Dual-Arch Prosthesis: Revolutionizing Partial Dentate Rehabilitation.

The utilization of natural teeth as denture abutments offers a significant advantage in retarding the residual ridge resorption (RRR). This approach distributes stress concentration between the denture-bearing areas and abutment teeth, thereby mitigating issues such as loss of sensory feedback, compromised mastication, and aesthetic concerns. Overdentures, by providing additional support and stability, play a pivotal role in reducing RRR while enhancing stability and retention. A cast partial denture (CPD) becomes the first choice in cases of long edentulous span where cross-arch stabilization is required. The simplicity of insertion, removal, and maintenance, coupled with effective oral hygiene practices, make CPDs a practical solution. This case presentation illustrates the successful prosthetic rehabilitation of a partially dentate patient through the implementation of a maxillary overdenture and mandibular CPD underscoring the efficacy of this treatment modality in achieving optimal outcomes. The combination of these prostheses restored the masticatory function, improved the aesthetics, and enhanced the quality of life of the patient. This case highlights the effectiveness of dual-arch prosthetic solutions in achieving comprehensive rehabilitation in partially dentate patients.

Cosine similarity and distance measures for p , q - quasirung orthopair fuzzy sets: Applications in investment decision-making.

Similarity measures and distance measures are used in a variety of domains, such as data clustering, image processing, retrieval of information, and recognizing patterns, in order to measure the degree of similarity or divergence between elements or datasets. p , q - quasirung orthopair fuzzy ( p , q - QOF) sets are a novel improvement in fuzzy set theory that aims to properly manage data uncertainties. Unfortunately, there is a lack of research on similarity and distance measure between p , q - QOF sets. In this paper, we investigate different cosine similarity and distance measures between to p , q - quasirung orthopair fuzzy sets ( p , q - ROFSs). Firstly, the cosine similarity measure and the Euclidean distance measure for p , q - QOFSs are defined, followed by an exploration of their respective properties. Given that the cosine measure does not satisfy the similarity measure axiom, a method is presented for constructing alternative similarity measures for p , q - QOFSs. The structure is based on the suggested cosine similarity and Euclidean distance measures, which ensure adherence to the similarity measure axiom. Furthermore, we develop a cosine distance measure for p , q - QOFSs that connects similarity and distance measurements. We then apply this technique to decision-making, taking into account both geometric and algebraic perspectives. Finally, we present a practical example that demonstrates the proposed justification and efficacy of the proposed method, and we conclude with a comparison to existing approaches.

Physical properties of soft contact lens multipurpose solutions commercially available in Ghana.

Purpose: To investigate the physical properties of commercially available multipurpose soft contact lens solutions in Ghana. Methods: pH (Kelilong ICL-099 pH meter, China), osmolality (OSMOMAT 3000, GONOTEC, Germany), surface tension (Sigma 700 Tensiometer, Sweden), and viscosity (CFOC-200 Viscometer, Cannon Company, USA) of various soft contact lens multipurpose solutions (MPS) were measured in triplicates at room temperature. Viscosity measurements were also taken at 34 °C ocular surface temperature. The solutions examined were Opti-Free Replenish (OFR), Trufresh (TF), Avizor (AV), Freshlook (FL), and Refresh (RF). Results: Several solutions were largely hypo-osmotic in the range of 108-231 mOsm/kg, the exception being Avizor, which had osmolality values that were closer to human tears (301 ± 0.58 mOsm/kg). The range of pH values of the solutions (6.33-8.24, mean (SD) = 7.53 ± 0.18) fell within the reported tolerable range for the ocular surface (6.20-9.00). Surface tension values ranged from 35.86 to 42.27 mNm with a mean of 38.49 ± 2.32 mNm. The average viscosity of most solutions at room temperature (25 °C) was 1.44 ± 0.49 cP with a range of 1.04-2.15 cP. Significantly lower values ranging from 0.79 to 1.58 cP were obtained at ocular surface temperature (34 °C), p = 0.0001). Conclusions: The physical properties of many of the solutions used as MPS in Ghana are markedly variable. Nevertheless, pH, surface tension, and viscosity fall within the acceptable limits of ocular physiological tolerance; except for osmolality, which majority were outside the reported tolerable range for the ocular surface. This information may partly explain the reason some patients exhibit strong preferences for certain care systems and should aid clinical decision-making when prescribing eye care systems to patients.

