bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brush Polymer of Donor-Accepter Dyads via Adduct Formation between Lewis Base Polymer Donor and All Carbon Lewis Acid Acceptor
Authors: Wang Yang , Hong Miao , Bailey Travis , Chen Eugene
Published: September 2017

A synthetic method that taps into the facile Lewis base (LB)→Lewis acid (LA) adduct forming reaction between the semiconducting polymeric LB and all carbon LA C60 for the construction of covalently linked donor-acceptor dyads and brush polymer of dyads is reported. The polymeric LB is built on poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) macromers containing either an alkyl or vinyl imidazolium end group that can be readily converted into the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) LB site, while the brush polymer architecture is conveniently constructed via radical polymerization of the macromer P3HT with the vinyl imidazolium chain end. Simply mixing of such donor polymeric LB with C60 rapidly creates linked P3HT-C60 dyads and brush polymer of dyads in which C60 is covalently linked to the NHC junction connecting the vinyl polymer main chain and the brush P3HT side chains. Thermal behaviors, electronic absorption and emission properties of the resulting P3HT-C60 dyads and brush polymer of dyads have been investigated. The results show that a change of the topology of the P3HT-C60 dyad from linear to brush architecture enhances the crystallinity and Tm of the P3HT domain and, along with other findings, they indicate that the brush polymer architecture of donor-acceptor domains provides a promising approach to improve performances of polymer-based solar cells.
Spiropyran-Isoquinoline Dyad as a Dual Chemosensor for Co(II) and In(III) Detection
Authors: Kho Yong-Min , Shin Eun
Published: September 2017

Spiropyran derivatives have been studied as light-regulated chemosensors for a variety of metal cations and anions, but there is little research on chemosensors that simultaneously detect multiple metal cations. In this study, a spiropyran derivative with isoquinoline, SP-IQ, was prepared and it functions investigated as a light-regulated sensor for both Co2+ and In3+ cations. A colorless nonfluorescent SP-IQ converts to a pink-colored fluorescent MC-IQ by UV irradiation or standing in the dark, and MC-IQ returns to SP-IQ with visible light. Upon UV irradiation with the Co2+ cation for 7 min, the stronger absorption at 540 nm and the similar fluorescence intensity at 640 nm are observed, compared to when no metal cation is added, due to the formation of a Co2+ complex with pink color and pink fluorescence. When placed in the dark with the In3+ cation for 7 h, the colorless solution of SP-IQ changes to the In3+ complex with yellow color and pink fluorescence, which shows strong absorption at 410 nm and strong fluorescence at 640 nm. Selective detection of the Co2+ cation with UV irradiation and the In3+ cation in the dark could be possible with SP-IQ by both absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy or by the naked eye.
Implementing a Health and Wellbeing Programme for Children in Early Childhood: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Munday Karen , Wilson Megan
Published: September 2017

In New Zealand, there is a high prevalence of childhood poverty and food insecurity, which can impact a family’s ability to provide high quality, nutrient dense foods for their children. In an attempt to increase the quality of the food consumed by children attending a decile two (low socio-economic) kindergarten and to address food insecurity issues, an educational health and wellness initiative, in conjunction with a free lunch programme, was introduced. The impact of the lunches and the effectiveness of the programme were evaluated. Baseline and end-intervention 24-h modified dietary recall questionnaire data and a vegetable- and fruit-specific food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) were collected. A follow-up FFQ was administered six months after the end of the intervention. The nutrient composition of the foods recorded in the 24-h recall questionnaires were analysed using FoodWorks8™. Whilst no significant differences were observed with the intakes of individual nutrients, there was a significant decrease in the consumption of ultra-processed snack foods (p = 0.015). The results of the follow-up FFQ, including the comments collected from the parents, suggested that the intervention had a longer-term positive impact on not only the children involved in the study but also on their whānau (wider family members)
Hindu Students and Their Missionary Teachers: Debating the Relevance of Rebirth in the Colonial Indian Academy
Authors: Bhushan Nalini
Published: September 2017

This essay provides a meta-narrative for the philosophical dialogues that took place in colonial India between Scottish missionary philosophers and philosophers of Vedānta on the topic of karma and rebirth. In particular, it offers a reconstruction and analysis of the context and strategy that shaped the content of discussions that were initiated in the pages of the Madras Christian College Magazine in 1909 between Subrahmanya Sastri and AG Hogg and that inspired Radhakrishnan’s response in his dissertation entitled “The Ethics of Vedanta and its Metaphysical Suppositions”. The broad context is provided by a history of missionary presence in India. The context is further circumscribed by the ‘hybrid’ character of the position of the missionaries as teachers in departments of philosophy, teaching students of “upper-caste Hindus” in the English medium universities set up by the British in the late nineteenth century. The hermeneutics of form and context is essential to understanding the content of these debates about the ethics and metaphysics of Christianity and Hinduism, where the meaning and significance of the notion of rebirth took center stage. Importantly, these debates in turn shed light on the broader social and political context in which these debates took place.
Is Sustainable Intensification Pro-Poor? Evidence from Small-Scale Farmers in Rural Tanzania
Authors: Brüssow Kathleen , Faße Anja , Grote Ulrike
Published: September 2017

