Restoring implants in the esthetic zone can be regarded as one of the more difficult procedures in dentistry. The use of customized abutments has become a common practice to aid in the development of ...a proper emergence profile of restorations. The standard material over the years has been titanium, however, the emergence of zirconia as a restorative option has become popular when restoring with more translucent materials like lithium disilicate. A compromise between strength and esthetics is anodizing the titanium abutments to have a yellow color to help mask the grey hues from the silver abutments. This case report aims to provide readers with information comparing anodized and zirconia abutments when restoring implants with lithium disilicate restorations in the esthetic zone.
•Energy and exergy analyses of a novel solid oxide fuel cell-based multi-generation system are conducted.•The system produces electrical power, cooling load, fresh water, and hydrogen ...simultaneously.•Fresh water is converted to hydrogen and sanitary water during daylight hours.•Fresh water is stored as potable water during night hours.•The energy and exergy efficiencies of the proposed system are 77.58% and 47.14%.
The thermodynamic assessment of a novel multi-generation system producing electrical power, cooling load, potable and sanitary water, and hydrogen is conducted from the viewpoints of energy and exergy analyses. The proposed system consists of a solid oxide fuel cell as the prime mover, a gas turbine, a biomass combustion subsystem, an organic Rankin cycle integrated with an ejector refrigeration cycle, a desalination subsystem, and a proton exchange membrane electrolyser subsystem. The produced fresh water is utilized to produce potable and sanitary water, and hydrogen. Considering the fact that flat plate collectors are employed to raise the water temperature to the operating temperature of the electrolyser, 12 daylight hours of a day are dedicated to sanitary water and hydrogen production by means of the electrolyser and the rest night hours are devoted to potable water production. During the commissioning period of the hydrogen production subsystem, the effect of three crucial parameters including, current density, fuel utilization factor, and solid oxide fuel cell inlet temperature on several variables related to the system has been investigated. It is concluded that under the baseline design conditions, the net electrical power, the cooling load, and the overall energy and exergy efficiencies are correspondingly equal to 4392 kW, 164.2 kW, 77.58%, and 47.14%. Furthermore, the molar rate of the potable and sanitary water, and hydrogen production are 53.27, 52.50, and 0.7695 mol/s, respectively.
A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) integrated with single effect desalination (SED) unit is modeled and optimized from exergoeconomic, enviroeconomic and exergoenvironmental points of view. A ...multi-criterion optimization technique based on genetic algorithm in the form of three various scenarios is accomplished. In scenario I (exergoeconomic optimization), the total exergy efficiency (ηe,t) and total cost rate (Z˙t) of the hybrid system are assumed as two objective function, while in scenario II (enviroeconomic optimization), the CO2 emission rate (EMI) and total cost rate (Z˙t) of the hybrid system are considered as the two objectives. Eventually, in scenario III (exergoenvironmental optimization), the total exergy efficiency (ηe,t) and the CO2 emission rate (EMI) are presumed as the optimization functions. In various scenarios, optimization technique is carried out with the aim of maximizing the ηe,t and minimizing the EMI andZ˙t. The multi-objective optimization results show that among different scenarios, the minimum total cost rate and CO2 emission rate occurs in the Scenario II, while the maximum total exergy efficiency occur in the Scenario I. In addition, it is revealed that, at the optimal conditions, the maximum net electrical power is achieved by Scenario I.
•A SOFC system integrated with SED unit is modeled thermodynamically.•Multi-objective optimization in the form of three different scenarios is performed.•Total exergy efficiency and total cost are two objectives in scenario I.•CO2 emission rate and total cost rate are two objectives in scenario II.•Total exergy efficiency and CO2 emission rate are two objectives in scenario III.
This paper reviews cascaded or multiple phase change materials (PCMs) approach to provide a fundamental understanding of their thermal behaviors, the performance in terms of heat transfer uniformity, ...and the influence of input parameters and different geometrical containments on the performance of latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) systems. Furthermore, the performance enhancement of energy components through the implementation of cascaded techniques and cascaded arrangements of PCMs accompanied by other enhancement approaches is discussed. The influence of stage numbers affecting the performance of the cascaded LHTES unit is summarized and the range of recommended values for those parameters is provided. Our critical evaluation demonstrates that replacing single PCM by multiple PCMs shows the possibility of improving the performance of TES in terms of energy, exergy and entransy charging/discharging rate along with increased stored/retrieved energy and exergy efficiency. It is also shown that the cascaded LHTES systems opens the doors of opportunity for the seasonal energy sources and extracting the optimum amount of energy within the stipulated time through the proper arrangement of PCMs. Finally, the discussions are extended to the challenges of implementing the cascaded PCMs with some recommendations for future research in this direction.
Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae is one of only two mycoplasma species associated with small ruminant disease in Britain and has been associated with an increasing number of disease outbreaks since 2002. ...This investigation used well-defined techniques to assess the variability of UK
M. ovipneumoniae isolates, in an attempt to identify strain clusters within the population. Strains received for routine diagnosis between 2002 and 2004 were analysed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Of the 43 samples screened 40 RAPD Hum-1, 41 RAPD Hum-4 and 40 PFGE profiles were observed. Composite data analysis divided strains into 10 similarity clusters with SDS-PAGE and Western blotting indicating that this DNA variability is translated into a pattern of variable protein expression. In order to assess the strains isolated within flocks two sets of samples, from diverse locations, were included in this test panel. The presence of variable isolates existing on the same farm may reflect animal movement and the introduction of asymptomatic, carrier, animals where
M. ovipneumoniae is already established within a flock. These findings have significant implications regarding disease diagnosis and management.
Several 2 beta-carboxylic acid ester and amide analogues of cocaine and of 3 beta-(4'-substituted phenyl)tropane-2 beta-carboxylic acid were prepared. The binding affinities of these compounds, and ...of some previously prepared analogues, at the dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), and serotonin (5-HT) transporters were determined. The phenyl esters of 3 beta-(4'-methylphenyl)- and 3 beta-(4'-chlorophenyl)tropane-2 beta-carboxylic acid are highly potent and highly selective for the DA transporter. The isopropyl esters of 3 beta-(4'-chlorophenyl)- and 3 beta-(4'-iodophenyl)tropane-2 beta-carboxylic acid also possess high DA affinity and show significant DA transporter selectivity. Similarly, the phenyl and isopropyl ester analogues of cocaine are much more selective for the DA transporter than cocaine. Tertiary amide analogues of cocaine and of 3 beta-(4'-substituted phenyl)tropane-2 beta-carboxylic acids are more potent inhibitors of radioligand binding at the DA transporter than the primary and secondary amide analogues. In particular, 3 beta-(4'-chlorophenyl)tropane-2 beta-N-morpholinocarboxamide as well as the 3 beta-(4'-chlorophenyl)- and 3 beta-(4'-iodophenyl)tropane-2 beta-N- pyrrolidinocarboxamides possess high affinity and selectivity for the DA transporter. The N,N-dimethylamide cocaine analogue is the most selective cocaine amide derivative for the DA transporter. High correlation between the inhibition of radioligand binding and inhibition of uptake at the DA, NE, and 5-HT transporter was found for a selected group of analogues. Within this group, one compound, the isopropyl ester of 3 beta-(4'-iodophenyl)-tropane-2 beta-carboxylic acid, was found to be more potent in the inhibition of radioligand binding than in the inhibition of DA uptake. Taken together with its high potency and selectivity at the DA transporter, this suggests that this compound may be a lead in the development of a cocaine antagonist.
The Belle II experiment at the SuperKEKB electron–positron collider aims to collect an unprecedented data set of 50ab−1 to study CP-violation in the B-meson system and to search for Physics beyond ...the Standard Model. SuperKEKB is already the world’s highest-luminosity collider. In order to collect the planned data set within approximately one decade, the target is to reach a peak luminosity of 6 × 1035cm−2s−1 by further increasing the beam currents and reducing the beam size at the interaction point by squeezing the betatron function down to βy∗=0.3mm. To ensure detector longevity and maintain good reconstruction performance, beam backgrounds must remain well controlled. We report on current background rates in Belle II and compare these against simulation. We find that a number of recent refinements have significantly improved the background simulation accuracy. Finally, we estimate the safety margins going forward. We predict that backgrounds should remain high but acceptable until a luminosity of at least 2.8 × 1035cm−2s−1 is reached for βy∗=0.6mm. At this point, the most vulnerable Belle II detectors, the Time-of-Propagation (TOP) particle identification system and the Central Drift Chamber (CDC), have predicted background hit rates from single-beam and luminosity backgrounds that add up to approximately half of the maximum acceptable rates.
