Influence of light curing source on microhardness of composite resins of different shades

Introduction: The evolution of light curing units can be noticed by the different systems recently introduced. The technology of LED units promises longer lifetime, without heating and with production of specific light for activation of camphorquinone. However, further studies are still required to check the real curing effectiveness of these units. Purpose: This study evaluated the microhardness of 4 shades (B-0.5, B-1, B-2 and B-3) of composite resin Filtek Z-250 (3M ESPE) after light curing with 4 light sources, being one halogen (Ultralux - Dabi Atlante) and three LED (Ultraled - Dabi Atlante, Ultrablue - DMC and Elipar Freelight - 3M ESPE). Methods: 192 specimens were distributed into 16 groups, and materials were inserted in a single increment in cylindrical templates measuring 4mm x 4mm and light cured as recommended by the manufacturer. Then, they were submitted to microhardness test on the top and bottom aspects of the cylinders. Results: The hardness values achieved were submitted to analysis of variance and to Tukey test at 5% confidence level. It was observed that microhardness of specimens varied according to the shade of the material and light sources employed. The LED appliance emitting greater light intensity provided the highest hardness values with shade B-0.5, allowing the best curing. On the other hand, appliances with low light intensity were the least effective. It was also observed that the bottom of specimens was more sensitive to changes in shade. Conclusion: Light intensity of LED light curing units is fundamental for their good functioning, especially when applied in resins with darker shades.

Cutting characteristics of dental diamond burs made with CVD technology

The aim of this study was to determine the cutting ability of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond burs coupled to an ultrasonic dental unit handpiece for minimally invasive cavity preparation. One standard cavity was prepared on the mesial and distal surfaces of 40 extracted human third molars either with cylindrical or with spherical CVD burs. The cutting ability was compared regarding type of substrate (enamel and dentin) and direction of handpiece motion. The morphological characteristics, width and depth of the cavities were analyzed and measured using scanning electron micrographs. Statistical analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test (p < 0.05) revealed that the width and depth of the cavities were significantly greater when they were prepared on dentin. Wider cavities were prepared when the cylindrical CVD bur was used, and deeper cavities resulted from preparation with the spherical CVD bur. The direction of handpiece motion did not influence the size of the cavities, and the CVD burs produced precise and conservative cutting.

Enhanced photocatalytic reduction of Hg(II) in aqueous medium by 2-aminothiazole-modified TiO2 particles

This work describes the synthesis and characterization of 2-aminothiazole-modified titania and its application on Hg (II) photoreduction in aqueous medium. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the chemical modification of the titania matrix. The number of 2-aminothiazole groups attached to the titania was determined by Kjeldahl's method. The photocatalytic experiments were carried out in a cylindrical photoreactor thermostatted at 298 K. The resulting modified photocatalyst 2-aminothiazole titania (TiAT) revealed an enhance in the Hg (II) photoreduction capacity at studied pH values (3, 7 and 9). In addition, sorption studies showed that the photocatalyst TiAT presented a lower equilibrium time and a higher sorption capacity of Hg(II) ion, demonstrating that sorption plays a fundamental role in the photoreduction mechanism. ©2006 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.

Remarks on orthotropic elastic models applied to wood

Wood is generally considered an anisotropic material. In terms of engineering elastic models, wood is usually treated as an orthotropic material. This paper presents an analysis of two principal anisotropic elastic models that are usually applied to wood. The first one, the linear orthotropic model, where the material axes L (Longitudinal), R(radial) and T(tangential) are coincident with the Cartesian axes (x, y, z), is more accepted as wood elastic model. The other one, the cylindrical orthotropic model is more adequate of the growth caracteristics of wood but more mathematically complex to be adopted in practical terms. Specifically due to its importance in wood elastic parameters, this paper deals with the fiber orientation influence in these models through adequate transformation of coordinates. As a final result, some examples of the linear model, which show the variation of elastic moduli, i.e., Young's modulus and shear modulus, with fiber orientation are presented.

