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Purpose: To assess satisfaction and preference among rugby union players for custom mouthguards with and without labial reinforcement, and to assess discomfort and perceived protection. Materials and Methods: This prospective RCT used a crossover design of four 1-week periods to compare conventional (Type A) and labial reinforced (Type B) customized mouthguards for rugby union players from February to May 2022. Type B mouthguards included a 0.75-mm insert of polyethylene terephthalate glycol (Duran) in the anterior labial region. We ensured intraoral occlusion accommodation for both mouthguards. Players wore each mouthguard type when training and in competitive matches for 2 weeks according to one of two randomized sequences. After each session, they rated the mouthguard on 10-point scales regarding discomfort, functional interference, protection, and general satisfaction. After 4 weeks, we asked participants to nominate their preferred mouthguard. Results: In total, 22 of the 24 invited players (16 men and 6 women) were included. We observed no significant differences in discomfort, functional interference, protection, or general satisfaction by mouthguard type (P > .05, Wilcoxon test). Ultimately, 12 players (55%) preferred the Type A mouthguard and 10 (45%) preferred the Type B mouthguard (P = .832; one-sample binomial test). No serious adverse events occurred. Conclusions: Labial reinforcement does not affect satisfaction, perceived comfort and protection, or mouthguard preference among rugby union players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background Materials and Methods Results Conclusions Sports dentistry aims to prevent and manage orofacial injuries, tooth fractures, tooth loss, and soft tissue trauma during sport activities. Mouthguards are appliances that protect athletes from dental trauma during contact sports. The video‐sharing platform YouTube has a large number of informative videos about mouthguards. This study aimed to analyze the quality, accuracy, and reliability of YouTube videos about mouthguards, investigate the relationship between the features and the quality of mouthguard videos on YouTube, and provide suggestions for future informative content about mouthguards and sports dentistry.The first 100 videos for each keyword from YouTube were collected using the keywords “mouthguard,” “sports mouthguard,” and “mouthguard and dental trauma.” Videos meeting the inclusion criteria were categorized based on publisher (dental professionals and nonprofessionals) and type (animation/slideshow, interview, and product introduction). Video features were recorded. Video content quality, reliability, and accuracy were measured by the Video Information and Quality Index (VIQI), the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks, the DISCERN Instrument, the Global Quality Scale (GQS), and the usefulness score. Data were analyzed using SPSS (IBM 29.0) at a 95% statistical significance level (p = 0.05).Out of 300 videos, 80 videos were included. Most of the videos were uploaded by dental professionals (n = 49). The average values of the VIQI, JAMA, DISCERN, and GQS scores were 15.33 out of 20.0, 1.38 out of 4.00, 49.24 out of 80.0, and 2.99 out of 5.00, respectively. Videos uploaded by dental professionals had significantly higher scores in VIQI, JAMA, DISCERN, GQS, and usefulness scores but exhibited a lower number of likes, comments, and views (p < 0.05). Of all included videos, 51% (n = 41) were categorized as “moderately useful” and 10% (n = 8) as “very useful.”Mouthguard videos uploaded by dental professionals are more useful, accurate, and of higher quality. Therefore, patients should consider the information shared by dental professionals. Greater participation from dentists in sharing high‐quality content would be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to illustrate how contact (from match‐event data) and head acceleration event (HAE) (from instrumented mouthguard [iMG]) data can be combined to inform match limits within rugby. Match‐event data from one rugby union and rugby league season, including all competitive matches involving players from the English Premiership and Super League, were used. Playing exposure was summarised as full game equivalents (FGE; total minutes played/80). Expected contact and HAE exposures at arbitrary thresholds were estimated using match‐event and iMG data. Generalised linear models were used to identify differences in contact and HAE exposure per FGE. For 30 FGEs, forwards had greater contact than backs in rugby union (n = 1272 vs. 618) and league (n = 1569 vs. 706). As HAE magnitude increased, the differences between positional groups decreased (e.g., rugby union; n = 34 and 22 HAE >40 g for forwards and backs playing 30 FGEs). Currently, only a relatively small proportion of rugby union (2.5%) and league (7.3%) players exceeded 25 FGEs. Estimating contact and HAEs per FGE allows policymakers to prospectively plan and model estimated overall and position‐specific loads over a season and longer term. Reducing FGE limits by a small amount would currently only affect contact and HAE exposure for a small proportion of players who complete the most minutes. This may be beneficial for this cohort but is not an effective HAE and contact exposure reduction strategy at a population level, which requires individual player management. Given the positional differences, FGE limits should exist to manage appropriate HAE and contact exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background/Objectives Materials and Methods Results Conclusion The use of different models for the fabrication of custom‐fit mouthguards (MTGs) can affect their final thickness, adaptation, and shock‐absorption properties. This study aimed to evaluate the adaptation, thickness, and shock absorption of ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA) thermoplastic MTGs produced using conventional plaster or three‐dimensional (3D) printed models.A typical model with simulated soft gum tissue was used as the reference model to produce MTGs with the following two different protocols: plast‐MTG using a conventional impression and plaster model (n = 10) and 3DPr‐MTG using a digital scanning and 3D printed model (n = 10). A custom‐fit MTG was fabricated using EVA sheets (Bioart) plasticized over different models. The MTG thickness (mm), internal adaptation (mm) to the typodontic model, and voids in the area (mm2) between the two EVA layers were measured using cone‐beam computed tomography images and Mimics software (Materialize). The shock absorption of the MTG was measured using a strain‐gauge test with a pendulum impact at 30° with a steel ball over the typodont model with and without MTGs. Data were analyzed using one‐way analysis of variance with repeated measurements, followed by Tukey's post hoc tests.The 3DPr‐MTG showed better adaptation than that of the Plast‐MTG at the incisal/occlusal and lingual tooth surfaces (p < 0.001). The 3DPr‐MTG showed a thickness similar to that of the Plast‐MTG, irrespective of the measured location. MTGs produced using both model types significantly reduced the strain values during horizontal impact (3DPr‐MTG 86.2% and Plast‐MTG 87.0%) compared with the control group without MTG (p < 0.001).The MTGs showed the required standards regarding thickness, adaptation, and biomechanical performance, suggesting that the number and volume of voids had no significant impact on their functionality. Three‐dimensional printed models are a viable alternative for MTG production, providing better adaptation than the Plast‐MTG at the incisal/occlusal and lingual tooth surfaces and similar performance as the MTG produced with the conventional protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Athletes are at high risk of dehydration, fatigue, and cardiac disorders due to extreme performance in often harsh environments. Despite advancements in sports training protocols, there is an urgent need for a non‐invasive system capable of comprehensive health monitoring. Although a few existing wearables measure athlete's performance, they are limited by a single function, rigidity, bulkiness, and required straps and adhesives. Here, an all‐in‐one, multi‐sensor integrated wearable system utilizing a set of nanomembrane soft sensors and electronics, enabling wireless, real‐time, continuous monitoring of saliva osmolality, skin temperature, and heart functions is introduced. This system, using a soft patch and a sensor‐integrated mouthguard, provides comprehensive monitoring of an athlete's hydration and physiological stress levels. A validation study in detecting real‐time physiological levels shows the device's performance in capturing