Proceedings of the First Workshop Organized by the IAFSS Working Group on Measurement and Computation of Fire Phenomena (MaCFP).

This paper provides a report of the discussions held at the first workshop on Measurement and Computation of Fire Phenomena (MaCFP) on June 10-11 2017. The first MaCFP work-shop was both a technical meeting for the gas phase subgroup and a planning meeting for the condensed phase subgroup. The gas phase subgroup reported on a first suite of experimental- computational comparisons corresponding to an initial list of target experiments. The initial list of target experiments identifies a series of benchmark configurations with databases deemed suitable for validation of fire models based on a Computational Fluid Dynamics approach. The simulations presented at the first MaCFP workshop feature fine grid resolution at the millimeter- or centimeter- scale: these simulations allow an evaluation of the performance of fire models under high-resolution conditions in which the impact of numerical errors is reduced and many of the discrepancies between experimental data and computational results may be attributed to modeling errors. The experimental-computational comparisons are archived on the MaCFP repository [1]. Furthermore, the condensed phase subgroup presented a review of the main issues associated with measurements and modeling of pyrolysis phenomena. Overall, the first workshop provided an illustration of the potential of MaCFP in providing a response to the general need for greater levels of integration and coordination in fire research, and specifically to the particular needs of model validation.

Use of variable remineralization periods to improve the abrasion resistance of previously eroded enamel.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the period of remineralization needed to re-establish the resistance of eroded enamel against brushing abrasion. Enamel specimens were prepared from 84 polished bovine incisors. The samples were evenly distributed among 7 groups (A-G) and submitted to ten alternating de- and remineralization cycles which included abrasion by toothbrushing. Demineralization was accomplished by immersing the specimens in the erosive soft drink Sprite Light((R)) for 1 min. Remineralization was performed by storing the samples in artificial saliva for either 0 min (A), 10 min (B), 60 min (C) or 240 min (D). After each remineralization, the specimens were brushed in an automatic brushing machine. Group E (erosion and 240 min remineralization, but no brushing) group F (erosion, but no remineralization and no brushing), and group G (brushing, but no erosion and no remineralization) served as controls. After performing the cycles, loss of enamel was determined by profilometry. The following values (mean +/- SD) were obtained and statistically analyzed (p<0.05): group A (5.16+/-1.26 microm), B (2.47+/-0.68 microm), C (1.72+/-0.75 microm), D (1.11+/-0.42 microm), E (0.81+/-0. 23 microm), F (1.04+/-0.31 microm), G (0.22+/-0.15 microm). Only the differences between groups D, E, and F were statistically not significant. Under the chosen in vitro conditions, it is concluded that abrasion resistance of eroded enamel continuously increases with remineralization time. However, even after a period of 1 h of remineralization, abrasion of previously eroded enamel is increased

Dopamine D4 receptor polymorphism and idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

Patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) are described as having markedly decreased novelty seeking characteristics. Since recent publications suggest an association between the dopamine D4 receptor polymorphism and novelty seeking, we investigated this polymorphism in a group of 122 patients with IPD and 127 healthy control subjects. We found similar allele and genotype frequencies in both groups and no association with the age of onset of symptoms. Therefore, the dopamine D4 receptor polymorphism does not confer genetic susceptibility to IPD and cannot explain the decreased novelty seeking in IPD patients.