Conductive carbon paint: An efficient way to electrodeposit metallic nanowires by using porous membranes.

The present work demonstrates that conductive carbon paint, used for sample preparation in electron microscopy, can be a more straightforward and as-effective substitute for the metallic layer deposition usually used for the electrodeposition of metallic nanowires within porous membranes. AFM images demonstrated the good surface quality of the carbon layer. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the high crystallinity of carbon and high density of π-electrons. The electrical conductivity of the carbon layer was estimated using the linear sweep voltammetry technique. This new cathode was employed to grow continuous (Ni) and composition-modulated (Ni/Cu) nanowires within alumina templates, starting from aqueous solutions of Ni2+ and Cu2+ mixed salts. The obtention of metallic copper and nickel, and their separation can be readily observed by scanning electron microscopy and elemental mapping by EDS.

Texture analysis of cone beam computed tomography images reveals dental implant stability.

The aim of this study was to characterize the alveolar bone of edentulous maxillary sites using texture analysis (TA) of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and to correlate the results to the insertion torque, thus verifying whether TA is a predictive tool of final implant treatment. This study was conducted on patients who had received single implants in the maxilla (46 implants) 1year earlier and whose torque values were properly recorded. Three cross-sections of the sites were selected on CBCT scans. Two regions of interest (ROIs) corresponding to the implant bone site and peri-implant bone were also outlined, according to virtual planning. The CBCT scans were exported to MaZda software, where the two ROIs were delimited following the previously demarcated contours. Values for the co-occurrence matrix were calculated for TA. With regard to the insertion torque value, there was a direct correlation with the contrast of the peri-implant bone (P<0.001) and an inverse correlation with the entropy of the implant bone site (P=0.006). A greater contrast indicates a greater torque value for insertion of the implants, and there is a possible association with a lower entropy value of the implant-bone interface.

Relationship between the angle of the coronoid process of the mandible and the electromyographic activity of the temporal muscle in skeletal Class I and III individuals.

The aim of the present study was to verify the relationship between the angle of the coronoid process of the mandible in the latero-lateral direction and electromyographic activity of the anterior part of the temporal muscle in skeletal Class I and III individuals. Forty-five volunteers were assessed subdivided into two groups, according to angle ANB, in Class I and III. Two radiographic examinations were performed, one lateral cephalogram to measure angle ANB and one frontal cephalogram to measure the angle of the coronoid process. The electromyographic examination of the volunteers' temporal muscles was performed. Statistical analysis of the data showed that the relationship between the angle of the coronoid process and the skeletal class was negative for both classes analysed. The relationship between electromyographic activity of the temporal muscle and angle of the coronoid process was negative for Class I individuals. In the Class III group, smaller angles of the coronoid process were related to higher values of electromyographic activity of the temporal muscle. There was no statistically significant difference between the electromyographic activity of the temporal muscle in skeletal Class I and III individuals. Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that there was no influence of the skeletal classes analysed on the angle of the coronoid; the angle of the coronoid process may be influenced by the electromyographic activity of the temporal muscle in the Class III group; the electromyographic activity of the temporal muscle is not influenced by the skeletal class in Class III individuals.

Anaerobic sludge granulation.

This paper reviews different theories on anaerobic sludge granulation in UASB-reactors that have been proposed during the past two decades. The initial stages of the formation of anaerobic granules follow the same principles as biofilm formation of bacteria on solid surfaces. There exist strong evidence that inert carriers play an important positive role in granulation. Most researchers conclude that Methanosaeta concilii is a key organism in granulation. Only the Cape Town Hypothesis presumes that an autotrophic hydrogenotrophic organism, i.e., Methanobacterium strain AZ, growing under conditions of high H(2)-pressures, is the key organism in granulation. Many authors focus on the initial stage of granulation, and only a few contributions discuss the latter stages in granulation: granule maturation and multiplication. Granule enhancing factors in the latter stages predominantly rely on manipulation of the selection pressure, through which selectively heavier sludge particles are retained in the UASB reactor.