Ex-vivo imaging of buccal and oral periodontal bone with low-dose CBCT in porcine jaws

Objectives: New CBCT devices have been developed which can provide “low-dose CBCTs (LD-CBCT)”. Aim of this study is to investigate the suitability of LD-CBCT for measurement of alveolar buccal/oral bone. Methods and materials: Vestibular and oral bone loss of the teeth of seven porcine mandibles free of soft tissues were investigated by Micro-CT and three CBCT-modes: high-dose (HD), standard-dose (SD) and low-dose (LD). Radiographic measurements of bone loss (bl) and vestibular and oral bone thickness (bt) were made by two raters at 69 sites. Measurement means and differences, Intraclass correlation (ICC) and Bland–Altman plots were calculated. Results: ICCs between raters(r) concerning bl were 0.954 for HD, 0.949 for SD and 0.945 for LD; concerning bt they were 0.872 for HD, 0.845 for SD and 0.783 for LD. Means of differences of bt measurements were −0.01 mm(r1)/0.00 mm(r2) for HD, 0.04 mm(r1)/0.02 mm(r2) for SD and 0.02 mm(r1)/0.04 mm(r2) for LD; for bl measurements they were 0.06 mm(r1)/0.05 mm(r2) for HD, −0.01 mm(r1)/0.13 mm(r2) for SD and 0.07 mm(r1)/0.16 mm(r2) for LD. Linear regression indicates no noticeable differences between methods and the raters with respect to bl and bt. Conclusions Relating to the CBCT-device used in this study, LD-CBCT is a promising method to detect and describe buccal and oral periodontal bl and bt. Further studies with human anatomic structures must confirm these results.

Looking into bubbles in financial markets and the emotional side of corporate forecast completion through modeling in the structured query language of financial databases

Subject. The study focuses on a set of financial and economic indicators of corporate performance and metrics of the financial market actors’ sentiment, financial indicators in markets and the way they change over time as markets face dramatic events. The article discusses techniques for applying the information of the financial and economic condition in modeling based on structured word language. Objectives. Analyzing key Russian and foreign sentiment measurement means, I try to create a toolkit, which would be applicable to the valuation and provides a balanced view of the financial and economic condition of companies with reference to the market sentiment. Methods. The article applies methods of induction and deduction, modeling. I demonstrate the relationship of methods and the methodology with new technological means of modern IT systems. Results. Modeling the completion of forecasts, plans and measuring the sentiment, I discovered that key statements and behavioral finance mechanisms manifested in the process. Modeling based on two scenarios and two types of models appeared to be the most illustrative. When forecasts, profit and revenue turn to be higher than expected and when they are lower. Studying bubbles in financial markets, I coined a respective model tested with cases of air lines. The applicable tests, such as the quality of revenue, percentage of deferred income in revenue, sentiment index of the companies show that revenue indicators and sentiment indices are on average poorer in companies with the worst indicators on the sample. Conclusions and Relevance. Given new capabilities of modern information systems, financial analysts get more opportunities for programming, creating user models with needed configurations and extensive database. There we have simplified primary data collection and processing when financial analysts use the data. The findings are applicable to practices of modern appraisers, cost and fundamental analysts. The use of models herein supplements and expands a conventional set of valuation tools and improves the quality of valuation.

Reliability of Markers for Breast Hypoplasia in the Early Postpartum Period

Background Breast hypoplasia is one reason for insufficient milk supply. Case reports use wide intra-mammary width and certain breast appearances as markers of breast hypoplasia. However, the reliability of these variables has not been determined. Research aims To test the (i) interrater and intrarater reliability of intra-mammary width measurement and interrater reliability of categorizing women’s breasts into breast types, and (ii) feasibility and acceptability of study procedures for the participants. Methods This was a prospective, longitudinal, non-experimental design with survey and observational components of a convenience sample of early postpartum women ( N = 31). Interrater and intrarater reliability were measured using intraclass correlation coefficient for agreement for intra-mammary width measurements. Interrater reliability was measured using weighted kappa for agreement for categorizing breast type. Feasibility and acceptability of study procedures were collected 1 month later. Results Excellent intrarater and interrater reliability for the intra-mammary width measurement (ICC = 0.99, 95% CI [0.99, 0.997] and ICC = 0.88, 95% CI [0.74, 0.94], respectively) and fair interrater reliability for breast type categorization (k = 0.35, 95% CI [−0.05, 0.75]) with high level of agreement between raters (97%) were achieved. Proportions of participants agreeing to breast photography and acceptability of study procedures were 68% (21/31) and 100% (28/28) respectively. Conclusion The excellent reliability for the intra-mammary width measurement means it provides a useful measure for future research. Since the “fair” reliability of categorizing breast type was due to lack of breast shape range in our sample, future research could assess the breasts of women with different medical profiles.

