Projections Onto Convex Sets through Particle Swarm Optimization and its application for remote sensing image restoration

Image restoration attempts to enhance images corrupted by noise and blurring effects. Iterative approaches can better control the restoration algorithm in order to find a compromise of restoring high details in smoothed regions without increasing the noise. Techniques based on Projections Onto Convex Sets (POCS) have been extensively used in the context of image restoration by projecting the solution onto hyperspaces until some convergence criteria be reached. It is expected that an enhanced image can be obtained at the final of an unknown number of projections. The number of convex sets and its combinations allow designing several image restoration algorithms based on POCS. Here, we address two convex sets: Row-Action Projections (RAP) and Limited Amplitude (LA). Although RAP and LA have already been used in image restoration domain, the former has a relaxation parameter (A) that strongly depends on the characteristics of the image that will be restored, i.e., wrong values of A can lead to poorly restoration results. In this paper, we proposed a hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization (PS0)-POCS image restoration algorithm, in which the A value is obtained by PSO to be further used to restore images by POCS approach. Results showed that the proposed PSO-based restoration algorithm outperformed the widely used Wiener and Richardson-Lucy image restoration algorithms. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Uso de habitat, orçamento temporal e influência da maré da geomorfologia do fundo sobre o comportamento do boto Sotalia guianensis Van Bénéden, 1864 (Cetacea: Delphinidae) no Porto de Maceió - Alagoas, Brasil

The physical and environmental factors presented by each habitat and the rhythm of behavior patterns strongly influence the ecology and behavior of the all living beings. At same time this factors may provide clues about the structure of a population and its ecological balance. The organizational structure, ecology and behavior of a species appraised in a region if we know be in balance when compared to the same type of appraisal made in a degraded area can provide a clear view of how the anthropogenic influences acted on these species and what steps can be taken in order to mitigate the effects and keep the population. The region where this study was conducted is, like most areas of port, subject to intense physical and environmental degradation. With the emerging interest of change in the quality of these environments also by the companies themselves that use the port services, the proposed study aimed to characterize the use of habitat, the distribution of behavioral activities carried out throughout the day and influence of geomorphology of the bed, depth and variation of tide on the expression of the behavior of Sotalia guianensis in the port of Maceio - Alagoas. From this information will be possible establish parameters for comparison with other populations of S. guianensis and establish conservation measures for the population occurring in the port of Maceio - AL, serving also as a basis for conservation actions future performed in other port regions

Uso de habitat e comportamento do boto-cinza sotalia guianensis em uma zona estuarina do estado de Sergipe, nordeste do Brasil a biotecnologia vegetal como alternativa para a cotonicu

To clarify the functional mechanisms of habitat use is necessary to analyze it in conjunction with the conduct performed by animals. The occurrence, distribution and use of space are characteristic of a species resulting from habitat selection that is in search of conditions favorable to its survival. One can relate the physical and biological factors of the environment with the ecological characteristics of the species, since these factors act by regulating the ecological success of organisms, and from there you can get important information about the habitat use and behavior of individuals. This study aimed to characterize the use of habitat and diurnal activity expressed by the Guiana dolphin, Sotalia guianensis in an estuarine area of Sergipe state, Brazil, analyzing the influence of tide and time days on the occurrence of animals and behavior s state, and group s size and composition in this cetacean species. From March 2009 to February 2010, focal groups observations of dolphins were made from fixed - point and records snapshots of data taken every 5 min. in the interval from 6 a.m to 6 p.m, in alternating shifts. The results showed that the constant presence of animals in the area of the Sergipe River estuary indicates that this is an important area of occurrence of S. guianensis, which use the region mainly in the morning, at low tide and as a feeding. As in other regions of northeastern Brazil, small groups formed 2-12 individuals were most common, with adults and immatures. The high frequency of immature animals may indicate that this area of the estuary is used as brood area and parental care of pups and young animals, since the immature animals were very associated with adults and monitoring the activities of foraging / feeding may be related to a form of learning or training of such behavior

Restoration of sensitivity after removal of the sural nerve: a new application of lateroterminal neurorraphy

Os autores propõem o emprego da neurorrafia término-lateral do coto distal do nervo sural na face lateral do nervo fibular superficial para evitar anestesia ou hipoestesia na face lateral do pé após a retirada do nervo sural para enxertia. A proximidade anatômica entre os nervos em questão tornam o procedimento simples, sem aumentar o tempo cirúrgico. A neurorrafia término-lateral proposta não prejudica as estruturas inervadas pelo nervo doador .

Mandibular Movement Restoration Through Bilateral Coronoidectomy by Intraoral Approach

The present study aimed at reporting a clinical and surgical case of bilateral coronoidectomy, using an intraoral approach. The patient is a 26-year-old man, who sought attendance complaining of a gradual reduction of his oral opening in the past 3 years; however, he had an aggravation in the last 2 months. After clinical examination and imaging evaluation, the diagnosis of coronoid process hyperplasia was confirmed, and the surgical treatment was proposed. Under general anesthesia, with nasotracheal intubation guided by a nasofiberendoscope, using an intraoral approach, the bilateral coronoidectomy was performed. In the immediate postoperative period, an increase of the buccal opening measured 29 mm, representing an enhancement of 11 mm, and in the 30th postoperative day, it measured 31.12 mm. During the clinical follow-up period, a reestablishment of the mandibular movements was observed. Therefore, coronoidectomy by an intraoral approach and the physiotherapy performed in the postoperative period were efficient procedures.

Technique for Indexing an Immediate Loading Implant Position for a Provisional Restoration

The transfer of an intraoral implant position to the cast for an immediate loading implant is an important step and may be difficult to achieve with commonly used transfer and impression methods. Thus, the purpose of this report is to describe a technique for the use of a surgical template to transfer the implant position for fabrication of a provisional restoration. This technique simplifies the procedure, eliminates the need for taking an impression, avoids surgical site contamination, and maintains an adequate emergence profile during fabrication of the definitive restoration. An indexing technique for transferring the position of the implant from the treated surface after extraction is described.

Effect of implant connection and restoration design (screwed vs. cemented) in reliability and failure modes of anterior crowns

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Aesthetic Approach in Single Immediate Implant-Supported Restoration

The aim of this study was to analyze the main aspects that influence the aesthetics of single immediate implant-supported restorations through a literature review on the MEDLINE database. It was observed that immediate implant-supported restorations present clinical success with aesthetic predictability demonstrated by the literature. Proper patient selection and diagnostic and multidisciplinary planning are essential and should be associated to technical ability of professional and knowledge concerning the biology of peri-implant tissues. It is suggested that provisional restoration should be immediately inserted after implant fixation to guide healing of gingival tissues with a proper emergence profile besides psychologic comfort for a patient due to immediate aesthetic reestablishment.

Clinical and radiographic changes around dental implants inserted in different levels in relation to the crestal bone, under different restoration protocols, in the dog model

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate clinical and radiographic changes that occur around dental implants inserted in different levels in relation to crestal bone under different restoration protocols.Methods: Thirty-six implants were inserted in the edentulous mandible of six mongrel dogs. Each implant was assigned to an experimental group according to the distance from the top of the implant to the crestal bone: Bone Level (at crestal bone level), Minus 1 (1 mm below crestal bone), or Minus 2 (2 mm below crestal bone). Each hemimandible was submitted to a restoration protocol: conventional (prosthesis was installed 120 days after implant placement, including 30 days with healing cap) or immediate (prosthesis was installed 24 hours after implant placement). Fixed partial prostheses were installed bilaterally in the same day. After 90 days, clinical and radiographic parameters were evaluated.Results: As long as the implants were inserted in more apical positions, the first bone-to-implant contact (fBIC) was positioned more apically (P<0.05). However, the apical positioning of the implants did not influence the ridge loss or the position of the soft tissue margin (PSTM) (P>0.05). In addition, in immediately restored sites, the PSTM was located significantly more coronally than that in conventionally restored sites (P=0.02).Conclusions: Despite the more apical positioning of the fBIC, the height of the peri-implant soft tissues and ridge was not jeopardized. Moreover, the immediate restoration protocol was beneficial to the maintenance of the PSTM. Further studies are suggested to evaluate the significance of these results in longer healing periods.

