Avaliação do perfil antropométrico de estudantes universitários

No Brasil, têm se observado o crescimento gradativo dos índices de excesso de peso e obesidade, e doenças associadas. Entre os estudantes universitários, estes índices têm crescido de forma preocupante, principalmente pela rotina de estresse físico e mental, a preferência por lanches rápidos e a falta de interesse e tempo em uma alimentação balanceada. Neste contexto, este se trata de um estudo transversal realizado com estudantes universitários da área da saúde matriculados em uma Universidade particular em Brasília-DF, e teve como objetivo avaliar o perfil antropométrico desse público por meio de uma avaliação física conforme protocolos e fórmulas de determinação do percentual de gordura. A amostra foi composta por 58 estudantes universitários. A média do IMC foi de 22,4 ± 3,2kg/m². Em relação à atividade física, 60,3% dos indivíduos relataram praticar atividade física pelo menos duas vezes por semana. 39% dos estudantes se encontravam em inadequação quanto ao percentual de gordura corporal (%GC), e a média do %GC foi de 23,7 ± 8 %. Os achados deste estudo sugerem que a prevalência de percentual de gordura corporal foi considerada elevada. Torna-se necessária a aplicação de práticas e programas promovidos pela própria universidade, afim de promover hábitos saudáveis e qualidade de vida dos estudantes, com base nas orientações do Guia Alimentar Para a População Brasileira, e ações com base nos princípios do Marco de Referência de Educação Alimentar e Nutricional para as Políticas Públicas

A computational framework to simulate the endolymph flow due to vestibular rehabilitation maneuvers assessed from accelerometer data

Vertiginous symptoms are one of the most common symptoms in the world, therefore investing in new ways and therapies to avoid the sense of insecurity during the vertigo episodes is of great interest. The classical maneuvers used during vestibular rehabilitation consist in moving the head in specific ways, but it is not fully understood why those steps solve the problem. To better understand this mechanism, a three-dimensional computational model of the semicircular ducts of the inner ear was built using the finite element method, with the simulation of the fluid flow being obtained using particle methods. To simulate the exact movements performed during rehabilitation, data from an accelerometer were used as input for the boundary conditions in the model. It is shown that the developed model responds to the input data as expected, and the results successfully show the fluid flow of the endolymph behaving coherently as a function of accelerometer data. Numerical results at specific time steps are compared with the corresponding head movement, and both particle velocity and position follow the pattern that would be expected, confirming that the model is working as expected. The vestibular model built is an important starting point to simulate the classical maneuvers of the vestibular rehabilitation allowing to understand what happens in the endolymph during the rehabilitation process, which ultimately may be used to improve the maneuvers and the quality of life of patients suffering from vertigo.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Biomechanical Study of the Vestibular System of the Inner Ear Using a Numerical Method

The inner ear has two main parts, the cochlea, dedicated to hearing, and the vestibular system, dedicated to balance. Dizziness and vertigo are the main symptoms related to vestibular disorders, which commonly affects older people. In order to eliminate these symptoms a vestibular rehabilitation is performed; this consists in a range of movements of the head, known as maneuvers, performed by a clinical professional. This procedure does not always work as expected. The aim of this work is to contribute to a better understanding on how the vestibular system works. This knowledge will help in the development of new techniques that will facilitate a more efficient rehabilitation. In order to achieve that goal, a three-dimensional numerical model of the vestibular system, containing the fluids which promote the body balance, was constructed. The vestibular components will be discretized using the finite element method and the fluid flow will be analyzed using the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics The results obtained with the numerical model of the semicircular canal built to study the rehabilitation process are presented and compared with other authors. The solution achieved is similar with literature.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Renin-Angiotensin System on Reproductive Biology

In the female reproductive system, angiotensin II (ANG II) is a potential signaling molecule involved in ovarian follicle development, which acts through two transmembrane receptors. Within the ovarian follicle, there appear to be species differences in the precise pattern of localization of AGTR2 protein and it has an important role in in vitro maturation of oocytes in mammals. The infusion of ANG II induced ovulation in rabbits and the use of ANG II antagonists inhibited ovulation in rabbits, rats, and cattle. In fetal ovaries, AGTR2 protein was detected in ovigerous cords and preantral follicles throughout porcine and bovine gestation. In the oviduct, ANG II is responsible for the orchestration of the transport of gametes. In the male reproductive system, there is considerable evidence for the local synthesis of components of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in male reproductive tissues. The roles of RAS in local processes at these sites are still uncertain, although there is evidence for involvement in tubular contractility, spermatogenesis, sperm maturation, capacitation, acrosomal exocytosis, and fertilization

An approach to promote social and communication behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders : robot based intervention

Most autistic people present some difficulties in developing social behavior, living in their own world. This study has the goal to improve the social life of children with autism with a main focus in promoting their social interaction and communication. It is necessary to call for children’s attention and enforce their collaboration, where a robot, LEGO MindStorm, behaves as a mediator/promoter of this interaction. A set of experiments designed to share objects and fulfill simple orders, by the 11 years old autistic child at the time of daily routine work and in-game with the robot, are described. The generalization of the acquired skills by the child in new contexts and environments are also tested. Results are described showing the outcomes of the experiments.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - R&D projecto RIPD/ADA/109407/200

Abordagem CTSA no ensino de ci?ncias : an?lises dos ?ltimos anais dos encontros de ensino de ci?ncias e biologia no Brasil.

