo prazo, que minimizem os impactos negativos da interação entre humanos, animais domésticos e silvestres.

The presence of domestic animals inside and around Brazilian Conservation Units (UCs) is reported as a threat by several researchers and managers of these protected areas. The contact of free-ranging cats and dogs with the wild environment can result in negative impacts for wildlife, for domestic animals themselves and for people who interact with these populations. A major negative impact is the transmission of diseases, many of which are zoonoses. In this context, it is necessary to manage canine and feline populations living close to UCs, as well as control their health status. With an One Health approach, this study is one of the projects of the Cãoservação Program, which addresses this issue at the UC called Carlos Botelho State Park, and aimed to provide subsidies to assist in environmental and health education; in the prevention and control of zoonoses; and in the population management of cats and dogs, where there is an interaction between humans, domestic animals and wildlife. For that, (I) the diagnosis of community perception was made, using the Collective Subject Speech method; (II) the identification of risk factors and spatial analyzes for five canine diseases (toxoplasmosis, leptospirosis, neosporosis, leishmaniasis and brucellosis) was elaborated, in three consecutive years, using logistic regression models and spatial cluster analyzes; (III) an intervention in the community with the elaboration of its own educational materia was implemented; and (IV) the scientific dissemination of the Cãoservação Program in different types of media was made. The results showed that the perception of the residents in relation to the topics covered is different from their behavior. Also, the vulnerability of the community directly affects the research theme. The canine diseases of major concern were toxoplasmosis and leptospirosis, as they are zoonotic diseases; for presenting higher prevalence and incidence; and for presenting clusters of cases and high-risk areas close to the Park. The results of the interviews produced an educational material for children that included a booklet, a board game and five comic books. This material was used in the planned intervention in the community, sent to other UCs and made available online for free download. Scientific dissemination was done through the official website, social networks and traditional media. Mitigation of social vulnerability combined with improved dog population management are recommended in this and similar scenarios, especially in neighborhoods close to protected areas. Human health, animal welfare and wildlife/environmental conservation authorities should work continuously together and with the community to achieve better and long-term results that minimize the negative impacts of human-domestic-wildlife interaction.

ASSIMETRIA DE INFORMAÇÃO ENTRE PRODUTORES DE LEITE NO ESTADO DO PARANÁ

A produção de leite no Brasil é caracterizada por ser de natureza difícil, por depender de vários agentes dentro da cadeia produtiva, além da produção ser feita, em sua maioria por pequenos produtores, o que impõe alguns desafios para sua melhor coordenação. A produção de leite paranaense detém grande apelo social, já que é realizada tipicamente a partir de mão de obra familiar e possui grande capacidade de fixação do homem no campo. Além disso, para 36,2% dos produtores rurais do estado do Paraná, a atividade leiteira representa a principal fonte de renda. Diante deste contexto, objetivo do presente trabalho foi analisar a assimetria de informações de produtores de leite que participam de arranjos horizontais e aqueles que não participam desses arranjos, em suas relações com a indústria de laticínios e no atendimento das normas para qualidade do leite definidas pelo governo. Foram aplicados formulários semiestruturados junto a 204 produtores rurais localizados em quatro macrorregiões do Estado do Paraná: Norte Central, Centro-Oriental, Oeste e Sudoeste. Foram coletadas variáveis sobre a produção de leite e também características do sistema de produção e do produtor rural. Os produtores foram divididos em dois grupos, sendo G1: produtores que participam de arranjos horizontais e G2: produtores que não participam de arranjos horizontais. As variáveis foram submetidas as técnicas de análise fatorial comum (AFC). A partir dos resultados, foram obtidos quatro fatores: F1 Informações institucionais sobre a qualidade do leite; F2: Informações técnicas prestadas pelo comprador; F3: Informações técnicas sobre a produção agropecuária e F4: Informações nas relações com a indústria. Para os fatores, F2, F3 e F4, os produtores que participam de associativismo apresentaram melhores resultados (P<0,05), frente aqueles produtores que não participam de redes associativas. Para F1 não foram identificadas diferenças entre os grupos analisados (P>0,05).

