Aspects of breeding stallion management with specific focus on animal welfare

Risk prevention is often counterproductive to stallions’ living conditions when assessed under welfare aspects. In the wild, stallions live in social groups, but under domestic conditions, the majority of breeding stallions live in individual boxes with limited social contact. This stimulates aggressiveness and the incidence of stereotypic behavior. While racehorse stallions start their breeding career after having finished their performance career, riding horse stallions are often simultaneously used for breeding and performance. Training, performance, and the associated stress are unlikely to impair semen characteristics, but performing stallions may benefit from more opportunities for social contact. With regard to accommodation of stallions in single boxes, changes in the construction of the partition between them may help to improve social contact from merely visual to much more physical. This will help to reduce social isolation but requires careful observation if neighbors tend to either sympathize or fight with each other. Careful organization of the barn is thus of great importance. Under certain conditions, even keeping adult stallions in groups on spacious pastures is possible. Interestingly, the frequency of agonistic interactions usually decreases quickly and remains low after successful group integration. General changes in the husbandry of young stallions and at their transfer into the future career may help to produce stallions with better social skills and facilitate accommodation under improved welfare conditions

ANÁLISE VEGETACIONAL DO MUNICÍPIO DE BREJO DA MADRE DE DEUS – PERNAMBUCO

O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a dinâmica vegetacional do município de Brejo da Madre de Deus – PE em quatro períodos distintos. Para tal, a pesquisa desenvolveu-se a partir do uso das geotecnologias com uso do Índice de vegetação ajustado ao solo (SAVI), associadas ao trabalho de campo e às diversas pesquisas bibliográficas, por meio da temática em discussão. De posse e análise dos dados, foi possível determinar as notáveis alterações no quantitativo vegetacional na área em estudo. Os valores adotados para solo exposto e caatinga foram os que mais oscilaram. E isso se justifica pelas variações climáticas e uso antrópico. Por se tratar de uma área elevada no agreste pernambucano, com condições climáticas e vegetacionais diferentes de seu entorno, é um dos ambientes que mais sofre com as intensas atividades antrópicas. É válido destacar que a cobertura vegetal é de fundamental importância e de extrema relevância na dinâmica dos recursos naturais

Polish device for FOCCoS/PFS slit system

The Fiber Optical Cable and Connector System, FOCCoS, for the Prime Focus Spectrograph, PFS, is responsible for transporting light from the Subaru Telescope focal plane to a set of four spectrographs. Each spectrograph will be fed by a convex curved slit with 616 optical fibers organized in a linear arrangement. The slit frontal surface is covered with a special dark composite, made with refractory oxide, which is able to sustain its properties with minimum quantities of abrasives during the polishing process; this stability is obtained This stability is obtained by the detachment of the refractory oxide nanoparticles, which then gently reinforce gently the polishing process and increase its the efficiency. The surface roughness measured in several samples after high performance polishing was about 0.01 microns. Furthermore, the time for obtaining a polished surface with this quality is about 10 times less than the time required for polishing a brass, glass or ceramic surface of the same size. In this paper, we describe the procedure developed for high quality polishing of this type of slit. The cylindrical polishing described here, uses cylindrical concave metal bases on which glass paper is based. The polishing process consists to use grid sequences of 30 microns, 12 microns, 9 microns, 5 microns, 3 microns, 1 micron and, finally, a colloidal silica on a chemical cloth. To obtain the maximum throughput, the surface of the fibers should be polished in such a way that they are optically flat and free from scratches. The optical fibers are inspected with a microscope at all stages of the polishing process to ensure high quality. The efficiency of the process may be improved by using a cylindrical concave composite base as a substrate suitable for diamond liquid solutions. Despite this process being completely by hand, the final result shows a very high quality

Evaluation of different eCG doses in resynchronization of ovulation in lactating nelore cows subjected to fixed-time insemination

O objetivo foi avaliar o uso da eCG na ressincronização (RS) em vacas Nelore lactantes, conhecer a interação entre dose, presença ou não de cio, presença ou não do corpo lúteo (CL) e taxa de prenhez. Foram utilizadas 775 vacas na 1ª IATF e as vazias (449) foram ressincronizadas após 30 dias. Realizou-se exame ultrassongráfico (US) antes da primeira IATF e no momento da RS para observar a presença ou não do CL. No dia 0 (D0) foi inserido dispositivo intravaginal (DIV) com 1 g de progesterona e aplicação intramuscular (IM) de 2mg de Benzoato de Estradiol. No D8 o DIV foi retirado, aplicado IM 1mg de cipionato de estradiol e 0,53mg de cloprostenol sódico. No D8 o Grupo-0 (G0) não recebeu aplicação de eCG, o G200 recebeu 200 UI e o G300 300 UI. Foi observado cio entre a retirada do DIV e a IATF. Todas as vacas foram inseminadas 48 horas após a retirada do DIV. O US foi realizado 30 dias após a IATF. Os tratamentos não alteraram a ocorrência de prenhez nas que apresentaram cio. Nas vacas que não apresentaram cio, não existe houve diferença na ocorrência de prenhez entre o G200 e o G300, mas sim com o controle. A taxa acumulada de prenhez após 40 dias da estação de monta foi de 77,54%. A taxa acumulada de prenhez em 40 dias viabiliza a RS como uma forma de otimizar o manejo reprodutivo nas fazendas de corte.The aim was to evaluate the use of eCG in resynchronization (RS) in lactating Nelore cows, understand the interaction between dose, presence or absence of estrus, presence or absence of the corpus luteum (CL) and pregnancy rate. Were used 775 cows in first TAI and that not pregnant (449) were resynchronized 30 days after. Ultrasound (US) to observe the presence or absence of CL was performed before first TAI and when the RS. On day 0 (D0) an intravaginal device (IVD) with 1 g of progesterone and intramuscular (IM) 2 mg estradiol benzoate was administered. On D8 devices were removed and applied IM 1mg estradiol cypionate; 0.53mg of sodium cloprostenol, Group - 0 (G0) didn´t received eCG, G200 received 200 IU and G300 300 IU. Estrus was observed and insemination (AI) performed 48 hours after the removal of the IVD. US was performed 30 days after AI. The treatments didn´t affect the occurrence of pregnancy in estrus. In cows that didn´t show estrus, there´s no difference in the occurrence of pregnancy between the G200 and G300 but with G0. The cumulative pregnancy rate after 40 days of the breeding season was (77.54%). The cumulative pregnancy rate in 40 days enables the RS as a way to optimize reproductive management on beef cattle farms

Influência da terapia celular mononuclear sobre a degeneração discal em coelhos

ResumoObjetivoAvaliar a influência da injeção de células‐tronco mononucleares autólogas sobre as alterações histológicas do colágeno no ânulo fibroso do disco intervertebral após lesão experimental.MétodosForam submetidos 32 coelhos New Zealand a punção do discos intervertebrais lombares seguida de injeção intradiscal de células mononucleares provenientes da crista ilíaca versus injeção de solução salina nos seguintes períodos tempo: dois meses após a lesão (CT2M e SS2M), duas semanas (CT2S e SS2S), imediatamente após a lesão (CTCP e SSCP) e sem induzir a degeneração (CTSP e SSSP). Após dois meses da terapia celular, os animais foram submetidos a eutanásia e as alterações do colágeno nos discos intervertebrais foram avaliadas histologicamente.ResultadosHouve diferença estatisticamente significativa na CEAF entre os grupos CT2S e SS2S (p=0,018). Essa diferença decorreu de um aumento do colágeno do tipo I no grupo SS2S (56,7%) comparado com o CT2S (13,28%).ConclusãoO tratamento com células mononucleares precursoras mesenquimais é capaz de reduzir as alterações na distribuição do colágeno do tipo I e III no AF de discos degenerados de coelhos até duas semanas após a indução da degeneração.AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of autologous mononuclear stem cells injections on histological changes of collagen in the fibrous annulus of the intervertebral disc after experimental injury.Methods32 New Zealand rabbits were submitted to intervertebral disc puncture, followed by intradiscal injection of mononuclear cells from the iliac crest versus saline injection in the following time periods: two months after the injury (SC2M and SS2M), two weeks (SC2W and SS2W) immediately after injury (SCCP and SSCP), and without inducing degeneration (SCSP and SSSP). Two months after cell therapy, the animals were euthanized and collagen changes in the intervertebral discs were histologically evaluated.ResultsThere were significant differences in ELAF between SS2W and SS2S groups (p=0.018). This difference was due to an increase in type I collagen in SS2W group (56.7%) compared to SC2S (13.28%).ConclusionTreatment with mononuclear mesenchymal stem cells reduced changes in the type I and III collagen distribution in rabbits AF degenerated discs up to two weeks after the induction of degeneration

