ABSTRACT The reduction of water quality typically starts in small streams and rivers; tributaries interconnected to major rivers. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate waste disposal of small wine and liquor agribusinesses by monitoring the water quality of two streams, tributaries of the Soturno and Jacuí rivers, located in the Quarta Colônia region the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. We began monitoring water quality in July 2008 and continued uninterruptedly until May 2009. We collected water samples at three different locations (source, upstream, and downstream) in triplicate, totaling 162 samples. We investigated 24 variables that makeup chemical, physical and biological parameters of water quality. With the results, we concluded that the diffuse sources of pollution in the "Liquor stream" are associated with wastewater of small agribusinesses and nearby residences, in contrast, the source of the "Wine stream" showed the most chemical changes in water quality, and whose diffuse sources of pollution are more associated with agricultural activity than the small agribusinesses activity. The variables of chemical and biological oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, total iron, total manganese, and total phosphorus presented values higher than those of Class II waters in both streams. Therefore, small agribusinesses need to adequately dispose of the waste in order to meet existing legislation comprehensively.

RESUMEN La reducción de la calidad del agua por lo general comienza en pequeños arroyos y ríos; afluentes que están interconectados para llegar a los principales cauces. Este estudio tiene como objetivo investigar la disposición de residuos en la pequeña agroindustria de vinos y licores en afluentes del Río Soturno y Río Jacuí. Las corrientes que reciben los residuos de las actividades agroindustriales (licores y vinos), ubicado en la región de la cuarta colonia de inmigrantes italianos en Rio Grande do Sul / Brasil fueron monitoreadas. Este proceso comenzó en 07/2008 y continuó ininterrumpidamente hasta 05/2009. Las muestras de agua fueron recolectadas en tres puntos diferentes (al este, aguas arriba y abajo) por triplicado, por un total de 162 muestras. Se investigaron 24 que componen los parámetros químicos, físicos y biológicos de la calidad del agua. Con los resultados, concluimos que las fuentes difusas de contaminación en la “Corriente de licor” están asociadas con aguas residuales de pequeños agronegocios y residencias cercanas, en contraste, la fuente de la “Corriente del vino” mostró la mayor cantidad de cambios químicos en la calidad del agua, y cuyas fuentes difusas de contaminación están más asociadas a la actividad agrícola que a la pequeña actividad agroindustrial. Las variables de demanda química y biológica de oxígeno, oxígeno disuelto, hierro total, manganeso total y fósforo total presentaron valores superiores a los de las aguas Clase II en ambos arroyos. Por lo tanto, las pequeñas empresas agrícolas deben eliminar adecuadamente los desechos para cumplir de manera integral la legislación existente.

The present study compared the effects of a footwear designed to enhance energy return (thermoplastic polyurethane, TPU) vs minimalist shoes on running economy (RE) and endurance performance. In this counterbalanced and crossover design study, 11 recreational male runners performed two submaximal constant-speed running tests and two 3-km time-trials with the two shoe models. Oxygen uptake was measured during submaximal constant-speed running tests in order to determine the RE at 12 km/h and oxygen cost of running (CTO2) at individual average speed sustained during the 3-km running time-trials wearing either of the two shoes. Our results revealed that RE was improved (2.4%) with TPU shoes compared with minimalist shoes (P=0.01). However, there was no significant difference for CTO2 (P=0.61) and running performance (P=0.52) comparing the TPU (710±60 s) and the minimalist (718±63 s) shoe models. These novel findings demonstrate that shoes with enhanced mechanical energy return (i.e. TPU) produced a lower energy cost of running at low (i.e., 12 km/h) but not at high speeds (i.e., average speed sustained during the 3-km running time-trial, ∼15 km/h), ultimately resulting in similar running performance compared to the minimalist shoe.

