Published Article / The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between external markers typically used in external motion capturing devices and the true vertebral kinematics in the cervical spine. Twenty one healthy subjects were subjected to low dosage X-rays in five different positions, while radio opaque markers were attached to the skin at each vertebral level. Distance and angle parameters were constructed for vertebral prediction from skin surface markers. The causes of variation in these parameters were identified by investigating the correlations of these parameters with anthropometrical variables. Strong correlations of the parameters were observed in flexion, but in extension, especially full extension, the correlations were poor to insignificant. In neutral, half flexion, and full flexion it is possible to predict the vertebral position from surface markers by using the parameters and anthropometrical variables. In half extension this prediction is less accurate and in full extension alternative methods should be investigated for external motion capturing.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the external markers chromium oxide (Cr2O3), titanium dioxide (TiO2) to estimate fecal recovery, fecal excretion, time to become constant and totally disappear from the animal's body and sampling time effect throughout the day; and internal markers indigestible dry matter (iDM), indigestible neutral detergent fiber (iNDF) and fecal nitrogen (FN) to estimate nutrient digestibility and intake of organic matter in sheep. Six Corriedale lambs were fed diets base of Tifton 85 hay (TH) or natural pasture (NP), in a Latin square design (3 x 3). The animals were dosed once daily with TiO2 and Cr2O3. Daily fecal samples were taken from the first day of each period and in the last four days stool samples were obtained at different times throughout the day. The iDM and iNDF were evaluated by weighing in polyester bags food and faeces and incubated in situ for 144 hours. For the stabilization of the TiO2 marker fecal excretion was 9 days after the first dose and fecal recovery of 72% for longer Cr2O3, this stabilized at 10 days and faecal recovery was 84%. The iDM showed recoveries of 100% (TH) and 91% (NP) and iNDF 92% (TH) and 71% (NP), having high and significant relationship to estimate OMD. For the NF was also observed high and significant relationship between observed and NF estimated OMI, with coefficients of determination of 75% for FT and 58% for PN. Thus, the TiO2 and Cr2O3 not show full recovery and fecal both showed high variability throughout the day or on different days, requiring at least 10 days prior to delivery. However, iDM is a suitable marker to estimate the digestibility of forage. Similarly, in animals that is made complete collection of feces, N Faecal excretion is an appropriate indicator for estimating consumption OM. / O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os marcadores externos óxido de cromo (Cr2O3), dióxido de titânio (TiO2) para estimar recuperação fecal, excreção fecal, o tempo para tornar-se constante e desaparecer totalmente do organismo do animal e efeito de horários de amostragem ao longo do dia; e marcadores internos matéria seca (MSi), Fibra em detergente neutro (FDNi) e Nitrogênio fecal (NF) para estimar digestibilidade de nutrientes e consumo de matéria orgânica de ovinos. Foram utilizados seis cordeiros Corriedale, alimentados com dietas à base de feno de Tifton 85 (FT) ou pastagem natural (PN), em um delineamento Quadrado Latino (3 x 3). Os animais foram dosados uma vez ao dia com TiO2 e Cr2O3. Foram realizadas coletas diárias de fezes desde o primeiro dia de cada período e nos últimos 4 dias foram obtidas amostras de fezes em diferentes horários ao longo do dia. A MSi e FDNi foram avaliados pesando-se em sacos de poliéster o alimento e as fezes e incubados in situ por 144 h. Para o marcador TiO2 a estabilização de excreção fecal foi de 9 dias após primeira dosagem e recuperação fecal de 72%, já para o Cr2O3, este se estabilizou em 10 dias e sua recuperação fecal foi de 84%. A MSi apresentou recuperações de 100% (FT) e 91% (PN) e a FDNi 92% (FT) e 71% (PN), tendo alta e significativa relação para estimar DMO. Para o NF também foi observada alta e significativa relação entre CMO observado e NF estimado, tendo coeficientes de determinação de 75% para FT e 58% para PN. Assim, o TiO2 e Cr2O3 não apresentaram recuperação total e a concentração fecal de ambos apresentaram alta variabilidade ao longo do dia e em diferentes dias, sendo necessário pelo menos 10 dias de fornecimento prévio. No entanto, a MSi é um marcador adequado para estimar a digestibilidade da forragem ingerida. Da mesma maneira, em animais que é feita coleta total de fezes, a excreção de N fecal é um indicador adequado para estimar consumo de MO.