281 research outputs found
Exploration of future container transport to and from the Dutch hinterland: Assessing the need for future policies
No full textSystems Engineering, Policy Analysis and ManagementTransport and Logistics OrganizationTechnology, Policy and Managemen
Potato diversity at height: multiple dimensions of farmer-driven in-situ conservation in the Andes
No full textIn-situ conservation Two types of in-situ conservation of crop genetic resources can be distinguished: farmer-driven and externally driven. The first is subject of this thesis and refers to the persistence of potato genetic resources in areas where everyday practices of farmers maintain diversity on-farm. The second concerns the more recent phenomenon of Research & Development (R&D) interventions which aim to support in-situ conservation by farmers. In this study, farmer-driven in-situ conservation of the potato in the central Andes of Peru is investigated at different system levels from alleles, cultivars, and botanical species up to the level of the landscape, as well as the interconnected seed and food systems. Dimensions of time and space are inferred upon by taking both annual and longer-term spatial patterns into account. Further, diversity is linked to selected farmer-based and external drivers. Objective and study area The overall objective of the study is to enhance our understanding of farmer-driven in-situ conservation and the context in which it takes place. The main field research was conducted between 2003 and 2006 in eight farmer communities following a north-south transect through the department of Huancavelica. Communities were selected on the basis of distribution and distance along the north-south transect, tradition of potato cultivation, ethnicity, and relative distance from major markets or cities. Depending on the specific dimension of farmer-driven in-situ conservation investigated, a range of different methods and tools were used. Chapter 1 provides a brief description of the study area and an overview of the research methods used. Species, cultivar and allelic diversity In chapter 2 the species, morphological and molecular diversity of Andean potatoes in Huancavelica is treated at different scales of conservation: farmer family, community, geographically distanced, regional, in-situ and ex-situ subpopulations. The infraspecific diversity of in-situ collections was characterized using morphological descriptor lists and 18 polymorphic microsatellite markers (SSR). Botanical species were determined through ploidy counts in combination with morphological keys. Datasets were used for descriptive statistics, (dis)similarity analysis, dendrogram construction, cophenetic analysis, matrix correlations calculations (Mantel tests), and Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA). Results show that farmers in Huancavelica maintain high levels of species, morphological and molecular diversity. All cultivated potato species with the exception of Solanum phureja and Solanum ajanhuiri proved to be present. Tetraploid species were most abundant followed by diploids, triploids and pentaploids. A total of 557 morphologically unique cultivars were identified based on the morphological characterization of 2,481 accessions belonging to 38 in-situ collections. Genetic fingerprinting of 989 accessions belonging to 8 in-situ collections resulted in the identification of 406 genetically unique cultivars. AMOVA shows that the principal source of molecular variation is found within rather than between geographically distanced and farmer family subpopulations. No evidence of genetic erosion was found as the contemporary regional in-situ population and a geographically restricted subset of CIP´s ex-situ core collection share 98.8% of allelic diversity. Yet, in-situ collections contain numerous unique genotypes. Indigenous biosystematics The indigenous biosystematics of potatoes (folk taxonomy, folk descriptors and nomenclature) is investigated in chapter 3. The chapter includes an extensive literature review on the subject. Folk taxonomy was investigated with the use of grouping exercises with farmers, participant observation, and comparison of farmer-recognized groups with formal classification based on morphological descriptors and 18 polymorphic microsatellite markers (SSR). Analysis of the latter was based on (dis)similarity analysis, dendrogram construction and consequent levels of coherent clustering by folk taxonomic entity (folk specific and varietal taxon). Ethnobotanical free and indicated listing exercises with farmers were used for research concerning folk descriptors. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis and interpretation. Nomenclature was investigated by applying nomenclature surveys, participant observation and basic ethnolinguistic analysis of regional names. Folk taxonomy of the potato consists of no less than five ranks. The folk generic rank is composed of three taxa: Araq Papa (semi-wild / consumed), Papa Tarpuy (cultivated / consumed), and Atoq Papa (wild / not consumed). Folk specific taxa (= cultivar groups) and varietal taxa (= cultivars) within the generic taxon of Papa Tarpuy are abundant. Use categories and agroecological criteria are of little importance in the folk taxonomical system of the potato. Folk varietal taxa cluster well when using formal morphological descriptors; folk specific taxa less so. A moderate concordance, albeit with considerable exceptions, exists between folk specific or varietal taxa and their genetic make-up as characterized with molecular markers (18 SSR microsatellites). The coherence of clustering in a dissimilarity tree varies for each folk specific or varietal taxon considered. Farmers use 22 plant and 15 tuber folk descriptors with recognized character states in the Quechua language. Farmers are well able to recognize specific cultivars based on aboveground plant parts only (without exposing tubers). Nomenclature is regionally consistent for common cultivars, while