Sample records for led curing unit

  1. Temperature rise induced by some light emitting diode and quartz-tungsten-halogen curing units.

    PubMed

    Asmussen, Erik; Peutzfeldt, Anne

    2005-02-01

    Because of the risk of thermal damage to the pulp, the temperature rise induced by light-curing units should not be too high. LED (light emitting diode) curing units have the main part of their irradiation in the blue range and have been reported to generate less heat than QTH (quartz-tungsten-halogen) curing units. This study had two aims: first, to measure the temperature rise induced by ten LED and three QTH curing units; and, second, to relate the measured temperature rise to the power density of the curing units. The light-induced temperature rise was measured by means of a thermocouple embedded in a small cylinder of resin composite. The power density was measured by using a dental radiometer. For LED units, the temperature rise increased with increasing power density, in a statistically significant manner. Two of the three QTH curing units investigated resulted in a higher temperature rise than LED curing units of the same power density. Previous findings, that LED curing units induce less temperature rise than QTH units, does not hold true in general.

  2. Efficiency of dual-cured resin cement polymerization induced by high-intensity LED curing units through ceramic material.

    PubMed

    Watanabe, H; Kazama, Re; Asai, T; Kanaya, F; Ishizaki, H; Fukushima, M; Okiji, T

    2015-01-01

    This study aimed to evaluate the ability of high-intensity light-emitting diode (LED) and other curing units to cure dual-cured resin cement through ceramic material. A halogen curing unit (Jetlite 3000, Morita), a second-generation LED curing unit (Demi, Kerr), and two high-intensity LED curing units (PenCure 2000, Morita; Valo, Ultradent) were tested. Feldspathic ceramic plates (VITABLOCS Mark II, A3; Vita Zahnfabrik) with thicknesses of 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mm were prepared. Dual-cured resin cement samples (Clearfil Esthetic Cement, Kuraray Noritake Dental) were irradiated directly or through one of the ceramic plates for different periods (5, 10, 15, or 20 seconds for the high-intensity LED units and 20, 40, 60, or 80 seconds for the others). The Knoop hardness test was used to determine the level of photopolymerization that had been induced in the resin cement. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Dunnett's post-hoc test to identify test-control (maximum irradiation without a ceramic plate) differences for each curing unit (p<0.05). For all curing units, the curing conditions had a statistically significant effect on the Knoop hardness numbers (KHNs) of the irradiated cement samples (p<0.001). In general, the KHN decreased with increasing plate thickness and increased as the irradiation period was extended. Jetlite 3000 achieved control-level KHN values only when the plate thickness was 1.0 mm. At a plate thickness ≥2.0 mm, the LED units (except for PenCure 2000 at 3.0 mm) were able to achieve control-level KHN values when the irradiation time was extended. At a plate thickness of 3.0 mm, irradiation for 20 seconds with the Valo or for 80 seconds with the Demi were the only methods that produced KHN values equivalent to those produced by direct irradiation. Regardless of the type of curing unit used, indirect irradiation of dual-cured resin cement through a ceramic plate resulted in decreased KHN values compared with direct irradiation. When the irradiation period was extended, only the LED units were able to achieve similar KHN values to those observed under direct irradiation in the presence of plates ≥2.0-mm thick. High-intensity LED units require a shorter irradiation period than halogen and second-generation LED curing units to obtain KHN values similar to those observed during direct irradiation.

  3. Battery Charge Affects the Stability of Light Intensity from Light-emitting Diode Light-curing Units.

    PubMed

    Tongtaksin, A; Leevailoj, C

    This study investigated the influence of battery charge levels on the stability of light-emitting diode (LED) curing-light intensity by measuring the intensity from fully charged through fully discharged batteries. The microhardness of resin composites polymerized by the light-curing units at various battery charge levels was measured. The light intensities of seven fully charged battery LED light-curing units-1) LY-A180, 2) Bluephase, 3) Woodpecker, 4) Demi Plus, 5) Saab II, 6) Elipar S10, and 7) MiniLED-were measured with a radiometer (Kerr) after every 10 uses (20 seconds per use) until the battery was discharged. Ten 2-mm-thick cylindrical specimens of A3 shade nanofilled resin composite (PREMISE, Kerr) were prepared per LED light-curing unit group. Each specimen was irradiated by the fully charged light-curing unit for 20 seconds. The LED light-curing units were then used until the battery charge fell to 50%. Specimens were prepared again as described above. This was repeated again when the light-curing units' battery charge fell to 25% and when the light intensity had decreased to 400 mW/cm 2 . The top/bottom surface Knoop hardness ratios of the specimens were determined. The microhardness data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance with Tukey test at a significance level of 0.05. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine significant correlations between surface hardness and light intensity. We found that the light intensities of the Bluephase, Demi Plus, and Elipar S10 units were stable. The intensity of the MiniLED unit decreased slightly; however, it remained above 400 mW/cm 2 . In contrast, the intensities of the LY-A180, Woodpecker, and Saab II units decreased below 400 mW/cm 2 . There was also a significant decrease in the surface microhardnesses of the resin composite specimens treated with MiniLED, LY-A180, Woodpecker, and Saab II. In conclusion, the light intensity of several LED light-curing units decreased as the battery was discharged, with a coincident reduction in the units' ability to polymerize resin composite. Therefore, the intensity of an LED light-curing unit should be evaluated during the life of its battery charge to ensure that sufficient light intensity is being generated.

  4. Comparison of halogen, plasma and LED curing units.

    PubMed

    Nomoto, Rie; McCabe, John F; Hirano, Susumu

    2004-01-01

    This study evaluated the characteristics of two kinds of recently developed light-curing unit; plasma arc and blue light emitting diodes (LED), in comparison with a conventional tungsten-halogen light-curing unit. The light intensity and spectral distribution of light from these light-curing units, the temperature rise of the bovine enamel surface and the depth of cure of composites exposed to each unit were investigated. The light intensity and depth of cure were determined according to ISO standards. The spectral distributions of emitted light were measured using a spectro-radiometer. The temperature increase induced by irradiation was measured by using a thermocouple. Generally, light intensities in the range 400-515 nm emitted from the plasma arc were greater than those from other types. Light in the UV-A region was emitted from some plasma arc units. The required irradiation times were six to nine seconds for the plasma arc units and 40 to 60 seconds for the LED units to create a depth of cure equal to that produced by the tungsten-halogen light with 20 seconds of irradiation. The temperature increased by increasing the irradiation time for every light-curing unit. The temperature increases were 15 degrees C to 60 degrees C for plasma arc units, around 15 degrees C for a conventional halogen unit and under 10 degrees C for LED units. Both the plasma arc and LED units required longer irradiation times than those recommended by their respective manufacturers. Clinicians should be aware of potential thermal rise and UV-A hazard when using plasma arc units.

  5. Halogen and LED light curing of composite: temperature increase and Knoop hardness.

    PubMed

    Schneider, L F; Consani, S; Correr-Sobrinho, L; Correr, A B; Sinhoreti, M A

    2006-03-01

    This study assessed the Knoop hardness and temperature increase provided by three light curing units when using (1) the manufacturers' recommended times of photo-activation and (2) standardizing total energy density. One halogen--XL2500 (3M/ESPE)--and two light-emitting diode (LED) curing units--Freelight (3M/ESPE) and Ultrablue IS (DMC)--were used. A type-K thermocouple registered the temperature change produced by the composite photo-activation in a mold. Twenty-four hours after the photo-activation procedures, the composite specimens were submitted to a hardness test. Both temperature increase and hardness data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's test (5% significance). Using the first set of photo-activation conditions, the halogen unit produced a statistically higher temperature increase than did both LED units, and the Freelight LED resulted in a lower hardness than did the other curing units. When applying the second set of photo-activation conditions, the two LED units produced statistically greater temperature increase than did the halogen unit, whereas there were no statistical differences in hardness among the curing units.

  6. Modern high powered led curing lights and their effect on pulp chamber temperature of bulk and incrementally cured composite resin.

    PubMed

    Oberholzer, T G; Makofane, M E; du Preez, I C; George, R

    2012-06-01

    Pulpal temperature changes induced by modern high powered light emitting diodes (LEDs) are of concern when used to cure composite resins. This study showed an increase in pulp chamber temperature with an increase in power density for all light cure units (LCU) when used to bulk cure composite resin. Amongst the three LEDs tested, the Elipar Freelight-2 recorded the highest temperature changes. Bulk curing recorded a significantly larger rise in pulp chamber temperature change than incrementally cured resin for all light types except for the Smartligh PS. Both the high powered LED and the conventional curing units can generate heat. Though this temperature rise may not be sufficient to cause irreversible pulpal damage, it would be safer to incrementally cure resins.

  7. Comparison of hardness of three temporary filling materials cured by two light-curing devices.

    PubMed

    Bodrumlu, E; Koçak, M M; Hazar Bodrumlu, E; Ozcan, S; Koçak, S

    2014-01-01

    Polymerization ability of light-curing devices can affect the light-cured material hardness. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and compare the hardness of three temporary filling materials that had been light-cured by either a light emitting diode (LED) or a halogen light-curing unit. The temporary filling materials, First Fill, Voco Clip and Bioplic, were placed in wells in a Teflon plate. The 24 specimens of each material were divided into two groups (N.=12/group) for photo-activation by either of the two light-curing units. The LED or halogen device was applied for 40s to the top surface of each specimen. A Knoop hardness test was performed on the top and bottom surface of each specimen, with five measurements per specimen. The highest hardness values for both the LED and halogen treated groups were observed for First Fill and the lowest values were for Voco Clip in top and bottom surfaces. The hardness obtained for the three materials with the halogen unit were significantly higher than the values obtained with the LED unit in both surfaces (P<0.05). First Fill light-cured temporary material exhibited the highest hardness values on the top and bottom surfaces than Voco Clip and Bioplic temporary materials. The hardness of light-cured temporary filling materials can be affected by the type of light-curing unit.

  8. Evaluation of microleakage of class II dental composite resin restorations cured with LED or QTH dental curing light; Blind, Cluster Randomized, In vitro cross sectional study

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Background The aim of this study is to compare the microleakage of Class II dental composite resin restorations which have been cured by three different LED (light emitting diode) light curing modes compared to control samples cured by QTH (quartz tungsten halogen) light curing units (LCUs), to determine the most effective light curing unit and mode of curing. Results In this experimental study, class II cavities were prepared on 100 sound human premolars which have been extracted for orthodontic treatment. The teeth were randomly divided into four groups; three experimental and one control group of 25 teeth each. Experimental groups were cured by either conventional, pulse-delay, or ramped curing modes of LED. The control group was cured for 20 seconds by QTH. The restorations were thermocycled (1000 times, between 5 and 55°C, for 5 seconds dwell time), dyed, sectioned mesio-distally and viewed under stereo-microscope (40×) magnification. Teeth were then scored on a 0 to 4 scale based on the amount of microleakage. The data were analyzed by Chi-square test. No significant difference was demonstrated between the different LCUs (light curing units), or modes of curing, at the enamel side (p > 0.05). At the dentin side, all modes of LED curing could significantly reduce microleakage (p < 0.05). The results suggest that slow start curing improves marginal integrity and seal. High intense curing endangers those aims. Conclusions Comparison between the three LED mode cured composite resin restorations and QTH curing showed LED curing in all modes is more effective than QTH for reducing microleakage. Both LED and QTH almost completely eliminate the microleakage on the enamel side, however none of them absolutely eliminated microleakage on the dentin side. PMID:24990296

  9. Advances in light-curing units: four generations of LED lights and clinical implications for optimizing their use: Part 2. From present to future.

    PubMed

    Shortall, Adrian C; Palin, Will M; Jacquot, Bruno; Pelissier, Bruno

    2012-01-01

    The first part of this series of two described the history of light curing in dentistry and developments in LED lights since their introduction over 20 years ago. Current second- and third-generation LED light units have progressively replaced their halogen lamp predecessors because of their inherent advantages. The background to this, together with the clinical issues relating to light curing and the possible solutions, are outlined in the second part of this article. Finally, the innovative features of what may be seen as the first of a new fourth-generation of LED lights are described and guidance is given for the practitioner on what factors to consider when seeking to purchase a new LED light activation unit. Adequate curing in depth is fundamental to clinical success with any light-activated restoration. To achieve this goal predictably, an appropriate light source needs to be combined with materials knowledge, requisite clinical skills and attention to detail throughout the entire restoration process. As dentists increasingly use light-cured direct composites to restore large posterior restorations they need to appreciate the issues central to effective and efficient light curing and to know what to look for when seeking to purchase a new light-curing unit.

  10. Marginal integrity of resin composite restorations restored with PPD initiatorcontaining resin composite cured by QTH, monowave and polywave LED units.

    PubMed

    Bortolotto, Tissiana; Betancourt, Francisco; Krejci, Ivo

    2016-12-01

    This study evaluated the influence of curing devices on marginal adaptation of cavities restored with self-etching adhesive containing CQ and PPD initiators and hybrid composite. Twenty-four class V (3 groups, n=8) with margins located on enamel and dentin were restored with Clearfil S3 Bond and Clearfil APX PLT, light-cured with a monowave LED, multiwave LED and halogen light-curing unit (LCU). Marginal adaptation was evaluated with SEM before/after thermo-mechanical loading (TML). On enamel, significantly lower % continuous margins (74.5±12.6) were found in group cured by multiwave LED when compared to monowave LED (87.6±9.5) and halogen LCU (94.4±9.1). The presence of enamel and composite fractures was significantly higher in the group light-cured with multiwave LED, probably due to an increased materials' friability resulted from an improved degree of cure. The clinician should aware that due to a distinct activation of both initiators, marginal quality may be influenced on the long-term.

  11. Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Dental Composites Cured with CAD/CAM Assisted Solid-State Laser

    PubMed Central

    De Santis, Roberto; Gloria, Antonio; Maietta, Saverio; Martorelli, Massimo; De Luca, Alessandro; Spagnuolo, Gianrico; Riccitiello, Francesco; Rengo, Sandro

    2018-01-01

    Over the last three decades, it has been frequently reported that the properties of dental restorative composites cured with argon laser are similar or superior to those achieved with conventional halogen and light emitting diode (LED) curing units. Whereas laser curing is not dependent on the distance between the curing unit and the material, such distance represents a drawback for conventional curing units. However, a widespread clinical application of this kind of laser remains difficult due to cost, heavy weight, and bulky size. Recently, with regard to the radiation in the blue region of the spectrum, powerful solid-state lasers have been commercialized. In the current research, CAD (computer-aided design)/CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) assisted solid-state lasers were employed for curing of different dental restorative composites consisting of micro- and nanoparticle-reinforced materials based on acrylic resins. Commercial LED curing units were used as a control. Temperature rise during the photopolymerisation process and bending properties were measured. By providing similar light energy dose, no significant difference in temperature rise was observed when the two light sources provided similar intensity. In addition, after 7 days since curing, bending properties of composites cured with laser and LED were similar. The results suggested that this kind of laser would be suitable for curing dental composites, and the curing process does not suffer from the tip-to-tooth distance. PMID:29584683

  12. Intensity output and effectiveness of light curing units in dental offices.

    PubMed

    Omidi, Baharan-Ranjbar; Gosili, Armin; Jaber-Ansari, Mona; Mahdkhah, Ailin

    2018-06-01

    The aims of the study were measuring the light intensity of light curing units used in Qazvin's dental offices, determining the relationship between the clinical age of these units and their light intensity, and identifying the reasons for repairing them. In this cross-sectional study, the output intensity of 95 light curing devices was evaluated using a radiometer. The average output intensity was divided up into four categories (less than 200, 200-299, 300-500, and more than 500 mW/cm2). In addition, a questionnaire was designed to obtain information mainly about the type, clinical age, and frequency of maintenance of the units and the reasons for fixing them. Data were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov, chi-squared, and t-tests ( p < 0.05) on SPSS 24. A total of 95 light curing units were examined, with 61 (64.2%) of them being of the LED type and 34 (35.8%) of the QTH type. While average light intensity in LED units was significantly higher than in QTH devices, the two device types were not significantly different regarding desirable light intensity (i.e., ≥ 300 mw/cm2). A negative correlation was observed between clinical age and light intensity. In addition, bulb replacement in QTH devices was over three times as much as in LED units. Also, repairing QTHs was more than twice as much frequent as fixing LEDs. The most common reason for repair was the breakage of the tip of the device. The light intensity of LED units is significantly higher than that of QTH devices, and the frequency of repairing in QTHs was significantly more than in LEDs. Furthermore, light intensity decreases with aging, and dentists should regularly monitor the conditions of light units. Key words: Light curing unit, radiometer, light intensity, dental equipment, dental offices.

  13. Shear bond strength of a bracket-bonding system cured with a light-emitting diode or halogen-based light-curing unit at various polymerization times

    PubMed Central

    Gupta, Sanjay Prasad; Shrestha, Basanta Kumar

    2018-01-01

    Purpose To determine and compare the shear bond strength (SBS) of bracket-bonding system cured with light-emitting diode (LED) and halogen-based light-curing unit at various polymerization times. Materials and methods Ninety six human maxillary premolar teeth extracted for orthodontic purpose were divided into four groups, according to the light-curing unit and exposure times used. In the halogen group, the specimens were light cured for 20 and 40 seconds. In the LED group, the specimens were light cured for 5 and 10 seconds. Stainless steel brackets were bonded with Enlight bonding system, stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours and then submitted to SBS testing in a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/minute. Adhesive remnant index (ARI) was used to evaluate the amount of adhesive remaining on the teeth determined by stereomicroscope at 10× magnification. Results The highest mean SBS was obtained with the halogen 40 seconds (18.27 MPa) followed by halogen 20 seconds (15.36 MPa), LED 10 seconds (14.60 MPa) and least with LED 5 seconds (12.49 MPa) group. According to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s multiple-comparison test, SBS of halogen 20 seconds group was not significantly different from halogen 40 seconds group, LED 5 seconds group and LED 10 seconds group, whereas halogen 40 seconds group was significantly different from LED 5 seconds and LED 10 seconds group. The method of light curing did not influence the ARI, with score 2 being predominant. Conclusion Polymerization with both halogen and LED resulted in SBS values that were clinically acceptable for orthodontic treatment in all groups. Hence, for bonding orthodontic brackets, photoactivation with halogen for 20 seconds and LED for 5 seconds is suggested. PMID:29692633

  14. Effect of LED and Argon Laser on Degree of Conversion and Temperature Rise of Hybrid and Low Shrinkage Composite Resins

    PubMed Central

    Pahlevan, Ayob; Tabatabaei, Masumeh Hasani; Arami, Sakineh; Valizadeh, Sara

    2016-01-01

    Objectives: Different light curing units are used for polymerization of composite resins. The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of conversion (DC) and temperature rise in hybrid and low shrinkage composite resins cured by LED and Argon Laser curing lights. Materials and Methods: DC was measured using FTIR spectroscopy. For measuring temperature rise, composite resin samples were placed in Teflon molds and cured from the top. The thermocouple under samples recorded the temperature rise. After initial radiation and specimens reaching the ambient temperature, reirradiation was done and temperature was recorded again. Both temperature rise and DC data submitted to one-way ANOVA and Tukey-HSD tests (5% significance). Results: The obtained results revealed that DC was not significantly different between the understudy composite resins or curing units. Low shrinkage composite resin showed a significantly higher temperature rise than hybrid composite resin. Argon laser caused the lowest temperature rise among the curing units. Conclusion: Energy density of light curing units was correlated with the DC. Type of composite resin and light curing unit had a significant effect on temperature rise due to polymerization and curing unit, respectively. PMID:27843507

  15. Effect of LED and Argon Laser on Degree of Conversion and Temperature Rise of Hybrid and Low Shrinkage Composite Resins.

    PubMed

    Pahlevan, Ayob; Tabatabaei, Masumeh Hasani; Arami, Sakineh; Valizadeh, Sara

    2016-01-01

    Different light curing units are used for polymerization of composite resins. The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of conversion (DC) and temperature rise in hybrid and low shrinkage composite resins cured by LED and Argon Laser curing lights. DC was measured using FTIR spectroscopy. For measuring temperature rise, composite resin samples were placed in Teflon molds and cured from the top. The thermocouple under samples recorded the temperature rise. After initial radiation and specimens reaching the ambient temperature, reirradiation was done and temperature was recorded again. Both temperature rise and DC data submitted to one-way ANOVA and Tukey-HSD tests (5% significance). The obtained results revealed that DC was not significantly different between the understudy composite resins or curing units. Low shrinkage composite resin showed a significantly higher temperature rise than hybrid composite resin. Argon laser caused the lowest temperature rise among the curing units. Energy density of light curing units was correlated with the DC. Type of composite resin and light curing unit had a significant effect on temperature rise due to polymerization and curing unit, respectively.

  16. Comparison of the heat generation of light curing units.

    PubMed

    Bagis, Bora; Bagis, Yildirim; Ertas, Ertan; Ustaomer, Seda

    2008-02-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate the heat generation of three different types of light curing units. Temperature increases were recorded from a distance of 1 mm from a thermocouple to the tip of three different types of light curing units including one quartz-tungsten halogen (QTH), one plasma arc (PAC), and one light emitting diode (LED) unit. An experimental model was designed to fix the 1 mm distance between the tip of the light curing units and the thermocouple wire. Temperature changes were recorded in 10 second intervals up to 40 seconds. (10, 20, 30, and 40 seconds). Temperature measurements were repeated three times for every light curing unit after a one hour standby period. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Bonferroni Test. The highest temperature rises (54.4+/-1.65 degrees C) occurred during activation of a PAC light curing unit for every test period (p<.05). The least temperature increase (11.8+/-1.3 degrees C) occurred with a LED curing unit for each tested period except for the measurement of the temperature rise using the QTH curing unit at the tenth second interval (p<.05). These results indicate the choice of light activation unit and curing time is important when polymerizing light activated resin based restorations to avoid any thermal damage to the pulp.

  17. Comparison of Depth of Cure, Hardness and Heat Generation of LED and High Intensity QTH Light Sources.

    PubMed

    Mousavinasab, Sayed Mostafa; Meyers, Ian

    2011-07-01

    To compare curing performance of a second generation LED curing light with a high power tungsten quartz halogen (QTH). A hybrid composite resin (Filtek Z 250, 3M, USA) was used as test material and cured using a second generation LED light (Translux Power Blue™, Heraus Kulzer ,Germany) or a very high power QTH light unit (EMS, Switzerland). A two split aluminum mold was used to prepare ten samples with LED light source cured for forty seconds and ten samples prepared using high power QTH light unit, cured for four or six seconds recommended exposure time. Hardness, depth of cure (DOC) and thermal rise during exposure time by these light sources were measured. The data submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey's and student's t tests at 5% significance level. Significant differences were found in hardness, DOC of samples cured by above mentioned light sources and also in thermal rises during exposure time. The curing performance of the tested QTH was not as well as the LED light. TPB light source produced the maximum hardness (81.25, 73.29, 65.49,55.83 and 24.53 for 0 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm and 4 mm intervals) and DOC (2.64 mm) values with forty seconds irradiation time and the high power (QTH) the least hardness (73.27, 61.51 and 31.59 for 0 mm, 1 mm and 2 mm, respectively) and DOC (2 mm) values with four seconds irradiation time. Thermal rises during 4 s and 6 s curing time using high power QTH and tested LED were 1.88°C, 3°C and 1.87°C, respectively. The used high power LED light produced greater hardness and depth of cure during forty seconds exposure time compared to high power QTH light with four or six seconds curing time. Thermal rise during 6 s curing time with QTH was greater compared to thermal changes occurred during 40 s curing time with tested LED light source. There was no difference seen in thermal changes caused by LED light with 40 s and QTH light with 4 s exposure time.

  18. A comparative evaluation of effect of modern-curing lights and curing modes on conventional and novel-resin monomers

    PubMed Central

    Roy, Konda Karthik; Kumar, Kanumuru Pavan; John, Gijo; Sooraparaju, Sujatha Gopal; Nujella, Surya Kumari; Sowmya, Kyatham

    2018-01-01

    Aim: The aim of this study is to compare and to evaluate effect of curing light and curing modes on the nanohybrid composite resins with conventional Bis-GMA and novel tricyclodecane (TCD) monomers. Methodology: Two nanohybrid composites, IPS empress direct and charisma diamond were used in this study. Light-emitting diode (LED)-curing unit and quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH)-curing unit which were operated into two different modes: continuous and soft start. Based on the composite resin, curing lights, and mode of curing used, the samples were divided into 8 groups. After polymerization, the samples were stored for 48 h in complete darkness at 37°C and 100% humidity. The Vickers hardness (VK) of the surface was determined with Vickers indenter by the application of 200 g for 15 s. Three VK readings were recorded for each sample surface both on top and bottom surfaces. For all the specimens, the three hardness values for each surface were averaged and reported as a single value. The mean VK and hardness ratio were calculated. The depth of cure was assessed based on the hardness ratio. Results: Comparison of mean hardness values and hardness ratios was done using ANOVA with post hoc Tukey's test. Conclusion: Both QTH- and LED-curing units had shown the adequate depth of cure. Soft-start-curing mode in both QTH- and LED-curing lights had effectively increased microhardness than the continuous mode of curing. TCD monomer had shown higher hardness values compared with conventional Bis-GMA-containing resin. PMID:29628651

  19. Light curing through glass ceramics with a second- and a third-generation LED curing unit: effect of curing mode on the degree of conversion of dual-curing resin cements.

    PubMed

    Flury, Simon; Lussi, Adrian; Hickel, Reinhard; Ilie, Nicoleta

    2013-12-01

    The aim of this study was to measure the degree of conversion (DC) of five dual-curing resin cements after different curing modes with a second- and a third-generation light-emitting diode (LED) curing unit. Additionally, irradiance of both light curing units was measured at increasing distances and through discs of two glass ceramics for computer-aided design/manufacturing (CAD/CAM). Irradiance and spectra of the Elipar FreeLight 2 (Standard Mode (SM)) and of the VALO light curing unit (High Power Mode (HPM) and Xtra Power Mode (XPM)) were measured with a MARC radiometer. Irradiance was measured at increasing distances (control) and through discs (1.5 to 6 mm thickness) of IPS Empress CAD and IPS e.max CAD. DC of Panavia F2.0, RelyX Unicem 2 Automix, SpeedCEM, BisCem, and BeautiCem SA was measured with an attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectrometer when self-cured (negative control) or light cured in SM for 40 s, HPM for 32 s, or XPM for 18 s. Light curing was performed directly (positive control) or through discs of either 1.5- or 3-mm thickness of IPS Empress CAD or IPS e.max CAD. DC was analysed with Kruskal-Wallis tests followed by pairwise Wilcoxon rank sum tests (α = 0.05). Maximum irradiances were 1,545 mW/cm(2) (SM), 2,179 mW/cm(2) (HPM), and 4,156 mW/cm(2) (XPM), and all irradiances decreased by >80 % through discs of 1.5 mm, ≥95 % through 3 mm, and up to >99 % through 6 mm. Generally, self-curing resulted in the lowest DC. For some cements, direct light curing did not result in higher DC compared to when light cured through ceramic discs. For other cements, light curing through ceramic discs of 3 mm generally reduced DC. Light curing was favourable for dual-curing cements. Some cements were more susceptible to variations in curing mode than others. When light curing a given cement, the higher irradiances of the third-generation LED curing unit resulted in similar DC compared to the second-generation one, though at shorter light curing times.

  20. Light curing through glass ceramics: effect of curing mode on micromechanical properties of dual-curing resin cements.

    PubMed

    Flury, Simon; Lussi, Adrian; Hickel, Reinhard; Ilie, Nicoleta

    2014-04-01

    The aim of this study was to investigate micromechanical properties of five dual-curing resin cements after different curing modes including light curing through glass ceramic materials. Vickers hardness (VH) and indentation modulus (Y HU) of Panavia F2.0, RelyX Unicem 2 Automix, SpeedCEM, BisCem, and BeautiCem SA were measured after 1 week of storage (37 °C, 100 % humidity). The resin cements were tested following self-curing or light curing with the second-generation light-emitting diode (LED) curing unit Elipar FreeLight 2 in Standard Mode (1,545 mW/cm(2)) or with the third-generation LED curing unit VALO in High Power Mode (1,869 mW/cm(2)) or in XtraPower Mode (3,505 mW/cm(2)). Light curing was performed directly or through glass ceramic discs of 1.5 or 3 mm thickness of IPS Empress CAD or IPS e.max CAD. VH and Y HU were analysed with Kruskal-Wallis tests followed by pairwise Wilcoxon rank sum tests (α = 0.05). RelyX Unicem 2 Automix resulted in the highest VH and Y HU followed by BeautiCem SA, BisCem, SpeedCEM, and finally Panavia F2.0. Self-curing of RelyX Unicem 2 Automix and SpeedCEM lowered VH and Y HU compared to light curing whereas self-curing of Panavia F2.0, BisCem, and BeautiCem SA led to similar or significantly higher VH and Y HU compared to light curing. Generally, direct light curing resulted in similar or lower VH and Y HU compared to light curing through 1.5-mm-thick ceramic discs. Light curing through 3-mm-thick discs of IPS e.max CAD generally reduced VH and Y HU for all resin cements except SpeedCEM, which was the least affected by light curing through ceramic discs. The resin cements responded heterogeneously to changes in curing mode. The applied irradiances and light curing times adequately cured the resin cements even through 1.5-mm-thick ceramic discs. When light curing resin cements through thick glass ceramic restorations, clinicians should consider to prolong the light curing times even with LED curing units providing high irradiances.

  1. Effect of radiation light characteristics on surface hardness of paint-on resin for shade modification.

    PubMed

    Arikawa, Hiroyuki; Kanie, Takahito; Fujii, Koichi; Ban, Seiji

    2005-12-01

    The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of radiation light characteristics--of different types of clinical light-curing unit--on polymerization efficiency, as determined by the surface hardness of light-cured paint-on resins. Four shades of paint-on resin for shade modification of restorative resins were used. Materials were cured using one laboratory and three clinical light-curing units with different light sources, namely tungsten-halogen, LED, plasma arc, and xenon flash lamps. Knoop hardness measurements were taken at both the top and bottom surfaces of the specimens to assess the mechanical properties and degree of polymerization. Both LED and plasma arc light units caused significantly poorer surface hardness than the halogen and laboratory xenon lights. In addition, the transparent shade was more sensitive to surface hardness than other chromatic shades. Our results indicated that the polymerization efficiency of paint-on resin was significantly influenced by the radiation light characteristics of clinical light-curing units.

  2. Polymerization of a dual-cured cement through ceramic: LED curing light vs halogen lamp.

    PubMed

    Lopes, Lawrence Gonzaga; Franco, Eduardo Batista; Name Neto, Abrão; Herrera, Francyle S; Kurachi, Cristina; Castañeda-Espinosa, Juan C; Lauris, José Roberto Pereira

    2004-12-01

    The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of light source, LED unit and halogen lamp (HL), on the effectiveness of Enforce dual-cured cement cured under a ceramic disc. Three exposure times (60, 80 and 120 s) were also evaluated. Two experimental groups, in which the polymerization of the dual-cured cement was performed through a ceramic disc, and two control groups, in which the polymerization of the dual-cured cement was performed directly without presence of ceramic disc were subdivided into three subgroups (three different exposure times), with five specimens each: G1A- HL 60s; G1B- HL 80s; G1C- HL 120s; G2A- LED 60s; G2B- LED 80s; G2C- LED 120s; and control groups: G3A- HL 60s; G3B- HL 80s; G3C- HL 120s; G4A- LED 60s; G4B- LED 80s and G4C- LED 120s. Cement was applied in a steel matrix (4mm diameter, 1.2mm thickness). In the experimental groups, a ceramic disc was placed on top. The cement was light-cured through the ceramic by a HL and LED, however, the control groups were cured without the ceramic disc. The specimens were stored in a light-proof container at 37ºC for 24 hours, then Vickers hardness was determined. A four-way ANOVA and Tukey test (p£ 0.05) were performed. All specimens cured by LED for 60s showed inferior values compared with the halogen groups. In general, light-curing by LED for 80s and 120s was comparable to halogen groups (60s and 80s) and their control groups. LED technology can be viable for light-curing through conventional ceramic indirect restorations, when curing time is increased in relation to HL curing time.

  3. Cure width potential for MOD resin composite molar restorations.

    PubMed

    Palin, William M; Senyilmaz, Dilek P; Marquis, Peter M; Shortall, Adrian C

    2008-08-01

    To investigate the capability of modern light-curing units exhibiting differences in emission spectra and light source exit window dimensions, for "one-shot" full-width curing of extensive (molar MOD) resin composite restorations. Specimens of Tetric (TT), Tetric Ceram HB (TC), Tetric Evoceram (TE) and Tetric Ceram Bleach (TB) resin composites containing varying ratios of Lucirin (TPO) and/or camphorquinone (CQ) photoinitiators were packed into a bar-shaped mould (12 mm length x 2 mm width x 2 mm thickness). Each product was irradiated using a halogen (Optilux 401; QTH), a conventional LED (LEDemetron; LED) and two so-called "third generation" oval-footprint LED light-curing units (LCUs) of the same model. The latter featured bimodal emission spectra (blue and ultraviolet diodes) with either high (unmodified output) and approximately 50% (modified output) blue light intensity (UltraLume-5; ULs, ULm, respectively). Vickers hardness number was obtained across the lateral extent of the bar at 1mm increments from the centre point on both upper and lower surfaces of the specimens. Significant linear relationships (R(2)=0.71-0.98) for each distance from the central position of all LCUs were identified between measured light intensity and corresponding upper and lower surface hardness values for each product (P<0.05). No significant differences (P>0.05) were recorded in total upper surface hardness of TC or TE cured with LED (68.7+/-3.2 and 70.5+/-2.5) or ULm (56.8+/-2.0 and 57.7+/-2.0). However, upper surface hardness of TT (CQ only) cured with ULm was significantly decreased (P<0.05) compared with other LCUs. When the ratio of hardness at the edge to central positions of the bar-shaped specimens for either surface was calculated, no significant difference (P>0.05) was identified for TB (containing TPO and decreased CQ) cured with either ULs or ULm (P>0.05) and was significantly increased (P<0.05) when cured with ULs compared with LED and QTH. Variability in light intensity across the curing-tip face, spectral output of dental light-curing units and differences in product photoinitiator chemistry all influence curing efficiency significantly across the width of extensive resin composite geometries.

  4. Effect of light energy density on conversion degree and hardness of dual-cured resin cement.

    PubMed

    Komori, Paula Carolina de Paiva; de Paula, Andréia Bolzan; Martin, Airton Abrāo; Tango, Rubens Nisie; Sinhoreti, Mario Alexandre Coelho; Correr-Sobrinho, Lourenço

    2010-01-01

    This study evaluated the effect of different light energy densities on conversion degree (CD) and Knoop hardness number (KHN) of RelyX ARC (RLX) resin cement. After manipulation according to the manufacturer's instructions, RLX was inserted into a rubber mold (0.8 mm x 5 mm) and covered with a Mylar strip. The tip of the light-curing unit (LCU) was positioned in contact with the Mylar surface. Quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) and light-emitting diode (LED) LCUs with light densities of 10, 20 and 30 J/cm2 were used to light-cure the specimens. After light curing, the specimens were stored dry in lightproof containers at 37 degrees C. After 24 hours, the CD was analyzed by FT-Raman and, after an additional 24-hours, samples were submitted to Knoop hardness testing. The data of the CD (%) and KHN were submitted to two-way ANOVA and the Tukey's test (alpha = 0.05). QTH and LED were effective light curing units. For QTH, there were no differences among the light energy densities for CD or KHN. For LED, there was a significant reduction in CD with the light energy density set at 10 J/cm2. KHN was not influenced by the light-curing unit and by its light energy density.

  5. Factors affecting marginal integrity of class II bulk-fill composite resin restorations

    PubMed Central

    Savadi Oskoee, Siavash; Bahari, Mahmoud; Jafari Navimipour, Elmira; Ajami, Amir Ahmad; Ghiasvand, Negar; Savadi Oskoee, Ayda

    2017-01-01

    Background. Bulk-fill composite resins are a new type of resin-based composite resins, claimed to have the capacity to be placed in thick layers, up to 4 mm. This study was carried out to evaluate factors affecting gap formation in Cl II cavities restored using the bulk-fill technique. Methods. A total of 60 third molars were used in this study. Two Cl II cavities were prepared in each tooth, one on the mesial aspect 1 mm coronal to the CEJ and one on the distal aspect 1 mm apical to the CEJ. The teeth were divided into 4 groups: A: The cavities were restored using the bulk-fill technique with Filtek P90 composite resin and its adhesive system and light-cured with quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) light-curing unit. B: The cavities were restored similar to that in group A but light-cured with an LED light-curing unit. C: The cavities were restored using the bulk-fill technique with X-tra Fil composite resin and Clearfil SE Bond adhesive system and light-cured with a QTH curing unit. D: The cavities were restored similar to that in group C but light-cured with an LED light-curing unit. The gaps were examined under a stereomicroscope at ×60. Data were analyzed with General Linear Model test. In cases of statistical significance (P<0.05), post hoc Bonferroni test was used for further analyses. Results. The light-curing unit type had no effect on gap formation. However, the results were significant in relation to the composite resin type and margin location (P<0.001). The cumulative effects of light-curing unit*gingival margin and light-curing unit*composite resin type were not significant; however, the cumulative effect of composite rein type*gingival margin was significant (P=0.04) Conclusion. X-tra Fil composite exhibited smaller gaps compared with Filtek P90 composite with both light-curing units. Both composite resins exhibited smaller gaps at enamel margins. PMID:28748051

  6. Pulp chamber temperature rise during curing of resin-based composites with different light-curing units.

    PubMed

    Durey, Kathryn; Santini, Ario; Miletic, Vesna

    2008-01-01

    The purpose of the present study was to measure the intrapulpal temperature rise occurring during polymerisation of different shades of resin-based composites (RBCs), and two light-emitting diode (LED) units. Seventy non-carious permanent molars, that had been extracted for orthodontic purposes and stored in 2% thymol for not more than four months, were selected. Patient age range was 11-18 years. Standard cavity preparation with standardised remaining dentine thickness and placement of thermocouples (TCs) was prepared using a novel split-tooth technique. Cavities were filled with one of two shades of RBC (A2 and C4, Filtek Z250, 3M ESPE, Seefeld, Germany), and cured with two LED high-intensity units (Elipar Freelight2, 3M ESPE, Seefeld, Germany; Bluephase, Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) and a conventional halogen light-curing unit (LCU) (Prismetics Lite 2, Dentsply, Weybridge, Surrey, UK) as a control. Pulp temperature rises during bonding [A2 results: H;2.67/0.48:E;5.24/1.32;B;5.99/1.61] were always greater than during RBC curing [A2 results: 2.44/0.63;E3.34/0.70;B3.38/0.60], and these were significant for both LED lights but not for the halogen control, irrespective of shade (Mann-Whitney test: 95% confidence limits). Temperature rises were at times in excess of the values normally quoted as causing irreversible pulp damage. Pulp temperature rises during bonding were higher with the LED lights than with the halogen control. There was no significant difference in temperature rise between the two LED lights when bonding but there was a significant difference between the two LED lights and the halogen control LCUs (Kruskal-Wallis Test: 95% confidence limits). The results support the view that there is a potential risk for heat-induced pulpal injury when light-curing RBCs. The risk is greater during bonding and with high energy, as compared to low-energy output systems. As the extent of tolerable thermal trauma by the pulp tissues is unknown, care and consideration should be given to the choice of LCU and the exposure time when curing RBCs, and especially during bonding.

  7. LED Curing Lights and Temperature Changes in Different Tooth Sites

    PubMed Central

    Armellin, E.; Bovesecchi, G.; Coppa, P.; Pasquantonio, G.; Cerroni, L.

    2016-01-01

    Objectives. The aim of this in vitro study was to assess thermal changes on tooth tissues during light exposure using two different LED curing units. The hypothesis was that no temperature increase could be detected within the dental pulp during polymerization irrespective of the use of a composite resin or a light-curing unit. Methods. Caries-free human first molars were selected, pulp residues were removed after root resection, and four calibrated type-J thermocouples were positioned. Two LED lamps were tested; temperature measurements were made on intact teeth and on the same tooth during curing of composite restorations. The data was analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Wilcoxon test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Pearson's χ 2. After ANOVA, the Bonferroni multiple comparison test was performed. Results. Polymerization data analysis showed that in the pulp chamber temperature increase was higher than that without resin. Starlight PRO, in the same condition of Valo lamp, showed a lower temperature increase in pre- and intrapolymerization. A control group (without composite resin) was evaluated. Significance. Temperature increase during resin curing is a function of the rate of polymerization, due to the exothermic polymerization reaction, the energy from the light unit, and time of exposure. PMID:27195282

  8. LED Curing Lights and Temperature Changes in Different Tooth Sites.

    PubMed

    Armellin, E; Bovesecchi, G; Coppa, P; Pasquantonio, G; Cerroni, L

    2016-01-01

    Objectives. The aim of this in vitro study was to assess thermal changes on tooth tissues during light exposure using two different LED curing units. The hypothesis was that no temperature increase could be detected within the dental pulp during polymerization irrespective of the use of a composite resin or a light-curing unit. Methods. Caries-free human first molars were selected, pulp residues were removed after root resection, and four calibrated type-J thermocouples were positioned. Two LED lamps were tested; temperature measurements were made on intact teeth and on the same tooth during curing of composite restorations. The data was analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Wilcoxon test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Pearson's χ (2). After ANOVA, the Bonferroni multiple comparison test was performed. Results. Polymerization data analysis showed that in the pulp chamber temperature increase was higher than that without resin. Starlight PRO, in the same condition of Valo lamp, showed a lower temperature increase in pre- and intrapolymerization. A control group (without composite resin) was evaluated. Significance. Temperature increase during resin curing is a function of the rate of polymerization, due to the exothermic polymerization reaction, the energy from the light unit, and time of exposure.

  9. A brief history of LED photopolymerization.

    PubMed

    Jandt, Klaus D; Mills, Robin W

    2013-06-01

    The majority of modern resin-based oral restorative biomaterials are cured via photopolymerization processes. A variety of light sources are available for this light curing of dental materials, such as composites or fissure sealants. Quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) light curing units (LCUs) have dominated light curing of dental materials for decades and are now almost entirely replaced by modern light emitting diode light curing units (LED LCUs). Exactly 50 years ago, visible LEDs were invented. Nevertheless, it was not before the 1990s that LEDs were seriously considered by scientists or manufactures of commercial LCUs as light sources to photopolymerize dental composites and other dental materials. The objective of this review paper is to give an overview of the scientific development and state-of-the-art of LED photopolymerization of oral biomaterials. The materials science of LED LCU devices and dental materials photopolymerized with LED LCU, as well as advantages and limits of LED photopolymerization of oral biomaterials, are discussed. This is mainly based on a review of the most frequently cited scientific papers in international peer reviewed journals. The developments of commercial LED LCUs as well as aspects of their clinical use are considered in this review. The development of LED LCUs has progressed in steps and was made possible by (i) the invention of visible light emitting diodes 50 years ago; (ii) the introduction of high brightness blue light emitting GaN LEDs in 1994; and (iii) the creation of the first blue LED LCUs for the photopolymerization of oral biomaterials. The proof of concept of LED LCUs had to be demonstrated by the satisfactory performance of resin based restorative dental materials photopolymerized by these devices, before LED photopolymerization was generally accepted. Hallmarks of LED LCUs include a unique light emission spectrum, high curing efficiency, long life, low energy consumption and compact device form factor. By understanding the physical principles of LEDs, the development of LED LCUs, their strengths and limitations and the specific benefits of LED photopolymerization will be better appreciated. Copyright © 2013 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. Evaluation of shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets using trans-illumination technique with different curing profiles of LED light-curing unit in posterior teeth.

    PubMed

    Heravi, Farzin; Moazzami, Saied Mostafa; Ghaffari, Negin; Jalayer, Javad; Bozorgnia, Yasaman

    2013-11-21

    Although using light-cured composites for bonding orthodontic brackets has become increasingly popular, curing light cannot penetrate the metallic bulk of brackets and polymerization of composites is limited to the edges. Limited access and poor direct sight may be a problem in the posterior teeth. Meanwhile, effectiveness of the trans-illumination technique is questionable due to increased bucco-lingual thickness of the posterior teeth. Light-emitting diode (LED) light-curing units cause less temperature rise and lower risk to the pulpal tissue. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of trans-illumination technique in bonding metallic brackets to premolars, using different light intensities and curing times of an LED light-curing unit. Sixty premolars were randomly divided into six groups. Bonding of brackets was done with 40- and 80-s light curing from the buccal or lingual aspect with different intensities. Shear bond strengths of brackets were measured using a universal testing machine. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance test and Duncan's post hoc test. The highest shear bond belonged to group 2 (high intensity, 40 s, buccal) and the lowest belonged to group 3 (low intensity, 40 s, lingual). Bond strength means in control groups were significantly higher than those in experimental groups. In all experimental groups except group 6 (80 s, high intensity, lingual), shear bond strength was below the clinically accepted values. In clinical limitations where light curing from the same side of the bracket is not possible, doubling the curing time and increasing the light intensity during trans-illumination are recommended for achieving acceptable bond strengths.

  11. An in vitro evaluation of diametral tensile strength and flexural strength of nanocomposite vs hybrid and minifill composites cured with different light sources (QTH vs LED).

    PubMed

    Garapati, Surendra Nath; Priyadarshini; Raturi, Piyush; Shetty, Dinesh; Srikanth, K Venkata

    2013-01-01

    Composites always remained the target of discussion due to lot of controversies around it. Mechanical properties are one of them. With the introduction of new technology and emergence of various composites which combine superior strength and polish retention, nanocomposites have led to a new spark in the dentistry. A recent curing unit LED with various curing modes claims to produce higher degree of conversion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diametral tensile strength and flexural strength of nanocomposite, hybrid and minifill composites cured with different light sources (QTH vs LED). Seventy-two samples were prepared using different specially fabricated teflon molds, 24 samples of each composite were prepared for the diametral tensile strength (ADA specification no. 27) and the flexural strength (ISO 4049) of the 12 samples, six were cured with LED (Soft Start curing profile) and other six with QTH curing light and tested on a universal testing machine. The nanocomposite had highest diametral tensile strength and flexural strength which were equivalent to the hybrid composite and superior than the minifill composite. With the combination of superior esthetics and other optimized physical properties, this novel nanocomposite system would be useful for all posterior and anterior applications.

  12. Evaluation of light intensity output of QTH and LED curing devices in various governmental health institutions.

    PubMed

    Al Shaafi, Mm; Maawadh, Am; Al Qahtani, Mq

    2011-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to evaluate the light intensity output of quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) and light emitting diode (LED) curing devices located at governmental health institutions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Eight governmental institutions were involved in the study. The total number of evaluated curing devices was 210 (120 were QTH and 90 were LED). The reading of the light intensity output for each curing unit was achieved using a digital spectrometer; (Model USB4000 Spectrometer, Ocean Optics Inc, Dunedin, FL, USA). The reading procedure was performed by a single investigator; any recording of light intensity below 300 mW/cm2 was considered unsatisfactory.The result found that the recorded mean values of light intensity output for QTH and LED devices were 260 mW/cm2 and 598 mW/cm2, respectively. The percentage of QTH devices and LED devices considered unsatisfactory was 67.5% and 15.6%, respectively. Overall, the regular assessment of light curing devices using light meters is recommended to assure adequate output for clinical use.

  13. Residual HEMA and TEGDMA Release and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cement and Compomers Cured with Different Light Sources

    PubMed Central

    Botsali, Murat Selim; Kuşgöz, Adem; Altintaş, Subutay Han; Ülker, Hayriye Esra; Kiliç, Serdar; Başak, Feridun; Ülker, Mustafa

    2014-01-01

    The purpose of this study was first to evaluate the elution of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) monomers from resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) and compomers cured with halogen and light-emitting diode (LED) light-curing units (LCUs). The effect of cured materials on the viability of L929 fibroblast cells was also evaluated. One RMGIC (Ketac N100) and two compomers (Dyract Extra and Twinkystar) were tested. Materials were prepared in teflon disks and light-cured with LED or halogen LCUs. The residual monomers of resin materials in solution were identified using high-performance liquid chromatography. The fibroblast cells' viability was analyzed using MTT assay. The type of LCU did not have a significant effect on the elution of HEMA and TEGDMA. A greater amount of HEMA than TEGMDA was eluted. The amount of TEGDMA eluted from Twinkystar was greater than Dyract Extra (P < 0.05) when cured with a halogen LCU. All material-LCU combinations decreased the fibroblast cells' viability more than the control group (P < 0.01), except for Dyract Extra cured with a halogen LCU (P > 0.05). Curing with the LED LCU decreased the cells' viability more than curing with the halogen LCU for compomers. For Ketac N100, the halogen LCU decreased the cells' viability more than the LED LCU. PMID:24592149

  14. Effect of inhomogeneity of light from light curing units on the surface hardness of composite resin.

    PubMed

    Arikawa, Hiroyuki; Kanie, Takahito; Fujii, Koichi; Takahashi, Hideo; Ban, Seiji

    2008-01-01

    This study investigated the characteristics of output light from different types of light curing units, and their effects on polymerization of light-activated composite resin. Three quartz-tungsten-halogen lamps, one plasma arc lamp, and one LED light curing unit were used. Intensity distribution of light emitted from the light guide tip was measured at 1.0-mm intervals across the guide tip. Distribution of Knoop hardness number on the surface of resin irradiated with the light curing units was also measured. For all units, inhomogeneous distribution of light intensity across the guide tip was observed. Minimum light intensity values were 19-80% of the maximum values. In terms of surface hardness, inhomogeneous distribution was also observed for the materials irradiated with the tested units. Minimum values were 53-92% of the maximum values. Our results indicated that markedly inhomogeneous light emitted from light curing unit could result in inhomogeneous polymerization in some areas of the restoration below the light guide tip.

  15. Effect of various visible light photoinitiators on the polymerization and color of light-activated resins.

    PubMed

    Arikawa, Hiroyuki; Takahashi, Hideo; Kanie, Takahito; Ban, Seiji

    2009-07-01

    The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of various visible light photoinitiators on the polymerization efficiency and color of the light-activated resins. Four photoinitiators, including camphorquinone, phenylpropanedione, monoacrylphosphine oxide (TPO), and bisacrylphosphine oxide (Ir819), were used. Each photoinitiator was dissolved in a Bis-GMA and TEGDMA monomer mixture. Materials were polymerized using dental quartz-tungsten halogen lamp (QTH), plasma-ark lamp and blue LED light-curing units, and a custom-made violet LED light unit. The degree of monomer conversion and CIE L*a*b* color values of the resins were measured using a FTIR and spectral transmittance meter. The degree of monomer conversions of TPO- and Ir819-containing resins polymerized with the violet-LED unit were higher than camphorquinone-containing resin polymerized with the QTH light-curing unit. The lowest color values were observed for the TPO-containing resin. Our results indicate that the TPO photoinitiator and the violet-LED light unit may provide a useful and improved photopolymerization system for dental light-activated resins.

  16. Effect of Light-Cured Resin Cement Application on Translucency of Ceramic Veneers and Light Transmission of LED Polymerization Units.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Lei; Luo, Xiao Ping; Tan, Ren Xiang

    2018-05-31

    To evaluate the effect of light-cured resin cement application based on etching and silanization on the translucent property of ceramic veneers in different thicknesses, testing the hypothesis that the surface treatment and subsequent resin cement application could influence the translucency of ceramic veneers. The relationship between translucency of ceramic veneers and light transmission irradiated by LED polymerization units was also determined. 40 specimens (10 mm diameter) were fabricated from IPS e.max Press HT A2 ceramic ingots, and polished to 0.3 ± 0.01 mm, 0.5 ± 0.01 mm, 0.7 ± 0.01 mm, 1.0 ± 0.01 mm, and 1.5 ± 0.01 mm thick (n = 8/group). One surface of each disc was etched with HF acid, silanized with Monobond-S, and applied with a light-cured resin cement (Variolink N Transparent Base). Before and after the above procedure, the total luminous transmittance (τ) of all specimens was assessed by a spectrophotometer in a wavelength range of 380-780 nm. A handheld radiometer was used to measure the light intensity irradiated by three LED polymerization units. Light transmission (LT) through ceramic specimens after resin cement application was calculated. Data were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA (p = 0.05) and Tukey's test. The correlation between translucency (τ) of ceramic veneers after resin cement application and light transmission (LT) of curing units was statistically evaluated using Spearman correlation test (p = 0.05). With the increase of ceramic thickness, the transmittance decreased significantly (p < 0.05). For the 0.3-mm, 0.5-mm, and 0.7-mm-thick groups, the transmittance of ceramic specimens was statistically significantly lower after resin cement application (p < 0.05). The r value of Bluephase C8 was 0.988, 0.977 for Bluphase, and 0.883 for Bluephase 20i, indicating that the light transmission (LT%) was positively correlated to the translucency of ceramic veneers, regardless of the type of curing units. After the light-cured resin cement application based on etching and silanization, the ceramic veneers (less than 0.7-mm thick) were less translucent, and the translucency decreased when the thickness increased. Because of the lower translucency of ceramic veneers, the light intensity of LED units transmitted to resin layer would decrease when curing. © 2018 by the American College of Prosthodontists.

  17. Effect of light-curing units, post-cured time and shade of resin cement on knoop hardness.

    PubMed

    Reges, Rogério Vieira; Costa, Ana Rosa; Correr, Américo Bortolazzo; Piva, Evandro; Puppin-Rontani, Regina Maria; Sinhoreti, Mário Alexandre Coelho; Correr-Sobrinho, Lourenço

    2009-01-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate the Knoop hardness after 15 min and 24 h of different shades of a dual-cured resin-based cement after indirect photoactivation (ceramic restoration) with 2 light-curing units (LCUs). The resin cement Variolink II (Ivoclar Vivadent) shade XL, A2, A3 and opaque were mixed with the catalyst paste and inserted into a black Teflon mold (5 mm diameter x 1 mm high). A transparent strip was placed over the mold and a ceramic disc (Duceram Plus, shade A3) was positioned over the resin cement. Light-activation was performed through the ceramic for 40 s using quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) (XL 2500; 3M ESPE) or light-emitting diode (LED) (Ultrablue Is, DMC) LCUs with power density of 615 and 610 mW/cm(2), respectively. The Koop hardness was measured using a microhardness tester HMV 2 (Shimadzu) after 15 min or 24 h. Four indentations were made in each specimen. Data were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha=0.05). The QTH LCU provided significantly higher (p<0.05) KHN values than the LED LCU. When the post-cure times were compared for the same shade, QTH and LED at 24 h provided significantly higher (p<0.05) KHN values than at 15 min. It may be concluded that the Knoop hardness was generally dependent on the LCU and post-cure time. The opaque shade of the resin cement showed lower Knoop hardness than the other shades for both LCUs and post-cure times.

  18. Bonding to Different PEEK Compositions: The Impact of Dental Light Curing Units

    PubMed Central

    Lümkemann, Nina; Eichberger, Marlis; Stawarczyk, Bogna

    2017-01-01

    This study investigated the impact of different light curing units (LCUs) for the polymerization of adhesive system visio.link (VL) on the tensile bond strength (TBS) of different PEEK compositions. For TBS measurements, 216 PEEK specimens with varying amounts of TiO2 (PEEK/0%, PEEK/20%, PEEK/>30%) were embedded, polished, air abraded (Al2O3, 50 µm, 0.4 MPa), conditioned using VL, and polymerized using either a halogen LCU (HAL-LCU) or a LED LCU (LED-LCU) for chairside or labside application, respectively. After thermocycling (5000×, 5/55 °C), TBS was measured, and fracture types were determined. Data was analyzed using a 2-way ANOVA followed by Tukey–HSD, Kruskal–Wallis H and Mann–Whitney U tests as well as a Chi2-test and a Ciba–Geigy table (p < 0.05). Globally, the light curing units, followed by PEEK composition, was shown to have the highest impact on TBS. The HAL-LCUs, compared to the LED-LCUs, resulted in a higher TBS for all PEEK compositions—without significant differences between chairside and labside units. Regarding the different PEEK compositions, PEEK/20%, compared to PEEK/0%, resulted in a higher TBS when both, HAL-LCUs or LED-LCUs were used for labside application. In comparison with PEEK/>30%, PEEK/20% resulted in a higher TBS after using HAL-LCU for labside application. No significant differences were found between PEEK/0% and PEEK/>30%. HAL-LCU with PEEK/20% for labside application showed a higher TBS than HAL-LCU with PEEK/20% for chairside application, whereas LED-LCU with PEEK/>30% for chairside application showed a higher TBS than LED-LCU with PEEK/>30% for labside application. PMID:28772427

  19. Does the light source affect the repairability of composite resins?

    PubMed

    Karaman, Emel; Gönülol, Nihan

    2014-01-01

    The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the light source on the microshear bond strength of different composite resins repaired with the same substrate. Thirty cylindrical specimens of each composite resin--Filtek Silorane, Filtek Z550 (3M ESPE), Gradia Direct Anterior (GC), and Aelite Posterior (BISCO)--were prepared and light-cured with a QTH light curing unit (LCU). The specimens were aged by thermal cycling and divided into three subgroups according to the light source used--QTH, LED, or PAC (n = 10). They were repaired with the same substrate and a Clearfil Repair Kit (Kuraray). The specimens were light-cured and aged for 1 week in distilled water at 37 °C. The microshear bond strength and failure modes were assessed. There was no significant difference in the microshear bond strength values among the composite resins, except for the Filtek Silorane group that showed significantly lower bond strength values when polymerized with the PAC unit compared to the QTH or LED unit. In conclusion, previously placed dimethacrylate-based composites can be repaired with different light sources; however, if the composite to be repaired is silorane-based, then using a QTH or LED device may be the best option.

  20. Influence of light curing and sample thickness on microhardness of a composite resin

    PubMed Central

    Aguiar, Flávio HB; Andrade, Kelly RM; Leite Lima, Débora AN; Ambrosano, Gláucia MB; Lovadino, José R

    2009-01-01

    The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of light-curing units and different sample thicknesses on the microhardness of a composite resin. Composite resin specimens were randomly prepared and assigned to nine experimental groups (n = 5): considering three light-curing units (conventional quartz tungsten halogen [QTH]: 550 mW/cm2 – 20 s; high irradiance QTH: 1160 mW/cm2 – 10 s; and light-emitting diode [LED]: 360 mW/cm2 – 40 s) and three sample thicknesses (0.5 mm, 1 mm, and 2 mm). All samples were polymerized with the light tip 8 mm away from the specimen. Knoop microhardness was then measured on the top and bottom surfaces of each sample. The top surfaces, with some exceptions, were almost similar; however, in relation to the bottom surfaces, statistical differences were found between curing units and thicknesses. In all experimental groups, the 0.5-mm-thick increments showed microhardness values statistically higher than those observed for 1- and -2-mm increments. The conventional and LED units showed higher hardness mean values and were statistically different from the high irradiance unit. In all experimental groups, microhardness mean values obtained for the top surface were higher than those observed for the bottom surface. In conclusion, higher levels of irradiance or thinner increments would help improve hybrid composite resin polymerization. PMID:23674901

  1. Hardness Evaluation of Composite Resins Cured with QTH and LED

    PubMed Central

    Esmaeili, Behnaz; Safarcherati, Hengameh; Vaezi, Assila

    2014-01-01

    Background and aims. Today light cured composites are widely used. Physical and mechanical properties of composites are related to the degree of conversion. Light curing unit (LCU) is an important factor for composite polymerization. Aim of this study is evaluation of composite resins hardness using halogen and LED light curing units. Materials and methods. In this study, 30 samples of Filtek Z250 and C-Fill composite resins were provided. Samples were light cured with Ultralume2, Valo and Astralis7. Vickers hardness number (VHN) was measured in 0, 1, 2 mm depth. Statistical analysis used: Data were analysed by SPSS software and compared with each other by T-test, one-way and two-way ANOVA and Post-hoc Tukey test. Results. In Filtek Z250, at top surface, VHN of Ultralume2 was higher than VHN of Valo (P = 0.02) and Astralis7 (P =0.04), but in depth of 1, 2 mm, VHN of Ultralume2 and Astralis7 were almost the same and both LCUs were more than Valo which the difference between Ultralume2 and Valo was significant in depth of 1mm (0.05) and 2mm (0.02). In C-Fill composite, at top surface, Astralis7 showed higher VHN, but in depth of 2 mm, performance of all devices were rather simi-lar. Conclusion. In Z250, which contains camphorquinone initiator, light cure LED Ultra-lume2 with narrow wavelength showed higher hardness number than Valo. In C-fill, in top surface, Astralis7 with more exposure time, resulted higher VHN. But In depth of 2 mm, various light curing devices had rather similar hardness number. PMID:25024838

  2. Effect of reduced exposure times on the cytotoxicity of resin luting cements cured by high-power led

    PubMed Central

    ERGUN, Gulfem; EGILMEZ, Ferhan; YILMAZ, Sukran

    2011-01-01

    Objective Applications of resin luting agents and high-power light-emitting diodes (LED) light-curing units (LCUs) have increased considerably over the last few years. However, it is not clear whether the effect of reduced exposure time on cytotoxicity of such products have adequate biocompatibility to meet clinical success. This study aimed at assessing the effect of reduced curing time of five resin luting cements (RLCs) polymerized by high-power LED curing unit on the viability of a cell of L-929 fibroblast cells. Material and Methods Disc-shaped samples were prepared in polytetrafluoroethylene moulds with cylindrical cavities. The samples were irradiated from the top through the ceramic discs and acetate strips using LED LCU for 20 s (50% of the manufacturer's recommended exposure time) and 40 s (100% exposure time). After curing, the samples were transferred into a culture medium for 24 h. The eluates were obtained and pipetted onto L-929 fibroblast cultures (3x104 per well) and incubated for evaluating after 24 h. Measurements were performed by dimethylthiazol diphenyltetrazolium assay. Statistical significance was determined by two-way ANOVA and two independent samples were compared by t-test. Results Results showed that eluates of most of the materials polymerized for 20 s (except Rely X Unicem and Illusion) reduced to a higher extent cell viability compared to samples of the same materials polymerized for 40 s. Illusion exhibited the least cytotoxicity for 20 s exposure time compared to the control (culture without samples) followed by Rely X Unicem and Rely X ARC (90.81%, 88.90%, and 83.11%, respectively). For Rely X ARC, Duolink and Lute-It 40 s exposure time was better (t=-1.262 p=0,276; t=-9.399 p=0.001; and t=-20.418 p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion The results of this study suggest that reduction of curing time significantly enhances the cytotoxicity of the studied resin cement materials, therefore compromising their clinical performance. PMID:21625748

  3. Light curing in orthodontics; should we be concerned?

    PubMed

    McCusker, Neil; Lee, Siu Man; Robinson, Stephen; Patel, Naresh; Sandy, Jonathan R; Ireland, Anthony J

    2013-06-01

    Light cured materials are increasingly used in orthodontic clinical practice and concurrent with developments in materials have been developments in light curing unit technology. In recent years the irradiances of these units have increased. The aim of this study was to determine the safe exposure times to both direct and reflected light. The weighted irradiance and safe exposure times of 11 dental curing lights (1 plasma arc, 2 halogen and 8 LED lights) were determined at 6 distances (2-60 cm) from the light guide tip using a spectroradiometer. In addition, using the single most powerful light, the same two parameters were determined for reflected light. This was done at a distance of 10 cm from the reflected light, but during simulated bonding of 8 different orthodontic brackets of three material types, namely stainless steel, ceramic and composite. The results indicate that the LED Fusion lamp had the highest weighted irradiance and the shortest safe exposure time. With this light the maximum safe exposure time without additional eye protection for the patient (at 10 cm), the operator (at 30 cm) and the assistant (at 60 cm) ranged from 2.5 min, 22.1 min and 88.8 min respectively. This indicates a relatively low short term risk during normal operation of dental curing lights. For reflected light at a distance of 10 cm the risk was even lower, but was affected by the material and shape of the orthodontic bracket under test. The short term risks associated with the use of dental curing lights, halogen, LED or plasma, appear to be low, particularly if as is the case adequate safety precautions are employed. The same is true for reflected light from orthodontic brackets during bonding. What is still unclear is the potential long term ocular effects of prolonged exposure to the blue light generated from dental curing lights. Copyright © 2013 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Influence of curing mode with a LED unit on polymerization contraction kinetics and degree of conversion of dental resin-based materials.

    PubMed

    Mortier, Eric; Simon, Yorick; Dahoun, Abdelsellam; Gerdolle, David

    2009-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of photopolymerization mode with a light emitting diode (LED) lamp on the curing contraction kinetics and degree of conversion of 3 resin-based restorative materials. The curing contraction kinetics of Admira (ADM), Filtek P60 (P60), and Filtek Flow (FLO) were measured by the glass slide method. The materials were exposed to light from a 1,000 mW/cm-(2) power LED lamp (Elipar Freelight 2) in 3 modes: 2 continuous modes of 20 and 40 seconds (C20 and C40), and 1 exponential mode (E20; 5 seconds of exponential power increase followed by 15 seconds of maximum intensity). The degree of conversion (DC) was measured for each of the materials, and each of the modes by Fourier transformed infra-red spectrometry. P60 had the significantly lowest final contraction and FLO the highest among all light exposure modes. The C20 and C40 modes did not produce any difference in contraction or degree of conversion. The E20 mode led to a significant slowing of contraction speed combined with greater final contraction. Use of a LED lamp (1,000 mW/cm2) in continuous mode reduces the exposure time by half for identical curing shrinkage and degree of conversion.

  5. Effect of short LED lamp exposure on wear resistance, residual monomer and degree of conversion for Filtek Z250 and Tetric EvoCeram composites.

    PubMed

    Kopperud, Hilde M; Johnsen, Gaute F; Lamolle, Sébastien; Kleven, Inger S; Wellendorf, Hanne; Haugen, Håvard J

    2013-08-01

    The latest LED dental curing devices claim sufficient curing of restorative materials with short curing times. This study evaluates mechanical and chemical properties as a function of curing time of two commercial composite filling materials cured with three different LED lamps. The composites were Filtek Z250 (3M ESPE) and Tetric EvoCeram (Ivoclar Vivadent) and the LED curing devices were bluephase 16i (Ivoclar Vivadent), L.E.Demetron II (Kerr) and Mini L.E.D. (Satelec). Control samples were cured with a QTH-lamp (VCL 400, Kerr). The wear resistance after simulated tooth brushing, degree of conversion, curing depth, and amounts of residual monomers were measured after different curing times. The results of this study show that short curing time with high-intensity LEDs may influence the bulk properties of the materials, resulting in lower curing depth and increased residual monomer content. The measured surface properties of the materials, degree of conversion and wear resistance, were not affected by short curing times to the same extent. This study demonstrates that reduced exposure time with high intensity LEDs can result in composite restorations with inferior curing depth and increased leaching of monomers. Dentists are recommended to use sufficient curing times even with high intensity LEDs to ensure adequate curing and minimize the risk of monomer leaching. Copyright © 2013 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. Effect of two lasers on the polymerization of composite resins: single vs combination.

    PubMed

    Ro, Jung-Hoon; Son, Sung-Ae; Park, Jeong-kil; Jeon, Gye-Rok; Ko, Ching-Chang; Kwon, Yong Hoon

    2015-07-01

    The selection of a light-curing unit for the curing composite resins is important to achieve best outcomes. The purpose of the present study was to test lasers of 457 and 473 nm alone or in combination under different light conditions with respect to the cure of composite resins. Four different composite resins were light cured using five different laser combinations (530 mW/cm(2) 457 nm only, 530 mW/cm(2) 473 nm only, 177 mW/cm(2) 457 + 177 mW/cm(2) 473 nm, 265 mW/cm(2) 457 + 265 mW/cm(2) 473 nm, and 354 mW/cm(2) 457 + 354 mW/cm(2) 473 nm). Microhardness and polymerization shrinkage were evaluated. A light-emitting diode (LED) unit was used for comparison purposes. On top surfaces, after aging for 24 h, microhardness achieved using the LED unit and the lasers with different conditions ranged 42.4-65.5 and 38.9-67.7 Hv, respectively, and on bottom surfaces, corresponding ranges were 25.2-56.1 and 18.5-55.7 Hv, respectively. Of the conditions used, 354 mW/cm(2) 457 nm + 354 mW/cm(2) 473 nm produced the highest bottom microhardness (33.8-55.6 Hv). On top and bottom surfaces, microhardness by the lowest total light intensity, 354 (177 × 2) mW/cm(2), ranged 39.0-60.5 and 18.5-52.8 Hv, respectively. Generally, 530 mW/cm(2) at 457 nm produced the lowest polymerization shrinkage. However, shrinkage values obtained using all five laser conditions were similar. The study shows the lasers of 457 and 473 nm are useful for curing composite resins alone or in combination at much lower light intensities than the LED unit.

  7. Effect of 457 nm diode-pumped solid state laser on the polymerization composite resins: microhardness, cross-link density, and polymerization shrinkage.

    PubMed

    Son, Sung-Ae; Park, Jeong-Kil; Jung, Kyoung-Hwa; Ko, Ching-Chang; Jeong, Chang-Mo; Kwon, Yong Hoon

    2015-01-01

    The purpose of the present study was to test the usefulness of 457 nm diode-pumped solid state (DPSS) laser as a light source to cure composite resins. Five different composite resins were light cured using three different light-curing units (LCUs): a DPSS 457 nm laser (LAS), a light-emitting diode (LED), and quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) units. The light intensity of LAS was 560 mW/cm(2), whereas LED and QTH LCUs was ∼900 mW/cm(2). The degree of polymerization was tested by evaluating microhardness, cross-link density, and polymerization shrinkage. Before water immersion, the microhardness of laser-treated specimens ranged from 40.8 to 84.7 HV and from 31.7 to 79.0 HV on the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, and these values were 3.3-23.2% and 2.9-31.1% lower than the highest microhardness obtained using LED or QTH LCUs. Also, laser-treated specimens had lower top and bottom microhardnesses than the other LCUs treated specimens by 2.4-19.4% and 1.4-27.8%, respectively. After ethanol immersion for 24 h, the microhardness of laser-treated specimens ranged from 20.3 to 63.2 HV on top and bottom surfaces, but from 24.9 to 71.5 HV when specimens were cured using the other LCUs. Polymerization shrinkage was 9.8-14.7 μm for laser-treated specimens, and these were significantly similar or lower (10.2-16.0 μm) than those obtained using the other LCUs. The results may suggest that the 457 nm DPSS laser can be used as a light source for light-curing dental resin composites.

  8. Effects of Light Curing Method and Exposure Time on Mechanical Properties of Resin Based Dental Materials

    PubMed Central

    Alpöz, A. Riza; Ertuḡrul, Fahinur; Cogulu, Dilsah; Ak, Asli Topaloḡlu; Tanoḡlu, Metin; Kaya, Elçin

    2008-01-01

    Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate microhardness and compressive strength of composite resin (Tetric-Ceram, Ivoclar Vivadent), compomer (Compoglass, Ivoclar, Vivadent), and resin modified glass ionomer cement (Fuji II LC, GC Corp) polymerized using halogen light (Optilux 501, Demetron, Kerr) and LED (Bluephase C5, Ivoclar Vivadent) for different curing times. Methods Samples were placed in disc shaped plastic molds with uniform size of 5 mm diameter and 2 mm in thickness for surface microhardness test and placed in a diameter of 4 mm and a length of 2 mm teflon cylinders for compressive strength test. For each subgroup, 20 samples for microhardness (n=180) and 5 samples for compressive strength were prepared (n=45). In group 1, samples were polymerized using halogen light source for 40 seconds; in group 2 and 3 samples were polymerized using LED light source for 20 seconds and 40 seconds respectively. All data were analyzed by two way analysis of ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc tests. Results Same exposure time of 40 seconds with a low intensity LED was found similar or more efficient than a high intensity halogen light unit (P>.05), however application of LED for 20 seconds was found less efficient than 40 seconds curing time (P=.03). Conclusions It is important to increase the light curing time and use appropriate light curing devices to polymerize resin composite in deep cavities to maximize the hardness and compressive strength of restorative materials. PMID:19212507

  9. Effect of Layering Methods, Composite Type, and Flowable Liner on the Polymerization Shrinkage Stress of Light Cured Dental Composites

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-08-01

    composite (Z350 flowable: 3M ESPE), and a silorane-based composite (P90: 3M ESPE). Scotchbond multipurpose adhesive ( 3M ESPE) was applied prior to...syringe. Composites used for filling the cavities were a methacrylate-based universal hybrid composite (Z250: 3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA), a flowable... adhesive was light cured for 10 s using a LED light curing unit (S10: 3M ESPE), and the light intensity was 1200 mW/cm 2 . An acrylic case with

  10. Effect of light-curing units on microleakage under dental composite resins

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Queiroz, R. S.; Bandéca, M. C.; Calixto, L. R.; Saade, E. G.; Nadalin, M. R.; Andrade, M. F.; Porto-Neto, S. T.

    2009-09-01

    The aim of this study was to determine the effect of two light-curing units (QTH and LED) on microleakage of Class II composite resin restorations with dentin cavosurface margins. Twenty extracted mandibular first premolars, free of caries and fractures were prepared two vertical “slot” cavities in the occluso-mesial and -destal surfaces (2 mm buccal-lingually, 2 mm proximal-axially and cervical limit in enamel) and divided into 4 equal groups ( n = 8): GI and GII: packable posterior composite light-activated with LED and QTH, respectively; GIII and GIV: micro-hybrid composite resin light-activated with LED and QTH, respectively. The composite resins were applied following the manufacturer’s instructions. After 24 h of water storage specimens were subjected to thermocycling for a total of 500 cycles at 5 and 55°C and the teeth were then sealed with impermeable material. Teeth were immersed in 0.5% Basic fuchsin during 24 h at room temperature, and zero to three levels of penetration score were attributed. The Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests showed significant statistically similar ( P > 0.05) from GI to GII and GIII to GIV, which the GII (2.750) had the highest mean scores and the GIII and GIV (0.875) had lowest mean scores. The use of different light-curing units has no influence on marginal integrity of Class II composite resin restorations and the proprieties of composite resins are important to reduce the microleakage.

  11. EFFECT OF LIGHT-CURING UNITS AND ACTIVATION MODE ON POLYMERIZATION SHRINKAGE AND SHRINKAGE STRESS OF COMPOSITE RESINS

    PubMed Central

    Lopes, Lawrence Gonzaga; Franco, Eduardo Batista; Pereira, José Carlos; Mondelli, Rafael Francisco Lia

    2008-01-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate the polymerization shrinkage and shrinkage stress of composites polymerized with a LED and a quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) light sources. The LED was used in a conventional mode (CM) and the QTH was used in both conventional and pulse-delay modes (PD). The composite resins used were Z100, A110, SureFil and Bisfil 2B (chemical-cured). Composite deformation upon polymerization was measured by the strain gauge method. The shrinkage stress was measured by photoelastic analysis. The polymerization shrinkage data were analyzed statistically using two-way ANOVA and Tukey test (p≤0.05), and the stress data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p≤0.05). Shrinkage and stress means of Bisfil 2B were statistically significant lower than those of Z100, A110 and SureFil. In general, the PD mode reduced the contraction and the stress values when compared to CM. LED generated the same stress as QTH in conventional mode. Regardless of the activation mode, SureFil produced lower contraction and stress values than the other light-cured resins. Conversely, Z100 and A110 produced the greatest contraction and stress values. As expected, the chemically cured resin generated lower shrinkage and stress than the light-cured resins. In conclusion, The PD mode effectively decreased contraction stress for Z100 and A110. Development of stress in light-cured resins depended on the shrinkage value. PMID:19089287

  12. Distance and protective barrier effects on the composite resin degree of conversion

    PubMed Central

    Coutinho, Margareth; Trevizam, Natália Carvalho; Takayassu, Renata Nakase; Leme, Ariene Arcas; Soares, Giulliana Panfiglio

    2013-01-01

    Context: The food wrap films are used to cover the tip of curing light units in order to avoid contamination and prevent damage to the light guide. However, their effects on resin polymerization are not fully known. Aims: We investigated the effects on restoration efficiency of a food wrap protective barrier used on the tip of curing light units. Materials and Methods: For each treatment, five replications were performed, a total of 60 bovine incisor. The degree of conversion (%DC) of restorations with the composite resin Opallis EA2 was evaluated using 3 curing light devices (Optilux 501, Optilight and Ultra LED) and 2 curing distances (0 and 5 mm). The composite resin was tested for restoration of cavities in bovine crowns. %DC values were measured by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflectance technique. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed using 3-way ANOVA and Tukey's test. Results: Use of the protective film lowered %DC (F = 4.13; P = 0.05), and the effects of curing distance were associated to the curing light device (F = 3.61; P = 0.03). Conclusions: The distance from the light curing tip and use of a translucent protective barrier on the light-cure device can both impair composite resin %DC. PMID:24015001

  13. Interaction of LED light with coinitiator-containing composite resins: effect of dual peaks.

    PubMed

    Sim, Jae-Seong; Seol, Hyo-Joung; Park, Jeong-Kil; Garcia-Godoy, Franklin; Kim, Hyung-Il; Kwon, Yong Hoon

    2012-10-01

    Recently the colour stability of composite resins has been an issue due to the emphasis on the aesthetics of restored teeth. The purpose of the present study was to investigate how dual-peak LED units affect the polymerization of coinitiator-containing composite resins. Five composite resins [coinitiator-containing: Aelite LS Posterior (AL), Tetric EvoCeram (TE), and Vit-l-escence (VI); only CQ-containing: Grandio (GD) and Filtek Z350 (Z3)] were light cured using four different light-curing units (LCUs). Among them, Bluephase G2 (BP) and G-light (GL) were dual-peak LED LCUs. Microhardness, polymerization shrinkage, flexural, and compressive properties were measured. BP and GL had no consistent effect on the microhardness of AL, TE, and VI on the top and bottom surfaces of resin specimens. Among the specimens, AL and VI showed the least (9.86-10.41 μm) and greatest (17.58-19.21 μm) polymerization shrinkage, respectively. However, the effect of BP and GL on the shrinkage of specimens was not consistent. Among the specimens, GD showed the greatest flexural properties [strength (FS) and modulus (FM)] and TE showed the lowest flexural and compressive properties [strength (CS) and modulus (CM)]. In same resin product, maximum FS and CS differences due to the different LCUs were 10.3-21.0% and 3.6-9.2%, respectively. Furthermore, the influences of BP and GL on FS and CS were not consistent. The tested dual-peak LED LCUs had no consistent synergic effect on the polymerization of coinitiator-containing composite resins as compared with QTH and single-peak LED LCUs. The dual-peak LED LCUs achieve a similar degree of polymerization in coinitiator-composite resins as QTH and single-peak LED LCUs did. Choice of LCU does not appear to be a determinant of the light curing of coinitiator-composite resins. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Mechanical properties and polymerization shrinkage of composite resins light-cured using two different lasers.

