New Terahertz Laser Lines From (13)CD(3)OH Pumped by Regular and Hot Bands CO(2) Laser

We have used our new pulsed CO(2) laser, operating both on regular and hot bands, to excite the (13)CD(3)OH methanol isotopomer. This has lead to the observation of 13 new high-threshold far-infrared laser emissions (also identified as terahertz laser lines), with frequencies in the range between 24.11 and 102.56 cm(-1) (0.72-3.07 THz). The absorption transitions leading to these new FIR laser emissions have been located by observing the optoacoustic absorption spectra around the CO(2) emissions. Here, we present these new far-infrared laser lines, characterized in wavelength, polarization, offset relative to the center of the pumping CO(2) laser transition, relative intensity, and optimum operation pressure.

Período de recuperação do investimento em bomba hidráulica de melhor rendimento em sistemas de bombeamento na tarifa horossazonal verde

Neste trabalho, ajustou-se um modelo matemático para quantificar o efeito da variação do rendimento da bomba hidráulica na variação dos custos de um sistema de bombeamento, na estrutura tarifária horossazonal verde (subgrupo A4) e o tempo de recuperação do capital investido no equipamento de maior rendimento. em seguida, o mesmo foi aplicado a um sistema de bombeamento para suprimento de um sistema de irrigação do tipo pivô central. As opções de rendimento da bomba hidráulica foram: 69,5% (bomba 1), 73% (bomba 2) e 78% (bomba 3), cujos custos de aquisição foram, respectivamente, R$ 6.176,00, R$ 8.479,00 e R$ 15.509,00. Os resultados da aplicação do modelo mostraram que: i) a substituição da bomba 1 pela bomba 2 foi viável, sendo o período de recuperação de capital 3,4 anos; ii) a substituição da bomba 1 pela bomba 3 foi viável, sendo o período de recuperação de capital 9,2 anos; iii) a substituição da bomba 2 pela bomba 3 foi inviável, sendo o período de recuperação de capital 21,1 anos superior ao período de amortização do investimento na avaliação econômica, considerado 15 anos.

Influência da laserterapia na proliferação de células-tronco do ligamento periodontal humano

Low level laser irradiation (LLLI) has been used in Dentistry to promote wound healing and tissue regeneration. The literature shows a positive effect of LLLI on cell proliferation, but little is known about their effectiveness in promoting stem cells proliferation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of LLLI on the proliferative rate of human periodontal ligament stem cells. Extracts of periodontal ligament were isolated from two third molars removed by surgical and/or orthodontic indication. After enzymatic digestion, the cells were grown in α-MEM culture medium supplemented with antibiotics and 15% fetal bovine serum. On the third subculture, the cells were irradiated with a InGaAlP-diode laser, using two different energy densities (0,5J/cm 2 - 16 seconds and 1,0J/cm² - 33 seconds), with wavelength of 660nm and output power of 30mW. A new irradiation, using the same parameters, was performed 48h after the first. A control group (non irradiated) was kept under the same experimental culture conditions. The Trypan blue exclusion test and the mitochondrial activity of the cells measured by MTT [3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide] essay were performed to assess the cell proliferation in the intervals of 0, 24, 48 e 72 h after irradiation. The data of cell counts were submitted to nonparametrical statistical tests (Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney), considering a confidence interval of 95%. DAPI (4 -6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining of the cells was performed at 72h interval to evaluate possible nuclear morphological changes induced by LLLI. The results of this study show that the energy density of 1,0 J/cm² promoted greater cell proliferation compared to the other groups (control and 0,5 J/cm²) at intervals of 48 and 72h. The mitochondrial activity measured by MTT essay showed similar results to the Trypan blue cell counting test. The group irradiated with 1,0J/cm² exhibited a significantly higher MTT activity in the intervals of 48 and 72h, when compared to the group irradiated with 0,5J/cm². No nuclear morphological change was observed in the cells from the three groups studied. It is concluded that LLLI has stimulatory effects on the proliferation of human periodontal ligament stem cells. Therefore, the use of laser irradiation in this cell type may be important to promote future advances in periodontal regeneration

