Interval Attenuation Estimation

The goal of this paper is to study the accuracy of estimating the Quality Factor (Q) from ultrasonic pre-stack P-wave reflection data. Q is estimated by applying the spectral ratio method to the top and bottom reflections of the target. The data used to estimate Q are shot gathers acquired over different target materials submerged in a water tank. Using this setup, Q is estimated for Lucite, rubber and Berea sandstone. The behavior of Q estimates with offset is also investigated. Theoretical error analysis shows that non-zero estimates are contaminated by the overburden (water) attenuation. It is predicted that this error is directly proportional to the ratio of target depth to its thickness, target Q value, overburden attenuation and the difference between the top and bottom reflection ray trajectories in the overburden. The estimation error for Lucite is around 20%. For the Sandstone the error is about 10%. The estimated rubber Q is between 17 and 20. The estimates of all the targets show increasing estimated Q with increasing offset. This behavior is correctly predicted in the error analysis and is due to the difference between the top and bottom reflection ray path lengths within the overburden and the target Q value.Saudi AramcoMassachusetts Institute of Technology. Borehole Acoustics and Logging ConsortiumMassachusetts Institute of Technology. Earth Resources Laboratory. Reservoir Delineation Consortiu

Clinical Study Salivary Cortisol as a Biomarker to Explore the Role of Maternal Stress in Early Childhood Caries

Objective. To compare salivary cortisol levels of children with ECC and their mothers with those of caries free children from a similar sociodemographic cohort. Design. Sixty-four college-educated, working mothers from middle income families with no history of anxiety disorders and their first born children aged between 48 and 71 months were included in the study. Salivary cortisol levels were analyzed using electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunoassay. Statistical Analyses. Significance of difference between the cortisol levels of children with ECC and control children and of their mothers was analyzed using the Student's t-test. The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to measure the significance of correlation of cortisol levels between the mother and the child with logistic regression to explore possible associations. Results. Mothers of children with ECC had significantly higher levels of salivary cortisol ( < 0.05) than mothers of caries free children. The salivary cortisol levels of children with ECC were significantly higher than caries free children ( < 0.0001). A significant correlation existed between the salivary cortisol level of the mother and that of the child ( < 0.0001). Conclusion. While salivary cortisol levels of the child seem to have a direct impact on the incidence of ECC, maternal stress seems to have an indirect effect

Energy Saving Using Intelligent Controller Based on Fuzzy Logic Control

To reduce the impact of the high current on the power grid from the start process of the large induction motor and eliminate the negative influences of traditional reduced voltage start on the electronic and mechanical equipments and enhance the ability of the energy saving of the system. We studied and improved the intelligent soft start of such motors, this paper presents the design of intelligent soft starting controller in viewpoint of energy saving for power electronic systems. The proposed controller was compared through experimental studies under identical conditions with the thyristor soft starting controller (conventional controller). The performance comparison is made on the aspects of power quality and energy saving advantages. It is found that the proposed controller has superior operating and performance characteristics as compared to the conventional one

Non-surgical correction of gummy smile using temporary skeletal mini-screw anchorage devices : a systematic review

There are no studies that have systematically reviewed randomized control trials and/or prospective cohort studies that have assessed the significance of temporary skeletal mini-screw anchorage devices (TSAD) for the correction of gummy-smile. The aim o

Maternal autoimmunity and inflammation are associated with childhood tics and obsessive-compulsive disorder: Transcriptomic data show common enriched innate immune pathways.

Although genetic variation is a major risk factor of neurodevelopmental disorders, environmental factors during pregnancy and early life are also important in disease expression. Animal models demonstrate that maternal inflammation causes fetal neuroinflammation and neurodevelopmental deficits, and brain transcriptomics of neurodevelopmental disorders in humans show upregulated differentially expressed genes are enriched in immune pathways. We prospectively recruited 200 sequentially referred children with tic disorders/obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), 100 autoimmune neurological controls, and 100 age-matched healthy controls. A structured interview captured the maternal and family history of autoimmune disease and other pro-inflammatory states. Maternal blood and published Tourette brain transcriptomes were analysed for overlapping enriched pathways. Mothers of children with tics/OCD had a higher rate of autoimmune disease compared with mothers of children with autoimmune neurological conditions (p = 0.054), and mothers of healthy controls (p = 0.0004). Autoimmunity was similarly elevated in first- and second-degree maternal relatives of children with tics/OCD (p 0.0001 and p = 0.014 respectively). Other pro-inflammatory states were also more common in mothers of children with tics/OCD than controls (p 0.0001). Upregulated differentially expressed genes in maternal autoimmune disease and Tourette brain transcriptomes were commonly enriched in innate immune processes. Pro-inflammatory states, including autoimmune disease, are more common in the mothers and families of children with tics/OCD. Exploratory transcriptome analysis indicates innate immune signalling may link maternal inflammation and childhood tics/OCD. Targeting inflammation may represent preventative strategies in pregnancy and treatment opportunities for children with neurodevelopmental disorders

The Relationship between Dentofacial Vertical Pattern and Bite Force Distribution among Children in Late Mixed Dentition

Background: Digital bite measurement systems such as the T-Scan III allow for the computerized measurement of occlusal force distribution. This study aimed to establish the relationship between dentofacial vertical pattern and bite force distribution among children in late mixed dentition. Materials and Methods: In total, 86 children (45 male, 41 female) aged between 9 and 11 years with short (n = 28), medium (n = 28), and long (n = 30) facial heights were included in this study. The height, weight, age, and gender were recorded. Occlusal bite force distribution and time of occlusal cycle were recorded using a T-Scan III device (Tekscan Corp. Boston, MA, USA). The bite force distribution was compared among facial types using a One-Way ANOVA and post hoc test, a linear regression model with time of occlusion as dependent variable was developed. Results: No significant differences were observed in occlusion time between genders. Children with long facial height had a significantly lower anterior bite force distribution (p < 0.05) and significantly higher posterior bite force distribution (p < 0.05) than those with average or short facial height. Age, gender, height, and weight had no significant association with time of the occlusal cycle. Conclusion: Children with an increased vertical facial height have a more posterior distribution of force than children with average or short facial heights in the late mixed dentition