Method for evaluation of guidance equipments for agricultural vehicles and GNSS signals effect

Pesquisas indicam que o uso de novas técnicas no campo da mecanização agrícola, como o tráfego controlado por meio de direcionamento com auxílio de Sistemas de Navegação Global por Satélites (GNSS), pode diminuir as exigências por energia associadas às operações de campo e aumentar a produtividade da mão de obra e da cultura. Alguns autores já utilizaram diferentes metodologias para avaliar erros de paralelismo em sistemas de orientação de veículos, porém não há um procedimento-padrão para medi-los. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi implementar uma planilha eletrônica específica, determinar e comparar a acurácia no paralelismo de dois sistemas distintos de orientação de veículos (uma barra de luz e um piloto automático com atuador de volante) em trajetórias retilíneas e utilizando sinal de GPS com dois sistemas de correção diferencial (um com algoritmo interno e outro, um sinal via satélite com acurácia submétrica). Para a avaliação dos sistemas de correção, utilizou-se como referência o sinal de correção diferencial RTK (Real Time Kinematic) para realização de cinco passadas paralelas sucessivas para cada sistema de correção, caracterizando cinco repetições de cada tratamento. A planilha viabilizou o método de avaliação utilizado e os erros apresentados para as correções nos dois equipamentos analisados mostraram-se compatíveis com operações que exijam acurácia de paralelismo da ordem de decímetros.Researches indicate that the use of new techniques in agricultural machinery, as controlled traffic by steering systems with the use of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) may decrease the energy demand associated to field operations and increase labor efficiency and crop yield. Some authors already use different methodologies to evaluate the parallelism errors in guidance systems for vehicles, but there is no standard methodology to measure them. So, the objective of these work was to develop a specific spreadsheet, determinate and compare the accuracy in the parallelism of two distinct guidance systems (a light bar and an universal autopilot) working at straight path using GPS signal with two differential correction systems (one with internal algorithm and the other with satellite signal and sub metric accuracy). To evaluate both systems a RTK (Real Time Kinematic) differential correction was used, realizing five parallel and successive paths for each system, characterizing five replications for each treatment. The spreadsheet enabled the evaluation method used, and the errors for both equipments and signals analyzed, showed to be compatible with field operations that demand parallelism accuracy in the order of decimeters.FAPES

In-situ laboratory X-ray diffraction applied to assess cement hydration

In-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a powerful tool to assess the hydration of cementitious materials, providing time-resolved quantitative analysis with reasonable accuracy without disturbing sample. However, the lack of guidelines and well-established procedures for data collection and analysis is the limiting factor for spreading this technique. This paper discussed using in-situ laboratory XRD to assess cement hydration. The first part was dedicated to a literature review on the topic. Then, experimental strategies were discussed, and recommendations related to the data analysis routine were drawn; the advantages and limitations of this technique were also discussed. We can conclude that the critical factors for a successful analysis are the choice of an adequate experimental setup with good statistics and low measurement time, the proper consideration of different amorphous contributions in the XRD pattern, and a good data analysis routine. Independent techniques are highly recommended to support the in-situ XRD data.PID2020-114650RB-I0

USE OF COMBINATION OF FLUORESCENT PROBES TO IDENTIFY SPERM SUBPOPULATIONS FOR QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF FRESH AND CRYOPRESERVED CANINE SEMEN. PRELIMINARY RESULTS

The use of fluorescent markers in the evaluation of sperm morphophysiology allows a better accuracy, compared to the subjective nature of some routine tests in semen qualification. In this study was used the combination of fluorescence probes: propionate iodide, Hoechst 33342 and FITC-PSA in fresh and thawed dog semen, to the identification of the following morphological subpopulations: II (intact plasma and acrosomal membranes), IL (intact plasma membrane and lesioned acrosomal membrane), LI (lesioned plasma membrane and intact acrosomal membrane) and LL (both membranes lesioned). When comparing the results obtained with the results of the tests used conventionally in semen evaluation (sperm motility and vigor, hypoosmotic test and morphological alterations), little correlation was observed. The II population declined from fresh semen to thawed, while LL population increased (p <0.05). The IL population was composed of extremely small numbers of cells but increased (p <0.05) from fresh semen to thawed semen. In the thawed semen the major defects had a positive correlation with the LL population (p <0.01). For the thawed semen, the results of the hypoosmotic test (number of cells that reacted to the medium) correlated positively with population II (p <0.025), that is, different from that observed in fresh semen. Although all tests were able to detect decrease in sperm quality post-thawing (p <0.05). The use of this fluorescent probe association allowed qualification and more accurately quantification of plasma membrane and acrosomal insults mediated by cryopreservation. El uso de marcadores fluorescentes en la evaluación de la morfofisiología espermática permite una mayor precisión, comparada con la naturaleza subjetiva de algunas pruebas de rutina en la valoración del semen. En este estudio se usó la combinación de pruebas fluorescentes: yoduro de propidio; Hoechst 33342 y FITC-PSA en semen fresco y descongelado de perro, para la identificación de las siguientes subpoblaciones morfológicas: II (membranas plasmática y acrosomal intactas), IL (membrana plasmática intacta y membrana acrosomal dañada), LI (membrana plasmática dañada y membrana acrosomal intacta) y LL (ambas membranas dañadas). Cuando se comparan los resultados obtenidos con los resultados de las pruebas usadas convencionalmente en la evaluación seminal (motilidad y vigor espermáticos, prueba hipoosmótica y alteraciones morfológicas), se observó poca correlación. La población II disminuyó desde el semen fresco al descongelado, mientras que la población LL se incrementó (p<0.05). la población IL estuvo compuesta por un número extremadamente pequeño de células, pero incremento (p<0.05) desde el semen fresco al descongelado. En el semen descongelado los defectos mayores tuvieron una correlación positiva con la población LL (p<0.01). En el semen descongelado, los resultados de la prueba hipoosmótica (número de células que reaccionan al medio) se correlacionaron positivamente con la población II (p<0.05). El uso de esta asociación de pruebas fluorescentes permitió la valoración y la cuantificación más precisa de los daños a la membrana plasmática y acrosomal mediados por la criopreservación.

Atividade antinociceptiva de Ipomoea imperati (Vahl) Griseb., Convolvulaceae

Ipomoea imperati (Vahl) Griseb., Convolvulaceae, is used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation, swelling and wounds, as well as to treat pains after childbirth and for stomach problems. Administration of ethanol extract, lipid and aqueous fraction of I. imperati(300, 100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the abdominal constriction in mice induced by acetic acid; increased the sleeping time evoked by pentobarbital sodium and showed a significant activity by inhibiting formalin-induced paw edema in mice. The same dose of I. imperatialso raised the pain of mice in the hot-plate test and increased the latency at all observation times. The pre-treatment of the animals with naloxone (5 mg/kg, i.p.) suggested the participation of the opioid system in the antinociceptive effect of Ipomoea imperati.A espécie vegetal Ipomoea imperati (Vahl) Griseb., Convolvulaceae, é usada popularmente para tratar inflamação, inchaço e feridas, bem como para tratar dor após o parto e dor estomacal. A administração do extrato etanólico e das frações lipídica e aquosa de I. imperati(300, 100 e 200 mg/kg) inibiu significativamente as contrações abdominais em camundongo induzidas por ácido acético, aumentou o tempo de sono evocado por pentobarbital sódico e mostrou significativa atividade inibitória sobre o edema de pata de camundongo induzido por formalina. As mesmas doses de I. imperati(300, 100 e 200 mg/kg) também elevou a latência de todos os tempos observados no teste da placa quente. O pré-tratamento de animais com naloxona (5 mg/kg, i.p) sugere a participação do sistema opioide no efeito anti-nociceptivo de Ipomoea imperati

Mineral content and volatile profiling of Prunus avium L. (sweet cherry) y-Products from Fundão Region (Portugal)

Large amounts of Prunus avium L. by-products result from sweet cherry production and processing. This work aimed to evaluate the mineral content and volatile profiling of the cherry stems, leaves, and flowers of the Saco cultivar collected from the Fundão region (Portugal). A total of 18 min erals were determined by ICP-MS, namely 8 essential and 10 non-essential elements. Phosphorus (P) was the most abundant mineral, while lithium (Li) was detected in trace amounts. Three different preparations were used in this work to determine volatiles: hydroethanolic extracts, crude extracts, and aqueous infusions. A total of 117 volatile compounds were identified using HS-SPME/GC MS, distributed among different chemical classes: 31 aldehydes, 14 alcohols, 16 ketones, 30 esters, 4 acids, 4 monoterpenes, 3 norisoprenoids, 4 hydrocarbons, 7 heterocyclics, 1 lactone, 1 phenol, and 2 phenylpropenes. Benzaldehyde, 4-methyl-benzaldehyde, hexanal, lilac aldehyde, and 6-methyl 5-hepten-2-one were the major volatile compounds. Differences in the types of volatiles and their respective amounts in the different extracts were found. This is the first study that describes the mineral and volatile composition of Portuguese sweet cherry by-products, demonstrating that they could have great potential as nutraceutical ingredients and natural flavoring agents to be used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effects of grass silage and soybean meal supplementation on milk production and milk fatty acid profiles of grazing dairy cows

