Search

The longevity of an extraoral prosthesis depends on its physical and mechanical properties and user maintenance. Faced with multiple outcome measures, researchers find it difficult to determine the most appropriate extraoral prosthetic material. This comprehensive review evaluates the most used extraoral prosthesis materials and qualitatively assesses their longevity and function. The study aims to identify and interpret the results of current updates on the factors that affect longevity and functionality. This comprehensive review summarizes and evaluates differences in the properties of commonly used extraoral maxillofacial prosthetic materials. The review was planned to focus on all factors related to the longevity and function of the extraoral maxillofacial prosthetics. An electronic search covered English articles in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and grey literature. Manual searching was also performed. Six authors participated in the screening. Search engines extracted 1107 records, and 88 studies were included for qualitative and bias assessments. Silicones are the most frequently used extraoral maxillofacial prosthetic materials. Heat-cured silicones are more color-stable than those cured at room temperature. Additional ingredients and processing techniques affect prosthesis longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a comprehensive characterization of ignition properties of a metal-hydride based non-toxic hypergolic hybrid rocket propellant. The propellant consists of Rocket Grade Hydrogen Peroxide (RGHP) as oxidizer, high-density Polyethylene (HDPE) as fuel and sodium borohydride (NaBH 4) as the additive, embedded in the HDPE matrix. Ignition quality was characterized as ignition delay, ignition probability and flame spread. In a drop-test setup, ignition characteristics were determined as a function of seven parameters: RGHP concentration, additive loading, oxidizer droplet impact velocity, oxidizer droplet volume, pressure, diluent gas, and environmental exposure. The parameters encompass thermo-chemical, fluid/droplet dynamics and environmental factors affecting ignition. Ignition delays as low as 3 ms were observed, one of the lowest using non-toxic hypergolic hybrid propellants in open-air. An overwhelming majority of conditions tested yielded <10 ms ignition delays and 100% ignition success. All conditions tested affected ignition to varying degrees with RGHP concentration, NaBH 4 loading and drop impact velocity significantly affecting ignition. Further, contrary to expectations, exposing sanded fuel samples to humidity for a few h enhanced ignition instead of hampering it and exposure for 24 h did not lead to ignition degradation. Tests with diluent gases other than air (at atmospheric and elevated pressures) revealed that atmospheric oxygen played a negligible role in the reaction process. This proved that oxygen for the initial ignition event was obtained from RGHP decomposition, with atmospheric oxygen playing no role in ignition performance. Aside from demonstrating excellent ignition characteristics, our results further show a need to go beyond thermo-chemical properties and to consider aspects of ignition other than ignition delay in hypergolic propellant research to enable a complete understanding of the ignition processes. The comprehensive ignition characterization demonstrates the chosen propellant's ability to overcome ignition challenges in hybrid rockets and serves as a proof of concept for its further development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) describes a wide array of neurological defects and craniofacial malformations, associated with ethanol teratogenicity. While there is growing evidence for a genetic component to FASD, little is known of the genes underlying these ethanol-induced defects. Along with timing and dosage, genetic predispositions may help explain the variability within FASD. From a screen for gene-ethanol interactions, we found that mutants for Bmp signaling components are ethanol-sensitive leading to defects in the zebrafish palate. Loss of Bmp signaling results in reductions in gata3 expression in the maxillary domain of the neural crest in the 1st pharyngeal arch, leading to palate defects while upregulation of human GATA3 rescues these defects. Here, we show that ethanol-treated Bmp mutants exhibit misshaped and/or broken trabeculae. Surprisingly, up regulation of GATA3 does not rescue ethanol-induced palate defects and gata3 expression was not altered in ethanol-treated Bmp mutants or dorsomorphin-treated larvae. Timing of ethanol sensitivity shows that Bmp mutants are ethanol sensitive from 10 to 18 hours post-fertilization (hpf), prior to Bmp's regulation of gata3 in palate formation. This is consistent with our previous work with dorsomorphin-dependent knock down of Bmp signaling from 10 to 18 hpf disrupting endoderm formation and subsequent jaw development. Overall, this suggests that ethanol disrupts Bmp-dependent palate development independent of and earlier than the role of gata3 in palate formation by disrupting epithelial development. Ultimately, these data demonstrate that zebrafish is a useful model to identify and characterize gene-ethanol interactions and this work will directly inform our understanding of FASD. • Bmp pathway mutants are ethanol sensitive resulting in palate defects. • Ethanol disrupts Bmp-dependent palate development independent of gata3. • Timing of ethanol sensitivity suggests ethanol disrupts Bmp-dependent epithelial morphogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hamilton A, Gonzaga L, Amorim K, Wittneben JG, Martig L, Morton D, Martin W, Gallucci GO, Wismeijer D. Selection criteria for immediate implant placement and immediate loading for single tooth replacement in the maxillary esthetic zone: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2023 Sep;34 Suppl 26:304-348. doi:10.1111/clr.14109. Although it is not explicitly reported, it is understood that this study was supported by the International Team for Implantology (ITI) as part of their latest consensus initiative. Systematic review (with meta-analysis). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serum salmonellacidal (bactericidal) antibody could be used to detect functional capacity of antibody in patients with enteric fever and after typhoid vaccination. Salmonellacidal antibody response was measured by colorimetric serum salmonellacidal assay from 70 acute and 11 convalescence sera of patients infected with Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi A and also from 15 control and 6 Vi capsular polysaccharide vaccinated volunteer's sera. Sera from patients with typhoid and paratyphoid A showed significant (p < 0.05) levels of salmonellacidal antibody titer (549.9 ± 108.5 and 528.7 ± 187.3) compared with control (0.133 ± 0.1). Moreover, this titer increased significantly (p <0.05) in sera collected between 7 and 10 days and between 11 and 25 days of fever (titer 535.7 ± 119.2 and 794.6 ± 235.6) compared with sera collected from patients with fever for less than 7 days (136.4 ± 52.7). The mean titer significantly (p < 0.05) decreased to 5.5 ± 2.1 after 6–8 weeks onset of illness. Although, very low salmonellacidal titers (2.5 ± 1.5 and 2.3 ± 1.5) were detected after Vi CPS vaccine among the human volunteers, but mean titer was raised 15-fold from pre- to postvaccinated sera (0.166–2.5). The serum salmonellacidal antibody by colorimetric salmonellacidal assay could be used to detect acute typhoidal cases and also to monitor immune response of typhoid vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study based on the headquarter activity of exporters in U.S. is presented to show that the location of a particular industry or type of employment is determined by the need to gather relevant information which is available only at a particular agglomeration. In the case of U.S. exporters, crucial factor was the foreign market information.

