The use of a non-absorbable membrane as an occlusive barrier for alveolar ridge preservation: A one year follow-up prospective cohort study

The aims of this study were to obtain preliminary data and test the clinical efficacy of a novel nonporous dense-polytetrafluoroethylene (d-PTFE) membrane (permamem®, botiss) in alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) procedures with a flapless approach. A traumatic extraction was performed in the premolar maxillary area, and a d-PTFE membrane was used to seal the alveolar cavity: no biomaterial was used to graft the socket and the membrane was left intentionally exposed and stabilized with sutures. The membrane was removed after four weeks and dental implants were placed four months after the procedure. The primary outcome variables were defined as the dimensional changes in the ridge width and height after four months. A total of 15 patients were enrolled in this study. The mean width of the alveolar cavity was 8.9 ± 1.1 mm immediately after tooth extraction, while four months later a mean reduction of 1.75 mm was experienced. A mean vertical reduction of 0.9 ± 0.42 mm on the buccal aspect and 0.6 ± 0.23 mm on the palatal aspect were recorded at implant placement. Within the limitations of this study, the d-PTFE membrane proved to be effective in alveolar ridge preservation, with the outcomes of the regeneration not affected by the complete exposure of this biomaterial

application of numerical simulation for the estimation of die life after repeated hot forging work cycles

Abstract Die life estimation in hot forging processes is a compelling challenge, due to the number of factors, mainly wear and plastic deformation induced by thermal effects (tempering). The extent of the heating-cooling cycle and the steady state die temperature are known only after hundredth of work cycles. In the paper a realistic work sequence of repeated forging is simulated by the Finite Elements Method on a symmetrical workpiece geometry, for ease of calculation. Tool wear and tempering-induced deformation are estimated along the complete die life cycle, with the help of Neural Network Regression

neural network multiobjective optimization of hot forging

Abstract Hot Forging optimization depends on several factors, known with uncertainty: die pre-heating, geometry, tempering, workpiece temperature and shape, lubricant. There are also several objectives: quality, energy consumption and tool life. Global optimization methods require a numerous process evaluations to reach the optimum. While tests can be simulated by Finite Element Method (FEM), most of them were substituted by a Neural Network model. Neural Network training is less sensitive to problem dimension than standard Design of Experiments. The approach is assessed against the traditional Finite Element Optimization by exploiting a case study of a steel disc

New Perspectives in Manufacturing: An Assessment for an Advanced Reconfigurable Machining System

Traditionally manufacturing cycle involves several production processes that are carried out according to the required technologies tacking into account the constraint due to the production capacity provided by machine tools and the customers' orders time schedule In this paper, a new modular, reconfigurable and scalable machining centre is presented. The resulting system is characterized by the possibility of modifying the machining capacity as well as exchanging the role between workpieces and machining/operating resources. This augmented flexibility creates new opportunities for efficient manufacturing; however, the increased system complexity demands a new approach for the jobs scheduling and machining control. An architecture based on agents modelling is proposed and discussed

Sinus pack for maxillary sinus augmentation: A new technique

Aims Maxillary sinus lift is a surgical procedure suitable to restore vertical deficiencies of the posterior maxilla and can be executed either with a lateral or with a crestal approach. One of the most important aspects of a bone regeneration is the stability of the graft. The aim of this study is to introduce a new grafting technique for sinus lift with a lateral approach, which is called Sinus Pack Technique.Methods Four patients with severe vertical atrophy of the alveolar bone in the posterior maxilla who needed unilateral dental implant rehabilitation of the edentulous maxillary region were treated according to the Sinus Pack technique-After 6 months a Computed Tomography scan was taken to assess the obtained bone volumes, implants were placed, and a bone sample was obtained with a 4mm trephine bur.Results Three males and one female (age range 36-75 years) were treated; no intra- and post-operative complications were recorded. According to the measurements performed on the CT scan before surgery and six months after surgery we found an average vertical gain of 6.95mm. According to the histological and histomorphometric analysis the membrane was completely resorbed, new bone had formed and only a slight percentage of bone-filling granules was still present.Conclusion The Sinus Pack technique has the advantage of being a minimally invasive and safe surgery procedure, with results similar to other sinus lift techniques. More reports are needed to confirm the lower hypothesized complication rate and its efficacy

Satisfactory results after endoscopic gluteus medius repair combined with selective gluteus maximus reflected tendon release for the treatment of a full-thickness tear of gluteus medius

Purpose: The current study aimed to report the mid-term follow-up results of endoscopic gluteus medius repair combined with a systematic release of the gluteus maximus reflected tendon. Methods: Twenty-two patients with a symptomatic full-thickness tear of the gluteus medius tendon, as diagnosed by clinical examination and imaging (MRI), and who had a failure of conservative treatment for at least 6 months, were retrospectively enrolled for this study. An endoscopic repair of gluteus medius was performed for all patients in combination with gluteus maximus reflected tendon release according to the Polesello technique. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, Modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), Hip Outcome Score-Activity Daily Life (HOS-ADL), and Hip Outcome Score-Sport Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS) were administered to each patient before surgery for 6 months, 1 year, and every following year after surgery. Results: All analysed hip scores (mHHS, LEFS, HOS-ADL, and HOS-SSS) showed statistically significant improvements between the pre-operative and post-operative values at 6 months, 1 year, and the latest follow-up appointments after surgery (p < 0.001). The mean pre-operative pain was 8.6 ± 1.0 on the VAS. After surgical treatment, the pain was significantly reduced (p < 0.001) on the VAS at 6 months (5.4 ± 1.5), 1 year (4.4 ± 1.8) and the latest follow-up control visit (3.6 ± 2.2). No patient-reported major complications (re-rupture, deep infection or neurovascular injury). Eleven (50%) patients indicated the results as excellent, 7 (32%) as good, 2 (9%) as fair, and 2 (9%) as poor. Conclusion: The use of abductor tendon repair in combination with a systematic release of the reflected tendon of the gluteus maximus according to the Polesello technique seems to be a safe and effective endoscopic way of treating a full-thickness tear of the gluteus medius. Level of evidence: Level IV

tiphys an open networked platform for higher education on industry 4 0

Abstract Objective of Tiphys project is building an Open Networked Platform for the learning of Industry 4.0 themes. The project will create a Virtual Reality (VR) platform, where users will be able to design and create a VR based environment for training and simulating industrial processes but they will be able to study and select among a set of models in order to standardize the learning and physical processes as a virtual representation of the real industrial world and the required interactions so that to acquire learning and training capabilities. The models will be structured in a modular approach to promote the integration in the existing mechanisms as well as for future necessary adaptations. The students will be able to co-create their learning track and the learning contents by collaborative working in a dynamic environment. The paper presents the development and validation of the learning model, built on CONALI learning ontology. The concepts of the ontology will be detailed and the platform functions will be demonstrated on selected use cases

Prediction of Dressing in Grinding Operation via Neural Networks

Abstract In order to obtain a modelling and prediction of tool wear in grinding operations, a Cognitive System has been employed to observe the dressing need and its trend. This paper aims to find a methodology to characterize the condition of the wheel during grinding operations and, by the use of cognitive paradigms, to understand the need of dressing. The Acoustic Emission signal from the grinding operation has been employed to characterize the wheel condition and, by the feature extraction of such signal, a cognitive system, based on Artificial Neural Networks, has been implemented