Uncovering Patterns in Dairy Cow Behaviour: A Deep Learning Approach with Tri-Axial Accelerometer Data.

The accurate detection of behavioural changes represents a promising method of detecting the early onset of disease in dairy cows. This study assessed the performance of deep learning (DL) in classifying dairy cows' behaviour from accelerometry data acquired by single sensors on the cows' left flanks and compared the results with those obtained through classical machine learning (ML) from the same raw data. Twelve cows with a tri-axial accelerometer were observed for 136 ± 29 min each to detect five main behaviours: standing still, moving, feeding, ruminating and resting. For each 8 s time interval, 15 metrics were calculated, obtaining a dataset of 211,720 observation units and 15 columns. The entire dataset was randomly split into training (80%) and testing (20%) datasets. The DL accuracy, precision and sensitivity/recall were calculated and compared with the performance of classical ML models. The best predictive model was an 8-layer convolutional neural network (CNN) with an overall accuracy and F1 score equal to 0.96. The precision, sensitivity/recall and F1 score of single behaviours had the following ranges: 0.93-0.99. The CNN outperformed all the classical ML algorithms. The CNN used to monitor the cows' conditions showed an overall high performance in successfully predicting multiple behaviours using a single accelerometer.

Machine Learning to Detect Posture and Behavior in Dairy Cows: Information from an Accelerometer on the Animal's Left Flank.

The aim of the present study was to develop a model to identify posture and behavior from data collected by a triaxial accelerometer located on the left flank of dairy cows and evaluate its accuracy and precision. Twelve Italian Red-and-White lactating cows were equipped with an accelerometer and observed on average for 136 ± 29 min per cow by two trained operators as a reference. The acceleration data were grouped in time windows of 8 s overlapping by 33.0%, for a total of 35,133 rows. For each row, 32 different features were extracted and used by machine learning algorithms for the classification of posture and behavior. To build up a predictive model, the dataset was split in training and testing datasets, characterized by 75.0 and 25.0% of the observations, respectively. Four algorithms were tested: Random Forest, K Nearest Neighbors, Extreme Boosting Algorithm (XGB), and Support Vector Machine. The XGB model showed the best accuracy (0.99) and Cohen's kappa (0.99) in predicting posture, whereas the Random Forest model had the highest overall accuracy in predicting behaviors (0.76), showing a balanced accuracy from 0.96 for resting to 0.77 for moving. Overall, very accurate detection of the posture and resting behavior were achieved.

Association between teeth agenesis and Angle's classes in an Italian population.

BACKGROUND: Teeth agenesis or hypodontia consists of the developmental absence of one or more teeth. Many studies confirm that this condition is almost frequent in general population; the prevalence reported is between 2.7% and 11.3%. This condition shows a multifactorial etiology: genetic factors, hereditary factors, environmental factors, local or general infective processes, radiations, drugs and traumas. The aim of this observational study was to evaluate the prevalence of tooth agenesis in a sample of orthodontic healthy patients considering each Angle malocclusion. METHODS: Nine hundred patients from a University clinic and three private practices were analyzed through intra and extra oral photographs, orthodontic study casts, panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalograms. The following inclusion criteria were applied: non-syndromic patients, without previous orthodontic, prosthetic treatment or extractions. Patients' clinical data consisted in general and dental anamnesis, intra and extra oral photographs, orthodontic study casts, digital panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalograms. The whole sample was divided into four groups (A-B-C-D) in relation with Angle's malocclusion and dental agenesis registered. RESULTS: The whole sample presented a mean prevalence of the condition of 8.80%. Class II/2 is the most affected malocclusion with 20.37% of the patients affected by the condition, followed by class III (11.19%), class II/2 (8.05%) and class I (6.62%). The χ2 test demonstrated a statistically significant different distribution of the condition between the four groups (P value =0.0059). The four groups presented also different patterns of missing teeth. CONCLUSIONS: We found a significantly different distribution of the condition in the different malocclusions with class II/2 presenting the higher prevalence of tooth agenesis (20.37%). The most frequent teeth affected by agenesis in the entire sample are respectively: mandibular second premolars (32.40%), followed by the maxillary lateral incisors (27.70%) and the maxillary second premolars (15.50%).

Dental water jet efficacy in the plaque control of orthodontic patients wearing fixed appliance: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Different studies assess the role of fixed orthodontic appliances in supragingival plaque accumulation. In patients wearing fixed orthodontic appliances a good management of oral hygiene is required in order to prevent complication like as decay, enamel demineralization, gingivitis, gingival hyperplasia and periodontitis. The aim of this Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) is to evaluate the efficacy of the use of a DWJ in patients under orthodontic treatment with fixed multibracket appliance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study design was single-blinded RCT with a split mouth protocol. Each patient followed a personal cleaning protocol using a DWJ in addition to traditional brushing only on one side while just brushing on the control side. The side on which was decided to use the DWJ was chosen randomly and the dental hygienist who took the measurements was blind. Plaque and gingival indexes were evaluated at baseline and at one, three and six-months follow-up. RESULTS: It did not emerge any difference in the plaque and gingival indexes trend between the two groups. Patients initially reported an worsening of the indexes at one month evaluation, then they set at baseline levels at three and six months. CONCLUSIONS: The dental water jet does not improve significantly the efficacy of home oral hygiene in orthodontic patients wearing a multi-bracket fixed appliance. Patients did not show the traditional worsening during the whole orthodontic therapy. Key words:Dental water jet, fixed orthodontics, plaque index, gingival index.

Prevalence and patterns of tooth agenesis in Angle class II division 2 malocclusion in Italy: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this case-control retrospective study was to assess the prevalence and pattern of tooth agenesis in a group of Italian Caucasian test subjects with Class II division 2 malocclusion. The findings were then compared with an Italian control group of orthodontic patients and with previous studies performed in other countries. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Six hundred patients (37 subjects with Angle Class II division 2 malocclusion and 563 orthodontic patients with other malocclusions), aged 7 or older, from the Orthodontic Department of University of Padua Dental Clinic were collected. For this investigation, two expert operators evaluated the Angle Class from dental casts, intraoral photographs and lateral cephalograms. Inclusion criteria for Class II division 2 were: U1-SN less than 90° and overbite>3mm. Tooth agenesis were assessed with digital panoramic radiographs. Third molars were excluded from the analysis. Descriptive analysis using absolute and relative frequencies were performed to check out the prevalence and pattern of tooth agenesis in the sample considered. The relative frequencies in each table were calculated as a percentage based from column total. RESULTS: The prevalence of tooth agenesis in the Angle Class II division 2 group was 18.92%, while in the general population was 8.35%. This result was sufficient to demonstrate a significant difference between the two groups concerning the tooth agenesis prevalence (P-value<0.05). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of permanent tooth agenesis was more than 2 times higher in the Class II division 2 group rather than in the control group. No agenesis of maxillary lateral incisors was found in Class II division 2 group.

Prevalence of Hypodontia in Unilateral and Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Patients Inside and Outside Cleft Area: A Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and distribution of hypodontia, inside and outside the cleft area, in an Italian population with a non-syndromic unilateral (UCLP) and bilateral (BCLP) cleft lip and palate on panoramic radiographs and comparing it with a control sample. STUDY DESIGN: Case group was ethnically uniform and consisted in 233 patients. The control group was composed of 1000 subjects. Patients included were between seven and fifteen years old. Descriptive analysis, using absolute and relative frequencies, was performed to check out the prevalence of gender distribution, hypodontia and cleft formation. Statistical analysis was conducted with Chi-squared test, Yate's correction and the Fisher's exact test. The power was set higher than 0.8 for each test. RESULTS: 160 cleft patients (68.68%) presented at least one missing tooth, while 88 patients in the control groups presented agenesis (8.80%). A statistically significant difference was found in case and control groups for upper lateral incisors (37.34% and 48.07% in the case group against 2.50% and 2.60% in the control group), upper and lower second premolars (8.58%, 6.44%, 5.58% and 6.01% in the cleft group and 0.60%, 0.60%, 2.50% and 2.70% in the control group). CONCLUSION: Higher prevalence of dental agenesis in the maxillary dental arch is explained by the cleft defect. Higher prevalence of mandibular second premolars agenesis cannot be explained by the anatomical defect and suggests a multifactorial aetiology, including environmental and genetic factors, of the cleft condition.

Vestibular and lingual orthodontics: experimental study on plaque and blood indexes.

BACKGROUND: In patients with fixed orthodontic treatment, good oral hygiene management is important to prevent complications such as caries, enamel demineralization, white spots, gingivitis, gingival hyperplasia and periodontitis. The aim of this experimental study is to compare the plaque and gingival indexes in patients with labial or lingual appliances. METHODS: Twenty patients with a mean age of 27±-4.95 years were selected; ten patients (eight females and two males) between 17 and 39 years were fitted with a labial appliance while ten patients (nine females and one male) between 16 e 36 years were fitted with a lingual appliance. The dental hygienist made an evaluation using the plaque index and the gingival index, motivated and instructed the patients with labial and lingual devices to perform correct home oral hygiene. The timepoint were the following: T0 before the bonding, T1 one month after the bonding, T2 three months after the bonding, T3 six months after the bonding. RESULTS: In the vestibular appliance at T0, the plaque index is significantly lower than the lingual device, but the bleeding index is significantly higher. Moreover, in both treatments, an increase in the parameters from T0 to T1, T2 and T3 was confirmed, and in the latter a linear increase trend both in the plaque index and in the gingival index can be observed. CONCLUSIONS: The plaque and bleeding index increase gradually from T0 to T3, but there is no significant difference between the vestibular and lingual appliances.

Teeth agenesis evaluation in an Italian sample of complete unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and the distribution of teeth agenesis inside and outside the cleft area in an Italian population with a non-syndromic unilateral (UCLP) and bilateral (BCLP) cleft lip and palate. METHODS: Two hundred thirty-three digital panoramic radiographs (151 females, 82 males) of patients between seven and fifteen years old were recruited from the maxillo-facial surgery clinic of the San Bortolo Hospital of Vicenza according with the following inclusion criteria: unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate, no other syndromes, no previous orthodontic treatment, no previous teeth extractions and good quality of digital panoramic radiographs. Statistical analyses were carried using Chi-squared test (P value <0.05). RESULTS: One hundred sixty subjects out of 233 (68.67%) presented with agenesis of at least 1 missing permanent tooth. The prevalence of hypodontia is significantly more frequent in BCLP patients than UCLP ones with a total of 153 missing teeth (51.34%). The most frequent missing tooth is the lateral incisor in the upper left side (37.6%) followed by the lateral incisor in the upper right side (29.2%), the upper second premolars, the upper central incisors and the upper canine. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first that evaluates the prevalence and distribution of hypodontia in an Italian population with cleft lip and palate. The higher congenital absence of dental elements in this group than healthy general patients is an important aspect to consider for a functional and aesthetic oral rehabilitation.

Elongated styloid process evaluation on digital panoramic radiograph in a North Italian population.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of elongated styloid process in digital panoramic radiographs in a North Italian population in relation to age, gender and side. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was performed as a retrospective analysis on digital panoramic radiographs of 600 (271 males and 329 females) Italian patients between 6 and 87 years old. The styloid process length were measured using the measuring tool of Sidexis Software. It was measured from the point where it left the temporal bone plate to its tip. Styloid processes measuring more than 30 mm were considered elongated. Chi-squared and Fisher tests were used and the test is considered significant if the p-value is lower or equal to 0.05. RESULTS: Thirty-three per cent of the patients showed an elongated styloid process. Seventeen per cent were elongated on both right and left side, fifteen point nine per cent were elongated only in one side. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of elongated styloid process was high and a progressive increase of the elongation prevalence was found in older groups. Key words:Elongated styloid process, Eagle's syndrome, panoramic radiograph.

Elongated styloid process: An epidemiological study on digital panoramic radiographs.

BACKGROUND: The styloid process is a projecton of the temporal bone, its lenght is between 20 to 30 mm, when it is longer than 30 mm it is defined elongated styloid process. The aim of this study is an epidemiological evaluation of 1003 digital panoramic radiographs in an Italian population between 5 and 90 years old. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis and the radiographs were selected from the Complex Operating Unit of Dentistry of Padua University Hospital database. The radiographs were performed using a Sirona Ortophos XG and the styloid process length was measured using the measuring tool of Sidexis Software. It was measured from the point where it left the temporal bone plate to its tip. Styloid processes measuring more than 30 mm were considered elongated. Chi-squared test, Fligner-Killeen test, Shapiro-Wilk test and t-test with Welch correction were performed. RESULTS: In the study 33.40% of the patients showed an elongated styloid process. CONCLUSIONS: The number of patients with elongated styloid process and the mean length of the process increase with the age confirming the chronic development of the calcification described in literature. No statistically significant correlation is found between the presence of elongated styloid process and the gender and affected side (bilateral or unilateral). Key words:Elongated styloid process, panoramic radiograph, epidemiological study, Eagle's syndrome.