• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.7
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• pp.2334-2340
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• 2021

Radioactive particle tracking (RPT) is a minimally invasive nuclear technique that tracks a radioactive particle inside a volume of interest by means of a mathematical location algorithm. During the past decades, many algorithms have been developed including ones based on artificial intelligence techniques. In this study, RPT technique is applied in a simulated test section that employs a simplified mixer filled with concrete, six scintillator detectors and a¹³⁷Cs radioactive particle emitting gamma rays of 662 keV. The test section was developed using MCNPX code, which is a mathematical code based on Monte Carlo simulation, and 3516 different radioactive particle positions (x,y,z) were simulated. Novelty of this paper is the use of a location algorithm based on a deep learning model, more specifically a 6-layers deep rectifier neural network (DRNN), in which hyperparameters were defined using a Bayesian optimization method. DRNN is a type of deep feedforward neural network that substitutes the usual sigmoid based activation functions, traditionally used in vanilla Multilayer Perceptron Networks, for rectified activation functions. Results show the great accuracy of the DRNN in a RPT tracking system. Root mean squared error for x, y and coordinates of the radioactive particle is, respectively, 0.03064, 0.02523 and 0.07653.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.71-80
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• 2022

Using the TAM, this study investigates the impact of Perceived Usefulness(PU), Perceived Ease of Use(PEOU) of the Animal-Crossing users on game satisfaction(DOS), immersion(DOI), and the relationship between user's attitude and intention through the google online survey. The decorative elements of the game generate a healing effect and more than half of the survey participants share game activities with the online community in terms of PU. In the case of PEOU, the survey participants positively evaluate the technological advancement such as graphics and sounds of the game. In addition, both high degree of satisfaction and immersion in the game have significant correlations with the intention for replaying the game and intention for recommending the game to others.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2021

[Purpose] Sodium bicarbonate shows ergogenic potential in physical exercise and sports activities, although there is no strong evidence which performance markers show the greatest benefit from this supplement. This study evaluated the effects of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on time trial performance and time to exhaustion in athletes and sports practitioners. [Methods] A systematic review was conducted using three databases, including 17 clinical trials. Among these clinical trials, 11 were considered eligible for the meta-analysis according to the criteria for the assessment of methodological quality using the PEDro Scale. Time to exhaustion was assessed in six studies, while time trial performance was evaluated in five studies. [Results] A significant beneficial effect of supplementation on time to exhaustion was found in a random effects model (1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49 to 2.48). There was no significant effect of supplementation on time trial performance in a fixed effects model (slope = -0.75; 95% CI, -2.04 to 0.55) relative to a placebo group. [Conclusion] Sodium bicarbonate has the potential to improve sports performance in general, especially in terms of time to exhaustion.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.399-408
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare volume measurements obtained using 2 image software packages on Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) images acquired from 1 multidetector computed tomography and 5 cone-beam computed tomography devices, using different protocols for physical volume measurements. Materials and Methods: Four pieces of bovine leg were prepared. Marrow was removed from 3 pieces, leaving cortical bone exposed. The resulting space of 1 piece was filled with water, another was filled with propylene glycol, and the third was left unfilled. The marrow in the fourth sample was left fully intact. Volume measurements were obtained after importing DICOM images into the Dolphin Imaging 11.95 and ITK-SNAP software programs. Data were analyzed using 3-way analysis of variance with a generalized linear model to determine the effects of voxel size, software, and content on percentage mean volume differences between tomographic protocols. A significance level of 0.05 was used. Results: The intraclass correlation coefficients for intraobserver and interobserver reliability were, respectively, 0.915 and 0.764 for the Dolphin software and 0.894 and 0.766 for the ITK-SNAP software. Three sources of statistically significant variation were identified: the interaction between software and content (P=0.001), the main effect of content (P=0.014), and the main effect of software (P=0.001). Voxel size was not associated with statistically significant differences in volume measurements. Conclusion: Both content and software influenced the accuracy of volume measurements, especially when the content had gray values similar to those of the adjacent tissues.

• Iberoamérica
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.189-216
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• 2010

Después de los años 90, en la América Latina, nos llama la atención el surgimiento de los nuevos movimientos sociales que quieran superar o cambiar los caracteres del regimen neoliberalista, el cual nos obliga mantenernos aislados o dispersados. Sobre todo se trató así fuerte en la Argentina con los movimientos sociales de los desocupados pobres que se llaman 'piqueteros' en la segunda mitad de la década 90. En este estudio, he intentado de comprender y explicar cuáles motivos o contextos socio-culturales hayan movido esos movimientos sociales con la ayuda del marco teórico de 'habitus' de Pierre Bourdieu. Por ello, es muy importante interpretar la solidaridad entre la clase obrera y la media según la perspectiva de Bourdieu debido a la sugerencia de habitus de la clase obrera y la media latinoamericana basado en la cultura oral. Porque los movimientos piqueteros argentinos surgieron no desde la clase social ni del individuo abstracto-racional de la modernidad sino de los individuos reales. Y el concepto de habitus se penetra en el cuerpo de los individuos de manera inconsciente construido desde fuera de las condiciones histórico-sociales por mucho tiempo. Y también en la Argentina esa solidaridad ha desarrollado no sólo a superar la pobreza en sí misma sino a construir nuevas maneras sociales de los procesos de producción capitalista en forma del movimiento cooperativista, que se llama 'las empresas recuperadas por los trabajadores'. Por tanto, he analizado el proceso de cambio social en el ámbito de la América Latina relacionando el habitus con la estructura socio-cultural de la oralidad en dos sentidos; primero, se recalca la importancia de solidaridad entre las clases y la media segundo, fuerte resistencia social ante los crisis socio-económicos. Por ultimo, hay que valorar la importancia de la aparición de los nuevos sujetos sociales así como esos movimientos cooperativistas, socialización de los procesos de producción capitalista en renovar la democracia misma.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.80-92
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• 2023

PURPOSE. This study incorporated the nanomaterial, nanostructured silver vanadate decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgVO₃), into heat-cured resin (HT) at concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, and 10% and compared the adhesion of multispecies biofilms, surface characteristics, and mechanical properties with conventional heat-cured (HT 0%) and printed resins. MATERIALS AND METHODS. AgVO₃ was incorporated in mass into HT powder. A denture base resin was used to obtain printed samples. Adhesion of a multispecies biofilm of Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Streptococcus mutans was evaluated by colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) and metabolic activity. Wettability, roughness, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to assess the physical characteristics of the surface. The mechanical properties of flexural strength and elastic modulus were tested. RESULTS. HT 10%-AgVO₃ showed efficacy against S. mutans; however, it favored C. albicans CFU/mL (P < .05). The printed resin showed a higher metabolically active biofilm than HT 0% (P < .05). There was no difference in wettability or roughness between groups (P > .05). Irregularities on the printed resin surface and pores in HT 5%-AgVO₃ were observed by SEM. HT 0% showed the highest flexural strength, and the resins incorporated with AgVO₃ had the highest elastic modulus (P < .05). CONCLUSION. The incorporation of 10% AgVO₃ into heat-cured resin provided antimicrobial activity against S. mutans in a multispecies biofilm did not affect the roughness or wettability but reduced flexural strength and increased elastic modulus. Printed resin showed higher irregularity, an active biofilm, and lower flexural strength and elastic modulus than heat-cured resin.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.142-149
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• 2022

Objective: To evaluate clinical parameters and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) cytokines in children with anterior open bite receiving passive orthodontic treatment with spurs. Methods: Twenty children with indications for interceptive orthodontic treatment, an anterior open bite, and good oral hygiene and periodontal health were included in this study. GCF samples were collected from the mandibular and maxillary central incisors before (baseline) and 24 hours and 7 days after spur bonding. Clinical and periodontal examinations and cytokine analyses were performed. Results: At 7 days after spur attachment, gingival bleeding in the mandibular group was increased relative to that in the maxillary group. Visible plaque was correlated with gingival bleeding at 7 days and the GCF volume at 24 hours after spur attachment. Compared with those at baseline, interleukin (IL)-8 levels in the maxillary group and IL-1β levels in both tooth groups increased at both 24 hours and 7 days and at 7 days, respectively. At 24 hours, IL-8, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels were higher in the maxillary group than in the mandibular group. Cytokine production was positively correlated with increased GCF volume, but not with gingival bleeding, visible plaque, or probing depth. Conclusions: Although orthodontic treatment with spurs in children resulted in increased gingival bleeding around the mandibular incisors, IL levels were higher around the maxillary incisors and not correlated with periodontal parameters. Increased cytokine levels in GCF may be associated with the initial tooth movement during open bite correction with a passive orthodontic appliance in children.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.18.1-18.10
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• 2022

