Manufacture and Characterization of Polypropylene (PP) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Blocks for Potential Use as Masonry Component in Civil Construction.

The lack of suitable destinations for plastics materials can be a global environmental problem. The alternative use of materials for sustainable construction encourages the standardization of waste and promotes effective social, environmental and economic gains at the local level and ensures savings and income for communities. The aim of this paper is the development, manufacture, and characterization of PP and HDPE recycled polyolefin blocks as masonry components in civil construction.

Composite Based on Biphasic Calcium Phosphate (HA/β-TCP) and Nanocellulose from the Açaí Tegument.

The use of lignocellulosic remnants of the açaí agro-business will benefit the environment with a precursor material for biomedical applications. Nanocellulose (NC) allows the biomimetic growth of biphasic ceramics on its surface, with characteristics compatible with bone tissue, including bioactive properties and biocompatibility. In this study, the composites were obtained from açaí tegument ( Mart.

Biosynthesis, characterization and leishmanicidal activity of a biocomposite containing AgNPs-PVP-glucantime.

Aim: Development of functionalized nanocomposites containing AgNPs-PVP-Glucantime to evaluate their leishmanicidal activity as a novel method for improving the pharmacological properties of the drug Glucantime against extracellular promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis in vitro to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Materials & Methods: The silver nanoparticles and nanocomposites prepared containing silver nanoparticles, polyvinylpyrrolidone and different amounts of Glucantime were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and ζ potential analysis; in addition, the in vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated.

Results: The nanocomposites showed an inhibitory effect on the cellular viability of promastigote forms, with values of 47.

Bio-based polyurethane for tissue engineering applications: How hydroxyapatite nanoparticles influence the structure, thermal and biological behavior of polyurethane composites.

In this work, thermoset polyurethane composites were prepared by the addition of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles using the reactants polyol polyether and an aliphatic diisocyanate. The polyol employed in this study was extracted from the Euterpe oleracea Mart. seeds from the Amazon Region of Brazil.

Cleansing orthodontic brackets with air-powder polishing: effects on frictional force and degree of debris.

Introduction: Debris buildup on the bracket-wire interface can influence friction. Cleansing brackets with air-powder polishing can affect this process.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frictional force and amount of debris remaining on orthodontic brackets subjected to prophylaxis with air-powder polishing.

Mechanical properties of nanofilled and microhybrid composites cured by different light polymerization modes.

This study compared nanofilled and microhybrid composites polymerized by different light polymerization modes, and the effects these modes had on the mechanical properties of the composites. The following mechanical properties were measured: Vickers microhardness numbers, diametral tensile strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus. The filler content (Wt%) present in the resins was investigated.