Dynamics of plant responses to combinations of air pollutants.

The focus of this review is on how plants respond to combinations of multiple air pollutants. Global pollution trends, plant physiological responses and ecological perspectives in natural and agricultural systems are all discussed. In particular, we highlight the importance of studying sequential or simultaneous exposure of plants to pollutants, rather than exposure to individual pollutants in isolation, and explore how these responses may interfere with the way plants interact with their biotic community. Air pollutants can alter the normal physiology and metabolic functioning of plants. Here we describe how the phenotypic and molecular changes in response to multiple pollutants can differ compared to those elicited by single pollutants, and how different responses have been observed between plants in the field and in controlled laboratory conditions and between trees and crop plants. From an ecological perspective, we discuss how air pollution can result in greater susceptibility to biotic stressors and in direct or indirect effects on interactions with organisms that occupy higher trophic levels. Finally, we provide an overview of the potential uses of plants to mitigate air pollution, exploring the feasibility for pollution removal via the processes of bio-accumulation and phytoremediation. We conclude by proposing some new directions for future research in the field.

Use of aluminum strips to fabricate verification jig for an implant-supported fixed partial denture.

Verification of the accuracy of the master cast for an implant-supported fixed partial denture will reduce the chair time and laboratory costs of implant prosthodontic treatment. A wire is usually luted in the mouth to machined components that have been secured to the implants, and the luted assembly is then transferred to the cast to evaluate the positional accuracy of the implant analogs. Unless this wire is dead soft, inaccuracies as a result of elastic memory of the wire can occur. Also, if the wire is not completely rigid, it can be distorted during handling. This article describes a more reliable verification jig for an implant-supported fixed partial denture that can be fabricated with 1.5 mm thick aluminum strips that are luted to the implant components. The use of two aluminum strips creates a metal framework that is rigid and not easily distorted. Also the aluminum pieces do not have elastic memory because they were cut and not bent to shape.

A procedure for making an interocclusal record without the use of record bases for a combined fixed/removable prosthesis.

This article describes a procedure for making an interocclusal record for a remount procedure after tryin of the castings. This method can also be used for the initial mounting by substituting autopolymerizing acrylic resin copings for the metal castings.

Four uses of a disposable implant mount.

The high cost of precision-fitting, machine-milled implant components is a major concern, and the dentist with a busy implant practice must stock numerous components at considerable expense. In this article, the use of a disposable implant mount is described as an adjunct for a positional index during stage-I surgery, immediate provisional restoration at stage-II surgery, verification jig, and implant-supported record base. By reusing the precision-fitting implant mount that is supplied free of charge by the manufacturer, the dentist can reduce the overhead costs required to provide implant prosthodontic treatment.