Interfacial characteristics of resin-modified glass-ionomer materials: a study on fluid permeability using confocal fluorescence microscopy

The tooth interface with resin-modified glass-ionomer cements (RM GICs) is poorly understood. This study examined the interface, especially with dentin. Cervical cavities in extracted teeth were restored with Fuji II LC, Vitremer, Photac-Fil, or a conventional GIC, Fuji Cap II. Fluorescent dye was placed in the pulp chambers for 3 hrs before the specimens were sectioned. Examination of the tooth/material interface with a confocal microscope showed that dye uptake by the restoration varied among materials. A "structureless", non-particulate, highly-stained layer of GIC was observed next to dentin in Fuji II LC. This layer varied in width, was prominent where the dentin tubules were cut "end-on" and in areas closer to the pulp, and was not seen adjacent to enamel. Vitremer showed minimal dye uptake, and the "structureless" layer was barely discernible. Photac-Fil showed more uniform uptake and absence of this layer. Cracking of enamel was also noted with these materials. The conventional GIC did not show any dye uptake, presence of a "structureless" layer, or enamel cracking. We elucidated the potential mechanisms involved in the formation of a "structureless" interfacial layer in Fuji II LC by studying the variables of cavity design, surface pre-treatment, water content of the tooth, time for it to develop, early finishing, and coating of the restoration. This layer, the "absorption layer", is probably related to water flux within the maturing cement, depending on environmental moisture changes and communication with the pulp in a wet tooth. The "micropermeability model" was useful in this study of the interfacial characteristics of RM GICs.     

Determination of the optimum routine test and self-checking intervals in protective relaying using a reliability model

Relaying reliability is generally separated into the two different aspects of dependability and security. The reliability of a protection relay can be improved by carrying out routine maintenance or by including built-in monitoring and self-checking facilities during the design stages. A Markov model is described in this paper which can be used to examine these features. The model also recognizes common-cause failures, temporary and permanent faults and the associated clearing times, operation of back-up protection, and relay mal-trips. Studies have been conducted to illustrate the expected reliability benefits by inclusion of monitoring and self-checking facilities within the relay.     

Performance of high-velocity oxyfuel-sprayed coatings on an Fe-based superalloy in Na2SO4-60%V2O5 environment at 900 °C part II: Hot corrosion behavior of the coatings

NiCrBSi, Cr₃C₂-NiCr, Ni-20Cr, and Stellite-6 coatings were deposited on an Fe-based superalloy by the high-velocity oxyfuel (HVOF) thermal spray process. The hot corrosion behavior of the coatings in an aggressive environment of Na₂SO₄-60%V₂O₅ at 900 °C under cyclic conditions was studied. The thermogravimetric technique was used to establish the kinetics of corrosion. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive x-ray and electron probe microanalysis techniques were used to analyze the corrosion products. Hot corrosion resistances of all the coatings were found to be better than the uncoated superalloy. The Ni-20Cr coating was found to be the most protective, followed by Cr₃C₂-NiCr coatings. The Ni-20Cr coating had reduced the mass gain by 90% of that gained by the uncoated superalloy. The hot corrosion resistance shown by the Cr₃C₂-NiCr coating was slightly better compared with the NiCrBSi coating; however, both of the coatings performed better than the Stellite-6 coating. The Stellite-6 coating was the least effective among the coatings studied, but it was still successful in decreasing the mass gain to about one fourth compared with the uncoated superalloy. The formation of oxides and spinels of nickel, chromium, or cobalt may be contributing to the development of hot corrosion resistance in the coatings. This article focuses on the hot corrosion behavior of HVOF coatings. The characterization of these coatings has been presented in part I included in this issue.     

Nitrogen and residue management effects on agronomic productivity and nitrogen use efficiency in rice–wheat system in Indian Punjab

Development of a sustainable and environment friendly crop production system depends on identifying effective strategies for the management of tillage and postharvest crop residues. Three-year (2004–2007) field study was initiated on two soil types to evaluate the effect of straw management (burning, incorporation and surface mulch) and tillage (conventional tillage and zero tillage) before sowing wheat and four nitrogen rates (0, 90, 120 and 150 kg N ha⁻¹) on crop yields, N use efficiency, and soil fertility in the northwestern India. Effect of tillage and straw management on nitrogen transformation in soils was investigated in a laboratory incubation study. In sandy loam, grain yield of wheat with straw mulch-zero-till (ZT) was 7% higher compared to when residues were burnt-ZT but it was similar to straw burnt-conventional till (CT), averaged across 3 years. In silt loam, grain yield of wheat with straw mulch-ZT was 4.4% higher compared to straw incorporated-CT, but it was similar to straw burnt-CT. Response to N application was generally observed up to 150 kg N ha⁻¹ except in 2004–2005 on sandy loam where N response was observed up to 120 kg N ha⁻¹, irrespective of straw and tillage treatments. In sandy loam, RE was lower (49%) for straw burnt-ZT than in other treatments (54–56%). In silt loam, RE was higher in straw mulch-ZT compared with straw incorporation-CT (65 vs. 58%). In sandy loam, AE was higher in straw burnt-CT and straw mulch-ZT compared with the other treatments (19.2 vs. 16.9 kg grain kg⁻¹ N applied). In silt loam, AE was lower in straw incorporation-CT than in other treatments (16.0 vs. 17.6 kg grain kg⁻¹ N applied). Rice yield and N uptake were not influenced by straw and tillage management treatments applied to the preceding wheat. Recycling of rice residue (incorporation and surface mulch) compared with straw burning increased soil organic carbon and the availability of soil P and K. There was more carbon sequestration in rice straw mulch with zero tillage (25%) than in straw incorporation with conventional tillage (17%). Soil N mineralization at 45 days after incubation was 15–25% higher in straw retention plots compared with on straw burnt plots.     

Resolving the impact of distributed renewable generation on directional overcurrent relay coordination: a case study

Two approaches are proposed to solve the directional overcurrent relay coordination problem associated with the installation of distributed renewable generation (DRG) in interconnected power delivery systems (IPDS), depending on the existing system protection capability (adaptive or non-adaptive). For adaptive protection systems, the first proposed approach introduces a procedure to select the optimal minimum number of relays, their locations and new settings. This procedure is restricted by the available relay setting groups. For non-adaptive protection systems, the second proposed approach implements a practice to obtain optimal minimum fault current limiter values (FCL) to limit DRG fault currents and restore relay coordination status without altering the original relay settings. An integration of the proposed two approaches is evaluated for IPDSs possessing both protection systems. Three scenarios are assessed for different numbers of DRGs, and DRG and fault locations using an optimisation model implemented in GAMS software and a developed MatLab code. The obtained results are reported and discussed.     

Rheology of model aerosol suspensions

The rheological properties of model aerosol suspensions at phase fractions of less than 5% w/v (phase ratio of 0.05) were investigated. The rheological profiles of lactose in chloroform, lactose in trichlorofluoromethane (Propellent 11, P11), and salbutamol sulphate in P11 have been investigated in the presence and absence of lecithin, a phospholipid surface-active agent. The relative viscosities of these disperse systems correlated with the increasing disperse phase fractions and the addition of surfactant was found to reduce these viscosities to a relative viscosity of approximately 1.0. The results suggest that the relative viscosity is a useful indicator of flocculation in these systems, and may be valuable in formulation development.     

Dissociative effect of massed repetition on implicit and explicit measures of memory.

Ss saw or heard words presented once, or repeated 4 or 16 times in massed fashion, and then received an implicit or explicit memory test. Massed repetition did not increase priming on word fragment completion beyond that obtained from a single presentation but did enhance performance on various explicit tests (free recall, recognition, question cued recall, and word fragment cued recall) and an implicit general knowledge test. Modality of presentation affected implicit and explicit word fragment cued tests but did not affect performance on any of the other tests. Levels of processing affected performance on implicit and explicit question cued tests. These results are consistent with a transfer appropriate processing account of dissociations among memory measures and imply that massed repetition promotes conceptual processing but does not entail a repetition of perceptual-based processes responsible for priming on word fragment completion. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Handover and new call blocking performance with dynamic single‐channel assignment in linear cellular arrays

We consider dynamic assignment of a single channel in a linear cellular array, and derive closed‐form expressions for the blocking probability of handover calls and new calls in terms of the array size and traffic load assuming a Markov traffic model. Handover and new call blocking performance in the limit of large arrays and extreme traffic loads is also determined. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Impact of TCSC on the protection of transmission lines

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the impact of TCSC on the protection of transmission lines. The TCSC is considered as a dynamical device and its transient process is modeled in order to have the response to disturbances based on its own control strategy. It is shown that not only the TCSC affects the protection of its line, but also the protection of adjacent lines would experience problems. The analysis is done first analytically by using simple models, then the power system and the protective relays are simulated in detail by Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS). Finally, the simulation results are validated by using a commercial relay.