inconsistent for scarce cultivars. Primary cultivar names (nouns) generally refer to a folk specific taxon through predominant metaphorical reference to tuber shape. Secondary cultivar names (adjectives) predominantly provide direct reference to tuber color. Annual spatial patterns Annual spatial management of the potato consists of cropping and labor calendars, field scattering practices, and genotype by environmental management. These three dimensions of agrobiodiversity management are explored in chapter 4. A structured survey was conducted to investigate the potato cropping and labor calendars. Participatory cartography resulted in the detailed mapping of 601 scattered potato fields, including their cultivar content, belonging to a total of 122 households. A genotype by environment (GxE) experiment employing 4 environments and 31 cultivars was conducted following an altitudinal transect. Data obtained was analyzed and interpreted using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Additive main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) analysis, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The annual distribution of tasks and labor is primarily an adaptation to the single-season rain-fed character and climate extremes of high-altitude agriculture. Three different footplough-based tillage systems allow farmers to efficiently manage scarce labor availability for soil preparation. Native-floury, nativebitter and improved potato cultivars show considerable overlap concerning their altitudinal distribution patterns. The notion that these cultivar categories occupy separate production spaces (so-called “altitudinal belts”) is rejected as results show that differences between the altitudinal medians for areal distribution by altitude of the different cultivar categories are modest (chapter 4). Field scattering is based on a combined logic which results in a patchy distribution of potato genetic diversity across the agricultural landscape. Depending on the community, farmers annually crop an average of 3.2 to 9.1 potato fields measuring between 660 to 1,576 m² and containing up to a hundred cultivars per field. However, neither field scattering nor the management of high levels of diversity by farmers is a direct consequence of niche adaptation as most cultivars are versatile (chapter 4). Rather, it is suggested that farmers conduct annual spatial management by deploying combined tolerance and resistance traits imbedded in particular cultivar combinations in order to confront the predominant biotic and abiotic stresses present in different agroecologies. Andean farmers manage GxE adaptation for overall yield stability rather than fine-grained environmental adaptation of native cultivars. Dimensions of land use Three specific dimensions of potato land use were researched in order to gain insights into possible contemporary changes affecting the in-situ conservation of potato genetic resources: land use tendencies, rotation designs and their intensity, and sectoral fallowing systems (chapter 5). The main research method involved participatory cartography using printed poster-size high-resolution Quickbird satellite images combined with in-depth consultation through interviews and focus group meetings with members of the communities. A total of 4,343 fields and their 1995-2005 crop contents were mapped. The evolution over a 30-year time-span (1975-2005) of traditional sectoral fallow systems (“diversity hotspots”) was documented for each community. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Processes of change and adaptive innovation were documented by building case studies. Land use tendencies between 1995 and 2005 shows that the total cropping area dedicated to improved cultivars has grown fast while the area dedicated to native-floury and native-bitter cultivars has remained more or less stable. Reduced fallow periods for existing fields and the gradual incorporating of high-altitude virgin pasture lands sustain areal growth. Areal growth is particularly fast at extreme altitudes between 3,900 and 4,350 m. However, fallow periods at these altitudes are still relatively long compared to fields at lower altitudes. Results show that fallowing rates increase by altitude for all cultivar categories, but tend to be lowest for improved cultivars followed by native-floury and native-bitter cultivars. There is no evidence of a straightforward replacement of one cultivar category by another resulting in the replacement and loss of infraspecific diversity. Inquiry into the dynamics of sectoral fallow systems over a 30 year period evidences the gradual disintegration and abandonment of these systems rich in cultivar diversity. They are replaced by more individualist management regimes based on household decision making. Nowadays, the spatial patterning of potato genetic diversity within the agricultural landscape is increasingly characterized by patchy distribution patterns rather than its concentration within a single communal sector. Where sectoral rotation designs survive local innovations have been adopted. Farmer seed systems Farmer seed systems can be conceived as an overlay of crop genetic diversity determining its temporal and spatial patterning. Chapter 6 investigates the relation between selected farmer seed system components (storage, health and procurement) and infraspecific diversity of potato in Huancavelica. A sampling exercise was carried out in farmer seed stores in order to gain insight into the internal organization of seed stores and how this relates to the management of infraspecific diversity. Virus infection rates were determined by taking seed tuber samples of diverse cultivars from farmer’s storage facilities. ELISA tests were conduced for APMoV, PLRV, PMTV, PVY and PVX. Seed procurement was investigated through a series of structured surveys focusing on household seed exchange, the role of regular markets and biodiversity seed fairs, and seed provision after severe regional frost. Data