Effects of light exposure time on composite resin hardness after root reinforcement using translucent fibre post

Objectives: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the Vickers hardness (VHN) of a Light Core (Bisco) composite resin after root reinforcement, according to the light exposure time, region of intracanal reinforcement and lateral distance from the light-transmitting fibre post. Methods: Forty-five 17-mm long roots were used. Twenty-four hours after obturation, the root canals were emptied to a depth of 12 mm and the root dentine was artificially flared to produce a 1 mm space between the fibre post and the canal walls. The roots were bulk restored with the composite resin, which was photoactivated through the post for 40 s (G1, control), 80 s (G2) or 120 s (G3). Twenty-four hours after post-cementation, the specimens were sectioned transversely into three slices at depths of 2, 6 and 10 mm, corresponding to the coronal, middle and apical regions of the reinforced root. Composite VHN was measured as the average of three indentations (100 g/15 s) in each region at lateral distances of 50, 200 and 350 mu m from the cement/post-interface. Results: Three-way analysis of variance (alpha = 0.05) indicated that the factors time, region and distance influenced the hardness and that the interaction time x region was statistically significant (p = 0.0193). Tukey`s test showed that the mean VHN values for G1 (76.37 +/- 8.58) and G2 (74.89 +/- 6.28) differed significantly from that for G3 (79.5 +/- 5.18). Conclusions: Composite resin hardness was significantly lower in deeper regions of root reinforcement and in lateral areas distant from the post. Overall, a light exposure time of 120 s provided higher composite hardness than the shorter times (40 and 80 s). (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The role of dentists in-diagnosing osteogenesis imperfecta in patients with dentinogenesis imperfecta

Background. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), also known as ""brittle bone disease,"" can be difficult to diagnose in its mild form. The authors describe a clinical case of a diagnosis of dentinogenesis imperfecta (DI), In which a literature review combined with an analysis of dental alterations led to indications of OI involvement. Case Description. Since DI can be associated with OI, the authors reviewed correlated studies and obtained a new medical history from the patient. They then conducted a radiographic and clinical examination of the dentition and submitted an affected third molar to scanning electron microscopy analysis. They compared their findings with descriptions of OI type I dental alterations in the literature and confirmed their diagnosis by means of a medical evaluation. Clinical Implications. In cases in which DI is diagnosed, patients should be examined carefully and the occurrence of OI should be considered `since, in its mild form, it might be misdiagnosed.

Influence of endodontic sealers on the bond strength of carbon fiber posts

Objective: The aim of this study was to verify the influence of endodontic sealers on the bond strength of an adhesive system and a resin cement used for carbon posts cementation. Methods: Thirty extracted human premolars were instrumented and randomly divided into three groups according to the tested sealer: EndoFill, Sealapex, or EndoREZ. Specimens were stored at 37 degrees C. After 48 h, half of specimens were prepared to receive the post and the others after 7 days. The posts were cemented with Adper Single Bond/Rely X ARC and stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 7 days. After this period, the specimens were sectioned in three slices (coronal, middle, and apical). The push-out test was performed in a universal machine and the debonded area was examined in a stereomicroscope. Results: Data were submitted ANOVA and Tukey test (alpha = 0.05). The EndoFill showed lower bond strength than other sealers (p < 0.01). The EndoREZ sealer was statistically greater than other groups for coronal and middle portions and similar for apical portion (P > 0.05). Coronal and middle portions showed the best results for all groups, mainly when the canal preparation was performed after 48 h (p < 0.01). Mixed failure occurs with more frequency (55.6%) followed by failure in adhesive-dentin interface (34.4%) and adhesive-post interface (10.0%). Conclusion: The use of EndoREZ sealer promoted higher bond strength in root coronal and middle portions when carbon post was fixed with a resin cement. (C) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Microleakage into and from Two-Stage Implants: An In Vitro Comparative Study