Copyright © American Dairy Science Association, 2008.The effects of supplementation with grass silage and replacement of some corn in the concentrate with soybean meal (SBM) on milk production, and milk fatty acid (FA) profiles were evaluated in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square study using 16 dairy cows grazing pasture composed of ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and white clover. Each experimental period lasted for 3 wk. The 4 dietary treatments were PC, 20 h of access to grazing pasture, supplemented with 6 kg/d of corn-based concentrate mixture (96% corn; C); PCSB, 20 h of access to grazing pasture, supplemented with 6 kg/d of corn- and SBM-based concentrate mixture (78% corn and 18% SBM; CSB); SC, 7 h of access to grazing pasture during the day and 13 h of ad libitum access to grass silage at night, supplemented with 6 kg/d of C concentrate; and SCSB, 7 h of access to grazing pasture during the day and 13 h of ad libitum access to grass silage at night, supplemented with 6 kg/d of CSB concentrate. The concentrate mixtures were offered twice each day in the milking parlor and were consumed completely. Grass silage supplementation reduced dietary crude protein and concentration of total sugars, and dietary SBM inclusion increased dietary crude protein concentration and decreased dietary starch concentration. Milk yield and energy-corrected milk were increased by SBM supplementation of cows with access to grass silage. Milk protein concentration was lower in cows offered grass silage, regardless of whether SBM was fed. Dietary SBM inclusion tended to increase milk fat concentration. Plasma urea N was reduced by silage feeding and increased by SBM supplementation. Supplementation with grass silage overnight could represent a useful strategy for periods of lower pasture availability. Dietary inclusion of SBM in solely grazing cows had no effects on milk production and composition, exacerbated the inefficient capture of dietary N, and increased diet cost. Grass silage supplementation affected milk FA profiles, increasing both the FA derived from de novo synthesis and those derived from rumen microbial biomass, and decreasing the sum of C18 FA (mostly derived from diet or from mobilization of adipose tissue reserves). Milk fat concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid cis-9, trans-11, vaccenic acid (18:1 trans-11), and linolenic acid (18:3n-3) were unaffected by grass silage supplementation, suggesting that partial replacement of pasture by unwilted grass silage does not compromise the dietary quality of milk fat for humans

Atividade antinociceptiva de Ipomoea imperati (Vahl) Griseb., Convolvulaceae

Ipomoea imperati (Vahl) Griseb., Convolvulaceae, is used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation, swelling and wounds, as well as to treat pains after childbirth and for stomach problems. Administration of ethanol extract, lipid and aqueous fraction of I. imperati(300, 100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the abdominal constriction in mice induced by acetic acid; increased the sleeping time evoked by pentobarbital sodium and showed a significant activity by inhibiting formalin-induced paw edema in mice. The same dose of I. imperatialso raised the pain of mice in the hot-plate test and increased the latency at all observation times. The pre-treatment of the animals with naloxone (5 mg/kg, i.p.) suggested the participation of the opioid system in the antinociceptive effect of Ipomoea imperati.A espécie vegetal Ipomoea imperati (Vahl) Griseb., Convolvulaceae, é usada popularmente para tratar inflamação, inchaço e feridas, bem como para tratar dor após o parto e dor estomacal. A administração do extrato etanólico e das frações lipídica e aquosa de I. imperati(300, 100 e 200 mg/kg) inibiu significativamente as contrações abdominais em camundongo induzidas por ácido acético, aumentou o tempo de sono evocado por pentobarbital sódico e mostrou significativa atividade inibitória sobre o edema de pata de camundongo induzido por formalina. As mesmas doses de I. imperati(300, 100 e 200 mg/kg) também elevou a latência de todos os tempos observados no teste da placa quente. O pré-tratamento de animais com naloxona (5 mg/kg, i.p) sugere a participação do sistema opioide no efeito anti-nociceptivo de Ipomoea imperati.20218018

Low triglyceride levels are associated with a better metabolic control in patients with type 1 diabetes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although it is well known in the literature that high triglyceride serum (TG) levels can jeopardize the metabolic control, little is known about the influence of low TG on type 1 diabetes patients (T1D). The aim of this study is to investigate the distribution of TG serum levels in individuals with T1D and its relationship with metabolic control.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>We reviewed the medical charts of 180 patients with T1D, who were classified in groups according to TG levels: 1) low (below 50 mg/dL); 2) normal (50-150 mg/dL); 3) high (above 150 mg/dL). TG were low in 21.1% (n = 38; group 1), normal in 68.6% (n = 123; group 2) and high in 10.6% (n = 19; group 3). High TG was associated with a poor metabolic control (p < 0.001). Patients with TG lower than 50 mg/dL had a lower HbA1c than those with TG between 50 and 150 mg/dL (7.41+/-1.50% vs 8.56%+/-1.94%; p = 0.002).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>TG lower than 50 mg/dL was common and might be associated with a better metabolic control in patients with T1D, although it is not clear whether the former is the cause or consequence for the latter.</p

Atividade antinociceptiva de ipomoea imperati (vahl) griseb., convolvulaceae

Ipomoea imperati (Vahl) Griseb., Convolvulaceae, is used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation, swelling and wounds, as well as to treat pains after childbirth and for stomach problems. Administration of ethanol extract, lipid and aqueous fraction of I. imperati(300, 100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the abdominal constriction in mice induced by acetic acid; increased the sleeping time evoked by pentobarbital sodium and showed a significant activity by inhibiting formalin-induced paw edema in mice. The same dose of I. imperatialso raised the pain of mice in the hot-plate test and increased the latency at all observation times. The pre-treatment of the animals with naloxone (5 mg/kg, i.p.) suggested the participation of the opioid system in the antinociceptive effect of Ipomoea imperati202180185A espécie vegetal Ipomoea imperati (Vahl) Griseb., Convolvulaceae, é usada popularmente para tratar inflamação, inchaço e feridas, bem como para tratar dor após o parto e dor estomacal. A administração do extrato etanólico e das frações lipídica e aquosa de I. imperati(300, 100 e 200 mg/kg) inibiu significativamente as contrações abdominais em camundongo induzidas por ácido acético, aumentou o tempo de sono evocado por pentobarbital sódico e mostrou significativa atividade inibitória sobre o edema de pata de camundongo induzido por formalina. As mesmas doses de I. imperati(300, 100 e 200 mg/kg) também elevou a latência de todos os tempos observados no teste da placa quente. O pré-tratamento de animais com naloxona (5 mg/kg, i.p) sugere a participação do sistema opioide no efeito anti-nociceptivo de Ipomoea imperat

Histological and ultrastructural analysis of cryopreserved sheep preantral follicles

The aim of this study was to verify the histological and ultrastructural characteristics of sheep preantral follicles after exposure of ovarian tissue to cryopreservation in glycerol (GLY), ethylene glycol (EG), propanediol (PROH) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in order to determine the optimum method to store sheep ovarian tissue for later experimental or clinical use. Each ovarian pair from five mixed-breed ewes was divided into 17 fragments. One (control) fragment was immediately fixed for routine histological and ultrastructural studies and the remaining (test) fragments were randomly distributed in cryotubes, equilibrated at 20 °C/20 min in 1.8 mL of minimal essential medium (MEM) containing 1.5 or 3 M GLY, EG, PROH or DMSO and then either fixed for morphological studies to determine their possible toxic effect or frozen/thawed and then fixed to test the effect of cryopreservation on preantral follicles. Histological analysis showed that, compared to control fragments, all cryoprotectants at both concentrations significantly reduced the percentage of normal preantral follicles in ovarian fragments prior to or after cryopreservation. PROH 3.0 M appeared to exert a more toxic effect (P < 0.05) than the other cryoprotectants in noncryopreserved tissues. After freezing/thawing, the highest (P < 0.05) percentages of lightmicroscopical normal preantral follicles were observed in ovarian fragments cryopreserved in EG (1.5 and 3 M) or DMSO (1.5 M). However, transmission electronic microscopical (TEM) examination showed that only the DMSO-cryopreserved preantral follicles had normal ultrastructure. The data suggest that sheep preantral follicles should be cryopreserved with 1.5 M DMSO for later clinical or experimental application