Milk production in Brazil is characterized by a difficult nature, as it depends on several agents within the production chain, in addition to production being made, mostly by small producers, which imposes some challenges for better coordination. The production of milk from Paraná has a great social appeal, since it is typically performed from family labor and has great capacity of fixing the man in the field. In addition, for 36.2% of rural producers in the state of Paraná, milk production represents the main source of income. In this context, the objective of the present study was to analyze the asymmetry of information from milk producers participating in horizontal arrangements and those who do not participate in these arrangements, in their relations with the dairy industry and in compliance with the standards for milk quality defined by government. Semi-structured forms were applied to 204 rural producers located in four macroregions of the State of Paraná: Central North, Central East, West and Southwest. Variables were collected on milk production and also characteristics of the production system and the rural producer. The producers were divided into two groups, G1: producers who participate in horizontal arrangements and G2: producers who do not participate in horizontal arrangements. The variables were submitted to the techniques of common factorial analysis (AFC). From the results, four factors were obtained: F1 Institutional information on milk quality; F2: Technical information provided by the buyer; F3: Technical information on agricultural production and F4: Information on relations with industry. For the factors F2, F3 and F4, the producers that participate in associativism presented better results (P <0.05), compared to those producers that do not participate in associative networks. For F1, no differences were identified between the groups analyzed (P> 0.05)

A phylogenetic study of canine parvovirus type 2c in midwestern Brazil / Estudo filogenético do parvovírus canino tipo 2c no Centro-Oeste do Brasil

Since the late 1970s, canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) has emerged as a causative agent of fatal severe acute hemorrhagic enteritis in dogs. To date, three antigenic types of CPV-2 were described worldwide (CPV-2a/b/c). This study was conducted to determine the variants of CPV-2 circulating in dogs from the Cuiabá Municipality in Midwestern Brazil. Out of 50 fecal samples, collected between 2009 and 2011, 27 tested positive for CPV-2. A 583 bp fragment of the VP2 gene was amplified by PCR, 13 representative samples were analyzed further by DNA sequencing. All strains were characterized as CPV-2c, displayed a low genetic variability although observed several amino acid substitution. These findings indicated that CPV-2c has been circulating in dogs from the Cuiabá Municipality in Midwestern Brazil.(AU)

Desde o final dos anos de 1970, o parvovírus canino tipo 2 (CPV-2) tem emergido como agente de severa e fatal enterite hemorrágica, principalmente em cães com idade inferior a seis meses. Três variantes antigênicas de CPV-2 foram descritas mundialmente (CPV-2a/b/c). O objetivo do estudo foi determinar a presença do CPV-2 e suas variantes circulantes em cães no Município de Cuiabá, Centro-oeste, Brasil. Das 50 amostras fecais, coletadas entre 2009 e 2011, 27 foram positivas para CPV-2 na PCR, sendo 13 analisadas pelo sequenciamento de um fragmento de 583 pares de base do gene VP2. Todas as cepas foram caracterizadas como CPV-2c e apresentaram baixa variabilidade genética. Estes achados indicaram que o CPV-2c está circulando na população canina do Município de Cuiabá, Região Centro-Oeste do Brasil.(AU)

AGRESSÕES POR MORDEDURAS DE CÃES A HUMANOS NA CIDADE DE JABOTICABAL, SÃO PAULO, BRASIL, DE 2014 A 2016.

