Muito Prazer!? discussões sobre sexualidade, gênero e educação sexual a partir da análise de revistas femininas e masculinas

Pós-graduação em Educação Escolar - FCLAR

In vitro effect of low-fluoride toothpastes containing sodium trimetaphosphate on enamel erosion

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Termofisiolofia da vespa Polybia (Trichothorax) ignobilis (Haliday, 1836) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Epiponini) durante a atividade de forrageamento

Many social wasps are known to use thermogenesis to warm up their flight muscles and are therefore able to forage under a broad range of ambient temperatures. However it is uncertain whether there exists a possible relation between ambient temperature and thermogenic capacity for tropical species, as we lack studies focusing on these species. Therefore, we examined the use of this mechanism in the neotropical Epiponini wasp Polybia ignobilis. More specifically, we used a thermographic camera to obtain data of the surface temperatures of three body regions (head, thorax and abdomen) of wasps during foraging activities (pre-flight, flight and post-flight) in cold [initial pe- riod of foraging activity: TAM : 15 − 20◦C] and warm [final period of foraging activity: TPM : 30 − 35◦C] conditions. Thorax temperature (Tth) was always higher than head (Th) and abdomen temperature (Tabd). In general, the lowest body temperatures were observed during the pre-flight period, while the highest values occurred upon the return of the wasps from the foraging flight. Except for the pre-flight period, Tth was always higher than Tabd, indicating that heat generated at the thorax was preferentially directed to the cephalic region. Therefore we confirmed the use of thermogenesis by a neotropical social wasp, although its magnitude was found modest compared to temperate species, which suggests a link between thermal environment and thermogenic capacity. We also showed that P. ignobilis modulates heat production as a function of ambient temperature (TA), maintaining a greater temperature difference (Tbody − TA) at cooler temperatures. Finally, we identified the cephalic region of wasps as an important route for the dissipation of the heat generated during flight

Termofisiolofia da vespa Polybia (Trichothorax) ignobilis (Haliday, 1836) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Epiponini) durante a atividade de forrageamento

Many social wasps are known to use thermogenesis to warm up their flight muscles and are therefore able to forage under a broad range of ambient temperatures. However it is uncertain whether there exists a possible relation between ambient temperature and thermogenic capacity for tropical species, as we lack studies focusing on these species. Therefore, we examined the use of this mechanism in the neotropical Epiponini wasp Polybia ignobilis. More specifically, we used a thermographic camera to obtain data of the surface temperatures of three body regions (head, thorax and abdomen) of wasps during foraging activities (pre-flight, flight and post-flight) in cold [initial pe- riod of foraging activity: TAM : 15 − 20◦C] and warm [final period of foraging activity: TPM : 30 − 35◦C] conditions. Thorax temperature (Tth) was always higher than head (Th) and abdomen temperature (Tabd). In general, the lowest body temperatures were observed during the pre-flight period, while the highest values occurred upon the return of the wasps from the foraging flight. Except for the pre-flight period, Tth was always higher than Tabd, indicating that heat generated at the thorax was preferentially directed to the cephalic region. Therefore we confirmed the use of thermogenesis by a neotropical social wasp, although its magnitude was found modest compared to temperate species, which suggests a link between thermal environment and thermogenic capacity. We also showed that P. ignobilis modulates heat production as a function of ambient temperature (TA), maintaining a greater temperature difference (Tbody − TA) at cooler temperatures. Finally, we identified the cephalic region of wasps as an important route for the dissipation of the heat generated during flight

Applicazioni di tecniche di manutenzione programmata presso un'industria di lavorazione carni

Integrazione nella realtà aziedale di un sistema informatizzato di gestione della manutenzione - CMMS -

Singularity-Free Fully-Isotropic Translational Parallel Manipulators

Parallel mechanisms show desirable characteristics such as a large payload to robot weight ratio, considerable stiffness, low inertia and high dynamic performances. In particular, parallel manipulators with fewer than six degrees of freedom have recently attracted researchers’ attention, as their employ may prove valuable in those applications in which a higher mobility is uncalled-for. The attention of this dissertation is focused on translational parallel manipulators (TPMs), that is on parallel manipulators whose output link (platform) is provided with a pure translational motion with respect to the frame. The first part deals with the general problem of the topological synthesis and classification of TPMs, that is it identifies the architectures that TPM legs must possess for the platform to be able to freely translate in space without altering its orientation. The second part studies both constraint and direct singularities of TPMs. In particular, special families of fully-isotropic mechanisms are identified. Such manipulators exhibit outstanding properties, as they are free from singularities and show a constant orthogonal Jacobian matrix throughout their workspace. As a consequence, both the direct and the inverse position problems are linear and the kinematic analysis proves straightforward.

