Controlled growth of organic semiconductor films in liquid

Organic molecular crystalline (OMC) films are being investigated for use in a wide range of potential applications, from field effect transistors, to light-emitting diodes, and photovoltaic cells. The ultimate utility of OMC materials for such applications will depend on the degree and type of molecular order in deposited films, as well as the processing costs for preparing them. The goal of this thesis is to develop a method to produce high quality OMC thin films under ambient conditions, to characterize those films, and their growth kinetics. In particular, I will investigate OMC film growth by ambient axisymmetric spray method, a technique in which an organic semiconductor is sublimated into a carrier gas at ambient pressure and deposited onto a substrate coated with a thin liquid layer. I will examine the growth kinetics and morphologies of the resulting films. The results of this research will be an improved understanding of the growth of organic crystals in a thin film of liquid and the production of cheap organic semiconductor thin films

Phenology of the Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) in the UK and provision of decision support for brassica growers

In the UK, severe infestations by Plutella xylostella occur sporadically and are due mainly to the immigration of moths. The aim of this study was to develop a more detailed understanding of the phenology of P. xylostella in the UK and investigate methods of monitoring moth activity, with the aim of providing warnings to growers. Plutella xylostella was monitored using pheromone traps, by counting immature stages on plants, and by accessing citizen science data (records of sightings of moths) from websites and Twitter. The likely origin of migrant moths was investigated by analysing historical weather data. The study confirmed that P. xylostella is a sporadic but important pest, and that very large numbers of moths can arrive suddenly, most often in early summer. Their immediate sources are countries in the western part of continental Europe. A network of pheromone traps, each containing a small camera sending images to a website, to monitor P. xylostella remotely provided accessible and timely information, but the particular system tested did not appear to catch many moths. In another approach, sightings by citizen scientists were summarised on a web page. These were accessed regularly by growers and, at present, this approach appears to be the most effective way of providing timely warnings

Histological and histomorphometric study using an ultrasonic crestal sinus grafting procedure: a multicenter case study

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a hydrodynamic ultrasonic driven transcrestal sinus grafting procedure (Intralift ®, Acteon Company, Bordeaux, France) and the use of a bovine high temperature sintered grafting material in sinus sites with less than 5 mm remaining bone height with no additional autogenous bone in order to create a sufficient recipient site for implants. Material and Methods: 12 patients (16 sinus) in this multicenter case study were included. Using a crestal approach, bone under the sinus was prepared with ultrasonic tips until the Schneiderian membrane was reached. With a trumpet shaped instrument, the Schneiderian membrane was elevated. In the new created subantral space a high temperature sintered bovine grafting material was introduced (Bego Oss, BEGO Implant Systems GmbH & Co. KG, Bremen, Germany). After 6 months biopsies were taken with a trephine bur and histologies were generated following histomorphometric analysis. Results: The results showed new vital bone in average of 33.4% ± 17.05%, and 43.6% ± 16.70 of bone substitute material. No signs of abnormal inflammation were observed. Conclusions: This procedure (Intralift ®) allows, using a bovine material with no additional autogenous bone, new bone formation in the sinus in order to allow place implant subantraly

Descriptive retrospective study analyzing relevant factors related to dental implant failure

The objective of this retrospective descriptive study was to analyze the characteristics of incident reports provided by dentists while using a specific brand of dental implants. The study was carried out in collaboration with Oxtein Iberia S.L.®, with the company providing access to the incident database in order to evaluate the characteristics of incidents from January 2014 to December 2017 (a total of 917 over four years). The data sheet recorded different variables during each of the stages of implant treatment, from initial implant placement to subsequent prosthetic rehabilitation. These variables included age, sex, systemic pathologies, smoking habits, bone quality, implant type, prosthesis type, and type of load applied, among others. SPSS Statistics was used to perform statistical analysis of the qualitative variables (univariate logistic regressions, ?2 test, Haberman's adjusted standardized residuals). The total study sample consisted of 44,415 implants shipped from Oxtein® warehouses on the dates indicated, of which 917 implants (2.1%) were flagged due to reports of lack of primary stability, failed osseointegration, or implant failure within one year of placement. When analyzing incident reports, it was observed that 61.6% of incidents occurred in male patients, compared to 38.4% in female patients. The average age of patients in the reported cases was 56.12 ± 12.15 years. A statistically significant correlation was discovered between incidents of implant failure and tobacco use, diabetes, heart disease, poor oral hygiene, previous infection, poor bone quality, and bruxism (p < 0.05). A (statistically significant) higher rate of incidents was also observed in tapered, internal connection, Grade IV titanium, narrow, and short implants. Analysis of these implants reveals a higher rate of complication in short, tapered, internal connection and narrow-diameter implants. These data can help and encourage clinicians to use the utmost surgical precautions when placing these implants

ADAMTS4_v1 is a splice variant of ADAMTS4 that is expressed as a protein in human synovium and cleaves aggrecan at the interglobular domain

