Optic Flow Contribution to Locomotion Adjustments in Obstacle Avoidance

Locomotion generates a visual movement pattern characterized as optic flow. To explore how the locomotor adjustments are affected by this pattern, an experimental paradigm was developed to eliminate optic flow during obstacle avoidance. The aim was to investigate the contribution of optic flow in obstacle avoidance by using a stroboscopic lamp. Ten young adults walked on an 8m pathway and stepped over obstacles at two heights. Visual sampling was determined by a stroboscopic lamp (static and dynamic visual sampling). Three-dimensional kinematics data showed that the visual information about self-motion provided by the optic flow was crucial for estimating the distance from and the height of the obstacle. Participants presented conservative behavior for obstacle avoidance under experimental visual sampling conditions, which suggests that optic flow favors the coupling of vision to adaptive behavior for obstacle avoidance.

Is gender crucial for cardiovascular adjustments induced by exercise training in female spontaneously hypertensive rats?

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

Marginal fit of nickel-chromium copings before and after internal adjustments with duplicated stone dies and disclosing agent.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Despite careful procedures, master stone dies may be damaged during laboratory procedures. The dentist routinely adjusts castings because the marginal fit of casting is not as accurate as on the dies. PURPOSE: This study evaluated the technique of internal adjustment of castings with use of duplicated stone dies and a disclosing agent to improve marginal fit discrepancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two nickel-chromium copings were fabricated and simulated standard clinical and laboratory procedures with 2 variables: tooth preparation convergence angles of 6 and 18 degrees, with or without internal relief. Master stone dies and their duplicates were selected for coping construction and internal adjustment, respectively. A specimen positioning device was coupled with a Toolmakers microscope to allow reproducibility of measurements. Each coping was evaluated at 8 locations of its marginal perimeter, before and after internal adjustment. RESULTS: Marginal fit discrepancy of copings were significantly reduced with an internal adjustment technique (mean > 52%) for all experimental groups. Tooth preparations with greater convergence and internally relieved castings recorded a better marginal fit. CONCLUSION: The casting internal adjustment technique with use of duplicated stone dies and a disclosing agent substantially reduced marginal fit discrepancy.

Correlation of previous experience, patient expectation and the number of post-delivery adjustments of complete dentures with patient satisfaction in a Brazilian population

A number of variables may influence the outcome of complete denture therapy. The objective of this study was to verify possible correlations between previous experience with dentures, patient expectation and the number of post-delivery adjustments with patient satisfaction after treatment. One hundred patients (mean age 61·9 ± 10·3) rated their previous experiences with complete dentures and their expectations before and satisfaction after treatment on a visual analogue scale (VAS) using scores from 0 (worst results) to 10 (best results). The number of post-delivery adjustments and other patient-related clinical variables was also noted. Patient expectation scores were higher than previous experience scores and satisfaction after treatment scores. Positive and weak correlations were found between previous chewing experiences with complete dentures, with regard to chewing expectations and comfort of use. Phonetics and comfort of use in previous experiences presented a positive correlation with expectations for chewing, aesthetics, phonetics and comfort of use. Groups of patients with different levels of education presented significant differences in expectation scores regarding comfort of use as well. A negative and weak correlation was found between phonetics satisfaction and the number of post-delivery adjustments. Patients' expectations for the therapy were higher than their satisfaction after treatment. Previous experiences with complete dentures could slightly influence patients' expectations and satisfaction, whereas lower scores for previous experience with complete dentures caused lower scores for both expectation and satisfaction. Patients' educational levels and the number of post-delivery adjustments influenced negatively the expectations about comfort of use and patient satisfaction, respectively. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Efeitos da temperatura do ar, linhagem e período do dia nas freqüências de ocorrências e tempos de expressão comportamental de matrizes pesadas

Ajustes de comportamento podem ocorrer rapidamente e a custo menor do que os ajustes fisiológicos. Considerando o comportamento social, é sugestivo que a freqüência e a intensidade de interações agressivas, o total de coesão social e a extensão de vícios sociais possam ser utilizados para avaliação de bem-estar. Esta pesquisa apresenta uma análise das interações entre os fatores experimentais, como temperatura, linhagem e período do dia, nos comportamentos de matrizes pesadas alojadas em câmara climática, buscando evidenciar as diferentes reações das aves submetidas a distintas condições ambientais. Os resultados encontrados mostraram diferenças significativas entre os comportamentos expressos pelas diferentes linhagens, reforçando a necessidade do monitoramento em tempo real do bem-estar de matrizes pesadas em alojamentos comerciais, dada a complexidade com que as variáveis ambientais interferem no bem-estar. A pesquisa permitiu concluir também que a avaliação do bem-estar de matrizes pesadas deve considerar o período do dia na observação dos comportamentos.

