Continuous Technique Research Articles

CAPP: Context‐Aware Privacy‐Preserving Continuous Authentication in Smartphones

ABSTRACTThe pervasive use of smart devices in everyday life has increased the risk of theft and cyberattacks, necessitating robust and continuous behavioral authentication techniques during every interactive session. Traditional authentication methods are insufficient to address these evolving threats, as they often fail to maintain security throughout the session. To address this challenge, we propose a continuous authentication scheme that leverages touch and motion sensors, incorporating user context to enhance security. However, building an effective authentication model requires creating a behavioral template by aggregating data from multiple users. Moreover, outsourcing sensitive sensor data to third‐party servers for processing introduces the risk of privacy breaches, such as behavioral profiling or the theft of personal information. To mitigate these risks, we designed CAPP—a context‐aware privacy‐preserving data outsourcing scheme for continuous authentication during live sessions. CAPP employs Format Preserving Encryption (FPE) to encrypt the sensor data, ensuring that the data's format remains intact, which allows the machine learning model to function with minimal loss of accuracy. Our solution enables secure and efficient authentication by creating a model on the server side using data from motion sensors like the accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer. Our experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme, achieving an accuracy of 87.57% and an Equal Error Rate (EER) of 12.15%, while requiring only 1.69 ms to authenticate a user. These results show that CAPP preserves user privacy and provides a rapid and reliable authentication process, outperforming existing state‐of‐the‐art methods.

A new nanoindentation approach for determining both indentation size effect and continuous apparent activation volume during loading of nanocrystalline Ni and Ni-20 wt.% Fe alloy

A new nanoindentation approach is developed in this study to determine both indentation size effect (ISE) and continuous apparent activation volume () during loading of nanocrystalline nickel (NC Ni) and nanocrystalline nickel-20 wt.% iron alloy (NC Ni-Fe alloy). This approach involves conducting nanoindentation tests under loading modes controlled by both constant strain rate (CSR) and constant loading rate (CLR). Firstly, a new empirical expression for the parameter in the modified Nix-Gao model is established to study the strain rate dependence of the ISEs created in the CSR and CLR tests. Then, continuous data of each individual sample (indentation) during loading are obtained in the CLR test through the alternative use of continuous stiffness measurement technique. The stress dependence of is analyzed based on Duhamel et al.’s model, which considers the role of vacancies generated during inhomogeneous dislocation nucleation. Finally, based on the above experimental and theoretical work as well as transmission electron microscopy observation, the influences of loading mode, loading rate, and material properties (stacking fault energy) on resulting intrinsic hardness of NC Ni and NC Ni-Fe alloy are analyzed. The nanoindentation approach developed in this study provides profound insights into the mechanical behaviors during loading and underlying mechanisms of materials.

Multiple Upward Residual Gravity and Magnetic Maps to Estimate the Deep Crustal Layers and Moho Discontinuity in Eastern Iraq

The upward continuation technique was applied to the gravity and magnetic data to obtain the residual anomalies maps in eastern Iraq. A new processing method is introduced to calculate the crustal layers depending on the relation between the total range of the residual anomalies of gravity, magnetic data and the upward continuation, with multi-elevations. The significant relationship shows slope variations, which may reflect the maximum contrast in the physical properties (density and/or susceptibility) and the intersection point representing the depth of layer contacts. This method was applied to the eastern central part of Iraq, adjacent to the Iranian borders. It is found that the average depth range to the Jurassic formations, top basement rocks, transition layer (Curie point), and Moho discontinuity are 3.1- 4.8 km, 8-12.9 km, 20.9-22.4 km and 43.6 km, respectively. The Sedimentary cover in the study area ranges from 8 to 13 km. The maximum depth to the Moho discontinuity obtained by gravity data in the study area is 43.6 km. The radially average power spectrum technique was applied in the study area to calculate the gravity depth and magnetic sources' depth. Three depth levels of sources from gravity and magnetic data were obtained. These depths are shallow sources, average basement rock and deep sources (Moho) at 3km, 13.2-12.1 km, and 32.2-34km, respectively. The obtained results concerning the main layers in the crust were compared between the two methods, and the new method shows more reliable results. The detected depth levels refer to top Jurassic, basement rocks, and Moho discontinuity. The new method is believed to be used to detect the crustal layers depth with good results.

