• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.397-425
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• 2003

This paper develops a simple theoretical model that is consistent with the empirical evidence of an inverted U-shpated relationship between pollution and per capita income, which is so-called environmental Kuznets curve in this literature. Also, by incorporating the issue of environmental externality into an endogenous growth model, I investigate the circumstances under which growth can be sustained with the optimal control of pollution, and hence the sustainable development can be achieved. In order to study the problem of implementing the social optimum in a market economy, I examine the optimality of three different kinds of environmental policy instruments; pollution tax, pollution-permit trading system (pollution voucher), and direct regulation. This paper shows that the optimum can be implemented with a pollution tax or with a voucher system. Also, it is shown that the socially optimal rate of pollution tax should increase proportionally to the growth rate of consumption.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.269-279
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• 2016

Objective: Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is used to expand the maxilla and increase arch perimeter; yet, there are few reports on its effects on the sphenoid bone. With cone-beam computed topography (CBCT), it is possible to visualize sphenoid bone changes. The purpose of this study was to investigate sphenoid bone changes observed in conjunction with RME treatments, using CBCT. Methods: Sixty patients (34 women and 26 men, aged 11-17 years) underwent RME as part of their orthodontic treatment. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a tooth-anchored group, a bone-anchored group, or a control group. Initial CBCT scans were performed preceding the RME treatment ($T_1$) and again directly after the completion of expansion ($T_2$). Statistical analysis included ANOVA, descriptive statistics, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: The reliability of the landmark location was at least 0.783, and the largest ICC mean measurement error was 2.32 mm. With regard to distances, the largest change was 0.78 mm, which was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Statistical significance was established in patient groups of the same sex and treatment type for the following distance measurements: right anterior lateral pterygoid plate to the right edge of the hypophyseal fossa ($d_2$), anterior distance between the medial pterygoid plates ($d_4$), and anterior distance between the left medial and lateral plates ($d_8$). Conclusions: In this study, there were no clinically significant changes in the sphenoid bone due to RME treatments regardless of sex or treatment type.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.217-223
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• 2012

Purpose: Several parameters have been described for determining the success or failure of dental implants. The surface properties of transgingival implant components have had a great impact on the long-term success of dental implants. The purpose of this study was to compare the tendency of two periodontal pathogens to adhere to and colonize zirconia abutments and titanium alloys both in hard surfaces and soft tissues. Methods: Twelve patients participated in this study. Three months after implant placement, the abutments were connected. Five weeks following the abutment connections, the abutments were removed, probing depth measurements were recorded, and gingival biopsies were performed. The abutments and gingival biopsies taken from the buccal gingiva were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction to compare the DNA copy numbers of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and total bacteria. The surface free energy of the abutments was calculated using the sessile water drop method before replacement. Data analyses used the Mann Whitney U-test, and P-values below 0.05 find statistical significance. Results: The present study showed no statistically significant differences between the DNA copy numbers of A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, and total bacteria for both the titanium and zirconia abutments and the biopsies taken from their buccal gingiva. The differences between the free surface energy of the abutments had no influence on the microbiological findings. Conclusions: Zirconia surfaces have comparable properties to titanium alloy surfaces and may be suitable and safe materials for the long-term success of dental implants.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.23.1-23.9
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• 2018

Objectives: This study evaluated the effect of ultrasonic agitation of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), calcium silicate-based cement (CSC), and Sealer 26 (S26) on adaptation at the cement/dentin interface and push-out bond strength. Materials and Methods: Sixty maxillary canines were divided into 6 groups (n = 10): MTA, S26, and CSC, with or without ultrasonic activation (US). After obturation, the apical portions of the teeth were sectioned, and retrograde cavities were prepared and filled with cement by hand condensation. In the US groups, the cement was activated for 60 seconds: 30 seconds in the mesio-distal direction and 30 seconds in the buccal-lingual direction, using a mini Irrisonic insert coupled with the ultrasound transducer. After the materials set, 1.5-mm thick sections were obtained from the apexes. The presence of gaps and the bond between cement and dentin were analyzed using low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy. Push-out bond strength was measured using a universal testing machine. Results: Ultrasonic agitation increased the interfacial adaptation of the cements. The S26 US group showed a higher adaptation value than MTA (p < 0.05). US improved the push-out bond strength for all the cements (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The US of retrograde filling cements enhanced the bond to the dentin wall of the root-end filling materials tested.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2015

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pre-etching on the bond strength of silorane-based composite specific adhesive system to dentin. Materials and Methods: Thirty human molars were randomly divided into 5 groups according to the different bonding strategies. For teeth restored with silorane-based composite (Filtek Silorane, 3M ESPE), the specific self-etching adhesive system (Adhesive System P90, 3M ESPE) was used with and without pre-etching (Pre-etching/Silorane and Silorane groups). Teeth restored with methacrylate based-composite (Filtek Z250, 3M ESPE) were hybridized with the two-step self-etching system (Clearfil SE Bond, Kuraray), with and without pre-etching (Pre-etching/Methacrylate and Methacrylate groups), or three-step adhesive system (Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose, 3M ESPE) (Three-step/Methacrylate group) (n = 6). The restored teeth were sectioned into stick-shaped test specimens ($1.0{\times}1.0mm$), and coupled to a universal test machine (0.5 mm/min) to perform microtensile testing. Results: Pre-etching/Methacrylate group presented the highest bond strength values, with significant difference from Silorane and Three-step/Methacrylate groups (p < 0.05). However, it was not significantly different from Pre-etching/Silorane and Methacrylate groups. Conclusions: Pre-etching increased bond strength of silorane-based composite specific adhesive system to dentin.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.265-269
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• 2014

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of different ultrasonic tip designs on intraradicular post removal. Materials and Methods: The crowns of forty human canine teeth were removed, and after biomechanical preparation and filling, the roots were embedded in acrylic resin blocks. The post spaces were made, and root canal molding was performed with self-cured acrylic resin. After casting (Cu-Al), the posts were cemented with zinc phosphate cement. The specimens were randomly separated into 4 groups (n = 10), as follows: G1 - no ultrasonic vibration (control); G2 - ultrasonic vibration using an elongated cylindrical-shaped and active rounded tip; G3 - ultrasonic vibration with a flattened convex and linear active tip; G4 - ultrasonic vibration with active semicircular tapered tip. Ultrasonic vibration was applied for 15 seconds on each post surface and tensile test was performed in a Universal Testing Machine (Instron 4444 - 1 mm/min). Results: G4 presented the highest mean values, however, with no statistically significant difference in comparison to G3 (p > 0.05). G2 presented the lowest mean values with statistically significant difference to G3 and G4 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Ultrasonic vibration with elongated cylindrical-shaped and active rounded tip was most effective in reducing force required for intraradicular post removal.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.167-171
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• 2013

Biomechanical preparation of root canals with accentuated curvature is challenging. New rotatory systems, such as Reciproc, require a shorter period of time to prepare curved canals, and became a viable alternative for endodontic treatment of teeth with root dilaceration. Thus, this study aimed to report a clinical case of endodontic therapy of root with accentuated dilaceration using Reciproc single-file system. Mandibular right second molar was diagnosed as asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Pulp chamber access was performed, and glide path was created with #10 K-file (Dentsply Maillefer) and PathFile #13, #16 and #19 (Dentsply Maillefer) up to the temporary working length. The working length measured corresponded to 20 mm in the mesio-buccal and mesio-lingual canals, and 22 mm in the distal canal. The R25 file (VDW GmbH) was used in all the canals for instrumentation and final preparation, followed by filling with Reciproc gutta-percha cones (VDW GmbH) and AH Plus sealer (Dentsply Maillefer), using thermal compaction technique. The case has been receiving follow-up for 6 mon and no painful symptomatology or periapical lesions have been found. Despite the difficulties, the treatment could be performed in a shorter period of time than the conventional methods.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.379-397
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• 2019

