Genetic and phenotypic parameters of carcass and organ traits of broiler chickens

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Characterization of the nonlinear behavior of a F-16 aircraft using discrete-time Volterra series

The linearity assumption in the structural dynamics analysis is a severe practical limitation. Further, in the investigation of mechanisms presented in fighter aircrafts, as for instance aeroelastic nonlinearity, friction or gaps in wing-load-payload mounting interfaces, is mandatory to use a nonlinear analysis technique. Among different approaches that can be used to this matter, the Volterra theory is an interesting strategy, since it is a generalization of the linear convolution. It represents the response of a nonlinear system as a sum of linear and nonlinear components. Thus, this paper aims to use the discrete-time version of Volterra series expanded with Kautz filters to characterize the nonlinear dynamics of a F-16 aircraft. To illustrate the approach, it is identified and characterized a non-parametric model using the data obtained during a ground vibration test performed in a F-16 wing-to-payload mounting interfaces. Several amplitude inputs applied in two shakers are used to show softening nonlinearities presented in the acceleration data. The results obtained in the analysis have shown the capability of the Volterra series to give some insight about the nonlinear dynamics of the F-16 mounting interfaces. The biggest advantage of this approach is to separate the linear and nonlinear contributions through the multiple convolutions through the Volterra kernels.

Association between ACTA1 candidate gene and performance, organs and carcass traits in broilers

This study investigates the genetic association of the SNP present in the ACTA1 gene with performance traits, organs and carcass of broilers to help marker-assisted selection of a paternal broiler line (TT) from EMBRAPA Swine and Poultry, Brazil. Genetic and phenotypic data of 1,400 broilers for 68 traits related to body performance, organ weights, weight of carcass parts, and yields as a percentage of organs and carcass parts were used. The maximum likelihood method, considering 4 analytical models, was used to analyze the genetic association between the SNP and these important economic traits. The association analysis was performed using a mixed animal model including the random effect of the animal (polygenic), and the fixed effects of sex (2 levels), hatch (5 levels) and SNP (3 levels), besides the random error. The traits significantly associated (P < 0.05) with the SNP were analyzed, along with body weight at 42 days of age (BW42), by the restricted maximum likelihood method using the multi-trait animal model to estimate genetic parameters. The analysis included the residual and additive genetic random effects and the sex-hatch fixed effect. The additive effects of the SNP were associated with breast meat (BMY), liver yield (LIVY), body weight at 35 days of age (BW35); drumstick skin (DSW), drumstick (DW) and breast (BW) weights. The heritability estimates for these traits, in addition to BW42, ranged from 0.24 ± 0.06 to 0.45 ± 0.08 for LIVY and BW35, respectively. The genetic correlation ranged from 0.02 ± 0.18 for LIVY and BMY to 0.97 ± 0.01 for BW35 and BW42. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that ACTA1 gene is associated with performance traits BW35, LIV and BMY, DW, BW and DW adjusted for body weight at 42 days of age. Therefore, the ACTA1 gene is an important molecular marker that could be used together with others already described to increase the economically important traits in broilers.

Morfologia comparada da asa da Tesourinha (Tyrannus Savana) na América do Sul

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

Uma nova estratégia na determinação de macroelementos :'K', 'Ca', e 'Mg em plantas medicinais empregando espectrometria de absorção atômica com fonte contínua e alta resolução

A simple and fast method to determine Ca, K and Mg in a single aliquot of medicinal plants by HR-CS FAAS is proposed. The secondary lines for Ca (239.856 nm) and K (404.414 nm), and the alternate line measured at wing of the secondary line for Mg at (202.588 nm) allowed calibration within the 20 - 500 mg.L-1 Ca and K, and 1.0 - 80 mg.L-1 Mg. Twenty samples and three plant certified materials were analyzed. Results were in agreement at a 95% confidence level with reference values. Limits of detection were 2.4 mg.L-1 Ca, 1.9 mg.L-1 K and 0.3 mg.L-1 Mg. The RSD (n=12) were ≤ 5.1% and recoveries were between 83 and 108% for all analytes.

