The Differentiation and Promotion of Students’ Rights in Portugal

This investigation includes a differential study (Study 1) and a quasi-experimental research (Study 2). In Study 1, the objective was to establish to what extent students’ rights existed and analyse the differentiation between students’ rights with Portuguese and immigrant mothers, throughout school years. The sample consisted of 537 students with Portuguese and immigrant mothers, distributed by different school years (7th, 9th and 11th grades). The Children’s Rights Scale (Hart et al., 1996; Veiga, 2001) was used. In Study 2, the purpose was to analyse the effects on students’ rights of the use by teachers of a communicational intervention program, supervised by school psychologists. The sample involved 7th and 9th grade students, in a total of four classes, two forming the experimental groups (n = 36) and two the control groups (n = 43); as in Study 1, the Children’s Rights Scale was used. The results indicated the effectiveness of the communicational intervention program on students’ rights and are consistent with previous studies. An implication is that psychologists and teachers, working together and taking a human rights perspective, may develop an important role in projects to promote the students’ rights

Biomecánica del pilar canino en el cráneo humano basada en la geometría utilizando análisis de elementos finitos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)This study evaluated the stress distribution based on the canine pillar geometry in human skull, using a finite element analysis. Computed tomography of human skull was used to build a finite element model, which was composed by all bony structures of canine pillar: canine eminence, canine fossa, frontal process of maxilla, glabellum and superciliary arch. A support on the bite contact of maxillary canine tooth and a resultant force of the masticatory muscles was applied in the simulation. Equivalent Von-mises and maximum principal stresses were analyzed along the structures that compose the canine pillar geometry. Von-mises stress presented high stress concentrated at the canine fossa and frontal process of maxilla. Maximum principal stress showed compression areas at the canine fossa and part of frontal process and tensile stress at canine eminence and part of the frontal process. In conclusion, the different stress areas means different force concentrations transmitted along the canine pillar geometry during a peak canine bite.This study evaluated the stress distribution based on the canine pillar geometry in human skull, using a finite element analysis. Computed tomography of human skull was used to build a finite element model, which was composed by all bony structures of can321214220CAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL E NÍVEL SUPERIORCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)sem informaçãoEste estudio evaluó la distribución de la tensión sobre la geometría del pilar canino en el cráneo humano, utilizando análisis de elementos finitos. Se usó la tomografía computarizada de cráneo humano para construir un modelo de elementos finitos compuestBrazil for financial support and the Center for Information Technology “Renato Archer” (Campinas, Brazil) for technical and scientific suppor

Environment Influence On Pspl-based Digital Dental Radiology Systems

Photo-stimulable phosphor luminescence technology (PSPL) has been used in Digora (Soredex, Finland) and Denoptix (CEDH Gendex, Italy) digital dental radiology imaging systems. PSPL plates store X-ray energy during exposition, being later processed by a laser reader and digitizer. Afterward they are erased and re-used. The large band of energy absorption provides PSPL systems with an extensive dynamic scale but at the same time a high sensibility to the incoming noise of environmental radiations. We have measured environment influences (electromagnetic radiation) for Digora and Denoptix plates after X-ray exposure and before digital processing. We have first compared the processing of PSPL plates "in dark" against "in light" environments. In another experiment, the exposed plates were also processed after being positioned 10 cm away from a 17 inches video monitor screen and to its laterals for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 minutes (plates protected against light). The acquired images were used to calculate the noise power spectra (NPS) in each case. We have noticed that there was an increase in the noise spectra energy of "in light" processing compared to "in dark" processing. There was also an increment in the NPS energy when the images were processed after the exposition of the plates to the radiation emanated from video monitor.4320219226Huda, W., Comparison of a photostimulable phosphor system with film for dental radiology (1997) Oral Surgery Oral Medicine Oral Pathology, 84, pp. 725-731Brettle, D.S., The imaging performance of a storage phosphor system for dental radiography (1996) The British Journal of Radiology, 69, pp. 256-261Xinhua, A novel algorithm for measuring the MTF of a digital radiographic system with a CCD array detector (2000) SPIE, 3977, pp. 580-587Knüpfer, W., Novel X-ray detectors for medical imaging (1999) Nuclear Physics, 78, pp. 610-615Hildebold, C.F., Dental photostimulable phosphor radiology (2000) Dental Clinics of North America, 44 (2), pp. 273-297Stamatakis, Dose response of a storage phosphor system for intraoral radiography (1999) Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, 28, pp. 272-276Yoshiura, K., Physical evaluation of a system for direct digital intra-oral radiography based on a charged-coupled device (1999) Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, 28, pp. 277-283Workman, A., Brettle, D.S., Physical performance measures of radiographic imaging systems (1997) Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, 26, pp. 139-146Granfors, P.R., Performance characteristics of an amorphous silicon flat panel X-ray imaging detector (1999) SPIE, 3659, pp. 480-490Yoshiura, K., Physical evaluation of a system for direct digital intra-oral radiography based on a charged-coupled device (1999) Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, 28, pp. 277-283Kengyelics, S.M., Image quality evaluation of a direct digital radiology detector operating in a UK radiology department (1999) SPIE, 3659, pp. 24-35Granfords, P.R., Aufrichtig, P.R.R., DQE(f) of an amorphous silicon flat panel X-ray detector: Detector parameter influences and measurement methodology (2000) SPIE, 3977, pp. 2-13Dobbins III, J.T., DQE(f) of four generations of computed radiography devices (1995) Medical Physics, 22, pp. 1581-1593Cowen, A.R., Workman, A., A physical image quality evaluation of a digital spot flurography system (1992) Phys. Med. Biol., 37, pp. 325-342Daint, J.C., Shaw, R., (1976) Image Science - Principles, Analyses and Evaluation of Photographic-Type Imaging Process, , Academic Press, London, UKBethea, R.M., Duran, B.S., Benllion, T.L., (1995) Statistical Methods for Engineers and Scientists, , Mc Hill Reckker, New York, NYZanella, G., Zannoni, R., DQE of imaging detectors in terms of spatial frequency (1999) Nuclear Instruments and Methods Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 437, pp. 163-167Zanella, G., Zannoni, R., The role of the quantum efficiency on the DQE of an imaging detector (1996) Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 381, pp. 157-160Costa, S., DQE measurement in a scintillating glass optical fiber detector for X-ray imaging (1996) Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 380, pp. 568-571Meyer, R.R., Experimental characterization of CCD cameras for HREM at 300kV (2000) Ultramicroscopy, 85, pp. 9-13Onttonello, P., MTF and DQE measurement in imaging detectors by their single-event response (1998) Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A, 419, pp. 731-735Kandarakis, I., An experimental method for the determination of spatial-frequency-dependent detective quantum efficiency (DQE) of scintillators used in X-ray imaging detectors (1997) Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A, 399, pp. 335-34

