Deliberating Performance Targets: Follow-on workshop discussing PM10, NO2, CO, and SO2 air sensor targets.

The use of air sensor technology is increasing worldwide for a variety of applications, however, with significant variability in data quality. The United States Environmental Protection Agency held a workshop in July 2019 to deliberate possible performance targets for air sensors measuring particles with aerodynamic diameters of 10 µm or less (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). These performance targets were discussed from the perspective of non-regulatory applications and with the sensors operating primarily in a stationary mode in outdoor environments. Attendees included representatives from multiple levels of government organizations, sensor developers, environmental nonprofits, international organizations, and academia. The workshop addressed the current lack of sensor technology requirements, discussed fit-for-purpose data quality needs, and debated transparency issues. This paper highlights the purpose and key outcomes of the workshop. While more information on performance and applications of sensors is available than in past years, the performance metrics, or parameters used to describe data quality, vary among the studies reports and there is a need for more clear and consistent approaches for evaluating sensor performance. Organizations worldwide are increasingly considering, or are in the process of developing, sensor performance targets and testing protocols. Workshop participants suggested that these new guidelines are highly desirable, would help improve data quality, and would give users more confidence in their data. Given the wide variety of uses for sensors and user backgrounds, as well as varied sensor design features (e.g., communication approaches, data tools, processing/adjustment algorithms and calibration procedures), the need for transparency was a key workshop theme. Suggestions for increasing transparency included documenting and sharing testing and performance data, detailing best practices, and sharing data processing and correction approaches.

Deliberating performance targets workshop: Potential paths for emerging PM2.5 and O3 air sensor progress.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency held an international two-day workshop in June 2018 to deliberate possible performance targets for non-regulatory fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) air sensors. The need for a workshop arose from the lack of any market-wide manufacturer requirement for Ozone documented sensor performance evaluations, the lack of any independent third party or government-based sensor performance certification program, and uncertainty among all users as to the general usability of air sensor data. A multi-sector subject matter expert panel was assembled to facilitate an open discussion on these issues with multiple stakeholders. This summary provides an overview of the workshop purpose, key findings from the deliberations, and considerations for future actions specific to sensors. Important findings concerning PM2.5 and O3 sensors included the lack of consistent performance indicators and statistical metrics as well as highly variable data quality requirements depending on the intended use. While the workshop did not attempt to yield consensus on any topic, a key message was that a number of possible future actions would be beneficial to all stakeholders regarding sensor technologies. These included documentation of best practices, sharing quality assurance results along with sensor data, and the development of a common performance target lexicon, performance targets, and test protocols.

[Risk and prevention of lesions of the lingual nerve in wisdom tooth osteotomy. Analysis of the literature and faculty opinion in maxillofacial surgery in German-speaking countries]. / Risiko und Vermeidung von Läsionen des N. lingualis bei der Weisheitszahnosteotomie. Literaturanalyse und Lehrmeinung in der MKG-Chirurgie in deutschsprachigen Ländern.

BACKGROUND: Disturbance of lingual nerve function is one of the relevant complications after surgical removal of lower third molars. In the literature, however, protective measures against this complication are not unanimously recommended. In order to find out the current opinion in terms of the state of the art in this field, a questionnaire was sent to the heads of 39 University Departments for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. All of them responded. TECHNICAL FINDINGS: In 54% of the departments, a periosteal elevator or similar instrument is recommended for the protection of the lingual nerve in every instance, whereas in 8% of the departments this is not recommended. In the remaining departments, the decision about protective measures is made according to the individual anatomical situation. STATISTICS AND DISCUSSION: The literature review revealed insufficient data quality for a sound data-based decision on whether and when to use an instrument to protect the lingual nerve. In any case, the statistical risk of a temporary disturbance of the lingual nerve seems to be higher with use of the lingual split (0.5%-19.8%) than with the lateral osteomtomy technique (0%-1.9%). In contrast to widespread opinion, even in anatomically difficult cases, there seems to be no statistical advantage of the standardized use of a protective instrument either in respect to temporary or permanent nerve damage. Yet, a slight increase of temporary lesions seems to be documented when the instrument is used. According to the current literature data, the subperiosteal insertion of an instrument to protect the lingual nerve cannot be considered an essential standard procedure in each case.

Frey syndrome: treatment with type A botulinum toxin.

BACKGROUND: Frey syndrome was first described by Baillarger in 1853. Frey provided a detailed analysis and description as "auriculotemporal syndrome" in 1923. According to the literature, even the most recent therapeutic measures described for the treatment of patients with Frey syndrome have little chance of success and a high incidence of side effects. Thus, a type of treatment is desirable that can suppress the symptoms of Frey syndrome and can offer a good success rate, minimum invasiveness, and few side effects. METHODS: The experience of the authors and data from the literature confirmed the efficacy of type A botulinum toxin treatment for patients with Frey syndrome up to a maximum observation period of 3 years. RESULTS: In the current study, seven patients with severe, symptomatic Frey syndrome after parotidectomy were treated successfully with type A botulinum toxin. CONCLUSIONS: The method of local, intracutaneous treatment with type A botulinum toxin for patients with Frey syndrome is effective, virtually side-effect free, and minimally invasive.