Higienização de ambiente em agroindústria familiar de embutidos cárneos / Environmental hygienization in family meat product

A higienização é um procedimento importante na indústria de alimentos e sua realização deve ocorrer rotineiramente para evitar que os alimentos sejam contaminados. Além disso, todos os manipuladores de alimentos devem receber treinamentos de modo a entender como ocorrem as contaminações e como evitá-las, para que não ocorra deterioração antecipada dos alimentos e para que não exponham os consumidores ao risco de doenças transmitidas por alimentos em caso de contaminação. Esta pesquisa avaliou o processo de higienização e sua eficiência em superfícies presentes em uma agroindústria da agricultura familiar produtora de embutidos cárneos. Apesar de ter instalações adequadas a agroindústria apresentava inadequações quanto aos produtos utilizados e a frequência inadequada para uma higienização eficiente. Foi realizada análise microbiológica das superfícies dos equipamentos para contagem de aeróbios mesófilos e notou-se uma elevada carga microbiana que indicou uma baixa eficiência no processo de higienização. Sugeriu-se melhorias na higiene ambiental associado à instrução dos colaboradores, para contribuir na promoção da qualidade dos produtos, aumento dos lucros e salvaguardando a saúde do consumidor.

Hygiene is an important procedure in the food industry, and its performance must occur routinely to prevent food from being contaminated. In addition, all food handlers must receive training in order to understand how contamination occurs and how to avoid it, so that there is no anticipated deterioration of food and that consumers are not exposed to the risk of foodborne diseases. in case of contamination by pathogenic microorganisms. Thus, this research evaluated the cleaning process and its efficiency on surfaces present in a family farming agroindustry that produces meat products, which despite having adequate facilities, had some difficulties such as product use and inadequate frequency for eficiente cleaning. After performing a microbiological analysis to count surface mesophilic aerobes, a high level of contamination was noted, relating to low efficiency in the cleaning process. Improvements in environmental hygiene are suggested, associated with the instruction of employees for the implementation of the Standard Operating Hygiene Procedure, promoting improvements in product quality, increasing profits and safeguarding consumer health.

Influence of kaolin and red clay on ceramic specimen properties when galvanic sludge is incorporated to encapsulate heavy metals.

This study presented the influence of two types of clay: kaolin (Kao) and red clay (RC) on the chemical and physical properties of ceramic specimens when galvanic sludge (GS) is incorporated to encapsulate heavy metals. Samples were obtained of GS from the industrial district of Manaus - Amazonas State, Brazil, and kaolin (Kao), and red clay (RC) from the Central Amazon. A fourth sample was prepared by mixing GS, Kao, and RC in the ratio 1:1:8 (GS + Kao + RC). This mixture was ground, and ceramic specimens were prepared, and heat treated at 950 °C and 1200 °C for three hours for phase detection, compressive strength, leaching of Fe, Ni and Cr metals and life cycle assessment. Galvanic sludge, Kao, and RC were also, and heat treated to at 950 °C and 1200 °C for three hours, obtaining GS950, GS1200, Kao950, Kao1200, RC950, and RC1200. The samples were submitted to XRF, XRD, Rietveld refinement, Mössbauer spectroscopy, TG/DTG/DSC, and SEM. The results show that the formation of nickel oxide and a spinel solid solution of the type Fe3+{Fe1-y3+,Fe1-x2+,Nix2+,Cry3+}O4 (in which [] = tetrahedral site, {} octahedral site) occurs in GS1200, which is caused by sulfate decomposition to SO2. At 1200 °C, heavy metals are encapsulated, forming other phases such as nickel silicate and hematite. Life cycle assessment was used to verify the sustainability and value of GS in clay for making bricks, and it indicated that the production of ceramics is feasible, reduces the use of clays, and is sustainable.

Real-World Video Super-Resolution with a Degradation-Adaptive Model.

