Effect of Resin Cement Type on the Microtensile Bond Strength to Lithium Disilicate Ceramic and Dentin Using Different Test Assemblies

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Zirconia-Porcelain Bonding: Effect of Multiple Firings on Microtensile Bond Strength

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

Influence of Nd:YAG or Er:YAG laser surface treatment on microtensile bond strength of indirect resin composites to resin cement. Lasers surface treatment of indirect resin composites

This study evaluated the influence of the surface pretreatment of indirect resin composite (Signum, Admira Lab and Sinfony) on the microtensile bond strength of a resin cement. Sixty samples made of each brand were divided into 6 groups, according to surface treatment: (1) control; (2) controlled-air abrasion with Al2O3; (3) Er:YAG Laser 200 mJ, 10 Hz, for 10s; (4) Er: YAG Laser 300 mJ, 10 Hz, for 10 s; (5) Nd:YAG 80 mJ, S15Hz for 1 min; (6) Nd:YAG 120mJ, 15 Hz for 1 min. After treatments, all the groups received an application of 37% phosphoric acid and adhesive. The pair of blocks of the same brand were cemented to each other with dual resin cement. The blocks were sectioned to obtain resin-resin sticks (1 x1 mm) and analyzed by microtensile bond testing. The bond strength values were statistically different, irrespective of the surface treatment performed, with highest values for Sinfony (43.81 MPa) and lowest values for Signum (32.33 MPA). The groups treated with the Nd:YAG laser showed the lowest bond strength values and power did not interfere in the results, both for Nd:YAG laser and Er:YAG. Controlled-air abrasion with Al203 is an efficient surface treatment method and the use of the Nd:YAG and Er:YAG lasers reduced bond strength, irrespective of the intensity of energy used.

Microtensile bond strength of resin composite to dentin treated with Er:YAG laser of bleached teeth

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of Er:YAG laser (lambda = 2.94 mu m) on microtensile bond strength (mu TBS) and superficial morphology of bovine dentin bleached with 16% carbamide peroxide. Forty bovine teeth blocks (7 x 3 x 3 mm(3)) were randomly assigned to four groups: G1- bleaching and Er:YAG irradiation with energy density of 25.56 J/cm(2) (focused mode); G2 - bleaching; G3 - no-bleaching and Er:YAG irradiation (25.56 J/cm(2)); G4 - control, non-treated. G1 and G2 were bleached with 16% carbamide peroxide for 6 h during 21 days. Afterwards, all blocks were abraded with 320 to 600-grit abrasive papers to obtain flat standardized dentin surfaces. G1 and G3 were Er:YAG irradiated. Blocks were immediately restored with 4-mm-high composite resin (Adper Single Bond 2, Z-250-3 M/ESPE). After 24 h, the restored blocks (n = 9) were serially sectioned and trimmed to an hour-glass shape of approximately 1 mm(2) at the bonded interface area, and tested in tension in a universal testing machine (1 mm/ min). Failure mode was determined at a magnification of 100x using a stereomicroscope. One block of each group was selected for scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. mu TBS data was analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey test (alpha = 0.05). Mean bond strengths (SD) in MPa were: G1- 32.7 (5.9)(A); G2- 31.1 (6.3)(A); G3- 25.2 (8.3)(B); G4- 36.7 (9.9).(A) Groups with different uppercase letters were significantly different from each other (p < .05). Enamel bleaching procedure did not affect mu TBS values for dentin adhesion. Er:YAG laser irradiation with 25.56 J/cm(2) prior to adhesive procedure of bleached teeth did not affect mu TBS at dentin and promoted a dentin surface with no smear layer and opened dentin tubules observed under SEM. On the other hand, Er:YAG laser irradiation prior to adhesive procedure of non-bleached surface impaired mu TBS compared to the control group.

Testing a framework for the quality of process models: A case study

Process modeling can be regarded as the currently most popular form of conceptual modeling. Research evidence illustrates how process modeling is applied across the different information system life cycle phases for a range of different applications, such as configuration of Enterprise Systems, workflow management, or software development. However, a detailed discussion of critical factors of the quality of process models is still missing. This paper proposes a framework consisting of six quality factors, which is derived from a comprehensive literature review. It then presents in a case study, a utility provider, who had designed various business process models for the selection of an Enterprise System. The paper summarizes potential means of conducting a successful process modeling initiative and evaluates the described modeling approach within the Guidelines of Modeling (GoM) framework. An outlook shows the potential lessons learnt, and concludes with insights to the next phases of this study.

Entrepreneurial bricolage : towards systematic empirical testing

The behavioral theory of “entrepreneurial bricolage” attempts to understand what entrepreneurs do when faced with resource constraints. Most research about bricolage, defined as “making do by applying combinations of the resources at hand to new problems and opportunities” (Baker & Nelson 2005: 333), has been qualitative and inductive (Garud & Karnoe, 2003). Although this has created a small body of rich descriptions and interesting insights, little deductive theory has been developed and the relationship between bricolage and firm performance has not been systematically tested. In particular, prior research has suggested bricolage can have both beneficial and harmful effects. Ciborra’s (1996) study of Olivetti suggested that bricolage helped Olivetti to adapt, but simultaneously constrained firm effectiveness. Baker & Nelson (2005) suggested that bricolage may be harmful at very high levels, but more helpful if used judiciously. Other research suggests that firm innovativeness may play an important role in shaping the outcomes of bricolage (Anderson 2008). In this paper, we theorize and provide preliminary test of the bricolage-performance relationship and how it is affected by firm innovativeness.