Agave tequilana Weber var. Blue is used as the primary raw material in tequila production due to its fructans (inulin) content. This study evaluates the formulation of a plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) consortium (Pseudomonas sp. and Shimwellia sp.) to increase sugars in A. tequilana under field conditions. A total of three doses were tested: low (5 L ha⁻¹), medium (10 L ha⁻¹), and high (15 L ha⁻¹), with a cellular density of 1 × 10⁸ CFU mL⁻¹ and one control treatment (without application). Total reducing sugars (TRS), inulin, sucrose, glucose, fructose, and plant growth were measured in agave plants aged 4–5 years at 0 (T0), 3 (T3), 6 (T6), and 12 (T12) months. Yield was recorded at T12. The TRS increased by 3%, and inulin by 5.3% in the high-dose treatment compared to the control at T12. Additionally, a low content of sucrose, glucose, and fructose (approximately 1%) was detected. At T12, the weight of agave heads increased by 31.2% in the medium dose and 22.3% in the high dose compared to the control. The high dose provided a higher inulin content. The A. tequilana plants were five years old and exhibited growth comparable to the standards for 6–7-year-old plants. This study demonstrates a sustainable strategy for tequila production, optimizing the use of natural resources and enhancing industry performance through increased sugar content and yield. Full article

The generation of high-quality wideband frequency sweeps presents a significant challenge, particularly in modern telecommunication, radar, and measurement systems where miniaturization is paramount. While phase-locked loops (PLLs) have become the dominant technique for signal generation, their application in broadband sweeps necessitates fractional-N operation. This, in turn, degrades phase noise and introduces unwanted spurs. This paper proposes a novel approach for broadband signal generation. By cascading two PLLs and utilizing a coaxial resonator, we achieve a high-performance oscillator that operates without the excessive fractional spurs, maintaining their level below −80 dBc across the entire frequency band. The prototype demonstrates non-degraded phase noise performance, reaching −102 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offset and −121 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset for signals at 10 GHz. Despite significant frequency jumps, our design achieves lock times below 41 µs. These results, supported by theoretical analysis, validate the proposed method’s effectiveness in generating low-noise broadband frequency sweeps, ideal for local oscillator applications. Full article

Multiple research directions have been proposed to study the information structure of Reddit. One of them is to model inter-subreddit relations but modeling user interactions in the form of a graph. Building upon prior work centered on political subreddits using pre-2020 data, we expand this investigation to include a more extensive dataset spanning 2022 and encompassing diverse topic areas. Employing NLP techniques such as text embeddings, we model subreddit content directly and construct a subreddit graph network based on cosine similarity. Community detection using the Louvain method reveals distinct subreddits and allows the analysis of inter-community connections via previous works’ concepts of “bridges” and “gateways”. Surprisingly, our findings indicate redundancy between bridges and gateways in the utilized dataset. Therefore, we introduce a new concept, “highways”. Highways, representing the most traversed paths between subreddits, unveil insights not captured by previous analyses, underscoring the significance of novel conceptual frameworks in uncovering latent knowledge within Reddit’s online community structures. Full article

There is no practical and at the same time objective colour system available for describing cultivated roses (Rosa L. cultivars). For this reason, a new colour classification system was developed which is colorimetrically balanced and appropriate for algorithmic colour identification; however, it is also suitable for field-work. The system is based on the following colorimetric criteria: (A) Each colour category is characterised by a measured petal colour in the CIE L*a*b* standard as the centroid of the category. (B) The CIEDE2000 colour differences between the adjacent centroid colours are limited (5 < ΔE₀₀ < 7). (C) The maximal colour difference between the measured colours in a category is also limited (to 12.12 ΔE₀₀). (D) A measured petal colour can only be classified into an existing category if the colour difference from the centroid colour of the given category is less than 5.81 ΔE₀₀, otherwise a new category is required. (E) A category is only considered non-redundant if it has at least one measured petal colour that cannot be classified elsewhere. (F) The classification of the petal colours is based on the least colour difference from the centroid colours. As a result, 133 colour categories were required for describing all the 8139 petal colours of the rose cultivars of the Budatétény Rose Garden (Hungary). Each colour category has the following parameters: standardised colour name, the colorimetric parameters of the centroid, grouping, RHS colour chart coding, and reference cultivars, which are described in the article. Full article

