Soil macrofauna communities in Brazilian land-use systems.

Background: Soil animal communities include more than 40 higher-order taxa, representing over 23% of all described species. These animals have a wide range of feeding sources and contribute to several important soil functions and ecosystem services. Although many studies have assessed macroinvertebrate communities in Brazil, few of them have been published in journals and even fewer have made the data openly available for consultation and further use. As part of ongoing efforts to synthesise the global soil macrofauna communities and to increase the amount of openly-accessible data in GBIF and other repositories related to soil biodiversity, the present paper provides links to 29 soil macroinvertebrate datasets covering 42 soil fauna taxa, collected in various land-use systems in Brazil. A total of 83,085 georeferenced occurrences of these taxa are presented, based on quantitative estimates performed using a standardised sampling method commonly adopted worldwide to collect soil macrofauna populations, i.e. the TSBF (Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Programme) protocol. This consists of digging soil monoliths of 25 x 25 cm area, with handsorting of the macroinvertebrates visible to the naked eye from the surface litter and from within the soil, typically in the upper 0-20 cm layer (but sometimes shallower, i.e. top 0-10 cm or deeper to 0-40 cm, depending on the site). The land-use systems included anthropogenic sites managed with agricultural systems (e.g. pastures, annual and perennial crops, agroforestry), as well as planted forests and native vegetation located mostly in the southern Brazilian State of Paraná (96 sites), with a few additional sites in the neighbouring states of São Paulo (21 sites) and Santa Catarina (five sites). Important metadata on soil properties, particularly soil chemical parameters (mainly pH, C, P, Ca, K, Mg, Al contents, exchangeable acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, Base Saturation and, infrequently, total N), particle size distribution (mainly % sand, silt and clay) and, infrequently, soil moisture and bulk density, as well as on human management practices (land use and vegetation cover) are provided. These data will be particularly useful for those interested in estimating land-use change impacts on soil biodiversity and its implications for below-ground foodwebs, ecosystem functioning and ecosystem service delivery. New information: Quantitative estimates are provided for 42 soil animal taxa, for two biodiversity hotspots: the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes. Data are provided at the individual monolith level, representing sampling events ranging from February 2001 up to September 2016 in 122 sampling sites and over 1800 samples, for a total of 83,085 ocurrences.

Evidências de Validade da Escala de Autoeficácia da Bateria de Avaliação de Indicadores da Depressão Infantojuvenil / Validity Evidences of Evaluation Battery for Childhood Depression Indicators Self-efficacy Scale / Evidencias de Validez de la Escala de Autoeficacia de la Batería de Evaluación de Indicadores de la Depresión Infantojuvenil

Este estudo analisou evidências de validade da Escala de Autoeficácia da Bateria de Avaliação de Indicadores da Depressão Infatojuvenil, avaliou a validade divergente da escala em relação à depressão e examinou a distribuição social da autoeficácia segundo as variáveis sexo, idade e ano escolar. A amostra consistiu de 388 adolescentes, com idades entre 14 e 19 anos que responderam a um questionário sociodemográfico e à Escala de Autoeficácia. A Análise Fatorial Exploratória foi conduzida por meio do software Factor. Os resultados indicaram a unidimensionalidade da medida, explicando 56,3% de variância. Os índices de ajuste do modelo e o índice de confiabilidade foram satisfatórios. A avaliação da distribuição social mostrou que houve relações estatisticamente significativas quanto ao sexo e a idade. Constatou-se que a Escala de Autoeficácia apresentou boas propriedades psicométricas, o que recomenda seu uso por parte da comunidade científica e profissional para futuras pesquisas, intervenções e avaliações da autoeficácia em adolescentes. (AU)

This study analyzed validity evidences of the Evaluation Battery for Childhood Depression Indicators Self-efficacy Scale, assessed the divergent validity of the scale in relation to depression and examined the social distribution of self-efficacy according to gender, age, and school grade. The sample consisted of 388 adolescents, aged between 14 and 19 years old. It was administered a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Self-efficacy Scale. Exploratory Factor Analysis was conducted using the Factor software. The results indicated the unidimensionality of the scale, explained 56.3% of the total variance. The fit indices of the model and the reliability index were satisfactory. The evaluation of the social distribution showed statistically significant relationships between self-efficacy, sex and age. Finally, the Self-efficacy Scale showed satisfactory psychometric properties, which recommend its use by the scientific and professional community for future research, interventions, and evaluations of the self-efficacy in adolescents. (AU)

