Category: Statistics

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Jul 15:165504. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165504. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Two fundamental problems have inhibited progress in the simulation of river water quality under climate (and other) uncertainty: 1) insufficient data, and 2) the inability of existing models to account for the complexity of factors (e.g., hydro-climatic, basin characteristics, land use features) affecting river water quality. To address these concerns this study presents a technique for augmenting limited ground-based observations of water quality variables with remote-sensed surface reflectance data by leveraging a machine learning model capable of accommodating the multidimensionality of water quality influences. Total Suspended Solids (TSS) can serve as a surrogate for chemical and biological pollutants of concern in surface water bodies. Historically, TSS data collection in the United States has been limited to the location of water treatment plants where state or federal agencies conduct regularly-scheduled water sampling. Mathematical models relating riverine TSS concentration to the explanatory factors have therefore been limited and the relationships between climate extremes and water contamination events have not been effectively diagnosed. This paper presents a method to identify these issues by utilizing a Long Short-Term Memory Network (LSTM) model trained on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite reflectance data, which is calibrated to TSS data collected by the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO). The methodology developed enables a thorough empirical analysis and data-driven algorithms able to account for spatial variability within the watershed and provide effective water quality prediction under uncertainty.

PMID:37459982 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165504

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Jul 15:165558. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165558. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Graphene production has dramatically increased in the last years and new ways to recycle this engineered material need to be investigated. To this purpose, a reactive model network was developed using PHREEQC-3 code to quantify the relevant biogeochemical reactions induced by graphene scraps’ incorporation in a calcareous sandy soil. The numerical model was calibrated versus a complete dataset of column experiments in water saturated conditions using two different fertilizers, a synthetic NPK fertilizer and fertigation water produced in a wastewater treatment plant. Column experiments consisted of 50 cm columns filled with a mixture of graphene scraps (0.015 % dry weight) and soil in the first 10 cm, while the remaining 40 cm had only soil. The model performance was tested using classical statistical indices (R², Modelling Efficiency, and Index of Agreement), resulting to be satisfactory. Besides, a simple sensitivity analysis via the perturbation of relevant parameters showed a low degree of uncertainty. The main outcome of this study was the quantification of the increased denitrification rate triggered by graphene incorporation into the soil. Moreover, graphene incorporation substantially increased soil CEC and DOC sorption capacity, demonstrating a good adsorption capacity for ammonium and organic compounds, thus decreasing nutrients leaching that represents a major concern related to agricultural practice. Indeed, Graphene incorporation increased by 40 % the CEC in the first 10 cm of the CSG_NPK column (2.50e^-02 mol/L) respect to the CS_NPK column (1.75e^-02 mol/L) and increased it by 150 % in the first 10 cm of the CSG_FW column (2.50e^-02 mol/L) in comparison with the CS_FW column 1.00e^-02 (mol/L). pH fluctuations were most likely due to the precipitation of Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH, indeed the consumption of H⁺ ions could have triggered the pH lowering during the experiment. These results could be relevant for future graphene applications as a soil improver or as suitable material to enhance soil bioremediation in order to include graphene in a circular economy loop.

PMID:37459980 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165558

J Affect Disord. 2023 Jul 15:S0165-0327(23)00919-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.066. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:37459974 | DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.066

J Dent. 2023 Jul 15:104623. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2023.104623. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the microstructural, elemental and mechanical properties of contemporary CAD/CAM resin based composite (RBC) materials.

METHODS: Six CAD/CAM RBC materials [Brilliant CRIOS (Coltene Whaledent AG), Cerasmart (GC), Lava Ultimate (3M ESPE), Tetric CAD (Ivoclar Vivadent), Shofu Block HC (Shofu), Grandio Blocs (VOCO GmbH)] were tested. Ten CAD/CAM rectangular blocks (14 Χ 12 Χ 18 mm) for each material, after metallographic grinding and polishing, were subjected to Instrumented Indentation Testing (ΙIT). Martens Hardness (HM), Indentation Elastic Modulus (E_IT), Elastic (η_IT) and Creep indices (C_IT) were determined according to formulas provided by ISO 14577. The diagonal length of each indentation was measured and HV was determined. The results of HM, E_IT, η_ΙΤ, HV, and C_IT were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test employing the material as a discriminating variable (a=0.05), while the possible correlations were determined by Spearman’s correlation test. One specimen from each group was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX).

RESULTS: SEM images and EDX analysis demonstrated differences in size, shape and type of fillers along with elemental composition among materials tested. Statistical significant differences were identified for all mechanical properties tested. Grandio Blocs had the significantly higher HM (953±7 N/mm²), HV (136±1) and E_IT (23±1 GPa) followed by Lava Ultimate (ΗM=674±25 N/mm², HV=105±2, E_IT=15±1 GPa). Elastic index ranged from 41% to 52%, with Shofu Block demonstrating the significantly highest η_IT (52 ± 1%) values. Cerasmart had significantly higher C_IT value (8.4±0.1%) than all other materials tested, while Grandio Blocs and Lava Ultimate had the lowest ones. Spearman’s correlation revealed that all mechanical properties tested exhibited correlations with each other, apart from η_ΙΤ.

CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the CAD/CAM materials tested have differences in their microstructure, elemental composition and mechanical properties.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The RBCs tested showed significant differences in mechanical properties and thus differences in clinical performance are anticipated. RBCs with increased filler loading had the most favorable combination of hardness, elastic modulus and creep index indicating that these materials may have better clinical performance under intraoral loading conditions.

PMID:37459951 | DOI:10.1016/j.jdent.2023.104623

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2023 Jul 15:103712. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103712. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare objective refractive errors and keratometry measurements obtained using the Nidek OPD-Scan II aberrometer/topographer and Topcon KR 8900 autorefractokeratometer.

METHODS: A total of 176 right eyes of 176 patients aged 18-35 years who were admitted to our clinic as refractive surgery candidates were tested for refractive status and keratometry measurements with a Nidek OPD-Scan II aberrometer/topographer and a standard tabletop autorefractokeratometer (Topcon KR 8900) before the induction of cycloplegia. Patients who had undergone eye surgery and had hereditary, ectatic, or acquired corneal pathology were excluded. Refractive data were compared as spheres, cylinders, spherical equivalents, and power vectors before and after the induction of cycloplegia. Flat and steep keratometry readings were recorded in diopters (D) and axis degrees, respectively, for each eye.

RESULTS: The spherical, cylindrical, spherical equivalence, J0-J45 vector values and K1-K2 readings (D, axis) between the two devices were statistically significant before and after the induction of cycloplegia (p<0.05). Bland-Altman analysis identified mean differences (95%CI of limits of agreement) of 0.77 (-0,57 to 2,11) in sphere, 0.74 (-0,54 to 2,01) in spherical equivalent, -0,07 (-0,41 to 0,26) in J0 vector, 0,06 (-0,31 to 0,43) in J45 vector, -0,16 (-0,66 to 0,33) in K1, -0,23 (-0,79 to 0,33) in K2 values before induction of cycloplegia.

CONCLUSION: The refractive and keratometry results of the Nidek OPD Scan II system and Topcon KR 8900 standard table-top autorefractokeratometer are not interchangeable in healthy adult population before and after induction of cycloplegia.

PMID:37459941 | DOI:10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103712

Chemosphere. 2023 Jul 15:139509. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139509. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Response surface methodology (RSM) is an effective tool for process optimization with multi-complex operational factors. The present work aims to model and optimize the photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) parameters of Reactive Red 195 (RR195) dye decoloration with the SiO₂-supported Fe-Co catalyst (FCS) derived from a novel catalyst synthesis method, fluidized-bed crystallization (FBC) process, using Box-Behnken design (BBD) as the RSM statistical model. The Fe-Co@SiO₂ catalyst was successfully fabricated using the FBC process, and it showed good catalytic activity and performance toward the degradation of RR195. The extent of the effects of pH, H₂O₂ dosage (HD), catalyst loading (CL), and operating time (t) on the decoloration of RR195 was studied. Hence, the order of variable significance follows the sequence: pH > t > CL > HD. pH has the most significant effect among the variables for RR195 decoloration. The decoloration efficiency predicted by the BBD model was 88.3% under the optimized operation conditions of initial pH of 3.15, 0.76 mM H₂O₂, 1.18 g L^-1 FCS and 59.4 min of operating time. The actual decoloration efficiency was very close to the predicted value indicating that BBD can efficiently be utilized to optimize RR195 degradation with FCS under the PCO system.