Induction motors are widely applied in motor drive systems. Effective temperature monitoring is one of the keys to ensuring the reliability and optimal performance of the motors. Therefore, this paper introduces a multiplexed optical temperature sensing system for induction motors based on few-mode fiber (FMF) spatial mode diversity. By using the spatial mode dimension of FMF, fiber Bragg grating (FBG) carried by different spatial modes of optical paths is embedded in different positions of the motor to realize multipoint synchronous multiplexing temperature monitoring. The paper establishes and demonstrates a photonic lantern-based mode division sensing system for motor temperature monitoring. As a proof of concept, the system demonstrates experiments in multiplexed temperature sensing for motor stators using the fundamental mode LP₀₁ and high-order spatial modes LP₁₁, LP₂₁, and LP₀₂. The FBG sensitivity carried by the above mode is 0.0107 nm/°C, 0.0106 nm/°C, 0.0097 nm/°C, and 0.0116 nm/°C, respectively. The dynamic temperature changes in the stator at different positions of the motor under speeds of 1k rpm, 1.5k rpm, 2k rpm with no load, 3 kg load, and 5 kg load, as well as at three specific speed–load combinations of 1.5k rpm_3 kg, 1k rpm_0kg, 2k rpm_5 kg and so on are measured, and the measured results of different spatial modes are compared and analyzed. The findings indicate that different spatial modes can accurately reflect temperature variations at various positions in motor stator winding. Full article

Coordinated load restoration of integrated electric and heating systems (IEHSs) has become indispensable following natural disasters due to the increasingly relevant integration between power distribution systems (PDS) and district heating systems (DHS). In this paper, a coordinated reconfiguration with an energy storage system is introduced to optimize load restoration in the aftermath of natural catastrophes. By modifying the DHS network topology, it is possible to maintain an uninterrupted energy supply in unfaulty zones by shifting heat loads among sources and adjusting the operation of coupled devices. Additionally, energy storage systems with rapid response times are implemented to enhance load restoration efficiency, especially when working in conjunction with multiple energy sources. Comprehensive case analyses have been systematically conducted to demonstrate the impact of coordinated reconfiguration with energy storage systems on improving load restoration. Full article

An hourglass-shaped magnetic field pattern arises naturally from the gravitational collapse of a star-forming gas cloud. Most studies have focused on the prestellar collapse phase, when the structure has a smooth and monotonic radial profile. However, most observations target dense clouds that already contain a central protostar, and possibly a circumstellar disk. We utilize an analytic treatment of the magnetic field along with insights gained from simulations to develop a more realistic magnetic field model for the protostellar phase. Key elements of the model are a strong radial magnetic field in the region of rapid collapse, an off-center peak in the magnetic field strength (a consequence of magnetic field dissipation in the circumstellar disk), and a strong toroidal field that is generated in the region of rapid collapse and outflow generation. A model with a highly pinched and twisted magnetic field pattern in the inner collapse zone facilitates the interpretation of magnetic field patterns observed in protostellar clouds. Full article

This study is an in-depth exploration of the nascent field of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), and it concentrates on the vital task of distinguishing between human-generated text and content that has been produced by AI models. Particularly, this research pioneers the identification of financial text derived from AI models such as ChatGPT and paraphrasing tools like QuillBot. While our primary focus is on financial content, we have also pinpointed texts generated by paragraph rewriting tools and utilized ChatGPT for various contexts this multiclass identification was missing in previous studies. In this paper, we use a comprehensive feature extraction methodology that combines TF–IDF with Word2Vec, along with individual feature extraction methods. Importantly, combining a Random Forest model with Word2Vec results in impressive outcomes. Moreover, this study investigates the significance of the window size parameters in the Word2Vec approach, revealing that a window size of one produces outstanding scores across various metrics, including accuracy, precision, recall and the F1 measure, all reaching a notable value of 0.74. In addition to this, our developed model performs well in classification, attaining AUC values of 0.94 for the ‘GPT’ class; 0.77 for the ‘Quil’ class; and 0.89 for the ‘Real’ class. We also achieved an accuracy of 0.72, precision of 0.71, recall of 0.72, and F1 of 0.71 for our extended prepared dataset. This study contributes significantly to the evolving landscape of AI text identification, providing valuable insights and promising directions for future research. Full article