    PubMed

    Kim, Tae-Wan; Lee, Jang-Hoon; Jeong, Seung-Hwa; Ko, Ching-Chang; Kim, Hyung-Il; Kwon, Yong Hoon

    2015-04-01

    The purpose of the present study was to investigate the usefulness of 457 and 473 nm lasers for the curing of composite resins during the restoration of damaged tooth cavity. Monochromaticity and coherence are attractive features of laser compared with most other light sources. Better polymerization of composite resins can be expected. Eight composite resins were light cured using these two lasers and a light-emitting diode (LED) light-curing unit (LCU). To evaluate the degrees of polymerization achieved, polymerization shrinkage and flexural and compressive properties were measured and compared. Polymerization shrinkage values by 457 and 473 nm laser, and LED ranged from 10.9 to 26.8, from 13.2 to 26.1, and from 11.5 to 26.3 μm, respectively. The values by 457 nm laser was significantly different from those by 473 and LED LCU (p<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference between values by 473 and LED LCU. Before immersion in distilled water, flexural strength (FS) and compressive modulus (CM) of the specimens were inconsistently influenced by LCUs. On the other hand, flexural modulus (FM) and compressive strength (CS) were not significantly different for the three LCUs (p>0.05). For the tested LCUs, no specific LCU could consistently achieve highest strength and modulus from the specimens tested. Two lasers (457 and 473 nm) can polymerize composite resins to the level that LED LCU can achieve despite inconsistent trends of polymerization shrinkage and flexural and compressive properties of the tested specimens.

  15. IN VITRO STUDY OF THE PULP CHAMBER TEMPERATURE RISE DURING LIGHT-ACTIVATED BLEACHING

    PubMed Central

    Carrasco, Thaise Graciele; Carrasco-Guerisoli, Laise Daniela; Fröner, Izabel Cristina

    2008-01-01

    This study evaluated in vitro the pulp chamber temperature rise induced by the light-activated dental bleaching technique using different light sources. The root portions of 78 extracted sound human mandibular incisors were sectioned approximately 2 mm below the cementoenamel junction. The root cavities of the crowns were enlarged to facilitate the correct placing of the sensor into the pulp chamber. Half of specimens (n=39) was assigned to receive a 35% hydrogen peroxide gel on the buccal surface and the other halt (n=39) not to receive the bleaching agent. Three groups (n=13) were formed for each condition (bleach or no bleach) according to the use of 3 light sources recommended for dental bleaching: a light-emitting diode (LED)-laser system, a LED unit and a conventional halogen light. The light sources were positioned perpendicular to the buccal surface at a distance of 5 mm and activated during 30 s. The differences between the initial and the highest temperature readings for each specimen were obtained, and, from the temperature changes, the means for each specimen and each group were calculated. The values of temperature rise were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test at 1% significance level. Temperature rise varied significantly depending on the light-curing unit, with statistically significant differences (p<0.01) among the groups. When the bleaching agent was not applied, the halogen light induced the highest temperature rise (2.38±0.66°C). The LED unit produced the lowest temperature increase (0.29±0.13°C); but there was no significant difference between LED unit and LED-laser system (0.35±0.15°C) (p>0.01). When the bleaching agent was applied, there were significant differences among groups (p<0.01): halogen light induced the highest temperature rise (1.41±0.64°C), and LED-laser system the lowest (0.33±0.12°C); however, there was no difference between LED-laser system and LED unit (0.44±0.11°C). LED and LED-laser system did not differ significantly from each other regardless the temperature rise occurred with or without bleaching agent application. It may be concluded that during light-activated tooth bleaching, with or without the bleaching agent, halogen light promoted higher pulp chamber temperature rise than LED unit and LED-laser system. The tested light-curing units provided increases in the pulp chamber temperature that were compatible with pulpal health. PMID:19089234

  16. A PREP Panel, Practice-Based, Evaluation of the Handling of the Kerr Demi-Ultra Light Curing Unit.

    PubMed

    Burke, F J Trevor; Crisp, Russell J

    2015-09-01

    This paper describes the handling evaluation (by a group of practice-based researchers, the PREP Panel) of a recently introduced Light Curing Unit (LCU), the Kerr Demi-Ultra, which possesses a number of novel features such as its ultracapacitor power source, and the Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) which provide the light output being placed close to the tip of the light guide. CPD/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Testing of new devices and materials with respect to their handling is of importance, given that an easy to handle device should produce better clinical results than one which is difficult to use.

  17. Influence of light-curing sources on polymerization reaction kinetics of a restorative system.

    PubMed

    D'Alpino, Paulo H P; Svizero, Nádia R; Pereira, José C; Rueggeberg, Frederick A; Carvalho, Ricardo M; Pashley, David H

    2007-02-01

    To determine the effect of using a variety of commercial light-curing units on polymerization of a dentin-bonding agent (Adper Single Bond) and of a resin composite (Filtek Z250). Infrared (IR) spectra were obtained kinetically at one scan/second at 2 cm(-1) resolution for a period of 5 minutes and were analyzed for: maximum conversion rate (%/s), time into exposure when maximum rate occurred (seconds), conversion at maximum rate (%), and total conversion (%) at 300 seconds by comparison of aliphatic-to-aromatic absorption IR peak ratios, before and after polymerization. Light units used were: QTH 540 mW/cm2 (XL3000); LED 750 mW/cm2 (Elipar FreeLight 2); PAC 2,130 mW/cm2 (ARC II). Exposure followed manufacturers' recommendations: dentin bonding agent for 10 seconds, RC for 20 seconds (QTH), and 10 seconds (LED and PAC). Polymerization kinetics was evaluated at the bottom surface (2.5 mm thick) for the resin composite and as a thin film for the dentin bonding agent on the diamond surface of an attenuated total reflectance accessory in the IR spectrometer. Values (n = 5) were compared using ANOVA and Tukey's pairwise post-hoc test: pre-set alpha 0.05. PAC produced the highest total conversion and conversion rate for the resin composite (P < 0.05). Total conversion was lower for dentin bonding adhesive using PAC than with LED or QTH (P < 0.05). LED provided the highest proportion of conversion at the maximum rate with respect to conversion at 300 seconds for both materials. QTH demonstrated the lowest maximum rate value that occurred at a longer time into exposure (P < 0.05). Polymerization kinetic parameters varied greatly between the restorative materials as well as among light-curing unit types when compared to values observed when using a QTH light as control.

  18. Effect of Dental Chair Light on Enamel Bonding of Orthodontic Brackets Using Light Cure Based Adhesive System: An In-Vitro Study

    PubMed Central

    Tiwari, Anil; Shyagali, Tarulatha; Kohli, Sarvraj; Joshi, Rishi; Gupta, Abhishek; Tiwari, Rana

    2016-01-01

    Aim: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of the Dental chair light on the bond strength of light cured composite resin. Materials and Methods: Sixty therapeutically extracted human premolar teeth were randomly allocated to two groups of 30 specimens each. In both groups light cured composite resin (Transbond XT) and MBT premolar metal brackets (3M Unitek) was used to bond brackets. In group I and II light curing was done using Light-emitting diode light curing units without and with the dental chair light respectively. After bonding, all samples were stored in distilled water at room temperature for 24 hours and subsequently tested for shear bond strength and Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) scores. Data was subjected to Mann Whitney U statistical test. Results: Results indicated that there was significantly higher shear bond strength (7.71 ± 1.90) for the Group II (composite cured with LED and dental chair light) compared with Group I (composite cured with LED LCU only) (5.74 ± 1.13).the obtained difference was statistically significant. There was no statistical significant difference between ARI scores in between the groups. Conclusions: light cure bonding with dental chair light switched on will produce greater bond strength than the conventional bonding. However, the ARI score were similar to both the groups. It is advised that the inexperienced orthodontist should always switch off the dental chair light while bonding for enough working time during the bracket placement. PMID:28077886

  19. GLASS TRANSITION AND DEGREE OF CONVERSION OF A LIGHT-CURED ORTHODONTIC COMPOSITE

    PubMed Central

    Sostena, Michela M. D. S.; Nogueira, Renata A.; Grandini, Carlos R.; Moraes, João Carlos Silos

    2009-01-01

    Objective: This study evaluated the glass transition temperature (Tg) and degree of conversion (DC) of a light-cured (Fill Magic) versus a chemically cured (Concise) orthodontic composite. Material and Methods: Anelastic relaxation spectroscopy was used for the first time to determine the Tg of a dental composite, while the DC was evaluated by infrared spectroscopy. The light-cured composite specimens were irradiated with a commercial LED light-curing unit using different exposure times (40, 90 and 120 s). Results: Fill Magic presented lower Tg than Concise (35-84°C versus 135°C), but reached a higher DC. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that Fill Magic has lower Tg than Concise due to its higher organic phase content, and that when this light-cured composite is used to bond orthodontic brackets, a minimum energy density of 7.8 J/cm2 is necessary to reach adequate conversion level and obtain satisfactory adhesion. PMID:20027428

  20. Clinical effect of reducing curing times with high-intensity LED lights

    PubMed Central

    Ward, Justin D.; Wolf, Bethany J.; Leite, Luis P.; Zhou, Jing

    2016-01-01

    Objective To evaluate the clinical performance of brackets cured with a high-intensity, light-emitting diode (LED) with a shorter curing time. Materials and Methods Thirty-four patients and a total of 680 brackets were examined using a randomized split-mouth design. The maxillary right and mandibular left quadrants were cured for 6 seconds with a high-intensity LED light (3200 mW/cm2) and the maxillary left and mandibular right quadrants were cured for 20 seconds with a standard-intensity LED light (1200 mW/cm2). Alternating patients had the quadrants inverted for the curing protocol. The number and date of each first-time bracket failure was recorded from 199 to 585 days posttreatment. Results The bracket failure rate was 1.18% for both curing methods. The proportion of bracket failure was not significantly different between curing methods (P = 1.000), genders (P = 1.000), jaws (P = .725), sides (P = .725), or quadrants (P = .547). Posterior teeth exhibited a greater proportion of failures (2.21%) relative to anterior teeth (0.49%), although the difference was not statistically significant (P = .065). Conclusions No difference was found in bond failure rates between the two curing methods. Both methods showed bond failure rates low enough to be considered clinically sufficient. The high-intensity LED light used with a shorter curing time may be considered an advantage due to the reduced chair time. PMID:25760887

  1. Effect of curing mode on the micro-mechanical properties of dual-cured self-adhesive resin cements.

    PubMed

    Ilie, Nicoleta; Simon, Alexander

    2012-04-01

    Light supplying to luting resin cements is impeded in several clinical situations, causing us to question whether materials can properly be cured to achieve adequately (or adequate) mechanical properties. The aim of this study was therefore to analyse the effect of light on the micro-mechanical properties of eight popular dual-cured self-adhesive resin cements by comparing them with two conventional, also dual-cured, resin cements. Four different curing procedures were applied: auto-polymerisation (dark curing) and light curing (LED unit, Freelight 2, 20 s) by applying the unit directly on the samples' surface, at a distance of 5 and 10 mm. Twenty minutes after curing, the samples were stored for 1 week at 37°C in a water-saturated atmosphere. The micro-mechanical properties-Vickers hardness, modulus of elasticity, creep and elastic/plastic deformation-were measured. Data were analysed with multivariate ANOVA followed by Tukey's test and partial eta-squared statistics (p < 0.05). A very strong influence of the material as well as filler volume and weight on the micro-mechanical properties was measured, whereas the influence of the curing procedure and type of cement-conventional or self-adhesive-was generally low. The influence of light on the polymerisation process was material dependent, with four different behaviour patterns to be distinguished. As a material category, significantly higher micro-mechanical properties were measured for the conventional compared to the self-adhesive resin cements, although this difference was low. Within the self-adhesive resin cements group, the variation in micro-mechanical properties was high. The selection of suitable resin cements should be done by considering, besides its adhesive properties, its micro-mechanical properties and curing behaviour also.

  2. Biaxial Flexural Strength of High-Viscosity Glass-Ionomer Cements Heat-Cured with an LED Lamp during Setting

    PubMed Central

    Fabián Molina, Gustavo; Cabral, Ricardo Juan; Mazzola, Ignacio; Brain Lascano, Laura; Frencken, Jo E.

    2013-01-01

    Adding heat to glass ionomers during setting might improve mechanical properties. The aim was to compare the biaxial flexural strength (BFS) between and within four glass ionomers, by time of exposure to a high-intensity LED light-curing unit. Materials and methods. Samples of Fuji 9 Gold Label, Ketac Molar Easymix, ChemFil Rock, and the EQUIA system were divided into three treatment groups (n = 30): without heating (Group 1), heated with LED lamp of 1400 mW/cm2 for 30 s while setting (Group 2), and heated with LED lamp of 1400 mW/cm2 for 60 s while setting (Group 3). Samples were stored for 48 hours in distilled water at 37°C until tested. BFS was tested, using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Data were analyzed, using ANOVA test with the Bonferroni correction (α = 0.05). Heating the glass-ionomer cements with an LED curing light of 1400 mW/cm2 during setting for 30 s increased the BFS value of all GICs. No statistically significant difference in mean BFS scores was found between the EQUIA system and ChemFil Rock at 30 s and 60 s. The mean BFS value was statistically significantly higher for the EQUIA system and ChemFil Rock than for Fuji 9 Gold Label and Ketac Molar Easymix at all exposure times. PMID:23841095

  3. Biaxial flexural strength of high-viscosity glass-ionomer cements heat-cured with an LED lamp during setting.

    PubMed

    Fabián Molina, Gustavo; Cabral, Ricardo Juan; Mazzola, Ignacio; Brain Lascano, Laura; Frencken, Jo E

    2013-01-01

    Adding heat to glass ionomers during setting might improve mechanical properties. The aim was to compare the biaxial flexural strength (BFS) between and within four glass ionomers, by time of exposure to a high-intensity LED light-curing unit. Materials and methods. Samples of Fuji 9 Gold Label, Ketac Molar Easymix, ChemFil Rock, and the EQUIA system were divided into three treatment groups (n = 30): without heating (Group 1), heated with LED lamp of 1400 mW/cm(2) for 30 s while setting (Group 2), and heated with LED lamp of 1400 mW/cm(2) for 60 s while setting (Group 3). Samples were stored for 48 hours in distilled water at 37°C until tested. BFS was tested, using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Data were analyzed, using ANOVA test with the Bonferroni correction (α = 0.05). Heating the glass-ionomer cements with an LED curing light of 1400 mW/cm(2) during setting for 30 s increased the BFS value of all GICs. No statistically significant difference in mean BFS scores was found between the EQUIA system and ChemFil Rock at 30 s and 60 s. The mean BFS value was statistically significantly higher for the EQUIA system and ChemFil Rock than for Fuji 9 Gold Label and Ketac Molar Easymix at all exposure times.

  4. Degree of conversion of two lingual retainer adhesives cured with different light sources.

    PubMed

    Usümez, Serdar; Büyükyilmaz, Tamer; Karaman, Ali Ihya; Gündüz, Beniz

    2005-04-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of conversion (DC) of two lingual retainer adhesives, Transbond Lingual Retainer (TLR) and Light Cure Retainer (LCR), cured with a fast halogen light, a plasma arc light and a light-emitting diode (LED) at various curing times. A conventional halogen light served as the control. One hundred adhesive samples (five per group) were cured for 5, 10 or 15 seconds with an Optilux 501 (fast halogen light), for 3, 6 or 9 seconds with a Power Pac (plasma arc light), or for 10, 20 or 40 seconds with an Elipar Freelight (LED). Samples cured for 40 seconds with the conventional halogen lamp were used as the controls. Absorbance peaks were recorded using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. DC values were calculated. Data were analysed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests. For the TLR, the highest DC values were achieved in 6 and 9 seconds with the plasma arc light. Curing with the fast halogen light for 15 seconds and with the LED for 40 seconds produced statistically similar DC values, but these were lower than those with the plasma arc light. All of these light exposures yielded a statistically significantly higher DC than 40 seconds of conventional halogen light curing. The highest DC value for the LCR was achieved in 15 seconds with the fast halogen light, then the plasma arc light curing for 6 seconds. These two combinations produced a statistically significantly higher DC when compared with the 40 seconds of conventional halogen light curing. The lowest DC for the LCR was achieved with 10 seconds of LED curing. The overall DC of the LCR was significantly higher than that of the TLR. The results suggest that a similar or higher DC than the control values could be achieved in 6-9 seconds by plasma arc curing, in 10-15 seconds by fast halogen curing or in 20 seconds by LED curing.

  5. In vitro pulp chamber temperature rise from irradiation and exotherm of flowable composites.

    PubMed

    Baroudi, Kusai; Silikas, Nick; Watts, David C

    2009-01-01

    The aim of this study was to investigate the pulpal temperature rise induced during the polymerization of flowable and non-flowable composites using light-emitting diode (LED) and halogen (quartz-tungsten-halogen) light-curing units (LCUs). Five flowable and three non-flowable composites were examined. Pulpal temperature changes were recorded over 10 min in a sample primary tooth by a thermocouple. A conventional quartz-tungsten-halogen source and two LEDs, one of which was programmable, were used for light curing the resin composites. Three repetitions per material were made for each LCU. There was a wide range of temperature rises among the materials (P < 0.05). Temperature rises ranged between 1.3 degrees C for Filtek Supreme irradiated by low-power LED and 4.5 degrees C for Grandio Flow irradiated by high-power LED. The highest temperature rises were observed with both the LED high-power and soft-start LCUs. The time to reach the exothermic peak varied significantly between the materials (P < 0.05). Pulpal temperature rise is related to both the radiant energy output from LCUs and the polymerization exotherm of resin composites. A greater potential risk for heat-induced pulp damage might be associated with high-power LED sources. Flowable composites exhibited higher temperature rises than non-flowable materials, because of higher resin contents.

  6. Time dependence of composite shrinkage using halogen and LED light curing.

    PubMed

    Uhl, Alexander; Mills, Robin W; Rzanny, Angelika E; Jandt, Klaus D

    2005-03-01

    The polymerization shrinkage of light cured dental composites presents the major drawback for these aesthetically adaptable restorative materials. LED based light curing technology has recently become commercially available. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate if there was a statistically significant difference in linear and volumetric composite shrinkage strain if a LED LCU is used for the light curing process rather than a conventional halogen LCU. The volumetric shrinkage strain was determined using the Archimedes buoyancy principle after 5, 10, 20, 40 s of light curing and after 120 s following the 40 s light curing time period. The linear shrinkage strain was determined with a dynamic mechanical analyzer for the composites Z100, Spectrum, Solitaire2 and Definite polymerized with the LCUs Trilight (halogen), Freelight I (LED) and LED63 (LED LCU prototype). The changes in irradiance and spectra of the LCUs were measured after 0, 312 and 360 min of duty time. In general there was no considerable difference in shrinkage of the composites Z100, Spectrum or Solitaire2 when the LED63 was used instead of the Trilight. There was, however, a statistically significant difference in shrinkage strain when the composite Definite was polymerized with the LED63 instead of the Trilight. The spectrum of the Trilight changed during the experiment considerably whereas the LED63 showed an almost constant light output. The Freelight I dropped considerably in irradiance and had to be withdrawn from the study because of technical problems. The composites containing only the photoinitiator camphorquinone showed similar shrinkage strain behaviour when a LED or halogen LCU is used for the polymerization. The irradiance of some LED LCUs can also decrease over time and should therefore be checked on a regular basis.

  7. Comparison of microleakages of photo-cured composites using three different light sources: halogen lamp, LED and argon laser: an in vitro study.

    PubMed

    Tielemans, M; Compere, Ph; Geerts, S O; Lamy, M; Limme, M; De Moor, R J G; Delmé, K I M; Bertrand, M F; Rompen, E; Nammour, S

    2009-01-01

    In this study, we compared the microleakage of composite fillings cured with halogen bulb, LED and argon ion laser (488 nm). Twenty-four extracted human molars were divided randomly in three groups. Six cavities were prepared on the coronal part of each tooth. Standard cavities (1.7 x 2 mm) were prepared. Cavities were acid etched, sealed with Scotch Bond 1 and filled by a hybrid composite. Cavities were exposed to one light source, thermocycled and immersed in a 2% methylene blue dye solution. Dye penetration in the leakage of cavities was recorded using a digital optical microscope. Mean values of percentage of dye penetrations in microleakages of cavities were 49.303 +/- 5.178% for cavities cured with LED, 44.486 +/- 6.075% with halogen bulb and 36.647 +/- 5.936% for those cured by argon laser. Statistically significant difference exists between cavities cured by halogen vs LED (P < 0.01), halogen vs laser (P < 0.001) and LED vs laser (P < 0.001). The lowest microleakage was observed in the cavities and composites cured with argon ion laser.

  8. LED and Halogen Light Transmission through a CAD/CAM Lithium Disilicate Glass-Ceramic.

    PubMed

    Pereira, Carolina Nemesio de Barros; De Magalhães, Cláudia Silami; Daleprane, Bruno; Peixoto, Rogéli Tibúrcio Ribeiro da Cunha; Ferreira, Raquel da Conceição; Cury, Luiz Alberto; Moreira, Allyson Nogueira

    2015-01-01

    The effect of thickness, shade and translucency of CAD/CAM lithium disilicate glass-ceramic on light transmission of light-emitting diode (LED) and quartz-tungsten-halogen units (QTH) were evaluated. Ceramic IPS e.max CAD shades A1, A2, A3, A3.5, high (HT) and low (LT) translucency were cut (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 mm). Light sources emission spectra were determined. Light intensity incident and transmitted through each ceramic sample was measured to determine light transmission percentage (TP). Statistical analysis used a linear regression model. There was significant interaction between light source and ceramic translucency (p=0.008) and strong negative correlation (R=-0.845, p<0.001) between ceramic thickness and TP. Increasing one unit in thickness led to 3.17 reduction in TP. There was no significant difference in TP (p=0.124) between shades A1 (ß1=0) and A2 (ß1=-0.45) but significant reduction occurred for A3 (ß1=-0.83) and A3.5 (ß1=-2.18). The interaction QTH/HT provided higher TP (ß1=0) than LED/HT (ß1=-2.92), QTH/LT (ß1=-3.75) and LED/LT (ß1=-5.58). Light transmission was more effective using halogen source and high-translucency ceramics, decreased as the ceramic thickness increased and was higher for the lighter shades, A1 and A2. From the regression model (R2=0.85), an equation was obtained to estimate TP value using each variable ß1 found. A maximum TP of 25% for QTH and 20% for LED was found, suggesting that ceramic light attenuation could compromise light cured and dual cure resin cements polymerization.

  9. Effect of different light sources in combination with a light-transmitting post on the degree of conversion of resin composite at different depths of simulated root canals.

    PubMed

    Zorba, Yahya Orcun; Erdemir, Ali; Ahmetoglu, Fuat; Yoldas, Oguz

    2011-06-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of conversion (DC) of composite resin at different depths of simulated immature root canals using light-transmitting plastic post (LTPP) and three different light sources. Composite resin was packed into 60 black plastic cylinders 12mm in length with 4mm internal diameters to simulate immature root canals. LTPPs were inserted into half of the simulated canals and the other half acted as controls. Both the simulated canals with LTPPs and the controls were divided into three groups of 10, and each group was cured using either a quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH), light-emitting diode (LED), or plasma arc (PAC) curing unit. Specimens were sectioned in three horizontally 24h after curing to represent cervical, middle, and apical levels. DC for each section of composite resin was measured using a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, and data were analyzed using three-way anova and Tukey tests. At the cervical level, no significant differences were found between specimens cured using different light sources or between specimens with and without LTPPs (P>0.05). However, DC was significantly higher in specimens with LTPPs than in those without LTPPs at both the middle and apical levels (P<0.05). The mean DC of all specimens with LTPPs was significantly higher than that of specimens without LTPPs (P<0.05). PAC unit showed lower DC than QTH and LED units at both the middle and apical levels; however, the differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The results of this study suggest that the use of a LTPP increased the DC of composite resin at the middle and apical levels of simulated immature root canals, but that DC was independent of type of light source. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

  10. Effect of radiant heat on conventional glass ionomer cements during setting by using a blue light diode laser system (445 nm).

    PubMed

    Dionysopoulos, Dimitrios; Tolidis, Kosmas; Strakas, Dimitrios; Gerasimou, Paris; Sfeikos, Thrasyvoulos; Gutknecht, Norbert

    2017-04-01

    The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of radiant heat on surface hardness of three conventional glass ionomer cements (GICs) by using a blue diode laser system (445 nm) and a light-emitting diode (LED) unit. Additionally, the safety of the laser treatment was evaluated. Thirty disk-shaped specimens were prepared of each tested GIC (Equia Fil, Ketac Universal Aplicap and Riva Self Cure). The experimental groups (n = 10) of the study were as follows: group 1 was the control group of the study; in group 2, the specimens were irradiated for 60 s at the top surface using a LED light-curing unit; and in group 3, the specimens were irradiated for 60 s at the top surface using a blue light diode laser system (445 nm). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests at a level of significance of a = 0.05. Radiant heat treatments, with both laser and LED devices, increased surface hardness (p < 0.05) but in different extent. Blue diode laser treatment was seemed to be more effective compared to LED treatment. There were no alterations in surface morphology or chemical composition after laser treatment. The tested radiant heat treatment with a blue diode laser may be advantageous for the longevity of GIC restorations. The safety of the use of blue diode laser for this application was confirmed.

  11. Monomer Release from Resin Based Dental Materials Cured With LED and Halogen Lights

    PubMed Central

    Ak, Asli Topaloglu; Alpoz, A. Riza; Bayraktar, Oguz; Ertugrul, Fahinur

    2010-01-01

    Objectives: To measure the release of TEGDMA and BisGMA from two commercially available composite resins; Filtek Z 250 (3M ESPE, Germany), Leaddent (Leaddent, Germany) and two fissure sealants; Helioseal F (3M ESPE, Germany) Enamel Loc (Premiere Rev, USA) over 1, 3 and 7 days after polymerization with standard quartz-tungsten halogen Coltolux II (QHL) (Coltene Switzerland) and a standard blue light emitting diode Elipar Freelight 2 (3M ESPE, Germany). Methods: 9 samples of each material were placed in disc shaped specimens in 1 mm of thickness and 10 mm in diameter (n=36). Each material was polymerized using LED for 20 s (n=12), 40 s (n=12) and halogen for 40 s (n=12), respectively. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used to measure the amount of monomers released over 1, 3 and 7 days. Data was analyzed using one way ANOVA and Bonferroni test for multiple comparisons with a significance level of .05. Results: LED 20 sec group showed the highest release of monomers at 1, 3 and 7 days in sealant groups. Halogen 40 sec group resulted highest release of monomers for Leaddent at all time intervals (P<.05) Conclusions: Efficiency of the curing unit and applying the recommended curing time of the light activated resin based dental materials is very important to protect the patient from potential hazards of residual monomers. PMID:20046478

  12. Effect of different photo-initiators and light curing units on degree of conversion of composites.

    PubMed

    Brandt, William Cunha; Schneider, Luis Felipe Jochims; Frollini, Elisabete; Correr-Sobrinho, Lourenço; Sinhoreti, Mário Alexandre Coelho

    2010-01-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate: (i) the absorption of photo-initiators and emission spectra of light curing units (LCUs); and (ii) the degree of conversion (DC) of experimental composites formulated with different photo-initiators when activated by different LCUs. Blends of BisGMA, UDMA, BisEMA and TEGDMA with camphorquinone (CQ) and/ or 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione (PPD) were prepared. Dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) was used as co-initiator. Each mixture was loaded with 65 wt% of silanated filler particles. One quartz-tungsten-halogen - QTH (XL 2500, 3M/ESPE) and two lightemitting diode (LED) LCUs (UltraBlue IS, DMC and UltraLume LED 5, Ultradent) were used for activation procedures. Irradiance (mW/cm²) was calculated by the ratio of the output power by the area of the tip, and spectral distribution with a spectrometer (USB 2000). The absorption curve of each photo-initiator was determined using a spectrophotometer (Varian Cary 5G). DC was assessed by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Data were submitted to two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (5%). No significant difference was found for DC values when using LED LCUs regardless of the photo-initiator type. However, PPD showed significantly lower DC values than composites with CQ when irradiated with QTH. PPD produced DC values similar to those of CQ, but it was dependent on the LCU type.

  13. General dental practitioners' knowledge of polymerisation of resin-based composite restorations and light curing unit technology.

    PubMed

    Santini, A; Turner, S

    2011-09-23

    Clinical successful use of resin-based composite restorations (RBCs) depends on knowledge of material and light curing unit (LCU) related factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate general dental practitioners' knowledge of polymerisation of RBCs and LCU technology. Members of the Active Research Group of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) in England, Scotland and Wales engaged in primary dental care were sent a letter introducing the study and asking for their cooperation, followed by an email containing a link to the online survey questionnaire, hosted on Surveymonkey.com. The questionnaire enquired about current LCUs, and asked a series of questions on material science. Sixty-six percent of the 274 members contacted responded. Fifty-seven percent used LED units, 25% quartz tungsten halogen (QTH), and 1% plasma arc (missing: 17%). Thirty percent reported having access to a radiometer. Appropriate responses regarding the degree of conversion of composite and adhesive materials were given by 32% and 23% respectively, and 22% agreed that LED and QTH LCUs had comparable efficiency in polymerising composites. Thirty-three percent were aware that RBCs eluted substances that may have adverse local or systemic consequences. Fifty-eight percent stated that if polymerisation of RBC is slowed down, polymerisation stress will be lower, and 43% said that polymerisation shrinkage will be reduced if the degree of conversion is reduced. Knowledge (measured by appropriate responses to these questions) was not related to years since qualification (r=-0.05, n=168, p=0.53). The study suggests that dentists' knowledge of curing RBC restorations and LCUs is poor. This indicates that there is a need for training and guidance in this aspect of primary dental care.

  14. Temperature rise during polymerization of different cavity liners and composite resins

    PubMed Central

    Karatas, Ozcan; Turel, Verda; Bayindir, Yusuf Ziya

    2015-01-01

    Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the thermal insulating properties of different light curing cavity liners and composite resins during light emitting diode (LED) curing. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four dentin discs, 1 mm thick and 8 mm in diameter, were prepared. Specimens were divided into four groups. Calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH]2), resin-modified glass ionomer cement, flowable composite and adhesive systems were applied to dentin discs according to the manufacturers’ instructions. The rise in temperature during polymerization with a LED curing unit (LCU) was measured using a K-type thermocouple connected to a data logger. Subsequently, all specimens were randomly divided into one of two groups. A silorane-based composite resin and a methacrylate-based composite resin were applied to the specimens. Temperature rise during polymerization of composite resins with LCU were then measured again. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey analyses. Results: There were significant differences in temperature rise among the liners, adhesives, and composite resins (P < 0.05). Silorane-based composite resin exhibited significantly greater temperature rises than methacrylate-based resin (P < 0.05). The smallest temperature rises were observed in Ca(OH)2 specimens. Conclusion: Thermal insulating properties of different restorative materials are important factors in pulp health. Bonding agents alone are not sufficient to protect pulp from thermal stimuli throughout curing. PMID:26751112

  15. Evaluation of Vickers hardness and depth of cure of six composite resins photo-activated with different polymerization modes.

    PubMed

    Poggio, C; Lombardini, M; Gaviati, S; Chiesa, M

    2012-07-01

    The current in vitro study evaluated Vickers hardness (VK) and depth of cure (hardness ratio) of six resin composites, polymerized with a light-emitting diode (LED) curing unit by different polymerization modes: Standard 20 s, Standard 40 s, Soft-start 40 s. SIX RESIN COMPOSITES WERE SELECTED FOR THE PRESENT STUDY: three microhybrid (Esthet.X HD, Amaris, Filtek Silorane), two nanohybrid (Grandio, Ceram.X mono) and one nanofilled (Filtek Supreme XT). The VK of the surface was determined with a microhardness tester using a Vickers diamond indenter and a 200 g load applied for 15 seconds. The mean VK and hardness ratio of the specimens were calculated using the formula: hardness ratio = VK of bottom surface / VK of top surface. For all the materials tested and with all the polymerization modes, hardness ratio was higher than the minimum value indicated in literature in order to consider the bottom surface as adequately cured (0.80). Curing time did not affect hardness ratio values for Filtek Silorane, Grandio and Filtek Supreme XT. The effectiveness of cure at the top and bottom surface was not affected by Soft-start polymerization mode.

  16. Effects of blue diode laser (445 nm) and LED (430-480 nm) radiant heat treatments on dental glass ionomer restoratives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dionysopoulos, Dimitrios; Tolidis, Kosmas; Strakas, Dimitrios; Gerasimou, Paris; Sfeikos, Thrasyvoulos; Gutknecht, Norbert

    2018-02-01

    The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of two radiant heat treatments on water sorption, solubility and surface roughness of three conventional glass ionomer cements by using a blue diode laser (445 nm) and a light emitting diode (LED) unit (430-480 nm). Thirty disk-shaped specimens were prepared for each tested GIC (Equia Fil, Ketac Universal Aplicap and Riva Self Cure). The experimental groups (n = 10) of the study were as follows: Group 1 was the control group, in Group 2 the specimens were irradiated for 60 s at the top surface using a LED light-curing unit and in Group 3 the specimens were irradiated for 60 s at the top surface using a blue light diode laser. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests at a level of significance of a = 0.05. Radiant heat treatments with both laser and LED devices significantly decreased water sorption and solubility (p < 0.05) of most of the tested GICs. Blue diode laser treatment was seemed to be more effective compared to LED treatment for some of the tested materials. There were no changes in surface roughness of the GICs after the treatments (p > 0.05). Among the tested materials there were differences in water sorption and solubility (p < 0.05) but not in surface roughness (p > 0.05). The use of the blue diode laser for this radiant heat treatment was harmless for the surface of the tested GICs and may be advantageous for the longevity of their restorations.

  17. Characterizing the output settings of dental curing lights.

    PubMed

    Harlow, J E; Sullivan, B; Shortall, A C; Labrie, D; Price, R B

    2016-01-01

    For improved inter-study reproducibility and ultimately improved patient care, researchers and dentists need to know what electromagnetic radiation (light) is emitted from the light-curing unit (LCU) they are using and what is received by the resin. This information cannot be obtained from a dental radiometer, even though many studies have used a dental radiometer. The light outputs from six LCUs (two QTH and four broad-spectrum LED units) were collected in real-time using an integrating sphere connected to a fiberoptic spectrometer during different light exposures. It was found that the spectral emissions were unique to each LCU, and there was no standardization in what was emitted on the various ramp (soft-start) settings. Relative to the normal use setting, using the ramp setting reduced the radiant energy (J) delivered from each LCU. For one of the four broad-spectrum LED LCUs, the spectral emissions in the violet range did not increase when the overall radiant power output was increased. In addition, this broad-spectrum LED LCU emitted no light from the violet LED chip for the first 5s and only emitted violet light when the ramp phase finished. A single irradiance value derived from a dental radiometer or from a laboratory grade power meter cannot adequately describe the output from the LCU. Manufacturers should provide more information about the light output from their LCUs. Ideally, future assessments and research publications that include resin photopolymerization should report the spectral radiant power delivered from the LCU throughout the entire exposure cycle. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. Influence of energy density of different light sources on Knoop hardness of a dual-cured resin cement.

    PubMed

    Piva, Evandro; Correr-Sobrinho, Lourenço; Sinhoreti, Mario Alexandre Coelho; Consani, Simonides; Demarco, Flávio Fernando; Powers, John Michael

    2008-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Knoop hardness of a dual-cured resin-based luting cement irradiated with different light sources as well energy density through a ceramic sample. Three light-curing unit (LCUs) were tested: tungsten halogen light (HAL), light-emitting diode (LED) and xenon plasma-arc (PAC) lamp. Disc-shaped specimens were fabricated from a resin-based cement (Enforce). Three energy doses were used by modifying the irradiance (I) of each LCU and the irradiation time (T): 24 Jcm(-2) (I/2x2T), 24 Jcm(-2) (IxT) and 48 Jcm(-2) (Ix2T). Energy doses were applied through a 2.0-mm-thick ceramic sample (Duceram Plus). Three groups underwent direct irradiation over the resin cement with the different LCUs and a chemically-activated group served as a control. Thirteen groups were tested (n=10). Knoop hardness number (KHN) means were obtained from cross-sectional areas. Two-way ANOVA and the Holm-Sidak method were used for statistical comparisons of activation mode and energy doses (alpha=5%). Application of 48 J.cm(-2) energy dose through the ceramic using LED (50.5+/-2.8) and HAL (50.9+/-3.7) produced significantly higher KHN means (p<0.05) than the control (44.7+/-3.8). LED showed statistically similar performance to HAL. Only HAL showed a relationship between the increase of LCU energy dose and hardness increase.

  19. The lived experiences of autonomous Angolan midwives working in midwifery-led, maternity units.

    PubMed

    Pettersson, K O; Svensson, M L; Christensson, K

    2001-06-01

    to describe the lived experiences of autonomous midwives working in Angolan midwifery-led maternity units. a qualitative approach using semi-structured, audiotaped interviews, in Portugese. Data were analysed in a six-step process. three midwifery-led maternity units in the most densely populated suburbs in the capital of Angola, Luanda. The average number of deliveries per unit was 2500 per year. 11 midwives from the three maternity units. four main areas emerged: society/culture, significant others, personal self and professional self. Sub-areas, concepts and supporting statements were defined in each area. the midwives served within a population living in rough circumstances but which maintained strong traditional roots. The midwives did not support homebirths, but did assist when needed. The midwives described their professional role as a 'calling', which was very independent. Cure, was considered more important than care, and strong emotions were expressed when discussing cases of failure. The partograph was viewed as an important instrument and continuous learning as crucial in their role as autonomous midwives. the model of a midwifery-led delivery unit described in this study may be used in other countries facing the same problems as Angola. Difficulties concerning transfer should be seriously considered as well as adequate education for the midwives. A pre-requisite in order for peripheral maternity units to have any impact on maternal morbidity and mortality, is a well-organised first-referral level. Copyright 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.

  20. Photoinitiation chemistry affects light transmission and degree of conversion of curing experimental dental resin composites.

    PubMed

    Ogunyinka, A; Palin, W M; Shortall, A C; Marquis, P M

    2007-07-01

    The effect of photoinitiator and co-initiator chemistry on the setting reaction and degree of conversion of dental resin-based composites (RBCs) has rarely been determined explicitly. This work examines the effect of type and concentration of photoinitiator and co-initiator on the rate of change of light transmission throughout polymerisation and degree of conversion of model RBC formulations. Bisphenol-A diglycidyl ether dimethacrylate (bis-GMA) and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) (6:4 molar ratio) resins filled with silanized glass filler (74wt.%) and containing various photoinitiators (camphorquinone; CQ, 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione; PPD, benzil; BZ), co-initiator types (N,N-dimethyl-p-amino benzoic acid ethyl ester; DABE, N,N-cyanoethyl methylaniline; CEMA, N,N-diethanol-p-toluidine; DEPT) and concentration (0.0-0.3% DABE) were polymerised using a halogen or LED light curing-unit (LCU) for 10, 20 and 40s. The setting reaction was monitored in real-time by measuring the light transmittance through the curing specimen and bulk degree of conversion (DC) evaluated using Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy. Specimens containing CQ and PPD cured with the halogen LCU did not have a significant effect on DC or changes in light transmission, although a significant increase in DC was observed for CQ compared with PPD specimens cured with the LED LCU. DABE and CEMA were more effective co-initiators than DEPT. Although DC was not limited by co-initiator concentration, the absence of a co-initiator resulted in marked differences in light transmission and decreased DC throughout 40s irradiation with each LCU type. The spectral range emitted from different types of LCU and absorption characteristics of the photoinitiator chemistry of light-activated resin-based composites play a critical role in the efficiency of polymerisation.

  1. Photopolymerization of N,N-dimethylaminobenzyl alcohol as amine co-initiator for light-cured dental resins.

    PubMed

    Schroeder, Walter F; Cook, Wayne D; Vallo, Claudia I

    2008-05-01

    The present study was carried out in order to assess the suitability of N,N-dimethylaminobenzyl alcohol (DMOH) as co-initiator of camphorquinone (CQ) and 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione (PPD) in light-cured dental resins. DMOH was synthesized and used as co-initiator for the photopolymerization of a model resin based on {2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxyprop-1-oxy)phenyl]propane} (Bis-GMA)/triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA). Experimental formulations containing CQ or PPD in combination with DMOH at different concentrations were studied. The photopolymerization was carried out by means of a commercial light-emitting diode (LED) curing unit. The evolution of double bonds consumption versus irradiation time was followed by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR). The photon absorption efficiency (PAE) of the photopolymerization process was calculated from the spectral distribution of the LED unit and the molar absorption coefficient distributions of PPD and CQ. DMOH is an efficient photoreducer of CQ and PPD resulting in higher polymerization rate and higher double bond conversion compared with dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate. The PAE for PPD was higher than that for CQ. However, the polymerization initiated by PPD progressed at a lower rate and exhibited lower values of final conversion compared with the resins containing CQ. This observation indicates that the lower polymerization rate of the PPD/amine system should be explained in terms of the mechanism of generating primary radicals by PPD, which is less efficient compared with CQ. The DMOH/benzoyl peroxide redox system, has recently been proposed as a more biocompatible accelerator for the polymerization of bone cements based on poly(methyl methacrylate), because cytotoxity tests have demonstrated that DMOH possesses better biocompatibility properties compared with traditional tertiary amines. The results obtained in the present study reveal the suitability of the CQ/DMOH initiator system for the polymerization of light-cured dental composites.

  2. Effect of LED-LCU light irradiance distribution on mechanical properties of resin based materials.

    PubMed

    Magalhães Filho, T R; Weig, K M; Costa, M F; Werneck, M M; Barthem, R B; Costa Neto, C A

    2016-06-01

    The objective of this study is to analyze the light power distribution along the tip end of the light guide of three LED-LCUs (Light Curing Units) and to evaluate its effect on the mechanical properties of a polymer based dental composite. Firstly, the light power distribution over the whole area of LED-LCU light guide surface was analyzed by three methods: visual projection observation, spectral measurement and optical spectral analysis (OSA). The light power distribution and the total irradiance were different for the three LEDs used, but the wavelength was within the camphorquinone absorption spectrum. The use of a blank sheet was quite on hand to make a qualitative analysis of a beam, and it is costless. Secondly, specimens of a hybrid composite with approximately 8mm diameter and 2mm thickness were produced and polymerized by 20s exposition time to each LED-LCU. Thirdly, the elastic modulus (E) and hardness (HV) were measured throughout the irradiated area by instrumented micro-indentation test (IIT), allowing to correlate localized power and mechanical properties. Both E and HV showed to be very sensitive to local power and wavelength dependent, but they followed the beam power profile. It was also shown that the mechanical properties could be directly correlated to the curing process. Very steep differences in mechanical properties over very short distances may impair the material performance, since residual stresses can easily be built over it. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. Curing efficacy of a new generation high-power LED lamp.

    PubMed

    Yap, Adrian U J; Soh, M S

    2005-01-01

    This study investigated the curing efficacy of a new generation high-power LED lamp (Elipar Freelight 2 [N] 3M-ESPE). The effectiveness of composite cure with this new lamp was compared to conventional LED/halogen (Elipar Freelight [F], 3M-ESPE; Max [M], Dentsply-Caulk) and high-power halogen (Elipar Trilight [T], 3M-ESPE; Astralis 10 [A], Ivoclar Vivadent) lamps. Standard continuous (NS, FS, TS; MS), turbo (AT) and exponential (NE, FE, TE) curing modes of the various lights were examined. Curing efficacy of the various lights and modes were determined by measuring the top and bottom surface hardness of 2-mm thick composite specimens (Z100, 3M-ESPE) using a digital microhardness tester (n=5; load=500 g; dwell time=15 seconds) one hour after light polymerization. The hardness ratio was computed by dividing HK (Knoops Hardness) of the bottom surface by HK of the top surface. The data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA/Scheffe's test and Independent Samples t-test at significance level 0.05. Results of the statistical analysis were as follows: HK top--E, FE, NE > NS and NE > AT, TS, FS; HK bottom--TE, NE > NS; Hardness ratio--NS > FE and FS, TS > NE. No significant difference in HK bottom and hardness ratio was observed between the two modes of Freelight 2 and Max. Freelight 2 cured composites as effectively as conventional LED/halogen and high-power halogen lamps, even with a 50% reduction in cure time. The exponential modes of Freelight 2, Freelight and Trilight appear to be more effective than their respective standard modes.

  4. Effect of Shade and Light Curing Mode on the Degree of Conversion of Silorane-Based and Methacrylate-Based Resin Composites.

    PubMed

    Sm, Mousavinasab; M, Atai; N, Salehi; A, Salehi

    2016-12-01

    The degree of conversion depends on the material composition, light source properties, distance from light source, light intensity, curing time, and other factors such as shade and translucency. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of different light-curing modes and shades of methacrylate and silorane-based resin composites on the degree of conversion of resin composites (DC). The methacrylate-based (Filtek Z250, 3M, ESPE) and low-shrinkage silorane-based (Filtek P90, 3M, ESPE) resin composites were used in three groups as follows: group 1-Filtek Z250 (shade A3), group 2-Filtek Z250 (shade B2), and group 3-Filtek P90 (shade A3). We used a light-emitting diode (LED) curing unit for photopolymerization. 10 samples were prepared in each group to evaluate the degree of conversion; 5 samples were cured using soft-start curing mode, and the other 5 were cured using standard curing mode. The DC of the resin composites was measured using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The data were analyzed using Kruskal Wallis and one-way ANOVA statistical tests. The degree of conversion of silorane-based resin composite was 70 - 75.8% and that of methacrylate-based resin composites was 60.2 - 68.2% (p = 0.009). The degree of conversion of the composite with brighter colour (B2) was statistically more than the darker composite (A3). Higher degree of conversion was achieved applying the standard curing mode. The results of the study showed that the colour and type of the resin composite and also the curing mode influence the degree of conversion of resin composites.

  5. Effect of light dispersion of LED curing lights on resin composite polymerization.

    PubMed

    Vandewalle, Kraig S; Roberts, Howard W; Andrus, Jeffrey L; Dunn, William J

    2005-01-01

    This study evaluated the effect of light dispersion of halogen and LED curing lights on resin composite polymerization. One halogen (Optilux 501, SDS/Kerr, Orange, CA, USA) and five light-emitting diode (LED) curing lights (SmartLite iQ, Dentsply Caulk, Milford, DE, USA; LEDemetron 1, SDS/Kerr; FLASHlite 1001, Discus Dental, Culver City, CA, USA; UltraLume LED 5, Ultradent Products, South Jordan, UT, USA; Allegro, Den-Mat, Santa Maria, CA, USA) were used in this study. Specimens (8 mm diameter by 2 mm thick) were made in polytetrafluoroethylene molds using hybrid (Z100, 3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA) and microfill (A110, 3M ESPE) composite resins. The top surface was polymerized for 5 seconds with the curing light guide tip positioned at a distance of 1 and 5 mm. Degree of conversion (DC) of the composite specimens was analyzed on the bottom surface using micro-Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy (Perkin-Elmer FTIR Spectrometer, Wellesley, PA, USA) 10 minutes after light activation. DC at the bottom of the 2 mm specimen was expressed as a percentage of the mean maximum DC. Five specimens were created per curing light and composite type (n=5). Percent mean DC ratios and SDs were calculated for each light under each testing condition. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA)/Tukey's test (alpha = .05). A beam analyzer (LBA-700, Spiricon, Logan, UT, USA) was used to record the emitted light from the curing lights at 0 and 5 mm distances (n=5). A Top Hat factor was used to compare the quality of the emitted beam profile (LBA/PC, Spiricon). The divergence angle from vertical was also determined in the x- and y-axes (LBA/PC). Mean values and SDs were calculated for each light under each testing condition (0 and 5 mm, x- and y-axes) and analyzed by a two-way ANOVA/Tukey's test (alpha = .05). For DC ratios, significant differences were found based on curing light and curing distance (p < .05). At 1 mm, Optilux 501 and FLASHlite 1001 produced significantly higher DC ratios with the hybrid resin composite. No differences were found among lights with the microfill at 1 mm. At 5 mm, SmartLite iQ, FLASHlite 1001, LEDemetron 1, and UltraLume LED 5 produced significantly higher DC ratios with the hybrid resin composite, whereas LEDemetron 1 and SmartLite iQ produced significantly higher DC ratios with the microfill resin composite. The UltraLume LED 5, Allegro, and Optilux 501 had significant reductions in mean DC ratios at curing distances of 1 and 5 mm with both resin composite types. For dispersion of light, significant differences were found in Top Hat factor and divergence angle (p < .001). SmartLite iQ had overall the highest Top Hat factor and lowest divergence angle of tested lights. A linear regression analysis relating pooled DC with pooled Top Hat factors and divergence angles found a very good correlation (r2 = .86) between dispersion of light over distance and the ability to polymerize resin composite. The latest generation of LED curing lights provides DC ratios similar to or better than the halogen curing light at a curing distance of 5 mm. Dispersion of light plays a significant role in the DC of resin composite. To maximize curing effectiveness, light guides should be maintained in close proximity to the surface of the light-activated restorative material.

  6. Temperature analysis during bonding of brackets using LED or halogen light base units.

    PubMed

    Silva, Paulo César Gomes; De Fátima Zanirato Lizarelli, Rosane; Moriyama, Lílian Tan; De Toledo Porto Neto, Sizenando; Bagnato, Vanderlei Salvador

    2005-02-01

    The purpose of our investigation is to compare the intrapulpal temperature changes following blue LED system and halogen lamp irradiation at the enamel surface of permanent teeth. The fixation of brackets using composite resin is more comfortable and faster when using a photo-curable composite. Several light sources can be used: halogens, arc plasma, lasers, and recently blue LED systems. An important aspect to be observed during such a procedures is the temperature change. In this study, we have used nine human extracted permanent teeth: three central incisors, three lateral incisors, and three canines. Teeth were exposed to two light sources: blue LED system (preliminary commercial model LEC 470-II) and halogen lamp (conventional photo-cure equipment). The surface of teeth was exposed for 20, 40, and 60 sec at the buccal and lingual enamel surface with an angle of 45 degrees. Temperature values measured by a thermistor placed at pulpar chamber were read in time intervals of 1 sec. We obtained plots showing the temperature evolution as a function of time for each experiment. There is a correlation between heating quantity and exposition time of light source: with increasing exposition time, heating increases into the pulpal chamber. The halogen lamp showed higher heating than the LED system, which showed a shorter time of cooling than halogen lamp. The blue LED system seems like the indicated light source for photo-cure of composite resin during the bonding of brackets. The fixation of brackets using composite resin is more comfortable and faster when using a photo-curable composite. Blue LED equipment did not heat during its use. This could permit a shorter clinical time of operation and better performance.

  7. The initiating radical yields and the efficiency of polymerization for various dental photoinitiators excited by different light curing units.

    PubMed

    Neumann, Miguel G; Schmitt, Carla C; Ferreira, Giovana C; Corrêa, Ivo C

    2006-06-01

    To evaluate the efficiency of the photopolymerization of dental resins it is necessary to know to what extent the light emitted by the light curing units is absorbed by the photoinitiators. On the other hand, the efficiency of the absorbed photons to produce species that launch the polymerization process is also of paramount importance. Therefore, the previously determined PAE (photon absorption efficiency) is used in conjunction with the polymerization quantum yields for the photoinitiators, in order to be able to compare the total process on an equivalent basis. This parameter can be used to identify the best performance for the photochemical process with specific photoinitiators. The efficiency of LED (Ultrablue IS) and QTH (Optilux 401) lamps were tested comparing their performances with the photoinitiators camphorquinone (CQ); phenylpropanedione (PPD); monoacylphosphine oxide (Lucirin TPO); and bisacylphosphine oxide (Irgacure 819). The extent of photopolymerization per absorbed photon was determined from the polymerization quantum yields obtained by using the photoinitiators to polymerize methyl methacrylate, and afterwards combined with the previously determined PAEs. Although CQ presents a rather low polymerization quantum yield, its photopolymerization efficiency is practically the highest when irradiated with the Ultrablue LED. On the other hand, Lucirin is much more efficient than the other photoinitiators when irradiated with a QTH lamp, due to its high quantum yield and the overlap between its absorption spectrum and the output of the visible lamp light. Difference in photopolymerization efficiencies arise when combinations of photoinitiators are used, and when LED sources are used in preference to QTH. Mechanistic understanding is essential to optimal initiator formulation.

  8. Evaluation of the Effect of Porcelain Laminate Thickness on Degree of Conversion of Light Cure and Dual Cure Resin Cements Using FTIR

    PubMed Central

    Hoorizad Ganjkar, Maryam; Heshmat, Haleh; Hassan Ahangari, Reza

    2017-01-01

    Statement of the Problem: Increasing the thickness of the veneering porcelain may affect the polymerization of resin cements. Incomplete polymerization of resin cements can lead to compromised quality of restoration and decrease the longevity of indirect restorations. Purpose: This study sought to assess the effect of IPS Empress porcelain thickness on the degree of conversion of light-cure and dual-cure resin cements using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Materials and Method: In this experimental study, IPS Empress porcelain discs (A2 shade) with 10mm diameter and 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mm thicknesses were fabricated. Choice2 (Bisco, USA) and Nexus3 (Kerr, USA) resin cements were light cured through the three porcelain thicknesses in two groups of 3 samples using a LED light-curing unit (LEDemetron II; Kerr, USA). The control group samples were cured individually with no porcelain disc. The degree of conversion of resin cements was determined using FTIR (Bruker; Equinox55, Germany). The data were analyzed using Dunn’s test. Results: The degree of conversion (in percent) beneath the 0.5, 1.5 and 2 mm thicknesses of IPS Empress was 68.67±0.88, 71.06±0.94 and 72.51±0.41 for Choice2 resin cement and 69.60±2.12, 69.64±1.63 and 69.24±2.12 for Nexus3, respectively. Porcelain thickness and type of resin cement had no significant effect on degree of conversion (p≥ 0.05). Conclusion: It seems that increasing the porcelain thickness by up to 1.5 mm has no adverse effect on degree of conversion of both dual cure and light cure resin cements evaluated in this study. PMID:28280757

  9. Efficiency of light curing units in a government dental school.

    PubMed

    Nassar, Hani M; Ajaj, Reem; Hasanain, Fatin

    2018-01-01

    The light intensity of a light-curing unit is a crucial factor that affects the clinical longevity of resin composites. This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of light-curing units in use at a local governmental dental school for curing conventional and bulk-fill resin materials. A total of 166 light-curing units at three locations were examined, and the brand, type, clinic location, diameter of curing tip, tip cleanliness (using a visual score), and the output (in mW/cm 2 using a digital radiometer) were recorded. Only 23.5% of the units examined had clean tips, with the graduate student clinical area containing the highest percentage of clean tips. Further, tips with poor cleanliness score values were associated with significantly lower output intensities. A small percentage (9.4%) of units was capable of producing intensities higher than 1,200 mW/cm 2 and lower than 600 mW/cm 2 (7.6%). The majority of the low intensity units were located in the undergraduate student area, which also contained the highest number of units with intensities between 900 and 1,200 mW/cm 2 . The output of all the units in service was satisfactory for curing conventional resin composites, and most units were capable of curing bulk-fill resin materials.

  10. Effect of blue and violet light on polymerization shrinkage vectors of a CQ/TPO-containing composite.

    PubMed

    Sampaio, Camila S; Atria, Pablo J; Rueggeberg, Frederick A; Yamaguchi, Satoshi; Giannini, Marcelo; Coelho, Paulo G; Hirata, Ronaldo; Puppin-Rontani, Regina M

    2017-07-01

    To evaluate the effect of light-curing wavelengths on composite filler particle displacement, and thus to visualize localized polymerization shrinkage in a resin-based composite (RBC) containing camphorquinone (CQ) and Lucirin TPO (TPO). Three light-curing units (LCUs) were used to light-cure a RBC containing CQ and TPO: a violet-only, a blue-only, and a dual-wavelength, conventional (Polywave ® , emitting violet and blue wavelengths simultaneously). Zirconia fillers were added to the RBC to act as filler particle displacement tracers. LCUs were characterized for total emitted power (mW) and spectral irradiant output (mW/cm 2 /nm). 2-mm high, 7-mm diameter silanized glass cylindrical specimens were filled in a single increment with the RBC, and micro-computed tomography (μ-CT) scans were obtained before and after light-curing, according to each LCU (n=6). Filler particle movement identified polymerization shrinkage vectors, traced using software, at five depths (from 0 up to 2mm): top, top-middle, middle, middle-bottom and bottom. Considering different RBC depths within the same LCU, use of violet-only and conventional LCUs showed filler particle movement decreased with increased depth. Blue-only LCU showed homogeneous filler particle movement along the depths. Considering the effect of different LCUs within the same depth, filler particle movement within LCUs was not statistically different until the middle of the samples (P>.05). However, at the middle-bottom and bottom depths (1.5 and 2mm, respectively), blue-only LCU compared to violet-only LCU showed higher magnitude of displacement vector values (P<.05). Use of the conventional LCU showed filler displacement magnitudes that were not significantly different than blue-only and violet-only LCUs at any depth (P>.05). With respect to the direction of particle movement vectors, use of violet-only LCU showed a greater displacement when close to the incident violet LED; blue-only LCU showed equally distributed particle displacement values within entire depth among the samples; and the conventional LCU showed greater filler displacement closer to the blue LED locations. Filler particle displacement in a RBC as a result of light-curing is related to localized application of light wavelength and total emitted power of the light emitted on the top surface of the RBC. When the violet LED is present (violet-only and conventional LCUs), filler particle displacement magnitude decreased with increased depth, while results using the blue-only LED show a more consistent pattern of displacement. Clinically, these results correlate to production of different characteristics of curing within a RBC restoration mass, depending on localized wavelengths applied to the irradiated surface. Copyright © 2017 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. Comparison of light transmittance in different thicknesses of zirconia under various light curing units

    PubMed Central

    Egilmez, Ferhan; Ergun, Gulfem

    2012-01-01

    PURPOSE The objective of this study was to compare the light transmittance of zirconia in different thicknesses using various light curing units. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 21 disc-shaped zirconia specimens (5 mm in diameter) in different thicknesses (0.3, 0.5 and 0.8 mm) were prepared. The light transmittance of the specimens under three different light-curing units (quartz tungsten halogen, light-emitting diodes and plasma arc) was compared by using a hand-held radiometer. Statistical significance was determined using two-way ANOVA (α=.05). RESULTS ANOVA revealed that thickness of zirconia and light curing unit had significant effects on light transmittance (P<.001). CONCLUSION Greater thickness of zirconia results in lower light transmittance. Light-emitting diodes light-curing units might be considered as effective as Plasma arc light-curing units or more effective than Quartz-tungsten-halogen light-curing units for polymerization of the resin-based materials. PMID:22737314

  12. Effect of different photoinitiators and reducing agents on cure efficiency and color stability of resin-based composites using different LED wavelengths.

    PubMed

    de Oliveira, Dayane Carvalho Ramos Salles; Rocha, Mateus Garcia; Gatti, Alexandre; Correr, Americo Bortolazzo; Ferracane, Jack Liborio; Sinhoret, Mario Alexandre Coelho

    2015-12-01

    To evaluate the effect of photoinitiators and reducing agents on cure efficiency and color stability of resin-based composites using different LED wavelengths. Model resin-based composites were associated with diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide (TPO), phenylbis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide (BAPO) or camphorquinone (CQ) associated with 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), ethyl 4-(dimethyamino) benzoate (EDMAB) or 4-(N,N-dimethylamino) phenethyl alcohol (DMPOH). A narrow (Smartlite, Dentisply) and a broad spectrum (Bluephase G2, Ivoclar Vivadent) LEDs were used for photo-activation (20 J/cm(2)). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to evaluate the cure efficiency for each composite, and CIELab parameters to evaluated color stability (ΔE00) after aging. The UV-vis absorption spectrophotometric analysis of each photoinitiator and reducing agent was determined. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test for multiple comparisons (α=0.05). Higher cure efficiency was found for type-I photoinitiators photo-activated with a broad spectrum light, and for CQ-systems with a narrow band spectrum light, except when combined with an aliphatic amine (DMAEMA). Also, when combined with aromatic amines (EDMAB and DMPOH), similar cure efficiency with both wavelength LEDs was found. TPO had no cure efficiency when light-cured exclusively with a blue narrowband spectrum. CQ-systems presented higher color stability than type-I photoinitiators, especially when combined with DMPOH. After aging, CQ-based composites became more yellow and BAPO and TPO lighter and less yellow. However, CQ-systems presented higher color stability than type-I photoinitiators, as BAPO- and TPO-, despite their higher cure efficiency when photo-activated with corresponding wavelength range. Color matching is initially important, but color change over time will be one of the major reasons for replacing esthetic restorations; despite the less yellowing of these alternative photoinitiators, camphorquinone presented higher color stability. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Characterization of curing behavior of UV-curable LSR for LED embedded injection mold

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tae, Joon-Sung; Yim, Kyung-Gyu; Rhee, Byung-Ohk; Kwak, Jae B.

    2016-11-01

    For many applications, liquid silicone rubber (LSR) injection molding is widely used for their great design flexibility and high productivity. In particular, a sealing part for a mobile device such as smartphone and watch has been produced by injection molding. While thermally curable LSR causes deformation problem due to a high mold temperature, UV-curable LSR can be molded at room temperature, which has advantages for over-molding with inserts of temperature-sensitive materials. Ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV LEDs) have advantages such as a longer service life, a lower heat dissipation, and smaller size to equip into the mold than conventional halogen or mercury UV lamps. In this work, rheological behavior of UV-curable LSR during curing process was analyzed by UV LEDs available in the market. UV-LEDs of various wave lengths and intensities were tested. The steady shear test was applied to find the starting time of curing and the SAOS was applied to find the ending time of curing to estimate processing time. In addition, the hardness change with irradiation energy was compared with the rheological data to confirm the reliability of the rheological test.

  14. Evaluation of phenyl-propanedione on yellowing and chemical-mechanical properties of experimental dental resin-based materials.

    PubMed

    Oliveira, Dayane Carvalho Ramos Salles de; Souza-Junior, Eduardo José; Dobson, Adam; Correr, Ana Rosa Costa; Brandt, William Cunha; Sinhoreti, Mário Alexandre Coelho

    2016-01-01

    To evaluate the influence of phenyl-propanedione on yellowing and chemical-mechanical properties of experimental resin-based materials photoactivated using different light curing units (LCUs). Experimental resin-based materials with the same organic matrix (60:40 wt% BisGMA:TEGDMA) were mechanically blended using a centrifugal mixing device. To this blend, different photoinitiator systems were added in equimolar concentrations with aliphatic amine doubled by wt%: 0.4 wt% CQ; 0.38 wt% PPD; or 0.2 wt% CQ and 0.19 wt% PPD. The degree of conversion (DC), flexural strength (FS), Young's modulus (YM), Knoop hardness (KNH), crosslinking density (CLD), and yellowing (Y) were evaluated (n=10). All samples were light cured with the following LCUs: a halogen lamp (XL 2500), a monowave LED (Radii), or a polywave LED (Valo) with 16 J/cm2. The results were analysed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). No statistical differences were found between the different photoinitiator systems to KNH, CLS, FS, and YM properties (p≥0.05). PPD/CQ association showed the higher DC values compared with CQ and PPD isolated systems when photoactivated by a polywave LED (p≤0.05). Y values were highest for the CQ compared with the PPD systems (p≤0.05). PPD isolated system promoted similar chemical and mechanical properties and less yellowing compared with the CQ isolated system, regardless of the LCU used.

  15. The effect of infection-control barriers on the light intensity of light-cure units and depth of cure of composite.

    PubMed

    Hodson, Nicholas A; Dunne, Stephen M; Pankhurst, Caroline L

    2005-04-01

    Dental curing lights are vulnerable to contamination with oral fluids during routine intra-oral use. This controlled study aimed to evaluate whether or not disposable transparent barriers placed over the light-guide tip would affect light output intensity or the subsequent depth of cure of a composite restoration. The impact on light intensity emitted from high-, medium- and low-output light-cure units in the presence of two commercially available disposable infection-control barriers was evaluated against a no-barrier control. Power density measurements from the three intensity light-cure units were recorded with a radiometer, then converted to a digital image using an intra-oral camera and values determined using a commercial computer program. For each curing unit, the measurements were repeated on ten separate occasions with each barrier and the control. Depth of cure was evaluated using a scrape test in a natural tooth model. At each level of light output, the two disposable barriers produced a significant reduction in the mean power density readings compared to the no-barrier control (P<0.005). The cure sleeve inhibited light output to a greater extent than either the cling film or the control (P<0.005). Only composite restorations light-activated by the high level unit demonstrated a small but significant decrease in the depth of cure compared to the control (P<0.05). Placing disposable barriers over the light-guide tip reduced the light intensity from all three curing lights. There was no impact on depth of cure except for the high-output light, where a small decrease in cure depth was noted but this was not considered clinically significant. Disposable barriers can be recommended for use with light-cure lights.

  16. Microhardness of resin composites polymerized by plasma arc or conventional visible light curing.

    PubMed

    Park, S Ho; Krejci, I; Lutz, F

    2002-01-01

    This study evaluated the effectiveness of the plasma arc curing (PAC) unit for composite curing. To compare its effectiveness with conventional quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) light curing units, the microhardness of two composites (Z100 and Tetric Ceram) that had been light cured by the PAC or QTH units, were compared according to the depth from the composite surface. In addition, linear polymerization shrinkage was compared using a custom-made linometer between composites which were light cured by PAC or QTH units. Measuring polymerization shrinkage for two resin composites (Z100 and Tetric Ceram) was performed after polymerization with either QTH or PAC units. In the case of curing with the PAC unit, the composite was light cured with Apollo 95E for two (Group 1), three (Group 2), six (Group 3) or 2 x 6 (Group 4) seconds. For light curing with the QTH unit, the composite was light cured for 60 seconds with Optilux 500 (Group 5). The linear polymerization shrinkage of composites was determined in the linometer. Two resin composites were used to measure microhardness. Two-mm thick samples were light cured for three seconds (Group 1), six seconds (Group 2) or 12 (2 x 6) seconds (Group 3) with Apollo 95E or they were conventionally light cured with Optilux 500 for 30 seconds (Group 4) or 60 seconds (Group 5). For 3 mm thick samples, the composites were light cured for six seconds (Group 1), 12 (2 x 6) seconds (Group 2) or 18 (3 x 6) seconds (Group 3) with Apollo 95E or they were conventionally light cured with Optilux 500 for 30 seconds (Group 4) or 60 seconds (Group 5). Twenty samples were assigned to each group. The microhardness of the upper and lower surfaces was measured with a Vickers hardness-measuring instrument under load. The difference in microhardness between the upper and lower surfaces in each group was analyzed by paired t-test. For the upper or lower surfaces, one-way ANOVA with Tukey was used. For Tetric Ceram, the amount of polymerization shrinkage was lower when cured with the Apollo 95E for two or three seconds than when cured for six and 12 (2 x 6) seconds, or for 60 seconds with Optilux 500 (p<0.05). For Z100, the amount of linear polymerization shrinkage was lower when cured with the Apollo 95E for two, three and six seconds than for 12 (2 x 6) seconds with Apollo 95E or for 60 seconds with the Optilux 500 (p<0.05). The results of the microhardness test indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in microhardness between groups for the upper surface. However, for the lower surface, when the composites were light cured with Apollo 95E for three seconds as recommended by the manufacturer, microhardness of the lower surface was usually lower than that of the upper surface and did not cure sufficiently. Conclusively, when compared with conventional QTH unit, the PAC unit, Apollo 95E did not properly cure the lower composite surface when the layer thickness exceeded 2 mm. In addition, three seconds of curing time, which the manufacturer recommended, was insufficient for optimal curing of composites.

  17. A comprehensive approach to address the prescription opioid epidemic in Washington State: milestones and lessons learned.

    PubMed

    Franklin, Gary; Sabel, Jennifer; Jones, Christopher M; Mai, Jaymie; Baumgartner, Chris; Banta-Green, Caleb J; Neven, Darin; Tauben, David J

    2015-03-01

    An epidemic of morbidity and mortality has swept across the United States related to the use of prescription opioids for chronic noncancer pain. More than 100,000 people have died from unintentional overdose, making this one of the worst manmade epidemics in history. Much of health care delivery in the United States is regulated at the state level; therefore, both the cause and much of the cure for the opioid epidemic will come from state action. We detail the strong collaborations across executive health care agencies, and between those public agencies and practicing leaders in the pain field that have led to a substantial reversal of the epidemic in Washington State.

  18. Degree of conversion of nanofilled and microhybrid composite resins photo-activated by different generations of LEDs.

    PubMed

    Ribeiro, Benicia Carolina Iaskieviscz; Boaventura, Juliana Maria Capelozza; Brito-Gonçalves, Joel de; Rastelli, Alessandra Nara de Souza; Bagnato, Vanderlei Salvador; Saad, José Roberto Cury

    2012-01-01

    This study aimed at evaluating the degree of conversion (DC) of four composite resins, being one nanofilled and 3 microhybrid resins, photo-activated with second- and third-generation light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Filtek™ Z350 nanofilled composite resins and Amelogen® Plus, Vit-l-escence™ and Opallis microhybrid resins were photo-activated with two second-generation LEDs (Radii-cal and Elipar Free Light™ 2) and one third-generation LED (Ultra-Lume LED 5) by continuous light mode, and a quartz halogen-tungsten bulb (QHT, control). After 24 h of storage, the samples were pulverized into fine powder and 5 mg of each material were mixed with 100 mg of potassium bromide (KBr). After homogenization, they were pressed, which resulted in a pellet that was evaluated using an infrared spectromer (Nexus 470, Thermo Nicolet) equipped with TGS detector using diffuse reflectance (32 scans, resolution of 4 cm(-1)) coupled to a computer. The percentage of unreacted carbon-carbon double bonds (% C=C) was determined from the ratio of absorbance intensities of aliphatic C=C (peak at 1637 cm-1) against internal standard before and after curing of the specimen: aromatic C-C (peak at 1610 cm-1). The ANOVA showed a significant effect on the interaction between the light-curing units (LCUs) and the composite resins (p<0.001). The Tukey’s test showed that the nanofilled resin (Filtek™ Z350) and Opallis when photo-activated by the halogen lamp (QTH) had the lowest DC compared with the other microhybrid composite resins. The DC of the nanofilled resin (Filtek™ Z350) was also lower using LEDs. The highest degrees of conversion were obtained using the third-generation LED and one of second-generation LEDs (Elipar Free Light™ 2). The nanofilled resin showed the lowest DC, and the Vit-l-escence™ microhybrid composite resin showed the highest DC. Among the LCUs, it was not possible to establish an order, even though the second-generation LED Radii-cal provided the lowest DC.

  19. Degree of conversion of nanofilled and microhybrid composite resins photo-activated by different generations of LEDs

    PubMed Central

    RIBEIRO, Benicia Carolina Iaskieviscz; BOAVENTURA, Juliana Maria Capelozza; de BRITO-GONÇALVES, Joel; RASTELLI, Alessandra Nara de Souza; BAGNATO, Vanderlei Salvador; SAAD, José Roberto Cury

    2012-01-01

    Objective This study aimed at evaluating the degree of conversion (DC) of four composite resins, being one nanofilled and 3 microhybrid resins, photo-activated with second- and third-generation light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Material and methods FiltekTM Z350 nanofilled composite resins and Amelogen® Plus, Vit-l-escenceTM and Opallis microhybrid resins were photo-activated with two second-generation LEDs (Radii-cal and Elipar Free LightTM 2) and one third-generation LED (Ultra-Lume LED 5) by continuous light mode, and a quartz halogen-tungsten bulb (QHT, control). After 24 h of storage, the samples were pulverized into fine powder and 5 mg of each material were mixed with 100 mg of potassium bromide (KBr). After homogenization, they were pressed, which resulted in a pellet that was evaluated using an infrared spectromer (Nexus 470, Thermo Nicolet) equipped with TGS detector using diffuse reflectance (32 scans, resolution of 4 cm-1) coupled to a computer. The percentage of unreacted carbon-carbon double bonds (% C=C) was determined from the ratio of absorbance intensities of aliphatic C=C (peak at 1637 cm-1) against internal standard before and after curing of the specimen: aromatic C-C (peak at 1610 cm-1). Results The ANOVA showed a significant effect on the interaction between the light-curing units (LCUs) and the composite resins (p<0.001). The Tukey's test showed that the nanofilled resin (FiltekTM Z350) and Opallis when photo-activated by the halogen lamp (QTH) had the lowest DC compared with the other microhybrid composite resins. The DC of the nanofilled resin (FiltekTM Z350) was also lower using LEDs. The highest degrees of conversion were obtained using the third-generation LED and one of second-generation LEDs (Elipar Free LightTM 2). Conclusions The nanofilled resin showed the lowest DC, and the Vit-l-escenceTM microhybrid composite resin showed the highest DC. Among the LCUs, it was not possible to establish an order, even though the second-generation LED Radii-cal provided the lowest DC. PMID:22666839

  20. A Novel Approach to Monitoring the Curing of Epoxy in Closed Tools by Use of Ultrasonic Spectroscopy

    PubMed Central

    2017-01-01

    The increasing use of composite materials has led to a greater demand for efficient curing cycles to reduce costs and speed up production cycles in manufacturing. One method to achieve this goal is in-line cure monitoring to determine the exact curing time. This article proposes a novel method through which to monitor the curing process inside closed tools by employing ultrasonic spectroscopy. A simple experiment is used to demonstrate the change in the ultrasonic spectrum during the cure cycle of an epoxy. The results clearly reveal a direct correlation between the amplitude and state of cure. The glass transition point is indicated by a global minimum of the reflected amplitude. PMID:29301222

  1. A Comprehensive Approach to Address the Prescription Opioid Epidemic in Washington State: Milestones and Lessons Learned

    PubMed Central

    Sabel, Jennifer; Jones, Christopher M.; Mai, Jaymie; Baumgartner, Chris; Banta-Green, Caleb J.; Neven, Darin; Tauben, David J.

