Evaluation of the flexural strength and elastic modulus of resins used for temporary restorations reinforced with particulate glass fibre

Objective: The flexural strength and the elastic modulus of acrylic resins, Dencor, Duralay and Trim Plus II, were evaluated with and without the addition of silanised glass fibre. Materials and methods: To evaluate the flexural strength and elastic modulus, 60 test specimens were fabricated with the addition of 10% ground silanised glass fibres for the experimental group, and 60 without the incorporation of fibres, for the control group, with 20 test specimens being made of each commercial brand of resin (Dencor, Duralay and Trim Plus II) for the control group and experimental group. After the test specimens had been completed, the flexural strength and elastic modulus tests were performed in a universal testing device, using the three-point bending test. For the specimens without fibres the One-Way Analysis of Variance and the complementary Tukey test were used, and for those with fibres it was not normal, so that the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test was applied. Results: For the flexural strength test, there was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) between each commercial brand of resin without fibres [Duralay 84.32(+/- 8.54), Trim plus 85.39(+/- 6.74), Dencor 96.70(+/- 6.52)] and with fibres (Duralay 87.18, Trim plus 88.33, Dencor 98.10). However, for the elastic modulus, there was statistical difference (p > 0.01) between each commercial brand of resin without fibres [Duralay 2380.64 (+/- 168.60), Trim plus 2740.37(+/- 311.74), Dencor 2595.42(+/- 261.22)] and with fibres (Duralay 3750.42, Trim plus 3188.80, Dencor 3400.75). Conclusion: The result showed that the incorporation of fibre did not interfere in the flexural strength values, but it increased the values for the elastic modulus.

The occipital lobe convexity sulci and gyri

Object. The anatomy of the occipital lobe convexity is so intricate and variable that its precise description is not found in the classic anatomy textbooks, and the occipital sulci and gyri are described with different nomenclatures according to different authors. The aim of this study was to investigate and describe the anatomy of the occipital lobe convexity and clarify its nomenclature. Methods. The configurations of sulci and gyri on the lateral surface of the occipital lobe of 20 cerebral hemispheres were examined in order to identify the most characteristic and consistent patterns. Results. The most characteristic and consistent occipital sulci identified in this study were the intraoccipital, transverse occipital, and lateral occipital sulci. The morphology of the transverse occipital sulcus and the intraoccipital sulcus connection was identified as the most important aspect to define the gyral pattern of the occipital lobe convexity. Conclusions. Knowledge of the main features of the occipital sulci and gyri permits the recognition of a basic configuration of the occipital lobe and the identification of its sulcal and gyral variations. (http://thejns.org/doi/abs/10.3171/2012.1.JNS11978)

Representation and analysis of control surface freeplay nonlinearity

Different representations for a control surface freeplay nonlinearity in a three degree of freedom aeroelastic system are assessed. These are the discontinuous, polynomial and hyperbolic tangent representations. The Duhamel formulation is used to model the aerodynamic loads. Assessment of the validity of these representations is performed through comparison with previous experimental observations. The results show that the instability and nonlinear response characteristics are accurately predicted when using the discontinuous and hyperbolic tangent representations. On the other hand, the polynomial representation fails to predict chaotic motions observed in the experiments. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Anomalous centrality evolution of two-particle angular correlations from Au-Au collisions at root s(NN)=62 and 200 GeV

