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Objective This study investigates the effects of using a twin inclined plane device (TIPD) on the remolding and ultrastructure variation of mandibular condyle in growing rats. Materials and Methods Forty-eight male Wistar rats (six weeks old, body weight of approximately 190–210 g) were divided into experimental group (wearing appliance, n = 32) and control group (no appliance, n = 16). Samples were collected on days 3, 14, 30, and 60. The immunohistochemical analysis for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and type II collagen was carried out. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) reaction was performed to evaluate the osteoclastic activity. Three-dimensional morphometric images were reconstructed for morphometric analysis by microcomputed tomography (micro-CT). The ultrastructure of the condylar surface was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results The expression of VEGF significantly increased, while the expression of type II collagen decreased in the experimental group at days 30 and 60. Furthermore, the enhanced osteoclast activity was observed under the subchondral bone, which was highest at day 30, and decreased to the lowest at day 60 in the experimental group. In addition, adaptive subchondral bone remolding in the posterior part of the condyle was observed at day 60 in the experimental group, and the SEM revealed the ultrastructure variations after installation of the TIPD. However, these changes began to reverse after 30 days. Conclusion Condylar tissue changes point to the osteoclastic activity in the posterior region of the condyle. These adaptive changes point to bone resorption in the posterior condyle. Type II collagen and VEGF contribute to the MCC remolding induced by the TIPD. The ultrastructural changes in the posterior condylar area in response to mechanical stresses are recoverable at the initial stage.

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This paper aims to optimize the asphalt-mortar interface characteristics of semi-flexible pavement coating material (SFPCM), three types of the interface modifiers, namely the silane coupling agent, carboxylated styrene-butadiene latex, and cationic emulsified asphalt, are selected to add into the cement mortar to optimize the asphalt-mortar interface. The microscopic characteristics of the asphalt-mortar interface and the macroscopic pavement performance of the SFPCM after the interface optimization are investigated to reveal the effect of interface modifiers and determine the best formula. Results show that: (1) The dry shrinkage of the cement mortar is increased with the increased dosage of the interface modifiers, while the strength is decreased accordingly; (2) the optimum dosages of the silane coupling agent, carboxylated styrene butadiene latex, and cationic emulsified asphalt are 0.5%, 10%, and 5%, respectively; (3) the microscopic asphalt-mortar interface characteristics of the SFPCM with different interface modifiers have significant differences; (4) the SFPCM with the cationic emulsified asphalt presents the best pavement performance, particularly the high-temperature stability. These results can be attributed to improve the pavement properties of SFPCM.