Failure behavior modeling of slender reinforced concrete columns subjected to eccentric load

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

The nest architecture of the ant, Pheidole oxyops Forel, 1908 (Hymenoptera : Formicidae)

Pheidole oxyops builds subterranean nests, with an external architecture that is distinctive and easily recognizable by its wide and specific entrance hole, measuring up to 12.2 cm in diameter, denoting a pitfall-trap. In order to study the nests'internal architecture, seven nests were excavated; four were identified with neutral talc, while the others were cast in cement and then excavated. Measurements were made in order to gain a better understanding of their structures, and a photographic documentation was obtained as well. The excavations revealed that the nests are perpendicular relative to the ground, beginning with a cylindrical channel with a mean length of 13.5 cm, containing irregular formations, and whose diameter becomes progressively narrower until the first chamber is formed. As the channel continues, dish-like chambers appear, interconnected by channels that become progressively narrower and longer, while the chambers are arranged at greater distances from each other as nest depth increases. Both channels and chambers are located on the vertical projection of the entrance hole. Nests may reach a depth of up to 5.09 m, with a number of chambers ranging between 4 and 14.

Evaluation of 2 endodontic techniques used to treat human primary molars with furcation radiolucency area: A 48-month radiographic study

Objective: To evaluate 2 techniques for the treatment of human primary molars with necrotic Pulp and bifurcation bone loss by means of radiographic examination for 48 months. Method and Materials: Fifty-one mandibular primary molars were evaluated in children ranging from 4.5 to 6.5 years of age. The teeth with necrotic pulp and bifurcation bone loss were diagnosed by radiographic examination. The teeth were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (28 teeth)-pulpotomy technique using formocresol as a temporary dressing between sessions and coronal chamber obturation with zinc oxide-eugenol cement; and group 2 (23 teeth)-pulpectomy technique with calcium hydroxide paste as a temporary dressing between sessions and root canal obturation with a dense Calcium hydroxide paste. Standardized radiographs were taken immediately after the fillings were completed and after 12, 24, 36, and 48 months. The radiographs were digitized and analyzed with software that outlined and measured the bifurcation radiolucency. Results: Bifurcation radiolucency reduced significantly or repaired completely for both treatnients in the first 12 months. Minor radiographic reduction of the lesion was observed from 12 to 24 months, and no significant reduction of the remaining radioulcent area was observed from 24 to 48 months after treatment. Conclusion: The 2 endodontic techniques evaluated showed similar results. The main effect of treatment on the lesion repair was obtained in the first year after treatment.

Cytotoxicity of two novel formulations of calcium phosphate cements: A comparative in vitro study

The purpose was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of two novel formulations (alpha and beta) of calcium phosphate cements. Positive control, represented by a commercial hydroxyapatite cement, and negative control were included for comparative purposes. A continuous lineage of fibroblastic cells was used, and the effect of the tested materials on both cell proliferation and viability was assessed by counting cell number on hemocytometer and by the trypan blue exclusion test, respectively. Study design attempted to simulate clinical use by allowing direct and indirect contact of cells and cements. Results were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test and indicated that the beta formulation was extremely cytotoxic (P < 0.001), because this material induced the greatest reduction on cell proliferation and viability. The alpha formulation behaved similarly to the positive control regarding its effect on cell proliferation and viability. Thus, it is concluded that alpha formulation has promise for further evaluation of its behavior in vivo.

