Marginal deterioration of the silicone for facial prosthesis with pigments after effect of storage period and chemical disinfection

The failure of facial prostheses is caused by limitations in the properties of existing materials, especially flexibility and durability. Therefore, this study evaluated the marginal deterioration of a silicone used for fabrication of facial prostheses (Silastic MDX4-4210, Dow Corning Corporation, Midland, MI, USA) according to the influence of artificial aging, daily disinfection, and 2 types of pigmentation. Thirty specimens were fabricated and subdivided in 6 groups: without pigmentation, pigmented with make-up powder and iron oxide, and evaluated with and without the action of the disinfectant. Analysis of marginal deterioration was performed on a scanning electron microscope (magnification, ×5000) immediately 6 months and 1 year after fabrication of specimens, following the guidelines of ASTM International. After visual analysis of the photomicrographs, it was noticed that all groups presented marginal deterioration and alterations in surface texture with time. The use of disinfection did not contribute to the marginal deterioration of polymer (silicone), regardless of the pigmentation and artificial aging.

The influence of the alveolar ridge shape on the stress distribution in a free-end saddle removable partial denture supported by implant

The alveolar ridge shape plays an important role in predicting the demand on the support tooth and alveolar bone in the removable partial denture (RPD) treatment. However, these data are unclear when the RPD is associated with implants. This study evaluated the influence of the alveolar ridge shape on the stress distribution of a free-end saddle RPD partially supported by implant using 2-dimensioanl finite element analysis (FEA). Four mathematical models (M) of a mandibular hemiarch simulating various alveolar ridge shapes (1-distal desceding, 2- concave, 3-horizontal and 4-distal ascending) were built. Tooth 33 was placed as the abutment. Two RPDs, one supported by tooth and fibromucosa (MB) and other one supported by tooth and implant (MC) were simulated. MA was the control (no RPD). The load (50N) were applied simultaneously on each cusp. Appropriate boundary conditions were assigned on the border of alveolar bone. Ansys 10.0 software was used to calculate the stress fields and the von Mises equivalent stress criteria (σvM) was applied to analyze the results. The distal ascending shape showed the highest σvM for cortical and medullar bone. The alveolar ridge shape had little effect on changing the σvM based on the same prosthesis, mainly around the abutment tooth.

A contribuição do projeto de identidade corporativa na redução da poluição visual nas cidades

One of the actual biggest problems in big towns is the visual pollution. The advertising has become a necessity for any type of business, resulting in the use of as urban spaces as possible like fronts structures, lights, with too many colors and details to keep the attention of sight, thus becoming an important problem for the social and cultural coexistence. The work of graphic designer can reduce this problem through the concepts of visual identity applied on the enterprise building front, giving harmony in the colors and spaces where they can apply the advertising without to attack the urban beauty and esthetics.

Animação de movimentos em repetição: uma ênfase nas possibilidades do formato GIF

This thesis goes from the origin of the human interest in movement, tracing briefy the history of animation, from your remotest manifestations until the appearence of the GIF format, to address the topic of repetition in movement, stablishing a parallel between this format and primitive devices of animation ehxibition. It is also brought into this project some questions relative to the uses of GIF as meme and as artwork, and the possibilities that the repetition offer in both cases. Through artistic production and empiric research, many techniques were considered adequated to produce an animation that gave the public the sensation of continuity, with the intent to contribute to the development of GIF language. It was also researched the effect of the movement repetition on the espectors, and if these manifestations where different for each person by age and with distinct professions. At the end of the research, was concluded that animation techniques with contrasting visual characteristics were able to give the sensation of continuity, as well as the sensations towards the animations were independent of the social groups that the espectors belongs

Effect of natural antimicrobials on microbiological and sensorial quality of fresh-cut cantaloupe melon

The effect of different natural antimicrobials on the microbiological and sensorial quality of fresh-cut Cantaloupe melons stored up to 10 days at 5°C was examined. Pieces of melon were washed for 1 min at 5ºC in water (control), vanillin (1000 mg/L and 2000 mg/L) or cinnamic acid (148.16 mg/L and 296.32 mg/L). Other antimicrobial treatments consisted of packaging the pieces of melon with an antimicrobial pad which contained cinnamic acid (148.16 mg/L and 296.32 mg/L). After 10 days of storage, significant differences among antimicrobials treatments and water treatment were found. In water treatment, the psychrotroph load was 3.63 ± 0.09 log cfu g-1 meanwhile on all antimicrobial treatments the values ranged from 3.04 ±0.13 log cfu g-1 to 3.28±0.1 log cfu g-1. Mesophilic growth in the control treatment averaged 6.79±0.06 log cfu g-1 meanwhile on antimicrobial treatments the counts were from 5.15±0.01 log cfu g-1 to 5.30±0.03 log cfu g-1. Total coliform levels were 7.8±0.1 log cfu g-1 when melon was washed in water, followed by washing with cinnamon (296.32 mg/L) at 6.5 log cfu g-1 and for the rest of the treatments were around 5.5 log cfu g-1. The treatments did not display differences among mould and yeast growth after 10 days of storage. The sensorial quality decreased throughout storage. However, at the end of storage, the scores ranged between 6.5 and 7, above the minimum level for marketability (level 5). Sensorial panelist noted a ‘sweet’ taste when vanillin was used as sanitizer. In all antimicrobial treatments, no relation was found between a higher dose and a higher microbial reduction. So, vanillin at 1000 mg/L in water or cinnamic acid at 148.16 mg/L provided in water dip or as a pad inside the trays could be optimal natural sanitizers to substitute the use of chlorine in fresh-cut products as Cantaloupe melon.

Avaliação dos comportamentos de pastejo e suas relações com caracteres individuais dos bovinos de corte

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV

The Perception of Natural, Cell Phone, and Computer-Synthesized Speech During The Performance Of Simultaneous Visual-Motor Tasks

This study investigated the influence of top-down and bottom-up information on speech perception in complex listening environments. Specifically, the effects of listening to different types of processed speech were examined on intelligibility and on simultaneous visual-motor performance. The goal was to extend the generalizability of results in speech perception to environments outside of the laboratory. The effect of bottom-up information was evaluated with natural, cell phone and synthetic speech. The effect of simultaneous tasks was evaluated with concurrent visual-motor and memory tasks. Earlier works on the perception of speech during simultaneous visual-motor tasks have shown inconsistent results (Choi, 2004; Strayer & Johnston, 2001). In the present experiments, two dual-task paradigms were constructed in order to mimic non-laboratory listening environments. In the first two experiments, an auditory word repetition task was the primary task and a visual-motor task was the secondary task. Participants were presented with different kinds of speech in a background of multi-speaker babble and were asked to repeat the last word of every sentence while doing the simultaneous tracking task. Word accuracy and visual-motor task performance were measured. Taken together, the results of Experiments 1 and 2 showed that the intelligibility of natural speech was better than synthetic speech and that synthetic speech was better perceived than cell phone speech. The visual-motor methodology was found to demonstrate independent and supplemental information and provided a better understanding of the entire speech perception process. Experiment 3 was conducted to determine whether the automaticity of the tasks (Schneider & Shiffrin, 1977) helped to explain the results of the first two experiments. It was found that cell phone speech allowed better simultaneous pursuit rotor performance only at low intelligibility levels when participants ignored the listening task. Also, simultaneous task performance improved dramatically for natural speech when intelligibility was good. Overall, it could be concluded that knowledge of intelligibility alone is insufficient to characterize processing of different speech sources. Additional measures such as attentional demands and performance of simultaneous tasks were also important in characterizing the perception of different kinds of speech in complex listening environments.

Growth, organic acids profile and sugar metabolism of Bifidobacterium lactis in co-culture with Streptococcus thermophilus: the inulin effect

The organic acids profile, sugar metabolism and biomass growth of Streptococcus thermophilus (St) and Bifidobacterium lactis (BI) have been studied in pure cultures or binary co-culture (St-BI) in skim milk either containing 40 mg/g of inulin or not. With inulin, the time required by St. BI and St-BI to complete fermentation (i.e., when the pH reached 4.5) was about 14, 8 and 49% shorter than without inulin, respectively. This prebiotic also enhanced the levels of lactic and acetic acids and volatile compounds, showing a positive synbiotic effect between pre- and probiotics. In particular, the St-BI co-culture showed final concentrations of both microorganisms about 15 and 38% higher than in their respective pure cultures, thus highlighting a clear synergistic effect between these microorganisms due to mutual interactions. In addition, the well-known bifidogenic effect of inulin was confirmed. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pandemic unadjuvanted influenza A (H1N1) vaccine in dermatomyositis and polymyositis: Immunogenicity independent of therapy and no harmful effect in disease

The goal of the present study was to evaluate the influence of the influenza A H1N1/2009 vaccine on dermatomyositis/polymyositis (DM/PM) disease parameters and the potential deleterious effect of therapy on immune response. Thirty-seven DM and 21 PM patients (Bohan and Peter's criteria) were gender- and age-matched to 116 healthy controls. Seroprotection, seroconversion, the geometric mean titers (GMTs) and the factor increase (FI) in the GMTs were calculated. Disease safety was determined from a muscle enzyme analysis and the DM/PM scores [patient's visual analog scale (VAS), physician's VAS, manual muscle strength (MMT-8)] evaluated pre- and post-vaccination. The mean age (43.1 +/- 9.9 vs. 43.8 +/- 8.4 years, p = 0.607) and gender distribution (p = 1.00) were comparable between the patients and controls. After 21 days, seroconversion (p = 0.394), seroprotection (p = 0.08), GMT (p = 0.573) and the FI in the GMT (p = 0.496) were similar in both groups. The disease and muscle parameters remained stable throughout the study, including the creatine kinase (p = 0.20) and aldolase levels (p = 0.98), the physicians' VAS (p = 1.00), the patients' VAS (p = 1.00) and the MMT-8 (p = 1.00). Regarding the influence of treatment, the seroconversion rates were comparable between the controls and patients undergoing treatment with glucocorticoid (GC) (p = 0.969), GC >0.5 mg/kg/day (p = 0.395) and GC + immunosuppressors (p = 0.285). Vaccine-related adverse events were mild and similar in the DM/PM and control groups (p > 0.05). Our data support the administration of the pandemic influenza A H1N1/2009 vaccination in DM/PM, as we found no short-term harmful effects related to the disease itself and adequate immunogenicity in spite of therapy. Further studies are necessary to identify any long-term adverse effects in patients with these diseases.(c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The combined effect of acupuncture and Tanacetum parthenium on quality of life in women with headache: randomised study

Background The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of acupuncture (AC), Tanacetum (TAN) or combined treatment on quality of life in women with chronic migraine (CM). Methods A total of 69 women volunteers were randomly divided into 3 groups: AC, acupuncture administered in 20 sessions over 10 weeks (n=22); TAN, at 150 mg/day (n=23); and AC+TAN (n=23). The primary outcome was Short-Form 36 (SF-36) quality of life assessment score. Secondary outcomes included the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) score experienced after randomisation. Results AC+TAN was statistically significantly more effective than AC or TAN alone in overall health-related quality of life (SF-36; p<0.05), on MIDAS score (-35.1 (10.6) AC vs -24.8 (11.7) TAN vs -42.5 (9.8) AC+TAN; p<0.05) and in reducing the mean score of pain on VAS (-5.6 (2.4) AC vs -3.7 (2.1) TAN vs -6.4 (3.1) AC+TAN; p<0.05). Conclusions The present work shows an improvement of the quality of life and better analgesic effect of acupuncture combined with TAN treatment on migraine pain in women when compared with acupuncture or TAN alone.

End-to-end Distance Distribution in Fluorescent Derivatives of Bradykinin in Interaction with Lipid Vesicles

Cellular membranes have relevant roles in processes related to proteases like human kallikreins and cathepsins. As enzyme and substrate may interact with cell membranes and associated co-factors, it is important to take into account the behavior of peptide substrates in the lipid environment. In this paper we report an study based on energy transfer in two bradykinin derived peptides labeled with the donor-acceptor pair Abz/Eddnp (ortho-aminobenzoic acid/N-[2,4-dinitrophenyl]-ethylenediamine). Time-resolved fluorescence experiments were performed in phosphate buffer and in the presence of large unilamelar vesicles of phospholipids, and of micelles of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). The decay kinetics were analyzed using the program CONTIN to obtain end-to-end distance distribution functions f(r). Despite of the large difference in the number of residues the end-to-end distance of the longer peptide (9 amino acid residues) is only 20 % larger than the values obtained for the shorter peptide (5 amino acid residues). The proline residue, in position 4 of the bradykinin sequence promotes a turn in the longer peptide chain, shortening its end-to-end distance. The surfactant SDS has a strong disorganizing effect, substantially broadening the distance distributions, while temperature increase has mild effects in the flexibility of the chains, causing small increase in the distribution width. The interaction with phospholipid vesicles stabilizes more compact conformations, decreasing end-to-end distances in the peptides. Anisotropy experiments showed that rotational diffusion was not severely affected by the interaction with the vesicles, suggesting a location for the peptides in the surface region of the bilayer, a result consistent with small effect of lipid phase transition on the peptides conformations.

Effect of quarantine treatments on the carbohydrate and organic acid content of mangoes (cv. Tommy Atkins)

Brazil is one of the largest mango producers and the third largest mango exporter worldwide. Irradiation treatment and its commercial feasibility have been studied in our country to make it possible to develop new markets and, consequently, to compete with the major exporters of mangoes, Mexico and India. This work was designed to compare irradiation treatment with the hot water dip treatment in mangoes cv. Tommy Atkins for export and to verify that the main attributes for acceptance, color and texture, as well as carbohydrate and organic acid contents, were maintained. In this study, the fruit was divided into groups: control, hot water dip-treated (46 degrees C for 90 min), and irradiation-treated at doses of 0.4 kGy and 1.0 kGy. The fruit was stored at low temperature (11 degrees C +/- 2) for 14 days and then at room temperature (23 degrees C +/- 2) until the end of the study. The results indicated that the fruit given a dose of 1.0 kGy remained in a less advanced stage of ripening (stage 3) throughout the storage period, but experienced a greater loss of texture in the beginning of the experiment. It was noted that only the control group had higher levels of citric acid and succinic acid on the last day of the experiment. There were no significant differences in the total sugar content between any treatment groups. Gamma radiation can be used as a quarantine treatment and does not interfere negatively with the quality attributes of mangoes. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of Different Radiopacifying Agents on the Physicochemical Properties of White Portland Cement and White Mineral Trioxide Aggregate

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the pH, calcium ion release, setting time, and solubility of white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA) and white Portland cement (WPC) combined with the following radiopacifying agents: bismuth oxide (BO), calcium tungstate (CT), and zirconium oxide (ZO). Methods: Fifty acrylic teeth with root-end filling material were immersed in ultrapure water for measurement of pH and calcium release (atomic absorption spectrophotometry) at 3, 24, 72, and 168 hours. For evaluation of setting time, each material was analyzed according to the American Society for Testing and Materials guidelines 266/08. The solubility test was performed according to American National Standards Institute/American Dental Association specification no. 57/2000. Solubility, setting time, and pH values were compared by using analysis of variance and Tukey test, and the values of calcium release were compared by the Kruskal-Wallis and Miller tests. The significance level was set at 5%. Results: The pH and calcium release were higher at 3 and 24 hours. WPC was the material with the higher values for both properties. WMTA had the greatest solubility among all materials (P < .05). All radiopacifiers increased the setting time of WPC, and WMTA had the shortest setting time among all materials (P < .05). Conclusions: All materials released calcium ions. Except for WPC/CT at 168 hours, all materials promoted an alkaline pH. On the basis of the obtained results, ZO and CT can be considered as potential radiopacifying agents to be used in combination with Portland cement. (J Endod 2012;38:394-397)

