Search Results (408)

Accurate transfer of implant position is essential for implant-supported prosthodontic workflows. This in vitro study compared the trueness and precision of five intraoral scanners in single crown, three-unit fixed partial denture, and full-arch implant-supported scanning scenarios using root mean square (RMS) deviation analysis. Two maxillary resin models, representing partially dentulous and fully edentulous conditions, were fabricated through a CAD/CAM and 3D-printing workflow with implant analogs and scan bodies. Reference datasets were obtained with an InEos X5 desktop scanner, and each intraoral scanner was used to perform 10 scans per scenario. After standardized scenario-specific trimming, datasets were analyzed in Geomagic Control X. Statistical analysis included two-way analysis of variance and follow-up one-way analysis of variance with Tukey post hoc comparisons using Bonferroni-adjusted thresholds. Trueness was affected by scanner type (p < 0.001) and scenario (p < 0.001), without interaction (p = 0.096). Precision was affected by scanner type (p = 0.012), scenario (p = 0.004), and their interaction (p < 0.001). iTero Lumina and Helios 600 showed lower trueness deviations, whereas Trios 5 showed greater deviations, especially in full-arch scans. Scanner selection and scan extent should therefore be considered when interpreting surface-based RMS accuracy in implant-supported digital scans. Full article

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and altered body composition. Although dietary intervention is a cornerstone of treatment, complex or calorie-restricted regimens may reduce long-term adherence. This study evaluated the effects of a pragmatic, short-term intervention that involved replacing one daily carbohydrate serving with cruciferous vegetables on body composition and metabolic parameters in individuals with obesity and MASLD. Associations between changes in fat mass and vitamin D and follistatin levels were also explored. Methods: In this prospective pilot study, 44 adults with obesity and MASLD followed a two-month intervention, substituting one daily serving of carbohydrate-rich foods with 200 g of cruciferous vegetables, without prescribed caloric restriction. Anthropometric, bioimpedance, biochemical, and FibroScan assessments were performed at baseline and post-intervention. Changes were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Spearman’s correlation analysis, and generalized estimating equation (GEE) models adjusted for confounding factors. Results: The intervention was associated with a significant reduction in fat mass (−4.86 kg, p < 0.001), corresponding to an average relative decrease of approximately 12% along with improvements in metabolic and hepatic parameters. Changes in fat mass were inversely correlated with changes in vitamin D (rho = −0.33, p = 0.035), fat-free mass (rho = −0.37, p = 0.018), and follistatin (rho = −0.24, p = 0.143). In multivariate GEE models, the intervention remained independently associated with fat mass reduction (β = −5.190, p < 0.001). Conclusions: A simple carbohydrate-to-vegetable substitution without prescribed caloric restriction was associated with improvements in body composition and metabolic health. These exploratory findings suggest that pragmatic dietary modifications may provide clinically meaningful metabolic benefits and support the feasibility of minimal dietary substitution strategies in this population. However, causal inferences remain limited by a single-arm pilot design and require confirmation in larger randomized controlled trials. Full article

Pixelated detectors based on inorganic scintillation materials are widely used in radiation detection systems for medical imaging and many other fields of science and technology. A substantial application is X-ray scanning using flat-panel detectors (FPDs) for both fluorography and mammography. In this article, the detection properties of the monolithic planar ceramic scintillation elements are reported for the first time. A high-light yield (Gd,Y)₃Al₂Ga₃O₁₂:Ce,Mg garnet-type scintillation material was used to form square-shaped pixels, while a material of similar composition was used as a substrate. Green bodies were successfully fabricated by a digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing method. Subsequent debinding and pressureless high-temperature sintering resulted in composite elements consisting of two layers with different chemical compositions. The lower bulk layer consisted of transparent, non-luminescent garnet, whereas the upper pixelated layer, with pixel dimensions of 230 × 230 µm, was made of scintillation material. The spatial resolution of the matrices under UV light and alpha-particle excitation was evaluated. It was confirmed that the spatial resolution of the matrices produced by the developed technology is approximately 0.4 times the pixel size. The proven ability of the integrated technology of inorganic scintillation matrix production opens the way for future improvement in spatial resolution through optimizing the printed pixel dimensions. Full article

Titanium alloys are widely used in aerospace, marine engineering, and biomedical fields owing to their excellent specific strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. As an important surface modification technique, sandblasting combined with acid pickling can not only eliminate the machining defects in Ti-6Al-4V but also improve its surface morphology, thereby playing a crucial role in enhancing its service performance. By employing advanced characterization equipment, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), a 3D profilometer, and a friction and wear tester, combined with wetting theoretical models and morphological evolution analysis, this study systematically investigated the comprehensive effects of different pressure sandblasting followed by acid pickling on the surface microstructure, wetting behavior, and tribological properties of forged Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The results indicated that the combined application of sandblasting and acid pickling exerted a significant regulatory effect on the surface and interface characteristics of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy. After the combined sandblasting and acid pickling treatment, a distinct micro-pit network structure was formed on the surface of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy, and its hydrophilicity and roughness showed a positive correlation with the increase in sandblasting pressure. Notably, the microstructural evolution exhibited a high degree of internal consistency with the macroscopic wear resistance: the hierarchical micro-pit network exposed after acid pickling exerted an excellent “debris capture” effect, thereby suppressing the severe third-body abrasive wear observed in the solely sandblasted state. This study aims to enhance the surface roughness, wear resistance, and hydrophilicity of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy, providing a cost-effective and industrially applicable method for the surface texturing of titanium alloys. Full article

The increasing adoption of digital workflows in implant dentistry relies heavily on the accuracy of implant scan bodies (ISBs), which may be affected by repeated sterilization. This in vitro study evaluated the effect of 50 steam sterilization cycles on the dimensional stability of polymer and titanium ISBs. A total of 100 test specimens (n = 50 per material) were scanned before (T0) and after sterilization (T50) using a high-resolution intraoral scanner, generating 900 STL datasets for metrological analysis. Surface deviation, linear displacement, and angular deviation were assessed using validated industrial and dental software, with statistical evaluation performed through paired tests and linear mixed-effects models. Both materials exhibited statistically significant dimensional changes after sterilization (p < 0.001). Titanium scan bodies demonstrated greater linear deformation (69.76 μm) compared to polymer ones (49.50 μm), while maintaining superior angular stability (0.21° vs. −1.69° mean angular change in the polymer group). A significant interaction between material type and sterilization was observed. Despite high baseline precision, repeated autoclaving induced clinically relevant deviations in both materials. These findings indicate that cumulative sterilization cycles adversely affect ISB accuracy and highlight the importance of adhering to manufacturer recommendations to ensure optimal prosthetic outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Foreign-body aspiration (FBA) is a common and largely preventable pediatric emergency, yet current safety standards and risk assessments rely predominantly on object size and on anecdotal descriptions and bronchoscopy findings. We propose a clinically oriented proof-of-concept workflow that combines high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) scanning and calibrated two-dimensional (2D) imaging of retrieved objects with radiomic shape descriptors and large language model (LLM) reasoning to support aspiration risk assessment and guide prevention. Methods: Objects were obtained from the Susy Safe registry and historical series from the University Clinical Centre Tuzla. Each object was digitized with 3D scanning and photographed with a ruler. Morphometric descriptors—including volume, surface area, sphericity, elongation, flatness, curvature and convexity—were computed from stereolithography (STL) meshes; silhouette area, perimeter and Feret diameters were extracted from 2D photographs. Normative airway dimensions from radiographic and computed tomography (CT) studies provided anatomical context. A sharp, irregular metallic object recovered from a child’s laryngo-tracheal tract served as an illustrative case. Results: The object’s major axis approximated the anteroposterior glottic diameter, suggesting potential traversal when longitudinally oriented, whereas its irregular shape increased the likelihood of mucosal laceration and lodging. LLM-based synthesis provided a structured narrative interpretation consistent with a high-risk profile and highlighted preventive implications. Conclusions: Combining 2D/3D morphometry with LLM reasoning provides objective assessment of FBA hazards and may support safer product design, injury-prevention policies, and caregiver education. Full article

