Changes of the energetic profile in masters' swimmers over a season.

AIM: The aim of this study was to track and compare the changes of performance and energetic profile of male and female masters swimmers during a season. METHODS: Eleven female (age: 34.7±7.3-y) and fourteen male (age: 35.6±7.4-y) with 4.2±3.7-y and 3.9±1.6-y of experience in masters, respectively, performed an all-out 200 m freestyle to evaluate total energy expenditure (Etot), aerobic (Aer), anaerobic lactic (AnL) and alactic (AnAl) contributions. The oxygen uptake (VO2) was measured immediately after the 200 m trial and the VO2 reached during the trial was estimated through the backward extrapolation of the O2 recovery curve. Fingertip capillary blood samples were collected before the 200 m trial and 3, 5, and 7 minutes after its end. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between male (TP1:177.50±30.96s; TP2:174.79±29.08s; TP3:171.21±22.38s) and female (TP1:205.18±24.47s; TP2: 197.45±20.97s; TP3: 193.45±18.12s) for 200 m freestyle performance at the three time periods (TPs). Male presented higher Etot in all TPs (TP1:230.40±48.40kJ; TP2:242.49±37.91kJ; TP3:257.94±46.32kJ) compared with that found for female swimmers (TP1:188.51±35.13kJ; TP2:193.18±20.98kJ; TP3:199.77±25.94kJ). Male presented higher AnL (TP1:33.42±6.82kJ; TP2:30.97±8.73kJ; TP3:30.66±8.27kJ) and AnAl (TP1:30.61±3.48kJ; TP2:30.61±3.48kJ; TP3:30.60±3.48kJ) than female (TP1:18.83±8.45kJ; TP2:14.98±4.17kJ; TP3:18.33±8.66kJ) and (TP1:24.32±2.22kJ; TP2:24.31±2.23kJ; TP3: 24.31±2.23kJ). Aerobic metabolism is the major contributor for Etot both in male (TP1:71.63±4.99%; TP2:74.05±5.03%; TP3:76.14±4.46%) and female swimmers (TP1:76.87±3.86%; TP2:79.40±3.63%; TP3:78.40±5.54%). CONCLUSION: The better performance obtained by male compared to female swimmers may be due to the different contributions of the energetic pathways. Aerobic metabolism was the major contributor to Etot in a 200 m race, in both genders. Partial aerobic contribution was higher in female, while partial anaerobic contribution was greater in male.

Pesquisas agronômicas das plantas medicinais da Mata Atlântica regulamentadas pela ANVISA / Agronomic research of Atlantic Forest medicinal plants regulated by ANVISA

Com a divulgação da lista das espécies medicinais pela Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA), de acordo com a Resolução RDC Nº10, de 09 de março de 2010, o uso dessas plantas passa a ter a chancela oficial do órgão governamental regulamentando seu uso e, em consequência disso, ter sua demanda bastante aumentada. A obtenção desses materiais adquire então grande importância, uma vez que haverá a necessidade de se produzir essas plantas. Com o objetivo de se avaliar a situação das pesquisas agronômicas com essas espécies, particularmente as de ocorrência na Mata Atlântica, foi feito um levantamento do número de publicações a partir dos nomes científicos, na base de dados eletrônica CAB Abstract, de 1990 a 2011. A pesquisa mostrou que o número de publicações por espécie varia de 2 a 1129, sendo que as espécies com maior número de artigos são aquelas já cultivadas como alimentícias. Das 66 espécies listadas, 36 são exóticas, 24 são da Mata Atlântica e 6 são nativas de outros biomas. Dentre as espécies da Mata Atlântica, foram excluídas as ruderais, frutíferas e arbóreas, devido à maioria dos trabalhos na área agronômica estarem relacionados ao manejo, controle ou produção de frutos e não ao seu cultivo sobre o ponto de vista medicinal. A única exceção foi a espécie medicinal arbórea Maytenus ilicifolia. Assim, foram selecionadas 16 espécies, as quais tiveram as publicações divididas em quatro áreas: Agronomia; Fitoquímica, Ensaios biológicos e Outros. Nesta pesquisa foi possível identificar que 32% dos artigos publicados são agronômicos, área que apresenta menos publicações do que a área de atividade biológica, que tem 40% das publicações, e a área de fitoquimica tem 20% das publicações. Estes resultados mostram que os pesquisadores estão atentos à importância das pesquisas agronômicas com plantas medicinais, mas que se faz necessário realizar trabalhos de domesticação das espécies selvagens e de fitotecnia com as espécies menos estudadas, para viabilizar o cultivo, a conservação dos recursos genéticos vegetais e do meio ambiente.

