Thermal study and characterization of nicotinates of some alkaline earth metals using TG-DSC-FTIR and DSC-system photovisual

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

A comparative, prospective and randomized evaluation of roux-en-y gastric bypass with and without the silastic ring: a 2-year follow up preliminary report on weight loss and quality of life

Currently, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is one of the most widely used bariatric surgeries. Banding the pouch forms a banded gastric bypass operation, an accepted and frequently used variant. Placing a silastic ring around the pouch to band the gastric bypass operation increases the restriction mechanism. However, the ubiquitous use of the banded gastric bypass remains controversial. One of the controversies is the effect of the silastic ring on patients' perception of their well being after surgery because of the frequency of vomiting. A prospective, blindly randomized, comparative trial was undertaken to resolve this controversy. Four hundred subjects scheduled for gastric bypass surgery were randomized into two arms of the trial, 200 with a silastic ring (WR) and 200 without (NR). After 2-year follow-up, the variables associated with the scores of Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS) were analyzed. The initial median weight (125 kg), BMI (47), and age (36 years) were the same in both the NR and WR groups. The median excess weight loss, weight regain, and incidence of vomiting were 71, 10.5, and 7.75 %, respectively, in the NR group vs. 75.4 and 1.1, and 24.4 % in the WR group. The mean QOL score was 79 % in the NR group vs. 80 % in the WR group. After 2-year follow-up, silastic ring placement in the RYGB resulted in greater weight loss and weight stability and a threefold greater incidence of vomiting. There was no difference in the scores in the quality of life analysis.

Protein Intake during Weight Loss Influences the Energy Required for Weight Loss and Maintenance in Cats

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

Effect of temperature on incubation period, embryonic mortality, hatch rate, egg water loss and partridge chick weight (Rhynchotus rufescens)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Evaluation of the Cartographic Communication Performance of a Route Guidance and Navigation System

This study evaluates the influence of different cartographic representations of in-car navigation systems on visual demand, subjective preference, and navigational error. It takes into account the type and complexity of the representation, maneuvering complexity, road layout, and driver gender. A group of 28 drivers (14 male and 14 female) participated in this experiment which was performed in a low-cost driving simulator. The tests were performed on a limited number of instances for each type of representation, and their purpose was to carry out a preliminary assessment and provide future avenues for further studies. Data collected for the visual demand study were analyzed using non-parametric statistical analyses. Results confirmed previous research that showed that different levels of design complexity significantly influence visual demand. Non-grid-like road networks, for example, influence significantly visual demand and navigational error. An analysis of simple maneuvers on a grid-like road network showed that static and blinking arrows did not present significant differences. From the set of representations analyzed to assess visual demand, both arrows were equally efficient. From a gender perspective, women seem to took at the display more than men, but this factor was not significant. With respect to subjective preferences, drivers prefer representations with mimetic landmarks when they perform straight-ahead tasks. For maneuvering tasks, landmarks in a perspective model created higher visual demands.

The influence of ripening stage and cultivation system on the total antioxidant activity and total phenolic compounds of yellow passion fruit pulp

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

Exercise training prevents hyperinsulinemia, muscular glycogen loss and muscle atrophy induced by dexamethasone treatment

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

Influence of feeding regime and finishing system on lamb muscle fiber and meat quality

Avaliou-se a influência dos níveis nutricionais da ovelha antes do parto, da idade à desmama e do sistema de terminação sobre as fibras musculares e a qualidade da carne dos cordeiros. Utilizaram-se matrizes mestiças Ile de France × Bergamacia criadas a pasto. As ovelhas foram divididas em dois grupos: um com suplementação alimentar 30 dias antes do parto e outro sem suplementação. Os animais (ovelha e cordeiros) foram subdivididos de acordo com a idade à desmama (45 ou 60 dias de idade) e os cordeiros desmamados foram submetidos a três sistemas de terminação: confinamento com dieta completa; confinamento somente com feno; e confinamento somente no pasto. O abate dos cordeiros foi realizado aos 30 kg de peso vivo ou aos 150 dias de idade. As características de carcaça analisadas foram morfofisiologia da fibra do músculo longissimus dorsi, fragmentação miofibrilar pós-morte (maturados nos dias 0, 3 e 7 pos mortem) e redução do pH e da temperatura da carne pós-abate. Não houve efeito da suplementação às ovelhas ou da idade à desmama sobre nenhuma das características avaliadas. A composição em fibras de contração lenta e oxidativa, contração rápida e oxidativa ou contração rápida e glicolítica não foi alterada pelos fatores em estudo, mas a área transversal das fibras foi menor nos cordeiros terminados com feno, assim como os valores de pH, temperatura e as medidas dos fragmentos de miofibrila. Com o aumento do tempo de maturação de 0 para 3 e 7 dias post mortem, houve redução do comprimento dos fragmentos de miofibrilas. O sistema de terminação de cordeiros em confinamento somente com feno interfere mais intensamente na qualidade da carne que o sistema de terminação a pasto ou em confinamento com dieta completa.

