Induction of the 72 kDa heat shock protein by glucose ingestion in black pregnant women

Obese Black women are at increased risk for development of gestational diabetes mellitus and have worse perinatal outcomes than do obese women of other ethnicities. Since hsp72 has been associated with the regulation of obesity-induced insulin resistance, we evaluated associations between glucose ingestion, hsp72 release and insulin production in Black pregnant women. Specifically, the effect of a 50-g glucose challenge test (GCT) on heat shock protein and insulin levels in the circulation 1 h later was evaluated. Hsp27 and hsp60 levels remained unchanged. In contrast, serum levels of hsp72 markedly increased after glucose ingestion (p = 0.0054). Further analysis revealed that this increase was limited to women who were not obese (body mass index <30). Insulin levels pre-GCT were positively correlated with body mass index (p = 0.0189). Median insulin concentrations also increased post GCT in non-obese women but remained almost unchanged in obese women. Post-GCT serum hsp72 concentrations were inversely correlated with post GCT insulin concentrations (p = 0.0111). These observations suggest that glucose intake during gestation in Black women rapidly leads to an elevation in circulating hsp72 only in non-obese Black women. The release of hsp72 may regulate the extent of insulin production in response to a glucose challenge and, thereby, protect the mother and/or fetus from development of hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and/or immune system alterations. © 2013 Cell Stress Society International.

Support area as an indicator of environmental load: Comparison between Embodied Energy, Ecological Footprint, and Emergy Accounting methods

Environmental aspects have been acknowledged as an important issue in decision making at any field during the last two decades. There are several available methodologies able to assess the environmental burden, among which the Ecological Footprint has been widely used due to its easy-to-understand final indicator. However, its theoretical base has been target of some criticisms about the inadequate representation of the sustainability concept by its final indicator. In a parallel way, efforts have been made to use the theoretical strength of the Emergy Accounting to obtain an index similar to that supplied by the Ecological Footprint. Focusing on these aspects, this work assesses the support area (SA) index for Brazilian sugarcane and American corn crop through four different approaches: Embodied Energy Analysis (SA(EE)), Ecological Footprint (SA(EF)), Renewable Empower Density (SA(R)), and Emergy Net Primary Productivity (SA(NPP)). Results indicate that the load on environment varies accordingly to the methodology considered for its calculation, in which emergy approach showed the higher values. Focusing on crops comparison, the load by producing both crops are similar with an average of 0.04 ha obtained by SA(EE), 1.86 ha by SA(EF), 4.24 ha by SA(R), and 4.32 ha by SA(NPP). Discussion indicates that support area calculated using Emergy Accounting is more eligible to represent the load on the environment due to its global scale view. Nevertheless, each methodology has its contribution depending of the study objectives, but it is important to consider the real meaning and the scope of each one. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Scrotal Thermography and Doppler Ultrasonography of the Testicular Artery of Buffaloes Subjected to Environmental Heat Stress

The process of spermatic division and differentiation (spermatogenesis) occurs with intratesticular temperature lower that the corporal temperature and for that is essential that the testicular thermoregulation mechanism occurs properly. For evaluation of the scrotal surface temperature can be used the infrared thermography or testicular sensors, besides that, can be evaluated the blood flux in the spermatic cord through the Doppler ultrasonography. Therefore the objective of this study was the evaluation of the scrotal thermography and Doppler flowmetry of the testicular artery of buffaloes subjected to environmental heat stress. For that were used seven healthy buffaloes, with age of 3 and 4 years, of the Murrah breed. For the surface scrotal temperature measurement (SST, degrees C) and superficial neck temperature (SNT, degrees C) was used the infrared termography (Infra Cam (TM) of the brand FLIR Systems Inc.), then Doppler flowmetry of the testicular artery in the region of the spermatic cord through the ultrasonography (Mylab 5, Esaote (R)) and measurement of the rectal temperature (RT, degrees C). The evaluations were done in two moments: moment 1 (M1) with all the animals in the shade (Temperature=32,2 degrees C) and moment 2 (M2) after 3 hours of exposure of animals to the sun (Temperature=38,7 degrees C To calculate the resistivity index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI), spectra were obtained from pulsed Doppler in three random regions of the testicular artery in the spermatic cord. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by T test, using a significance level of 5%. There was an increase (p<0,05) of RT (37,4 +/- 0,4(a) vs 39,0 +/- 0,3(b); M1 and M2 respectively), SST (30,6 +/- 1,4(a) vs 35,2,0 +/- 1,0(b); M1 and M2 respectively) and SNT (33,1 +/- 2,5(a) vs 38,5,0 +/- 0,3(b); M1 e M2 respectively) e RI (0,67 +/- 0,1(a) vs 0,74 +/- 0,1(b); M1 e M2 respectively) in M2. Increasing trend was observed (0,05>p>0,01) in PI (1,10 +/- 0,4(a) vs 1,23 +/- 0,2(b); M1 and M2 respectively) in M2. The results of the present study allow us to conclude the healthy buffaloes have the scrotal average surface temperature 3 degrees C lower that the body temperature and that the exposure of 3 hours to sun in healthy buffaloes causes thermal stress to the animals and changes in its surface scrotal temperature, and the Doppler flowmetry of the testicular artery demonstrating the importance of thermal management for breeding buffaloes. Besides that, the thermography and the Doppler ultrasonography presented great potential to detect changes of testicular perfusion, being a promising additional test in the buffalo andrological evaluation.

Heat Treatment and Yb-Fiber Laser Welding of a Maraging Steel

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Occurrence of heat waves in Triangulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaiba and their effect on milk yield and feed intake in cattle

The aim of this study was to estimate milk production and food consumption during the occurrence of heat waves in the Triangulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaiba, MG by means of bioclimatic zoning based on the Temperature and Humidity Index (THI). Therefore a history of heat wave occurrence between the years 2000-2010 was compiled. The decline in milk production (DMP) and reduced food consumption (RFC) were simulated in cities where periods of heat waves were identified. Frutal and Ituiutaba had the highest rate of heat wave occurrence per year. The DMP and RFC showed bioclimatic differences between the cities of Uberaba, Ituiutaba and Frutal. The cities with the best bioclimatic conditions were Sacramento and Patrocinio, as they presented a THI classified outside of the emergency range, with a night THI of below 76 and without heat waves. Therefore, the occurrence of heat waves can impair food intake and decrease milk production, thereby most effectively demonstrating the effects of thermal stress on dairy cows in the Triangulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaiba, MG region.

Influence of heat treatment and mechanical cycling on hardness and fracture analysis of Ti35Nb5Zr casting alloy

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

Effect of surface and heat treatments on the biaxial flexural strength and phase transformation of a Y-TZP ceramic

To evaluate the effect of grinding and airborne-particle abrasion on the biaxial flexural strength (BFS) and phase transformation of a Y-TZP ceramic, and examine whether sintering the veneering porcelain renders the previous heat treatment recommended by the manufacturer unnecessary. Materials and Methods: Lava zirconia specimens (N = 108) were obtained with the following dimensions: 14.0 mm diameter × 1.3 mm thickness (n = 36) and 14.0 mm × 1.6 mm (n = 72). The thicker specimens were ground with diamond burs under irrigation and received (heat-treated groups) or not (non-heat-treated groups) a heat treatment (1000°C for 30 min) prior to the four firing cycles applied to simulate the sintering of the veneering porcelain. All specimens were air abraded as follows (n = 12): 1) 30-μm silica-modified Al2O3 particles (Rocatec Soft); 2) 110-μm silica-modified Al2O3 particles (Rocatec Plus); and 3) 120-μm Al2O3 particles, followed by Rocatec Plus. Three specimens of each group were analyzed by x-ray diffraction (XRD) to assess the monoclinic phase content (%). The BFS test was performed in a mechanical testing machine (Instron 8874). Data (MPa) were analyzed by two-way ANOVA (grinding × airborne-particle abrasion and heat treatment × airborne-particle abrasion) and Tukey's post-hoc test (α = 0.05). The strength reliability was analyzed using the Weibull distribution. Results: Grinding significantly decreased the BFS of the non-heat-treated groups (p < 0.01). Within the ground groups, the previous heat treatment did not influence the BFS (p > 0.05). Air abrasion only influenced the BFS of the ground/heat-treated groups (p < 0.01). For the non-heat-treated groups, the grinding did not decrease the Weibull modulus (m), but it did decrease the characteristic strength (σ0). For Rocatec Soft and 120-μm Al2O3 particles + Rocatec Plus, the heat-treated groups presented lower m and higher σ0 than the ground/non-heat-treated groups. The independent variables did not seem to influence phase transformation. Air-abraded surfaces presented higher monoclinic zirconia content than the as-sintered and ground surfaces, which exhibited similar content. Conclusion: Even under irrigation, grinding compromised the Y-TZP ceramic strength. The sintering of the veneering porcelain rendered the previous heat treatment recommended by the manufacturer unnecessary. Airborneparticle abrasion influenced the strength of heat-treated zirconia.

