Influence of pH cycling and mechanical loading on the resin-dentin microtensile bond strength

The durability of adhesive interfaces is still a problem in adhesive restorations in dentistry. Laboratorial ageing methods have been proposed to predict the performance of materials, but they still require standardization. The objective of this study was to evaluate the resin-dentin microtensile bond strength of composite restorations subjected to pH cycling and different levels of mechanical loading. Resin blocks were built over a flat superficial dentin of bovine incisors (n = 40), using a three-step adhesive system. Half of the specimens were submitted to 10 cycles of pH cycling, followed by mechanical loading (0, 500,000; 1,000,000; 2,000,000 cycles – 98 N, 4 Hz). The other half was directly subjected to mechanical loading. After ageing, all groups were subjected to a microtensile bond test. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). The frequency of the early de-bonding was compared using the Chi-square test (α = 0.05). The statistical analysis revealed that the cross-product interaction ‘pH cycling’ vs. ‘number of mechanical loading cycles’ (p = 0.72) as well as the main factor ‘pH cycling’ (p = 0.49) was not statistically significant, and they were not able to reduce the resin–dentin bond strength values. Regarding the number of mechanical loading cycles, the groups subjected to 2,000,000 cycles showed lower bond strength values than the others (p = 0.003). The frequency of debonded specimens increased with mechanical loading. Therefore, it can be concluded that in this restorative model, at least 2,000,000 mechanical cycles are need to decrease the microtensile strength and simulate the ageing of the interface.     

Effects of anisotropy of the turbid media on the photon penetration depth

Biomedical applications of near infrared radiation (NIR) techniques (i.e. based on light wavelengths roughly between 400 and 1100?nm) require that a preliminary estimate of the tissue volume being investigated be found. One possible estimate is the depth to which a photon penetrates a tissue before eventually emerging at a separating plane at a given time. A simple model for this problem can be based on a lattice random walk and was initially analyzed when the associated optical coefficients are isotropic with respect to the geometrical configuration. Here we include the effects of anisotropy in the optical coefficients, finding that at long times the statistical properties of the depth of penetration can be accounted for by very simple scaling factors while at short times the anisotropy effects can be quite noticeable.     

MMORPGS and cognitive performance: A study with 1280 Brazilian high school students

The present paper attempts to empirically study the cognitive impacts of Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) in uncontrolled contexts in light of the Cognitive Mediation Networks Theory, a new model of human intelligence that aims to explain cognition as the result of brain activity combined with the information-processing done by external structures such as tools, social groups and culture. A sample of 1280 students Brazilian high school students answered a form inquiring about socio-demographic information plus the use of computer games, and also was submitted to a short knowledge exam and a mini psychometric test. The findings indicated that, due to their underlying structure and sociocultural nature, MMORPGs are associated to a greater level of insertion into the Digital Age, higher levels of logical-numerical performance, and better scholastic ability. Finally, suggestions are made for future studies on the subject.     

Fungal fucoidanase production by solid-state fermentation in a rotating drum bioreactor using algal biomass as substrate

Fucoidanase enzymes able to degrade fucoidan were produced by solid-state fermentation (SSF). The fermentation assays were initially carried out in a laboratory-scale rotating drum bioreactor, and two fungal strains (Aspergillus niger PSH and Mucor sp. 3P) and three algal substrates (untreated, autohydrolyzed, and microwave processed seaweed Fucus vesiculosus) were evaluated. Additionally, fermentations were carried out under rotational (10 rpm) and static conditions in order to determine the effect of the agitation on the enzyme production. Agitated experiments showed advantages in the induction of the enzyme when compared to the static ones. The conditions that promoted the maximum fucoidanase activity (3.82 U L^?1) consisted in using Mucor sp. 3P as fungal strain, autohydrolyzed alga as substrate, and the rotational system. Such conditions were subsequently used in a 10 times larger scale rotating drum bioreactor. In this step, the effect of controlling the substrate moisture during the enzyme production by SSF was investigated. Moreover, assays combining the algal substrate with an inert support (synthetic fiber) were also carried out. Fermentation of the autohydrolyzed alga with the moisture content maintained at 80% during the fermentation with Mucor sp. 3P gave the highest enzyme activity (9.62 U L^?1).     

Surface acidity of novel mesostructured silicas with framework aluminum obtained by SBA-16 related synthesis

A novel SBA-16-related synthesis of mesostructured silica containing framework aluminum is reported here. This material was successfully synthesized using aluminum sulphate and the pH-adjusting method. The structural and porosity properties of this novel material were studied by X-ray diffraction and N₂ adsorption at 77 K. The Al insertion was determined by ²⁷Al-MAS-NMR and the acidity was monitored by infrared spectroscopy of CO adsorption at 100 K.     

