Lasers find extensive applications across a spectrum from academic research to industrial use. In various instances, understanding the intensity profile of laser light is of paramount importance, ...specifically how its intensity changes along its propagation path. In this study, we introduce an economical and alternative technique for determining the waist of a Gaussian laser beam, leveraging the capabilities of a Smartphone camera. Our methodology entails directing a CO2 laser onto a thermochromic liquid crystal sheet for specific exposure duration, resulting in a color pattern that evolves over time. This evolving pattern is captured by a Smartphone camera, and selected frames from the recording are processed and analyzed to quantify the beam’s waist, denoted as w ( z ). Our measurements are compared with those obtained through the traditional knife-edge method, demonstrating a substantial degree of agreement. Furthermore, by interpolating the waists calculated through our approach, we were able to ascertain the beam waist at the focus and the focal point of a converging lens, yielding results consistent with the reference method. Our findings underscore the viability of this approach as a cost-effective alternative for characterizing Gaussian beams, with potential applications in optics, laser technology, and studies related to light propagation.
Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate reproducibility of heart rate variability threshold (HRVT) and parasympathetic reactivation in physically active men (n= 16, 24.3 ± 5.1 years). ...During the test, HRVT was assessed by SD1 and r-MSSD dynamics. Immediately after exercise, r-MSSD was analyzed in segments of 60 seconds for a period of five minutes. High absolute and relatively reproducible analysis of HRVT were observed, as assessed by SD1 and r-MSSD dynamics (ICC = 0.92, CV = 10.8, SEM = 5.8). During the recovery phase, a moderate to high reproducibility was observed for r-MSSD from the first to the fifth minute (ICC = 0.69-0.95, CV = 7.5-14.2, SEM = 0.07-1.35). We conclude that HRVT and r-MSSD analysis after a submaximal stress test are highly reproducible measures that might be used to assess the acute and chronic effects of exercise training on cardiac autonomic modulation during and/or after a submaximal stress test.
Phytoremediation is a technique that reduces the impact and environmental toxicity of toxic agents. Plectranthus neochilus, a species of aromatic plant, has already promoted phytoremediation of the ...herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). In addition, it was unclear whether the degradation of 2,4-D alone allows for a non-toxic environment (decontamination efficiency). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to verify the changes of the volatile compounds and concentrated essential oil of P. neochilus after phytoremediation of 2,4-D and the subsequent antibacterial activity of this essential oil concentrate. In addition, the toxicity of the plant’s tea and the aqueous medium (waste) after the decontamination of 2,4-D was analyzed. The exposure to 2,4-D did not cause many changes in the volatile compounds, nor in the essential oil concentrate from the plant. Therefore, this essential oil concentrate can be used as an antimicrobial after phytoremediation. Regarding the use of this plant in tea form, it was found to be unsafe, even after phytoremediation, as this tea was toxic to the Drosophila melanogaster model (death of up to 100% of flies). The aqueous medium after 2,4-D phytoremediation became less toxic than the initial one (bioassays with Artemia salina and Allium cepa in the waste groups). However, the efficiency of phytoremediation with this plant must be improved. Therefore, we are performing new studies with P. necohilus and 2,4-D in aqueous medium.
•Boldo tea is toxic to Drosophila melanogaster.•Bioassays are important to evaluate the toxicity of the waste phytoremediation process.•Phytoremediation reduces the effects of 2,4-D in roots of Allium Cepa.
Livestock farming has great importance in the Brazilian economic scenario, developed in all states and ecosystems of the country, and the Brazilian sector presents a wide range of production systems. ...Brazilian beef production is mainly from pasture production systems, with Brazil having an area of 180 million hectares of pasture, where more than half of this total presents some degree of soil degradation and pasture, mainly in stages advanced. The emission of methane by ruminants accounts for 22% of this gas in the atmosphere, making it the third largest source on a global scale. Methane gas (CH4) has a significant participation of 15% in global warming, but Brazil has a great potential to reduce the emission of methane gas by improving the productivity indexes of its livestock. Improvements in animal feeding and genetics result in less CH4 emission during the animal's life cycle. In addition, these improvements result in increased meat production resulting in a double benefit: the environmental and the economic. CH4 is considered to be the second largest contributor to the earth's heating by absorbing infrared radiation into atmosphere behind only carbon dioxide (CO2). The increase in its concentration in the atmosphere is closely linked to the worldwide expansion of the human population, since the main sources of emissions, besides enteric fermentation are landfills, fossil fuel use and agricultural practices. Thus, the objective of this review was to present the scientific literature about the production of methane bound to ruminants and to design modulatory mechanisms that allow the production of these animals with high production levels and low emission of this gas.
