bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Topical corticosteroids in association with miconazole and chlorhexidine in the long‐term management of atrophic‐erosive oral lichen planus: a placebo‐controlled and comparative study between clobetasol and fluocinonide
Authors: Carbone M. , Conrotto D. , Carrozzo M. , Broccoletti R. , Gandolfo S. , Scully C.
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a combination of topical corticosteroids with topical antimycotic drugs in the therapy of atrophic‐erosive forms of oral lichen planus (OLP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 60 patients with OLP subdivided into three groups matched for sex and age. The first group (25 patients) and the second group (24 patients) received respectively 0.05% clobetasol propionate ointment or 0.05% fluocinonide ointment in an adhesive medium (4% hydroxyethyl cellulose gel) plus in each case antimycotic treatment consisting of miconazole gel and 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwashes. The third group (11 patients), placebo group, received only hydroxyethyl cellulose gel and antimycotic treatment as above. All the treatment regimens were carried out for 6 monthS. Each patient was examined every 2 months during the 6‐month period of active treatment and for a further 6 months of follow‐up. Objective and subjective clinical progress was scored and compared between the three groupS. Plasma cortisol levels were monitored in half the patients using the topical corticosteroids.

RESULTS: All patients treated with clobetasol and 90% of the patients treated with fluocinonide witnessed some improvement, whereas in the placebo group only 20% of patients improved (P < 0.0001 and P= 0.00029, respectively).However, when considering complete responses, only clobetasol gave significantly better results than placebo. Clobetasol resolved 75% of the lesions whereas fluocinonide was effective in 25% of cases and placebo in none. Clobetasol achieved better results statistically than did fluocinonide (P= 0.00442) and placebo (P= 0.00049) whereas there was no statistical difference among fluocinonide and placebo (P= 0.140).Similar results were obtained for symptomS. Both drugs were shown to be effective in the treatment of erosive lesions, but clobetasol was considerably more efficacious than fluocinonide in the atrophic areas (75%vs 25% of total response, respectively) (P= 0.00442).None of the treated patients contracted oropharyngeal candidiasiS. After 6 months of follow‐up, 65% of the clobetasol‐treated group and 55% of the fluocinonide group were stable. Estimation of plasma cortisol levels showed no significant systemic adverse effects of clobetasol or fluocinonide.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a very potent topical corticosteroid such as clobetasol may control OLP in most cases, with no significant adrenal suppression or adverse effectS. Moreover, a concomitant antimycotic treatment with miconazole gel and chlorhexidine mouthwashes is a useful and safe prophylaxis against oropharyngeal candidiasis.
Chemotactic response of periodontal ligament cells decreases with donor age: association with reduced expression of c‐fos
Authors: Asahara Y. , Nishimura F. , Arai H. , Kurihara H. , Takashiba S. , Murayama Y.
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVE: To understand the effects of aging on cellular motility of human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells, and to determine the possible link between cell proliferation and migration in relation to cellular aging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chemotactic response of PDL cells from three juvenile and four older donors were compared. Then, migrated or unmigrated cells were examined for their cell cycle by morphological and immunocytochemical procedureS. Finally, migrated or unmigrated cells were examined for the expression of c‐fos and c‐myc by in situ hybridization.

RESULTS: PDL cells from older donors showed lower chemotaxis compared with the cells from juvenile donors (P < 0.05).Cells undergoing migration were found not to be in the S‐ or M‐phase of the cell cycle. However, all migrated cells were found to express c‐fos, while many of the cells which did not migrate were found not to express c‐fos.

CONCLUSIONS: Cellular motility of PDL cells decreases with donor age as well as cell proliferation. Since the cells reaching senescence fail to express c‐fos, the mechanisms linked to cellular senescence may be a possible underlying mechanism for low migration seen in the older cells.
Pathology and clinical correlates in oral candidiasis and its variants: a review
Authors: Reichart PA , Samaranayake LP , Philipsen HP
Published: August 2010

Although Candida albicans is well recognised as the major agent of oral candidiasis, it is not clear why several variants such as pseudomembranous (PC), erythematous (EC) and hyperplastic candidiasis (HC) manifest in different individuals, sometimes singly and on other occasions, in combination. The present review focuses on recent histopathologic and immunocytochemical studies as well as the pathogenic attributes of the yeast, in an attempt to address the following queries.(1) Do histopathologic studies of the different variants of candidiasis in immuno‐competent and immunocompromised individuals help explain these varying manifestations? (2) Under what circumstances does oral candidiasis manifest as a pseudo‐membranous rather than an erythematous lesion or vice versa? (3) Are there differences in immunoreactivity in closely adjacent mucosae so that the variable presentation of such lesions reflect differences in the local mucosal immune system? Recent studies of PC, EC and HC offer some insights into the pathogenic mechanisms involved. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical finding in cases of PC and EC in HIV‐infected patients and controls appear to be comparable, with a marked reduction or even an absence of CD4+ cells. The latter phenomenon is marked in PC compared with the EC, and explicable in terms of a breakdown of the local immune response in the former, and a hypersensitivity reaction against Candida antigens in the latter. Hyper‐plastic candidiasis on the other hand could be considered a superficial cellular reaction against the pathogen, which cannot entirely be eradicated by the systemic or local host immune response. The virulent attributes of the fungus, such as the production of extracellular proteinases, do significantly differ within and between species and thereby play a contributory role in the genesis of the clinical variantS. Although the available data do give a tantalising glimpse of the contributory mechanisms for the aetiopathology of PC, EC and HC, further research is warranted to elucidate response of the host to this ubiquitous fungal pathogen.
The effect of sodium lauryl sulphate, triclosan and zinc on the permeability of normal oral mucosa
Authors: Healy CM , Cruchley AT , Thornhill MH , Williams DM
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVE: Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), an important component in many oral health products, is well established as a contact irritant in skin. Recent studies have suggested that it may also affect the structural integrity of oral mucosa. SLS is rarely used alone in dentifrices or mouthwashes and the aim of this study was to establish the effect of SLS both alone and in combination with Triclosan (TCN) and zinc (Zn) on the permeability barrier properties of normal human oral mucosa. METHOD: Ventral tongue mucosa was obtained from nine males and seven females within 60 h of death and stored frozen at −70°C until use. The permeability of the tissue to tritiated water was measured after pretreatment for 15 min with SLS alone, SLS/TCN, SLS/Zn and a SLS/TCN/Zn mixture. Treatment with distilled water (DW) served as control. The histological appearance of the tissue before and after treatment was also examined by light microscopy.

RESULTS: SLS treatment caused a significant increase in water permeability compared to control tissue (Kp = 11.7± 1.00; 4.96 ± 0.50 respectively; P < 0.005). Treatment with a SLS/TCN/Zn mixture, however, had no effect on the permeability to water (Kp = 5.5 ± 0.56).Histological examination revealed that tissue exposed to SLS had a marked disruption of the epithelial surface whilst tissue treated with a SLS/TCN/Zn mixture was indistinguishable from controls.

CONCLUSION: Although mucosa exposed to SLS alone showed an increase in permeability to water, the addition of TCN and Zn to SLS appeared to prevent this effect. As SLS is included in some dental products to solubilise compounds such as TCN, its presence may have no effect on the permeability barrier property of oral mucosa.
Oral Microbiology: Environmental cues and gene expression in Porphyromonas gingivalis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans
Authors: Forng R‐Y , Champagne C , Simpson W , Genco CA
Published: August 2010

Microorganisms typically adapt to environmental cues by turning on and off the expression of virulence genes which, in turn, allows for optimal growth and survival within different environmental niches. This adaptation strategy includes sensing and responding to changes in nutrients, pH, temperature, oxygen tension, redox potential, microbial flora, and osmolarity. For a bacterium to adhere to, penetrate, replicate in, and colonize host cells, it is critical that virulence genes are expressed during certain periods of the infection process. Thus, throughout the different stages of an infection, different sets of virulence factors are turned on and off in response to different environmental signals, allowing the bacterium to effectively adapt to its varying niche. In this review, we focus on the regulation of virulence gene expression in two pathogens which have been implicated as major etiological agents in adult and juvenile periodon‐tal diseases: Porphyromonas gingivalis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. Understanding the mechanisms of virulence gene expression in response to the local environment of the host will provide crucial information in the development of effective treatments targeted at eradication of these periodontal disease pathogens.
Clinical Oral Medicine: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS): controlled open trial of the efficacy of alpha‐lipoic acid (thioctic acid) on symptomatology
Authors: Femiano F , Gombos F , Scully C , Busciolano M , Luca P De
Published: August 2010

BACKGROUND: Alpha‐lipoic acid (ALA), is a potent antioxidant mitochondrial coenzyme, the trometamol salt of thioctic acid that has been shown in clinical studies to be neuroprotective. This study examined the effect of ALA on the symptomatology of Burning mouth syndrome (BMS).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty‐two patients with BMS and no clinical or laboratory evidence of organic oral disease were divided into two groups (Test and Control) each of 21 subjects, matched for age and sex. The Test group were given ALA (thioctic acid; Tiobec) for 30 days, as 600 mg per day orally for 20 days followed by 200 mg per day for 10 days. The Control group were given cellulose starch 100 mg per day as placebo for 30 days. All BMS patients were reviewed at 10‐day intervals and scored for changes in symptomatology.

RESULTS: Significant improvements were shown in the symptomatology of BMS in up to two‐thirds of patients with BMS receiving alpha‐lipoic acid, in about 15% of those using placebo and also in up to two‐thirds of those who, having tried placebo, were switched to ALA.
Long‐term follow‐up of patients treated with acupuncture for xerostomia and the influence of additional treatment
Authors: Blom M , Lundeberg T
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long‐term effects of acupuncture in patients with xerostomia of different etiologies and the influence of additional treatment.

DESIGN: Retrospective study.

SUBJECTS: Seventy patients, between the ages of 33 and 82, with xerostomia due to primary and secondary Sjögren's syndrome, irradiation and other causes were included. The median duration of xerostomia was 32 months.

METHODS: Salivary flow rates (SFR) for whole unstimulated and stimulated saliva were used as indicators of effects of treatment. Data from 67/70 patients were analyzed 6 months following a baseline course of 24 acupuncture treatments using two‐way ANOVA. Patients data up to 3 years were also compared by those who chose to receive additional acupuncture treatment vs those who did not. These data were analyzed descriptively.

RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rates (P < 001) were found in all etiological groups after 24 acupuncture treatments and up to 6 months follow‐up compared to baseline. Three years observation of these patients showed that patients receiving additional acupuncture treatment had a consistently higher median SFR in both unstimulated and stimulated saliva compared to patients who chose not to continue acupuncture. The upper limits of the interquartile range were also higher.

CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that acupuncture treatment results in statistically significant improvements in SFR in patients with xerostomia up to 6 months. It suggests that additional acupuncture therapy can maintain this improvement in SFR for up to 3 years.
Congenital heart block associated with undiagnosed maternal Primary Sjögren's Syndrome – a case report and discussion
Authors: Steele JC , Dawson LJ , Moots RJ , Field EA
Published: August 2010

Congenital heart block (CHB) has been linked with Sjögren's Syndrome. This paper reports a case of previously undiagnosed maternal Primary Sjögren's Syndrome (1°SS) that was only discovered following the birth of the patient's first child with CHB. The possible pathophysiological mechanisms underlying CHB associated with 1°SS are discussed.
Improved oral hygiene and Candida species colonization level in geriatric patients
Authors: Grimoud AM , Lodter JP , Marty N , Andrieu S , Bocquet H , Linas MD , Rumeau M , Cazard JC
Published: August 2010

Objectives:  This work consists in improving oral hygiene (OH) for elderly dependent people in long‐term hospital care, in order to decrease the degree of colonization and the associated risk of developing oral candidiasis. As this population frequently suffers from such colonization and because it is difficult to install and practice OH care, a study protocol was designed at the request of geriatricians. The objective of the present study was to set up a programme of OH, applied by the care staff, and to monitor oral colonization of by Candida spp.

Basic research design:  We compared the levels of hygiene and Candida spp. colonization for a group of 110 long‐term patients in geriatric departments at T1, when clinical data were collected and oral mycological samples taken before the OH protocol was applied, and at T2, during the postprotocol phase after 3 months of application, when the clinical data and sample collection were repeated.

Results:  During these 3 months 11 patients died. These patients were excluded from the results, which are presented for matched series of the 99 patients still present at T2. Statistical analysis comparing the clinical and biological parameters at T1 and T2 established that there had been an improvement in OH: the ‘adequate’ level was reached for 72.4% of patients at T2 compared with 41.8% at T1 (P < 0.001) and the ‘very inadequate’ level was observed for 9.2% at T2 compared with 27.9% at T1 (P < 0.01). A reduction was observed in the number of patients showing the highest degree of C. albicans and C. glabrata colonization (>50 colony forming units) from 41.9% at T1 to 24.9% at T2 (P < 0.05) and from 56.4% at T1 to 13.0% at T2 (P < 0.05) respectively. The number of patients with candidiasis fell significantly from 43.2% at T1 to 10.2% at T2.

Conclusions:  The OH protocol led to an overall decrease in Candida spp. colonization, a significant reduction in the number of candidiasis and an improvement in the level of oral and denture hygiene but vigilance is still necessary concerning OH care and the initial training of staff in specific care of the mouth.
ANTIBODY RESPONSES IN MYCOPLASMA PNEUMONIAE INFECTION IN RELATION TO SERUM IMMUNOGLOBULINS, ESPECIALLY IgM
Authors: Biberfeld Gunnel
Published: August 2010

Comparison of the antibody response to M. pneumoniae in patients with pneumonia of different ages showed that most cases below 20 years had an early predominance of IgM relative to IgG complement fixing (CF) antibodies whereas most adults above 40 years possessed more IgG than IgM CF antibodies. Young patients usually developed higher titres of CF than of tetrazolium reduction inhibiting (TRI) antibodies while older patients often showed higher TRI than CF antibody titres. 7 out of 10 adult patients with excretion of M. pneumoniae of short duration formed little or no IgM antibodies while most cases with prolonged excretion had a rather potent IgM antibody response in the early phase of infection. But a longlasting persistence of M. pneumoniae in the throat was not necessarily accompanied by a longlasting IgM antibody response. The total serum IgM level increased during infection in patients who developed high or moderate titres of IgM antibodies to M. pneumoniae and of cold agglutinins but showed little or no change in patients who formed M. pneumoniae antibodies of IgG class almost exclusively. Absorption with M. pneumoniae organisms of 8 sera with elevated IgM resulted in a 8—34 per cent reduction of total IgM. Removal of the cold agglutinins reduced the IgM concentration by 11 per cent in one serum but had little or no effect on the IgM level in 7 other sera. Absorbable M. pneumoniae antibodies and cold agglutinins accounted for 30—57 per cent of the IgM increase which was demonstrated during the infection. Two to four years after M. pneumoniae pneumonia, CF antibodies persisted in 38 out of 41 cases, TRI antibodies in 39 of 41 cases and IFL antibodies of IgG class in all of 41 cases. 50 per cent of the sera obtained 4 years after infection contained IgM antibodies demonstrable by IFL and CF.
RUBELLA HAEMAGGLUTINATION INHIBITORS: THEIR SEPARATION FROM ANTIBODIES
Authors: Haukenes G. , Aasen J.
Published: August 2010

The separation of rubella haemagglutination‐inhibition (HI) antibodies and haemagglutina‐tion (HA) inhibitors by hydroxyl apatite chromatography and sucrose gradient centrifuga‐tion has been studied. Both methods permitted inhibitors and antibodies to be demonstrated separately. In hydroxyl apatite chromatography all inhibitors were found in the β‐lipo‐protein fractions. The usefulness of these methods in cases of suspected false positive and false negative reactions is discussed.
IN VITRO STUDIES ON THE FATE OF ANTIGEN
Authors: Rhodes J. M.
Published: August 2010

Extracts of mouse spleen and mouse peritoneal macrophages digested human serum albumin (HSA) at pH 3.0 in vitro; the products of digestion gave three different precipitating components as shown by immunoelectrophoresis. The extent to which 125I‐HSA was degraded could also be followed by assaying the radioactivity on a paper strip after zone electrophoresis of the HSA digests. The presence of ferritin did not affect the digestion of HSA. Ferritin was not cleaved by the spleen or cell extract at pH 3.0, 4.5 or 8.0, even after incubation at 37d̀C for 24 hours. These results are discussed in relation to the fate of the antigens in vivo.
Audit and Feedback as a Clinical Practice Guideline Implementation Strategy: A Model for Acute Care Nurse Practitioners
Authors: Dulko Dorothy
Published: August 2010

Background: The transfer of research evidence into practice and changing provider behavior is challenging, even when the advantages are strong. Despite the availability of supportive care clinical practice guidelines (CPG), consistent integration of these principles into practice has not been achieved. The failure of dissemination strategies has been identified as a key barrier to successful implementation. A potentially effective approach to facilitating the transfer of research evidence into practice is audit and feedback. Audit and feedback is a summary of provider performance over a specified period of time, with or without recommendations to improve practice.

Rationale: Cancer pain is an optimal symptom to examine when studying the effect of an audit and feedback intervention. It is a common condition with important consequences, established CPG are available, measurable outcomes are defined, and there is potential for improvement in current practice. Acute care nurse practitioners (NPs) are often responsible for overseeing and directly managing symptoms such as pain and are well positioned to implement CPG and study the effects of adherence to guidelines on patients' pain outcomes.

Methodology: A systematic review of published articles, MEDLINE®, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and the Cochrane Library computerized databases was performed to evaluate the state of the science on audit and feedback as a professional practice change strategy. A behavior change model is proposed for its application to advanced practice nursing.

Implications for Practice: Recognized in medicine as a valuable intervention to improve healthcare quality, audit and feedback is a strategy that has not been widely studied in nursing. Although cancer pain cannot always be entirely eliminated, appropriate use of available therapies can effectively relieve pain in a majority of patients. This article is a review of the literature on audit and feedback as a professional practice change strategy and indicates a model for operationalizing the intervention.
When Are Sexual Difficulties Distressing for Women? The Selective Protective Value of Intimate Relationships
Authors: Stephenson Kyle R. , Meston Cindy M.
Published: August 2010

Introduction

Recent studies have shown that sexual functioning and sexually related personal distress are weakly related in women, with only a minority of sexual difficulties resulting in significant levels of distress. However, there has been little systematic research to date on which factors moderate the relationship between sexual functioning and sexual distress.

Aim

To assess the degree to which relational intimacy and attachment anxiety moderate the association between sexual functioning and sexual distress in college-age women.

Methods

Two hundred women (mean age = 20.25) completed surveys assessing sexual functioning, relational intimacy, attachment anxiety, and sexual distress.

Main Outcome Measures

Participants completed the Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women, the Female Sexual Function Index, the Dimensions of Relationship Quality Scale, and the Revised Experiences in Close Relationships Measure of Adult Romantic Attachment.

Results

Relational intimacy and attachment anxiety moderated the association between multiple aspects of sexual functioning and sexual distress. For lubrication and sexual pain, functioning was more strongly associated with distress in low-intimacy vs. high-intimacy relationships, but only for women with high levels of attachment anxiety. Results regarding desire were mixed and neither intimacy nor attachment anxiety interacted with subjective arousal or orgasm in predicting distress.

Conclusion

Both relational intimacy and attachment anxiety are important moderators of the association between sexual functioning and subjective sexual distress in women. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Predicting Conductance Due to Upconing Using Neural Networks
Authors: Coppola Emery A. , McLane Charles F. , Poulton Mary M. , Szidarovszky Ferenc , Magelky Robin D.
Published: August 2010

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were developed to accurately predict highly time‐variable specific conductance values in an unconfined coastal aquifer. Conductance values in the fresh water lens aquifer change in response to vertical displacements of the brackish zone and fresh water–salt water interface, which are caused by variable pumping and climate conditions. Unlike physical‐based models, which require hydrologic parameter inputs, such as horizontal and vertical hydraulic conductivities, porosity, and fluid densities, ANNs can “learn” system behavior from easily measurable variables. In this study, the ANN input predictor variables were initial conductance, total precipitation, mean daily temperature, and total pumping extraction. The ANNs were used to predict salinity (specific conductance) at a single monitoring well located near a high‐capacity municipal‐supply well over time periods ranging from 30 d to several years. Model accuracy was compared against both measured/interpolated values and predictions were made with linear regression, and in general, excellent prediction accuracy was achieved. For example, although the average percent change of conductance over 90‐d periods was 39%, the absolute mean prediction error achieved with the ANN was only 1.1%. The ANNs were also used to conduct a sensitivity analysis that quantified the importance of each of the four predictor variables on final conductance values, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of the system. The results demonstrate that the ANN technology can serve as a powerful and accurate prediction and management tool, minimizing degradation of ground water quality to the extent possible by identifying appropriate pumping policies under variable and/or changing climate conditions.
Simulating Conservative Tracers in Fractured Till under Realistic Timescales
Authors: Helmke M.F. , Simpkins W.W. , Horton R.
Published: August 2010

Discrete‐fracture and dual‐porosity models are infrequently used to simulate solute transport through fractured unconsolidated deposits, despite their more common application in fractured rock where distinct flow regimes are hypothesized. In this study, we apply four fracture transport models—the mobile‐immobile model (MIM), parallel‐plate discrete‐fracture model (PDFM), and stochastic and deterministic discrete‐fracture models (DFMs)—to demonstrate their utility for simulating solute transport through fractured till. Model results were compared to breakthrough curves (BTCs) for the conservative tracers potassium bromide (KBr), pentafluorobenzoic acid (PFBA), and 1,4‐piperazinediethanesulfonic acid (PIPES) in a large‐diameter column of fractured till. Input parameters were determined from independent field and laboratory methods. Predictions of Br BTCs were not significantly different among models; however, the stochastic and deterministic DFMs were more accurate than the MIM or PDFM when predicting PFBA and PIPES BTCs. DFMs may be more applicable than the MIM for tracers with small effective diffusion coefficients (De) or for short timescales due to differences in how these models simulate diffusion or incorporate heterogeneities by their fracture networks. At large scales of investigation, the more computationally efficient MIM and PDFM may be more practical to implement than the three‐dimensional DFMs, or a combination of model approaches could be employed. Regardless of the modeling approach used, fractures should be incorporated routinely into solute transport models in glaciated terrain.
Estimating Background and Threshold Nitrate Concentrations Using Probability Graphs
Authors: Panno S.V. , Kelly W.R. , Martinsek A.T. , Hackley K.C.
Published: August 2010

Because of the ubiquitous nature of anthropogenic nitrate () in many parts of the world, determining background concentrations of in shallow ground water from natural sources is probably impossible in most environments. Present‐day background must now include diffuse sources of such as disruption of soils and oxidation of organic matter, and atmospheric inputs from products of combustion and evaporation of ammonia from fertilizer and livestock waste. Anomalies can be defined as derived from nitrogen (N) inputs to the environment from anthropogenic activities, including synthetic fertilizers, livestock waste, and septic effluent. Cumulative probability graphs were used to identify threshold concentrations separating background and anomalous NO3‐N concentrations and to assist in the determination of sources of N contamination for 232 spring water samples and 200 well water samples from karst aquifers. Thresholds were 0.4, 2.5, and 6.7 mg/L for spring water samples, and 0.1, 2.1, and 17 mg/L for well water samples. The 0.4 and 0.1 mg/L values are assumed to represent thresholds for present‐day precipitation. Thresholds at 2.5 and 2.1 mg/L are interpreted to represent present‐day background concentrations of NO3‐N. The population of spring water samples with concentrations between 2.5 and 6.7 mg/L represents an amalgam of all sources of in the ground water basins that feed each spring; concentrations >6.7 mg/L were typically samples collected soon after springtime application of synthetic fertilizer. The 17 mg/L threshold (adjusted to 15 mg/L) for well water samples is interpreted as the level above which livestock wastes dominate the N sources.
Do a Bit More with Convolution
Authors: Olsthoorn Theo N.
Published: August 2010

Convolution is a form of superposition that efficiently deals with input varying arbitrarily in time or space. It works whenever superposition is applicable, that is, for linear systems. Even though convolution is well‐known since the 19th century, this valuable method is still missing in most textbooks on ground water hydrology. This limits widespread application in this field. Perhaps most papers are too complex mathematically as they tend to focus on the derivation of analytical expressions rather than solving practical problems. However, convolution is straightforward with standard mathematical software or even a spreadsheet, as is demonstrated in the paper. The necessary system responses are not limited to analytic solutions; they may also be obtained by running an already existing ground water model for a single stress period until equilibrium is reached. With these responses, high‐resolution time series of head or discharge may then be computed by convolution for arbitrary points and arbitrarily varying input, without further use of the model. There are probably thousands of applications in the field of ground water hydrology that may benefit from convolution. Therefore, its inclusion in ground water textbooks and courses is strongly needed.
Domestic Well Water Quality in Rural Nebraska: Focus on Nitrate‐Nitrogen, Pesticides, and Coliform Bacteria
Authors: Gosselin David C. , Headrick Jacqueline , Tremblay Rod , Chen Xun‐Hong , Summerside Scott
Published: August 2010

For this statewide assessment, 1808 wells were; sampled and a data base compiled that included water‐quality data (NO3‐N, pesticides, coliform bacteria) and site‐specific data collected at each location. Domestic, rural Water quality in Nebraska varies substantially from one ground water region to another and is a function of well characteristics, distances to potential contamination sources, and hydrogeologic and site characteristics. The percentage of wells exceeding the 10 ppm MCL for NO3‐N ranged from 3 to 39 percent, depending on the ground water region. This large range of values indicates the inadequacy of stating that an average of 19 percent of domestic wells in Nebraska are contaminated by nitrates. This statistic does not describe the nature, extent, and variability of the contamination problem. Depending on the ground Water region, the degree of nitrate contamination in rural domestic drinking water wells has remained generally unchanged or has only slightly increased since the last statewide assessment conducted from 1985 to 1989. Bacterial contamination has either remained the same or has decreased. The percentage of wells affected by bacteria ranged from 8 to 26 percent, depending on the ground water region. Statewide, about 70 wells, or 4 percent of the wells sampled, had detectable pesticide levels, of which atrazine was the most common. Eighty‐two percent of the detections were in the Platte River Valley of in the South Central Plains, both of which are characterized by heavily irrigated corn and a statistical association between nitrate and atrazine contamination. To improve the quality of domestic drinking water will require a combination of activities, including the application of best management practices specific to a ground water region and individual action at rural households, such as conducting sanitary surveys of existing wells before installing new wells.
A Pilot Test of Passive Oxygen Release for Enhancement of In Situ Bioremediation of BTEX‐Contaminated Ground Water
Authors: Chapman Steven W. , Byerley Brian T. , Smyth David J. A. , Mackay Douglas M.
Published: August 2010

A pilot‐scale field demonstration of the use of Oxygen Release Compound™ (ORC) was conducted at the site of a former gasoline service station. ORC was installed into a barrier consisting of a tight pattern of “treatment wells” located relatively near the apparent source of hydrocarbon contamination (20 to 30 m down‐gradient). The purpose of the barrier was to enhance in situ biodegradation of BTEX in ground water by the passive release of oxygen from the unpumped treatment wells placed across the migration path of the plume. Detailed monitoring was carried out using fencelines of multi‐level monitoring wells located up‐ and downgradient of the barrier. Total BTEX concentrations influent to the barrier were found to be highly variable in space (nondetect to greater than 60 mg/L) and time. Total influent BTEX concentrations averaged on a cross section transverse to flow were less variable over time, ranging from 10 to 16 mg/L. Significant decreases in BTEX mass flux through the zone impacted by the treatment wells were observed. For the entire portion of the plume impacted by the treatment wells, estimated BTEX treatment efficiency was approximately 70 percent on Day 51 of the test and declined thereafter. The decrease in efficiency was likely due to the observed increase in the influent BTEX load as the trial progressed along with an apparent decline of the oxygen release rate from the ORC. However, along flow‐paths in which influent total BTEX concentrations were below about 5 mg/L, nearly complete removal of BTEX occurred for the entire trial (132 days). Mass flux estimates of BTEX and dissolved oxygen indicated that less than 10 percent of the oxygen estimated to have been released from the treatment wells contributed to BTEX degradation or was observed as “excess” oxygen. NonBTEX components of the organic contamination appeared to exert a significant oxygen demand and account for at least part of this discrepancy.
Identification of Heteroaromatic and other Organic Compounds in Ground Water at Creosote‐Contaminated Sites in Denmark
Authors: Johansen Sys Stybe , Hansen Asger B. , Mosbœk Hans , Arvin Erik
Published: August 2010

The occurrence of heteroaromatic compounds (NSO) and their degradation products in ground water at creosote‐contaminated sites in Denmark was investigated. NSO are of special interest because of their high polarity, toxicity, and adverse organoleptic properties. In total, the content of about 50 organic tar compounds and the chemical redox parameters of ground water from three creosote‐contaminated sites were determined.

The organic contamination of ground water varied considerably between sites and wells with concentrations up to mg/L level. The major organic contaminants were NSO, phenols, and monoaromatic hydrocarbons, which are among the most water‐soluble creosote compounds. High concentration (several μg/L) of these compounds were observed downgradient of the contamination source. Within a distance of 50 to 80 m from the source, the concentrations of most compounds were reduced significantly, often below detection limits. The NSO constituted from 0.1 percent to 73 percent of all organic compounds determined by gas chromatography (GC) with an increasing dominance downgradient of the source. Among the 17 studied NSO, carbazole, thiophene, benzothiophene, dibenzothiophene, benzofuran, and dibenzofuran were observed most frequently (detection frequency > 60 percent). High concentrations (>100 μ/L) of some NSO such as benzothiophene, carbazole, hydroxyquinolines, and basic N‐compounds were observed occasionally. Other recent studies on creosote contamination support the present observations of high ground water concentrations of basic N‐compounds and the high detection frequency of the aforementioned NSO. However, unlike the other studies, we did observe thiophene (1‐10 μg/L).
The impact of permanganate on the ability of granular iron to degrade trichloroethene
Authors: Okwi Geoffrey J. , Thomson Neil R. , Gillham Robert W.
Published: August 2010