Abstract The reduced acceleration of the organic matter in the soil has been affecting its properties, making it necessary to repeat the use and management of organic fertilizers. The objective of research was to evaluate the effect of two fertilizers application, Island Guano (IG) and sheep manure (SM), on the following three physical properties of the soil: bulk density, water-stable aggregates and penetration resistance, under quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) cultivation, Hualhuas variety. These properties were determined by beveled cylinder, Yoder wet-sieving and dynamic cone penetrometer methods and under a completely randomized block design, with factorial arrangement of two factors (IG and SM) and three levels per factor (0; 0.5 and 1 t*ha-1 for IG and 0; 2.5 and 5 t*ha-1 for SM), nine treatments were evaluated, with three repetitions, so 27 total experimental units. Results showed that combined application of different doses of IG and SM does not influence bulk density, but with doses IG 0,5 t*ha-1 with SM 5 t*ha-1 and IG 1 t*ha-1 with SM 5 t*ha-1 water-stable aggregates and penetration resistance improved significantly.

Resumen La acelerada disminución de la materia orgánica del suelo viene afectando sus propiedades, siendo necesario reincidir en el uso y manejo de abonos orgánicos. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de la aplicación de dos abonos orgánicos combinados, Guano de las Islas (GI) y estiércol de ovino (EO), sobre las siguientes tres propiedades físicas del suelo: densidad aparente, estabilidad de agregados y resistencia mecánica a la penetración, bajo el cultivo de quinua (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) variedad Hualhuas. Estas propiedades se determinaron mediante los métodos de cilindro biselado, Yoder y del penetrómetro dinámico y bajo un diseño en bloques completamente al azar, con arreglo factorial de dos factores (GI y EO) y tres niveles por factor (0; 0,5 y 1 t/ha para GI y 0; 2,5 y 5 t/ha para EO). Los resultados demostraron que la aplicación combinada de las diferentes dosis en estudio no influye sobre la densidad aparente del suelo, pero la aplicación combinada de 0,5 t/ha de GI con 5 t/ha de EO y 1 t/ha de GI con 5 t/ha de EO disminuyen significativamente la resistencia mecánica del suelo a la penetración e incrementan la estabilidad de agregados.

RESUMO: Nas pastagens, a incidência de plantas daninhas reduz a produtividade e qualidade da forrageira. A identificação das espécies infestantes em pastagens é fundamental para a escolha do método de renovação. Assim, objetivou-se com este trabalho realizar a fitossociologia antes e após a renovação da pastagem de Brachiaria decumbens com a implantação de sistemas agrossilvipastoris. Foram avaliados 18 diferentes arranjos de cultivo para renovação da pastagem. Os sistemas de renovação foram por integração de eucalipto (nos espaçamentos de 12 x 2 ou 12 x 3 m) com milho, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu (capim-marandu) e/ou Macrotyloma axillare (java), ou monocultivo e consórcio de capim-marandu e java, além da avaliação da aplicação ou não do herbicida bentazon na dose recomendada para a cultura do milho (0,72 kg ha-1). Foram avaliados frequência relativa, densidade relativa, abundância relativa, dominância relativa, índice de valor de cobertura, índice de valor de importância, massa seca e índice de similaridade. No primeiro levantamento, antes da renovação da pastagem, foram identificadas 23 espécies de plantas. Após a implantação dos sistemas agrossilvipastoris, as espécies Sida cordifolia, Lantana camara e B. decumbens foram as únicas incidentes nos levantamentos antes e após a renovação da pastagem com sistemas agrossilvipastoris. A utilização do capim-marandu e aplicação do herbicida foram eficientes no controle das plantas daninhas. Nos sistemas que continham capim-marundu e java, está última não foi encontrada no levantamento realizado um ano após a implantação.

ABSTRACT: In pastures, the incidence of weeds reduces the productivity and quality of forage. The identification of the weed species in pastures is fundamental to choose the renewal method. Thus, the objective of this work was to perform phytosociology before and after the renewal of a Brachiaria decumbens pasture, with the implantation of agrosilvopastoral systems. Eighteen different crop arrangements for pasture renewal were evaluated. The renewal systems were by eucalyptus integration (at 12 x 2 m or 12 x 3 m spacings) with maize, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu (palisade grass) and/or Macrotyloma axillare (perennial horsegram), or monoculture and intercropping of palisade grass and perennial horsegram, as well as the evaluation of the application or not of the herbicide bentazon, at the recommended dose for maize crops (0.72 kg ha-1). Relative frequency, relative density, relative abundance, relative dominance, coverage value index, importance value index, dry matter and similarity index were evaluated. In the first survey, before the pasture renewal, 23 plant species were identified. After the implantation of agrosilvopastoral systems, the species Sida cordifolia, Lantana camara and B. decumbens were the only occurring ones before and after the renewal of the pasture with agrosilvopastoral systems. The use of palisade grass and the application of the herbicide were efficient in controlling weeds. In systems that contained palisade grass and perennial horsegram, the latter was not found in the survey conducted one year after the implantation.

Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar a persistência e o risco de intoxicação de espécies de eucalipto para mistura de herbicidas picloram + 2,4-D em aplicação prévia ao plantio florestal. O experimento foi implantado em campo, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 6 repetições, no esquema fatorial 4 x 5, com quatro espécies (Eucalyptus urophylla, E. globulus, E. saligna e Corimbia citriodora) e cinco doses de herbicida à base de picloram + 2,4-D (64 + 240gL-1 ): 0, 3, 4, 5 e 6Lha-1 do produto, aplicadas 30 dias antes da implantação da cultura. Aos 15 e 40 dias após o plantio (DAP), foram feitas avaliações fisiológicas. Aos 90 dias após a aplicação do herbicida (DAA), foi realizado um bioensaio para identificar o efeito residual do produto. Nenhuma espécie apresentou sintoma visível de intoxicação, porém ocorreram alterações fisiológicas. Para taxa fotossintética, houve diferentes respostas, com redução para maiores doses, exceto em E. saligna. Aos 15DAP E. saligna e E. urophylla apresentaram taxas superiores para condutância estomática e transpiração. Aos 40 DAP, constatou-se que o aumento das doses ocasionou diminuição linear na condutância estomática. A eficiência no uso da água das plantas foi menor aos 15 DAP nas doses mais elevadas, não havendo alterações aos 40 DAP. Não foram observados sintomas de intoxicação no bioindicador aos 90 DAA. Entretanto, o aumento das doses aplicadas ocasionou efeito linear positivo no acúmulo de biomassa do bioindicador. A mistura de picloram + 2,4-D não causou alterações morfológicas, porém desencadeou respostas fisiológicas negativas nas plantas.

The objective was the assessment of the persistence and risk of intoxication of eucalyptus species by mixing picloram 2,4-D herbicide on application prior to forest planting. The experiment was deployed in the field in a completely randomized design with 6 repetitions, in a 4 x 5 factorial scheme, with four species (Eucalyptus urophylla, E.globulus, E.saligna and Corimbia citriodora) and five doses of the picloram base herbicide + 2,4-D (64 + 240 g L-1): 0, 3, 4, 5, and 6 L ha-1 of the product, applied 30 days before deployment of culture. At 15 and 40 days after planting (DAP), physiological assessments were carried out. At 90 days after herbicide application (DAA) a bioassay took place to identify the residual effect of the product. No species showed visible symptoms of intoxication; however, there were physiological changes. For photosynthetic rate there were different responses, with reduction for larger doses, except in E.saligna. At 15 DAP, E.saligna and E.urophylla showed higher rates for stomatal conductance and transpiration. At 40 DAP, it was found that increasing the doses caused a linear decrease in stomatal conductance. Water use efficiency of plants was lower at 15 DAP in higher doses, with no changes at 40 DAP. Toxic symptoms were not noticed the in bioindicator at 90 DAA. However, increasing the applied doses caused a positive linear effect on the accumulation of biomass of the bioindicator. The mixture of picloram + 2,4-D did not cause morphological changes, but triggered negative physiological responses in the plants.

