Search

Introduction: The use of digital dentistry is rapidly increasing in prosthodontics. However, most dental students are not familiar with applying digital technologies in dental clinics. Thus, the aim of the current study was to assess the perception of dental students at different educational years towards digital impressions in comparison to conventional impressions. Materials and Methods: A cross‐sectional questionnaire‐based study was conducted on various educational years of dental students in the College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, between February and April 2023. The students had performed at least one intraoral scan (Trios 3shape) and another conventional polyether impression for phantom casts/patients. The questionnaire assessed students' perceptions of digital impressions using a 5‐point scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to compare students' perceptions of digital impressions according to gender and educational year, respectively. Results: The study included 122 students. About 55% were females with a mean (SD) age = 22.51 (3.36). Most students thought that digital impressions are faster and more user‐friendly compared to conventional impressions. Significantly more female students thought that the handpiece was too big for intraoral use (p = 0.04) and that the process of the software was time‐consuming and complicated. In general, higher educational year students were more satisfied with the digital impressions than lower educational year students. Conclusions: Digital impressions were perceived by most students as being faster and easier than conventional ones. However, male students and those with higher educational years showed better perception of digital impression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective Overview Conclusions Clinical Significance In extensive prosthetic rehabilitations and in those involving the anterior area, a correct 3D spatial position is of fundamental importance for effective communication between the clinician and the dental technician. The aim of this article is to analyze the different methods used to position in space and/or in an articulator the maxillary arch in analog workflows highlighting shortcomings and difficulties in order to understand how to overcome them when employing digital workflows.Traditional mechanical devices, such as anatomical, kinematic, esthetic and postural facebows, have clear indications, but also limitations, especially in cases of skeletal asymmetries. Modern digital tools, including photography, CBCT, facial scanners and jaw recording devices, are here critically analyzed to illustrate the advantages of working in a virtual space.The adoption of digital tools in the prosthetic workflow represents a significant improvement compared to traditional techniques, as it reduces errors and artifacts of registration and transfer of the position of the maxillary arch in the articulator space. This contributes to more predictable esthetic and functional results, with a positive impact for clinicians and technicians, improving clinical‐laboratory communication, operational efficiency and overall quality of work.The integration of digital tools into prosthetic workflows represents an important advancement in clinical practice since they reduce human error and facilitate communication between the clinician and the laboratory. When carrying out rehabilitations involving changes in esthetics or occlusal plane orientation, the proper and accurate positioning of the upper arch in space is particularly relevant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article assesses the technical condition of the air supply system of the Ford Transit commercial vehicle. After the analysis, results were obtained that allow identifying the reasons for the failure of the intake system of the diesel engine with the Euro5 emission standards. It was found that the malfunction of the turbocharger directly affects the overall condition of the engine and its performance characteristics. The main failures are associated with the malfunction of the turbocharger itself and the leakiness of the pipes or intercooler. The probabilities of occurrence of these failures are determined for the Duratorq TDCi 2.2 engine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Lidar is a promising tool for fast and accurate measurements of trees. There are several approaches to estimate above-ground woody biomass using lidar point clouds. One of the most widely used methods involves fitting geometric primitives (e.g. cylinders) to the point cloud, thereby reconstructing both the geometry and topology of the tree. However, current algorithms are not suited for accurate estimation of the volume of finer branches, because of the unreliable point dispersions from, for example, beam footprint compared to the structure diameter. Method We propose a new method that couples point cloud-based skeletonization and multi-linear statistical modelling based on structural data to make a model (structural model) that accurately estimates the above-ground woody biomass of trees from high-quality lidar point clouds, including finer branches. The structural model was tested at segment, axis and branch level, and compared to a cylinder fitting algorithm and to the pipe model theory. Key Results The model accurately predicted the biomass with 1.6 % normalized root mean square error (nRMSE) at the segment scale from a k -fold cross-validation. It also gave satisfactory results when scaled up to the branch level with a significantly lower error (13 % nRMSE) and bias (−5 %) compared to conventional cylinder fitting to the point cloud (nRMSE: 92 %, bias: 82 %), or using the pipe model theory (nRMSE: 31 %, bias: −27 %). The model was then applied to the whole-tree scale and showed that the sampled trees had more than 1.7 km of structures on average and that 96 % of that length was coming from the twigs (i.e. <5 cm diameter). Our results showed that neglecting twigs can lead to a significant underestimation of tree above-ground woody biomass (−21 %). Conclusions The structural model approach is an effective method that allows a more accurate estimation of the volumes of smaller branches from lidar point clouds. This method is versatile but requires manual measurements on branches for calibration. Nevertheless, once the model is calibrated, it can provide unbiased and large-scale estimations of tree structure volumes, making it an excellent choice for accurate 3D reconstruction of trees and estimating standing biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A debate persists on the prognostic value of the pre-therapeutic standardized uptake value (SUV) of non-tumorous lung tissue for the risk assessment of therapy-related pneumonitis, with most studies lacking significant correlation. However, the influence of patient comorbidities on the pre-therapeutic lung SUV has not yet been systematically evaluated. Thus, we aimed to elucidate the association between comorbidities, biological variables and lung SUVs in pre-therapeutic [18F]FDG-PET/CT. Methods: In this retrospective study, the pre-therapeutic SUV in [18F]FDG-PET/CT was measured in non-tumorous areas of both lobes of the lung. SUVMEAN, SUVMAX and SUV95 were compared to a multitude of patient characteristics and comorbidities with Spearman's correlation analysis, followed by a Bonferroni correction and multilinear regression. Results: In total, 240 patients with lung cancer were analyzed. An elevated BMI was significantly associated with increased SUVMAX (β = 0.037, p < 0.001), SUVMEAN (β = 0.017, p < 0.001) and SUV95 (β = 0.028, p < 0.001). Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) showed a significantly decreased SUVMAX (β = −0.156, p = 0.001), SUVMEAN (β = −0.107, p < 0.001) and SUV95 (β = −0.134, p < 0.001). Multiple other comorbidities did not show a significant correlation with the SUV of the non-tumorous lung. Conclusions: Failure to consider the influence of BMI and COPD on the pre-therapeutic SUV measurements may lead to an erroneous interpretation of the pre-therapeutic SUV and subsequent treatment decisions in patients with lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decade, many aerial photographic archives have started to be digitized for multiple purposes, including digital preservation and geoprocessing. This paper analyzes the effects of professional photogrammetric versus consumer-grade scanners on the processing of analog historical aerial photographs. An image block over Warsaw is considered, featuring 38 photographs acquired in 1986 (Wild RC10, Normal Aviogon II lens, 23 × 23 cm format) with a ground sampling distance (GSD) of 4 cm. Aerial triangulation (AT) and dense image matching (DIM) procedures are considered, analyzing how scanning modalities are important in the massive digitization of analog images for georeferencing and 3D product generation. The achieved results show how consumer-grade scanners, unlike more expensive photogrammetric scanners, do not possess adequate recording quality to ensure high accuracy and geometric precision for geoprocessing purposes. However, consumer-grade scanners can be used for time and cost-efficient applications where a partial loss of data quality is not critical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cybersecurity failures have become increasingly detrimental to organizations worldwide, impacting their finances, operations, and reputation. This issue is worsened by the scarcity of cybersecurity professionals. Moreover, the specialization required for cybersecurity expertise is both costly and time-consuming. In light of these challenges, this study has concentrated on automating cybersecurity processes, particularly those pertaining to continuous vulnerability detection. A cybersecurity vulnerability scanner was developed, which is freely available to the community and does not necessitate any prior expertise from the operator. The effectiveness of this tool was evaluated by IT companies and systems engineers, some of whom had no background in cybersecurity. The findings indicate that the scanner proved to be efficient, precise, and easy to use. It assisted the operators in safeguarding their systems in an automated fashion, as part of their security audit strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Model alignment in cases of erosive tooth wear can be challenging, and no method has been reported to outweigh the others. Methods: Extracted human teeth were mounted on two models and scanned at different times, from 1 h to 2 weeks, with an intraoral scanner (3Shape TRIOS 4) before and after immersion in Monster® energy drink and tap water. The scans were superimposed (3Shape TRIOS Patient Monitoring, Version 2.2.3.3, 3Shape A/S, Copengagen, Denmark). Best fit, best-fit tooth comparison, reference best fit using fillings, and palatal rugae as reference points were used for alignment. Surface profile differences were calculated in a cross-section view. The nonparametric Bland–Altman and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used. Results: First, statistically significant differences were marked after 4 days of immersion. The measurements obtained after 2 weeks of immersion were statistically significantly different from the measurements obtained at the different time points until 1 week. No statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed among the alignment methods at any time. Conclusion: In comparison to the best-fit model, both palatal rugae and fillings can be used. The best-fit tooth comparison method is a reliable option; however, it should be used with caution in cases of major surface loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), which allows for a precise anatomical analysis of the coronary network in a non-invasive manner, has become the first-line exploration tool for chest pain and stable angina. Its high negative predictive value (>98%) can exclude coronary disease if the examination is normal. Functional imaging tools, such as perfusion scanning and FFR-CT (Fractional Flow Reserve derived from Coronary CT Angiography) can be used in addition with CCTA to determine the hemodynamic significance of detected coronary stenosis. In addition, the CCTA's role has been expanded beyond simple stenosis quantification through recent technological developments, allowing for plaque analysis and caracterisation, quantification of peri-coronary fat inflammation and plaque burden. The recent introduction of photon-counting scanners on the market is of interest with a potentiel breakthrough with a very good spacial resolution equal to coronary angiography allowing for better acurate diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a method has been developed for heat treatment of details with a complex surface profile with a rapidly oscillating laser beam with modulated radiation power. This method is an alternative method for the dynamic formation of the distribution of the intensity of the laser spot. A mathematical model for calculating the distribution of the intensity of the oscillating beam and temperature fields induced by laser treatment is created. An algorithm for optimizing the parameters of high-frequency oscillations of the beam based on the solution of the inverse problem of thermal conductivity to obtain uniform heating of the near-surface layer of the material is developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution presents a detailed methodology for reconstructing the anterior and posterior autopodia (manus and pes elements) of the sauropod dinosaur Neuquensaurus australis. The study utilizes various techniques, including digital three-dimensional (3D) scanning, reconstruction, retrodeformation, scaling, texturing, rendering, 3D printing, and mounting, to create accurate representations of the fossil elements. Two different scanning devices were employed to capture high-resolution 3D models of the fossil elements. The scanned data was processed to align and fuse the points, resulting in detailed 3D models. Related taxa such as Argyrosaurus superbus and 3D modeling techniques were used to reconstruct missing elements. Scaling calculations were performed based on comparative analysis with other titanosaurs to estimate the size of the missing elements. Retrodeformation was applied to correct taphonomic distortion and restore the original shape of the fossil elements. Texturing and rendering techniques were also employed to enhance the visual quality of the 3D models. The 3D models were subsequently 3D printed using white polylactic acid (PLA) filament. Creating physical replicas is useful for further studies, educational purposes, and public outreach. We highlight the advantages of 3D printing in paleontology, such as cost-effectiveness and accessibility, as it creates accurate replicas without compromising the original fossils. Overall, the presented methodologies demonstrate the potential of 3D technologies in paleontological research. The combination of scanning, reconstruction, retrodeformation, scaling, texturing, rendering, and 3D printing provides a comprehensive approach to accurately reconstructing and visualizing fossil elements. These techniques contribute to a better understanding of extinct vertebrates and their biomechanics.

This article considers the research of OBD-2 technology for interaction with on-board vehicle systems, the creation of a unified system that can work with different makes and models of cars. The history of OBD-2 technology, its development, existing standards and their implementation in modern cars is described. Basic diagnostic functions are described, with which you can get information about the car, as well as perform its settings and send various commands to it. In addition, the hardware part of the scanner, its technical features, nuances of interaction with it and the purpose of each of its pins are considered. Also reviewed couple models of scanners that can be used to develop this system. Conclusions are drawn on the practicability of their use, taking into account their capabilities. Existing software analogues, their main functions, advantages and disadvantages are considered. The general concept of interaction with the car via OBD-2, the interaction algorithm and step-by-step analysis of the interaction between the scanner and the car are also considered. The software part of the interaction between the car and the scanner, special codes used to send requests and responses, their further analysis and interpretation in a human-friendly form are considered. The possibilities for the unification of these codes for different car manufacturers and the common code base to create a universal system that will be suitable for different cars from different car manufacturers are highlighted. A model of the software system is proposed, which can embody a large set of useful functions for any motorist and will be compatible with a large number of modern cars equipped with universal diagnostic tools, while using an affordable scanner model without the use of expensive professional equipment.