    2015-01-01

    An epidemic of morbidity and mortality has swept across the United States related to the use of prescription opioids for chronic noncancer pain. More than 100 000 people have died from unintentional overdose, making this one of the worst manmade epidemics in history. Much of health care delivery in the United States is regulated at the state level; therefore, both the cause and much of the cure for the opioid epidemic will come from state action. We detail the strong collaborations across executive health care agencies, and between those public agencies and practicing leaders in the pain field that have led to a substantial reversal of the epidemic in Washington State. PMID:25602880

  2. In vivo temperature rise in anesthetized human pulp during exposure to a polywave LED light curing unit.

    PubMed

    Runnacles, Patrício; Arrais, Cesar Augusto Galvão; Pochapski, Marcia Thais; Dos Santos, Fábio André; Coelho, Ulisses; Gomes, João Carlos; De Goes, Mário Fernando; Gomes, Osnara Maria Mongruel; Rueggeberg, Frederick Allen

    2015-05-01

    This in vivo study evaluated pulp temperature (PT) rise in human premolars during exposure to a light curing unit (LCU) using selected exposure modes (EMs). After local Ethics Committee approval, intact first upper premolars, requiring extraction for orthodontic reasons, from 8 volunteers, received infiltrative and intraligamental anesthesia. The teeth (n=15) were isolated using rubber dam and a minute pulp exposure was attained. A sterile probe from a wireless, NIST-traceable, temperature acquisition system was inserted directly into the coronal pulp chamber, and real time PT (°C) was continuously monitored while the buccal surface was exposed to polywave light from a LED LCU (Bluephase 20i, Ivoclar Vivadent) using selected EMs allowing a 7-min span between each exposure: 10-s either in low (10-s/L) or high (10-s/H); 5-s-turbo (5-s/T); and 60-s-high (60-s/H) intensities. Peak PT values and PT increases from baseline (ΔT) after exposure were subjected to one-way, repeated measures ANOVAs, and Bonferroni's post hoc tests (α=0.05). Linear regression analysis was performed to establish the relationship between applied radiant exposure and ΔT. All EMs produced higher peak PT than the baseline temperature (p<0.001). The 60-s/H mode generated the highest peak PT and ΔT (p<0.001), with some teeth exhibiting ΔT higher than 5.5°C. A significant, positive relationship between applied radiant exposure and ΔT (r(2)=0.916; p<0.001) was noted. Exposing intact, in vivo anesthetized human upper premolars to a polywave LED LCU increases PT, and depending on EM and the tooth, PT increase can be higher than the critical ΔT, thought to be associated with pulpal necrosis. Copyright © 2015 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Dental composite polymerization: a three different sources comparison

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sozzi, Michele; Fornaini, Carlo; Lagori, Giuseppe; Merigo, Elisabetta; Cucinotta, Annamaria; Vescovi, Paolo; Selleri, Stefano

    2015-02-01

    The introduction of photo-activators, with absorption spectra in the violet region, in composite resins raised interest in the use of 405 nm diode lasers for polymerization. The purpose of this research is the evaluation of the resins polymerization by means of violet diode laser compared to traditional lamps. Two different resins have been used for the experiments: Filtek Supreme XT flow (3M ESPE, USA) and Tetric Evo flow (Ivoclar, Vivadent). The photo-activator used is Camphoroquinone, alone, or in combination with Lucirin TPO. The resins have been cured with an halogen lamp (Heliolux DXL, Vivadent Ivoclar, Austria), a broadband LED curing light (Valo Ultradent, USA) and a 405 nm laser (Euphoton, Italy). The measure of cure depth, of the volumetric shrinkage, and the conversion degree (DC%) of the double bond during the curing process have been evaluated. A composite layer of 3 mm was cured in Filtek Supreme resin (Camphoroquinone activator), lower if compared to the use of the other two light sources. Tests on Tetric Evo (Camphoroquinone + Lucirin) didn't show any improvement of the use of laser compared to the halogen lamp and the broadband LED. By measuring the volumetric shrinkage the laser induced the lower change with both the composites. In terms of DC% the lower performance was obtained with the laser. Considering that the polymerization process strongly depends on the kind of composite used the effectiveness of 405 nm laser proved to be lower than halogen lamps and broadband LEDs.

  4. Evaluation of Polymerization Efficacy in Composite Resins via FT-IR Spectroscopy and Vickers Microhardness Test.

    PubMed

    Jafarzadeh, Tahereh-Sadat; Erfan, Mohammad; Behroozibakhsh, Marjan; Fatemi, Mostafa; Masaeli, Reza; Rezaei, Yashar; Bagheri, Hossein; Erfan, Yasaman

    2015-01-01

    Background and aims. Polymerization efficacy affects the properties and performance of composite resin restorations.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of polymerization of two micro-hybrid, two nano-hybrid and one nano-filled ormocer-based composite resins, cured by two different light-curing systems, using Fourier transformation infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and Vickers microhardness testing at two different depths (top surface, 2 mm). Materials and methods. For FT-IR spectrometry, five cylindrical specimens (5mm in diameter × 2 mm in length) were prepared from each composite resin using Teflon molds and polymerized for 20 seconds. Then, 70-μm wafers were sectioned at the top surface and at2mm from the top surface. The degree of conversion for each sample was calculated using FT-IR spectroscopy. For Vickers micro-hardness testing, three cylindrical specimens were prepared from each composite resin and polymerized for 20 seconds. The Vickers microhardness test (Shimadzu, Type M, Japan) was performed at the top and bottom (depth=2 mm) surfaces of each specimen. Three-way ANOVA with independent variables and Tukey tests were performed at 95% significance level. Results. No significant differences were detected in degree of conversion and microhardness between LED and QTH light-curing units except for the ormocer-based specimen, CeramX, which exhibited significantly higher DC by LED. All the composite resins showed a significantly higher degree of conversion at the surface. Microhardness was not significantly affected by depth, except for Herculite XRV Ultra and CeramX, which showed higher values at the surface. Conclusion. Composite resins containing nano-particles generally exhibited more variations in degree of conversion and microhardness.

  5. Evaluation of Polymerization Efficacy in Composite Resins via FT-IR Spectroscopy and Vickers Microhardness Test

    PubMed Central

    Jafarzadeh, Tahereh-Sadat; Erfan, Mohammad; Behroozibakhsh, Marjan; Fatemi, Mostafa; Masaeli, Reza; Rezaei, Yashar; Bagheri, Hossein; Erfan, Yasaman

    2015-01-01

    Background and aims. Polymerization efficacy affects the properties and performance of composite resin restorations.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of polymerization of two micro-hybrid, two nano-hybrid and one nano-filled ormocer-based composite resins, cured by two different light-curing systems, using Fourier transformation infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and Vickers microhardness testing at two different depths (top surface, 2 mm). Materials and methods. For FT-IR spectrometry, five cylindrical specimens (5mm in diameter × 2 mm in length) were prepared from each composite resin using Teflon molds and polymerized for 20 seconds. Then, 70-μm wafers were sectioned at the top surface and at2mm from the top surface. The degree of conversion for each sample was calculated using FT-IR spectroscopy. For Vickers micro-hardness testing, three cylindrical specimens were prepared from each composite resin and polymerized for 20 seconds. The Vickers microhardness test (Shimadzu, Type M, Japan) was performed at the top and bottom (depth=2 mm) surfaces of each specimen. Three-way ANOVA with independent variables and Tukey tests were performed at 95% significance level. Results. No significant differences were detected in degree of conversion and microhardness between LED and QTH light-curing units except for the ormocer-based specimen, CeramX, which exhibited significantly higher DC by LED. All the composite resins showed a significantly higher degree of conversion at the surface. Microhardness was not significantly affected by depth, except for Herculite XRV Ultra and CeramX, which showed higher values at the surface. Conclusion. Composite resins containing nano-particles generally exhibited more variations in degree of conversion and microhardness. PMID:26889359

  6. The Effect of Irradiation Distance on Microhardness of Resin Composites Cured with Different Light Curing Units

    PubMed Central

    Cekic-Nagas, Isil; Egilmez, Ferhan; Ergun, Gulfem

    2010-01-01

    Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the microhardness of five different resin composites at different irradiation distances (2 mm and 9 mm) by using three light curing units (quartz tungsten halogen, light emitting diodes and plasma arc). Methods: A total of 210 disc-shaped samples (2 mm height and 6 mm diameter) were prepared from different resin composites (Simile, Aelite Aesthetic Enamel, Clearfil AP-X, Grandio caps and Filtek Z250). Photoactivation was performed by using quartz tungsten halogen, light emitting diode and plasma arc curing units at two irradiation distances (2 mm and 9 mm). Then the samples (n=7/per group) were stored dry in dark at 37°C for 24 h. The Vickers hardness test was performed on the resin composite layer with a microhardness tester (Shimadzu HMV). Data were statistically analyzed using nonparametric Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Statistical analysis revealed that the resin composite groups, the type of the light curing units and the irradiation distances have significant effects on the microhardness values (P<.05). Conclusions: Light curing unit and irradiation distance are important factors to be considered for obtaining adequate microhardness of different resin composite groups. PMID:20922164

  7. The effects of light curing units and environmental temperatures on C 000000000000 000000000000 000000000000 111111111111 000000000000 111111111111 000000000000 000000000000 000000000000 C conversion of commercial and experimental bonding agents.

    PubMed

    Jafarzadeh-Kashi, Tahereh Sadat; Erfan, Mohmmad; Kalbasi, Salmeh; Ghadiri, Malihe; Rakhshan, Vahid

    2014-10-01

    Polymerization of bonding agents (BA) is a critical factor in determining the success of bonded restorations. We aimed to assess the effects of two light curing units and two temperatures on the extent of polymerization (EP) of a commercial BA and an experimental BA. Forty BA specimens were randomly divided into 8 subgroups of n = 5 to compare the polymerization of two BAs (experimental/Scotchbond) based on the variables: temperature (23/37 °C) and light-curing unit (quartz-tungsten-halogen/light-emitting diode). The EP (%) was measured using differential scanning calorimetry, and analyzed using the t-test, two- and three-way analyses of variance (ANOVA), and the Bonferroni test (α = 0.05). There were significant differences between the EP results between the two BAs (P = 0.012) and due to the different temperatures (P = 0.001), but not between the different light-curing units (P = 0.548). The interaction between BA and temperature was significant (P < 0.001). The other interactions were nonsignificant. The two light-curing units had similar effects on the EP. The EP values were better when curing was performed at human body temperature.

  8. Qualitative Beam Profiling of Light Curing Units for Resin Based Composites.

    PubMed

    Haenel, Thomas; Hausnerová, Berenika; Steinhaus, Johannes; Moeginger, Ing Bernhard

    2016-12-01

    This study investigates two technically simple methods to determine the irradiance distribution of light curing units that governs the performance of a visible-light curing resin-based composites. Insufficient light irradiation leads to under-cured composites with poor mechanical properties and elution of residual monomers. The unknown irradiance distribution and its effect on the final restoration are the main critical issues requiring highly sophisticated experimental equipment. The study shows that irradiance distributions of LCUs can easily be determined qualitatively with generally available equipment. This significantly helps dentists in practices to be informed about the homogeneity of the curing lights. Copyright© 2016 Dennis Barber Ltd.

  9. Influence of ceramic thickness and type on micromechanical properties of light-cured adhesive bonding agents.

    PubMed

    Öztürk, Elif; Bolay, Sükran; Hickel, Reinhard; Ilie, Nicoleta

    2014-10-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate the micromechanical properties of different adhesive bonding agents when polymerized through ceramics. Sixty sound extracted human third molars were selected and the crowns were sectioned perpendicular to the long axis in order to obtain dentin slices to be bonded with one of the following adhesives: Syntac/Heliobond (Ivoclar-Vivadent) or Adper-Scotchbond-1XT (3M-ESPE). The adhesives were cured by using a LED-unit (Bluephase®, Ivoclar Vivadent) with three different curing times (10 s, 20 s and 30 s) under two ceramics (IPS-e.max-Press, Ivoclar-Vivadent; IPS-Empress®CAD, Ivoclar-Vivadent) of different thicknesses (0 mm, 0.75 mm, 2 mm). Thirty groups were included, each containing 60 measurements. Micromechanical properties (Hardness, HV; indentation modulus, E; and creep, Cr) of the adhesives were measured with an automatic microhardness indenter (Fisherscope H100C, Germany). Data were statistically analyzed by using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test, as well as a multivariate analysis to test the influence of the study parameters (SPSS 18.0). Significant differences were observed between the micromechanical properties of the adhesives (p < 0.05). The ceramic type showed the highest effect on HV (Partial-eta squared (η(2)) = 0.109) of the tested adhesives, while E (η(2) = 0.275) and Cr (η(2) = 0.194) were stronger influenced by the adhesive type. Ceramic thickness showed no effect on the E and Cr of the adhesives. The adhesive bonding agents used in this study performed well by curing through different thicknesses of ceramics. The micromechanical properties of the adhesives were determined by the adhesive type and were less influenced by ceramic type and curing time.

  10. Discovery – Methotrexate: Chemotherapy Treatment for Cancer

    Cancer.gov

    Prior to the 1950s, treatment for the majority of cancers was limited to either surgery or the use of radiation. The discovery of the use of methotrexate in curing a rare cancer marked the first time a cancer had been cured. This led to the development of many of today’s common cancer treatments.

  11. Temperature and curing time affect composite sorption and solubility

    PubMed Central

    de CASTRO, Fabrício Luscino Alves; CAMPOS, Bruno Barbosa; BRUNO, Kely Firmino; REGES, Rogério Vieira

    2013-01-01

    Objective: This study evaluated the effect of temperature and curing time on composite sorption and solubility. Material and Methods: Seventy five specimens (8x2 mm) were prepared using a commercial composite resin (ICE, SDI). Three temperatures (10º C, 25º C and 60º C) and five curing times (5 s, 10 s, 20 s, 40 s and 60 s) were evaluated. The specimens were weighed on an analytical balance three times: A: before storage (M1); B: 7 days after storage (M2); C: 7 days after storage plus 1 day of drying (M3). The storage solution consisted of 75% alcohol/25% water. Sorption and solubility were calculated using these three weights and specimen dimensions. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U Tests (α=5%). Results: The results showed that time, temperature and their interaction influenced the sorption and solubility of the composite (p<0.05). At 60º C, the composite sorption showed an inverse relationship with the curing time (p<0.05). The composite cured for 5 s showed higher sorption for the 40 s or 60 s curing times when compared with all temperatures (p<0.05). Curing times of 20 s and 40 s showed similar sorption data for all temperatures (p>0.05). The 60º C composite temperature led to lower values of sorption for all curing times when compared with the 10º C temperature (p<0.05). The same results were found when comparing 10º C and 25º C (p<0.05), except that the 20 s and 40 s curing times behaved similarly (p>0.05). Solubility was similar at 40 s and 60 s for all temperatures (p>0.05), but was higher at 10º C than at 60º C for all curing times (p<0.05). When the composite was cured at 25º C, similar solubility values were found when comparing the 5 s and 10 s or 20 s and 40 s curing times (p>0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, higher temperatures or longer curing times led to lower sorption and solubility values for the composite tested; however, this trend was only significant in specific combinations of temperature and curing times. PMID:23739853

  12. Effect of the insertion and polymerization technique in composite resin restorations: analysis of marginal gap by atomic force microscopy.

    PubMed

    da Silva, Marcos Aurélio Bomfim; de Oliveira, Guilherme José Pimentel Lopes; Tonholo, Josealdo; Júnior, José Ginaldo da Silva; Santos, Lucineide de Melo; Dos Reis, José Ivo Limeira

    2010-12-01

    This in vitro study evaluated the marginal gap at the composite tooth/resin interface in class V cavities under the influence of two insertion techniques and a curing system by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM). Forty enamel and dentin cavities were prepared on the buccal surface in bovine teeth with quadratic forms measuring 2 mm × 2 mm and depth of 1.5 mm. The teeth were then divided into four groups: group A, 10 cavities were restored in one increment, light cured by halogen light; group B, 10 cavities filled with bulk filling, light cured by the light emitting diodes (LED); group C, 10 cavities were restored by the incremental technique, light cured by halogen light; group D, 10 cavities were restored by the incremental technique, light cured by the LED. The teeth underwent the polishing procedure and were analyzed by AFM for tooth/restoration interface evaluation. The data were compared between groups using the nonparametric Kruskall-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (p < 0.05). The results showed a statistically significant difference between groups A and B and groups A and C. It was concluded that no insertion and polymerization technique was able to completely seal the cavity.

  13. Influence of Class V preparation on in vivo temperature rise in anesthetized human pulp during exposure to a Polywave® LED light curing unit.

    PubMed

    Zarpellon, Driellen Christine; Runnacles, Patrício; Maucoski, Cristiane; Gross, Dayane Jaqueline; Coelho, Ulisses; Rueggeberg, Frederick Allen; Arrais, Cesar Augusto Galvão

    2018-06-01

    This in vivo study evaluated pulp temperature (PT) rise in human premolars having deep Class V preparations during exposure to a light curing unit (LCU) using selected exposure modes (EMs). After local Ethics Committee approval, intact first premolars (n=8) requiring extraction for orthodontic reasons, from 8 volunteers, received infiltrative and intraligamental anesthesia and were isolated using rubber dam. A minute pulp exposure was attained and sterile probe from a wireless, NIST-traceable, temperature acquisition system was inserted into the coronal pulp chamber to continuously monitor PT (°C). A deep buccal Class V preparation was prepared using a high speed diamond bur under air-water spray cooling. The surface was exposed to a Polywave ® LED LCU (Bluephase 20i, Ivoclar Vivadent) using selected EMs, allowing 7-min span between each exposure: 10-s in low (10-s/L), 10-s (10-s/H), 30-s (30-s/H), or 60-s (60-s/H) in high mode; and 5-s-Turbo (5-s/T). Peak PT values and PT increases over physiologic baseline levels (ΔT) were subjected to 1-way, repeated measures ANOVAs, and Bonferroni's post-hoc tests (α=0.05). Linear regression analysis was performed to establish the relationship between applied radiant exposure and ΔT. All EMs produced higher peak PT than the baseline temperature (p<0.001). Only 60-s/H mode generated an average ΔT of 5.5°C (p<0.001). A significant, positive relationship was noted between applied radiant exposure and ΔT (r 2 =0.8962; p<0.001). In vivo exposure of deep Class V preparation to Polywave ® LED LCU increases PT to values considered safe for the pulp, for most EMs. Only the longest evaluated EM caused higher PT increase than the critical ΔT, thought to be associated with pulpal necrosis. Copyright © 2018 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. A Call to Develop Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) for Nonmajors Courses

    PubMed Central

    Ballen, Cissy J.; Blum, Jessamina E.; Brownell, Sara; Hebert, Sadie; Hewlett, James; Klein, Joanna R.; McDonald, Erik A.; Monti, Denise L.; Nold, Stephen C.; Slemmons, Krista E.; Soneral, Paula A. G.; Cotner, Sehoya

    2017-01-01

    Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) for non–science majors (nonmajors) are potentially distinct from CUREs for developing scientists in their goals, learning objectives, and assessment strategies. While national calls to improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education have led to an increase in research revealing the positive effects of CUREs for science majors, less work has specifically examined whether nonmajors are impacted in the same way. To address this gap in our understanding, a working group focused on nonmajors CUREs was convened to discuss the following questions: 1) What are our laboratory-learning goals for nonmajors? 2) What are our research priorities to determine best practices for nonmajors CUREs? 3) How can we collaborate to define and disseminate best practices for nonmajors in CUREs? We defined three broad student outcomes of prime importance to the nonmajors CURE: improvement of scientific literacy skills, proscience attitudes, and evidence-based decision making. We evaluated the state of knowledge of best practices for nonmajors, and identified research priorities for the future. The report that follows is a summary of the conclusions and future directions from our discussion. PMID:28450449

  15. Characterization and optimization of an inkjet-printed smart textile UV-sensor cured with UV-LED light

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Seipel, S.; Yu, J.; Periyasamy, A. P.; Viková, M.; Vik, M.; Nierstrasz, V. A.

    2017-10-01

    For the development of niche products like smart textiles and other functional high-end products, resource-saving production processes are needed. Niche products only require small batches, which makes their production with traditional textile production techniques time-consuming and costly. To achieve a profitable production, as well as to further foster innovation, flexible and integrated production techniques are a requirement. Both digital inkjet printing and UV-light curing contribute to a flexible, resource-efficient, energy-saving and therewith economic production of smart textiles. In this article, a smart textile UV-sensor is printed using a piezoelectric drop-on-demand printhead and cured with a UV-LED lamp. The UVcurable ink system is based on free radical polymerization and the integrated UVsensing material is a photochromic dye, Reversacol Ruby Red. The combination of two photoactive compounds, for which UV-light is both the curer and the activator, challenges two processes: polymer crosslinking of the resin and color performance of the photochromic dye. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is used to characterize the curing efficiency of the prints. Color measurements are made to determine the influence of degree of polymer crosslinking on the developed color intensities, as well as coloration and decoloration rates of the photochromic prints. Optimized functionality of the textile UV-sensor is found using different belt speeds and lamp intensities during the curing process.

  16. Effect of various infection-control methods for light-cure units on the cure of composite resins.

    PubMed

    Chong, S L; Lam, Y K; Lee, F K; Ramalingam, L; Yeo, A C; Lim, C C

    1998-01-01

    This study (1) compared the curing-light intensity with various barrier infection-control methods used to prevent cross contamination, (2) compared the Knoop hardness value of cured composite resin when various barrier control methods were used, and (3) correlated the hardness of the composite resin with the light-intensity output when different infection-control methods were used. The light-cure unit tips were covered with barriers, such as cellophane wrap, plastic gloves, Steri-shields, and finger cots. The control group had no barrier. Composite resins were then cured for each of the five groups, and their Knoop hardness values recorded. The results showed that there was significant statistical difference in the light-intensity output among the five groups. However, there was no significant statistical difference in the Knoop hardness values among any of the groups. There was also no correlation between the Knoop hardness value of the composite resin with the light-intensity output and the different infection-control methods. Therefore, any of the five infection-control methods could be used as barriers for preventing cross-contamination of the light-cure unit tip, for the light-intensity output for all five groups exceeded the recommended value of 300 W/m2. However, to allow a greater margin of error in clinical situations, the authors recommend that the plastic glove or the cellophane wrap be used to wrap the light-cure tip, since these barriers allowed the highest light-intensity output.

  17. Effect of cross infection control barriers used on the light-curing device tips on the cure depth of a resin composite

    PubMed Central

    de Moraes Porto, Isabel Cristina Celerino; Ramos de Brito, Andréia Cristina; Parolia, Abhishek

    2013-01-01

    Background: Among the advice on prevent cross-infection was included usage of mechanical barriers on tips of photoactivation units. However, questions about the use of protective barriers placed on the light-curing unit's tips and the possibility of interference with the ability of guaranteeing an effective polymerization of composite resins need to be clarified. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cross infection control barriers used on the light-curing device tips on the cure depth of composite resin. Materials and Methods: Power density measurements from the light-cure unit were recorded with a radiometer on ten separate occasions with different types and placement modes of each barrier (low-density polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film – smooth and folds) and no-barrier (control). Cure depth of TPH™ Spectrum™ resin, A2-A4, was evaluated by the scraping test. Statistical Analysis: The data were analyzed using Student's t-test or ANOVA one-way with Tukey's test (α =0.05). Results: Same type of barrier and different shades (A2, A4) of composite exhibited significant difference in the cure depth among all groups (P < 0.05). Both low-density polyethylene and PVC film folded barriers produced a significant reduction in the light intensity (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Regarding the resin shade, there was a significant reduction in the cure depth of A4 composite resin (dark shade) but this reduction is not enough to cause any adverse effect on the material's clinical performance. Therefore, disposable barriers can be recommended for use over the end of the light guide. PMID:23833455

  18. Light Transmission of Novel CAD/CAM Materials and Their Influence on the Degree of Conversion of a Dual-curing Resin Cement.

    PubMed

    Egilmez, Ferhan; Ergun, Gulfem; Cekic-Nagas, Isil; Vallittu, Pekka K; Lassila, Lippo V J

    To evaluate the light transmission characteristics of different types, shades, and thicknesses of novel CAD/CAM materials and their effect on the degree of conversion (DC) of a dual-curing resin cement. Square specimens (12 × 12 mm2) of three CAD/CAM materials - GC Cerasmart, Lava Ultimate, Vita Enamic - of different thicknesses (1.00, 1.50, and 2.00 mm, n = 5 per thickness) were irradiated with an LED unit. The amount of transmitted light was quantified. Thereafter, the DC% of the dual-curing resin cement (RelyX Ultimate) was recorded after 15 min using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey's HSD post-hoc test at a significance level of p < 0.05. Regression analysis was performed to investigate the correlation between the DC and radiant energy, and the DC and thickness. Although the type and shade of CAD/CAM material significantly affect transmitted light irradiation (p < 0.0001), degrees of conversion are similar when the CAD/CAM material or material shade were taken into consideration (p > 0.05). Conversely, material thickness significantly affected light transmission (p < 0.0001) and DC (p < 0.0001). Multiple effects of material, shade, and thickness did not significantly affect the evaluated parameters (p = 0.638 for light irradiation; p = 0.637 for DC). Linear regression analysis showed a correlation between delivered energy and DC% results of the Vita Enamic (R² = 0.4169, p < 0.0001). Reduced light transmission in 2-mm-thick specimens of all CAD/CAM materials indicates that proper curing of the cement beneath CAD/CAM materials should be ensured.

  19. Polymerisation characteristics of resin composites polymerised with different curing units.

    PubMed

    Danesh, Gholamreza; Davids, Hendrick; Reinhardt, Klaus-Jürgen; Ott, Klaus; Schäfer, Edgar

    2004-08-01

    The aim of this study was to compare the plasma arc light source Apollo 95E and the conventional halogen lamp Elipar Visio regarding a number of polymerisation characteristics of different resin composites. Four different resin composites (Arabesk Top, Herculite XRV, Pertac II, Tetric) were irradiated using the Apollo 95E unit for one, two or three cycles of 3 s and using the Elipar Visio unit for 40 s. The investigated polymerisation characteristics were: flexural strength and modulus of elasticity, bond strength to dentine, depth of polymerisation, and quantity of remaining double bonds. The data were treated statistically by analysis of variance and by Scheffé test. The modulus of elasticity and the flexural strength resulting from curing with Apollo 95E for 1 x 3 s were equal to or less than those resulting from curing with Elipar Visio. The bond strength to dentine and the depth of polymerisation with Apollo 95E used for 1 x 3 s were equal to or less than that obtained with the conventional lamp, depending on the resin composite. Irradiation of Herculite XRV resulted in a higher quantity of remaining double bonds than did Elipar Visio. In general, two or three curing cycles of 3 s with Apollo 95E were necessary to produce mechanical properties not significantly worse than with 40 s of conventional curing. The efficiency of plasma arc curing with Apollo 95E strongly depends on the resin composite. For most resin composites tested, plasma arc curing for 3 s resulted in inferior mechanical properties as compared to conventional curing.

  20. Effects of various light curing methods on the leachability of uncured substances and hardness of a composite resin.

    PubMed

    Moon, H-J; Lee, Y-K; Lim, B-S; Kim, C-W

    2004-03-01

    The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the various light curing units (plasma arc, halogen and light-emitting diodes) and irradiation methods (one-step, two-step and pulse) using different light energy densities on the leachability of unreacted monomers (Bis-GMA and UDMA) and the surface hardness of a composite resin (Z250, 3M). Leachability of the specimens immersed for 7 days in ethanol was analysed by HPLC. Vicker's hardness number (VHN) was measured immediately after curing (IC) and after immersion in ethanol for 7 days. Various irradiation methods with three curing units resulted in differences in the amount of leached monomers and VHN of IC when light energy density was lower than 17.0 J cm(-2) (P = 0.05). However, regardless of curing units and irradiation methods, these results were not different when the time or light energy density increased. When similar light energy density was irradiated (15.6-17.7 J cm(-2)), the efficiency of irradiation methods was different by the following order: one-step > or = two-step > pulse. These results suggest that the amount of leached monomers and VHN were influenced by forming polymer structure in activation and initiation stages of polymerization process with different light source energies and curing times.

  1. Estimating and modelling cure in population-based cancer studies within the framework of flexible parametric survival models.

    PubMed

    Andersson, Therese M L; Dickman, Paul W; Eloranta, Sandra; Lambert, Paul C

    2011-06-22

    When the mortality among a cancer patient group returns to the same level as in the general population, that is, the patients no longer experience excess mortality, the patients still alive are considered "statistically cured". Cure models can be used to estimate the cure proportion as well as the survival function of the "uncured". One limitation of parametric cure models is that the functional form of the survival of the "uncured" has to be specified. It can sometimes be hard to find a survival function flexible enough to fit the observed data, for example, when there is high excess hazard within a few months from diagnosis, which is common among older age groups. This has led to the exclusion of older age groups in population-based cancer studies using cure models. Here we have extended the flexible parametric survival model to incorporate cure as a special case to estimate the cure proportion and the survival of the "uncured". Flexible parametric survival models use splines to model the underlying hazard function, and therefore no parametric distribution has to be specified. We have compared the fit from standard cure models to our flexible cure model, using data on colon cancer patients in Finland. This new method gives similar results to a standard cure model, when it is reliable, and better fit when the standard cure model gives biased estimates. Cure models within the framework of flexible parametric models enables cure modelling when standard models give biased estimates. These flexible cure models enable inclusion of older age groups and can give stage-specific estimates, which is not always possible from parametric cure models. © 2011 Andersson et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

  2. Estimating and modelling cure in population-based cancer studies within the framework of flexible parametric survival models

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    Background When the mortality among a cancer patient group returns to the same level as in the general population, that is, the patients no longer experience excess mortality, the patients still alive are considered "statistically cured". Cure models can be used to estimate the cure proportion as well as the survival function of the "uncured". One limitation of parametric cure models is that the functional form of the survival of the "uncured" has to be specified. It can sometimes be hard to find a survival function flexible enough to fit the observed data, for example, when there is high excess hazard within a few months from diagnosis, which is common among older age groups. This has led to the exclusion of older age groups in population-based cancer studies using cure models. Methods Here we have extended the flexible parametric survival model to incorporate cure as a special case to estimate the cure proportion and the survival of the "uncured". Flexible parametric survival models use splines to model the underlying hazard function, and therefore no parametric distribution has to be specified. Results We have compared the fit from standard cure models to our flexible cure model, using data on colon cancer patients in Finland. This new method gives similar results to a standard cure model, when it is reliable, and better fit when the standard cure model gives biased estimates. Conclusions Cure models within the framework of flexible parametric models enables cure modelling when standard models give biased estimates. These flexible cure models enable inclusion of older age groups and can give stage-specific estimates, which is not always possible from parametric cure models. PMID:21696598

  3. Visible-Light Resin Curing Units.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1984-03-01

    dental unit’s pilot or drive air pressure, and is activated via the foot control that also operates the high-speed and low-speed handpieces . For all...the Dental Investigation Sqtc* kvmtc)b Cini’cal Sciences Division, USAF School of Aerospace 114,~e Ameoae ~dical Division, APSC, Brooks Air force... Dental curing units White light activation II Visible-light activation 19. AISTRACT (Continue on ,werse if necenawy and identify by

  4. ATR technique, an appropriate method for determining the degree of conversion in dental giomers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Prejmerean, Cristina; Prodan, Doina; Vlassa, Mihaela; Streza, Mihaela; Buruiana, Tinca; Colceriu, Loredana; Prejmerean, Vasile; Cuc, Stanca; Moldovan, Marioara

    2016-12-01

    Dental light-curing giomers were developed to combine the favourable properties of diacrylic resin composites (DRCs) and glass-ionomer cements (GICs) in a single material and to eliminate their inherent drawbacks. Giomers are characterized by their aesthetic appearance, high mechanical properties, adhesion to dental tissues as well as fluoride release and recharge abilities. The qualities of the giomers are greatly influenced by the level of conversion of the component resins. Infrared spectroscopy is one of the most largely used techniques for the determination of the degree of conversion in resin-based dental materials. However different results were obtained due to the performances of the used methods. The present work presents the determination of conversion degree in a series of dental copolymers and their corresponding giomers using transmission Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and an attenuated total reflection technique (ATR) technique, respectively, the main aim being the study of the influence of the materials composition and of the light curing modes upon the achieved conversion in the cured giomers. Beautifil II commercial giomer was used as a control. A halogen lamp and a diode-blue LED lamp were used for the curing of the materials. The results showed that the composition of the resins greatly influenced the conversion. The highest conversions (up to 79%) were obtained in the case of the experimental giomers which contained the experimental Bis-GMA urethane analogue, followed by the Beautifil II giomer (61%) and experimental giomers based on commercial Bis-GMA (up to 50%), respectively. The resins light-cured by using the diode-blue LED lamp presented slightly higher conversions than the resins cured by halogen lamp. The study demonstrates the possibility to evaluate easily and reproducibly the conversion in light-curing composite materials with complex chemical composition and structure, particularly in the case of giomers by using the ATR technique.

  5. Computational study on UV curing characteristics in nanoimprint lithography: Stochastic simulation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Koyama, Masanori; Shirai, Masamitsu; Kawata, Hiroaki; Hirai, Yoshihiko; Yasuda, Masaaki

    2017-06-01

    A computational simulation model of UV curing in nanoimprint lithography based on a simplified stochastic approach is proposed. The activated unit reacts with a randomly selected monomer within a critical reaction radius. Cluster units are chained to each other. Then, another monomer is activated and the next chain reaction occurs. This process is repeated until a virgin monomer disappears within the reaction radius or until the activated monomers react with each other. The simulation model well describes the basic UV curing characteristics, such as the molecular weight distributions of the reacted monomers and the effect of the initiator concentration on the conversion ratio. The effects of film thickness on UV curing characteristics are also studied by the simulation.

  6. Lethal acute demyelinization with encephalo-myelitis as a complication of cured Cushing's disease.

    PubMed

    Chevalier, N; Hieronimus, S; Vandenbos, F; Delmont, E; Cua, E; Cherick, F; Paquis, P; Michiels, J-F; Fenichel, P; Brucker-Davis, F

    2010-12-01

    Cushing's disease is usually associated with higher mortality rate, especially from cardiovascular causes. Development or exacerbation of autoimmune or inflammatory diseases is known to occur in patients with hypercortisolism after cure. We report for the first time a 34-year old woman with a psychiatric background, who developed four months after the surgical cure of Cushing's disease an acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) presenting initially as a psychiatric illness. We hypothesize that the recent correction of hypercortisolism triggered ADEM and that the atypical presentation, responsible for diagnosis delay, led to the death of this patient. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  7. Spirituality and use of complementary therapies for cure in advanced cancer.

    PubMed

    Trinkaus, Mateya; Burman, Debika; Barmala, Niusha; Rodin, Gary; Jones, Jennifer; Lo, Christopher; Zimmermann, Camilla

    2011-07-01

    Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is frequently used by patients with advanced cancer, for a variety of reasons. We examined the use of CAM in this population, and associations of use for potential cure with spiritual faith and existential well-being. Patients with advanced cancer on a palliative care unit completed a measure of spiritual well-being (existential well-being and faith), and a survey assessing complementary therapy use and reasons for such use. Information was also gathered on demographic data, previous cancer treatment, performance status, and symptom distress. Regression analyses assessed the association between the spirituality domains of existential well-being and faith, and the use of CAM for cure. Of 123 participants, 85% had used CAM, 42% with curative intent. More than 95% would consider future use of CAM, 48% for potential cure. Previous use for cure predicted current interest in using CAM for cure (p<0.0001). Spiritual faith was associated with previous (p<0.02) and interest in future use for cure (p<0.0001). Poor existential well-being was associated with interest in future use of CAM for cure (p=0.04). Interest in considering CAM for cure was relatively high in this group of inpatients on a palliative care unit, and was associated with increased spiritual faith and decreased existential well-being. Understanding factors associated with seeking CAM for cure may help health-care professionals to support and educate patients with advanced cancer. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  8. Comparative static curing versus dynamic curing on tablet coating structures.

    PubMed

    Gendre, Claire; Genty, Muriel; Fayard, Barbara; Tfayli, Ali; Boiret, Mathieu; Lecoq, Olivier; Baron, Michel; Chaminade, Pierre; Péan, Jean Manuel

    2013-09-10

    Curing is generally required to stabilize film coating from aqueous polymer dispersion. This post-coating drying step is traditionally carried out in static conditions, requiring the transfer of solid dosage forms to an oven. But, curing operation performed directly inside the coating equipment stands for an attractive industrial application. Recently, the use of various advanced physico-chemical characterization techniques i.e., X-ray micro-computed tomography, vibrational spectroscopies (near infrared and Raman) and X-ray microdiffraction, allowed new insights into the film-coating structures of dynamically cured tablets. Dynamic curing end-point was efficiently determined after 4h. The aim of the present work was to elucidate the influence of curing conditions on film-coating structures. Results demonstrated that 24h of static curing and 4h of dynamic curing, both performed at 60°C and ambient relative humidity, led to similar coating layers in terms of drug release properties, porosity, water content, structural rearrangement of polymer chains and crystalline distribution. Furthermore, X-ray microdiffraction measurements pointed out different crystalline coating compositions depending on sample storage time. An aging mechanism might have occur during storage, resulting in the crystallization and the upward migration of cetyl alcohol, coupled to the downward migration of crystalline sodium lauryl sulfate within the coating layer. Interestingly, this new study clearly provided further knowledge into film-coating structures after a curing step and confirmed that curing operation could be performed in dynamic conditions. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. Fresh meat and further processing characteristics of ham muscles from finishing pigs fed ractopamine hydrochloride.

    PubMed

    Boler, D D; Holmer, S F; Duncan, D A; Carr, S N; Ritter, M J; Stites, C R; Petry, D B; Hinson, R B; Allee, G L; McKeith, F K; Killefer, J

    2011-01-01

    Ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) has consistently led to an advantage in carcass cutting yields of finishing pigs and remains a common feed additive in US finishing pig diets. Less is known about the effect of RAC on further processing characteristics. Some researchers have reported advantages in ultimate pH of the LM in pigs fed RAC. If a greater ultimate pH was also observed in hams, the increased pH could affect further processing characteristics and lead to better protein interaction and improved textural properties. The objective of this experiment was to determine if RAC-fed pigs yielded hams with a greater ultimate pH, and if so, whether or not that advantage improves textural properties and water retention of further processed hams. Two hundred hams from barrows and gilts fed RAC or control diets were selected based on HCW. Hams were fabricated into 5 separate pieces to determine cutting yields, and 6 muscles were evaluated for ultimate pH. Hams were processed to make cured and smoked hams. Ractopamine increased cutting yields of the whole ham (P < 0.0001), inside (P < 0.01), outside (P < 0.01), and knuckle (P < 0.01) when expressed as a percentage of chilled side weight. Ultimate pH of the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and semitendinosus were all 0.06 pH units greater (P < 0.05), the biceps femoris was 0.04 pH units greater (P = 0.02), and the semimembranosus and adductor muscles were 0.03 pH units greater in pigs fed 7.4 mg/kg of RAC when compared with control pigs. Cured hams from RAC-fed pigs were heavier at all stages of production. No differences were detected in binding strengths (P = 0.88) or protein fat-free values (P = 0.13) between RAC (9.06 kg and 20.37) and control hams (9.01 kg and 20.13). Ractopamine increased cutting yields, total weight of cured hams, and ultimate muscle pH. Ractopamine can be fed to pigs to achieve the desired growth characteristic advantages and cutting yields without affecting further processed ham characteristics.

  10. 405 nm diode laser, halogen lamp and LED device comparison in dental composites cure: an "in vitro" experimental trial.

    PubMed

    Fornaini, C; Lagori, G; Merigo, E; Rocca, J-P; Chiusano, M; Cucinotta, A

    2015-12-30

    A 405 nm diode laser is indicated for composite materials polymerizing, thanks to the recent evolution in their compositions, absorbing in blue part of the spectrum. The purpose of this research was to evaluate its performance on two different kinds of composite resins. Two different composites were polymerized with a traditional halogen lamp, a LED device and a 405 nm diode laser. The depth of the cure, the volumetric shrinkage, and the degree of the conversion (DC%) of the double bond during the curing process were measured. One-way ANOVA test, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Dunn comparison tests were used for statistic analysis. Regarding the depth of polymerization, the laser had the worst performance on one composite while on the other, no significant difference with the other devices was observed. The volumetric shrinkage showed that laser produced the lowest change in both of the composites. The DC% measure confirmed these findings. Based on the results of this preliminary study, it is not possible to recommend the 405 nm diode laser for the polymerization of dental composites.

  11. Evaluation of Eye Protection Filters Used with Broad-Spectrum and Conventional LED Curing Lights.

    PubMed

    Soares, Carlos José; Rodrigues, Monise de Paula; Vilela, Andomar Bruno Fernandes; Rizo, Erick René Cerda; Ferreira, Lorraine Braga; Giannini, Marcelo; Price, Richard Bengt

    2017-01-01

    The high irradiance and the different emission spectra from contemporary light curing units (LCU) may cause ocular damage. This study evaluated the ability of 15 eye protection filters: 2 glasses, 1 paddle design, and 12 dedicated filters to block out harmful light from a monowave (HP-3M ESPE) and a broad-spectrum (Valo, Ultradent) LED LCU. Using the anterior sensor in the MARC-Patient Simulator (BlueLight Analytics) the irradiance that was delivered through different eye protection filters was measured three times. The LCUs delivered a similar irradiance to the top of the filter. The mean values of the light that passed through the filters as percent of the original irradiance were analyzed using two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey test (a= 0.05). The emission spectra from the LCUs and through the filters were also obtained. Two-way ANOVA showed that the interaction between protective filters and LCUs significantly influenced the amount of light transmitted (p< 0.001). Tukey test showed that the amount of light transmitted through the protective filters when using the HP-3M-ESPE was significantly greater compared to when using the Valo, irrespective of the protective filter tested. When using the HP-3M-ESPE, the Glasses filter allowed significantly more light through, followed by XL 3000, ORTUS, Google Professional, Gnatus filters. The Valo filter was the most effective at blocking out the harmful light. Some protective filters were less effective at blocking the lower wavelengths of light (<420 nm). However, even in the worst scenario, the filters were able to block at least 97% of the irradiance.

  12. Discovery and Broad Relevance May Be Insignificant Components of Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) for Non-Biology Majors.

    PubMed

    Ballen, Cissy J; Thompson, Seth K; Blum, Jessamina E; Newstrom, Nicholas P; Cotner, Sehoya

    2018-01-01

    Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) are a type of laboratory learning environment associated with a science course, in which undergraduates participate in novel research. According to Auchincloss et al. (CBE Life Sci Educ 2104; 13:29-40), CUREs are distinct from other laboratory learning environments because they possess five core design components, and while national calls to improve STEM education have led to an increase in CURE programs nationally, less work has specifically focused on which core components are critical to achieving desired student outcomes. Here we use a backward elimination experimental design to test the importance of two CURE components for a population of non-biology majors: the experience of discovery and the production of data broadly relevant to the scientific or local community. We found nonsignificant impacts of either laboratory component on students' academic performance, science self-efficacy, sense of project ownership, and perceived value of the laboratory experience. Our results challenge the assumption that all core components of CUREs are essential to achieve positive student outcomes when applied at scale.

  13. Evaluation of effect of different disposable infection control barriers on light intensity of light-curing unit and microhardness of composite - An in vitro study.

    PubMed

    Khode, Rajiv Tarachand; Shenoi, Pratima Ramakrishna; Kubde, Rajesh R; Makade, Chetana S; Wadekar, Kanchan D; Khode, Priyanka Tarachand

    2017-01-01

    This study evaluated effect of infection control barriers on light intensity (LI) of light-curing unit (LCU) and microhardness of composite. Four different disposable barriers ( n = 30) were tested against the control. LI for each barrier was measured with Lux meter. One hundred and fifty Teflon molds were equally divided into five groups of thirty each. Composite was filled in bulk in these molds and cured without and with barrier. Microhardness was evaluated on top and bottom surface of composite specimen with microhardness testing machine and hardness ratio (HR) was derived. One-way analysis of variance, Tukey's honestly significant difference test, and paired t -test using SPSS version 18 software. All barriers had significantly reduced the baseline LI of LCU ( P < 0.0001), but only Cure Elastic Steri-Shield and latex cut glove pieces (LCGP) significantly reduced the microhardness of the composite ( P < 0.05). However, HR determined inadequate curing only with LCGP. Although entire tested barrier significantly reduced the LI; none, except LCGP markedly affected the degree of cure of the composite.

  14. Influence of fluorescent dye on physical-mechanical properties of luting cements for confocal microscopy analysis.

    PubMed

    Oliveira, Dayane; Prieto, Lúcia; Araújo, Cíntia; Coppini, Erick; Pereira, Gisele; Paulillo, Luís

    2014-12-01

    To evaluate the influence of a fluorescent dye (rhodamine B) on the physical and mechanical properties of three different luting cements: a conventional adhesive luting cement (RelyX ARC, 3M/ESPE), a self-adhesive luting cement (RelyX U-200, 3M/ESPE), and a self-etching and self-adhesive luting cement (SeT PP, SDI). The cements were mixed with 0.03 wt% rhodamine B, formed into bar-shaped specimens (n = 10), and light cured using an LED curing unit (Radii, SDI) with a radiant exposure of 32 J/cm(2) . The Knoop hardness (KHN), flexural strength (FS), and Young's modulus (YM) analyses were evaluated after storage for 24 h. Outcomes were subjected to two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (P = 0.05) for multiple comparisons. No significant differences in FS or YM were observed among the tested groups (P ≥ 0.05); the addition of rhodamine B increased the hardness of the luting cements tested. The addition of a fluorescent agent at 0.03 wt% concentration does not negatively affect the physical-mechanical properties of the luting cement polymerization behavior. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  15. Assessing the irradiance delivered from light-curing units in private dental offices in Jordan.

    PubMed

    Maghaireh, Ghada A; Alzraikat, Hanan; Taha, Nessrin A

    2013-08-01

    The authors conducted a study to examine the irradiance from light-curing units (LCUs) used in dental offices in Jordan. Two of the authors visited 295 private dental offices (15 percent) in Jordan and collected the following information about the LCUs: age, type (quartz-tungsten-halogen or light-emitting diode), date of last maintenance, type of maintenance, last date of use, number of times used during the day, availability of a radiometer, exposure time for each resin-based composite increment, size of light-curing tips and presence of resin-based composite on the tips. The authors used a radiometer to measure the irradiance from the LCUs. They used linear regression with stepwise correlation for the statistical analysis. The authors set the minimum acceptable irradiance at 300 milliwatts/square centimeter. The mean irradiance of the 295 LCUs examined was 361 mW/cm(2), and 136 LCUs (46.1 percent) delivered an irradiance of less than 300 mW/cm(2). The unit's age, type and presence of resin-based composite on the light-curing tips had a significant effect on the irradiance (P ≤ .001). Only 37 of the 141 quartz-tungsten-halogen units (26.2 percent) and 122 of the 154 light-emitting diode units (79.2 percent) delivered at least 300 mW/cm(2). Resin contamination on the light-curing tips had a significant effect on the irradiance delivered. The irradiance from the LCUs decreased with use. Practical Implications. The irradiance from many of the units in this study was less than 300 mW/cm(2), which may affect the quality of resin-based composite restorations. Dentists should monitor the performance of the LCUs in their offices weekly.

  16. 'Well, It's the Risk of the Unknown… Right?': A Qualitative Study of Perceived Risks and Benefits of HIV Cure Research in the United States.

    PubMed

    Dubé, Karine; Taylor, Jeff; Sylla, Laurie; Evans, David; Dee, Lynda; Burton, Alasdair; Willenberg, Loreen; Rennie, Stuart; Skinner, Asheley; Tucker, Joseph D; Weiner, Bryan J; Greene, Sandra B

    2017-01-01

    Biomedical research towards an HIV cure is advancing in the United States and elsewhere, yet little is known about perceptions of risks and benefits among potential study participants and other stakeholders. We conducted a qualitative study to explore perceived risks and benefits of investigational HIV cure research among people living with HIV (PLWHIV), biomedical HIV cure researchers, policy-makers and bioethicists. We conducted a qualitative research study using in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of PLWHIV, biomedical HIV cure researchers, policy-makers and bioethicists in 2015-2016. We analysed interview transcripts using thematic analysis anchored in grounded theory. We conducted and analyzed 36 key informant interviews. Qualitative analysis revealed four main findings. 1) Potential HIV cure study volunteers noted needing more information and education about the potential risks of HIV cure research. 2) Biomedical HIV cure researchers, policy-makers and bioethicists showed less awareness of social and financial risks of HIV cure research than PLWHIV. 3) Most respondents across the different categories of informants identified some risks that were too great to be acceptable in HIV cure research, although a subset of PLWHIV did not place an upper limit on acceptable risk. 4) PLWHIV showed a better awareness of potential psychological benefits of participating in HIV cure research than other groups of stakeholders. Our research suggests that PLWHIV have a variable understanding of the individual risks, sometimes substantial, associated with participating in biomedical HIV cure research studies. Community engagement and increased research literacy may help improve community understanding. Intensive informed consent procedures will be necessary for ethical study implementation. The current state of HIV cure research offers greater potential benefits to society than to participants. There is likely to be disagreement among regulators, researchers, clinicians, and potential participants about what constitutes acceptable risk for HIV cure studies.

  17. 'Well, It's the Risk of the Unknown… Right?': A Qualitative Study of Perceived Risks and Benefits of HIV Cure Research in the United States

    PubMed Central

    Dubé, Karine; Taylor, Jeff; Sylla, Laurie; Evans, David; Dee, Lynda; Burton, Alasdair; Willenberg, Loreen; Rennie, Stuart; Skinner, Asheley; Tucker, Joseph D.; Weiner, Bryan J.; Greene, Sandra B.

    2017-01-01

    Introduction Biomedical research towards an HIV cure is advancing in the United States and elsewhere, yet little is known about perceptions of risks and benefits among potential study participants and other stakeholders. We conducted a qualitative study to explore perceived risks and benefits of investigational HIV cure research among people living with HIV (PLWHIV), biomedical HIV cure researchers, policy-makers and bioethicists. Methods We conducted a qualitative research study using in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of PLWHIV, biomedical HIV cure researchers, policy-makers and bioethicists in 2015–2016. We analysed interview transcripts using thematic analysis anchored in grounded theory. Results We conducted and analyzed 36 key informant interviews. Qualitative analysis revealed four main findings. 1) Potential HIV cure study volunteers noted needing more information and education about the potential risks of HIV cure research. 2) Biomedical HIV cure researchers, policy-makers and bioethicists showed less awareness of social and financial risks of HIV cure research than PLWHIV. 3) Most respondents across the different categories of informants identified some risks that were too great to be acceptable in HIV cure research, although a subset of PLWHIV did not place an upper limit on acceptable risk. 4) PLWHIV showed a better awareness of potential psychological benefits of participating in HIV cure research than other groups of stakeholders. Conclusion Our research suggests that PLWHIV have a variable understanding of the individual risks, sometimes substantial, associated with participating in biomedical HIV cure research studies. Community engagement and increased research literacy may help improve community understanding. Intensive informed consent procedures will be necessary for ethical study implementation. The current state of HIV cure research offers greater potential benefits to society than to participants. There is likely to be disagreement among regulators, researchers, clinicians, and potential participants about what constitutes acceptable risk for HIV cure studies. PMID:28122027

  18. In vitro investigation of heat transfer phenomenon in human immature teeth.

    PubMed

    Talebi, Maryam; Moghimi, Sahar; Shafagh, Mina; Kalani, Hadi; Mazhari, Fatemeh

    2014-01-01

    Background and aims. Heat generated within tooth during clinical dentistry can cause thermally induced damage to hard and soft components of the tooth (enamel, dentin and pulp). Geometrical characteristics of immature teeth are different from those of mature teeth. The purpose of this experimental and theoretical study was to investigate thermal changes in immature permanent teeth during the use of LED light-curing units (LCU). Materials and methods. This study was performed on the second mandibular premolars. This experimental investiga-tion was carried out for recording temperature variations of different sites of tooth and two dimensional finite element models were used for heat transfer phenomenon in immature teeth. Sensitivity analysis and local tests were included in the model validation phase. Results. Overall, thermal stimulation for 30 seconds with a low-intensity LED LCU increased the temperature from 28°C to 38°C in IIT (intact immature tooth) and PIT (cavity-prepared immature tooth). When a high-intensity LED LCU was used, tooth temperature increased from 28°C to 48°C. The results of the experimental tests and mathematical modeling illustrated that using LED LCU on immature teeth did not have any detrimental effect on the pulp temperature. Conclusion. Using LED LCU in immature teeth had no effect on pulp temperature in this study. Sensitivity analysis showed that variations of heat conductivity might affect heat transfer in immature teeth; therefore, further studies are required to determine thermal conductivity of immature teeth.

  19. Why do different criteria for 'cure' yield different conclusions in comparing two treatments for bacterial vaginosis?

    PubMed

    Thomas, Katherine K; Sanchez, Sixto; Garcia, Patricia J; Holmes, King K

    2005-09-01

    The objective of this study was to determine why different criteria for response to treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) led to markedly different conclusions about treatment efficacy in a randomized trial comparing metronidazole gel versus metronidazole/nystatin ovules. We compared the impact of two treatment regimens on individual components of Amsel and Nugent criteria at follow-up visits 14, 42, and 104 days after initiating treatment. Compared with gel, ovules more effectively eliminated amines, clue cells, and Gardnerella, Prevotella, or Mobiluncus morphotypes from vaginal fluid, thus achieving cure based on "usual" criteria (absence of BV by Amsel or Nugent criteria), but did not more effectively restore Lactobacillus morphotypes or lower vaginal pH, thus not meeting Federal Drug Administration (FDA) criteria for cure. Because early vaginal recolonization by lactobacilli was poor after both gel and ovules, FDA draft criteria for cure missed marked differences in treatment efficacies against Gardnerella, clue cells, and amines. Cure defined more "usually" may give more useful information.

  20. The translucency of dental composites investigated by UV-VIS spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dumitrescu, L. Silaghi; Pastrav, O.; Prejmerean, C.; Prodan, D.; Boboia, S.; Codruta, S.; Moldovan, M.

    2013-11-01

    Translucency is the property of a material to partially transmit and diffuse incident light, and can be described as a partial opacity or a state between complete opacity and complete transparency. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the translucency index of resin composites according to their chemical structure and to the light source used for curing. Our study was achieved on four commercial composite samples (30 mm × 2 mm) cured with two different lamps (Optilux - halogen bulb and Ultralight - LED). Measurements were made with a UV-VIS spectrophotometer, and the reflection spectrum was recorded in the 380-770 nm region on white and black, compared with a SPECTRALON standard white. For all materials cured with the LED lamp on the glossy sides, the best results were given by Tetric Evo Ceram followed by Filtek Supreme, RestacrilRO and Premise. The measurements made on samples cured with an Optilux lamp, to the smooth and rough sides of the samples, revealed that the highest index of translucency is provided by Tetric Evo Ceram on the smooth side, followed by Filtek Supreme, RestacrilRO and Premises. We can say that the translucency of the composites is mostly determined by the chemical composition of the material, which is observed from transmittance values recorded for each sample, and by the source of radiation applied on the sample.

  1. The curing agent sodium nitrite, used in the production of fermented sausages, is less inhibiting to the bacteriocin-producing meat starter culture Lactobacillus curvatus LTH 1174 under anaerobic conditions.

    PubMed

    Verluyten, Jurgen; Messens, Winy; De Vuyst, Luc

    2003-07-01

    Curvacin A is a listericidal bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus curvatus LTH 1174, a strain isolated from fermented sausage. The response of this strain to an added curing agent (sodium nitrite) in terms of cell growth and bacteriocin production was investigated in vitro by laboratory fermentations with modified MRS broth. The strain was highly sensitive to nitrite; even a concentration of 10 ppm of curing agent inhibited its growth and both volumetric and specific bacteriocin production. A meat simulation medium containing 5 ppm of sodium nitrite was tested to investigate the influence of the gas phase on the growth and bacteriocin production of L. curvatus LTH 1174. Aerating the culture during growth had no effect on biomass formation, but the oxidative stress caused a higher level of specific bacteriocin production and led to a metabolic shift toward acetic acid production. Anaerobic conditions, on the other hand, led to an increased biomass concentration and less growth inhibition. Also, higher maximum volumetric bacteriocin activities and a higher level of specific bacteriocin production were obtained in the presence of sodium nitrite than in fermentations under aerobic conditions or standard conditions of air supply. These results indicate that the inhibitory effect of the curing agent is at least partially masked under anaerobic conditions.

  2. The translucency of dental composites investigated by UV-VIS spectroscopy

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Dumitrescu, L. Silaghi; Pastrav, O.; Prejmerean, C.

    Translucency is the property of a material to partially transmit and diffuse incident light, and can be described as a partial opacity or a state between complete opacity and complete transparency. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the translucency index of resin composites according to their chemical structure and to the light source used for curing. Our study was achieved on four commercial composite samples (30 mm × 2 mm) cured with two different lamps (Optilux - halogen bulb and Ultralight - LED). Measurements were made with a UV-VIS spectrophotometer, and the reflection spectrum was recorded in themore » 380-770 nm region on white and black, compared with a SPECTRALON standard white. For all materials cured with the LED lamp on the glossy sides, the best results were given by Tetric Evo Ceram followed by Filtek Supreme, Restacril{sup RO} and Premise. The measurements made on samples cured with an Optilux lamp, to the smooth and rough sides of the samples, revealed that the highest index of translucency is provided by Tetric Evo Ceram on the smooth side, followed by Filtek Supreme, Restacril{sup RO} and Premises. We can say that the translucency of the composites is mostly determined by the chemical composition of the material, which is observed from transmittance values recorded for each sample, and by the source of radiation applied on the sample.« less

  3. Degree of conversion and hardness of two different systems of the Vitrebond™ glass ionomer cement light cured with blue LED.

    PubMed

    Calixto, Luiz Rafael; Tonetto, Mateus Rodrigues; Pinto, Shelon Cristina Souza; Barros, Erico Damasceno; Borges, Alvaro Henrique; Lima, Fabricio Viana Pereira; de Andrade, Marcelo Ferrarezi; Bandéca, Matheus Coelho

    2013-03-01

    This study investigated the physicochemical properties of the new formulation of the glass ionomer cements through hardness test and degree of conversion by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Forty specimens (n = 40) were made in a metallic mold (4 mm diameter x 2 mm thickness) with two resin-modified glass ionomer cements, Vitrebond™ and Vitrebond™ Plus (3M/ ESPE). Each specimen was light cured with blue LED with power density of 500 mW/cm(2) during 30 s. Immediately after light curing, 24h, 48h and 7 days the hardness and degree of conversion was determined. The Vickers hardness was performed by the MMT-3 microhardness tester using load of 50 gm force for 30 seconds. For degree of conversion, the specimens were pulverized, pressed with KBr and analyzed with FT-IR (Nexus 470). The statistical analysis of the data by ANOVA showed that the Vitrebond™ and Vitrebond™ Plus were no difference significant between the same storage times (p > 0.05). For degree of conversion, the Vitrebond™ and Vitrebond™ Plus were statistically different in all storage times after light curing. The Vitrebond™ showed higher values than Vitrebond™ Plus (p < 0.05). The performance of Vitrebond™ had greater results for degree of conversion than Vitrebond™ Plus. The correlation between hardness and degree of conversion was no evidence in this study.

  4. The Curing Agent Sodium Nitrite, Used in the Production of Fermented Sausages, Is Less Inhibiting to the Bacteriocin-Producing Meat Starter Culture Lactobacillus curvatus LTH 1174 under Anaerobic Conditions

    PubMed Central

    Verluyten, Jurgen; Messens, Winy; De Vuyst, Luc

    2003-01-01

    Curvacin A is a listericidal bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus curvatus LTH 1174, a strain isolated from fermented sausage. The response of this strain to an added curing agent (sodium nitrite) in terms of cell growth and bacteriocin production was investigated in vitro by laboratory fermentations with modified MRS broth. The strain was highly sensitive to nitrite; even a concentration of 10 ppm of curing agent inhibited its growth and both volumetric and specific bacteriocin production. A meat simulation medium containing 5 ppm of sodium nitrite was tested to investigate the influence of the gas phase on the growth and bacteriocin production of L. curvatus LTH 1174. Aerating the culture during growth had no effect on biomass formation, but the oxidative stress caused a higher level of specific bacteriocin production and led to a metabolic shift toward acetic acid production. Anaerobic conditions, on the other hand, led to an increased biomass concentration and less growth inhibition. Also, higher maximum volumetric bacteriocin activities and a higher level of specific bacteriocin production were obtained in the presence of sodium nitrite than in fermentations under aerobic conditions or standard conditions of air supply. These results indicate that the inhibitory effect of the curing agent is at least partially masked under anaerobic conditions. PMID:12839751

  5. Research and Operational Support for the Study of Military Relevant Infectious Diseases of Interest to United States and Royal Thai Government

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2006-01-01

    in progress 8 PvDBP Polymorphisms Study completed; publication in progress 9 Tafenoquine Cure /Radical Cure Dose Ranging NIH In life completed Jan...and II, as possibly phase III testing. We will continue efforts for tafenoquine development, especially towards an indication of radical cure for...disease (prophylaxis) and to cure the infection (therapeutic). Antimalarial drug screening in the rhesus monkey model is very effective for making

  6. Composite cements benefit from light-curing.

    PubMed

    Lührs, Anne-Katrin; De Munck, Jan; Geurtsen, Werner; Van Meerbeek, Bart

    2014-03-01

    To investigate the effect of curing of composite cements and a new ceramic silanization pre-treatment on the micro-tensile bond strength (μTBS). Feldspathic ceramic blocks were luted onto dentin using either Optibond XTR/Nexus 3 (XTR/NX3; Kerr), the silane-incorporated 'universal' adhesive Scotchbond Universal/RelyX Ultimate (SBU/RXU; 3M ESPE), or ED Primer II/Panavia F2.0 (ED/PAF; Kuraray Noritake). Besides 'composite cement', experimental variables were 'curing mode' ('AA': complete auto-cure at 21°C; 'AA*': complete auto-cure at 37°C; 'LA': light-curing of adhesive and auto-cure of cement; 'LL': complete light-curing) and 'ceramic surface pre-treatment' ('HF/S/HB': hydrofluoric acid ('HF': IPS Ceramic Etching Gel, Ivoclar-Vivadent), silanization ('S': Monobond Plus, Ivoclar-Vivadent) and application of an adhesive resin ('HB': Heliobond, Ivoclar-Vivadent); 'HF/SBU': 'HF' and application of the 'universal' adhesive Scotchbond Universal ('SBU'; 3M ESPE, only for SBU/RXU)). After water storage (7 days at 37°C), ceramic-dentin sticks were subjected to μTBS testing. Regarding the 'composite cement', the significantly lowest μTBSs were measured for ED/PAF. Regarding 'curing mode', the significantly highest μTBS was recorded when at least the adhesive was light-cured ('LA' and 'LL'). Complete auto-cure ('AA') revealed the significantly lowest μTBS. The higher auto-curing temperature ('AA*') increased the μTBS only for ED/PAF. Regarding 'ceramic surface pre-treatment', only for 'LA' the μTBS was significantly higher for 'HF/S/HB' than for 'HF/SBU'. Complete auto-cure led to inferior μTBS than when either the adhesive (on dentin) or both adhesive and composite cement were light-cured. The use of a silane-incorporated adhesive did not decrease luting effectiveness when also the composite cement was light-cured. Copyright © 2013 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Evaluation of effect of different disposable infection control barriers on light intensity of light-curing unit and microhardness of composite - An in vitro study

    PubMed Central

    Khode, Rajiv Tarachand; Shenoi, Pratima Ramakrishna; Kubde, Rajesh R.; Makade, Chetana S.; Wadekar, Kanchan D.; Khode, Priyanka Tarachand

    2017-01-01

    Aims: This study evaluated effect of infection control barriers on light intensity (LI) of light-curing unit (LCU) and microhardness of composite. Materials and Methods: Four different disposable barriers (n = 30) were tested against the control. LI for each barrier was measured with Lux meter. One hundred and fifty Teflon molds were equally divided into five groups of thirty each. Composite was filled in bulk in these molds and cured without and with barrier. Microhardness was evaluated on top and bottom surface of composite specimen with microhardness testing machine and hardness ratio (HR) was derived. Statistical Analysis Used: One-way analysis of variance, Tukey's honestly significant difference test, and paired t-test using SPSS version 18 software. Results: All barriers had significantly reduced the baseline LI of LCU (P < 0.0001), but only Cure Elastic Steri-Shield and latex cut glove pieces (LCGP) significantly reduced the microhardness of the composite (P < 0.05). However, HR determined inadequate curing only with LCGP. Conclusions: Although entire tested barrier significantly reduced the LI; none, except LCGP markedly affected the degree of cure of the composite. PMID:29279622

  8. Changes on degree of conversion of dual-cure luting light-cured with blue LED

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bandéca, M. C.; El-Mowafy, O.; Saade, E. G.; Rastelli, A. N. S.; Bagnato, V. S.; Porto-Neto, S. T.

    2009-05-01

    The indirect adhesive procedures constitute recently a substantial portion of contemporary esthetic restorative treatments. The resin cements have been used to bond tooth substrate and restorative materials. Due to recently introduction of the self-bonding resin luting cement based on a new monomer, filler and initiation technology has become important to study the degree of conversion of these new materials. In the present work the polymerization reaction and the filler content of dual-cured dental resin cements were studied by means of infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetry (TG). Twenty specimens were made in a metallic mold (8 mm diameter × 1 mm thick) from each of 2 cements, Panavia® F2.0 (Kuraray) and RelyX™ Unicem Applicap (3M/ESPE). Each specimen was cured with blue LED with power density of 500 mW/cm2 for 30 s. Immediately after curing, 24 and 48 h, and 7 days DC was determined. For each time interval 5 specimens were pulverized, pressed with KBr and analyzed with FT-IR. The TG measurements were performed in Netzsch TG 209 under oxygen atmosphere and heating rate of 10°C/min from 25 to 700°C. A two-way ANOVA showed DC (%) mean values statistically significance differences between two cements ( p < 0.05). The Tukey’s test showed no significant difference only for the 24 and 48 h after light irradiation for both resin cements ( p > 0.05). The Relx-Y™ Unicem mean values were significantly higher than Panavia® F 2.0. The degree of conversion means values increasing with the storage time and the filler content showed similar for both resin cements.

  9. Survival of selected foodborne pathogens on dry cured pork loins.

    PubMed

    Morales-Partera, Ángela M; Cardoso-Toset, Fernando; Jurado-Martos, Francisco; Astorga, Rafael J; Huerta, Belén; Luque, Inmaculada; Tarradas, Carmen; Gómez-Laguna, Jaime

    2017-10-03

    The safety of ready-to-eat products such as cured pork loins must be guaranteed by the food industry. In the present study, the efficacy of the dry curing process of pork loins obtained from free-range pigs in the reduction of three of the most important foodborne pathogens is analysed. A total of 28 pork loin segments, with an average weight of 0.57±0.12kg, were divided into four groups with three being inoculated by immersion with 7logCFU/ml of either Salmonella Typhimurium, Campylobacter coli or Listeria innocua and the last one inoculated by immersion with sterile medium (control group). The loin segments were treated with a seasoning mixture of curing agents and spices, packed in a synthetic sausage casing and cured for 64days. Microbiological analysis, pH and water activity (a w ) were assessed at four stages. The values of pH and a w decreased with curing time as expected. S. Typhimurium and C. coli dropped significantly (3.28 and 2.14 log units, respectively), but limited reduction of L. innocua (0.84 log unit) was observed along the curing process. In our study, three factors were considered critical: the initial concentration of the bacteria, the progressive reduction of pH and the reduction of a w values. Our results encourage performing periodic analysis at different stages of the manufacturing of dry cured pork loins to ensure the absence of the three evaluated foodborne pathogens. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. Conversion degrees of resin composites using different light sources.

    PubMed

    Ozturk, Bora; Cobanoglu, Nevin; Cetin, Ali Rıza; Gunduz, Beniz

    2013-01-01

    The objective of this study was to compare the conversion degree of six different composite materials (Filtek Z 250, Filtek P60, Spectrum TPH, Pertac II, Clearfil AP-X, and Clearfil Photo Posterior) using three different light sources (blue light-emitting diode [LED], plasma arc curing [PAC], and conventional halogen lamp [QTH]). Composites were placed in a 2 mm thick and 5 mm diameter Teflon molds and light cured from the top using three methods: LED for 40 s, PAC for 10 s, and QTH for 40 s. A Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to evaluate the degree of conversion (DC) (n=5). The results were analyzed with two-way analysis of variance and Tukey HSD test. DC was significantly influenced by two variables, light source and composite (P<.05). QTH revealed significantly higher DC values than LED (P<.05). However, there were no significant differences between DC values of QTH and PAC or between DC values of LED and PAC (P>.05). The highest DC was observed in the Z 250 composite specimens following photopolymerization with QTH (70%). The lowest DC was observed in Clearfil Photo Posterior composite specimens following photo-polymerization with LED (43%). The DC was found to be changing according to both light sources and composite materials used. Conventional light halogen (QTH) from light sources and Filtek Z 250 and Filtek P 60 among composite materials showed the most DC performance.

  11. Demonstration of UV LED versatility when paired with molded UV transmitting glass optics to produce unique irradiance patterns

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jasenak, Brian

    2017-02-01

    Ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UV LED) adoption is accelerating; they are being used in new applications such as UV curing, germicidal irradiation, nondestructive testing, and forensic analysis. In many of these applications, it is critically important to produce a uniform light distribution and consistent surface irradiance. Flat panes of fused quartz, silica, or glass are commonly used to cover and protect UV LED arrays. However, they don't offer the advantages of an optical lens design. An investigation was conducted to determine the effect of a secondary glass optic on the uniformity of the light distribution and irradiance. Glass optics capable of transmitting UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C wavelengths can improve light distribution, uniformity, and intensity. In this work, two simulation studies were created to illustrate distinct irradiance patterns desirable for potential real world applications. The first study investigates the use of a multi-UV LED array and optic to create a uniform irradiance pattern on the flat two dimensional (2D) target surface. The uniformity was improved by designing both the LED array and molded optic to produce a homogenous pattern. The second study investigated the use of an LED light source and molded optic to improve the light uniformity on the inside of a canister. The case study illustrates the requirements for careful selection of LED based on light distribution and subsequent design of optics. The optic utilizes total internal reflection to create optimized light distribution. The combination of the LED and molded optic showed significant improvement in uniformity on the inner surface of the canister. The simulations illustrate how the application of optics can significantly improve UV light distribution which can be critical in applications such as UV curing and sterilization.

  12. Spectroscopic and Mechanical Properties of a New Generation of Bulk Fill Composites

    PubMed Central

    Monterubbianesi, Riccardo; Orsini, Giovanna; Tosi, Giorgio; Conti, Carla; Librando, Vito; Procaccini, Maurizio; Putignano, Angelo

    2016-01-01

    Objectives: The aims of this study were to in vitro evaluate the degree of conversion and the microhardness properties of five bulk fill resin composites; in addition, the performance of two curing lamps, used for composites polymerization, was also analyzed. Materials and Methods: The following five resin-based bulk fill composites were tested: SureFil SDR®, Fill Up!™, Filtek™, SonicFill™, and SonicFill2™. Samples of 4 mm in thickness were prepared using Teflon molds filled in one increment and light-polymerized using two LED power units. Ten samples for each composite were cured using Elipar S10 and 10 using Demi Ultra. Additional samples of SonicFill2, (3 and 5 mm-thick) were also tested. The degree of conversion (DC) was determined by Raman spectroscopy, while the Vickers microhardness (VMH) was evaluated using a microhardness tester. The experimental evaluation was carried out on top and bottom sides, immediately after curing (t0), and, on bottom, after 24 h (t24). Two-ways analysis of variance was applied to evaluate DC and VMH-values. In all analyses, the level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: All bulk fill resin composites recorded satisfactory DCs on top and bottom sides. At t0, the top of SDR and SonicFill2 showed the highest DCs-values (85.56 ± 9.52 and 85.47 ± 1.90, respectively), when cured using Elipar S10; using Demi Ultra, SonicFill2 showed the highest DCs-values (90.53 ± 2.18). At t0, the highest DCs-values of bottom sides were recorded by SDR (84.64 ± 11.68), when cured using Elipar S10, and Filtek (81.52 ± 4.14), using Demi Ultra. On top sides, Demi Ultra lamp showed significant higher DCs compared to the Elipar S10 (p < 0.05). SonicFill2 reached suitable DCs also on bottom of 5 mm-thick samples. At t0, VMH-values ranged between 24.4 and 69.18 for Elipar S10, and between 26.5 and 67.3 for Demi Ultra. Using both lamps, the lowest VMH-values were shown by SDR, while the highest values by SonicFill2. At t24, all DC and VMH values significantly increased. Conclusions: Differences in DC and VMH among materials are suggested to be material and curing lamp dependent. Even at t0, the three high viscosity bulk composites showed higher VMH than the flowable or dual curing composites. PMID:28082918

  13. Spectroscopic and Mechanical Properties of a New Generation of Bulk Fill Composites.

    PubMed

    Monterubbianesi, Riccardo; Orsini, Giovanna; Tosi, Giorgio; Conti, Carla; Librando, Vito; Procaccini, Maurizio; Putignano, Angelo

    2016-01-01

    Objectives: The aims of this study were to in vitro evaluate the degree of conversion and the microhardness properties of five bulk fill resin composites; in addition, the performance of two curing lamps, used for composites polymerization, was also analyzed. Materials and Methods: The following five resin-based bulk fill composites were tested: SureFil SDR®, Fill Up!™, Filtek™, SonicFill™, and SonicFill2™. Samples of 4 mm in thickness were prepared using Teflon molds filled in one increment and light-polymerized using two LED power units. Ten samples for each composite were cured using Elipar S10 and 10 using Demi Ultra. Additional samples of SonicFill2, (3 and 5 mm-thick) were also tested. The degree of conversion (DC) was determined by Raman spectroscopy, while the Vickers microhardness (VMH) was evaluated using a microhardness tester. The experimental evaluation was carried out on top and bottom sides, immediately after curing (t0), and, on bottom, after 24 h (t24). Two-ways analysis of variance was applied to evaluate DC and VMH-values. In all analyses, the level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: All bulk fill resin composites recorded satisfactory DCs on top and bottom sides. At t0, the top of SDR and SonicFill2 showed the highest DCs-values (85.56 ± 9.52 and 85.47 ± 1.90, respectively), when cured using Elipar S10; using Demi Ultra, SonicFill2 showed the highest DCs-values (90.53 ± 2.18). At t0, the highest DCs-values of bottom sides were recorded by SDR (84.64 ± 11.68), when cured using Elipar S10, and Filtek (81.52 ± 4.14), using Demi Ultra. On top sides, Demi Ultra lamp showed significant higher DCs compared to the Elipar S10 ( p < 0.05). SonicFill2 reached suitable DCs also on bottom of 5 mm-thick samples. At t0, VMH-values ranged between 24.4 and 69.18 for Elipar S10, and between 26.5 and 67.3 for Demi Ultra. Using both lamps, the lowest VMH-values were shown by SDR, while the highest values by SonicFill2. At t24, all DC and VMH values significantly increased. Conclusions: Differences in DC and VMH among materials are suggested to be material and curing lamp dependent. Even at t0, the three high viscosity bulk composites showed higher VMH than the flowable or dual curing composites.

  14. An insight of traditional plasmid curing in Vibrio species

    PubMed Central

    Letchumanan, Vengadesh; Chan, Kok-Gan; Lee, Learn-Han

    2015-01-01

    As the causative agent of foodborne related illness, Vibrio species causes a huge impact on the public health and management. Vibrio species is often associated with seafood as the latter plays a role as a vehicle to transmit bacterial infections. Hence, antibiotics are used not to promote growth but rather to prevent and treat bacterial infections. The extensive use of antibiotics in the aquaculture industry and environment has led to the emerging of antibiotic resistant strains. This phenomenon has triggered an alarming public health concern due to the increase number of pathogenic Vibrio strains that are resistant to clinically used antibiotics and is found in the environment. Antibiotic resistance and the genes location in the strains can be detected through plasmid curing assay. The results derived from plasmid curing assay is fast, cost effective, sufficient in providing insights, and influence the antibiotic management policies in the aquaculture industry. This presentation aims in discussing and providing insights on various curing agents in Vibrio species. To our best of knowledge, this is a first review written discussing on plasmid curing in Vibrio species. PMID:26347714

  15. A Call to Develop Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) for Nonmajors Courses.

    PubMed

    Ballen, Cissy J; Blum, Jessamina E; Brownell, Sara; Hebert, Sadie; Hewlett, James; Klein, Joanna R; McDonald, Erik A; Monti, Denise L; Nold, Stephen C; Slemmons, Krista E; Soneral, Paula A G; Cotner, Sehoya

    2017-01-01

    Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) for non-science majors (nonmajors) are potentially distinct from CUREs for developing scientists in their goals, learning objectives, and assessment strategies. While national calls to improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education have led to an increase in research revealing the positive effects of CUREs for science majors, less work has specifically examined whether nonmajors are impacted in the same way. To address this gap in our understanding, a working group focused on nonmajors CUREs was convened to discuss the following questions: 1) What are our laboratory-learning goals for nonmajors? 2) What are our research priorities to determine best practices for nonmajors CUREs? 3) How can we collaborate to define and disseminate best practices for nonmajors in CUREs? We defined three broad student outcomes of prime importance to the nonmajors CURE: improvement of scientific literacy skills, proscience attitudes, and evidence-based decision making. We evaluated the state of knowledge of best practices for nonmajors, and identified research priorities for the future. The report that follows is a summary of the conclusions and future directions from our discussion. © 2017 C. J. Ballen et al. CBE—Life Sciences Education © 2017 The American Society for Cell Biology. This article is distributed by The American Society for Cell Biology under license from the author(s). It is available to the public under an Attribution–Noncommercial–Share Alike 3.0 Unported Creative Commons License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0).

  16. Curing kinetics and thermomechanical properties of latent epoxy/carbon fiber composites

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dalle Vacche, S.; Michaud, V.; Demierre, M.; Bourban, P.-E.; Månson, J.-A. E.

    2016-07-01

    In this work, resins based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy and a latent hardener, dicyandiamide (DICY), as well as carbon fiber (CF) composites based on them, were prepared with three commercial accelerators: a methylene bis (phenyl dimethyl urea), a cycloaliphatic substituted urea, and a modified polyamine. The curing kinetics of the three DGEBA/DICY/accelerator systems were investigated by chemorheology and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), in isothermal and over temperature change conditions. Differences in the reaction onset temperature, and in the glass transition temperature (Tg) were highlighted. For curing of thick resin samples, a slow curing cycle at the lowest possible temperature was used, followed by high temperature (160 - 180 °C) post-curing. Indeed, fast curing at higher temperatures caused the formation of hot spots and led to local burning of the samples. The obtained thermomechanical properties, assessed by ultimate tensile testing and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) in single cantilever configuration, were all in the expected range for epoxy resins, with tensile moduli close to 3 GPa and Tg > 140 °C. The longterm stability of these resins at room temperature was verified by DSC. Composite samples were prepared by hand lay-up by manually impregnating four layers of 5-harness satin CF textile, and curing in vacuum bag. Impregnation quality and void content were assessed by optical microscopy. The flexural properties of the post-cured composites were assessed by three-point bending test at room temperature and showed no relevant differences, all composites having bending moduli of 45 - 50 GPa. Finally, composites cured with a faster high temperature curing cycle (20 min at 140 °C) were prepared with the DGEBA/DICY/ methylene bis (phenyl dimethyl urea) system, obtaining similar properties as with the slower curing cycle, showing that the prepreg system allowed more flexibility in terms of curing cycle than the bulk resin samples.

  17. Effects of a low-shrinkage methacrylate monomer and monoacylphosphine oxide photoinitiator on curing efficiency and mechanical properties of experimental resin-based composites.

    PubMed

    Manojlovic, Dragica; Dramićanin, Miroslav D; Milosevic, Milos; Zeković, Ivana; Cvijović-Alagić, Ivana; Mitrovic, Nenad; Miletic, Vesna

    2016-01-01

    This study investigated the degree of conversion, depth of cure, Vickers hardness, flexural strength, flexural modulus and volumetric shrinkage of experimental composite containing a low shrinkage monomer FIT-852 (FIT; Esstech Inc.) and photoinitiator 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphine oxide (TPO; Sigma Aldrich) compared to conventional composite containing Bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (BisGMA) and camphorquinone-amine photoinitiator system. The degree of conversion was generally higher in FIT-based composites (45-64% range) than in BisGMA-based composites (34-58% range). Vickers hardness, flexural strength and modulus were higher in BisGMA-based composites. A polywave light-curing unit was generally more efficient in terms of conversion and hardness of experimental composites than a monowave unit. FIT-based composite containing TPO showed the depth of cure below 2mm irrespective of the curing light. The depth of cure of FIT-based composite containing CQ and BisGMA-based composites with either photoinitiator was in the range of 2.8-3.0mm. Volumetric shrinkage of FIT-based composite (0.9-5.7% range) was lower than that of BisGMA-based composite (2.2-12% range). FIT may be used as a shrinkage reducing monomer compatible with the conventional CQ-amine system as well as the alternative TPO photoinitiator. However, the depth of cure of FIT_TPO composite requires boosting to achieve clinically recommended thickness of 2mm. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Evaluation of the effect of physical variables on in vitro release of diclofenac pellets using Box-Behnken design

    PubMed Central

    Enayatifard, Reza; Mahjoob, Aiding; Ebrahimi, Pouneh; Ebrahimnejad, Pedram

    2015-01-01

    Objective(s): A Box-Behnken design was used for evaluation of Eudragit coated diclofenac pellets. The purpose of this work was to optimize diclofenac pellets to improve the physicochemical properties using experimental design. Materials and Methods: Diclofenac was loaded onto the non-pareil beads using conventional coating pan. Film coating of pellets was done at the same pan. The effect of plasticizer level, curing temperature and curing time was determined on the release of diclofenac from pellets coated with polymethacrylates. Results: Increasing the plasticizer in the coating formula led to decrease in drug release and increasing the curing temperature and time resulted in higher drug release. The optimization process generated an optimum of 35% drug release at 3 hr. The level of plasticizer concentration, curing temperature and time were 20% w/w, 55 °C and 24 hr, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that by controllinig the physical variables optimum drug release were obtained. PMID:26351563

  19. Influence of light-curing mode on the cytotoxicity of resin-based surface sealants.

    PubMed

    Wegehaupt, Florian J; Tauböck, Tobias T; Attin, Thomas; Belibasakis, Georgios N

    2014-05-06

    Surface sealants have been successfully used in the prevention of erosive tooth wear. However, when multiple tooth surfaces should be sealed, the light-curing procedure is very time-consuming. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether reduced light-curing time (while maintaining similar energy density) has an influence on resin-based surface sealant cytotoxicity. Bovine dentine discs were treated as follows: group 1: untreated, groups 2-5: Seal&Protect and groups 6-9: experimental sealer. Groups 2 and 6 were light-cured (VALO LED light-curing device) for 40 s (1000 mW/cm2), groups 3 and 7 for 10 s (1000 mW/cm2), groups 4 and 8 for 7 s (1400 mW/cm2) and groups 5 and 9 for 3 s (3200 mW/cm2). Later, materials were extracted in culture medium for 24 h, and released lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity as a measure of cytotoxicity was determined photometrically after cells (dental pulp cells and gingival fibroblasts) were exposed to the extracts for 24 h. Three independent experiments, for both sample preparation and cytotoxicity testing, were performed. Overall, lowest cytotoxicity was observed for the unsealed control group. No significant influence of light-curing settings on the cytotoxicity was observed (p = 0.537 and 0.838 for pulp cells and gingival fibroblasts, respectively). No significant difference in the cytotoxicity of the two sealants was observed after light-curing with same light-curing settings (group 2 vs. 6, 3 vs. 7, 4 vs. 8 and 5 vs. 9: p > 0.05, respectively). Shortening the light-curing time, while maintaining constant energy density, resulted in no higher cytotoxicity of the investigated sealants.

  20. Effect of light curing units on the polymerization of bulk fill resin-based composites.

    PubMed

    Shimokawa, Carlos Alberto Kenji; Turbino, Míriam Lacalle; Giannini, Marcelo; Braga, Roberto Ruggiero; Price, Richard Bengt

    2018-05-22

    To determine the potential effect of four different light curing units (LCUs) on the curing profile of two bulk fill resin-based composites (RBCs). Four LCUs (Bluephase 20i, Celalux 3, Elipar DeepCure-S and Valo Grand) were used to light cure two RBCs (Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior Restorative and Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill). The effective tip diameter, radiant power, radiant emittance, emission spectrum and light beam profile of the LCUs were measured. Knoop microhardness was measured at the top and bottom surfaces of RBC specimens that were 12-mm in diameter and 4-mm deep (n=5). The distribution of the spectral radiant power that was delivered to the surface of the specimen and the light transmission through the 4-mm thick specimens was measured using an integrating sphere. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (α=0.05) were applied. The Valo Grand produced the most homogeneous microhardness across the surfaces of the RBCs (p>0.05). When the Celalux 3, Bluephase 20i and Elipar DeepCure-S lights were used, the center of the specimens achieved greater hardness values compared to their outer regions (p<0.05). Approximately 10% of the radiant power delivered to the top reached the bottom of the specimen, although almost no violet light passed through 4mm of either RBC. A positive correlation was observed between the radiant exposure and microhardness. The characteristics of the LCUs influenced the photoactivation of the RBCs. The use of a wide tip with a homogeneous light distribution is preferred when light curing RBCs using a bulk curing technique. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  1. Cd-free Cu-Zn-In-S/ZnS quantum dots@SiO2 multiple cores nanostructure: preparation and application for white LEDs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiang, Tongtong; Shen, Mohan; Dai, Peng; Wu, Mingzai; Yu, Xinxin; Li, Guang; Xu, Xiaoliang; Zeng, Haibo

    2017-10-01

    The work reports the fabrication of Cu doped Zn-In-S (CZIS) alloy quantum dots (QDs) using dodecanethiol and oleic acid as stabilizing ligands. With the increase of doped Cu element, the photoluminescence (PL) peak is monotonically red shifted. After coating ZnS shell, the PL quantum yield of CZIS QDs can reach 78%. Using reverse micelle microemulsion method, CZIS/ZnS QDs@SiO2 multi-core nanospheres were synthesized to improve the colloidal stability and avoid the aggregation of QDs. The obtained multi-core nanospheres were dispersed in curing adhesive, and applied as a color conversion layer in down converted light-emitting diodes. After encapsulation in curing adhesive, the newly designed LEDs show artifically regulated color coordinates with varying the weight ratio of green QDs and red QDs, and the concentrations of these two types of QDs. Moreover, natural white and warm white LEDs with correlated color temperature of 5287, 6732, 2731, and 3309 K can be achieved, which indicates that CZIS/ZnS QDs@SiO2 nanostructures are promising color conversion layer material for solid-state lighting application.

  2. Filament-wound spar shell graphite/epoxy fan blades

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Yao, S.

    1976-01-01

    The methodology for fabrication of wet filament wound spar shell fan blades is presented. All principal structural elements were filament wound, assembled, formed, bonded and co-cured in a female mold. A pair of blades were fabricated as one integral unit and parted into two after curing.

  3. Solid Rocket Fuel Constitutive Theory and Polymer Cure

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ream, Robert

    2006-01-01

    Solid Rocket Fuel is a complex composite material for which no general constitutive theory, based on first principles, has been developed. One of the principles such a relation would depend on is the morphology of the binder. A theory of polymer curing is required to determine this morphology. During work on such a theory an algorithm was developed for counting the number of ways a polymer chain could assemble. The methods used to develop and check this algorithm led to an analytic solution to the problem. This solution is used in a probability distribution function which characterizes the morphology of the polymer.

  4. Behaviors of printed circuit boards due to microwave supported curing process of coating materials.

    PubMed

    Bremerkamp, Felix; Nowottnick, Mathias; Seehase, Dirk; Bui, Trinh Dung

    2012-01-01

    The Application of a microwave supported curing process for coatings in the field of electronic industry poses a challenge. Here the implementation of this technology is represented. Within the scope of the investigation special PCB Test Layouts were designed and the polymer curing process examined by the method of dielectric analysis. Furthermore the coupling of microwave radiation with conductive PCB structures was analyzed experimentally by means of special test boards. The formation of standing waves and regular heating distribution along the conductive wires on the PCB could be observed. The experimental results were compared with numerical simulation. In this context the numerical analysis of microwave PCB interaction led to important findings concerning wave propagation on wired PCB. The final valuation demonstrated a substantial similarity between numerical simulations and experimental results.

  5. Shear bond strength evaluation of chemically-cured and light-cured orthodontic adhesives after enamel deproteinization with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Salim, J. C.; Krisnawati; Purbiati, M.

    2017-08-01

    This study aimed to assess the effect of enamel deproteinization with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) before etching on the shear bond strength (SBS) of Unite (UN; 3M Unitek) and Xihu-BIOM adhesive (XB). Fifty-two maxillary first premolars were divided into four groups: (1) UN and (2) XB according to manufacturer’s recommendation and (3) UN and (4) XB deproteinized with 5.25% NaOCl. Brackets were bonded, and a mechanical test was performed using a universal testing machine. The mean SBS value for groups A1, A2, B1, and B2 was 13.51 ± 2.552, 14.36 ± 2.902, 16.43 ± 2.615, and 13.05 ± 2.348 MPa, respectively. A statistically significant difference in SBSs was observed between chemically cured groups and between group B (p < 0.05). No statistically significant difference in SBSs was observed between light-cured adhesive groups and between group A (p > 0.05). NaOCl enamel deproteinization before acid etching has a significant effect on the SBS of Unite adhesive, but not on that of the Xihu-BIOM adhesive. Furthermore, a significant difference in the SBS of Unite and Xihu-BIOM adhesives within the enamel deproteinization group was observed in this study.

  6. Influence of light curing units and fluoride mouthrinse on morphological surface and color stability of a nanofilled composite resin.

    PubMed

    De Oliveira, Ana Luísa Botta Martins; Botta, Ana Carolina; Campos, Juliana Álvares Duarte Bonini; Garcia, Patrícia Petromilli Nordi Sasso

    2014-11-01

    Composite resin is a dental material susceptible to color change over time which limits the longevity of restorations made with this material. The influence of light curing units and different fluoride mouthrinses on superficial morphology and color stability of a nanofilled composite resin was evaluated. Specimens (N = 150) were prepared and polished. The experimental groups were divided according to the type of light source (halogen and LED) and immersion media (artificial saliva, 0.05% sodium fluoride solution-manipulated, Fluordent Reach, Oral B, Fluorgard). Specimens remained in artificial saliva for 24-h baseline. For 60 days, they were immersed in solutions for 1 min. Color readout was taken at baseline and after 60 days of immersion. Surface morphology was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) after 60 days of immersion. Color change data were submitted to two-way Analysis of Variance and Tukey tests (α = 0.05). Surface morphology was qualitatively analyzed. The factor light source presented no significant variability (P = 0.281), the immersion media, significant variability (P < 0.001) and interaction between factors, no significant variability (P = 0.050). According to SEM observations, no difference was noted in the surface of the specimens polymerized by different light sources, irrespective of the immersion medium. It was concluded that the light source did not influence the color stability of composite, irrespective of the immersion media, and among the fluoride solutions analyzed, Fluorgard was the one that promoted the greatest color change, however, this was not clinically perceptible. The immersion media did not influence the morphology of the studied resin. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  7. Use of near-IR to monitor the influence of external heating on dental composite photopolymerization.

    PubMed

    Trujillo, Marianela; Newman, Sheldon M; Stansbury, Jeffrey W

    2004-10-01

    This study was conducted to determine the effect of modest external heating on the photopolymerization kinetics and conversion of commercial dental composite restorative materials. A transmission-mode, real-time near-infrared spectroscopic technique was used to monitor the photopolymerization process in the composite materials at various temperatures between 23 and 70 degrees C. Several light curing units, differing in spectral output and power densities were compared at the different cure temperatures. Several significantly different commercial composites were compared for their response. Regardless of the curing light or composite material used, photopolymerization at a moderate curing temperature of 54.5 degrees C resulted in significantly higher immediate and final conversion values compared with room temperature photocuring. Contrary to the room temperature cured materials, at the elevated cure temperature the extent of post-cure was minor and different curing lights produced very uniform conversion values within a given material. The time required to reach a given level of conversion, established as full conversion with the room temperature cure, was reduced typically by 80-90% using the elevated curing conditions. Complementary kinetic studies confirmed the effect of cure temperature on increasing the polymerization rate in dental composites as significant. Increasing the temperature of composite resin within potentially biologically compatible limits can significantly influences resin polymerization. These increased rates and conversion could lead to improved properties of composite restorative materials.

  8. Pre-heated dual-cured resin cements: analysis of the degree of conversion and ultimate tensile strength.

    PubMed

    França, Flávio Álvares; Oliveira, Michele de; Rodrigues, José Augusto; Arrais, César Augusto Galvão

    2011-01-01

    This study evaluated the degree of conversion (DC) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of dual-cured resin cements heated to 50º C prior to and during polymerization. Disc- and hourglass-shaped specimens of Rely X ARC (RX) and Variolink II (VII) were obtained using addition silicon molds. The products were manipulated at 25º C or 50º C and were subjected to 3 curing conditions: light-activation through a glass slide or through a pre-cured 2-mm thick resin composite disc, or they were allowed to self-cure (SC). All specimens were dark-stored dry for 15 days. For DC analysis, the resin cements were placed into the mold located on the center of a horizontal diamond on the attenuated total reflectance element in the optical bench of a Fourier Transformed Infrared spectrometer. Infrared spectra (n = 6) were collected between 1680 and 1500 cm-1, and DC was calculated by standard methods using changes in ratios of aliphatic-to-aromatic C=C absorption peaks from uncured and cured states. For UTS test, specimens (n = 10) were tested in tension in a universal testing machine (crosshead speed of 1 mm/min) until failure. DC and UTS data were submitted to 2-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's test (α= 5%). Both products showed higher DC at 50º C than at 25º C in all curing conditions. No significant difference in UTS was noted between most light-activated groups at 25º C and those at 50º C. VII SC groups showed higher UTS at 50º C than at 25º C (p < 0.05). Increased temperature led to higher DC, but its effects on resin cement UTS depended on the curing condition.

  9. Effects of prolonged light exposure times on water sorption, solubility and cross-linking density of simplified etch-and-rinse adhesives.

    PubMed

    Wambier, Letícia; Malaquias, Tamirez; Wambier, Denise Stadler; Patzlaff, Rafael T; Bauer, José; Loguercio, Alessandro D; Reis, Alessandra

    2014-06-01

    This study evaluated the effects of light exposure times on water sorption, solubility, and polymer cross-linking density of simplified etch-and-rinse adhesives. Four commercial adhesives (XP Bond, Adper Single Bond 2, Tetric N-Bond, and Ambar) were selected, and resin disks 5 mm in diameter and 1.0 mm thick were prepared and light cured for 20, 40, or 80 s using an LED light-curing unit at 1200 mW/cm2. Water sorption and solubility were evaluated over a 28-day period. For polymer cross-linking density, additional specimens were prepared and their Knoop hardness measured before and after immersion in 100% ethanol. The data from each test were evaluated using a two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). The XP Bond adhesive showed higher water sorption (similar to Adper Single Bond 2) and solubility (p < 0.05) than did the other materials. Prolonged exposure times did not reduce the water sorption but did reduce the solubility of all tested materials (p < 0.05). For Ambar, the increase in the exposure time resulted in a significantly lower percent reduction in hardness. Water sorption, solubility, and cross-linking density of the materials selected in this study seem to be mainly influenced by the adhesive composition. Prolonged light exposure times reduced the solubility of the materials.

  10. Intrapulpal Thermal Changes during Setting Reaction of Glass Carbomer® Using Thermocure Lamp.

    PubMed

    Kahvecioglu, Firdevs; Tosun, Gül; Ülker, Hayriye Esra

    2016-01-01

    Objectives . To measure the temperature increase induced during thermocure lamp setting reaction of glass carbomer and to compare it with those induced by visible light curing of a resin-modified glass ionomer and a polyacid-modified composite resin in primary and permanent teeth. Materials and Methods . Nonretentive class I cavities were prepared in extracted primary and permanent molars. Glass carbomer (GC) was placed in the cavity and set at 60°C for 60 sn using a special thermocure lamp. Resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGIC) and polyacid-modified composite resin (PMCR) were placed in the cavities and polymerized with an LED curing unit. Temperature increases during setting reactions were measured with a J-type thermocouple wire connected to a data logger. Data were examined using two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's honestly significant difference tests. Results . The use of GC resulted in temperature changes of 5.17 ± 0.92°C and 5.32 ± 0.90°C in primary and permanent teeth, respectively ( p > 0.05). Temperature increases were greatest in the GC group, differing significantly from those in the PMCR group ( p < 0.05). Conclusion . Temperature increases during polymerization and setting reactions of the materials were below the critical value in all groups. No difference was observed between primary and permanent teeth, regardless of the material used.

  11. Listeria monocytogenes Strains Selected on Ciprofloxacin or the Disinfectant Benzalkonium Chloride Exhibit Reduced Susceptibility to Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin, Benzalkonium Chloride, and Other Toxic Compounds▿

    PubMed Central

    Rakic-Martinez, Mira; Drevets, Douglas A.; Dutta, Vikrant; Katic, Vera; Kathariou, Sophia

    2011-01-01

    Listeria monocytogenes is a leading agent for severe food-borne illness and death in the United States and other nations. Even though drug resistance has not yet threatened therapeutic interventions for listeriosis, selective pressure associated with exposure to antibiotics and disinfectants may result in reduced susceptibility to these agents. In this study, selection of several L. monocytogenes strains on either ciprofloxacin (2 μg/ml) or the quaternary ammonium disinfectant benzalkonium chloride (BC; 10 μg/ml) led to derivatives with increased MICs not only to these agents but also to several other toxic compounds, including gentamicin, the dye ethidium bromide, and the chemotherapeutic drug tetraphenylphosphonium chloride. The spectrum of compounds to which these derivatives exhibited reduced susceptibility was the same regardless of whether they were selected on ciprofloxacin or on BC. Inclusion of strains harboring the large plasmid pLM80 revealed that MICs to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin did not differ between the parental and plasmid-cured strains. However, ciprofloxacin-selected derivatives of pLM80-harboring strains had higher MICs than those derived from the plasmid-cured strains. Susceptibility to the antimicrobials was partially restored in the presence of the potent efflux inhibitor reserpine. Taken together, these data suggest that mutations in efflux systems are responsible for the multidrug resistance phenotype of strains selected on ciprofloxacin or BC. PMID:22003016

  12. Effect of Alkaline Solution with Varying Mix Proportion on Geopolymer Mortar

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Karuppuchamy, K.; Ananthkumar, M.; Raghavapriya, S. M.

    2018-02-01

    Cement production is attributed by emission of carbon dioxide which causes severe environmental impacts. This has led to the invention of special construction materials which can replace cement. On the other hand, these construction materials (like Fly ash, Metakaolin) also need to be inexpensive and should possess all the characteristics of cementitious materials. In this project, the effect of geopolymerization on the properties of the end product were studied with varying distillation of NaOH solution (10M, 12M and 15M) for different mix proportion (1:1, 1:2 and 1:3). Curing was done for 1 day at a temperature of 60°C and 80°C respectively. The densities, compressive strength, alkalinity, co-efficient of absorption were determined. As a result, the experiments showed the effect of factors such as mix proportion, curing temperature and curing day on the physical and mechanical properties such as mix proportion of the geopolymer concrete. Results of NaOH concentration of 12M concentration cured for 24 hours at 80°C and 60°C showed better mechanical performance than the rest of the concentrations.

  13. Mechanical properties of light-curing composites polymerized with different laboratory photo-curing units.

    PubMed

    da Silva, Gisele Rodrigues; Simamoto-Júnior, Paulo Cezar; da Mota, Adérito Soares; Soares, Carlos José

    2007-03-01

    This study aimed to analyze the microhardness (KHN) and diametral tensile strength (DTS) of two hybrid resin composites (TPH Spectrum and Filtek Z250). To this end, the composites were polymerized with six laboratory photo-curing units (LPUs) and the results compared with an alternative polymerization method using conventional halogen light source in conjunction with additional polymerization in an autoclave (15 minutes/100 degrees C). LPUs were used following the manufacturers' instructions. Diametral tensile strength and Knoop hardness tests were conducted for all groups (n=5). Data were statistically compared using ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha = 0.05). Among the LPUs, the one that provided light curing in conjunction with heat and nitrogen pressure resulted in a significant increase in KHN and DTS of resin composites. Between the resin composites, Filtek Z250 showed higher hardness values than TPH Spectrum. It was concluded that the use of alternative polymerization with conventional light polymerization and autoclave was feasible with a wide implication for the general public in terms of reduced dental treatment cost.

  14. Mechanical properties and degree of conversion of etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesive systems cured by a quartz tungsten halogen lamp and a light-emitting diode.

    PubMed

    Gaglianone, Lívia Aguilera; Lima, Adriano Fonseca; Gonçalves, Luciano Souza; Cavalcanti, Andrea Nóbrega; Aguiar, Flávio Henrique Baggio; Marchi, Giselle Maria

    2012-08-01

    The aim of the present study was to evaluate the degree of conversion (DC), elastic modulus (E), and flexural strength (FS) of five adhesive systems (only the bonding component of both Scotchbond MP-SBMP and Clearfil Protect Bond-CP; Single Bond 2-SB2; One-up Bond F Plus-OUP; and P90 System Adhesive: primer-P90P and bond-P90B) cured with a quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) lamp and a light-emitting diode (LED). Two groups per adhesive were formed (n=5), according to the light source (quartz tungsten halogen-QTH: Demetron LC; and light-emitting diode-LED: UltraLume 5). Bar-shaped specimens were evaluated using three-point bending. The DC was obtained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). SB2 and P90P exhibited better DC values for QTH curing. However, SB2 and P90P presented the worst results overall. The light source was statistically significant for all adhesives, except for P90B and OUP. Non-solvated adhesives presented the best E and FS values. It could be concluded that the DC and E values can be influenced by the light source; however, this interference is material dependent. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. Effect of the irradiance distribution from light curing units on the local micro-hardness of the surface of dental resins.

    PubMed

    Haenel, Thomas; Hausnerová, Berenika; Steinhaus, Johannes; Price, Richard B T; Sullivan, Braden; Moeginger, Bernhard

    2015-02-01

    An inhomogeneous irradiance distribution from a light-curing unit (LCU) can locally cause inhomogeneous curing with locally inadequately cured and/or over-cured areas causing e.g. monomer elution or internal shrinkage stresses, and thus reduce the lifetime of dental resin based composite (RBC) restorations. The aim of the study is to determine both the irradiance distribution of two light curing units (LCUs) and its influence on the local mechanical properties of a RBC. Specimens of Arabesk TOP OA2 were irradiated for 5, 20, and 80s using a Bluephase® 20i LCU in the Low mode (666mW/cm(2)), in the Turbo mode (2222mW/cm(2)) and a Celalux® 2 (1264mW/cm(2)). The degree of conversion (DC) was determined with an ATR-FTIR. The Knoop micro-hardness (average of five specimens) was measured on the specimen surface after 24h of dark and dry storage at room temperature. The irradiance distribution affected the hardness distribution across the surface of the specimens. The hardness distribution corresponded well to the inhomogeneous irradiance distributions of the LCU. The highest reaction rates occurred after approximately 2s light exposure. A DC of 40% was reached after 3.6 or 5.7s, depending on the LCU. The inhomogeneous hardness distribution was still evident after 80s of light exposure. The irradiance distribution from a LCU is reflected in the hardness distribution across the surface. Irradiance level of the LCU and light exposure time do not affect the pattern of the hardness distribution--only the hardness level. In areas of low irradiation this may result in inadequate resin polymerization, poor physical properties, and hence premature failure of the restorations as they are usually much smaller than the investigated specimens. It has to be stressed that inhomogeneous does not necessarily mean poor if in all areas of the restoration enough light intensity is introduced to achieve a high degree of cure. Copyright © 2014 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Influence of power density on polymerization behavior and bond strengths of dual-cured resin direct core foundation systems.

    PubMed

    Oto, Tatsuki; Yasuda, Genta; Tsubota, Keishi; Kurokawa, Hiroyasu; Miyazaki, Masashi; Platt, Jeffrey A

    2009-01-01

    This study examined the influence of power density on dentin bond strength and polymerization behavior of dual-cured direct core foundation resin systems. Two commercially available dual-cured direct core foundation resin systems, Clearfil DC Core Automix with Clearfil DC Bond and UniFil Core with Self-Etching Bond, were studied. Bovine mandibular incisors were mounted in autopolymerizing resin and the facial dentin surfaces were ground wet on 600-grit SiC paper. Dentin surfaces were treated according to manufacturer's recommendations. The resin pastes were condensed into the mold and cured with the power densities of 0 (no irradiation), 100, 200, 400 and 600 mW/cm2. Ten specimens per group were stored in 37 degrees C water for 24 hours, then shear tested at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/minute in a universal testing machine. An ultrasonic measurement device was used to measure the ultrasonic velocities through the core foundation resins. The power densities selected were 0 (no irradiation), 200, and 600 mW/cm2, and ultrasonic velocity was calculated. ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests were performed at a level of 0.05. The highest bond strengths were obtained when the resin pastes were cured with the highest power density for both core foundation systems (16.8 +/- 1.9 MPa for Clearfil DC Core Automix, 15.6 +/- 2.9 MPa for UniFil Core). When polymerized with the power densities under 200 mW/cm2, significantly lower bond strengths were observed compared to those obtained with the power density of 600 mW/cm2. As the core foundation resins hardened, the sonic velocities increased and this tendency differed among the power density of the curing unit. When the sonic velocities at three minutes after the start of measurements were compared, there were no significant differences among different irradiation modes for UniFil Core, while a significant decrease in sonic velocity was obtained when the resin paste was chemically polymerized compared with dual-polymerization for Clearfil DC Core Automix. The data suggests that the dentin bond strengths and polymerization behavior of the dual-cured, direct core foundation systems are still affected by the power density of the curing unit. With a careful choice of the core foundation systems and power density of the curing unit, the benefit of using resin composites to endodontically-treated teeth might be acceptable.

  17. Characterization of polymer composites during autoclave manufacturing by Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Farquharson, Stuart; Smith, Wayne W.; Rigas, Elias J.; Granville, Dana

    2001-02-01

    12 The superior engineering properties of fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites, primarily the high strength-to- weight ratio, make them suitable to applications ranging from sporting goods to aircraft components (e.g. helicopter blades). Unfortunately, consistent fabrication of components with desired mechanical properties has proven difficult, and has led to high production costs. This is largely due to the inability to monitor and control polymer cure, loosely defined as the process of polymer chain extension and cross- linking. Even with stringent process control, slight variations in the pre-polymer formulations (e.g. prepreg) can influence reaction rates, reaction mechanisms, and ultimately, product properties. In an effort to optimize the performance of thermoset composite, we have integrated fiber optic probes between the plies of laminates and monitored cure by Raman spectroscopy, with the eventual goal of process control. Here we present real-time measurements of two high performance aerospace companies cured within an industrial autoclave.

  18. Bio-pesticidal and anti-microbial coumarins from Angelica dahurica (Fisch. Ex Hoffm)

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Angelica dahurica is an important traditional Chinese herb which is widely used in curing acne, ulcers, carbuncles, rheumatism, headaches and toothaches. A systematic antifungal bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethyl acetate extract from A. dahurica led to the isolation of six coumarins, namely...

  19. Ethical challenges in developing an educational video to empower potential participants during consent processes in HIV cure research in South Africa.

    PubMed

    Staunton, Ciara; de Roubaix, Malcolm; Baatjies, Dianno; Black, Gill; Hendricks, Melany; Rossouw, Theresa; Moodley, Keymanthri

    2018-04-01

    Obtaining consent for HIV research is complex, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Low levels of education, complexity of science and research processes, confusion about basic elements of research, and socio-economic conditions that make access to medical care difficult have collectively led to concerns about the adequacy of the consent process. Given the exponential growth of HIV prevention and treatment research in South Africa, HIV researchers are increasingly facing challenges obtaining authentic informed consent from potential participants. It is anticipated that HIV cure research, despite being in its infancy in South Africa, will introduce a new discourse into a population that is often struggling to understand the differences between 'cure', 'preventive and therapeutic vaccines' and other elements of the research process. Coupled with this, South Africa has a complex history of 'illegitimate' or 'false cures' for HIV. It is therefore logical to anticipate that HIV cure research may face significant challenges during consent processes. HIV prevention research in South Africa has demonstrated the importance of early community engagement in educating potential research participants and promoting community acceptance of research. Consequently, in an attempt to extrapolate from this experience of engaging with communities early regarding cure research, a 15-minute educational video entitled ' I have a dream: a world without HIV ' was developed to educate and ultimately empower potential research participants to make informed choices during consent processes in future HIV cure clinical trials. To aid others in the development of educational interventions, this paper discusses the challenges faced in developing this educational video.

  20. Contribution of a selected fungal population to proteolysis on dry-cured ham.

    PubMed

    Martín, Alberto; Córdoba, Juan J; Núñez, Félix; Benito, María J; Asensio, Miguel A

    2004-07-01

    The proteolytic changes taking place in dry-cured hams lead to increases in free amino acids. Such free amino acids not only contribute to flavour, but also serve as precursors of volatile compounds. Several months of ripening time are required to allow the particular flavour to develop. The fungal population allowed to grow on the surface of some types of dry-cured could play a key role on proteolysis, as it has been shown for dry-cured sausages. The purpose of this work was to study the possible contribution of fungi to proteolysis in dry-cured ham. For this, a strain each of non-toxigenic Penicillium chrysogenum (Pg222) and Debaryomyces hansenii (Dh345), selected for their proteolytic activity on myofibrillar proteins, were inoculated as starter cultures. Changes in the high ionic strength-soluble proteins of an external muscle (adductor) revealed in only 6 months higher proteolysis in the inoculated hams when compared to non-inoculated control hams. Proteolytic strains among the wild fungal population on non-inoculated control hams prevented from obtaining similar differences at the end of processing. However, inoculation with Pg222 and Dh345 led to higher levels for most free amino acids at the external muscle in fully dry-cured hams. In addition, the concentration for some of the more polar free amino acids (i.e. Asp, Glu, Ser and Gln) in inoculated hams was higher at external than at internal (biceps femoris) muscles. These promising results deserve further studies to know the impact of a selected fungal population on the volatile compounds and sensory properties of dry-cured ham.

  1. [A light-cured acrylic adhesive for fixing resin retention devices to the wax pattern].

    PubMed

    Matsumura, H; Tanaka, T; Atsuta, M

    1990-04-01

    A light-cured acrylic adhesive for fixing resin retention devices to the wax pattern was prepared. The adhesive consisted of trimethylolpropane triacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, benzoin methyl ether, p dimethylaminobenzaldehyde and p-methoxyphenol. The adhesive could be cured within 20 sec not only by an UV photo curing unit but by a visible-light source with a xenon lamp. The adhesive and retention beads burned out after about an hour in the electric furnace at 400 c. The metal specimens with retention devices were cast in Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy with the use of two types of retention beads adhesive. The light-cured adhesive was superior to the conventional one in handling and some other properties. This adhesive may be used to fabricate composite veneered prostheses with minimum errors in laboratory procedure.

  2. Evaluation of Vickers hardness of bulk-fill composites cured by different light sources

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bakhsh, Turki A.; Yagmoor, Mohammed A.; Alsadi, Fahad M.; Jamleh, Ahmad

    2016-02-01

    [Objective] The current in vitro study was performed to evaluate Vickers hardness (VHN) of two different composite resins that were cured by using two different light curing units. [Materials and Methods] Porcelain tube samplers were used to fabricate composite cylinders from either Tetric Evoceram BulkFill (BF; Ivoclar/Vivadent, USA) or SonicFill composite (SF; Kerr, USA). Each composite type had 12 cylindrical specimens, and each specimen was cured with either Blue-phase N light-cure (Bp; Polywave, Ivoclar/Vivadent, USA) or Elipar S10 (El; Monowave, 3M ESPE, Germany). The VHN data were analyzed and tested by using Mann-Whitney U test at a significance level of 5%. [Results] Statistical analyses demonstrated an interaction between the type of composite and the type of light curing source. Significant differences (P<0.05) were recorded for all groups with higher VHN hardness of SF-El and lowest for BF-El. [Conclusions] It can be concluded that the surface hardness of bulk-fill composite is not dependent on the type of light-cure. This research was supported by King Abdulaziz University.

  3. Surface microhardness of a resin composite exposed to a "first-generation" LED curing lamp, in vitro.

    PubMed

    Keogh, Pauraic; Ray, Noel J; Lynch, Christopher D; Burke, Francis M; Hannigan, Ailish

    2004-12-01

    This investigation determined the minimum exposure times consistent with optimised surface microhardness parameters for a commercial resin composite cured using a "first-generation" light-emitting diode activation lamp. Disk specimens were exposed and surface microhardness numbers measured at the top and bottom surfaces for elapsed times of 1 hour and 24 hours. Bottom/top microhardness number ratios were also calculated. Most microhardness data increased significantly over the elapsed time interval but microhardness ratios (bottom/top) were dependent on exposure time only. A minimum exposure of 40 secs is appropriate to optimise microhardness parameters for the combination of resin composite and lamp investigated.

  4. Modeling HCV cure after an ultra-short duration of therapy with direct acting agents

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Goyal, Ashish; Lurie, Yoav; Meissner, Eric G.

    In cases of sustained-virological response (SVR or cure) after an ultra-short duration (≤ 27 days) of direct-acting antiviral (DAA)-based therapy, despite HCV being detected at end of treatment (EOT), have been reported. Established HCV mathematical models that predict the treatment duration required to achieve cure do not take into account the possibility that the infectivity of virus produced during treatment might be reduced. The aim of this study was to develop a new mathematical model that considers the fundamental and critical concept that HCV RNA in serum represents both infectious virus (V i) and non-infectious virus (V ni) in ordermore » to explain the observation of cure with ultrashort DAA therapy. Established HCV models were compared to the new mathematical model to retrospectively explain cure in 2 patients who achieved cure after 24 or 27 days of paritaprevir, ombitasvir, dasabuvir, ritonavir and ribavirin or sofosbuvir plus ribavirin, respectively. Fitting established models with measured longitudinal HCV viral loads indicated that in both cases, cure would not have been expected without an additional 3–6 weeks of therapy after the actual EOT. In contrast, the new model fits the observed outcome by considering that in addition to blocking V i and V ni production (ε~0.998), these DAA + ribavirin treatments further enhanced the ratio of V ni to V i, thus increasing the log (V ni/V i) from 1 at pretreatment to 6 by EOT, which led to <1 infectious-virus particle in the extracellular body fluid (i.e., cure) prior to EOT. This new model can explain cure after short duration of DAA + ribavirin therapy by suggesting that a minimum 6-fold increase of log (V ni/V i) results from drug-induced enhancement of the V ni/V i.« less

  5. Heat transfer properties and thermal cure of glass-ionomer dental cements.

    PubMed

    Gavic, Lidia; Gorseta, Kristina; Glavina, Domagoj; Czarnecka, Beata; Nicholson, John W

    2015-10-01

    Under clinical conditions, conventional glass-ionomer dental cements can be cured by application of heat from dental cure lamps, which causes acceleration in the setting. In order for this to be successful, such heat must be able to spread sufficiently through the cement to enhance cure, but not transmit heat so effectively that the underlying dental pulp of the tooth is damaged. The current study was aimed at measuring heat transfer properties of modern restorative glass-ionomers to determine the extent to which they meet these twin requirements. Three commercial glass ionomer cements (Ionofil Molar, Ketac Molar and Equia™ Fill) were used in association with three different light emitting diode cure lamps designed for clinical use. In addition, for each cement, one set of specimens was allowed to cure without application of a lamp. Temperature changes were measured at three different depths (2, 3 and 4 mm) after cure times of 20, 40 and 60 s. The difference among the tested groups was evaluated by ANOVA (P < 0.05) and post hoc Newman-Keuls test. All brands of glass-ionomer showed a small inherent setting exotherm in the absence of heat irradiation, but much greater temperature increases when exposed to the cure lamp. However, temperature rises did not exceed 12.9 °C. Application of the cure lamp led to the establishment of a temperature gradient throughout each specimen. Differences were typically significant (P < 0.05) and did not reflect the nominal power of the lamps, because those lamps have variable cooling systems, and are designed to optimize light output, not heating effect. Because the thermal conductivity of glass-ionomers is low, temperature rises at 4 mm depths were much lower than at 2 mm. At no time did the temperature rise sufficiently to cause concern about potential damage to the pulp.

  6. Modeling HCV cure after an ultra-short duration of therapy with direct acting agents

    DOE PAGES

    Goyal, Ashish; Lurie, Yoav; Meissner, Eric G.; ...

    2017-06-30

    In cases of sustained-virological response (SVR or cure) after an ultra-short duration (≤ 27 days) of direct-acting antiviral (DAA)-based therapy, despite HCV being detected at end of treatment (EOT), have been reported. Established HCV mathematical models that predict the treatment duration required to achieve cure do not take into account the possibility that the infectivity of virus produced during treatment might be reduced. The aim of this study was to develop a new mathematical model that considers the fundamental and critical concept that HCV RNA in serum represents both infectious virus (V i) and non-infectious virus (V ni) in ordermore » to explain the observation of cure with ultrashort DAA therapy. Established HCV models were compared to the new mathematical model to retrospectively explain cure in 2 patients who achieved cure after 24 or 27 days of paritaprevir, ombitasvir, dasabuvir, ritonavir and ribavirin or sofosbuvir plus ribavirin, respectively. Fitting established models with measured longitudinal HCV viral loads indicated that in both cases, cure would not have been expected without an additional 3–6 weeks of therapy after the actual EOT. In contrast, the new model fits the observed outcome by considering that in addition to blocking V i and V ni production (ε~0.998), these DAA + ribavirin treatments further enhanced the ratio of V ni to V i, thus increasing the log (V ni/V i) from 1 at pretreatment to 6 by EOT, which led to <1 infectious-virus particle in the extracellular body fluid (i.e., cure) prior to EOT. This new model can explain cure after short duration of DAA + ribavirin therapy by suggesting that a minimum 6-fold increase of log (V ni/V i) results from drug-induced enhancement of the V ni/V i.« less

  7. Stakeholder Engagement in HIV Cure Research: Lessons Learned from Other HIV Interventions and the Way Forward

    PubMed Central

    Chu, Carissa; Ananworanich, Jintanat; Excler, Jean-Louis; Tucker, Joseph D.

    2015-01-01

    Abstract Clinical and basic science advances have raised considerable hope for achieving an HIV cure by accelerating research. This research is dominated primarily by issues about the nature and design of current and future clinical trials. Stakeholder engagement for HIV cure remains in its early stages. Our analysis examines timing and mechanisms of historical stakeholder engagement in other HIV research areas for HIV-uninfected individuals [vaccine development and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)], and HIV-infected individuals (treatment as prevention, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and treatment of acute HIV infection) and articulate a plan for HIV cure stakeholder engagement. The experience from HIV vaccine development shows that early engagement of stakeholders helped manage expectations, mitigating the failure of several vaccine trials, while paving the way for subsequent trials. The relatively late engagement of HIV stakeholders in PrEP research may partly explain some of the implementation challenges. The treatment-related stakeholder engagement was strong and community-led from the onset and helped translation from research to implementation. We outline five steps to initiate and sustain stakeholder engagement in HIV cure research and conclude that stakeholder engagement represents a key investment in which stakeholders mutually agree to share knowledge, benefits, and risk of failure. Effective stakeholder engagement prevents misconceptions. As HIV cure research advances from early trials involving subjects with generally favorable prognosis to studies involving greater risk and uncertainty, success may depend on early and deliberate engagement of stakeholders. PMID:26061668

  8. Effect of polymerization method and fabrication method on occlusal vertical dimension and occlusal contacts of complete-arch prosthesis.

    PubMed

    Lima, Ana Paula Barbosa; Vitti, Rafael Pino; Amaral, Marina; Neves, Ana Christina Claro; da Silva Concilio, Lais Regiane

    2018-04-01

    This study evaluated the dimensional stability of a complete-arch prosthesis processed by conventional method in water bath or microwave energy and polymerized by two different curing cycles. Forty maxillary complete-arch prostheses were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10): MW1 - acrylic resin cured by one microwave cycle; MW2 - acrylic resin cured by two microwave cycles: WB1 - conventional acrylic resin polymerized using one curing cycle in a water bath; WB2 - conventional acrylic resin polymerized using two curing cycles in a water bath. For evaluation of dimensional stability, occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) and area of contact points were measured in two different measurement times: before and after the polymerization method. A digital caliper was used for OVD measurement. Occlusal contact registration strips were used between maxillary and mandibular dentures to measure the contact points. The images were measured using the software IpWin32, and the differences before and after the polymerization methods were calculated. The data were statistically analyzed using the one-way ANOVA and Tukey test (α = .05). he results demonstrated significant statistical differences for OVD between different measurement times for all groups. MW1 presented the highest OVD values, while WB2 had the lowest OVD values ( P <.05). No statistical differences were found for area of contact points among the groups ( P =.7150). The conventional acrylic resin polymerized using two curing cycles in a water bath led to less difference in OVD of complete-arch prosthesis.

  9. Stakeholder Engagement in HIV Cure Research: Lessons Learned from Other HIV Interventions and the Way Forward.

    PubMed

    Lo, Ying-Ru; Chu, Carissa; Ananworanich, Jintanat; Excler, Jean-Louis; Tucker, Joseph D

    2015-07-01

    Clinical and basic science advances have raised considerable hope for achieving an HIV cure by accelerating research. This research is dominated primarily by issues about the nature and design of current and future clinical trials. Stakeholder engagement for HIV cure remains in its early stages. Our analysis examines timing and mechanisms of historical stakeholder engagement in other HIV research areas for HIV-uninfected individuals [vaccine development and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)], and HIV-infected individuals (treatment as prevention, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and treatment of acute HIV infection) and articulate a plan for HIV cure stakeholder engagement. The experience from HIV vaccine development shows that early engagement of stakeholders helped manage expectations, mitigating the failure of several vaccine trials, while paving the way for subsequent trials. The relatively late engagement of HIV stakeholders in PrEP research may partly explain some of the implementation challenges. The treatment-related stakeholder engagement was strong and community-led from the onset and helped translation from research to implementation. We outline five steps to initiate and sustain stakeholder engagement in HIV cure research and conclude that stakeholder engagement represents a key investment in which stakeholders mutually agree to share knowledge, benefits, and risk of failure. Effective stakeholder engagement prevents misconceptions. As HIV cure research advances from early trials involving subjects with generally favorable prognosis to studies involving greater risk and uncertainty, success may depend on early and deliberate engagement of stakeholders.

  10. Odontological light-emitting diode light-curing unit beam quality.

    PubMed

    de Magalhães Filho, Thales Ribeiro; Weig, Karin de Mello; Werneck, Marcelo Martins; da Costa Neto, Célio Albano; da Costa, Marysilvia Ferreira

    2015-05-01

    The distribution of light intensity of three light-curing units (LCUs) to cure the resin-based composite for dental fillings was analyzed, and a homogeneity index [flat-top factor (FTF)] was calculated. The index is based on the M2 index, which is used for laser beams. An optical spectrum analyzer was used with an optical fiber to produce an x-y power profile of each LCU light guide. The FTF-calculated values were 0.51 for LCU1 and 0.55 for LCU2, which was the best FTF, although it still differed greatly from the perfect FTF = 1, and 0.27 for LCU3, which was the poorest value and even lower than the Gaussian FTF = 0.5. All LCUs presented notably heterogeneous light distribution, which can lead professionals and researchers to produce samples with irregular polymerization and poor mechanical properties.

  11. Odontological light-emitting diode light-curing unit beam quality

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    de Magalhães Filho, Thales Ribeiro; Weig, Karin de Mello; Werneck, Marcelo Martins; da Costa Neto, Célio Albano; da Costa, Marysilvia Ferreira

    2015-05-01

    The distribution of light intensity of three light-curing units (LCUs) to cure the resin-based composite for dental fillings was analyzed, and a homogeneity index [flat-top factor (FTF)] was calculated. The index is based on the M2 index, which is used for laser beams. An optical spectrum analyzer was used with an optical fiber to produce an x-y power profile of each LCU light guide. The FTF-calculated values were 0.51 for LCU1 and 0.55 for LCU2, which was the best FTF, although it still differed greatly from the perfect FTF=1, and 0.27 for LCU3, which was the poorest value and even lower than the Gaussian FTF=0.5. All LCUs presented notably heterogeneous light distribution, which can lead professionals and researchers to produce samples with irregular polymerization and poor mechanical properties.

  12. Financing cures in the United States.

    PubMed

    Basu, Anirban

    2015-02-01

    True cures in health care are rare but likely not for long. The high price tag that accompanies a cure along with its rapid uptake create challenges in the financing of cures by public and private payers. In the US, the disaggregated nature of health insurance system adds to this challenge as patients frequently churn across multiple health plans. This creates a 'free-rider' problem, where no one health plan has the incentive to invest in cure since the returns will be scattered over many health plans. Here, a new health currency is proposed as a generalized version of a social impact bond that has the potential to solve this free-rider problem, as it can be traded not only between public and private payers but also within the private sector. An ensuing debate as to whether and how to develop such a currency can serve the US health care system well.

  13. Effect of exposure intensity and post-cure temperature storage on hardness of contemporary photo-activated composites.

    PubMed

    Quance, S C; Shortall, A C; Harrington, E; Lumley, P J

    2001-11-01

    The effect of variation in post-exposure storage temperature (18 vs. 37 degrees C) and light intensity (200 vs. 500mW/cm(2)) on micro-hardness of seven light-activated resin composite materials, cured with a Prismetics Mk II (Dentsply) light activation unit, were studied. Hardness values at the upper and lower surfaces of 2mm thick disc shaped specimens of seven light-cured resin composite materials (Herculite XRV and Prodigy/Kerr, Z100 and Silux Plus/3M, TPH/Dentsply, Pertac-Hybrid/Espe, and Charisma/Kulzer), which had been stored dry, were determined 24h after irradiation with a Prismetics Mk II (Dentsply) light activation unit. Hardness values varied with product, surface, storage temperature, and curing light intensity. In no case did the hardness at the lower surface equal that of the upper surface, and the combination of 500mW/cm(2) intensity and 37 degrees C storage produced the best hardness results at the lower surface. Material composition had a significant influence on surface hardness. Only one of the seven products (TPH) produced a mean hardness values at the lower surface >80% of the maximum mean upper surface hardness obtained for the corresponding product at 500mW/cm(2) intensity/37 degrees C storage temperature when subjected to all four test regimes. Despite optimum post-cure storage conditions, 200mW/cm(2) intensity curing for 40s will not produce acceptable hardness at the lower surface of 2mm increments of the majority of products tested.

  14. Study on compressive strength of self compacting mortar cubes under normal & electric oven curing methods

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Prasanna Venkatesh, G. J.; Vivek, S. S.; Dhinakaran, G.

    2017-07-01

    In the majority of civil engineering applications, the basic building blocks were the masonry units. Those masonry units were developed as a monolithic structure by plastering process with the help of binding agents namely mud, lime, cement and their combinations. In recent advancements, the mortar study plays an important role in crack repairs, structural rehabilitation, retrofitting, pointing and plastering operations. The rheology of mortar includes flowable, passing and filling properties which were analogous with the behaviour of self compacting concrete. In self compacting (SC) mortar cubes, the cement was replaced by mineral admixtures namely silica fume (SF) from 5% to 20% (with an increment of 5%), metakaolin (MK) from 10% to 30% (with an increment of 10%) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) from 25% to 75% (with an increment of 25%). The ratio between cement and fine aggregate was kept constant as 1: 2 for all normal and self compacting mortar mixes. The accelerated curing namely electric oven curing with the differential temperature of 128°C for the period of 4 hours was adopted. It was found that the compressive strength obtained from the normal and electric oven method of curing was higher for self compacting mortar cubes than normal mortar cube. The cement replacement by 15% SF, 20% MK and 25%GGBS obtained higher strength under both curing conditions.

  15. The photodynamic therapy on Streptococcus mutans biofilms using erythrosine and dental halogen curing unit

    PubMed Central

    Lee, Young-Ho; Park, Ho-Won; Lee, Ju-Hyun; Seo, Hyun-Woo; Lee, Si-Young

    2012-01-01

    The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT), using erythrosine as a photosensitizing agent and a dental halogen curing unit as a light source, on Streptococcus mutans in a biofilm phase. The S. mutans biofilms were formed in a 24-well cell culture cluster. Test groups consisted of biofilms divided into four groups: group 1: no photosensitizer or light irradiation treatment (control group); group 2: photosensitizer treatment alone; group 3: light irradiation alone; group 4: photosensitizer treatment and light irradiation. After treatments, the numbers of colony-forming unit (CFU) were counted and samples were examined by confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy (CLSM). Only group 4 (combined treatment) resulted in significant increases in cell death, with rates of 75% and 55% after 8 h of incubation, and 74% and 42% at 12 h, for biofilms formed in brain–heart infusion (BHI) broth supplemented with 0% or 0.1% sucrose, respectively. Therefore, PDT of S. mutans biofilms using a combination of erythrosine and a dental halogen curing unit, both widely used in dental clinics, resulted in a significant increase in cell death. The PDT effects are decreased in biofilms that form in the presence of sucrose. PMID:23222991

  16. Post-irradiation hardening of dual-cured and light-cured resin cements through machinable ceramics.

    PubMed

    Yoshida, Keiichi; Atsuta, Mitsuru

    2006-10-01

    To evaluate the surface hardness (Knoop Hardness Number) of the thin layer in three light-cured and dual-cured resin cements irradiated through or not through 2.0 mm thick machinable ceramics. A piece of adhesive polyethylene tape with a circular hole was positioned on the surface of the ceramic plate to control the cement layer (approximately 50 microm). The cement paste was placed on the ceramic surface within the circle. The ceramic plate with resin cement paste was placed on a clear micro cover glass over a zirconia ceramic block to obtain a flat surface, and the material was polymerized using a visible-light-curing unit. The surface hardness was recorded at a series of time intervals up to 5 days, starting from the end of a light-irradiation period. The hardness steadily increased with post-irradiation time and tended towards a maximum, usually reached after 1 or 2 days. In all cases, the increase in hardness was relatively rapid over the first 30 minutes and continued at a lower rate thereafter. The dual-cured resin cement for each material showed a significantly higher hardness value than the light-cured resin cement irradiated either through or not through ceramics at all post-irradiation times. The resin cements cured through ceramic for each material were significantly less hard compared with those cured not through ceramics at all post-irradiation times.

  17. High pressure treatments on the inactivation of Salmonella Enteritidis and the physicochemical, rheological and color characteristics of sliced vacuum-packaged dry-cured ham.

    PubMed

    de Alba, María; Montiel, Raquel; Bravo, Daniel; Gaya, Pilar; Medina, Margarita

    2012-06-01

    The effect of high pressure (HP) on Salmonella Enteritidis in sliced dry-cured ham stored under temperature abuse (8°C) during 60d was investigated. After treatment, reductions of S. Enteritidis were 1.06, 2.54 and 4.32 log units in ham treated at 400, 500 and 600MPa for 5min at 12°C, compared to non-pressurized samples. After 60d, counts of S. Enteritidis in ham treated at 400 and 500MPa were 2.56 and 2.66 log units lower than in non-treated ham, whereas the pathogen was only detected after enrichment in ham treated at 600MPa. Lipid oxidation increased with storage and pressurization, whereas total free amino acid contents were similar in HP and control samples after 60d. Dry-cured ham treated at the highest pressures exhibited lower shear resistance, whereas the maximum force to compress the sample was slightly changed. Color (L*, a* and b*) varied with pressurization and storage. Changes induced by HP in dry-cured ham were attenuated during storage. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. FT-Raman spectroscopy study of organic matrix degradation in nanofilled resin composite.

    PubMed

    Soares, Luís Eduardo Silva; Nahórny, Sídnei; Martin, Airton Abrahão

    2013-04-01

    This in vitro study evaluated the effect of light curing unit (LCU) type, mouthwashes, and soft drink on chemical degradation of a nanofilled resin composite. Samples (80) were divided into eight groups: halogen LCU, HS--saliva (control); HPT--Pepsi Twist®; HLC--Listerine®; HCP--Colgate Plax®; LED LCU, LS--saliva (control); LPT--Pepsi Twist®; LLC--Listerine®; LCP--Colgate Plax®. The degree of conversion analysis and the measure of the peak area at 2,930 cm-1 (organic matrix) of resin composite were done by Fourier-transform Raman spectroscopy (baseline, after 7 and 14 days). The data were subjected to multifactor analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a 95% confidence followed by Tukey's HSD post-hoc test. The DC ranged from 58.0% (Halogen) to 59.3% (LED) without significance. Differences in the peak area between LCUs were found after 7 days of storage in S and PT. A marked increase in the peak intensity of HLC and LLC groups was found. The soft-start light-activation may influence the chemical degradation of organic matrix in resin composite. Ethanol contained in Listerine® Cool Mint mouthwash had the most significant degradation effect. Raman spectroscopy is shown to be a useful tool to investigate resin composite degradation.

  19. Evaluation of microhardness, surface roughness, and wear behavior of different types of resin composites polymerized with two different light sources.

    PubMed

    Topcu, Fulya Toksoy; Erdemir, Ugur; Sahinkesen, Gunes; Yildiz, Esra; Uslan, Ibrahim; Acikel, Cengizhan

    2010-02-01

    The microhardness, surface roughness and wear resistance of different types of resin composites, polymerized by a Quartz Tungsten Halogen (QTH) or Light Emitting Diode (LED) light curing units (LCU) were evaluated in this in vitro study. Cylindrical blocks were prepared from composites (8 mm in diameter, and 2 mm in thickness) and polymerized by a LED or a QTH LCU. Vickers hardness was measured on the top and bottom surfaces of the specimens. Surface roughness was measured with a surface profilometer on the top of the specimens. For the wear test, specimens were tested in a conventional pin-on-disc tribology machine under 15 N loads. The statistical analyses were performed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-tests, including the Bonferroni correction. Nanocomposite material Clearfil Majesty Posterior showed the highest hardness values in all polymerization types at the top and bottom surfaces (p < 0.05). Microhybrid Clearfil APX and hybrid Quixfil composites demonstrated the greatest surface roughness. Wear resistance of Clearfil Majesty Posterior was found to be the highest among the other tested resin composites. The results indicated that Clearfil Majesty Posterior demonstrated higher microhardness, less surface roughness, and higher wear resistance when compared with the other tested materials for both polymerization types.

  20. Epoxy matrix with triaromatic mesogenic unit in dielectric spectroscopy observation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Włodarska, Magdalena; Mossety-Leszczak, Beata; Bąk, Grzegorz W.; Kisiel, Maciej; Dłużniewski, Maciej; Okrasa, Lidia

    2018-04-01

    This paper describes the dielectric response of a selected liquid crystal epoxy monomer (plain and in curing systems) in a wide range of frequency and temperature. The dielectric spectroscopy, thanks to its sensitivity, is a very good tool for studying phase transitions, reaction progress, or material properties. This sensitivity is important in the case of liquid crystal epoxy resins, where properties of the final network depend on the choice of monomers, curing agents, curing conditions and post-curing treatment, or applying an external electric or magnetic field during the reaction. In most of the obtained cured products, the collected dielectric data show two relaxation processes. The α-process is related to a structural reorientation; it can usually be linked with the glass transition and the mechanical properties of the material. The β-process can be identified as a molecular motion process, probably associated with the carboxyl groups in the mesogen. A transient Maxwell-Wagner relaxation observed in one of the compositions after the initial curing is removed by post-curing treatment at elevated temperatures. Post-curing is therefore necessary for obtaining uniformly cured products in those cases. In the investigated systems, the choice of a curing agent can change the glass transition temperature by at least 70 °C. The obtained results are in a good agreement with an earlier study employing other techniques. Finally, we assess the influence of the direction of mesogen alignment on the dielectric properties of one selected system, where a global order was induced by applying an external magnetic field in the course of curing.

  1. Identification of novel orosensory active molecules in cured vanilla Beans (Vanilla planifolia).

    PubMed

    Schwarz, Bernd; Hofmann, Thomas

    2009-05-13

    Sequential application of solvent extraction, gel permeation chromatography, and HPLC in combination with taste dilution analyses, followed by LC-MS and 1D/2D NMR experiments, led to the discovery of seven velvety mouth-coating molecules in cured beans of Vanilla planifolia . Among these, 5-(4-hydroxybenzyl)vanillin, 4-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-2-methoxyphenol, 4-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)-5-methoxybenzaldehyde, (1-O-vanilloyl)-(6-O-feruloyl)-beta-d-glucopyranoside, americanin A, and 4',6'-dihydroxy-3',5-dimethoxy-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-carboxaldehyde were previously not reported in vanilla beans. Sensory studies revealed human recognition thresholds for the velvety mouth-coating sensation between 1.0 and 5.0 mumol/kg (water). Interestingly, the biphenyl derivatives were found to enhance the perception of creaminess and fatty body of sweetened skim milk, among which 4',6'-dihydroxy-3',5-dimethoxy-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-carboxaldehyde showed the lowest threshold level of 5 mumol/kg. Quantitative analysis of these compounds in cured vanilla beans from different origins as well as in noncured beans revealed that, with the exception of americanin A, all of the other taste compounds are not present in the green vanilla beans and are formed during the bean curing process.

  2. Building mobile technologies to improve transitions of care in adolescents with congenital heart disease

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are the most common type of birth defects. Improvements in CHD care have led to roughly 1.4 million survivors reaching adulthood. This emerging "survivor" population are often palliated but not cured. Thus successful transition from pediatric to adult care for CHD pa...

  3. Effect of Dietary Processed Sulfur Supplementation on Texture Quality, Color and Mineral Status of Dry-cured Ham.

    PubMed

    Kim, Ji-Han; Ju, Min-Gu; Yeon, Su-Jung; Hong, Go-Eun; Park, WooJoon; Lee, Chi-Ho

    2015-01-01

    This study was performed to investigate the chemical composition, mineral status, oxidative stability, and texture attributes of dry-cured ham from pigs fed processed sulfur (S, 1 g/kg feed), and from those fed a basal diet (CON), during the period from weaning to slaughter (174 d). Total collagen content and soluble collagen of the S group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05). The pH of the S group was significantly higher than that of the control group, whereas the S group had a lower expressible drip compared to the control group. The S group also showed the lower lightness compared to the control group (p<0.05). In regard to the mineral status, the S group had significantly lower Fe(2+) and Ca(2+) content than the control group (p<0.05), whereas the proteolysis index of the S group was significantly increased compared to the control group (p<0.05). The feeding of processed sulfur to pigs led to increased oxidative stability, related to lipids and pigments, in the dry-cured ham (p<0.05). Compared to the dry-cured ham from the control group, that from the S group exhibited lower springiness and gumminess; these results suggest that feeding processed sulfur to pigs can improve the quality of the texture and enhance the oxidative stability of dry-cured ham.

  4. The effect of incorporating different concentrations of chlorhexidine digluconate on the degree of conversion of an experimental adhesive resin.

    PubMed

    Moharam, Lamiaa-Mahmoud; Salem, Haidy-Nabil; Elgamily, Hanaa-Mahmoud

    2018-04-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chlorhexidine digluconate incorporation on the degree of conversion of an experimental adhesive resin. The experimental resin was prepared from 70 wt% bisphenol A glycerolate dimethacrylate, 30 wt% hydroxyethyl methacrylate, silanized SiO2 nanofillers, 0.5% of camphorquinone and ethyl 4-dimethylaminebenzoate (binary photo-initiator system). Five chlorhexidine digluconate concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 wt%) were then incorporated into the experimental resin. Thirty Potassium Bromide pellets were prepared then divided into six groups (n=5/group), repre¬senting the tested adhesive resins (Single Bond 2, 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 wt% chlohexidine-incorporated experimental adhesive resins), that were applied to the pellets without light-curing (uncured specimens). Another 30 pellets were prepared and treated with the previous materials then light-cured using LED light-curing device (cured specimens). Degree of conversion of the uncured and the cured specimens were evaluated using FTIR analysis. Adper Single Bond 2 showed the highest degree of conversion mean values followed by 0.5 wt% chlorhexidine concentration then 2 wt% followed by 4 wt% then 1 wt% concentrations, while 0 wt% concentration showed the lowest mean values. Chlorhexidine digluconate had slight significant influence on the efficiency of polymerization of the experimental adhesive resin. Key words: Chlorhexidine digluconate, different concentrations, degree of conversion, experimental adhesive resin.

  5. Illness and cures in the Greek propitiatory inscriptions and dedications of Lydia and Phrygia.

    PubMed

    Chaniotis, A

    1995-01-01

    The propitiatory inscriptions of Lydia and Phrygia (of the second and third centuries AD) manifest the belief that illness is a divine punishment for a sin (usually for a religious offence); cure can thus be achieved through expiation. Although scientific medicine was not unknown, the high costs of doctors, the belief in the omnipotence of gods, and the attribution of illness to divine intervention led the villagers to the local sanctuaries, where they received instructions by means of dreams and oracles. Some priests had medical experience, but they usually practised a 'religious healing' (incantations, purifications, sacrifices, the ritual transfer of the sin and the illness to animals).

  6. Ambient Cured Alkali Activated Flyash Masonry Units

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Venugopal, K.; Radhakrishna; Sasalatti, Vinod M.

    2016-09-01

    Geopolymers belong to a category of non-conventional and non-Portland cement based cementitious binders which are produced using industrial by products like fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS). This paper reports on the development of geopolymer mortars for production of masonry units. The geopolymer mortars were prepared by mixing various by products with manufactured sand and a liquid mixture of sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide solutions. After curing at ambient conditions, the masonry units were tested for strength properties such as water absorption, initial rate of absorption, compression, shear- bond, and stress-strain behaviour etc. It was observed that the flexural strength of the blocks is more than 2 MPa and shear bond strength is more than 0.4MPa. It was found that the properties of geopolymer blocks were superior to the traditional masonry units. Hence they can be recommended for structural masonry.

  7. Design of a detection system of highlight LED arrays' effect on the human organization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Shuwang; Shi, Guiju; Xue, Tongze; Liu, Yanming

    2009-05-01

    LED (Light Emitting Diode) has many advantages in the intensity, wavelength, practicality and price, so it is feasible to apply in biomedicine engineering. A system for the research on the effect of highlight LED arrays to human organization is designed. The temperature of skin surface can rise if skin and organization are in irradiation by highlight LED arrays. The metabolism and blood circulation of corresponding position will be quicker than those not in the shine, so the surface temperature will vary in different position of skin. The structure of LED source arrays system is presented and a measure system for studying LED's influence on human organization is designed. The temperature values of shining point are detected by infrared temperature detector. Temperature change is different according to LED parameters, such as the number, irradiation time and luminous intensity of LED. Experimental device is designed as an LED arrays pen. The LED arrays device is used to shine the points of human body, then it may effect on personal organization as well as the acupuncture. The system is applied in curing a certain skin disease, such as age pigment, skin cancer and fleck.

  8. Assessment of curing behavior of light-activated dental composites using intensity correlation based multiple reference optical coherence tomography.

    PubMed

    Dsouza, Roshan; Subhash, Hrebesh; Neuhaus, Kai; Kantamneni, Ramakrishna; McNamara, Paul M; Hogan, Josh; Wilson, Carol; Leahy, Martin

    2016-01-01

    Monitoring the curing kinetics of light-activated resin is a key area of research. These resins are used in restorative applications and particularly in dental applications. They can undergo volumetric shrinkage due to poor control of the depth dependent curing process, modulated by the intensity and duration of the curing light source. This often results in the formation of marginal gaps, causing pain and damage to the restoration site. In this study, we demonstrate the capabilities of a correlation method applied using a multiple references optical coherence tomography (MR-OCT) architecture to monitor the curing of the resin. A MR-OCT system is used in this study to monitor the curing of the resin. The system operates at the center wavelength of 1310 nm with an A-scan rate of 1200 A-scans per second. The axial and lateral resolution of the system is ∼13 μm and ∼27 μm. The method to determine the intensity correlation between adjacent B-frames is based on the Pearson correlation coefficient for a region of interest. Calculating the correlation coefficient for multiple B-frames related to the first B-frame at regular spaced time points, shows for a noncured resin a reduction of the correlation coefficient over time due to Brownian motion. The time constant of the reduction of the correlation value is a measure for the progress of the polymerization during LED light irradiation of the resin. The proposed approach is potentially a low-cost, powerful and unique optical imaging modality for measuring the curing behavior of dental resin and other resins, coatings, and adhesives in medical and industrial applications. To demonstrate the proposed method to monitor the curing process, a light-activated resin composite from GRADIA DIRECT ANTERIOR (GC Corporation, Japan) is studied. The curing time of resin was measured and monitored as a function of depth. The correlation coefficient method is highly sensitive to Brownian motion. The process of curing results in a change in intensity as measured by the MR-OCT signal and hence can be monitored using this method. These results show that MR-OCT has the potential to measure the curing time and monitor the curing process as a function of depth. Moreover, MR-OCT as a product has potential to be compact, low-cost and to fit into a smartphone. Using such a device for monitoring the curing of the resin will be suitable for dentists in stationary and mobile clinical settings. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  9. [Methods Used for Monitoring Cure Reactions in Real-time in an Autoclave

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cooper, John B.; Wise, Kent L.; Jensen, Brian J. (Technical Monitor)

    2000-01-01

    The goal of the research was to investigate methods for monitoring cure reactions in real-time in an autoclave. This is of particular importance to NASA Langley Research Center because polyimides were proposed for use in the High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) program. Understanding the cure chemistry behind the polyimides would allow for intelligent processing of the composites made from their use. This work has led to two publications in peer-reviewed journals and a patent. The journal articles are listed as Appendix A which is on the instrument design of the research and Appendix B which is on the cure chemistry. Also, a patent has been awarded for the instrumental design developed under this grant which is given as Appendix C. There has been a significant amount of research directed at developing methods for monitoring cure reactions in real-time within the autoclave. The various research efforts can be categorized as methods providing either direct chemical bonding information or methods that provide indirect chemical bonding information. Methods falling into the latter category are fluorescence, dielectric loss, ultrasonic and similar type methods. Correlation of such measurements with the underlying chemistry is often quite difficult since these techniques do not allow monitoring of the curing chemistry which is ultimately responsible for material properties. Direct methods such as vibrational spectroscopy, however, can often be easily correlated with the underlying chemistry of a reaction. Such methods include Raman spectroscopy, mid-IR absorbance, and near-IR absorbance. With the recent advances in fiber-optics, these spectroscopic techniques can be applied to remote on-line monitoring.

  10. Lack of resistance after re-exposure of cattle cured of Onchocerca ochengi infection with oxytetracycline.

    PubMed

    Nfon, Charles K; Makepeace, Benjamin L; Njongmeta, Leo M; Tanya, Vincent N; Trees, Alexander J

    2007-01-01

    Although vector control and ivermectin chemotherapy have led to a dramatic reduction in the incidence of river blindness (onchocerciasis), there is a consensus that additional control tools are required to sustain and extend this success. The recognition of endosymbiotic bacteria (Wolbachia) in filariae and their targeting by antibiotics constitutes the most significant and practicable opportunity for a macrofilaricidal therapy in the short-to-medium-term. Using Onchocerca ochengi in cattle, an analog of human onchocerciasis, we have previously shown that oxytetracycline is macrofilaricidal, and protective immunity exists naturally in a subset of animals termed putatively immune. Here, we report that although 24 weeks of weekly oxytetracycline treatment eliminated adult worms, cured animals remained susceptible to re-infection by natural challenge when compared with putatively immune cattle. However, their susceptibility was not significantly different from that of concurrently exposed, heavily infected animals. Thus, cattle cured by oxytetracycline are neither hypo-susceptible nor hyper-susceptible.

  11. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Holley, W.H. Jr.; Agro, S.C.; Galica, J.P.

    The problem of browning in a number of EVA encapsulated flat plate photovoltaic modules has led to the questioning of EVA as a suitable material for such applications. By isolating the variables that could possibly lead to EVA browning, such as module construction, types of glass superstrates, additives, and processing conditions, the authors have been able to determine those significant specific variables that seem to have the most influence on discoloration.When standard-cure EVA-based laminates were exposed to accelerated UV aging, measurable yellowing of those laminates was evident after only one to two weeks exposure, and visual discoloration was observed aftermore » four to six weeks. Some samples yellowed quickly and some not at all, and there were significant differences in the rates of discoloration between standard-cure and fast-cure EVA. This paper looks at the results of these studies, especially focusing on the effect of additives in the EVA on the rate of yellowing, and discusses how preliminary results can be used to reformulate EVA encapsulants.« less

  12. Effect of bench time polymerization on depth of cure of dental composite resin

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Harahap, K.; Yudhit, A.; Sari, F.

    2017-07-01

    The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of bench time before light cured polymerization on the depth of cure of dental composite resin. Nanofiller composite resin (Filtek Z350 XT,3M, ESPE,China) was used in this study. Sixty samples of nanofiller composite resin were made and divided into control and test groups with bench time for 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 min. For the test group, composite resins were stored in refrigerator with 4°C temperatures. Meanwhile, for the control groups, the composite resin was stored at room temperature. The samples were prepared using metal mould with size diameter of 6 mm and 4 mm in thickness. Samples were cured for 20 s by using visible blue light curing unit. Part of samples that unpolymerized were removed by using a plastic spatula. The remaining parts of samples were measured by digital caliper and noted as depth of cure (mm). Data were analyzed to one-way ANOVA and LSD tests (p≤0.05). Results showed there was no significance differences between test groups (p=0.5). A 60 minutes bench time group showed the highest depth of cure value among test group, and it was almost similar with control group value. It can be concluded that longer bench time can increase the depth of cure of composite resin.

  13. [Current results of nitrogen cryotherapy in eyelid basaliomas].

    PubMed

    Buschmann, W; Linnert, D; Wünsch, P H; Schmutzler, M

    1986-10-01

    By means of long-term follow-ups of large numbers of patients it has been established that nitrogen cryotherapy for lid basaliomas produces very good results with regard to the cure rate, as well as having considerable advantages over other treatment methods. In contrast to other authors we did not employ the spray method, but a very high-performance nitrogen cryo unit with a closed probe. Experimental measurements showed that this unit is capable of generating at least the same temperatures as with the spray method. The cryoapplication technique is described. The cure rate and causes of recurrence in the first series in the total of 84 patients treated from 1979 to 1983 were evaluated by long-term follow-up. If cryobiological principles are observed and the recommended application technique is adhered to, the same cure rate can be achieved as with the spray method and other forms of treatment. There are considerable functional and cosmetic advantages, also as regards the patency of the lacrimal ducts.

  14. Influence of soy type on wood bonding performance

    Treesearch

    Charles R. Frihart

    2011-01-01

    Proteins were the main wood bonding adhesives for centuries, but they were displaced by fossil fuel-based adhesives in the 20th century because synthetic adhesives offered better water resistance, ease of use, and lower cost. Recently, studies using a polyamidoamine– epichlorohydrin (PAE) curing agent have led to soybean-based adhesives that are...

  15. Computational methods for yeast prion curing curves.

    PubMed

    Ridout, Martin S

    2008-10-01

    If the chemical guanidine hydrochloride is added to a dividing culture of yeast cells in which some of the protein Sup35p is in its prion form, the proportion of cells that carry replicating units of the prion, termed propagons, decreases gradually over time. Stochastic models to describe this process of 'curing' have been developed in earlier work. The present paper investigates the use of numerical methods of Laplace transform inversion to calculate curing curves and contrasts this with an alternative, more direct, approach that involves numerical integration. Transform inversion is found to provide a much more efficient computational approach that allows different models to be investigated with minimal programming effort. The method is used to investigate the robustness of the curing curve to changes in the assumed distribution of cell generation times. Matlab code is available for carrying out the calculations.

  16. Demonstration of Mer-Cure Technology for Enhanced Mercury Control

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    John Marion; Dave O'Neill; Kevin Taugher

    2008-06-01

    Alstom Power Inc. has completed a DOE/NETL-sponsored program (under DOE Cooperative Agreement No. De-FC26-07NT42776) to demonstrate Mer-Cure{trademark}, one of Alstom's mercury control technologies for coal-fired boilers. The Mer-Cure{trademark}system utilizes a small amount of Mer-Clean{trademark} sorbent that is injected into the flue gas stream for oxidation and adsorption of gaseous mercury. Mer-Clean{trademark} sorbents are carbon-based and prepared with chemical additives that promote oxidation and capture of mercury. The Mer-Cure{trademark} system is unique in that the sorbent is injected into an environment where the mercury capture kinetics is accelerated. The full-scale demonstration program originally included test campaigns at two host sites: LCRA's 480-MW{sub e} Fayette Unit No.3 and Reliant Energy's 190-MW{sub e} Shawville Unit No.3. The only demonstration tests actually done were the short-term tests at LCRA due to budget constraints. This report gives a summary of the demonstration testing at Fayette Unit No.3. The goals for this Mercury Round 3 program, established by DOE/NETL under the original solicitation, were to reduce the uncontrolled mercury emissions by 90% at a cost significantly less than 50% of the previous target ofmore » $$60,000/lb mercury removed. The results indicated that Mer-Cure{trademark} technology could achieve mercury removal of 90% based on uncontrolled stack emissions. The estimated costs for 90% mercury control, at a sorbent cost of $$0.75 to $2.00/lb respectively, were $13,400 to $18,700/lb Hg removed. In summary, the results from demonstration testing show that the goals established by DOE/NETL were met during this test program. The goal of 90% mercury reduction was achieved. Estimated mercury removal costs were 69-78% lower than the benchmark of $60,000/lb mercury removed, significantly less than 50% of the baseline removal cost.« less

  17. Chess therapy: A new approach to curing panic attack.

    PubMed

    Barzegar, Kazem; Barzegar, Somayeh

    2017-12-01

    To study the effect of playing cell phone chess game on treating panic attack. The chess game on an android cell phone was played by the researcher who was affected by panic attack as a post-traumatic disorder immediately after or before feeling of the start of symptoms. The right level of difficulty, i.e., levels 2-4, was selected for optimal results. Playing chess game on the android cell phone prevented the manifestation of panic attack and led to the cure of this traumatic condition. Chess therapy with the right level of difficulty can be recommended as a very effective non-pharmaceutical method for the successful treatment of panic attacks. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Polyurethane acrylate networks including cellulose nanocrystals: a comparison between UV and EB- curing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Furtak-Wrona, K.; Kozik-Ostrówka, P.; Jadwiszczak, K.; Maigret, J. E.; Aguié-Béghin, V.; Coqueret, X.

    2018-01-01

    A water-based polyurethane (PUR) acrylate water emulsion was selected as a radiation curable matrix for preparing nanocomposites including cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) prepared by controlled hydrolysis of Ramie fibers. Cross-linking polymerization of samples prepared in the form of films or of 1 mm-thick bars was either initiated by exposure to the 395 nm light of a high intensity LED lamp or by treatment with low energy electron beam (EB). The conversion level of acrylate functions in samples submitted to increasing radiation doses was monitored by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) were used to characterize changes in the glass transition temperature of the PUR-CNC nanocomposites as a function of acrylate conversion and of CNC content. Micromechanical testing indicates the positive effect of 1 wt% CNC on Young's modulus and on the tensile strength at break (σ) of cured nanocomposites. The presence of CNC in the PUR acrylate matrix was shown to double the σ value of the nanocomposite cured to an acrylate conversion level of 85% by treatment with a 25 kGy dose under EB, whereas no increase of σ was observed in UV-cured samples exhibiting the same acrylate conversion level. The occurrence of grafting reactions inducing covalent linkages between the polysaccharide nanofiller and the PUR acrylate matrix during the EB treatment is advanced as an explanation to account for the improvement observed in samples cured under ionizing radiation.