Evaluation of Deformation, Mass Loss, and Roughness of Different Metal Burs After Osteotomy for Osseointegrated Implants

Purpose: This study used bovine ribs to comparatively assess the deformation, roughness, and mass loss for 3 different types of surface treatments with burs, used in osteotomies, for the installation of osseointegrated implants.Materials and Methods: The study used 25 bovine ribs and 3 types of helical burs (2.0 mm and 3.0 mm) for osteotomies during implant placement (a steel bur [G1], a bur with tungsten carbide film coating in a carbon matrix [G2], and a zirconia bur [G3]), which were subdivided into 5 subgroups: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, corresponding to 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 perforations, respectively. The surface roughness (mean roughness [Ra], partial roughness, and maximum roughness) and mass (in grams) of all the burs were measured, and the burs were analyzed in a scanning electron microscope before and after use. Data were tabulated and statistically analyzed by use of the Kruskal-Wallis test, and when a statistically significant difference was found, the Dunn test was used.Results: There was a loss of mass in all groups (G1, G2, and G3), and this loss was gradual, according to the number of perforations made (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). However, this difference was not statistically significant (P < .05). Regarding the roughness, G3 presented an increase in Ra, partial roughness, and maximum roughness (P < .05) compared with G2 and an increase in Ra compared with G1. There was no statistically significant difference (P > .05) between G1 and G2. The scanning electron microscopy analysis found areas of deformation in all the 2.0-mm samples, with loss of substrates, and this characteristic was more frequent in G3.Conclusions: The 2.0-mm zirconia burs had a greater loss of substrates and abrasive wear in the cutting area. They also presented an increased roughness when compared with the steel and the tungsten carbide coating film in carbon matrix. There was no statistically significant difference (P < .05) between G1 and G2 in any mechanical test carried out. (C) 2012 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons J Oral Maxillofac Surg 70:e608-e621, 2012

Weight loss and changes in surface roughness of denture base and reline materials after simulated toothbrushing in vitro

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

Floral biology and breeding system of three Ipomoea weeds

A biologia floral de Ipomoea cairica, I. grandifolia e I. nil - plantas daninhas da família Convolvulaceae - foi estudada em Botucatu e Jaboticabal, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. As três espécies são melitófilas, apresentando conjuntos de visitantes florais bastante diversificados, embora haja alguma sobreposição entre eles. Com relação aos visitantes florais, a análise de agrupamento, empregando-se o índice de similaridade de Jaccard, indicou maior similaridade entre diferentes espécies de Ipomoea ocorrentes no mesmo local do que entre populações da mesma espécie em diferentes localidades. O caráter promíscuo e oportunista da adaptação à polinização, presente nessas espécies, foi demonstrado, sendo essa adaptação vantajosa para plantas daninhas, uma vez que em ambientes ruderais a disponibilidade de polinizadores é imprevisível.

Incidence of self-reported hearing loss and associated risk factors among the elderly in São Paulo, Brazil: the SABE survey

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

Evaporative water loss and oxygen uptake in two casque-headed tree frogs, Aparasphenodon brunoi and Corythomantis greeningi (Anura, Hylidae)

Evaporative water loss (EWL) and oxygen uptake ((V) over dot o(2)) was measured in two species of tree frogs with cranial co-ossification, Aparasphenodon brunoi and Corythomantis greeningi. Both species use their head to seal the entrance of bromeliads, tree holes or rocky crevices used as shelters. EWL was significantly reduced in sheltered individuals of both species as compared with those exposed nude to desiccation. EWL per unit area through the head surface was significantly lower than the body skin for A. brunoi but not for C., greeningi. EWL per unit surface area through C. greeningi body skin was about 50% that of A. brunoi, indicating a less permeable skin in the former species. The relationship between cranial coossification and EWL is discussed. ((V) over dot o(2)) in A. brunoi was comparable with other anurans of similar size, whereas in C. greeningi, it was lower than predicted from body mass. Moreover, ((V) over dot o(2)), in C. greeningi showed less sensitivity to temperature increase than in A. brunoi. C. greeningi occurs in a drier environment than A. brunoi, and this appears to be reflected in their EWL and ((V) over dot o(2)) characteristics. (C) 1997 Elsevier B.V.