Compression of the peripheral branches of the sciatic nerve by lipoma

The authors report two female patients with chronic sensitive and motor findings in lower limbs caused by compression of distal branches of sciatic nerve by lipoma. Similar eases were not described on literature. Nerve conduction studies allowed to localize the exact site of compression. At surgery, lipomas compressing the deep peroneal nerve (case 1) and the posterior tibial nerve (case 2) were observed. Histologic studies of tumors confirmed the diagnoses.

Comportamento fractal de tracos de fraturas na borda sul do macico granitico de itu, estado de Sao Paulo

Fractal geometry is relevant to understand and explain many natural complex geometries. Using the fractal set concept (fig. 1) many authors have shown that shorelines, landscapes and fractures follow a fractal behaviour. These authors have developed many methods, including the Cantor's Dust Method (CDM) (VELDE et al., 1992), a linear method of analysis adapted for the determination of two-dimensional phenomena. The Itu Granitic Complex (IGC) is a wide granitic body that that crops out at northwest of Cabreuva City, Sao Paulo State (fig. 2) and was affected in its south border by dextral Itu-Jundiuvira Shear Zone (IJSZ) that produced fractures and alignment of feldspars crystals. The different types of fractures (compression, distension and shear) was discriminated from the relationship between them and medium stress ellipsoid of IJSZ (fig. 3). A modified version of CDM was used to study a possible fractal behaviour of the fracture traces in the south border of IGC. The main modification was the use only one direction of analysis (NE/SW). Four parallel profiles were traced with lengths between 9.75km and 12.75km, each one them was divided into six classes of segments (x) with 375m, 500m, 750m, 1.000m, 1.250m and 1.500m. The parameter (N) is provided by he rate between profile length and choiced segment. For each x the number of intervals is counted with at least one event (fracture intersection) which supplied the parameter(n). The n/N rate provide the parameter (p) that represents the relationship between frequency of events and x. And finally the parameters p and x were plotted in a logarithmic graphics (fig. 4) that provide a line with such a declivity (1) which is related to effective dimension (De). In theory, granitics bodies are isotropics and they would have a same fractal dimension in all segments, but the logarithmic graphics (fig. 4) show that fracture traces of IGC has a fractal behaviour in a restrict interval. This fact probably occurs from the passage of a ductil-brittle deformation condition to a more brittle deformation condition of IGC.

Natural fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester composites - An approach on compression molding

This work has been performed at Tapetes Sao Carlos-Brazil with the cooperation of the DaimlerChrysler Research Center Team in Ulm - Germany. The objective of the present paper is to report the results obtained with natural fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester (UP) composites, concerning surface quality measurements. The fibers that have been chosen for this work were sisal and curaua. The samples were produced by compression molding technique and afterwards submitted to three different tests, namely: a) thermal aging; b) water absorption and c) artificial weathering. The surface parameters measured before and after the tests were gloss, haze, short and long-waviness. The results have shown that after the tests there is a high loss of gloss, a high increase in haze, and a high increase in short and long-waviness as well. Curaua reinforced composites had a slightly better behavior when compared with sisal reinforced composites. The effect of the presence of filler and the addition of thermoplastic polyester (TP) on the material behavior has not been evidently detected. This result shows that the conventional technology/methods applied to UP-Fiberglass systems cannot be transferred to natural fibers without any modification. The fiber-matrix interaction and its response to the presence of additives must be fully understood before a successful processing route can be developed for painted natural fibers reinforced UP. Copyright © 2001 Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc.

Evaluation of the thermoplasticity of different gutta-percha cones and the TC system

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the thermoplasticity of three commercial brands of gutta-percha (Tanari, Dentsply 0.06, and Roeko), and of the TC system. Materials and Methods: Standardized specimens were fabricated from the materials to be evaluated. Specimens were placed in water at 70°C for 60 seconds. Following that, they were positioned between two glass slabs and each set was compressed by a 5kg weight. Images of the specimens before and after compression were digitized and analyzed by the Image Tool software. The flow capacity of each material was confirmed by the difference between the initial and final areas of each sample. Results: The resulting data were analyzed by ANOVA. The TC system presented the greatest thermoplasticity values (p<0.05). Among the gutta-percha cones, the Roeko brand showed higher thermoplasticity than the others (p<0.05). Conclusion: The gutta-percha from TC system present good thermoplasticity capacity.

