Effects of Early Functional Loading on Maintenance of Free Autogenous Bone Graft and Implant Osseointegration: An Experimental Study in Dogs

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the healing, integration, and maintenance of autogenous onlay bone grafts and implant osseointegration either loaded in the early or the delayed stages. Materials and Methods: A total of 5 male clogs received bilateral blocks of onlay bone grafts harvested from the contralateral alveolar ridge of the mandible. On one side, the bone block was secured by 3 dental implants (3.5 mm x 13.0 mm, Osseospeed; Astra Tech AB, Molndal, Sweden). Two implants at the extremities of the graft were loaded 2 clays after installation by abutment connection and prosthesis (simultaneous implant placement group); the implant in the middle remained unloaded and served as the control. On the other side, the block was fixed with 2 fixation screws inserted in the extremities of the graft. Four weeks later, the fixation screws were replaced with 3 dental implants. The loading procedure (delayed implant placement group) was performed 2 clays later, as described for the simultaneous implant placement sites. The animals were sacrificed 12 weeks after the grafting procedure. Implant stability was measured through resonance frequency analysis. The bone volume and density were assessed on computed tomography. The bone to implant contact and bone area in a region of interest were evaluated on histologic slides. Results: The implant stability quotient showed statistical significance in favor of the delayed loaded grafts (P=.001). The bone-to-implant contact (P=.008) and bone area in a region of interest (P=0.005) were significantly greater in the delayed group. Nevertheless, no difference was found in terms of graft volume and density between the early loaded and delayed-loaded approaches. Conclusions: The protocol in which the implant and bone graft were given delayed loading allows for effective quality of implant osseointegration and stabilization, with healing and remodeling occurring in areas near the implant resulting in denser bone architecture. (C) 2010 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons J Oral Maxillofac Sing 68:825-832, 2010

A Prospective Follow-up Study of 44 Mandibular Immediately Loaded Implants Using Resonance Frequency Analysis: Preliminary 1-Year Results

Purpose: This clinical study aimed to evaluate initial, 4-months, and 1-year stability of immediately loaded dental implants inserted according to a protocol of lower rehabilitation with prefabricated bars. Materials and Methods: The sample was composed of 11 edentulous patients. In each patient, 4 interforaminal implants were inserted. Immediately after implant installation, resonance frequency analysis (RFA) for each fixation was registered as well as after 4 months and 1 year with the prosthetic bar removed as it is a screwed system. Results: The clinical implant survival rate was 100%. The RFA showed an increase in stability after 4 months from 64.09 +/- 648 to 64.31 +/- 4.96 and I year, 67.11 +/- 4.37. The analysis of variance showed a statistically significant result (P = 0.015) among implant stability quotient values for the different periods evaluated. Tukey test results showed statistically significant differences between 1-year results and the initial periods but there was no statistically significant difference between initial and 4-month results (P > 0.05). Conclusion: These preliminary 1-year results indicate that immediate loading of mandibular dental implants using the studied prefabricated bars protocol is a reliable treatment as it is in accordance with the results described in the literature for other similar techniques. (Implant Dent 2009; 18:530-538)

Estimation or simulation? That is the question

The issue of smoothing in kriging has been addressed either by estimation or simulation. The solution via estimation calls for postprocessing kriging estimates in order to correct the smoothing effect. Stochastic simulation provides equiprobable images presenting no smoothing and reproducing the covariance model. Consequently, these images reproduce both the sample histogram and the sample semivariogram. However, there is still a problem, which is the lack of local accuracy of simulated images. In this paper, a postprocessing algorithm for correcting the smoothing effect of ordinary kriging estimates is compared with sequential Gaussian simulation realizations. Based on samples drawn from exhaustive data sets, the postprocessing algorithm is shown to be superior to any individual simulation realization yet, at the expense of providing one deterministic estimate of the random function.

A stronger Dunford-Pettis property

We discuss a strong version of the Dunford-Pettis property, earlier named (DP*) property, which is shared by both l(1) and l(infinity) It is equivalent to the Dunford-Pettis property plus the fact that every quotient map onto c(0) is completely continuous. Other weak sequential continuity results on polynomials and analytic mappings related to the (DP*) property are shown.

The Borsuk-Ulam theorem for homotopy spherical space forms

In this work, we show for which odd-dimensional homotopy spherical space forms the Borsuk-Ulam theorem holds. These spaces are the quotient of a homotopy odd-dimensional sphere by a free action of a finite group. Also, the types of these spaces which admit a free involution are characterized. The case of even-dimensional homotopy spherical space forms is basically known.

SIGMA THEORY AND TWISTED CONJUGACY CLASSES

Using Sigma theory we show that for large classes of groups G there is a subgroup H of finite index in Aut(G) such that for phi is an element of H the Reidemeister number R(phi) is infinite. This includes all finitely generated nonpolycyclic groups G that fall into one of the following classes: nilpotent-by-abelian groups of type FP(infinity); groups G/G `` of finite Prufer rank; groups G of type FP(2) without free nonabelian subgroups and with nonpolycyclic maximal metabelian quotient; some direct products of groups; or the pure symmetric automorphism group. Using a different argument we show that the result also holds for 1-ended nonabelian nonsurface limit groups. In some cases, such as with the generalized Thompson`s groups F(n,0) and their finite direct products, H = Aut(G).

On Polar Foliations and the Fundamental Group

In this work we investigate the relation between the fundamental group of a complete Riemannian manifold M and the quotient between the Weyl group and reflection group of a polar action on M, as well as the relation between the fundamental group of M and the quotient between the lifted Weyl group and lifted reflection group. As applications we give alternative proofs of two results. The first one, due to the author and Toben, implies that a polar action does not admit exceptional orbits, if M is simply connected. The second result, due to Lytchak, implies that the orbits are closed and embedded if M is simply connected. All results are proved in the more general case of polar foliations.

Fingerprint Segmentation

In this thesis, a new algorithm has been proposed to segment the foreground of the fingerprint from the image under consideration. The algorithm uses three features, mean, variance and coherence. Based on these features, a rule system is built to help the algorithm to efficiently segment the image. In addition, the proposed algorithm combine split and merge with modified Otsu. Both enhancements techniques such as Gaussian filter and histogram equalization are applied to enhance and improve the quality of the image. Finally, a post processing technique is implemented to counter the undesirable effect in the segmented image. Fingerprint recognition system is one of the oldest recognition systems in biometrics techniques. Everyone have a unique and unchangeable fingerprint. Based on this uniqueness and distinctness, fingerprint identification has been used in many applications for a long period. A fingerprint image is a pattern which consists of two regions, foreground and background. The foreground contains all important information needed in the automatic fingerprint recognition systems. However, the background is a noisy region that contributes to the extraction of false minutiae in the system. To avoid the extraction of false minutiae, there are many steps which should be followed such as preprocessing and enhancement. One of these steps is the transformation of the fingerprint image from gray-scale image to black and white image. This transformation is called segmentation or binarization. The aim for fingerprint segmentation is to separate the foreground from the background. Due to the nature of fingerprint image, the segmentation becomes an important and challenging task. The proposed algorithm is applied on FVC2000 database. Manual examinations from human experts show that the proposed algorithm provides an efficient segmentation results. These improved results are demonstrating in diverse experiments.

PokerMapper: : mapping executive functions, poker playing ability and responsible gambling in online environments

Research objectives Poker and responsible gambling both entail the use of the executive functions (EF), which are higher-level cognitive abilities. The main objective of this work was to assess if online poker players of different ability show different performances in their EF and if so, which functions are the most discriminating ones. The secondary objective was to assess if the EF performance can predict the quality of gambling, according to the Gambling Related Cognition Scale (GRCS), the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) and the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). Sample and methods The study design consisted of two stages: 46 Italian active players (41m, 5f; age 32±7,1ys; education 14,8±3ys) fulfilled the PGSI in a secure IT web system and uploaded their own hand history files, which were anonymized and then evaluated by two poker experts. 36 of these players (31m, 5f; age 33±7,3ys; education 15±3ys) accepted to take part in the second stage: the administration of an extensive neuropsychological test battery by a blinded trained professional. To answer the main research question we collected all final and intermediate scores of the EF tests on each player together with the scoring on the playing ability. To answer the secondary research question, we referred to GRCS, PGSI and SOGS scores.  We determined which variables that are good predictors of the playing ability score using statistical techniques able to deal with many regressors and few observations (LASSO, best subset algorithms and CART). In this context information criteria and cross-validation errors play a key role for the selection of the relevant regressors, while significance testing and goodness-of-fit measures can lead to wrong conclusions.   Preliminary findings We found significant predictors of the poker ability score in various tests. In particular, there are good predictors 1) in some Wisconsin Card Sorting Test items that measure flexibility in choosing strategy of problem-solving, strategic planning, modulating impulsive responding, goal setting and self-monitoring, 2) in those Cognitive Estimates Test variables related to deductive reasoning, problem solving, development of an appropriate strategy and self-monitoring, 3) in the Emotional Quotient Inventory Short (EQ-i:S) Stress Management score, composed by the Stress Tolerance and Impulse Control scores, and in the Interpersonal score (Empathy, Social Responsibility, Interpersonal Relationship). As for the quality of gambling, some EQ-i:S scales scores provide the best predictors: General Mood for the PGSI; Intrapersonal (Self-Regard; Emotional Self-Awareness, Assertiveness, Independence, Self-Actualization) and Adaptability  (Reality Testing, Flexibility, Problem Solving) for the SOGS, Adaptability for the GRCS. Implications for the field Through PokerMapper we gathered knowledge and evaluated the feasibility of the construction of short tasks/card games in online poker environments for profiling users’ executive functions. These card games will be part of an IT system able to dynamically profile EF and provide players with a feedback on their expected performance and ability to gamble responsibly in that particular moment. The implementation of such system in existing gambling platforms could lead to an effective proactive tool for supporting responsible gambling. 

Avaliação morfométrica e densimétrica através de assinatura nuclear digital em biópsias de esôfago

Foram estudadas, pelo método da assinatura digital, 35 biópsias esofágicas provenientes de pacientes da província de Linxian, China, classificadas por dois observadores com ampla experiência em patologia gastrointestinal como normais, displasias ou carcinomas (8 casos normais, 6 displasias leves, 8 displasias moderadas, 4 displasias acentuadas, 4 carcinomas suspeitos de invasão e 5 carcinomas invasores). O objetivo do trabalho foi caracterizar os núcleos das populações celulares desses casos de forma que permitisse a derivação de informações diagnósticas e de possível implicação prognóstica a partir do estudo quantitativo das características nucleares de cada caso ou categoria diagnóstica. As biópsias foram coradas pelo método de Feulgen, sendo então selecionados e digitalizados 48 a 50 núcleos de cada uma delas. De cada núcleo foram extraídas 93 características cariométricas, arranjadas arbitrariamente em histograma designado como assinatura nuclear. Da média aritmética de cada característica dos núcleos de uma mesma biópsia resultou a assinatura digital do caso. A análise de funções discriminantes, baseada nas 15 características cariométricas que ofereceram melhor discriminação entre as categorias diagnósticas, mostrou que o grupo classificado como normal foi claramente distinto das demais categorias. A densidade óptica total aumentou progressivamente segundo a classificação das biópsias, do normal à displasia acentuada, sendo o valor do carcinoma semelhante ao da displasia moderada. A matriz de comprimento de seqüência apresentou o mesmo perfil, ou seja, ambas as características ofereceram discriminação clara entre as categorias diagnósticas, com exceção do carcinoma invasor, cujos valores foram superponíveis aos da displasia moderada. O estudo demonstrou a viabilidade da quantificação de características nucleares através das assinaturas nucleares digitais, que demonstraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre diferentes categorias diagnósticas e a elevação progressiva dos valores mensurados relacionados com o espectro das lesões, apresentando-as como um histograma (assinatura digital nuclear).

Caracterização de núcleos celulares no adenocarcinoma primário de reto por análise de imagem digital

O câncer colorretal é um tumor maligno freqüente no mundo ocidental. É o terceiro em freqüência e o segundo em mortalidade nos países desenvolvidos. No Brasil está entre as seis neoplasias malignas mais encontradas e a quinta em mortalidade. Dos tumores colorretais, aproximadamente 40% estão localizados no reto. A sobrevida, em cinco anos, dos pacientes operados por câncer do reto varia entre 40% e 50%, estando os principais fatores prognósticos, utilizados na prática clínica corrente, baseados em critérios de avaliação clínico-patológicos. A avaliação das alterações morfométricas e densimétricas nas neoplasias malignas tem, recentemente, sido estudadas e avaliadas através da análise de imagem digital e demonstrado possibilidades de utilização diagnóstica e prognóstica. A assinatura digital é um histograma representativo de conjuntos de características de textura da cromatina do núcleo celular obtida através da imagem computadorizada. O objetivo deste estudo foi a caracterização dos núcleos celulares neoplásicos no adenocarcinoma primário de reto pelo método da assinatura digital e verificar o valor prognóstico das alterações nucleares da textura da cromatina nuclear para esta doença. Foram avaliados, pelo método de análise de imagem digital, 51 casos de pacientes operados no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) entre 1988 e 1996 e submetidos à ressecção eletiva do adenocarcinoma primário de reto, com seguimento de cinco anos pós-operatório, ou até o óbito antes deste período determinado pela doença, e 22 casos de biópsias normais de reto obtidas de pacientes submetidos a procedimentos endoscópicos, para controle do método da assinatura digital. A partir dos blocos de parafina dos espécimes estocados no Serviço de Patologia do HCPA, foram realizadas lâminas coradas com hematoxilina e eosina das quais foram selecionados 3.635 núcleos dos adenocarcinomas de reto e 2.366 núcleos dos controles da assinatura digital, totalizando 6.001 núcleos estudados por análise de imagem digital. De cada um destes núcleos foram verificadas 93 características, sendo identificadas 11 características cariométricas com maior poder de discriminação entre as células normais e neoplásicas. Desta forma, através da verificação da textura da cromatina nuclear, foram obtidos os histogramas representativos de cada núcleo ou conjunto de núcleos dos grupos ou subgrupos estudados, também no estadiamento modificado de Dukes, dando origem às assinaturas digitais correspondentes. Foram verificadas as assinaturas nucleares, assinaturas de padrão histológico ou de lesões e a distribuição da Densidade Óptica Total. Houve diferença significativa das características entre o grupo normal e o grupo com câncer, com maior significância para três delas, a Área, a Densidade Óptica Total e a Granularidade nuclear. Os valores das assinaturas médias nucleares foram: no grupo normal 0,0009 e nos estadiamentos; 0,9681 no A, 4,6185 no B, 2,3957 no C e 2,1025 no D e diferiram com significância estatística (P=0,001). A maior diferença do normal ocorreu no subgrupo B de Dukes-Turnbull. As assinaturas nucleares e de padrão histológico mostraram-se distintas no grupo normal e adenocarcinoma, assim como a distribuição da Densidade Óptica Total a qual mostra um afastamento progressivo da normalidade no grupo com câncer. Foi possível a caracterização do adenocarcinoma de reto, que apresentou assinaturas digitais específicas. Em relação ao prognóstico, a Densidade Óptica Total representou a variável que obteve o melhor desempenho, além do estadiamento, como preditor do desfecho.

Abordagem para identificação, análise e caracterização dos estágios de desenvolvimento dos clusters: um estudo em regiões metropolitanas

O estudo do fenômeno cluster, nos últimos 30 anos, sob inúmeras qualificações, tem atraído atenção crescente tanto do meio acadêmico quanto dos responsáveis pelo desenvolvimento de políticas públicas. No entanto, seu ciclo de desenvolvimento ainda é um aspecto pouco explorado. A necessidade em se investigar e compreender o ciclo de desenvolvimento dos clusters é destacada por vários autores. Do ponto de vista das políticas públicas, a importância em se identificar o ciclo de evolução dos clusters, bem como cada um de seus estágios, reside na assertividade das ações por elas proporcionada. A tese é apresentada na forma de três artigos científicos. O primeiro busca determinar a natureza e as dimensões da noção de cluster pela exploração das bases teórico-conceituais de três áreas de conhecimento em que o conceito é mais comumente empregado: a geografia econômica, a administração estratégica e a administração de operações. Além de outras descobertas, os resultados proporcionam uma classificação dos temas de pesquisa ao redor do conceito, bem como das linhas teórico-conceituais que os sustentam. O segundo lida com a questão de como os clusters são identificados. Partindo de algumas limitações das estatísticas da economia regional, em especial do Quociente Locacional (QL), o autor propõe uma abordagem de aplicação conjunta dessas estatísticas com aquelas apresentadas pela Análise Exploratória de Dados Espaciais (AEDE). Os resultados mostram a complementariedade das abordagens, pois parte das limitações da primeira consegue ser resolvida pela segunda, mas, mais importante, conseguem revelar o valor proporcionado pelas estatísticas da AEDE acerca da dinâmica regional. Por fim, o terceiro e último artigo propõe um instrumento de avaliação do ciclo de desenvolvimento dos clusters envolvendo 6 dimensões e 11 elementos de avaliação. A partir dos potenciais clusters identificados no segundo artigo, o instrumento é aplicado sobre três deles. O resultado é a obtenção de uma abordagem simples, conceitualmente coerente, prática e de baixo custo de aplicação.

