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Purpose: To measure the flexural strength and Weibull characteristics of aged and nonaged printed interim dental material fabricated with different layer thickness. Material and methods: Bars (25×2×2 mm) were additively fabricated by using a polymer printer (Asiga Max) and an interim resin (Nexdent C&B MFH). Specimens were fabricated with the same printing parameters and postprocessing procedures, but with 7 different layer thickness: 50 (control or 50‐G group), 10 (10‐G group), 25 (25‐G group), 75 (75‐G group), 100 (100‐G group), 125 (125‐G group), and 150 μm (150‐G group). Two subgroups were created: nonaged and aged subgroups (n = 10). A universal testing machine was selected to measure flexural strength. Two‐parameter Weibull distribution values were computed. Two‐way ANOVA and Tukey tests were selected for statistical evaluation of the data (α = 0.05). Results: Artificial aging methods (p < 0.001) were a significant predictor of the flexural strength computed. Aged specimens acquired less flexural strength than nonaged specimens. The Weibull distribution obtained the highest shape for nonaged 50‐G and 75‐G group specimens compared with those of other nonaged groups, while the Weibull distribution showed the highest shape for aged 125‐G specimens. Conclusions: The flexural strength of the additively fabricated interim material examined was not influenced by the layer thickness at which the specimens were fabricated; however, artificial aging techniques reduced its flexural strength. Aged specimens presented lower Weibull distribution values compared with nonaged specimens, except for the 125‐G specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid densification of ceramics has been realized and its merits were demonstrated through multiple approaches out of which UHS and flash sintering attract recent attention. So far, however, scalability remains difficult. A rise in throughput and scalability is enabled by the introduction of blacklight sintering powered by novel light source technology. Intense illumination with photon energy above the bandgap (blacklight) allows high absorption efficiency and, hence, very rapid, contactless heating for all ceramics. While heating the ceramic directly with light without any furnace promises scalability, it simultaneously offers highly accurate process control. For the technology transfer to industry, attainable material quality needs to be assured. Here, we demonstrate the excellent microstructure quality of blacklight‐sintered ceramics observed with ultrahigh voltage electron microscopy revealing an option to tune nanoporosity. Moreover, we confirm that electronic, electron, oxygen, and lithium‐ion conductivities are equal to conventionally sintered ceramics. This gives the prospect of transmitting the merits of rapid densification to the scale of industrial kilns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid densification of ceramics has been realized and its merits were demonstrated through multiple approaches out of which UHS and flash sintering attract recent attention. So far, however, scalability remains difficult. A rise in throughput and scalability is enabled by the introduction of blacklight sintering powered by novel light source technology. Intense illumination with photon energy above the bandgap (blacklight) allows high absorption efficiency and, hence, very rapid, contactless heating for all ceramics. While heating the ceramic directly with light without any furnace promises scalability, it simultaneously offers highly accurate process control. For the technology transfer to industry, attainable material quality needs to be assured. Here, we demonstrate the excellent microstructure quality of blacklight‐sintered ceramics observed with ultrahigh voltage electron microscopy revealing an option to tune nanoporosity. Moreover, we confirm that electronic, electron, oxygen, and lithium‐ion conductivities are equal to conventionally sintered ceramics. This gives the prospect of transmitting the merits of rapid densification to the scale of industrial kilns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Literature notes the efficacious use of alcohol ignition interlock devices (IID) in reducing rates of drinking and driving while installed on the vehicle. Some drivers who are convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) elect to have their license suspended/revoked instead of installing the device. These individuals represent a high‐risk subsample of drivers, yet limited literature has addressed this concern. The current study seeks to fill this gap using qualitative interviews addressing: (i) why do non‐installers make the choice to not install a mandated IID; and (ii) how are non‐installers managing without the IID? Methods: The study utilises the Managing Heavy Drinkers study of drivers in Erie County, New York, USA. Participants were purposively sampled from a group of non‐installers (n = 6; four females, two males) who completed semi‐structured interviews. Constructed grounded theory was used to develop a theoretical understanding of participant's experiences. Results: To understand why participants elect not to install the IID, thematic analysis revealed: alleviating constraints, predominantly the financial burdens associated with an IID, and institutional mistrust. Additionally, data revealed that participants are managing without the IID by mitigating apprehension. This included driving cautiously to avoid detection and