Mean Total Production Research Articles

Production time and practicability of 3D-Printed wrist orthoses versus low temperature thermoplastic wrist orthoses.

In recent years, three-dimensional (3D) printing has emerged as a new manufacturing technique for orthoses, showing comparable stability and wearing comfort to traditional orthoses. However, the lengthy designing and printing process is assumed to take more time than the common practice of manufacturing low-temperature thermoplastic orthoses (LTTOs). The aim of this prospective cross-sectional study was to compare the production time of 3D-printed orthoses (3DPO) to LTTOs. The active and passive time needed to manufacture the orthoses was measured in a clinical setting. 17 orthoses (8 3DPOs and 9 LTTOs) were included in the data analysis. The mean total production time of a 3DPO (12:14:50h total time; 0:44:35h active production time) was significantly longer than in LTTOs (0:14:14h; p < 0.001). The longer production time might be a hurdle regarding the implementation of 3DPOs in hand therapy. Although 3D-printing might become more cost- and time-efficient due to future developments in technology and growing experience, some practical advantages of LTTOs prevail, such as the fast and efficient provision of orthoses and the adaptability of the material if subsequent changes are needed. A combination of both manufacturing techniques may be a feasible solution to provide patient-centred orthosis provision in future hand therapy practice.

Seasonal variation in the population structure and production of the copepod Calanus sinicus in the Yellow Sea

Abstract We estimated the total production of Calanus sinicus over four seasons by measuring somatic and egg production rates in the Yellow Sea. In the process of measuring somatic production, the length–weight relationship and growth rates of C. sinicus in this region were also derived. The population abundance and biomass of C. sinicus were especially high in spring. All copepodite stages had similar proportions in spring, whereas the late stages and adults were most common in summer. The mean total production of the C. sinicus population was 107.6–259.7 μg C m−3 day−1, ranging from higher values in spring to lower values in summer. The annual total production of C. sinicus in the Yellow Sea was 64.3 mg C m−3 year−1 (4032 mg C m−2 year−1). The production of C. sinicus was positively correlated with chlorophyll a concentration, rather than water temperature or salinity. This study is the first to quantify the secondary production of C. sinicus in the Yellow Sea. These findings will broaden our understanding of the ecology of C. sinicus and its contribution to the Yellow Sea food web.

Abstract #1408256: In Search of New Biomarkers of Thyroid Function: The Association Between Thyroid Dysfunction and 11-beta Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase 2 Activity

The high prevalence of persistent hypothyroid symptoms in patients with normal thyrotropin and free thyroxine levels calls for research to identify alternative biomarkers of thyroid function. Animal studies have shown thyroid hormones regulate the renal 11-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (11βHSD2), a key enzyme in glucocorticoid metabolism. This study examines the impact of hypothyroidism (Overt and subclinical) and hyperthyroidism (overt and subclinical) on 11βHSD2 activity. In this single center prospective study conducted between July 2022-Dec 2022, 24-hour urine samples were collected from 6 patients with newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism, 6 with newly diagnosed hypothyroidism, and 33 age and sex matched healthy reference subjects. A quantitative analysis of 26 steroid metabolites was done in the hydrolyzed urine samples. Given that 11bHSD2 is responsible for the conversion of active cortisol to inactive cortisone, the cortisol to cortisone (F/E) ratio was used to evaluate the enzymatic activity. Differences in total glucocorticoid production and F/E ratios were analyzed based on Z-score deviations from the controls’ reference intervals. The mean participants’ age was 50 years, and 73.3% were female. In patients with hypothyroidism, the mean total glucocorticoid production was 12316.8 ng/mL which was similar to the reference subjects (Z-score -0.03, p = 0.9, CI 95%: -4691.4 to 4666.3), and the mean F/E ratio was 0.5 which was lower than the reference group (Z-score 2.6, p<0.01, CI 95%: 0.06-0.25). In patients with hyperthyroidism, the mean total glucocorticoid production was 16933.7 ng/mL, which was non-statistically higher than the reference subjects (Z-score 1.2, p = 0.1, CI 95%: -794 to 10269), and the mean F/E ratio was 0.4 which was non-statistically higher than the reference group (Z-score 1.6, p = 0.09, CI 95%: 0.01-0.25). After adjustment analysis for total glucocorticoid production, only the differences in the F/E ratio of the hypothyroid patients remained statistically significant (p<0.01). In this proof of principle study, patients with hypothyroidism appeared to have normal total glucocorticoid production but impaired 11βHSD2 activity. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings, determine any clinical implications from cortisol excess in patients with thyroid dysfunction, and evaluate the utility of glucocorticoid metabolomics as a biomarker of peripheral thyroid function action.

Single and multigeneration Rankine cycles with aspects of thermodynamical modeling, energy and exergy analyses and optimization: A key review along with novel system description figures

• Giving potential system design ideas with novel general system description figures. • Enabling standardization and comparison with novel system description figures. • Summarizing and comparing the studies effectively with novel flow chart tables. • Emphasizing the main points and literature lack with novel literature review tables. The energy crises caused by the rapidly increasing population density around the world and the economic, environmental and health threats, that have reached significant dimensions, emphasize the importance of the concept of sustainable energy more and more every day. For this reason, to ensure the sustainability of energy, not only sustainable energy sources, but also optimum system designs are developed, which can be integrated with these sources and where waste heat recovery mechanisms are effective. At this point, Rankine cycle systems (RCSs) are an extremely good opportunity to close this gap due to their structural features. In this study, we grouped the RCSs existing in the literature and made a comprehensive evaluation of these systems from broad perspectives, such as exergo-economics, exergoenvironment, optimization, and system design, results and effects. The potential system designs revealed by compiling studies in the literature for the system type in question, through the novel general system description figures, were drawn with a completely original approach. For comparing the system designs in the studies examined with each other more easily and seeing the possible effects, the systems considered were originally and completely drawn by the authors of this paper, based on the principle of standardization. We summarized the examined study in terms of system design, the applied energy, exergy, economic analyzes and optimization processes, the obtained general results, input and output parameters affecting the system and their interaction with system components in a single table with novel flow chart tables. We presented an effective, easy-to-understand comparison method based on a strong visualization principle and expect that in this way one can inspire potential studies and understand easily the gaps in the literature. Also, we prepared a novel comprehensive comparison table for all types of RCSs in terms of techno-economic and environmental considerations. The main findings indicated that the maximum power, heating and cooling output rates, thermal and exergy efficiency values, mean total production cost rate, payback period and greenhouse gas emission ranges were 1040–329750 kW, 15.2–2500 kW, 567–22500 kW, 12.8–73.8%, 51.6–75.5%, 85.39 $/h, 3.6 years and 0.098 t/MWh, respectively, for cogeneration RCSs. The mean greenhouse gas emission, total production cost rate and payback period values were lower compared to other RCS types with higher exergy efficiencies and production outputs. It may be concluded that in terms of exergoeconomic and environmental perspectives, cogeneration RCSs form a better optimum configuration for many cases with utilization of influent waste heat recovery opportunities compared to other choices.

Biomass productivity, forest stability, carbon balance, and soil transformation of agricultural land afforestation: A case study of suitability of native tree species in the submontane zone in Czechia

The increasing trend of afforestation is described in almost all European countries, however, the knowledge of the growth parameters of particular tree species on abandoned agricultural land is still incomplete. Therefore, the characteristics of young forest stands which are afforested with 5 native tree species (Norway spruce, European beech, English oak, sycamore maple, and small-leaved lime) were analyzed 14 years after afforestation. Afforestation had a positive influence on the soil physical characteristics with the highest porosity (58.2%) in spruce stands and water saturation (48.5%) in oak stands. Maple had the fastest initial growth and production with the highest mean annual increment (12.1 m3 ha−1 y-1) and total biomass production (200.8 t ha−1). Contrarily, the lowest production parameters were found in the beech stands with a low mean annual increment (1.4 m3 ha−1 y-1) and total biomass production (28.4 t ha−1). The most abundant carbon quantity in the soil and tree biomass together was sequestered in lime (125.1 t ha−1) followed by maple stands (124.5 t ha−1). On average, the total carbon balance was 67.4% stored in the tree biomass, and 32.6% in the soil for tree species evaluated together. The amount of carbon sequestered in the soil will increase in the following years in relation to overlying humus development, incorporation of soil organic carbon in the mineral soil horizons, as well as with tree biomass production. The study demonstrated a significant difference in growth potential, biomass production, soil transformation and carbon sequestration in native tree species stands established on former agricultural lands. Most importantly, the differences in carbon sequestration should be considered in future agricultural land afforestation to mitigate the negative impact of global climate change.

