Abstract The main objective of this study is to propose different probabilistic models for adjusting the trend component, since it significantly influences the quality of the spatio-temporal interpolation of rainfalls. We used the monthly total precipitation data of the São Francisco River Basin (SFRB) for the period of 31 years, 1989–2019. The SFRB occupies 8% of the whole Brazilian territory, mostly located in the Northeast Brazilian region. For the trend component, we propose the fitted GAMLSS models by comparing different probability distribution families, which in most cases include the characteristics of these data. The results indicate the existence of a spatio-temporal pattern of the residues obtained from the adjustment of the trend with zero adjusted Gamma distribution for the accumulated monthly precipitation. The adjustment revealed a spatial dependence of up to 873 km between the pluviometric stations and temporal autocorrelation of approximately 1.6 months. The methodology used in this study enabled us to create rainfall maps, interpolating unobserved locations in differences years. The projection of these maps to the SFRB is considered extremely important for planning and implementing activities related to water resources across the river basin.

ABSTRACT The thermal and luminous conditions in aviaries affect the production and quality of eggs. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the thermal and luminous environment of commercial laying hen aviaries equipped with compact fluorescent (CF) and light-emitting diode (LED) lamps and their influence on egg production and quality. The study was carried out in two commercial laying hen facilities with similar construction features and management. The first facility was illuminated with CF lamps and the second with LED lamps. The thermal environment was assessed via air temperature, air relative humidity, and enthalpy. The evaluated lamps provided a similar thermal environment in both facilities. The aviary equipped with LED lamps showed higher illuminance than the one equipped with a CF lamp. Production performance was evaluated through feed intake (FI), feed conversion (FC), mortality (M), and laying percentage (LP). Specific gravity (SG) was used to evaluate eggshell quality. The variables related to production performance and eggshell quality of laying hens raised in aviaries equipped with LED lamps were statistically equal (F-test, p > 0.05) to those raised in aviaries equipped with CF lamps. These results indicate that the replacement of CF lamps with LED lamps does not adversely affect the yield and quality of eggs.

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to evaluate the thermal environment inside conventional cages for laying hens, with and without the use of protective screens. This research was conducted in two conventional cages (open cage), where each cage had half of its area surrounded by high density polyethylene mesh (HDPE) with a diameter of 2.0 cm, and the other half was kept fully open. Hyline W-36 and Dekalb Brown laying hens were housed in these cages. The wind speed, dry bulb temperature (tdb), black globe temperature, humidity index (BGHI), and enthalpy (H) were analyzed. The results indicate that the use of the screen reduced the wind speed inside the cage by 0.22 m s−1. The presence of the screen affected tdb, BGHI, and H in some of the evaluated periods evaluated, making these values higher than those of the treatment without screen. However, the obtained values are within or below the thermal comfort range for laying birds. Therefore, the use of HDPE screen in the cages altered their internal environment. However, it is not enough to hinder the thermal comfort of the housed animals.

Abstract African mahogany (Khaya spp.) plantations are in expansion in Brazil and in the world. This fact justifies the need for studies related to its growth and yield. This paper aimed to evaluate the performance of single-entry and double-entry models for estimating merchantable and total volume for Khaya ivorensis plantations before the first thinning (7 years) and expected final cut (15 years). Volume data was from 100 and 46 trees in Minas Gerais and Pará states, respectively, by using an electronic dendrometer (Criterion RD 1000). Observed volumes were calculated by Smalian’s formula. To validate the optical dendrometer, 10 trees were felled and had their volume measured, and compared with the volumes measured indirectly. The results showed that observed and estimated volumes were statistically equal, and that double-entry models were more precise than single-entry models. Schumacher and Hall model was the best equation to estimate merchantable volume for first thinning and for final cut in Minas Gerais stands. Spurr logarithmized model was the best equation to estimate total volume for first thinning and Spurr model for final cut in Pará stands. All chosen equations can be used to quantify merchantable and total volumes of Khaya ivorensis grown under similar conditions.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to compare fuzzy systems with different configurations to predict the surface temperature (ts) of broiler chickens subjected to different intensities and durations of thermal challenges in the second week of life. Data on the ts of broiler chickens aged 8 to 11 days were acquired by infrared thermography and subjected to combinations of four dry-bulb temperatures (tdb) (24, 27, 30, and 33 °C) and four durations of thermal challenges (DTC) (1, 2, 3, or 4 days). The input variables of the fuzzy systems were tdb and DTC, and the output variable was ts. The Mamdani inference method involving five defuzzification methods [center of gravity (centroid), bisector of the area (bisector), largest of maximum (lom), middle of maximum (mom), and smallest of maximum (som)], and Sugeno inference with two defuzzification methods [weighted average (wtaver) and weighted sum (wtsum)] were evaluated. For both inference methods, triangular and Gaussian pertinence functions were tested for input and output variables, except for Sugeno inference, which used singletons functions as output variables. While developing fuzzy systems, different configurations must be compared, and the system with smaller simulation errors should be selected.

RESUMODevido às ocorrências dos vírus de influenza aviária (H5N1 e H7N2), estudos relacionados à biosseguridade têm sido intensificados em que uma das soluções discutidas é o uso de tela para cercar a área dos galpões evitando o contato das galinhas poedeiras alojadas com outras aves. Neste contexto objetivou-se, com o presente trabalho, avaliar e comparar a utilização de tela para cercar o perímetro de um galpão visando à criação de galinhas poedeiras, sobre o ambiente acústico e aéreo no interior da instalação. Esta pesquisa foi realizada em um galpão comercial do tipo californiano para criação de galinhas poedeiras da linhagem Dekalb Brown. Metade da área do galpão foi cercada por tela de polietileno de alta densidade (PEAD) e a outra metade foi mantida totalmente aberta. Os níveis de ruído, concentração de amônia (NH3) e concentração de dióxido de carbono (CO2) foram mensurados durante 22 semanas. O uso de tela PEAD aumentou o nível de ruído e as concentrações de NH3 e de CO2 no interior da instalação; entretanto, esses valores foram inferiores àqueles que oferecem riscos à saúde das aves e dos trabalhadores.

ABSTRACTDue to the occurrence of the avian influenza viruses (H5N1 and H7N2), studies related to biosafety have been intensified, and one of the discussed solutions is the use of screen to enclose the poultry house area, avoiding the contact of the housed laying hens with other birds. In this context, the aim of the present study was to evaluate and to compare the use of screen, to enclose the perimeter of a laying hen house, on the acoustic and aerial environments inside the facility. This research was carried out in a Californian Dekalb Brown laying hen house. Half of the barn area was enclosed by high density polyethylene (HDPE) screen and the other half was maintained completely open. The levels of noise, ammonia (NH3) concentration and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration were measured during 22 weeks. The use of HDPE screen increased the noise level and the concentrations of NH3 and CO2 inside of the facility, however, these values were smaller than those which offer health risks to the birds and workers.

Devido às ocorrências dos vírus de influenza aviária (H5N1 e H7N2), estudos relacionados à biosseguridade têm-se intensificado, e uma das soluções discutidas é o uso de tela para cercar completamente o perímetro dos galpões, visando a evitar o contato das galinhas poedeiras alojadas com outras aves. Desta forma, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar e comparar a utilização de tela cercando o perímetro de galpões convencionais de poedeiras, sobre o ambiente acústico e aéreo no interior da instalação. A pesquisa foi realizada em uma granja comercial para produção de ovos, localizada no sul do Estado de Minas Gerais, e foi conduzida em um galpão aberto, que teve a metade de sua área cercada por tela e a outra metade mantida totalmente aberta. Foram alojadas galinhas poedeiras da linhagem Hyline W-36, sendo analisadas as variáveis de intensidade sonora, concentração de amônia (NH3) e concentração de dióxido de carbono (CO2). As variáveis foram coletadas em seis pontos de medição, em cada região (com e sem tela), dois em cada corredor (norte, central e sul). Os resultados indicaram que o uso de tela não alterou o nível de ruído e as concentrações de NH3 e de CO2 no interior do galpão analisado. Contudo, os níveis mensurados foram inferiores àqueles que ofereceriam riscos à saúde das aves e dos trabalhadores, podendo-se concluir que o uso de tela não influenciou negativamente no ambiente aéreo do galpão.

Avian influenza viruses (H5N1 and H7N2) triggered a great number of studies on biosafety, and one of the discussed solutions is the use of screen to enclose completely the poultry house perimeter, since it can avoid the contact of laying hens with other birds. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate and compare the use of screen enclosing a conventional laying house perimeter by assessing acoustic and aerial environment inside the facility. The research was performed in a commercial egg production farm located in Southern Minas Gerais State, Brazil. It was carried out in an open facility, in which half area was enclosed by screen and the other half was maintained completely open. Hyline W-36 laying hens were housed. Sound intensity, ammonia concentration (NH3) and carbon dioxide concentration (CO2) were analyzed as variables. These variables were collected from six measuring points in each region (with and without screen), two in each alley (north, central and south). The results indicated that the use of screen did not alter the noise level, NH3 and CO2 concentrations inside the analyzed poultry house. However, the levels measured were smaller than to the thresholds that can offer health risks to birds and workers. Therefore, it may be concluded that the use of screen did not influence negatively the facility aerial environment.