Effect of surface and heat treatments on the biaxial flexural strength and phase transformation of a y-tzp ceramic

To evaluate the effect of grinding and airborne-particle abrasion on the biaxial flexural strength (BFS) and phase transformation of a Y-TZP ceramic, and examine whether sintering the veneering porcelain renders the previous heat treatment recommended by the manufacturer unnecessary. Materials and Methods: Lava zirconia specimens (N = 108) were obtained with the following dimensions: 14.0 mm diameter × 1.3 mm thickness (n = 36) and 14.0 mm × 1.6 mm (n = 72). The thicker specimens were ground with diamond burs under irrigation and received (heat-treated groups) or not (non-heat-treated groups) a heat treatment (1000°C for 30 min) prior to the four firing cycles applied to simulate the sintering of the veneering porcelain. All specimens were air abraded as follows (n = 12): 1) 30-μm silica-modified Al2O3 particles (Rocatec Soft); 2) 110-μm silica-modified Al2O3 particles (Rocatec Plus); and 3) 120-μm Al2O3 particles, followed by Rocatec Plus. Three specimens of each group were analyzed by x-ray diffraction (XRD) to assess the monoclinic phase content (%). The BFS test was performed in a mechanical testing machine (Instron 8874). Data (MPa) were analyzed by two-way ANOVA (grinding × airborne-particle abrasion and heat treatment × airborne-particle abrasion) and Tukey's post-hoc test (α = 0.05). The strength reliability was analyzed using the Weibull distribution. Results: Grinding significantly decreased the BFS of the non-heat-treated groups (p < 0.01). Within the ground groups, the previous heat treatment did not influence the BFS (p > 0.05). Air abrasion only influenced the BFS of the ground/heat-treated groups (p < 0.01). For the non-heat-treated groups, the grinding did not decrease the Weibull modulus (m), but it did decrease the characteristic strength (σ0). For Rocatec Soft and 120-μm Al2O3 particles + Rocatec Plus, the heat-treated groups presented lower m and higher σ0 than the ground/non-heat-treated groups. The independent variables did not seem to influence phase transformation. Air-abraded surfaces presented higher monoclinic zirconia content than the as-sintered and ground surfaces, which exhibited similar content. Conclusion: Even under irrigation, grinding compromised the Y-TZP ceramic strength. The sintering of the veneering porcelain rendered the previous heat treatment recommended by the manufacturer unnecessary. Airborneparticle abrasion influenced the strength of heat-treated zirconia.

Combined training (aerobic plus strength) potentiates a reduction in body fat but demonstrates no difference on the lipid profile in postmenopausal women when compared to aerobic training with a similar training load

The aim of this study was to verify the effects of aerobic and combined training on the body composition and lipid profile of obese postmenopausal women and to analyze which of these models is more effective after equalizing the training load. Sixty five postmenopausal women (age=61.0±6.3 years) were divided into three groups: Aerobic Training (AT,n= 15), Combined Training (CT,[strength+aerobic],n=32) and control group (CG,n=18). Their body composition: upper body fat (TF), fat mass (FM), percentage of fat mass and fat free mass (FFM) were estimated by DXA. The lipid profile, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were assessed. There was a statistically significant difference in the TF (AT= -4.4 %, CT= -4.4%, and CG= 1.0%, p= 0.001) and FFM (AT= 1.7%, CT= 2.6%, and CG= -1.4%, p= 0.0001) between the experimental and the control groups. Regarding the percentage of body fat, there was a statistically significant difference only between the CT and CG groups (AT= -2.8%, CT= -3.9% and CG= 0.31%, p= 0.004). When training loads were equalized, the aerobic and combined training decreased core fat and increased fat-free mass, but only the combined training potentiated a reduction in percentage of body fat in obese postmenopausal women after the training program. HDL-c levels increased in the combined group and the chol/HDL ratio (atherogenic index) decreased in the aerobic group, however, there were no significant differences between the intervention programs. Taken together, both the exercise training programs were effective for improving body composition and inducing an anti-atherogenic status.

Experimental and numerical study of heat transfer in hot machined workpiece using infrared radiation

One of the greatest problems found in machining is related to the cutting tool wear. A way for increasing the tool life points out to the development of materials more resistant to wear, such as PCBN inserts. However, the unit cost of these tools is considerable high, around 10 to 20 times compared to coated carbide insert, besides its better performance occurs in high speeds requiring modern machine tools. Another way, less studied is the workpiece heating in order to diminish the shear stress material and thus reduce the machining forces allowing an increase of tool life. For understanding the heat transfer influences by conduction in this machining process, a mathematical model was developed to allow a simplified numerical simulation, using the finite element method, in order to determine the temperature profiles inside the workpiece.

Failure behavior modeling of slender reinforced concrete columns subjected to eccentric load

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Avaliação do soro de leite como coagulante do látex de borracha natural

Pós-graduação em Ciência dos Materiais - FEIS

Relationship between elastic and mechanical properties of dental ceramics and their index of brittleness

The purpose of the study was to verify the effects of a number of materials' parameters (crystalline content; Young's modulus, E; biaxial flexure strength, sigma(i); Vickers hardness, VH; fracture toughness, K-Ic; fracture surface energy, gamma(f); and index of brittleness, B) on the brittleness of dental ceramics. Five commercial dental ceramics with different contents of glass phase and crystalline particles were studied: a vitreous porcelain (VM7/V), a porcelain with 16 vol% leucite particles (d.Sign/D), a glass-ceramic with 29 vol% leucite particles (Empress/E1), a glass-ceramic with 58 vol% lithium-disilicate needle-like particles (Empress 2/E2), and a glass-infiltrated alumina composite with 65 vol% crystals (In-Ceram Alumina/IC). Discs were constructed according to manufacturers' instructions, ground and polished to final dimensions (12 mm x 1.1 mm). Elastic constants were determined by ultrasonic pulse-echo method. sigma(i) was determined by piston-on-3-balls method in inert condition. VH was determined using 19.6 N load and K-Ic was determined by indentation strength method. gamma(f) was calculated from the Griffith-Irwin relation and B by the ratio of HV to K-Ic. IC and E2 showed higher values of sigma(i), E, K-Ic and gamma(f), and lower values of B compared to leucite-based glass-ceramic and porcelains. Positive correlations were observed for sigma(i) versus K-Ic, and K-Ic versus E-1/2, however, E did not show relationship with HV and B. The increase of crystalline phase content is beneficial to decrease the brittleness of dental ceramics by means of both an increase in fracture surface energy and a lowering in index of brittleness. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group Sri. All rights reserved.

Performance tests of two small trigeneration pilot plants

Trigeneration systems have been used with advantage in the last years in distributed electricity generation systems as a function of a growth of natural gas pipeline network distribution system, tax incentives, and energy regulation policies. Typically, a trigeneration system is used to produce electrical power simultaneously with supplying heating and cooling load by recovering the combustion products thermal power content that otherwise would be driven to atmosphere. Concerning that, two small scale trigeneration plants have been tested for overall efficiency evaluation and operational comparison. The first system is based on a 30 kW (ISO) natural gas powered microturbine, and the second one uses a 26 kW natural gas powered internal combustion engine coupled to an electrical generator as a prime mover. The stack gases from both machines were directed to a 17.6 kW ammonia-water absorption refrigeration chiller for producing chilled water first and next to a water heat recovery boiler in order to produce hot water. Experimental results are presented along with relevant system operational parameters for appropriate operation including natural gas consumption, net electrical and thermal power production, i.e., hot and cold water production rates, primary energy saving index, and the energy utilization factor over total and partial electrical load operational conditions. (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Psychobiological correlates of allostatic load

Introduction: The term Clinimetric was introduced by Feinstein in 1982, who first noticed that despite all the improvements in the assessment methods, a number of clinical phenomena were still unconsidered during the evaluation process. Yet today clinical phenomena, such as stress, relevant in diseases progression and course, are not completely evaluated. Only recently, according to the clinimetric approach, Fava and colleagues have introduced specific criteria for evaluating the allostatic overload in clinical setting. Methods: Participants were 240 blood donors recruited from May 2007 to December 2009 in 4 different blood Centers (AVIS) in Italy. Blood samples from each participant were collected for laboratory test the same day the self-rating instruments were administered (Psychosocial Index, Symptom Questionnaire, Psychological well-being scales, Temperament and Character inventory, Self-Report Altruism scale). The study explore different aspects describing sample characteristics and correlates of stress in the total sample (part I), new selection criteria applied to existing instruments to identify individuals reporting allostatic load (part II), and differences on biological correlates between subjects with vs without AL. Results: Significant differences according to gender and past illnesses have been found in different dimensions of well-being and distress. Further, distress was explained for more than 60% by 4 main factors such as anxiety, somatic symptoms, environmental mastery and persistence. According to the new criteria, 98 donors reported AL. Allostatic load individuals reported to engage in less altruistic behaviours. Also they differ in personality traits and characters from controls. In the last part, results showed significant differences among donors according to allostatic load on diverse biological parameters (RBC, MCV, immune essay). Conclusion: This study presents obvious limitations due to its preliminary nature. Further research are need to confirm that these new criteria may lead to identify high risk individuals reporting not only stressful situations but also vulnerabilities.