A practical method for lingual retainer fixation before direct bonding: Clinical suggest

The retention phase is initiated after orthodontic treatment completion to prevent orthodontic relapse. There are several techniques, direct and indirect, available for placing bonded lingual retainers, but none of them is considered as a standard clinical protocol. The best choice should be the association of simplicity and efficiency. This article presents a practical method sequence for fixation of the lingual retainer before direct bonding. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd and the Japanese Orthodontic Society.

Toxicological and histopathological effects of boric acid on atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) workers

The current study compared the toxicity of different concentrations of boric acid in adult workers of Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), with toxicological bioassays, and examining the dose-dependent and time-dependent histopathological changes, of the midgut, Malpighian tubules, and postpharyngeal glands. Our results revealed the importance of conducting toxicological bioassays combined with morphological analyses of the organs of ants chronically exposed to insecticides used in commercial ant baits. In vitro bioassays showed that boric acid significantly decreases the survivorship of workers regardless of concentration, whereas the morphological data suggested progressive dose-dependent and time-dependent changes in the organs examined, which were evident in the midgut. The midgut is the first organ to be affected, followed by the postpharyngeal gland and Malpighian tubules. This sequence is in agreement with the absorption pathway of this chemical compound in the midgut, its transference to the hemolymph, possibly reaching the postpharyngeal glands, and excretion by the Malpighian tubules. These progressive changes might be due to the cumulative and delayed effect of boric acid. Our findings provide important information for the understanding of the action of boric acid in ant baits in direct and indirect target organs. © 2010 Entomological Society of America.

Quantitative assessment of a free trade agreement between MERCOSUR and the European Union

Incluye Bibliografía

Annual and monthly mean global, direct and diffuse solar irradiation in Botucatu/SP/Brazil

This paper presents a climatic and statistical analysis of global, direct horizontal and diffuse radiation from a database of solar radiation measured from 1996 to 2006 in the city of Botucatu, SP, Brazil. Variation intervals of hourly and daily irradiation, annual mean 〈H̄G〉, 〈H̄bh〉 and 〈H̄d〉 irradiation, monthly mean 〈H̄G〉, 〈H̄ bh〉 and 〈H̄d〉 irradiation and monthly mean 〈K̄t〉, 〈K̄bh〉 and 〈K̄d〉 fractions were determined. Results showed that values of hourly and daily annual mean irradiation were as follows: 〈H̄G〉=1.49MJ/m2 and 〈H̄ G〉=17.74MJ/m2; 〈H̄bh〉=0. 90MJ/m2 and 〈H̄bh〉=10.33MJ/m2 and 〈H̄d〉=0.57 MJ/m2 and 〈H̄d〉=7.09MJ/m2, respectively. Variation intervals of hourly monthly mean irradiation were as follows: 〈H̄G〉 ranged from 1.65MJ/m2 in March to 1.16MJ/m2 in June; 〈H̄bh〉 ranged from 1.06MJ/m2 in April to 0.79MJ/m2 in June, and 〈H̄d〉 ranged from 0.70MJ/m2 in January to 0.37MJ/m2 in June and July. Similarly, daily 〈H̄ G〉 irradiation ranged from 21.35MJ/m2 in November to 12.94MJ/m2 in June; 〈H̄bh〉 ranged from 11.83MJ/m2 in April to 8.49MJ/m2 in June, and 〈H̄d〉 ranged from 10.29MJ/m2 in December to 4.38MJ/m2 in June. Variation intervals of hourly monthly mean fractions were as follows: 〈K̄t〉 ranged from 43.5% in January to 54.2% in April; 〈K̄bh〉 ranged from 33.6% in January to 58.0% in April and 〈K̄d〉 ranged from 66.4% in January to 42.0% in April. In the same way, daily 〈K̄ t〉 fractions ranged from 45.5% in January to 59.8% in August; 〈K̄bh〉 ranged from 38.9% in January to 62.0% in August and 〈K̄d〉 ranged from 61.1% in January to 37.7% in July.

