Variations in Function and Vocal Acoustic Characteristics After Orthognathic Surgery: Preliminary Results

Objective: To determine the effects of orthognathic surgery on oral function and vocal quality in order to assess the need for speech therapy after surgery. Material and Methods: Thirty-seven patients scheduled for mono-jaw surgery, specifically maxillary (G1:15 patients), mandibular advancement (G2:10 patients) or mandibular set-back (G3:12 patients), were recruited for this prospective cohort study. Evaluation of oral functions, video recordings of speech articulation and audio recordings of voice were obtained before surgery (T0), and at 1 (T1) and 6 months (T2) after surgery. Spectrographic analysis and self-evaluation questionnaire regarding the vocal performance (VAPP) were performed. Both qualitative and quantitative statistical analysis was performed, mainly using generalized linear models for dichotomous data (p<0.05). Results: The formant frequencies (F1 and F2) of the main vowels vary after orthognathic surgery according to the type of surgery. Before surgery, 84% of patients analyzed showed difficulties in breathing and positioning the tongue both at rest and swallowing. Thanks to surgical correction of the malocclusion, the major part of these issues were resolved within 6 months. In 25% of cases, a change in the voice and/or articulation had occurred. Conclusion: Vocality improves after orthognathic surgery and it changes in relation to the type of surgery. However, vocality did not normalize completely. Speech assessment should be considered after surgery in order to offer adequate speech therapy if necessary

Sulla limitazione degli effetti di un'estesa colata detritica nel comune di San Vito di Cadore (BL, Italia)

Viene presentata una proposta di intervento mirata a mitigare gli effetti di una colata detritica sull\u2019abitato di Chiapuzza, frazione del Comune di San Vito di Cadore (Belluno, Italia), e sulla Strada Statale n.51, nel tratto compreso tra San Vito e Cortina d\u2019Ampezzo. Vengono presentate le problematiche di carattere geologico, geotecnico e idraulico che caratterizzano il fenomeno e le gravi ripercussioni indotte periodicamente sulla viabilit\ue0 della zona. Per la progettazione di opere durature ed efficaci, volte a proteggere la frazione e la strada, sono stati condotti ampi studi di carattere fotogeologico, topografico, stratigrafico, geomeccanico, geotecnico e forestale, congiuntamente a un\u2019analisi storica dei dissesti avvenuti negli ultimi 45 anni. Le parti principali di questi studi preliminari sono riportati nel presente articolo, unitamente ad una breve descrizione della proposta progettuale

Cable crane use under sustainable forest management in North-eastern Italian Alps

A study was carried out in the Comunit\ue0 Montana Comelico e Sappada (Belluno Province - Northern Italy) measuring some operational parameters of 80 cable cranes lines. The study adopts the same methodology of a previous study carried in a similar area (Cavalli et al. 2001) and it represents a widening of the same subjects. The aim of the study was to determine the volume of trees yarded per unit of cable line length in order to define if the cable logging is properly applied in the area of the Comunit\ue0 Montana and if it meets the sustainable forest management criteria adopted in the north-eastern Italian Alps. The number and the volume of trees that must be felled in order to create the skyline corridor were also investigated. This information was considered useful in planning cable crane utilisation because it could allow to defined the reserve to be devoted to the skyline corridor when the cable crane system is selected after the main marking operation. The data have allowed to developed some indicators that give an analytical description of the conditions of use of cable cranes in the area considered. The results confirm the possibility to utilize the indicators for suitable management of cable crane planning and utilisation, providing a useful tool for verifying the proper use of such yarding equipment in the Comunit\ue0 Montana Comelico e Sappada

R( 12 )pantoyllactone-\u3b2-?-glucopyranoside : characterization of a metabolite from rice seedlings

A new derivative of pantoic acid, R(-) pantoyllactone-beta-D-glucopyranoside, has been isolated from rice seedlings and its structure determined. beta-Glucosidase hydrolysed it to D-glucose and R(-)pantoyllactone. Alkaline hydrolysis converted it to the salt of 2-R(-)pantoic acid beta-D-glucopyranoside. It accumulated in rice shoots but not in roots

Natural convection reactor

A previous report described the conceptual design of a plutonium producing reactor that may be characterized as follows: Power output (2000 MW); cooling - (natural convection of light water through the reactor, up through a draft tube to an evaporative cooling pond, then back to the reactor, and fuel (400 to 500 tons of uranium enriched to 1.2% U-235). Because this reactor would be cooled by the natural convection of light water, it is believed that the construction costs would be significantly less than for a Savannah or Hanford type reactor. Such expensive items as water treatment and water pumping facilities would be eliminated entirely. The inventory of 500 tons of slightly enriched uranium, however, is an unattractive feature. It represents not only a large dollar investment but also makes the reactor less attractive for construction during periods of national emergency because of the almost certain scarcity of even slightly enriched uranium at that time. The Atomic Energy Commission asked that the design be reviewed with the objective of reducing the inventory of uranium, The results of this review are given in this report

Effects of oxygen level on metabolism and development of seedlings of Trapa natans and two ecologically related species

Seeds of the water plant Trapa natans L. (water chestnut) can germinate in strict anoxia. The seedlings show seminal roots growing upwards while shoot buds remain quiescent until O2 becomes available. Trapa seedlings are highly tolerant to anoxia. The rate of ethanol fermentation was 21.2 \u3bcmol (g FW) 121 h 121, while production of lactate was negligible and lower than that of succinate. The seminal root of Trapa compares better to the rice coleoptile rather than to the rice root, both functionally and as to the metabolic response to anoxia. The anaerobic germination of Nuphar luteum L. and Scirpus mucronatus L. was also characterized by a limited developmental program