Effect of Superstructure Materials and Misfit on Stress Distribution in a Single Implant-Supported Prosthesis: A Finite Element Analysis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Maxillary osteosarcoma in a young patient undergoing postorthodontic treatment follow-up: The importance of ongoing oral examinations

Osteosarcoma is a common primary malignant tumor in long bones; it generally occurs in young adults. It is considered infrequent in the head and neck regions, where it is usually associated with poor outcomes and rates of survival. From a histopathologic point of view, osteosarcomas are commonly classified as osteoblastic, chondroblastic, or fibroblastic, although several unusual microscopic subtypes have also been reported. The purpose of this article was to present a case report of a maxillary chondroblastic osteosarcoma involving the maxillary sinus and the maxilla of a young woman who was diagnosed during early postorthodontic treatment follow-up. Treatment, prosthetic rehabilitation, and follow-up details are provided. Most importantly, this patient shows the importance of complete and systematic oral examinations during any routine dental treatment. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2011;139:845-8)

Acoustic and perceptual analyses of Brazilian male actors' and nonactors' voices: Long-term average spectrum and the Actor's Formant

This study investigates the possible differences between actors' and nonactors' vocal projection strategies using acoustic and perceptual analyses. A total of 11 male actors and 10 male nonactors volunteered as subjects, reading an extended text sample in habitual, moderate, and loud levels. The samples were analyzed for sound pressure level (SPL), alpha ratio (difference between the average SPL of the 1-5 kHz region and the average SPL of the 50 Hz-1 kHz region), fundamental frequency (F0), and long-term average spectrum (LTAS). Through LTAS, the mean frequency of the first formant (171) range, the mean frequency of the actor's formant, the level differences between the F1 frequency region and the F0 region (L1-L0), and the level differences between the strongest peak at 0-1 kHz and that at 3-4 kHz were measured. Eight voice specialists evaluated perceptually the degree of projection, loudness, and tension in the samples. The actors had a greater alpha ratio, stronger level of the actor's formant range, and a higher degree of perceived projection and loudness in all loudness levels. SPL, however, did not differ significantly between the actors and nonactors, and no differences were found in the mean formant frequencies ranges. The alpha ratio and the relative level of the actor's formant range seemed to be related to the degree of perceived loudness. From the physiological point of view, a more favorable glottal setting' providing a higher glottal closing speed, may be characteristic of these actors' projected voices. So, the projected voices, in this group of actors, were more related to the glottic source than to the resonance of the vocal tract.

Cytogenetic Markers in Wild Population of Curimbata (Prochilodus lineatus) from Mogi-Guacu River

Within the genus Prochilodus, the species Prochilodus lineatus is certainly the most studied one from a cytogenetic point of view. In this study, a cytogenetic characterization of specimens of P. lineatus from Mogi-Guacu River was performed in the period from 2003 to 2007, through utilization of cytogenetic markers, such as Giemsa, Ag-NOR, C-banding and cytogenetical-molecular markers (FISH) to detect both 5S and 18S ribosomal genes. All analyzed individuals presented 2n=54 meta/submetacentric chromosomes, besides bearing up to 7 supernumerary Microchromosomes. Polymorphic NORs were detected on a single chromosomal pair. The constitutive heterochromatin was distributed at centromeric region of all chromosomes in the A complement, while the microchromosomes were totally heterochromatic. A syntenic distribution of 5S and 18S ribosomal genes was detected, comprising the NOR-bearing chromosomal pair. No additional ribosomal clusters in other chromosomes were observed. Although the karyotype features are commonly conserved within the genus Prochilodus, the few differences on the distribution of both ribosomal genes and heterochromatin when compared to specimens of P lineatus from other localities can be associated to the evolutionary changes that these repetitive sequences have undergone through the years.

Karyotype plasticity in crickets: Numerical, morphological, and nucleolar organizer region distribution pattern of Anurogryllus sp.

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Laboratory Assessment of two Active Ingredients for Control of Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

The subterranean termite Coptotermes gestroi Wasmann (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) is a pest of major economic importance in urban environments of southeastern Brazil. Compared to using pesticides for termite control, termite bait products target termites more specifically and also address environmental contamination issues. In this point of view, we performed two different bioassays ill order to evaluate the efficacy of boric acid and fipronil against different populations of C. gestroi. The results showed that concentration between 2000 and 3000 ppm of boric acid caused approximately 100 percent mortality ill termites. Concentrations between 0.01 and 0.0001 ppm of fipronil resulted in 100% termite mortality after 2 wk exposure. The data displayed a fast mortality of termites contaminated with fipronil, even with small concentrations, and therefore it is riot a Suitable product to be used ill baits against C gestroi. The present Study showed a delayed toxicity of boric acid against the subterranean termite C gestroi which suggests a need for further field tests.

Convergent evolution of aposematic coloration in Neotropical poison frogs: a molecular phylogenetic perspective

Poison frogs of the family Dendrobatidae contain cryptic as well as brightly colored, presumably aposematic species. The prevailing phylogenetic hypothesis assumes that the aposematic taxa form a monophyletic group while the cryptic species (Colostethus sensu lato) are basal and paraphyletic. Analysis of 86 dendrobatid sequences of a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene resulted in a much more complex scenario, with several clades that contained aposematic as well as cryptic taxa. Monophyly of the aposematic taxa was significantly rejected by SH-tests in an analysis with additional 12S and 16S rDNA fragments and reduced taxon sampling. The brightly colored Allobates femoralis and A. zaparo (Silverstone) comb. nov. (previously Epipedobates) belong in a clade with cryptic species of Colostethus. Additionally, Colostethus pratti was grouped with Epipedobates, and Colostethus bocagei with Cryptophyllobates. In several cases, the aposematic species have general distributions similar to those of their non-aposematic sister groups, indicating multiple instances of regional radiations in which some taxa independently acquired bright color. From a classificatory point of view, it is relevant that the type species of Minyobates, M. steyermarki, resulted as the sister group of the genus Dendrobates, and that species of Mannophryne and Nephelobates formed monophyletic clades, corroborating the validity of these genera. Leptodactylids of the genera Hylodes and Crossodactylus were not unambiguously identified as the sister group of the Dendrobatidae; these were monophyletic in all analyses and probably originated early in the radiation of Neotropical hyloid frogs.

Influence of Fluid Concentration on the Elevation of Boiling Point of Blackberry Juice

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Assessment of external root temperature during root canal irradiation by Nd:YAG and Er:YAG lasers

Different types of laser have been widely studied for applicability in the oral health area. In the endodontic area, investigations with some types of laser have been conducted to establish safe parameters for clinical application in root canals. However, it has not been duly explained whether the temperature increase caused by laser irradiation could cause alteration in the temperature on the external surface of the root and, consequently, alterations in the cells of the periodontal ligament, causing resorption and even loss of the dental element. The proposal in this paper was to gauge the external root temperature in the apical and cervical regions of the roots of human teeth during root canal irradiation with Nd:yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) and Er:YAG lasers using different parameters. The novel approach of this paper is the use of the technique of laser applications along the total length of the root canal with series of repetitive irradiation, however, using time of 1 s of irradiation associated with 1 s off to avoid cumulative thermal effects. Experimental results confirm the accuracy of the parameters and exposure regimen obtained. All the parameters used in this paper are acceptable from a clinical as well as a biological point of view. (C) 2009 Laser Institute of America.

On the algebraic K theory of the massive D8 and M9-branes

In this paper we review some basic relations of algebraic K theory and we formulate them in the language of D-branes. Then we study the relation between the D8-branes wrapped on an orientable, compact manifold W in a massive Type IIA, supergravity background and the M9-branes wrapped on a compact manifold Z in a massive d = 11 supergravity background from the K-theoretic point of view. By interpreting the D8-brane charges as elements of K-0(C(W)) and the (inequivalent classes of) spaces of gauge fields on the M9-branes as the elements of K-0(C(Z) x ((k) over bar*) G) where G is a one-dimensional compact group, a connection between charges and gauge fields is argued to exists. This connection could be realized as a composition map between the corresponding algebraic K theory groups.

Detection of volatile organic compounds using a polythiophene derivative

Conjugated polymers have been subject of great interest in the recent literature from both fundamental point of view and applied science perspective. Among the several types of conjugated polymers used in recent investigations, polythiophene and its derivatives have attracted considerable attention over the past 20 years due to their high mobility and other remarkable solid-state properties. They have potential applications in many fields, such as microelectronic devices, catalysts, organic field-effect transistors, chemical sensors, and biosensors. They have been studied as gas and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) sensors using different principles or transduction techniques, such as optical absorption, conductivity, and capacitance measurements. In this work, we report on the fabrication of gas sensors based on a conducting polymer on an interdigitated gold electrode. We use as active layer of the sensor a polythiophene derivative: poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and analyzed its conductivity as response for exposure to dynamic flow of saturated vapors of six VOCs [n-hexane, toluene, chloroform, dichloromethane, methanol, and tetrahydrofuran (THE)]. Different responses were obtained upon exposure to all VOCs, THF gave the higher response while methanol the lower response. The influence of moisture on the measurements was also evaluated. (C) 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Synchrotron structural characterization of electrochemically synthesized hexacyanoferrates containing K(+): A revisited analysis of electrochemical redox

The presumably soluble KFe(+3)[Fe(2+)(CN)(6)] structure of electrochemically synthesized hexacyanoferrate materials (Prussian Blue) containing K(+) ions was determined for the first time in this study. Prior to drawing conclusions from a structural analysis, the main goal was to make a precise analysis of the inferred soluble structure, that is, KFe(+3) [Fe(2+)(CN)(6)], which is frequently referred to in the literature as the final stable electrochemically synthesized structure. Indeed, a successful X-ray powder diffraction experiment using X-ray synchrotron radiation was made of a powder placed in a 0.5 mm diameter borosilicate glass capillary, which was obtained by removing sixty 90 nm thin films from the substrates on which they were prepared. However, the conclusions were highly unexpected, because the structure showed that the [Fe(CN)61 group was absent from similar to 25% of the structure, invalidating the previously presumed soluble KFe(+3)[Fe(2+)(CN)(6)] structure. This information led to the conclusion that the real structure of Prussian Blue electrochemically synthesized after the stabilization process is Fe(4)[Fe(CN)(6)](3)center dot mH(2)O containing a certain fraction of inserted K(+) ions. In fact, based on an electrogravimetric analysis (Gimenez-Romero et al., J. Phys. Chem. B 2006, 110, 2715 and 19352) complemented by the Fourier maps. it is possible to affirm that the K(+) was part of the water crystalline substructure. Therefore, the interplay mechanism was reexamined considering more precisely the role played by the water crystalline substructure and the K+ alkali metal ion. As a final conclusion, it is proposed that the most precise way to represent the structure of electrochemically synthesized and stabilized hexacyanoferrate materials is Fe(4)(3+) Fe(2+)(CN)(6)](3)center dot[K(h)(+)center dot OH(h)(-)center dot mH(2)O]. The importance of this result is that the widespread use of the terms soluble and insoluble in the electrochemical literature could be reconsidered. Indeed, only one type of structure is insoluble, and that is Fe(4)[Fe(CN)(6)](3)center dot mH(2)O hence, the use of the terms soluble and insoluble is inappropriate from a structural point of view. The result of the presence of the [Fe(CN)61 vacancy a, roup is that the water Substructure cannot be ignored in the ionic interplay mechanism which controls the intercalation and redox process, as was previously confirmed by electrogravimetric analyses (Gimenez-Romero et al., J. Phys. Chem. B 2006, 110, 2715 Garcia-Jareno et al., Electrochim. Acta 1998, 44, 395: Kulesza, Inorg. Chem. 1990, 29, 2395).

Comparison of the dehydration kinetics of solid state compounds of 2-methoxybenzylidenepyruvate with some divalent metal ions

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Anatomy of the floral scape of Bromeliaceae

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The use of extruded feed in fish food

In our country, the intensive culture of fish has been making progress due to the availability of extruded rations, which are characterized by the way they have been formulated to assist the nutritional demands of the tropical species and for facilitating a better practice of alimentary handling. This process checks the extruded product density and the desirable physical/chemical aspects to a diet that should be handled in the water, the critical factor of this activity. It is important to emphasize that this product stays to the surface of the water, facilitates the consumption control and the observation of the general aspects of the school of fish, as well as guaranteeing that no deterioration of the physical/chemical characteristics of the water occurs. The floating characteristic of the extruded ration is preferable for farmers because most of the tropical species feed at the surface of the water. In some cases, in the function of the alimentary habit, the thermal conditions of the water and the handling system produce granules with different densities. This is due to the humidity and the applied cooking heat, which modifies the time of hydration, and consequently the ability to float. To establish the physical presentation idea for a ration for tropical fishes, it is necessary that the pellets come in sizes, textures, humidities and densities in order to allow for the different phases of the lives of the fishes. This ration should be the result of characteristics of the species, such as the anatomophysiologics particularities, alimentary habits, digestive capacity and alimentary behavior. Only in this way is it possible to offer to those fishes a ration whose nutritious value and physical presentation facilitate the best biological and economic answers.Those aspects need to be reviewed because the tropical species that are cultivated in our country present selective behavior in relation to the size of the pellet. Generally, this has access to the digestive system without waste; the digestibility, therefore, is dependent upon the size of the particles and the physical aspects of the pellets. They should still consider that those granules could be less abrasive and softer. The extruded rations available in the national market present a qualitative reference to its proteic level, whose consequence allows us to infer that those are overestimated for the final phase of those fishes. Thus, the final cost of production is made unfeasible. In this point of view of the development of the national fish culture, and the growing adoption of the intensive system of production, it can link that such progress is a function of the availability of the rations in the extruded form. Although this technique of processing of rations has revolutionized the market in such a way that has been seen as preferable for farmers, some feel that there is a lack of products best suited for the initial phases of fingerlings production.