Video super-resolution (VSR) remains challenging for real-world applications due to complex and unknown degradations. Existing methods lack the flexibility to handle video sequences with different degradation levels, thus failing to reflect real-world scenarios. To address this problem, we propose a degradation-adaptive video super-resolution network (DAVSR) based on a bidirectional propagation network. Specifically, we adaptively employ three distinct degradation levels to process input video sequences, aiming to obtain training pairs that reflect a variety of real-world corrupted images. We also equip the network with a pre-cleaning module to reduce noise and artifacts in the low-quality video sequences prior to information propagation. Additionally, compared to previous flow-based methods, we employ an unsupervised optical flow estimator to acquire a more precise optical flow to guide inter-frame alignment. Meanwhile, while maintaining network performance, we streamline the propagation network branches and the structure of the reconstruction module of the baseline network. Experiments are conducted on datasets with diverse degradation types to validate the effectiveness of DAVSR. Our method exhibits an average improvement of 0.18 dB over a recent SOTA approach (DBVSR) in terms of the PSNR metric. Extensive experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our network in handling real-world video sequences with different degradation levels.

Table 0; documenting the steps to go from clinical database to research dataset.

OBJECTIVES: Data-driven decision support tools have been increasingly recognised to transform healthcare. However, such tools are often developed on predefined research datasets without adequate knowledge of the origin of this data and how it was selected. How a dataset is extracted from a clinical database can profoundly impact the validity, interpretability and interoperability of the dataset and downstream analyses, yet is rarely reported. Therefore, we present a case study illustrating how a definitive patient list was extracted from a clinical source database and how this can be reported. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A single-centre observational study was performed at an academic hospital in the Netherlands to illustrate the impact of selecting a definitive patient list for research from a clinical source database, and the importance of documenting this process. All admissions from the critical care database admitted between January 1, 2013, and January 1, 2023, were used. RESULTS: An interdisciplinary team collaborated to identify and address potential sources of data insufficiency and uncertainty. We demonstrate a stepwise data preparation process, reducing the clinical source database of 54,218 admissions to a definitive patient list of 21,553 admissions. Transparent documentation of the data preparation process improves the quality of the definitive patient list before analysis of the corresponding patient data. This study generated seven important recommendations for preparing observational healthcare data for research purposes. CONCLUSIONS: Documenting data preparation is essential for understanding a research dataset originating from a clinical source database before analysing healthcare data. The findings contribute to establishing data standards and offer insights into the complexities of preparing healthcare data for scientific investigation. Meticulous data preparation and documentation thereof will improve research validity and advance critical care.

Novel preventive bundle for multidrug-resistant organisms in intensive care setting; tertiary care experience.

Background: A widely-accepted standardized preventive bundle targeting multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) is lacking. The objective was to describe the components, implementation, compliance, and impact of a novel MDROs bundle in intensive care units (ICUs). Methods: Cohort study of surveillance activities on the components of MDROs bundle (July 2019 to June 2022) and the incidence of MDROs (April 2016 to June 2022). The implementation of MDROs bundle were preceded by ICPs-led education of the staff working in target ICUs about the importance and components of the MDROs bundle. These included the overall use of antimicrobials, appropriate environmental cleaning, appropriate contact precautions, and hand hygiene compliance. Results: During implementation, the overall use of antimicrobials was 57.8 days of therapy per 100 patient-days (44,492/76,933). It was higher in adult compared with pediatric/neonatal ICUs (p < 0.001). Appropriate environmental cleaning was 74.8% (12,409/16,582), appropriate contact precautions was 83.8% (10,467/12,497), and hand hygiene compliance was 86.9% (27,023/31,096). The three components were significantly higher in pediatric/neonatal compared with adult ICUs (p = 0.027, p < 0.001, p = 0.006, respectively). The MDROs rates per 10,000 patient-days were 71.8 before (April 2016 to June 2019) and 62.0 during (July 2019 to June 2022) the bundle implementation (858/119,565 versus 891/143,649 p = 0.002). The reduction in MDROs rates were replicated in adult (p = 0.001) but not pediatric/neonatal ICUs (p = 0.530). Conclusions: The finding of this study indicate that the implementation of the current bundle was associated with a modest decrease in MDROs rates in adult ICUs. The provided detailed definitions and methodology will facilitate its use by other healthcare facilities.

The Influence of Contamination and Different Cleaning Methods and the Effect of Plasma Treatment of CoCr Alloy on Tensile Bond Strength to Composite Resin.

