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The bronze phase transformations during the heat treatment of two multifilamentary internal tin Nb3Sn wires for high field applications made by Luvata are investigated and compared with some model single core wires. Non-uniform bronze profiles, non-uniform Sn distributions in different bundles, and Sn concentration gradient inversion were observed. Their possible formation mechanisms and consequences are discussed in relation to crystal orientation, Ti addition and microstructure. Wire manufacturing processes such as wire drawing impart preferred orientations on the components. The effect of wire texture on Cu-Sn interdiffusion and non-uniform bronze formation was investigated and believed not to be the cause of the non-uniform bronze profiles. 3-dimensional X-ray microtomography is applied to explain the non-uniformity in different bundles by analyzing the porosity formed during reactive diffusion of the low-melting phases. Ti is often added as a ternary addition, either in the Sn core or as Nb-Ti. In the Luvata wires investigated, Ti is present in Sn as the intermetallic compound Ti6Sn5. Its dissolution through a ternary CuSnTi phase, possibly via reaction with Cu3Sn, has been observed. EDS mapping of the Ti distribution suggests that it is likely to be responsible for the inversion of the Sn concentration gradient. The potential advantage of adding Ti in Sn over using Nb-Ti alloy is discussed. Critical temperature measurements were performed to relate superconducting properties to the phase transformations, composition changes and non-uniform bronze formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to present an up to date review of the current status on the superconducting dipole magnet EDIPO, scheduled to be operational at CRPP-PSI (Switzerland) in mid-2010. This saddle-shaped magnet is being built in Europe by a close collaboration among. EURATOM, European Associations (CRPP, ENEA) and European Industries (BNG, LUVATA). Detailed analyses (3D electromagnetic, stress-analysis, thermo-hydraulic, etc.) of the coil confirms the soundness of the design chosen for its projected performances (12.5 T in a bore of 100 mm x 150 mm over a length of ∼1.5 m). The conductors and inter-layer joints have been qualified. The winding line has been set up at BNG and the first dummy double layers are being produced. Impregnation trials and shear tests have been made (and numerically simulated) at room as well as at operating temperature. The installation work at CRPP proceeds with the procurement of the main components (cryostat, transformer, etc.) and the detailed design of the main interface installations (support platform, cryolines etc.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the in situ growth and characterisation of c-axis oriented superconducting YBa2Cu3O7−δ/CeO2 structures deposited on biaxially textured Ni–Cr alloy tapes by respectively thermal and e-beam evaporation. We have studied the effect of growth temperature on the degree of texturing of both CeO2 and YBCO layers. We find that the highest degree of texture of both layers and best superconducting properties with sharp transitions and zero resistance Tc in excess of 85 K are obtained for substrate temperatures during deposition above 700 °C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyze the mandibular condylar volumein a sample of subjects 11-26 years old., Methods: CBCT condylescans from 94 patients (mean age 18.2 ± 4.5 y) acquired with areconstructed layer thickness of 0.5 mm and a 512×512 matrix were examined. Data on condylar volume were compared among three groups with different age ranges: 11-16 years, 17-21years, and 22-26 years. Condylar volumetric measurements were performed with Mimics™ software., Results: A significant increase in condylar volume from puberty to young adulthood was detected ( p  < 0.01). Females showed a higher condylar volume in the 17-21 y group compared with the 11-16 y group. Males showed differences among all three groups., Conclusion: The mandibular condyle growth seems to continue at least until 17-21 years in males but seems to stop before 17 years in females.

Objective: This study investigated the prevalence of the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among Italian adolescents., Methods: The data were recorded from 567 subjects (246 males and 321 females; age range 11-19 years), grouped according to age and molar class relationship., Results: Forty-four point one percent of subjects showed at least one sign or symptom of TMD, which were significantly more frequent in the 16-19 year-old group (52.9%) in respect to the 11-15 year-old group (39.8%) (χ 2  = 8.78; p = 0.003). Signs and/or symptoms were about 1.6 times more frequent in subjects with Class II/1 malocclusion (χ 2  = 13.3, p = 0.0003), mostly for TMJ sounds (χ 2  = 1.444; p = 0.036). Myalgia was more frequent in females than in males (χ 2  = 3.882; p = 0.049)., Conclusion: TMD signs and/or symptoms among Italian adolescents seem diffused (44.1%). Therefore, all adolescents should be screened thorough medical history and clinical examination.