To address the computational complexity and cumbersome matrix assembly inherent in the Space-Wavenumber Mixed-Domain Method based on the Finite-Element Method (SWMDM-FEM) for three-dimensional (3D) Direct Current (DC) resistivity simulations, we propose an enhanced numerical approach. This approach utilizes two-dimensional (2D) Fourier transform technology to convert the 3D resistivity problem into a one-dimensional (1D) problem within the space-wavenumber mixed domain, which is then solved using the finite-difference method (FDM). By integrating the efficiency of Fourier transform with the simplicity of FDM, this method significantly enhances the efficiency of 3D numerical simulations in DC-resistivity methods. The accuracy of our algorithm is first validated using a spherical anomalous model, followed by testing with a model combining a low-resistivity cuboid and a high-resistivity sphere, demonstrating the method’s superior computational efficiency over the SWMDM-FEM. Subsequently, the proposed algorithm in this paper was tested using a cubic anomaly model. The number of iterations of the algorithm required to achieve the preset convergence accuracy was focused on and counted under different resistivity differences between the anomalous body and the background medium, different total grid numbers in the computational region, and different burial depths of the anomalous body so as to verify that the proposed algorithm has good convergence performance. At the same time, the test results show that under the premise of meeting the preset accuracy requirements, the number of iterations when the algorithm converges is only related to the resistivity difference between the anomalous body and the background medium, and has no correlation with the total number of grid divisions and the burial depth of the anomalous body. Finally, the E-SCAN method was used to carry out three-dimensional observation on the composite model, and the electromagnetic response characteristics of the anomalies were systematically analyzed. It is found that the position of the power supply point significantly impacts the observational outcomes. The E-SCAN method shows higher resolution in terms of identifying low-resistivity bodies but has limited capability in recognizing high-resistivity bodies. These findings provide a strategic workflow for practical geophysical exploration: rapid anomaly delineation using the E-SCAN method followed by high-precision 3D inversion. Full article

This paper examines the artistic project Border Ghosts (2018–2025) as a practice of material translation through which migrant presences—excluded from institutional records along the Mexico–United States border—become perceptible in artistic form. Situated within necropolitical regimes that produce structural vulnerability, the study draws on the work of Achille Mbembe, Ariadna Estévez, and Avery Gordon to consider how spectrality operates not as metaphor, but as a mediated mode of presence. Through brief interviews and three-dimensional recordings of bodies, objects, and temporary dwellings using 3D scanning and printing, the project transforms fragmentary traces into sculptural configurations that make precarious lives perceptible within exhibition space. The case studies show that even minimal testimonies, often absent from formal archives, can persist as material traces within aesthetic circulation. Rather than proposing a solution to structural violence, Border Ghosts approaches artistic practice as a way of engaging absence, mediation, and incompletion. In doing so, the project reflects on the limits of institutional recognition and on the conditions under which marginal lives may be encountered. Full article

In the practice of historic building conservation and restoration, the authentic restoration of damaged components often faces challenges due to the lack of definitive design evidence. To address this issue, this paper proposes a restoration derivation method that integrates digital survey technologies, such as UAV oblique photogrammetry and 3D laser scanning, with the analysis of historical mathematical composition rules. Taking five Ming Dynasty pavilion-style stone pagodas in Fuzhou as subjects, this study first employed digital surveying and cross-verification with ancient texts to reveal their shared, precise proportional system: the eave–column ratio of the Ruiyun Pagoda approaches √2 (≈1.414), while the other four pagodas approach the golden ratio of 1.618. Furthermore, the pagoda silhouettes are governed by a √2 hierarchical system and a √3/2 visual correction mechanism. Based on these mathematical rules, a triple logical chain of “historical evidence verification–functional constraints–traditional adaptation” was constructed and applied to the quantitative restoration design of the damaged finial of the Luoxing Pagoda. This process ultimately derived the relationship between its total height and the first-story width as (L/2 + √2/2), with the finial height being 1/7 of the pagoda body’s total height. This case study validates the effectiveness of the proposed method in transforming profound historical wisdom into clear engineering parameters, offering a replicable and verifiable technical pathway for the digital conservation and scientific restoration of similar architectural heritage. Full article

Prefabricated steel structures have been increasingly adopted in modern construction due to their high efficiency, sustainability, and industrialized production. However, their construction quality and efficiency are often compromised by accumulated geometric deviations during fabrication, transportation, assembly, and welding, while traditional construction control and welding processes remain highly dependent on manual measurements and empirical operations. To address these challenges, this study proposes a digital construction framework for prefabricated steel structures, integrating high-precision three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and intelligent welding technologies. First, high-precision 3D laser scanning is employed to capture the as-built geometric information of prefabricated steel components, generating dense point cloud data for construction-stage deviation detection and quantitative comparison with BIM-based design models. Based on deviation analysis, a digital construction control strategy is established to support real-time feedback, error compensation, and assembly adjustment. An engineering case study involving a complex prefabricated steel structure is conducted to validate the proposed framework. The results demonstrate that the integrated digital construction and intelligent welding approach significantly improves assembly accuracy, weld positioning precision, and construction efficiency, while reducing manual intervention and error accumulation. Overall, this study contributes to the body of knowledge by proposing a unified closed-loop digital construction paradigm that integrates geometric perception, deviation-driven decision-making, and intelligent welding execution, thereby bridging the gap between construction control and robotic fabrication in prefabricated steel structures. Full article

With increasing life expectancy and an aging global population, the demand for orthopedic and dental implants is increasing. Recently developed, citric-acid-based anodization processes facilitate the production of more bioactive oxide layers by incorporating important bone minerals such as Ca, P, and Mg and forming bone-like crystalline compounds such as carbonated apatite on titanium implant materials. The primary goal of the present study was to evaluate the applicability of these anodization processes to solid and 3D-printed titanium alloy substrates. The anodized oxides produced on each solid or 3D-printed lattice substrate revealed multi-scaled surface roughness profiles as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and surface roughness analyses. Additionally, each oxide group was shown to incorporate substantial amounts of Ca, P, and Mg bone-mineral dopants and form AB-type carbonated apatite, as shown using a combination of energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses. Finally, each oxide group showed sustained Ca, P, and Mg ion release during an inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy dissolution assessment, and demonstrated early apatite-forming ability during simulated body fluid bioactivity testing. The findings of this study show much promise for the applicability of these novel oxide coatings to a wide variety of future titanium implant applications. Full article

Background: Age- and cancer-related sarcopenia and malnutrition are common in older patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and may negatively influence treatment tolerance and prognosis. However, the comparative prognostic value of post-chemotherapy changes in CT-based body composition parameters at the third lumbar vertebra (L3) and the twelfth thoracic vertebra (T12) levels, and their associations with nutritional indices, remain unclear. This study aimed to examine and compare the prognostic relevance of post-chemotherapy body composition changes at L3 and T12 and to assess their relationship with nutritional indices in older patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC). Methods: This retrospective study included 87 older patients with mCRC. Baseline and ~3-month follow-up CT scans were analyzed at L3 and T12 using 3D Slicer to quantify skeletal muscle index (SMI), subcutaneous adipose tissue index (SATI), visceral adipose tissue index (VATI), visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio (VSR), and intramuscular adipose tissue index (IMATI). Changes (Δ) in CT-derived body composition after chemotherapy were calculated as percentage change using ((follow-up − baseline)/baseline) × 100. Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) and Geriatric Nutritional Index (GNRI), which are established nutritional assessment tools, were calculated from baseline laboratory/anthropometric data. Agreement between T12 and L3 was assessed, and associations with grade ≥ 3 toxicity, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were evaluated using multivariable models and ROC analyses. Results: Mean age was 69.0 ± 4.5 years (59 male/28 female), and 26.4% developed grade ≥ 3 adverse events. Over 3 months, mean SMI declined significantly at both L3 (46.7 ± 8.8 → 42.8 ± 9.8 cm²/m²) and T12 (34.6 ± 8.2 → 31.6 ± 8.1 cm²/m²) (p < 0.001 for both), accompanied by decreases in VATI and VSR; T12-IMATI increased significantly. Baseline PNI showed a weak positive correlation with L3-SMI (r = 0.302, p = 0.033), whereas GNRI showed moderate correlations with SMI at L3 (r = 0.502, p < 0.001) and T12 (r = 0.317, p = 0.025) and was associated with longitudinal changes in muscle metrics. T12-SMI consistently yielded lower values than L3-SMI, and agreement varied by compartment (best for SATI; weakest for VSR). Lower GNRI and greater L3-SMI loss were independently associated with grade ≥ 3 toxicity; ΔL3-SMI showed the highest discrimination (AUC = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.69–0.87, p < 0.001; cut-off >5.1% loss). All patients progressed (median PFS 7.6 months); mortality was 82.8% (median follow-up: 25 months). In multivariable analysis, PFS, CRP, GNRI, and ΔL3-SMI remained independently associated with OS. ΔL3-SMI provided the strongest mortality discrimination (AUC = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.74–0.94, p < 0.001; cut-off >10.4% loss), while ΔIMATI was also informative (AUC = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.59–0.82, p = 0.023). Conclusions: In older patients with mCRC, early post-chemotherapy skeletal muscle loss—particularly at the L3 level—showed the strongest prognostic association with severe toxicity and mortality. GNRI provided complementary prognostic information as a marker of baseline immunonutritional reserve. Although T12-derived measurements were correlated with L3-derived values, systematic bias suggests that they should not be interpreted interchangeably for longitudinal risk stratification. Full article

