ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the metabolizable energy, standardized ileal amino acid digestibility (SIAAD) and digestible amino acid values of wheat meal (WM), wheat gluten meal (WGM), meat bone meal (MBM) and poultry-by-product meal (PPM) in diets for broilers. In the first experiment, the total excreta collection method was used, with 180 chicks with 14 days, distributed in a completely randomized design, with 4 feeds + reference diet with 6 replicates and 6 broilers each. In the second experiment, 180 broilers from 24 to 28 days old were used, distributed in a completely randomized design, with 4 feeds + one protein free diet with 6 replicates and 6 broilers each. The AMEn values of WM, WGM, MBM and PPM were 3052, 3174, 1556 and 3200 (kcal/kg), respectively. The average SIAAD of the essential and non-essential amino acids of WM, WGM, MBM and PPM were 74.21, 97.50, 69.28 and 83.08; 76.32, 96.42, 63.93 and 77.66, respectively. The values of the main digestible limiting amino acids were 0.18, 1.42, 0.41 and 0.94 for methionine; 0.20, 1.48, 1.73 and 2.73 for lysine; 0.23, 1.67, 0.72 and 1.89 for threonine; and 0.35, 3.22, 1.38 and 2.47 for valine, respectively for the feedstuffs in study.

Early dietary treatment of phenylketonuria (PKU), an inborn error of phenylalanine (Phe) metabolism, results in normal cognitive development. Although health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of PKU patients has been reported as unaffected in high-income countries, there are scarce data concerning HRQoL and adherence to treatment of PKU children and adolescents from Brazil. The present study compared HRQoL scores in core dimensions of Brazilian early-treated PKU pediatric patients with those of a reference population, and explored possible relationships between adherence to treatment and HRQoL. Early-treated PKU pediatric patient HRQoL was evaluated by self- and parent-proxy reports of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) core scales. Adherence to treatment was evaluated by median Phe levels and percentage of results within the therapeutic target range in two periods. Means for total and core scales scores of PedsQL self- and parent proxy-reports of PKU patients were significantly lower than their respective means for controls. Adequacy of median Phe concentrations and the mean percentage of values in the target range fell substantially from the first year of life to the last year of this study. There was no significant difference in mean total and core scale scores for self- and parent proxy-reports between patients with adequate and those with inadequate median Phe concentrations. The harmful consequences for intellectual capacity caused by poor adherence to dietary treatment could explain the observed decrease in all HRQoL scales, especially in school functioning. Healthcare system and financial difficulties may also have influenced negatively all HRQoL dimensions.

Life history parameters such as diet, reproduction, and sexual dimorphism are crucial to understand ecological and evolutionary forces shaping species traits. Nevertheless, such information is scant in the literature for most Neotropical squamates. Gymnophthalmidae contains over 242 species in 46 genera and includes small-size, mostly terrestrial species, although psamophilic, semi-aquatic, and low vegetation dwellers also occur. Dryadosaura is a monospecific genus - Dryadosaura nordestina Rodrigues et al., 2005 - , occurring in Atlantic Forest areas from Rio Grande do Norte to Northern Bahia, and little is known about its ecology and natural history. We analyzed the species' diet, reproduction, and sexual dimorphism based on 170 specimens deposited in museum collections. Dryadosaura nordestina is considered generalist and active forager, based on dietary items. Arthropods, especially ants and insect larvae, dominate the diet. The reproductive period shows a peak during the rainy season (May through June), while recruitment occurs from July through November. Males are significantly larger than females, and sexes can also be distinguished based on shape variables: males have higher heads and longer bodies, while body height and width are larger in females.

Neste artigo usamos o formalismo Lagragiano da mecânica clássica e algumas hipóteses para obter as equações diferenciais cosmológicas análogas às equações de Friedmann e Einstein, obtidas a partir da teoria da relatividade geral. Este método pode ser usado para um universo constituído de matéria incoerente, isto é, o substrato cosmológico é composto de poeira.