Response of human pulps capped with different self-etch adhesive systems

The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of human pulps capped with a calcium hydroxide hard-setting cement or with two-step self-etch adhesive systems. Pulp exposures were performed on the occlusal floor, and the bleeding control was performed with saline solution. The exposed pulp tissue was capped with Clearfil LB 2V (2V) or Clearfil SE Bond (SE) and restored with a composite resin. In control group, the pulpal wound was capped with Ca(OH)(2) cement and restored with Clearfil LB 2V or Clearfil SE Bond + composite resin. After 30 and 90 days, the teeth were extracted, processed for hematoxylin and eosin, and categorized in a histological score system. The pulpal response was worse for groups capped with the self-etch adhesive systems (2V and SE) in both periods of evaluation, when compared to their respective control groups at 90 days (p < 0.05). For both self-etch systems evaluated, the pulp tissue exhibited moderate to severe inflammatory cell infiltrate involving the coronal pulp with chronic abscesses. Dentin bridging was observed in a few specimens. For the calcium hydroxide groups, almost all specimens showed dentin bridge formation, with few scattered inflammatory cells and normal tissue below the pulp exposure site. Calcium hydroxide should be used as the material of choice for pulp capping, and the use of two-step self-etch adhesives for human pulp capping is contraindicated.

Cimentos endodônticos: análise morfológica imediata e após seis meses utilizando microscopia de força atômica

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a morfologia dos cimentos Sealapex, Apexit, Sealer 26 (cimentos a base de hidróxido de cálcio) e Ketac Endo (cimento de ionômero de vidro), através da microscopia de força atômica, verificando-se as características de suas partículas após a obturação dos canais radiculares e após um período de seis meses de contato com o plasma sanguíneo humano. Utilizaram-se 16 dentes unirradiculares humanos extraídos e incluídos em blocos de resina após o preparo biomecânico. As raízes foram divididas em quatro grupos de quatro raízes cada e os canais radiculares obturados pela técnica de condensação lateral passiva com os cimentos em estudo. Verificou-se que o cimento Apexit foi o que mais sofreu desintegração após seis meses de imersão em plasma sanguíneo humano, seguido pelo Ketac Endo e Sealapex. Dentre todos os cimentos estudados, o Sealer 26 mostrou-se o mais uniforme e com a menor desintegração.

Comparison of the tensile bond strengths of cast metal crowns luted with resin cements

The limitation of photoactivation of dual-polymerized resin cements along the margins of metal restorations may adversely affect the mechanical properties of these cements, thus impairing the retention of restorations. The aim of this study was to assess the bond strength of cast metal crowns cemented with three dual-polymerized resin cements, using a chemically-activated resin cement and zinc phosphate as controls. Fifty nickel-chromium alloy crowns were cast and randomly assigned to five groups of equal size. Castings were cemented on their corresponding metal dies with one of the tested luting agents: Scotchbond Resin Cement, Enforce and Panavia F (dual-polymerized resin cements), Cement-It (chemically-activated resin cement) and Zinc Phosphate Cement (zinc phosphate cement). Specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 degreesC for 24 h and then loaded in tension until failure. Panavia F and Zinc Phosphate Cement provided the highest and lowest bond strength means, respectively. Scotchbond Resin Cement, Enforce and Cement-It cements exhibited similar intermediate values, but with statistically significant difference compared to the other materials (P < 0.05). Even with the restriction or absence of light activation, all tested dual-polymerized resin cements produced significantly higher bond strength than did the zinc phosphate cement and yielded similar or better results than the chemically activated cement. It should be pointed out that the findings of this study relate to a test scenario which does not mimic clinical circumstances and that further work is required to identify the clinical significance of the reported tensile bond strength differences between the different luting materials.

Radiopacity of esthetic restorative materials compared with human tooth structure

Purpose : To compare the radiopacity of 13 restorative materials, (a conventional glass-ionomer cement, three resin-modified glass-ionomer cements, six polyacid-modified resin-based composites, and three resin-based composites) to sound tooth structure. Materials and Methods: 315 specimens were made of the restorative materials (n= 21), of 2 min height and 4.1 mm diameter. Radiographs were taken of the specimens, together with the tooth structure sample and an aluminum step wedge. The radiopacity values of each specimen were taken using a transmission densitometer. Results: ANOVA and Tukey's test (95% level of confidence) revealed that, except for a resin-based composite, a polyacid-modified resin-based composite, a resin-modified glass-ionomer cement and the conventional glass-ionomer cement, all the evaluated restorative materials were more radiopaque than the tooth structure.

