We have examined the gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) scaling phenomena on membranes with different physicochemical properties in forward osmosis (FO) processes. Three hollow fiber membranes made of (1) cellulose acetate (CA), (2) polybenzimidazole (PBI)/polyethersulfone (PES) and (3) PBI-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) were studied. For the first time in FO processes, we...

PURPOSE To evaluate surface properties of various intraocular lenses (IOLs), including a newly fabricated heparin-surface-modified (HSM) silicone IOL, with special reference to their efficiency in reducing potential silicone oil adherence to the IOL optics. SETTING Center for Research on Ocular Therapeutics and Biodevices, Department of Ophthalmology, Storm Eye Institute, Medical University o...

Uncontrolled excess moisture in buildings is a common problem that can lead to changes in fungal communities. In buildings, moisture parameters can be classified by location and include assessments of moisture in the air, at a surface, or within a material. These parameters are not equivalent in dynamic indoor environments, which makes moisture-induced fungal growth in buildings a complex occur...

The sustainability of irrigated agriculture in many arid and semiarid areas of the world is at risk because of a combination of several interrelated factors, including lack of fresh water, lack of drainage, the presence of high water tables, and salinization of soil and groundwater resources. Nowhere in the United States are these issues more apparent than in the San Joaquin Valley of Californi...

Reclamation of sodic soils has traditionally been undertaken using calculation of gypsum or Ca requirement assuming 100% exchange efficiency and neglect of the contribution of calcium carbonate in the profile. The UNSATCHEM model is reviewed and then evaluated for its ability to predict field reclamation of a sodic saline soil. The 40-ha field site was initially at an electrical conductivity (E...

Microbes in Haughton Crater Sulfates: Impact craters are of high interest in planetary exploration because they are viewed as possible sites for evidence of life [1]. Hydrothermal systems in craters are particularly regarded as sites where primitive life could evolve. Evidence from the Miocene Haughton impact structure shows that crater hydrothermal deposits may also be a preferred site for sub...

Introduction: An accurate impression is essential to create a well-fitted dental prosthesis. This study aimed to compare the dimensional accuracy of three elastomeric materials using one-step and two-step impression techniques. Methods: In this study, 20 impressions were fabricated for each Vinyl siloxane ether (Identium), condensation silicone (Speedex), and a...

PURPOSE To determine the interaction of heavy silicone oil with various intraocular lens (IOL) materials and whether heavy silicone oil covers the silicone IOL optic as silicone oil does. SETTING Department of Ophthalmology, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey. METHODS The study group comprised 5 poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) IOLs, 4 foldable silicone IOLs, 5 foldable hydrophilic acryl...

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate occlusal contacts generated by 3 different biogeneric design modes (individual (BI), copy (BC), reference (BR)) of CEREC software and to assess the designs subjectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten pairs of maxillary and mandibular casts were obtained from full dentate individuals. Gypsum cast contacts were quantified with articulating paper and dig...