Food self-provisioning: Implications for sustainable agroecological transition in rural Nigeria.

Agroecology is a sustainable farming method that has the potential to revolutionize the global agricultural sector by promoting cleaner and more environmentally friendly practices. However, the question of how to effectively transition to a sustainable agroecology system remains a topic of debate, particularly in developing economies. In many developing countries, subsistence farming plays a crucial role in supporting the livelihoods of countless households. Therefore, it is essential to explore the connection between food self-provisioning and the shift towards agroecology. Using primary data from rural Nigeria and by applying an ordered logistic regression, the study demonstrates that when farmers are primarily dependent on their own produce for sustenance, there is a natural inclination towards methods ensuring long-term soil health and ecological balance. We observed that self-provisioning leads to a 10.9 % increase in agroecology transition, and this result was statistically significant (P-value 0.001). This paradigm not only promotes sustainable agricultural practices but also underscores a holistic approach where agriculture coexists harmoniously with nature. As the global challenges of climate change and increasing food demand loom large, understanding and supporting these farmer-driven solutions become paramount. The results beckon policymakers and stakeholders to frame strategies grounded in farmers' intrinsic motivations, ensuring a sustainable agricultural future that is ecologically viable, culturally resonant, and economically beneficial.

On the cost-effectiveness of Nature-based Solutions for reducing disaster risk.

The potential of ecosystem-based interventions, also known as Nature-based Solutions (NbS), for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) is now recognized by major national policies and international framework agreements. However, there is limited scientific evidence about their economic viability and equity impacts. We examined English-language peer-reviewed studies, published between 2000 and 2021, which undertook economic evaluations of NbS for DRR and CCA. Based on our results, 71 % of studies indicated that NbS have consistently proven to be a cost-effective approach to mitigating hazards and 24 % of studies found NbS cost-effective under certain conditions. The ecosystem-based interventions most frequently found effective in mitigating hazards are associated with mangroves (80 %), forests (77 %), and coastal ecosystems (73 %). Studies comparing the cost-effectiveness of NbS and engineering-based solutions for mitigating certain hazards showed that NbS are no less effective than engineering-based solutions. Among these studies, 65 % found that NbS are always more effective in attenuating hazards compared to engineering-based solutions and 26 % found that NbS are partially more effective. Our findings illustrate a range of factors, including the geographic locations of the NbS analyzed, their contribution to the restoration and increase of biodiversity, their property rights structure, their source of financing, and the economic methodologies employed to assess cost-effectiveness and distributional effects. The geographic location of the NbS observations included in this analysis was examined considering global projected temperature and precipitation changes.

Investigation of the Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Materials Influenced by Different Chemicals.

Objective: The quality of orthodontic forces in aligners is mainly influenced by their mechanical properties. At present, there is insufficient information on how environmental factors affect the mechanical function of aligners, and studies have shown that patients do not pay enough attention to removing aligners while eating and drinking. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of different chemicals on the mechanical properties of thermoplastic materials. Methods: In this study, 175 thermoplastic samples from Easy-Vac gasket (3A Medes, Korea) were prepared, and their chemical composition, tensile strength, and hardness before and after exposure to solutions of orange juice, Cola, chlorhexidine mouthwash, and distilled water were measured. One-Way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tamhane's test, and Tukey's test were used for statistical analysis. Results: The tensile strength of the sheets increased with continuous exposure to orange juice and chlorhexidine mouthwash, and their hardness decreased with continuous exposure to carbonated beverages. There was no change in the chemical composition of the samples after exposure to different chemicals. Conclusion: Although these changes are statistically significant, they do not have a significant effect on the result of aligner performance. Therefore, the only concern is the cariogenicity of orange juice and Cola during treatment with aligners and the administration of chlorhexidine mouthwash.

