A perspective on the enabling technologies of explainable AI-based industrial packetized energy management.

This paper reviews the key information and communication technologies that are necessary to build an effective industrial energy management system considering the intermittence of renewable sources like wind and solar †. In particular, we first introduce the concept of software-defined energy networks in the context of industrial cyber-physical systems aiming at the optimal energy resource allocation in terms of its environmental impact. The task is formulated as a dynamic scheduling problem where supply and demand must match at minute-level timescale, also considering energy storage units. The use of (explainable and trustworthy) artificial intelligence (AI), (informative) networked data, demand-side management, machine-type (wireless) communications, and energy-aware scheduling in industrial plants are explored in detail. The paper also provides a framework for understanding the complexities of managing renewable energy sources in industrial plants while maintaining efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Periradicular repair after single- and two-visit root canal treatments using ultrasonic irrigant activation and calcium hydroxide dressing of teeth with apical periodontitis: study protocol for randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: In certain clinical situations, root canal treatment in teeth with apical periodontitis is performed in multiple visits, with the use of intracanal dressing between visits, aiming to reduce microorganisms and their by-products of the root canal system prior to filling. However, in recent years, discussions have been growing about the real need for the use of intracanal dressing in these cases. The use of ultrasonic activation of the auxiliary chemical substance has increased the potential for decontamination promoted during the chemomechanical preparation of the root canal. Thus, this study is designed to explore whether the use of intracanal dressing between visits during endodontic treatment favors periradicular repair in teeth with apical periodontitis. METHODS: This is a randomized, prospective, double-blinded, controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate 3 distinct clinical approaches used during endodontic therapy: group 1-root canal treatment in a single visit (RCT-SV); group 2-root canal treatment in two visits with intracanal dressing (RCT-TVWD); and group 3-root canal treatment in two visits without intracanal dressing (RCT-TVWOD). A total of 150 adult patients aged 18 to 60, with at least one tooth diagnosed with asymptomatic apical periodontitis and periradicular lesion (confirmed with a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)), will be randomized and will undergo one of the types of clinical approaches during endodontic therapy. Patients' postoperative pain levels will also be recorded in periods of 24, 48, and 72 h and 7 days. Subsequently, clinical findings and long-term follow-up evaluations, with periradicular repair, will be performed at 6 and 12 months by intraoral periapical radiograph (IOPAR) and CBCT at the 24-month follow-up. DISCUSSION: This study will evaluate the periradicular repair of mandibular molar teeth with apical periodontitis, providing information about the efficacy, benefits, and safety of performing the endodontic treatment in a single and two visits, with and without the use of calcium hydroxide dressing. All endodontic therapy procedures will be performed under a dental operating microscope and using ultrasonic activation of auxiliary chemical substances. These results may contribute to changes in the clinical approaches adopted during endodontic therapy of teeth with apical periodontitis and reveal the potential of complementary approaches that aim to enhance the decontamination of the root canal system during the preparation stage. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05256667. Registered on 24 February 2022.

Does oral salbutamol improve fatigue in multiple sclerosis? A pilot placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Because MS-related fatigue could be associated with enhanced proinflammatory cytokine production, drugs with immunomodulatories properties, such as salbutamol, may represent an alternative treatment. We aimed to evaluate the effect of salbutamol on MS-related fatigue. METHODS: Thirty patients with relapsing-remitting MS who were between 18 and 69 years old, and suffering from fatigue, were evaluated with the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Brazilian version of the neurological fatigue index for multiple sclerosis (NFI/MS-BR). They received salbutamol 2 mg twice a day or a placebo in a pilot randomized, double-masked placebo-controlled trial. The primary outcome was the change in the FSS score at the end of 90 days. The secondary outcome was the efficacy, represented by changes in their scores on the NFI/MS-BR subdomains (in the same period) and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) at the end of 90 days. RESULTS: Thirty subjects were allocated to receive either salbutamol (14) or a placebo (16). There was no superiority of salbutamol over the placebo in the FSS outcome at 30 (p ==0.498), 60 (p = 0.854) and 90 (p = 0.240) days. There was no a significant decrease in the proportion of patients with severe or moderate fatigue in the salbutamol group at the end of the follow-up. The scores on the NFI/MS-BR and its subscales did not improve significantly with treatment. No significant difference was observed in the EDSS outcome (p = 0.313). No serious adverse events were found. An increase in heart rate was evident in the salbutamol group only in the first 30 days, but without statistical significance in relation to placebo (p = 0.077). CONCLUSION: Treatment with salbutamol does not improve fatigue in patients with relapsing-remitting MS.

Improving knowledge about permeability in membrane bioreactors through sensitivity analysis using artificial neural networks.

Membrane bioreactor (MBR) has been widely employed for industrial effluent treatment, as its higher efficiency in removing pollutants makes effluent reuse more feasible. However, membrane fouling remains as a limiting factor for its greater diffusion. This work performed a sensitivity analysis study to investigate the effects of analytical and operating variables on membrane permeability. The case study is a MBR treating oil refinery effluents. After the identification and validation of a predictive neural model for permeability, sensitivity analysis methods based on both connection weights and variable disturbances were used to quantify and rank the variables influence. A comprehensive analysis showed that Suspended solids and Days between cleanings exerted greater effects on permeability, whereas sludge filterability and sludge temperature were less significant. In sequence, a specific analysis revealed distinct dynamics in MBR operation given different solids concentrations. For instance, from higher solids concentrations, among all the evaluated parameters, only COD presented low significance to the permeability. This evidence suggests that permeability is more susceptible to variations when operating with higher concentrations of Suspended solids. The global result of this study contributes to more efficient MBR operations since distinct relations with permeability imply different effects on membrane fouling.

The seminal role played by Pierre Marie in Neurology and Internal Medicine / O papel essencial de Pierre Marie na neurologia e na medicina interna

The authors review the most important contributions of Pierre Marie to the elucidation and description of several neurological diseases, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth’s disease and hereditary cerebellar ataxia, as well as his contributions to Internal Medicine, including his pioneering studies on acromegaly, ankylosing spondylitis, and hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy. His works led to incontestable advances in the medical sciences that transcended his time.

Os autores revisaram as mais importantes contribuições de Pierre Marie para a elucidação e a descrição de várias doenças neurológicas, tais como a doença de Charcot-Marie-Tooth e a ataxia cerebelar hereditária, bem como na medicina interna, incluindo os seus estudos pioneiros na acromegalia, espondilite anquilosante e osteo-artropatia hipertrófica pulmonar. Os seus trabalhos promoveram uma crescimento incontestável das ciências médicas que transcenderam o seu tempo.

The seminal role played by Pierre Marie in Neurology and Internal Medicine.

The authors review the most important contributions of Pierre Marie to the elucidation and description of several neurological diseases, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth's disease and hereditary cerebellar ataxia, as well as his contributions to Internal Medicine, including his pioneering studies on acromegaly, ankylosing spondylitis, and hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy. His works led to incontestable advances in the medical sciences that transcended his time.