Steel-concrete composite beams are widely employed in constructions and their performance at the serviceability stage is of concern among practitioners and design regulations. In this context, an accurate evaluation of long-term deflections via various rheological concrete models is needed. In this work, the performance and predict capability of some concrete creep and shrinkage models ACI, CEB, B3, FIB and GL2000 are ascertained, and compared by using statistical bias indicators. Ten steel-concrete composite beams with existing experimental and numerical results are then modeled for this purpose. The proposed modeling technique uses the finite element method, where the concrete slab and steel beam are modeled with shell finite elements. Concrete is considered as an aging viscoelastic material and cracking is treated with the common smeared approach. The results show that when the experimental ultimate shrinkage strain is used for calibration, all studied rheological models predict nearly similar deflections, which agree with the experimental data. In contrast, significance differences are encountered for some models, when none calibration is made prior to. A value between twenty and thirty times the cracking strain is recommended for the ultimate tensile strain in the tension stiffening model. Also, increasing the relative humidity and decreasing the ambient temperature can lead to a substantial reduction of slab cracking for beams under negative flexure. Finally, there is not a unique rheological model that clearly excels in all scenarios.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.215-222
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• 2019

PURPOSE. To evaluate the polishing effect on roughness and color change of pressed and layering ceramics after immersion in coffee solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS. 88 ceramic discs ($1.0mm{\times}10.0mm$) were manufactured - 44 nano-fluorapatite layering ceramics (IPS e.max Ceram. Group C) and 44 pressed lithium disilicate ceramic discs (IPS e. max Press - Group P). Each group was divided into 4 subgroups according to surface treatments: (G) Glaze, (S) Shofu polishing system (Shofu Inc.), (E) Edenta AG polishing System, (KG) $30-{\mu}m$ diamond granulation tip. Surface roughness (Ra) and color change (${\Delta}E$) measurings after the surface treatments were performed, before and 12 days after the immersion in coffee solution. A samples' qualitative analysis was conducted with a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were statistically-treated with one-way-ANOVA and Duncan's tests, apart from paired t-test and Pearson's correlation test (${\alpha}=5%$). RESULTS. The decrescent order, both for surface roughness (Ra) and ${\Delta}E$ for both ceramics were: KG > E > S > G (P<.05). With exception for PG and CG subgroups, which did not present statistical difference between them, all other pressed ceramics subgroups presented smaller Ra values and greater ${\Delta}E$ values than the layering ceramics subgroups (P<.05). CONCLUSION. Although mechanical polishing systems presented intermediate Ra values, their colors were considered clinically acceptable. There is a strong correlation between the surface roughness and the color change of tested ceramics.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.191-199
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• 2019

Purpose: To compare the diagnostic ability of undergraduate dental students to detect maxillary sinus abnormalities in panoramic radiographs(PR) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study based on the evaluation of PR and CBCT images. A pilot study was conducted to determine the number of students eligible to participate in the study. The images were evaluated by 2 students, and 280 maxillary sinuses were assessed using the following categories: normal, mucosal thickening, sinus polyp, antral pseudocyst, nonspecific opacification, periostitis, antrolith, and antrolith associated with mucosal thickening. The reference standard was established by the consensus of 2 oral radiologists based on the CBCT images. The kappa test, receiver operating characteristic curves, and 1-way analysis of variance with the Tukey-Kramer post-hoc test were employed. Results: Intraobserver and interobserver reliability showed agreement ranging from substantial (0.809) to almost perfect (0.922). The agreement between the students' evaluations and the reference standard was reasonable (0.258) for PR and substantial(0.692) for CBCT. Comparisons of values of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy showed that CBCT was significantly better(P<0.05). Conclusion: CBCT was better than PR for the detection of maxillary sinus abnormalities by dental students. However, CBCT should only be requested after a careful analysis of PR by students and more experienced professionals.