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of contamination and different cleaning methods on resin bonding to cobalt-chro- mium (CoCr) alloy disks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 160 CoCr disks were divided into 3 groups. The first group (N = 64) was air abraded with alumina particles and contaminated with a silicone disclosing agent and saliva; the second group (N = 64) was air abraded but not contaminated; the third group (N = 32) was neither air abraded nor contaminated. The first two groups were di- vided into 4 subgroups (N = 16) according to the cleaning method: ultrasonic bath in 99% isopropanol, use of a cleaning suspension of zirconium oxide particles, use of a cleaning suspension based on 10-MDP salt, and treatment with atmo- spheric plasma. The third group was divided into 2 subgroups (N = 16): treatment with atmospheric plasma and no treat- ment. All CoCr specimens were bonded to plexiglas tubes filled with a bonding resin that contained phosphate monomer. Tensile bond strength (TBS) was examined by tensile testing after 3 and 150 days of water storage plus 37,500 thermal cy- cles (N = 8). RESULTS: After contamination, TBS was significantly reduced after 150 days of water storage. Groups without air abrasion showed initially low TBS and debonded spontaneously after 150 days of water storage. CONCLUSION: None of the cleaning methods was able to remove saliva and silicone disclosing agent on CoCr-alloy sur- faces. Surface activation by plasma treatment has no long-term effect on the bond strength.

Assessing the impact of a cleaning programme on environmental hygiene in labour and neonatal wards: an exploratory study in The Gambia.

BACKGROUND: Effective surface cleaning in hospitals is crucial to prevent the transmission of pathogens. However, hospitals in low- and middle-income countries face cleaning challenges due to limited resources and inadequate training. METHODS: We assessed the effectiveness of a modified TEACH CLEAN programme for trainers in reducing surface microbiological contamination in the newborn unit of a tertiary referral hospital in The Gambia. We utilised a quasi-experimental design and compared data against those from the labour ward. Direct observations of cleaning practices and key informant interviews were also conducted to clarify the programme's impact. RESULTS: Between July and September 2021 (pre-intervention) and October and December 2021 (post-intervention), weekly surface sampling was performed in the newborn unit and labour ward. The training package was delivered in October 2021, after which their surface microbiological contamination deteriorated in both clinical settings. While some cleaning standards improved, critical aspects such as using fresh cleaning cloths and the one-swipe method did not. Interviews with senior departmental and hospital management staff revealed ongoing challenges in the health system that hindered the ability to improve cleaning practices, including COVID-19, understaffing, disruptions to water supply and shortages of cleaning materials. CONCLUSIONS: Keeping a hospital clean is fundamental to good care, but training hospital cleaning staff in this low-income country neonatal unit failed to reduce surface contamination levels. Further qualitative investigation revealed multiple external factors that challenged any possible impact of the cleaning programme. Further work is needed to address barriers to hospital cleaning in low-income hospitals.

Comparison of the Impact of Two Interdental Cleaning Devices on the Reduction of Bleeding Around Implants.

Objective: Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of water flossing to traditional flossing in lowering the bleeding on probing (BOP) index around dental implants. Methods and Materials: This single-center, examiner-masked research enrolled patients with implants and randomly allocated them to one of two groups. The research analyzed the effectiveness of manual toothbrushes when used with either string floss or a water flosser. Results: After 30 days, the main result was a decrease in BOP occurrence. At the outset, neither group had noticeably higher rates of bleeding than the other. While only six of 20 implants in the floss group demonstrated a decrease in BOP after 30 days, 18 of 20 implants in the water flosser group did. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the use of water flossers was associated with much less bleeding than that of string floss. The researchers think that water flossing might be a useful addition to the maintenance of dental implants.

Robust superhydrophobic cotton fabric based on dual-sized silica particles with self-healing nature.

Improving the durability of wear-resistant superhydrophobic surfaces is crucial for their practical use. To tackle this, research is now delving into self-healing superhydrophobic surfaces. In our study, we developed superhydrophobic cotton fabrics by embedding nano-silica particles, micro-silica powder, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using a dipping method. This innovative design grants the SiO2/PDMS cotton fabric remarkable superhydrophobicity, reflected by a water contact angle of 155°. Moreover, the PDMS was stored in the amorphous areas of cellulose of cotton fabrics, attaching to the fiber surface and playing a role in connecting micro-blocks and nano-particles. This causes a self-diffusion of PDMS molecules in these fabrics, allowing the surface to regain its superhydrophobicity even after abrasion damage. Impressively, this self-healing property can be renewed at least 8 times, showcasing the fabric's resilience. Moreover, these superhydrophobic cotton fabrics exhibit outstanding self-cleaning abilities and repel various substances such as blood, milk, cola, and tea. This resilience, coupled with its simplicity, low cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness, makes this coating highly promising for applications across construction, chemical, and medical fields. Our study also delves into understanding the self-healing mechanism of the SiO2/PDMS cotton fabric, offering insights into their long-term performance and potential advancements in this field.

Geographic And Taxonomic Occurrence R-based Scrubbing (gatoRs): An R package and workflow for processing biodiversity data.

Premise: Digitized biodiversity data offer extensive information; however, obtaining and processing biodiversity data can be daunting. Complexities arise during data cleaning, such as identifying and removing problematic records. To address these issues, we created the R package Geographic And Taxonomic Occurrence R-based Scrubbing (gatoRs). Methods and Results: The gatoRs workflow includes functions that streamline downloading records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and Integrated Digitized Biocollections (iDigBio). We also created functions to clean downloaded specimen records. Unlike previous R packages, gatoRs accounts for differences in download structure between GBIF and iDigBio and allows for user control via interactive cleaning steps. Conclusions: Our pipeline enables the scientific community to process biodiversity data efficiently and is accessible to the R coding novice. We anticipate that gatoRs will be useful for both established and beginning users. Furthermore, we expect our package will facilitate the introduction of biodiversity-related concepts into the classroom via the use of herbarium specimens.

Interspecies interactions in dairy biofilms drive community structure and response against cleaning and disinfection.

Interspecies interactions within a biofilm community influence population dynamics and community structure, which in turn may affect the bacterial stress response to antimicrobials. This study was conducted to assess the impact of interactions between Kocuria salsicia and a three-species biofilm community (comprising Stenotrophomonas rhizophila, Bacillus licheniformis, and Microbacterium lacticum) on biofilm mass, the abundance of individual species, and their survival under a laboratory-scale cleaning and disinfection (C&D) regime. The presence of K. salsicia enhanced the cell numbers of all three species in pairwise interactions. The outcomes derived from summing up pairwise interactions did not accurately predict the bacterial population dynamics within communities of more than two species. In four-species biofilms, we observed the dominance of S. rhizophila and B. licheniformis, alongside a concurrent reduction in the cell counts of K. salsicia and M. lacticum. This pattern suggests that the underlying interactions are not purely non-transitive; instead, a more complex interplay results in the dominance of specific species. We observed that bacterial spatial organization and matrix production in different mixed-species combinations affected survival in response to C&D. Confocal microscopy analysis of spatial organization showed that S. rhizophila localized on the biofilm formed by B. licheniformis and M. lacticum, and S. rhizophila was more susceptible to C&D. Matrix production in B. licheniformis, evidenced by alterations in biofilm mass and by scanning electron microscopy, demonstrated its protective role against C&D, not only for this species itself, but also for neighbouring species. Our findings emphasise that various social interactions within a biofilm community not only affect bacterial population dynamics but also influence the biofilm community's response to C&D stress.

Exposure to hull cleaning wastewater induces mortality through oxidative stress and cholinergic disturbance in the marine polychaete Perinereis aibuhitensis.

While wastewater and paint particles discharged from the in-water cleaning process of ship hulls are consistently released into benthic ecosystems, their hazardous effects on non-target animals remain largely unclear. In this study, we provide evidence on acute harmful effects of hull cleaning wastewater in marine polychaete Perinereis aibuhitensis by analyzing physiological and biochemical parameters such as survival, burrowing activity, and oxidative status. Raw wastewater samples were collected during ship hull cleaning processes in the field. Two wastewater samples for the exposure experiment were prepared in the laboratory: 1) mechanically filtered in the in-water cleaning system (MF) and 2) additionally filtered with a 0.45 µm filter in the laboratory (LF). These wastewater samples contained high concentrations of metals (zinc and copper) and metal-based booster biocides (copper pyrithione and zinc pyrithione) compared to those analyzed in seawater. Polycheates were exposed to different concentrations of the two wastewater samples for 96 h. Higher mortality was observed in response to MF compared to LF-exposed polychaetes. Both wastewater samples dose-dependently decreased burrowing activity and AChE activity. Drastic oxidative stress was observed in response to the two wastewater samples. MDA levels were significantly increased by MF and LF samples. Significant GSH depletion was observed with MF exposure, while increased and decreased GSH contents were observed in LF-exposed polychaetes. Enzymatic activities of antioxidant components, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione S-transferase were significantly modulated by both wastewater samples. These results indicate that even filtered hull cleaning wastewater can have deleterious effects on the health status of polychaetes.

Coalescence-Induced Self-Propelled Particle Transport with Asymmetry Arrangement.

We experimentally investigated the coalescence-induced droplet-particle jumping phenomenon on a submillimeter scale in symmetric and asymmetric particle arrangements with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles and stainless steel (SS) particles. Coalescence-induced droplet-particle jumping exhibited excellent capability and interesting behavior for both droplet jumping enhancement and particle transport. The particle increased the normalized droplet jumping velocity from 0.250 for no particle case to 0.315 and 0.320 for symmetric and asymmetric particle cases. Compared with similar-sized macrostructures fixed between droplets, better jumping performance with particles may be attributed to avoiding the work of adhesion during droplet-macrostructure separation. Besides, all particles always sunk at the bottom in the symmetric cases, while the stick mode for PMMA particles and sink, wander, and jet modes for SS particles appeared in the asymmetry cases. We revealed that the asymmetric particle arrangement induces an unbalanced surface tension force, which may provide a driving force in the vertical direction. Additionally, a small enough resistive force caused by hydrophobic particles is another necessary condition for the wonder and jet mode. Finally, we realized a significantly superior particle transport in the asymmetric SS particle cases with maximum particle height reaching ∼2.1 mm, ∼12.4 times the particle radius, the most significant vertical self-propelled transport distance currently.

Data cleaning for clinician researchers: Application and explanation of a data-quality framework.

BACKGROUND: Data cleaning is the series of procedures performed before a formal statistical analysis, with the aim of reducing the number of error values in a dataset and improving the overall quality of subsequent analyses. Several study-reporting guidelines recommend the inclusion of data-cleaning procedures; however, little practical guidance exists for how to conduct these procedures. OBJECTIVES: This paper aimed to provide practical guidance for how to perform and report rigorous data-cleaning procedures. METHODS: A previously proposed data-quality framework was identified and used to facilitate the description and explanation of data-cleaning procedures. The broader data-cleaning process was broken down into discrete tasks to create a data-cleaning checklist. Examples of the how the various tasks had been undertaken for a previous study using data from the Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Adult Patient Database were also provided. RESULTS: Data-cleaning tasks were described and grouped according to four data-quality domains described in the framework: data integrity, consistency, completeness, and accuracy. Tasks described include creation of a data dictionary, checking consistency of values across multiple variables, quantifying and managing missing data, and the identification and management of outlier values. The data-cleaning task checklist provides a practical summary of the various aspects of the data-cleaning process and will assist clinician researchers in performing this process in the future. CONCLUSIONS: Data cleaning is an integral part of any statistical analysis and helps ensure that study results are valid and reproducible. Use of the data-cleaning task checklist will facilitate the conduct of rigorous data-cleaning processes, with the aim of improving the quality of future research.

Evaluation of different mechanical cleaning protocols associated with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite in the removal of residues from the post space.

Aims: This study evaluated the effectiveness of different mechanical protocols using rotary brush (RB), ultrasonic tip, and oscillatory system (OS) associated with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in the removal of residues and dentin permeability in the cervical and apical segments of the post space. Settings and Design: Experimental in vitro study. Methods: Forty roots from human first molars were prepared and divided into four groups according to the cleaning protocols: Control (CO), NaOCl 2.5% conventional irrigation with a syringe; RB associated with NaOCl 2.5%; ultrasonic tip (US) associated with NaOCl 2.5%; OS associated with NaOCl 2.5%. Statistical Analysis Used: The persistence of residues was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and data submitted to Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests, and dentin permeability evaluated by confocal microscopy and date submitted to ANOVA one-way and Tukey's tests (P = 0.05). Results: There were no differences in residue cleaning among the CO, RB, US, and OS groups, regardless of the analyzed root segment (P > 0.05). When comparing groups, dentin permeability in the CO group was significantly lower in the cervical segment (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The OS group promoted the highest permeability value in the apical segment. RB, US, and OS are similar in removing residues from the post space. However, OS results in higher dentin permeability in the apical segment.

An in-vitro study on effects of laser activation on dye penetration in human root dentin.

Objective: To evaluate the penetration of a dye in root dentin after activation with different laser wavelengths. Materials: Palatal roots of 38 human molars were enlarged and disinfected. Irrigation activation was performed with an Er:YAG laser: @50 mJ, 15 Hz (Er:YAG); a 9.3 µm CO2 laser: @40% power (CO2); diode lasers 455 nm/970 nm: @0.8 W, 15 Hz (D455, D970) and 808/980 nm: @1 W (D808, D980) and compared to positive control: etching with 35% H3PO4 (POS); negative control: water (NEG) and conventional needle irrigation: NaOCl and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (CONV). Methylene blue solution was introduced in the canal and laser-activated or left untouched for 100 s before the roots were dried and cut into horizontal slices. Dye penetration was automatically calculated by color recognition of two samples per root third (n = 8 per group in each coronal, middle and apical root thirds). The presence and absence of a smear layer was checked in two additional samples of the negative and positive control under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: Full-depth infiltration was not achieved in any group. Dye penetration in CONV was significantly less than in Er:YAG, CO2, POS, D455, D970, D808 and similar to NEG and D980 when results of different root thirds were pooled. Conclusion: Laser activation using certain parameters enhanced dye penetration compared to conventional needle irrigation with NaOCl and EDTA (CONV).

Innovative textiles treated with TiO2-AgNPs with succinic acid as a cross-linking agent for medical uses.

Silver and titanium-silver nanoparticles have unique properties that make the textile industry progress through the high quality of textiles. Preparation of AgNPs and TiO2-Ag core-shell nanoparticles in different concentrations (0.01% and 0.1% OWF) and applying it to cotton fabrics (Giza 88 and Giza 94) by using succinic acid 5%/SHP as a cross-linking agent. Ultra-violet visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) are tools for AgNPs and TiO2-AgNPs characterization and the treated cotton. The resulting AgNPs and TiO2-AgNPs were added to cotton fabrics at different concentrations. The antimicrobial activities, UV protection, self-cleaning, and the treated fabrics' mechanical characteristics were investigated. Silver nanoparticles and titanium dioxide-silver nanoparticles core-shell were prepared to be used in the treatment of cotton fabrics to improve their UV protection properties, self-cleaning, elongation and strength, as well as the antimicrobial activities to use the produced textiles for medical and laboratory uses and to increase protection for medical workers taking into account the spread of infection. The results demonstrated that a suitable distribution of prepared AgNPs supported the spherical form. Additionally, AgNPs and TiO2-AgNPs have both achieved stability, with values of (- 20.8 mV and - 30 mV, respectively). The synthesized nanoparticles spread and penetrated textiles' surfaces with efficiency. The findings demonstrated the superior UV protection value (UPF 50+) and self-cleaning capabilities of AgNPs and TiO2-AgNPs. In the treatment with 0.01% AgNPs and TiO2-AgNPs, the tensile strength dropped, but the mechanical characteristics were enhanced by raising the concentration to 0.1%. The results of this investigation demonstrated that the cotton fabric treated with TiO2-AgNPs exhibited superior general characteristics when compared to the sample treated only with AgNPs.

UV-durable self-cleaning coatings for autonomous driving.

