bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical and histological evaluation of subepithelial connective tissue after collagen sponge implantation in the human palate
Authors: Rocha A. L. , Shirasu B. K. , Hayacibara R. M. , Magro‐Filho O. , Zanoni J. N. , Araújo M. G. 
Published: July 2012

Rocha AL, Shirasu BK, Hayacibara RM, Magro‐Filho O, Zanoni JN, Araújo MG. Clinical and histological evaluation of subepithelial connective tissue after collagen sponge implantation in the human palate. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 758–765. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/SBackground and Objective:  Successful root‐coverage treatment depends on the thickness of the donor tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the thickness of donor tissue after augmentation of the connective tissue in the palatal area by implantation of lyophilized collagen sponge (Hemospon®).Material and Methods:  Ten patients with an indication for root coverage, whose palate was deficient in adequate connective tissue, were recruited. The procedure was carried out in two stages. In the first stage, the palatal thickness in the donor site was measured at three standardized points (points 1, 2 and 3), from the distal of the canine to the distal of the first molar, and the lyophilized collagen sponge was inserted. In the second stage, the palatal thickness over the implant was measured (at points 1, 2 and 3), two biopsies of the palatal mucosa were collected – one over the implant (experimental sample) and the other on the contralateral side (control sample) – and then root‐coverage treatment was performed. Analyses consisted of clinical assessment of the palatal measurements before and after sponge implantation, and histological assessment of the experimental and control biopsy samples. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test.Results:  Both analyses showed a significant increase in mean thickness, of 1.08 mm of neoformed tissue in the clinical analysis (the tissue at point 2 was the thickest of the three points) and of 0.53 mm in the histological analysis.Conclusion:  The insertion of lyophilized collagen sponge induced a significant increase in the thickness of palatal connective tissue.
Diagnosis of BCC by multiphoton laser tomography
Authors: Seidenari Stefania , Arginelli Federica , Bassoli Sara , Cautela Jennifer , Cesinaro Anna Maria , Guanti Mario , Guardoli Davide , Magnoni Cristina , Manfredini Marco , Ponti Giovanni , König Karsten 
Published: July 2012

Background/purposeMultiphoton Laser Tomography (MPT) is a non‐linear optical technique that gives access to morphology and structure of both cells and extracellular matrix of the skin through the combination of autofluorescence imaging and second harmonic generation (SHG). The aim of this study was to identify MPT descriptors on ex vivo specimens of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) to assess the sensitivity and specificity of these criteria for the diagnosis of BCC and its differentiation from other skin tumours, inflammatory diseases and healthy skin.MethodsIn the preliminary study, MPT images referring to 24 BCCs and 24 healthy skin samples were simultaneously evaluated by three observers for the identification of features characteristic of BCC. In the main study, the presence/absence of the descriptors identified in the preliminary study was blindly evaluated on a test set, comprising 66 BCCs, 66 healthy skin samples and 66 skin lesions, including 23 nevi, 8 melanomas, 17 skin tumours and other skin lesions by 3 independent observers.ResultsIn the preliminary study, three epidermal descriptors and six descriptors for BCC were identified. The latter included aligned elongated cells, double alignment of cells, cell nests with palisading and phantom islands. From the test set, 56 BCCs were correctly diagnosed, whereas in 10 cases the diagnosis was ‘other lesions’. However, it was always possible to exclude the diagnosis of BCC in healthy skin and other lesion samples. Thus, overall sensitivity of the method was 84.85, whereas a specificity of 100% was observed with respect to both healthy skin and ‘other lesions’.ConclusionsThis study describes new morphological descriptors of BCC enabling its characterization and its distinction from healthy skin and other skin lesions in ex vivo samples, and demonstrates for the first time that MPT represents a sensitive and specific technique for the diagnosis of BCC.
COMPARING THE MEDIATION AGREEMENTS OF FAMILIES WITH AND WITHOUT A HISTORY OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE*
Authors: Putz John W. , Ballard Robin H. , Arany Julia Gruber , Applegate Amy G. , Holtzworth‐Munroe Amy 
Published: July 2012

We coded the content of mediation agreements reached by families receiving parenting‐related mediation services at a law school community clinic. We compared agreements reached by families identified as having or not having a history of intimate partner violence (IPV) on a variety of issues hypothesized to be related to risk of future interparental contact and conflict and thus violence. Families with and without a history of IPV did not make significantly different legal or physical custody or parenting‐time arrangements. Nor did these groups differ in specifying the details of how to handle some issues that could lead to future conflict (e.g., making up missed parenting time). They also did not differ in the likelihood of agreeing to supervised visitation or exchanges of children in public places. However, agreements of families with a history of IPV were more likely to include safety restrictions (e.g., restrictions on interparental fighting, physical discipline of children, substance use) and counseling referrals. We discuss implications of the study findings in the context of the debate surrounding mediation with families who have experienced IPV.Key Points for Family Court Community:
The appropriateness of mediation with families exhibiting a history of IPV is a focal point of debate in family law.
This work compares the content of mediation agreements reached by families with and without a history of IPV in a law school community clinic.
Dielectric and Pyroelectric Properties of Ferroelectric SBN–PVDF Composites Prepared by Hot‐Uniaxial Press
Authors: Kumar S. Naresh , Kumar Pawan 
Published: July 2012

Composites of polyvinyledene fluoride (PVDF) and strontium barium niobate (SrxBa1−xNb2O6 for x = 0.53/SBN)/ФSBN − (1 − Ф)PVDF with Ф = 0.1 to 0.3 have been prepared by hot uniaxial press. Structural, morphological, dielectric and pyrolectric properties of the composites have been studied. Self‐sustaining thick films with a 0–3 connectivity have been synthesized. The dielectric constant (εr) was found to increase with the increase in ceramic volume fraction (Ф) in the composite. The composite with Ф = 0.3 is found to have highest values of pyroelectric coefficient (pi) ~13.475 μC/m2K, FOMI ~0.481 μC/m2K and FOMII ~20.13 μC/m2K with good mechanical flexibility.
The use of simulation with advanced practice nursing students
Authors: Pittman Oralea A. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractPurpose: To review use of simulation in the education of advanced practice nurses and to describe an innovative simulation program for family nurse practitioner (NP) students.Data sources: The literature was reviewed using MEDLINE and CINAHL searches for descriptions of simulation programs for advanced practice nursing (APN) students. A description of a simulation program in a family NP program was provided.Conclusions: The literature on the use of simulation in primary care APN programs is scant, but simulation seems to represent an active learning strategy that would be of benefit to primary care APN students in increasing knowledge and confidence about the management of clinical situations. Students can also work with faculty to create simulation experiences based on the knowledge of their own learning needs and expertise in specialty areas of nursing.Implications for practice: More information about the use of simulation programs for APN students is needed along with more information about educational outcomes.
The controversy over vertebroplasty: An analysis of the debate and proposals for a way forward
Authors: Johnson Jane , Rogers Wendy , Jeffree Rosalind L 
Published: July 2012

SummaryThis paper examines the ongoing and often heated debate about the merits or otherwise of percutaneous vertebroplasty as a treatment for painful osteoporotic vertebral fractures. In spite of the proliferation of research on this topic there is no agreement over its indications, safety or efficacy. We discuss the ethical issues which arise when new medical interventions such as vertebroplasty are introduced and make suggestions of relevance not just to the case of vertebroplasty, but to the introduction of innovative procedures generally.
Impacts of herbaceous bioenergy crops on atmospheric volatile organic composition and potential consequences for global climate change
Authors: Miresmailli Saber , Zeri Marcelo , Zangerl Arthur R. , Bernacchi Carl J. , Berenbaum May R. , DeLucia Evan H. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe introduction of new crops to agroecosystems can change the chemical composition of the atmosphere by altering the amount and type of plant‐derived biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs). BVOCs are produced by plants to aid in defense, pollination, and communication. Once released into the atmosphere, they have the ability to influence its chemical and physical properties. In this study, we compared BVOC emissions from three potential bioenergy crops and estimated their theoretical impacts on bioenergy agroecosystems. The crops chosen were miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and an assemblage of prairie species (mix of ~28 species). The concentration of BVOCs was different within and above plant canopies. All crops produced higher levels of emissions at the upper canopy level. Miscanthus produced lower amounts of volatiles compared with other grasses. The chemical composition of volatiles differed significantly among plant communities. BVOCs from miscanthus were depleted in terpenoids relative to the other vegetation types. The carbon flux via BVOC emissions, calculated using the flux‐gradient method, was significantly higher in the prairie assemblage compared with miscanthus and switchgrass. The BVOC carbon flux was approximately three orders of magnitude lower than the net fluxes of carbon measured over the same fields using eddy covariance systems. Extrapolation of our findings to the landscape scale leads us to suggest that the widespread adoption of bioenergy crops could potentially alter the composition of BVOCs in the atmosphere, thereby influencing its warming potential, the formation of atmospheric particulates, and interactions between plants and arthropods. Our data and projections indicate that, among at least these three potential options for bioenergy production, miscanthus is likely to have lower impacts on atmospheric chemistry and biotic interactions mediated by these volatiles when miscanthus is planted on the landscape scale.
Hepatitis A outbreak associated with a revolving sushi bar in Chiba, Japan: Application of molecular epidemiology
Authors: Tominaga Atsuko , Kanda Tatsuo , Akiike Taro , Komoda Hiroshi , Ito Kenji , Abe Asami , Aruga Akiko , Kaneda Satoru , Saito Masaaki , Kiyohara Tomoko , Wakita Takaji , Ishii Koji , Yokosuka Osamu , Sugiura Nobuyuki 
Published: July 2012

Aim:  The number of hepatitis A cases in Japan as well as in other developed countries has been progressively decreasing during the last several years. There is no universal hepatitis A vaccination program in Japan, and a hepatitis A virus (HAV) epidemic in Japan is not unlikely. In 2011, a hepatitis A outbreak associated with a revolving sushi bar occurred in Chiba, Japan. We aimed to analyze this outbreak.Methods:  Twenty‐seven patients associated with this outbreak were admitted to the National Hospital Organization Chiba Medical Center. Molecular epidemiologic investigations were conducted.Results:  Twenty‐six of the 27 patients had gone to the same revolving sushi bar, and then clinical symptoms appeared. HAV RNA was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in 23 of the 27 (85.1%) patients whose sera had tested positive for anti‐HAV immunoglobulin M. All isolates from this outbreak were clustered within subgenotype IA, displaying 100% sequence homology with each other in 232 bp from all 23 patients. All isolates belong to the IA‐1 sublineage, which is endemic to Japan.Conclusion:  A revolving sushi bar was associated with a hepatitis A outbreak, and molecular epidemiological investigations proved useful.
Limited infection with occult hepatitis B virus in drug users in the USA
Authors: Blackard Jason T. , Martin Christina M. , Sengupta Satarupa , Forrester Janet 
Published: July 2012

Aim:  Occult HBV infection (O‐HBV) is defined as low level HBV replication in the absence of detectable circulating HBV surface antigen. O‐HBV has been implicated in HBV reactivation, advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, reduced interferon response rates, elevated liver enzyme levels, and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the prevalence of O‐HBV has not been clearly established in certain at‐risk populations, such as injection drug users.Methods:  Therefore, the current pilot study examined the prevalence of O‐HBV in a prospective cohort designed to assess the role of injection and non‐injection drug use (IDU) on HIV‐associated comorbidities.Results:  Utilizing two distinct real‐time polymerase chain reaction assays, HBV DNA was not detected in 99 participants examined.Conclusion:  This finding is in contrast to other data from US IDU cohorts and suggests that the prevalence of O‐HBV infection is very specific to the cohort studied, is sensitive to other confounding variables such as hepatitis C virus and/or HIV serostatus, and should not be generalized across risk groups or distinct cohorts.
Effect of microneedle treatment on the skin permeation of a nanoencapsulated dye
Authors: Gomaa Yasmine A , El-Khordagui Labiba K , Garland Martin J , Donnelly Ryan F , McInnes Fiona , Meidan Victor M 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Objectives
The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of microneedle (MN) pretreatment on the transdermal delivery of a model drug (Rhodamine B, Rh B) encapsulated in polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) focusing on the MN characteristics and application variables.

Methods
Gantrez MNs were fabricated using laser-engineered silicone micro-mould templates. PLGA NPs were prepared using a modified emulsion–diffusion–evaporation method and characterised in vitro. Permeation of encapsulated Rh B through MN-treated full thickness porcine skin was performed using Franz diffusion cells with appropriate controls.

Key findings
In-vitro skin permeation of the nanoencapsulated Rh B (6.19 ± 0.77 µg/cm2/h) was significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) compared with the free solution (1.66 ± 0.53 µg/cm2/h). Mechanistic insights were supportive of preferential and rapid deposition of NPs in the MN-created microconduits, resulting in accelerated dye permeation. Variables such as MN array configuration and application mode were shown to affect transdermal delivery of the nanoencapsulated dye.

Conclusions
This dual MN/NP-mediated approach offers potential for both the dermal and transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents with poor passive diffusion characteristics.
Direct and Inverse Solutions for Thermal- and Stress-Transients and
the Analytical Determination of Boundary Conditions Using Remote Temperature or
Strain Data
Authors: Segall A. E. , Drapaca C. , Engels D. , Zhu T. , Yang H. 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
From an analytical standpoint, a majority of calculations use known boundary conditions (temperature or flux) and the so-called direct route to determine internal temperatures, strains, and/or stresses. For such problems where the thermal boundary condition is known a priori, the analytical procedure and solutions are tractable for the linear case where the thermophysical properties are independent of temperature. On the other hand, the inverse route where the boundary conditions must be determined from remotely determined temperature and/or flux data is much more difficult mathematically, as well as inherently sensitive to data errors (i.e., ill-posed). When solutions are available, they are often restricted to a harsh, albeit unrealistic step change in temperature or flux and/or are only valid for relatively short time frames before temperature changes occur at the far boundary. While the two approaches may seem to be at odds with each other, a generalized direct solution based on polynomial temperature or strain-histories can also be used to determine unknown boundary conditions via least-squares determination of coefficients. Once the inverse problem (and unknown boundary condition) is solved via these coefficients, the resulting polynomial can then be used with the generalized direct solution to determine the thermal- and stress-states as a function of time and position. When used for both thick slabs and tubes, excellent agreement was seen for various test cases. In fact, the derived solutions appear to be well suited for many thermal scenarios, provided the analysis is restricted to the time interval used to determine the polynomial and the thermophysical properties that do not vary with temperature. Since temperature dependent properties can certainly be an issue that affects accuracy in these types of calculations, some recent analytical procedures for both direct and inverse solutions are also discussed.
New Methods toward Minimizing the Slow Speed Bias Associated with Atmospheric Motion Vectors
Authors: Bresky Wayne C. , Daniels Jaime M. , Bailey Andrew A. , Wanzong Steven T. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractComparisons between satellite-derived winds and collocated rawinsonde observations often show a pronounced slow speed bias at mid- and upper levels of the atmosphere. A leading cause of the slow speed bias is the improper assignment of the tracer to a height that is too high in the atmosphere. Height errors alone cannot fully explain the slow bias, however. Another factor influencing the speed bias is the size of the target window used in the tracking step. Tracking with a large target window can cause excessive averaging to occur and a smoothing of the instantaneous wind field. Conversely, if too small a window is specified, there is an increased risk of finding a false match. The authors have developed a new “nested tracking” approach that isolates the dominant local motion within a cloud scene and minimizes the smoothing of the motion estimate. A major advantage of the new approach is the ability to identify which pixels within the cloud scene are contributing to the tracking solution. Knowing which pixels contribute to the dominant motion allows for a more representative height to be derived, thereby directly linking the height assignment to the tracking process, which is an important goal for producers of global atmospheric motion vector (AMV) data. When compared with equivalent rawinsondes, the AMVs derived with the new approach show a considerable improvement in the speed bias and root-mean-square error over a control set of AMVs derived with more-conventional methods.