was analyzed and interpreted using descriptive statistics. Potato seed stores contain different seed lots, reflecting the rationales underlying management of cultivar diversity at the field level and the overall structure of infraspecific diversity. Seed health of farmer conserved cultivar stocks in Huancavelica is affected by Diabrotica leaf beetle and contact transmitted viruses (APMoV, PVX) while aphid and powdery scab transmitted viruses (PMTV, PLRV, PVY) are of limited importance. During normal years without extreme events seed exchange of native-floury cultivars is practiced by few households and characterized by a limited number of transactions involving small quantities of seed of few cultivars covering relatively short distances. Native-bitter and uncommon nativefloury cultivars are rarely exchanged and generally reproduced year after year by the same households that maintain them. High-altitude diversity-rich communities tend to be net seed exporters. However, the capacity of the farmer seed system to annually widely supply and distribute infraspecific diversity is limited. Regular markets have a decentralized capacity to supply and widely distribute seed of a limited number of well-known cultivars. Frequencies of seed exchange at biodiversity seed fairs are low and involve small quantities of a few uncommon cultivars. The resilience of the farmer seed system to cope with severe regional seed stress is insufficient for households to be able to restore volumes and cultivar portfolios within a short period of time. The potato-based food system The role of biodiverse potatoes within the human diet in Huancavelica is investigated in chapter 7. Analysis to determine the dry matter, gross energy, crude protein, iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) content of 12 native-floury cultivars (fresh / boiled tuber samples) and 9 native-bitter cultivars (boiled unprocessed / boiled processed tuber samples) was conduced. Additionally, the nutritional composition of the native-floury cultivars was determined after 3 and 5 months of storage under farmer conditions. A food intake study was conducted during two contrasting periods of food availability (abundance versus scarcity) in order to quantify and characterize the contribution of the potato, different cultivar categories and other food sources to the diet of children between 6 and 36 months of age and their mothers. The specific method consisted of direct measurement of food intake by weight during a 24 hour period for each household (77 households). Further, the overall nutritional status of 340 children aged between 4 and 16 years was determined. Selected cultural connotations of the highland diet were investigated through participant and ethnographic observation, surveys, and workshops. Results show that several native-floury cultivars contain higher contents of specific nutrients (protein, iron) than those commonly reported as representative for native potato cultivars. This suggests that infraspecific diversity can make a valuable contribution to enhanced nutrition. Storage does not affect the nutritional quality of native-floury cultivars very significantly while traditional freeze-drying of native-bitter cultivars considerably reduces protein and zinc content. The research shows that malnutrition in Huancavelica is primarily a consequence of micronutrient deficiency and secondarily of insufficient total energy coverage. The highland diet is heavily dependent on staple foods, particularly potato and barley, and generally short in vegetable, fruit, meat and milk intake. The potato contributes significantly to the nutritional balance and the recommended requirements for energy, protein, iron and zinc of women and children during periods of both food abundance and scarcity. Improved and native-floury cultivars complement each other as each category provides the bulk of potatoes consumed at different moments in time. The consumption of diverse potato cultivars is entangled with cultural constructions of meals and local perceptions of preference traits and quality. The potato itself, as a food item, is no socioeconomic class marker. However, certain dishes or products and the overall cultivar diversity grown and used by a household shape perceptions of relative wealth. Conclusions and implications Chapter 8 highlights the main conclusions of the study and provides answers to the original research questions while taking the different system levels explored throughout the thesis into account. Selected priority areas of future research are identified and, where appropriate, links to other parts of the Andes are drawn. Furthermore, the implications for externally driven R&D oriented in-situ conservation efforts seeking to support dynamic and ongoing farmer-driven conservation are discussed. It is argued that the science and practice of R&D oriented in-situ conservation lag behind the policy commitments to its implementation and that institutional learning from diverse projects already implemented throughout the Andes and the diffusion of key lessons is essential for the success of future interventions
The 2nd Berlin BedRest study: protocol and implementation
No full textLong-term bed-rest is used to simulate the effect of spaceflight on the human body and test different kinds of countermeasures. The 2nd Berlin BedRest Study (BBR2-2) tested the efficacy of whole-body vibration in addition to high-load resisitance exercise in preventing bone loss during bed-rest. Here we present the protocol of the study and discuss its implementation. Twenty-four male subjects underwent
60-days of six-degree head down tilt bed-rest and were randomised to an inactive control group (CTR), a high-load resistive exercise group (RE) or a high-load resistive exercise with whole-body vibration group (RVE). Subsequent to events in the course of the study (e.g. subject withdrawal), 9 subjects participated in the CTR-group, 7 in the RVE-group and 8 (7 beyond bed-rest day-30) in the RE-group.
