Constraints implementation for IQML and mode direction-of-arrival estimators

The iterative quadratic maximum likelihood IQML and the method of direction estimation MODE are well known high resolution direction-of-arrival DOA estimation methods. Their solutions lead to an optimization problem with constraints. The usual linear constraint presents a poor performance for certain DOA values. This work proposes a new linear constraint applicable to both DOA methods and compare their performance with two others: unit norm and usual linear constraint. It is shown that the proposed alternative performs better than others constraints. The resulting computational complexity is also investigated.

Transport stress in matrinxa, Brycon cephalus (Teleostei : Characidae), at different densities

Matrinxa, Brycon cephalus, is a native teleost fish from the Amazon Basin, and is of economic importance for cultivation for food and sport in Brazil. Mortality losses due to handling and transport of this stenohaline freshwater species are common. The effects of transportation at different densities on the biochemical stress responses of matrinxa (mean weight 1 kg) were examined. Fish were subjected to three different transport densities (100, 200, and 300 kg m(-3)) for four h in water with added salt (0.6%). The fish were bled at departure (baseline level), arrival (immediately after transportation) and at 24 and 96 h after arrival (recovery period). Blood glucose, cortisol, sodium, chloride, potassium and ammonia were used as stress bioindicators. No mortality was observed and no alterations in plasma cortisol were registered. However, blood glucose and ammonia levels increased and serum sodium and plasma chloride decreased on arrival for the fish transported at the highest densities. These stress responses were transient and the concentrations returned to baseline levels within 24 h. This study showed that matrinxa can be transported at densities as high as those tested in the present study, at least under the conditions employed in this study. A recovery period of at least 24 h is strongly recommended.

Transporte de juvenis de curimbatá Prochilodus lineatus em diferentes densidades

Transportation of curimbata Prochilodus lineatus juveniles in different densities. Tins study evaluated the effects of curimbata Prochilodus lineatus transportation in three densities (100, 150 and 250 g L-1) on survival, metabolic, ionic and hematological (red series) variables Curimbata juveniles were transported in plastic bag during six hours, and sampled before packing, immediately after die arrival, 24 and 96 hours after transportation During recovery, higher mortality was seen in fish transported in die highest density Water variables, such as conductivity and total ammonia, presented increased values as density increased (p < 005). whereas the opposite occurred with dissolved oxygen Glucose level observed in the arrival was high, significantly reducing after 96 hours Among ionic variables, chloride decreased in higher fish densities and according to sampling times Red series hematological variables, such as hematocrit, red blood cell and hemoglobin, Increased in arrival, but diminished 96 hours after transportation There were no significant differences in the interaction between density and time of sampling for mentioned variables 250 g L-1 density induced the highest mortality rate and the worst variables values measured 96 hours of recovery after the stressing event was enough to return to initial values for hematological variables, but was not sufficient to return to initial values for metabolic and ionic variables.

Occurrence of Cryptosporidium (Apicomplexa, Cryptosporidiidae) in Crotalus durissus terrificus (Serpentes, Viperidae) in Brazil

The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium (Apicomplexa, Cryptosporidiidae) in the snake Crotalus durissus terrificus (Serpentes, Viperidae). Fifty animals were evaluated for the presence of oocysts of Cryptosporidium sp. at the time of arrival and 30 and 60 days later. Intestinal washings with saline solution (1% body weight), fecal samples, and organ scrapings were collected during the study. Oocysts were concentrated by an ether-phosphate-buffered saline sedimentation technique and then separated by a density gradient centrifugation technique. Smears were made with the sediment and submitted to modified acid-fast and auramine-rhodamine staining. Cryptosporidium-positive smears were used as controls for the experimental findings. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts was 14%. Among the positive snakes, oocysts were detected only in the intestinal washing in two specimens, only in the feces in four specimens, and in both materials at least once in one specimen. The positive snakes were predominantly from Santa Maria da Serra city State of São Paulo (57.1%). We also observed that all of the examinations that presented positive results were obtained at least 27 days after the capture of the animals.

Stress responses of juvenile matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus) after transport in a closed system under different loading densities

Neste estudo, foram investigadas as densidades de carga adequadas para transporte de matrinxãs juvenis em sistema fechado com sacos plásticos. O transporte de 4h foi feito com peixes (23,5±0,4g; 11,6 (0,08cm) em jejum por 24h, em densidades de 83g L-1 (D1), 125g L-1 (D2), 168g L-1 (D3) e 206g L-1 (D4). Os peixes foram amostrados antes do transporte (AT), logo após o transporte (chegada) (DT) e 24h depois. A qualidade da água foi monitorada antes da captura dos peixes nos tanques de depuração, após o transporte nos sacos plásticos e nos tanques de recuperação. O oxigênio da água diminuiu para valores inferiores a 4mg L-1 em D2, D3 e D4, a temperatura esteve em torno de 32°C, pH 6,5-6,78, a amônia total foi de 1,09-1,7mg L-1, a amônia não-ionizada foi de 3,58-9,33 x 10³mg L-1 e alcalinidade 134-165mg CaCO3 L-1. O cortisol plasmático e a glicose sanguínea aumentaram após o transporte nos peixes em todas as densidades ensaiadas, voltando aos valores controle 24h depois. Os valores de osmolaridade não mudaram logo após o transporte, mas aumentaram 24h depois de modo igual em todas as densidades. O cloreto plasmático diminuiu na chegada, de modo inversamente proporcional à densidade de carga. O hematócrito diminuiu 24h depois da chegada dos peixes, em todas as densidades testadas, mas não houve diferença no número de eritrócitos. Não houve mortalidade até uma semana após o transporte. O matrinxã mostrou ser uma espécie tolerante a altas densidades de carga em embalagens para transporte além de suportar baixos níveis de oxigênio na água.

Physiological responses of piau (Leporinus friderici, Bloch 1794) to transportation

This study evaluated stress indicators of juvenile piau (Leporinus friderici) during and after a 4-hour transportation in order to establish an appropriate transportation protocol for this type of fish. Fish were transported in plastic bags (133.1 g/L) and sampled before loading, during 1, 2, 3 and 4 h and after transportation (2, 6, 12 and 24 h). Blood samples were analyzed for cortisol and glucose levels, hematocrit, hemoglobin level, number and mean corpuscular volume of erythrocytes. Water pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature and ammonia were monitored before, during and after transportation. No mortality was observed through the experiment. Ammonia levels increased throughout transportation, but the low pH values kept NH3 in safe levels for fish. Cortisol levels increased within 4 h of transportation, and returned to control condition 2 h after arrival. Plasma glucose increased within one hour of transportation, reaching peak value within 4 h and returning to initial condition 2 h after arrival. Erythrocyte number and hemoglobin levels showed the lowest levels 2 h after arrival, and mean corpuscular volume increased during transportation, decreasing at 12 and 24 h after arrival. Transporting piau is stressful, but fish recover the initial condition in short time, showing tolerance to the changes in the water quality parameters.

Occurrence of Salmonella sp in laying hens

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Male and female interactions during courtship of the Neotropical damselfly Mnesarete pudica (Odonata: Calopterygidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Bark and ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera : Scolytidae) responses to volatiles from aging loblolly pine billets

Many species of bark and ambrosia beetles use host volatiles as cues for breeding site location. In a study where the objectives were to identify the different volatiles released by Pinus taeda L. billets as they age, to determine the arrival sequence of scolytids (Colcoptera: Scolytidae), and to correlate volatile emission by the billets with beetle catches, 25 species of scolytids were trapped. Bark beetles were more attracted to the billets in the beginning of the period. whereas ambrosia beetles arrived later. Among the bark beetles, Dendroctonus terebrans (Olivier) was significantly more attracted during the Ist 3 wk after tree felling, Hylastes tenuis Eichhoff in the Ist 2 wk. Pityophtorus pulicarius (Zimmermann) in weeks 2 and 3, and Ips grandicollis (Eichhoff) was more attracted on weeks 3 and 4. Among the ambrosia beetles, Xyleborinus saxeseni (Ratzeburg) was more attracted to billets during weeks 4-6, whereas Xyleborus pubescens Zimmermann and Xyleborus californicus Wood were more attracted during week 6. The billets showed marked decline in attractiveness to all scolytids after 8 wk. Volatiles collected during the beetle trapping periods included 15 hydrocarbon monoterpenes, 18 oxygenated monoterpenes, 4-allylanisole, and ethanol. The hydrocarbon monoterpenes and 4-allylanisole decreased sharply over time, but oxygenated monoterpenes and ethanol increased up to weeks 4-6, after which they also decreased. Good correlations between certain billet volatiles and catches for some beetle species were obtained, but their biological significance could not be determined.

Avaliação do atendimento anestésico da criança e do adolescente em um hospital universitário

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Qualidade em anestesia e na satisfação dos pacientes têm tido acentuado destaque. O objetivo foi avaliar o atendimento anestésico de crianças e adolescentes, entrevistando seus responsáveis. MÉTODO: Foram entrevistados 230 responsáveis por crianças e adolescentes submetidos à anestesia no período compreendido entre abril e dezembro de 2003. Realizou-se entrevista na visita pós-operatória através de questionário com quatro itens: identificação das crianças e de adolescentes e seus responsáveis (item 1); esclarecimentos na visita pré-anestésica (item 2), quanto à anestesia (item 3) e à recuperação pós-anestésica (SRPA) (item 4), determinando-se quem dera as informações aos entrevistados e se houvera complicação no pós-anestésico. O responsável atribuiu nota de 0 a 10 ao Serviço de Anestesiologia. RESULTADOS: A pesquisa foi respondida pela mãe em 189 (82,2%) casos. A maioria dos entrevistados, 114 (75,6%), tinha entre 20 e 39 anos, era casada (148 a 64,3%) e 140 (60,9%) não tinham ocupação. Para 89%, o anestesiologista se identificou; para 37% e 77,4%, esclareceu sobre importância e tempo do jejum; 82%, sobre anemia; 90%, alergia; 46,8%, importância da SRPA; 42,2%, tempo de permanência; 72,9%, estado de saúde de sua criança. Não houve apreensões para 49%, 58% e 58%, respectivamente, no pré, intra e pós-anestésico. Gostariam de ter estado com sua criança/adolescente na chegada à SRPA 78,9%. Foram relacionadas preocupações no período pré, intra e pós-anestésico com o sexo e a idade do paciente - não ter tido nenhuma preocupação - maioria dos entrevistados - e com a escolaridade do entrevistado - quanto mais completa, menor foi o número e a variedade das preocupações relatadas. As notas atribuídas ao Serviço de Anestesiologia tiveram maior freqüência entre 7 e 10 (97,4%). CONCLUSÕES: Considera-se que o Serviço de Anestesiologia desenvolve bom trabalho, apesar de falhas na comunicação, que são de solução simples e dependem mais da vontade do serviço que de seu conhecimento científico.

AC Biosusceptometry Technique to Evaluate the Gastrointestinal Transit of Pellets under Influence of Prandial State

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

Effects of temperament and acclimation to handling on feedlot performance of Bos taurus feeder cattle originated from a rangeland-based cow-calf system

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Inflammatory reaction to the human bot-fly, Dermatobia hominis, in infested and reinfested mice

Two groups of mice were infested with first stage larvae of the human bot-fly, Dermatobia hominis (Linnaeus Jr) (Diptera: Oestridae). In the first group, skin biopsies were carried out 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 18 days after infestation. The second group was also infested but had all the larvae removed 5 days after infestation. The mice in the latter group were reinfested 4 weeks later and skin biopsies were carried out 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 18 days after reinfestation. In the first group, an inflammatory reaction began slowly, the neutrophils being the main inflammatory cells, eosinophils being scarce. The reaction progressed with time, developing a necrotic halo around the larvae containing inflammatory cells surrounded by fibroblasts. The inflammation invaded the adjacent tissue. In the second group, the inflammatory reaction was intense on the day immediately after reinfestation, the pattern being changed by the presence of a large number of eosinophils. Activated fibroblasts surrounding the necrotic area around the larvae appeared 3 days after reinfestation in the second group and 7 days after infestation in the first group. The results demonstrated that the previous contact with the antigens elicited the early arrival of eosinophils, probably through the chemotactic factors liberated by mast cells in the anaphylactic reaction.

LEK BEHAVIOR of THE PLOVERCREST (STEPHANOXIS LALANDI, TROCHILIDAE)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)