The Effects of Chewing Exercises on Masticatory Function after Surgical Orthodontic Treatment

Recovery of oral function is one of the most important objectives of orthognathic surgery. This study investigated the effects of a chewing exercise on chewing patterns and other oral functions after sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO). Ten subjects performed a chewing exercise. The control group comprised 19 patients. For masticatory function, the masticatory pattern, width, and height were assessed. For oral function, the occlusal, lip closure, and tongue pressure forces were measured. The chewing exercise was started 3 months after SSRO, and was performed for 5 min twice a day for 3 months. The masticatory pattern normalized in 60% of the patients and remained unchanged for the reversed and crossover types in 40% of the patients. In contrast, 21.0% of patients in the control group showed a change to the normal type. This may be a natural adaptation due to the changes in morphology. A more detailed study is needed to determine what does and does not improve with chewing exercise. The masticatory width significantly increased after performing the exercise. For oral function, a significant increase in the occlusal force was observed, with no significant difference in the control group. Chewing exercises immediately after SSRO improve masticatory patterns.

Study of the micro/nano-texture design to improve the friction properties of DLC thin films

In this study, a DLC pattern was fabricated through a photolithography process that constitutes a part of the semiconductor process, to investigate the frictional wear characteristics. The photolithography was used to produce negative patterns with a pattern width of 10 [Formula: see text]m or 20 [Formula: see text]m and a pattern depth of 500 nm on the DLC surface. The change in the coefficient of friction of the surface was investigated through a ball-on-disk tribology test on the fabricated micro/nano-sized DLC pattern. The DLC pattern fabricated by the photolithography process showed a superior coefficient of friction to that of the general DLC sample. These results show that the decrease in the surface friction coefficient of the patterned DLC thin film is due to the reduction in the surface contact area owing to the modification of the micro/nano-texture of the surface as well as the low friction characteristics of the DLC.

Favorable Crisscrossing Pattern With Polydioxanone: Barbed Thread Lifting in Constructing Fibrous Architecture

Background The longevity of polydioxanone (PDO)-barbed lifting threads remains controversial. Objectives To assess the longevity extension effect of a crisscross implantation pattern in PDO-barbed thread lifting. Methods To acquire the desired outcome in PDO-barbed thread lifting, we suggested a paradigm shift to incorporate biochemical factors in enforcing the physico-mechanical lift. A nude mouse model was used to evaluate our theory, i.e., to compare the conventional fan-shaped protocols in barbed thread lifting with an architectural construction of intersections of fibrous capsule in a crisscross pattern. Three fragments of monofilament PDO-barbed lifting threads were implanted in the dorsal skin of 12 nude mice. The pattern of implantation was fan-shaped in the control group and crisscross in the experimental group. Tissue specimens containing tangential areas of threads were harvested, fixed, and paraffin-embedded. Samples were horizontally cut and histologically analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin, Massons’ Trichrome, and Sirius red staining. Fibrotic areas and the width of fibrosis from the thread were also analyzed. Results Fibrous capsulations around the barbed area of the PDO-barbed lifting threads were three-fold greater than those around the barb-free areas of the threads. In the crisscross implantation pattern, width and density of the fibrotic areas were five-fold greater than those of the fan-shaped areas. Induction of fibrous capsules around the PDO-barbed thread was markedly condensed in the crisscross areas. Conclusions This study provides the basis for more logical implantation pattern in PDO-barbed lifting threads for facial rejuvenation. By generating controlled multiple crisscross patterns, we can create more intense fibrogenesis, reduce tension applied on each barbed threads and as a result, extend the longevity of the result.

Effect of Nozzle Angle, Size and Pressure on Spray Distribution based on Laboratory Conditions

The objective of this study is to investigate spray parameters for different 40°– 95° even flat fan nozzle angles for banding spraying application, such as spray pattern width and spray volumetric distribution at pressures of 2 and 3bar using different nozzle sizes (0.15, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 gpm). Spray distribution data was extracted from spray analyzer system or patternator. The results showed that nozzle angle and pressure significantly affected the spray pattern width. In addition, as the nozzle size increased, the liquid volume and the peak height under the nozzle center increased. These results suggest that the use of bigger nozzle angles improved the spray volumetric distribution.

