Luiz Teruo Kawamoto

Software to Train Scuba Dive Procedures

Safety procedures are explained during lectures in basic diving courses, but these rules are often counterintuitive and difficult to remember; many accidents occur because divers do not put into practice what they have been taught. Problems also occur in discovery dives made by tourists who receive quick instructions and who are accompanied by an instructor. Accident rates are higher during basic courses and discovery dives than they are in other types of recreational diving. A virtual environment (VEST) was developed that simulates the more common accidents, provides feedback when procedures are not followed and shows the death of characters to educate divers about the need to comply with safety procedures and to reduce learning time. Evaluations were conducted with 120 participants. Of these participants, 60 received only theoretical instruction, and 60 received the same instructions, as well as VEST support. A purpose-built virtual environment and questionnaires were used to evaluate learning and behavior. The usability and interfaces were considered to be satisfactory. Volunteers who received lessons and instructions that were supported by the developed VEST exhibited better results than did those who only received theoretical instruction. There was, however, no statistically significant difference between the groups receiving complete and superficial theoretical instruction. The method provided proved efficient, enjoyable and easy to learn and made divers aware of the importance of following safety procedures. The good results achieved by VEST in supporting learning does not necessarily mean that the user will put this learning into practice, but the results do demonstrate that it is a better form of learning than verbal instruction.

Economic strategy for reducing costs with materials can also bring benefits for environment: proposal based on the study in a brazilian industry

The aim of this work is to evidence the benefits for environment resulting from an economic strategy performed by a Brazilian industry. In order to reduce costs with purchasing of pallets, Chapatex and wooden frames, which are used to pack and transport its products, the studied industry elaborated a strategy in partnership with its customers that resulted in exploitation by devolution of the biggest part of those materials that went to customers but did not come back. The costs reduction with the acquisition of those materials was highly beneficial. However, even more important was the result from the environmental viewpoint, because the re-exploitation of those materials reduces in the environmental impact, as for not need to acquire new materials, that is, take them from nature, considering they are wood, as to avoid inappropriate disposal of materials stopped and no-using for customers. This study, therefore, proposes for the decision makers considers the environmental and sustainable vision even in areas of the organization where the focus on profits predominates.

Quality Comparison of Analog and Digital X-Ray Equipment and Materials in a Dental Clinic

Many dental clinics are swapping analog x-ray equipment for digital systems to obtain medical images in the search for improvements such as reduced costs and better care of the images and fast response. However it is necessary to analyze if the digital images have quality requirements in order to provide the diagnosis in a similar or superior way to the analog films. The objective of this paper is to analyze the quality of the digitized x-ray diagnostic images in relation to the structures represented. The research was conducted in a dental clinic that was changing the analog x-ray equipment for one digital. The results by means of statistical analysis demonstrated that the digital system has better spatial resolution and better contrast. As a suggestion of future research an analysis by dentists to see if on the day of the clinic, these theoretical advantages are confirmed in better diagnostics.

Instrumental Assistance to the Restorative Dentistry Treatments

In dental care is necessary to isolate the tooth the oral environment (saliva, tongue, cheek, etc) with some type of retractor. This work aimed to propose a new model of instrumental low cost that assists in dental treatment. The instrumental was virtually designed and tested with the characteristics of the materials used in its manufacture: Solid stainless steel wires of 7 mm, acrylic resin and steel tape. To simulate its functionality was modeled a mouth with the actual measurements via the free software Blender 2.49b. To evaluate the simulation results of the test type black box, where you can observe the operation of the simulator were used. After testing various virtual instruments with the same measurements to assess its performance were made clinically. It was concluded in the simulation and clinical tests that the instrument is stable and performs the removal of anatomical structures adjacent to the tooth, even in cases of patients with positive macroglossia can be used for different types and sizes of arches, in the absence of any tooth can be fixed in any tooth, getting the desired position by professional optimizing the same time.

Advisory Software for Improving the Prevention of Dentistry Medical Conditions Arising from Chronic Diseases

Prevention is the best way to seek quality of life and it means actions-oriented interventions to prevent the emergence of specific diseases, reducing their incidence and prevalence in the population. When the patient is properly diagnosed, the treatment, in many cases, will need, in addition to the dental professional, another specialist for a multidisciplinary work. Working together will provide to the patience an improvement in the alterations that the disease causes, including in the mouth. There are several ways of information available to the patients, however, not actively, seeking the patient, but passively and unordered. The purpose of this study is the development and validation of an advisory software for dental patients, guiding them on chronic diseases and their impact on oral health. Results showed that there was improvement in knowledge among patients.

Safety Device Applied in the Weight Belt for Recreational Scuba Dive

In recreational scuba diving, vital equipment is the weight belt which consists in a resistant belt where blocks of lead are fixed for floating balance and for release so that in emergency cases it is possible to rise to the surface more easily. However in some obese divers, because waist circumference is bigger than the hip, the equipment may accidently slipping down the legs causing traumas and even death. The equipment cant also be fixed in a permanent way in the dives body, because in emergency cases its intentional release may be necessary. There are buoyancy compensator vests with integrated weights, which would solve the problem, but they are too expensive. Therefore a safety device applied in the weight belt was developed for recreational diving to be used by obese divers. The device was successfully validated with 10 obese divers who had difficulty using the weight belt and a patent was requested.