With the release of the list of medicinal plants by Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA), according to RDC Nº10, March, 9th , 2010, the use of these plants is replaced by the official seal from the government regulator, in consequence, have greatly increased their demand. The production of these materials then acquires a great importance, as there will be a need to produce these plants. Aiming to assess the status of agronomic research on these species, particularly the species which occur in Atlantic Forest, a survey was made of publications from the scientific names in the CAB Abstract electronic database, ranging from 1990 to 2011 . The survey showed that the number of publications varies from 2 to 1129, and the species with the largest number of articles are those already cultivated as food. Of the 66 species listed, 36 are exotic, 24 are native of the Atlantic Forest and 6 are to other biomes. Among the Atlantic Forest species, were excluded the ruderal, fruit, and tree, due to most studies in Agronomy are related to the management, control or fruit production, and not to the cultivation with the medicinal viewpoint. The only arboreus specie excluded was Maytenus ilicifolia. Thus, we selected 16 species, which had its publications divided into three areas: Agronomy; Phytochemistry and Biological Assays. This research identified that 32% of published articles are agronomic, area that has less content than the area of biological activity, which has 40% of publications, and the area of phytochemistry have 20% of publications. These results show that researchers are aware of the importance of agronomic research with medicinal plants, but it is necessary to perform work of domestication of wild species and crop science with the less-studied species, to improve the culture, the conservation of plant genetic resources and the environment.

Produção e composição do leite de ovelhas Santa Inês e mestiças Lacaune e Santa Inês e desenvolvimento de seus cordeiros / Milk production and composition of Santa Inês and Lacaune x Santa Inês crossbred ewes and performance of their lambs

The effects of three maternal genotypes were evaluated on sheep milk production and composition, and on performance of their lambs during the first four months of age. The work was developed with Santa Inês and Lacaune x Santa Inês crossbred ewes. The average milk production was: ½ Lacaune, 1,550.8mL/day; ¾ Lacaune, 1,337.6mL/day; and Santa Inês, 1,005.8mL/day. There was an effect of genotype on some constituents of milk (fat and protein). For the performance of the lambs, there was an effect of maternal genotype (P<0.05) on the following biometric measurements: chest circumference, width of chest, width of rump, length of the shoulder length of leg, and perimeter of shank.

Densidade de plantio e idade de colheita de quebra-pedra [Phyllanthus amarus (Schumach. & Thonning) genótipo Unicamp-CPQBA 14] na produtividade de filantina / Density of planting and age of Phillanthus amarus genotype UNICAMP/CPQBA-14 on the productivity of phyllanthin

