ABSTRACT Rapid cooling is necessary to remove heat from fruit; however, it directly affects the water loss of grapes under certain conditions. Fuzzy logic is an important theory for analyzing results as it simplifies the assimilation of the phenomena through refined adjustments, allowing the prediction of the weight loss of fruits in relation to rapid cooling conditions. The objective of this study was to develop a fuzzy model that could predict weight loss as a function of the rapid cooling of table grapes in different plastic film bags. Modeling was performed using three types of plastic film bags (micro-perforated, macro-perforated, and non-perforated) at three levels of palletization (lower, intermediate, and upper), arranged in an experimental design in randomized blocks, in a 3 × 3 factorial scheme, with three blocks. The influence of the relative humidity and amplitude of humidity on the variable weight loss percentage of the Arra 15 grape variety was measured. The average percentage error of the fuzzy model was 9.78%. The intermediate level alone showed an error of 4.02%. Thus, the developed fuzzy model provided a good prediction of the weight loss of table grapes.

RESUMO Embora o pré-resfriamento por ar forçado seja amplamente utilizado na remoção do calor de campo de uvas de mesa frescas, muitas vezes não há conhecimento sobre seu funcionamento e eficiência. Fatores como temperatura e umidade relativa do ar, quantidade e temperatura inicial das frutas, velocidade do ar e embalagens, influenciam o processo. Objetivou-se neste estudo avaliar o efeito e eficiência do resfriamento de uvas de mesa sujeitas a resfriamento por ar forçado. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, em um fatorial 2 × 3, correspondente a dois tipos de embalagens e três alturas no pallet: inferior, meio e superior com quatro repetições. Foi avaliado o gradiente de temperatura no sentido do fluxo de ar. Há heterogeneidade de resfriamento tanto no sentido vertical quanto horizontal dos paletes, com uma zona de calor concentrada na região central em ambas as direções. Nenhuma embalagem apresentou design favorável ao resfriamento rápido, já que em ambas o tempo de resfriamento foi de 15,5 horas, além de valores de umidade relativa do ar muito abaixo do ideal para uvas de mesa.

ABSTRACT Although precooling by forced air is widely used to remove field heat from fresh table grapes, there is no knowledge about its use and efficiency. Factors influencing the process include temperature and relative air humidity, amount and initial temperature of the fruits, air velocity, and packaging. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cooling effect and efficiency of forced air cooling on table grapes in two types of packages. The experimental method used randomized blocks, in a 2 × 3 factorials, corresponding to two package types (polystyrene and cardboard) and three heights on the pallet - lower, middle, and upper - with four replicates. The temperature gradient in the direction of the airflow was evaluated. There was heterogeneity in cooling, both vertically and horizontally, on the pallets with a central heat zone for both the directions. None of the packages was suitable for fast cooling as both types of packages showed a cooling time of 15.5 h; moreover, relative humidity values were far below the ideal value for table grapes.

RESUMO Os produtores de frango caipira se preocupam com o ambiente térmico e iluminação das instalações, buscando proporcionar bem-estar às suas aves. Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa, avaliar a espacialização das variáveis iluminância e entalpia, em dois galpões de frangos caipira de corte: um de alvenaria com telha de barro, e o outro de madeira com cobertura de palha. Os dados de temperatura do ar, umidade relativa do ar e iluminância foram registrados entre setembro e outubro de 2018, por cinco semanas não consecutivas, em dois períodos do dia: manhã (9 horas) and tarde (15 horas). Os dados foram coletados em 42 pontos por galpão, espaçados por 0,40 x 0,75 m. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado no esquema fatorial 2 x 2, considerando dois períodos e dois galpões. A dependência espacial foi avaliada por geoestatística e mapas de interpolação por krigagem. Os galpões apresentaram-dependência espacial forte ou moderada em todas as variáveis e períodos observados. Devido aos pequenos beirais e manejo inadequado das cortinas no galpão de alvenaria, este apresentou maiores valores de iluminância nos dois períodos. Embora não ter apresentado valores ideais para um ambiente confortável, o galpão de madeira foi mais eficiente termicamente.

ABSTRACT Free-range broiler producers are concerned with the thermal environment and lighting of their facilities and seek to improve these factors for the increased welfare of their broilers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the spatialization of illuminance and enthalpy in two free-range broiler sheds, one of masonry with a clay tile roof and the other built of wood with a straw roof. The data on air temperature, relative air humidity, and illuminance were recorded between September and October 2018 for five non-consecutive weeks in two periods during the day: morning (9 hours) and afternoon (15 hours). The data were collected at 42 points per shed, spaced 0.40 × 0.75 m. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme, considering two periods and two sheds. Spatial dependence was evaluated using geostatistics and interpolation maps by kriging. The facilities presented strong or moderate spatial dependence for all observed variables and periods. The small edges and lack of management of curtains resulted in the masonry shed having higher illuminance values during both periods. Although it did not present ideal values for a comfortable environment, the wood shed was more thermally efficient.

ABSTRACT Considering the challenges faced by poultry farming, this study aimed to develop a neuro-fuzzy model to predict eyeball and crest temperatures of egg-laying hens based on environmental conditions (dry bulb temperature and relative humidity). To develop the models and simulations, Matlab’s Fuzzy Toolbox® (Anfisedit) was used. Different configurations were used for each of the several neuro-fuzzy models developed. Eyeball temperature (ET) and chicken crest temperature (CCT) were simulated from the developed neuro-fuzzy models, and the obtained results were validated with the variables collected experimentally with the aid of recorder sensors and an infrared thermographic camera. The proposed neuro-fuzzy models allow the accurate estimation of ET and CCT of two lineages of egg-laying hens raised in conventional aviaries, thus helping in decision-making for better animal welfare.