A Hyperspectral Library of Foliar Diseases of Wheat.

This work established a hyperspectral library of important foliar diseases of wheat induced by different fungal pathogens, representing a time series from infection to symptom appearance for the purpose of detecting spectral changes. The data were generated under controlled conditions at the leaf scale. The transition from healthy to diseased leaf tissue was assessed, and spectral shifts were identified and used in combination with histological investigations to define developmental stages in pathogenesis for each disease. The spectral signatures of each plant disease that indicate a specific developmental stage during pathogenesis, defined as turning points, were combined into a spectral library. Machine learning analysis methods were applied and compared to test the potential of this library to detect and quantify foliar diseases in hyperspectral images. All evaluated classifiers had high accuracy (≤99%) for the detection and identification of both biotrophic and necrotrophic fungi. The potential of applying spectral analysis methods in combination with a spectral library for the detection and identification of plant diseases is demonstrated. Further evaluation and development of these algorithms should contribute to a robust detection and identification system for plant diseases at different developmental stages and the promotion and development of site-specific management techniques for plant diseases under field conditions.

Specim IQ: Evaluation of a New, Miniaturized Handheld Hyperspectral Camera and Its Application for Plant Phenotyping and Disease Detection.

Hyperspectral imaging sensors are promising tools for monitoring crop plants or vegetation in different environments. Information on physiology, architecture or biochemistry of plants can be assessed non-invasively and on different scales. For instance, hyperspectral sensors are implemented for stress detection in plant phenotyping processes or in precision agriculture. Up to date, a variety of non-imaging and imaging hyperspectral sensors is available. The measuring process and the handling of most of these sensors is rather complex. Thus, during the last years the demand for sensors with easy user operability arose. The present study introduces the novel hyperspectral camera Specim IQ from Specim (Oulu, Finland). The Specim IQ is a handheld push broom system with integrated operating system and controls. Basic data handling and data analysis processes, such as pre-processing and classification routines are implemented within the camera software. This study provides an introduction into the measurement pipeline of the Specim IQ as well as a radiometric performance comparison with a well-established hyperspectral imager. Case studies for the detection of powdery mildew on barley at the canopy scale and the spectral characterization of Arabidopsis thaliana mutants grown under stressed and non-stressed conditions are presented.

Comparison of implant and provisional placement protocols in sinus-augmented bone: a preliminary report.

PURPOSE: To evaluate preliminary data on clinical outcomes associated with timing of placement of single implant-supported provisional crowns and implants in augmented bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients underwent sinus elevation bone grafting followed by a 6-month healing period before implant placement and immediate placement of a provisional crown (group [G] 1); 20 patients received sinus elevation bone grafting at the time of implant placement and immediate placement of a provisional crown (G2); 20 patients required no bone augmentation before implant placement and immediate placement of a provisional crown (G3); and 20 patients received sinus elevation bone grafting followed by a 6-month healing period before implant placement followed by a 6-month healing period before restoration (G4). The height of the crestal bone was measured and recorded to determine mean bone changes, and success rates were determined. RESULTS: Mean bone level comparisons were made between G2 and G3, G2 and G4, and G3 and G4. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups (P < .05). G1 was discontinued based on the initial results: two implants did not meet the 35-Ncm insertion test, and one implant failed within 1 month after implant placement. The 1-year implant survival rates were 86% (n = 12/14), 95% (n = 19/20), and 100% (n = 16/16) for G2, G3, and G4, respectively. Differences in survival rates between the groups were not statistically significant (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Implant survival is affected by the timing of sinus augmentation and implant placement in relation to the timing of crown placement. Implants that were restored immediately regardless of the timing of bone augmentation showed greater failure rates than implants in augmented bone with delayed restoration protocols or those that were restored immediately in sites without bone augmentation. Neither the timing of loading nor timing of implant placement in relation to bone augmentation surgery affected mean bone loss.

Removable partial dentures: clinical concepts.

This article provides a review of the traditional clinical concepts for the design and fabrication of removable partial dentures (RPDs). Although classic theories and rules for RPD designs have been presented and should be followed, excellent clinical care for partially edentulous patients may also be achieved with computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing technology and unique blended designs. These nontraditional RPD designs and fabrication methods provide for improved fit, function, and esthetics by using computer-aided design software, composite resin for contours and morphology of abutment teeth, metal support structures for long edentulous spans and collapsed occlusal vertical dimensions, and flexible, nylon thermoplastic material for metal-supported clasp assemblies.

Phonetics and tongue position to improve mandibular denture retention: a clinical report.

The fabrication, use, and wear instructions for complete dentures are often the factors determining success. The dentist must help guide the mental attitude of the skeptical patient to foster acceptance and success of complete dentures. A "feeling of looseness" may be a condition experienced while patients learn to wear a new mandibular complete denture. Some patients may not understand the reasons given by dentists for the lack of retention of a new mandibular denture. This type of patient requires more explanation, more advice, and more instruction. A phonetic training technique, to demonstrate to the patient how to retain and stabilize the mandibular denture, may be needed for some denture patients. This article reports the clinical use of phonetics and its effect on tongue position to improve the retention and stability of a mandibular complete denture.

