Evaluation of the changes of orbital cavity volume and shape after tooth-borne and bone-borne rapid maxillary expansion (RME)

Objective: To assess and compare volumetric and shape changes of the orbital cavity in patients treated with tooth-borne (TB) and bone-borne (BB) rapid maxillary expansion (RME). Study design: Forty adolescents with bilateral maxillary cross-bite received tooth-borne (TB group = 20; mean age 14.27 \ub1 1.36 years) or bone-borne (BB group = 20; mean age of 14.62 \ub1 1.45 years) maxillary expander. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) were taken before treatment (T1) and 6-month after the expander activation (T2). Volumetric and shape changes of orbital cavities were detected by referring to a specific 3D digital technology involving deviation analysis of T1/T2 CBCT-derived models of pulp chamber. Student\u2019s t tests were used to 1) compare T1 and T2 volumes of orbital cavities in TB and BB groups, 2) compare volumetric changes and the percentage of matching of 3D orbital models (T1-T2) between the two groups. Results: Both TB and BB groups showed a slight increase of the orbital volume (0.64 cm3 and 0.77 cm3 ) (p < 0.0001). This increment were significant between the two groups (p < 0.05) while no differences were found in the percentage of matching of T1/T2 orbital 3D models (p > 0.05). The areas of greater changes were detected in the proximity of the frontozygomatic and frontomaxillary sutures. Conclusion: TB-RME and BB-RME would not seem to considerably affect the anatomy or the volume of the orbital cavity in adolescents

Ag/ZnO/PMMA nanocomposites for efficient water reuse

This work attempts to produce photocatalytic surfaces for large-scale applications by depositing nanostructured coatings on polymeric substrates. ZnO/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites were prepared by low-temperature atomic layer deposition (ALD) of ZnO on PMMA substrates. In addition, to increase the photocatalytic and antibacterial activities of ZnO films, Ag nanoparticles were added on ZnO surfaces using plasma-enhanced ALD. The morphology, crystallinity, and chemical composition of the specimens were meticulously examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopies, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses. The noteworthy photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposites was proved by the degradation of the following organic pollutants in aqueous solution: methylene blue, paracetamol, and sodium lauryl sulfate. The antibacterial properties of the samples were tested using Escherichia coli as a model organism. Moreover, the possible toxic effects of the specimens were checked by biological tests. The present results unambiguously indicate the Ag/ZnO/PMMA nanocomposite as a powerful tool for an advanced wastewater treatment technology.peer-reviewe

Measurement of the ratios of branching fractions R(D∗)\mathcal{R}(D^{*}) and R(D0)\mathcal{R}(D^{0})

The ratios of branching fractions $\mathcal{R}(D^{*})\equiv\mathcal{B}(\bar{B}\to D^{*}\tau^{-}\bar{\nu}_{\tau})/\mathcal{B}(\bar{B}\to D^{*}\mu^{-}\bar{\nu}_{\mu})$ and $\mathcal{R}(D^{0})\equiv\mathcal{B}(B^{-}\to D^{0}\tau^{-}\bar{\nu}_{\tau})/\mathcal{B}(B^{-}\to D^{0}\mu^{-}\bar{\nu}_{\mu})$ are measured, assuming isospin symmetry, using a sample of proton-proton collision data corresponding to 3.0 fb${ }^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity recorded by the LHCb experiment during 2011 and 2012. The tau lepton is identified in the decay mode $\tau^{-}\to\mu^{-}\nu_{\tau}\bar{\nu}_{\mu}$. The measured values are $\mathcal{R}(D^{*})=0.281\pm0.018\pm0.024$ and $\mathcal{R}(D^{0})=0.441\pm0.060\pm0.066$, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. The correlation between these measurements is $\rho=-0.43$. Results are consistent with the current average of these quantities and are at a combined 1.9 standard deviations from the predictions based on lepton flavor universality in the Standard Model.Comment: All figures and tables, along with any supplementary material and additional information, are available at https://cern.ch/lhcbproject/Publications/p/LHCb-PAPER-2022-039.html (LHCb public pages

Pattern of errors in Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices and their use in the clinical assessment of intelligence

Since his pioneer studies, Raven demonstrated the importance of qualitative and quantitative analysis of the performance in his Progressive Matrices Test, both in normative and clinical samples (Raven 1936, 1941a, 2000, Raven et al., 1995). He described four types of erroneous responses, named as follow: 1) difference error; 2) figure repetition error; 3) inadequate individuation error: 4) incomplete correlate error. Raven claimed that the qualitative analysis of the pattern of errors could be useful in the analysis of the level of reasoning used during the execution of the test: each error can have a different level of sophistication, the more sophisticated error is the more similar to the correct option (Raven et al., 1995) and each error gives some indication of the processes and the strategies used during the solution of the item(Raven et al., 1990). Moreover, there is a general agreement on the usefulness of qualitative error analysis to collect more information on the reasoning abilities. The present study aims to propose some findings of the assessment of the pattern of errors on Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices in a kindergarten and primary schoolsample and to propose some hints of analysis on the role of the evaluation of types of errors from a clinical point of view. We also discuss about the use of pattern of errors evaluation as a way to gain information about reasoning during intelligence assessment. We also discuss its use during the current COVID-19 pandemic, as a way tocollectas more information as possible about reasoning in each individual, even with the use of e-platforms, like the ones used as alternative to face-to-face assessment of intelligence

A Rasch Analysis of Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices to assess eductive intelligence: a study in a Sardinian sample

In recent years, a new Italian standardization was conducted for Raven’s Progressive colored Matrices with samples from different regions of Italy, but with no Sardinian children. The population of Sardinia represents a peculiar group in the Italian population for specific history, for specific genetic bases and for epidemiological differences for various diseases. The present contribution aims to verify the extendibility of Raven Colored Progressive Matrices to a subpopulation of a Sardinian sample of 1626 children attending the primary and secondary level of education of the Italian scholastic organization. The main objective of the research concerns the construct validity and the psychometric properties of the global test instrument

A Comparative Assessment of Pain Caused by the Placement of Banded Orthodontic Appliances with and without Low-Level Laser Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Prospective Study

Patients still refuse or discontinue orthodontic treatment due to related pain and discomfort. In this study, we investigate if low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can reduce pain caused by orthodontic bands. Sixty subjects who needed bands placed on the upper permanent first molars were assigned randomly to the LLLT group, placebo, and control groups. Inclusion criteria were: age range 10–14 years, fully erupted upper first molars in healthy condition, presence of tight mesial proximal contact. Exclusion criteria were: systemic or metabolic diseases, chronic pain or neurological or psychiatric disorders, use of pharmacological agents interfering with pain perception, previous orthodontic treatment or the simultaneous presence of other devices in the patient’s mouth. The assessment of pain was performed by using a numeric rating scale (NRS) considering different time intervals, i.e., immediately after bands placement, 6 h, 24 h, and from day 2 to day 5. Differences in the maximum pain and in pain experienced at each time-point, among the three groups, was assessed by using the Kruskal–Wallis H. The final sample included 56 patients, 29 males, and 27 females, with a mean age of 12.03 ± 1.3 years. Patients were randomly allocated into three groups (tested, control, and placebo group) with each group consisting respectively of 19, 20, and 17 individuals. Subjects in the LLLT experienced less pain at each time interval as well as the maximum pain score being lower in the LLLT compared to control and placebo groups. These findings were all statistically significant (p < 0.05). LLLT can alleviate the intensity of pain after the placement of orthodontic bands

Evaluation of Imaging Software Accuracy for 3-Dimensional Analysis of the Mandibular Condyle. A Comparative Study Using a Surface-to-Surface Matching Technique

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of 3D rendering of the mandibular condylar region obtained from different semi-automatic segmentation methodology. A total of 10 Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) were selected to perform semi-automatic segmentation of the condyles by using three free-source software (Invesalius, version 3.0.0, Centro de Tecnologia da Informação Renato Archer, Campinas, SP, Brazil; ITK-Snap, version2.2.0; Slicer 3D, version 4.10.2) and one commercially available software Dolphin 3D (Dolphin Imaging, version 11.0, Chatsworth, CA, USA). The same models were also manually segmented (Mimics, version 17.01, Materialise, Leuven, Belgium) and set as ground truth. The accuracy of semi-automatic segmentation was evaluated by (1) comparing the volume of each semi-automatic 3D rendered condylar model with that obtained with manual segmentation, (2) deviation analysis of each 3D rendered mandibular models with those obtained from manual segmentation. No significant differences were found in the volumetric dimensions of the condylar models among the tested software (p > 0.05). However, the color-coded map showed underestimation of the condylar models obtained with ITK-Snap and Slicer 3D, and overestimation with Dolphin 3D and Invesalius. Excellent reliability was found for both intra-observer and inter-observer readings. Despite the excellent reliability, the present findings suggest that data of condylar morphology obtained with semi-automatic segmentation should be taken with caution when an accurate definition of condylar boundaries is required

Genetic and Morpho-Agronomic Characterization of Sicilian Tetraploid Wheat Germplasm

Cereal landraces are a very valuable resource in contemporary agriculture. A renewed focus for breeding purposes could ameliorate some negative consequences of modern agriculture and conventional breeding, such as the loss of genetic diversity. One strategy combining molecular genotyping and characterization of morpho-agronomic traits related to productivity is proposed to assess a group of tetraploid wheat landraces named Bufala, historically cultivated in the mountain areas of Sicily and characterized by adaptability in terms of cold tolerance, ability to grow in marginal soils, weed competitiveness and resistance to diseases. A total of 55 SSR molecular markers were used to detect patterns of diversity in 30 rivet and durum wheat genotypes. Furthermore, phenotyping was then conducted for 8 morpho-agronomic traits. Discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC), STRUCTURE and phylogenetical analysis allowed to identify three groups, two of them genetically close and including both Bufala and Bufala-related rivet landraces. To the third group, old and more recent durum wheat varieties, constituting the outgroup, were assigned. Clustering was confirmed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Finally, a correlation analysis showed that Bufala genotypes are characterized by lower ear density, major ear length and later earing time compared with the other studied genotypes. The levels of diversity and population structure could be an important contribution to parent selection in tetraploid wheat breeding programs, as well as to germplasm conservation and management

Chemical and biological evaluation of cross-linked halloysite-curcumin derivatives

Well designed and safe nano drug carrier systems are an important tool in biomedical applications. The com- bination of two or more drugs has been used in medicine both to enhance the therapeutic effect and to decrease the side effects of drugs. Biocompatible halloysite nanotubes, that possess two different surfaces, are a suitable nanomaterial for a simultaneous carrier and release of two drugs that can exert a synergistic effect against cancer cells. In this study, three curcumin derivatives and doxorubicin were loaded by supramolecular and covalent linkage at the lumen and external surface of the halloysite nanotubes. The obtained multifunctional systems were characterized by several techniques and the kinetic release of the drugs from the lumen was also in- vestigated. Finally, the cytotoxic effects of the multifunctional carriers were evaluated on different cancer cell lines, namely breast cancer cell lines (SUM-149 and MDA-MB-231) and acute myeloid leukemia cell lines (HL60 and HL60R). The obtained results show promising cytotoxicity activity of the hybrids which is correlated to the nanoparticles size and to the release profile of the drug supramolecularly loaded on Hal surface