Academic journal website from the user’s perspective

Professional community recommendations on the content of academic journal websites mostly include criteria for indexing in databases, however these recommendations do not consider the authors’ and reviewers’ perspective on the website contents and design. To address this, we analyzed these recommendations through a survey of 198 Russian academic journal authors and reviewers, using a continuous sampling technique. The survey took place in April and May 2024. The questionnaire was based on the Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing by COPE, DOAJ etc. The survey also focused on the journal website content, design, mobile version, and publication strategy of academic journal website users. We analyzed the survey results for two partially overlapping sets of authors who published in journals indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, and Russian Citation Science Index Core, or in journals listed by the Higher Attestation Commission of Russian Federation. The study revealed that both COPE’s recommendations and users of academic websites value information regarding aims and scope of the journal, copyright fees, review policies, timelines for the editorial and publication process, and licensing. However, Russian authors and reviewers put less emphasis on website sections that address ethical principles and authorship criteria. They prioritize having an online editorial office, security certification, scientific journal indexing and abstracting information, additional educational materials, and the ability to customize the website for devices with different screen sizes. We also discuss the importance of HTML meta tags for promoting the journal’s website. The findings of the research may contribute to promotion of Russian academic journals in international databases, improve the efficiency of communication between authors, reviewers and editors, and develop a set of recommendations that complement international publishing conventions.

In Vitro Evaluation of Root Surface Temperature Using Different Endodontic Filling Techniques

Depending on the obturation technique, the tooth and surrounding tissues may heat up during root canal filling, particularly with warm methods. This study aimed to analyze the temperature increase in the periradicular and -apical region during various warm obturation techniques with a present simulated periodontal blood flow. Seventy-five extracted human teeth were shortened to 11 mm (cut-grinder Primus diamond cutting device; Walter Messner GmbH, Oststeinbek, Germany) and prepared using the ProTaper Gold system (Dentsply Sirona Inc., Charlotte, NC, USA) ISO size 40/.06. Specimens were prepared to ensure stable fluid circulation in an artificially created periodontal space, and the procedure was recorded with a thermal infrared camera (VarioCAM HD; InfraTec GmbH Infrarotsensorik und Messtechnik, Dresden, Germany). The following obturation methods were applied: I, cold single-cone obturation (control group); II, gutta-percha-coated rigid carrier technique (GuttaFusion); III, squirting technique (injection technique); IV, continuous wave technique; and V, Schilder technique. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal–Wallis test, followed by the Mann–Whitney pairwise test using the sequential Bonferroni procedure for significant differences (p < 0.05). The Schilder technique with 0 mL/min showed the lowest temperature change, with a median of 0.00 °C (max. 0.00 °C, min. 0.00 °C, IQR 0.00 °C). In contrast, the continuous wave technique at a circulation rate of 2.6 mL/min exhibited the highest temperature change, with a median of 3.76 °C (max. 5.33 °C, min. 2.42 °C, IQR 1.46 °C). Although warm obturation techniques can increase surface temperature, none of the methods produced changes that were potentially damaging to the periodontium or surrounding bone.

Post-synthetic modification of a MOF via Continuous Flow Methods for Gold E-Waste Recycling.

This study pioneers the use of continuous flow methods to modify the nanoporous metal-organic framework Fe-BTC (MIL-100(Fe)) with redox-active poly-p-phenylenediamine (PpPDA). The Fe-BTC/PpPDA composite, known for its gold extraction capabilities, was synthesized in continuous flow on a 250 g scale. Fe-BTC/PpPDA was then tested in eight industrial leachates (e.g., cyanide, thiourea, aqua regia) exhibiting varying effectiveness, pH, and gold speciation, which led to significant differences in the composite's performance for gold extraction. The composite performed best in solutions containing [AuCl4]- species. Structured into spherical beads using a novel continuous flow microdroplet technique, these adsorbents were tested for gold recovery from real e-waste solutions in a breakthrough epemriment. They achieved a capacity of ~600 mg of gold per gram before breakthrough and ~900 mg per gram at a 60% recovery rate. Selectivity ratios for Au/Ni, Au/Co, and Au/Fe were 972, 262, and 193, respectively. In situ X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) provided evidence of the reduction of Au³⁺ to Au⁰, facilitated by the redox-active oligomers. Outperforming several commercial resins, Fe-BTC/PpPDA shows great promise for scalable, selective metal recovery from waste streams. This study highlights the potential of MOF/polymer composites and continuous flow methods for large-scale production.

Tracking the impact of typhoons on maize growth and recovery using Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data: A case study of Northeast China

The increasing frequency of typhoon events, attributed to global climate change, has significantly affected agricultural production, predominantly resulting in substantial negative consequences. Accurate and timely assessment of crop damage is crucial for understanding economic implications, devising effective agricultural strategies, and enhancing resilience amid mounting climate uncertainties. This study investigates the utility of Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Sentinel-2 MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) data in tracking maize damage severity following typhoon events. By employing continuous field sampling techniques and conducting visual interpretation of high-resolution remote sensing imagery, sample sets representing a spectrum of maize damage severity were systematically established. The application of time series analysis on Sentinel data enables a comprehensive exploration of spectral and polarization responses, providing insights into the correlation with maize damage severity. Segmentation of the maize damage timeline into pre-disaster, disaster, and recovery periods, coupled with optimization of relevant feature parameters, was undertaken to bolster monitoring precision. Leveraging the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud platform, a Random Forest algorithm was used to develop a model for monitoring maize damage severity across different post-typhoon periods, yielding maps delineating the distribution and magnitude of maize damage in Northeast China. Results indicate that integrating spectral indices from the pre-disaster phase with backscatter variations of polarization bands during various post-typhoon periods enhances maize damage assessment. Maize damage severity is notably elevated during the disaster period, achieving an overall accuracy of 87.22 %. While mitigated during the recovery phase, localized exacerbation occurs in severely affected regions, yielding an overall accuracy of 88.54 %. Analysis incorporating terrain and meteorological data reveals that post-typhoon maize disasters predominantly occur in low-lying and flat areas, with meteorological factors, particularly maximum wind speed and daily cumulative precipitation, exerting significant influence on damage severity. This study underscores the critical role of SAR and optical data fusion in elucidating typhoon-induced crop damage dynamics, thereby providing essential insights for proactive mitigation strategies against future agricultural losses.

Comparison of Friction Resistance Between Different Bracket Systems: An In Vitro Study

Introduction The efficiency of tooth movement associated with orthodontic sliding mechanics can be compromised by friction between archwire and tube or bracket slot. Orthodontic brackets and archwires are important constituents of an orthodontic appliance system. Friction is an uncontrolled variable of particular interest when continuous arch techniques are used to align and move teeth by way of sliding a tube or bracket along an arch. Aim and Objectives Comparison of frictional resistance between different bracket systems of 3M and MO brands in combination with different wires of 3M, MO, and G&H brands. Evaluation of frictional resistance between two different types of bracket systems and different types of wire combinations. Materials and Methods Two types of bracket systems were used: metal bracket system and ceramic bracket system (3M and MO brands). Four different orthodontic wire alloys were used: stainless steel (SS), TMA, NiTi, and CuNiTi (3M, MO, and G&H brands). A rectangular block made up of self-cure acrylic resin was designed to hold the bracket during the mechanical test. Each bracket base was glued to an acrylic block with cyanoacrylate glue. The wire segment was inserted into the bracket and was ligated passively with SS ligature wire. The bracket–wire combination was submitted to mechanical tests with a universal testing machine. One end of the acrylic block was mounted to the lower grip of the universal testing machine. The free end of the archwire was fixed to the upper grip of the universal testing machine. The friction which was generated between the wire and bracket was measured under dry conditions and at room temperature. The test wire was pulled through the bracket at a speed of 0.5 cm/min. The load cell registered a maximum force level. This data was stored in the computer and was submitted to statistical analysis, and parameter tests were applied. Results The highest mean friction resistance of 5.998 N was generated by group B2-E2 (ceramic bracket – MO + TMA archwire – MO). The lowest mean friction resistance of 2.552 N was generated by group A1-C1 (metal bracket – 3M + SS wire – 3M). There was a statistically significant difference between the friction generated by the metal bracket on SS archwire and the ceramic bracket on TMA archwire regardless of 3M or MO brand material ( p value < .0001) and metal bracket ( p = .0004).

Computational analysis of the Covid-19 model using the continuous Galerkin–Petrov scheme

Abstract Epidemiological models feature reliable and valuable insights into the prevention and transmission of life-threatening illnesses. In this study, a novel SIR mathematical model for COVID-19 is formulated and examined. The newly developed model has been thoroughly explored through theoretical analysis and computational methods, specifically the continuous Galerkin–Petrov (cGP) scheme. The next-generation matrix approach was used to calculate the reproduction number ( R 0 ) ({R}_{0}) . Both disease-free equilibrium (DFE) ( E 0 ) ({E}^{0}) and the endemic equilibrium ( E ⁎ ) ({E}^{\ast }) points are derived for the proposed model. The stability analysis of the equilibrium points reveals that ( E 0 ) ({E}^{0}) is locally asymptotically stable when R 0 < 1 {R}_{0}\lt 1 , while E ⁎ {E}^{\ast } is globally asymptotically stable when R 0 > 1 {R}_{0}\gt 1 . We have examined the model’s local stability (LS) and global stability (GS) for endemic equilibrium \text{ } and DFE based on the number ( R 0 ) ({R}_{0}) . To ascertain the dominance of the parameters, we examined the sensitivity of the number ( R 0 ) ({R}_{0}) to parameters and computed sensitivity indices. Additionally, using the fourth-order Runge–Kutta (RK4) and Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg (RK45) techniques implemented in MATLAB, we determined the numerical solutions. Furthermore, the model was solved using the continuous cGP time discretization technique. We implemented a variety of schemes like cGP(2), RK4, and RK45 for the COVID-19 model and presented the numerical and graphical solutions of the model. Furthermore, we compared the results obtained using the above-mentioned schemes and observed that all results overlap with each other. The significant properties of several physical parameters under consideration were discussed. In the end, the computational analysis shows a clear image of the rise and fall in the spread of this disease over time in a specific location.

Nevanlinna analytic continuation for Migdal–Eliashberg theory

In this work, we present a method to reconstruct real-frequency properties from analytically continued causal Green’s functions within the framework of Migdal–Eliashberg (ME) theory for superconductivity. ME theory involves solving a set of coupled equations self-consistently in imaginary frequency space, but to obtain experimentally measurable properties like the spectral function and quasiparticle density of states, it is necessary to perform an analytic continuation to real frequency space. Traditionally, the ME Green’s function is decomposed into three fundamental complex functions, which are analytically continued independently. However, these functions do not possess the causal properties of Green’s functions, complicating or even preventing the application of standard methods such as Maximum Entropy. Our approach overcomes these challenges, enabling the use of various analytic continuation techniques that were previously impractical. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this method by combining it with Nevanlinna analytic continuation to achieve accurate real-frequency results for ME theory, which are directly comparable to experimental data, with applications highlighted for the superconductors MgB2 and LaBeH8.

Comparison of continuous versus modified continuous SMEAD jones “far-near-near-far” suturing technique for abdominal wall closure in emergency midline laparotomy wound in terms of wound dehiscence.

Objective: To compares the frequency of wound dehiscence in emergency midline laparotomy wound closure using the modified continuous Smead-Jones technique to the continuous method. Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Setting: Department of Surgery, Allied Hospital Faisalabad. Period: December 20, 2022, to June 20, 2023. Methods: Every one of the one hundred patients having an emergency exploratory laparotomy gave written informed consent. They were split into two groups at random: Group A received continuous closure using prolene #01 suture bites placed 1 cm from the margin and 1 cm apart, and Group B received a modified Smead-Jones technique where suture bites were taken 1.5 cm from the wound margin and 0.5 cm linea alba on either side with prolene # 01 with suture placed 2cm apart. Wound dehiscence was checked following operational definitions. Results: The study's mean age was determined to be 40.18+13.53 years for Group A and 41.18+13.33 years for Group B. Males made up 58.0% (n = 29) of Group A and 72.0% (n = 36) of Group B, while females made up 42.0% (n = 21) of Group A and 28% (n = 14) of Group B. The mean wound dehiscence was 28% in Group B and 10% in Group 2. The p-value for this study was 0.022. Conclusion: When compared to the traditional continuous abdominal wound closure technique, the wound dehiscence rate was significantly lower with the modified continuous smead-jones abdominal wound closure method.

Efficacy and safety of laparoscopic urethral anastomosis in the repair of congenital urethral stricture in children: a systematic review

Introduction: Congenital urethral strictures are rare but significant defects in pediatric urology, causing urinary system abnormalities. These defects are difficult to manage in children due to differences in anatomy and physiology. Laparoscopic urethral anastomosis, a minimally invasive surgery, has become a popular option in pediatric urology.Objective: The research paper was aimed to assess the outcomes of laparoscopic urethral anastomosis in the pediatric patients with congenital urethral strictureMethods: This review article focuses on the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic urethral anastomosis in pediatric patients. It includes studies focusing on pediatric patients, surgical outcomes, and published in peer-reviewed journals. Exclusions include adult populations, non-academic studies, non-academic methods, lack of adequate outcome data, and non-academic studies. Data integration and statistical evaluation are performed using a systematic review approach.Result: The studies were selected for the analysis, and the results showed that laparoscopic urethral repair is a secure method with positive postoperative results. The subcuticular uninterrupted suturing method exhibited a reduced complication rate compared to full-thickness interrupted stitches in distal hypospadias treatment. Various suturing methods such as close and open reported various complications. Interrupted suturing in the urological surgical procedure showed a tendency for reduced incidence of urethrocutaneous fistula development. The review indicated that urethral surgical intervention showed significant positive consequences.Conclusion: It was concluded that both interrupted and continuous suturing techniques were effective in treating pediatric patients with congenital urethral strictures. However interrupted suturing showed a potential benefit. The study highlighted the need for more large-scale, randomized controlled trials to validate these findings and improve surgical methodologies and postoperative outcomes

A retrospective cohort study: dual cannula combined with modified shoelace continuous capsular closure technique versus nonrepair in hip arthroscopic surgery of femoroacetabular impingement

BackgroundOver the years, with the improvement of diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities for hip joint diseases and the advancements in surgical technology, hip arthroscopy has been extensively used. At present, there is ongoing controversy among scholars about whether it is necessary to close the joint capsule after hip arthroscopy. In addition, the clinical effect of repairing the hip joint capsule after hip arthroscopy remains uncertain.PurposeTo evaluate the effect of our modified shoelace suture technique on postoperative hip function and to investigate whether complete closure of the hip capsule is reliable and safe.Study DesignRetrospective study; Levels of evidence: III.MethodsA retrospective review was conducted on patients undergoing hip arthroscopy by a solitary high-volume hip arthroscopic surgeon. The patients were categorized into two groups. The first group consisted of patients who underwent the modified shoelace continuous capsular closure technique. The other group consisted of those who did not receive capsular closure after hip arthroscopy. Patient-reported outcomes including modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Hip Outcome Score of Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL), Hip Outcome Score Sport-Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS), and visual analogue scale (VAS) were obtained at a minimum of 12 months. Any complications during follow-up were identified and recorded.ResultsA total of 100 patients were followed up for 12–15 months, with an average of (12.3 ± 5.3) months in the study. There were 50 patients in the shoelace capsular closure group (CC group) and 50 patients in the non-capsular closure group (NC group). The surgical time in the suture group was significantly longer than that in the non-suture group. However, there was no statistically significant disparity in the length of hospital stay between the two groups. The mHHS, HOS-SSS, HOS-ADL, and VAS of the CC and NC group were significantly improved compared to preoperative scores at 6 and 12 postoperative months (P < 0.001). Compared with the NC group, the CC group showed a significant improvement in the mHHS, HOS-SSS, HOS-ADL, and VAS at 6 postoperative months (t = 4.885, P<0.001; t = 5.984, P<0.001; t = 4.279, P<0.001; t = 3.875, P<0.001). The mHHS, HOS-SSS, HOS-ADL, and VAS at 12 postoperative months were significantly better in the CC group than in the NC group (t = 5.165, P<0.001; t = 3.697, P<0.001; t = 4.840, P<0.001; t = 3.579, P = 0.001). There were no serious complications during the perioperative period.ConclusionThe modified shoelace continuous capsular closure technique is a reliable and secure method that can be used as an alternative to the conventional capsular closure. It is recommended to perform routine intraoperative repair of the articular capsule at the end of hip arthroscopy, as this has a positive influences on the functional results at short-term follow-up.

Annual emissions of N2O, NO, HONO, and NH3 from maize-wheat fields in the North China Plain

Fertilized agricultural soil is a significant source of gaseous nitrogen compounds (GNCs), including N2O, NO, HONO, and NH3. The North China Plain (NCP) is the “hot region” for the release of these GNCs due to intensive fertilization practices. However, existing research has primarily focused on N2O emissions from fertilized farmland in the NCP, lacking comprehensive observational studies on other GNCs. Therefore, a continuous cumulative sampling technique (open-top dynamic chamber system) was utilized in this study to simultaneously measure the exchange fluxes of N2O, NO, HONO, and NH3 over summer maize-winter wheat rotation fields in the NCP. Results showed that GNC emissions from the soil displayed distinct diurnal variations, with higher emissions during the day attributed to elevated soil temperature. However, N2O emissions remained consistent between day and night, potentially influenced not only by soil temperature but also by soil humidity. Annual cumulative emissions and emission factors (EFs) for four GNCs were determined, indicating that N2O, NO, and NH3 emissions during the maize season were 1.38–2.37 times higher than those during the wheat season, with 98 % of HONO emissions occurring in the maize season. Additionally, the study first presented the annual HONO EFs of 0.36 ± 0.03 % in fertilized farmland. Furthermore, a comparison revealed that the fluxes of N2O, NO, NH3, and HONO using the conventional single-point sampling method were 26.4 %, 13.9 %, and 8.10 % lower, and 7.86 % higher compared to the continuous cumulative sampling method recommended in this study. In general, this study provided precise measurements of GNC emissions from farmland, offering essential foundational data for modeling parameters and contributing to the formulation of regional air pollution prevention and control policies.

Novel drug sampling technique: portal vein catheterization in steers.

To determine the feasibility of catheterizing the portal vein to obtain serial portal vein blood samples in steers. We hypothesized that the portal vein catheterization would be a successful continuous sampling technique with minimal adverse effects in steers. 2 groups of steers were used: a pilot group (n = 2) and experimental group (n = 6). In both groups, steers were sedated with xylazine. The right rib spaces were clipped and aseptically prepped. The portal vein was visualized via ultrasound, and a 14-gauge catheter was placed percutaneously and advanced into the portal vein. A guide wire was passed through the catheter, followed by a tissue dilator and then a vascular balloon catheter. In the pilot group, blood chemistries were performed prior to portal vein catheterization and then again once the catheter was placed (with samples from both the jugular vein and portal catheter). The liver was also examined at necropsy for any gross lesions in both groups. All steers tolerated the portal vein catheters well, with the catheters lasting for the full length of the study period (7 days). The only observed adverse reaction was a superficial abscess at the catheter site (n = 3). On necropsy, 1 liver had gross discoloration, but no other abnormalities were noted. There were no significant changes in biochemistry profiles before or after portal vein catheterization. Portal vein catheterization is a novel and feasible serial sampling technique of the portal vein. This technique can be used in future pharmacokinetic, nutrition, metabolism, or toxicity studies.

Continuous Catheter Techniques Versus Single-Injection Nerve Blocks: A Comprehensive Review of Postoperative Pain Management Strategies.

Effective postoperative pain management is crucial for optimizing patient recovery and enhancing surgical outcomes. This review compares two prominent regional anesthesia techniques, continuous catheter techniques and single-injection nerve blocks, focusing on their efficacy, safety, and impact on patient outcomes. Single-injection nerve blocks involve administering a one-time anesthetic dose to a specific nerve or plexus, offering immediate but transient pain relief. In contrast, continuous catheter techniques utilize a catheter to deliver a continuous infusion of anesthetic, providing extended analgesia. The review synthesizes current evidence on the effectiveness of each method, highlighting that single-injection blocks are advantageous for their simplicity and rapid onset but may require supplementary pain management for longer procedures. Continuous catheter techniques, while offering prolonged pain relief, carry risks such as infection and catheter displacement. The comparative analysis of these techniques reveals that both have distinct roles in postoperative care, with choice depending on the surgical procedure and patient needs. Patient satisfaction, recovery times, and overall outcomes are critical factors in determining the optimal pain management strategy. Future research should focus on refining these techniques and exploring innovations to improve patient care and pain management outcomes. This review provides insights for clinicians to make informed decisions about postoperative pain management to enhance patient comfort and recovery.

Smear Layer Removing and Pulp Dissolving Ability of Sodium Hypochlorite Mixed with Two Etidronate-Containing Irrigants in Continuous Chelation Technique

The study aimed to assess the effect of two etidronate-containing irrigants and EDTA on the ability of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) to remove the smear layer and dissolve organic tissues. This study evaluated the following solutions: distilled water, 3% NaOCl, 3% NaOCl + EDTA, and 3% NaOCl mixed with etidronate powder from two manufacturers [Dual Rinse, (DR); IsraDent, (ID)] to obtain 9%, 15%, and 18% solutions. To assess the proteolytic activity, bovine muscle tissue samples (56.1 ± 5.4 mg; n = 10 per group) were immersed in the tested solutions for 15 min. Absolute weight changes and percentages of weight changes (wt%) were calculated. To assess smear layer removal, the root canals of human wisdom teeth were instrumented, irrigated with the tested solutions (n = 10 per group), and evaluated using SEM. Statistical analysis employed an ANOVA with a post-hoc Tukey test and paired t-test, the Kruskal–Wallis test with a pairwise Wilcoxon rank sum test, and the Friedman test with a pairwise Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The mean weight loss in the NaOCl group comprised 17.3 mg (32 wt%). Sequential use of NaOCl and EDTA resulted in a significant increase in proteolytic activity of the former (57 wt%), while mixing these solutions led to a reduction of proteolytic activity (17 wt%). All NaOCl/DR groups exhibited a significantly greater dissolution activity than that of NaOCl alone, with the mean weight loss ranging from 23.3 mg (40 wt%) to 24 mg (41 wt%). ID9% and ID15% significantly decreased the proteolytic activity of NaOCl. In most groups, the apical thirds of the root canals demonstrated a significantly heavier smear layer compared to the middle and coronal thirds. The most effective smear layer removal was observed after irrigation with NaOCl combined with EDTA or DR (all concentrations); however, in the NaOCl + EDTA and DR18% groups, it was accompanied by moderate to severe erosion. Irrigation with ID did not result in smear layer removal or dentin erosion. In conclusion, the smear layer removal and pulp dissolving effects of continuous chelation using etidronate were manufacturer/composition-dependent. DR9% combined with NaOCl demonstrated the most promising results.

Efficient finite element strategy using enhanced high-order and second-derivative-free variants of Newton's method

In this work, we propose a stable finite element approximation by extending higher-order Newton's method to the multidimensional case for solving nonlinear systems of partial differential equations. This approach relies solely on the evaluation of Jacobian matrices and residuals, eliminating the need for computing higher-order derivatives. Achieving third and fifth-order convergence, it ensures stability and allows for significantly larger time steps compared to explicit methods. We thoroughly address accuracy and convergence, focusing on the singular p-Laplacian problem and the time-dependent lid-driven cavity benchmark. A globalized variant incorporating a continuation technique is employed to effectively handle high Reynolds number regimes. Through two-dimensional and three-dimensional numerical experiments, we demonstrate that the improved cubically convergent variant outperforms others, leading to substantial computational savings, notably halving the computational cost for the lid-driven cavity test at large Reynolds numbers.

Continuous fake media detection: Adapting deepfake detectors to new generative techniques

Generative techniques continue to evolve at an impressively high rate, driven by the hype about these technologies. This rapid advancement severely limits the application of deepfake detectors, which, despite numerous efforts by the scientific community, struggle to achieve sufficiently robust performance against the ever-changing content. To address these limitations, in this paper, we propose an analysis of two continuous learning techniques on a Short and a Long sequence of fake media. Both sequences include a complex and heterogeneous range of deepfakes (generated images and videos) from GANs, computer graphics techniques, and unknown sources. Our experiments show that continual learning could be important in mitigating the need for generalizability. In fact, we show that, although with some limitations, continual learning methods help to maintain good performance across the entire training sequence. For these techniques to work in a sufficiently robust way, however, it is necessary that the tasks in the sequence share similarities. In fact, according to our experiments, the order and similarity of the tasks can affect the performance of the models over time. To address this problem, we show that it is possible to group tasks based on their similarity. This small measure allows for a significant improvement even in longer sequences. This result suggests that continual techniques can be combined with the most promising detection methods, allowing them to catch up with the latest generative techniques. In addition to this, we propose an overview of how this learning approach can be integrated into a deepfake detection pipeline for continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD). This allows you to keep track of different funds, such as social networks, new generative tools, or third-party datasets, and through the integration of continuous learning, allows constant maintenance of the detectors.

Six transition patterns and seven capture types in different left bundle branch bipolar pacing configurations.

This study aims to explore the different transition patterns and capture types during two bipolar pacing tests based on the selective left bundle branch (LBB) capture determined by the continuous pacing and recording technique. In total, 67 patients completed two unipolar and two bipolar pacing tests based on selective LBB capture during screwing-in for left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) using the continuous pacing and recording technique. The electrophysiological characteristics and potential mechanisms of different pacing configurations were further evaluated in this study. We found six transition patterns and derived seven capture types in two bipolar pacing tests according to the analysis of continuous electrocardiogram and electrogram changes. Compared with the conventional configuration of "Tip-Ring+" bipolar pacing, "Ring-Tip+" testing had a lower threshold for simultaneous capture of the LBB and the left and right ventricular septum myocardium (1.57 vs. 2.84 V at 0.5 ms) and was the only configuration to yield the peculiar "LBBP + right ventricular septum pacing (RVSP)" capture type. In this study, we observed for the first time that "Ring-Tip+" bipolar pacing allows for a lower clinically applicable pacing threshold for simultaneous capture of the LBB and left and right ventricular septum myocardium, and the peculiar "LBBP + RVSP" capture type. This may be a more advantageous physiological pacing configuration, warranting further investigation and application in the future. Based on the specific selective LBB capture, we first found six transition patterns and derived seven capture types in two bipolar pacing tests due to the different thresholds of the LBB, left ventricular septal myocardial, and right ventricular septal myocardial. Compared with the conventional configuration of "Tip-Ring+" bipolar pacing, "Ring-Tip+" testing had a lower threshold for simultaneous capture of the LBB and the left and right ventricular septum myocardium (1.57 vs. 2.84 V at 0.5 ms) and was the only configuration to yield the peculiar "LBBP + RVSP" capture type. More pacing strategies should be released and investigated to achieve the best physiological pacing according to the individualized electrophysiological characteristics of patients.