Determinação de parâmetros para a avaliação de carcaça em bubalinos machos no Estado do Pará

O presente estudo objetivou criar um protocolo para identificação da qualidade da carcaça de bubalinos machos abatidos no Estado do Pará. Para isso, efetuou-se o estudo em duas etapas: na primeira, utilizou-se 174 animais para a criação e implantação do protocolo de identificação da idade através do desenvolvimento dos pares de dentes incisivos e das mensurações lineares, altura de garupa e cernelha, perímetro torácico e comprimento corporal. A segunda etapa constou da comprovação do protocolo pré-estabelecido inserido dentro da avaliação das características de carcaça, através dos rendimentos de carcaça quente e fria, do traseiro, dianteiro, ponta de agulha, área de olho de lombo e espessura de gordura subcutânea de 76 animais abatidos. Verificou-se a ausência dos cantos decíduos 4º par nos animais de zero a três meses de idade. Os cantos estabeleceram-se definitivamente entre três e seis meses de idade. A partir dos seis meses de idade, os dentes incisivos decíduos estão todos presentes e estabelecidos. Aos 24 meses observou-se o início da troca dentária das pinças (1º par). Entre os 30 a 55 meses de idade ocorreu a troca dentária dos primeiros e segundos médios (2º e 3º par, respectivamente) e acima dos 55 meses, a troca dos cantos. Dos 55 aos 100 meses de idade, todos os dentes incisivos permanentes estavam estabelecidos. O peso vivo dos animais apresentou uma correlação positiva e significativa com as mensurações lineares, altura de garupa e cernelha, perímetro torácico e comprimento corporal. Dos 25,7 meses até os 30 meses de idade houve uma redução da taxa de crescimento, conseqüência da puberdade e acabamento da gordura de cobertura. A partir dos 18 meses de idade não houve diferença significativa de rendimento de carcaça quente e fria, do traseiro, da área de olho de lombo e da espessura de gordura subcutânea dos animais. O rendimento dianteiro foi maior em búfalos acima de 24 meses de idade e o rendimento de ponta de agulha foi maior para búfalos mais jovens. Concluiu-se que o início da troca dentária das pinças é a idade ideal para o abate, onde coincide com a redução da taxa de crescimento e da deposição de gordura de cobertura da carcaça.

Seleção de características morfofuncionais de cavalos da raça Mangalarga Marchador por meio da análise de componentes principais

Records from 14,288 animals of the Mangalarga Marchador breed, born from 1990 to 2005, were used to discard morphofunctional traits in a principal component analysis. The following traits were used: height at withers, height at croup, lengths of head, neck, back, croup, hip length and body, widths of head, hip width, thorax perimeter, cannon bone circumference and gait score. For the traits considered it was observed that 7 principal components showed variation lower than 0.7; suggesting that seven variables could be discarded. The reason is that when variable are highly correlated with the principal components of smaller variance, their variation is practically insignificant. Based on those results the recommendation is to maintain the following traits for future research with this database: gait score, height at croup, length of back, length of croup, width of head and cannon bone circumference.

Estimativa da área foliar de Euphorbia heterophylla

Leaf area estimate may contribute to understand the relationships of interference among weeds and crops. The objective of this research was to obtain a mathematical equation to estimate the leaf area of Euphorbia heterophylla based on linear measures of the leaf blade. Correlation studies were carried out using the real leaf area and leaf length (C) and the maximum leaf width (L) of 200 leaf blades which were collected from several agroecosystems at Universidade Estadual Paulista in Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil. The evaluated statistic models were: linear Y = a + bx; simple linear Y = bx; geometric Y = ax b; and exponential Y = ab x. All of the evaluated models can be used for E. heterophylla leaf area estimation. The simple linear regression model is suggested using C*L and taking the linear coefficient equal to zero. Thus, an estimate of the leaf area of E. heterophylla can be obtained using the equation Af' = 0.6816*(C*L).

Estimativa da área foliar de Panicum maximum usando dimensões lineares do limbo foliar

The objective of this study was to obtain a mathematical equation to estimate the leaf area of Panicum maximum using linear measures of leaf blade. Correlation studies were conducted involving the real leaf area (Sf), the main vein leaf length (C), and the maximum leaf width (L). The linear and geometric equations related to C provided good leaf area estimates. For practical reasons, the use of an equation involving only the C*L product is suggested. Thus, an estimate of P. maximum leaf area can be obtained by the equation Sf = 0.6058 (C*L), with the coefficient of determination R = 0.8586.