The transition of farming systems to higher levels of productivity without overusing natural resources is of rising interest especially in African countries, where population growth has often been larger than past productivity increases. This paper aims to contribute to the debate on whether environmentally friendly agricultural practices are compatible with economic interests. In the context of small-scale farm households in Tanzania, the analysis focuses on Conservation Agriculture (CA) at different levels of agricultural output, as CA is a promising toolbox for sustainable intensification. The results are based on a household survey conducted in 2014 with 900 randomly selected small-scale farmers in rural Tanzania, i.e., in semi-arid Dodoma and in semi-humid Morogoro region. We find that mulching is most frequently applied, followed by crop rotation, fallowing, intercropping and tree planting. Logit regressions show that CA adoption is influenced by socio-economic factors, farm characteristics and the regional context. Quantile regressions explain different levels of agricultural output through variables related to the extent of using CA. They indicate that marginalized farmers have the strongest crop income effect from an increased use of mulching. With increasing levels of agricultural output, the use of mulching remains beneficial for farmers, but the effect appears less pronounced.
Development of a Textile Nanocomposite as Naked Eye Indicator of the Exposition to Strong Acids
Authors: Pallás Isabel , Marcos Maria , Martínez-Máñez Ramón , Ros-Lis Jose
Published: September 2017

Chemical burns, mainly produced by acids, are a topic of concern. A new sensing material for the detection of strong acids able to be incorporated into textiles has been developed. The material is prepared by the covalent attachment of 2,2′,4,4′,4″-pentamethoxy triphenyl methanol to a mesoporous material which further is included in a nitro resin to obtain a colourless composite. The response of this composite to diverse acid solutions was tested showing the appearance of an intense purple colour (with a colour difference higher than 160) that can be monitored by the naked eye or could be easily digitised to feed an instrumental sensor. Reversibility and resistance to washing cycles were studied with positive results. Finally, the response of the sensing composite to acid vapours was assayed, observing a colour change similar to that found in solution.
OrMAC: A Hybrid MAC Protocol Using Orthogonal Codes for Channel Access in M2M Networks
Authors: Shitiri Ethungshan , Park In-Seop , Cho Ho-Shin
Published: September 2017

This paper proposes a hybrid medium access protocol named orthogonal coded medium access control (OrMAC), which extends the principle of distributed queuing collision avoidance protocol (DQCA) of wireless local area network (WLAN) to delay-sensitive machine-to-machine (M2M) networks. OrMAC pre-assigns orthogonal codes, which serve as the channel contention signals, to the nodes entering the network. The “pre-assignment” eliminates contention collisions since it guarantees that no two nodes share the same contention code. Moreover, OrMAC employs a prioritized channel access by allowing nodes to control the transmission power of the contention signal depending on the delay sensitivity of the data. The power at which a contention signal arrives at the access point reflects the urgency of the packets waiting for transmission in the buffer. A contention signal with a high received power is assigned a high priority and vice versa for a contention signal with a low received power. Numerical experiments are carried out to compare the performance of OrMAC to that of DQCA in terms of the packet delivery ratio, latency, discarded packet ratio, and throughput. The results show that OrMAC can outperform DQCA in all the aforementioned performance metrics.
A New First Break Picking for Three-Component VSP Data Using Gesture Sensor and Polarization Analysis
Authors: Li Huailiang , Tuo Xianguo , Shen Tong , Wang Ruili , Courtois Jérémie , Yan Minhao
Published: September 2017

A new first break picking for three-component (3C) vertical seismic profiling (VSP) data is proposed to improve the estimation accuracy of first arrivals, which adopts gesture detection calibration and polarization analysis based on the eigenvalue of the covariance matrix. This study aims at addressing the problem that calibration is required for VSP data using the azimuth and dip angle of geophones, due to the direction of geophones being random when applied in a borehole, which will further lead to the first break picking possibly being unreliable. Initially, a gesture-measuring module is integrated in the seismometer to rapidly obtain high-precision gesture data (including azimuth and dip angle information). Using re-rotating and re-projecting using earlier gesture data, the seismic dataset of each component will be calibrated to the direction that is consistent with the vibrator shot orientation. It will promote the reliability of the original data when making each component waveform calibrated to the same virtual reference component, and the corresponding first break will also be properly adjusted. After achieving 3C data calibration, an automatic first break picking algorithm based on the autoregressive-Akaike information criterion (AR-AIC) is adopted to evaluate the first break. Furthermore, in order to enhance the accuracy of the first break picking, the polarization attributes of 3C VSP recordings is applied to constrain the scanning segment of AR-AIC picker, which uses the maximum eigenvalue calculation of the covariance matrix. The contrast results between pre-calibration and post-calibration using field data show that it can further improve the quality of the 3C VSP waveform, which is favorable to subsequent picking. Compared to the obtained short-term average to long-term average (STA/LTA) and the AR-AIC algorithm, the proposed method, combined with polarization analysis, can significantly reduce the picking error. Applications of actual field experiments have also confirmed that the proposed method may be more suitable for the first break picking of 3C VSP. Test using synthesized 3C seismic data with low SNR indicates that the first break is picked with an error between 0.75 ms and 1.5 ms. Accordingly, the proposed method can reduce the picking error for 3C VSP data.
Differences in the Prevalence of Non-Communicable Disease between Slum Dwellers and the General Population in a Large Urban Area in Brazil
Authors: Snyder Robert , Rajan Jayant , Costa Federico , Lima Helena , Calcagno Juan , Couto Ricardo , Riley Lee , Reis Mitermayer , Ko Albert , Ribeiro Guilherme
Published: September 2017

