Valorization of wipe wastes for the synthesis of microporous carbons and their application in CO2 capture, gas separation and H2-storage.

Wipe wastes have been used as a cellulosic source to synthesize biochars. Prior to the synthesis of the adsorbents by the pyrolysis of wipes wastes, this waste was treated to remove the pathogenic agents. Then, the wipe wastes were pyrolyzed between 500 and 900 °C to obtain biochars, whose microporosity increased proportionally to the pyrolysis temperature, achieving a maximum CO2-adsorption uptake of 2.53 mmol/g at a pressure of 760 mm of Hg and 25 °C for the biochar pyrolized at 900 °C. The synthesized biochars are also highly selective towards CO2-adsorption in CO2/N2 or CO2/H2 mixtures. Hence, these adsorbents have shown a great potential to be used in flue gas treatment and H2-purification processes. Biochar treatment with KOH further improves microporosity due to chemical activation although the addition of a large amount of KOH leads to excessive microporosity causing a collapse in the pore structure and decreasing CO2-adsorption capacity.

Natural and Anthropogenic Processes Affecting Domestic Groundwater Quality within the Northwestern Appalachian Basin.

Domestic wells serve as the primary drinking-water source for rural residents in the northern Appalachian Basin (NAB), despite a limited understanding of contaminant distributions in groundwater sources. We employ a newly collected dataset of 216 water samples from domestic wells in Ohio and West Virginia and an integrated contaminant-source attribution method to describe water quality in the western NAB and characterize key agents influencing contaminant distributions. Our results reveal arsenic and nitrate concentrations above federal maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in 6.8 and 1.3% of samples and manganese concentrations above health advisory in 7.3% of samples. Recently recharged groundwaters beneath upland regions appear vulnerable to surface-related impacts, including nitrate pollution from agricultural activities and salinization from road salting and domestic sewage sources. Valley regions serve as terminal discharge points for long-residence-time groundwaters, where mixing with basin brines is possible. Arsenic impairments occurred in alkaline groundwaters with major-ion compositions altered by ion exchange and in low-oxygen metal-rich groundwaters. Mixing with as much as 4-10% of mine discharge-like waters was observed near coal mining operations. Our study provides new insights into key agents of groundwater impairment in an understudied region of the NAB and presents an integrated approach for contaminant-source attribution applicable to other regions of intensive resource extraction.

Opioid guidelines for common dental surgical procedures: a multidisciplinary panel consensus.

One in 16 patients prescribed opioids after a surgical procedure will become a long-term user. The lack of procedure-specific guidelines after common dental procedures contributes to the opioid overprescribing problem. We convened a multidisciplinary panel to develop consensus recommendations for opioid prescribing after common dental procedures. We used a three-step modified Delphi method to develop a consensus recommendation for outpatient opioid prescribing for 14 common dental procedures. The multi-institution, multidisciplinary panel represented seven relevant stakeholder groups (oral surgeons, periodontists, endodontists, general dentists, general surgeons, oral surgery residents, and oral surgery patients). The panel determined the minimum and maximum number of opioid tablets a clinician should consider prescribing. For all 14 surgical procedures, ibuprofen was recommended as initial therapy. The maximum number of opioid tablets recommended varied by procedure (overall median = 5 tablets, range = 0-15 tablets). Zero opioid tablets were recommended as the maximum number for six of 14 (43%) procedures, one to 10 opioid tablets was the maximum for four of 14 (27%) procedures, and 11-15 tablets was the maximum for four of 14 (27%) procedures. Procedure-specific prescribing recommendations may help provide guidance to clinicians and help address the opioid overprescribing problem.

Industrially synthesized single-walled carbon nanotubes: compositional data for users, environmental risk assessments, and source apportionment.

Commercially available single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) contain large percentages of metal and carbonaceous impurities. These fractions influence the SWCNT physical properties and performance, yet their chemical compositions are not well defined. This lack of information also precludes accurate environmental risk assessments for specific SWCNT stocks, which emerging local legislation requires of nanomaterial manufacturers. To address these needs, we measured the elemental, molecular, and stable carbon isotope compositions of commercially available SWCNTs. As expected, catalytic metals occurred at per cent levels (1.3-29%), but purified materials also contained unexpected metals (e.g., Cu, Pb at 0.1-0.3 ppt). Nitrogen contents (up to 0.48%) were typically greater in arc-produced SWCNTs than in those derived from chemical vapor deposition. Toluene-extractable materials contributed less than 5% of the total mass of the SWCNTs. Internal standard losses during dichloromethane extractions suggested that metals are available for reductive dehalogenation reactions, ultimately resulting in the degradation of aromatic internal standards. The carbon isotope content of the extracted material suggested that SWCNTs acquired much of their carbonaceous contamination from their storage environment. Some of the SWCNTs, themselves, were highly depleted in (13)C relative to petroleum-derived chemicals. The distinct carbon isotopic signatures and unique metal 'fingerprints' may be useful as environmental tracers allowing assessment of SWCNT sources to the environment.