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar as características de desempenho e de carcaça de sete genótipos de frangos tipo caipira da linhagem Redbro. Foram utilizados 840 pintos de um dia, machos, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, dos seguintes genótipos: Caboclo, Carijó, Colorpak, Gigante Negro, Pesadão Vermelho, Pescoço Pelado e Tricolor. Os frangos foram alojados em 28 boxes, sendo 30 frangos por boxe, em galpão de alvenaria com acesso a um piquete de 45m², em quatro repetições. As características de desempenho (conversão alimentar, ganho em peso médio diário, consumo de ração médio diário) foram avaliadas nos períodos: um a 28, um a 56, um a 70 e um a 84 dias de idade. O peso corporal foi avaliado aos 28, 56, 70 e 84 dias de idade. As características de carcaça (peso e rendimento de carcaça, peito e pernas) foram obtidas a partir do abate de dois frangos por boxe, aos 85 dias de idade. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas utilizando-se o "proc glm" do SAS. Verificou-se que, em todos os períodos, os frangos do genótipo Colorpak apresentaram maior peso corporal, consumo de ração médio diário, ganho em peso médio diário e melhor conversão alimentar. Entretanto, os genótipos Caboclo e Gigante Negro apresentaram menores consumo de ração médio diário, ganho de peso médio diário e pior conversão alimentar. Quanto ao rendimento de cortes, observou-se que os genótipos Caboclo e Gigante Negro apresentaram os menores valores, e o Carijó, Colorpak, Pesadão Vermelho, Pescoço Pelado e Tricolor obtiveram os melhores rendimentos de pernas. Para o rendimento de peito, o Carijó e o Pesadão Vermelho obtiveram os maiores valores. A escolha do genótipo deve ser feita de acordo com o interesse do mercado, pois há diferenças no desempenho e no rendimento de carcaça e dos cortes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance characteristics and carcass of seven genotypes of alternative strains of Redbro broiler chickens. We used 840 day old male chicks, distributed in a completely randomized design, with the following Redbro strain genotypes: Caboclo, Carijó, Colorpak, Gigante Negro, Pesadão Vermelho, Pescoço Pelado and Tricolor. The broilers were housed in 28 boxes, 30 broilers per pen in masonry shed with access to a 45 square meter paddock, with four replications. The performance characteristics (feed conversion, average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake) were evaluated in the following periods: 1 to 28, 1 to 56, 1 to 70 and 1 to 85 days of age. Body weight was measured at 28, 56, 70 and 84 days of age. The carcass traits (weight and carcass yield, breast and leg) were obtained from the slaughter of two broilers per pen, at 84 days old. Statistical analyzes were performed using the "proc glm" SAS. It was found that in all periods, Colorpak genotype broilers had higher body weight, better average daily feed intake, average daily weight gain and feed conversion. However, the genotypes Caboclo and Gigante Negro had lower average daily feed intake, and worse average daily weight gain and feed conversion. As for the cuts yield, it can be observed that the genotypes Caboclo and Gigante Negro presented the lowest values and Carijó, Colorpak, Pesadão Vermelho, Pescoço Pelado and Tricolor had the best yields for legs. For breast meat yield and weight, Carijó and Pesadão Vermelho had the highest values. The genotype choice should be in accordance with the market interest, because there are differences in performance and carcass yield and cuts.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficiência do uso de duas doses de PGF associadas ou não à administração de hCG no início do estro sobre os parâmetros reprodutivos de cabras leiteiras. Um total de 29 cabras receberam duas doses de 30 µg d-cloprostenol pela via latero-vulvar com 10 dias de intervalo (Dia 1 e Dia 10). As cabras foram alocadas para receberem o hCG (250 IU) ou salina i.m. no momento em que o estro foi detectado. Depois da realização da segunda dose de PGF, o estro foi monitorado e exames ultrassonográficos foram realizados duas vezes ao dia. Todas as fêmeas foram inseminadas 16 h após o inicio do estro. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas diariamente para determinação das concentrações plasmáticas de progesterona. O uso do hCG no momento do início do estro não afetou os parâmetros estudados e, portanto, os dados serão apresentados agrupados. A taxa de manifestação de estro foi similar (P > 0,05) na primeira (75,9% - 22/29) ou na segunda dose de PGF (79,3% - 23/29). O intervalo entre a administração de PGF e o início do estro foi maior (P < 0,05) no Dia 1 (75,8±53,9 h) que no Dia 10 (47,7±10,1 h). Duração do estro também diferiu (P < 0,05) 35,4±15,9 (Dia 1) vs 26,8±15, 0 h (Dia 10). A taxa de ovulação foi 79,3% (23/29) após a segunda dose PGF. Não foi encontrada diferença (P>0,05) entre os grupos experimentais quanto aos parâmetros reprodutivos: intervalo entre a aplicação da segunda dose e a ovulação (86,6±11,4h), intervalo do estro a ocorrência da ovulação (39,9±12,3h), diâmetro do maior folículo (7,2±1,4) e número de ovulações (1,8±0,6). No Dia 1, 52,4% (11/21) apresentavam concentrações de progesterona < 1 ng/mL. No Dia 10, 100% dos animais apresentavam concentrações >1ng/mL. O presente estudo permite concluir que o estro pode ser eficientemente sincronizado em cabras leiteiras com duas doses de PGF intervaladas em 10 dias. Novas pesquisas devem se realizadas para avaliar diferentes doses e momentos de utilização do hCG.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of two doses of PGF associated or not to hCG on the associated reproductive parameters in dairy goats. A total of 29 goats received two doses of 30µg d-cloprostenol latero-vulvar at a 10 day intervals (Day 1 and Day 10). The does were allocated according to body weight and body condition score into two treatments, to receive hCG (250IU) or saline at estrus onset. After the second dose of PGF, estrus was monitored and ultrasound exams were performed twice daily. All does were inseminated 16h after estrus onset. Blood collection was performed every day for progesterone assay. The use of hCG at estrus onset did not affect any studied parameter and therefore the data were pooled. Estrous response rate was similar (P>0.05) after the first (75.9%, 22/29) and the second dose of PGF (79.3%, 23/29). The interval between the administration of PGF and estrus onset was greater (P<0.05) after Day 1 (75.8±53.9h) than Day 10 (47.7±10.1 h). Estrus duration was superior (P < 0.05) after Day 1 (35.4±15.9h) to Day 10 (26.8±15.0h). Ovulation rate was 79.3% (23/29) after the second dose of PGF. No differences (P>0.05) between both experimental groups were detected in the following parameters, averaging: the interval from the second dose administration to the ovulation (86.6±11.4h), interval from estrus to ovulation (39.9±12.3 h), diameter of largest follicle (7.2±1.4) and number of ovulations (1.8±0.6). At Day 1, 52.4% (11/21) of does presented progesterone concentrations <1ng/mL. At Day 10, 100% of the animals presented concentrations >1ng/mL. The results of the present study indicate that estrus can be efficiently synchronized in dairy goats with the use of two doses of PGF at a 10 day interval. Further research should be done evaluating hCG use in different doses or moments of administration.

At present, direct on-line measurements of key bioprocess variables as biomass, substrate and product concentrations is a difficult task. Many of the available hardware sensors are either expensive or lack reliability and robustness. To overcome this problem, indirect estimation techniques have been studied during the last decade. Inference algorithms rely either on phenomenological or on empirical models. Recently, hybrid models that combine these two approaches have received great attention. In this work, a hybrid neural network algorithm was applied to a fermentative process. Mass balance equations were coupled to a feedforward neural network (FNN). The FNN was used to estimate cellular growth and product formation rates, which are inserted into the mass balance equations. On-line data of cephalosporin C fed-batch fermentation were used. The measured variables employed by the inference algorithm were the contents of CO2 and O2 in the effluent gas. The fairly good results obtained encourage further studies to use this approach in the development of process control algorithms.

The production of penicillin G by Penicillium chrysogenum IFO 8644 was simulated employing a feedforward neural network with three layers. The neural network training procedure used an algorithm combining two procedures: random search and backpropagation. The results of this approach were very promising, and it was observed that the neural network was able to accurately describe the nonlinear behavior of the process. Besides, the results showed that this technique can be successfully applied to control process algorithms due to its long processing time and its flexibility in the incorporation of new data