Residents of urban slums are at greater risk for disease than their non-slum dwelling urban counterparts. We sought to contrast the prevalences of selected non-communicable diseases (NCDs) between Brazilian adults living in a slum and the general population of the same city, by comparing the age and sex-standardized prevalences of selected NCDs from a 2010 survey in Pau da Lima, Salvador Brazil, with a 2010 national population-based telephone survey. NCD prevalences in both populations were similar for hypertension (23.6% (95% CI 20.9–26.4) and 22.9% (21.2–24.6), respectively) and for dyslipidemia (22.7% (19.8–25.5) and 21.5% (19.7–23.4)). Slum residents had higher prevalences of diabetes mellitus (10.1% (7.9–12.3)) and of overweight/obesity (46.5% (43.1–49.9)), compared to 5.2% (4.2–6.1) and 40.6% (38.5–42.8) of the general population in Salvador. Fourteen percent (14.5% (12.1–17.0)) of slum residents smoked cigarettes compared to 8.3% (7.1–9.5) of the general population in Salvador. The national telephone survey underestimated the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, overweight/obesity, and smoking in the slum population, likely in part due to differential sampling inside and outside of slums. Further research and targeted policies are needed to mitigate these inequalities, which could have significant economic and social impacts on slum residents and their communities.
Assembly of the Arctic flora: Highly parallel and recurrent patterns in sedges (Carex)
Authors: Hoffmann Matthias H. , Gebauer Sebastian , von Rozycki Torsten
Published: September 2017

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:

Understanding the origin of ecosystems and their changes through time is important. Two mutually contrasting types of grasslands existed in the Arctic: dry‐ and cold‐adapted grasslands of the Pleistocene dominated by Poaceae species, and presently dominating graminoid grasslands composed of sedges and rushes. We studied the taxon recruitment of the Arctic flora for Carex, the most species‐rich and widespread genus of the Arctic. In this study we explore the possible geographical and altitudinal origins of the species, their ecological provenance in terms of soil moisture and light requirements, and salt tolerance.

METHODS:

We addressed these questions in a phylogenetic context using the latest megaphylogeny of Carex comprising almost all Arctic species and about half of the genus’ total species diversity. Ecological data were extracted from the literature and analyzed for each clade comprising Arctic species.

KEY RESULTS:

Arctic Carex species were observed in 48 independent lineages. Almost all areas north of the meridional zone of the Northern Hemisphere may have served as sources of Arctic lineages. Source areas are unrelated to the distribution within the Arctic. Arctic species evolved in lowland and high mountain clades; mostly in wet, rarely in dry adapted clades that occur principally in open conditions. Salt tolerant Arctic species occur in five clades.

CONCLUSIONS:

Many independent lineages of different geographical areas and ecological backgrounds provided species for the northernmost ecosystem; clear main sources were not discernible. Carex shows the whole dynamic of ecosystem assembly from a seemingly simple immigration of preadapted species, evolution in geographical distant areas, to species radiations in the North.
Intercalation of Si between MoS2 layers
Authors: van Bremen Rik , Yao Qirong , Banerjee Soumya , Cakir Deniz , Oncel Nuri , Zandvliet Harold J W
Published: September 2017

We report a combined experimental and theoretical study of the growth of sub-monolayer amounts of silicon (Si) on molybdenum disulfide (MoS2). At room temperature and low deposition rates we have found compelling evidence that the deposited Si atoms intercalate between the MoS2 layers. Our evidence relies on several experimental observations: (1) Upon the deposition of Si on pristine MoS2 the morphology of the surface transforms from a smooth surface to a hill-and-valley surface. The lattice constant of the hill-and-valley structure amounts to 3.16 Å, which is exactly the lattice constant of pristine MoS2. (2) The transitions from hills to valleys are not abrupt, as one would expect for epitaxial islands growing on-top of a substrate, but very gradual. (3) I(V) scanning tunneling spectroscopy spectra recorded at the hills and valleys reveal no noteworthy differences. (4) Spatial maps of dI/dz reveal that the surface exhibits a uniform work function and a lattice constant of 3.16 Å. (5) X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy measurements reveal that sputtering of the MoS2/Si substrate does not lead to a decrease, but an increase of the relative Si signal. Based on these experimental observations we have to conclude that deposited Si atoms do not reside on the MoS2 surface, but rather intercalate between the MoS2 layers. Our conclusion that Si intercalates upon the deposition on MoS2 is at variance with the interpretation by Chiappe et al. (Adv. Mater. 2014, 26, 2096–2101) that silicon forms a highly strained epitaxial layer on MoS2. Finally, density functional theory calculations indicate that silicene clusters encapsulated by MoS2 are stable.
“TABULA RASA” PLANNING: CREATIVE DESTRUCTION AND BUILDING A NEW URBAN IDENTITY IN TEHRAN
Authors: MEHAN Asma
Published: September 2017