Comparing texture and digestion properties between white and brown rice of indica cultivars preferred by Chinese consumers

The consumption of good tasting rice, mainly soft-textured white rice with low amylose content, has substantially increased in China as living standards improve. However, this diet change may increase the risk of developing type II diabetes because the soft-textured white rice is generally less resistant to digestion and has a higher glycemic index. In contrast, intake of brown rice is inversely associated with type II diabetes risk. This study was conducted to test the possibility that brown rice processed from soft-textured cultivars has both acceptable texture and improved health benefits. Texture and digestion properties were compared between white and brown rice of five indica cultivars preferred by Chinese consumers. Mean hardness was 33% higher while mean springiness was 5% lower for cooked brown rice than for cooked white rice. As compared to cooked white rice, cooked brown rice had a 41% longer mean active digestion duration but 31% lower mean glucose production rate and 11% lower mean total glucose production from starch digestion. However, the differences in texture and starch digestion properties between cooked brown and white rice were affected by cultivar identity. Brown rice processed from suitable cultivars with both a relatively thinner bran layer and relatively higher grain amylose content met consumer requirements in terms of acceptable texture and improved health benefits.

Green, tough and highly efficient flame-retardant rigid polyurethane foam enabled by double network hydrogel coatings.

Designing eco-friendly fireproof rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) that can completely stop fire ignition or spread has significant technological implications, which has been proved to be extremely challenging. Herein, a novel green strategy based on double network hydrogel coating was developed to enhance the flame retardancy of RPUF via a facile casting and curing process. This strategy can create a homogeneous hydrogel fire-resistant layer with strong adhesion on the outermost surface of the substrate. Due to good water holding capacity and excellent thermal management properties, the hydrogel coating showed excellent fire retardancy. As a proof-of-concept, polyacrylic-polydopamine (PAAm-PDA) double network hydrogel coating was applied to an extremely flammable RPUF substrate. Compared with the neat foam, the PAAm-PDA coated RPUF exhibited an overall improvement in fire-safety performance, including a rapid self-quenching behavior, a six-fold enhancement in time to ignition (TTI), and 39.7% and 42.2% decreases in the mean heat release rate (HRR) and total smoke production (TSP), respectively. Furthermore, the tough hydrogel-coated RPUF possessed enough mechanical properties to meet the requirement of its practical applications. Benefiting from its low cost, easy-to-process and eco-friendly characteristics, this hydrogel fireproof coating strategy provides a new direction for developing green and safe structural materials with widespread use.

Modelling of the Acetification Stage in the Production of Wine Vinegar by Use of Two Serial Bioreactors

In the scope of a broader study about modelling wine acetification, the use of polynomial black-box models seems to be the best choice. Additionally, the use of two serially arranged bioreactors was expected to result in increased overall acetic acid productivity. This paper describes the experiments needed to obtain enough data for modelling the process and the use of second-order polynomials for this task. A fractional experimental design with central points was used with the ethanol concentrations during loading of the bioreactors, their operation temperatures, the ethanol concentrations at unloading time, and the unloaded volume in the first one as factors. Because using two serial reactors imposed some constraints on the operating ranges for the process, an exhaustive combinatorial analysis was used to identify a working combination of such ranges. The obtained models provided highly accurate predictions of the mean overall rate of acetic acid formation, the mean total production of acetic acid of the two-reactor system, and ethanol concentration at the time the second reactor is unloaded. The operational variables associated with the first bioreactor were the more strongly influential to the process, particularly the ethanol concentration at the time the first reactor was unloaded, the unloaded volume, and the ethanol concentration when loading.

Total Daily Production and Periodicity of Melatonin Metabolite in Critically Ill Children.