Dental and skeletal components of Class II open bite treatment with a modified Thurow appliance

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

AVALIAÇÃO DAS ALTERAÇÕES NA SOBREMORDIDA E NAS ALTURAS FACIAIS ANTERIOR E POSTERIOR, DECORRENTES DO TRATAMENTO ORTODÔNTICO COM EXTRAÇÃO DE PRÉ-MOLARES, EM PACIENTES COM DIFERENTES TIPOS FACIAIS.

O presente estudo investigou as alterações no trespasse vertical e na altura facial ântero-inferior em pacientes com má-oclusão de Classe I e diferentes tipos faciais com apinhamento submetidos a extração de quatro pré-molares, no pré e pós-tratamento ortodôntico. Foram selecionadas telerradiografias em norma lateral de 36 indivíduos na faixa etária de 12 anos e 2 meses a 16 anos e 5 meses, que realizaram o tratamento ortodôntico com o emprego de aparelho pré-ajustado Straight Wire..Para a análise as medidas utilizadas foram AFA, AFAI, AFP, FMA, SN.GoGn, além de medidas lineares descritas por Hans et al. As alterações nas alturas faciais anterior, antero-inferior e posterior foram similares nos três grupos estudados, apresentando aumento ao final do tratamento ortodôntico, porém sem significância estatística nas alturas faciais anteriores no grupo dos braquifaciais. Em FMA, foram estatisticamente significantes apenas para os braquifaciais e de SN.GoGn para braqui e dolicofaciais. Quanto às medidas lineares de Hans verificou-se que o grupo dos braquifaciais apresentou aumento estatisticamente significante em TLI e MNSK, no grupo dos mesofaciais, o mesmo ocorreu em BUI e MNSK e nos dolicofaciais todas as medidas exceto TUI apresentaram aumento significativo. Em todos os grupos foi observada uma diminuição da sobremordida.(AU)

AVALIAÇÃO DAS ALTERAÇÕES NA SOBREMORDIDA E NAS ALTURAS FACIAIS ANTERIOR E POSTERIOR, DECORRENTES DO TRATAMENTO ORTODÔNTICO COM EXTRAÇÃO DE PRÉ-MOLARES, EM PACIENTES COM DIFERENTES TIPOS FACIAIS.

O presente estudo investigou as alterações no trespasse vertical e na altura facial ântero-inferior em pacientes com má-oclusão de Classe I e diferentes tipos faciais com apinhamento submetidos a extração de quatro pré-molares, no pré e pós-tratamento ortodôntico. Foram selecionadas telerradiografias em norma lateral de 36 indivíduos na faixa etária de 12 anos e 2 meses a 16 anos e 5 meses, que realizaram o tratamento ortodôntico com o emprego de aparelho pré-ajustado Straight Wire..Para a análise as medidas utilizadas foram AFA, AFAI, AFP, FMA, SN.GoGn, além de medidas lineares descritas por Hans et al. As alterações nas alturas faciais anterior, antero-inferior e posterior foram similares nos três grupos estudados, apresentando aumento ao final do tratamento ortodôntico, porém sem significância estatística nas alturas faciais anteriores no grupo dos braquifaciais. Em FMA, foram estatisticamente significantes apenas para os braquifaciais e de SN.GoGn para braqui e dolicofaciais. Quanto às medidas lineares de Hans verificou-se que o grupo dos braquifaciais apresentou aumento estatisticamente significante em TLI e MNSK, no grupo dos mesofaciais, o mesmo ocorreu em BUI e MNSK e nos dolicofaciais todas as medidas exceto TUI apresentaram aumento significativo. Em todos os grupos foi observada uma diminuição da sobremordida.(AU)

AVALIAÇÃO DAS ALTERAÇÕES NA SOBREMORDIDA E NAS ALTURAS FACIAIS ANTERIOR E POSTERIOR, DECORRENTES DO TRATAMENTO ORTODÔNTICO COM EXTRAÇÃO DE PRÉ-MOLARES, EM PACIENTES COM DIFERENTES TIPOS FACIAIS.

O presente estudo investigou as alterações no trespasse vertical e na altura facial ântero-inferior em pacientes com má-oclusão de Classe I e diferentes tipos faciais com apinhamento submetidos a extração de quatro pré-molares, no pré e pós-tratamento ortodôntico. Foram selecionadas telerradiografias em norma lateral de 36 indivíduos na faixa etária de 12 anos e 2 meses a 16 anos e 5 meses, que realizaram o tratamento ortodôntico com o emprego de aparelho pré-ajustado Straight Wire..Para a análise as medidas utilizadas foram AFA, AFAI, AFP, FMA, SN.GoGn, além de medidas lineares descritas por Hans et al. As alterações nas alturas faciais anterior, antero-inferior e posterior foram similares nos três grupos estudados, apresentando aumento ao final do tratamento ortodôntico, porém sem significância estatística nas alturas faciais anteriores no grupo dos braquifaciais. Em FMA, foram estatisticamente significantes apenas para os braquifaciais e de SN.GoGn para braqui e dolicofaciais. Quanto às medidas lineares de Hans verificou-se que o grupo dos braquifaciais apresentou aumento estatisticamente significante em TLI e MNSK, no grupo dos mesofaciais, o mesmo ocorreu em BUI e MNSK e nos dolicofaciais todas as medidas exceto TUI apresentaram aumento significativo. Em todos os grupos foi observada uma diminuição da sobremordida.(AU)

