O princípio da Indução Finita e jogos para o ensino de funções

Pós-graduação em Matemática em Rede Nacional - IBILCE

On the solution of mathematical programming problems with equilibrium constraints

Mathematical programming problems with equilibrium constraints (MPEC) are nonlinear programming problems where the constraints have a form that is analogous to first-order optimality conditions of constrained optimization. We prove that, under reasonable sufficient conditions, stationary points of the sum of squares of the constraints are feasible points of the MPEC. In usual formulations of MPEC all the feasible points are nonregular in the sense that they do not satisfy the Mangasarian-Fromovitz constraint qualification of nonlinear programming. Therefore, all the feasible points satisfy the classical Fritz-John necessary optimality conditions. In principle, this can cause serious difficulties for nonlinear programming algorithms applied to MPEC. However, we show that most feasible points do not satisfy a recently introduced stronger optimality condition for nonlinear programming. This is the reason why, in general, nonlinear programming algorithms are successful when applied to MPEC.

Effect of oral hygiene education and motivation on removable partial denture wearers: longitudinal study

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of two different preventive oral hygiene education and motivation programmes on the plaque and gingival index, as well as denture hygiene of patients provided with removable partial denture (RPD) during a 12-month follow-up.A total of 53 partially edentulous patients were recruited for this study. The presence or absence of plaque and gingival bleeding by gentle probing was scored on all tooth surfaces at the preliminary visit. The plaque and gingival indexes were measured using the Loe index. Following treatment, the patients were randomly divided into three groups. In Control Group I, subjects were instructed to continue their personal oral hygiene routine. In Group II, participants were given verbal instructions and a self-educational manual on oral hygiene without illustrations. In Group III, oral hygiene guidance was delivered using a combination of verbal instructions and a self-teaching manual. To evaluate the effect of the different modes of instruction, the presence or absence of plaque and gingival bleeding was scored on all tooth surfaces (day zero examination) and re-examined 7, 15 and 30 days, 3, 6 and 12 months following RPD placement. The state of denture hygiene was evaluated 7, 15 and 30 days and 3, 6 and 12 months following rehabilitation. Parametric statistics was applied to dental plaque and gingival indexes. For accumulation of plaque and calculus on the RPD, non-parametric statistic was applied.The frequency of plaque found during the preliminary visit was higher than that found in the other periods. With regard to gingival index, significant difference was found between the preliminary visit examination and other periods. There was a significant difference in the plaque accumulation on the denture surface between groups I and III.The different methods of oral hygiene instruction used in this study indicate that the type of education was not of significant importance.

Time-course of photosynthetic induction in four tropical woody species grown in contrasting irradiance habitats

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Determination of the LC50 of selamectin (active principle of the antiparasitic Revolution (R), Pfizer) applied on engorged female of the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Testing the principle of equivalence by supernova neutrinos

We study the possible impact of the neutrino oscillation which could be induced by a tiny violation of equivalence principle (VEP) on the observation of neutrinos emitted from supernova driven by gravitational collapse. We show that using supernova neutrinos, one can probe very small values of VEP parameters, delta(tau) less than or similar to O(10(-31)) for massless or degenerated neutrinos and delta(tau) less than or similar to O(10(-16)) x (Deltam(2)/10(-5) eV(2)) for massive neutrinos. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

The δ expansion and the principle of minimal sensitivity

The δ-expansion is a nonperturbative approach for field theoretic models which combines the techniques of perturbation theory and the variational principle. Different ways of implementing the principle of minimal sensitivity to the δ-expansion produce in general different results for observables. For illustration we use the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model for chiral symmetry restoration at finite density and compare results with those obtained with the Hartree-Fock approximation.

Molecular mechanisms of the induction of IL-12 and its inhibition by IL- 10

Exogenously added IL-10 rapidly inhibited Staphylococcus aureus- or LPS- induced cytokine mRNA expression in human PBMCs and monocytes, with a maximal effect observed when IL-10 was added from 20 h before until 1 h after the addition of the inducers. Nuclear run-on assays revealed that the inhibition of IL-12 p40, IL-12 p35, and TNF-α was at the gene transcriptional level and that the addition of IL-10 to S. aureus- or LPS-treated PBMCs did not affect mRNA stability. The inhibitory activity of IL-10 was abrogated by cycloheximide (CHX), suggesting the involvement of a newly synthesized protein(s). The addition of CHX at 2 h before S. aureus or LPS also inhibited the accumulation of IL-12 p40 mRNA, but did not inhibit IL-12 p35 and TNF-α mRNA. This finding suggests that p40 transcription is regulated through a de novo synthesized protein factor(s), whereas the addition of CHX at 2 h after S. aureus activation caused superinduction of the IL-12 p40, IL-12 p35, and TNF-α genes. These results indicate that in human monocytes, the mechanism(s) of IL-10 suppression of both IL-12 p40 and IL-12 p35 genes is primarily seen at the transcriptional level, and that the induction of the IL-12 p40 and p35 genes have different requirements for de novo protein synthesis.

Optimization procedures in the design of continuous induction hardening and tempering installations for magnetic steel bars

An inverse problem concerning the industrial process of steel bars hardening and tempering is considered. The associated optimization problem is formulated in terms of membership functions and, for the sake of comparison, also in terms of quadratic residuals; both geometric and electromagnetic design variables have been considered. The numerical solution is achieved by coupling a finite difference procedure for the calculation of the electromagnetic and thermal fields to a deterministic strategy of minimization based on modified Flctcher and Reeves method. © 1998 IEEE.

Methods of experimental induction of periapical inflammation. Microbiological and radiographic evaluation

Aim: To evaluate the influence of coronal filling and apical perforation on the induction of periapical inflammation. Methodology: Fifty-eight root canals in the teeth of dogs were divided into four groups. Groups I and II: root canals were exposed for 180 days; groups III and IV: root canals were exposed for 7 days and then the access cavity filled for 53 days. The root apices of groups I and III were perforated after the coronal opening, whilst those of groups II and IV remained intact. Standard radiographs were taken before and after the experimental periods. Digital images of the radiographs were created and then analysed by three examiners. After induction of periapical inflammation, the root canal contents were collected using paper points. Microbiologic evaluation of the type of microorganism was carried out by culture in different growth media. The radiographic and microbiologic data were statistically analysed using ANOVA at a 5% significance level. Results: There were a greater total number of microorganisms in groups I and II (P < 0.05). The number of anaerobes was greater than the number of aerobes (P < 0.05). The size of the periapical radiolucencies were not significantly different between the experimental groups. Conclusions: The different methods analysed induced similar areas of periapical radiolucency in dogs with predominantly anaerobic bacteria. However, the time required for induction was less when the method with coronal filling was used. © 2005 International Endodontic Journal.

Histopathological evaluation of different methods of experimental induction of periapical periodontitis

This study evaluated histopathologically different methods of experimental induction of periapical periodontitis. The radiographic and microbiological evaluations have been performed in a previous investigation. Fifty-seven root canals from dogs' teeth were assigned to 4 groups. In GI (n=14) and GII (n=14), the root canals were exposed to oral environment for 180 days; in GIII (n=14) and GIV (n=15) the root canals were exposed for 7 days and then the access cavities were restored and remained sealed for 53 days. The root apices of GI and GIII were perforated, whilst those of GII and GIV remained intact. After induction of periapical periodontitis, the dogs were euthanized. Serial sections were obtained and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Data of the histopathological evaluation were submitted to Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests at 5% significance level. The inflammatory periapical reaction and resorption of mineralized tissues were less intense in GII than in the other groups (p<0.05). There was no histopathological difference among the experimentally induced periapical lesions in the teeth with coronal sealing. On the other hand, when coronal sealing was not performed, greater intensity of induced periapical periodontitis was observed in the teeth with apical perforation.

EMG activity of trunk stabilizer muscles during Centering Principle of Pilates Method

This study aimed to analyze the electromyographic (EMG) activity of iliocostalis lumborum (IL), internal oblique (IO) and multifidus (MU) and the antagonist cocontraction (IO/MU and IO/IL) during the performance of Centering Principle of Pilates Method. Participating in this study were eighteen young and physically fit volunteers, without experience in Pilates Method, divided in two groups: low back pain group (LBPG, n = 8) and control group (CG, n = 10). Two isometric contractions of IO muscles (Centering Principle) were performed in upright sitting posture. EMG signal amplitude was calculated by Root Mean Square (RMS), which was normalized by RMS maximum value. The common area method to calculate the antagonist cocontraction index was used. MU and IO activation and IO/MU cocontraction (. p < 0.05) were higher in CG. The CG therefore showed a higher stabilizer muscles recruitment than LBPG during the performance of Centering Principle of Pilates Method. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Histopathology of the tegument of rabbits infested by Rhipicephalus sanguineus (ACARI: IXODIDAE) ticks and exposed to selamectin (active principle of acaricide Revolution®, Pfizer)

Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites which can transmit several diseases to the host during their feeding process. When ticks mechanically damage the tissue, they eventually induce inflammatory responses on the skin spot where they are fixed. One of the alternatives to control these ectoparasites is the use of chemical substances like selamectin - the active principle of Pfizer's antiparasitic Revolution® - a macrocyclic lactone capable of doing neurotoxic damage to the tick and eventually eliminating infestation in dogs and cats. The purpose of this study was to analyze, using histological and histochemical techniques, the occurrence of morphophysiological alterations in the skin of the host rabbits exposed to selamectin and infested with Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae). Histologically, the exposed and infested rabbits showed a partial and/or total decrease in the stratum corneum and the epithelium decreased in the number of cell layers, consequently reducing the stratification (thinning) and quite pronounced formations of sub-epidermal edemas with consequent disorganization of collagen fibers in the dermal layer's connective tissue. Histochemical tests showed strong periodic acid-Schiff-positive reaction in the hair follicle and some regions of the dermis, besides resynthesis of collagen fibers detected by Mallory's trichrome technique. The obtained results showed that selamectin acts like a toxicant agent when in contact with the skin of the rabbit infested with ticks, inducing morphophysiological alterations in the acute inflammatory process in the animal's tegument. Selamectin is a chemical substance which has a dose-dependent action since higher concentrations cause greater morphophysiological damage in the skin of rabbits. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Use of mathematical models in the study of bodily growth in GIFT strain Nile tilapia

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Morphological alterations of epidermis of rabbits infested by R. sanguineus ticks and exposed to Selamectin (active principle of Pfizer Revolution (R) acaricide): A confocal microscopy study

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)