Numerous agencies have accumulated evidence since 1964 which implicates habitual cigarette smoking as a causal or facilitating factor in the development of many circulatory and respiratory diseases. This study sought to identify those psychological variables which possibly contribute to the maintenance of cigarette smoking and therefore, had two main purposes. First, this study investigated the individual and simultaneous physiological changes, i.e., Electroencephalography, Electromyography, Heart Rate, Blood Pressure and Skin Temperature that occurred during and immediately after the smoking of one cigarette. Second, the study investigated the hypothesis that smoking frequency would decrease when individuals were trained via biofeedback procedures to increase 8-12 Hz occipital EEG activity as a substitute for smoking. Three male, very heavy smokers (35 or more cigarettes per day ) and three male moderate smokers (15-24 cigarettes per day) physiologies were monitored while smoking, non-smoking and while they were provided with 8-12 Hz occipital EEG biofeedback training using a multiple baseline design. Results of the study indicate that of the six smokers physiologically monitored, four or more of the smokers demonstrated the following physiological changes while actually smoking one cigarette: the percent of time producing 4-8 cycles per second bra .in waves increased (S2 ,S3 ,S5); heart rate (beats per minute) increased (Sl,S2,S3,S4,S5,S6); and the percent of time producing 8-12 cycles per second (Hz) brain waves decreased (Sl,S2,S3,S4,S5,S6). Immediately after the smoking of one cigarette, four or more of the smokers demonstrated an increase in their rates (Sl,S2,S3,S4,S5, S6) and subjects 1,4,5 and 6 demonstrated an over-the-entire-session decrease in their skin temperatures. There did not appear to be any specific consistent brain wave changes across the subjects. However, the following subject-specific brain wave changes were evident: Subject 1 data indicates an increase in Alpha brain waves (8-12 Hz), a decrease in Theta brain waves (4-8 Hz), and a decrease in Beta brain waves (12-20 Hz). Subject 2 data indicates a decrease in Alpha brain waves, an increase in Theta brain waves, and a decrease in Beta waves. Subject 3 data indicates an Alpha wave decrease, Theta wave increase, and Beta wave increase. Subject 4 data indicates an Alpha wave decrease, Theta wave increase, and no observable change in Beta activity. Subject 5 data indicates an Alpha increase, a Theta decrease, and no observable change in Beta activity. Subject 6 data indicates an Alpha decrease, a non-observable change in Theta production and an increase in Beta activity. During the training period, when the smokers were given music feedback whenever they produced 8-12 Hz, four of the six smokers learned to increase the percent of time producing 8-12 Hz, (Sl,S2,S5, S6). Two of these four smokers were able to continue producing high levels of 8-12 Hz activity without the use of biofeedback equipment (Sl,S2). These smokers had quit smoking completely at the end of a six-month follow-up period. These two smokers were contacted by phone at the eight-month follow-up period and reported they were still absent from any cigarette smoking. The four smokers who could not increase their 8-12 Hz activity without the use of 8-12 Hz auditory feedback (Phase D) decreased their frequency of cigarette smoking at the six-month follow-up period as follows: Subject 3, from 38 to 15 cigarettes smoked per day; Subject 4, from 50 to 44 cigarettes smoker per day; Subject 5, from 18 to 8 cigarettes smoked per day; and Subject 6, from 17 to 10 cigarettes smoked per day. Possible reasons why Subjects 1 and 2 quit smoking are discussed and directions for future research are presented.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-11-13Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:35:14Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 gallo_akg_me_araca.pdf: 354042 bytes, checksum: 660f5112e78c8937509fef084e0acf8f (MD5) / O esforço muscular exige modificações metabólicas e uma adaptação, ou seja, uma necessidade maior de nutrientes e O2 para que seja realizada a contração muscular. O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar o efeito da consistência do alimento sobre a atividade eletromiográfica dos músculos masseter e temporal anterior, durante a mastigação, bem como, avaliar a variação da temperatura muscular, verificando o efeito da mastigação sobre a temperatura superficial dos músculos em questão. Conclui-se que: 1) o aumento da consistência do alimento aumenta a atividade elétrica dos músculos do lado de trabalho e não trabalho, após 05 minutos de mastigação; 2) as médias da temperatura superficial no músculo temporal apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significante entre os lados de trabalho e não trabalho, enquanto que no músculo masseter não houve diferença entre os lados; 3) que alimento mais consistente gerou temperatura superficial mais elevada nos músculos do lado de trabalho; 4) que após 5 e 10 minutos de mastigação houve uma redução significativa na temperatura superficial dos músculos analisados, porém, entre estes períodos não houve diferença estatisticamente significante. / The muscular effort demands metabolic modifications and an adaptation, in other words, a larger need of nutrients and O2 so that the muscular contraction is accomplished. The objective of the present study was to verify the effect of the consistence of the food on the eletromyography of the muscles masseter and previous storm, during the mastication, as well as, to evaluate the variation of the muscular temperature, verifying the effect of the mastication on the superficial temperature of the muscles in subject. It is ended that: 1) the increase of the consistence of the food increases the electric activity of the muscles beside work and not, after 05 minutes of mastication; 2) that the averages of the superficial temperature in the temporary muscle there were differentiates significant among the work sides and not work, while in the muscle masseter there was not difference among the sides; 3) that more solid food generated higher superficial temperature in the muscles beside work; 4) that there was a significant reduction in the superficial temperature of the analyzed muscles after 5 and 10 minutes of mastication, however, among these periods there was not differentiates significant.

