Avaliação automatizada de uma habilidade motora fundamental com o kinect

Pós-graduação em Desenvolvimento Humano e Tecnologias - IBRC

Long-term follow-up in sacroiliac joint pain patients treated with radiofrequency ablative therapy

Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain is responsible for up to 40% of all cases of lumbar back pain. Objective Report the long-term efficacy of radiofrequency denervation for sacroiliac joint pain at six, twelve and eighteen months. Method Third-two adults’ patients with sacroiliac join pain diagnosis were included for a prospective study. Primary outcome measure was pain intensity on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Secondary outcome measure was Patient Global Impression of Change Scale (PGIC). Results Short-term pain relief was observed, with the mean NRS pain score decreasing from 7.7 ± 1.8 at baseline to 2.8 ± 1.2 at one month and to 3.1 ± 1.9 at six months post-procedure (p < 0.001). Long-term pain relief was sustained at twelve and eighteen months post-procedure, with NRS pain remaining at 3.4 ± 2.1 and 4.0 ± 2.7, respectively. Conclusion Radiofrequency denervation of the SIJ can significantly reduce pain in selected patients with sacroiliac syndrome.

3D superimposition and understanding temporomandibular joint arthritis

Structured AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the 3D morphological variations in 169 temporomandibular ioint (TMJ) condyles, using novel imaging statistical modeling approaches.Setting and sample populationThe Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Michigan. Cone beam CT scans were acquired from 69 subjects with long-term TMJ osteoarthritis (OA, mean age 39.115.7years), 15 subjects at initial consult diagnosis of OA (mean age 44.914.8years), and seven healthy controls (mean age 4312.4years).Materials and methods3D surface models of the condyles were constructed, and homologous correspondent points on each model were established. The statistical framework included Direction-Projection-Permutation (DiProPerm) for testing statistical significance of the differences between healthy controls and the OA groups determined by clinical and radiographic diagnoses.ResultsCondylar morphology in OA and healthy subjects varied widely with categorization from mild to severe bone degeneration or overgrowth. DiProPerm statistics supported a significant difference between the healthy control group and the initial diagnosis of OA group (t=6.6, empirical p-value=0.006) and between healthy and long-term diagnosis of OA group (t=7.2, empirical p-value=0). Compared with healthy controls, the average condyle in OA subjects was significantly smaller in all dimensions, except its anterior surface, even in subjects with initial diagnosis of OA.ConclusionThis new statistical modeling of condylar morphology allows the development of more targeted classifications of this condition than previously possible.

A joint experimental and theoretical study on the electronic structure and photoluminescence properties of Al-2(WO4)(3) powders

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Maxillo-mandibular counter-clockwise rotation and mandibular advancement with TMJ Concepts (R) total joint prostheses Part I - Skeletal and dental stability

The purpose of this study was to evaluate skeletal and dental stability in patients who had temporomandibular joint (TMJ) reconstruction and mandibular counterclockwise advancement using TMJ Concepts total join, prostheses (TMJ Concepts Inc. Ventura, CA) with maxillary osteotomies being performed at the same operation. All patients were operated at Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas TX, USA, by one surgeon (Wolford). Forty-seven females were studied; the average post-surgical follow-up was 40.6 months. Lateral cephalograms were analyzed to estimate surgical and post-surgical changes. During surgery, the occlusal plane angle decreased 14.9 +/- 8.0 degrees. The maxilla moved forward and upward. The posterior nasal spine moved downward and forward. The mandible advanced 7.9 +/- 3.5 mm at the lower incisor tips, 12.4 +/- 5.4 mm at Point B, 17.3 +/- 7.0 mm at menton, 18.4 +/- 8.5 mm at pogonion, and 11.0 +/- 5.3 mm at gonion. Vertically, the lower incisors moved upward -2.9 +/- 4.0 mm. At the longest follow-up post surgery, the maxilla showed minor horizontal changes while all mandibular measurements remained stable. TMJ reconstruction and mandibular advancement with TMJ Concepts total joint prosthesis in conjunction with maxillary osteotomies for counter-clockwise rotation of the rnaxillo-mandibular complex was a stable procedure for these patients at the longest follow-up.

Body posture evaluations in subjects with internal temporomandibular joint derangement

The aim of this study was to verify possible relationships between global body posture and temporomandibular joint internal derangement (TMJ-id), by comparing 30 subjects presenting typical TMJ-id signs to 20 healthy subjects. Body posture was assessed using the analysis of muscle chains on several photographs. Results show a higher frequency of lifted shoulders (p=0.04) and of changes in the antero-internal hip chain (p=0.02) in the test group, but no further differences were found significant between the control and test groups. The test group was then divided into three subgroups according to the Helkimo index of temporomandibular disorder severity. Again, no significant differences were found between the subgroups. However, there was a trend noticed in the group with the most severe dysfunction, to present a forward head and shoulders posture. Results are discussed in light of previous studies using the same sample.

Single puncture for TMJ arthrocentesis: an effective technique for hydraulic distention of the superior joint space

Temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis is a method of flushing out the synovial fluid that is currently performed by providing a double puncture to the upper joint space. The traditional 2-needle technique has some restrictions, such as the difficulty in performing it in the presence of intra-articular adherences and in the female patients, because the space is very small. The adoption of a single-needle for fluid injection might have some advantages with respect to the traditional 2-needle approach in terms of easily, time of execution and tolerability. We describe a single needle technique and we recommend the use.

Evaluation of the marsh deer stifle joint by imaging studies and gross anatomy

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

Diagnostic index of three-dimensional osteoarthritic changes in temporomandibular joint condylar morphology

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

Joint economic design of X̄ and R control charts for processes subject to two independent assignable causes

A model for the joint economic design of X̄ and R control charts is developed. This model assumes that the process is subject to two assignable causes. One assignable cause shifts the process mean; the other shifts the process variance. The occurrence of the assignable cause of one kind does not block the occurrence of the assignable cause of another kind. Consequently, a second process parameter can go out-of-control after the first process parameter has gone out-of-control. A numerical study of the cost surface to the model considered has revealed that it is convex, at least in the interest region.

Joint X̄ and R charts with variable parameters

Recent studies have shown that the X̄chart with variable parameters (Vp X̄ chart) detects process shifts faster than the traditional X̄ chart. This article extends these studies for processes that are monitored by both, X̄ and R charts. Basically, the X̄ and R values establish if the control should or should not be relaxed. When the X̄ and R values fall in the central region the control is relaxed because one will wait more to take the next sample and/or the next sample will be smaller than usual. When the X̄ or R values fall in the warning region the control is tightened because one will wait less to take the next sample and the next sample will be larger than usual. The action limits are also made variable. This paper proposes to draw the action limits (for both charts) wider than usual, when the control is relaxed and narrower than usual when the control is tightened. The Vp feature improves the joint X̄ and R control chart performance in terms of the speed with which the process mean and/or variance shifts are detected. © 1998 IIE.

Stress levels and quality of sleep in subjects with temporomandibular joint dysfunction

Purpose: The aim of this study was to test the association between quality of sleep and stress in individuals with temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Methods: The study sample consisted of 354 adult subjects (males and females) from the municipality of Piacatu, São Paulo state, in the Southeast region of Brazil. Data were collected using the Fonseca’s Questionnaire to record the level of TMD, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess quality of sleep and the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) to record stress level. The data were analyzed by the software Epi Info 2000 version 3.2 using a chi-square test at the 0.05 level of significance. Results: One hundred and eighty (50.8%) subjects had some level of TMD. The statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between the three stress scores and the presence or absence of sleep disorders, considering an overall PSQI score > 5 as an indicator of a subject with sleep problems (P<0.01). Conclusion: Both quality of sleep and stress levels were associated with TMD in this sample.

Joint Computing and Network Resource Scheduling in a Lambda Grid Network

Data-intensive Grid applications require huge data transfers between grid computing nodes. These computing nodes, where computing jobs are executed, are usually geographically separated. A grid network that employs optical wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology and optical switches to interconnect computing resources with dynamically provisioned multi-gigabit rate bandwidth lightpath is called a Lambda Grid network. A computing task may be executed on any one of several computing nodes which possesses the necessary resources. In order to reflect the reality in job scheduling, allocation of network resources for data transfer should be taken into consideration. However, few scheduling methods consider the communication contention on Lambda Grids. In this paper, we investigate the joint scheduling problem while considering both optical network and computing resources in a Lambda Grid network. The objective of our work is to maximize the total number of jobs that can be scheduled in a Lambda Grid network. An adaptive routing algorithm is proposed and implemented for accomplishing the communication tasks for every job submitted in the network. Four heuristics (FIFO, ESTF, LJF, RS) are implemented for job scheduling of the computational tasks. Simulation results prove the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed solution.

Joint Computing and Network Resource Scheduling in a Lambda Grid Network

Data-intensive Grid applications require huge data transfers between grid computing nodes. These computing nodes, where computing jobs are executed, are usually geographically separated. A grid network that employs optical wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology and optical switches to interconnect computing resources with dynamically provisioned multi-gigabit rate bandwidth lightpath is called a Lambda Grid network. A computing task may be executed on any one of several computing nodes which possesses the necessary resources. In order to reflect the reality in job scheduling, allocation of network resources for data transfer should be taken into consideration. However, few scheduling methods consider the communication contention on Lambda Grids. In this paper, we investigate the joint scheduling problem while considering both optical network and computing resources in a Lambda Grid network. The objective of our work is to maximize the total number of jobs that can be scheduled in a Lambda Grid network. An adaptive routing algorithm is proposed and implemented for accomplishing the communication tasks for every job submitted in the network. Four heuristics (FIFO, ESTF, LJF, RS) are implemented for job scheduling of the computational tasks. Simulation results prove the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed solution.

Qualitative analysis by online nuclear magnetic resonance using Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill sequence with low refocusing flip angles

The Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) pulse sequence has been used in many applications of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and low-resolution NMR (LRNMR) spectroscopy. Recently. CPMG was used in online LRNMR measurements that use long RF pulse trains, causing an increase in probe temperature and, therefore, tuning and matching maladjustments. To minimize this problem, the use of a low-power CPMG sequence based on low refocusing pulse flip angles (LRFA) was studied experimentally and theoretically. This approach has been used in several MRI protocols to reduce incident RF power and meet the specific absorption rate. The results for CPMG with LRFA of 3 pi/4 (CPMG(135)), pi/2 (CPMG(90)) and pi/4 (CPMG(45)) were compared with conventional CPMG with refocusing pi pulses. For a homogeneous field, with linewidth equal to Delta nu = 15 Hz, the refocusing flip angles can be as low as pi/4 to obtain the transverse relaxation time (T(2)) value with errors below 5%. For a less homogeneous magnetic field. Delta nu = 100 Hz, the choice of the LRFA has to take into account the reduction in the intensity of the CPMG signal and the increase in the time constant of the CPMG decay that also becomes dependent on longitudinal relaxation time (T(1)). We have compared the T(2) values measured by conventional CPMG and CPMG(90) for 30 oilseed species, and a good correlation coefficient, r = 0.98, was obtained. Therefore, for oilseeds, the T(2) measurements performed with pi/2 refocusing pulses (CPMG(90)), with the same pulse width of conventional CPMG, use only 25% of the RF power. This reduces the heating problem in the probe and reduces the power deposition in the samples. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.