Initial Dryness Research Articles

A comprehensive study on the application properties of different soft, hard, and functional monomers to polyacrylate emulsion and water‐based inks

AbstractThe urge to protect the deteriorating ecosystem is compelling us to develop environmental‐friendly materials. In this paper, three different kinds of waterborne polyacrylate emulsions were synthesized with different hard, soft and hydroxyl‐containing functional monomers by semi‐continuous seed emulsion polymerization. Moreover, the influences of different monomers on the performances such as viscosity, adhesion, surface tension, particle size, stability, and contact angle were also investigated. Attractively, conclusions were deduced that with the growth of the monomer's alkyl chain length, the viscosity gradually increases and the surface tension gradually decreases. On the other hand, different functional monomers also have effect on the properties of the synthesized acrylic emulsions. Then the synthesized water‐based acrylic emulsions were used as binders for water‐based inks, the adhesion as well as initial dryness were tested and the recipe for water‐based ink with better performances was selected out. Our work maybe ignites a spark for the designation of acrylic emulsions for water‐based inks binders.

Xanthan gum ink based on Lycium ruthenicum anthocyanin as an indicator of color change for monitoring freshness of cold fresh meat

The continuous development of intelligent food packaging has led to an increased focus on using freshness-indicating inks, which could provide a high level of quality control and consumer experience. This study aimed to further promote the application of xanthan gum ink in food freshness indication by optimizing its performance in screen printing. A novel freshness-indicating ink was prepared using Lycium ruthenicum anthocyanin (LRA) as the core indicator, glucose as the pigment carrier, soybean oil as the linker, and xanthan gum (XG) as the thickener. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that the ink was uniformly distributed on paper using screen printing. Rheological and particle size analyses revealed that the incorporation of XG significantly enhanced the interaction force between droplets in the ink system. Further tests on viscosity, fineness, and initial dryness indicated that XG, a natural microbial polysaccharide with excellent stability, could effectively improve the flowability of the ink. Specifically, at a 0.3 % XG content, the ink exhibited a unimodal particle size distribution with an average particle size of 851.02 nm and a zeta potential of −27 mV. This indicated the ink system was stable and uniform, with optimal rheological properties and printing suitability. Furthermore, the printed freshness indication labels exhibited a significant change in color as the freshness of the refrigerated meat changed. This study develops a natural and safe method for monitoring the freshness of refrigerated meat and provides an optimized idea for applying indicator inks.

Термодинамический анализ процесса расширения винтового детандера в области влажного пара

In this scientific work, the process of expansion of wet steam with different values of the inlet degree of dryness in a screw expander is considered. The study is carried out on the basis of the developed mathematical model, which includes both the basic thermodynamic equations and the process of heat exchange of the working substance with the environment in the process of expansion. During the study of the expansion process in the area of wet steam in a screw expander, a mathematical model of this process is developed. The mathematical model is verified by comparing the results obtained on its basis with the results obtained by other researchers on an identical object. It can be seen from the results obtained that at values of the initial degree of dryness greater than 0,01, the distributions of pressures and temperatures practically do not depend on its value. When the initial dryness values are less than 0,01, it begins to have a significant effect on the distribution of pressure and temperature over the angle of rotation of the main rotor of the screw expander.

First Report of Dieback Caused by Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae on Ormosia pinnata in China.

Ormosia pinnata (Lour.) Merr. is an important tree used for landscape and plant recovery of barren slopes in China. During an investigation of plant disease on landscape trees in 2018, a dieback was observed on O. pinnata trees in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China. Symptoms were characterized by initial dryness of the twigs and eventual death of the whole branch of the tree. Isolations from symptomatic branches yielded 13 isolates including two main morphotypes. Pathogenicity tests showed that isolate GDOP1 from Type I caused dieback of O. pinnata. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular analysis of the internal transcribed spacer rDNA (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and partial sequence of the translation elongation factor 1α (EF1-α), the fungus causing dieback on O. pinnata was identified as Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae. This is the first report of L. pseudotheobromae infecting O. pinnata in the world.

The Moisture Content and Temperature Variation in Contact Drying Process of Paper

In order to reveal the change law of moisture content and temperature in drying technology of cylinder, then guiding the design of drying structure and reducing energy consumption. Based on the principle of conservation of mass, this paper establishes a mathematical model for the evaporation of held water at dry end during the contact drying process of paper; The analytical formula of water content is obtained by combining the fixed conditions; The effects of initial moisture content (initial dryness), air velocity and heat source temperature on moisture content and paper temperature in drying process are simulated. The results show that the size of parameters do not change the overall exponential decay trend of evaporation law, but they change the slope of attenuation in the decline stage of drying process. The initial moisture content is smaller, the absolute value of curve descending slope is greater, but the time needed for drying is longer; The air velocity is larger, the absolute value of curve descending slope is greater, and the time is shorter; The heat source temperature is higher, the drying rate is bigger, the time is shorter, the theoretical analysis is in line with the actual production process.

Preparation of a water-based antibacterial ink based on microcapsules

In this paper a water-based antibacterial ink with a proper recipe is obtained where antibacterial microcapsules is prepared by β-cyclodextrin embedding cinnamon essential oil, a waterborne acrylate resin is used as a binder and the ethanol and water are the solvents, and followed that pigments, fillers and various additives are added to prepare water-based antibacterial ink for PE film printing. The viscosity, fineness, gloss, initial drying, water resistance and antibacterial properties of the ink are detected successively, and the influence of the addition of antibacterial microcapsules on the performance of the ink is discussed accordingly. The results show that the water-based antibacterial ink possesses the good physical performances in the following fraction of w (waterborne acrylic resin liquid) = 40%, w (ethanol) = 30%, w (water) = 10%, w (carbon black) = 8%, w (adjuvant) = 5%, and w (antimicrobial microcapsules) = 7% (all relative to the total amount of ink). As a result, this ink shows a viscosity of 34.5mPa·s, a fineness of 15μm, a glossiness of 85%, an initial dryness of 15mm/30s, a water resistance of 4 grades and an inhibition zone diameter of 22mm and 14mm for escherichia coli and penicillium, respectively.

Rethinking the Determination of Wet Strength of Paper

The wet strength of paper is an important physical property, especially for household paper, e.g., paper towels, as well as for some functional paper grades. However, in the literature, various conditions of immersing the samples in water before testing have been reported, resulting in differences in their extent of saturation and inconsistency in the testing results. Also, the dryness of paper specimens before the wet-strength testing is a critical parameter for the wet strength of paper; however, this aspect has been neglected in the literature. In this editorial, the methods of examination for both the temporary and permanent wet strength are discussed. A more reasonable method is proposed, such that the wet strength is reported according to the immersion time and the initial dryness of the paper. As an option, the results may be expressed as a function of immersion time and initial dryness. In this way, the trend of temporary wet strength related to the immersion time in water can be expressed clearly and the permanent wet strength also can be evaluated comprehensively.

A parametric analysis on the regeneration performance of silica gel in a proposed comfort provision strategy for a typical office space in Harare, Zimbabwe

This paper reports the influence, design and climate parameters have on the regeneration performance of a proposed strategy for passive comfort provision for an office space. Solar regeneration of an external silica gel bed is later followed by regeneration of internal surfaces laden with silica gel. The internal surfaces regeneration is effected utilizing air dried by the external bed. External bed regenerating air conditions are evaluated based on simple energy balance and buoyancy models. Thermal efficiency is formulated based on its fundamental definition. Silica gel drying models are obtained from literature. MS Excel Spreadsheet program is applied in the present simulations. Internal surfaces regeneration depends largely on; ventilation rate, initial dryness and mass of external silica gel bed. There is an optimum ventilation rate for a given mass of silica gel in the external bed for particular initial moisture content. Channel depth is quite critical to the regeneration effect on the external silica gel bed, with an average influence coefficient of 200%. The specific humidity of the regenerating air has the least coefficient of influence of 82%. Considering the foregoing, the design of the proposed system calls for simulation to estimate performance.

Study on Dryness and Printing Quality of Water-Based Plastic Gravure Ink

To improve the dryness of the water-based plastic gravure ink and ensure their printing quality, by design the orthogonal experiment to compound the ink, to discussion the influencing factors of water-based plastic gravure ink initial dryness and full dryness, and discussion the major and minor of the factors. By using different types of resins, changing the content of alcohol in the dilution dissolvent and changing the content of dilution dissolvent, compound the water-based plastic gravure ink, to study these influencing factors of ink dryness and printing quality. The results show that, the content of the alcohol in the dilution dissolvent is the major effect on the water-based plastic gravure ink initial dryness; the content of dilution dissolvent is the major effect on the water-based plastic gravure ink full dryness; in addition the different types of resins and the proportion of alcohol and water have a great effect on ink performance and the printing quality.