Physiological and morphological responses to feeding in broad-nosed caiman (Caiman latirostris)

Broad nosed caiman are ectotherm sauropsids that naturally experience long fasting intervals. We have studied the postprandial responses by measuring oxygen consumption using respirometry, the size changes of the duodenum, the distal small intestine, and the liver, using repeated non-invasive ultrasonography, and by investigating structural changes on the level of tissues and cells by using light- and electron microscopy. The caimans showed the same rapid and reversible changes of organ size and identical histological features, down to the ultrastructure level, as previously described for other ectothermic sauropsids. We found a configuration change of the mucosa epithelium from pseudostratified during fasting to single layered during digestion, in association with hypertrophy of enterocytes by loading them with lipid droplets. Similar patterns were also found for the hepatocytes of the liver. By placing the results of our study in comparative relationship and by utilizing the phylogenetic bracket of crocodiles, birds and squamates, we suggest that the observed features are plesiomorphic characters of sauropsids. By extending the comparison to anurans, we suggest that morphological and physiological adjustments to feeding and fasting described here may have been a character of early tetrapods. In conclusion, we suggest that the ability to tolerate long fasting intervals and then swallow a single large meal as described for many sit-an-wait foraging sauropsids is a functional feature that was already present in ancestral tetrapods.

Exigências energéticas para mantença e para o crescimento de frangos de corte

O trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de determinar, pelo método fatorial, as exigências de energia metabolizável (EM) de frangos de corte. Foi conduzido um ensaio em câmaras climáticas mantidas às temperaturas de 13, 23 e 32ºC (±2ºC) para se verificar o efeito da temperatura sobre as exigências de energia metabolizável para mantença utilizando-se a técnica do abate comparativo. As exigências de energia metabolizável para ganho de peso foram determinadas com base no teor de energia corporal e na eficiência energética de utilização da EM. As exigências de mantença foram de 159,36; 116,17 e 128,66 kcal/kg0,75/dia para 13, 23 e 32ºC, respectivamente, verificando-se efeito quadrático da temperatura sobre as exigências de mantença (EMm=300,14 - 14,61.T + 0,2876.T², r²=0,90). As exigências de em para ganho de peso corporal foram de 3,72 kcal/g para machos e 3,98 kcal/g para fêmeas de 1 a 21 dias; 4,21 para machos e 3,93 para fêmeas de 22 a 42 dias; e 4,51 para machos e 7,04 para fêmeas de 43 a 56 dias. Considerando-se as exigências determinadas, foram elaborados modelos de predição das exigências diárias de energia para frangos de corte, nos quais foram considerados o peso corporal, a temperatura ambiente (para estimativa das exigências de mantença) e o ganho de peso (para cálculo das exigências de ganho). Com base nas comparações das exigências determinadas pelos modelos e nas recomendações do manual da linhagem, conclui-se que os modelos elaborados predizem as exigências energéticas dos frangos de corte.

Perdas de grãos e distribuição de palha na colheita mecanizada de soja

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

Fecundity and pre-imaginal period of Chrysoperla externa (hagen) (neuroptera: chrysopidae) under different populations and laboratory generations

The lacewings appear in many agroecosystems, preying several species of agricultural pests. They have great search capability, high voracity, high reproductive potential and are easily maintained in laboratory conditions. In laboratory rearing, to avoid problems in the mass production are recommended adjustments in the type and quality of prey to be used in order to obtain individuals with desirable characteristics. It is necessary special care with the laboratory populations, avoiding problems from inbreeding. Larvae were reared individually in Petri dishes (9.0 cm diameter) and fed with eggs of Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier, 1789) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), in the amount of 25 mg / larva, while the adults were kept in PVC cylindrical cages (10 cm x 30 cm). Thus, the study analyzed the influence of the size of the population of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) on the pre-imaginal period (egg to adult) and reproductive capacity of this specie come from different populations and generations of laboratory. To this end, we used two populations, one of Jaboticabal (F-8 and F-21) and one of Piracicaba (F-6 and F-15), and subpopulations of 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 couples, analyzing the incubation of eggs and the number of eggs per female in each population, generation and subpopulation. The pre-imaginal period (egg to adult) and the number of eggs per female of C. externa are influenced by the generation and the number of founding individuals, being these parameters favored when laboratory populations are established with the largest number of couples.

Estudo do crescimento, desempenho, rendimento de carcaça e qualidade de carne de três linhagens de frango de corte

O objetivo nesta pesquisa foi avaliar o potencial de crescimento, desempenho zootécnico e as características de rendimento da carcaça, das partes e dos órgãos e a qualidade da carne de três linhagens de frango de corte: Cobb (CB), Paraíso Pedrês (PP) e ISA Label (IL). O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, com cinco repetições de 29 aves por tratamento. Semanalmente, com os dados obtidos para peso corporal médio, foi descrito o crescimento das aves, utilizando-se a equação de Gompertz e, com sua derivada, foi obtida a taxa de crescimento das aves. Três aves de cada repetição foram selecionadas e abatidas para análises do rendimento da carcaça, das partes e dos órgãos. As características físico-químicas da carne foram avaliadas utilizando-se o peito de duas destas aves. As aves CB apresentaram maior potencial de crescimento e, entre as caipiras o maior potencial foi observado para PP. Quanto ao desempenho, observou-se que a linhagem CB apresentou maior ganho de peso e consumo de ração, seguida pelas aves PP e IL. Maiores rendimentos de carcaça, de peito, sobrecoxa, fígado, intestinos e proventrículo foram obtidos com as aves CB em relação às caipiras, que não diferiram entre si. As aves CB apresentaram carne de peito com maior pH e maior capacidade de retenção de água que as de linhagens caipiras, que apresentaram carne de peito menos macia e com maior intensidade da cor vermelha. Maior potencial de crescimento e maiores rendimentos de pés, coxa, coxa+sobrecoxa e de coração foram verificados nos machos, enquanto, nas fêmeas, maiores rendimentos de peito, porcentagem de gordura abdominal, fígado, moela e proventrículo. As aves CB em relação às caipiras possuíram maior potencial de crescimento e maior rendimento de partes nobres, mas as caipiras apresentaram atributos diferenciados que justificam sua criação.

Modeling energy utilization in broiler breeders, laying hens and broilers

The factorial approach has been used to partition the energy requirements into maintenance, growth, and production. The coefficients determined for these purposes can be used to elaborate energy requirement models. These models consider the body weight, weight gain, egg production, and environmental temperature to determine the energy requirements for poultry. Predicting daily energy requirement models can help to establish better and more profitable feeding programs for poultry. Studies were conducted at UNESP-Jaboticabal to determine metabolizable energy (ME) requirement models for broiler breeders, laying hens, and broilers. These models were evaluated in performance trials and provided good adjustments. Therefore, they could be used to establish nutritional programs. This review aims to outline the results found at UNESP studies and to show the application of models in nutritional programs for broiler breeders, laying hens, and broilers.

Custo de produção do maracujá-amarelo (Passiflora edulis)

Objetivou-se analisar economicamente a cultura do maracujá-amarelo (Passiflora edulis) na região de Marília-SP, safra de 2010/2011. Foram utilizadas estruturas do custo operacional efetivo e custo operacional total referente à fase de implantação e condução da lavoura por unidade de área e cinco indicadores de rentabilidade. Identificou-se um custo total de produção de R$ 37.751,67 por hectare ou R$ 1,89 por quilo da fruta. Os itens do custo operacional efetivo que mais oneraram o sistema de produção corresponderam às operações de máquinas (31,1%) e mão de obra (23,5%). Os indicadores de rentabilidade mostraram-se desfavoráveis para o sistema produtivo analisado, em decorrência, principalmente, do alto preço dos insumos e práticas para controle de doenças. Há necessidade de adequações técnicas relacionadas com o manejo fitossanitário da cultura para a redução do custo total de produção de modo a tornar a atividade rentável.

Estimativas das componentes da radiação solar incidente em superfícies inclinadas baseadas na radiação global horizontal

Statistics equations and validations with groups of annual and monthly data were evaluated for global, direct and diffuse solar radiation components incident on the tilted surface to 12.85, 22.85 and 32.85 degrees with the face North, in climate and geographical conditions of Botucatu, SP. It was employed the fractions of three components of extraterrestrial radiation in correlation with the coefficient clearness index horizontal plane, in a database of April/1998 to December/2007, whose measures at different periods in three inclinations, however concomitant to the horizontal plane. Increasing the angle of the surface led to increased scattering of the daily values of clearness index for inclined and horizontal surfaces. In annual groups, the lower performances were observed in the estimation of inclined daily diffuse radiation, with maximum Root Mean Square Error to 3.89 MJ m(-2) d(-1) (43.65%) and adjustments around 62%. In estimates of global and direct components of solar radiation on inclined planes, both annual and monthly equations can be applied, with performance dependents to climatic conditions.

Evidence of ecotypic differentiation between populations of the tree species Parapiptadenia rigida due to flooding

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Sleep, ageing and night work

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