Este trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar as agressões por mordedura de cães a humanos na cidade de Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil, no período de 2014 a 2016. Para isto, foi construído um banco de dados geográfico com as informações obtidas a partir de entrevistas semiestruturadas aplicadas aos moradores. Essas informações permitiram identificar: os padrões dos cães agressores, as informações gerais dos domicílios e dos proprietários, bem como do comportamento dos animais. Para a avaliação da dinâmica desse processo, além das ferramentas de geoprocessamento, foram utilizadas análises estatísticas descritivas, exploratórias multivariadas, de regressão logística e, posteriormente, abordagens conexionistas (redes neurais artificiais). A estrutura espacial dos modelos de ocorrência das agressões foi avaliada pelos índices de dispersão e agregação, e funções Kernel com distribuição normal. A interpolação pela ponderação do inverso da distância apontou os locais de ocorrência das agressões nos bairros em toda a cidade, caracterizando a regionalização espacial. Os índices de Moran Global e Local e as taxas Bayesianas empíricas estimaram o risco de ocorrência dessas agressões em cada setor. Dos 301 cães estudados, 70% eram machos e 71% não esterilizados. Dos cães agressores, 68% eram sem raça definida (SRD), 22% tinham histórico de agressões anteriores, 48% saiam com guia e 27% saiam soltos, livres nas ruas, 54% reagiam rosnando ou mordendo o proprietário em brincadeiras ou retiradas de objetos, e 48% reagiam quando alguém batia no seu dono e/ou quando seu dono dava atenção para crianças. Dos entrevistados, 81% descreveram seus cães como não obedientes e 74% não sabiam o que é/ou significa zoonoses. As análises estatísticas por setores (83) nas três dimensões específicas: vítimas e ocorrências, características dos animais e comportamentos possíveis de levar ao risco das agressões permitiram visualizar os padrões das ocorrências das agressões e os fatores associados, como: idade das vítimas, adultos e idosos, sexo dos animais agressores, população de cães dentro dos setores, porte médio desses animais, presos na presença de estranhos, alta agressividade dos cães por dominância e falta de obediência. O resultado da classificação dos setores de ocorrência de agressões por redes neurais artificiais de múltiplas camadas superou os resultados obtidos com a análise de regressão logística, mostrando que a separação entre os dois conjuntos não é linear. As análises espaciais destacaram os setores de alta vulnerabilidade social, que são regiões mais periféricas do município, onde há maior número de cães soltos nas ruas e/ou abandonados, que tem causado problemas sanitários e epidemiológicos, devido à ocorrência de acidentes, doenças, presença de lixo e de dejetos dos animais e, portanto, consideradas áreas de alto risco de agressões por mordedura.

The aim of this study was to characterize dog bites in humans in the city of Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil, from 2014 to 2016. A geographic dataset was built using the answers obtained from a semi-structured questionnaire applied to the local residents. Those information allowed to identify the pattern of the attacking dogs, general information of the residents, owners and victims. The dynamic of the dog bites process was evaluated by the means of descriptive statistics, multivariate exploratory analysis, logistic regression, neural networks analysis and geoprocessing tools. The spatial structure of the dog bites was evaluated by the means of dispersion and aggregation indexes and normal distributed kernel functions. The interpolation of the inverse of the distance showed the neighbourhoods where dog bites occurred, thus describing the spatial distribution of dog bites. The Local and Global Moran indexes and the Bayesian empirical rates estimated the risk of occurrence of dog bites in each sector. From a total of 301 questionnaires 70% of dog bites were caused by male dogs and 71% non-castrated; 68% were cross-breed, 22% had background of aggressions; 48% go out on a leash and 27% go out freely, without human companionship; 54% of dogs react aggressively during playing time or removing of objects; 48% reacts aggressively when their owner get threatened or give more attention to children. Considering the owners, 81% described theirs dogs as obedient and 74% had no knowledge about zoonosis. The statistical analysis by sectors (83) considering the three dimensions (victims and occurrences, animals characteristics and animal behaviour that could lead to aggression) allowed to see the dog bites pattern and the associated factors: age (adults and elderly), gender of the attacking dogs, number of animals per sector, medium-sized animals, locked-up in the presence of strangers, elevated aggressiveness due to dominant behaviour and lack of obedience. The neural networks had a better performance compared to the logistic regression to classify the sectors according to the probability of occurrence of dog bites. This may be occurred due to the nonlinear behaviour of the data. The spatial analysis highlighted the sectors of elevated social vulnerability as the ones with higher chance of dog bite occurrence. These sectors are located on the peripheral zone of the city and are associated with elevated risk of dog bites probably due to the elevated number of errant dogs that causes epidemiologic and sanitary issues like accidents, diseases, spreading of litter and faeces.