Fish-assemblage structure of the Corumbatai river basin, São Paulo State, Brazil: characterization and anthropogenic disturbances

O rio Corumbataí é um dos principais tributários da margem direita do rio Piracicaba que é um tributário do rio Tietê. O rio Corumbataí integra a bacia do rio Paraná e é regionalmente importante não só por possuir águas de boa qualidade, mas também por possuir elementos raros na paisagem local. Este estudo visou caracterizar as assembléias de peixes do rio Corumbataí e fornecer dados que contribuam para uma avaliação da sua qualidade ambiental. Na bacia do rio Corumbataí, foram amostrados 4 rios principais, cada um com 3 pontos de coleta. Vinte e quatro amostras foram coletadas durante os meses de março a julho e de setembro a dezembro de 2001. Dados bióticos foram avaliados por medidas de diversidade. Um modelo linear ANCOVA foi utilizado para testar a hipótese de variação espaço-temporal nas assembléias de peixes, com a riqueza de espécies como variável resposta, ordem do rio como fator e temperatura e logaritmo natural do número de indivíduos como covariáveis. Esta análise mostrou uma variação espaço-temporal que é corroborada por conceitos exaustivamente discutidos na literatura, tais como relação espécie-área e o conceito de rio contínuo. Dados provenientes do rio Ribeirão Claro mostraram um padrão diferente quando comparados com os outros rios. Esta diferença foi provavelmente devido à interferência humana e atesta o processo de fragmentação de hábitats aquáticos que podem ter levado a um isolamento das populações locais de peixes.

Exercício físico e menopausa

A deficiência de estrógenos, as alterações do perfil lipídico, o ganho de peso e o sedentarismo são considerados os principais fatores para a maior prevalência de hipertensão arterial em mulheres na menopausa. Na tentativa de reduzir a incidência da hipertensão arterial nessa população, diversas abordagens têm sido empregadas, porém a maioria dos trabalhos mostra que, nesse momento, a mudança de estilo de vida parece ser a melhor estratégia para o controle da hipertensão arterial e de seus fatores de risco nessa fase de vida da mulher - entre elas a prática de atividade física regular. O exercício físico contínuo, no qual a intensidade é mantida constante (leve/moderada), tem sido empregado na maioria dos trabalhos dentro da área de Saúde, com evidentes efeitos benéficos sobre as doenças cardiovasculares e endócrino-metabólicas. A prescrição do exercício contínuo caracteriza-se por atividades de pelo menos 30 minutos, três dias por semana, numa intensidade de 50 a 70% da frequência cardíaca máxima. O exercício físico intermitente caracteriza-se por alterações em sua intensidade durante a realização do treinamento, podendo variar de 50 a 85% da frequência cardíaca máxima, durante dez minutos. Atualmente, o exercício físico intermitente tem sido também empregado como forma de treinamento físico em diversas clínicas de controle de peso e em treinamentos personalizados, o que é devido ao menor tempo de execução do exercício físico intermitente. Além disso, trabalhos mostram que as adaptações metabólicas e o condicionamento físico são similares aos observados no exercício contínuo, que exigem maior tempo de execução para obter as mesmas adaptações celulares. Assim, essa revisão abordou a importância do exercício físico no controle da pressão arterial bem como os principais estudos conduzidos em modelos experimentais de menopausa e em mulheres, relacionando a hipertensão arterial e os mecanismos envolvidos em sua gênese e as perspectivas futuras.

Estudo das precipitações máximas anuais em Presidente Prudente

Considerando a importância sócio-econômica da região de Presidente Prudente, este estudo teve como objetivo estimar a precipitação pluvial máxima esperada para diferentes níveis de probabilidade e verificar o grau de ajuste dos dados ao modelo Gumbel, com as estimativas dos parâmetros obtidas pelo método de máxima verossimilhança. Pelos resultados, o teste de Kolmogorov-Sminorv (K-S) mostrou que a distribuição Gumbel testada se ajustou com p-valor maior que 0.28 para todos os períodos de tempo considerados, comprovando que a distribuição Gumbel apresenta um bom ajustamento aos dados observados para representar as precipitações pluviais máximas. As estimativas de precipitação obtidas pelo método de máxima verossimilhança são consistentes, conseguindo reproduzir com bastante fidelidade o regime de chuvas da região de Presidente Prudente. Assim, o conhecimento da distribuição da precipitação pluvial máxima mensal e das estimativas das precipitações diárias máximas esperadas, possibilita um planejamento estratégico melhor, minimizando assim o risco de ocorrência de perdas econômicas para essa região.