Distúrbios cronobiológicos na Depressão podem ser explicados pela perda do poder ou estabilidade circadiana observados pela diminuição da amplitude dos ritmos e o maior número de frequências ou ritmos ultradianos (ritmos com períodos menores que 20 horas). A perda da sincronização entre os ritmos pode ser decodificada pelos sistemas fisiológicos como um estressor, capaz de iniciar, acelerar, perpetuar e exacerbar sintomas neuropsiquiátricos, visto que há uma integração de redes rítmicas estruturais e funcionais Métodos Foram avaliadas 10 pacientes com Depressão Maior em seu primeiro episódio, ainda sem uso de medicação antidepressiva, 10 pacientes com Depressão Recorrente em tratamento e 10 controles saudáveis, todas do sexo feminino. O diagnóstico de Transtorno Depressivo foi realizado através do SCID e CID 10. Os sintomas depressivos foram avaliados através das escalas Beck, MADRS e Hamilton. Os ritmos biológicos atividade-repouso e temperatura cutânea foram medidos com o actímetro Act 1.1 durante 7 dias. Também se avaliou a exposição à luz de cada sujeito. Foi utilizado o teste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov para confirmar se as varáveis tinham distribuição normal. Parâmetros de ritmos e diferenças sócio-demográficas foram analisados através de ANOVA/Tukey. O coeficiente de correlação de Rank-Spearman foi utilizado para analisar a correlação entre temperatura e atividade. Para avaliar diferenças nos escores das escalas entre os dois grupos de deprimidas foi utilizado teste t de Student para amostras independentes. Para variáveis categóricas, foi utilizado o teste qui-quadrado. Resultados O grupo de deprmidas apresentou amplitude de temperatura mais alta e amplitude de atividade mais baixa do que as controles saudáveis. Também, a correlação entre temperatura e atividade nas deprimidas apresentou maior diferença durante o dia e durante a noite do que nas controles saudáveis. Não houve diferença significativa entre deprimidas no seu primeiro episódio sem medicação e pacientes com Depressão Recorrente com medicação no que se refere à amplitude dos ritmos de temperatura e atividade-repouso. Houve acoplamento dos ritmos estudados nos três grupos Discussão Em nosso estudo, as pacientes depressivas apresentaram maior amplitude de temperatura que indivíduos saudáveis, apesar do uso de antidepressivos; as controles saudáveis demonstraram menos diferença entre os ritmos durante o dia e à noite, o que talvez foi causado pela maior atividade em pessoas saudáveis mascarando o ritmo de temperatura. Outra explicação para o aumento da amplitude circadiana em pacientes depressivas é o aumento do arrastamento pelos zeitgebers externos, provavelmente para a manutenção dos mais robustos zeitgebers -social e biológico - que são essenciais para a vida. / Changes of circadian rhythms in Depression may be explained by the loss of power or stability circadian observed by decreasing the amplitude of the rhythms and the higher number of frequencies or ultradian rhythms (rhythms with periods less than 20h). The lack of synchronization between the rhythms can be decoded by physiological systems as a stressor capable of starting, accelerating, perpetuate and exacerbate neuropsychiatric symptoms, since there is an integration of rhythmic structural and functional network Method Were evaluated 10 patients with Major Depression first episode without antidepressant medication, 10 patients with Recurrent Depression treated and 10 voluntary healthy controls, all female. The diagnosis of Depressive Disorder was conducted through the SCID and CID 10. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Beck, MADRS and Hamilton Depression Scale. The biological rhythms as temperature and activity-rest were measured with the actímetro Act 1.1 for 7 days. Exposure to light also was evaluated. We used the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test to confirm if the variables were normal distribution. Parameters of rhythms and socio-demographic differences were analyzed by ANOVA/Tukey. The correlation coefficient of Rank-Spearman was used to analyse the correlation between temperature and activity. To evaluate differences in scores of scales between the two groups of depressed was used Student's t test for independent samples. Chi-square was tsed for categorical variables Results Depressive patients presented higher amplitude of temperature, and lower amplitude of activity than healthy subjects. Also, the correlation between temperature and activity in depressive subjects present higher difference during day and night than healthy subjects. There was no significant difference between depressive patient in the first episode