Persistência de mamíferos de médio e grande porte em fragmentos de floresta ombrófila mista no estado do Paraná, Brasil

The Araucaria Forest is now represented by remnants of what was a continuous area of about 200,000 km(2). Medium and large mammals inhabiting this forest have suffered the impacts from the disturbance process and environmental degradation. Thus, this study determined which medium and large mammal species still inhabit the remnants of this vegetation type in Western Parana State. Three study areas, with 520, 405 and 135 hectares, consisting of stretches of primary forest mixed with secondary forest, were considered for mammal inventory. The evidence of mammals was verified directly (views) and indirectly (traces, trichology and interviews with local dwellers). It was recorded 32 species (including one exotic and two small ones), belonging to eight orders and 18 families. Nine animals of these species are at risk of extinction in the Parana State and five configure with insufficient data in the List of Endangered Species of the state. The results of this study indicate the great importance of these forest fragments in the conservation of several medium and large mammals in the Araucaria Forest of Parana State. Nevertheless, due to the negative pressures that these areas have been suffering, immediate and concrete public actions are required to ensure the maintenance of these mammal populations.

Abordagem quantitativa na avaliacao do deposito de carvao de cerquilho - SP

This paper deals with an integrated study concerning the evaluation of the coal deposit at Cerquilho (Sao Paulo State) in the upper part of the Tubarao Group. Palaeogeographical studies from other authors describe the genesis of these deposits as a deltaic system overlapped by a marine transgressive sequence. The study applied four methods for ore reserve estimation (isolines, blocks, polygones and triangles), besides statistical and geostatistical methodology. The technological characterization assays suggest the application for the coal in cement and ceramics industries. The applied methodology showed reserves estimated around 1 400 000 ton. The isolines method tend to underestimate the amount of coal, on the other hand, the kriging method shows a tendency to overestimate the results. The data from the polygonal method are closest to mean values. For the thickness estimation the results close to the mean values are those from the isolines. -after English summary

Influência de diferentes agentes de fixação na resistência de união, por tração, de ligas metálicas fixadas à dentina.

They were casted pieces using three kinds of alloy (Ni-Cr, Ag-Sn and Cu-Al) with circular and smooth surface. They were cemented to human teeth, on occlusal surface, grounded at dentin level, through three different materials kind (zinc polycarboxylate cement, glassionomer cement and composite). After 24 hours storing, the samples were subjected to the tensile test. The results showed that the samples cemented with composite and the casts made with Ag-Sn alloy had higher bond strength.

The influence of chemical activation on hardness of dual-curing resin cements.

During the cementation of metallic restorations, the polymerization of dual-curing resin cements depends exclusively on chemical activation. This study evaluated the influence of chemical activation compared with dual-curing (chemical and light activation), on the hardness of four dual-curing resin cements. In a darkened environment, equal weight proportions of base and catalyst pastes of the cements Scotchbond Resin Cement, Variolink II, Enforce and Panavia F were mixed and inserted into moulds with cavities of 4 mm in diameter and 2 mm in height. Subsequently, the cements were: 1) not exposed to light (chemical activation = self-cured groups) or 2) photoactivated (dual-curing = dual-cured groups). The Vickers hardness number was measured at 1 hour, 24 hours and 7 days after the start time of cements' spatulation. For all the cements, the hardness values of self-cured groups were lower than those of the respective dual-cured groups at 1 hour and 24 hours. At 7 days, this behavior continued for Variolink II and Panavia F, whilst for Scotchbond Resin Cement and Enforce there was no statistical difference between the two activation modes. All cements showed a significant increase in their hardness values from 1 hour to 7 days for both activation modes. Of the self-cured groups, Scotchbond Resin Cement and Variolink II presented the highest and the lowest hardness values, respectively, for all three times tested. Within the limitations of this study, up to the time of 24 h, chemical activation alone was unable to promote similar hardness as to that obtained with dual-curing.