utilising alternative transportation. Discussion and Conclusions: This study furthers understanding of why drivers convicted of a DWI elect not to install an IID. Future research should seek to identify barriers to IID installation. This work provides evidence for establishing institutional protocols that ensure drivers convicted of a DWI receive consistent and correct information about the IID process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Before the COVID‐19 pandemic, very little was known about the impact of social isolation on individuals' alcohol use and misuse. This study examines how socially isolated individuals with a history of heavy drinking used alcohol during the pandemic. Methods: Data for this study came from an add‐on to the Managing Heavy Drinking (MHD) longitudinal study of drivers convicted of DWI that was conducted in Erie County, New York. Pre‐COVID information (October 2019–March 2020) was augmented with a COVID‐19 questionnaire collected between July and August 2020. A total of 92 participants completed the COVID‐19 survey. Results: The sample of problem drinkers showed a significant increase after the pandemic outbreak in the average number of drinking days from 1.99 to 2.49 per week (p = 0.047), but a significant decrease in the average number of drinks per drinking day, from 3.74 to 2.74 (p = 0.003). The proportion of individuals who drank more frequently was greater among those who, before the outbreak had an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score <8 (26% increase) compared with those with an AUDIT score of >8 (13%). Alcohol treatment was also associated with the frequency of drinking, with individuals who were not in alcohol treatment showing a 16% increase in frequency compared with a 10% increase among those in treatment. Further, individuals who, after the outbreak worried about their health (30%) or finances (37%) reported greater increases in the frequency of drinking than those who did not worry about their health (17%) or finances (10%). Conclusions: Overall, the individuals in our sample showed small changes in the frequency andheaviness of drinking after the outbreak of COVID‐19, effects that opposite in direction from one another and thus resulted in no overall change in drinks consumed. Nonetheless, we identified factors that influenced the effects of the pandemic on drinking behavior among individuals convicted of DWI, which emphasizes the need to individualize these individuals' treatment, particularly in the context of dramatic environmental change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Half of the offenders convicted of impaired driving in the United States are sentenced to install alcohol ignition interlock devices (IIDs), which prevent them from starting their vehicles if they have been drinking. No research has yet explored offenders' patterns of alcohol consumption and driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) from the time before the arrest to the time period after the IID is installed. This study aims to fill that gap in knowledge. Methods: Using the Timeline Follow‐back interview procedure, we assessed the daily drinking of 153 convicted DUI offenders' self‐reported total alcohol consumption and rates of self‐reported driving after drinking over 4 phases: before DUI arrest, between arrest and IID installation, during the phase on the interlock, and after the interlock is removed. Because information about behaviors in each period was not available for every participant, comparisons were made using paired‐sample contrasts. Results: Compared with before the arrest, total alcohol use decreased by 50% in the 4‐month phase following arrest and before IID installation, though it did not change much afterward. The frequency of drinking and driving decreased sharply after the arrest (−82%), with further decrease upon installation of the interlock (−58%, p = 0.05). The frequency of drinking and driving after the IID was removed returned to preinstallation drinking and driving status (+58%, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Participants made significant adjustments to their drinking behavior by adhering to the traditional DUI driving restrictions in the postarrest phase. Although installation of an IID was not associated with a significant change in drinking, it further reduced the frequency of drinking and driving. Evaluations of the IID experience should take into account information on an individual's drinking and DUI behaviors not only before the IID was installed, but before the individual was arrested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In 2013, the National Transportation Safety Board ( NTSB) issued a report recommending that states lower the illegal blood alcohol concentration ( BAC) limit for driving from 0.08 to 0.05 g/dl. The NTSB concluded that there is a strong evidence-based foundation for a BAC limit of 0.05 or lower. Most industrialized nations have already enacted a 0.05 illegal BAC limit. This study was undertaken to contribute to the scientific evidence as to whether lowering the BAC limit to 0.05 will be an effective alcohol policy in the United States. Methods We accomplished our objective by: (i) conducting a meta-analysis of qualifying international studies to estimate the range and distribution of the most likely effect size from a reduction to 0.05 BAC or lower; (ii) translating this synthesis toward estimating the effects of reducing the current 0.08 BAC limit to 0.05 in the United States; and (iii) estimating the life-saving benefits of the proposed 0.03 reduction in the driving limit from 0.08 to 0.05 BAC. Results In our meta-analysis of studies on lowering the BAC limit in general, we found a 5.0% decline in nonfatal alcohol-related crashes, a 9.2% decline in fatal alcohol-related crashes from lowering the BAC to 0.08, and an 11.1% decline in fatal alcohol-related crashes from lowering the BAC to 0.05 or lower. We estimate that 1,790 lives would be saved each year if all states adopted a 0.05 BAC limit. Conclusions This study provides strong evidence of the relationship between lowering the BAC limit for driving and the general deterrent effect on alcohol-related crashes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The in vitro haemostatic functions of fresh whole blood (FWB) are well preserved after cold storage. This study aimed to determine whether platelets derived from FWB and stored whole blood (SWB) contribute to clot formation in tissue injury after transfusion into coagulopathic rats with polytrauma/haemorrhage (T/H). The rats were resuscitated 1 h after trauma with FWB or SWB collected from green fluorescence protein (GFP) transgenic rats. After transfusion, a liver incision was made and the tissue was collected 10 min after injury to identify GFP+ platelets by immunohistochemistry. In comparison to FWB, platelet aggregation to adenosine diphosphate and protease-activated receptor-4 was reduced by 35% and 20%, and clotting time was shortened by 25% in SWB. After transfusion, SWB led to a significant increase in platelet activation as measured by an elevation of CD62P and phosphatidylserine expression. The platelets from SWB were in a higher activation state, and showed higher clearance rate and formation of platelet-leucocyte aggregates than those from FWB after transfusion. Platelets from both FWB and SWB were equivalently incorporated into the clot at the incisional site, as determined by co-localization of CD61 and GFP. This study suggests that SWB contributes to haemostatic function and is an effective alternative resource to treat trauma patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is shown that the effect of substrate heating on the photo conversion efficiency in vacuum-deposited small molecule organic solar cells is closely related to the improved free charge generation in ordered C60 regions. The formation of these ordered regions strongly depends on the deposition sequence in the device and differs therefore between inverted and noninverted cells. Substrate-induced local fullerene ordering is found in small molecule:C60 bulk heterojunctions (BHJs) deposited on pristine C60 at elevated temperatures. This does not occur for BHJs deposited under identical conditions on pristine donor molecule layers, despite similar degrees of phase separation in both cases. These findings point to a hitherto unidentified advantage of inverted over noninverted solar cells that manifests itself in a higher charge separation efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background To control underage drinking in the United States, which has been associated with an estimated 5,000 deaths and 2.6 million injuries or other harm annually, each state has developed a unique set of laws. Previous research examining these laws' effectiveness has frequently focused on the laws' existence without considering variance in sanctions, enforcement, or exemptions. Methods We scored 20 minimum legal drinking age 21 (MLDA-21) laws for their strengths and weaknesses based on (i) sanctions for violating the law, (ii) exceptions or exemptions affecting application, and (iii) provisions affecting the law or enforcement. We then replicated a 2009 study of the effects of 6 MLDA-21 laws in 3 different ways (using identical structural equation modeling): Study 1-8 additional years of data, no law strengths; Study 2-years from the original study, added law strengths; Study 3-additional years, law strengths, serving as an update of the 6 laws' effects. Results In all 3 studies-and the original study-keg registration laws were associated with both an unexpected significant increase (+11%, p < 0.001) in underage drinking-driver ratios and a notable 25% reduction in per capita beer consumption-opposing results that are difficult to explain. In Study 3, possession and purchase laws were associated with a significant decrease in underage drinking-driver fatal crash ratios (−4.9%, p < 0.001; −3.6%, p < 0.001, respectively). Similarly, zero tolerance and use and lose laws were associated with reductions in underage drinking-driver ratios (−2.8%, p < 0.001; −5.3%, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions Including strengths and weaknesses of underage drinking laws is important when examining their effects on various outcomes as the model fit statistics indicated. We suggest that this will result in more accurate and more reliable estimates of the impact of the laws on various outcome measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have examined the impact of a number of minimum legal drinking age 21 (MLDA-21) laws on underage alcohol consumption and alcohol-related crashes in the United States. These studies have contributed to our understanding of how alcohol control laws affect drinking and driving among those who are under age 21. However, much of the extant literature examining underage drinking laws uses a 'Law/No law' coding, which may obscure the variability inherent in each law. Previous literature has demonstrated that inclusion of law strengths