Digestibilidade e tempo de trânsito gastrintestinal de dietas contendo níveis crescentes de fibra bruta para pacu

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of increasing dietary fiber levels on the digestibility and gastrointestinal transit time (GTT) for pacu. The digestibility trial used 288 pacu in a completely randomized design, fed in aquaria and transferred to a modified Guelf-type feces collector, using the partial sampling method. The inert marker on the diets was chromic oxide (1%) to establish the diet digestibility. In the GTT assay, 288 pacu were distributed in 24 aquaria in a completely randomized design. Fish were fed with two colored diets - green and white - and feces color was determined after abdominal pressure. The white and green diets used 1% of titanium and chromic oxides, respectively. Total GTT was determined when all fish showed green feces. The apparent digestibility coefficients and GTT of diets decreased as dietary fiber levels increased. These results indicated that 9% dietary fiber can be used in pacu diets without negative effects on energy, protein, crude fiber and ether extract digestibility and GTT.

Wavelets in a problem of signal processing

In this work a new method is proposed for noise reduction in speech signals in the wavelet domain. The method for signal processing makes use of a transfer function, obtained as a polynomial combination of three processings, denominated operators. The proposed method has the objective of overcoming the deficiencies of the thresholding methods and the effective processing of speech corrupted by real noises. Using the method, two speech signals are processed, contaminated by white noise and colored noises. To verify the quality of the processed signals, two evaluation measures are used: signal to noise ratio (SNR) and perceptual evaluation of speech quality (PESQ).

Doppler ultrasonography principles and methods of evaluation of the reproductive tract in mares

Background: Doppler ultrasonography is a non-invasive real time pulse-wave technique recently used for the transrectal study of the reproductive system hemodynamics in large animals. This technic is based in the Doppler Effect Principle that proposes the change in frequency of a wave for an observer (red blood cells) moving relative to the source of the respective wave (ultrasonic transducer). This method had showed to be effective and useful for the evaluation of the in vivo equine reproductive tract increasing the diagnostic, monitoring, and predictive capabilities of theriogenology in mares. However, an accurate and truthful ultrasonic exam requires the previous knowledge of the Doppler ultrasonography principles. Review: In recent years, the capabilities of ultrasound flow imaging have increased enormously. The current Doppler ultrasound machines offer three methods of evaluation that may be used simultaneously (triplex mode). In B-mode ultrasound, a linear array of transducers simultaneously scans a plane through the tissue that can be viewed as a two-dimensional gray-scale image on screen. This mode is primarily used to identify anatomically a structure for its posterior evaluation using colored ultrasound modes (Color or Spectral modes). Colored ultrasound images of flow, whether Color or Spectral modes, are essentially obtained from measurements of moving red cells. In Color mode, velocity information is presented as a color coded overlay on top of a B-mode image, while Pulsed Wave Doppler provides a measure of the changing velocity throughout the cardiac cycle and the distribution of velocities in the sample volume represented by a spectral graphic. Color images conception varies according to the Doppler Frequency that is the difference between the frequency of received echoes by moving blood red cells and wave frequency transmitted by the transducer. To produce an adequate spectral graphic it is important determine the position and size of the simple gate. Furthermore, blood flow velocity measurement is influence by the intersection angle between ultrasonic pulses and the direction of moving blood-red cells (Doppler angle). Objectively colored ultrasound exam may be done on large arteries of the reproductive tract, as uterine and ovary arteries, or directly on the target tissue (follicle, for example). Mesovarium and mesometrium attachment arteries also can be used for spectral evaluation of the equine reproductive system. Subjectively analysis of the ovarian and uterine vascular perfusion must be done directly on the corpus luteum, follicular wall and uterus (endometrium and myometrium associated), respectively. Power-flow imaging has greater sensitivity to weak blood flow and independent of the Doppler angle, improving the evaluation of vessels with small diameters and slow blood flow. Conclusion: Doppler ultrasonography principles, methods of evaluation and reproductive system anatomy have been described. This knowledge is essential for the competent equipment acquisition and precise collection and analysis of colored ultrasound images. Otherwise, the reporting of inconsistent and not reproducible findings may result in the discredit of Doppler technology ahead of the scientific veterinary community.

Uterine and luteal hemodynamic evaluation of the non pregnant mare

Background: Studies with Doppler ultrassonography started at the end of the 90s for the determination of physiological and pathological alterations in the reproductive tract of the mare. Uterine alterations caused by inflammation, response from seminal plasma infusion, hormonal variations during estrous and diestrus, pregnancy and action of various vasoactive factors influence on the vascular perfusion detected by Doppler ultrasound. The development of efficient methods for uterine quality evaluation is of big importance for field equine reproduction veterinarians, once uterine environment is responsible for pregnancy maintenance. Review: Nowadays, the most used methods of uterine evaluation are the mode B ultrassonography, cytology, culture and biopsy. Hemodynamic evaluation of the uterus can be done by spectral data collected from large vessels, as A. uterine and its ramifications, or from subjective or objective evaluations from endometrium, miometrium and mesometrium attachment, which provide data referent to local and specific alterations of the evaluated area. Alterations in uterine vascular perfusion has been detected during estrous cycle, during pregnancy and in cases of infusion of inflammatory substances. These alterations happen because of vasoactive substances that act in the uterus during these events, however, most of these vasoactive substances are probably not even known. Also, important hemodynamic alterations in old mares, as an increase in vascular resistance, have been described. This increase might result from fibrosis of the uterus and in women it is considered to be a cause of infertility. In mares, periglandular fibrosis of the endometrium is considered to be the major diagnosable cause of embryonic and fetal loss in older mares. For the CL, ovarian artery of the mare supplies the ovary as well as the oviduct and therefore can be used for evaluation of these areas. The CL evaluation can also be done by the percentage of luteum area with colored signals as an indicator of the extent of blood flow. The percentage of the CL area with colored signals is determined subjectively by images observations in real time and/or by a freezing Power Doppler cross-section image with the maximum number of color pixels taped and the total number of color pixels is assessed by a computer analysis system. Therefore, a high correlation between plasmatic progesterone and CL vascularization also allows the CL evalution by this technique. In a first report, CL circulation reached its maximum on D5, the progesterone concentration in peripheral blood increased until D7 and in a posterior report, maximum perfusion was achieved two days after the maximum progesterone concentration (D8). Blood flow reduced between D10-D14 some days before the plasma progesterone decrease and, during the luteolytic period (D15-D17), the decline in CL blood-flow area was greater than blood flow decrease. Conclusion: Doppler ultrassonography add knowledge about uterine viability and CL functionality can be easily used by veterinarians in the field. It is a noninvasive method that provides real time results. However, because of the short time studies in this area have been done, many other answers still need to be found until normal and pathological patterns will be established.

CdMoO 4 synthesized by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method and their photoluminescence and photocatality properties

In this work CdMoO 4 nanoparticles were obtained under hydrothermal conditions using microwave radiation (2.45 GHz) (MH) at 100°C for different times. These powders were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field-emisson gum scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM), Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. XRD pattern confirmed that the pure CdMoO 4 phases were obtained. FEG-SEM powders present large-scale and homogeneous particles with microspheres-like morphology. UV-vis results were employed to determine the optical band gap these materials. Also, it showed existence of photoluminescence (PL) emission in the green wavelength range of 540-546 nm. Photocatalytic activity of CdMoO 4 nanocrystals was examined by monitoring the degradation of rhodamine B dye.

Uso de sig e fotografias aéreas na determinação de conflitos na rede de drenagem na bacia experimental do Rio Pardo

This study aimed to detect and evaluate potential conflicts in the land use along the Rio Pardo's tributaries and sub-tributaries from its source which is in Pardinho, SP to the water capture system by the Basic Sanitation Company located in Botucatu, SP. It was used 2005 colored aerial photos, taking as a tool for assessing the Geographical Information System - IDRISI Andes. The results showed that the riparian forests were substituted predominantly by pastures, which is called conflict. In other words, the 1590.82ha of environmental preservation areas (PPA's) that should be protected by riparian forests and meadows (41.51%) in 2005, were used as pastures, being in conflict with the legislation. The aerial pictures associated to SIG-Idrisi proved to be efficient tools in mapping the area and monitoring the environmental impacts.

