ALMA-SZ Detection of a Galaxy Cluster Merger Shock at Half the Age of the Universe

We present ALMA measurements of a merger shock using the thermal Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect signal, at the location of a radio relic in the famous El Gordo galaxy cluster at $z \approx 0.9$. Multi-wavelength analysis in combination with the archival Chandra data and a high-resolution radio image provides a consistent picture of the thermal and non-thermal signal variation across the shock front and helps to put robust constraints on the shock Mach number as well as the relic magnetic field. We employ a Bayesian analysis technique for modeling the SZ and X-ray data self-consistently, illustrating respective parameter degeneracies. Combined results indicate a shock with Mach number ${\cal M} = 2.4^{+1.3}_{-0.6}$, which in turn suggests a high value of the magnetic field (of the order of $4-10 ~\mu$G) to account for the observed relic width at 2 GHz. At roughly half the current age of the universe, this is the highest-redshift direct detection of a cluster shock to date, and one of the first instances of an ALMA-SZ observation in a galaxy cluster. It shows the tremendous potential for future ALMA-SZ observations to detect merger shocks and other cluster substructures out to the highest redshifts.Comment: Matched to the ApJL published version (2016 September 22), minor grammar and typo fixe

Interaction between toothpaste abrasivity and toothbrush filament stiffness on the development of erosiveabrasive lesions in vitro

Objectives To investigate the loss of enamel and dentin surface caused by the interaction between abrasives in toothpaste and toothbrush filament stiffness. Methods The study followed a 2 (high-level or low-level abrasive; silica) × 3 (filament stiffness; soft, medium or hard) × 2 (cycling time; 3 or 5 days) factorial design. Polished bovine enamel and dentin specimens (n = 8 each per group) were subjected to 5 days of erosion/abrasion cycling: erosion (5 minutes, four times daily, 0.3% citric acid, pH 3.75); abrasion (15 seconds, twice daily, 45 strokes each, 150 g load, automated brushing machine); and fluoride treatment [15 seconds with abrasion and 45 seconds without abrasion; 275 p.p.m. fluoride (F−) as sodium fluoride (NaF) in abrasive slurry]. Enamel and dentin specimens were exposed to artificial saliva between erosion and abrasion/F− treatment (1 hour) and at all other times (overnight). Non-contact profilometry was used to determine surface loss (SL) after 3 and 5 days of cycling. Data were analysed using three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (factors: abrasive/filament stiffness/time), with separate analyses conducted for enamel and dentin. Results For enamel, only ‘cycling time’ was found to affect SL, with 5 days of cycling resulting in a greater SL than 3 days of cycling. Overall, there was little SL for enamel (range: 0.76–1.85 μm). For dentin (SL range: 1.87–5.91 μm), significantly higher SL was found for 5 days of cycling versus 3 days of cycling, with particularly large differences for hard stiffness/high-level abrasive and medium stiffness/low-level abrasive. For high-level abrasive, after 5 days of cycling hard stiffness resulted in significantly higher SL than did medium stiffness, with no other significant differences according to stiffness. Overall, high-level abrasive resulted in significantly higher SL than did low-level abrasive, with strong effects for all combinations, except medium stiffness after 5 days. Conclusion The interplay between abrasivity and filament stiffness appears to be more relevant for dentin than for enamel

The influence of hardness and chemical composition on enamel demineralization and subsequent remineralization

Objectives The objectives were to investigate the hardness and chemical composition of sound, demineralized and pH-cycled bovine enamel and determine their influence on demineralization and remineralization behavior. Methods Ninety-four, 5 × 5 × 2-mm bovine enamel specimens were demineralized using three different times [(24 h (n = 33), 48 h (n = 30), 96 h (n = 31)]. The specimens were then pH-cycled using either 367 ppm F sodium fluoride or deionized water. Knoop hardness (HK) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (measured elements: Ca, P, F, C, Mg, N) were performed at three stages (sound, after demineralization, after pH-cycling) and transverse microradiography was performed after demineralization and pH-cycling. Comparisons were determined by ANOVA. Results Results showed that HK, integrated mineral loss and lesion depth were significantly different between stages, demineralization times and treatments. The weight% of F at the surface was significantly affected by treatment, irrespective of demineralization time, while the Ca:P ratio of the enamel remained stable even after de- and remineralization protocols. The F in fluoride groups and the artificial saliva in non-fluoride groups were both able to induce enamel remineralization, indicating the protective effect of salivary pellicle against demineralization even in the absence of fluoride. Conclusions Harder specimens and those with greater surface F weight% were less susceptible to demineralization and were more likely to remineralize. However, the amount of surface Ca and P did not influence de- or remineralization behavior

Synchronizing the helicity of Rayleigh-B\'enard convection by a tide-like electromagnetic forcing

We present results on the synchronization of the helicity in a liquid-metal Rayleigh-B\'enard (RB) experiment under the influence of a tide-like electromagnetic forcing with azimuthal wavenumber m=2. We show that for a critical forcing strength the typical Large Scale Circulation (LSC) in the cylindrical vessel of aspect ratio unity is entrained by the period of the tide-like forcing, leading to synchronized helicity oscillations with opposite signs in two half-spaces. The obtained experimental results are consistent with and supported by numerical simulations. A similar entrainment mechanism for the helicity in the solar tachocline may be responsible for the astonishing synchronization of the solar dynamo by the 11.07-year triple synodic alignment cycle of the tidally dominant planets Venus, Earth and Jupiter

Caries lesion remineralization with fluoride toothpastes and chlorhexidine - effects of application timing and toothpaste surfactant

INTRODUCTION: Habitual toothbrushing with fluoridated toothpaste followed by rinsing with antibacterial mouthwashes is a method to maintain good oral hygiene and to diminish the occurrence and severity of dental caries and periodontal disease. However, our understanding of how antimicrobial agents in mouthwashes affect fluoride-mediated caries lesion remineralization is still poor. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this in vitro study were a) to determine the effects of the waiting period of chlorhexidine (CHX) rinsing after fluoride toothpaste use and b) to further determine the effect of the type of toothpaste surfactant [sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB)] on caries lesion remineralization associated with CHX rinsing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Caries lesions were formed in bovine enamel specimens and assigned to 10 treatment groups (n=18) based on Vickers surface microhardness (VHN). Lesions were then pH-cycled for 10 days with daily regimen comprised of twice daily toothpaste slurry treatments (1150 ppm fluoride, with SDS or CAPB), followed by CHX solution treatments [0, 15, 30 or 60 minutes following slurry treatment or no CHX treatment (negative control)]. VHN was measured again and the extent of lesion remineralization calculated (∆VHN). RESULTS: ∆VHN with SDS-toothpaste was significantly lower than with CAPB-toothpaste, indicating more remineralization for the CAPB-toothpaste. ∆VHN with 0-minute waiting time was significantly lower than with 30-minute waiting time and with negative control. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of CHX as an adjunct to fluoride toothpastes led to greater remineralization of enamel lesions compared with the immediate use of CHX treatment for both SDS- and CAPB-toothpastes. CAPB-toothpastes indicated significantly greater remineralization than SDS-toothpastes, and can be suggested for patients at high risk of caries. A 30-minute waiting time for CHX treatment is recommended after brushing

Caries lesion remineralization with fluoride toothpastes and chlorhexidine - effects of application timing and toothpaste surfactant

Habitual toothbrushing with fluoridated toothpaste followed by rinsing with antibacterial mouthwashes is a method to maintain good oral hygiene and to diminish the occurrence and severity of dental caries and periodontal disease. However, our understanding of how antimicrobial agents in mouthwashes affect fluoride-mediated caries lesion remineralization is still poor. Objective: The objectives of this in vitro study were a) to determine the effects of the waiting period of chlorhexidine (CHX) rinsing after fluoride toothpaste use and b) to further determine the effect of the type of toothpaste surfactant [sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB)] on caries lesion remineralization associated with CHX rinsing. Material and Methods: Caries lesions were formed in bovine enamel specimens and assigned to 10 treatment groups (n=18) based on Vickers surface microhardness (VHN). Lesions were then pH-cycled for 10 days with daily regimen comprised of twice daily toothpaste slurry treatments (1150 ppm fluoride, with SDS or CAPB), followed by CHX solution treatments [0, 15, 30 or 60 minutes following slurry treatment or no CHX treatment (negative control)]. VHN was measured again and the extent of lesion remineralization calculated (∆VHN). Results: ∆VHN with SDS-toothpaste was significantly lower than with CAPB-toothpaste, indicating more remineralization for the CAPB-toothpaste. ∆VHN with 0-minute waiting time was significantly lower than with 30-minute waiting time and with negative control. Conclusions: The absence of CHX as an adjunct to fluoride toothpastes led to greater remineralization of enamel lesions compared with the immediate use of CHX treatment for both SDS- and CAPB-toothpastes. CAPB-toothpastes indicated significantly greater remineralization than SDS-toothpastes, and can be suggested for patients at high risk of caries. A 30-minute waiting time for CHX treatment is recommended after brushing

Fluoride concentration in saliva and biofilm fluid following the application of three fluoride varnishes

Objective Most of the commercially available fluoride varnishes (FV) have not been evaluated for their cariostatic properties. Consequently, the aim of this in vivo study was to investigate intra-oral fluoride retention and clearance patterns from three different FV. Methods Eighteen subjects (7–11 years) participated in a laboratory analyst-blinded, randomized, crossover study comparing the ability of 5% sodium fluoride varnishes (CavityShield-CS, Enamel Pro-EP, Vanish-V) to enhance fluoride concentrations in biofilm fluid, centrifuged and whole saliva over a period of 48 h after a single FV application. Results Similar fluoride concentration × time patterns were noted for all investigated FV and studied variables, with the highest fluoride concentrations observed for the first biological sample collected after FV application (30 min). Mean ± SE (area under fluoride clearance curve) values were (μg F/g or ml × min): biofilm fluid − CS (472 ± 191), EP (423 ± 75), V (1264 ± 279); centrifuged saliva − CS (42 ± 7), EP (19 ± 3), V (41 ± 8); whole saliva − CS (68 ± 11), EP (64 ± 10), V (60 ± 7). V delivered more fluoride to biofilm fluid than CS (p = 0.0116) and EP (p = 0.0065), which did not differ (p = 0.27). For centrifuged saliva, CS and V were not significantly different (p = 0.86), but resulted in higher fluoride retention than EP (p < 0.0008). No significant differences among FV were observed for whole saliva (p = 0.79). Conclusion The present study has shown that FV vary in their ability to deliver fluoride intra-orally potentially related to formulation differences. To what extent the present findings relate to clinical efficacy remains, however, to be determined. Clinical significance Clinical research that investigates fluoride release patterns into saliva and biofilm fluid from different FV products is insufficient. More research is needed to investigate different FV formulations for their efficacy in order to help clinicians make better evidence based treatment choices