without treatment and depressive patient with Recurrent Depression in relation to amplitude of temperature and activity rhythms Discussion In our sample depressive patients presented higher temperature amplitude that healthy subjects, in spite of the use of antidepressant; the correlation between temperature and activity, healthy subject demonstrated less difference between day and night, than maybe the higher activity in healthy people can mask the temperature rhythm. Another explanation for increase circadian amplitude in depressive patients is the increase of entrainment to by external zeitgebers, probably for the mainttenancy of only robust social and biological zeitgebers that are essential for life.

Distúrbios cronobiológicos na Depressão podem ser explicados pela perda do poder ou estabilidade circadiana observados pela diminuição da amplitude dos ritmos e o maior número de frequências ou ritmos ultradianos (ritmos com períodos menores que 20 horas). A perda da sincronização entre os ritmos pode ser decodificada pelos sistemas fisiológicos como um estressor, capaz de iniciar, acelerar, perpetuar e exacerbar sintomas neuropsiquiátricos, visto que há uma integração de redes rítmicas estruturais e funcionais Métodos Foram avaliadas 10 pacientes com Depressão Maior em seu primeiro episódio, ainda sem uso de medicação antidepressiva, 10 pacientes com Depressão Recorrente em tratamento e 10 controles saudáveis, todas do sexo feminino. O diagnóstico de Transtorno Depressivo foi realizado através do SCID e CID 10. Os sintomas depressivos foram avaliados através das escalas Beck, MADRS e Hamilton. Os ritmos biológicos atividade-repouso e temperatura cutânea foram medidos com o actímetro Act 1.1 durante 7 dias. Também se avaliou a exposição à luz de cada sujeito. Foi utilizado o teste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov para confirmar se as varáveis tinham distribuição normal. Parâmetros de ritmos e diferenças sócio-demográficas foram analisados através de ANOVA/Tukey. O coeficiente de correlação de Rank-Spearman foi utilizado para analisar a correlação entre temperatura e atividade. Para avaliar diferenças nos escores das escalas entre os dois grupos de deprimidas foi utilizado teste t de Student para amostras independentes. Para variáveis categóricas, foi utilizado o teste qui-quadrado. Resultados O grupo de deprmidas apresentou amplitude de temperatura mais alta e amplitude de atividade mais baixa do que as controles saudáveis. Também, a correlação entre temperatura e atividade nas deprimidas apresentou maior diferença durante o dia e durante a noite do que nas controles saudáveis. Não houve diferença significativa entre deprimidas no seu primeiro episódio sem medicação e pacientes com Depressão Recorrente com medicação no que se refere à amplitude dos ritmos de temperatura e atividade-repouso. Houve acoplamento dos ritmos estudados nos três grupos Discussão Em nosso estudo, as pacientes depressivas apresentaram maior amplitude de temperatura que indivíduos saudáveis, apesar do uso de antidepressivos; as controles saudáveis demonstraram menos diferença entre os ritmos durante o dia e à noite, o que talvez foi causado pela maior atividade em pessoas saudáveis mascarando o ritmo de temperatura. Outra explicação para o aumento da amplitude circadiana em pacientes depressivas é o aumento do arrastamento pelos zeitgebers externos, provavelmente para a manutenção dos mais robustos zeitgebers -social e biológico - que são essenciais para a vida. / Changes of circadian rhythms in Depression may be explained by the loss of power or stability circadian observed by decreasing the amplitude of the rhythms and the higher number of frequencies or ultradian rhythms (rhythms with periods less than 20h). The lack of synchronization between the rhythms can be decoded by physiological systems as a stressor capable of starting, accelerating, perpetuate and exacerbate neuropsychiatric symptoms, since there is an integration of rhythmic structural and functional network Method Were evaluated 10 patients with Major Depression first episode without antidepressant medication, 10 patients with Recurrent Depression treated and 10 voluntary healthy controls, all female. The diagnosis of Depressive Disorder was conducted through the SCID and CID 10. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Beck, MADRS and Hamilton Depression Scale. The biological rhythms as temperature and activity-rest were measured with the actímetro Act 1.1 for 7 days. Exposure to light also was evaluated. We used the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test to confirm if the variables were normal distribution. Parameters of rhythms and socio-demographic differences were analyzed by ANOVA/Tukey. The correlation coefficient of Rank-Spearman was used to analyse the correlation between temperature and activity. To evaluate differences in scores of scales between the two groups of depressed was used Student's t test for independent samples. Chi-square was tsed for categorical variables Results Depressive patients presented higher amplitude of temperature, and lower amplitude of activity than healthy subjects. Also, the correlation between temperature and activity in depressive subjects present higher difference during day and night than healthy subjects. There was no significant difference between depressive patient in the first episode without treatment and depressive patient with Recurrent Depression in relation to amplitude of temperature and activity rhythms Discussion In our sample depressive patients presented higher temperature amplitude that healthy subjects, in spite of the use of antidepressant; the correlation between temperature and activity, healthy subject demonstrated less difference between day and night, than maybe the higher activity in healthy people can mask the temperature rhythm. Another explanation for increase circadian amplitude in depressive patients is the increase of entrainment to by external zeitgebers, probably for the mainttenancy of only robust social and biological zeitgebers that are essential for life.

Orientador: Paulo Renato Junqueira Zuim / Banca: Débora Barros Barbosa / Banca: Cláudia Helena Lovato da Silva / Resumo: O esforço muscular exige modificações metabólicas e uma adaptação, ou seja, uma necessidade maior de nutrientes e O2 para que seja realizada a contração muscular. O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar o efeito da consistência do alimento sobre a atividade eletromiográfica dos músculos masseter e temporal anterior, durante a mastigação, bem como, avaliar a variação da temperatura muscular, verificando o efeito da mastigação sobre a temperatura superficial dos músculos em questão. Conclui-se que: 1) o aumento da consistência do alimento aumenta a atividade elétrica dos músculos do lado de trabalho e não trabalho, após 05 minutos de mastigação; 2) as médias da temperatura superficial no músculo temporal apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significante entre os lados de trabalho e não trabalho, enquanto que no músculo masseter não houve diferença entre os lados; 3) que alimento mais consistente gerou temperatura superficial mais elevada nos músculos do lado de trabalho; 4) que após 5 e 10 minutos de mastigação houve uma redução significativa na temperatura superficial dos músculos analisados, porém, entre estes períodos não houve diferença estatisticamente significante. / Abstract: The muscular effort demands metabolic modifications and an adaptation, in other words, a larger need of nutrients and O2 so that the muscular contraction is accomplished. The objective of the present study was to verify the effect of the consistence of the food on the eletromyography of the muscles masseter and previous storm, during the mastication, as well as, to evaluate the variation of the muscular temperature, verifying the effect of the mastication on the superficial temperature of the muscles in subject. It is ended that: 1) the increase of the consistence of the food increases the electric activity of the muscles beside work and not, after 05 minutes of mastication; 2) that the averages of the superficial temperature in the temporary muscle there were differentiates significant among the work sides and not work, while in the muscle masseter there was not difference among the sides; 3) that more solid food generated higher superficial temperature in the muscles beside work; 4) that there was a significant reduction in the superficial temperature of the analyzed muscles after 5 and 10 minutes of mastication, however, among these periods there was not differentiates significant. / Mestre

Distúrbios cronobiológicos na Depressão podem ser explicados pela perda do poder ou estabilidade circadiana observados pela diminuição da amplitude dos ritmos e o maior número de frequências ou ritmos ultradianos (ritmos com períodos menores que 20 horas). A perda da sincronização entre os ritmos pode ser decodificada pelos sistemas fisiológicos como um estressor, capaz de iniciar, acelerar, perpetuar e exacerbar sintomas neuropsiquiátricos, visto que há uma integração de redes rítmicas estruturais e funcionais Métodos Foram avaliadas 10 pacientes com Depressão Maior em seu primeiro episódio, ainda sem uso de medicação antidepressiva, 10 pacientes com Depressão Recorrente em tratamento e 10 controles saudáveis, todas do sexo feminino. O diagnóstico de Transtorno Depressivo foi realizado através do SCID e CID 10. Os sintomas depressivos foram avaliados através das escalas Beck, MADRS e Hamilton. Os ritmos biológicos atividade-repouso e temperatura cutânea foram medidos com o actímetro Act 1.1 durante 7 dias. Também se avaliou a exposição à luz de cada sujeito. Foi utilizado o teste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov para confirmar se as varáveis tinham distribuição normal. Parâmetros de ritmos e diferenças sócio-demográficas foram analisados através de ANOVA/Tukey. O coeficiente de correlação de Rank-Spearman foi utilizado para analisar a correlação entre temperatura e atividade. Para avaliar diferenças nos escores das escalas entre os dois grupos de deprimidas foi utilizado teste t de Student para amostras independentes. Para variáveis categóricas, foi utilizado o teste qui-quadrado. Resultados O grupo de deprmidas apresentou amplitude de temperatura mais alta e amplitude de atividade mais baixa do que as controles saudáveis. Também, a correlação entre temperatura e atividade nas deprimidas apresentou maior diferença durante o dia e durante a noite do que nas controles saudáveis. Não houve diferença significativa entre deprimidas no seu primeiro episódio sem medicação e pacientes com Depressão Recorrente com medicação no que se refere à amplitude dos ritmos de temperatura e atividade-repouso. Houve acoplamento dos ritmos estudados nos três grupos Discussão Em nosso estudo, as pacientes depressivas apresentaram maior amplitude de temperatura que indivíduos saudáveis, apesar do uso de antidepressivos; as controles saudáveis demonstraram menos diferença entre os ritmos durante o dia e à noite, o que talvez foi causado pela maior atividade em pessoas saudáveis mascarando o ritmo de temperatura. Outra explicação para o aumento da amplitude circadiana em pacientes depressivas é o aumento do arrastamento pelos zeitgebers externos, provavelmente para a manutenção dos mais robustos zeitgebers -social e biológico - que são essenciais para a vida. / Changes of circadian rhythms in Depression may be explained by the loss of power or stability circadian observed by decreasing the amplitude of the rhythms and the higher number of frequencies or ultradian rhythms (rhythms with periods less than 20h). The lack of synchronization between the rhythms can be decoded by physiological systems as a stressor capable of starting, accelerating, perpetuate and exacerbate neuropsychiatric symptoms, since there is an integration of rhythmic structural and functional network Method Were evaluated 10 patients with Major Depression first episode without antidepressant medication, 10 patients with Recurrent Depression treated and 10 voluntary healthy controls, all female. The diagnosis of Depressive Disorder was conducted through the SCID and CID 10. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Beck, MADRS and Hamilton Depression Scale. The biological rhythms as temperature and activity-rest were measured with the actímetro Act 1.1 for 7 days. Exposure to light also was evaluated. We used the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test to confirm if the variables were normal distribution. Parameters of rhythms and socio-demographic differences were analyzed by ANOVA/Tukey. The correlation coefficient of Rank-Spearman was used to analyse the correlation between temperature and activity. To evaluate differences in scores of scales between the two groups of depressed was used Student's t test for independent samples. Chi-square was tsed for categorical variables Results Depressive patients presented higher amplitude of temperature, and lower amplitude of activity than healthy subjects. Also, the correlation between temperature and activity in depressive subjects present higher difference during day and night than healthy subjects. There was no significant difference between depressive patient in the first episode without treatment and depressive patient with Recurrent Depression in relation to amplitude of temperature and activity rhythms Discussion In our sample depressive patients presented higher temperature amplitude that healthy subjects, in spite of the use of antidepressant; the correlation between temperature and activity, healthy subject demonstrated less difference between day and night, than maybe the higher activity in healthy people can mask the temperature rhythm. Another explanation for increase circadian amplitude in depressive patients is the increase of entrainment to by external zeitgebers, probably for the mainttenancy of only robust social and biological zeitgebers that are essential for life.

