From doubly labelled water to half-life; validating radio-isotopic rubidium turnover to measure metabolism in small vertebrates

The doubly labelled water method (DLW) is widely used to measure field metabolic rate (FMR), but it has some limitations. Here, we validate an innovative technique for measuring FMR by comparing the turnover of isotopic rubidium (86Rb kb) with DLW depletion and the rate of CO2 production (V·co2) measured by flow-through respirometry (FTR) for two dunnart species (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae), Sminthopsis macroura (17 g) and Sminthopsis ooldea (10 g). The rate of metabolism as assessed by V·co2 (FTR) and 86Rb kb was significantly correlated for both species (S. macroura, r2 = 0·81, P = 1·19 × 10-5; S. ooldea, r2 = 0·63, P = 3·84 × 10-4), as was V·co2 from FTR and DLW for S. macroura (r2 = 0·43, P = 0·039), but not for S. ooldea (r2 = 0·29, P = 0·168). There was no relationship between V·co2 from DLW and 86Rb kb for either species (S. macroura r2 = 0·22, P = 0·169; S. ooldea r2 = 0·21, P = 0·253). We conclude that 86Rb kb provided useful estimates of metabolic rate for dunnarts. Meta-analysis provided different linear relationships between V·co2 and 86Rb kb for endotherms and ectotherms, suggesting different proportionalities between metabolic rate and 86Rb kb for different taxa. Understanding the mechanistic basis for this correlation might provide useful insights into the cause of these taxonomic differences in the proportionality. At present, it is essential that the relationship between metabolic rate and 86Rb kb be validated for each taxon of interest. The advantages of the 86Rb technique over DLW include lower equipment requirements and technical expertise, and the longer time span over which measurements can be made. The 86Rb method might be particularly useful for estimating FMR of groups for which the assumptions of the DLW technique are compromised (e.g. amphibians, diving species and fossorial species), and groups that are practically challenging for DLW studies (e.g. insects). © 2013 British Ecological Society.

Efeito das interações peptídeo-peptídeo e peptídeo-membrana nas atividades funcionais de toxinas peptídicas do veneno da vespa social Agelaia pallipes pallipes (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Avaliação de híbridos simples braquíticos de milho super doce (Zea mays L.) portadores do gene shrunken-2 (sh2sh2) utilizando o esquema dialélico parcial

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Agricultura) - FCA

Estudo etnobotânico nas comunidades de Porto Limão, Porto Alambrado e Campo Alegre, na fronteira Brasil-Bolívia, Mato Grosso Brasil

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Vegetal) - IBRC

Novo gene cry8 de Bacillus thuringiensis: caracterização e avaliação da patogenicidade ao bicudo da cana-de-açúcar, Sphenophorus levis Vaurie, 1978 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Integralidade do cuidado com o idoso na estrategia de saude da familia: visao da equipe

Tal estudo buscou compreender como vem sendo realizado o cuidado ao idoso em Unidade de Saúde da Família segundo a visão dos profissionais de saúde.MÉTODOS:Estudo qualitativo, com a análise fenomenológica social de Alfred Schutz.RESULTADOS:Foram entrevistados sete profissionais de nível superior por meio de questão norteadora. A análise possibilitou evidenciar: cuidados pautados em programas de saúde, com prejuízo da integralidade do cuidado e da clínica ampliada, e visão das necessidades e perspectivas do cuidado integral.CONCLUSÃO:O estudo revela a necessidade de avançarmos no cuidado ao idoso. Os profissionais reconhecem o envelhecimento da população e apontam a necessidade de capacitação para o cuidado. A educação dos trabalhadores se dá como ponto de partida para a mudança. Também é preciso que os gestores e o Estado organizem uma rede de cuidado que inclua a pessoa idosa, com ofertas de serviços de acordo com a demanda apresentada.

Genetic Parameters for Reproductive Traits of Crossbred Buffaloes from Brazil, Estimated by Bayesian Inference

The objective of the study was to estimate heritability for calving interval (CI) and age at first calving (AFC) and also calculate repeatability for CI in buffaloes using Bayesian inference. The Brazilian Buffaloes Genetic Improvement Program provided the database. Data consists on information from 628 females and four different herds, born between 1980 and 2003. In order to estimate the variance, univariate analyses were performed employing Gibbs sampler procedure included in the MTGSAM software. The model for CI included the random effects direct additive and permanent environment factors, and the fixed effects of contemporary groups and calving orders. The model for AFC included the direct additive random effect and contemporary groups as a fixed effect. The convergence diagnosis was obtained using Geweke that was implemented through the Bayesian Output Analysis package in R software. The estimated averages were 433.2 days and 36.7months for CI and AFC, respectively. The means, medians and modes for the calculated heritability coefficients were similar. The heritability coefficients were 0.10 and 0.42 for CI and AFC respectively, with a posteriori marginal density that follows a normal distribution for both traits. The repeatability for CI was 0.13. The low heritability estimated for CI indicates that the variation in this trait is, to a large extent, influenced by environmental factors such as herd management policies. The age at first calving has clear potential for yield improvement through direct selection in these animals.

Genetic Parameters for Milk Yield and Lactation Length of Crossbred Buffaloes from Brazil by Bayesian Inference

The objective of the study was to estimate heritability and repeatability for milk yield (MY) and lactation length (LL) in buffaloes using Bayesian inference. The Brazilian genetic improvement program of buffalo provided the data that included 628 females, from four herds, born between 1980 and 2003. In order to obtain the estimates of variance, univariate analyses were performed with the Gibbs sampler, using the MTGSAM software. The model for MY and LL included direct genetic additive and permanent environment as random effects, and contemporary groups, milking frequency and calving number as fixed effects. The convergence diagnosis was performed with the Geweke method using an algorithm implemented in R software through the package Bayesian Output Analysis. Average for milk yield and lactation length was 1,546.1 +/- 483.8 kg and 252.3 +/- 42.5 days, respectively. The heritability coefficients were 0.31 (mode), 0.35 (mean) and 0.34 (median) for MY and 0.11 (mode), 0.10 (mean) and 0.10 (median) for LL. The repeatability coefficient (mode) were 0.50 and 0.15 for MY and LL, respectively. Milk yield is the only trait with clear potential for genetic improvement by direct genetic selection. The repeatability for MY indicates that selection based on the first lactation could contribute for an improvement in this trait.

Genetic Variability and Geographical Diversity of the Main Chagas' Disease Vector Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera: Triatominae) in Brazil Based on Ribosomal DNA Intergenic Sequences

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação de um curso sobre internet para terceira idade

The aim of this study was to evaluate the learning of Senior Citizens after a face-to-face course with the goal of teaching them how to use the internet. The study population was composed of people (n=18), of both genders, aged 50 years or over, from the open university for Senior Citizens UNATI (“Universidade Aberta da Terceira Idade” in Portuguese) at Araraquara. Two hour classes weekly were taught in the computer laboratory - LDI in Portuguese located in the School of Dentistry in Araraquara. The course program content covered the use of e-mail and researches in sites. In order to evaluate the learning acquired, a self-evaluation questionnaire was applied in twice (before and after the course), which enabled the development of students concerning their knowledge and skill in the topics approached in classes. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. The average performance of participants was calculated per point and interval of confidence of 95% (IC95%) in the beginning and in the end of the course. Comparison between the averages was performed by using the paired Student’s-t test. The level of significance adopted was 5%. It was observed that the students’ learning about computer use improved significantly after the course (Student’s-t test: -5.360, p<0.001, p2=0.628, =0,999), however, 72.2% of them reported that they did not know how to attach a file to a message to be sent by e-mail, as well as having no or little skill to perform this activity. It was concluded that the evaluated course improved the participants knowledge and skills in computer use.

Long-term clinical evaluation of the color stability and stainability of acrylic resin denture teeth

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

Development of ovule, fruit and seed of Xyris (Xyridaceae, Poales) and taxonomic considerations

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Effect of beta 1,3 glucan in stress responses of the pencilfish (Nannostomus trifasciatus) during transport within the rio Negro basin

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

Production of α-amilase by solid state fermentation by Rhizopus oryzae

A thermotolerant strain of Rhizopus oryzae was grown in three agro-industrial by-products: brewers’ rice, corn grits and wheat bran. Different substrates, cultivation time, moisture content, additional nitrogen sources, pH and temperature of incubation were evaluated aiming to optimize growing conditions. The highest enzymatic activity was observed after 24 h of cultivation using wheat bran as substrate with the following salt solutions: NH4NO3, MgSO4.7H2O and (NH4)2SO4 0.1% at temperature of 35°C. It was observed that changes in the pH range 4.0-6.0 did not significantly affect α-amylase activity. The optimum operation conditions were 75°C and pH 4.5. The enzymes remained stable at 75°C in the absence of substrate for 25 min.

Expert system to detect incipient fauts in rotating machines using fuzzy logic and virtual instrumentation

This paper refers to the design of an expert system that captures a waveform through the use of an accelerometer, processes the signal and converts it to the frequency domain using a Fast Fourier Transformer to then, using artificial intelligence techniques, specifically Fuzzy Reasoning, it determines if there is any failure present in the underlying mode of the equipment, such as imbalance, misalignment or bearing defects.