Worldwide, dependency ratios are forecast to increase dramatically in the next 50 years. A great deal of attention has been devoted to understanding the changes in fiscal policies that 'must' take place to accommodate these changes and maintain desirable rates of economic growth. In contrast, less effort has been concentrated on studying the fiscal shifts that will endogenously result from demographic pressures. In particular, will a more elderly population support spending for those programs (e.g., education) that most directly augment the earnings of the young? If not, will this reduce economic growth? We investigate the effect of demographic transition on the endogenous determination of productive public spending. A demographic transition alters the identity of the median voter, leading to a preference for less spending. While this may reduce productive spending, it may also reduce tax rates and raise capital per worker. Simulations, calibrated to empirical estimates of the economic return to education, suggest that demographic transition will reduce output, despite a larger capital stock, unless education services become more productive in raising human capital. JEL classification: E62; H30; O40 Keywords: Demographic transition; Overlapping-generations model; Fiscal policy

[Display omitted] • PHBV production by novel gram positive bacteria, B. thuringiensis IAM12077. • Utilization of Low-Cost Substrate, Glycerol for optimized batch bioreactor cultivation. • Demonstrated scalable PHBV production in bioreactors up to 70 L. • Comprehensive characterization of the produced PHBV using FTIR, NMR, GPC, DSC, and TGA. Addition of statistically optimized concentration of electron acceptor, propionic acid (1.2 g/L) at different cultivation times (0 h, 14.86 h and 19 h) during batch cultivation of B. thuringiensis in mixed substrate (glucose and glycerol) featured production of 8 g/L of biomass and 3.57 g/L of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) containing 0.805 g/L of 3-hydroxyvalerate concentration. Successful scale up of batch cultivation from 7 L to a 70 L bioreactor was, thereafter, achieved using power/volume (P/V) criteria with maximum PHBV and biomass concentration of 3.57 g/L and 7.15 g/L respectively. Characterization of PHBV so produced was carried out using NMR, FTIR, DSC and TGA to elucidate its structure, thermal properties and stability to map their applications in society. These findings highlight the potential of the optimized batch cultivation and scale-up process in producing PHBV emphasizing its relevance in sustainable biopolymer production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An evaluation of industrial policies linked to the manufacturing of intermediate goods underscores the need for subsidy policies to be adopted based on other considerations rather than purely technological reasons. Policy design should incorporate both technological associations and market impact in the target industries. The interaction of external effects and market structure may result in an optimal policy incorporating lump-sum subsidies, output subsidies and taxes on the target industries.

A model is developed to study the productivity of public infrastructure capital at general equilibrium conditions. The model assumes that public infrastructure's effect on aggregate output and manufacturing is indeterminate. On the other hand, it can change intermediate prices, factor prices and the allocation of factors across sectors. Regression estimates validate the model's assumption regarding aggregate output. However, the results also indicate a relationship between public infrastructure capital and manufacturing.

There is limited data about the safety of colorectal surgery after immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). We aimed to share our experience about postoperative outcomes of colorectal surgery for patients treated with ICI. Overall, 31 patients were identified, 22 (71%) underwent elective and nine (29%) underwent emergent/urgent surgery. The 30-day Clavien Dindo class ≥ III complication rates were 27.3% (n = 6) for elective and 55.5% (n = 5) for emergent/urgent cases. Four patients underwent emergency surgery for immune-related colonic perforation and developed postoperative septic shock; two died. Considering patients' comorbidities, cancer stage, and surgical complexity, elective colorectal surgery after ICI seems relatively safe. However, emergent/urgent colorectal surgery was associated with high postoperative morbidity. Indeed, colonic perforation in the setting of ICI treatment has a significant risk of postoperative mortality. Therefore, for patients on ICI with any acute abdominal symptoms, surgical consult should be involved, and colon perforation should be ruled out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (TC) is a syndrome characterized by reversible left ventricular dysfunction in the presence of possible emotional or physical triggers but without evidence of obstructive coronary artery disease. It has become increasingly reported worldwide and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. TC may present with an array of electrocardiographic (ECG) findings. These ECG findings, if accurately interpreted, can play an important role in the diagnosis and risk stratification of this syndrome. In the last three decades since the disease was first described, multiple diagnostic criteria have been established. The key diagnostic tools for TC include clinical symptomatology, cardiac biomarkers, non-invasive cardiac imaging, and coronary angiography. The ECG findings in TC can be variable, however, some ECG scores have been proposed in association with TC with reasonably good diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. This article aims to provide a succinct review of important electrocardiographic findings associated with TC and its impact on clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]