Retrospective evaluation of therapeutic outcomes of functional appliances combined with headgear

Functional appliances were developed to correct mainly Class II malocclusions in growing children but the influence of those appliances on craniofacial growth is still controversial, even when used in combinations with headgear. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate skeletal, dental and tegumental cephalometric modifications induced by Teuscher activator. This study was accomplished in a mixed dentition sample of Class II malocclusions subjects with mandibular retrognatism. This appliance was effective in treating growing patients with mandibular deficiency: the correction of Class II malocclusions was an arrangement of skeletal and dentoalveolar changes and leaded to the improvement of soft tissue facial profile

The impact of polytechnic institutes on the local economy

Higher education institutions and, particularly, polytechnic institutes in Portugal are, generally speaking, recognized as the key stakeholders in regional development. However, due to the economic recession of recent years and the consequent budget constraints, higher education institutions more than ever need to demonstrate the social and cultural impact of their activities within their communities and their contribution to its economic development. The aim of this paper is to estimate the economic impact of a group of polytechnic institutes located in regions with diverse socio-economic characteristics using a common methodology. This common framework enables a comparative study and a better identification of the variables that differentiate the different regions, the respective polytechnics and their impacts.The authors of this work would like to thank the support provided by the Portuguese Polytechnics Coordinating Council (CCISP) and by the representatives of all polytechnic institutes involved in the study.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved