EVALUATION OF APICAL DEBRIS EXTRUSION OF TWO FULL-ROTATING INSTRUMENTS, HYFLEX EDM AND RACE EVO, VERSUS TWO RECIPROCATING INSTRUMENTS, RECIPROC BLUE AND R-MOTION: AN IN-VITRO STUDY.

Complete cleaning and shaping of the root canal space is a mandatory stage for the success of root canal treatment. Extrusion of different materials apically during this step such as dentine debris, pulp tissue remnants, necrotic fragments, microorganisms and irrigants may occur. These extruded materials lead to periapical irritation, pain and/or swelling. To evaluate the apical debris extrusion of Race EVO and Hyflex EDM which are full-rotating instruments, versus R-motion and Reciproc Blue as reciprocating instruments. Forty extracted human mandibular premolar teeth were selected with single canals not affected by fluorosis, resorption, or fracture. Teeth were then randomly divided into four groups (n=10) according to the instrumentation files: R-motion (FKG), Reciproc blue (VDW), Race EVO (FKG) and Hyflex EDM (Colten). Extruded debris were collected and weighed using an analytical balance. All data collected from the study were statistically analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS). The mean of apical debris using Race EVO and Hyflex EDM were higher than those produced with R-motion and Reciproc blue. A significant difference was observed between the four experimental groups. Race EVO and Hyflex EDM showed comparable results. No significant difference was observed for R-motion with the other experimental groups. Reciproc Blue generated significant less apical debris than Hyflex EDM and Race EVO. Reciprocating files seem to produce less apical debris extrusion than full rotation files. Reciproc Blue generated significant less apical debris than Hyflex EDM and Race EVO. R-motion showed less debris apical debris extrusion, however without significant difference. Further studies are required to find the best technique and instrument that result in minimal apical debris extrusion, thus reducing the possibility of periapical tissue irritation

Enfrentando e prevenindo a violência escolar : desenvolvimento e avaliação de uma intervenção com professores

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Josafá Moreira da CunhaDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Educação, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação. Defesa : Curitiba, 30/03/2017Inclui referências: p. 72-83Resumo: A vitimização entre pares e o bullying são graves problemas que atingem as instituições escolares, gerando consequências negativas para alunos e professores. Pesquisas nacionais relatam altos índices de agressões entre estudantes brasileiros do segundo ciclo do ensino fundamental. Contudo, ainda são incipientes o investimento em pesquisas com alunos do primeiro ciclo e o investimento em intervenções. Assim sendo, o objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver e avaliar uma intervenção com professores voltada para a modificação das crenças e da percepção de autoeficácia sobre bullying e para redução da vitimização envolvendo estudantes do Ensino Fundamental I. A intervenção consistiu em um curso de seis horas de duração, sobre estratégias de prevenção e enfrentamento ao bullying e a agressão entre estudantes. Participaram da pesquisa 36 professoras, 51 turmas, totalizando 1154 alunos de 3.º ao 5.º ano do ensino fundamental de escolas públicas, de período integral do município de Curitiba/PR. Para a avaliação da intervenção, os estudantes responderam a escala de vitimização e agressão entre pares (EVAP) em três períodos do ano letivo e as professoras responderam dois questionários, um que avaliou as estratégias docentes diante da vitimização e outro que investigou as crenças sobre bullying e vitimização. Os questionários foram respondidos em dois momentos: pré e pós-intervenção. Análises descritivas e inferências foram realizadas. Os resultados apontaram uma mudança significativa nos escores da percepção de autoeficácia e crenças normativas das docentes. Em relação às estratégias de intervenção diante de cenários de vitimização entre pares, relatadas por docentes antes da intervenção, a categoria dialogar foi apontada como a mais favorável para a utilização e, após a intervenção, a categoria acompanhar foi a mais indicada. Já a categoria ignorar foi a que os docentes demostraram ser a menos favorável, antes e após a intervenção. Os resultados do questionário dos alunos revelaram a trajetória de vitimização ao longo do ano letivo, mostrando que a média de vitimização do grupo de intervenção na última coleta de dados foi menor que a média do grupo controle. Já a média de agressão direta e agressão relacional, na última coleta de dados, foi menor no grupo controle. Os resultados apontaram uma baixa frequência de comportamentos de vitimização e agressão entre os estudantes já na primeira coleta de dados. Em relação à comparação da média de vitimização no ano letivo, as análises não apontaram uma diferença significativa entre os escores do grupo de intervenção (A e B) em relação ao grupo controle (C), ao longo do ano letivo (T1, T2, T3), em nenhuma das três categorias analisadas: agressão direta, agressão relacional e vitimização. Em relação ao gênero foram encontradas diferenças significativas, apontando, principalmente, que meninos sofreram mais agressão relacional e direta do que as meninas, ao longo do ano. Os dados enfatizam a mudança na percepção dos professores sobre o bullying e a vitimização entre pares e uma redução de vitimização e agressão ao longo do ano letivo, sem diferenças significativas entre grupo de intervenção e controle. Palavras-chave: vitimização entre pares; bullying, formação de professores; intervenção.Abstract: Pair victimization and bullying are dangerous problems that affect schools, bringing many negative consequences to students and teachers. Researches have indicated high levels of aggression among brazilian students from the secondary school (2º ciclo do ensino fundamental). However, the investments in interventions and researches among students from primary school are still insufficient. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and evaluate a teacher intervention focused on the modification of beliefs; perception of self-efficacy and to the reduction of victimization among primary school students (Ensino Fundamental I). The intervention consisted on a six-hour course, about confronting and preventing bullying as well as the aggression between students. 36 female teachers have participated on the research, from 51 full-time classes of public schools (third to fifth grade), resulting into an amount of 1154 students, from Curitiba-PR. To the intervention evaluation, the students answered to the victimization and pair victimization (EVAP) questionnaire three times and the teachers answered two questionnaires: one evaluating their strategies used in face of victimization and the other analyzing their beliefs about bullying and victimization. These questionnaires were answered in two differents moments: pre and post-intervention. Descriptive analysis and inferences were also developed. The results pointed out a significant change in the beliefs and in self-efficacy perception scores'. In relation to the strategies of intervention in peer victimization, the teachers were more likely to dialogue in the pre-intervention questionnaire, and in the post-intervention, they were more likely to follow-up as a strategy. Ignoring the situation was the strategy less reported. Meanwhile, the students questionnaire brought to light the victimization throughout the school year. The results shown that the average amount of victimization was lower in the intervention group than that in the control group. The average in direct or relational aggression were lower in the control group, however. The results also pointed out that in the first data collection, there were a low frequency of victimization among students. Throughout the school year there was no significant difference between the scores of the intervention group (A,B) and the control group (C), in none of the three categories analyzed: direct aggression, relational aggression and victimization. Regarding to gender, significant differences were found, mostly boys that suffered more relational aggression than girls. The data collected emphasizes a change in teacher's perception about bullying and victimization in order to reduce bullying and peer victimization throughout the year, with no significant differences between the intervention and the control group. Keyword: peer victimization; bullying, teachers training, interventio

Long-Term Energy System Modelling for a Clean Energy Transition and Improved Energy Security in Botswana’s Energy Sector Using the Open-Source Energy Modelling System

This research examines Botswana’s significant reliance on coal and imported fossil fuels for electricity generation, contributing to high carbon emissions and energy insecurity influenced by volatile fuel prices and supply challenges. The study utilizes the Open-Source Energy Modelling System (OSeMOSYS) to explore cost-effective renewable energy strategies to meet Botswana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and enhance energy security by 2050, analysing six scenarios: Least Cost (LC), Business-As-Usual (BAU), Net Zero by 2050 (NZ), Coal Phase Out by 2045 (CPO), Fossil Fuel Phase Out by 2045 (FFPO), and Import Phase Out by 2045 (IMPPO). Our key findings highlight the critical role of solar technologies—photovoltaic (PV), storage, and concentrated solar power (CSP)—in transitioning to a sustainable energy future, especially under the Net Zero and Import Phase Out scenarios. This research demonstrates the economic and environmental benefits of transitioning away from fossil fuels, with the Fossil Fuel Phase Out scenario yielding a USD 31 million saving over the Business-As-Usual approach and reducing investment costs by USD 2 billion, albeit with a slight increase in light fuel oil imports. The study underscores the need for substantial capital investments, particularly in the Net Zero and Import Phase Out scenarios, necessitating private sector financing. Policy recommendations include adopting detailed strategies for solar PV and storage expansion, updating renewable energy targets, phasing out coal and natural gas, and bolstering the regulatory framework. These strategies are crucial for Botswana to achieve decarbonization and energy independence, aligning with global climate goals and national energy security objectives

Bone impairment assessed by lumbar spine trabecular bone score (TBS) and HR-pQCT in male ankylosing spondylitis patients

