Environmental temperature and cloacal and surface temperatures of broiler chicks in first week post-hatch

Adequate environmental temperature during the brooding period is very important to future broiler performance. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the extent to which environmental temperature affects the body weight and cloacal and surface (back, head, wing, and shank) temperatures. The study also investigated the sensible heat loss by radiation of broiler chicks reared at three environmental temperatures (35, 25, and 20 degrees C) up to 7 days of life. The results showed that chicks raised at low environmental temperature (20 degrees C) had lower body weight at 7 days of age. Birds kept at 20 degrees C also had significantly lower cloacal and surface temperatures than did other birds. The most marked difference was seen in the shanks. These findings revealed that body weight declined in chicks reared at 20 degrees C, and radiant heat loss (W) was nine times higher than for the birds kept at 35 degrees C at 7 days of age.

As estruturas sociais e econômicas do Império Romano do Ocidente e o estabelecimento do reino dos visigodos nas Galliae Aquitania e Narbonensis

In the year 376 of the Common Era, a tribe of Germanic warriors known as Tervingi , of Gothic extraction, crossed the Hister (Danube) river due south, entering the Roman Empire. They fled the Huns, a nomadic group that came plundering their way from the East. It did not take long for a conflict between the Roman imperial authorities and the refugees to begin. Peace was reached in 382 and, henceforth, the Tervingi would be officially foederati (allies) of the Romans, gaining the right to remain an autonomous tribe inside the borders of the Empire. For the next thirteen years the Tervingi warriors fought beside the Roman imperial armies in every major conflict. Nevertheless, after the death of the emperor Theodosius I in 395, their relations deteriorated severely. In theory, the Tervingi remained Roman allies; in practice, they begun to extort monies and other assets from the emperors Honorius and Arcadius. The sack of Rome by the Tervingi king Alaric in 410 was both the culmination and the point of inflection of this state of affairs. During the 410s the Tervingi warriors would fought again beside the Roman Imperial armies and be rewarded with a piece of land in the southwestern portion of the Gallic diocese. Dubbed Visigoths , they would remain trusted Roman allies throughout the next decades, consolidating their own kingdom in the process. This dissertation deals not only with the institution of the Visigothic kingdom in the southwestern portion of the Galliae but also with the social and economic conditions that hindered the Roman ability to defend their territory by themselves, hence opening opportunities for foederati like the Tervingi to carve out a piece of it for themselves.

Filosofia e paradigma em Cícero

Cícero é uma das poucas fontes críticas de textos do pensamento helenístico durante o período da Roma republicana. Ele atualiza a filosofia grega e, concomitantemente, reconhece a superioridade do direito romano. O espírito prático e guerreiro do povo romano afastava a filosofia, mas a emergência de novos problemas exigia reflexão. Nas disputas políticas e jurídicas, a retórica era um instrumento indispensável. O reaparecimento de estudos retóricos no século XX permitiu que alguns comentadores reconsiderassem a relação entre a retórica e a filosofia, propiciando algumas reflexões sobre o papel de Cícero na historiografia da filosofia.

Effects of pentoxifylline and n-acetylcysteine on injuries caused by ischemia and reperfusion splanchnic organs in rats

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

Clinical and histological evaluation of subepithelial connective tissue after collagen sponge implantation in the human palate

Rocha AL, Shirasu BK, Hayacibara RM, Magro-Filho O, Zanoni JN, Araujo MG. Clinical and histological evaluation of subepithelial connective tissue after collagen sponge implantation in the human palate. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 758765. (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective: Successful root-coverage treatment depends on the thickness of the donor tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the thickness of donor tissue after augmentation of the connective tissue in the palatal area by implantation of lyophilized collagen sponge (Hemospon (R)). Material and Methods: Ten patients with an indication for root coverage, whose palate was deficient in adequate connective tissue, were recruited. The procedure was carried out in two stages. In the first stage, the palatal thickness in the donor site was measured at three standardized points (points 1, 2 and 3), from the distal of the canine to the distal of the first molar, and the lyophilized collagen sponge was inserted. In the second stage, the palatal thickness over the implant was measured (at points 1, 2 and 3), two biopsies of the palatal mucosa were collected one over the implant (experimental sample) and the other on the contralateral side (control sample) and then root-coverage treatment was performed. Analyses consisted of clinical assessment of the palatal measurements before and after sponge implantation, and histological assessment of the experimental and control biopsy samples. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test. Results: Both analyses showed a significant increase in mean thickness, of 1.08 mm of neoformed tissue in the clinical analysis (the tissue at point 2 was the thickest of the three points) and of 0.53 mm in the histological analysis. Conclusion: The insertion of lyophilized collagen sponge induced a significant increase in the thickness of palatal connective tissue.

Transdentinal diffusion and cytotoxicity of self-etching adhesive systems

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Influence of light and temperature on seed germination of Cereus pernambucensis Lemaire (Cactaceae)

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

Fish, Passa Cinco stream, Corumbatai River basin, state of São Paulo, Brazil.