Riorganizzazione di un distribution center mediante le tecniche di lean production: il caso Gambro Dasco spa

La Lean Production è un tema di estrema attualità per tutte le aziende che abbiano compreso l’importanza di produrre di più, con le risorse che si hanno a disposizione, eliminando sistematicamente tutte le attività che non creano valore aggiunto. La Produzione Snella è diventato un metodo per incrementare la competitività, riducendo l’incertezza e aumentando il servizio fornito al cliente. Nella realtà attuale vi è ancora una scarsa diffusione dei concetti Lean. Le cause di questo problema sono imputabili soprattutto alla cultura del management aziendale, alla mancanza di efficaci strumenti tecnologici a supporto, e in alcuni casi, la scarsa disponibilità delle imprese ad abbracciare la filosofica “snella”. La presente tesi, dopo una panoramica introduttiva su l’origine e l’evoluzione del Pensiero Snello e l’analisi di tutti i tools disponibili per combattere lo spreco; si propone di analizzare l’applicazione degli stessi in Gambro Dasco, multinazionale biomedicale leader nella vendita delle sue apparecchiature per dialisi.

Effects of anticonvulsants on human p450c17 (17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase) and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2.

PURPOSE Women with epilepsy apparently have a higher incidence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) than do women without epilepsy. Whether the underlying disease or the antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment is responsible for this increased risk is unknown, although clinical reports implicate valproic acid (VPA) as a potential cause. The steroidogenic enzymes 3beta HSDII (3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) and P450c17 (17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase) are essential for C19 steroid biosynthesis, which is enhanced during adrenarche and in PCOS. METHODS To determine whether the AEDs VPA, carbamazepine (CBZ), topiramate (TPM), or lamotrigine (LYG) directly affect the activities of human 3beta HSDII and P450c17, we added them to yeast expressing human P450c17 or 3beta HSDII and assayed enzymatic activities in the microsomal fraction. RESULTS Concentrations of VPA < or = 10 mM had no effect on activities of P450c17; however, VPA inhibited 3beta HSDII activity starting at 0.3 mM (reference serum unbound concentration, 0.035-0.1 mM) with an IC50 of 10.1 mM. CBZ, TPM, and LTG did not influence 3beta HSDII or P450c17 activities at typical reference serum unbound concentrations, but did inhibit 3beta HSDII and P450c17 at concentrations >10-fold higher. CONCLUSIONS None of the tested AEDs influenced 3beta HSDII or P450c17 activities at concentrations normally used in AED therapy. However, VPA started to inhibit 3beta HSDII activity at concentrations 3 times above the typical reference serum unbound concentration. Because inhibition of 3beta HSDII activity will shift steroidogenesis toward C19 steroid production when P450c17 activities are unchanged, very high doses of VPA may promote C19 steroid biosynthesis, thus resembling PCOS. CBZ, TPM, and LTG influenced 3beta HSDII and P450c17 only at toxic concentrations.

A stereotaxic, population-averaged T1w ovine brain atlas including cerebral morphology and tissue volumes

Standard stereotaxic reference systems play a key role in human brain studies. Stereotaxic coordinate systems have also been developed for experimental animals including non-human primates, dogs, and rodents. However, they are lacking for other species being relevant in experimental neuroscience including sheep. Here, we present a spatial, unbiased ovine brain template with tissue probability maps (TPM) that offer a detailed stereotaxic reference frame for anatomical features and localization of brain areas, thereby enabling inter-individual and cross-study comparability. Three-dimensional data sets from healthy adult Merino sheep (Ovis orientalis aries, 12 ewes and 26 neutered rams) were acquired on a 1.5 T Philips MRI using a T1w sequence. Data were averaged by linear and non-linear registration algorithms. Moreover, animals were subjected to detailed brain volume analysis including examinations with respect to body weight (BW), age, and sex. The created T1w brain template provides an appropriate population-averaged ovine brain anatomy in a spatial standard coordinate system. Additionally, TPM for gray (GM) and white (WM) matter as well as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) classification enabled automatic prior-based tissue segmentation using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Overall, a positive correlation of GM volume and BW explained about 15% of the variance of GM while a positive correlation between WM and age was found. Absolute tissue volume differences were not detected, indeed ewes showed significantly more GM per bodyweight as compared to neutered rams. The created framework including spatial brain template and TPM represent a useful tool for unbiased automatic image preprocessing and morphological characterization in sheep. Therefore, the reported results may serve as a starting point for further experimental and/or translational research aiming at in vivo analysis in this species.