la ganadería presenta gran importancia en el escenario económico brasileño, desarrollada en todos los estados y ecosistemas del país, siendo que el sector de carne brasileño presenta una amplia gama de sistemas de producción. La producción de carne bovina brasileña es principalmente de sistemas de producción en pastoreo, siendo que Brasil posee un área de 180 millones de hectáreas de pasto, donde más de la mitad de este total presentan algún grado de degradación del suelo y de pastos, principalmente en etapas avanzada. La emisión de metano por los rumiantes es responsable del 22% de este gas en la atmósfera, constituyendo la tercera mayor fuente a escala global. El gas metano (CH4) posee una participación significativa del 15% en el calentamiento global, sin embargo, Brasil presenta un gran potencial de reducción de la emisión del gas metano, a través de la mejora de los índices productivos de su ganadería. Las mejoras en la alimentación y la genética de los animales resultan en una menor emisión de CH4 durante el ciclo de vida del animal. Además, estas mejoras resultan en una mayor producción de carne resultando en un doble beneficio: el ambiental y el económico. El CH4 es considerado el segundo mayor contribuyente para el calentamiento de la tierra, a través de la absorción de radiación infrarroja en atmósfera quedando atrás solamente del dióxido de carbono (CO2). El aumento de su concentración en la atmósfera está íntimamente ligado con la expansión mundial de la población humana, ya que las principales fuentes emisoras, además de la fermentación entérica, son los rellenos sanitarios, el uso de combustibles fósiles y las prácticas agrícolas. De esta forma, se objetivó con la presente revisión levantar los apuntes de la literatura científica acerca de la producción de metano vinculados a los rumiantes y, trazar mecanismos moduladores que permitan la producción de esos animales con altos niveles productivos y baja emisión de ese gas.
A pecuária apresenta grande importância no cenário econômico brasileiro, desenvolvida em todos os estados e ecossistemas do País, sendo que o setor de corte brasileiro apresenta uma ampla gama de sistemas de produção. A produção de carne bovina brasileira é principalmente de sistemas de produção em pastagem, sendo que o Brasil possui uma área de 180 milhões de hectares de pasto, onde mais da metade deste total apresentam algum grau de degradação do solo e da pastagem, principalmente em estágios avançados. A emissão de metano pelos ruminantes é responsável por 22% deste gás na atmosfera, constituindo a terceira maior fonte em escala global. O gás metano (CH4) possui uma participação significativa de 15% no aquecimento global, contudo o Brasil apresenta grande potencial de redução da emissão do gás metano, através da melhoria dos índices produtivos de sua pecuária. Melhorias na alimentação e na genética dos animais resultam numa menor emissão de CH4 durante o ciclo de vida do animal. Além disso, essas melhorias resultam numa maior produção de carne resultando em um duplo benefício: o ambiental e o econômico. O CH4 é considerado o segundo maior contribuinte para o aquecimento da terra, através da absorção de radiação infravermelha em atmosfera ficando atrás somente do dióxido de carbono (CO2). O aumento de sua concentração na atmosfera está intimamente ligado com a expansão mundial da população humana, visto que as principais fontes emissoras, além da fermentação entérica são os aterros sanitários, uso de combustíveis fósseis e práticas agrícolas. Dessa forma, objetivou-se com a presente revisão levantar os apontamentos da literatura científica acerca da produção de metano vinculados aos ruminantes e, traçar mecanismos modulatórios que permitam a produção desses animais com altos níveis produtivos e baixa emissão desse gás.
The intervarietal hybrid ‘UENF 506-11’ was derived from full-sib maize families in the 11th cycle of reciprocal recurrent selection. It produces a grain yield of 7.57 tons ha-1, and is recommended ...for cultivation in the North and Northwest regions of the Rio de Janeiro State.
Postprandial lipemia has been found to be strongly associated with atherosclerosis due to its atherogenic and thrombogenic lipoprotein changes. This phenomenon occurs even in normal subjects ...especially after high fat meals. Orlistat, an anti- obesity drug, has been shown to address postprandial lipemia after a single high fat meal.
To compare the effects of orlistat and placebo on the postprandial lipid levels after sequential high-fat meals in healthy individuals with normal fasting lipid levels.
Thirty-one healthy adult volunteers with normal fasting lipid levels were fed 50% fat meals (3 meals and 2 snacks of pre-weighted butter and bread). The subjects were blindly randomized to receive either placebo or orlistat 120 mg before each main meal. The outcome parameters were total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol levels measured at fasting (0 h) and every 2 h thereafter, until the sixteenth hour. Additionally, we estimated the lipid levels at the fifth and ninth hour.
The non-orlistat group showed a significant postprandial rise in the levels of TG and VLDL, which began 4 h after breakfast (P < 0.05); this rise in levels was sustained until 9 h after breakfast for TG and up to 10 h after breakfast for VLDL. In contrast, only one significant rise in both TG and VLDL levels (at 4 h after breakfast) was noted in the orlistat group. The maximum mean difference from the baseline TG level for the orlistat group was lower than that for the non-orlistat group (0.22 mmol/L vs. 0.756 mmol/L, respectively). Similarly, the maximum mean difference from the baseline VLDL level from baseline in the orlistat group was only 0.099 mmol/L, which was lower than that in the non-orlistat group (0.588 mmol/L). LDL levels rose to a lesser extent in the orlistat group than in the non-orlistat group (0.268 vs. 0.362 mmol/L). The TC levels did not show a postprandial rise; instead, the levels reduced in both groups, with the orlistat group showing a higher reduction than the non-orlistat group (-0.288 vs. -0.188 mmol/L). The orlistat group did not show any significant differences in the HDL measurements.
Administration of orlistat abolished the significantly sustained postprandial rise of TG and VLDL levels in healthy individuals who were fed sequential 50% fat meals.
A realização de performances em português de música coral estrangeira era prática bem estabelecida na cidade de São Paulo do início do século XX à década de 1960. Entretanto, as traduções caíram em ...progressivo desuso ainda na segunda metade do século XX, constituindo atualmente um repertório pouco discutido pelos estudos de performance e práticas interpretativas no Brasil. Nesse contexto, este artigo faz uma discussão crítica a respeito da presença de traduções para o português de obras corais nas práticas musicais brasileiras do século XX, a partir de performances em português da Johannespassion BWV 245, de Johann Sebastian Bach, feitas por Furio Franceschini e Martin Braunwieser em São Paulo entre as décadas de 1940 e 1960. Referenciada na história da performance musical enquanto campo, nossa discussão é fundamentada em um conjunto de fontes documentais relacionadas aos concertos e em bibliografia composta por Mahraun (2016), Stauffer (1997), Goehr (1992) e Doyle (1980). Tanto a investigação bibliográfica quanto a investigação documental mostram que o uso de traduções foi uma escolha interpretativa diretamente relacionada à concepção de obra dos próprios maestros, como também a tradições de performance desse repertório provenientes da Europa e das conjunturas culturais e políticas de âmbito local. Em última análise, este artigo evidencia a presença desse repertório em São Paulo, sua importância histórica, seu valor artístico e suas aplicações práticas, a despeito de um contexto de crescente autoridade da obra musical sobre as práticas musicais dos séculos XX e XXI.
ISSR markers are polymorphic and their results easily reproducible. They are therefore intensely used in phylogenetic studies and sex differentiation of some economically interesting plant species. ...The objectives of this study were to analyze the genetic diversity in Caricaceae using ISSR markers, to identify a specific ISSR band that could distinguish female from hermaphrodite papaya genotypes and to verify whether this marker could be used for early sex differentiation. The ISSR-PCR was performed with nine primers and they could distinguish all species. It was observed that Jacaratia spinosa was closer to Vasconcellea than to Carica. The species C. papaya was only distantly related to both genera. A 500 bp ISSR marker was found in 25 % of the papaya genotypes studied. Specifically in these cases this marker could be used for early sex differentiation in papaya.
Os marcadores ISSR apresentam amplo polimorfismo e alta reprodutibilidade de resultados, o que tem intensificado seu uso em estudos filogenéticos e na diferenciação sexual de algumas espécies de interesse econômico. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram analisar a divergência genética em Caricaceae utilizando-se marcadores ISSR, identificar uma marca capaz de diferenciar plantas hermafroditas e femininas em mamoeiro e verificar se este marcador pode ser utilizado na sexagem precoce de diferentes genótipos da espécie. O estudo foi conduzido com nove primers, os quais foram capazes de distinguir todas as espécies. Observou-se que Jacaratia spinosa ficou mais próxima de Vasconcellea do que de Carica. A espécie C. papaya mostrou-se geneticamente distante de ambos os gêneros. Verificou-se ainda a presença de um fragmento ISSR de 500 pb em 25 % dos genótipos de mamoeiro estudados, podendo ser usado para auxiliar a sexagem precoce do mamoeiro especificamente nesses casos.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a functional thumb orthosis on the dominant hand of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and boutonniere thumb.
Methods: Forty patients with rheumatoid ...arthritis and boutonniere deformity of the thumb were randomly distributed into two groups. The intervention group used the orthosis daily and the control group used the orthosis only during the evaluation. Participants were evaluated at baseline as well as after 45 and 90 days. Assessments were preformed using the O'Connor Dexterity Test, Jamar dynamometer, pinch gauge, goniometry and the Health Assessment Questionnaire. A visual analogue scale was used to assess thumb pain in the metacarpophalangeal joint.
Results: Patients in the intervention group experienced a statistically significant reduction in pain. The thumb orthosis did not disrupt grip and pinch strength, function, Health Assessment Questionnaire score or dexterity in either group.
Conclusion: The use of thumb orthosis for type I and type II boutonniere deformities was effective in relieving pain.
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