Hydraulic actuator motion limiter ensures operator safety

Device regulates action of hydraulic linkage to control column to minimize hazard to operator. Primary components of device are flow rate control valve, limiter accumulator, and shutoff valve. Limiter may be incorporated into other hydraulic systems to prevent undue wear on hydraulic actuators and associated components

Luther and Tamar

The George Frederick Harkins Lecture; discussion, pp 12-15; also presented as 1992 Lutheran Life Lecture. Reviewed Book: Steinmetz, David C. Luther and Tamar. Lutheran Theological Seminary Bulletin. Genesis 37-5

Energy limiter for hydraulic actuators Patent

System to control speed of hydraulically movable members by limiting energy applied to actuators with hydraulic servo loo

Opioid Analgesic Prescribing Practices of Dental Professionals in the United States

The prescription of opioid analgesics by dental professionals is widespread in the United States. Policy makers, government agencies, and professional organizations consider this phenomenon a growing public health concern. This study examined trends in the prescription of opioid analgesics for adults by dental professionals and associated factors in the United States. Data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (1996-2013) were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were calculated separately for each year. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the overall trend during the period with and without adjusting for dental procedures and personal characteristics. Survey weights were incorporated to handle the sampling design. The prescription of opioid analgesics following dental care increased over time. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, source of payment, and type of dental procedure, the odds ratio (OR) of prescribing opioid analgesics following a dental visit per each decade difference was 1.28 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19–1.38). Surgical, root canal, and implant procedures had the highest rates of opioid prescriptions and the greatest increases in rates over the study period. After adjusting for personal characteristics and type of dental procedure, the OR of receiving a prescription for opioids comparing blacks, Asians, and Hispanics to whites was 1.29 (95% CI, 1.17–1.41), 0.57 (95% CI, 0.47–0.70), and 0.84 (95% CI, 0.75–0.95), respectively. Opioid analgesic prescriptions following dental visits increased over time after adjusting for personal characteristics and type of dental procedure. The odds of receiving a prescription for opioids were higher for certain racial/ethnic minority groups. Knowledge Transfer Statement: This study highlights dental professionals prescribing practices of opioid analgesics by following dental treatments in the United States. With this knowledge, appropriate guidelines, protocols, and policies can be developed and implemented to address any inappropriate prescribing practices of opioid analgesics. In addition, this information could lead to an improvement in the prescribing practices of dental professionals and to evidence-based therapeutic decision making

Trends and Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Antibiotic Prescribing Practices of Dentists in The United States

Objective The aim of this study was to examine trends and racial/ethnic disparities in antibiotic prescribing practices of dentists in the United States. Methods The US Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data for 1996‐2013 was analyzed. Information on patient sociodemographic characteristics, dental visits, receipt of dental procedures, and type of antibiotics prescribed following visits was obtained. Descriptive statistics were calculated separately for each year. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify associations during the period with and without adjustment for dental procedures and sociodemographic characteristics. Survey weights were incorporated to handle the sampling design. Results Nationally, the number of antibiotic prescribed at dental visits was estimated to be higher by 842,749 (0.4 percent) at year 2013 compared to the prescription level at 2003 were the population sociodemographic distribution kept at 2013 level. On average, the odds of prescribing antibiotics following dental care increased with each decade of study (OR: 1.10; 95% CI: [1.04, 1.17]) after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and receipt of dental procedures. Compared to Whites, Blacks had 21 percent (95% CI: 11%, 31%) higher odds of receiving a prescription for antibiotics from a dentist after adjusting for dental procedure and other sociodemographic characteristics. Conclusions The prescription of antibiotics following dental visits increased over time after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics and dental procedure. The probability of being prescribed antibiotics by dentists was higher for Blacks compared to Whites

Calcareous nannoplankton biocoenosis : sediment trap studies in the equatorial Atlantic, central Pacific, and Panama Basin

Sediment traps deployed on three moored vertical arrays collected particles at various depths in the equatorial Atlantic (Station E), central Pacific (Station P1), and in the Panama Basin (Station PB1). The calcareous nannoplankton from the <63 μm size fraction were studied in order to characterize the flux of coccospheres and coccoliths, the taxa present, and their condition of preservation throughout the water column. The average calculated flux of coccospheres ranged from a low value of 24 coccospheres/m2/day in the central Pacific, to an intermediate value of 4725 in the equatorial Atlantic, to a high of 8030 in the Panama Basin. In general, the coccosphere flux decreased with depth at all three sites. Coccolith fluxes and flux profiles were significantly different at each of the three sites. At Station E, the flux decreased regularly with depth but increased sharply at the lowermost trap (724 m above the bottom). The average flux for the entire column was 316 x 106 coccoliths/m2/day. At Station P1, the flux was low in the shallowest two traps and increased markedly in the three deepest traps. This increase is due mainly to a suspected Umbilcosphaera sibogae bloom which occurred shortly before the traps were deployed in September 1978. The highest coccolith flux was recorded in the Station PB1 traps averaging 910 x 10 6 coccoliths/m2/day. The flux profile at this station was essentially constant in the shallowest four traps and decreased almost 59% in the lowermost two traps. The average coccolith carbonate fluxes for the entire columns for the Stations E, P1, and PB1 are, respectively, 2.53, 2.68, and 7.28 mg/m2/day. These fluxes represent minimum values, since coccospheres and coccoliths were also contained in fecal pellets and other particles larger than the size fraction studied (<63 μm). Scanning electron microscopic examination of the trap samples revealed 56 species belonging to 33 genera of calcareous nannoplankton. Three new species are described and illustrated: Alsphaera spatula n. sp., Umbilcosphaera calvata n. sp., ari;d Umbilcosphaera scituloma n. sp. A census of taxa present, including their relative frequency and state of preservation, is presented together with a photographic atlas of the taxa. Station E is the most diverse with 50 species, and is the best preserved of the three sites. Station PBi the least diverse with 26 more poorly preserved species. In general, the best preserved specimens were observed in the shallowest sample at each of the three sites; diversity and state of preservation diminished with increasing depth