Estimativas de efeitos genéticos em bezerros cruzados por diferentes modelos e métodos de estimação

Os objetivos neste trabalho foram comparar estimativas de parâmetros genéticos obtidas por meio de dois modelos - um contendo apenas efeitos aditivos e de dominância e outro que incluiu os efeitos aditivo-conjunto (complementaridade) e epistático - e testar alternativas de critérios objetivos para determinação do coeficiente lambda na aplicação da regressão de cumeeira. Os resultados obtidos revelaram que a escolha de um critério para determinação do coeficiente lambda em regressão de cumeeira depende não apenas do conjunto de dados e do modelo utilizado, mas, sobretudo, de um conhecimento prévio acerca do fenômeno estudado e do significado prático e da interpretação dos parâmetros encontrados. Pelo uso de modelos mais completos para avaliação de efeitos genéticos em bovinos de corte, pode-se identificar a contribuição dos efeitos aditivo-conjunto e epistático, que encontram-se embutidos no efeito de heterose estimado por modelos mais simples. A regressão de cumeeira é uma ferramenta que viabiliza a obtenção dessas estimativas mesmo na presença de forte multicolinearidade.

Modeling and simulation of cephalosporin C production in a fed-batch tower-type bioreactor

Immobilized cell utilization in tower-type bioreactor is one of the main alternatives being studied to improve the industrial bioprocess. Other alternatives for the production of beta -lactam antibiotics, such as a cephalosporin C fed-batch p recess in an aerated stirred-tank bioreactor with free cells of Cepha-losporium acremonium or a tower-type bioreactor with immobilized cells of this fungus, have proven to be more efficient than the batch profess. In the fed-batch process, it is possible to minimize the catabolite repression exerted by the rapidly utilization of carbon sources (such as glucose) in the synthesis of antibiotics by utilizing a suitable flow rate of supplementary medium. In this study, several runs for cephalosporin C production, each lasting 200 h, were conducted in a fed-batch tower-type bioreactor using different hydrolyzed sucrose concentrations, For this study's model, modifications were introduced to take into account the influence of supplementary medium flow rate. The balance equations considered the effect of oxygen limitation inside the bioparticles. In the Monod-type rate equations, eel concentrations, substrate concentrations, and dissolved oxygen were included as reactants affecting the bioreaction rate. The set of differential equations was solved by the numerical method, and the values of the parameters were estimated by the classic nonlinear regression method following Marquardt's procedure with a 95% confidence interval. The simulation results showed that the proposed model fit well with the experimental data,and based on the experimental data and the mathematical model an optimal mass flow rate to maximize the bioprocess productivity could be proposed.

A critical investigation of the Tanford-Kirkwood scheme by means of Monte Carlo simulations

Monte Carlo simulations are used to assess the adequacy of the Tanford-Kirkwood prescription for electrostatic interactions in macromolecules. Within a continuum dielectric framework, the approach accurately describes salt screening of electrostatic interactions for moderately charged systems consistent with common proteins at physiological conditions. The limitations of the Debye-Huckel theory, which forms the statistical mechanical basis for the Tanford-Kirkwood result, become apparent for highly charged systems. It is shown, both by an analysis of the Debye-Huckel theory and by numerical simulations, that the difference in dielectric permittivity between macromolecule and surrounding solvent does not play a significant role for salt effects if the macromolecule is highly charged. By comparison to experimental data, the continuum dielectric model (combined with either an approximate effective Hamiltonian as in the Tanford-Kirkwood treatment or with exact Monte Carlo simulations) satisfactorily predicts the effects of charge mutation on metal ion binding constants, but only if the macromolecule and solvent are assigned the same or similar permittivities.

Avaliação de um Sistema de Produção de Gado de Corte. 1. Desempenho Reprodutivo

Data from 1983 through 1991 on reproductive performance, collected from the Beef Cattle production system at Embrapa Gado do Corte, were analyzed. This system, based on exclusive grazing, presented a pregnancy rate (2-3 years old heifers and cows) of 75.9%. The others observed index were first calving reconception rate, 62.1%, total herd loss rate, 2.2%, and calf loss rate until weaning, 6.0%. The calf loss rate represented 53.7% of the total herd loss rate. For calf loss rate (CLR) data analysis, the used model included the effects of sex (S), calf birth year (ANB), cow birth year (ANV) and the interactions between S x ANB and ANV x ANB. Sex had a significant effect on CLR, with 8.1 and 3.8% for male and female loss rate, respectively. For calving interval analysis, the used model included the following fixed effects: ANV, birth month of cow (MNV), birth cow order when it was a calf (OPV) and the ANV x MNV interaction. The 205-day cow weight and her age at first calving were used as covariables. The calving interval was 463.45 days (15.2 mo), ranging from 388 to 543 days, and it was significantly affected by ANV. It is suggested that more research attention should be directed to the highest loss rate observed for male calves, which represent higher commercial value than females.