Este estudio analizó evidencias de validez de la Escala de Autoeficacia de la Batería de Evaluación de Indicadores de la Depresión Infantojuvenil, evaluó la validez divergente de la escala en relación a la depresión y examinó la distribución social de la autoeficacia según las variables sexo, edad y grado escolar. La muestra consistió de 388 adolescentes entre 14 y 19 años. Fueron empleados un cuestionario sociodemográfico y la Escala de Autoeficacia. El Análisis Factorial Exploratorio fue conducido por medio del software Factor. Los resultados revelaron la unidimensionalidad de la medida, explicando 56,3% de la varianza. Los índices de ajuste del modelo y de confiabilidad fueron satisfactorios. La evaluación de la distribución social mostró que hubo relaciones estadísticamente significativas entre autoeficacia, sexo y edad. Finalmente, se constató que la Escala de Autoeficacia presentó buenas propiedades psicométricas, lo que recomienda su uso por parte de la comunidad científica y profesional para futuras investigaciones y evaluaciones de la autoeficacia de adolescentes. (AU)

Risk assessment of Cry toxins of Bacillus thuringiensis on the predatory mites Euseius concordis and Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae).

Genetically modified plants carrying Cry toxins of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are widely used for pest control. Possible adverse effects as a result of the use of this control technique to non-target organisms is still a concern; however, few studies have addressed the effects of Bt crops on phytoseiid predatory mites. Phytoseiids are important for the natural control of phytophagous mites, but they can also feed on pollen, plant exudates, etc. Thus, phytoseiids may ingest Bt toxins through several pathways. In this paper, we evaluate the direct effect of Bt-toxins by feeding the predators on Bt cell suspensions, on solution of a Bt toxin and the tri-trophic effect by Bt expressed in transgenic plants. We present a method of conducting toxicological tests with Phytoseiidae which can be useful in studies of risk analysis of toxins to be expressed by genetically engineered plants. This method was used to evaluate the potential effect of ingestion of suspensions of Bt (1.25 × 10(8) spores/ml) and of purified protein Cry1Ia12 (0.006 mg/ml and 0.018 mg/ml) on Euseius concordis, a predatory mite that develops and reproduces best on pollen. The effects of genetically modified Bollgard(®) cotton, which carries the Cry1Ac protein, on Neoseiulus californicus, a selective predator that feeds more on spider mites than on pollen or insects, was determined by feeding them with Tetranychus urticae reared in Bollgard(®) cotton and on the non-transgenic isoline. When E. concordis was fed with suspension of Bt isolate derived from product Dipel(®) PM, no significant effects were detected. Similarly, Cry1Ia12 Bt toxin, at a concentration of 0.006 mg/ml, did not affect E. concordis. At a concentration of 0.018 mg/ml, however, the intake of this protein reduced the reproduction of E. concordis. There were no effects of Bollgard(®) cotton on the biological traits and on the predatory capacity of N. californicus. Results indicate that the Cry toxins of B. thuringiensis studied, at the concentrations used in the field or expressed in transgenic plants, should not affect the predatory mites E. concordis and N. californicus.

Condições de trabalho e fatores de risco da atividade realizada pelo bombeiro / Working conditions and risk factors of firefighters activities / Condiciones de trabajo y factores de riesgo de la actividad realizada por el bombero

O presente estudo constitui-se de uma pesquisa descritiva e de abordagem qualitativa que teve como objetivo conhecer as condições de trabalho e os fatores de risco da atividade dos bombeiros, de acordo com o seu ponto de vista. A pesquisa foi realizada junto aos bombeiros militares, mediante entrevistas, no primeiro semestre de 2012, e analisada por meio da análise temática. O estudo respeitou as normas éticas vigentes no Brasil. Os sujeitos consideram boas suas condições de trabalho quanto à convivência com os colegas, à estabilidade financeira e à satisfação em ajudar o próximo, e ruins quanto à deficiência de recursos materiais e humanos e ao insucesso nos atendimentos. No seu cotidiano de trabalho a exposição aos riscos físicos e biológicos são mais frequentes. Investimentos em educação permanente em saúde para a segurança no trabalho e a disponibilização de recursos materiais e humanos podem ser estratégias de promoção da saúde desses trabalhadores.

This is a descriptive, qualitative study that aimed to understand the working conditions and the risk factors in the activity of firefighters according to their point of view. Was conducted with the military firefighters through interviews, in the first half of 2012 and analyzed using thematic analysis. The study complied with the ethical resources existing in Brazil. The subjects considered good working conditions as to coexistence with colleagues, financial stability and satisfaction in helping others. They considered bad conditions regarding to deficiency of material and human resources and failure in assistance. In their daily work exposure to physical and biological risks are more frequent. Investments in continuing health education for safety at work with the availability of material and human resources can be health promotion strategies for the workers.