Evaluation Of Pspl Plate Erasing Time Of A Digital Dental Radiology System

Denoptix (CEDH Gendex Dental System, Milan, Italy) dental imaging system uses photo-stimulable phosphor luminescence (PSPL) plates to store energy during X-ray exposure, being later processed by a laser reader and digitizer. Afterwards the plate is erased and re-used. The cleaning process described by the manufacturer consists of exposing the PSPL plates to negatoscope light for 5 minutes. Proper light intensity and exact erasing time must be considered in order to guarantee good quality procedures in its re-utilization. X-ray exposed plates were submitted to four negatoscopes with different measured light intensities for several periods of light exposure, until the Denoptix system was unable to process the latent image in the plates, and we considered then that the plates were cleaned. We have found the relationships between erasing time, exposed dose and negatoscope light intensity. We have also measured the relative plate image fading with negatoscope light exposure time. We have concluded that a Poisson process governs plate erasing. Considering clinical situations, we have shown that it was possible to largely reduce erasing time and increase plate re-utilization. The exponential decay of image data also suggested a still smaller erasing time, representative of a partial cleaning status assuming that residual noise presence in the erased plate is clinically acceptable.4320227235Janhom, A., Effect of noise on the compressibility and diagnostic accuracy for caries detection of digital bitewing radiographs (1999) Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, 28, pp. 6-12Huda, W., Comparison of a photo-stimulable phosphor system with film for dental radiology (1997) Oral Surgery Oral Medicine Oral Pathology, 84, pp. 725-731Brettle, D.S., The imaging performance of a storage phosphor system for dental radiography (1996) The British Journal of Radiology, 69, pp. 256-261Yoshiura, K., Physical evaluation of a system for direct digital intra-oral radiography based on a charged-coupled device (1999) Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, 28, pp. 277-283Xinhua, A novel algorithm for measuring the MTF of a digital radiographic system with a CCD array detector (2000) SPIE, 3977, pp. 580-587Hildebold, C.F., Dental photostimulable phosphor radiology (2000) Dental Clinics of North America, 44 (2), pp. 273-297(1998) Denoptix System User Manual, , CEDH Gendex Dental System, Milan, ItalyBethea, R.M., Duran, B.S., Benllion, T.L., (1995) Statistical Methods for Engineers and Scientists, , Mc Hill Reckker, New York, NYWebb, S., (1995) The Physics of Medical Imaging, , Institute of Physis Publishing, Bristol, UK(1996) Mathematics and Physics of Emerging Biomedical Imaging, , National Research Council, Institute of Medicine, National Academy Press, Washington D.CBarret, H., Harrison, H., Swindell, W., (1981) Radiological Imaging: The Theory of Image Formation, Detection and Processing, 1-2. , Academic Press, London, UKDaint, J.C., Shaw, R., (1976) Image Science - Principles, Analyses and Evaluation of Photographic-Type Imaging Process, , Academic Press, London, U

Baseline characteristics and risk factors for ulcer, amputation and severe neuropathy in diabetic foot at risk: the brazupa study

