Sulfonated PVDF-HFP and SiO based quasi-solid-state composite electrolyte for Lithium-oxygen batteries.

A composite quasi-solid-state electrolyte (QSE) integrating sulfonated poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) and silicon dioxide (SiO) nanofillers is developed for lithium‑oxygen (Li-O) batteries. The inclusion of SiO nanofillers into the host polymer matrix helps in retaining the liquid electrolyte, enhancing ionic conductivity, mechanical stability, and structural integrity. Sulfonation of PVDF-HFP improves lithium-ion transport, reduces the shuttle effect of the lithium iodide (LiI) redox mediator, and suppresses lithium dendrite growth through uniform lithium deposition.

Electrolyte Development for Enhancing Sub-Zero Temperature Performance of Secondary Batteries.

Rechargeable batteries serve as a vital energy storage solution in modern society, powering virtually all portable electronic devices and electric vehicles. However, sub-zero temperature operation, particularly below -20 °C, poses significant challenges for rechargeable batteries, greatly limiting their utility in extreme environments. The sluggish ion diffusion and charge transfer kinetics are the primary factors contributing to the suboptimal performance of rechargeable batteries at low temperatures, both intricately linked to the electrolyte's role in governing ion transport at bulk and interfacial levels.

Robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty improves aseptic survivorship compared to conventional total knee arthroplasty: A minimum 15-year follow-up.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes, as well as implant survivorship, between robotic-assisted and conventional total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using a posterior cruciate-retaining prosthesis.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 150 patients who underwent robotic-assisted TKA and 147 patients who underwent conventional TKA for knee osteoarthritis between March 2005 and December 2008, with a minimum follow-up of 15 years. Radiographic assessments included the hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle, coronal and sagittal alignment of the femoral and tibial components, and alignment outliers, based on full-length standing and lateral radiographs.

Effect of substructure fabrication method and design on the fracture resistance properties of metal-ceramic restorations.

Purpose: In metal-ceramic restorations, the substructure fabrication method and design may affect the prognosis of the prosthesis. This study evaluated and compared the fracture resistance of metal-ceramic restorations fabricated with different substructure fabrication methods using two different alloy powders and designs.

Materials And Methods: Titanium abutments prepared for maxillary central incisor specimens were divided according to the substructure fabrication method (CAS, casting; SLM, selective laser melting), alloy powder type (SLM1, higher Cr and Mo contents; SLM2, control), and substructure design (A, covering one-third of the palatal surface; B, covering two-thirds).

Synergistic design of 3D NaZrCaSiPO-based composite solid electrolyte via in-situ polymerization for solid-state sodium batteries.

The growing demand for sustainable and high-performance energy storage solutions has driven significant advancements in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) as a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This study introduces a composite solid electrolyte (CSE) designed for solid-state sodium batteries (SSSBs), leveraging a 3D NASICON framework to address challenges associated with ionic conductivity, mechanical stability, and interfacial resistance. The CSE was synthesized through in-situ polymerization of butyl acrylate (BA) within a porous NaZrCaSiPO (NZCSP) framework fabricated via a tape casting method.

Prospective clinical comparative evaluation of implant-supported zirconia-lithium disilicate bilayered ceramic and metal-ceramic posterior prostheses: a 3-year follow-up.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance and survival rate of implant-supported zirconia-lithium disilicate (Zr-LiSi) bilayered ceramic prostheses over 3 years.

Materials And Methods: This study included 71 patients, including 34 with implant-supported metal-ceramic prostheses (control group) and 37 with implant-supported Zr-LiSi bilayered ceramic prostheses (test group). The implant survival rate and incidence of prosthetic and biological complications (veneer fractures, dislodgement of screw-access hole filling material, screw loosening, peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, and marginal bone loss) were investigated.

Absence of mating behaviors in the female dogs neonatally treated with estrogen and progesterone.

This study aimed to develop a non-surgical method to neutralize reproduction in female dogs. Female Beagle puppies, aged 6 days, were treated with pellets designed to release estradiol benzoate (EB; 1.0 mg) and progesterone (P4; 5.

Evaluation of Perceptual and Anthropometrical Facial Changes According to Increase in Vertical Dimension of Occlusion.

Background: For restorative demands, increased vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) is sometimes necessary, as facial changes can be perceptible.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the perception of facial change due to increased VDO and associated soft tissue changes using 3D-scanned facial images.

Methods: Forty participants with healthy dentition and no loss of VDO were recruited.

A Dynamic Shift in Estrogen Receptor Expression During Granulosa Cell Differentiation in the Ovary.

This study uncovers a dynamic shift in estrogen receptor expression during granulosa cell (GC) differentiation in the ovary, highlighting a transition from estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) to estrogen receptor beta (ESR2). Using a transgenic mouse model with Esr1-iCre-mediated Esr2 deletion, we demonstrate that ESR2 expression is absent in GCs derived from ESR1-expressing ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) cells. Single-cell analysis of the OSE-GC lineage reveals a developmental trajectory from Esr1-expressing OSE cells to Foxl2-expressing pre-GCs, culminating in GCs exclusively expressing Esr2.

Effect of scan path on accuracy of complete arch intraoral scan.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the accuracy of an alternative scan path with that of traditional scan paths to obtain a more accurate method for complete arch scans.

Materials And Methods: A mandibular stone cast, including tooth preparations for the inlay, crown, and fixed prosthesis, was scanned 10 times using four different scan paths (A, B, C, and D). The scans were converted into stereolithography files, resized, and superimposed onto a control file obtained from a desktop scanner.

Effect of crystallization and finish line curvature on the marginal integrity of lithium disilicate crowns.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of crystallization and finish line curvature on the integrity of lithium disilicate crowns fabricated by using partially crystallized (P) and fully crystallized (F) blocks.

Materials And Methods: Forty-eight lithium disilicate crowns were fabricated based on the designated lithium disilicate blocks and finish line curvatures. The specimens were divided into four groups (n = 12 each): P block with a curved finish line (PC), P block with a straight finish line (PS), F block with a curved finish line (FC), and F block with a straight finish line (FS).

Edge Chipping Resistance and Flexural Strength of CAD-CAM Ceramics Before and After Thermomechanical Aging.

Objectives: To evaluate the complementary mechanical properties of dental ceramics using edge chipping resistance (Rea) and flexural strength before and after thermomechanical aging.

Material And Methods: Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing of ceramic materials, including zirconia (ZR), lithium disilicate (LS2), and resin nanoceramics (RNC), were evaluated. Specimens for flexural strength testing were fabricated with dimensions of 3 × 4 × 25 mm, with 30 specimens per group.

Are Imaging Evaluations of Soft-Tissue Masses Before Referral to a Specialized Center Being Performed Properly? A Systematic Review.

Background/objectives: Since the initial approach towards the clinical presentation of soft-tissue masses is challenging for frontline physicians, some countries use clinical practice guidelines. Proper imaging work-up is crucial to differentiate between soft-tissue tumors. Recently, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been widely used.

Effect of Occlusal and Axial Thickness on the Fracture Load of Implant-Supported Monolithic Zirconia Crowns.

Purpose: To evaluate the fracture load of monolithic zirconia (Zr) crowns with implant screw holes, focusing on variations in occlusal and axial thicknesses, and to assess the interaction between these variables.

Materials And Methods: Six different prostheses were designed using CAD software, all of which varied in occlusal thickness (0.5 mm, 1.

Inhibition of testicular development by suppressing neonatal LH rise in male domestic pigs.

The neonatal increase in circulating luteinizing hormone (LH) is crucial for testicular development. In male pigs, blood LH levels start to increase approximately 1 week after birth and return to basal level by 5-6 weeks of age. This study tested the hypothesis that neonatal treatment with a combination of estrogens and androgens suppresses LH secretion and thereby inhibits testicular development.

Male animal sterilization: history, current practices, and potential methods for replacing castration.

Sterilization and castration have been synonyms for thousands of years. Making an animal sterile meant to render them incapable of producing offspring. Castration or the physical removal of the testes was discovered to be the most simple but reliable method for managing reproduction and sexual behavior in the male.

Evaluation of shear bond strength based on substructure materials and ceramic veneering techniques.

Purpose: Bilayered restorations have both the strength of the substructure material and the esthetics of the veneer material; however, they should have appropriate bonding between the two materials. This study aimed to evaluate the shear bond strength (SBS) according to the substructure material and veneering technique used in bilayered restorations.

Materials And Methods: The experimental group was divided into four groups (n = 15 per group) based on the substructure materials (cobalt-chromium [Co-Cr] alloy and 3 mol% yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal [3Y-TZP]) and veneering techniques (pressing and layering).

Cryptorchidism and testicular cancer in the dog: unresolved questions and challenges in translating insights from human studies†.

Cryptorchidism, the failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum, and testicular cancer show a strong correlation in both dogs and humans. Yet, long-standing medical debates persist about whether the location of undescended testes directly causes testicular cancer in humans or if both conditions stem from a common origin. Although testicular cancer is a prevalent disease in dogs, even less is known about its cause and correlation with testicular descent in this species.

Complete mouth rehabilitation in a patient with condylar fracture malunion: A clinical report.

Mandibular condyle fracture malunion and tooth loss can cause functional and esthetic problems. A patient with restricted mouth opening associated with muscle atrophy required prosthetic rehabilitation. Since the remaining teeth had a poor prognosis and the patient had difficulty adapting to the interim denture, complete mouth rehabilitation with implants was chosen.

Chewing Side Preference Related to Food Texture and Occlusal Contact Area.

Purpose: To determine whether food texture affects chewing side preference (CSP) and to investigate the relationship between CSP and masticatory factors, such as occlusal contact area, bite force, and masticatory performance.

Materials And Methods: Forty-seven adults (20 women and 27 men; mean age: 24 years) participated in this study. Three types of food (chewing gum, beef jerky, and peanuts) were provided to assess CSP.

Construction of a High-Performance Composite Solid Electrolyte Through In-Situ Polymerization within a Self-Supported Porous Garnet Framework.

Composite solid electrolytes (CSEs) have emerged as promising candidates for safe and high-energy-density solid-state lithium metal batteries (SSLMBs). However, concurrently achieving exceptional ionic conductivity and interface compatibility between the electrolyte and electrode presents a significant challenge in the development of high-performance CSEs for SSLMBs. To overcome these challenges, we present a method involving the in-situ polymerization of a monomer within a self-supported porous LiLaZrTaO (LLZT) to produce the CSE.

Three-dimensional morphometric study on the retromolar pad.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to classify the shapes of retromolar pads and assess their morphometric differences using a 3D model.

Materials And Methods: Two hundred fully edentulous or Kennedy Class I partially edentulous patients (400 retromolar pads) were enrolled. Scan data of the definitive mandibular casts produced through functional impressions were obtained using a 3D laser scanner.

Tensile bond strength of CAD-CAM all ceramic crowns before and after thermomechanical aging.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the tensile bond strength (TBS) of resin nanoceramics (RNC), zirconia, and lithium disilicate (LS2) restorations cemented to titanium abutments before and after thermomechanical aging.

Materials And Methods: Twelve specimens per group were fabricated to determine the TBS between a titanium abutment and four types of crown materials (2 RNCs, LS2, and translucent zirconia crowns for the maxillary molar). After milling, the abutments and crowns were cemented with resin cement after air-particle abrasion.

Flexural strength and translucency of barium-silicate-filled resin nanoceramics for additive manufacturing.

Objective: This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the flexural strength (FS) and translucency parameter (TP) of resin nanoceramics (RNCs) with barium silicate for additive manufacturing.

Materials And Methods: An RNC slurry was prepared by mixing a barium silicate filler and resin monomer. For the FS tests, specimens with three filler contents (0, 50, and 63 wt%) were designed according to ISO6872 for dental ceramics and ISO10477 for dental polymers.

Development of rapid and effective oil-spill response system integrated with oil collection, recovery and storage devices for small oil spills at initial stage: From lab-scale study to field-scale test.

In the present study, through the laboratory-to-field scale experiments and trials, we report the development and evaluation of an integrated oil-spill response system capable of oil collection, recovery (separation), and storage, for a timely and effective response to the initial stage of oil-spill accidents. With the laboratory-scale experiments, first, we evaluate that the water-surface waves tend to abate the oil recovery rate below 80% (it is above 95% for the optimized configuration without the waves), which is overcome by installing the hydrophilic (and oleophobic) porous structures at the inlet and/or near the water outlet of the separator. In the follow-up meso-scale towing tank tests with a scaled-up prototype, (i) we optimize the maneuverability of the assembled system depending on the speed and existence of waves, and (ii) evaluate the oil recovery performance (more than 80% recovery for the olive oil and Bunker A fuel oil).