Fluid intake, urine output and axiallary temperature increased during bed-rest (p<.0001), though similarly in all groups (pâÂÂ¥.17). Body weight changes differed between groups (p<.0001) with decreases in the CTR-group, marginal decreases in the RE-group and the RVEgroup displaying significant decreases in body-weight beyond bed-rest day-51 only. In light of events and experiences of the current study, recommendations on various aspects of bed-rest ethodology are also discussed
Laomedia astacina De Haan 1841
No full text<i>Laomedia astacina</i> De Haan, 1841 <p>(Fig. 23)</p> <p>Selected synonymy (for full synonymy see Ngoc-Ho 1997):</p> <p> <i>Laomedia astacina</i> De Haan 1841: 165, pl. 35, fig. 8, pl. N; Sakai 1962: 27, pls. 5–7, figs. 1–25; Sakai & Miyake 1964: 86, figs. 1–3; Yaldwyn & Wear 1972: 137, figs. 13–20; Kim 1973: 589, fig. 14; Fukuda 1982: 19, figs. 1–7; Ngoc-Ho 1997: 732, fig. 1.</p> <p> Not <i>Laomedia astacina—</i> Sankolli 1971: 235, figs. 1, 2 (= <i>Laomedia</i> sp., see below); Johnson 1972: 406 (= <i>L.</i> cf. <i>paucispinosa</i> Ngoc-Ho, 1997).</p> <p> <b>Material examined</b>. Indonesia. 1 female (RMNH. CRUS.D.56754), southern Lombok, Lembar, prawn ponds, mud flat, in burrows in banks of brackish stream, suction pump, 0–0.2 m at low tide, leg. D.L. Rahayu <i>et al.</i>, 14 May 2014 [LB-St5-10].</p> <p> <b>Description</b>. See Sakai (1962, with some errors), Yaldwyn & Wear (1972), and Ngoc-Ho (1997).</p> <p> <b>Habitat</b>. Mud flats and muddy sand flats, usually near estuaries or mangroves; in burrows or under rocks, mangrove wood, debris etc., also in fine mud in mangrove swamps, brackish prawn ponds. Depth range: intertidal to about 5 m.</p> <p> <b>Distribution</b>. Indo-West Pacific: Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia (first record) (Ngoc-Ho 1997; present study).</p> <p> <b>Remarks</b>. Following the most recent assessment of <i>Laomedia</i> in Ngoc-Ho (1997), the single specimen from Lombok is morphologically closest to the type species, <i>L. astacina</i>. Based on the material examined by Ngoc-Ho (1997), <i>L. astacina</i> appeared to range from Japan and Korea south to Vietnam; Johnson’s (1972) specimen of <i>L. astacina</i> from Malaysia was re-identified as <i>L.</i> cf. <i>paucispinosa</i> Ngoc-Ho, 1997. Thus, prior to this study, <i>L. astacina</i> was believed to occur in temperate and subtropical waters of East Asia, being “replaced” by <i>L. paucispinosa</i> in the more tropical parts of South-East Asia (Ngoc-Ho 1997). However, our first record of <i>L. astacina</i> from central Indonesia suggests that this species extends well into the tropics south of the equator.</p> <p> The female from Lembar, southern Lombok, shows all the typical features of <i>L. astacina</i>, as illustrated by Ngoc-Ho (1997), although a few differences were noted. For instance, in the female from Lombok, the postocular spines are blunter and less projecting compared to those of males from Taiwan and Vietnam (Ngoc-Ho 1997: fig. 1A, C). The chelipeds of the Lombok female are extremely hairy, covered by large and very dense tufts of setae (Fig. 23), completely concealing small spines on the dorsal surface of the palm and merus; Ngoc-Ho’s (1997) illustrations show chelipeds mostly denuded of setae. More material from Indonesia and adjacent regions (Malaysia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea) is necessary to properly assess the status of what is currently seen as a tropical population of <i>L. astacina</i>.</p> <p> The record of <i>L. astacina</i> from Maharashtra, India, by Sankolli (1971), although listed under the synonymy of <i>L. astacina</i> by Ngoc-Ho (1997), most likely refers to a different species, closely related to <i>L. astacina</i> and <i>L. paucispinosa</i>. Sankolli’s single specimen differs from the Japanese specimens of <i>L. astacina</i> (cf. Sakai 1962; Ngoc-Ho 1997) in the shape of the rostrum, which is narrowing distally, with two or three small, closely spaced teeth on the distolateral margins. Sankolli (1971) noted other differences between the Indian and the Japanese specimens, such as the absence of tubercles or teeth on the chelipeds, and the absence of a lateral notch on the uropod rami and telson. More material of <i>Laomedia</i> from India and other localities in the northern Indian Ocean is needed to clarify the taxonomic identity of the species reported by Sankolli (1971).