Resumo em Inglês:

This work involved an evaluation of calcium hydroxide powder in the absence and presence of CO2. 0.12g of calcium hydroxide powder was used for each of 16 aliquots diluted in 100 mL of deionized water and distributed in 2 samples of 8 aliquots. The indices of pOH, [OH-] and [Ca++] were obtained by mathematical calculations after determining the pH. The results demonstrated that in the presence of CO2, calcium hydroxide showed a marked loss of [OH-] and [Ca++] in relation to the decrease in pH. However, the high alkaline pH of the calcium hydroxide powder was preserved in the absence of CO2, maintaining its reparative and antimicrobial properties.

Resumo em Inglês:

The utilization of nanostructured materials for development of biosensors is a growing field in medical diagnostics. In this work a glucose biosensor based on bioactive polyglycerol (PGLD) and chitosan dendrimers (CHD) was developed. PGLD and CHD were bioconjugated with the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx) to obtain dendrimers with glucose sensing properties. Polyaniline nanotubes (PANINT´s) were used as electron mediator due to their high ability to promote electron-transfer reactions involving GOx. The PGLD-GOx and CHD-GOx were entrapped in PANINT´s during template electrochemical polymerization of aniline. The prepared PGLD-GOx/PANINT´s and CHD-GOx/PANINT´s biosensors exhibit a strong and stable amperometric response to glucose even at a low potential of +100 mV. The based PGLD-GOx/PANINT´s and CHD-GOx/PANINT´s biosensors showed a good performance in glucose concentrations range in human blood. A comparison of the sensitivities to glucose showed that both biosensors have a linearity range between 0.02 and 10 mM, though PGLD-GOx/PANINT´s is more sensitive (10.41 vs. 7.04 nA.mM-1). The difference in the biosensor behavior and the high sensitivity of the PGLD-GOx/PANINT´s may be due to the specific organization of GOx layer at surface of the modifier macromolecule PGLD and their distribution in PANINT´s. The enzyme affinity for the substrate, K Mapp remains quite good after GOx immobilization on PGLD and CHD dendrimers and entrapment of the bioconjugates in PANINT´s.

Resumo em Inglês:

The influence of processing parameters (slab thickness, water flow of interstand cooling and oil flow in roll gap lubrication system) on the thickness and composition of the tertiary scale formed during hot strip rolling, was studied in a low carbon steel in factory. The scale formed on the rolled surface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Mössbauer spectroscopy. It was observed that the combined effect of a greater rolling oil volume applied, larger bar thickness, and smaller amount of water flow during interstand cooling reduces the tertiary scale thickness. Besides, a smaller crack density in the samples is associated with greater rolling oil volume and smaller oxide scale thickness. The principal phase of the scale formed in hot-rolled steel strips is stoichiometric magnetite, without isomorphic substitutions.

Resumo em Inglês:

A multi layered feed forward neural network model is being developed for the prediction of end blow oxygen in the LD converter using a two step process. In the first step intermediate stopping temperature is being predicted and using this as an input the end blow oxygen is predicted. In both the cases two hidden layers had given the best results compared to the single layer neural network. Intermediate and end blow temperatures played a vital role in end blow oxygen and intermediate stopping temperature predictions. The model acts a guide for the operator and thereby enhances the yield of the converter steel making process.

Resumo em Inglês:

The variation of welding parameters such as weld geometry and post-weld heat treatment on the corrosion behaviour of austenitic stainless steel in a saline environment of 1.0 M NaCl was investigated in this work. Rods of austenitic stainless steel of known chemical composition were prepared and welded using electric arc welding technique varying the aforementioned parameters. Thereafter, samples for the corrosion behaviour investigation were then cut out of the welded rods. The analysis of the experimental data revealed that the best weld geometry was chamfered and a post-weld heat treatment carried out at temperatures in excess of 700 °C followed by air cooling improves the quality of a weld.