moments (400–500 s) of synchronized acute elevation in dehydration (350%) and physiological strain (175%) during field training sessions. Demonstration with a few human subjects highlights the system's capability to detect early signs of health abnormality, thus improving the healthcare of sports athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perianaesthetic dental trauma is a common anaesthesia-related complication. Theprevious studies have shown a lack of knowledge regarding mouthguard usage and controversial results related to perianaesthetic dental trauma prevention. This study aimed to conduct a finite element analysis of the compressive and tensile stresses on the tooth-periodontal ligament-bone complex using custom-made mouthguards of different thicknesses and glass fibre splints to prevent perianaesthetic dental trauma. Custom-fitted ethylene-vinyl acetate mouthguards of two different thicknesses (2 and 3 mm) and glass fibre splint were modelled. A linear static finite element analysis was performed by applying a rigid Macintosh laryngoscope to the palatal surface of the maxillary central incisors at 150 N. The model without a mouthguard and glass fibre splint showed the highest stress values at the palatinal root surfaces during the impact. Increasing the mouthguard thickness significantly decreased the stress-strain values regardless of the presence of the glass fibre splint. Maximum stresses in the group using the 3 mm mouthguard were the lowest compared with the other groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: The study aimed to assess the surface characteristics of sports mouthguards under mechanical stresses during cleaning, either by brushing or immersion in disinfectant solutions. Material and Methods: Ethylene‐vinyl acetate samples, 4 mm thick, were randomly assigned to cleaning methods: control (C—no cleaning), brushing with water (B.W), brushing with neutral liquid soap (B.S), brushing with toothpaste (B.T), immersion in distilled water for 10 min (I.W), immersion in 2.25% sodium hypochlorite solution for 10 min (I.SH), and immersion in sodium bicarbonate solution for 5 min (I.SB). All cleaning methods were applied for 28 days. Surface roughness average (Ra) and wettability were measured at baseline for the control group (n = 9), and after cleaning for all the other groups. Results: One‐way ANOVA with Tukey tests (5% significance) indicated significant differences among groups (p <.05). The I.SB group had higher surface roughness than B.S and B.T (p <.05). B.W showed the lowest wettability, significantly lower than B.T, I.W, and I.SB (p <.05). I.SB exhibited the highest wettability, significantly different from sodium hypochlorite, neutral liquid soap, brushing with water, and control groups (p <.05). The sodium bicarbonate immersion group (I.SB) demonstrated greater statistical variation, displaying higher susceptibility to aging compared to brushing with neutral liquid soap. Conclusion: Cleaning mouthguards with a toothbrush, water, and neutral liquid soap emerged as the most promising method, causing minimal surface changes in the material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Mouthguards are crucial for protecting athletes against orofacial injuries, yet concerns persist regarding their potential impact on oral functions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of sports mouthguards on oral functions and speech over time. Material and Methods: Thirty national rugby players received custom‐fitted mouthguards. Questionnaire responses and speech recordings were collected before mouthguard use and at various intervals after using mouthguards: immediately, 1 week, 2 month, and 6 months. Spectrographic analysis was performed to measure voice onset time (VOT) for /p, b, t, d/ phonemes. Questionnaire responses were assessed with Friedman's test, while VOT changes were examined using one‐way repeated measure analysis of variance. Results: Compliance with mouthguard use improved during training and competitions, with consistent wear reported during matches. Over time, speaking difficulties and lisping decreased significantly (p <.001). The perception of nausea improved (p <.001), stabilizing after 1 month (p =.414). Sensations of bulkiness declined (p <.001). Mouth dryness reduced steadily, with no occurrences reported by all players by the end of the study. None of the participants reported bad breath, ulcers, or redness in the mouth. VOT changed immediately after wearing mouthguards (p <.001), gradually regressing toward the baseline, although not completely reaching it. Players held a favorable view of mouthguard use, with comfort and support for mandatory use increasing over time. Conclusions: Custom‐fitted mouthguards do not lead to significant long‐term disruptions in oral functions. Athletes generally adapt to mouthguard use, reporting improved comfort and greater support for their use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of West China Journal of Stomatology is the property of Sichuan University, West China College of Stomatology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aims: The aim of this retrospective clinical study was to compare the 5‐year radiological and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing immediate implantation with or without the modified socket‐shield technique. Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent anterior tooth replacement via the modified socket‐shield technique (MSST) or the conventional immediate implantation technique (CIIT) between 2016 and 2017 were included. The labial bone thickness was assessed at different measurement levels (0, 2, 4 and 6 mm apical to the implant shoulder (IS)) postoperatively (T1), 6 months postoperatively (T2) and 5 years postoperatively (T3). The pink aesthetic score (PES) was evaluated before surgery (T0) and at T2 and T3. Implant success, complications and patient satisfaction were evaluated at every visit. Results: Thirty‐six patients (18 in the MSST group) underwent follow‐up for 5 years, with no cases of implant failure. Two cases of exposure were detected in the MSST group, but there were no significant effects on hard or soft tissue. Patients in the MSST group showed less and more stable bone resorption than did those in the CIIT group at any measurement level and any time. A higher PES was achieved in the MSST group. Patient satisfaction was similar in both groups. Conclusions: The MSST is a reliable immediate implantation method because of its ability to preserve the alveolar bone and provide superior recovery of aesthetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Warm forming holds significant potential in shaping challenging materials due to its comprehensive advantages compared to cold and hot forming. Effective heating is crucial for precise warm forming processes. This study explored an innovative warm air bending technique employing an online local contact heating method. Heat transfer during the preheating stage and the air bending of AZ31B sheets were investigated through experiments and finite element analysis at temperatures ranging from room temperature (24 °C) to 250 °C, considering the thermomechanical coupling effect. The results indicate a significant increase in the bending center angle, advancing from 69.8 deg to more than 119 deg as the heating temperature rises from room temperature to 250 °C. Fractures were effectively eliminated when the sheet heating temperatures exceeded 150 °C. Simultaneously, as the localized heating temperature increases, a corresponding decrease in the rebound angle is observed, reducing from 10.6 deg to 2.3 deg. The findings validate the feasibility of warm air bending using online local contact heating in industrial applications, with regard to forming quality and production efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Immediately after birth, newborn piglets fight to establish a teat order. During this process, lesions appear on the piglets' faces and on the sows' teats, which is why tooth resection is carried out on many farms in Germany even though it is known that this procedure is frequently resulting in pulp openings. The opening of a pulp cave is suspected to cause painful tooth alterations and may be an entrance for infectious agents. The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of tooth resection on skin lesions, development of bodyweight and behaviour in suckling piglets. Four days prepartum, 110 sows in farrow-to-finish production were assigned to one of three treatments. Litters had their teeth left intact (control group, CG), ground with a tea-cup roller head (Tea-cup head grinder group, TCG, Wilofa Diamant, D-56,133 Fachbach, Germany) or ground with a diamond rolling head (rolling head grinder group, RG, IBS/E Company Proxxon GmbH, 54,343 Föhren, Germany). The number of pulp openings in the RG and TCG was examined using a random sample. Piglet body weight and skin lesion scores were recorded within the first 24 h after birth and during each week of the suckling period. Each sow's udder was examined before farrowing, in the second week of lactation and at weaning. The behaviour of the litters from nine sows was video-recorded throughout the suckling period. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tooth grinding by a tea-cup head (compared to grinding by a diamond roller head and no grinding [control group]) on the behaviour and average daily gain of piglets as well as on skin lesions on sow udder. Results: The number of dental injuries was significantly greater in the RG than in the TCG (p < 0.01). Head lesions on piglets were significantly more common in the CG than in the RG (p = 0. 02). Compared to CG piglets, TCG piglets had a significantly greater weight at the end of the suckling period (p = 0.02). No significant difference between treatments was found in the sows' udder (parenchyma, skin, or teat) or in the behaviour of the litters. Conclusion: As tooth grinding is frequently inducing pulp openings, the necessity of the procedure should be carefully and critically scrutinised. In case tooth resection seems inevitable until the underlying management problems have been solved, the Tea-cup grinding head should be used due to significantly fewer pulp openings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomaterial‐based flexible electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding composite films are desirable in many applications of wearable electronic devices. However, much research focuses on improving the EMI shielding performance of materials, while optimizing the comprehensive safety of wearable EMI shielding materials has been neglected. Herein, wearable cellulose nanofiber@boron nitride nanosheet/silver nanowire/bacterial cellulose (CNF@BNNS/AgNW/BC) EMI shielding composite films with sandwich structure are fabricated via a simple sequential vacuum filtration method. For the first time, the electrical safety, biosafety, and thermal safety of EMI shielding materials are optimized integratedly. Since both sides of the sandwich structure contain CNF and BC electrical insulation layers, the CNF@BNNS/AgNW/BC composite films exhibit excellent electrical safety. Furthermore, benefiting from the AgNW conductive networks in the middle layer, the CNF@BNNS/AgNW/BC exhibit excellent EMI shielding effectiveness of 49.95 dB and ultra‐fast response Joule heating performance. More importantly, the antibacterial property of AgNW ensures the biosafety of the composite films. Meanwhile, the AgNW and the CNF@BNNS layers synergistically enhance the thermal conductivity of the CNF@BNNS/AgNW/BC composite film, reaching a high value of 8.85 W m‒1 K‒1, which significantly enhances its thermal safety when used in miniaturized electronic device. This work offers new ideas for fabricating biomaterial‐based EMI shielding composite films with high comprehensive safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Head acceleration events (HAEs) are acceleration responses of the head following external short-duration collisions. The potential risk of brain injury from a single high-magnitude HAE or repeated occurrences makes them a significant concern in sport. Instrumented mouthguards (iMGs) can approximate HAEs. The distinction between sensor acceleration events, the iMG datum for approximating HAEs and HAEs themselves, which have been defined as the in vivo event, is made to highlight limitations of approximating HAEs using iMGs. This article explores the technical limitations of iMGs that constrain the approximation of HAEs and discusses important conceptual considerations for stakeholders interpreting iMG data. The approximation of HAEs by sensor acceleration events is constrained by false positives and false negatives. False positives occur when a sensor acceleration event is recorded despite no (in vivo) HAE occurring, while false negatives occur when a sensor acceleration event is not recorded after an (in vivo) HAE has occurred. Various mechanisms contribute to false positives and false negatives. Video verification and post-processing algorithms offer effective means for eradicating most false positives, but mitigation for false negatives is less comprehensive. Consequently, current iMG research is likely to underestimate HAE exposures, especially at lower magnitudes. Future research should aim to mitigate false negatives, while current iMG datasets should be interpreted with consideration for false negatives when inferring athlete HAE exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Describe head acceleration events (HAEs) experienced by professional male rugby union players during tackle, ball‐carry, and ruck events using instrumented mouthguards (iMGs). Design: Prospective observational cohort. Methods: Players competing in the 2023 Currie Cup (141 players) and Super Rugby (66 players) seasons wore iMGs. The iMG‐recorded peak linear acceleration (PLA) and peak angular acceleration (PAA) were used as in vivo HAE approximations and linked to contact‐event data captured using video analysis. Using the maximum PLA and PAA per contact event (HAEmax), ordinal mixed‐effects regression models estimated the probabilities of HAEmax magnitude ranges occurring, while accounting for the multilevel data structure. Results: As HAEmax magnitude increased the probability of occurrence decreased. The probability of a HAEmax ≥15g was 0.461 (0.435–0.488) (approximately 1 in every 2) and ≥45g was 0.031 (0.025–0.037) (1 in every 32) during ball carries. The probability of a HAEmax >15g was 0.381 (0.360–0.404) (1 in every 3) and >45g 0.019 (0.015–0.023) (1 in every 53) during tackles. The probability of higher magnitude HAEmax occurring was greatest during ball carries, followed by tackles, defensive rucks and attacking rucks, with some ruck types having similar profiles to tackles and ball carries. No clear differences between positions were observed. Conclusion: Higher magnitude HAEmax were relatively infrequent in professional men's rugby union players. Contact events appear different, but no differences were found between positions. The occurrence of HAEmax was associated with roles players performed within contact events, not their actual playing position. Defending rucks may warrant greater consideration in injury prevention research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Instrumented mouthguards (iMGs) are a novel technology being used within rugby to quantify head acceleration events. Understanding practitioners' perceptions of the barriers and facilitators to their use is important to support implementation and adoption. This study assessed men's and women's rugby union and league iMG managers' perceptions of staff and player interest in the technology, data and barriers to use. Forty‐six iMG managers (men's rugby union and league n = 20 and n = 9 and women's rugby union and league n = 7 and n = 10) completed an 18‐question survey. Perceived interest in data varied across staff roles with medical staff being reported as having the most interest. The iMG devices were perceived as easy to use but uncomfortable. Several uses of data were identified, including medical applications, player monitoring and player welfare. The comfort, size and fit of the iMG were reported as the major barriers to player use. Time constraints and a lack of understanding of data were barriers to engagement with the data. Continued education on how iMG data can be used is required to increase player and staff buy‐in, alongside improving comfort of the devices. Studies undertaken with iMGs investigating player performance and welfare outcomes will make data more useful and increase engagement. Highlights: From the perspective of instrumented mouthguard (iMG) managers (appointed practitioners responsible for the collection and analysis of iMG data in sports teams), the iMG technology is easy to use and has important sport science, medical and player welfare applications, yet is rarely used for these purposes in applied practice.To overcome barriers to adoption, technology companies should work closely with athletes to optimise the comfort, size and fit of iMGs and look to address any technological shortcomings perceived by practitioners, such as robustness and data anomalies.Future research should focus on the use of iMGs for sport science, medical and welfare purposes to improve understanding of iMG data and guide practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guardian Caps (GCs) are currently the most popular external helmet add-on