PMID:37459934 | DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139509

Chemosphere. 2023 Jul 15:139530. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139530. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Micro/nanomotors that can promote mass transport have attracted more and more research concern in the photocatalysis field. Here we first report a newly-designed hierarchical α-Fe₂O₃/ZnFe₂O₄/Mn₂O₃ magnetic micromotor as a heterogeneous photocatalyst for the degradation of cationic dye methylene blue (MB) from wastewater. The resulting three-dimensional (3D) flower-like hollow Janus micromotors are fabricated through a green and scalable strategy, in which each component has different functions. ZnFe₂O₄ microspheres serve as a magnetic scaffold for the nucleation and growth of α-Fe₂O₃ nanosheets and for the recycling of the micromachine. α-Fe₂O₃ nanosheets have shown great potential as an ideal semiconductor material for the photocatalytic decontamination of pollutants. Mn₂O₃ nanoparticles are mainly utilized as a catalyst to produce O₂ bubbles to propel the autonomic movement of the micromotors in the presence of H₂O₂ fuel and also as a Fenton-like catalyst to decompose H₂O₂ to generate reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, the resultant micromotors exhibited linear-like motion form with an average speed of 189.1 μm s^-1 in 5 wt% H₂O₂ solution. Moreover, the self-driven micromotors exhibited a superior catalytic degradation property toward MB, which was attributed to the synergistic effect of heterogeneous photocatalyst and the boosted micro-mixing and mass transfer caused by the vigorous motion of the micro-actuator. The possible degradation intermediates and passways of MB by α-Fe₂O₃/ZnFe₂O₄/Mn₂O₃ micromotor were identified with time of flight mass spectroscopy (TOF-MS). The 3D Janus micromotors have the potential to be used as a high-efficiency and active heterogeneous photocatalyst for the degradation of organic pollutants.

PMID:37459924 | DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139530

Ophthalmol Retina. 2023 Jul 15:S2468-6530(23)00312-3. doi: 10.1016/j.oret.2023.07.010. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess real-world primary anatomic reattachment rate and postoperative visual acuity outcomes in patients aged 75 years or older who underwent pneumatic retinopexy (PnR) for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study.

SUBJECTS: Patients aged 75 years or older with primary RRD undergoing PnR.

METHODS: This study evaluates real-world outcomes from Oct 1, 2010, to December 31, 2022, of eligible patients with a minimum of 3 months follow-up. There were no limitations with respect to the number, size or location of retinal breaks. Exclusion criteria included significant proliferative vitreoretinopathy or previous retinal detachment repair in the index eye, inability to maintain the postoperative posturing requirements (such as physical disability), very inferior breaks below 5 or 7 o’clock) or inability to carry out adequate examination of the peripheral retina due to media opacity. Lens status did not impact decision to offer PnR.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: PnR primary anatomic reattachment rate and postoperative visual acuity (VA) at 3 months.

RESULTS: 80 patients with a mean age of 80.6±4.6 years were included in this study. 35% (28) were phakic, and 34% (27) presented with a fovea-on RRD. The mean number of breaks in the detached retina was 1.52±1.13, and the mean number of quadrants of detached retina was 2.35±0.93. The primary anatomic reattachment rate at 3 months following PnR was 78.8% (63/80), while the remaining 21.2% (17/80) failed PnR and underwent an operating room procedure. There was a statistically significant improvement in LogMAR VA from baseline to 3 months (1.29±0.94 and 0.69±0.67, respectively, p<0.001). A subgroup analysis that only included patients above the age of 80 was also performed, with a total of 39 patients with a mean age of 84.4±3.5 years. Primary anatomic reattachment rate with PnR in this subgroup was 74.4% (29/39) with a statistically significant improvement in LogMAR VA from baseline to 3 months (1.4±1.05 and 0.77±0.70, respectively, p=0.004).

CONCLUSION: Patients aged 75 years and above or aged 80 years and above treated with PnR for primary RRD had primary anatomic reattachment rates of 78.8% and 74.4%, respectively. These are relatively comparable primary reattachment rates in this age group with other surgical techniques such as pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), scleral buckle (SB) or PPV/SB. Pneumatic retinopexy is an effective, minimally invasive office-based procedure which may be desirable for some elderly patients.

PMID:37459912 | DOI:10.1016/j.oret.2023.07.010

Lancet Healthy Longev. 2023 Jul 14:S2666-7568(23)00098-3. doi: 10.1016/S2666-7568(23)00098-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Previous population-based, longitudinal studies have shown that delirium is associated with an increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline. However, the underlying biological mechanisms are largely unknown. We aimed to assess the effects of delirium on both cognitive trajectories and any neuronal injury, measured via neurofilament light chain (NfL).

METHODS: In this analysis of a prospective, 2-year follow-up, cohort study of participants aged 65 years or older living in Sandefjord municipality, Norway, we included cohort participants who were receiving domiciliary care services at least once per week between May 12, 2015, and July 8, 2016. Individuals with a life expectancy of less than 1 week, with Lewy body dementia, with psychiatric illness (except dementia), or for whom substance misuse was the principal indication for domiciliary services were excluded. Participants had a comprehensive assessment at 6-month intervals for 2 years, which included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and a blood sample for NfL to measure neuronal injury. All information on clinical diagnoses and medications were cross-referenced with medical records. During any acute change in mental status or hospitalisation (ie, admission to hospital), participants were assessed once per day for delirium with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition criteria. We also measured NfL from blood samples taken from participants who were acutely hospitalised.

FINDINGS: Between May 12, 2015, and July 8, 2016, 210 participants were eligible for inclusion and assessed at baseline (138 [66%] of whom were female and 72 [34%] of whom were male), 203 completed cognitive assessment, and 141 were followed up for 2 years. 160 (76%) of 210 had moderate or severe frailty and 112 (53%) were living with dementia. During the 2-year follow-up, 89 (42%) of 210 participants were diagnosed with one or more episodes of delirium. Incident delirium was independently associated with a decrease in MoCA score at the next 6-month follow-up, even after adjustment for age, sex, education, previous MoCA score, and frailty (adjusted mean difference -1·5, 95% CI -2·9 to -0·1). We found an interaction between previous MoCA score and delirium (β -0.254, 95% CI -0·441 to -0·066, p=0·010.), with the largest decline being observed in people with better baseline cognition. Participants with delirium and good previous cognitive function and participants with a high peak concentration of NfL during any hospitalisation had increased NfL at the next 6-month follow-up. Mediation analyses showed independent pathways from previous MoCA score to follow-up MoCA score with contributions from incident delirium (-1·7, 95% CI -2·8 to -0·6) and from previous NfL to follow-up MoCA score with contributions from acute NfL concentrations (-1·8, -2·5 to -1·1). Delirium was directly linked with a predicted value of 1·2 pg/mL (95% CI 1·02 to 1·40, p=0·029) increase in NfL.

INTERPRETATION: In people aged 65 years or older, an episode of delirium was associated with a decline in MoCA score. Greater neuronal injury during acute illness and delirium, measured by NfL, was associated with greater cognitive decline. For clinicians, our finding of delirium associated with both signs of acute neuronal injury, measured via NfL, and cognitive decline is important regarding the risk of long-term cognitive deterioration and to acknowledge that delirium is harmful for the brain.

FUNDING: South-Eastern Norway Health Authorities, Old Age Psychiatry Research Network, Telemark Hospital Trust, Vestfold Hospital Trust, and Norwegian National Centre for Ageing and Health.

TRANSLATION: For the Norwegian translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

PMID:37459878 | DOI:10.1016/S2666-7568(23)00098-3

Clin Oral Implants Res. 2023 Jul 17. doi: 10.1111/clr.14130. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influence of 3-mm high abutments with different shapes (cylindrical abutment vs. wide abutment) on marginal bone-level changes (bone loss and bone remodeling). The influence of abutment shape on implant success, probing pocket depth (PPD), and bleeding on probing (BoP) was studied as secondary objectives.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with a partially edentulous area requiring fixed dental prostheses by two implants in the posterior mandible or maxilla were included. The implants were 1 mm subcrestally placed, and osseointegration healing was submerged. Three-mm high abutments with two different shapes were randomly placed in second-stage surgery: cylindrical abutments (cylindrical group) and wide abutments (wide group). Marginal bone-level changes were measured using parallelized periapical radiographs at abutment placement, at definitive prosthesis placement, and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after loading. PPD and BoP were likewise measured at the control visits.

RESULTS: Sixty-four dental implants in 25 patients were included. Statistically significant differences were found in bone-level changes. The cylindrical group exhibited less mean marginal bone remodeling (MBR) and marginal bone loss (MBL) than the wide group (p < .05). Moreover, the cylindrical group showed significantly less BoP (p < .05).

CONCLUSION: Abutment shape had a significant influence upon marginal bone-level changes during the first 12 months. Cylindrical abutments caused less MBR and MBL than wide abutments. More clinical studies involving longer follow-ups and analyzing other abutment modifications are needed to improve our understanding of how abutments can affect peri-implant tissue stability.

PMID:37461127 | DOI:10.1111/clr.14130