The fishes of the present study were collected in Passa Cinco stream, a main river of Corumbatai river basin, Tiete drainage. Five sites were selected in that stream, downstream from headwater to its mouth, and six samplings were performed using the following fishery equipment: a sieve, electric fishery equipment, gill nets and fish-traps. 5082 individuals, 62 species, 18 families and 6 orders were captured. The orders Characiformes and Siluriformes were the most representative and the families Characidae and Loricariidae presented the largest in number of species.

Re-evaluation of antibiotic and mercury resistance in Escherichia coli populations isolated in 1978 from Amazonian rubber tree tappers and Indians

A study was carried out to assess the stability of antimicrobial susceptibility of wild isolates upon long-term storage using fifty-three Escherichia coli strains isolated in 1978 from feces of healthy children from the Amazon region in Brazil, exposed to low levels of antimicrobial agents, and examined for resistance to mercury and four antibiotics. All of the strains were kept in Lignieres medium at room temperature and were transferred to fresh media four times during this period. Thirty-five out of the 53 strains analyzed in 1978 were viable. Upon recovery, antibiotic and mercury resistance was estimated. All of the 35 strains maintained their original phenotype in a stable fashion, except for one multiresistant strain which became susceptible to kanamycin. Fifty-four percent of the strains exhibited a resistance phenotype, among which 47% had conjugative plasmids.

Isotopic characterization of the metabasites and amphibolites of the Acungui and Setuva Groups of the Ribeira Belt

Pb, Rb, Sr, Sm and Nd isotope analyses were carried out on amphibolitic rocks from Campo Largo (PR), Rio Branco do Sul (PR) and Adrianópolis (PR) and for the metabasite from Adrianópolis and Apiai (SP), all belonging to the Açungui and Setuva Groups, southern portion of the Ribeira Belt. These occurrences were chosen because each exhibits geochemical data indicative of a mantle source, having different signatures. Geochronologic determinations are available only for the Apiai metagabbro with Neoproterozoic ages of 617 ± 4 Ma (U/Pb in zircon) and 839 ± 85 Ma (Rb/Sr, whole rock). Age determinations by Sm/Nd mineral isochron using whole rock, plagioclase and pyroxene yield values of 885 ± 53 Ma for the Apiai metagabbro and 820 ± 84 Ma for the Adrianópolis metabasite. These results agree within error with the Rb/Sr isochron of 839 ± 85 Ma may possibly be interpreted as the time of extraction of the magma from the mantle, as suggested by positive εNd(850) values (+2,76) from an Adrianópolis sample. An εNd values versus 87Sr/86Sr diagram shows that each studied occurrence plots in a different position, following approximately the mantle array trend, the most primitive being the metabasite of Adrian-acopolis, near the MORB field, and the most enriched being the amphibolite from the same region, near the enriched mantle and or crustal contamination field. The distinct difference in isotopic signatures between the amphibolite and metabasite suggests derivation from different mantle sources, as supported by available geochemical data. Nevertheless, some of the samples show isotopic evidence of the action of metamorphism, crustal contamination and weathering.

Windrowing and prismatic baling of sugar cane vegetal residues: Some operational parameters and energetic efficiency

It was evaluated the energetic efficiency and operational parameters of a windrowing and prismatic baling, both from CASE NEW HOLLAND® operations in sugarcane vegetal residues (green leaves, dry leaves and tops) picked mechanically in green cane. The area belongs to COSTA PINTO MILL (COSAN® Group) which was harvested mechanically by combines in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The geographic location of the area is: Latitude 22°40'30S, Longitude 47°36'38W and Altitude of 605m. The variety was RB 82-5336, planted in 1.40m row spacing, with 78t.ha-1 yield. The vegetal residues analysis obtained 69.93% of leaves, 21.44% of stalks fractions, 2.27% of tops and 6.36% of total strange matter. The vegetal residues values were: gross heat of 18.43MJ.kg-1, low heat of 17.00MJ.kg'1 and useful heat of 12.94MJ.kg-1. The vegetal residues average energetic potential was 342.48GJ.ha-1. The treatments were simple, double and triple windrowing. The use of the rake and prismatic baler to pick up the residues was viable. The simple windrowing treatment presented the best results: effective capacity of 83.06t.ha-1, fuel consumption of 0.18L.t -1 and 99.95% of positive energetic efficiency. The bales obtained in the treatment of triple windrowing presented the largest specific mass average of 221.11kg.m-3. The soil amount in the bales increased with successive windrowing. The baling operation in the triple windrowing treatment obtained better results, presenting the effective capacities of 20.29t.h -1 and 1.45ha.h-1 and fuel consumption of for baled in 1.37L.t-1. The high total energetic efficiency of 99.53% indicates that is technically viable the withdrawal of the vegetal residues.

