Source localization and denoising: a perspective from the TDOA space

In this manuscript, we formulate the problem of denoising Time Differences of Arrival (TDOAs) in the TDOA space, i.e. the Euclidean space spanned by TDOA measurements. The method consists of pre-processing the TDOAs with the purpose of reducing the measurement noise. The complete set of TDOAs (i.e., TDOAs computed at all microphone pairs) is known to form a redundant set, which lies on a linear subspace in the TDOA space. Noise, however, prevents TDOAs from lying exactly on this subspace. We therefore show that TDOA denoising can be seen as a projection operation that suppresses the component of the noise that is orthogonal to that linear subspace. We then generalize the projection operator also to the cases where the set of TDOAs is incomplete. We analytically show that this operator improves the localization accuracy, and we further confirm that via simulation.Comment: 25 pages, 9 figure

A Geometrical-Statistical Approach to Outlier Removal for TDOA Measurements

The curse of outlier measurements in estimation problems is a well-known issue in a variety of fields. Therefore, outlier removal procedures, which enables the identification of spurious measurements within a set, have been developed for many different scenarios and applications. In this paper, we propose a statistically motivated outlier removal algorithm for time differences of arrival (TDOAs), or equivalently range differences (RD), acquired at sensor arrays. The method exploits the TDOA-space formalism and works by only knowing relative sensor positions. As the proposed method is completely independent from the application for which measurements are used, it can be reliably used to identify outliers within a set of TDOA/RD measurements in different fields (e.g., acoustic source localization, sensor synchronization, radar, remote sensing, etc.). The proposed outlier removal algorithm is validated by means of synthetic simulations and real experiments

Free Gingival Graft to Increase Keratinized Mucosa after Placing of Mandibular Fixed Implant-Supported Prosthesis

Insufficiently keratinized tissue can be increased surgically by free gingival grafting. The presence or reconstruction of keratinized mucosa around the implant can facilitate restorative procedure and allow the maintenance of an oral hygiene routine without irritation or discomfort to the patient. The aim of this clinical case report is to describe an oral rehabilitation procedure of an edentulous patient with absence of keratinized mucosa in the interforaminal area, using a free gingival graft associated with a mandibular fixed implant-supported prosthesis. The treatment included the manufacturing of a maxillary complete denture and a mandibular fixed implant-supported prosthesis followed by a free gingival graft to increase the width of the mandibular keratinized mucosa. Free gingival graft was obtained from the palate and grafted on the buccal side of interforaminal area. The follow-up of 02 and 12 months after mucogingival surgery showed that the free gingival graft promoted peri-implant health, hygiene, and patient comfort. Clinical Significance. The free gingival graft is an effective treatment in increasing the width of mandibular keratinized mucosa on the buccal side of the interforaminal area and provided an improvement in maintaining the health of peri-implant tissues which allows for better oral hygiene

Reestablishment of Occlusal Vertical Dimension in Complete Denture Wearing in Two Stages

The assessment and reestablishment of the occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) are considered important factors in the treatment of complete denture wearers. The long-time use of a complete denture can result in jaw displacement due to abrasion of the artificial teeth and residual ridge resorption, causing esthetic complications. Most patients with old dentures and incorrect OVD accept reestablishment of the OVD with new complete dentures, even if they were used to their old dentures. The present clinical report describes a method of gradual reestablishment of OVD using a diagnostic acrylic splint on artificial teeth in old complete dentures before the manufacture of new complete dentures. Clinical Significance. The use of a reversible treatment for reestablishment of the OVD in old complete dentures with a diagnostic occlusal acrylic splint allows for the reestablishment of the intermaxillary relationship, providing physiological conditions of masticatory performance associated with the recovery of facial esthetics in edentulous patients

One-year prospective clinical study comparing patient satisfaction and masticatory performance of mandibular overdentures supported by one versus two implants

There is a lack of clinical evidence on mandibular overdentures (MOD) supported by a single implant. Objective: To compare patient satisfaction and masticatory performance in MOD supported by one versus two implants in a two-group parallel randomized clinical trial. Material and Methods:Twenty-one patients wearing new maxillary and mandibular complete dentures (CDs) were randomly divided to receive one (GI, n = 11) or two (GII, n = 10) implants in the mandibular arch. Four months after implant placement, o-ring abutments were installed in the implants, and matrix attachments were placed in the lower complete dentures. Patient satisfaction with their dentures and masticatory performance were compared at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure. Data on patient satisfaction were analyzed using the Friedman test and the Mann-Whitney U test. Data on masticatory performance were analyzed using one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's t test (α=0.05). Results: Both groups exhibited a significant increase in overall patient satisfaction in all periods evaluated (p<0.05), except for GI after 12 months, which had values similar to baseline (p=0.74). Satisfaction levels of GI and GII were similar at baseline, 3 and 6 months, but GII showed higher satisfaction levels (p=0.01) than GI at 12 months. GI and GII exhibited a significant increase (p<0.05) in masticatory performance for all periods relative to baseline. However, GII had higher masticatory performance with dentures than GI, regardless of the period (p<0.05). Conclusion: MOD supported by two implants demonstrated better patient satisfaction in the follow-up at 12 months and better masticatory performance than MOD supported by one implant. &nbsp

Effect of incorporation of 2-tert-butylaminoethyl methacrylate on flexural strength of a denture base acrylic resin

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resins have commonly been used as a denture base material. However, denture bases may act as a reservoir for microorganisms and contribute to oral diseases in denture wearers. It is hypothesized that the 2-tert-butylaminoethyl methacrylate (TBAEMA) incorporated to acrylic resins should have antimicrobial activity related to the presence of amino groups on acrylic resin surface. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the presence of amino groups on acrylic resin surface and the influence on flexural strength after incorporation of TBAEMA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six groups were divided according to the concentration of TBAEMA incorporated to acrylic resin (Lucitone 550): 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 1.75 and 2%. Specimens surface were evaluated by Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA) to detect the presence of amino groups, represented by nitrogen ratios. Flexural strength of the specimens was tested and results were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (&#945;=0.05). RESULTS: Different nitrogen ratios were observed on specimen surfaces: 0, 0.13, 0.74, 0.66, 0.92 and 0.33% for groups 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 1.75, and 2%, respectively. Significant differences were found for flexural strength (p<0.001). The mean flexural strength values were 98.3±3.9, 93.3±3.2, 83.9±2.1, 82.8±5.2, 71.2±5.1 and 17.3±3.2 MPa for groups 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 1.75, and 2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, the incorporation of TBAEMA results in the presence of the potentially antimicrobial amino groups on specimen surfaces, but affect the flexural strength, depending on the concentration of TBAEMA

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research