Investigation of nonlinear dielectric properties in Sr0.75Ba0.25Nb2O6 relaxor ferroelectric thin films

The ac and dc driving fields dependence of the dielectric permittivity for the strontium barium niobate relaxor ferroelectric thin films has been investigated. The nonlinear dielectric properties were obtained by using the measurements of the dielectric permittivity of the material as a function of the ac and dc "bias" electric field amplitude in wide frequency (100 Hz-10 MHz) and temperature (50-450 K) intervals. The results hint the existence of a true mesoscopic dielectric relaxor response in the ferroelectric thin film, which is very similar to those observed in bulk relaxor ferroelectrics. An anomalous behavior of the NL dielectric response was observed when submitted to moderate dc electric fields levels,,indicating a crossover from paraelectric to a glasslike behavior on cooling the sample toward the freezing transition. The obtained results were analyzed within the framework of the models proposed in the current literature.

Effect of refrigeration systems upon frozen bull sperm viability assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis and fluorescent probes

Sperm cryopreservation success depends upon the maintenance of spermatozoa fertility potential. Sperm cells must preserve both integrity and functionality of several cell structures. The stabilization phase must allow the exit of water from the sperm cells via osmosis. This study aimed to compare the effect of refrigeration in the commercial refrigerator (CR) and the transport/refrigeration box (TRB) upon the viability of frozen bull sperm diluted in three different extenders (A, B and C). Ten Nellore bulls, Bos taurus indicus maintained in Artificial Insemination Center were used and the spermatozoa samples was assessed for Plasma Membrane Integrity and CASA evaluation. The stabilization phase (5 degrees C/4 hours) was performed in the CR as well as in the TRB, and then samples were exposed to nitrogen vapor during 20 minutes and then plunged into nitrogen. The statistical analysis was done using the variance analysis and the significance level was set at 5%. In the CR the post-thawing parameters for PM and ALH were higher (p < 0.05) in the extender A (glicine egg-yolk) and extender B (glicine egg-free) when compared with extender C (TRIS egg-yolk). As for BCF, STR and LIN, the parameters were higher (p < 0.05) in extender B than in C. Samples that were stabilized in the TRB presented higher post-thawing parameters (p < 0.05) for PM and LIN in extender A and extender B when compared with C. BCF and STR parameters were higher (p < 0.05) in extemder B when compared with C. Extender B samples had higher (p < 0.05) PMI when stabilized in CR. The findings in this experiment enable us to say that both CR and TRB were effective in keeping the viability of post-thawing bull semen.

COLOR STABILITY of SEALED COMPOSITE RESIN RESTORATIVE MATERIALS AFTER ULTRAVIOLET ARTIFICIAL AGING and IMMERSION IN STAINING SOLUTIONS

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

Effect of Chemical Disinfection and Accelerated Aging on Color Stability of Maxillofacial Silicone with Opacifiers

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the color stability of MDX4-4210 maxillofacial elastomer with opacifier addition submitted to chemical disinfection and accelerated aging.Materials and Methods: Ninety specimens were obtained from Silastic MDX4-4210 silicone. The specimens were divided into three groups (n = 30): Group I: colorless, Group II: barium sulfate opacifier, Group III: titanium dioxide opacifier. Specimens of each group (n = 10) were disinfected with effervescent tablets, neutral soap, or 4% chlorhexidine gluconate. Disinfection was conducted three times a week for 2 months. Afterward, the specimens were submitted to different periods of accelerated aging. Color evaluation was carried out after 60 days (disinfection period) and after 252, 504, and 1008 hours of accelerated aging, using a reflection spectrophotometer. Color alterations were calculated by the CIE L*a*b* system. Data were analyzed by three-way ANOVA and Tukey test (alpha = 0.05).Results: Group II exhibited the lowest color change, whereas Group III the highest (p < 0.05), regardless of the chemical disinfection and accelerated aging periods.Conclusion: Opacifier addition, chemical disinfection, and accelerated aging procedures affected the color stability of the maxillofacial silicone.

Stability of cp-Ti and Ti-6Al-4V alloy for dental implants as a function of saliva pH - an electrochemical study

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Effect of polymerization and accelerated aging on iris color stability of ocular prosthesis

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

Influence of Pigments and Opacifiers on Color Stability of an Artificially Aged Facial Silicone

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

Effect of Disinfection and Accelerated Aging on Color Stability of Colorless and Pigmented Facial Silicone

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Chromatic stability of acrylic resins of artificial eyes submitted to accelerated aging and polishing

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Evaluation of the color stability of two techniques for reproducing artificial irides after microwave polymerization

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

Color Stability of Polymers for Facial Prosthesis

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

Effect of Vertical Misfit on Screw Joint Stability of Implant-Supported Crowns

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

Color stability of maxillofacial silicone with nanoparticle pigment and opacifier submitted to disinfection and artificial aging