Objective. We have previously reported a mRNA variant of ADAMTS4 (ADAMTS4_v1) in human synovial cell co-cultures obtained from osteoarthritic patients. This RNA message has only been found in OA synovium and if translated would result in a protein identical to ADAMTS4 except that the C-terminal spacer domain would be different. In this study, we set out to determine if ADAMTS4_v1 is translated into a protein, expressed in vivo and acts as a functional aggrecanase. Methods. Polyclonal antibodies were raised against unique C-terminus sequences of ADAMTS4_v1. An immunohistochemical study of human OA synovium was performed. A mammalian expression vector coding for FLAG-tagged human ADAMTS4 was mutated to contain the different sequences of ADAMTS4_v1 and the resultant plasmid was used to transfect HEK293 cells. ADAMTS4_v1 produced by these cells was purified via the FLAG epitope and the ability of this recombinant protein to cleave aggrecan, biglycan and decorin was investigated. Results. An antibody specific to ADAMTS4_v1 was found to bind to the synovial membrane surface on cryosections and the protein was detected in synovial cell lysates from human OA patient synovium. The recombinant ADAMTS4_v1 demonstrated enzyme activity towards the target substrate in a commercial aggrecanase-1 ELISA assay and was also found to cleave aggrecan at the pathologically important Glu373↓374Ala aggrecanase site. Conclusion. ADAMTS4_v1 is expressed as a protein in vivo in human OA synovium, functions as an aggrecanase and cleaves other proteoglycan substrates. This splice variant may be a major contributor to superficial zone loss of aggrecan in OA cartilage

Hydrodynamic ultrasonic maxillary sinus lift : review of a new technique and presentation of a clinical case

Objectives: Placing implants in the posterior maxillary area has the drawback of working with scarce, poor quality bone in a significant percentage of cases. Numerous advanced surgical techniques have been developed to overcome the difficulties associated with these limitations. Subsequent to reports on the elevation of the maxillary sinus through the lateral approach, there were reports on the use of the crestal approach, which is less aggressive but requires a minimal amount of bone. Furthermore, it is more sensitive to operator technique, as the integrity of the sinus membrane is checked indirectly. The aim of this paper is to review the technical literature on minimally invasive sinus lift and compare the advantages of different techniques with Intralift?, a new technique. Study Design: The present study is a review of techniques used to perform minimally invasive sinus lift published in Cochrane, Embase and Medline over the past ten years and the description of the crestal sinus lift technique based on minimally invasive piezosurgery, with the example of a case report. Results: Only eight articles were found on minimally invasive techniques for sinus lift. The main advantage of this new technique, Intralift, is that it does not require a minimum amount of crestal bone (indeed, the smaller the width of the crestal bone, the better this technique is performed). The possibility of damage to the sinus membrane is minimised by using ultrasound based hydrodynamic pressure to lift it, while applying a very non-aggressive crestal approach. Conclusions: We believe that this technique is an advance in the search for less traumatic and aggressive techniques, which is the hallmark of current surgery. © Medicina Oral

The Assessment of Hydration Status and Renal Markers Associated with Acute Kidney Injury in NCAA Division I Female Soccer Players During Preseason Training in South Texas: A Pilot Study

Recent research suggest that recurrent heat-associated dehydration and strenuous physical exertion may be associated with the development of acute and potentially chronic renal dysfunction. Typical South Texas environmental conditions in August, during preseason, on NCAA female college athletes may warrant concerns for promoting acute kidney injury (AKI). PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate hydration status and renal biomarkers in NCAA Division I female soccer athletes in South Texas during the preseason. METHODS: (Mean ± SEM; n = 12; age: 19.5 ± 0.9 y; ht: 167.6 ± 6.24 cm; wt: 66.6 ± 10.15 kg). Each subject participated in Pre-and post-body composition measures via DXA (iDXA, Lunar Prodigy), pre-, post-practice, and game weight changes (SECA Model 769); provided 14-urine samples throughout the preseason for hydration via Urine Specific Gravity (USG) and renal function Creatinine (UCr) ELISA analyses. Urine samples were collected prior to preseason (PRE-PS), fitness testing days (FT1, FT2), regular practices (MidW1, MidW2, POST-PS) and exhibition games (PRE-BU, POST-BU,12HR-BU, 24HR-BU, PRE-UT, POST-UT, 12HR-UT, 24HR-UT). Heat index was assessed at each practice session and exhibition match (Kestrel 5000; Kestrel Meters). RESULTS: 1-way ANOVA for USG analysis, a difference was found at MidW2 prior to the end of the POST-PS 1.018 ± .001 (p = .03; CI: 1.017-1.025) and early fitness testing values (FT1: 1.022 ± 0.005; FT2: 1.022 ± 0.006) and the MidW1 of the pre-season 1.025 ±.001; (p = .004; CI: 1.022 - 1.027). The BU game USG pre-measure was lower than post (POST-BU, 12 h and 24 h) \u3c p = .02; 1.01 ± .001; CI: 1.008 - 1.016), a difference was found during the UT game pre-measure compared to POST-UT and 12 h post values 1.009 ± .0016 (p = .0009; CI: 1.006 - 1.013) and no different than the 24 h POST-UT 1.014 ± .001. 2-way ANOVA ( x heat index x time) for UCr (mg· dL-1· LBM-1), a difference was found between PRE-BU and POST-BU (p = .001; CI: .448 - 3.81) and comparing PRE-UT to POST-UT (p = \u3c .0001; CI: 2.57 - 6.31) and 12HR-UT (p = \u3c .0001; CI: 2.09 - 5.21). CONCLUSION: Our current analysis suggests, the subjects were euhydrated prior to the exhibition games and hypohydrated 12-hours post-exhibition game, prior to fitness assessments (FT1, FT2), and regular morning practice (MidW1). UCr increased above normative values post-exhibition games. The increases in UCr may be independent of hydration status and muscle mass as euhydration was maintained post-exhibition matches