Understanding Contradictory Data in Contraction Stress Tests

The literature shows contradictory results regarding the role of composite shrinkage and elastic modulus as determinants of polymerization stress. The present study aimed at a better understanding of the test mechanics that could explain such divergences among studies. The hypothesis was that the effects of composite shrinkage and elastic modulus on stress depend upon the compliance of the testing system. A commonly used test apparatus was simulated by finite element analysis, with different compliance levels defined by the bonding substrate (steel, glass, composite, or acrylic). Composites with moduli between 1 and 12 GPa and shrinkage values between 0.5% and 6% were modeled. Shrinkage was simulated by thermal analogy. The hypothesis was confirmed. When shrinkage and modulus increased simultaneously, stress increased regardless of the substrate. However, if shrinkage and modulus were inversely related, their magnitudes and interaction with rod material determined the stress response.

Healing of critical-size cranial defects in guinea pigs using a bovine bone-derived resorbable membrane

Purpose: To investigate the healing of critical-size cranial bone defects (9-mm-diameter) in guinea pigs treated with a bovine bone-derived resorbable membrane. Materials and Methods: A sample of 42 guinea pigs was divided into test (n = 20), control (n = 20), and standard (n = 2) groups. A full-thickness trephine defect was made in the fronto-parietal bone of each animal. In the test group, the internal and external openings of the defect were each closed with a separate membrane, and the space between them was filled with blood clot and a central spacer. In the control group, the defect was filled only with the blood clot and spacer. At 1, 3, 6, and 9 months later, the calvarias (5 per period) for both the test and control groups were collected, fixed, radiographed, and histologically processed. The Standard-group animals were sacrificed immediately after surgery and used to determine the initial size of defect radiographically. The areas of defects in the radiographs were measured with image-analysis software and were compared between groups and periods by multiple regression analysis with the Bonferroni correction. Results: At 1 and 3 months, newly formed woven bone was histologically observed in both test and control groups. Radiographically, this new bone occupied an average of 32% of the defect area at 1 month and 60% at 3 months in the test group. In the control group, 21% of the defect was filled at 1 month and 39% at 3 months. However, the differences between treatments were not statistically significant (P > .05). At 6 and 9 months, a significant increase in newly formed lamellar bone was seen histologically in both groups. Radiographically, for the test group, the new bone occupied an average of 82% of the defect area at 6 months and 96% at 9 months. For the control group, new bone composed an average of 45% of the defect area at 6 months and 40% at 9 months. The differences between the test and control groups were statistically significant at 6 and 9 months (P < .05). Complete or almost complete filling of the defect was observed in several cases. Conclusion: It was concluded that the bovine bone-derived membrane is highly biocompatible and is able to promote good healing of critical-size defects in calvaria of guinea pig.

Histological evaluation of the effectiveness of increased apical enlargement for cleaning the apical third of curved canals

P>Objective To evaluate the influence of apical size on cleaning of the apical third of curved canals prepared with rotary instruments. Methodology Forty-four mesiobuccal canals of maxillary molars teeth were instrumented to different apical sizes (30, 0.02; 35, 0.02; 40, 0.02; 45, 0.02) using a crown-down technique. After canal preparation, the apical thirds of the roots were submitted to histological processing and examination. The specimens were analysed at 40x magnification and the images were submitted to morphometric analysis with an integration grid to evaluate the percentage of debris and uninstrumented root canal walls. The action of the instruments on the root canal walls was assessed based on the surface regularity, abrupt change on the continuity of root canal walls, and partial or total pre-dentine removal. The results were statistically compared using one-way anova with post hoc Tukey test. Pearson`s correlation was performed to identify potential correlations between values. Results The percentage of uninstrumented root canal dentine was higher when apical enlargement was performed with instruments 30, 0.02 taper (55.64 +/- 4.62%) and 35, 0.02 taper (49.03 +/- 5.70%) than with instruments 40, 0.02 taper (38.08 +/- 10.44%) and 45, 0.02 taper (32.65 +/- 8.51%) (P < 0.05). More debris were observed when apical enlargement was performed with instruments 30, 0.02 taper (34.62 +/- 9.49%) and 35, 0.02 taper (25.33 +/- 7.37%) (P < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between the amount of remaining debris and the perimeter of uninstrumented root canal dentine (r = 0.9130, P < 0.001). Conclusion No apical enlargement size allowed the root canal walls to be prepared completely. Apical third cleanliness could be predicted by instrument diameter.

