The present study demonstrated a 10% higher success rate following immediate loading of partial fixed bridges in the posterior mandible supported by TiUnite surface implants compared with success with machined implants. When using the machined implants, the number of failed implants was significantly higher in smokers and in bone quality 4 sites. Such findings were not seen following the use of TiUnite implants.

The study confirmed the feasibility of an immediate-loading treatment protocol in the maxilla, which included flapless surgery, implants and abutments placed in predetermined positions, and prefabricated provisional restorations. All failures occurred within the first 2 months of loading. The unchanged survival rate and the low average bone loss found during the following 34-month study period indicate a good long-term prognosis for the performed immediate-loading treatment.

The present study demonstrated that oxidized implants subjected to immediate or early loading do integrate with soft and bone tissues in the posterior mandible.

Context. The theory of stellar evolution can be more closely tested if we have the opportunity to measure new quantities. Nowadays, observations of galactic RR Lyr stars are available on a time baseline exceeding 100 years. Therefore, we can exploit the possibility of investigating period changes, continuing the pioneering work started by V. P. Tsesevich in 1969. Aims. We collected the available times of maximum brightness of the galactic RR Lyr stars in the GEOS RR Lyr database. Moreover, we also started new observational projects, including surveys with automated telescopes, to characterise the O-C diagrams better. Methods. The database we built has proved to be a very powerful tool for tracing the period variations through the ages.

Abstract. The double-mode pulsation of GSC 00144-03031 has been detected when searching for COROT targets. A very large dataset composed of 4722 photometric measurements was collected at six observatories in Europe and America. There is no hint of the excitation of additional modes (down to 0.6 mmag) and therefore GSC 00144-03031 seems to be a pure double-mode pulsator, with a very short fundamental radial mode (P = 84 min). From uvbyβ photometry and evolutionary tracks it appears to be a Pop. I star with M = 1.75 M , located in the middle of the instability strip, close to the Zero-Age Main Sequence. We also discovered other new double-mode pulsators in the databases of large-scale projects: OGLE BW2_V142, OGLE BW1_V207, ASAS3 094303-1707.3, ASAS3 000116-6037.0, NSVS 3234596 and NSVS 3324715. An observational Petersen diagram is presented and explained by means of new models. A common sequence connecting Pop. I stars from the shortest to the longest periods is proposed and the spreads in the period ratios are ascribed to different metallicities (at the shortest periods) and to different masses (at the longest ones).