In this paper, we use the Lagrangian formalism of classical mechanics and some assumptions to obtain cosmological differential equations analogous to Friedmann and Einstein equations, obtained from the theory of general relativity. This method can be used to a universe constituted of incoherent matter, that is, the cosmologic substratum is comprised of dust.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação de diferentes doses de nitrogênio no solo e de épocas de coleta sobre a eficiência nutricional do nitrogênio e a produção de biomassa em Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) em condições de casa de vegetação. O substrato utilizado foi a camada de 0 - 20 cm de Latossolo Vermelho Distroférrico. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de quatro doses de N (0, 21, 42 e 84mg dm-3) e cinco épocas de colheita (15, 30, 45, 60 e 90 dias após o transplante). O teor de N na inflorescência de calêndula reduziu com as épocas de coleta, redução essa que ocorreu possivelmente devido à menor eficiência da absorção desse elemento pela planta e menor translocação do N para as inflorescências. Pode se concluir que as épocas de avaliação influenciaram na resposta da planta à eficiência de absorção (EFA), sendo a máxima EFA de N aos 51 dias após o transplante das mudas. Observou-se aumento na translocação de N da parte aérea (folhas e caules) para as inflorescências, tendo como consequência a redução do N na parte aérea. Houve incremento na produção de biomassa de calêndula em função das épocas de coleta , e do aumento das doses de N aplicadas no solo. A eficiência nutricional do N foi influenciada pelas épocas de avaliação e pelo teor de N presente no solo.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of both the application of different nitrogen levels on the soil and the harvest periods on nitrogen nutritional efficiency and biomass production in Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) under greenhouse conditions. The employed substrate was 0-20cm layer of Oxisol. Experimental design was completely randomized, with four replicates. Treatments consisted of four N levels (0, 21, 42 and 84 mg dm-3) and five harvest periods (15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 days after transplanting). N levels in Calendula officinalis inflorescences reduced with the harvest periods, and such a reduction was probably due to the lower efficiency of absorption of this element by the plant and to the lower N translocation to inflorescences. We can conclude that the evaluation periods influenced the response of plants to uptake efficiency (UE), and the maximal UE for N was found at 51 days after transplanting of seedlings. There was an increase in N translocation from the shoot (leaves and stems) to inflorescences, which has as consequence N reduction in the shoot. Calendula officinalis biomass production increased with the harvest periods and with the increase in the N levels applied on the soil. N nutritional efficiency was influenced by both the evaluation periods and the N levels present on the soil.

This study aimed to analyze the effects of metabolizable energy levels and the age at slaughter on growth performance, carcass yield and cuts broilers Caipira French Barré. The experiment was conducted in Parauapebas, PA. We used 192 one day chicks reared in intensive system. The experimental design was completely randomized with three treatments. Each treatment consisted of four replications, the experimental unit being a box of 16 birds. The treatments were defined according to the levels of metabolizable energy diets (1 to 28 days) and late (29 to 90 days),respectively: T1 - 3000 and 3100 kcal of ME/kg, T2 - 3100 and 3200 kcal/kg, T3 - 3200 and 3300 kcal of ME/kg. The variables studied were initial weight, final weight, feed intake and feed conversion, protein consumed, metabolized protein consumed, energy efficiency and protein efficiency. The characteristics of carcasses of birds, analyzed with 77, 84 and 91 days of age were the carcass, breast, thigh, drumstick, wing, back, wings, feet, head and neck. The statistical analysis was performed using the ANOVA procedure for a completely randomized model with the System for statistical analysis and genetics (SAEG, 2007). Differences between means of variables were performed by Tukey's test at a level of 5%. The energy levels in the diets did not affect on the performance and carcass yield, breast, thighs, drumsticks, wings, feet and head + neck in birds. The level of 3200 kcal/kg provided better yield back. The protein and metabolic energy consumed by the birds improved with higher energy content of feed during the fattening stage. Age at slaughter did not affect carcass yield, however the birds slaughtered at 90 days of age showed higher breast yield.

Objetivou-se analisar os efeitos dos níveis de energia metabolizável e da idade de abate sobre o desempenho zootécnico, rendimento de carcaça e cortes de frangos da linhagem Caipira Francês Barré. O experimento foi conduzido em galpão experimental localizado em Parauapebas, PA. Foram utilizados 192 pintos, mistos, de 1 dia, criados em sistema intensivo. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, com 3 tratamentos. Cada tratamento foi formado de 4 repetições, sendo a unidade experimental 1 box de 16 aves. Os tratamentos foram definidos de acordo com os níveis de energia metabolizável das rações inicial (1 a 28 dias) e final (29 a 90 dias), respectivamente: T1 - 3000 e 3100 kcal de EM/kg; T2 - 3100 e 3200 kcal de EM/kg; T3 - 3200 e 3300 kcal de EM/kg. As variáveis estudadas foram peso inicial, peso final, consumo de ração e conversão alimentar, proteína bruta consumida, proteína metabolizada consumida, eficiência energética e eficiência protéica. As características de carcaças das aves, analisadas com 77, 84 e 91 dias de idade, foram o rendimento de carcaça, peito, coxas, sobrecoxas, asa, dorso, asas, pés, cabeça e pescoço. A análise estatística dos dados foi realizada utilizando o procedimento ANOVA, para um modelo inteiramente casualizado, com o programa Sistema para análise estatística e genética (SAEG, 2007). As diferenças entre as médias das variáveis estudadas foram realizadas pelo Teste de Tukey a um nível de 5%. Os níveis de energia nas dietas não interferiram no desempenho zootécnico e no rendimento de carcaça, peito, coxas, sobrecoxas, asas, pés e cabeça + pescoço das aves. O nível de 3200 kcal de EM/kg proporcionou melhor rendimento de dorso. A proteína bruta e a energia metabolizada consumida pelas aves melhoraram com o incremento energético da ração, durante a fase de engorda. A idade de abate não influenciou no rendimento de carcaça, entretanto as aves abatidas aos 90 dias de idade apresentaram maior rendimento de peito.