This in vitro study investigated the erosion-inhibiting properties of dental rinses during erosion in the presence of the salivary pellicle. The erosion inhibition by a Sn/F containing dental rinse (800 ppm Sn2+, 500 ppm F –, pH = 4.5) was compared with a fluoridated solution (500 ppm F –, pH = 4.5) and water(control). Calcium release and enamel softening were significantly reduced among enamel...

This study aimed at understanding softening in Jonagold apple (Malus×domestica Borkh.) fruits, by investigating pectin modifications and the evolution of pectin-modifying enzymes during postharvest storage and ripening. Jonagold apples were harvested at commercial maturity and stored at different temperatures and controlled atmosphere conditions for 6 months, followed by exposure to ambient she...

Like many biomaterials, spider silk responds to water through softening and swelling. Major ampullate silk, the main structural element of most prey capture webs, also shrinks dramatically if unrestrained or develops high tension if restrained, a phenomenon called 'supercontraction'. While supercontraction has been investigated for over 30 years, its consequences for web performance remain cont...

Reducing the hardness of hard water is of great concern nowadays due to some adverse effects on water pipes, boilers and soap consumption. Using the method of biomineralization to precipitate calcium and magnesium ions to become carbonate minerals was one of the most important innovations for reducing the hardness of hard water. The present study sought to explore the physical and chemical cond...

In (Modern) Greek, velar consonants become palatalized before front vowels following an allophonic rule. In many southern dialects, the variants that result from palatalization further undergo softening in this same position. While velar softening is well-documented in Greek dialectology studies, most previous work is based on impressionistic data. In the present study, several acoustic and psy...

1Princess Iman Research and Laboratory Sciences Centre, King Hussein Medical Centre, Amman, Jordan. Received: 27/05/02; accepted: 21/04/03 ABSTRACT Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) is the most popular routine stain used in pathology laboratories for highlighting cellular structures. To study the effect of tap water ‘softening’ (i.e. calcium extraction) on H&E stains, 5 sets of slides from 30 differ...