  19. Effect of Dietary Processed Sulfur Supplementation on Texture Quality, Color and Mineral Status of Dry-cured Ham

    PubMed Central

    2015-01-01

    This study was performed to investigate the chemical composition, mineral status, oxidative stability, and texture attributes of dry-cured ham from pigs fed processed sulfur (S, 1 g/kg feed), and from those fed a basal diet (CON), during the period from weaning to slaughter (174 d). Total collagen content and soluble collagen of the S group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05). The pH of the S group was significantly higher than that of the control group, whereas the S group had a lower expressible drip compared to the control group. The S group also showed the lower lightness compared to the control group (p<0.05). In regard to the mineral status, the S group had significantly lower Fe2+ and Ca2+ content than the control group (p<0.05), whereas the proteolysis index of the S group was significantly increased compared to the control group (p<0.05). The feeding of processed sulfur to pigs led to increased oxidative stability, related to lipids and pigments, in the dry-cured ham (p<0.05). Compared to the dry-cured ham from the control group, that from the S group exhibited lower springiness and gumminess; these results suggest that feeding processed sulfur to pigs can improve the quality of the texture and enhance the oxidative stability of dry-cured ham. PMID:26761895

  20. Polymicrobial Gardnerella biofilm resists repeated intravaginal antiseptic treatment in a subset of women with bacterial vaginosis: a preliminary report.

    PubMed

    Swidsinski, Alexander; Loening-Baucke, Vera; Swidsinski, Sonja; Verstraelen, Hans

    2015-03-01

    Bacterial vaginosis is a recalcitrant polymicrobial biofilm infection that often resists standard antibiotic treatment. We therefore considered repeated treatment with octenidine, a local antiseptic that has previously been shown to be highly effective in several biofilm-associated infections. Twenty-four patients with recurrent BV were treated with a 7-day course of octenidine (octenidine dihydrochloride spray application with the commercial product Octenisept). In case of treatment failure or relapse within 6 months, patients were re-treated with a 28-day course of octenidine. In case of recurrence within 6 months after the second treatment course, patients were treated again with a 28-day course followed by weekly applications for 2 months. Treatment effect was evaluated by assessment of the presence of the biofilm on voided vaginal epithelial cells through fluorescence in situ hybridisation. The initial cure rate following a 7-day course of octenidine was as high as 87.5%. The 6-month relapse rate was, however, as high as 66.6%. Repeated treatment for 28 days led to an overall cure rate of 75.0%; however, it was also associated with emergence of complete resistance to octenidine in a subset of women. The overall cure rate after three treatment courses with 1-year follow-up was 62.5 %, with 37.5 % of the patients showing complete resistance to octenidine. Our preliminary results showed that octenidine dihydrochloride was initially highly effective, but the efficacy of repeated and prolonged treatment dropped quickly as challenge with the antiseptic rapidly led to bacterial resistance in a considerable subset of women.

  1. EGFRvIII mCAR-modified T-cell therapy cures mice with established intracerebral glioma and generates host immunity against tumor-antigen loss.

    PubMed

    Sampson, John H; Choi, Bryan D; Sanchez-Perez, Luis; Suryadevara, Carter M; Snyder, David J; Flores, Catherine T; Schmittling, Robert J; Nair, Smita K; Reap, Elizabeth A; Norberg, Pamela K; Herndon, James E; Kuan, Chien-Tsun; Morgan, Richard A; Rosenberg, Steven A; Johnson, Laura A

    2014-02-15

    Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) transduced T cells represent a promising immune therapy that has been shown to successfully treat cancers in mice and humans. However, CARs targeting antigens expressed in both tumors and normal tissues have led to significant toxicity. Preclinical studies have been limited by the use of xenograft models that do not adequately recapitulate the immune system of a clinically relevant host. A constitutively activated mutant of the naturally occurring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFRvIII) is antigenically identical in both human and mouse glioma, but is also completely absent from any normal tissues. We developed a third-generation, EGFRvIII-specific murine CAR (mCAR), and performed tests to determine its efficacy in a fully immunocompetent mouse model of malignant glioma. At elevated doses, infusion with EGFRvIII mCAR T cells led to cures in all mice with brain tumors. In addition, antitumor efficacy was found to be dependent on lymphodepletive host conditioning. Selective blockade with EGFRvIII soluble peptide significantly abrogated the activity of EGFRvIII mCAR T cells in vitro and in vivo, and may offer a novel strategy to enhance the safety profile for CAR-based therapy. Finally, mCAR-treated, cured mice were resistant to rechallenge with EGFRvIII(NEG) tumors, suggesting generation of host immunity against additional tumor antigens. All together, these data support that third-generation, EGFRvIII-specific mCARs are effective against gliomas in the brain and highlight the importance of syngeneic, immunocompetent models in the preclinical evaluation of tumor immunotherapies. ©2013 AACR

  2. Semiconductor light-emitting devices having concave microstructures providing improved light extraction efficiency and method for producing same

    DOEpatents

    Tansu, Nelson; Gilchrist, James F; Ee, Yik-Khoon; Kumnorkaew, Pisist

    2013-11-19

    A conventional semiconductor LED is modified to include a microlens layer over its light-emitting surface. The LED may have an active layer including at least one quantum well layer of InGaN and GaN. The microlens layer includes a plurality of concave microstructures that cause light rays emanating from the LED to diffuse outwardly, leading to an increase in the light extraction efficiency of the LED. The concave microstructures may be arranged in a substantially uniform array, such as a close-packed hexagonal array. The microlens layer is preferably constructed of curable material, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and is formed by soft-lithography imprinting by contacting fluid material of the microlens layer with a template bearing a monolayer of homogeneous microsphere crystals, to cause concave impressions, and then curing the material to fix the concave microstructures in the microlens layer and provide relatively uniform surface roughness.

  3. Influence de la pression de mise en forme sur le detourage de stratifies carbone/epoxy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Coulon, Pierre

    The need to reduce the weight of structures has led to an increasing use of composite materials in the aerospace industry. To meet the required tolerances and quality, the manufacturing processes must adapt to these new materials. The machining is one of these processes that need to be optimized to control the final part quality. This experimental study aims at understanding the relationship between manufacturing parameters of quasi-isotropic carbon fibre laminates and their machinability. After a preliminary study, it was concluded that curing pressure in autoclave was the most influential manufacturing parameter. The pressure is linked, experimentally, to the void content and then to the mechanical properties and finally to the cutting forces. The research methodology is based on a classic multifactorial design of experience in which the input factors are the curing pressure, feed rate and cutting speed. This study confirms the correlation existing between the curing pressure and void content as well as the relationship between the curing pressure and mechanical properties. The new element of this study is the correlation between the curing pressure and cutting forces during trimming. This last point is interesting because it leads to the development of a predictive model for cutting forces. Although the results of this study are hardly generalizable to other materials, the prediction of cutting forces is possible. Quality after machining is also studied through two criteria: the roughness measurement and evaluation of delamination. Roughness is measured using a roughness depth measuring equipment optimized to make best use of this technique. The study confirms the patterns already observed without being able to improve the characterization of cutting quality. Keywords: composites, trimming, curing pressure, cutting forces, void content, ILSS, delamination, roughness.

  4. Interventions to improve adherence to tuberculosis treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis.

    PubMed

    Müller, A M; Osório, C S; Silva, D R; Sbruzzi, G; de Tarso, P; Dalcin, Roth

    2018-07-01

    One of the most serious problems in tuberculosis (TB) control is non-adherence to treatment. Several strategies have been developed to improve adherence and increase the cure rate. To systematically review interventions to improve adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 randomised clinical trials (RCTs) to ascertain whether providing directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS), financial incentives, food incentives and/or patient education/counselling improved adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment. The primary outcome was cure rate; secondary outcomes were default and mortality rates. Sources used were Medline (accessed via PubMed), Cochrane Central, LILACS (Literatura Latino Americana em Ciências da Saúde, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature) and Embase from inception to October 2015. A significant increase in cure rates, by 18% with DOTS and by 16% with patient education and counselling, was observed. In addition, the default rate decreased by 49% with DOTS, by 26% with financial incentives and by 13% with patient education and counselling. There was no statistically significant reduction in mortality rates with these interventions. Use of DOTS and patient education/counselling significantly improved cure rates; DOTS, patient education/counselling and financial incentives led to a reduction in the default rate.

  5. Hepatitis C Cure Is Associated with Decreased Healthcare Costs in Cirrhotics in Retrospective Veterans Affairs Cohort.

    PubMed

    Maier, Marissa M; Zhou, Xiao-Hua; Chapko, Michael; Leipertz, Steven L; Wang, Xuan; Beste, Lauren A

    2018-06-01

    Approximately 233,898 individuals in the Veterans Affairs healthcare network are hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected, making the Veterans Affairs the single largest provider of HCV care in the USA. Direct-acting antiviral treatment regimens for HCV offer high cure rates. However, these medications pose an enormous financial burden, and whether HCV cure is associated with decreased healthcare costs is poorly defined. To measure downstream healthcare costs in a national population of HCV-infected patients up to 9 years post-HCV antiviral treatment, to compare downstream healthcare costs between cured and uncured patients, and to assess impact of cirrhosis status on cost differences. This is a retrospective cohort study (2004-2014) of hepatitis C-infected patients who initiated antiviral treatment within the United States Veterans Affairs healthcare system October 2004-September 2013. We measured inpatient, outpatient, and pharmacy costs after HCV treatment. For the entire cohort, cure was associated with mean cumulative cost savings in post-treatment years three-six, but no cost savings by post-treatment year nine. By post-treatment year nine, cure in cirrhosis patients was associated with a mean cumulative cost savings of $9474 (- 32,666 to 51,614) per patient, while cure in non-cirrhotic patients was associated with a mean cumulative cost excess of $2526 (- 12,211 to 7159) per patient. Among patients with cirrhosis at baseline, cure is associated with absolute cost savings up to 9 years post-treatment compared to those without cure. Among patients without cirrhosis, early post-treatment cost savings are counterbalanced by higher costs in later years.

  6. Light transmittance of zirconia as a function of thickness and microhardness of resin cements under different thicknesses of zirconia

    PubMed Central

    Egilmez, Ferhan; Ergun, Gulfem; Kaya, Bekir M.

    2013-01-01

    Objective: The objective of this study was to compare microhardness of resin cements under different thicknesses of zirconia and the light transmittance of zirconia as a function of thickness. Study design: A total of 126 disc-shaped specimens (2 mm in height and 5 mm in diameter) were prepared from dual-cured resin cements (RelyX Unicem, Panavia F and Clearfil SA cement). Photoactivation was performed by using quartz tungsten halogen and light emitting diode light curing units under different thicknesses of zirconia. Then the specimens (n=7/per group) were stored in dry conditions in total dark at 37°C for 24 h. The Vicker’s hardness test was performed on the resin cement layer with a microhardness tester. Statistical significance was determined using multifactorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) (alpha=.05). Light transmittance of different thicknesses of zirconia (0.3, 0.5 and 0.8 mm) was measured using a hand-held radiometer (Demetron, Kerr). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA test (alpha=.05). Results: ANOVA revealed that resin cement and light curing unit had significant effects on microhardness (p < 0.001). Additionally, greater zirconia thickness resulted in lower transmittance. There was no correlation between the amount of light transmitted and microhardness of dual-cured resin cements (r = 0.073, p = 0.295). Conclusion: Although different zirconia thicknesses might result in insufficient light transmission, dual-cured resin cements under zirconia restorations could have adequate microhardness. Key words:Zirconia, microhardness, light transmittance, resin cement. PMID:23385497

  7. Effect of In-situ Cure on Measurement of Glass Transition Temperatures in High-temperature Thermosetting Polymers

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-01-01

    TEMPERATURES IN HIGH-TEMPERATURE THERMOSETTING POLYMERS 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER In-House 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S...illustrated the difficulties inherent in measurement of the glass transition temperature of this high-temperature thermosetting polymer via dynamic...copyright protection in the United States. EFFECT OF IN-SITU CURE ON MEASUREMENT OF GLASS TRANSITION TEMPERATURES IN HIGH-TEMPERATURE THERMOSETTING

  8. A resin composite material containing an eugenol derivative for intracanal post cementation and core build-up restoration.

    PubMed

    Almaroof, A; Rojo, L; Mannocci, F; Deb, S

    2016-02-01

    To formulate and evaluate new dual cured resin composite based on the inclusion of eugenyl methacrylate monomer (EgMA) with Bis-GMA/TEGDMA resin systems for intracanal post cementation and core build-up restoration of endodontically treated teeth. EgMA was synthesized and incorporated at 5% (BTEg5) or 10% (BTEg10) into dual-cure formulations. Curing properties, viscosity, Tg, radiopacity, static and dynamic mechanical properties of the composites were determined and compared with Clearfil™DC Core-Plus, a commercial dual-cure, two-component composite. Statistical analysis of the data was performed with ANOVA and the Tukey's post-hoc test. The experimental composites were successfully prepared, which exhibited excellent curing depths of 4.9, 4.7 and 4.2 mm for BTEg0, BTEg5 and BTEg10 respectively, which were significantly higher than Clearfil™DC. However, the inclusion of EgMA initially led to a lower degree of cure, which increased when measured at 24 h with values comparable to formulations without EgMA, indicating post-curing. The inclusion of EgMA also lowered the polymerization exotherm thereby reducing the potential of thermal damage to host tissue. Both thermal and viscoelastic analyses confirmed the ability of the monomer to reduce the stiffness of the composites by forming a branched network. The compressive strength of BTEg5 was significantly higher than the control whilst flexural strength increased significantly from 95.9 to 114.8 MPa (BTEg5) and 121.9 MPa (BTEg10). Radiopacity of the composites was equivalent to ∼3 mm Al allowing efficient diagnosis. The incorporation of EgMA within polymerizable formulations provides a novel approach to prepare reinforced resin composite material for intracanal post cementation and core build-up and the potential to impart antibacterial properties of eugenol to endodontic restorations. Copyright © 2015 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. Perceptions of Equipoise, Risk-Benefit Ratios, and "Otherwise Healthy Volunteers" in the Context of Early-Phase HIV Cure Research in the United States: A Qualitative Inquiry.

    PubMed

    Dubé, Karine; Dee, Lynda; Evans, David; Sylla, Laurie; Taylor, Jeff; Brown, Brandon; Miller, Veronica; Corneli, Amy; Skinner, Asheley; Greene, Sandra B; Tucker, Joseph D; Rennie, Stuart

    2018-02-01

    Early-phase HIV cure research is conducted against a background of highly effective antiretroviral therapy, and involves risky interventions in individuals who enjoy an almost normal life expectancy. To explore perceptions of three ethical topics in the context of HIV cure research-(a) equipoise, (b) risk-benefit ratios, and (c) "otherwise healthy volunteers"-we conducted 36 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with three groups of purposively selected key informants: clinician-researchers ( n = 11), policy-makers and bioethicists ( n = 13), and people living with HIV (PLWHIV; n = 12). Our analysis revealed variability in perceptions of equipoise. Second, most key informants believed there was no clear measure of risk-benefit ratios in HIV cure research, due in part to the complexity of weighing (sometimes unknown) risks to participants and (sometimes speculative) benefits to science and society. Third, most clinician-researchers and policy-makers/bioethicists viewed potential HIV cure study participants as "otherwise healthy volunteers," but this perception was not shared among PLWHIV in our study.

  10. In vitro assessment of polymerization procedures in Class II restorations: sealing, FTIR, and microhardness evaluations.

    PubMed

    Tassery, H; de Donato, P; Barrès, O; Déjou, J

    2001-01-01

    This study was undertaken to evaluate several polymerization and filling procedures (incremental, bulk, light-tip, soft-cured, plasma devices) in Class II restorations through (1) a sealing evaluation of restorations filled with Tetric Ceram (TC) and Bisfil 2B (B2B, self-cured composite used as a control), (2) a FTIR analysis measuring the variations of the degree of conversion in terms of area unit ratio of the relevant resin composites and (3) a microhardness test to corroborate the FTIR analysis. The length of the tracer penetration was measured from the gingival margin up to the cavity wall with an episcope on sectioned teeth. A ceramic mould, simulating a Class II, was filled according to the different groups and the samples were analyzed with a Bruker IFS 55 spectrometer on ultrathin sections (3 mu). The results were analyzed in terms of area unit ratio and total exposed energy. Under the same conditions, a microhardness test was run with a Frank Weihem machine. The results of the sealing evaluation for light-tip, incremental and self-cured techniques did not differ. The plasma procedure failed in this evaluation as the bottom increment was not polymerized. The smallest area unit ratio (the best degree of conversion) was observed in 2 groups: one, the combination of the light-tip and soft process, and two, the self-cured resin composite (B2B). The distance at which the plasma procedure failed to cure the resin composite was between 3.5 and 4.5 mm. The microhardness test confirmed the FTIR analysis except for the group G2 (TC + light-tip). As also shown by FTIR analysis, no difference between the two relevant levels was observed with the hardness test. The dentin marginal sealing efficiency of Tetric Ceram restorations was increased with the light-tip technique, but was not better than the self-cured resin composite (B2B). For Tetric Ceram, the combination of the light-tip and soft process leads to a higher degree of conversion than the other groups. There is no linear relationship between the degree of conversion, the microhardness and the total exposed energy. The combination of the soft polymerization and the light-tip device might be an alternative restorative technique to the current incremental technique.

  11. The use of high pressure processing to enhance the quality and shelf life of reduced sodium naturally cured restructured cooked hams.

    PubMed

    Pietrasik, Z; Gaudette, N J; Johnston, S P

    2016-06-01

    The combined effect of partial salt replacement with modified potassium chloride and high pressure processing (600 MPa for 3 min at 8°C) on the quality and shelf life of naturally-cured restructured hams was investigated over a 12 week storage period. Instrumental, microbiological and consumer acceptability testing was performed. A partial salt substitution with modified potassium chloride adversely affected textural and water binding characteristics of hams and led to a decrease in the consumer acceptance compared to regular salt hams. Celery powder used as a curing agent had beneficial effects on water holding and moisture retention and improved bind of restructured hams; however the consumer acceptability of flavor and aftertaste received significantly lower scores compared to nitrite. No significant differences in all consumer acceptability parameters resulted for hams subjected to HPP compared to non-HPP for all storage periods indicating that HPP can effectively extend shelf-life of restructured ham without compromising eating quality. Crown Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  12. Chemical curing in alkyd paints: An evaluation via FT-IR and NMR spectroscopies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bartolozzi, G.; Marchiafava, V.; Mirabello, V.; Peruzzini, M.; Picollo, M.

    2014-01-01

    A study aimed at determining the time necessary for an alkyd paint to attain chemical curing is presented. In particular, the object of our investigation was an oil paint made by Winsor & Newton, namely French ultramarine (PB29) in the Griffin Alkyd “fast drying oil colour” series. Using this paint, we prepared several mock-ups on glass. These were left in the laboratory at room temperature in a piece of furniture with glass doors for a total of 70 days. Samples were taken at different times, and the changes in their composition were monitored by means of FT-IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopic analyses. Since the cross-linking reactions involved in the formation of the pictorial film mainly affect the amount of carbon-carbon double bonds, we monitored the decrease in allyl, diallyl and vinyl protons and carbons. The data obtained from the use of both techniques led us to conclude that, in our particular experimental conditions, the chemical curing of the paint layer is reached within the first 70 days, thus establishing the beginning of the ageing phenomena.

  13. Light energy transmission and Vickers hardness ratio of bulk-fill resin based composites at different thicknesses cured by a dual-wave or a single-wave light curing unit.

    PubMed

    Santini, Ario; Naaman, Reem Khalil; Aldossary, Mohammed Saeed

    2017-04-01

    To quantify light energy transmission through two bulk-fill resin-based composites and to measure the top to bottom surface Vickers hardness ratio (VHratio) of samples of various incremental thicknesses, using either a single-wave or dual-wave light curing unit (LCU). Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill (TECBF) and SonicFill (SF) were studied. Using MARC-RC, the irradiance delivered to the top surface of the samples 2, 3, 4 and 5 mm thick (n= 5 for each thickness) was adjusted to 800 mW/cm2 for 20 seconds (16 J/cm2) using either a single-wave, Bluephase or a dual-wave, Bluephase G2 LCUs. Light energy transmission through to the bottom surface of the specimens was measured at real time using MARC-RC. The Vickers hardness (VH) was determined using Vickers micro hardness tester and the VHratio was calculated. Data were analyzed using a general linear model in Minitab 16; α= 0.05. TECBF was more translucent than SF (P< 0.05). The mean VHratio was higher than 80% in 2, 3 and 4 mm increment thickness for both materials (except for 4 mm TECBF when cured with the dual-wave Bluephase G2). SF showed significantly higher VH ratio than TECBF at all different thickness levels (P< 0.05), except at the 2 mm level (P> 0.05). TECBF showed significantly greater VH ratio when cured with the single-wave Bluephase than when using the dual-wave Bluephase G2 (P< 0.05). The transmission of light energy through to the bottom surface and the VHratio are material dependent. Although TECBF is more translucent than SF, it showed lower VHratio compared to SF when cured with dual-wave Bluephase G2.

  14. Consumer preferences for the predictive genetic test for Alzheimer disease.

    PubMed

    Huang, Ming-Yi; Huston, Sally A; Perri, Matthew

    2014-04-01

    The purpose of this study was to assess consumer preferences for predictive genetic testing for Alzheimer disease in the United States. A rating conjoint analysis was conducted using an anonymous online survey distributed by Qualtrics to a general population panel in April 2011 in the United States. The study design included three attributes: Accuracy (40%, 80%, and 100%), Treatment Availability (Cure is available/Drug for symptom relief but no cure), and Anonymity (Anonymous/Not anonymous). A total of 12 scenarios were used to elicit people's preference, assessed by an 11-point scale. The respondents also indicated their highest willingness-to-pay (WTP) for each scenario through open-ended questions. A total of 295 responses were collected over 4 days. The most important attribute for the aggregate model was Accuracy, contributing 64.73% to the preference rating. Treatment Availability and Anonymity contributed 20.72% and 14.59%, respectively, to the preference rating. The median WTP for the highest-rating scenario (Accuracy 100%, a cure is available, test result is anonymous) was $100 (mean = $276). The median WTP for the lowest-rating scenario (40% accuracy, no cure but drugs for symptom relief, not anonymous) was zero (mean = $34). The results of this study highlight attributes people find important when making the hypothetical decision to obtain an AD genetic test. These results should be of interests to policy makers, genetic test developers and health care providers.

  15. No improvement in serological response among serofast latent patients retreated with benzathine penicillin.

    PubMed

    Ren, Rong-Xin; Wang, Lin-Na; Zheng, He-Yi; Li, Jun

    2016-01-01

    Persistent non-treponemal titres after treatment are common among patients with latent syphilis. Although retreatment is often done in clinical practice, optimal management remains uncertain due to the paucity of data regarding serological response to retreatment and long-term outcomes. We compared the serological responses of serofast latent syphilis patients retreated with 7.2 million units of benzathine penicillin with the responses of patients who did not receive retreatment (control group). We retrospectively analysed the serological response to therapy following retreatment of 35 serofast latent syphilis patients at 12 months with benzathine penicillin 2.4 million units weekly for 3 weeks. In all, 74.3% (26/35) of the cases with latent syphilis who failed to achieve serological cure at 12 months after initial therapy achieved serological cure after retreatment and after an additional 12 months of follow-up. However, statistically similar serological cure rate was observed in 80.0% (28/35) of the control group (p > .05). Our findings illustrate no improvement in serological response among serofast latent patients retreated with three doses of benzathine penicillin. © The Author(s) 2015.

  16. Depth of cure of resin composites: is the ISO 4049 method suitable for bulk fill materials?

    PubMed

    Flury, Simon; Hayoz, Stefanie; Peutzfeldt, Anne; Hüsler, Jürg; Lussi, Adrian

    2012-05-01

    To evaluate if depth of cure D(ISO) determined by the ISO 4049 method is accurately reflected with bulk fill materials when compared to depth of cure D(new) determined by Vickers microhardness profiles. D(ISO) was determined according to "ISO 4049; Depth of cure" and resin composite specimens (n=6 per group) were prepared of two control materials (Filtek Supreme Plus, Filtek Silorane) and four bulk fill materials (Surefil SDR, Venus Bulk Fill, Quixfil, Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill) and light-cured for either 10s or 20s. For D(new), a mold was filled with one of the six resin composites and light-cured for either 10 s or 20 s (n=22 per group). The mold was placed under a microhardness indentation device and hardness measurements (Vickers hardness, VHN) were made at defined distances, beginning at the resin composite that had been closest to the light-curing unit (i.e. at the "top") and proceeding toward the uncured resin composite (i.e. toward the "bottom"). On the basis of the VHN measurements, Vickers hardness profiles were generated for each group. D(ISO) varied between 1.76 and 6.49 mm with the bulk fill materials showing the highest D(ISO). D(new) varied between 0.2 and 4.0 mm. D(new) was smaller than D(ISO) for all resin composites except Filtek Silorane. For bulk fill materials the ISO 4049 method overestimated depth of cure compared to depth of cure determined by Vickers hardness profiles. Copyright © 2012 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. [A brief history of treatments for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia].

    PubMed

    Leverger, Guy; Baruchel, André; Schaison, Gérard

    2009-10-01

    Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is the most frequent childhood malignancy. The first effective drugs, which provided only short-lived complete remission, started to be used in the 1950s. All the effective drugs currently in use were discovered in the 1960s, when the first multidrug chemotherapy regimens were shown to confer prolonged complete remission, raising the possibility of a cure. Simultaneously, progress in our knowledge of leukaemic cells, and the identification of prognostic factors such as leukocytosis, age, cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities, and the early therapeutic response of leukaemic cells, led to randomized multicenter national and international trials. As a result, the chance of cure increased gradually over the last three decades. In rich countries, the overall survival rate among children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia now reaches 85 to 90%.

  18. Perspectives on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Cure: HIV Persistence in Tissue.

    PubMed

    Boritz, Eli A; Douek, Daniel C

    2017-03-15

    The uneven anatomic distribution of cell subsets that harbor human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) during antiretroviral therapy (ART) complicates investigation of the barriers to HIV cure. Here we propose that while previous studies done largely in blood cells have led to important investigations into HIV latency, other important mechanisms of HIV persistence during ART may not be readily apparent in the bloodstream. We specifically consider as an example the question of ongoing HIV replication during ART. We discuss how growing understanding of key anatomic sanctuaries for the virus can inform future experiments aimed at further clarifying this issue. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America 2017. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.

  19. Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of salicylic acid and cryotherapy for cutaneous warts. An economic decision model.

    PubMed

    Thomas, K S; Keogh-Brown, M R; Chalmers, J R; Fordham, R J; Holland, R C; Armstrong, S J; Bachmann, M O; Howe, A H; Rodgers, S; Avery, A J; Harvey, I; Williams, H C

    2006-08-01

    To estimate the costs of commonly used treatments for cutaneous warts, as well as their health benefits and risk. To create an economic decision model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of these treatments, and, as a result, assess whether a randomised controlled trial (RCT) would be feasible and cost-effective. Focus groups, structured interviews and observation of practice. Postal survey sent to 723 patients. A recently updated Cochrane systematic review and published cost and prescribing data. Primary and secondary data collection methods were used to inform the development of an economic decision model. Data from the postal survey provided estimates of the effectiveness of wart treatments in a primary care setting. These estimates were compared with outcomes reported in the Cochrane review of wart treatment, which were largely obtained from RCTs conducted in secondary care. A decision model was developed including a variety of over-the-counter (OTC) and GP-prescribed treatments. The model simulated 10,000 patients and adopted a societal perspective. OTC treatments were used by a substantial number of patients (57%) before attending the GP surgery. By far the most commonly used OTC preparation was salicylic acid (SA). The results of the economic model suggested that of the treatments prescribed by a GP, the most cost-effective treatment was SA, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of 2.20 pound/% cured. The ICERs for cryotherapy varied widely (from 1.95 to 7.06 pound/% cured) depending on the frequency of applications and the mode of delivery. The most cost-effective mode of delivery was through nurse-led cryotherapy clinics (ICER = 1.95 pound/% cured) and this could be a cost-effective alternative to GP-prescribed SA. Overall, the OTC therapies were the most cost-effective treatment options. ICERs ranged from 0.22 pound/% cured for OTC duct tape and 0.76 pound/% cured for OTC cryotherapy to 1.12 pound/% cured for OTC SA. However, evidence in support of OTC duct tape and OTC cryotherapy is very limited. Side-effects were commonly reported for both SA and cryotherapy, particularly a burning sensation, pain and blistering. Cryotherapy delivered by a doctor is an expensive option for the treatment of warts in primary care. Alternative options such as GP-prescribed SA and nurse-led cryotherapy clinics provide more cost-effective alternatives, but are still expensive compared with self-treatment. Given the minor nature of most cutaneous warts, coupled with the fact that the majority spontaneously resolve in time, it may be concluded that a shift towards self-treatment is warranted. Although both duct tape and OTC cryotherapy appear promising new self-treatment options from both a cost and an effectiveness perspective, more research is required to confirm the efficacy of these two methods of wart treatment. If these treatments are shown to be as cost-effective as or more cost-effective than conventional treatments, then a shift in service delivery away from primary care towards more OTC treatment is likely. A public awareness campaign would be useful to educate patients about the self-limiting nature of warts and the possible alternative OTC treatment options available. Two future RCTs are recommended for consideration: a trial of SA compared with nurse-led cryotherapy in primary care, and a trial of home treatments. Greater understanding of the efficacy of these home treatments will give doctors a wider choice of treatment options, and may help to reduce the overall demand for cryotherapy in primary care.

  20. Paul Ehrlich: pioneer of chemotherapy and cure by arsenic (1854-1915).

    PubMed Central

    Thorburn, A L

    1983-01-01

    Paul Ehrlich's experiments in staining techniques at the end of the nineteenth century resulted in many discoveries which help to form the basis of present research work. Ehrlich's chemotherapy research led to his formulating the arsenic compound, Salvarsan, which was used in the treatment of syphilis during the first half of this century until it was superseded by penicillin. Images PMID:6196079

  1. Influence of power density on the setting behaviour of light-cured glass-ionomer cements monitored by ultrasound measurements.

    PubMed

    Tonegawa, Motoka; Yasuda, Genta; Chikako, Takubo; Tamura, Yukie; Yoshida, Takeshi; Kurokawa, Hiroyasu; Miyazaki, Masashi

    2009-07-01

    To monitor the influence of the power density of the curing unit on the setting behaviour of light-cured glass-ionomer cements (LCGICs) using ultrasound measurements. The ultrasound equipment comprised a pulser-receiver, transducers and an oscilloscope. The LCGICs used were Fuji II LC, Fuji II LC EM and Fuji Filling LC. The cements were mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions and then inserted into a transparent mould. The specimens were placed on the sample stage and cured with power densities of 0 (no irradiation), 200 or 600 mW/cm(2). The transit time through the cement disk was divided by the specimen thickness and then the longitudinal ultrasound velocity (V) within the material was obtained. Analysis of variance and Tukey's Honestly Significantly Different test were used to compare the V values between the set cements. When the LCGICs were light-irradiated, each curve displayed an initial plateau at approximately 1500 m/s and then rapidly increased to a second plateau at approximately 2600 m/s. The rate of increase of V was retarded when the cements were light-irradiated with a power density of 200 mW/cm(2) than with a power density of 600 mW/cm(2). Although sonic echoes were detected from the beginning of the measurements, the rates of increase of the sonic velocity were relatively slow when the cement was not light-irradiated. The ultrasound device monitored the setting processes of LCGICs accurately based on the longitudinal V. The polymerization behaviour of LCGICs was shown to be affected by the power density of the curing unit.

  2. Light emitting diode package element with internal meniscus for bubble free lens placement

    DOEpatents

    Tarsa, Eric; Yuan, Thomas C.; Becerra, Maryanne; Yadev, Praveen

    2010-09-28

    A method for fabricating a light emitting diode (LED) package comprising providing an LED chip and covering at least part of the LED chip with a liquid encapsulant having a radius of curvature. An optical element is provided having a bottom surface with at least a portion having a radius of curvature larger than the liquid encapsulant. The larger radius of curvature portion of the optical element is brought into contact with the liquid encapsulant. The optical element is then moved closer to the LED chip, growing the contact area between said optical element and said liquid encapsulant. The liquid encapsulant is then cured. A light emitting diode comprising a substrate with an LED chip mounted to it. A meniscus ring is on the substrate around the LED chip with the meniscus ring having a meniscus holding feature. An inner encapsulant is provided over the LED chip with the inner encapsulant having a contacting surface on the substrate, with the meniscus holding feature which defines the edge of the contacting surface. An optical element is included having a bottom surface with at least a portion that is concave. The optical element is arranged on the substrate with the concave portion over the LED chip. A contacting encapsulant is included between the inner encapsulant and optical element.

  3. Effect of monomer composition of polymer matrix on flexural properties of glass fibre-reinforced orthodontic archwire.

    PubMed

    Ohtonen, J; Vallittu, P K; Lassila, L V J

    2013-02-01

    To compare force levels obtained from glass fibre-reinforced composite (FRC) archwires. Specifically, FRC wires were compared with polymer matrices having different dimethacrylate monomer compositions. FRC material (E-glass provided by Stick Tech Ltd, Turku, Finland) with continuous unidirectional glass fibres and four different types of dimethacrylate monomer compositions for the resin matrix were tested. Cross-sectionally round FRC archwires fitting into the 0.3 mm slot of a bracket were divided into 16 groups with six specimens in each group. Glass fibres were impregnated by the manufacturer, and they were initially light-cured by hand light-curing unit or additionally post-cured in light-curing oven. The FRC archwire specimens were tested at 37°C according to a three-point bending test in dry and wet conditions using a span length of 10 mm and a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/minute. The wires were loaded until final failure. The data were statistically analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The dry FRC archwire specimens revealed higher load values than water stored ones, regardless of the polymer matrix. A majority of the FRC archwires showed higher load values after being post-cured. ANOVA revealed that the polymer matrix, curing method, and water storage had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on the flexural behaviour of the FRC archwire. Polymer matrix composition, curing method, and water storage affected the flexural properties and thus, force level and working range which could be obtained from the FRC archwire.

  4. Acceptability of HIV cure-related trials: the challenges for physicians and people living with HIV (ANRS-APSEC).

    PubMed

    Preau, Marie; Doumergue, Marjolaine; Protiere, Christel; Goujard, Cécile; Mora, Marion; Meyer, Laurence; Lelievre, Jean-Daniel; Raffi, François; Spire, Bruno; Lambotte, Olivier; Suzan-Monti, Marie

    2018-07-01

    Essential HIV cure-related clinical trials (HCRCT) have a potentially high-risk profile in terms of participants' health, which could hinder enrollment by people living with HIV (PLWH) and healthcare professionals (HP). The ANRS-APSEC survey is part of the IAS "Towards an HIV cure" initiative, which promotes multidisciplinary research for a safe, affordable and scalable cure. The study objectives were to understand the psychosocial mechanisms underlying PLWH and HP viewpoints about future HCRCT. Six focus group discussions (three with PLWH (n = 21) and three with HP (n = 30)) were held in three French infectious disease units. From these, three perspectives on HCRCT were identified. The first involved beliefs and knowledge associating HCRCT with poorer health and quality of life for PLWH. The second concerned perceptions of HCRCT as a biological and epidemiological flashback to a situation when HIV infection was left uncontrolled. The third was characterized by aspects of historical HIV culture that embrace innovation.

  5. "We Need to Deploy Them Very Thoughtfully and Carefully": Perceptions of Analytical Treatment Interruptions in HIV Cure Research in the United States-A Qualitative Inquiry.

    PubMed

    Dubé, Karine; Evans, David; Dee, Lynda; Sylla, Laurie; Taylor, Jeff; Skinner, Asheley; Weiner, Bryan J; Greene, Sandra B; Rennie, Stuart; Tucker, Joseph D

    2018-01-01

    Strategies to control HIV in the absence of antiretroviral therapy are needed to cure HIV. However, such strategies will require analytical treatment interruptions (ATIs) to determine their efficacy. We investigated how U.S. stakeholders involved in HIV cure research perceive ATIs. We conducted 36 in-depth interviews with three groups of stakeholders: 12 people living with HIV, 11 clinician-researchers, and 13 policy-makers/bioethicists. Qualitative data revealed several themes. First, there was little consensus on when ATIs would be ethically warranted. Second, the most frequent perceived hypothetical motivators for participating in research on ATIs were advancing science and contributing to society. Third, risks related to viral rebound were the most prevalent concerns related to ATIs. Stakeholders suggested ways to minimize the risks of ATIs in HIV cure research. Increased cooperation between scientists and local communities may be useful for minimizing risk. Further ethics research is necessary.

  6. Influence of power density and primer application on polymerization of dual-cured resin cements monitored by ultrasonic measurement.

    PubMed

    Takubo, Chikako; Yasuda, Genta; Murayama, Ryosuke; Ogura, Yukari; Tonegawa, Motoka; Kurokawa, Hiroyasu; Miyazaki, Masashi

    2010-08-01

    We used ultrasonic measurements to monitor the influence of power density and primer application on the polymerization reaction of dual-cured resin cements. The ultrasonic equipment comprised a pulser-receiver, transducers, and an oscilloscope. Resin cements were mixed and inserted into a transparent mould, and specimens were placed on the sample stage, onto which the primer, if used, was also applied. Power densities of 0 (no irradiation), 200, or 600 mW cm(-2) were used for curing. The transit time through the cement disk was divided by the specimen thickness to obtain the longitudinal sound velocity. When resin cements were light-irradiated, each curve displayed an initial plateau of approximately 1,500 m s(-1), which rapidly increased to a second plateau of 2,300-2,900 m s(-1). The rate of sound velocity increase was retarded when the cements were light-irradiated at lower power densities, and increased when the primer was applied. The polymerization behaviour of dual-cured resin cements was therefore shown to be affected by the power density of the curing unit and the application of self-etching primer. (c) 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation (c) 2010 Eur J Oral Sci.

  7. Posaconazole treatment for Apophysomyces elegans rhino-orbital zygomycosis following trauma for a male with well-controlled diabetes.

    PubMed

    Ferguson, T D; Schniederjan, S D; Dionne-Odom, J; Brandt, M E; Rinaldi, M G; Nolte, F S; Langston, A; Zimmer, S M

    2007-05-01

    We report a case of rhino-orbital zygomycosis in a 43-year-old male with well-controlled diabetes mellitus. The patient initially received liposomal amphotericin B, but the infection continued to progress, so posaconazole treatment was begun and eventually led to the cure of his infection. The causative agent was identified as Apophysomyces elegans, an emerging cause of zygomycosis in immunocompetent hosts.

  8. High efficiency environmental sampling with UV-cured peelable coatings (aka NuGoo project)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Henzl, Vladimir; Junghans, Sylvia Ann; Lakis, Rollin Evan

    This report presents slides on CA Related Project (FY13-17); Environmental sampling by IAEA (not only) during CA; Decontamination gels; Cotton swipes vs. decon gel (FY15); Contamination removal study; The origins of the NuGoo; NuGoo – proof of concept; NuGoo – FY17 project ($250K); LED lamp – which one works and why; Selecting photoinitiator; Monomers and oligomers; Results.

  9. Setting up low-risk bone marrow transplantation for children with thalassemia may facilitate pediatric cancer care.

    PubMed

    Faulkner, Lawrence B

    2013-07-01

    In many South Asian countries there is shortage of centers providing care for pediatric malignancies. This report describes the experience of the Cure2Children Foundation (C2C) in supporting, both financially and professionally, the startup of two bone marrow transplant (BMT) centers, one in Pakistan and one in India, for the cure of transfusion-dependent thalassemia. Even though transplantation is generally considered as a more complex and advanced step relatively to basic pediatric cancer care, the authors argue that BMT for low-risk thalassemia patients with a matched sibling is a relatively simple procedure amenable to focused training. Since 2008 the C2C, an Italian Nongovernmental Organization (NGO), has supported a BMT network in Pakistan. The primary aim of this project was to assess feasibility, outcomes, and costs of matched-related BMT for thalassemia in young low-risk children employing a well established and quite tolerable strategy employed in Italy. This initiative relied primarily on focused training and task-shift strategies within a structured cooperation program. The initial success of that strategy led to its replication in India with 100 total BMTs performed over the past 4 years, 91 of which were for thalassemia major. Low-risk matched-related BMT in children younger than 5 years could deliver a 92% thalassemia-free survival with 100% performance score and no extensive chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD), for an average cost of 10,000 USD per BMT. Within an existing hospital facility, 50,000 USD were sufficient to renovate and fully equip a 2-3 bedded start up BMT unit capable of performing safe low-risk compatible marrow transplantation. In low resource settings matched-related low-risk BMT for thalassemia can be performed with outcomes comparable to richer countries and with a fraction of the costs. Within structured and intensive cooperation, good outcomes can be obtained from the very beginning. This observation may have important implications to increase access to cure for both nonmalignant and malignant.

  10. Resin cement color stability and its influence on the final shade of all-ceramics.

    PubMed

    Kilinc, Evren; Antonson, Sibel A; Hardigan, Patrick C; Kesercioglu, Atilla

    2011-07-01

    Adhesive resin cements may go through internal discoloration, which may show-through and affect the appearance of translucent all-ceramic restorations. This in vitro study evaluated the amount of resin cement color change and its effect on the final shade of the all-ceramics. Three different resin cements in both light and dual-cure forms were included in the study (Nexus-2/Kerr; Appeal/Ivoclar Vivadent; Calibra/Dentsply). All resin cements contained veneered (IPS Empress Esthetic, ETC1 shade, 20 mm × 1 mm ingot discs) and uncovered groups (n=10/group), all luted on white backgrounds (acetalpolyoxymethylene/Delrin(®)). Curing was performed according to ISO standards with a calibrated LED curing-light (Flashlite 1401). Samples were stored in 37°C distilled water at dark. Spectrophotometric baseline color measurements (Color Eye 7000A) were performed from the samples' top surfaces at 24h (D65 illuminator). Samples were subjected to 65 h of accelerated ageing (Atlas Ci4000). Further color measurements from the same areas were recorded in CIEL*a*b* coordinates where a ΔE data above 3 was accepted as visible discoloration (OptiviewLite-1.9software). Statistical analysis was performed using a nested random effects model and Tukey's post hoc analysis. Light-cure groups showed better color stability in all three resins but only in Appeal resin cement, the dual-cure group discolored significantly more (p<0.001). More discoloration was recorded on uncovered cement groups that represented the exposed cement at the margins. There was no visible color change (ΔE>3) through the ceramic surface on any veneered group. All resin cements showed varying degrees of discoloration after accelerated ageing however their actual color change was partially masked by the ceramic. Dual-cure resin cements may affect aesthetics on restoration margins if directly exposed. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. Influence of light intensity on surface free energy and dentin bond strength of core build-up resins.

    PubMed

    Shimizu, Y; Tsujimoto, A; Furuichi, T; Suzuki, T; Tsubota, K; Miyazaki, M; Platt, J A

    2015-01-01

    We examined the influence of light intensity on surface free energy characteristics and dentin bond strength of dual-cure direct core build-up resin systems. Two commercially available dual-cure direct core build-up resin systems, Clearfil DC Core Automix with Clearfil Bond SE One and UniFil Core EM with Self-Etching Bond, were studied. Bovine mandibular incisors were mounted in acrylic resin and the facial dentin surfaces were wet ground on 600-grit silicon carbide paper. Adhesives were applied to dentin surfaces and cured with light intensities of 0 (no irradiation), 200, 400, and 600 mW/cm(2). The surface free energy of the adhesives (five samples per group) was determined by measuring the contact angles of three test liquids placed on the cured adhesives. To determine the strength of the dentin bond, the core build-up resin pastes were condensed into the mold on the adhesive-treated dentin surfaces according to the methods described for the surface free energy measurement. The resin pastes were cured with the same light intensities as those used for the adhesives. Ten specimens per group were stored in water maintained at 37°C for 24 hours, after which they were shear tested at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/minute in a universal testing machine. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a Tukey-Kramer test were performed, with the significance level set at 0.05. The surface free energies of the adhesive-treated dentin surfaces decreased with an increase in the light intensity of the curing unit. Two-way ANOVA revealed that the type of core build-up system and the light intensity significantly influence the bond strength, although there was no significant interaction between the two factors. The highest bond strengths were achieved when the resin pastes were cured with the strongest light intensity for all the core build-up systems. When polymerized with a light intensity of 200 mW/cm(2) or less, significantly lower bond strengths were observed. CONClUSIONS: The data suggest that the dentin bond strength of core build-up systems are still affected by the light intensity of the curing unit, which is based on the surface free energy of the adhesives. On the basis of the results and limitations of the test conditions used in this study, it appears that a light intensity of >400 mW/cm(2) may be required for achieving the optimal dentin bond strength.

  12. Physical, chemical and antimicrobial evaluation of a composite material containing quaternary ammonium salt for braces cementation.

    PubMed

    Sugii, Mari Miura; Ferreira, Fábio Augusto de Souza; Müller, Karina Cogo; Lima, Debora Alves Nunes Leite; Groppo, Francisco Carlos; Imasato, Hidetake; Rodrigues-Filho, Ubirajara Pereira; Aguiar, Flávio Henrique Baggio

    2017-04-01

    The antibiofilm effect of iodide quaternary ammonium methacryloxy silicate (IQAMS) in Transbond XT Light Cure Adhesive resin used for braces cementation was evaluated. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed IQAMS formation and Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled to Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) revealed that as coating, the quaternary ammonium groups from IQAMS were homogeneously dispersed throughout the surface. When incorporated, the composite material presented homogeneous dispersion throughout the resin. Assays with Streptococcus mutans demonstrated enhanced antibiofilm effect for the IQAMS coated resin, with much lower colony-forming units (CFU), in comparison to incorporated IQAMS. Such a difference was assigned to low availability of quaternary ammonium groups at the surface of resin when IQAMS was incorporated, hindering its antibiofilm effect. Additionally, the incorporation of IQAMS led to slight decrease in ultimate bond strength (UBS) and shear bond strength (SBS), in comparison to the neat commercial resin. Thus, the synthesized IQAMS displays great potential as antibiofilm coating or sealant to prevent oral infections in brackets during orthodontic treatment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. Treatment of Giardiasis

    PubMed Central

    Gardner, Timothy B.; Hill, David R.

    2001-01-01

    Giardia lamblia is both the most common intestinal parasite in the United States and a frequent cause of diarrheal illness throughout the world. In spite of its recognition as an important human pathogen, there have been relatively few agents used in therapy. This paper discusses each class of drugs used in treatment, along with their mechanism of action, in vitro and clinical efficacy, and side effects and contraindications. Recommendations are made for the preferred treatment in different clinical situations. The greatest clinical experience is with the nitroimidazole drugs, i.e., metronidazole, tinidazole, and ornidazole, which are highly effective. A 5- to 7-day course of metronidazole can be expected to cure over 90% of individuals, and a single dose of tinidazole or ornidazole will cure a similar number. Quinacrine, which is no longer produced in the United States, has excellent efficacy but may be poorly tolerated, especially in children. Furazolidone is an effective alternative but must be administered four times a day for 7 to 10 days. Paromomycin may be used during early pregnancy, because it is not systematically absorbed, but it is not always effective. Patients who have resistant infection can usually be cured by a prolonged course of treatment with a combination of a nitroimidazole with quinacrine. PMID:11148005

  14. Influence of curing times on the effectiveness of treatments with acetic acid on the control of P. digitatum on lemons.

    PubMed

    Venditti, T; D'Hallewin, G; Dore, A; Molinu, M G

    2011-01-01

    The restricted number of postharvest fungicides used in packing houses is leading to the selection of resistant strains of Penicillium digitatum (citrus green mould), one of the most common and serious pathogens during storage and marketing of lemons. Furthermore a growing concern for human health and a greater awareness for environmental conservation have multiplied the studies on new ecological technologies. Among the alternatives to synthetic postharvest fungicides, the use of acetic acid (classified as GRAS) together with a physical method such as curing, have led to encouraging results. In the present study is reported the combined use of curing, performed at reduced times compared to those reported to be effective, followed by acetic acid (AAC) treatments. Lemons of the variety "Limone di Massa" artificially inoculated with P. digitatum at a concentration of 10(4) spores/mL were cured for 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours and then treated with three different concentrations of AAC (25, 50 and 75 microL/L) for 15 min. Fruit was then stored at 20 degrees C and 80% relative humidity (RH) for 9 days, when the number of decayed fruits was monitored. The same combined treatments were also carried out on naturally infected lemons, stored for 6 or 8 weeks at 5 degrees C and 90% RH. After 9 days of storage the lowest percentage of infected wounds, in artificially inoculated fruit, was 0% after 6 hours of curing followed by AAC fumigation performed at 50 microL/L, while lemons untreated or cured for three hours showed the worst results with 71.4 and 61.9% of rotted fruit respectively. In naturally infected lemons the best results were achieved with curing performed for 24 hours followed by AAC fumigation at 50 microL/L. In these cases the combined treatment reduced decay by the 91.0 and 66.5% after 6 or 8 weeks of storage respectively, if compared to untreated fruit. The weight loss was not affected by any of the treatments. These results show that a good control of green mould during storage could be achieved, on lemon fruit, by combining a reduced curing time of 24 hours to the effect of AAC. The best results were obtained after 6 week of storage even if a satisfactory control was observed after 8 weeks of storage.

  15. Colon cancer

    MedlinePlus

    Colorectal cancer; Cancer - colon; Rectal cancer; Cancer - rectum; Adenocarcinoma - colon; Colon - adenocarcinoma; Colon carcinoma ... In the United States, colorectal cancer is one of the leading ... to cancer. Early diagnosis can often lead to a complete cure. ...

  16. Chemical curing in alkyd paints: an evaluation via FT-IR and NMR spectroscopies.

    PubMed

    Bartolozzi, G; Marchiafava, V; Mirabello, V; Peruzzini, M; Picollo, M

    2014-01-24

    A study aimed at determining the time necessary for an alkyd paint to attain chemical curing is presented. In particular, the object of our investigation was an oil paint made by Winsor & Newton, namely French ultramarine (PB29) in the Griffin Alkyd "fast drying oil colour" series. Using this paint, we prepared several mock-ups on glass. These were left in the laboratory at room temperature in a piece of furniture with glass doors for a total of 70 days. Samples were taken at different times, and the changes in their composition were monitored by means of FT-IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopic analyses. Since the cross-linking reactions involved in the formation of the pictorial film mainly affect the amount of carbon-carbon double bonds, we monitored the decrease in allyl, diallyl and vinyl protons and carbons. The data obtained from the use of both techniques led us to conclude that, in our particular experimental conditions, the chemical curing of the paint layer is reached within the first 70 days, thus establishing the beginning of the ageing phenomena. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  17. Effect of progressive reduction in crude protein and lysine of heavy pigs diets on some technological properties of green hams destined for PDO dry-cured ham production.

    PubMed

    Gallo, Luigi; Dalla Bona, Mirco; Carraro, Luca; Cecchinato, Alessio; Carnier, Paolo; Schiavon, Stefano

    2016-11-01

    In order to investigate the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) and lysine (Lys) content on some technological properties of green hams destined for Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) dry-cured ham, green hams visual appraisal scores, thickness, iodine number and fatty acid composition of subcutaneous fat, and ham weight losses during seasoning (SL) were assessed. The green hams were obtained from 233 pigs fed four diets containing 140 to 110g/kg CP and 6.5 to 5.3g/kg total Lys from 90 to 165kg body weight. A reduction in dietary CP and Lys of up to 20% compared with conventional feeds led to a 15% increase in the thickness of the subcutaneous fat, a 5% decrease in linoleic and polyunsaturated fatty acids in subcutaneous fat and a 7% decrease in SL. A 20% reduction of CP and Lys in diets for finishing pigs has positive effects on the technological properties of green hams destined for PDO dry-cured ham production. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. Light energy attenuation through orthodontic ceramic brackets at different irradiation times.

    PubMed

    Santini, Ario; Tiu, Szu Hui; McGuinness, Niall J P; Aldossary, Mohammed Saeed

    2016-09-01

    To evaluate the total light energy (TLE) transmission through three types of ceramic brackets with, bracket alone and with the addition of orthodontic adhesive, at different exposure durations, and to compare the microhardness of the cured adhesive. Three different makes of ceramic brackets, Pure Sapphire(M), Clarity™ ADVANCED(P) and Dual Ceramic(P) were used. Eighteen specimens of each make were prepared and allocated to three groups (n = 6). MARC(®)-resin calibrator was used to determine the light curing unit (LCU) tip irradiance (mW/cm(2)) and TLE (J/cm(2)) transmitted through the ceramic brackets, and through ceramic bracket plus Transbond™ XT Light Cure Adhesive, for 5, 10 and 20 s. Vickers-hardness values at the bottom of the cured adhesive were determined. Statistical analysis used one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA); P = 0.05. TLE transmission rose significantly among all samples with increasing exposure durations. TLE reaching the adhesive- enamel interface was less than 10 J/cm(2), and through monocrystalline and polycrystalline ceramic brackets was significantly different (P < 0.05). Pure Sapphire(M) showed the highest amount of TLE transmission and Vickers-hardness values for 5, 10 and 20 s. Following manufacturer's recommendations, insufficient TLE may be delivered to the adhesive: increasing the exposure durations may be required when adhesive is cured through ceramic brackets. Clinicians are advised to measure the tip irradiance of their LCUs and increase curing time beyond 5 s. Orthodontic clinicians should understand the type of light curing device and the orthodontic adhesive used in their practice.

  19. Authentic Science in Education: Studies in Course-Based Research at the United States Military Academy

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Chase, Anthony M.

    2016-01-01

    This dissertation consists of two studies at the United States Military Academy. Both studies involve the use of Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs). These experiences give students the ability to engage in undergraduate research at an early point in their academic career by replacing traditional laboratory activities with…

  20. Analysis of the Spanish CCR5-∆32 inventory of cord blood units: lower cell counts in homozygous donors.

    PubMed

    Enrich, Emma; Vidal, Francisco; Sánchez-Gordo, Francisco; Gómez-Zumaquero, Juan M; Balas, Antonio; Rudilla, Francesc; Barea, Luisa; Castro, Ana; Larrea, Luis; Perez-Vaquero, Miguel A; Prat, Isidro; Querol, Sergio; Garrido, Gregorio; Matesanz, Rafael; Carreras, Enric; Duarte, Rafael F

    2018-02-06

    The possibility to use CCR5-∆32 umbilical cord blood to cure HIV infection in patients in need of a hematopoietic transplant has been suggested. The less stringent HLA compatibility needed in this type of transplant facilitates the search of a suitable donor having the CCR5-∆32 mutation. To achieve an inventory of CCR5-∆32 cord blood units, the 20,236 best cell quality units of the Spanish Registry were genotyped. Furthermore, their CD34 + and total nucleated cells counts, blood type, gender, HLA and donor's geographical and ancestral origin were analyzed. The results showed 130 (0.64%) units homozygous for the deletion, 2,646 (13.08%) heterozygous and 17,460 (86.28%) did not present the mutation. Interestingly, a significant lower amount of CD34 + cells was found in the CCR5-∆32 homozygous units. In addition, a significant association was found among donor's ancestral origin and the mutation, with a higher percentage of CCR5-∆32 units with a European ancestry. In summary, identification of a relatively high number of CCR5-∆32 units is feasible and will facilitate the development of clinical trials for HIV cure in patients requiring hematopoietic transplantation. Further studies are required to understand the significance of lower cell counts within the CCR5-∆32 homozygous group and its clinical impact.

  1. Field Demonstration of Enhanced Sorbent Injection for Mercury Control

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Shin Kang; Robert Schrecengost

    2009-01-07

    Alstom Power Inc. has conducted a DOE/NETL-sponsored program (under DOE Cooperative Agreement No. DE-FC26-04NT42306) to demonstrate Mer-Cure{trademark}, one of Alstom's mercury control technologies for coal-fired boilers. Mer-Cure{trademark} utilizes a small amount of Mer-Clean{trademark} sorbent that is injected into the flue gas stream for oxidation and adsorption of gaseous mercury. Mer-Clean{trademark} sorbents are carbon-based and prepared with chemical additives that promote oxidation and capture of mercury. Mer-Cure{trademark} is unique in that the sorbent is injected into an environment where the mercury capture kinetics is accelerated. This full-scale demonstration program was comprised of three seven-week long test campaigns at three host sites including PacifiCorp's 240-MW{sub e} Dave Johnston Unit No.3 burning a Powder River Basin (PRB) coal, Basin Electric's 220-MW{sub e} Leland Olds Unit No.1 burning a North Dakota lignite, and Reliant Energy's 170-MW{sub e} Portland Unit No.1 burning an Eastern bituminous coal. All three boilers are equipped with electrostatic precipitators. The goals for this Round 2 program, established by DOE/NETL under the original solicitation, were to reduce the uncontrolled mercury emissions by 50 to 70% at a cost 25 to 50% lower than the previous target ofmore » $$60,000/lb mercury removed. The results for all three host sites indicated that Mer-Cure{trademark} technology could achieve mercury removal of 90%. The estimated mercury removal costs were 25-92% lower than the benchmark of $$60,000/lb mercury removed. The estimated costs for control, at sorbent cost of $1.25 to $2.00/lb respectively, are as follows: (1) Dave Johnston Unit No.3--$2,650 to $4,328/lb Hg removed (92.8% less than $60k/lb); (2) Leland Olds Unit No.1--$8,680 to $13,860/lb Hg removed (76.7% less than $60k/lb); and (3) Portland Unit No.1--$28,540 to $45,065/lb Hg removed (24.9% less than $60k/lb). In summary, the results from demonstration testing at all three host sites show that the goals established by DOE/NETL were exceeded during this test program. Mercury removal performance4 of greater than 90% reduction was above the 50-70% reduction goal, and mercury removal cost of 25-92% lower than the benchmark was above the 25 to 50% cost reduction goal.« less

  2. Peritonitis remains the major clinical complication of peritoneal dialysis: the London, UK, peritonitis audit 2002-2003.

    PubMed

    Davenport, Andrew

    2009-01-01

    Over the past two decades, the rate of peritonitis in patients treated by peritoneal dialysis (PD) has been significantly reduced. However, peritonitis remains a major complication of PD, accounting for considerable mortality and hospitalization among PD patients. To compare the outcome of peritonitis in a large unselected group of PD patients with that from single-center and selected groups. We audited the outcome of peritonitis in PD patients attending the 12 PD units in the Thames area in 2002 and 2003. There were 538 patients on continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD) and 325 patients on automated PD (APD) and/or continuous cycling PD (CCPD) at the end of 2002, and 635 CAPD and 445 APD/CCPD patients at the end of 2003. There were 1467 episodes of PD peritonitis during the 2-year period, including 129 recurrent episodes, with the average number of months between peritonitis episodes being 14.7 for CAPD and 18.1 for APD/CCPD, p < 0.05. However there was considerable variation between units. Coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CoNS) was the most common cause, accounting for around 30% of all peritonitis episodes, including recurrences, followed by non-pseudomonas gram negatives and Staphylococcus aureus. Cure rates were 77.2% for CoNS, 46.6% for S. aureus, and 7.7% for methicillin-resistant S. aureus. The cure rate for pseudomonas was 21.4%, and other gram negatives 56.7%. In total, there were 351 episodes of culture-negative peritonitis, with an average cure rate of 76.9%. Cure rates were higher for those centers that used a combination of intraperitoneal gentamicin and cephalosporins than those centers that used oral-based regimes. A total of 296 PD catheters were removed as a direct consequence of PD peritonitis: 121 due to gram-positive and 123 due to gram-negative organisms. Only 49 catheters were reinserted and the patients returned to PD. 52 patients died during or subsequent to their episode of PD peritonitis, with an overall mortality rate of 3.5%. This audit showed that, in a large unselected population of PD patients, the incidence of peritonitis was significantly greater than that reported in single-center short-term studies, and varied from unit to unit. Similarly, the success of treating PD peritonitis varied not only with the cause of the infection but also from unit to unit. PD peritonitis remains a major cause of patients discontinuing PD and switching to hemodialysis.

  3. 19 CFR 12.21 - Licensed establishments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... Treatment of Man § 12.21 Licensed establishments. The bringing into the United States for sale, barter, or... cure of diseases or injuries of man is prohibited unless such virus, serum, toxin, antitoxin, or other...

  4. Isolation and characterization of Pediococcus halophilus from salted anchovies (Engraulis anchoita).

    PubMed Central

    Villar, M; de Ruiz Holgado, A P; Sanchez, J J; Trucco, R E; Oliver, G

    1985-01-01

    The presence of bacteria in salted anchovies during and at the end of the curing process was investigated. Attempts to isolate bacteria under aerobic or anaerobic conditions led to the isolation of only bacteria of the genus Pediococcus which were identified as Pediococcus halophilus. The isolates correspond to a rather heterogeneous group in which some of the members differ in some biochemical tests from the types described in the literature. PMID:3994370

  5. Posaconazole Treatment for Apophysomyces elegans Rhino-Orbital Zygomycosis following Trauma for a Male with Well-Controlled Diabetes▿

    PubMed Central

    Ferguson, T. D.; Schniederjan, S. D.; Dionne-Odom, J.; Brandt, M. E.; Rinaldi, M. G.; Nolte, F. S.; Langston, A.; Zimmer, S. M.

    2007-01-01

    We report a case of rhino-orbital zygomycosis in a 43-year-old male with well-controlled diabetes mellitus. The patient initially received liposomal amphotericin B, but the infection continued to progress, so posaconazole treatment was begun and eventually led to the cure of his infection. The causative agent was identified as Apophysomyces elegans, an emerging cause of zygomycosis in immunocompetent hosts. PMID:17344359

  6. Development of informational-communicative system, created to improve medical help for family medicine doctors.

    PubMed

    Smiianov, Vladyslav A; Dryha, Natalia O; Smiianova, Olha I; Obodyak, Victor K; Zudina, Tatyana O

    2018-01-01

    Introduction: Today mobile health`s protection service has no concrete meaning. As an research object it was called mHealth and named by Global observatory of electronic health`s protection as "Doctor and social health practice that can be supported by any mobile units (mobile phones or smartphones), units for patient`s health control, personal computers and other units of non-wired communication". An active usage of SMS in programs for patients` cure regimen keeping was quiet predictable. Mobile and electronic units only begin their development in medical sphere. Thus, to solve all health`s protection system reformation problems a special memorandum about cooperation in creating E-Health system in Ukraine was signed. The aim: Development of ICS for monitoring and non-infection ill patients` informing system optimization as a first level of medical help. Materials and methods: During research, we used systematical approach, meta-analysis, informational-analytical systems` schemes projection, expositive modeling. Developing the backend (server part of the site), we used next technologies: 1) the Apache web server; 2) programming language PHP; 3) Yii 2 PHP Framework. In the frontend developing were used the following technologies (client part of the site): 1) Bootstrap 3; 2) Vue JS Framework. Results and conclusions: Created duo-channel system "doctor-patient" and "patient-doctor" will allow usual doctors of family medicine (DFM) take the interactive dispensary cure and avoid uncontrolled illness progress. Doctor will monitor basic physical data of patient`s health and curing process. The main goal is to create automatic system to allow doctor regularly write periodical or non-periodical notifications, get patients` questioning answers and spread information between doctor and patient; that will optimize work of DFMs.

  7. Changes in degree of conversion and microhardness of dental resin cements.

    PubMed

    Yan, Yong Li; Kim, Young Kyung; Kim, Kyo-Han; Kwon, Tae-Yub

    2010-01-01

    There are few studies available on the post-light activation or post-mix polymerization of dental resin cements as a function of time. This in vitro study evaluated the successive changes in the degree of conversion (DC) and microhardness during polymerization of six commercial resin cements (light-cured [Choice 2, RelyX Veneer], chemical-cured [Multilink, C&B Cement] and dual-cured [Calibra, RelyX ARC]) within the first 24 hours and up to seven days. Resin specimens were prepared for Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and microhardness testing to determine the DC and Vickers hardness (VH), respectively. The light-cured materials or mixed pastes of the dual-cured materials were irradiated with a light-curing unit (Elipar TriLight) through a precured composite overlay for 40 seconds. The FTIR spectra and microhardness readings were taken at specified times: 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 30 and 60 minutes; 24 hours and after two days and seven days. According to the FTIR study, most of the curing reaction of Choice 2 and RelyX Veneer occurred within 10 and 30 minutes, respectively. Multilink, C&B Cement and Calibra exhibited gradual increases in the DC up to 24 hours, with no further statistically significant increase (p > 0.05). RelyX ARC attained a DC value within five minutes, similar to that at seven days (p > 0.05). Choice 2 and RelyXARC showed gradual increases in the VH, up to 15 minutes, with no further significant change over the remaining observation time (p > 0.05). For RelyX Veneer, Multilink, C&B Cement and Calibra, there were no significant increases in the VH value after 24 hours (p > 0.05). The light-cured materials produced significantly higher DC values than the chemical-cured materials (p < 0.05). The DC values of the two dual-cured resin cements were significantly different from each other (p < 0.001). The results suggest that the significant polymerization reaction was finished within 24 hours post-mix or post-light activation for all resin cements tested.

  8. Thermo-cured glass ionomer cements in restorative dentistry.

    PubMed

    Gorseta, Kristina; Glavina, Domagoj

    2017-01-01

    Numerous positive properties of glass ionomer cements including biocompatibility, bioactivity, releasing of fluoride and good adhesion to hard dental tissue even under wet conditions and easy of handling are reasons for their wide use in paediatric and restorative dentistry. Their biggest drawbacks are the weaker mechanical properties. An important step forward in improving GIC's features is thermo-curing with the dental polymerization unit during setting of the material. Due to their slow setting characteristics the GIC is vulnerable to early exposure to moisture. After thermo curing, cements retain all the benefits of GIC with developed better mechanical properties, improved marginal adaptation, increased microhardness and shear bond strength. Adding external energy through thermocuring or ultrasound during the setting of conventional GIC is crucial to achieve faster and better initial mechanical properties. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm these findings.

  9. Evaluation of an LED (Light-Emitting Diode) high-mounted signal lamp

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Olson, P. L.

    1987-02-01

    Two studies are described evaluating high-mounted stoplights using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) compared with conventional incandescent units. The first of these studies obtained ratings from subjects who drove one car and followed another car that was equipped with the test lamps. The results indicate that the subjects generally preferred the LEDs to the conventional lamp. The second study was a laboratory evaluation of the attention-getting capabilities of LED and incandescent stoplights. Under all conditions tested subjects responded faster to the LED units. The response time advantage for the LED units increased with more difficult viewing conditions, such as high levels of illumination and long viewing distance. The results of these investigations are discussed in terms of the applicability of the LED technology to high mounted stoplights on motor vehicles.

  10. Thoracic endometriosis with catamenial haemoptysis and pneumothorax: computed tomography findings and long-term follow-up after danazol treatment

    PubMed Central

    Suwatanapongched, Thitiporn; Boonsarngsuk, Viboon; Amornputtisathaporn, Naparat; Leelachaikul, Paisan

    2015-01-01

    Thoracic endometriosis (TE) is an uncommon disorder affecting women of childbearing age. We herein report clinical and thin-section computed tomography (CT) findings of two cases, in which one woman presented with catamenial haemoptysis (CH) alone and another woman presented with bilateral catamenial pneumothoraces (CP) coinciding with CH, a rare manifestation of TE. The dynamic changes demonstrated on thin-section chest CT performed during and after menses led to accurate localisation and presumptive diagnosis of TE in both patients. Following danazol treatment, the patient with CH alone had a complete cure, while the patient with CP and CH had an incomplete cure and required long-term danazol treatment. We discuss the role of imaging studies in TE, with an emphasis on the appropriate timing and scanning technique of chest CT in women presenting with CH, potential mechanisms, treatment and patient outcomes. PMID:26243981

  11. On the history of biological theories of homosexuality.

    PubMed

    Herrn, R

    1995-01-01

    Biological theories of homosexuality fit into the discourse on reproduction and sexuality that began in the nineteenth century. They arose in the context of the early homosexual rights movement, with its claim for natural rights, and the psychiatric discussions about sexual perversions. With the classification of homosexuality as a distinct category, homosexuals were excluded from the "normal". Biological theories of homosexuality were attempts not only to explain its causes, but also to maintain the exclusion of homosexuals as the "other". Biological explanations can be categorized as genetic, constitutional, endocrinological, and ethological. On the one hand, biological theories were used in the struggle for homosexual rights. On the other hand, they were used to "cure"e homosexuals. Every theory led to a specific therapy. This paper points out the roots of this thinking, traces the development of various theories, and shows the utilization of biological theories in treating homosexuality.

  12. Manufacture of fiber-epoxy test specimens: Including associated jigs and instrumentation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mathur, S. B.; Felbeck, D. K.

    1980-01-01

    Experimental work on the manufacture and strength of graphite-epoxy composites is considered. The correct data and thus a true assessment of the strength properties based on a proper and scientifically modeled test specimen with engineered design, construction, and manufacture has led to claims of a very broad spread in optimized values. Such behavior is in the main due to inadequate control during manufacture of test specimen, improper curing, and uneven scatter in the fiber orientation. The graphite fibers are strong but brittle. Even with various epoxy matrices and volume fraction, the fracture toughness is still relatively low. Graphite-epoxy prepreg tape was investigated as a sandwich construction with intermittent interlaminar bonding between the laminates in order to produce high strength, high fracture toughness composites. The quality and control of manufacture of the multilaminate test specimen blanks was emphasized. The dimensions, orientation and cure must be meticulous in order to produce the desired mix.

  13. Effects of marketing group on the quality of fresh and cured hams sourced from a commercial processing facility.

    PubMed

    Arkfeld, E K; Wilson, K B; Overholt, M F; Harsh, B N; Lowell, J E; Hogan, E K; Klehm, B J; Bohrer, B M; Kroscher, K A; Peterson, B C; Stites, C R; Mohrhauser, D A; King, D A; Wheeler, T L; Dilger, A C; Shackelford, S D; Boler, D D

    2016-12-01

    The objective was: 1) to characterize the effect of marketing group on fresh and cured ham quality, and 2) to determine which fresh ham traits correlated to cured ham quality traits. Pigs raised in 8 barns representing 2 seasons (hot and cold) and 2 production focuses (lean and quality) were used. Three groups were marketed from each barn. A total of 7,684 carcasses were used for data collection at the abattoir. Every tenth carcass was noted as a select carcass for in-depth ham quality analyses. Leg primal weight and instrumental color were measured on 100% of the population. On the select 10% of the population, hams were fabricated into sub-primal pieces, and 3-piece hams were manufactured to evaluate cured ham quality and processing yield. Data were analyzed as a split-plot design in the MIXED procedure of SAS with production focus as the whole-plot factor, and marketing group as the split-plot factor. Pearson correlation coefficients between fresh and cured ham traits were computed. There were no differences ( ≥ 0.15) in instrumental color or ultimate pH ( ≥ 0.14) among fresh ham muscles from any marketing group. The only exception was the semimembranosus of marketing group 2 was lighter than marketing group 1 ( = 0.03) and the dark portion of the semitendinosus muscle from group 1 was lighter than from group 3 ( = 0.01). There were no differences ( ≥ 0.33) in ultimate pH of fresh ham muscles between production focuses, but several muscles from quality focus pigs were lighter in color than ham muscles from lean focus pigs. The lack of differences in fresh ham quality lead to few differences in cured ham quality. Cured hams from the quality focus pigs had greater lipid content ( < 0.01) than hams from lean focus pigs. Cured lightness values of hams from marketing group 1 and 2 were 1.52 units lighter than hams from marketing group 3 ( 0.01). Overall, marketing group did not impact ham quality. Fresh ham quality was not strongly related to cured ham quality. Some correlations were present between fresh and cured ham traits, but those relationships were likely not strong enough to be used as a sorting tool for fresh hams to generate high quality cured hams.

  14. Degree of conversion and bond strength of resin-cements to feldspathic ceramic using different curing modes.

    PubMed

    Novais, Veridiana Resende; Raposo, Luís Henrique Araújo; Miranda, Rafael Resende de; Lopes, Camila de Carvalho Almança; Simamoto, Paulo Cézar; Soares, Carlos José

    2017-01-01

    The aim of this study was to assess the performance of resin cements when different curing modes are used, by evaluating the degree of conversion and bond strength to a ceramic substrate. Three resin cements were evaluated, two dual-cured (Variolink II and RelyX ARC) and one light-cured (Variolink Veneer). The dual-cured resin cements were tested by using the dual activation mode (base and catalyst) and light-activation mode (base paste only). For degree of conversion (DC) (n=5), a 1.0 mm thick feldspathic ceramic disc was placed over the resin cement specimens and the set was light activated with a QTH unit. After 24 h storage, the DC was measured with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). For microshear bond strength testing, five feldspathic ceramic discs were submitted to surface treatment, and three cylindrical resin cement specimens were bonded to each ceramic surface according to the experimental groups. After 24 h, microshear bond testing was performed at 0.5 mm/min crosshead speed until the failure. Data were submitted to one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey test (p<0.05). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for classifying the failure modes. Higher DC and bond strength values were shown by the resin cements cured by using the dual activation mode. The Variolink II group presented higher DC and bond strength values when using light-activation only when compared with the Variolink Veneer group. The base paste of dual-cured resin cements in light-activation mode can be used for bonding translucent ceramic restorations of up to or less than 1.0 mm thick.

  15. Effect of proteolysis index level on instrumental adhesiveness, free amino acids content and volatile compounds profile of dry-cured ham.

    PubMed

    Pérez-Santaescolástica, C; Carballo, J; Fulladosa, E; Garcia-Perez, José V; Benedito, J; Lorenzo, J M

    2018-05-01

    Defective textures in dry-cured ham are a common problem that causes important economic losses in the ham industry. An increase of proteolysis during the dry-cured ham processing may lead to high adhesiveness and consumer rejection of the product. Therefore, the influence of proteolysis index (PI) on instrumental adhesiveness, free amino acids and volatile profile of dry-cured ham was assessed. Two hundred Spanish dry-cured ham units were firstly classified according to their PI: low PI (<32%), medium PI (32-36%) and high PI (>36%). Instrumental adhesiveness was affected by PI, showing the lowest values in the batch with low PI. Significant differences (P < 0.05) among groups were found in six amino acids: serine, taurine, cysteine, methionine, isoleucine and leucine. The content of leucine, serine, methionine, and isoleucine significantly (P < 0.05) increased as the proteolysis index rose. However, taurine and cysteine content showed an opposite behaviour, reaching the highest values in the dry-cured hams with low PI. Significant differences (P < 0.001) in the total content of volatile compounds among ham groups were observed, with the highest concentration in the batch with low PI, and decreasing the concentration as the PI increased. Regarding the different chemical families of volatiles, the hydrocarbons (the main family), alcohols, aldehydes, ketones and acids were more abundant in the hams showing the lowest PI. Esters did not show significant differences among the three batches of hams studied. The present study demonstrated that, apart from the effect on the adhesiveness, an excessive proteolysis seems to be associated with negative effects on the taste and aroma of the dry-cured ham. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Rocket Tablet,

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1984-09-12

    not accustomed to Chinese food, he ran off directly to the home of the Mayor of Beijing and requested two Western cuisine cooks from a hotel. At the...played out by our Chinese sons and daughters of ancient times. The famous Han dynasty general Li Guang was quickly cured of disease and led an army...Union) of China. This place was about to become the birthplace of the Chinese people’s first rocket baby. Section One In this eternal wasteland called

  17. Meeting Future C3I (Command-Control-Communications-Intelligence) Needs with Fiber Optics,

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1985-05-01

    Frequency dependence of the sensitivity of fibers with hard coatings is relatively small. Nylon gives the weakest dependence, while the soft UV -cured...elastomer gives the strongest. Maximum sensitivity is obtained with Teflon TFE, while the minimum is achieved with the soft UV coating. With the latter...fiber-optics systems: the LED (Light Emitting Diode) and ILD (Injection Laser Diode). These devices emit light when an electric current is applied. The

  18. Composite sandwich structure and method for making same

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Magurany, Charles J. (Inventor)

    1995-01-01

    A core for a sandwich structure which has multi-ply laminate ribs separated by voids is made as an integral unit in one single curing step. Tooling blocks corresponding to the voids are first wrapped by strips of prepreg layup equal to one half of each rib laminate so a continuous wall of prepreg material is formed around the tooling blocks. The wrapped tooling blocks are next pressed together laterally, like tiles, so adjoining walls from two tooling blocks are joined. The assembly is then cured by conventional methods, and afterwards the tooling blocks are removed so voids are formed. The ribs can be provided with integral tabs forming bonding areas for face sheets, and face sheets may be co-cured with the core ribs. The new core design is suitable for discrete ribcores used in space telescopes and reflector panels, where quasiisotropic properties and zero coefficient of thermal expansion are required.