The concept of Tabula Rasa, as a desire for sweeping renewal and creating a potential site for the construction of utopian dreams is presupposition of Modern Architecture. Starting from the middle of the 19th century to the first half of the 20th century, Iranian urban and architectural history has been integrated with modernization, and western-influenced modernity. The case of Tehran as the Middle Eastern political capital is the main scene for the manifestation of modernity within it’s urban projects that was associated with several changes to the social, political and spatial structure of the city. In this regard, the strategy of Tabula Rasa as a utopian blank slate upon which a new Iran could be conceived “over again” – was the dominant strategy of modernization during First Pahlavi era (1925–1941). This article explores the very concept of constructing a new image of Tehran through the processes of autocratic modernism and orientalist historicism that also influenced the discourse of national identity during First Pahlavi era.
Application of New Methods of Environment Analysis and Assessment in Landscape Audits – Case Studies of Urban Areas Like Czestochowa, Poland
Authors: Pukowiec-Kurda Katarzyna , Myga-Piątek Urszula
Published: September 2017

Following the 2000 European Landscape Convention, a new act strengthening landscape protection instruments has been in force since 2015. It sets forth legal aspects of landscape shaping (Dziennik Ustaw 2015, poz. 774) and introduces landscape audits at the province level. A landscape audit consists in identification and characterization of selected landscapes, assessment of their value, selection of so-called priority landscapes and identification of threats for preservation of their value. An audit complies with GIS standards. Analyses use source materials, i.e. digital maps of physical-geographical mesoregions, current topographic maps of digital resources of cartographic databases, latest orthophotomaps and DTMs, maps of potential vegetation, geobotanic regionalization, historic-cultural regionalization and natural landscape types, documentation of historical and cultural values and related complementary resources. A special new methodology (Solon et al. 2014), developed for auditing, was tested in 2015 in an urban area (Myga-Piatek et al. 2015). Landscapes are characterized by determining their analytic (natural and cultural) and synthetic features, with particular focus on the stage of delimitation and identification of landscape units in urban areas. Czestochowa was selected as a case study due to its large natural (karst landscapes of the Czestochowa Upland, numerous forests, nature reserves) and cultural (Saint Mary’s Sanctuary, unique urban architecture) potential. Czestochowa is also a city of former iron ore and mineral resources exploitation, still active industry, dynamic urban sprawl within former farming areas, and dynamically growing tourism. Landscape delimitation and identification distinguished 75 landscape units basing on uniform landscape background (uniform cover and use of the land). Landscape assessment used a new assessment method for anthropogenic transformation of landscape – the indicator describing the correlation between the mean shape index (MSI) and the Shannon diversity index (SHDI) (Pukowiec-Kurda, Sobala 2016). Particular threats and planning suggestions, useful in development of urban areas, were presented for selected priority landscapes.
Problematic Aspects of Determining the Surface Area of Grounds, Buildings and Premises for Cadastre and Real Estate Taxation Purposes
Authors: Benduch Piotr
Published: September 2017

Real estate cadastre is commonly recognized as a register of an actual state in the range of grounds, buildings and premises. It contains data which represent a standardized description of their fundamental attributes like location or surface area. According to the Geodetic and Cartographic Law, data contained in the cadastre are a base of the real estate taxation. However, this record may be recognized as fulfilled only in the case of cadastral parcel. In Poland, due to the separate rules of calculating buildings and premises usable floor area for the purposes of the real estate tax base assessment, which have been imposed by the Act of 12 January 1991 on Taxes and Local Fees, data revealed in the cadastre are unused. This article constitutes an attempt to compare the rules related to procedure of computing surface area of grounds, buildings and premises for cadastre and real estate taxation purposes in Poland. Author pays attention, inter alia, into a problem of a proper identification of spaces which are classified in whole or in part to the building usable floor area, depending on ensuing circumstances. The issue of methodology of calculating usable floor area of buildings and premises is analyzed as well. The complement of performed research constitutes a comparison between surface area of selected objects revealed in the cadastre and their equivalents which formed the basis for performed activities related to the determination of the real estate tax base assessment.
Present State of Lake Studies from Satellite Altimetry – a Case Study in Poland
Authors: Bernatowicz Anna , Lyszkowicz Adam
Published: September 2017

Satellite radar altimetry is a successful technique for monitoring elevations of continental surface water. The surface water level is measured within a terrestrial reference frame with a repeatability varying from 10 to 35 days depending on the orbit cycle of the satellite. With several decades of technique refinement; current data processing can be fairly simple or complex depending on the mission and the tracking methods. Data acquisition is not affected by weather conditions; but the technique can have a number of limitations. However; the technique is sufficiently advanced to have allowed a number of inland water case studies. Focusing on the large lakes; the links between lake evolution and the local climate cycle on seasonal to interannual timescales can be explored; and water storage balance for water management also can be brought into focus. This article reviews present day lake level monitoring and the case study of the Łebsko lake in Poland. First the basic principle of satellite altimetry, current altimetry missions, hydrology application and lake and reservoir altimetry measurements in web sites are shortly describe. Next the investigation of the surface of the Łebsko lake in Poland was carried out. From our study reveals that altimetry could provide a promising future for true global lake studies with height and width observation of all targets with centimeter accuracy.
Runaway PRN11 GPS satellite
Authors: Specht Cezary , Dąbrowski Paweł
Published: September 2017

The paper discusses the position of the orbit of PRN11 GPS satellite. Visual analysis of the current GPS
constellation showed considerable deviation of PRN11 GPS satellite orbital parameters relative to other orbital plane
D satellites. Short comparison of available GPS almanac format was included. Two almanacs per year since the launch
of the PRN11 satellites in 1999 were obtained. Parameters of right ascension of ascending node and rate of right
ascension of ascending node were taken into investigation. The results confirmed the fact of constant and progressive
separation of the orbit from home orbital plane D since the very beginning of the satellite mission. The simulation of
long-term persistence of the current trend in the postion of the PRN11 ascending node was presented.
La collaboration chercheurs – praticiens à l’épreuve du mécanisme du bouc émissaire.
Authors: Casanova Rémi
Published: September 2017

Notre texte interroge, dans une analyse réflexive et expérientielle, les relations entre chercheurs et praticiens dans leurs interactions évolutives au cours d’une recherche collaborative sur le thème des pratiques professionnelles dans le cadre de la mise en place d’une pédagogie institutionnelle à l’échelle d’une école nationale du service public. Il pose comme hypothèse que la recherche collaborative peut devenir le terreau favorable à la rivalité mimétique, ferment du développement du processus du bouc émissaire. Il pose comme hypothèse corolaire que les tabous liés à la recherche et à la vie du groupe alimentent le mécanisme du bouc émissaire. Le texte accompagne alors le processus du bouc émissaire dans son développement, étape après étape, énonce les tabous groupaux et dessine les contours des figures du bouc émissaire. Il conclut par la nécessité de passer de la rivalité à la complémentarité.
Learning the High-Dimensional Immunogenomic Features That Predict Public and Private Antibody Repertoires
Authors: Greiff Victor , Weber Cédric R. , Palme Johannes , Bodenhofer Ulrich , Miho Enkelejda , Menzel Ulrike , Reddy Sai T.
Published: September 2017

Recent studies have revealed that immune repertoires contain a substantial fraction of public clones, which may be defined as Ab or TCR clonal sequences shared across individuals. It has remained unclear whether public clones possess predictable sequence features that differentiate them from private clones, which are believed to be generated largely stochastically. This knowledge gap represents a lack of insight into the shaping of immune repertoire diversity. Leveraging a machine learning approach capable of capturing the high-dimensional compositional information of each clonal sequence (defined by CDR3), we detected predictive public clone and private clone–specific immunogenomic differences concentrated in CDR3’s N1–D–N2 region, which allowed the prediction of public and private status with 80% accuracy in humans and mice. Our results unexpectedly demonstrate that public, as well as private, clones possess predictable high-dimensional immunogenomic features. Our support vector machine model could be trained effectively on large published datasets (3 million clonal sequences) and was sufficiently robust for public clone prediction across individuals and studies prepared with different library preparation and high-throughput sequencing protocols. In summary, we have uncovered the existence of high-dimensional immunogenomic rules that shape immune repertoire diversity in a predictable fashion. Our approach may pave the way for the construction of a comprehensive atlas of public mouse and human immune repertoires with potential applications in rational vaccine design and immunotherapeutics.
Dengue Virus Serotype 2 Established in Northern Mozambique (2015–2016)
Authors: Oludele John , Lesko Birgitta , Mahumane Gundane Isabel , de Bruycker-Nogueira Fernanda , Muianga Argentina , Ali Sadia , Mula Flora , Chelene Imelda , Falk Kerstin I. , Barreto dos Santos Flávia , Gudo Eduardo Samo
Published: September 2017

After the report of an outbreak of dengue virus serotype 2 in 2014 in Nampula and Pemba cities, northern Mozambique, a surveillance system was established by the National Institute of Health. A study was performed during 2015–2016 to monitor the trend of the outbreak and confirm the circulating serotype of dengue virus (DENV). After the inclusion of consenting patients who met the case definition, samples from 192 patients were tested for the presence of nonstructural protein 1 antigen, and 60/192 (31%) samples were positive. Further analysis included DENV IgM antibodies, with 39 (20%) IgM positive cases. Reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR was performed for identification of the prevailing DENV serotype; 21/23 tested samples were DENV-2 positive, with DENV-2 present in both affected cities. When sequencing DENV, phenotype Cosmopolitan was identified. The surveillance indicates ongoing spread of DENV-2 in northern Mozambique 2 years after the first report of the outbreak.
Effect of Ultrasonic Instrumentation in Treatment of Primary Molars
Authors: Barua Pranamee , Singh Rishav , Safaya Romil , Monajemi Hooman , Monajemi Hootan
Published: September 2017

Aim

The aim of this study is to describe the protocol used in the treatment of pulpally necrosed primary molars and to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasonic instrumentation technique in primary dentition.

Materials and methods

A total of 50 primary molars in 40 children, ranging from 8 to 10 years of age, were endodontically treated using standard protocols and ultrasonic instrumentation. The follow-up was done for each case ranging from 1 to 2½ years.

Results

Clinical and radiographic controls showed a success rate of 97.5%, considering an evaluation time of 19 ± 9.02 months.

