Locomotor performance of closely related Tropidurus species: relationships with physiological parameters and ecological divergence

Tropidurid lizards have colonized a variety of Brazilian open environments without remarkable morphological variation, despite ecological and structural differences among habitats used. This study focuses on two Tropidurus sister-species that, despite systematic proximity and similar morphology, exhibit great ecological divergence and a third ecologically generalist congeneric species providing an outgroup comparison. We quantified jumping capacity and sprint speed of each species on sand and rock to test whether ecological divergence was also accompanied by differences in locomotor performance. Relevant physiological traits possibly associated with locomotor performance metabolic scopes and fiber type composition, power output and activity of the enzymes citrate synthase, pyruvate kinase and lactate dehydrogenase of the iliofibularis muscle - were also compared among the three Tropidurus species. We found that the two sister-species exhibited remarkable differences in jumping performance, while Tropidurus oreadicus, the more distantly related species, exhibited intermediate values. Tropidurus psamonastes, a species endemic to sand dunes, exhibited high absolute sprint speeds on sand, jumped rarely and possessed a high proportion of glycolytic fibers and low activity of citrate synthase. The sister-species Tropidurus itambere, endemic to rocky outcrops, performed a large number of jumps and achieved lower absolute sprint speed than T. psamonastes. This study provides evidence of rapid divergence of locomotor parameters between sister-species that use different substrates, which is only partially explained by variation in physiological parameters of the iliofibularis muscle.

AATS for the (X)over-bar chart with variable parameters

A Fortran computer program is given for the computation of the adjusted average time to signal, or AATS, for adaptive (X) over bar charts with one, two, or all three design parameters variable: the sample size, n, the sampling interval, h, and the factor k used in determining the width of the action limits. The program calculates the threshold limit to switch the adaptive design parameters and also provides the in-control average time to signal, or ATS.

(X)over-bar charts with variable parameters

Varying the parameters of the (X) over bar chart has been explored extensively in recent years. In this paper, we extend the study of the (X) over bar chart with variable parameters to include variable action limits. The action limits establish whether the control should be relaxed or not. When the (X) over bar falls near the target, the control is relaxed so that there will be more time before the next sample and/or the next sample will be smaller than usual. When the (X) over bar falls far from the target but not in the action region, the control is tightened so that there is less time before the next sample and/or the next sample will be larger than usual. The goal is to draw the action limits wider than usual when the control is relaxed and narrower than usual when the control is tightened. This new feature then makes the (X) over bar chart more powerful than the CUSUM scheme in detecting shifts in the process mean.

Economic design of (X)over-bar charts with variable parameters: the Markov chain approach

This paper presents an economic design of (X) over bar control charts with variable sample sizes, variable sampling intervals, and variable control limits. The sample size n, the sampling interval h, and the control limit coefficient k vary between minimum and maximum values, tightening or relaxing the control. The control is relaxed when an (X) over bar value falls close to the target and is tightened when an (X) over bar value falls far from the target. A cost model is constructed that involves the cost of false alarms, the cost of finding and eliminating the assignable cause, the cost associated with production in an out-of-control state, and the cost of sampling and testing. The assumption of an exponential distribution to describe the length of time the process remains in control allows the application of the Markov chain approach for developing the cost function. A comprehensive study is performed to examine the economic advantages of varying the (X) over bar chart parameters.

Evaluation of intraocular pressure in association with cardiovascular parameters in normocapnic dogs anesthetized with sevoflurane and desflurane

The objective of this study was to determine intraocular pressure (IOP) and cardiac changes in normocapnic dogs maintained under controlled ventilation and anesthetized using sevoflurane or desflurane. Sixteen healthy adult mixed-breed dogs, seven males and nine females, weighing 10-15 kg were used. The dogs were randomly assigned to one of two groups composed of eight animals anesthetized with sevoflurane (SEVO) or desflurane (DESF). In both groups, anesthesia was induced with propofol (10 mg/kg), and neuromuscular blockade was achieved with rocuronium (0.6 mg/kg/h IV). No premedication was given. Ventilation was adjusted to maintain end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure at 35 mmHg. Anesthesia was maintained with 1.5 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane or desflurane. In both groups IOP was measured by applanation tonometry (Tono-Pen) before induction of anesthesia. IOP, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI) and central venous pressure (CVP) were also measured 45 min after the beginning of inhalant anesthesia and then every 20 min for 60 min. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare data within the same group and Student's t-test was used to assess differences between groups. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Measurements showed normal IOP values in both groups, even though IOP increased significantly from baseline during the use of desflurane. IOP did not differ between groups. CI in the desflurane group was significantly greater than in the sevoflurane group. Sevoflurane and desflurane have no clinically significant effects on IOP, MAP, HR, CI or VCP in the dog.

