Tukey's HSD Post-hoc Test Research Articles

The power of 810 nm near-infrared photobiomodulation therapy for human asthenozoospermia

Sperm motility is a crucial factor in male fertility. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been reported to increase sperm motility, but a consistent approach suitable for identifying standardizable protocols is lacking. We collected asthenozoospermic (n = 70) and normozoospermic (n = 20) semen. The asthenozoospermic samples were irradiated with an 810 nm diode laser, in continuous wave mode, at 0.25 W, 0.5 W, 1 W and 2 W for 60 s on a circular area of 1 cm2 through a novel handpiece with an innovative flat-top profile. Sperm motility was assessed immediately, after 30 and 60 min. A sample size calculator, unpaired t-test and one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey HSD tests were used for statistics. One and 2 W were the most effective outputs in increasing progressive motility compared to control (p < 0.001). The maximum effect was immediately after 1 W-PBM (p < 0.001) and decreased after 60 min (p < 0.001). Time physiologically decreased vitality (p < 0.001), but less in the 1 W-PBM samples (p < 0.05). 1 W-PBM did not affect chromatin condensation. Asthenozoospermic samples displayed an impairment of 80% in oxygen consumption and ATP production and a slight inefficiency of oxidative phosphorylation compared to normozoospermic samples (p < 0.001). 1 W-PBM partially restored the functionality of aerobic metabolism (p < 0.001) by recovery of oxidative phosphorylation efficiency. PBM did not affect lactate dehydrogenase (glycolysis pathway). No irradiated samples increased accumulated malondialdehyde, a marker of lipidic peroxidation. In conclusion, PBM improves progressive motility in asthenozoospermia through increased mitochondrial energetic metabolism without harmful oxidative stress.

Utilization of Black Soldier Fly and Housefly as Biodegradation Agents of Dairy Wastes and source of Animal Feed

Accumulation of dairy wastes and shortage of nutritious feed remain the major challenges in dairy cattle production. Such wastes may sustainably be biodegraded by black soldier fly (BSF) larvae and housefly (HF) larvae into their which ca be used as animal feed. This study was done to compare the capacity of using black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) and housefly larvae (HFL) to manage dairy wastes and use of such larvae as livestock feed. Biomass reduction rate, biomass reduction index, bioconversion rate, feed conversion ratio and nutritional profile of resultant BSF and HF prepupae raised on cow dung (CD) and dairy shed effluent (DSE) were determined. In order to ascertain whether the substrates had an effect on BSFL and HFL, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used, and multiple mean comparisons at P≤0.05 were done using the Tukey HSD post-hoc test. Housefly larvae reared on DSE had the highest biomass reduction rate and biomass reduction index, even though HFL had a shorter development time than BSFL (P≤0.05). Housefly prepupae reared on DSE had the highest crude protein content of 60.1 % of all the HF prepupae counterparts and BSF prepupae reared on DSE and CD (P≤0.05), Hence HF prepupae could be an alternative source of animal feed. Depending on the needs and purpose, utilization of fly larvae to manage dairy waste is viable and effective option

Leveraging Ensemble Models and Follow-up Data for Accurate Prediction of mRS Scores from Radiomic Features of DSC-PWI Images.

Predicting long-term clinical outcomes based on the early DSC PWI MRI scan is valuable for prognostication, resource management, clinical trials, and patient expectations. Current methods require subjective decisions about which imaging features to assess and may require time-consuming postprocessing. This study's goal was to predict multilabel 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score in acute ischemic stroke patients by combining ensemble models and different configurations of radiomic features generated from Dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion-weighted imaging. In Follow-up studies, a total of 70 acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging within 24hours poststroke and had a follow-up scan. In the single study, 150 DSC PWI Image scans for AIS patients. The DRF are extracted from DSC-PWI Scans. Then Lasso algorithm is applied for feature selection, then new features are generated from initial and follow-up scans. Then we applied different ensemble models to classify between three classes normal outcome (0, 1 mRS score), moderate outcome (2,3,4 mRS score), and severe outcome (5,6 mRS score). ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey HSD tests confirmed significant differences in model style performance across various studies and classification techniques. Stacking models consistently on average outperformed others, achieving an Accuracy of 0.68 ± 0.15, Precision of 0.68 ± 0.17, Recall of 0.65 ± 0.14, and F1 score of 0.63 ± 0.15 in the follow-up time study. Techniques like Bo_Smote showed significantly higher recall and F1 scores, highlighting their robustness and effectiveness in handling imbalanced data. Ensemble models, particularly Bagging and Stacking, demonstrated superior performance, achieving nearly 0.93 in Accuracy, 0.95 in Precision, 0.94 in Recall, and 0.94 in F1 metrics in follow-up conditions, significantly outperforming single models. Ensemble models based on radiomics generated from combining Initial and follow-up scans can be used to predict multilabel 90-day stroke outcomes with reduced subjectivity and user burden.

Exploration of digital health literacy in the deep south.

385 Background: As technological advances are implemented in healthcare, cancer patients with low digital health literacy are at risk for inequities. Understanding the community’s comfort with using and teaching technology skills can be foundational for the application of digital healthcare tools. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered prior to community conversations about digital health literacy to understand community comfort with technology. Surveys measured self-reported personal comfort performing, personal comfort teaching, and perceived county-comfort completing technology-based tasks. Participants rated their comfort level on a 5-point Likert scale (1= not at all, 2 = slightly, 3 = somewhat, 4 = moderately, 5 = completely). Mean scores were calculated and mean comfort levels were compared across healthcare providers, lay navigators, community health advisors (CHAs), and community members using one-way ANOVA tests. Tukey's HSD post-hoc tests were used to explore group differences. Results: Between 8/2023-4/2024, 164 participants across Alabama and Mississippi completed the pre-survey, including 32 healthcare providers, 17 lay navigators, 31 community health advisors (CHAs), and 84 community members. The sample was primarily female (90%), Black (74%), and from Alabama (84%). ANOVA tests revealed significant group differences between personal comfort levels (p&lt;0.001) comfort teaching (p&lt;0.001), and perception of county-level comfort in technology-based tasks (p=0.043) with lay navigators and healthcare providers reporting higher personal comfort and comfort teaching others technology-based tasks compared to community members (post-hoc Tukey’s HSD). Conclusions: Digital health literacy gaps remain, with lay and clinical providers potentially overestimating comfort with technology. Baseline technology skills must be addressed as healthcare increases reliance on technology. Personal Comfort p-value Comfort Teaching Others p-value Perception of County Comfort p-value Using Search Engines 3.61 4.72 4.76 4.23 &lt;.0001 2.95 4.19 4.88 3.48 &lt;.0001 2.52 3.16 3.82 3.13 0.043 Searching Online for Health-Related Information 3.49 4.66 4.71 4.06 2.90 4.03 4.71 3.35 2.46 2.69 3.29 2.97 Scanning QR codes 2.80 4.47 4.65 3.77 2.55 3.84 4.76 3.13 2.38 2.44 2.71 2.81 Logging into their Patient Portal 3.27 4.44 4.59 3.87 2.75 3.94 4.76 3.03 2.44 2.59 3.00 2.65 Sending their Care-Team a Message 3.05 4.38 4.65 3.74 2.63 3.91 4.82 3.03 2.37 2.44 2.71 2.58 Personal comfort, comfort teaching, perception of community comfort with technology; 7/17 tasks shown; C = community, H = hospital, L = lay navigator, CHAs = community health advisors.

Colloidal platinum nanoparticles enhance resin-dentin bonding durability

ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the effect of colloidal platinum nanoparticles (CPN) on the durability of resin-dentin bonding performance with contemporary adhesives. MethodsSixty non-carious human maxillary premolars were subjected to microtensile bond strength (µTBS) testing and divided into two main groups: CPN-treated and untreated. Within each group, specimens were randomly allocated to Clearfil Megabond 2 (MB2), Scotchbond Universal Plus Adhesive with self-etch mode (SE-SUP), and etch-and-rinse mode (ER-SUP) subgroups (n = 10/group). CPN was applied to dentin in the MB2 and SE-SUP groups for 20 s, followed by rinsing before adhesive application. In the ER-SUP group, CPN was applied after etch-and-rinse. The µTBS was tested after 24 h, 6 months, and 1 year, and the fracture modes were observed using SEM. The µTBS data were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey HSD test (α = 0.05). An additional twelve premolars underwent TEM/STEM/EDX for ultra-morphological observations. ResultsThe application of CPN significantly prevented a decline in the µTBS of both the MB2 and SE-SUP groups. No significant decrease was observed in the ER-SUP group, either with aging or CPN application. Ultra-morphological images revealed platinum nanoparticles attaching to the collagen fibrils of the hybrid layer regardless of aging. It was highlighted that the nanoparticles attached to the banded collagen in the aging groups were observed. SignificanceCPN exhibits the potential in enhancing the longevity of resin-dentin bonding in SE mode.

Formulation of Natural Food Coloring Granules from Dragon Fruit Peel Extract (Hylocereus polyrhizus) and Effectiveness Test in Reducing Blood Glucose Levels

Anthocyanin is one of the many compounds in dragon fruit skin that can be used as an antioxidant. Dragon fruit skin can also lower blood glucose levels. The fact that cases of diabetes mellitus are increasing every year shows that this disease needs serious treatment. This study aims to make dragon fruit skin extract formulated in the form of granules and make dragon fruit skin extract granules that meet the requirements as natural food coloring and to determine the content and effectiveness of dragon fruit skin extract (Hylocereus polyrhizus) which can lower blood glucose levels. This research method is experimental. The One Way Anova test and the Tukey HSD post-hoc test were used to analyze the data. The outcomes showed that there were 9 granule recipes that met the assessment test necessities. After being induced by 20% fructose solution, the glucose level study revealed that the treatment of dragon fruit skin extract at 100, 200, and 400 mg / kgBW was able to lower blood glucose levels in test animals. Winged serpent natural product skin concentrate can be formed as granules. Equations 2 and 3 produce the best tone. The consequences of the review reasoned that winged serpent natural product skin remove (Hylocereus polyrhizus) at dosages of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kgBW was viable in decreasing blood glucose levels in guinea pigs prompted by 20% fructose arrangement and a portion of 200 mg/kgBW gave an impact of lessening blood glucose levels that was practically equivalent to the positive control.

Real-time estimation of blood oxygenation parameters from human foot sole during leg elevation: A preliminary study with diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

This study investigated the applicability of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) for real-time and non-invasive measurement of blood oxygenation parameters (BOPs) such as reduced hemoglobin (RHb), oxyhemoglobin (HbO2), and oxygen saturation (SO2) from human foot sole during leg elevation. Seventeen (17) healthy male subjects aged between 21 to 39 years were included in this study. Diffuse reflectance spectra were recorded from measurement sites namely the 5th metatarsal, ball of great joint, calcaneum, and great toe of the human foot sole w.r.t. leg elevation angles such as 00, 150, 300, 450, and 600, respectively. The localized BOPs were derived from the recorded spectra. In addition, blood hemodynamic parameters (BHPs) such as heart rate (HR), SO2, perfusion index (PI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were also measured for each elevating angle. To study and assess the changes in BOPs and BHPs w.r.t. leg elevation, a One-way ANOVA test followed by a Tukey HSD post-hoc test was performed. We observed a statistically significant increase in RHb (p < 0.001) and a decrease in HbO2 (p < 0.001) after 45° of leg elevation, however, there was no statistically significant difference in SO2 (p = 0.74) and HR (p = 0.84) for each measurement site w.r.t. leg elevation, respectively. Furthermore, PI (p < 0.01), ankle SBP (p < 0.001) and DBP (p < 0.001) were decreased w.r.t. leg elevation. The obtained results are in agreement with the literature. The preliminary results suggest that DRS has the potential for real-time estimation of BOPs from the local sites of healthy human foot soles during leg elevation. Thus, it opens the possibility of DRS to monitor and evaluate the diagnosis and treatment of ischemia and edema during leg elevation of patients through BOPs measurement.

Marginal integrity and physicomechanical properties of a thermoviscous and regular bulk-fill resin composites.

To evaluate the marginal integrity (MI%) and to characterize specific properties of a thermoviscous bulk-fill resin composite, two regular bulk-fill resin composites, and a non-bulk-fill resin composite. VisCalor bulk (VBF), Filtek One Bulk Fill (OBF), and Aura Bulk Fill (ABF) were evaluated. Filtek Z250 XT (ZXT) was used as non-bulk-fill control. MI% was evaluated in standardized cylindrical cavities restored with the composites by using a 3D laser confocal microscope. The following properties were characterized: volumetric polymerization shrinkage (VS%), polymerization shrinkage stress (Pss), degree of conversion (DC%), microhardness (KHN), flexural strength (FS), and elastic modulus (EM). Data were analyzed by one-way and two-way ANOVA, and Tukey HSD post-hoc test (α = 0.05). VBF presented the highest MI% and the lowest VS% and Pss (p < 0.05). DC% ranged from 59.4% (OBF) to 71.0% (ZXT). ZXT and VBF presented similar and highest KHN than OBF and ABF (p < 0.05). ABF presented the lowest FS (p < 0.05). EM ranged from 5.5 GPa to 7.7 GPa, with the values of ZXT and VBF being similar and statistically higher than those of OBF and ABF (p < 0.05). Thermoviscous technology employed by VisCalor bulk was able to improve its mechanical behavior comparatively to regular bulk-fill resin composites and to contribute to a better marginal integrity in restorations built up in cylindrical cavities with similar geometry to a class I cavity as well. Although presenting overall better physicomechanical properties, Z250 XT presented the worst MI%. The marginal integrity, which is pivotal for the success of resin composite restorations, could be improved using VisCalor bulk-fill. The worst MI% presented by Z250 XT reinforces that non-bulk-fill resin composites shall not be bulk-inserted in the cavity to be restored.

Relationship between perceived social support and stoma self-efficacy in permanent colostomy patients: A correlational study.

In the context of adjusting to life with a permanent colostomy, this study explored how perceived social support from family, friends and others influences patients' self-efficacy in managing their stoma and engaging with their social lives. The study employed a descriptive, correlational design to investigate the relationship between social support and self-efficacy in 94 colostomy patients between April 2021 and August 2022. Participants completed the Descriptive Characteristics Form, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and stoma self-efficacy scale (SSES). Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data, and one-way ANOVA with Tukey HSD post-hoc test examined group differences. Pearson correlation assessed the relationship between age, social support and self-efficacy, while multiple linear regression identified factors independently associated with self-efficacy level. The participants had a mean age of 56.9 ± 14.34 years, and 37.2% had been suffering from stoma complications for a duration ranging from 13 months to 5 years. The mean total score on the MSPSS was 64.3 ± 13.5, whereas the mean total score on the SSES stood at 71.22 ± 20.21. A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.419, p < 0.001) was observed between the total scores from the MSPSS and SSES. The increase in the total score on the MSPSS was a significant predictor (β = 0.293, p = 0.001) of the level of stoma self-efficacy, explaining 48.9% of the variance. Stronger perceived social support was linked to higher stoma self-efficacy in permanent colostomy patients.

A Virtual Multi-institution Pediatric Radiology Peer Teaching Conference Improves Knowledge of Educators

Rationale and ObjectivesMedical education led by peers and near-peers has been shown to benefit both teachers and learners and can be successfully incorporated into radiology education. The authors created a virtual, multi-institution pediatric radiology conference employing peer and near-peer teaching with the goals of improving radiology knowledge and enhancing the educational experience of radiology trainees. Materials and MethodsTwo radiology residency programs implemented a common pediatric radiology curriculum and joint quarterly virtual peer teaching conference. Conferences featured short teaching sessions led by six to ten radiology trainees and were facilitated by attending pediatric radiologists. Knowledge assessments (KA) consisting of multiple-choice questions inspired by conference learning objectives were sent to peer educators before the conference (pre-conference), directly after the conference (immediate post-conference), and three months after the conference (delayed post-conference). Surveys were distributed to peer educators immediately after conferences to assess conference reception and solicit feedback. Quantitative data was analyzed using ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, and post-hoc Tukey HSD test. ResultsFour conferences featured 33 peer educators consisting primarily of first-year (60.6 %), second-year (18.2 %), and third-year (15.2 %) radiology residents. Compared to pre-conference scores, immediate post-conference scores were significantly increased (HSD 13, p = 0.02) and delayed post-conference scores were increased without statistical significance (HSD 5.8, p = 0.29). Almost all survey respondents perceived the conferences as helpful, well-organized, and effective in teaching pediatric radiology. A majority of participants expressed interest in participating in future peer teaching radiology conferences. ConclusionA virtual pediatric radiology peer and near-peer teaching conference held between two radiology residencies improved short-term radiology knowledge of educators and was highly received.

Evaluating the Remineralizing Effects of Calcium Sucrose Phosphate and Casein Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate Toothpastes on Artificial Carious Lesions Using Micro-computed Tomography: An In Vitro Investigation.

Background White spot lesions (WSLs) are common early indicators of enamel demineralization, particularly in pediatric orthodontic patients. Effective remineralization of these lesions is crucial for preventing further dental decay. This study aimed to evaluate the three-dimensional remineralization efficacy of two commercial toothpastes, calcium sucrose phosphate (CaSP) and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Objectives To compare the remineralization efficacy of CaSP and CPP-ACP on artificially created WSLs in human premolar enamel using micro-CT assessment. Materials and methods Freshly extracted, caries-free human premolars were used for the purpose of the study. Teeth with any defects, including caries, non-carious lesions, fractures, or hypocalcifications, were excluded. Teeth were stored in a saline solution with 0.1% thymol at +4°C until experimentation. Enamel slabs (N = 18) of 3 x 3 x 1.5 mm were prepared from the buccal surfaces of the premolars and polished to a mirror-like finish. The slabs were divided into three groups (n=6 each): control, CaSP, and CPP-ACP. Specimens were demineralized in a demineralization solution for 72 hours and then treated with the respective toothpastes or remineralizing solutions for 13 days. Micro-CT scanning was performed to assess changes in enamel volume and mineral density. Statistical analysis included Shapiro-Wilk tests, paired t-tests, and one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey's HSD tests. Results Enamel volume changes were significant between groups (p<0.01), with the CaSP group showing the largest remineralization effect. Enamel mineral density changes were also significant (p=0.004), with the CPP-ACP group showing the greatest improvement in mineral density. Conclusions CaSPand CPP-ACPare both effective in remineralizing artificial enamel lesions. While CaSP shows comparable efficacy to CPP-ACP, further research is needed to confirm these findings in clinical settings. CaSP pastecan be considered a viable, cost-effective alternative for enamel remineralization.

Effect of the Application Procedure on The Bond Strength of Universal Adhesive in Restoration Repair

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of reduced application time on the bond strength of a universal adhesive used for the repair of hybrid ceramic and composite resin restorations. Methods: In the study, a total of 48 rectangular prisms of sizes 7×6×2 mm hybrid ceramic (Vita Enamic, Zahnfabrik, Germany) and composite resin (Solare X, GC, Japan) specimens were prepared. All samples were aged with 5000 thermal cycles. Then, the upper surfaces of the samples were roughened with a diamond fissure bur (10–36µ, 852 FG Meisinger; Hager &amp;amp; Meisinger GmbH, Germany) with 5 strokes under water cooling. The samples were divided into 2 subgroups according to the different application times of the adhesive system (G-Premio Bond, GC, Japan) (n=12). Then, composite resin (Solare X, GC) was placed using plastic cylinder molds with 3 mm inner diameter and height and cured with light for 20 seconds. All samples were thermal aged and then a shear bond strength test was conducted. The data were analyzed with Two-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey HSD tests (p˂0,05). Results: Two-way ANOVA revealed that the repair bond strength of the 10 seconds of waiting was significantly higher than the quick application for both hybrid ceramic and composite resin (p˂0,05). It was determined that there was no significant difference between hybrid ceramic and composite resin in the both quick application group and 10 seconds waiting group (p˃0,05). Conclusion: Quick application procedure showed lower shear bond strength than 10 seconds waiting group for the repair of both composite resin and hybrid ceramic (p&amp;lt;0,05). Keywords: Quick application, Application time, Universal adhesive, restoration repair..

Effect of Red Dragon Fruit Extract (Hylocereus polyrhizus) on Total Cholesterol Levels in Wistar Rats Model of Metabolic Syndrome

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Introduction: &lt;/strong&gt;The consumption of high fat and sugar can increase the risk of metabolic syndrome. &lt;em&gt;Hylocereus polyrhizus&lt;/em&gt; is known to be able to lower total cholesterol levels in the blood. This study aims to determine the effect of &lt;em&gt;Hylocereus polyrhizus&lt;/em&gt; extract on total cholesterol levels in Wistar rats with the metabolic syndrome model.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;This study used laboratory experimental research using a pretest and posttest with a control group design. The sample consisted of 30 Wistar rats according to the inclusion criteria which were divided into 5 groups: K1 (positive control), K2 (negative control), K3, K4, and K5 (treatment group). The treatment group was given &lt;em&gt;Hylocereus polyrhizus&lt;/em&gt; extract with doses of 60, 120, and 180 mg/200grW. Total cholesterol levels were measured on the 8th, 36th, and 64th day. The data were analyzed using the parameterized One-way ANOVA test followed by Tukey's HSD posthoc test, paired T-test, and Pearson's correlation test.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;The average total cholesterol after being given by &lt;em&gt;Hylocereus polyrhizus&lt;/em&gt; extract in K3 (137 ± 2.82 mg/dL), K4 (109 ± 2.31 mg/dL), and K5 (100 ± 2.38 mg/dL) was lower than the negative control group. Data analysis showed significant differences (p&amp;lt;0.05) in total cholesterol levels before and after treatment in all groups. The Pearson correlation test explained that the variation dosage of &lt;em&gt;Hylocereus polyrhizus&lt;/em&gt; extract had a very strong correlation with a positive correlation with total cholesterol levels.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;Induction of &lt;em&gt;Hylocereus polyrhizus&lt;/em&gt; extract at doses of 60, 120, and 180 mg/200grW was able to significantly reduce total cholesterol levels.&lt;/p&gt;