To determine whether total daily 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretion and diurnal variation of melatonin secretion was maintained during the early phase of PICU admission through examination of the melatonin urinary metabolite, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin. Exploratory prospective, observational study. Twelve-bed medical-surgical PICU of a Children's Hospital. Fifty children 3 months to 18 years old enrolled within 24 hours of PICU admission with access for urinary sampling. None. Urine samples were collected at 4-hour intervals for 24 hours and stored at -80C. 6-sulfatoxymelatonin was determined in duplicate by direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients were heterogeneous for diagnosis, had a mean age of 8.1 years (SD = 6.1 yr), and median (interquartile range) Pediatric Risk of Mortality III of 10 (4-13). Mean (SD) total daily 6-sulfatoxymelatonin production was 30.0 µg (25.6 µg) for the first 24 hours, which did not differ significantly from the means on days 2 (p = 0.56) or 3 (p = 0.29), and was similar to literature controls. Mean 6-sulfatoxymelatonin production for the population fit a periodic function well, with a reliable amplitude of 326 ng/hr and peak excretion from 04:00 to 08:00 (F = 4.4, p = 0.01), even when 6-sulfatoxymelatonin was corrected for body weight (F = 3.4, p = 0.03) and when sedation was included in the model (F = 3.95, p = 0.004). There was no significant correlation between lighting and 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretion at any time period (R values: 0.11-0.25, p = 0.10-0.94). Mean 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretion did not fit the model for a periodic function well for the subpopulations studied (sepsis [n = 18, F = 1.1, p = 0.32], respiratory failure requiring deep sedation [n = 10, F = 0.4, p = 0.66], and neurologic injury [n = 7, F = 0.6, p = 0.55]). Total daily and diurnal variation of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretion is heterogeneously maintained early in pediatric critical illness. However, this may not hold true for specific diagnostic categories.

Survivorship, attained diameter, height and volume of three Paulownia species after 9\xa0years in the southern Appalachians, USA

Little is known of the tree and stand dynamics of varied species of planted Paulownia left unmanaged until harvest in the southeastern United States. We sought to remedy this lack of information needed by land managers to make informed decisions by investigating differences in survivorship, attained diameter breast height (DBH), diameter at ground level, total height, tree volume and stand-level volume yields of planted P. elongata, P. fortunei, and P. tomentosa in the cool-moist environment of the southern Appalachian Mountains. After 9 years, combined-species survivorship was only 27.3%. Low survivorship was likely related to several inclement weather events. P. fortunei was significantly smaller in DBH and total height. Three combined-species stem (bole) volume models were developed as functions of (1) DBH squared, (2) the product DBH squared and total height, and (3) the product diameter ground line squared and total height. Mean total volume production of unmanaged stands was greatest for P. elongata and P. fortunei 4 years after planting; by the 9th year, total volume of P. elongata was greater than the other two species. Results of our study provide managers information on productivity of three species of Paulownia that can be used for estimating plantation yields.

Effect of nature-inspired algorithms and hybrid dispatching rules on the performance of automatic guided vehicles in the flexible manufacturing system

The application of nature-inspired algorithms and priority hybrid dispatching rules for simultaneous scheduling and dispatching of automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) are observed to be highly significant for the best utilization of the flexible manufacturing system (FMS) facility. The earlier studies on the use of AGVs in the FMS have generally focused on minimizing the complexity of AGV operations by optimizing their material handling schedule and their routing in different types of FMS configurations. However, this is achieved only by using an appropriate optimizing algorithm and dispatching rule under different FMS operating conditions. The aim of this paper is to use the simulation methodology so as to compare and analyze the combined effect of four experimental factors, namely four types of priority hybrid dispatching rules, three different nature-inspired algorithms, two levels of loading/unloading times and two levels of machine failures, on the different performance parameters of the FMS. The performance parameters of the FMS analyzed are simultaneous minimization in distance travel and backtracking of AGV, the total production rate of the FMS, mean AGV utilization and mean work center utilization in the FMS. Additionally, in order to find the mean and interaction effect of the experimental factors on the aforementioned performance parameters of the FMS, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) is also carried out. From the results, it is observed that the interaction between experimental factors, namely nature-inspired algorithms and loading–unloading time, has a significant effect on the performance measures, namely simultaneous reduction in distance travel and backtracking, mean work center utilization (%) and total production rate of the FMS. The interaction between aforesaid experimental factors has no significant effect on mean AGV utilization (%) in the FMS. However, the interaction between priority hybrid dispatching rules and loading/unloading times is found to have significant effect on the mean work center utilization (%) in the FMS facility.

Spatial variability of macrobenthic production in the Bering Sea

Despite being located at higher latitudes with seasonal ice-cover, the Bering shelves and slope are still one of the most productive regions of the world. Existing reports regarding marine production of the Bering Sea are mainly confined to its high water column production and high biomass of macrobenthos. Compared with biomass, secondary production estimates are more functionally based and have assumed a fundamental role in the quantification of ecosystem dynamics. Based on Brey’s empirical model (in: Brey, Population dynamics in benthic invertebrates. A virtual handbook, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Germany, 2001), macrobenthic production across the majority of the Bering Sea was quantified during the 4th, 5th and 6th Chinese Arctic Scientific Expeditions. Mean total production (TP) and community P/B for the entire survey area were 220.6 ± 341.5 kJ m−2 year−1 and 0.4 ± 0.2 year−1, n = 46, respectively. Higher TP occurred in the shallower shelves and slope with values exceeding 131.0 kJ m−2 year−1, whereas lower TP occurred in the deep basin with values of 1.0 kJ m−2 year−1. Comprehensive analysis revealed that the sediment, water flow, temperature and depth were the major factors affecting the macrobenthic production. Owing to the relatively high biological production in the upper water column and the tight pelagic–benthic coupling, higher production occurred in the shallow shelves and slope, particularly in the northern Bering Sea. In contrast, the high-nutrient, low-chlorophyll characteristic and deficient particulate organic carbon input led to low production in the deep basin. Similar to the conditions in the Arctic and Antarctic, the energy conversion rate of macrozoobenthos was relatively low for the Bering Sea.

Polyurethane foams with functionalized graphene towards high fire-resistance, low smoke release, superior thermal insulation

To overcome the contradiction among flame retardancy, smoke suppression and thermal insulation for polyurethane foams (PUFs), in this manuscript, a novel functionalized graphene (FGN) is designed and prepared from expandable graphite (EG) and phosphorus-containing compounds. This FGN decorated with phosphorus-containing epoxy shows excellent compatibility with polyurethane matrix, leading to an improved compressive strength and decreased thermal conductivity as low as 0.02975 W/(m∙K). Notably, the resultant PUFs with FGNs exhibit great fire resistance and smoke suppression performance. With only 50 pphp FGNs (6.1 wt%) incorporated, the composite foam can pass the UL-94V-0 rating with a high limiting oxygen index value of 27. More importantly, the incorparation of FGNs not only effectively reduces the heat release rate (HRR) and total release rate (THR) of PUFs, but also significantly suppresses smoke release of materials during combustion. The mean specific extinction area (mSEA) and total smoke production (TSP) values of the composite foam can be reduced to 208.52 m2/s (−70.0%) and 2.08 m2/m2 (−66.0%), respectively. These characteristics with high fire resistance, excellent smoke suppression and low thermal conductivity very beneficial for polyurethane foams used as thermal isolation materials.

On-farm assessment of different rice crop management practices in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, using sustainability performance indicators

The intensification of rice production in the Mekong delta (MKD) has helped to address food security in Vietnam and in the region. However, the overuse of inputs coupled with the rising production costs are making it increasingly difficult for smallholder rice farming in the MKD to remain economically and environmentally sustainable. Thus, there is a widely recognized need to improve the sustainability of rice cultivation in the delta. Since 2003, the Vietnam Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development has led several initiatives to improve rice crop management practices in the MKD, including the ‘One Must Do, Five Reductions’ (1M5R) integrated technology package and the ‘Small Farmer Large Field’ (SFLF) model. Under the SFLF model, some contract farming with high-quality rice exporters in MKD are also based on Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) standards, such as GlobalGAP and VietGAP, that farmers must follow for accreditation.As part of an adaptive research platform, we conducted a household survey of GAP (VietGAP and GlobalGAP), SFLF and conventional (CNV) farmers in Can Tho province in the MKD and established replicated production-scale field trials of 1M5R, with an emphasis on further reducing seed and pesticide inputs by applying limits on their use. We assessed the sustainability performance of 1M5R and the three different management approaches for rice production (i.e. GAP, SFLF and CNV) over two rice cropping seasons using eight farm-level Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) performance indicators.We demonstrated that application of 1M5R with clear limits for input use can substantially improve the sustainability of rice production in the MKD through reducing inputs that can have environmentally negative impacts (i.e. fertilizers and pesticides). In the treatment fields, mean total production cost per season fell by 23% (203 USD ha−1) and mean net income increased by 19% (175 USD ha−1), resulting in a 28% increase in the benefit: cost ratio. Five of eight farm-level SRP indicators showed an improvement in sustainability performance, whilst yield, labor productivity and water productivity were maintained. Farmers implementing GAP and SFLF management approaches were slightly more sustainable than CNV farmers, although there is scope for further improvement, especially with regards to reducing rice seed and pesticide application rates. We propose possible strategies to increase adoption of more sustainable crop management practices in the MKD.