Objectives. Low bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis diagnosis in AS patients is based on data using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), which may be difficult to interpret due to the presence of syndesmophytes. The objective of this study is to evaluate bone mass and quality using areal (a) BMD, lumbar spine trabecular bone score (TBS) and HR-pQCT parameters in AS patients compared with healthy controls (HC). Methods. TBS and aBMD were evaluated using DXA. Volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), bone microarchitecture and stiffness were analyzed at the distal tibia and radius using HR-pQCT. Seventy-three AS male patients and 52 agematched HC were evaluated. Results. Lower TBS values were observed in AS patients compared with HC (1.314 ± 0.121 vs. 1.396 ± 0.070, p<0.001); however, no difference was observed in lumbar spine aBMD between these two groups (1.080 ± 0.193 vs. 1.041 ± 0.118 g/cm2 , p=0.11). Lower trabecular vBMD (162.1 ± 39.6 vs. 186.8 ± 39.9 mg HA/cm3 , p<0.001), lower structural parameters Tb.Th (0.074 ± 0.012 vs. 0.080 ± 0.013 mm, p=0,044) and Tb.Sp (0.497 ± 0.110 vs. 0.448 ± 0.086 mm, p=0,039) and lower strength parameters stiffness (254250.8 ± 48477.7 vs. 291770.3 ± 52858.4 N/mm, p<0.001) and F.Load (12098.6 ± 2240. vs 13770.2 ± 2388.1 N, p=0,001) were observed in the trabecular compartment at the distal tibia in AS patients compared to HC. Conclusion. The lumbar spine TBS and HR-pQCT imaging measurements are superior technologies to detect impairment of bone mass and quality in AS patients compared to healthy subjects

Using participatory mapping to Foster Community-Based disaster risk reduction in Forest Fire-Prone Areas: the case of Monchique in Portugal

Local knowledge and communities’ active role in disaster risk areas are recognized in the literature as key conditions to better understand risks, enhance adaptive capacities and foster local resilience. A participatory action research project in forest fire-prone areas in Monchique, Portugal, is aligned with the literature and adopts participatory mapping as a method that can bring evidence to the importance of local knowledge and communities’ agency. In the BRIDGE Project, different types of knowledge are integrated, triggering local/collective agency and fostering a forest fire community-based disaster risk reduction (CBDRR) approach. An innovation laboratory (InnoLab) provides the space for dialogue and knowledge sharing for different actors that manage forest territories. In the InnoLab, participatory mapping is used as a method to engage landowners where risk factors and local vulnerabilities were identified. Their active engagement enabled a collective perception in the assessment of vulnerability and led to the identification of strategic measures for risk reduction. This paper shares the process and outcomes of this participatory mapping, highlighting the benefits of a community approach and the importance of local knowledge and practices as recognized in the literature. It also reveals how the active role of local stakeholders can help drive a CBDRR process.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Insulin signalling in heart involves insulin receptor substrates-1 and - 2, activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and the JAK 2-growth related pathway

Objective: Hyperinsulinemia is a common feature of obesity and hypertension and may be associated with abnormal metabolism and growth of heart muscle and vascular wall. Most of the known actions of insulin were characterised in muscle, adipose tissue and liver. In this study we investigate the initial steps of insulin signalling in rat heart. Methods: After insulin infusion in the cava vein of male Wistar rats, the insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrates-1 and -2, phosphatidylinositol 3- kinase activity and Janus kinase (JAK) 2 engagement were studied by immunoprecipitation and immunoblot of heart extracts. Results: An insulin load induces rapid autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor which is followed by the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrates-1 and -2. The phosphorylation of these early intracellular substrates leads to the association of the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and subsequent activation of its catalytic p110 subunit. Besides activation of the lipid metabolising enzyme phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrates-1 and -2 engages the intracellular kinase JAK 2 and induces JAK 2-STAT 1 complex formation. Conclusion: We demonstrate that the early steps of insulin signalling in heart include the phosphorylation-activation of the insulin receptor, engagement of insulin receptor substrates-1 and -2 with the consequent activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and the involvement of the recently discovered growth related pathway-JAK 2-STAT 1

Infliximab Induces Increase in Triglyceride Levels in Psoriatic Arthritis Patients

Objectives. To evaluate lipid profile changes after anti-TNF therapy in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods. Fifteen PsA patients (eight polyarticular, four oligoarticular, two axial, and one mutilating) under infliximab were included. None had dyslipoproteinemia or previous statin use. Total cholesterol (TC) and its fractions, inflammatory markers, and prednisone use were evaluated. Results. The comparisons of lipid levels between baseline and after three months (3M) of anti-TNF therapy showed that there was a significant increase in mean triglycerides (117.8 ± 49.7 versus 140.1 ± 64.1 mg/dL, P = 0.028) and VLDL-c (23.6 ± 10.5 versus 28.4 ± 13.7 mg/dL, P = 0.019) levels. In contrast, there were no differences in the mean TC (P = 0.28), LDL-c (P = 0.42), and HDL-c (P = 0.26) levels. Analysis of the frequencies of each lipid alteration at baseline and at 3M were alike (P > 0.05). Positive correlations were found between VLDL-c and CRP (r = 0.647, P = 0.009) and between triglycerides and CRP (r = 0.604, P = 0.017) levels at 3M. ESR reduction was observed after 3M (P = 0.04). Mean prednisone dose remained stable at beginning and at 3M (P = 0.37). Conclusion. This study demonstrated that anti-TNF may increase TG and VLDL-c levels in PsA patients after three months