Environmental behavior: A comparative study between Brazilian and Portuguese students

Although undergraduate students have great access to environmental information, it does not mean that an environmental behavior is being developed. With the use of a scale applied to 1035 university students from Brazil and Portugal, it was examined how the environmental behavior of these students is structured. Using multivariate statistical techniques, it was verified that there is a similarity in the environmental behavior of both groups, with environmental beliefs being manifested by an opposition to the anthropocentric view. The environmental attitudes have the concerns related to the environment as their predecessor. These concerns influence the option to control economic growth, which is reinforced by the ecocentric point of view of the respondents and is manifested by the perspective of a decrease in production and in consumption as well as the promotion of welfare. Although there is a tendency, the option for green consumption is not fully accomplished.Jovens universitários têm acesso crescente às informações ambientais, mas isso não significa que haja o desenvolvimento de um comportamento em prol do meio ambiente. Com a utilização de uma escala aplicada em 1035 estudantes universitários do Brasil e de Portugal, foi averiguado como ocorre a estruturação e manifestação do comportamento ambiental desses estudantes. Utilizando técnicas estatísticas multivariadas, verificou-se uma similaridade no comportamento ambiental de ambos os grupos, com as crenças ambientais se manifestando por uma oposição à visão antropocêntrica. As atitudes ambientais têm como antecedentes as preocupações relacionadas ao meio ambiente. Essas preocupações influem na opção pelo controle do crescimento econômico, perspectiva reforçada pela tendência mais ecocêntrica dos entrevistados e que está pautada por uma diminuição da produção, do consumo e promoção do bem-estar. Verificou-se também que a opção pelo consumo verde ainda não se realiza totalmente, embora seja verificada uma tendência favorável.Los estudiantes universitarios tienen cada vez más acceso a la información ambiental, pero eso no significa que haga el desarrollo de un comportamiento compatible. Con una escala aplicada en 1035 estudiantes universitarios de Brasil y Portugal, se examinó cómo está estructurado el comportamiento ambiental de estos estudiantes. Con el uso de técnicas estadísticas multivariantes, fue verificada una similitud en el comportamiento ambiental de los dos grupos, con las creencias ambientales si manifestando por una oposición a la visión antropocéntrica. Las actitudes ambientales tienen como antecedentes las preocupaciones relacionadas con el medio ambiente. Estas preocupaciones influyen en la opción para el control del crecimiento económico, reforzada por una tendencia ecocéntrica y se caracteriza por una perspectiva de disminución de la producción y del consumo además de la promoción del bienestar. También sí verificó que la opción por el consumo verde no se realiza plenamente, aunque se verifica una tendencia favorable.(undefined

Can the time and conditions of incubation of in vivo-derived goat embryos compromise embryonic cryosurvival?.

Evidence suggests that the conditions after collection may compromise the survival of in vivo-derived (IVD) embryos after cryopreservation. To test this hypothesis, 150 IVD embryos (grade I and II) from 25 Alpine goats were divided into three groups after recovery on day 6 (D6; D0 = AI): P3 (n=50) – embryos maintained in a 35 mm cell culture dish with 2 mL of holding medium (HM; 301 mOsm/kg) at 37 °C for 3 h on a hotplate; P6 (n = 50) – embryos kept under the same conditions as the P3 group for 6-8 h; and T6 (n = 50) embryos maintained in cryovials containing 1 mL of HM at 37°C, for 6-8 h, in a transporter. Despite previous incubation on the transporter did not modify the survival rate after cryopreservation, when compared to incubation on the hot plate, the analysis performed revealed that the experimental condition of the T6 group is able to better maintain molecular aspects of IVD goat embryos after thawing, such as apoptotic incidence and ATP production.Edição dos resumos da 37ª Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Embryo Technology Society, 2024, Atibaia, SP

Biochars from animal wastes as alternative materials to treat colored effluents containing Basic Red 9

Bovine bones (BB) and fish scales (FS) were used as alternative precursors to produce biochars, which in turn, were applied for the removal of Basic Red 9 (BR9) from aqueous solutions. BB and FS were pyrolyzed generating a solid (biochars), a liquid (pyrolytic oils) and a gas fraction. All fractions were characterized to evaluate the pyrolysis process. The biochars presented different functional groups and a mesoporous structure with surface areas around 90 m2 g–1. Both biochars demonstrated potential to adsorb BR9, with maximum adsorption capacities of 49.5 (BB–biochar) and 52.3 mg g–1 (FS–biochar). Pyrolytic oils were composed mainly by palmitic acid (BB) and imidazolidinedione (FS), which are compounds with biological and antioxidant activity. Pyrolysis of BB generated CO2 while pyrolysis of FS generated H2. In summary, bovine bones and fish scales are promising precursors to concomitantly produce biochars with great adsorbent potential and oils with interesting characteristics

Different progestagens sources do not affect the follicular population and the morphological quality of oocytes during ovarian stimulation in Santa Inês ewes.

In attempt to develop a hormonal protocol more suitable to produce good quality oocytes for use in biotechnologies, an earlier study demonstrated that FSH applied in multiple decreasing doses produced better quality oocytes. However, different progestagens implants used during ovarian stimulation have not yet been tested. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different progestagens during ovarian stimulation on follicular population and oocyte morphological quality in Santa Inês ewes. In conclusion, the source of progestagens used during the ovarian stimulation protocol does not affect the follicular population, nor the oocyte quality. Exogenous progestagens may not be necessary when postsynchronization ovulation is confirmed by ultrasonography

Mini-Percoll processing of domestic ruminant frozen-thawed semen dispenses the use of heparin in capacitating medium.

Sperm capacitation is a prerequisite for mammal successful fertilization. Although usually a capacitating substance such as heparin is used during sheep in vitro fertilization, evidences suggest that the cryopreservation process and Percoll technique could induce spontaneous capacitation. This study aimed to compare ovine, caprine and bovine frozen-thawed sperm after mini-Percoll processing on sperm parameters, receiving or not heparin supplementation. In conclusion, frozen-thawed ovine, caprine and bovine spermatozoa processed with mini-Percoll behave similarly regarding to capacitation status and does not require heparin supplementation during in vitro incubation to achieve capacitation. [Processamento pela técnica de mini-Percoll em sêmen congelado/descongelado de ruminantes domésticos dispensa o uso da heparina em meio capacitante].Edição dos anais do XXII Congresso Brasileiro de Reprodução Animal (CBRA), Santos, SP, Brasil, maio 2017

Mini-percoll technique induces Similar capacitation features in domestic ruminant frozen-thawed spermatozoa regardless of the presence of heparin.

Background: Sperm capacitation is a process consists of a series of functional, biochemical, and biophysical modifications that render the ejaculated sperm competent for oocyte fertilization. Secreted by the female reproductive tract epithelium, heparin promotes capacitation by binding to and removing seminal plasma proteins, which are adsorbed to the sperm PM and would inhibit capacitation. There is substantial evidence that cryopreservation promotes capacitation-like changes in bull, ram and buck sperm. Our general hypotheses were: (a) cryopreserved ram sperm suffer capacitation more quickly than buck and bull sperm under the same conditions; (b) the capacitation status of ruminant cryopreserved sperm is similar whether or not heparin is present after the mini-Percoll technique; and (c) ruminant frozen-thawed sperm selected by mini-Percoll and incubated within media without heparin supplementation is not impaired in terms of capacitation status and sperm agglutination. This study aimed to compare sperm parameters of ovine, caprine, and bovine frozen-thawed sperm after mini-Percoll processing followed by incubation with or without heparin supplementation. Materials, Methods & Results: Commercial semen of all species were used. Sperm samples were selected by mini-Percoll and supplemented (or not) with heparin within an incubation medium for 18 h. Sperm kinematics (CASA system analyzes), capacitation status (CTC staining) and sperm agglutination were evaluated after thawing, mini-Percoll, 1.5 h, 3 h, 6 h and 18 h. In comparison with post-thawing analysis, ovine species demonstrated a reduction (P 0.05). In caprine and bovine species, a lower (P < 0.05) rate of sperm agglutination was observed in the presence of heparin at 18 h of incubation. In the absence of heparin, ovine samples showed a higher (P < 0.05) agglutination rate compared to the bovine species after long incubation period. Discussion: The present study compared sperm parameters (sperm kinematics, agglutination rate and capacitation status) of ruminant frozen-thawed sperm after mini-Percoll selection followed by in vitro incubation with or without heparin supplementation. In this study, it was observed the same rate of capacitated cells after the sperm selection (min-Percoll) between ruminant species. This indicate that the capacitation process occurs similarly between ruminant species, refuting the first hypothesis of this study. The presence of heparin did not influence the capacitation status of ruminant frozen-thawed sperm after mini-Percoll selection, it demonstrates that the second hypothesis was supported by this study making more economic and practical the use of ruminant frozen-thawed semen. The absence of heparin in the incubation medium did not harmed the capacitation status and sperm agglutination of ruminant frozen-thawed sperm. This supported the third hypothesis of the current study and indicate that the use of mini-Percoll technique regardless the presence of heparin could be a useful alternative for the preparation of ruminant frozen-thawed sperm. In conclusion, the capacitation status of ruminant frozen-thawed sperm is similar whether or not heparin is present after the mini-Percoll technique

Estrus induction in the non-breeding season is not associated with hydrometra in dairy goats.

Abstract: This study aimed to compare the prevalence of hydrometra (HD) at the end of the reproductive season in goats subjected (HORM and LIGHT) or not (Control-HORM and Control-LIGHT) to estrus induction by either hormonal protocol or light program, respectively, in the non-breeding season. HORM-goats received intravaginal sponges (six days) associated with cloprostenol plus eCG 24 h before sponge removal while LIGHT-goats were submitted to 16 h of light and 8 h of darkness for 60 days. Pregnant goats from both groups gave birth at the early reproductive season and were evaluated by transrectal ultrasound ~45 days after the end of the season. The control goats (Control-HORM and Control-LIGHT) were also examined. There was no difference in the prevalence of HD between goats from HORM (8/31; 25.8%) compared to Control-HORM (4/26; 15.4%), or LIGHT (9/54; 16.7%) compared to Control-LIGHT (7/51; 13.7%), as well as between HORM and LIGHT groups. In conclusion, estrus induction with both hormonal and light protocols is not associated with the development of HD in dairy goats. Resumo: Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar a prevalência de hidrometra (HD) no final da estação de acasalamento em cabras submetidas (HORM e LUZ) ou não (Controle-HORM e Controle-LUZ) à indução de estro na contra-estação reprodutiva por protocolo hormonal ou programa de luz, respectivamente. As cabras do grupo HORM receberam esponjas intravaginais por seis dias, associadas à aplicação de cloprostenol e eCG 24 h antes da retirada das esponjas. As cabras do grupo LUZ foram submetidas a 16 h de luz e 8 h de escuridão por 60 dias. O parto das cabras de ambos os grupos ocorreu no início da estação de acasalamento e estas foram avaliadas por ultrassonografia transretal ~ 45 dias após o final da estação. As cabras controle (Controle-HORM e Controle-LUZ) também foram examinadas. Não houve diferença na prevalência de HD entre o grupo HORM (8/31; 25,8%) em comparação com Controle-HORM (4/26; 15,4%), ou LUZ (9/54; 16,7%) em comparação com Controle-LUZ (7/51; 13,7%), assim como entre os grupos HORM e LUZ. Em conclusão, a indução de estro na contra-estação reprodutiva com protocolo hormonal e programa de luz não está associada ao desenvolvimento da HD em cabras leiteiras. Resumen: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo comparar la prevalencia de hidrometra (HD) al final de la estación reproductiva en cabras sometidas (HORM y LUZ) o no (Control-HORM y Control-LUZ) a la inducción del celo durante el anestro estacional por protocolo hormonal o programa de luz, respectivamente. Las cabras del grupo HORM recibieron esponjas intravaginales por seis días asociadas con la aplicación de cloprostenol y de eCG 24 h antes de la retirada de las esponjas. Las cabras del grupo LUZ fueron sometidas a 16 h de luz y 8 h de oscuridad durante 60 días. El parto de las cabras de ambos os grupos ocurrió al comienzo de la estación reproductiva y estos fueron evaluados por ultrasonografía transrectal ~ 45 días después del final de la estación. También se examinaron cabras de control (Control-HORM y Control-LUZ). No hubo diferencia en la prevalencia de HD entre el grupo HORM (8/31; 25,8%) en comparación con el Control-HORM (4/26; 15,4%) o de LUZ (9/54; 16,7%) en comparación con el Control-LUZ (7/51; 13,7%), así como entre los grupos HORM y LUZ. En conclusión, la inducción del celo durante el anestro estacional con protocolo hormonal y programa de luz no se asocia con el desarrollo de HD en cabras lecheras