Framework for mapping large-scale nature-based solutions for drought mitigation: Regional application in Flanders.

Droughts are classified as the most expensive climate disasters as they leave long-term and chronic impacts on the ecosystem, agriculture, and human society. The intensity, frequency, and duration of drought events have increased in the past and are expected to continue rising at global, continental, and regional scales. Nature-based solutions (NBS) are highlighted as effective solutions to cope with the future impacts of these events. Despite this, there has been limited comprehensive research on the effectiveness of NBS for drought mitigation, and existing suitability mapping frameworks often overlook drought-specific criteria. To address this gap, a new framework is proposed to identify areas suitable for two drought-coping NBS types at a regional scale: detention basins and managed aquifer recharge. Two multi-criteria decision-making techniques (MCDM), i.e. Boolean logic and Analytic- Hierarchy Process (AHP), were used to map suitable large-scale NBS. The new framework accounts for unique criteria to specifically address drought conditions. By incorporating climate change scenarios for both surface and groundwater, recharge, and different groundwater characteristics, it identifies suitable and sustainable locations capable of managing extreme drought events. Executed through Boolean logic at a regional scale in Flanders (Belgium), the framework's strict approach yields significant potential areas for detention basins (298.7 km²) and managed aquifer recharge (867.5 km²). Incorporating AHP with the same criteria introduces a higher degree of flexibility for decision-makers. This approach shows a notable expansion across Flanders, varying with the level of suitability. The results underscore the highly suitable potential for detention basins (2552.2 km²) and managed aquifer recharge (2538.7 km²), emphasizing the adaptability and scalability of the framework for addressing drought in the region. The comparison between potential recharge volume due to detention basin and groundwater use in the region indicated that the detention basins could partially compensate for the high water demand. Therefore, creating a framework targeting drought is vital for the sustainable management of water scarcity scenarios.

Exploring the chaotic structure and soliton solutions for (3 + 1)-dimensional generalized Kadomtsev-Petviashvili model.

The study of the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili (KP) model is widely used for simulating several scientific phenomena, including the evolution of water wave surfaces, the processes of soliton diffusion, and the electromagnetic field of transmission. In current study, we explore some multiple soliton solutions of the (3+1)-dimensional generalized KP model via applying modified Sardar sub-equation approach (MSSEA). By extracting the novel soliton solutions, we can effectively obtain singular, dark, combo, periodic and plane wave solutions through a multiple physical regions. We also investigate the chaotic structure of governing model using the chaos theory. The behavior of the collected solutions is visually depicted to demonstrate the physical properties of the proposed model. The solutions obtained in this paper can expand the existing solutions of the (3+1)-dimensional KP model and enhance our understanding of the nonlinear dynamic behaviors. This approach allows for consistent and effective treatment of the computation process for nonlinear KP model.

Quantifying local and global mass balance errors in physics-informed neural networks.

Physics-informed neural networks (PINN) have recently become attractive for solving partial differential equations (PDEs) that describe physics laws. By including PDE-based loss functions, physics laws such as mass balance are enforced softly in PINN. This paper investigates how mass balance constraints are satisfied when PINN is used to solve the resulting PDEs. We investigate PINN's ability to solve the 1D saturated groundwater flow equations (diffusion equations) for homogeneous and heterogeneous media and evaluate the local and global mass balance errors. We compare the obtained PINN's solution and associated mass balance errors against a two-point finite volume numerical method and the corresponding analytical solution. We also evaluate the accuracy of PINN in solving the 1D saturated groundwater flow equation with and without incorporating hydraulic heads as training data. We demonstrate that PINN's local and global mass balance errors are significant compared to the finite volume approach. Tuning the PINN's hyperparameters, such as the number of collocation points, training data, hidden layers, nodes, epochs, and learning rate, did not improve the solution accuracy or the mass balance errors compared to the finite volume solution. Mass balance errors could considerably challenge the utility of PINN in applications where ensuring compliance with physical and mathematical properties is crucial.

Field performance of 15 rain gardens in different cities in Taiwan.

Rain gardens are widely used for low impact development (LID) or as a nature-based solution (NbS). They help to reduce runoff, mitigate hot temperatures, create habitats for plants and insects, and beautify landscapes. Rain gardens are increasingly being established in urban areas. In Taiwan, the Ministry of Environment (MoE) initiated a rain garden project in Taipei city in 2018, and 15 rain gardens have since been constructed in different cities. These Taiwanese-style rain gardens contain an underground storage tank to collect the filtrated rainwater, which can be used for irrigation. Moreover, the 15 rain gardens are equipped with sensors to monitor temperature, rainfall, and underground water levels. The monitoring data were transmitted with Internet of Things (IoT) technology, enabling the capture and export of real-time values. The water retention, temperature mitigation, water quality, and ecological indices of the rain gardens were quantified using field data. The results from the young rain gardens (1-3 years) showed that nearly 100 % of the rainfall was retained onsite and did not flow out from the rain gardens; however, if the stored water was not used and the tanks were full, the rainwater from subsequent storms could not be stored, and the tanks overflowed. The surface temperatures of the rain garden and nearby impermeable pavement differed by an average of 2-4 °C. This difference exceeded 20 °C in summer at noon. The water in the underground storage tanks had very low levels of SS and BOD, with averages of 1.6 mg/L and 5.6 mg/L, respectively. However, the E. coli concentrations were high, and the average was 6283 CFU/100 mL; therefore, washing or drinking water is not recommended. The ecological indices, i.e., the Shannon and Simpson indices, demonstrated the good flora status of the rain gardens after one year. Although the weather differed by city, the performance of the rain gardens in terms of water retention, temperature mitigation, rainwater harvesting, and providing biological habitats was consistent. However, maintenance influences rain garden performance. If the stored water is not frequently used, the stored volume is reduced, and the stored water quality degrades.

Embedding community and public voices in co-created solutions to mitigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Thailand using the 'Responsive Dialogues' public engagement framework.

The use of antimicrobials in Thailand has been reported as one of the highest in the world in human and animal sectors. Our engagement project aimed to improve our understanding of the issue of antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among adult Thai communities, and co-create locally relevant solutions to AMR, especially those focusing on raising awareness to improve related policies in Thailand.We conducted a series of online and in-person 'conversations' according to Wellcome's 'Responsive Dialogues' engagement approach, designed to bring together different voices to understand complex AMR problems and find potential solutions. This approach enabled key AMR stakeholders and policy makers to hear directly from communities and members of the public, and vice versa. Conversations events took place between 25 November 2020 and 8 July 2022, and we engaged 179 AMR key stakeholders and members of the public across Thailand.The issues found were: there were quite a lot of misunderstandings around antimicrobials and AMR; participants felt that communications and engagement around antimicrobial resistance had limited reach and impact; asking for and taking antibiotics for self-limiting ailments is a social norm in Thailand; and there appeared to be a wide availability of cheap antimicrobials. To mitigate the spread of AMR, participants suggested that the messages around AMR should be tailored to the target audience, there should be more initiatives to increase general health literacy, there should be increased availability of AMR related information at the local level and there should be increased local leadership of AMR mitigation efforts.Trial registration Thaiclinicaltrials.org registration: TCTR20210528003 (28/05/2021).

In-situ dynamic catalysis electrode electrolyte interphase enabling Mg2+ insertion in 2D metal-organic polymer for high-capacity and long-lifespan magnesium batteries.

Rechargeable magnesium battery is regarded as the promising candidate for the next generation of high-specific-energy storage systems. Nevertheless, issues related to severe Mg-Cl dissociation at the electrolyte-electrode interface impede the insertion of Mg2+ into most materials, leading to severe polarization and low utilization of Mg-storage electrodes. In this study, a metal-organic polymer (MOP) Ni-TABQ (Ni-coordinated tetramino-benzoquinone) with superior surface catalytic activity is proposed to achieve the high-capacity Mg-MOP battery. The layered Ni-TABQ cathode, featuring a unique 2D π-d linear conjugated structure, effectively reduces the dissociation energy of MgxCly clusters at the Janus interface, thereby facilitating Mg2+ insertion. Due to the high utilization of active sites, Ni-TABQ achieves high capacities of 410 mAh/g at 200 mA g-1, attributable to a four-electron redox process involving two redox centers, benzoid carbonyls, and imines. This research highlights the importance of surface electrochemical processes in rechargeable magnesium batteries and paves the way for future development in multivalent metal-ion batteries.

Potential of nature-based solutions to reduce antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance, and pathogens in aquatic ecosystems. a critical review.

This comprehensive scientific review evaluates the effectiveness of nature-based solutions (NBS) in reducing antibiotics (ABs), combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and controlling pathogens in various aquatic environments at different river catchment levels. It covers conventional and innovative treatment wetland configurations for wastewater treatment to reduce pollutant discharge into the aquatic ecosystems as well as exploring how river restoration and saltmarshes can enhance pollutant removal. Through the analysis of experimental studies and case examples, the review shows NBS's potential for providing sustainable and cost-effective solutions to improve the health of aquatic ecosystems. It also evaluates the use of diagnostic indicators to predict NBS effectiveness in removing specific pollutants such as ABs and AMR. The review concludes that NBS are feasible for addressing the new challenges stemming from human activities such as the presence of ABs, AMR and pathogens, contributing to a better understanding of NBS, highlighting success stories, addressing knowledge gaps, and providing recommendations for future research and implementation.

Optimizing Allelopathy Screening Bioassays by Using Nano Silver.

Nano solutions are widely used in medicine and also have the potential to be used when performing allelopathy screening studies. The present experiment aimed to test the effectiveness of colloidal nano silver Silver-Amber© with nanoparticles of 20 nm (>20 mg/L at a purity level of 99.99%) as a carrier of allelochemicals in laboratory conditions. The influence of eleven concentrations of Silver-Amber© (0.10, 0.20, 0.39, 0.78, 1.56, 3.13, 6.25, 12.5, 25.0, 50.0 and 100.0% v/v) on the germination and initial development of test plant Lactuca sativa L. in 0.75% agar medium was studied. Data revealed that when increasing the quantitative ratio of Silver-Amber©, an inhibitory effect on seed germination (from 37.8 to 94.3%) and on the plant growth (from 54.0 to 98.9%) appeared. Lower concentrations (0.63 to 0.04 ppm) had an indifferent to statistically unproven stimulatory effect on the germination and initial development of L. sativa (GI ranged from 88.7-94.6%). Therefore, nano silver can be used as carrier of allelochemicals in allelopathic studies in laboratory conditions.

Hydrodynamics of artificial and oyster-populated breakwaters: A laboratory study with scaled-down oyster castles under unidirectional flow.

Oyster populations within the Chesapeake Bay have been drastically reduced over the last century mainly due to unregulated human activities and diseases. Regulations and restoration efforts have focused on restoring oyster populations while also considering their ability to provide ecosystem services, such as coastal protection and water quality improvement, among others. To promote oyster growth and the settlement of new populations, a recent technique adopted along the east coast of the US is the use of oyster castles (OCs). OCs have proven effective in recruiting and retaining oysters and in promoting both vertical growth and horizontal expansion of oyster habitats. OCs are widely used in coastal protection as greener alternative to common engineering solutions. We quantified hydrodynamic differences that occur around these OCs during their early stage (i.e. castles without oysters), and with fully developed oysters covering the surface of the castles through a series of laboratory experiments. The experiments were conducted in a recirculating Odell-Kovasznay type channel at the Ecohydraulics and Ecomorphodynamics Laboratory (EEL) at the University of Illinois. OCs (both with and without oysters) were 3D printed at 1:7 scale to fit the canal, and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) was used for 2D flow characterization. Data showed noticeable differences in flow acceleration atop the castles when covered with oysters, as well as an increase in the generation and distribution of turbulent kinetic energy atop and around the oyster-covered castles. Magnitudes and spatial distribution of Reynolds stresses were also affected by the presence of oysters in both submerged and near-emergent conditions. Challenges associated with the estimation of the drag coefficient for both gray and oyster-covered OCs highlighted the need for more data besides the centerline 2D PIV output. Further research involving the whole three-dimensional structure of the flow, in both unidirectional and oscillatory conditions, will allow us to provide relevant guidelines on the design and use of oyster-populated breakwaters as a viable nature-based solution for coastal protection within low-energy environments.

