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Analysis of Artefacts in Endodontically Treated Teeth on Cone Beam Computed (CBCT) Images and their Impact on Diagnostic Value
Get PDFThe aim of this paper was to investigate the incidence of artefacts produced by endodontically treated teeth on CBCT images and their impacts the diagnostic value of the image for endodontic purposes. A retrospective analysis of 57 root filled teeth from 40 CBCT scans from UCLAN dental clinic between 2016-2020 was undertaken. Each tooth was split into crown and root section with the incidence of all known artefacts recorded by the binary yes/no variable. Subjective assessment into the diagnostic acceptability of the image in relation to endodontic indications stated in the European Society of Endodontics guidance was done. Age, gender, field of view, tooth type, location, coronal restoration of subject tooth and adjacent teeth were recorded. Statistical analysis (SPSS v28, IBM system) was used to assess the relationship between study factors, artefact expression and the effects on diagnostic quality. Scatter artefacts were present in 100% of samples with Beam Hardening being present in 94.7% of samples. Image Noise, Motion and Aliasing (distortion) artefacts reported an incidence ranging between 0-17.5%. The significance level was set at
Perspectives on Preparedness for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Threats in the Middle East and North Africa Region: Application of Artificial Intelligence Techniques
Get PDFOver the past 3 decades, the diversity of ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds worldwide, particularly in countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has led to an increase in the number of intercountry conflicts and terrorist attacks, sometimes involving chemical and biological agents. This warrants moving toward a collaborative approach to strengthening preparedness in the region. In disaster medicine, artificial intelligence techniques have been increasingly utilized to allow a thorough analysis by revealing unseen patterns. In this study, the authors used text mining and machine learning techniques to analyze open-ended feedback from multidisciplinary experts in disaster medicine regarding the MENA region's preparedness for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) risks. Open-ended feedback from 29 international experts in disaster medicine, selected based on their organizational roles and contributions to the academic field, was collected using a modified interview method between October and December 2022. Machine learning clustering algorithms, natural language processing, and sentiment analysis were used to analyze the data gathered using R language accessed through the RStudio environment. Findings revealed negative and fearful sentiments about a lack of accessibility to preparedness information, as well as positive sentiments toward CBRN preparedness concepts raised by the modified interview method. The artificial intelligence analysis techniques revealed a common consensus among experts about the importance of having accessible and effective plans and improved health sector preparedness in MENA, especially for potential chemical and biological incidents. Findings from this study can inform policymakers in the region to converge their efforts to build collaborative initiatives to strengthen CBRN preparedness capabilities in the healthcare sector
The Influence of Virtual Events on Metaverse Commercial Real Estate Values: A Review
Get PDFPurpose: This review paper examines the complex relationship between virtual events and the commercial real estate prices in the dynamic Metaverse, which is a network of interconnected virtual communities enabling real-time interactions. Virtual events have emerged as a prominent element of our digital reality, surpassing geographical limitations and reshaping the understanding of interaction and professional connections. This paper aims to explore the intricate interplay among technology, virtual events, and the commercial real estate ecosystem within the Metaverse.
Materials and Methods: It will analyse several case studies, identify emerging trends, and assess the economic ramifications of these dynamics. This observation highlights the capacity of virtual events to influence the real estate environment of the Metaverse, presenting prospects for developers and investors. However, it also underscores the need for comprehensive regulatory frameworks to guarantee equity and long-term viability.
Findings: The increasing recognition of virtual events by corporations and organisations has led to a growing need for appropriate virtual venues inside the Metaverse. Consequently, this surge in demand has directly influenced the worth of virtual commercial real estate. The ongoing development of the Metaverse holds the potential to create a forthcoming reality in which the physical and virtual domains coexist and fundamentally transform our methods of engaging with the surrounding environment.
Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Utilise digital twin technology for interactive property replicas, enabling potential buyers to explore properties virtually before visiting. Enhance efficiency and transparency in property transactions by exploring blockchain and smart contracts; leverage the metaverse for collaborative design and conduct virtual training for real estate agents to optimize technology utilisation
An Analysis of Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Dreamers from a Symbolist Perspective
Get PDFBernardo Bertolucci’s The Dreamers, adapted from the novel The Holy Innocents by Gilbert Adair, is set against the backdrop of Events of May 1968 in Paris, though without making much visible effort to reconstruct the look of the period. This paper attempts to analyze the character behavior of The Dreamers from the perspective of Freudian psychoanalysis and explore the ideology and culture represented by Isabella, Theo, and Matthew from the perspective of symbolism, with the interperation of the story background and metaphor of the whole film
Participation, Representation, and Future Engineers: An engineering-specific examination of capital and inequity in the United Kingdom
Get PDFThe United Kingdom faces longstanding challenges within its engineering domain with poor and homogenous participation with educational and career pathways contributing to skills shortages and a lack of diversity amongst UK engineers. These economic and social justice challenges are fundamentally concerned with the same root issue of how individuals can be supported to enter and traverse trajectories to become engineers. Despite significant attention and investment engineering inequities in access, participation, success and representation endure. This thesis therefore identifies a need to develop a more sophisticated and solution-orientated understanding of engineering inequities that can inform impactful interventions to address engineering inequities within the UK.
To develop this understanding the thesis adopts the Bourdieuian capital framework to consider the influential resources that support some individuals to engage with the engineering domain. The experiences of secondary school-aged learners, as the potential next generation of engineers, are examined to develop understanding of engineering inequities within the UK. Data is collected from 921 secondary school-aged learners from England and Scotland through a questionnaire methodology to investigate the forms of supportive resource that align to engineering inequities. The science capital model developed by Archer and colleagues is identified as an influential capital-based perspective on inequity in the science domain. This model is critically investigated and found to lack a practical relevance to engineering but is adopted as an influential template through which to develop a richer, engineering-specific understanding of inequity.
A four-stage model and instrument development process is then undertaken to create the engineering capital model and instrument: a tool capable of examining the engineering resources that underpin engineering inequities between groups. A theoretical model of engineering capital is first created through a critical synthesis of existing literature. This model includes forms of cultural capital, social capital and behaviours and practices that can support engineering educational or career aspirations. A quantitative instrument of engineering capital is then created through data reduction and regression analyses. The instrument is found to be a valid perspective on engineering inequity that aligns to current understanding, offers new insights and can reasonably predict the engineering aspirations of learners. This thesis offers a number of valuable contributions to support greater understanding and intervention with the engineering inequities underpinning skill shortages and diversity challenges in the UK. The theoretical model of engineering capital unifies distinct strands of previous study under a common, unifying framework and so offers a rich conceptualisation of how individuals are supported to become engineers. The empirical instrument is capable of measuring the engineering capital of young learners to identify the degree to which individuals are supported with resources that facilitate future engineering trajectories. This operationalisation facilitates a more nuanced understanding of engineering inequity beyond simplistic descriptions that rely on gender, ethnic, or social class groupings. The forms of capital identified as significant within this model and instrument may be drawn on to inform interventions to address inequity and support a larger and more diverse population of future engineers
Transferability of Human and Environmental Microbiome on Clothes as a Tool for Forensic Investigations
Get PDFConsidering the growing importance of microbiome analyses in forensics for identifying individuals, this study explores the transfer of the skin microbiome onto clothing, its persistence on fabrics over time, and its transferability from the environment and between different garments. Furthermore, this project compares three specific QIAGEN microbiome extraction kits to test their extraction efficiency on fabric samples. Additionally, this study aims to check if these extracts contain human DNA, providing a chance to obtain more information from the same evidence for personal identification. The results obtained show: (1) variations in the skin microbiome between the volunteers, potentially due to their different sex; (2) differences in microbial composition between worn and unworn clothing; (3) the influence of the environment on the microbial signature of unworn clothing; (4) the potential use of certain phyla as biomarkers to differentiate between worn and unworn garments, even over extended periods; (5) a tendency towards extraction biases in the QIAampMP® DNA microbiome kit among the three tested ones; and (6) none of the extraction kits allow for the typing of human genetic profiles suitable for comparison. In conclusion, our study offers supplementary insights into the potential utility of time-transferred microbiome analysis on garments for forensic applications
Tinzaparin treatment dose in adults
Get PDFTinzaparin is presented in syringes and vials containing 20 000 units/mL. The dosage of tinzaparin for treatment of venous thromboembolism is 175 units/kg bodyweight once daily. The dose should be rounded up or down to the nearest 0.05 mL dose volume. Tinzaparin is administered by subcutaneous injection. A dosing chart should always be used when calculating doses of tinzaparin. For these examples, try calculating the dose using your maths skills, then use the dosing chart below to check your answers
Leading with Political Awareness
No full textA generally overlooked element that increasingly relates to the world of policing is that of the political dimensions that policing and police work intersect with. At one level, it could be argued that managing the dynamics around such intersections might solely be the preserve of police officers working at the senior level. We will, however, argue in this chapter that many of the skills and considerations relating to political awareness in policing are, in fact, transferable. That is to say, that such knowledge (or certainly some elements of it) will be applicable to numerous scenarios that affect police officers, particularly those which involve partnership between different groups and agencies with a variety of agendas and priorities
Therapeutic gardening in English prisons post-pandemic: implications for health and wellbeing
Get PDFPurpose
Greener on the Outside for Prisons (GOOP) is a therapeutic horticulture programme targeting the high levels of complex health and social care needs in prisons in England. The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns led to unprecedented disruption in prisons in England. This paper examines the experiences of prisoners both during and post-lockdowns in four prisons, to understand the effects of participation in GOOP on health and wellbeing after the disruption of restrictions, and identify implications for developing this programme further.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on original qualitative data gathered from in-depth narrative-based interviews and focus groups with prisoners and staff in four English prisons. Audio data was transcribed and subject to a thematic analysis, drawing from a realist-informed lens.
Findings
Thematic analysis revealed five key themes: reimagining the GOOP context; increasing empathy between participants; building sense of coherence; reconnecting with nature and a joined-up connection with provider services. The main arguments centre on horticulture in prisons remaining under-utilised as a means of promoting good health and wellbeing, although there is enthusiasm from staff to provide green spaces for the most vulnerable prisoners and develop a range of mechanisms to connect people in prison with nature.
Originality
This paper focuses on new knowledge arising from an unprecedented situation in English prisons, from key stakeholders on the frontline of gardens activities. Accounts demonstrate the extent of the health and wellbeing benefits of participation in such activities in this challenging environment, which has implications for practice for prisons more widely
“Life Languages” of the Francophone and Germanophone Diaspora: Preserving Louisiana French and Pennsylvania German through Written and Non-Written Life Narratives
Get PDFIn recent years, there has been increased interest in the multilingual cultural production of creators in the United States (cf. Li and Wen, 2015; Rim, 2009), particularly in the context of increasing discrimination against multilingual agents in the nation from members of the public (cf. Acevedo, 2019; Díez, 2019), from English-only movements (Barker et al., 2001; Schildkraut, 2003) and from public figures (CNN, 2015). However, while research in some areas of multicultural and multilingual identity continues to grow (cf. Li and Wen, 2015; Rim,
2009), there remains little focus on the French- and German-speaking communities that reside
there, despite the long heritage of these groups (cf. Ancelet, 1994; Louden, 2016; Rabalais, 2017, 2021).
This means that there is little understanding of the way in which the French and German languages are used in the United States and how these communities have preserved their unique
identity as Francophones and Germanophones in a predominately Anglophone country, nor is there much information on how members have signalled their belonging to said community through life narratives.
This thesis seeks to bring attention to the methods of depicting life used by these communities, with a focus on the way in which the languages spoken by these communities – namely Louisiana French and Pennsylvania German – are utilised, both in their written forms and in conjunction with non-written forms of narrative, as a method of linguistic and cultural preservation. Using life writing theory (Lejeune, 1989; Smith and Watson) and theories on cultural and linguistic metissage (cf. Bakhtin, 1981; Bradley, 2019; Glissant, 1989), this thesis problematises the concept of “life writing” informed by biopolitical theory (e.g. Agamben, 1998; 1975, 1997, 2004; Puumeister, 2009) with the aim of determining the effectiveness of writing as a means of portraying and preserving ‘life’ for these communities (e.g. Romaine, 2008)