Material processing by plasma shock wave generated in an inverse Z-pinch plasma expander

The applicability of plasma shock wave for material processing was investigated using modified inverse Z-pinch device. Shock wave expanding speed and plasma spectral analysis were studied using an internal magnetic,probe and spatially collimated light spectroscopy. The material processing capability of the device was shown by many different surface analysis techniques such as AES, IRS, EPM and SEM. The interactions between a plasma shock wave of similar to4x10(6) cm/s speed with a Si substrate surface shows some ion implantation capability using a nitrogen plasma and thin film formation using a methane plasma.

Effect of light curing sources on microhardness of different composite resins

This study evaluated the influence of light-curing units (LCUs) on Knoop microhardness (KHN) of different composite resins formulations. Four LCUs, one Quartz-Tungsten-Halogen (QTH) for 20 s, one Argon-Ion-Laser (AL) for 10 s, one Plasma-Arc-Curing (PAC) for 9 s, and one Light-Emitting-Diode (LED) for 20 s, and three composite resins, nanofill and easy cure (Filtek (TM) Supreme), microhybrid and medium cure (Herculite XRV), and microfill and difficult cure (Heliomolar) were used. Discs (4 x 2 mm(2)) of each composite resin were divided in 12 Groups and KHN was measured at the top (T) and bottom (B) surfaces. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p < 0.05). Top presented significantly higher KHN than bottom surface for all composite resins and LCUs tested. Statistical significant differences were observed among the LCUs. At the bottom surface QTH and LED presented higher KHN than PAC and LA. However, at the top surface PAC and LA presented similar results than QTH for nanofill and microhybrid composite resins. Different LCUs play an important effect on Knoop microhardness and the composite resin formulations were significant factor on the photosensitivity.

Environmental blue light prevents stress in the fish Nile tilapia

The present study aimed to test the effects of blue, green or white light on the stress response of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.). Each color was tested on two groups of isolated adult Nile tilapia (8 replicates each): one being subjected to confinement stress, and the other not (control). A different environmental color was imposed on each compartment by covering the light source with cellophane of the respective color (green or blue; no cellophane was used for white light). The intensity of green, white and blue lights was 250, 590 and 250 lux, respectively. Basal plasma cortisol levels were determined for each fish prior to the experimental procedures. The fish were confined by being displaced toward one side of the aquarium using an opaque partition for 1 h both in the morning and the afternoon of the two consecutive days of the test. At the end of this 48-h period, plasma cortisol levels were measured again. Basal cortisol levels (ng/ml) were similar for each group (ANOVA, F(2;42) = 0.77, P = 0.47). Thus, plasma cortisol levels were analyzed in terms of variation from their respective basal level. After confinement, plasma cortisol levels were not increased in fish submitted to a blue light environment. Thus, blue light prevents the confinement-induced cortisol response, an effect not necessarily related to light intensity.

Intracellular papillae of Actinocephalus (Eriocaulaceae-Poales) roots and their interaction with fungi: A light and transmission electron microscopy study

The genus Actinocephalus comprises 25 species and is restricted to Brazil, occurring mainly in the Espinhaco Mountains of Minas Gerais and Bahia States. Previous anatomical studies have reported the occurrence of intracellular papillae in the Actinocephalus roots, without dealing with their ultrastructure and function. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the structure, the composition and the probable function of the intracellular papillae of Actinocephalus roots, based on light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and histochemical tests. The intracellular papillae occurred in all root tissues, from the rhizodermis to the vascular cylinder; they presented different forms and sizes and, ultrastructurally, they corresponded to material deposited between the cell wall and the plasma membrane. The histochemical tests carried out were positive for cellulose, pectin and callose. The intracellular papillae are responses of the plant cells to the interaction with fungi. They work as a physical barrier restricting fungal penetration, and they may also favor the supply of water and nutrients to the plant, since they increase root absorption surface. This might explain why the species of Actinocephalus are among the tallest Eriocaulaceae despite their reduced radicular system and the nutritional deficiency of the soil in which they grow. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Morphological and physiological responses of the recalcitrant Euterpe edulis seeds to light, temperature and gibberellins

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Stabilization of a light bullet in a layered Kerr medium with sign-changing nonlinearity

Using the numerical solution of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation and a variational method, it is shown that (3+1)-dimensional spatiotemporal optical solitons, known as light bullets, can be stabilized in a layered Kerr medium with sign-changing nonlinearity along the propagation direction.