A utilização das tecnologias assistidas por computador como elemento de integração, pesquisa e desenvolvimento nas disciplinas de projeto para a engenharia e design

The use of technologies called computedassisted, such as CAD - (Computed Aided Design), CAM - (Computed Aided Manufacturing) and CNC - (Computed Numerical Control), increasingly demanded by the market, are needed in the teaching of subjects technical drawing and design courses for engineering and design. However its use findl barriers in the more conservative wing of the academy, who advocate the use of traditional drawing, for the settling of the concepts and the development of spatial reasoning. This study aimed to show the results obtained with the design and production of an apparatus for measuring a three-dimensional computer-aided milling machine, interaction, integration and consolidation of concepts, fully demonstrating that the learning of computer-assisted technology is possible, and its use is most appropriate, meaningful and productive, than the use of instruments in the classic design.

Aeroelastic Analysis of a Typical Section Using of Shape memory wire actuator

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) provide a compact and effective actuation for a variety of mechanical systems. In this paper, a numerical simulation study of a three degree of-freedom airfoil, subjected to two-dimensional incompressible inviscid flow using a SMA is presented. SMA wire actuators are used to control the flap movement of a wing section. Through the thermo-mechanical constitutive equation of the SMA proposed by Brison, we simulate numerically the behavior of a double SMA wire actuator. Two SMA actuators are used: one to move the flap down and the other to move the flap up. Through the numerical results conducted in the present study, the behavior and characteristics of an SMA actuator with two SMA wires are shown the effectiveness of the SMA actuator. In conclusion, this paper shows the feasibility of using SMA wire actuators for flap movement, with success

Concepção, modelagem, simulação e usinagem de um aerofólio automotivo auxiliado por computador

With the advancement of computer technology and the availability of technology computer aided design (CAD) errors in the designs are getting smaller. To this end the project aims to assess the reliability of the machine (CNC), which was designed by students of mechanical engineering college engineering - UNESP Bauru, by designing, modeling, simulation and machining an airfoil automotive. The profile template selected for the study will be a NACA 0012 machined plates in medium density fiberboard (MDF) and will be performed with a structural analysis simulation using finite elements and a software CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), and test the real scale model in a wind tunnel. The results obtained in the wind tunnel and CFD software will be compared to see the error in the machining process.

Augusto Boal: alguns encontros e desencontros com Bertolt Brecht

Pós-graduação em Artes - IA

‘Gene shaving’ as a method for identifying distinct sets of genes with similar expression patterns

Background: Large gene expression studies, such as those conducted using DNA arrays, often provide millions of different pieces of data. To address the problem of analyzing such data, we describe a statistical method, which we have called ‘gene shaving’. The method identifies subsets of genes with coherent expression patterns and large variation across conditions. Gene shaving differs from hierarchical clustering and other widely used methods for analyzing gene expression studies in that genes may belong to more than one cluster, and the clustering may be supervised by an outcome measure. The technique can be ‘unsupervised’, that is, the genes and samples are treated as unlabeled, or partially or fully supervised by using known properties of the genes or samples to assist in finding meaningful groupings. Results: We illustrate the use of the gene shaving method to analyze gene expression measurements made on samples from patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The method identifies a small cluster of genes whose expression is highly predictive of survival. Conclusions: The gene shaving method is a potentially useful tool for exploration of gene expression data and identification of interesting clusters of genes worth further investigation.

Revision of Hista Oiticica (Lepidoptera: Castniidae) and discussion on the validity of its subspecies

Diurnal Lepidoptera tend to have colorful and conspicuous wing patterns, which is the reason the first classifications of day-flying moths and butterflies were based mainly on wing color and pattern characters. This is the case with the Neotropical Castniidae, which are usually large and colorful day-flying moths. One classification listed 134 species in 32 genera while an alternate classification recognized 81 species. In this paper we examine the taxonomic structure of the genus Hista Oiticica. It is the purpose of this paper to evaluate taxonomically useful characters besides wing pattern with the goal of classifying the taxa of Hista rather than classifying the variation of its wing pattern. In so doing, the results resolve the differences between the two proposed classifications of Hista. In addition, a lectotype is designated for Castnia boisduvalii Walker, 1854 (new synonym of Castnia fabricii Swainson, 1823) to ensure the stability of the name. Other new synonyms are proposed for C. fabricii (C. papagaya Westwood, 1877) and Castnia hegemon Kollar, 1839 (C. menetriesi Boisduval, [1875] and C. hegemon variegata Rothschild, 1919).