Foreign investment and competitive development in Latin America and the Caribbean

Includes bibliography

Military expenditure and development in Latin America

Includes bibliography

Triiodothyronine Increases mRNA and Protein Leptin Levels in Short Time in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes by PI3K Pathway Activation

The present study aimed to examine the effects of thyroid hormone (TH), more precisely triiodothyronine (T3), on the modulation of leptin mRNA expression and the involvement of the phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway in adipocytes, 3T3-L1, cell culture. We examined the involvement of this pathway in mediating TH effects by treating 3T3-L1 adipocytes with physiological (P=10nM) or supraphysiological (SI=100 nM) T3 dose during one hour (short time), in the absence or the presence of PI3K inhibitor (LY294002). The absence of any treatment was considered the control group (C). RT-qPCR was used for mRNA expression analyzes. For data analyzes ANOVA complemented with Tukey's test was used at 5% significance. T3 increased leptin mRNA expression in P (2.26 ± 0.36, p< 0.001), SI (1.99 ±0.22, p< 0.01) compared to C group (1± 0.18). This increase was completely abrogated by LY294002 in P (1.31±0.05, p< 0.001) and SI (1.33±0.31, p< 0.05). Western blotting confirmed these results at protein level, indicating the PI3K pathway dependency. To examine whether leptin is directly induced by T3, we used the translation inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX). In P, the presence of CHX maintained the levels mRNA leptin, but was completely abrogated in SI (1.14±0.09, p> 0.001). These results demonstrate that the activation of the PI3K signaling pathway has a role in TH-mediated direct and indirect leptin gene expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. © 2013 Oliveira et al.

Assessment of the damage caused by flood rains and landslides in association with hurricane Michelle, october 2001: implications for economic, social and environmental development

Preface This study was prepared for the Government of Jamaica following the significant physical damage and economic losses that the country sustained as a result of flood rains associated with the development of Hurricane Michelle. The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) submitted a request for assistance in undertaking a social, environmental and economic impact assessment to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) on 14 November 2001. ECLAC responded with haste and modified its work plan to accommodate the request. A request for training in the use of the ECLAC Methodology to be delivered to personnel in Jamaica was deferred until the first quarter of 2002, as it was impossible to mount such an initiative at such short notice. This appraisal considers the consequences of the three instances of heavy rainfall that brought on the severe flooding and loss of property and livelihoods. The study was prepared by three members of the ECLAC Natural Disaster Damage Assessment Team over a period of one week in order to comply with the request that it be presented to the Prime Minister on 3 December 2001. The team has endeavoured to complete a workload that would take two weeks with a team of 15 members working assiduously with data already prepared in preliminary form by the national emergency stakeholders. There is need for training in disaster assessment as evidenced by the data collected by the Jamaican officials engaged in the exercise. Their efforts in the future will be more focused and productive after they have received training in the use of the ECLAC Methodology. This study undertakes a sectoral analysis leading to an overall assessment of the damage. It appraises the macroeconomic and social effects and proposes some guidelines for action including mitigating actions subsequent to the devastation caused by the weather system. The team is grateful for the efforts of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the associated government ministries and agencies, the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), the Planning Institute of Jamaica and the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) for assistance rendered to the team. Indeed, it is the recommendation of the team that STATIN is poised to play a pivotal role in any disaster damage assessment and should be taken on board in that regard. The direct and indirect damages have been assessed in accordance with the methodology developed by ECLAC (1). The results presented are based on the mission's estimates. The study incorporates the information made available to the team and evidence collected in interviews and visits to affected locations. It is estimated that the magnitude of the losses exceeds the country's capacity to address reparations and mitigation without serious dislocation of its development trajectory. The government may wish to approach the international community for assistance in this regard. This appraisal is therefore designed to provide the government and the international community with guidelines for setting national and regional priorities in rehabilitation and reconstruction or resettlement programmes. A purely economic conception of the problem would be limited. A more integrated approach would have a human face and consider the alleviation of human suffering in the affected areas while attending to the economic and fiscal fallout of the disaster. Questions of improved physical planning, watershed management, early warning, emergency response and structural preparedness for evacuation and sheltering the vulnerable population are seen as important considerations for the post disaster phase. Special attention and priority should be placed on including sustainability and increased governance criteria in making social and productive investments, and on allocating resources to the reinforcing and retrofitting of vulnerable infrastructure, basic lifelines and services as part of the reconstruction and rehabilitation strategy. The Jamaican society and government face the opportunity of undertaking action with the benefit of revised paradigms, embarking on institutional, legal and structural reforms to reduce economic, social and environmental vulnerability. The history of flood devastation in the very areas of Portland and St. Mary shows a recurrence of flooding. Accounts of flooding from the earliest recorded accounts pertaining to 1837 are available. Recurrences in 1937, 1940, 1943 and 2001 indicate an ever-present probability of recurrence of similar events. The Government may wish to consider the probable consequences of a part of its population living in flood plains and address its position vis-à­¶is land use and the probability of yet another recurrence of flood rains. (1) ECLAC/IDNDR, Manual for estimating the Socio-Economic Effects of Natural Disasters, May,1999.