Single crowns versus conventional fillings for the restoration of root filled teeth

BackgroundEndodontic treatment, involves removal of the dental pulp and its replacement by a root canal filling. Restoration of root filled teeth can be challenging due to structural differences between vital and non-vital root filled teeth. Direct restoration involves placement of a restorative material e.g. amalgam or composite directly into the tooth. Indirect restorations consist of cast metal or ceramic (porcelain) crowns. The choice of restoration depends on the amount of remaining tooth which may influence long term survival and cost. The comparative in service clinical performance of crowns or conventional fillings used to restore root filled teeth is unclear.ObjectivesTo assess the effects of restoration of endodontically treated teeth (with or without post and core) by crowns versus conventional filling materials.Search methodsWe searched the following databases: the Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE via OVID, EMBASE via OVID, CINAHL via EBSCO, LILACS via BIREME and the reference lists of articles as well as ongoing trials registries. There were no restrictions regarding language or date of publication. Date of last search was 13 February 2012.Selection criteriaRandomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-randomised controlled trials in participants with permanent teeth which have undergone endodontic treatment. Single full coverage crowns compared with any type of filling materials for direct restoration, as well as indirect partial restorations (e.g. inlays and onlays). Comparisons considered the type of post and core used (cast or prefabricated post), if any.Data collection and analysisTwo review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data.Main resultsOne trial judged to be at high risk of bias due to missing outcome data, was included. 117 participants with a root filled premolar tooth restored with a carbon fibre post, were randomised to either a full coverage metal-ceramic crown or direct adhesive composite restoration. At 3 years there was no reported difference between the non-catastrophic failure rates in both groups. Decementation of the post and marginal gap formation occurred in a small number of teeth.Authors' conclusionsThere is insufficient evidence to support or refute the effectiveness of conventional fillings over crowns for the restoration of root filled teeth. Until more evidence becomes available clinicians should continue to base decisions on how to restore root filled teeth on their own clinical experience, whilst taking into consideration the individual circumstances and preferences of their patients.

Influence of Er:YAG laser on surface treatment of aged composite resin to repair restoration

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Er:YAG laser on surface treatment to the bond strength of repaired composite resin after aged. Sixty specimens (n = 10) were made with composite resin (Z250, 3M) and thermocycled with 500 cycles, oscillating between 5 to 55A degrees C. The specimens were randomly separated in six groups which suffered the following superficial treatments: no treatment (GI, control), wearing with diamond bur (GII), sandblasted with aluminum oxide with 27.5 A mu m particles (GIII) for 10 s, 200 mJ Er:YAG laser (GIV), 300 mJ Er:YAG laser (GV), and 400 mJ Er:YAG laser (GVI), with the last 3 groups under a 10 Hz frequency for 10 s. Restoration repair was done using the same composite. The shear test was done into the Universal testing machine MTS-810. Analyzing the results through ANOVA and Tukey test, no significant differences were found (p-value is 0.5120). Average values analysis showed that superficial treatment with aluminum oxide presented the highest resistance to shear repair interface (8.91MPa) while 400 mJ Er:YAG laser presented the lowest (6.76 MPa). Fracture types analysis revealed that 90% suffered cohesive fractures to GIII. The Er:YAG laser used as superficial treatment of the aged composite resin before the repair showed similar results when used diamond bur and sandblasting with aluminum oxide particles.

The role of habitat heterogeneity for the functional response of the spider Nesticodes rufipes (Araneae : Theridiidae) to houseflies

We investigated whether or not different degrees of refuge for prey influence the characteristic of functional response exhibited by the spider Nesticodes rufipes on Musca domestica, comparing the inherent ability of N. rufipes to kill individual houseflies in such environments at two distinct time intervals. To investigate these questions, two artificial habitats were elaborated in the laboratory. For 168 h of predator-prey interaction, logistic regression analyses revealed a type 11 functional response, and a significant decrease in prey capture in the highest prey density was observed when habitat complexity was increased. Data from habitat 1 (less complex) presented a greater coefficient of determination than those from habitat 2 (more complex), indicating a higher variation of predation of the latter. For a 24 h period of predator-prey interaction, spiders killed significantly fewer prey in habitat 2 than in habitat 1. Although prey capture did not enable data to fit properly in the random predator equation in this case, predation data from habitat 2 presented a higher variation than data from habitat 1, corroborating results from 168 h of interaction. The high variability observed on data from habitat 2 (more complex habitat) is an interesting result because it reinforces the importance of refuge in promoting spatial heterogeneity, which can affect the extent of predator-prey interactions.

Activity and habitat use of two species of stingrays (Myliobatiformes: Potamotrygonidae) in the upper Paraná River basin, Southeastern Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Anurofauna em área de cerrado aberto no município de Borebi, estado de São Paulo, Sudeste do Brasil: uso do habitat, abundância e variação sazonal

O bioma Cerrado encontra-se descaracterizado e menos de três por cento de suas áreas originais está legalmente protegida. A anurofauna desse bioma não é muito rica quando comparado a outros biomas, porém há um grande número de espécies endêmicas. Aqui apresentamos uma lista de espécies de anuros registrados em uma lagoa em área de cerrado aberto do município de Borebi, região Centro-Oeste do estado de São Paulo, sudeste do Brasil. Durante 24 meses de estudo (2008 e 2009) caracterizamos a distribuição das espécies na lagoa estudada e descrevemos a variação sazonal das espécies. Foram registradas 27 espécies pertencentes a seis famílias: Bufonidae (duas espécies), Cycloramphidae (uma espécie), Hylidae (13 espécies), Leiuperidae (quatro espécies), Leptodactylidae (cinco espécies) e Microhylidae (duas espécies). A riqueza de espécies e abundância estiveram relacionadas com a precipitação. Dendropsophus minutus foi a espécie mais abundante e com registro de vocalização durante o ano inteiro. Rhinella ornata e Odontophrynus americanus foram restritas ao período seco e frio (abril a agosto). As outras espécies tiveram seu período de maior atividade nos meses chuvosos e quentes (setembro a março). A ocupação da lagoa variou com o tipo de vegetação e conforme a variação do seu volume de água, principalmente nos período de estiagem. A alta riqueza e abundância de anuros da lagoa pode ser resultado da ausência de peixes predadores, dos diversos tipos de microambientes do local e da ausência de outros corpos d'água próximos.

Attraction of fruit-eating bats with essential oils of fruits: A potential tool for forest restoration

Previous tests with essential oils from ripe chiropterochoric fruits suggested they can be used to attract and capture fruit-eating bats inside forest remnants. Here we evaluated the efficiency of these oils to attract frugivorous bats to open areas. We performed field tests with artificial fruits impregnated with essential oils of the genera Piper or Ficus that were attached to two groups of mist-nets set 50 m outside the border of a forest remnant. One group of artificial fruits received the corresponding oil isolated through hydrodistillation and the other received water only. Fruits with oils attracted significantly more fruit-eating bats, especially Artibeus lituratus that regularly crosses open habitats to reach other forest remnants. The highly significant attraction of A. lituratus by the oil of Piper was unexpected, since this bat is a specialist on Ficus fruits. We hypothesize that in habitats with no fruit available it is possible to attract frugivorous bats with the odor of several ripe fruit species. Furthermore, we verified that almost half of the individuals captured defecated seeds, indicating that the oils also attract recently fed bats, even when their preferred food is available nearby. This technique potentially may increase seed rain at specific locations, being particularly promising to restoration projects.