DC railway electrification was deployed at the beginning of the 20th century in several countries in Europe. Today, this power system is no longer adapted to the demands of increased rail traffic. Due to the relatively low voltage level, the current consumed by the trains reaches several kAs. So, in the worst case, the locomotives cannot operate at their rated power due to the voltage drop along the contact line. Conventional solutions to reduce the voltage drop consist of increasing the cross-section of overhead lines or reducing the length of sectors by installing additional substations. Nevertheless, these solutions are expensive and not always feasible. The implementation of a Modular Battery Energy Storage System (MBESS) can be an alternative solution to reinforce the railway power supply. This paper first presents an MBESS based on elementary blocks associating Full-SiC Isolated DC-DC converter and battery racks. The electrical models of a railway sector and an elementary block are described, and simulations are performed considering real railroad traffic on two sectors of the French National Rail Network, electrified at 1.5 kV. The results show that the installation of an MBESS in the railway sector boosts the locomotive’s voltage while also increasing overall system efficiency. Full article

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) in programming assistance has garnered researchers’ attention for its potential to reduce learning costs for users, increase work efficiency, and decrease repetitive coding tasks. However, given the novelty of AI Coding Assistant Tools (AICATs), user acceptance is currently limited, and the factors influencing this phenomenon are unclear. This study proposes an expanded model based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) that incorporates the characteristics of AICAT users to explore the key factors affecting college students’ willingness to use AICATs. Utilizing a survey methodology, 303 Chinese participants completed the questionnaire. Factor analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) results indicate that users’ dependence worry (DW) about AICATs positively affects perceived risk (PR), which in turn negatively impacts perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU), thus reducing user willingness to use. Dependence concerns also negatively impact perceived trust (PT), while PT positively affects PU and PEOU, thereby enhancing willingness to use. Additionally, a user’s self-efficacy (SE) negatively impacts DW and positively affects PEOU. This study discusses the potential significance of these findings and offers suggestions for AICAT developers to foster and promote widespread use. Full article

Vitamin D₃ is a steroid hormone that confers anti-tumorigenic properties in prostate cells. Serum vitamin D₃ deficiency has been associated with advanced prostate cancer (PCa), particularly affecting African American (AA) men. Therefore, elucidating the pleiotropic effects of vitamin D on signaling pathways, essential to maintaining non-malignancy, may provide additional drug targets to mitigate disparate outcomes for men with PCa, especially AA men. We conducted RNA sequencing on an AA non-malignant prostate cell line, RC-77N/E, comparing untreated cells to those treated with 10 nM of vitamin D₃ metabolite, 1α,25(OH)₂D₃, at 24 h. Differential gene expression analysis revealed 1601 significant genes affected by 1α,25(OH)₂D₃ treatment. Pathway enrichment analysis predicted 1α,25(OH)₂D_3- mediated repression of prostate cancer, cell proliferation, actin cytoskeletal, and actin-related signaling pathways (p < 0.05). Prioritizing genes with vitamin D response elements and associating expression levels with overall survival (OS) in The Cancer Genome Atlas Prostate Adenocarcinoma (TCGA PRAD) cohort, we identified ANLN (Anillin) and ECT2 (Epithelial Cell Transforming 2) as potential prognostic PCa biomarkers. Both genes were strongly correlated and significantly downregulated by 1α,25(OH)₂D₃ treatment, where low expression was statistically associated with better overall survival outcomes in the TCGA PRAD public cohort. Increased ANLN and ECT2 mRNA gene expression was significantly associated with PCa, and Gleason scores using both the TCGA cohort (p < 0.05) and an AA non-malignant/tumor-matched cohort. Our findings suggest 1α,25(OH)₂D₃ regulation of these biomarkers may be significant for PCa prevention. In addition, 1α,25(OH)₂D₃ could be used as an adjuvant treatment targeting actin cytoskeleton signaling and actin cytoskeleton-related signaling pathways, particularly among AA men. Full article

Crosstalk regulation is widespread in Streptomyces species. Elucidating the influence of a specific regulator on target biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) and cell metabolism is crucial for strain improvement through regulatory protein engineering. PteF and PteR are two regulators that control the biosynthesis of filipin, which competes for building blocks with avermectins in Streptomyces avermitilis. However, little is known about the effects of PteF and PteR on avermectin biosynthesis. In this study, we investigated their impact on avermectin biosynthesis and global cell metabolism. The deletion of pteF resulted in a 55.49% avermectin titer improvement, which was 23.08% higher than that observed from pteR deletion, suggesting that PteF plays a more significant role in regulating avermectin biosynthesis, while PteF hardly influences the transcription level of genes in avermectin and other polyketide BGCs. Transcriptome data revealed that PteF exhibited a global regulatory effect. Avermectin production enhancement could be attributed to the repression of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and fatty acid biosynthetic pathway, as well as the enhancement of pathways supplying acyl-CoA precursors. These findings provide new insights into the role of PteF on avermectin biosynthesis and cell metabolism, offering important clues for designing and building efficient metabolic pathways to develop high-yield avermectin-producing strains. Full article

