SHEAR BOND STRENGTHS BETWEEN CERAMIC CORES AND VENEERING CERAMICS OF DENTAL BI-LAYERED CERAMIC SYSTEMS AND THE SENSITIVITY TO THERMOCYCLING

The purpose of this study was to investigate the bond strength between various commercial ceramic core materials and veneering ceramics of dental bi-layered ceramic combinations and the effect of thermocycling. The shear bond strength of four dental bi-layered ceramic combinations (white Cercon, yellow Cercon, white Lava, yellow Lava, IPS E.max) were tested. Metal ceramic combinations were conducted as a control group. Half of each group was subjected to thermocycling. All specimens were thereafter subjected to a shear force. The initial mean shear bond strength values in MPa ± S.D were 28.02 ± 3.04 for White Cercon Base/Cercon Ceram Kiss, 27.54 ± 2.20 for Yellow Cercon Base/Cercon Ceram Kiss, 28.43 ± 2.13for White Lava Frame/Lava Ceram, 27.36 ± 2.25 for Yellow Lava Frame/Lava Ceram, 47.10 ± 3.77 for IPS E.max Press/IPS E.max Ceram and 30.11 ± 2.15 for metal ceramic control. The highest shear strength was recorded for IPS E.max Press/IPS E.max Ceram before and after thermocycling. The mean shear bond strength values of five other combinations were not significantly different (P < 0.05). Lithium-disilicate based combinations produced the highest core-veneer bonds that overwhelmed the metal ceramic combinations. Thermocycling had no effect on the core-veneer bonds. The core-veneer bonds of zirconia based combinations were not weakened by the addition of coloring pigments

Experience-dependent structural plasticity at pre- and postsynaptic sites of layer 2/3 cells in developing visual cortex

The developing brain can respond quickly to altered sensory experience by circuit reorganization. During a critical period in early life, neurons in the primary visual cortex rapidly lose responsiveness to an occluded eye and come to respond better to the open eye. While physiological and some of the molecular mechanisms of this process have been characterized, its structural basis, except for the well-known changes in the thalamocortical projection, remains obscure. To elucidate the relationship between synaptic remodeling and functional changes during this experience-dependent process, we used 2-photon microscopy to image synaptic structures of sparsely labeled layer 2/3 neurons in the binocular zone of mouse primary visual cortex. Anatomical changes at presynaptic and postsynaptic sites in mice undergoing monocular visual deprivation (MD) were compared to those in control mice with normal visual experience. We found that postsynaptic spines remodeled quickly in response to MD, with neurons more strongly dominated by the deprived eye losing more spines. These postsynaptic changes parallel changes in visual responses during MD and their recovery after restoration of binocular vision. In control animals with normal visual experience, the formation of presynaptic boutons increased during the critical period and then declined. MD affected bouton formation, but with a delay, blocking it after 3 d. These findings reveal intracortical anatomical changes in cellular layers of the cortex that can account for rapid activity-dependent plasticity

Adaptive frequency sweep analysis for electromagnetic problems using the Thiele interpolating continued fractions

A direct rational approximation method based on Thiele interpolating continued fractions theory is proposed for fast frequency sweep analysis of electromagnetic problems. And an adaptive algorithm is also formed. Compared with the conventional rational approximation method, the proposed method can get a rational approximation directly without a great number of matrix inverse computations and doesn't need to allocate much memory for high derivatives of the dense impedance matrix. Meanwhile, the computation of surface currents by continued fractions can be sped up as compared with the traditional rational approximation. Numerical simulations for broad band scattering analysis of different shaped objects are discussed to shown the effectiveness of the present method. © 2010 IEEE.published_or_final_versionThe 2nd International Conference on Education Technology and Computer (ICETC 2010), Shanghai, China, 22-24 June 2010. In Proceedings of 2nd ICETC, 2010, v. 5, p. 126-12

Electrostatic force driven helium insertion into ammonia and water crystals under pressure

AbstractHelium, ammonia and ice are among the major components of giant gas planets, and predictions of their chemical structures are therefore crucial in predicting planetary dynamics. Here we demonstrate a strong driving force originating from the alternation of the electrostatic interactions for helium to react with crystals of polar molecules such as ammonia and ice. We show that ammonia and helium can form thermodynamically stable compounds above 45 GPa, while ice and helium can form thermodynamically stable compounds above 300 GPa. The changes in the electrostatic interactions provide the driving force for helium insertion under high pressure, but the mechanism is very different to those that occur in ammonia and ice. This work extends the reactivity of helium into new types of compounds and demonstrates the richness of the chemistry of this most stable element in the periodic table.</jats:p

Improving the impact of nonpharmaceutical interventions during COVID-19: examining the factors that influence engagement and the impact on individuals

Background: During an evolving outbreak or pandemic, non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) including physicaldistancing, isolation, and mask use may flatten the peak in communities. However, these strategies rely on communityunderstanding and motivation to engage to ensure appropriate compliance and impact. To support current activitiesfor COVID-19, the objectives of this narrative review was to identify the key determinants impacting on engagement.Methods: An integrative narrative literature review focused on NPIs. We aimed to identify published peer-reviewedarticles that focused on the general community (excluding healthcare workers), NPIs (including school closure,quarantine, isolation, physical distancing and hygiene behaviours), and factors/characteristics (including social, physical,psychological, capacity, motivation, economic and demographic) that impact on engagement.Results: The results revealed that there are a range of demographic, social and psychological factors underpinningengagement with quarantine, school closures, and personal protective behaviours. Aside from the factors impacting onacceptance and compliance, there are several key community concerns about their use that need to be addressedincluding the potential for economic consequences.Conclusion: It is important that we acknowledge that these strategies will have an impact on an individual and thecommunity. By understanding the barriers, we can identify what strategies need to be adopted to motivate individualsand improve community compliance. Using a behavioural framework to plan interventions based on these key barriers,will also ensure countries implement appropriate and targeted responses