Diffusion ability of endotoxin through dentinal tubules

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of endotoxin to diffuse through dentinal tubules towards the cement and to observe the period of time needed for it to reach the external root surface. Thirty single-rooted human teeth had their crowns and apices removed in order to standardize the root length to 15 mm. Teeth were instrumented until #30 K-file and made externally impermeable with epoxy adhesive, leaving 10 mm of the exposed root (middle third). The specimens were placed in plastic vials and irradiated (60Co gamma-rays). Then, they were divided into 2 groups (n = 15): G1) Escherichia coli endotoxin was inoculated into the root canal of the specimens and 1 ml of pyrogen-free water was put in the tubes; G2) (control): pyrogen-free water was inoculated into the root canals and 1 ml of pyrogen-free water was put in each tube. After 30 min, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 7 days, the water of the tubes was removed and replaced. The removed aliquot was tested for the presence of endotoxin. Considering that the endotoxin is a B-lymphocyte polyclonal activator, at each experimental period, B-lymphocyte culture was stimulated with a sample of water removed from each tube and antibody (IgM) production was detected by ELISA technique. The results of IgM production were higher in groups of 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 7 days in relation to the other studied groups, with statistically significant differences (ANOVA and Tukey's test p < 0.05). Endotoxin was able to diffuse through the dentinal tubules towards the cement, reaching the external root surface after the period of 24 h.

Biological response of pulps submitted to different capping materials

Pulp capping is a procedure that comprises adequate protection of the pulp tissue exposed to the oral environment, aiming at the preservation of its vitality and functions. This study evaluated the response of the dental pulps of dog teeth to capping with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) or calcium hydroxide P.A. For that purpose, 37 teeth were divided into two groups, according to the capping material employed. Two dogs were anesthetized and, after placement of a rubber dam, their pulps were exposed in a standardized manner and protected with the experimental capping materials. The cavities were then sealed with resin-modified glass ionomer cement and restored with composite resin. After sixty days, the animals were killed and the specimens were processed in order to be analyzed with optic microscopy. It was observed that MTA presented a higher success rate compared to calcium hydroxide, presenting a lower occurrence of infection and pulp necrosis.

Diametral tensile strength of dual-curing resin cements submitted exclusively to autopolymerization.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate, at different times, the diametral tensile strength (DTS) of dual-curing resin cements that were not photopolymerized. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Equal amounts of base and catalyst pastes of Panavia F (Kuraray), Variolink II (Vivadent), Rely X (3M ESPE), and Enforce (Dentsply) were mixed and inserted into cylindrical molds (4 x 2 mm) (n = 10). Cements were not photopolymerized. DTS test was performed in a testing machine at 30 minutes, 1 hour, 24 hours, and 7 days. The specimens were stored in light-proof containers with distilled water at 37 degrees C until the time of assay. An autopolymerizing resin cement (Cement-It, Jeneric Pentron) and a zinc phosphate cement served as controls. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey test were performed separately for each cement and for each time (P <.05). RESULTS: All cements showed an increase in DTS when tested at 1 and 24 hours. Tests at 24 hours and 7 days revealed no statistically significant differences. In all groups, the zinc phosphate cement had the lowest DTS mean values (2.1 MPa, 3.6 MPa, 6.5 MPa, and 6.9 MPa), while Cement-It (35.1 MPa, 33.6 MPa, 46.9 MPa, and 46.3 MPa) and Enforce (31.9 MPa, 31.7 MPa, 43.4 MPa, and 47.6 MPa) presented the highest DTS mean values. CONCLUSION: All cements presented maximal strength at 24 hours. The dual-curing resin cements, even when nonphotopolymerized, demonstrated higher DTS than the zinc phosphate cement and similar or lower values than the autopolymerizing resin cement.