Berenice Anina Dedavid

Inspection of Wooden Poles in Electrical Power Distribution Networks in Southern Brazil

This work aims to test an inspection method for wooden utility poles based on a classification system according to qualitative (visual and sounding) and quantitative parameters (excavation and drilling) to assess internal/external wood decay. Ten thousand poles were inspected, distributed over 23 cities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Southern Brazil). The results indicated a significant quantity of poles in advanced decay (14%) with a great variability among cities. Poles treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) presented worse conservation when compared to creosote preserved poles, suggesting possible problems on CCA treatment.

A STUDY OF PRECIPITATES FORMATION IN AA 380.0 ALUMINIUM ALLOYS MODIFIED BY THE ADDITION OF MAGNESIUM

A data acquisition system and the SAD2 software, that provide characteristic cooling curves, in combination with microstructure analysis were used to study precipitates formation in the AA380.0 aluminium alloys modified by adding extra magnesium. The samples were solidified with distinct cooling rates caused by carrying out the solidification in shell and permanent molds. The mathematics processing of the cooling curves in agreement with the microstructure analysis have confirmed the remarkable presence of both the Al–Si dendrite network and the Mg2Si interdendritic phase in the alloys with the addition of extra magnesium.

Biodegradação de braquetes ortodônticos: análise por microscopia eletrônica de varredura

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze, with the aid of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the chemical and structural changes in metal brackets subjected to an in vitro biodegradation process. METHODS: The sample was divided into three groups according to brackets commercial brand names, i.e., Group A = Dyna-Lock, 3M/Unitek (AISI 303) and Group B = LG standard edgewise, American Orthodontics (AISI 316L). The specimens were simulated orthodontic appliances, which remained immersed in saline solution (0.05%) for a period of 60 days at 37°C under agitation. The changes resulting from exposure of the brackets to the saline solution were investigated by microscopic observation (SEM) and chemical composition analysis (EDX), performed before and after the immersion period (T0 and T5, respectively). RESULTS: The results showed, at T5, the formation of products of corrosion on the surface of the brackets, especially in Group A. In addition, there were changes in the composition of the bracket alloy in both groups, whereas in group A there was a reduction in iron and chromium ions, and in Group B a reduction in chromium ions. CONCLUSIONS: The brackets in Group A were less resistant to in vitro biodegradation, which might be associated with the type of steel used by the manufacturer (AISI 303).

Relação das propriedades mecânicas e densidade de postes de madeira de eucalipto com seu estado de deterioração

This paper presents the correlations obtained among mechanical properties, density and deterioration status of new eucalyptus poles and those removed from service. The deterioration status was determined in the field in sections of poles of the distribution of electric energy in southern Brazil. Poles in various status of deterioration were removed from the network for static bending tests and density measurements. The mechanical tests indicated that the average values of bending strength and stiffness decline with the deteriorating state of eucalyptus. However, there was a large variation in these measures with different classes of deterioration presenting similar residual mechanical strength. This behavior can be explained by the influence of wood density on the correlations between mechanical properties and the state of deterioration of the poles. Less dense woods can have residual mechanical strength low even without present signs of deterioration. The study of the characterization of eucalyptus wood indicated that the state of deterioration measured by field inspection alone is not a good indicator for predicting the durability of wood structures, making necessary a preliminary analysis of the density.

Misfit of Three Different Implant-Abutment Connections Before and After Cyclic Load Application: An In Vitro Study

PURPOSE This study aimed to evaluate the misfit of three different implant-abutment connections before and after cycling load. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred twenty dental implants and correspondent prefabricated titanium abutments were used. Three different implant-abutment connections were evaluated: Morse taper (MT group), external hexagon (EH group), and internal hexagon (IH group). Forty implants and 40 abutments were used per group. The parameters for the mechanical evaluation were set as: 360,000 cycles, load of 150 N, and frequency of 4 Hz. Samples were sectioned in their longitudinal and transversal axes, and the misfit of the implant-abutment connection was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy analysis. One-way analyses of variance, Tukey post hoc analyses (α = .05), and t test (P < .05) were used to determine differences between groups. RESULTS At the longitudinal direction, all the groups showed the presence of microgaps before cycling load; after cycling load, microgaps were reduced in all groups (P > .05). Transversally, only the MT group showed full fitting after cycling load compared with the other groups (EH and IH) (P < .0001). CONCLUSION The application of cycling load produces an accommodation of the implant-abutment connection in internal, external, and Morse taper connections. In the longitudinal direction, the accommodation decreases and/or eliminates the gap observed initially (before load). In the horizontal direction, Morse cone implant-abutment connections experience a complete accommodation with the elimination of the gap.