Arranjos configurados pelas vias bilíferas no fígado do avestruz (Struthio camelus)

The aim of this study was evaluate the influence of physical exercise (marcha gait) on serum values of CK and AST The Ostrich (Struthio camelus) is originally from Africa and belongs to the ratite's family. Since its zootechnic value has been increasing, especially in the northwest region of the state of São Paulo, we studied the biliary system in the liver of this animal. To carry through it were used 20 ostrich livers, males and females, young and adults from place to production ostrich in the northwest region of the State of São Paulo. After the opening of the gastrointestinal tract and disposal of the bile through gentle massage, we cannulated the hepatic excretory duct with a flexible probe, compatible in size with the duct, and injected colored Neoprene latex 450 in the biliary system. Following this procedure, the livers were fixed in aqueous solution of formaldehyde to 10% dissected, schematized and photographed. The right main branch is derived from the right lateral, square lobe and the caudate process branches in 7 livers. In 13 livers, the right side branch is forned by the right side and caudate process branches. The left branch receives the components from the left lateral lobe and branch of the medial left lobe in 7 livers. It also receives component from the square lobe and from the caudate process in 13 and 7 livers, respectively.In conclusion, the ostrich liver has no gallbladder, causing the duct is the only route of excretion of bile, always resulting from the convergence of the right hepatic duct with the left hepatic duct.

Tafonomia dos Pygocephalomorpha (Crustacea, Peracarida, Malacostraca), Permiano, Bacia do Paraná, Brasil, e seu significado paleoambiental

Taphonomy of the pygocephalomorpha (Crustacea, Peracarida, Malacostraca), Permian, Paraná Basin, Brazil, and its paleoenvironmental meaning. Crustaceans (Pygocephalomorpha, Peracarida) are the main fossil invertebrates recorded in the Early Permian Assistência Formation, Irati Subgroup, State of São Paulo, Paraná Basin. For this study, samples taken from the base of the Ipeúna Member, Bairrinho Bed, State of São Paulo, were analyzed and complemented by fossils from the Irati Formation, State of Rio Grande do Sul. The taphonomic spectrum of the pygocephalomorphs includes three main preservational modes: Type 1. Complete pygocephalomorphs (with outstretched or flexed abdomen), which are associated to cream-colored mudstones and more commonly to black shales. In rare cases, molds of soft parts are preserved. They suffered rapid burial (hours to days) by mud blankets associated to storm events in anoxic bottoms, below storm wave base with minimum bottom disruption, followed by low rates of background sedimentation; Type 2. Partly articulated (carapace and abdomen, with or without caudal fan and without appendages) pygocephalomorphs, with extended or flexed abdomen, which are present in cream-colored pelites, associated with hummocky cross-stratifications, intercalated with black shales. These may represent individuals or remains lying in the sediment-water interface preserved by rapid burial associated to episodic sedimentation events; Type 3. Disarticulated pygocephalomorphs, with isolated carapaces, abdomen, or abdominal segments. This is the predominant preservational mode in our samples. The skeletal remains can be found isolated or in dense, bioclast-supported concentrations (micro-coquines), representing proximal to distal tempestites. Finally, the extreme preservational quality seen in crustaceans of the Type 1 recorded in black shales, occasionally with molds of soft parts, indicates that the host rocks may represent Konservat-Lagerstätten deposits, as already suggested to coeval occurrences of the Irati Formation in Uruguay. © 2013 by the Sociedade Brasileira de Paleontologia.

Blends of cross-linked high amylose starch/pectin loaded with diclofenac

Polymers blends represent an important approach to obtain materials with modulated properties to reach different and desired properties in designing drug delivery systems in order to fulfill therapeutic needs. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of drug loading and polymer ratio on the physicochemical properties of microparticles of cross-linked high amylose starch-pectin blends loaded with diclofenac for further application in controlled drug delivery systems. Thermal analysis and X-ray diffractograms evidenced the occurrence of drug-polymer interactions and the former pointed also to an increase in thermal stability due to drug loading. The rheological properties demonstrated that drug loading resulted in formation of weaker gels while the increase of pectin ratio contributes to origin stronger structures. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Search for new physics in events with opposite-sign leptons, jets, and missing transverse energy in pp collisions at s=7 TeV

A search is presented for physics beyond the standard model (BSM) in final states with a pair of opposite-sign isolated leptons accompanied by jets and missing transverse energy. The search uses LHC data recorded at a center-of-mass energy s=7 TeV with the CMS detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of approximately 5 fb-1. Two complementary search strategies are employed. The first probes models with a specific dilepton production mechanism that leads to a characteristic kinematic edge in the dilepton mass distribution. The second strategy probes models of dilepton production with heavy, colored objects that decay to final states including invisible particles, leading to very large hadronic activity and missing transverse energy. No evidence for an event yield in excess of the standard model expectations is found. Upper limits on the BSM contributions to the signal regions are deduced from the results, which are used to exclude a region of the parameter space of the constrained minimal supersymmetric extension of the standard model. Additional information related to detector efficiencies and response is provided to allow testing specific models of BSM physics not considered in this Letter. © 2012 CERN.

