Sleep, ageing and night work

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

Accelerated ageing and controlled deterioration in beetroot seeds

It is fundamentally important that adequate tests are used to evaluate the physiological quality of produced and commercialized seeds. The objective of this work was to study accelerated ageing and controlled deterioration to evaluate seed vigour in beetroot, seeking to associate these results with seedling emergence in the field. Consequently, five seed lots of Top Tall Early Wonder cultivar were submitted to the tests of germination, seedling emergence in the field, accelerated ageing (using periods of 24, 48 and 72 hours at 42 degrees C) and controlled deterioration (seeds with moisture contents of 22, 24 and 26% at 41 degrees C and 45 degrees C for 12, 24 and 36 hours). Combinations of 72h at 42 degrees C for the accelerated ageing test and 45 degrees C with 24% moisture content for 24h for the controlled deterioration test were sensitive enough to evaluate the physiological potential of beetroot seeds, providing information that was compatible with results of the seedling emergence in the field.

Suggestion of an inverse relationship between perception of occupational risks and work-related injuries

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

The influence of study schedules and work on the sleep-wake cycle of college students

College students usually exhibit an irregular sleep-wake cycle characterized by great phase delays on weekends and short sleep length on weekdays. As the temporal organization of social activities is an important synchronizer of human biological rhythms, we investigated the role played by study's schedules and work on the sleep-wake cycle. Three groups of female college students were investigated: (1) no-job morning group, (2) no-job evening group, (3) job evening group. The volunteers answered a sleep questionnaire in the classroom. The effects of day of the week and group on the sleep schedules and sleep length were analyzed by a two way ANOVA for repeated measures. The three groups showed delays in the wake up time on weekends. No-job evening and morning groups also delayed bedtime, but the job evening group slept at the same time on weekdays as on weekends. Sleep length increased on weekends for morning group and job evening group, whereas the no-job evening group maintained the amount of sleep from weekdays to weekends. This survey showed that the tendency of phase delay on weekends was differently expressed according to study's schedules and work.

Características sensoriais da carne de cordeiro maturada e injetada com cloreto de cálcio: Sensory characteristics of lamb meat ageing and injected with calcium chloride

Sensory characteristics of Morada Nova lambs meat (muscles Biceps femoris, Longissimus and Triceps brachii) submitted to effects of ageing and injection of calcium chloride were studied. The lambs were slaughtered at 25 kg of body weight. After rigor mortis, muscles were removed and submitted to treatments. The variance analysis indicated that ageing and calcium chloride didn't influence the attributes flavor (6.71) and tenderness (7.13) of meats from Biceps femoris. The interaction among the factors wasn't significant for tenderness, however it was significant for flavor. Ageing didn't affect colour (7.08), flavor (7.42), tenderness (7.83) and global impression (7.58) of meats from Longissimus without calcium chloride, and meats with calcium chloride also didn't affect. Ageing and calcium chloride factor didn't influence the attributes flavor and tenderness of meats from Triceps brachii. The interaction among the factors wasn't significant for attributes flavor and tenderness. The sensory quality of Morada Nova lambs meat, was shown similar with relationship to evaluated attributes when it was submitted to ageing and injection with calcium chloride.

Electrical conductivity and mineral composition of the imbibition solution of bean seeds during storage

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

Brazilian Students and Working Capital: An Analysis of Their Decisions When Using Virtual Market Business Games

This study aims to demonstrate that data from business games can be an important resource for improving efficiency and effectiveness of learning. The proposal presented here was developed from preliminary studies of data from Virtual Market games that pointed the possibility of identifying gaps in learning by analyzing the decisions of students. This proposal helps students to refine their learning processes and equips tutors with strategies for teaching and student assessment. The proposal also complements the group discussion and/or debriefing, which are widely used to enhance learning mediated by games. However, from a management perspective the model has the potential to be erroneous and miss opportunities, which cannot be detected because of the dependence on the characteristics of the individual, such as ability to communicate and work together. To illustrate the proposed technique, data sets from two business games were analyzed with the focus on managing working capital and it was found that students had difficulties managing this task. Similar trends were observed in all categories of students in the study-undergraduate, postgraduate and specialization. This discovery led us to the analysis of data for decisions made in the performance of the games, and it was determined that indicators could be developed that were capable of indentifying inconsistencies in the decisions. It was decided to apply some basic concepts of the finance management, such as management of the operational and non-operational expenditures, as well as production management concepts, such as the use of the production capacity. By analyzing the data from the Virtual Market games using the indicator concept, it was possible to detect the lack of domain knowledge of the students. Therefore, these indicators can be used to analyze the decisions of the players and guide them during the game, increasing their effectiveness and efficiency. As these indicators were developed from specific content, they can also be used to develop teaching materials to support learning. Viewed in this light, the proposal adds new possibilities for using business games in learning. In addition to the intrinsic learning that is achieved through playing the games, they also assist in driving the learning process. This study considers the applications and the methodology used.

Thermal structure, heat content and stability of two lakes in The National Park of Rio Doce Valley (Minas Gerais, Brazil)

The thermal structure, heat content and stability were studied in Lakes Dom Helvécio and Carioca during an annual cycle. It was found that the maximum heat content, stability and work of the wind in Lake Dom Helvécio correspond to two, four and four times, respectively, the values for the Lake Carioca. These difference can be attributed to morphometric differences in the lakes. A long-term record of heat content and stability for lake Carioca is also presented. Diel variations were studied in summer and winter. The tropicality of the lakes is discussed and compared with other lacustrine systems. © 1989 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Evaluation of naturally and artificially aged seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Seed ageing is natural phenomenon that occurs in all seeds, including those stored in dry and low temperature rooms. Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. 'Carioca' seeds harvested in five different years were stored in at 15°C. Seed samples were germinated and evaluated according to The Brazilian Rules for Testing Seeds. The newest seed sample was submitted to artificial ageing. Small (∼1g) samples of all materials (naturally and artificially aged) were ground and proteins extracted. Equal quantities of protein were loaded onto the gels and electrophoresis carried out. Although seeds submitted to 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of artificial ageing did not show any statistical difference (5%) in relation to unaged seeds in physiological parameters related to emergence, some statistically different parameters related to dry matter and length of shoots and roots occurred. A 24 h of artificial ageing at 41°C improved these factors. Protein patterns were changed after 72 h of artificial ageing and naturally aged seeds showed alterations after two years storage at 15°C. Aged seeds, naturally and artificially, had decreasing germination, vigour, and changes in the characteristic banding pattern of proteins. Physiological parameters and electrophoresis examination showed that for naturally aged seeds physiological parameters were more sensitive while artificially aged seeds, (41°C/100% RH), had electrophoretic profiles that were more efficient for seed lot discrimination.

A structural conformation study of aquatic humic acid

In the present work, aquatic humic substances (HS) were extracted by use of adsorbent XAD 8 and the acid humic fraction (AH) was separated throught acidification. After being purified by Hyphan resin and dialyze, the aquatic AH was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The influence of the aquatic HA and electrolyte concentrations, pH and aquatic AH-metal complexation time on the conformation was investigated using UV/Vis spectroscopic studies, employing the equation suggested by Doty and Steiner. The results indicated that the acid humic flexible macromolecule assumes a condensed form at acid and alkaline pH. Other factors favoring condensed conformations are longer metal complexation time (ageing) and higher aquatic AH and electrolyte concentrations. Thus considering the strong influence of the investigated parameters in the structural conformation of the humic macromolecule, we conclude that studies using UV/Vis spectroscopy to estimate the concentration, aromaticity, humification degree of the aquatic AH and so on, require rigorous control over the experimental conditions employed to provide a correct interpretation of the analytical results. ©2006 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.

Brazilian dental students' intentions and motivations towards their professional career

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Caracterização mecânica e microestrutural de um aço 300M com microestrutura multifásica

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeito da superfície vítrea na resistência mecânica de fibras ópticas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Voice disorders in teachers: clinical, videolaryngoscopical, and vocal aspects

Dysphonia is more prevalent in teachers than among the general population. The objective of this study was to analyze clinical, vocal, and videolaryngoscopical aspects in dysphonic teachers. Ninety dysphonic teachers were inquired about their voice, comorbidities, and work conditions. They underwent vocal auditory-perceptual evaluation (maximum phonation time and GRBASI scale), acoustic voice analysis, and videolaryngoscopy. The results were compared with a control group consisting of 90 dysphonic nonteachers, of similar gender and ages, and with professional activities excluding teaching and singing. In both groups, there were 85 women and five men (age range 31-50 years). In the controls, the majority of subjects worked in domestic activities, whereas the majority of teachers worked in primary (42.8%) and secondary school (37.7%). Teachers and controls reported, respectively: vocal abuse (76.7%; 37.8%), weekly hours of work between 21 and 40 years (72.2%; 80%), under 10 years of practice (36%; 23%), absenteeism (23%; 0%), sinonasal (66%; 20%) and gastroesophageal symptoms (44%; 22%), hoarseness (82%; 78%), throat clearing (70%; 62%), and phonatory effort (72%; 52%). In both groups, there were decreased values of maximum phonation time, impairment of the G parameter in the GRBASI scale (82%), decrease of F0 and increase of the rest of acoustic parameters. Nodules and laryngopharyngeal reflux were predominant in teachers; laryngopharyngeal reflux, polyps, and sulcus vocalis predominated in the controls. Vocal symptoms, comorbidities, and absenteeism were predominant among teachers. The vocal analyses were similar in both groups. Nodules and laryngopharyngeal reflux were predominant among teachers, whereas polyps, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and sulcus were predominant among controls.

Socioeconomic, financial and production infrastructure profile of farmers in rural settlements in the western region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Family agriculture, mostly represented by rural settlements especially in the state of São Paulo, makes up rural establishments in Brazil. Current investigation collects, analyzes and compares data on farmers on two rural settlements in the western region of the state of São Paulo, specifically in the municipality of Rancharia, with regard to their socioeconomic, financial and productive infrastructure profile, coupled to information on eventual restrictions to rural credit, by an analysis based on descriptive statistics. Results show that there are different factors between farmers and production systems, which cause loan restrictions due to such differences as age, agricultural and cattle-breeding activity, technical assistance and management. The valorization of these differences should be taken into account for the construction of new events, without extremes, and work for situations featuring demand-based development and characteristics of the locality