</p>Published as part of <i>Anker, Arthur, Pratama, Idham Sumarto, Firdaus, Muhammad & Rahayu, Dwi Listyo, 2015, On some interesting marine decapod crustaceans (Alpheidae, Laomediidae, Strahlaxiidae) from Lombok, Indonesia, pp. 301-342 in Zootaxa 3911 (3)</i> on pages 330-333, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3911.3.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/254427">http://zenodo.org/record/254427</a>
Nutritious subsistence food systems
No full textCopyright © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.The major subsistence food systems of the world that feed resource-poor populations are identified and their capacity to supply essential nutrients in reasonable balance to the people dependent on them has been considered for some of these with a view to overcoming their nutrient limitations in sound agronomic and sustainable ways. The approach discusses possible cropping system improvements and alternatives in terms of crop combinations, external mineral supply, additional crops, and the potential for breeding staples in order to enhance their nutritional balance while maintaining or improving the sustainability and dietary, agronomic, and societal acceptability of the system. The conceptual framework calls for attention first to balancing crop nutrition that in nearly every case will also increase crop productivity, allowing sufficient staple to be produced on less land so that the remaining land can be devoted to more nutrient-dense and nutrient-balancing crops. Once this is achieved, the additional requirements of humans and animals (vitamins, selenium, and iodine) can be addressed. Case studies illustrate principles and strategies. This chapter is a proposal to widen the range of tools and strategies that could be adopted in the HarvestPlus Challenge Program to achieve its goals of eliminating micronutrient deficiencies in the food systems of resource-poor countries. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Robin D. Graham, Ross M. Welch, David A. Saunders, Ivan Ortiz-Monasterio, Howarth E. Bouis, Merideth Bonierbale, Stef de Haan, Gabriella Burgos, Graham Thiele, Reyna Liria, Craig A. Meisner, Steve E. Beebe, Michael J. Potts, Mohinder Kadian, Peter R. Hobbs, Raj K. Gupta and Steve Twomlowhttp://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/bookdescription.cws_home/710319/description#descriptio
Concept Design for a Rock Handling System: Feeding the Inclined Fall Pipe System aboard the Multipurpose Vessel 'Living Stone'
No full textErosion of the seabed around offshore structures, due to current and waves, is a common occurrence.Scour protection by rock placement can be done in order to limit erosion and its consequences. TidewayOffshore Solutions will use the multipurpose vessel ’Living Stone’ to execute such rock placementoperations. Aboard the Living Stone a newly designed inclined fall pipe system will be installed totransfer the rocks through shallow and possibly high current water towards the seabed. The goal ofthis thesis is to design a concept of a rock handling system to feed the inclined fall pipe system aboardof the Living Stone. The concept requires to be capable of handling armourstone with gradings up to60-300kg and continuous mass flows up to — tonnes per hour.With the use of the VDI 2221 design cycle the function, principle and solution structures were createdto realise a morphological overview. Multiple concepts were created and evaluated on criteriaincluding the maximum allowance of peak production, proven technology, maximum solvability, minimumrequired