bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF POSTHARVEST SHORT HOT‐WATER RINSING AND BRUSHING TREATMENT ON DECAY AND QUALITY OF STRAWBERRY FRUIT
Authors: JING W. , TU K. , SHAO X.F. , SU Z.P. , ZHAO Y. , WANG S. , TANG J.
Published: March 2010

Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) cv. “Feng xiang” was treated with hot water rinsing and brushing (HWRB) at 20C (control), 55C (HWRB‐55), 60C (HWRB‐60) and 65C (HWRB‐65) for 20 s. The effect of these heat treatments on fruit decay and quality was investigated after either ambient temperature storage (20C) for 3 days or cold storage (0C) for 12 days.

Results showed that HWRB treatments could significantly reduce the epiphytic microbial population on fruit surface, decay development and weight loss. Fruits treated with HWRB‐65 had the lowest decay incidence and decay index, but about 60% of the treated fruits showed heat damage and became commercially unacceptable. Fruits treated with HWRB‐60 showed less decay than the control fruits, and cold storage could enhance the effect of HWRB treatments. There were no negative effects of HWRB‐60 on fruit surface color, firmness, soluble solids content and titratable acidity.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This research investigated the effects of hot water rinsing and brushing (HWRB) treatments on decay and quality of strawberry fruit, which was susceptive of decay. HWRB treatments at 60C for 20 s significantly reduced fruit decay, did not affect its quality and could be suggested as a potential postharvest heat treatment on strawberry fruit. On a commercial scale, this short HWRB treatment would be a desirable method for treating freshly harvested produce to maintain fruit quality during postharvest period. Future work on exploring HWRB technology to a broader range of freshly harvested commodities with improved fruit quality and meeting the quarantine requirements, will help the fruit industry to develop environmentally friendly and technically effective HWRB technologies, and possibly reduce the current extensive reliance on chemical pesticides.
Hallmarks of organisations that are adapting to climate change
Authors: Wilby R.L. , Vaughan K.
Published: March 2010

This paper explores the question as to ‘what do organisations that are adapting to climate change look like?’ Examples are drawn from a survey of statutory regulations, guiding principles and organisational documents shaping current practice, with particular emphasis on the water and conservation sectors of industrialised nations. In so far as it is possible to distil recurring themes into common traits, nine hallmarks are identified. These include visionary leadership, objective setting, risk and vulnerability assessment, guidance for practitioners, organisational learning, low‐regret adaptive management, multi‐partner working, monitoring and reporting progress and effective communication. Recognising that adaptation is highly context and scale dependent, an organisation might not necessarily exhibit all these features. However, our inventory provides a practical basis for reviewing the priorities and progress on adaptation capacity building within public and private sector organisations alike.
Evaluating Migrant Integration: Political Attitudes across Generations in Europe
Authors: Maxwell Rahsaan
Published: March 2010

This article engages debates about migrant integration by analyzing political trust and satisfaction in 24 European countries. The evidence suggests that first-generation migrants have the most positive attitudes, while native-origin and second-generation migrant-origin individuals have similar political trust and satisfaction scores. To explain these outcomes, I focus on the importance of subjective integration factors related to the stages of migration. I claim that first-generation migrants, who have gone through the disruptive process of changing countries, will have lower expectations and be more likely to have positive evaluations of the host society. In comparison, native-origin and second-generation migrant-origin individuals have been raised in the same society and are likely to share perspectives toward that society's political institutions.
National Narratives and Migration: Discursive Strategies of Inclusion and Exclusion in Jordan and Lebanon
Authors: Brand Laurie A.
Published: March 2010

National narratives play a key role in state consolidation and identity construction. This article proposes four factors that may affect how a regime chooses to portray the role of migrants and migration in official historical narratives: the relationship of emigrants to the colonial versus the post-independence state; the relationship between migration and sending state economic development; and the relationship between migrants and the home state elite – either benign neglect or instrumentalization. Taking Jordan and Lebanon as cases, the presentation examines school textbooks as key sources of the national narrative to discern their treatment of major population movements. It concludes with an evaluation of the four factors, finding greatest support for that of instrumentalization.
The Effect of Economic Standing, Individual Preferences, and Co-ethnic Resources on Immigrant Residential Clustering
Authors: Fong Eric , Chan Elic
Published: March 2010

Our study examines how immigrants cluster in co-ethnic neighborhoods. We systematically explore the effects of three factors on the co-ethnic clustering of immigrants: economic resources, co-ethnic preferences, and the use of co-ethnic information sources. The study is based on a unique data set that provides rarely available rich information on housing search collected in Toronto in 2006. Focusing on Asian Indians and Chinese immigrants, the results clearly suggest that of all preferences, only co-ethnic preference is related to co-ethnic clustering of the two groups when income and use of co-ethnic resources are taken into consideration, and that levels of co-ethnic clustering are not related to the economic resources of immigrants. The findings also reveal that some effects are distinctive to specific groups. Although immigrants use various co-ethnic resources to obtain housing information, only the use of co-ethnic real estate agents is significant, and that only for the clustering of Chinese, not for Asian Indians.
Is it Race, Immigrant Status, or Both? An Analysis of Wage Disparities among Men in the United States
Authors: Stewart Quincy Thomas , Dixon Jeffrey C.
Published: March 2010

The intersection of race and immigrant status forms a unique social space where minority group members and immigrants are afforded or denied the privileges that are routinely accorded to native-born, non-Hispanic whites. Yet recent research on the intersection of race and immigrant status is inconsistent in its findings, limited to a small number of racial groups, and does not account for the geographic distribution of racial/ethnic groups. In this paper, we shed light on the intersection of race and immigrant status by answering two questions: (1) Do racial disparities in socioeconomic outcomes vary by nativity? and (2) Do native-immigrant disparities in socioeconomic outcomes vary by race? Using 2000 Census data linked to metropolitan area and sending country data, we find that racial disparities are similar and significant among natives and immigrants (Question 1). Asians, blacks, and Latinos fare significantly worse than their white counterparts in both the native and immigrant populations. Furthermore, our analysis of native-immigrant wage disparities by race reveals that the immigrant experience is considerably worse for Asians, blacks, and Latinos (Question 2). These groups also receive fewer wage returns to years spent in the U.S. and their wage disparities are magnified by the percentage of immigrants in a metropolitan area – whereas all whites receive a wage premium when living in an area with a larger share of immigrants. The results suggest that race and immigrant status work in concert to uniquely influence the social experience of immigrant minorities in the U.S.
Migration and Development: A Theoretical Perspective
Authors: de Haas Hein
Published: March 2010

The debate on migration and development has swung back and forth like a pendulum, from developmentalist optimism in the 1950s and 1960s, to neo-Marxist pessimism over the 1970s and 1980s, towards more optimistic views in the 1990s and 2000s. This paper argues how such discursive shifts in the migration and development debate should be primarily seen as part of more general paradigm shifts in social and development theory. However, the classical opposition between pessimistic and optimistic views is challenged by empirical evidence pointing to the heterogeneity of migration impacts. By integrating and amending insights from the new economics of labor migration, livelihood perspectives in development studies and transnational perspectives in migration studies – which share several though as yet unobserved conceptual parallels – this paper elaborates the contours of a conceptual framework that simultaneously integrates agency and structure perspectives and is therefore able to account for the heterogeneous nature of migration-development interactions. The resulting perspective reveals the naivety of recent views celebrating migration as self-help development “from below”. These views are largely ideologically driven and shift the attention away from structural constraints and the vital role of states in shaping favorable conditions for positive development impacts of migration to occur.
Hypospadias repair: an overview
Authors: Pfeil Michael , Lindsay Bruce
Published: March 2010

Hypospadias is a birth defect in boys where the meatus is not placed at the tip of the glans of the penis. This article reviews the rapidly developing international literature surrounding hypospadias and hypospadias repairs paying specific attention to important aspects of nursing care, including preparing for surgery, use of dressings, stents and catheters as well as medication. It concludes by considering the long‐term impact of hypospadias and its surgical correction on the patient's life. Hypospadias is treated surgically, normally during the second 6 months of the boy's life. Hospitalization periods vary from day case surgery to several days. The success of the hypospadias repair can be measured according to functional results and cosmetic appearance of the penis. The post‐operative use of dressings as well as urinary catheters or stents is common but not uniform. Complication rates for hypospadias surgery vary from below 10% in boys with distal hypospadias to above 50% in children with a proximal meatus. The most common complications are urethral fistulas, strictures and stenoses. The continuing efforts by paediatric urologists focus on further optimizing the cosmetic and functional results.
Voiding disorders among children and adolescents: surveillance after ‘voiding school’ treatment
Authors: Mohn Jannike , Bakke August , Rokne Berit
Published: March 2010

The purpose of this study was to evaluate children's lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and health‐related quality of life (HR‐QoL) 1–6 years after treatment at voiding school. One to six years after the end of treatment for non‐neurogenic voiding disorders, 108 children were contacted (36% girls, current age 8–18 years). The study was conducted in two parts: data were retrospectively collected from the (i) children's medical records to determine their symptoms at the first consultation and (ii) children's current self‐report via two different questionnaires, a voiding‐related symptom questionnaire and a HR‐QoL questionnaire (KINDLN). Fifty‐two children agreed to take part in the study: 17 girls and 35 boys, mean age 12·8 years (SD ± 2·76), median age 13·0 years. At first consultation, 58% of the children suffered from day and night incontinence (DNI), 75% from urgency and 87% from infrequent voiding. Ultrasound showed that 73% had incomplete bladder emptying. No statistically significant sex‐based differences were observed, except that girls more often reported urinary tract infections (P = 0·011). After treatment, 47% of children reported resolution, 39% significant improvement, 12% no improvement and 2% ‘don't know’. DNI was reported by 14%, urgency by 18% and infrequent voiding by 45%. There were no statistically significant correlations between the children's degree of current symptoms and their perceived HR‐QoL. The children reported fewer symptoms after treatment, indicating that attendance at voiding school might be a successful treatment modality. However, the design of the present study does not allow any conclusion to be drawn regarding cause and effect.
Intrinsic Motivation Inventory: translation and validation in Chinese women with urinary incontinence
Authors: Siu Katherine , Lopez Violeta
Published: March 2010

