Geostatistics to evaluate the automatic acquisiton of sound pressure levels in pig nursery facilities

Este trabalho teve o objetivo de estudar a influência da distribuição de decibelímetros na captação automática dos níveis de pressão sonora, em ambiente de produção intensiva de suínos. O experimento foi conduzido em sala do setor de creche de uma granja comercial de suínos situada no município de Monte Mor, Estado de São Paulo. A sala foi dividida em dez quadrantes idênticos, e os decibelímetros foram instalados no centro geométrico de cada quadrante. Utilizou-se a geoestatística para avaliar a dependência espacial entre os decibelímetros e para predizer os níveis de pressão sonora em locais onde estes não foram instalados. Os dados foram analisados pela correlação entre os decibelímetros e por intermédio da geoestatística, que possibilitou afirmar que não houve dependência espacial entre os pontos de registro dos níveis de pressão sonora. Por intermédio da interpolação dos pontos de captura utilizando o processo de krigagem, foi possível predizer os níveis de pressão sonora nos locais onde não havia decibelímetros no interior da instalação. Verificou-se homogeneidade de propagação dos níveis de pressão sonora no interior da instalação, concluindo que, para o ambiente avaliado, o uso de somente um equipamento para o registro automático dos níveis de pressão sonora é suficiente.The objective of this work was to study the influence of decibelimeters distribution in the automatic acquisition of sound pressure levels in pig nursery facilities. The experiment was conducted in a nursering room of a commercial swine's facility situated in the city of Monte Mor, State of São Paulo, Brazil. The room was divided in ten identical quadrants and the geometrical center of each quadrant was installed the decibelimeters. Geostatistics was used to evaluate the spatial dependence among the decibelimeters and to predict sound pressure levels in the places that they were not installed. Data were analyzed by the correlation among decibelimeters and through geostatistics, being possible to affirm that there was no spatial dependence between recording points of the sound pressure levels. Through interpolation of registration points using kriging process, was possible to predict sound pressure levels in places with no decibelimeters inside the facility. It was verified homogeneity in the sound pressure levels propagation inside the facility, concluding that to the evaluated environment, the use of only one equipment to the automatic registration of sound pressure levels is enough

Morphological Aspects And Cox-2 Expression After Exposure To 780-nm Laser Therapy In Injured Skeletal Muscle: An In Vivo Study.

The effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in muscle regeneration is still not well known. To investigate the effects of laser irradiation during muscle healing. For this purpose, 63 rats were distributed to 3 groups: non-irradiated control group (CG); group irradiated at 10 J/cm(2) (G10); and group irradiated at 50 J/cm(2) (G50). Each group was divided into 3 different subgroups (n=7), and on days 7, 14 and 21 post-injury the rats were sacrificed. Seven days post-surgery, the CG showed destroyed zones and extensive myofibrillar degeneration. For both treated groups, the necrosis area was smaller compared to the CG. On day 14 post-injury, treated groups demonstrated better tissue organization, with newly formed muscle fibers compared to the CG. On the 21(st) day, the irradiated groups showed similar patterns of tissue repair, with improved muscle structure at the site of the injury, resembling uninjured muscle tissue organization. Regarding collagen deposition, the G10 showed an increase in collagen synthesis. In the last period evaluated, both treated groups showed statistically higher values in comparison with the CG. Furthermore, laser irradiation at 10 J/cm(2) produced a down-regulation of cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2) immunoexpression on day 7 post-injury. Moreover, Cox-2 immunoexpression was decreased in both treated groups on day 14. Laser therapy at both fluencies stimulated muscle repair through the formation of new muscle fiber, increase in collagen synthesis, and down-regulation of Cox-2 expression.18395-40

The contact binary system TYC 7275-1968-1 as seen by optical, UV and X-ray observations

We present an analysis of publicly available X-ray and optical observations of TYC 7275-1968-1, a contact binary, red nova progenitor candidate. The long optical time series of ASAS-SN, SuperWASP, CRTS, GAIA, ASAS-3, and TESS enabled us to improve its orbital period to 0.3828071 $\pm$ 0.0000026 d. We show the presence of an X-ray and UV source associated with TYC 7275-1968-1 from Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, that was previously assumed to be the counterpart of CD -36 8436 (V1044 Cen), a symbiotic star located 22 arcsec from the red nova candidate. The X-ray data indicate the presence of a region with a temperature of $kT$ = 0.8$^{+0.9}_{-0.1}$ keV and a luminosity of 1.4$^{+0.1}_{-0.2}$ $\times$ 10$^{31}$ erg s $^{-1}$ in the range 0.3 - 10 keV. The detection of X-rays and modulated UV emission suggests that both components of the binary are chromospherically active.Comment: 18 pages, 9 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in the New Astronom