designed to reduce the magnitude of head impacts experienced by American football players. Guardian Caps have been endorsed by influential professional organizations; however, few studies evaluating their efficiency are publicly available. To present preliminary on-field head kinematics data for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I American football players using instrumented mouthguards through closely matched preseason workouts with and without GCs. Case series. The 2022 American football preseason. Twenty-five male NCAA Division I student-athletes participating in American football completed some portion of the 6 workouts included in this study. Of the 25 participants, 7 completed all 6 workouts using their instrumented mouthguards. Peak linear acceleration (PLA), peak angular acceleration (PAA), and total impacts were collected via instrumented mouthguards during 3 preseason workouts using traditional helmets (TRAD condition) and 3 using a TRAD and GCs (GC condition). The TRAD and GC values for PLA, PAA, and total impacts were evaluated using analyses of variance. No difference was present between the collapsed mean values for the entire sample between the TRAD and GC conditions for PLA (TRAD = 16.3g ± 2.0g, GC = 17.2g ± 3.3g, P =.20), PAA (TRAD = 992.1 ± 209.2 rad/s2, GC = 1029.4 ± 261.1 rad/s2, P =.51), or the total number of impacts (TRAD = 9.3 ± 4.7, GC = 9.7 ± 5.7, P =.72). Similarly, no difference was observed between the TRAD and GC conditions for PLA (TRAD = 16.1g ± 1.2g, GC = 17.2g ± 2.79g, P =.32), PAA (TRAD = 951.2 ± 95.4 rad/s2, GC = 1038.0 ± 166.8 rad/s2, P =.29), or total impacts (TRAD = 9.6 ± 4.2, GC = 9.7 ± 5.04, P =.32) between sessions for the 7 players who completed all 6 workouts. These data suggested no difference in head kinematics data (PLA, PAA, and total impacts) when GCs were worn. Therefore, GCs may not be effective in reducing the magnitude of head impacts experienced by NCAA Division I American football players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neurocognitive health effects of repetitive head impacts have been examined in many sports. However, characterizations of head impacts for sliding-sport athletes are lacking. To describe head impact kinematics and injury epidemiology in elite athletes during the 2021–2022 Bobsleigh World Cup season. Cross-sectional study. On-track training and competitions during the Bobsleigh World Cup season. Twelve elite bobsleigh athletes (3 pilots [1 female], 9 push athletes [5 females]; age = 30 ± 5 years; female height and weight = 173 ± 8 cm and 75 ± 5 kg, respectively; male height and weight = 183 ± 5 cm and 101 ± 5 kg, respectively). Athletes wore an accelerometer-enabled mouthguard to quantify 6-degrees-of-freedom head impact kinematics. Isometric absolute and relative neck strength, number of head acceleration events (HAEs), workload (J), peak linear velocity (m·s−1), peak angular velocity (rad·s−1), peak linear acceleration (g), and peak angular acceleration (rad·s−2) were derived from mouthguard manufacturer algorithms. Linear mixed-effect models tested the effects of sex (male versus female), setting (training versus competition), and position (pilot versus push athlete) on the kinematic variables. A total of 1900 HAEs were recorded over 48 training and 53 competition days. No differences were found between the number of HAEs per run per athlete by sex (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.82, P =.741), setting (IRR = 0.94, P =.325), or position (IRR = 1.64, P =.463). No sex differences were observed for workload (mean ± SD: males = 3.3 ± 2.2 J, females = 3.1 ± 1.9 J; P =.646), peak linear velocity (males = 1.1 ± 0.3 m·s−1, females = 1.1 ± 0.3 m·s−1; P =.706), peak angular velocity (males = 4.2 ± 2.1 rad·s−1, females = 4.7 ± 2.5 rad·s−1; P =.220), peak linear acceleration (male = 12.4 ± 3.9g, females = 11.9 ± 3.5g; P =.772), or peak angular acceleration (males = 610 ± 353 rad·s−2, females = 680 ± 423 rad·s−2; P =.547). Also, no effects of setting or position on any kinematic variables were seen. Male athletes had greater peak neck strength than female athletes for all neck movements, aside from right-side flexion (P =.085), but no sex differences were noted in relative neck strength. We provide a foundational understanding of the repetitive HAEs that occur in bobsleigh athletes. Future authors should determine the effects of repetitive head impacts on neurocognitive function and mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Contact sports‐related oro‐dental trauma contributes to a significant proportion of sports injuries among school children. Oro‐dental trauma imposes a detrimental impact on the oral health‐related quality of life. However, the burden of oro‐dental trauma among contact sports players and their practices of mouthguards remains a research gap in Sri Lanka. The current study bridges that while providing evidence for contextual changes such as initiating sports dentistry. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among 1340 adolescent contact sports players in Colombo district, Sri Lanka; 63.1% males and 36.9% females (age 13–18), who were enrolled in football, rugby, hockey, boxing, basketball, and martial arts in the school setting. A checklist was administered to obtain demographic information, sports practices, and the use of mouthguards. An oral examination was conducted for those who experienced oro‐dental trauma during the last 12 months. Results: Self‐reported oro‐dental trauma pooled prevalence of the contact sports players was 35.9% (95% CI = 33.3–38.5), with males' preponderance. Dental trauma was present in 23.8% (n = 319), while 15.8% were uncomplicated and 8% were complicated. Soft tissue injuries were present in 12.1% (n = 162). Oro dental trauma (ODT) was highly prevalent among boxing, rugby, and hockey players. Only 20.8% (n = 279) of players used mouthguards. However, 91.0% (n = 254) of them were using ready‐made mouthguards. Mouthguard use and the type of mouthguard showed statistically significant associations across the type of oro‐dental trauma among contact sports players. Conclusions: Contact sports‐related oro‐dental trauma prevalence is as high as 35.9% among Colombo district school children in Sri Lanka. However, their level of mouthguard usage is shallow at 20.8%. Further research is necessary to investigate the reasons behind this, and national guidelines should be developed to prevent and manage sports‐related accidental injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate alveolar bone remodelling and stability of mandibular incisors in adult orthodontic extraction patients. Materials and Methods: Cone‐beam computed tomography images of 25 adult patients undergoing extraction were collected before orthodontic treatment (T1), after orthodontic treatment (T2), and after at least 1 year of retention (T3). The labial and lingual alveolar bone heights (ABH), thickness (ABT), and tooth movement of the mandibular incisors were measured during the retraction (T2–T1) and retention (T3–T2) periods. According to the tooth movement during the retention period, the mandibular incisors were further divided into stable and unstable groups, and the correlation between L1‐BMe and stability was evaluated. Results: The labial and lingual ABHs significantly increased after orthodontic treatment and decreased during the retention period. The lingual ABH was 7.36 ± 2.27 mm at T2 and 5.37 ± 1.98 mm at T3, indicating a great bone remodelling capacity. The labial ABT exhibited a significant increase during orthodontic treatment and a slight decrease during the retention period, while the lingual ABT showed an opposite trend. During the retention period, the root apex moved labially into the alveolar bone housing. L1‐BMe significantly increased during orthodontic treatment and decreased during the retention period. Compared to the stable group, lingual ABH and L1‐BMe at T2 was significantly higher, and lingual ABT was smaller in the unstable group. Conclusion: Post‐treatment lingual alveolar bone defects of the mandibular incisors could recover to some extent during the retention period. There was a negative correlation between post‐treatment L1‐BMe and mandibular incisor stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine head acceleration event (HAE) propensity and incidence during elite-level men's and women's rugby union matches. Methods: Instrumented mouthguards (iMGs) were fitted in 92 male and 72 female players from nine elite-level clubs and three international teams. Data were collected during 406 player matches (239 male, 167 female) using iMGs and video analysis. Incidence was calculated as the number of HAEs per player hour and propensity as the proportion of contact events