Effect of gamma irradiation on the nutritional quality of Agaricus bisporus strains cultivated in different composts

The effect of irradiation doses (0, 125, 250 and 500 Gy) on the nutritional quality of A. bisporus mushrooms (strains ABI-07/06, ABI-05/03 and PB-1) cultivated in composts based on oat straw (Avena sativa) and brachiaria (Brachiaria sp.) was evaluated. The experimental design was 4 x 3 x 2 factorial scheme (irradiation doses x strains x composts), with 24 treatments, consisting of two repetitions each, totaling 48 experimental units (samples of mushrooms). The samples were irradiated in Cobalt-60 irradiator, model Gammacell 220 kGy, with dose rate of 0.740 kGy h(-1), according to the treatments proposed. Subsequently, the control (unirradiated) and the other treatments were maintained at 4 +/- 1 degrees C and 90% RH in a climatic chamber for carrying out the chemical analysis of the mushrooms on the 1st and 14th day of storage. It was found that all A. bisporus strains evaluated were food with excellent nutritional value, because they presented high protein and fiber contents and low ethereal extract content; the chemical characterization of the mushrooms was influenced by the compost type in which they were cultivated; gamma irradiation influenced the chemical composition of mushrooms.

Investigation of Bulk and DTMOS triple-gate devices under 60 MeV proton irradiation

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Desenvolvimento de um protocolo de dosimetria para o tratamento de total skin irradiation (TSI)

A técnica radioterápica Total Skin Irradiation (TSI), utilizada para tratamento de Micose Fungóide e doenças similares, apresenta grande complexidade na sua dosimetria e implementação nos Serviços de Radioterapia. No SUS – Sistema Único de Saúde - do Brasil, só há esse tratamento no Serviço de Radioterapia do Hospital das Clínicas da UNICAMP (Campinas) e no Instituto Nacional do Câncer (INCA) (Rio de Janeiro). O objetivo deste trabalho é o estudo e o desenvolvimento de um protocolo de controle de qualidade e dosimetria a ser implementado na técnica utilizada no Serviço de Radioterapia do Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (HC - UNICAMP). Todos os estudos e análises para a elaboração do protocolo foram baseados no Report 23[1] da AAPM – American Association of Physicists in Medicine - e no TRS-398[3] da IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency. A metodologia e os resultados obtidos apresentam-se descritos neste relatório

Ethyl biodiesel: Microwave irradiation aiding ethanolysis of waste cooking oil.

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

Laser irradiation and thermal treatment inducing selective crystallization in Sb2O3-Sb2S3 glassy films

The influence of both thermal treatment and laser irradiation on the structural and optical properties of films in the Sb 2 O 3 –Sb 2 S 3 system was investigated. The films were prepared by RF-sputtering using glass compositions as raw materials. Irreversible photodarkening effect was observed after exposure the films to a 458nm solid state laser. It is shown, for the first time, the use of holographic technique to measure “in situ”, simultaneously and independently, the phase and amplitude modulations in glassy films. The films were also photo-crystallized and analysed “in situ” using a laser coupled to a micro-Raman equipment. Results showed that Sb 2 S 3 crystalline phase was obtained after irradiation. The effect of thermal annealing on the structure of the films was carried out. Different from the result obtained by irradiation, thermal annealing induces the crystallization of the Sb 2 O 3 phase. Photo and thermal induced effects on films were studied using UV–Vis and Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), thermal analysis (DSC), X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (MEV) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX).

Human dental enamel and dentin structural effects after Er:yag laser irradiation

Ideally projected to be applied on soft tissues, infrared lasers were improved by restorative dentistry to be used in hard dental tissues cavity preparations-namely enamel and dentin. This paper evidentiates the relevant aspects of infrared Erbium laser's action mechanism and its effects, and characterizes the different effects deriving from the laser's beams emission. The criteria for use and selection of optimal parameters for the correct application of laser systems and infuence of supporting factors on the process, such as water amount and its presence in the ablation process, protection exerted by the plasma shielding and structural factors, which are indispensable in dental tissues cavity preparation related to restorative technique, are subordinated to optical modifcations caused by the interaction of the energy dissipated by these laser light emission systems in the targeted tissue substrate. Clinical relevance: Differences in the action of infrared Erbium laser system in regard to the nature of the ablation process and variations on the morphological aspects observed in the super-fcial structure of the target tissue irradiated, may be correlated to the structural optical modifcations of the substrate produced by an interaction of the energy propagated by laser systems.

Effects of Er, Cr:YSGG laser irradiation on external adaptation of restorations in caries-affected cavities

This study evaluated the effect of Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation on the external adaptation of composite resin restorations in caries-affected cavities. Mixed class V cavity preparations were performed in 36 intact human third molars, in half of which caries was artificially induced. Both healthy and carious dentin were etched with 35% phosphoric acid (Ultradent Products Inc., South Jordan, Utah, USA), and the teeth were divided into three groups, i.e., (a) untreated etched dentin, (b) application of the Er, Cr:YSGG laser and (c) use of chlorhexidine as an adjunct in the bonding process. Restorations were fabricated with Z350 XT FiltekTM composite resin (3M ESPE) and subsequently the specimens were subjected to thermocycling to simulate artificial ageing. Quantitative analysis of external adaptation was performed by scanning electron microscopy in both healthy and affected dentin using epoxy resin replicas. It was concluded that the application of laser and chlorhexidine did not affect the percentages of marginal adaptation of class V restorations. Furthermore, thermocycling may influence adaptation values.

Bond strenght of dental adhesive systems irradiated with ionizing irradiation

The aim of the present paper was to determine the effect of different types of ionizing radiation on the bond strength of three different dentin adhesive systems. Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty specimens of 60 human teeth (protocol number: 032/2007) sectioned mesiodistally were divided into 3 groups according to the adhesives systems used: SB (Adper Single Bond Plus), CB (Clearfil SE Bond) and AP (Adper Prompt Self-Etch). The adhesives were applied on dentin and photo-activated using LED (Lec 1000, MMoptics, 1000 mW/cm2). Customized elastomer molds (0.5 mm thickness) with three orifices of 1.2 mm diameter were placed onto the bonding areas and filled with composite resin (Filtek Z-250), which was photoactivated for 20 s. Each group was subdivided into 4 subgroups for application of the different types of ionizing radiation: ultraviolet radiation (UV), diagnostic x-ray radiation (DX), therapeutic x-ray radiation (TX) and without irradiation (control group, CG). Microshear tests were carried out (Instron, model 4411), and afterwards the modes of failure were evaluated by optical and scanning electron microscope and classified using 5 scores: adhesive failure, mixed failures with 3 significance levels, and cohesive failure. The results of the shear bond strength test were submitted to ANOVA with Tukey's test and Dunnett's test, and the data from the failure pattern evaluation were analyzed with the Mann Whitney test (p = 0.05). Results: No change in bond strength of CB and AP was observed after application of the different radiation types, only SB showed increase in bond strength after UV (p = 0.0267) irradiation. The UV also changed the failure patterns of SB (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: The radio-induced changes did not cause degradation of the restorations, which means that they can be exposed to these types of ionizing radiation without weakening the bond strength.

Cell membrane integrity of candida albicans after different protocols of microwave irradiation

To evaluate the ability of low time microwaveexposureto inactivate and damage cell membrane integrity of C. albicans. Materials and Methods: Two 200ml C. albicans suspensions were obtained. Sterile dentures were placed in a beaker containing Experimental (ES) or Control suspensions (CS). ES was microwaved at 650 W for 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 min. Suspensions were optically counted using Methylene blue dye as indicative of membrane-damaged cells; spread on Agar Sabouraud dextrose (ASD) for viability assay; or spectrophotometrically measured at 550nm. Cell-free solutions were submitted to content analyses of protein (Bradford and Pyrogallol red methods); Ca++ (Cresolphthalein Complexone method); DNA (spectrophotometer measurements at 260nm) and K+ (selective electrode technique). Data were analyzed by Student-t test and linear regression (α=0.05). In addition, flowcytometry analysis of Candida cells in suspensionwas performed using propidium iodide. Results: All ES cells demonstrated cell membrane damage at 3, 4 and 5 min,viable cells were nonexistent at 3, 4 and 5 min ES ASD plates and optical density of ES and CS was not significantly differentfor all exposition times. ES cells released highcontents of protein, K+ , Ca++ and DNA after 2 min exposition when compared to that of the CSs. Similar results were observed with flow cytometry analysiswith regard to the periodsof microwave exposure. Conclusions: Microwave irradiation inactivated C. albicansafter 3min and damaged cell membrane integrity after 2 min exposition.

Effect of ion irradiation on the structural properties and hardness of a-C:H:Si:O:F films

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

Elucidating the real-time Ag nanoparticle growth on alpha-Ag2WO4 during electron beam irradiation: experimental evidence and theoretical insights

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

A combined experimental and theoretical study on the formation of ag filaments on beta-Ag2MoO4 induced by electron irradiation

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

Photoelectrochemical properties of FTO/p-NiO electrode induced by UV light irradiation

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effects of copper vapor laser irradiation (λ = 510.6 nm) on the enamel and dentine of human teeth: An ultra-structural morphologic study

Objective: A morphological and ultra-structural study of copper vapor laser (λ = 510.6 nm) effects on enamel and dentine was performed to show the effects of this radiation. Methods: A total of 15 human molars were cut in half; 15 pieces were separated for irradiation on enamel and 15 for dentine. These two groups were further divided into five experimental groups, including a control group, comprised of three half-sections each, irradiated by a CVL laser with a power of 7 W, a repetition rate of 15,000 pulses/sec and exposed at 500, 600, and 800 msec and 1 sec irradiation times with a 5-sec interval between irradiations. Results: In an ultra-structural SEM exam, we observed that on the enamel surfaces irradiated for 1 sec there was morphological alteration that consisted of catering, flaking, and melting on the surfaces. There was no alteration for the other exposure times. On the dentine teeth irradiated for 1 sec, we observed an evident ultra-structural alteration of melted tissue and loss of morphological characteristics. In the dentine group irradiated by 800 msec, we observed ablation and a partial loss of morphological characteristics. In the dentine groups irradiated by 500 and 600 msec, no alteration was observed. Conclusions: The results showed that irradiation with CVL promoted morphologic changes in the enamel as well as in the dentine and demonstrated a need for future studies in order to establish a safe protocol for further use in the odontological practice.

Use of a new fibrin sealant and laser irradiation in the repair of skull defects in rats

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)