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of the mandibular positions (habitual rest position, habitual maximum intercuspation, habitual maximum intercuspation with clenching, and mandibular position with cotton rolls) on the active cervical range of motion (ROM) (flexion-extension, lateroflexions, rotations) using an accelerometer in a sample of healthy subjects., Methods: A total of 21 (14 M, 7 F) healthy volunteers aged from 18 to 27 years (mean age 23.88 ± 2.34 years; mean weight 67.86 ± 11.38 kg; mean height 172.52 ± 9.00 cm) underwent a cervical range of movement examination using a 9-axis accelerometer. A one-way ANOVA analysis was performed in order to statistically evaluate the effective influence of the mandibular position on the recorded parameters., Results: The analysis showed no statistically significant differences (all p-values > 0.1) with variations smaller than three degrees among the different mandibular positions., Discussion: The mandibular position seems to have no influence on the active cervical ROM in healthy subjects. Further studies are needed to assess the usefulness of the accelerometer in the cervical analysis of temporomandibular disorder subjects.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of the mandibular position on the postural stability in a sample of civilian and military pilots., Methods: Twenty military pilots (males, mean age 35.15 ± 3.14 years) and 17 civilian pilots (males, mean 34.91 ± 2.15 years) were enrolled in this study and underwent a Sensory Organization Test (SOT) using the EquiTest® (NeuroCom International Inc., Clackamas, OR, USA) computerized dynamic posturography. The composite parameter was recorded and analyzed., Results: The equilibrium score (ES) recorded in centric occlusion is slightly higher than the ES recorded in mandibular rest position; civilian pilots showed ESs slightly higher than military pilots. The two-way ANOVA analysis shows these differences are not statistically significant., Discussion: The findings of this study seem to suggest that the composite parameter of the SOT is not sensitive in analyzing the influence of the stomatognathic system on the postural balance of civilian and military pilots.

Aim: To evaluate the long term (48 months) therapeutic efficacy of a soft monobloc mandibular advancement device in adult patients with mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnea., Methods: The study population comprised 28 patients (6 female and 22 male, mean age 52.2 ± 6.8 years) affected by obstructive sleep apnea. After a baseline medical and somnographic examination, a functional examination of the stomatognathic system, and a questionnaire focused on sleep-related qualities and a daytime somnolence, each patient received an individual device. Two follow-ups were made 6 months (T1) and 48 months (T2) after soft monobloc mandibular advancement device treatment had been initiated, and all initial examinations were repeated., Results: The statistical analysis showed a significant decrease in body mass index value between T1 and T2 (ρ = 0,012), an increase of Epworth sleepiness scale value between T1 and T2 (ρ = 0,012), and a significant improvement and decrease of apnea/hypopnea index between T0 and T1 (ρ = 0,010) and between T0 and T2 (ρ = 0,013)., Conclusion: Treatment with the soft monobloc mandibular advancement device is a therapeutic solution with long term and stable effects (48 months) for patients suffering from mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnea.

Aim: Aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in a sample of consecutive subjects., Materials and Methods: TMDs were recorded in a sample of 580 subjects (279 M, 301 F; mean age: 13.4y). For each subject a case history was compiled to evaluate the social and demographic parameters. An extraoral exam was effected to point out the face proportions, and an intraoral exam was performed to analyze dental occlusion, mandibular deviation during opening, presence of cross-bites, overjet and overbite. A functional exam was carried out to evaluate mandibular movements and to find joint sounds and myofascial pain. The sample was divided into 6 groups according to the: gender, age (ages 6y-11y and 12y-16y), Angle Dental Class, cross-bite, midline deviation and chewing side. For this investigation latex gloves, a millimeter calipers (precision 0,01 mm) and a phonendoscope were used. The percentages of signs and symptoms were compared using the ?2-test with Yates correction to determine the differences among the groups for the rates of TMDs, reduced opening/lateral/protrusive movements, and myofascial pain., Results: The prevalence of TMDs in the total sample was 13,9%. Among 6y-11y subjects the percentage of TMD was 7,3% while it was 16,1% among 12y-16y subjects (?2=1.634;; p=0.201). Females showed a percentage of 16,6% of TMDs while males one of 10,8% (?2=0.556;; p=0.456). According to angle malocclusion, the prevalence was 14% in subjects with Class I malocclusion, 15% in sample with Class II and 9% in patients with Class III (?2=0.540;; p=0.763). According to presence or absence of crossbite, prevalence of TMD signs and symptoms was 13,8% among subjects without crossbite and 14,3% among subjects with crossbite, with no significant difference between the two subgroups (?2= 0,047619;; p=0.050). In relation of midline deviation, prevalence of TMDs was 15% in subjects without deviation, 15,8% in functional deviation subjects and 4,7% in anatomic deviation ones (?2=1.555;; p=0.05). Prevalence of TMDs was 12,6% in subjects with bilateral chewing and 28% in unilateral chewing., Conclusions: TMDs seem to be not associated to age, to gender, Angle Class, cross-bite and chewing side.

Aim: Periodontal diseases entail a variety of conditions affecting the periodontium. The pathogenesis results from a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Although there are evidences to confirm a role of genetic determinants, the outcome of the available studies is controversial and the largest part of the research has been carried out in Asian populations., Methods: We investigated two polymorphisms in the genes encoding Interelukin-1β (IL-1β +3953 C>T; rs1143634) and vitamin D receptor (VDR Taq1; rs731236) in 42 Caucasian patients with chronic periodontal disease and 39 Caucasian subjects, matched for age and gender., Results: The IL-1β C allele was present in 100% of cases and 92% of controls (p=0.07), the T allele was present in 19% of cases and in 44% controls (p=0.017). The prevalence of the VDR Taq1 tt genotype was lower in patients as compared with controls (i.e., 10 versus 59%; p<0.01), whereas the tT and TT genotypes were disproportionally higher in patients than in cases (i.e., 62 versus 33% for tT and 29% versus 8% for TT; p<0.01). The t allele was present in 71% of cases and 92% of controls (p=0.016), whereas the T allele was present in 90% of patients with periodontal disease and in 41% controls (p<0.01)., Conclusion: The results of this case control study at-test that the T allele of VDR Taq1 is strongly associated with periodontal disease, whereas the t allele of the IL-1β +3953 confers a slightly protection against the risk of periodontitis.

Aims: During competitions and training many professional athletes use to wear occlusal splints to improve their sports performance. However, notwithstanding some studies concluded that achieving a balanced cranial-occlusal system could bring to an improvement of sports performances, the results are still contrasting. Probably the gnathological postural treatment of athletes has greater influence on performance when the individual suffers of Temporomandibular Joint Disfunction (TMJ) or physio-postural pathologies owing to the consequent alteration of the "tonic-postural system". This clinical case details a gnathological postural approach to a professional basketball player suffering from muscular problems related to the stomatognathic apparatus and a low back pain unresolved with the only physiotherapy, which limited her performance., Methods: Force platform and T-Scan III appliances were used in order to check the postural and occlusal condition of the athlete and as an aid to clinical parameters in achieving a correct splint balance., Results: After the treatment involving inserting an occlusal splint and physiotherapy sessions, the patient no longer complained of low back pain problems and the symptoms associated with the stomatognathic apparatus improved considerably. In particular, after the tests carried out on an isokinetic machine, a force increase related to the quadriceps muscles was detected when the patient was wearing the occlusal splint., Conclusions: All athletes must however be analysed individually and carefully with clinical and instrumental analyses in order to consider the possible real effectiveness of an occlusal splint for improving postural structure and sports performance.

This article details a case report of a subject chosen from among patients treated in the author's clinic in the Posturology and Gnathology Section of the University Milano-Bicocca.It shows how the indispensable clinical analysis of the stomatognathic system and the connections between posture can be supported by instrumental analysis, such as the computerized occlusal analysis system and the force platform, to diagnose and treat dysfunctional patients.

Unlabelled: AIM.: The aim of this study is to evaluate the capability of Hyaloss™ matrix (Fab - Fidia Advanced Biopolymers - Pd - Italy), a biomaterial based on hyaluronic acid, used as organic scaffold in bone repair in post-extractive defects., Materials and Methods: 20 post-extractive sockets were selected, with similar size defects in the same patient and in the same hemiarch. Hyaluronic acid with high molecular weight (Hyaloss™ matrix, Fab - Pd - Italy) was mixed with autologous bone obtained using Safescraper(®) curve (Meta - Re - Italy) to repair post-extractive sites. Safescraper(®) is a cutting edge system that allows to the collection of autologous bone without using traditional, incision-based collection techniques, which could cause discomfort to the patient., Results: Clinical and hystological evaluations were performed, four months after grafting, in the maxilla and in the mandible. From a clinical point of view Hyaloss™ matrix mixed with autologous bone and patient's blood becomes a substance similar to gel, which is easy to insert in to the defect. From a hystological point of view, in the treated site there is the presence of an erosive activity, with accelerated angiogenetic and bone remodelling activities., Conclusions: The preliminary results show an acceleration of the bone deposit process and of its remodelling due to the presence of Hyaloss™ matrix, which, from a clinical point of view, improves the handling and application of the bone matrix inside the defects and, from a hystologic point of view makes it possible to obtain bone regeneration in less time when it is used with autologous bone.