The effects of velocity distribution functions (VDF) that exhibit a power-law dependence on the high-energy tail have been the subject of intense research by the space plasma community. Such functions, known as superthermal or kappa distributions, have been found to provide a better fitting to the VDF measured by several spacecraft in the plasma environment of the solar wind. In the literature, the general treatment for waves excited by (bi-)Maxwellian plasmas is well-established. However, for kappa distributions, either isotropic or anisotropic, the wave characteristics have been studied mostly for the limiting cases of purely parallel or perpendicular propagation. Contributions for the general case of obliquely-propagating waves have been scarcely reported so far. In this work we introduce a mathematical formalism that provides expressions for the dielectric tensor components and subsequent dispersion relations for oblique propagating dispersive Alfvén waves (DAW) resulting from a kappa VDF. We employ an isotropic distribution, but the methods used here can be easily applied to more general anisotropic distributions, such as the bi-kappa or product-bi-kappa. The effect of the kappa index and thermal corrections on the dispersion relations of DAW is discussed.

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Aim: To compare 24-month pulp health outcomes of partial caries removal (PCR) and total caries removal (TCR) with composite restoration in primary molars. Methods: 48 children aged 3-8 years with at least one molar with a deep carious lesion were included. 120 teeth were randomized to control (TCR; n = 54; 69% class II) and test (PCR; n = 66; 63% class II) groups. Total absence of carious tissue was confirmed using a blunt-tipped probe in the TCR group. For PCR, excavation was stopped when hardened, dried dentin with a leathery consistency was achieved. Pulpotomy was performed in cases of pulp exposure. Results: Pulp exposure occurred in 2 and 27.5% of teeth treated with PCR and TCR, respectively (p < 0.01). The operative time was significantly higher for TCR than PCR. Success rates were 92 and 96% in the PCR and TCR groups, respectively (p = 0.34). The success rate tended to be lower in occlusoproximal (92%) than in occlusal (100%) lesions (p = 0.08). Conclusion: The clinical and radiographic success rates of PCR and TCR in primary teeth with deep carious lesions were high and did not differ significantly, indicating that PCR is a reliable minimally invasive approach in primary teeth and that the retention of carious dentin does not interfere with pulp vitality. Moreover, PCR provided other clinically relevant advantages over TCR, especially lower incidence of pulp exposure and lower operative time. (c) 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

BACKGROUND: There are scarce data on the impact of the periodontal condition in the control of biomarkers in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study is to assess whether periodontal inflammation and tissue breakdown are associated with C-reactive protein (CRP) and lipids in patients with stable heart disease. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 93 patients with stable coronary artery disease (57 males; mean age: 63.5 +/- 9.8 years) who were in outpatient care for at least 6 months. After applying a structured questionnaire, periodontal examinations were performed by two calibrated periodontists in six sites per tooth at all teeth. Blood samples were collected from patients on the day of periodontal examination to determine levels of CRP, lipids, and glycated hemoglobin. Multiple linear regression models were fitted to evaluate the association among different periodontal and blood parameters controlling for sex, body mass index, glycated hemoglobin, use of oral hypoglycemic drugs, and smoking. RESULTS: Overall, the sample presented high levels of periodontal inflammation and tissue breakdown. Unadjusted mean concentrations of triglycerides (TGs), very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glucose were significantly higher in individuals with severe periodontitis. When multiple linear regression models were applied, number of teeth with clinical attachment loss >/=6 mm and presence of severe periodontitis were significantly associated with higher CRP concentrations. Bleeding on probing was significantly associated with TGs, total cholesterol, and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. CONCLUSION: In this sample of patients with stable CVD, current periodontal inflammation and tissue breakdown are associated with cardiovascular inflammatory markers, such as CRP and lipid profile.

This paper discusses an automated approach to database change management throughout the companies’ development workflow. By using automated tools, companies can avoid common issues related to manual database deployments. This work was motivated by analyzing usual problems within organizations, mostly originated from manual interventions that may result in systems disruptions and production incidents. In addition to practices of continuous integration and continuous delivery, the current paper describes a case study in which a suggested pipeline is implemented in order to reduce the deployment times and decrease incidents due to ineffective data controlling.

A criatividade é um fator essencial para a competitividade dos produtos e o sucesso das empresas. Existe uma série de técnicas criativas que podem ser utilizadas por equipes de projeto de produto. Porém, ocorrem dificuldades na aplicação sistemática dessas técnicas no momento de gerar as concepções de projeto. O objetivo deste trabalho é discutir o uso de técnicas criativas para a geração de ideias de produtos durante o Processo de Desenvolvimento de Produtos (PDP). Foi realizado um estudo experimental por meio do desenvolvimento de um produto que auxilie no transporte de crianças. O desenvolvimento do produto foi realizado até a etapa de projeto conceitual. Para isso, foi utilizado o jogo Creative Sketch na geração de ideias, assim como, técnicas de avaliação e seleção de concepções de projeto para eleger as concepções mais adequadas aos requisitos de projeto. A utilização do jogo possibilitou a geração de 72 ideias em um curto período de tempo. Além do jogo, utilizaram-se o método da síntese funcional e a técnica da matriz morfológica para a geração de alternativas, assim como o método de Pugh para a seleção das melhores alternativas. Como resultado desse processo obtiveram-se duas concepções de produto que atenderam aos requisitos de projeto estabelecidos. Palavras-chave: Criatividade, Técnicas para a geração de ideias, PDP, Jogo, Seleção de concepções.

The goal this article is to show an alternative to the process of making orthoses of a lower limb through of 3D scanning system of cost low. This alternative eliminates the plaster process traditionally utilized in the manufacture of orthoses of the lower limb. Therefore, was done an analysis of the manufacturing process orthoses in a specialist manufactory in a Porto Alegre – RS city. After that was done a 3D scanning in a subject for verification of possibility to make a virtual 3D model of the scanned leg. The 3D scanner utilized during the 3D scanning process was the Kinect device of the Microsoft. Thus, the manufacturing process orthoses by 3D scanning obtained satisfactory results, may be a solution for replaced of plaster model in the manufacturing process. The work is in progress for verification and analysis of precision between the plaster models and virtual model obtained through of the low-cost 3D scanning system.

This work presents the HyperCAL 3D, an application to support the teaching and learning process of Descriptive Geometry through the study of solid objects. The methodology used for its implementation and the main features of the application are described. A selection of concepts was carried out to determine the functional structure of the software should have. From this, the main features were modeled through processes of vector geometry equivalent to that used in Descriptive Geometry. The main features introduced include the projection process, the representation of hidden lines in the three-dimensional model and the projections, successive auxiliary views in real time, and the intersection process. All these tools are implemented in an application that aids the learning process of the students and the teaching procedures of professors.

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