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The presence of missing values (missings) in data series is a common issue that needs to be adequately addressed to ensure the validity of certain statistical methods and, in turn, to minimize biases that might affect study outcomes and conclusions. Various methods can be applied depending on the dataset characteristics and the amount of data lost. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of internal multiple imputation approaches, 'pmm' and 'midastouch,' for sets of meteorological variables with daily and hourly frequencies. The first set was collected in the municipality of Botucatu, and the second in Tupã, both in São Paulo State, Brazil. These datasets comprise information on global solar radiation, wind speed, air temperature, maximum air temperature, minimum air temperature, relative air humidity, maximum relative humidity, and minimum relative humidity for the period from March 20, 2018, to March 19, 2021, gathered by the São Paulo State University - UNESP (Botucatu–SP) and the Brazilian Institute of Meteorology–INMET (Tupã–SP). Analysis of the missing values revealed that the time series from Botucatu–SP had 1.4% data loss, whereas Tupã–SP had 7%. Given the amount of missing data, imputation was performed using the 'pmm' and 'midastouch' methods, implemented through the R software. Results indicate that both procedures offer satisfactory performance in imputing values for continuous variables, with superior performance for hourly frequency data. The greater level of detail in hourly data enables a better understanding of the associated nuances and uncertainties.

Electrostatic discharge-sensitive devices (ESDS) consist of electronic systems that are easily damaged by electrostatic fields or discharges. To safely stow and transit the ESDS, Bosch Car Multimedia S.A. resorts to thermoformed trays with a specific design for each product configuration. Although efficient, the solutions’ specificity arose logistic issues that created the need for an alternative approach. This paper reports the investigation for the development of a flexible tray, based on an electrostatic-dissipative integral skin foam. First, a commercial integral skin polyurethane foam was evaluated by varying components mixing ratio. Once achieved a suitable combination of hardness and density, post-formulation additives (colour and anti-static) were investigated. Free expansion foaming stages were assessed and cured foams were characterised in terms of electrostatic discharge protection. Moulded foams with variable patterns were developed and evaluated considering the application purpose requirements. Real-scale prototypes of the most adequate concept design were produced and analysed.

ABSTRACTElectrostatic discharge-sensitive devices (ESDS) consist of electronic systems that are easily damaged by electrostatic fields or discharges. To safely stow and transit the ESDS, Bosch Car Multimedia S.A. resorts to thermoformed trays with a specific design for each product configuration. Although efficient, the solutions’ specificity arose logistic issues that created the need for an alternative approach. This paper reports the investigation for the development of a flexible tray, based on an electrostatic-dissipative integral skin foam. First, a commercial integral skin polyurethane foam was evaluated by varying components mixing ratio. Once achieved a suitable combination of hardness and density, post-formulation additives (colour and anti-static) were investigated. Free expansion foaming stages were assessed and cured foams were characterised in terms of electrostatic discharge protection. Moulded foams with variable patterns were developed and evaluated considering the application purpose requirements. Real-scale prototypes of the most adequate concept design were produced and analysed.

We investigated whether the adaptation of postural control to perform saccadic tasks is still maintained in challenging situations such as when the posture is challenged with a large movement of the moving room and with the addition of a second perturbation as a visual task of memorization. Thirty young adults (20.0 ± 1.3 years) were randomly assigned to the control and experimental groups. Participants stood upright on a force plate inside a moving room wearing eye-tracking. The room moved back and forth (anterior–posterior direction), at low (.6 cm—first and third trials) and high (3.5 cm—second trial) amplitude, and frequency of .2 Hz. In each trial, participants performed left-right horizontal saccades on a target (1.1 Hz). The experimental group also performed a concomitant number memorization task. There were no differences between groups in the coupling between center of pressure (CoP) displacements and visual stimulus in any condition. There was also no difference in the performance of the saccadic task. In the memorization task, CoP displacements in response to the visual stimulus frequency (room motion) were not affected. The performance in the memorization task was similar between room conditions. Overall, increasing cognitive involvement by adding a working memory task does not deteriorate the postural stabilization of young adults to accomplish accurate gaze shifts. Also, it does not interfere with adaptive visual reweighting due to changes in the moving room amplitude. In conclusion, young adults are flexible in optimizing their postural control to succeed in multiple tasks even under perturbation.

Some species of CyclocephalaDejean, 1821 (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Dynastinae, Cyclocephalini) were reported as crop or pasture pests. Within this genus, Cyclocephla tucumanaBréthes, 1904 was noticed in cultivated areas in South Brazil, 2009 − 2010. Other study found larvae of the species associated with pastures in Aquidauana, Mato Grasso do Sul State (MS), 2009. In the present study, larvae of C. tucumanawere collected in pasture areas from August 2015 to July 2016, in Cassilândia, MS. The material was reared in laboratory for the description of immatures, and the regional population was studied to clarify its dynamics. Immatures were abundant throughout the years and are described for the first time. Taxonomic discussion, updated key to larvae and pupae, and a teratological note are also added.