Microplastics in agroecosystems: Soil-plant dynamics and effective remediation approaches.

Increasing microplastic (MP) pollution, primarily from anthropogenic sources such as plastic film mulching, waste degradation, and agricultural practices, has emerged as a pressing global environmental concern. This review examines the direct and indirect effects of MPs on crops, both in isolation and in conjunction with other contaminants, to elucidate their combined toxicological impacts. Organic fertilizers predominantly contain 78.6% blue, 9.5% black, and 8.3% red MPs, while irrigation water in agroecosystems contains 66.2% white, 15.4% blue, and 8.1% black MPs, ranging from 0-1 mm to 4-5 mm in size. We elucidate five pivotal insights: Firstly, soil MPs exhibit affinity towards crop roots, seeds, and vascular systems, impeding water and nutrient uptake. Secondly, MPs induce oxidative stress in crops, disrupting vital metabolic processes. Thirdly, leachates from MPs elicit cytotoxic and genotoxic responses in crops. Fourthly, MPs disrupt soil biotic and abiotic dynamics, influencing water and nutrient availability for crops. Lastly, the cumulative effects of MPs and co-existing contaminants in agricultural soils detrimentally affect crop yield. Thus, we advocate agronomic interventions as practical remedies. These include biochar input, application of growth regulators, substitution of plastic mulch with crop residues, promotion of biological degradation, and encouragement of crop diversification. However, the efficacy of these measures varies based on MP type and dosage. As MP volumes increase, exploring alternative mitigation strategies such as bio-based plastics and environmentally friendly biotechnological solutions is imperative. Recognizing the persistence of plastics, policymakers should enact legislation favoring the mitigation and substitution of non-degradable materials with bio-derived or compostable alternatives. This review demonstrates the urgent need for collective efforts to alleviate MP pollution and emphasizes sustainable interventions for agricultural ecosystems.

Experimental study of different dehydration methods in the process of preparing frozen brain sections.

This study aimed to provide a recommendable protocol for the preparation of brain cryosections of rats to reduce and avoid ice crystals. We have designed five different dewatering solutions (Scheme 1: dehydrate with 15%, 20%, and 30% sucrose-phosphate-buffered saline solution; Scheme 2: 20% sucrose and 30% sucrose; Scheme 3: 30% sucrose; Scheme 4: 10%, 20%, and 30% sucrose; and Scheme 5: the tissue was dehydrated with 15% and 30% sucrose polyacetate I until it sank to the bottom, followed by placement in 30% sucrose polyacetate II) to minimize the formation of ice crystals. Cryosections from different protocols were stained with Nissl staining and compared with each other by density between cells and the distance of intertissue spaces. The time required for the dehydration process from Scheme 1 to Scheme 5 was 24, 23, 24, 24, and 33 h, respectively. Density between cells gradually decreased from Scheme 1 to Scheme 5, and the distance of intertissue spaces was differentiated and irregular in different schemes according to the images of Nissl staining. We recommend the dewatering method of Scheme 4 (the brain tissues were dehydrated in 10%, 20% and 30% sucrose solution in turn until the tissue samples were completely immersed in the solution and then immersed in the next concentration solution for dehydration).

Carbon stock quantification in a floodplain restoration chronosequence along a Mediterranean-montane riparian corridor.

