Soil microbial properties after 5 years of consecutive amendment with composted tannery sludge

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Do Thyroid Ultrasonographic Features Change According to Age in Euthyroid Dogs?

The thyroid gland was assessed by ultrasound in healthy euthyroid mixed-breed medium size dogs in different age groups. The objective was to verify ultrasonographic imaging patterns in these groups, as well as to identify possible changes in imaging features resulting from ageing. Thirty dogs - 10 young (<1 year), 10 adult and 10 elderly - without clinical signs or history of thyroid gland disease with complete blood count and thyroid function tests within the reference values were evaluated. Each thyroid lobe was examined by ultrasound for shape, size, echogenicity and echotexture. The analysis of echogenicity and echotexture was made by histogram. Thyroid volume was estimated by the equation for ellipsoid (length x width x height) pi/6. The thyroid volume of the young dogs in this study had a tendency to be higher than in adult dogs (P = 0.068) and older dogs (P = 0.120). The height of the thyroid lobe in the longitudinal plane was significantly higher (P = 0.026) in young dogs compared with the other dogs. The echotexture and echogenicity had no significant differences between groups, but the echogenicity was greater in older dogs. The results point out that ultrasound imaging of the thyroid volume is influenced by age in euthyroid dogs.

Adsorption of pH-responsive polyelectrolyte chains onto spherical macroions

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Energy restriction and impact on indirect calorimetry and oxidative stress in cardiac tissue in rat

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estresse oxidativo, alterações metabólicas e renais decorrentes da elevada ingestão de sacarose: efeito protetor da N-acetilcisteína (NAC)

Oxidative stress is related with physiopathology of diabetes mellitus type II and with its secondary complications, such as diabetic nephropathy. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of n-acetylcysteine NAC, an antioxidant from Allium cepa, on oxidative stress, morphometrical and nutritional parameters and basal metabolism and energetic substrate utilization, serum glucose and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and renal function of high-sucrose intake rats. Animals were initially divided into three groups. Rats in the control group (C; n=10) were given free access to a standard chow and water; (S; n=10) group received standard chow and 30% sucrose in its drinking water; (SN; n=5) group received standard chow and 2g/L NAC and 30% sucrose in its drinking water. After 25 days of treatments, rats were submitted to indirect calorimetry in fasted and feed states. After 30 days of treatments, rats from C and S groups were divided into four groups of five rats each. The (CC) and (SS) groups were given an intra-gastric dose 0,6mL saline (0,9%NaCl) and the (CNAC) and (SNAC) groups were treated with a intra-gastric dose of 0,6mL NAC (160g/day), and then everybody received a intra-gastric dose of glucose solution (20%) for the OGTT. Animals of S and SN groups have higher liquid consumption and lower food consumption than C group. Calorimetric analyses confirm that despite of the final body weight had not statistical difference among groups, S group have lower resting metabolic rate when compared to C and SN animals. Besides, S group has higher respiratory quotient, higher carbohydrate oxidation and lower lipid oxidation, both in fasted and feed states, than C and SN groups, evidencing the beneficial effect of NAC. Fasting plasma glucose is increased in SS and SNAC animals when compared to CC and CNAC, however SN group has glicemic level at 30 min before OGTT decreased when ...(Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Análise de dados pedogeoquímicos de multielementos visando o refinamento de mapeamento geológico de detalhe em alvos de Pb-Zn nos municípios de Adrianópolis, Cerro Azul e Tunas do Paraná (Vale do Ribeira, PR)

In order to to research, the region of Perau, base metal mineralization, Grupo Votorantim Metals conducted a soil sampling on targets predetermined holding its chemical analysis. These reviews have been provided by the company for this work was to evaluate the potential use of these data pedogeochemical multi-element for refinement of the work of geological mapping. We selected six targets: Varginha, Salvador, Guararema Taquara Lisa and Coffin of Mendes, in the municipalities of Adrianople, Cerro Azul and Tunas do Paraná, located in Vale do Ribeira (PR). Both have about 10 km2 and situated in the geological context of the Fold Belt Terrane and the Massif de Joinville. The main rock types are present metasedimentary rocks of low to medium grade metamorphic, interspersed the amphibolites ortoderivados, both belonging to the Complex Perau, gneisses and migmatitic Complex. Applied to the geochemical data descriptive statistical techniques (variogram, kriging and histogram). From the correlation between the distributions of elements with the geological data, we could assess the potential of the proposed methodology.

