Structural performance of hybrid sandwich slabs under shear loading

In a hybrid panel with glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bottom skin and ribs, and deflection hardening cementitious composites (DHCC) top layer, it is very important to provide good shear connection between these various components in order to increase the load carrying capacity of the resulting hybrid slabs and a larger increment of deflection before the occurrence of the structural softening of this panel. The effectiveness of the proposed hybrid sandwich panels strongly depends on the performance of the shear connectors. The efficiency of indented shear connectors in improving the flexural performance of hybrid sandwich panels is here demonstrated. Since the efficiency of indented shear connectors in the hybrid sandwich panels is unknown, efforts are made in this paper in investigating the shear performance of hybrid slabs. A special focus is given on the indented shear connector’s behavior, considering different shear span ratios in ranges of 2.00, 1.39, and 0.77. In this regard, six hybrid sandwich panels were manufactured and experimentally tested under different shear loads. Then, the results are interpreted comprehensively. The results obtained show that the GFRP rib thickness and height, and shear span ratios influence the damage events and the structural performance of the hybrid sandwich panels. Moreover, it was observed that using indented shear connectors in the hybrid slabs, regardless of the shear span ratios, provides high load capacity, high stiffness, and large residual deflection.The study presented in this paper is a part of the research project “RehabGFRP - Rehabilitation of Building Floors with Lightweight High Performance GFRP Sandwich Panels”, with reference number of PTDC/ECM/113041/2009

Parity and housing effects on the behavioural and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response of pregnant ewes

It is common in many countries for sheep to be housed during winter from mid-gestation until lambing to protect ewes and lambs from adverse conditions andimprove late gestation nutritional management. Keeping ewes indoors, however, has its own challenges as the animals may be mixed with unfamiliar conspecifics, have limited floor and feeding space, experience changes to their diet and increased handling by humans. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of variation in housing management (space allowance and social stability) on the behaviour and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis responses of pregnant ewes from mid to late gestation (weeks 11 to 18 of pregnancy). Seventy-seven ewes (41 primiparous, 36 multiparous) were divided into two groups: ‘Control’ and ‘Restricted space and mixed’ (RS-Mix), where RS-Mix ewes were allocated half the amount of space (1.27 m2 vs 2.5 m2 for RS-Mix and Control respectively) and feedface (concentrate feeder space) allowance (36 vs 71 cm per ewe) given to the Control group and were also subjected to two social mixing events. Aggressive behaviour at the feedface and time spent standing, lying, walking, feeding and ruminating wererecorded and faecal samples were collected for assessment of faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations. Higher aggression was observed in RS-Mix ewes during the first week of observation (P = 0.044), which gradually declined to the same level as Control ewes by the end of the study (P = 0.045). RS-Mix ewes were significantly less likely to be able to freely join the feedface compared to Controls (P = 0.022). No other significant treatment effects on aggressive behaviour or FGM during gestation were found. RS-Mix ewes displayed significantly higher ruminating behaviour at week 18 of gestation compared to Control ewes (P<0.001), but no other effects were seen on general pen behaviour. However, the effect of indoor housing had a significantimpact on primiparous ewes, who had lower weight gain (P = 0.015) and higher FGM concentrations (P = 0.014) compared to multiparous ewes regardless of treatment group. The data suggest that, although no sustained effects on behaviour or HPA axis responses were seen with the differences in space and feeder allowance or social stability at the levels used in this study, inexperienced ewes may find indoor housing more stressful; and are less able to adapt compared to multiparous ewes. These effects may influence the behaviour of the ewe at lambing time, and her offspring

Digestibility in selected rainbow trout families and modelling of growth from the specific intake of digestible protein

The experiments aimed to clarify variations in digestibility of dietary nutrients in rainbow trout. Furthermore, the objective was to study how differences in digestibility might be related to growth and feed utilisation at various growth rates. When comparing the results from the experiments it appeared that particularly protein digestibility was closely related to specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio at high growth rates. As a tool to visualise the relationship between protein digestibility and growth of rainbow trout a growth model was developed based on the specific intake of digestible protein, and general assumptions on protein content and protein retention efficiency in rainbow trout. The model indicated that increased protein digestibility only partly explained growth increase and that additional factors were important for growth increment