Evaluation of the thermoplasticity of different gutta-percha cones and Resilon®

The goal of this study was to evaluate the thermoplasticity of conventional and thermoplastic gutta-percha and Resilon®, a polyester polymer-based material. Specimens with standardised dimensions were made from the following materials: conventional and thermoplastic gutta-percha (Dentsply), conventional and thermoplastic gutta-percha (Endopoints) and Resilon®. After 24 h, the specimens were placed in water at 70°C for 60 s, and thereafter positioned between two glass slabs. Each set was compressed by a 5-kg weight. Digital images of the specimens before and after compression were obtained and analysed. The thermoplasticity of each material was confirmed by the difference between final and initial areas of each sample. The data were analysed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey's test at a 5% significance level. Resilon® had the highest thermoplasticity means (P < 0.05). Among the gutta-percha cones, Endopoints TP (thermoplastic) presented the highest thermoplasticity means and differed significantly from the other commercial brands (P < 0.05). Resilon® had good thermoplasticity, endorsing its use as a thermoplastic root canal filling material. © 2007 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2007 Australian Society of Endodontology.

Compressive fatigue in titanium dental implants submitted to fluoride ions action

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of a fluoridated medium on the mechanical properties of an internal hexagon implant-abutment set, by means of compression, mechanical cycling and metallographic characterization by scanning electronic microscopy. Five years of regular use of oral hygiene with a sodium fluoride solution content of 1500 ppm were simulated, immersing the samples in this medium for 184 hours, with the solutions being changed every 12 hours. Data were analyzed at a 95% confidence level with Fisher's exact test. After the action of fluoride ions, a negative influence occurred in the mechanical cycling test performed in a servohydraulic machine (Material Test System-810) set to a frequency of 15 Hz with 100,000 cycles and programmed to 60% of the maximum resistance of static compression test. The sets tended to fracture by compression on the screw, characterized by mixed ruptures with predominance of fragile fracture, as observed by microscopy. An evidence of corrosion by pitting on sample surfaces was found after the fluoride ions action. It may be concluded that prolonged contact with fluoride ions is harmful to the mechanical properties of commercially pure titanium structures.

QTL identification for tolerance to fruit set in tomato by FAFLP markers

This study aimed to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) by fALP (Fluorescent Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) markers associated to the trait tomato fruit set at high temperatures. A biparental cross between line Jab-95 (heat-tolerant) and cultivar Caribe (heat-susceptible) was made. A total of 192 plants of the F2 generation were evaluated, generating 172 polymorphic markers through six primer combinations previously identified by the Bulked Segregant Analysis technique. To construct the genetic map, 106 of the 172 markers that segregated in the expected Mendelian segregation proportion (3:1) were used. The map covered 1191.46 cM of the genome. Six trait-linked QTL were identified in the analysis of simple markers and three others by the interval-mapping methodology. These results could be highly useful in improvement programs, since heat-tolerant plants can be selected rapidly, which improves tomato fruit set.

Investments needed to achieve the goals set for children in the Ibero-American Plan of Action. Foundations for Implementing the Goals Agenda of the Ibero-American Plan of Action

Includes bibliography

Thermoplasticity of microseal and TC gutta-percha (Tanaka de Castro) and three gutta-percha cones

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the thermoplasticity of materials used in root canal filling. Methods: Specimens with standardized dimensions were fabricated using Tanari, Roeko and Activ Point gutta-percha cones, as well as Microseal and TC gutta-percha. After 24 hours, the specimens were placed in water at 70 °C for 60 seconds and positioned between two glass slabs. Each set was compressed by a 5 g weight. Digital images of the specimens before and after compression were obtained and analyzed. The thermoplasticity was evaluated based on the difference between the final and initial areas. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's tests at a 5% significance level. Results: TC and Microseal gutta-percha presented the highest thermoplasticity (p < 0.05). Among the gutta-percha cones, Tanari and Roeko presented the highest thermoplasticity and differed when compared to Activ Point (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that TC and Microseal gutta-percha filling systems present better thermoplastic properties.

Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium colonizing the lumen of the chicken intestine grows slowly and upregulates a unique set of virulence and metabolism genes

The pattern of global gene expression in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium bacteria harvested from the chicken intestinal lumen (cecum) was compared with that of a late-log-phase LB broth culture using a whole-genome microarray. Levels of transcription, translation, and cell division in vivo were lower than those in vitro. S. Typhimurium appeared to be using carbon sources, such as propionate, 1,2-propanediol, and ethanolamine, in addition to melibiose and ascorbate, the latter possibly transformed to D-xylulose. Amino acid starvation appeared to be a factor during colonization. Bacteria in the lumen were non- or weakly motile and nonchemotactic but showed upregulation of a number of fimbrial and Salmonella pathogenicity island 3 (SPI-3) and 5 genes, suggesting a close physical association with the host during colonization. S. Typhimurium bacteria harvested from the cecal mucosa showed an expression profile similar to that of bacteria from the intestinal lumen, except that levels of transcription, translation, and cell division were higher and glucose may also have been used as a carbon source. © 2011, American Society for Microbiology.

A set of linear equations to calculate the steady-state operation of an electrical distribution system

In this paper, the calculation of the steady-state operation of a radial/meshed electrical distribution system (EDS) through solving a system of linear equations (non-iterative load flow) is presented. The constant power type demand of the EDS is modeled through linear approximations in terms of real and imaginary parts of the voltage taking into account the typical operating conditions of the EDS's. To illustrate the use of the proposed set of linear equations, a linear model for the optimal power flow with distributed generator is presented. Results using some test and real systems show the excellent performance of the proposed methodology when is compared with conventional methods. © 2011 IEEE.

Combined search for the standard model Higgs boson decaying to bb̄ using the D0 run II data set

We present the results of the combination of searches for the standard model Higgs boson produced in association with a W or Z boson and decaying into bb̄ using the data sample collected with the D0 detector in pp̄ collisions at √s=1.96TeV at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. We derive 95% C.L. upper limits on the Higgs boson cross section relative to the standard model prediction in the mass range 100GeV≤M H≤150GeV, and we exclude Higgs bosons with masses smaller than 102 GeV at the 95% C.L. In the mass range 120GeV≤M H≤145GeV, the data exhibit an excess above the background prediction with a global significance of 1.5 standard deviations, consistent with the expectation in the presence of a standard model Higgs boson. © 2012 American Physical Society.

Effect of different methods of cutting fluid application on turning of a difficult-to-machine steel (SAE EV-8)

In this study, different methods of cutting fluid application are used in turning of a difficult-to-machine steel (SAE EV-8). Initially, a semisynthetic cutting fluid was applied using a conventional method (i.e. overhead flood cooling), minimum quantity of cutting fluid, and pulverization. A lubricant of vegetable oil (minimum quantity of lubricant) was also applied using the minimum quantity method. Thereafter, a cutting fluid jet under high pressure (3.0 MPa) was singly applied in the following regions: chip-tool interface, top surface of the chip (between workpiece and chip) and tool-workpiece contact. Moreover, two other methods were used: an interflow between conventional application and chip-tool interface jet (combined method) and, finally, three jets simultaneously applied. In order to carry out these tests, it was necessary to set up a high-pressure system using a piston pump for generating a cutting fluid jet, a venturi for fluid application (minimum quantity of cutting fluid and minimum quantity of lubricant) and a nozzle for cutting fluid pulverization. The output variables analyzed included tool life, surface roughness, cutting tool temperature, cutting force, chip form, chip compression rate and machined specimen microstructure. Among the results, it can be observed that the tool life increases and the cutting force decreases with the application of cutting fluid jet, mainly when it is directed to the chip-tool interface. Excluding the methods involving jet fluid, the conventional method seems to be more efficient than other methods of low pressure, such as minimum quantity of volume and pulverization, when considering just the cutting tool wear. © 2013 IMechE.

Different methods of cutting fluid application on turning of a difficult-to-machine steel

Different methods of cutting fluid application are used on turning of a difficult-tomachine steel (SAE EV-8). A semi-synthetic cutting fluid was applied using a conventional method, minimum quantity of cutting fluid (MQCF), and pulverization. By the minimum quantity method was also applied a lubricant of vegetable oil (MQL). Thereafter, a cutting fluid jet under high pressure (3.0 MPa) was singly applied in the following regions: chip-tool interface; top surface of the chip; and tool-workpiece contact. Two other methods were used: an interflow between conventional application and chip-tool interface jet and, finally, three jets simultaneously applied. In order to carry out these tests, it was necessary to set up a high pressure system using a piston pump for generating a cutting fluid jet, a Venturi for fluid application (MQCF and MQL), and a nozzle for cutting fluid pulverization. The output variables analyzed included tool life, surface roughness, cutting tool temperature, cutting force, chip form, chip compression rate and machined specimen microstructure. It can be observed that the tool life increases and the cutting force decreases with the application of cutting fluid jet, mainly when it is directed to the chip-tool interface. Excluding the methods involving jet fluid, the conventional method seems to be more efficient than other methods of low pressure. © (2013) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.

Periodic compression of an adiabatic gas: Intermittency-enhanced Fermi acceleration

A gas of non-interacting particles diffuses in a lattice of pulsating scatterers. In the finite-horizon case with bounded distance between collisions and strongly chaotic dynamics, the velocity growth (Fermi acceleration) is well described by a master equation, leading to an asymptotic universal non-Maxwellian velocity distribution scaling as v∼t. The infinite-horizon case has intermittent dynamics which enhances the acceleration, leading to v∼t ln t and a non-universal distribution. © Copyright EPLA, 2013.