Local dimension and finite time prediction in coupled map lattices

Forecasting, for obvious reasons, often become the most important goal to be achieved. For spatially extended systems (e.g. atmospheric system) where the local nonlinearities lead to the most unpredictable chaotic evolution, it is highly desirable to have a simple diagnostic tool to identify regions of predictable behaviour. In this paper, we discuss the use of the bred vector (BV) dimension, a recently introduced statistics, to identify the regimes where a finite time forecast is feasible. Using the tools from dynamical systems theory and Bayesian modelling, we show the finite time predictability in two-dimensional coupled map lattices in the regions of low BV dimension. © Indian Academy of Sciences.

Exercise at anaerobic threshold intensity and insulin secretion by isolated pancreatic islets of rats

To evaluate the effect of acute exercise and exercise training at the anaerobic threshold (AT) intensity on aerobic conditioning and insulin secretion by pancreatic islets, adult male Wistar rats were submitted to the lactate minimum test (LMT) for AT determination. Half of the animals were submitted to swimming exercise training (trained), 1 h/day, 5 days/week during 8 weeks, with an overload equivalent to the AT. The other half was kept sedentary. At the end of the experimental period, the rats were submitted to an oral glucose tolerance test and to another LMT. Then, the animals were sacrificed at rest or immediately after 20 minutes of swimming exercise at the AT intensity for pancreatic islets isolation. At the end of the experiment mean workload (% bw) at AT was higher and blood lactate concentration (mmol/L) was lower in the trained than in the control group. Rats trained at the AT intensity showed no alteration in the areas under blood glucose and insulin during OGTT test. Islet insulin content of trained rats was higher than in the sedentary rats while islet glucose uptake did not differ among the groups. The static insulin secretion in response to the high glucose concentration (16.7 mM) of the sedentary group at rest was lower than the sedentary group submitted to the acute exercise and the inverse was observed in relation to the trained groups. physical training at the AT intensity improved the aerobic condition and altered insulin secretory pattern by pancreatic islets. © 2010 Landes Bioscience.

Use of cooled bull semen as a strategy to increase the pregnancy rate in fixed-time artificial insemination programs-case report

Semen cryopreservation is still considered suboptimal due to lower fertility when compared to fresh semen. The reasons for the loss of fertility are various and related to irreversible damage caused to the cells during the freeze-thaw process. An alternative to conventional cryopreservation represents the use of chilled bull semen, preventing the damage associated with freezing, thereby guaranteeing greater sperm viability. The aim of this study was to describe the use of cooled bull semen as a strategy to increase the pregnancy for Fixed-Time Artificial Insemination (FTAI) of Nellore (Bos indicus) cows. One ejaculate of a select Nellore bull obtained by electroejaculation was used; the semen sample was fractioned into two aliquots: one diluted in Botu-Bov® extender containing 6.4% glycerol for cryopreservation (BB-F, frozen group) and one diluted in the same extender, free from cryoprotectants and used for cooling (BB-C, cooled semen group). The samples in the BB-C group were chilled to 5°C using an isothermic box and maintained for 24 h prior to use. A total of 349 lactating Nellore cows (70-90 days after birth) were synchronized by the insertion of a progesterone releasing device (1.0 g) and estradiol benzoate (2.0 mg i.m.) on a random day of the estrous cycle (Day 0); FTAI was performed 44-48 h after the removal of the device. The pregnancy rates were 45.71 and 61.49% (P<0.05), respectively, for the cryopreserved or chilled bovine semen groups. In conclusion, the use of bull semen cooled for 24 h represents an alternative to conventionally cryopreserved semen, as determined by the increase the pregnancy per artificial insemination in bovine herds. © 2012 Science Publication.

Effects of Jugular Vein Occlusion on Cardiovascular Parameters in Horses During Exercise on a Treadmill

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the effects of unilateral and bilateral jugular vein occlusion by temporary surgical ligature on the heart rate and arterial and venous blood pressure in sedentary horses during progressive treadmill exercise. Six horses performed three exercise tests (ET). ET1, considered the control, was performed in horses without jugular occlusions. ET2 and ET3 were performed with unilateral and bilateral occlusion by temporary surgical ligature of the jugular veins, respectively. Heart rate, arterial pressure, and pressure of the occluded jugular vein were evaluated. Clinically, the horses presented apathy, head edema, congested mucous membranes, increased capillary refill time, and dysphagia. These signs were observed with the unilateral jugular vein occlusion and became more evident with the bilateral occlusion. Comparing ETs, no differences were observed in heart rate. However, jugular occlusions promoted a decrease in the mean arterial pressure and a severe increase in jugular pressure. Head edema caused by the jugular vein occlusion in the horses could interfere with the autonomic cardiovascular regulation of arterial blood pressure during exercise, likely leading to an impairment of tissue perfusion. Jugular occlusion, even unilateral, also causes severe head venous congestion, leading to venous hypertension that was aggravated by exercise, which could risk development of cerebral edema and neurological damage. The present results obtained from sedentary horses are preliminary data that lead us to suggest that sport horses presenting jugular occlusive thrombophlebitis, even unilateral, may be prevented from performing athletic activities. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Population, social equity and changing production patterns