Objetivou-se, com o presente trabalho, comparar o uso de cama de colchão de borracha e de areia no recobrimento da superfície de baias para confinamento tipo free-stall. Foram monitoradas 18 vacas holandesas confinadas em galpão modelo free-stall cujas baias foram recobertas com camas de areia e colchão de borracha (tratamentos). O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados. Os parâmetros comportamentais estudados foram os tempos despendidos nas atividades: deitada em ócio e deitada ruminando, em pé em ócio sobre a cama, em pé ruminando sobre a cama, registrados a cada 10 min. As variáveis ambientais e temperatura da superfície das camas foram registradas a cada hora. Houve maior preferência dos animais pela cama de areia para os comportamentos deitada em ócio e deitada ruminando. As vacas permaneceram mais tempo deitadas em cama de borracha somente nos períodos mais frescos (noite e madrugada), devido à temperatura da cama. A temperatura da borracha foi maior que areia nos horários mais quentes do dia (notadamente durante o período da tarde), enquanto à noite se apresentou mais fria.

The aim of the present study was to compare the use of bed mattress, rubber and sand coating on the surface of stalls in free-stall barn. Eighteen holstein cows confined in free-stall barn were monitored whose stalls were covered with beds of sand and rubber mattress (treatments). The experimental design was randomized blocks. The studied behavioral parameters were the time spent in different activities: lying in idleness and lying ruminating, standing in idleness on the bedding, standing ruminating on the bed, recorded every 10 min. Environmental variables and surface temperature of the bedding were recorded every hour. There was a greater preference of animals for sand bedding and the behaviors lying in idleness or lying ruminating. The cows spent more time lying on rubber bed only in cooler periods (morning and night), due to the temperature of the bedding. The temperature of the rubber was higher than sand in the hottest times of the day (especially during the afternoon), while in the evening, presented cooler.

A distribuição espacial das iluminâncias e o consumo de energia elétrica do sistema de iluminação artificial constituem um dos principais problemas relacionados à produção de frangos de corte. Portanto, objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar a distribuição espacial do nível de iluminância e a eficiência energética de diferentes sistemas de iluminação para galpões para criação de frangos de corte. Seis tipos de lâmpadas foram testados em duas configurações diferentes para atender às iluminâncias mínimas de 20 e 5 lux. As lâmpadas testadas foram a incandescente (LI) de 100 W, fluorescente compacta (LFC) de 34 W, mista (LM) de 160 W, vapor de sódio (LVS) de 70 W, fluorescente tubular T8 (LFT T8) de 40 W e fluorescente tubular T5 (LFT T5) de 28 W. As quatro primeiras foram avaliadas sem e com luminária reflexiva tipo prato, e as duas últimas apenas sem luminária. Para os sistemas testados, verificou-se que o uso de luminárias afetou negativamente a distribuição espacial das iluminâncias no interior do galpão. Os sistemas compostos por LI e LM, sem luminária, propiciaram melhores resultados para se atenderem as iluminâncias mínimas de 20 lux e 5 lux, respectivamente. A LFT T5 apresentou os menores valores de demanda de energia.

The spatial distribution of illuminance and the electric consumption of artificial lighting system is one of the main problems related to broiler production. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the spatial distribution of luminance level and energy efficiency of different lighting systems for broiler houses. Six types of lamps were tested in two different configurations to find the minimum illuminance of 20 and 5 lux. The tested lamps were incandescent (IL) 100 W, compact fluorescent (CFL) 34 W, mixed (ML) 160 W, sodium vapor (SVL) 70 W, T8 fluorescent tube (T8 FTL) 40 W and T5 fluorescent tube (T5 FTL) 28 W. The first four were evaluated with and without reflective light fixture and the latter two without light fixture. It was observed that the tested system with light fixtures negatively affected the spatial distribution of illuminance inside the house. The systems composed by IL and ML without light fixture led to better results in meeting the minimum illuminance of 20 lux and 5 lux, respectively. T5 FTL presented the lowest energy demand.

O conhecimento da variabilidade espacial de níveis de ruído e a construção de mapas de krigagem podem auxiliar na avaliação da salubridade de ambientes ocupados por trabalhadores agrícolas. Portanto, este trabalho teve como objetivos caracterizar a variabilidade espacial do nível de ruído gerado por quatro diferentes máquinas agrícolas, utilizando a geoestatística, e verificar se os valores se encontram dentro dos limites de conforto humano. As máquinas avaliadas foram: derriçadora, motosserra, roçadora e trator. Os dados foram coletados na altura média do ouvido do operador e em diferentes distâncias. Por meio dos resultados obtidos, foi possível verificar que o uso da geoestatística, através da técnica de krigagem, possibilitou definir áreas com diferentes níveis para os dados coletados. Excetuando a derriçadora, todos os outros equipamentos apresentaram níveis de ruído acima de 85 dB(A) próximo ao operador, demandando o uso de protetores auriculares.