This study examines the impact of wobble movement on a laser beam's behavior while moving over an AISI 316L stainless steel sample of 1.2 mm thickness during welding. The laser beam oscillatory movement is superimposed on linear movement, using a 400 W fiber laser installed on an experimental bench equipped with a scanner and worktable. Mathematical modeling estimates instantaneous beam speed values, predicting thermal influence on weld bead aspects. Microwelding experiments use autogenous processing with lateral beam oscillation. Two forms of overlapping transverse wobble are tested: one with a circular path and the other describing the mathematical symbol "infinity." Correlations are evidenced between the input parameters and results obtained in the microwelds, including penetration and width of the beads. Results show that the frequency of movement in a circle and in "infinity" for frequencies from 200 to 400 Hz has no significant influence on the result. Increasing the amplitude of the wobble movement from 0.5 to 2 mm significantly influences the width and depth of the strands generated. The wobble technique is effective in preventing discontinuities in the process, such as porosities. A bead obtained with 300 W, 50 mm/s, 0.5 mm overlapping wobble movement, and 300 Hz circular rotation frequency showed the highest relationship between width and depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we provide a systematic review of atomic force microscopy (AFM), a fast-developing technique that embraces scanners, controllers, and cantilevers. The main objectives of this review are to analyze the available technical solutions of AFM, including the limitations and problems. The main questions the review addresses are the problems of working in contact, noncontact, and tapping AFM modes. We do not include applications of AFM but rather the design of different parts and operation modes. Since the main part of AFM is the cantilever, we focused on its operation and design. Information from scientific articles published over the last 5 years is provided. Many articles in this period disclose minor amendments in the mechanical system but suggest innovative AFM control and imaging algorithms. Some of them are based on artificial intelligence. During operation, control of cantilever dynamic characteristics can be achieved by magnetic field, electrostatic, or aerodynamic forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prism deflector which is a multifaceted prism with reflective facets is the most common scanning element that allows to quickly fill a wide scanning area with laser radiation pulses along one coordinate. The parameters of a prismatic deflector are related to the characteristics of the laser radiation of the scanned area parameters and of the deflector position, and are also limited by various factors, such as safety requirements or scanning time. The aim of this work was to analyze the relationship between the external operating conditions of a laser scanning system and the internal design parameters of a prism deflector.A variant of calculating of laser pulses frequency by the number of spots and their overlap coefficient is considered. A method for calculating of a prism deflector characteristics based on external parameters, such as the angle of incidence of radiation to the facet and the width of the Gaussian beam with dimensions that are safe for а human eye is proposed. Рrismatic deflectors parameters are proposed depending on the number of reflecting facets. Dependence of a deflector size on the angle of radiation incidence to the reflecting face is shown.When designing a prismatic deflector of a laser scanner used to fill a certain scanning area with the required angular size σ by varying such parameters as the number of faces m and the feed angle α it is possible to achieve optimal deflector characteristics and scanning mode for the task.

The paper considers the peculiarities of creating digital copies of objects using reverse engineering technology. The main process used in reverse engineering is the processing of digital copies of objects, which is called photogrammetry. The reverse engineering process consists of the following stages. First, a 3D scan of the product and scan data processing is performed. The received digital data (polygonal mesh) is converted into a CAD file, which can be used to change the shape and topology of the model in accordance with the project. Based on this, an analysis of the two main technologies on which photogrammetry is based was performed: 1) laser triangulation method (laser scanners are used), 2) structured light method (optical scanners are used). The main disadvantages of using laser triangulation when scanning machine parts and methods of reducing their negative impact on the final result are given. The process of determining the position of a point when scanning parts by the laser triangulation method is considered in detail. Equations for normalizing the position of the point and equations that remove the distortion of the point due to the aberration of the camera lens are given. An equation for determining the width of a laser beam is presented, on the basis of which its main geometric characteristics are determined. A general diagram of the influence of the main factors on the quality of the process of scanning parts by the method of laser triangulation is constructed. One of the varieties of scanning objects using structured light is the range imaging (SfM) technique. The SfM technique is a process of estimating a three-dimensional structure from a sequence of two-dimensional images that can be associated with local traffic signals. The position of the camera in space is used to find the x,y,z coordinates of each pixel. An overview of the main software for creating and editing a structured polygonal mesh based on scan data is carried out. As a study of the process of reverse engineering technology, a connecting rod of a car engine was scanned by the SfM method and its digital model was created.

Molecular Radiation Therapy (MRT) is a valid therapeutic option for a wide range of malignancies, such as neuroendocrine tumors and liver cancers. In its practice, it is generally acknowledged that there is a need to evaluate the influence of different factors affecting the accuracy of dose estimates and to define the actions necessary to maintain treatment uncertainties at acceptable levels. The present study addresses the problem of uncertainty propagation in 90Y-PET quantification. We assessed the quantitative accuracy in reference conditions of three PET scanners (namely, Siemens Biograph mCT, Siemens Biograph mCT flow, and GE Discovery DST) available at three different Italian Nuclear Medicine centers. Specific aspects of uncertainty within the quantification chain have been addressed, including the uncertainty in the calibration procedure. A framework based on the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) approach is proposed for modeling the uncertainty in the quantification processes, and ultimately, an estimation of the uncertainty achievable in clinical conditions is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and objectives: In the laboratories of microbiology, slides with histological sections of tissues affected by parasites are used frequently, which can break easily due to constant manipulation. Moreover, a large number of students observe only the microscopic field selected by the instructor and do not have the possibility of reviewing the microscopic pathophysiological alterations in the organs. The introduction of robotic microscopes, capable of scanning and digitizing complete slides, is an alternative to to achieve more dynamic practical activities for those who assist as learners in the 21st century. Unlike conventional digital image files that feed virtual classrooms, which typically display a single view, Whole Slide Imaging (WSI) files are formatted as multi-resolution pyramids that allow real-time viewer performance to be optimized and the images can be easily shared over the Internet. The objective of this study was to evaluate the appreciation of medical students in relation to the use of WSI in the context of two cases raised for their approach during parasitology laboratory practices. Methods: Medical students from the 5th to the 10th semester were evaluated, after digitizing two histopathological sections that are part of the collection of parasite biopsies from the Microbiology course, and a clinical application was proposed for each case. Indications for use, clinical application scenarios, and WSIs were sent by email. Likewise, an instrument for measuring and collecting information (online survey) was applied that used the Likert scale with a weighting range between 1 and 5, to evaluate the quality of the digitized photographs and the behavior and functionality of the tool to each learner. Results: Sixty percent of the students evaluated with very easy (1) to open, zoom and scroll through the WSI; 60% with easy (2) to find and identify the parasite; and 80% were interested in learning how to handle the tool. Conclusions: The Whole Sheet Image (WSI) files were rated very highly quantitatively by the students who participated in the study and generated increasing interest for their future use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Each programming language needs a mechanism of translating source code into code understood by the computer, i.e., machine code or assembly. This is done by a compiler. A compiler is thus a fundamental tool for software development. Lexical analysis, as the first step of compilation, has an important role and should be performed in an optimal way. But not only compilers rely on lexical analysis. Its role lies nowadays also in pattern recognition or natural language processing. In this paper, we present some of the main aspects of lexical analysis and how to efficiently perform it. Our aim is to offer some guidelines in constructing a modern and efficient scanner (lexer), outlining the criteria, which should be considered, presenting some pitfalls, and comparing existent tools for compiler construction. The main contribution of the paper is to offer practical guidelines and recommendations, especially to graduate students and programmers, in constructing an efficient scanner (lexer), considering also the proper tools currently available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare precision and trueness of digital and printed casts produced from several intraoral and extraoral scanners in full arch and short span scanning. Materials and Methods: A fully dentate maxillary phantom cast was used to represent full arch scanning, and a mandibular phantom cast, including posterior 3‐unit fixed partial denture preparations to represent short span scanning. Reference casts (RCs) were fabricated and scanned 10 times by a reference extraoral scanner (Medit T510, Seoul, Korea) to provide reference digital casts. RC was then scanned 10 times by 5 scanners: 2 intraoral scanners (Trios 3shape [Trios 3] and Dental Wings [DW]), and 3 extraoral scanners (3shape E3 [E3], S600 ARTI [S600], and Ceramill Map 600 [M600]). Digital standard tessellation language (STL) files obtained from the 5 scanners were sent to a stereolithography 3D printer to fabricate printed casts. Trueness was obtained by comparing STL files of each digital/printed cast to the RC, while precision was obtained by comparing the digital/printed STL file of each scanner to the other files of same digital/printed group. The lower the precision and trueness values, the higher the accuracy of casts. Multivariate analysis of variance was performed to assess the association of precision and trueness with the type of scanner, type of cast, and scanning span. Results: There was a significant difference in precision and trueness of casts produced from different scanners (p <0.001). The lowest precision and trueness were demonstrated by casts produced from DW. Digital casts showed significantly higher precision and trueness compared to 3D printed casts (p <0.001). Regarding the scanning span, full arch scanning showed significantly lower precision and trueness than short span scanning (p <0.001). Conclusions: Extraoral scanners exhibited higher trueness and precision than intraoral scanners. Trios 3 showed comparable accuracy to that of the studied extraoral scanners in the case of short span scanning. DW was the least accurate scanner in all studied groups, while E3 showed the highest accuracy level among the mentioned scanners. Digital casts showed higher trueness and precision compared to 3D printed casts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: The objective of this in vitro study is to evaluate the marginal accuracy of crowns created by CAD/CAM. (2) Methods: A customized chrome-cobalt (Cr-Co) implant abutment simulating a maxillary right first molar was fixed in a hemi-maxillary stone model and scanned. In total, 27 crowns were fabricated, including 9 lithium disilicate crowns, 9 composite crowns, and 9 zirconia crowns. The measurements were determined by scanning electron microscopy. Descriptive analysis was performed using the mean and standard deviation, while the Kruskal–Wallis test was performed to determine whether the marginal discrepancies were significantly different between each group (p < 0.05). (3) Results: The lowest marginal gap value was reported for zirconia (21.45 ± 12.58 µm), followed by composite (44.7 ± 24.96 µm) and lithium disilicate (62.28 ± 51.8 µm). The Kruskal–Wallis tests revealed a statistically significant difference (p-value < 0.05) in the mean marginal gaps between different materials. (4) Conclusions: The proposed digital workflow can be a viable alternative for fixed prosthetic rehabilitations. The best performance in terms of marginal gap was achieved by zirconia crowns, but all three materials demonstrate marginal closure below the clinically accepted threshold value (120 µm). Clinical significance: although significant differences were reported, the investigated CAD/CAM materials showed clinically acceptable marginal gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Model alignment in cases of erosive tooth wear can be challenging, and no method has been reported to outweigh the others. Methods: Extracted human teeth were mounted on two models and scanned at different times, from 1 h to 2 weeks, with an intraoral scanner (3Shape TRIOS 4) before and after immersion in Monster® energy drink and tap water. The scans were superimposed (3Shape TRIOS Patient Monitoring, Version 2.2.3.3, 3Shape A/S, Copengagen, Denmark). Best fit, best-fit tooth comparison, reference best fit using fillings, and palatal rugae as reference points were used for alignment. Surface profile differences were calculated in a cross-section view. The nonparametric Bland–Altman and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used. Results: First, statistically significant differences were marked after 4 days of immersion. The measurements obtained after 2 weeks of immersion were statistically significantly different from the measurements obtained at the different time points until 1 week. No statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed among the alignment methods at any time. Conclusion: In comparison to the best-fit model, both palatal rugae and fillings can be used. The best-fit tooth comparison method is a reliable option; however, it should be used with caution in cases of major surface loss.

Introduction. Some physical processes active in the electronic engine control systems lead to wear and tear of the system elements. Experience in operating and diagnosing vehicles at the service station has shown that there is the operation of vehicles with failures, many of which subsequently lead to malfunctions of different complexities. The purpose of the study is to apply diagnostics for determining the operational reliability and assessing the technical condition of electronic engine control systems. Materials and Methods. A batch of cars was selected to assess the operational reliability of modern electronic engine control system. There were carried out experimental tests of Skoda Octavia cars with 1.8 TSI CDAB 152 hp Euro5 engine and CDAA 160 hp Euro5 engine. The sample consisted of 60 vehicles. Every vehicle was registered for diagnostics, pre-maintenance and computer diagnostics. After a short test, the vehicle was taken back to the service station and subjected to a detailed diagnosis of the electronic engine control system. Results. The results of analyzing reliability of the main elements of the electronic engine control system have been obtained. It can be concluded that most of the failures of the structural elements of the electronic engine control system occur within the actuators of the system, which have moving elements, sensors measuring the parameters of the system wear out to a lesser extent. The analysis of dependence of failure rates of the fuel pump pressure regulator on operating time intervals has been carried out. Discussion and Conclusion. It was determined that the spark plugs have the least mileage lifetime. At the same time, the failure within the fuel pressure regulator of the car fuel system occurs most frequently (19.8% of total). The resource of this element of the electronic engine control system averages 125,000 km. It is proved that diagnostics using modern technological equipment is effective.

Cardiac gunshot injuries are fatal and very challenging to manage for surgeons. Unfortunately, there is no consensus regarding the management of these patients. We report an unusual case of a cardiac injury after an indirect gunshot to the heart. The 59 years-old male was hemodynamically stable which allowed us to do further investigations revealing a bullets fragment in the interventricular septum without other complication. Conservative management was decided with a careful regular follow-up. Cardiac gunshot injuries must be managed aggressively in hemodynamically unstable patients. In stable patients, further investigations can be done to allow decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The psoas major muscle is one of the three muscle chiefs of the ilio-psoas muscle. The pathological processes concerning it are dominated by tumor lesions which are mostly malignant. The diagnostic approach is based on the clinic and the abdomino-pelvic scanner. If necessary, it will make it possible to direct a puncture and / or a biopsy. We report the observation of a 33-year-old patient admitted to the Bouaké University Hospital presenting with a mass in the left iliac fossa and an intermittent claudication of chronic evolution in whom the diagnosis of a psoas tumor was diagnosedthrough the abdomino-pelvic scanner and the pathology concluded toan angiomyolipoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Telepathology (TP) allows for remote slide review with performance comparable to traditional light microscopy. Use of TP in the intraoperative setting allows for faster turnaround and greater user convenience by obviating the physical presence of the attending pathologist. We sought to perform a practical validation of an intraoperative TP system using the Leica Aperio LV1 scanner in tandem with Zoom teleconferencing software. Methods: A validation was performed in accordance with recommendations from CAP/ASCP, using a retrospectively identified sample of surgical pathology cases with a 1 year washout period. Only cases with frozen-final concordance were included. Validators underwent training in the operation of the instrument and conferencing interface, then reviewed the blinded slide set annotated with clinical information. Validator diagnoses were compared to original diagnoses for concordance. Results: 60 slides were chosen for inclusion. 8 validators completed the slide review, each requiring 2 h. The validation was completed in 2 weeks. Overall concordance was 96.4%. Intraobserver concordance was 97.3%. No major technical hurdles were encountered. Conclusion: Validation of the intraoperative TP system was completed rapidly and with high concordance, comparable to traditional light microscopy. Institutional teleconferencing implementation driven by the COVID pandemic facilitated ease of adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scanners are commonly applied for detecting vulnerabilities in web applications. Various scanners with different strategies are widely in use, but their performance is challenged by the increasing diversity of target applications that have more complex attack surfaces (i.e., website paths) and covert vulnerabilities that can only be exploited by more sophisticated attack vectors (i.e., payloads). In this paper, we propose Scanner++, a framework that improves web vulnerability detection of existing scanners through combining their capabilities with attack intent synchronization. We design Scanner++ as a proxy-based architecture while using a package-based intent synchronization approach. Scanner++ first uses a purification mechanism to aggregate and refine attack intents, consisting of attack surfaces and attack vectors extracted from the base scanners’ request packets. Then, Scanner++ uses a runtime intent synchronization mechanism to select relevant attack intents according to the scanners’ detection spots to guide their scanning process. Consequently, base scanners can expand their attack surfaces, generate more diverse attack vectors and achieve better vulnerability detection performance. For evaluation, we implemented and integrated Scanner++ together with four widely used scanners, BurpSuite, AWVS, Arachni, and ZAP, testing it on ten benchmark web applications and three well-tested real-world web applications of a critical financial platform from our industry partner. Working under the Scanner++ framework helps BurpSuite, AWVS, Arachni, and ZAP cover 15.26%, 37.14%, 59.21%, 68.54% more pages, construct 12.95×, 1.13×, 15.03×, 52.66× more attack packets, and discover 77, 55, 77, 176 more bugs, respectively. Furthermore, Scanner++ detected eight serious previously unknown vulnerabilities on real-world applications, while the base scanners only found three of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nouveau Praticien Vétérinaire Canine & Féline is the property of EDP Sciences 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.)

A flexible fiber-coupled confocal laser endomicroscope has been developed using an electrostatic micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) scanner located in at distal optics to collect in vivo images in human subjects. Long transmission lines are required that deliver drive and sense signals with limited bandwidth. Phase shifts have been observed between orthogonal ${X}$ - and ${Y}$ -scanner axes from environmental perturbations, which impede image reconstruction. Image-processing algorithms used for correction depend on image content and quality, while scanner calibration in the clinic can be limited by potential patient exposure to lasers. We demonstrate a capacitive sensing method to track the motion of the electrostatically driven 2-D MEMS scanner and to extract phase information needed for image reconstruction. This circuit uses an amplitude modulation (AM) envelope detection method on shared drive and sensing electrodes of the scanner. Circuit parameters were optimized for performance given high scan frequencies, transmission line effects, and substantial parasitic coupling of drive signal to circuit output. Extraction of phase information further leverages nonlinear dynamics of the MEMS scanner. The sensing circuit was verified by comparing with data from a position sensing detector (PSD) measurement. The phase estimation showed an accuracy of 2.18° and 0.79° in ${X}$ - and ${Y}$ -axes for motion sensing, respectively. The results indicate that the sensing circuit can be implemented with feedback control for precalibration of the scanner in clinical MEMS-based imaging systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement or TAVR has become the gold standard for the treatment of symptomatic and severe aortic valve stenosis in elderly patients. Although the role of computed tomography imaging was initially limited to the determination of the optimal vascular approach, it has progressively matured to become the pilar of TAVR work-up while being standardized by consensus conferences. The list of evaluated elements includes aortic annulus diameter, the optimal projection curve, the number of aortic leaflets, the severity and localization of calcifications, coronary ostial height, membranous septum length and aortic angulation. The proper and cautious evaluation of these elements may help evaluating the risk for the main periprocedural complications such as coronary obstruction, annular rupture, permanent pacemaker implantation or procedural failure and selecting the optimal transcatheter heart valve and its size, according to the patient's specific anatomy. In this review, we detail how the evaluation of these parameters may impact the selection of the transcatheter heart valve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L'insuffisance de prise en charge de l'ostéoporose fait des fractures ostéoporotiques un problème de santé publique. Le dépistage opportuniste de l'ostéoporose et des fractures vertébrales sur les examens de scanners thoraciques et abdominaux se développe, sans coût, temps, ou irradiation supplémentaire. Les études montrent la faisabilité et l'efficacité clinique de ces méthodes. L'augmentation importante du nombre de patients ainsi dépistés à prendre en charge doit être anticipée. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkey Lidar Journal / Türkiye Lidar Dergisi is the property of Mersin University 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.)

Copyright of Nouveau Praticien Vétérinaire Canine & Féline is the property of EDP Sciences 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.)

X-ray imaging technology can be divided into transmission and backscatter according to the signal receiving method, both are widely used security technology. In scenarios where it is not easy to utilize large equipment, there is a need for integrated handheld X-ray transmission and backscatter imaging equipment. Existing handheld integrated imaging devices often only add transmission signal receivers to handheld backscatter devices, and their transmission imaging capabilities are insufficient. In order to explore whether integrated handheld X-ray imaging equipment can be further optimized, a disk scanner for handheld X-ray integrated imaging system was designed and imaging simulation was performed. To improve the inadequate transmission capability of existing handheld X-ray machines, the transmission performance is strengthened by setting up transmission windows, which is capable of performing both flying line transmission and flying spot backscattering, overcoming the disadvantage of the existing equipment that can only use flying line scanning or flying spot scanning only. A dynamic simulation imaging method is developed to study the feasibility of the system, which includes the ray source simulation, the scanning process simulation, and the imaging simulation. The disk scanner with windows designed for the handheld X-ray transmission and backscattering integrated imaging system greatly enhances the transmission capability by sacrificing the backscattering capability through the addition of a window structure, and has a core advantage in the penetration resolution test. Its performance is evaluated by simulating the final imaging through the simulation of backscatter spatial resolution test, backscatter line resolution test, transmission resolution test and transmission penetration resolution test items. • The physical processes of X-ray transmission and backscattering were simulated. • A simulation model was designed based on realistically accessible equipment. • The simulated images of some standard objects irradiated by a continuous spectrum X-ray source are given. • The simulation has been set to perform on several tests. • A dynamic simulation imaging method is developed to study the feasibility of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has established as a gold standard in the treatment of elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis. Vascular access marks the first step in a TAVI procedure where the transfemoral access is preferred. Therefore, vascular complications are one of the main concerns of operators. With the increasing number of TAVIs performed, the focus is on the prevention and management of vascular complications. Illustrated by a clinical case, this article attempts to review the main vascular complications, their management and how to prevent them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we provide a systematic review of atomic force microscopy (AFM), a fast-developing technique that embraces scanners, controllers, and cantilevers. The main objectives of this review are to analyze the available technical solutions of AFM, including the limitations and problems. The main questions the review addresses are the problems of working in contact, noncontact, and tapping AFM modes. We do not include applications of AFM but rather the design of different parts and operation modes. Since the main part of AFM is the cantilever, we focused on its operation and design. Information from scientific articles published over the last 5 years is provided. Many articles in this period disclose minor amendments in the mechanical system but suggest innovative AFM control and imaging algorithms. Some of them are based on artificial intelligence. During operation, control of cantilever dynamic characteristics can be achieved by magnetic field, electrostatic, or aerodynamic forces.