Epidemiology and effect of gastrointestinal nematodes on dairy goats in Argentina.

The aim of this work was to study the epidemiology and harmful effects of gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) on dairy goats maintained in an intensive system. Two groups of goats were studied: untreated group (UG) (subdivided into UGjun goats that kidded in June, and UGjul goats that kidded in July) and treated group (TG) (with no subgroups, treated with monepantel: 3.75 mg/kg, orally, monthly). Eggs per gram (epg) in faeces were counted, faecal culture was performed to differentiate nematode genera and milk production was measured. Differences between groups were compared using least squares means analysis of variance (milk production and milking period length) and Kruskal–Wallis test (faecal egg counts). Nematode infection was moderate, with Haemonchus and Trichostrongylus being the dominant genera; the faecal egg counts reached the level of 2000 only once throughout the study. Goats that kidded in June had higher egg count after parturition (UGjun = 1564 epg), with significant differences (p < 0.04) from those that still had not kidded (UGjul = 962 epg). Over the entire trial period, the mean total milk production of TG (399.5 L ± 34.0 L) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of UG (281.6 L ± 37.5 L), representing an increase of 41.8% in total milk yield. The results of this study show a post-partum peak in egg count and a negative effect of GINs on milk yield, even with moderate infections.

Multi-decadal Changes in Water Table Levels Alter Peatland Carbon Cycling

Globally, peatlands store a large quantity of soil carbon that can be subsequently modified by hydrologic alterations from land-use change and climate change. However, there are many uncertainties in predicting how carbon cycling and greenhouse gas emissions are altered by long-term changes in hydrology. Therefore, the goal of this study was to quantify how multi-decadal manipulations of water table (WT) levels affected carbon cycling (plant production and net ecosystem exchange from three eddy covariance towers) in a peatland complex modified by levee construction, which created a wetter area up-gradient of the levee (mean WT was 12.1 cm below the surface), a dry area below the levee (36.8 cm), and an adjacent reference site not affected by the levee (21.6 cm). We found that mean total plant production was greatest in the reference site (311.9 g C m−2 y−1), followed by the dry site (290.5 g C m−2 y−1), and lowest in the wet site (227.1 g C m−2 y−1). Net ecosystem exchange during the growing season was negative for all sites (sink), with the wet site having the greatest sink and the dry site having the lowest sink. Ecosystem respiration increased and CH4 emissions decreased with a decreasing WT level. This research demonstrates that human alteration of peatland WT levels can have long-term (>50 years) consequences on peatland carbon cycling.

Synthesis of an integrated intumescent flame retardant and its flame retardancy properties for polypropylene

An integrated intumescent flame retardant (TPM) was prepared by using tris(2-hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate (THEIC), polyphosphoric acid and melamine as raw materials. The structure of TPM was characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR and 31P NMR spectra. The flame retardancy of PP/TPM composites were evaluated by limited oxygen index (LOI), UL-94 and cone calorimeter test (CCT), and compared with that of PP/(APP/PER) composite. The thermal degradation and swollen process of PP/TPM composite were studied by TGA, TG-FTIR, SEM and FTIR. It was found that PP/TPM composite could reach UL-94 V-0 rating and had a better mechanical property than PP/(APP/PER) at 20 wt% IFR loading. The mean heat release rate (HRR) and total smoke production (TSP) of PP/TPM decreased 65.6% and 17.7% in comparison with pure PP. TGA results showed that 20.7 wt% and 6.8 wt% chars remained in TPM and PP/TPM at 800 °C, respectively, showing a good char forming ability. Finally, the swollen process and flame retardant mechanism were studied through analysis of gaseous products, morphology and structure of residual char of PP/TPM composites.

Comparison of methods to improve induction of spermiation in wild-caught carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio), a threatened species from the Caspian Sea basin

Wild carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio) forms the basis of an important fishery in the Southern Caspian Sea Basin which is increasingly underpinned by the release of cultured juveniles. A significant bottleneck to hatchery-rearing of juveniles is the spermiation of male broodstock. Therefore, four approaches to improving spermiation were investigated. The effectiveness of two delivery methods for the sustained release of salmon gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue (sGnRHa; i.e., via intramuscular cholesterol pellet vs emulsion injection) on the spermiation success and duration, sperm quality and quantity over 14days in wild-caught carp were compared to single injection of sGnRHa with Pimozide® (Linpe method) or carp pituitary extract (CPE). The consequence of the spermiation treatments on resulting embryonic quality was evaluated for subsequent fertilization and hatching success from wild male carp (mean weight±S.D. 1021±112g). All hormonal treatments, except for Linpe method, led to 100% spermiation of treated fish compared to only 25% in the control with no hormone intervention. The duration of spermiation, as well as the various quantitative variables of the sperm and the mean total sperm production were all generally improved with the sustained hormone delivery compared with the acute treatments. The GnRHa-FIA was the most effective method for improving spermiation.

Time-efficiency analysis of the treatment with monolithic implant crowns in a digital workflow: a randomized controlled trial.

The aim of the randomized controlled trial was to analyze time-efficiency of a treatment with implant crowns made of monolithic lithium disilicate (LS2) plus titanium base vs. porcelain fuse to zirconium dioxide (ZrO2 ) in a digital workflow. Twenty study participants were included for single-tooth replacement in premolar and molar sites. Baseline was the start of the prosthetic treatment. All patients received transocclusal screw-retained implant reconstructions on a soft tissue level-type implant. The 3D implant position was captured with intraoral optical scanning (IOS). After randomization, ten patients were restored with CAD-/CAM-produced monolithic LS2-crowns bonded to prefabricated titanium abutments without any physical models (test), and ten patients with CAD-/CAM-fabricated ZrO2 -suprastructures and hand-layered ceramic veneering with milled master models (control). Every single clinical and laboratory work step was timed in minutes and then analyzed for time-efficiency with WilcoxonRankSumTests. Direct costs were assessed for laboratory fees for first line production in Swiss Francs (CHF). Two clinical appointments were necessary for IOS and seating of all implant crowns. The mean total production time, as the sum of clinical plus laboratory work steps, was significantly different, resulting in 75.3min (SD±2.1) for test and 156.6min (SD±4.6) for control [P=0.0001]. Analysis for clinical treatment sessions showed a significantly shorter mean chair time for the complete digital workflow of 20.8min (SD±0.3) compared to 24.1min (SD±1.1) [P=0.001]. Even more obvious were the results for the mean laboratory work time with a significant reduction of 54.5min (SD±4.9) vs. 132.5min (SD±8.7), respectively [P=0.0001]. The test workflow was more time-efficient than the controls for implant-supported crowns; notably, laboratory fabrication steps could be effectively shortened with the digital process of monolithic LS2 plus titanium base resulting in more than 30% reduced overall treatment costs.

Machinery utilization and production cost of paddy cultivation under wetland direct seeding conditions in Malaysia

An on-farm analysis of farm machinery and production cost was conducted to determine the mechanization status and financial viability of wetland, direct seeding paddy cultivation system. A mean mechanization index of 0.92 and a total machinery energy of 478 MJ/ha were recorded for the paddy cultivation in Malaysia. Highest mechanization index and machinery energy were obtained in the harvesting operation (0.99 and 337 MJ/ha), while the critical values were in chemical spraying operation (0.19 and 4 MJ/ha). Raising the mechanization index of spraying operation to 0.87 will lead to about 32% (6.89 h/ha) reduction in the total cultivation time. The benefit-cost ratios for an average farmer with and without government support within the block were respectively 1.37 and 1.68 at a mean yield of 7.63 tons/ha and mean total production cost of USD 2055/ha. This suggests that paddy farmers in the country will be in bad economic position in the absence of government support package due to low returns.