  19. Finding a cure for HIV: will it ever be achievable?

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has led to a major reduction in HIV-related mortality and morbidity. However, HIV still cannot be cured. With the absence of an effective prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine, increasing numbers of infected people, emerging new toxicities secondary to cART and the need for life-long treatment, there is now a real urgency to find a cure for HIV. There are currently multiple barriers to curing HIV. The most significant barrier is the establishment of a latent or "silent" infection in resting CD4+ T cells. In latent HIV infection, the virus is able to integrate into the host cell genome, but does not proceed to active replication. As a consequence, antiviral agents, as well as the immune system, are unable to eliminate these long-lived, latently infected cells. Reactivation of latently infected resting CD4+ T cells can then re-establish infection once cART is stopped. Other significant barriers to cure include residual viral replication in patients receiving cART, even when the virus is not detectable by conventional assays. In addition, HIV can be sequestered in anatomical reservoirs, such as the brain, gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary tract. Achieving either a functional cure (long-term control of HIV in the absence of cART) or a sterilizing cure (elimination of all HIV-infected cells) remains a major challenge. Several studies have now demonstrated that treatment intensification appears to have little impact on latent reservoirs. Some potential and promising approaches that may reduce the latent reservoir include very early initiation of cART and the use of agents that could potentially reverse latent infection. Agents that reverse latent infection will promote viral production; however, simultaneous administration of cART will prevent subsequent rounds of viral replication. Such drugs as histone deacetylase inhibitors, currently used and licensed for the treatment of some cancers, or activating latently infected resting cells with cytokines, such as IL-7 or prostratin, show promising results in reversing latency in vitro when used either alone or in combination. In order to move forward toward clinical trials that target eradication, there needs to be careful consideration of the risks and benefits of these approaches, agreement on the most informative endpoints for eradication studies and greater engagement of the infected community. PMID:21255462

  20. Mechanical Properties and Fatigue Behavior of Unitized Composite Airframe Structures at Elevated Temperature

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-09-01

    investigated. The unitized composite consisted of a polymer matrix composite (PMC) co-cured with a ceramic matrix composite (CMC). The PMC portion...ply non- crimp 3D orthogonal weave composite consisting of a ceramic matrix reinforced with glass fibers. In order to assess the performance and...2.3 Ceramic Matrix Composites ...................................................................................5  2.4 2D vs 3D Reinforcement

  1. Beginning an action research project to investigate the feasibility of a midwife-led normal birthing unit in China.

    PubMed

    Mander, Rosemary; Cheung, Ngai Fen; Wang, Xiaoli; Fu, Wei; Zhu, Junghong

    2010-02-01

    To explore issues arising during preliminary stages of a research project in order to consider the feasibility of a midwife-led normal birthing unit in mainland China. Midwife-led normal birthing units, as a route to ensuring normality, have become a feature of western maternity care, but are unknown in China. Action research, using a qualitative descriptive approach, was performed. Data were collected at meetings, by non-participant observation and by face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Observation was undertaken in the midwife-led normal birthing unit and a standard care setting. Data analysis was by thematic analysis using constant comparison techniques. In the labour ward of a large general hospital in a major city, stakeholders included midwifery staff, managers, university staff and researchers. Childbearing women proved keen to use this service, but were unable to participate in the planning. The midwife-led normal birthing unit sought to provide one-to-one care in labour and support by a birth companion. Routine interventions were to be avoided. The midwives in the midwife-led normal birthing unit created a more suitable environment for supportive care. The midwives demonstrated high-quality communication skills. The woman's choice of position/mobility was limited. Difficulties with staffing were identified. The preliminary findings suggest that continuation of the project is feasible. The woman's role demonstrates passivity. The perception of staff shortage has serious implications. This action research project suggests that a study of a midwife-led normal birthing unit in China is feasible, with some attention to staffing issues.

  2. Alternative glues for the production of ATLAS silicon strip modules for the Phase-II upgrade of the ATLAS Inner Detector

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Poley, L.; Bloch, I.; Edwards, S.; Friedrich, C.; Gregor, I.-M.; Jones, T.; Lacker, H.; Pyatt, S.; Rehnisch, L.; Sperlich, D.; Wilson, J.

    2016-05-01

    The Phase-II upgrade of the ATLAS detector for the High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) includes the replacement of the current Inner Detector with an all-silicon tracker consisting of pixel and strip detectors. The current Phase-II detector layout requires the construction of 20,000 strip detector modules consisting of sensor, circuit boards and readout chips, which are connected mechanically using adhesives. The adhesive used initially between readout chips and circuit board is a silver epoxy glue as was used in the current ATLAS SemiConductor Tracker (SCT). However, this glue has several disadvantages, which motivated the search for an alternative. This paper presents a study of six ultra-violet (UV) cure glues and a glue pad for possible use in the assembly of silicon strip detector modules for the ATLAS upgrade. Trials were carried out to determine the ease of use, thermal conduction and shear strength. Samples were thermally cycled, radiation hardness and corrosion resistance were also determined. These investigations led to the exclusion of three UV cure glues as well as the glue pad. Three UV cure glues were found to be possible better alternatives than silver loaded glue. Results from electrical tests of first prototype modules constructed using these glues are presented.

  3. Mechanical, physical and tribological characterization of nano-cellulose fibers reinforced bio-epoxy composites: An attempt to fabricate and scale the 'Green' composite.

    PubMed

    Barari, Bamdad; Omrani, Emad; Dorri Moghadam, Afsaneh; Menezes, Pradeep L; Pillai, Krishna M; Rohatgi, Pradeep K

    2016-08-20

    The development of bio-based composites is essential in order to protect the environment while enhancing energy efficiencies. In the present investigation, the plant-derived cellulose nano-fibers (CNFs)/bio-based epoxy composites were manufactured using the Liquid Composite Molding (LCM) process. More specifically, the CNFs with and without chemical modification were utilized in the composites. The curing kinetics of the prepared composites was studied using both the isothermal and dynamic Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) methods. The microstructure as well as the mechanical and tribological properties were investigated on the cured composites in order to understand the structure-property correlations of the composites. The results indicated that the manufactured composites showed improved mechanical and tribological properties when compared to the pure epoxy samples. Furthermore, the chemically modified CNFs reinforced composites outperformed the untreated composites. The surface modification of the fibers improved the curing of the resin by reducing the activation energy, and led to an improvement in the mechanical properties. The CNFs/bio-based epoxy composites form uniform tribo-layer during sliding which minimizes the direct contact between surfaces, thus reducing both the friction and wear of the composites. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Comparative efficacy of continuous and pulse dose terbinafine regimes in toenail dermatophytosis: A randomized double-blind trial.

    PubMed

    Yadav, Pravesh; Singal, Archana; Pandhi, Deepika; Das, Shukla

    2015-01-01

    Dermatophytes are the most frequently implicated agents in toenail onychomycosis and oral terbinafine has shown the best cure rates in this condition. The pharmacokinetics of terbinafine favors its efficacy in pulse dosing. To compare the efficacy of terbinafine in continuous and pulse dosing schedules in the treatment of toenail dermatophytosis. Seventy-six patients of potassium hydroxide (KOH) and culture positive dermatophyte toenail onychomycosis were randomly allocated to two treatment groups receiving either continuous terbinafine 250 mg daily for 12 weeks or 3 pulses of terbinafine (each of 500 mg daily for a week) repeated every 4 weeks. Patients were followed up at 4, 8 and 12 weeks during treatment and post-treatment at 24 weeks. At each visit, a KOH mount and culture were performed. In each patient, improvement in a target nail was assessed using a clinical score; total scores for all nails and global assessments by physician and patient were also recorded. Mycological, clinical and complete cure rates, clinical effectivity and treatment failure rates were then compared. The declines in target nail and total scores from baseline were significant at each follow-up visit in both the treatment groups. However, the inter-group difference was statistically insignificant. The same was true for global assessment indices, clinical effectivity as well as clinical, mycological, and complete cure rates. The short follow-up in our study may have led to lower cure rates being recorded. Terbinafine in pulse dosing is as effective as continuous dosing in the treatment of dermatophyte toenail onychomycosis.

  5. The Operations Process

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-03-26

    important events receive the most attention. Ensures that absentees and flank units receive changes to the operation order. Transmits changes to them...York: Vintage Books, 1991. Fuller, J. F. C. Generalship: Its Diseases and Their Cure . Harrisburg, PA: Military Service Publishing Co., 1936

  6. 9 CFR 590.547 - Albumen flake process drying operations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... free of flies, insects, and rodents. (b) Drying units, racks, and trucks shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition. (c) Drying pans, trays, belts, scrapers, or curing racks, if used, shall be kept in a...

  7. Effect of energy density and delay time on the degree of conversion and Knoop microhardness of a dual resin cement.

    PubMed

    Mainardi, Maria do Carmo A J; Giorgi, Maria Cecília C; Lima, Débora A N L; Marchi, Giselle M; Ambrosano, Gláucia M; Paulillo, Luiz A M S; Aguiar, Flávio H B

    2015-02-01

    In the present study, we evaluated the influence of the photo-curing delay time and energy density on the degree of conversion and the Knoop microhardness of a resin cement. Seventy-eight samples were assigned to 13 groups (n = 6), one of which received no light curing (control). The samples were made of a dual-cured resin cement (RelyX ARC) with the aid of a Teflon matrix, submitted to one of the following energy densities (J/cm²): 7, 14, 20, and 28. Delay times were immediate (0), 1 min, or 2 min. After 24 h, the degree of conversion and microhardness were measured at three segments: cervical, medium, and apical. Data were submitted to three-way anova and Tukey's and Dunnett's tests, the latest of which was used to compare the control to the experimental groups. No interaction was observed between delay time and energy density regarding the degree of conversion. The cervical segment showed the highest values, while the apical showed the lowest. Microhardness values concerning the cervical segment in all groups were statistically different from that obtained for the control. A high-irradiance light-curing unit allows for a reduced irradiation exposure time with a short delay time, aimed at tooth restorations using a dual-cured resin cement. © 2014 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

  8. The economic value added (EVA) resulting from medical care of functional amblyopia, strabismus, (pathologies of binocular vision) and asthma.

    PubMed

    Beauchamp, Cynthia L; Felius, Joost; Beauchamp, George R

    2010-01-01

    Value analysis in health care calculates the economic value added (EVA) that results from improvements in health and health care. Our purpose was to develop an EVA model and to apply the model to typical and hypothetical (instantaneous and perfect) cures for amblyopia, surgical strabismus and asthma, as another, but non-ophthalmological disease standard for comparison, in the United States. The model is based on changes in utility and longevity, the associated incremental costs, and an estimate of the value of life. Univariate sensitivity analyses were performed to arrive at a plausible range of outcomes. For the United States, the EVA for current practice amblyopia care is 12.9B dollars (billion) per year, corresponding to a return on investment (ROI) of 10.4% per yr. With substantial increases in investment aimed at maximal improvement ("perfect cure"), the EVA is 32.7B per yr, with ROI of 5.3% per yr. The EVA for typical surgical strabismus care is 10.3B per yr. A perfect cure may yield EVA of 9.6B per yr. The EVA for asthma is 1317B per yr (ROI 20.4% per yr.., while a perfect cure may yield EVA of 110 B per yr. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated the relatively large effects of incidence, utility, and longevity, while incremental costs have a relatively minor effect on the EVA. The economic value added by improvements in patient-centered outcomes is very large. Failing to make the necessary investments in research, prevention, detection, prompt treatment and rehabilitation of these diseases, at virtually any conceivable cost, appears economically, medically, morally and ethically deficient and consequently wasteful at very least economically for our society.

  9. Fabrication of 3D nano-structures using reverse imprint lithography

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Han, Kang-Soo; Hong, Sung-Hoon; Kim, Kang-In; Cho, Joong-Yeon; Choi, Kyung-woo; Lee, Heon

    2013-02-01

    In spite of the fact that the fabrication process of three-dimensional nano-structures is complicated and expensive, it can be applied to a range of devices to increase their efficiency and sensitivity. Simple and inexpensive fabrication of three-dimensional nano-structures is necessary. In this study, reverse imprint lithography (RIL) with UV-curable benzylmethacrylate, methacryloxypropyl terminated poly-dimethylsiloxane (M-PDMS) resin and ZnO-nano-particle-dispersed resin was used to fabricate three-dimensional nano-structures. UV-curable resins were placed between a silicon stamp and a PVA transfer template, followed by a UV curing process. Then, the silicon stamp was detached and a 2D pattern layer was transferred to the substrate using diluted UV-curable glue. Consequently, three-dimensional nano-structures were formed by stacking the two-dimensional nano-patterned layers. RIL was applied to a light-emitting diode (LED) to evaluate the optical effects of a nano-patterned layer. As a result, the light extraction of the patterned LED was increased by about 12% compared to an unpatterned LED.

  10. Fabrication of 3D nano-structures using reverse imprint lithography.

    PubMed

    Han, Kang-Soo; Hong, Sung-Hoon; Kim, Kang-In; Cho, Joong-Yeon; Choi, Kyung-Woo; Lee, Heon

    2013-02-01

    In spite of the fact that the fabrication process of three-dimensional nano-structures is complicated and expensive, it can be applied to a range of devices to increase their efficiency and sensitivity. Simple and inexpensive fabrication of three-dimensional nano-structures is necessary. In this study, reverse imprint lithography (RIL) with UV-curable benzylmethacrylate, methacryloxypropyl terminated poly-dimethylsiloxane (M-PDMS) resin and ZnO-nano-particle-dispersed resin was used to fabricate three-dimensional nano-structures.UV-curable resins were placed between a silicon stamp and a PVA transfer template, followed by a UV curing process. Then, the silicon stamp was detached and a 2D pattern layer was transferred to the substrate using diluted UV-curable glue. Consequently, three-dimensional nano-structures were formed by stacking the two-dimensional nano-patterned layers. RIL was applied to a light-emitting diode (LED) to evaluate the optical effects of a nano-patterned layer. As a result, the light extraction of the patterned LED was increased by about 12% compared to an unpatterned LED.

  11. Deep ultraviolet light-emitting and laser diodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Khan, Asif; Asif, Fatima; Muhtadi, Sakib

    2016-02-01

    Nearly all the air-water purification/polymer curing systems and bio-medical instruments require 250-300 nm wavelength ultraviolet light for which mercury lamps are primarily used. As a potential replacement for these hazardous mercury lamps, several global research teams are developing AlGaN based Deep Ultraviolet (DUV) light emitting diodes (LEDs) and DUV LED Lamps and Laser Diodes over Sapphire and AlN substrates. In this paper, we review the current research focus and the latest device results. In addition to the current results we also discuss a new quasipseudomorphic device design approach. This approach which is much easier to integrate in a commercial production setting was successfully used to demonstrate UVC devices on Sapphire substrates with performance levels equal to or better than the conventional relaxed device designs.

  12. Best Performers Announced for the NCI-CPTAC DREAM Proteogenomics Computational Challenge | Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research

    Cancer.gov

    The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) is pleased to announce that teams led by Jaewoo Kang (Korea University), and Yuanfang Guan with Hongyang Li (University of Michigan) as the best performers of the NCI-CPTAC DREAM Proteogenomics Computational Challenge. Over 500 participants from 20 countries registered for the Challenge, which offered $25,000 in cash awards contributed by the NVIDIA Foundation through its Compute the Cure initiative.

  13. Generalship: Its Diseases and Their Cure. A Study of The Personal Factor in Command

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1936-03-01

    world- powers gave us quau- tity; now they are beginning to give us quality, motorization and mechanization, wbfeb in the end are as inevitable as the...Upped into a groove and became mate- riaIized. Mot increasing weapon- power alone, but the same factors which in in- dustry have led to a separation...special capacity for them, or to see that his plans were exe- cuted in accordance with his design and intention! Xo, his part was done; now he bad

  14. Stress evolution in solidifying coatings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Payne, Jason Alan

    The goal of this study is to measure, in situ, and control the evolution of stress in liquid applied coatings. In past studies, the stress in a coating was determined after processing (i.e., drying or curing). However, by observing a coating during drying or curing, the effects of processing variables (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, composition, etc.) on the stress state can be better determined. To meet the project goal, two controlled environment stress measurement devices, based on a cantilever deflection measurement principle, were constructed. Stress evolution experiments were completed for a number of coating systems including: solvent-cast homopolymers, tape-cast ceramics, aqueous gelatins, and radiation-cured multifunctional acrylates. In the majority of systems studied here, the final stresses were independent of coating thickness and solution concentration. Typical stress magnitudes for solvent-cast polymers ranged from zero to 18 MPa depending upon the pure polymer glass transition temperature (Tsb{g}), the solvent volatility, and additional coating components, such as plasticizers. Similar magnitudes and dependencies were observed in tape-cast ceramic layers. Stresses in gelatin coatings reached 50 MPa (due to the high Tsb{g} of the gelatin) and were highly dependent upon drying temperature and relative humidity. In contrast to the aforementioned coatings, stress in UV-cured tri- and tetrafunctional acrylate systems showed a large thickness dependence. For these materials, stress evolution rate and magnitude increased with photoinitiator concentration and with light intensity. Somewhat unexpectedly, larger monomer functionality led to greater stresses at faster rates even though the overall conversion fell. The stress magnitude and evolution rate at any stage in the solidification process are the result of a competition between shrinkage (due to drying, curing, etc.) and stress relaxation. A firm understanding of the mechanical, the thermal, and the microstructural properties of a coating is therefore necessary to properly study stress effects. Hence, observations from dynamic mechanical analysis, indentation, infrared spectroscopy, and optical microscopy were also studied in order to correlate coating properties (mechanical, thermal, and structural) to measured stresses.

  15. Chronic hepatitis B: Virology, natural history, current management and a glimpse at future opportunities.

    PubMed

    Gish, Robert G; Given, Bruce D; Lai, Ching-Lung; Locarnini, Stephen A; Lau, Johnson Y N; Lewis, David L; Schluep, Thomas

    2015-09-01

    The host immune system plays an important role in chronic hepatitis B (CHB), both in viral clearance and hepatocellular damage. Advances in our understanding of the natural history of the disease have led to redefining the major phases of infection, with the "high replicative, low inflammatory" phase now replacing what was formerly termed the "immune tolerant" phase, and the "nonreplicative phase" replacing what was formerly termed the "inactive carrier" phase. As opposed to the earlier view that HBV establishes chronic infection by exploiting the immaturity of the neonate's immune system, new findings on trained immunity show that the host is already somewhat "matured" following birth, and is actually very capable of responding immunologically, potentially altering future hepatitis B treatment strategies. While existing therapies are effective in reducing viral load and necroinflammation, often restoring the patient to near-normal health, they do not lead to a cure except in very rare cases and, in many patients, viremia rebounds after cessation of treatment. Researchers are now challenged to devise therapies that will eliminate infection, with a particular focus on eliminating the persistence of viral cccDNA in the nuclei of hepatocytes. In the context of chronic hepatitis B, new definitions of 'cure' are emerging, such as 'functional' and 'virological' cure, defined by stable off-therapy suppression of viremia and antigenemia, and the normalization of serum ALT and other liver-related laboratory tests. Continued advances in the understanding of the complex biology of chronic hepatitis B have resulted in the development of new, experimental therapies targeting viral and host factors and pathways previously not accessible to therapy, approaches which may lead to virological cures in the near term and functional cures upon long term follow-up. This article forms part of a symposium in Antiviral Research on "An unfinished story: from the discovery of the Australia antigen to the development of new curative therapies for hepatitis B." Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. A Novel Arch-Shape Nanogenerator Based on Piezoelectric and Triboelectric Mechanism for Mechanical Energy Harvesting

    PubMed Central

    Xue, Chenyang; Li, Junyang; Zhang, Qiang; Zhang, Zhibo; Hai, Zhenyin; Gao, Libo; Feng, Ruiting; Tang, Jun; Liu, Jun; Zhang, Wendong; Sun, Dong

    2014-01-01

    A simple and cost-effective approach was developed to fabricate piezoelectric and triboelectric nanogenerator (P-TENG) with high electrical output. Additionally, pyramid micro structures fabricated atop a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface were employed to enhance the device performance. Furthermore, piezoelectric barium titanate (BT) nanoparticles and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) were mixed in the PDMS film during the forming process. Meanwhile, the composition of the film was optimized to achieve output performance, and favorable toughness was achieved after thermal curing. An arch-shape ITO/PET electrode was attached to the upper side of the polarized composite film and an aluminum film was placed under it as the bottom electrode. With periodic external force at 20 Hz, electrical output of this P-TENG, reached a peak voltage of 22 V and current of 9 μA with a peak current density of 1.13 μA/cm2, which was six times that of the triboelectric generator without BT and MWCNT nanoparticles. The nanogenerator can be directly used to lighten 28 commercial light-emitting diodes (LEDs) without any energy storage unit or rectification circuit under human footfalls. PMID:28346997

  17. Cost and clinical consequence of antibiotic non-adherence in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.

    PubMed

    Sorensen, S V; Baker, T; Fleurence, R; Dixon, J; Roberts, C; Haider, S; Hughes, D

    2009-08-01

    To quantify the impact of non-adherence on the clinical effectiveness of antibiotics for acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB) and to estimate the economic consequences for Spain, Italy and the United States. Standard systematic reviewing procedures were followed to identify randomised controlled clinical trials of antibiotic treatment for acute respiratory tract infection for which adherence was reported. A decision-analytic model was then constructed to evaluate the impact of non-adherence to antibiotic treatment on clinical effectiveness and costs per AECB episode. The model compared the total treatment costs, cure rates and incremental costs per cure for a poor compliance group (PCG) against a good compliance group (GCG). Clinical and resource use estimates were from the published literature and physician surveys. Twenty-five articles met the criteria of the systematic review, although only one reported treatment success by adherence status. The relative risk of clinical effectiveness if non-adherent was 0.75 (95%CI 0.73-0.78). Based on this single study, the model predicted that 16-29% more patients would be cured in the GCG vs. the PCG, and payers would save up to euro122, euro179 and US$141 per AECB episode in Spain, Italy and the United States, respectively. Non-adherence to antibiotics for AECB may have an impact on clinical effectiveness, which is associated with increased costs.

  18. A novel recombinant Leishmania donovani p45, a partial coding region of methionine aminopeptidase, generates protective immunity by inducing a Th1 stimulatory response against experimental visceral leishmaniasis.

    PubMed

    Gupta, Reema; Kushawaha, Pramod K; Tripathi, Chandra Dev Pati; Sundar, Shyam; Dube, Anuradha

    2012-05-01

    The development of a vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis (VL) conferring long-lasting immunity remains a challenge. Identification and proteomic characterization of parasite proteins led to the detection of p45, a member of the methionine aminopeptidase family. To our knowledge the present study is the first known report that describes the molecular and immunological characterization of p45. Recombinant Leishmania donovani p45 (rLdp45) induced cellular responses in cured hamsters and generated Th1-type cytokines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of cured/endemic VL patients. Immunization with rLdp45 exerted considerable prophylactic efficacy (∼85%) supported by an increase in mRNA expression of iNOS, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-12 and decrease in TGF-β and IL-4, indicating its potential as a vaccine candidate against VL. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  19. Aseptic cure of pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis can be achieved after a previous subcutaneous immunization of susceptible but not resistant mice.

    PubMed

    Arruda, Celina; Vaz, Celidéia A C; Calich, Vera L G

    2007-05-01

    The murine model of paracoccidioidomycosis, the most important South American endemic mycosis, mimics the human disease: resistance is associated with preserved cellular immunity while T-cell anergy is related with susceptibility. In the present study we asked whether a previous s.c. infection which induces strong cellular immunity would protect mice against a lethal pulmonary challenge. It was found that susceptible but not resistant mice developed immunoprotection and aseptic cure of infection. Immunoprotection led to reversal of DTH anergy, increased levels of antibodies and pulmonary IL-12, IL-2 and IL-4 indicating a balanced type 1/type 2 response. On the contrary, no marked differences in A/Sn infection and immunity were observed. Depletion experiments showed that immunoprotection required the cooperative action of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in association with IFN-gamma and IL-12. Altogether, these observations demonstrated that susceptible hosts can develop sterilizing immunity and defined the main immunological requirements to control secondary paracoccidioidomycosis.

  20. From Composition to Cure: A Systems Engineering Approach to Anticancer Drug Carriers.

    PubMed

    MacEwan, Sarah R; Chilkoti, Ashutosh

    2017-06-06

    The molecular complexity and heterogeneity of cancer has led to a persistent, and as yet unsolved, challenge to develop cures for this disease. The pharmaceutical industry focuses the bulk of its efforts on the development of new drugs, but an alternative approach is to improve the delivery of existing drugs with drug carriers that can manipulate when, where, and how a drug exerts its therapeutic effect. For the treatment of solid tumors, systemically delivered drug carriers face significant challenges that are imposed by the pathophysiological barriers that lie between their site of administration and their site of therapeutic action in the tumor. Furthermore, drug carriers face additional challenges in their translation from preclinical validation to clinical approval and adoption. Addressing this diverse network of challenges requires a systems engineering approach for the rational design of optimized carriers that have a realistic prospect for translation from the laboratory to the patient. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  1. Temporal trends in long-term survival and cure rates in esophageal cancer: a SEER database analysis.

    PubMed

    Dubecz, Attila; Gall, Isabell; Solymosi, Norbert; Schweigert, Michael; Peters, Jeffrey H; Feith, Marcus; Stein, Hubert J

    2012-02-01

    To assess long-term temporal trends in population-based survival and cure rates in patients with esophageal cancer and compare them over the last 3 decades in the United States. We identified 62,523 patients with cancer of the esophagus and the gastric cardia diagnosed between 1973 and 2007 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Long-term cancer-related survival and cure rates were calculated. Stage-by-stage disease-related survival curves of patients diagnosed in different decades were compared. Influence of available variables on survival and cure was analyzed with logistic regression. Ten-year survival was 14% in all patients. Disease-related survival of esophageal cancer improved significantly since 1973. Median survival in Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results stages in local, regional, and metastatic cancers improved from 11, 10, and 4 months in the 1970s to 35, 15, and 6 months after 2000. Early stage, age 45 to 65 years at diagnosis and undergoing surgical therapy were independent predictors of 10-year survival. Cure rate improved in all stages during the study period and were 73%, 37%, 12%, and 2% in stages 0, 1, 2, and 4, respectively, after the year 2000. Percentage of patients undergoing surgery improved from 55% in the 1970s to 64% between 2000 and 2007. Proportion of patients diagnosed with in situ and local cancer remains below 30%. Long-term survival with esophageal cancer is poor but survival of local esophageal cancer improved dramatically over the decades. Complete cure of nonmetastatic esophageal cancer seems possible in a growing number of patients. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.

  2. Effect of post-curing treatment on mechanical properties of composite resins.

    PubMed

    Almeida-Chetti, Verónica A; Macchi, Ricardo L; Iglesias, María E

    2014-01-01

    The aim of this study is to assess the effect of additional curing procedures on the flexural strength and modulus of elasticity of indirect and direct composite materials. Twenty-four rectangular prism-shaped 2 mm x 2 mm x 25 mm samples of Belleglass, Premisa (Kerr), Adoro and Heliomolar (Ivoclar Vivadent) were prepared. Each composite was packed in an ad-hoc stainless steel device with a TeflonR instrument. A mylar strip and a glass slab were placed on top to obtain a flat surface. Polymerization was activated for 20 seconds with a halogen unit (Astralis 10, Ivoclar - Vivadent) with soft start regime and an output with a 350 to 1200 mw/cm2 range at four different points according to the diameter of the end of the guide. The specimens obtained were then randomly divided into two different groups: with and without additional treatment. In the group with additional treatment, the samples adorro were submitted to 25 minutes in Lumamat 100 (Ivoclar Vivadent) and the rest to 20 minutes in BelleGlass HP (Kerr). After the curing procedures, all samples were treated with sandpapers of decreasing grain size under water flow, and stored in distilled water for 24 h. Flexural strength was measured according to the ISO 404920 recommendations and elastic modulus was determined following the procedures of ANSI/ADA standard No. 27. Statistical differences were found among the different materials and curing procedures employed (P<0.01). The elastic modulus was significantly higher after the additional curing treatment for all materials except Premisa. Further work is needed to determine the association between the actual monomers present in the matrix and the effect of additional curing processes on the mechanical properties of both direct and indirect composites, and its clinical relevance.

  3. Curing of polymer thermosets via click reactions and on demand processes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Brei, Mark Richard

    In the first project, an azide functional resin and tetra propargyl aromatic diamines were fabricated for use as a composite matrix. These systems take already established epoxy/amine matrices and functionalize them with click moieties. This allows lower temperatures to be used in the production of a thermoset part. These new systems yield many better mechanical properties than their epoxy/amine derivatives, but their Tgs are low in comparison. The second project investigates the characterization of a linear system based off of the above azide functional resin and a difunctional alkyne. Through selectively choosing catalyst, the linear system can show regioselectivity to either a 1,4-disubstituted triazole, or a 1,5-disubstituted triazole. Without the addition of catalyst, the system produces both triazoles in almost an equal ratio. The differently catalyzed systems were cured and then analyzed by 1H and 13C NMR to better understand the structure of the material. The third project builds off of the utility of the aforementioned azide/alkyne system and introduces an on-demand aspect to the curing of the thermoset. With the inclusion of copper(II) within the azide/alkyne system, UV light is able to catalyze said reaction and cure the material. It has been shown that the copper(II) loading levels can be extremely small, which helps in reducing the copper's effect on mechanical properties The fourth project takes a look at polysulfide-based sealants. These sealants are normally cured via an oxidative reaction. This project took thiol-terminated polysulfides and fabricated alkene-terminated polysulfides for use as a thiol-ene cured material. By changing the mechanism for cure, the polysulfide can be cured via UV light with the use of a photoinitiator within the thiol/alkene polysulfide matrix. The final chapter will focus on a characterization technique, MALDI-TOF, which was used to help characterize the above materials as well as many others. By using MALDI-TOF, the researcher is able to elicit the molecular weight of the repeat unit and end group, which allows the determination of the polymer's structure. This technique can also determine the Mn and M w, as well as the PDI for each given polymer.

  4. The position of the Sociedad Española de Patología Digestiva on the current situation of hepatitis C management in Spain.

    PubMed

    Sociedad Española de Patología Digestiva

    2014-01-01

    The advent of direct-action antivirals telaprevir and boceprevir has entailed a radical change in the healing possibilities for patients with hepatitis C. This change has coincided with the emergence of highly robust evidence on the benefits of cure as regards increased overall survival, mainly brought about by a reduction in liver-related events in the long run. Therefore, a finite-in-time treatment is available that achieves very notable results both short- and long-term. Triple therapy, consisting of the association of one of these novel drugs with the previously standard regimen of pegylated interferon and ribavirin, has come in the setting of a financial crisis, which has led to restrict its use primarily for patients with advanced fibrosis. These patients--who need a cure the most--are those with the lowest healing rates and the commonest, most severe side effects. The time has then come to shift the aim point towards patients with less severe fibrosis, better cure rates, and fewer side effects where therapeutic intervention may prevent the development of significant liver disease. Despite record-time approval by the European Medicines Agency, various barriers--mainly at the Autonomic regional level--have delayed access to these therapies by our patients, thus giving rise to inequality situations. New oral therapies are now on the near horizon that will increase the numbers of patients eligible for treatment with fewer side effects and a higher cure rate. We hope that the lesson is learned and no such situation will be repeated. An Integrated National Action Plan Against Hepatitis C would be an essential tool for countering this disease.

  5. Effects of Laboratory Disinfecting Agents on Dimensional Stability of Three Commercially Available Heat-Cured Denture Acrylic Resins in India: An In-Vitro Study

    PubMed Central

    Jujare, Ravikanth Haridas; Varghese, Rana Kalappattil; Singh, Vishwa Deepak; Gaurav, Amit

    2016-01-01

    Introduction Dental professionals are exposed to a wide variety of microorganisms which calls for use of effective infection control procedures in the dental office and laboratories that can prevent cross-contamination that could extend to dentists, dental office staff, dental technicians as well as patients. This concern has led to a renewed interest in denture sterilization and disinfection. Heat polymerized dentures exhibit dimensional change during disinfection procedure. Aim The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of different types of widely used laboratory disinfecting agents on the dimensional stability of heat-cured denture acrylic resins and to compare the dimensional stability of three commercially available heat-cured denture acrylic resins in India. Materials and Methods Twelve specimens of uniform dimension each of three different brands namely Stellon, Trevalon and Acralyn-H were prepared using circular metal disc. Chemical disinfectants namely 2% alkaline glutaraldehyde, 1% povidone-iodine, 0.5% sodium hypochlorite and water as control group were used. Diameter of each specimen was measured before immersion and after immersion with time interval of 1 hour and 12 hours. The data was evaluated statistically using one way analysis of variance. Results All the specimens in three disinfectants and in water exhibited very small amount of linear expansion. Among three disinfectants, specimens in 2% alkaline glutaraldehyde exhibited least(0.005mm) and water showed highest (0.009mm) amount of dimensional change. Among resins, Trevalon showed least (0.067mm) and Acralyn-H exhibited highest (0.110mm) amount of dimensional change. Conclusion Although, all the specimens of three different brands of heat-cured denture acrylic resins exhibited increase in linear dimensional change in all the disinfectants and water, they were found to be statistically insignificant. PMID:27134996

  6. Preoperative octreotide therapy and surgery in acromegaly: associations between glucose homeostasis and treatment response.

    PubMed

    Helseth, R; Carlsen, S M; Bollerslev, J; Svartberg, J; Øksnes, M; Skeie, S; Fougner, S L

    2016-02-01

    In acromegaly, high GH/IGF-1 levels associate with abnormal glucose metabolism. Somatostatin analogs (SSAs) reduce GH and IGF-1 but inhibit insulin secretion. We studied glucose homeostasis in de novo patients with acromegaly and changes in glucose metabolism after treatment with SSA and surgery. In this post hoc analysis from a randomized controlled trial, 55 de novo patients with acromegaly, not using antidiabetic medication, were included. Before surgery, 26 patients received SSAs for 6 months. HbA1c, fasting glucose, and oral glucose tolerance test were performed at baseline, after SSA pretreatment and at 3 months postoperative. Area under curve of glucose (AUC-G) was calculated. Glucose homeostasis was compared to baseline levels of GH and IGF-1, change after SSA pretreatment, and remission both after SSA pretreatment and 3 months postoperative. In de novo patients, IGF-1/GH levels did not associate with baseline glucose parameters. After SSA pretreatment, changes in GH/IGF-1 correlated positively to change in HbA1c levels (both p < 0.03). HbA1c, fasting glucose, and AUC-G increased significantly during SSA pretreatment in patients not achieving hormonal control (all p < 0.05) but did not change significantly in patients with normalized hormone levels. At 3 months postoperative, HbA1c, fasting glucose, and AUC-G were significantly reduced in both cured and not cured patients (all p < 0.05). To conclude, in de novo patients with acromegaly, disease activity did not correlate with glucose homeostasis. Surgical treatment of acromegaly improved glucose metabolism in both cured and not cured patients, while SSA pretreatment led to deterioration in glucose homeostasis in patients not achieving biochemical control.

  7. Treatment of primary and secondary syphilis. Serological response.

    PubMed

    Fiumara, N J

    1980-06-27

    One hundred thirty-eight patients with primary syphillis and 161 patients with secondary syphilis were treated with penicillin G benzathine, 2.4 million units given intramuscularly weekly for two weeks, for a total of 4.8 million units. All 138 patients with primary syphilis had a rapid resolution of their lesions, and all became seronegative within one year. Similarly, the 161 patients with secondary syphilis were cured clinically, and all achieved seronegativity within 24 months.

  8. Meatcutting Workbook, Part 2.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    California State Dept. of Education, Sacramento. Bureau of Publications.

    This document is a workbook for apprentices learning the meatcutting trade in California. It is divided into eight units covering the following areas: breaking and cutting meat; jobbing; sausage, cured meats, and convenience foods; mathematics; meat packaging and handling; market operation; safety and sanitation; and workers' legal rights and…

  9. Perspectives: Concerns about Cancer Education.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Stronck, David R.

    1983-01-01

    Suggests teaching a unit on cancer in high school or introductory college courses for non-majors based on surveys of student interest and recommendations to teach prevention/cure of the disease. Discusses smoking, diet, and environmental factors as causes of cancer. Provides several instructional strategies, encouraging student…

  10. Results and analysis of saltstone cores taken from saltstone disposal unit cell 2A

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Reigel, M. M.; Hill, K. A.

    2016-03-01

    As part of an ongoing Performance Assessment (PA) Maintenance Plan, Savannah River Remediation (SRR) has developed a sampling and analyses strategy to facilitate the comparison of field-emplaced samples (i.e., saltstone placed and cured in a Saltstone Disposal Unit (SDU)) with samples prepared and cured in the laboratory. The primary objectives of the Sampling and Analyses Plan (SAP) are; (1) to demonstrate a correlation between the measured properties of laboratory-prepared, simulant samples (termed Sample Set 3), and the field-emplaced saltstone samples (termed Sample Set 9), and (2) to validate property values assumed for the Saltstone Disposal Facility (SDF) PA modeling. Themore » analysis and property data for Sample Set 9 (i.e. six core samples extracted from SDU Cell 2A (SDU2A)) are documented in this report, and where applicable, the results are compared to the results for Sample Set 3. Relevant properties to demonstrate the aforementioned objectives include bulk density, porosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity (SHC), and radionuclide leaching behavior.« less

  11. A method for improving the light intensity distribution in dental light-curing units.

    PubMed

    Arikawa, Hiroyuki; Takahashi, Hideo; Minesaki, Yoshito; Muraguchi, Kouichi; Matsuyama, Takashi; Kanie, Takahito; Ban, Seiji

    2011-01-01

    A method for improving the uniformity of the radiation light from dental light-curing units (LCUs), and the effect on the polymerization of light-activated composite resin are investigated. Quartz-tungsten halogen, plasma-arc, and light-emitting diode LCUs were used, and additional optical elements such as a mixing tube and diffusing screen were employed to reduce the inhomogeneity of the radiation light. The distribution of the light intensity from the light guide tip was measured across the guide tip, as well as the distribution of the surface hardness of the light-activated resin emitted with the LCUs. Although the additional optical elements caused 13.2-25.9% attenuation of the light intensity, the uniformity of the light intensity of the LCUs was significantly improved in the modified LCUs, and the uniformity of the surface hardness of the resin was also improved. Our results indicate that the addition of optical elements to the LCU may be a simple and effective method for reducing inhomogeneity in radiation light from the LCUs.

  12. Shuttle orbiter TPS flight repair kit development

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1979-01-01

    The design and application of a TPS repair kit is presented. The repair kit is designed for on orbit use by a crew member working in the manned maneuvering unit (MMU). The kit includes the necessary equipment and materials to accomplish the repair tasks which include the following: HRSI emittance coating repair, damaged tile repair, missing tile repair, and multiple tile repair. Two types of repair materials required to do the small area repair and the large area repair are described. The materials area cure in place, silicone base ablator for small damaged areas and precured ablator tile for repair of larger damaged areas is examined. The cure in place ablator is also used as an adhesive to bond the precured tiles in place. An applicator for the cure in place ablator, designed to contain a two-part silicon compound, mix the two components at correct ratio, and dispense the materials at rates compatible with mission timelines established for the EVA is described.

  13. Cytokine Release Assays as Tests for Exposure to Leishmania, and for Confirming Cure from Leishmaniasis, in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients.

    PubMed

    Carrillo, Eugenia; Carrasco-Antón, Nerea; López-Medrano, Francisco; Salto, Efrén; Fernández, Laura; San Martín, Juan Víctor; Alvar, Jorge; Aguado, Jose María; Moreno, Javier

    2015-01-01

    Spain has one of the world's largest pools of organ donors and is a global leader in terms of the number of transplants it performs. The current outbreak of leishmaniasis in Fuenlabrada (in the southwest of the region of Madrid, Spain) has involved 600 clinical cases since late 2009 (prevalence 0.2%). It may therefore be wise to monitor the town's transplanted population for Leishmania infantum; its members are immunosuppressed and at greater risk of infection and relapse following treatment. The present work examines the use of cytokine release assays to determine the prevalence of Leishmania infection in this population, and to confirm recovery following treatment for visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The humoral and cellular immune responses to L. infantum were characterized in 63 solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients from Fuenlabrada, 57 of whom reported no previous episode of VL (NVL subjects), and six of whom had been cured of VL (CVL subjects). Seventeen subjects (12 NVL and 5 CVL) showed a patent lymphoproliferative response to soluble Leishmania antigen (SLA). Stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures and of whole blood with SLA led to the production of different combinations of cytokines that might serve to confirm Leishmania infection or recovery from VL and help prevent cured patients from relapsing into this serious condition.

  14. Coating Characterization with the Quartz Crystal Microbalance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sturdy, Lauren F.

    The quartz crystal microbalance is a sensitive tool that can be used to measure the mass, modulus and phase angle of films of appropriate thicknesses. It is can be applied to systems with very varied properties, from liquid to solid, and under many different conditions. In this thesis its capabilities have been used to study the properties of several different systems of relevance to the coatings, art conservation, and rubber communities, in the process of which new techniques and tools were developed to analyze data and improve QCM data collection and experimental design. Alkyd resins, which have been used in artists' paints since the twentieth century, are the subject of the first studies. Alkyds are oil-modified polyesters. These resins are of interest because of their relatively recent use in art and how little is known of the mechanical properties in the early stages of cure. The QCM was shown to be sensitive to the curing process, changes in temperature, and mass change due to exposure to water. Kinetic studies during the first days of curing showed that the curing process can be divided into three regions. The first is dominated by solvent evaporation. In the second, oxygen absorption dominates and the mechanical properties change rapidly. The final stage extends from when the film is touch dry after about a day to years and is characterized by mass loss and continued increases in the modulus. Studying the curing at different temperatures revealed that the reactions do proceed much more rapidly at higher temperatures and an overall energy of activation was calculated for the curing process. The mechanical properties of alkyd resins containing zinc oxide, a white pigment, were studied with the QCM, nanoindentation and dynamic mechanical analysis. These measurements showed increases in the modulus with the inclusion of zinc oxide, and the QCM data showed that the second region started at earlier times as the pigment concentration was increased. Linseed oil is one of the starting materials for many alkyd resins and should cure similarly since the primary curing mechanisms are the same. It takes longer to cure than alkyds because it begins with no initial polymerization. Linseed oil was harder to study, as obtaining even films was difficult, multiple peaks at a single harmonic were observed, and the material properties during the early stages of curing led to a region where viscoelastic properties could not be calculated. To facilitate studying linseed oil, a multiple peak fitting method was developed to extract data from unusual peak shapes. With this ability, measurements at short times could be obtained despite poor film quality. Although linseed oil begins as a softer material than alkyds, its curing follows the same patterns as alkyd resins, exhibiting mass gain followed by mass loss, and sharp increases in modulus and decreases in phase angle during the early stages of curing. Having demonstrated the ability of the QCM to monitor curing, the QCM was also applied to uncrosslinked rubber systems. Rubbers, like the drying oils, contain double bonds which can react with oxygen, so first the oxidation of these materials was studied. In further studies oxidation was undesirable, so protocols were developed to limit oxidation. Measurements were made of homopolymers at different temperatures and the QCM measurements appear to be consistent with time-temperature superposition results obtained at lower frequencies. Blends of the various rubbers were studied and compared with models. The mechanical properties measured by the QCM were between the Voigt and Reuss predictions for most blends studied. Modeling the expected QCM response of layered rubbers matched the predictions of the Reuss model but not the measured values of the rubber blends, suggesting that the QCM is sensitive to different morphologies. Measurements with the QCM expanded our understanding of a variety of systems and proved to be a useful tool to measure mechanical changes during processes which are difficult to study by other methods.

  15. Remedy or cure? Lay beliefs about over-the-counter medicines for coughs and colds.

    PubMed Central

    Johnson, Gina; Helman, Cecil

    2004-01-01

    BACKGROUND: Over 500 million is spent in the United Kingdom every year on over-the-counter medicines for coughs and colds. Evidence for their pharmacological efficacy is lacking. AIM: To examine lay beliefs about over-the-counter medicines for coughs and colds. To explore whether the distinction between symptom relief and cure has the same relevance to lay people as it does to medical professionals. DESIGN OF STUDY: Small pilot study using qualitative techniques. SETTING: Variety sample of 11 patients attending the National Health Service walk-in centre, Birmingham, England. METHOD: In-depth semi-structured interviews, including pile-sorting and fictional case histories, were used to explore participants' beliefs about the effects of over-the-counter medicines on coughs and colds. RESULTS: Eight of the 11 participants believed that at least one over the-counter cough medicine (most frequently Benylin for Chesty Coughs) could shorten, or "cure", an illness. Five participants thought that the majority of the medicines that they recognised would speed recovery rather than just relieve symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: There is a common confusion in the lay person's mind between the ability of a medicine to relieve symptoms, and its ability to cure a disease or to hasten recovery. This misunderstanding may affect the demand for primary care consultations. PMID:14965387

  16. 75 FR 52490 - Track Safety Standards; Concrete Crossties

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-08-26

    .... \\1\\ J.W. Weber, ``Concrete crossties in the United States,'' International Journal Prestressed... Laboratories (PCA). The PCA's research included the use of various shapes, sizes, and materials to develop the... abrasion. \\4\\ Albert J. Reinschmidt, ``Rail-seat abrasion: Causes and the search for the cure,'' Railway...

  17. Photodynamic Therapy With Methylene Blue for Skin Ulcers Infected With Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Fusarium spp.

    PubMed

    Aspiroz, C; Sevil, M; Toyas, C; Gilaberte, Y

    Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic modality with significant antimicrobial activity. We present 2 cases of chronic lower limb ulcers in which fungal and bacterial superinfection complicated management. PDT with methylene blue as the photosensitizer led to clinical and microbiological cure with no significant adverse effects. PDT with methylene blue is a valid option for the management of superinfected chronic ulcers, reducing the use of antibiotics and the induction of resistance. Copyright © 2017 AEDV. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  18. Four-Wavelength Lidar Evaluation of Particle Characteristics and Aerosol Densities

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1985-06-01

    34 Cure2: 11.4% with/witlhot 0.0 OAS Own 3: 25.9% PONameter .0s _ uve :1 %omu-lmlto x -, 0 2 0.01 Tagt 199% ---- Target solution Curve 1: 11.8% Bt-fit...propagation paths. 2. (U) MULTUVELZNGTI LMIAR SYSTIM (U) The multiwavelength lidar systmn is installed within a 6-meter long van to facilitate opera- ti"ms...the, lidar receivers fog application to the Smoke Week VI/SNOW-TWO exparimenta. New extended-range logarithmic amlif jets were ýý -& led on thfý 0.53

  19. Influence of resin cement shade on the color and translucency of ceramic veneers

    PubMed Central

    HERNANDES, Daiana Kelly Lopes; ARRAIS, Cesar Augusto Galvão; de LIMA, Erick; CESAR, Paulo Francisco; RODRIGUES, José Augusto

    2016-01-01

    ABSTRACT Objective This in vitro study evaluated the effect of two different shades of resin cement (RC- A1 and A3) layer on color change, translucency parameter (TP), and chroma of low (LT) and high (HT) translucent reinforced lithium disilicate ceramic laminates. Material and Methods One dual-cured RC (Variolink II, A1- and A3-shade, Ivoclar Vivadent) was applied to 1-mm thick ceramic discs to create thin RC films (100 µm thick) under the ceramics. The RC was exposed to light from a LED curing unit. Color change (ΔE) of ceramic discs was measured according to CIEL*a*b* system with a standard illuminant D65 in reflectance mode in a spectrophotometer, operating in the light range of 360-740 nm, equipped with an integrating sphere. The color difference between black (B) and white (W) background readings was used for TP analysis, while chroma was calculated by the formula C* ab=(a*2+b*2)½. ΔE of 3.3 was set as the threshold of clinically unacceptable. The results were evaluated by two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test. Results HT ceramics showed higher ΔE and higher TP than LT ceramics. A3-shade RC promoted higher ΔE than A1-shade cement, regardless of the ceramic translucency. No significant difference in TP was noted between ceramic discs with A1- and those with A3-shade cement. Ceramic with underlying RC showed lower TP than discs without RC. HT ceramics showed lower chroma than LT ceramics, regardless of the resin cement shade. The presence of A3-shade RC resulted in higher chroma than the presence of A1-shade RC. Conclusions Darker underlying RC layer promoted more pronounced changes in ceramic translucency, chroma, and shade of high translucent ceramic veneers. These differences may not be clinically differentiable. PMID:27556211

  20. Influence of resin cement shade on the color and translucency of ceramic veneers.

    PubMed

    Hernandes, Daiana Kelly Lopes; Arrais, Cesar Augusto Galvão; Lima, Erick de; Cesar, Paulo Francisco; Rodrigues, José Augusto

    2016-01-01

    This in vitro study evaluated the effect of two different shades of resin cement (RC- A1 and A3) layer on color change, translucency parameter (TP), and chroma of low (LT) and high (HT) translucent reinforced lithium disilicate ceramic laminates. One dual-cured RC (Variolink II, A1- and A3-shade, Ivoclar Vivadent) was applied to 1-mm thick ceramic discs to create thin RC films (100 µm thick) under the ceramics. The RC was exposed to light from a LED curing unit. Color change (ΔE) of ceramic discs was measured according to CIEL*a*b* system with a standard illuminant D65 in reflectance mode in a spectrophotometer, operating in the light range of 360-740 nm, equipped with an integrating sphere. The color difference between black (B) and white (W) background readings was used for TP analysis, while chroma was calculated by the formula C*ab=(a*2+b*2)½. ΔE of 3.3 was set as the threshold of clinically unacceptable. The results were evaluated by two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test. HT ceramics showed higher ΔE and higher TP than LT ceramics. A3-shade RC promoted higher ΔE than A1-shade cement, regardless of the ceramic translucency. No significant difference in TP was noted between ceramic discs with A1- and those with A3-shade cement. Ceramic with underlying RC showed lower TP than discs without RC. HT ceramics showed lower chroma than LT ceramics, regardless of the resin cement shade. The presence of A3-shade RC resulted in higher chroma than the presence of A1-shade RC. Darker underlying RC layer promoted more pronounced changes in ceramic translucency, chroma, and shade of high translucent ceramic veneers. These differences may not be clinically differentiable.

  1. Thio-urethanes improve properties of dual-cured composite cements.

    PubMed

    Bacchi, A; Dobson, A; Ferracane, J L; Consani, R; Pfeifer, C S

    2014-12-01

    This study aims at modifying dual-cure composite cements by adding thio-urethane oligomers to improve mechanical properties, especially fracture toughness, and reduce polymerization stress. Thiol-functionalized oligomers were synthesized by combining 1,3-bis(1-isocyanato-1-methylethyl)benzene with trimethylol-tris-3-mercaptopropionate, at 1:2 isocyanate:thiol. Oligomer was added at 0, 10 or 20 wt% to BisGMA-UDMA-TEGDMA (5:3:2, with 25 wt% silanated inorganic fillers) or to one commercial composite cement (Relyx Ultimate, 3M Espe). Near-IR was used to measure methacrylate conversion after photoactivation (700 mW/cm(2) × 60s) and after 72 h. Flexural strength and modulus, toughness, and fracture toughness were evaluated in three-point bending. Polymerization stress was measured with the Bioman. The microtensile bond strength of an indirect composite and a glass ceramic to dentin was also evaluated. Results were analyzed with analysis of variance and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). For BisGMA-UDMA-TEGDMA cements, conversion values were not affected by the addition of thio-urethanes. Flexural strength/modulus increased significantly for both oligomer concentrations, with a 3-fold increase in toughness at 20 wt%. Fracture toughness increased over 2-fold for the thio-urethane modified groups. Contraction stress was reduced by 40% to 50% with the addition of thio-urethanes. The addition of thio-urethane to the commercial cement led to similar flexural strength, toughness, and conversion at 72h compared to the control. Flexural modulus decreased for the 20 wt% group, due to the dilution of the overall filler volume, which also led to decreased stress. However, fracture toughness increased by up to 50%. The microtensile bond strength increased for the experimental composite cement with 20 wt% thio-urethane bonding for both an indirect composite and a glass ceramic. Novel dual-cured composite cements containing thio-urethanes showed increased toughness, fracture toughness and bond strength to dentin while demonstrating reduced contraction stress. All of these benefits are derived without compromising the methacrylate conversion of the resin component. The modification does not require changing the operatory technique. © International & American Associations for Dental Research.

  2. Thio-urethanes Improve Properties of Dual-cured Composite Cements

    PubMed Central

    Bacchi, A.; Dobson, A.; Ferracane, J.L.; Consani, R.; Pfeifer, C.S.

    2014-01-01

    This study aims at modifying dual-cure composite cements by adding thio-urethane oligomers to improve mechanical properties, especially fracture toughness, and reduce polymerization stress. Thiol-functionalized oligomers were synthesized by combining 1,3-bis(1-isocyanato-1-methylethyl)benzene with trimethylol-tris-3-mercaptopropionate, at 1:2 isocyanate:thiol. Oligomer was added at 0, 10 or 20 wt% to BisGMA-UDMA-TEGDMA (5:3:2, with 25 wt% silanated inorganic fillers) or to one commercial composite cement (Relyx Ultimate, 3M Espe). Near-IR was used to measure methacrylate conversion after photoactivation (700 mW/cm2 × 60s) and after 72 h. Flexural strength and modulus, toughness, and fracture toughness were evaluated in three-point bending. Polymerization stress was measured with the Bioman. The microtensile bond strength of an indirect composite and a glass ceramic to dentin was also evaluated. Results were analyzed with analysis of variance and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). For BisGMA-UDMA-TEGDMA cements, conversion values were not affected by the addition of thio-urethanes. Flexural strength/modulus increased significantly for both oligomer concentrations, with a 3-fold increase in toughness at 20 wt%. Fracture toughness increased over 2-fold for the thio-urethane modified groups. Contraction stress was reduced by 40% to 50% with the addition of thio-urethanes. The addition of thio-urethane to the commercial cement led to similar flexural strength, toughness, and conversion at 72h compared to the control. Flexural modulus decreased for the 20 wt% group, due to the dilution of the overall filler volume, which also led to decreased stress. However, fracture toughness increased by up to 50%. The microtensile bond strength increased for the experimental composite cement with 20 wt% thio-urethane bonding for both an indirect composite and a glass ceramic. Novel dual-cured composite cements containing thio-urethanes showed increased toughness, fracture toughness and bond strength to dentin while demonstrating reduced contraction stress. All of these benefits are derived without compromising the methacrylate conversion of the resin component. The modification does not require changing the operatory technique. PMID:25248610

  3. Effect of a multi-layer infection control barrier on the micro-hardness of a composite resin

    PubMed Central

    HWANG, In-Nam; HONG, Sung-Ok; LEE, Bin-Na; HWANG, Yun-Chan; OH, Won-Mann; CHANG, Hoon-Sang

    2012-01-01

    Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of multiple layers of an infection control barrier on the micro-hardness of a composite resin. Material and Methods One, two, four, and eight layers of an infection control barrier were used to cover the light guides of a high-power light emitting diode (LED) light curing unit (LCU) and a low-power halogen LCU. The composite specimens were photopolymerized with the LCUs and the barriers, and the micro-hardness of the upper and lower surfaces was measured (n=10). The hardness ratio was calculated by dividing the bottom surface hardness of the experimental groups by the irradiated surface hardness of the control groups. The data was analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test. Results The micro-hardness of the composite specimens photopolymerized with the LED LCU decreased significantly in the four- and eight-layer groups of the upper surface and in the two-, four-, and eight-layer groups of the lower surface. The hardness ratio of the composite specimens was <80% in the eight-layer group. The micro-hardness of the composite specimens photopolymerized with the halogen LCU decreased significantly in the eight-layer group of the upper surface and in the two-, four-, and eight-layer groups of the lower surface. However, the hardness ratios of all the composite specimens photopolymerized with barriers were <80%. Conclusions The two-layer infection control barrier could be used on high-power LCUs without decreasing the surface hardness of the composite resin. However, when using an infection control barrier on the low-power LCUs, attention should be paid so as not to sacrifice the polymerization efficiency. PMID:23138746

  4. Coping with Poor Prognosis in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Waller, David A.; And Others

    1979-01-01

    The intensive care pediatrician who prophesies to parents that their child's illness is irreversible may encounter denial and hostility. Four cases are reported in which parents rejected their child's hopeless prognosis, counterprophesied miraculous cures, resolved to obtain exorcism, criticized the care, or accused nurses of neglect. Journal…

  5. Computer Power. Part 2: Electrical Power Problems and Their Amelioration.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Price, Bennett J.

    1989-01-01

    Describes electrical power problems that affect computer users, including spikes, sags, outages, noise, frequency variations, and static electricity. Ways in which these problems may be diagnosed and cured are discussed. Sidebars consider transformers; power distribution units; surge currents/linear and non-linear loads; and sizing the power…

  6. Temperature changes in the pulpal chamber and the sealing performance of various methods of direct pulp capping of primary teeth.

    PubMed

    Yilmaz, Y; Keles, S; Mete, A

    2013-06-01

    To compare changes in pulpal chamber temperature during the visible-light curing of direct pulp capping compounds and various modes of diode laser irradiation without prior placement of a pulp capping compound and the resultant seals. Pulp exposure holes were made in 100 extracted human primary first molars, which were randomly assigned to ten equal groups. The holes were sealed by (a= Group 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7) different pulp capping compounds which were cured using various types of visible-light curing units or (b=Group 8, 9 and 10) diode laser irradiation without prior application of a pulp capping compound. Pulpal chamber temperatures were recorded during the procedure, and the resultant seals were examined under a scanning electron microscope. Visible-light curing of the pulp capping compounds and diode laser irradiation at a 0.7 W output power can cause non-injurious temperature rises in the pulpal chamber. At higher output powers of the diode laser, the temperature rises are sufficient to cause thermal injury. The seals were complete when pulp capping compounds were used for direct pulp capping, but were incomplete when laser irradiation without prior placement of a pulp capping compound was used for the identical purpose. The visible-light curing of pulp capping compounds is not harmful to vital pulp, and provides an effective seal of the pulp exposure hole. Laser irradiation is not an effective sealant, and can cause thermal injury to vital pulp at high output powers.

  7. Developing Successful International Faculty Led Program

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fabregas Janeiro, Maria G.; Fabre, Ricardo Lopez; Rosete, Rodrigo Tello

    2012-01-01

    Faculty Led Programs are study abroad experiences led by university professors. Faculty Led Programs are considered as an opportunity for college students, especially in the United States to attend a short-term international experience (Mills, 2010). Faculty Led Program is an international experience which is different from the traditional…

  8. Effect of pulverized fuel ash and CO{sub 2} curing on the water resistance of magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    He, Pingping; Poon, Chi Sun, E-mail: cecspoon@polyu.edu.hk; Tsang, Daniel C.W.

    This paper presents a study on the use of pulverized fuel ash (PFA) to improve the water resistance of magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC). Strength retention coefficients and volume stability were tested to evaluate the water resistance of MOC, in which the addition of PFA resulted in a remarkable improvement. The characterization of hydration products before and after water immersion was carried out using quantitative X-ray diffraction (QXRD), thermogravimetric (TG), Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). With the Q-XRD analysis, it was shown that the addition of PFA could result in the great increase of the amount ofmore » amorphous phase during air curing. This amorphous gel was identified as a mixture of magnesium-chloride-silicate-hydrate gel (M-Cl-S-H gel) and magnesium-chloride-hydrate gel (M-Cl-H gel) by elemental mapping scanning. It suggested that PFA could not only react with MOC to form M-Cl-S-H gel, but also change the morphology of magnesium oxychloride. The generation of insoluble M-Cl-S-H gel and M-Cl-H gel and densification of the microstructure contributed to the improvement of the water resistance of MOC. The MOC mortar expanded during air curing due to the hydration of excess MgO. Water immersion led to more expansion of MOC mortar as a result of the continuously hydration of excess MgO and the formation of Mg(OH){sub 2}. Adding PFA could increase the expansion of MOC mortar during air curing, which may because the amorphous gel could remain more water and benefit to the hydration of MgO. While, the addition of PFA could decrease the expansion of cement mortar during water immersion perhaps due to the reduction of the content of excess MgO and the insoluble amorphous-gel-layer that protect the MgO from hydration. Moreover, CO{sub 2} curing could further improve the performance of the PFA-blended MOC due to the formation of a higher content of amorphous gel.« less

  9. Bonding of acrylic denture teeth to MMA/PMMA and light-curing denture base materials: the role of conditioning liquids.

    PubMed

    Palitsch, Anne; Hannig, Matthias; Ferger, Paul; Balkenhol, Markus

    2012-03-01

    The connection between resin denture teeth and the denture base is essential for the integrity of partial and full dentures. The aim of the present study was to analyse the bond strength of acrylic denture teeth to two light curing denture base materials compared to the gold-standard (MMA/PMMA) using different conditioning liquids. The ridge laps of 220 identical denture teeth were ground and pre-treated using different conditioning liquids (MMA, an experimental conditioning liquid as well as the two commercially available liquids Palabond and Versyo.bond). The denture base materials (PalaXpress, Versyo.com, Eclipse) were applied using a split mould to obtain tensile bond strength specimens of identical shape. Ten specimens per test group were either stored in water for 24h or thermocycled (5000×, 5-55°C) prior to tensile bond strength testing (cross-head speed 10mm/min). Data was subjected to parametric statistics (α=0.05). The three-way ANOVA revealed a significant influence of the material, pre-treatment as well as the storage. PalaXpress showed the highest bond strength (24.3MPa) of all materials tested after TC, whereas the use of MMA led to the most constant results. Lower values were recorded for Versyo.com (17.5MPa) and Eclipse (10.4MPa) bonded with Versyo.bond. The results indicate that MMA/PMMA based denture base resins provide reliable and durable bond strength to acrylic denture teeth. Using light-curing denture base materials requires the application of appropriate conditioning liquids to obtain acceptable bond strength. The use of MMA affects bond strength to light-curing denture base materials. The pre-treatment of denture teeth is critical regarding their bond-strength to denture base materials and in turn for the integrity of removable full and partial dentures. Light-curing denture base resins are more sensitive to the correct tooth pre-treatment compared to conventional MMA/PMMA materials, requiring specific conditioning liquids. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. Substituted 2-Phenyl-Imidazopyridines: A New Class of Drug Leads for Human African Trypanosomiasis

    PubMed Central

    Tatipaka, Hari Babu; Gillespie, J. Robert; Chatterjee, Arnab K.; Norcross, Neil R.; Hulverson, Matthew A.; Ranade, Ranae M.; Nagendar, Pendem; Creason, Sharon A.; McQueen, Joshua; Duster, Nicole A.; Nagle, Advait; Supek, Frantisek; Molteni, Valentina; Wenzler, Tanja; Brun, Reto; Glynne, Richard; Buckner, Frederick S.; Gelb, Michael H.

    2014-01-01

    A phenotypic screen of a compound library for antiparasitic activity on Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of human African trypanosomiasis, led to the identification of substituted 2-(3-aminophenyl) oxazolopyridines as a starting point for hit-to-lead medicinal chemistry. A total of 110 analogues were prepared, which led to the identification of 64, a substituted 2-(3-aminophenyl) imidazopyridine. This compound showed antiparasitic activity in vitro with an EC50 of 2 nM and displayed reasonable drug-like properties when tested in a number of in vitro assays. The compound was orally bioavailable and displayed good plasma and brain exposure in mice. Compound 64 cured mice infected with Trypanosoma brucei when dosed orally down to 2.5 mg/kg. Given its potent anti-parasitic properties and its ease of synthesis, compound 64 represents a new lead for the development of drugs to treat human African trypanosomiasis. PMID:24354316

  11. Tackling cancer control in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries.

    PubMed

    Al-Othman, Saleh; Haoudi, Abdelali; Alhomoud, Samar; Alkhenizan, Abdullah; Khoja, Tawfik; Al-Zahrani, Ali

    2015-05-01

    Cancer is a major health problem in both high income and middle-to-low income countries, and is the second leading cause of death in the world. Although more than a third of cancer could be prevented and another third could be cured if diagnosed early, it remains a huge challenge to health-care systems worldwide. Despite substantial improvements in health services some of the countries in the Gulf region, the burden of non-communicable diseases is a major threat, primarily due to the rapid socioeconomic shifts that have led to unfavourable changes in lifestyle such as increased tobacco use, decreased physical activity, and consumption of unhealthy food. In the Gulf Cooperation Council states (United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait), advanced breast cancer, colorectal cancer, leukaemia, thyroid cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphomas are the most common cancers affecting younger populations compared with other countries. By contrast with cancer prevalence in developed countries, prostate, lung, and cervical cancers are not among the most common cancers in the Gulf region. In view of the increased cost of cancer management worldwide, integrated approaches between primary, secondary, and tertiary health-care systems with special focus on prevention and early detection is an essential step in the countries' efforts in the fight against cancer. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  12. Effect of different monomer-based composites and acid etching pre-treatment of enamel on the microleakage using self-etch adhesives systems.

    PubMed

    Catelan, Anderson; Giorgi, Maria Cecília Caldas; Soares, Giulliana Panfiglio; Lima, Debora Alves Nunes Leite; Marchi, Giselle Maria; Aguiar, Flávio Henrique Baggio

    2014-11-01

    To evaluate quantitatively the marginal microleakage of restorations carried out with self-etching adhesives with or without prior phosphoric enamel acid etching of silorane or methacrylate resin-based composite restorations subjected to thermal cycling. Forty cavities were prepared at the proximal surface of bovine incisors and randomly divided according to the etching of the enamel and restorative system used. The groups were restored with methacrylate [Adper SE Plus adhesive (3M ESPE) + Filtek Z250 (3M ESPE)] or silorane [Filtek LS adhesive (3M ESPE) + Filtek LS composite (3M ESPE)] restorative systems, light-cured using a LED unit (Bluephase 16i, Vivadent). After restorative procedure and thermocycling (1000 cycles), the specimens were immersed in methylene blue for 2 h. The specimens were triturated and the powder was used for analysis in an absorbance spectrophotometer. Data were statistically analyzed by 2-way ANOVA (alpha = 0.05). No statistical difference between the restorative materials tested with or without previous acid etching of enamel in Class II marginal microleakage was observed (p > 0.05). The use of acid etching prior to self-etching adhesives did not interfere on the microleakage of methacrylate- or silorane-based restorations.

  13. Scanning electron microscopy and roughness study of dental composite degradation.

    PubMed

    Soares, Luís Eduardo Silva; Cortez, Louise Ribeiro; Zarur, Raquel de Oliveira; Martin, Airton Abrahão

    2012-04-01

    Our aim was to test the hypothesis that the use of mouthwashes, consumption of soft drinks, as well as the type of light curing unit (LCU), would change the surface roughness (Ra) and morphology of a nanofilled composite resin (Z350® 3M ESPE). Samples (80) were divided into eight groups: Halogen LCU, group 1, saliva (control); group 2, Pepsi Twist®; group 3, Listerine®; group 4, Colgate Plax®; LED LCU, group 5, saliva; group 6, Pepsi Twist®; group 7, Listerine®; group 8, Colgate Plax®. Ra values were measured at baseline, and after 7 and 14 days. One specimen of each group was prepared for scanning electron microscopy analysis after 14 days. The data were subjected to multifactor analysis of variance at a 95% confidence followed by Tukey's honestly significant difference post-hoc test. All the treatments resulted in morphological changes in composite resin surface, and the most significant change was in Pepsi Twist® groups. The samples of G6 had the greatest increase in Ra. The immersion of nanofilled resin in mouthwashes with alcohol and soft drink increases the surface roughness. Polymerization by halogen LCU (reduced light intensity) associated with alcohol contained mouthwash resulted in significant roughness on the composite.

  14. On the use of the EMI for the health monitoring of bonded elements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gulizzi, Vincenzo; Rizzo, Piervincenzo; Milazzo, Alberto

    2014-03-01

    The low weight, robustness and fatigue resistance of adhesive joints make them suitable for structural joints. A fully developed nondestructive evaluation technique however is needed to monitor and assess the quality of bonded joints. In the present paper the application of the electromechanical impedance (EMI) technique is proposed. In the EMI method a piezoelectric transducer (PZT) is attached to the structure of interest. The high sensitivity and low power consumption make the EMI method feasible for real time structural health monitoring. In this study we investigated the sensitivity of the electromechanical response of a PZT to the curing and the quality of the adhesive used for bonded joints. A PXI unit running under LabView and an auxiliary circuit were employed to measure the electric impedance of a PZT glued to an aluminum plate. The system aimed at monitoring the bond line between an aluminum strip and the plate. The conductive signature of the PZT was measured and analyzed during the curing. The experimental results show that the electromechanical impedance technique is sensitive to the curing time and variations are observed for adhesives of different quality.

  15. Biomarkers for Uranium Risk Assessment for the Development of the CURE (Concerted Uranium Research in Europe) Molecular Epidemiological Protocol.

    PubMed

    Guéguen, Yann; Roy, Laurence; Hornhardt, Sabine; Badie, Christophe; Hall, Janet; Baatout, Sarah; Pernot, Eileen; Tomasek, Ladislav; Laurent, Olivier; Ebrahimian, Teni; Ibanez, Chrystelle; Grison, Stephane; Kabacik, Sylwia; Laurier, Dominique; Gomolka, Maria

    2017-01-01

    Despite substantial experimental and epidemiological research, there is limited knowledge of the uranium-induce health effects after chronic low-dose exposures in humans. Biological markers can objectively characterize pathological processes or environmental responses to uranium and confounding agents. The integration of such biological markers into a molecular epidemiological study would be a useful approach to improve and refine estimations of uranium-induced health risks. To initiate such a study, Concerted Uranium Research in Europe (CURE) was established, and involves biologists, epidemiologists and dosimetrists. The aims of the biological work package of CURE were: 1. To identify biomarkers and biological specimens relevant to uranium exposure; 2. To define standard operating procedures (SOPs); and 3. To set up a common protocol (logistic, questionnaire, ethical aspects) to perform a large-scale molecular epidemiologic study in uranium-exposed cohorts. An intensive literature review was performed and led to the identification of biomarkers related to: 1. retention organs (lungs, kidneys and bone); 2. other systems/organs with suspected effects (cardiovascular system, central nervous system and lympho-hematopoietic system); 3. target molecules (DNA damage, genomic instability); and 4. high-throughput methods for the identification of new biomarkers. To obtain high-quality biological materials, SOPs were established for the sampling and storage of different biospecimens. A questionnaire was developed to assess potential confounding factors. The proposed strategy can be adapted to other internal exposures and should improve the characterization of the biological and health effects that are relevant for risk assessment.

  16. Synthesis, Characterization, and Visible Light Curing Capacity of Polycaprolactone Acrylate

    PubMed Central

    Tzeng, Jy-Jiunn; Hsiao, Yi-Ting; Wu, Yun-Ching; Chen, Hsuan; Lee, Shyh-Yuan

    2018-01-01

    Polycaprolactone (PCL) is drawing increasing attention in the field of medical 3D printing and tissue engineering because of its biodegradability. This study developed polycaprolactone prepolymers that can be cured using visible light. Three PCL acrylates were synthesized: polycaprolactone-530 diacrylate (PCL530DA), glycerol-3 caprolactone triacrylate (Glycerol-3CL-TA), and glycerol-6 caprolactone triacrylate (Glycerol-6CL-TA). PCL530DA has two acrylates, whereas Glycerol-3CL-TA and Glycerol-6CL-TA have three acrylates. The Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra suggested successful synthesis of all PCL acrylates. All are liquid at room temperature and can be photopolymerized into a transparent solid after exposure to 470 nm blue LED light using 1% camphorquinone as photoinitiator and 2% dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate as coinitiator. The degree of conversion for all PCL acrylates can reach more than 80% after 1 min of curing. The compressive modulus of PCL530DA, Glycerol-3CL-TA, and Glycerol-6CL-TA is 65.7 ± 12.7, 80.9 ± 6.1, and 32.1 ± 4.1 MPa, respectively, and their compressive strength is 5.3 ± 0.29, 8.3 ± 0.18, and 3.0 ± 0.53 MPa, respectively. Thus, all PCL acrylates synthesized in this study can be photopolymerized and because of their solid structure and low viscosity, they are applicable to soft tissue engineering and medical 3D printing. PMID:29854803

  17. Elastomers that Endure

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2001-01-01

    Through assistance from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Dow Corning developed a strong, heat-protecting coating with applications in a variety of fields. Previously, NASA used silicate coatings that simply failed to adequately protect, which resulted in the frequent recoating of the damaged areas. The enormous expense of this repeat procedure led Kennedy's Materials Science Laboratory to investigate the possibilities of ablative-type coatings. The investigations resulted in the creation of a silicone ablative material known as the Dow Corning 3-6376 Fast Cure Elastomer. The new product, which does not require a primer coating, is a 100 percent silicone material. It is currently used in the automotive and aerospace industries and serves as an exceptional coating for engine compartment firewalls. Dow Corning's Fast Cure Elastomer has also proved to be an effective sealant. Moreover, it reduces the turnaround time for reuse of the launch structure because of fewer refurbishing operations. This means that NASA is not held up due to repairs when it comes time to launch another Shuttle. To date, the Agency has launched dozens of successful missions without the need for recoating.

  18. Arc-to-Arc mini-sling 1999: a critical analysis of concept and technology.

    PubMed

    Palma, Paulo

    2011-01-01

    The aim of this study was to critically review the Arc-to-Arc mini-sling (Palma's technique) a less invasive mid-urethral sling using bovine pericardium as the sling material. The Arc-to-Arc mini-sling, using bovine pericardium, was the first published report of a mini-sling, in 1999. The technique was identical to the "tension-free tape" operation, midline incision and dissection of the urethra. The ATFP (white line) was identified by blunt dissection, and the mini-sling was sutured to the tendinous arc on both sides with 2 polypropylene 00 sutures. The initial results were encouraging, with 9/10 patients cured at the 6 weeks post-operative visit. However, infection and extrusion of the mini-sling resulted in sling extrusion and removal, with 5 patients remaining cured at 12 months. The Arc-to-Arc mini-sling was a good concept, but failed because of the poor technology available at that time. Further research using new materials and better technology has led to new and safer alternatives for the management of stress urinary incontinence.

  19. Hydrogen Bonding-Mediated Microphase Separation during the Formation of Mesoporous Novolac-Type Phenolic Resin Templated by the Triblock Copolymer, PEO-b-PPO-b-PEO

    PubMed Central

    Chu, Wei-Cheng; Chiang, Shih-Fan; Li, Jheng-Guang; Kuo, Shiao-Wei

    2013-01-01

    After blending the triblock copolymer, poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide) (PEO-b-PPO-b-PEO) with novolac-type phenolic resin, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the ether groups of the PEO block were stronger hydrogen bond acceptors for the OH groups of phenolic resin than were the ether groups of the PPO block. Thermal curing with hexamethylenetetramine as the curing agent resulted in the triblock copolymer being incorporated into the phenolic resin, forming a nanostructure through a mechanism involving reaction-induced microphase separation. Mild pyrolysis conditions led to the removal of the PEO-b-PPO-b-PEO triblock copolymer and formation of mesoporous phenolic resin. This approach provided a variety of composition-dependent nanostructures, including disordered wormlike, body-centered-cubic spherical and disorder micelles. The regular mesoporous novolac-type phenolic resin was formed only at a phenolic content of 40–60 wt %, the result of an intriguing balance of hydrogen bonding interactions among the phenolic resin and the PEO and PPO segments of the triblock copolymer. PMID:28788378

  20. 21 CFR 169.3 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... part: (a) The term vanilla beans means the properly cured and dried fruit pods of Vanilla planifolia Andrews and of Vanilla tahitensis Moore. (b) The term unit weight of vanilla beans means, in the case of vanilla beans containing not more than 25 percent moisture, 13.35 ounces of such beans; and, in the case...

  1. 21 CFR 169.3 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... part: (a) The term vanilla beans means the properly cured and dried fruit pods of Vanilla planifolia Andrews and of Vanilla tahitensis Moore. (b) The term unit weight of vanilla beans means, in the case of vanilla beans containing not more than 25 percent moisture, 13.35 ounces of such beans; and, in the case...

  2. 21 CFR 169.3 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... part: (a) The term vanilla beans means the properly cured and dried fruit pods of Vanilla planifolia Andrews and of Vanilla tahitensis Moore. (b) The term unit weight of vanilla beans means, in the case of vanilla beans containing not more than 25 percent moisture, 13.35 ounces of such beans; and, in the case...

  3. 21 CFR 169.3 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... part: (a) The term vanilla beans means the properly cured and dried fruit pods of Vanilla planifolia Andrews and of Vanilla tahitensis Moore. (b) The term unit weight of vanilla beans means, in the case of vanilla beans containing not more than 25 percent moisture, 13.35 ounces of such beans; and, in the case...

  4. Credit PSR. This interior view of the building equipment room ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    Credit PSR. This interior view of the building equipment room displays heat exchangers and fan units with insulated piping for hot and cold water at left. Environmental controls and fire fighting system controls appear at right - Jet Propulsion Laboratory Edwards Facility, Propellant Curing Building, Edwards Air Force Base, Boron, Kern County, CA

  5. Wildfire atlas of the northeastern and north central states.

    Treesearch

    Donald A. Haines; Von J. Johnson; William A. Main

    1975-01-01

    Describes patterns of forest fire activity across the northeastern and north central United States. Gives average dates of greening ad curing of herbaceous plants, medium size of fires in various fuels, and annual profiles of peak fire activity. It also examines combinations of major fire cause and day-of-week activity.

  6. International Trade: A Small Business Primer. Growing Businesses.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Axtell, Roger E.

    The United States' declining share of world trade is connected with the fact that hundreds of thousands of medium- and small-sized businesses are ignoring trade and exports. The cure for their fear of the unknown is information and education. Exports have a number of advantages: increased profits, spread of overhead costs, smooth seasonal…

  7. 21 CFR 169.3 - Definitions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... part: (a) The term vanilla beans means the properly cured and dried fruit pods of Vanilla planifolia Andrews and of Vanilla tahitensis Moore. (b) The term unit weight of vanilla beans means, in the case of vanilla beans containing not more than 25 percent moisture, 13.35 ounces of such beans; and, in the case...

