A identificação do momento mais apropriado para realizar a inseminação artificial em tempo fixo (IATF) utilizando sêmen sexado pode aumentar a prenhez por inseminação (P/IA) e aumentar a utilização do sêmen sexado em fazendas de corte. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o melhor intervalo entre a inseminação e a ovulação na P/IA de vacas Nelore lactantes submetidas ao protocolo de IATF utilizando sêmen sexado. Um total de 339 vacas Nelore apresentando 30 a 60 dias pós-parto da fazenda experimental da APTA, em Colina-SP foram utilizadas. No início do tratamento as fêmeas receberam um dispositivo intravaginal contendo 1g de progesterona (Sincrogest®,Ourofino Saúde Animal) e a aplicação i.m de 2mg de BE (Sincrodiol®, Ourofino). Após oito dias, o dispositivo foi removido e aplicados via i.m 0,25 mg de cloprostenol sódico (Sincrocio® , Ourofino) e 300UI de eCG (Folligon® , Intervet-Schering Plough). As vacas foram homogeneamente distribuídas para receberem IATF com sêmen sexado de um único touro da raça Angus (2.1milhões de espermatozóides por dose) às 36, 48 e 60 horas após a retirada dos dispositivos. O intervalo entre as inseminações e ovulações foi determinado e as análises realizadas comparando a taxa de prenhez entre os intervalos. Exames ultrassonográficos (7.5MHz, CTS-3300V, SIUI, China) foram realizados duas vezes ao dia, a partir da retirada do implante até 96 horas após e aos 30 pós IA para realização do diagnóstico de gestação. A P/IA foi definida como o número de fêmeas prenhes divididas pelo número de fêmeas inseminadas em cada intervalo. Os dados encontrados foram analisados usando o programa estatístico SAS. A taxa de ovulação após o protocolo foi de 92.0 % (312/339), o diâmetro do folículo ovulatório de 14,7 ± 2,3 mm e o intervalo entre retirada do dispositivo e ovulação de 71.8 ± 7.7 horas [48 horas (6.73%; 21/312), 60 horas (0.64%; 2/312), 72 horas (80.77%; 252/312), 84 horas (11.22%; 35/312), e 96 horas (0.64%; 2/312)]. A P/IA aumentou conforme se atrasou o momento da inseminação: 36 horas (5,8%; 5/86)c, 48 horas (20.8%; 27/130)b e 60 horas (30.9%; 38/123)a. A P/IA foi maior quando as inseminações foram realizadas próximas ao momento da ovulação (0 a 12 horas antes da ovulação = 37,9 %; 35/95) do que as realizadas entre 12,1 a 24 horas (19,4%; 21/108; P = 0,05) ou com mais de 24 horas (5,8%; 5/87; P = 0,0001) antes da ovulação sincronizada. Vacas recentemente ovuladas tiveram P/IA semelhante às realizadas próximo ao momento da ovulação (36,4%; 8/22; P = 0,95). Concluiu-se que a P/IA utilizando sêmen sexado é aumentada quando as inseminações são realizadas próximas a ovulação sincronizada. No experimento 2, de ressincronização, foram avaliadas, as taxas de serviço, concepção e prenhez em vacas previamente sincronizadas e inseminadas em tempo fixo. Foram formados dois grupos: observação de estro e IATF, utilizando na IA sêmen sexado e convencional. Os resultados para os grupos observação de estro e IATF foram, respectivamente: taxa de serviço [(63,5% (61/96); 100% (88/88)], taxa de concepção [(41% (25/61); 11,4% (10/88)], taxa de prenhez [(26% (25/96); 11,4% (10/88)]. Os resultados para os grupos observação de estro e IATF de acordo com o tipo de sêmen utilizado foram, respectivamente: sêmen convencional taxa de concepção [(43,3% (13/30); 14,9% (7/47))]; taxa de prenhez [(27,49% (13/61); 14,9% (7/47))]; sêmen sexado taxa de concepção [(38,7% (12/31); 7,3% (3/41))]; taxa de prenhez [(24,57% (12/61); 7,3% (3/41))]. / The identification of most appropriate