Machine learning for prediction of soil CO emission in tropical forests in the Brazilian Cerrado.

Soil CO emission (FCO) is a critical component of the global carbon cycle, but it is a source of great uncertainty due to the great spatial and temporal variability. Modeling of soil respiration can strongly contribute to reducing the uncertainties associated with the sources and sinks of carbon in the soil. In this study, we compared five machine learning (ML) models to predict the spatiotemporal variability of FCO in three reforested areas: eucalyptus (RE), pine (RP) and native species (RNS).

Soil CO emission and soil attributes associated with the microbiota of a sugarcane area in southern Brazil.

The spatial structure of soil CO emission (FCO) and soil attributes are affected by different factors in a highly complex way. In this context, this study aimed to characterize the spatial variability patterns of FCO and soil physical, chemical, and microbiological attributes in a sugarcane field area after reform activities. The study was conducted in an Oxisol with the measurement of FCO, soil temperature (Ts), and soil moisture (Ms) in a regular 90 × 90-m grid with 100 sampling points.

Estimate of in vitro embryo production based on sperm subpopulations in Senepol bulls.

In cattle, in vitro embryo production (IVEP) is an important reproductive biotechnology responsible for the rapid expansion of the Senepol breed in our country. This breed has shown important results when used in crossbreeding and estimate IVEP in Senepol based on seminal analysis would be valuable for the semen cryopreservation industry, research institutes and breeders. Combining the evaluation of sperm subpopulations with analysis of other sperm attributes may help to improve fertility predictions in cattle.

How do season, on-farm fasting interval and lairage period affect swine welfare, carcass and meat quality traits?

This study was carried out in order to determine the effects of different combinations of on-farm fasting intervals (8, 12, 16, 20 h) and 1.5 h of transport plus lairage periods (1, 3, 6 h) at different seasons (summer/winter) on blood stress parameters (cortisol and lactate), stomach content and weight, skin lesion and meat quality in a total of 960 pigs from eight farms. Blood lactate levels were greater in the summer (P < 0.

Spatial distribution, prevalence and epidemiological risk factors of cysticercosis in cattle from state of São Paulo, Brazil, slaughtered for human consumption.

This present research focused on establishing the prevalence, geospatial distribution and epidemiological risk factors for bovine cysticercosis in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, in cattle slaughtered for human comsumption. Data about the inspection of 104,180 bovine carcasses from 215 farms and from 70 municipalities were gathered between January and December of 2012. A cluster analysis was performed in order to correlate some variables: prevalence of bovine cysticercosis, total coffee harvesting area (hectares), orange producing areas (hectares) and Human Development Index.

Spatial distribution and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity in cattle slaughtered for human consumption in Rondônia, North region, Brazil.

The present study aimed to evaluate Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in cattle slaughtered for human consumption from rural properties in the state of Rondônia, North region, Brazil; the seroprevalence was determined using indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFATs). Additionally, spatial distribution and risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis were also analyzed. Of the 1000 cattle serum samples examined, 53 (5.

Prevalence and geospatial distribution of bovine cysticercosis in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil.

This study focused on estimating the prevalence and evaluating the geospatial distribution of bovine cysticercosis in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. To this, we used data of 6,200,497 animals slaughtered during the years of 2013 and 2014, and from 141 municipalities of the state. The prevalence observed for this period was 0.

Artificial Neural Network applied as a methodology of mosquito species identification.

There are about 200 species of mosquitoes (Culicidae) known to be vectors of pathogens that cause diseases in humans. Correct identification of mosquito species is an essential step in the development of effective control strategies for these diseases; recognizing the vectors of pathogens is integral to understanding transmission. Unfortunately, taxonomic identification of mosquitoes is a laborious task, which requires trained experts, and it is jeopardized by the high variability of morphological and molecular characters found within the Culicidae family.

Identification and characterization of regions of difference between the Salmonella Gallinarum biovar Gallinarum and the Salmonella Gallinarum biovar Pullorum genomes.

Salmonella Gallinarum is the causative agent of fowl typhoid, a severe septicaemic disease that affects birds of all ages, whereas S. Pullorum causes pullorum disease, a systemic disorder affecting primarily young birds. A proportion of birds with pullorum disease become carriers and are thereby able to transmit S.

[Social stigma and the families of patients with tuberculosis: a study based on cluster and multiple correspondence analysis].

The social stigma associated with TB is a challenge facing management of the area of public health care. The aim of this study was to investigate the social stigma in families of patients with TB and identify the profile of those who are affected by the event in relation to socioeconomic and demographic conditions. It is a cross-sectional study that was conducted in 2011 in the city of Ribeirão Preto, state of São Paulo, Brazil, with a sample of 110 individuals.

Incidence of subclinical endometritis and its effects on reproductive performance of crossbred dairy cows.

In dairy cattle, uterine infections are not life threatening and often unavoidable; however, they reduce fertility and increase the production costs of properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of subclinical endometritis from 32 to 70 days in milk (DIM) and its effects on the reproductive performance of crossbred dairy cows. Lactating cows (Holstein/Gir; n = 172), with no history of retained placenta, without clinical signs of uterine infection were used.

Exploratory analysis of differences in sperm morphology in Nelore and Gir (Bos indicus) bulls.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of breed and season on semen quality parameters of zebu bulls. Data (1,632 registers) of semen production from Gir (n = 4) and Nelore (n = 15) bulls were collected between October 2005 and November 2009. The ejaculates were collected twice a week during various seasons (summer, fall, winter, and spring) and evaluated for the following semen parameters: ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, forward progressive motility (FPM), and sperm morphology.

Molecular epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus isolates at different sites in the milk producing dairy farms.

The epidemiological relationships between isolated Staphylococcus aureus strains in milk samples of dairy cows, reagent to California Mastitis Test, individual and group milk was demonstrated in different sites of the production fluxogram, in 12 milk-producing farms in the Gameleira region, municipality of Sacramento MG Brazil, so that localization and transmission modes may be identified. Two hundred and forty-four strains out of 446 samples collected at several sites were isolated and bio-chemically characterized as coagulase-positive staphylococcus. Specific chromosome DNA fragment of the species Staphylococcus aureus was amplified to 106 strains and 103 underwent (PFGE).

Prevalence and risk factors associated to ovine toxoplasmosis in northeastern Brazil.

In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated to Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep from northeastern Brazil. A total of 932 ovine serum samples from 54 properties in 19 municipalities of the state of Sergipe were collected and assayed using indirect fluorescent antibody test. The assay used antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (IFAT-IgG) with a cutoff point of 1:64.

[Identification of schistosomiasis risk areas using spatial analysis in Lauro de Freitas, Bahia State, Brazil].

The spread of schistosomiasis mansoni defies efforts by Brazil's Unified National Health System, thus demonstrating the need to reassess endemic control programs in the country. The aim of this study was to demarcate geographic areas at risk of schistosomiasis in Lauro de Freitas, Bahia State, Brazil, and to establish the epidemiological and socioeconomic profile of the disease in this municipality (county). Kernel density estimator exploratory analysis was used for visual identification of areas at risk.

(-)-Hinokinin-loaded poly(D,-lactide-co-glycolide) microparticles for Chagas disease.

The (-)-hinokinin display high activity against Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro and in vivo. (-)-Hinokinin-loaded poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) microparticles were prepared and characterized in order to protect (-)-hinokinin of biological interactions and promote its sustained release for treatment of Chagas disease. The microparticles contain (-)-hinokinin were prepared by the classical method of the emulsion/solvent evaporation.