Estimates of direct and maternal genetic effects for weights from birth to 600 days of age in Nelore cattle

Estimates of direct and maternal variance and heritability for weights at each week (up to 280 days of age) and month of age (up to 600 days of age) in Zebu cattle are presented. More than one million records on 200 000 animals, weighed every 90 days from birth to 2 years of age, were available. Data were split according to week (data sets 1) or month (data sets 2) of age at recording, creating 54 and 21 data sets, respectively. The model of analysis included contemporary groups as fixed effects, and age of dam (linear and quadratic) and age of calf (linear) effects as covariables. Random effects fitted were additive direct and maternal genetic effects, and maternal permanent environmental effect. Direct heritability estimates decreased from 0.28 at birth, to 0.12-0.13 at about 150 days of age, stayed more or less constant at 0.14-0.16 until 270 days of age and increased with age after that, up to 0.25-0.26. Maternal heritability estimates increased from birth (0.01) to a peak of 0.14 for data sets 1 and 0.07-0.08 for data sets 2 at about 180-210 days of age, before decreasing slowly to 0.07 and 0.05, respectively, at 300 days, and then rapidly diminished after 300 days of age. Permanent environmental effects were 1.5 to four times higher than genetic maternal effects and showed a similar trend.

Segmentação de dados de perfilamento a laser em áreas urbanas utilizando uma abordagem Bayesiana

In this paper is presented a region-based methodology for Digital Elevation Model segmentation obtained from laser scanning data. The methodology is based on two sequential techniques, i.e., a recursive splitting technique using the quad tree structure followed by a region merging technique using the Markov Random Field model. The recursive splitting technique starts splitting the Digital Elevation Model into homogeneous regions. However, due to slight height differences in the Digital Elevation Model, region fragmentation can be relatively high. In order to minimize the fragmentation, a region merging technique based on the Markov Random Field model is applied to the previously segmented data. The resulting regions are firstly structured by using the so-called Region Adjacency Graph. Each node of the Region Adjacency Graph represents a region of the Digital Elevation Model segmented and two nodes have connectivity between them if corresponding regions share a common boundary. Next it is assumed that the random variable related to each node, follows the Markov Random Field model. This hypothesis allows the derivation of the posteriori probability distribution function whose solution is obtained by the Maximum a Posteriori estimation. Regions presenting high probability of similarity are merged. Experiments carried out with laser scanning data showed that the methodology allows to separate the objects in the Digital Elevation Model with a low amount of fragmentation.

Orientation, building height and sky view factor as energy efficiency design parameters

The energy efficiency of buildings should be a goal at the pre-design phase, though the importance of the design variables is often neglected even during the design process. Highlighting the relevance of these design variables, this research studies the relationships of building location variables with the electrical energy consumption of residential units. The following building design parameters are considered: orientation, story height and sky view factor (SVF). The consideration of the SVF as a location variable contributes to the originality of this research. Data of electrical energy consumption and users' profiles were collected and several variables were considered for the development of an Artificial Neural Network model. This model allows the determination of the relative importance of each variable. The results show that the apartments' orientation is the most important design variable for the energy consumption, although the story height and the sky view factor play a fundamental role in that consumption too. We pointed out that building heights above twenty-four meters do not optimize the energy efficiency of the apartments and also that an increasing SVF can influence the energy consumption of an apartment according to their orientation.

Search for scalar neutrino superpartners in e+mu final states in p(p)over-bar collisions at root s=1.96 TeV

We report a search for R-parity-violating production and decay of sneutrino particles in the eμ final state with 1.04±0.06fb-1 of data collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider in 2002-2006. Good agreement between the data and the standard model prediction is observed. With no evidence for new physics, we set limits on the R-parity-violating couplings λ311′ and λ312 as a function of the sneutrino mass. © 2008 The American Physical Society.

Interaction between wave and coastal structure: Validation of two lagrangian numerical models with experimental results marine 2011

Numerical modeling of the interaction among waves and coastal structures is a challenge due to the many nonlinear phenomena involved, such as, wave propagation, wave transformation with water depth, interaction among incident and reflected waves, run-up / run-down and wave overtopping. Numerical models based on Lagrangian formulation, like SPH (Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics), allow simulating complex free surface flows. The validation of these numerical models is essential, but comparing numerical results with experimental data is not an easy task. In the present paper, two SPH numerical models, SPHysics LNEC and SPH UNESP, are validated comparing the numerical results of waves interacting with a vertical breakwater, with data obtained in physical model tests made in one of the LNEC's flume. To achieve this validation, the experimental set-up is determined to be compatible with the Characteristics of the numerical models. Therefore, the flume dimensions are exactly the same for numerical and physical model and incident wave characteristics are identical, which allows determining the accuracy of the numerical models, particularly regarding two complex phenomena: wave-breaking and impact loads on the breakwater. It is shown that partial renormalization, i.e. renormalization applied only for particles near the structure, seems to be a promising compromise and an original method that allows simultaneously propagating waves, without diffusion, and modeling accurately the pressure field near the structure.

