Giuseppe Corrente

Local data gathering using opportunistic networking in a urban scenario

Opportunistic networking based on hand-held mobile devices is turning into a viable and efficient opportunity to locate, collect, route and share information within a swarm of collaborative nodes. In this paper we consider mobile (pedestrian and cars) and fixed terminals in a urban area that are interested in collecting the information originated from several sources. In particular, each terminal aims at retrieving the data items in a limited region of interest centered around the node position. Since data items may change over time all nodes must strive for having access to the latest version. Furthermore, for mobile terminals the region of interest is a time varying concept due to the dynamic behavior of nodes. The goal of the paper is to evaluate the amount of information each node is able to gather resorting to simple distributed data collection and sharing through opportunistic communications among neighboring nodes. In particular, we analyze the impact of node density, different mix of cars and pedestrian, and amount of node memory. Moreover, we evaluate the improvement of using location aware memory management policies as well as the effect of adding a few ideal nodes whose mobility is described by an unconstrained Brownian motion. To this end we develop a simulator based on mobility and radio propagation traces obtained from the UDelModels tools. The preliminary findings highlight that simple location aware memory management schemes effectively exploit nodes with limited amount of memory. Furthermore, increasing randomness of nodes movement has a beneficial impact on the average performance of all node types.

Implant-supported prostheses esthetic outcomes after socket preservation technique.

AbstractBone and soft tissue remodeling after tooth extraction may have dramatic effects. The socket preservation technique has demonstrated to be effective in maintaining volume before implant placement. The Pink Esthetic Score (PES) is an easy and complete evaluation of esthetic parameters. The aim of this study was to compare the PES index of anterior teeth needing to be replaced and the correspondent implant-supported prostheses after the socket preservation technique with 1 year of follow-up. Twenty-four patients were enrolled in this study. Eighteen maxillary central incisors and 6 maxillary lateral incisors were extracted, and then, every alveolar site was treated with the socket preservation technique and filled with Bio-Oss, mixed with fibrin glue, and covered with a collagen sponge. After 6 months of undisturbed healing, implants were placed and left healing for 4 months. After they were regularly loaded and at 1 year of follow-up, peri-implant PESs were recorded. All implants integrated successfully. No dropouts were recorded. Comparing PES results before extraction (mean, 12.25) and after implant loading (mean, 12.35), those around implants are similar if not better, and there are no statistically significant differences as analyzed with the t-test. The socket preservation technique combined with delayed implant placement and a standard healing time before implant loading has demonstrated to be effective in maintaining volumes and also esthetic values around implants compared with PES values before tooth extraction.

Collaborative data retrieval using opportunistic networking

In this paper we consider mobile nodes (pedestrian and vehicles) and fixed terminals in a urban area that are interested in collecting the information originated from several sources. In particular, each terminal aims at retrieving the data items in a limited region of interest centered around the node position. Furthermore, for mobile terminals the region of interest is a time varying concept due to the dynamic behavior of nodes. The goal of the paper is to evaluate the amount of information each node is able to gather resorting to simple distributed data collection and sharing through local broadcast communications among neighboring nodes.

Plasma of Argon Cleaning Treatment on Implant Abutments in Periodontally Healthy Patients: Six Years Postloading Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this randomized, match-paired, triple-blinded, controlled clinical trial was to assess the 6-year radiographic changes around customized platform-switched abutments placed according to the one abutment-one time concept, with and without plasma of argon cleaning treatment. A total of 20 periodontally healthy patients received one maxillary implant between the premolars. Immediately before stage 2 surgery and abutment connection, patients were randomly assigned to the control (cleaning protocol by steam) or test group (plasma of argon treatment). Periapical standardized digital radiographs were taken at the time of crown connection (T₀) and at 12 (T₁), 24 (T₂), 48 (T₄), 60 (T₅), and 72 months (T₆) after the final restoration delivery. Primary outcome measures were the success rates of the implants and prostheses and the occurrence of any technical and biologic complications during the follow-up period. Secondary outcome measures were peri-implant marginal bone level changes, bleeding on probing, and plaque score. Two patients (one in test and one in control group) dropped out at the last follow-up. Neither implant nor prosthetic complications were detected in the analyzed patients of both groups during the 6-year follow-up examinations. Radiographic analysis revealed a statistically significant higher mean bone loss in the control group than in the test group at T₂ (0.4 ± 0.28 mm; P = .018), T₄ (0.52 ± 0.63 mm; P = .037), T₅ (0.61 ± 0.70 mm; P = .038), and T₆ (0.71 ± 0.66 mm; P = .011), but not at T₁ (P = .131). From baseline to the 6-year follow-up, intragroup comparisons showed an absence of statistically significant difference in the test group (P = .08). Conversely, significant differences were found in the control group (P = .01). All implants demonstrated successful periodontal parameters, with no significant differences between groups. The results of this present study indicate that contaminant and bacterial removal from abutments in two-stage implants using plasma of argon could represent a positive strategy to minimize peri-implant bone resorption and longitudinally stabilize esthetic outcomes.

Sinus Floor Elevation with Modified Crestal Approach and Single Loaded Short Implants: A Case Report with 4 Years of Follow-Up

Tooth extraction is usually followed by bone reduction. In the maxillary posterior region, this remodelling combined with sinus pneumatisation and periodontal defects may lead to a reduced basal bone height available for implant placement. Sinus floor elevation can be performed with different surgical techniques. Crestal approach has demonstrated to be effective, less invasive, and associated with a reduced morbidity. This article reports a modified sinus floor elevation by means of rotary, noncutting instruments, addition of xenograft, and 2 short-threaded implant placements. The aim of the study was to evaluate the implants success and intrasinus radiographical bone gain after 4 years of functional loading. The premolar implant site presented a starting basal bone height of 6 mm, while the molar site was of 2 mm. In the first surgical step, sinus floor elevation was performed mesially and the implant was inserted, and distally only sinus floor elevation was performed. After 6 months, the mesial implant was uncovered and the second implant was inserted; 4 months later, the second fixture was uncovered, and both fixtures were loaded with single provisional screw-retained crowns and later with single screw-retained porcelain fused to metal crowns. Implants integrated successfully, and crestal bone remodelling did not exceed the smooth collar. Bone gain was 3 mm for the mesial implant and more than 5 mm for the distal one.