Preliminary Evaluation of a NitrAdine-Based Brushing Solution for Patients Suffering from Gingivitis: A Prospective Clinical Case–Control Study

Objectives This article aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a nonantibiotic biofilm-removal formulation based on NitrAdine (PerioTabs), combined with a regular home oral hygiene regimen, in Caucasian patients with gingivitis. Materials and Methods A sample of 60 patients were included in this clinical prospective study. All selected subjects underwent regular prophylaxis and professional oral hygiene at baseline; 30 days later, they were recalled for the measurements of the reference parameters about bleeding on probing (full-mouth bleeding upon probing score [FMBS]) and plaque index (full-mouth plaque score [FMPS]); no other clinical procedure was performed. Consequently, half of the patients (n = 30) were instructed to use PerioTabs for 10 days. The remaining patients (n = 30) were used as the negative control, only instructed to continue with their usual oral hygiene regimen. Fifteen days after, the clinical parameters of FMBS and FMPS were re-evaluated in both groups. Results Changes in the scores of clinical indices FMBS and FMPS were calculated and compared. A significant difference between pre- and post-values, for both FMBS and FMPS, was noticed in the test group; in particular, the bleeding index value demonstrated the more significant changes: 22 participants showed a clinically meaningful improvement, and 5 had a small improvement. Only three patients had no evidence of change. In addition, 50% of patients had a reduction in plaque levels. No side effects were reported. Conclusions The adjunctive use of 10-day PerioTabs treatment in the daily oral hygiene routine seemed to be efficient in reducing gingival bleeding and plaque accumulation, with absence of adverse effects. These results should be confirmed in studies with a larger number of participants following a controlled-blinded design.

Competing feedback in an idealized tide-influenced delta network

The morphodynamic evolution of river deltas is intimately tied to flow and sediment partitioning at bifurcations. In this work, we investigate the long-term equilibrium configuration of a simple delta network using an analytical model, which accounts for the effect of small tidal oscillations.Differently from individual bifurcations, where tidal action is always a stabilizing factor, in the case of a tree-like delta with multiple bifurcations a dual response emerges.Specifically, depending on the values of four reference parameters function of tidal amplitude, upstream flow conditions, and on the geometry of the channels, tides can either promote or discourage an unbalanced discharge distribution. This behavior primarily concerns the apex bifurcation, which is affected by the variations of the relative tidal amplitude at the internal nodes. In turn these variations depend on how flow and sediment are diverted upstream. Finally, we discuss the outcomes of the model performing a qualitative comparison with field and experimental tide-influenced deltas. Results highlight the need of including in a unified scheme river-influenced (i.e. depositional) and tide-influenced (i.e. erosional) effects.

Overall fuzzy logic control strategy of direct driven PMSG wind turbine connected to grid

The fuzzy logic strategies reported in the literature about the control of direct drive permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) connected to grid are limited in terms of inclusiveness and efficiency. So an overall control based on fuzzy logic and anti-windup compensation is proposed in this paper. Aiming at the inadequate of hill climb search (HCS) MPPT with fixed step size, the fuzzy logic is introduced in the stage of "generating rotor speed reference" to overcome the oscillations and slowness in traditional method. PI controllers are replaced by anti-windup fuzzy logic controllers in the "machine side control" stage and in "grid side control" stage to pertinently regulate the reference parameters. Then comparison tests with classical methods are implemented under varying climatic conditions. The results obtained demonstrate that the developed control is superior to other methods in response time (less than 4.528E-04 s), precision (an overshoot about 0.41%) and quality of produced energy (efficiency is 91%). The study verifying the feasibility and effectiveness of this algorithm in PMSG wind turbine connected to grid.

Heronian Mean Operators Based on Novel Complex Linear Diophantine Uncertain Linguistic Variables and Their Applications in Multi-Attribute Decision Making

In this manuscript, we combine the notion of linear Diophantine fuzzy set (LDFS), uncertain linguistic set (ULS), and complex fuzzy set (CFS) to elaborate the notion of complex linear Diophantine uncertain linguistic set (CLDULS). CLDULS refers to truth, falsity, reference parameters, and their uncertain linguistic terms to handle problematic and challenging data in factual life impasses. By using the elaborated CLDULSs, some operational laws are also settled. Furthermore, by using the power Einstein (PE) aggregation operators based on CLDULS: the complex linear Diophantine uncertain linguistic PE averaging (CLDULPEA), complex linear Diophantine uncertain linguistic PE weighted averaging (CLDULPEWA), complex linear Diophantine uncertain linguistic PE Geometric (CLDULPEG), and complex linear Diophantine uncertain linguistic PE weighted geometric (CLDULPEWG) operators, and their useful results are elaborated with the help of some remarkable cases. Additionally, by utilizing the expounded works dependent on CLDULS, I propose a multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) issue. To decide the quality of the expounded works, some mathematical models are outlined. Finally, the incomparability and relative examination of the expounded approaches with the assistance of graphical articulations are evolved.

