Lifelike Appearance Research Articles

Fracture Behavior of Monolithic Hot-Pressed Posterior Ceramic Dental Crowns

Glass ceramic restorations are wide used in dental practice due to their advantages as life-like appearance, excellent biocompatibility, chemical inertness, close abrasion resistance to enamel, but their most common mechanical complications are chipping and catastrophic fracture. The purpose of the study was to evaluate monolithic ceramic posterior crowns with anatomical design, achieved by hot-pressed glass ceramics, without filler Cergo (Degudent) and leucite reinforced Vita PM9 (Vita) by experimental analyses, in order to study their fracture behavior under compressive load. The modes of fracture will be correlated with the type of material, fracture load and displacement magnitude. For the experiments complete crown preparation were made on a first upper molar. The specimens were subjected to failure testing. Digital images of the fractured crowns fragments were used to verify the pieces in all situations. The failure occurred by cracks, splitting into two or more parts, with or without fracture of the die. The correlation of the displacement depending on the load highlights the peaks, which can be correlated with cracks produced in time. Within the limitations of this study, the tested hot-pressed monolithic ceramic crowns show similar fracture strength and fracture behavior.

Helmut Newton y el maniquí: la ambigüedad de lo artificial

A lo largo de su carrera, el fotógrafo Helmut Newton ha sentido fascinación por los maniquíes, debido a la capacidad de estos seres inanimados de cobrar vida en la obra fotográfica. Acorde con su propia visión filosófica y mediante calculados paralelismos, Newton ha desarrollado la idea de humanización del maniquí y cosificación del ser humano. En las páginas de la revista Vogue o en sus propios catálogos, el fotógrafo alemán mostrará maniquíes de escaparate luciendo ropa de grandes modistos en escenarios casi imposibles o en poses deliberadamente sexualizadas, dando el protagonismo a los maniquíes hiperrrealistas de las firmas Rootstein y Hindsgaul, que bajo el encuandre del artista, traspasan el límite de su verdadera función, poniendo, en cambio, de manifiesto su carácter subversivo.

Understanding of Android-Based Robotic and Game Structure

The development of an android with impressive lifelike appearance and behavior has been a long-standing goal in robotics and a new and exciting approach of smartphone-based robotics for research and education. Recent years have been progressive for many technologies, which allowed creating such androids. There are different examples including the autonomous Erica android system capable of conversational interaction and speech synthesis technologies. The behavior of Android-based robot could be running on the phone as the robot performed a task outdoors. In this paper, we present an overview and understanding of the platform of Android-based robotic and game structure for research and education.

Unlocking preservation bias in the amber insect fossil record through experimental decay.

Fossils entombed in amber are a unique resource for reconstructing forest ecosystems, and resolving relationships of modern taxa. Such fossils are famous for their perfect, life-like appearance. However, preservation quality is vast with many sites showing only cuticular preservation, or no fossils. The taphonomic processes that control this range are largely unknown; as such, we know little about potential bias in this important record. Here we employ actualistic experiments, using, fruit flies and modern tree resin to determine whether resin type, gut microbiota, and dehydration prior to entombment affects decay. We used solid phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME GC-MS) to confirm distinct tree resin chemistry; gut microbiota of flies was modified using antibiotics and categorized though sequencing. Decay was assessed using phase contrast synchrotron tomography. Resin type demonstrates a significant control on decay rate. The composition of the gut microbiota was also influential, with minor changes in composition affecting decay rate. Dehydration prior to entombment, contrary to expectations, enhanced decay. Our analyses show that there is potential significant bias in the amber fossil record, especially between sites with different resin types where ecological completeness and preservational fidelity are likely affected.

Rethinking the foam cosmesis for people with lower limb absence.

Background and aim:A recent survey of people with lower limb absence revealed that patients’ satisfaction with their foam cosmesis is lower than desired. The aim of this project was to improve the lifelike appearance, functionality and durability of the cosmesis through a user-centred design methodology.Technique:Concept development and prototyping led to a new cosmesis design which features a cut-out located at the knee, inserted with an artificial patella made of a more rigid foam. It also features a full-length zip which provides easy access for maintenance. The new cosmesis was then mechanically tested for over 1 million cycles and clinically tested by six transfemoral prosthesis users over 18 patient months.Discussion:The new design is significantly more durable than the current standard model and has an enhanced lifelike appearance. It has potential to improve users’ body image and reduce costs for healthcare providers.Clinical relevanceThis study contributes to practice by offering a new cosmesis design with enhanced appearance and durability, with the potential to improve patients’ body image and reduce costs associated with cosmesis fitting and maintenance.

Ceramic Veneers: A Step-by-Step Case Report

The success of aesthetic rehabilitation never depends on clinical procedures only. A proper dental technique is required as well as the respect for some biomimetic principles to obtain the aesthetic final result. This case report aimed to describe a prosthetic rehabilitation with all-ceramic veneers of a patient unsatisfied of her smile. A 60-year-old female patient was reported to our clinic complaining about the lifelike appearance of her composite restorations. Before restoring the upper frontal teeth, a mock-up was conducted to verify the patient's satisfaction. A ceramist conducted all the fabrication process so that surface characterizations could be visually verified and the lifelike appearance of natural tooth could be reproduced. After the cementation procedure, the patient reported being satisfied with the lifelike appearance of the new restorations. Based on the clinical findings of the present case report, it can be concluded that the reproduction of the lifelike aesthetic appearance of natural teeth and the visualization of the final results before definitive procedures are essential to obtain the clinical success.

The Influence of Prior Expectations of a Robot\u2019s Lifelikeness on Users\u2019 Intentions to Treat a Zoomorphic Robot as a Companion

We are, at our roots, social creatures who are designed to bond with others. Given that robots are expected to increasingly serve humans in social roles, insight into the psychological aspects of our relationships with robots is becoming more relevant. Earlier findings indicate a strong role of a robot’s perceived lifelikeness and gender for human–robot companionships. In an experimental study, we tested whether an individual’s gender (male vs. female) and prior expectation of a robot’s lifelikeness (high vs. low) influence the effect of preconditions originally identified for human friendship formation (i.e., proximity, physical attraction, similarity, reciprocal liking, intimacy) on the individual’s intention to treat a zoomorphic robot as a companion. Our results show that when people have high prior expectations of a robot’s lifelikeness, similar variables that explain why people establish relationships with each other are better able to explain their intentions to treat such a zoomorphic robot as a companion. Thus, companion robots should have a lifelike appearance, which does not necessarily mean a humanlike appearance. Moreover, men and women focus on different preconditions for human friendship formation when they evaluate their intentions to treat zoomorphic robots as companions. This means that developers of companion robots should be aware of these gender differences in bonding, and men and women may even prefer different designs, in terms of either appearance or behavior, for their companion robots.

Joint expansion of double fascia flaps for full-ear mastoid reconstruction

Objective To study the methods and clinical effects of joint expansion of double fascia flaps wrapping the Medpor to perform full-ear reconstruction on congenital microtia deformity. Methods 60 patients with congenital microtia deformity were selected. including 22 left ears and 38 right ears. Majority had loss of ear auricle or only partial earlobe. Phase Ⅰprocedures included: temporal-parietal branch was used for the vascular pedicle, and mastoid area behind the ear was moved and expanded for fascia flap. Phase Ⅱ included: the joint expansion of double fascia flap wrapped Medpor to do full-ear reconstruction. Results Flaps survived and no complications for all 60 patients. Reconstructed ears had lifelike appearance and clear anatomical structures. Auriculocephalic angulars positions and sizes were consistent with the healthy ears. None of them had exposed prosthesis and scar contraction. Three-dimensional shapes were good. Conclusions Joint expansion of double fascia flap wrapping Medpor could avoid the chest wall deformity and exposed prosthesis. The fine structure of the reconstructed ear is satisfactory. Key words: Microtia; Auricular reconstruction; Expansion flap; Fascia flaps; Medpor framework

Polychrome sculptures in Romeo and Juliet and The Winter’s Tale

Since the Reformation, English onlookers have been used to unadorned, unpainted sculptures. However, in The Winter’s Tale, Shakespeare structures the plot around Hermione’s painted statue. Its lifelike appearance serves to enlighten King Leontes about his former tragic errors. Interestingly enough, in Romeo and Juliet, the playwright had already presented the supposedly ‘deadlike’ Juliet as a recumbent statue. So, these two plays may be regarded as part of a diptych as far as the dramatic and aesthetic function of the statue-like female character is concerned. In their reactions when confronted with the coloured “statues” of their beloved, Romeo and Leontes indeed raise several questions as to the role played by the work of art.This article, will first focus on the ambivalence of colour in early modern England so as to analyze the significance of polychrome statues, before turning to the ‘statue scenes’ in both plays in order to highlight their various functions. Finally, I will argue that Romeo and Juliet and The Winter’s Tale should be understood against a complex artistic background, at a time when English artists borrowed their styles from continental and more specifically from Italian sculptures in order to refashion England’s identity.

The importance of the lifelike esthetic appearance of all-ceramic restorations on anterior teeth.

