A step toward building a unified framework for managing AI bias.

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed living standards. However, AI's efforts are being thwarted by concerns about the rise of biases and unfairness. The problem advocates strongly for a strategy for tackling potential biases. This article thoroughly evaluates existing knowledge to enhance fairness management, which will serve as a foundation for creating a unified framework to address any bias and its subsequent mitigation method throughout the AI development pipeline. We map the software development life cycle (SDLC), machine learning life cycle (MLLC) and cross industry standard process for data mining (CRISP-DM) together to have a general understanding of how phases in these development processes are related to each other. The map should benefit researchers from multiple technical backgrounds. Biases are categorised into three distinct classes; pre-existing, technical and emergent bias, and subsequently, three mitigation strategies; conceptual, empirical and technical, along with fairness management approaches; fairness sampling, learning and certification. The recommended practices for debias and overcoming challenges encountered further set directions for successfully establishing a unified framework.

The Effects of Calcium Silicate- and Calcium Hydroxide-based Root Canal Sealers on Postoperative Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to compare the postoperative pain level changes resulting from using calcium silicate- (EndoSeal MTA) and calcium hydroxide-based (Sealapex) root canal sealers in mandibular first and second molar teeth with symptomatic apical periodontitis. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with symptomatic apical periodontitis in their lower molar teeth were randomly allocated into 2 groups according to sealer type (n = 30). Demographic data, including gender, age, and smoking habit, and preoperative pain measures were recorded. Root canal treatments were performed in a single visit. Postoperative pain measurements and analgesic intake were measured at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours and after 3, 5, and 7 days using the visual analog scale. The data were statistically analyzed using a chi-squared test (to compare gender, age, smoking habit, analgesic intake, and sealer extrusion), the Mann-Whitney U test (to compare pain levels), Friedman tests (for the evaluations of the reduction in pain levels over time), and Spearman's correlation test (to analyze the relationships of age, gender, smoking habit factors with postoperative pain) (P = .05). RESULTS: The statistical analysis showed no significant differences between the groups in postoperative pain and analgesic intake at any of the time intervals evaluated (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated with calcium silicate- and calcium hydroxide-based root canal sealers experienced similar postoperative pain and no statistically significant differences were observed in analgesic intake.

Comparative Evaluation of Fracture Resistance of Endodontically Treated Teeth Instrumented With K3XF Rotary Files Using Different Tapers.

AIM: To compare the effect of different tapers of the K3XF file system on the fracture resistance of endodontically treated mandibular premolars obturated with a three-dimensional (3-D) obturation system. METHODOLOGY: For the study, 80 freshly extracted human mandibular premolars with single well-developed roots without any curvatures were taken and the tooth roots were wrapped in a single layer of aluminum foil, and they were placed vertically in a plastic mold filled with self-curing acrylic resin. The access was opened, and working lengths were determined. The canals were instrumented keeping an apical size of #30 by different taper rotary files: Group 1: un-instrumented (control group), Group 2: 30/.04, Group 3: 30/.06, Group 4: 30/.08 K3XF file system, and teeth were obturated using a 3-D obturation system, and access cavities were filled using composite. Both experimental and control groups were subjected to fracture load using a conical steel tip (0.5mm) attached to a universal testing machine to record force applied in newton until root fracture. RESULTS: Root canal instrumented groups showed lower fracture resistance than the uninstrumented group. CONCLUSION: Hence it could be concluded that endodontic instrumentation with increased taper rotary instruments caused a decrease in fracture resistance of the teeth, and biomechanical preparation of root canal system with rotary or reciprocating instruments caused a significant decrease in fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth (ETT), thereby decreasing their prognosis and long-term survival.

The efficiency of different irrigation activation techniques in the removal of calcium silicate-based endodontic sealer from artificially created groove.

This study evaluated the removal of a calcium silicate-based sealer (EndoSeal MTA) with needle irrigation (NI), passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), XP-endo Finisher (XPF) and EDDY. A total of 56 human mandibular premolars were instrumented up to size 40.04 taper. The roots were separated longitudinally, and grooves were prepared with an ultrasonic tip at one-half of each root canal. The grooves were covered with EndoSeal MTA and re-attached roots were investigated based on the activation techniques applied. The results showed that significantly more material (p < 0.05) was removed in the EDDY group compared to the NI, PUI and XPF groups in the apical region. In the coronal region, no significant difference was observed between EDDY, XPF and PUI (p > 0.05), whereas all the latter were significantly more effective than NI (p < 0.05). These findings show that the removal of EndoSeal MTA can be more effective with EDDY compared to XPF, PUI and NI in the apical region.

Rare variant of dens invaginatus with accessory root and labial talon cusp in maxillary lateral incisor-Case report.

Dens invaginatus (DI) often causes dysmorphic changes in both the crown and root. This case report presents a complicated type 3a DI in a maxillary lateral incisor with labial talon cusp and root bifurcation. Although lingual talon cusp is common in maxillary lateral incisor, labial talon cusp is rare. An auxiliary palatal root in maxillary lateral incisor is also unusual. No such case involving all three variations has been described in the literature. The DI was classified as type B4 according to Schulze and Brand, as it involved division of pulp and root. DI was managed by orthograde MTA, radisectomy and periodontal regeneration was done for the palatal root. Labial talon associated with DI and can lead to early periodontal/pulpal involvement. Type 3 DI can affect the root with marked dilatation and division. Additional palatal root should be carefully detected in type 3a DI and managed with the aid of CBCT.

Effect Of Intravitreal Perfluoro Propane (C3f8) In The Management Of Symptomatic Vitreomacular Traction.

BACKGROUND: To study the efficacy of a single 0.3ml of C3F8 injection for the treatment of symptomatic VMT. METHODS: In this retrospective interventional study a total of nine patients were recruited. The mean age was 67 years. Patients had a follow-up at one week and four weeks post injections. VMT status was confirmed on repeat Oct scan. RESULTS: There was a complete release of VMT In 4 patients after one week and further release of VMT was observed in two more patients after four weeks. Hence six out of nine patients had complete resolution of pathology following C3F8 injection. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal C3F8 is a cheaper and safer option for the treatment of vitreomacular traction as compared to pars plana vitrectomy or Ocriplasmin.

Wearable and Flexible Multifunctional Sensor Based on Laser-Induced Graphene for the Sports Monitoring System.

The conversion of diverse polymeric substrates into laser-induced graphene (LIG) has recently emerged as a single-step method for the fabrication of patterned graphene-based wearable electronics with a wide range of applications in sensing, actuation, and energy storage. Laser-induced pyrolysis technology has many advantages over traditional graphene design: eco-friendly, designable patterning, roll-to-roll production, and controllable morphology. In this work, we designed wearable and flexible graphene-based strain and pressure sensors by laminating LIG from a commercial polyimide (PI) film. The as-prepared LIG was transferred onto a thin polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sheet, interwoven inside an elastic cotton sports fabric with the fabric glue as a wearable sensor. The single LIG/PDMS layer acts as a strain sensor, and a two-layer perpendicular stacking of LIG/PDMS (x and y laser-directed films) is designed for pressure sensing. This newly designed graphene textile (IGT) sensor performs four functions in volleyball sportswear, including volleyball reception detection, finger touch foul detection during blocking the ball from an opponent player, spike force measurements, and player position monitoring. An inexpensive sensor assists athletes in training and helps the coach formulate competition strategies.

Efficiency of Endosonic Blue, Eddy, Ultra X and Endoactivator in the removal of calcium hydroxide paste from root canals.

We investigated the efficiency of Endosonic Blue, EDDY, Ultra X and EndoActivator in removing calcium hydroxide from artificially created apical grooves in root canal walls. In Materials and Methods: A total of 60 single-root maxillary central incisors, root canals were created and the roots were divided into two longitudinal parts. In the most suitable root piece, artificial grooves were created in the apical section and filled with calcium hydroxide. Calcium hydroxide in the grooves was removed using EDDY, Ultra X, Endosonic Blue or EndoActivator, and the remnants in the grooves were examined under a stereomicroscope. EDDY and Ultra X removed significantly more calcium hydroxide than Endosonic Blue and EndoActivator. The performance of EDDY and Ultra X or Endosonic Blue and EndoActivator was comparable. Therefore, EDDY and Ultra X are more effective than Endosonic Blue and EndoActivator in removing calcium hydroxide from apical grooves in root canal walls. No technique could achieve complete calcium hydroxide removal.

Removal of Calcium Hydroxide Pastes Containing N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone, Local Anaesthesia, Glycerine, and Methylcellulose from Artificial Radicular Grooves: An In-vitro Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the removal of calcium hydroxide (CaOH) pastes containing N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), lidocaine, glycerine, methylcellulose, or water from artificially created grooves. METHODS: In this study, 115 human single-rooted maxillary incisors with single and straight root canals were prepared using a rotary file up to size 40/.04 and split longitudinally. A longitudinal groove was created from 2 to 5 mm from the apex and filled with CaOH combined with different vehicles. The specimens were divided among 5 experimental groups according to the vehicle as follows: distilled water, lidocaine, glycerine, methylcellulose, and NMP. The two halves were re-attached, and the canals were flushed with 10 ml of 17% EDTA for 60 seconds. The residual amount of CaOH was scored using a stereomicroscope at 8× magnification. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: The NMP-based group exhibited significantly less residual medicament compared to the distilled water (P<0.05), while there were no statistically significant differences among the methylcellulose-, lidocaine-, and glycerine-based groups and distilled water (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The vehicle is an important factor in the successful removal of CaOH medicament from the root canals. Within the limitations of the present study, the NMP-based CaOH medicament exhibited better removal efficacy than the distilled water. However, the cleaning success of the methylcellulose-, lidocaine-, and glycerine-based groups was similar to that of distilled water.

Stationary Fatigue Resistance of Various Rotary Instruments with Different Alloys after Preparing Three Root Canals.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the stationary fatigue resistance of three endodontic instrument systems after preparing three root canals with different curvatures and comparing them with unused instruments. METHODS: A total of 60 endodontic files from 3 instrument systems, TruNatomy (TRN), HyFlex CM (HFC) and Revo-S (RS), were selected for this study. These systems were divided into 2 groups: Group I (Used files) and Group II (Unused files). Each group was further divided into 3 subgroups, each containing 10 TRN (#26/v.04), 10 HFC (#25.04) and 10 RS (#25/.04) rotary files. The group I instruments were used for shaping the root canals of extracted third molars, while the group II instruments were not used for canal shaping procedures. Both Group I and Group II instruments were subjected to stationary cyclic fatigue testing at simulated body temperature (37±0.5°C) using a stainless-steel block with an artificial canal. The number of cycles to failure (NCF), the length of fractured instruments and the preparation time were recorded. The statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests with a 95% confidence interval (P=0.05). RESULTS: NCF was significantly affected by the instrument type and whether the instrument was unused or used (P<0.001). The Group II instruments were more resistant to stationary cyclic fatigue than Group I (P<0.05). HFC instruments were most resistant to stationary fatigue among all tested conditions, followed by TRN and RS instruments. Canal preparation with TRN was significantly faster than with HFC and RS. During preparation, no file was fractured. A statistically significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in the mean length of the fractured instruments among used instrument groups. CONCLUSION: The stationary cyclic fatigue resistance of HFC instruments were significantly greater than that of the TRN and RS instruments (P<0.05). TRN was faster in shaping the root canals than other instruments tested in the study.

Progress of Wearable and Flexible Electrochemical Biosensors With the Aid of Conductive Nanomaterials.

Conductive nanomaterials have recently gained a lot of interest due to their excellent physical, chemical, and electrical properties, as well as their numerous nanoscale morphologies, which enable them to be fabricated into a wide range of modern chemical and biological sensors. This study focuses mainly on current applications based on conductive nanostructured materials. They are the key elements in preparing wearable electrochemical Biosensors, including electrochemical immunosensors and DNA biosensors. Conductive nanomaterials such as carbon (Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene), metals and conductive polymers, which provide a large effective surface area, fast electron transfer rate and high electrical conductivity, are summarized in detail. Conductive polymer nanocomposites in combination with carbon and metal nanoparticles have also been addressed to increase sensor performance. In conclusion, a section on current challenges and opportunities in this growing field is forecasted at the end.

A Study On Efficacy Of Corneal Collagen Cross Linking In Progressive Keratoconus.

BACKGROUND: Keratoconus is a progressive, noninflammatory, bilateral ectatic corneal disease, characterized by paraxial stromal thinning and weakening that leads to corneal surface distortion. The objective of this research was to determine the effectiveness and safety of collagen crosslinking in progressive keratoconus, with keratometry (Kmax) value of 50 diopters or above. It was a retrospective study, conducted at Bodla Eye Care (BEC) and Multan Medical and Dental College, Multan (MMDC) from May 2018 to November 2019. METHODS: In this research 52 eyes were studied. The best-corrected visual acuity, uncorrected visual acuity, maximum keratometry, mean keratometry value, and thinnest corneal thickness before surgery and 12 months after Cross-linking were observed. A Galeili G6 by Zeimer ophthalmic system was used to measure the clinical parameters. Dresden protocol was followed in this study. A written ethical approval was obtained and research was conducted under the light of declaration of Helsinki. RESULTS: The average logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) of the uncorrected visual acuity decreased from 0.66±0.41 D to 0.49±0.40 D (p=0.012), while the mean thinnest point thickness of the cornea decreased from 435.31 37.91 µm to 419.41±70.12 µm (p=0.004) after 12 months. The decreases in the mean logMAR of the BCVA, Kmax and Kmean values were not analytically important (p>0.05) at the 12-month follow-up 94.2% positive results were obtained. CONCLUSION: Collagen cross-linking treatment was safe and maintained both the visual acuity and tomographic parameters at the one-year follow-up in eyes.

Comparative Assessment of Canal Transportation, Dentin Loss, and Remaining Root Filling Material by Different Retreatment Files An In vitro Cross-Sectional Study.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the centering ability, canal transportation and efficacy of re-treatment rotary and hand files in removing Gutta Percha from root canals using Cone Beam Computed Tomography(CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty extracted human maxillary anteriors were obturated and randomly divided into three groups. Root fillings were removed with ProTaper Universal retreatment system, R-Endo system, and Hedstrom files. CBCT scans were taken. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND RESULTS: The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 15.0, IBM). The mean and standard deviation among the groups was calculated by one-way analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann- Whitney U-tests, and the comparison among the various groups was done by post hoc Tukey's test. A statistically significant amount of remaining root canal filling material and canal transportation was noted (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: No system completely removed the root filling material from root canals. Manual instrumentation resulted in more dentin loss and canal transportation than rotary file system.

Mobile Health Interventions Addressing Childhood and Adolescent Obesity in Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe: Current Landscape and Potential for Future Research.

Child and adolescent overweight is a growing public health problem globally. Europe and low and middle-income (LMIC) countries in Sub-Saharan Africa provide sufficiently suitable populations to learn from with respect to the potential for mobile health (mHealth) interventions in this area of research. The aim of this paper is to identify mHealth interventions on prevention and treatment of childhood and adolescent obesity in Sub-Saharan Africa and Sweden and report on their effects, in order to inform future research in this area. A search of peer-reviewed publications was performed using PubMed, ScienceDirect, EBSCOhost, and Scopus. The search included all articles published up to August 2019. The search strings consisted of MeSH terms related to mHealth, overweight or obesity, children, adolescents or youth and individual countries in Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa. Second, a combination of free-text words; mobile phone, physical activity, exercise, diet, weight, BMI, and healthy eating was also used. Seven studies were reported from Europe and no eligible studies from Sub-Saharan Africa. The results of this narrative review indicate a lack of research in the development and testing of mHealth interventions for childhood and adolescent obesity. There is a need for an evidence base of mHealth interventions that are both relevant and appropriate in order to stem the epidemic of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in these countries. Uptake of such interventions is likely to be high as there is high penetrance of mobile phone technology amongst adolescents, even within poor communities in Africa.

Comparative evaluation of the compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths of paracore®, flourocore®2+, and multicore® resin-based core build-up materials - An in vitro study.

Aims: The study was aimed to evaluate and compare the compressive, diametral tensile, and flexural strengths of three different commercial resin based core materials and to single out the best resin-based core build-up material with respect to their physical properties among ParaCore® (Coltene Whaledent, USA), FlouroCore® 2+ (Dentsply International, USA), MultiCore® (Ivoclar Vivadent, Liechtenstein) with Miracle Mix® (GC America) core used as control. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty samples were prepared, of which forty samples (10 of each material) were prepared in cylindrical stainless steel molds (height 6 mm, diameter 4 mm) for compressive strength measurements. Other forty samples (10 of each material) were prepared in cylindrical molds (diameter 6 mm, height 2 mm) for diametral tensile strength measurements. Forty samples (10 of each material) were prepared in stainless steel molds cuboidal in shape (length 25 mm, thickness 2 mm, and width 2 mm) for flexural strength measurements. The samples were tested on a Universal testing machine (Instron Machine 3366, made in the USA). Statistical Analysis Used: One-way analysis of variance was performed to determine any statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) among the resin-based core build-up materials with respect to their three respective strengths. Further, the statistical comparison was made among the four materials using Student's t-test at a significance level of 5%. Results: Based on the results obtained it can be summarized that the ParaCore is the strongest material among all the four materials, followed by MultiCore, FlouroCore2+, and Miracle Mix. The Miracle mix is the weakest among all the materials owing to its inferior strength values. Conclusion: The results of the present study imply that, in consideration of their superior strength values, resin-based core build-up materials, ParaCore, MultiCore, and FlouroCore2+ should be a preferred for use as core build-up material over Miracle Mix in specific clinical situations, in the same order of preference.

Effectiveness of the static-guided endodontic technique for accessing the root canal through MTA and its effect on fracture strength.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To evaluate the effectiveness of the static-guided (SG) endodontics technique for accessing the root canal through the mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and (2) to evaluate the effect of this technique on the fracture strength of teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty mandibular premolars were used in the present study. After standard coronal access cavity preparation, root canals were prepared up to size #80 to simulate an immature root apex. White MTA was placed approximately 3 mm below the cementoenamel junction (CEJ), as placed in regenerative endodontic procedures. After the MTA had set, the cavity was restored with a resin composite material. The teeth were randomly divided into two groups (n = 15). In the control group, the composite resin and MTA were removed without any guide. In the SG-access group, a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan was performed, 3D-printed guides were designed and fabricated, and then the composite resin and MTA were removed with a guide. One inexperienced operator performed the removal of the composite resin and MTA in all groups. Pre- and post-operative periapical radiographs were taken. The mishaps and time to penetration to root canal were recorded. After that, the root canals were filled, and the access cavities were restored. The samples were subjected to a fracture strength test. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U, independent samples of T test, and chi-square tests at 95% confidence level (P = 0.05). RESULTS: There were significant differences between the control and SG-access groups in terms of mishaps and time to penetration to the root canal through the MTA barrier (P < 0.05). The SG-access group required the shorter time as compared with the control group. Mishaps did not occur in the SG-access group. The SG-access group exhibited the significantly preserved fracture resistance of the teeth as compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Non-restorable failure occurred more frequently in the control group than in the SG-access group. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of the present study, the SG endodontic technique yielded favorable results with respect to time, mishaps, and fracture strength. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The static-guided endodontics technique may provide advantages to the clinician for MTA removal.

Correlation between changes in intraocular pressure and refractive error indices post Cataract Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between refractive errors and change in intraocular pressure in patients undergoing cataract surgery. METHODS: This interventional retrospective case study was carried out from September 2018 to April 2019 at Bodla Eye Care and Multan Medical and Dental College, Multan. A total of 127 eyes were recruited in the study among which six were excluded. Out of remaining 121, 53 eyes were emmetropes, 41 were mild myopes and 27 were high myopes. Single surgeon performed the procedure. Pre-operative investigations of IOP and refractive error were done by goldmann tonometry and auto refractometry. IOP was reviewed at day 1, 7, 14 and 28 post cataract surgeries. RESULTS: Out of 121 eyes, 53 eyes were emmetropes, 41 were mild myopes and 27 were high myopes, who underwent phacoemulsification. There was an elevation of 2-3mm Hg at Day-1, in emmetropes and mild myopes, and further on, a constant drop was noticed on follow ups. In high myopes a significant fluctuation of IOP was noted in first fourteen days followed by an unremarkable gradual decline afterwards. CONCLUSION: Cataract surgery helps lowering the IOP in patients with refractive errors. Mild myopic and emmetropic patients showed a linear swift pattern while high myopes presented instable and gradual reduction in IOP. A total decrease of 1-2mm Hg was seen at the end of the study depicting that relation between IOP and cataract surgery is insignificant.

Guided endodontics: a case report of maxillary lateral incisors with multiple dens invaginatus.

Navigation of the main root canal and dealing with a dens invaginatus (DI) is a challenging task in clinical practice. Recently, the guided endodontics technique has become an alternative method for accessing root canals, surgical cavities, and calcified root canals without causing iatrogenic damage to tissue. In this case report, the use of the guided endodontics technique for two maxillary lateral incisors with multiple DIs is described. A 16-year-old female patient was referred with the chief complaint of pain and discoloured upper front teeth. Based on clinical and radiographic findings, a diagnosis of pulp necrosis and chronic periapical abscess associated with double DI (Oehler's type II) was established for the upper left lateral maxillary incisor (tooth #22). Root canal treatment and the sealing of double DI with mineral trioxide aggregate was planned for tooth #22. For tooth #12 (Oehler's type II), preventive sealing of the DI was planned. Minimally invasive access to the double DI and the main root canal of tooth #22, and to the DI of tooth #12, was achieved using the guided endodontics technique. This technique can be a valuable tool because it reduces chair-time and, more importantly, the risk of iatrogenic damage to the tooth structure.

Conservative management of Type II dens invaginatus with guided endodontic approach: A case series.

Dens invaginatus (DI) is one of the rare malformations of teeth which results from an infolding of the dental papilla during the development of teeth. This defect gives rise to a possible communication between the pulp and oral environment, thereby increasing the susceptibility to caries, pulpitis, and pulp necrosis. Thus, early detection and conservative management of this invaginatus is of utmost importance. The present case series describes a conservative endodontic treatment technique for the management of teeth with Type II DI using a guided endodontic approach with three-dimensional printed surgical stents. This technique provides a precise and minimally invasive approach in the conservative management of DI, without compromising the vitality of main pulpal tissue.