The Efficacy of Laser Fluorescence to Detect in Vitro Demineralization and Remineralization of Smooth Enamel Surfaces

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the laser fluorescence (LF) device in detecting in vitro demineralization and remineralization of smooth surface caries-like lesions. Background Data: The early detection of smooth surface caries-like lesions is important to provide proper management of carious lesions, and allows monitoring of them over time. Also, some authors suggest that LF could be useful in monitoring the caries pathological process. Materials and Methods: Seventy-eight blocks of bovine teeth were obtained, and then submitted to artificial caries lesion induction and to a pH-cycling process. Superficial microhardness (SMH) and laser fluorescence analysis were performed at baseline, after induction of caries-like lesions, and after the pH-cycling regimen to promote remineralization. Results: Friedman's and multiple comparison tests were performed for all variables. SMH analysis showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between baseline (286.77 +/- 1.49 Vickers hardness number [VHN] units), before (38.48 +/- 0.85 VHN), and after remineralization (131.93 +/- 2.63 VHN). Baseline values for LF were extremely low (2.71 +/- 0.05), and a statistically significant difference was observed only after remineralization (3.61 +/- 0.08), as demonstrated by the increase in LF values. Conclusion: The LF device did not show efficacy for monitoring in vitro demineralization and remineralization of smooth enamel surfaces.

The shared influence of phylogeny and ecology on the reproductive patterns of Myrteae (Myrtaceae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

A phylogenetic analysis of Pleurodema (Anura: Leptodactylidae: Leiuperinae) based on mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences, with comments on the evolution of anuran foam nests

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Bats from Fazenda Intervales, Southeastern Brazil: species account and comparison between different sampling methods

Assessing the composition of an area's bat fauna is typically accomplished by using captures or by monitoring echolocation calls with bat detectors. The two methods may not provide the same data regarding species composition. Mist nets and harp traps may be biased towards sampling low flying species, and bat detectors biased towards detecting high intensity echolocators. A comparison of the bat fauna of Fazenda Intervales, southeastern Brazil, as revealed by mist nets and harp trap captures, checking roosts and by monitoring echolocation calls of flying bats illustrates this point. A total of 17 species of bats was sampled. Fourteen bat species were captured and the echolocation calls of 12 species were recorded, three of them not revealed by mist nets or harp traps. The different sampling methods provided different pictures of the bat fauna. Phyllostomid bats dominated the catches in mist nets, but in the field their echolocation calls were never detected. No single sampling approach provided a complete assessment of the bat fauna in the study area. In general, bats producing low intensity echolocation calls, such as phyllostomids, are more easily assessed by netting, and bats producing high intensity echolocation calls are better surveyed by bat detectors. The results demonstrate that a combined and varied approach to sampling is required for a complete assessment of the bat fauna of an area.

Errors due to the tropospheric and ionospheric effects on the geographic location of data collection platforms

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Three-dimensional magnetic resonance reconstruction images before and after surgical therapy of spontaneous canine brain tumors

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Linear relationship between potential and concentration in flow potentiometry

In potentiometric-flow systems, linear-potential responses for logarithmic concentrations can be attained for first-(or pseudo-first-) order reactions in which the monitored chemical species react with the analyte during a fixed time interval. To demonstrate this property, the determination of glycerol based on its oxidation by periodate and potentiometric monitoring of the remaining periodate was selected. Influence of reagent concentration and timing on the linearity of the analytical curve were investigated. A mathematical treatment was derived, and potentialities/limitations of the approach were outlined. The system was applied to analysis of soap and lixivia samples. The analytical curve within 200 and 2000 mg L-1 (r = 0.99975; n = 5) was described as E = 8.166 + 0.0478 (glycerol). The sample throughput was 100 h(-1), and a measurement repeatability within 0.5 mV was always observed. By applying a t-test, there was no statistical difference between the results obtained by the proposed procedure and by iodimetric titration at the 95% confidence level. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Lab Robotics and Automation 12:41-45, 2000.

Chest associated to motor physiotherapy acutely improves oxygen saturation, heart rate and respiratory rate in premature newborns with periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Sphere of influence and gravitational capture radius: a dynamical approach

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Fish cytogenetic research: Advances, applications and perspectives

Methods developed since 1976 for harvesting, preparing and banding fish chromosomes are now commonly used for taxonomic and phylogenetic studies, genetic control and chromosome manipulations in fish breeding and in monitoring aquatic pollutants by examining chromosomal aberrations. These studies have chiefly concerned common temperate freshwater species; the same procedures, when applied to marine and coldwater fish, often provide unsatisfactory results, especially in cell culture. A concerted effort should be made in marine fish, and to develop molecular cytogenetic methods to provide a more powerful tool to study chromosomal evolution. © 1991 BRILL.

Automatic system for thermal damage detection in manufacturing process with Internet monitoring

This work involved the development of a smart system dedicated to surface burning detection in the grinding process through constant monitoring of the process by acoustic emission and electrical power signals. A program in Visual Basic® for Windows® was developed, which collects the signals through an analog-digital converter and further processes them using burning detection algorithms already known. Three other parameters are proposed here and a comparative study carried out. When burning occurs, the newly developed software program sends a control signal warning the operator or interrupting the process, and delivers process information via the Internet. Parallel to this, the user can also interfere in the process via Internet, changing parameters and/or monitoring the grinding process. The findings of a comparative study of the various parameters are also discussed here. Copyright © 2006 by ABCM.

Monitoring the dressing operation in the grinding process

This work was based on a methodology of development and experimentation, and involved monitoring the dressing operation by processing the acoustic emission and electric power signals to detect the optimal dressing moment. Dressing tests were performed in a surface grinding machine with an aluminium grinding wheel. Dressing analysis software was developed and used to process the signals collected earlier in order to analyse not only the dressing parameters but also the software's ability to indicate the instant when the dressing operation could be concluded. Parameters used in the study of burn in grinding were implemented in order to ascertain if they would also prove efficient in monitoring dressing. A comparative study revealed that some parameters are capable of monitoring the dressing operation. It was possible to verify the parameters effectiveness that today are utilised in burning to monitor dressing as well as to create new parameters for monitoring this operation. Copyright © 2009, Inderscience Publishers.

Some aspects of chicken behavior and welfare

Brazil is the world leader in broiler production and export. It achieved this position mainly to its excellent supply chain structure and climate, which favor poultry and grain production throughout its territory. Although Brazilian egg production is not as important as broiler production, this segment presents great potential of increasing its share in the global market. However, as elsewhere in the world, Brazilian poultry production faces the challenge to balance two elements within its supply chain: cruelty and productivity. The consumers of the European Union (EU) are very concerned with animal welfare issues. In order to increase its share in the European market, and eventually in the world market, Brazilian poultry producers must understand the effects of production systems on poultry welfare, and try to develop systems that are suited for its climate and other production conditions. There is a consensus that the natural behaviors performed by poultry in intensive production systems allow better welfare. This objective of this review is to present scientific research studies that relate different behaviors to chicken welfare. Poultry behavior is a reflex of their welfare status at a particular moment, and it is related to internal (physiological) and external (environmental) factors. Several natural behaviors that favor welfare, as well as undesirable behaviors, may be stimulated by environmental enrichment. The correct interpretation of the behaviors expressed by poultry, including their frequency, duration, and sequence, may be used to estimate their welfare. Animal production is an import sector of Brazilian economy. It significantly contributes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in terms of products destined both to domestic consumption and exports. New technologies applied to products and management practices have been developed for field application, aiming at improving producers' productivity and profitability. In order to comply with the European Union's (EU) guidelines for animal protein production, Brazilian poultry production needs to undergo a process of adaptation. In May, 2007, the EU Commission established its new guidelines for animal welfare in poultry production, pressured by consumer demand. In the EU, there is a growing concern among consumers as to how poultry are reared and slaughtered. European consumers are in the fore front of the demand of high quality products produced with under better welfare conditions, and have spread this concern throughout the world. Beaumont et al. (2010) mentioned that European consumers frequently perceive that standard commercial poultry production has poor animal welfare practices. According to Nääs et al. (2008), Brazilian poultry production today needs to find a balance between cruelty and productivity. In fact, ensuring animal welfare may provide better financial results, as it increases the producer's profit margins and allows maintaining Brazilian chicken export quotas to the EU. França (2008) noted that biological studies that define ethical limits and guidelines for poultry production foster the development of new production practices that may ensure good product quality and productivity without putting bird welfare at risk. Gonyou (1994) states that, when animal welfare started to be studied, the only behavioral factors considered were those related to feeding and reproduction. These first studies used as indicators of animal welfare reduced life expectancy, impaired growth, impaired reproduction, body damage, disease, immunosuppression, adrenal activity, behavior anomalies, and self-narcotization (Broom, 1991). However, current studies evaluate additional indicators, such as natural behaviors, behavioral needs, preferences, behavioral problems, emotional state, cognitive abilities, etc. In the field of ethology, the expression of natural behavior is a frequently used tool used to estimate the welfare of poultry destined to human consumption. According to Bracke & Hopster (2006), natural behavior can be defined as the behavior the animal normaly presents when exposed to conditions similar to its natural habitat. Natural behaviors are pleasurable and promote biological functions that are meaningful to the animal's welfare. The definition of natural behavior, though, does not include the bird's behavior when sick, in flight or during aggression, since these are not considered pleasurable situations. Considering layer behavioral needs in the design of housing facilities optimize their welfare. Mishra et al. (2005) verified that ISA Brown layers spent, during 24 hours, around 97% of the time in the nest, feeding, walking, resting, or dust bathing, and that 57% of these behaviors did not depend on environmental enrichment. It was also observed that hens had preferred behavioral sequences, which included foraging and comfort behaviors, such as wing-stretching and preening. The present review aims at discussing, albeit not exhaustively, scientific research studies on the behavior of Gallusgallus domesticus and its relationship to welfare. The following behaviors are reviewed: feather pecking, scratching, dust bathing, nesting, locomotion activities, and aggressive behaviors. These behaviors are the most frequently observed in commercial broiler, broiler breeder, and layer farming, and therefore, monitoring their incidence may contribute to measure poultry welfare.

Improving methods in gap ecology: Revisiting size and shape distributions using a model selection approach

Questions: We assess gap size and shape distributions, two important descriptors of the forest disturbance regime, by asking: which statistical model best describes gap size distribution; can simple geometric forms adequately describe gap shape; does gap size or shape vary with forest type, gap age or the method used for gap delimitation; and how similar are the studied forests and other tropical and temperate forests? Location: Southeastern Atlantic Forest, Brazil. Methods: Analysing over 150 gaps in two distinct forest types (seasonal and rain forests), a model selection framework was used to select appropriate probability distributions and functions to describe gap size and gap shape. The first was described using univariate probability distributions, whereas the latter was assessed based on the gap area-perimeter relationship. Comparisons of gap size and shape between sites, as well as size and age classes were then made based on the likelihood of models having different assumptions for the values of their parameters. Results: The log-normal distribution was the best descriptor of gap size distribution, independently of the forest type or gap delimitation method. Because gaps became more irregular as they increased in size, all geometric forms (triangle, rectangle and ellipse) were poor descriptors of gap shape. Only when small and large gaps (> 100 or 400m2 depending on the delimitation method) were treated separately did the rectangle and isosceles triangle become accurate predictors of gap shape. Ellipsoidal shapes were poor descriptors. At both sites, gaps were at least 50% longer than they were wide, a finding with important implications for gap microclimate (e.g. light entrance regime) and, consequently, for gap regeneration. Conclusions: In addition to more appropriate descriptions of gap size and shape, the model selection framework used here efficiently provided a means by which to compare the patterns of two different types of forest. With this framework we were able to recommend the log-normal parameters μ and σ for future comparisons of gap size distribution, and to propose possible mechanisms related to random rates of gap expansion and closure. We also showed that gap shape varied highly and that no single geometric form was able to predict the shape of all gaps, the ellipse in particular should no longer be used as a standard gap shape. © 2012 International Association for Vegetation Science.