The Lactate Minimum Test protocol provides valid measures of cycle ergometer VO2 peak

Aim. The aim of the present study was to investigate the validity of the Lactate Minimum Test (LMT) for the determination of peak VO2 on a cycle ergometer and to determine the submaximal oxygen uptake (VO2) and pulmonary ventilation (VE) responses in an incremental exercise test when it is preceded by high intensity exercise (i.e., during a LMT).Methods. Ten trained male athletes (triathletes and cyclists) performed 2 exercise tests in random order on an electromagnetic cycle ergometer: 1) Control Test (CT): an incremental test with an initial work rate of 100 W, and with 25 W increments at 3-min intervals, until voluntary exhaustion; 2) LMT: an incremental test identical to the CT, except that it was preceded by 2 supramaximal bouts of 30-sec (similar to120% VO(2)peak) with a 30-sec rest to induce lactic acidosis. This test started 8 min after the induction of acidosis.Results. There was no significant difference in peak VO2 (65.6+/-7.4 ml.kg(-1).min(-1); 63.8+/-7.5 ml.kg(-1).min(-1) to CT and LMT, respectively). However, the maximal power output (POmax) reached was significantly higher in CT (300.6+/-15.7 W) than in the LMT (283.2+/-16.0 W).VO2 and VE were significantly increased at initial power outputs in LMT.Conclusion. Although the LMT alters the submaximal physiological responses during the incremental phase (greater initial metabolic cost), this protocol is valid to evaluate peak VO2, although the POmax reached is also reduced.

Test results of a superconducting fault current limiter using YBCO coated conductor

A single-phase superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) using a 0.9 m length of YBCO coated conductor (CC) tape was tested in 220 V-60 Hz line for fault current up to 1 kA, operating in 77 K. In this work are presented the IN experimental curves measured under DC and AC currents for the electrical characterization of the CC tape in order to design a low voltage current limiter. The experimental setup is described and the test results are presented for a unit conducting a steady nominal AC current of 50 A and also during the fault time (I to 5 cycles.) the performance of the CC-based SFCL providing the limiting resistance developed in the whole tape length after few milliseconds of the beginning of the fault was analyzed.

Potencial alelopático e levantamento do banco natural de sementes sob a copa de Copaifera langsdorffii Desf

the aim of this study was to evaluate the allelopathic effect of soil samples collected under the canopies of three specimens of Copaifera langsdorffii the germination of Lactuca sativa and survey the natural seed bank according to seasonality. To test the allelopathic effect was carried experiments of pre and post-emergence with seeds of L. sativa and to quantify the stock of seeds, soil samples were collected from three specimens at three distances from the stem (1, 2 and 3 m) and at three depths (0-5, 5-10 and 10-15cm) in the region of savanna in the dry and wet seasons. The samples tested in bioassay of pre-emergence no significant influence on germinability, mean germination time and mean germination speed, but showed a difference in the synchronism of germination, these data were independent of sampling station. In test for post-emergence was observed statistical difference in the parameters evaluate (length of primary roots and hypocotyls) in both seasons. To quantify the natural seed bank were macroscopic analysis of each soil sample with the help of stereoscopic microscope. The analysis of the natural seed bank showed a larger number of seeds in the 0-5cm and in distance of 2m for both seasons. The results suggest the presence of allelochemical substances in soil samples collected under the canopy of Copaifera langsdorffii.

Detection of cross infections by Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma spp. in dogs using indirect immunoenzyme assay, indirect fluorescent antibody test and polymerase chain reaction

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

Application of compression test in analysis of mechanical and color changes in grapefruit juice powder as related to glass transition and water activity

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Mechanistic approach to predict real machining time for milling free-form geometries applying high feed rate

An accurate estimate of machining time is very important for predicting delivery time, manufacturing costs, and also to help production process planning. Most commercial CAM software systems estimate the machining time in milling operations simply by dividing the entire tool path length by the programmed feed rate. This time estimate differs drastically from the real process time because the feed rate is not always constant due to machine and computer numerical controlled (CNC) limitations. This study presents a practical mechanistic method for milling time estimation when machining free-form geometries. The method considers a variable called machine response time (MRT) which characterizes the real CNC machine's capacity to move in high feed rates in free-form geometries. MRT is a global performance feature which can be obtained for any type of CNC machine configuration by carrying out a simple test. For validating the methodology, a workpiece was used to generate NC programs for five different types of CNC machines. A practical industrial case study was also carried out to validate the method. The results indicated that MRT, and consequently, the real machining time, depends on the CNC machine's potential: furthermore, the greater MRT, the larger the difference between predicted milling time and real milling time. The proposed method achieved an error range from 0.3% to 12% of the real machining time, whereas the CAM estimation achieved from 211% to 1244% error. The MRT-based process is also suggested as an instrument for helping in machine tool benchmarking.