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE CONDITIONS OF DIGITAL ECONOMY FORMATION

The article substantiates that the successful development of the digital economy is closely linked to progress in several “frontier technologies”, among which the most important are such software-oriented technologies as Blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is determined that together these technologies provide new opportunities for better analysis, processing and use of digital information, which gives new opportunities for companies to improve their efficiency by offering new, more personalized products and services. In general, the article analyzes the leading technologies used in the formation of the digital economy, identifies their essence, types, and methods of practical application. The properties, potential advantages, and risks of blockchain technology are studied. The article gives examples of companies that use blockchain. They represent such areas as finance, data management, energy, government, transport, health. The main components of the Internet of Things are identified. These include means of identification, means of measurement, means of data transmission, means of data processing, performing devices. The hierarchy of the Internet of Things is also given. It consists of personal wearable devices, smart homes, and smart industry (industrial internet). The phases of the “industrial Internet” development are presented. The essence and constituent characteristics of Big Data are determined. Among them: volume, velocity, variety, value, veracity, variability, visualization. It is determined that the key sources of Big Data are information from the Internet; readings of various devices; corporate information. The competitive advantages of companies that use Big Data are given. Also, the advantages and models of using cloud technologies are described. The essence and components of artificial intelligence are determined. An example of its application in the economic activity of companies is presented.

The Necessity and Complexity of Standardization

The standards are one of the most important infrastructural elements of the economy. The relationship between all factors ensuring product quality and safety is carried out by using complex standardization. The standards establish and ensure the technically achievable level of safety, quality and competitiveness of products. The main factors of standardization object: the object composition, object production and monitoring, in their turn, form the following more precise groups of factors, determining the object quality: primary products and materials, component nodes and parts, production technology, equipment, tools and appliances, measurement means, and test methods. On the example of a specific standard, the "tree of references" of the first and second levels and the problems of an integrated approach for establishing quality requirements for a specific product is considered. The necessity and complexity of updating the requirements that ensure the systematization, optimization and coordination of all interacting factors influencing a specific object of standardization and providing an economically optimal level of quality of the object are demonstrated

Accuracy of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography in Measuring the Thickness of Radicular Dentin

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in measuring radicular dentin thickness focused on intraradicular post placement planning treatment. Ten single-rooted human premolars were selected. The teeth were divided into three segments (cervical, middle and apical). The coronal face of the apical and middle sections was selected for the dentin thickness assessment; which was measured from the external root surface to the root canal wall, on the buccal, lingual, mesial, and distal surfaces of each tooth. In situ anatomical measurement was the reference standard, and the corresponding axial CBCT imaging were evaluated by the i-CAT software. The one-way ANOVA test and the Bonferroni post hoc test were applied to compare the groups (p>0.05). CBCT imaging measurements (p=0.003) overestimated the radicular dentin thickness compared to the reference standard. Descriptive analysis showed that the greatest difference between the reference standard and the tomographic measurement means were 0.20 mm. One-way ANOVA test found the statistical significant difference among group’s measurements. Bonferroni correction demonstrated statistically significant difference only related lingual surface for the CBCT imaging measurements. CBCT imaging measurements overestimated the radicular dentin thickness. However, the measurement difference was clinically acceptable.

Seeing Beyond Traditional Measurement: Recognizing the Value of the Experience of the Place, the People, and Their Work

Seeing beyond traditional measurement means knowing the story behind the outcome. It means recognizing the value of the experience of the place, the people, and their work. The global community recognizes the crucial need to end preventable child deaths, making it an essential part of the Global Strategy for Women, Children, and Adolescent Health (2016–2030) and the third Sustainable Development Goal to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all people at all ages (World Health Organization, 2019). This article shares statistically significant results of a nursing training initiative at Whispers Magical Children's Hospital (WMCH) in Jinja, Uganda, in sub-Saharan Africa where the region persists with the highest under-five mortality rate in the world. But the richer data yield can be found in the experiences of two in-country visits. Finding ways to create educational efforts for nurses in underserved geographical areas is critical to the improvement of the health status of their communities. Bringing health technology to these areas will improve the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care by nurses, with a direct effect of positively influencing the health status of women, children, and communities.

Effectiveness Evaluation of Financing Platform Operation of Buildings Energy Saving Transformation Using ANP-Fuzzy in China: An Empirical Study

Building energy saving transformation is an inevitable requirement to achieve sustainable development, which can bring considerable economic, environmental, and social benefits. The key to healthy development of the market lies in the orderly operation of the financing platform. The effectiveness of the financing platform depends on scientific evaluation. Therefore, it is necessary to design a set of systematic and practical evaluation indicators for operational effectiveness of the buildings energy saving transformation financing platform, so as to provide reference for the effective operation of the financing platform, and provide measurement means for scholars to conduct quantitative research on the financing platform. This paper analyzes the effectiveness evaluation content for the financing platform operation of buildings energy saving transformation from the two levels of operation mechanism and operation subject behavior. Combined with the particularity of the financing platform of building energy saving transformation, the operational effectiveness evaluation index system of the financing platform is designed from three levels. The Analytic Network Process (ANP) method is applied to construct network structure, to describe element correlation, and to calculate index weight. The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (Fuzzy) method was used to carry out quantitative evaluation of qualitative indicators. The Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) financing platform in Beijing was taken as an example to make an empirical analysis. The results show that the operational effectiveness evaluation system of the financing platform of buildings energy saving transformation constructed in this paper has certain practicability. In this evaluation system, scores of target consistency, the degree of information sharing among departments and coordination of operation mechanism are low. Finally, some policy suggestions are put forward to optimize financing platform of buildings energy saving transformation in China.