A key technology to ensure the safety and accuracy of autonomous driving for future transportation is the cleanliness of the sensor surfaces for accurate signal reading. This study focuses on hydrophobic coatings with self-cleaning performances and UV durability, their possible degradation mechanism of static water contact angle (sWCA), and the effect of the hydrophobic surface on camera image quality. The UV-durable hydrophobic coatings are applied by a spray process followed by a thermal curing. The UV-durable hydrophobic coatings are evaluated on a vision camera under lab-simulated weathering conditions such as rain, mud, fog, and bugs, on samples as-prepared and after various hours of Weather-Ometer® weathering. The results indicate that the sWCA degradation of the UV-durable hydrophobic coatings during accelerated weathering is corresponding to the loss of fluorine (F) atomic percentage in the coatings, and the vision camera imaging quality improves significantly with the UV-durable hydrophobic coatings in comparison to an uncoated surface. The self-cleaning performances of the UV-durable hydrophobic coatings, as measured by two metrics using signal-to-noise ratio and modulation transfer function 50 loss (MTF50loss), linearly correlate with sWCA of the coatings. The UV-durable hydrophobic coatings on the sensor surface will significantly benefit autonomous driving specifically for accurate signal reading under inclement weather.

Use of an ultrasound picture archiving and communication system to answer research questions: Description of data cleaning methods.

Introduction/Purpose: Ultrasound picture archiving and communication system (PACS) databases are useful for quality improvement and clinical research but frequently contain free text that is not easily readable. Here, we present a method to extract and clean a semi-structured echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound) PACS database. Methods: Echocardiography studies between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2018 were extracted using a data mining tool. Numeric variables were recoded with extreme values excluded. Analysis of free text, including descriptions of the heart valves and right and left ventricular size and function, was performed using a rule-based system. Different levels of free text variables were initially identified using commonly used phrases and then iteratively developed. Randomly selected sets of 100 studies were compared to the electronic health record to validate the data cleaning process. Results: The data validation step was performed three times in total, with Cohen's kappa ranging between 0.88 and 1.00 for the final set of data validation across all measures. Conclusion: Free text cleaning of semi-structured PACS databases is possible using freely available open-source software. The accuracy of this method is high, and the resulting dataset can be linked to administrative data to answer research questions. We present a method that could be used to answer clinical questions or to develop quality improvement initiatives.

New design of interdental rubber picks - does the archimedean screw design bring an improvement for experimental cleaning efficacy and force?

BACKGROUND: Up to date, interdental brushes (IDB) are the first choice for interdental cleaning because of their cleaning efficacy. Cylindrical ones must be selected individually according to the size/morphology of the interdental area (IDR), whereas conical ones cover a larger variability of IDR. However, there is a trend on the part of patients towards interdental rubber picks (IRP) which are in general conically shaped, and which seem to be linked with lower cleaning efficacy. A new IRP with an Archimedes´ screw design was developed to overcome this limitation. Therefore, the in vitro study aimed to measure the experimental cleaning efficacy (ECE) and force (ECF) during interdental use of IDBs versus the new IRP type. METHODS: Three IRPs with different tapers (PHB angled: 0.039, PHB straight S: 0.027, Vitis straight M: 0.045; all Flexipicks, Dentaid, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain) were compared to one IDB (Interprox micro PHD 0.9, Dentaid, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain). IDR were reproduced by a 3D-printer (Form2, Formlabs Sommerville, MA, USA) according to human teeth and matched to equivalent pairs (isosceles triangle, concave, convex) in three different diameters (1.0 mm,1.1 mm,1.3 mm). Covered with simulated biofilm, pre-/ post-brushing situations of IDR (standardized, computer-aided ten cycles) were photographed and quantified by digital image subtraction to calculate ECE [%]. ECF were registered with a load cell [N]. Statistically significant differences were detected using the Mann-Whitney-U-test and the Kruskal-Wallis-test with Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. RESULTS: Overall, the ECE (mean ± SD) was higher for IDB micro 0.9 (45.95 ± 11.34%, p < 0.001) compared to all IRPs (PHB angled: 25.37 ± 15.29%; PHB straight: 22.28 ± 16.75%; Vitis straight: 25.24 ± 12.21%; p ≤ 0.001), whereat best ECE was achieved in isosceles triangle IDR of 1.0-1.1 mm (IDB micro 0.9: 70.7 ± 7.7%; PHB angled S: 57.30 ± 4.43%; p < 0.001). The highest ECF occurred for Vitis straight M with 2.11 ± 0.46 N, while IDB micro 0.9 showed lowest ECF values (0.64 ± 0.14 N; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: IRP with an Archimedes´ screw design and a higher taper were associated with advanced ECE but also higher ECF, nevertheless, ECE didn't reach the cleaning efficacy of conventional IDBs.