Female stress urinary incontinence can be treated through surgical, pharmacological and non‐surgical approaches. The behavioural intervention such as pelvic floor muscle exercise in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence had been widely studied with a cure rate from 25% to 56%. To date, there is no instrument to measure the intrinsic motivation of Chinese women with stress urinary incontinence engaged in pelvic floor muscle exercise. The aim of the study is to translate the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) into Chinese and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version. Hong Kong Chinese women (n = 150) attending the pelvic floor muscle exercise programme participated in this study. Test–retest reliability and validity of the C‐IMI was assessed. Correlation between the C‐IMI and the Chinese version of the Rosenberg self‐esteem (C‐RES) was used for criterion validity. Construct validity was examined using factor analysis. Cronbach alpha for the IMI‐C was 0·79 and test–retest reliability was 0·66. C‐IMI was correlated with C‐RES score (r = 0·25, < 0·01). The factor analysis provided five factors and accounted for 60·8% of variance. The C‐IMI could be used to help to identify people with low motivation related to adherence to pelvic floor muscle exercise, monitor intervention outcomes and improve exercise behaviour of patients not only with urinary incontinence but also in other patients who require exercise regime as a health‐promotion intervention such those undergoing cardiac rehabilitation.
Effectiveness of an Interventional Program to Improve Blood Pressure Control in Hypertensive Patients at High Risk for Developing Heart Failure: HEROIC Study
Authors: De Rivas Beatriz , Barrios Vivencio , Redón Josep , Calderón Alberto
Published: March 2010

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich).

The Efectividad de un Programa de Intervención en el Control de la Presión Arterial de los Hipertensos en Riesgo de Desarrollar Insuficiencia Cardiaca (HEROIC) study was designed to assess whether an educational program for primary care physicians could improve blood pressure (BP) control in hypertensive patients at high risk for developing heart failure. The program contained a combination of educational training (live group sessions or online training) and information feedback. Two hundred twenty‐six physicians completed the program and provided valid data in 2489 patients before and 2168 after 1 year. There was a small but significant reduction of −1.1 mm Hg (P=.009) in systolic BP and a higher proportion of patients achieved their BP target (13.6% vs 15.6%, P=.055). Thus, the authors concluded that there was a slight improvement in BP control after the educational program, but this change was not sufficient to avoid development of heart failure. More complex and intensive programs are needed for this type of prevention.
Bioeconomic losses from overharvesting tuna
Authors: Kompas Tom , Grafton R. Quentin , Che Tuong Nhu
Published: March 2010

Stochastic dynamic programming is used to model the world's largest fishery—tunas of the western and central Pacific—and to show that adopting a biomass target that maximizes the discounted economic profits (BMEY) from harvesting would result in larger stocks compared to de facto biological targets, and also lower catches relative to business as usual. This result is obtained for the three major tuna species, including skipjack tuna, which is not currently considered to be overfished biologically. Gains from larger tuna stocks are shown to exceed US$ 3 billion and increase the likelihood of stock rebuilding as some of these higher profits could be used to compensate fishers and countries for transitional losses to higher biomass levels. Adopting a dynamic BMEY target thus offers a potential “win‐win”—better conservation outcomes with larger fish stocks and higher economic profits.
Importance of estimating dispersal for endangered bird management
Authors: Van Houtan Kyle S. , Bass Jr. Oron L. , Lockwood Julie , Pimm Stuart L.
Published: March 2010

Endangered species recovery plans are frustrated by small, spatially structured populations where understanding the influence of birth, death, and dispersal is difficult. Here we use a spatially explicit, long‐term study to describe dispersal in the Cape Sable seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis). Since 1990, this species declined > 50%. It occurs as several geographically isolated subpopulations in the Florida Everglades. We characterize dispersal, recognizing that our sampling, as well as the species’ distribution, is spatially heterogeneous. The annual movements of juveniles and adults are statistically heavy‐tailed. That is, while most individuals are recaptured locally, a significant portion exhibit long‐distance dispersal. Individuals move between subpopulations to distances >30 km. Not accounting for the spatial heterogeneity of sampling or the species range itself underestimates dispersal and can lead to ineffective management decisions. Recovery focused on translocation will be less successful than strategies that protect habitat and increase breeding.
Insulin Signaling: A Possible Pathogenesis of Cardiac Hypertrophy
Authors: Yu Wei , Chen Chunjuan , Fu Yucai , Wang Xin , Wang Wei
Published: March 2010

Cardiac hypertrophy is one of the most commonly cardiovascular diseases in clinical practice. Despite the extensive studies, the pathophysiology of cardiac hypertrophy, however, remains incompletely understood. Studies have demonstrated that insulin signaling may be involved in cardiac growth and protein synthesis. More recently, a growing body of evidence suggests that insulin signaling is associated with the development of cardiac hypertrophy. The evidence for the hypotheses included that (1) several studies have demonstrated insulin is an important regulator of physiological cardiac growth; (2) PI3K–Akt pathway has been investigated as a participant in the cardiac hypertrophic program; (3) negative regulators of insulin signaling show beneficial effects on cardiac hypertrophy development; and (4) insulin signaling interaction with angiotensin II in cardiac hypertrophy. Although the studies suggest that the association between insulin signaling and cardiac hypertrophy, the exact pathogenesis of insulin signaling in cardiac hypertrophy development remains elusive and requires further investigation. Insulin signaling may provide a scientific basis for further research on the underlying mechanisms of cardiac hypertrophy and may target for pharmacological interruption of cardiac hypertrophy.
Preoperative Statin Therapy Decreases Risk of Postoperative Renal Insufficiency
Authors: Virani Salim S. , Nambi Vijay , Polsani Venkateshwar R. , Lee Vei‐Vei , Elayda MacArthur , Kohsaka Shun , Pan Wei , Reul Ross M. , Wilson James M. , Petersen Laura A. , Willerson James T. , Ballantyne Christie M.
Published: March 2010

Introduction: Although current guidelines recommend withholding statins in perioperative patients, little information is available on whether perioperative statin use increases risk for postoperative renal failure. Aims: We examined the relation between preoperative statin therapy and postoperative risk for renal insufficiency in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: Retrospective cohort review from the Texas Heart Institute research database was performed. Patients were divided into two groups: those who received preoperative statins and those who did not. Primary outcome was the development of postoperative renal insufficiency (requiring dialysis or not). Outcomes were assessed in the entire cohort and in subgroups undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), isolated valve surgery, or combined CABG and valve surgery. Results: Of 3001 patients, 56% received preoperative statins. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, preoperative statins were associated with significant reductions in risk for postoperative renal insufficiency in the entire cohort (odds ratio [OR]= 0.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38–0.95) and in patients undergoing isolated CABG (OR = 0.34, 95% CI 0.17–0.68). In patients undergoing isolated valve surgery (OR = 1.35, 95% CI 0.61–2.96) or combined CABG and valve surgery (OR = 1.39, 95% CI 0.48–3.99), preoperative statins were not associated with decreased incidence of postoperative renal insufficiency. Age >65 years, preoperative renal insufficiency, history of congestive heart failure, preoperative intra‐aortic balloon pump insertion, and total cardiopulmonary bypass time >80 min were also independent predictors associated with increased risk for postoperative renal insufficiency. Conclusions: Preoperative statin therapy was associated with decreased incidence of postoperative renal insufficiency in patients undergoing cardiac surgeries, particularly in patients undergoing isolated CABG.
Statins—Is There Potential for Uncovering New Benefits (or Detriments)?
Authors: Blazing Michael
Published: March 2010

Despite over 20 years of clinical use and 15 years of clinical trial data, we still do not have a complete understanding of the mechanisms of action or full utility of statins as a class of drugs. The possibility of their use as a treatment for prevention of peri‐operative morbidity and mortality is one of the newest indications being explored for this class of drugs. Issues regarding drug dosing and timing may rely on being able to elucidate and separate potential pleiotropic actions from lipid‐lowering actions to identify the optimal benefit of these drugs in the peri‐operative setting. Careful consideration of these two actions need to be considered in the design of adequately powered clinical trials to test the potential utility and safety of using statins in the peri‐operative setting.
A Prospective Open‐Label Trial of Lamotrigine Monotherapy in Children and Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Biederman Joseph , Joshi Gagan , Mick Eric , Doyle Robert , Georgiopoulos Anna , Hammerness Paul , Kotarski Meghan , Williams Courtney , Wozniak Janet
Published: March 2010

Aim: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of lamotrigine monotherapy as an acute treatment of bipolar mood elevation in children with bipolar spectrum disorders. Method: This was a 12‐week, open‐label, prospective trial of lamotrigine monotherapy to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of this compound in treating pediatric bipolar disorder. Assessments included the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Clinical Global Impressions‐Improvement scale (CGI‐I), Children's Depression Rating Scale (CDRS), and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Adverse events were assessed through spontaneous self‐reports, vital signs weight monitoring, and laboratory analysis. Results: Thirty‐nine children with bipolar disorder (YMRS at entry: 31.6 ± 5.5) were enrolled in the study and 22 (56%) completed the 12‐week trial. Lamotrigine was slowly titrated to an average endpoint dose of 160.7 ± 128.3 in subjects <12 years of age (N = 22) and 219.1 ± 172.2 mg/day in children 12–17 years of age (N = 17). Treatment with lamotrigine was associated with statistically significant levels of improvement in mean YMRS scores (−14.9 ± 9.7, P < 0.001) at endpoint. Lamotrigine treatment also resulted in significant improvement in the severity of depressive, attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and psychotic symptoms. Lamotrigine was generally well tolerated with marginal increase in body weight (47.0 ± 18.0 kg vs. 47.2 ± 17.9 kg, P= 0.6) and was not associated with abnormal changes in laboratory parameters. Several participants were discontinued due to skin rash; in all cases, the rash resolved shortly after discontinuation of treatment. No patient developed Steven Johnson syndrome. Conclusions: Open‐label lamotrigine treatment appears to be beneficial in the treatment of bipolar disorder and associated conditions in children. Future placebo‐controlled, double‐blind studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Bennett Michael , Heard Robert
Published: March 2010

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, and degenerative neurological illness with no cure. It has been suggested that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO2T) may slow or reverse the progress of the disease. This article summarizes the clinical evidence for the use of HBO2T in the treatment of MS. We conducted a literature review focused on the interaction of hyperbaric oxygenation and MS. In particular, we appraised the clinical data regarding treatment and performed a meta‐analysis of the randomized evidence using the methodology of the Cochrane Collaboration. We found 12 randomized studies in the area, all of which were performed between 1983 and 1987. A meta‐analysis of this evidence suggests there is no clinically significant benefit from the administration of HBO2T. The great majority of randomized trials investigated a course of 20 treatments at pressures between 1.75ATA and 2.5ATA daily for 60–120 min over 4 weeks against a placebo regimen. None have tested the efficacy of HBO2T against alternative current best practice. No plausible benefit of HBO2T on the clinical course of MS was identified in this review. It remains possible that HBO2T is effective in a subgroup of individuals not clearly identified in the trials to date, but any benefit is unlikely to be of great clinical significance. There is some case for further human trials in selected subgroups and for prolonged courses of HBO2T at modest pressures, but the case is not strong. At this time, the routine treatment of MS with HBO2T is not recommended.
Acantholytic variant of squamous cell carcinoma of the breast
Authors: Lee Tae‐Hui , Kim Young‐Bae , Lee Kyibeom , Yim Hyunee
Published: March 2010

Acantholytic variant of squamous cell carcinoma (AVSCC) of the breast typically has pseudoglandular or pseudoangiosarcomatous histopathologic features due to marked dyscohesiveness of tumor cells which have dense squamoid cytoplasm. Tumor cells show immunoexpression for cytokeratin AE1/AE3, high molecular weight cytokeratin and p63, thus pertaining squamous characteristics. We present a typical case of AVSCC of the breast with preoperative metastasis to a sentinel lymph node and one‐time recurrence. The tumor was predominantly composed of acantholytic component with minor contribution of patternless spindle cell component. Multifocal intraductal carcinomas were found within the tumor. Although some reports had mentioned about other breast cancers focally showing these characteristic features in usual invasive ductal carcinomas or metaplastic carcinomas, only nine cases have been collected as this recently defined entity since 1986. It is suggested that this tumor would be more aggressive than usual invasive ductal carcinomas based on the original report of three cases. However, additional cases of AVSCC often did not show dismal prognostic outcome. We present a typical case of AVSCC of the breast without critical progression of the disease for 38 months.
The missing link: self‐assessment and continuing professional development
Authors: Redwood C , Winning T , Townsend G
Published: March 2010

The purpose of this paper is to review current understanding of the role of self‐assessment in continuing education, particularly in the health professions, and to examine how this knowledge can assist in more effective continuing education.

The ongoing debate over compulsory continuing professional development (CPD) has seen a variety of approaches proposed. CPD programmes are expected to foster self‐assessing and self‐directed practitioners, but the common structure is reported to be largely ineffectual in modifying behaviour. If dentistry is to maintain the rights and privileges of a self‐regulating profession, then it must ensure that the development and judgement of ongoing competence is meaningful. Improving practitioners’ knowledge of the how and why of effective self‐assessment should improve participation in, and outcomes of, CPD. An oft‐repeated observation is that the least competent are the most confident. If this is the case, then the idea that dentists should be able, or entitled, to choose the path of their continuing professional development must be open to question. We propose that development of the ability of practitioners to self‐assess their ongoing requirements for CPD is essential if all stakeholders are to get the maximum return for effort.
Van der Woude syndrome: dentofacial features and implications for clinical practice
Authors: Lam AK , David DJ , Townsend GC , Anderson PJ
Published: March 2010

Background:  Van der Woude syndrome (VWS) is the most common clefting syndrome in humans. It is characterized by the association of congenital lower lip fistulae with cleft lip and/or cleft palate. VWS individuals have a high prevalence of hypodontia. Although caused by a single gene mutation, VWS has variable phenotypic expression. This study aimed to describe the range of clinical presentations in 22 individuals with VWS to facilitate its diagnosis.

