Navigation filters for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles during geotechnical surveying experiments

This paper describes two navigation filters designed for an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) for geotechnical surveying. Both a Luenberger observer for a kinematic model of the vehicle as well as an extended Kalman filter for its dynamic model are addressed. The filters allow to fuse information coming from a Global Positioning System (GPS), a compass, a gyro, a depth meter, and acoustic based range measurements. A thruster model mapping low level actuator commands to vehicle surge velocity is also exploited in the design. The performances of both filters have been compared using the experimental data collected during the H2020 WiMUST (Widely scalable Mobile Underwater Sonar Technology) project experiments

Assessing metastasis risk after pre-operative anti-angiogenic therapy

Anti‐angiogenic drugs are approved for the treatment of several cancer types, generally in the inoperable locally advanced or metastatic setting and in combination with other anti‐cancer agents. Recent clinical studies also suggest that anti‐angiogenic drugs can be useful in the pre‐operative (neoadjuvant) setting, by facilitating the shrinkage of the primary tumour and its surgical resection. However, the effects of neoadjuvant anti‐angiogenic therapy on the ability of tumours to form distant metastases are unclear. In this issue of EMBO Molecular Medicine, Ebos et al (2014) present carefully performed pre‐clinical studies in mice that analyse the effects of pre‐operative anti‐angiogenic therapy on tumour metastasis and survival

PM 10 Time Series Analysis Through Geostatistical Techniques

Particulate matter (PM) is an air pollutant comes from vehicular traffic, industrial activities and street dust, or from the atmosphere, by transformation of the gaseous emissions. In recent years the interest in the health effects of this pollutant have increased, since high concentration levels in urban area have been measured. Several studies suggest an association between fine particulate air pollution and the increase of the mortality rate. In particular, PM up to 10 micrometers in size (PM10) could cause negative health effects such as respiratory illness or cardiovascular problems. Hence, the analysis of temporal evolution of this pollutant could be useful in decision-making process for environmental policy. Typically, in time series analysis, the Box-Jenkins methodology is widely applied and the autocorrelation function (ACF) is used as a standard exploratory tool to identify the model structure . In this context, the use of geostatistical techniques could also be convenient, nevertheless these techniques are usually applied to analyze, through the variogram, spatial relationships among sample data measured at some locations in a domain and to predict the corresponding spatial phenomena

Dental caries and food practices among children attending daycare centers in the city of São Paulo, Brazil

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated associations between the prevalence of dental caries and introduction of complementary foods in children aged 11 to 34 months attending daycare centers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 288 children from eight daycare centers in São Paulo, 2007. The modified decay-missing-filled index, used for diagnosis, was investigated by a team of three trained dentists aiming at precision and accuracy. Food introduction was assessed using a pre-codified and pre-tested questionnaire. The Chisquare test was used to quantify associations and logistic regression models (p<0.05) were adjusted for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 228 children aged 11 to 34 months (M=24 months, SD=6.02). Of these, 53.9% were male and 57.45% attended philanthropic daycare centers. Seventy-seven percent of the sample had modified decay-missing-filled index ≥1 and the average modified decay-missing-filled index of the population is 3.8. Significant risk factors according to modified decay-missing-filled index were being male (OR=1.815, p=0.03) and paternal formal education of less than eight years (OR=1.94, p=0.02). The logistic regression model identified the exposure to simple carbohydrates as an independent risk factor, after controlling for the effects of sex and parental educational. Such exposure increased the chances of having modified decay-missing-filled index ≥1 by 2.5 times. CONCLUSION: Special attention should be given to this group of individuals, implementing preventive policies in oral health and building healthy food habits in daycare centers.OBJETIVO: Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar associações entre a cárie dentária e a introdução de alimentos complementares em crianças de 11 a 34 meses matriculadas em creches. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo transversal com 288 crianças de oito creches do município de São Paulo, realizado em 2007. Para o diagnóstico da cárie dentária foi utilizado o Índice de Cárie Modificado, que foi investigado por uma equipe de três cirurgiãs-dentistas treinadas quanto à precisão e acurácia. A introdução de alimentos foi avaliada por meio de questionário pré-codificado e pré-testado. Para quantificar as associações foi utilizado o teste Quiquadrado. Para análise multivariada foram ajustados modelos de regressão logística (p<0,05). RESULTADOS: Foram examinadas 228 crianças com idade entre 11 e 34 meses (M=24 meses; Dp=6,02), das quais 53,9% eram do sexo masculino e 57,45% frequentavam creches filantrópicas. A maioria da amostra (77,0%) apresentou Índice de Cárie Modificado igual ou superior a 1, enquanto o índice médio encontrado foi de 3,8 cáries por criança. Como fatores de risco significantes, foram identificados o sexo masculino (OR=1,815; p=0,03) e a escolaridade paterna inferior a oito anos (OR=1,94; p=0,02). O modelo de regressão logística identificou a exposição a carboidratos simples como fator de risco independente após o controle dos efeitos de sexo e escolaridade paterna, responsável por aumento de 2,5 vezes nas chances de apresentar o Índice de Cárie Modificado igual ou superior a 1. CONCLUSÃO: Atenção especial deve ser dada a esse grupo de indivíduos, adotando-se políticas preventivas em saúde bucal e formação de hábitos alimentares saudáveis nas creches.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de PediatriaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de PediatriaSciEL

