Transducer Loading Effect on the Performance of PZT-Based SHM Systems

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

CHEMICAL MODIFICATION EFFECT on THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES of HIPS/COCONUT FIBER COMPOSITES

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

SURFACE MODIFICATION of SUGARCANE BAGASSE CELLULOSE and ITS EFFECT on MECHANICAL and WATER ABSORPTION PROPERTIES of SUGARCANE BAGASSE CELLULOSE HDPE COMPOSITES

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Revegetation on a Removed Topsoil: Effect on Aggregate Stability

The construction of a large reservoir on the Parana River (Selviria, MS, Brazil) disturbed the soil of an extensive agricultural area in which between 5 and 8m of topsoil were removed. In this area, a restoration process was carried out using revegetation with green manure without or with amendments (for 4 years), crops (2 years), and Brachiaria decumbens cultivation for 6 years. The following treatments were used: control plots, T0 (residual subsoil) and T1 (soil tillage without culture); plots with green manure and without amendments: T2 (velvet bean) and T3 (pigeon pea); plots with green manure and with amendments: T4 (limed + velvet bean), T5 (limed + pigeon pea); T6 (limed + gypsum + velvet bean) and T7 (limed + gypsum + pigeon-pea). They were arranged in randomized blocks. After 13 years of rehabilitation process, when the soil was cultivated with brachiaria, the structural stability in three depths was evaluated. Organic-matter content and others chemical properties did not show any relationship with the stability of aggregates of the experimental area as measured by mean weight diameter (MWD). Significant differences between depths were found for MWD and the other parameters measured. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences observed between treatments, independent of the adopted system of revegetation. By taking an absolute value of MWD, the stability of superficial layer was observed in the following sequence: T7 T5 T6 T1 T2 T3 T4 T0. The control plot (T0) gave the lowest value of MWD (1.76mm) in relation to the plots in restoration process. Treatment T7 was the most effective in recovering the stability of aggregates (2.63mm). However, treatments T5 and T6 displayed a similar value. After 13 years of revegetation practices, a slight recovery of the stability was observed, although this is still lower than stability in soils of similar edaphic conditions in the original topsoil of experimental area.

Ascorbic acid supplementation has a cytoprotective effect on secondary biliary cirrhosis: experimental study in young rats

Objective: To test whether ascorbic acid supplementation has any cytoprotective effect on a model of secondary biliary cirrhosis in young rats.Methods: We studied 40 Wistar rats weaned at the 21st postnatal day. Each group of 10 was subjected to one of the following four treatments, until 49th postnatal day, when they suffered euthanasia: 1) LC-double ligature and resection of the common bile duct and daily administration of ascorbic acid [100 mg/g of body weight (bw)]; 2) LA-double ligature and resection of the common bile duct and daily administration of aqueous vehicle (1 mL/g bw); 3) SC-sham operation and daily administration of ascorbic acid (100 mg/g bw); 4) SA-double ligature and resection of the common bile duct and daily administration of aqueous vehicle (1 mL/g bw). The rats were weighed daily. on the 27th day after the operation they received an intra-peritoneal injection of 1.5 mg/g bw of sodium pentobarbital, and the pentobarbital sleeping time was measured. Blood was collected for serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activity measurements, serum albumin and globulin concentrations, and the liver was assessed for liver water and fat content. Data were submitted to two-way ANOVA and paired comparisons between groups were tested using the SNK method. Significance level was set at 0.05.Results: Ascorbic acid supplementation attenuated the effects of cholestasis: decreased the pentobarbital sleeping time, serum globulin, and the liver fat content.Conclusions: Our results corroborate the hypothesis that ascorbic acid supplementation has a cytoprotective effect in secondary biliary cirrhosis.