Avaliou-se o efeito da densidade de plantio e da idade de Phyllanthus amarus CPQBA-14, sobre o teor e produtividade de filantina. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 4 x 6, com cinco repetições, envolvendo 4 tratamentos de densidade de plantio (400.000 pl ha -1; 200.000 pl ha -1; 100.000 pl ha -1 e 66.667,68 pl ha -1) com 6 colheitas (30, 45, 60, 75, 90 e 105 dias após o transplante (DAT)). Os dados foram submetidos a Análise de Variâncias e Regressão (P > 0.001). Para o teor de Filantina, foram observados efeitos significativos e independentes dos tratamentos de idade da planta na colheita e densidade de plantio. O teor de filantina aumentou linearmente com a idade da planta, atingindo o máximo aos 105 DAT, com teor de 11,52 g Kg-1. O adensamento populacional estimado que proporcionou máximo teor de filantina (8,66 g kg-1) foi de 299.860 pl ha-1. A produtividade de filantina apresentou interação significativa entre densidade de plantio e idade da planta na colheita. Observou-se que ao longo do crescimento da planta, os tratamentos com 200 e 400.000 pl ha -1 apresentaram as maiores produtividades de filantina (39,3 e 37,8 kg ha-1) aos 97,12 e 95,17 DAT, respectivamente. Conclui-se que o espaçamento apropriado para o melhor arranjo espacial de cultivo é de 299.860 pl ha-1 para as produtividades de 3.974,19 Kg (massa de matéria seca foliar) x 0,00866 kg (teor de filantina) = 34,416 kg ha-1 de filantina, com colheita programada aos 97 DAT.

The effect of planting density and age of Phyllanthus amarus- genotype CPQBA-14, on the content and productivity of phyllanthin were evaluated. The experimental design was randomized blocks in factorial scheme 4 x 6, with five replicates, consisting of 4 treatments of planting density (400.000 pl ha-1; 200.000 pl ha-1; 100.000 pl ha-1 and 66667.68 pl ha-1) with six ages of plants (30, 45, 60, 75, 90 and 105 days after transplanting (DAT)). Data were subjected to analysis of variance and regression (P>0.005). For phyllanthin content independent and significant effects of harvest and planting density were observed. The phyllanthin contents increased with plant age, peaking at 105 DAT, with a content of 11.52 g kg-1. The estimated population density that provided the high phyllanthin contents (8.66 g kg-1) was at 299.860 pl ha-1. The productivity of phyllanthin showed significant interaction between planting density and plants ages. It was observed during the plant growth, the treatments with 200 and 400.000 pl ha -1 had the highest yield of phyllanthin (39.3 and 37.8 kg ha-1) with 95.17 and 97.12 DAT, respectively. We conclude that the proper spacing for best spatial arrangement of the cultivation is 299.860 pl ha-1 for the yield of 3974.19 kg (dry weight leaf) x 0.00866 kg (phyllanthin contents) = 34.416 kg ha-1 of phyllanthin with harvest scheduled at 97 DAT.

Electromyographic validation of the muscles deltoid (anterior portion) and pectoralis major (clavicular portion) in military press exercises with open grip.

It was analized the deltoid muscle anterior portion and the pectoralis major clavicular portion in 24 male volunteers using a two-channel electromyograph TECA TE 4, and Hewllet Packard surface electrodes, in 4 modalities of military press exercises with open grip. The results showed high inactivity for PMC in almost all the modalities while DA developed very high levels of action potentials in all the modalities assessed.

Electromyographic validation of the deltoideus (anterior portion) and pectoralis major (clavicular portion) muscles in pull-over exercises.

The electromyographic activity of the deltoideus (anterior portion) and pectoralis major (clavicular portion) muscles was analyzed in 24 male volunteers in two different modalities of pull-over exercises. The PMC activity varied from weak to moderate in both modalities, while the DA activity was moderate in the pull-over and strong in the pull-over with bent arms exercises.

Consumo de mistura mineral e desempenho de bezerros alimentados com sucedâneos do leite / Intake of mineral supplement and performance of calves fed milk replaces

Utilizaram-se 42 bezerros da raça Holandesa para avaliação do consumo de mistura mineral (MM), até os 60 dias. Os animais foram distribuídos em três grupos conforme o sucedâneo fornecido: grupo soro/leite + MM (SLMM); grupo soro + MM (SMM); e grupo soja/leite + MM (SOMM). Os animais receberam concentrado, feno, MM e água à vontade. A avaliação do ganho de peso foi feita semanalmente. A concentração de glicose plasmática foi medida aos 7, 14 e 21 dias de vida, antes do fornecimento da dieta, e às 3, 6 e 9 horas após a primeira refeição. Realizaram-se hemogramas semanais para avaliações clínicas. Aos 30 e aos 60 dias, colheram-se sangue e urina de cinco animais de cada grupo, os quais foram sacrificados para obtenção de fragmentos do fígado, para análises de minerais. Os animais do grupo SMM apresentaram menores consumos de concentrado e matéria seca total (MST) entre a sexta e oitava semanas (P<0,05), com consumo de concentrado de 674,72; 1.080,02 e 1.223,65g/a/d e consumo de MST de 699,33; 1.134,31 e 1.287,84g/a/d, para os animais dos grupos SMM, SLMM e SOMM, respectivamente. No consumo de feno, houve interação grupos versus semanas (P<0,05). O ganho de peso foi maior nos animais do grupo SOMM, 2,18kg/a/d que nos do grupo SMM, 1,13kg/a/d (P<0,05). O consumo médio da MM no primeiro mês foi de 9,00g/a/d e da quinta a oitava semanas foi 4,62g/a/d. A concentração de glicose plasmática foi diferente entre as idades e os tempos (P<0,05).

Forty-two Holstein calves were used to evaluate the mineral supplement (MS) intake up to 60-day-old. The calves were divided into three groups, according to the milk replacer: whey/milk + MS (WMMS); whey + MS (WMS) and soy/milk + MS (SMMS). Commercial calf starter, hay, MS and water were offered "ad libitum", and the intake was measured daily. Body weight was monitored once a week and blood glucose levels were quantified on 14, 21 and 28-day-old and also before the supply of the diets, 3, 6 and 9 hours after feeding. Blood samples were collected weekly for blood count. On 30 and 60-day-old, five calves of each group had blood and urine samples collected for serum copper determination. After then, the animals were slaughtered and liver fragments were analyzed for minerals contents. It was found that between the sixth and eighth weeks, the calves from WMS group decreased the intake (P<0.05) of starter 674.72g/day and total dry matter (TDM) 699.33 when compared to the calves from WMMS and SMMS groups, which consumed an average of 1,080.02 and 1,223.65g/day of concentrate and 1,134.31 and 1,287.84g/day of TDM respectively. Animals from SMMS group presented higher weight gain (2.18kg/week) than MMS ones (1.13kg/week; P<0.05). The intake mean of MM in the first month was 9.00g/a/d and after the first month was 4.62g/a/d. Blood glucose levels were different among ages and times after feeding (P<0.05).

Desempenho de bezerros alimentados com dietas líquidas à base de leite integral ou soro de leite / Performance of calves fed on liquid diets based on whole milk and whey

Quinze bezerros da raça Holandesa, desaleitados aos 30 dias de idade, foram utilizados para avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de fontes protéicas alternativas, em substituição às proteínas do leite integral, na formulação de sucedâneos do leite. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos: o grupo controle (C) - recebeu leite em pó integral reconstituído; o grupo sucedâneo SL (soro/leite) recebeu 41,6 por cento da proteína bruta (PB) vinda do concentrado protéico de soro (CPS), 23,1 por cento do soro de leite e 35,3 por cento do leite em pó integral; e o grupo sucedâneo S (soro) recebeu 68 por cento da PB vinda do CPS e 32 por cento do soro de leite. O consumo de concentrado, feno, sal mineral e água foi mensurado diariamente, enquanto o ganho de peso foi avaliado semanalmente. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) para o consumo de concentrado, sal mineral e água entre os grupos, nos períodos avaliados. O consumo de feno e o ganho de peso foram inferiores nos animais do grupo S (P<0,05). A substituição de 100 por cento do leite integral por CPS e soro de leite influenciou negativamente o desempenho.

