A common phenomenon in the dissimilar joints is the presence of brittle compounds in the joining interface region. The brittle phases can decrease by introduction of interlayers in the joining interface, such as silicon, that inhibits the formation of Al3Ti and AlTi3 phases in joining process between titanium and aluminium alloys. In the present work, the joining of titanium and aluminium alloys have been carried out using a Yb:fiber laser, considering the prior silicon film deposited on titanium alloy interface by DC magnetron sputtering. Butt joint conditions were maintained constant: laser average power, process speed and beam positioning along the interface joining toward aluminium alloy (1200 W, 3.0 m/min and 0.3 mm, respectively). Metallographic analyses were carried out on the cross-section joint by optical and electronic microscopies. When the melted aluminium alloy wet the solid-state titanium alloy, a more restrict compound layer was formed in the joining interface. EDS line scanning in the joining interface showed a reduction of compound layer thickness, considering the silicon as interlayer, reaching the mean value of 3 µm, i.e., up to five times thinner if compared to joining without silicon during the process.

Chemically modified electrodes have been studied to obtain new and better electrochemical sensors. Transparent conductive oxides, such as fluorine-doped tin-oxide (FTO), shows electrical conductivity comparable to metals and are potential candidates for new sensors. In this work, FTO was modified by gold electrodeposition from chlorine-auric acid solution using cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique. A set of different materials were produced, varying the scan number. Scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were performed for the characterization of electrodes surfaces. From this analysis was possible to observe the resistive, capacitive and difusional aspects from all kind of modified electrodes produced, establishing a relationship between this parameters and the scan number. The electrode with 100 scans of CV presented better characteristics for an electrochemical sensor; it has the lowest global impedance and rising of capacitive behavior (related to electrical double layer formation) at lower frequencies. This electrode was tested for paracetamol and caffeine detection. The results showed a high specificity, decreased oxidation potential (0.58 V and 0.97 Vvs. SCE, for paracetamol and caffeine, respectively) and low detection limits (0.82 and 0.052 µmol L-1).

A debênture vem se tornando um instrumento de captação cada vez mais importante para empresas não financeiras no mercado brasileiro e uma alternativa às elevadas taxas de juros cobradas pelos bancos comerciais em uma operação de financiamento. Um aspecto-chave para o desenvolvimento do mercado secundário deste instrumento é o correto tratamento do risco de crédito, que ocorre quando o emissor não cumpre suas obrigações contratuais. Este trabalho propõe e testa uma metodologia que determina a magnitude deste risco para uma carteira de debêntures de empresas emissoras brasileiras. A abordagem utilizada baseia-se no Modelo de Merton (1974) para bônus corporativos, que utiliza as fórmulas de Black-Scholes para o cálculo do preço de opções. Também são utilizadas técnicas de otimização para a determinação do risco da carteira. Adotando um modelo simples e de baixo custo computacional, chegamos a uma medida de risco mais conservadora do que a obtida com o tradicional modelo VaR (value at risk). Além disso, apresentamos uma metodologia para a obtenção da composição ótima da carteira de debêntures.

The debenture (corporate bond) is considered a fantastic financial instrument in terms of funding for the non-financial firms in the Brazilian market. The intermediation would be done in the capital market instead of through the commercial banks. The key issue for the development of this market is the financial engineering involving the credit risk (chance that the corporate issuer can default on its debt obligation). This paper proposes and tests a methodology to quantify this risk in a cross-section of Brazilian debentures. Our approach is based on Merton’s (1974) asset pricing model that uses the Black-Schole’s put option formula. The consequent optimization techniques allow us to infer the risk of debentures. By using a simple and low-cost model, we find a risk measure that is more conservative than the usual VaR (value at risk). Thus, we present a methodology for obtaining the optimum portfolio composed of debentures subject to the default risk.

Este estudo in vitro avaliou microdureza superficial do esmalte após o clareamento com peróxido de carbamida a 10% (PC) contendo cálcio ou flúor. Noventa e oito blocos dentais (5 x 5 mm²) com a superfície do esmalte polido foram divididos em sete grupos experimentais (n=14): sem clareamento e armazenado em saliva artificial; 10% (PC); (3) 10% PC + 0,05% cálcio; 10% PC + 0,1% cálcio; 10% PC + 0,2% cálcio; 10% PC + 0,2% flúor; e 10% PC + 0,5% flúor. Os géis clareadores foram aplicados por 6 h durante 14 dias e após cada dia de tratamento, os espécimes foram armazenados em saliva artificial. A microdureza superficial foi mensurada antes (baseline), durante (7º dia), imediatamente após o clareamento (14º dia) e 1 semana após o fim do tratamento clareador. Os dados foram analisados pela ANOVA (2 fatores) e teste de Tukey (p<0.05). Os tratamentos clareadores reduziram significativamente a microdureza durante (7º dia), imediatamente após o clareamento (14º dia) e 1 semana após o seu término, quando comparados aos valores iniciais (baseline) e aos do grupo controle. Os achados deste estudo sugerem que, a despeito da adição de cálcio e flúor, todos os géis clareadores afetaram a microdureza superficial do esmalte.

This in vitro study evaluated the surface microhardness of human enamel submitted to bleaching with 10% carbamide peroxide (CP) containing calcium or fluoride. Ninety-eight dental blocks (5 x 5 mm²) with polished enamel surfaces were randomly assigned to 7 treatment groups (n=14), as follows: without bleaching and storage in artificial saliva (control); 10% CP; 10% CP + 0.05% calcium; 10% CP + 0.1% calcium; 10% CP + 0.2% calcium; 10% CP + 0.2% fluoride; and 10% CP + 0.5% fluoride. During 14 days, enamel surfaces were daily exposed to a 6-h bleaching regimen followed by storage in artificial saliva. Surface microhardness was measured before (baseline), during (7th day), immediately after bleaching (14th day) and 1 week post bleaching. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05). All treatments reduced SM significantly during the bleaching cycle (7th day), immediately after bleaching (14th day) and 1 week post bleaching, compared to baseline and to the unbleached control group. In conclusion, in spite of the addition of calcium and fluoride, all bleaching treatments affected the enamel surface microhardness.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a rugosidade, microdureza e morfologia superficial do esmalte dental humano tratado com seis agentes clareadores (antes e depois do tratamento). Amostras de esmalte dental humano foram obtidas de terceiros molares e aleatoriamente distribuídas em sete grupos (n = 11): controle, Whiteness Perfect - peróxido de carbamida a 10% (PC 10%), Colgate Platinum - PC 10%, Day White 2Z - peróxido de hidrogênio a 7,5% (PH 7,5%), Whiteness Super - PC 37%, Opalescence Quick - PC 35% e Whiteness HP - PH 35%. Os agentes clareadores foram aplicados de acordo com as instruções dos fabricantes. O grupo controle permaneceu sem tratamento e armazenado em saliva artificial. O teste de microdureza foi realizado com o indentador Knoop, e a rugosidade superficial foi verificada através do rugosímetro. Observações morfológicas foram realizadas através de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Os resultados foram estatisticamente analisados com ANOVA (dois fatores) e teste Tukey (5%) e revelaram uma redução significante nos valores de microdureza e um aumento significante da rugosidade de superfície após o clareamento. Alterações na morfologia do esmalte após o clareamento foram observadas através de MEV. Concluiu-se que os agentes clareadores podem alterar a microdureza, rugosidade e morfologia superficial do esmalte dental.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the surface roughness, microhardness and morphology of human enamel exposed to six bleaching agents (at baseline and post-treatment). Human dental enamel samples were obtained from human third molars and randomly divided into seven groups (n = 11): control, Whiteness Perfect - 10% carbamide peroxide (10% CP), Colgate Platinum - 10% CP, Day White 2Z - 7.5% hydrogen peroxide (7.5% HP), Whiteness Super - 37% CP, Opalescence Quick - 35% CP and Whiteness HP - 35% HP. Bleaching agents were applied according to manufacturers' instructions. The control group remained not treated and stored in artificial saliva. Microhardness testing was performed with a Knoop indentor and surface roughness was analyzed with a profilometer. Morphologic observations were carried out with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results were statistically analyzed by two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test (5%), and revealed a significant decrease in microhardness values and a significant increase in surface roughness post-bleaching. Changes in enamel morphology after bleaching were observed under SEM. It was concluded that bleaching agents can alter the microhardness, roughness and morphology of dental enamel surface.

A regeneração de fraturas nos membros de eqüinos é complexa pelas características da espécie. Baseado em estudo biomecânico prévio, dez potros com fratura iatrogênica experimental do metacarpo tiveram redução pelo método de transfixação óssea. Cada animal foi avaliado mediante exames clínico, laboratorial e radiográfico até a recuperação. As complicações não foram significativas, exceto em um potro que requereu eutanásia. O método mostrou-se adequado e oferece estabilidade suficiente para cicatrização.

The fracture healing in equine legs is a complex process due to species characteristics. Based in previous biomechanical study ten horses had iatrogenic metacarpal fractures reduced by external bone fixation. Each animal was evaluated by clinical, laboratorial and radiografic examination till complete recovery. No significant complication were observed, except one animal which was submitted to euthanasia. The method offers appropriate stability for bone healing.