Effect of random/aligned nylon-6/MWCNT fibers on dental resin composite reinforcement

The aims of this study were (1) to synthesize and characterize random and aligned nanocomposite fibers of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)/nylon-6 and (2) to determine their reinforcing effects on the flexural strength of a dental resin composite.Nylon-6 was dissolved in hexafluoropropanol (10 wt%), followed by the addition of MWCNT (hereafter referred to as nanotubes) at two distinct concentrations (i.e., 0.5 or 1.5 wt%). Neat nylon-6 fibers (without nanotubes) were also prepared. The solutions were electrospun using parameters under low- (120 rpm) or high-speed (6000 rpm) mandrel rotation to collect random and aligned fibers, respectively. The processed fiber mats were characterized by scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopies, as well as by uni-axial tensile testing. To determine the reinforcing effects on the flexural strength of a dental resin composite, bar-shaped (20 x 2 x 2 mm(3)) resin composite specimens were prepared by first placing one increment of the composite, followed by one strip of the mat, and one last increment of composite. Non-reinforced composite specimens were used as the control. The specimens were then evaluated using flexural strength testing. SEM was done on the fractured surfaces. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and the Tukey's test (alpha=5%).Nanotubes were successfully incorporated into the nylon-6 fibers. Aligned and random fibers were obtained using high- and low-speed electrospinning, respectively, where the former were significantly (p<0.001) stronger than the latter, regardless of the nanotubes'presence. Indeed, the dental resin composite tested was significantly reinforced when combined with nylon-6 fibrous mats composed of aligned fibers (with or without nanotubes) or random fibers incorporated with nanotubes at 0.5 wt%. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A nature-inspired approach to speed up optimum-path forest clustering and its application to intrusion detection in computer networks

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

Computational speed-up with a single qudit

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

Tractor perfomance as a function of speed and seeder s tire inflation pressure

O desempenho de tratores agrícolas em condições de campo resulta da interação entre pneu e rodado, influenciado pela velocidade de deslocamento. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de um trator agrícola sob diferentes pressões de inflação dos pneus da semeadora (518, 483, and 414kPa) e em duas marchas que proporcionaram velocidades de 3,0 e 6,0km h-1. O experimento foi realizado no campus de Jaboticabal da Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi fatorial inteiramente casualizado (3x2), com quatro repetições. A força de tração foi influenciada pela marcha e pela potência exigida; no entanto, a pressão de inflação do pneu da semeadora não alterou esses parâmetros. Além disso, o consumo de combustível foi influenciado apenas pela marcha do trator. O consumo de energia foi maior com o aumento da velocidade, ocasionada pela mudança de marcha. A velocidade de deslocamento foi maior para a pressão de 518kPa, em razão da menor patinagem da semeadora promovida por essa pressão. A patinagem do trator não foi alterada pelos fatores testados.

Mobilização do solo, velocidade de infiltração de água e taxa de cobertura do solo na grama esmeralda, sob manejos mecanizados

The excessive compaction of the soil observed in sod production systems, affects the physical attributes of the soil, which can influence the water infiltration into the soil and hence the rate of soil cover by turfgrasses and time of the sod production. To minimize the effects of soil compacting, some producers use soil preparation equipment that raises the soil on the surface but does not cause excessive roughness which may harm the quality of the sod. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the infiltration rate and soil cover rate due to different management mechanized in the zoysiagrass sod production. The experimental design had random plots and four replications. The treatments consisted of five mechanized managements of soil: witness (without the use of equipment); coulter blade disc harrow used once (1CB), coulter blade disc harrow used twice (2CB), surface chisel used once (1C), surface chisel and coulter blade disc harrow used once (1C + 1CB). The treatments with 2CB and 1C + 1CB provided greater basic water infiltration speed in the soil and higher rate of soil cover by the turfgrass. The rate of soil cover by turfgrass is positively correlated with water infiltration rate at 133 and 226 DAP, demonstrating the influence of managements used in zoysiagrass sod production and the increment in the infiltration rate of water. Soil preparation utilizing coulter blade disc harrow used twice or surface chisel and coulter blade disc harrow used once is recommended under the conditions this study was done.