•Postural control is similar between mildly-affected PwMS and non-MS controls.•Saccadic eye movement decrease body sway in mildly PwMS.•PwMS presented some decrements in accuracy fixations on saccadic eye movement.

Dysphonia is a common symptom after thyroidectomy.

Mating behavior and description of immature stages of Cyclocephala melanocephala(Fabricius, 1775) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae), identification key and remarks on known immatures of Cyclocephalini species. Some species of CyclocephalaDejean, 1821 are regarded as rhizophagous crop pests and others as beneficial species. The objective of this work was to report the mating behavior and to describe the immature stages of C. melanocephala. The studies were developed at the Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sulin Cassilândia, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. Adults were collected with a light trap from September to December 2014 and 2015 to carry out studies of mating behavior, breeding, and descriptions of immature stages. Copulation lasted 10.4±4.3min and took place from 19:00 to 24:00h. Some females refused males for mating and moved away from them. Regarding flight period, adults were collected in larger quantities from 20:00 to 23:00h. Identification keys to immatures of three genera of Cyclocephalini, including several Cyclocephalaspecies are presented.

Description of immatures and mating behavior of Liogenys bidenticepsMoser, 1919 (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae: Melolonthinae). Some species of Melolonthinae are associated with several species of cropped plants, with larvae consuming roots and, in some cases, are considered as crop pests. In some agricultural regions of Brazil, larvae of L. bidenticepsare found associated with cultivated plants, and little information is available about this taxon. This study, aiming at expanding the knowledge about the morphology and behavior of this species, provides the description of immatures and mating behavior of adults. The studies were conducted at the experimental farm of the Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sulin Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil, and the adults were collected with light trap and raised in the laboratory. Mating behavior was documented on video both in the field and under laboratory conditions. Descriptions and illustrations of the third instar larva and pupa are presented. Adults have crepuscular flight activity and their copulation lasts an average of 20.25min, occurring from 19:00 to 22:00h. On some occasions, females did not accept males for copulation, indicating an active selection of males by females. Field observations demonstrated that adults feed on Brazilian pepper leaves (Schinus terebinthifolius, Anacardiaceae) and cashew flowers (Anacardium occidentale, Anacardiaceae), where male and female meet each other and copulation occurs.

To determine which variable (forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2), nocturnal hypoxaemia and muscular strength of femoral quadriceps) can predict the distance walked in the six-minute walk test (6MWT) by COPD patients.

Liogenys fuscais a rizophagous insect pest in various crops of economic importance in Brazil. Here we investigated the morphology of immature stages and mating behavior of this species. The redescription of the 3rd instar larvae of L. fuscain this work allows identification and registration of occurrence independently of adults, which occur sporadically in a certain period of the year. Male and female of L. fuscaremained confined in the soil during the day and exited between 19:00 and 23:30h. The copulations occurred between 19:30 and 21:00h, and were characterized by a typical behavioral sequence. Copulation durations in L. fuscalasted on average 512.23s. Adults were observed feeding before the copulations on leaves and inflorescences of plant species belonging to the family Anacardiaceae, Myracrodruon urundeuva, Schinus terebinthifolius, Astronium fraxinifoliumand Anacardium occidentale.

Cascade ball juggling is a complex perceptual motor skill which requires efficient postural stabilization. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of experience (expert and intermediate groups) and foot distance (wide and narrow stances) on body sway of jugglers during three ball cascade juggling. A total of 10 expert jugglers and 11 intermediate jugglers participated in this study. Participants stood barefoot on the force plate (some participants wore a gaze tracking system), with feet maintained in wide and narrow conditions and performed three 40-seconds trials of the three-ball juggling task. Dependent variables were sway mean velocity, amplitude, mean frequency, number of ball cycles, fixation number, mean duration and its variability, and area of gaze displacement. Two-way analyses of variance with factors for group and condition were conducted. Experts’ body sway was characterized by lower velocity and smaller amplitude as compared to intermediate group. Interestingly, the more challenging (narrow) basis of support caused significant attenuation in body sway only for the intermediate group. These data suggest that expertise in cascade juggling was associated with refined postural control.

There have been contradictory reports regarding resistance exercise and central arterial compliance. The American Heart Association has recommended its use in preventingtreating cardiovascular diseases. We examined the effects of long-term endurance running and intense resistance training on central hemodynamics, compared with healthy control (CON).

To analyze the effect of a single bout of resistance exercise on cardiac autonomic modulation in patients with peripheral artery disease.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of low-dose spironolactone initiated during the early stages of hypertension development and to assess the effects of chronic pressure overload on ventricular remodeling in rats. Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) (4 weeks) were randomized to receive daily spironolactone (20 mg/kg) or vehicle (mineral oil) from 4 weeks to 8 months of age. Systolic blood pressure was measured non-invasively by tail-cuff pletysmography at baseline, 4 and 8 months. Hemodynamic assessment was performed at the end of treatment by arterial and ventricular catheterization. An in situleft ventricular pressure-volume curve was created to evaluate dilatation and wall stiffness. Systolic blood pressure at 1 month of age was higher in SHRs than in the Wistar group; it increased throughout the follow-up period and remained elevated with treatment (Wistar: 136 ± 2, SHR: 197 ± 6.8, SHR-Spiro: 207 ± 7.1 mmHg; p < 0.05). Spironolactone reduced cardiac hypertrophy (Wistar: 1.25 ± 0.03 SHR: 1.00 ±0.03, SHR-Spiro: 0.86 ± 0.02 g; p < 0.05) and left ventricular mass normalized to body weight (Wistar: 2.51 ±0.06, SHR: 2.70 ±0.08,2.53 ± 0.07 mg/g; p < 0.05). Moreover, the left ventricular wall stiffness that was higher in SHRs was partially reduced by spironolactone treatment (Wistar: 0.370 ±0.032; SHR: 0.825 ± 0.058; SHR-Spiro: 0.650 ±0.023 mmHg/ml; p < 0.05). Our results show that long-term spironolactone treatment initiated at the early stage of hypertension development reduces left ventricular hypertrophy and wall stiffness in SHRs.

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To evaluate the effect of spironolactone on ventricular stiffness in spontaneously hypertensive adult rats subjected to high salt intake.

The aim of this study was to compare the learning process of a highly complex ballet skill following demonstrations of point-light and video models. 16 participants divided into point-light and video groups (ns= 8) performed 160 trials of a pirouette, equally distributed in blocks of 20 trials, alternating periods of demonstration and practice, with a retention test a day later. Measures of head and trunk oscillation, coordination disparity from the model, and movement time difference showed similarities between video and point-light groups; ballet experts' evaluations indicated superiority of performance in the video over the point-light group. Results are discussed in terms of the task requirements of dissociation between head and trunk rotations, focusing on the hypothesis of sufficiency and higher relevance of information contained in biological motion models applied to learning of complex motor skills.

Objectivo:Determinar que variável entre o volume expirado forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1), a pressão parcial do oxigénio no sangue arterial (PaO2), a hipoxemia nocturna e a força muscular do quadricípite femoral pode predizer a distância percorrida no teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6) em doentes com DPOC.

Introdução:A capacidade de exercício em portadores de DPOC depende da gravidade da limitação ao fluxo aéreo, do grau de hipoxemia e da função muscular esquelética. Nesses doentes, a atrofia e a fraqueza da musculatura periférica são consideradas consequências sistémicas da DPOC e estão associadas à redução da capacidade de exercício.

Exercise capacity in COPD patients depends on the degree of airflow obstruction, the severity of the hypoxaemia and skeletal muscle function. Muscle atrophy and weakness are considered systemic consequences of COPD and are associated with reduced exercise capacity.

Although species of Upogebiidae historically have been considered filter feeders, recent studies show that many species of this group also deposit feed. In this study, the degrees of trophic specialization of two species of this family, Upogebia omissaand Pomatogebia operculata, were analysed. Feeding mechanisms, stomach contents and morphology of the feeding appendages, with emphasis on setae, were examined. U. omissa, found in sandy substrate, is a generalistic feeder while P. operculatainhabits burrows inside corals, being more specialized in filter feeding. Only 21% of the 57 setal types described were common to both species. Setal types were clustered in three main categories: plumed, serrate and plumodenticulate. No simple setae were found. P. operculatahas lower setal diversity, with higher ratio of plumodenticulate to serrate setal types than U. omissa. The 1st and 2nd pereiopods have an important role in collecting food. The mouthparts have two main functions: to brush and retain particles so that food can be transported from the pereiopods to the mouth. Generally in these appendages, the dactyli and basal endites are responsible for brushing particles and the meri and coxal endites for particle retention. The diversity of setal types and complexity of their distribution on the appendages may be related to the necessity to select and triturate particles prior to ingestion, reflecting the differences in trophic strategies utilized by U. omissaand P. operculata. Setal characters appear to be indicators of the relative importance of a specific feeding mode for species of this group.

Although species of Upogebiidae historically have been considered filter feeders, recent studies show that many species of this group also deposit feed. In this study, the degrees of trophic specialization of two species of this family, Upogebia omissaand Pomatogebia operculata, were analysed. Feeding mechanisms, stomach contents and morphology of the feeding appendages, with emphasis on setae, were examined. U. omissa, found in sandy substrate, is a generalistic feeder while P. operculatainhabits burrows inside corals, being more specialized in filter feeding. Only 21% of the 57 setal types described were common to both species. Setal types were clustered in three main categories: plumed, serrate and plumodenticulate. No simple setae were found. P. operculatahas lower setal diversity, with higher ratio of plumodenticulate to serrate setal types than U. omissa.The 1st and 2nd pereiopods have an important role in collecting food. The mouthparts have two main functions: to brush and retain particles so that food can be transported from the pereiopods to the mouth. Generally in these appendages, the dactyli and basal endites are responsible for brushing particles and the meri and coxal endites for particle retention. The diversity of setal types and complexity of their distribution on the appendages may be related to the necessity to select and triturate particles prior to ingestion, reflecting the differences in trophic strategies utilized by U. omissaand P. operculata.Setal characters appear to be indicators of the relative importance of a specific feeding mode for species of this group.

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.