A trial for the use of qigong in the treatment of pre and mild essential hypertension: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and the prevalence of hypertension tends to increase with age. Current treatments for hypertension have side effects and poor adherence. Qigong has been studied as an alternative therapy for hypertension; however, the types of qigong used in those studies were diverse, and there have not been many well-designed randomized controlled trials.</p> <p>Our objectives are the following: 1) To evaluate the effects of qigong on blood pressure, health status and hormone levels for pre- or mild hypertension. 2) To test the methodological appropriateness of this clinical trial and calculate a sample size for future randomized trials.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Forty subjects with pre- or mild hypertension will be randomized to either the qigong exercise group or the non-treated group. Participants in the qigong group will conduct qigong exercises 5 times per week for 8 weeks, and participants in the non-treated group will maintain their current lifestyle, including diet and exercise. The use of antihypertensive medication is not permitted. The primary endpoint is a change in patient blood pressure. Secondary endpoints are patient health status (as measured by the SF-36 and the MYMOP2 questionnaires) and changes in hormone levels, including norepinephrine, epinephrine, and cortisol.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This study will be the first randomized trial to investigate the effectiveness of qigong exercises for the treatment of pre- and mild hypertension. The results of this study will help to establish the optimal approach for the care of adults with pre- or mild hypertension.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Clinical Research Information Service KCT0000140</p

Structural and functional alterations of the tracheobronchial tree after left upper pulmonary lobectomy for lung cancer

© 2019 The Author(s). Background: Pulmonary lobectomy has been a well-established curative treatment method for localized lung cancer. After left upper pulmonary lobectomy, the upward displacement of remaining lower lobe causes the distortion or kink of bronchus, which is associated with intractable cough and breathless. However, the quantitative study on structural and functional alterations of the tracheobronchial tree after lobectomy has not been reported. We sought to investigate these alterations using CT imaging analysis and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. Methods: Both preoperative and postoperative CT images of 18 patients who underwent left upper pulmonary lobectomy are collected. After the tracheobronchial tree models are extracted, the angles between trachea and bronchi, the surface area and volume of the tree, and the cross-sectional area of left lower lobar bronchus are investigated. CFD method is further used to describe the airflow characteristics by the wall pressure, airflow velocity, lobar flow rate, etc. Results: It is found that the angle between the trachea and the right main bronchus increases after operation, but the angle with the left main bronchus decreases. No significant alteration is observed for the surface area or volume of the tree between pre-operation and post-operation. After left upper pulmonary lobectomy, the cross-sectional area of left lower lobar bronchus is reduced for most of the patients (15/18) by 15-75%, especially for 4 patients by more than 50%. The wall pressure, airflow velocity and pressure drop significantly increase after the operation. The flow rate to the right lung increases significantly by 2-30% (but there is no significant difference between each lobe), and the flow rate to the left lung drops accordingly. Many vortices are found in various places with severe distortions. Conclusions: The favorable and unfavorable adaptive alterations of tracheobronchial tree will occur after left upper pulmonary lobectomy, and these alterations can be clarified through CT imaging and CFD analysis. The severe distortions at left lower lobar bronchus might exacerbate postoperative shortness of breath

An evidence for surface expression of an immunogenic epitope of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase2a on antigen-presenting cells from naive mice in the mediation of autoimmune myocarditis

We recently reported identification of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase2a (SERCA2a) 971–990, which induces atrial myocarditis by generating autoreactive T cells in A/J mice. However, it was unknown how antigen-sensitized T cells could recognize SERCA2a 971–990, since SERCA2a-expression is confined to an intracellular compartment. In this report, we present evidence that antigen-presenting cells (APCs) from lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs in naïve animals present SERCA2a 971–990 and stimulate antigen-specific T cells. Using major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II dextramers for SERCA2a 971–990, we created a panel of T cell hybridomas and demonstrated that splenocytes from naïve A/J mice stimulated the hybridoma cells without exogenous supplementation of SERCA2a 971–990. We then recapitulated this phenomenon by using SERCA2a 971–990-specific primary T cells, verifying that the T cell responses were MHC-restricted. Furthermore, SERCA2a 971–990-sensitzed T cells exposed to APCs from naïve mice were found to produce the inflammatory cytokines interferon-γ, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor, and interleukin-17A, which are implicated in the induction of myocarditis. Finally, while T cells exposed to mononuclear cells (MNCs) obtained from heart and liver also responded similarly to splenocytes, endothelial cells (ECs) generated from the corresponding organs displayed opposing effects, in that the proliferative responses were suppressed with the heart ECs, but not with the liver ECs. Taken together, our data suggest that the surface expression of SERCA2a 971–990 by naïve APCs can potentially trigger pathogenic autoreactive T cell responses under conditions of autoimmunity, which may have implications in endothelial dysfunction

NLO QCD Corrections to BcB_c-to-Charmonium Form Factors

The $B_c(^1S_0)$ meson to S-wave Charmonia transition form factors are calculated in next-to-leading order(NLO) accuracy of Quantum Chromodynamics(QCD). Our results indicate that the higher order corrections to these form factors are remarkable, and hence are important to the phenomenological study of the corresponding processes. For the convenience of comparison and use, the relevant expressions in asymptotic form at the limit of $m_c\rightarrow0$ for the radiative corrections are presented