Heat capacity and enthalpy of fusion of fenoxycarb

Fenoxycarb was synthesized and its heat capacities were precisely measured with an automated adiabatic calorimeter over the temperature range from 79 to 360 K. The sample was observed to melt at (326.31 +/- 0.14) K. The molar enthalpy and entropy of fusion as well as the chemical purity of the compound were determined to be (26.98 +/- 0.04) kJ-mol(-1), (82.69 +/- 0.09) J-K-1-mol(-1) and 99.53% +/- 0.01%, respectively. The thermodynamic functions relative to the reference temperature (298.15 K) were calculated based on the heat capacity measurements in the temperature range between 80 and 360 K. The extrapolated melting temperature for the absolutely pure compound obtained from fractional melting experiments was (326.62 +/- 0.06) K. Further research on the melting process of this compound was carried out by means of differential scanning calorimetry technique. The result was in agreement with that obtained from the measurements of heat capacities.

Sleep-disordered breathing and orthodontic variables in children-Pilot study

Introduction: Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) is a highly prevalent condition associated with orofacial and dentofacial characteristics.Objective: the aim of this study was to verify the association of dental malocclusion, molar relationship, crossbite, open bite, overjet, overbite, and crowding with SDB in children aged 7-9 years.Materials and methods: Participating schools were selected randomly from within the public elementary school system. in the first phase of the study, the parents of 1216 children aged between 7 and 9 years old completed the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) questionnaire and the children had to participate in a dental examination. the evaluation of occlusion was divided into sagittal analysis, vertical analysis, and transverse analysis. in the second phase, 60 children were selected randomly to be undergone polysomnography (PSG) at a sleep clinic.Results: Among the children included, 242 (19.9%) children had normal occlusion. of the 60 children, 50 underwent PSG and 40(80%) had SDB. the crossbite and open bite showed association with SDB, p = 0.04 in both.Conclusion: Crossbite and open bite malocclusions were associated with SDB, and may be predictive of SDB in children. Studies with larger numbers of participants are needed to investigate the association of other malocclusions with SDB, and randomized clinical trials are also needed to see whether orthodontic and/or functional jaw orthopedic treatment is an option for treating children with malocclusion and SDB. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Caratterizzazione geo-petrografica, petrologica e geochimica di rocce anatettiche del nord Sardegna

The High Grade Metamorphic Complex (HGMC) of Variscan basement of north Sardinia is characterized by the widespread of migmatites. This study is focused on two localities of NE Sardinia (Porto Ottiolu and Punta Sirenella) where ortho- and para-derivates migmatites outcrop. A geological and structural survey was carried out, leading to the realization of a geological schematic map of Punta Sirenella area. Several samples of different rocks were collected for petrographic, micro-structural minero-chemical and geochemical analyses. In the Porto Ottiolu area three main deformation phases have been identified; D1, characterized by tight folds with sub-horizontal axes, rarely preserved in paragneisses; D2, that produce a pervasive foliation oriented N100° 45°SW marked by biotite and sillimanite blastesis and locally transposed by shear zone oriented N170°; D3, late deformation phase caused symmetric folds with sub-horizontal axes with no axial plane schistosity. Leucosomes form pods and layers along S2 schistosity but also leucosomes along shear zones have been observed. In the Punta Sirenella area, three main deformation phases have been identified; D1, is manifested by the transposition of centimeter-sized leucosomes and is rarely observed in paragneisses were produce open folds with sub-vertical axes; D2, NW-SE oriented on whose XY plane three mineralogical lineation (quartz+plagioclase, fibrolite+quarz and muscovite) lie; D3, a ductile-brittle deformation phase that produce a mylonitc S3 foliation that locally become the most evident schistosity in the field oriented N140° steeply dipping toward NE. In both areas, leucosomes of sedimentary-derived migmatites are generally trondhjemitic pointing out for a H2O fluxed melting reaction, but also granitic leucosomes have been found, produced by muscovite dehydration melting. Leucosomes of migmatitic orthogneiss instead, have granitic compositions. Migmatization started early, during the compressional and crustal thickening (sin-D1, pre-D2) and was still active during exhumation stage. For each studied outcrop of migmatite pseudosections for the average mesosome composition have been calculated; these pseudosections have been used to model the P-T conditions of anatexis on the basis of the melt volume (%) of melt, Si/Al and Na/K molar ratios, modal content of garnet and Si content in metamorphic white mica. Further pseudosections have been calculated for the average composition of leucosomes in order to define the P-T conditions of the end of the crystallization through intersection of solidus curve and isopleths of Si content in white mica and/or XMg ratio in biotite. Thermodynamic modeling on ortho- and sedimentary-derived migmatites of Punta Sirenella yield P-T conditions of 1.1-1.3 GPa - 670-740°C for migmatitic event and 0.75-0.90 GPa - 660-730°C for the end of crystallization. These conditions are fit well with previous studies on adjacent rocks. Modeling of Porto Ottiolu ortho- and sedimentary-derived migmatites yield P-T conditions of 0.85-1.05 GPa - 690-730°C for migmatitic event and 0.35-0.55 GPa - 630-690°C strongly affected by re-equilibration during exhumation, expecially for crystallization conditions. Geochemical analyses of samples belonging to Porto Ottiolu and Punta Sirenella orthogneisses show a strong link with those of other orthogneisses outcropping in NE Sardinia (for instance, Lode-Mamone and Golfo Aranci) that are considered the intrusive counterparts of middle-Ordovician metavolcanics rocks outcropping in the Nappe Zone. Thus, the studied ortogneiss bodies, even lacking radiometric data, can be considered as belonging to the same magmatic cycle.