Phylogenetic revision of Agapophytus Guerin (Diptera : Therevidae : Agapophytinae)

Morphologically diverse and species-rich, the endemic Australasian genus Agapophytus is revised. Eleven previously described species are redescribed and twenty-nine species are described for the first time: A. adonis, sp. nov., A. annamariae, sp. nov., A. antheliogynaion, sp. nov., A. asprolepidotos, sp. nov., A. atrilaticlavius, sp. nov., A. biluteus, sp. nov., A. borealis, sp. nov., A. caliginosus, sp. nov., A. cerrusus, sp. nov., A. chaetohypopion, sp. nov., A. chrysosisyrus, sp. nov., A. decorus, sp. nov., A. dieides, sp. nov., A. discolor, sp. nov., A. eli, sp. nov., A. fenestratum, sp. nov., A. galbicaudus, sp. nov., A. labifenestellus, sp. nov., A. laparoceles, sp. nov., A. lissohoplon, sp. nov., A. lyneborgi, sp. nov., A. notozophos, sp. nov., A. novaeguineae, sp. nov., A. pallidicrus, sp. nov., A. palmulus, sp. nov., A. paramonovi, sp. nov., A. septentrionalis, sp. nov., A. yeatesi, sp. nov. and A. zebra, sp. nov. All 40 species of Agapophytus were compared in a cladistic analysis with three species of Acupalpa Krober using 134 states across 58 adult morphological characters. The analysis resulted in 36 most parsimonious trees with a length of 240 steps. The phylogenetic relationships of the species of Agapophytus are discussed with three main clades recognised: A. dioctriaeformis clade, A. australasiae clade and A. queenslandi clade.

A cross-sectional study of the association between Heberden's nodes, radiographic osteoarthritis of the hands, grip strength, disability and pain

Objective: To describe the associations between hand osteoarthritis (OA), pain and disability in males and females and to further validate the Australian/Canadian CA hand index (AUSCAN LK3.0). Design: Cross-sectional study of 522 subjects from 101 Tasmanian families (males N=174, females N=348). Hand OA was assessed by two observers using the Altman atlas for joint space narrowing and osteophytes at distal interphalangeal and first carpometacarpal joints as well as a score for Heberden's nodes based on hand photography. Hand pain and function were assessed by the AUSCAN LK3.0 and grip strength by dynamometry in both hands on two occasions. Results: The prevalence of hand CA was high in this sample at 44-71% (depending on site). Pain and dysfunction increased with age while grip strength decreased (all P <0.001). All three measures were markedly worse in women, even after taking the severity of arthritis into account. Hand CA explained 5.7-10% of the variation in function, grip strength and pain scores, even after adjustment for age and sex. Further adjustment suggested that the osteoarthritic associations with function and grip strength were largely mediated by pain. Severity of disease was more strongly associated with these scores than presence or absence. Lastly, the AUSCAN LK3.0 showed a comparable association to grip strength with structural damage providing further evidence of index validity. Conclusions: Hand CA at these two sites makes substantial contributions to hand function, strength and pain. The associations with function and strength measures appear mediated by pain. Gender differences in all three measures persist after adjustment for variation in age and CA severity indicating that factors apart from radiographic disease are responsible. (C) 2001 OsteoArthritis Research Society International.

RelB nuclear translocation mediated by C-terminal activator reigons of Epstein Barr virus-encoded latent membrane protein 1 and its effect on antigen-presenting function in B cells

Previous studies have shown that Epstein-Barr virus-encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is uniquely able to up-regulate the expression of the peptide transporters (referred to as TAP-1 and TAP-2) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I in Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell lines. This up-regulation is often accompanied by a restoration of antigen-presenting function as measured by the ability of these cells to present endogenously expressed viral antigen to cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Here we show that the expression of LMP1 resulted in up-regulation and nuclear translocation of RelB that were coincident with increased expression of MHC class I in BL cells. Deletion of the C-terminal activator regions (CTARs) of LMP1 significantly impaired the abilities of LMP1 to translocate RelB into the nucleus and to up-regulate the expression of antigen-processing genes. Further analysis with single-point mutations within the CTARs confirmed that the residues critical for NF-kappaB activation directly contribute to antigen-processing function regulation in BL cells. This LMP1-mediated effect was blocked following expression of either dominant negative IkappaBalpha S32/36A, an NF-kappaB inhibitor, or antisense RelB. These observations indicate that upregulation of antigen-presenting function in B cells mediated by LMP1 is signaled through the NF-kappaB subunit RelB. The data provide a mechanism by which LMP1 modulates immunogenicity of Epstein-Barr virus-infected normal and malignant cells.

Early intervention: Narratives of learning, discipline and enculturation

Current understandings about literacy have moved away from the belief that literacy is simply a process that individuals do in their heads. These understandings do not negate the importance of the individual aspects of literacy learning, but they emphasize understandings of literacy as a social practice. In many cases, responses to early literacy intervention seem to be grounded in theories that appear out of step with current literacy research and consequent evidence that literacy is socially and culturally constructed. One such response is the Reading Recovery programme based on Clay’s theory of literacy acquisition. Clay (1992) describes the programme as a second chance to learn. However, others have suggested that programmes like Reading Recovery may in fact work toward the marginalization of particular groups, thereby helping to maintain the status quo along class, gender and ethnic lines. This article allows two professionals to bring their insider’s knowledge of Reading Recovery to an analysis of the construction of the programme. The article interweaves this analysis with the personal narratives of the researchers as they negotiated the borders between different understandings and beliefs about literacy and literacy pedagogy.

CDT, GGT, and AST as markers of alcohol use: The WHO/ISBRA Collaborative Project

Background: Estimates of the performance of carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) as markers of alcohol consumption have varied widely. Studies have differed in design and subject characteristics. The WHO/ISBRA Collaborative Study allows assessment and comparison of CDT, GGT, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as markers of drinking in a large, well-characterized, multicenter sample. Methods: A total of 1863 subjects were recruited from five countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Finland, and Japan). Recruitment was stratified by alcohol use, age, and sex. Demographic characteristics, alcohol consumption, and presence of ICD-10 dependence were recorded using an interview schedule based on the AUDADIS, CDT was assayed using CDTect(TM) and GGT and AST by standard methods. Statistical techniques included receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Multiple regression was used to measure the impact of factors other than alcohol on test performance. Results: CDT and GGT had comparable performance on ROC analysis, with AST performing slightly less well. CDT was a slightly but significantly better marker of high-risk consumption in men. All were more effective for detection of high-risk rather than intermediate-risk drinking. CDT and GGT levels were influenced by body mass index, sex, age, and smoking status. Conclusions: CDT was little better than GGT in detecting high- or intermediate-risk alcohol consumption in this large, multicenter, predominantly community-based sample. As the two tests are relatively independent of each other, their combination is likely to provide better performance than either test alone, Test interpretation should take account sex, age. and body mass index.

Communities of the postindustrial city

The authors discern the community structure of the postindustrial city, with reference to Australia. They focus empirically on three major types of Australian urban center: urban regions. metropolitan areas that are not part of urban regions, and other major cities. These three account for almost three-quarters of the Australian population. The authors draw on a conceptualization formulated by Marcuse and van Kempen to guide the analysis, with a combination of cluster analysis and discriminant analysis being applied to aggregate (essentially census) data to identify the communities. Nine major Australian urban communities are identified-four are affluent. four are disadvantaged. and one is a working-class community. The communities found, however, differed greatly from those cited in the Marcuse and van Kempen schema.

Allowance for thermodynamic non-ideality in the characterization of protein self-association by frontal exclusion chromatography: hemoglobin revisited

This investigation re-examines theoretical aspects of the allowance for effects of thermodynamic non-ideality on the characterization of protein self-association by frontal exclusion chromatography, and thereby provides methods of analysis with greater thermodynamic rigor than those used previously. Their application is illustrated by reappraisal of published exclusion chromatography data for hemoglobin on the controlled-pore-glass matrix CPG-120. The equilibrium constant of 100/M that is obtained for dimerization of the (02 species by this means is also deduced from re-examination of published studies of concentrated hemoglobin solutions by osmotic pressure and sedimentation equilibrium methods. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Variation of the crystalline structure of coal char during gasification

The variation of the crystallite structure of several coal chars during gasification in air and carbon dioxide was studied by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The XRD analysis of the partially gasified coal chars, based on two approaches, Scherrer's equation and Alexander and Sommer's method, shows a contradictory trend of the variation of the crystallite height with carbon conversion, despite giving a similar trend for the crystallite width change. The HRTEM fringe images of the partially gasified coal chars indicate that large and highly ordered crystallites exist at conversion levels as high as 86%. It is also demonstrated that the crystalline structure of chars can be very different although their pore structures are similar, suggesting a combination of crystalline structure analysis with pore structure analysis in studies of carbon gasification.

Identification and characterization of pptA: a gene involved in the phase-variable expression of phosphorylcholine on pili of Neisseria meningitidis

Pili of pathogenic Neisseria are major virulence factors associated with adhesion, cytotoxicity, twitching motility, autoaggregation, and DNA transformation. Pili are modified posttranslationally by the addition of phosphorylcholine. However, no genes involved in either the biosynthesis or the transfer of phosphorylcholine in Neisseria meningitidis have been identified. In this study, we identified five candidate open reading frames (ORFs) potentially involved in the biosynthesis or transfer of phosphorylcholine to pilin in N. meningitidis. Insertional mutants were constructed for each ORF in N. meningitidis strain C311#3 to determine their effect on phosphorylcholine expression. The effect of the mutant ORFs on the modification by phosphorylcholine was analyzed by Western analysis with phosphorylcholine-specific monoclonal antibody TEPC-15. Analysis of the mutants showed that ORF NMB0415, now defined as pptA (pilin phosphorylcholine transferase A), is involved in the addition of phosphorylcholine to pilin in N. meningitidis. Additionally, the phase variation (high frequency on-off switching of expression) of phosphorylcholine on pilin is due to changes in a homopolymeric guanosine tract in pptA.

Fatores intervenientes na implementação de ações estratégicas para a promoção do selo de indicação geográfica das panelas de barro de goiabeiras

Visando a proteção da propriedade industrial advinda de uma região demarcada, surgiu a Indicação Geográfica (IG). O registro da IG é conferido aos produtos ou serviços característicos de seu local de origem, apresentando qualidades únicas em função dos recursos naturais. Além disso, a IG é responsável por distinguir estes produtos em relação aos disponíveis no mercado. Neste contexto, entidades como Sebrae, MAPA e INPI, têm promovido ações estratégicas com o objetivo de apoiar a proteção do saber fazer e consequentemente, os produtos tradicionais das regiões. Tais entidades são responsáveis por promover a sustentabilidade do processo juntos aos produtores, assim como disseminar o selo para os consumidores. Assim, iniciativas como esta precisam ser apoiadas a fim de entregar resultados significativos para o desenvolvimento das regiões e seus respectivos produtos com o selo de IG. O Plano de Apoio à Gestão da Indicação Geográfica desenvolvido pelo Sebrae/ES tem três pilares: melhoria do processo de produção, promoção do produto e a sustentabilidade do processo. A presente pesquisa, baseando-se nas teorias sobre estratégia e implementação de estratégias, analisa os fatores intervenientes que contribuem para o sucesso da implementação do Plano de Apoio à Gestão da indicação geográfica das Panelas de Barro de Goiabeiras, bairro do município de Vitória, capital do Espírito Santo. A pesquisa é um estudo de caso de natureza qualitativa, exploratória e descritiva ex-post-facto. Os dados foram coletados nos documentos (plano de ação do Sebrae/ES, Livro dos Saberes e relatórios desenvolvidos por consultores especializados) e por meio de entrevistas com seis agentes de políticas públicas e cinco paneleiras, envolvidos na elaboração e implementação do plano de ação. Para a análise dos dados, adotou-se a metodologia de análise de conteúdo com index definido a posteriori. Do Plano de Apoio à Gestão da IG das Paneleiras de Goiabeiras, foram agrupadas três ações estratégicas buscando identificar em que medida os fatores intervenientes afetaram a implementação de cada ação estudada: Ação1: fortalecimento dos aspectos culturais do produto, Ação 2: fortalecimento dos aspectos sociais do produto e Ação 3: fortalecimento dos aspectos econômicos associados à diferenciação por IG. Os resultados mostraram que na Ação 1 o fator interveniente liderança superou as expectativas na implementação das estratégias. Já os aspectos políticos, o acompanhamento de resultados e a estrutura organizacional desenvolveram as ações conforme o planejado, enquanto os fatores intervenientes cultura e clareza nas estratégias apresentaram oportunidades de melhorias. Na Ação 2 somente os fatores intervenientes recursos, cultura e clareza nas estratégias apresentaram-se de acordo com o proposto, enquanto a liderança e a estrutura organizacional mostraram-se como pontos de oportunidades de melhoria. Por fim, na Ação 3 nenhum fator interveniente foi destaque como uma oportunidade de melhoria. A estrutura organizacional e os aspectos políticos apresentaram-se de acordo, enquanto os recursos e a liderança superaram as expectativas.

Tendências temporais de mortalidade por câncer de próstata no estado do Espírito Santo

Introdução: O câncer de próstata é o segundo tipo de câncer mais incidente em homens em todas as regiões do Brasil. Aproximadamente 62% dos casos diagnosticados no mundo ocorrem em homens com 65 anos ou mais, caracterizando o único fator de risco estabelecido. Objetivos: Estudar a tendência da completude do Sistema de Informação de Mortalidade (SIM), segundo as variáveis idade, raça/cor, escolaridade e estado civil no período de 2000 a 2010, no Espírito Santo, Região Sudeste e Brasil. Analisar a tendência de mortalidade por câncer de próstata na série histórica no estado do Espírito Santo (ES), no período de 1980 a 2010. Metodologia: Realizou-se um estudo descritivo baseado em dados secundários de todos os óbitos por câncer de próstata obtidos do SIM e dados do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) disponíveis no DATASUS departamento de informática do SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde), no ES, Região Sudeste e Brasil, no período de 1980 a 2010. Considerou-se as variáveis (idade, raça/cor, escolaridade e estado civil). Analisou-se o número absoluto e calculou-se o percentual de não preenchimento das informações das declarações de óbitos (DOs), que são a base de informação do SIM, nas localidades selecionadas (ES, Região Sudeste e Brasil). Analisou-se através do Pacote Estatístico para Ciências Sociais (SPSS), versão 18.0. Realizou-se uma análise inferencial com ajustes de curvas para os percentuais de dados faltantes das variáveis demográficas disponíveis no sistema do DATASUS (estado civil, escolaridade, raça/cor). E para a análise de tendência, foi realizado o cálculo do coeficiente de mortalidade por óbitos. As equações do melhor modelo e as estatísticas de ajuste (valor de R2 e o p-valor do teste F de adequação do modelo) foram obtidas do programa SPSS, versão 18.0. Resultados: No período de 2000 a 2010 a variável raça/cor, escolaridade, mostrou-se decrescente para o Brasil. A variável estado civil destacou-se por caracterizar uma tendência crescente no ES, Região Sudeste e Brasil. No período de 1980 a 2010 observou-se 3.561 óbitos no ES. Observa-se na série história que há tendência crescente de mortalidade por câncer de próstata. Conclusão: O trabalho é de grande importância para o estudo de câncer de próstata no Brasil. Identificou-se a crescente não completude dos campos de Estado Civil, enquanto a variável raça/cor foi considerada decrescente, porém com qualidade dos dados ruim. É preciso ações para que o processo de coleta dos dados seja aprimorado pela capacitação dos registradores. Nos resultados observou-se a tendência de crescimento da mortalidade, sendo necessárias ações, estratégias e políticas governamentais voltadas para a integralidade à saúde masculina.

Análise fatorial de uma medida de estratégias de enfrentamento

O objetivo do estudo foi investigar a estrutura fatorial da Escala Modos de Enfrentamento de Problemas - EMEP, na versão adaptada para a população brasileira por Gimenes e Queiroz (1997), para mensurar estratégias de enfrentamento em relação a estressores específicos. A amostra foi composta por 409 adultos de ambos os sexos, onde 252 consideraram como estressor um problema atual que estivesse ocasionando estresse, enquanto 157 foram pessoas portadoras de enfermidades crônicas, que responderam à escala com base no problema de saúde que estavam apresentando. Foram extraídos quatro fatores pelo método dos eixos principais, rotação ortogonal: estratégias de enfrentamento focalizadas no problema, estratégias de enfrentamento focalizadas na emoção, práticas religiosas/pensamento fantasioso e busca de suporte social. A análise dos achados nas duas sub-amostras, diferenciadas quanto aos estressores dominantes, sugere possibilidades positivas de aplicação em contextos de pesquisa e de intervenção profissional, em especial a atuação clínica voltada para manejo do estresse junto a diferentes clientelas. _______________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT