To evaluate a novel methodology using industrial scanners as a reference, and assess in vivo accuracy of 3 intraoral scanners (IOS) and conventional impressions. Further, to evaluate IOS precision in vivo. Four reference-bodies were bonded to the buccal surfaces of upper premolars and incisors in five subjects. After three reference-scans, ATOS Core 80 (ATOS), subjects were scanned three times with three IOS systems: 3M True Definition (3M), CEREC Omnicam (OMNI) and Trios 3 (TRIOS). One conventional impression (IMPR) was taken, 3M Impregum Penta Soft, and poured models were digitized with laboratory scanner 3shape D1000 (D1000). Best-fit alignment of reference-bodies and 3D Compare Analysis was performed. Precision of ATOS and D1000 was assessed for quantitative evaluation and comparison. Accuracy of IOS and IMPR were analyzed using ATOS as reference. Precision of IOS was evaluated through intra-system comparison. Precision of ATOS reference scanner (mean 0.6 μm) and D1000 (mean 0.5 μm) was high. Pairwise multiple comparisons of reference-bodies located in different tooth positions displayed a statistically significant difference of accuracy between two scanner-groups: 3M and TRIOS, over OMNI (p value range 0.0001 to 0.0006). IMPR did not show any statistically significant difference to IOS. However, deviations of IOS and IMPR were within a similar magnitude. No statistical difference was found for IOS precision. The methodology can be used for assessing accuracy of IOS and IMPR in vivo in up to five units bilaterally from midline. 3M and TRIOS had a higher accuracy than OMNI. IMPR overlapped both groups. Intraoral scanners can be used as a replacement for conventional impressions when restoring up to ten units without extended edentulous spans.

We suggest a procedure for estimating Nth degree polynomial approximations to unknown (or known) probability density functions (PDFs) based on N statistical moments from each distribution. The procedure is based on the method of moments and is setup algorithmically to aid applicability and to ensure rigor in use. In order to show applicability, polynomial PDF approximations are obtained for the distribution families Normal, Log-Normal, Weibull as well as for a bimodal Weibull distribution and a data set of anonymized household electricity use. The results are compared with results for traditional PDF series expansion methods of Gram–Charlier type. It is concluded that this procedure is a comparatively simple procedure that could be used when traditional distribution families are not applicable or when polynomial expansions of probability distributions might be considered useful approximations. In particular this approach is practical for calculating convolutions of distributions, since such operations become integrals of polynomial expressions. Finally, in order to show an advanced applicability of the method, it is shown to be useful for approximating solutions to the Smoluchowski equation.

At the stage of design load analysis for offshore installations such as wave energy systems, a critical step is the determination of environmental cases to be evaluated for the definition of the characteristic design load. A commonly used methodology for load case selection, applied in multiple studies and recommended by technical specifications and guidelines, is the environmental contour approach. Here, 50-year environmental contours were generated for four study sites located in the North Sea, Skagerrak and the Baltic Sea by considering both observations and hindcast (model) data. For the construction of the contours, the well-established inverse first-order method (I-FORM) and a modified version using principal component analysis (PCA) were both examined. Furthermore, a 2-dimensional peaks-over-threshold (2D POT) method was evaluated. It was found that a version of the regular I-FORM was able to produce satisfactory contours which properly accounted for the highest waves. When using PCA, the dependency in the data was not properly captured by the probability functions under consideration. The 2D POT method, where applicable, was found to underestimate the extreme sea states. Comparisons between contours obtained from observations and hindcast data showed that the contours may differ substantially depending on the site and method, and thus care must be exercised when using hindcast data for such purposes.

Campylobacteriosis is the most frequently reported foodborne illness in Europe and many other parts of the world. Campylobacter can colonize the intestines of broilers, most often in large amounts. Broilers are usually slaughtered in a high-speed automated system that can rupture the intestines during evisceration, resulting in contamination of carcasses with intestinal bacteria such as Campylobacter. This study evaluated the combined effect of ultrasound and steam (SonoSteam®) on naturally contaminated chicken carcasses at a large-scale abattoir in Sweden. Ultrasound at 30-40 kHz and steam at 84-85 °C or 87-88 °C was used at slaughter with a line speed of 18 000 birds per hour. The amount of Campylobacter spp., Enterobacteriaceae , Escherichia coli , and total aerobic bacteria on neck skins from 103 chicken carcasses, sampled before and after treatment by SonoSteam, was analyzed.Campylobacter spp. was detected in 58 (56%) of the 103 neck skins, from birds belonging to four of the seven flocks represented. All 58 isolates were identified as Campylobacter jejuni . After the SonoSteam treatment, a mean reduction in C. jejuni, Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli and total aerobic bacteria were log 0.5 ± 0.8, log 0.6 ± 0.6, log 0.5 ± 0.6, log 0.4 ± 0.7 CFU/g respectively. No significant differences in reduction between the two different treatment temperatures was observed for any of the bacteria.Although the bacterial reductions were significant, large amounts of bacteria remained on the carcasses after treatment. Further studies are needed to identify optimal measures at slaughter to reduce food spoilage bacteria and pathogenic bacteria, which should be considered in a One Health perspective.

Transport crates for poultry can contribute to the spread of pathogens, with those of public health interest, for example, Campylobacter, being of particular importance. A strict cleaning procedure and use of an effective disinfection method for transport equipment are thus important to avoid introduction of Campylobacter to chicken and poultry farms, particularly during flock thinning. This study evaluated the efficacy of the disinfection procedure currently in use at one of the largest slaughter plants in Sweden and compared the effects with those of other disinfection methods. The evaluation was based on treatment ability to reduce the presence and amount of indicator bacteria belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae and total aerobic bacteria. In 4 trials, sodium hypochlorite, peracetic acid, and drying with hot air, with or without sodium hypochlorite for final disinfection, were compared. The analysis was based on 40 cotton swab samples taken in each treatment, 20 after the soaking stage and 20 after the final disinfection step.

Proper cleaning and disinfection (C&D) of broiler houses is essential to eliminate pathogenic bacteria and minimize the risk of transmitting harmful microorganisms to subsequent broiler flocks. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of various C&D methods, examine key factors influencing broiler house hygiene, and evaluate the impact of commonly used disinfectants. In the first part of the study, C&D procedures were evaluated. Eighteen broiler producers collected dip slide samples after disinfection from 20 control points within a broiler house over four production rotations, resulting in a total of 1,440 samples. The second part of the study assessed the effectiveness of four commonly used disinfectants on farms with broiler houses divided into four compartments, each cleaned under the same standardized protocol. Sampling was conducted by collecting 15 dip slides from each compartment both before and after disinfection over two production rounds at each farm, resulting in a total of 720 samples. Despite the large sample size, only a few factors significantly impacted the results. Pre-soaking surfaces with water before cleaning, combined with the use of detergents, were two improving factors. Additionally, fogging and high-pressure washing were also effective in reducing bacterial loads. To maximize bacterial reduction, disinfectants should be evenly applied across all surfaces. Neither the age nor the size of the houses showed a significant correlation with bacterial counts. When comparing the effectiveness of different disinfectants under identical cleaning routines and broiler house conditions, no significant differences were found between the substances. However, variations were observed among the different broiler producers, with one farm showing a greater bacterial reduction, with a reduction above 400 CFU at more control points compared to the other farms suggesting that overall farm hygiene plays a crucial role. Ultimately, effective C&D does not depend on the disinfectant but, rather, on the combined influence of all C&D variables, most importantly, on the diligence and technique of the person responsible for the process.