Model for determining flow diameter and economic velocity in water elevating systems

The purpose of this paper was to develop a model for calculating the economical flow diameter and velocity, by obtaining the economical diameter, using Swamee's friction factor equation, by minimizing the total annual cost. The application of the model to a regular supply condition showed that the diameter of the actual condition, 250 mm, compared with the diameter calculated by the mode, at the same tariff as that applied to the property ( ground), 284.1 mm, involved the necessity to generate, transmit, and distribute extra electrical energy, due to the higher load loss caused by the original diameter, approximately 30800 kWh/year. This means that in one year, the consumer would spend R$2,804.00 more on pumping cost alone.

Sistema especialista fuzzy para dimensionamento de bombeio mecânico

Despite the emergence of other forms of artificial lift, sucker rod pumping systems remains hegemonic because of its flexibility of operation and lower investment cost compared to other lifting techniques developed. A successful rod pumping sizing necessarily passes through the supply of estimated flow and the controlled wear of pumping equipment used in the mounted configuration. However, the mediation of these elements is particularly challenging, especially for most designers dealing with this work, which still lack the experience needed to get good projects pumping in time. Even with the existence of various computer applications on the market in order to facilitate this task, they must face a grueling process of trial and error until you get the most appropriate combination of equipment for installation in the well. This thesis proposes the creation of an expert system in the design of sucker rod pumping systems. Its mission is to guide a petroleum engineer in the task of selecting a range of equipment appropriate to the context provided by the characteristics of the oil that will be raised to the surface. Features such as the level of gas separation, presence of corrosive elements, possibility of production of sand and waxing are taken into account in selecting the pumping unit, sucker-rod strings and subsurface pump and their operation mode. It is able to approximate the inferente process in the way of human reasoning, which leads to results closer to those obtained by a specialist. For this, their production rules were based on the theory of fuzzy sets, able to model vague concepts typically present in human reasoning. The calculations of operating parameters of the pumping system are made by the API RP 11L method. Based on information input, the system is able to return to the user a set of pumping configurations that meet a given design flow, but without subjecting the selected equipment to an effort beyond that which can bear

BMMobile: uma linha de produtos para dimensionamento de bombeio mecânico em dispositivos móveis

With the increase of processing ability, storage and several kinds of communication existing such as Bluetooth, infrared, wireless networks, etc.., mobile devices are no longer only devices with specific function and have become tools with various functionalities. In the business field, the benefits that these kinds of devices can offer are considerable, because the portability allows tasks that previously could only be performed within the work environment, can be performed anywhere. In the context of oil exploration companies, mobile applications allow quick actions could be taken by petroleum engineers and technicians, using their mobile devices to avoid potential catastrophes like an unexpected stop or break of important equipment. In general, the configuration of equipment for oil extraction is performed on the work environment using computer systems in desktop platforms. After the obtained configuration, an employee goes to equipment to be configured and perform the modifications obtained on the use desktop system. This management process equipment for oil extraction takes long time and does not guarantee the maintenance in time to avoid problems. With the use of mobile devices, management and maintenance of equipment for oil extraction can be performed in a more agile time once it enables the engineer or technician oil can perform this configuration at the time and place where the request comes for example, near in the oil well where the equipment is located. The wide variety of mobile devices creates a big difficulty in developing mobile applications, since for one application can function in several types of devices, the application must be changed for each specific type of device, which makes the development quite costly. This paper defines and implements a software product line for designing sucker-rod pumping systems on mobile devices. This product line of software, called BMMobile, aims to produce products that are capable of performing calculations to determine the possible configurations for the equipment in the design suckerrod pumping, and managing the variabilities of the various products that can be generated. Besides, this work performs two evaluations. The first evaluation will verify the consistency of the products produced by the software product line. The second evaluation will verify the reuse of some products generated by SPL developed

Contribuições para a detecção e identificação de faltas em inversores Multiníveis

This work presents contributions in the detection and identication of faults in multilevel inverters through the study of the converters behavior under these operation conditions. Basically, the approached fault consists of an open-circuit in any switch of a three-level clamped diode inverter. The converter operation is characterized in the pre and post-fault states. A wave form behavior analysis of the pole voltage, phase current and dc-bus current is also done, which highlights characteristics that allow the detection of failure and, even, under favorable conditions, the identication of the faulty device. A compensation strategy of the approached fault (open-switch) is also investigated with the purpose of maintaining the driving system operational when a failure occurs. The proposed topology uses SCRs in parallel with the internal switches of the inverter, which allows, in some occasions, the full utilization of the dc-bus

Efeitos da laserterapia na atividade biológica de células de carcinoma epidermóide de língua humano

The low level laser therapy (LLLT) has shown to be effective in promoting the proliferation of different cells in vitro, including keratinocytes, osteoblasts, endothelial cells and stem cells. It has been speculated that the biostimulatory effect of LLLT could cause undesirable enhancement of tumor growth in neoplastic diseases, since the malignant cells are more susceptible to proliferative stimuli. Within this context, this study evaluated the effect of LLLT on epidermoid carcinoma of the tongue cell line (SCC25) proliferation and invasion. Cultured cells were irradiated with an InGaAIP diode laser, 660nm, 30mW using two energy densities (0.5J/cm2 and 1.0J/cm2). Proliferative activity was assessed through trypan blue staining method and through cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry. The invasive potential was measured through cell invasion assay using matrigel. Cyclin D1, E-cadherin, -catenin and MMP-9 expressions were analyzed by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry and related to the investigated biological activities. Proliferation curve demonstrated that SCC25 irradiated with 1.0J/cm2 had the highest proliferative rate when compared to the control group and the group irradiated with 0.5J/cm2 (p<0.05). LLLT affected cell cycle distribution and energy density of 1.0 J/cm2 promoted a higher percentage of cells in S/G2/M phases, with statistically significant differences at 24h interval (p<0.05). LLLT, mainly with 1.0J/cm2, revealed significantly higher potential for invasion and influenced the expression of cyclin D1, E-cadherin, -catenin and MMP-9, promoting the malignant phenotype. In conclusion, our results indicate that LLLT has an important stimulatory effect on proliferation and invasion of SCC25 cells, likely due to altered expression of proteins associated with these processes

Effect of low-level laser therapy on the healing process after tooth replantation: a histomorphometrical and immunohistochemical analysis

Success of tooth replantation is limited because part of the replanted tooth is lost because of progressive root resorption. This study used histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the healing process of rat teeth replanted after different extra-oral periods, simulating immediate and delayed replantation. Sixty Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) had their maxillary right incisors extracted and randomly assigned to six groups (n = 10): C4, C30 and C45, in which the teeth were replanted 4 min (immediate), 30 min (delayed) and 45 min (delayed) after extraction, respectively, and L4, L30 and L45, in which the teeth were replanted after the same extra-alveolar times, but the root surfaces and the alveolar wounds were irradiated with a gallium-aluminum-arsenate (GaAlAs) diode laser before replantation. The animals were sacrificed after 60 days. The anatomic pieces containing the replanted teeth were obtained and processed for either histomorphometrical analysis under optical microscopy or immunohistochemical expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor Kappa-B (RANK), and its ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) proteins. Areas of external replacement and inflammatory root resorption were observed in all groups, without statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). Ankylosis was more frequent in L30 than in C30 (P < 0.05). RANKL immunostaining predominated over RANK and OPG immunostaining in both groups with immediate tooth replantation (P < 0.05). For the 45-min extra-alveolar time, however, there was greater evidence of RANK immunostaining compared to RANKL for both control and laser-treated groups (P < 0.05). Positive TRAP immunostaining predominated in L4 and L30 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, under the tested conditions, the treatment of the root surface and the alveolar wound with LLLT did not improve the healing process after immediate and delayed tooth replantation in rats.