Uncertainty in the global carbon (C) budget has been reduced for most stocks, though it remains incomplete by not considering aquatic and transitional zone carbon stocks. A key issue preventing such complete accounting is a lack of available C data within these aquatic and aquatic-terrestrial transitional ecosystems. Concurrently, quantifiable results produced by restoration practices that explicitly target C stock accumulation and sequestration remain inconsistent or undocumented. To support a more complete carbon budget and identify impacts on C stock accumulation from restoration treatment actions, we investigated C stock values in a Mediterranean-montane riparian floodplain system in California, USA. We quantified the C stock in aboveground biomass, large wood, and litter in addition to the C and total nitrogen in the upper soil profile (5 cm) across 23 unique restoration treatments and remnant old-growth forests. Treatments span 40 years of restoration actions along seven river kilometers of the Cosumnes River, and include process-based (limited intervention), assisted (horticultural planting and other intensive restoration activities), hybrid (a combination of process and assisted actions), and remnant (old-growth forests that were not created with restoration actions) sites. Total C values measured up to 1100 Mg ha-1 and averaged 129 Mg ha-1 with biomass contributing the most to individual plot measurements. From 2012 to 2020, biomass C stock measurements showed an average 32 Mg ha-1 increase across all treatments, though treatment specific values varied. While remnant forest plots held the highest average C values across all stocks (336 Mg ha-1), C values of different stocks varied across treatment type. Process-based restoration treatments held more average biomass C (120 Mg ha-1) than hybrid (23 Mg ha-1) or assisted restoration treatments (50 Mg ha-1), while assisted restoration treatments held more average total C in soil and litter (58 Mg ha-1) than hybrid (35 Mg ha-1) and process-based restoration treatments (37 Mg ha-1). Regardless of treatment type, time was a significant factor for all C stock values. These findings support a more inclusive global carbon budget and provide valuable insight into restoration treatment actions that support C stock accumulation.

Comparing Analogy-Based Methods-Bio-Inspiration and Engineering-Domain Inspiration for Domain Selection and Novelty.

This study aims to support designers in developing transformative solutions in the engineering discipline using the Design-by-Analogy ideation method. Design-by-Analogy involves drawing inspiration from the source domain and applying it to the target domain. Based on the conceptual distance between the two domains, analogies are classified as biological-(natural), cross-(distant-engineering), and within-(near-engineering) domain analogies. Real-world scenarios involve designers selecting analogies after seeking them across multiple domains. These selected analogies significantly influence the produced designs. However, the selection criteria of the analogy domain are unexplored in design research. We address this gap by investigating: (a) the influence of analogy domains on their selection frequency; and (b) the relationship between the frequency of selecting analogies from specific domains and the novelty of designs. The experiment involved twenty-six teams of novice product designers, who solved design problems aided by one analogical source from each domain. The results showed that biological analogies were frequently selected. While biological-domain analogies significantly increased the novelty of designs compared to the within-domain ones; no significant difference was found between the biological- and cross-domain analogies, suggesting that middle-domain analogies can be as effective as far-domain ones. The findings can support technological innovation by aiding the development of analogy search databases.

Key Considerations for Designing Clinical Studies to Evaluate Digital Health Solutions.

Evidence of clinical impact is critical to unlock the potential of digital health solutions (DHSs), yet many solutions are failing to deliver positive clinical results. We argue in this viewpoint that this failure is linked to current approaches to DHS evaluation design, which neglect numerous key characteristics (KCs) requiring specific scientific and design considerations. We first delineate the KCs of DHSs: (1) they are implemented at health care system and patient levels; (2) they are "complex" interventions; (3) they can drive multiple clinical outcomes indirectly through a multitude of smaller clinical benefits; (4) their mechanism of action can vary between individuals and change over time based on patient needs; and (5) they develop through short, iterative cycles-optimally within a real-world use context. Following our objective to drive better alignment between clinical evaluation design and the unique traits of DHSs, we then provide methodological suggestions that better address these KCs, including tips on mechanism-of-action mapping, alternative randomization methods, control-arm adaptations, and novel end-point selection, as well as innovative methods utilizing real-world data and platform research.