Methods:  A retrospective study of 22 patients with a diagnosis of VWS was undertaken at the Australian Craniofacial Unit (ACFU) in Adelaide. Three extended families with affected members were included in the study cohort.

Results:  The overall prevalence of lip pits in this study cohort was 86%. Cleft phenotypes included bilateral cleft lip and palate (32%); unilateral cleft lip and palate (32%); submucous cleft palate (23%); and isolated cleft hard and soft palate (9%). Missing permanent teeth were reported in 86% of affected individuals.

Conclusions:  Submucous cleft palate in VWS may go undiagnosed if the lower lip pits are not detected. Associated hypodontia and resultant malocclusions will also require management by a dental team.
Short‐term clinical effects of commercially available gel containing Acacia arabica: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Pradeep AR , Happy D , Garg G
Published: March 2010

Background:  Certain plants used in folk medicine serve as a source of therapeutic agent by having antimicrobial and other multi‐potential effects. This prospective, randomized, placebo and positively controlled clinical trial was designed to evaluate the short‐term clinical effects of a commercially available gel containing Acacia arabica in the reduction of plaque and gingival inflammation in subjects with gingivitis.

Methods:  Ninety subjects diagnosed with chronic generalized gingivitis were selected and randomly divided into three groups: Group I – placebo gel, Group II – gumtone gel and Group III – 1% chlorhexidine gel. Clinical evaluation was undertaken using the gingival index of Loe and Silness and the plaque index at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 6 weeks. A subjective evaluation was undertaken by questionnaire.

Results:  Gumtone gel showed significant clinical improvement in gingival and plaque index scores as compared to a placebo gel. This improvement was comparable to 1% chlorhexidine gel. Unlike chlorhexidine gel, gumtone gel was not associated with any discolouration of teeth or unpleasant taste.

Conclusions:  Gumtone gel may be a useful herbal formulation for chemical plaque control agent and improvement in plaque and gingival status.
Usage of white mineral trioxide aggregate in a non‐vital primary molar with no permanent successor
Authors: Tunc E Sen , Bayrak S
Published: March 2010

The aim of this study was to present the treatment and long‐term follow‐up of a case in which white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA) was used in the pulpectomy of a non‐vital primary molar with no permanent successor.

The physiological, aesthetic and functional consequences of treating primary teeth without permanent successors makes this a unique challenge. In the present case, WMTA was used in the pulpectomy of a primary molar with no permanent successor in an 8‐year‐old child. The treatment was considered successful. Follow‐up examinations showed that root resorption in the mesial root surface, with no infra‐occlusion or ankylosis 36 months after treatment.

WMTA may be considered as an alternative pulpectomy material for non‐vital primary teeth with no permanent successors, although long‐term clinical studies are still needed.
Contemporary issues in dental education in Australia
Authors: Freer TJ
Published: March 2010

Australia has witnessed a proliferation of dental workforce training opportunities over the last 15 years, including dentists, dental therapists, dental hygienists and prosthetists. The reasons for this have not been examined critically. Universities have welcomed the opportunities to increase the student base but do not seem to have examined the advisability of continued expansion or its impact on the delivery and costs of health services. Nor have they enquired expressly whether they have any responsibility in these matters. Public health benefits should constitute a significant element of curriculum design. There seems to have been a general acceptance of the premise that more is necessarily better. Ironically, these developments have occurred in the face of significant recurrent cost increments and serious academic staff shortages. The schools have responded with alterations to curriculum content. Student cohort composition, course structures, educational focus, postgraduate training and research have been affected. The primary purpose of this review is to highlight the issues which currently drive workforce training and curriculum content and to suggest that some current practices should be re‐examined as a starting point for setting defined common objectives within the Australian dental educational spectrum. Salient issues which require examination include course standards and accreditation, workforce mix, dental health demands, public service obligations and staffing profiles.
The impact of changing dental needs on cost savings from fluoridation
Authors: Campain AC , Mariño RJ , Wright FAC , Harrison D , Bailey DL , Morgan MV
Published: March 2010

Background:  Although community water fluoridation has been one of the cornerstone strategies for the prevention and control of dental caries, questions are still raised regarding its cost‐effectiveness. This study assessed the impact of changing dental needs on the cost savings from community water fluoridation in Australia.

Methods:  Net costs were estimated as Costs(programme) minus Costs(averted caries). Averted costs were estimated as the product of caries increment in non‐fluoridated community, effectiveness of fluoridation and the cost of a carious surface. Modelling considered four age‐cohorts: 6–20, 21–45, 46–65 and 66+ years and three time points 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Cost of a carious surface was estimated by conventional and complex methods. Real discount rates (4, 7 (base) and 10%) were utilized.

Results:  With base‐case assumptions, the average annual cost savings/person, using Australian dollars at the 2005 level, ranged from $56.41 (1970s) to $17.75 (1990s) (conventional method) and from $249.45 (1970s) to $69.86 (1990s) (complex method). Under worst‐case assumptions fluoridation remained cost‐effective with cost savings ranging from $24.15 (1970s) to $3.87 (1990s) (conventional method) and $107.85 (1970s) and $24.53 (1990s) (complex method). For 66+ years cohort (1990s) fluoridation did not show a cost saving, but costs/person were marginal.

Conclusions:  Community water fluoridation remains a cost‐effective preventive measure in Australia.
Shear in Structural Stability: On the Engesser–Haringx Discord
Authors: Blaauwendraad Johan
Published: March 2010

Since Haringx introduced his stability hypothesis for the buckling prediction of helical springs over 60 years ago, discussion is on whether or not the older hypothesis of Engesser should be replaced in structural engineering for stability studies of shear-weak members. The accuracy and applicability of both theories for structures has been subject of study in the past by others, but quantitative information about the accuracy for structural members is not provided. This is the main subject of this paper. The second goal is to explain the experimental evidence that the critical buckling load of a sandwich beam-column surpasses the shear buckling load GAs, which is commonly not expected on basis of the Engesser hypothesis. The key difference between the two theories regards the relationship, which is adopted in the deformed state between the shear force in the beam and the compressive load. It is shown for a wide range of the ratio of shear and flexural rigidity to which extent the two theories agree and/or conflict with each other. The Haringx theory predicts critical buckling loads which are exceeding the value GAs, which is not possible in the Engesser approach. That sandwich columns have critical buckling loads larger than GAs does, however, not imply the preference of the Haringx hypothesis. This is illustrated by the introduction of the thought experiment of a compressed cable along the central axis of a beam-column in deriving governing differential equations and finding a solution for three different cases of increasing complexity: (i) a compressed member of either flexural or shear deformation, (ii) a compressed member of both flexural and shear deformations, and (iii) a compressed sandwich column. It appears that the Engesser hypothesis leads to a critical buckling load larger than GAs for layered cross section shapes and predicts the sandwich behavior very satisfactory, whereas the Haringx hypothesis then seriously overestimates the critical buckling load. The fact that the latter hypothesis is perfectly confirmed for helical springs (and elastomeric bearings) has no meaning for shear-weak members in structural engineering. Then, the Haringx hypothesis should be avoided. It is strongly recommended to investigate the stability of the structural members on the basis of the Engesser hypothesis.
Computational Design of Corrosion-Resistant Fe–Cr–Ni–Al Nanocoatings for Power Generation
Authors: Chan K. S. , Liang W. , Cheruvu N. S. , Gandy D. W.
Published: March 2010

A computational approach has been undertaken to design and assess potential Fe–Cr–Ni–Al systems to produce stable nanostructured corrosion-resistant coatings that form a protective, continuous scale of alumina or chromia at elevated temperatures. The phase diagram computation was modeled using the THERMO-CALC® software and database (Thermo-Calc® Software, 2007, THERMO-CALC for Windows Version 4, Thermo-Calc Software AB, Stockholm, Sweden; Thermo-Calc® Software, 2007, TCFE5, Version 5, Thermo-Calc Software AB, Stockholm, Sweden) to generate pseudoternary Fe–Cr–Ni–Al phase diagrams to help identify compositional ranges without the undesirable brittle phases. The computational modeling of the grain growth process, sintering of voids and interface toughness determination by indentation, assessed microstructural stability, and durability of the nanocoatings fabricated by a magnetron-sputtering process. Interdiffusion of Al, Cr, and Ni was performed using the DICTRA® diffusion code (Thermo-Calc Software®, DICTRA, Version 24, 2007, Version 25, 2008, Thermo-Calc Software AB, Stockholm, Sweden) to maximize the long-term stability of the nanocoatings. The computational results identified a new series of Fe–Cr–Ni–Al coatings that maintain long-term stability and a fine-grained microstructure at elevated temperatures. The formation of brittle σ-phase in Fe–Cr–Ni–Al alloys is suppressed for Al contents in excess of 4 wt %. The grain growth modeling indicated that the columnar-grained structure with a high percentage of low-angle grain boundaries is resistant to grain growth. Sintering modeling indicated that the initial relative density of as-processed magnetron-sputtered coatings could achieve full density after a short thermal exposure or heat-treatment. The interface toughness computation indicated that the Fe–Cr–Ni–Al nanocoatings exhibit high interface toughness in the range of 52–366J/m2. The interdiffusion modeling using the DICTRA software package indicated that inward diffusion could result in substantial to moderate Al and Cr losses from the nanocoating to the substrate during long-term thermal exposures.
Ignition and Oxidation of 50/50 Butane Isomer Blends
Authors: Donato Nicole , Aul Christopher , Petersen Eric , Zinner Christopher , Curran Henry , Bourque Gilles
Published: March 2010

One of the alkanes found within gaseous fuel blends of interest to gas turbine applications is butane. There are two structural isomers of butane, normal butane and isobutane, and the combustion characteristics of either isomer are not well known. Of particular interest to this work are mixtures of n-butane and isobutane. A shock-tube experiment was performed to produce important ignition-delay-time data for these binary butane isomer mixtures, which are not currently well studied, with emphasis on 50-50 blends of the two isomers. These data represent the most extensive shock-tube results to date for mixtures of n-butane and isobutane. Ignition within the shock tube was determined from the sharp pressure rise measured at the end wall, which is characteristic of such exothermic reactions. Both experimental and kinetics modeling results are presented for a wide range of stoichiometries (ϕ=0.3−2.0), temperatures (1056–1598 K), and pressures (1–21 atm). The results of this work serve as a validation for the current chemical kinetics model. Correlations in the form of Arrhenius-type expressions are presented, which agree well with both the experimental results and the kinetics modeling. The results of an ignition-delay-time sensitivity analysis are provided, and key reactions are identified. The data from this study are compared with the modeling results of 100% normal butane and 100% isobutane. The 50/50 mixture of n-butane and isobutane was shown to be more readily ignitable than 100% isobutane but reacts slower than 100% n-butane only for the richer mixtures. There was little difference in ignition time between the lean mixtures.
A Cyclic Life Prediction Approach for Directionally Solidified Nickel Superalloys
Authors: Mücke Roland , Woratat Piyawan
Published: March 2010

The performance of heavy duty gas turbines is closely related to the material capability of the components of the first turbine stage. In modern gas turbines single crystal (SX) and directionally solidified (DS) nickel superalloys are applied, which, compared with their conventionally cast version, hold a higher cyclic life and a significantly improved creep rupture strength. SX and DS nickel superalloys feature a significant directional dependence of the material properties. To fully exploit the material capability, the anisotropy needs to be accounted for in both the constitutive and lifing model. In this context, the paper addresses a cyclic life prediction procedure for DS materials with transverse isotropic material symmetry. Thereby, the well-known local approaches to fatigue life prediction of isotropic materials under uniaxial loading are extended toward materials with transverse isotropic properties under multiaxial load conditions. As part of the proposed methodology, a Hill type function is utilized for describing the anisotropic failure behavior. The coefficients of the Hill surface are determined from the actual multiaxial loading, material symmetry, and anisotropic fatigue strength of the material. In this paper we first characterize the anisotropy of DS superalloys. We then present the general mathematical framework of the proposed lifing procedure. Later we discuss a validation of the cyclic life model by comparing the measured and predicted fatigue lives of the test specimens. Finally, the proposed method is applied to the cyclic life prediction of a gas turbine blade.
Technical Brief: Predictions of Flow Field for Circular-Disk Bluff-Body Stabilized Flame Investigated by Large Eddy Simulation and Experiments
Authors: Guo Peiqing , Zang Shusheng , Ge Bing
Published: March 2010

The objective of the current work is to shed light on simulating the flow features of nonpremixed flame stabilized by a circular-disk bluff-body with large eddy simulation technique. Two subgrid scale (SGS) models (Smagorinsky and Germano), combined with a constrained chemical equilibrium model, are applied to simulate this turbulent flame. Validation is made through the particle image velocimetry measurements. The comparison between the numerical simulation and experimental data shows that both models perform well and reproduce most of the significant features of the bluff-body flame, while the Germano SGS model performs better in prediction of turbulent fluctuations. These investigations show that it is possible to describe such flows with relatively simple turbulence and combustion models with moderate grids.
Eddy Current Damping: A Concept Study for Steam Turbine Blading
Authors: Laborenz Jacob , Siewert Christian , Panning Lars , Wallaschek Jörg , Gerber Christoph , Masserey Pierre-Alain
Published: March 2010

In gas and steam turbine applications a common approach to prevent the blades from high cycle fatigue failures due to high vibration amplitudes is the usage of friction damping elements. Besides the intended amplitude reduction this procedure also features some possibly unwanted side effects like a shift in resonance frequencies due to stiffening effects caused by the contact. Thus, as an alternative an eddy current based noncontacting damping concept for the application in turbomachinery is investigated. In this paper two different types of eddy current dampers are considered. Theoretical models for both are established by applying electromagnetic-mechanical theory. The theoretical models are compared with forced response measurements that are performed at a stationary test rig.