Orthodontic brackets removal under shear and tensile bond strength resistance tests - a comparative test between light sources

We have investigated if a new LEDs system has enough efficient energy to promote efficient shear and tensile bonding strength resistance under standardized tests. LEDs 470 +/- 10 nm can be used to photocure composite during bracket fixation. Advantages considering resistance to tensile and shear bonding strength when these systems were used are necessary to justify their clinical use. Forty eight human extracted premolars teeth and two light sources were selected, one halogen lamp and a LEDs system. Brackets for premolar were bonded through composite resin. Samples were submitted to standardized tests. A comparison between used sources under shear bonding strength test, obtained similar results; however, tensile bonding test showed distinct results: a statistical difference at a level of 1% between exposure times (40 and 60 seconds) and even to an interaction between light source and exposure time. The best result was obtained with halogen lamp use by 60 seconds, even during re-bonding; however LEDs system can be used for bonding and re-bonding brackets if power density could be increased.

Design, construction, and performance of a real-time holographic refractometry prototype for liquid analysis

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

The effect of changing the mode of ventilation on the arterial-to-end-tidal CO2 difference and physiological dead space in laterally and dorsally recumbent horses during halothane anesthesia

Objective - To evaluate the effect of changing the mode of ventilation from spontaneous to controlled on the arterial-to-end-tidal CO2 difference [P(a-ET)CO2] and physiological dead space (VD(phys)/VT) in laterally and dorsally recumbent halothane-anesthetized horses. Study Design - Prospective, experimental, nonrandomized trial. Animals - Seven mixed breed adult horses (1 male and 6 female) weighing 320 ± 11 kg. Methods - Horses were anesthetized in 2 positions - right lateral and dorsal recumbency - with a minimum interval of 1 month. Anesthesia was maintained with halothane in oxygen for 180 minutes. Spontaneous ventilation (SV) was used for 90 minutes followed by 90 minutes of controlled ventilation (CV). The same ventilator settings were used for both laterally and dorsally recumbent horses. Arterial blood gas analysis was performed every 30 minutes during anesthesia. End-tidal CO2 (PETCO2) was measured continuously. P(a-ET)CO2 and VD(phys)/VT were calculated. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance for repeated measures over time, followed by Student-Newman-Keuls test. Comparison between groups was performed using a paired t test; P < .05 was considered significant. Results - P(a-ET)CO2 and VD(phys)/VT increased during SV, whereas CV reduced these variables. The variables did not change significantly throughout mechanical ventilation in either group. Dorsally recumbent horses showed greater P(a-ET)CO2 and VD(phys)/VT values throughout. PaCO2 was greater during CV in dorsally positioned horses. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance - Changing the mode of ventilation from spontaneous to controlled was effective in reducing P(a-ET)CO2 and physiological dead space in both laterally and dorsally recumbent halothane-anesthetized horses. Dorsal recumbency resulted in greater impairment of effective ventilation. Capnometry has a limited value for accurate estimation of PaCO, in anesthetized horses, although it may be used to evaluate pulmonary function when paired with arterial blood gas analysis. © Copyright 2000 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

The effect of trail length on task partitioning in three Acromyrmex species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

By comparing the behavior of three Acromyrmex (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) species during foraging on artificial trails of different lengths, we observed the occurrence of task partitioning and its relation to the food distance from the nest. Task partitioning was verified by leaf cache formation along the trail and leaf direct transferring among workers. There was significant difference between the number of leaf fragments carried directly to the fungus chamber and those transferred direct or indirectly, via cache, depending upon the trail length. Task partitioning could be a strategy used by leaf-cutting ants that allows the workers to use food sources far from their nests.

