bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge of and Management Attitude regarding Dentin Hypersensitivity among Dentists from a West African Country
Authors: Benoist Fatou Leye , Ndiaye Fatou Gaye , Faye Babacar , Bane Khaly , Ngom Papa Ibrahima , Ndong Pierre Marie Koumakh
Published: June 2014

Aim

The aim of the present study was to assess knowledge of, and management attitude of dentists regarding Dentin hypersensitivity.

Materials and methods

The study involved all the dentists from private and public sectors, exerting in Senegal. The following data were requested from the surveyed dentists using an anonymous questionnaire; sociodemographics (i.e. age, gender, area of activity, etc.) and knowledge on triggering factor, type of pain, diagnosis, preventive and curative procedures.

Results

Out of the 238 dentists who received the questionnaire, 68.9% returned properly filled forms. They were 116 males and 48 females with a mean age of 41.99 ± 8.50 years. Eighty three percent of the participants had a good understanding of the characteristics of pain related to DH and 92% recogni-zed chemical and thermal stimuli as triggering factor while mechanical stimulus was not evoked. Many responders (90.9%) did not have any idea of the mechanism for pain transmission across the dentin. Regarding diagnosis technique, 68% use mechanical stimuli to elicit DH pain.

Regarding management procedure, the use of desensitizing tooth paste is the mostly chosen option followed by professional topical application of fluoride. More than 1/3rd of the surveyed dentists confess resorting to root canal to manage DH.

Conclusion

We recommend incorporation of basic science knowledge on orofacial pain and competencies to manage painful conditions like dentin hypersensitivity. Also, Health regulatory institutions should make continuing dental education a requirement to preserve the dental licensure.

How to cite this article

Benoist FL, Ndiaye FG, Faye B, Bane K, Ngom PI, Ndong PMK. Knowledge of and Management Attitude regarding Dentin Hypersensitivity among Dentists from a West African Country. J Contemp Dent Pract 2014;15(1):86-91.
Oral Impacts on Daily Performance in Turkish Adults Attending a Dental School
Authors: Peker Ilkay , Alkurt Meryem Toraman
Published: June 2014

Aim

The purpose of this study was to evaluate oral health related quality of life (OHRQOL) in Turkish adults attending a dental school by using Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) inventory.

Materials and methods

This study included 1324 patients. A modified questionnaire including sociodemographic information, questions about OHRQOL and OIDP inventory was prepared. The questions consisted of reasons and frequency for dental attendance, self-reported oral health status of the participants and number of natural teeth was recorded.

Results

The rates of participants experienced at least one OIDP impact was 65.2% and eating was the most affected item (41.6%). There was statistically significant difference between number of missing teeth-self reported oral health status, number of missing teeth-sociodemographic factors for the participants who reported at least one OIDP impact.

Conclusion

This study showed that OHRQOL of Turkish adults attending a dental school is affected several factors including sociodemographic factors, regular dental visit and number of missing teeth similarly other societies.

Clinical significance

OIDP inventory assesses impacts of oral health conditions that affect daily activities of an individual and is commonly used as OHRQOL indicator. Also, it is important self-report information of patients about changing their oral conditions and affecting daily life for the clinicians. There is insufficient data for OIDP inventory of Turkish dental patients. OHRQOL of Turkish adults was evaluated by using OIDP inventory in this study. The scale was found as a valid and reliable instrument for Turkish dental patients and was determined the relationships between this scale and several parameters.

How to cite this article

Peker I, Alkurt MT. Oral Impacts on Daily Performance in Turkish Adults Attending a Dental School. J Contemp Dent Pract 2014;15(1):92-98.
The Ala-Tragus Line as a Guide for Orientation of the Occlusal Plane in Complete Dentures
Authors: Makzoumé Joseph E , Abi-Ghosn Carole , Younes Ronald
Published: June 2014

Aim

The use of the ala-tragus line (ATL) to orient the occlusal plane (OP) is controversial because there is a lack of agreement on the exact points of reference for this line. This study determined the relationship between the natural OP and ATL which was established by using the inferior border of the ala of the nose and (1) the superior border of the tragus (ATL1), (2) the tip (ATL2), and (3) the inferior border of the tragus (ATL3).

Materials and methods

Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken of each subject by a standard method and tracings were obtained on acetate paper to show the OP and the three ala-tragus lines. The relationship between the OP and each of ATL was measured for each subject. Mean and standard deviation values were then calculated for the relationship. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measure analysis of variance followed by Bonferroni pairwise comparisons and Student's t-test (α = 0.05).

Results

Significant differences were noted between the three mean angles (p = 0.046). The mean angle (3.275 degrees ± 2.54) formed by OP and ATL2 was significantly the smallest (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The ala-tragus line, extending from the inferior border of the ala of the nose to the tip of the tragus of the ear presented the closest relationship to the natural occlusal plane.

How to cite this article

Abi-Ghosn C, Zogheib C, Younes R, Makzoumé JE. The Ala-Tragus Line as a Guide for Orientation of the Occlusal Plane in Complete Dentures. J Contemp Dent Pract 2014;15(1):108-111.
Experience with the use of close-relative allograft for the management of extensive thermal injury in local national casualties during Operation Iraqi Freedom
Authors: Lundy, MC, USA MAJ Jonathan B. , Cancio, MD COL Leopoldo C. , King, MC, USA LTC Booker T. , Wolf, MD Steven E. , Renz, MD COL Evan M. , Blackbourne, MD COL Lorne H.
Published: June 2014

The care of host nation burn victims in Iraq and Afghanistan has been a significant challenge to US military healthcare providers. To provide burn care in an austere environment is more challenging by limitations in resources such as inadequate medical supplies, infection control issues, and a lack of blood or tissue banking capabilities. Large full thickness burns pose a significant obstacle due to limitations in the casualties’ available donor skin, which can be used to achieve wound coverage. In US burn centers, allograft stored in skin banks provides temporary coverage during donor site healing in the management of large total body surface area burns.This report is a study of two severely burned Iraqi children with inadequate donor site surface area to achieve wound coverage that were managed with close-relative allograft harvested from their fathers to achieve temporary wound closure. A brief literature review and future recommendations are included.
Enhancing crisis standards of care using innovative point-of-care testing
Authors: Kost, MD, PhD, MS, FACB Gerald J. , Sakaguchi, MPH, PhD Ann , Curtis Corbin , Tran, PhD, MS Nam K. , Katip, BS, MT Pratheep , Louie, PhD Richard F.
Published: June 2014

Objective: To identify strategies with tactics that enable point-of-care (POC) testing (medical testing at or near the site of care) to effectively improve outcomes in emergencies, disasters, and public health crises, especially where community infrastructure is compromised.Design: Logic model-critical path-feedback identified needs for improving practices. Reverse stress analysis showed POC should be integrated, responders should be properly trained, and devices should be staged in small-world networks (SWNs). First responder POC resources were summarized, test clusters were strategized, assay environmental vulnerabilities were assessed, and tactics useful for SWNs, alternate care facilities, shelters, point-of-distribution centers, and community hospitals were designed.Participants and environment: Emergencydisaster needs assessment survey respondents and Center experience.Outcomes: Important tactics are as follows: a) develop training/education courses and “just-in-time” on-line web resources to ensure the competency of POC coordinators and high-quality testing performance; b) protect equipment from environmental extremes by sealing reagents, by controlling temperature and humidity to which they are exposed, and by establishing nearpatient testing in defined environments that operate within current Food and Drug Administration licensing claims (illustrated with human immunodeficiency virus-1/2 tests); c) position testing in defined sites within SWNs and other environments; d) harden POC devices and reagents to withstand wider ranges of environmental extremes in field applications; e) promote new POC technologies for pathogen detection and other assays, per needs assessment results; and f) select tests according to mission objectives and value propositions.Conclusions: Careful implementation of POC testing will facilitate evidence-based triage, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of victims and patients, while advancing standards of care in emergencies and disasters, as well as public health crises.
Mobile phones and short message service texts to collect situational awareness data during simulated public health critical events
Authors: Magee, MPH Matthew , Isakov, MD, MPH Alex , Paradise, MD, MPH Helen Tang , Sullivan, PhD, DVM Patrick
Published: June 2014

Objective: Text messages are useful for timely communication during public health emergencies and for transmitting health data in infrastructure-limited settings. Little is known about the feasibility of twoway short message service (SMS) communication to collect public health preparedness and surveillance data. The authors aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of using two-way SMS texts to collect situational assessment (SA) data in simulated disaster events during a university-based pilot study.Design: Eligible participants included university students with a mobile phone and messaging plan. Enrollment began in September 2009, and was open until the end of the study in May 2010. Participants attended a training session and provided demographic and phone use information using a baseline survey. Participants responded to SMS SAs that were sent directly to their phones throughout the study period. Frequency, completeness, and time to reporting were recorded for each procedure using an online commercial software package.Results: Sixty-three participants enrolled; median age was 25 years, most were female (74.6 percent), lived off campus (76.2 percent), and were graduate students (76.2 percent). Most participants had a family/joint mobile phone account (73.0 percent) with unlimited messaging (60.3 percent). The median daily number of texts sent and received was 8 and 9, respectively. During five SAs, 194 (76.7 percent) of 253 prompted text surveys were completed. Nearly 60 percent of surveys were completed within 20 minutes of text deployment.Conclusions: Using two-way SMS communication for surveillance and reporting was feasible among a group of motivated students. Similar methods may provide timely data during public health critical events.
An academic medical center’s response to widespread computer failure
Authors: Genes, MD, PhD Nicholas , Chary, PhD Michael , Chason, DO Kevin W.
Published: June 2014

As hospitals incorporate information technology (IT), their operations become increasingly vulnerable to technological breakdowns and attacks. Proper emergency management and business continuity planning require an approach to identify, mitigate, and work through IT downtime. Hospitals can prepare for these disasters by reviewing case studies. This case study details the disruption of computer operations at Mount Sinai Medical Center (MSMC), an urban academic teaching hospital. The events, and MSMC’s response, are narrated and the impact on hospital operations is analyzed. MSMC’s disaster management strategy prevented computer failure from compromising patient care, although walkouts and time-to-disposition in the emergency department (ED) notably increased. This incident highlights the importance of disaster preparedness and mitigation. It also demonstrates the value of using operational data to evaluate hospital responses to disasters. Quantifying normal hospital functions, just as with a patient’s vital signs, may help quantitatively evaluate and improve disaster management and business continuity planning.
Health consequences of involuntary exposure to benzene following a flaring incident at British Petroleum refinery in Texas City
Authors: D’Andrea, MD, FACRO Mark A. , Singh, DO Omesh , Kesava Reddy, PhD, MHA G.
Published: June 2014

Objective: Environmental exposure to benzene can lead to deleterious effects on many biological systems including blood-forming organs, liver, and kidneys. The authors sought to investigate the health consequences of benzene exposure following a flaring incident that occurred at the British Petroleum (BP) refinery in Texas City, TX.Subjects and participants: A cohort of subjects who were exposed to a daily sustained release of toxic chemicals including more than 7,711 kg (17,000 lb) of benzene for a total duration of 40 days due to BP’s flaring incident.Interventions: Not applicable to an observational study.Methods: Subjects who underwent physical and clinical evaluation between June 2010 and October 2012 were included. Demographic and clinical laboratory data were collected and analyzed. Hematologic data such as white blood cell (WBC) counts, platelet counts, hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine levels in the serum were evaluated. In addition, data on alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate amino transferase (AST), and alanine amino transferase (ALT) levels in the serum were examined. Urinary phenol was evaluated as a benzene metabolite. The outcomes were compared between exposed and unexposed patients.Results: A total of 200 subjects (benzene exposed, n = 100 and unexposed, n = 100) were included. Benzene exposed subjects showed significantly higher levels of WBC (×103 per μL) count (8.6 ± 5.4 vs 6.5 ± 2.0, p = 0.0003) and platelet (×103 per μL) count (291.3 ± 82.7 vs 264.1 ± 74.0, p = 0.0076) compared with the unexposed subjects. ALP (IU/L) was significantly elevated in the benzene exposed subjects compared with the unexposed subjects (121.2 ± 73.7 vs 65.4 ± 23.6, p = 0.000). Similarly, benzene exposed subjects had significantly higher levels of AST (IU/L) compared with unexposed subjects (23.4 ± 11.8 vs 19.5 ± 8.9, p = 0.0089).Conclusion: This retrospective pilot study found that environmental benzene exposure from the BP’s flaring incident appears to pose significant health risks including specific alteration of blood cells and liver enzymes, indicating that subjects exposed to benzene may be at a higher risk of developing hepatic or blood related disorders.
Effects of environmental conditions on point-of-care cardiac biomarker test performance during a simulated rescue: Implications for emergency and disaster response
Authors: Louie, PhD, FACB Richard F. , Ferguson, BS William J. , Curtis, BS Corbin M. , Vy, BS John H. , Tang, BS Chloe S. , Kost, MD, PhD, MS, FACB Gerald J.
Published: June 2014

Objective: To characterize the effects of environmental stress on point-of-care (POC) cardiac biomarker testing during a simulated rescue.Design: Multiplex test cassettes for cardiac troponin I (cTnI), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), CKMB, myoglobin, and D-dimer were exposed to environmental stresses simulating a 24-hour rescue from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands and back. We used Tenney environmental chambers (T2RC and BTRC) to simulate flight conditions (20°C, 10 percent relative humidity) and ground conditions (22.3-33.9°C, 73-77 percent). We obtained paired measurements using stressed versus control (room temperature) cassettes at seven time points (T1-7 with T1,2,6,7 during flight and T3-5 on ground). We analyzed paired differences (stressed minus control) with Wilcoxon signed rank test. We assessed the impact on decision-making at clinical thresholds.Results: cTnI results from stressed test cassettes (n = 10) at T4 (p 0.05), T5 (p 0.01), and T7 (p 0.05) differed significantly from control, when testing samples with median cTnI concentration of 90 ng/L. During the ground rescue, 36.7 percent (11/30) of cTnI measurements from stressed cassettes generated significantly lowered results. At T5, 20 percent (2/10) of cTnI results were highly discrepant—stressed cassettes reported normal results, when control results were 100 ng/L. With sample median concentration of 108 pg/mL, BNP results from stressed test cassettes differed significantly from controls (p 0.05).Conclusion: Despite modest, short-term temperature elevation, environmental stresses led to erroneous results. False negative cTnI and BNP results potentially could miss acute myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure, confounded treatment, and increased mortality and morbidity. Therefore, rescuers should protect POC reagents from temperature extremes.
Ethical dilemmas related to predictions and warnings of impending natural disaster
Authors: Phua, PhD Kai-Lit , Hue, BS J. W.
Published: June 2014

Scientists and policy makers issuing predictions and warnings of impending natural disaster are faced with two major challenges, that is, failure to warn and issuing a false alarm. The consequences of failure to warn can be serious for society overall, for example, significant economic losses, heavy infrastructure and environmental damage, large number of human casualties, and social disruption. Failure to warn can also have serious for specific individuals, for example, legal proceedings against disaster research scientists, as in the L’Aquila earthquake affair. The consequences of false alarms may be less serious. Nevertheless, false alarms may violate the principle of nonmaleficence (do no harm), affect individual autonomy (eg, mandatory evacuations), and may result in the “cry wolf” effect. Other ethical issues associated with natural disasters include the promotion of global justice through international predisaster technical assistance and postdisaster aid. Social justice within a particular country is promoted through greater postdisaster aid allocation to the less privileged.
Lessons learned from a landslide catastrophe in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Pereira, MD, MSc Bruno Monteiro Tavares , Morales, MD Wellington , Cardoso, MD Ricardo Galesso , Fiorelli, MD, PhD Rossano , Fraga, MD, PhD Gustavo Pereira , Briggs, MD, MPH Susan M.
Published: June 2014

Introduction: On January, 2011, a devastating tropical storm hit the mountain area of Rio de Janeiro State in Brazil, resulting in flooding and mudslides and leaving 30,000 individuals displaced.Objective: This article explores key lessons learned from this major mass casualty event, highlighting prehospital and hospital organization for receiving multiple victims in a short period of time, which may be applicable in similar future events worldwide.Methods: A retrospective review of local hospital medical/fire department records and data from the Health and Security Department of the State were analyzed. Medical examiner archives were analyzed to determine the causes of death.Results: The most common injuries were to the extremities, the majority requiring only wound cleaning, debridement, and suture. Orthopedic surgeries were the most common operative procedures. In the first 3 days, 191 victims underwent triage at the hospital with 50 requiring admission to the hospital. Two hundred fifty patients were triaged at the hospital by the end of the fifth day.The mortis cause for the majority of deaths was asphyxia, either by drowning or mud burial.Conclusion: Natural disasters are able to generate a large number of victims and overwhelm the main channels of relief available. Main lessons learned are as follows: 1) prevention and training are key points, 2) key measures by the authorities should be taken as early as possible, and 3) the centralization of the deceased in one location demonstrated greater effectiveness identifying victims and releasing the bodies back to families.
Implementation of a collaborative care management program with buprenorphine in primary care: A comparison between opioid-dependent patients and patients with chronic pain using opioids nonmedically
Authors: Suzuki, MD Joji , Matthews, PharmD Michele L. , Brick, BA David , Nguyen Minh-Thuy , Jamison, PhD Robert N. N. , Ellner, MD, MSc Andrew L. , Tishler, MD Lori W. , Weiss, MD Roger D.
Published: June 2014

Objective: To implement a collaborative care management program with buprenorphine in a primary care clinic.Design: Prospective observational study.Setting: A busy urban academic primary care clinic affiliated with a tertiary care hospital.Participants: Opioid-dependent patients or patients with chronic pain using opioids nonmedically were recruited for the study. A total of 45 participants enrolled.Interventions: Patients were treated with buprenorphine and managed by a supervising psychiatrist, pharmacist care manager, and health coaches. The care manager conducted buprenorphine inductions and all follow-up visits. Health coaches offered telephonic support. The psychiatrist supervised both the care manager and health coaches.Main outcome measures: Primary outcomes were treatment retention at 6 months, and change in the proportion of aberrant toxicology results and opioid craving scores from baseline to 6 months. After data collection, clinical outcomes were compared between opioid-dependent patients and patients with chronic pain using opioids nonmedically. Overall, 55.0 percent of participants (25/45) remained in treatment at 6 months. Primary care physicians (PCPs)' attitudes about opioid dependence treatment were surveyed at baseline and at 18 months.Results: Forty-three patients (95.6 percent) accepted treatment and 25 (55.0 percent) remained in treatment at 6 months. The proportion of aberrant urine toxicology results decreased significantly from baseline to 6 months (p < 0.01). Craving scores significantly decreased from baseline to 6 months (p < 0.01). Opioid-dependent patients, as opposed to patients with chronic pain using opioids nonmedically, were significantly more likely to complete 6 months of treatment (p < 0.05). PCPs' confidence in treating opioid dependence in primary care increased significantly from baseline to 18 months postimplementation (p < 0.01).Conclusion: Collaborative care management for opioid dependence with buprenorphine may be feasible in a primary care clinic. More research is needed to understand the role of buprenorphine in managing patients with chronic pain using opioids nonmedically.
Observations on hydrocodone and its metabolites in oral fluid specimens of the pain population: Comparison with urine
Authors: Cao, BS Jennifer M. , Ma, PharmD Joseph D. , Morello, PharmD, CDE Candis M. , Atayee, PharmD, BCPS Rabia S. , Best, PharmD, MAS Brookie M.
Published: June 2014