Background: Canine herpesvirus type 1 (CaHV-1) infects dogs and is associated with neonatal deaths and reproductive, ocular, neurological, and respiratory problems. In Brazil, reports of CaHV-1 have been restricted to the southeast and south regions, particularly in municipalities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Objectives: To assess the presence and variability of CaHV-1 in canine populations in the state of Pará, North Brazil. Methods: Biological samples from 159 dogs from 4 municipalities in the State of Pará were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction and phylogenetic analyses, with the target being the viral enzyme, thymidine kinase. Results: CaHV-1 was detected in 13 dogs (8.2%), with 2 animals being from the municipality of Santa Bárbara do Pará, 8 from Algodoal Island, 2 from Salinópolis, and one from Capanema. The study sequences revealed 100% identity among themselves and 64% to 100% identity with the other nucleotide sequences from Australia, Brazil, United Kingdom, and United States, including 100% identity with the 2002 isolate from Australia. The 1996 isolate from France was grouped in a branch that was different from the sequence of this study. Conclusions: This study presents the first molecular detection of CaHV-1 in dogs from the Amazon region in northern Brazil. The nucleotide identity between the strains and cytosine insertion in the sequences isolated in this study suggests at least 2 strains of CaHV-1 circulating in Brazil (Pará and BTU-1).

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.28.1-28.10
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• 2021

Objectives: This study evaluated the effect of repeated uses and autoclaving in the instrumented area, fracture resistance, and time of instrumentation of thermally treated nickel-titanium reciprocating systems. Materials and Methods: Two hundred simulated canals were instrumented using Reciproc Blue and WaveOne Gold. Each file was used up to 10 times or until fracture. The instrumented area was measured in pre- and post-operative images, using ImageJ software. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis evaluated the number of uses of instruments before fracture. Instrumented area and time of instrumentation were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis. Correlations among the number of uses and instrumented area were measured. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Reciproc Blue presented a higher estimated number of uses in comparison with WaveOne Gold (p = 0.026), but autoclaving did not affect the resistance to fracture of instruments (p > 0.05). The instrumented area was different among the evaluated groups (p = 0.039), and the instrumented area along the uses of both tested instruments was reduced. With the time of instrumentation, there was also a significant difference among the evaluated groups; the groups without sterilization cycles were faster, in comparison to those submitted to autoclaving (p = 0.010). Conclusions: Reciproc Blue was more resistant than WaveOne Gold, suffering later fracture. Additionally, the sterilization cycles did not influence the estimated number of uses of thermally treated reciprocating instruments, but the instrumented area of root canals was reduced along with the repeated uses of both instruments.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.2.1-2.11
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• 2022

Objectives: This study investigated the impact of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT)-based voxel size on the analysis of material/dentin interface voids and thickness of different endodontic cements. Materials and Methods: Following root-end resection and apical preparation, maxillary premolars were filled with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Biodentine, and intermediate restorative material (IRM) (n = 24). The samples were scanned using micro-CT (SkyScan 1272; Bruker) and the cement/dentin interface and thickness of materials were evaluated at voxel sizes of 5, 10, and 20 ㎛. Analysis of variance and the Tukey test were conducted, and the degree of agreement between different voxel sizes was evaluated using the Bland and Altman method (p < 0.05). Results: All materials showed an increase in thickness from 5 to 10 and 20 ㎛ (p < 0.05). When evaluating the interface voids, materials were similar at 5 ㎛ (p > 0.05), while at 10 and 20 ㎛ Biodentine showed the lowest percentage of voids (p < 0.05). A decrease in the interface voids was observed for MTA and IRM at 20 ㎛, while Biodentine showed differences among all voxel sizes (p < 0.05). The Bland-Altman plots for comparisons among voxel sizes showed the largest deviations when comparing images between 5 and 20 ㎛. Conclusions: Voxel size had an impact on the micro-CT evaluation of thickness and interface voids of endodontic materials. All cements exhibited an increase in thickness and a decrease in the void percentage as the voxel size increased, especially when evaluating images at 20 ㎛.