Abstract The global interest in an increasingly sustainable economy, with a reduction in the consumption of raw materials and energy, can be supported by the growth in the use of lightweight concrete (LC) produced with expanded-clay aggregates (EA). The main qualities of natural self-bloating clay for the production of EA were studied, analyzing the parameters that determine the expansion during firing, which influence EA size, mechanical strength, density, and water absorption. After this step, the production and characterization of the LC were carried out. EA characteristics showed a strong influence on the mechanical strength and the main technological properties of the LC. The results pointed out the necessary attributes that clay (and EA) must have for LC production. These attributes can also be achieved by mixing different clays (blend type), which can enhance the production and use of LC with EA worldwide. economy energy (LC expandedclay expanded EA. . (EA) selfbloating self bloating studied firing size density absorption step blend type, type , type) worldwide (EA

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the inclusion level of licuri cake (LC) in the diet of confined cows on fatty acid profile and milk cholesterol. Four cows with a blood level of ½ to – Holstein x Zebu blood were used, distributed in a 4 x 4 Latin square, where the inclusion levels of the cake in the total diet were 0.0, 5.5, 11.0 and 16.5%, replacing soybean meal in the diet. There was a linear decreasing effect for the fatty acids Lauric, Elaidic, Gamma-Linolenic and conjugated linoleic acid isomers (C18:2cis9trans11; C18:2trans10cis12) from the inclusion levels of LC. The inclusion of licuri cake negatively influenced the concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid isomers, in addition to the fatty acids of the Omega-6 series, which is not interesting from the human nutrition point of view.

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de dietas suplementadas con diferentes concentraciones de pasta de licuri (PL) en el perfil de ácidos grasos y colesterol de la leche de vacas confinadas. Cuatro vacas con ½ a – de sangre Holstein x Cebú fueron distribuidas en un cuadrado latino 4 x 4, donde los niveles de inclusión de la pasta de licuri en la dieta total fueron 0.0, 5.5, 11.0 y 16.5%, sustituyendo la pasta de soya en la dieta. Los niveles de inclusión de PL ocasionaron una disminución lineal del ácido láurico, elaídico, gamma-linolénico y linoleico conjugado (C18:2cis9trans11; C18:2trans10cis12). La pasta de licuri disminuyó las concentraciones de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados y del ácido linoleico conjugado; además de los ácidos grasos omega 6, que no son relevantes desde el punto de vista de la nutrición humana.

OBJECTIVE: The present study analyzed blood pressure responses after a single session of isometric handgrip exercise performed with different volumes and intensities by patients with hypertension. METHODS: This randomized crossover trial submitted 12 hypertensive patients (58±5 years old) to four isometric handgrip exercise sessions in a random order: 4 x 2 min at 30% of the maximal voluntary contraction (S30%); 4 x 2 min at 50% of the maximal voluntary contraction (S50%2min); 4 x 3 min at 30% of the maximal voluntary contraction (S30%3min); and a control session. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and rate-pressure product were measured pre- and post-exercise (30th min). RESULTS: No significant changes were observed in cardiovascular variables after any session (p>0.05 for all comparisons). Similarly, individual analyses revealed heterogeneity in the responses, including increases in blood pressure observed in some sessions. Patients with reduced blood pressure after an isometric handgrip exercise session exhibited a higher body mass index, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate (p<0.05). They also tended to be younger (p=0.07). CONCLUSION: Isometric handgrip exercise performed with different intensities and volumes did not reduce the blood pressure of hypertensive patients.

O uso temporal e espacial de recursos por beija-flores foi estudado ao longo de 13 meses em um remanescente florestal urbano (Parque Estadual do Prosa: PSP) em Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. As visitas dos beija-flores foram registradas em três espécies ornitófilas e 11 não ornitófilas. A densidade de flores foi mais ou menos constante durante o período de estudo, com a densidade de flores não ornitófilas sendo maior que a de flores ornitófilas. Os valores médios de volume e concentração do néctar foram similares entre as espécies ornitófilas e não ornitófilas. Oito espécies de beija-flores foram observadas no PSP: Amazilia fimbriata, Anthracothorax nigricollis, Chlorostilbon lucidus, Eupetomena macroura, Hylocharis chrysura, Florisuga fusca, Thalurania furcata e uma espécie não identificada. A frequência de visitas dos beija-flores foi similar entre as espécies ornitófilas e não ornitófilas. Entretanto, algumas espécies não ornitófilas receberam um alto número de visitas, o que parece estar relacionado ao alto número de flores abertas por planta por dia. O número de turnos de visitas dos beija-flores aumentou com o número total de flores observadas por planta focal. Todas as espécies de beija-flores visitaram flores não ornitófilas, predominantemente flores de espécies melitófilas e entomófilas generalistas. Os beija-flores observados no PSP podem ser considerados generalistas, visitando um grande número de espécies não ornitófilas. Apesar de o PSP ser um fragmento florestal urbano, possui riqueza de espécies de beija-flores relativamente alta, sugerindo ser importante sítio de abrigo e forrageamento para os beija-flores neste ambiente.

The temporal and spatial resource use among hummingbirds was studied over 13 months in an urban forest remnant (Prosa State Park: PSP) in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Hummingbird visitation was recorded at three ornithophilous and eleven non-ornithophilous species. Flower density was roughly constant during the study period, with the density of non-ornithophilous flowers being higher than that of ornithophilous ones. Mean values of nectar volume and concentration were similar between ornithophilous and non-ornithophilous species. Eight hummingbird species were observed at PSP: Amazilia fimbriata, Anthracothorax nigricollis, Chlorostilbon lucidus, Eupetomena macroura, Hylocharis chrysura, Florisuga fusca, Thalurania furcata and an unidentified species. Hummingbird visit frequencies to ornithophilous and non-ornithophilous flowers were similar. However, some non-ornithophilous species received a higher number of visits, which seems to be related to their large number of open flowers per plant per day. The number of feedings bouts of hummingbirds increased with the total number of flowers observed per focal plant. All recorded species of hummingbirds visited non-ornithophilous flowers, predominantly melittophilous and generalised entomophilous flowers. Hummingbird species recorded at PSP may be viewed as generalists, visiting a large number of non-ornithophilous species. Despite being an urban forest, PSP is relatively rich in hummingbird species, suggesting that it provides important shelter and foraging sites for hummingbirds in such an environment.

A variação interanual da estrutura fitoplanctônica nos três principais rios da planície de inundação do Alto Rio Paraná foi avaliada em relação às modificações no regime hidrossedimentológico. Essas modificações são resultantes da variabilidade climática e da formação do reservatório de Porto Primavera, localizado no Alto Rio Paraná. Foi avaliada a riqueza de espécies e a densidade, em um período anterior à construção da UHE de Porto Primavera (1993-1994) e nos 8 anos seguintes (2000-2007) a formação do reservatório. Foram realizadas análises de regressão múltipla para testar as diferenças entre os períodos e buscar variáveis preditoras dos atributos fitoplanctônicos analisados. Foram registrados 454 táxons. A análise de regressão evidenciou variações significativas entre os períodos analisados. A riqueza de espécies foi menor no Rio Paraná e a densidade fitoplanctônica foi maior nos três rios nos anos seguintes à formação do reservatório de Porto Primavera. Registrou-se um decréscimo nos valores de densidade nos anos de 2005 a 2007. Diatomáceas e cianobactérias contribuíram significativamente para a densidade durante o período de março de 1993 a fevereiro de 1994. No período de 2000 a 2007 ocorreu menor contribuição de diatomáceas e, maior contribuição de cianobactérias para a riqueza de espécies. A partir de 2000, criptofíceas e cianobactérias dominaram. As alterações nos atributos analisados também estiveram associadas às flutuações no regime hidrossedimentológico dos rios estudados, provavelmente, influenciadas pelas fases La Niña e El Niño (Oscilação Sul - ENOS). Estes resultados salientam a necessidade de estudos enfocando a variabilidade climática e seus efeitos sobre o regime hidrossedimentológico do Rio Paraná e, sobre sua biota, de modo a fornecer subsídios para o manejo adequado, incluindo decisões quanto à operação das barragens situadas a montante e jusante da região de estudo, para minimizar as perdas de biodiversidade nesta Área de Preservação Ambiental.

The interannual variation of phytoplankton communities in the three main rivers of the Upper Paraná River floodplain is evaluated in relation to changes in the hydrosedimentological regime. These changes are a result of climatic variability and the formation of Porto Primavera Reservoir, located at the upper Paraná River. Phytoplankton species richness and density were investigated in rivers during a prior period (1993-1994) and eight years after reservoir impoundment (2000-2007). Multiple analyses were conducted to test the differences between these time periods in order to find predictor variables for phytoplankton attributes. A total of 454 phytoplanktonic taxa were found. The regression analysis revealed significant differences between periods. In the years following construction of the Porto Primavera dam, species richness was lower in the Paraná River and density was higher in the three rivers. In general, the algal density decreased from 2005 to 2007. Diatoms and cyanobacteria contributed significantly to the total density during the period from March 1993 to February 1994. The years 2000-2007 presented the lowest diatom contribution to species richness and the highest cyanobacteria contribution. From 2000 on, cryptomonads and cyanobacteria dominated. The interannual variability of phytoplankton was probably influenced by changes in hydrosedimentological regime due to climatic variations (La Niña and El Niño - Southern Oscillation events - ENSO) and the operational procedures associated with an upstream reservoirs. Studies on climatic variability and its effects on hydrosedimentological regimes of the Paraná, Baía and Ivinhema rivers and the biota therein are necessary to obtain subsidies for management, including decisions related to the operation of dams upstream and downstream of the study area, with the purpose of minimizing risks to the Environmental Protection Area.