Clinical Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Different Bleaching Therapies in Vital Teeth

The aims of this in vivo study were to compare the effectiveness and color stability of at-home and in-office bleaching techniques and to evaluate whether the use of light sources can alter bleaching results. According to preestablished criteria, 40 patients were selected and randomly divided into four groups according to bleaching treatment: (1) at-home bleaching with 10% carbamide peroxide, (2) in-office bleaching with 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) without a light source, (3) in-office bleaching with 35% HP with quartz-tungsten-halogen light, and (4) in-office bleaching with 35% HP with a light-emitting diode/laser. Tooth shade was evaluated using the VITA Classical Shade Guide before bleaching as well as after the first and third weeks of bleaching. Tooth shade was evaluated again using the same guide 1 and 6 months after the completion of treatment. The shade guide was arranged to yield scores that were used for statistical comparison. Statistical analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test showed no significant differences among the groups for any time point (P > .01). There was no color rebound in any of the groups. The bleaching techniques tested were equally effective. Light sources are unnecessary to bleach teeth. (Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent 2012;32:303-309.)

Effect of Different Light-Curing Modes on Degree of Conversion, Staining Susceptibility and Stain's Retention Using Different Beverages in a Nanofilled Composite Resin

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effect of low-level laser therapy on bone repair: Histological study in rats

Background and Objectives: Bone remodeling is characterized as a cyclic and lengthy process. It is currently accepted that not only this dynamics is triggered by a biological process, but also biochemical, electrical, and mechanical stimuli are key factors for the maintenance of bone tissue. The hypothesis that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) may favor bone repair has been suggested. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bone repair in defects created in rat lower jaws after stimulation with infrared LLLT directly on the injured tissue.Study Design/Materials and Methods: Bone defects were prepared on the mandibles of 30 Holtzman rats allocated in two groups (n = 15), which were divided in three evaluation period (15, 45, and 60 days), with five animals each. control group-no treatment of the defect; laser group-single laser irradiation with a GaAlAs semiconductor diode laser device (lambda = 780 nm; P = 35 mW t = 40 s; circle minus = 1.0 mm; D = 178 J/cm(2); E = 1.4 J) directly on the defect area. The rats were sacrificed at the preestablished periods and the mandibles were removed and processed for staining with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's Trichrome and picrosirius techniques.Results: the histological results showed bone formation in both groups. However, the laser group exhibited an advanced tissue response compared to the control group, abbreviating the initial inflammatory reaction and promoting rapid new bone matrix formation at 15 and 45 days (P < 0. 05). on the other hand, there were no significant differences between the groups at 60 days.Conclusion: the use of infrared LLLT directly to the injured tissue showed a biostimulating effect on bone remodeling by stimulating the modulation of the initial inflammatory response and anticipating the resolution to normal conditions at the earlier periods. However, there were no differences between the groups at 60 days.

Effects of intrapulpal temperature change induced by visible light units on the metabolism of odontoblast-like cells

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

Composite resin color stability: influence of light sources and immersion media

Objective: This study evaluated the influence of light sources and immersion media on the color stability of a nanofilled composite resin. Material and Methods: Conventional halogen, high-power-density halogen and high-power-density light-emitting diode (LED) units were used. There were 4 immersion media: coffee, tea, Coke (R) and artificial saliva. A total of 180 specimens (10 mm x 2 mm) were prepared, immersed in artificial saliva for 24 h at 37 +/- 1 degrees C, and had their initial color measured with a spectrophotometer according to the CIELab system. Then, the specimens were immersed in the 4 media during 60 days. Data from the color change and luminosity were collected and subjected to statistical analysis by the Kruskall-Wallis test (p<0.05). For immersion time, the data were subjected to two-way ANOVA test and Fisher's test (p<0.05). Results: High-power-density LED (Delta E=1.91) promoted similar color stability of the composite resin to that of the tested halogen curing units (Jet Lite 4000 plus - Delta E=2.05; XL 3000 - Delta E=2.28). Coffee (Delta E=8.40; Delta L=-5.21) showed the highest influence on color stability of the studied composite resin. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in color stability regardless of the light sources, and coffee was the immersion medium that promoted the highest color changes on the tested composite resin.

Increased Viability of Odontoblast-Like Cells Subjected to Low-Level Laser Irradiation

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