Silvia Helena Nogueira Turco

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different water restrictions on the thermoregulation and blood hematological and metabolite parameters of crossbred Santa Inês ewes in a semi-arid climate. Thirty-two ewes were subjected to four water supply levels (100%, 80%, 60%, and 40%), in a completely randomized design with eight replications. The confinement period lasted 77 days, with 14 days allocated for adaptation. Respiratory rate, heart rate, and rectal temperature exhibited a quadratic response. There was an increase in red blood cells and urea. The enzyme alanine aminotransferase decreased linearly with water restriction. Urinary creatinine decreased along with water supply. Regarding urine color characteristics, all groups showed different colors, ranging from clear to cloudy. For the chemical characteristics of urine, a quadratic effect was observed for pH, with the highest value (8.75) at 60%. An increase was observed in total urine proteins and urobilinogen. Crossbred Santa Inês ewes in a semi-arid climate exhibit physiological adaptations to water supply reduction up to 40%. Following an 80% reduction in water supply, animals exhibit mild dehydration, characterized by increased serum urea levels and decreased alanine aminotransferase activity.

The use of computational models and thermography enables automated systems to monitor thermal comfort in livestock. This study developed fuzzy and neuro-fuzzy models to predict physiological variables in sheep based on microclimatic variables. Microclimatic data were obtained using a black globe thermometer, while physiological data included rectal temperature and ocular, flank, and rib surface temperatures. A total of 396 data points were collected from 18 sheep during two daily periods. The models were created in MATLAB, using air temperature and humidity as inputs and physiological data as outputs. Performance evaluation considered statistics such as mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), mean squared error (MSE), root mean squared error (RMSE), and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency index (NSE). The neuro-fuzzy model outperformed the fuzzy model, although both delivered satisfactory results. These models eliminate invasive data collection, save time and human resources, and enable automation with greater precision in thermal stress analysis and animal welfare assessment. The approach proved efficient in estimating physiological variables, contributing to advancements in monitoring thermal comfort in sheep.

The acclimatization of packing houses is essential for human well-being, and, as it is a production environment, it is desirable that environmental variables are homogeneous. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the environment in the selection and packaging area of a climate-controlled grape packing house with an evaporative cooling system, characterizing the spatial thermal variability and identifying critical control points. The climatic variables temperature, relative humidity and wind speed were analyzed, at 10:00, 13:00 and 15:00 h during the dry and rainy seasons. Two treatments were evaluated: with evaporative coolers switched on and switched off. The spatial distribution of the variables was mapped by kriging. The evaporative cooling system improved the thermal conditions in the selection and packaging area of the packing house but did not ensure homogenization. Critical points were identified at the beginning of the processing line, in a region further away from the coolers. The use of geostatistics and kriging maps made it possible to identify the spatial variability of climatic attributes and localize problematic regions, which allowed targeted corrections to be made to the factors that compromise human thermal comfort.

Agribusiness workers are regularly exposed to high temperatures, even in covered environments such as packing houses. This study aimed to assess the effect of evaporative coolers on reducing occupational heat exposure for workers and consequently improving the thermal comfort of the selection and packaging areas in a table grape packing house. The evaluation was conducted as per the criteria of the Brazilian legislation, based on the Regulatory Norms (NR’s) 15 and 17 of the Department of Labor. The study was conducted during two climatic production periods, dry and rainy, with the evaporative coolers on and off. With the coolers on, the workers’ occupational exposure to heat was reduced without exceeding the wet bulb globe temperature index tolerance limit for the activities carried out according to the NR 15. However, it did not provide adequate thermal comfort indices according to NR 17. Under semiarid conditions, coolers rendered the environment thermally comfortable for local workers. To reduce the risks to workers’ health, it is suggested that they take breaks in case of discomfort from the heat and provide workers with water and mineral salts to replenish sweat loss.

The thermal environment of broiler facilities is influenced by construction techniques, region, climate, and orientation, directly affecting productivity. The aim was to assess the spatial variability of the thermal environment and lighting in a commercial broiler facility located in a semiarid region. Environmental parameters (temperature, relative humidity, air velocity, and lighting) and thermal indices (Enthalpy, Temperature and Humidity Index, and Black Globe Temperature and Humidity Index) were measured at spaced points of 1.0x1.0 m in winter and summer, at two times (9 am and 3 pm). The analysis was conducted using geostatistics and kriging maps. The facility exhibited a thermal discomfort environment, which could hinder broiler production, particularly in the afternoon, when climatic conditions directly affected its interior. Therefore, to ensure optimal production conditions, measures such as forced ventilation, misting, or adiabatic cooling, painting the roof with colors capable of reflecting part of the solar radiation, increasing the eaves to avoid direct radiation incidence inside the facility, raising the ceiling height, and using vegetative barriers around it are necessary.