may affect outcomes and overall data fit when compared to 'Law/No law' coding. In an effort to assess the relative strength of states' underage drinking legislation, a coding system was developed in 2006 and applied to 16 MLDA-21 laws. The current article updates the previous endeavor and outlines a detailed strength coding mechanism for the current 20 MLDA-21 laws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This clinical report describes a technique to stabilize a computer-aided dental implant surgical guide to existing implants. A patient requested conversion of her existing mandibular implant-assisted overdenture into a fixed complete denture. The surgical procedure was planned virtually, and the two existing dental implants were integrated into the surgical plan as a means to fixate the surgical guide. The implants were placed, and the patient's prosthesis was converted into an interim fixed complete denture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A functional renormalization group approach is used to study the instabilities due to electron-electron interactions in a bilayer honeycomb lattice model with AA stacking, as it might be relevant for layered graphene with this structure. Starting with a tight-binding description for the four π-bands, the modes of the dispersion are integrated out by successively lowering an infrared cutoff and the leading tendencies in the effective interactions are determined. The antiferromagnetic spin-density wave is an expected instability for dominant local repulsion among the electrons, but for nonlocal interaction terms also other instabilities occur. The phase diagrams depending on the model parameters are discussed. The results are compared to single-layer graphene and the more common AB-stacked bilayer, both qualitatively and quantitatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The charge transport in organic solar cells is investigated by surface potential measurements via scanning Kelvin probe microscopy. Access to the solar cell's cross-section is gained by milling holes with a focused ion beam which enables the direct scan along the charge transport path. In a study of poly(3-hexylthiophene):1-(3-methoxycarbonyl)propyl-1-phenyl[6,6]C61 (P3HT:PCBM) bulk heterojunction solar cells, the open circuit voltage is built up at the top contact. A comparison of the potential distribution within normal and inverted solar cells under operation exhibits strongly different behaviors, which can be assigned to a difference in interface properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives The relationship between substance use and cognitive deficits is complex and requires innovative methods to enhance understanding. The present study is the first to use LCA to examine associations of drug use patterns with cognitive performance. Methods Cocaine/heroin users ( N = 552) completed questionnaires, and cognitive measures. LCA identified classes based on past-month drug use and adjusted for probabilities of group membership when examining cognitive performance. Latent indicators were: alcohol (ALC), cigarettes (CIG), marijuana (MJ), crack smoking (CS), nasal heroin (NH), injection cocaine (IC), injection heroin (IH), and injection speedball (IS). Age and education were included as covariates in model creation. Results Bootstrap likelihood ratio test (BLRT) supported a 5-class model. Prevalent indicators (estimated probability of over 50%) for each class are as follows: 'Older Nasal Heroin/Crack Smokers' ( ONH/CS, n = 166.9): ALC, CIG, NH, CS; 'Older, Less Educated Polysubstance' ( OLEP, n = 54.8): ALC, CIG, CS, IH, IC, and IS; 'Younger Multi-Injectors' ( MI, n = 128.7): ALC, CIG, MJ, IH, IC, and IS; 'Less Educated Heroin Injectors' ( LEHI, n = 87.4): CIG, IH; and 'More Educated Nasal Heroin' users ( MENH, n = ALC, CIG, NH. In general, all classes performed worse than established norms and older, less educated classes performed worse, with the exception that MENH demonstrated worse cognitive flexibility than YMI. Discussion and Conclusions This study demonstrated novel applications of a methodology for examining complicated relationships between polysubstance use and cognitive performance. Scientific Significance Education and/or nasal heroin use are associated with reduced cognitive flexibility in this sample of inner city drug users. (Am J Addict 2014;23:431-439) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The current study examined how drinking severity among injection and non-injection drug users is associated with sex risk behaviors and risk of HIV exposure. Method The study is a secondary analysis of an investigation of risk factors among drug users in Baltimore known as the NEURO-HIV epidemiologic study. Participants ( N = 557) completed an interview, self-reported 30-day alcohol use, lifetime injection and non-injection drug use, and provided blood samples to screen for HIV. Participants were grouped into one of three drinking severity conditions: abstinent (no reported alcohol use in prior 30 days), moderate alcohol use (≤30 drinks for females, or ≤60 drinks for males), or problematic alcohol use (>30 drinks for females, or >60 drinks for males). Drinking severity groups were significantly different on lifetime injection drug use, heroin injection, snorting/sniffing cocaine, and smoking crack. Results Logistic regression analyses found problematic alcohol users to be more likely than alcohol abstainers to inject drugs before or during sex (AOR = 5.78; 95% CI = 2.07-16.10), and more likely