Purpose: Gaps between an abutment and a dental implant are unavoidable, and microleakage may occur, leading to problems such as malodor and peri-implantitis. The aim of the present in vitro study was to investigate leakage of Staphylococcus aureus through the implant/abutment interface by the method of bacterial culture, and to compare the leakage rates of two different types of implant-abutment connections. Materials and Methods: Twenty Morse taper implants with abutments were divided into two groups: group A, which were evaluated for microleakage into the inner part of the implants, and group B, which were evaluated for microleakage from the inner part of the implants. Twenty internal-hexagon implants with abutments were also divided into two groups: group C, which were evaluated for microleakage into the inner part of the implants, and group D, which were evaluated for microleakage from the inner part of the implants. For the evaluation of leakage from the implants, the assemblies had the inner parts inoculated with S aureus, and each assembly was incubated in sterile brain heart infusion broth for 1 week. For assessment of leakage into the implants, each assembly was submerged in 4 mL S aureus culture in tubes and incubated for 2 weeks. The microleakage of the two implant connections was compared. Results: Microbial leakage occurred in all groups, and there was no statistically significant difference between groups A and C or between groups B and D. Conclusions: In vitro, S aureus leakage through the implant/abutment interface occurred with both Morse taper and internal-hexagon implants. INT J ORAL MAXILLOFAC IMPLANTS 2011;26:56-62

A comparative ultrastructural study of spermatozoa of the teiid lizards Cnemidophorus gularis gularis, Cnemidophorus ocellifer, and Kentropyx altamazonica (Reptilia, Squamata, Teiidae)

The ultrastructure of the spermatozoa of Cnemidophorus gularis gularis, Cnemidophorus ocellifer, and Kentropyx altamazonica is described for the first time. Mature spermatozoa of Cnemidophorus spp. and K. altamazonica differ in the occurrence of a perforatorial base plate, the enlargement of axonemal fibers 3 and 8, and shape of mitochondria. The comparisons of the ultrastructure sperm of Cnemidophorus spp. and K. altamazonica with Ameiva ameiva [J. Morphol. (2002) in press] suggest that Ameiva and Cnemidophorus are more similar to each other than either is to Kentropyx. Statistical analyses reveal that sperm of all three species studied are significantly different in the following dimensions: head, acrosome, distal centriole length, and nuclear shoulders width. There was no variable statistically different between the Cnemidophorus spp. only. The length of the tail, midpiece, entire sperm, and nuclear rostrum are significantly different between K. altamazonica and Cnemidophorus spp. Our results indicate that sperm ultrastructure presents intra and intergeneric variability. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ar-40/-Ar-39 geochronology at the Instituto de Geociencias, USP: instrumentation, analytical procedures, and calibration

Laser heating Ar-40/Ar-39 geochronology provides high analytical precision and accuracy, mum-scale spatial resolution. and statistically significant data sets for the study of geological and planetary processes, A newly commissioned Ar-40/Ar-39 laboratory at CPGeo/USP, Sao Paulo, Brazil, equips the Brazilian scientific community with a new powerful tool applicable to the study of geological and cosmochemical processes. Detailed information about laboratory layout, environmental conditions, and instrumentation provides the necessary parameters for the evaluation of the CPGeo/USp Ar-40/Ar-39 suitability to a diverse range of applications. Details about analytical procedures, including mineral separation, irradiation at the IPEN/CNEN reactor at USP, and mass spectrometric analysis enable potential researchers to design the necessary sampling and sample preparation program suitable to the objectives of their study. Finally, the results of calibration tests using Ca and K salts and glasses, international mineral standards, and in-house mineral standards show that the accuracy and precision obtained at the Ar-40/Ar-39 laboratory at CPGeo/USP are comparable to results obtained in the most respected laboratories internationally. The extensive calibration and standardization procedures under-taken ensure that the results of analytical studies carried out in our laboratories will gain immediate international credibility, enabling Brazilian students and scientists to conduct forefront research in earth and planetary sciences.

