Psychophysical power functions for apparent area in perceptive, memory, and inference conditions for observers of different age groups

The purpose of this research was to verify the effect of age on the exponent of the power function in Perceptive, Memory, and Inference experimental conditions. In the Memory condition the intervals of 2 min., 8, 24, and 48 hr. and 1 wk. were used between acquisition of information and remembering. For each experimental condition the ages of observers ranged between 17 and 35 years (Group I), 40-55 years (Group II), and 60-77 years (Group III), and education ranged from high school to graduate school. The observers estimated the areas of the Brazilian states using the psychophysical method of magnitude estimation. No significant differences were obtained for Groups I, II, and III for each experimental condition, except in the Memory Condition with the 24-hr. interval. Analysis for experimental conditions and ages showed a significant difference between the Perceptive Condition and each of the others, but no difference between the Inference and Memory Conditions. These results indicated that in the remembering processes there is no loss of information as a function of age. From the small variability in the power function exponents for the three ages, we may assume that age could be related to amount of education of the observers, which suggests study is important.

A formação de trabalhadores brasileiros: a experiência do Colégio Isabel

Colegio Isabel was a project that aimed to "civilize" the indigenous children who lived in the Vale do Araguaia region, Goias Province, to educate national workers and, progressively, incorporate the lands owned by the Indians in the productive process. Colegio Isabel allowed its students a marginal integration in the society, assigning them functions that the so called "civilized" people considered degrading. The egress students lived an ambiguous and marginal life, regarding the original ethnic groups and the adopted society.

Analog Modeling of Human Cognitive Functions with Tripartite Synapses

Searching for an understanding of how the brain supports conscious processes, cognitive scientists have proposed two main classes of theory: Global Workspace and Information Integration theories. These theories seem to be complementary, but both still lack grounding in terms of brain mechanisms responsible for the production of coherent and unitary conscious states. Here we propose following James Robertson's "Astrocentric Hypothesis" - that conscious processing is based on analog computing in astrocytes. The "hardware" for these computations is calcium waves mediated by adenosine triphosphate signaling. Besides presenting our version of this hypothesis, we also review recent findings on astrocyte morphology that lend support to their functioning as Local Hubs (composed of protoplasmic astrocytes) that integrate synaptic activity, and as a Master Hub (composed, in the human brain, by a combination of interlaminar, fibrous, polarized and varicose projection astrocytes) that integrates whole-brain activity.

Deproteinized bovine bone mineral in marginal defects at implants installed immediately into extraction sockets: an experimental study in dogs

Aim: To evaluate the influence of deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) particles concomitant with the placement of a collagen membrane on alveolar ridge preservation and on osseointegration of implants placed into alveolar sockets immediately after tooth extraction. Material and methods: The pulp tissue of the mesial roots of 3P3 was removed in six Labrador dogs and the root canals were filled. Flaps were elevated in the right side of the mandible, and the buccal and lingual alveolar bony plates were exposed. The third premolar was hemi-sectioned and the distal root was removed. A recipient site was prepared and an implant was placed lingually. After implant installation, defects of about 0.6mm wide and 3.1mm depth resulted at the buccal aspects of the implant, both at the test and at the control sites. The same surgical procedures and measurements were performed on the left side of the mandible. However, DBBM particles with a size of 0.25-1mm were placed into the remaining defect concomitant with the placement of a collagen membrane. Results: All implants were integrated into mature bone. No residual DBBM particles were detected at the test sites after 4 months of healing. Both the test and the control sites showed buccal alveolar bone resorption, 1.8 +/- 1.1 and 2.1 +/- 1mm, respectively. The most coronal bone-to-implant contact at the buccal aspect was 2 +/- 1.1 an 2.8 +/- 1.3mm, at the test and the control sites, respectively. This difference in the distance was statistically significant. Conclusion: The application of DBBM concomitant with a collagen membrane to fill the marginal defects around implants placed into the alveolus immediately after tooth extraction contributed to improved bone regeneration in the defects. However, with regard to buccal bony crest preservation, a limited contribution of DBBM particles was achieved.

Evaluation of Different Methods of Optical Impression Making on the Marginal Gap of Onlays Created with CEREC 3D

Objectives: This study evaluated the marginal gaps on several surfaces of onlays created with the Cerec 3D system using one intraoral and two extraoral optical impression methods. Methods: A human molar (#19) was mounted with its adjacent teeth on a typodont (Frasaco) and prepared for a MODL onlay. The typodont was assembled in the mannequin head in order to simulate clinical conditions. The same operator took 36 individual optical impressions using a CEREC 3D camera. For group 1 (IP), a thin layer of titanium dioxide powder (CEREC powder-VITA) was applied directly onto the surface of the preparation for imaging (n=12). For group 2 (EP), a sectional impression was taken with hydrocolloid Identic Syringable (Dux Dental), a die made with polyvinylsiloxane KwikkModel Scan (R-dental Dentalerzeugnisse GmbH) and powdered with titanium dioxide for imaging (n=12). For group 3 (ES), a sectional impression was taken with PVS and a sectional stock tray, a die fabricated in stone (Diamond die- HI-TEC Dental Products) and the die being imaged without powdering (n=12). One operator designed and machined the onlays in Vita Blocks Mark II for Cerec (VITA) using a CEREC 3D. The marginal gaps (pm) were measured with an optical microscope (50x) at 12 points, three on each surface of the MODL. The results were analyzed by two-way ANOVA/Tukey's (p=0.05). Results: The overall mean marginal gaps (mu m) for the three methods were: IP=111.6 (+/- 34.0); EP=161.4 (+/- 37.6) and ES=116.8 (+/- 42.3). IP and ES were equal, but both were significantly less than EP. The pooled mean marginal gaps (mu m) for the occlusal = 110.5 (+/- 39) and lingual = 111.5 (+/- 30.5) surfaces were equivalent and significantly less than the distal = 136.5 (+/- 42.5) and mesial = 161.1 (+/- 43.3). Conclusion: The marginal gap of CEREC 3D onlay restorations was not different when the optical impression was taken intraorally vs extraorally using a stone cast that does not require powdering. The lingual and occlusal surfaces showed the lowest gaps.

Field-theory Two-point Functions via Negative Dimension Integration

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Comment on Wave functions for a Duffin-Kemmer-Petiau particle in a time-dependent potential [J. Math. Phys. 48, 073515 (2007)]

It is shown that the paper Wave functions for a Duffin-Kemmer-Petiau particle in a time-dependent potential by Merad and Bensaid [J. Math. Phys. 48, 073515 (2007)] is not correct in using inadvertently a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian in a formalism that does require Hermitian Hamiltonians.

Analytical optimization of spread and change of exponential decay of generalized Wannier functions in one dimension

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

GENERALIZED HEAVISIDE FUNCTIONS IN THE COLOMBEAU THEORY CONTEXT

We defined generalized Heaviside functions for a variable x in R-n, and for variables (x, t) in R-n x R-m. Then study properties such as: composition, invertibility, and association relation (the weak equality). This work is developed in the Colombeau generalized functions context.

Estudo da infiltração marginal em restaurações de resinas compostas para dentes posteriores. Efeito do material, preparo cavitário e condicionamento do esmalte a nível cervical.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the cervical marginal leakage in class II restorations with chemically cured resin (P10) and light-cured resin (P30) in two types of cavities: conventional and adhesive. The effect of acid-etching in this area was also observed. Dentine adhesive Scotchbond was used in all experimental groups. Leakage was evidenced by Rodamina B dye penetration after thermocycling procedure between 10 degrees C and 50 degrees C temperature and analysed by using Zeiss Stereoscopic Magnifying Glass (10 X). According to the results obtained marginal leakage occurred in all experimental groups, with lower percentage for adhesives cavities when enamel acid-etching and light-cured resin P30 was used.

Correlation functions in super liouville theory

We calculate three- and four-point functions in super Liouville theory coupled to a super Coulomb gas on world sheets with spherical topology. We first integrate over the zero mode and assume that a parameter takes an integer value. We find the amplitudes, give plausibility arguments in favor of the result, and formally continue the parameter to an arbitrary real number. Remarkably the result is completely parallel to the bosonic case.

So(2,1) Lie algebra and the Green's functions for the conditionally exactly solvable potentials

The Green's functions of the recently discovered conditionally exactly solvable potentials are computed. This is done through the use of a second-order differential realization of the so(2,1) Lie algebra. So we present the dynamical symmetry underlying the solvability of such potentials and show that they belong to a general class of solvable and partially solvable potentials. © 1994 The American Physical Society.