Quantification of stability in an agility drill using linear and nonlinear measures of variability

This study implemented linear and nonlinear methods of measuring variability to determine differences in stability of two groups of skilled (n = 10) and unskilled (n = 10) participants performing 3m forward/backward shuttle agility drill. We also determined whether stability measures differed between the forward and backward segments of the drill. Finally, we sought to investigate whether local dynamic stability, measured using largest finite-time Lyapunov exponents, changed from distal to proximal lower extremity segments. Three-dimensional coordinates of five lower extremity markers data were recorded. Results revealed that the Lyapunov exponents were lower (P < 0.05) for skilled participants at all joint markers indicative of higher levels of local dynamic stability. Additionally, stability of motion did not differ between forward and backward segments of the drill (P > 0.05), signifying that almost the same control strategy was used in forward and backward directions by all participants, regardless of skill level. Furthermore, local dynamic stability increased from distal to proximal joints (P < 0.05) indicating that stability of proximal segments are prioritized by the neuromuscular control system. Finally, skilled participants displayed greater foot placement standard deviation values (P < 0.05), indicative of adaptation to task constraints. The results of this study provide new methods for sport scientists, coaches to characterize stability in agility drill performance.

Linear and nonlinear measures of fetal heart rate patterns evaluated on very short fetal magnetocardiograms

We analyzed the effectiveness of linear short- and long-term variability time domain parameters, an index of sympatho-vagal balance (SDNN/RMSSD) and entropy in differentiating fetal heart rate patterns (fHRPs) on the fetal heart rate (fHR) series of 5, 3 and 2 min duration reconstructed from 46 fetal magnetocardiograms. Gestational age (GA) varied from 21 to 38 weeks. FHRPs were classified based on the fHR standard deviation. In sleep states, we observed that vagal influence increased with GA, and entropy significantly increased (decreased) with GA (SDNN/RMSSD), demonstrating that a prevalence of vagal activity with autonomous nervous system maturation may be associated with increased sleep state complexity. In active wakefulness, we observed a significant negative (positive) correlation of short-term (long-term) variability parameters with SDNN/RMSSD. ANOVA statistics demonstrated that long-term irregularity and standard deviation of normal-to-normal beat intervals (SDNN) best differentiated among fHRPs. Our results confirm that short-and long-term variability parameters are useful to differentiate between quiet and active states, and that entropy improves the characterization of sleep states. All measures differentiated fHRPs more effectively on very short HR series, as a result of the fMCG high temporal resolution and of the intrinsic timescales of the events that originate the different fHRPs.

An estimation of crash risks using a log-linear model and the induced exposure technique

Prevention and safety promotion programmes. Traditionally, in-depth investigations of crash risks are conducted using exposure controlled study or case-control methodology. However, these studies need either observational data for control cases or exogenous exposure data like vehicle-kilometres travel, entry flow or product of conflicting flow for a particular traffic location, or a traffic site. These data are not readily available and often require extensive data collection effort on a system-wide basis. Aim: The objective of this research is to propose an alternative methodology to investigate crash risks of a road user group in different circumstances using readily available traffic police crash data. Methods: This study employs a combination of a log-linear model and the quasi-induced exposure technique to estimate crash risks of a road user group. While the log-linear model reveals the significant interactions and thus the prevalence of crashes of a road user group under various sets of traffic, environmental and roadway factors, the quasi-induced exposure technique estimates relative exposure of that road user in the same set of explanatory variables. Therefore, the combination of these two techniques provides relative measures of crash risks under various influences of roadway, environmental and traffic conditions. The proposed methodology has been illustrated using Brisbane motorcycle crash data of five years. Results: Interpretations of results on different combination of interactive factors show that the poor conspicuity of motorcycles is a predominant cause of motorcycle crashes. Inability of other drivers to correctly judge the speed and distance of an oncoming motorcyclist is also evident in right-of-way violation motorcycle crashes at intersections. Discussion and Conclusions: The combination of a log-linear model and the induced exposure technique is a promising methodology and can be applied to better estimate crash risks of other road users. This study also highlights the importance of considering interaction effects to better understand hazardous situations. A further study on the comparison between the proposed methodology and case-control method would be useful.

