Oii-web: An interactive online programming contest training system

In this paper we report our experience, related to the online training for the Italian and International Olympiads in Informatics. We developed an interactive online system, based on CMS, the grading system used in several major programming contests including the International Olympiads in Informatics (IOI), and used it in three distinct context: training students for the Italian Olympiads in Informatics (OII), training teachers in order to be able to assist students for the OII, and training the Italian team for the IOI. The system, that is freely available, proved to be a game changer for the whole italian olympiads in informatics ecosystem: in one year, we almost doubled the participation to OII, from 13k to 21k secondary school students. The system is developed basing on the Contest Management System (CMS, http://cms- dev.github.io/), so it is highly available to extensions supporting, for instance, the pro- duction of feedback on problems solutions submitted by trainees. The system is also freely available, with the idea of allowing for support to alternative necessities and developmen

The influence of a new clinical motion for endodontic instruments on the incidence of postoperative pain

Previous studies showed that motor motions play an important role in determining apical extrusion of debris. Therefore a new clinical motion (MIMERACI) has been proposed. The basic idea is to progress slowly (1mm advancement), and after each 1mm, to remove the instrument from the canal, clean flutes and irrigate. The aim of the study was to prove whether the clinical use of MIMERACI technique would influence or not postoperative pain.MATERIALS AND METHODS: 100 teeth requesting endodontic treatment were selected for the study and divided into two similar groups based on anatomy, pre-operative symptoms and vitality, presence or absence of periapical lesion. All teeth were shaped, cleaned and obturated by the same operator, using the same NiTi instruments. The only difference between the two groups was the instrumentation technique: tradional (group A) vs MIMERACI (group B). Assessment of postoperative pain was performed 3 days after treatment. Presence, absence and degree of pain were recorded with a visual analogue scale (VAS), validated in previous studies. Collected data statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA post hoc Tukey test. RESULTS: For VAS pain scores MIMERACI technique showed significantly better results than group A (p=0,031). Overall, both incidence and intensity of symptoms were significantly lower. Flare ups occurred in 3 patients, but none treated with the MIMERACI Technique. CONCLUSIONS: Since extruded debris can elicit more postoperative pain, results obtained by using MIMERACI technique are probably due to many factors: better mechanical removal and less production of debris and more efficient irrigation during instrumentation

In vitro evaluation of carrier based obturation technique: a CBCT study

AIM: The goal of the study was to compare the ability of two different carrier based obturation (CBO) techniques to reach working length and fill in three-dimensions root canal systems, by using CBCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six extracted molars were scanned with CBCT and 40 curved canals were selected (between 30° and 90°) and divided in two similar groups (n=20). All canals were prepared up to size 25 taper .06 using nickel-titanium instrumentation. The canals in the Group SC were obturated using Soft-Core obturators (Kerr, Romulus, Mi, USA), while Group TH canals (n= 20) were obturated using Thermafil Endodontic Obturators (Tulsa Dental Products, Tulsa, OK, USA), strictly following manufacturers' instructions for use. The obturations were analyzed by means of CBCT to measure the distance from the apical limit of obturation to the apical foramen and the presence of voids inside root canals. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in the mean distance of the apical extent of the obturation (t test, p>0.05). Overfilling occurred in only 3 cases (2 in Group TH and 1 in Group SC). The percentages of voids in both groups were very low with no significant difference (Z test, p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The two tested CBO techniques showed similar positive results in terms of performance, even if, after checking with verifiers, in most cases the size of the selected Soft-Core obturator was one size smaller than Thermafil

Review on Battery State Estimation and Management Solutions for Next-Generation Connected Vehicles

The transport sector is tackling the challenge of reducing vehicle pollutant emissions and carbon footprints by means of a shift to electrified powertrains, i.e., battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). However, electrified vehicles pose new issues associated with the design and energy management for the efficient use of onboard energy storage systems (ESSs). Thus, strong attention should be devoted to ensuring the safety and efficient operation of the ESSs. In this framework, a dedicated battery management system (BMS) is required to contemporaneously optimize the battery’s state of charge (SoC) and to increase the battery’s lifespan through tight control of its state of health (SoH). Despite the advancements in the modern onboard BMS, more detailed data-driven algorithms for SoC, SoH, and fault diagnosis cannot be implemented due to limited computing capabilities. To overcome such limitations, the conceptualization and/or implementation of BMS in-cloud applications are under investigation. The present study hence aims to produce a new and comprehensive review of the advancements in battery management solutions in terms of functionality, usability, and drawbacks, with specific attention to cloud-based BMS solutions as well as SoC and SoH prediction and estimation. Current gaps and challenges are addressed considering V2X connectivity to fully exploit the latest cloud-based solutions

