O papel dos sistemas visual, vestibular, somatosensorial e auditivo para o controle postural

The maintenance of a given body orientation is obtained by the complex relation between sensory information and muscle activity. Therefore, this study purpose was to review the role of visual, somatosensory, vestibular and auditory information in the maintenance and control of the posture. Method. a search by papers for the last 24 years was done in the PubMed and CAPES databases. The following keywords were used: postural control, sensory information, vestibular system, visual system, somatosensory system, auditory system and haptic system. Results. the influence of each sensory system and its integration were analyzed for the maintenance and control of the posture. Conclusion. the literature showed that there is information redundancy provided by sensory channels. Thus, the central nervous system chooses the main source for the posture control.

A New Miniature Characid (Ostariophysi: Characiformes: Characidae), with Phylogenetic Position Inferred from Morphological and Molecular Data

Erythrocharax altipinnis is described from the Serra do Cachimbo, Pará, Brazil. The new taxon is distinguished from all of the Characidae genera by having the pelvic bones firmly attached through the isquiatic processes; a nearly triangular hiatus in the musculature covering the anterior chamber of the swim bladder between the first and second pleural ribs (pseudotympanum); the pedunculate, notably expanded and distally compressed teeth in both jaws; circumorbital series represented by antorbital and four infraorbital bones with laterosensory canals not enclosed; a single tooth row in the premaxillary with the teeth perfectly aligned and similar in shape and cusp number; the first three branched dorsal-fin rays distinctly elongate in males; a bright red adipose and caudal fins in life; a conspicuous dark midlateral stripe extending from the opercle to the tip of the median caudal-fin rays; and by the absence of a humeral spot. The phylogenetic position of the new taxon is discussed using morphological and molecular datasets, with conflicting results of both approaches discussed. Additionally, a summarized discussion on the current problems in the Characidae taxonomy is presented and the principal biases in the morphological dataset are also discussed. © 2013 Netto-Ferreira et al.

Aplicação de redes neurais artificiais na predição de diâmetro e rugosidade durante o processo de furação

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Larval development of indigenous South American freshwater fish species, with particular reference to pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus): A review

In recent years, a number of South American freshwater fish have gained increasing attention for their potential in aquaculture, not only because of their excellent performance in farming systems but also to meet the high consumer demand for these species due to declining fishery resources. Many South American freshwater species are migratory and produce altricial larvae, with a small amount of yolk reserves. Unlike precocial freshwater species and altricial coldwater marine fish, these freshwater fish investigated have rapid yolk depletion and metamorphosis. Specific studies on the initial development of South American fish are scarce and fragmented. One of the most widely studied species is the pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), farmed in warm continental waters. In the present review we compile new and published data on the initial development of pacu, including morphogenesis of the skeletal, muscle, digestive and sensory systems; compare it to other Neotropical species; and discuss the importance of this information to develop larviculture protocols. When pacu larvae exhaust yolk reserves, they initiate a new form of interaction with the environment, becoming exclusively exotrophic. This type of interaction is made possible by the rapid development of sensory, skeletal, locomotor and digestive structures. In addition to understanding fish ontogeny, studies on larval development are necessary to improve farming systems and larviculture techniques aimed at producing high-quality juveniles in aquaculture. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation, laser therapy and LED therapy on the masticatory system and the impact on sleep variables in cerebral palsy patients: a randomized, five arms clinical trial

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Sensorimotor Integration in Dyslexic Children under Different Sensory Stimulations

Dyslexic children, besides difficulties in mastering literacy, also show poor postural control that might be related to how sensory cues coming from different sensory channels are integrated into proper motor activity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between sensory information and body sway, with visual and somatosensory information manipulated independent and concurrently, in dyslexic children. Thirty dyslexic and 30 non-dyslexic children were asked to stand as still as possible inside of a moving room either with eyes closed or open and either lightly touching a moveable surface or not for 60 seconds under five experimental conditions: (1) no vision and no touch; (2) moving room; (3) moving bar; (4) moving room and stationary touch; and (5) stationary room and moving bar. Body sway magnitude and the relationship between room/bar movement and body sway were examined. Results showed that dyslexic children swayed more than non-dyslexic children in all sensory condition. Moreover, in those trials with conflicting vision and touch manipulation, dyslexic children swayed less coherent with the stimulus manipulation compared to non-dyslexic children. Finally, dyslexic children showed higher body sway variability and applied higher force while touching the bar compared to non-dyslexic children. Based upon these results, we can suggest that dyslexic children are able to use visual and somatosensory information to control their posture and use the same underlying neural control processes as non-dyslexic children. However, dyslexic children show poorer performance and more variability while relating visual and somatosensory information and motor action even during a task that does not require an active cognitive and motor involvement. Further, in sensory conflict conditions, dyslexic children showed less coherent and more variable body sway. These results suggest that dyslexic children have difficulties in multisensory integration because they may suffer from integrating sensory cues coming from multiple sources. © 2013 Viana et al.