Slice shear force (SSF) and laser diffraction, considered faster methodologies, for measuring beef instrumental tenderness and sarcomere length, were compared with reference methodologies Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and phase contrast microscopy. Striploin samples (n = 74) were analyzed for pH, sarcomere length, instrumental tenderness, myofibrillar fragmentation index, and sensorial tenderness. Pearson's correlation measured the association of meat evaluation methods with residual analysis of the multivariate analysis of variance model. The n‐dimensional profile to evaluated methods was presented by biplot to identify the behavior of the correlation between the methods (variables). There was moderate correlation between SSF and WBSF (r = .63; p < .01) and both presented moderate correlation with sensorial tenderness (r = − .62 and −.55, to SSF and WBSF, respectively; p < .01). However, WBSF was more efficient to classify samples as tender (68%) than SSF (47%), comparing with sensorial tenderness (80%). There was a moderate correlation for laser and microscopy for sarcomere length (r = .57; p < .01). Sarcomeres were shorter when measured by laser than microscopy. Either with low correlation coefficients, sarcomere measured by laser (r = .29; p < .05) presented higher correlation with sensorial tenderness than with microscopy (r = .22; p < .10). Results highlighted that SSF was faster and easier to run, while WBSF was more appropriate to classify samples by sensorial tenderness grades. Laser diffraction is more suitable to explain effects on tenderness; however, microscopy revealed results of sarcomere length that were more realistic, once laser can underestimate sarcomeres.

The Amazon Basin has a large amount of water that must be conserved to meet the needs of this and future generations. This study evaluated evidence of the effects of human disturbance in the Tapajos National Forest and its surroundings using physicochemical and biological variables in surface waters as indicators. In order to accomplish this, we first analyzed the data series of precipitation in the region. Samples were collected from the Tapajos River in areas influenced by land use and occupation. We made on-site assessments and collected samples for laboratory analysis. Rainfall in December 2012 was higher than the climatology indicated. The results of the Water Quality Index (WQI) indicated the predominance of the "good" to "great"; its values ranged between 70 < WQI < 90 and 90 < WQI ≤ 100, in 70.0 % of the samples collected. The balnearies Alter do Chão and Pindobal had the highest levels of fecal coliform, possibly due to anthropogenic effects that could be mitigated by adequate tourist practices. The highest WQI and greater transparency of the water near Tauari, showed minimal effects of human activities in nearby surface waters. It is concluded that water bodies are sensitive to changes in land use and those changes may threaten the maintenance of conservation areas.

Pilocarpus microphyllus Stapf ex Wardleworth (jaborandi, Rutaceae) is one of the most important Brazilian medicinal species owing to its content of pilocarpine (PIL), an alkaloid used for treating glaucoma and xerostomia. This species contains another alkaloid, epiisopiloturine (EPI), which has demonstrated effectiveness against schistosomiasis. The aim of this work was to assess seasonal changes of PIL and EPI in three populations of cultivated P. microphyllus from northeastern Brazil over one year, including the dry and rainy seasons. Alkaloid profiles were correlated to phenotypic and genetic patterns in the morphological and molecular characterizations. PIL was the primary alkaloid and its levels differed among populations in all months except September. The S01 population (green line) showed an especially high PIL content compared to populations S02 and S03 (traditional line), which had similar alkaloid contents. PIL content gradually decreased in the three populations in the rainy season.EPI content was significantly different between the green line (S01) and the traditional line (S02 and S03).S01 had a significantly lower EPI content in all months, demonstrating that it was not the best source for EPI extraction. Inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers and morphological analyses clearly separated S01 from S02 and S03, in agreement with the alkaloid results. This study shows the first correlation between the chemical, morphological, and molecular markers of P. microphyllus and highlights the potential benefits of a multidisciplinary research approach aimed at supporting both industry and conservation of natural resources.