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the color stability of a maxillofacial elastomer with the addition of a nanoparticle pigment and/or an opacifier submitted to chemical disinfection and artificial aging. Specimens were divided into four groups (n = 30): group I: silicone without pigment or opacifier, group II: ceramic powder pigment, group III: Barium sulfate (BaSO(4)) opacifier, and group IV: ceramic powder and BaSO(4) opacifier. Specimens of each group (n = 10) were disinfected with effervescent tablets, neutral soap, or 4% chlorhexidine gluconate. Disinfection was done three times a week during two months. Afterward, specimens were submitted to different periods of artificial aging. Color evaluation was initially done, after 60 days (disinfection period) and after 252, 504, and 1008 h of artificial aging with aid of a reflection spectrophotometer. Data were analyzed by three-way ANOVA and Tukey test (alpha = 0.05). The isolated factor disinfection did not statistically influence the values of color stability among groups. The association between pigment and BaSO(4) opacifier (GIV) was more stable in relationship to color change (Delta E). All values of Delta E obtained, independent of the disinfectant and the period of artificial aging, were considered acceptable in agreement with the norms presented in literature. (C) 2011 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). [DOI: 10.1117/1.3625401]

12-Month color stability of enamel, dentine, and enamel-dentine samples after bleaching

The study aimed to quantify the color regression of enamel (E), dentine (D), and combined enamel-dentine (ED) of differently bleached ED specimens over a period of 12 months in vitro. Two ED samples were obtained from the labial surfaces of bovine teeth and prepared to a standardized thickness with the enamel and dentine layer each 1 mm. The ED samples were distributed on four groups (each n=80), in which the different bleaching products were applied on enamel (1, Whitestrips; 2, Illumine 15%; 3, Opalescence Xtra Boost) or dentine surfaces (4, mixture of sodium perborate/distilled water). Eighty ED samples were not bleached (control). Color (L*a*b*) of ED was assessed at baseline, subsequently after bleaching and at 3, 6, and 12 months of storage after bleaching (each 20 samples/group). E and D samples were prepared by removing the dentine or enamel layer of ED samples to allow for separate color analysis. Bleaching resulted in a significant color change (Delta E) of ED specimens. Within the observation period, Delta L but not Delta b declined to baseline. L* values of E and D samples also declined and were not significantly different from control samples after 12 months, while b* values did not decrease to baseline. Generally, no differences between the bleaching agents could be observed. Color change of enamel, dentine, and combined ED of in vitro bleached tooth samples is not stable over time with regard to lightness. However, yellowness did not return to baseline within 1 year.

Postsurgical stability of counterclockwise maxillomandibular advancement surgery: Affect of articular disc repositioning

Purpose: This study evaluated the affect of disc displacement and articular disc repositioning on stability after surgical counterclockwise rotation and advancement of the maxillomandibular complex.Patients and Methods: A total of 72 patients (59 females, 13 males), with an average age of 30 years (range, 15 to 60 years) were evaluated. The patients were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (G1; n = 21), with healthy temporomandibular joints (TMJs), underwent double jaw surgery only. Group 2 (G2; n = 35), with articular disc dislocation, underwent articular disc repositioning using the Mitek anchor (Mitek Surgical Products, Westwood, MA) technique concomitantly with orthognathic surgery. Group 3 (G3; n = 16), with articular disc dislocation, underwent orthognathic surgery only. Average postsurgical follow-up was 31 months. Each patient's lateral cephalograms were traced, digitized twice, and averaged to estimate surgical changes and postsurgical stability.Results: After surgery, the occlusal plane angle was decreased significantly in all 3 groups: by -6.3 +/- -15.0 degrees in G1, by -9.6 +/- 4.8 degrees in G2, and by -7.1 +/- 4.8 degrees in G3. The maxillomandibular complex was advanced and rotated counterclockwise similarly in all 3 groups, with advancement at the menton of 12.4 +/- 5.5 mm in G1, 13.5 +/- 4.3 mm in G2, and 13.6 +/- 5.0 mm in G3; advancement at the B point of 9.5 +/- 4.9 mm in G1, 10.2 +/- 3.7 mm in G2, and 10.8 +/- 3.7 mm in G3; and advancement at the lower incisor edge of 7.1 +/- 4.6 mm in G1, 6.6 +/- 3.2 mm in G2, and 7.9 +/- 3.0 mm in G3. Postsurgery, the occlusal plane angle increased in G3 (2.6 +/- 3.8 degrees; 37% relapse rate) but remained stable in G1 and G2. Postsurgical mandibular changes in the horizontal direction demonstrated a significant relapse in G3 at the menton (-3.8 +/- 4.1 mm; 28%), the B point (-3.0 +/- 3.4 mm; 28%), and the lower incisor edge (-2.3 +/- 2.1 mm; 34%) but remained stable in G1 and G2.Conclusions: Maxillomandibular advancement with counterclockwise rotation of the occlusal plane is a stable procedure for patients with healthy TMJs and for patients undergoing simultaneous TMJ disc repositioning using the Mitek anchor technique. Those patients with preoperative TMJ articular disc displacement who underwent double-jaw surgery and no TMJ intervention experienced significant relapse. (C) 2008 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.