External Hexagon and Internal Hexagon in Straight and Offset Implant Placement: Strain Gauge Analysis

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

Straight and Offset Implant Placement under Axial and Nonaxial Loads in Implant-Supported Prostheses: Strain Gauge Analysis

Purpose: The aim of this in vitro study was to quantify strain development during axial and nonaxial loading using strain gauge analysis for three-element implant-supported FPDs, varying the arrangement of implants: straight line (L) and offset (O). Materials and Methods: Three Morse taper implants arranged in a straight line and three implants arranged in an offset configuration were inserted into two polyurethane blocks. Microunit abutments were screwed onto the implants, applying a 20 Ncm torque. Plastic copings were screwed onto the abutments, which received standard wax patterns cast in Co-Cr alloy (n = 10). Four strain gauges were bonded onto the surface of each block tangential to the implants. The occlusal screws of the superstructure were tightened onto microunit abutments using 10 Ncm and then axial and nonaxial loading of 30 Kg was applied for 10 seconds on the center of each implant and at 1 and 2 mm from the implants, totaling nine load application points. The microdeformations determined at the nine points were recorded by four strain gauges, and the same procedure was performed for all of the frameworks. Three loadings were made per load application point. The magnitude of microstrain on each strain gauge was recorded in units of microstrain (mu). The data were analyzed statistically by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p < 0.05). Results: The configuration factor was statistically significant (p= 0.0004), but the load factor (p= 0.2420) and the interaction between the two factors were not significant (p= 0.5494). Tukey's test revealed differences between axial offset (mu) (183.2 +/- 93.64) and axial straight line (285.3 +/- 61.04) and differences between nonaxial 1 mm offset (201.0 +/- 50.24) and nonaxial 1 mm straight line (315.8 +/- 59.28). Conclusion: There was evidence that offset placement is capable of reducing the strain around an implant. In addition, the type of loading, axial force or nonaxial, did not have an influence until 2 mm.

A recursive approach to space resection using straight lines

An approach using straight lines as features to solve the photogrammetric space resection problem is presented. An explicit mathematical model relating straight lines, in both object and image space, is used. Based on this model, Kalman Filtering is applied to solve the space resection problem. The recursive property of the filter is used in an iterative process which uses the sequentially estimated camera location parameters to feedback to the feature extraction process in the image. This feedback process leads to a gradual reduction of the image space for feature searching, and consequently eliminates the bottleneck due to the high computational cost of the image segmentation phase. It also enables feature extraction and the determination of feature correspondence in image and object space in an automatic way, i.e., without operator interference. Results obtained from simulated and real data show that highly accurate space resection parameters are obtained as well as a progressive processing time reduction. The obtained accuracy, the automatic correspondence process, and the short related processing time show that the proposed approach can be used in many real-time machine vision systems, making possible the implementation of applications not feasible until now.

Toxicity of straight-chain fatty acids to leaf-cutting ants Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and the symbiotic fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus

This work determined toxicity and attractiveness of straight-chain fatty acids (C 5 to C 12) to Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Forel) workers. The effect to the symbiotic fungus, Leucoagaricus gongylophorus (Singer) Möller, was also tested with the fatty acids C 6 to C 12. A strong mortality of leaf-cutting ants that were fed with an artificial diet containing fatty acids C to C at concentrations above 1.0 mg.ml -1 was observed. Rice flakes impregnated with solutions of these fatty acids were repellent to leaf-cutting ants. Contact experiments showed that treatments with C 6 and C 7 at concentration of 100 mg.ml -1 significantly reduced the survival rate of leaf-cutting ants. The fatty acids C 8 to C 11 were toxic to leaf-cutting ants when topically tested at concentration of 200 mg.ml -1. In relation to the fungus' bioassays, the fatty acids C 6 to C 12 at concentration of 0.1 mg.ml -1 inhibited 100% of the fungal development. Although when the concentration was reduced by half no inhibition effects were observed. The results showed that straight-chain fatty acids have desirable properties for controlling leaf-cutting ants since they directly interfere with both organisms of the symbiotic relationship. The potential of fatty acids as well as ways to control leaf-cutting ants with these compounds are discussed in this article.

Gravitational field of a straight cosmic string in the framework of higher-derivative gravity

The gravitational properties of a straight cosmic string are studied in the linear approximation of higher-derivative gravity. These properties are shown to be very different from those found using linearized Einstein gravity: there exists a short range gravitational (anti-gravitational) force in the nonrelativistic limit; in addition, the deflection angle of a light ray moving in a plane orthogonal to the string depends on the impact parameter. © 2008 World Scientific Publishing Company.

Efeitos dentoesqueléticos do tratamento da classe II utilizando o aparelho de Herbst associados à mecânica Straight-wire

This study compared the effect of the treatment protocol for correcting Class Il malocclusion using the Herbst appliance followed by full fixed Straigh-wire mechanics, in two populations, one Brazilian and one of North American origin As a untreated control sample the data from the University of Michigan Elementary and Secondary School Growth Study (UMGS) was used. Our sample was composed of 12 males and 12 females, with initial mean age of 12 years 7 months and final mean ages of 15 years and 3 months. The Michigan patients comprised 21 females and 7 males, with an initial mean age of 11 years and 9 months and final mean age of 14 years and 4 months. The control sample was paired in number, sex and age to the treated Michigan sample. ln both treated groups, lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained before the Herbst appliance was cemented and at the end of the fixed appliance phase, The first comparison involved the Brazil group and the untreated controls, which demonstrated that the association of the Herbst appliance followed by fixed Straight-wire appliances provoked positive effects on the dentofacial complex, improving pre-existing maxillo-mandibular relationships, besides increasing dentoalveolar compensations which contributed to correct the malocclusion. The second comparison, involved the Brazl1ian and North-American patients treated with the same protocol. Although the pre-treatment comparison showed that the two groups were not similar in all aspects, they presented almost identical therapeutic modifications, which indicate that the effect of' treatment was very similar. These results point out that, in Class ll treatment, the combination of Herbst/Straight-wire mechanics produce consistent and systematic effects, correcting or minimizing possible skeletal imbalances

On the number of limit cycles in discontinuous piecewise linear differential systems with two pieces separated by a straight line

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

Straight and angulated abutments in platform switching: influence of loading on bone stress by three-dimensional finite element analysis

PURPOSE: In view of reports in the literature on the benefits achieved with the use of platform switching, described as the use of an implant with a larger diameter than the abutment diameter, the goal being to prevent the (previously) normal bone loss down to the first thread that occurs around most implants, thus enhancing soft tissue aesthetics and stability and the need for implant inclination due to bone anatomy in some cases, the aim of this study was to evaluate bone stress distribution on peri-implant bone, by using three-dimensional finite element analysis to simulate the influence of implants with different abutment angulations (0 and 15 degrees) in platform switching. METHODS: Four mathematical models of an implant-supported central incisor were created with varying abutment angulations: straight abutment (S1 and S2) and angulated abutment at 15 degrees (A1 and A2), submitted to 2 loading conditions (100 N): S1 and A1-oblique loading (45 degrees) and S2 and A2-axial loading, parallel to the long axis of the implant. Maximum (σmax) and minimum (σmin) principal stress values were obtained for cortical and trabecular bone. RESULTS: Models S1 and A1 showed higher σmax in cortical and trabecular bone when compared with S2 and A2. The highest σmax values (in MPa) in the cortical bone were found in S1 (28.5), followed by A1 (25.7), S2 (11.6), and A2 (5.15). For the trabecular bone, the highest σmax values were found in S1 (7.53), followed by A1 (2.87), S2 (2.85), and A2 (1.47). CONCLUSIONS: Implants with straight abutments generated the highest stress values in bone. In addition, this effect was potentiated when the load was applied obliquely.

Effects of light intensity and temperature on Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Cyanobacteria) with straight and coiled trichomes: growth rate and morphology

Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Woloszynska) Seenayya et Subba Raju (Ordem Nostocales) is one of the most troublesome bloom-forming species in Brazil. Understanding the population dynamics of the different morphotypes of C. raciborskii (straight and coiled) could assist in the prediction of favourable conditions for the proliferation of this potentially toxin-producing species. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of two different light intensities and temperatures on the growth rate and morphology of the trichomes of the straight and coiled morphotypes. For such, two non-toxin producing strains of C. raciborskii were used - one with a coiled trichome (ITEP31) and another with a straight trichome (ITEP28). The strains were cultured in BG-11 medium in a climatic chamber under controlled conditions. Two light intensities (30 and 90 mu mol.m(-2).s(-1)) were combined at temperatures of 21 and 31 degrees C and the growth rate and morphological changes were analysed. The morphotypes responded differently to the different temperatures and light intensities. Both strains exhibited faster growth velocities when submitted to higher light intensity and temperature. The lower temperature and higher luminosity hampered the development of both strains. Variations in cellular morphology and an absence of akinetes in both strains were related to the lower temperature (21 C). The coiled morphotype demonstrated considerable phenotype plasticity, changing the morphology of trichome throughout its growth curve. Although molecular analysis does not sustain the separation of the morphotypes as distinct species, their different eco-physiological responses should be considered further knowledge of extreme importance for the population control of these potentially toxic organisms.

Do charges to freight trucks and trains in the European Union reflect their social marginal costs? Application to the case of Spain

In the last few years, the European Union (EU) has become greatly concerned about the environmental costs of road transport in Europe as a result of the constant growth in the market share of trucks and the steady decline in the market share of railroads. In order to reverse this trend, the EU is promoting the implementation of additional charges for heavy goods vehicles (HGV) on the trunk roads of the EU countries. However, the EU policy is being criticised because it does not address the implementation of charges to internalise the external costs produced by automobiles and other transport modes such as railroad. In this paper, we first describe the evolution of the HGV charging policy in the EU, and then assess its practical implementation across different European countries. Second, and of greater significance, by using the case study of Spain, we evaluate to what extent the current fees on trucks and trains reflect their social marginal costs, and consequently lead to an allocative-efficient outcome. We found that for the average case in Spain the truck industry meets more of the marginal social cost produced by it than does the freight railroad industry. The reason for this lies in the large sums of money paid by truck companies in fuel taxes, and the subsidies that continue to be granted by the government to the railroads.

Real-World Performance of Longitudinal Barriers Struck by Large Trucks

Outside of relatively limited crash testing with large trucks, very little is known regarding the performance of traffic barriers subjected to real-world large truck impacts. The purpose of this study was to investigate real-world large truck impacts into traffic barriers to determine barrier crash involvement rates, the impact performance of barriers not specifically designed to redirect large trucks, and the real-world performance of large-truck-specific barriers. Data sources included the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (2000-2009), the General Estimates System (2000-2009) and 155 in-depth large truck-to-barrier crashes from the Large Truck Crash Causation Study. Large truck impacts with a longitudinal barrier were found to comprise 3 percent of all police-reported longitudinal barrier impacts and roughly the same proportion of barrier fatalities. Based on a logistic regression model predicting barrier penetration, large truck barrier penetration risk was found to increase by a factor of 6 for impacts with barriers designed primarily for passenger vehicles. Although large-truck-specific barriers were found to perform better than non-heavy vehicle specific barriers, the penetration rate of these barriers were found to be 17 percent. This penetration rate is especially a concern because the higher test level barriers are designed to protect other road users, not the occupants of the large truck. Surprisingly, barriers not specifically designed for large truck impacts were found to prevent large truck penetration approximately half of the time. This suggests that adding costlier higher test level barriers may not always be warranted, especially on roadways with lower truck volumes.

Use of straight and curved 3-dimensional titanium miniplates for fracture fixation at the mandibular angle

PURPOSE: The aim of this follow-up study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of a new type of 3-dimensional (3D) miniplate for open reduction and monocortical fixation of mandibular angle fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 20 consecutive patients, noncomminuted mandibular angle fractures were treated with open reduction and fixation using a 2 mm 3D miniplate system in a transoral approach. All patients were systematically monitored until 6 months postoperatively. Among the outcome parameters recorded were infection, hardware failure, wound dehiscence, and sensory disturbance of the inferior alveolar nerve. RESULTS: The mean operation time from incision to wound closure was 65 minutes. Two patients had a mucosal wound dehiscence with no consequences. None developed an infection requiring a plate removal. All but 2 patients had normal sensory function 3 months after surgery. Plate fracture occurred in one patient in whom a preceding surgical removal of the third molar had been the reason for the mandibular fracture. In the absence of clinical symptoms, the patient declined plate removal. On final follow-up, fracture healing was considered clinically complete in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D plating system described here is suitable for fixation of simple mandibular angle fractures and is an easy-to-use alternative to conventional miniplates. The system may be contraindicated in patients in whom insufficient interfragmentary bone contact causes minor stability of the fracture.