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The system of differential equations proposed by Oltjen et al. [1986, named Davis Growth Model (DGM)] to represent cattle growth has been parameterized with data from Bos taurus (British) and Bos indicus (Nellore) breeds. The DGM has been successfully used for simulation and decision support in the United States. However, the effect of about 30 years of genetic improvement and the use of different breeds may affect the model parameter values, which also may need to be re-estimated for crossbred animals. The aim of this study was to estimate parameter values and confidence intervals for the DGM with growth and body composition data from Zebu crossbred animals. Confidence intervals and asymptotic distribution were generated through nonparametric bootstrap with data from a field experiment conducted in Brazil. The parameters showed normal probability distribution for most scenarios. The rate constant for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis had a minimum increase of 156 % and the maximum of 389 %, compared to the original values and the maintenance requirement had a minimum increase of 126 % and maximum of 160 % compared to the original values. Lower limits of 95 % confidence intervals for the parameters related to maintenance and protein accretion rates were higher than the original estimates of the DGM, evidencing genetic differences of the Zebu crossbred animals in relation to the original DGM parameters.

A Deus, que sempre iluminou e guiou a minha vida, dando-me forças para vencer e concretizar os meus sonhos.À Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) e à Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa) pelo apoio financeiro nos estudos e na pesquisa que tornou a realização desse trabalho possível, em especial ao Projeto PECUS-PC7 -Bioma Amazônia. Deixo meus sinceros agradacimentos às instuições ESALQ/USP e Texas A&M University por todas as condições oferecidas para a minha formação.Ao orientador Carlos Tadeu dos Santos Dias e amigos Luís Gustavo Barioni, Lucieta Guerreiro Martorano e Luis Orlindo Tedeschi, por todos os conselhos, pela atenção e pelas palavras sábias que sempre me incentivaram e iluminaram meus caminhos. A dedicação e profissionalismo serão minha inspiração por toda a vida.Aos meus pais, José Luiz e Elisa, pelo infinito amor e por terem lutado incasavelmente pela minha educação e que nunca mediram esforços para que meus objetivos fossem alcançados.Ao Fernando, pela paciência, por me escutar, por ser meu grande amigo e companheiro de todas as horas e sempre me apoiou em todas as minhas decisões de minha vida. Obrigada pelo amor incondicional, você é meu alicerce.Às minhas irmãs, Érica e Nádia, por sempre caminharem ao meu lado. Aos meus cunhados, que por diversas vezes foram tão prestativos.Aos professores do Departamento de Ciências Exatas da ESALQ/USP, pelos ensinamentos, pela amizade e excelente convivência.Aos colegas do curso de Pós-graduação em Estatística e Experimentação Agronô-mica. Foi um imenso prazer conhecê-los e conviver com todos durante esse tempo.A todos os funcionários do Departamento de Ciências Exatas, em especial ao Eduardo, Jorge, Luciane, Mayara, Rosni e Solange (técnicos auxiliares e secretárias da Pós-graduação) pela prontidão e suporte.Ao Tiago Zanetti Albertini, principalmente pela amizade, disponibilidade e entusiasmo transmitidos durante todos esses anos de doutorado. Muito obrigada! Às amizades feitas no Texas, no Department of animal science: Samantha, Whitney, Jackson Kirby, Jocelyn, Abby Cupples, Elizabeth, Vinícius e Mozart pelo carinho e me ajudarem a enriquecer meus conhecimentos; Aos amigos Mônica, George Lyerly, Leanne, Georginho e Andrea pela acolhida e momentos inesquecíveis durante essa caminhada.Às amizades no pensionato e "Cenáculo N. Sr de Lurdes" que me proporcionaram momentos de alegria e diversão na casa de mulheres. Nele foram vários "Encontros e Partidas".Aos meus sobrinhos, mesmo que pequeninos, foram tão maravilhoros com os sorrisos inocentes.Muito obrigada a todos! 4 5 EPÍGRAFE " A estrada para o sucesso não é uma reta, há uma curva chamada fracasso, um trevo chamado confusão, um quebra-molas chamado obstáculos, faróis de advertência chamados retornos e pneus furados chamados dificuldades. Mas se tiver um estepe chamado determinação, um motor chamado perseverança, um seguro chamado fé e um motorista chamado Deus, você chegará a um lugar chamado sucesso..."Pe. Marcelo Rossi RESUMO Parametrização de Sistemas de Equaç...