The success of rehabilitation will not depend on just clinical procedures. A proper dental technique (ceramist) is required as well as the respect for some biomimetic principles to obtain the desired final result. This study has the purpose of describing a prosthetic rehabilitation with laminate veneers and all-ceramic crowns of a patient unsatisfied with a previous esthetic treatment because of the negligence of some biomimetic principles. A 45-year-old female patient was admitted to the dental clinic complaining about the lifelike appearance of her all-ceramic restorations. Before the fabrication of new restorations, a mock-up was conducted to verify the patient's satisfaction. A ceramist conducted all the fabrication process so that surface characterizations could be visually verified and the lifelike appearance of natural tooth could be reproduced. After the cementation procedure, the patient reported being satisfied with the lifelike appearance of the new restorations. Based on the clinical findings of the present case report, it can be concluded that the reproduction of the lifelike esthetic appearance of natural teeth and the visualization of the final results before definitive procedures are essential to obtain the clinical success.

A Simplified Technique for Fabrication and Characterization of a Custom Ocular Prosthesis using Light-cured Stains

ABSTRACT An ocular prosthesis which gives attention to the accurate duplication of natural color, contour, size and ocular orientation will provide realism and symmetry for patients who need it. This article describes a simplified technique of converting a stock eye shell into a well-fitting custom ocular prosthesis that requires minimal clinical procedures and simplified laboratory procedures. The color matching of the sclera of the prosthesis was performed using light-cured resin-based stains that are simple to use and give a more predictable and lifelike appearance when compared to the conventional acrylic ‘paint on’ technique. How to cite this article Daswani SR, Aras MA, Chitre V, Mysore A. A Simplified Technique for Fabrication and Characterization of a Custom Ocular Prosthesis using Light- cured Stains. Int J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2015;5(1):17-20.

Saving Faces Changing Lives the Art of Maxillofacial Prosthodontics Case Series Comparing Two Different Materials

Surgical reconstruction of large facial defects is not possible at times due to extensive loss of tissues that cannot be corrected by surgery alone. In these cases, prosthetic restoration of lost facial tissues can be done using maxillofacial prostheses. Introduction of new material which gives life-like appearance to such prosthetic restorations e.g. silicone and poly ether rubbers and use of implants to retain these prostheses have given a new dimension to rehabilitation of such patients.

Observational conditioning in flower choice copying by bumblebees (Bombus terrestris): influence of observer distance and demonstrator movement.

BackgroundBumblebees use information provided inadvertently by conspecifics when deciding between different flower foraging options. Such social learning might be explained by relatively simple associative learning mechanism: the bee may learn to associate conspecifics with nectar or pollen reward through previous experience of foraging jointly. However, in some studies, observers were guided by choices of ‘demonstrators’ viewed through a screen, so no reward was given to the observers at the time of seeing other bees’ flowers choice and no demonstrator bee was present at the moment of decision. This behaviour, referred to observational conditioning, implies an additional associative step as the positive value of conspecific is transferred to the associated flower. Here we explore the role of demonstrator movement, and the distance between observers and demonstrators that is required for observation conditioning to take place.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe identify the conditions under which observational conditioning occurs in the widespread European species Bombus terrestris. The presence of artificial demonstrator bees leads to a significant change in individual colour preference toward the indicated colour if demonstrators were moving and observation distance was limited (15 cm), suggesting that observational conditioning could only influence relatively short-range foraging decisions. In addition, the movement of demonstrators is a crucial factor for observational conditioning, either due to the more life-like appearance of moving artificial bees or an enhanced detectability of moving demonstrators, and an increased efficiency at directing attention to the indicated flower colour.ConclusionBumblebees possess the capacity to learn the quality of a flower by distal observation of other foragers’ choices. This confirms that social learning in bees involves more advanced processes than simple associative learning, and indicates that observational conditioning might be widespread in pollinating insects, raising intriguing questions for the underlying mechanisms as well as the spread of social information in pollinator-plant interactions.

Improving esthetics of finger prosthesis by glove silicone

Finger and partial finger amputations are some of the most frequently encountered forms of partial hand loss. A high quality esthetic prosthesis with passive function can be helpful to the patient since loss or congenital absence or malformation have both a social and psychological impact on the patient. Prosthetics is an art and science, which provides lifelike appearance to the lost structures of the patient. This case report presents the fabrication of a silicone finger prosthesis, which had good suspension, adequate function, was comfortable to use and esthetically acceptable to the patient.

Prosthetic rehabilitation of partial ear loss with custom-made acrylic attachment and long-term soft liner

The craniofacial implants are used for retaining the prostheses although these are costly and often require complex laboratory procedures. The aim of this case report is to describe a case of successful rehabilitation of partial ear loss with long-term soft liner and mechanically retained by custom-made heat-cured acrylic attachment. A female patient underwent a scalp avulsion injury and lost major portion of her hair and upper part of the left ear till the antitragus. A partial auricular prosthesis was fabricated, and mechanical retention was achieved through custom-made heat-cured acrylic attachment engaged in anatomic undercuts of remained ear. Permanent soft liner provided a life-like appearance and consistency to the prosthetic ear and bonded to custom-made heat-cured acrylic attachment through chemical cross-linking. Patient accepted the prosthesis satisfactorily without any social and psychological embracement. This technique simplified the clinical and laboratory procedures and reduced the cost of the prosthesis.