GSTT1, GSTM1 and CYP2E1 genetic polymorphisms in gastric cancer and chronic gastritis in a Brazilian population

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Characteristics of the double-torsion test to determine the R-curve of ceramic materials

Double-torsion tests were carried out on a commercial ceramic floor tile to verify whether this test is suitable for determining the R-curve of ceramics. The instantaneous crack length was obtained by means of compliance calibration, and it was found that the experimental compliance underestimates the real crack length. The load vs. displacement curves were also found to drop after maximum loading, causing the stress intensity factor to decline. The R-curves were calculated by two methods: linear elastic fracture mechanics and the energetic method. It was obtained that the average values of crack resistance, R, and the double of the work of fracture, 2 · γwof, did not depend on notch length, a0, which is a highly relevant finding, indicating that these parameters were less dependent on the test specimen's geometry. The proposal was to use small notches, which produce long stable crack propagation paths that in turn are particularly important in the case of coarse microstructures.

The effect of temperature on self-etching adhesive penetration.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the penetration of an aggressive self-etching adhesive system at refrigerated and room temperatures into ground and unground enamel surfaces. Thirty extracted human teeth were used to measure adhesive penetration into enamel by light microscopy analysis (x400). The unground enamel surfaces were cleaned with pumice and water using a rotary dental brush. For each specimen, part of the unground enamel was manually ground and part was kept intact. A self-etch adhesive was evaluated for its ability to penetrate ground and unground enamel surfaces at room temperature (25 degrees C), at 30 minutes after removal from the refrigerator, and immediately after removal from the refrigerator (6 degrees C). Data were analyzed using variance and the Tukey test, which revealed significant differences in length of penetration of this material when applied on ground and unground enamel surfaces and between the different temperatures used (P > .05). The self-etching system used in this study had significantly lower penetration into unground enamel and at 6 degrees C (P < .05). No statistical difference was found between the interactions of these factors. It was concluded that the self-etching system produced the best penetration into ground enamel surface at room temperature (25 degrees C) and at 30 minutes after removing the specimens from the refrigerator.

Preliminary selection of acerola genotypes in Brazil

Introduction. Breeding studies for acerola (Malpighia glabra) improvement aim at obtaining plants that produce fruits with uniform chemical and physical attributes, including high levels of vitamin C, which can provision the market with fresh fruit and frozen pulp. High variability in fruit quality is observed in Brazilian acerola crops, especially those propagated by seeds. In this context, the objective of our research was to evaluate the physical and chemical characteristics of Brazilian acerola genotype fruits. Materials and methods. Sixteen acerola genotypes were studied in Jaboticabal, São Paulo State, Brazil. A completely randomized design with sixteen treatments and six replications was adopted. Each treatment was represented by one genotype. Several parameters related to fruit quality, such as width, length, weight, pulp percentage, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), [SS / TA] ratio and vitamin C content, were evaluated in fruits of the acerola genotypes. The results were submitted to variance analyses, the Tukey test and cluster analysis. Results and discussion. There was a statistical difference between the acerola genotypes studied. Three of them stood out as natural sources of vitamin C. In spite of fruit size, two acerola genotypes were found to have potential for fresh fruit production. In a general form, genotypes that presented a high [SS / TA] ratio had low vitamin C content. Conclusion. The acerola genotypes studied in Jaboticabal presented high variability, forming eleven groups in relation to fruit quality parameters. © 2007 Cirad/EDP Sciences All rights reserved.

Age related obesity-induced shortening of GLUT4 mRNA poly(A) tail length in rat gastrocnemius skeletal muscle

Obese insulin resistant animals and humans have shown reduced GLUT4 gene expression. Yet, in skeletal muscle, discrepancy between mRNA and protein regulation has been frequently observed, suggesting a post-transcriptional modulation. We investigated the GLUT4 expression in adipose tissue and muscle of obese 12-month-old (12-mo) rats, comparing with lean 2-month-old (2-mo) animals. Obesity was accompanied by insulin resistance, and 65% reduction (P < 0.01) in GLUT4 mRNA and protein in adipose tissue. However, in muscle, despite increased (P < 0.05) mRNA content, GLUT4 protein was unchanged. RNase H and poly(A) test assays showed a reduction (P < 0.01) of ∼80 adenines in the GLUT4 mRNA poly(A) tail of muscle from 12-mo rats, recognizing that the poly(A) tail length correlates with translation efficiency. Concluding, age related obesity of 12-mo rats involves suppression of GLUT4 expression in adipose tissue; however, in muscle, GLUT4 mRNA content increases, but with a shorter poly(A) tail, thus unchanging the protein content. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.