VSSI X̄ charts with sampling at fixed times

A standard X̄ chart for controlling the process mean takes samples of size n0 at specified, equally-spaced, fixed-time points. This article proposes a modification of the standard X chart that allows one to take additional samples, bigger than n0, between these fixed times. The additional samples are taken from the process when there is evidence that the process mean moved from target. Following the notation proposed by Reynolds (1996a) and Costa (1997) we shortly call the proposed X chart as VSSIFT X chart where VSSIFT means variable sample size and sampling intervals with fixed times. The X chart with the VSSIFT feature is easier to be administered than a standard VSSI X chart that is not constrained to sample at the specified fixed times. The performances of the charts in detecting process mean shifts are comparable. Copyright © 1998 by Marcel Dekker, Inc.

Embryo recovery and pregnancy rates after the delay of ovulation and fixed time insemination in superstimulated beef cows

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of delaying ovulation subsequent to superstimulation of follicular growth in beef cows (Bos indicus) on embryo recovery rates and the capacity of embryos to establish pregnancies. Ovulation was delayed by three treatments using either progesterone (CIDR-B®) or a GnRH agonist (deslorelin). Multiparous Nelore cows (n = 24) received three of four superstimulation treatments in an incomplete block design (n = 18 per group). Cows in Groups CTRL, P48 and P60 were treated with a CIDR-B device plus estradiol benzoate (EB, 4 mg, i.m.) on Day-5, while cows in Group D60 were implanted with deslorelin on Day-7. Cows were superstimulated with FSH (Folltropin-V® 200 mg), from Day 0 to 3, using twice daily injections in decreasing amounts. All cows were treated with a luteolytic dose of prostaglandin on Day 2 (08:00 h). CIDR-B devices were removed as follows: Group CTRL, Day 2 (20:00 h); Group P48, Day 4 (08:00 h); Group P60, Day 4 (20:00 h). Cows in Group CTRL were inseminated at 10, 20 and 30 h after first detected estrus. Ovulation was induced for cows in Group P48 (Day 4, 08:00 h) and Groups P60 and D60 (Day 4, 20:00 h) by injection of LH (Lutropin®, 25 mg, i.m.), and these cows were inseminated 10 and 20 h after treatment with LH. Embryos were recovered on Days 11 or 12, graded and transferred to synchronized recipients. Pregnancies were determined by ultrasonography around Day 100. Data were analyzed by mixed procedure, Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square tests. The number of ova/embryos, transferable embryos (mean ± S.E.M.) and pregnancy rates (%) were as follows, respectively: Group CTRL (10.8 ± 1.8, 6.1 ± 1.3, 51.5), P48 (12.6 ± 1.9, 7.1 ± 1.0, 52.3), P60 (10.5 ± 1.6, 5.7 ± 1.3, 40.0) and D60 (10.3 ± 1.7, 5.0 ± 1.2, 50.0). There were no significant differences among the groups (P > 0.05). It was concluded that fixed time AI in association with induced ovulation did not influence embryo recovery. Furthermore, pregnancy rates in embryos recovered from cows with delayed ovulation were similar to those in embryos obtained from cows treated with a conventional superstimulation protocol. © 2002 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Human interferon B1 ser17: Coding DNA synthesis, expression, purification and characterization of bioactive recombinant protein

A protocol to produce large amounts of bioactive homogeneous human interferon β1 expressed in Escherichia coli was developed. Human interferon β1 ser17 gene was constructed, cloned and subcloned, and the recombinant protein expressed in E. coli cells. Solubilization of recombinant human interferon β1 ser17 (rhIFN-β1 ser17) was accomplished by employing a brief shift to high alkaline pH in the presence of non-ionic detergent. The recombinant protein was purifi ed by three chromatographic steps. N-terminal amino acid sequencing and mass spectrometry analysis provided experimental evidence for the identity of the recombinant protein. Reverse phase liquid chromatography demonstrated that the content of deamidates and sulphoxides was similar to a commercial standard. Size exclusion chromatography demonstrated the absence of high molecular mass aggregates and dimers. The protocol represents an effi cient and high-yield method to obtain bioactive homogeneous monomeric rhIFN-β1 ser17 protein. It may thus represent an important step towards scaling up for rhIFN-β1 ser17 large-scale production. © 2010 Villela AD, et al.

Effect of axial loads on implant-supported partial fixed prostheses by strain gauge analysis

Objectives: The present study used strain gauge analysis to perform an in vitro evaluation of the effect of axial loading on 3 elements of implant-supported partial fixed prostheses, varying the type of prosthetic cylinder and the loading points. Material and methods: Three internal hexagon implants were linearly embedded in a polyurethane block. Microunit abutments were connected to the implants applying a torque of 20 Ncm, and prefabricated Co-Cr cylinders and plastic prosthetic cylinders were screwed onto the abutments, which received standard patterns cast in Co-Cr alloy (n = 5). Four strain gauges (SG) were bonded onto the surface of the block tangentially to the implants, SG 01 mesially to implant 1, SG 02 and SG 03 mesially and distally to implant 2, respectively, and SG 04 distally to implant 3. Each metallic structure was screwed onto the abutments with a 10 Ncm torque and an axial load of 30 kg was applied at five predetermined points (A, B, C, D, E). The data obtained from the strain gauge analyses were analyzed statistically by RM ANOVA and Tukey's test, with a level of significance of p<0.05. Results: There was a significant difference for the loading point (p=0.0001), with point B generating the smallest microdeformation (239.49 με) and point D the highest (442.77 με). No significant difference was found for the cylinder type (p=0.748). Conclusions: It was concluded that the type of cylinder did not affect in the magnitude of microdeformation, but the axial loading location influenced this magnitude.

O uso da análise de Fourier, de Wavelets e dos expoentes de Lyapunov no estudo de um sistema dinâmico não-ideal com atrito seco e excitação externa

Pós-graduação em Física - IGCE

Light and electron microscopy of Myxobolus sciades n. sp. (Myxozoa), a parasite of the gills of the Brazilian fish Sciades herzbergii (Block, 1794) (Teleostei: Ariidae)

A myxosporean parasite in the gill lamellae of the freshwater teleost fish, Sciades herzbergii (Ariidae) (Block, 1794), from the Poti River (Northeast of Brazil) was described by light and electron microscopy studies. Polysporic histozoic cyst-like plasmodia containing several life-cycle stages, including mature spores, were observed. The spores were pyriform and uninucleate, measuring 9.15 ± 0.39 μm (n = 50) long, 4.36 ± 0.23 μm (n = 25) wide and 2.61 ± 0.31 μm (n = 25) thick. Elongated pyriform polar capsules (PC) were of equal size (4.44 ± 0.41 μm long and 1.41 ± 0.42 μm in diameter) and each contained a polar filament with 9-10 coils obliquely arranged in relation to the axis of PC. The PC wall was composed of two layers of different electron densities. Histological analysis revealed the close contact of the cyst-like plasmodia with the basal portion of the epithelial gill layer, which exhibited some alterations in the capillary vessels. Based on the morphological and ultrastructural differences, the similarity of the spore features to those of the genus Myxobolus and the specificity of this host to previously described species, we describe a new species named Myxobolus sciades n. sp. in this study.

Microstrain Around Dental Implants Supporting Fixed Partial Prostheses Under Axial and Non-Axial Loading Conditions, In Vitro Strain Gauge Analysis

The current study used strain gauge analysis to perform an in vitro evaluation of the effect of axial and non-axial loading on implant-supported fixed partial prostheses, varying the implant placement configurations and the loading points. Three internal hexagon implants were embedded in the center of each polyurethane block with in-line and offset placements. Microunit abutments were connected to the implants using a torque of 20 N.cm, and plastic prosthetic cylinders were screwed onto the abutments, which received standard patterns cast in Co-Cr alloy (n = 10). Four strain gauges (SGs) were bonded onto the surfaces of the blocks, tangentially to the implants: SG 01 mesially to implant 1, SG 02 and SG 03 mesially and distally to implant 2, respectively, and SG 04 distally to implant 3. Each metallic structure was screwed onto the abutments using a 10-N.cm torque, and axial and non-axial loads of 30 kg were applied at 5 predetermined points. The data obtained from the strain gauge analyses were analyzed statistically through the repeated measures analysis of variance and the Tukey test, with a conventional level of significance of P < 0.05. The results showed a statistically significant difference for the loading point (P = 0.0001), with point E (nonaxial) generating the highest microstrain (327.67 mu epsilon) and point A (axial) generating the smallest microstrain (208.93 mu epsilon). No statistically significant difference was found for implant placement configuration (P = 0.856). It was concluded that the offset implant placement did not reduce the magnitude of microstrain around the implants under axial and non-axial loading conditions, although loading location did influence this magnitude.

The influence of floc size and hydraulic detention time on the performance of a dissolved air flotation (DAF) pilot unit in the light of a mathematical model

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

Linkage disequilibrium and haplotype block structure in a composite beef cattle breed

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Effects of belt speed, pressure and grit size on the sanding of pinus elliottii wood

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

Axial loads on implant-supported partial fixed prostheses for external and internal hex connections and machined and plastic copings: strain gauge analysis

The aim of this in vitro study was to use strain gauge (SG) analysis to compare the effects of the implant-abutment joint, the coping, and the location of load on strain distribution in the bone around implants supporting 3-unit fixed partial prostheses. Three external hexagon (EH) implants and 3 internal hexagon (IH) implants were inserted into 2 polyurethane blocks. Microunit abutments were screwed onto their respective implant groups. Machined cobalt-chromium copings and plastic copings were screwed onto the abutments, which received standard wax patterns. The wax patterns were cast in a cobalt-chromium alloy (n = 5): group 1 = EH/machined. group 2 = EH/plastic, group 3 = IH/machined, and group 4 = IH/plastic. Four SGs were bonded onto the surface of the block tangentially to the implants. Each metallic structure was screwed onto the abutments and an axial load of 30 kg was applied at 5 predetermined points. The magnitude of microstrain on each SG was recorded in units of microstrain (mu epsilon). The data were analyzed using 3-factor repeated measures analysis of variance and a Tukey test (alpha = 0.05). The results showed statistically significant differences for the type of implant-abutment joint, loading point, and interaction at the implant-abutment joint/loading point. The IH connection showed higher microstrain values than the EH connection. It was concluded that the type of coping did not interfere in the magnitude of microstrain, but the implant/abutment joint and axial loading location influenced this magnitude.

Healing at mandibular block-grafted sites: an experimental study in dogs

AimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the healing of autologous bone block grafts or deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) block grafts applied concomitantly with collagen membranes for horizontal alveolar ridge augmentation.Material and methodsIn six Labrador dogs, molars were extracted bilaterally, the buccal bony wall was removed, and a buccal box-shaped defect created. After 3months, a bony block graft was harvested from the right ascending ramus of the mandible and reduced to a standardized size. A DBBM block was tailored to similar dimensions. The two blocks were secured with screws onto the buccal wall of the defects in the right and left sides of the mandible, respectively. Resorbable membranes were applied at both sides, and the flaps sutured. After 3months, one implant was installed in each side of the mandible, in the interface between grafts and parent bone. After 3months, biopsies were harvested and ground sections prepared to reveal a 6-month healing period of the grafts.Results776.2% and 5.9 +/- 7.5% of vital mineralized bone were found at the autologous bone and DBBM block graft sites, respectively. Moreover, at the DBBM site, 63 +/- 11.7% of connective tissue and 31 +/- 15.5% of DBBM occupied the area analyzed. Only 0.2 +/- 0.4% of DBBM was found in contact with newly formed bone. The horizontal loss was in a mean range of 0.9-1.8mm, and 0.3-0.8mm, at the autologous bone and DBBM block graft sites, respectively.ConclusionsAutologous bone grafts were vital and integrated to the parent bone after 6months of healing. In contrast, DBBM grafts were embedded into connective tissue, and only a limited amount of bone was found inside the scaffold of the biomaterial.

Study of ceramic block manufacture with the addition of waste from iron ore extraction

This work is intended to study the possibility of adding an amount of waste from iron mining in the ceramic mass. Clay and coal, from Vale do Paraiba, Sao Paulo, Brazil, were used in this research. These raw materials are used in the ceramic block manufacture. Clay and waste were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction, particle size, differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis. Liquid limit and plasticity index tests were performed in order to determine the amount of waste that which should be used in the ceramic mass. After determining the amount of waste, all samples were uniaxially pressed and sintered at 900 degrees C. Surface roughness measurements, apparent porosity and bulk density technique and three-point flexural tests were also performed to characterize the samples. The results showed that by adding the exact amount of waste, which was determined by the essays, it is possible to manufacture solid bricks.

Adsorção de metais em solução aquosa pelos processos de batelada e coluna de leito fixo utilizando silsesquioxano funcionalizado com 5-amino-1,3,4-tiadiazol-2-tiol

Pós-graduação em Ciência dos Materiais - FEIS

High-Pressure Micellar Solutions of Polystyrene-block-polybutadiene and Polystyrene-block-polyisoprene in Propane Exhibit Cloud-Pressure Reduction and Distinct Micellization End Points

Micellar solutions of polystyrene-block-polybutadiene and polystyrene-block-polyisoprene in propane are found to exhibit significantly lower cloud pressures than the corresponding hypothetical nonmicellar solutions. Such a cloud-pressure reduction indicates the extent to which micelle formation enhances the apparent diblock solubility in near-critical and hence compressible propane. Concentration-dependent pressure-temperature points beyond which no micelles can be formed, referred to as the micellization end points, are found to depend on the block type, size, and ratio. The cloud-pressure reduction and the micellization end point measured for styrene-diene diblocks in propane should be characteristic of all amphiphilic diblock copolymer solutions that form micelles in compressible solvents.