Relationship between density and anatomical structure of different species of Eucalyptus and identification of preservatives

The species and density of Eucalyptus wood poles installed in the electrical network are useful parameters which must be considered when it is necessary to establish the service life of these structures. In this work, eucalyptus poles samples were collected and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). SEM image analysis showed that the lumen diameter average of fiber substantially is variable between the three species studied, in line with the wood density obtained in laboratory, for poles with several years in service in the electricity network, as well as for not used poles. In addition, EDS microanalysis was utilized for identify the presence of chemical preservatives employed in the conservation these poles. The analysis method proposed proved effective for characterization for this timber.

Evaluation of Fibroblasts Cells Viability and Adhesion on Six Different Titanium Surfaces: An in vitro Experimental Study

BACKGROUND The topographical surficial characteristics and properties of materials can induce different cell reactions regarding the viability and adhesion according to the recent patents. The aim of this in vitro experimental study was to evaluate the viability and adhesion of fibroblastic cells seeded on titanium disks with different surface topography. In addition, we revised all patents related to surface treatment of dental implants. METHODS Fibroblast cells were cultured on 6 surface models: mA disks corresponding to titanium surfaces without additional treatment (machined surface) were compared with mB disks, where surfaces were sandblasting etching using aluminum oxide; mC disks where titanium oxide was used for sandblasting etching; mD disks where triple acid conditioning was used; mE disks with laser treated surface; and mF disks which were made of titanium powder by a sintering process. Different surfaces were analyzed using an optical laser profilometer and SEM analysis. To evaluate cell viability on different disc surfaces, a fibroblast cell line derived from monkey kidney (VERO) was in vitro cultured on treated disks surface and cell viability assays were performed to compare growth of fibroblastic cells. Then, the adhesion of the cells was tested by washing procedure. RESULTS The disks mA, mB, mC and mD less pronounced rugosities were observed and, disc in the mE and mF disks displayed a deeper pronounced surface. The cell viability and adhesion analysis showed significant higher levels on titanium disks surface obtained by the mF method. CONCLUSION Our analysis showed that the surface morphology of titanium disc, independent of the roughness parameters, affects cell viability and adhesion differentially, since a higher percentage of viable and attached cells were observed on the mF disks in comparison with the other evaluated surfaces.

Effects of Te additions and stirring in the In segregation in Ga1-xInxSb alloys

The influence of tellurium in the indium segregation of Ga1-xInxSb:Te ingots obtained by the conventional vertical Bridgman method (CVBM), under stirred and non-stirred conditions, was investigated. Three Te-doped ingots and three no-doped ingots were unidirectionally solidified at a constant speed of 2.0 mm/hour, inside quartz ampoules, closed under argon, and with a conical tip. The furnace temperature was set for overheating between 73.5 - 93oC, and temperature gradients between 3.0 - 3.3oC/mm. The tellurium doped ingots showed a smaller number of grains and no cracks in the middle region of the ingots, right after the tip, in comparison with the no-doped ingots. Moreover, when comparing the stirred with the non-stirred ingots, the EDS experimental profile of indium in Te-doped synthetized without melt stirring ingot showed a better agreement with the Scheil-Gulliver equation than the stirred Te-doped ingots. The Te-doped ingots when stirring the melt during synthesis showed a more constant axial indium distribution, up to 85% of their lengths. The constant lattice estimated from TEM diffraction images are respectively 6.29 A for the non-doped sample and 6.17 A for the Te-doped sample. A qualitative account for the increase of the lattice parameter and the Hall measurements results is that the tellurium compensates for the native acceptor defects, contributing to the microstructural quality in the Ga1-xInxSb ingots.

Effects of different torque levels on the implant-abutment interface in a conical internal connection

The fit of the implant-abutment interface was assessed by the metallographic technique and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), using solid abutment types at different torque levels. Forty Morse taper connections and forty solid abutments were used at different torque levels (repeated after 10 minutes) in the following groups (n = 10): 25 Ncm (group g1), 30 Ncm (group g2), 35 Ncm (group g3), and 40 Ncm (group g4). The samples were embedded in a metallographic resin, sectioned lengthwise, and polished. SEM images were used to measure the linear contacts and the fits between abutments and the internal walls of the implant. The overall mean gap and standard deviation were as follows: 9.0 ± 1.36 µm for group g1, 7.9 ± 2.81 µm for group g2, 2.0 ± 0.76 µm for group g3, and 0.3 ± 0.40 µm for group g4. A significant difference was observed in the average fit values between the groups (p < 0.05). The linear area of contact between the abutment and the implant increased as torque augmented. This study demonstrated that higher insertion torque values in a conical internal connection increase the fit (contact) of the implant-abutment interface.

Characterization of tin dioxide nanoparticles synthesized by oxidation

Tin dioxide (SnO2) is a promising material with great potential for applications such as gas sensors and catalysts. Nanostructures of this oxide exhibit greater activation efficiency given their larger effective surface. The present study presents results of the synthesis and characterization of tin dioxide under different conditions via oxidation of solid tin with nitric oxide. SnO2powder was characterized primarily by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, as well as complementary techniques such as energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicated that the established synthesis conditions were suitable for obtaining rutile tin dioxide nanoparticles with a tetragonal crystal structure.