Showing papers by "Universidade Federal de Pelotas published in 2014"

Longevity of Posterior Composite Restorations A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract: The aim of this meta-analysis, based on individual participant data from several studies, was to investigate the influence of patient-, materials-, and tooth-related variables on the survival of posterior resin composite restorations. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted a search resulting in 12 longitudinal studies of direct posterior resin composite restorations with at least 5 years' follow-up. Original datasets were still available, including placement/failure/censoring of restorations, restored surfaces, materials used, reasons for clinical failure, and caries-risk status. A database including all restorations was constructed, and a multivariate Cox regression method was used to analyze variables of interest [patient (age; gender; caries-risk status), jaw (upper; lower), number of restored surfaces, resin composite and adhesive materials, and use of glass-ionomer cement as base/liner (present or absent)]. The hazard ratios with respective 95% confidence intervals were determined, and annual failure rates were calculated for subgroups. Of all restorations, 2,816 (2,585 Class II and 231 Class I) were included in the analysis, of which 569 failed during the observation period. Main reasons for failure were caries and fracture. The regression analyses showed a significantly higher risk of failure for restorations in high-caries-risk individuals and those with a higher number of restored surfaces.

Depth of maximum of air-shower profiles at the Pierre Auger Observatory. I. Measurements at energies above 10(17.8) eV

Abstract: We report a study of the distributions of the depth of maximum, X-max, of extensive air-shower profiles with energies above 10(17.8) eV as observed with the fluorescence telescopes of the Pierre Auger Observatory. The analysis method for selecting a data sample with minimal sampling bias is described in detail as well as the experimental cross-checks and systematic uncertainties. Furthermore, we discuss the detector acceptance and the resolution of the X-max measurement and provide parametrizations thereof as a function of energy. The energy dependence of the mean and standard deviation of the X-max distributions are compared to air-shower simulations for different nuclear primaries and interpreted in terms of the mean and variance of the logarithmic mass distribution at the top of the atmosphere.

Autocalibration of accelerometer data for free-living physical activity assessment using local gravity and temperature: an evaluation on four continents

Abstract: Wearable acceleration sensors are increasingly used for the assessment of free-living physical activity. Acceleration sensor calibration is a potential source of error. This study aims to describe and evaluate an autocalibration method to minimize calibration error using segments within the free-living records (no extra experiments needed). The autocalibration method entailed the extraction of nonmovement periods in the data, for which the measured vector magnitude should ideally be the gravitational acceleration (1 g); this property was used to derive calibration correction factors using an iterative closest-point fitting process. The reduction in calibration error was evaluated in data from four cohorts: UK (n = 921), Kuwait (n = 120), Cameroon (n = 311), and Brazil (n = 200). Our method significantly reduced calibration error in all cohorts (P 0.05). Temperature correction coefficients were highest for the z-axis, e.g., 19.6-mg offset per 5°C. Further, application of the autocalibration method had a significant impact on typical metrics used for describing human physical activity, e.g., in Brazil average wrist acceleration was 0.2 to 51% lower than uncalibrated values depending on metric selection (P < 0.01). The autocalibration method as presented helps reduce the calibration error in wearable acceleration sensor data and improves comparability of physical activity measures across study locations. Temperature ultization seems essential when temperature deviates substantially from the average temperature in the record but not for multiday summary measures.

The role of resin cement on bond strength of glass-fiber posts luted into root canals: a systematic review and meta-analysis of in vitro studies.

Abstract: Because there are several ways to cement glass-fiber posts (GFPs) into root canals, there is no consensus on the best strategy to achieve high bond strengths. A systematic review was conducted to determine if there is difference in bond strength to dentin between regular and self-adhesive resin cements and to verify the influence of several variables on the retention of GFPs. This report followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. In vitro studies that investigated the bond strength of GFPs luted with self-adhesive and regular resin cements were selected. Searches were carried out in the PubMed and Scopus databases. No publication year or language limit was used, and the last search was done in October 2012. A global comparison was performed between self-adhesive and regular resin cements. Two subgroup analyses were performed: 1) Self-adhesive × Regular resin cement + Etch-and-rinse adhesive and 2) Self-adhesive × Regular resin cement + Self-etch adhesive. The analyses were carried out using fixed-effect and random-effects models. The results showed heterogeneity in all comparisons, and higher bond strength to dentin was identified for self-adhesive cements. Although the articles included in this meta-analysis showed high heterogeneity and high risk of bias, the in vitro literature seems to suggest that use of self-adhesive resin cement could improve the retention of GFPs into root canals.