than moderate alcohol users to use alcohol before/during sex (AOR = 4.96; 95% CI = 2.09-11.81), inject drugs before/during sex (AOR = 2.96; 95% CI = 1.29-6.80), and to be HIV+ among Black participants (AOR = 2.72; 95% CI = 1.14-6.49). Conclusions These results outline the necessity for research and clinical intervention among this population to reduce sex risk behaviors and potential HIV exposure, while highlighting the need to examine drinking severity as a predictor of sex risk behaviors. (Am J Addict 2013; 22:239-245) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Whole blood ( WB) has been used in combat since World War I as it is readily available and replaces every element of shed blood. Component therapy has become standard; however, recent military successes with WB resuscitation have revived the debate regarding wider WB use. Characterization of optimal WB storage is needed. We hypothesized that refrigeration preserves WB function and that a pathogen reduction technology ( PRT) based on riboflavin and ultraviolet light has no deleterious effect over 21 days of storage. Study Design and Methods WB units were stored for 21 days either at 4°C or 22°C. Half of each temperature group underwent PRT, yielding four final treatment groups (n = 8 each): CON 4 ( WB at 4°C); CON 22 ( WB at 22°C); PRT 4 ( PRT WB at 4°C); and PRT 22 ( PRT WB at 22°C). Testing was at baseline, Days 1-7, 10, 14, and 21. Assays included coagulation factors; platelet activation, aggregation, and adhesion; and thromboelastography ( TEG). Results Prothrombin time ( PT) and partial thromboplastin time increased over time; refrigeration attenuated the effects on PT (p ≤ 0.009). Aggregation decreased over time (p ≤ 0.001); losses were attenuated by refrigeration (p ≤ 0.001). Refrigeration preserved TEG parameters (p ≤ 0.001) and PRT 4 samples remained within normal limits throughout the study. Refrigeration in combination with PRT inhibited fibrinolysis (p ≤ 0.001) and microparticle formation (p ≤ 0.031). Cold storage increased shear-induced platelet aggregation and ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination (p ≥ 0.032), as well as GPIb-expressing platelets (p ≤ 0.009). Conclusion The in vitro hemostatic function of WB is largely unaffected by PRT treatment and better preserved by cold storage over 21 days. Refrigerated PRT WB may be suitable for trauma resuscitation. Clinical studies are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors examine the relationships between forgiveness, family cohesion, and alcohol. In Study 1 ( N= 190), participants reported lower levels of trust and forgiveness for family members who misuse alcohol. In Study 2 ( N= 141), the authors present a model demonstrating family cohesion and trait forgiveness related to state forgiveness of an alcohol-misusing family member. State forgiveness was related to trust in that family member and, subsequently, higher levels of perceived misuser drinking refusal efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age-0 bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix were widely distributed and seasonally abundant in shallow beach habitats of Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Based on length-frequency data that were polymodal in some years, these age-0 fish comprised spring- and summer-spawned cohorts. Cohort-specific measures of abundance, growth, total mortality and emigration, and size were determined for 1982-1992. In all years, spring-spawned fish dominated the catch from at least July to September. For this cohort, annual abundance varied by an order of magnitude, growth ranged from 0.9 to 2.1 mm/d, total mortality and emigration rates were between 0.2 and 2.8%/d, and mean length on October 1 ranged from 164 to 248 mm fork length. Spring-spawned fish were about twice as large as summer-spawned fish by October. Summer-spawned fish also occurred less frequently and in lower abundance. These findings confirm that Narragansett Bay is an important nursery for bluefish, and that the trend toward declining annual abundance measured in this bay is concordant with the reported decline of bluefish throughout the western Atlantic. Correlation analysis with data for only the spring-spawned cohort suggested density-dependent (i.e., compensatory) processes occurred; growth decreased monotonically but not linearly, relative to abundance, whereas combined mortality and emigration rates increased linearly. Measures of abundance were also a function of seine-net size; seines less than 25 m long were particularly ineffective for collecting age-0 bluefish. These relationships suggest that monitoring age-0 fish in estuaries may help predict future population size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present case report describes a technique to convert an interim mandibular complete dental prosthesis into a digitally designed and additively manufactured implant overdenture prosthesis. A patient had two dental implants placed, an interim complete denture, and a soft reline procedure completed. After implant osseointegration, existing healing abutments were removed, a functionally generated reline impression with polyvinyl siloxane impression material was made. Using an intraoral scanner, a 360-degree optical scan was obtained of the relined interim prosthesis. A new prosthesis was digitally designed using the optical scan, additively manufactured, and housings picked-up intraorally to create an implant-retained overdenture., (© 2021 by the American College of Prosthodontists.)