The Study of New NiTi Actuators to Reinforce the Wing Movement of Aircraft Systems.

Actuators using Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) springs could operate in different mechanical systems requiring geometric flexibility and high performance. The aim of the present study is to highlight the potential of these actuators, using their dimensional variations resulting from the phase transformations of NiTi springs (SMA) to make the movements of the system's mobile components reversible. This reversibility is due to thermal-induced martensitic transformation of NiTi springs.

Rediscovery of the holotype of Horvathinia lenti De Carlo, 1958, new junior synonym of H. pelocoroides Montadon, 1911 (Insecta: Hemiptera: Belostomatidae).

Horvathinia pelocoroides Montandon, 1911 was described as a new genus and species based on two specimens collected in Brazil, one from Minas Gerais deposited in the Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet (Stockholm) and the other from Rio Grande do Sul deposited in the Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum (Budapest) (Montandon 1911). Subsequently, nine additional species were described based on a single specimen each, collected at different localities in southern South America: H. doellojuradoi De Carlo, 1930; H.

Laccomimus xikrin sp. nov. and new records of other species of Laccomimus Toledo & Michat, 2015 (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Laccophilinae) from Brazil.

The genus Laccomimus Toledo & Michat, 2015 was recently erected for small drop-shape Dytiscidae beetles commonly found in Tropical South America associated with lentic waters. In the present paper a new species, Laccomimus xikrin sp. nov.

Vatellini Sharp (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae) from Brazil: two new species, new records, and a checklist.

The tribe Vatellini Sharp, 1882 is composed of 55 species divided in two genera. Even though a recent revision of the tribe was made, Vatellini of the new world are weakly explored with great gaps in the distributions of species. In Brazil the knowledge is based only on a few localities.

Carnivorous diving beetles of the genus Desmopachria (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) from Brazil: new species, new records, and a checklist.

Eight new species of Desmopachria Babington, 1841 are described and illustrated from Brazil: D. dicrophallica sp nov., D.

Determination of expander apparatus displacements and contact pressures on the mucosa using FEM modelling considering mandibular asymmetries.

This paper presents a method for prediction of forces and displacements in the expansion screw of a modified mandibular Schwarz appliance and the contact pressure distributions on the mucosa during malocclusions treatment. A 3D finite element biomechanical model of the complete mandible-mucosa-apparatus set was built using computerised tomographic images of a patient's mandible and constructive solid geometry by computer software. An iterative procedure was developed to handle a boundary condition that takes into account the mandibular asymmetries.

Association between T102C polymorphism of serotonin 2A receptor gene and urinary incontinence in older women.

Background: The bladder's regulatory function is influenced by central serotonergic modulation. T102C polymorphism of the serotonin 2A (5-HT(2A)) receptor gene is associated with urinary incontinence (UI) that has been reported by older community dwellers. We analyzed the association between 5-HT(2A) receptor gene polymorphism and urodynamic tests for UI in older women.