Numerical simulation is used to investigate the accuracy of a direct-contact device for measuring skin-surface temperature. A variation of thermal conductivity of the foam has greater effect on the error rather than a variation of the blood perfusion rate. For a thermal conductivity of zero, an error of 1.5 oC in temperature was identified. For foam pad conductivities of 0.03 and 0.06 W/m-oC, the errors are 0.5 and 0.15 oC. For the transient study, with k=0 W/m-oC, it takes 4,900 seconds for the temperature to reach steady state compared with k=0.03 W/m-oC and k=0.06 W/m-oC where it takes 3,000 seconds. The configuration without the foam and in presence of an air gap between the skin surface and the sensor gives the most uniform temperature profile.

The purpose of this investigation was to separate the effects, and determine the optimal and most feasible methods, of promoting skin temperature increase in a clinical prison population. There were no significant differences among the instructional sets with respect to skin temperature increase. Skin Temperature feedback significantly delayed the time of maximum temperature increase. However, the average delay of 3.5 minutes was not considered to be clinically significant. No other significant effects were evidenced from feedback training. It was suggested that the lack of differential effects among the instructional sets and feedback training may be a characteristic of the early stages of training and that significant differences might emerge if training were continued over a greater number of sessions.The question was raised as to whether skin-temperature training had taken place during the two training sessions. The subjects may have been displaying a nonspecific "relaxation response" or habituation to the experimental situation. It may take more than two sessions before significant conditioning of the skin-temperature response occurs. Recommendations for future research were specified, including an increase in the number of training sessions and the addition of new control procedures.

This study was conducted to explore the feasibility of using sleeves, along with both physiological and perceptual measurements, to assess the thermal comfort and heat strain in chemical protective clothing wear tests. The effect of body sites, i.e. the arms and the chest, and the effect of a Tyvek® coverall on skin temperature and sweat amount were investigated as well. Ten male subjects were selected from college students. Each subject was assigned to wear a garment of either T-shirt and pants or a changeable left-sleeved Tyvek® coverall with or without an experimental sleeve on the left arm. Three experimental sleeves were of the same style, but made of three different fabrics: Tyvek®, Pro/Shield I®, and Pro/Shield II®. Each subject wore an assigned garment and pedaled on a cycle ergometer in an environmentally-controlled room. Skin temperature, sweat amount, and subjective comfort evaluations were recorded and later analyzed by repeated-measures ANOVA. Results showed there is a feasibility in using a sleeve with a T-shirt/pants standard garment for assessing thermal comfort in chemical protective garment wear tests. The T-shirt/pants standard garment yielded more consistent and reliable results than did the Tyvek®-coverall standard garment. Under the same conditions, there were no significant differences in skin temperature and sweat amount among the left and right upper arms and the chest. The Tyvek® sleeve in this study impeded the transfer of heat by the greatest amount, followed by the Pro/Shield II® sleeve and the Pro/Shield I® sleeve, respectively. / Master of Science

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar e quantificar o efeito do sombreamento artificial proporcionado por diferentes tipos de materiais de cobertura sobre a fisiologia, o comportamento e o desenvolvimento de novilhas leiteiras, em ambiente de pastagens. A pesquisa foi realizada no período de 08/01/2007 à 30/04/2007. A área experimental foi dividida em 16 parcelas adjacentes e iguais com 84 m² cada. Foram comparados a testemunha (sem sombra) com três tipos de cobertura: telhas de fibrocimento sem cimento amianto, telhas galvanizadas e tela de polipropileno 80% As dimensões dos abrigos foram 2m x 4m e 4m de altura (4m² de sombra.animal-1), sem paredes laterais. Foram utilizadas 16 novilhas Holandesas e 16 Hol x Jersey com idade e peso iniciais de 17,2 ± 5,6 meses e 265,3 ± 66,9kg, respectivamente, pareadas em função da uniformidade de peso e idade. As novilhas permaneciam em piquetes de capim elefante (Penissetum purpureum) durante a noite e após as 9:00h eram conduzidas para as parcelas. A tgn foi registrada por minidatalogger conectado a globo negro para