1. To elucidate the peripheral contribution to "echo" processing in the auditory system, we examined the characteristics of auditory nerve responses to click-pair stimuli in unanesthetized, ...decerebrate cats. We used equilevel click pairs at peak levels of 45, 65, and 85 dB SPL re 20 microPa. The interclick intervals ranged from 1 to 32 ms. This study reports results from 78 auditory nerve fibers in 7 cats. The fibers were divided into 2 groups: 33 low- and 45 high-spontaneous rate (SR), with SRs less than and > or = 20 spikes/s, respectively. A method was introduced to quantify the second-click response, and its recovery was examined as a function of the interclick interval. 2. In general, auditory nerve fibers showed a gradual recovery of the second-click response as interclick interval was increased. Noticeable differences in the second-click response recovery functions emerged among fiber populations that were related to the SR. Low-SR fibers showed little change in the recovery functions of the second-click response as the click level was increased from 45 to 85 dB SPL. In contrast, high-SR fibers showed slower recoveries with increasing click level from 45 to 85 dB SPL. At 45 and 65 dB SPL, the recovery functions of the two SR groups were similar. At 85 dB SPL, high-SR fibers exhibited slower recovery than low-SR fibers, regardless of fiber characteristic frequency. The interclick intervals at 50% second-click response ranged from 1 to 6 ms (mean, 1.4 ms) among low-SR fibers. The interclick intervals at 50% second-click response for high-SR fibers, whereas similar to those for the low-SR fibers at 45 and 65 dB SPL, ranged from 2 to 16 ms (mean, 3 ms) for high-SR fibers, at 85 dB SPL. 3. We also examined auditory nerve compound action potentials (CAPs) evoked by click-pair stimuli for various interclick intervals and click levels. With increasing interclick interval, the amplitude of the second-click CAP increased, and with increasing level, the second-click CAP showed slower recovery. At 45 dB SPL, the recovery functions of the second-click CAP were similar to those of the high- and low-SR fibers. At higher levels, the CAP exhibited lower second-click response values than both high- and low-SR fiber populations for interclick intervals < 4-8 ms. At 85 dB SPL, as interclick interval increased, between 8 and 16 ms, the CAP second-click response converged with that of the high-SR fibers, and by 32 ms, the second-click response values were similar for the CAP, high- and low-SR fibers. 4. The present results are consistent with those of forward masking studies at the level of the auditory nerve in that both demonstrate a short-term reduction of the neural responses. However, the two results differ in that we observed that high-SR fibers exhibited slower recovery than low-SR fibers in response to click-pair stimuli, opposite of the trend observed in the forward masking studies of responses to pure-tone bursts. 5. The present results on auditory nerve fiber responses to click-pair stimuli provide a reference for comparison with responses of central auditory neurons to similar stimuli. This information should serve to elucidate the peripheral contribution to the processing of echoes in the auditory system.
Abstract
Seventy True Choice Genetics (CG32) gilts were allotted to two treatments at weaning (28-35 d) and were fed experimental diets from nursery through their second parity. Treatments were a ...control diet and the control diet plus a mineral amino acid complex (MAAC) (Avalia®Sow fed at 750 g/metric ton). Gilts were grown under standard conditions and then followed for their first two parities. Litter size, piglet birthweight and piglet weaning weight were recorded for each parity. The gilt’s gait was captured while walked through a dog bone track (7.5 m long) using a gait mat (GAIT4Dog®) pre-parturition (45-70 days pregnant) for both parities. Each gilt was walked until 6 usable repetitions were acquired. Data were analyzed for stance, swing, velocity, stride length, percent stance, cycle time and total pressure index. Claws and dewclaws were measured and recorded after walking. Data were analyzed in SAS 9.4 PROC MIXED repeated measures model. There were not differences in litter performance parameters the first two parities. Velocity increased in the treated sows the second parity (P < 0.03; 98.32, 107.17 cm/s, control and treated, respectively). Cycle time decreased in the treated sows for the second parity for both the front and rear legs (front P < 0.007; 1.00, 0.94 s; rear P < 0.002; 1.02, 0.93 s, control and treated respectively). Swing time second parity was decreased in the treated animals compared to the controls for both the front and rear legs (front P < 0.002; 0.33, 0.31 s; rear P < 0.001; 0.38, 0.36 s; control and treated respectively). Stance time decreased in the second parity for treated sows compared to control both the front and rear legs (front P < 0.003; 0.69, 0.62 s; rear P < 0.004; 0.64, 0.58 s; control and treated respectively). For the second parity percent stance decreased in the treated sows for the front legs (front P < 0.04; 66.58, 65.34 %) but was not significant for the rear legs. The total pressure index indicated that treated sows placed more weight on rear legs then control sows second parity (front P < 0.02; 58.11, 57.44%; rear P < 0.02; 41.90, 42.56%, control and treated respectively). There were no significant differences for claw lengths or sow productivity between the control and treatment. These differences provide evidence that adding MAAC impacts locomotion by improving gait quality in sows as they age.