Conclusion

The use of ultrasonic instrumentation in primary molars with pulpal necrosis succeeded in reducing appointment time and showed a high success rate.

Clinical significance

Ultrasonic instrumentation should be used as a standard protocol in instrumentation of endodontic treatment of primary molars so as to increase the success rate of primary teeth pulpectomies.

How to cite this article

Singh R, Barua P, Kumar M, Safaya R, Monajemi H, Monajemi H. Effect of Ultrasonic Instrumentation in Treatment of Primary Molars. J Contemp Dent Pract 2017;18(9):750-753.
Growth and Development of Dentofacial Complex influenced by Genetic and Environmental Factors using Monozygotic Twins
Authors: Manjusha KK , Jyothindrakumar K , Nishad A , Manoj K Madhav
Published: September 2017

Aim

The purpose of this study was to determine the possible effects of genetic and environmental factors on dentofacial complex using monozygotic twins.

Materials and methods

The study sample was made of 21 pairs of monozygotic twins (14 female pairs and seven male pairs) between 10 and 25 years. Pretreatment lateral cephalograms were used which were traced and digitized, and various landmarks to determine the anteroposterior and vertical proportions were marked. Samples were divided into two groups. The correlation between groups was found by calculating Pearson's product moment correlation coefficients.

Results

The range of the correlation coefficient was from 0.705 to 0.952. Gonial angle showed the highest correlation coefficient (0.952), while saddle angle showed the lowest correlation coefficient (0.705).

Conclusion

The growth and development of craniofacial complex is under mutifactorial control. However, genetic influences do tend to play a dominant role.

Clinical significance

By studying identical twins, we can study about the interaction of the environment with the genes and how it affects the growth and development of the body in general and dentofacial complex in particular. By utilizing twin studies, we can identify whether a particular trait, disease, or disorder is influenced more strongly by genetics or by the environment. Success of orthodontic treatment depends on a proper diagnosis of the problem including its etiological factors. Genetic studies let the orthodontists to understand the effects of genetic and environmental factors in the growth and development of dentofacial complex better and allows to prevent or treat malocclusions and skeletal anomalies in better ways.

How to cite this article

Manjusha KK, Jyothindrakumar K, Nishad A, Manoj KM. Growth and Development of Dentofacial Complex influenced by Genetic and Environmental Factors using Monozygotic Twins. J Contemp Dent Pract 2017;18(9):754-758.
Readiness of Accredited Social Health Activist Workers for Tobacco Cessation Counseling after a Brief Intervention in Odisha, India: A Quasi-experimental Study
Authors: Sudhakar KNV , Raju PV Krishnam , Pathi Jugajyothi , Avinash J , Sureshan Vinay , Vidya KC
Published: September 2017

Aim

The aim of the study was (1) to explore the baseline beliefs and practices of accredited social health activist (ASHA) workers of Khurda district of Orissa with respect to tobacco cessation and (2) to assess whether a brief intervention will be effective in improving the beliefs and practices of ASHA workers. The results of this study could be utilized by policy makers for framing important strategies for tobacco cessation in rural areas utilizing ASHA workers.

Materials and methods

A quasi-experimental study (before and after comparison) was performed in Khurda district of Orissa to find out whether a brief intervention could improve the beliefs and practices of ASHA workers related to antitobacco counseling in rural areas. A 14-item structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire, written in English (translated in Odiya), was used. The final sample size was estimated as 135. Data were entered into Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 21) for analysis.

Results

All the mean belief items, practice items, degree of preparedness, and interest in training scores of study population increased significantly from baseline to postintervention. The study population showed a statistically significant improvement in postintervention composite belief and composite practices score.

Conclusion

The majority of ASHA workers had positive beliefs and favorable practices after attending a brief intervention toward smoking cessation in their community. After attending the intervention, nearly half of the respondents felt either somewhat or very well prepared for tobacco cessation. Most of them showed their interest toward getting further training in the field.

Clinical significance

Training programs and regular tobacco cessation activities should be planned in the primary health-care delivery system of India.

How to cite this article

Sudhakar KNV, Pathi J, Avinash J, Raju PVK, Sureshan V, Vidya KC. Readiness of Accredited Social Health Activist Workers for Tobacco Cessation Counseling after a Brief Intervention in Odisha, India: A Quasi-experimental Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2017;18(9):759-764.
Factors affecting Clinical Outcomes after Treatment of Oral Leukoplakia with CO2 and Diode Laser
Authors: Migliari Dante , Galletta Vivian , Azevedo Luciane
Published: September 2017

Introduction

To analyze factors that may affect recurrence, development of new lesions, and malignant transformation in patients with oral leukoplakia (OL) following surgical treatment with lasers.

Materials and methods

A total of 40 patients were enrolled in this study, 17 females (mean age of 64.5 years; 33–88 years) and 23 males (mean age of 56.6 years; 28–84 years) with an overall mean age of 60.5 years. A total of 49 lesions were diagnosed and treated; 9 patients had more than one site affected. Mean time of follow-up was 22 months (6–71 months). Data were assessed by univariate Cox and multivariate Cox regression analyses.