We present two-dimensional (2D) two-particle angular correlations measured with the STAR detector on relative pseudorapidity eta and azimuth phi for charged particles from Au-Au collisions at root s(NN) = 62 and 200 GeV with transverse momentum p(t) >= 0.15 GeV/c, vertical bar eta vertical bar <= 1, and 2 pi in azimuth. Observed correlations include a same-side (relative azimuth <pi/2) 2D peak, a closely related away-side azimuth dipole, and an azimuth quadrupole conventionally associated with elliptic flow. The same-side 2D peak and away-side dipole are explained by semihard parton scattering and fragmentation (minijets) in proton-proton and peripheral nucleus-nucleus collisions. Those structures follow N-N binary-collision scaling in Au-Au collisions until midcentrality, where a transition to a qualitatively different centrality trend occurs within one 10% centrality bin. Above the transition point the number of same-side and away-side correlated pairs increases rapidly relative to binary-collision scaling, the eta width of the same-side 2D peak also increases rapidly (eta elongation), and the phi width actually decreases significantly. Those centrality trends are in marked contrast with conventional expectations for jet quenching in a dense medium. The observed centrality trends are compared to perturbative QCD predictions computed in HIJING, which serve as a theoretical baseline, and to the expected trends for semihard parton scattering and fragmentation in a thermalized opaque medium predicted by theoretical calculations and phenomenological models. We are unable to reconcile a semihard parton scattering and fragmentation origin for the observed correlation structure and centrality trends with heavy-ion collision scenarios that invoke rapid parton thermalization. If the collision system turns out to be effectively opaque to few-GeV partons the present observations would be inconsistent with the minijet picture discussed here. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevC.86.064902

Morphology and Anatomy of Stem Mines in Cipocereus minensis (Wender.) Ritter (Cactaceae), an Endemic Species to Eastern Brazil

Plant mines are structures with the form of a cavity caused by consumption of host plant tissue by the insect's miner larvae. Plant mines are more common in leaves, but in Cipocereus minensis, a species in which the leaves are modified spines, the miner activity is restricted to the stem. The aim of this paper was to document the morphological and anatomical differences in the infected and uninfected stems of C. minensis due to the feeding habit of the mining agent. Fresh tissue samples of non-mined and mined young stem of C minensis were collected and examined in transverse sections. We hypothesize that the infection begins following mating when the females scratch the surface of the stem or while they feed on fruits and lay eggs, which subsequently develop into larvae, invading the cactus stem. The insect's miner larvae had mostly consumed the parenchyma tissue towards the center of the stem, and periderm formed along the entire path of the insect. This meristematic tissue or "wound periderm" is a common response for compartmentalization to isolate the damaged tissue, in this case the incubating chamber, in which the eggs will be placed. There were no signs of consumption of vascular tissue in the infested samples, further suggesting a compartmentalized infestation. The nest chamber was found in the stem pith region, with periderm surrounding an insect's miner pupa inside identified as a member of the Cerambycidae. The mining insect depends on a host plant to complete the life cycle; however, the nature of this partnership and the long-term effects of the insect on the plant tissue are unknown. The complex mechanisms by which herbivorous insects control the morphogenesis of the plant host are discussed. We propose that C. minensis has a recognition system to identify insect attack and evaluate the effectiveness of early response triggering compartmentalized defense mechanisms by protecting the injured area with a new layer of periderm.

Quantification of Retinal Neural Loss in Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica and Multiple Sclerosis with or without Optic Neuritis Using Fourier-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE. We compared retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular thickness measurements in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) with or without a history of optic neuritis, and in controls using Fourier-domain (FD) optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS. Patients with MS (n = 60), NMO (n = 33), longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis (LETM, n = 28) and healthy controls (n = 41) underwent ophthalmic examination, including automated perimetry, and FD-OCT RNFL and macular thickness measurements. Five groups of eyes were compared: MS with or without previous optic neuritis, NMO, LETM, and controls. Correlation between OCT and visual field (VF) findings was investigated. RESULTS. With regard to most parameters, RNFL and macular thickness measurements were significantly smaller in eyes of each group of patients compared to controls. MS eyes with optic neuritis did not differ significantly from MS eyes without optic neuritis, but measurements were smaller in NMO eyes than in all other groups. RNFL (but not macular thickness) measurements were significantly smaller in LETM eyes than in controls. While OCT abnormalities were correlated significantly with VF loss in NMO/LETM and MS, the correlation was much stronger in the former. CONCLUSIONS. Although FD-OCT RNFL and macular thickness measurements can reveal subclinical or optic neuritis-related abnormalities in NMO-spectrum and MS patients, abnormalities are predominant in the macula of MS patients and in RFNL measurements in NMO patients. The correlation between OCT and VF abnormalities was stronger in NMO than in MS, suggesting the two conditions differ regarding structural and functional damage. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01024985.) Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;53:3959-3966) DOI:10.1167/iovs.11-9324

J/psi suppression at forward rapidity in Au plus Au collisions at root s(NN)=39 and 62.4 GeV

We present measurements of the J/psi invariant yields in root s(NN) = 39 and 62.4 GeV Au + Au collisions at forward rapidity (1.2 < vertical bar y vertical bar < 2.2). Invariant yields are presented as a function of both collision centrality and transverse momentum. Nuclear modifications are obtained for central relative to peripheral Au + Au collisions (R-CP) and for various centrality selections in Au + Au relative to scaled p + p cross sections obtained from other measurements (R-AA). The observed suppression patterns at 39 and 62.4 GeV are quite similar to those previously measured at 200 GeV. This similar suppression presents a challenge to theoretical models that contain various competing mechanisms with different energy dependencies, some of which cause suppression and others enhancement. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevC.86.064901

Whole-body computerized tomography and concomitant spine and head injuries A study of 355 cases

The authors present a prospective study on the coexistence of spinal injury (SI) and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in patients who were involved in traffic accidents and arrived at the Emergency Department of Hospital das Clinicas of the University of Sao Paulo between September 1, 2003 and December 31, 2009. A whole-body computed tomography was the diagnostic method employed in all cases. Both lesions were observed simultaneously in 69 cases (19.4%), predominantly in males (57 individuals, 82.6%). Cranial injuries included epidural hematoma, acute subdural hematoma, brain contusion, ventricular hemorrhage and traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. The transverse processes were the most fragile portion of the vertebrae and were more susceptible to fractures. The seventh cervical vertebra was the most commonly affected segment, with 24 cases (34.78%). The distribution of fractures was similar among the other cervical vertebrae, the first four thoracic vertebrae and the lumbar spine. Neurological deficit secondary to SI was detected in eight individuals (11.59%) and two individuals (2.89%) died. Traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage was the most common intracranial finding (82.6%). Spinal surgery was necessary in 24 patients (34.78%) and brain surgery in 18 (26%). Four patients (5.79%) underwent cranial and spinal surgeries. The authors conclude that it is necessary a judicious assessment of the entire spine of individuals who presented in coma after suffering a brain injury associated to multisystemic trauma and whole-body CT scan may play a major role in this scenario.

Measurements of D-0 and D* production in p plus p collisions at root s=200 GeV

We report measurements of charmed-hadron (D-0, D*) production cross sections at midrapidity in p + p collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 200 GeV by the STAR experiment. Charmed hadrons were reconstructed via the hadronic decays D-0 -> K- pi(+), D*(+) -> D-0 pi(+) -> K-pi(+)pi(+) and their charge conjugates, covering the p(T) range of 0.6-2.0 and 2.0-6.0 GeV/c for D-0 and D*(+), respectively. From this analysis, the charm-pair production cross section at midrapidity is d sigma/dy vertical bar(c (c) over bar)(y-0) = 170+/-45(stat)(-59)(+38()sys) mu b. The extracted charm-pair cross section is compared to perturbative QCD calculations. The transverse momentum differential cross section is found to be consistent with the upper bound of a fixed-order next-to-leading logarithm calculation.

Ground and excited state charmonium production in p plus p collisions at root s=200 GeV

We report on charmonium measurements [J/psi (1S), psi' (2S), and chi(c) (1P)] in p + p collisions at root s = 200 GeV. We find that the fraction of J/psi coming from the feed-down decay of psi' and chi(c) in the midrapidity region (vertical bar y vertical bar < 0: 35) is 9.6 +/- 2.4% and 32 +/- 9%, respectively. We also present the p(T) and rapidity dependencies of the J/psi yield measured via dielectron decay at midrapidity (vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.35) and via dimuon decay at forward rapidity (1.2 < vertical bar y vertical bar < 2.2). The statistical precision greatly exceeds that reported in our previous publication [Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 232002 (2007)]. The new results are compared with other experiments and discussed in the context of current charmonium production models.

ANATOMICAL AND FUNCTIONAL STUDY OF THE MEDIAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT COMPLEX OF THE ELBOW

Objective: To carry out an anatomical study of the medial collateral ligament, an important elbow stabilizer in different degrees of elbow flexion-extension. Methods: Forty elbows were dissected in order to analyze the functional behavior of the anterior, posterior and transverse ligament bands during valgus stress maneuvers of the elbow in different degrees of flexion and extension. Two groups were determined; in the group GPA the posterior band of the ligament was sectioned initially, then the articular capsule and finally the anterior band; in group GAP this order was reversed. Results: Instability was observed in GPA only in the third stage, when there was a greater mean elbow's opening during the flexion (between 50 degrees and 70 degrees); in GAP the instability was present since the first stage; the degrees of flexion with greater instability were the same as in group GPA. Conclusion: The anterior band of the medial collateral ligament of the elbow is the most important stabilizer of the elbow valgus instability, and its principal action occurs between 50 degrees and 70 degrees of elbow flexion. Level of Evidence III, Diagnostic Studies Investigating a diagnostic test.

Transverse pseudo-nonlinear effects measured in solid-state laser materials using a sensitive time-resolved technique

We present a detailed study of the Baryscan technique, a new efficient alternative to the widespread Z-scan technique which has been demonstrated [Opt. Lett. 36:8, 2011] to reach among the highest sensitivity levels. This method is based upon the measurement of optical nonlinearities by means of beam centroid displacements with a position sensitive detector and is able to deal with any kind of lensing effect. This technique is applied here to measure pump-induced electronic refractive index changes (population lens), which can be discriminated from parasitic thermal effects by using a time-resolved Baryscan experiment. This method is validated by evaluating the polarizability variation at the origin of the population lens observed in the reference Cr3+:GSGG laser material.

Taxonomic study on the molluscs collected in Marion-Dufresne expedition (MD55) to SE Brazil: Xenophoridae, Cypraeoidea, mitriforms and Terebridae (Caenogastropoda)

The deep-water molluscs collected during the expedition MD55 off SE Brazil have been gradually studied in some previous papers. The present one is focused on samples belonging to caenogastropod taxa Xenophoridae Troschel, 1852, Cypraeoidea Rafinesque, 1815, mitriforms and Terebridae Morch, 1852. Regarding the Xenophoridae, Onustus aquitanus n. sp. is a new species, collected off the littoral of Espirito Santo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 430-637 m depth (continental slope). The main characters of the species include the small size (c. 20 mm), the proportionally wide shell, the white colour, the short peripheral flange, the oblique riblets weakly developed and a brown multispiral protoconch. This appears to be the smallest living species of the family, resembling in this aspect fossil species. In respect to the Cypraeoidea, the following results were obtained: family Cypraeidae Rafinesque, 1815: Erosaria acicularis (Gmelin, 1791) and Luria cinerea (Gmelin, 1791) had the deepest record, respectively 607-620 m and 295-940 m, although the samples were all dead, eroded shells. Family Lamellariidae d'Orbigny, 1841: a total of three lots were collected, provisionally identified as Lamellaria spp. as the samples consist of only vestigial shells; possibly each lot represents a different species. Family Pediculariidae Gray, 1853: a sample of Pedicularia tibia Simone, 2005 was found, expanding the range c. 1000 km southwards, from Ceara to Espirito Santo. Family Ovulidae Fleming, 1822: Pseudosimnia lacrima n. sp., collected off Espirito Santo, 607-620 m depth, is described here and is mainly characterised by its strong biconic outline, small size (c. 7 mm), and a thick peripheral callus. Family Triviidae Troschel, 1863: Cleotrivia antillarum (Schilder, 1922) is recorded for the first time as deep as 620 m, and its distribution expanded from Rio Grande do Norte to Espirito Santo; Dolichupis akangus n. sp. with rounded outline and c. 15 transverse ribs; D. pingius n. sp. with the outer lip expanded posteriorly and c. 10 ribs. In respect to the mitriform neogastropods, the following species are emphasised: family Costellariidae MacDonald, 1860: Vexillum sp., 607-620 m depth; Turricostellaria amphissa n. sp., 295 m depth; T. jukyry n. sp.; T. apyrahi n. sp., both 790-1575 m depth; T. ovir n. sp., 1200 m depth; Nodicostellaria crassa (Simone, 1995), 240-600 m depth, with extension northwards of the range up to Espirito Santo; Austromitra decresca n. sp., 60-105 m depth. Family Mitridae Swainson, 1829: Subcancilla joapyra n. sp., 295 m depth; S. cf. straminea (Adams, 1853), 607-620 m depth. Family Volutomitridae Gray, 1854: Microvoluta corona n. sp., 1500-1575 m depth. Family Mitromorphidae Casey, 1904: Mitromorpha sama n. sp., 607-940 m depth; M. mirim n. sp., 60105 m depth. Regarding the conoidean Terebridae, this paper is a complement of a previous study. It deals with a new species Terebra assu Simone n. sp., from the Abrolhos Bank, 295 m depth, characterised by its narrow outline, yellowish colour, weak sculpture on the last whorls, and a proportionally broad, paucispiral protoconch. A second finding of Terebra alagoensis Lima, Tenorio & Barros, 2007 expands the geographic range from Alagoas to north Espirito Santo. A discussion on the systematics of the "complex Terebra doellojuradoi" in South American coast is also provided, highlighting the improbability of synonymy between T. leptapsis Simone, 1999 and T doellojuradoi Carcelles, 1953. Differences in size, sculpture, spire angulation, aperture, and mainly in protoconch, indicate specific separations. The presently studied terebrids belong to the "complex Terebra doellojuradoi", which encompasses closely related, deep-water, small species, possessing a relatively high degree of endemicity.

Flares and variability from Sagittarius A(star): five nights of simultaneous multi-wavelength observations

Aims. We report on simultaneous observations and modeling of mid-infrared (MIR), near-infrared (NIR), and submillimeter (sub-mm) emission of the source Sgr A * associated with the supermassive black hole at the center of our Galaxy. Our goal was to monitor the activity of Sgr A* at different wavelengths in order to constrain the emitting processes and gain insight into the nature of the close environment of Sgr A*. Methods. We used the MIR instrument VISIR in the BURST imaging mode, the adaptive optics assisted NIR camera NACO, and the sub-mm antenna APEX to monitor Sgr A* over several nights in July 2007. Results. The observations reveal remarkable variability in the NIR and sub-mm during the five nights of observation. No source was detected in the MIR, but we derived the lowest upper limit for a flare at 8.59 mu m (22.4 mJy with A(8.59 mu m) = 1.6 +/- 0.5). This observational constraint makes us discard the observed NIR emission as coming from a thermal component emitting at sub-mm frequencies. Moreover, comparison of the sub-mm and NIR variability shows that the highest NIR fluxes (flares) are coincident with the lowest sub-mm levels of our five-night campaign involving three flares. We explain this behavior by a loss of electrons to the system and/or by a decrease in the magnetic field, as might conceivably occur in scenarios involving fast outflows and/or magnetic reconnection.

Production of K*(892)(0) and phi(1020) in pp collisions at root s=7 TeV

The production of K*(892)(0) and phi(1020) in pp collisions at root s = 7 TeV was measured by the ALICE experiment at the LHC. The yields and the transverse momentum spectra d(2)N/dydp(T) at midrapidity vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.5 in the range 0 < p(T) < 6 GeV/c for K*(892)(0) and 0.4 < p(T) < 6 GeV/c for phi(1020) are reported and compared to model predictions. Using the yield of pions, kaons, and Omega baryons measured previously by ALICE at root s = 7 TeV, the ratios K*/K-, phi/K*, phi/ K-, phi/pi(-), and (Omega + <(Omega)over bar>)/phi are presented. The values of the K*/K-, phi/K* and phi/K- ratios are similar to those found at lower centre-of-mass energies. In contrast, the phi/pi(-) ratio, which has been observed to increase with energy, seems to saturate above 200 GeV. The (Omega + (Omega) over bar)/phi ratio in the p(T) range 1-5 GeV/ c is found to be in good agreement with the prediction of the HIJING/B (B) over bar v2.0model with a strong colour field.