CUB models: a preliminary fuzzy approach to heterogeneity

In line with the increasing attention paid to deal with uncertainty in ordinal data models, we propose to combine Fuzzy models with \cub models within questionnaire analysis. In particular, the focus will be on \cub models' uncertainty parameter and its interpretation as a preliminary measure of heterogeneity, by introducing membership, non-membership and uncertainty functions in the more general framework of Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets. Our proposal is discussed on the basis of the Evaluation of Orientation Services survey collected at University of Naples Federico II.Comment: 10 pages, invited contribution at SIS2016 (Salerno, Italy), in SIS2016 proceeding

Minimum bias and soft QCD ATLAS results

Soft-QCD measurements in proton-proton collisions at √s = 900 GeV and √s = 7TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC using a single-arm minimum bias trigger are presented. The charged particle multiplicity distribution, its dependence on transverse momentum and pseudorapidity and its correlation with the average transverse momentum will be shown. Moreover, the measurement of the underlying event properties using charged particles is discussed. Finally the measurement of the angular correlations between charged particles is presented. All the measurements are compared with Monte Carlo predictions

Perspectives for the measurement of pp → Z → μμ+X cross-section with the ATLAS detector at LHC

This work describes the measurement of the inclusive cross-section of the channel Z → μμ that will represent one of the first physics measurements in ATLAS. A description of the analysis model used together with a discussion on the overall selection efficiency and acceptance calculation will be given. A discussion on the main source of uncertainty on the cross-section measurement will be given as well

Multidisciplinary Consideration of Potential Pathophysiologic Mechanisms of Paradoxical Erythema with Topical Brimonidine Therapy.

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disease with transient and non-transient redness as key characteristics. Brimonidine is a selective α2-adrenergic receptor (AR) agonist approved for persistent facial erythema of rosacea based on significant efficacy and good safety data. The majority of patients treated with brimonidine report a benefit; however, there have been sporadic reports of worsening erythema after the initial response. A group of dermatologists, receptor physiology, and neuroimmunology scientists met to explore potential mechanisms contributing to side effects as well as differences in efficacy. We propose the following could contribute to erythema after application: (1) local inflammation and perivascular inflammatory cells with abnormally functioning ARs may lead to vasodilatation; (2) abnormal saturation and cells expressing different AR subtypes with varying ligand affinity; (3) barrier dysfunction and increased skin concentrations of brimonidine with increased actions at endothelial and presynaptic receptors, resulting in increased vasodilation; and (4) genetic predisposition and receptor polymorphism(s) leading to different smooth muscle responses. Approximately 80% of patients treated with brimonidine experience a significant improvement without erythema worsening as an adverse event. Attention to optimizing skin barrier function, setting patient expectations, and strategies to minimize potential problems may possibly reduce further the number of patients who experience side effects.FundingGalderma International S.A.S., Paris, France

A Community-Structure-Based Method for Estimating the Fractal Dimension, and its Application to Water Networks for the Assessment of Vulnerability to Disasters

Most real-world networks, from the World-Wide-Web to biological systems, are known to have common structural properties. A remarkable point is fractality, which suggests the self-similarity across scales of the network structure of these complex systems. Managing the computational complexity for detecting the self-similarity of big-sized systems represents a crucial problem. In this paper, a novel algorithm for revealing the fractality, that exploits the community structure principle, is proposed and then applied to several water distribution systems (WDSs) of different size, unveiling a self-similar feature of their layouts. A scaling-law relationship, linking the number of clusters necessary for covering the network and their average size is defined, the exponent of which represents the fractal dimension. The self-similarity is then investigated as a proxy of recurrent and specific response to multiple random pipe failures – like during natural disasters – pointing out a specific global vulnerability for each WDS. A novel vulnerability index, called Cut-Vulnerability is introduced as the ratio between the fractal dimension and the average node degree, and its relationships with the number of randomly removed pipes necessary to disconnect the network and with some topological metrics are investigated. The analysis shows the effectiveness of the novel index in describing the global vulnerability of WDSs

Laser microgrooved vs. machined healing abutment disconnection/reconnection: a comparative clinical, radiographical and biochemical study with split-mouth design

Background: Repeated removal and replacement of healing abutments result in frequent injuries to the soft tissues.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of disconnection/reconnection of laser microgrooved vs. machined healing and prosthetic abutments on clinical periodontal parameters, marginal bone levels, and proinflammatory cytokine levels around dental implants.Material and methods: Twenty-four patients each received 2 implants with one-stage protocol in a split-mouth design on the same jaw. In each patient, one healing and prosthetic abutments with a laser microgrooved surface (LMS group) and one healing and prosthetic abutments with machined surface (MS group) were used. Four months following implant placement (T0), the healing abutments were disconnnected and reconnected three times to carry out the impression procedures and metal framework try-in. Four weeks later (T1), definitive prosthetic abutments were installated with screw-retained crowns. Modified plaque index (mPI), modified gingival index (mGI) bleeding on probing (BOP), and probing depth (PD) were recorded at T0 and T1. At the same time points, samples for immunological analyses were taken from the sulcus around each implant. Peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF) samples were analyzed for interleukin-1beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha levels using the ELISA kit.Results: At T0 and T1, mPI and mGI showed no statistical difference between the two groups, while higher PD and BoP values were noted for the MS group (P < 0.05). The mean PICF volume and mean concentrations of IL-1 beta, IL-6, and (TNF)-alpha in the LMS group were statistically less than those in the MS group (P < 0.05). In addition, comparison of IL-6 and IL-1 beta mean concentrations at T0 and T1 in the MS group showed a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) over time, which was not noted for the LMS.Conclusion: Disconnection/reconnection of healing and prosthetic abutments with a laser-microgrooved surface resulted in less inflammatory molecular response compared with conventional machined ones

Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress caused by cryopreservation in reproductive cells

Mitochondria, fundamental organelles in cell metabolism, and ATP synthesis are respon-sible for generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), calcium homeostasis, and cell death. Mitochon-dria produce most ROS, and when levels exceed the antioxidant defenses, oxidative stress (OS) is generated. These changes may eventually impair the electron transport chain, resulting in decreased ATP synthesis, increased ROS production, altered mitochondrial membrane permeability, and dis-ruption of calcium homeostasis. Mitochondria play a key role in the gamete competence to facilitate normal embryo development. However, iatrogenic factors in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) may affect their functional competence, leading to an abnormal reproductive outcome. Cry-opreservation, a fundamental technology in ART, may compromise mitochondrial function leading to elevated intracellular OS that decreases sperm and oocytes’ competence and the dynamics of fertilization and embryo development. This article aims to review the role played by mitochondria and ROS in sperm and oocyte function and the close, biunivocal relationships between mitochon-drial damage and ROS generation during cryopreservation of gametes and gonadal tissues in different species. Based on current literature, we propose tentative hypothesis of mechanisms involved in cryopreservation-associated mitochondrial dysfunction in gametes, and discuss the role played by antioxidants and other agents to retain the competence of cryopreserved reproductive cells and tissues

Implant survival rate and prosthetic complications of OT equator retained maxillary overdenture: a cohort study

(1) Background: The overdenture is a complete denture, an implant-supported prosthesis, that the patient can remove at home for the usual oral hygiene procedures, thanks to a simple and intuitive anchoring system. Clinically, the execution of this rehabilitation for the lower arch is often favored, but when it is necessary to limit the extension of the palate in the upper arch, it can represent the least invasive and economic solution. The aim of the study is to analyze post-loading implant loss for implant-supported prostheses in the edentulous upper jaw. (2) Methods: This retrospective study was carried out on patients who received a superior overdenture on four implants for rehabilitation. A total of 42 patients were included in this study and initially evaluated clinically and radiographically. The follow-up period for patients after delivery of the upper overdenture is between 48 and 72 months. A total of 168 implants were inserted and monitored in this period. Clinical and radiographic tests were carried out on all 168 implants, with constant re-evaluation. (3) Results: The overall implant survival rate is 92.9%, a value that corresponds to those present in the literature in previously published studies. There were few prosthetic complications, mainly the detachment of anterior prosthetic teeth. (4) Conclusions: Most of these complete prostheses, which as antagonist had another previously made overdenture on four or on two implants, achieved excellent success rates in this study at 72 months

Changes of radiographic trabecular bone density and peri-implant marginal bone vertical dimensions around non-submerged dental implants with a laser-microtextured collar after 5 years of functional loading

Objectives: The progressive peri-implant bone remodeling caused by dynamic cycles of microdamage may change peri-implant bone characteristics and volume after the functional loading. This prospective study was designed to evaluate the radiographic trabecular bone density and peri-implant vertical dimensional changes around the non submerged dental implant with a laser-microtextured collar (NSLI)s after 5 years of functional loading. Methods: Digital periapical radiographs of 58 NSLIs supported fixed single crowns and fixed partial dentures in 26 patients (14 men, mean age of 52 ± 3.8 years) were used for comparative evaluation between the implant placement [Baseline (BSL)], the definitive Crowns Delivery (CD) and the 5 years post-functional loading examination (T5). Regions of interest (ROI) were taken into consideration for the measurement of mean gray levels, standard deviation, and variation coefficient. The texture parameters, such as contrast, correlation, angular second moment and entropy, were investigated by using the software ImageJ (v.1.50i), by means of the Gray-level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) Texture Tool plugin. Vertical Periimplant Marginal Bone Level (VPMBL) was assessed at the mesial and the distal sides of each implant by subtracting the measure at BSL from the measure at T5 by means of dedicate software (VixWin Platinum Imaging Software). Mixed regression models were adopted to analyze data. The possible effects of some variables, such as the use of provisional denture, location, crown/implant ratio, type of prosthetic design (single or splinted), on radiographic dimensional vertical changes, gray levels and texture analysis variables were also evaluated. Results: From BSL to T5, mesial and distal VPMBL showed a statistically significant gain of 0.9 ±0.5, and 0.10 mm ±0.6, respectively (P<0.05). From CD to T5, mean gray levels increased from 94.4±26.8) to 111.8±27.1 (P<0.05), while the coefficient of variation decreased from 0.08±0,03 to 0.05±0.04) (P<0.05). Variables showed no statistically significant correlation with texture parameters (P > 0.05). Conclusion: NSLIs showed an increase in radiographic vertical peri-implant marginal bone levels and bone density up to 5 years of loading