O artigo tem como objetivo analisar como a abordagem CTSA tem sido incorporada no desenvolvimento de estrat?gias did?ticas no ensino de Ci?ncias, por meio de revis?o bibliogr?fica. Os artigos centram na mesma ideia de que a abordagem CTSA permite o desenvolvimento do pensamento cr?tico sobre as rela??es existentes entre ci?ncia, tecnologia e as consequ?ncias para a sociedade e ambiente. Ressaltamos a import?ncia de trabalhar estas quest?es tamb?m no ensino fundamental, n?o s? no m?dio, uma vez que parece contribuir para melhorias na qualidade de vida da comunidade. Alertamos para o fato do preparo dos docentes a fim de que as estrat?gias did?ticas pautadas nesta abordagem n?o criem uma vis?o ing?nua de neutralidade da ci?ncia, de hero?smo, e de desenvolvimento indispens?vel da humanidade

Influence of Clostridium butyricum inoculum age on glycerol fermentation / Influência da idade do inóculo de Clostridium butyricum na fermentação de glicerol

The high production of biodiesel in recent years has generated a large amount of crude glycerol that cannot be absorbed and totally process in the industry. In this way, new studies focused on using this residue have become important to promote the development of biodiesel industry. The 1,3- propanediol (1,3-PDO) is an organic compound with bifunctional character that has great potential to be used in several reactions of polymer synthesis. It is usually used in polycondensation to produce polyesters, polyurethanes and polyethers. 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) and organic acids are simultaneously produced by Clostridium butyricum growing on glycerol. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the growth kinetics of Clostridium butyricum on glycerol-based medium and to observe the influence of inoculum age on the product formed, such as 1,3-propanediol and butyric acid. The results showed the kinetic stages of the Clostridium butyricum growing on glycerol, however no significant difference between the products formed was observed in different conditions studied.

Novel trends on the assessment and management of maritime infrastructures: Outcomes from GIIP project

Climatic conditions, load, fatigue, aging and other factors causes a deterioration in civil infrastructures. As a consequence, repair and maintenance work actions are needed, being the former considered as more expensive than the latter ones. Indeed, an accurate method for measuring corrosion is a fundamental prerequisite for the detection of damaged areas and for planning an effective repairing of concrete maritime structures. In this article a comparation between two surrogate models, Markov Chains and Neuronal Networks, is presented and applied to predict the results of corrosion sensors of an infrastructure data set. The proposed methodology benefits from current monitoring practice and have the objective to develop a modular decision support system for the integrated asset management, taking into account operational, economic and environmental criteria. The results could contribute to the possibility of adapting these degradation models to aggressive environments and repaired structures, thus generating accurate maintenance strategies, and reducing costs. This methodology is part of the ongoing study “GIIP- Intelligent Port Infrastructure Management”

Microbiota assessment of fresh-cut apples packaged in two different films

The aim of this work was to assess the natural microbiota of packed fresh-cut apples during refrigerated storage. Two different films were tested for the package, a biodegradable (PLA) film and a conventional and commercial one (OPP). Two antioxidant additives were applied, a natural olive pomace extract and the commercial ascorbic acid used by the industries. The results revealed lower bacteria counts in samples with olive pomace extract and PLA films than in those with ascorbic acid and OPP films after 5 and 12 days of storage. These findings suggest that the use of such natural extracts as additives in fruits could delay the growth of mesophilic bacteria. The characterization and identification of the bacterial isolates from fresh-cut apple samples showed that the most prevalent species were Citrobacter freundii, Staphylococcus warneri, Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, Alcalinogenes faecalis, Corynebacterium jeikeium, Micrococcus spp., Pantoea aglomerans and Bacillus spp. Furthermore, an increase in the microbial diversity during the storage time at refrigerated temperatures was observed, except for the sample treated with olive pomace extract and packaged in OPP film. The highest microbial diversity was found for samples with ascorbic acid as an additive. This could indicate a negative effect of ascorbic acid on the microbial inhibition of apple slices. The natural olive pomace extract demonstrated potential as an antimicrobial additive for fresh-cut apples.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio