Evaluation and Prediction on the Effect of Ionic Properties of Solvent Extraction Performance of Oily Sludge Using Machine Learning

Oily sludge produced in the process of petroleum exploitation and utilization is a kind of hazardous waste that needs to be urgently dealt with in the petrochemical industry. The oil content of oily sludge is generally between 15–50% and has a great potential for oil resource utilization. However, its composition is complex, in which asphaltene is of high viscosity and difficult to separate. In this study, The oily sludge was extracted with toluene as solvent, supplemented by three kinds of ionic liquids (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazole tetrafluoroborate ([EMIM] [BF4]), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazole trifluoro-acetate ([EMIM] [TA]), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazole Dicyandiamide ([EMIM] [N(CN)2])) and three kinds of deep eutectic solutions (choline chloride/urea (ChCl/U), choline chloride / ethylene glycol (ChCl/EG), and choline chloride/malonic acid (ChCl/MA)). This experiment investigates the effect of physicochemical properties of the solvents on oil recovery and three machine learning methods (ridge regression, multilayer perceptron, and support vector regression) are used to predict the association between them. Depending on the linear correlation of variables, it is found that the conductivity of ionic liquid is the key characteristic affecting the extraction treatment in this system.

Preoperative visualization of the lingual nerve by 3D double-echo steady-state MRI in surgical third molar extraction treatment

Objectives To assess the lingual nerve (LN) visualization using a 3D double-echo steady-state MRI sequence (3D-DESS). Materials and methods Three readers prospectively evaluated the LN for its continuous visibility in 3D-DESS MRI in 19 patients with an indication for removal of mandibular impacted third molars, using a 5-point scale (4 = excellent to 0 = none). Six LN anatomical intermediate points (IP) were selected and checked for their detectability by a 4-point scale (4 = yes to1 = no). Inter- and intra-rater agreement was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient and percentage of agreement. Results The average nerve continuity score was 3.3 ± 0.46. In 35% of the cases, the entire course was continuously visible. In 10%, the proximal and 60%, the distal part of the nerve was not continuously visible. Inter- and intra-reader agreement was good (ICC = 0.76, ICC = 0.75). The average detectability score of all IP was 3.7 ± 0.41. From IP1 to IP5, the detectability was excellent; meanwhile, IP6 had lower visibility. The inter- and intra-reader percentage of agreement was 77% and 87%. Conclusions The 3D-DESS sequence allowed accurate and continuous visualization of the LN with high reproducibility in more than one-third of the patients. This could improve the preoperative clarification of the LN position and thereby reduce complications during dentoalveolar surgical interventions. Clinical relevance 3D-DESS MRI might be beneficial in clinical scenarios where the second molar is elongated or presents a difficult rotational position while simultaneously having a close positional relationship to the third molar. Thereby, osteotomy performed more lingually, indicating extended lingual flap detachment may increase the risk of LN damage.

Investigation of the Basic Steps in the Chromosome Conformation Capture Procedure

A constellation of chromosome conformation capture methods (С-methods) are an important tool for biochemical analysis of the spatial interactions between DNA regions that are separated in the primary sequence. All these methods are based on the long sequence of basic steps of treating cells, nuclei, chromatin, and finally DNA, thus representing a significant technical challenge. Here, we present an in-depth study of the basic steps in the chromatin conformation capture procedure (3С), which was performed using Drosophila Schneider 2 cells as a model. We investigated the steps of cell lysis, nuclei washing, nucleoplasm extraction, chromatin treatment with SDS/Triton X-100, restriction enzyme digestion, chromatin ligation, reversion of cross-links, DNA extraction, treatment of a 3C library with RNases, and purification of the 3C library. Several options were studied, and optimal conditions were found. Our work contributes to the understanding of the 3C basic steps and provides a useful guide to the 3C procedure.

Identification of Orthodontic Extraction Predictors in End-On Class II Malocclusion

BJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine the different treatment predictors which help in the extraction and non-extraction decision of an end-on Class II malocclusion case. METHODOLOGY: The pretreatment records of 240 adult subjects aged 15-40 years with bilateral end-on Class II molar relationship were retrospectively selected and categorized under extraction (120) and non-extraction (120) treatment categories. The extraction cases were planned for different combinations of premolar extractions. The independent variables i.e., the cephalometric and orthodontic cast measurements were obtained from the recruited sample. Binary logistic regression analysis was applied using SPSS software. RESULTS: Increased upper and lower incisor inclinations (p < 0.001) and procumbent upper lip (p = 0.004) was statistically significant in the extraction group. According to the regression model, the odds of extraction treatment were 1.12 times greater than non-extraction treatment for every one degree increase in upper and lower incisor inclinations, respectively. The chances of extraction treatment were 1.6 times higher than non-extraction treatment for every 1 mm increase in the distance of upper lip to S-plane. CONCLUSIONS: The upper and lower incisors inclinations and upper lip position are the critical factors affecting the extraction decision in adult patients with end-on Class II molar relationships. Overjet, dental crowding and the vertical growth pattern were found to be clinically insignificant in opting for an extraction treatment plan for such cases. KEYWORDS: Treatment, Angle Class II, tooth extraction, non-extraction

Window denture: An unconventional approach for the bulky edentulous ridges

Prosthetic rehabilitation in patients having prominent labial ridge with conventional complete denture is an uphill task. Severe labial ridge undercuts are commonly seen incompletely edentulous maxilla than in mandible. This may be attributed to the fact related to the proclined maxillary anteriors, indicated for extraction. Treatment approaches generally involve either a surgical or a non-surgical option. The non-surgical or the prosthetic option generally involves the fabrication of conventional complete denture, which may further compromise the esthetics due to excessive thickness of the labial flange. To challenge such situations, an unconventional approach is needed for fabricating a complete denture. This case report delineates a simple, economical, conservative and non-surgical treatment approach for fabrication of denture in a patient with excessive bulky maxillary ridge, to pronounce the final facial aesthetics of the patient.

The lingual versus labial biomechanics – A case report

Lingual orthodontics have stormed the world of orthodontics over the past few years with its esthetic superiority. But apart from its invisibility, this technique has very significant superiority in non extraction line of treatment where space is a requirement. This article is aimed at describing a case report of a 12-year-old girl who with almost 180 degree rotated upper left central incisor with its palatal surface facing labially. With the lingual technique the derotation of rotated incisor was completed. The incisors maintained the axial inclination without disturbing the profile. This proves that apart from the esthetic superiority, the lingual technique has the greatest advantage of its biomechanics in preventing unwanted proclination of anteriors, thus serving as the ultimate choice of treatment in non- extraction treatment.