Avaliação dos dados decendiais de precipitação e temperatura máxima e mínima do ar simulados pelo modelo ECMWF para o estado de São Paulo

The weather and climate has a direct influence in agriculture, it affects all stages of farming, since soil preparation to harvest. Meteorological data derived from automatic or conventional weather stations are used to monitor these effects. These meteorological data has problems like difficulty of data access and low density of meteorological stations in Brazil. Meteorological data from atmospheric models, such as ECMWF (European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecast) can be an alternative. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare 10-day period precipitation, maximum and minimum air temperature data from the ECMWF model with interpolated maps from 33 weather stations in Sao Paulo state between 2005 and 2010 and generate statistical maps pixel by pixel. Statistical index showed spatially satisfactory (most of the results with R 2 > 0.60, d > 0.7, RMSE < 5°C and < 50 mm; Es < 5°C and < 24 mm) in period and ECMWF model can be recommended for use in the Sao Paulo state.

Delineation of specific management areas for coffee cultivation based on the soil-relief relationship and numerical classification

Predicting and mapping productivity areas allows crop producers to improve their planning of agricultural activities. The primary aims of this work were the identification and mapping of specific management areas allowing coffee bean quality to be predicted from soil attributes and their relationships to relief. The study area was located in the Southeast of the Minas Gerais state, Brazil. A grid containing a total of 145 uniformly spaced nodes 50 m apart was established over an area of 31. 7 ha from which samples were collected at depths of 0. 00-0. 20 m in order to determine physical and chemical attributes of the soil. These data were analysed in conjunction with plant attributes including production, proportion of beans retained by different sieves and drink quality. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) in combination with geostatistical data showed the attributes clay content and available iron to be the best choices for identifying four crop production environments. Environment A, which exhibited high clay and available iron contents, and low pH and base saturation, was that providing the highest yield (30. 4l ha-1) and best coffee beverage quality (61 sacks ha-1). Based on the results, we believe that multivariate analysis, geostatistics and the soil-relief relationships contained in the digital elevation model (DEM) can be effectively used in combination for the hybrid mapping of areas of varying suitability for coffee production. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modelling of intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous buprenorphine in conscious cats

Objective To describe simultaneous pharmacokinetics (PK) and thermal antinociception after intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC) buprenorphine in cats. Study design Randomized, prospective, blinded, three period crossover experiment. Animals Six healthy adult cats weighing 4.1±0.5kg. Methods Buprenorphine (0.02mgkg-1) was administered IV, IM or SC. Thermal threshold (TT) testing and blood collection were conducted simultaneously at baseline and at predetermined time points up to 24hours after administration. Buprenorphine plasma concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. TT was analyzed using anova (p<0.05). A pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model of the IV data was described using a model combining biophase equilibration and receptor association-dissociation kinetics. Results TT increased above baseline from 15 to 480minutes and at 30 and 60minutes after IV and IM administration, respectively (p<0.05). Maximum increase in TT (mean±SD) was 9.3±4.9°C at 60minutes (IV), 4.6±2.8°C at 45minutes (IM) and 1.9±1.9°C at 60minutes (SC). TT was significantly higher at 15, 60, 120 and 180minutes, and at 15, 30, 45, 60 and 120minutes after IV administration compared to IM and SC, respectively. IV and IM buprenorphine concentration-time data decreased curvilinearly. SC PK could not be modeled due to erratic absorption and disposition. IV buprenorphine disposition was similar to published data. The PK-PD model showed an onset delay mainly attributable to slow biophase equilibration (t1/2ke0=47.4minutes) and receptor binding (kon=0.011mL ng-1minute-1). Persistence of thermal antinociception was due to slow receptor dissociation (t1/2koff=18.2minutes). Conclusions and clinical relevance IV and IM data followed classical disposition and elimination in most cats. Plasma concentrations after IV administration were associated with antinociceptive effect in a PK-PD model including negative hysteresis. At the doses administered, the IV route should be preferred over the IM and SC routes when buprenorphine is administered to cats. © 2012 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and the American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists.