Universidade Federal de Viçosa

About: Universidade Federal de Viçosa is a education organization based out in Viçosa, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Biology. The organization has 16012 authors who have published 26711 publications receiving 353416 citations.

ANATI QUANTI: software de análises quantitativas para estudos em anatomia vegetal

Abstract: Complementary quantitative analyses are necessary for several interdisciplinary studies using Plant Anatomy. Generally, micromorphometric evaluation is performed manually and/or using non-specific software for image analyses. This work aimed to develop specific quantitative analysis software for Plant Anatomy and test its efficiency and acceptance by users. The solution was elaborated in the JAVA language, which has a greater mobility in relation to the operating system to be used. The software developed was called ANATI QUANTI and tested by students, researchers and professors of the Plant Anatomy Laboratory of the Universidade Federal de Vicosa (UFV). All the interviewees received photos to measure in ANATI QUANTI and compare with the results obtained using the available software. Through previously formulated questionnaires, the volunteers pointed out the main advantages and disadvantages of the developed software in relation to the currently available software. Besides being more specific, simpler and faster than the currently available software, ANATI QUANTI is reliable, matching the interviewees expectations. However, additional resources need to be added as well as new scales to increase users range. ANATI QUANTI is already being applied in research developed by UFV users. It is a free software and as an open source, it it will be available for free over the internet.

Ballroom Dance as Therapy for the Elderly in Brazil

Abstract: This paper discusses a dance action-research project developed with elderly people in Brazil. The meanings of ballroom dancing and its benefits are explored for 60 elderly Brazilians through participant observation and questionnaires. This study adds to the growing number of dance projects and research for older people, responding in part to evidence that dance is a form of therapy for its valuable means in augmenting mental, emotional and physical well-being and to counteract social isolation. The dance project took place through the Third Age Club, which was founded by The Vicosa County’s Social Assistance Department and the Federal University of Vicosa. At the end of one year taking the ballroom dance classes, the senior citizens were asked to answer a questionnaire in order to provide subjective information on the meanings of ballroom dancing and its benefits for them. The outcome of this inquiry was analyzed under a qualitative approach, phenomenological hermeneutics. Five major categories of therapeutic meanings of ballroom dancing for participants are: ballroom dancing is fun; it brings health benefits; it brings back good dancing memories; it allows participants to establish cultural connections to the larger Brazilian dancing culture; it provides opportunities for socializing. The article ends with reflective analysis of the researchers’ observations and field notes by suggesting that the ballroom dancing classes created a culture of inclusion that embraced both understanding and acceptance among senior citizens, which in turn might improve their quality of life.

On nonlinear perturbations of a periodic elliptic problem in R2 involving critical growth

Abstract: We consider the equation −Δu+V(x)u=f(x,u) for x∈R2 where V:R2→R is a positive potential bounded away from zero, and the nonlinearity f:R2×R→R behaves like exp(α|u|2) as |u|→∞. We also assume that the potential V(x) and the nonlinearity f(x,u) are asymptotically periodic at infinity. We prove the existence of at least one weak positive solution u∈H1(R2) by combining the mountain-pass theorem with Trudinger–Moser inequality and a version of a result due to Lions for critical growth in R2.

Análise crítica do uso dos índices do Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) na avaliação da resistência à insulina e capacidade funcional das células-beta pancreáticas

Abstract: Beta-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance are interrelated metabolic abnormalities in the aetiology of Type 2 Diabetes. In several countries, increases in the prevalence of obesity and diabetes have been observed in association with the presence of insulin resistance. In this context, measurement of insulin resistance and beta-cell function is useful. The HOMA indexes (Homeostasis Model Assessment) have been widely used, representing an alternative for the evaluation of these parameters, particularly as a fast, easy and cheap method. This review discusses the origin and evolution of the HOMA index, as well as details of the method, analyzing features related to its validation and the cutoff limits for its interpretation.