A self-learning simulated annealing algorithm for global optimizations of electromagnetic devices

A self-learning simulated annealing algorithm is developed by combining the characteristics of simulated annealing and domain elimination methods. The algorithm is validated by using a standard mathematical function and by optimizing the end region of a practical power transformer. The numerical results show that the CPU time required by the proposed method is about one third of that using conventional simulated annealing algorithm.

Effect of the parafunctional occlusal loading and crown height on stress distribution

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

Influence of simulated pulpal pressure on efficacy of bleaching gels

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

Three-dimensional finite element analysis of anterior single implant-supported prostheses with different bone anchorages

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

Evaluation of single implants placed in the posterior mandibular area under immediate loading: a prospective study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival of single dental implants subjected to immediate function. Twelve patients with edentulous areas in the posterior mandible were included in the study. All received at least one regular platform dental implant (3.75mm×11mm or 3.75mm×13mm). Clinical and radiographic parameters were evaluated. The survival rate after 12 months was 83.3%. The implants showed no clinical mobility, had implant stability quotient values (ISQ; Osstell) around 70, bone loss of up to 2mm, and a probing depth of ≤3mm. Although the posterior mandible is an area in which the immediate loading of dental implants should be performed with caution, this treatment presented a good success rate in the present study sample.

Reduced knee flexion is a possible cause of increased loading rates in individuals with patellofemoral pain

Stair ascent is an activity that exacerbates symptoms of individuals with patellofemoral pain. The discomfort associated with this activity usually results in gait modification such as reduced knee flexion in an attempt to reduce pain. Although such compensatory strategy is a logical approach to decrease pain, it also reduces the normal active shock absorption increasing loading rates and may lead to deleterious and degenerative changes of the knee joint. Thus, the aims of this study were (i) to investigate whether there is reduced knee flexion in adults with PFP compared to healthy controls; and (ii) to analyze loading rates in these subjects, during stair climbing. Twenty-nine individuals with patellofemoral pain and twenty-five control individuals (18-30years) participated in this study. Each subject underwent three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic analyses during stair climbing on two separate days. Between-groups analyses of variance were performed to identify differences in peak knee flexion and loading rates. Intraclass correlation coefficient was performed to verify the reliability of the variables. On both days, the patellofemoral pain group demonstrated significantly reduced peak knee flexion and increased loading rates. In addition, the two variables obtained high to very high reliability. Reduced knee flexion during stair climbing as a strategy to avoid anterior knee pain does not seem to be healthy for lower limb mechanical distributions. Repeated loading at higher loading rates may be damaging to lower limb joints.

Influence of Nd:YAG laser on intrapulpal temperature and bond strength of human dentin under simulated pulpal pressure

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of simulated pulpal pressure (SPP) on the variation of intrapulpal temperature (ΔT) and microtensile bond strength (μTBS) to dentin submitted to an adhesive technique using laser irradiation. One hundred sound human molars were randomly divided into two groups (n = 50), according to the presence or absence of SPP (15 cm H2O). Each group was divided into five subgroups (n = 10) according to Nd:YAG laser energy (60, 80, 100, 120, 140 mJ/pulse). The samples were sequentially treated with the following: 37 % phosphoric acid, adhesive (Scotchbond Universal), irradiation with Nd:YAG laser (60 s), and light curing (10 s). ΔT was evaluated during laser irradiation using a type K thermocouple. Next, a composite resin block was build up onto the irradiated area. After 48 h, samples were submitted to microtensile test (10 kgf load cell, 0.5 mm/min). Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (p = 0.05). ANOVA revealed significant differences for ΔT and TBS in the presence of SPP. For ΔT, the highest mean (14.3 ± 3.23 °C)(A) was observed in 140 mJ and without SPP. For μTBS, the highest mean (33.4 ± 4.15 MPa)(A) was observed in 140 mJ and without SPP. SPP significantly reduced both ΔT and μTBS during adhesive procedures, lower laser energy parameters resulted in smaller ΔT, and the laser parameters did not influence the μTBS values.

Impact of inulin and okara on Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 and Bifidobacterium animalis Bb-12 viability in a fermented soy product and probiotic survival under in vitro simulated gastrointestinal conditions

The effect of inulin and/or okara flour on Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 and Bifidobacterium animalis Bb-12 viability in a fermented soy product (FSP) and on probiotic survival under in vitro simulated gastrointestinal conditions were investigated throughout 28 days of storage at 4 °C. Employing a 22 design, four FSP trials were produced from soymilk fermented with ABT-4 culture (La-5, Bb-12, and Streptococcus thermophilus): FSP (control); FSP-I (with inulin, 3 g/100 mL of soymilk); FSP-O (with okara, 5 g/100 mL); FSP-IO (with inulin + okara, ratio 3:5 g/100 mL). Probiotic viabilities ranged from 8 to 9 log cfu/g during the 28 days of storage, and inulin and/or okara flour did not affect the viability of La-5 and Bb-12. Bb-12 resistance to the artificial gastrointestinal juices was higher than for La-5, since the Bb-12 and La-5 populations decreased approximately 0.6 log cfu/g and 3.8 log cfu/g, respectively, throughout storage period. Even though the protective effect of inulin and/or okara flour on probiotic microorganisms was not significant, when compared to a fresh culture, the FSP matrix improved Bb-12 survival on day 1 of storage and may be considered a good vehicle for Bb-12 and could play an important role in probiotic protection against gastrointestinal juices. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Influence of morphological variables in photoelastic models with implants submitted to axial loading

Purpose: This study used 12 photoelastics models with different height and thickness to evaluate if the axial loading of 100N on implants changes the morphology of the photoelastic reflection. Methods: For the photoelastic analysis, the models were placed in a reflection polariscope for observation of the isochromatic fringes patterns. The formation of these fringes resulted from an axial load of 100N applied to the midpoint of the healing abutment attached to the implant with 10.0mm x 3.75mm (Conexão, Sistemas de Próteses, Brazil). The tension in each photoelastic model was monitored, photographed and observed using the software Phothoshop 7.0. For qualitative analysis, the area under the implant apex was measured including the green band of the second order fringe of each model using the software Image Tool. After comparison of the areas, the performance generated by each specimen was defined regarding the axial loading. Results: There were alterations in area with different height and thickness of the photoelastic models. It was observed that the group III (30mm in height) presented the smallest area. Conclusion: There was variation in the size of the areas analyzed for different height and thickness of the models and the morphology of the replica may directly influence the result in researches with photoelastic models.

Straight and angulated abutments in platform switching: influence of loading on bone stress by three-dimensional finite element analysis

PURPOSE: In view of reports in the literature on the benefits achieved with the use of platform switching, described as the use of an implant with a larger diameter than the abutment diameter, the goal being to prevent the (previously) normal bone loss down to the first thread that occurs around most implants, thus enhancing soft tissue aesthetics and stability and the need for implant inclination due to bone anatomy in some cases, the aim of this study was to evaluate bone stress distribution on peri-implant bone, by using three-dimensional finite element analysis to simulate the influence of implants with different abutment angulations (0 and 15 degrees) in platform switching. METHODS: Four mathematical models of an implant-supported central incisor were created with varying abutment angulations: straight abutment (S1 and S2) and angulated abutment at 15 degrees (A1 and A2), submitted to 2 loading conditions (100 N): S1 and A1-oblique loading (45 degrees) and S2 and A2-axial loading, parallel to the long axis of the implant. Maximum (σmax) and minimum (σmin) principal stress values were obtained for cortical and trabecular bone. RESULTS: Models S1 and A1 showed higher σmax in cortical and trabecular bone when compared with S2 and A2. The highest σmax values (in MPa) in the cortical bone were found in S1 (28.5), followed by A1 (25.7), S2 (11.6), and A2 (5.15). For the trabecular bone, the highest σmax values were found in S1 (7.53), followed by A1 (2.87), S2 (2.85), and A2 (1.47). CONCLUSIONS: Implants with straight abutments generated the highest stress values in bone. In addition, this effect was potentiated when the load was applied obliquely.

Análise da distribuição de tensões em reabilitação com implantes cone morse em maxilar posterior: estudo pelo MEF 3D não linear

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

Abrasive wear of two glass ionomer cements after simulated toothbrushing

Introduction and objective: Glass ionomer cement, which was first introduced in Dentistry in 1972, presents good qualities such as aesthetics, fluoride release and adhesion to dental tissues. Because of its preventive characteristics regarding to dental caries, glass ionomer cement has been used for Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART), as reported by Frencken and Holmgren [6], meeting the principles announced by the World Health Organization (WHO) for application to large population groups without regular access to dental care. Material and methods: In this present study, the abrasive wear strength of two glass-ionomer cements (Vidrion R® and ChemFlex®) was evaluated through toothbrushing machine. Classic® toothbrushes with soft bristles and Sorriso® dentifrice were also used for the study. Results: Student-t test showed significant difference between both groups, with tobs value = 9.4411 at p < 0.05. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the wear rate caused by toothbrush/dentifrice was higher for Vidrion R® (52.00 mg) than ChemFlex® (5.57 mg).

The cone loading test to estimate deformability moduli of a tropical soil

The Cone Loading Test (CLT) consists of the execution of a load test on the piezocone probe in conjunction with the CPT test. The CLT yields the modulus ECLT, a parameter that can be used in the estimative of foundation settlement. It is also presented here the interpretation and the process to determine ECLT values from the stress-displacement curves obtained from cone loading tests. Several CLT tests were conducted at the experimental research site of São Paulo State University, Bauru-SP-Brazil. The geotechnical profile at the studied site is a brown to bright red slightly clayey fine sand, a tropical soil common to this region which is lateritic, unsaturated and collapsible. The results of CLT tests satisfactorily represent the behavior of the investigated soil. The penetrometric modulus ECLT for each depth was calculated considering the elastic behavior in the initial linear segment of the soil stress-strain curve. The ECLT moduli obtained for the various tests were compared to moduli obtained from PMT and DMT test results performed at same studied site. The shear modulus degradation curves obtained from the CLT tests are also presented. The comparison to PMT and DMT results indicates the CLT test is a viable complementary test to the CPT in the quest for better understanding stress-strain behavior of soils. Further, the CLT test provides a graphic visualization of the degradation of the shear modulus with increasing levels of strain. As a hybrid geotechnical test, CPT+CLT can be valuable in the investigation of non-conventional collapsible soils, whose literature lack reference parameters for the prediction of settlement in the design of foundations.

On suppression of chaotic motions of a portal frame structure under non-ideal loading using a magneto-rheological damper

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Modelagem e análise de tensão em estrutura óssea com implante metálico, através do método dos elementos finitos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)