Nasal prosthesis for a patient with xeroderma pigmentosum

Acquired facial defects caused by extirpation of neoplasms, congenital malformations or traumatic injury results in a huge functional, cosmetic and psychological handicap in those patients. These defects can be restored by facial prosthesis using different materials and retention methods to achieve a lifelike appearance and function. This clinical report describes a treatment schedule using silicone nasal prosthesis, which is mechanically retained for a patient who has undergone a partial rhinectomy due to basal cell carcinoma of the nose. The prosthesis was made to restore the esthetic appearance of patient with a mechanically retained design using a spectacle glass frame without any prosthetic adhesives so that the patient is more comfortable and confident to resume daily activities.

Prosthetic rehabilitation of auricular defect

The absence of external ear may be due to congenital, traumatic, or surgical causes. Many case reports only describe impression techniques to record details of the defect side and the natural ear. The purpose of this case report is to explain in detail simple clinical and laboratory procedures involved in fabrication of ear prosthesis. The use of three-part mold helps in the application of pigmented silicone in specific areas. The use of direct adhesive fixation provides the best esthetic result and if properly used the most satisfactory form of treatment. The patient was satisfied with the life-like appearance of the prosthesis. The use of direct adhesive fixation gave the patient a sense of security and improved his confidence. The technique described is economical, and additional steps of implant placement are avoided. The esthetics of the prosthesis made by hand carved clay pattern provides good details. The technique describes the method of direct adhesive fixation of the prosthesis giving it a life-like appearance. The confidence of the patient is also restored.

The Uncanny Valley [From the Field

More than 40 years ago, Masahiro Mori, a robotics professor at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, wrote an essay [1] on how he envisioned people's reactions to robots that looked and acted almost like a human. In particular, he hypothesized that a person's response to a humanlike robot would abruptly shift from empathy to revulsion as it approached, but failed to attain, a lifelike appearance. This descent into eeriness is known as the uncanny valley. The essay appeared in an obscure Japanese journal called Energy in 1970, and in subsequent years, it received almost no attention. However, more recently, the concept of the uncanny valley has rapidly attracted interest in robotics and other scientific circles as well as in popular culture. Some researchers have explored its implications for human-robot interaction and computer-graphics animation, whereas others have investigated its biological and social roots. Now interest in the uncanny valley should only intensify, as technology evolves and researchers build robots that look human. Although copies of Mori's essay have circulated among researchers, a complete version hasn't been widely available. The following is the first publication of an English translation that has been authorized and reviewed by Mori. (See “Turning Point” in this issue for an interview with Mori.).

Osseointegration Technique in Patients with Acquired Auricular Deformities and Failed Previous Reconstruction: A Retrospective Study of Long-Term Follow-Up and Chinese Experience

Objectives: To evaluate the complication rate and patient satisfaction of reconstruction of acquired auricular deformities and failed previous reconstruction by the osseointegration technique. Methods: The study enrolled 24 patients from January 2002 to December 2005. Data collected included demographic information, success rate of auricular prostheses, site of implants, survival rate of implants, occurrence of skin reaction and condition of the prosthetic ear. Results: Twenty-five ears (24 patients) were implanted. All ears were healing well with a lifelike appearance, stable fixation and natural color; except for 2 instances of implants dislocated by trauma, the rest survived well by first intention; skin reaction was the most troublesome complication, no patient was able to maintain a consistent level of soft-tissue health for the whole follow-up period, but the ratio and degree of skin reaction decreased gradually. The time of wearing prosthetic ears was more than 8 h/day. The average time length until prosthetic ear replacement was 3.5 years. There were no intracranial or systemic complications. Conclusion: The osseointegration technique can be the method of choice for acquired auricular defects and failed reconstructions. Follow-up management is important to the health of the implants and the surrounding soft tissue and to preserve the prosthesis and its retention mechanism.

Use of a Stud Attachment to Retain a Silicone Orbital Prosthesis: A Clinical Report

Orbital defects with total loss of eyelids and eyeball cannot be satisfactorily repaired by reconstructive surgery. Prosthetic replacement is the treatment of choice owing to its acceptable lifelike appearance. The use of semiprecision attachments in maxillofacial prostheses is limited to osseointegrated prostheses. Therefore, this article describes a conventional glasses frame technique, to retain the silicone orbital prosthesis using a Dalla Bona stud attachment.