Establishment of an anesthetic protocol for semen collection by electroejaculation in six-banded armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus Linnaeus, 1758)

ABSTRACT The aim was to verify the effects of different anesthetic protocols used during electroejaculation (EEJ) in six-banded armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus). Four sexually matured animals were physically restrained and subjected to semen collection by the EEJ following three treatments: The control group consisted of no use of anesthesia; in the others, the anesthetic combinations xylazine/ketamine/propofol or butorphanol/ ketamine/propofol were administered. For each group, twelve procedures were conducted for EEJ. Semen was evaluated for volume, color, aspect, motility, sperm concentration, morphology, viability, and functional membrane integrity. The highest efficiency (100% ejaculates) was achieved when the control group was used; the xylazine/ketamine/propofol association provided only 11 ejaculates from a total of 12 attempts (91.6% efficiency), while only 4 ejaculates (33% efficiency) were obtained with butorphanol/ketamine/propofol (P<0.05). Both protocols provided rapid induction and relaxation enough to perform the EEJ. In the use of butorphanol/ketamine/propofol, the animals recovered at 16.5±1.5min, a time shorter than in the use of xylazine/ketamine/propofol protocol, 20.7±1.0min (P>0.05). The semen volume and sperm concentration obtained in the use of xylazine/ketamine/propofol association were significantly higher than those verified for butorphanol/ketamine/propofol protocol. In conclusion, the xylazine/ketamine/propofol association is indicated for anesthesia of six-banded armadillos submitted to EEJ

Trap attributes influencing capture of Diabrotica speciosa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on common bean fields Atributos da armadilha influenciam captura de Diabrotica speciosa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) em feijoeiro

Refinements in trap characteristics may improve ability to monitor and mass-trap beetles. Field assays were conducted in common bean fields to assess responses of Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) to some trap characteristics. Golden yellow plastic cups (750 mL) traps caught more D. speciosa females and males than did clear traps. Carrot slices in Petri dishes baited with Lagenaria vulagaris L. powder (cucurbitacin source - 0.28%) caught more beetles than did dishes with carrot alone. Dispensers for the floral volatile attractant 1,4-dimethoxybenze were also compared. Rubber septa dispenser attracted more beetles than did control (dental wicks saturated with acetone). Captures on dental wick, starch matrix and feminine pad dispensers were intermediate and did not differ from those on rubber septa and unbaited controls. Perforated bottle traps (2000 mL), when baited with the floral attractant, caught more beetles than did window bottle traps (both traps contained L. vulgaris powder) in most assessments done from two to ten days after trap placement in the field. Traps with the insecticide carbaryl captured more beetles than did traps without it, 2-4 and 8-10 days after trap placement in the field, but not in the remaining periods (0-2, 4-6 and 6-8 days). Traps baited with 1,4-dimethoxybenzene captured more beetles than did the unbaited ones in all assessments (each other day from two to ten days after trap placement in the field). Finally, similar amounts of beetles were captured using plastic bottle traps (2000 mL): perforated, window (both with cucurbitacin) and sticky (without cucurbitacin) traps, when were baited with the floral attractant.<br>Refinamentos em caraterísticas de armadilhas podem incrementar sua habilidade para monitorar e capturar em massa os insetos. Experimentos foram conduzidos em lavoura de feijoeiro para verificar as respostas de Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) a algumas características de armadilhas. Armadilhas de copos plástico (750 mL) amarelo ouro capturaram mais fêmeas e machos de D. speciosa do que transparentes. Placas de Petri com pedaços de cenoura, com pó seco de purungo, Lagenaria vulgaris L. (fonte de cucurbitacina - 0,28%) capturaram mais insetos do que placas com somente cenoura. Liberadores para o atraente floral 1,4-dimetoxibenzeno foram também comparados. Liberador de septo de borracha atraiu mais insetos do que o controle (flocos dentais saturados com acetona). Capturas nos tratamentos com liberadores de floco dental, matriz borato e absorvente higiênico foram intermediárias mas não diferiram da testemunha e septo. Modelo de armadilha de garrafa (2000 mL) furada capturou mais insetos do que armadilha vazada ("janelas") (ambas contendo pó seco de purungo) na maioria das avaliações, dos dois até os dez dias após a instalação das armadilhas no campo. Armadilhas com inseticida carbaryl capturaram mais insetos do que armadilhas sem, nos intervalos de 2-4 e 9-10 dias após a instalação das armadilhas no campo. Nos períodos restantes (0-2, 4-6- e 6-8 dias), diferenças não foram detectadas. Armadilhas com 1,4-dimetoxibenzeno capturaram mais insetos do que armadilhas sem o volátil (avaliações a cada dois dias dos dois aos dez dias após a instalação no campo). Finalmente, quantidades similares de insetos foram capturadas usando armadilhas de garrafa pet (2000 mL): vazadas ("janelas"), furadas (ambas com cucurbitacina) e adesivas quando estas foram iscadas com o atraente floral

Mercados educacionais e a comunidade Education markets and the community

Os defensores de abordagens baseadas no mercado para a educação invocam, às vezes, a necessidade de "empoderamento" (empowerment) das comunidades nas tomadas de decisão educacionais para justificar a reforma dos sistemas educacionais públicos convencionais. Com base em exemplos da Austrália, da Inglaterra e do País de Gales, da Nova Zelândia e dos eua, este artigo explora as maneiras complexas e contraditórias como as políticas educacionais contemporâneas usam o conceito de envolvimento das comunidades. Ele demonstra mais ainda que o papel e o impacto do envolvimento das comunidades nas escolas nada têm de simples. O artigo conclui que, se o envolvimento das comunidades quer ter efeitos progressistas, ele deve ser articulado com uma política de educação democrática mais ampla.<br>The proponents of market-based approaches to education have sometimes invoked the need for community empowerment in educational decision-making to justify the reform of conventional state educational systems. Drawing upon examples from Australia, England and Wales, New Zealand and the usa, this paper explores the complex and contradictory ways in which the concept of community involvement is used in contemporary education policy. It further demonstrates that the role and impact of community involvement in schools are by no means straightforward. The paper concludes that, if community involvement is to be progressive in its effects, it will need to be articulated with a broader democratic politics of education