Objective: Hydrocodone undergoes metabolism via cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 (N-demethylation) to norhydrocodone and via CYP2D6 (O-demethylation) to hydromorphone. Hydrocodone, hydromorphone, and norhydrocodone are excreted in urine and secreted in saliva. The goal was to characterize hydrocodone and its metabolites in oral fluid specimens of a pain population and compare to urine specimens.Design: This retrospective analysis included more than 8,500 oral fluid specimens and more than 250,000 urine specimens collected between March and June 2012 that were sent to Millennium Laboratories (San Diego, CA) and analyzed for hydrocodone, hydromorphone, and norhydrocodone using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Statistical analyses and linear regressions were conducted using Microsoft Excel® 2010 and OriginPro v8.6.Results: The median oral fluid concentrations of hydrocodone and norhydrocodone were 122 and 7.7 ng/mL, respectively. However, the oral fluid concentrations of hydromorphone were below detection in many specimens (<1 ng/mL). The positive detection rate of parent drug and metabolites in oral fluid (17-31 percent detection rates) was much lower than in urine (63-75 percent detection rates). The geometric median metabolic ratio (MR) of norhydrocodone to hydrocodone was 0.07 in oral fluid and 1.2 in urine. The observed hydrocodone oral fluid concentrations were approximately 10-fold greater than previously reported plasma concentrations.Conclusion: Oral fluid had a much lower norhydrocodone to hydrocodone MR compared to urine. Reference ranges for oral fluid drug concentrations should not be extrapolated from plasma ranges. The observed ranges of secreted hydrocodone and metabolite concentrations in oral fluid should help determine reference ranges for medication monitoring.
An evaluation of the performance of the Opioid Manager clinical tool in primary care: A qualitative study
Authors: Robertson, BSc, MD (Candidate) Andrew , Hitzig, PhD Sander L. , Furlan, MD, PhD Andrea D.
Published: June 2014

Aims: The Opioid Manager (OM) is a point-of-care paper tool for physicians, which summarizes the Canadian Guideline for Safe and Effective Use of Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain. To evaluate the efficacy of the OM, there is a need to better understand how physicians are using the OM, and how it is relevant to their practice.Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with six family physicians in Ontario with clinical pain management experience. The interviews were analyzed using content analysis. The technique of “code-recode” was conducted by two analysts to verify content validity.Results: The following main themes emerged: 1) OM as a communication tool; 2) OM as an educational tool; 3) OM as a clinical tool; 4) OM content/design; 5) OM benefits; 6) who the OM is used with; 7) OM potential; and 8) challenges of pain management. Physicians' commented the OM was a useful reference for helping their clinical decision making regarding opioids, and used it to educate and communicate with their patients/colleagues. Although many felt the content/design of the OM had a number of good features, there was a need for modifications (ie, merge with other tools and create electronic version). Given the challenges associated with pain management, a number of benefits were derived from using the OM (ie, protection and building therapeutic alliance), and respondents' felt the tool had the potential to meet a number of unmet needs related to opioid management.Conclusions: Overall, the OM was viewed positively for improving pain management practices but further work is required to refine the tool's potential.
A chart review based comparative study of retention rates for two dispensing regimens for buprenorphine for subjects with opioid dependence at a tertiary care substance use disorder treatment center
Authors: Balhara, MD, DNB, MNAMS Yatan Pal Singh
Published: June 2014

Objective: The current study aimed at comparison of retention rates for daily dispensing (DD) and alternate-day dispensing (AD) regimens for buprenorphine over a 1-year period at a tertiary care treatment center for management of substance use disorders. Additionally, it aimed at comparison of prescription refill proportions for these two buprenorphine dispensing regimens over a 1-year period.Setting: The study was conducted at a tertiary level substance use disorder treatment center.Patients, participants: Case records of patients satisfying the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition) criteria for opioid dependence syndrome were included in the study.Main outcome measures: Retention rates and prescription refill proportions were compared for the two buprenorphine dispensing regimens for different time intervals over a 52-week period.Results: Fifty-two subjects (45.61 percent) were started on DD regimen and 62 (54.38 percent) were put on AD regimen of buprenorphine. All subjects were opioid dependent. The two groups did not differ for prescription refill proportions as well as retention rates for any of the time intervals studied.Conclusion: The findings of the current study support feasibility and acceptance of alternate-day dosing strategy for buprenorphine dispensing for patients with opioid dependence.
Liking and Perceived Probability of Victimization of Peers Displaying Behaviors Characteristic of Anxiety and Depression
Authors: Luchetti Susan , Rapee Ronald M.
Published: June 2014

Although several longitudinal studies have indicated that internalising behaviours can precede victimisation, there has been little attempt to examine the influence of these behaviours experimentally. In the current study 168, 12–14 year old participants read vignettes of peers displaying behaviours indicating anxiety, depression, or pro-social characteristics. For each vignette participants indicated their degree of liking of the hypothetical peer as well as the extent to which they believed that the peer would be victimised by others and by themself. Compared to hypothetical pro-social children, peers displaying anxious or depressed behaviours were less liked and were perceived as more likely to be victimised by both others and by the participant themself. The results point to the vulnerability produced by anxiety and depression and suggest programs that might be combined with whole-of-school approaches to empower victims.
Chemical composition and mass size distribution of PM1.0 at an elevated site in central east China
Authors: Zhang Y. M. , Zhang X. Y. , Sun J. Y. , Hu G. Y. , Shen X. J. , Wang Y. Q. , Wang T. T. , Wang D. Z. , Zhao Y.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Size-resolved aerosol chemical compositions were measured continuously for one and half years with an aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) to characterize the mass and size distributions (MSDs) of each component in bulk, fresh and aged submicron particles (approximately PM1.0) at Mountain Tai, an elevated site in Central East China (CEC) from June 2010 to January 2012. The majority of the regionally-dispersed aerosols were found to be contributed from short distance mixed aerosol, mostly from its south with organics and sulfate as the major components. The annual mean mass concentrations of organics, sulfate, nitrate, ammonium and chloride were 11.2, 9.2, 7.2, 5.8 and 0.95 μg m−3, respectively, which are much lower for organics and sulfate, and slightly lower for nitrate, ammonium and chloride than those at the nearby surface rural sites. High organics were observed for all four seasons, and the relatively fresh organic aerosol (OA) containing high proportion of less-photo chemically OA, were found from long-range transported aerosol from northwest. Semi-volatile and low-volatile oxidized OAs together contributed approximately 49%, 55% in spring and 72% and 51% in winter of total OA, showing at least 50% of OA can be attributable to SOA. Seasonally, the chemical components at the elevated site showed a "winter high and autumn low" pattern, with organics, sulfate and ammonium peaking in summer. Though no obvious differences of MSDs were seen for various chemical components in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) and free troposphere (FT), the concentrations were a factor of 5–7 higher in PBL than in FT. The averaged MSDs of particles between 30–1000 nm for organics, sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium are approximately log-normal with similar mass median diameters (MMDs) of 539, 585, 542, and 545 nm, respectively, which were slightly larger than those in ground sites within North China Plain (NCP). Obvious differences in MMDs were found between fresh and aged aerosols for sulfate and ammonium, with smaller increased size-factors for the Mt. Tai aerosols than those in less polluted areas. All these exhibit the relative aged and well-mixed aerosol observed.
Assessment and application of clustering techniques to atmospheric particle number size distribution for the purpose of source apportionment
Authors: Salimi F. , Ristovski Z. , Mazaheri M. , Laiman R. , Crilley L. R. , He C. , Clifford S. , Morawska L.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Long-term measurements of particle number size distribution (PNSD) produce a very large number of observations and their analysis requires an efficient approach in order to produce results in the least possible time and with maximum accuracy. Clustering techniques are a family of sophisticated methods which have been recently employed to analyse PNSD data, however, very little information is available comparing the performance of different clustering techniques on PNSD data. This study aims to apply several clustering techniques (i.e. K-means, PAM, CLARA and SOM) to PNSD data, in order to identify and apply the optimum technique to PNSD data measured at 25 sites across Brisbane, Australia. A new method, based on the Generalised Additive Model (GAM) with a basis of penalised B-splines, was proposed to parameterise the PNSD data and the temporal weight of each cluster was also estimated using the GAM. In addition, each cluster was associated with its possible source based on the results of this parameterisation, together with the characteristics of each cluster. The performances of four clustering techniques were compared using the Dunn index and silhouette width validation values and the K-means technique was found to have the highest performance, with five clusters being the optimum. Therefore, five clusters were found within the data using the K-means technique. The diurnal occurrence of each cluster was used together with other air quality parameters, temporal trends and the physical properties of each cluster, in order to attribute each cluster to its source and origin. The five clusters were attributed to three major sources and origins, including regional background particles, photochemically induced nucleated particles and vehicle generated particles. Overall, clustering was found to be an effective technique for attributing each particle size spectra to its source and the GAM was suitable to parameterise the PNSD data. These two techniques can help researchers immensely in analysing PNSD data for characterisation and source apportionment purposes.
Comparison of profile total ozone from SBUV (v8.6) with GOME-type and ground-based total ozone for a 16-year period (1996 to 2011)