Mecanismos de participação e atores sociais em hospitais: o caso do Grupo Hospitalar Conceição-RS

O artigo tem como objetivo compreender o surgimento de mecanismos de participação em organizações hospitalares. Mais especificamente, procura identificar o papel e o impacto destes nas relações entre os atores no interior do hospital e em seu envolvimento com essa organização. A estratégia metodológica utilizada foi a de estudo de caso. O campo empírico foi o Grupo Hospitalar Conceição, em Porto Alegre/RS. Através da pesquisa, pôde-se observar que os fóruns de participação existentes no hospital desempenham múltiplas funções, todas direcionadas para a inclusão dos usuários e trabalhadores de saúde na organização. Constituem-se como espaço para apresentação dos interesses, demandas e negociação de consensos. Abrem a agenda da Direção para temas relevantes para os atores participantes. Possibilitam tornar público o debate das questões polêmicas. Favorecem a construção de alianças entre os atores e a construção de apoio político para o enfrentamento de questões em disputa. Contribuem para a aprendizagem dos atores, a diminuição das assimetrias entre eles e a socialização das informações sobre o hospital. A existência de fóruns de participação contribuiu para alterar o envolvimento dos atores com o hospital e as relações entre eles. Pôde-se perceber que a criação de dispositivos de participação no hospital propiciou aos atores tradicionalmente excluídos e com menores recursos de poder, ou seja, usuários e trabalhadores de saúde, tanto maior envolvimento quanto relações mais horizontais com os demais atores. Ao mesmo tempo, diminuiu a intervenção dos médicos na organização com o fortalecimento da administração em aliança com esses outros atores.The paper aims at understanding the role of participatory mechanisms in hospital organizations. It is a case study, looking at the role and impact of these mechanisms in the Grupo Hospitalar Conceição, in Porto Alegre/RS. Participatory mechanisms were situated at different levels in hospital organization, and were all of them directed to increased participation of users and health workers. They are spaces where participants present their interests and demands and consensus is negotiated. There, themes of participants' interests could be included at the hospital agenda, whilst polemic issues were publicly discussed. These instances of debate favor alliances among different actors; they help building up political support for the hospital decisions the forums agreed with, contribute to the actors learning, facilitate the lessening of power asymmetries in the hospital's decision making process; finally, they help the diffusion of information about the hospital in society. Since their institution, there was an increase in users and health workers involvement with hospital matters, while the relationship among these actors was intensified. The participatory mechanisms motivated some degree of openness towards actors which were traditionally excluded from decision making processes in hospitals: users and health workers. At the same time, it diminished the power of medical professionals, favoring an alliance between hospital administration and those newcomer actors

Fire triggers reestablishment of invasive grasses in a neotropical savanna under restoration

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via the DOI in this recordExcluding invasive grasses is a significant challenge for neotropical savanna restoration. Invasive grasses alter fire regimes with feedbacks on soil nutrient pools, favoring their own dominance over native species. Here we combine remote sensing with an opportunistic experiment to monitor a savanna under restoration before and after a large natural fire. We measured vegetation and soil fertility in a 4-year-old restoration area in Central Brazil, which was subsequently hit by a lightning fire. The restoration area was originally utilized as pasture, dominated by invasive grasses. Over the restoration period, native fast-growing grasses replaced the invasive species. Within the first year after the fire, we found that the fire had reduced aboveground biomass, species diversity, and abundance of native species with acquisitive resource-use strategies. Soil phosphorus and pH increased after the fire and favored the re-invasion of exotic grass species. Our findings suggest that fire occurrence early in the restoration process may trigger exotic grass re-invasion driven by soil nutrient enrichment. To diminish the re-invasion risk from exotic grasses in savannas undergoing restoration, managers should beware of the early fire or manage soil fertility after fire events. Successful restoration may also benefit by incorporating native species with high post-fire recovery capacity.Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)FAPESPFundação Grupo Boticário de Proteção à NaturezaCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES)Instituto SerrapilheiraCNP