Neonatally Induced Mild Diabetes in Rats and Its Effect on Maternal, Placental, and Fetal Parameters

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Beak trimming methods and their effect on the performance and egg quality of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) during lay

A total number of 720 Japanese quail females, reared under identical management conditions, and receiving feed and water ad libitum, was used. Quails were housed and reared from 1-35 days of age in litter pens in a rearing house, and then were transferred to a quail layer house. This study aimed at verifying if different beak trimming method could optimize egg production and quality by reducing stress and cannibalism among birds. A completely randomized experimental design was used, with six treatments in a 2x3 factorial arrangement, with two beak trimming ages (14 and 21 days) and three beak trimming variants (non-trimmed, 1/3 of the beak trimmed, or 1/2 of the beak trimmed), 6 replicates of 20 birds each. Performance was evaluated by feed intake, percentage of lay, egg mass, feed conversion ratio per dozen and per kg eggs, and mortality. Performance was influenced by trimming variant, with the best results obtained by birds with intact and those with 1/3 of the beak trimmed. Better specific gravity was in quails submitted to beak trimming at 21 days of age, whereas other egg quality parameters did not present significant results. Based the results obtained in the present study, it is recommended to submit to beak trimming either at 14 or 21 days of age.

Beak-trimming methods and their effect on the performance of japanese quail pullets (Coturnix japonica)

This study aimed at verifying if beak-trimming methods in Japanese quail pullets could optimize production by decreasing stress caused by cannibalism. A total number of 816 day-old Japanese quails was distributed in a completely randomized experimental design in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement, with two beak-trimming ages (14 and 21 days of age) and three beak-trimming sizes (not trimmed, 1/3 trimmed, or 1/2 trimmed), and 4 replicates of 34 birds per replicate. Birds were submitted to the same management and feeding conditions. Weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and mortality were evaluated. There was no significant effect of age at beak trimming on the evaluated parameters (P>0.05), as well as no significant interaction between age at beak trimming, and beak-trimming method. There was a significant effect (P<0.01) of trimming size on performance, with the best performance observed in birds not submitted to beak trimming or had 1/2 of the beak trimmed. When the beak was more aggressively trimmed (1/2), parameters were worse. According to the obtained results, it is recommended to trim 1/3 of the beaks, which can be performed either at 14 or 21 days of age.

Vasectomy effect on canine seminal plasma biochemical components and their correlation with seminal parameters

Three semen samples were collected at 48 It intervals from 20 mature research dogs previously conditioned to manual semen collection. Vasectomy was performed in all dogs, and 15 days after surgery, another three ejaculates were similarly collected. The semen was evaluated, and centrifuged to obtain seminal plasma for measurement of pH, and concentrations of total proteins (TP), total chlorides (Cl), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), and sodium (Na). The seminal plasma protein profile was evaluated by SDS-PAGE; molecular weights and the integrated optical density (IOD) of each band were estimated. There was a negative correlation between K concentration and progressive motility (r = -0.49, P = 0.027), sperm vigor (r = -0.60, P = 0.0053), and plasma integrity, evaluated by both the hypo-osmotic swelling test (r = -0.50, P = 0.026) and a fluorescent stain (r = -0.45, P = 0.046). Positive correlations between Na and K pre- and post-vasectomy (r = 0.88, P < 0.001; r = 0.56, P < 0.01, respectively) were verified. There were a total of 37 bands pre-vasectomy and 35 post-vasectomy (range, 100.6-3.6 kDa). Bands B9 and B13 (42.6 and 29.2 kDa) were not present post-vasectomy. The IOD of band B3 (73.5 kDa) was higher (P 0.03) pre-vasectomy, compared to post-vasectomy; conversely, the IODs of bands B29 and B37 (7.8 and 3.6 kDa) increased (P 0.026 and 0.047). Pre-vasectomy, there was a positive correlation (r = 0.49, P = 0.029) between band B37 band (3.6 kDa) and the Na:K ratio. In conclusion, K appeared to be involved in sperm motility in dogs and could be a tool to evaluate sperm function. The prostate contributed several elements to canine seminal plasma. Vasectomy changed Ca concentrations and the protein profile of the seminal plasma. Further studies must be performed to clarify the function of these elements on the in vivo fertility of dogs. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of fluoride intake on insulin sensitivity and insulin signal transduction

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

Effects of Regular and Low-fluoride Dentifrices on Plaque Fluoride

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

pH-cycling models for in vitro evaluation of the efficacy of fluoridated dentifrices for caries control: strengths and limitations

Despite a plethora of in situ studies and clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of fluoridated dentifrices on caries control, in vitro pH cycling models are still broadly used because they mimic the dynamics of mineral loss and gain involved in caries formation. This paper critically reviews the current literature on existing pH-cycling models for the in vitro evaluation of the efficacy of fluoridated dentifrices for caries control, focusing on their strengths and limitations. A search was undertaken in the MEDLINE electronic journal database using the keywords "pH-cycling", "demineralization", "remineralization", "in vitro", "fluoride", "dentifrice". The primary outcome was the decrease of demineralization or the increase of remineralization as measured by different methods (e. g.: transverse microradiography) or tooth fluoride uptake. Inclusion of studies, data extraction and quality assessment were undertaken independently and in duplicate by two members of the review team. Disagreements were solved by discussion and consensus or by a third party. One hundred and sixteen studies were included, of which 42 addressed specifically the comparison of dentifrices using different pH-cycling models. The other studies included meta-analysis or reviews, data about the effect of different fluoride sources on de-remineralization, different methods for analysis de-remineralization and chemical variables and characteristics of dental hard tissues that might have influence on de-remineralization processes. Generally, the studies presented ability to detect known results established by clinical trials, to demonstrate dose-related responses in the fluoride content of the dentifrices, and to provide repeatability and reproducibility between tests. In order to accomplish these features satisfactorily, it is mandatory to take into account the type of substrate and baseline artificial lesion, as well as the adequate response variables and statistical approaches to be used. This critical review of literature showed that the currently available pH-cycling models are appropriate to detect dose-response and pH-response of fluoride dentifrices, and to evaluate the impact of new active principles on the effect of fluoridated dentifrices, as well as their association with other anti-caries treatments.

Fatigue and Fluoride Corrosion on Streptococcus mutans Adherence to Titanium-Based Implant/Component Surfaces

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

Characterization of Five Different Implant Surfaces and Their Effect on Osseointegration: A Study in Dogs

Background: Chemical modification of implant surface is typically associated with surface topographic alterations that may affect early osseointegration. This study investigates the effects of controlled surface alterations in early osseointegration in an animal model.Methods: Five implant surfaces were evaluated: 1) alumina-blasting, 2) biologic blasting, 3) plasma, 4) microblasted resorbable blasting media (microblasted RBM), and 5) alumina-blasting/acid-etched (AB/AE). Surface topography was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and optical interferometry, and chemical assessment by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The implants were placed in the radius of six dogs, remaining 2 and 4 weeks in vivo. After euthanization, specimens were torqued-to-interface failure and non-decalcified - processed for histomorphologic bone-implant contact, and bone area fraction-occupied evaluation. Statistical evaluation was performed by one-way analysis of variance (P < 0.05) and post hoc testing by the Tukey test.Results: The alumina-blasting surface presented the highest average surface roughness and mean root square of the surface values, the biologic blasting the lowest, and AB/AE an intermediate value. The remaining surfaces presented intermediate values between the biologic blasting and AB/AE. The x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra revealed calcium and phosphorus for the biologic blasting and microblasted RBM surfaces, and the highest oxygen levels for the plasma, microblasted RBM, and AB/AE surfaces. Significantly higher torque was observed at 2 weeks for the microblasted RBM surface (P < 0.04), but no differences existed between surfaces at 4 weeks (P > 0.74). No significant differences in bone-implant contact and bone area fraction-occupied values were observed at 2 and 4 weeks.Conclusion: The five surfaces were osteoconductive and resulted in high degrees of osseointegration and biomechanical fixation. J Periodontol 2011;82:742-750.

Vitamin B-12 Supplement Exerts a Beneficial Effect on the Seminiferous Epithelium of Cimetidine-Treated Rats

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