Authors: Chiou E. W. , Bhartia P. K. , McPeters R. D. , Loyola D. G. , Coldewey-Egbers M. , Fioletov V. E. , Van Roozendael M. , Spurr R. , Lerot C. , Frith S. M.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. This paper describes the comparison of the variability of total column ozone inferred from the three independent multi-year data records, namely, (i) Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet Instrument (SBUV) v8.6 profile total ozone, (ii) GTO (GOME-type total ozone), and (iii) ground-based total ozone data records covering the 16-year overlap period (March 1996 through June 2011). Analyses are conducted based on area-weighted zonal means for 0–30° S, 0–30° N, 50–30° S, and 30–60° N. It has been found that, on average, the differences in monthly zonal mean total ozone vary between −0.3 and 0.8 % and are well within 1%. For GTO minus SBUV, the standard deviations and ranges (maximum minus minimum) of the differences regarding monthly zonal mean total ozone vary between 0.6–0.7% and 2.8–3.8% respectively, depending on the latitude band. The corresponding standard deviations and ranges regarding the differences in monthly zonal mean anomalies show values between 0.4–0.6% and 2.2–3.5%. The standard deviations and ranges of the differences ground-based minus SBUV regarding both monthly zonal means and anomalies are larger by a factor of 1.4–2.9 in comparison to GTO minus SBUV. The ground-based zonal means demonstrate larger scattering of monthly data compared to satellite-based records. The differences in the scattering are significantly reduced if seasonal zonal averages are analyzed. The trends of the differences GTO minus SBUV and ground-based minus SBUV are found to vary between −0.04 and 0.1% yr−1 (−0.1 and 0.3 DU yr−1). These negligibly small trends have provided strong evidence that there are no significant time-dependent differences among these multi-year total ozone data records. Analyses of the annual deviations from pre-1980 level indicate that, for the 15-year period of 1996 to 2010, all three data records show a gradual increase at 30–60° N from −5% in 1996 to −2% in 2010. In contrast, at 50–30° S and 30° S–30° N there has been a levelling off in the 15 years after 1996. The deviations inferred from GTO and SBUV show agreement within 1%, but a slight increase has been found in the differences during the period 1996–2010.
Relationships between columnar aerosol optical properties and surface particulate matter observations in north-central Spain from long-term records (2003–2011)
Authors: Bennouna Y. S. , Cachorro V. , Burgos M. A. , Toledano C. , Torres B. , de Frutos A.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. This work examines the relationships between Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and Particulate Matter (PMX) parameters, based on long records (2003–2011) of two nearby sites from the AERONET and EMEP networks in the north-central area of Spain. The climatological annual cycle of PM10 and PM2.5 present a bimodality which might be partly due to desert dust intrusions, a pattern which does not appear in the annual cycle of the AOD. In the case of the AOD, this bimodality is likely to be masked because of the poor sampling of sunphotometer data as compared to PMX (67% of days against 90%), and this fact stresses the necessity of long-term observations. In monthly series, significant interannual variations are observed and most extrema coincide, however the bimodal shape remains relatively stable for PMX. Significant and consistent trends were found for both datasets likely associated to a decrease of desert dust apportionment until 2009. PM10 and AOD daily data are moderately correlated (0.56), a correlation improving for monthly means (0.70). In the case of strong desert dust events day-to-day correlation is not systematic, therefore an extensive analysis on PMX, fine-PM ratio, AOD and associated Ångström exponent (α) is carried out.
Determining the optimal nitrogen rate for summer maize in China by integrating agronomic, economic, and environmental aspects
Authors: Wang G. L. , Ye Y. L. , Chen X. P. , Cui Z. L.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. The concept of high yield with a goal of minimum environmental cost has become widely accepted. However, the trade-offs and complex linkages among agronomic, economic, and environmental factors are not yet well understood. In this study, reactive nitrogen (Nr) losses were estimated using an empirical model, and an economic indicator and an evaluation model were used to account for the environmental costs of N fertilizer production and use. The minimum N rate to achieve the maximum yield benefit (agronomically optimal N rate), maximum economic benefit (economically optimal N rate: economic benefit was defined as yield benefit minus N fertilizer cost), and maximum net benefit (ecologically optimal N rate: net benefit was defined as yield benefit minus N fertilizer and environmental costs) were estimated based on 91 on-farm experiment sites with five N levels for summer maize production on the North China Plain. Across all experimental sites, the agronomically, economically, and ecologically optimal N rates (Nagr, Neco, and Necl, respectively) averaged 289, 237, and 171 kg N ha−1, respectively. Necl management increased net benefit by 53% with a 46% decrease in total environmental costs, and a 51% decrease in Nr loss intensity from N fertilizer use (47, 65, and 38% for N2O emission, N leaching, and NH3 volatilization, respectively) and maintained grain yield, compared with Nagr management. Compared with Neco management, Necl increased net benefit by 12%, with a 31% decrease in total environmental costs and a 33% decrease in Nr loss intensity from N fertilizer use, and maintained economic benefit and grain yield. No differences in Necl were observed between soil types or years, but significant variation among counties was revealed. Necl increased with the increase in N-derived yield with an R2 of 0.83. In conclusion, Necl was primarily affected by N-derived yield and could enhance profitability as well as reduce Nr losses associated with the maize grain yield.
DOC sources and DOC transport pathways in a small headwater catchment as revealed by carbon isotope fluctuation during storm events
Authors: Lambert T. , Pierson-Wickmann A.-C. , Gruau G. , Jaffrezic A. , Petitjean P. , Thibault J. N. , Jeanneau L.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Monitoring the isotopic composition (δ13CDOC) of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) during flood events can be helpful for locating DOC sources in catchments and quantifying their relative contribution to stream DOC flux. High-resolution (< hourly basis) δ13CDOC data were obtained during six successive storm events occurring during the high-flow period in a small headwater catchment in western France. Intra-storm δ13CDOC values exhibit a marked temporal variability, with some storms showing large variations (> 2 ‰), and others yielding a very restricted range of values (< 1 ‰). Comparison of these results with previously published data shows that the range of intra-storm δ13CDOC values closely reflects the temporal and spatial variation in δ13CDOC observed in the riparian soils of this catchment during the same period. Using δ13CDOC data in conjunction with hydrometric monitoring and an end-member mixing approach (EMMA), we show that (i) > 80% of the stream DOC flux flows through the most superficial soil horizons of the riparian domain and (ii) the riparian soil DOC flux is comprised of DOC coming ultimately from both riparian and upland domains. Based on its δ13C fingerprint, we find that the upland DOC contribution decreases from ca.~30% of the stream DOC flux at the beginning of the high-flow period to < 10% later in this period. Overall, upland domains contribute significantly to stream DOC export, but act as a size-limited reservoir, whereas soils in the wetland domains act as a near-infinite reservoir. Through this study, we show that δ13CDOC provides a powerful tool for tracing DOC sources and DOC transport mechanisms in headwater catchments, having a high-resolution assessment of temporal and spatial variability.
