Maxillary Transverse Deficit: A Retrospective Study of Two Biologically Oriented Devices through a Digital Workflow

The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the efficiency of two biologically oriented devices in achieving maxillary expansion: Rapid Palatal Expander (RPE) and Nitanium Palatal Expander-2 (NPE-2). Thirty-six subjects, divided in two equal groups, were included in this study. Maxillary dental arches were scanned using Trios 3 shape®, in order to perform a digital analysis of 3D models. The models were analyzed using Autodesk Fusion 360® and Meshmixer®. All data obtained from analysis of pre-treatment and post-treatment models were processed using Prism® software. The anterior arch width, the posterior arch width, the palate height, and palatal surface were measured to evaluate differences between the devices. A D’Agostino–Pearson normality test was done to check the data. A non-parametric t-test was used to compare the anterior and posterior arch width between the two groups, while a parametric t-test was used to compare the palatal height measurements between the two groups. The p-value was calculated. The limit value fixed was 0.05. Palatal width and surface showed a significant increase in both groups, but no significant changes in palatal height were found. The data processed showed that there were no significant differences between the devices (ΔREP−ΔNPE) in variation of anterior arch width, there were no significant differences in variation of posterior arch width and there were no significant differences in variation of palatal height. The comparison between the two groups showed that both methods were equally effective in correcting transverse defect.

New bacilli-based probiotic for aquaculture: efficacy study on Macrobrachium rosenbergii

The data on the study of the effectiveness of a new probiotic based on strains B. toyonensis B-13249 and B. pumilus B-13250 when growing shrimps are presented. The experiments were carried out on a private farm in Kazakhstan. The control group of shrimps, which did not receive the probiotic, completed the molting process on the 28th day of the experiment, and the experimental group – 10 days earlier. It was also found that the probiotic has a positive effect on the hydrochemistry of water in recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). The concentration of ammonium (NH3/NH4 +), nitrite (NO2) and nitrate (NO3-) nitrogen in the experimental group did not reach the limit value, in contrast to the control. Based on the obtained results, this probiotic can be recommended for greening aquaculture. The dosage of the probiotic when applied with brine shrimp as feed for shrimp is 1 g/100 g of dry cysts. The dosage of the probiotic when the RAS is added to the water is 5 g/600 l of circulating water once a week.

Attempt of Lawsuit by The Debtor to Delay The Implementation of The Auction of The Object of Liability

The auction lawsuit arises when there is dissatisfaction with the debtor where the claim before the auction is intended by the plaintiff to delay the auction and the lawsuit after the auction has very diverse motives that cause it. The type of research used is normative legal research with analytical approach and legislation approach. (statute approach). Data processing is carried out in a systematic way on written legal materials. The purpose of this study is to explain the causes and explain the legal protection for debtors as well as the legal consequences for delaying the implementation of the mortgage execution auction. The results of this study indicate that there is a loss experienced by the debtor for setting a low limit value in the implementation of the mortgage execution auction which is carried out by the KPKNL as the Auction Body. Every limit price determination is required to use or use an appraisal service in accordance with Article 36 number 93/PMK/2010 concerning Auction Implementation Guidelines. There are objections to the low auction limit value, the debtor files a lawsuit to the court to postpone the auction, so if the court has given a decision that has permanent legal force stating the auction being held is invalid and null and void.

External exposure levels and fluoride content in the urine of workers at aluminium electrolysis

Introduction. In the context of large-scale modernization and intensification of aluminium production, it becomes relevant to assess the actual fluoride loads and the main factors that determine the occupational exposure of workers to fluorides for health risk analysis. Materials and methods. Monitoring studies of the content of hydrofluoride and aerosols of fluoride salts in the air of electrolysis shops were carried out with traditional and modernized technologies for producing aluminium and fluorine in urine in 108 workers of the primary professions and 35 people in the control group. Determination of the concentration of fluorides was carried out by photometric methods, and fluorine in urine - by ionometric methods. Results. The total concentration of fluoride compounds in the air of the modernized shops was 1.4-2.1 times lower than the values in traditional shops. The fluoride content in the urine of workers in these workshops ranged from 0.8 to 4.7 mg/l, 1.1-6.7 times higher than the level of the control group and 1.1-2.3 times the limit value of the biological exposure index. The highest external and internal fluoride loads and associated health risks are found in workers who maintain electrolyzers and anodes. A closer, noticeable (r = 0.644) correlation was found between the content of fluoride in urine and the levels of gaseous hydrofluoride in the air, indicating its predominant effect on workers compared to other determinants (total concentration of fluorides, seniority and age). Conclusion. The studies’ results indicate a high additional informative value and reliability of biomonitoring of fluoride in urine, which, combined with analysis of air pollution with fluorides, provides a completely objective assessment of the risk of exposure to workers. The presence of high levels of hydrofluoride in the air of electrolysis shops creates a higher occupational health risk for workers.