space and minimum costs. Thereafter, a preliminary layout was created for the conceptranked highest. In order to be sure the concept is capable of generating the demanded mass flows interms of capacity and accuracy, discrete element modelling was used. With the use of EDEM-softwarethe performance of the in Solidworks created model was studied. After calibration of the simulated material,the performance of the concept was studied by varying the outlet area and the feeders’ velocity.This resulted in the associated mass flows and their fluctuations. The accuracy of the mass flow wasdefined as a percentage of the mass flow in which the flow fluctuated.The configuration was studied and set for further simulations, using Box-Behnken design of experimentsand Minitab-software. The mass flow, depending on the installed shear height and the velocityof the feeder, was validated with empirical theory for apron feeders. This work demonstrated that theratio between the outlet area, defined as the outlet diameter but realised by the shear height and feederwidth, and the maximum particle diameter is of great influence on the mass flow. The smaller the ratio,due to an increase of particle size and/or decrease in outlet area, the less accuracy of the simulatedmass flow. The difference between the simulated and theoretical mass flow increases exponential withthe decrease of the ratio between outlet diameter and maximum particle diameter
Thermographic skin temperature response to different movement velocity of squat exercise until exhaustion : a preliminary report
No full textINTRODUCTION
Blood flow restriction resistance training is an effective training method for improving muscular function using low and moderate load intensity (Alberti et al., 2013). It has implications in the regulation of skin blood flow, with important consequence for the blood involved in heat dissipation through the skin. The aim of this study was to investigate the skin temperature (ST) response by using IRT during slow speed low intensity exercise as compared to normal speed low intensity exercise in squat trial (Tanimoto et al., 2006). We hypothesized that low intensity resistance exercise with slow movement would result in a ST response slower than the one of the normal speed exercise with the same intensity.
METHODS
9 active males (23.6±1.1yrs, 69.7±6.8kg, 176±6.2cm) performed 2 sessions of deep squat exercise until exhaustion, with 50% of 1 RM. The pace of movement was set in 1s eccentric / 1s concentric and 5s eccentric / 5s concentric phase in the 1st and in the 2nd session respectively. Thermal images were recorded every 20s before exercise (2min), during exercise (until exhaustion), and after exercise (10min). ΔT (Tpeak-Tbasal) and Time50% (time to reach 50% of ΔT) were identified and compared in 1s vs 5s trials by using paired t-test.
RESULTS
Surprisingly, a different behaviour of ST during and after exercise was observed among subjects: a decrease in ST in 5 subjects (down group) and an increase in the other 4 (up group). Thus, statistics was performed in each group separately. The ΔT of the up group in 1s (1.1±0.42°C) and 5s (1.0±0.50°C) were approximately twice that of the down group in both 1s (-0.50±0.15°C) and 5s (-0.42±0.28°C). The ΔT in 1s was similar to ΔT in 5s in both groups. The ST changes (Time50%) in the down group occurred slowly (p0.05). The ST changes during 1s and 5s trials occurred more rapidly in the down group than in the up group.
DISCUSSION
It was shown that the response of cutaneous circulation to dynamic exercise is characterized by a initial vasoconstriction to dissipate heat from the core through the skin followed by vasodilation driving the blood flow from inactive tissue (including the skin) to active muscles involved in exercise (Kellogg D.L., 2006). We speculate that the unexpected different behaviour of the ST response in the 2 groups was probably due to a time-dependent predominance of vasoconstriction over vasodilation or viceversa.