The effect of enamel matrix proteins on periodontal regeneration as determined by histological analyses.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic approaches to periodontal regeneration in the past have utilized bone replacement grafts, growth factors, barrier membranes, or combinations of these approaches. More recently, enamel extracellular matrix proteins have been introduced to stimulate periodontal regeneration. One factor thought to have an impact on the outcome of the regenerative process is the initial size of the periodontal defect. This is particularly the case when using proteins to stimulate regeneration, because the concepts of guided tissue regeneration emphasize the need for space maintenance to allow for selected cell repopulation. The goal of this study was to evaluate periodontal regeneration in intrabony defects of various sizes treated with enamel matrix proteins. METHODS: Periodontal defects ranging in size from 1 to 6 mm were created bilaterally around 3 teeth in the mandibles of baboons. Plaque was allowed to accumulate around ligatures placed into the defects. After 2 months, the ligatures were removed, the teeth were scaled and root planed, and a notch was placed at the base of the defect. On one side of the mandible, neutral ethylene diamine tetracetic acid and enamel matrix proteins were used to treat the defects. The other side served as a control, with neutral ethylene diamine tetracetic acid treatment alone after scaling and root planing. Flaps were sutured and the animals were allowed to heal without oral hygiene procedures. After 5 months, the animals were sacrificed and the teeth were processed for histological evaluation. RESULTS: Periodontal regeneration occurred in all sizes of the periodontal defects. Qualitatively, new cementum, periodontal ligament with Sharpey's fibers, and new bone tissue were observed. In general, enamel matrix protein treatment resulted in greater tissue formation than controls. In many instances, dramatic tissue formation occurred far coronal to the base of the defects. In addition, horizontal bone fill occurred in defects that were initially 4 or 6 mm wide. The resultant width of the periodontal ligament was similar in all defects regardless of the original defect width. The cementum width was slightly greater in the wider (4 and 6 mm) defects compared to the more narrow (1 and 2 mm) defects. When evaluating the combined 1 and 2 mm defects, the height of new cementum with enamel matrix protein treatment was 45% greater than the control, with 31% greater new bone height versus the control. In the combined wider defects (4 and 6 mm), new tissue height was more similar between enamel matrix protein-treated defects and control defects. The results from the wider defects must be interpreted cautiously, because the interproximal bone heights were resorbed more adjacent to the wider defects during the plaque accumulation period and likely limited the potential for regeneration. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of various sized periodontal defects with enamel matrix proteins stimulated substantial periodontal regeneration. In many cases, dramatic amounts of new cementum, Sharpey's fibers, periodontal ligament, and bone tissue were formed far coronal to the notch at the base of the defect, especially considering the width of the original defects. This periodontal regeneration occurred in the absence of exogenous growth factors, bone replacement grafts, barrier membranes, or their combination.

Attack cone avoidance during predator inspection visits by wild finescale dace (Phoxinus neogaeus): the effects of predator diet.

When confronted by potential predators, many prey fishes engage in predator inspection behavior. Previous authors have argued that by selectively avoiding the predator's head during an inspection visit (attack cone avoidance), individual inspectors may reduce their local risk of predation. In field trials, we investigated the effects of predator diet cues on the presence of 'attack cone avoidance' during predator inspection visits. Wild, free-ranging finescale dace (Phoxinus neogaeus) were exposed to the combined cues of a model predator and a distilled water control or the odor of a yellow perch (Perca flavescens) fed dace (with alarm pheromone), swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri) (lacking Ostariophysan alarm pheromone), or perch that were food deprived for four days. Finescale dace modified their predator inspection behavior following exposure to the odor of a perch fed dace (fewer dace present, reduced frequency of inspections, and an increased per capita inspection rate) compared to those exposed to the odor of a perch fed swordtails, perch that were food deprived, or a distilled water control. In addition, dace inspected the tail region more often only when the model predator was paired with the odor of a perch fed dace. In all other treatments, dace inspected the head region of the model predator more often. These data suggest that attack cone avoidance of inspecting prey fishes may be more likely to occur in high-risk situations, such as in the presence of conspecific alarm pheromones in the diet of potential predators.

Corrosion behavior of sensitized duplex stainless steel.

The present work investigates the corrosion behavior of 2205 duplex stainless steel in 0.9% NaCl solution after various heat-treatments, and compares it to that of 316L austenitic stainless steel. Both stainless steels were heat-treated at 500, 650, and 800 degrees C in air for 1 h, followed by furnace cooling. Each heat-treated sample was examined for their microstructures and Vickers micro-hardness, and subjected to the X-ray diffraction for the phase identification. Using potentiostatic polarization method, each heat-treated sample was corrosion-tested in 37 degrees C 0.9% NaCl solution to estimate its corrosion rate. It was found that simulated sensitization showed an adverse influence on both steels, indicating that corrosion rates increased by increasing the sensitization temperatures.

Planning for the future when restoring a hemisected molar: a clinical report.