Confusing the extragalactic neutrino flux limit with a neutrino propagation limit

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

DAILY VARIATION IN PLASMA-CONCENTRATION OF FENCAMFAMINE AND STRIATAL DOPAMINE-RECEPTORS IN RATS

Fencamfamine (FCF) is a psychostimulant drug classified as an indirect dopamine agonist. In the present study we evaluated the daily variation in plasma FCF concentration and in striatal dopamine receptors. Adult male Wistar rats (250-300 g) maintained on a 12-h light/12-h dark cycle (lights on at 07:00 h) were used. Rats received FCF (10.0 mg/kg, ip) at 09:00, 15:00, 21:00 or 03:00 h and blood samples were collected 30 (N = 6) or 60 (N = 6) min after the injections. Plasma FCF was measured by gas chromatography using an electron capture detector. Two-way ANOVA showed significant differences in FCF concentration when blood samples were collected 30 min after the injection, and the highest value was obtained following injection 21:00 h. Moreover, at 15:00, 21:00 and 03:00h, plasma FCF levels were significantly lower 60 min after injection when compared to the 30-min interval. Two other groups of rats (N = 6) were decapitated at 09:00 or 21:00 h and the striata were dissected for the binding assays. The Bmax for [H-3]-spiroperidol binding to striatal membranes was higher at 21:00 h, without changes in affinity constant (Kd). In conclusion, plasma FCF levels and dopamine receptors undergo daily variation,a phenomenon that should be considered to explain the circadian time-dependent effects of FCF.

Effects of light-curing time on the cytotoxicity of a restorative resin composite applied to an immortalized odontoblast-cell line

This in vitro study evaluated the cytotoxic effects of a restorative resin composite applied to an immortalized odontoblast-cell line (MDPC-23). Seventy-two round resin discs (2-mm thick and 4 mm in diameter) were light-cured for 20 or 40 seconds and rinsed, or not, with PBS and culture medium. The resin discs were divided into four experimental groups: Group 1: Z-100/20 seconds; Group 2: Z-100/20 seconds/rinsed; Group 3: Z100/40 seconds; Group 4: Z-100/40 seconds/rinsed. Circular filter paper was used as a control material (Group 5). The round resin discs and filter papers were placed in the bottom of wells of four 24-well dishes (18 wells for each experimental and control group). MDPC-23 cells (30,000 cells/cm(2)) were plated in the wells and allowed to incubate for 72 hours. The zone of inhibition around the resin discs was measured under inverted light microscopy; the MTT assay was carried out for mitochondrial respiration and cell morphology was measured under SEM. The scores obtained from inhibition zone and MTT assay were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis followed by Dunnett tests. In Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, the thickness of the inhibition zone was 1,593 +/- 12.82 mum, 403 +/- 15.49 mum, 1,516 +/- 9.81 mum and 313 +/- 13.56 mum, respectively. There was statistically significant difference among the experimental and control groups at the 0.05 level of significance. The MTT assay demonstrated that the resin discs of the experimental groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 reduced the cell metabolism by 83%, 40.1%, 75.5% and 24.5%. Only between the Groups 2 and 4 was there no statistically significant difference for mitochondrial respiration. Close to the resin discs, the MDPC-23 cells exhibited rounded shapes, with only a few cellular processes keeping the cells attached to the substrate or, even disruption of plasma membrane. Adjacent to the inhibition zone, the cultured cells exhibited multiple fine cellular processes on the cytoplasmic membrane organized in epithelioid nodules, similar to the morphology observed to the control group. Based on the results, the authors may conclude that the Z-100 resin composite light cured for 20 seconds was more cytopathic to MDPC-23 cells than Z-100 light cured for 40 seconds. The cytotoxic effects of the resin discs decreased after rinsing them with PBS and culture medium. This was confirmed by MTT assay and upon evaluation of the inhibition zone, which was narrower following rinsing of the resin discs.

Quantum gauge boson propagators in the light front

Gauge fields in the light front are traditionally addressed via, the employment of an algebraic condition n·A = 0 in the Lagrangian density, where Aμ is the gauge field (Abelian or non-Abelian) and nμ is the external, light-like, constant vector which defines the gauge proper. However, this condition though necessary is not sufficient to fix the gauge completely; there still remains a residual gauge freedom that must be addressed appropriately. To do this, we need to define the condition (n·A) (∂·A) = 0 with n·A = 0 = ∂·A. The implementation of this condition in the theory gives rise to a gauge boson propagator (in momentum space) leading to conspicuous nonlocal singularities of the type (k·n)-α where α = 1, 2. These singularities must be conveniently treated, and by convenient we mean not only mathemathically well-defined but physically sound and meaningful as well. In calculating such a propagator for one and two noncovariant gauge bosons those singularities demand from the outset the use of a prescription such as the Mandelstam-Leibbrandt (ML) one. We show that the implementation of the ML prescription does not remove certain pathologies associated with zero modes. However we present a causal, singularity-softening prescription and show how to keep causality from being broken without the zero mode nuisance and letting only the propagation of physical degrees of freedom.

Temperature analysis during bonding of brackets using LED or halogen light base units

The purpose of our investigation is to compare the intrapulpal temperature changes following blue LED system and halogen lamp irradiation at the enamel surface of permanent teeth. The fixation of brackets using composite resin is more comfortable and faster when using a photo-curable composite. Several light sources can be used: halogens, arc plasma, lasers, and recently blue LED systems. An important aspect to be observed during such a procedures is the temperature change. In this study, we have used nine human extracted permanent teeth: three central incisors, three lateral incisors, and three canines. Teeth were exposed to two light sources: blue LED system (preliminary commercial model LEC 470-II) and halogen lamp (conventional photo-cure equipment). The surface of teeth was exposed for 20, 40, and 60 sec at the buccal and lingual enamel surface with an angle of 45 degrees. Temperature values measured by a thermistor placed at pulpar chamber were read in time intervals of 1 sec. We obtained plots showing the temperature evolution as a function of time for each experiment. There is a correlation between heating quantity and exposition time of light source: with increasing exposition time, heating increases into the pulpal chamber. The halogen lamp showed higher heating than the LED system, which showed a shorter time of cooling than halogen lamp. The blue LED system seems like the indicated light source for photo-cure of composite resin during the bonding of brackets. The fixation of brackets using composite resin is more comfortable and faster when using a photo-curable composite. Blue LED equipment did not heat during its use. This could permit a shorter clinical time of operation and better performance. © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Effect of light-curing method and indirect veneering materials on the Knoop hardness of a resin cement

This study evaluated the Knoop hardness of a dual-cured resin cement (Rely-X ARC) activated solely by chemical reaction (control group) or by chemical / physical mode, light-cured through a 1.5 mm thick ceramic (HeraCeram) or composite (Artglass) disc. Light curing was carried out using conventional halogen light (XL2500) for 40 s (QTH); light emitting diodes (Ultrablue Is) for 40 s (LED); and Xenon plasma arc (Apollo 95E) for 3 s (PAC). Bovine incisors had their buccal face flattened and hybridized. On this surface a rubber mold (5 mm in diameter and 1 mm in height) was bulk filled with the resin cement. A polyester strip was seated for direct light curing or through the discs of veneering materials. After dry storage in the dark (24 h 37°C), the samples (n = 5) were sectioned for hardness (KHN) measurements, taken in a microhardness tester (50 gF load 15 s). The data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). The cement presented higher Knoop hardness values with Artglass for QTH and LED, compared to HeraCeram. The control group and the PAC/Artglass group showed lower hardness values compared to the groups light-cured with QTH and LED. PAC/HeraCeram resulted in the worst combination for cement hardness values. © 2009 Sociedade Brasileira de Pesquisa Odontológica.

A human retrieval study of plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite-coated plateau root form implants after 2 months to 13 years in function

Calcium phosphate-based bioactive ceramics in various physical and chemical formulations have been extensively utilized as biomaterials for bone regeneration/conduction. However, the determination of their in vivo temporal behavior from the short to long term in humans has been a challenge due to the lack of physical reference for morphologic and morphometric evaluation. The present study evaluated bone morphology and morphometry (bone-to-implant contact [BIC]) around plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite (PSHA)-coated endosseous implants that were retrieved due to prosthetic reasons while successfully in function at the posterior region of the jaws from as early as 2 months to ~13 years after a 6-month healing period after placement. Bone morphology was evaluated by light microscopy, and BIC was determined using computer software. Irrespective of the time in vivo, lamellar bone was observed in close contact with the implant PSHA-coated surface and between plateaus. BIC ranged from ~35-95%, was highly directional, and Haversian-like osteonic morphology between plateaus was observed for most implants. The PSHA coating was present with little variation in thickness between the samples retrieved regardless of time in vivo. © 2010 by Begell House, Inc.

Ultra-high energy extragalactic neutrinos interacting with ultra-light dark matter

We show the results and discussions of the study of a possible suppression of the extragalactic neutrino flux during its propagation due to a nonstandard interaction with a candidate field to dark matter. In particular, we show the study of neutrino interaction with an ultra-light scalar field. It is shown that the extragalactic neutrino flux may be suppressed by such an interaction, leading to a mechanism to reduce the ultra-high energy neutrino flux. We calculate both the cases of non-self-conjugate as well as self-conjugate ultra-light dark matter. In the first case, the suppression is independent of the neutrino and dark matter masses. We conclude that care must be taken when explaining limits on the neutrino flux through source acceleration mechanisms only, since there could be other mechanisms, as absorption during propagation, for the reduction of the neutrino flux [1], © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.

Light-cone fluctuations and the renormalized stress tensor of a massless scalar field

We investigate the effects of light-cone fluctuations over the renormalized vacuum expectation value of the stress-energy tensor of a real massless minimally coupled scalar field defined in a (d+1)-dimensional flat space-time with topology R×Td. For modeling the influence of light-cone fluctuations over the quantum field, we consider a random Klein-Gordon equation. We study the case of centered Gaussian processes. After taking into account all the realizations of the random processes, we present the correction caused by random fluctuations. The averaged renormalized vacuum expectation value of the stress-energy associated with the scalar field is presented. © 2013 World Scientific Publishing Company.