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Abstract Background Bone loss of residual alveolar ridges is a great challenge in the field of dental implantology. Deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) is commonly used for bone regeneration, however, it is loose and difficult to handle in clinical practice. Hyaluronic acid (HA) shows viscoelasticity, permeability and excellent biocompatibility. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether high-molecular-weight (MW) HA combined with DBBM could promote new bone formation in rat calvarial critical size defects (CSDs). Materials and methods Rat calvarial CSDs (5 mm in diameter) were created. Rats (n = 45) were randomly divided into 3 groups: HA-DBBM compound grafting group, DBBM particles only grafting group and no graft group. Defect healing was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and histomorphometry 2, 4 and 8 weeks postop, followed by Micro-CT scanning 8 weeks postop. Statistical analyses were performed by ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test with P

Background: Bone loss of residual alveolar ridges is a great challenge in the field of dental implantology. Deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) is commonly used for bone regeneration, however, it is loose and difficult to handle in clinical practice. Hyaluronic acid (HA) shows viscoelasticity, permeability and excellent biocompatibility. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether high-molecular-weight (MW) HA combined with DBBM could promote new bone formation in rat calvarial critical size defects (CSDs). Materials and methods: Rat calvarial CSDs (5 mm in diameter) were created. Rats (n = 45) were randomly divided into 3 groups: HA-DBBM compound grafting group, DBBM particles only grafting group and no graft group. Defect healing was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and histomorphometry 2, 4 and 8 weeks postop, followed by Micro-CT scanning 8 weeks postop. Statistical analyses were performed by ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test with P < 0.05 indicating statistical significance. Results: All rats survived after surgery. Histomorphometric evaluation revealed that at 2, 4 and 8 weeks postop, the percentage of newly formed bone was significantly greater in HA-DBBM compound grafting group than in the other two groups. Consistently, Micro-CT assessment revealed significantly more trabecular bone (BV/TV and Tb.N) in HA-DBBM compound group than in the other two groups, respectively (P < 0.05). Moreover, the trabecular bone was significantly more continuous (Tb.Pf) in HA-DBBM compound group than in the other two groups, respectively (P < 0.05). Conclusion: HA not only significantly promoted new bone formation in rats calvarial CSDs but also improved the handling ability of DBBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the impact of particle size variation in un-silanized bioactive glass 45S5 (BAG) on the viscosity, stickiness and packability of experimental resin composites, while altering the ratio of 45S5 to inert glass. A series of 25 groups experimental resin composites with a constant total filler loading (65 vol%) were formulated. Filler system contains silanized barium borosilicate (BB, D50 [µm]: 0.7) and un-silanized BAG (45S5). Different ratios of BB and 45S5 were achieved by substituting 65 vol% BB with 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 vol% of 45S5 (D50 [µm]: 7.0, 10.6, 17.4 and 43.6). The morphology of filler particles and formulated experimental resin composites was examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Viscosity measurements were conducted on both experimental and commercial resin composites measured using an AR-G2 rheometer. A texture analyser instrument was used to measure the stickiness and packability of resin composites. Two commercial resin composites served as control groups for comparison. Statistical analysis, including one-way ANOVA tests, Tukey post-hoc tests (p < 0.05), and Kruskal-Wallis Tests (p < 0.05) for homogeneity of variables, was performed using SPSS software. Results indicated that filler loading and particle size of 45S5 significantly influenced the viscosity, stickiness, and packability of resin composites. Resin composites containing smaller 45S5 particles at lower ratios exhibited characteristics akin to packable resin composites, whereas those with larger 45S5 particles tended to resemble commercial flowable resin composites, contingent upon the particle size and ratio of 45S5.

Flotation column is widely used as the separation equipment for fine mineral due to its high selectivity. However, this device may be unsuitable for the coarse particle flotation and has high handling ability. A two-stage flotation column with dimensions of 2 000 mm×1 000 mm×4 000 mm was designed to enhance the column flotation process. The energy input was modified by adjusting the flow rate and the head of circulating pump. The flotation column was designed with low energy input in the first stage (speed flotation stage) to recover easy-to-float materials quickly, and high energy input in the second stage (recovery stage) to recover difficult-to-float minerals compulsorily. Contrast experiments on the throughput and coarse coal recovery of high ash coal from the Kailuan Mine were conducted using conventional single-stage flotation column and the two-stage flotation column. The results show that the combustible matter recovery of the two-stage flotation column is 5.25% higher than that of the conventional single-stage flotation column. However, the ash contents of clean coal for both columns are similar. Less coarse coals with low ash are obtained using the two-stage flotation column than that using the single-stage column flotation with the same handling ability. The two-stage flotation column process can enhance coal flotation compared with the conventional single-stage column flotation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposed a self-organising fuzzy controller (SOFC) for controlling an active suspension system to evaluate its control performance. During the control process, the SOFC continually updated the learning strategy in the form of fuzzy rules. The fuzzy rule table of this SOFC could be initially set to zero. This not only overcame the difficulty in finding appropriate membership functions and control rules for designing a fuzzy controller, but also solved the database problem where the fuzzy rules of a fuzzy controller, once determined, remained fixed and could not suitably regulate them in real time to optimise the dynamic response of the system required to gain the desired control performance. To demonstrate the applicability of the proposed SOFC for active suspension systems, a quarter-car hydraulic-servo suspension system was designed and constructed to evaluate the feasibility of active suspension control. Additionally, to conform to real-time application requirements in the vehicular industry, the SOFC was implemented with a digital signal processor to control the hydraulic-servo suspension system so that the control performance could be determined. The SOFC has shown a better control performance in suppressing the vibration amplitude of the vehicle body for enhancing the structural safety of the vehicle and increasing the life of the suspension system. It also effectively suppressed the amplitude of the vehicle body acceleration and reduced the tire deflection for improving the ride and the handling quality of a vehicle better than a passive control, as verified in experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]