Effects of pentoxifylline and n-acetylcysteine on injuries caused by ischemia and reperfusion of splanchnic organs in rats

Aim. Occlusion and reperfusion of splanchnic arteries cause local and systemic changes due to the release of cytotoxic substances and the interaction between neutrophils and endothelial cells. This study evaluated the role of pentoxifylline (PTX) and n-acetylcysteine (NAC) in the reduction of ischemia, reperfusion shock and associated intestinal injury. Methods. Sixty rats were divided into 6 groups of 10 animals. Rats in three groups underwent mesenteric ischemia for 30 minutes followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion, and were treated with saline (SAL-5 mL/kg/ h), pentoxifylline (PTX-50 mg/kg) or n-acetylcysteine (NAC-430 mg/kg/h). The other 3 groups underwent sham ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) and received the same treatments. Hemodynamic, biochemical and histological parameters were evaluated. Results. No significant hemodynamic or intestinal histological changes were seen in any sham group. No histological changes were found in the lung or liver of animals in the different groups. There was a progressive decrease in mean arterial blood pressure, from mean of 111.53 mmHg (30 minutes of ischemia) to 44.30±19.91 mmHg in SAL-I/R. 34.52±17.22 mmHg in PTX-I/R and 33.81±8.39 mmHg in NAC-I/R (P<0.05). In all I/R groups, there was a progressive decrease in: aortic blood flow, from median baseline of 19.00 mL/min to 2.50±5.25 mL/min in SAL-I/ R; 2.95±6.40 mL/min in PTX-I/R and 3.35±3.40 mL/min in NAC-I/R (P<0.05); in the heart rate, from mean baseline of 311.74 bpm to 233.33±83.88 bpm in SAL-I/R, 243.20±73.25 bpm in PTX-I/R and 244.92±76.05 bpm in NAC-I/R (P<0.05); and esophageal temperature, from mean baseline of 33.68°C to 30.53±2.05°C in SAL-I/R, 30.69±2.21°C in PTX-I/R and 31.43±1.03°C in NAC-I/R (P<0.05). In the other hand, there was an attenuation of mucosal damage in the small intestine of the animals receiving PTX, and only in the ileum of the animals receiving NAC. No changes were found in ileum or plasma malondialdehyde levels in any group. Conclusion. PTX was more efficient in reducing histological lesions than NAC, but neither treatment prevented hemodynamic changes during splanchnic organs I/R.

Monte Carlo and analytical calculation of lateral deflection of proton beams in homogeneous targets

Proton radiation therapy is a precise form of radiation therapy, but the avoidance of damage to critical normal tissues and the prevention of geographical tumor misses require accurate knowledge of the dose delivered to the patient and the verification of his position demand a precise imaging technique. In proton therapy facilities, the X-ray Computed Tomography (xCT) is the preferred technique for the planning treatment of patients. This situation has been changing nowadays with the development of proton accelerators for health care and the increase in the number of treated patients. In fact, protons could be more efficient than xCT for this task. One essential difficulty in pCT image reconstruction systems came from the scattering of the protons inside the target due to the numerous small-angle deflections by nuclear Coulomb fields. The purpose of this study is the comparison of an analytical formulation for the determination of beam lateral deflection, based on Molière's theory and Rutherford scattering with Monte Carlo calculations by SRIM 2008 and MCNPX codes. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.

Business development service centres in Italy. An empirical analysis of three regional experiences: Emilia Romagna, Lombardia y Veneto

Includes bibliography

Phylogenetic and structural studies of a novel equine papillomavirus identified from aural plaques

Papillomaviruses (PVs) infect a wide range of animal species and show great genetic diversity. To date, excluding equine sarcoids, only three species of PVs were identified associated with lesions in horses: Equus caballus papillomavirus 1 (EcPV1-cutaneous), EcPV2 (genital) and EcPV3 (aural plaques). In this study, we identified a novel equine PV from aural plaques, which we designated EcPV4. Cutaneous samples from horses with lesions that were microscopically diagnosed as aural plaques were subjected to DNA extraction, amplification and sequencing. Rolling circle amplification and inverse PCR with specific primers confirmed the presence of an approximately 8. kb circular genome. The full-length EcPV4 L1 major capsid protein sequence has 1488 nucleotides (495 amino acids). EcPV4 had a sequence identity of only 53.3%, 60.2% and 51.7% when compared with the published sequences for EcPV1, EcPV2 and EcPV3, respectively. A Bayesian phylogenetic analysis indicated that EcPV4 clusters with EcPV2, but not with EcPV1 and EcPV3. Using the current PV classification system that is based on the nucleotide sequence of L1, we could not define the genus of the newly identified virus. Therefore, a structural analysis of the L1 protein was carried out to aid in this classification because EcPV4 cause lesion similar to the lesion caused by EcPV3. A comparison of the superficial loops demonstrated a distinct amino acid conservation pattern between EcPV4/EcPV2 and EcPV4/EcPV3. These results demonstrate the presence of a new equine PV species and that structural studies could be useful in the classification of PVs. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.