The PREDICTS database: a global database of how local terrestrial biodiversity responds to human impacts

Abstract: Biodiversity continues to decline in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures such as habitat destruction, exploitation, pollution and introduction of alien species Existing global databases of species’ threat status or population time series are dominated by charismatic species The collation of datasets with broad taxonomic and biogeographic extents, and that support computation of a range of biodiversity indicators, is necessary to enable better understanding of historical declines and to project – and avert – future declines We describe and assess a new database of more than 16 million samples from 78 countries representing over 28,000 species, collated from existing spatial comparisons of local-scale biodiversity exposed to different intensities and types of anthropogenic pressures, from terrestrial sites around the world The database contains measurements taken in 208 (of 814) ecoregions, 13 (of 14) biomes, 25 (of 35) biodiversity hotspots and 16 (of 17) megadiverse countries The database contains more than 1% of the total number of all species described, and more than 1% of the described species within many taxonomic groups – including flowering plants, gymnosperms, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, beetles, lepidopterans and hymenopterans The dataset, which is still being added to, is therefore already considerably larger and more representative than those used by previous quantitative models of biodiversity trends and responses The database is being assembled as part of the PREDICTS project (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems – wwwpredictsorguk) We make site-level summary data available alongside this article The full database will be publicly available in 2015

International standards for early fetal size and pregnancy dating based on ultrasound measurement of crown-rump length in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Abstract: Objectives There are no international standards for relating fetal crown‐rump length (CRL) to gestational age (GA), and most existing charts have considerable methodological limitations. The INTERGROWTH-21 st Project aimed to produce the first international standards for early fetal size and ultrasound dating of pregnancy based on CRL measurement. Methods Urban areas in eight geographically diverse countries that met strict eligibility criteria were selected for the prospective, population-based recruitment, between 9 +0 and 13 +6weeks’ gestation, of healthy well-nourished women with singleton pregnancies at low risk of fetal growth impairment. GA was calculated on the basis of a certain last menstrual period, regular menstrual cycle and lack of hormonal medication or breastfeeding in the preceding 2 months. CRL was measured using strict protocols and quality-control measures. All women were followed up throughout pregnancy until delivery and hospital discharge. Cases of neonatal and fetal death, severe pregnancy complications and congenital abnormalities were excluded from the study.

Três gerações de políticas públicas para a agricultura familiar e formas de interação entre sociedade e estado no Brasil

Abstract: Este artigo analisa a trajetoria de construcao de politicas publicas para a agricultura familiar no Brasil, procurando enfatizar as "geracoes" ou referenciais de politicas publicas fortalecidos em alguns momentos-chaves, o modo como estes referenciais foram construidos e as relacoes entre Estado e sociedade civil. A analise aponta para a emergencia, em periodos e contextos distintos, de tres geracoes ou referenciais de politica publica para a agricultura familiar, sendo o primeiro pautado pelo fortalecimento do vies agricola e agrario da categoria social; o segundo focado em politicas sociais e assistenciais e o terceiro, pela construcao de mercados orientados pela seguranca alimentar e pela sustentabilidade ambiental. Nesta analise tambem e destacado que as relacoes entre Estado e sociedade civil modificaram-se e complexificaram-se ao longo do tempo. De posturas criticas e reivindicativas, a sociedade civil passou a ser propositiva e, mais recentemente, tambem parceira na execucao e cogestao das politicas publicas. Cabe destacar que as tres geracoes de politicas publicas e as diversas formas de relacionamento entre sociedade civil e Estado convivem atualmente nas arenas publicas.

MMP Inhibitors on Dentin Stability A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract: The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature for in vitro and ex vivo studies that evaluated the effect of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors during the adhesive procedure on the immediate and long-term resin-dentin bond strength. The search was conducted in 6 databases with no publication year or language limits, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. From 1,336 potentially eligible studies, 48 were selected for full-text analysis, and 30 were included for review, with 17 considered in the meta-analysis. Two reviewers independently selected the studies, extracted the data, and assessed the risk of bias. Pooled effect estimates were expressed as the weighted mean difference between groups. The most used MMP inhibitor was chlorhexidine (CHX). Immediate bond strength results showed no difference between 2% CHX and control; however, a difference was found between 0.2% CHX and control at baseline. After aging, CHX presented higher bond strength values compared to control groups (p < .05). However, this was not observed for longer periods of aging. High heterogeneity was found in some comparisons, especially for the water storage aging subgroup. Subgroup analyses showed that self-etching and etch-and-rinse adhesives are benefited by the CHX use. From the studies included, only 1 presented low risk of bias, while the others showed medium or high risk of bias. The use of MMP inhibitors did not affect the immediate bond strength overall, while it influenced the aged bond strength. Aging procedures influenced bond strength values of the dentin adhesion stability.

Continuing to Confront COPD International Patient Survey: methods, COPD prevalence, and disease burden in 2012–2013

Abstract: Purpose: The Continuing to Confront COPD International Patient Survey aimed to estimate the prevalence and burden of COPD globally and to update findings from the Confronting COPD International Survey conducted in 1999-2000. Materials and methods: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in 12 countries worldwide were identified through systematic screening of population samples. Telephone and face-to-face interviews were conducted between November 2012 and May 2013 using a structured survey that incorporated validated patient-reported outcome instruments. Eligible patients were adults aged 40 years and older who were taking regular respiratory medications or suffered with chronic respiratory symptoms and reported either 1) a physician diagnosis of COPD/emphysema, 2) a physician diagnosis of chronic bronchitis, or 3) a symptom-based definition of chronic bronchitis. The burden of COPD was measured with the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale. Results: Of 106,876 households with at least one person aged >= 40 years, 4,343 respondents fulfilled the case definition of COPD and completed the full survey. COPD prevalence ranged from 7% to 12%, with most countries falling within the range of 7%-9%. In all countries, prevalence increased with age, and in all countries except the US was greater among men (range 6%-14%) than among women (range 5%-11%). A significant disease burden was observed when considering COPD symptoms or health status, and showed wide variations across countries. Prevalence of moderate-to-severe dyspnea (mMRC scale >= 2) ranged from 27% to 61%, and mean CAT score ranged from 16.0 to 24.8, indicating medium-to-high impairment. Conclusion: This survey, representing 12 countries, showed similar rates of estimated COPD prevalence across countries that were higher than those reported a decade ago in the original Confronting COPD International Survey. A significant burden of COPD was demonstrated by symptoms and health care-resource use, similar to that reported in the original survey.

Calibration of ActiGraph GT3X, Actical and RT3 accelerometers in adolescents.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to develop count cut-points for three different accelerometer models: ActiGraph GT3X, RT3 and Actical to accurately classify physical activity intensity levels in adolescents. Seventy-nine adolescents (10-15 years) participated in this study. Accelerometers and oxygen consumption ([Formula: see text]) data were collected at rest and during 11 physical activities of different intensities. Accelerometers were worn on the waist and [Formula: see text] was measured by a portable metabolic system: Cosmed K4b2. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine cut-points. Cut-points for sedentary (SED), moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) and vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA) were 46, 607 and 818 counts·15s(-1) to the vertical axis of ActiGraph; 180, 757 and 1112 counts·15s(-1) to the vector magnitude of ActiGraph; 17, 441 and 873 counts·15s(-1) for Actical; and 5.6, 20.4 and 32.2 counts·s(-1) for RT3, respectively. For all three accelerometer models, there was an almost perfect discrimination of SED and MVPA (ROC >0.97) and an excellent discrimination of VPA (ROC>0.90) observed. Areas under the ROC curves indicated better discrimination of MVPA by ActiGraph (AUC=0.994) and Actical (AUC=0.993) when compared to RT3 (AUC=0.983). The cut-points developed in this study for the ActiGraph (vector magnitude), RT3 and Actical accelerometer models can be used to monitor physical activity level of adolescents.

Formosa papaya seed powder (FPSP): Preparation, characterization and application as an alternative adsorbent for the removal of crystal violet from aqueous phase

Abstract: Formosa papaya ( Carica papaya L.) seed powder (FPSP), a solid byproduct from industrial and agricultural activities, was used as an alternative adsorbent for the removal of crystal violet (CV) from aqueous solutions. The FPSP was characterized by specific surface area (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermal analysis (TGA) and Boehm titration techniques. The effects of initial pH of solution, adsorbent dosage, contact time and initial dye concentration on CV adsorption were studied using batch contact mode at 25 °C. Kinetic data were evaluated by pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and Elovich models. The equilibrium adsorption was analyzed by Langmuir, Freundlich and Redlich–Peterson isotherms. Desorption studies were also performed. The results indicated that the pseudo-second order model agreed very well with the kinetic data. The adsorption of CV onto FPSP was well fitted using Langmuir isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained by the Langmuir model was 85.99 mg g −1 . Regeneration of FPSP adsorbent was obtained satisfactory using 1.00 mol L −1 CH 3 COOH as eluent. These results demonstrated that FPSP is a promising adsorbent to remove CV from aqueous solutions.

A Review of the Quality of Behaviorally-Based Intervention Research to Improve Social Interaction Skills of Children with ASD in Inclusive Settings

Abstract: Students with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) often have difficulties in social interaction skills, which may prevent their successful inclusion in general education placements. Behaviorally-based social skills interventions have been shown to be effective in attenuating such difficulties in these environments. In light of the increasing number of children with ASD being educated in inclusive settings and requirements for the use of research-based interventions in schools, this paper (1) analyzes the quality of single-case research using behaviorally-based interventions to improve social interaction skills of children with ASD in inclusive settings and (2) evaluates whether such interventions can be considered an evidence-based practice. Characteristics and components of the interventions are summarized, and their implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Institutional Environment for Entrepreneurship in Rapidly Emerging Major Economies: The Case of Brazil, China, India, and Korea

Abstract: The country institutional profile (CIP) construct has become the most widely used conceptualization of institutional environment for entrepreneurship. This construct is frequently employed to study institutional forces influencing entrepreneurial activity at the national level. However, relatively little is known about the cross-national equivalence of the construct. Moreover, the institutional environment for entrepreneurship in emerging economies remains largely under-explored. To address these issues, in the current study, we used the most frequently utilized CIP scale to collect data from 809 young adults in four rapidly emerging countries: Brazil, China, India, and South Korea. We examined the invariance of the CIP construct and unraveled differences in perceived institutional profiles among these rapidly emerging economies. Results support the CIP construct as largely invariant in the four REME countries and revealed important differences in specific aspects of institutional environments in these countries. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.