scholarly journals Scrotal thermographic profile and seminal characteristics of Mangalarga Marchador stallions bred in the Atlantic Rainforest biome

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 763-770
Author(s):  
W.M. Machado ◽  
C.H.S.C. Barros ◽  
S.V. Matarazzo ◽  
P.P.N. Snoeck

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the scrotal thermographic profile and to verify the influence of temperature and humidity of the humid tropical climate on testicular temperature and seminal quality of Mangalarga Marchador stallions. The thermal profiles of the proximal, middle, and distal zones of the testicles and total surface temperature (TSTT) were recorded using an FLIR E60bx thermal imager. The average air temperature (°C) and relative humidity (%) were obtained 1, 5, 9, 33, and 66 days before semen collection and showed a mean value of 26.5±2.4 and 80.4±6.0 respectively. The scrotal surface temperature was close to 34°C and there was no variation with the age of the stallion, reproductive activity, and characteristics of the ejaculate (P>0.05). The only significant correlations obtained were between TSTT and minor defects (R = 0.41; P<0.05), between TSTT and total defects (R = 0.46; P<0.01), and between TSTT and percentage of morphologically normal sperm (R = -0.46; P<0.05). It was concluded that the Mangalarga Marchador stallions maintained the testicular temperature within favorable conditions for spermatogenesis, demonstrating the efficiency of testicular thermoregulation mechanisms in the Atlantic Forest biome.

Andrologia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. e12836 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. K. X. Silva ◽  
J. S. Sousa ◽  
A. O. A. Silva ◽  
J. B. Lourenço Junior ◽  
C. Faturi ◽  
...  

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1107
Author(s):  
Yingxia He ◽  
Shuang Chen ◽  
Ke Tang ◽  
Yan Xu ◽  
Xiaowei Yu

Pungency is a crucial sensory feature that influences consumers’ appreciation and preferences toward alcoholic beverages. However, the quantitation of pungency is challenging to achieve using sensory analysis because of persistence, accumulation, and desensitization to the pungency perception. This study aimed to design a novel pungency evaluation method based on the measurement of tongue surface temperature. An infrared thermal (IRT) imager technique for measuring tongue surface temperature was established. To validate its feasibility, the IRT technique was used to measure tongue surface temperatures after the tongue was stimulated by (1) water and Baijiu, (2) different concentrations of ethanol aqueous solution (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50%, v/v), (3) ethanol aqueous solution and Baijiu samples with the same ethanol content, and (4) 26 Baijiu samples with different pungency level. For all cases, tongue surface temperatures showed large differences as a result of the different stimulation. The results showed that the tongue surface temperature correlated with the pungency intensity obtained by the sensory analysis. The relationship between tongue surface temperature and pungency intensity was established by multiple linear regression analysis. The IRT technique was able to be a useful support tool to quantitatively predict the pungency of alcoholic beverages, based on the measurement of tongue surface temperature.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tilahun Fufa Debela ◽  
Zerihun Asefa Hordofa ◽  
Aster Berhe Aregawi ◽  
Demisew Amenu Sori

Abstract Background The consequences of obstetric fistula on affected women are more than the medical condition. It has extensive physical, psychological, social, and economic consequences on them. Obstetric fistula affects the entire health and entire life of women. Women suffering from obstetric fistula are often abandoned by her partner, relatives, and the community. This study aimed to determine the quality of life of obstetrics fistula patients before and after surgical repair. Methods Institutional-based prospective, before and after study design was conducted in the Jimma University Medical Center from November 1, 2019–October 30, 2020. A face-to-face interview was conducted with fistula patients who visited Jimma University Medical center, fistula clinic during the study period. All fistula patients were included in the study. Accordingly, 78 women who underwent surgical repair were interviewed. The means and the standard deviation were computed using conventional statistics formulas. The unpaired t-test was used to compare two independent means, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the quality of life before repair and after a successful repair. Linear regression analysis was done for identifying determinants of quality of life. A P value of 0.05 will be considered statistical significance. Result The overall quality of life of women was 58.17 ± 7.2 before the surgical repair and 71.20 ± 10.79 after surgical repair. The result indicates there is a significant difference in the mean value of pre and post-operative (P < 0.001). The overall satisfaction of women with their health status before the surgical repair was 22.5 ± 1.30and it has increased to 53.0 ± .90after surgical repair. The physical health dimension score was 16.51 ± 5.27 before the surgical repair while it has increased to 21.77 ± 5.38 after the surgical repair. The score of the social domain before the surgical repair was 5.19 ± 1.34 and it has increased to 7.13 ± 3.67 after the surgical repair. The score of the environmental health domain was 17.41 ± 2.89 before the surgery while it also increased to 21.65 ± 4.04 after the surgical repair. The results have shown there was a significant difference in the mean values of pre and post-operatives in both social and environmental scores (P < 0.001). The score of the psychological health domain before the surgery was 19.06 ± 1.46 and it was increased to 19.84 ± 3.21 after the surgical repair. The result showed there is a significant difference in mean value pre and post-operative (P = 0.048), though it is a slight improvement compared to other domains. Conclusion The overall quality of life of the patient with fistula was improved after successful surgical repair. Although all domains of quality of life had shown significant improvement after successful surgical repair, the psychological domain showed slight improvement.


Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 3206
Author(s):  
Xuehui Chen ◽  
Xin Xu ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
Lei Huang ◽  
Hao Li ◽  
...  

This paper studies the compound effect of liquid medium and laser on the workpiece and analyses the law of material surface temperature change during the processing. Taking 7075-T6 aluminum alloy as the research object, the surface temperature field of aluminum alloy processed using water-jet-assisted laser machining under different process parameters was simulated using finite element software. In addition, the temperature field of the material surface was detected in real-time using the self-built water-jet-assisted laser machining temperature field detection system, and the processing results were observed and verified using an optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, and energy spectrum analyzer. The results show that when the water jet inflow angle is 45°, the heat-affected area of the material surface is the smallest, and the cooling effect of the temperature field of the material surface is better. Considering the liquidus melting point of 7075 aluminum alloys, it is concluded that the processing effect is better when the water jet velocity is 14 m·s−1, the laser power is 100 W, and the laser scanning speed is 1.2 mm·s−1. At this time, the quality of the tank is relatively good, there are no cracks in the bottom of the tank, and there is less slag accumulation. Compared with anhydrous laser etching, water-jet-assisted laser etching can reduce the problems of micro-cracks, molten slag, and the formation of a recast layer in laser etching and improve the quality of the workpiece, and the composition of the bottom slag does not change. This study provides theoretical guidance and application support for the selection and optimization of process parameters for water-jet-assisted laser etching of aluminum alloy and further enriches the heat transfer mechanism of multi-field coupling in the process of water-jet-assisted laser machining.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1079.1-1079
Author(s):  
I. Yoshii

Background:Boolean remission criteria is one most popular and stringent criteria in treating patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), because it may guarantees a stable clinical course after attaining remission.Objectives:Impact of time span from initiation to achieving Boolean remission on maintaining disease activity, daily activities, and quality of life after attaining Boolean remission was investigated from daily clinical practice data.Methods:685 patients with RA since August 2010 under the T2T strategy were treated. They were monitored for their TJC, SJC, PGA, EGA, CRP, and disease activity indices such as CDAI, SDAI, DAS28, and Boolean criteria at every visit. HAQ-DI score, pain score using visual analog scale (PS-VAS), and EQ-5D were also monitored, and the quality of life score (QOLS) calculated from EQ-5D was determined at every visit from the time of diagnosis (baseline).Of 685 patients, 465 patients had achieved Boolean remission >1 times, and were consecutively followed up for >3 years. These patients were enrolled in the study. Time span from the first visit to first Boolean remission was calculated. The relationship between the time span and each of background parameters, and the relationship between the time span and each of the mean values of the SDAI score, HAQ score, PS-VAS, SHS, and QOLS at the first Boolean remission and thereafter was evaluated statistically.Patients were subsequently divided into the G ≤ 6 and G > 6 groups based on the achievement of first Boolean remission within two groups: time span G ≤ 6 months and G > 6 months. The two groups were compared with regard to the SDAI score, HAQ score, PS-VAS, SHS, and QOLS at first visit and at the time of first Boolean remission, and the mean values of these parameters after remission were evaluated statistically. Moreover, changes of these parameters and the mean Boolean remission rate after the first remission, and SDAI remission rate at the first Boolean remission to thereafter were compared between the two groups statistically.Results:Out of 465 patients, females comprised 343 (73.7%), and the mean age was 67.8 years (range, from 21–95 years). The mean disease duration at first visit was 6.1 years (range, from 1 months–45 years). The mean follow up length was 88.1 months (range: 36–122 months; median: 85 months) and mean time span from the first visit to the first Boolean remission was 8.1 months. The mean SDAI score, HAQ score, PS-VAS, and the QOLS at first visit were 13.3, 0.467, 33.2, and 0.834, respectively. Among the study parameters, PS-VAS and QOLS were significantly correlated with the time span. For parameters at the first Boolean remission, HAQ-DI score, PS-VAS, and QOLS demonstrated significant correlation with the time span, whereas SDAI, HAQ-DI score, PS-VAS, SHS, and QOLS after the Boolean remission demonstrated significant correlation with the time span.The comparison between the G ≤ 6 and the G > 6 groups revealed that the disease duration, HAQ score, and PS-VAS at baseline in the G > 6 were significantly higher than that in the G ≤ 6 group, and QOLS in the G ≤ 6 group was significantly higher than that in the G > 6 group at baseline. Similarly, the HAQ score and PS-VAS at the first Boolean remission in the G > 6 group were significantly higher than that in the G ≤ 6 group, whereas QOLS in the G ≤ 6 group demonstrated no significant difference compared with that in the G > 6 group.The mean value of the SDAI score after the first Boolean remission in the G > 6 group was significantly higher than that in the G ≤ 6 group. Similarly, the SDAI score, HAQ score, and PS-VAS after the first Boolean remission in the G > 6 group were also significantly higher than those in the G ≤ 6 group, and the mean value of the QOLS in the G ≤ 6 group were significantly higher than that in the G > 6 group. The Boolean remission rate and SDAI remission rate after the first Boolean remission were significantly higher in the G ≤ 6 group than those in the G > 6 group.Conclusion:Attaining Boolean remission ≤ 6 months for RA has significant benefit for more stable disease control, that leads good maintenance of ADL.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 5-12
Author(s):  
Rizwana Abdul Hye ◽  
Bindiya Gisuthan ◽  
Indira Kariveettil

Introduction: Leishman stain has been used as the stain of choice for peripheral blood films since many decades .But it has a disadvantage of consuming 15 minutes for the procedure alone thereby increasing the turn around time of peripheral smear reporting. In this study modified Leishman stain was made by adding phenol to conventional Leishman to reduce the staining time to 3 minutes without interfering with the quality of stain. Aim: To study the quality of modified Leishman stain in comparison with conventional preparation on peripheral blood smears. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out in Central Haematology laboratory of a tertiary health care centre in Southern India. A pilot study was done to determine the ideal ratio of phenol to Leishman powder in preparing modified stain without compromising the staining quality. After obtaining consent, the blood sample was collected in anticoagulated vials. Sample size was calculated to be 85.Two thin wedge smears were prepared from each sample and one was stained with conventional Leishman stain and other with modified Leishman stain. The staining characteristics were assessed and scored by an experienced pathologist in terms of 6 parameters- RBC pattern, nuclear pattern, neutrophil granules, eosinophil granules, platelets and background staining. The grades were 1, 2, 3 & 4 (poor, satisfied, good and excellent). Smears each with grades 2, 3 and 4 were selected for study. The results were analysed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 16.0. Result: The mean value for the staining quality using conventional method was 4.73 and for modified method was 5.39, and the total score possible is 6. Photomicrograph showed excellent results with modified Leishman stain. Thus from these values we can interpret that modified method gave much more acceptable results than that of conventional method. Conclusion: Unlike the conventional method which requires a total of 15 minutes, to complete the staining process, modified Leishman staining techniques takes only 3 minutes. Blood films can be stained within a short period of time thus aiding in rapid diagnosis and treatment of patients. Keywords: Leishman stain, Modified Leishman stain, Phenol.


2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 234-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Gonçalves Campolina ◽  
Rossana Veronica Mendoza Lopez ◽  
Elene Paltrinieri Nardi ◽  
Marcos Bosi Ferraz

Summary Objective: This study describes the summary scores of the Short Form-12 (SF-12) questionnaire, according to socio-demographic factors obtained in a probabilistic and representative sample of the Brazilian urban population. Method: Five thousand (5,000) individuals, over the age of 15, were assessed in 16 capital cities, in the five regions of the country. The selection of households was random. Face-to-face approach was applied in the household interviews. The SF-12 questionnaire was used to assess quality of life. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics were also evaluated: gender, age, marital status, skin color, region of the country and use of the public health service. Results: The mean value (SD) of the SF-12 for the entire population was 49.3 (8.7) for the physical component (PCS-12) and 52.7 (9.7) for the mental component (MCS-12). Statistical differences were found for gender (PCS-12 and MCS-12), age (PCS-12) and working status (PCS-12 and MCS-12). Women, elderly, widowed and unemployed individuals, those with lower income and with complaints in the last seven days showed lower mean values (PCS-12 and MCS-12). Conclusion: From this point forward, we can provide the basis for comparisons with future research that use the SF-12 for quality of life assessment in Brazil. The Brazilian population has a lower degree of quality of life related do the physical component, and the SF-12 is a useful and discriminative instrument for assessing quality of life in different socio-demographic groups.


Connectivity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 148 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
V. V. Grebenyuk ◽  
◽  
O. A. Dibrivnyy ◽  
O. V. Nehodenko

A comparative analysis of functions to assess image quality in the absence of a sample: no-reference (NR) measure or NR-type methods. The availability of NR-methods is very important for assessing the quality of streaming video such as television, game streaming, online conferences, web-chatting, etc. (because on the side of the recipient of the video there is no standard for quality comparison) and assessing the results of transformations aimed at improving video, and choosing the parameters of these transformations (brightness change, semitone and others). The human visual system (HVS) is able to visually assessing video quality, but If required to visually assess the quality of dozens or hundreds of videos or ranking them by quality level it will be needed a huge amount of time. Six types of experiments were performed to analyze the correlation of calculated quantitative estimates with visual assessments of the quality of the tested video files. Three of them are fundamentally new: comparing video after gamma correction and changing the contrast with different parameters, as well as blurring, which may be the result of defocusing the camcorder. A hybrid method (or reduced-reference (RR) measure) and a full-reference (FR) measure or FR-type method were also added for comparison. It has been experimentally shown that none of the studied non-reference methods of image quality assessment is universal, and the calculated assessment cannot be converted into a quality scale without taking into account the factors influencing the distortion of image quality. Moreover, all NR-type methods could not cope with the experiment of changing the contrast, believing that the best result is the most contrasting image but the original. Instead, the reference methods showed an excellent result (except one, which showed partial ineffectiveness). Also, it has been shown performance comparison between methods. It is shown that most of the studied methods calculate local estimates for each frame, and their arithmetic mean value is an estimate of the quality of the entire video file. If the video is dominated by large areas of uniform evaluation, methods of this type may give incorrect quality evaluations that do not coincide with the visual evaluations.


2019 ◽  
pp. 144-149
Author(s):  
K. B. Oleksii ◽  
T. V. Savaryn ◽  
I. I. Vorona

Different approaches to the study of the system of students’ individual work management have been analyzed. The peculiarity of the proposed integrative technology of students’ individual work management is that the management effectiveness is achieved through the organization of the students’ individual work with diagnostic objectives, the achievement of which is subject to a clear description and definition. Structural components of integrated technology are: goals, content, methods, organizational forms and functional components. It has been proved that the effectiveness of management of students’ individual work depends on the goals and methods of achieving them; internal motivation and cognitive interests of students; quality of the content aspect of educational information for self-study; creation of favorable conditions for self-realization of a student; the methodological provision of the discipline, its precise planning, organization and management, student’s free time; the competent use of various forms of current and periodic control. Integrated technology develops intellectual and creative students’ abilities, helps to make decisions. This circumstance is especially important, as in modern science, there is an increasingly evident tendency to the synthesis of knowledge, to the awareness and disclosure of the collectivity of cognition objects.


2017 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 95-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Rameeh ◽  
M. Gerami ◽  
V. Ghasemi Omran ◽  
S. Ghavampour

Abstract Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni), with great potential as a natural sweeteners source, has a high content of sweeteners, which are up to 150 times sweeter than sugar, but virtually with no calories. Stevia also suitable to be cultivated in semiarid climates and coastal areas, which are characterized by the low quality of the irrigation water. Soil salinity occupies a prominent place among the soil problems that threaten the sustainability of agriculture over a vast area in the world. Glycine betaine is an osmoprotectant, that plays an important role and accumulates rapidly in many plants during salinity or drought stress. In order to evaluation of glycine betaine amending effects on salinity stress in stevia under in vitro condition, a factorial experiment was conducted in 2015. Four NaCl levels, including 0, 50, 75 and 100 mM, along with 0, 1, 12.5, 25 and 50 mM of glycine betaine concentrations were used in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. The results showed that salinity levels had significant reduction effects on plant height, root length, shoot fresh weight, number of leaf, total chlorophyll, rebaudioside A and stevioside of the stevia genotype. Due to increasing of glycine betaine, levels all the traits were increased. Owing to amending effect of glycine betaine, its high concentrations made less hazarding effects of salinity on the researched traits. The highest mean value of rebaudioside A (10.62rt) and stevioside (23.38rt) determined at 50 mM of glycine betaine with 0 mM of NaCl concentration.


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