Effect of microwave disinfection procedures on torsional bond strengths of two hard chairside denture reline materials

Purpose: This study evaluated the potential effects of denture base resin water storage time and an effective denture disinfection method (microwave irradiation at 650 W for 6 minutes) on the torsional bond strength between two hard chairside reline resins (GC Reline and New Truliner) and one heat-polymerizing denture base acrylic resin (Lucitone 199). Materials and Methods: Cylindrical (30 x 3.9 mm) denture base specimens (n = 160) were stored in water at 37°C (2 or 30 days) before bonding. A section (3.0 mm) was removed from the center of the specimens, surfaces prepared, and the reline materials packed into the space. After polymerization, specimens were divided into four groups (n = 10): Group 1 (G1) - tests performed after bonding; Group 2 (G2) - specimens immersed in water (200 ml) and irradiated twice (650 W for 6 minutes); Group 3 (G3) - specimens irradiated daily until seven cycles of disinfection; Group 4 (G4) - specimens immersed in water (37°C) for 7 days. Specimens were submitted to a torsional test (0.1 Nm/min), and the torsional strengths (MPa) and the mode of failure were recorded. Data from each reline material were analyzed by a two-way analysis of variance, followed by Neuman-Keuls test (p = 0.05). Results: For both Lucitone 199 water storage periods, before bonding to GC Reline resin, the mean torsional strengths of G2 (2 days - 138 MPa; 30 days - 132 MPa), G3 (2 days - 126 MPa; 30 days - 130 MPa), and G4 (2 days - 130 MPa; 30 days - 137 MPa) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than G1 (2 days - 108 MPa; 30 days - 115 MPa). Similar results were found for Lucitone 199 specimens bonded to New Truliner resin, with G1 specimens (2 days - 73 MPa; 30 days - 71 MPa) exhibiting significantly lower mean torsional bond strength (p < 0.05) than G2 (2 day - 86 MPa; 30 days - 90 MPa), G3 (2 days - 82 MPa; 30 days - 82 MPa), and G4 specimens (2 days - 78 MPa; 30 days - 79 MPa). The adhesion of both materials was not affected by water storage time of Lucitone 199 (p > 0.05). GC reline showed a mixed mode of failure (adhesive/cohesive) and New Truliner failed adhesively. Conclusions: Up to seven microwave disinfection cycles did not decrease the torsional bond strengths between the hard reline resins, GC Reline and New Truliner to the denture base resin Lucitone 199. The effect of additional disinfection cycles on reline material may be clinically significant and requires further study. Copyright © 2006 by The American College of Prosthodontists.

Installation of a getter vacuum pump in cathode-anode region of a high-power klystron amplifier - Propose and feasible

The possibility to install a getter vacuum pump and its feasible in the anode of a high-power klystron amplifier is investigated in order to decrease of the pressure in the gun and consequently increasing its lifetime. The study is conducted using a 1.3 GHz, 100 A and 240 kV high-power klystron with five reentrant coaxial cavities, assembled in a cylindrical drift tube 1.2 m long. This work takes into account the specific conductance of components of gun and all important gas sources, like the degassing of the drift tube, the cavity walls, the cathode, the anode, and the collector, as well the position and pumping speed of the getter vacuum pump in anode region. © 2006 IEEE.

Vickers hardness of cast commercially pure titanium and Ti-6Al-4V alloy submitted to heat treatments

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of heat treatments on the Vickers hardness of commercially pure titanium and Ti-6Al-4V cast alloys. Six-millimeter-diameter cylindrical specimens were cast in a Rematitan System. Commercially pure titanium and Ti-6Al-4V alloy specimens were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n=10) that received the following heat treatments: control (no heat treatment); treatment 1 (T1): heating at 750°C for 2 h; and treatment 2 (T2): annealing at 955°C for 1 h and aging at 620°C for 2 h. After heat treatments, the specimens were embedded in acrylic resin and their surface was ground and polished and hardness was measured. Vickers hardness means (VHN) and standard deviations were analyzed statistically by Kruskal-Wallis test at 5% significance level. For commercially pure titanium, Vickers hardness means of group T2 (259.90 VHN) was significantly higher than those of the other groups (control - 200.26 VHN and T1 - 202.23 VHN), which presented similar hardness means to each other (p>0.05). For Ti-6Al-4V alloy, statistically significant differences were observed among the three groups: T2 (369.08 VHN), T1 (351.94 VHN) and control (340.51 VHN) (p<0.05). The results demonstrated different hardness of CP Ti and Ti-6Al-4V when different heat treatments were used. For CP Ti, VHN means of T2 group was remarkably higher than those of control and T1 group, which showed similar VHN means to each other. For Ti-6Al-4V alloy, however, VHN means recorded for each group may be presented as follows: T2>T1>control.

A unique intraorbital osseous structure in the large fruit-eating bat (Artibeus lituratus)

Objective: To describe the normal bony orbital structure of the large fruit-eating bat (Artibeus lituratus) with emphasis on a unique intraorbital bony structure previously not described in the literature. Procedures: The bony anatomy of the orbital cavity was studied on dissected skulls of large fruit-eating bats. The anatomic description of a unique intraorbital spine was made while studying the bony orbit of macerated skulls. Additional observations were made on dissected formalin-fixed whole heads. Both procedures were performed under a stereo dissecting microscope, using ×2-4-magnification. A histologic analysis of soft tissues surrounding this cylindrical bony structure was performed using cross and longitudinal oblique sections from decalcified whole heads, which had been fixed in formalin. Additionally, biometric measurements and a histomorphometric analysis were performed. Results and conclusions: An intraorbital cylindrical osseous structure measuring 3.96 ± 0.68 mm in length and 155.62 ± 14.03 μm in diameter was observed in the large fruit-eating bat (A. lituratus), creating a unique orbital structural design among mammals. We suggest the name optic spine of the alisphenoid bone. The anatomic, biometric and histologic characterization of this element might contribute to a further understanding of the dynamics of bat vision and the sort of factors that influenced evolution of the visual system of microbats. The authors hope that the documentation of this distinctive anatomic feature will also expand the debate about the phylogenetic analysis of the relationship among bat species in the near future. © 2007 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

Morfo-anatomia do eixo vegetativo aéreo de Achyrocline alata (Kunth) DC. (Asteraceae)

Achyrocline alata occurs in a dense and low vegetation in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil and it has been studied under physical-chemical and yield aspects, being scarce anatomical data. The present work has as objective the study of the aerial vegetative axis. Stem is cylindrical and hairy, having five wings, which are arisen from their leaves. The blade shows the presence of uniseriate epidermis, which is covered by the cuticle of variable thickness; and non-glandular and glandular trichomes. The non-glandular trichomes are uniseriate and multicellular and have their apex cell in whip form, while the glandular trichomes are multicellular, uniseriate or biseriate. The mesophyll is dorsiventral with uni-stratified palisade parenchyma in most of the cases and lacunal parenchyma formed by three to four layers of irregular cells. Only one collateral vascular bundle occurs in the midvein. Stem in transversal section is covered by epidermis with trichomes similar to leaves; the cortex is constituted by a discontinuous area of angular collenchyma, which is followed by chlorophyll parenchyma. Vascular cylinder that is delimited by pericycle shows vascular bundles of collateral type. In the secondary structure, the periderm is originated from epidermal and subepidermal tissues. In vascular region, the fascicular cambium differs into secondary xylem and phloem, while interfascicular cambium produces sclerenchymatous tissue.

O uso da serragem no processo de minicompostagem

In this work used four cylindrical PVC (polyvinyl chloride) mini compost bins, they all had the same size and were identical, with 40 cm diameter and 75 cm length, they also were opened on both sides. Each mini compost bean received 35,5 kg of solid organic wastes, which were previously crushed and 6 kg of sawdust. It was evaluated during the composting process the C/N analyses, temperature measurement, humidity and pH. Results showed that the use of sawdust as a source of high carbon inputs on the mini compost beans and using low quantities of organic solid wastes reached temperatures as high as 65° C, keeping on the thermophilic phase for almost 6 days. After 18 days the environmental temperature was reached, the organic wastes were then laid to reach full maturity for 55 more days. The C/N ratio was initially around 30/1 and after 73 days it was around 12/1.

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.

Influence of the power level of an ultra-sonic system on dental cavity preparation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the shape of dental cavities made with the CVDentus® system using different ultrasound power levels. One standard cavity was made on the buccal aspect of 15 bovine incisors with a CVDentus® cylindrical bur (82142). The sample was divided into three groups: G1 - ultrasound with power II; G2 - ultrasound with power III; and G3 - ultrasound with power IV. A standardizing device was used to obtain standardized preparations and ultrasound was applied during one minute in each dental preparation. The cavities were sectioned in the middle, allowing observation of the cavity's profile with a magnifying glass, and width and depth measurement using the Leica Qwin program. The Kruskal-Wallis (p < 0.05) and Dunn statistical analyses demonstrated differences between the dental cavity shapes when powers III and IV were used. However, the cavities that were made with power III presented dimensions similar to those of the bur used for preparation. We concluded that the power recommended by the manufacturer (III) is the most adequate for use with the CVDentus® system.

Tijolos prensados de solo-cimento confeccionados com resíduos de concreto

In this work results are presented of laboratory tests aiming to evaluate the possibility of using concrete wastes in manufactured soil-cement pressed bricks. Tests of characterization of used soil of the composite of this soil with concrete wastes and of the mixtures of soil cement made with this composite were evaluated. According to results of tests carried out with cylindrical specimens and with soil cement pressed bricks, it was verified that the addition of the concrete wastes improved soil cement mechanical properties, favoring the a reduction of the cement consumption, obtaining pressed bricks with a better quality.

Grinding of hardened steels using optimized cooling

Grinding - the final machining process of a workpiece - requires large amounts of cutting fluids for the lubrication, cooling and removal of chips. These fluids are highly aggressive to the environment. With the technological advances of recent years, the worldwide trend is to produce increasingly sophisticated components with very strict geometric and dimensional tolerances, good surface finish, at low costs, and particularly without damaging the environment. The latter requirement can be achieved by recycling cutting fluids, which is a costly solution, or by drastically reducing the amount of cutting fluids employed in the grinding process. This alternative was investigated here by varying the plunge velocity in the plunge cylindrical grinding of ABNT D6 steel, rationalizing the application of two cutting fluids and using a superabrasive CBN (cubic boron nitride) grinding wheel with vitrified binder to evaluate the output parameters of tangential cutting force, acoustic emission, roughness, roundness, tool wear, residual stress and surface integrity, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the test specimens. The performance of the cutting fluid, grinding wheel and plunge velocity were analyzed to identify the best machining conditions which allowed for a reduction of the cutting fluid volume, reducing the machining time without impairing the geometric and dimensional parameters, and the surface finish and integrity of the machined components.

Influência dos agentes clareadores na microdureza de resina composta nanoparticulada

Objective: To assess the effect of bleaching agents on the microhardness of nanoparticle resin composite. Methods: Twenty-eight cylindrical test specimens (8× 1mm) of Filtek™ Supreme XT resin (3M/ESPE) were prepared and divided into 5 groups. The initial Vickers microhardness was measured (load of 50 grams force for 30 seconds) on the top surface of the test specimens. The groups were treated and divided as follows: G1 - artificial saliva (21 days - control); G2 - 7% hydrogen peroxide gel applied for 4h/day, for 14 days; G3 - 10% carbamide peroxide for 4h/day, for 14 days: G4 - 35% hydrogen peroxide gel applied in three sessions of 30 minutes each, with an interval of one week (21 days) between the sessions; G5 - 35% carbamide peroxide, three sessions of 30 minutes each, with an interval of one week (21 days) between the sessions. The top surfaces of the test specimens received treatment and were submitted to the Vickers microhardness test. Results: The results obtained were submitted to the Analysis of Variance at a fixed criterion, at a level of significance of p=0.05. No significant differences were observed among the treatments tested (p=0.42) when compared with G1. Significant differences (Tukey test) were found when the initial microhardness values were compared with the values after experimental treatments (p<0.01). Conclusion: The application of bleaching agents did not alter the microhardness of resin composites. Therefore, there is no need to change restorations after bleaching.