cálculo de CTR e ITGU em cada parcela. As variáveis meteorológicas foram obtidas no posto agrometeorológico da ESALQ/USP. Semanalmente foram registradas FR, TR e TP. As observações comportamentais foram realizadas em dias não consecutivos por 24 horas pelo método focal. As pesagens dos animais foram realizadas mensalmente. As condições ambientais durante o período da pesquisa foram caracterizadas como estressantes para novilhas. A análise física dos materiais (tgn, CTR e ITGU) indicou diferença entre os materiais de cobertura (P<0,05) sendo a telhas de fibrocimento sem amianto a mais confortável termicamente, seguida da telha galvanizada e da tela. Os valores de FR foram menores sob as telhas de fibrocimento (P<0,05) e semelhantes entre telha galvanizada e tela (P>0,05), os valores de TR não apresentaram diferença entre tratamentos somente entre horários e para a TP houve diferença (P<0,05) entre o tratamento fibrocimento e a testemunha, porém não houve entre os demais (P>0,05). A FR apresentou as respostas mais imediatas às alterações ambientais. Houve correlação da TR com a FR e a TP. Não foram observadas alterações comportamentais entre os tratamentos, os animais ficaram sob as sombras nas horas mais quentes do dia, preferencialmente em pé, o comportamento diário seguiu os padrões conhecidos para bovinos. O ganho de peso não foi alterado pelos tratamentos. A análise de custo indicou a cobertura de fibrocimento como a mais indicada para a construção de abrigos considerando-se os resultados encontrados. A pesquisa indicou haver melhora no bem estar térmico das novilhas, porém, não conseguiu determinar ganhos efetivos na utilização da sombra. / The objective of the present study was to evaluate and quantify the effect of artificial shade given by different types of roofing materials on the physiology, behavior and development of dairy heifers in a pasture environment. The present study took place from January 8, 2007 to April 30, 2007. The experimental area was divided into 16 equal, adjacent plots with 84 m2. Three roofing treatments (fiber-cement roofing tiles without amianthus, galvanized roofing tiles and 80% polypropylene screen) were compared to a control (no shade). Shelter structures had no lateral walls and measured 2m x 4m x 4m height (4m² shaded per animal). Animals consisted of 16 Holstein heifers and 16 Holstein x Jersey heifers with initial age and weight being 17.2 ± 5.6 months and 265.3 ± 66.9 kg, respectively. Animals were equally distributed among the treatments according to weight and age. At night, heifers were kept in fields with Pennisetum purpureum, also known as elephant grass. After 9:00 am, animals were taken to the experimental plots. Black globe thermometer temperature (tbg) was measured using a mini-datalogger connected to a black globe. Values were then used to calculate Radiant Thermic Load (RTL) and Black Globe Humidity Index (BGHI) of each plot. Meteorological variables were obtained from the agricultural-meteorological post at the ESALQ/USP. Respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT) and skin temperature (ST) were registered weekly. Behavioral observations were recorded every other day using the focal method. Animals were weighed monthly. Environmental conditions during the research period were characterized as stressful for the heifers. Physical analysis of the material (tbg, RTL and BGHI) indicated the roofing treatments to be significantly different (P<0.05), with the fiber-cement roofing tiles without amianthus to be the most comfortable regarding temperature, followed by the galvanized roofing tiles and the 80% polypropylene screens. Respiration rate was lower under the fiber-cement roofing tiles (P<0.05) and similar under the galvanized tiles and polypropylene screen (P>0.05). RR values were lower under the fiber-cement tiles (P<0.05) and similar under the galvanized roofing tiles and polypropylene screen (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in RT values among treatments; however, a difference was found among data collection times. Concerning ST, fiber-cement tiles were significantly different from the control (P<0.05). On the other hand, there were no significant differences regarding ST among the other treatments (P>0.05). RR presented the most immediate response to environmental alterations. RT presented correlation with RR and ST. No behavioral alterations were observed among the treatments. Daily behavior followed known bovine patterns. Weight gain was not altered by the treatments. A cost analysis indicated fibercement roofing tiles to be better for shelter construction. The present study also indicated improved heifer thermal well-being; however, no effective gains could be determined from shade use.