Applicability of photoelectrical solar units inside domical structures in northern conditions

The possibility of installing photoelectrical solar units inside domical structures with the maintenance of their power generation level was investigated; an optimal distance between a photoelectrical solar unit and the transparent walls of the respective domical structure was determined. The experiments were carried out at the North-Eastern Federal University in the central part of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) by determining reduction in the electrical energy efficiency of photoelectrical solar units when changing their location. An optimal distance for installing such units within transparent domical structures was found based on graphical interpretations and gradients. The authors obtained reference parameters for light flux reduction, the generation power of a photoelectrical solar unit when changing the operation medium, and the optimal distance of a photoelectrical solar unit inside a domical structure for reducing the surface contamination of the unit. It was found that, when photoelectrical solar units are operated within a transparent domical structure, the power generation falls by 25.61% as compared to actual results in open space. It was found that an increase in the distance between the transparent walls of the domical structure and the unit led to a decrease in the power generation by ~23.01% and the light flux power by 5.224% at 1.5 m. This method of installing photoelectrical solar units can be used in the construction and designing of smart home systems and autonomous power generation facilities in northern regions of Russia.

Spherical Linear Diophantine Fuzzy Soft Rough Sets with Multi-Criteria Decision Making

Modeling uncertainties with spherical linear Diophantine fuzzy sets (SLDFSs) is a robust approach towards engineering, information management, medicine, multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) applications. The existing concepts of neutrosophic sets (NSs), picture fuzzy sets (PFSs), and spherical fuzzy sets (SFSs) are strong models for MCDM. Nevertheless, these models have certain limitations for three indexes, satisfaction (membership), dissatisfaction (non-membership), refusal/abstain (indeterminacy) grades. A SLDFS with the use of reference parameters becomes an advanced approach to deal with uncertainties in MCDM and to remove strict limitations of above grades. In this approach the decision makers (DMs) have the freedom for the selection of above three indexes in [0,1]. The addition of reference parameters with three index/grades is a more effective approach to analyze DMs opinion. We discuss the concept of spherical linear Diophantine fuzzy numbers (SLDFNs) and certain properties of SLDFSs and SLDFNs. These concepts are illustrated by examples and graphical representation. Some score functions for comparison of LDFNs are developed. We introduce the novel concepts of spherical linear Diophantine fuzzy soft rough set (SLDFSRS) and spherical linear Diophantine fuzzy soft approximation space. The proposed model of SLDFSRS is a robust hybrid model of SLDFS, soft set, and rough set. We develop new algorithms for MCDM of suitable clean energy technology. We use the concepts of score functions, reduct, and core for the optimal decision. A brief comparative analysis of the proposed approach with some existing techniques is established to indicate the validity, flexibility, and superiority of the suggested MCDM approach.

Linear Diophantine Uncertain Linguistic Power Einstein Aggregation Operators and Their Applications to Multiattribute Decision Making

Linear Diophantine uncertain linguistic set (LDULS) is a modified variety of the fuzzy set (FS) to manage problematic and inconsistent information in actual life troubles. LDULS covers the grade of truth, grade of falsity, and their reference parameters with the uncertain linguistic term (ULT) with a rule 0 ≤ α AMG u AMG x + β ANG v AMG x ≤ 1 , where 0 ≤ α AMG + β ANG ≤ 1 . In this study, the principle of LDULS and their useful laws are elaborated. Additionally, the power Einstein (PE) aggregation operator (AO) is a conventional sort of AO utilized in innovative decision-making troubles, which is effective to aggregate the family of numerical elements. To determine the interrelationship between any numbers of arguments, we elaborate the linear Diophantine uncertain linguistic PE averaging (LDULPEA), linear Diophantine uncertain linguistic PE weighted averaging (LDULPEWA), linear Diophantine uncertain linguistic PE geometric (LDULPEG), and linear Diophantine uncertain linguistic PE weighted geometric (LDULPEWG) operators; then, we discuss their useful results. Conclusively, a decision-making methodology is utilized for the multiattribute decision-making (MADM) dilemma with elaborated information. A sensible illustration is specified to demonstrate the accessibility and rewards of the intended technique by comparison with certain prevailing techniques. The intended AOs are additional comprehensive than the prevailing ones to exploit the ambiguous and inaccurate knowledge. Numerous remaining operators are chosen as individual incidents of the suggested one. Ultimately, the supremacy and advantages of the elaborated operators are also discussed with the help of the geometrical form to show the validity and consistency of explored operators.

