Biomechanical interactions of different mini-plate fixations and maxilla advancements in the Le Fort I Osteotomy: a finite element analysis

This study investigates the biomechanical interaction of different mini-plate fixation types (shapes/sizes and patterns) with segmental advancement levels on the Le Fort I osteotomy using the non-linear finite element (FE) approach. Nine models were generated under a standard 1-piece LeFort I osteotomy for advancement with 3, 6 and 9 mm distances and four mini-plates with three fixation patterns including LL, LI, and II patterns placed on the maxillae models by integrating computed tomography images and computer-aided design system. The axial and oblique occlusal forces were 250 N applied to each premolar/molar and 125 N applied at 30° inclination to the tooth long axis and from palatal to buccal, respectively. The relative micro-movement values between the two maxillary bone segments and maximum mini-plate stress increased obviously with maxilla advancement increment and the increasing trend can be fitted by exponential curve. The corresponding values in II mini-plate fixation presented apparently high values in all simulated cases. The mini-plate stress concentration locations were found at the bending regions to increase high fracture risk. The mini-plate yield strength can be mapped to a critical (limited) advancement for three types of fixations for safe consideration. This study concluded that L-shaped mini-plates with lateral fixation are recommended to provide better stability. The risk for mini-plate fracture and bone relapse increases when maxillary advancement is larger than a critical value of 5 mm in the Le Fort I osteotomy.     

The greenhouse effect: the impacts of carbon dioxide (CO2), ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation and ozone (O3) on vegetation (crops)

Man's influence on the greenhouse effect, the heating of the atmosphere due to increasing concentrations of tropospheric trace gases, is of much international concern. Among the climatic variables, elevated levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂), ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation and ozone (O₃) are known to have a direct effect on vegetation. Our current knowledge of these effects is mainly based on studies involving single stress mode. Thus, the joint effects of CO₂, UV-B and O₃ on vegetation are poorly understood. Nevertheless, based on the literature analysis of plant response to individual stress factors, it can be concluded that sorghum, pea, bean, potato, oat, lettuce, cucumber, rice and tomato are among the crop species potentially sensitive to the joint effects of the aforementioned three variables. Similar information for tree species is essentially lacking.At least with some climatic variables such as O₃, present modeling efforts of cause-effect relationships have proven to be controversial. While at a regional geographic scale ambient CO₂ concentrations appear to be relatively homogeneous, ambient concentrations of O₃ exhibit significant temporal and spatial variability. Because of the protective action of O₃ against UV-B, similar but inverse temporal and spatial variability is expected in the surface levels of UV-B. Thus, future experimental designs should consider these exposure dynamics and modeling cuase-effect relationships should be directed to stochastic processes.     

Physical and social diversity among nocturnal primates: A new view based on long term research

Social complexity is not restricted to day-living primates. Nocturnal primates provide a remarkably diverse, and largely overlooked, array of species for comparison with the better known monkeys, apes, and diurnal lemurs. Nocturnal and diurnal species differ markedly in terms of their sensory and perceptual abilities, but they share a high relative brain size in association with long periods of gestation, development of the young, and lifespan. Both groups also show within- and between-species diversity in their systems of feeding, defence, and reproduction, mediated by remarkably complex channels of communication, and varying locally in relation to habitat, demography, and social tradition. This paper provides a broad overview of the physical and social diversity of nocturnal primates, leading to new perspectives on their speciation, social behaviour and conservation status.     

Preliminary simulation model toward the study of the effects caused by different mandibular advancement devices in OSAS treatment

Abstract

The paper aims to evaluate the effects caused by a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD) for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS) treatment. This study is based on Finite Element Method (FEM) for evaluating the load distribution on temporomandibular joint, especially on the mandibular condyle and disc, and on periodontal ligaments. The stress values on condyle and periodontal ligaments lead authors to consider MAD a safe procedure even for a long period. The obtained results also show the relationship between MAD material and load distribution at the periodontal ligaments. The paper is a step toward future analyses for studying and comparing the effects of MAD features, such as material, shape and dimensions, in order to allow the clinician prescribing the most fitting device.     

Future coral reef habitat marginality: temporal and spatial effects of climate change in the Pacific basin

Marginal reef habitats are regarded as regions where coral reefs and coral communities reflect the effects of steady-state or long-term average environmental limitations. We used classifications based on this concept with predicted time-variant conditions of future climate to develop a scenario for the evolution of future marginality. Model results based on a conservative scenario of atmospheric CO₂ increase were used to examine changes in sea surface temperature and aragonite saturation state over the Pacific Ocean basin until 2069. Results of the projections indicated that essentially all reef locations are likely to become marginal with respect to aragonite saturation state. Significant areas, including some with the highest biodiversity, are expected to experience high-temperature regimes that may be marginal, and additional areas will enter the borderline high temperature range that have experienced significant ENSO-related bleaching in the recent past. The positive effects of warming in areas that are presently marginal in terms of low temperature were limited. Conditions of the late 21st century do not lie outside the ranges in which present-day marginal reef systems occur. Adaptive and acclimative capabilities of organisms and communities will be critical in determining the future of coral reef ecosystems.Electronic supplementary material is available for this article if you access the article at . A link in the frame on the left on that page takes you directly to the supplementary material.     

Prolonged aerated hydration for improvement of seed quality in Brassica oleracea L.

Seeds of cauliflower cv. Hipop and Brussels sprouts cv. Asmer Aries were aged at 20% moisture content for 24 h; all seeds retained a germination of over 70% after ageing although the mean germination time increased. Prolonged aerated hydration for up to 32 h at 20°C followed drying resulted in improved performance of both unaged and aged cauliflower seeds and aged Brussels sprouts. Thus, all seed showed reductions in the mean germination time to the extent that after 32 h hydration the aged cauliflower seeds performed as well as high quality unaged seed. The improvement of aged seeds was also revealed an increase in germination after the controlled deterioration test following up to 24 h (cauliflower) or 32 h (Brussels sprouts) aerated hydration. This increase was indicative of a decrease in the extent of deterioration present after aerated hydration. Deleterious effects of prolonged hydration were observed in Brussels sprouts after 32 h although these may be explained desiccation injury after treatment since radicle emergence had occurred during hydration. The improvements in seed performance may be explained the activation of metabolic repair occurring during the early part of the hydration period therereducing the extent of deterioration that has been sustained during ageing, with further improvements due to the advancement of the germination process.     

IBS: transforming our governance

After more than 60 years, the Legislative Council overwhelming approved a revised governance structure for the International Biometric Society (IBS) to take effect from 1 January 2012. Responsibility for the governance and leadership of the society will be combined and placed in the hands of an Executive Board, supported by a much larger Representative Council. The Representative Council will be composed of members selected by the different regions (or geographical components) of the society. It will be responsible for overseeing the nomination and election (by the whole society) of the Executive Board and provide the conduit between the regions and this leadership team. Members of the Representative Council will also chair the Standing Committees. The transition process to the new governance structure is outlined, as are focus issues for the next decade.     

老工矿区污染生态问题与今后研究展望

老工矿区的环境污染及其引发的生态问题,已成为当今制约经济与社会可持续发展的世界性技术难题.对老工矿区这一概念的基本定义与范畴仍有争议,本文首先对这一概念从理论上进行了探讨;然后从剖析我国老工矿区现状尤其是其环境污染现实问题的复杂性入手,对老工矿区的区域二次污染这一科学前沿给予了重点关注;在深入阐述老工矿区环境污染问题复杂性与其特点的基础上,建议今后从国家层面上开展老工矿区二次污染发生机理与控制的系统研究,以及从分子生态毒理学角度系统开展有关新型疾病对环境污染响应的研究,是21世纪初环境科学和生态学研究的两大关键科学问题,这无疑是今后我国环境保护战略的重要组成部分.     

Empowering marine science through genomics

Marine scientists in Europe summarize their successes with genome technologies in the marine sciences and make a plea for a concerted international effort to raise greater public education for support.     

Unique opportunities for NMR methods in structural genomics

This Perspective, arising from a workshop held in July 2008 in Buffalo NY, provides an overview of the role NMR has played in the United States Protein Structure Initiative (PSI), and a vision of how NMR will contribute to the forthcoming PSI-Biology program. NMR has contributed in key ways to structure production by the PSI, and new methods have been developed which are impacting the broader protein NMR community.