Analysis of Wireless Obturation Units for Endodontic Purposes

Objectives:The aim of this study was to investigate the role of deep cryogenic treatment (DCT) on the cyclic fatigue resistance and cutting efficiency of martensitic shape memory (SM) nickel–titanium (NiTi) rotary endodontic instruments.Materials and Methods:Seventy-five HyFlex® CM instruments were randomly divided into three groups of 25 each and subjected to different DCT (–185° C) conditions based on soaking time: DCT 24 group: 24 h, DCT 6 group: 6 h, and control group. Each group was randomly subdivided for evaluation of cyclic fatigue resistance in custom-made artificial canals (n = 15) and cutting efficiency in plexiglass simulators (n = 10). The cyclic fatigue resistance was measured by calculating the number of cycles to failure (NCF) and cutting efficiency was measured using the loss of weight method.Results:Increase in NCF of instruments in DCT 24 group was highly significant (P < 0.01; Tukey's honest significant difference). There was no difference in weight loss of plexiglass simulators in all the groups (P > 0.05; one-way analysis of variance). In conclusion, deep dry cryogenic treatment with 24 h soaking time significantly increases the cyclic fatigue resistance without affecting the cutting efficiency of SM NiTi endodontic instruments.Materials and Methods:Seventy-five HyFlex® CM instruments were randomly divided into three groups of 25 each and subjected to different DCT (–185° C) conditions based on soaking time: DCT 24 group: 24 h, DCT 6 group: 6 h, and control group. Each group was randomly subdivided for evaluation of cyclic fatigue resistance in custom-made artificial canals (n = 15) and cutting efficiency in plexiglass simulators (n = 10). The cyclic fatigue resistance was measured by calculating the number of cycles to failure (NCF) and cutting efficiency was measured using the loss of weight method.Results:Increase in NCF of instruments in DCT 24 group was highly significant (P < 0.01; Tukey's honest significant difference). There was no difference in weight loss of plexiglass simulators in all the groups (P > 0.05; one-way analysis of variance). In conclusion, deep dry cryogenic treatment with 24 h soaking time significantly increases the cyclic fatigue resistance without affecting the cutting efficiency of SM NiTi endodontic instruments.

We read with interest the article by Lyu et al. [1], who conducted a search of the U.S. Vital Statistics Natality Files and found no significant evidence of a link between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and low birth weight and preterm births in the U.S. [1]. To gain further insight into the course of births during the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted an electronic search of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Vital Statistics System to obtain data on infant deaths recorded from 2018 through 2023 [2]. Specifically, the database provides counts and death rates of infants less than 1 year of age occurring in the U.S., for all residents. The information from the death certificates is directly linked to the corresponding birth certificates. Results were downloaded as infant death rate ×1000 births. The mean mortality rate was calculated for the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021) and compared to that of the two pre-pandemic (i.e., 2018–2019) and the two “endemic” (i.e., 2022–2023) years. Statistical differences were calculated using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey HSD (Honestly Significant Difference) post hoc test based on the total number of deaths, the mean death rate and its standard deviation (SD), with Statistics Kingdom. The information used for this analysis was taken from an anonymized and publicly available dataset, so that this study did not require ethics committee approval. The mean infant death rate ×1000 in the 2 years before the pandemic was 5.63 ± 0.4, decreased to 5.43 ± 0.01 in the first two pandemic years, and increased again to 5.61 ± 0.1 in the endemic period (Figure 1). The difference between the pre-pandemic years was statistically significant compared to the pandemic years (p = 0.029), resulting in a cumulative reduction in the infant mortality rate of −0.195 (95% confidence interval (CI), −0.037 to −0.353; p < 0.001; −3.5%), but not with the two endemic years 2022–2023 (p = 0.863) (Figure 1). The results of our analysis suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic is unlikely to have had a significant negative impact on the U.S. infant death rate, as infant mortality may have even declined by approximately 3.5% during the first 2 years of the pandemic. This finding is plausibly explained by several pandemic-related public health measures, such as social distancing, mask-wearing and lockdowns, which likely reduced the transmission of common respiratory infections that disproportionately affect infants, including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Additionally, increased parental supervision during this period may have contributed to improved infant care and safety [3]. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in the National Center for Health Statistics at http://wonder.cdc.gov/lbd-current-expanded.html.

Objective : We report the differences in final examination scores achieved by students at the culmination of two different teaching strategies in an introductory skills course. Methods : Multiple choice examination scores from six consecutive academic calendar sessions over 18 months (n = 503) were compared. Two groups were used: Cohort A (n = 290) represented students who were enrolled in the course 3 consecutive academic sessions before an instructional change and Cohort B (n = 213) included students who were enrolled in 3 consecutive academic sessions following the instructional change, which included a more active learning format. Statistical analyses used were 2-tailed independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD), and effect size. Results : The 2-tailed independent t-test revealed a significant difference between the two groups (t = -3.71, p < .001; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29-4.20). Significant difference was found in the highest performing subgroup compared to the lowest performing subgroup in Cohort A (F = 3.343, p = .037). For Cohort A subgroups 1 and 2, Tukey's HSD was p < .028. In Cohort B, no difference was found among subgroups (F = 1.912, p = .150, HSD p > .105). Conclusion : Compared to previous versions of the same course taught by the same instructor, the students in the new course design performed better, suggesting that using active learning techniques helps improve student achievement.

The lay public frequently access and rely on online information as a source of their medical knowledge. Many medical societies are unaware of national patient education material guidelines and subsequently fail to meet them. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the readability of patient education materials within the medical field of gastroenterology. Two hundred fourteen articles pertaining to patient education materials were evaluated with ten well-established readability scales. The articles were available on the websites for the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG), and the NIH section National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's honest significant difference (HSD) post hoc analysis were conducted to determine any differences in level of readability between websites. The 214 articles were written at an 11.8±2.1 grade level with a range of 8.0 to 16.0 grade level. A one-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD post hoc analysis determined the ACG was written at a significantly (p<0.05) more difficult level when compared to the AGA, the BSG, and the NIDDK websites. No differences were noted when comparing the ASGE website. None of the patient education materials were written at a level that met national guidelines. If the materials are redrafted, the general American public will likely have a greater understanding of the gastroenterology content.

To evaluate the relationship between calciferol (vitamin D), cobalamin (vitamin-B12), and Stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) circulating levels in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), patients with DM type 2 (T2DM) without neuropathy, and healthy control groups. Cross-sectional descriptive study. Department of Internal Medicine, Namik Kemal University of Medicine, Tekirdag, Turkey, between November 2020 and February 2022. Healthy, age, and gender matched volunteers who were admitted to the hospital for a check-up with no health problem constituted the control group (n=30). Cases diagnosed with T2DM (n=30) and those with DPN (n=30) comprised the experimental group. Stromelysin-1, calciferol, and cobalamin levels were analysed from blood samples from all groups using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a commercial kit. Tukey's Honest Significant Difference (HSD) test was performed after one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for intergroup comparisons. Alpha significance level was accepted as.

This study aimed to determine the alienation levels and attitudes of physical education teacher candidates towards the teaching profession and identify the relationship between their alienation levels and their attitudes towards teaching. The relational research model was used in the study. The study group consisted of 695 teacher candidates (Mage = 21.53, SD = 2.284) of which 276 (40%) were female and 419 (60%) were male, all of whom were studying in physical education and sports teaching departments. In the data analysis, a t-test for independent groups was conducted to determine whether the alienation levels and the attitudes towards the teaching profession varied according to the variables of gender, while a one-way analysis of variance was performed to determine whether there was any differentiation according to the variables of grade, and a Tukey honest significant difference (HSD) test was undertaken to determine the source of the intergroup difference. Regression analysis was used to determine the level of the relationship between the levels of alienation and the attitudes towards the teaching profession. The study revealed that alienation levels and attitudes of physical education teacher candidates towards the teaching profession were moderate. Additionally, it was found that alienation levels were important predictors of the attitude levels towards the teaching profession.

Bulk-fill composite resins may have comparable mechanical properties to conventional composite resin. Preheating does not reduce the mechanical properties of composite resins.

Examining a huge amount of data is a typical issue in any research process. However, different statistical processes and techniques play essential role to derive a meaningful conclusion from the presented enormous data. Control of type I error is highly essential for a researcher or statistician while dealing with comparisons test with more than two variables. Multiple testing statistical tests provides a structural system and minimizes the error rate by helping to derive meaningful accurate conclusions. Among the different multiple test procedures Tukey's honestly significant difference test (Tukey's HSD) is most common and popular techniques. The main objective of this study was to explore how significantly selection of confidence level or error rate can affect the rate of committing type I error while drawing conclusion. The effect of committing type I error with selection of confidence level or error rate was explored with citing suitable case study in a special education setting. The case study focuses cognitive effect of music on growth and enhancement of the motor behavior (running, jumping and sliding) of children with mild intellectual disability enrolled in the special school setting. ANOVA test was performed and the significance of selection of individual confidence level and simultaneous confidence level) in Tukey’s HSD test was described.

Evaluation of add-on methods for bis-acryl composite resin interim restorations

Researchers are looking into new ways to fight bacteria because antibiotics are becoming less effective. This has sparked interest in phytochemical agents and metal oxide nanomaterials as substitutes for antimicrobial strategies. This study examined the individual and combined antibacterial effect of extracts of red garlic (RG) and white garlic (WG) (Allium sativum) with zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO?) nanoparticles against bacteria isolated from university hostel wastewater. Wastewater samples were collected aseptically from two female hostels at Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Nigeria. Bacterial isolates were characterised by morphological and biochemical methods, and antibiotic susceptibility was profiled by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI, 2022) guidelines. We assessed the antibacterial activity using the agar well diffusion and disc methods. Data analysis was carried out by one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey honest significant difference (HSD) test (p &lt; 0.05). A total of eight isolates were identified, namely Bacillus cereus (50%), Escherichia coli (25%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.5%), and Staphylococcus aureus (12.5%). Ethanol extracts produced larger zones of inhibition (Zoo) than aqueous extracts across all treatment combinations (p &lt; 0.001). Combinations containing ZnO led to zones of inhibition (ZoI) up to 24 mm, while similar combinations with TiO? reached 22 mm. The combination of RG and TiO? in aqueous solution had the maximum ZoI on Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22 mm). Escherichia coli was the organism more resistant to individual and aqueous garlic preparations. At least one combination of ethanol agar wells achieved CSI ‘Susceptible’ threshold of 13 mm for all isolates. The synergy of Garlic-ZnO exhibits significant antibacterial activity against pathogens from wastewater, which advocates further studies on minimum inhibitory concentrations, biofilm disruption, and in-vivo safety.

Effect of chemical surface treatment of titanium on its bond with dental ceramics

This article demonstrates how important it is to find the optimal heating conditions when electrospun organic/inorganic composite fibers are annealed to get ceramic nanofibers in appropriate quality (crystal structure, composition, and morphology) and to avoid their disintegration. Polyvinylpyrrolidone [PVP, (C6H9NO) n ] and ammonium metatungstate [AMT, (NH4)6[H2W12O40]·nH2O] nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning aqueous solutions of PVP and AMT. The as-spun fibers and their annealing were characterized by TG/DTA-MS, XRD, SEM, Raman, and FTIR measurements. The 400–600 nm thick and tens of micrometer long PVP/AMT fibers decomposed thermally in air in four steps, and pure monoclinic WO3 nanofibers formed between 500 and 600 °C. When a too high heating rate and heating temperature (10 °C min−1, 600 °C) were used, the WO3 nanofibers completely disintegrated. At lower heating rate but too high temperature (1 °C min−1, 600 °C), the fibers broke into rods. If the heating rate was adequate, but the annealing temperature was too low (1 °C min−1, 500 °C), the nanofiber morphology was excellent, but the sample was less crystalline. When the optimal heating rate and temperature (1 °C min−1, 550 °C) were applied, WO3 nanofibers with excellent morphology (250 nm thick and tens of micrometer long nanofibers, which consisted of 20–80 nm particles) and crystallinity (monoclinic WO3) were obtained. The FTIR and Raman measurements confirmed that with these heating parameters the organic matter was effectively removed from the nanofibers and monoclinic WO3 was present in a highly crystalline and ordered form.

High percentage of biomechanical complications such as screw loosening in dental implants can be related to implant-abutment (I/A) connection properties which affect the behavior of implant assembly against functional loads in the oral cavity. The aims of the present study were to compare the reverse torque values (RTVs) and failure loads of three abutment types with internal Morse taper connection. In this experimental in vitro study, eighteen implants (4.5 mm × 10 mm bone level implants, Implantium, Dentium Co, Seoul, South Korea) were divided into three groups with different abutments: two-piece (TP) abutment, one-piece (OP) abutment, and screw abutment (SA), mounted in stainless-steel blocks according to ISO 14801. After completion the torque/detorque protocol, a compressive load (1 mm/min) was applied at 30° off-axis until failure. Mean reverse torque/tightening torque (RT/TT) values and failure loads were analyzed with one-way ANOVA test and Tukey's honest significant difference (α = 0.05). Failure modes were evaluated by radiography and stereomicroscopy. RT/TT values in the TP group were lower than those in other groups (P < 0.001). Highest failure loads were observed in SA group (P = 0.002). In radiographic evaluation, all specimens showed deformation in I/A interface. I/A connections with larger surface areas may lead to higher RTVs (e.g., OP and SA groups). Use of an additional screw and indexed area in TP group did not reduce the bending resistance under static loading.

In recent years, postharvest loss has been a serious concern. However, knowledge of the mechanical properties is vital to developing any postharvest technology for rice production better. The objective of this research is to conduct a comparative analysis of the mechanical properties of selected paddy rice at different variety-moisture content interactions. The mechanical properties of AGRA rice, CRI-Amankwatia, CRI-Enapa, and CRI-Dartey, four local varieties developed in Ghana, are compared at 11.5%, 13.0% and 16.5% on wet basis moisture content. Tukey's Honest Significant Difference (HSD) comparisons test was conducted during data analysis to compare all possible pairwise combinations of the various varieties and moisture content interaction. From the results, it was concluded that CRI-Dartey, at 16.5%, recorded the highest Sphericity and Aspect Ratio of 0.391 mm3 and 0.298 mm3, respectively. For grain mass, AGRA rice at 13.0% also recorded 0.0312 g as the highest score. The GM1000, Angle of Repose and Bulk density CRI-Amankwatia at 16.5 % moisture content recorded the highest score of 29.33 g, 47.3o, and 654.0 kg/m3, respectively. AGRA rice at 13.0% observed the highest value of 1685.8 for kg/m3 true density, and the highest value for porosity was 70.83%, which was recorded by CRI-Enapa at 11.5 % moisture content. In all cases, the difference in mean value was less than the Least Square Difference. This indicates that there were no significant statistical differences between their mean values, indicating that technologies developed and adapted for one variety can equally be used for all the other varieties. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 14(1): 18-29, June 2024

In this investigation, we evaluate the effect of Bacillus spp. and vermicompost on the growth of cherry tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L., fruits. We used four treatments: 1. Vermicompost (112 g). 2. Vermicompost (112 g) in combination with the consortium of bacteria of the genus Bacillus (B. subtilis, B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki, B. pumilus, and B. amyloliquefaciens) at a concentration of 1x108 colony forming units (CFU)/mL and in a dosasge of 3 mL/L of water. 3. The consortium of bacteria of the genus Bacillus at the concentration and dose mentioned and, 4. Control (untreated soil). Our experimental design was in the completely randomized design with three replications. We used the tomato fruit's weight, horizontal diameter, and vertical diameter as variable responses. Significant differences between treatments were assessed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and classified with Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) test. The assumptions of normality, homogeneity of variations, and data independence were verified. The Wilcoxon test was used to assess differences in the chemical composition of the fruits of each treatment. The results showed that the highest values of average fruit weight, 15.21 g and 12.99 g, were statistically equivalent obtained with T2 and T3; correspondingly compared to 11.86 g obtained in the control. There were no statistical differences between treatments in the vertical and horizontal diameter. It is concluded that the application of vermicompost in combination with the Bacillus consortium (T2); or individually (T3), significantly increases fruit weight and improves the nutritional value (N, P, K, Ca, S, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, B, and Na).