An intracoronal attachment was incorporated into the distal surface of a surveyed complete crown of a tooth anterior to a hemisected molar. This is a recommended procedure when the distal section of a fixed partial denture is supported by a questionable long-term abutment and may require eventual replacement by a removable partial denture when an implant supported prosthesis is not indicated.

The art of crown preparation: a review of principles.

The following paper consists of a literature review related specifically to the biomechanical principles that determine the design and preparation of teeth: Retention and Resistance form. Magnitude of forces, geometry of tooth preparation, taper, stress concentration, the influence of luting agents and the clinical implication of these factors upon retention and resistance are presented and discussed from the point of view of several authors from the early 1900s until the present.

Immunophenotype analysis of dendritic cells and lymphocytes associated with cutaneous malignant melanomas.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between changes in density and distribution of dendritic cells, both in epidermis and in peritumoral infiltrate, and lymphocyte subset variations in malignant melanomas (MM) of patients belonging to different risk groups. The collective immunoreactive expression of six markers (S100 protein, CD1-a, HLA-DR, CD4, CD8 and CD25) was analyzed in 13 cutaneous malignant melanomas. Changes were observed in density and distribution of Langerhans cells (LC) (S100+, CD1-a+) in the epidermis overlying the tumor, as well as in peritumoral and intratumoral locations, independently of the tumor-invasion level. A decrease was recorded in LC (S100+, CD1-a+) in the epidermis overlying six tumors, whereas most of the MM studied showed an increase of LC (S100+, CD1-a+) in peritumoral infiltrate. The expression of HLA-DR in tumor cells was controversial; it was observed in three moderate-risk MM, but it was negative in high-risk tumors. The percentage of CD4+ cells was in most cases greater than that of CD8+ in the peritumoral infiltrate, irrespective of the degree of histopathological malignancy. The concomitant expression of the lymphocytic activation marker CD25 (receptor for interleukin 2) in lymphocytic infiltrate was variable. Peritumoral infiltrate in three high risk MM contained few CD25+ cells, and a concomitant decrease was recorded in LC. This preliminary report shows that alterations in the density and distribution of LC may be responsible for determining the degree or T lymphocyte activation, and this may be critical for the development of effective tumor-directed immunity. Further studies are required to demonstrate these hypothetical interrelations.

HLA molecule expression in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas: an immunopathological study and clinical-immunohistopathological correlations.

A correlation between the lack of MHC class I gene expression on murine tumor cells and their ability to grow and metastasize has recently been established. This paper studies HLA-ABC and HLA-DR antigen expression in tumor cells and mononuclear infiltrate of 26 cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Our results showed a heterogeneous expression of HLA class I molecules in these tumors. No significant correlation between the degree of HLA class I molecule expression and anatomical-clinical parameters was found. Class II antigen expression was correlated to the histopathological type and to the degree of cell differentiation. Most mononuclear cells infiltrating the tumor were T-lymphocytes. No correlation with anatomical-clinical parameters was found.

HLA expression in basal cell carcinomas.

Decreased expression of MHC class I molecules in tumor cells has been reported to be associated with enhanced malignancy both in human and murine tumors. This paper studies HLA-ABC and HLA-DR expression in 56 basal cell carcinomas. Our results show that these tumors have a heterogeneous expression of MHC class I molecules: 11% exhibit uniform staining of most tumor cells; 25% are only partially positive, and the remaining 64% are MHC class I negative. A positive correlation between the level of HLA-ABC molecule expression and the degree of histological differentiation has been found. The expression pattern of tumor cells with anti-class II monoclonal antibodies shows weak homogeneous staining in 5%, staining in only a few areas of the tumor in 32%, whereas 63% has no significant staining for MHC class II antigens. Most mononuclear cells infiltrating the tumor were T lymphocytes (CD-3 positive). Results also show that 68% of the tumors express class II molecules homogeneously in the infiltrate. The expression of class II antigens in infiltrating lymphocytes correlated with the level of class II expression in the tumor cells probably as a consequence of lymphokine production by activated T cells.

Structure of a propynyl adduct of an oxa-bridged octalin.

C20H30O6, Mr = 366.45, monoclinic, P2l/n, a = 10.411 (2), b = 16.084 (3), c = 11.991 (1) A, beta = 100.98 Mg m-3, Mo Ka, lambda V 0.71069 A, mu = 0.097 (2) degrees, V = 1971 (6) A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.23 Mg m-3, Mo Ka, lambda = 0.71069 A, mu = 0.097 mm-1, F(000) = 792, T = 296 K, R = 0.050, wR = 0.065 for 3430 observed unique reflections. The structure of a key synthetic intermediate for use in a total synthesis of the nargenicin antibiotics has been established by X ray single-crystal methods. Its structure is characterized by an essentially strain-free tricyclic oxa-bridged octalin nucleus, low-energy methoxymethyl ether side-chain conformations and an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl group hydrogen atom and a methoxymethyl ether oxygen atom. Intermolecular packing contacts less than the sum of van der Waals radii consist of weak C-H...O interactions.