Solar irradiance over and under seasonal land-fast sea ice off Barrow, Alaska, in 2010

The amount of solar radiation transmitted through Arctic sea ice is determined by the thickness and physical properties of snow and sea ice. Light transmittance is highly variable in space and time since thickness and physical properties of snow and sea ice are highly heterogeneous on variable time and length scales. We present field measurements of under-ice irradiance along transects under undeformed land-fast sea ice at Barrow, Alaska (March, May, and June 2010). The measurements were performed with a spectral radiometer mounted on a floating under-ice sled. The objective was to quantify the spatial variability of light transmittance through snow and sea ice, and to compare this variability along its seasonal evolution. Along with optical measurements, snow depth, sea ice thickness, and freeboard were recorded, and ice cores were analyzed for chlorophyll a and particulate matter. Our results show that snow cover variability prior to onset of snow melt causes as much relative spatial variability of light transmittance as the contrast of ponded and white ice during summer. Both before and after melt onset, measured transmittances fell in a range from one third to three times the mean value. In addition, we found a twentyfold increase of light transmittance as a result of partial snowmelt, showing the seasonal evolution of transmittance through sea ice far exceeds the spatial variability. However, prior melt onset, light transmittance was time invariant and differences in under-ice irradiance were directly related to the spatial variability of the snow cover.

Organic compounds in snow, ice, and sub-ice waters from the mouth of the Severnaya Dvina River and the Kandalaksha Gulf (White Sea)

The paper reports data on concentrations of organic compounds (organic carbon, lipids; aliphatic hydrocarbons, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in snow, ice, and sub-ice waters from the mouth of the Severnaya Dvina River in March 2005-2007 and the Kandalaksha Gulf (Chupa Bay) in March 2004. It was established that organic compounds are accumulated in snow and the upper ice layer near Archangelsk city. Distribution of molecular markers indicates that pollutions were mainly caused by local fallouts. In the Chupa Bay organic compounds are concentrated in the lower ice layer; it is typical for Arctic snow-ice cover. High contents of organic compounds in the snow-ice cover of the White Sea are caused by pollution of air and water during the winter season.

Composition of particulate matter in the neutrally buoyant plumes of the TAG and Broken Spur Hydrothermal Fields

This publication considers data on aquatic anomalies (hydrothermal plumes) in the areas of 26° and 29°N of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). Mass of hydrothermal iron supply and intensity of iron sedimentation onto the bottom were estimated by means of sediment traps. It was found that the plume of the TAG hydrothermal vent 6 km**3 in volume contained about 67 tons of particulate Fe; the plume of the Broken Spur field (up to 8.24 km**3 in volume) contained 23.5 tons of particulate Fe or less because of its lower concentration. Data on sediment matter fluxes showed that 0.3-0.5% of hydrothermal iron was precipitated immediately from the neutrally buoyant plume onto the bottom; the bulk of iron was dissipated into environment. From dimensions of the plumes, flow dynamics, iron concentrations in the plumes, and amounts of iron supplied by hydrothermal vents, it was found that resident time of the plumes considered was from 5 to 10 days.

Composition of dissolved, particulate and sinking material in hydrothermal plumes above the TAG and Broken Spur hydrothermal fields

The paper reports data on distribution of dissolved (Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd) and particulate (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Co) species of metals in hydrothermal plumes above the active TAG and Broken Spur hydrothermal fields (26° N and 29° N in the MAR rift valley, respectively). Sediment trap data on fluxes of hydrothermal sedimentary material in the areas indicate that (i) the predominant Zn source for metalliferous sediments at the TAG field is material precipitating from the neutrally buoyant plume, and (ii) the predominant source of Fe and Co is re-deposited ore material coming from the area of extensive settling of sulfides.