Resumo A avaliação prática dos coeficientes aerodinâmicos em estruturas de concreto não convencionais demanda estudos específicos, que consistem em modelos em escala reduzida, em túnel de vento, para estimativa desses parâmetros. Instalações sofisticadas e sensores especiais são necessários, e a tendência é que as construções modernas, cada vez mais esbeltas e arrojadas, surjam com demandas específicas em relação a sua interação com o vento. Por outro lado, o avanço obtido em processadores modernos do tipo multi-núcleo, emerge como uma alternativa para a construção de modelos computacionais sofisticados, onde as equações diferenciais de Navier-Stokes são resolvidas para o escoamento do fluido por meio de métodos numéricos. Análises deste tipo demandam conhecimento teórico especializado, programas computacionais eficientes e computadores de alta performance para cálculos em larga escala. Este artigo apresenta resultados recentes envolvendo duas aplicações reais em estruturas de concreto, onde os parâmetros aerodinâmicos foram estimados com o auxílio da dinâmica dos fluidos computacional. Computadores convencionais do tipo quad-core foram empregados em simulações com o Método dos Volumes Finitos e uma metodologia progressiva é apresentada, destacando os principais aspectos da simulação e permitindo a sua generalização a outros tipos de problemas. Os resultados confirmam que a metodologia proposta é promissora em termos de custo computacional, estimativa do coeficiente de arrasto e versatilidade dos parâmetros da simulação. Esses resultados confirmam que computadores de média performance podem ser aplicados a estudos preliminares de parâmetros aerodinâmicos em escritórios de projeto.

Abstract The practical evaluation of aerodynamic coefficients in unconventional concrete structures requires specific studies, which are small-scale models evaluated in wind tunnels. Sophisticated facilities and special sensors are needed, and the tendency is for modern and slender constructions to arise with specific demands on their interaction with the wind. On the other hand, the advances obtained in modern multi-core processors emerge as an alternative for the construction of sophisticated computational models, where the Navier-Stokes differential equations are solved for fluid flow using numerical methods. Computations of this kind require specialized theoretical knowledge, efficient computer programs, and high-performance computers for large-scale calculations. This paper presents recent results involving two real-world applications in concrete structures, where the aerodynamic parameters were estimated with the aid of computational fluid dynamics. Conventional quad-core computers were applied in simulations with the Finite Volume Method and a progressive methodology is presented, highlighting the main aspects of the simulation and allowing its generalization to other types of problems. The results confirm that the proposed methodology is promising in terms of computational cost, drag coefficient estimation and versatility of simulation parameters. These results also indicate that mid-performance computers can be applied for preliminary studies of aerodynamic parameters in design offices.

Abstract Stresses can be caused by multiple biotic and abiotic factors and their effects can affect both the biology and the immune system of insects. American cockroach – Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Blattaria: Blattidae) –besides being an excellent model species, has great medical importance because it can act as a mechanical vector of several pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of starvation, dehydration and both stresses on weight, and total and differential haemocyte count in P. americana adults. Each specimen was isolated in glass flasks containing or not food and/or water. They were weighed periodically. Another group received water for 24 h after the end of stress period. In the immunologic bioassay, we counted their haemocytes after the final weighing. All stresses reduced the insect weight, especially when the stresses were combined. Females of the control group gained weight and males had it unaltered. Different stress conditions and time did not influence on total haemocyte count. Insects without food and water had the proportion of prohaemocytes increased and plasmatocytes decreased. This study can serve as a basis of further studies of bioecology, behaviour and the ability of resisting insecticides, besides serving as a model to studies in other insect species.

Resumo Os estresses podem ser causados por múltiplos fatores bióticos e abióticos e seus efeitos podem afetar tanto a biologia como o sistema imune dos insetos. A barata-americana – Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Blattaria: Blattidae) – além de ser uma excelente espécie modelo, tem grande importância médica, pois pode atuar como vetor mecânico de diversos patógenos. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a influência da inanição, desidratação e ambos os estresses sobre o peso e o número total e diferencial de hemócitos em adultos de P. americana. Cada espécime foi isolado em frascos de vidro contendo ou não alimento e/ou água. Eles foram pesados periodicamente. Outro grupo recebeu água por 24 h após o término do período de estresse. Nos ensaios imunológicos, foram contados os seus hemócitos após a última pesagem. Todos os estresses reduziram o peso dos insetos, especialmente quando os estresses foram combinados. As fêmeas do grupo controle ganharam peso e os machos tiveram seu peso inalterado. As diferentes condições de estresse e tempo não influenciaram no número total de hemócitos. Os insetos sem alimento e água tiveram a proporção de pró-hemócitos aumentada e a de plasmatócitos reduzida. Esse estudo pode servir como base para estudos posteriores de bioecologia, comportamento e da habilidade de resistir aos inseticidas químicos, além de servir como modelo para estudos em outras espécies de insetos.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of diets containing different calcium and phytase levels on the nutritional balance of broilers.A total of 108 male AG Ross 308 broilers were used in each of the replicates phases used in the study: starter (1-21 days), grower (29-35 days) and finisher (36-42 days). A completely randomized experimental design in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement, with three phytase levels (0, 600 or 1200 FTU/kg) and two calcium levels (0.94 and 0.66%; 0.84 and 0.59%; e 0.78 and 0.54% in the starter, grower, and finisher phases, respectively), totaling six treatments with six replicates each.The experimental feeds also contained reduced available phosphorus levels and minimum crude protein level.The method of total excreta collection was applied to determine dry matter, nitrogen, gross energy, calcium, and phosphorus nutritional balance.Reducing dietary calcium levels to 0.66, 0.59, and 0.54%, and using 0.27, 0.22, and 0.20% available phosphorus, 18.50, 17.50, and 16.00% crude protein, and 600 FTU phytase/kg in the diets of the starter, grower, and finisher phases, respectively, allow higher nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium retention in broilers.During the grower phase, there was positive linear effect of increasing phytase levels in high-calcium diets on AMEn utilization, and the optimal phytase levels for low-calcium diets was 598.71 FTU/kg.In the finisher phase, the best AMEn utilization was obtained with the high-calcium diets.

Este estudo teve como objetivo elucidar os mecanismos corticais envolvidos em ações antecipatórias quando 23 indivíduos saudáveis destros tinham que apreender um objeto em queda livre, através da eletroencefalografia quantitativa (EEGq). Por esta razão, usamos a coerência que representa a covariação linear entre dois sinais no domínio da frequência. Além disso, investigamos a atividade da banda gama (30-100 Hz), que está relacionada à processos cognitivos e somato-sensoriais. Nossa hipótese é que a coerência de gama estará aumentada em ambas as áreas parietais e occipitais durante o momento pós-queda da bola, devido ao seu envolvimento na manipulação de objetos, processamento visuo-espacial, percepção visual, identificação de estímulos e processos de atenção. Confirmamos nossa hipótese. Um aumento de coerência em gama nos pares de eletrodos P3-P4 (t= -2,15; p=0,033) e PZ-OZ (t= -2,16; p=0,034) foi verificado por teste-t pareado. Conclui-se que, para executar tarefas que envolvem movimentos de antecipação (mecanismos de retro-alimentação) como a nossa própria tarefa, provavelmente, não há necessidade de forte participação de áreas visuais no processo de organização da informação como para manipular objetos e processar a informação visuo-espacial no contato mão-objeto.

This study aimed to elucidate cortical mechanisms involved in anticipatory actions when 23 healthy right-handed subjects had to catch a free falling object through quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG). For this reason, we used coherence that represents a measurement of linear covariation between two signals in the frequency domain. In addition, we investigated gamma-band (30-100 Hz) activity that is related to cognitive and somatosensory processes. We hypothesized that gamma coherence will be increase in both parietal and occipital areas during moment after ball drop, due to their involvement in manipulation of objects, visuospatial processing, visual perception, stimuli identification and attention processes. We confirmed our hypothesis, an increase in gamma coherence on P3-P4 (t= -2.15; p=0.033) and PZ-OZ (t= -2.16; p=0.034) electrode pairs was verified for a paired t-test. We conclude that to execute tasks involving anticipatory movements (feedforward mechanisms), like our own task, probably, there is no need of a strong participation of visual areas in the process of information organization to manipulate objects and to process visuospatial information regarding the contact hand-object.

Um método simples, rápido e sensível para a determinação espectrofotométrica de captopril (CPT) em formulações farmacêuticas é proposto. Este método é baseado na reação de redução do molibdato de amônio, na presença de ácido sulfúrico, pelo grupo tiol do CPT, produzindo um composto verde (λ max 407 nm). A lei de Beer é obedecida na faixa de concentração de 4,60 x 10-4 a 1,84 x 10-3 mol L-1 de CPT com um excelente coeficiente de correlação (r = 0,9995). O limite de detecção e o limite de quantificação foram de 7,31 x 10-6 e 2,43 x 10-5 mol L-1 de CPT, respectivamente. O método proposto foi aplicado com sucesso na determinação da CPT em amostras comerciais de produtos farmacêuticos. Não foram observadas interferências dos excipientes comumente encontrados nas formulações farmacêuticas. Os resultados obtidos pelo método proposto foram comparados favoravelmente com aqueles obtidos pelo método oficial relatado em um nível de 95% de confiança.

A simple, rapid and sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of captopril (CPT) in pharmaceutical formulations is proposed. This method is based on the reduction reaction of ammonium molybdate, in the presence of sulphuric acid, for the group thiol of CPT, producing a green compound (λ max 407 nm). Beer's law is obeyed in a concentration range of 4.60 x 10-4 - 1.84 x 10-3 mol l-1 of CPT with an excellent correlation coefficient (r = 0.9995). The limit of detection and limit of quantification were 7.31 x 10-6 e 2.43 x 10-5 mol l-1 of CPT, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of CPT in commercial brands of pharmaceuticals. No interferences were observed from the common excipients in the formulations. The results obtained by the proposed method were favorably compared with those given by the official reported method at 95 % confidence level.

The effect of physical exercise on the treatment of depressive elderly adults has not been investigated thus far in terms of changes in cortical hemispheric activity. The objective of the present study was to identify changes in depressive symptoms, quality of life, and cortical asymmetry produced by aerobic activity. Elderly subjects with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (DSM-IV) were included. Twenty patients (70% females, 71 ± 3 years) were divided into an exercise group (pharmacological treatment plus aerobic training) and a control group (undergoing pharmacological treatment) in a quasi-experimental design. Pharmacological treatment was maintained stable throughout the study (antidepressants and anxiolytics). Subjects were evaluated by depression scales (Beck Depression Inventory, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale) and the Short Form Health Survey-36, and electroencephalographic measurements (frontal and parietal alpha asymmetry) before and after 1 year of treatment. After 1 year, the control group showed a decrease in cortical activity on the right hemisphere (increase of alpha power), which was not observed in the exercise group. The exercise group showed a significant decrease of depressive symptoms, which was not observed in the control group. This result was also accompanied by improved treatment response and remission rate after 1 year of aerobic exercise associated with treatment. This study provides support for the effect of aerobic training on alpha activity and on depressive symptoms in elderly patients. Exercise facilitates the treatment of depressive elderly adults, leading to clinical and physical improvement and protecting against a decrease in cortical activity.

Objetivo. Caracterizar genéticamente dos lotes y una progenie de Brycon orbignyanus destinados para programas de repoblamiento, utilizando la técnica molecular de RAPD (Random amplified polymorphic DNA). Materiales y métodos. Se analizaron 58 reproductores originarios de dos piscícolas ubicadas en las ciudades de Castillo (A:30 individuos) y Porto Ferreira (C:28 individuos), mantenidos en cautiverio hace seis años en la estación de acuicultura e hidrología de la Duke Energy Internacional (Geração Paranapanema) (São Paulo-Brasil). Treinta larvas de la progenie del lote A (B) también se analizaron. Resultados. Los 14 primers usados produjeron 87 fragmentos de los cuales 70.11% fueron polimórficos. Fueron observadas diferencias (p≤0.05) en la frecuencia de 31 fragmentos, con tres exclusivos para el lote A. Los valores de divergencia, distancia e identidad genética mostraron que la diversidad genética del lote A fue mantenida en la progenie y que existe una baja diferenciación entre los lotes de reproductores. El análisis de variancia molecular mostró que la mayor parte de la variación está dentro de cada lote (87.45%) y no entre ellos (12.55%). Este resultado se corroboró con los valores de F ST (0.125) y con el dendrograma, que indicaron una moderada diferenciación genética, sin la formación de agrupamientos. Conclusiones. La diversidad genética fue preservada en la progenie debido al manejo eficiente de la reproducción. No hubo una diferenciación genética entre los lotes de reproductores, debido posiblemente a que el origen natural de ambos fue el río Paraná.

Objective. To genetically characterize two Brycon orbignyanus stocks and one progeny intended for restocking programs using the molecular technique RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA). Materials and methods. Fifty eight broodstocks native to two fish farms in the cities of Castilho (A:30 individuals) and Porto Ferreira (C:28 individuals) were analyzed. The fish had been maintained for six years in captivity in the aquaculture and hydrology station of Duke Energy International (Geração Paranapanema. São Paulo - Brazil); thirty larvae of progeny from the stock A (B) were also analyzed. Results. The fourteen primers used produced 87 fragments of which 70.11% were polymorphic. Differences were observed (p≤0.05) in the frequency of 31 fragments, with three exclusive from stock A. The values for divergence, distance and genetic identity showed that genetic diversity of stock A was maintained in progeny and that a low differentiation exists among reproductive stocks. Analysis of Molecular variance showed that most of the variation is inside each stock (87.45%) and not between them (12.55%). This result was corroborated with F ST (0.125) values and with the dendrogram indicating a moderate genetic differentiation, without cluster formation. Conclusions. Genetic variability was maintained in progeny, possibly because both were native to the Paraná river.

O objetivo do estudo foi comprovar a eficiência da linfocintilografia qualitativa e quantitativa no diagnóstico e na classificação da gravidade do linfedema de membros inferiores. Foram estudados 77 pacientes, sendo 66 (85,7%) do sexo feminino, na faixa etária entre 18 e 82 anos. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a uma linfocintilografia bilateral, com um equipamento de dois detectores, na qual se adquiriu imagens dos pés, da região inguinal e uma varredura dos membros, após 15 minutos e três horas da injeção do radiofármaco. Os exames foram avaliados qualitativamente por 2 médicos nucleares. Também foram feitos estudos quantitativos da absorção do radiofármaco e da captação em cadeia inguinal. Dos 154 membros avaliados classificaram-se como normais 21,44% (n=33), pouco alterados 61,68% (n=95) e muito alterados 16,88% (n=26). A quantificação da captação da cadeia linfática pode ser um método mais sensível para o diagnóstico do linfedema em relação à análise qualitativa.

The purpose of this study was to prove the efficiency of qualitative and quantitative lymphoscintigraphy in the diagnosis of the lower extremity lymphedema. Seventy-seven patients had been studied, most of then (85.7%) were female. Patients’ ages ranged from 18 to 82 years. All patients underwent a bilateral lymphoscintigraphy. Images were recorded with a dual-detector instrument in the whole-body scanning mode. Feet and inguinal static views were acquired within 15 minutes and three hours after radiopharmaceutical injection. Two nuclear doctors evaluated the lymphoscintigrams qualitatively. Quantitative studies of the radiopharmaceutical absorption and the lymph node chain uptake were also obtained. Of the 154 evaluated members, 21.44% (n = 33) were classified as normal, 61.68% (n = 95) as mildly altered and 16.88% (n = 26) much altered. Quantitation of lymphatic chain uptake may be a more sensitive approach to the diagnosis of lymphatic impairment than the qualitative analysis.

Um novo método espectrofotométrico, simples, preciso, rápido e de baixo custo para determinação de metildopa em formulações farmacêuticas é descrito neste trabalho. Este método é baseado na reação de complexação do metildopa com molibdato. A absorbância do produto colorido resultante foi medida a 410 nm. A Lei de Beer foi obedecida em um intervalo de concentração de 50 - 200 µg L-1 de metildopa com um excelente coeficiente de correlação (r = 0,9999). Os excipientes comumente usados como aditivos em formulações farmacêuticas contendo metildopa não interferem no método proposto. Os resultados mostram um método simples, exato, rápido e que pode ser aplicado para a determinação rotineira de metildopa em produtos farmacêuticos. Os resultados obtidos a partir da análise destes produtos pelo método proposto concordaram muito bem com aqueles obtidos a partir do método oficial descrito na Farmacopéia Brasileira a um nível de confiança de 95%.

A new, simple, precise, rapid and low-cost spectrophotometric method for methyldopa determination in pharmaceutical preparations is described. This method is based on the complexation reaction of methyldopa with molybdate. Absorbance of the resulting yellow coloured product is measured at 410 nm. Beer's Law is obeyed in a concentration range of 50 - 200 µg ml-1 methyldopa with an excellent correlation coefficient (r = 0.9999). No interference was observed from common excipients in formulations. The results show a simple, accurate, fast and readily applied method to the determination of methyldopa in pharmaceutical products. The analytical results obtained for these products by the proposed method are in agreement with those of the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia procedure at 95% confidence level.

Caffeine is the most consumed psychoactive substance in the world. The effects of caffeine have been studied using cognitive and motor measures, quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) and event-related potentials. However, these methods are not usually employed in combination, a fact that impairs the interpretation of the results. The objective of the present study was to analyze changes in electrophysiological, cognitive and motor variables with the ingestion of caffeine, and to relate central to peripheral responses. For this purpose we recorded event-related potentials and eyes-closed, resting EEG, applied the Stroop test, and measured reaction time. Fifteen volunteers took caffeine (400 mg) or placebo in a randomized, crossover, double-blind design. A significant reduction of alpha absolute power over the entire scalp and of P300 latency at the Fz electrode were observed after caffeine ingestion. These results are consistent with a stimulatory effect of caffeine, although there was no change in the attention (Stroop) test or in reaction time. The qEEG seems to be the most sensitive index of the changes produced by caffeine in the central nervous system since it proved to be capable of detecting changes that were not evident in the tests of cognitive or motor performance.

Um método potenciométrico simples, preciso, rápido e de baixo custo foi proposto para a determinação de captopril na forma pura e em formulações farmacêuticas. O captopril presente em comprimidos em uma quantidade conhecida foi potenciometricamente titulado em meio aquoso com um titulador automático, empregando-se como titulante uma solução aquosa de NaOH e um eletrodo combinado de vidro sensível a pH. Interferências não foram observadas na presença de componentes comumente encontrados nos comprimidos, tais como, lactose, celulose microcristalina, croscarmelose sódica, amido e estearato de magnésio. Os resultados analíticos obtidos a partir da aplicação do método proposto estão em muito boa concordância com aqueles obtidos pelo método oficial descrito na Farmacopéia Americana. O recobrimento obtido para o captopril a partir de um estudo realizado com várias formulações farmacêuticas variou de 98.0 a 102.0%.

A simple, precise, rapid and low-cost potentiometric method for captopril determination in pure form and in pharmaceutical preparations is proposed. Captopril present in tablets containing known quantity of drug was potentiometrically titrated in aqueous solution with NaOH using a glass pH electrode, coupled to an autotitrator. No interferences were observed in the presence of common components of the tablets as lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, starch and magnesium stearate. The analytical results obtained by applying the proposed method compared very favorably with those obtained by the United States Pharmacopoeia Standard procedure. Recovery of captopril from various tablet dosage formulations range from 98.0 to 102.0%.

We present a review of the Optical Parametric Oscillator (OPO), describing its operation and the quantum correlation between the light beams generated by this oscillator. We show the construction of an OPO using a Potassium Titanyl Phosphate crystal (KTP), pumped by a frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser, and discuss the stability of the system and related thermal effects. We have measured the quantum correlation of signal and idler beams in a transient regime, obtaining a noise correlation level 39 % below the shot noise level.

We report on an experiment showing that the wavelength of a biphoton is clearly dependent onthe measurement scheme and on the way it is defined. It is shown that it can take any value, depending on the control of the interferometer phase differences. It is possible to identify the interference of the single and two-photon wavepackets as particular cases of the most general interference process. The variable wavelength has no implication on the energy of the individual photons neither on the total energy of the biphoton.