Se trata de una investigación descriptiva, de abordaje cualitativo que tuvo como objetivo conocer las condiciones de trabajo y los factores de riesgo de la actividad de los bomberos de acuerdo con su punto de vista. Fue realizada junto a los bomberos militares, a través de entrevistas, en el primer semestre de 2012 y analizada mediante análisis temático. El estudio cumplió con los recursos éticos existentes en Brasil. Los sujetos consideran buenas sus condiciones de trabajo en cuanto a la convivencia con los compañeros, a la estabilidad financiera y a la satisfacción de ayudar al próximo y malas en cuanto a la deficiencia de recursos materiales y humanos y al fracaso en las atenciones. En su cotidiano de trabajo la exposición a los riesgos físicos y biológicos son más frecuentes. Inversiones en educación permanente en salud para la seguridad en el trabajo, junto a la disponibilidad de recursos materiales y humanos pueden ser estrategias de promoción a la salud de este trabajador.

Attraction of Astylus variegatus (Germ.) (Coleoptera: Melyridae) by volatile floral attractants

The beetle Astylus variegatus (Germ.) (Coleoptera: Melyridae) is frequently found in flowers feeding on pollen. Responses of A. variegatus to volatile floral attractants were studied in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) fields. Traps originally designed to capture Diabrotica speciosa (Germ.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), consisted of plastic bottles (2 L) with 150 holes (5-mm diameter) yellow gold painted and containing inside a plastic strip (3.5 FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> 25 cm) with Lagenaria vulgaris (L.) powder (0.28% B cucurbitacin - feeding stimulant and arrestant for diabroticites) sprayed with carbaril insecticide. Treatments consisted of 1,4-dimethoxybenzene (one or two dispensers per trap), 1,4-dimethoxybenze + indole, 1,4-dimethoxybenzene + cinnameldehyde and control. Volatile average release rates (over ten days) was approximately 32 mg day-1 per dispenser under laboratory conditions. 1,4-dimethoxybenzene-lured traps caught significantly more beetles than the control, three and seven days after trap setting. Ten days after the onset of the experiment, there were no differences in number of beetles caught by treatments. Captures were higher in the 1,4-dimethoxybenzene + cinnamaldehyde treatment than in 1,4-dimethoxybenzene only in the first assessment. Adding indole to 1,4-dimethoxybenzene did not improve beetle captures.

O besouro Astylus variegatus (Germ.) (Coleoptera: Melyridae) é freqüentemente encontrado em flores onde se alimenta de pólen. Respostas de A. variegatus a atraentes voláteis florais foram estudadas em campos de feijão, Phaseolus vulgaris L. Armadilhas, originalmente desenvolvidas para capturar Diabrotica speciosa (Germ.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), consistiram de garrafas plástica (2 L) com 150 perfurações (5 mm de diâmetro) pintadas com tinta amarelo ouro contendo no seu interior uma fita plástica (3,5 FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> 25,0 cm) com pó seco de frutos de Lagenaria vulgaris (L.) (0,28% de cucurbitacina B estimulante alimentar e arrestante para diabroticíneos) pulverizados com inseticida carbaril. Os tratamentos foram: 1,4-dimetoxibenzeno (um ou dois liberadores por armadilha); 1,4-dimetoxibenzeno + indol; 1,4-dimetoxibenzeno + cinamaldeído e testemunha (sem volátil). As taxas de liberação dos semioquímicos (por 10 dias) foram de aproximadamente 32 mg dia-1 por liberador em condições de laboratório. Armadilhas iscadas com 1,4-dimetoxibenzeno capturaram mais insetos que a testemunha, três e sete dias após instalação das armadilhas. Dez dias após o início dos experimentos, não foram verificadas diferenças entre os tratamentos, no número de besouros capturados. Capturas foram maiores no tratamento com 1,4-dimetoxibenzeno + cinamaldeído do que no 1,4-dimetoxibenzeno sozinho na primeira avaliação. Adição do indole ao 1,4-dimetoxibenzeno não aumentou as capturas.

