Abstract Here we report the production and characterization of a low-cost supercapacitor with electrodes based on colloidal graphite. We characterized the as-prepared device in terms of cyclic voltammetry (CV), Galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD), and impedance spectroscopy. The supercapacitor exhibited good electrochemical performance with a high capacitance of 22 F g-1 for a discharge current of 2 mA. Long-term cyclability tests show that the device can keep about 85% of its capacitance after 500 cycles, even without encapsulation. We found power and energy densities of 110 W kg-1 and 3 Wh kg-1, respectively. All the experimental results indicate that the colloidal graphite Aquadag® is a promising material for application in supercapacitors.

Resumo Este estudo avaliou a distribuição de tensão em dentes tratados endodonticamente, fragilizados (F) ou não fragilizados (NF), restaurados com diferentes materiais para a coroa protética utilizando 3D-FEA. Modelos de um canino maxilar foram construídos baseados em imagens de micro-CT e divididos em grupos: G1 (controle) - dente hígido; G2 a G7 - dentes tratados endodonticamente com pino de fibra de vidro (PFV), sendo que G2 a G4 simularam raízes NF e G5 a G7 simularam raízes F. Para o material das coroas os dentes foram restaurados com: G2 e G5: coping metálico e revestimento cerâmico, G3 e G6: coping de zirconia e revestimento cerâmico, G4 e G7: coping de alumina e revestimento cerâmico. Carregamento de 180 N foi aplicado na superfície lingual em seu terço incisal com 45 graus de inclinação. Os modelos foram suportados pelo ligamento periodontal (x=y=z=0). Os valores da tensão de von Mises (VMS) foram calculados. Os dentes F apresentaram maiores valores VMS para o coping quando comparados aos dentes NF, sendo que o G1 apresentou menores valores VMS. Para o material das coroas, ambos F ou NF aumentaram VMS no coping metálico, zirconia e alumina, respectivamente. Copings metálicos apresentaram melhor comportamento mecânico apesar de não favorecerem a estética, o que sugere ser um material apropriado para a restauração de dentes tratados endodonticamente.

Abstract This study evaluated the stress distribution in endodontically treated teeth, weakened (W) or not weakened (NW), restored with different materials of prosthetic crown using 3D-FEA. Models of a maxillary canine were constructed based on micro-CT images and divided into the groups: G1 (control) - sound tooth; G2 to G7 - endodontically treated teeth restored with glass fiber post (GFP); which G2 to G4 simulated NW root and G5 to G7 simulated W root. For crown material the teeth were restored with: G2 and G5: metallic coping and ceramic veneering, G3 and G6: zirconia coping and ceramic veneering, G4 and G7: alumina coping and ceramic veneering. Load of 180 N was applied at the incisal third of lingual surface at 45º. Models were supported by the periodontal ligament (x=y=z=0). The von Mises stress (VMS) values were calculated. The W teeth presented higher VMS at coping when compared to NW teeth and group G1 showed lower VMS value. For crown material, for both W or NW teeth, increasing VMS was found at metallic, zirconia and alumina coping, respectively. Metallic coping showed a better performance despite its unfavorable esthetics, suggesting as an appropriate material for prosthetic restoration of endodontically treated teeth.

The composition of termite assemblages was analyzed in three caatinga sites of the Estação Ecológica do Seridó, located in the municipality of Serra Negra do Norte, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. These sites have been subjected to selective logging, and cleared for pasture and farming. A standardized sampling protocol for termite assemblages (30h/person/site) was conducted between September 2007 and February 2009. At each site we measured environmental variables, such as soil pH and organic matter, necromass stock, vegetation height, stem diameter at ankle height (DAH) and the largest and the smallest crown width. Ten species of termites, belonging to eight genera and three families, were found at the three experimental sites. Four feeding groups were sampled: wood-feeders, soil-feeders, wood-soil interface feeders and leaf-feeders. The wood-feeders were dominant in number of species and number of encounters at all sites. In general, the sites were not significantly different in relation to the environmental variables measured. The same pattern was observed for termite assemblages, where no significant differences in species richness, relative abundance and taxonomic and functional composition were observed between the three sites. The agreement between composition of assemblages and environmental variables reinforces the potential of termites as biological indicators of habitat quality.