The ACB technique: a biomagentic tool for monitoring gastrointestinal contraction directly from smooth muscle in dogs

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Determination of Copper, Iron, Nickel and Zinc in fuel kerosene by FAAS after adsorption and pre-concentration on 2-aminothiazole-modified silica gel

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

Exploring potentialities of the HR-CS FAAS technique in the determination of Ni and Pb in mineral waters

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

A Fast Large Scale Iris Database Classification with Optimum-Path Forest Technique: A Case Study

Majority of biometric researchers focus on the accuracy of matching using biometrics databases, including iris databases, while the scalability and speed issues have been neglected. In the applications such as identification in airports and borders, it is critical for the identification system to have low-time response. In this paper, a graph-based framework for pattern recognition, called Optimum-Path Forest (OPF), is utilized as a classifier in a pre-developed iris recognition system. The aim of this paper is to verify the effectiveness of OPF in the field of iris recognition, and its performance for various scale iris databases. This paper investigates several classifiers, which are widely used in iris recognition papers, and the response time along with accuracy. The existing Gauss-Laguerre Wavelet based iris coding scheme, which shows perfect discrimination with rotary Hamming distance classifier, is used for iris coding. The performance of classifiers is compared using small, medium, and large scale databases. Such comparison shows that OPF has faster response for large scale database, thus performing better than more accurate but slower Bayesian classifier.

Microleakage evaluation of pit and fissure sealants done with different procedures, materials, and laser after invasive technique

This study evaluated the microleakage of pit and fissure sealants after different surface preparation (invasive technique and laser irradiation) and the use of different materials (fluoride resin-filled sealant, resin-modified glass ionomer cement and adhesive system). Eighty-four pre molars were used in this study, which were divided into seven groups. After the accomplishment of the different treatments, these were submitted to thermocycling process and assess for microleakage by examination under an epifluorescent microscope and scored zero to seven. Two specimens of each group were observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that laser irradiation did not lessen microleakage in pit and fissures when using a filled-resin sealant with fluoride or a resin-modified glass ionomer cement. The use of laser irradiation and adhesive system, followed by a resin-filled sealant with fluoride, showed the lowest microleakage scores in pit and fissures. Comparing this group to the resin-modified glass ionomer cement group, there was statistical significance. The use of a adhesive system decreased microleakage when using a fluoride resin-filled sealant with or without previous laser irradiation; although it was not statistically significant.

Modeling of pre-regulator boost ZCS interleaved operating in critical conduction mode and with high power factor

This paper presents a new pre-regulator boost operating in the boundary area between the continuous and discontinuous conduction modes of the boost inductor current, where the switches and boost diode performing zero-current commutations during its turn-off, eliminating the disadvantages related to the reverse recovery losses and electromagnetic interference problems of the boost diode when operating in the continuous conduction mode. Additionally, the interleaving technique is applied in the power cell, providing a significant input current ripple reduction. It should be noticed that the main objective of this paper is to present a complete modeling for the converter operating in the critical conduction mode, allowing an improved design procedure for interleaved techniques with high input power factor, a complete dynamic analysis of the structure, and the possibility of implementing digital control techniques in closed loop.

Vestibuloplasty by modified kazanjian technique in treatment with dental implants

Dentists are often faced with extensively resorbed mandibular ridges with shallow buccal vestibule and high insertion of the mentalis muscle in relation to the crest of the ridge, causing the displacement of the prosthesis. Vestibuloplasty techniques aim at eliminating the muscle insertions, reposition the mucosa, and increase the area chapeável, giving more stability to the prosthesis. Among the techniques to deepen the vestibule are submucosal vestibuloplasties by secondary epithelialization and with mucosal and skin grafts. We will discuss vestibuloplasty by secondary epithelialization with emphasis on the so-called modified Kazanjian technique. This technique provides an appropriate result and does not require hospitalization, additional surgery at the donor, or prolonged periods without the use of prosthesis. © 2013 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.

New voltammetry-based technique for the determination of tebuthiuron in crystal and brown sugar samples

Sugar is widely consumed worldwide and Brazil is the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of this product. To guarantee proper development and productivity of sugar cane crops, it is necessary to apply large quantities of agrochemicals, especially herbicides and pesticides. The herbicide tebuthiuron (TBH) prevents pre- and post-emergence of infesting weed in sugarcane cultures. Considering that it is important to ensure food safety for the population, this paper proposes a reliable method to analyse TBH in sugar matrixes (brown and crystal) using square wave voltammetry (SWV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at bare glassy carbon electrode and investigate the electrochemical behavior of this herbicide by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Our results suggest that TBH or the product of its reaction with a supporting electrolyte is oxidized through irreversible transfer of one electron between the analyte and the working electrode, at a potential close to +1.16 V vs. Ag |AgClsat in 0.10 mol L-1 KOH as supporting electrolyte solution. Both DPV and SWV are satisfactory for the quantitative analysis of the analyte. DPV is more sensitive and selective, with detection limits of 0.902, 0.815 and 0.578 mg kg-1, and quantification limits of 0.009, 0.010 and 0.008 mg kg-1 in the absence of the matrix and in the presence of crystal and brown sugar matrix, respectively. Repeatability lay between 0.53 and 13.8%, precision ranged between 4.14 and 15.0%, and recovery remained between 84.2 and 113% in the case of DPV conducted in the absence of matrix and in the presence of the crystal sugar matrix, respectively.

Scale morphology of Prochilodus lineatus with emphasis on the scale epithelium

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

The Occurrence of Autophagic Cell Death in the Tegument of Rabbits Pre-Infested with Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Exposed to Selamectin (Active Principle of Acaricide Pfizer Revolution (R))

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Dinâmica folicular ovariana e bases para a aplicação das biotécnicas da reprodução em bovinos

In the last years Brazil has achieved a leading position in worldwide cattle breeding. This country is consolidating the practice of an intensive and technical level cattle breeding, due to greater emphasis on reproductive efficiency and genetic improvement. The attention given to reproductive efficiency became to enhance the genetic improvement process, by exploiting the full reproductive potential of the animals. The biotechniques applied to reproduction arised to expand the reproductive potential for greater economic return. Are the most important reproductive biotechniques the FTAI and in vivo and in vitro embryo production for embryo transfer. Different hormonal treatments are consolidating to interfere with normal physiology in order to achieve the desired goals. The FTAI works to increase the reproductive rates of cattle through pre-booked artificial insemination in all the females in reproduction, without the need for estrous detection. The in vivo and in vitro embryo production aims to distribute the genetics of males and females genetically improved by transferring their embryos to genetically inferior females. Superovulation treatments designed to prevent the mechanism of dominance, which results in many follicles ovulating simultaneously for in vivo embryo production. To the in vitro embryo production, the technique of ovarian puncture guided by transvaginal ultrasound allows to aspirate a number of quality oocytes. The application of biotech is based on knowledge of the female and ovarian reproductive physiology and knowledge of their acting in different breeds and environments.

Collaborative language learning in Teletandem: a resource for pre-service teacher education

This article presents some of the results of a qualitative research project about the influences of the pedagogic strategies used by a mediator (graduate student in applied linguistics) in the supervision process of a Teletandem partner (undergraduate student in languages) on her pedagogical practice. It was done within the project Teletandem Brazil: foreign language for all. Based on the reflective teaching paradigm and collaborative language learning, with special emphasis on tandem learning, we analyzed the contributions of the collaborative relationship established between the graduate student and the student-teacher in her first teaching experience. The results bring about implications for the field of language teacher education in a perspective of education within practice, evidencing the experience of collaborative learning in teletandem as an opportunity for reflective teacher education of pre-service teachers.

Incomplete vertical root fracture associated with lateral compaction technique: a microscopic analysis

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of root canal obturation employing lateral compaction technique and spreader load of 1.5 kg on the incidence of complete (CVRF) or incomplete vertical root fractures (IVRF). Material and Methods: Twenty-seven distal roots of extracted human mandibular molars were used. All root canals were prepared by biomechanical step-back technique and obturated by lateral compaction technique. The prepared roots were distributed into two groups: G1- experimental (n = 17) and G2- control (n = 10). During obturation, load of 1.5 kg was applied to a size # 30 finger spreader. Pre- and post-obturation images of the coronal portion of the roots were captured by inverted digital microscopy and analyzed by one trained examiner. Data were evaluated by Fisher’s test (p < 0.05) using GrapH Pad Prism 5.0. Results: No roots exhibited CVRF. All fractures observed before and after obturation were IVRF or “other defects”. In G2 (control group), there was no increase of IVRF number. Interestingly, G1 presented an increase in the IVRF number to 70.59% in the 12 teeth out of 17 teeth studied. The statistical analysis showed that the mean of IVRF increased significantly in G1 when compared to G2 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The application of a 1.5 kg spreader load during lateral compaction technique does not produce complete vertical root fractures, but may produce incomplete fractures or “other defects”.

Ovum pick-up technique in recently weaned ewe lambs subjected to ovarian stimulation

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

In situ selective determination of methylmercury in river water by diffusive gradient in thin films technique (DGT) using baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) immobilized in agarose gel as binding phase

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