moment to perform the timed artificial insemination (TAI) using sex-sorted semen following synchronization protocol can be important to improve the fertility of sex-sorted semen and increase the use sexed semen technology in commercial beef farms. The aim of this study was evaluated the better interval to perform the TAI relative to synchronized ovulation in suckled cows. A total of 339 suckled multiparous Nelore cows from an experimental farm (APTA), in Colina-SP, were evaluated in this study. The protocol started between 30 and 60 days post-partum. Cows received one synchronization protocol using an intravaginal device containing 1.0g of progesterone (Sincrogest®, Ouro Fino) plus an i.m. injection of 2.0mg of EB (Sincrodiol®, Ouro Fino). Eight days later, the device was removed and 0.25mg i.m. injection of cloprostenol sodium (Sincrocio®, Ouro Fino) and 300IU of eCG (Folligon®, Intervet-Shering Plough) were administered. Cows were homogenously assigned to receive TAI using sex-sorted semen from a single sire (2.1 millions of sperm cell per straw) at 36, 48 or 60 hours after device removal. The TAI to ovulation interval of synchronized cows was determined and the analysis was performed to compare the pregnancy for TAI performed at various intervals before ovulation using 12 hours time intervals. Ovarian ultrasonographic examinations (CTS-3300V, SIUI, China) were performed twice daily from day of the device removal to 96 hours afterwards, to evaluate ovarian follicular dynamics and interval from device removal to ovulation. All females were examined for pregnancy 30 days after AI. The data were analyzed using the SAS program.Incidence of ovulation after the estrous synchronization protocol was 92.0 % (312/339). Diameter of ovulatory follicle was 14.7 ± 2.3 mm and the interval between the P4 device removal and synchronized ovulation occurrence was 71.8 ± 7.7 hours. The distribution of the synchronized ovulation relative to the device removal was: 48 hours (6.73%; 21/312), 60 hours (0.64%; 2/312), 72 hours (80.77%; 252/312), 84 hours (11.22%; 35/312), and 96 hours (0.64%; 2/312). The pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) was increased (P <0.001) when the TAI was delayed 36 hours (5.8%; 5/86)c, 48 hours (20.8%; 27/130)b and 60 hours (30.9%; 38/123)a. Higher P/AI was achieved on TAI performed closer to ovulation (0 to 12 hours before ovulation = 37.9 %; 35/95) than TAI performed on 12.1 to 24 hours (19.4%; 21/108; P = 0.05) or > 24 hours (5.8%; 5/87; P = 0.0001) before the synchronized ovulation. Recently ovulated cows had P/AI similar to those performed around the time of ovulation (36,4%; 8/22). In conclusion, P/AI is increased when the TAI using sex-sorted is performed closer to synchronized ovulation in suckled Nelore cows. In experiment 2, resynchronization, were assessed the service rates, conception and pregnancy in cows previously synchronized and timed AI. Two groups were formed: estrous detection and TAI, using in AI, sexed and unsexed semen. The results for groups of estrus detection and TAI were, respectively, service rate [(63.5% (61/96) 100% (88/88)], conception rate [(41% (25/61), 11.4% (10/88))], pregnancy rate [(26% (25/96), 11.4% (10/88))]. The results for groups of estrus detection and TAI according the type of semen used were: conventional semen conception rate [(43.3% (13/30), 14.9% (7 / 47))] ; pregnancy rate [(27.49% (13/61), 14.9% (7 / 47))]; sexed semen conception rate [(38.7% (12/31) 7.3% (3 / 41))]; pregnancy rate [(24.57% (12/ 61), 7.3% (3 / 41))].

When the Taiwanese composer, Tai-Hsiang Li received the National Cultural Award in 2013, he said, “My blood is full of music. If you take out the music from my life, I am nothing!” Tai-Hsiang Li brought contemporary music to Taiwan, combining folk music with the modern orchestra, and raising the quality of Taiwanese popular music. He almost single-handedly infused Taiwanese culture into classical, modern, popular, film, and television advertising music. His arrangements of folk music have shown the Taiwanese the beauty of their own music and inspired countless younger musicians. The music critic Chung-Heng Yang declared, “Without Tai-Hsiang Li, the music history of Taiwan will not be complete.” After the composer’s death in 2014, his life story was made public by various media, but many of the information disseminated were not accurate. Musicians have difficulties performing his works because of his constant revisions to his scores. For this thesis, I have personally interviewed the composer’s family and the Hakka singer Yu-Wei Hsieh. I investigated documents, collected Hakka mountain songs and three different editions of his Hakka-style suite Mountain and Farmland. I also investigated journal articles, newspaper articles, and read the books about the composer. In addition to presenting an updated biography of Tai-Hsiang Li’s life, I also prepare a critical performance edition of the Mountain and Farmland. It is my desire that more musicians will find interest in performing Mountain and Farmland as well as scholars doing research on Hakka music and works by Tai-Hsiang Li.

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Orientador: José Luiz Moraes Vasconcelos / Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se vacas Nelore, que receberam duas doses de PGF2α em protocolos de IATF a base de progesterona e estradiol, teriam melhor fertilidade em comparação a uma dose de PGF2α. Foram realizados 2 experimentos em que os animais receberam o protocolo de IATF: dispositivo intravaginal de P4 (CIDR) e 2,0 mg benzoato de estradiol (i.m., 2 ml Gonadiol®, Zoetis), no d-11, dinoprost trometamina (PGF2α; i.m., 2,5 ml Lutalyse®, Zoetis) no d-4, retirada do dispositivo de P4, 0,6 mg de cipionato de estradiol (i.m., 0,3 ml ECP®, Zoetis) e 300 UI de eCG (i.m., 1,5 ml Novormon®, Zoetis) no d-2, e IATF no d0. No experimento 1, as vacas (n=1.039) foram divididas aleatoriamente para receber uma ou duas doses de PGF2α, sendo a primeira no d-4 e a segunda no d-2. No experimento 2, foram avaliadas 1.051 fêmeas Nelore, permanecendo para as análises deste estudo apenas fêmeas que não apresentaram um CL no d-4 (momento da primeira PGF2α; n=934), os tratamentos foram os mesmos descritos no experimento 1. Foi fixado um dispositivo para avaliar a expressão do cio (Estrotect®) no d-2, avaliado o diâmetro folicular no d0, as colheitas de sangue foram realizadas no d0 e d7, para dosagem de P4. O diagnóstico de gestação (DG) foi realizado 30 dias após IA. No experimento 1, a taxa de prenhez foi maior para os animais do grupo 2PG (54,5% vs. 46,6%; P = 0,01) em relação a 1PG. No experimento 2, a taxa de sincronização e a taxa de prenhez foram maiores no grupo 2PG, (81,4% vs. 72,1... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Nelore cows that received two doses of PGF2α in progesterone and estradiol-based TAI protocols would have better fertility compared to one dose of PGF2α. Two experiments were performed in which the animals received an TAI protocol: intravaginal P4 device (CIDR) and 2.0 mg estradiol benzoate (i.m., 2 ml Gonadiol®, Zoetis) at d-11, dinoprost tromethamine (PGF2α; i.m., 2 , 5 ml Lutalyse®, Zoetis) at d-4, P4 device withdrawal, 0.6 mg estradiol cypionate (i.m., 0.3 ml ECP®, Zoetis) and 300 IU eCG (i.m., 1.5 ml Novormon®, Zoetis) at d-2, and AI at d0. In experiment 1 the animals (n = 1,039) were randomly assigned to receive one or two doses of PGF2α, the first on d-4 and the second on d-2. In experiment 2, 1,051 Nelore cows were used, and remaining for the analysis of this study only females without CL on d-4 (moment of first PGF2α; n=934), the treatments were the same as described in experiment 1. A device was fixed to evaluate estrus expression (Estrotect®) at d-2, measured follicular diameter at d0, blood samples were collected at d0 and d7 for P4 dosage. The pregnancy diagnosis was made 30 days after AI. In experiment 1, the pregnancy rate was higher for animals in group 2PG (54.5% vs. 46.6%; P = 0.01) compared to 1PG. In experiment 2, synchronization rate and pregnancy rate were higher in group 2PG (81.4% vs. 72.1%; [P = 0.01] and 55.5% vs. 45.6%; [P = 0.04], respectively) only in animals with BCS < 5.0 (scale from 1 to 9). In anim... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

abstract: Weight gain and unfavorable body composition are prevalent among midlife and older women; shifts in these characteristics can have detrimental implications on emotional and physical health and longevity. Efforts to attenuate weight-related factors detailing the potential development of obesity are traditionally driven by manipulation of nutrition and/or physical activity; however, sustained results are limited. Novel and integrative approaches are needed to reduce the burden of adverse changes in weight and associated consequences. This dissertation is built around a model of effects of Tai Chi/Qigong in body composition and a pilot test of this intervention and model factors in a group of midlife/older women (N = 36). Three resulting manuscripts include: 1) a proposed biobehavioral model detailing how a Tai Chi/Qigong intervention may improve weight-related outcomes through psychological, behavioral, and physiological pathways, 2) a paper examining pre- to post- intervention differences in the primary outcomes of percent body fat, sleep quality, and emotional eating and the exploratory outcomes of perceived stress, mood state, mindfulness, self-compassion and body awareness; and 3) an exploratory analysis examining correlations between primary (sleep quality, emotional eating), exploratory (perceived stress, mood state, mindfulness, self-compassion and body awareness), and neurophysiological (heart rate variability) outcomes of interest—further, regression models were conducted to explore the predictive value of the independent variables on the dependent variables and associated changes. In manuscript two, dependent t-tests were used to assess pre/post-differences (percent body fat and survey measures); this single group study (8-weeks of Tai Chi/Qigong) did not have a control group. Results of manuscript two demonstrate significant changes in sleep quality (p = .04), perceived stress (p = .05), and body awareness (p = .01). Findings of manuscript three indicate changes in the dependent variable of sleep quality were partially explained by perceived stress (adjusted R2 = 13.4%) and changes in the dependent variable of emotional eating were significantly explained by self-compassion (adjusted R2 = 42.1%). In the context of weight gain and unfavorable body composition in midlife/older women, results of this pilot study, using a standardized Tai Chi/Qigong intervention, indicate that select psycho-emotional factors may be important to explore further. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Nursing and Healthcare Innovation 2019

Abstract  Denna kunskapsöversikt har genomförts för att få svar på frågan “Vilka metoder för kooperativt lärande används i matematikundervisningen i Sverige samt resten av världen, och hur effektiva kan de vara?”. Översikten ser över flera olika metoder och koncept, dessa är; TPS, STAD, TAI, peer collaboration och Jigsaw. Även hur de används i de olika länderna som studierna gjorts i, undersöks. Dessa metoder och koncept valdes då flera studier satte dessa i fokus. Kunskapsöversikten ser även över ifall metoderna är effektivare än den traditionella undervisningen som används i dessa länder.  Kunskapsöversikten har utförts med hjälp av en sökprocess i sökmotorn “LibSearch”. Sökorden “cooperative learning” och “mathematics” har varit utgångspunkten för sökningar kring frågan. Även sökordet “methods” har använts när studier kring metoder i kooperativt lärande var viktigt att hitta.  Resultaten visar att kooperativt lärande samt deras metoder är mer effektiva än traditionell undervisning i matematik. Kooperativt lärande kan även delas in i två olika beskrivningar; ett metodfokuserat arbetssätt, som fokuserar på att använda den bästa metoden, och ett kooperativfokuserat, som fokuserar på att arbetsformen för eleverna uppfyller kravet för att ses som kooperativt. Länder som inte arbetat kooperativt men infört det får även en högre effekt än länder som redan har infört det, men skiftar metod. Det identifierades även att TAI och STAD var två metoder som fungerade bra i de klassrum där kooperativt lärande introducerades. Fortsatt jämförande av de två metodernas arbetssätt är något som kan forskas vidare om för att få ytterligare information om någon metod är den mest effektiva.  Nyckelord: Jigsaw, kooperativt lärande, peer collaboration, samarbete, STAD, Sverige, TAI, TPS

Bakgrund: Parkinsons sjukdom (PS) är en kronisk sjukdom med progressivt förlopp där nedsatt balans och ökad fallrisk tidigt blir ett problem. På senare tid har alternativa träningsformer som bland annat innefattar stegstrategier anpassats till personer med PS, dock är det vetenskapliga underlaget rörande dess effektivitet oklart. Syfte: Att granska kunskapsläget avseende alternativa träningsformer såsom tai chi, dans och boxning som behandling för att motverka nedsatt balans hos personer med PS. Resultatet presenterar relevanta studiers effekt på balans, samt gradering av evidensens kvalitet. Metod: Litteraturstudie valdes som design. Datainsamling gjordes genom sökning i databaserna PubMed och PEDro. Författarna  kvalitetsgranskade inkluderade studierna med granskningsmallen TESTEX, därefter  granskades studiernas resultat och slutligen sammanvägd tillförlitlighet med GRADEstud.  Resultat: Nio studier med totalt 608 deltagare inkluderades i studien. Studiernas kvalitet varierade mellan 8-12 poäng vid kvalitetsgranskning med TESTEX. Fyra studier fann signifikant förbättring i balans jämfört med kontroll. En inkluderad studie undersökte boxning, utan att skillnad mellan grupperna identifierades. Det samlade evidensläget för tai chi respektive dans som behandling vid nedsatt balans vid PS bedöms vara lågt, detta främst på grund av heterogenitet i studierna. Boxning bedöms ha otillräckligt underlag för sammanvägning av resultat. Konklusion: Med den granskade evidensen kan vi i dagsläget inte säga om träningsmodaliteterna är effektiva för att förbättra balans vid PS, men det fanns indikation på att samtliga interventioner har en positiv inverkan på balans. Mer forskning med hög metodologisk kvalitet och större urvalsgrupper behövs. / Background: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a chronic disease with a progressive course, where impaired balance and increased risk of falls becomes a problem. In recent times alternative forms of training, which include compensatory stepping responses among other things, have been adopted for people with PD. However, the scientific evidence about its efficacy is unclear. Purpose: To systematically review the evidence surrounding alternative training methods such as tai chi, dance and boxing as a treatment for imparied balance in people with Parkinson's disease. The result presents relevant effects on balance, as well as a grading of the quality of the evidence. Method: The search for literature was carried out on the databases PubMed and PEDro. The authors reviewed the quality of the included studies with the assessment tool TESTEX. After that the results of the studies were reviewed, and lastly the reliability was assessed with GRADEstud. Results: Nine studies with a total of 608 participants were included in the study. Studies ranged from 8-12 points in the quality assessment. Four studies found significant improvement in balance in comparison to control. One of the included studies examined boxing, the study found no difference between groups. The reliability of evidence for tai chi and dance as treatment for impaired balance was assessed to be low, mainly because of heterogeneity in the studies. Boxing did not meet the requirements for an assessment of the reliability. Conclusion: The result does not provide us with enough knowledge to determine whether these training methods are effective for improving balance in PS, but there were indications of a positive impact on balance caused by the interventions. More research with high methodological quality and larger sample groups is needed.

Tai Chi Chuan is a safe alternative for those who wish to improve balance and physical wellbeing. It is a popular form of exercise that is supported by a growing body of research aimed towards improving the health of a sedentary elderly population. The purpose of this study was to examine the biomechanical features of the lower extremity during performance of two Tai Chi movements, the “Repulse Monkey (RM)” and “Wave-hands in clouds (WHIC).” The study’s parameters included quantitative measures of the temporospatial, kinematic, and kinetic characteristics of the lower extremities. A group of experienced male Tai Chi practitioners (n = 15) between the ages of 65 to 75, performed “Repulse Monkey (RM)”, “Wave-hand in Cloud (WHIC)”, and forward walking. Three-dimensional (3-D) kinematic and kinetic data was collected using VICON motion analysis system with 10 infrared cameras and 4 force plates. The following variables were examined: stride width, step length, step width, single- and double-support times, centre of mass (COM) displacement, peak joint angles, range of motion, peak joint moments, time to peak moment, and ground reaction force (GRF). The differences in the measurements of the two Tai Chi movements were compared with walking using two-way ANOVA. The study’s results showed that the two Tai Chi movements elicit gentle and fluid changes to position of the upper body mass and the joints in the lower extremity. In terms of joint kinematics, the knee remained flexed throughout RM and WHIC. Unlike walking, RM had larger abduction and adduction angles at the knee joints and large plantar- and dorsiflexion ROM at the ankle. Reduced posterior, mediolateral, and vertical GRF were seen; the loading joints at the ankle and hip were gentle and smaller than walking. Varus/valgus moments were notably larger at the knee joint during RM and eversion moment was larger at the ankle joint during WHIC movement. A large, but slow loading rate at the knee joint has implication towards the viscoelastic properties of the knee. A better understanding of RM and WHIC would facilitate the improvement of balance, physical capacity, and joint flexibility for the elders.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Tai Chi exercise on motor skills in older adults residing in independent living. Twenty-eight self-ambulatory older adults (age: 77 8.92; male: N = 1, female: N = 27) with no serious or restrictive health conditions, MMSE score 21, or recent surgery, completed this study. Participants engaged in one-hour biweekly Tai Chi exercise or BINGO sessions for eight weeks. Fine and gross motor skills were tested at four time-points throughout the study. Repeated measures 2x4 [2(Tai Chi exercise x BINGO) x 4(Baseline x Intraintervention x Post x Retention)] RM ANOVA was used with alpha of 0.05. Significant differences noted in fine motor function tasks (nondominant > dominant hand), and for the 6MWT, suggesting that Tai Chi exercise or BINGO may help older adults to perform activities of daily living, maintain independency, and gain a better quality of life.

In people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) balance impairments may lead to increased falls and mobility loss. In quiet stance, people with MS display greater postural sway than healthy controls. Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art that has decreased the risk of falling in frail elderly individuals (Wolf et al., 1996). The purpose of this study was to determine if a three week Tai Chi intervention would improve postural stability in people with MS. Seven participants (6F/1M, age 48.5 ± 10.8 years, height 1.66 ± 0.08m, mass 68.6 ± 19.8kg) attended nine one hour training sessions to practice two types of Tai Chi: standing meditation and slow walking. Postural stability was assessed before and after training using average center of pressure (CoP) velocity, total excursion and time to contact (TtC) for the static trials, and dual and single limb support times for the walking trials. To measure postural stability trials of quiet stance (QS), Tai Chi standing meditation with (SMA) and without arms (SM), tandem stance (TS), preferred speed walking (PW) and slow speed walking (SW) were assessed. Kinematic data recorded by a 12 camera motion capture system (Qualysis AB), and kinetic data collected from a single forceplate (AMTI) were used to compute net CoP. Because functional parameters can influence stability, strength obtained from a chair rise test and neural drive obtained from a foot tapping test were obtained. All results were assessed with paired t-tests (p.05). For SMA, average CoP velocity (p=.006) and excursions (p=.023) increased, and average TtC (p=.020) was reduced. For TS average CoP velocity (p=.06) and excursions (p=.09) trended towards decreased values, and average TtC (p=.045) increased. With the exception of increased left single limb support time (p=.009) PW and SW were not affected by the intervention. In conclusion, the increased neural drive, muscular strength, and postural stability in TS supports the idea that a three week Tai Chi intervention is effective at improving static balance in people with MS.