Lingualized occlusion: an occlusal solution for edentulous patients.

Occlusion is a critical component in any aspect of prosthodontic care including that related to the treatment of dentate, partially dentate, or edentulous patients. When complete dentures are fabricated for an edentulous patient, occlusion has a considerable influence on the outcome of treatment. Due to the relative simplicity involved in development of a lingualized occlusal scheme by dental laboratory technicians, this approach has gained favor among practitioners who are able to evaluate and/or correct tooth arrangements for complete dentures. This article will highlight the influences of a lingualized tooth arrangement in complete denture occlusion as it relates to improving edentulous patients' function and quality of life; it will also demonstrate a predictable approach to achieving lingualized occlusion in complete denture prosthodontics.

Repair of bis-acryl provisional restorations using flowable composite resin.

Provisional restorations provide interim coverage for prepared teeth while fixed definitive restorations are fabricated. Several types of autopolymerizing acrylic resins have been used for many years to fabricate provisional restorations. In recent years, bis-acryl resin composite material has gained popularity among clinicians for the direct fabrication of provisional fixed restorations. Occasionally, deficiencies may occur while fabricating a direct provisional restoration and require chairside repair. This article describes an effective procedure for the use of light-polymerized flowable composite resin for the intraoral repair of bis-acryl provisional restorations.

Fixed restoration of sectioned mandibular molar teeth.

A mandibular molar tooth may have its furcation area or one of its roots severely affected by periodontal disease or caries. Multiple factors must be favorable to restore health to such a compromised tooth. Adequate bone support for stabilization of the individual roots and coronal segments must be available after periodontal therapy. Root morphology and separation space must allow for ease of preparation and cleaning between the sectioned roots. Endodontic therapy should be uncomplicated and provide an excellent prognosis for long-term success. All caries must be removed and adequate tooth structure must remain after root and crown sectioning. Appropriate resistance and retention form must be achievable after tooth preparation of a sectioned mandibular molar. If these conditions can be met and the patient wants to keep the tooth, fixed restoration of a sectioned molar tooth is a viable treatment alternative to extraction and replacement with a removable partial denture or a dental implant. This article has described factors and procedures that should be considered for successful fixed prosthodontic treatment of sectioned multirooted mandibular molar teeth. The authors recommend an interdisciplinary diagnostic and treatment planning approach before performing endodontics, providing periodontal therapy, and restoring bicuspidized or hemisectioned multirooted teeth.

The use of sectional impressions and a transfer index for extensive fixed prosthodontic treatment.

The philosophy of positioning the margins of crowns supragingivally may not be applicable with the presence of caries, erosion, abfraction (noncarious cervical lesion), short clinical crown length, or esthetic concerns. In such situations, it is essential not only to record precise subgingival details of all of the prepared teeth but also to accurately transfer them to a working master cast. If a patient presents with oral and/or gingival conditions that compromise the clinician's ability to obtain a single full-arch impression for extensive fixed restorations, a technique using sectional impressions, an intraoral transfer index, and a transfer impression for transfer dies will play a vital role in the patient's treatment.

The use of a rotational-path design for a mandibular removable partial denture.

The lack of display of anterior metal clasps is a primary advantage of the A-P rotational-path mandibular RPD design. A disadvantage of this design is that it relies on rigidmetal guiding plates for anterior retention and stability. Loss of retention may require procedures much more involved than the simple adjustment of conventional RPD clasps. Proper adherence to design, survey, fabrication, and adjustment procedures described by the authors should result in an esthetically pleasing and well-retained tooth-supported removable prosthesis. This article recommends the A-P rotational-path mandibular RPD as a treatment the clinician can use to restore multiple missing anterior teeth and satisfy a patient's financial, esthetic, and functional requirements.

The use of composite resin in removable prosthodontics.

Economic, esthetic, and concerns of tooth preservation are important when considering bonded composite resin for the partially edentulous patient's prosthetic rehabilitation. This article has described the clinical success of the use of bonded composite resin in removable prosthodontics. Composite resin may be used in daily clinical practice for the restoration of abutment teeth in contour, vertical support, and re-establishment of a patient's vertical dimension.

The use of diagnostic wax-ups in treatment planning.

The use of diagnostic wax-ups as diagnostic aids in treatment planning has been presented for use in various situations--from simple patient assessment to more extensive prosthodontic rehabilitation. Requesting a diagnostic wax-up from the dental technician may add to the expense of treatment planning for a patient because of the laboratory fee incurred for this service. The cost is negligible, considering the value of identifying potential treatment obstacles that could affect both treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction.