The gender and age differences in the passengers' thermal comfort during cooling and heating conditions in vehicles.

The thermal physiological and psychological responses in vehicles, influenced by gender and age, play a crucial role in ensuring passengers' comfort. However, these differences have often been overlooked. This study aims to comprehensively examine passengers' thermal comfort and investigate gender and age disparities based on their physiological and psychological responses. Experiments were conducted inside a vehicle placed in a climate chamber under cooling and heating conditions, with the collected data subjected to statistical analysis. The findings reveal that males had significantly higher mean skin temperatures in cooling conditions and lower skin temperatures in heating conditions than females. However, overall thermal sensation and comfort did not significantly differ between genders. Interestingly, age-related differences were observed to a limited extent in both conditions. This study provides valuable insights into passengers' thermal responses in vehicles, considering the factors of gender and age, thereby contributing to a comprehensive understanding of thermal comfort in a vehicle environment.

Orthodontic bracket bonding to glazed full-contour zirconia.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effects of different surface conditioning methods on the bond strength of orthodontic brackets to glazed full-zirconia surfaces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Glazed zirconia (except for the control, Zirkonzahn Prettau) disc surfaces were pre-treated: PO (control), polishing; BR, bur roughening; PP, cleaning with a prophy cup and pumice; HF, hydrofluoric acid etching; AA, air abrasion with aluminum oxide; CJ, CoJet-Sand. The surfaces were examined using profilometry, scanning electron microscopy, and electron dispersive spectroscopy. A zirconia primer (Z-Prime Plus, Z) or a silane primer (Monobond-S, S) was then applied to the surfaces, yielding 7 groups (PO-Z, BR-Z, PP-S, HF-S, AA-S, AA-Z, and CJ-S). Metal bracket-bonded specimens were stored in water for 24 hr at 37℃, and thermocycled for 1,000 cycles. Their bond strengths were measured using the wire loop method (n = 10). RESULTS: Except for BR, the surface pre-treatments failed to expose the zirconia substructure. A significant difference in bond strengths was found between AA-Z (4.60 ± 1.08 MPa) and all other groups (13.38 ± 2.57 - 15.78 ± 2.39 MPa, p < 0.05). For AA-Z, most of the adhesive remained on the bracket. CONCLUSIONS: For bracket bonding to glazed zirconia, a simple application of silane to the cleaned surface is recommended. A zirconia primer should be used only when the zirconia substructure is definitely exposed.

Luminescence properties and compositions of contaminating inorganic minerals separated from gamma-irradiated fresh and white ginsengs from different areas.

Gamma-irradiation (0-7 kGy) of ginseng is permitted in Korea for the purpose of microbial decontamination; with strict labeling, traceability and monitoring requirements. An identification study was conducted to determine the photostimulated-luminescence (PSL) and thermoluminescence (TL) properties of gamma-irradiated fresh and white ginsengs cultivated in different areas. Dosedependent PSL-based screening was possible for white ginseng samples; however, inappropriate results from non-irradiated fresh ginseng samples were obtained, showing intermediate (700 to 5,000) or positive (T2 >5,000, irradiated) PSL counts due to the abundance of minerals on the surfaces of the samples. TL analysis of separated minerals from all non-irradiated samples gave TL glow curves of low intensity with a maximum peak after 300℃. However, well-defined irradiation-specific (high intensity with a maximum peak at about 200℃) glow curves were observed for all the irradiated samples, regardless of their type and origins. TL ratios (first glow curve /second glow curve) were also determined to confirm the irradiated (>0.1) and non-irradiated (<0.1) results. SEM-EDX (scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray) and XRD (X-ray diffraction) spectroscopic analyses showed that feldspar and quartz minerals were the main source for the typical radiation-specific luminescence properties.