Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

About: Universidade Federal de Santa Maria is a education organization based out in Santa Maria, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 21178 authors who have published 35632 publications receiving 371665 citations.

Can occurrence of soil hydrophobicity promote the increase of aggregates stability

Abstract: The soil hydrophobicity can be understood as soil water repellency or difficulty in wetness. This phenomenon is associated with the covering soil particles and hydrophobic organic compounds reducing the soil sorptivity and hence infiltration of water. The objectives of this study were to determine the level of hydrophobicity in the soil and assess its relationship with resistance and size distribution of water stable aggregates, particle size distribution and organic matter content of different soils in southern Brazil. Undisturbed soil samples were collected in different soil layers, 0–5, 5–10 and 10–20 cm, to determine soil sorptivity, geometric mean diameter and aggregate stability index while granulometric composition and organic matter content were determined using disturbed soil samples. The sorptivity test was conducted using a tension micro-infiltrometer, with two different liquids, distilled water and ethanol (95% v/v). The proportions of sand, silt and clay did not correlate significantly with the occurrence of hydrophobicity. In the hydrophobic soils, hydrophobicity index is directly associated with high organic matter contents and did not correlate with the particle size distribution. For the hydrophobic aggregates, cohesive forces between the particles acted for long period as a result of slow wetting, which led to an increase in geometric mean diameter, stability index of water stable aggregates and consequently greater resistance to the disintegrating actions of associated agents.

Anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes of beef cattle in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Abstract: Gastrointestinal nematodes resistant to anthelmintics have been reported in several regions of Brazil, and they may be associated with economic losses for the cattle industry. This study aimed to evaluate the resistance status of gastrointestinal nematodes from naturally infected beef cattle to several commercially available anthelmintics, as well as to test the efficacy of combinations of anthelmintics against multi-resistant gastrointestinal nematodes. Ten farms located in Rio Grande do Sul state were selected by: farmers' consent; extensive raising system; availability of calves aged from 7 to 9 months naturally infected by gastrointestinal nematodes; absence of anthelmintic treatment for 60 days before the study; and presence of 70-100 calves or more of both genders with ≥ 200 eggs per gram of feces (EPG) (sensitivity of 50 EPG). These calves were distributed into 10 groups (of 7-10 animals) per farm and treated with ivermectin, doramectin, eprinomectin, fenbendazole, closantel, nitroxynil, disophenol, levamisole, albendazole, or moxidectin. Feces were collected 2 days before treatment and 14 days after treatment. Additional groups of 7-10 calves were used to test six different two-drug combinations at four of the studied farms. In general terms, fenbendazole was the most effective drug, followed by levamisole, disophenol, and moxidectin. However, parasite resistance to multiple drugs was found in all herds, especially in the genera Cooperia spp., Trichostrongylus spp., and Haemonchus spp.. Some of the two-drug combinations were effective against nematode populations identified as resistant to the same compounds when used as single drugs. The most effective combinations were moxidectin + levamisole, doramectin + fenbendazole, and levamisole + closantel. In this study, parasites resistant to the main commercially available anthelmintics were found in all herds, and some combinations of two active components belonging to different chemical groups were effective against multi-drug resistant gastrointestinal nematodes.

Focus group on qualitative research: experience report

Abstract: Objective to report the experience of applying the focus group technique for production of data in qualitative research. Method four group sessions were held from May to June 2015, with the participation of professionals from the public sector of PHC and from specialized service. Results the way focus group was developed is described in steps: planning, recruitment, ambience, group sessions, and evaluation. Conclusion we highlight that the focus group, as a technique to produce data in collective space, can contribute not only to the construction of knowledge in Nursing, but also to the research approach with the assistance practice.