Ticks transmit a variety of pathogens to their hosts by feeding on blood. The interactions and struggle between tick pathogens and hosts have evolved bilaterally. The components of tick saliva can directly or indirectly trigger host biological responses in a manner that promotes pathogen transmission; however, host cells continuously develop strategies to combat pathogen infection and transmission. Moreover, it is still unknown how host cells develop their defense strategies against tick-borne viruses during tick sucking. Here, we found that the tick saliva peptide HIDfsin2 enhanced the antiviral innate immunity of mouse macrophages by activating the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway, thereby restricting tick-borne severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) replication. HIDfsin2 was identified to interact with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a ligand of TLR4, and then depolymerize LPS micelles into smaller particles, effectively enhancing the activation of the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and type I interferon (IFN-I) signaling pathways, which are downstream of TLR4. Expectedly, TLR4 knockout completely eliminated the promotion effect of HIDfsin2 on NF-κB and type I interferon activation. Moreover, HIDfsin2 enhanced SFTSV replication in TLR4-knockout mouse macrophages, which is consistent with our recent report that HIDfsin2 hijacked p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) to promote the replication of tick-borne SFTSV in A549 and Huh7 cells (human cell lines) with low expression of TLR4. Together, these results provide new insights into the innate immune mechanism of host cells following tick bites. Our study also shows a rare molecular event relating to the mutual antagonism between tick-borne SFTSV and host cells mediated by the tick saliva peptide HIDfsin2 at the tick–host–virus interface. Full article

Fermentation parameters, especially the duration, are important in imparting a peculiar taste and flavor to soy sauce. The main purpose of this research was to monitor metabolic changes occurring during the various time intervals of the fermentation process. NMR-based metabolomics was used to monitor the compositional changes in soy sauce during fermentation. The ¹H-NMR spectra of the soy sauce samples taken from the fermentation tanks at 0 to 8 months were analyzed using ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, and the obtained spectra were analyzed by multivariate statistical analysis. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Square Discriminate analysis (PLSDA) revealed the separation of samples fermented for various time durations under identical conditions. Key metabolites shown by corresponding loading plots exhibited variations in amino acids (lysine, threonine, isoleucine, etc.), acetate, glucose, fructose, sucrose, ethanol, glycerol, and others. The levels of ethanol in soy sauce increased with longer fermentation durations, which can be influenced by both natural fermentation and the intentional addition of ethanol as a preservative. The study shows that the variation in metabolite can be very efficiently monitored using ¹H-NMR-based metabolomics, thus suggestion to optimize the time duration to get the soy sauce product with the desired taste and flavor. Full article

Non-high-risk (non-HR) neuroblastoma (NB) patients have excellent outcomes, with more than a 90% survival rate, whereas HR NB patients expect less than a 50% survival rate. Metastatic disease is the principal cause of death among both non-HR and HR NB patients. Previous studies have reported the significant but limited prognostic value of quantitative PCR (qPCR)-based assays, measuring overlapping but different sets of neuroblastoma-associated mRNAs (NB-mRNAs), to detect metastatic disease in both non-HR and HR patient samples. A droplet digital PCR (ddPCR)-based assay measuring seven NB-mRNAs (CRMP1, DBH, DDC, GAP43, ISL1, PHOX2B, and TH mRNAs) was recently developed and exhibited a better prognostic value for HR patient samples than qPCR-based assays. However, it remained to be tested on non-HR patient samples. In the present study, we employed the ddPCR-based assay to study peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) samples collected at diagnosis from eight non-HR and eleven HR cases and characterized the expression profiles of NB-mRNAs. The most highly expressed NB-mRNAs in PB and BM differed between non-HR and HR cases, with the CRMP1 mRNA being predominant in non-HR cases and the GAP43 mRNA in HR cases. The levels of NB-mRNAs in PB and BM were 5 to 1000 times lower in non-HR cases than in HR cases. The PB to BM ratio of NB-mRNAs was 10 to 100 times higher in non-HR cases compared to HR cases. The present case series suggests that non-HR and HR NB patients have the distinct expression profiles of NB-mRNAs in their PB and BM. Full article

Endometriosis is a gynecological disorder associated with local inflammation and neuroproliferation. Increased nerve bundle density has been attributed to increased expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and interleukin–1β (IL-1β). Immunohistochemical analysis was carried out on 12 patients presenting with all three anatomic subtypes of endometriosis (deep, superficial peritoneal, endometrioma) at surgery, with at least two surgically excised subtypes available for analysis. Immunolocalization for nerve bundle density around endometriosis using protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5), as well as NGF and IL-1β histoscores in endometriosis epithelium/stroma, was performed to evaluate differences in scores between lesions and anatomic subtypes per patient. Intra-individual heterogeneity in scores across lesions was assessed using the coefficient of variation (CV). The degree of score variability between subtypes was evaluated using the percentage difference between mean scores from one subtype to another subtype for each marker. PGP9.5 nerve bundle density was heterogenous across multiple subtypes of endometriosis, ranging from 50.0% to 173.2%, where most patients (8/12) showed CV ≥ 100%. The percentage difference in scores showed that PGP9.5 nerve bundle density and NGF and IL-1β expression were heterogenous between anatomic subtypes within the same patient. Based on these observations of intra-individual heterogeneity, we conclude that markers of neuroproliferation in endometriosis should be stratified by anatomic subtype in future studies of clinical correlation. Full article

The glyoxalase system, comprising GLO1 and GLO2 enzymes, is integral in detoxifying methylglyoxal (MGO) generated during glycolysis, with dysregulation implicated in various cancer types. The MEK/ERK/SMAD1 signaling pathway, crucial in cellular processes, influences tumorigenesis, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Altered GLO1 expression in cancer showcases its complex role in cellular adaptation and cancer aggressiveness. GLO2 exhibits context-dependent functions, contributing to both proapoptotic and antiapoptotic effects in different cancer scenarios. Research highlights the interconnected nature of these systems, particularly in ovarian cancer and breast cancer. The glyoxalase system’s involvement in drug resistance and its impact on the MEK/ERK/SMAD1 signaling cascade underscore their clinical significance. Furthermore, this review delves into the urgent need for effective biomarkers, exemplified in ovarian cancer, where the RAGE-ligand pathway emerges as a potential diagnostic tool. While therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways hold promise, this review emphasizes the challenges posed by context-dependent effects and intricate crosstalk within the cellular milieu. Insights into the molecular intricacies of these pathways offer a foundation for developing innovative therapeutic approaches, providing hope for enhanced cancer diagnostics and tailored treatment strategies. Full article

Posiphen is a small molecule that exhibits neuroprotective properties by targeting multiple neurotoxic proteins involved in axonal transport, synaptic transmission, neuroinflammation, and cell death. Its broad-spectrum effects make it a promising candidate for treating neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Despite extensive investigation with animal models and human subjects, a comprehensive comparative analysis of Posiphen’s pharmacokinetics across studies remains elusive. Here, we address this gap by examining the metabolic profiles of Posiphen and its breakdown into two primary metabolites—N1 and N8—across species by measuring their concentrations in plasma, brain, and CSF using the LC-MS/MS method. While all three compounds effectively inhibit neurotoxic proteins, the N1 metabolite is associated with adverse effects. Our findings reveal the species-specific behavior of Posiphen, with both Posiphen and N8 being predominant in various species, while N1 remains a minor constituent, supporting the drug’s safety. Moreover, in plasma, Posiphen consistently showed fast clearance of all metabolites within 8 h in animal models and in human subjects, whereas in CSF or brain, the compound has an extended half-life of over 12 h. Combining all our human data and analyzing them by population pharmacokinetics showed that there are no differences between healthy volunteers, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s patients. It also showed that Posiphen is absorbed and metabolized in a similar fashion across all animal species and human groups tested. These observations have critical implications for understanding the drug’s safety, therapeutic effect, and clinical translation. Full article

This study investigated the impacts of students’ mood states and background sound levels on students’ sound perceptions and academic performance in four library rooms. The background sound level was measured for five days. Meanwhile, around 300 students were invited to participate in a survey of questions about their acoustic perceptions and mood states and a concentration test. Pearson correlation, one-way ANOVA, and two-way ANOVA were applied to establish the relationships between the LAeq, students’ mood states, acoustic perceptions, and concentration levels on both the individual level and the room level and to identify the interaction effect between the background sound levels and mood states on students’ acoustic perception and concentration. The results indicated that LAeq in learning spaces significantly impacted students’ acoustic satisfaction, but only at the room level. In contrast, mood states mainly influenced students’ sound perception and concentration at the individual level. Furthermore, this study reports significant interaction effects between mood state and LAeq on students’ sound perceptions and reveals different impacts of mood states due to different sound levels. These results could help improve occupants’ acoustic perceptions and performance in learning spaces in the future. Full article

Laser activation can lead to the formation of a layer of aluminum on the surface of aluminum nitride ceramics, thereby preparing metal circuits. Under various gas environments, there are differences in the aluminum layers precipitated by laser-activated aluminum nitride ceramics. The existing literature uses the width of the metal layer to characterize this difference, and these data are very imprecise. Usually, laser energy density is used to describe this processing difference. However, the existing concept of laser energy density is an average value and is not suitable for the threshold of laser activation, because the intensity gradient of the focused Gaussian beam is large, and different intensity distributions represent different energy levels. This article applied a precise concept of laser energy density that sees it as being proportional to light intensity and can be used to evaluate the difference in laser energy density required for the decomposition of aluminum nitride ceramics under various gas bath conditions precisely. Due to the strong energy of a focused Gaussian beam, it is not possible to directly obtain the intensity distribution. Here, the intensity distribution of the collimated beam was used to indirectly obtain the intensity distribution of the focused Gaussian beam, and the threshold values for laser activation under different gas baths were calculated. It was found that the minimum energy density in air increased by 12.5%, and the minimum energy density in nitrogen increased by 3%, using the minimum energy density required for laser activation in argon as the reference. Full article

The demand for easy-to-use, affordable, accessible, and reliable technology is increasing in biological, chemical, and medical research. Microfluidic devices have the potential to meet these standards by offering cost-effective, highly sensitive, and highly specific diagnostic tests with rapid performance and minimal sample volumes. Traditional microfluidic device fabrication methods, such as photolithography and soft lithography, are time-consuming and require specialized equipment and expertise, making them costly and less accessible to researchers and clinicians and limiting the applicability and potential of microfluidic devices. To address this, researchers have turned to using new low-cost materials, such as double-sided tape for microfluidic device fabrication, which offers simple and low-cost processes. The innovation of low-cost and easy-to-make microfluidic devices improves the potential for more devices to be transitioned from laboratories to commercialized products found in stores, offices, and homes. This review serves as a comprehensive summary of the growing interest in and use of double-sided tape-based microfluidic devices in the last 20 years. It discusses the advantages of using double-sided tape, the fabrication techniques used to create and bond microfluidic devices, and the limitations of this approach in certain applications. Full article

This study aimed to compare the impact of CAD/CAM closed systems and open systems on the marginal gap of monolithic zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS) ceramic crowns, as both systems are used in everyday dentistry, both chair-side and laboratory. For the closed system, 20 plastic teeth were scanned by a Primescan intra-oral scanner (IOS), and for the open system, the same number of plastic teeth were scanned by Trios 4 IOS. For the closed system, CEREC software was used, and for the open system, EXOCAD software was used. All 40 ZLS crowns were grinded by the same four-axis machine and cemented with Temp-bond, followed by self-adhesive resin cement. For each type of cement, an evaluation of the marginal gap was conducted by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Before comparisons between the groups, a Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was performed on the study variables showing a normal distribution (p > 0.05). Independent T tests (α = 0.05) and paired-sample T tests (α = 0.05) were used. The independent T test found no significant mean marginal gap differences in the zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate crowns bonded with Temp-bond and scanned by Primescan (28.09 μm ± 3.06) compared to Trios 4 (28.94 μm ± 3.30) (p = 0.401), and there was no significant mean marginal gap differences in zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate crowns bonded with self-adhesive resin cement (Gcem ONE) and scanned by Primescan (46.70 μm ± 3.80) compared to Trios 4 (47.79 μm ± 2.59) (p = 0.295). Paired-sample T tests showed significantly higher mean marginal gaps with Gcem ONE compared to Temp-bond for the total mean marginal gap when scanning with Primescan (p = 0.0005) or Trios 4 (p = 0.0005). In everyday dentistry, both closed systems (Primescan with Cerec) and open systems (Trios 4 with Exocad) can be used to achieve an acceptable (<120 µm) marginal gap for ZLS CELTRA^® DUO single crowns. There is a significant difference between cementation with Temp-bond and Gcem ONE self-adhesive resin cement (p < 0.05). Full article