Assessment of force decay in orthodontic elastomeric chains: An in vitro study

Introduction: Elastomeric materials are considered important sources of orthodontic forces. Objective: To assess force degradation over time of four commercially available orthodontic elastomeric chains (Morelli, Ormco, TP and Unitek). Methods: The synthetic elastics were submerged in 37 oC synthetic saliva and stretched by a force of 150 g (15 mm - Morelli and TP; 16mm - Unitek and Ormco). With a dynamometer, the delivered force was evaluated at different intervals: 30 minutes, 7 days, 14 days and 21 days. The results were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey's test. Results: There was a force decay between 19% to 26.67% after 30 minutes, and 36.67% to 57% after 21 days of activation. Conclusions: TP elastomeric chains exhibited the smallest percentage of force decay, with greater stability at all time intervals tested. Meanwhile, the Unitek chains displayed the highest percentage of force degradation, and no statically significant difference was found in force decay between Ormco and Morelli elastomeric chains during the study period.

The expansion model of the major Chilean retail chains

Includes bibliography

Modelling polymers with side chains: MEH-PPV and P3HT

Modelling polymers with side chains is always a challenge once the degrees of freedom are very high. In this study, we present a successful methodology to model poly[2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethyl-hexyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) and poly[3-hexylthiophene] (P3HT) in solutions, taking into account the influence of side chains on the polymer conformation. Molecular dynamics and semi-empirical quantum mechanical methods were used for structure optimisation and evaluation of optical properties. The methodology allows to describe structural and optical characteristics of the polymers in a satisfactory way, as well as to evaluate some usual simplifications adopted for modelling these systems. Effective conjugation lengths of 8-14.6 and 21 monomers were obtained for MEH-PPV and P3HT, respectively, in accordance with experimental findings. In addition, anti/syn conformations of these polymers could be predicted based on intrinsic interactions of the lateral branches. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

OPF-MRF: Optimum-path forest and Markov random fields for contextual-based image classification

Some machine learning methods do not exploit contextual information in the process of discovering, describing and recognizing patterns. However, spatial/temporal neighboring samples are likely to have same behavior. Here, we propose an approach which unifies a supervised learning algorithm - namely Optimum-Path Forest - together with a Markov Random Field in order to build a prior model holding a spatial smoothness assumption, which takes into account the contextual information for classification purposes. We show its robustness for brain tissue classification over some images of the well-known dataset IBSR. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.

Latin America and the Caribbean in the World Economy 2013: A sluggish postcrisis, mega trade negotiations and value chains: scope for regional action

Incluye bibliografía.

Strengthening value chains as an industrial policy instrument. Methodology and experience of ECLAC in Central America

Foreword by Alicia Bárcena.

Upgrading value chains through professional and supporting services: Lessons from three agro-industry chains in El Salvador and Guatemala

Includes bibliography

Global value chains and world trade: Prospects and challenges for Latin America

Foreword by Alicia Bárcena.