Requirements for Durability Improvement of Conductive Patterns Permeated in Textiles under Cyclic Tensile Deformation

Conductive patterns on textiles are one of the key components for electronic textiles (E-textiles). The patterns with deeper permeation of inks into the textiles show better durability against cyclic tensile deformation. However, other requirements for improving the durability and the behavior of resistance under deformation are still unclear. In this study, the resistance during cyclic tensile deformation was measured with changing conditions, and the resistance variation was analyzed while considering the stress variation. Silver inks were printed on a plain weave, and the pattern width and tensile direction against weft yarns were changed. Measurements confirmed that the resistance increased less with wider pattern widths and when the tensile direction was horizontal to the axis of the weft yarns. Through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation, we also confirmed that the growth rate of cracks, at the crossing point of yarns, was changed by the tensile direction. These results indicate that the durability is improved when the electricity path redundancy within the pattern is robust, and the crack growth rate at the yarn crossing points is low. The analysis also confirmed both increasing and decreasing behavior of resistance during stretching in the cyclic tensile deformation, indicating the behavior results from the stress variation of a plain weave.

STUDY OF THE TOPOLOGY OF THE VIVALDI ANTENNA WITH A MIRROR ARRANGEMENT OF THE PETALS

Objectives. In work questions of a research of topology of the antenna of Vivaldi with a mirror arrangement of petals are considered.Method. By modeling in the program CST MicroWave Studio environment collecting necessary data, in particular dependence of width of the directional pattern on curvature and a distance from the middle of the top part of the antenna to the petal antenna petals is carried out.Result. Graphic dependences of curvature of petals and size of a distance from the middle of the top part of the antenna to the petal on directional pattern width in two planes for various frequencies are constructed. Approximation of the received dependences for two planes θ = 900 (the antenna plane) and φ = 00 is carried out (the plane perpendicular the antenna planes). The equations of the approximating curves for various frequencies are received. The analysis of change of curve dependences of curvature of petals and width of a distance from the middle of the top part of the antenna to the petal from directional pattern width upon transition from one frequency is carried out to another. The dependence of the standing wave ratio (VSWR) of the antenna on teflon thickness is investigated. The dependence of a strip of working frequencies on the sizes of the antenna is investigated.Conclusion. Dependences of topology of the antenna on directional pattern width on the range of frequencies of the antenna are revealed. Problems of construction and optimization of model of the set characteristics are solved. The mathematical model allowing depending on the set frequency and width of the directional pattern is received to receive necessary topology of petals of the antenna.

Characterization of Biological Pesticide Deliveries through Hydraulic Nozzles

Increased use of biopesticides has spurred demand for efficient and effective delivery systems. To this goal, laboratory tests were conducted to investigate six different classes of biopesticides discharged from five different types of flat-fan nozzles, each with three flow capacities. The biopesticide classes were horticultural oil insecticide (HOI), bacterial biofungicide (BBF), botanical extract bio-insecticide (BEBI), liquid fungal bio-insecticide (FBI-ES), wettable powder fungal bio-insecticide (FBI-WP), and mineral salt biofungicide (MSBF). Droplet size distribution, spray pattern width, spray deposition, and coverage on plant leaves and water-sensitive paper (WSP) were the spray parameters tested. These parameters varied greatly with biopesticide class, nozzle type, and nozzle flow capacity. The DV0.5 of the biopesticides ranged from 75 to 519 µm for 0.76 L min-1 nozzles, from 86 to 509 µm for 1.51 L min-1 nozzles, and from 99 to 622 µm for 2.25 L min-1 nozzles. The use of different biopesticides with the same nozzle significantly altered the spray pattern width. Compared to a water-only solution, the largest change of spray pattern width was 14.7% for the air-induction nozzle (AI11004) discharging FBI-ES. The amount of spray deposited on plant leaves for all tested biopesticides (except HOI) did not vary significantly with different nozzle types. However, the air-induction nozzles produced the most uneven spray deposition patterns. Therefore, to achieve optimal spray application efficiency and effectiveness for discharging specific classes of biopesticide, the choice of the proper nozzle type and flow capacity is critical. Keywords: Biopesticide, Crop protection, Deposition, Droplet size, Spray coverage.