CNPQ – CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOStudies on diabetic foot and its complications involving a significant and representative sample of patients in South American countries are scarce. The main objective of this study was to acquire clinical and epidemiological data on a large cohort of diabetic patients from 19 centers from Brazil and focus on factors that could be associated with the risk of ulcer and amputation. Methods: This study presents cross sectional, Baseline results of the BRAZUPA Study. A total of 1455 patients were included. Parameters recorded included age, gender, ethnicity, diabetes and comorbidity-related records, previous ulcer or amputation, clinical symptomatic score, foot classification and microvascular complications. Results: Patients with ulcer had longer disease duration (17.2 +/- 9.9 vs. 13.2 +/- 9.4 years; p < 0.001), and poorer glycemic control (HbA1c 9.23 +/- 2.03 vs. 8.35 +/- 1.99; p < 0.001). Independent risk factors for ulcer were male gender (OR 1.71; 95 % CI 1.2-3.7), smoking (OR 1.78; 95 % CI 1.09-2.89), neuroischemic foot (OR 20.34; 95 % CI 9.31-44.38), region of origin (higher risk for those from developed regions, OR 2.39; 95 % CI 1.47-3.87), presence of retinopathy (OR 1.68; 95 % CI 1.08-2.62) and absence of vibratory sensation (OR 7.95; 95 % CI 4.65-13.59). Risk factors for amputation were male gender (OR 2.12; 95 % CI 1.2-3.73), type 2 diabetes (OR 3.33; 95 % CI 1.01-11.1), foot at risk classification (higher risk for ischemic foot, OR 19.63; 95 % CI 3.43-112.5), hypertension (lower risk, OR 0.3; 95 % CI 0.14-0.63), region of origin (South/Southeast, OR 2.2; 95 % CI 1.1-4.42), previous history of ulcer (OR 9.66; 95 % CI 4.67-19.98) and altered vibratory sensation (OR 3.46; 95 % CI 1.64-7.33). There was no association between either outcome and ethnicity. Conclusions: Ulcer and amputation rates were high. Age at presentation was low and patients with ulcer presented a higher prevalence of neuropathy compared to ischemic foot at risk. Ischemic disease was more associated with amputations. Ethnical differences were not of great importance in a miscegenated population825CNPQ – CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCNPQ – CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOsem informaçã

Soil penetration resistance analysis by multivariate and geostatistical methods

The penetration resistance (PR) is a soil attribute that allows identifies areas with restrictions due to compaction, which results in mechanical impedance for root growth and reduced crop yield. The aim of this study was to characterize the PR of an agricultural soil by geostatistical and multivariate analysis. Sampling was done randomly in 90 points up to 0.60 m depth. It was determined spatial distribution models of PR, and defined areas with mechanical impedance for roots growth. The PR showed a random distribution to 0.55 and 0.60 m depth. PR in other depths analyzed showed spatial dependence, with adjustments to exponential and spherical models. The cluster analysis that considered sampling points allowed establishing areas with compaction problem identified in the maps by kriging interpolation. The analysis with main components identified three soil layers, where the middle layer showed the highest values of PR.La resistencia a la penetración (RP) es un atributo del suelo que permite identificar zonas con restricciones debido a la compactación, que se traduce en impedancia mecánica para el desarrollo de las raíces y en una menor productividad de los cultivos. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue caracterizar la RP de un suelo agrícola, mediante análisis geoestadístico y multivariado. El muestreo se realizó de manera aleatoria en 90 puntos, hasta una profundidad de 0,60 m. Se determinaron los modelos de distribución espacial de la RP y se delimitaron áreas con problemas de impedancia mecánica de las raíces. La RP presentó distribución aleatoria a 0,55 y 0,60 m de profundidad. La RP en las otras profundidades analizadas mostraron dependencia espacial, con ajustes a modelos exponenciales y esféricos. El análisis jerárquico que consideró puntos de muestreo, permitió establecer zonas con problemas de compactación, identificadas en los mapas obtenidos mediante interpolación por kriging. El análisis de componentes principales permitió identificar tres capas de suelo, donde la capa intermedia fue la que presentó los mayores valores de RP

Consensus guidelines for lumbar puncture in patients with neurological diseases

Introduction Cerebrospinal fluid collection by lumbar puncture (LP) is performed in the diagnostic workup of several neurological brain diseases. Reluctance to perform the procedure is among others due to a lack of standards and guidelines to minimize the risk of complications, such as post-LP headache or back pain. Methods We provide consensus guidelines for the LP procedure to minimize the risk of complications. The recommendations are based on (1) data from a large multicenter LP feasibility study (evidence level II-2), (2) systematic literature review on LP needle characteristics and post-LP complications (evidence level II-2), (3) discussion of best practice within the Joint Programme Neurodegenerative Disease Research Biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's Disease and Biomarkers for Multiple Sclerosis consortia (evidence level III). Results Our consensus guidelines address contraindications, as well as patient-related and procedure-related risk factors that can influence the development of post-LP complications. Discussion When an LP is performed correctly, the procedure is well tolerated and accepted with a low complication rate