Spray coverage and pest management efficacy of a solid set canopy delivery system in high density apples.

Background: Air blast sprayers are not optimized for spraying the short statured trees in modern apple orchards, resulting in off target drift and variable coverage. A solid set canopy delivery system (SSCDS) consisting of a microsprayer array distributed throughout the orchard was investigated as a replacement agrochemical application method in this study. SSCDS's have the potential to optimize coverage, rapidly spray applications, and remove the operator and tractor from the orchard.

Effect of instruction, light curing unit, and location in the mouth on the energy delivered to simulated restorations.

Purpose: To determine the amount of energy (Joules/cm²) delivered by students to simulated restorations in a patient simulator based on the restoration location, the curing light unit used, and before vs. after instruction on how to improve their light curing technique.

Methods: 30 dental students "light cured" two simulated restorations (that were 1-mm deep anterior and 4-mm deep posterior) using three light-curing units (LCUs) : VALO, Bluephase G2, and Optilux 401.

Clinical Significance of Bis-GMA and HEMA Orthodontic Resins Bonding to Enamel and Ceramic Materials.

The advancement of new ceramic materials for dental crowns has prompted the need for improved methods of bonding orthodontic brackets to these surfaces. Currently, lithium-disilicate is the primary material being used for anterior crowns, while zirconia is the primary material being used in the posterior. The purpose of this study was to compare the shear bond strength of HEMA (Assure® Universal Bonding Resin) and bis-GMA (Assure® PLUS All Surface Bonding Resin) orthodontic bonding resins on enamel, lithium-disilicate, and zirconia materials.

Key Value Considerations for Consultant Pharmacists.

Managing the efficiency and costs of residents' drug regimens outside the acute-care hospital and through transitions of care requires a toolbox filled with cost-control tools and careful collaboration among the pharmacy provider(s), facility staff, and the consultant/senior care pharmacist. This article will provide the reader with key long-term care business strategies that affect the profitability of the pharmacy provider in various care settings while, at the same time, ensuring optimal therapy for residents as they transition across levels of care. Readers can take away ideas on how to access critical information, what they can do with this information, and how they can improve the overall care process.

Effect of curing light and restoration location on energy delivered.

This study determined how long it would take skilled operators to deliver 16 J/cm2 to an anterior or a posterior restoration using different light-curing units (LCUs). Three skilled operators used the following LCUs at two locations in the MARC-patient simulator: Optilux 501 standard mode for 20 s; Sapphire Supreme for 5 s; Elipar™ S10 for 5 s and 20 s; Demi™ Plus standard mode for 5 s; SmartLite® Max boost mode for 5 s and continuous mode for 20 s; Radii Plus for 30 s; Valo (main version) in standard mode for 20 s and Xtra Power mode for 3 s; and Valo Cordless in standard mode for 20 s and Xtra Power mode for 3 s. The three MARCtrained operators made 30 readings with each light over 7 days.

Thermal effects on pulp due to laser and handpiece usage.

Objective: The study was designed to compare changes in pulpal temperature during ablation of dental hard tissue while using two established erbium dental laser systems, a new CO2 laser system, and a conventional high-speed handpiece.

Methods: Eighty non-carious human extracted molars were separated into four sample groups of 20 teeth each. Three laser systems were used, respectively, to ablate the occlusal surface of the teeth in three of the groups for 60 seconds each.

Comparative performance of two whitening systems in a dental practice.

Objective: A randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted to compare the safety and whitening efficacy of high-adhesion tooth-whitening strips with a marketed in-office professional tooth-whitening system.

Methods And Materials: This open-label study was conducted in a private dental practice, and adult volunteers were assigned (2:1) to either 9.5 percent hydrogen-peroxide whitening strips (Strip group) or an in-office light plus 25 percent hydrogen-peroxide whitening gel treatment (In-office group).

Comparison of the effect of two interdental cleaning devices around implants on the reduction of bleeding: a 30-day randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of a water flosser in reducing the bleeding on probing (BOP) index around dental implants as compared to flossing.

Methods And Materials: Patients with implants were randomly assigned to one of two groups in this examiner-masked, single-center study. The study compared the efficacy of a manual toothbrush paired with either traditional string floss or a water flosser.

Two-year evaluation indicates zirconia bridges acceptable alternative to PFMs.

Objective: The aim of this in-vivo study was to evaluate the 2-year clinical performance of zirconia computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)-generated bridges.

Methods: A total of 16 three- or four-unit Lava zirconia bridges were done on 15 subjects. The bridges were cemented using RelyX™ Unicem Self-Adhesive Universal Resin Cement.

Impact of pen utilization on insulin cost reduction in long-term care facilities.

Objective: To determine the impact on insulin acquisition cost of a pharmacy program to convert insulin utilization from multidose vials to pen-delivery systems for long-term care residents covered by Medicare Part A, and managed care plans.

Design: Retrospective cost comparison.

Setting: Long-term care facilities.

Provisional materials: key components of interim fixed restorations.

Clinicians have many choices of provisional materials from which to choose when fabricating interim fixed restorations. While traditional materials are still in use today, temporary materials are continuously being updated and improved upon. In addition to the functional necessities required of the provisional material, it must also provide esthetic value for the patient.

The protective action decision model: theoretical modifications and additional evidence.

The Protective Action Decision Model (PADM) is a multistage model that is based on findings from research on people's responses to environmental hazards and disasters. The PADM integrates the processing of information derived from social and environmental cues with messages that social sources transmit through communication channels to those at risk. The PADM identifies three critical predecision processes (reception, attention, and comprehension of warnings or exposure, attention, and interpretation of environmental/social cues)--that precede all further processing.

Hospital planning for weapons of mass destruction incidents.

As terrorist attacks increase in fre-quency, hospital disaster plans need to be scrutinized to ensure that they take into account issues unique to weapons of mass destruction. This paper reports a review of the literature addressing hospital experiences with such incidents and the planning lessons thus learned. Construction of hos-pital disaster plans is examined as an ongoing process guided by the disaster planning committee.

Investigation of a new approach to measuring contact angles for hydrophilic impression materials.

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the initial water contact angles of seven unset impression materials using commercially available equipment, in an effort to determine whether polyether impression materials (Impregum) have lower contact angles and are, therefore, more hydrophilic than VPS impression materials.

Materials And Methods: The hydrophilic properties of unset polyether and VPS impression materials were analyzed with respect to their water contact angle measurements using the commercially available Drop Shape Analysis System DSA 10. Twenty-five data points per second were collected via video analysis.

Clinical evaluation of total-etch and self-etch bonding systems for preventing sensitivity in Class 1 and Class 2 restorations.

The author conducted an in vivo investigation to compare the clinical performance of 4 commercial bonding agents on postoperative sensitivity. Restorations in this study were limited to Class I and Class II lesions. The patient pool consisted of 36 patients and 72 teeth (2 teeth per patient) with either a Class I or Class II lesion > 1 mm in depth present in both teeth.

Applicable research in practice: understanding the hydrophilic and flow property measurements of impression materials.

The flow properties and hydrophilicity of an impression material are key factors that affect its performance. This article details in vitro studies comparing these properties in 1 polyether and several vinyl polysiloxane light-body impression materials. The first series of studies examined the materials' flow properties used in a "shark fin" measurement procedure to determine which exhibited superior flow characteristics.

Comparison of temperature changes in the pulp chamber induced by various light curing units, in vitro.

This study compared the temperature increase in a pulp chamber as a result of using various light-curing units during resin composite polymerization, and it determined the effect of remaining dentin thickness on temperature rise. A Class II occlusodistal cavity with a remaining dentin thickness of 2 mm was prepared in an extracted human mandibular molar. A 2-mm layer of fine hybrid resin composite was placed on the floor of the proximal box.

Preparedness for emergency response: guidelines for the emergency planning process.

Especially since the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, governments worldwide have invested considerable resources in the writing of terrorism emergency response plans. Particularly in the United States, the federal government has created new homeland security organisations and urged state and local governments to draw up plans. This emphasis on the written plan tends to draw attention away from the process of planning itself and the original objective of achieving community emergency preparedness.

Restoring anterior maxillary dentition using alumina- and zirconia-based CAD/CAM restorations.

Despite proven strength, durability, and improved esthetics, ceramometal restorations have not consistently enabled the most esthetic, lifelike reproduction of natural dentition. Also, inherent weaknesses in many metal-free materials have precluded their use in the high stress-bearing posterior region. Therefore, as a result of the need for esthetic and durable all-ceramic restorations, manufacturers have introduced ceramics with an increased alumina or zirconia content that are recommended for placement anywhere in the mouth for single units and as far back as the first premolar.

Microleakage of resin-based liner materials and condensable composites using filled and unfilled adhesives.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of differing resin based liner materials in reducing microleakage.

Methods: 80 freshly extracted caries-free human premolars and molars were used. MO/DO Class II standardized preparations were performed with the gingival margin placed 1 mm above the CEJ.

Direct composite resins: an update.

Esthetic restorative materials require a bonding procedure to achieve durability and reliability. To accomplish this, the bonding system and restorative material must be biocompatible and bond well to both dentin and enamel. The direct restorative must have sufficient strength to resist masticatory forces as well as mechanical properties close to those of natural tooth structure.

Clinical evaluation of a 35% hydrogen peroxide in-office whitening system.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of light-curing (heat conversion) vs no light-curing (no heat conversion) of a 35% hydrogen peroxide in-office tooth whitening system. Twenty patients with sound medical history (without tooth sensitivity) participated in this randomized, parallel clinical evaluation. Only six maxillary anterior teeth with discoloration and a tooth shade of A3 or darker were selected.

Success with inlays/onlays: the seven essentials.

Direct restorative materials have revolutionized the industry over the last several years. They offer the convenience to the patient of a one-visit procedure and they decrease overhead in the dental practice. However, it is essential to remember that direct procedures are not always the treatment of choice.