REFERENCES
Alberti G. et al. (2013) SCJ Kellogg D.L. (2006) JAP Tanimoto M. et al. (2006) JA
Mathematics in Teams—Developing Thinking Skills in Mathematics Education
No full textMathematics is more than just basic skills. Mathematical thinking should be an important aspect of mathematics education. In the Netherlands, higher-order thinking skills like mathematical problem solving, reasoning, modelling and communicating mathematics have been part of the examination program since 1989. To assess these skills in an authentic and open way, the Mathematics A-lympiad, a competition for teams in upper secondary school, was designed. Shortly hereafter a Mathematics B-day was developed which showed that open-ended tasks for teams can also be designed within the domain of pure, formal mathematics. As a result of the success of the Mathematics A-lympiad, similar activities have been created for lower secondary and for primary school. The Mathematics A-lympiad assignments fulfil specific requirements, such as being accessible for all students, eliciting mathematical thinking and providing opportunity for different strategies and solutions. In the wake of these events more attention is paid to higher-order thinking skills in regular mathematics education as well
O overshoot na cinética do consumo de oxigênio
No full textTCC (Graduação) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Centro de Desportos. Curso de Graduação em Educação Física.A resposta do consumo de oxigênio (V O2) ao exercício pode fornecer valiosas informações sobre a aptidão aeróbia e as condições de saúde do indivíduo. O modelo de curva multi-exponencial baseado em Sistemas de Primeira Ordem (FOS) é amplamente aceito para a explicação da resposta do V O2 frente a estímulos do tipo degrau. No entanto, alguns dados experimentais demonstram um comportamento diferenciado do V O2 frente a tais estímulos, segundo o qual um consumo superior ao valor final de estabilização é atingido antes da estabilização (o chamado overshoot) e, portanto, divergindo do modelo assintótico do FOS. Assim sendo, o presente estudo teve como objetivo principal revisar a literatura em busca de informações acerca do fenômeno do overshoot na cinética do V O2 (OV O2K). Mais especificamente, foi identificado que a ocorrência do OV O2K é favorecida (i) em indivíduos treinados; (ii) a baixas cargas de trabalho (aparentemente restritas ao domínio moderado); e (iii) preferencialmente no ciclismo em relação à corrida. Adicionalmente, são apresentadas três modelagens alternativas para dados contendo o OV O2K, sendo apenas uma delas aparentemente coerente com o fenômeno fisiológico real. Ainda, são apontadas especulações explanatórias para o OV O2K de natureza metodológico-experimental, biomecânica e fisiológica, de modo que a combinação destas três linhas de raciocínio em um modelo integrativo ‒ possivelmente regido pelas leis de um Sistema de Segunda Ordem ‒ pareça ser a solução mais adequada para a modelagem do sistema humano de consumo de oxigênio
Ferramenta para a previsão de vento e dispersão de poluentes na micro-escala atmosférica
No full textTese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Mecânica.O presente trabalho teve como objetivo principal a implementação de uma ferramenta para a previsão do campo de vento e concentração de poluentes na micro-escala atmosférica. Para a obtenção deste objetivo, modelos de última geração para o cálculo do campo de vento e concentração de poluentes na atmosfera foram unificados através de uma interface totalmente concebida no SINMEC/UFSC. Esta interface foi testada e verificada utilizando dados reais e simulados de vento, apresentando bons resultados. Os modelos utilizados foram o Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS), California Meteorological Model (CALMET) e o California Puff Model (CALPUFF). Os resultados das simulações com os modelos ARPS e CALMET foram avaliados utilizando índices estatísticos, e apresentaram valores comparáveis aos encontrados na literatura. Os resultados obtidos para as concentrações de poluentes, como modelo CALPUFF, foram por sua vez, comparados com dados reais de concentração de poluentes, fornecidos pela empresa Tractebel Energia S.A., medidos nos arredores do complexo termoelétrico Presidente Jorge Lacerda, localizado no município de Capivari de Baixo (SC). Os resultados obtidos para concentração do poluente SO2 ficaram em torno de 30 a 60 % dentro de um fator de 2 (FAC2), que por sua vez, estão dentro intervalo esperado para concentrações calculadas pelos modelos que hoje representam o estado da arte em termos de dispersão de poluentes. A implementação desta ferramenta a nível operacional no CLIMERH/EPAGRI (Centro Integrado de Meteorologia e Recursos Hídricos/Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária e Extensão Rural de Santa Catarina S.A.) deverá cumprir o importante papel social da proteção e monitoramento da qualidade do ar em regiões do Estado de Santa Catarina afetadas, eventualmente, por problemas de poluição atmosférica. O campo de vento previsto com esta ferramenta poderá também ser utilizado no setor de geração de energia eólica, que vem se expandido nos últimos anos aqui no estado de Santa Catarina
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