Baccharis dracunculifolia, the main source of green propolis, exhibits potent antioxidant activity and prevents oxidative mitochondrial damage

Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae) is the main botanical source used by honeybees to produce Brazilian green propolis whose hepatoprotective properties have been already described. in this work we investigated the protective effects of the glycolic extract of B. dracunculifolia (GEBd) against oxidative stress in isolated rat liver mitochondria (RLM). the GEBd was prepared by fractionated percolation using propylene glycol as solvent. the total phenols and flavonoids, which are substances with recognized antioxidant action, were quantified in GEBd and the phytochemical analysis was carried out by HPLC. GEBd exhibited significant scavenger activity towards DPPH radicals and superoxide anions in a concentration-dependent manner, and also a Fe2+ chelating activity. GEBd decreased the basal H2O2 generation and the Fe2+- or t-BuOOH-induced ROS production in isolated mitochondria. Lipid oxidation of mitochondrial membranes, protein thiol groups and GSH oxidation were also prevented by GEBd. This shows that B. dracunculifolia exhibit potent antioxidant activity protecting liver mitochondria against oxidative damage and such action probably contribute to the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of green propolis. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Univ Mogi das Cruzes UMC, Ctr Interdisciplinar Invest Bioquim CIIB, Mogi Das Cruzes, SP, BrazilUniv Estadual Paulista UNESP, Inst Quim, São Paulo, BrazilFac Ciencias Farmaceut Ribeirao Preto FCFRP USP, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Bioquim, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed ABC UFABC, Ctr Ciencias Nat & Humanas CCNH, Santo Andre, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Bioquim, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2008/01724-4FAPESP: 2008/07246-7CNPq: 301672/2009-1CNPq: 136255/2009-4Web of Scienc

Low intensity laser therapy accelerates muscle regeneration in aged rats

Background: Elderly people suffer from skeletal muscle disorders that undermine their daily activity and quality of life; some of these problems can be listed as but not limited to: sarcopenia, changes in central and peripheral nervous system, blood hypoperfusion, regenerative changes contributing to atrophy, and muscle weakness. Determination, proliferation and differentiation of satellite cells in the regenerative process are regulated by specific transcription factors, known as myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs). In the elderly, the activation of MRFs is inefficient which hampers the regenerative process. Recent studies found that low intensity laser therapy (LILT) has a stimulatory effect in the muscle regeneration process. However, the effects of this therapy when associated with aging are still unknown. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of LILT (λ=830 nm) on the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle of aged rats. Subjects and methods: The total of 56 male Wistar rats formed two population sets: old and young, with 28 animals in each set. Each of these sets were randomly divided into four groups of young rats (3 months of age) with n=7 per group and four groups of aged rats (10 months of age) with n=7 per group. These groups were submitted to cryoinjury + laser irradiation, cryoinjury only, laser irradiation only and the control group (no cryoinjury/no laser irradiation). The laser treatment was performed for 5 consecutive days. The first laser application was done 24 h after the injury (on day 2) and on the seventh day, the TA muscle was dissected and removed under anesthesia. After this the animals were euthanized. Histological analyses with toluidine blue as well as hematoxylin-eosin staining (for counting the blood capillaries) were performed for the lesion areas. In addition, MyoD and VEGF mRNA was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: The results showed significant elevation (p<0.05) in MyoD and VEGF genes expression levels. Moreover, capillary blood count was more prominent in elderly rats in laser irradiated groups when compared to young animals. Conclusion: In conclusion, LILT increased the maturation of satellite cells into myoblasts and myotubes, enhancing the regenerative process of aged rats irradiated with laser.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (grant RO1AI050875

Shell structures in aluminum nanocontacts at elevated temperatures

Aluminum nanocontact conductance histograms are studied experimentally from room temperature up to near the bulk melting point. The dominant stable configurations for this metal show a very early crossover from shell structures at low wire diameters to ionic subshell structures at larger diameters. At these larger radii, the favorable structures are temperature-independent and consistent with those expected for ionic subshell (faceted) formations in face-centered cubic geometries. When approaching the bulk melting temperature, these local stability structures become less pronounced as shown by the vanishing conductance histogram peak structure

