OBJECTIVES: This paper proposes imaging with 3-dimensional vibroacoustography for postoperatively assessing the uncovered cup area after total hip arthroplasty as a quantitative criterion to evaluate implant fixation. METHODS: A phantom with a bone-like structure covered by a tissue-mimicking material was used to simulate a total hip arthroplasty case. Vibroacoustography images of the uncovered cup region were generated using a two-element confocal ultrasound transducer and a hydrophone inside a water tank. Topological correction based on the geometry of the implant was performed to generate a 3-dimensional representation of the vibroacoustography image and to accurately evaluate the surface. The 3-dimensional area obtained by the vibroacoustography approach was compared to the area evaluated by a 3-dimensional motion capture system. RESULTS: The vibroacoustography technique provided high-resolution, high-contrast, and speckle-free images with less sensitivity to the beam incidence. Using a 3-dimensional-topology correction of the image, we accurately estimated the uncovered area of the implant with a relative error of 8.1% in comparison with the motion capture system measurements. CONCLUSION: Measurement of the cup coverage after total hip arthroplasty has not been well established; however, the covered surface area of the acetabular component is one of the most important prognostic factors. The preliminary results of this study show that vibroacoustography is a 3-dimensional approach that can be used to postoperatively evaluate total hip arthroplasty. The favorable results also provide an impetus for exploring vibroacoustography in other bone or implant surface imaging applications.

Avaliaram-se o desempenho e as características bioquímicas de leitões desmamados, utilizando-se aditivos alternativos em substituição aos antibióticos. Foram utilizados 480 leitões machos, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, composto por cinco tratamentos. A ração foi à base de milho, farelo de soja e um núcleo comercial para leitões. Os tratamentos consistiram em T1: ração sem aditivos, T2: dieta basal com antibiótico, T3: dieta basal com adição de prebiótico, T4: dieta basal com adição de probiótico e T5: dieta basal com adição de simbiótico. Foram avaliados peso corporal, ganho de peso, consumo de ração e conversão alimentar. Em 50 amostras de sangue de leitões, sendo 10 amostras de cada tratamento, avaliaram-se as concentrações séricas de proteínas totais, de albumina e globulina, a relação albumina:globulina e a fosfatase alcalina, creatinina, alanina aminotransferase, aspartato aminotransferase, gama- glutamiltransferase, colesterol, ureia, cálcio e fósforo e a relação cálcio:fósforo. A substituição de antibióticos por aditivos alternativos não influenciou o desempenho nem as características bioquímicas dos leitões.

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance and biochemical parameters in weaned piglets using alternative supplements to replace antibiotics. A total of 480 male pigs were used, randomly distributed in delineation with five treatments. The feed was based on corn, soybean meal and a commercial core for piglets. The treatments were T1: diet without supplements or basal diet, T2: basal diet with antibiotics, T3: basal diet with added probiotic, T4: basal diet with added probiotic and T5: basal diet with addition of symbiotic. In the experiment we evaluated performance characteristics, body weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion. In the second part of the experiment, we evaluated the biochemical parameters of piglets used in the first experiment, fifty blood samples, ten samples of each treatment, were taken, and after separation of the clot, the serum was frozen at -20°C. Subsequently we analyzed the serum levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin, ALP, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyltransferase, cholesterol, urea, calcium, phosphorus and calcium/phosphorus ratio. No significant differences in biochemical parameters or in the performance of piglets submitted to different diets were found.

O tráfego contínuo e inadequado de máquinas em solos sob semeadura direta tem provocado alterações dos atributos físicos e mecânicos dos solos, influenciando, dessa forma, na produtividade das culturas. O experimento foi conduzido na Estação Experimental Agronômica da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, no município de Eldorado do Sul - RS, num Argissolo Vermelho distrófico típico, com o objetivo de quantificar a força de tração e obter informações sobre os atributos físicos do solo, em semeadura direta sobre resíduos de aveia-preta e ervilhaca parcialmente decomposta. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, com parcelas subsubdivididas, sendo, nas parcelas principais, doses de resíduos da cultura de inverno (0; 1,3; 2,6; 3,2; 3,8 e 5,1 Mg ha-1) de palha de aveia-preta consorciada com ervilhaca, nas subparcelas profundidades de atuação da haste sulcadora de adubo (0,06 e 0,12 m) e nas subsubparcelas tráfegos dos rodados do trator e colhedora. Os atributos físicos do solo foram afetados pelo tráfego dos rodados da máquina. A força de tração foi influenciada pela profundidade de atuação das hastes sulcadoras e o tráfego dos rodados.

The continuous and inadequate machine traffic on soils under direct drilling has been changing the soil physical and mechanical properties, influencing therefore crop productivity. The experiment was carried out at the Agricultural Research Station of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (Eldorado do Sul, RS, Brazil) on Typic Paleudlt. The main aim of the work was to measure coulter draft requirements and physical attributes under black oats (Avena strigosa Schieb) and common vetch (CV) (Vicia sativa L.) partially decomposed. The experimental design was carried out in randomized blocks, with split-split-plots and three repetitions. The main treatments were plots with different amount of residues of the winter crop (0, 1,3; 2,6; 3,2; 3,8 and 5,1 Mg ha-1), sub-plots were two working depth of the driller chisel-type furrow opener, and two traffic conditions (combine and tractor wheel traffic).The physical characteristics of the soil were influenced by the traffic tracks. The whole tractor-drill was influenced by the depths of fertilizer shanks and traffic of traffic tracks and combine.