The primary goal of this study was to investigate the influence of permanganate (MnO4−) on the performance of granular iron permeable reactive barriers. The degradation of trichloroethene (TCE) was measured initially and then over time as a MnO4− solution was passed through laboratory columns packed with granular iron. Concentration profiles for MnO4−, TCE, and degradation products (dichloroethene isomers and vinyl chloride), as well as pH, were observed. The pH increased sharply after passing MnO4− through the column, from ~8 to 11. MnO4− rapidly oxidized the granular iron and formed insoluble precipitates and oxide films or coatings on the granular iron surfaces. The precipitates did not accumulate in sufficient quantity to cause a measurable decline in hydraulic conductivity; however, the surface films formed as a consequence of the addition of MnO4− caused the iron to become nonreactive with respect to both MnO4− and TCE.
Perchlorate occurrence in the Texas Southern High Plains Aquifer System
Authors: Andrew Jackson W. , Kumar Anandam Srinivasa , Anderson Todd , Lehman Tom , Rainwater Ken , Rajagopalan Srinath , Ridley Moira , Tock Richard
Published: August 2010

In the spring of 2002, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality determined that perchlorate (ClO4−) was present in ground water from the McMillan and Paul Davis well fields that supply potable water for the city of Midland. Researchers began a large‐scale sampling program to determine the source(s) and distribution of perchlorate in the area's ground water. This document summarizes the findings of a large‐scale investigation in nine counties carried out from July to December 2002. This program included public water system (PWS) wells and private wells in Andrews, Borden, Dawson, Ector, Gaines, Glasscock, Howard, Martin, and Midland counties, which occupy a total area of 23,960 km2. Water samples were tested for perchlorate and a suite of common ions. From a total of 254 wells sampled in the nine counties, 179 wells (70%) had detectable perchlorate concentrations (>0.5 ppb) and 88 wells (35%) had perchlorate concentrations equal to or above 4 ppb. The highest perchlorate concentration found at a private well was 58.8 ppb in Dawson County, while the highest concentration detected for a well in PWS was 45.6 ppb in city of Midland, Midland County. Perchlorate positively correlated (α< 0.0001) with Cl−, F−, Br−, SO42−, Mg2+, and K+but not with NO2−, NO3−,Na+, or Ca2+. Research to date has identified the most likely sources to be (1) a natural mineralogical impurity; (2) agricultural fertilizers containing perchlorate; (3) in situ generation of perchlorate by electrochemical reactions; or (4) some combination of the three. This study suggests that there may be significant sources other than the traditional industrial processing of perchlorate, and the distribution of perchlorate in ground water is likely more widespread than previously suspected.
Process Considerations for Trolling Borehole Flow Logs
Authors: Oberlander Phil L. , Russell Charles E.
Published: August 2010

Horizontal hydraulic conductivity with depth is often understood only as a depth‐integrated property based on pumping tests or estimated from geophysical logs and the lithology. A more explicit method exists for determining hydraulic conductivity over small vertical intervals by collecting borehole flow measurements while the well is being pumped. Borehole flow rates were collected from 15 deep monitoring wells on the Nevada Test Site and the Nevada Test and Training Range while continuously raising and lowering a high‐precision impeller borehole flowmeter. Repeated logging passes at different logging speeds and pumping rates typically provided nine unique flow logs for each well. Over 60 km of borehole flow logs were collected at a 6.1‐cm vertical resolution. Processing these data necessitated developing a methodology to delete anomalous values, smooth small‐scale flow variations, combine multiple borehole flow logs, characterize measurement uncertainty, and determine the interval‐specific lower limit to flow rate quantification. There are decision points in the data processing where judgment and ancillary analyses are needed to extract subtle hydrogeologic information. The analysis methodology indicates that processed measurements from a high‐precision trolling impeller flowmeter in a screened well can confidently detect changes in borehole flow rate of ∼0.7% of the combined trolling and borehole flow rate. An advantage of trolling the flowmeter is that the impeller is nearly always spinning as it is raised and lowered in the well and borehole flow rates can be measured at lower values than if measurements were taken while the flowmeter was held at a fixed depth.
The Chemical Quality of Self‐Supplied Domestic Well Water in the United States
Authors: Focazio Michael J. , Tipton Deborah , Dunkle Shapiro Stephanie , Geiger Linda H.
Published: August 2010

Existing water quality data collected from domestic wells were summarized to develop the first national‐scale retrospective of self‐supplied drinking water sources. The contaminants evaluated represent a range of inorganic and organic compounds, and although the data set was not originally designed to be a statistical representation of national occurrence, it encompasses large parts of the United States including at least some wells sampled in every state and Puerto Rico. Inorganic contaminants were detected in many of the wells, and concentrations exceeded the U.S. EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs; federal drinking water standards used to regulate public drinking water quality) more often than organic contaminants. Of the inorganic constituents evaluated, arsenic concentrations exceeded the MCL (10 μg/L) in ∼11% of the 7580 wells evaluated, nitrate exceeded the MCL (10 mg/L) in ∼8% of the 3465 wells evaluated, uranium‐238 exceeded the MCL (30 μg/L) in ∼4% of the wells, and radon‐222 exceeded 300 and 4000 pCi/L (potential drinking water standards currently under review by the U.S. EPA) in ∼75% and 9% of the wells, respectively. The MCLs for total mercury and fluoride were each exceeded in <1% of the wells evaluated. The MCL was exceeded in <1% of all wells for all anthropogenically derived organic contaminants evaluated and was not exceeded for many contaminants. In addition, 10 contaminants evaluated do not currently have an MCL. Atrazine, however, was detected in 24% of the wells evaluated and was the most frequently detected organic contaminant of the 28 organic contaminants evaluated in this study. Simazine and metolachlor each were detected in ∼9% of all wells and tied for second in frequency of detection for organic contaminants. The third and fourth most frequently detected organic contaminants were methyl tert‐butyl ether (MTBE) (6%) and chloroform (5%), respectively. Because the water quality of domestic wells is not federally regulated or nationally monitored, this study provides a unique, previously nonexistent, perspective on the quality of the self‐supplied drinking water resources used by ∼45 million Americans in the United States.
RACIAL COMPOSITION OF DISTRICT POPULATION AND THE ELECTION OF AFRICAN‐AMERICAN LEGISLATORS
Authors: Bullock Charles S.
Published: August 2010

The level of concentration of minorities needed to provide a reasonable chance for them to elect candidates of their race has been hotly debated. Previous research has provided either a snapshot for a single point in time or data from elections over time but for a variety of offices. This paper presents the first longitudinal examination for two legislative chambers. The results show that while the threshold at which blacks are initially elected has declined, the cutoff point at which whites are elected or the point beyond which only blacks are successful is less clear. While some evidence supports a 65 percent rule for districts which African Americans can win, the justification for such a threshold has weakened over time with the most severe blow to that standard being dealt in 1992. Only in 1992, however, do blacks hold more than half the districts with black concentration in the 55 to 60 percent range.
IDEOLOGY AND POLICY PREFERENCES ON LOCAL ISSUES: AN INTENSIVE ANALYSIS
Authors: Carlson James M.
Published: August 2010

This article examines ideological thinking about local political issues. An intensive analysis, using Q‐technique, of how a small sample of citizens and government officials evaluated thirty‐six local issues revealed four different perspectives on local politics. No single liberal‐conservative bipolar continuum along which local issues could be arrayed emerged from the analysis. Instead subjects revealed points of views on local issues that seemed to mix conventional ideological perspectives.
The Protection of Intellectual Property Rights under the EC Trade Barriers Regulation
Authors: Zonnekeyn Geert A.
Published: August 2010

“U.S. music copyright law gives EU the blues.”1
Bioprospecting or Biopiracy?
Authors: Isaac Grant E. , Kerr William A.
Published: August 2010

“We instruct the Council for Trips, in pursuing its work programme… to examine… the relationship between the TRIPS Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity, the protection of traditional knowledge and folklore and other relevant new developments… In undertaking this work, the TripsCouncil… shall take fully into account the development dimension.”

Paragraph 19, Doha Ministerial Declaration.1
Exploiting Patent Regulatory “Flexibilities” to Promote Access to Antiretroviral Medicines in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Adusei Poku
Published: August 2010

The HIV/AIDS pandemic has reached a crescendo in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA or Saharan region). This disease threatens to exterminate the human race in the Saharan region. The situation is further exacerbated by high prices of brand name antiretroviral medicines due to the prevailing international patent regime. And, attempts to promote the manufacture and import of generic versions of antiretroviral drugs are sometimes met with stiff resistance from pharmaceutical companies who own the patents. This article, therefore, seeks to examine the subject of patent regulation of antiretroviral drugs in the light of the threat posed by HIV/AIDS in SSA. It urges the exploitation of diverse patent regulatory mechanisms to promote access to antiretroviral drugs in the region worst hit by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Exploiting patent regulatory flexibilities implies the use of: negotiations, compulsory licensing mechanisms, public‐private partnerships, collaborative initiatives among regional economic blocs, increased drug‐pricing competition, and a rejection of TRIPS‐Plus obligations, among others, to procure relatively cheaper versions of antiretroviral medicines for persons infected with the virus. This will enable policy makers in the Sub‐Saharan region to respond more effectively to expand the capacities of HIV/AIDS‐affected persons and make them more productive. It will further save the healthcare systems in SSA from imminent collapse.
ENDODONTICS AND THE PRIMARY TOOTH
Authors: Schröder Ulla
Published: August 2010

Dr Ulla Schröder is an Associate Professor in Periodontics at the School of Dentistry, University of Lund, Sweden. She holds a Ph.D. in pulp biology. She has published widely in the fields of Dental Traumatology, Periodontic Endodontics, Caries Prediction and Interceptive Orthodontics. Until November she was a visiting Dental Specialist at the Unit of Pediatric Dentistry at the Dental Clinical School, Westmead Hospital. I would like to thank Dr Alex Moule for suggesting this Interview format and posing the questions.