Practical and Intrinsic Predictability of Severe and Convective Weather at the Mesoscales
Authors: Melhauser Christopher , Zhang Fuqing 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
This study explores both the practical and intrinsic predictability of severe convective weather at the mesoscales using convection-permitting ensemble simulations of a squall line and bow echo event during the Bow Echo and Mesoscale Convective Vortex (MCV) Experiment (BAMEX) on 9–10 June 2003. Although most ensemble members—initialized with realistic initial condition uncertainties smaller than the NCEP Global Forecast System Final Analysis (GFS FNL) using an ensemble Kalman filter—forecast broad areas of severe convection, there is a large variability of forecast performance among different members, highlighting the limit of practical predictability. In general, the best-performing members tend to have a stronger upper-level trough and associated surface low, producing a more conducive environment for strong long-lived squall lines and bow echoes, once triggered. The divergence in development is a combination of a dislocation of the upper-level trough, surface low with corresponding marginal environmental differences between developing and nondeveloping members, and cold pool evolution by deep convection prior to squall line formation. To further explore the intrinsic predictability of the storm, a sequence of sensitivity experiments was performed with the initial condition differences decreased to nearly an order of magnitude smaller than typical analysis and observation errors. The ensemble forecast and additional sensitivity experiments demonstrate that this storm has a limited practical predictability, which may be further improved with more accurate initial conditions. However, it is possible that the true storm could be near the point of bifurcation, where predictability is intrinsically limited. The limits of both practical and intrinsic predictability highlight the need for probabilistic and ensemble forecasts for severe weather prediction.
A Role of the Yellow and East China Seas in the Development of Extratropical Cyclones in Winter
Authors: Isobe Atsuhiko , Kako Shin’ichiro 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
To investigate whether the relatively warm Yellow and East China Seas play an active role in the deepening of extratropical cyclones over East Asia during winter, surface wind vectors downloaded from the Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) website are used to compute the standard deviation of surface vorticity at ¼° resolution. In addition, a regional numerical atmospheric model is adopted to find atmospheric and/or oceanic conditions favorable for development of extratropical cyclones over the study area. These satellite-derived and modeled vorticity fields demonstrate that, on average, extratropical cyclone activity is moderate over the warm Yellow and East China Seas. This is because enhanced lower-level baroclinicity over these ocean areas is transferred as far as the shelf break of the East China Sea by strong northwesterly surface winds. Based on the numerical model results, the weak northwesterly surface wind condition is required for enhancing lower-level baroclinicity over the Yellow and East China Seas. This baroclinicity may contribute to enhancing cyclone development near Japan, with a simultaneous increase of lower-level baroclinicity over the Sea of Japan.
Global Atmospheric Evaporative Demand over Land from 1973 to 2008
Authors: Wang Kaicun , Dickinson Robert E. , Liang Shunlin 
Published: July 2012

AbstractPan evaporation (EP), an index of atmospheric evaporative demand, has been widely reported to have weakened in the past decades. However, its interpretation remains controversial because EP observations are not globally available and observations of one of its key controls, surface incident solar radiation Rs, are even less available. Using global-distributed Rs from both direct measurements (available through the Global Energy Balance Archive) and derived from sunshine duration, the authors calculated the potential evaporation from 1982 to 2008 from approximately 1300 stations. The findings herein show that the contribution of water vapor pressure deficit (VPD) to monthly variability of EP is much larger than that of other controlling factors, of Rs, wind speed (WS), and air temperature Ta. The trend of the aerodynamic component of EP, which includes contributions of VPD, WS, and Ta, accounted for 86% of the long-term trend of EP. The aerodynamic component was then calculated from 4250 globally distributed stations and showed a negligible averaged trend from 1973 to 2008 because the reduction in WS canceled out the impact of the elevated VPD. The long-term trend of WS dominates the long-term trend of the aerodynamic component of EP at the 4250 stations. Atmospheric evaporative demand increased in most arid and semiarid areas, indicating a decrease in water availability in those areas.