In Vitro Evaluation of the Effect of Different Laser Irradiations on the Enamel Surfaces of Teeth Treated with Home Bleach Procedure

Introduction:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dental surface treatment with Erbium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet(Er: YAG), Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet(Nd: YAG) and Carbon Dioxide Laser  (CO2) lasers and sodium ascorbate to recently home bleached enamel by scanning electron microscope (SEM).Methods: Thirty extracted human third molars were selected for this in vitro study. The teeth were randomly divided in two groups including home bleached group and control group (non-bleached). In group 1, the samples were bleached by home bleach technique. No bleaching procedure was done in second the group which served as control group. Then, the samples of two groups were divided to five subgroups as follow:  Subgroup 1: treated using Nd:YAG laser with output power of 1 W, Subgroup 2: treated using Er:YAG laser with output power of 0.5 W, Subgroup 3: treated using CO2 laser with output power of 0.5 W, Subgroup 4: sodium ascorbate 10%, Subgroup 5: no treatment. After treatments, the surfaces were evaluated using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis.Results:The surfaces treated by Nd:YAG laser showed some melting and recrystallized areas and in some area droplet pattern was observed. But the surface treated by Er:YAG laser showed irregular and micro porous surface with flake pattern. CO2 laser treatment of home-bleached surfaces resulted in melting area and cracks. Sodium ascorbate did not change the home-bleached surface.Conclusion:Among different surface treatments used in this study, it seems that Er:YAG laser can best interact with home-bleached teeth

Emergence of graphene as a novel nanomaterial for cardiovascular applications

Cardiovascular diseases (CDs) are the foremost cause of death worldwide. Several promising therapeutic methods have been developed for this approach, including pharmacological, surgical intervention, cell therapy, or biomaterial implantation since heart tissue is incapable of regenerating and healing on its own. The best treatment for heart failure to date is heart transplantation and invasive surgical intervention, despite their invasiveness, donor limitations, and the possibility of being rejected by the patient's immune system. To address these challenges, research is being conducted on less invasive and efficient methods. Consequently, graphene-based materials (GBMs) have attracted a great deal of interest in the last decade because of their exceptional mechanical, electrical, chemical, antibacterial, and biocompatibility properties. An overview of GBMs’ applications in the cardiovascular system has been presented in this article. Following a brief explanation of graphene and its derivatives’ properties, the potential of GBMs to improve and restore cardiovascular system function by using them as cardiac tissue engineering, stents, vascular bypass grafts,and heart valve has been discussed

Effect of different treatment on Surface Morphology of laser bleached teeth: SEM Evaluation

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of dental surface treatment with Er:YAG , Nd:YAG ,CO2 lasers and sodium ascorbate to recently laser bleached enamel by scanning electron microscope (SEM).Methods: 15caries-free extracted human third molars were selected for this study. The samples were bleached by Heydent JW power activated by diode laser 810 nm. After 7 day, the bleaching procedure was repeated as same as first time. Then, the samples were divided to five groups randomly as follow: Group 1: treated using Nd:YAG laser with output power of 1 W, Group 2: treated using Er:YAG laser with output power of 0.5 W, Group 3: treated using CO2 laser with output power of 0.5 W, Group 4: sodium ascorbate 10%, Group 5: no surface treatment. After treatments, the surfaces were evaluated using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis.Results: The surfaces treated by Nd:YAG laser showed some melting area but the surface treated by Er:YAG laser showed irregular and micro porous surface. CO2 laser treatment of surfaces resulted in melting of superficial layer of dental substrate and micro cracks. Sodium ascorbate did not change the surface except changes raised from bleaching.Conclusion: Laser conditioning of laser-bleached teeth can be beneficial for enhancing bond  strength of resin material to recently bleached enamel

Effect of Er: YAG Laser on Microtensile Bond Strength of Bleached Dentin to Composite

Introduction: In non-vital tooth bleaching, dentin is in direct contact with the bleaching agent, 1 to 3-week delay is needed to eliminate free radicals from tooth structure. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of irradiation of Er: YAG laser on immediate microtensile bond strength of bleached dentin to composite.Methods: Sixty sounds human teeth were collected and randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 15): no bleaching (NB), opalescence endo hydrogen peroxide (HP) gel bleaching, sodium perborate (SP) bleaching and laser bleaching with heydent gel (LB). The groups were divided into 3 subgroups (n = 5): no surface treatment, Er: YAG laser irradiation and 10% sodium ascorbate (SA). All samples were restored and underwent microtensile bond strength testing. Statistical analysis was carried out using one-way and two-way ANOVA.Results: Bond strength in NB-SA group had a significant difference with the NB group (P < 0.05) while no significant difference was noted between NB and NB-Er groups (P = 0.55). Application of SA and Er: YAG laser after bleaching with SP did not enhance the bond strength (P = 0.07).Conclusion: Application of SA and Er: YAG laser after HP gel bleaching significantly enhanced the bond strength. Application of Er: YAG laser after internal bleaching with HP gel could enhance the bond strength

Designing Alternative Housing in an Old Context: Zargandeparsh, Tehran

Today, poor performance in old residential contexts in terms of memorable visual elements reduce the residents’ sense of belonging. The study used a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods. To meet the needs of residents, a questionnaire was distributed among twenty-five experts. Data analysis was performed using fuzzy logic to calculate the weight of each criterion of hierarchical fuzzy (FAHP). According to the findings, the largest weight belonged to social interaction (0.288), physical (0.205) and dependence (0.179). The results showed that social interaction is imperative in increasing the residents’ sense of attachment.© 2016. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies, Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.Keywords: Housing; old texture; place; sense of attachment

Protocol Design for Large–Scale Cross–Sectional Studies of Surveillance of Risk Factors of Non–Communicable Diseases in Iran: STEPs 2016

INTRODUCTION: The rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has gained increasing attention. There is a great need for reliable data to address such problems. Here, we describe the development of a comprehensive set of executive and scientific protocols and instructions of STEPs 2016. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a large-scale cross-sectional study of Surveillance of Risk Factors of NCDs in Iran. Through systematic proportional to size cluster random sampling, 31,050 participants enrolled in three sequential processes, of completing questionnaires; physical measurements, and lab assessment. RESULTS: Out of 429 districts, samples were taken from urban and rural areas of 389 districts. After applying sampling weight to the samples, comparing the distribution of population and samples, compared classification was determined in accordance with the age and sex groups. Out of 31,050 expected participants, 30,541 participant completed questionnaires (52.31% female). For physical measurements and lab assessment, the cases included 30,042 (52.38% female) and 19,778 (54.04% female), respectively. DISCUSSION: There is an urgent need to focus on reviewing trend analyses of NCDs.To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first comprehensive experience on systematic electronic national survey. The results could be also used for future complementary studies

Erratum: Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 84 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Interpretation: By quantifying levels and trends in exposures to risk factors and the resulting disease burden, this assessment offers insight into where past policy and programme efforts might have been successful and highlights current priorities for public health action. Decreases in behavioural, environmental, and occupational risks have largely offset the effects of population growth and ageing, in relation to trends in absolute burden. Conversely, the combination of increasing metabolic risks and population ageing will probably continue to drive the increasing trends in non-communicable diseases at the global level, which presents both a public health challenge and opportunity. We see considerable spatiotemporal heterogeneity in levels of risk exposure and risk-attributable burden. Although levels of development underlie some of this heterogeneity, O/E ratios show risks for which countries are overperforming or underperforming relative to their level of development. As such, these ratios provide a benchmarking tool to help to focus local decision making. Our findings reinforce the importance of both risk exposure monitoring and epidemiological research to assess causal connections between risks and health outcomes, and they highlight the usefulness of the GBD study in synthesising data to draw comprehensive and robust conclusions that help to inform good policy and strategic health planning

Measuring progress from 1990 to 2017 and projecting attainment to 2030 of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals for 195 countries and territories: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background: Efforts to establish the 2015 baseline and monitor early implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlight both great potential for and threats to improving health by 2030. To fully deliver on the SDG aim of “leaving no one behind”, it is increasingly important to examine the health-related SDGs beyond national-level estimates. As part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 (GBD 2017), we measured progress on 41 of 52 health-related SDG indicators and estimated the health-related SDG index for 195 countries and territories for the period 1990–2017, projected indicators to 2030, and analysed global attainment. Methods: We measured progress on 41 health-related SDG indicators from 1990 to 2017, an increase of four indicators since GBD 2016 (new indicators were health worker density, sexual violence by non-intimate partners, population census status, and prevalence of physical and sexual violence [reported separately]). We also improved the measurement of several previously reported indicators. We constructed national-level estimates and, for a subset of health-related SDGs, examined indicator-level differences by sex and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintile. We also did subnational assessments of performance for selected countries. To construct the health-related SDG index, we transformed the value for each indicator on a scale of 0–100, with 0 as the 2\ub75th percentile and 100 as the 97\ub75th percentile of 1000 draws calculated from 1990 to 2030, and took the geometric mean of the scaled indicators by target. To generate projections through 2030, we used a forecasting framework that drew estimates from the broader GBD study and used weighted averages of indicator-specific and country-specific annualised rates of change from 1990 to 2017 to inform future estimates. We assessed attainment of indicators with defined targets in two ways: first, using mean values projected for 2030, and then using the probability of attainment in 2030 calculated from 1000 draws. We also did a global attainment analysis of the feasibility of attaining SDG targets on the basis of past trends. Using 2015 global averages of indicators with defined SDG targets, we calculated the global annualised rates of change required from 2015 to 2030 to meet these targets, and then identified in what percentiles the required global annualised rates of change fell in the distribution of country-level rates of change from 1990 to 2015. We took the mean of these global percentile values across indicators and applied the past rate of change at this mean global percentile to all health-related SDG indicators, irrespective of target definition, to estimate the equivalent 2030 global average value and percentage change from 2015 to 2030 for each indicator. Findings: The global median health-related SDG index in 2017 was 59\ub74 (IQR 35\ub74–67\ub73), ranging from a low of 11\ub76 (95% uncertainty interval 9\ub76–14\ub70) to a high of 84\ub79 (83\ub71–86\ub77). SDG index values in countries assessed at the subnational level varied substantially, particularly in China and India, although scores in Japan and the UK were more homogeneous. Indicators also varied by SDI quintile and sex, with males having worse outcomes than females for non-communicable disease (NCD) mortality, alcohol use, and smoking, among others. Most countries were projected to have a higher health-related SDG index in 2030 than in 2017, while country-level probabilities of attainment by 2030 varied widely by indicator. Under-5 mortality, neonatal mortality, maternal mortality ratio, and malaria indicators had the most countries with at least 95% probability of target attainment. Other indicators, including NCD mortality and suicide mortality, had no countries projected to meet corresponding SDG targets on the basis of projected mean values for 2030 but showed some probability of attainment by 2030. For some indicators, including child malnutrition, several infectious diseases, and most violence measures, the annualised rates of change required to meet SDG targets far exceeded the pace of progress achieved by any country in the recent past. We found that applying the mean global annualised rate of change to indicators without defined targets would equate to about 19% and 22% reductions in global smoking and alcohol consumption, respectively; a 47% decline in adolescent birth rates; and a more than 85% increase in health worker density per 1000 population by 2030. Interpretation: The GBD study offers a unique, robust platform for monitoring the health-related SDGs across demographic and geographic dimensions. Our findings underscore the importance of increased collection and analysis of disaggregated data and highlight where more deliberate design or targeting of interventions could accelerate progress in attaining the SDGs. Current projections show that many health-related SDG indicators, NCDs, NCD-related risks, and violence-related indicators will require a concerted shift away from what might have driven past gains—curative interventions in the case of NCDs—towards multisectoral, prevention-oriented policy action and investments to achieve SDG aims. Notably, several targets, if they are to be met by 2030, demand a pace of progress that no country has achieved in the recent past. The future is fundamentally uncertain, and no model can fully predict what breakthroughs or events might alter the course of the SDGs. What is clear is that our actions—or inaction—today will ultimately dictate how close the world, collectively, can get to leaving no one behind by 2030

Measuring progress from 1990 to 2017 and projecting attainment to 2030 of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals for 195 countries and territories: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017.

BACKGROUND: Efforts to establish the 2015 baseline and monitor early implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlight both great potential for and threats to improving health by 2030. To fully deliver on the SDG aim of 'leaving no one behind', it is increasingly important to examine the health-related SDGs beyond national-level estimates. As part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 (GBD 2017), we measured progress on 41 of 52 health-related SDG indicators and estimated the health-related SDG index for 195 countries and territories for the period 1990-2017, projected indicators to 2030, and analysed global attainment. METHODS: We measured progress on 41 health-related SDG indicators from 1990 to 2017, an increase of four indicators since GBD 2016 (new indicators were health worker density, sexual violence by non-intimate partners, population census status, and prevalence of physical and sexual violence [reported separately]). We also improved the measurement of several previously reported indicators. We constructed national-level estimates and, for a subset of health-related SDGs, examined indicator-level differences by sex and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintile. We also did subnational assessments of performance for selected countries. To construct the health-related SDG index, we transformed the value for each indicator on a scale of 0-100, with 0 as the 2·5th percentile and 100 as the 97·5th percentile of 1000 draws calculated from 1990 to 2030, and took the geometric mean of the scaled indicators by target. To generate projections through 2030, we used a forecasting framework that drew estimates from the broader GBD study and used weighted averages of indicator-specific and country-specific annualised rates of change from 1990 to 2017 to inform future estimates. We assessed attainment of indicators with defined targets in two ways: first, using mean values projected for 2030, and then using the probability of attainment in 2030 calculated from 1000 draws. We also did a global attainment analysis of the feasibility of attaining SDG targets on the basis of past trends. Using 2015 global averages of indicators with defined SDG targets, we calculated the global annualised rates of change required from 2015 to 2030 to meet these targets, and then identified in what percentiles the required global annualised rates of change fell in the distribution of country-level rates of change from 1990 to 2015. We took the mean of these global percentile values across indicators and applied the past rate of change at this mean global percentile to all health-related SDG indicators, irrespective of target definition, to estimate the equivalent 2030 global average value and percentage change from 2015 to 2030 for each indicator

INTEGRATING PRODUCTION SCHEDULING, DELIVERY, AND 3D LOADING PROBLEMS IN A TWO STAGE SUPPLY CHAIN

In this study, a two echelon supply chain with one distribution center and several retailers is investigated. In the distribution center, handling of retailer’s orders is considered as an operation that should be completed on a single workstation. This study combines production scheduling and delivery problems with three-dimensional (3D) loading problem. In the integration of production scheduling and delivery problems, production and inventory and transportation decisions are considered simultaneously in order to minimize the sum of production setup costs, inventory costs and routing costs. The purpose of this problem is to determine the sequence and quantity of production, type of vehicles, the visiting sequence of each vehicle, and the inventory level at the distribution center and retailers, so that the total cost is minimized. The total cost includes the production setup costs, holding cost in the distribution center, transportation cost, vehicle arrangement cost and penalty costs. Then, the vehicles and batches are considered as 3D components with length, width and height and the 3D loading problem is investigated. The purpose of 3D loading problem is to provide a practical loading. A mathematical model is presented to solve the loading problem. The problem under study is NP-hard, so medium and large sized instances cannot be solved optimally in a reasonable time. Hence, a meta-heuristic algorithm based on genetic algorithm is proposed to solve the problem. The computational results show that the proposed algorithm decreases the computational times 85.29% in average and only leads to 3.22% increase in the total cost in comparison with the optimal solution