Results

Recurrence (OL at the same site of the initial lesion) was observed in 11 patients (27.5%) while 4 patients (10%) developed new lesions, and 2 patients (5%) experienced malignant transformation. Only two clinical factors were statistically associated with the outcome for the development of new lesions: patients . 60 years and female gender (p < 0.1). Neither of the outcomes of recurrences and malignant transformations was significantly correlated with any of the risk factors analyzed.

Conclusion

Surgical laser is not a deterrent for the outcomes evaluated; additionally, the design of this study did not allow us to determine whether the laser treatment had provided a great benefit by significantly reducing the rate of malignant transformation among the patients.

Clinical significance

It is highly important to inform patients with OL that their condition can be treated, when possible, surgical laser, and that this treatment may be helpful in bringing down the odds of malignant transformation of their lesions. In addition, the patients should also be brought to the attention of the necessity of a continued clinical monitoring regardless of the outcome following a surgical intervention.

How to cite this article

Galletta V, Azevedo L, Lodi G, Migliari D. Factors affecting Clinical Outcomes after Treatment of Oral Leukoplakia with CO2 and Diode Laser. J Contemp Dent Pract 2017;18(9):775-780.
Quantitative Assessment of apically Extruded Bacteria using different Instrumentation Techniques and Preparation Taper
Authors: Pandey Vinisha , Priyank Harsh , Sethi Achla , Punia Ramandeep S , Bali Harleen , Sharma Vinay J
Published: September 2017

Background

Cleaning and shaping of the pulp canal is one of the most important steps of endodontic therapy. Serious complications occur by the apical extrusion of bacteria during the instrumentation procedures. Both crown-down (CD) and full-length linear motion (FM) techniques are routinely used as a component of taper rotary instrument procedures for achievement of thorough cleaning and shaping of the pulp canal space. Hence, we aimed for this study to assess the change in the amount of apically extruded bacteria using CD and FM instrumentation techniques produced by differences in taper between the instruments used during biomechanical preparation of root canals.

Materials and methods

The present study included assessments of 132 extracted maxillary central incisor teeth. To achieve a uniform teeth length of 21 mm, the height of the tooth crown was reduced for preserving the coronal portion of teeth. A modified glass vial model was constructed for the estimation of amount of bacterial extrusion through the apical region. For filling of each pulp canal specimen, 20 mL of Enterococcus faecalis suspension was used followed by the use of a number 10 K-file for carrying the bacteria down the lengths of pulp canals. All the contaminated teeth specimens were divided into six study groups with groups I to III containing specimens prepared in the CD manner, while groups IV to VI contained specimens prepared in the FM manner. Six teeth were taken as negative control with three specimens with each technique, and another six specimens were taken as positive controls. Cultivable bacterial counts were determined by evaluating 100 mL saline solution from each vial followed by its inoculation on blood agar. All the colony-forming unit (CFU) values were log-transformed (base 10), and the results were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software.

Results

A significantly lower quantity of CFU values was observed during CD instrumentation procedures with 0.02 files in comparison with all other study groups. However, while comparing both the instrumentation procedures when different taper files, other than 0.02 taper, were used for biomechanical preparation of root canal, nonsignificant results were obtained.

Conclusion

With 0.02 taper preparations, significantly less amount of extrusion of bacteria is associated when done with CD technique.

Clinical significance

No change in the amount of apical extrusion of bacteria will be seen by changing the type of instrumentation procedures. Amount of bacteria extruded can be minimized using 0.02 taper.

How to cite this article

Priyank H, Pandey V, Sethi A, Sharma VJ, Bali H, Punia RS. Quantitative Assessment of apically Extruded Bacteria using different Instrumentation Techniques and Preparation Taper. J Contemp Dent Pract 2017;18(9):826-830.
Derivation and Validation of Formula relating Pulmonary Acceleration Time and Mean Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Indian Population
Authors: Ganesan Rajarajan
Published: September 2017

Background

Pulmonary acceleration time (PAT) forms a valuable echocardiographic parameter in deriving the mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP). The present study aims to derive and validate a formula relating MPAP and PAT in an Indian population.

Materials and methods

Preoperative echocardiography was performed in 22 adult cardiac surgery patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and/or mitral valve replacement. The PAT, PAT/right ventricular ejection time (RVET), PAT corrected for heart rate [(HR) HRcPAT], and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) peak velocity were correlated with MPAP measured from pulmonary artery (PA) catheter, and a new formula relating MPAP and PAT was derived and subsequently validated in another cohort of 21 patients.

Results

The PAT, HRcPAT, and PAT/RVET correlated well (r2= 0.69, 0.68 and 0.47 respectively, p < 0.0001), while TR velocity correlated poorly with MPAP (r2= 0.20, p = 0.046). The cutoff values of PAT and HRcPAT for diagnosing pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) (MPAP = 25 mm Hg) were 74 and 99 respectively, with 92% sensitivity and 100% specificity. The derived formula (MPAP = 62.4 - 0.3 PAT) correlated well with the standard formula (79-0.45 PAT) on applying in the validation cohort (Bland—Altman plot, bias <10%). In subgroup analysis, patients with severe PAH (MPAP = 50 mm Hg) showed better correlation than patients with less than severe PAH (r2= 0.633, p =0.038 a nd r2= 0.46, p = 0.108 respectively). Similarly, the formula for deriving pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) from PAT [(PVRI = 14.9-0.09 pulmonary artery acceleration time (PAAT)] correlated well with the existing formula (PVRI = 9 - 0.07 PAAT). The inter- and intraobserver variabilities were not significant.

Conclusion

The indexed formula is better in predicting MPAP from PAT in Indian population, particularly in patients with severe PAH (MPAP = 50 mm Hg) and the cutoffs of PAT and HRcPAT in predicting PAH (MPAP = 25 mm Hg) in an Indian population are 74 and 99 msec respectively.

How to cite this article

Munirathinam GK, Kumar A, Ganesan R, Puri GD. Derivation and Validation of Formula relating Pulmonary Acceleration Time and Mean Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Indian Population. J Perioper Echocardiogr 2017;5(1):3-11.
Anatomical vs Anti-anatomical Placement of a Tilting-disk Mechanical Valve in Mitral Position
Authors: Gadhinglajkar Shrinivas , Sreedhar Rupa , Chennakeshavallu GN , Bhaskar Prashanth P , Panicker Varghese T
Published: September 2017

Anatomical and anti-anatomical placement of a prosthetic mechanical valve in mitral position has been described in the literature. In mitral position, it is preferred to place the tiltingdisk valve with its large orifice directed posteriorly, which is called as “anatomical position.” We report an incident wherein a Chitra heart valve prosthesis (CHVP) implanted in anatomical position had limited motion of tilting disk with inadequate angle of opening. This was addressed by rotating the prosthesis occluder mechanism by 180° in situ in such a way that the large orifice was directed anteriorly (anti-anatomical position) and this resulted in the adequate opening of the tilting disk. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) played a decisive role in identifying the problem and ensuring adequacy of disk opening after repositioning the prosthesis.

How to cite this article

Chennakeshavallu GN, Gadhinglajkar S, Sreedhar R, Bhaskar PP, Panicker VT. Anatomical vs Antianatomical Placement of a Tilting-disk Mechanical Valve in Mitral Position. J Perioper Echocardiogr 2017;5(1):12-15.
Comparison of the Postoperative Sensitivity using Two Flowable Composites in Noncarious Cervical Lesions: A Randomized Blinded Clinical Trial
Authors: Dhanapal Saranya , Sureshbabu Nivedhitha M
Published: September 2017

Aim

The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative sensitivity using two flowable composites in noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs).

Materials and methods

A total of 136 teeth were randomly divided into two groups. In group I, 68 restorations were done using Filtek Z350 XT and in group II, 68 restorations were done using G-aenial GC Universal Flo. Sensitivity was evaluated using air blast, cold water, and cold ice stick. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to record the sensitivity scores at baseline and at 2 days, 1 week, and 4 weeks after the treatment.

Results

When compared between Filtek and G-aenial groups in each test and at each time point, there was no significant difference in the reduction of postoperative sensitivity.

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that there was no statistical difference in the reduction of postoperative sensitivity between group I (Filtek Z350XT) and group II (G-aenial universal flow) when used in NCCLs.

Clinical significance

There was no statistical difference in the reduction of postoperative sensitivity between two flowable composites when used in NCCLs.

How to cite this article

Dhanapal S, Sureshbabu NM. Comparison of the Postoperative Sensitivity using Two Flowable Composites in Noncarious Cervical Lesions: A Randomized Blinded Clinical Trial. J Oper Dent Endod 2017;2(2):55-60.
Effects of Different Final Irrigating Solutions on Depth of Sealer Penetration into Dentinal Tubules: An in vitro Confocal Laser Microscopic Study
Authors: Shetty Madhavi A
Published: September 2017

Aim

To evaluate the maximum depth of sealer penetration into dentinal tubules at the coronal, middle, and apical third of root canals, following the use of different final irrigation solutions.

Materials and methods

Eighty freshly extracted mandibular premolars were selected for the study. After decoronation, instrumentation of samples was done using Protaper universal rotary file system till F4. During shaping and cleaning of root canal, 5.25% concentration of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) was used for irrigation. The samples were then randomly divided into four groups (n = 20) depending on the final irrigating solution used. Group I: 17% aqueous ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (MA) (aq. EDTA); group II: 10% citric acid (CA); group III: 5% maleic acid; group IV: 5.25% conc. NaOCl. Passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) was used to activate each final irrigating solution. The samples were obturated using warm lateral condensation technique with guttapercha coated with AH plus sealer mixed with rhodamine B dye. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) examined the sealer penetration depth.

Results

The Kruskal-Wallis analysis results showed that there was a significant difference in the maximum depth of sealer penetration among all groups in all sections (p < 0.05). The coronal sections of the root canals in each group showed a significantly higher depth of sealer penetration than did the apical and middle sections (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

A combination of 17% aq. EDTA and PUI used for final irrigation proved to be more effective for sealer penetration into the dentinal tubules.

Clinical significance

Final irrigation protocol followed is of paramount importance in achieving complete disinfection within the root canal, and also the penetration of sealer serves as an indicator of the extent to which the smear layer was removed.

How to cite this article

Shetty MA, Hegde V. Effects of Different Final Irrigating Solutions on Depth of Sealer Penetration into Dentinal Tubules: An in vitro Confocal Laser Microscopic Study. J Oper Dent Endod 2017;2(2):69-73.