Intra-oral compartment pressures: a biofunctional model and experimental measurements under different conditions of posture

Oral posture is considered to have a major influence on the development and reoccurrence of malocclusion. A biofunctional model was tested with the null hypotheses that (1) there are no significant differences between pressures during different oral functions and (2) between pressure measurements in different oral compartments in order to substantiate various postural conditions at rest by intra-oral pressure dynamics. Atmospheric pressure monitoring was simultaneously carried out with a digital manometer in the vestibular inter-occlusal space (IOS) and at the palatal vault (sub-palatal space, SPS). Twenty subjects with normal occlusion were evaluated during the open-mouth condition (OC), gently closed lips (semi-open compartment condition, SC), with closed compartments after the generation of a negative pressure (CCN) and swallowing (SW). Pressure curve characteristics were compared between the different measurement phases (OC, SC, CCN, SW) as well as between the two compartments (IOS, SPS) using analysis of variance and Wilcoxon matched-pairs tests adopting a significance level of α = 0.05. Both null hypotheses were rejected. Average pressures (IOS, SPS) in the experimental phases were 0.0, −0.08 (OC); −0.16, −1.0 (SC); −48.79, −81.86 (CCN); and −29.25, −62.51 (SW) mbar. CCN plateau and peak characteristics significantly differed between the two compartments SPS and IOS. These results indicate the formation of two different intra-oral functional anatomical compartments which provide a deeper understanding of orofacial biofunctions and explain previous observations of negative intra-oral pressures at rest

From sea monsters to charismatic megafauna: changes in perception and use of large marine animals

Marine megafauna has always elicited contrasting feelings. In the past, large marine animals were often depicted as fantastic mythological creatures and dangerous monsters, while also arousing human curiosity. Marine megafauna has been a valuable resource to exploit, leading to the collapse of populations and local extinctions. In addition, some species have been perceived as competitors of fishers for marine resources and were often actively culled. Since the 1970s, there has been a change in the perception and use of megafauna. The growth of marine tourism, increasingly oriented towards the observation of wildlife, has driven a shift from extractive to non-extractive use, supporting the conservation of at least some species of marine megafauna. In this paper, we review and compare the changes in the perception and use of three megafaunal groups, cetaceans, elasmobranchs and groupers, with a special focus on European cultures. We highlight the main drivers and the timing of these changes, compare different taxonomic groups and species, and highlight the implications for management and conservation. One of the main drivers of the shift in perception, shared by all the three groups of megafauna, has been a general increase in curiosity towards wildlife, stimulated inter alia by documentaries (from the early 1970s onwards), and also promoted by easy access to scuba diving. At the same time, environmental campaigns have been developed to raise public awareness regarding marine wildlife, especially cetaceans, a process greatly facilitated by the rise of Internet and the World Wide Web. Currently, all the three groups (cetaceans, elasmobranchs and groupers) may represent valuable resources for ecotourism. Strikingly, the economic value of live specimens may exceed their value for human consumption. A further change in perception involving all the three groups is related to a growing understanding and appreciation of their key ecological role. The shift from extractive to non-extractive use has the potential for promoting species conservation and local economic growth. However, the change in use may not benefit the original stakeholders (e.g. fishers or whalers) and there may therefore be a case for providing compensation for disadvantaged stakeholders. Moreover, it is increasingly clear that even non-extractive use may have a negative impact on marine megafauna, therefore regulations are needed.SFRH/BPD/102494/2014, UID/MAR/04292/2019, IS1403info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Exposure assessment of process-related contaminants in food by biomarker monitoring

Exposure assessment is a fundamental part of the risk assessment paradigm, but can often present a number of challenges and uncertainties. This is especially the case for process contaminants formed during the processing, e.g. heating of food, since they are in part highly reactive and/or volatile, thus making exposure assessment by analysing contents in food unreliable. New approaches are therefore required to accurately assess consumer exposure and thus better inform the risk assessment. Such novel approaches may include the use of biomarkers, physiologically based kinetic (PBK) modelling-facilitated reverse dosimetry, and/or duplicate diet studies. This review focuses on the state of the art with respect to the use of biomarkers of exposure for the process contaminants acrylamide, 3-MCPD esters, glycidyl esters, furan and acrolein. From the overview presented, it becomes clear that the field of assessing human exposure to process-related contaminants in food by biomarker monitoring is promising and strongly developing. The current state of the art as well as the existing data gaps and challenges for the future were defined. They include (1) using PBK modelling and duplicate diet studies to establish, preferably in humans, correlations between external exposure and biomarkers; (2) elucidation of the possible endogenous formation of the process-related contaminants and the resulting biomarker levels; (3) the influence of inter-individual variations and how to include that in the biomarker-based exposure predictions; (4) the correction for confounding factors; (5) the value of the different biomarkers in relation to exposure scenario’s and risk assessment, and (6) the possibilities of novel methodologies. In spite of these challenges it can be concluded that biomarker-based exposure assessment provides a unique opportunity to more accurately assess consumer exposure to process-related contaminants in food and thus to better inform risk assessment

A novel nano-porous alumina biomaterial with potential for loading with bioactive materials.

Nano-porous alumina, with the potential for being loaded with bioactive materials, has been proposed as a novel material for coating implants. In this study, the shear strength of the interface between such nano-porous anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) coatings and titanium substrates, their biocompatibility, and their potential for pore loading have been investigated. An interface shear strength in excess of 29 MPa was obtained which is comparable with that of conventional plasma sprayed hydroxyapatite implant coatings. The viability and differentiation of MG63 osteoblastic cells co-cultured on the coating was found to be broadly comparable to that of similar cells co-cultured on conventional bioinert implant materials such as titanium and fully dense alumina. Extensive pore loading with silica nano-particles of different sizes and in different combinations was demonstrated throughout the thickness of AAO layers 1 μm and 60 μm thick. This work has demonstrated, that with suitable choice of pore filling materials, this novel coating might simultaneously combat infection, encourage bone regeneration, and secure fixation of the implant to bone

Nano-porous alumina coatings for improved bone implant interfaces

A new method is proposed for coating implants that produces a metal implant covered in a layer of nano-porous alumina ceramic. These layers are produced by first depositing a layer of aluminium on the implant surface and then anodising it in phosphoric acid to produce the nano-porous structure. This process results in the conversion of the aluminium to alumina containing 6-8wt% phosphate ions. The surface alumina layer is bonded to the substrate via an interfacial layer of fully dense anodised titanium oxide. Mechanical measurements have shown that the shear and tensile strength of this coating are in excess of 20MPa and 10MPa, respectively. The biological performance of nano-porous alumina material has been assessed and shown to be highly favourable, supporting normal osteoblastic activity and maintaining the osteoblastic phenotype. The filling of the nano-porous coating with bioactive material to achieve enhanced biological performance has been investigated using colloidal silica as an analogue for a Bioglass sol. The coating has been loaded with silica by dipping in colloidal silica with a pH of 5.6. Pore filling equivalent to 1.3 wt% SiO2 in the coating as a whole has been achieved in this way

Formation of highly adherent nano-porous alumina on Ti-based substrates: a novel bone implant coating.

Thin, nano-porous, highly adherent layers of anodised aluminium formed on the surface of titanium alloys are being developed as coatings for metallic surgical implants. The layers are formed by anodisation of a 1-5 microm thick layer of aluminium which has been deposited on substrate material by electron beam evaporation. The surface ceramic layer so produced is alumina with 6-8 wt % phosphate ions and contains approximately 5 x 10(8) cm(-2) pores with a approximately 160 nm average diameter, running perpendicular to the surface. Mechanical testing showed the coatings' shear and tensile strength to be at least 20 and 10 MPa, respectively. Initial cell/material studies show promising cellular response to the nano-porous alumina. A normal osteoblastic growth pattern with cell number increasing from day 1 to 21 was shown, with slightly higher proliferative activity on the nano-porous alumina compared to the Thermanox control. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination of the cells on the porous alumina membrane showed normal osteoblast morphology. Flattened cells with filopodia attaching to the pores and good coverage were also observed. In addition, the pore structure produced in these ceramic coatings is expected to be suitable for loading with bioactive material to enhance further their biological properties

Linear Friction Welding of Titanium Alloys for Aeroengine Applications: Modelling and Validation

A model is presented for the linear friction welding process used for blisk manufacture in modern aeroengines. Both the conditioning and equilibrium phases are accounted for. The heating is accomplished by applying an interfacial friction condition. The separate workpieces are assumed to be joined after reaching a critical, predefined temperature. The subsequent equilibrium phase is modelled as a single workpiece, with the usual rippled flash formation occurring. The predictions of the model are compared critically against the results of targeted experimentation, e.g. upsets rates and temperature cycles. Copyright © 2013 ASM International® All rights reserved