A higher order control volume based finite element method to prodict the deformation of heterogeneous materials

Materials with obvious internal structure can exhibit behaviour, under loading, that cannot be described by classical elasticity. It is therefore important to develop computational tools incorporating appropriate constitutive theories that can capture their unconventional behaviour. One such theory is micropolar elasticity. This paper presents a linear strain control volume finite element formulation incorporating micropolar elasticity. Verification results from a micropolar element patch test as well as convergence results for a stress concentration problem are included. The element will be shown to pass the patch test and also exhibit accuracy that is at least equivalent to its finite element counterpart

Expression of interferon-γ, interferon-α and related genes in individuals with Down syndrome and periodontitis

AbstractBackgroundRecently, attenuation of anti-inflammatory and increase of pro-inflammatory mediators was demonstrated in individuals with Down syndrome (DS) in comparison with euploid patients during periodontal disease (PD), suggesting a shift to a more aggressive inflammation in DS.AimTo determine the influence of DS in the modulation of interferons (IFNs) signaling pathway in PD.Materials and methodsClinical periodontal assessment was performed and gingival tissue samples obtained from a total of 51 subjects, including 19 DS individuals with PD, 20 euploid individuals with PD and 12 euploid individuals without PD. Expression levels of interferon-gamma (IFNG) and interferon-alpha (IFNA), and their receptors IFNGR1, IFNGR2, IFNAR1 and IFNAR2, the signaling intermediates Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) were determined using real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).ResultsClinical signs of periodontal disease were markedly more severe in DS and euploid patients with PD in comparison to euploid and periodontally healthy patients. There was no difference on mRNA levels of IFNA, IFNG, INFGR2, IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 between DS and euploid individuals, even though some of these genes are located on chromosome 21. STAT1 and IRF1 mRNA levels were significantly lower in DS patients in comparison with euploid individuals with PD. In euploid individuals, PD was associated with an increased expression of IFNGR1, IFNGR2, IFNAR1, STAT1 and IRF1.ConclusionsReduced expression of STAT1 and IRF1 genes indicate an impaired activation of IFNs signaling in individuals with DS and PD. Expression of IFNA, IFNG and IFN receptors was not altered in DS patients, indicating that indirect mechanisms are involved in the reduced activation of IFN signaling

Root dentinal microcracks: a post-extraction experimental phenomenon?

Aim To investigate the prevalence, location and pattern of pre‐existing microcracks in non‐endodontically treated teeth from fresh cadavers. Micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) technology was used as the analytical tool enabling full screening of the root dentine with the teeth retained in their original alveolar socket. Methodology As a pilot study and to validate the present method, a series of 4 high‐resolution scans were performed on one bone‐block specimen with teeth collected post‐mortem: (i) entire bone‐block including the teeth, (ii) second molar tooth extracted atraumatically from the bone‐block, (iii) extracted tooth dehydrated to induce dentinal defects and (iv) entire bone‐block following reinsertion of the extracted tooth into its matching alveolar socket. In the main study, forty‐two dentoalveolar maxillary and mandibular bone‐blocks each containing 3–5 adjacent teeth (a total of 178 teeth) were collected post‐mortem and scanned in a micro‐CT device. All cross‐section images of the 178 teeth (n = 65 530) were screened from the cementoenamel junction to the apex to identify the presence of dentinal defects. Results In the pilot study, the microcracks observable when the dehydrated tooth was outside the bone‐block remained detectable when the entire bone‐block plus reinserted tooth was scanned. This means that the screening process revealed the presence of the same microcracks in both experimental situations (the tooth outside and inside the maxillary bone‐block). From a total of 178 teeth in the bone‐blocks removed from cadavers, 65 530 cross‐sectional images were analysed and no dentinal microcracks were detected. Conclusions This in situ cadaveric model revealed the lack of pre‐existing dentinal microcracks in non‐endodontically treated teeth. Thus, the finding of dentinal microcracks observed in previous cross‐sectional images of stored extracted teeth is unsound and not valid. It should be assumed that microcracks observed in stored extracted teeth subjected to root canal procedures are a result of the extraction process and/or the post‐extraction storage conditions. Therefore, as a consequence, the presence of such dentinal microcracks in stored extracted teeth – observable in cross‐sectional images of the roots – should be referred to as experimental dentinal microcracks

Scarabaeoidea (Insecta : Coleoptera) in the Brazilian Cerrado : current state of knowledge

Besouros pertencentes à superfamília Scarabaeoidea ocupam habitats variados, possuem hábitos alimentares diversifi cados, desempenham importante papel ecológico e diversas espécies apresentam importância agrícola. No entanto, estudos com esse grupo na região do Cerrado são escassos. Nesta revisão realizou-se um levantamento dos artigos publicados nos últimos 30 anos a respeito dos Scarabaeoidea no Cerrado. Foram recuperados 64 artigos, realizados em nove unidades da federação, que focavam quatro temas principais espécies praga, aspectos bioecológicos, biodiversidade e importância ecológica, e técnicas e metodologias de coleta de Scarabaeoidea. Os resultados desta revisão indicam que poucos estudos foram realizados com os Scarabaeoidea no Cerrado brasileiro nas últimas décadas frente à importância e diversidade desse grupo de insetos.Beetles belonging to the superfamily Scarabaeoidea occupy different habitats, present feeding habits diversifi ed, play an important ecological role and several species have agricultural importance. However, studies with this group in the Brazilian Cerrado are scarce. In this review we carried out a survey of scientifi c articles published in the past 30 years concerning Scarabaeoidea in the Cerrado. Were found 64 studies in nine Brazilian states. The studies focused on four main topics: pest species, bioecology, biodiversity and ecological importance, techniques and methodologies for collecting Scarabaeoidea. The results of this review indicate that few studies have been conducted with Scarabaeoidea in the Cerrado in recent decades compared to the importance and diversity of this group of insects