Fitting Jump Models

We describe a new framework for fitting jump models to a sequence of data. The key idea is to alternate between minimizing a loss function to fit multiple model parameters, and minimizing a discrete loss function to determine which set of model parameters is active at each data point. The framework is quite general and encompasses popular classes of models, such as hidden Markov models and piecewise affine models. The shape of the chosen loss functions to minimize determine the shape of the resulting jump model.Comment: Accepted for publication in Automatic

Fertility decline and the emergence of excess female survival in post-reproductive ages in Italy

In Italy, at least in the cohorts born up to the beginning of the twentieth century, women's mortality in post-reproductive ages was influenced by fertility, with large progenies (and, to a lesser extent, childlessness) leading to markedly lower survival chances. This relationship proved strong enough to affect the female-to-male ratio in old age as fertility declined. In this paper, we show that various measures of extra female survival at high ages are closely connected to the fertility transition in Italy, and to its peculiar historical and geographical evolution

The effects of superconductor-stabilizer interfacial resistance on quench of current-carrying coated conductor

We present the results of numerical analysis of a model of normal zone propagation in coated conductors. The main emphasis is on the effects of increased contact resistance between the superconducting film and the stabilizer on the speed of normal zone propagation, the maximum temperature rise inside the normal zone, and the stability margins. We show that with increasing contact resistance the speed of normal zone propagation increases, the maximum temperature inside the normal zone decreases, and stability margins shrink. This may have an overall beneficial effect on quench protection quality of coated conductors. We also briefly discuss the propagation of solitons and development of the temperature modulation along the wire.Comment: To be published in Superconductor Science and Technology. This preprint contains one animated figure (Fig. 6(a)). when asked whether you want to play the content, click "Play". Acrobat Reader (Windows and Mac, but not Linux) will play embedded flash movies. In the printed copy Fig. 6(b) will show the temperature profile at gamma t=15

Analysis of the trueness and precision of complete denture bases manufactured using digital and analog technologies

PURPOSE. Digital technology has enabled improvements in the fitting accuracy of denture bases via milling techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate the trueness and precision of digital and analog techniques for manufacturing complete dentures (CDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS. Sixty identical CDs were manufactured using different production protocols. Digital and analog technologies were compared using the reference geometric approach, and the Delta-error values of eight areas of interest (AOI) were calculated. For each AOI, a precise number of measurement points was selected according to sensitivity analyses to compare the Delta-error of trueness and precision between the original model and manufactured prosthesis. Three types of statistical analysis were performed: to calculate the intergroup cumulative difference among the three protocols, the intergroup among the AOIs, and the intragroup difference among AOIs. RESULTS. There was a statistically significant difference between the dentures made using the oversize process and injection molding process (P < .001), but no significant difference between the other two manufacturing methods (P = .1227). There was also a statistically significant difference between the dentures made using the monolithic process and the other two processes for all AOIs (P = .0061), but there was no significant difference between the other two processes (P = 1). Within each group, significant differences among the AOIs were observed. CONCLUSION. The monolithic process yielded better results, in terms of accuracy (trueness and precision), than the other groups, although all three processes led to dentures with Delta-error values well within the clinical tolerance limit. [J Adv Prosthodont 2023;15:22-32

The role of matrix metalloproteinases in periodontal disease

This review provides a detailed description of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), focusing on those that are known to have critical roles in bone and periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is an inflammatory process initiated by anaerobic bacteria, which promote the host immune response in the form of a complex network of molecular pathways involving proinflammatory mediators such as cytokines, growth factors, and MMPs. MMPs are a family of 23 endopeptidases, collectively capable of degrading virtually all extracellular matrix (ECM) components. This study critically discusses the available research concerning the involvement of the MMPs in periodontal disease development and progression and presents possible therapeutic strategies. MMPs participate in morphogenesis, physiological tissue turnover, and pathological tissue destruction. Alterations in the regulation of MMP activity are implicated in the manifestation of oral diseases, and MMPs comprise the most important pathway in tissue destruction associated with periodontal disease. MMPs can be considered a risk factor for periodontal disease, and measurements of MMP levels may be useful markers for early detection of periodontitis and as a tool to assess prognostic follow-ups. Detection and inhibition of MMPs could, therefore, be useful in periodontal disease prevention or be an essential part of periodontal disease therapy, which, considering the huge incidence of the disease, may greatly improve oral health globally

Electro-Thermal Behavior of Layer-Wound BSCCO Coils With and Without Insulation

In this work, the electro-thermal behavior of two layer-wound High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) coils, realized with and without electrical insulation, is compared. Both coils are wound from the same BSCCO tape, and have a very similar geometry, with the same number of turns and layers. A heat input is applied to both coils, by tuning the current supplied to resistive heaters realized through stainless steel tapes wound on the mandrel at the inner surface of both coils. The heaters are in contact with one full inner turn of the winding. The coils are cooled in a liquid nitrogen bath, and the heaters are supplied with a constant current. Then, the windings are charged until the tape critical current is exceeded, and the tests are repeated for different heat loads. The signals acquired through voltage taps, suitably soldered at the same locations in both windings, are compared at the same testing conditions. Finally, the electrical characteristic of the different layers of the coils is related to the temperature of the heater and of the various turns of the coil by means of a 1-D thermal model

INTERACTION BETWEEN NANOFILLED COMPOSITES AND POLYWAVE MULTILED CURING LAMPS: AN IN VITRO STUDY

8nonenoneBattaglia V; Bergantin E; Paolino D; Coero Borga FA; Cadenaro M; Breschi L; Berutti E; Scotti N.Battaglia, V; Bergantin, E; Paolino, D; Coero Borga, Fa; Cadenaro, Milena; Breschi, Lorenzo; Berutti, E; Scotti, Nicol

Immunohistochemical and biochemical identification of MMP-2 in dentin

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in many biological and pathological processes because of their ability to degrade all extracellular matrix (ECM) components. The purpose of this study was to identify MMP-2 in human dentin by immunohistochemical and biochemical methods. Dentin cryo-fractured fragments were obtained from human sound teeth, partially decalcified in 0.5 M EDTA pH 7.4 for 30min and submitted to a pre-embedding immunolabeling technique, using primary monoclonal antibodies anti-MMP-2 and exposed to a secondary antibody conjugated with gold nano-particles. Observations were performed by means of a FEI-SEM. Furthermore,the presence of MMP-2 was correlatively assayed by a colorimetric assay system (Quantisir) that allows direct measurement of MMP-2 levels. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed an intricate three-dimensional network of type I collagen and positive immunolabeling patterns for MMP-2 showing its distribution along with the collagen fibrils. The colorimetric assay resulted in higher presence of MMP-2 in mineralized dentin, compared to the partially demineralized counterpart. The role and function of dentin MMPs is not well known, but they have shown to contribute to auto-degenerative processes in dentin, such as inflammation of dental pulp, progression of caries lesions. This study demonstrated using an immunohistochemical and a biochemical approach that MMP-2 is an intrinsic component of the human dentin organic matrix, with possible roles in dentin matrix turnover and degenerative processes