Male and female interactions during courtship of the Neotropical damselfly Mnesarete pudica (Odonata: Calopterygidae)

The courtship behavior in calopterygid damselflies is well documented; however, the behavior of the large Neotropical genus Mnesarete is still unknown. Thus, here we present the first description of male-female interactions in Mnesarete pudica, a common damselfly in the Neotropical Savanna. The male-female interactions were composed of courtship displays, mounting, and chasing. The courtship behavior lasted 5.23 +/- 1.65 s and is very different from other calopterygids, consisting of hovering flights and the cross display made in front of females rather than on the oviposition site. The arrival and presence of females on a male territory are not sufficient to initiate sexual interactions; the male usually interacts with the female only after a patrolling flight. The females may present three distinct behaviors in response to male approach: (a) warding off signal (31.53%), (b) escape (28.83%), (c) and wing flipping (39.64%), which seems to stimulate male courtship. Females also may sit still, which induces males to react as if females were signaling they are willing to mate. In this paper, we also suggest that male courtship behavior is mediated by female signals.

Allometric growth of two species of Ephemeroptera from Neotropical mountains streams

The present study evaluated the relative growth and allometry of Massartella brieni Lestage and Thraulodes sp. (Leptophlebiidae: Ephemeroptera). The morphometric analysis was based on 23 measurements and was conducted using a multivariate approach. Throughout postembryonic ontogeny, all of the head measurements, including those of the mouthparts, exhibited negative allometric growth. The mesothorax and wing pad exhibited positive allometric growth. The hind legs lengths in M. brieni and the fore and hind legs lengths in Thraulodes sp. exhibited positive allometry. The abdominal length in these two species exhibited positive allometric growth. Positive allometry was also observed along the abdomen width for M. brieni, and isometry was observed for Thraulodes sp. The relative strengthening of the thorax (in preparation for the winged stage) and the relative increase in the abdomen (which may be related to the development of the reproductive structures) during growth indicate that many of the structures that exhibit positive allometric growth are related to the transition from the aquatic to the adult stage of development.

Population divergence of Melipona scutellaris (Hymenoptera: Meliponina) in two restricted areas in Bahia, Brazil

Melipona scutellaris Latreille has great economic and ecological importance, especially because it is a pollinator of native plant species. Despite the importance of this species, there is little information about the conservation status of their populations. The objective of this study was to assess the diversity in populations of M. scutellaris coming from a Semideciduous Forest Fragment and an Atlantic Forest Fragment in the Northeast Brazil, through geometric morphometric analysis of wings in worker bees. In each area, worker bees were collected from 10 colonies, 10 workers per colony. To assess the diversity on the right wings of worker bees, 15 landmarks were plotted and the measures were used in analysis of variance and multivariate analysis, principal component analysis, discriminant analysis and clustering analysis. There were significant differences in the shape of the wing venation patterns between colonies of two sites (Wilk's lambda = 0.000006; p < 0.000001), which is probably due to the geographical distance between places of origin which impedes the gene flow between them. It indicates that inter and intrapopulation morphometric variability exists (p < 0.000001) in M. scutellaris coming from two different biomes, revealing the existence of diversity in these populations, which is necessary for the conservation of this bee species.

Territoriality and male-biased sexual size dimorphism in Argia reclusa (Odonata: Zygoptera)

In Odonata, many species present sexual size dimorphism (SSD), which can be associated with male territoriality in Zygoptera. We hypothesized that in the territorial damselfly Argia reclusa, male-male competition can favor large males, and consequently, drive selection pressures to generate male-biased SSD. The study was performed at a small stream in southeastern Brazil. Males were marked, and we measured body size and assessed the quality of territories. We tested if larger territorial males (a) defended the best territories (those with more male intrusions and visiting females), (b) won more fights, and (c) mated more. Couples were collected and measured to show the occurrence of sexual size dimorphism. Results indicated that males are larger than females, and that territorial males were larger than non-territorial males. Larger territorial males won more fights and defended the best territories. There was no difference between the mating success of large territorial and small non-territorial males. Although our findings suggest that male territoriality may play a significant role on the evolution of sexual size dimorphism in A. reclusa, we suggest that other factors should also be considered to explain the evolution of SSD in damselflies, since non-territorial males are also capable of acquiring mates.