resulting in an HAE at a range of linear and angular thresholds. Results: HAE incidence above 10 g was 22.7 and 13.2 per hour in men's forwards and backs and 11.8 and 7.2 per hour in women's forwards and backs, respectively. Propensity varied by contact event, with 35.6% and 35.4% of men's tackles and carries and 23.1% and 19.6% of women's tackles and carries producing HAEs above 1.0 krad/s2. Tackles produced significantly more HAEs than carries, and incidence was greater in forwards compared with backs for both sexes and in men compared with women. Women's forwards were 1.6 times more likely to experience a medium-magnitude HAE from a carry than women's backs. Propensity was similar from tackles and carries, and between positional groups, while significantly higher in men than women. The initial collision stage of the tackle had a higher propensity than other stages. Conclusion: This study quantifies HAE exposures in elite rugby union players using iMGs. Most contact events in rugby union resulted in lower-magnitude HAEs, while higher-magnitude HAEs were comparatively rare. An HAE above 40 g occurred once every 60–100 min in men and 200–300 min in women. Future research on mechanisms for HAEs may inform strategies aimed at reducing HAEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In suckling piglets, the third incisors and canines are already formed at birth. This can lead to bite injuries when suckling on the sow's teats and during hierarchy formation among littermates. For this reason, some farms routinely grind the teeth with a rotating grinding head. However, grinding can lead to tooth injuries, inflammation and pain. The aim of this study was to compare the common roller grinding head with a so-called teacup grinding head (a teacup-shaped attachment that is supposed to adapt better to the individual tooth) and with a control group that was not ground at all. Therefore, dental injuries, weight gain, skin lesions, mortality and behaviour of piglets were determined. The teacup method caused significantly fewer opened tooth pulps than the roller head method. Nonetheless, no difference was found with regard to growth, lesions, mortality and behaviour when comparing the two grinding methods and the control group. It can be concluded that the teacup method is a more animal-friendly option. Nevertheless, it must be considered individually for each farm whether there is a need for grinding at all. If grinding cannot be dispensed with, the use of the teacup method is recommended in the interest of animal welfare. Teeth grinding in suckling piglets is performed on many farms to protect the piglets' littermates and the sow's udder from injuries caused by the piglets' canines and third incisors. In this study, the effects of two teeth-grinding methods on the piglets' dental health and welfare were investigated. The piglets of a litter were evenly assigned to a treatment: one-third of littermates were ground with a roller grinding head (RG), one-third with a teacup grinding head (TCG), and one-third were not ground at all (CG). A random sample of 100 animals each from the RG and TCG treatment was examined for tooth injuries, i.e., dental pulp openings. Additionally, behavioural analysis was performed (n = 650 piglets), and skin lesions, growth and mortality were determined (n = 1565 piglets). TCG piglets had a lower risk (p < 0.001) of pulp opening than RG piglets (0.08 ± 0.31 vs. 2.67 ± 1.67 opened pulps per piglet). Mortality, growth, skin lesions and behaviour of piglets were not influenced by treatment (p > 0.05). This study showed that both teeth-grinding methods led to pulp openings. If teeth grinding cannot be avoided on a farm, using the teacup grinding head is recommended concerning animal health and welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research assessing the effects of mouthpieces on an individual's aerobic, anaerobic, or muscular performance have attributed cited improvements to the participant's ability to jaw clench. Jaw clenching research finds positive outcomes with the task of jaw clenching with targeted muscle groups in a controlled laboratory setting. Thus, the study's goal was to determine if the addition of a mouthpiece would positively affect performance outcomes in a field-based whole-body muscle movement. Fourteen participants (8=F and 6=M) NCAA softball and baseball athletes completed 5 maximal bat swings with and without a mouthpiece in 4 conditions: no jaw clenching (NC), mouthpiece and jaw clenching (MP+C), mouthpiece only (MP), and jaw clenching only (C). Significant differences occurred in conditions, with the highest velocity noted in the combined condition of MP+C (71.9 mph) as compared to NC (67.9 mph), MP (68.6 mph), and C (70.9 mph). A repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated significant differences with bat swing velocity (F = 13.19, df 3, p < 0.0001). Pairwise comparisons revealed significant differences in MP+C with MP (p = 0.007); MP+C with NC (p = 0.001), and C with NC (p = 0.009). The results of this study provide evidence of jaw clenching's positive effects on the dynamic, whole-body explosive activity of a bat swing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing need for a mouthguard sheet material with higher shock absorption and dispersion capacity than those obtained by conventional materials. A five-layer mouthguard sheet material was previously developed using laminated ethylene vinyl acetate and polyolefin copolymer resin. In this study, the shock absorption capacity and dispersion capability of the new sheet material were investigated and compared with those of other materials. Impact testing for the new sheet material showed that the force required to displace the sheet by 1 mm was significantly higher at all thicknesses (p<0.001), whereas the puncture energy and displacement were significantly lower than those for ethylene vinyl acetate (p<0.05). The five-layer mouthguard sheet material successfully absorbed and resisted shock. Therefore, the sheet material potentially increases resistance to applied deformation in teeth and alveolar bone and maintains structure. The five-layer sheet material could expand the range of mouthguard products and help prevent oral trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aluminum strength-to-weight ratio has become a highly significant factor in industrial applications. Placing stiffening ribs along the surface can significantly improve the panel's resistance to bending and compression in aluminum alloys. This study used single-point incremental forming (SPIF) to fabricate stiffening ribs for 1 mm and 3 mm thick aluminum alloy EN AW-2024-T3 sheets. A universal compression machine was used to investigate sheet deformation. The resulting deformation was examined using non-contact digital image correlation (DIC) based on several high-resolution cameras. The results showed that deformation progressively escalated from the edges toward the center, and the highest buckling values were confined within the non-strengthened area. Specimens with a larger thickness (3 mm) showed better effectiveness against buckling and bending for each applied load: 8 kN or 10 kN. Additionally, the displacement from the sheet surface decreased by 60% for sheets 3 mm thick and by half for sheets 1 mm thick, which indicated that thicker sheets could resist deformation better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Burn-related injuries are a major global health issue, causing 180,000 deaths per year. Early debridement of necrotic tissue in association with a split-thickness skin graft is usually administered for some of the 2nd- and 3rd-degree injuries. However, this approach can be complicated by factors such as a lack of proper donor sites. Artificial skin substitutes have attracted much attention for burn-related injuries. Keratinocyte sheets are one of the skin substitutes that their safety and efficacy have been reported by previous studies. Methods: Two consecutive clinical trials were designed, one of them is phase I, a non-randomized, open-label trial with 5 patients, and phase II is a randomized and open-label trial with 35 patients. A total number of 40 patients diagnosed with 2nd-degree burn injury will receive allogenic keratinocyte sheet transplantation. The safety and efficacy of allogeneic skin graft with autograft skin transplantation and conventional treatments, including Vaseline dressing and topical antibiotic, will be compared in different wounds of a single patient in phase II. After the transplantation, patients will be followed up on days 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28. In the 3rd and 6th months after the transplantation scar, a wound closure assessment will be conducted based on the Vancouver Scar Scale and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale. Discussion: This study will explain the design and rationale of a cellular-based skin substitute for the first time in Iran. In addition, this work proposes this product being registered as an off-the-shelf product for burn wound management in the country. Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) IRCT20080728001031N31, 2022-04-23 for phase I and IRCT20080728001031N36, 2024-03-15 for phase II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has induced profound societal and healthcare transformations globally. Material and methods: This multicenter retrospective study aimed to assess potential shifts in the epidemiology and management of oromaxillofacial trauma requiring surgical intervention over a 1-year period encompassing the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, in comparison to the preceding year. The parameters investigated included age, sex, injury mechanisms, fractured bones, and treatment modalities. The statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A notable 39.36% reduction in oromaxillofacial fractures was identified (p < 0.001), with no significant alterations in sex distribution, types of fractured bones, or treatment modalities. An appreciable increase in mean age was observed (35.92 vs. 40.26) (p = 0.006). Analysis of the causes of oromaxillofacial trauma revealed diminished incidents of interpersonal violence (41% vs. 35%) and sports-related injuries (14% vs. 8%), alongside an escalation in cases attributed to falls (27% vs. 35%), precipitation events (2% vs. 5%), and traffic accidents (12% vs. 13%). The mandible emerged as the most frequently fractured bone. Conclusion: In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has decreased the number of maxillofacial fractures treated surgically and has changed the epidemiology and the etiology of facial traumas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some sports participants are often reluctant to wear a mouthguard due to issues with comfort, breathing and communication. However, there is limited evidence that investigates the use of custom‐made mouthguards and variations in design as key factors to minimise these issues. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of custom‐made mouthguard design on cardiopulmonary function, exercise performance and perception of comfort in rugby union players. Fourteen rugby players (aged 20.2 ± 1.19 years) were recruited to undertake a rugby‐specific exercise protocol on a treadmill over four conditions (no mouthguard and three custom‐made mouthguard designs). Cardiopulmonary responses were assessed using breath‐by‐breath analysis, in conjunction with blood lactate (BLa) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) was assessed before and after the study to identify any changes in players' level of performance. Participants scored each mouthguard in relation to preference, comfort, breathing, protection and retention. There were no differences in oxygen uptake (p = 0.785, ηp2 ${\eta }_{p}^{2}$ = 0.021), ventilation (p = 0.952, ηp2 ${\eta }_{p}^{2}$ = 0.007), respiratory exchange ratio (p = 0.564, ηp2 ${\eta }_{p}^{2}$ = 0.039) and heart rate (p = 0.830, ηp2 ${\eta }_{p}^{2}$ = 0.017), whilst participants performed with the selected custom‐made mouthguards. However, RPE was higher without a mouthguard than whilst using two of the mouthguards during the first 3 min of exercise, in combination with higher BLa accumulation (p ≤ 0.05). Although there was no statistical difference between mouthguard designs in the ratings around comfort, there was a preference towards mouthguards with reduced palatal coverage. Individual preference in design may improve compliance of wearing a mouthguard without affecting physiological parameters. Highlights: Wearing any of the three selected custom‐made mouthguards had no impact on cardiorespiratory parameters, such as oxygen uptake, minute ventilation, respiratory exchange ratio, heart rate and blood lactate.In terms of participants' perceived comfort, there were no differences between the selected mouthguard designs.The findings of the present study may lead to encouraging the use of custom‐made mouthguards amongst rugby players as no negative influence on the examined physiological parameters was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pre-Jurassic in the north depression of the Tuha depression is the most favorable replacement strata to obtain new reserves in the Turpan–Hami Basin. (Pre-Jurassic, in this paper, refers to the Permian and Triassic.) The main source rocks are the Taodonggou Group, of which the burial history and hydrocarbon generation potential remain unconfirmed. The investigation of the burial and thermal history is vital for the basin analysis and hydrocarbon exploration. Therefore, in this paper, by using the acoustic time difference method, vitrinite reflectance method, stratigraphic trend method and PetroMod-1D software, the differential characteristics of denudation thickness, burial history and thermal evolution history of different tectonic units in different periods of Taibei Sag in the Turpan–Hami basin are studied, and their influence on the petroleum system is analyzed, and then the zones with exploration potential are optimized. The results show that the Taibei Sag has experienced multiple tectonic uplift events. The Late Indosinian movement has profound effects on the Taodonggou Group source rocks. The rather large uplift amplitude postpones the maturation of source rocks. In addition, the Turpan–Hami Basin is a typical cold basin. Therefore, the thermal maturity of the source rocks is relatively low, with respect to the relatively deep burial. The thermal histories of the different sub-sags in the study area are slightly differentiated from each other. The Taodonggou Group source rocks in the Taibei Sag generally became mature during the Mid–Late Jurassic epoch, except for those in the Central–Southern Shanbei sub-sag, represented by Well LT-1, which reached the mature stage during the Late Triassic epoch. The study area has well-developed reservoir rocks, and effective reservoir bodies are formed in the slope zone and near the Tainan Sag, due to the higher porosity and permeability of reservoir rocks. The statistics related to the faults and an analysis of the structural styles of oil reservoirs indicate that the structural slope and anticline of the Huobei, Lianbei and Shanbei sub-sags are favorable for increasing reserves and production of hydrocarbons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impression materials utilized today in dental medicine offer a good reproducibility and are easily accepted by patients. However, because they are polymer-based, they have issues regarding their dimensional stability. In this respect, the present work proposes a new type of dental impression, which is reinforced with rigid mouthguards. The aim of the study is to test the performances of such new impressions by comparing them to conventional ones—from this critical point of view, of the dimensional stability. Three types of polymeric materials were considered for both types of impressions: alginate, condensation silicone, and addition silicone. In order to obtain the new type of impressions, a manufacturing technique was developed, comprising the following phases: (i) conventional impressions were made; (ii) a plaster model was duplicated, and 15 rigid mouthguards were obtained; (iii) they were inserted in the impression technique, with each mouthguard positioned on the cast before the high-consistency material was inserted in the tray and the practitioner took the impression; (iv) the mouthguard remained in the tray and the low-viscosity material was inserted over the mouthguard; (v) the impression was positioned on the model, and after the material hardened, the mouthguard-reinforced impression was analyzed. In the evaluation of the dimensional stability, rigorous statistical analysis was essential to discern the performance differences between conventional and mouthguard-reinforced dental impressions. Statistical analyses employed non-parametric Mann–Whitney U tests because of the non-normal distribution of the data. They indicated a statistically significant improvement in the dimensional stability of addition silicone impressions when reinforced with mouthguards (p < 0.05), showcasing superior performance over conventional methods. Conversely, alginate and condensation silicone reinforced impressions did not exhibit the same level of stability improvement, suggesting the need for further optimization of these materials. In conclusion, from the three considered elastomers, addition silicone was found to be the prime candidate for high-precision dental impressions, with the potential to improve their quality from conventional impressions by utilizing the proposed reinforcing technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With CAD-CAM, dental models are often fabricated by additive manufacturing (AM) methods. Dental models for implant prostheses involve the manual placement of analogs, which could affect their final fit. Therefore, in this experimental in vitro study, the accuracy of the analogs' position in models printed using AM methods was examined by comparing three different printing orientations. Methods: An STL file was obtained by scanning a master model with an implant placed in the maxillary left central incisor position. Three study groups (n = 10) with varying printing orientation parameters were obtained (0, 45, and 90 degrees). They were digitalized with a laboratory scanner and evaluated with an analysis metrology program. Differences between 3D datasets were measured using the RMS for trueness and SD RMS for precision. The data were statistically analyzed using the ANOVA test at a significance level of p < 0.05, followed by the Bonferroni post hoc test. Results: The 45-degrees group showed the best results. Regarding trueness, statistically significant differences were found between the 45- and 90-degrees groups (p < 0.005). In terms of precision, statistically significant differences appeared between the 45- and 0-degrees groups (p < 0.011) and between the 45- and 90-degrees groups (0.003). Conclusions: The printing angulation parameter affects the accuracy of 3D-printed models. Implant models manufactured at 45 degrees of printing angulation are more accurate than those printed at 0 or 90 degrees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salivary turbidity is a promising indicator for evaluating oral hygiene. This study proposed a wearable mouthguard-type sensor for continuous and unconstrained measurement of salivary turbidity. The sensor evaluated turbidity by measuring the light transmittance of saliva with an LED and a phototransistor sealed inside a double-layered mouthguard. The sensor was also embedded with a Bluetooth wireless module, enabling the wireless measurement of turbidity. The mouthguard materials (polyethylene terephthalate-glycol and ethylene-vinyl acetate) and the wavelength of the LED (405 nm) were experimentally determined to achieve high sensitivity in salivary turbidity measurement. The turbidity quantification characteristic of the proposed sensor was evaluated using a turbidity standard solution, and the sensor was capable of turbidity quantification over a wide dynamic range of 1–4000 FTU (formazine turbidity unit), including reported salivary turbidity (400–800 FTU). In vitro turbidity measurement using a saliva sample showed 553 FTU, which is equivalent to the same sample measured with a spectrophotometer (576 FTU). Moreover, in vivo experiments also showed results equivalent to that measured with a spectrophotometer, and wireless measurement of salivary turbidity was realized using the mouthguard-type sensor. Based on these results, the proposed mouthguard-type sensor has promising potential for the unconstrained continuous evaluation of oral hygiene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, increasing indium composition 'x' in quantum barriers of In0.15Ga0.85N/InxGa(1-x)N based laser diode structure is proposed. The paper analyses the effect of molar composition of indium in quantum barrier and geometrical variation of barrier thickness. Observations related to laser power characteristics, material strain, band diagram analysis and carrier density has been carried out in the modified structures. Laser power has experienced an increment from 126 mW to ~ 172 mW in proposed laser diode structure as compared to the reference structure. The optical confinement factor of the active region has improved from 0.94% to 1.33%. The electron potential barrier height has upsized from 171 meV to 187 meV, while the hole potential barrier height has downsized from 150 meV to 135 meV at 120 mA injection current. Analysis of increasing indium composition in quantum barriers has been laid out to examine the effect of epitaxial symmetry in the device structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive display of the gums when smiling, known as gummy smiles, can lead to aesthetic concerns and emotional discomfort for individuals. In recent times, there has been a notable rise in the popularity of gummy smile surgery as a cosmetic procedure aimed at addressing this problem. A novel technique known as lip repositioning has emerged and gained recent popularity, either on its own or in conjunction with other approaches. In specific situations, it offers a simpler, less intricate alternative to more extensive surgical procedures, resulting in a pleasing and satisfactory camouflage effect while reducing postoperative complications. This case report illustrates the effective treatment of a gummy smile in a patient with excessive gum exposure using a lip repositioning technique. The procedure involved the removal of a partial thickness strip of mucosa lining in the maxillary buccal vestibule, without including the labial frenulum, and suturing the lip lining to the gum line. Our aim was to present lip repositioning as an effective method for reducing excessive gum exposure and addressing any unevenness in a minimally invasive manner. We sought a solution that offers long-lasting results over time while minimizing the chances of the issue recurring, with a 14-month follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the cumulative head acceleration event (HAE) exposure in male rugby players from the Under-13 (U13) to senior club level over 4 weeks of matches and training during the 2021 community rugby season. Methods: This prospective, observational cohort study involved 328 male rugby players. Players were representative of four playing grades: U13 (N = 60, age 12.5 ± 0.6 years), U15 (N = 100, age 14.8 ± 0.9 years), U19 (N = 78, age 16.9 ± 0.7 years) and Premier senior men (N = 97, age 22.5 ± 3.1 years). HAE exposure was tracked across 48 matches and 113 training sessions. HAEs were recorded using boil-and-bite instrumented mouthguards (iMGs). The study assessed the incidence and prevalence of HAEs by ages, playing positions, and session types (match or training). Results: For all age grades, weekly match HAE incidence was highest at lower magnitudes (10–29 g). Proportionally, younger players experienced higher weekly incidence rates during training. The U19 players had 1.36 times the risk of high-magnitude (> 30 g) events during matches, while the U13 players had the lowest risk compared with all other grades. Tackles and rucks accounted for the largest HAE burden during matches, with forwards having 1.67 times the risk of > 30 g HAEs in rucks compared with backs. Conclusions: This study provides novel data on head accelerations during rugby matches and training. The findings have important implications for identifying populations at greatest risk of high cumulative and acute head acceleration. Findings may guide training load management and teaching of skill execution in high-risk activities, particularly for younger players who may be exposed to proportionally more contact during training and for older players during matches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In incremental sheet forming (ISF), the geometrical accuracy is still a challenge that is only solved for specific applications. The underlying mechanisms of geometrical defects in ISF are very complex and still not fully understood. Nevertheless, the process understanding is constantly evolving. Recent work has shown, for example, how bending moments resulting from residual stresses affect geometric accuracy. It has become clear that resulting bending moments with an axis parallel to the main tool path direction are dominant. Based on that, the current paper investigates the hypothesis that linear and parallel tool paths lead to an unfavourable accumulation of residual bending moments along a common axis, and whether this accumulation effect can be reduced by wave-shaped tool paths. Thus, the described research investigates the influence of novel path strategies on the residual bending moments and the resulting geometrical deviations. The path strategies are based on wave-shaped path lines, whereas the curvature is within the sheet plane. The investigations focussed on a rectangular sheet that is clamped at its shortest edges and a part geometry-sensitive to springback. Experimental and numerical investigations show a significantly positive influence of some investigated path strategies on the geometric deviation, compared to a conventional path strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasingly advanced technological development and the broad possibilities introduced by computer graphics and parametric-semantic modelling force us to reflect on the concept of smart models, especially in relation to the purposes for which the models themselves are created, directing research towards in-depth studies linked to the type of information that the model is intended to convey. This research shows the results obtained in the development and experimentation of a generative modelling algorithm dedicated to the rapid and semi-automatic modelling of churches. The work stems from the need to elaborate a useful tool to prepare, in a short time, an intelligent database - graphic and informative - rapidly visualisable, dedicated to the management of churches in post-earthquake emergency conditions.The main objective is to make efficient the processes of data management and visualisation based on the seismic damage assessment sheets [D.P.C.M. 23 February 2006 (G.U. 7.3.2006, no. 55)] through procedures capable of expanding the information patrimony and, at the same time, optimising documentation and intervention times, costs and resource management (Chevrier, et al., 2009). The procedure for realising the parametric model is based on the concept of shape grammar. It allows different types of churches to be generated from the modification of basic shapes prepared according to the concept of a macro-element. It makes it possible to generate different types of churches from the modification of basic shapes prepared according to the macro-element concept (Lanzara, et al., 2021). The algorithm was tested by applying it to several case studies to evaluate its effectiveness and future implementations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on correction notice "Instrumented Mouthguards in Elite‑Level Men's and Women's Rugby Union: The Incidence and Propensity of Head Acceleration Events in Matches."

Objectives: Traumatic dental injury occurs during sports competitions, training, and practice and can be prevented by the use of mouthguards. For this reason, this study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of sports science faculty students, physical education teachers, and athletes about mouthguards. Methods: Five hundred thirty-two participants were reached via social media. In the questionnaire consisting of 20 questions, questions about the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants were asked in part 1, and questions about their level of knowledge and attitudes about the mouthguards were asked in part 2. Descriptive statistical analysis and a chi-square test were used to evaluate the data. Results: The number of people who think that mouthguards protect the athlete from traumatic dental injury is 381 (71.6%). The number of people who think that mouthguards affect the performance of the athlete is positively 228 (42.9%). To protect against traumatic dental injury, 51.48% of the participants preferred the custom-made; 39.3% of them preferred the boil-bite; 33.22% of them preferred the standard/stock type mouth guard; and 22.96% of them preferred the helmet, and 18.26% of them preferred the face mask. Conclusions: The knowledge and attitude of sports science faculty students, physical education teachers, and athletes are low about mouthguards. Since these people who are engaged in sports have a high exposure to traumatic dental injuries, education should be given to increase their awareness about mouthguards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this material, the importance of custom-fitted mouthguard is highlighted, because they are used in almost all specialties related to dentistry, including orthodontics and dental prosthetics, being used to solve as many problems as possible, such as: relaxing the TMJ muscles, correcting TMJ disorders, preserving and especially maintaining the position of the teeth after the orthodontic treatment, protection during performance sports, teeth whitening etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to the complexity of reconstructing wide inferomedial orbital wall fractures, silicone sheets are the preferred choice of reconstructive material. Nevertheless, it is crucial to remove the silicone sheet postoperatively due to the risk of delayed complications associated with its placement. Methods: We developed a procedure in which a silicone sheet implanted in the orbit can be extracted through the nasal cavity by removing the fractured portion of the medial orbital wall. Conclusion: This procedure enables the utilization of silicone sheets, which are suitable for intricate orbital reconstruction, without any concerns regarding delayed complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the simulation of the hole-flanging process, many had reported that the effect of mesh sensitivity on strain localizations is insignificant. In this study, mesh layouts including the number of elements along the hole circumference (CD), element sizes in radial directions (R 1) and the time discretization (or increment) sizes (T) are varied in the 3D FE simulation of 10-mm hole flanging process of DP980 thin sheets using a conical punch. Its effect on wall thickness distributions and forming load profiles are investigated. Also, the effect of punch surface meshing techniques i.e., analytical and discrete rigid on the distributions is investigated. The simulation results showed that the largest % wall thinning range around the expanded hole edges for punch displacement, S = 15 mm and 20 mm are 25.8–29.2% and 33.3–64.2%, respectively. The load-displacement curves during the continuous hole expansion are not linear for R 1 ≥ 0.5 mm. For CD70 & R 1 = 0.1 mm, the increase in T values from 0.1 s to 1.0 s has significantly increased the total simulation time by 25% due to the convergence problems. The automatic time increment mode in each step at T = 1.0 s has failed to reduce the total simulation time. The discrete rigid punch surface produces more concentrated wall thickness distributions than the analytical one, leading to higher amount of wall thinning, particularly for high S values. Since the model stiffness reduces with decreasing mesh size. It is recommended to match the simulated peak load with the experimental peak under the instability condition with a smooth hole e.g., a laser cut hole to determine the appropriate meshing method for the mesh sensitivity study. With that, the stiffness of the simulation model is calibrated with the experiment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Before periapical surgery in the mandibular posterior teeth is performed, the thicknesses of the buccal alveolar bone wall and buccolingual root might be a critical issue. This study aimed to assess the anatomical structure of the posterior region of the mandible in Taiwanese individuals using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The CBCT images of 96 Taiwanese individuals (51 male and 45 female), which included 192 mandibular first molars and 192 mandibular second molars, were imported into medical imaging software to measure the buccal alveolar bone thickness and buccolingual root thickness at 3 mm above the root apex. Statistical analysis was conducted to examine the impact of tooth position, gender, and age on the anatomical position of mandibular molars. The buccal alveolar bone thickness at 3 mm above the root apex of the mandibular second molar demonstrates a significantly higher value when compared to that of the first molar. Nonetheless, concerning the buccolingual root thickness, no significant differences were observed between these two teeth. In addition, the buccal alveolar bone thickness and buccolingual root thickness at 3 mm above the root apex may not be influenced by gender and age. The anatomical structures of the posterior region of the mandible in Taiwanese individuals exhibited variations between the mandibular first and second molars. However, these differences were not influenced by gender or age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Awake bruxism is an understudied manifestation of frontotemporal dementia, yet awake bruxism can have fatal consequences in the aging population. This report presents a patient suffering from awake bruxism associated with frontotemporal dementia being treated with a mouthguard, which ultimately becomes lodged in her posterior oropharynx leading to asphyxiation. The case highlights the need for investigation into the occurrence and treatment of awake bruxism among patients with dementia, and the unique risk-benefit analysis that must be performed to develop proper treatment plans for patients with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]