GEOPATRIMÔNIO DE PERNAMBUCO:: SITE DE DIVULGAÇÃO DA GEODIVERSIDADE DO ESTADO DE PERNAMBUCO

El sitio Geopatrimonio de Pernambuco fue creado como una iniciativa para difundir a la comunidad científica y al público en general información centrada en los temas de Geodiversidad, Geoconservación, Geoeducación y Geoturismo. Esta es una idea que surgió como resultado de una Tesis Doctoral, enfocada en la conservación e inventario del Geopatrimonio de Pernambuco con énfasis en la Costa Norte, del Programa de Postgrado en Geociencias de la Universidad Federal de Pernambuco. La página electrónica tiene como principal objetivo brindar a la sociedad información sobre el Geopatrimonio de Pernambuco con medios de difusión, enfocados en los elementos bióticos y abióticos del estado, a través de trabajos publicados y en curso, profesionales involucrados, rutas, itinerarios y mapas. Conceptualmente, la geodiversidad se entiende como la suma heterogénea de múltiples elementos naturales abióticos de un territorio determinado. Estos elementos, al formar el patrimonio geológico de una región determinada, deben ser inventariados, cuantificados, preservados y conservados para esta generación y las generaciones futuras. Los trabajos científicos que utilizan esta premisa promueven el territorio y la discusión se vuelve interdisciplinaria (involucra aspectos científicos, educativos, sociales, culturales, históricos y económicos). Ante este escenario, el sitio web pretende promover estos debates, como una herramienta más, involucrando a las geociencias, la geografía y áreas afines de Norte a Sur y de Este a Oeste del estado, facilitando la implementación de políticas públicas que apunten a desarrollar el desarrollo sostenible en el región, sin dañar el medio ambiente.The Pernambuco Geopatrimony website was created as an initiative to disseminate to the scientific community and the general public information focused on the themes of Geodiversity, Geoconservation, Geoeducation and Geotourism. This is an idea that emerged as a result of a Doctoral Thesis, focused on the conservation and inventory of the Geoheritage of Pernambuco with an emphasis on the North Coast, by the Postgraduate Program in Geosciences at the Federal University of Pernambuco. The electronic page's key objective is to provide society with information about Pernambuco's Geoheritage with means of dissemination, focused on the state's biotic and abiotic elements, through published and ongoing work, professionals involved, routes, itineraries and maps. Conceptually, geodiversity is understood as the heterogeneous sum of multiple abiotic natural elements of a given territory. Such elements, when forming the geoheritage of a given region, need to be inventoried, quantified, preserved and conserved for this generation and future generations. Scientific works that use this premise promote the territory and the discussion becomes interdisciplinary (involving science, education, social, cultural, historical and economic aspects). Given this scenario, the website aims to promote these discussions, as yet another tool, involving geosciences, geography and related areas from North to South and East to West of the state, facilitating the implementation of public policies that aim to develop sustainable development in the region, without harming the environment.O site Geopatrimônio de Pernambuco foi criado como a iniciativa de divulgar à comunidade científica e ao público em geral, informações voltadas à temática da Geodiversidade, Geoconservação, Geoeducação e do Geoturismo. Trata-se de uma ideia que surgiu como resultado de uma tese de doutorado, voltada à conservação e inventariação do Geopatrimônio de Pernambuco com ênfase no Litoral Norte, pelo Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geociências da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. A página eletrônica tem por objetivo chave proporcionar à sociedade, informações a respeito do Geopatrimônio Pernambucano com víeis de divulgação, voltado aos elementos bióticos e abióticos do estado, por meio de trabalhos publicados e em andamento, profissionais envolvidos, rotas, roteiros e mapas. Conceitualmente, a Geodiversidade é compreendida pela soma heterogênea de múltiplos elementos naturais abióticos de um determinado território. Tais elementos, ao formar o geopatrimônio de determinada região necessitam ser inventariados, quantificados, preservados e conservados para essa geração e gerações futuras. Os trabalhos científicos que utilizam essa premissa promovem o território e a discussão torna-se interdisciplinar (envolvendo ciência, educação, aspectos sociais, culturais, históricos e econômicos). Diante desse cenário, o site visa promover essas discussões, como mais uma ferramenta, envolvendo a Geociências, a Geografia e áreas afins de norte a sul e de leste a oeste do estado, facilitando a implantação de políticas públicas que tenham como objetivo o desenvolvimento sustentável da região, sem agressões ao meio ambiente

