sistema per la verifica di una corretta procedura di igiene orale

Sistema per la verifica di una corretta procedura di igiene orale caratterizzato dal fatto di comprendere: una telecamera per visualizzare il viso di una persona che si spazzola i denti con uno spazzolino comprensivo di un marker; mezzi di elaborazione per localizzare i punti salienti di detto viso di una persona; mezzi di elaborazione per localizzare detto spazzolino; mezzi di elaborazione per inseguire i movimenti di detti punti salienti; mezzi di elaborazione per inseguire i movimenti di detto spazzolino; mezzi di elaborazione per calcolare il movimento relativo tra detto viso e detto spazzolino; mezzi di verifica per verificare che detto movimento relativo tra detto viso e detto spazzolino sia conforme ad un movimento relativo prefissato

Editorial: Organization of the White Matter Anatomy in the Human Brain

International audienceEditorial on the Research Topic Organization of the White Matter Anatomy in the Human Brain Between nineteenth and twentieth centuries, neurosciences experienced the first sharing of experiences and competences between the world of brain anatomy and clinics. The improvements in the knowledge of human white matter (WM) anatomy provided the natural background to the structural definition of a wide spectrum of clinical syndromes. This "disconnection" experience was the first field of strict integration between the WM anatomical and clinical skills, and constituted the hard core for the development of the modern neurosciences over the last century (Catani and ffytche, 2005). While the second half of twentieth century has seen the neurophysiology taking a front role in the definition of the physiological and physio-pathological processing of brain circuitries, the last decade has definitively brought neuroimaging into the world of neuroscience. The functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) tractography have successively opened a new era for a better understanding of functional and structural anatomy of the human brain (Le Bihan and Johansen-Berg, 2012; Smith et al., 2013). In particular, DWI-based tractography was the first tool allowing the exploration of human WM in vivo with an unprecedented level of details, and it shed a new light in the knowledge of the brain anatomy that became, finally, more accessible (Jeurissen et al., 2019). Beyond the technical aspects related to the continuous necessary improvement of this approach (Maier-Hein et al., 2017), tractography produced a conceptual revolution leading that the wiring diagram of brain connections regained a center scene of neuroscience research. Such a revolution was not only in research but also in the clinical and neurosurgical domains and opened the "connectome" era (Sporns, 2013). The fields of neuroanatomy, neuroimaging, neurophysiology and clinical researches are currently closer as never before. In fact, two decades of exploration of brain structure and functional processing with an unprecedented level of sensitivity opened new challenges. Among others, the research for a ground truth in structural anatomy is definitely the most impressive, especially considering the basic and conceptual consequences of that in assessing a reliable knowledge of brain processing, clinics and plasticity. This is what the vast majority of the articles in this Research Topic highlight by describing association WM pathways (Bao et al.; David et al.; Panesar et al.), cortico-striatal Cacciola et al. and cortico-thalamic (Maffei et al.; Roddy et al.; Sun et al.) projection pathways

Caracterização de um novo sistema bifasico aquoso e aplicação em extração de proteinas com coluna de discos perfurados rotativos