天生桥一级水电站混凝土面板堆石坝位移监测

天生桥一级电站混凝土面板堆石坝的填筑坝体位移监测通过水管式沉降仪和水平位移计进行。坝本内安装了５０支水管式沉降仪（瑞曲盒式）、３１支水平位移计（钢丝型伸缩仪）和２８支总压力计。监测结果表明，施工期末（１９９９年３月）最大坝体沉降是２．９４ｍ，相当于坝体高度的１．７％，施工期末堆石坝变形模量Ｅｒｃ平均４５ＭＰａ，为最大坝体变形，促使上游边坡出现裂缝以及面板浇筑前上游边坡明显沉降。     

Space and time resolved surface temperature distributions in Si power diodes operating under self-heating conditions

In order to optimize and improve the design of power devices with improved surge current safe operating area it is necessary to obtain a good correlation between measured and simulated space and time resolved temperature distributions. Therefore, an IR microscope capable of measuring the space and time resolved surface temperature distributions in Si power diodes operating under self-heating conditions has been developed. The minimum detectable spot size is 15 μm, while the signal rise time is detector limited to about 1 μs. The lower temperature detectivity limit is about 10°C over room temperature.

Using this instrument dynamic thermal phenomena in fast recovery 3.3 kV Si power diodes having radiation-induced recombination centers [Proceedings of the 7th EPE, Trondheim, 1997] subjected to 1.2 ms 400–2000 A/cm² and 0.3–2 ms 2000 A/cm² current pulses have been studied. The experimental results have been compared to results from 2D device simulations including surface recombination and carrier lifetime temperature dependence. The agreement between experimental and device simulation results (i.e. dynamic IV characteristics and time and space resolved temperature distributions) is very good up to a peak current density of 1500 A/cm², and a reasonable good one for peak current densities up to 2000 A/cm² (1.2 ms current pulses).     

Progress in Nanoengineered Microstructures for Tunable High‐Current,High‐Temperature Superconducting Wires

High critical current densities (J_c) in thick films of the Y₁Ba₂Cu₃O_7–δ (YBCO, T_c ≈ 92 K) superconductor directly depend upon the types of nanoscale defects and their densities within the films. A major challenge for developing a viable wire technology is to introduce nanoscale defect structures into the YBCO grains of the thick film suitable for flux pinning and the tailoring of the superconducting properties to specific, application‐dependent, temperature and magnetic field conditions. Concurrently, the YBCO film needs to be integrated into a macroscopically defect‐free conductor in which the grain‐to‐grain connectivity maintains levels of inter‐grain J_c that are comparable to the intra‐grain J_c. That is, high critical current (I_c) YBCO coated conductors must contain engineered inhomogeneities on the nanoscale, while being homogeneous on the macroscale. An analysis is presented of the advances in high‐performance YBCO coated‐conductors using chemical solution deposition (CSD) based on metal trifluoroacetates and the subsequent processing to nano‐engineer the microstructure for tuneable superconducting wires. Multi‐scale structural, chemical, and electrical investigations of the CSD film processes, thick film development, key microstructural features, and wire properties are presented. Prospects for further development of much higher I_c wires for large‐scale, commercial application are discussed within the context of these recent advances.     

Fabrication of Strained-Si/Strained-Ge Heterostructures on Insulator

Ultrathin strained-Si/strained-Ge heterostructures on insulator have been fabricated using a bond and etch-back technique. The substrate consists of a trilayer of 9 nm strained-Si/4 nm strained-Ge/3 nm strained-Si on a 400-nm-thick buried oxide. The epitaxial trilayer structure was originally grown pseudomorphic to a relaxed Si_0.5Ge_0.5 layer on a donor substrate. Raman analysis of the as-grown and final transferred layer structures indicates that there is little change in the strain in the Si and Ge layers after layer transfer. These ultrathin Si and Ge films have very high levels of strain (∼1.8% biaxial tension and 1.4% compression, respectively), and are suitable for enhanced-mobility field-effect transistor applications.     

Stability assessment for cautious iterative controller tuning

This document presents new mechanisms for stability assessment in iterative controller tuning. Contrary to the usual approach adopted in robust model identification, the new mechanisms do not rely on plant models, but utilize information from the current closed-loop system to test if a newly designed controller will maintain loop stability. All controllers that satisfy the test are guaranteed to stabilize the actual plant.