Sistema fuzzy para estimativa do bem-estar de matrizes pesadas

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effects of the spermatozoa: oocyte ratio, water volume and water temperature on artificial fertilization and sperm activation of cascudo-preto

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of water volume and water temperature on the sperm motility duration and the number of spermatozoa, and the water volume on the fertilization rates of oocytes of Rhinelepis aspera. Experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of semen dilutions (1.74×10-5, 1.74×10-4, 1.74×10-3, 1.74×10-2, 1.74×10-1 and 1.00 mL of sperm.mL-1 of water) and water temperature (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 ºC) on spermatozoa motility duration. In addition, the effects of insemination dose (7×10³, 7×10(4), 7×10(5), 7×10(6) and 7×10(7) spermatozoa.oocyte-1) and water volume (1.0, 30.0, 60.0, 90.0 and 120.0 mL water.2.0 mL-1 oocytes) on the artificial fertilization rates of oocytes were evaluated. The longest sperm motility duration were observed for the semen dilution of 1.74×10-5 mL semen.mL-1 water and in water at 5 ºC. The highest fertilization rates were obtained for insemination doses between 7.00×10³ and 1.23×10(7) spermatozoa. oocyte-1 and water volume of 28.11 mL water.2.0 mL-1 oocytes.

Ensaio imunoenzimático indireto (ELISA) para detecção de anticorpos anti-Rhodococcus equi em potros

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

Avaliação de volumes de calda proporcionados por diferentes pontas de pulverização no controle de Tuta absoluta (Meirick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) em tomate rasteiro

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o controle da traça-do-tomateiro em função dos volumes de aplicação. O levantamento da infestação da praga foi realizado avaliando-se o número de lagartas e de lesões com e sem lagarta viva e o número de ovos em folhas e frutos. Os tratamentos realizados foram o inseticida chlorfluazuron na dosagem de 80 mL p.c. 100 L-1, aplicado com as pontas: TJ6011002, TJ6011004, TX04VK e TX12VK cada uma utilizando, respectivamente, o volume de calda de: 200, 600, 200 e 600 L ha-1; e o pulverizador costal motorizado (100 L ha-1); todos com e sem o adjuvante polioxietileno alquil fenol éter (1 mL 10 L-1 de água) e mais uma testemunha. Verificou-se que os tratamentos com e sem adjuvantes não diferiram entre si. Porém, houve diferença entre os volumes utilizados, sendo menor a ocorrência de lesões nas parcelas tratadas com o volume de 600 L ha-1 . Houve também diferença em relação ao uso do adjuvante para o volume de 200 L ha-1 , sendo que o número de ovos foi superior sem a sua utilização. Neste trabalho, foi observada a importância do monitoramento no controle de pragas.

Germination of Albizia hassleri seeds at different temperatures, under laboratory conditions

The objective of this study was to analyze the germination of seeds of Albizia hassleri under different temperatures. A completely random design arranged as a split plot for temperatures regimes, with 11 seed lots and four replications of 15 seeds was used. The plot was represented by the various lots and the sub plots for different temperatures. The means were compared by Scott-Knott test at 5% probability. The temperatures used were: a) constant: 20, 25 and 30 degrees C, and b) alternating: 20-30 and 25-35 degrees C. For all 11 seed lots the mean germination was 90%, speed germination index (IVG) was 5.059, fresh matter of seedlings (MMF) was 0.0628 g and dry matter (MMS) 0.0499 g. The variation coefficient (CV) between plots ranged from 8.48% for germination to 51.71% for dry matter of seedlings and sub plot of 6.77% to 60.45% for germination and MMS. These high values of CV, tested for MMS and MMF, indicate low repeatability of results within each treatment. In general, the IVG obtained at temperatures of 20 and 25 degrees C was lower than those in temperatures of 30, 20-30 and 25-35 degrees C. The best temperature for IVG was the alternating 25-35 degrees C and constant 30 degrees C. The germination test can be conducted at 30, 20-30 and 25-35 degrees C for 19 days.

Fermentação ruminal e produção de metano em bovinos alimentados com feno de capim-tifton 85 e concentrado com aditivos

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do uso de monensina, complexo de leveduras, ácidos graxos poliinsaturados e aminoácidos no consumo de matéria seca e nutrientes, na estimativa da digestibilidade ruminal, nos parâmetros de fermentação ruminal (pH, concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal e de ácidos graxos de cadeia curta), na população de protozoários e na produção de metano. Foram utilizados seis bovinos e com peso corporal de 530 ± 15 kg, recebendo complexo de leveduras, ácidos graxos poliinsaturados e aminoácidos (5 g/dia); monensina (5 g/dia); caulim (5 g/dia), usado como controle adicionado à dieta composta de feno de capim-tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.); e concentrado, na relação 80:20. O delineamento experimental adotado para análise do consumo e da digestibilidade foi o de blocos completos casualizados e, para análise dos parâmetros ruminais e da produção de metano, o de parcelas subdivididas. O consumo foi influenciado pelo uso de monensina na dieta, mas não diferiu entre os aditivos. As digestibilidades da matéria seca e dos nutrientes não foram influenciadas pelo fornecimento dos aditivos. A relação acetato:propionato nos animais alimentados com a dieta com monensina foi menor que naqueles que receberam o complexo de leveduras e ácidos graxos poliinsaturados e aminoácidos, diminuindo a perda de energia na forma de metano. O pH e a concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal foram adequados para o crescimento bacteriano. A concentração de metano não é alterada pelo uso dos aditivos testados.

Seletividade do herbicida saflufenacil a Eucalyptus urograndis

As áreas com plantios florestais estão constantemente em expansão, e a interferência das plantas daninhas alteram o crescimento e desenvolvimento de plantas de eucalipto, pois estas competem por água, nutrientes, espaço e luz. Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar a seletividade do herbicida saflufenacil, aplicado com e sem óleo mineral Dash, em plantas de Eucalyptus urograndis, em diferentes locais de aplicação (planta, solo e solo + planta). O delineamento experimental adotado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições, constituído de um fatorial 3 x 11, sendo três locais de aplicação do herbicida na planta e 11doses do herbicida saflufenacil combinadas ou não com o adjuvante Dash. Cada parcela constou de um vaso com uma planta. Os tratamentos usados foram: 0, 25, 25+Dash (0,5% v/v), 50, 50+Dash (0,5% v/v), 75, 100, 125, 150, 175 e 200 g i.a. ha-1 . Foram realizadas avaliações visuais de fitointoxicação durante 56 dias após aplicação (DAA). Avaliouse, ainda, a altura, o diâmetro de caule e a biomassa seca das plantas. Todas as doses testadas de saflufenacil sem adjuvante mostraram-se seletivas às plantas de E. urograndis, independentemente do local de aplicação. A adição de Dash aos tratamentos proporcionou injúrias severas às plantas nas avaliações iniciais, quando aplicado sobre as plantas, com a recuperação total destas no fim do ensaio, aos 56 DAA. A aplicação do herbicida em mistura com adjuvante somente no solo não causou intoxicação às plantas de eucalipto.

Índices geométricos de variabilidade da frequência cardíaca na doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica

Background: It was already evidenced decreased heart rate variability (HRV) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients at rest.Objective: In order to insert new elements in the literature regarding this issue, we evaluated geometric index of HRV in COPD subjects.Method: We analyzed data from 34 volunteers, divided into two groups according to spirometric values: COPD (17 volunteers, FEV1/FVC = 47.3 +/- 10.2; FEV1 = 50.8 +/- 15.7) and control (17 volunteers, FEV1/FVC = 78.8 +/- 10.8; FEV1 = 100.1 +/- 14.7). For analysis of HRV indexes the volunteers remained in the supine position for 30 minutes. We analyzed the following indexes: triangular index (RRtri), triangular interpolation of RR intervals (TINN) and Poincare plot (SD1, SD2 and SD1/SD2). Student t test for unpaired samples and Mann-Whitney test were used for data analysis.Results: We observed statistically significant reductions in geometric indexes in the COPD group: RRtri (0.043 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.059 +/- 0.02; p = 0.018), TINN (105.88 +/- 51.82 vs. 151.47 +/- 49.9; p=0.014), SD1 (9.76 +/- 4.66 vs. 14.55 +/- 6.04; p = 0.014) and SD2 (34.86 +/- 17.02 vs. 51.51 +/- 18.38; p = 0.010). SD1/5D2 (0.30 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.28 +/- 0.07; p = 0.605) were not significantly different between groups. Patients with COPD presented a visual analysis of Poincare plot of lower dispersion of RR intervals both beat to beat and the long term.Conclusion: Subjects with COPD present reduction of geometric indexes of HRV, indicating reduced heart rate variability. (C) 2010 Sociedade Portuguesa de Pneumologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.

Estoque doméstico e uso de medicamentos em uma população cadastrada na estratégia saúde da família no Brasil

Objective. To identify families served by the family health strategy (FHS) storing medicines at home, to evaluate storage conditions, and to investigate medicine use practices.Methods. The study was conducted in a municipality in the state of São Paulo with two FHS units serving 1 867 households. The sample was selected by means of stratified random sampling. Data collection was conducted through semistructured interviews from July to October 2008.Results. One resident was interviewed in each of the 280 households visited. Medicines were found in 255 households (91.1%). of 326 storage locations, 217 (75.8%) were inadequate (easily accessible to children or exposed to moisture, light). of the 2 578 medicines identified, 2 059 medicines (79.9%) in 236 (84.3%) households had safety or identification problems. of the 280 respondents, 179 (63.9%) used medications. of these, 24 were self-medicating, only one with an over-the-counter drug. Only 44 users had the prescription for their medication, and 21 did not follow the prescription in terms of dosage or had interrupted the treatment.Conclusions. Non-adherence to recommended treatment can lead to negative outcomes, such as inefficiency (using dosages lower than prescribed), poisoning (using dosages higher than prescribed), and other adverse reactions.

Dexamethasone treatment in vivo counteracts the functional pancreatic islet alterations caused by malnourishment in rats

The effects of dexamethasone (Dex) on the metabolic parameters, peripheral insulin, and glucose sensitivity in vivo as well as on islet function ex vivo of rats submitted to low-protein diet were analyzed. Dexamethasone (1.0 mg/kg body weight) was administered intraperitoneally daily to adult Wistar rats fed on a normal-protein diet or low-protein diet (LPD) for 5 days, whereas control rats fed on a normal-protein diet or low-protein diet (LP) received saline alone. At the end of the experimental period, LP rats showed a significant reduction in serum insulin, total serum protein, and serum albumin levels compared with rats fed on a normal-protein diet (P < .05). All these parameters tended to be normalized in LPD rats (P < .05); furthermore, these rats exhibited increased serum glucose and nonesterified fatty acid levels compared with LP rats (P < .05). Rats submitted to the low-protein diet demonstrated normal peripheral glucose sensitivity and improved peripheral insulin sensitivity, which was reversed by Dex treatment. A reduced area of islets from LP rats was partially recovered in LPD rats (P < .05). At 16.7 mmol/L glucose, insulin secretion from LPD islets was also partially recovered and was significantly higher than that from LP islets (P < .05). In conclusion, induction of insulin resistance by Dex treatment reverses most of the metabolic alterations in rats submitted to a low-protein diet. In addition, several islet functions were also improved by Dex, confirming the plasticity of pancreatic islets in adverse conditions. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electronic structure and optical properties of BaMoO4 powders

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Numerical simulation of magnetic field enhanced plasma immersion ion implantation

The behavior of plasma and sheath characteristics under the action of an applied magnetic field is important in many applications including plasma probes and material processing. Plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) has been developed as a fast and efficient surface modification technique of complex shaped three-dimensional objects. The PIII process relies on the acceleration of ions across a high-voltage plasma sheath that develops around the target. Recent studies have shown that the sheath dynamics is significantly affected by an external magnetic field. In this work we describe a two-dimensional computer simulation of magnetic field enhanced plasma immersion implantation system. Negative bias voltage is applied to a cylindrical target located on the axis of a grounded cylindrical vacuum chamber filled with uniform nitrogen plasma. An axial magnetic field is created by a solenoid installed inside the cylindrical target. The computer code employs the Monte Carlo method for collision of electrons and neutrals in the plasma and a particle-in-cell (PIC) algorithm for simulating the movement of charged particles in the electromagnetic field. Secondary electron emission from the target subjected to ion bombardment is also included. It is found that a high-density plasma region is formed around the cylindrical target due to the intense background gas ionization by the magnetized electrons drifting in the crossed ExB fields. An increase of implantation current density in front of high density plasma region is observed. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Preconcentration and determination of metal ions in commercial ethanol used as fuel for automotive engines

The present investigation reports the synthesis, characterization, and adsorption properties of a new nanomaterial based on organomodified silsesquioxane nanocages. The adsorption isotherms for CuCl,, CoCl2, ZnCl2, NiCl2, and FeCl3 from ethanol solutions were performed by using the batchwise method. The equilibrium condition is reached very quickly (3 min), indicating that the adsorption sites are well exposed. The results obtained in the flow experiments, showed a recovery of ca. 100% of the metal ions adsorbed in a column packed with 2 g of the nanomaterial, using 5 mL of 1.0 mol L-1 HCl solution as eluent. The sorption-desorption of the metal ions made possible the development of a method for preconcentration and determination of metal ions at trace level in commercial ethanol, used as fuel for car engines. The values determined by recommended method for plants 1, 2, and 3 indicated an amount of copper of 51, 60, and 78 mu g L-1, and of iron of 2, 15, and 13 mu g L-1, respectively. These values are very close to those determined by conventional analytical methods. Thus, these similar values demonstrated the accuracy of the determination by recommended method.

Cellulose nanowhiskers from coconut husk fibers: Effect of preparation conditions on their thermal and morphological behavior

Cellulose nanowhiskers were prepared by sulfuric acid hydrolysis from coconut husk fibers which had previously been submitted to a delignification process. The effects of preparation conditions on the thermal and morphological behavior of the nanocrystals were investigated. Cellulose nanowhisker suspensions were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction. Results showed that it was possible to obtain ultrathin cellulose nanowhiskers with diameters as low as 5 nm and aspect ratio of up to 60. A possible correlation between preparation conditions and particle size was not observed. Higher residual lignin content was found to increase thermal stability indicating that by controlling reaction conditions one can tailor the thermal properties of the nanowhiskers. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Vivências maternas associadas ao aleitamento materno exclusivo mais duradouro: um estudo etnográfico

Objective: To describe the experiences of breastfeeding mothers using the Unified Health System who were seeking to obtain knowledge, expectations, perceptions and feelings involved with identifying aspects relevant for more prolonged, exclusive breastfeeding Methods: A qualitative ethnographic study conducted with eight primiparas and family references, through observation and household interviews during the first semester of the infants' lives. The data were summarized in three categories: starting breastfeeding; experiencing the process of early weaning maintaining exclusive breastfeeding Results: Breastfeeding appeared as a particular event in different contexts of occurrence, however, it was possible to identify that exclusive breastfeeding was linked to maternal determination, despite the difficulties experienced. Longer Lasting exclusive breastfeeding was related to the mothers who were highly motivated to practice, those who were aware of its benefits and were supported by their family, even in the face of interference contrary to their culture. Conclusion: The lack of determination for exclusive maternal breastfeeding should be investigated and, when present, receive special consideration by health professionals.