River inflow and retention time affecting spatial heterogeneity of chlorophyll and water–air CO2 fluxes in a tropical hydropower reservoir
Authors: Pacheco F. S. , Soares M. C. S. , Assireu A. T. , Curtarelli M. P. , Roland F. , Abril G. , Stech J. L. , Alvalá P. C. , Ometto J. P.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Much research has been devoted to understanding the complexity of biogeochemical and physical processes responsible for the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from hydropower reservoirs. Spatial complexity and heterogeneity of GHG emission may be observed in these systems because it is dependent on flooded biomass, river inflow, primary production and dam operation. In this study, we investigate the relationships between water–air CO2 fluxes and phytoplanktonic biomass in Funil Reservoir, an old and stratified tropical reservoir, where intense phytoplankton blooms and low partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) are observed. Our results showed that Funil Reservoir seasonal and spatial variability of chlorophyll concentration (Chl) and pCO2 is more related to changes in river inflow over the year than environmental factor such as air temperature and solar radiation. Field data and hydrodynamic simulations reveal that the river inflow contributes to increased heterogeneity in dry season due to the variation of reservoir retention time and river temperature. Contradictory conclusion can be drawn if temporal data collected only near the dam is considered instead of spatial data to represent CO2 fluxes in whole reservoir. The average CO2 fluxes was −17.6 and 22.1 mmol m−2d−2 considering data collected near the dam and spatial data, respectively, in periods of low retention time. In this case, the lack of spatial information can change completely the role of Funil Reservoir regarding GHG emissions. Our results support the idea that Funil Reservoir is a dynamic system where the hydrodynamics represented by changes in river inflow and retention time is potentially more important force driving both Chl and pCO2 spatial variability than in-system ecological factors.
Projected pH reductions by 2100 might put deep North Atlantic biodiversity at risk
Authors: Gehlen M. , Séférian R. , Jones D. O. B. , Roy T. , Roth R. , Barry J. , Bopp L. , Doney S. C. , Dunne J. P. , Heinze C. , Joos F. , Orr J. C. , Resplandy L. , Segschneider J. , Tjiputra J.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. This study aims at evaluating the potential for impacts of ocean acidification on North Atlantic deep-sea ecosystems in response to IPCC AR5 Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP). Deep-sea biota is likely highly vulnerable to changes in seawater chemistry and sensitive to moderate excursions in pH. Here we show, from seven fully-coupled Earth system models, that for three out of four RCPs over 17% of the seafloor area below 500 m depth in the North Atlantic sector will experience pH reductions exceeding −0.2 units by 2100. Increased stratification in response to climate change partially alleviates the impact of ocean acidification on deep benthic environment. We report major potential consequences of pH reductions for deep-sea biodiversity hotspots, such as seamounts and canyons. By 2100 and under the high CO2 scenario RCP8.5 pH reductions exceeding −0.2, (respectively −0.3) units are projected in close to 23% (~ 15%) of North Atlantic deep-sea canyons and ~ 8% (3%) of seamounts – including seamounts proposed as sites of marine protected areas. The spatial pattern of impacts reflects the depth of the pH perturbation and does not scale linearly with atmospheric CO2 concentration. Impacts may cause negative changes of the same magnitude or exceeding the current target of 10% of preservation of marine biomes set by the convention on biological diversity implying that ocean acidification may offset benefits from conservation/management strategies relying on the regulation of resource exploitation.
Oxygen and carbon isotope composition of modern planktic foraminifera and near-surface waters in the Fram Strait (Arctic Ocean) – a case-study
Authors: Pados T. , Spielhagen R. F. , Bauch D. , Meyer H. , Segl M.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. The upper 500 m of the water column and the sediment surface along an E–W transect in the Fram Strait were sampled for recent planktic foraminifera. The δ18O and δ13C values of the tests are compared to the stable isotope composition of water samples taken from the same depths, and related to the characteristics of the water column. The polar species Neogloboquadrina pachyderma (sin.) clearly dominates the species assemblage in the Fram Strait in the early summer, while the subpolar Turborotalita quinqueloba accounts only for 5–23%. In this area the average depth of calcification of N. pachyderma (sin.) lies between 70–150m water depth, T. quinqueloba shows a similar range with 50–120 m water depth. The δ18O values of N. pachyderma (sin.) show an average vital effect of about −1.5‰ compared to calculated equilibrium calcite values. Except for the upper ~ 75 m, the vertical profiles of δ13C of the net-sampled shells are nearly parallel to the values measured in the water column with an average offset of −1.6‰ and −3.6‰ for N. pachyderma (sin.) and T. quinqueloba, respectively. The discrepancy found in the upper ~ 75 m might indicate the influence of the "carbonate ion effect" on the carbon isotope incorporation in the tests. Oxygen and carbon isotopes from the sediment surface yield higher values than those from the water column for both species. This may be because specimens from the water column reflect a modern snapshot only, while tests from surface sediments record environmental parameters from the past ~ 1000 years.