Resumo em Inglês:

The resin cements are responsible to retention of the indirect materials decreasing marginal leakage, increasing failure resistance compared with conventional cementation. The cementation within root canal is very hard due unfavorable conditions regarding the application of adhesive techniques caused by inadequate access. Therefore, considering the possibility to decrease steps of cementation, this study was performed to evaluate the bond strength of self-adhesive resin cement (RelyX TM U100, 3M ESPE) and resin cement combined with self-ecthing adhesive system (Panavia® F 2.0, Kuraray) light-cured with Quartz Tungsten Halogen (QTH) following storage at 37 °C immediately after light-curing, 24 and 48 hours and 7 days. The root canals were prepared to receive the glass fiber post in the depth of 10 mm, irrigated with 17% EDTA and NaOCl, rinsed with distilled water and dried using paper points. The roots were perpendicularly sectioned into approximately 1 mm thick sections, obtaining ninety-six slices (n = 12). The slices were trimmed using a cylindrical diamond bur in the proximal surfaces until it touched the post and attached into a device, which were mounted on a strength tester (Bisco) and loaded in tension at a speed of 0.5 mm/min until failure occurred at specimens. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post-hoc tests showed significant statistical differences (P < .05) to all resin cements immediately after light-curing and 24 hours, 48 hours and 7 days. The Panavia® F 2.0 showed higher mean values than RelyX TM U100 for all storage times, however no different statistically significant was reported (P > .05). The resin cements 24 and 48 hours after light-curing were statistically similar among themselves (P > .05). The both resin cement showed similar bond strength into root canal on different storage times. The highest bond strength values of the resin cements were showed 7 days after curing.

Resumo em Inglês:

The microstructure and electrical properties of varistors composed of (95-x) ZnO + x Pr6O11 + 5 CoO (ZPC), (x = 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0) and sintered at 1300 and 1350 °C, were investigated. According to X-ray diffraction, several phases (ZnO, Pr2O3 and Pr2CoO4) are present when x = 1.0. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy, all of these compositions contain precipitates. These phases are important regarding the development of the microstructure and the electrical properties. The samples with x = 0.1 introduce the best nonohmic behavior (α = 9.0), however when x = 0.5 the electrical properties are highly degraded due to the small quantity of effective barriers. The density of superficial states N IS and donor concentration Nd decreases with Pr6O11 addition. The decrease in the donor concentration is attributed to the annihilation of the donor defects according to the transformation of praseodymium oxides from Pr6O11 to Pr2O3.

Resumo em Inglês:

Despite the interest in identifying systemic effects caused by the metallic particles released from long term metallic implants in the body, few works support reliable conclusions about the effects of those particles in organs. The aim of the present work is to look for damages in tissues of liver, kidney, lung and heart of rats submitted to injection of Hank's solution contained particles of Ti6Al4V alloy and Stainless Steel 316L, obtained by metal friction. The particles size ranges from 50 to 200 µm for the Ti alloy and from 100 to 500 µm for the 316L. Tissues isolated from the organs after the euthanasia were prepared and analyzed in an optical microscope and Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS). Lesions caused by an inflammatory response such as strange body epithelioid granuloma and giant cells were found in some of the tissues containing yttrium and aluminum.

Resumo em Inglês:

An evaluation was made of the abrasive wear of six composite thermofixed dental resins subjected to different polymerization times. The method of evaluation was based on sharpness measurements to quantify the abrasive wear resistance of the resins. To this end, a test bench was built, consisting of a rotating porcelain cylinder that wears out a resin-coated cylinder placed above it, thus causing vertical displacement of the contact as the wear progresses. The values of vertical displacement, i.e., the input variables, were read and recorded by means of a computer program to obtain the sharpness values. These data indicated that the resins displayed different behaviors as a function of the polymerization times applied, reinforcing the importance of using a practical and rapid method of analysis in order to ensure that the behavior of new materials is fully understood before they are launched on the market.

Resumo em Inglês:

The effect of fluoride ions concentration on the electrochemical behavior of Ti grade 2 and Ti6Al4V in citrate buffers was studied. Open circuit potential (OCP) measurements and voltammetric studies of the samples in the fluoride containing citrate buffers revealed a dissolution process when the pH falls below 5.0 and the NaF content is higher than 0.01 M. However, in citrate pH 7.6 the materials showed a passive behavior even in 0.1 M NaF. Some micrographs of Ti grade 2 obtained after longer immersion times in citrate pH 5.0 with 0.01 M NaF showed a surface attack. EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Sprectroscopy) data obtained at the OCP revealed that the film resistance decreases when the immersion time is increased in pH 5.0 containing 0.1 M NaF. In the citrate pH 7.6 the EIS data indicated a two-layer model of an oxide film consisting of a more compact inner layer and a porous outer layer. On the other hand, the EIS results in citrate pH 4.0 change significantly when the fluoride ions concentration increases from 0.01 to 0.05 M. The electrochemical data revealed that the corrosion behavior of Ti grade 2 and Ti6Al4V in the citrate buffers depends on the pH, the fluoride content and the exposure time.

Resumo em Inglês:

Linear polymerization shrinkage (LPS), flexural strength (FS) and modulus of elasticity (ME) of 7 dental composites (Filtek Z350™, Filtek Z250™/3M ESPE; Grandio™, Polofil Supra™/VOCO; TPH Spectrum™, TPH3™, Esthet-X™/Denstply) were measured. For the measurement of LPS, composites were applied to a cylindrical metallic mold and polymerized (n = 8). The gap formed at the resin/mold interface was observed using scanning electron microscopy (1500×). For FS and ME, specimens were prepared according to the ISO 4049 specifications (n = 10). Statistical analysis of the data was performed with one-way ANOVA and the Tukey test. TPH Spectrum presented significantly higher LPS values (29.45 µm). Grandio had significantly higher mean values for FS (141.07 MPa) and ME (13.91 GPa). The relationship between modulus of elasticity and polymerization shrinkage is the main challenge for maintenance of the adhesive interface, thus composites presenting high shrinkage values, associated with a high modulus of elasticity tend to disrupt the adhesive interface under polymerization.

Resumo em Inglês:

Natural Rubber Latex (NRL) can be used successfully in controlled release drug delivery due to their excellent matrix forming properties. Recently, NRL has shown to stimulate angiogenesis, cellular adhesion and the formation of extracellular matrix, promoting the replacement and regeneration of tissue. A dermatological delivery system comprising a topically acceptable, inert support impregnated with a metronidazole (MET) solution was developed. MET 2-(2- methyl- 5-nitro- 1H- imidazol- 1-yl) ethanol, has been widely used for the treatment of protozoa and anaerobic bacterial infections. MET is a nitroimidazole anti-infective medication used mainly in the treatment of infections caused by susceptible organisms, particularly anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. In a previous study, we have tested NRL as an occlusive membrane for GBR with promising results. One possible way to decrease the inflammatory process, it was incorporated the MET in NRL. MET was incorporated into the NRL, by mixing it in solution for in vitro protein delivery experiments. The solutions of latex and MET were polymerized at different temperatures, from -100 to 40 °C, in order to control the membrane morphology. SEM microscopy analysis showed that the number, size and distribution of pores in NRL membranes varied depending on polymerization temperature, as well as its overall morphology. Results demonstrated that the best drug-delivery system was the membrane polymerized at -100 °C, which does release 77,1% of its MET content for up 310 hours.

Resumo em Inglês:

To address a critical aspect of the fast growing use of composites in aircraft and aerospace industry, the influence of the porosity on the shear strength of composites property was investigated as a mean for determining the critical values of porosity. Acid digestion techniques were applied to determine the void volume ratio of two families of carbon epoxy laminates (8 and 16 plies). Ultrasonic inspections revealed the corresponding attenuation coefficients. The void morphology was investigated by optical microscopy. Results from Interlaminar shear and Iosipescu shear tests were correlated with the attenuation coefficient to determine critical values of porosity using a modified Mar-Lin fracture criteria. It has been shown that the shear strength decrease with the increase of void volume ratio and the effects are more significant in thicker laminates. This work showed that by using the Mar-Lin criteria the singularity order, which is an indicative of the sensibility to voids in composites, is dependent of type of loading and void distribution.

Resumo em Inglês:

The sol-gel process is very effective for the preparation of new materials with potential applications in optics, sensors, catalyst supports, coatings, and specialty inorganic polymers that can be used as hosts for the accommodation of organic molecules. The low temperature employed in the process is the main advantage of this methodology. In this work, the europium (III) complex with 1,10-phenantroline was prepared, and this luminescent complex was incorporated into silica nanoparticles and films by the sol-gel process. The nanoparticles were obtained by the modified Stöber methodology. The films were obtained by the dip-coating technique, at different deposition rates and numbers of layers. The nanoparticles and films were characterized by photoluminescence, thermal analysis, and Raman and infrared spectroscopies. Characterization revealed that the europium (III) complex was not affected upon incorporation into the nanoparticles and films, opening a new field for the application of these materials.

Resumo em Inglês:

This study investigated the alteration of surface roughness of the nanofill composite Filtek Z350 3M/ESPE®, caused by simulated brushing associated with the use of mouthrinses with or without alcohol. Sixty specimens were prepared and distributed into six groups: distilled water, ethylic alcohol, Listerine® Vanilla Mint, Plax® without alcohol, Oral B® without alcohol and a control group. Each group was submitted to two intercalary 5,000 simulated brushing cycles. At the end of each cycle, the specimens were washed in tap water and immersed for two cycles of six hours equivalent to one year of daily use of the solution for 2 minutes. It was possible to verify significant alteration in surface roughness of the composite influenced by ethylic alcohol. It was not significant for distilled water and the mouthrinses.

Resumo em Inglês:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of post-irradiation dry aging at different periods of time on Vickers microhardness of some dental composites based on various resin matrices. Sixty four disc-shaped specimens of the resin composites were prepared in a split Teflon mold (8 × 2 mm) and irradiated by Optilux 501 light cure (500 mW.cm-2 for 40 seconds) on their top side. The specimens were aged-dry in dark at 23 and 37 °C for the following storage periods; immediate, 1/2 an hour, 1, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 168 hours. The microhardness values were recorded using a Vickers Hardness Tester at 300 g load for 15 seconds. Results showed that Filtek® P90 and Definite expressed the highest hardness value followed by Tetric Evoceram and then Premise Enamel. At each aging period, all materials demonstrated significant differences between hardness values of top and base surfaces as well as both temperatures examined (P < 0.05). In conclusion, surface hardness developed gradually in most of the materials reaching optimum after 168 hours post-irradiation aging. Dental composites based on silorane and ormocer resin matrices achieved higher Vickers microhardness than those based on dimethacrylates resin.

Resumo em Inglês:

Water pollution with heavy metals is a matter of major concern for public health and also for natural resource management. The present study investigated the effect of chemical modifications on biopolymeric adsorbents (based on chitosan membranes) for chromium removal using fixed-bed dynamic adsorption technique. Parameters such as flow rate, initial concentration and crosslinking agents were evaluated, from a practical point-of-view, in order to optimize the adsorption capacity of natural, glutaraldehyde and epichlorohydrin crosslinked chitosan membranes. The adsorption capacity of natural and epiclorohydrin-crosslinked chitosan membranes were very close to each other; however, glutaraldehyde-crosslinked chitosan membranes presented nearly twice the adsorption capacity compared to the other membranes, being the most promising adsorbent in such mass-transfer systems.

Resumo em Inglês:

In devices used in open-heart surgery and dialysis, blood must be continuously processed using extracorporeal circuits composed of peristaltic pumps and active components such as specific filters and oxygenators. Several procedures have been employed to avoid blood coagulation induced by contact with the artificial surfaces of such devices. Often heparin, a bioactive protein able to prevent clot formation, is employed. In this work, we have used heparin-containing gas plasmas to evaluate the possibility of depositing adherent anticoagulant films onto PVC and glass surfaces. The films were produced by radiofrequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition from heparin/isopropanol and heparin/hexamethyldisiloxane solutions. In addition, the effects of exposure to SF6 plasmas on the compatibility of such surfaces have also been investigated. The blood compatibility was evaluated through the determination of the density of platelets and fibrinogen and activated partial thromboplastin (APTT) and prothrombin times (PT) of human blood freshly collected and after contact for 2.5 hours with different surfaces. The deposited films were also characterized by infrared spectroscopy, contact angle and surface energy measurements. The coagulation time of blood, placed in contact with glass substrates coated by PECVD films of heparin/isopropanol mixtures, and in contact with SF6 plasma-treated PVC, increased by about 60 and 20%, respectively, compared to the values measured with untreated samples.

Resumo em Inglês:

Powder metallurgy is widely used in the manufacture of components that have complex geometry. The good dimensional control, reduction in manufacturing steps and operating costs which has favored the use of this technique for manufacturing of titanium alloys components. However, the high affinity of this material with oxygen hinders strongly the sintering process. For this, the sintering associated with plasma technology can be considered an alternative technique for the processing of this material. The strict control of sintering atmosphere performed at low pressures and the reactive species present in the plasma environment can help to improve the sintering of this material. The results presented in this paper show a good correlation between the parameters used for the compaction of the samples and the microstructure develop during the plasma sintering of samples. The microstructure of the plasma assisted samples is also affected by the particular configuration used in the plasma reactor.

Resumo em Inglês:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the fatigue behavior in wet environment of a ZTA three unit FPDs processed via CAD-CAM. Thirty four three unit FPDs (In-Ceram®Zirconia BZ blanks) were grinded through a CEREC In-Lab equipment followed by glass infiltration and sandblasting. Those frameworks were then submitted to different number of load cycles (400 N, 1 Hz). The FPDs that did not fractured by fatigue were submitted to a bending test in order to determine the influence of load cycling on its residual load. The non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis of those tests have shown with a 95% confidence, that there is a clear relation between the number of load cycles and its residual load. The fracture mode most frequently encountered on those FPDs was through the distal connector.

Resumo em Inglês:

This research work describes a thermo mechanical investigation of a low alloy steel treated in the (α + γ) phase region. The aim is to develop a high tensile, ductile microstructure that could have a wide range of engineering applications. Recent advances in the area of precipitation, recrystallization mechanisms, and α / γ transformations provide strong background to this study. In a preliminary heat treatment, various microstructures (normalized and 450 °C tempered martensite structure) were produced and deformed to varying degrees. Subsequently, these microstructures were subjected to various intercritical temperatures (740 and 760 °C) for various times and a very high cooling rate. Light (optical) microscopic investigations were carried out to study the ensuing microstructures. Mechanical testing results (tensile and hardness values) were used to characterize the structures obtained. On analysis of the result, it was observed that well defined micro-duplex structures of ferritic and martensitic nature, possessing good combinations of strength and ductility were obtained.

Resumo em Inglês:

Modeling the martensite reaction requires reckoning with spatial aspects of the reaction. For that, we used formal kinetics, more specifically, the microstructural path method (MPM) to analyze the microstructure observed in a burst. The microstructural path analysis revealed that the size of the spread cluster in extended space, characterized by the Vandermeer and Juul-Jensen's impingement compensated mean intercept length, λG, remained constant, independently of the parent austenite grain size. Moreover, current analysis introduced a purely formal description of the reaction progress by taking the parent austenite grain size as the progress variable. This description worked very well and resulted in a relationship between the volume fraction of partially transformed austenite, V VG, and austenite grain size, λG. The significance of these findings in the light of the advantages and disadvantages of formal kinetics is discussed.