Cross-Domain Car Detection Using Unsupervised Image-to-Image Translation: From Day to Night

Deep learning techniques have enabled the emergence of state-of-the-art models to address object detection tasks. However, these techniques are data-driven, delegating the accuracy to the training dataset which must resemble the images in the target task. The acquisition of a dataset involves annotating images, an arduous and expensive process, generally requiring time and manual effort. Thus, a challenging scenario arises when the target domain of application has no annotated dataset available, making tasks in such situation to lean on a training dataset of a different domain. Sharing this issue, object detection is a vital task for autonomous vehicles where the large amount of driving scenarios yields several domains of application requiring annotated data for the training process. In this work, a method for training a car detection system with annotated data from a source domain (day images) without requiring the image annotations of the target domain (night images) is presented. For that, a model based on Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) is explored to enable the generation of an artificial dataset with its respective annotations. The artificial dataset (fake dataset) is created translating images from day-time domain to night-time domain. The fake dataset, which comprises annotated images of only the target domain (night images), is then used to train the car detector model. Experimental results showed that the proposed method achieved significant and consistent improvements, including the increasing by more than 10% of the detection performance when compared to the training with only the available annotated data (i.e., day images).Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures, https://github.com/viniciusarruda/cross-domain-car-detection and accepted at IJCNN 201

Exposure of free-ranging wild carnivores, horses and domestic dogs to Leptospira spp in the northern Pantanal, Brazil

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease affecting most mammals and is distributed throughout the world. Several species of domestic and wild animals may act as reservoirs for this disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the exposure of free-ranging wild carnivores, horses and domestic dogs on a private reserve located in the northern Pantanal (Brazil) and the surrounding areas to Leptospira spp from 2002-2006, 75 free-ranging wild carnivores were captured in the Pantanal and serum samples were collected. In addition, samples from 103 domestic dogs and 23 horses in the region were collected. Serum samples were tested for the presence of Leptospira antibodies using the microscopic agglutination test. Thirty-two wild carnivores (42.7%) were considered positive with titres > 100, and 18 domestic dogs (17.5%) and 20 horses (74.1%) were also found to be positive. Our study showed that horses, dogs and several species of free-ranging wild carnivores have been exposed to Leptospira spp in the Pantanal, suggesting that the peculiar characteristics of this biome, such as high temperatures and an extended period of flooding, may favour bacterial persistence and transmission. In this region, wild carnivores and horses seem to be important hosts for the epidemiology of Leptospira species.CNPqSES

Multi-fibers connectors systems for FOCCoS-PFS-Subaru

The Fiber Optical Cable and Connector System (FOCCoS), provides optical connection between 2400 positioners and a set of spectrographs through optical fibers cables as part of PFS instrument for Subaru telescope. The optical fiber cable will be segmented in 3 parts along the route, cable A, cable B and cable C, connected by a set of multi-fiber connectors. The company USCONEC produces the multi-fiber connector under study. The USCONEC 32F model can connect 32 optical fibers in a 4 x 8 matrix arrangement. The ferrules are made of a durable composite, Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) based thermoplastic. The connections are held in place by a push-on/pull-off latch, and the connector can also be distinguished by a pair of metal guide pins that protrude from the front of the connector. Two fibers per connector will be used for monitoring the connection procedure. It was found to be easy to polish and it is small enough to be mounted in groups. Highly multiplexed instruments like PFS require a fiber connector system that can deliver excellent optical performance and reliability. PFS requires two different types of structures to organize the connectors. The Tower Connector system, with 80 multi-fiber connectors, will be a group of connectors for connecting cable B (Telescope Structure) with cable C (Positioners Plate). The Gang Connector system is a group of 8 gang connectors, each one with 12 multi-fibers connectors, for connecting cable B (Telescope Structure) with cable A (Spectrograph). The bench tests with these connector systems and the chosen fibers should measure the throughput of light and the stability after many connections and disconnections. In this paper we describe tests and procedures to evaluate the throughput and FRD increment. The lifetime of the ferrules is also in evaluation