An investigation on multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes using log-linear models

Motorcyclists are the most crash-prone road-user group in many Asian countries including Singapore; however, factors influencing motorcycle crashes are still not well understood. This study examines the effects of various roadway characteristics, traffic control measures and environmental factors on motorcycle crashes at different location types including expressways and intersections. Using techniques of categorical data analysis, this study has developed a set of log-linear models to investigate multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes in Singapore. Motorcycle crash risks in different circumstances have been calculated after controlling for the exposure estimated by the induced exposure technique. Results show that night-time influence increases crash risks of motorcycles particularly during merging and diverging manoeuvres on expressways, and turning manoeuvres at intersections. Riders appear to exercise more care while riding on wet road surfaces particularly during night. Many hazardous interactions at intersections tend to be related to the failure of drivers to notice a motorcycle as well as to judge correctly the speed/distance of an oncoming motorcycle. Road side conflicts due to stopping/waiting vehicles and interactions with opposing traffic on undivided roads have been found to be as detrimental factors on motorcycle safety along arterial, main and local roads away from intersections. Based on the findings of this study, several targeted countermeasures in the form of legislations, rider training, and safety awareness programmes have been recommended.

Conditioning of the Achilles tendon via ankle exercise improves correlations between sonographic measures of tendon thickness and body anthropometry

Although conditioning is routinely used in mechanical tests of tendon in vitro, previous in vivo research evaluating the influence of body anthropometry on Achilles tendon thickness has not considered its potential effects on tendon structure. This study evaluated the relationship between Achilles tendon thickness and body anthropometry in healthy adults both before and after resistive ankle plantarflexion exercise. A convenience sample of 30 healthy male adults underwent sonographic examination of the Achilles tendon in addition to standard anthropometric measures of stature and body weight. A 10-5 MHz linear array transducer was used to acquire longitudinal sonograms of the Achilles tendon, 20 mm proximal to the tendon insertion. Participants then completed a series (90-100 repetitions) of conditioning exercises against an effective resistance between 100% and 150% body weight. Longitudinal sonograms were repeated immediately on completion of the exercise intervention, and anteroposterior Achilles tendon thickness was determined. Achilles tendon thickness was significantly reduced immediately following conditioning exercise (t = 9.71, P < 0.001), resulting in an average transverse strain of -18.8%. In contrast to preexercise measures, Achilles tendon thickness was significantly correlated with body weight (r = 0.72, P < 0.001) and to a lesser extent height (r = 0.45, P < 0.01) and body mass index (r = 0.63, P < 0.001) after exercise. Conditioning of the Achilles tendon via resistive ankle exercises induces alterations in tendon structure that substantially improve correlations between Achilles tendon thickness and body anthropometry. It is recommended that conditioning exercises, which standardize the load history of tendon, are employed before measurements of sonographic tendon thickness in vivo.

Capturing complex, non-linear team behaviours during competitive football performance

This study investigated changes in the complexity (magnitude and structure of variability) of the collective behaviours of association football teams during competitive performance. Raw positional data from an entire competitive match between two professional teams were obtained with the ProZone® tracking system. Five compound positional variables were used to investigate the collective patterns of performance of each team including: surface area, stretch index, team length, team width, and geometrical centre. Analyses involve the coefficient of variation (%CV) and approximate entropy (ApEn), as well as the linear association between both parameters. Collective measures successfully captured the idiosyncratic behaviours of each team and their variations across the six time periods of the match. Key events such as goals scored and game breaks (such as half time and full time) seemed to influence the collective patterns of performance. While ApEn values significantly decreased during each half, the %CV increased. Teams seem to become more regular and predictable, but with increased magnitudes of variation in their organisational shape over the natural course of a match.

Unbiased estimating equations from working correlation models for irregularly timed repeated measures

The method of generalized estimating equation-, (GEEs) has been criticized recently for a failure to protect against misspecification of working correlation models, which in some cases leads to loss of efficiency or infeasibility of solutions. However, the feasibility and efficiency of GEE methods can be enhanced considerably by using flexible families of working correlation models. We propose two ways of constructing unbiased estimating equations from general correlation models for irregularly timed repeated measures to supplement and enhance GEE. The supplementary estimating equations are obtained by differentiation of the Cholesky decomposition of the working correlation, or as score equations for decoupled Gaussian pseudolikelihood. The estimating equations are solved with computational effort equivalent to that required for a first-order GEE. Full details and analytic expressions are developed for a generalized Markovian model that was evaluated through simulation. Large-sample ".sandwich" standard errors for working correlation parameter estimates are derived and shown to have good performance. The proposed estimating functions are further illustrated in an analysis of repeated measures of pulmonary function in children.