The interplay between macrophages and angiogenesis in development, tissue injury and regeneration

During organ development and remodeling, macrophages support angiogenesis, not only by secreting proangiogenic growth factors and matrix-remodeling proteases, but also by physically interacting with the sprouting vasculature to assist the formation of complex vascular networks. Recent data further indicate that embryonic and tumor-associated macrophages express similar genetic programs, possibly suggesting convergent functions in organogenesis and tumorigenesis. In this article, we review the role of macrophages in development, tissue injury and regeneration, by focusing on the mechanisms used by subsets of these cells, such as the TIE2-expressing macrophages, to regulate angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in both fetal and post-natal life

Long-Term Outcomes of Conventional Aortic Valve Replacement in High-Risk Patients: Where Do We Stand?

Purpose: The introduction of transcatheter aortic valves has focused attention on the results of conventional aortic valve surgery in high-risk patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate 5-years outcomes in this category of patients in the current surgical era. Methods: This is an observational retrospective study of 581 high-risk patients undergoing aortic valve replacement from 2008 to 2013, with a mean logistic EuroSCORE of 26.6% ± 14.6%. Data were prospectively collected in a database of Emilia-Romagna region (Italy). Results: Overall 30-day mortality was 9.3%. Stroke rate was 1.5%. At 1-, 3-, and 5-years overall mortality was 18.2%, 30.4%, and 42.2%, cardiac death rate was 3.9%, 9.2%, and 12.9%, stroke rate 2.5%, 7.7%, and 10.2%, re-operation occurrence 0.2%, 0.9% and 1.3%, and new pacemaker implantation was 2.3%, 5.1% and 7.8%. At multivariate analysis, urgency, hemodynamic instability, LVEF ≤30%, NYHA III-IV, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), extra-cardiac arteriopathy, cerebrovascular disease, and creatinine >2.0 mg/dL remained independent predictors of 5-year mortality. Conclusion: The results of the current study add weight to the evidence that traditional aortic valve replacement can be performed in high-risk patients with satisfactory 5-year mortality and morbidity. Our study may help to improve decision-making in this category of high-risk patients with aortic valve disease

Conhecimento e inovação organizacional em unidades de produção de alimentos da agricultura orgânica