Effect of treatment delay on disease severity and need for resuscitation in porcine fecal peritonitis

Objective: Early treatment in sepsis may improve outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate how the delay in starting resuscitation influences the severity of sepsis and the treatment needed to achieve hemodynamic stability. Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled experimental study. Setting: Experimental laboratory in a university hospital. Subjects: Thirty-two anesthetized and mechanically ventilated pigs. Interventions: Pigs were randomly assigned (n = 8 per group) to a nonseptic control group or one of three groups in which fecal peritonitis (peritoneal instillation of 2 g/kg autologous feces) was induced, and a 48-hr period of protocolized resuscitation started 6 (Delta T-6 hrs), 12 (Delta T-12 hrs), or 24 (Delta T-24 hrs) hrs later. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of delays in resuscitation on disease severity, need for resuscitation, and the development of sepsis-associated organ and mitochondrial dysfunction. Measurements and Main Results: Any delay in starting resuscitation was associated with progressive signs of hypovolemia and increased plasma levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha prior to resuscitation. Delaying resuscitation increased cumulative net fluid balances (2.1 +/- 0.5 mL/kg/hr, 2.8 +/- 0.7 mL/kg/hr, and 3.2 +/- 1.5 mL/kg/hr, respectively, for groups.T-6 hrs, Delta T-12 hrs, and.T-24 hrs; p < .01) and norepinephrine requirements during the 48-hr resuscitation protocol (0.02 +/- 0.04 mu g/kg/min, 0.06 +/- 0.09 mu g/kg/min, and 0.13 +/- 0.15 mu g/kg/min; p = .059), decreased maximal brain mitochondrial complex II respiration (p = .048), and tended to increase mortality (p = .08). Muscle tissue adenosine triphosphate decreased in all groups (p < .01), with lowest values at the end in groups Delta T-12 hrs and.T-24 hrs. Conclusions: Increasing the delay between sepsis initiation and resuscitation increases disease severity, need for resuscitation, and sepsis-associated brain mitochondrial dysfunction. Our results support the concept of a critical window of opportunity in sepsis resuscitation. (Crit Care Med 2012; 40:2841-2849)

The effect of noise on the voice of preschool institution educators

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between noise levels present in preschool institutions and vocal disorders among educators. METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in 2009 with 28 teachers from three preschool institutions located in the city of Sao Paulo (Southeastern Brazil). Sound pressure levels were measured according to Brazilian Technical Standards Association, with the use of a sound level meter. The averages were classified according to the levels of comfort, discomfort, and auditory damage proposed by the Pan American Health Organization. The educators underwent voice evaluation: self-assessment with visual analogue scale, auditory perceptual evaluation using the GRBAS scale, and acoustic analysis utilizing the Praat program. To analyze the association between noise and voice evaluation, descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were employed, with significance of 10% due to sample size. RESULTS: The teachers' age ranged between 21 and 56 years. The noise average was 72.7 dB, considered as damage 2. The professionals' vocal self-assessment ranked an average of 5.1 on the scale, being considered as moderate alteration. In the auditory-perceptual assessment, 74% presented vocal alteration, especially hoarseness; of these, 52% were considered mild alterations. In the acoustic assessment the majority presented fundamental frequency below the expected level. Averages for jitter, shimmer and harmonic-noise ratio showed alterations. An association between the presence of noise between the harmonics and vocal disorders was observed. CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between presence of noise between the harmonics and vocal alteration, with high noise levels. Although most teachers presented mild voice alteration, the self-evaluation showed moderate alteration, probably due to the difficulty in projection.