A inteligência emocional e a leitura: um estudo com crianças do 1º Ciclo do Ensino Básico

Os estudos acerca da inteligência emocional têm explorado as repercussões e a importância deste constructo no quotidiano dos individuo. Os estudos na infância, em particular, têm-se debruçado sobre estratégias e métodos que permitam o desenvolvimento de competências associadas a este domínio. No processo de leitura, nomeadamente de histórias, existe toda uma descodificação de narrativas, papeis e emoções que não se traduzem apenas no aumento de conhecimentos mas igualmente em aprendizagens que podem ser transpostas para a vida real. Os estudos entre a inteligência emocional e a leitura são muito escassos, assim esta investigação objetiva verificar se existe relação entre a inteligência emocional e a leitura Neste estudo participaram 138 crianças com idades compreendidas entre os oito e os 11 anos de idade e que frequentavam o 3º e 4º ano de escolaridade em dois estabelecimentos de ensino público da Região Autónoma da Madeira (RAM). Foram aplicados um Questionário acerca da Leitura, o Emotional Quotient-inventory: youth version (EQ-i: YV (short form)) e o Test of Emotional Comprehension (TEC- versão computorizada). Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a Inteligência emocional está relacionada com a leitura, no sentido que as crianças que gostam de ler e que têm hábitos de leitura, apresentaram valores mais elevados nos instrumentos administrados. Observou-se ainda que os resultados são diferentes consoante os tipos de livros, a influência de outros indivíduos e até mesmo as razões da escolha de um determinado livro.

Reconfigurações industriais das regiões metropolitanas do Nordeste: uma análise a partir do emprego formal

Industrial development experienced by Brazil from the 1950s, changed the concentration of population in the country. The process of development of domestic industry, concentrated in urban areas, crowded growing portion of the population.The Southeast region during the first stage of industrialization driven by the state, with the implementation of Plan goals, captained the major industrial projects implemented in the period and became the main industrial center of the country.In the decade from 1960 to 1980 the state action was marked by numerous regional development projects, softening the industrial concentration and Brazilian investment redirected to the Northeast.The second National Development Plan implemented in the 1970s led to major investments Northeast.This period marked the widespread urban growth and institutionalization of the first metropolitan areas in Brazil.The change of this developmental process is altered with the fiscal and financial crisis of the state in the 1980s and 1990s and spending cuts aimed at national development, reorienting the economy to liberal policies of economic liberalization and reduction of activity in the economy.Industrial policy was relegated to local development plans from the 1990s to the federating units fitting the wide use of tax incentives, the "war tax" to the continued industrialization process.In this context of the national economy work seeks to analyze the industrial setting in the metropolitan areas of Fortaleza, Recife and Salvador between 1995 and 2010.Although the metropolitan areas of Fortaleza, Recife and Salvador are the main urban centers of the Northeast, responsible for the advancement of industrial development, reconfigurations occurred between 1995 and 2010 by changing the level of industrial specialization built by regional division of labor in these regions.The work will be carried out by the method of descriptive analysis of the literature review on regional and urban development.Constitute quantitative method as the secondary data analysis of formal employment from the Annual Social Information (RAIS) Ministry of Labour and Employment (MTE).Using data RAIS / MTE analyzes the industrial specialization index using the Locational Quotient (LQ).Thus, it is assumed as a parameter analysis QL> 1, when the region has become specialized in a particular sector or QL <1, when the region does not have expertise in industrial sector analyzed.The conclusion of study indicates that there was in these metropolitan areas maintained the same bias hub.Fiscal policies, the states, was not successful in diversifying the productive structure and the Northeast region itself.This result is demonstrated by the need and dependence on state investments in the region to promote development.Industrial policies of recent years have been positive to meet the objectives of employment generation, but there must be specific policies for better diversification of production, in addition to integrating the economy of the Northeast sector and regionally

Limonologia e qualidade ambiental de um corpo lêntico receptor de efluentes tratados da indústria de petróleo

Environmental pollution has become a subject of public interest throughout the world. Not only have developed countries been affected by environmental problems but also the developing nations have started to suffer from the serious impacts of pollution. Within this context it is necessary to collect simplified environmental data to assist in the management of water resources by the appropriate authorities. These data are obtained through an environmental index that allows a space-time comparison of points distributed in the same aquatic body, or between different water bodies, for physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters. The aim of this present study was to determine the environmental status of the Lagoa de Baixo at Guamaré/RN, where a production unit of PETROBRAS RN/CE is located. For this purpose the Water Quality Index (WQI) was used in both an add and multiply form, the Trophic State Index (TSI) and the Environmental Quality Quotient (EQQ), as well as determining the concentrations of metals. The average values obtained for the WQI, in its two forms were 68,67 and 62,76 respectively which were inside the good qualification. According to the TSI the lagoon showed characteristics of a middle trophic state, and an impact level of regular as determined by the EQQ