Validation of a computer-assisted system on classifying lower third molars

Objectives: The present study evaluates the reliability of the Radio Memory® software (Radio Memory; Belo Horizonte,Brasil.) on classifying lower third molars, analyzing intra- and interexaminer agreement of the results. Study Design: An observational, descriptive study of 280 lower third molars was made. The corresponding orthopantomographs were analyzed by two examiners using the Radio Memory® software. The exam was repeated 30 days after the first observation by each examiner. Both intra- and interexaminer agreement were determined using the SPSS v 12.0 software package for Windows (SPSS; Chicago, USA). Results: Intra- and interexaminer agreement was shown for both the Pell & Gregory and the Winter classifications, p<0.01, with 99% significant correlation between variables in all the cases. Conclusions: The use of Radio Memory® software for the classification of lower third molars is shown to be a valid alternative to the conventional method (direct evaluation on the orthopantomograph), for both clinical and investigational applications.

A Threat to a virtual hand elicits motor cortex activation

We report an experiment where participants observed an attack on their virtual body as experienced in an immersive virtual reality (IVR) system. Participants sat by a table with their right hand resting upon it. In IVR, they saw a virtual table that was registered with the real one, and they had a virtual body that substituted their real body seen from a first person perspective. The virtual right hand was collocated with their real right hand. Event-related brain potentials were recorded in two conditions, one where the participant"s virtual hand was attacked with a knife and a control condition where the knife only struck the virtual table. Significantly greater P450 potentials were obtained in the attack condition confirming our expectations that participants had a strong illusion of the virtual hand being their own, which was also strongly supported by questionnaire responses. Higher levels of subjective virtual hand ownership correlated with larger P450 amplitudes. Mu-rhythm event-related desynchronization in the motor cortex and readiness potential (C3-C4) negativity were clearly observed when the virtual hand was threatened as would be expected, if the real hand was threatened and the participant tried to avoid harm. Our results support the idea that event-related potentials may provide a promising non-subjective measure of virtual embodiment. They also support previous experiments on pain observation and are placed into context of similar experiments and studies of body perception and body ownership within cognitive neuroscience.

A Threat to a virtual hand elicits motor cortex activation

We report an experiment where participants observed an attack on their virtual body as experienced in an immersive virtual reality (IVR) system. Participants sat by a table with their right hand resting upon it. In IVR, they saw a virtual table that was registered with the real one, and they had a virtual body that substituted their real body seen from a first person perspective. The virtual right hand was collocated with their real right hand. Event-related brain potentials were recorded in two conditions, one where the participant"s virtual hand was attacked with a knife and a control condition where the knife only struck the virtual table. Significantly greater P450 potentials were obtained in the attack condition confirming our expectations that participants had a strong illusion of the virtual hand being their own, which was also strongly supported by questionnaire responses. Higher levels of subjective virtual hand ownership correlated with larger P450 amplitudes. Mu-rhythm event-related desynchronization in the motor cortex and readiness potential (C3-C4) negativity were clearly observed when the virtual hand was threatened as would be expected, if the real hand was threatened and the participant tried to avoid harm. Our results support the idea that event-related potentials may provide a promising non-subjective measure of virtual embodiment. They also support previous experiments on pain observation and are placed into context of similar experiments and studies of body perception and body ownership within cognitive neuroscience.

Church Windows : four symphonic impressions

Soitinnus: ork.

Vertaistukea visuaalisuuden tutkijoille

Kirjallisuusarvostelu

Kiihtyvä evoluutio

Kirjallisuusarvostelu

Production of caffeine alkaloid by Claviceps sorghi

The ergot disease of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), caused by the fungus Claviceps sorghi, restricted to the Indian sub-continent, is a disease in which the pathogen infects the florets, colonizing the unfertilized ovaries. Losses are higher in hybrid seed production fields due to a higher susceptibility of male sterile lines. The sclerotia of C. sorghi have never been found to contain alkaloids with a tetracyclic ergoline ring system, which is normal in most ergot pathogens. In this work, we show that sclerotia of C. sorghi contain caffeine alkaloid and the ability to produce it in vitro.

Le concept de plateau chez Deleuze et Guattari : ses implications epistemologique et ethique

Neste artigo, interrogamos os funcionamentos do conceito de platô em "Mil Platôs" (1980), a obra-prima de Deleuze e Guattari. Essa pesquisa esclarece, de forma concreta, duas linhas de pensamento, que são a epistemológica, por um lado, e a ética, por outro, enfocando os parágrafos nos quais Deleuze e Guattari usam efetivamente esse conceito. Do ponto de vista epistemológico, o conceito de platô permite praticar uma maneira de escrita rizomática e a explicação antiteleológica. Do ponto de vista ético, esse conceito, tirado de Gregory Bateson, nos convida a formar a alegria contínua e global, ou a gaieté em termos espinosistas.

Percepção de mães sobre a assistência prestada a seus filhos por estudantes de medicina da sétima fase: estudo de caso no ambulatório de pediatria de um hospital universitário

OBJETIVOS: Conhecer a percepção de mães sobre consulta ideal e a assistência prestada a seus filhos pelos alunos de Medicina da sétima fase no Ambulatório de Pediatria do Hospital Universitário da UFSC. MÉTODO: Pesquisa qualitativa, do tipo estudo de caso, utilizando entrevista semi-estruturada em profundidade com 12 mães cujos filhos eram consultados no ambulatório de Pediatria do Hospital Universitário da UFSC, por acadêmicos de Medicina da sétima fase. RESULTADOS: As mães estavam satisfeitas com o atendimento prestado pelos acadêmicos e mencionaram que os aspectos que mais as agradaram foram a relação médico-paciente - representada pela atenção, paciência e carinho -, o fornecimento de informações claras e detalhadas, em linguagem acessível, e o exame físico minucioso. Entre as limitações sentidas, foram citadas a demora das consultas e a grande quantidade de pessoas no consultório. CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: A relação médico-paciente foi determinante para a satisfação destas mães com o atendimento, além do exame físico minucioso. A redução no número de estudantes presentes na consulta deve ser considerada.

24+1 kansainvälisten suhteiden perusoppikirjaa : havaintoja ja arvioita

Kirjallisuusarvostelu

How real are real numbers?

We discuss mathematical and physical arguments against continuity and in favor of discreteness, with particular emphasis on the ideas of Émile Borel (1871-1956).

Kognitiivista terapiaa itsemurhaa hautoville

Kirjallisuusarvostelu

Katsaus Maan pinnanmuotoihin

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