Includes bibliography

Social cohesion: inclusion and a sense of belonging in Latin America and the Caribbean. Summary

Includes bibliography

Sleep quality and its associations with leisure-time exercise and excess weight among civil servants

O objetivo do estudo foi analisar a associação entre qualidade do sono, prática de exercícios físicos no lazer e obesidade entre servidores públicos de uma universidade. A amostra foi composta por 92 adultos de ambos os sexos. Qualidade do sono e atividade física foram coletadas por meio de questionário. O excesso de peso/obesidade foi diagnosticado pelo índice de massa corporal, o qual foi calculado com valores de peso e estatura relatados pelos avaliados. A prevalência de pessoas com sono alterado foi de 53,84%. Houve associação entre obesidade (OR= 7,22 [ORIC95%: 1,65-31,5]) e pior qualidade do sono, bem como, prática de atividade física e melhor qualidade do sono (OR= 0,19 [ORIC95%: 0,04-0,95]), independente de outros fatores de confusão. Concluiu-se que há alta ocorrência de distúrbios do sono, a qual foi associada de maneira independente com a prática de exercícios físicos e a obesidade.

Biomechanical and Microstructural Benefits of Physical Exercise Associated With Risedronate in Bones of Ovariectomized Rats

Several treatments have been developed aiming the prevention of bone loss. There are discussions about the best prophylactic and therapeutic procedures for osteoporosis. This study evaluated the effects of physical exercise associated with risedronate as a prophylactic and therapeutic procedure in osteopenic bones of rats submitted to ovariectomy. We used 48 Wistar rats divided into: ovariectomized or subjected to sham surgery. Ovariectomized rats were divided into the following sub-groups: OVX, 12 weeks sedentary; OVX-EX, treadmill training for 12 weeks; OVX-RA, 12 weeks with risedronate administration; and OVX-EX-RA, 12 weeks with risedronate administration and treadmill training. Rats subjected to sham surgery were divided into the following sub-groups: SH, 12 weeks sedentary; SH-EX, treadmill training for 12 weeks; SH-RA, 12 weeks with risedronate administration; and SH-EX-RA, 12 weeks with risedronate administration and training on the treadmill. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated in tibias using biomechanical, radiological, histomorphometric, and immunohistochemical analyses. Data were analyzed by statistical tests, with significance level of P < 0.05. Results of mechanical tests showed that the SH-RA group had lower values compared with OVX-RA group; densitometry showed no significant differences; according to histomorphometric methods, OVX group presented lower results than the SH-EX, OVX-RA, SH-EX-RA, and OVX-EX-RA groups, and SH-EX-RA and OVX-EX-RA groups showed values higher than SH-RA, SH, and OVX-EX groups. The SH-EX-RA and OVX-EX-RA groups had decreased immunostaining for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand and increased osteoprotegerin immunostaining. In this experimental model, it was concluded that the physical training associated with use of risedronate exerted positive effects on biomechanical and microstructural properties in bones of ovariectomized rats. (C) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The time course of aggressive behaviour in juvenile matrinxa Brycon amazonicus fed with dietary L-tryptophan supplementation

This study evaluated the influence of dietary L-tryptophan (TRP) supplementation on the time course of aggressive behaviour and on neuroendocrine and hormonal indicators in juvenile matrinxA Brycon amazonicus. Supplementation with TRP promoted a change in the fight pattern at the beginning of an interaction with an intruder, resulting in decreased aggressive behaviours during the first 20min. The decrease in aggression did not persist throughout the interaction but increased at 3 and 6h after the beginning of the fight. Monoamine levels in the hypothalamus were not influenced by TRP before or after the fight; however, the hypothalamic serotonin (5-HT) concentration and the 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5HIAA):5-HT ratio were significantly correlated with the reduction in aggressive behaviour at the beginning of the fight. Cortisol was not altered by TRP before the fight. After the fight cortisol increased to higher levels in B. amazonicus fed with supplementary TRP. These results indicate that TRP supplementation alters the aggressive behaviour of B. amazonicus and that this effect is limited to the beginning of the fight, suggesting a transient effect of TRP on aggressive behaviour. This is the first study reporting the effects of TRP supplementation on the time course of aggressive interaction in fishes. (C) 2013 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles

Exercise reduces angiotensin II responses in rat femoral veins

The control of blood flow during exercise involves different mechanisms, one of which is the activation of the renin-angiotensin system, which contributes to exercise-induced blood flow redistribution. Moreover, although angiotensin II (Ang II) is considered a potent venoconstrictor agonist, little is known about its effects on the venous bed during exercise. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the Ang II responses in thefemoral vein taken from sedentary and trained rats at rest or subjected to a single bout of exercise immediately before organ bath experiments. Isolated preparations of femoral veins taken from resting-sedentary, exercised-sedentary, resting-trained and exercised-trained animals were studied in an organ bath. In parallel, the mRNA expression of prepro-endothelin-1 (ppET-1), as well as the ETA and ETB receptors, was quantified by real-time PCR in this tissue. The results show that, in the presence of L-NAME, Ang II responses in resting-sedentary animals were higher compared to the other groups. However, this difference disappeared after co-treatment with indomethacin, BQ-123 or BQ-788. Moreover, exercise reduced ppET-1 mRNA expression. These reductions in mRNA expression were more evident in resting-trained animals. In conclusion, either acute or repeated exercise adapts the rat femoral veins, thereby reducing the Ang II responses. This adaptation is masked by the action of locally produced nitric oxide and involves, at least partially, the ETB- mediated release of vasodilator prostanoids. Reductions in endothelin-1 production may also be involved in these exercise-induced modifications of Ang II responses in the femoral vein.

Internal standard for amorphous pharmaceuticals products quantification and an application of Parametric Rietveld refinement using time, temperature and relative humidity as 'non-crystallographic' parameters

Pós-graduação em Química - IQ

Exercise improves immune function, antidepressive response, and sleep quality in patients with chronic primary insomnia

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

Square stepping exercise: uma revisão

Many studies inform that with aging process there’s a drop, not only in the cognitive functions, but also in the functional fitness. This drop can damage the old people’s daily activities, making them lose their independence. These declines can be softened with the practice of physical exercises. So, the aim of this study is to develop a systematic review in the literature which is the quantity of lectures done using the Square Stepping Exercise, we use a follow keyword “Square Stepping Exercise”. We performed a search in the following databases: PUBMED, Portal de Periódicos CAPES, Google Acadêmico e Catálogo Athena (acervo da Biblioteca de todos os campus da UNESP). Those procedures were complemented for manual searches in the references of the found lectures, like the access to the curriculum vitae, plataforma Lattes. There were analyzed articles, in Portuguese and English. Language were selected 11 studies (2 monografies, 1 masters lecture, 1 experience relatorie, 1 book chapter and 6 articles). The references found had improvement in motor and cognitive aspects. With this review, it was concluded that the SSE showed itself as a useful method to get better and/or maintain the analyzed aspects. It’s also necessary new studies with different populations, tips of analyse, periods of time and other aspects

Identification of Candida Spp. In Patients with Denture Stomatitis: Relationship with Gender, Age, Time of Denture use and Newton’s Classification

Epidemiological researches are important to understand the distribution and etiology of oral diseases. The actual researches that show the relationship between patient ages, denture status and denture stomatitis are scarce. So, the aim of this study was to identify of Candida spp. in patients with Denture Stomatitis (DS) and to correlate with gender, age, time of denture use and Newton’s classification. 204 complete denture patients (46 males and 158 females) were selected. DS was classified according to Newton’s classification and it was related to gender, age and time of denture use. Samples from the palatal mucosa and the surface of the upper denture of patients with DS were evaluated using PCR test for identification of Candida species. T-test, chisquare and Fisher’s exact tests were used for statistical analysis. DS was evidenced in 54.4% of the sample. According to gender 41.3% of the males and 58.3% females had the disease and the differences were statistically significant (p = 0.032). The type of DS was directly influenced by the time of denture use (p<0.001), but it was not significantly related to the age of the participants (p>0.05). C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. krusei and C. dubliniensis were identified by PCR test. DS is more prevalent in women and the prevalence of DS was influenced by the time of denture use (years). C. albicans was identified as the most frequent specie in patients with DS.

The effects of high doses of nandrolone decanoate and exercise on prostate microvasculature of adult and older rats

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