Mapeamento geoestatístico da permeabilidade superficial no entorno do Ribeirão Claro: e simulação da possibilidade de sua contaminação

The evaluation of soil permeability throughout the weathering profile is one of the most important features to be considered in environmental studies. This study, developed from field testing and analysis of data obtained by geostatistical methods, aims at mapping the permeability around the Ribeirão Claro river. The intent is to simulate an accident with toxic liquids where soil permeability is of fundamental importance. Another purpose of the research was to determine the minimum time that, in the event of an accident, a possible contaminant to reach the water table level and be routed to the nearest drain, in this case, the Ribeirao V Claro river constitutes fundamental information. The studied area of approximately 4 km² is located within the UNESP-Rio Claro campus, consisting of colluvial soil from Fm. Rio Claro superimposed on residual soil of Fm. Corumbataí. The method used to determine the permeability is the concentric cylinders performed on a sampling grid with 64 points containing spacing of 5 meters EW and 10 meters NS. In the places of permeability tests were collected samples for laboratory determination of the percentage of fines. From particle size analysis was performed and analysis statistical and geostatistical on this data. The histogram was based on the statistical studies, and the semivariograms were based on geostatistical estimation methods. Based on the comparison between the maps and the data obtained, it was determined that the percentage of fines in colluvial surface soil has little influence on permeability, which the proximity to the Ribeirao Claro river, the eastern portion, a factor that influences the distribution of permeability values

Classificação e quantificação de tecidos Biológicos para construção de fantomas pediátricos

Paediatric diagnostic radiology can be considered as a separate specialty and with distinct characteristics of the radiology applied in adult patients. This in reason of the variability in the anatomical structures size and bigger sensitivity of tissues. The literature present in its majority methodologies for segmentation and tissue classification in adult patients, and works on tissue quantification are rare. This work had for objective the development of a biological tissue classifier and quantifier algorithm, from histograms, and that converts the quantified average thickness of these tissues for its respective simulator materials. The results will be used in the optimization process of paediatrics images, in future works, since these patients are frequently over exposed to the radiation in the repeated attempts of if getting considered good quality radiographic images. The developed algorithm was capable to read and store the name of all the archives, in the operational system, to filter artifacs, to count and quantify each biological tissues from the histogram of the examination, to obtain the biological tissues average thicknesses and to convert this value into its respective simulator material. The results show that it is possible to distinguish bone, soft, fat and pulmonary tissues from histograms of tomographic examinations of thorax. The quantification of the constituent materials of anthropomorphic phantom made by the algorithm, compared with the data of literature shows that the biggest difference was of 21,6% for bone. However, the literature shows that variations of up to 30% in bone thickness do not influence of significant form in the radiographic image quality. The average thicknesses of biological tissues, quantified for paediatrics patients, show that one phantom can simulate patients with distinct DAP ranges, since variations... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Estimação de densidades e aplicação em segmentação de imagens

The aim of this work is to study some of the density estimation tec- niques and to apply to the segmentation of medical images. Medical images are used to help the diagnostic of tumor diseases as well as to plan and deliver treatment. A computer image is an array of values representing colors in some scale. The smallest element of the image to which it is possible to assign a value is called pixel. Segmen- tation is the process of dividing the image in portions through the classi¯cation of each pixel. The simplest way of classi¯cation is by thresholding, given the number of portions and the threshold values. Another method is constructing a histogram of the pixel values and assign a portion to each pike. The threshold is the mean between two pikes. As the histogram does not form a smooth curve it is di±cult to discern between true pikes and random variation. Density estimation methods allow the estimation of a smooth curve. Image data can be considered as mixture of different densities. In this project parametric and nonparametric methods for density estimation will be addressed and some of them are applied to CT image data

Metais pesados, atributos químicos e bioquímicos em latossolos e plantas de milho após aplicação de lodo de esgoto por dezesseis anos consecutivos

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Produção Vegetal) - FCAV

Efeito do uso do solo sobre seus atributos na microrregião de Chapadinha-MA

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Ciência do Solo) - FCAV

Detecção e restauração de áreas sombreadas em imagens digitais de alta resolução espacial

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Ability of different methods to fill retrograde cavities with MTA.

The Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) has excellent biological property. However, its consistency makes it difficult to be inserted into retrograde cavities. Objective:To evaluate the ability of different methods to fill retrograde cavities with MTA. Material and methods: Root canals of thirty single-rooted resin teeth were prepared and filled. After the cut of 3 mm short of apical third, retrograde cavities with 3 mm deep were prepared using an ultrasound device and retrotips (CVD, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil). The retrograde preparation was evaluate by using an operative microscope (D.F. Vasconcellos, São Paulo, SP, Brazil). The teeth were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10), according to the method: 1) condenser (Trinity, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); 2) MTA applicator (Angelus, Londrina, Brazil) + condenser; 3) condenser associated with ultrasound (CVD, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil). After the filling of retrograde cavities with white MTA (Angelus, Londrina, Brazil), teeth were radiographed using a digital system (Kodak RVG 6000, Rochester, NY, USA). The images were analyzed by UTHSCSA Image Tool 3.0 software. The percentage of filling was calculated by the proportion between the total area of retrograde cavity and the filled area. The radiographic density mean of each third of retrograde cavity filled with MTA was measured by using the histogram tool of the software. The results were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey tests, with 5% of significance. Results: There was no difference in percentage of filling among the groups (p > 0.05) (approximately 85%). By comparing the thirds, the condenser and MTA applicator groups showed higher density for apical and middle third than cervical third (p < 0.05). The ultrasound group presented similar density among the thirds. Conclusion: The filling ability was similar for the studied methods. Ultrasound promoted better distribution of MTA in retrograde cavity, but did not increase the density of material.

Atributos microbiológicos do solo em sistemas de manejo de longa duração

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Ciência do Solo) - FCAV

How do laryngeal and respiratory functions contribute to differentiate actors/actresses and untrained voices?

Purpose. The present study aimed to compare actors/actresses's voices and vocally trained subjects through aerodynamic and electroglottographic (EGG) analyses. We hypothesized that glottal and breathing functions would reflect technical and physiological differences between vocally trained and untrained subjects.Methods. Forty participants with normal voices participated in this study (20 professional theater actors and 20 untrained participants). In each group, 10 male and 10 female subjects were assessed. All participants underwent aerodynamic and EGG assessment of voice. From the Phonatory Aerodynamic System, three protocols were used: comfortable sustained phonation with EGG, voice efficiency with EGG, and running speech. Contact quotient was calculated from EGG. All phonatory tasks were produced at three different loudness levels. Mean sound pressure level and fundamental frequency were also assessed. Univariate, multivariate, and correlation statistical analyses were performed.Results. Main differences between vocally trained and untrained participants were found in the following variables: mean sound pressure level, phonatory airflow, subglottic pressure, inspiratory airflow duration, inspiratory airflow, and inspiratory volume. These variables were greater for trained participants. Mean pitch was found to be lower for trained voices.Conclusions. The glottal source seemed to have a weak contribution when differentiating the training status in speaking voice. More prominent changes between vocally trained and untrained participants are demonstrated in respiratory-related variables. These findings may be related to better management of breathing function (better breath support).