  8. 7 CFR 29.2528 - Leaf.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Leaf. 29.2528 Section 29.2528 Agriculture Regulations...-Cured Tobacco (u.s. Types 22, 23, and Foreign Type 96) § 29.2528 Leaf. Whole, unstemmed leaf. Leaf, when applied to tobacco in strip form, shall describe the divided unit of a whole leaf. [49 FR 16757, Apr. 20...

  9. 7 CFR 29.2528 - Leaf.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Leaf. 29.2528 Section 29.2528 Agriculture Regulations...-Cured Tobacco (u.s. Types 22, 23, and Foreign Type 96) § 29.2528 Leaf. Whole, unstemmed leaf. Leaf, when applied to tobacco in strip form, shall describe the divided unit of a whole leaf. [49 FR 16757, Apr. 20...

  10. 7 CFR 29.2528 - Leaf.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Leaf. 29.2528 Section 29.2528 Agriculture Regulations...-Cured Tobacco (u.s. Types 22, 23, and Foreign Type 96) § 29.2528 Leaf. Whole, unstemmed leaf. Leaf, when applied to tobacco in strip form, shall describe the divided unit of a whole leaf. [49 FR 16757, Apr. 20...

  11. 7 CFR 29.2528 - Leaf.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Leaf. 29.2528 Section 29.2528 Agriculture Regulations...-Cured Tobacco (u.s. Types 22, 23, and Foreign Type 96) § 29.2528 Leaf. Whole, unstemmed leaf. Leaf, when applied to tobacco in strip form, shall describe the divided unit of a whole leaf. [49 FR 16757, Apr. 20...

  12. 7 CFR 29.2528 - Leaf.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Leaf. 29.2528 Section 29.2528 Agriculture Regulations...-Cured Tobacco (u.s. Types 22, 23, and Foreign Type 96) § 29.2528 Leaf. Whole, unstemmed leaf. Leaf, when applied to tobacco in strip form, shall describe the divided unit of a whole leaf. [49 FR 16757, Apr. 20...

  13. Fiber-reinforced composite substructure: load-bearing capacity of an onlay restoration and flexural properties of the material.

    PubMed

    Garoushi, Sufyan K; Lassila, Lippo V J; Tezvergil, Arzu; Vallittu, Pekka K

    2006-09-01

    The aim of this study was to determine the static load-bearing capacity of composite resin onlay restorations made of particulate filler composite (PFC) with two different types of fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) substructures. In addition, flexural properties of the material combination and the effect of polymerization devices were tested. Specimens were prepared to simulate an onlay restoration, which consisted of 2 to 3 mm of FRC layer as a substructure (short random and continuous bidirectional fiber orientation) and a 1 mm surface layer of PFC. Control specimens were prepared from plain PFC. In Group A the specimens were incrementally polymerized only with a hand-light curing unit for 40 s, while in Group B the specimens were post-cured in a light-curing oven for 15 min before they were statically loaded with a steel ball. Bar-shaped test specimens were prepared to measure the flexural properties of material combination using a three-point bending test (ISO 10477). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed all specimens with a FRC substructure have higher values of static load-bearing capacity and flexural properties than those obtained with plain PFC (p<0.001). The load-bearing capacity of all the specimens decreased after post-curing and water storage. Restorations made from a material combination of FRC and PFC showed better mechanical properties than those obtained with plain PFC.

  14. Local problems, local solutions: improving tuberculosis control at the district level in Malawi.

    PubMed Central

    Kelly, P. M.

    2001-01-01

    OBJECTIVE: To examine the causes of a low cure rate at the district level of a tuberculosis (TB) control programme and to formulate, implement, and evaluate an intervention to improve the situation. METHODS: The study setting was Mzuzu (population 60,000), where the annual smear-positive pulmonary TB incidence was 160 per 100,000 and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroprevalence was 67% among TB patients. There is one TB treatment unit, but several other organizations are involved with TB control. An examination of case-holding activities was carried out, potential areas for improvement were identified, and interventions performed. FINDINGS: In 1990-91, the cure rate was 24% among smear-positive cases (29% among survivors to end of treatment). Problems identified included a fragmented TB control programme; inadequate training and supervision; suboptimal recording of patients' addresses; and nonadherence to national TB control programme protocols. These problems were addressed, and in 1992-93 the cure rate rose to 68% (relative risk (RR) = 2.85 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.63, 4.96)) and to 92% among survivors to the end of treatment (RR = 3.12 (95% CI = 1.84, 5.29)). High cure rates are therefore achievable despite high HIV prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: Simple, inexpensive, local programmatic interventions can dramatically improve TB case holding. This study demonstrates the need for evaluation, training, and supervision at all levels of the programme. PMID:11242817

  15. High pressure treatments combined with sodium lactate to inactivate Escherichia coli O157:H7 and spoilage microbiota in cured beef carpaccio.

    PubMed

    Masana, Marcelo Oscar; Barrio, Yanina Ximena; Palladino, Pablo Martín; Sancho, Ana Maria; Vaudagna, Sergio Ramón

    2015-04-01

    High-pressure treatments (400 and 600 MPa) combined with the addition of sodium lactate (1 and 3%) were tested to reduce Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC O157) and spoilage microbiota contamination in a manufactured cured beef carpaccio in fresh or frozen conditions. Counts of spoilage microorganisms and STEC O157 were also examined during the curing step to prepare the carpaccio. STEC O157 counts remained almost unchanged through the curing process performed at 1 ± 1 °C for 12 days, with a small decrease in samples with 3% of sodium lactate. High-pressure treatments at 600 MPa for 5 min achieved an immediate reduction of up to 2 logarithmic units of STEC O157 in frozen carpaccio, and up to 1.19 log in fresh condition. Counts of spoilage bacteria diminished below detection limits in fresh or frozen carpaccio added with sodium lactate by the application of 400 and 600 MPa. Maximum injury on STEC O157 cells was observed at 600 MPa in carpaccio in fresh condition without added sodium lactate. Lethality of high-pressure treatments on STEC O157 was enhanced in frozen carpaccio, while the addition of sodium lactate at 3% reduced the lethality on STEC O157 in frozen samples, and the degree of injury in fresh carpaccio. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. [Correlation between degree of conversion, microhardness and inorganic content in composites].

    PubMed

    Neves, Alisson Discacciati; Discacciati, José Augusto César; Orêfice, Rodrigo Lambert; Jansen, Wellington Corrêa

    2002-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between degree of conversion and microhardness in dental composites, as well as the effect of the inorganic content and type of photo-curing unit on these parameters. Three indirect composites (Artglass, Solidex and Zeta LC) were polymerized by means of three different laboratorial units (UniXS, Solidilite and an experimental device). For each material, fifteen samples were prepared using a metal matrix. The degree of conversion was analyzed by means of infrared spectroscopy, and microhardness was also assessed. The inorganic content was measured by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The Pearson s test was carried out in order to determine correlations. The degree of conversion of Artglass ranged from 37.5% to 79.2%, and its microhardness, from 32.4 to 50.3 (r = 0.904). The degree of conversion of Solidex ranged from 41.2% to 60.4%, and its microhardness, from 33.3 to 44.1 (r = 0.707). The degree of conversion and the microhardness of Zeta LC ranged from 62.0% to 78.0% and from 22.6 to 33.6, respectively (r = 0.710). It was concluded that the utilization of different photo-curing units caused variations on the degree of conversion, as a result of specific characteristics of each unit. For each material, there was strong correlation between the degree of conversion and microhardness. In addition, when different materials were compared, microhardness was more affected by filler content than by the degree of conversion.

  17. New antibiotic agents in the pipeline and how they can help overcome microbial resistance

    PubMed Central

    Gould, Ian M.; Bal, Abhijit M.

    2013-01-01

    Bacterial resistance is a growing threat and yet few new antibiotics active against multi-resistant bacteria are being explored. A combination of falling profits, regulatory mechanisms and irrational and injudicious use of antibiotics has led to an alarming situation where some infections have no cure. In this article, we summarize the new developments that have been suggested to incentivize the pharmaceutical industries toward the field of infections. We also briefly mention the new compounds on the horizon and some newly approved compounds that might help us tide over this crisis. PMID:23302792

  18. Elastomer Compound Developed for High Wear Applications

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Crawford, D.; Feuer, H.; Flanagan, D.; Rodriguez, G.; Teets, A.; Touchet, P.

    1993-01-01

    The U.S. Army is currently spending 300 million dollars per year replacing rubber track pads. An experimental rubber compound has been developed which exhibits 2 to 3 times greater service life than standard production pad compounds. To improve the service life of the tank track pads various aspects of rubber chemistry were explored including polymer, curing and reinforcing systems. Compounds that exhibited superior physical properties based on laboratory data were then fabricated into tank pads and field tested. This paper will discuss the compounding studies, laboratory data and field testing that led to the high wear elastomer compound.

  19. New antibiotic agents in the pipeline and how they can help overcome microbial resistance.

    PubMed

    Gould, Ian M; Bal, Abhijit M

    2013-02-15

    Bacterial resistance is a growing threat and yet few new antibiotics active against multi-resistant bacteria are being explored. A combination of falling profits, regulatory mechanisms and irrational and injudicious use of antibiotics has led to an alarming situation where some infections have no cure. In this article, we summarize the new developments that have been suggested to incentivize the pharmaceutical industries toward the field of infections. We also briefly mention the new compounds on the horizon and some newly approved compounds that might help us tide over this crisis.

  20. The use of inhaled antibiotic therapy in the treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia and tracheobronchitis: a systematic review.

    PubMed

    Russell, Christopher J; Shiroishi, Mark S; Siantz, Elizabeth; Wu, Brian W; Patino, Cecilia M

    2016-03-08

    Ventilator-associated respiratory infections (tracheobronchitis, pneumonia) contribute significant morbidity and mortality to adults receiving care in intensive care units (ICU). Administration of broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics, the current standard of care, may have systemic adverse effects. The efficacy of aerosolized antibiotics for treatment of ventilator-associated respiratory infections remains unclear. Our objective was to conduct a systematic review of the efficacy of aerosolized antibiotics in the treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and tracheobronchitis (VAT), using the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines. We conducted a search of three databases (PubMed, Web of Knowledge and the Cochrane Collaboration) for randomized, controlled trials studying the use of nebulized antibiotics in VAP and VAT that measured clinical cure (e.g., change in Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score) as an outcome measurement. We augmented the electronic searches with hand searches of the references for any narrative review articles as well as any article included in the systematic review. Included studies were examined for risk of bias using the Cochrane Handbook's "Risk of Bias" assessment tool. Six studies met full inclusion criteria. For the systemic review's primary outcome (clinical cure), two studies found clinically and statistically significant improvements in measures of VAP cure while four found no statistically significant difference in measurements of cure. No studies found inferiority of aerosolized antibiotics. The included studies had various degrees of biases, particularly in the performance and detection bias domains. Given that outcome measures of clinical cure were not uniform, we were unable to conduct a meta-analysis. There is insufficient evidence for the use of inhaled antibiotic therapy as primary or adjuvant treatment of VAP or VAT. Additional, better-powered randomized-controlled trials are needed to assess the efficacy of inhaled antibiotic therapy for VAP and VAT.

  1. The role of social relationship in HIV healing and its implications in HIV cure in China

    PubMed Central

    Qiao, Shan; Nie, Jing-Bao; Tucker, Joseph; Rennie, Stuart; Li, Xiao-Ming

    2016-01-01

    HIV is both a biomedical disease and a social phenomenon that is constructed in particular cultural contexts. A successful and humane HIV cure requires not only the science of eradicating pathogens, but also the art of healing to restore harmony between mind and body. Healing in the context of HIV cure will be both personal and interpersonal, biological and social, and will involve rebuilding connections between HIV patients and their social environment. Social conceptions of healing have been highlighted in many regions with rich non-biomedical healing traditions, including China. Based on an adapted theoretical model on social relationships and health, we address the essential role of social relations for HIV healing in Chinese cultural context, and propose several recommendations for reforming practices and policies regarding HIV healing. In general, family is still a core social unit in HIV patients’ medical journey from diagnosis to treatment. A positive patient–physician relationship based on mutual respect and trust also has critical impact on patients’ physical and mental health. Physicians may become a key or the main source of social support in circumstances when families are not actively engaged in healing. Reconnecting HIV patients with their communities should be a necessary component of HIV cure, as this will help patients engage more fully in the HIV healing process. We call for a family-centered approach in HIV healing intervention to strengthen patient–family ties; a series of policies to build up and sustain positive patient–physician ties; and multi-level strategies to empower patients and rebuild their bonds to community and larger society. We also call for more empirical research on how non-biomedical healing approaches in various cultural settings could (directly or indirectly) inform HIV cure research. PMID:27042386

  2. The role of social relationship in HIV healing and its implications in HIV cure in China.

    PubMed

    Qiao, Shan; Nie, Jing-Bao; Tucker, Joseph; Rennie, Stuart; Li, Xiao-Ming

    HIV is both a biomedical disease and a social phenomenon that is constructed in particular cultural contexts. A successful and humane HIV cure requires not only the science of eradicating pathogens, but also the art of healing to restore harmony between mind and body. Healing in the context of HIV cure will be both personal and interpersonal, biological and social, and will involve rebuilding connections between HIV patients and their social environment. Social conceptions of healing have been highlighted in many regions with rich non-biomedical healing traditions, including China. Based on an adapted theoretical model on social relationships and health, we address the essential role of social relations for HIV healing in Chinese cultural context, and propose several recommendations for reforming practices and policies regarding HIV healing. In general, family is still a core social unit in HIV patients' medical journey from diagnosis to treatment. A positive patient-physician relationship based on mutual respect and trust also has critical impact on patients' physical and mental health. Physicians may become a key or the main source of social support in circumstances when families are not actively engaged in healing. Reconnecting HIV patients with their communities should be a necessary component of HIV cure, as this will help patients engage more fully in the HIV healing process. We call for a family-centered approach in HIV healing intervention to strengthen patient-family ties; a series of policies to build up and sustain positive patient-physician ties; and multi-level strategies to empower patients and rebuild their bonds to community and larger society. We also call for more empirical research on how non-biomedical healing approaches in various cultural settings could (directly or indirectly) inform HIV cure research.

  3. The cost-effectiveness of cefepime plus metronidazole versus imipenem/cilastatin in the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infection.

    PubMed

    Barie, Philip S; Rotstein, Ori D; Dellinger, E Patchen; Grasela, Thaddeus H; Walawander, Cynthia A

    2004-01-01

    Our objective was to compare the economic benefits of cefepime plus metronidazole with those of imipenem/cilastatin in the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections. We used a retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes and health resource utilization data collected during a randomized, double-blind, multi-center clinical trial. Seventeen university-affiliated hospitals in the United States and Canada participated, as did 323 patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections. Decision analysis was conducted using a decision node of cefepime vs. imipenem, and chance nodes that included an Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score of #15 versus .15; a need for posttreatment surgical procedures; and clinical outcomes. Effectiveness of treatment was measured by differences in the length and cost of hospital stays, the number and cost of surgical procedures after treatment, cure rates, and the cost of antibiotics. Also evalulated were the incremental costs of cure (i.e., the costs of additional cures). Comparing cefepime plus metronidazole with imipenem/cilastatin, the expected cost of patient care was $8,218 versus $10,414, respectively, and the cost-effectiveness ratio per cure was $10,058 versus $13,685. For severely ill patients (APACHE II score .15), the expected cost was $12,962 versus $23,153, and the cost-effectiveness ratio per cure was $15,321 versus $64,313. Cefepime plus metronidazole was more cost-effective than imipenem/cilastatin in the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections, primarily because of fewer post-treatment surgical procedures and shorter hospital stays. The primary advantage accrued to severely ill patients who had an APACHE II score .15.

  4. Low-Temperature Curing Strength Enhancement in Cement-Based Materials Containing Limestone Powder.

    PubMed

    Bentz, Dale P; Stutzman, Paul E; Zunino, Franco

    2017-06-01

    With the ongoing sustainability movement, the incorporation of limestone powder in cementitious binders for concrete in the U.S. has become a subject of renewed interest. In addition to accelerating the early age hydration reactions of cementitious systems by providing additional surfaces for nucleation and growth of products, limestone powder is also intriguing based on its influence on low-temperature curing. For example, previous results have indicated that the utilization of limestone powder to replace one quarter of the fly ash in a high volume fly ash mixture (40 % to 60 % cement replacement) produces a reduction in the apparent activation energy for setting for temperatures below 25 °C. In the present study, the relationship between heat release and compressive strength of mortars at batching/curing temperatures of 10 °C and 23 °C is investigated. For Portland-limestone cements (PLC) with limestone additions on the order of 10 %, a higher strength per unit heat release is obtained after only 7 d of curing in lime water. Surprisingly, in some cases, the absolute strength of these mortar cubes measured at 7 d is higher when cured at 10 °C than at 23 °C. Solubilities vs. temperature, reaction stoichiometries and enthalpies, and projected phase distributions based on thermodynamic modeling for the cementitious phases are examined to provide some theoretical insight into this strength enhancement. For a subset of the investigated cements, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are conducted on 7-d paste specimens produced at the two temperatures to examine differences in their reaction rates and the phases produced. The strength enhancement observed in the PLC cements is related to the cement hydration products formed in the presence of carbonates as a function of temperature.

  5. Evaluating UV-C LED disinfection performance and ...

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This study evaluated ultraviolet (UV) light emitting diodes (LEDs) emitting at 260 nm, 280 nm, and the combination of 260|280 nm together for their efficacy at inactivating Escherichia. coli, MS2 coliphage, human adenovirus type 2 (HAdV2), and Bacillus pumilus spores; research included an evaluation of genomic damage. Inactivation by the LEDs was compared with the efficacy of conventional UV sources, the low-pressure (LP) and medium-pressure (MP) mercury vapor lamps. The work also calculated the electrical energy per order of reduction of the microorganisms by the five UV sources.For E. coli, all five UV sources yielded similar inactivation rates. For MS2 coliphage, the 260 nm LED was most effective. For HAdV2 and B. pumilus, the MP UV lamp was significantly more effective than the LP UV and UVC LED sources. When considering electrical energy per order of reduction, the LP UV lamp was the most efficient for E. coli and MS2, and the MPUV and LPUV were equally efficient for HAdV2 and B. pumilus spores. Among the UVC LEDs, the 280 nm LED unit required the least energy per log reduction of E. coli and HAdV2. The 280 nm and 260|280 nm LED units were equally efficient per log reduction of B. pumilus spores, and the 260 nm LED unit required the lowest energy per order of reduction of MS2 coliphage. The combination of the 260 nm and 280 nm UV LED wavelengths was also evaluated for potential synergistic effects. No dual-wavelength synergy was detected for inactivation of

  6. An elegant route to overcome fundamentally-limited light extraction in AlGaN deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes: preferential outcoupling of strong in-plane emission (Conference Presentation)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Jong Kyu; Lee, Jong Won; Kim, Dong-Yeong; Park, Jun Hyuk; Schubert, E. Fred; Kim, Jungsub; Kim, Yong-Il

    2016-09-01

    AlGaN-based deep ultraviolet (DUV) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are being developed for their numerous applications such as purification of air and water, sterilization in food processing, UV curing, medical-, and defense-related light sources. However, external quantum efficiency (EQE) of AlGaN-based DUV LEDs is very poor (<5% for 250nm) particularly due to low hole concentration and light extraction efficiency (LEE). Conventional LEE-enhancing techniques used for GaInN-based visible LEDs turned out to be ineffective for DUV LEDs due to difference in intrinsic material property between GaInN and AlGaN (Al< 30%). Unlike GaInN visible LEDs, DUV light from a high Al-content AlGaN active region is strongly transverse-magnetic (TM) polarized, that is, the electric field vector is parallel to the (0001) c-axis and shows strong sidewall emission through m- or a-plane due to crystal-field split-off hole band being top most valence band. Therefore, a new LEE-enhancing approach addressing the unique intrinsic property of AlGaN DUV LEDs is strongly desired. In this study, an elegant approach based on a DUV LED having multiple mesa stripes whose inclined sidewalls are covered by a MgF2/Al omni-directional mirror to take advantage of the strongly anisotropic transverse-magnetic polarized emission pattern of AlGaN quantum wells is presented. The sidewall-emission-enhanced DUV LED breaks through the fundamental limitations caused by the intrinsic properties of AlGaN, thus shows a remarkable improvement in light extraction as well as operating voltage simultaneously. Furthermore, an analytic model is developed to understand and precisely estimate the extraction of DUV photons from AlGaN DUV LEDs, and hence to provide promising routes to maximize the power conversion efficiency.

  7. Acoustic properties of interfacial debonding and their relationship with shrinkage stress in Class-I restorations.

    PubMed

    Yang, Bo; Guo, Jiawen; Huang, Qin; Heo, Young; Fok, Alex; Wang, Yan

    2016-06-01

    (1) To investigate the properties, and their correlations, of the acoustic emission (AE) from interfacial debonding of Class-I composite restorations during curing. (2) To establish the relationship between the theoretical shrinkage stress and the level of interfacial debonding in such restorations as determined by AE measurement. An AE sensor was attached onto the surface of human molars with a Class-I composite restoration of 4mm (length)×3mm (width)×2mm (depth) to monitor their debonding from the tooth tissues during curing. Background signals were analyzed before curing to determine the threshold amplitude for noise filtering. Three groups (n=3) of composites with different levels of shrinkage were tested: (1) Z100™, (2) Filtek™ Z250, and (3) Filtek™ LS. All restorations were cured with an LED blue light operated at 1200mW/cm(2) for 40s. AE signals were recorded continuously from the start of curing for 10min, and their frequency, amplitude and duration were analyzed. Finally, the cumulative number of AE events was compared with the theoretical maximum shrinkage stress that could be generated by the composites. The amplitude of the background signals was below 30dB, which was chosen as the threshold for noise filtering. The amplitude of all debonding events ranged from 30 to 50dB, and their duration was below 100μs. The peak frequency had two main bands: 100-200kHz and 700-800kHz. The duration time increased with increasing amplitude, but no correlation was found between the peak frequency and the other two parameters. The cumulative number of AE events was 30.67±2.31, 14.00±7.81 and 5.67±3.06 for Z100, Z250 and LS, respectively, which corresponded well with the theoretical maximum shrinkage stress they could produce, i.e. 42.5, 97.5 and 182.5MPa. R(2)=0.9955 for the linear regression. The theoretical shrinkage stress below which no AE events were detected was about 14.3MPa. For the materials considered, the amount of interfacial debonding produced in a Class-I restoration during curing increased linearly with the theoretical maximum shrinkage stress of the composite. The theoretical stress below which no AE events were detected was similar to composite-dentin bond strength reported in the literature. Copyright © 2016 Academy of Dental Materials. All rights reserved.

  8. Biological Research in Canisters (BRIC) - Light Emitting Diode (LED)

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Levine, Howard G.; Caron, Allison

    2016-01-01

    The Biological Research in Canisters - LED (BRIC-LED) is a biological research system that is being designed to complement the capabilities of the existing BRIC-Petri Dish Fixation Unit (PDFU) for the Space Life and Physical Sciences (SLPS) Program. A diverse range of organisms can be supported, including plant seedlings, callus cultures, Caenorhabditis elegans, microbes, and others. In the event of a launch scrub, the entire assembly can be replaced with an identical back-up unit containing freshly loaded specimens.

  9. Synthesis of a Novel Phosphorus-Containing Flame Retardant Curing Agent and Its Application in Epoxy Resins.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Hongkun; Xu, Miaojun; Li, Bin

    2016-03-01

    A novel phosphorus-containing compound diphenyl-(2,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-phosphine oxide defined as DPDHPPO was synthesized and used as flame retardant and curing agent for epoxy resins (EP). The chemical structure was well characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, 1H, 13C and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance. The flame retardant properties, combusting performances and thermal degradation behaviors of the cured epoxy resins were investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning tests (UL-94), cone calorimeter and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) tests. The morphologies and chemical compositions of char residues for cured epoxy resins were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The water resistant properties were evaluated by putting the samples into distilled water at 70 degrees C for 168 h. The results revealed that the EP/40 wt% DPDHPPO/60 wt% PDA thermosets successfully passed UL-94 V-0 flammability rating and the LOI value was as high as 31.9%. The cone tests results revealed that the incorporation of DPDHPPO efficiently reduced the combustion parameters of epoxy resins thermosets, such as heat release rate (HRR), total heat release (THR) and so on. The TGA results indicated that the introduction of DPDHPPO promoted epoxy resins matrix decomposed ahead of time compared with that of pure EP and led to a higher char yield and thermal stability at high temperature. The morphological structures and analysis of XPS of char residues revealed that DPDHPPO benefited to the formation of a sufficient, compact and homogeneous char layer with rich flame retardant elements on the epoxy resins materials surface during combustion. After water resistance tests, EP/40 wt% DPDHPPO/60 wt% PDA thermosets still remained excellent flame retardancy, the moisture absorption of epoxy resins thermosets decreased with the increase of DPDHPPO contents in the thermosets due to the existing of P-C bonds and the rigid aromatic hydrophobic structure.

  10. Therapeutic cure against human tumor xenografts in nude mice by a microtubule stabilization agent, fludelone, via parenteral or oral route.

    PubMed

    Chou, Ting-Chao; Dong, Huajin; Zhang, Xiuguo; Tong, William P; Danishefsky, Samuel J

    2005-10-15

    Epothilones, 16-membered macrolides isolated from a myxobacterium in soil, exert their antitumor effect, like Taxol, by induction of microtubule polymerization and microtubule stabilization. They are effective against tumor cells that are resistant to Taxol or vinblastine. We recently designed, via molecular editing and total synthesis, a new class of epothilones represented by 26-trifluoro-(E)-9,10-dehydro-12,13-desoxy-epothilone B (Fludelone), which has emerged as a lead candidate for clinical development. Treatment of nude mice bearing MX-1 human mammary carcinoma xenografts (as large as 3.4% body weight) with Fludelone (6-hour i.v. infusion, 25 mg/kg, q3d x 5, q3d x 4) led to complete disappearance and de facto "cure" (i.e., remission without a relapse for over 15% of the average life span of 2 years). The toxicities induced by bolus i.v. injection could be avoided through prolonged i.v. infusion, which allowed for a 10-fold increase in maximal tolerated dose. Complete remission of MX-1 xenografts was achieved with only one third of this maximal tolerated dose. Parallel studies with Taxol and Fludelone [20 mg/kg, 6-hour i.v. infusion (q2d x 4) x3] against HCT-116 human colon carcinoma xenografts revealed that both drugs achieved tumor remission; however, all Taxol-treated mice relapsed in approximately 1.3 months, whereas the Fludelone-treated mice were cured without any relapse for over 7 months. Furthermore, tumor remission was achieved by Fludelone against SK-OV-3 (ovary), PC-3 (prostate), and the Taxol-resistant CCRF-CEM/Taxol (leukemia) xenograft tumors. Most remarkably, p.o. administration of Fludelone (30 mg/kg, q2d x 7, q2d x 9, q2d x 5) against MX-1 xenografts achieved a nonrelapsing cure for as long as 8.4 months. The above results indicate that Fludelone is a highly promising compound for cancer chemotherapeutics.

  11. In-vitro study of resin-modified glass ionomer cements for cementation of orthodontic bands. Isolation, surplus removal and humidity as factors influencing the bond strength between enamel, cement and metal.

    PubMed

    Liebmann, S M; Jost-Brinkmann, P G

    1999-01-01

    The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate different light-cured and chemically cured resin-modified glass ionomer cements used for the cementation of orthodontic bands and to analyze various factors influencing the adhesive strength between enamel, cement and stainless steel. Four resin-modified glass ionomers (Fuji Ortho LC/GC, Fuji Duet/GC, Unitek Multi-Cure Glass Ionomer Orthodontic Band Cement/3M Unitek, Vitremer/3M) and 1 compomer (Band-Lok/Reliance) were examined. Flattened and polished bovine teeth embedded in polyurethane resin were used as enamel specimens. Before cementation, 50% of the specimens were moistened with the aerosol of an inhalation device, while the rest were dried with compressed air. Stainless steel cylinders (CrNi 18 10) were perpendicularly bonded onto the polished enamel using a custom-made cementation device and immediately topped with a pressure of 0.25 MPa. The cement was isolated with either Ketac Glaze/ESPE, Fuji Coat/GC, Cacao Butter/GC, Dryfoil/Jalenko or Final Varnish/VOCO, or was left uncoated. Eight minutes after the beginning of mixing, either the surplus cement was removed with a scalpel or surplus removal was simulated with ultrasound. After 24 hours storage in a water bath at 37 degrees C and 1,000 thermocycles the shear bond strength was determined. Significant differences with respect to the shear bond strength were found among the following cements, ranking from highest to lowest: Fuji Duet, Unitek cement > Fuji Ortho LC > Vitremer > Band-Lok. The application of a barrier coating significantly increased the shear bond strength of all cements except Fuji Ortho LC. The light-cured resin Ketac Glaze proved to be the most effective barrier coating. A dry enamel surface increased the bond strength of all investigated cements except Unitek cement. The use of ultrasound led to no significant reduction in shear bond strength in comparison with surplus removal with a scalpel.

  12. Wood-plastic composites in the United States : the interfacing of two industries

    Treesearch

    Craig Clemons

    2002-01-01

    The term wood-plastic composites refers to any composites that contain wood (of any form) and thermosets or thermoplastics. Thermosets are plastics that, once cured, cannot be melted by reheating. These include resins such as epoxies and phenolics, plastics with which the forest products industry is most familiar. Thermoplastics are plastics that can be repeatedly...

  13. Seven Hypotheses on Language Loss Causes and Cures.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Crawford, James

    Objective evidence indicates that despite public fears and the claims of those who would make English the official language of the United States, it is not English, but minority tongues that are threatened in this country today. In the last 5 years, educators have noticed a sharp decline in native language skills among Native American children.…

  14. Sending the Right Signals | Center for Cancer Research

    Cancer.gov

    Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL), the most common type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, causes about 10,000 deaths every year in the United States, even though about half of all patients are cured with current regimens. There are different subtypes of DLBCL that vary biologically and have significantly different rates of patient survival following chemotherapy, with the

  15. 9 CFR 590.547 - Albumen flake process drying operations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... operations. (a) The fermentation, drying, and curing rooms shall be kept in a dust-free clean condition and free of flies, insects, and rodents. (b) Drying units, racks, and trucks shall be kept in a clean and... clean condition. (d) Oils and waxes used in oiling drying pans or trays shall be of edible quality. (e...

  16. 9 CFR 590.547 - Albumen flake process drying operations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... operations. (a) The fermentation, drying, and curing rooms shall be kept in a dust-free clean condition and free of flies, insects, and rodents. (b) Drying units, racks, and trucks shall be kept in a clean and... clean condition. (d) Oils and waxes used in oiling drying pans or trays shall be of edible quality. (e...

  17. 9 CFR 590.547 - Albumen flake process drying operations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... operations. (a) The fermentation, drying, and curing rooms shall be kept in a dust-free clean condition and free of flies, insects, and rodents. (b) Drying units, racks, and trucks shall be kept in a clean and... clean condition. (d) Oils and waxes used in oiling drying pans or trays shall be of edible quality. (e...

  18. 9 CFR 590.547 - Albumen flake process drying operations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... operations. (a) The fermentation, drying, and curing rooms shall be kept in a dust-free clean condition and free of flies, insects, and rodents. (b) Drying units, racks, and trucks shall be kept in a clean and... clean condition. (d) Oils and waxes used in oiling drying pans or trays shall be of edible quality. (e...

  19. Highly luminescent and photostable quantum dot-silica monolith and its application to light-emitting diodes.

    PubMed

    Jun, Shinae; Lee, Junho; Jang, Eunjoo

    2013-02-26

    A highly luminescent and photostable quantum dot-silica monolith (QD-SM) substance was prepared by preliminary surface exchange of the QDs and base-catalyzed sol-gel condensation of silica. The SM was heavily doped with 6-mercaptohexanol exchanged QDs up to 12 vol % (26 wt %) without particle aggregation. Propylamine catalyst was important in maintaining the original luminescence of the QDs in the SM during sol-gel condensation. The silica layer was a good barrier against oxygen and moisture, so that the QD-SM maintained its initial luminescence after high-power UV radiation (∼1 W) for 200 h and through the 150 °C LED encapsulant curing process. Green and red light-emitting QD-SMs were applied as color-converting layers on blue LEDs, and the external quantum efficiency reached up to 89% for the green QD-SM and 63% for the red one. A white LED made with a mixture of green and red QDs in the SM, in which the color coordinate was adjusted at (0.23, 0.21) in CIE1931 color space for a backlight application, showed an efficacy of 47 lm/W, the highest value yet reported.

  20. Effect of light-enhanced bleaching on in vitro surface and intrapulpal temperature rise.

    PubMed

    Baik, J W; Rueggeberg, F A; Liewehr, F R

    2001-01-01

    This study investigated the effect of the presence, absence, and aging of a heat-enhancing compound (colorant) added to bleaching gel on the temperature rise of the gel itself, as well as the temperature rise within the pulp chamber, when a tooth was exposed to a variety of light-curing units in vitro. An extracted human upper central incisor was fitted with thermocouples placed in the pulp chamber as well as on the facial tooth surface. A temperature-controlled simulated intrapulpal fluid flow was provided to the tooth, and bleaching agent (Opalesence XTRA, Ultradent) containing heat-enhancing colorant, aged colorant, or no colorant was applied to the facial surface. The tooth and light-curing unit were placed in a thermostatically controlled oven at 37 degrees C, and real-time gel and intrapulpal temperature values were recorded digitally. Light-curing units used were a plasma arc light (PAC) (PowerPac, ADT), a conventional quartz tungsten halogen source (QTH) (Optilux 501, Demetron/Kerr), the QTH light used in high-power (bleaching) mode, and an argon ion laser (AccuCure 3000, LaserMed). An exposure scenario simulating light-enhanced bleaching of 10 upper teeth was developed. Temperature rise over the pre-exposure, baseline value associated with the last light exposure in the bleaching sequence was calculated for each curing and bleaching combination. Five replications for each test condition were made. Temperature rise values were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a preset alpha of 0.05. When fresh colorant-containing bleach was used, the PAC light increased bleach temperature 39.3 degrees C above baseline. With no added colorant, temperature rise was 37.1 degrees C. The QTH light in bleach mode resulted in gel temperature 24.8 degrees C above baseline, whereas the temperature increase was only 11.5 degrees C when no colorant was used. Conventional QTH light use increased fresh bleach temperature by 17.7 degrees C, whereas an increase of only 11.1 degrees C was measured without colorant. The argon ion laser produced equivalent temperature rise regardless of the presence or freshness of the colorant, approximately 9.4 degrees C. Intrapulpal temperatures were all significantly lower than those recorded in the bleaching gel and ranged from 5 degrees to 8 degrees C. As a rule, the presence of fresh heat-enhancing colorant in the bleaching gel resulted in a significant intrapulpal temperature increase (approximately 1 degrees C) over that reached using other lights. The PAC and the QTH light used in bleach mode induced greater intrapulpal temperature rise than the laser. Freshness of bleaching agent incorporating light-activated, heat-enhancing colorant influences temperature rise of bleaching gel and also may increase intrapulpal temperature values. Use of intense lights does elevate bleach temperature and also results in increased intrapulpal temperature that may further impact on patient sensitivity and pulpal health resulting from this treatment.

  1. Herbal cancer cures on the Web: noncompliance with The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act.

    PubMed

    Bonakdar, Robert Alan

    2002-01-01

    A significant portion of the US population uses the Internet to obtain health information; nearly half of Internet users admit that this information influences decisions about their health care and medical treatments. Concurrently, approximately one third of the population uses herbal supplements; a higher percentage is noted for subgroups of cancer patients. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994 contained regulatory standards for herbal supplements, including restricting any claims for disease prevention, treatment, or cure. This study determined the degree of compliance with the DSHEA, as applied to Internet sites focusing on the subject of herbal supplements and cancer. Internet searches were conducted using six popular search engines and three master search engines in October-December 2000 using the linked terms herb and cancer. The Internet sites identified through this search process were examined for categories of information including claims regarding prevention, treatment, or cure; commercial nature; DSHEA and physician consultation warnings; country of origin; and use of research and testimonials. Additionally, commercial sites were reviewed to identify tactics used to promote products or services. Each of the six primary search engines provided between 11,730 and 58,605 matches for herb and cancer. Further cross matching with the three master search engines identified 70 non-repeating sites that appeared on all three master search engines. Of these 70 sites, nine were irrelevant matches or no longer functioning. Of the remaining 61, 34 (54%) were commercial sites (CS) and 27 (42.8%) were noncommercial sites (NCS). Of the CS surveyed, prevention, treatment, and cure were discussed 92%, 89%, and 58%, respectively. CS provided testimonials, physician consultation recommendations, and DSHEA warnings 89%, 38.8%, and 36.1% of the time, respectively. CS provided research with references 30.6% of the time versus 92.6% of the time in NCS. All international commercial sites surveyed claimed herbal cancer cures. Although the DSHEA was enacted and amended to decrease unlawful claims of disease prevention, treatment, and cure, the results of this study indicate that such claims are prevalent on commercial Internet sites. A majority of sites claim cancer cures through herbal supplementation with little regardfor current regulations, and such claims were more common on sites operated from outside the United States.

  2. Effect of immediate or delayed light activation on curing kinetics and shrinkage stress of dual-cure resin cements.

    PubMed

    Faria-e-Silva, Andre; Boaro, Leticia; Braga, Roberto; Piva, Evandro; Arias, Vanessa; Martins, Luis

    2011-01-01

    This study evaluated the effect of light activation (absence, immediate, or delayed) on conversion kinetics and polymerization stress of three commercial dual-cured resin cements (Enforce, RelyX ARC, and Panavia F). Degree of conversion (DC) was monitored for 30 minutes using real-time near–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The cement was mixed, placed on the spectrometer sample holder, and light activated either immediately or after five minutes (delayed light activation). When no light activation was performed, the materials were protected from light exposure (control). DC was evaluated at five and 30 minutes postmixture. Maximum rates of polymerization (Rp(max)) were obtained from the first derivative of the DC vs time curve. Polymerization stress was monitored for 30 minutes in 1-mm-thick specimens inserted between two cylinders attached to a universal testing machine. Data were submitted to analysis of variance/Tukey tests (α=0.05). Immediate light activation promoted the highest DC at five minutes. At 30 minutes, only RelyX ARC did not present a significant difference in DC between activation modes. Enforce and Panavia F presented higher Rp(max) for immediate and delayed light-activation, respectively. RelyX ARC showed similar Rp(max) for all activation modes. The absence of light activation resulted in the lowest stress followed by delayed light activation, while immediate light activation led to the highest values. RelyX ARC showed higher stress than Enforce, while the stress of Panavia F was similar to that of the others. Delayed light activation reduced the polymerization stress of the resin cements tested without jeopardizing DC.

  3. Customize Learning with Student-Generated Guiding Questions

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Virgin, Robb

    2015-01-01

    Outlined in this article is the three-year journey of a middle school social studies department that led to a shift from teacher-led units of instruction (e.g., Reconstruction) to units that used student-generated questions (e.g., What was life like for former slaves?, How did Southerners' lifestyles change?, Did the North and South cooperate?,…

  4. [The relation of the patient's condition and outcome of drug maintainance therapy in schizophrenia (analysis of the curative effect in 324 cases)].

    PubMed

    Zhang, Z

    1989-12-01

    Cf, the methodology and diagnostic standard of 12 collaborative units about "Epidemiological investigation" of 1982, we traced to investigate the relation between the patients' condition outcome and drug maintain therapy of 324 cases with schizophrenia in community. The investigative result showed the cure rate of insisting on taking medicine group was 25.21%, the effective rate was 97.48%, the cure rate of irregular taking medicine groups was 6.63%, the effective rate was 68.37%, there was remarkable difference between the cure rate and the effective rate in two groups. Otherwise we also compared the patients, condition of insisting on taking drug groups with during investigation. We found there was no remarkable change that showed insisting a drug maintain therapy out the hospital to the curative effect of the disease to possess on important meaning. The pattern also compared the curative effect of a time onset of disease group and many times. There was no remarkable difference about the statistical analysis of the curative effect among each group. It showed me never lose confidence to the patients. We should treat actively them.

  5. Dr. Hall and the work cure.

    PubMed

    Reed, Kathlyn L

    2005-01-01

    Herbert James Hall, MD (1870-1923), was a pioneer in the systematic and organized study of occupation as therapy for persons with nervous and mental disorders that he called the "work cure." He began his work in 1904 during the early years of the Arts and Crafts Movement in the United States. His primary interest was the disorder neurasthenia, a condition with many symptoms including chronic fatigue, stress, and inability to work or perform everyday tasks. The prevailing treatment of the day was absolute bed rest known as the "rest cure." Hall believed that neurasthenia was not caused by overwork but by faulty living habits that could be corrected through an ordered life schedule and selected occupations. He identified several principles of therapy that are still used today including graded activity and energy conservation. Dr. Adolph Meyer credits Hall for organizing the ideas on the therapeutic use of occupation (Meyer, 1922). Hall also provided the name American Occupational Therapy Association for the professional organization and served as the fourth president. For his many contributions to the profession Hall deserves to be recognized as a major contributor to the development and organization of occupational therapy.

  6. Assessment of Heat Hazard during the Polymerization of Selected Light-Sensitive Dental Materials.

    PubMed

    Janeczek, Maciej; Herman, Katarzyna; Fita, Katarzyna; Dudek, Krzysztof; Kowalczyk-Zając, Małgorzata; Czajczyńska-Waszkiewicz, Agnieszka; Piesiak-Pańczyszyn, Dagmara; Kosior, Piotr; Dobrzyński, Maciej

    2016-01-01

    Introduction. Polymerization of light-cured dental materials used for restoration of hard tooth tissue may lead to an increase in temperature that may have negative consequence for pulp vitality. Aim. The aim of this study was to determine maximum temperatures reached during the polymerization of selected dental materials, as well as the time that is needed for samples of sizes similar to those used in clinical practice to reach these temperatures. Materials and Methods. The study involved four composite restorative materials, one lining material and a dentine bonding agent. The polymerization was conducted with the use of a diode light-curing unit. The measurements of the external surface temperature of the samples were carried out using the Thermovision®550 thermal camera. Results. The examined materials significantly differed in terms of the maximum temperatures values they reached, as well as the time required for reaching the temperatures. A statistically significant positive correlation of the maximum temperature and the sample weight was observed. Conclusions. In clinical practice, it is crucial to bear in mind the risk of thermal damage involved in the application of light-cured materials. It can be reduced by using thin increments of composite materials.

  7. A Comparison of an Individually Tailored and a Standardized Asthma Self-Management Education

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Shackelford, Judy; Bachman, Jean H.

    2009-01-01

    Background: Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the United States and can be life-threatening. There are a rising number of adults with asthma that cannot be prevented or cured but may be controlled. Self-management education is essential for long-term asthma control; however, the most effective type of education is unknown.…

  8. 21 CFR 10.45 - Court review of final administrative action; exhaustion of administrative remedies.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 12. (b) A request that the Commissioner take or refrain from taking any form of administrative action... review of final agency action; and (iii) It is not appropriate to move to dismiss a suit for... that it is an unconsented suit against the United States if the defect could be cured by amending the...

  9. 21 CFR 10.45 - Court review of final administrative action; exhaustion of administrative remedies.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 12. (b) A request that the Commissioner take or refrain from taking any form of administrative action... review of final agency action; and (iii) It is not appropriate to move to dismiss a suit for... that it is an unconsented suit against the United States if the defect could be cured by amending the...

  10. 21 CFR 10.45 - Court review of final administrative action; exhaustion of administrative remedies.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 12. (b) A request that the Commissioner take or refrain from taking any form of administrative action... review of final agency action; and (iii) It is not appropriate to move to dismiss a suit for... that it is an unconsented suit against the United States if the defect could be cured by amending the...

  11. 21 CFR 10.45 - Court review of final administrative action; exhaustion of administrative remedies.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 12. (b) A request that the Commissioner take or refrain from taking any form of administrative action... review of final agency action; and (iii) It is not appropriate to move to dismiss a suit for... that it is an unconsented suit against the United States if the defect could be cured by amending the...

  12. Influence of Resin Composition on the Defect Formation in Alumina Manufactured by Stereolithography

    PubMed Central

    Johansson, Emil; Lidström, Oscar; Johansson, Jan; Lyckfeldt, Ola; Adolfsson, Erik

    2017-01-01

    Stereolithography (SL) is a technique allowing additive manufacturing of complex ceramic parts by selective photopolymerization of a photocurable suspension containing photocurable monomer, photoinitiator, and a ceramic powder. The manufactured three-dimensional object is cleaned and converted into a dense ceramic part by thermal debinding of the polymer network and subsequent sintering. The debinding is the most critical and time-consuming step, and often the source of cracks. In this study, photocurable alumina suspensions have been developed, and the influence of resin composition on defect formation has been investigated. The suspensions were characterized in terms of rheology and curing behaviour, and cross-sections of sintered specimens manufactured by SL were evaluated by SEM. It was found that the addition of a non-reactive component to the photocurable resin reduced polymerization shrinkage and altered the thermal decomposition of the polymer matrix, which led to a reduction in both delamination and intra-laminar cracks. Using a non-reactive component that decomposed rather than evaporated led to less residual porosity. PMID:28772496

  13. Light-Emitting Diodes: Exploration of Underlying Physics

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Etkina, Eugenia; Planinšic, Gorazd

    2014-01-01

    This paper is the second in the series of LED-dedicated papers that have a goal to systematically investigate the use of LEDs in a general physics course. The first paper, published in the February 2014 issue, provided an overview of the course units where LEDs can be used and suggested three different ways of utilizing LEDs in an introductory…

  14. Acute promyelocytic leukemia, arsenic, and PML bodies

    PubMed Central

    Le Bras, Morgane; Lallemand-Breitenbach, Valérie

    2012-01-01

    Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is driven by a chromosomal translocation whose product, the PML/retinoic acid (RA) receptor α (RARA) fusion protein, affects both nuclear receptor signaling and PML body assembly. Dissection of APL pathogenesis has led to the rediscovery of PML bodies and revealed their role in cell senescence, disease pathogenesis, and responsiveness to treatment. APL is remarkable because of the fortuitous identification of two clinically effective therapies, RA and arsenic, both of which degrade PML/RARA oncoprotein and, together, cure APL. Analysis of arsenic-induced PML or PML/RARA degradation has implicated oxidative stress in the biogenesis of nuclear bodies and SUMO in their degradation. PMID:22778276

  15. Postbuckling behavior of graphite-epoxy panels

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Starnes, J. H., Jr.; Dickson, J. N.; Rouse, M.

    1984-01-01

    Structurally efficient fuselage panels are often designed to allow buckling to occur at applied loads below ultimate. Interest in applying graphite-epoxy materials to fuselage primary structure led to several studies of the post-buckling behavior of graphite-epoxy structural components. Studies of the postbuckling behavior of flat and curved, unstiffened and stiffened graphite-epoxy panels loaded in compression and shear were summarized. The response and failure characteristics of specimens studied experimentally were described, and analytical and experimental results were compared. The specimens tested in the studies described were fabricated from commercially available 0.005-inch-thick unidirectional graphite-fiber tapes preimpregnated with 350 F cure thermosetting epoxy resins.

  16. [Calcium hypothesis of Alzheimer disease].

    PubMed

    Riazantseva, M A; Mozhaeva, G N; Kaznacheeva, E V

    2012-01-01

    Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive memory and cognitive abilities loss. The etiology of Alzheimer's disease is poorly understood. In this regard, there is no effective treatment for the disease. Various hypotheses to explain the nature of the pathology of Alzheimer's disease led to the development of appropriate therapeutics. Despite of decades of research and clinical trials available therapeutics, at best, can only slow down the progression of the disease, but cannot cure it. This review dedicated to the one of modern hypotheses of Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis implied the impairment of calcium homeostasis as a key event for the development of neurodegenerative processes.

  17. The cell biology of disease: Acute promyelocytic leukemia, arsenic, and PML bodies.

    PubMed

    de Thé, Hugues; Le Bras, Morgane; Lallemand-Breitenbach, Valérie

    2012-07-09

    Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is driven by a chromosomal translocation whose product, the PML/retinoic acid (RA) receptor α (RARA) fusion protein, affects both nuclear receptor signaling and PML body assembly. Dissection of APL pathogenesis has led to the rediscovery of PML bodies and revealed their role in cell senescence, disease pathogenesis, and responsiveness to treatment. APL is remarkable because of the fortuitous identification of two clinically effective therapies, RA and arsenic, both of which degrade PML/RARA oncoprotein and, together, cure APL. Analysis of arsenic-induced PML or PML/RARA degradation has implicated oxidative stress in the biogenesis of nuclear bodies and SUMO in their degradation.

  18. Epoxy Resins in Electron Microscopy

    PubMed Central

    Finck, Henry

    1960-01-01

    A method of embedding biological specimens in araldite 502 (Ciba) has been developed for materials available in the United States. Araldite-embedded tissues are suitable for electron microscopy, but the cutting qualities of the resin necessitates more than routine attention during microtomy. The rather high viscosity of araldite 502 also seems to be an unnecessary handicap. The less viscous epoxy epon 812 (Shell) produces specimens with improved cutting qualities, and has several features—low shrinkage and absence of specimen damage during cure, minimal compression of sections, relative absence of electron beam-induced section damage, etc.—which recommends it as a routine embedding material. The hardness of the cured resin can be easily adjusted by several methods to suit the materials embedded in it. Several problems and advantages of working with sections of epoxy resins are also discussed. PMID:13822825

  19. Fungi isolated from flue-cured tobacco sold in Southeast United States, 1968-1970.

    PubMed

    Welty, R E

    1972-09-01

    Flue-cured tobacco leaves, from low- and middle-stalk positions, offered for sale in each of two markets, within each of five tobacco types, were evaluated for moisture content (MC) and filamentous fungi during August through October in 1968, 1969, and 1970. Alternaria alternata, Penicillium cyclopium, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus repens, and Aspergillus flavus were most frequently isolated from cultured tissue. Other filamentous fungi that grew from the tissue included species from four genera of field fungi and seven species of storage fungi. Although the MC ranged from 11.0 to 22.5%, it averaged 16.4, 16.8, and 15.9% for samples taken in 1968, 1969, and 1970, respectively. Average populations of fungi per sample over the three years ranged from 0 to 1,528,500 colonies/g of tobacco.

  20. Fungi Isolated from Flue-Cured Tobacco Sold in Southeast United States, 1968-1970

    PubMed Central

    Welty, Ronald E.

    1972-01-01

    Flue-cured tobacco leaves, from low- and middle-stalk positions, offered for sale in each of two markets, within each of five tobacco types, were evaluated for moisture content (MC) and filamentous fungi during August through October in 1968, 1969, and 1970. Alternaria alternata, Penicillium cyclopium, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus repens, and Aspergillus flavus were most frequently isolated from cultured tissue. Other filamentous fungi that grew from the tissue included species from four genera of field fungi and seven species of storage fungi. Although the MC ranged from 11.0 to 22.5%, it averaged 16.4, 16.8, and 15.9% for samples taken in 1968, 1969, and 1970, respectively. Average populations of fungi per sample over the three years ranged from 0 to 1,528,500 colonies/g of tobacco. PMID:4627970

  1. Successful Treatment of Corticosteroid with Antiviral Therapy for a Neonatal Liver Failure with Disseminated Herpes Simplex Virus Infection

    PubMed Central

    Maeba, Shinji; Hasegawa, Shunji; Shimomura, Maiko; Ichimura, Takuya; Takahashi, Kazumasa; Motoyama, Masashi; Fukunaga, Shinnosuke; Ito, Yoshinori; Ichiyama, Takashi; Ohga, Shouichi

    2015-01-01

    Background Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection carries one of the poorest outcomes of neonatal liver failure (NLF). Neonates with disseminated HSV infection can develop hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), and occasionally need orthotopic liver transplantation. Early interventions may be critical for the cure of NLF. Case Report We describe herewith a 6-day-old neonate with fulminant hepatic failure due to disseminated HSV-1 infection, who successfully responded to high-dose corticosteroid therapy 72 hours after the onset of disease. Preceding acyclovir, gamma globulin, and exchange blood transfusion therapies failed to control the disease. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy led to a drastic improvement of liver function and cytokine storms, and prevented the disease progression to HLH. Sustained levels of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid HSV DNA declined after prolonged acyclovir therapy. Bilateral lesions of the periventricular white matter areas, assessed by magnetic resonance imaging, disappeared at 3 months of age. The infant showed normal growth and development at 4 years of age. Conclusion Early anti-hypercytokinemia therapy using corticosteroid, and prolonged antiviral therapy might only provide the transplantation-free cure of NLF with HSV dissemination. PMID:26495160

  2. Shining a light on high volume photocurable materials.

    PubMed

    Palin, William M; Leprince, Julian G; Hadis, Mohammed A

    2018-05-01

    Spatial and temporal control is a key advantage for placement and rapid setting of light-activated resin composites. Conventionally, placement of multiple thin layers (<2mm) reduces the effect of light attenuation through highly filled and pigmented materials to increase polymerisation at the base of the restoration. However, and although light curing greater than 2mm thick layers is not an entirely new phenomenon, the desire amongst dental practitioners for even more rapid processing in deep cavities has led to the growing acceptance of so-called "bulk fill" (4-6mm thick) resin composites that are irradiated for 10-20s in daily clinical practice. The change in light transmission and attenuation during photopolymerisation are complex and related to path length, absorption properties of the photoinitiator and pigment, optical properties of the resin and filler and filler morphology. Understanding how light is transmitted through depth is therefore critical for ensuring optimal material properties at the base of thick increments. This article will briefly highlight the advent of current commercial materials that rationalise bulk filling techniques in dentistry, the relationship between light transmission and polymerisation and how optimal curing depths might be achieved. Copyright © 2018 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Gene therapy for red-green colour blindness in adult primates

    PubMed Central

    Mancuso, Katherine; Hauswirth, William W.; Li, Qiuhong; Connor, Thomas B.; Kuchenbecker, James A.; Mauck, Matthew C.; Neitz, Jay; Neitz, Maureen

    2009-01-01

    Red-green colour blindness, which results from the absence of either the long- (L) or middle- (M) wavelength-sensitive visual photopigments, is the most common single locus genetic disorder. Here, the possibility of curing colour blindness using gene therapy was explored in experiments on adult monkeys that had been colour blind since birth. A third type of cone pigment was added to dichromatic retinas, providing the receptoral basis for trichromatic colour vision. This opened a new avenue to explore the requirements for establishing the neural circuits for a new dimension of colour sensation. Classic visual deprivation experiments1 have led to the expectation that neural connections established during development would not appropriately process an input that was not present from birth. Therefore, it was believed that treatment of congenital vision disorders would be ineffective unless administered to the very young. Here, however, addition of a third opsin in adult red-green colour-deficient primates was sufficient to produce trichromatic colour vision behaviour. Thus, trichromacy can arise from a single addition of a third cone class and it does not require an early developmental process. This provides a positive outlook for the potential of gene therapy to cure adult vision disorders. PMID:19759534

  4. Gene therapy for red-green colour blindness in adult primates.

    PubMed

    Mancuso, Katherine; Hauswirth, William W; Li, Qiuhong; Connor, Thomas B; Kuchenbecker, James A; Mauck, Matthew C; Neitz, Jay; Neitz, Maureen

    2009-10-08

    Red-green colour blindness, which results from the absence of either the long- (L) or the middle- (M) wavelength-sensitive visual photopigments, is the most common single locus genetic disorder. Here we explore the possibility of curing colour blindness using gene therapy in experiments on adult monkeys that had been colour blind since birth. A third type of cone pigment was added to dichromatic retinas, providing the receptoral basis for trichromatic colour vision. This opened a new avenue to explore the requirements for establishing the neural circuits for a new dimension of colour sensation. Classic visual deprivation experiments have led to the expectation that neural connections established during development would not appropriately process an input that was not present from birth. Therefore, it was believed that the treatment of congenital vision disorders would be ineffective unless administered to the very young. However, here we show that the addition of a third opsin in adult red-green colour-deficient primates was sufficient to produce trichromatic colour vision behaviour. Thus, trichromacy can arise from a single addition of a third cone class and it does not require an early developmental process. This provides a positive outlook for the potential of gene therapy to cure adult vision disorders.

  5. Complex Cure Kinetics of the Tertiary Amine activated Reaction in DGEBA Epoxy Hardened with Diethanolamine

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ancipink, Windy; McCoy, John; Clarkson, Caitlyn; Kropka, Jamie; Celina, Mathias; Giron, Nicholas; Hailesilassie, Lebelo; Fredj, Narjes

    The curing of a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) epoxy with diethanolamine (DEA) involves a well understood fast amine-epoxide reaction followed by a more complicated slower hydroxyl-epoxide reaction. The time scale of these two reactions are well separated and can be studied independently from one another. The initial amine-epoxide reaction results in a tertiary amine adduct which is a product of the direct reaction of a secondary amine from the DEA reacting with a single DGEBA epoxide. The second hydroxyl-epoxide reaction results in a highly crosslinked glassy epoxy resin. The deviation in the mechanisms between high and low temperatures are discerned through the use of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and isothermal microcalorimetry (IMC) data. Observations of reaction rates at temperatures ranging from 30° C to 110° C have led to the determination that the hydroxyl-epoxide reaction is temperature sensitive. The hydroxyl-epoxide reaction occurs through two different mechanisms: at low temperatures, the reaction is catalyzed by the tertiary amine adduct; at higher temperatures, the reaction does not appear to be catalyzed. Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM.

  6. Are nurse-led chemotherapy clinics really nurse-led? An ethnographic study.

    PubMed

    Farrell, Carole; Walshe, Catherine; Molassiotis, Alex

    2017-04-01

    The number of patients requiring ambulatory chemotherapy is increasing year on year, creating problems with capacity in outpatient clinics and chemotherapy units. Although nurse-led chemotherapy clinics have been set up to address this, there is a lack of evaluation of their effectiveness. Despite a rapid expansion in the development of nursing roles and responsibilities in oncology, there is little understanding of the operational aspects of nurses' roles in nurse-led clinics. To explore nurses' roles within nurse-led chemotherapy clinics. A focused ethnographic study of nurses' roles in nurse-led chemotherapy clinics, including semi-structured interviews with nurses. Four chemotherapy units/cancer centres in the UK PARTICIPANTS: Purposive sampling was used to select four cancer centres/units in different geographical areas within the UK operating nurse-led chemotherapy clinics. Participants were 13 nurses working within nurse-led chemotherapy clinics at the chosen locations. Non-participant observation of nurse-led chemotherapy clinics, semi-structured interviews with nurse participants, review of clinic protocols and associated documentation. 61 nurse-patient consultations were observed with 13 nurses; of these 13, interviews were conducted with 11 nurses. Despite similarities in clinical skills training and prescribing, there were great disparities between clinics run by chemotherapy nurses and those run by advanced nurse practitioners. This included the number of patients seen within each clinic, operational aspects, nurses' autonomy, scope of practice and clinical decision-making abilities. The differences highlighted four different levels of nurse-led chemotherapy clinics, based on nurses' autonomy and scope of clinical practice. However, this was heavily influenced by medical consultants. Several nurses perceived they were undertaking holistic assessments, however they were using medical models/consultation styles, indicating medicalization of nurses' roles. Four different levels of nurse-led chemotherapy clinics were identified, illustrating disparities in nurses' roles. Although clinics are run by nurses they are often controlled by medical consultants, which can reduce nurses' autonomy and negatively impact on patient care. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Comparing Smoking Cessation Outcomes in Nurse-Led and Physician-Led Primary Care Visits.

    PubMed

    Byers, Marcia A; Wright, Patricia; Tilford, John Mick; Nemeth, Lynne S; Matthews, Ellyn; Mitchell, Anita

    Smoking is a significant public health concern in the United States, yet 50% of patients do not receive recommended tobacco use screening and counseling. This project compared smoking cessation rates in newly reimbursable nurse-led wellness visits with rates in physician-led visits. Although the findings were not statistically significant, they suggested that smoking cessation is at least equivalent in patients who attend nurse-led visits compared with physician-led visits and may be higher.

  8. Enhanced light extraction from a GaN-based green light-emitting diode with hemicylindrical linear grating structure.

    PubMed

    Jin, Yuanhao; Yang, Fenglei; Li, Qunqing; Zhu, Zhendong; Zhu, Jun; Fan, Shoushan

    2012-07-02

    Significant enhancement in the light output from GaN-based green light-emitting diodes (LEDs) was achieved with a hemicylindrical grating structure on the top layer of the diodes. The grating structure was first optimized by the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, which showed that the profile of the grating structure was critical for light extraction efficiency. It was found that the transmission efficiency of the 530 nm light emitted from the inside of the GaN LED increased for incidence angles between 23.58° and 60°. Such a structure was fabricated by electron-beam lithography and an etching method. The light output power from the LED was increased approximately 4.7 times compared with that from a conventional LED. The structure optimization is the key to the great increase in transmission efficiency. Furthermore, the light emitted from the edge of the LED units could be collected and extracted by the grating structures in adjacent LED units, thus enhancing the performance of the whole LED chip.

  9. Effect of increased exposure times on amount of residual monomer released from single-step self-etch adhesives.

    PubMed

    Altunsoy, Mustafa; Botsali, Murat Selim; Tosun, Gonca; Yasar, Ahmet

    2015-10-16

    The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of increased exposure times on the amount of residual Bis-GMA, TEGDMA, HEMA and UDMA released from single-step self-etch adhesive systems. Two adhesive systems were used. The adhesives were applied to bovine dentin surface according to the manufacturer's instructions and were polymerized using an LED curing unit for 10, 20 and 40 seconds (n = 5). After polymerization, the specimens were stored in 75% ethanol-water solution (6 mL). Residual monomers (Bis-GMA, TEGDMA, UDMA and HEMA) that were eluted from the adhesives (after 10 minutes, 1 hour, 1 day, 7 days and 30 days) were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance and Tukey HSD tests. Among the time periods, the highest amount of released residual monomers from adhesives was observed in the 10th minute. There were statistically significant differences regarding released Bis-GMA, UDMA, HEMA and TEGDMA between the adhesive systems (p<0.05). There were no significant differences among the 10, 20 and 40 second polymerization times according to their effect on residual monomer release from adhesives (p>0.05). Increasing the polymerization time did not have an effect on residual monomer release from single-step self-etch adhesives.

  10. Frederick W. Alt received the 2015 Szent-Györgi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research.

    PubMed

    Scully, Peter; Zhao, Jie; Ba, Sujuan

    2016-02-03

    The Szent-Györgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research is a prestigious scientific award established by the National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR)--a leading cancer research charitable organization in the United States that is committed to supporting scientific research and public education relating to the prevention, early diagnosis, better treatments, and ultimately, a cure for cancer. Each year, the Szent-Györgyi Prize honors an outstanding researcher, nominated by colleagues or peers, who has contributed outstanding, significant research to the fight against cancer, and whose accomplishments have helped improve treatment options for cancer patients. The Prize also promotes public awareness of the importance of basic cancer research and encourages the sustained investment needed to accelerate the translation of these research discoveries into new cancer treatments. This report highlights the pioneering work led by the 2015 Prize winner, Dr. Frederick Alt. Dr. Alt's work in the area of cancer genetics over four decades has helped to shape the very roots of modern cancer research. His work continues to profoundly impact the approaches that doctors around the globe use to diagnose and treat cancer. In particular, his seminal discoveries of gene amplification and his pioneering work on molecular mechanisms of DNA damage repair have helped to usher in the era of genetically targeted therapy and personalized medicine.

  11. International Szent-Györgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research: basic and translational research recognition : Mary-Claire King received the 2016 Prize for her pioneering research that demonstrated the first evidence of genetic predisposition to breast cancer.

    PubMed

    Hartmann, Hali; Zhao, Jie; Ba, Sujuan

    2017-11-21

    The Szent-Györgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research is a prestigious scientific award sponsored by the National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR)-a leading cancer research charitable organization in the United States that supports innovative cancer research globally with the ultimate goal to cure cancer. The coveted Szent-Györgyi Prize annually honors a scientist whose seminal discovery or body of work has resulted in, or led toward, notable contributions to cancer prevention, diagnosis, or treatment; and the discovery has had a high direct impact of saving people's lives. In addition, the prize promotes public awareness of the importance of basic cancer research and encourages the sustained investment needed to accelerate the translation of these research discoveries into new cancer treatments. In 2016, NFCR's Szent-Györgyi Prize Selection Committee was unanimous in its decision to recognize an icon in human disease genetics, Dr. Mary-Claire King, for her pioneering research that demonstrated the first evidence of genetic predisposition to breast cancer. Her proof of existence of BRCA1 gene and its location has made genetic screening for breast and ovarian cancers possible, saving lives of many people who are at high risk with inherited BRCA1 mutations.

  12. Exploring the Case for Eminent Domain of Hepatitis C Virus Treatment Patents.

    PubMed

    Mattingly Ii, T Joseph; Heil, Emily L; Hoke, Kathleen S

    2017-01-01

    Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a silent epidemic affecting millions of patients and represents the leading indication for liver transplantation in the United States and worldwide. New direct-acting antiviral agents offer the potential to cure patients infected with HCV but it comes at a staggering cost. Given the recent attention to these high-priced HCV therapies and the impact treating individuals with HCV is having on drug expenditures in the United States, there may be a need to revisit drug patent laws and the options the federal government has to ensure patient access to care.

  13. Cold-Curing Structural Epoxy Resins: Analysis of the Curing Reaction as a Function of Curing Time and Thickness

    PubMed Central

    Esposito Corcione, Carola; Freuli, Fabrizio; Frigione, Mariaenrica

    2014-01-01

    The curing reaction of a commercial cold-curing structural epoxy resin, specifically formulated for civil engineering applications, was analyzed by thermal analysis as a function of the curing time and the sample thickness. Original and remarkable results regarding the effects of curing time on the glass transition temperature and on the residual heat of reaction of the cold-cured epoxy were obtained. The influence of the sample thickness on the curing reaction of the cold-cured resin was also deeply investigated. A highly exothermal reaction, based on a self-activated frontal polymerization reaction, was supposed and verified trough a suitable temperature signal acquisition system, specifically realized for this measurement. This is one of the first studies carried out on the curing behavior of these peculiar cold-cured epoxy resins as a function of curing time and thickness. PMID:28788215

  14. Cold-Curing Structural Epoxy Resins: Analysis of the Curing Reaction as a Function of Curing Time and Thickness.

    PubMed

    Corcione, Carola Esposito; Freuli, Fabrizio; Frigione, Mariaenrica

    2014-09-22

    The curing reaction of a commercial cold-curing structural epoxy resin, specifically formulated for civil engineering applications, was analyzed by thermal analysis as a function of the curing time and the sample thickness. Original and remarkable results regarding the effects of curing time on the glass transition temperature and on the residual heat of reaction of the cold-cured epoxy were obtained. The influence of the sample thickness on the curing reaction of the cold-cured resin was also deeply investigated. A highly exothermal reaction, based on a self-activated frontal polymerization reaction, was supposed and verified trough a suitable temperature signal acquisition system, specifically realized for this measurement. This is one of the first studies carried out on the curing behavior of these peculiar cold-cured epoxy resins as a function of curing time and thickness.

  15. Dielectric analysis of depth dependent curing behavior of dental resin composites.

    PubMed

    Steinhaus, Johannes; Moeginger, Bernhard; Grossgarten, Mandy; Rosentritt, Martin; Hausnerova, Berenika

    2014-06-01

    The aim of this study is to investigate depth dependent changes of polymerization process and kinetics of visible light-curing (VLC) dental composites in real-time. The measured quantity - "ion viscosity" determined by dielectric analysis (DEA) - provides the depth dependent reaction rate which is correlated to the light intensity available in the corresponding depths derived from light transmission measurements. The ion viscosity curves of two composites (VOCO Arabesk Top and Grandio) were determined during irradiation of 40s with a light-curing unit (LCU) in specimen depths of 0.5/0.75/1.0/1.25/1.5/1.75 and 2.0mm using a dielectric cure analyzer (NETZSCH DEA 231 with Mini IDEX sensors). The thickness dependent light transmission was measured by irradiation composite specimens of various thicknesses on top of a radiometer setup. The shape of the ion viscosity curves depends strongly on the specimen thickness above the sensor. All curves exhibit a range of linear time dependency of the ion viscosity after a certain initiation time. The determined initiation times, the slopes of the linear part of the curves, and the ion viscosities at the end of the irradiation differ significantly with depth within the specimen. The slopes of the ion viscosity curves as well as the light intensity values decrease with depth and fit to the Lambert-Beer law. The corresponding attenuation coefficients are determined for Arabesk Top OA2 to 1.39mm(-1) and 1.48mm(-1), respectively, and for Grandio OA2 with 1.17 and 1.39mm(-1), respectively. For thicknesses exceeding 1.5mm a change in polymerization behavior is observed as the ion viscosity increases subsequent to the linear range indicating some kind of reaction acceleration. The two VLC composites and different specimen thicknesses discriminate significantly in their ion viscosity evolution allowing for a precise characterization of the curing process even with respect to the polymerization mechanism. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  16. The California HIV/AIDS Research Program: History, Impact, and HIV Cure Initiative.

    PubMed

    Stanga, Lisa Loeb; Mujeeb, Anwer; Packel, Laura; Martz, Tyler; Lemp, George

    2017-11-01

    This Special Issue of AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses features results from the HIV Cure Initiative, funded by the California HIV/AIDS Research Program (CHRP). As a publicly funded grant maker, CHRP has served for more than three decades as a unique resource for innovative researchers in California, whose work seeks to address all aspects of the HIV epidemic and the communities affected by it. Early initiatives at CHRP pioneered what would become enduring cornerstones of HIV science: isolation of the virus; efficacy and toxicities of the first HIV treatments; the emergence of drug resistance; the first biospecimen banks for HIV-related research; the first community-based laboratory service for HIV diagnostic serology; and the first longitudinal case-control study of progression from HIV to AIDS-The San Francisco General Hospital Cohort. More recently, CHRP-funded conceptual studies of zinc-finger nuclease-mediated disruption of CCR5 genomic sequences and the safety of solid organ transplantation for HIV-positive patients have progressed from brilliant ideas to clinical realities, and CHRP is currently funding the first multisite trial of HIV preexposure prophylaxis for transgender persons in the United States. The present article outlines the founding of CHRP, our current grantmaking process, and our impact on HIV research over time. In 2013, CHRP launched a new initiative aimed at moving the then nascent frontier of HIV cure science forward: the CHRP HIV Cure Initiative provided over $1.4 million to multiple basic biomedical research projects, and selected results are presented in this Special Issue.

  17. Dimensions of nursing process: the leadership cure.

    PubMed

    McBride, Karin; Snyder, Eugene R

    2011-08-01

    The field of nursing is in a state of crisis. This crisis has a number of causes: a shortage of registered nurses to fill job vacancies, lack of professional growth opportunities, inability to participate in decision making, and lack of orientation and training for newly graduated nurses. Democratic leadership can result in respect and greater levels of trust among staff in a neonatal intensive care unit.

  18. Serving the Student-Survivor: Exploring the Transitional and Psychosocial Needs of School-Aged Children with Cancer and Chronic Illness

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lanin, Devon Malia

    2014-01-01

    The advances in medicine today have created an emerging population of student-survivors, school-aged children living with and/or recovering from serious health conditions (Bauman, 2010). Each school day in the United States, 46 young people, or the equivalent of two classrooms of students, learn they have cancer (Cure Search National Childhood…

  19. Curing Analytic Pathologies: Pathways to Improved Intelligence Analysis

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2005-12-01

    reasoning balanced against deductive (hypothesis- based and evidence tested) reasoning . It extols the value of truly scientific modes of thinking, including...the age of information and globalization. We need to be more open on a lot of things, especially where the original reason for secrecy perishes quickly...been reasonably successful in meeting the challenges on the tactical battlefield of locating, identifying, and targeting adversary units for main

  20. Pharmacist-led implementation of a vancomycin guideline across medical and surgical units: impact on clinical behavior and therapeutic drug monitoring outcomes

    PubMed Central

    Phillips, Cameron J; Gordon, David L

    2015-01-01

    Background Vancomycin is the antibiotic of choice for the treatment of serious infections such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Inappropriate prescribing of vancomycin can lead to therapeutic failure, antibiotic resistance, and drug toxicity. Objective To examine the effectiveness of pharmacist-led implementation of a clinical practice guideline for vancomycin dosing and monitoring in a teaching hospital. Methods An observational pre–post study design was undertaken to evaluate the implementation of the vancomycin guideline. The implementation strategy principally involved education, clinical vignettes, and provision of pocket guidelines to accompany release of the guideline to the hospital Intranet. The target cohort for clinical behavioral change was junior medical officers, as they perform the majority of prescribing and monitoring of vancomycin in hospitals. Assessment measures were recorded for vancomycin prescribing, therapeutic drug monitoring, and patient outcomes. Results Ninety-nine patients, 53 pre- and 46 post-implementation, were included in the study. Prescribing of a loading dose increased from 9% to 28% (P=0.02), and guideline adherence to starting maintenance dosing increased from 53% to 63% (P=0.32). Dose adjustment by doctors when blood concentrations were outside target increased from 53% to 71% (P=0.12), and correct timing of initial concentration measurement increased from 43% to 57% (P=0.23). Appropriately timed trough concentrations improved from 73% to 81% (P=0.08). Pre-dose (trough) concentrations in target range rose from 33% to 44% (P=0.10), while potentially toxic concentrations decreased from 32% to 21% (P=0.05) post-implementation. Infection cure rates for patients increased from 85% to 96% (P=0.11) after the guideline was implemented. Conclusion The implementation strategy employed in this study demonstrated potential effectiveness, and should prompt additional larger studies to optimize strategies that will translate into improved clinical practice using vancomycin. PMID:29354529

  1. Development, manufacturing, and test of graphite-epoxy composite spoilers for flight service on 737 transport aircraft

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stoecklin, R. L.

    1976-01-01

    A total of 114 spoiler units were fabricated in a production shop environment, utilizing three graphite epoxy material systems. Production planning paper was generated for each spoiler unit to completely document each production step of each spoiler unit. The graphite epoxy skins were laid up on production tooling using both mechanical and hand layup techniques. Inspection techniques utilized MRB type assessment in the abscence of quality requirements. Each completed spoiler was subjected to ultrasonic inspection utilizing a multicolor recording system that documented each inspection result. In addition, one static test spoiler was sectioned after the test to examine the adhesive filleting to the honeycomb core. Visual examination of the cured adhesives showed excellent results.

  2. Novel self-healing materials chemistries for targeted applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wilson, Gerald O.

    Self-healing materials of the type developed by White and co-workers [1] were designed to autonomically heal themselves when damaged, thereby extending the lifetime of various applications in which such material systems are employed. The system was based on urea-formaldehyde microcapsules containing dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) and Grubbs' catalyst particles embedded together in an epoxy matrix. When a crack propagates through the material, it ruptures the microcapsules, releasing DCPD into the crack plane, where it comes in contact and reacts with the catalyst to initiate a ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), bonding the crack and restoring structural continuity. The present work builds on this concept in several ways. Firstly, it expands the scope and versatility of the ROMP self-healing chemistry by incorporation into epoxy vinyl ester matrices. Major technical challenges in this application include protection of the catalyst from deactivation by aggressive curing agents, and optimization of the concentration of healing agents in the matrix. Secondly, new ruthenium catalysts are evaluated for application in ROMP-based self-healing materials. The use of alternative derivatives of Grubbs' catalyst gave rise to self-healing systems with improved healing efficiencies and thermal properties. Evaluation of the stability of these new catalysts to primary amine curing agents used in the curing of common epoxy matrices also led to the discovery and characterization of new ruthenium catalysts which exhibited ROMP initiation kinetics superior to those of first and second generation Grubbs' catalysts. Finally, free radical polymerization was evaluated for application in the development of bio-compatible self-healing materials. [1] White, S. R.; Sottos, N. R.; Geubelle, P. R.; Moore, J. S.; Kessler, M. R.; Sriram, S. R.; Brown, E. N.; Viswanathan, S. Nature 2001, 409, 794.

  3. Impact of change of matrix crystallinity and polymorphism on ovalbumin release from lipid-based implants.

    PubMed

    Duque, Luisa; Körber, Martin; Bodmeier, Roland

    2018-05-30

    The objectives of this study were to prepare lipid-based implants by hot melt extrusion (HME) for the prolonged release of ovalbumin (OVA), and to relate protein release to crystallinity and polymorphic changes of the lipid matrix. Two lipids, glycerol tristearate and hydrogenated palm oil, with different composition and degree of crystallinity were studied. Solid OVA was dispersed within the lipid matrixes, which preserved its stability during extrusion. This was partially attributed to a protective effect of the lipidic matrix. The incorporation of OVA decreased the mechanical strength of the implants prepared with the more crystalline matrix, glycerol tristearate, whereas it remained comparable for the hydrogenated palm oil because of stronger physical and non-covalent interactions between the protein and this lipid. This was also the reason for the faster release of OVA from the glycerol tristearate matrix when compared to the hydrogenated palm oil (8 vs. 28 weeks). Curing induced and increased crystallinity, and changes in the release rate, especially for the more crystalline matrix. In this case, both an increase and a decrease in release, were observed depending on the tempering condition. Curing at higher temperatures induced a melt-mediated crystallization and solid state transformation of the glycerol tristearate matrix and led to rearrangements of the inner structure with the formation of larger pores, which accelerated the release. In contrast, changes in the hydrogenated palm oil under the same curing conditions were less noticeable leading to a more robust formulation, because of less polymorphic changes over time. This study helps to understand the effect of lipid matrix composition and crystallinity degree on the performance of protein-loaded implants, and to establish criteria for the selection of a lipid carrier depending on the release profile desired. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  4. Development of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the rapid detection of Penicillium nordicum in dry-cured meat products.

