Search Results (540)

This study examined the influence of the effective embedment depth h_ef of undercut anchors and the diameter of their heads on the formation of the so-called cone failure angle α. Cone failure formation during simulated anchor pull-out tests was analyzed numerically using the Finite Element Method (FEM) with the ABAQUS software and the XFEM algorithm. The analysis was conducted for three sizes of undercut anchor heads and four embedment depths. The numerical analysis results were compared with field test results obtained during pull-out tests of anchors installed in a rock medium (sandstone). Good agreement was observed between the numerical and field test results. The results of the numerical study are highly consistent with those obtained during the field survey. Moreover, they align closely with findings from previous numerical studies conducted by members of the research team, as presented in earlier publications. For the assumed simulation and field test conditions (sedimentary rocks, gray sandstone), no clear correlation was found between the embedment depth or the anchor head diameter and the value of the cone failure angle in the initial phase of the failure zone development. This result contrasts with certain findings reported in the literature. Many existing studies on anchor bolts focus on material properties or load-bearing capacity, but lack an in-depth analysis of how anchor depth influences the geometry of the failure cone. This research addresses that gap, providing valuable insights with practical implications for design codes and safety evaluations. Full article

As sustainability becomes more critical to corporate strategy and performance, firms, investors, and researchers must continue to refine methods for measuring and addressing the gap between rhetoric and reality. Closing this gap is crucial to ensuring that externally oriented ESG claims are supported by genuine internal actions that benefit both the firm and society at large. To address this issue, this study introduces a theoretically driven framework to assess the alignment (or lack thereof) between firms’ ESG policies and their actual implementation. By proposing a more granular and objective measure, we address a gap in the existing literature. Additionally, we empirically validate this framework using data from ASSET4, providing insights into the extent and persistence of this phenomenon using a sample of S&P 1500 firms from 2016 to 2022. Our results reveal that misalignment between internal actions and external endorsements in managing environmental and social issues is both significant and persistent across the years analyzed. Over 80% of the sample firms exhibit this misalignment, underscoring its prevalence within the sample. In more recent years, however, firms have shown a clear tendency to prioritize internal actions over initiatives aimed at externally endorsing their efforts. Building on the framework we propose to measure ESG policy–practice decoupling, along with the empirical analysis we conducted, we discuss its broader implications and outline several opportunities for future research. Full article

Background: The widespread adoption of clear aligners in orthodontic practice has driven the development of biomechanical devices to improve treatment efficiency. The mechanical properties of these materials play a critical role in determining their clinical performance and efficacy. This study investigates the Young’s modulus of Clear-Blokker^® (Scheu Dental), a photopolymerisable resin used for the attachment of clear aligner, and evaluates its mechanical behaviour under different curing times (5 s and 10 s) and environmental conditions (dry storage and immersion in artificial saliva at 37 °C). Methods: Forty-eight cylindrical specimens were prepared and subjected to quasistatic compression tests after 14 days. A multi-factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a significance level of 5% was performed to compare the variances. Results: The results showed that samples immersed in artificial saliva had significantly reduced Young’s moduli compared to samples stored in dry conditions (p = 0.0213), while no significant difference was observed between curing times. Conclusions: The results suggest that Clear-Blokker^® has mechanical properties comparable to those of clear aligner materials, making it suitable as a biomechanical aid for orthodontic treatment. However, further clinical studies are required to confirm its long-term efficacy in the oral environment. Full article

Background/Objectives: Molar distalization with clear aligners is increasingly used for Class II malocclusions, yet the associated periodontal ligament (PDL) stress and potential root resorption risk remain unclear. Three-dimensional finite element analysis (3D FEA) provides insight into these factors, but variations in attachments and anchorage strategies merit systematic evaluation. To determine whether molar distalization with clear aligners exceeds the PDL stress thresholds for root resorption and to assess how different attachments and anchorage methods influence stress distribution. Methods: In accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, four electronic databases were searched without language or date restrictions. Studies were included if they (1) employed 3D FEA, (2) analyzed PDL stress during aligner-based molar distalization, and (3) assessed root resorption risk or stress thresholds. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data, yielding eight studies. Results: Attachments lowered PDL stress and distributed forces more evenly, reducing root resorption risk compared with no attachment cases. Micro-implants shifted stress to molars and protected anterior teeth; palatal mini-screws achieved greater distalization but higher stress, requiring caution, while buccal mini-screws showed lower stress in first premolar roots. Placing a mini-screw between first and second molars yielded the lowest, most uniform stress. Class II elastics—with precision cuts—demonstrated low compressive stress and improved anchorage, although some resorption risk persisted in maxillary anteriors. Conclusions: Clear aligner–based molar distalization can elevate PDL stress to potentially resorptive levels. Although attachments, micro-implants, and Class II elastics improve stress distribution and lessen root resorption risk, it is not fully eliminated. Careful, individualized treatment planning remains essential, and further clinical validation is needed to establish definitive guidelines. Full article