The Variable Sample Size (X)over-bar Chart with Estimated Parameters

The VSS X chart, dedicated to the detection of small to moderate mean shifts in the process, has been investigated by several researchers under the assumption of known process parameters. In practice, the process parameters are rarely known and are usually estimated from an in-control Phase I data set. In this paper, we evaluate the (run length) performances of the VSS chart when the process parameters are estimated, we compare them in the case where the process parameters are assumed known and we propose specific optimal control chart parameters taking the number of Phase I samples into account.

FG syndrome in a Brazilian child with additional previously unreported signs.

We report on a Brazilian child with typical manifestations of the FG syndrome. Pigmentary dysplasia, metacarpal fusion and peculiar anatomopathological findings are additional undescribed signs.

AATS for the X̄ Chart with Variable Parameters

A Fortran computer program is given for the computation of the adjusted average time to signal, or AATS, for adaptive X̄ charts with one, two, or all three design parameters variable: the sample size, n, the sampling interval, h, and the factor k used in determining the width of the action limits. The program calculates the threshold limit to switch the adaptive design parameters and also provides the in-control average time to signal, or ATS.

X̄ Charts with Variable Parameters

Varying the parameters of the X̄ chart has been explored extensively in recent years. In this paper, we extend the study of the X̄ chart with variable parameters to include variable action limits. The action limits establish whether the control should be relaxed or not. When the X̄ falls near the target, the control is relaxed so that there will be more time before the next sample and/or the next sample will be smaller than usual. When the X̄ falls far from the target but not in the action region, the control is tightened so that there is less time before the next sample and/or the next sample will be larger than usual. The goal is to draw the action limits wider than usual when the control is relaxed and narrower than usual when the control is tightened. This new feature then makes the X̄ chart more powerful than the CUSUM scheme in detecting shifts in the process mean.

A disease evolution model with uncertain parameters

In this study we consider the SIS epidemiological model (susceptible-infected-susceptible) in which the transmission and recuperation rates are considered fuzzy sets. The concepts of possibility measures and fuzzy expectancy value are used to obtain the basic reproduction value for infected groups with different viral charge.

Antisperm antibodies in infertile men and their correlation with seminal parameters

Aim: Antisperm antibodies (ASA) in males cause the autoimmune disease 'immune infertility'. The present study intended to detect the presence of ASA and their incidence in men with unexplained infertility, as well as to evaluate the correlation between the presence of ASA and semen parameter alterations. Methods: Blood and sperm assessment were collected to carry out a direct and indirect mixed antiglobulin reaction (MAR) test and semen analysis in infertile and fertile men from the University Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine, Sao Paulo State University, Sao Paulo. Results: In the MARtest, 18.18% of infertile men were positive for ASA. In fertile men, no positivity was found. A significant correlation between the presence of ASA with an increased white blood cell count plus a decreased hypoosmotic swelling test result was observed. Conclusions: The results indicate that ASA are involved in reduced fertility. It is not ASA detection per.se that provides conclusive information about the occurrence of damage to fertility. The correlation between infertility and altered seminal parameters reinforce the ASA participation in this pathology. © 2007 The Authors Journal compilation. © 2007 Japan Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Radial basis function networks with quantized parameters

A RBFN implemented with quantized parameters is proposed and the relative or limited approximation property is presented. Simulation results for sinusoidal function approximation with various quantization levels are shown. The results indicate that the network presents good approximation capability even with severe quantization. The parameter quantization decreases the memory size and circuit complexity required to store the network parameters leading to compact mixed-signal circuits proper for low-power applications. ©2008 IEEE.

Immunoexpression of S100A4 in canine skin melanomas and correlation with histopathological parameters

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

Measurement of the ratio of inclusive jet cross sections using the anti-k(T) algorithm with radius parameters R=0.5 and 0.7 in pp collisions at root s=7 TeV

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)