??ndice de desenvolvimento da educa????o b??sica (Ideb)

O ??ndice de Desenvolvimento da Educa????o B??sica (Ideb) ?? um indicador que combina informa????es de fluxo e de desempenho dos alunos, criado para promover um sistema de accountability visando a melhoria da qualidade da educa????o no pa??s. Ao elaborar metas detalhadas para cada rede e escola ??? com as quais governadores e prefeitos se comprometeram por meio do Compromisso Todos Pela Educa????o ??? ao calcular e divulgar amplamente os resultados do Ideb, o Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais An??sio Teixeira (Inep) possibilitou que os atores educacionais pudessem ser responsabilizados pelos resultados de sua unidade e que o Minist??rio da Educa????o (MEC) identificasse e premiasse as escolas que atingem as metas, mas tamb??m oferecesse assist??ncia t??cnica e financeira para as redes com piores resultados. Entre os principais resultados j?? alcan??ados, pode-se destacar que o Ideb do pa??s para os anos iniciais do ensino fundamental cresceu de 3,8, em 2005, para 4,2, em 2007

SIOPS: Sistema de Informa????es sobre Or??amentos P??blicos em Sa??de

O SIOPS (Sistema de Informa????es Sobre Or??amentos P??blicos em Sa??de) foi criado em 1999 com o objetivo de consolidar os dados referentes ao gasto e financiamento da ??rea da sa??de nas tr??s esferas de governo. O sistema propicia insumos para a melhoria da gest??o, diagn??sticos do setor e formula????o de pol??ticas p??blicas, al??m de municiar a sociedade civil e os conselhos de sa??de para o exerc??cio do controle social sobre a gest??o p??blica, ao disponibilizar os dados ?? popula????o

Terceiriza????o: o valor da parceria: redu????o dos custos de postagem utilizando-se franquias de correios

Importantes programas de governo desenvolvidos pelo Minist??rio da Educa????o (MEC) demandam servi??os da Empresa Brasileira de Correios e Tel??grafos (ECT) que implicam manuseio de grande volume de objetos postais. Essa situa????o gerava ao MEC diversos problemas com a postagem do material did??tico. Com a vincula????o de uma Ag??ncia dos Correios Franqueada (ACF) ao contrato MEC/ECT j?? em vigor, estruturou-se o fluxo racional dos servi??os de postagem: os gestores dos ??rg??os do MEC reviram processos e implantaram melhor controle gerencial. A despesa estimada com o material postado foi reduzida no per??odo de julho/1999 a maio/2000, com economia de R$ 157.502,03. Al??m da redu????o de custo, a iniciativa proporcionou o adequado gerenciamento de todo o processo, maior velocidade na presta????o dos servi??os e o cumprimento dos prazos de entrega. Hoje, as escolas de todo o pa??s recebem seus livros na data prevista, com tempo inclusive para planejarem a utiliza????o do material did??tico. No programa "TV Escola", o MEC entrega o material com uma semana de anteced??ncia em qualquer ponto do pa??s. A parceria MEC/ACF, al??m de implantar o uso mais racional de envio de objetos postais, perseguiu o pr??-requisito b??sico: o bin??mio custo/benef??cio. Resultado: rapidez e satisfa????o das comunidades que recebem educa????o e cultura com precis??o e no momento exato

Recebimento de solicita????es de 2?? via de documentos

O projeto consiste na disponibiliza????o da rede de ag??ncias da ECT em S??o Paulo, capital e regi??o metropolitana, solicita????o de segundas vias de documentos emitidos por cart??rios. A capta????o ?? realizada mediante o recebimento de formul??rios preenchidos pelos interessados, que s??o distribu??dos tamb??m pelas ag??ncias, e pagamento da taxa correspondente. Os formul??rios s??o encaminhados para as unidades, juntamente com um cartaz para divulga????o ao p??blico. A experi??ncia contribuiu para facilitar a obten????o de segundas vias de registros de nascimento, certid??es de casamento, de ??bito e de registro de im??veis, bem como certid??es negativas de protesto, especialmente para a grande popula????o origin??ria de outras regi??es do pa??s residente em S??o Paulo, evitando deslocamento ??s suas localidades de origem, com redu????o significativa de custos e tempo para os interessados

Qualidade no atendimento banc??rio aos aposentados, pensionistas e benefici??rios da previd??ncia social

Historicamente o processo de pagamento de benef??cios da Previd??ncia Social, pela rede banc??ria, desenvolvia-se sem nenhuma fiscaliza????o por parte do Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social - INSS. N??o havia preocupa????o com o controle da Qualidade do atendimento, nem t??o pouco, cobrava-se o compromisso e a responsabilidade dos bancos com a efici??ncia na presta????o dos servi??os. Antes do advento do Projeto SAAB, os clientes enfrentavam longas, cansativas e humilhantes filas, ficando expostos ao sol e chuva. Muitos madrugavam, outros dormiam diante das portas do bancos, para marcar vaga na tentativa de estarem entre os primeiros a receber o pagamento. Os aposentados e pensionistas eram considerados, pelos bancos, clientes de segunda categoria. Na maioria das ag??ncias, o pagamento dos benef??cios era feito separadamente dos demais clientes, em garagens, subsolos ou em outros locais inadequados, sem as m??nimas condi????es de acomoda????o. Em alguns casos eram obrigados a entrar pelas portas dos fundos. Um exemplo de desrespeito ?? cidadania dos aposentados. A partir de 1992, o INSS passou a oferecer um servi??o com mais qualidade, criando o Sistema de Acompanhamento ao Atendimento Banc??rio - SAAB, resultado do contrato que o INSS firmou com a Federa????o Brasileira do Bancos - Febraban

Treinamento dos gerentes da Imprensa Nacional para preven????o e administra????o do alcoolismo e drogadic????o no trabalho

Este projeto refere-se ?? implementa????o de um programa de preven????o do alcoolismo/ drogadic????o destinado aos servidores da Imprensa Nacional. Foi definida uma pol??tica institucional para lidar com a quest??o, capacitando os gerentes para melhor administrar as situa????es relacionadas ao uso abusivo do ??lcool. A avalia????o de desempenho passou a ser utilizada como instrumento na detec????o de casos de alcoolismo

Controle de atendimento t??cnico

O atendimento ao cliente no Escrit??rio Regional da Dataprev em Minas Gerais era descentralizado, o que gerava desperd??cio de recursos humanos. A resposta passou por dois momentos. Inicialmente criou-se a Central de Atendimento, mas foi implantada com apenas dois funcion??rios e todos os formul??rios manuais, o que impedia o acompanhamento e controle do atendimento dos problemas e tornava todo o tratamento estat??stico moroso e deficiente. Evoluiu-se, ent??o, para o CAT (Controle de Atendimento T??cnico), um sistema informatizado destinado a profissionalizar o atendimento, garantir seguran??a ao atendente atrav??s do ???Kit Solu????o???, proporcionar conhecimento dos sistemas implantados com informa????es espec??ficas e atualizadas, generalizar o registro de atendimento, mostrar o ambiente de problemas/pedidos do cliente, manter os dados cadastrais atualizados e permitir o acompanhamento de suas tarefas por cada ??rg??o solucionador atrav??s da posi????o de baixa, previs??o ou repasse do chamado. Com a iniciativa houve maior profissionaliza????o no atendimento, podendo-se observar a evolu????o no relacionamento da linha de atendimento ao cliente, atrav??s do pr??-conhecimento do seu ambiente (equipamento e reclama????es em aberto) e seus dados cadastrais. Aumentou o registro de chamadas/m??s, bem como a emiss??o e o controle de todas as Ordens de Servi??os da ??rea de teleprocessamento. Reduziu-se o tempo de atendimento a problemas de teleprocessamento. O cadastramento de diagn??sticos e solu????es de problemas de hardware atingiu ??ndices elevados de confiabilidade. Conseguiu-se tamb??m antecipar os problemas com o cliente

Folder do curso de ambienta????o para novos servidores do Inep

Curso de ambienta????o para os novos servidores do Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais An??sio Teixeira (INEP), desenvolvido pela ENAP, em parceria

Painel 2 - Experi??ncias Setoriais: o Monitoramento nas ??reas da Educa????o e Sa??de

Painel 2 - Experi??ncias Setoriais: o Monitoramento nas ??reas da Educa????o e Sa??de; Palestra 1 - Minist??rio da Educa????o: "Instrumentos para Monitoramento e Avalia????o das Pol??ticas e Programas do Minist??rio da Educa????o", apresentada por Milena Lins Fernandes Soares e ??rica de Oliveira; Palestra 2 - Minist??rio da Sa??de: "O Monitoramento e a Avalia????o na Gest??o do Minist??rio da Sa??de", apresentada por Afonso Teixeira dos Reis