Tooth embedding medium influences the accuracy of electronic apex locator

This study evaluated the influence of tooth embedding media on the accuracy ofan electronic apex locator. The root canal length of 20 human mandibular canines was measured by inserting a 15 K-file into the root canal up to the apical foramen. The distance was measured with a digital caliper. The embedding media evaluated were alginate, saline, floral foam or gauze soaked in saline. Electronic root canal length measurement was performed with Root ZX II. Data were analysed using ANOVA for repeated measurements and Tukey test, at a significance level of 5%. There was no difference between the actual root canal length measurement and the electronic reading recorded with alginate medium. The readings obtained with the other media differed from the actual root canal length measurements. Alginate provided greater accuracy in electronic root canal length determination by Root ZX II than saline, floral foam and gauze.

The dynamics of industrial energy consumption in Latin America and their implications for sustainable development

Includes bibliography

Microelectrónica y el desarrollo de América Latina: problemas y posibilidades de acción = Microelectronics and the development of Latin America: problems and possibilities for action

Incluye Bibliografía

Energy Efficiency in Central America: Progress and action towards the fulfillment of the goals of the Central American sustainable energy strategy

Includes bibliography.

New isoflavones from the leaves of Vatairea guianensis Aublé

Das folhas de Vatairea guianensis Aublé foram isoladas quatro isoflavonas identificadas como, 5,3',-diidroxi-4'-metoxi-2",2"-dimetilpirano-(5",6":8,7)-isoflavona ( 1: ), 5,7-diidroxi-3',4'-metilenodioxi-8-prenil-isoflavona ( 2: ) e 5,3'-diidroxi-4'-metoxi-7-O-β-glicopiranosídeo-8-prenil-isoflavona ( 3: ) e derrona ( 4: ), juntamente com cinco triterpenos identificados em mistura de lupeol, α-amirina, β-amirina, germanicol e ácido betulínico. As substâncias 1: 3: são novos produtos naturais, porém 1: e 2: já foram citados como produtos de síntese. No entanto, todas essas substâncias são relatadas pela primeira vez para essa espécie. Suas estruturas químicas foram elucidadas com base nos seus dados de ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN) 1D e 2D e por espectrometria de massas de alta resolução. O extrato etanólico das folhas e os compostos 1-3: foram avaliados quanto ao seu potencial sequestrador do radical DPPH• (2,2-difenil-1-picril-hidrazila) e os resultados mostram que o extrato apresentou alta atividade (CI₅₀ = 6,2 ± 0,4 µg mL^-1), enquanto as substâncias testadas apresentaram baixo poder antioxidante (CI₅₀ ≥ 29,5 ± 2,5 µg mL^-1) quando comparadas com TROLOX (CI₅₀ = 4,5 ± 0,4 µg mL^-1).

A path- and label-cost propagation approach to speedup the training of the optimum-path forest classifier

In general, pattern recognition techniques require a high computational burden for learning the discriminating functions that are responsible to separate samples from distinct classes. As such, there are several studies that make effort to employ machine learning algorithms in the context of big data classification problems. The research on this area ranges from Graphics Processing Units-based implementations to mathematical optimizations, being the main drawback of the former approaches to be dependent on the graphic video card. Here, we propose an architecture-independent optimization approach for the optimum-path forest (OPF) classifier, that is designed using a theoretical formulation that relates the minimum spanning tree with the minimum spanning forest generated by the OPF over the training dataset. The experiments have shown that the approach proposed can be faster than the traditional one in five public datasets, being also as accurate as the original OPF. (C) 2014 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Differential Effect of Solution Conditions on the Conformation of the Actinoporins Sticholysin II and Equinatoxin II

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

Abdominal muscle strength is related to the quality of life among older adults with lumbar osteoarthritis

The aim of the present study was to determine the association between abdominal muscle strength and quality of life among older adults with lumbar osteoarthritis. A blind, cross-sectional study was conducted involving 40 older adults: 20 with lumbar osteoarthritis (12 women and 8 men, mean age of 65.90 ± 4.80 years) and 20 controls (14 women and 6 men, mean age of 67.90 ± 4.60 years). The volunteers were submitted to an abdominal muscle strength test. Quality of life was evaluated using the SF-36 questionnaire. Both abdominal muscle strength and quality of life scores were significantly lower in the group with lumbar osteoarthritis in comparison to the controls (p < 0.05). Moreover, significant and positive associations were found between abdominal muscle strength and the subscales of the SF-36 questionnaire (p < 0.05, 0.421 ≥ rs ≤ 0.694). Based on the present findings, older adults with lumbar osteoarthritis with greater abdominal muscle strength have a better quality of life.

Autonomic control of heart rate during orthostasis and the importance of orthostatic-tachycardia in the snake Python molurus

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Foucault's heraclitism and the concept of history

Deleuze states that Foucault would have created a new relationship between men and history, a relationship other than that established by the philosophers of history. In order to specify the steps Foucault took to accomplish this invention, I shall support, according to Deleuze, Foucault s Heraclitism as the basis for a genuine Foucaultian concept of history. After outlining the risks taken by Foucault s concept of history, I observe this concept at work through the three periods that perform his thought: Archeology, Genealogy and Aesthetics of Existence. The main characters that embody his concept of history through these periods are: a) the discontinuous profile of history; b) the denaturalization of would-be unhistorical objects; c) the historical dimension of body; d) the eddies of subjectivation in history. We shall focus our inspection on the turn made along Foucault s work when he takes into a new account the theme of subjectivity, mostly in the last two volumes of the History of Sexuality. Thus, our attention turns to the subjectivity defined as a process, in order to investigate individual identity as the result of history.

Combining plant and bird data increases the accuracy of an Index of Biotic Integrity to assess conservation levels of tropical forest fragments

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Segmental osteotomy for the correction of a malpositioned single implant: an 8-year follow-up

This case report is an 8-year follow-up of a malpositioned single implant, which was treated with segmental osteotomy, to confirm the treatment's characteristics, indications, and advantages. Deep buccal positioning of an endosseous implant placed in the maxillary left central incisor area did not permit acceptable prosthetic rehabilitation, despite its favorable bone insertion with no significant marginal bone loss. The surgical procedure included osteotomy and block movement performed toward the lingual and cervical position, fixed with a provisional prosthesis and miniplates and mini-implants. A connective tissue graft was necessary for esthetics optimization and was performed in a second stage. Advantages including the prevention of alveolar ridge damage, the improvement of gingival contour, and the use of an already integrated implant are presented. Clinically satisfactory hard and soft tissue stability permitted us to consider segmental surgery as a reliable alternative for malpositioned osseointegrated implants.

Medroxyprogesterone acetate or long-acting progesterone in the biostimulation of lambs

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)