Fasting–feeding timing is a crucial pattern implicated in the regulation of daily circadian rhythms. The interplay between sleep and meal timing underscores the importance of maintaining circadian alignment in order to avoid creating a metabolic environment conducive to carcinogenesis following the molecular and systemic disruption of metabolic performance and immune function. The chronicity of such a condition may support the initiation and progression of cancer through a variety of mechanisms, including increased oxidative stress, immune suppression, and the activation of proliferative signaling pathways. This review aims to summarize current evidence from human studies and provide an overview of the potential mechanisms underscoring the role of chrononutrition (including time-restricted eating) on cancer risk. Current evidence shows that the morning chronotype, suggesting an alignment between physiological circadian rhythms and eating timing, is associated with a lower risk of cancer. Also, early time-restricted eating and prolonged nighttime fasting were also associated with a lower risk of cancer. The current evidence suggests that the chronotype influences cancer risk through cell cycle regulation, the modulation of metabolic pathways and inflammation, and gut microbiota fluctuations. In conclusion, although there are no clear guidelines on this matter, emerging evidence supports the hypothesis that the role of time-related eating (i.e., time/calorie-restricted feeding and intermittent/periodic fasting) could potentially lead to a reduced risk of cancer. Full article

Background/objective: In orthodontic therapy, the periodontal ligament plays a critical role in the bone remodeling process by stimulating osteoblasts in tension zones and promoting bone resorption through osteoclasts in compression zones in response to mechanical stress. These processes are regulated by key cytokines, such as RANKL and IL-1, which are influenced by factors such as patient age and force application. This work evaluates the effectiveness of clear aligners versus traditional braces on periodontal health in patients with periodontitis, following PRISMA guidelines and utilizing specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Methods: A systematic review of 1664 records was conducted, leading to the inclusion of eight studies that focus on the impact of orthodontic treatments on periodontal health. The review identifies various biases present in the literature. Results: The findings reveal that clear aligners, in contrast to fixed appliances, improve oral hygiene and reduce inflammation, leading to better periodontal outcomes. Fixed appliances, on the other hand, may exacerbate plaque accumulation and inflammation, which can worsen periodontal health. Conclusions: Clear aligners offer advantages over fixed appliances in terms of enhancing periodontal health, improving patient compliance, and providing long-term benefits, particularly in patients with severe periodontitis. The effectiveness of clear aligners is linked to better management of periodontal complications and overall oral hygiene. Treatment decisions should be based on patient-specific criteria to optimize outcomes. Full article

This study introduced a novel force-driven automated staging design method for clear aligners, aimed at enhancing treatment planning efficiency and outcomes. The method simplified the alignment process into a force-driven mechanics model that calculates forces and moments exerted on teeth while adhering to Newton’s third law, determining their displacement and rotation at each position. An optimal path was generated by iteratively moving teeth from their initial to target positions and subsequently divided into stages based on a predefined step size. The algorithm was implemented in C++ and incorporated into the WebGL-based SmarteeCheck3.0 software for visualization. In a maxillary extraction case, the automated staging method (0.25 mm step size) generated 51 stages in merely 5 s, while manual staging (>0.25 mm step size) necessitated 30 min to achieve 55 stages. In a molar distalization case, the automated method demonstrated similar efficiency advantages, generating 30 stages for the maxilla and 34 for the mandible, compared to 41 stages each in manual staging. The automated staging approach yielded shorter and more precise tooth movement paths that adhered to aligner biomechanics and physical principles, surpassing the limitations of manual staging. For cases requiring entire arch displacement, the method incorporated sequential movements with anchorage control to maintain force equilibrium. This innovative method substantially improved design efficiency and accuracy, ultimately elevating the efficacy of clear aligner therapy, although further biomechanical analyses and experimental validations are needed to refine the model parameters. Full article

The intensification of agriculture over the past 80 years has led to significant changes in farm management, resulting in the creation of large-scale fields and the elimination of ecological structural elements. The loss of these areas has dramatically affected natural communities. This study aimed to test whether the implementation of floral margins generates significant differences in insect abundance over time. The study was carried out on an intensive vegetable farm in Spain over a ten-year period (2013–2022) where a floral margin was sown and maintained over the years. The results showed a clear linear increase in insect individuals, with a total increase of 403.33% from 2013 to 2022. The number of species increased by 138.80% overall, with most growth occurring in the first three years before stabilising (0.63% increase from 2016 to 2022). The analysis of community structure demonstrates a gradual evolution in the insect population dynamics aligned significantly with both log-series and log-normal distributions (p-value > 0.05). This long-term study demonstrates that floral margins are an essential tool for fostering insect biodiversity in intensive agricultural areas. The steady, rather than abrupt, shift in the ecosystem suggests that sustained implementation of floral margins can effectively prevent or reverse insect decline over time. Full article

A simplified mechanics model of aligner–tooth interaction was developed to establish a precise computational method for overcorrection design in clear aligner orthodontics. Validated through finite element analysis and experiments, the results demonstrated that designing the movement of only the target teeth on the aligner leads to uneven force distribution on adjacent teeth, while an overcorrection design can evenly distribute the reaction force generated by pushing the target teeth to the anchorage teeth, reducing the maximum force on the anchorage teeth, minimizing unplanned tooth movement, and improving the efficacy of the designed tooth movement for all teeth. Full article

The study aims to assess the effect of printing orientation on surface roughness and gloss of resins for 3D printing of aligners. Squared specimens (14 × 14 × 4 mm) were printed using Dental LT Clear (Formlabs, Somerville, MA, USA; LT) or Tera Harz TC-85 DAC (Graphy, Seoul, Republic of Korea; TC) with different orientations: 0° (horizontal), 90° (vertical), and as per the manufacturer’s recommendation (40° for LT, 60° for TC). A profilometer was used to measure roughness (Ra) in µm, while gloss was recorded in gloss units (GU) with a glossmeter. The collected data were statistically analyzed. Material type did not significantly influence roughness, while print orientation was an influential factor, with the orientation recommended by the manufacturer yielding the roughest specimens. Vertical printing resulted in significantly higher roughness than horizontal. Material type was a significant factor for gloss, with TC exhibiting significantly higher gloss than LT. Print direction significantly influenced gloss, with vertical printing resulting in the highest gloss. The finding of higher roughness for vertical prints can be explained by the presence of a greater number of layers. The superior gloss exhibited by TC regardless of print angulation could be related to the effective cleaning of uncured resin by centrifugation and to the high degree of monomer conversion in nitrogen atmosphere. Full article

Considering dialect areas as cultural areas has a long tradition in dialectology. Especially in the first half of the 20th century, researchers explored correspondences between dialect variation and other elements of everyday culture such as traditional clothing and customs. Since then, however, few studies have compared dialect variation with everyday culture, and virtually none have used quantitative methods. This study addresses this issue by employing a multivariate, dialectometric approach. It examines dialect variation in phonology and its relationship to non-linguistic aspects of everyday culture in Austria using two types of data: (a) dialect data from a recent dialect survey, and (b) ethnographic data published in the ‘Austrian Ethnographic Atlas’. Analyzing 90 phonetic-phonological and 36 ethnographic variables, statistical methods such as multidimensional scaling (MDS) and cluster analysis (CA) are employed. The results show only limited overlap between the linguistic and ethnographic data, with cultural patterns appearing more fragmented and small-scale. Geographical proximity is more indicative of cultural than linguistic similarity. MDS and CA reveal clear geographical patterns for the linguistic data that align with traditional dialect classifications. In contrast, the cultural data show less distinct clustering and only small-scale regions that do not coincide with the linguistic ones. This article discusses potential reasons for these differences. Full article

For large cities with developing infrastructures, optimising water supply systems plays a crucial role. However, without a clear understanding of the network structure and water consumption patterns, addressing these challenges becomes significantly more complex. This paper proposes a methodology for geospatial data analysis aimed at solving two key tasks. The first is the delineation of service zones for infrastructure objects to enhance system manageability. The second involves the development of an approach for the optimal placement of devices to collect and transmit hydraulic network parameters, ensuring their alignment with both water supply sources and serviced areas. The study focuses on data from the water supply network of a city with a population exceeding half a million people, where hierarchical clustering using Ward’s method was applied to analyse territorial distribution. Four territorial clusters were identified, each characterised by unique attributes reflecting consumer concentration and water consumption volumes. The cluster boundaries were compared with the existing service scheme of the system, confirming their alignment with real infrastructure. The quality of clustering was further evaluated using the silhouette coefficient, which validated the high accuracy and reliability of the chosen approach. The paper demonstrates the effectiveness of cluster boundary visualisation for assessing the uniform distribution of pressure sensors within the urban water supply network. The results of the study show that integrating geographic data with water consumption information not only facilitates effective infrastructure planning and resource allocation but also lays the foundation for the digitalization of the hydraulic network, a critical component of sustainable development in modern smart cities. Full article

Located in the southwestern region of China, the Yunnan–Kweichow Plateau, is closely related to the origins of Pyrus L. Despite this important status, there has been relatively little population genetics research focused on the wild Pyrus species in this area. To address this gap in knowledge, the present study was conducted investigating wild Pyrus species distributions in the Yunnan–Kweichow Plateau region. These analyses entailed the collection of 80 accessions, whole-genome resequencing, and the detection of variants including SNPs, InDels, SVs, and CNVs. Genetic structure analyses revealed clear differences between P. pashia and P. calleryana, where the former was additionally subdivided into five groups. The genetic structure of these accessions was closely aligned with their geographic distribution, highlighting the fragmented nature of wild Pyrus populations on the Yunnan–Kweichow Plateau. Analyses of genetic diversity suggested that the central and easter portions of Yunnan Province are key centers of Pyrus diversity on the Yunnan–Kweichow Plateau, whereas the highest degree of differentiation was observed for wild Pyrus in the southwest and northwest regions. Demographic analyses indicated that wild Pyrus populations on the Yunnan–Kweichow Plateau are currently in a state of population contraction, with evidence of migration events between these populations. Full article

This study examines the impact of ESG strategies on sustainable performance in multinational enterprises (MNEs), with a particular focus on the mediating role of internal market-oriented culture (IMOC) and the moderating effect of job crafting. To validate these key mechanisms, the study employs a stratified random sampling method to collect data from 614 employees across manufacturing, service, and technology-intensive industries. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the hypothesized relationships. The empirical results demonstrate that ESG strategies significantly enhance sustainable organizational performance, with IMOC serving as a critical mediator linking ESG strategies to improved outcomes. Furthermore, job crafting strengthens the positive relationship between IMOC and sustainable performance, indicating that when employees proactively reshape their tasks and roles to align with ESG objectives, organizational sustainability is further enhanced. The influence of cultural context plays a crucial role in this process. The findings reveal that the effects of IMOC and job crafting are more pronounced in collectivist cultures (e.g., China and Japan), while in individualist cultures (e.g., the United States and Germany), performance improvements rely more heavily on individual incentives and feedback mechanisms. These insights provide practical guidance for MNE managers on how to tailor ESG strategies, IMOC, and job crafting approaches to specific regional and cultural settings. This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating how ESG strategies interact with internal cultural and behavioral mechanisms to drive sustainable performance in MNEs. It highlights the role of IMOC and job crafting as internal drivers that bridge ESG initiatives with tangible organizational outcomes. From a practical perspective, the findings offer actionable guidance for MNEs on how to design adaptive ESG strategies and employee engagement practices tailored to culturally diverse environments. These insights provide managers with a clear pathway to enhance employee-driven change and improve sustainable performance across global operations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Clear aligner treatment (CAT) has gained interest among clinicians as well as among patients. The aim of the present study was to systematically review the literature regarding current viewpoints on indications, contraindications, advantages, disadvantages, and adverse effects in CAT. Methods: A search was performed in the PubMed and Embase databases, yielding 18 studies eligible for inclusion. Results: Current indications for CAT are mild to moderate malocclusions. Severe malocclusions with impactions or severe craniofacial skeletal deviations are contraindications. The advantages were oral hygiene and oral health as the most common, and disadvantages of CAT have been noted by several studies, including CAT still being inferior to fixed appliance treatment (FAT) in all orthodontic movements. Adverse effects were potential health risks due to microplastics and a decrease in condyle bone volume. Conclusions: No firm conclusions can be drawn regarding indications for CAT except for mild to moderate malocclusion. Severe malocclusions with impactions or severe craniofacial skeletal deviations are considered contraindications. In more complex cases, CAT is still considered inferior to FAT, although CAT contains advantages. There are disadvantages in CAT which clinicians should consider when choosing a type of orthodontic appliance for treating specific malocclusions. Only a few adverse effects in CAT were presented by the included studies. More high-quality research is needed regarding indications and contraindications for CAT. Full article