Multivariate relationships among morphology, fitness and motor coordination in prepubertal girls

Motor coordination and physical fitness are multidimensional concepts which cannot be reduced to a single variable. This study evaluated multivariate relationships among morphology, physical fitness and motor coordination in 74 pre-pubertal girls 8.0-8.9 years of age. Data included body dimensions, eight fitness items and four motor coordination tasks (KTK battery). Maturity status was estimated as percentage of predicted mature stature attained at the time of observation. Canonical correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between multivariate domains. Significant pairs of linear functions between indicators of morphology and fitness (r(c) = 0.778, Wilks' Lambda = 0.175), and between fitness and motor coordination (r(c) = 0.765, Wilks' Lambda = 0.289) were identified. Girls who were lighter and had a lower waist-to-stature ratio and % fat mass attained better scores in the endurance run, sit-ups and standing long jump tests, but poorer performances in hand grip strength and 2-kg ball throw. Better fitness test scores were also associated with better motor coordination scores. Relationships between body size and estimated fatness with motor fitness suggested an inverse relationship that was particularly evident in performance items that required the displacement of the body through space, while motor coordination was more closely related with fitness than with somatic variables

DIAGNÓSTICOS DE ENFERMAGEM COMO INSTRUMENTOS NA FORMAÇÃO DO ENFERMEIRO: UMA REVISÃO DE LITERATURA

This research presents a review of articles on the topic of "Nursing Diagnosis," published during the years 2000-2007 and refers to a trend which has increasingly been mentioned in practice and in medical journals: The study is based on evidence. To this end, we used the methodology of a bibliographic search, using data sources such as the national nursing journals indexed in the LILACS database (Latin-American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature), MEDLINE (International Science Literature Health) SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online). We chose to use the term "Nursing Diagnosis," that was found in 65 articles. For the analysis it was revealed the nature of the items, the assessment of the authors and how they evaluated the diagnosis teaching of nursing. It highlighted the main theoretical references, issues of proportionality and the years of the publication in question. It can be concluded that the production of nursing articles, within the theme of the diagnosis, has been made even in small quantities, which indicates the need of production and application of these articles in the fields of teaching and practice.  Esta investigación presenta una revisión bibliográfica de los artículos sobre el tema "Diagnóstico de Enfermería", publicados durante los años 2000-2007, y se refiere a una tendencia que se ha afirmado en la práctica y en las revistas médicas: el estudio basado en la evidencia. Con este fin, hemos utilizado la metodología de búsqueda bibliográfica, utilizando fuentes de datos como las revistas de enfermería nacional indexadas a la base de datos LILACS (Literatura Latino-Americana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud), MEDLINE (Literatura Internacional en Ciencias Salud) y SCIELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online). Se optó por utilizar el término "Diagnóstico de Enfermería", donde fueron encontrados 65 artículos. Para el análisis se puso de manifiesto la naturaleza de los artículos, la valoración de los autores, y cómo estos evalúan el diagnóstico en el hacer/educar en enfermería. Se destacaron los principales teóricos referenciados, temas y proporcionalidad de los años de la publicación en cuestión. Se puede concluir que la producción de artículos de enfermería, dentro de la temática del diagnóstico, se ha hecho incluso en pequeñas cantidades, lo que indica la necesidad de la producción y aplicación de estos productos en las esferas de la enseñanza y la práctica, teniendo en cuenta la consideración de enfermería como ciencia.Esta pesquisa apresenta uma revisão de literatura dos artigos referentes ao tema “Diagnósticos de Enfermagem” publicados no período dos anos 2000-2007, e relaciona-os a uma tendência, a qual cada vez tem se afirmado na prática e nas publicações médicas: o estudo baseado em evidências. Para tal, utilizou-se a metodologia de pesquisa bibliográfica, utilizando-se como fontes de dados as Revistas de Enfermagem nacionais indexadas às base de dados LILACS (Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde), MEDLINE (Literatura Internacional em Ciências da Saúde) e Scielo (Scientific Electronic Library Online). Utilizando como descritor o termo “Diagnósticos de Enfermagem”, foram encontrados 65 artigos. Para a análise demonstramos a natureza dos artigos, a titulação dos autores, e como estes avaliam a visão diagnóstica dentro do fazer/ educar na Enfermagem, procuramos evidenciar os principais teóricos referenciados, temáticas e proporcionalidade dos anos de publicação em questão. Pode-se concluir que a produção de artigos na Enfermagem, dentro da temática diagnóstico, tem-se apresentado ainda em pequena quantidade, evidenciando a necessidade de produção e aplicabilidade destas produções, nos campos da docência e prática, visto a afirmação da Enfermagem como ciência.  

Synchronization modulation increases transepithelial potentials in MDCK monolayers through Na/K pumps

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Fatores que interferem no desempenho de usuários de implante coclear em testes de percepção de fala

Objetivo : analisar os fatores que interferem no desempenho de usuários de implante coclear em testes de percepção de fala.Métodos : foram aplicados questionários e testes de percepção de fala em 25 indivíduos, de ambos os sexos, portadores de perda auditiva neurossensorial e usuários de IC unilateral.Resultados : - 48% dos participantes atingiram bom desempenho nos resultados dos testes de percepção de fala, apresentando porcentagens maiores ou iguais a 50 % de acertos. - Os participantes que obtiveram melhores resultados não são necessariamente os que possuem maior idade auditiva. - Dos 12 participantes que atingiram desempenho acima de 50%, 10 (83,3%) foram implantados mais precocemente (até 5 anos). - O uso do AASI na orelha contralateral influenciou significantemente nos índices de reconhecimento das palavras ou sentenças. - Os participantes que iniciaram o uso de AASI mais cedo não foram necessariamente os que apresentaram melhores resultados nos testes.Conclusão : a ativação mais precoce dos IC mostrou-se uma variável importante no desempenho dos testes. - O uso do AASI na orelha contralateral influenciou significantemente nos índices de reconhecimento das palavras ou sentenças

Primary skin fibroblasts as a model of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is the second most frequent neurodegenerative disorder. While most cases occur sporadic mutations in a growing number of genes including Parkin (PARK2) and PINK1 (PARK6) have been associated with the disease. Different animal models and cell models like patient skin fibroblasts and recombinant cell lines can be used as model systems for Parkinson's disease. Skin fibroblasts present a system with defined mutations and the cumulative cellular damage of the patients. PINK1 and Parkin genes show relevant expression levels in human fibroblasts and since both genes participate in stress response pathways, we believe fibroblasts advantageous in order to assess, e.g. the effect of stressors. Furthermore, since a bioenergetic deficit underlies early stage Parkinson's disease, while atrophy underlies later stages, the use of primary cells seems preferable over the use of tumor cell lines. The new option to use fibroblast-derived induced pluripotent stem cells redifferentiated into dopaminergic neurons is an additional benefit. However, the use of fibroblast has also some drawbacks. We have investigated PARK6 fibroblasts and they mirror closely the respiratory alterations, the expression profiles, the mitochondrial dynamics pathology and the vulnerability to proteasomal stress that has been documented in other model systems. Fibroblasts from patients with PARK2, PARK6, idiopathic Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 demonstrated a distinct and unique mRNA expression pattern of key genes in neurodegeneration. Thus, primary skin fibroblasts are a useful Parkinson's disease model, able to serve as a complement to animal mutants, transformed cell lines and patient tissues

Comparative descriptions of eggs from three species of Rhodnius (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae)

The authors describe and compare the morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of eggs from the three most recent described species of the genus Rhodnius Stål, 1859, which have not previously been studied. These species are Rhodnius colombiensis (Mejia, Galvão & Jurberg 1999), Rhodnius milesi (Carcavallo, Rocha, Galvão & Jurberg 2001) and Rhodnius stali (Lent, Jurberg & Galvão 1993). The results revealed that there are similarities in the exochorial architecture of optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy; these include the predominance of hexagonal cells that are common to all Rhodnius species and variable degrees of lateral flattening, which is common not only to species of this genus, but also to the Rhodniini tribe. Differences in overall colour, the presence of a collar in R. milesi, a longitudinal bevel in R. stali and the precise length of R. colombiensis can be useful distinguishing features. As a result of this study, the key for egg identification proposed by Barata in 1981 can be updated.European Community - Chagas Disease Intervention ActivitiesCNPqCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES