Unbalanced wind buffeting effects on bridges during double cantilever erection stages

Mendes, Pedro A.,Branco, Fernando A. Techno-Press 2001 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.4 No.1

This paper is focused on the torsional effects that are induced on bridge piers by unbalanced wind buffeting on the deck during double cantilever erection stages. The case of decks with variable cross section is considered in particular as this characteristic is typical of most frame bridges that are built by the cantilever method. The procedure outlined in the paper is basically an application of the method that Dyrbye and Hansen (1996) have illustrated for decks with constant cross section. This format was chosen because it is suitable for design purposes and may easily be implemented in structural codes. As a complement, the correspondence with the format that is adopted in the Canadian code (NBCC 1990) for the gust factor is established, which might be useful to bridge designers used to the North-American approach to the gust effects on structures. Only alongwind turbulence and horizontal movements of the deck are considered. The combination of torsional and bending effects is also discussed and it is illustrated with an example of application.

Genetic Distances Among Rice Mutant Genotypes Assessed by AFLP and Aluminum Tolerance-Related Traits

Malone, Emilia,Kopp, Mauricio Marini,Malone, Gaspar,Branco, Juliana Severo Castelo,Carvalho, Fernando Iraja Felix,Oliveira, Antonio Costa de The Korean Society of Crop Science 2007 Journal of crop science and biotechnology Vol.10 No.2

Increasing genetic variability with mutagenic agents has been broadly employed in plant breeding because it has the potential to alter one or more desirable traits. In this study, a molecular analysis assessed by Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms(AFLPs) and a morphological analysis based on seedlings subjected to aluminum stress were compared. Also, an analysis of allelic frequencies was performed to observe unique alleles present in the pool. Genetic distances ranging from 0.448 to 0.953 were observed, suggesting that mutation inducing was effective in generating variability. The genetic distances based on morphological data ranged from 0(genotypes 22 and 23) to 30.38(genotypes 15 and 29). In the analysis of allelic frequency, 13 genotypes presented unique alleles, suggesting that mutation inducing was also targeting unique sites. Mutants with good performance under aluminum stress(9, 15, 18 and 27) did not form the same clusters when morphological and molecular analyses were compared, suggesting that different genomic regions may be responsible for their better performance.

An Analysis of Parallel Approaches for a Mobile Robotic Self-localization Algorithm

Priscila Tiemi Maeda Saito,Denis Fernando Wolf,Ricardo Jose Sabatine,Kalinka R. L. J. C. Branco 보안공학연구지원센터 2009 International Journal of Future Generation Communi Vol.2 No.4

Cytocompatibility and cell proliferation evaluation of calcium phosphate-based root canal sealers

Mestieri, Leticia Boldrin,Zaccara, Ivana Maria,Pinheiro, Lucas Siqueira,Barletta, Fernando Branco,Kopper, Patricia Maria Polli,Grecca, Fabiana Soares The Korean Academy of Conservative Dentistry 2020 Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics Vol.45 No.1

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the cell viability and migration of Endosequence Bioceramic Root Canal Sealer (BC Sealer) compared to MTA Fillapex and AH Plus. Materials and Methods: BC Sealer, MTA Fillapex, and AH Plus were placed in contact with culture medium to obtain sealers extracts in dilution 1:1, 1:2 and 1:4. 3T3 cells were plated and exposed to the extracts. Cell viability and migration were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazoyl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Scratch assay, respectively. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's test (p < 0.05). Results: The MTT assay revealed greater cytotoxicity for AH Plus and MTA Fillapex at 1:1 dilution when compared to control (p < 0.05). At 1:2 and 1:4 dilutions, all sealers were similar to control (p > 0.05) and MTA Fillapex was more cytotoxic than BC Sealer (p < 0.05). Scratch assay demonstrated the continuous closure of the wound according to time. At 30 hours, the control group presented closure of the wound (p < 0.05). At 36 hours, only BC Sealer presented the closure when compared to AH Plus and MTA Fillapex (p < 0.05). At 42 hours, AH Plus and MTA Fillapex showed a wound healing (p > 0.05). Conclusions: All tested sealers demonstrated cell viability highlighting BC Sealer, which showed increased cell migration capacity suggesting that this sealer may achieve better tissue repair when compared to other tested sealers.

Experimental characterization of timber framed masonry walls cyclic behaviour

Goncalves, Ana Maria,Ferreira, Joao Gomes,Guerreiro, Luis,Branco, Fernando Techno-Press 2015 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.53 No.2

After the large destruction of Lisbon due to the 1755 earthquake, the city had to be almost completely rebuilt. In this context, an innovative structural solution was implemented in new buildings, comprising internal timber framed walls which, together with the floors timber elements, constituted a 3-D framing system, known as "cage", providing resistance and deformation capacity for seismic loading. The internal timber framed masonry walls, in elevated floors, are constituted by a timber frame with vertical and horizontal elements, braced with diagonal elements, known as Saint Andrew's crosses, with masonry infill. This paper describes an experimental campaign to assess the in-plane cyclic behaviour of those so called "frontal" walls. A total series of 4 tests were conducted in 4 real size walls. Two models consist of the simple timber frames without masonry infill, and the other two specimens have identical timber frames but present masonry infill. Experimental characterization of the in-plane behaviour was carried out by static cyclic shear testing with controlled displacements. The loading protocol used was the CUREE for ordinary ground motions. The hysteretic behaviour main parameters of such walls subjected to cyclic loading were computed namely the initial stiffness, ductility and energy dissipation capacity.

Experimental characterization of timber framed masonry walls cyclic behaviour

Ana Maria Gonçalves,João Gomes Ferreira,Luís Guerreiro,Fernando Branco 국제구조공학회 2015 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.53 No.2

After the large destruction of Lisbon due to the 1755 earthquake, the city had to be almost completely rebuilt. In this context, an innovative structural solution was implemented in new buildings,comprising internal timber framed walls which, together with the floors timber elements, constituted a 3-Dframing system, known as “cage”, providing resistance and deformation capacity for seismic loading. The internal timber framed masonry walls, in elevated floors, are constituted by a timber frame with vertical andhorizontal elements, braced with diagonal elements, known as Saint Andrew‟s crosses, with masonry infill. This paper describes an experimental campaign to assess the in-plane cyclic behaviour of those so called “frontal” walls. A total series of 4 tests were conducted in 4 real size walls. Two models consist of the simple timber frames without masonry infill, and the other two specimens have identical timber frames but present masonry infill. Experimental characterization of the in-plane behaviour was carried out by static cyclic shear testing with controlled displacements. The loading protocol used was the CUREE for ordinary ground motions. The hysteretic behaviour main parameters of such walls subjected to cyclic loading were computed namely the initial stiffness, ductility and energy dissipation capacity.

Cytocompatibility and cell proliferation evaluation of calcium phosphate-based root canal sealers

Letícia Boldrin Mestieri,Ivana Maria Zaccara,Lucas Siqueira Pinheiro,Fernando Branco Barletta,Patrícia Maria Polli Kopper,Fabiana Soares Grecca 대한치과보존학회 2020 Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics Vol.45 No.1

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the cell viability and migration of Endosequence Bioceramic Root Canal Sealer (BC Sealer) compared to MTA Fillapex and AH Plus. Materials and Methods: BC Sealer, MTA Fillapex, and AH Plus were placed in contact with culture medium to obtain sealers extracts in dilution 1:1, 1:2 and 1:4. 3T3 cells were plated and exposed to the extracts. Cell viability and migration were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazoyl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Scratch assay, respectively. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's test (p < 0.05). Results: The MTT assay revealed greater cytotoxicity for AH Plus and MTA Fillapex at 1:1 dilution when compared to control (p < 0.05). At 1:2 and 1:4 dilutions, all sealers were similar to control (p > 0.05) and MTA Fillapex was more cytotoxic than BC Sealer (p < 0.05). Scratch assay demonstrated the continuous closure of the wound according to time. At 30 hours, the control group presented closure of the wound (p < 0.05). At 36 hours, only BC Sealer presented the closure when compared to AH Plus and MTA Fillapex (p < 0.05). At 42 hours, AH Plus and MTA Fillapex showed a wound healing (p > 0.05). Conclusions: All tested sealers demonstrated cell viability highlighting BC Sealer, which showed increased cell migration capacity suggesting that this sealer may achieve better tissue repair when compared to other tested sealers.

Reference values for pulp oxygen saturation as a diagnostic tool in endodontics: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Lambert Paula,Miguens Sergio Augusto Quevedo,Solda Caroline,Sganzerla Juliana Tomaz,Reichert Leandro Azambuja,Estrela Carlos,Barletta Fernando Branco 대한치과보존학회 2020 Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics Vol.45 No.4

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to identify mean oxygen saturation values (SpO2) using pulse oximetry in permanent maxillary anterior teeth. Materials and Methods: The MEDLINE, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, and Literatura Latino Americana em Ciências da Saúde electronic databases were searched. Combinations and variations of “oximetry” AND “dental pulp test” were used as search terms. Studies reporting means and standard deviations of SpO2 values were included. Two reviewers independently extracted data following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic, and all analyses were performed using R software. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Results: Of the 251 studies identified, 19 met the eligibility criteria and were included (total sample, 4,541 teeth). In the meta-analysis, the mean SpO2 values were 84.94% (95% confidence interval [CI], 84.85%–85.04%) for the central incisors, 89.29% (95% CI, 89.22%–89.35%) for the lateral incisors, and 89.20% (95% CI, 89.05%–89.34%) for the canines. The studies were predominantly low-quality due to the high risk of bias associated with the index test, unclear risk regarding patient selection, and concerns about outcome assessment. Conclusions: Although most studies were low-quality, the oxygen saturation levels in normal pulp could be established (minimum saturation, 77.52%). Despite the risk of bias of the included studies, the reference values reported herein are clinically relevant for assessments of changes in pulp status.