Experimental Study on Cracking Behaviour and Strength Properties of an Expansive Soil under Cyclic Wetting and Drying

Expansive soil is characterized by its unique structural morphology and drastic volume change. With infrastructure increasingly constructed in expansive soil areas, engineering problems caused by the properties of expansive soils have attracted more attention. Cyclic wetting-drying and shear testing were accordingly conducted on an expansive soil from Chengdu area in China. Crack development and shear strength change were analyzed using the Mohr–Coulomb equation for shear strength by fitting the experimental data. The results show the following: (1) With the increase in wetting-drying cycles, the crack ratio increases, the shear strength decreases, and the shear strength parameters gradually decrease at the same rate of change. The applied vertical load reduces the weakening effect of the wetting-drying cycles on the soil structure and strength by restraining the expansion and contraction deformation. (2) By analyzing the number of wetting-drying cycles and the crack images, the crack development (length, direction, etc.) of the expansive soil can be predicted and described. (3) There is a specific linear correlation between the crack ratio and strength that approached a limit value with ongoing wetting-drying cycles. The strength of the expansive soil can therefore be obtained based on crack development, improving the ability of designers to account for the behaviour of expansive soils.

EVALUATION OF PARTICULATE MATTER (PM10) DISTRIBUTIONS IN İZMIR USING GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR SMART CITIES APPLICATIONS

In this study, PM10 values from the air quality monitoring station in Izmir was evaluated. 9 stations could be used in this study, since PM10 data are suitable to evaluate for the years 2020-2019-2018. The 4-season and annual PM10 distribution map for 3 years was prepared using ArcGIS. The benefits of these maps to city managers in the smart city application were expressed. In addition, PM10 data of 9 stations were evaluated according to legal limit values. It was determined that Aliağa and Gaziemir stations exceeded the limit values more than other stations. It has been observed that different sources of air pollution such as industry, traffic and heating affect different districts. When the number of days exceeding the limit value and the number of days without measurement are evaluated together, it is seen that the limit values are exceeded by all stations.

Spring Waters as an Indicator for Non-Point-Source Nitrate Pollution of Rural Watercourses – Findings from Two Decades of Spring Monitoring in the Low Mountain Landscape of Saarland

Background:Interflow-dominated spring waters provide a comprehensive picture of emissions with nitrate and other pollutants caused by the type and intensity of land use in the topographic catchment area. One aim of this study was to develop a model for predicting the share of nitrate pollution from non-point sources based on the type of agricultural use in the catchment areas of small and medium-sized watercourses. Methods:Fifty-five springs in Saarland and the adjacent Rhineland-Palatinate were monitored for pollutants during three monitoring periods of at least twelve months duration between 2000 and 2019. The catchment areas are representative of the natural regions in the study area and are outside the influence of settlements and other developments. In addition to nitrate and other physicochemical parameters, 25 agriculturally impacted springs were screened for pesticides and their metabolites.Results:Since the first measurements were taken in 2000, the vast majority of agriculturally impacted springs have consistently exhibited high nitrate concentrations of between 20 and 40 mg/L NO3-. Springs not influenced by agriculture contain an average of 3.6 mg/L of nitrate. The extreme values observed in the early 2000s decreased to the limit value of 50 mg/L, but most of the springs with moderate levels exhibited an increase to approximately 30 mg/L. The number of pesticidal agents detected in the spring waters demonstrates a clear correlation with the intensity of agricultural usage and the nitrate content detected. A regression model derived from the highly significant correlation between nitrate content and the share of cropland in the catchment area can be used to quantify the share of nitrate pollution attributable to non-point-source inputs for larger catchments in the region under investigation.Conclusion:Nitrate discharged from farmland has not decreased since the EC WFD entered into force. At the extremely heavily polluted sites of the past, measures have been implemented in the meantime that have led to compliance with the limit value of the Nitrate Directive. As below this limit, nitrate levels are increasing significantly, we suggest to incorporate the marine ecology target as a binding mark for official water pollution control in the future.

Numerical Simulation of Pore Water Distribution Under Electric Field in Unsaturated Soils

A numerical model predicting the moisture distribution under external electric field in unsaturated soils is established. Key parameters including matric potential, hydraulic and electrical permeability coefficient and electric conductivity are discussed. The simulation results are in good agreement with the measured data from literaturea, which verify exactness and suitability of the model. In general, the moisture contents decrease with time under the action of external electric force and matrix suction. A slight increase in moisture contert was observed in the anodic area at the beginning of the treatment. The electro-osmosis treatment effect can be enhanced by improving the voltage gradient or weaken the voltage loss at electrode. The limit value of electroosmosis treatment in moisture content is observed and the method can only be applied on the soil with moisture content higher than the limit value.