An assessment of the economic and social impacts of climate change on the health sector in the Caribbean

Climate change affects the fundamental bases of good human health, which are clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food, and secure shelter. Climate change is known to impact health through three climate dimensions: extreme heat, natural disasters, and infections and diseases. The temporal and spatial climatic changes that will affect the biology and ecology of vectors and intermediate hosts are likely to increase the risks of disease transmission. The greatest effect of climate change on disease transmission is likely to be observed at the extremes of the range of temperatures at which transmission typically occurs. Caribbean countries are marked by unique geographical and geological features. When combined with their physical, infrastructural development, these features make them relatively more prone to negative impacts from changes in climatic conditions. The increased variability of climate associated with slow-moving tropical depressions has implications for water quality through flooding as well as hurricanes. Caribbean countries often have problems with water and sanitation. These problems are exacerbated whenever there is excess rainfall, or no rainfall. The current report aims to prepare the Caribbean to respond better to the anticipated impact of climate change on the health sector, while fostering a subregional Caribbean approach to reducing carbon emissions by 2050. It provides a major advance on the analytical and contextual issues surrounding the impact of climate change on health in the Caribbean by focusing on the vector-borne and waterborne diseases that are anticipated to be impacted directly by climate change. The ultimate goal is to quantify both the direct and indirect costs associated with each disease, and to present adaptation strategies that can address these health concerns effectively to benefit the populations of the Caribbean.

Mecanismos de ação da própolis na modulação de danos quimicamente induzidos no DNA

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Simple, Direct and Simultaneous Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Lead and Copper in Gasoline Using an In Situ Mercury Film Electrode

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Pelvic differences between brachycephalic and mesaticephalic cats and indirect pelvimetry assessment

Pelvic measurements were carried out in cats with various cranial conformations to (1) determine pelvic morphometry, (2) compare any pelvic differences with cranial conformation and gender and (3) determine whether body biometrics can be used to predict pelvic measurements. Thirteen brachycephalic and 14 mesaticephalic female cats and 17 brachycephalic and nine mesaticephalic male cats were used. Body and external pelvic measurements, as well as pelvic radiographs, were performed. Brachycephalic females all had external pelvic and radiographic measurements that were significantly smaller than those of the mesaticephalic females, including smaller pelvic inlet and outlet areas and a smaller pelvic canal shape. Brachycephalic females had wider and flatter heads than do mesaticephalic females. Similarly, brachycephalic males all have radiographic pelvic measurements that are smaller than those of mesaticephalic males. Males had larger pelvis measurements than did their female counterparts for both cranial types, and indirect pelvimetry did not demonstrate good predictive value in determining the internal pelvic measurements. Thus, we conclude that pelvic differences exist between genders and between brachycephalic and mesaticephalic cats. Furthermore, body biometric measurements do not have good predictive value for determining internal pelvic measurements.

Adventitious shoot induction from leaf segments in Anthurium andreanum is affected by age of explant, leaf orientation and plant growth regulator

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Investigation of the structural, optical and dielectric properties of highly (100)-oriented (Pb0.60Ca0.20Sr0.20)TiO3 thin films on LaNiO3 bottom electrode

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

Analysis of hourly global, direct and diffuse solar radiations attenuation as a function of optical air mass

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