Attraction of Astylus variegatus (Germ.) (Coleoptera: Melyridae) by volatile floral attractants

The beetle Astylus variegatus (Germ.) (Coleoptera: Melyridae) is frequently found in flowers feeding on pollen. Responses of A. variegatus to volatile floral attractants were studied in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) fields. Traps originally designed to capture Diabrotica speciosa (Germ.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), consisted of plastic bottles (2 L) with 150 holes (5-mm diameter) yellow gold painted and containing inside a plastic strip (3.5 FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> 25 cm) with Lagenaria vulgaris (L.) powder (0.28% B cucurbitacin - feeding stimulant and arrestant for diabroticites) sprayed with carbaril insecticide. Treatments consisted of 1,4-dimethoxybenzene (one or two dispensers per trap), 1,4-dimethoxybenze + indole, 1,4-dimethoxybenzene + cinnameldehyde and control. Volatile average release rates (over ten days) was approximately 32 mg day-1 per dispenser under laboratory conditions. 1,4-dimethoxybenzene-lured traps caught significantly more beetles than the control, three and seven days after trap setting. Ten days after the onset of the experiment, there were no differences in number of beetles caught by treatments. Captures were higher in the 1,4-dimethoxybenzene + cinnamaldehyde treatment than in 1,4-dimethoxybenzene only in the first assessment. Adding indole to 1,4-dimethoxybenzene did not improve beetle captures.

O besouro Astylus variegatus (Germ.) (Coleoptera: Melyridae) é freqüentemente encontrado em flores onde se alimenta de pólen. Respostas de A. variegatus a atraentes voláteis florais foram estudadas em campos de feijão, Phaseolus vulgaris L. Armadilhas, originalmente desenvolvidas para capturar Diabrotica speciosa (Germ.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), consistiram de garrafas plástica (2 L) com 150 perfurações (5 mm de diâmetro) pintadas com tinta amarelo ouro contendo no seu interior uma fita plástica (3,5 FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> 25,0 cm) com pó seco de frutos de Lagenaria vulgaris (L.) (0,28% de cucurbitacina B estimulante alimentar e arrestante para diabroticíneos) pulverizados com inseticida carbaril. Os tratamentos foram: 1,4-dimetoxibenzeno (um ou dois liberadores por armadilha); 1,4-dimetoxibenzeno + indol; 1,4-dimetoxibenzeno + cinamaldeído e testemunha (sem volátil). As taxas de liberação dos semioquímicos (por 10 dias) foram de aproximadamente 32 mg dia-1 por liberador em condições de laboratório. Armadilhas iscadas com 1,4-dimetoxibenzeno capturaram mais insetos que a testemunha, três e sete dias após instalação das armadilhas. Dez dias após o início dos experimentos, não foram verificadas diferenças entre os tratamentos, no número de besouros capturados. Capturas foram maiores no tratamento com 1,4-dimetoxibenzeno + cinamaldeído do que no 1,4-dimetoxibenzeno sozinho na primeira avaliação. Adição do indole ao 1,4-dimetoxibenzeno não aumentou as capturas.

Trap attributes influencing capture of Diabrotica speciosa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on common bean fields

Refinements in trap characteristics may improve ability to monitor and mass-trap beetles. Field assays were conducted in common bean fields to assess responses of Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) to some trap characteristics. Golden yellow plastic cups (750 mL) traps caught more D. speciosa females and males than did clear traps. Carrot slices in Petri dishes baited with Lagenaria vulagaris L. powder (cucurbitacin source - 0.28%) caught more beetles than did dishes with carrot alone. Dispensers for the floral volatile attractant 1,4-dimethoxybenze were also compared. Rubber septa dispenser attracted more beetles than did control (dental wicks saturated with acetone). Captures on dental wick, starch matrix and feminine pad dispensers were intermediate and did not differ from those on rubber septa and unbaited controls. Perforated bottle traps (2000 mL), when baited with the floral attractant, caught more beetles than did window bottle traps (both traps contained L. vulgaris powder) in most assessments done from two to ten days after trap placement in the field. Traps with the insecticide carbaryl captured more beetles than did traps without it, 2-4 and 8-10 days after trap placement in the field, but not in the remaining periods (0-2, 4-6 and 6-8 days). Traps baited with 1,4-dimethoxybenzene captured more beetles than did the unbaited ones in all assessments (each other day from two to ten days after trap placement in the field). Finally, similar amounts of beetles were captured using plastic bottle traps (2000 mL): perforated, window (both with cucurbitacin) and sticky (without cucurbitacin) traps, when were baited with the floral attractant.

Refinamentos em caraterísticas de armadilhas podem incrementar sua habilidade para monitorar e capturar em massa os insetos. Experimentos foram conduzidos em lavoura de feijoeiro para verificar as respostas de Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) a algumas características de armadilhas. Armadilhas de copos plástico (750 mL) amarelo ouro capturaram mais fêmeas e machos de D. speciosa do que transparentes. Placas de Petri com pedaços de cenoura, com pó seco de purungo, Lagenaria vulgaris L. (fonte de cucurbitacina - 0,28%) capturaram mais insetos do que placas com somente cenoura. Liberadores para o atraente floral 1,4-dimetoxibenzeno foram também comparados. Liberador de septo de borracha atraiu mais insetos do que o controle (flocos dentais saturados com acetona). Capturas nos tratamentos com liberadores de floco dental, matriz borato e absorvente higiênico foram intermediárias mas não diferiram da testemunha e septo. Modelo de armadilha de garrafa (2000 mL) furada capturou mais insetos do que armadilha vazada ("janelas") (ambas contendo pó seco de purungo) na maioria das avaliações, dos dois até os dez dias após a instalação das armadilhas no campo. Armadilhas com inseticida carbaryl capturaram mais insetos do que armadilhas sem, nos intervalos de 2-4 e 9-10 dias após a instalação das armadilhas no campo. Nos períodos restantes (0-2, 4-6- e 6-8 dias), diferenças não foram detectadas. Armadilhas com 1,4-dimetoxibenzeno capturaram mais insetos do que armadilhas sem o volátil (avaliações a cada dois dias dos dois aos dez dias após a instalação no campo). Finalmente, quantidades similares de insetos foram capturadas usando armadilhas de garrafa pet (2000 mL): vazadas ("janelas"), furadas (ambas com cucurbitacina) e adesivas quando estas foram iscadas com o atraente floral.

Trap attributes influencing capture of Diabrotica speciosa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on common bean fields

Refinements in trap characteristics may improve ability to monitor and mass-trap beetles. Field assays were conducted in common bean fields to assess responses of Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) to some trap characteristics. Golden yellow plastic cups (750 mL) traps caught more D. speciosa females and males than did clear traps. Carrot slices in Petri dishes baited with Lagenaria vulagaris L. powder (cucurbitacin source - 0.28%) caught more beetles than did dishes with carrot alone. Dispensers for the floral volatile attractant 1,4-dimethoxybenze were also compared. Rubber septa dispenser attracted more beetles than did control (dental wicks saturated with acetone). Captures on dental wick, starch matrix and feminine pad dispensers were intermediate and did not differ from those on rubber septa and unbaited controls. Perforated bottle traps (2000 mL), when baited with the floral attractant, caught more beetles than did window bottle traps (both traps contained L. vulgaris powder) in most assessments done from two to ten days after trap placement in the field. Traps with the insecticide carbaryl captured more beetles than did traps without it, 2-4 and 8-10 days after trap placement in the field, but not in the remaining periods (0-2, 4-6 and 6-8 days). Traps baited with 1,4-dimethoxybenzene captured more beetles than did the unbaited ones in all assessments (each other day from two to ten days after trap placement in the field). Finally, similar amounts of beetles were captured using plastic bottle traps (2000 mL): perforated, window (both with cucurbitacin) and sticky (without cucurbitacin) traps, when were baited with the floral attractant.

Refinamentos em caraterísticas de armadilhas podem incrementar sua habilidade para monitorar e capturar em massa os insetos. Experimentos foram conduzidos em lavoura de feijoeiro para verificar as respostas de Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) a algumas características de armadilhas. Armadilhas de copos plástico (750 mL) amarelo ouro capturaram mais fêmeas e machos de D. speciosa do que transparentes. Placas de Petri com pedaços de cenoura, com pó seco de purungo, Lagenaria vulgaris L. (fonte de cucurbitacina - 0,28%) capturaram mais insetos do que placas com somente cenoura. Liberadores para o atraente floral 1,4-dimetoxibenzeno foram também comparados. Liberador de septo de borracha atraiu mais insetos do que o controle (flocos dentais saturados com acetona). Capturas nos tratamentos com liberadores de floco dental, matriz borato e absorvente higiênico foram intermediárias mas não diferiram da testemunha e septo. Modelo de armadilha de garrafa (2000 mL) furada capturou mais insetos do que armadilha vazada ("janelas") (ambas contendo pó seco de purungo) na maioria das avaliações, dos dois até os dez dias após a instalação das armadilhas no campo. Armadilhas com inseticida carbaryl capturaram mais insetos do que armadilhas sem, nos intervalos de 2-4 e 9-10 dias após a instalação das armadilhas no campo. Nos períodos restantes (0-2, 4-6- e 6-8 dias), diferenças não foram detectadas. Armadilhas com 1,4-dimetoxibenzeno capturaram mais insetos do que armadilhas sem o volátil (avaliações a cada dois dias dos dois aos dez dias após a instalação no campo). Finalmente, quantidades similares de insetos foram capturadas usando armadilhas de garrafa pet (2000 mL): vazadas ("janelas"), furadas (ambas com cucurbitacina) e adesivas quando estas foram iscadas com o atraente floral.