Influence of dental metallic artifact from multislice CT in the assessment of simulated mandibular lesions

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the influence of metallic dental artifacts on the accuracy of simulated mandibular lesion detection by using multislice technology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen macerated mandibles were used. Perforations were done simulating bone lesions and the mandibles were subjected to axial 16 rows multislice CT images using 0.5 mm of slice thickness with 0.3 mm interval of reconstruction. Metallic dental restorations were done and the mandibles were subjected again to CT in the same protocol. The images were analyzed to detect simulated lesions in the mandibles, verifying the loci number and if there was any cortical perforation exposing medullar bone. The analysis was performed by two independent examiners using e-film software. RESULTS: The samples without artifacts presented better results compared to the gold standard (dried mandible with perforations). In the samples without artifacts, all cortical perforation were identified and 46 loci were detected (of 51) in loci number analysis. Among the samples with artifacts, 12 lesions out of 14 were recognized regarding medullar invasion, and 40 out of 51 concerning loci number. The sensitivity in samples without artifacts was 90% and 100% regarding loci number and medullar invasion, respectively. In samples with artifacts, these values dropped to 78% and 86%, respectively. The presence of metallic restorations affected the sensitivity values of the method, but the difference was not significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although there were differences in the results of samples with and without artifacts, the presence of metallic restoration did not lead to misinterpretation of the final diagnosis. However, the validity of multislice CT imaging in this study was established for detection of simulated mandibular bone lesions.CNPqFAPESPCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES

O Treinamento de Clientes e sua Relação com a Intenção de Uso do Internet Banking

The number of users of internet banking in Brazil has grown very fast in recent years, reaching more than 37 million (Febrabran, 2013). This system is an excellent tool for reducing bank queues, but the total users, only 20% make their financial transactions over the internet, the rest uses only for queries. Based on these data and in order to enlarge the use of the system, this study seeks to identify the impact of training on internet banking on the intended use of that mediated by risk perception, by trust and perceived ease of use system. A descriptive / quantitative research data collection via online questionnaire was conducted. The results showed significant values ​​for both mediating variables and allowed to conclude that the training internet banking expands the intended use indirectly, by reducing the perception of risk and increased ease of use and perceived confidence.O número de usuários do internet banking no Brasil cresceu muito rápido nos últimos anos, alcançando mais de 37 milhões (Febraban, 2013). Esse sistema é uma excelente ferramenta para redução de filas bancárias, porém do total de usuários, somente 20% faz suas transações financeiras pela internet, o restante utiliza apenas para consultas. Partindo desses dados e com intuito de ampliar o uso do sistema, esse estudo busca identificar qual o impacto do treinamento em internet banking sobre a intenção de uso desse sistema mediado pela percepção de risco, pela confiança e pela facilidade de uso percebida. Realizou-se uma pesquisa descritiva/quantitativa com coleta de dados através de questionário online. Os resultados apresentaram valores significativos para ambas as variáveis mediadoras e permitiu inferir-se que o treinamento em internet banking amplia a intenção de uso de maneira indireta, através da redução da percepção de risco e do aumento da facilidade de uso percebida e da confiança