    PubMed

    Ferrara, M; Perrone, G; Gallo, A; Epifani, F; Visconti, A; Susca, A

    2015-06-02

    The need of powerful diagnostic tools for rapid, simple, and cost-effective detection of food-borne fungi has become very important in the area of food safety. Currently, several isothermal nucleic acid amplification methods have been developed as an alternative to PCR-based analyses. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is one of these innovative methods; it requires neither gel electrophoresis to separate and visualize the products nor expensive laboratory equipment and it has been applied already for detection of pathogenic organisms. In the current study, we developed a LAMP assay for the specific detection of Penicillium nordicum, the major causative agent of ochratoxin A contamination in protein-rich food, especially dry-cured meat products. The assay was based on targeting otapksPN gene, a key gene in the biosynthesis of ochratoxin A (OTA) in P. nordicum. Amplification of DNA during the reaction was detected directly in-tube by color transition of hydroxynaphthol blue from violet to sky blue, visible to the naked eye, avoiding further post amplification analyses. Only DNAs isolated from several P. nordicum strains led to positive results and no amplification was observed from non-target OTA and non OTA-producing strains. The assay was able to detect down to 100 fg of purified targeted genomic DNA or 10(2) conidia/reaction within 60 min. The LAMP assay for detection and identification of P. nordicum was combined with a rapid DNA extraction method set up on serially diluted conidia, providing an alternative rapid, specific and sensitive DNA-based method suitable for application directly "on-site", notably in key steps of dry-cured meat production. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. Dimensional accuracy of pickup implant impression: an in vitro comparison of novel modular versus standard custom trays.

    PubMed

    Simeone, Piero; Valentini, Pier Paolo; Pizzoferrato, Roberto; Scudieri, Folco

    2011-01-01

    The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the dimensional accuracy of the pickup impression technique using a modular individual tray (MIT) and using a standard individual tray (ST) for multiple internal-connection implants. The roles of both materials and geometric misfits were considered. First, because the MIT relies on the stiffness and elasticity of acrylic resin material, a preliminary investigation of the resin volume contraction during curing and polymerization was done. Then, two sets of specimens were tested to compare the accuracy of the MIT (test group) to that of the ST (control group). The linear and angular displacements of the transfer copings were measured and compared during three different stages of the impression procedure. Experimental measurements were performed with a computerized coordinate measuring machine. The curing dynamic of the acrylic resin was strongly dependent on the physical properties of the acrylic material and the powder/liquid ratio. Specifically, an increase in the powder/liquid ratio accelerated resin polymerization (curing time decreases by 70%) and reduced the final volume contraction by 45%. However, the total shrinkage never exceeded the elastic limits of the material; hence, it did not affect the coping's stability. In the test group, linear errors were reduced by 55% and angular errors were reduced by 65%. Linear and angular displacements of the transfer copings were significantly reduced with the MIT technique, which led to higher dimensional accuracy versus the ST group. The MIT approach, in combination with a thin and uniform amount of acrylic resin in the pickup impression technique, showed no significant permanent distortions in multiple misalignment internal-connection implants compared to the ST technique.

  6. Light irradiance through novel CAD-CAM block materials and degree of conversion of composite cements.

    PubMed

    Lise, Diogo Pedrollo; Van Ende, Annelies; De Munck, Jan; Yoshihara, Kumiko; Nagaoka, Noriyuki; Cardoso Vieira, Luiz Clovis; Van Meerbeek, Bart

    2018-02-01

    To assess light irradiance (LI) delivered by two light-curing units (LCU's) and to measure the degree of conversion (DC) of three composite cements, when cured through different thicknesses of two novel CAD-CAM block materials. 100-μm-thick films of a dual-curable composite cement (G-CEM LinkAce, GC), a light-curable flowable resin-based composite (RBC) (G-ænial Universal Flo, GC) and a micro-hybrid RBC (G-ænial Posterior, GC) were investigated as luting agents. Two 'polymer-ceramic' CAD-CAM blocks (Cerasmart, GC; Enamic, Vita Zahnfabrik) were sectioned in slabs with different thicknesses (1, 3 and 5mm). LI at the bottom of the specimens was measured using a calibrated spectrometer, while being light-cured through the CAD-CAM block slabs for 40s with a low- (±500mW/cm 2 ) or high- (±1,600mW/cm 2 ) irradiance LCU (n=5). After light-curing, micro-Raman spectra of the composite films were acquired to determine DC at 5min, 10min, 1h and 24h. LI data were statistically analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis followed by post-hoc comparisons, while a linear mixed-effect model was applied for the DC analysis. In addition, the CAD-CAM blocks ultrastructure was characterized upon argon-ion slicing using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Finally, light transmission (LT) through each CAD-CAM block material was assessed using a spectrophotometer. Curing-light attenuation and DC were significantly influenced by thickness and type of the overlying material. LCU only had a significant effect on DC of the micro-hybrid RBC. DC significantly increased over time for all composite cements. CAD-CAM block structural analysis revealed a relatively small and homogenous filler configuration (mean filler size of 0.2-0.5μm) for Cerasmart, while Enamic contained ceramic grains varying in shape and size (1-10μm), which were interconnected by the polymer-based network. LT was much higher at a wavelength range of 300-800nm for Cerasmart than for Enamic. Light-curable composite cements can be cured through a restoration up to 2.7-mm thickness, depending on the kind of CAD-CAM material. A high-irradiance LCU only has a limited effect on the maximum thickness of the polymer-ceramic CAD-CAM material that can be cured through. Copyright © 2017 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Cryogenic characterization of LEDs for space application

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Carron, Jérôme; Philippon, Anne; How, Lip Sun; Delbergue, Audrey; Hassanzadeh, Sahar; Cillierre, David; Danto, Pascale; Boutillier, Mathieu

    2017-09-01

    In the frame of EUCLID project, the Calibration Unit of the VIS (VISible Imager) instrument must provide an accurate and well characterized light source for in-flight instrument calibration without noise when it is switched off. The Calibration Unit consists of a set of LEDs emitting at various wavelengths in the visible towards an integrating sphere. The sphere's output provides a uniform illumination over the entire focal plane. Nine references of LEDs from different manufacturers were selected, screened and qualified under cryogenic conditions. Testing this large quantity of samples led to the implementation of automated testing equipment with complete in-situ monitoring of optoelectronic parameters as well as temperature and vacuum values. All the electrical and optical parameters of the LED have been monitored and recorded at ambient and cryogenic temperatures. These results have been compiled in order to show the total deviation of the LED electrical and electro-optical properties in the whole mission and to select the best suitable LED references for the mission. This qualification has demonstrated the robustness of COTS LEDs to operate at low cryogenic temperatures and in the space environment. Then 6 wavelengths were selected and submitted to an EMC sensitivity test at room and cold temperature by counting the number of photons when LEDs drivers are OFF. Characterizations were conducted in the full frequency spectrum in order to implement solutions at system level to suppress the emission of photons when the LED drivers are OFF. LEDs impedance was also characterized at room temperature and cold temperature.

  8. 7 CFR 30.38 - Class 3; air-cured types and groups.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... produced principally in the Green River section of Kentucky. (g) Type 37. That type of air-cured or sun-cured tobacco commonly known as Virginia Sun-cured, Virginia Sun and Air-cured, or Dark Air-cured of...

  9. 7 CFR 30.38 - Class 3; air-cured types and groups.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... produced principally in the Green River section of Kentucky. (g) Type 37. That type of air-cured or sun-cured tobacco commonly known as Virginia Sun-cured, Virginia Sun and Air-cured, or Dark Air-cured of...

  10. 7 CFR 30.38 - Class 3; air-cured types and groups.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... produced principally in the Green River section of Kentucky. (g) Type 37. That type of air-cured or sun-cured tobacco commonly known as Virginia Sun-cured, Virginia Sun and Air-cured, or Dark Air-cured of...

  11. 7 CFR 30.38 - Class 3; air-cured types and groups.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... produced principally in the Green River section of Kentucky. (g) Type 37. That type of air-cured or sun-cured tobacco commonly known as Virginia Sun-cured, Virginia Sun and Air-cured, or Dark Air-cured of...

  12. 7 CFR 30.38 - Class 3; air-cured types and groups.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... produced principally in the Green River section of Kentucky. (g) Type 37. That type of air-cured or sun-cured tobacco commonly known as Virginia Sun-cured, Virginia Sun and Air-cured, or Dark Air-cured of...

  13. Addition polymers from 1,4,5,8-tetrahydro-1,4;5,8-diepoxyanthracene and Bis-dienes. 2: Evidence for thermal dehydration occurring in the cure process

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Meador, Mary Ann B.; Olshavsky, Michael A.; Meador, Michael A.; Ahn, Myong-Ku

    1988-01-01

    Diels-Alder cycloaddition copolymers from 1,4,5,8-tetrahydro-1,4;5,8-diepoxyanthracene and anthracene end-capped polyimide oligomers appear, by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), to undergo dehydration at elevated temperatures. This would produce thermally stable pentiptycene units along the polymer backbone, and render the polymers incapable of unzipping through a retro-Diels-Alder pathway. High resolution solid 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) of one formulation of the polymer system before and after heating at elevated temperatures, shows this to indeed be the case. NMR spectra of solid samples of the polymer before and after heating correlated well with those of the parent pentiptycene model compound before and after acid-catalyzed dehydration. Isothermal gravimetric analyses and viscosities of the polymer before and after heat treatment support dehydration as a mechanism for the cure reaction.

  14. Influence of irradiance on Knoop hardness, degree of conversion, and polymerization shrinkage of nanofilled and microhybrid composite resins.

    PubMed

    Fugolin, Ana Paula Piovezan; Correr-Sobrinho, Lourenço; Correr, Américo Bortolazzo; Sinhoreti, Mário Alexandre Coelho; Guiraldo, Ricardo Danil; Consani, Simonides

    2016-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the irradiance emitted by a light-curing unit on microhardness, degree of conversion (DC), and gaps resulting from shrinkage of 2 dental composite resins. Cylinders of nanofilled and microhybrid composites were fabricated and light cured. After 24 hours, the tops and bottoms of the specimens were evaluated via indentation testing and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to determine Knoop hardness number (KHN) and DC, respectively. Gap width (representing polymerization shrinkage) was measured under a scanning electron microscope. The nanofilled composite specimens presented significantly greater KHNs than did the microhybrid specimens (P < 0.05). The microhybrid composite resin exhibited significantly greater DC and gap width than the nanofilled material (P < 0.05). Irradiance had a mostly material-dependent influence on the hardness and DC, but not the polymerization shrinkage, of composite resins.

  15. Effect of incremental filling technique on adhesion of light-cured resin composite to cavity floor.

    PubMed

    Chikawa, Hirokazu; Inai, Norimichi; Cho, Eitetsu; Kishikawa, Ryuzo; Otsuki, Masayuki; Foxton, Richard M; Tagami, Junji

    2006-09-01

    The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of various incremental filling techniques on adhesion between composite and cavity floor using light-cured resin composite. Black ABS resin and hybrid resin composite were used as mold materials--instead of dentin--for the preparation of cavities, and standardized to 5x5x5 mm. Each cavity was then treated with a bonding system (Clearfil SE bond). Resin composite (Clearfil Photo Core) was placed on the bonding resin using different incremental filling techniques or in bulk and irradiated for a total of 80 seconds using a halogen light unit. Specimens were subjected to the micro-tensile bond test at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA. The results indicated that an incremental filling technique was more effective in improving adhesion to the cavity floor than a bulk filling technique.

  16. Dangerous medicines: Unproven AIDS cures and counterfeit antiretroviral drugs

    PubMed Central

    Amon, Joseph J

    2008-01-01

    Background Increasing access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a critical goal endorsed by the United Nations and all of its member states. At the same time, anecdotal accounts suggest that the promotion of unproven AIDS 'cures' and remedies are widespread, and in the case of The Gambia, Iran and South Africa, have been promoted by governments directly. Although a range of legislative and regulatory measures have been adopted by some governments, and technical assistance has been provided by international agencies to address counterfeit medicines generally, the threat of counterfeit antiretroviral drugs is not being addressed. Discussion Countries, charged with fulfilling the right to health and committed to expanding access to ART must explicitly recognize their obligation to combat unproven AIDS treatments and ensure the availability of a safe and efficacious drugs supply. International donors must help support and coordinate these efforts. PMID:18304316

  17. Critique and cure: a dream of uniting psychoanalysis and philosophy.

    PubMed

    Webster, Jamieson

    2013-06-01

    Critical theory, whose aim was to historicize philosophy through integrating it with the social sciences, turned to psychoanalysis to find its way through an accounting of philosophy after the Second World War. Over 50 years after this initial project, the rift between philosophy and psychoanalysis has never been greater. If Jacques Lacan could be considered one of the few psychoanalysts to maintain and foster links to philosophical thought in the latter half of the 20th century, his work has sadly remained marginal in the clinical field throughout America and Europe. Both critical theory and Lacan remain skeptical of the direction taken by psychoanalysis after Freud. Reflecting on the history of these two disciplines, as well as through an examination of Theodor Adorno's posthumously published dream journal, critique and cure emerge as two dialectically intertwined themes that gain momentum in the dream of the unification of the philosophical and psychoanalytic projects.

  18. Engaging Direct Care Providers in Improving Infection Prevention and Control Practices Using Participatory Visual Methods.

    PubMed

    Backman, Chantal; Bruce, Natalie; Marck, Patricia; Vanderloo, Saskia

    2016-01-01

    The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine the feasibility of using provider-led participatory visual methods to scrutinize 4 hospital units' infection prevention and control practices. Methods included provider-led photo walkabouts, photo elicitation sessions, and postimprovement photo walkabouts. Nurses readily engaged in using the methods to examine and improve their units' practices and reorganize their work environment.

  19. Mixture design and treatment methods for recycling contaminated sediment.

    PubMed

    Wang, Lei; Kwok, June S H; Tsang, Daniel C W; Poon, Chi-Sun

    2015-01-01

    Conventional marine disposal of contaminated sediment presents significant financial and environmental burden. This study aimed to recycle the contaminated sediment by assessing the roles and integration of binder formulation, sediment pretreatment, curing method, and waste inclusion in stabilization/solidification. The results demonstrated that the 28-d compressive strength of sediment blocks produced with coal fly ash and lime partially replacing cement at a binder-to-sediment ratio of 3:7 could be used as fill materials for construction. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that hydration products (calcium hydroxide) were difficult to form at high sediment content. Thermal pretreatment of sediment removed 90% of indigenous organic matter, significantly increased the compressive strength, and enabled reuse as non-load-bearing masonry units. Besides, 2-h CO2 curing accelerated early-stage carbonation inside the porous structure, sequestered 5.6% of CO2 (by weight) in the sediment blocks, and acquired strength comparable to 7-d curing. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated substantial weight loss corresponding to decomposition of poorly and well crystalline calcium carbonate. Moreover, partial replacement of contaminated sediment by various granular waste materials notably augmented the strength of sediment blocks. The metal leachability of sediment blocks was minimal and acceptable for reuse. These results suggest that contaminated sediment should be viewed as useful resources. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Trace elements content in the selected medicinal plants traditionally used for curing skin diseases by the natives of Mizoram, India.

    PubMed

    Rajan, Jay Prakash; Singh, Kshetrimayum Birla; Kumar, Sanjiv; Mishra, Raj Kumar

    2014-09-01

    To determine the trace elements content in the selected medicinal plants, namely, Eryngium foetidum L., Mimosa pudica L., Polygonum plebeium, and Prunus cerasoides D. Don traditionally used by the natives of the Mizoram, one of the north eastern states in India as their folklore medicines for curing skin diseases like eczema, leg and fingers infection, swelling and wound. A 3 MeV proton beam of proton induced X-ray emission technique, one of the most powerful techniques for its quick multi elemental trace analysis capability and high sensitivity was used to detect and characterized for trace elements. The studies revealed that six trace elements, namely, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, V, and Co detected in mg/L unit were present in varying concentrations in the selected medicinal plants with high and notable concentration of Fe, Zn, Mn and appreciable amount of the Cu, Co and V in all the plants. The results of the present study support the therapeutic usage of these medicinal plants in the traditional practices for curing skin diseases since they are found to contain appreciable amount of the Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, V and Co. Copyright © 2014 Hainan Medical College. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. 340nm UV LED excitation in time-resolved fluorescence system for europium-based immunoassays detection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rodenko, Olga; Fodgaard, Henrik; Tidemand-Lichtenberg, Peter; Pedersen, Christian

    2017-02-01

    In immunoassay analyzers for in-vitro diagnostics, Xenon flash lamps have been widely used as excitation light sources. Recent advancements in UV LED technology and its advantages over the flash lamps such as smaller footprint, better wall-plug efficiency, narrow emission spectrum, and no significant afterglow, have made them attractive light sources for gated detection systems. In this paper, we report on the implementation of a 340 nm UV LED based time-resolved fluorescence system based on europium chelate as a fluorescent marker. The system performance was tested with the immunoassay based on the cardiac marker, TnI. The same signal-to-noise ratio as for the flash lamp based system was obtained, operating the LED below specified maximum current. The background counts of the system and its main contributors were measured and analyzed. The background of the system of the LED based unit was improved by 39% compared to that of the Xenon flash lamp based unit, due to the LEDs narrower emission spectrum and longer pulse width. Key parameters of the LED system are discussed to further optimize the signal-to-noise ratio and signal-to-background, and hence the sensitivity of the instrument.

  2. Evaluation of a Peer-Led Drug Abuse Risk Reduction Project for Runaway/Homeless Youths.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fors, Stuart W.; Jarvis, Sara

    1995-01-01

    Evaluates the Drug Prevention in Youth risk reduction program that was implemented in shelters for runaway/homeless youths in the southeastern United States. An evaluation strategy was developed allowing for comparisons between peer-led, adult-led and nonintervention groups. Well-trained and motivated peer/near-peer leaders made particularly…

  3. Short communication: pre- and co-curing effect of adhesives on shear bond strengths of composite resins to primary enamel and dentine: an in vitro study.

    PubMed

    Viswanathan, R; Shashibhushan, K K; Subba Reddy, V V

    2011-12-01

    To evaluate and compare shear bond strengths of composite resins to primary enamel and dentine when the adhesives are pre-cured (light cured before the application of the resin) or co-cured (adhesive and the resin light cured together). Buccal surfaces of 80 caries-free primary molars were wet ground to create bonding surfaces on enamel and dentine and specimens mounted on acrylic blocks. Two bonding agents (Prime and Bond NT® and Xeno III®) were applied to either enamel or dentine as per manufacturer's instructions. In 40 specimens, the bonding agent was light cured immediately after the application (pre-cured). The other 40 specimens were not light cured until the composite resin application (co-cured). Resin composite cylinders were made incrementally using acrylic moulds over the adhesives and light cured. Specimens were stored in deionised water for 24 hours at room temperature. Shear bond strength was measured using an Instron universal testing machine (in MPa) and was analysed with Student's unpaired t test. Light curing the adhesive separately produced significantly higher bond strengths to primary dentine than co-curing (p<0.001). At the same time light curing the adhesive separately did not produce significantly different bond strengths to primary enamel (p>0.05). Curing sequence had no significant effect on shear bond strength of adhesives on the primary enamel. Pre-curing adhesives before curing composite resins produced greater shear bond strength to primary dentine.

  4. LED surgical lighting system with multiple free-form surfaces for highly sterile operating theater application.

    PubMed

    Liu, Peng; Zhang, Yaqin; Zheng, Zhenrong; Li, Haifeng; Liu, Xu

    2014-06-01

    Although the ventilation system is widely employed in the operating theater, a strictly sterile surgical environment still cannot be ensured because of laminar disturbance, which is mainly caused by the surgical lighting system. Abandoning traditional products, we propose an LED surgical lighting system, which can alleviate the laminar disturbance and provide an appropriate lighting condition for surgery. It contains a certain amount of LED lens units, which are embedded in the ceiling and arranged around the air supply smallpox. The LED lens unit integrated with an LED light source and a free-form lens is required to produce a uniform circular illumination with a large tolerance to the change of lighting distance. To achieve such a dedicated lens, two free-form refractive surfaces, which are converted into two ordinary differential equations by the design method presented in this paper, are used to deflect the rays. The results show that the LED surgical lighting system can provide an excellent illumination environment for surgery, and, apparently, the laminar disturbance also can be relieved.

  5. Cure Schedule for Stycast 2651/Catalyst 11.

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kropka, Jamie Michael; McCoy, John D.

    2017-11-01

    The Henkel technical data sheet (TDS) for Stycast 2651/Catalyst 11 lists three alternate cure schedules for the material, each of which would result in a different state of reaction and different material properties. Here, a cure schedule that attains full reaction of the material is defined. The use of this cure schedule will eliminate variance in material properties due to changes in the cure state of the material, and the cure schedule will serve as the method to make material prior to characterizing properties. The following recommendation was motivated by (1) a desire to cure at a single temperature formore » ease of manufacture and (2) a desire to keep the cure temperature low (to minimize residual stress build-up associated with the cooldown from the cure temperature to room temperature) without excessively limiting the cure reaction due to vitrification (i.e., material glass transition temperature, T g, exceeding cure temperature).« less

  6. Unit-dose packaged drugs for treating malaria.

    PubMed

    Orton, L; Barnish, G

    2005-04-18

    Unit-dose packaging of antimalarial drugs may improve malaria cure by making it easier for patients to take their treatment correctly. To summarize the effects of unit-dose packaged treatment on cure and treatment adherence in people with uncomplicated malaria. We searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register (November 2004), CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library Issue 4, 2004), MEDLINE (1966 to November 2004), EMBASE (1980 to November 2004), LILACS (November 2004), conference proceedings, and reference lists of articles. We also contacted pharmaceutical companies, organizations, and researchers in the field. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cluster-RCTs, quasi-RCTs, and controlled before-and-after studies of unit-dose packaged drugs for treating uncomplicated malaria. We independently assessed study eligibility and methodological quality, and extracted data for an intention to treat analysis, where possible. We combined binary data using relative risk (RR) and the fixed-effect model, and presented them with 95% confidence intervals (CI). We attempted to contact study authors for additional information. Three quasi-RCTs (895 participants) and one cluster-RCT (6 health facilities) met the inclusion criteria. Trials were of poor methodological quality, and none adequately assessed treatment failure. Unit-dose packaged drugs (in conjunction with prescriber training and patient information) appeared to be associated with higher participant-reported treatment adherence in all trials.A meta-analysis of two trials (596 participants) showed that participant-reported treatment adherence was higher with blister-packed tablets compared with tablets in paper envelopes (RR 1.18, 1.12 to 1.25). Two trials using tablets in sectioned polythene bags as the intervention also noted an increase in participant-reported treatment adherence: the cluster-RCT (6 clusters) compared it with tablets in paper envelopes, and the other trial compared it with syrup in bottles (RR 2.15, 1.76 to 2.61; 299 participants). There is insufficient evidence to determine the effect of unit-dose packaged antimalarial drugs on treatment failure. Unit-dose packaging supported by prescriber training and patient information appears to improve participant-reported treatment adherence, but these data come from trials with methodological limitations.

  7. Shortness of Breath and Lower Limb Edema in a 54-Year-Old Woman, Is There Any Cure?

    PubMed

    Frogoudaki, Alexandra; Triantafyllis, Andreas S; Vassilatou, Evangeline; Tsamakis, Charalampos; Zacharoulis, Achilles; Lekakis, John

    2016-02-01

    Pulmonary hypertension is common among patients with hyperthyroidism, and Graves' disease constitutes the most common cause of thyrotoxicosis. We report the case of a female patient admitted to the cardiology department with shortness of breath and pretibial myxedema. The diagnostic work-up revealed combined pre- and post-capillary pulmonary hypertension due to Graves' disease superimposed on left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Restoration of thyroid function led to normalization of the pulmonary pressure and symptom resolution. Thyroid disease is a cause of reversible pulmonary hypertension and thus should be appropriately considered in the diagnostic algorithm in patients with dyspnea, clinical signs of hyperthyroidism and elevated pulmonary pressure.

  8. Disappearance of multiple hyperechoic liver nodules in sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda after treatment with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir for hepatitis C.

    PubMed

    Takata, Kazuhide; Shakado, Satoshi; Sakamoto, Keiko; Fukuda, Hiromi; Yamauchi, Ryo; Fukuda, Sho; Kunimoto, Hideo; Umeda, Kaoru; Tanaka, Takashi; Yokoyama, Keiji; Morihara, Daisuke; Takeyama, Yasuaki; Irie, Makoto; Sakisaka, Shotaro

    2017-10-01

    Ultrasonography in a 60-year-old man with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) demonstrated multiple hyperechoic nodules. Radiological investigations did not reveal any signs of malignancy. However, magnetic resonance chemical shift imaging showed multiple focal fatty changes in the liver. Urinary levels of uroporphyrin and coproporphyrin were elevated, and we made a diagnosis of porphyria cutanea tarda. Direct-acting antivirals, ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, were initiated for CHC, which led to sustained viral response, resolution of the liver nodules, and normalization of urinary porphyrin. Hepatitis C virus infection can cause porphyria cutanea tarda with multiple hyperechoic liver nodules, which might be cured by direct-acting antivirals.

  9. Does size matter? Animal units and animal unit months

    Treesearch

    Lamar Smith; Joe Hicks; Scott Lusk; Mike Hemmovich; Shane Green; Sarah McCord; Mike Pellant; John Mitchell; Judith Dyess; Jim Sprinkle; Amanda Gearhart; Sherm Karl; Mike Hannemann; Ken Spaeth; Jason Karl; Matt Reeves; Dave Pyke; Jordan Spaak; Andrew Brischke; Del Despain; Matt Phillippi; Dave Weixelmann; Alan Bass; Jessie Page; Lori Metz; David Toledo; Emily Kachergis

    2017-01-01

    The concepts of animal units, animal unit months, and animal unit equivalents have long been used as standards for range management planning, estimating stocking rates, reporting actual use, assessing grazing fees, ranch appraisal, and other purposes. Increasing size of cattle on rangelands has led some to suggest that the definition of animal units and animal unit...

  10. Occupational Survey Report. AFSC 4A2X1 Biomedical Equipment

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2004-05-01

    Electrocardiograms 70 Hospital Beds, Electric 67 Surgical Lamps 67 Hospital Beds, Manual 66 Audiometers 64 Dental Curing Units 63 Dental Handpieces 63...Pumps 78 Pulse Oximeters 78 Dental Chairs 76 Blood Pressure Monitors, Automatic 74 Examination Lamps 72 Examination Tables 72 Blood Pressure Cuffs 71...Exercise Bicycles 63 Dental Amalgamators 62 Scales or Balances, other than Pediatric 62 Scales or Balances, Pediatric 61 First-Enlistment Personnel

  11. Leadership for AIDS Education. Keys to School Boardsmanship. A Program of Continuing Education for School Board Members.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    National School Boards Association, Alexandria, VA.

    Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a serious health problem in the United States and in the world. To date, there is no vaccine to protect people from HIV infection, nor is there a cure for those who are infected and are facing the consequences of this life-threatening disease. But infection with HIV can be prevented if people know and avoid…

  12. A resolution recognizing the importance of cancer research and the contributions of scientists, clinicians, and patient advocates across the United States who are dedicated to finding a cure for cancer, and designating May 2014 as "National Cancer Research Month".

    THOMAS, 113th Congress

    Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA

    2014-05-14

    Senate - 05/21/2014 Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status Agreed to in SenateHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

  13. A resolution recognizing the importance of cancer research and the contributions made by scientists and clinicians across the United States who are dedicated to finding a cure for cancer, and designating May 2011, as "National Cancer Research Month".

    THOMAS, 112th Congress

    Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA

    2011-05-05

    Senate - 05/26/2011 Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status Agreed to in SenateHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

  14. Nosocomial Legionnaire’s Disease

    PubMed Central

    Woo, Jun Hee; Kim, Shin Ae; Park, Choon Sik; Choi, Tai Youn; Chang, Ik Chin; Lee, In Soo

    1992-01-01

    We report a case of nosocomial legionellosis in a 63 year-old man who was managed with neurosurgery under the diagnosis of subarachnoidal hemorrhage and complicated pneumonia in the intensive care unit. A legionella species was reported from sputum culture and direct immunofluorescent antibody test revealed L. pneumophila (serogroup 2). Our patient’s pneumonia was cured with medical therapy including erythromycin and was the first case of microbiologically confirmed legionellosis in Korea. PMID:1477034

  15. 7 CFR 29.2519 - Fire-cured.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Fire-cured. 29.2519 Section 29.2519 Agriculture... INSPECTION Standards Official Standard Grades for Kentucky and Tennessee Fire-Cured and Foreign-Grown Fire-Cured Tobacco (u.s. Types 22, 23, and Foreign Type 96) § 29.2519 Fire-cured. Tobacco cured under...

  16. Assessing the prediction accuracy of a cure model for censored survival data with long-term survivors: Application to breast cancer data.

    PubMed

    Asano, Junichi; Hirakawa, Akihiro

    2017-01-01

    The Cox proportional hazards cure model is a survival model incorporating a cure rate with the assumption that the population contains both uncured and cured individuals. It contains a logistic regression for the cure rate, and a Cox regression to estimate the hazard for uncured patients. A single predictive model for both the cure and hazard can be developed by using a cure model that simultaneously predicts the cure rate and hazards for uncured patients; however, model selection is a challenge because of the lack of a measure for quantifying the predictive accuracy of a cure model. Recently, we developed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for determining the cure rate in a cure model (Asano et al., 2014), but the hazards measure for uncured patients was not resolved. In this article, we propose novel C-statistics that are weighted by the patients' cure status (i.e., cured, uncured, or censored cases) for the cure model. The operating characteristics of the proposed C-statistics and their confidence interval were examined by simulation analyses. We also illustrate methods for predictive model selection and for further interpretation of variables using the proposed AUCs and C-statistics via application to breast cancer data.

  17. Negligible senescence: how will we know it when we see it?

    PubMed

    Heward, Christopher B

    2006-01-01

    The recent public claim that "SENS is a practical, foreseeable approach to curing aging" has stirred considerable controversy among bio-gerontologists. Testing this hypothesis will not only require precise definitions for the somewhat subjective terms "practical," "foreseeable," and "curing," it will require a precise definition of the term "aging." To facilitate proper experimental design, this definition must focus on the nature of aging itself, not its causes or consequences. Aging in mammals is a process that begins early in adult life and continues steadily thereafter until death. It is manifested by a decline in the functional capacity (or, more precisely, reserve capacity) of a variety of vital physiologic systems leading to increasing risk of morbidity and mortality over time. Aging, however, cannot be measured by simply monitoring morbidity and/or mortality. Aging can only be measured by monitoring the decline of global functional capacity itself. This, in turn, will require an operational definition of aging expressed as a rate function (i.e., it will have units expressing aging as an overall rate of functional change per unit time). Widespread acceptance of such global indexes of aging rate in animal models and humans will greatly facilitate research activity specifically designed to increase the understanding of aging mechanisms and antiaging interventions.

  18. 78 FR 23542 - Procurement List; Proposed Additions

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-04-19

    ..., Programmable Flicker Pattern, Red LED, 8in Diameter, AA Battery Operated. NSN: 6230-00-NIB-0034--Kit, Safety Flare, Programmable Flicker Pattern, Red LED, 8in Diameter, Rechargeable Power Unit. Coverage: B-List...

  19. Treatments for symptomatic urinary tract infections during pregnancy.

    PubMed

    Vazquez, Juan C; Abalos, Edgardo

    2011-01-19

    Urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis, are serious complications that may lead to significant maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. There is a large number of drugs, and combination of them, available to treat urinary tract infections, most of them tested in non-pregnant women. Attempts to define the optimal antibiotic regimen for pregnancy have, therefore, been problematic. The objective of this review was to determine, from the best available evidence from randomised controlled trials, which agent is the most effective for the treatment of symptomatic urinary tract infections during pregnancy in terms of cure rates, recurrent infection, incidence of preterm delivery and premature rupture of membranes, admission to neonatal intensive care unit, need for change of antibiotic, and incidence of prolonged pyrexia. We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group Trials Register (November 2009) and reference lists of articles. We considered all trials where the intention was to allocate participants randomly to one of at least two alternative treatments for any symptomatic urinary tract infection. Both review authors assessed trial quality and extracted data. We included 10 studies, recruiting a total of 1125 pregnant women. In most of the comparisons there were no significant differences between the treatments under study with regard to cure rates, recurrent infection, incidence of preterm delivery, admission to neonatal intensive care unit, need for change of antibiotic and incidence of prolonged pyrexia. When cefuroxime and cephradine were compared, there were better cure rates (29/49 versus 41/52) and fewer recurrences (20/49 versus 11/52) in the cefuroxime group. There was only one other statistically significant difference when comparing outpatient versus inpatient treatment. Gestational age at birth was greater in women from the outpatient group (38.86 versus 37.21), while birthweight was on average greater in the inpatient group (3120 versus 2659). Although antibiotic treatment is effective for the cure of urinary tract infections, there are insufficient data to recommend any specific drug regimen for treatment of symptomatic urinary tract infections during pregnancy. All the antibiotics studied were shown to be very effective in decreasing the incidence of the different outcomes. Complications were very rare. All included trials had very small sample sizes to reliably detect important differences between treatments. Future studies should evaluate the most promising antibiotics, in terms of class, timing, dose, acceptability, maternal and neonatal outcomes and costs.

  20. History of the treatment of spinal injuries.

    PubMed

    Silver, J R

    2005-02-01

    Injury of the spinal cord has been known since antiquity. There is no cure for the injury and until modern times patients died rapidly from a combination of pressure sores and urinary tract infection. Treatment consists of preventing complications until the spine has stabilised and the patient can be rehabilitated to an independent life. This article explores how this treatment developed in the ancient world, the middle ages, in Europe, Great Britain, and latterly in the United States. It describes how these principles of treatment were recognised particularly in Germany, the United States, and Great Britain and evaluates the relative contributions made by the different pioneers.

  1. All Those Who Remained: The American-Led Guerillas in the Philippines, 1942-1945

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-12-04

    United States Army School of Advanced Military Studies United States Army Command and General Staff College Fort Leavenworth, Kansas 2014-02...SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) Command and General Staff College CGSC 731 McClellan Avenue Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027-1350 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S...Luzon through all phases of the campaign. This monograph evaluates the effectiveness of these American-led guerilla groups in supporting the US

  2. Traditional, complementary, and alternative medical cures for HIV: rationale and implications for HIV cure research.

    PubMed

    Pan, Xin; Zhang, Alice; Henderson, Gail E; Rennie, Stuart; Liu, Chuncheng; Cai, Weiping; Wu, Feng; Tucker, Joseph D

    2017-12-13

    Traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM) has been used by some people living with HIV (PLHIV) in an attempt to cure HIV. This article reviews the main factors influencing their decision to choose TCAM to cure HIV and discusses implications for HIV cure research. Those who decide to pursue traditional, complementary, and alternative medical cures may be influenced by the health system, cultural, and social dynamics, and their own individual beliefs and preferences. These same factors may impact participation in HIV cure research. People who search for traditional, complementary, and alternative medical cures may face special challenges as they are recruited, consented, and retained within HIV cure research studies. To address these potential challenges, we have suggested solutions focusing on culturally tailored communication and education, formative social science research, and community partnerships with key stakeholders. The social conditions that have promoted traditional, complementary and alternative medical cures will likely impact how PLHIV participate and experience HIV remission trials. Despite the potential challenges, it will be crucial to involve those who have previously sought out traditional cures for HIV in HIV cure research.

  3. Participation in HIV cure-related research: a scoping review of the proxy literature and implications for future research.

    PubMed

    Dubé, Karine; Ramirez, Catalina; Handibode, Jessica; Taylor, Jeffrey; Skinner, Asheley; Greene, Sandra; Tucker, Joseph D

    2015-10-01

    To identify the main types of HIV cure-related strategies and examine possible risks (and benefits) associated with participating in HIV cure-related research studies. We undertook a scoping review to first map out the landscape of HIV cure-related research and then examined the risks and potential benefits associated with participating in HIV cure research. Given the early stage of many HIV cure-related studies, we used proxy literatures from non-cure HIV research and cancer research in order to anticipate possible motivators and deterrents of participation in HIV cure-related studies. We discussed four main categories of HIV cure-related research: (1) early antiretroviral treatment (ART); (2) latency-reversing agents (LRAs); (3) therapeutic vaccinations and immune-based therapies (IBT); and (4) stem-cell transplantation and gene therapy. At this juncture, these categories of HIV cure-related research have substantial individual risks and negligible individual and clinical benefits. Non-cure HIV research (including HIV prevention and treatment) and cancer research have empirical similarities (and differences) to HIV cure research and may provide an opportunity to anticipate ethical and logistical challenges associated with HIV cure-related research participation and decision-making. Learning from the cancer field, a strong foundation of patient-participant and clinician-researcher trust will need to be established to facilitate recruitment of participants into HIV cure-related studies. Further empirical social science and ethics research will be necessary to inform clinical HIV cure-related research. The study of participation in HIV cure-related research can gain insights from proxy fields by incorporating study elements to clearly explain motivators and deterrents to participation and to inform the implementation of HIV cure-related studies. Study-specific contexts from the reviewed literature further demonstrate the importance of various types of research to assess factors affecting participation in HIV cure-related research, including adequate formative and ethics research.

  4. The Lourdes Medical Cures Revisited†

    PubMed Central

    François, Bernard; Sternberg, Esther M.; Fee, Elizabeth

    2014-01-01

    This article examines the cures recorded in Lourdes, France, between 1858, the year of the Visions, and 1976, the date of the last certified cure of the twentieth century. Initially, the records of cures were crude or nonexistent, and allegations of cures were accepted without question. A Medical Bureau was established in 1883 to examine and certify the cures, and the medical methodology improved steadily in the subsequent years. We discuss the clinical criteria of the cures and the reliability of medical records. Some 1,200 cures were said to have been observed between 1858 and 1889, and about one hundred more each year during the “Golden Age” of Lourdes, 1890–1914. We studied 411 patients cured in 1909–14 and thoroughly reviewed the twenty-five cures acknowledged between 1947 and 1976. No cure has been certified from 1976 through 2006. The Lourdes phenomenon, extraordinary in many respects, still awaits scientific explanation. Lourdes concerns science as well as religion. PMID:22843835

  5. Estimating and modeling the cure fraction in population-based cancer survival analysis.

    PubMed

    Lambert, Paul C; Thompson, John R; Weston, Claire L; Dickman, Paul W

    2007-07-01

    In population-based cancer studies, cure is said to occur when the mortality (hazard) rate in the diseased group of individuals returns to the same level as that expected in the general population. The cure fraction (the proportion of patients cured of disease) is of interest to patients and is a useful measure to monitor trends in survival of curable disease. There are 2 main types of cure fraction model, the mixture cure fraction model and the non-mixture cure fraction model, with most previous work concentrating on the mixture cure fraction model. In this paper, we extend the parametric non-mixture cure fraction model to incorporate background mortality, thus providing estimates of the cure fraction in population-based cancer studies. We compare the estimates of relative survival and the cure fraction between the 2 types of model and also investigate the importance of modeling the ancillary parameters in the selected parametric distribution for both types of model.

  6. Cure-WISE: HETDEX Data Reduction with Astro-WISE

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Snigula, J. M.; Drory, N.; Fabricius, M.; Landriau, M.; Montesano, F.; Hill, G. J.; Gebhardt, K.; Cornell, M. E.

    2014-05-01

    The Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment (HETDEX, Hill et al. 2012b) is a blind spectroscopic survey to map the evolution of dark energy using Lyman-alpha emitting galaxies at redshifts 1.9< ɀ <3.5 as tracers. The survey will use an array of 75 integral field spectrographs called the Visible Integral field Replicable Unit (IFU) Spectrograph (VIRUS, Hill et al. 2012c). The 10m HET (Ramsey et al. 1998) currently receives a wide-field upgrade (Hill et al. 2012a) to accomodate the spectrographs and to provide the needed field of view. Over the projected five year run of the survey we expect to obtain approximately 170 GB of data each night. For the data reduction we developed the Cure pipeline, to automatically find and calibrate the observed spectra, subtract the sky background, and detect and classify different types of sources. Cure employs rigorous statistical methods and complete pixel-level error propagation throughout the reduction process to ensure Poisson-limited performance and meaningful significance values. To automate the reduction of the whole dataset we implemented the Cure pipeline in the Astro-WISE framework. This integration provides for HETDEX a database backend with complete dependency tracking of the various reduction steps, automated checks, and a searchable interface to the detected sources and user management. It can be used to create various web interfaces for data access and quality control. Astro-WISE allows us to reduce the data from all the IFUs in parallel on a compute cluster. This cluster allows us to reduce the observed data in quasi real time and still have excess capacity for rerunning parts of the reduction. Finally, the Astro-WISE interface will be used to provide access to reduced data products to the general community.

  7. Tension-free vaginal tape for treatment of pure urodynamic stress urinary incontinence: efficacy and adverse effects at 17-year follow-up.

    PubMed

    Braga, Andrea; Caccia, Giorgio; Sorice, Paola; Cantaluppi, Simona; Coluccia, Anna Chiara; Di Dedda, Maria Carmela; Regusci, Luca; Ghezzi, Fabio; Uccella, Stefano; Serati, Maurizio

    2018-07-01

    To assess the efficacy and safety of retropubic tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) 17 years after implantation for the treatment of female pure stress urinary incontinence (SUI). A prospective study was conducted in two urogynaecological units in two countries. All consecutive women with urodynamically proven pure SUI treated by TVT were included. Patients with mixed incontinence and/or anatomical evidence of pelvic organ prolapse were excluded. Data regarding subjective outcomes (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form, Patient Global Impression of Improvement, and patient satisfaction scores), objective cure (stress test) rates, and adverse events were collected during follow-up. Univariable analysis was performed to investigate outcomes. A total of 52 women underwent TVT implantation. At 17-year follow-up, 46 women (88.4%) were available for the evaluation. We did not find any significant change in surgical outcomes during this time. At 17 years after surgery, 41 of 46 women (89.1%) declared themselves cured (P = 0.98). Similarly, at 17-year evaluation, 42 of 46 women (91.4%) were objectively cured. No significant deterioration in objective cure rates was observed over time (P for trend 0.50). The univariate analysis did not find any risk factor statistically associated with the recurrence of SUI. Of the 46 women, 15 (32.6%) reported the onset of de novo overactive bladder at 17-year follow-up. No other late complications were reported. The 17-year results of this study showed that TVT is a highly effective and safe option for the treatment of SUI. © 2018 The Authors BJU International © 2018 BJU International Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  8. Control and reduction of peak temperature in self-curing resins.

    PubMed

    Schiavetti, R; DE Vico, G; Casucci, A; Covello, F; Ottria, L; Sannino, G; Barlattani, A

    2009-07-01

    INTRODUCTION.: The aim of this experimental study was to reduce the exothermic reaction during curing of the resins to cold. The significant exotherm generated by the reaction of polymerization of the resin curing involves many clinical complications including the high risk of necrosis against tooth. MATERIAL AND METHODS.: They were used four different types of self curing resins all based on methyl methacrylate, Jet Kit, Major Dentin, Dura Lay, Temporary Cold. The reaction of polymerization of the resins was done in Teflon pans and was monitored by a thermocouple which recorded the highest level reached by each temperature resin with and without additive. The polymerization reaction took place for each resin in the presence of an essential oil, the terpinolene, which acted as a "chain transfer" and different temperatures were recorded. RESULTS.: Resins Dura Lay and Jet kit showed a reduction of very high temperature in the presence of terpinolene, with a statistically significant difference compared to the same reaction without terpinolene Major resin dentin in the presence of the additive has reduced by 8.4°C peak temperature. Resin Temporary Cold has showed benefits with respect to peak temperature, but the reaction was much more 'consistent presence of the additive. DISCUSSION.: The system through which the chain transfer acts to lower the temperature of the reaction is that of chain transfer. Namely that interfere with the reaction of the polymer chains, by transferring these acrylic radicals are no longer active, ie, no longer able to bind to other monomer units, thus avoiding the excessive growth of macromolecules which are those that determine the temperature rise. This leads to the formation of more polymer chains with lower molecular weight.

  9. Student-Led Services in a Hospital Aged Care Temporary Stay Unit: Sustaining Student Placement Capacity and Physiotherapy Service Provisions

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Nicole, Madelyn; Fairbrother, Michele; Nagarajan, Srivalli Vilapakkam; Blackford, Julia; Sheepway, Lyndal; Penman, Merrolee; McAllister, Lindy

    2015-01-01

    Through a collaborative university-hospital partnership, a student-led service model (SLS-model) was implemented to increase student placement capacity within a physiotherapy department of a 150 bed Sydney hospital. This study investigates the perceived barriers and enablers to increasing student placement capacity through student-led services…

  10. Patient-led versus physician-led titration of insulin glargine in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes: a randomized multinational ATLAS study.

    PubMed

    Garg, Satish K; Admane, Karim; Freemantle, Nick; Odawara, Masato; Pan, Chang-Yu; Misra, Anoop; Jarek-Martynowa, Iwona R; Abbas-Raza, Syed; Mirasol, Roberto C; Perfetti, Riccardo

    2015-02-01

    Self-adjustment of insulin dose is commonly practiced in Western patients with type 2 diabetes but is usually not performed in Asian patients. This multinational, 24-week, randomized study compared patient-led with physician-led titration of once-daily insulin glargine in Asian patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes who were on 2 oral glucose-lowering agents. Patient-led (n = 275) or physician-led (n = 277) subjects followed the same dose-titration algorithm guided by self-monitored fasting blood glucose (FBG; target, 110 mg/dL [6.1 mmol/L]). The primary endpoint was change in mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) at week 24 in the patient-led versus physician-led titration groups. Patient-led titration resulted in a significantly higher drop in HbA1c value at 24 weeks when compared with physician-led titration (-1.40% vs. -1.25%; mean difference, -0.15; 95% confidence interval, -0.29 to 0.00; P = .043). Mean decrease in FBG was greatest in the patient-led group (-2.85 mmol/L vs. -2.48 mmol/L; P = .001). The improvements in HbA1c and FBG were consistent across countries, with similar improvements in treatment satisfaction in both groups. Mean daily insulin dose was higher in the patient-led group (28.9 units vs. 22.2 units; P<.001). Target HbA1c of <7.0% without severe hypoglycemia was achieved in 40.0% and 32.9% in the patient-led and physician-led groups, respectively (P = .086). Severe hypoglycemia was not different in the 2 groups (0.7%), with an increase in nocturnal and symptomatic hypoglycemia in the patient-led arm. Patient-led insulin glargine titration achieved near-target blood glucose levels in Asian patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes who were on 2 oral glucose-lowering drugs, demonstrating that Asian patients can self-uptitrate insulin dose effectively when guided.

  11. Investigating introductory astronomy students' perceived impacts from participation in course-based undergraduate research experiences

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wooten, Michelle M.; Coble, Kim; Puckett, Andrew W.; Rector, Travis

    2018-06-01

    [This paper is part of the Focused Collection on Astronomy Education Research.] This study investigates students' perceived impacts regarding their participation in course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) in astronomy. Each research experience adopted one or more projects from the Research Based Science Education for Undergraduates (RBSEU) curriculum, which teaches analysis of astronomical data coming from various national observatories. Participating students were enrolled in introductory astronomy courses at one of four universities using the curriculum. They were invited to respond to several instruments, including surveys (N =199 ), essays (N =94 ), and interviews (N =19 ). Each university implemented the curriculum differently with respect to content covered, length of instruction, and whether students' research results were contributed to the astronomical community. We found that participation in all versions of the curriculum had the potential to significantly increase students' perceived confidence participating in science. However, participation in experiences wherein results were contributed to the scientific community more often led to students' nuanced perceptions of science processes, including increased understanding of the role of analysis and the utility of scientific communities and collaborations. We frame our study according to a pathway model under study by discipline-based education researchers of CUREs and explore our findings' connections with psychological theories.

  12. Protein immobilization on the surface of polydimethylsiloxane and polymethyl methacrylate microfluidic devices.

    PubMed

    Khnouf, Ruba; Karasneh, Dina; Albiss, Borhan Aldeen

    2016-02-01

    PDMS and PMMA are two of the most used polymers in the fabrication of lab-on-chip or microfluidic devices. In order to use these polymers in biological applications, it is sometimes essential to be able to bind biomolecules such as proteins and DNA to the surface of these materials. In this work, we have evaluated a number of processes that have been developed to bind protein to PDMS surfaces which include passive adsorption, passive adsorption with glutaraldehyde cross-linking, (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane functionalization followed by glutaraldehyde or 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride cross-linkers. It has been shown that the latter technique--using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride--results in more than twice the bonding of protein to the surface of PDMS microchannels than proteins binding passively. We have also evaluated a few techniques that have been tested for the functionalization of PMMA microchannels where we have found that the use of polyethyleneimine (PEI) has led to the strongest protein-PMMA microchannel bond. We finally demonstrated the effect of PDMS curing methodology on protein adsorption to its surface, and showed that increased curing time is the factor that reduces passive adsorption the most. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  13. Thermal Scanning of Dental Pulp Chamber by Thermocouple System and Infrared Camera during Photo Curing of Resin Composites.

    PubMed

    Hamze, Faeze; Ganjalikhan Nasab, Seyed Abdolreza; Eskandarizadeh, Ali; Shahravan, Arash; Akhavan Fard, Fatemeh; Sinaee, Neda

    2018-01-01

    Due to thermal hazard during composite restorations, this study was designed to scan the pulp temperature by thermocouple and infrared camera during photo polymerizing different composites. A mesio-occlso-distal (MOD) cavity was prepared in an extracted tooth and the K-type thermocouple was fixed in its pulp chamber. Subsequently, 1 mm increment of each composites were inserted (four composite types were incorporated) and photo polymerized employing either LED or QTH systems for 60 sec while the temperature was recorded with 10 sec intervals. Ultimately, the same tooth was hemisected bucco-lingually and the amalgam was removed. The same composite curing procedure was repeated while the thermogram was recorded using an infrared camera. Thereafter, the data was analyzed by repeated measured ANOVA followed by Tukey's HSD Post Hoc test for multiple comparisons ( α =0.05). The pulp temperature was significantly increased (repeated measures) during photo polymerization ( P =0.000) while there was no significant difference among the results recorded by thermocouple comparing to infrared camera ( P >0.05). Moreover, different composite materials and LCUs lead to similar outcomes ( P >0.05). Although various composites have significant different chemical compositions, they lead to similar pulp thermal changes. Moreover, both the infrared camera and the thermocouple would record parallel results of dental pulp temperature.

  14. Radiant heat curing of concrete.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1985-01-01

    Comparisons were made of the properties of concrete mixtures cured with radiant heat and mixtures cured with low pressure steam and of the curing conditions. The concretes were prepared and cured at two plants which produce precast, prestressed concr...

  15. 7 CFR 29.3560 - Type 37.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... Type 95) § 29.3560 Type 37. That type of air-cured or sun-cured tobacco commonly known as Virginia Sun-cured, Virginia Sun and Air-cured, or Dark Air-cured of Virginia, and produced principally in the...

  16. 7 CFR 29.3560 - Type 37.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... Type 95) § 29.3560 Type 37. That type of air-cured or sun-cured tobacco commonly known as Virginia Sun-cured, Virginia Sun and Air-cured, or Dark Air-cured of Virginia, and produced principally in the...

  17. 7 CFR 29.3560 - Type 37.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Type 95) § 29.3560 Type 37. That type of air-cured or sun-cured tobacco commonly known as Virginia Sun-cured, Virginia Sun and Air-cured, or Dark Air-cured of Virginia, and produced principally in the...

  18. 7 CFR 29.3560 - Type 37.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... Type 95) § 29.3560 Type 37. That type of air-cured or sun-cured tobacco commonly known as Virginia Sun-cured, Virginia Sun and Air-cured, or Dark Air-cured of Virginia, and produced principally in the...

  19. 7 CFR 29.3560 - Type 37.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Type 95) § 29.3560 Type 37. That type of air-cured or sun-cured tobacco commonly known as Virginia Sun-cured, Virginia Sun and Air-cured, or Dark Air-cured of Virginia, and produced principally in the...

  20. Discovery of N-[4-[6-tert-Butyl-5-methoxy-8-(6-methoxy-2-oxo-1H-pyridin-3-yl)-3-quinolyl]phenyl]methanesulfonamide (RG7109), a Potent Inhibitor of the Hepatitis C Virus NS5B Polymerase

    PubMed Central

    Talamas, Francisco X.; Abbot, Sarah C.; Anand, Shalini; Brameld, Ken A.; Carter, David S.; Chen, Jun; Davis, Dana; de Vicente, Javier; Fung, Amy D.; Gong, Leyi; Harris, Seth F.; Inbar, Petra; Labadie, Sharada S.; Lee, Eun K.; Lemoine, Remy; Le Pogam, Sophie; Leveque, Vincent; Li, Jim; McIntosh, Joel; Nájera, Isabel; Park, Jaehyeon; Railkar, Aruna; Rajyaguru, Sonal; Sangi, Michael; Schoenfeld, Ryan C.; Staben, Leanna R.; Tan, Yunchou; Taygerly, Joshua P.; Villaseñor, Armando G.; Weller, Paul E.

    2013-01-01

    In the last few years, there have been many advances in the efforts to cure patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The ultimate goal of these efforts is to develop a combination therapy consisting of only direct-antiviral agents (DAA). In this paper, we discuss our efforts that led to the identification of a bicyclic template with potent activity against the NS5B polymerase, a critical enzyme on the life cycle of HCV. Continuing our exploration to improve the stilbene series, the 3,5,6,8-tetrasubstituted quinoline core was identified as replacement of the stilbene moiety. 6-Methoxy-2(1H)-pyridone was identified among several heterocyclic head groups to have the best potency. Solubility of the template was improved by replacing a planar aryl linker with a saturated pyrrolidine. Profiling of the most promising compounds led to the identification of quinoline 41 (RG7109) which was selected for advancement to clinical development. PMID:24195700

  1. Evaluation of enamel by scanning electron microscopy green LED associated to hydrogen peroxide 35% for dental bleaching

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Monteiro, Juliana S. C.; de Oliveira, Susana C. P. S.; Zanin, Fátima A. A.; Santos, Gustavo M. P.; Sampaio, Fernando J. P.; Gomes Júnior, Rafael Araújo; Gesteira, Maria F. M.; Vannier-Santos, Marcos A.; Pinheiro, Antônio Luiz B.

    2014-02-01

    Dental bleaching is a frequently requested procedure in clinical dental practice. The literature is contradictory regarding the effects of bleaching agents on both morphology and demineralization of enamel after bleaching. The aim of this study was to analyze by SEM the effect of 35% neutral hydrogen peroxide cured by green LED. Buccal surfaces of 15 pre-molars were sectioned and marked with a central groove to allow experimental and control groups on the same specimen. For SEM, 75 electron micrographs were evaluated by tree observers at 43X, 220X and 1000X. Quantitative analysis for the determination of the surface elemental composition of the samples through X-ray microanalysis by SEM was also performed. The protocol tested neither showed significant changes in mineral composition of the samples nor to dental enamel structure when compared to controls. SEM analysis allowed inferring that there were marked morphological differences between the enamel samples highlighting the need for the use of the same tooth in comparative morphological studies. The tested protocol did not cause morphological damage the enamel surface when compared to their respective controls.

  2. A new approach to estimate time-to-cure from cancer registries data.

    PubMed

    Boussari, Olayidé; Romain, Gaëlle; Remontet, Laurent; Bossard, Nadine; Mounier, Morgane; Bouvier, Anne-Marie; Binquet, Christine; Colonna, Marc; Jooste, Valérie

    2018-04-01

    Cure models have been adapted to net survival context to provide important indicators from population-based cancer data, such as the cure fraction and the time-to-cure. However existing methods for computing time-to-cure suffer from some limitations. Cure models in net survival framework were briefly overviewed and a new definition of time-to-cure was introduced as the time TTC at which P(t), the estimated covariate-specific probability of being cured at a given time t after diagnosis, reaches 0.95. We applied flexible parametric cure models to data of four cancer sites provided by the French network of cancer registries (FRANCIM). Then estimates of the time-to-cure by TTC and by two existing methods were derived and compared. Cure fractions and probabilities P(t) were also computed. Depending on the age group, TTC ranged from to 8 to 10 years for colorectal and pancreatic cancer and was nearly 12 years for breast cancer. In thyroid cancer patients under 55 years at diagnosis, TTC was strikingly 0: the probability of being cured was >0.95 just after diagnosis. This is an interesting result regarding the health insurance premiums of these patients. The estimated values of time-to-cure from the three approaches were close for colorectal cancer only. We propose a new approach, based on estimated covariate-specific probability of being cured, to estimate time-to-cure. Compared to two existing methods, the new approach seems to be more intuitive and natural and less sensitive to the survival time distribution. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Midwives' experiences of facilitating normal birth in an obstetric-led unit: a feminist perspective.

    PubMed

    Keating, Annette; Fleming, Valerie E M

    2009-10-01

    to explore midwives' experiences of facilitating normal birth in an obstetric-led unit. a feminist approach using semi-structured interviews focusing on midwives' perceptions of normal birth and their ability to facilitate this birth option in an obstetric-led unit. Ireland. a purposeful sample of 10 midwives with 6-30 years of midwifery experience. All participants had worked for a minimum of 6 years in a labour ward setting, and had been in their current setting for the previous 2 years. the midwives' narratives related to the following four concepts of patriarchy: 'hierarchical thinking', 'power and prestige', 'a logic of domination' and 'either/or thinking' (dualisms). Two themes, 'hierarchical thinking' and 'either/or thinking', (dualisms) along with their subthemes are presented in this paper. this study identified some of the reasons why midwives find it difficult to facilitate normal birth in an obstetric unit setting, and identified a need for further research in this area. Midwifery education and supportive management structures are required if midwives are to become confident practitioners of normal birth.

  4. Optimal cure cycle design of a resin-fiber composite laminate

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hou, Jean W.; Hou, Tan H.; Sheen, Jeen S.

    1987-01-01

    Fibers reinforced composites are used in many applications. The composite parts and structures are often manufactured by curing the prepreg or unmolded material. The magnitudes and durations of the cure temperature and the cure pressure applied during the cure process have significant consequences on the performance of the finished product. The goal of this study is to exploit the potential of applying the optimization technique to the cure cycle design. The press molding process of a polyester is used as an example. Various optimization formulations for the cure cycle design are investigated. Recommendations are given for further research in computerizing the cure cycle design.

  5. Analysis of curing of a sustained release coating formulation by application of NIR spectroscopy to monitor changes associated with glyceryl monostearate.

    PubMed

    Howland, Harris; Fahmy, Raafat; Hoag, Stephen W

    2015-01-01

    For controlled release, latex or pseudolatex coatings to function as designed, it must be cured at temperatures at or slightly above the polymer's glass transition temperature. The focus of this study is to develop an understanding of the curing process and to develop near infrared spectroscopy as a tool for monitoring curing. Differential scanning calorimetry studies were used to determine how the thermal properties of glyceryl monostearate (GMS) and its polymorphic forms relate to the extent of Eudragit® polymer coat curing at different curing temperatures. The different GMS melting endotherms were used to monitor the extent of curing and as references for model development. The calculated melting peak areas for the GMS were plotted versus time and found to be dependent on time and temperature used for curing. Principal component analysis and parallel factor analysis were used to investigate the effect of curing on the films and showed that spectral changes could be could be directly related to the changes associated with the GMS during curing. Partial least square models developed could predict the extent of curing and the final state of GMS post curing.

  6. Depth of cure of proximal composite resin restorations using a new perforated metal matrix.

    PubMed

    Nguyen, Duke P; Motyka, Nancy C; Meyers, Erik J; Vandewalle, Kraig S

    2018-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to compare the depths of cure of a proximal box preparation filled in bulk with various approaches: filled with a bulk-fill or conventional composite; placed with a new perforated metal matrix, a traditional metal matrix, or a clear matrix; and polymerized with either occlusal-only or tri-sited light curing. After tri-sited curing, the use of the new perforated metal matrix band resulted in a depth of cure that was not significantly different from that achieved with the use of metal bands (removed during curing) or transparent matrix bands. Adequate polymerization was obtained at depths of more than 5.0 mm for the bulk-fill composite and more than 4.0 mm for the conventional composite when tri-sited light curing was used. Tri-sited light curing resulted in a significantly greater depth of cure than occlusal-only curing. The perforated metal band may be used as an alternative to the use of solid metal bands or transparent matrix bands to provide similar depths of cure for composite resins, with the possible benefits of malleability and the ability to leave the band in place during tri-sited light curing.

  7. Accounting for Cured Patients in Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.

    PubMed

    Othus, Megan; Bansal, Aasthaa; Koepl, Lisel; Wagner, Samuel; Ramsey, Scott

    2017-04-01

    Economic evaluations often measure an intervention effect with mean overall survival (OS). Emerging types of cancer treatments offer the possibility of being "cured" in that patients can become long-term survivors whose risk of death is the same as that of a disease-free person. Describing cured and noncured patients with one shared mean value may provide a biased assessment of a therapy with a cured proportion. The purpose of this article is to explain how to incorporate the heterogeneity from cured patients into health economic evaluation. We analyzed clinical trial data from patients with advanced melanoma treated with ipilimumab (Ipi; n = 137) versus glycoprotein 100 (gp100; n = 136) with statistical methodology for mixture cure models. Both cured and noncured patients were subject to background mortality not related to cancer. When ignoring cured proportions, we found that patients treated with Ipi had an estimated mean OS that was 8 months longer than that of patients treated with gp100. Cure model analysis showed that the cured proportion drove this difference, with 21% cured on Ipi versus 6% cured on gp100. The mean OS among the noncured cohort patients was 10 and 9 months with Ipi and gp100, respectively. The mean OS among cured patients was 26 years on both arms. When ignoring cured proportions, we found that the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) when comparing Ipi with gp100 was $324,000/quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) (95% confidence interval $254,000-$600,000). With a mixture cure model, the ICER when comparing Ipi with gp100 was $113,000/QALY (95% confidence interval $101,000-$154,000). This analysis supports using cure modeling in health economic evaluation in advanced melanoma. When a proportion of patients may be long-term survivors, using cure models may reduce bias in OS estimates and provide more accurate estimates of health economic measures, including QALYs and ICERs. Copyright © 2017 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Effect of curing modes of dual-curing core systems on microtensile bond strength to dentin and formation of an acid-base resistant zone.

    PubMed

    Li, Na; Takagaki, Tomohiro; Sadr, Alireza; Waidyasekera, Kanchana; Ikeda, Masaomi; Chen, Jihua; Nikaido, Toru; Tagami, Junji

    2011-12-01

    To evaluate the microtensile bond strength (μTBS) and acid-base resistant zone (ABRZ) of two dualcuring core systems to dentin using four curing modes. Sixty-four caries-free human molars were randomly divided into two groups according to two dual-curing resin core systems: (1) Clearfil DC Core Automix; (2) Estelite Core Quick. For each core system, four different curing modes were applied to the adhesive and core resin: (1) dual-cured and dual-cured (DD); (2) chemically cured and dual-cured (CD); (3) dual-cured and chemically cured (DC); (4) chemically cured and chemically cured (CC). The specimens were sectioned into sticks (n = 20 for each group) for the microtensile bond test. μTBS data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and the Dunnett T3 test. Failure patterns were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine the proportion of each mode. Dentin sandwiches were produced and subjected to an acid-base challenge. After argon-ion etching, the ultrastructure of ABRZ was observed using SEM. For Clearfil DC Core Automix, the μTBS values in MPa were as follows: DD: 29.1 ± 5.4, CD: 21.6 ± 5.6, DC: 17.9 ± 2.8, CC: 11.5 ± 3.2. For Estelite Core Quick, they were: DD: 48.9 ±5.7, CD: 20.5 ± 4.7, DC: 41.4 ± 8.3, CC: 19.1 ± 6.0. The bond strength was affected by both material and curing mode, and the interaction of the two factors was significant (p < 0.001). Within both systems, there were significant differences among groups, and the DD group showed the highest μTBS (p < 0.05). ABRZ morphology was not affected by curing mode, but it was highly adhesive-material dependent. The curing mode of dual-curing core systems affects bond strength to dentin, but has no significant effect on the formation of ABRZ.

  9. Curing mode affects bond strength of adhesively luted composite CAD/CAM restorations to dentin.

    PubMed

    Lührs, Anne-Katrin; Pongprueksa, Pong; De Munck, Jan; Geurtsen, Werner; Van Meerbeek, Bart

    2014-03-01

    To determine the effect of curing mode and restoration-surface pre-treatment on the micro-tensile bond strength (μTBS) to dentin. Sandblasted CAD/CAM composite blocks (LAVA Ultimate, 3M ESPE) were cemented to bur-cut dentin using either the etch & rinse composite cement Nexus 3 ('NX3', Kerr) with Optibond XTR ('XTR', Kerr), or the self-etch composite cement RelyX Ultimate ('RXU', 3M ESPE) with Scotchbond Universal ('SBU', 3M ESPE). All experimental groups included different 'curing modes' (light-curing of adhesive and cement ('LL'), light-curing of adhesive and auto-cure of cement ('LA'), co-cure of adhesive through light-curing of cement ('AL'), or complete auto-cure ('AA')) and different 'restoration-surface pre-treatments' of the composite block (NX3: either a silane primer (Kerr), or the XTR adhesive; RXU: either silane primer (RelyX Ceramic Primer, 3M ESPE) and SBU, or solely SBU). After water-storage (7 days, 37°C), the μTBS was measured. Additionally, the degree of conversion (DC) of both cements was measured after 10min and after 1 week, either auto-cured (21°C/37°C) or light-cured (directly/through 3-mm CAD/CAM composite). The linear mixed-effects model (α=0.05) revealed a significant influence of the factors 'curing mode' and 'composite cement', and a less significant effect of the factor 'restoration-surface pre-treatment'. Light-curing 'LL' revealed the highest μTBS, which decreased significantly for all other curing modes. For curing modes 'AA' and 'AL', the lowest μTBS and a high percentage of pre-testing failures were reported. Overall, DC increased with light-curing and incubation time. The curing mode is decisive for the bonding effectiveness of adhesively luted composite CAD/CAM restorations to dentin. Copyright © 2013 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. Investigation into improved pavement curing materials and techniques : part 2 (phase III).

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2003-03-01

    Appropriate curing is important for concrete to obtain the designed properties. This research was conducted to evaluate the curing : effects of different curing materials and methods on pavement properties. At present the sprayed curing compound is a...

  11. Implications of prioritizing HIV cure: new momentum to overcome old challenges in HIV.

    PubMed

    Tucker, Joseph D; Gilbertson, Adam; Lo, Ying-Ru; Vitória, Marco

    2016-03-03

    Curing HIV is a new strategic priority for several major AIDS organizations. In step with this new priority, HIV cure research and related programs are advancing in low, middle, and high-income country settings. This HIV cure momentum may influence existing HIV programs and research priorities. Despite the early stage of ongoing HIV cure efforts, these changes have directly influenced HIV research funding priorities, pilot programs, and HIV messaging. The building momentum to cure HIV infection may synergize with strategic priorities to better identify adults and infants with very early HIV infection. Although HIV cure represents a new goal, many existing programs and research techniques can be repurposed towards an HIV cure. HIV messages focused on engaging communities towards an HIV cure need to be careful to promote ARV adherence and retention within the HIV continuum of care. An increased emphasis within the AIDS field on finding an HIV cure has several important implications. Strengthening connections between HIV cure research and other areas of HIV research may help to catalyze research and facilitate implementation in the future.

  12. Curing of Thick Thermoset Composite Laminates: Multiphysics Modeling and Experiments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Anandan, S.; Dhaliwal, G. S.; Huo, Z.; Chandrashekhara, K.; Apetre, N.; Iyyer, N.

    2017-11-01

    Fiber reinforced polymer composites are used in high-performance aerospace applications as they are resistant to fatigue, corrosion free and possess high specific strength. The mechanical properties of these composite components depend on the degree of cure and residual stresses developed during the curing process. While these parameters are difficult to determine experimentally in large and complex parts, they can be simulated using numerical models in a cost-effective manner. These simulations can be used to develop cure cycles and change processing parameters to obtain high-quality parts. In the current work, a numerical model was built in Comsol MultiPhysics to simulate the cure behavior of a carbon/epoxy prepreg system (IM7/Cycom 5320-1). A thermal spike was observed in thick laminates when the recommended cure cycle was used. The cure cycle was modified to reduce the thermal spike and maintain the degree of cure at the laminate center. A parametric study was performed to evaluate the effect of air flow in the oven, post cure cycles and cure temperatures on the thermal spike and the resultant degree of cure in the laminate.

  13. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Paulauskas, F.L.; Meek, T.T.

    Studies of microwave-assisted curing of neat resins (epoxy) and unidirectional glass and carbon fiber laminates have shown that a substantial reduction in the curing time was obtained. This may be explained by the penetration of microwave energy directly and throughout the laminate with enhancement of the kinetics of the chemical reaction. Results of this work indicate that the microwave assisted curing of glass fiber laminates also shows a substantial reduction of the required curing time. Microwave radiation of 2.45 GHz has been demonstrated to be an acceptable method to cure unidirectional carbon fiber laminates. Also, effective curing of crossply (0/90)more » laminates through this method was observed when proper rotation of the parts accompanied the curing process. This is in accordance with previous work. Multidirectional carbon fiber/epoxy laminates demonstrate a lack of coupling during the curing process. A direct curing of these laminates was not possible by microwave radiation with the experimental approach used, in agreement with previous work. Nevertheless, a moderate reduction in the curing time of these thin laminates was observed due to hybrid curing.« less

  14. Chronic Scandal in the American Proprietary School Sector: A Historical Perspective on Why Treatments Have Not Provided a Cure.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Honick, Craig

    Since the late 19th century, the proprietary school sector in the United States has undergone four major cycles of scandal and reform: the emergence of the commercial college sector in the 1870s, the progressive era of the early 20th century, the fallout of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 (GI Bill), and the period following the 1972…

  15. Nosocomial Legionnaire's disease--a case report and review of the literature.

    PubMed

    Woo, J H; Kim, S A; Park, C S; Choi, T Y; Chang, I C; Lee, I S

    1992-01-01

    We report a case of nosocomial legionellosis in a 63 year-old man who was managed with neurosurgery under the diagnosis of subarachnoidal hemorrhage and complicated pneumonia in the intensive care unit. A legionella species was reported from sputum culture and direct immunofluorescent antibody test revealed L. pneumophila (serogroup 2). Our patient's pneumonia was cured with medical therapy including erythromycin and was the first case of microbiologically confirmed legionellosis in Korea.

  16. Chikungunya virus: is this the next emerging disease threat to the americas?

    PubMed

    Girimont, Trina M

    2014-12-01

    Chikungunya fever is a mosquito-borne infection for which no cure or vaccine is available. It made its first appearance in the Americas in December 2013. Seven months later, two locally acquired cases of the disease emerged in the United States. The emergence of chikungunya fever cases in the Americas emphasizes the need for sustained vector control, clear public health information, and disease awareness and surveillance. Copyright 2014, SLACK Incorporated.

  17. Comparative evaluation of surface porosities in conventional heat polymerized acrylic resin cured by water bath and microwave energy with microwavable acrylic resin cured by microwave energy

    PubMed Central

    Singh, Sunint; Palaskar, Jayant N.; Mittal, Sanjeev

    2013-01-01

    Background: Conventional heat cure poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) is the most commonly used denture base resin despite having some short comings. Lengthy polymerization time being one of them and in order to overcome this fact microwave curing method was recommended. Unavailability of specially designed microwavable acrylic resin made it unpopular. Therefore, in this study, conventional heat cure PMMA was polymerized by microwave energy. Aim and Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the surface porosities in PMMA cured by conventional water bath and microwave energy and compare it with microwavable acrylic resin cured by microwave energy. Materials and Methods: Wax samples were obtained by pouring molten wax into a metal mold of 25 mm × 12 mm × 3 mm dimensions. These samples were divided into three groups namely C, CM, and M. Group C denotes conventional heat cure PMMA cured by water bath method, CM denotes conventional heat cure PMMA cured by microwave energy, M denotes specially designed microwavable acrylic denture base resin cured by microwave energy. After polymerization, each sample was scanned in three pre-marked areas for surface porosities using the optical microscope. As per the literature available, this instrument is being used for the first time to measure the porosity in acrylic resin. It is a reliable method of measuring area of surface pores. Portion of the sample being scanned is displayed on the computer and with the help of software area of each pore was measured and data were analyzed. Results: Conventional heat cure PMMA samples cured by microwave energy showed maximum porosities than the samples cured by conventional water bath method and microwavable acrylic resin cured by microwave energy. Higher percentage of porosities was statistically significant, but well within the range to be clinically acceptable. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this in-vitro study, conventional heat cure PMMA can be cured by microwave energy without compromising on its property such as surface porosity. PMID:24015000

  18. Implementation of a Nurse-Led Family Meeting in a Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit.

    PubMed

    Wu, Huixin; Ren, Dianxu; Zinsmeister, Glenn R; Zewe, Gretchen E; Tuite, Patricia K

    2016-01-01

    The aims of this study were to develop, implement, and evaluate the impact of early intensive care unit (ICU) nurse-led family meetings on nurse-family communication, family decision making, and satisfaction of family members. Intensive care unit nurses are in an ideal position to meet family needs, and family members may cope better with the crisis of an ICU admission if consistent honest information is provided by nurses; however, there are no early ICU family meetings led by bedside nurses. This quality improvement project was implemented in a 10-bed neuroscience ICU over a 3-month period. A convenience sample of 23 nurses participated in the project. Following development of a communication protocol to facilitate nurse-led meetings, the nurses received education and then implemented the protocol. Thirty-one family members participated in the project. Family members were surveyed before and after the meetings. Mean meeting time was 26 (SD, 14) minutes. Following implementation of the meetings, findings demonstrated that families felt that communication improved (P = .02 and P = .008), they had appropriate information for decision making allowing them to feel in control (P = .002), and there was an increase in family satisfaction (P = .001). Early ICU nurse-led family meetings were feasible, improved communication between ICU nurses and family members, facilitated decision making in ICU families, and increased satisfaction of family members.

  19. LED characterization for development of on-board calibration unit of CCD-based advanced wide-field sensor camera of Resourcesat-2A

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chatterjee, Abhijit; Verma, Anurag

    2016-05-01

    The Advanced Wide Field Sensor (AWiFS) camera caters to high temporal resolution requirement of Resourcesat-2A mission with repeativity of 5 days. The AWiFS camera consists of four spectral bands, three in the visible and near IR and one in the short wave infrared. The imaging concept in VNIR bands is based on push broom scanning that uses linear array silicon charge coupled device (CCD) based Focal Plane Array (FPA). On-Board Calibration unit for these CCD based FPAs is used to monitor any degradation in FPA during entire mission life. Four LEDs are operated in constant current mode and 16 different light intensity levels are generated by electronically changing exposure of CCD throughout the calibration cycle. This paper describes experimental setup and characterization results of various flight model visible LEDs (λP=650nm) for development of On-Board Calibration unit of Advanced Wide Field Sensor (AWiFS) camera of RESOURCESAT-2A. Various LED configurations have been studied to meet dynamic range coverage of 6000 pixels silicon CCD based focal plane array from 20% to 60% of saturation during night pass of the satellite to identify degradation of detector elements. The paper also explains comparison of simulation and experimental results of CCD output profile at different LED combinations in constant current mode.

  20. Development of processing diagrams for polymeric die attach adhesives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hsiung, Jen-Chou

    With a processing diagram, one can reduce the effort required to customize curing process conditions for polymeric die attach adhesives. Polymeric die attach adhesives are often cured per the manufacturer's recommendations during initial screening evaluations. In most cases, the recommended cure schedules have to be modified so as to fit differences in process equipment. Unfortunately, the modified cure schedule is usually determined by a trial-and-error method. An aim of our experiments is to understand the curing process of a wide range of polymeric die attach adhesives (conventional, fast, and snap cure adhesives) and to construct a processing diagram, i.e., "Bondability Diagram", so as to define the processing window. Such diagrams should be helpful in determining both the time and cure temperature required to produce high quality bonds. The bondability diagram can be constructed based on fundamental understandings of the phenomena involved in the curing process using a wide variety of tools. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is utilized to study the cure kinetics and the extent of reaction. Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) is used to determine gelation times and melt viscosity under a shear mode. A modified Rheovibron is employed to perform cure characterizations under a tensile mode so that cure stresses could be determined. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) is used to evaluate the outgassing phenomena. Optical Microscopy (OM) is used to detect voids. Results indicate that the cure behaviors of conventional, fast, and snap cure adhesives are different in several respects. The combination of DSC, DMA, TGA, OM, and lap shear test leads to a frame work of developing the bondability diagram concept. The bondability diagram concept provides a foundation for an understanding of the recommended cure schedule and allows one to design their own cure schedule.

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