O objetivo deste artigo é compreender o processo de construção do conhecimento e de inovações organizacionais em unidades de produção de alimentos orgânicos no município de Porto Alegre, estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Através de uma análise exploratória e qualitativa, por meio da realização de estudos de casos, percebeu-se que os conhecimentos tácitos dos produtores influenciam na forma como eles percebem os problemas e as oportunidades de seu ambiente de atuação e determinam, também, processos de socialização do conhecimento. Novos conhecimentos são adquiridos por meio de processos de interação social. No entanto, estes novos conhecimentos não estão sendo utilizados na sua forma pura, mas combinados, ou recontextualizados, as suas práticas tácitas produtivas, gerando nova gestão prática por meio de novas rotinas e processos administrativos, principalmente destinados a adequação de suas unidades de produção as exigências de certificação e fiscalização.El objetivo de este artículo es comprender el proceso de construcción del conocimiento y de las innovaciones organizacionales en unidades de producción de alimentos orgánicos del municipio de Porto Alegre, estado de Rio Grande del Sur, Brasil. A través de un análisis exploratorio y cualitativo realizado por medio de investigación de campo, se percibió que los conocimientos tácitos de los productores influyen en la forma cómo ellos perciben los problemas y las oportunidades de su ambiente de actuación, al tiempo que determinan también los procesos de socialización del conocimiento. Los nuevos conocimientos son adquiridos a través de procesos de interacción social. Sin embargo, no están siendo utilizados en su forma pura, sino más bien combinados o contextualizados en sus prácticas productivas tácitas. Ello genera nueva gestión práctica a través de nuevas rutinas y procesos administrativos, principalmente destinados a la adecuación de sus unidades de producción de las exigencias de certificación y fiscalización.The aim of the current article is to investigate the knowledge construction and organizational innovation process in organic food production units located in Porto Alegre County, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The exploratory and qualitative analysis conducted through field research showed that producers’ tacit knowledge influences how they perceive problems and opportunities in their action environment, as well as determine knowledge socialization processes. Additionally, new knowledge is acquired through social interaction processes; however, such knowledge is not used in its pure form: it is rather combined or re-contextualized. Thus, productive tacit practices generate new practical management through new administrative routines and processes, which are mainly used to help production units to meet certification and inspection requirements.Le but de cet article est d’étudier le processus de construction des connaissances et des innovations organisationnelles dans les unités de production d’aliments organiques situées à Porto Alegre (État de Rio Grande do Sul), au Brésil. Selon l’analyse exploratoire et qualitative menée à travers une enquête de terrain, les connaissances inexprimées des producteurs influencent la façon dont ils perçoivent les problèmes et les opportunités dans leur environnement d’action, ainsi que la façon dont ils déterminent les processus de socialisation du savoir. Les connaissances nouvelles sont acquises grâce à des processus d’interaction sociale. Cependant, ces nouvelles connaissances ne ont pas utilisées dans la forme pure ; elles sont combinées ou contextualisées. Ainsi, les pratiques inexprimées productives génèrent une nouvelle gestion pratique à travers de nouvelles routines et processus administratifs, qui sont principalement utilisés pour aider les unités de production à satisfaire les exigences de certification et d’inspection

Laser managed in the treatment of hypomineralized occlusal defects in teeth enamel affected by molar-incisor hypomineralization: A randomized controlled clinical study / Uso do laser no tratamento dos defeitos oclusais hipomineralizados em esmalte de dentes afetados pela hipomineralização molar-incisivo: estudo clínico controlado randomizado

Background: Nowadays, observed a growing rate of teeth affected by molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH). These teeth can present persistent inflammation of the pulp, increasing the dentin hypersensitivity and consequently, directly affecting the cleaning of the affected tooth and contributing to the progression of caries lesions. Aims: This study aims to compare the use of diode laser (DL) irradiation (970nm) with the application of a glass ionomer-based sealant (GIC) for the most clinically and cost-effective strategy for the management of first permanent molars affected with MIH. Methods: This is a two-arm, parallel-group, patient randomized superiority-controlled trial, children present MIH molars will be selected and treated either with the application of DL or with the application of GIC-based sealants. Baseline and follow-up evaluations will be assessed through clinical examination and analysis of dental impressions that will be carried out of the affected teeth. The outcomes evaluated will be: 1) presence of post-eruptive breakdown and/or atypical dentin caries lesions, 2) retention rate of sealants 3) parent’s satisfaction, 4) children’s hypersensitivity 5) child-self-reported discomfort 6) impact on the quality of life and 7) the incremental cost-effectiveness. Evaluations will be performed by one trained evaluator after one week, and 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Multilevel statistical analyzes will be conducted to establish the ability of DL treatment compared to sealing, in joining to plausible factors associated with this efficacy. Discussion: We expect that this study contributes to the best scientific proof concerning the most cost-effective treatment for permanent molars affected with MIH