Immediate non-submerged implants with laser-microtextured collar placed in the inter-radicular septum of mandibular molar extraction sockets associated to GBR : results at 3-year

Background: The aim of the present study was to radiographically evaluate the vertical socket walls changes, and the peri-implant marginal bone remodelling, and clinicallly the soft tissues conditions around the non-submerged single implants placed into the inter radicular septum of mandibular molar sockets, associated with a collagen membrane, after 3 years of loading.Material and Methods: Thirty patients underwent to placement of a non-submerged implants with a laser-micro-textured collar into the inter radicular septum of mandibular molar fresh extraction sockets. A collagen membrane and the mucoperiosteal flap were adapted around the neck of the implants, leaving the laser-microtextured collar to heal in a transmucosal fashion. Results: At the end of the follow-up period, no statistical differences were found for each radiographic measure-ments used for the examination of extraction sockets vertical bone changes. Compared to implants placement, at the end of the 3-year follow-up, the vertical radiographic mesial and distal peri-implant marginal bone levels showed a statistically significant gain of 0.9 (SD 0.5), and 1.0 mm (SD 0.6), respectively (P=0.037).Conclusions: in mandibular fresh extraction sockets, the method of GBR around transmucosal implants with la-ser-microtextured surface placed into the interadicular septum may be used successfully to counteract the ridge remodelling

Full arch fixed prostheses vs. full arch telescopic-retained retrievable prostheses both supported by implants and natural tooth abutments in periodontally treated patients : results at 15 years

The clinical outcome of full arch fixed prostheses vs. full arch telescopic-retained retrievable prostheses supported by implants and natural tooth abutments in periodontally treated patients has been reported by few studies, with controversial results. The objective of this study was to evaluate long-term (15 years) complications of abutment teeth and dental implants in periodontally treated patients, rehabilitated with full arch telescopic-retained retrievable prostheses (TRP)s vs. full arch fixed prostheses (FP)s supported by teeth and implants. After active periodontal therapy (non-surgical and surgical), and implant placement (replacement of hopeless teeth and in edentulous sites), 18 patients were rehabilitated in both dental arches with full arch TRPs, and 17 patients were rehabilitated with full arch FPs. Patients were annually recalled for technical and/or biological complications monitoring. During the 15-year observation period, 29 of 164 (17.6%) implants failed in the TRP group and 26 of 152 (17.1 %) implants in the FP group. Due to progression of periodontal disease, endo-perio untreatable lesion and caries, 22 of 233 abutment teeth were extracted (8.1) % in the TRP group and 23 of 221 (10.4%) abutment teeth were extracted in the FP group. Difference in implant failures and abutment teeth loss between the two groups were found not statistically significant (p >0.05). Poisson regression analysis showed that in both groups, factors such as smoking habits, FMBS>20, number of pockets >6 mm, mean bone loss, and bone loss/age, contribute to tooth and implant failure (p<0.05). In this clinical study, in periodontally treated patients, full arch telescopic-retained retrievable prostheses, and full arch fixed prosthesis, supported by teeth and implants presented comparable long-term results of tooth loss and implant failure, if regular periodontal therapy is implemented

Production of Red Wine Polyphenols as Ingredient for the Food and Pharmaceutical Industry

Abstract A selected reverse osmosis based industrial process was developed and validated at pilot plant scale for producing red wine polyphenols dealcoholized and/or concentrated solutions and pastes, starting from red wine as raw material. These ingredients can be used for making new functional products for the food and beverages industry. Comparison with competitive technologies is made, accounting for energy consumption and process operating parameters to avoid damage to the RWP antioxidant functionality. In addition criteria for selecting between different available raw materials and different possible products are discussed with reference to up-stream and down-stream operations, dietary reference intake (DRI) and shelf-life of each ingredients