Orientadores: Elias Basile Tambourgi, Galba Maria de Campos TakakiTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia QuimicaResumo: A partição bifásica aquosa explora a capacidade exibida por soluções de dois polimeros ou de um polímero e um sal de se separarem em duas fases aquosas sempre que certas concentrações mínimas sejam excedidas. As duas fases aquosas assim formadas diferem na sua composição, sendo cada uma delas rica num dos constituintes do sistema, isto é, os dois polimeros ou o polimero e o sal concentram-se em fases distintas. Estas fases apresentam elevados teores em água, podendo em alguns casos atingir valores superiores a 90 %, constituindo ambientes suaves para moléculas e partículas biológicas. O objetivo principal deste trabalho residiu na caracterização do sistema bifásico aquoso formado por um polímero típico do Nordeste brasileiro, o polissacarídeo do cajueiro (Policaju). Sendo o elevado custo dos polímeros envolvidos o principal entrave à aplicação em grande escala da partição bifásica aquosa, este sistema apresentou a possibilidade em reduzir este custo, aumentando a competitividade da partição bifásica aquosa como processo alternativo frente aos processos tradicionais de recuperação de bioprodutos. Mostrou-se ao longo desta tese que o sistema testado apresentou propriedades fisicas (razão e tempo de separação de fases, densidade, viscosidade) e de partição características de sistemas bifásicos aquosos polímero-polímero. Após o isolamento do polissacarídeo, determinou­se o diagrama de fases e estudou-se a partição de uma proteína modelo, a albumina de soro bovino. Verificou-se o efeito exercido pelas variáveis do sistema, peso molecular do PEG (1500, 4000Abstract: Aqueous two-phase partition explores the possibility of solutions of two polymers or one polymer and one salt separating into two immiscible aqueous phases, when certain critical concentrations are exceeded. Each one of these aqueous phases is more concentrated in one of the phase forming chemicals. Both exhibit a high water content, in some cases as much as 90%. Due to this high water content, these byphasic systems provide a gentle environment for molecules and partic1es with biological activity. The main subject ofthis work was the characterisation of a new aqueous two-phase system based on a typical Brazilian north-westem polymer, the polysaccharide of cashew tree (Policaju). Since the cost of the phase forming polymers is the main drawback on the large scale application of aqueous two-phase partition, this system showed the possibility of decreasing this cost by increasing the applicability of biphasic partition as an alternative technique to the traditional recovery processes ofbioproducts. It is shown tOOt physical properties (phase volume ratio, time for phase separation, density, viscosity) and partition properties of the tested system are similar to others aqueous two-phase polymer-polymer systems. Afier the polysaccharide isolation, the phase diagram was determinate and the partition of a model protein, bovine serum albumin, studied. It was analysed the effect of PEG molecular weight (1500, 4000 and 8000), polymer concentration, temperature (25°C e 40°C), pH (6,0, 7,0 and 8,0) and NaCI (O,lM e 1M) addition. It was observed a displacement ofthe binodal towards lower polymer concentrations when PEG molecular weights decreased. Conversely, the variation of pH and temperature did not promote significant alterations on the binodal. It was not possible to stabilise a relation between the protein partition coeflicient and the PEG molecular weight, whi1e the increase in tie-line length and temperature and the decrease in pH promoted the decrease of the partition coeflicient. The results obtained for NaCI addition showed a tendency for the decrease ofthe partition coeflicient with the increase of salt concentration, although in some cases, the partition coefficient decreased on1y for a determina te salt concentration, depending on the system and pH. Continuous operation with aqueous two-phase systems was also tested. The beOOviour of the biphasic system PEG-Policaju was studied using a perforated rotating disc contactor (pRDC). The transfer of bovine serum albumin ftom the dispersed phase to the continuous phase was studied by using the PEG4000-Policaju system selected ftom batch extraction. The column was operated in countercurrent and in a continuous mode during 55 minutes of operatio_ where the dispersed phase was constituted by the PEG-rich phase and the continuous phase by the Policaju­rich phase. Variations in the rotation velocity (60, 140 and 220 rpm), dispersed phase velocity (2, 3 and 5 rnL/min) and discs number (03 and 04) were investigated. The performance of the equipment was characterised by the ana1ysis ofthe ftactional dispersed phase holdup, mass transfer coefticient and KA W ASE recuperation indices. The results showed an increase ofthe dispersed phase holdup, mass transfer coeflicient and recuperation indices with the increase of the rotation velocity. The same effects were observed for the increase of the dispersed phase velocity, except for the recuperation indices, which did not show a regular tendency. The increase of system composition decreased the ftactional dispersed phase holdup and the mass transfer coeflicient, although did not show a significant effect over the recuperation indices. The number discs variation did not demonstrate a significant effect upon the ftactional dispersed phase holdup, although the mass transfer coeflicient and the recuperation indices were higher for 03 discs. The ana1ysis of bovine serum albumin continuous extraction showed the higher protein transfer for the following conditions: 9%PEG4000-18%Policaju system in PRDC with 03 rotary discs with rotation velocity of 220 rpm and dispersed phase velocity of 2 mL/min. The economic ana1ysis showed that PEG-Policaju aqueous two-phase system is very competitive with other polymer-polymer systems described in the literature. This permits the development offuture researches with this new system in recovery processesDoutoradoSistemas de Processos Quimicos e InformaticaDoutor em Engenharia Químic

Tools for Optimization of Biomass-to-Energy Conversion Processes

Biomasses are renewable sources used in energy conversion processes to obtain diverse products through different technologies. The production chain, which involves delivery, logistics, pre-treatment, storage and conversion as general components, can be costly and uncertain due to inherent variability. Optimization methods are widely applied for modeling the biomass supply chain (BSC) for energy processes. In this qualitative review, the main aspects and global trends of using geographic information systems (GISs), linear programming (LP) and neural networks to optimize the BSC are presented. Modeling objectives and factors considered in studies published in the last 25 years are reviewed, enabling a broad overview of the BSC to support decisions at strategic, tactical and operational levels. Combined techniques have been used for different purposes: GISs for spatial analyses of biomass; neural networks for higher heating value (HHV) correlations; and linear programming and its variations for achieving objectives in general, such as costs and emissions reduction. This study reinforces the progress evidenced in the literature and envisions the increasing inclusion of socio-environmental criteria as a challenge in future modeling efforts

A SYSTEM FOR CHECKING A CORRECT ORAL HYGIENE PROCEDURE

A system for checking a correct oral hygiene procedure characterised by comprising: a video camera for acquiring the images of the face of a person brushing their teeth with a toothbrush comprising a marker; processing means for analysing said images and for locating the salient points of said face of a person; processing means for analysing said images and for locating said toothbrush; processing means for following the movements of said salient points; processing means for following the movements of said toothbrush; processing means for calculating the movement between said face and said toothbrush; processing means for checking that said relative movement between said face and said toothbrush corresponds with a relative pre-set movement; where said marker is divided into a plurality of areas; and where each of said plurality of areas is coloured, with a colour chosen from a predefined number of colours, to maximise the colour contrast between said areas close to each other

A Novel Remaining Useful Estimation Model to Assist Asset Renewal Decisions Applied to the Brazilian Electric Sector

Assets deteriorate over time, as well as being covered, corroded, or becoming old in less obvious ways. Maintenance can extend the remaining useful life (RUL) of an asset system, but sooner or later it must surely be replaced. In this study, we propose a new RUL estimation methodology to assist in decision making for the maintenance and replacement of assets from prioritizing equipment in a renovation plan. Our methodology uses advanced data analysis techniques that consider multiple competing criteria with the goal of maximizing values of the asset throughout its life cycle, while considering the rules of remuneration and service quality of the current regulation, as well as the values at risk according to the decisions and actions taken. Experimental results with real datasets show the efficiency of the proposed approach. Finally, this work also presents the development of an analytical tool to optimize asset renewal decisions applying the RUL estimation methodology proposed and its application to the Brazilian electric sector

Spinal Anesthesia and Minimal Invasive Laminotomy for Paddle Electrode Placement in Spinal Cord Stimulation: Technical Report and Clinical Results at Long-Term Followup

Object. We arranged a mini-invasive surgical approach for implantation of paddle electrodes for SCS under spinal anesthesia obtaining the best paddle electrode placement and minimizing patients' discomfort. We describe our technique supported by neurophysiological intraoperative monitoring and clinical results. Methods. 16 patients, affected by neuropathic pain underwent the implantation of paddle electrodes for spinal cord stimulation in lateral decubitus under spinal anesthesia. The paddle was introduced after flavectomy and each patient confirmed the correct distribution of paresthesias induced by intraoperative test stimulation. VAS and patients' satisfaction rate were recorded during the followup and compared to preoperative values. Results. No patients reported discomfort during the procedure. In all cases, paresthesias coverage of the total painful region was achieved, allowing the best final electrode positioning. At the last followup (mean 36.7 months), 87.5% of the implanted patients had a good rate of satisfaction with a mean VAS score improvement of 70.5%. Conclusions. Spinal cord stimulation under spinal anesthesia allows an optimal positioning of the paddle electrodes without any discomfort for patients or neurosurgeons. The best intraoperative positioning allows a better postoperative control of pain, avoiding the risk of blind placements of the paddle or further surgery for their replacement

The Nomenclature of Human White Matter Association Pathways: Proposal for a Systematic Taxonomic Anatomical Classification

The heterogeneity and complexity of white matter (WM) pathways of the human brain were discretely described by pioneers such as Willis, Stenon, Malpighi, Vieussens and Vicq d’Azyr up to the beginning of the 19th century. Subsequently, novel approaches to the gross dissection of brain internal structures have led to a new understanding of WM organization, notably due to the works of Reil, Gall and Burdach highlighting the fascicular organization of WM. Meynert then proposed a definitive tripartite organization in association, commissural and projection WM pathways. The enduring anatomical work of Dejerine at the turn of the 20th century describing WM pathways in detail has been the paramount authority on this topic (including its terminology) for over a century, enriched sporadically by studies based on blunt Klingler dissection. Currently, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) is used to reveal the WM fiber tracts of the human brain in vivo by measuring the diffusion of water molecules, especially along axons. It is then possible by tractography to reconstitute the WM pathways of the human brain step by step at an unprecedented level of precision in large cohorts. However, tractography algorithms, although powerful, still face the complexity of the organization of WM pathways, and there is a crucial need to benefit from the exact definitions of the trajectories and endings of all WM fascicles. Beyond such definitions, the emergence of DWI-based tractography has mostly revealed strong heterogeneity in naming the different bundles, especially the long-range association pathways. This review addresses the various terminologies known for the WM association bundles, aiming to describe the rules of arrangements followed by these bundles and to propose a new nomenclature based on the structural wiring diagram of the human brain