Hematological and biochemical profile of captive brown-throated sloths Bradypus variegatus, Schinz 1825, feeding on ambay pumpwood Cecropia pachystachya Trécul 1847

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to establish reference parameters for the hematological and biochemical levels of five healthy captive sloths of the speciesBradypus variegatus(brown-throated sloth) feeding onCecropia pachystachya(Ambay pumpwood), alternating with a period of free diet in the Dois Irmãos State Park (DISP) Recife, Pernambuco - Brazil.

Two and Three-Dimensional Echocardiography in Primary Mitral Regurgitation: Practical Hints to Optimize the Surgical Planning

Primary mitral regurgitation (MR) is the second most common valvular disease, characterized by a high burden in terms of quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. Surgical treatment is considered the best therapeutic strategy for patients with severe MR, especially if they are symptomatic. However, pre-operative echocardiographic evaluation is an essential step not only for surgical candidate selection but also to avoid post-operative complications. Therefore, a strong collaboration between cardiologists and cardiac surgeons is fundamental in this setting. A meticulous pre-operative echocardiographic exam, both with transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography, followed by a precise report containing anatomical information and parameters should always be performed to optimize surgical planning. Moreover, intraoperative transesophageal evaluation is often required by cardiac surgeons as it may offer additive important information with different hemodynamic conditions. Three-dimensional echocardiography has recently gained higher consideration and availability for the evaluation of MR, providing more insights into mitral valve geometry and MR mechanism. This review paper aims to realize a practical overview on the main use of basic and advanced echocardiography in MR surgical planning and to provide a precise checklist with reference parameters to follow when performing pre-operative echocardiographic exam, in order to aid cardiologists to provide a complete echocardiographic evaluation for MR operation planning from clinical and surgical point-of-view.

DXA reference values of the humanoid sheep model in preclinical studies

Background Merino land sheep are a popular pre-clinical large animal model in research on systemic skeletal diseases such as osteoporosis. Interpretation of studies is difficult because many reference parameters are missing or not established. This study aims to determine the reference parameters of the skeletal system (peak bone mass = PBM, T-Score). A defined standard allows an easier comparison of the study data of the animal model with human studies (T-Score). Materials and methods A total of 116 Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry DXA measurements were performed on 74 untreated sheep. The average age of the animals was 57 months. The BMD, BMC, and fat content of the sheep were determined by the relevant human region of interest (ROI). From this, the PBM and from this the T-score for each of the animals were calculated. Results Using 682 DXA measurements BMD and BMC were determined to provide an indication to PBM. For BMD a significant correlation to the age of the animals was observed (p = 0.043). A significant correlation was also seen for BMC (B) (p ≤ 0.001). In the age-dependent analysis, a widespread of values above the linear regression line was measured for both BMD and BMC between the 50th and 90th months of life. From an age of about 90 months, a wider spread of values below the linear regression line was found, although the average values continued to rise. Discussion The evaluation of the 116 DXA measurements allowed the determination of the PBM for merino land sheep. With the help of the PBM, a T-score was calculated for each animal. The statistical analysis shows significant differences in BMD values between the different animal groups in each of the four ROIs investigated. Individual control or sham groups per study are therefore not sufficient. To improve comparability, an independent reference group should be established. Conclusion An independent reference group for PBM and a T-score was established from four to six-year-old animals. The bone density increases with the age of the animals. Around the fourth year of life, a first peak could be observed. Also, after the seventh year of life, a further peak with the beginning plateau phase was observed. When compiling a group of animals for an osteoporosis model, animals from the age of seven years should, therefore, be used.