A saúde e a segurança no trabalho são fatores fundamentais em todos os setores produtivos, tal como nas agroindústrias e o uso da modelagem computacional pode ser uma ferramenta útil nas áreas de bem-estar humano. Deste modo, objetivou-se com a presente pesquisa, desenvolver um modelo fuzzy capaz de qualificar o nível de insalubridade em ambientes de trabalho em packing houses. O modelo fuzzy desenvolvido teve como variáveis de entrada: o índice de bulbo úmido e temperatura de globo (IBUTG, °C), taxa de metabólica (W), iluminância (lux) e o nível de ruído dB(A), e como variável de saída, o índice de bem-estar humano (IBEH). O método de inferência utilizado foi o de Mandani e, na defuzzificacão, utilizou-se o método do centro de gravidade. O sistema de regras foi desenvolvido com base nas combinações das variáveis de entrada, sendo definidas 300 regras com pesos iguais a 1, com auxílio de especialistas da área. O modelo fuzzy proposto permite estimar o índice de salubridade para trabalhadores, a partir das normativas que engloba o conforto ambiental. Foi encontrado o IBEH de 0,25 para os dois períodos de coleta, esse valor classifica o ambiente como RUIM. Os usos de outros índices podem complementar os resultados do IBEH, além de oferecer um melhor entendimento da real situação do ambiente. Destaca-se que o modelo fuzzy proposto pode ser utilizado para quantificar o bem-estar humano em ambientes de trabalho de packing houses.

Este estudo aborda a utilização do software EnergyPlus™, com o suporte da interface gráfica de usuário OpenStudio®, para a análise do desempenho energético de uma granja de suínos localizada no Campus de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF), em Petrolina-PE. Inicialmente, foi realizada uma simulação tridimensional da edificação, seguida pela classificação das condições de contorno, tipos de ambientes e zonas térmicas. Em seguida, foram inseridas as características térmicas dos materiais de construção, cargas internas, taxa de infiltração, rotinas de ocupação e parâmetros climáticos. Com o objetivo de reduzir o consumo de energia elétrica, foram simuladas alterações na cobertura atual da edificação, considerando a ampliação do beiral e a utilização de dois tipos adicionais de telhas: fibrocimento e sanduíche. Com base nos dados de carga térmica e fluxo de ar projetado, foi utilizado um resfriador evaporativo modelo BEC 35.000 da marca BASENG, com eficiência de resfriamento de 80%, vazão máxima de 35.000 m³/h e potência de 820 W, recomendado para áreas de até 360 m². Com as especificações coletadas, foi calculado o custo de energia. Por fim, avaliou-se a aplicabilidade do programa para o dimensionamento de instalações zootécnicas. Os resultados indicaram que a ampliação do beiral resultou em uma pequena redução na carga térmica, enquanto a mudança do material da cobertura não apresentou impacto significativo. A principal redução na carga térmica foi atribuída à diminuição da taxa de infiltração, que, ao ser reduzida, levou a uma diminuição significativa na carga térmica.

A alta produtividade de manga no vale do São Francisco apresenta ainda muitas perdas. A busca de novas ferramentas capazes de melhorar a produtividade é fator preponderante para a competitividade no mercado. Os modelos matemáticos corretamente validados são ferramentas que permitem prever índices de conforto térmico e quantificar de forma objetiva os principais fatores da construção. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi avaliar as condições de trabalho no setor de seleção em um packing house e verificar o desempenho termoenergético através do programa computacional EnergyPlus. Simulação foi realizada no software EnergyPlus, juntamente com o auxílio do programa SketchUp e o plug-in Euclid, onde foi realizado toda modelagem. Os dados aferidos foram temperatura e umidade relativa do ar através de onze data loggers HOBO modelo H12, distribuídos no setor de seleção. O software apresentou-se ser uma ferramenta útil para elaboração de projetos com melhor desempenho termoenergético para projetos de packing house, uma vez que permite a identificação de estratégias bioclimáticas arquitetônicas e modificação de materiais utilizados.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the intake, digestibility, water balance and growth performance of lambs receiving diets containing cactus silage under an intermittent water supply. Thirty-six male, uncastrated Santa Inês lambs with an initial weight of 19.8 ± 2.1 kg and age of 6 months were distributed in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement, with three proportions of cactus pear in the diets (0 (control diet containing Tifton hay), 21% and 42% of dry matter) and three periods of intermittent water supply (0, 24 and 48 h), with four repetitions. Lambs that received diets non-isonitrogenous with cactus silage showed higher intakes of dry matter (p < 0.001), total digestible nutrients (p < 0.001), water excretion via faeces (p < 0.001) and water balance (p < 0.001). Lambs that received diets with cactus silage showed higher digestibility of total carbohydrates, non-fibre carbohydrates (p = 0.005), water intake via food (p < 0.001), total water intake (p < 0.001), water excretion via urine (p < 0.001) and water balance (p < 0.05), when compared to the control diet. Lambs that received diets with cactus silage promoted growth performance (p = 0.001). When using 42% forage cactus silage in place of Tifton hay and water offered at 48 h intervals, intake, digestibility, and performance of feedlot lambs were improved.