In the automotive industry, the most critical factor affecting dimensional stability during the forming of Advanced High-Strength Steels (AHSSs) is the springback phenomenon. This study systematically investigates the springback behavior of four distinct dual-phase steel grades (DP450, DP600, DP800, and DP1000) in U-shaped body-in-white (BIW) structures across 180 distinct scenarios. The experimental design varied sheet thicknesses (1.2, 1.6, 2 mm), die clearance angles (5°, 10°, 15°), and bending radii (R6, R8, R10, R12, R14). Numerical simulations using Autoform R8 were validated against Atos 3D optical scanning data, achieving values exceeding 0.90 for all grades. Quantitative validation metrics showed exceptional fidelity for lower-strength grades with error margins below 1.1%, while the maximum deviation was limited to 3.1% for the ultra-high-strength DP1000 grade. The findings demonstrate that while increasing material strength substantially intensifies springback, the strategic augmentation of sheet thickness and optimization of die radius effectively mitigate these deviations, thereby enhancing process stability. Full article

Background/Objectives: This observational study investigated associations between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) polymorphisms and imaging-defined hepatic steatosis (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease—NAFLD) and liver fibrosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Steatosis was assessed by transient elastography (FibroScan) and defined as controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) ≥ 275 dB/m; fibrosis was defined as liver stiffness measurement ≥ 8 kPa. We tested 11 frequent HLA alleles (HLA-A*02, HLA-B*07, HLA-B*08, HLA-B*27, HLA-B*35, HLA-B*44, HLA-B*51, HLA-DRB1*11, HLA-DRB1*14, HLA-DRB1*15, and HLA-DRB1*16). Associations were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression (individual and omnibus models) adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI), triglycerides, and glucose. Results: A total of 176 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were enrolled. NAFLD/steatosis was present in 35.2% of patients (n = 62), and fibrosis in 10.8% (n = 19). No HLA allele was significantly associated with steatosis or fibrosis after correction for multiple testing. BMI and triglycerides were independently associated with steatosis (BMI OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.12–1.34; triglycerides OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.04–2.18). For fibrosis, HLA-DRB1*15 showed the strongest trend-level association (OR ~2.6–2.9) but did not remain significant after correcting for multiple testing. Conclusions: In this RA cohort, metabolic factors (particularly BMI and triglycerides) were the dominant predictors of CAP-defined steatosis. No robust association between the tested HLA markers and steatosis or fibrosis was identified. Trend-level signals—most notably HLA-DRB1*15 for fibrosis—should be considered hypothesis-generating and warrant replication in larger, adequately powered cohorts. Full article

Side-scan sonar (SSS) serves as the primary perceptual instrument for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) in large-scale marine search and rescue (SAR) operations. However, the detection of critical targets is frequently hindered by severe hydro-acoustic noise, the spatial discontinuity of wreckage, and the weak visual signatures of small targets. To surmount these challenges, this paper presents WPG-DetNet. First, we introduce a Wavelet-Embedded Residual Backbone (WERB) to reconstruct the conventional downsampling paradigm. By substituting standard pooling with the Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT), this architecture explicitly disentangles high-frequency noise from structural information in the frequency domain, thereby achieving the adaptive preservation of edge fidelity for large human-made targets while filtering out speckle interference. Then, addressing the distinct challenge of discontinuous aircraft wreckage, the framework further incorporates a Debris Graph Reasoning Module (D-GRM). This module models scattered fragments as nodes in a topological graph to capture long-range semantic dependencies, transforming isolated instance recognition into context-aware scene understanding. Finally, to bridge the gap between AI and underwater physics, we design a Shadow-Aided Decoupling Head (SADH) equipped with a physics-informed geometric loss. By enforcing mathematical consistency between target height and acoustic shadow length, this mechanism establishes a rigorous discriminative criterion capable of distinguishing weak-echo human bodies from seabed rocks based on shadow geometry. Experiments on the SCTD dataset demonstrate that WPG-DetNet achieves a mean Average Precision ($mA{P}_{50}$) of 97.5% and a Recall of 96.9%. Quantitative analysis reveals that our framework outperforms the classic Faster R-CNN by a margin of 12.8% in $mA{P}_{50}$ and surpasses the Transformer-based RT-DETR-R18 by 5.6% in high-precision localization metrics ($mA{P}_{50:95}$). Simultaneously, WPG-DetNet maintains superior efficiency with an inference speed of 62.5 FPS and a lightweight parameter count of 16.8 M, striking an optimal balance between robust perception and the real-time constraints of AUV operations. Full article