A Força Aérea, Enquanto Agente de Protecção Civil, no Combate ao Terrorismo

Este estudo pretende determinar de que forma a Força Aérea Portuguesa (FAP), na sua condição de agente primário de proteção civil, poderá contribuir para a capacidade de resposta nacional perante ações terroristas com recurso a materiais nucleares, radiológicos, biológicos e químicos (NRBQ). Complementarmente será abordado o enquadramento doutrinário da defesa NRBQ (DNRBQ) na FAP e analisadas as suas capacidades reais de intervenção numa resposta a uma situação de terrorismo que envolva este tipo de produtos, relacionando-as com as competências dos outros agentes primários de proteção civil. Nesta perspetiva, aborda-se a estrutura de atuação implementada em alguns países europeus, que servirá como modelo de análise comparativa entre sistemas de resposta a incidentes desta natureza. Caracteriza-se o conceito de terrorismo associado a este tipo de dispositivos e as ações desenvolvidas por organizações internacionais, das quais Portugal é membro, objetivando a criação de mecanismos de resposta capazes de fazer face a este tipo de situações. Para procurar enquadrar a equipa que a FAP disponibiliza ao Estado-Maior General das Forças Armadas (EMGFA), apresenta-se a estrutura de DNRBQ e o modelo de organização da Equipa de Alerta NRBQ, entidade da FAP responsável pela atuação num cenário desta natureza, analisando o sistema nacional de proteção civil e traduzindo para a realidade nacional a capacidade de resposta que os agentes primários dispõem para atuarem em incidentes desta natureza. A forma como este objetivo é atingido é através da formulação de hipóteses que são sujeitas a validação, recorrendo a entrevistas, pesquisa bibliográfica e análise documental. Identifica-se a necessidade da criação de valências que cubram a DNRBQ, como garantia da segurança dos militares destacados em teatros de operações onde esta ameaça seja uma realidade, e adicionalmente a sua utilização pela Força Aérea, enquanto agente de proteção civil, no combate ao terrorismo. Identifica-se também a necessidade de reestruturar a diretiva que regula a DNRBQ, no sentido de a operacionalizar face à realidade da FAP e de traduzir a doutrina a ser adotada. Conclui-se que a DNRBQ deverá ser caracterizada por uma estrutura simples, centralizada num único local, que envolva as áreas operacional e de instrução, constituída por pequenas equipas especializadas que assegurem todas as componentes e, desta forma contribuam para a missão da FAP. No final deste estudo apresentam-se algumas recomendações que poderão contribuir para a reflexão sobre a utilidade das conclusões. Abstract: This study aims to determine how the Portuguese Air Force (PRTAF), in its capability as initial reaction element, may contribute to the national response capability in case of terrorist acts using chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) devices. In addition, the framework of the PRTAF guidelines for CBRN defence is evaluated and the actual response to terrorism acts involving such kind of materials is analyzed, linking them with the skills of the other elements. In this perspective, the response structure implemented in some European countries is discussed to serve as a model for a comparative analysis of the response systems to such incidents. The terrorism concept associated with such devices and the actions taken by the international organizations of which Portugal is a member are characterized aiming the creation of response mechanisms able to cope with such incidents. In order to frame the PRTAF CBRN Response Team available to the Armed Forces General Staff (EMGFA), the CBRN defence structure and the CBRN Response Team organization are presented. The national civil protection system is also considered and the first response capability to act in such incidents is also considered, bearing in mind the national reality. In this work, the hypotheses created were validated using interviews, literature research and document analysis. It is undeniable that there is a need for the CBRN defence capability in the PRTAF to ensure the safety of the troops which are deployed to areas of operations where this threat is a reality. In addition, this capability may be used to combat terrorism in the homeland. There is, also, a need to restructure the FAP CBRN defence directive in order to adjust it to nowadays situations and a need to translate the doctrine to be adopted. As a conclusion, the CBRN defence should be characterised by a simple structure, centralized in one place, involving operational and educational areas, consisting of small specialized teams that will ensure all components and thus contribute to the PRTAF’s main mission. At the end of the present study, there are some recommendations that may contribute to the debate on the usefulness of the findings