Multidimensional analysis of road traffic noise and probable public health hazards in Barisal city corporation, Bangladesh

Noise pollution is a major challenge in urban contexts all around the world. The study was designed to assess road traffic noise pollution with possible health effects on those living in the study region. The IDW spatial interpolation approach and an ArcGIS-based evaluation were used to map the recorded noise levels in the research region. The noise descriptors including Noise Climate (NC), Traffic Noise Index (TNI), Equivalent Noise Level (Leq), and Noise Pollution Level (NPL) were computed. The required information has been collected through a questionnaire survey and previously published documents. The study reveals that the current noise level is higher than the recommended national threshold at every location. According to the study, the Nathullabad region had the highest level of noise pollution (86.5 dBA), while the Kaunia Abasik area had the lowest level (67.8 dBA). Study findings also show that in the area context, the highest levels of noise pollution are found in commercial areas (82 dBA), followed by industrial areas (80.4 dBA),mixed areas (81.3 dBA), and residential areas (72.7 dBA). The lowest level is found in sensitive areas (72.5 dBA). Statistical analyses, including one-way ANOVA, Tukey HSD post-hoc and LSD post-hoc test results, showed that there was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) between the noise pollution levels (NPL) in the morning, noon, and evening shifts. The results showed that 32 % of respondents stated they felt disturbed while working, and 27% of respondents said it was somewhat sensitive for them. As the last step in minimizing noise pollution in the research area, 37 % of respondents reported enforcing the regulations, 31% suggested making hydraulic horns illegally, and 21 % suggested raising public awareness. This study may contribute to academic knowledge and assist decision-makers of government officials in formulating appropriate local strategies to deal with this grave environmental problem.

Effectiveness of Gamified Cooperation and Competition in Blended Learning Environment for EFL Business Writing in TVET

This research investigated the effectiveness of gamified blended learning environments in fostering EFL writing skills among technical and vocational education and training (TVET) trainees in Saudi Arabia. It compared three distinct learning strategies achieved through gamification design in a blended delivery mode: gamified cooperation, gamified competition, and gamified cooperation-competition. Each strategy leveraged a specific category of gamification features that evoke different goal structure: cooperation, competition, or a combination of both. A quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test was employed. Forty-five trainees were purposively selected and randomly assigned to three groups, each receiving instruction using a different gamified blended learning program for teaching business writing. The findings revealed significant improvement in English as a Foreign Language business writing skills for all three groups. However, a one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey HSD test indicated that the gamified cooperation-competition strategy yielded the greatest improvement compared to the gamified cooperation and gamified competition strategies alone. This suggests that a combination of cooperative and competitive elements within a gamified blended learning environment might be the most effective approach for enhancing English as a Foreign Language business writing skills among Technical and Vocational Training and Education learners.

Effect of Er:YAG laser on debonding zirconia and lithium disilicate crowns bonded with 2- and 1-bottle adhesive resin cements.

Erbium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser debonding of zirconia and lithium disilicate restorations is increasingly used for a range of clinical applications. Using rotary instruments to remove such restorations for any purpose has proven to be challenging. Erbium laser has been reported to be a conservative method for removing ceramic restorations. There is little data in the literature about the effect of adhesive resin cement type on the debonding time of the ceramic restoration using the Er:YAG laser. To evaluate and compare the time required for the Er:YAG laser to debond zirconia and lithium disilicate crowns bonded with a 2- and 1-bottle adhesive resin cement systems. Forty extracted premolar teeth were prepared and scanned for milled 40 CAD/CAM crowns. Teeth were randomly assigned into groups (n = 10 per group): 3 mol% yttria-partially stabilized zirconia crowns 3Y-PSZ (G1a) bonded with Panavia™ V5 (2-bottle adhesive resin cement), Zirconia 3Y-PSZ crowns (G1b) bonded with RelyX™ Ultimate (1-bottle adhesive resin cement), and for the lithium disilicate crowns bonded with the two types of cements (G2a, G2b). Each specimen was irradiated with an Er:YAG laser at 335 mJ, 15 Hz, 5.0 W, and 50-ms pulse duration (super short pulse mode). The irradiation time required for crowns to be successfully debonded was recorded for each specimen. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey HSD post-hoc test (p < 0.05), at the 95 percent level of confidence. The intaglio surface of the debonded crown was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mean ± standard deviation times needed for crown debonding were 5.75 ± 2.00 min for the G1a group, 4.79 ± 1.20 min for group G1b, 1.69 ± 0.49 min for group G2a, and 1.12 ± 0.17 for group G2b. There was no statistically significant difference in debonding time between the 2- and 1- bottle adhesive resin cement within the groups G1a and b (p = 0.2914), or between groups G2a b (p = 0.7116). A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was found between groups G1a and G2a and b and between groups G1b and G2a and b were SEM analysis showed no changes in the microstructure of the ceramic surface after Er:YAG laser irradiation. Zirconia and lithium disilicate restorations can be debonded using Er:YAG lasers in a safe and efficient manner. There is no significant difference in the debonding time between the 2- and 1- bottle adhesive resin cement systems used in this study. Retrieving zirconia and lithium disilicate ceramics can be a challenging process when using diamond rotary instruments. ER:YAG lasers may efficiently debond these ceramics from the tooth structure, independent of the bonding process used for bonding them.

Fracture Resistance of Posterior Milled Nanoceramic Crowns after Thermomechanical Aging.

Fracture resistance is an important parameter used to predict the performance of indirect dental restorations. The purpose of this in vitro study was to assess the fracture load of posterior milled nanoceramic crowns, in comparison with the lithium disilicate crowns, after fatigue loading, for two different restoration occlusal thicknesses. Forty test metal dies were fabricated by duplicating a master metal model consisting of an anatomic abutment preparation of the maxillary first premolar for a single crown. The dies were divided into two groups of 20 each for the fabrication of nanoceramic (Lava Ultimate) and lithium disilicate (IPS e.max CAD) single crowns. Each material group was further divided into two sub-groups of 10 dies each, based on crown occlusal thickness, of 0.5-mm and 0.75-mm (n = 10). Dental Type V stone dies poured from polyvinyl siloxane impressions of the test metal dies were laboratory scanned in order to design and mill 40 ceramic crowns. The crowns were cemented on to the test metal dies with a self-adhesive resin luting cement. All crowns were thermocycled (2500 cycles) and mechanically loaded (250,000 cycles) in a chewing simulator followed by static loading until failure, and the values noted. The data were statistically analyzed by 2-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD post-hoc multiple comparison tests (α = 0.05). The mean fracture loads ranged from 1022 to 1322 N for nanoceramic crowns and from 1145 to 1441 N for the lithium disilicate crowns. Two-way ANOVA revealed insignificant differences between the nanoceramic and lithium disilicate crowns (p > 0.05) in terms of fracture load. Significant differences were noted in the fracture resistance of crowns based on occlusal thickness (303 N; p = 0.013) regardless of the material used. Multiple comparisons by Tukey HSD post-hoc test showed insignificant differences between the four material-occlusal thickness groups (p > 0.05). The nanoceramic crowns were found to be comparable with lithium disilicate crowns in terms of fracture load. The mean fracture loads of all of the tested crowns were within the normal physiological masticatory load limits. Based on the fracture-resistance results, nanoceramic crowns seem to be suitable for clinical use for the tested occlusal thicknesses.

Promoting Ecosystem Conservation and Food Security through Sustainable Harvesting of Edible Caterpillars in Kanchibiya District, Zambia

Insects play a vital role in enhancing food security and improving the livelihoods of rural communities. This study focused on the identification of caterpillar harvesting practices in Zambia, particularly in Chief Kopa’s village, Kanchibiya District, Muchinga Province, where the caterpillars of Gynisa maja and Gonimbrasia belina play a crucial role in food security. A mixed-methods approach was employed, utilizing face-to-face interviews and self-administered questionnaires to capture both qualitative and quantitative insights. Quantitative data, including caterpillar harvesting amounts and correlations with tree destruction, underwent statistical analyses, including ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey's HSD tests. The Chi-square test explored gender distribution across research sites. Qualitative data from open-ended questions during interviews underwent thematic analysis. The study sampled 100 respondents from six areas, and the results revealed significant differences in caterpillar harvesting amounts among villages. Post-hoc tests identified specific pairwise differences. The findings indicated that traditional harvesting methods persisted, with limited adherence to rules. A significant positive correlation was observed between caterpillar harvesting practices and evolving trends such as increased harvesting intensity, changes in harvesting methods, and environmental impact and tree destruction (p=0.001, r=0.917). The study contributed valuable insights into past caterpillar harvesting practices, proposing conservation strategies for enhanced food security and sustainability. The study proposes a multifaceted approach to balance ecosystem conservation with food security in Kanhaiya District, emphasizing the importance of sustainable caterpillar harvesting. Recommendations include developing community-based sustainable harvesting guidelines, such as rotational zones and harvest limits, alongside education programs to raise ecological awareness. It advocates for diversifying livelihoods and food sources to lessen dependence on caterpillars, ensuring gender-inclusive participation in these initiatives. Monitoring and further research are essential to adapt strategies effectively. These measures aim to preserve the ecosystem, ensuring the caterpillar's role in food security and offering socioeconomic benefits by fostering community resilience and reducing food insecurity vulnerabilities

Characterization of patient population receiving bioactive glass bone graft substitute as intraoperative treatment for orthopaedic trauma fractures

BackgroundBioactive glass synthetic bone grafts are used to treat osseous defects in orthopaedic surgery. Characterization of the clinical scenarios associated with bioactive glass use in the context of orthopaedic trauma, are not well established. This study aims to characterize population demographics, operative variables, as well as postoperative variables, for patients who required bone grafting for treatment of traumatic orthopaedic injuries and received a bioactive glass bone substitute intraoperatively. MethodsThe electronic medical record at a large Level I trauma center was queried for fracture patients between January 1st, 2019, and April 30th, 2022. Our retrospective cohort included fracture patients who received Fibergraft Matrix or Fibergraft Putty intraoperatively, and their respective control groups. This study ascertained patient demographic variables, operative variables, and postoperative variables. Differences in categorical variables were tested with Fischer's Exact Tests, while differences in continuous variables were tested with ANOVA. Statistical significance was determined as P < 0.05. If the overall Group model was significant for a given variable, post-hoc Fischer's Exact or Tukey HSD tests were used to assess pairwise significance between individual Group pairs. ResultsA total of four categories across our analysis of demographic, operative, and postoperative variables displayed significant differences amongst subject Groups (P ≤ 0.03). Individual groups were compared such that significant differences between subject groups could be appreciated for a specific variable. FM subjects had greater length of surgery, billable costs, and vitamin D supplementation at the time of surgery compared to FM controls. Similarly, FP subjects had greater length of surgery, billable cost, and implants used intraoperatively compared to FP controls. ConclusionThis analysis revealed Fibergraft patients to have greater length of surgery and billable cost, with respect to their matched controls. These data suggest that Fibergraft patients had more severe orthopaedic fractures compared to matched controls.

Influence of 3D printed surface micro-structures on molding performance and dental bonding properties of zirconia

ObjectivesTo investigate the influence of the 3D printed micro-structured surfaces on the bond strength of zirconia to resin cement. MethodsZirconia specimens were divided into five groups based on manufacturing technique and surface preparation: (1) milled zirconia (M group); (2) milled zirconia airborne abraded (MA group); (3) printed zirconia (M group); (4) printed zirconia airborne abraded (PA group); and (5) printed zirconia with micro-structured surface (PM group). The surface morphology, cross-sectional morphology, and elemental composition were observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Surface roughness was measured using a laser scanning confocal microscope (SLCM). Shear bond strength (SBS) was measured using a universal testing machine after bonding resin cement (n = 10). The failure modes of the bonded fracture interfaces were observed and counted using a stereomicroscope and a SEM. In addition, boundary dimensional accuracy (n = 10) and micro-structural dimensional accuracy (n = 20) of printed zirconia specimens with micro-structured surfaces were measured using digital calipers and Fiji software. The crystalline phase changes before and after surface treatment were investigated using X-ray diffractometry. Data was analysed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD post-hoc tests (α = 0.05). ResultThe surface micro-structures of the PM group had regular morphology and no obvious defects. The surface roughness results showed that the PM group had higher Sa (42.21±1.38 um) and Ra (21.25±1.80 um) values than the other four groups (p < 0.001). The SBS test showed that the bond strength of the PM group reached 11.23 ± 0.66 MPa, which was 55.97% (p < 0.001) higher than that of the P group (7.20 ± 1.14 MPa). The boundary dimensional accuracy of the PM group was proficient (diameter: 99.63 ± 0.31%, thickness: 98.05 ± 1.12%), and the actual fabrication dimensions of the hexagonal micro-structures reached 77.45%-80.01% of the original design. The micro-structured surface did not affect the crystalline phase of zirconia. ConclusionsThe current study illustrates that 3D-printed microstructured surfaces effectively improve the bond strength of zirconia to resin cements. Clinical significanceWith the advantage of 3D printing, this study provides a new idea for improving the bonding properties of zirconia.