Silagens de girassol e de milho em dietas de vacas leiteiras: produção e composição do leite / Sunflower silage and corn silage in lactating cow diets: milk production and composition

Avaliaram-se a produção e a composição do leite de vacas alimentadas com dietas contendo diferentes proporções de silagem de girassol, em substituição à silagem de milho na dieta, e caroço de algodão como substituto parcial do concentrado. Foram utilizadas cinco vacas holandesas com 25kg leite/dia, distribuídas em um delineamento em quadrado latino 5 5. Os períodos foram de 21 dias e os tratamentos foram as dietas compostas por: 100 por cento de silagem de girassol e concentrado (100SG), 66 por cento de silagem de girassol e 34 por cento de silagem de milho e concentrado (66SG), 34 por cento de silagem de girassol mais 66 por cento de silagem de milho e concentrado (34SG), 100 por cento de silagem de milho e concentrado (100SM) e 100 por cento de silagem de milho mais caroço de algodão (16,5 por cento da matéria seca) e concentrado (16,5CA). As produções de leite, proteína e extrato seco total foram inferiores no tratamento 100SG em relação ao 100SM (P<0,05). A substituição parcial de silagem de milho por silagem de girassol não afetou as produções de leite, gordura ou proteína. A substituição parcial de concentrados por caroço de algodão não afetou as características estudadas.

Participation of the deltoid (anterior portion) and pectoralis major (clavicular portion) muscles in different modalities of supine and frontal elevation exercises with different grips.

The muscles deltoid-anterior portion (DA) and pectoralis major-clavicular portion (PMC) were analysed to establish the muscular behavior and intensity patterns, as well to evaluate the connected participation of these muscles during supine and frontal elevation exercises. Twenty-four male volunteers were examined using a 2-channel TECA TE4 electromyograph and Hewlett Packard surface electrodes. Our results showed low levels of activity to PMC in frontal elevation exercises, whereas to DA the levels were very high. In the supine exercise, the action potential levels developed by the PMC were always lower than those presented by DA, however, with action simultaneity. Some suggestions to the use of the tested exercises are presented.

Electromyographic validation of basic exercises for physical conditioning programmes. IV. Analysis of the deltoid muscle (anterior portion) and pectoralis major muscle (clavicular portion) in frontal-lateral cross, dumbbells exercises.

The electromyographic activity of the shoulder muscles deltoid--anterior portion (DA) and pectoralis major--clavicular portion (PMC) was tested on 24 male volunteers using a 2 channel TECA TE4 electromyograph and Hewlett Packard surface electrodes during the execution of four different modalities of frontal-lateral cross, dumbbells exercises. The results showed that all of the tested exercises developed high levels of action potential for both muscles. So, we justify the indication of all of them for physical fitness programmes for DA and PMC. Some suggestions to the use of the tested exercises are presented.

Electromyographic validation of basic exercises for physical conditioning programmes. V. The comparison of the response in the deltoid muscle (anterior portion) and the pectoralis major muscle (clavicular portion) determined by the frontal-lateral cross, dumbbells and the rowing exercises.

The action potential level for shoulder muscles deltoid-anterior portion (DA) and pectoralis major-clavicular portion (PMC) determined by four different modalities of execution of rowing exercises, each one with two different grips, was recorded. These were compared with the action potential level determined for the same muscles by four different modalities of execution of the frontal-lateral cross, dumbbells exercises. Twenty-four male volunteers were examined using a 2 channel TECA TE4 electromyograph and Hewlett Packard surface electrodes. The statistic analysis showed significant (p < 0.05) superiority for all the frontal-lateral cross, dumbbells exercises in comparison to all rowing exercises for the PMC, for the DA this generalized supremacy was not observed.

Isolation and initial characterization of a bacterial consortium able to mineralize fluorobenzene.