Avaliação retrospectiva da longevidade das restaurações, com compósito, realizadas por alunos de pré-graduação em Medicina Dentária da Universidade Fernando Pessoa, entre os anos de 2002 e 2006

Monografia apresentada à Universidade Fernando Pessoa para obtenção do grau de Licenciada em Medicina Dentária

Microdontia e opções de Tratamento

Projeto de Pós-Graduação/Dissertação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Medicina Dentária

Os motivos da não erupção dos terceiros molares

Projeto de Pós-Graduação/Dissertação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Medicina Dentária

Prevalência de má oclusão em crianças com idade escolar

Projeto de Pós-Graduação/Dissertação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Medicina Dentária

Estudo da prevalência da discrepância anterior de Bolton numa população ortodôntica portuguesa

Projeto de Pós-Graduação/Dissertação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Medicina Dentária

Learning to drive: from hazard detection to hazard handling

Hazard perception has been found to correlate with crash involvement, and has thus been suggested as the most likely source of any skill gap between novice and experienced drivers. The most commonly used method for measuring hazard perception is to evaluate the perception-reaction time to filmed traffic events. It can be argued that this method lacks ecological validity and may be of limited value in predicting the actions drivers’ will take to hazards encountered. The first two studies of this thesis compare novice and experienced drivers’ performance on a hazard detection test, requiring discrete button press responses, with their behaviour in a more dynamic driving environment, requiring hazard handling ability. Results indicate that the hazard handling test is more successful at identifying experience-related differences in response time to hazards. Hazard detection test scores were strongly related to performance on a driver theory test, implying that traditional hazard perception tests may be focusing more on declarative knowledge of driving than on the procedural knowledge required to successfully avoid hazards while driving. One in five Irish drivers crash within a year of passing their driving test. This suggests that the current driver training system does not fully prepare drivers for the dangers they will encounter. Thus, the third and fourth studies in this thesis focus on the development of two simulator-based training regimes. In the third study participants receive intensive training on the molar elements of driving i.e. speed and distance evaluation. The fourth study focuses on training higher order situation awareness skills, including perception, comprehension and projection. Results indicate significant improvement in aspects of speed, distance and situation awareness across training days. However, neither training programme leads to significant improvements in hazard handling performance, highlighting the difficulties of applying learning to situations not previously encountered.

Environmental and biological characteristics of lagoons on the southwest coast of Ireland

Coastal lagoons are defined as shallow coastal water bodies partially separated from the adjacent sea by a restrictive barrier. Coastal lagoons are protected under Annex I of the European Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC). Lagoons are also considered to be “transitional water bodies” and are therefore included in the “register of protected areas” under the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC). Consequently, EU member states are required to establish monitoring plans and to regularly report on lagoon condition and conservation status. Irish lagoons are considered relatively rare and unusual because of their North Atlantic, macrotidal location on high energy coastlines and have received little attention. This work aimed to assess the physicochemical and ecological status of three lagoons, Cuskinny, Farranamanagh and Toormore, on the southwest coast of Ireland. Baseline salinity, nutrient and biological conditions were determined in order to provide reference conditions to detect perturbations, and to inform future maintenance of ecosystem health. Accumulation of organic matter is an increasing pressure in coastal lagoon habitats worldwide, often compounding existing eutrophication problems. This research also aimed to investigate the in situ decomposition process in a lagoon habitat together with exploring the associated invertebrate assemblages. Re-classification of the lagoons, under the guidelines of the Venice system for the classifications of marine waters according to salinity, was completed by taking spatial and temporal changes in salinity regimes into consideration. Based on the results of this study, Cuskinny, Farranamanagh and Toormore lagoons are now classified as mesohaline (5 ppt – 18 ppt), oligohaline (0.5 ppt – 5 ppt) and polyhaline (18 ppt – 30 ppt), respectively. Varying vertical, longitudinal and transverse salinity patterns were observed in the three lagoons. Strong correlations between salinity and cumulative rainfall highlighted the important role of precipitation in controlling the lagoon environment. Maximum effect of precipitation on the salinity of the lagoon was observed between four and fourteen days later depending on catchment area geology, indicating the uniqueness of each lagoon system. Seasonal nutrient patterns were evident in the lagoons. Nutrient concentrations were found to be reflective of the catchment area and the magnitude of the freshwater inflow. Assessment based on the Redfield molar ratio indicated a trend towards phosphorus, rather than nitrogen, limitation in Irish lagoons. Investigation of the decomposition process in Cuskinny Lagoon revealed that greatest biomass loss occurred in the winter season. Lowest biomass loss occurred in spring, possibly due to the high density of invertebrates feeding on the thick microbial layer rather than the decomposing litter. It has been reported that the decomposition of plant biomass is highest in the preferential distribution area of the plant species; however, no similar trend was observed in this study with the most active zones of decomposition varying spatially throughout the seasons. Macroinvertebrate analysis revealed low species diversity but high abundance, indicating the dominance of a small number of species. Invertebrate assemblages within the lagoon varied significantly from communities in the adjacent freshwater or marine environments. Although carried out in coastal lagoons on the southwest coast of Ireland, it is envisaged that the overall findings of this study have relevance throughout the entire island of Ireland and possibly to many North Atlantic coastal lagoon ecosystems elsewhere.

Mixed self-assembled monolayers of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole and 2-mercaptobenzimidazole-5-sulfonate: determination and control of the surface composition

The behaviour towards electron transfer of self-assembled monolayers of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (MBI) and 2-mercaptobenzimidazole-5-sulfonate (MBIS) on Au(1 1 1) was examined by cyclic voltammetry. The influence of the monolayers was drastically dependent on the charge of the redox probe used. When [Ru(NH3)6]3+ is used, a post-adsorption peak characteristic of the adsorption of the redox probe is detected only at the MBIS modified electrode. Taking advantage of this difference, ac voltammetry has been used to determine the surface composition when mixed monolayers are formed by immersion of the gold substrate in mixtures of different molar fractions of MBI and MBIS. Results clearly indicate that the ionic strength of the immersion solution plays a key role in the surface composition when a charged surfactant is mixed with non-charged surfactant. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Probabilistic choice: A simple invariance.

When subjects must choose repeatedly between two or more alternatives, each of which dispenses reward on a probabilistic basis (two-armed bandit ), their behavior is guided by the two possible outcomes, reward and nonreward. The simplest stochastic choice rule is that the probability of choosing an alternative increases following a reward and decreases following a nonreward (reward following ). We show experimentally and theoretically that animal subjects behave as if the absolute magnitudes of the changes in choice probability caused by reward and nonreward do not depend on the response which produced the reward or nonreward (source independence ), and that the effects of reward and nonreward are in constant ratio under fixed conditions (effect-ratio invariance )--properties that fit the definition of satisficing . Our experimental results are either not predicted by, or are inconsistent with, other theories of free-operant choice such as Bush-Mosteller, molar maximization, momentary maximizing, and melioration (matching).

Sexual selection and canine dimorphism in New World monkeys.

Social and ecological factors are important in shaping sexual dimorphism in Anthropoidea, but there is also a tendency for body-size dimorphism and canine dimorphism to increase with increased body size (Rensch's rule) (Rensch: Evolution Above the Species Level. London: Methuen, 1959.) Most ecologist interpret Rensch's rule to be a consequence of social and ecological selective factors that covary with body size, but recent claims have been advanced that dimorphism is principally a consequence of selection for increased body size alone. Here we assess the effects of body size, body-size dimorphism, and social structure on canine dimorphism among platyrrhine monkeys. Platyrrhine species examined are classified into four behavioral groups reflecting the intensity of intermale competition for access to females or to limiting resources. As canine dimorphism increases, so does the level of intermale competition. Those species with monogamous and polyandrous social structures have the lowest canine dimorphism, while those with dominance rank hierarchies of males have the most canine dimorphism. Species with fission-fusion social structures and transitory intermale breeding-season competition fall between these extremes. Among platyrrhines there is a significant positive correlation between body size and canine dimorphism However, within levels of competition, no significant correlation was found between the two. Also, with increased body size, body-size dimorphism tends to increase, and this correlation holds in some cases within competition levels. In an analysis of covariance, once the level of intermale competition is controlled for, neither molar size nor molar-size dimorphism accounts for a significant part of the variance in canine dimorphism. A similar analysis using body weight as a measure of size and dimorphism yields a less clear-cut picture: body weight contributes significantly to the model when the effects of the other factors are controlled. Finally, in a model using head and body length as a measure of size and dimorphism, all factors and the interactions between them are significant. We conclude that intermale competition among platyrrhine species is the most important factor explaining variations in canine dimorphism. The significant effects of size and size dimorphism in some models may be evidence that natural (as opposed to sexual) selection also plays a role in the evolution of increased canine dimorphism.

Dental microwear in live, wild-trapped Alouatta palliata from Costa Rica.

One problem with dental microwear analyses of museum material is that investigators can never be sure of the diets of the animals in question. An obvious solution to this problem is to work with live animals. Recent work with laboratory primates has shown that high resolution dental impressions can be obtained from live animals. The purpose of this study was to use similar methods to begin to document rates and patterns of dental microwear for primates in the wild. Thirty-three Alouatta palliata were captured during the wet season at Hacienda La Pacifica near Canas, Costa Rica. Dental impressions were taken and epoxy casts of the teeth were prepared using the methods of Teaford and Oyen (1989a). Scanning electron micrographs were taken of the left mandibular second molars at magnifications of 200x and 500x. Lower magnification images were used to calculate rates of wear, and higher magnification images were used to measure the size and shape of microwear features. Results indicate that, while basic patterns of dental microwear are similar in museum samples and samples of live, wild-trapped animals of the same species, ecological differences between collection locales may lead to significant intraspecific differences in dental microwear. More importantly, rates of microwear provide the first direct evidence of differences in molar use between monkeys and humans.

Dust accumulation in the canopy: a potential cause of dental microwear in primates.

Dental microwear researchers consider exogenous grit or dust to be an important cause of microscopic wear on primate teeth. No study to date has examined the accumulation of such abrasives on foods eaten by primates in the forest. This investigation introduces a method to collect dust at various heights in the canopy. Results from dust collection studies conducted at the primate research stations at Ketambe in Indonesia, and Hacienda La Pacifica in Costa Rica indicate that 1) grit collects throughout the canopy in both open country and tropical rain forest environments; and 2) the sizes and concentrations of dust particles accumulated over a fixed period of time differ depending on site location and season of investigation. These results may hold important implications for the interpretation of microwear on primate teeth.