The knowledge of the spatial variability of noise levels and the build of kriging maps can help the evaluation of the salubrity of environments occupied by agricultural workers. Therefore, the objective of this research was to characterize the spatial variability of the noise level generated by four agricultural machines, using geostatistics, and to verify if the values are within the limits of human comfort. The evaluated machines were: harvester, chainsaw, brushcutter and tractor. The data were collected at the height of the operator's ear and at different distances. Through the results, it was possible to verify that the use of geostatistics, by kriging technique, made it possible to define areas with different levels for the data collected. With exception of the harvester, all of machines presented noise levels above than 85 dB (A) near to the operator, demanding the use of hearing protection.

A temperatura retal (t retal) de frangos de corte constitui uma das principais respostas fisiológicas para a classificação da condição de conforto térmico animal. Sendo assim, objetivou-se com este trabalho o ajuste de modelos de regressão para predizer a t retal de frangos de corte em diferentes situações térmicas ambientais, em função da idade (I) e de uma variável meteorológica (temperatura do ar - t ar) ou de um índice de conforto térmico (índice de temperatura e umidade - ITU, ou índice da temperatura do globo e umidade - ITGU) ou da grandeza física entalpia (H). Em adição, por meio da inversão desses modelos e dos intervalos de conforto esperados com base na t retal e idade, determinaram-se os limites de conforto de t ar, ITU, ITGU e H para os pintinhos na fase de aquecimento, que auxiliaram na validação das equações ajustadas e na definição de limites preliminares para H. Os dados experimentais utilizados para o ajuste dos modelos de regressão foram registrados em dois galpões comerciais, com aves da linhagem Cobb, de 1 a 14 dias de idade. Foi possível predizer, satisfatoriamente, a t retal de frangos de corte pelos quatro modelos gerados, bem como inverter os modelos para a predição das condições ambientais a partir da t retal esperada e determinar, desta forma, os limites inferior e superior de conforto para a H, para os primeiros 14 dias de vida do pintinho.

The broiler rectal temperature (t rectal) is one of the most important physiological responses to classify the animal thermal comfort. Therefore, the aim of this study was to adjust regression models in order to predict the rectal temperature (t rectal) of broiler chickens under different thermal conditions based on age (A) and a meteorological variable (air temperature - t air) or a thermal comfort index (temperature and humidity index -THI or black globe humidity index - BGHI) or a physical quantity enthalpy (H). In addition, through the inversion of these models and the expected t rectal intervals for each age, the comfort limits of t air, THI, BGHI and H for the chicks in the heating phase were determined, aiding in the validation of the equations and the preliminary limits for H. The experimental data used to adjust the mathematical models were collected in two commercial poultry farms, with Cobb chicks, from 1 to 14 days of age. It was possible to predict the t rectal of conditions from the expected t rectal and determine the lower and superior comfort thresholds of broilers satisfactorily by applying the four models adjusted; as well as to invert the models for prediction of the environmental H for the chicks first 14 days of life.

A presente pesquisa teve o objetivo de avaliar e espacializar as variáveis termoacústicas e de iluminância no interior de um galpão comercial, com sistema de ventilação convencional e resfriamento evaporativo, destinado à produção de frangos de corte. Os frangos de corte Hybro foram alojados em um galpão subdividido em três regiões (refugos, fêmeas e machos), sendo criados a uma densidade aproximada de 20 aves m-2. O ambiente produtivo foi avaliado por meio do índice de conforto térmico, nível de ruído e de iluminância. Mapas de distribuição espacial destas variáveis foram gerados para o interior do galpão, usando o método da krigagem. Com base nos resultados, pode-se concluir que as aves, de forma geral, estiveram submetidas a condições ambientais inadequados à criação nos horários mais quentes do dia. Porém, verificou-se o potencial de exploração do sistema de resfriamento evaporativo. A espacialização das variáveis relacionadas ao ambiente produtivo proporciona a obtenção de informações mais detalhadas sobre o sistema estudado.

The goal of this study was to evaluate and map the thermo-acoustic and the luminance variables inside of a commercial broiler chicken house equipped with conventional ventilation and misting system. Hybro breed broiler chickens were lodged in three regions (refuse, female and male), at a density of approximately 20 birds m-2. The productive environment was evaluated by the black-globe humidity index, relative humidity, air velocity, noise level and luminance. Spatial distribution maps of these variables were generated inside the broiler house using the kriging method. Based on the results, it was concluded that, in general, broiler chickens were subjected to inadequate environmental conditions during the hottest period of the day; however, the exploration potential for using evaporative cooling systems was verified. The spatial profile of the variables related to the productive environment provide for the attainment of more detailed information about the studied system.