Fluorinated compounds are known to be more resistant to microbial degradation than other halogenated chemicals. A microbial consortium capable of aerobic biodegradation of fluorobenzene (FB) as the sole source of carbon and energy was isolated by selective enrichment from sediments collected in a drain near an industrial site. A combination of three microbial strains recovered from the enriched consortium was shown to be necessary for complete FB mineralization. Two of the strains (F1 and F3) were classified by 16S rRNA analysis as belonging to the Sphingobacterium/Flavobacterium group, while the third (F4) falls in the beta-Proteobacteria group, clustering with Alcaligenes species. Strain F4 was consistently found in the liquid cultures in a much greater proportion than strains F1 and F3 (86:8:6 for F4, F1, and F3, respectively). Stoichiometric release of fluoride ions was measured in batch and fed-batch cultures. In batch cultures, the consortium was able to use FB up to concentrations of 400 mg liter(-1) and was able to utilize a range of other organic compounds, including 4-fluorophenol and 4-fluorobenzoate. To our knowledge this is the first time biodegradation of FB as a sole carbon source has been reported.

In situ monitoring of the mutagenic effects of the gaseous emissions of a solid waste incinerator in metropolitan São Paulo, Brazil, using the Tradescantia stamen-hair assay.

The present work was designed to determine the potential genotoxicity at the vicinity of a solid waste incinerator in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, using the Tradescantia stamen-hair bioassay. Experiments were carried out between December 1998 and April 1999 in four regions (40 pots of plants per site) selected on the basis of their pollution levels predicted by theoretical modeling of the dispersion of the incinerator's plume. The exposure sites were defined as follows: highest level (incinerator); a high level (museum) located 1.5 km from the emission point; a moderate level (school, at a distance of 3.5 km from the incinerator); and a control (at Jaguariúna countryside). The difference in genotoxicity among the groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The frequency of mutations observed in the countryside was significantly lower [2.25 +/- 1.55, mean +/- SD (standard deviation)] than that of the sites close to the incinerator. The frequency of mutations measured at the school (3.70 +/- 1.36) was significantly lower than that measured at both the museum (4.89 +/- 1.12) and the incinerator (5.69 +/- 1.34). In conclusion, we found a positive correlation between the spatial distribution of the emissions of the incinerator located in an urban area and the mutagenic events measured by the Tradescantia stamen-hair assay. The in situ approach employed in this study was simple, efficient, and of low cost. No air or chemical extraction of pollutants was necessary for genotoxicity testing as required by other assays.

Transpiration from a mature Eucalyptus globulus plantation in Portugal during a spring-summer period of progressively higher water deficit.

The rates of transpiration from a mature Eucalyptus globulus Labill. stand in Portugal were evaluated during a drying period of the spring-summer 1994. Transpiration was measured by the Granier sap flow method and estimated by the Penman-Monteith model. During the experimental period daily transpiration varied between 3.64 and 0.50 mm day-1. For high-transpiration days, a good agreement was observed between Penman-Monteith estimates and sap flow measurements, both on a daily and on an hourly basis. However, for low-transpiration days, the Penman-Monteith model overestimated transpiration in comparison with the sap flow method. The diurnal variation of sap flow was then smoother and lagged behind the estimates of the Penman-Monteith model. E. globulus showed an efficient control of transpiration losses during dry periods through a progressive stomatal closure. As soil moisture deficit increased, the daily maximum stomatal conductance decreased from 0.46 to 0.14 cm s-1. The results also show that, on a seasonal basis, stomatal conductance and daily transpiration were mainly related to predawn leaf water potential and, thus, to soil moisture content.

Electromyographic validation of basic exercises for physical conditioning programmes. II. Analysis of the deltoid muscle (anterior portion) and pectoralis major muscle (clavicular portion) in rowing exercises with closed grip.

The electromyographic activity of the shoulder muscles deltoid-anterior portion (DA) and pectoralis major-clavicular portion (PMC) was tested on 24 male volunteers using a 2 channel TECA TE4 electromyograph and Hewlett Packard surface electrodes during the execution of three different modalities of rowing exercises with closed grip. All rowing exercises were inefficient to determine action potential levels in the PMC but two of them were extremely efficient to the DA: the upright rowing exercise and the sitting rowing exercise. Some suggestions to the use of the tested exercises are presented by the authors.

Electromyographic validation of basic exercises for physical conditioning programmes. III. Influence of the grip in the capacity of the rowing exercises in determining action potential levels for the deltoid and the pectoralis major muscle.

The electromyographic activity of the shoulder muscles Deltoid--anterior portion (DA) and Pectoralis major--clavicular portion (PMC) was tested on 24 male volunteers using a 2 channel TECA TE4 electromyograph and Hewlett Packard surface electrodes during the execution of three different modalities of rowing exercises comparing middle grip with closed grip. Statistical comparisons showed that in both PMC and DA closed grip determined muscular solicitation higher than middlegrip excepting sitting rowing. The authors present some suggestions to the use of the tested exercises.

Transpiration of a 64-year-old maritime pine stand in Portugal : 1. Seasonal course of water flux through maritime pine.

The transpiration, sap flow, stomatal conductance and water relations ofPinus pinaster were determined during spring and summer in a 64-year-old stand in Ribatejo (Portugal). The transpiration of the pine canopy was determined from sap flow or eddy covariance techniques. Canopy conductance values (g c) were estimated from inversion methods using eddy covariance or sap flow data, respectively, and from scaling-up methods using stomatal conductance values measured in the field and leaf area index (LAI) values. The transpiration was closely controlled by the stomatal conductance of pines (Ω was 0.05-0.15). For wet soil conditions, the various estimates ofg c showed reasonable agreement.g c peaked in the morning at 0.01 m×s-1, exhibited a midday depression and showed a secondary peak in late afternoon. This behaviour could be predicted simply on the basis of the stomatal sensitivity to air vapour pressure deficit. On a seasonal basis, monthly average values ofg c decreased from 4×10-3 m×s-1 in spring to 1.7×10-3 m·s-1 in late summer. Accordingly, the transpiration peaked at 3 mm×d-1 on wet soil in May. It decreased progressively during the summer drought to 0.8 mm×d-1 at the end of August. The minimal value of needle water potential was maintained at -1.9 MPa but predawn values decreased from -0.6 MPa in May to -0.9 MPa in July. It may have reached lower values in August. The amount of water stored in the trunk accounted for a 12% (10 kg×tree-1×day-1) of the daily transpiration in spring. The storage capacity of the canopy was within the same order of magnitude. The trunk storage increased to 25% (13 kg×tree-1×day-1) of the daily transpiration at the end of summer under drought conditions. The sap flow beneath the crown lagged accordingly behind transpiration with a time constant estimated between 26 min in spring and 40 min at the end of summer.

Transpiration of a 64-year old maritime pine stand in Portugal : 2. Evapotranspiration and canopy stomatal conductance measured by an eddy covariance technique.

The sensible and latent heat losses of a maritime pine stand (Pinus pinaster Aiton) and of its understorey were measured in Portugal, in conditions of mild water stress, using an eddy covariance technique (monodimensional sonic anemometer coupled with a thin thermocouple and a fast-response hygrometer) at two levels above and under the canopy: canopy exchanges were estimated by difference. This paper first discusses the corrections to be made to the raw fluxes, then shows that, over a 24-h interval, the energy balance closure was very satisfactory, as well as the comparison between estimations of canopy evaporation by eddy covariance and sap flow. Moreover, the phase shift between the two methods was small when sap flow was measured just at the base of the canopy. Canopy stomatal conductance, estimated with a flux-gradient model, increased very sharply at dawn, then decreased progressively in compensation for the increase in air saturation deficit.

Electromyographic validation of basic exercises for physical conditioning programmes. I. Analysis of the deltoid muscle (anterior portion) and pectoralis major muscle (clavicular portion) in rowing exercises with middle grip.

The electromyographic activity of the shoulder muscles Deltoid--anterior portion (DA) and Pectoralis major--clavicular portion (PMC) was tested on 24 male volunteers using a 2 channel TECA TE4 electromyograph and Hewlett Packard surface electrodes during the execution of four different modalities of rowing exercises with middle grip. The results showed that rowing exercises are not appropriate for physical fitness programmes for PMC but some of them are significantly useful for DA. The authors present some suggestions to the use of the tested exercises.