Red Light Stimulates Feeding Motivation in Fish but Does Not Improve Growth

Nile tilapia fish were individually reared under similar light levels for 8 weeks under five colored light spectra (maximum wavelength absorbance): white (full light spectrum), blue (~452 nm), green (~516 nm), yellow (~520 nm) or red (~628 nm). The effects of light on feeding, latency to begin feeding, growth and feed conversion were measured during the last 4 weeks of the study (i.e., after acclimation). We found that red light stimulates feeding, as in humans, most likely by affecting central control centers, but the extra feeding is not converted into growth. © 2013 Volpato et al.

Post-sphaleron baryogenesis and an upper limit on the neutron-antineutron oscillation time

A recently proposed scenario for baryogenesis, called post-sphaleron baryogenesis (PSB), is discussed within a class of quark-lepton unified framework based on the gauge symmetry SU(2)L×SU(2) R×SU(4)c realized in the multi-TeV scale. The baryon asymmetry of the Universe in this model is produced below the electroweak phase transition temperature after the sphalerons have decoupled from the Hubble expansion. These models embed naturally the seesaw mechanism for neutrino masses and predict color-sextet scalar particles in the TeV range which may be accessible to the LHC experiments. A necessary consequence of this scenario is the baryon-number-violating ΔB=2 process of neutron-antineutron (n-n̄) oscillations. In this paper we show that the constraints of PSB, when combined with the neutrino oscillation data and restrictions from flavor changing neutral currents mediated by the colored scalars, imply an upper limit on the n-n̄ oscillation time of 5×1010 sec regardless of the quark-lepton unification scale. If this scale is relatively low, in the (200-250) TeV range, τn-n̄ is predicted to be less than 1010 sec, which is accessible to the next generation of proposed experiments. © 2013 American Physical Society.

Structural enrichment reduces aggression in Tilapia rendalli

Environmental enrichment seeks to improve the behavior of captive animals. Few studies have developed enrichment strategies for fish, particularly for use in aquaculture. Environmental enrichment for territorial and aggressive animals has the potential to increase both the amount of defensible resources and the value of a disputed territory which can increase the level of aggression. This study evaluated this hypothesis for the redbreast tilapia, Tilapia rendaIli. We used a short-term approach for evaluation of fish aggressive behavior by recording it for 30 min after introduction of a pair of fish into each experimental aquarium. Our main finding was that the latency to start a fight was lower in an enriched environment, but the frequency of attacks was higher in a non-enriched environment (control). Furthermore, we observed clear hierarchical behavior (submissive dark stripes on the body and dominant light-colored bodies without stripes) only in the non-enriched environment. Structural enrichment of the environment for redbreast tilapia leads to decreased aggression and cohabitation without hierarchical dominance. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Rapid determination of furosemide by combined spot test/diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to detect doping in sport

This paper describes the development and application of a simple, cheap, and clean method for the quantification of furosemide in urine samples from athletes, to detect doping, using a combined spot test/diffuse reflectance spectroscopy procedure. The method is based on the complexation reaction of furosemide (5-(aminosulfonyl)-4-chloro-2-((furanylmethyl)amino)benzoic acid, dissolved in ethanol, with FeCl3 and the surfactant dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) in aqueous solution, yielding a colored compound on the surface of a filter paper. The reagent concentrations were optimized using a chemometric experimental design. The reflectometric measurements of the complex formed were carried out at 477nm. The linear range obtained was 1.65-9.00×10-3molL-1 of furosemide (R=0.997), and the detection and quantification limits were 4.9×10-4 and 1.62×10-3molL-1, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied in the analysis of furosemide in spiked urine, demonstrating that it is a reliable alternative method for the detection of furosemide doping in sport. © 2012 Elsevier B.V..

Temporal polyethism and life expectancy of workers in the eusocial wasp polistes canadensis canadensis Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)