Microbiological or Chemical Models of Enamel Secondary Caries Compared by Polarized-Light Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy

Different secondary caries models may present different results. The purpose of this study was to compare different in vitro secondary caries models, evaluating the obtained results by polarized-light microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Standardized human enamel specimens (n = 12) restored with different materials (Z250 conventional composite resin-CRZ, Freedom polyacid-modified composite resin-CRF, Vitremer resin-modified glass-ionomer-GIV, and Fuji IX conventional glass-ionomer cement-GIF) were submitted to microbiological (MM) or chemical caries models (CM). The control group was not submitted to any caries model. For MM, specimens were immersed firstly in sucrose broth inoculated with Streptococcus mutans ATCC 35688, incubated at 37 degrees C/5% CO(2) for 14 days and then in remineralizing solution for 14 days. For CM, specimens were submitted to chemical pH-cycling. Specimens were ground, submitted to PLM and then were dehydrated, gold-sputtered and submitted to SEM and EDS. Results were statistically analyzed by Kruskall-Wallis and Student-Newman-Keuls tests (alpha = 0.05). No differences between in vitro caries models were found. Morphological differences in enamel demineralization were found between composite resin and polyacid-modified composite resin (CRZ and CRF) and between the resin-modified glass-ionomer and the glass-ionomer cement (GIF and GIV). GIF showed higher calcium concentration and less demineralization, differing from the other materials. In conclusion, the glass-ionomer cement showed less caries formation under both in vitro caries models evaluated. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 90B: 635-640, 2009

Analysis of Tooth Enamel After Excessive Bleaching: A Study Using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy

This study assessed alterations on bovine enamel after excessive bleaching. Coronal portions of bovine teeth (n = 30) were sectioned and divided into three groups (n = 10 per group). The coronal parts were further cut incisocervically into two halves. While one half received no bleaching (control), the other half was subjected to either one (group 1), three (group 2), or five bleaching sessions (group 3) with 35% hydrogen peroxide. The enamel surfaces were then analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Fxcessive bleaching affected the surface morphology and chemistry of the bovine enamel. EDS analysis showed the highest decrease in calcium ion percentages in groups 2 and 3 when compared to their nonbleached halves. Oxygen and phosphorus percentages were comparable on both the control and bleached enamel, regardless of the number of bleaching sessions. Consecutive bleaching sessions with 35% hydrogen peroxide may lead to morphologic and specific elemental changes when performed in a short period of time. Calcium ion percentages may decrease when this bleaching agent is used for more than one session. Int J Prosthodontics 2010;23:29-32.

Ability of different restorative materials to prevent in situ secondary caries: analysis by polarized light-microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray

Secondary caries is the main cause of direct restoration replacement. The purpose of this study was to analyze enamel adjacent to different restorative materials after in situ cariogenic challenge using polarized-light microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS). Twelve volunteers, with a low level of dental plaque, a low level of mutans streptococci, and normal salivary flow, wore removable palatal acrylic appliances containing enamel specimens restored with Z250 composite, Freedom composite, Fuji IX glass-ionomer cement, or Vitremer resin-modified glass-ionomer for 14 days. Volunteers dripped one drop of 20% sucrose solution (n = 10) or distilled water (control group) onto each specimen 8 times per day. Specimens were removed from the appliances and submitted to PLM for examination of the lesion area (in mm(2)), followed by dehydration, gold-sputtering, and submission to SEM and EDS. The calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) contents were evaluated in weight per cent (%wt). Differences were found between Z250 and Vitremer, and between Z250 and FujiIX, when analyzed using PLM. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis results showed differences between the studied materials regarding Ca %wt. In conclusion, enamel adjacent to glass-ionomer cement presented a higher Ca %wt, but this material did not completely prevent enamel secondary caries under in situ cariogenic challenge.

Effect of dental finishing instruments on the surface roughness of composite resins as elucidated by atomic force microscopy

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Muon transverse polarization in the K-l2 gamma decay in the standard model

The muon transverse polarization in the K+-->mu(+)nugamma process induced by the electromagnetic final state interaction is calculated in the framework of the standard model. It is shown that one loop contributions lead to a nonvanishing muon transverse polarization. The value of the muon transverse polarization averaged over the kinematical region of E(gamma)greater than or equal to20 MeV is equal to 5.63x10(-4).

Vacuum polarization effects in hyperon-rich dense matter - a nonperturbative treatment

We derive the equation of state (EOS) for electrically charged neutral dense matter using the quantum hadrodynamics (QHD) model. This is carried out in a non-perturbative manner including quantum corrections for baryons through a realignment of vacuum with baryon-antibaryon condensates. This yields the results of relativistic Hartree approximation of summing over baryonic tadpole diagrams. The quantum corrections from the scalar meson is also taken into account in a similar way. This leads to a softening of the EOS for the hyperonic matter. The formalism also allows Lis to make a self-consistent calculation of the in-medium sigma meson mass. The effects of such quantum corrections on the composition of charged neutral dense matter is considered. The effect of the resulting EOS on the structure of neutron stars is also studied.

Lepton transverse polarization in the B -> Dl nu(l) decay due to the electromagnetic final state interaction

The effect of lepton transverse polarization in B-0-->D(-)l(+)nu(l), B+-->(D) over bar (0)l(+)nu(l) decays (l=tau,mu) is analyzed within the framework of the standard model in the leading order of heavy quark effective theory. It is shown that a nonzero transverse polarization appears due to the electromagnetic final state interaction. The diagrams with intermediate D,D* mesons contributing to the nonvanishing P-T are considered. Regarding only the contribution of these mesons, the values of the tau-lepton transverse polarization averaged over the physical region in the B-0-->D(-)tau(+)nu(l) and B+-->(D) over bar (0)tau(+)nu(l) decays are equal to 2.60x10(-3) and -1.59x10(-3), respectively. In the case of muon decay modes the values of [P-T] are equal to 2.97x10(-4) and -6.79x10(-4).

Vacuum Polarization Tensor for QED in the Light Front Gauge

The use of light front coordinates in quantum field theories (QFT) always brought some problems and controversies. In this work we explore some aspects of its formalism with respect to the employment of dimensional regularization in the computation of the photon's self-energy at the one-loop level and how the fermion propagator has an important role in the outcoming results.

Measurement of the Polarization of the Upsilon(1S) and Upsilon(2S) States in pp Collisions at s=1.96 TeV

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Measurement of the Polarization of W Bosons with Large Transverse Momenta in W plus jets Events at the LHC

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Theoretical Models for Surface Forces and Adhesion and Their Measurement Using Atomic Force Microscopy

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

Induced polarization, resistivity, and self-potential: a case history of contamination evaluation due to landfill leakage

This article compares the efficiency of induced polarization (IP) and resistivity in characterizing a contamination plume due to landfill leakage in a typical tropical environment. The resistivity survey revealed denser electrical current flow that induced lower resistivity values due to the high ionic content. The increased ionic concentration diminished the distance of the ionic charges close to the membrane, causing a decrease in the IP phenomena. In addition, the self-potential (SP) method was used to characterize the preferential flow direction of the area. The SP method proved to be effective at determining the flow direction; it is also fast and economical. In this study, the resistivity results were better correlated with the presence of contamination (lower resistivity) than the IP (lower chargeability) data.

Influence of iron addition on the microstructure and the electrochemical corrosion of Al-Zn-Mg alloys

The effect of Fe addition on the microstructural properties and the corrosion resistance of Al-Zn-Mg alloys submitted to different heat treatments (cast, annealed and aged), has been studied in chloride solutions using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), cyclic polarization (CP) and open circuit potential (o.c.p.) measurements. The presence of 0.3% Fe in the alloy limited the growth of the MgZn2 precipitates, both in the annealed and in the quenched specimens. No effect of Cr on the grain size in the presence of Fe was found because of the accumulation of Cr in the Fe-rich particles. Fe in the Al-Zn-Mg alloys also made them more susceptible to pitting. Pitting occurred mainly near the Fe-rich particles both, under o.c.p. conditions in O-2-saturated solutions and during the CP.

High-velocity oxyfuel Cr3C2-NiCr replacing hard chromium coatings

Comparative wear and corrosion properties of Cr3C2-NiCr (CC-TS) (a high-velocity oxyfuel [HVOF]) and hard chromium (HC) coating's obtained on a steel substrate have been studied. The structural characterization was done before and after measurements by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and scanning white light interferometry. Wear and corrosion properties were evaluated by ball on disk (ASTM G99-90), rubber wheel (ASTM G65-91), and electrochemical measurements of open circuit and polarization curves. The best corrosion and wear resistance was for the CC-TS obtained by HVOF. The open-circuit potential values measured for both samples after 18 h of immersion we're: -0.240 and -0.550 V, respectively, for CC-TS and HC, versus Ag/AgCl,KClsat. Three orders of magnitude lower volume loss were found for CC-TS (HVOF) after friction tests compared with HC.