Activity

  • Gaarde Erickson posted an update 1 year, 3 months ago

    Dental composites are aesthetic materials widely used in Dentistry for replacing hard dental tissues lost due to caries or traumas. The aim of this study was to fabricate low-shrinkage dental composite charged with nanoclay fillers (montmorillonite Cloisite®-MMT) and evaluate their cytotoxicity and physicomechanical properties. Four dental composites were produced from the same organic matrix Bis-GMA/TEGDMA (30 wt.%). The filler system was constituted of BaSi, SiO2, and MMT in the following concentrations (wt.%) 93.8/6.2/0, 89.1/5.9/5, 86.7/5.8/7.5, and 84.4/5.6/10 (E0 0; E5 5%; E7.5 7.5%; E10 10% of MMT nanoclays). The following properties were tested in vitro cytotoxicity, flexural strength, elastic modulus, volumetric shrinkage, water sorption, water solubility, and hygroscopic expansion. Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize composites’ topography. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD post hoc test (p  less then  0.05). MMT nanoclays did not affect the cytotoxicity. E5 and E7.5 groups showed a significant decrease in polymerization shrinkage while maintained the overall physicomechanical properties. The inclusion of 5 and 7.5 wt.% of MMT nanoclays allowed the fabrication of dental composites with low cytotoxicity and low polymerization shrinkage, without jeopardizing the overall behaviour of their physicomechanical properties (flexural strength, elastic modulus, water sorption, water solubility, and hygroscopic expansion). These aspects suggest that the usage of MMT nanoclays could be an effective strategy to formulate new dental composites with clinical applicability.

    3D printing of MXene frames with tunable electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency is demonstrated. Highly conductive MXene frames are reinforced by cross-linking with aluminum ions. Electromagnetic wave is visualized by electromagnetic-thermochromic MXene patterns. The highly integrated and miniaturized next-generation electronic products call for high-performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials to assure the normal operation of their closely assembled components. However, the most current techniques are not adequate for the fabrication of shielding materials with programmable structure and controllable shielding efficiency. Herein, we demonstrate the direct ink writing of robust and highly conductive Ti

    C

    T

    MXene frames with customizable structures by using MXene/AlOOH inks for tunable EMI shielding and electromagnetic wave-induced thermochromism applications. read more The as-printed frames are reinforced by immersing in AlCl

    /HCl solution to remove the electrically insulating A3 S m-1. Furthermore, an electromagnetic wave-induced thermochromic MXene pattern is assembled by coating and curing with thermochromic polydimethylsiloxane on a printed MXene pattern, and its color can be changed from blue to red under the high-intensity electromagnetic irradiation. This work demonstrates a direct ink printing of customizable EMI frames and patterns for tuning EMI shielding efficiency and visualizing electromagnetic waves.Dermanyssus gallinae (poultry red mite, PRM) is a main ectoparasite of poultry that represents a serious economic threat to all farming systems, including cages and backyard flocks. In recent years, economic losses associated with this ectoparasite have progressively increased, mainly because of the lack of information regarding its population dynamics and appropriate control methods. In this study, we used a modified monitoring method to examine the in-house factors affecting the population density of D. gallinae. PRMs have been found in all poultry houses examined in Turkey. The largest population was detected in the front and back parts of the middle rows in cage systems as well as in perches in backyard systems. Relative humidity, light, and temperature might be the most affecting factors on the mite distribution inside the poultry houses. Besides, the mite populations are influenced mainly by the last (chemical) treatment date and the construction materials of the building. Dermanyssus gallinae were found to be the most dominant mite species (98.9%), followed by Cheyletus sp. (Cheyletidae); also some Acaridae (Tyrophagus spp.) and Oribatida were identified. Hence, further research on Cheyletus sp. is required to elucidate their predatory potential and develop future control strategies. This study contributes to understanding the PRM population behavior in poultry houses as well as their monitoring and control methods, which are key components in the appropriate application of integrated pest management programs.Blockchain can be thought of as a distributed database allowing tracing of the origin of data, and who has manipulated a given data set in the past. Medical applications of blockchain technology are emerging. Blockchain has many potential applications in medical imaging, typically making use of the tracking of radiological or clinical data. Clinical applications of blockchain technology include the documentation of the contribution of different “authors” including AI algorithms to multipart reports, the documentation of the use of AI algorithms towards the diagnosis, the possibility to enhance the accessibility of relevant information in electronic medical records, and a better control of users over their personal health records. Applications of blockchain in research include a better traceability of image data within clinical trials, a better traceability of the contributions of image and annotation data for the training of AI algorithms, thus enhancing privacy and fairness, and potentially make imaging data for AI available in larger quantities. Blockchain also allows for dynamic consenting and has the potential to empower patients and giving them a better control who has accessed their health data. There are also many potential applications of blockchain technology for administrative purposes, like keeping track of learning achievements or the surveillance of medical devices. This article gives a brief introduction in the basic technology and terminology of blockchain technology and concentrates on the potential applications of blockchain in medical imaging.