Factors controlling soil CO 2 effluxes and the effects of rewetting on effluxes in adjacent deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests in Korea

To better understand the factors that control forest soil CO 2 efflux and the effects of rewetting on efflux, we measured soil CO 2 efflux in adjacent deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests in the central part of the Korean Peninsula over the course of one year. We also conducted laboratory rewetting experiments with soil collected from the three sites using three different incubation temperatures (4 °C, 10 °C, and 20 °C). Soil moisture (SM), soil organic matter (SOM), and total root mass values of the three sites were significantly different from one another; however, soil temperature (ST), observed soil CO 2 efflux and sensitivity of soil CO 2 efflux to ST (i.e., Q 10 = 3.7 ± 0.1) were not significantly different among the three sites. Soil temperature was a dominant control factor regulating soil CO 2 efflux during most of the year. We infer that soil CO 2 efflux was not significantly different among the sites due to similar ST and Q 10. Though a significant increase in soil CO 2 efflux following rewetting of dry soil was observed both in the field observations (60–170%) and laboratory incubation experiments (100–1000%), both the increased rates of soil CO 2 efflux and the magnitude of change in SM were not significantly different among the sites. The increased rates of soil CO 2 efflux following rewetting depended on the initial SM before rewetting. During drying phase after rewetting, a significant correlation between SM and soil CO 2 efflux was found, but the effect of ST on increased soil CO 2 efflux was not clear. Cumulative peak soil CO 2 efflux (11.3 ± 0.7 g CO 2 m −2) following rewetting in the field was not significantly different among the sites. Those evidences indicate that the observed similar rewetting effects on soil CO 2 efflux can be explained by the similar magnitude of change in SM after rewetting at the sites. We conclude that regardless of vegetation type, soil CO 2 efflux and the effect of rewetting on soil CO 2 efflux do not differ among the sites, and ST is a primary control factor for soil CO 2 efflux while SM modulates the effect of rewetting on soil CO 2 efflux. Further studies are needed to quantify and incorporate relationship of initial dryness of the soil and the frequency of the dry–wet cycle on soil CO 2 efflux into models describing carbon (C) processes in forested ecosystems.

Estimation of net carbon sequestration potential with farmland application of bagasse charcoal: life cycle inventory analysis through a pilot sugarcane bagasse carbonisation plant

Enriching soil carbon storage is regarded as a viable option for mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the agricultural sector. Carbon sequestration by applying biomass into the soil can be an effective sequestration pathway for agriculture. Biochar, charcoal produced from biomass pyrolysis, is highly stable against microbial decomposition, and applying this to farmland has the potential to mitigate GHG emissions. However, CO2 is emitted throughout the biochar life cycle, including pyrolysis, transportation, and farmland application. Therefore, estimating the net carbon sequestration potential by considering these CO2 emissions is important. To this end, operational data from a pilot sugarcane bagasse carbonisation plant were collected, and the net carbon sequestration potential with farmland application of bagasse charcoal was calculated using inventory data from the pilot plant. The results were as follows: (i) kerosene consumption during the carbonisation process was the greatest contributor to CO2 emissions within the life cycle of applying bagasse charcoal to farmland; (ii) the initial dryness of the feedstock was an important factor in estimating net carbon sequestration potentials; (iii) the CO2 mitigation potential with farmland application of bagasse charcoal on Miyako Island would be 1200–1800 t CO2/year.

Development of nighttime bladder control from 4 – 9 years: association with dimensions of parent rated child maturational level, child temperament and maternal psychopathology.

Background: This study investigates variability in acquisition of nighttime bladder control in a large, general population sample of children by defining a developmental typology through latent class analysis. Also examined is the association of bedwetting classes with risk factors in early childhood including maturational level, temperament and exposure to maternal psychopathology. Methods: Data from a UK population sample of over 10,000 children from age 4-9 years were available from ALSPAC. Parents completed questionnaires asking about their child’s bedwetting (on five occasions during the assessment period) and maturational level (at 18 months), temperament (24 months), and maternal depressive / anxious psychopathology (21 months). Longitudinal phenotypes capturing population heterogeneity in nighttime bladder control were derived using latent class analysis. Associations with the risk factors were investigated using multinomial logistic regression. Results: Five groups of children were identified with different patterns of development: 1) normative (69.9% of 10,818 sample); (2) delayed (8.4%); (3) severely delayed (9.3%); (4) persistent (8.6%), and (5) relapse (3.8%). Results indicated that the risk factors were associated with an increase in the odds of children experiencing problems either attaining nighttime bladder control or with relapse in bedwetting after a period of initial dryness. Conclusions: Development of nighttime bladder control and onset of bedwetting problems are captured by this developmental typology approach, enabling factors that affect risk of bedwetting to be determined and targeted. Further investigation is required into risk factors relating to individuals and their environments that are associated with difficulties attaining or maintaining nighttime continence, including neurobiological and genetic factors.

Is Long-Term Bladder Deterioration Inevitable Following Successful Isolated Bladder Outlet Procedures in Children With Neuropathic Bladder Dysfunction?

Bladder decompensation is well described following artificial urinary sphincter implantation in neurogenic bladders. We evaluated the long-term results of various bladder outlet procedures in a subset of patients with neurogenic bladder and isolated outlet deficiency. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 15 consecutive patients who underwent bladder outlet procedures during a 10-year period for urinary incontinence associated with neuropathic bladder dysfunction. Postoperative success was defined as a dry interval of at least 4 hours. Preoperative evaluation showed a smooth bladder in 11 patients with vesicoureteral reflux and hydronephrosis in 2. Using the minimal acceptable capacity for age, mean percent expected bladder capacity for age was 89% +/- 25%, capacity below 20 cm H(2)O was 81% and capacity below 30 cm H(2)O was 89%. Mean preoperative expected capacity for age was 60% +/- 18%. Mean postoperative followup was 11.2 years. Postoperatively, 11 patients achieved initial dryness but 9 subsequently presented with recurrent incontinence and 2 presented with upper tract deterioration. Four cases failed the initial bladder outlet procedure. Salvage procedures included augmentation cystoplasty in all 15 patients, combined with repeat bladder outlet procedure in 4 and bladder neck closure in 2. Mean time to augmentation cystoplasty was 39.6 +/- 28 months. Isolated bladder outlet procedures for neurogenic incontinence portend a poor long-term outcome, requiring augmentation cystoplasty despite the use of anticholinergic medications and strict followup. Preoperative urodynamic evaluation does not predict the need or timing from the initial bladder outlet procedure for future augmentation cystoplasty.

Letters to the Editor

26 July 2007 Dear Editor, RESPONSE TO LETTER TO THE EDITOR (DELANEY, WEBB AND FORSYTHE) I thank Delaney, Webb and Forsythe for their comments. The report was not of a distinct cohort followed for 2 years but of children seen and managed in community practice.1 As we noted most other studies are from scientific institutions rather than the community where most practice. Five hundred and five children were seen in the 5-year study period 1997–2002. Within this period 368 of the 399 achieving initial dryness had reached 6 months from initial management of whom 270 had remained continuously dry for 6 months. Thirty-one of those 399 achieving initial dryness were seen within the last 6 months of the study period. Within this 5-year period 266 of the 399 achieving initial dryness had reached 24 months from initial management of which 171 had remained continuously dry for 24 months. Of the 399, 133 were seen within the last 2-year period. The subsequent outcomes of those not achieving initial success or relapsing are not completely known, however, many returned for later trial of the alarm, and some may have sought management elsewhere. Delaney et al. are technically correct in their statistical analysis of our group as a scientific cohort. At 6 months 270 of the 368 who had qualified for analysis remained dry giving a continued success rate of 73%. The 31 not qualifying were not used for the success rate as they had not achieved 6 months since initial success. Similarly for 24 months the complete success rate was 64%, those not achieving 24 months not included as their outcomes were not known at 24 months. Delaney et al. in their revised chart point to a 24-month success rate of 34% being similar to natural remission. Their flow chart compares the total remaining dry at 24 months, with those reaching 24-month follow-up as well as those not that had not reached this follow-up period, some just over 6 months from achieving dryness. To the casual observer this could lead to some confusion about alarm management in enuresis. We all seem to agree that alarm management is ‘an effective tool in the management of nocturnal enuresis’ and the initial success rate compares favourably with the Cochrane review (relative risk of failure 0.24 compared with Cochrane review of 0.38), and have a similar success at 6-month follow-up. However, at 24 months only spontaneous remission rate achievable. Does this mean alarm success is only short lived? With our large group of children achieving initial success (399), this would be worthy of resubmitting the paper as a study of profound alarm failure! The study gives very useful and practical information for managing enuresis and answers many of the questions parents ask. ‘What is the likelihood that my child, if we proceed with management, will achieve dryness’– 79.0% ‘Will my child stay dry if he achieves initial dryness?’– 73% will remain dry at 6 months and 64% will have remained dry by the end of 24 months. ‘How long will treatment take’– table 1 in the paper gives a useful indication of times to success and can indicate to parents that the ‘main body of children achieving dryness’ is within the 4- to 11-week period. Table 2 in the paper gives the cumulative percent achieving dryness and is useful to indicate to parents what percentage can still achieve dryness at certain stages of their program. This is particularly useful for those who are taking a longer time. Such outcome data is helpful both in community-based paediatrics but also in major metropolitan paediatric hospitals.

Nocturnal enuresis: Application of evidence‐based medicine in community practice

To report the outcomes and follow-up at 2 years of children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) managed in a private paediatric community practice utilising body-worn alarms and supportive programmes. 522 consecutive children presenting with MNE were assessed and managed with a comprehensive supportive programme and body-worn alarm. Data were recorded prospectively and outcomes assessed at 6 and 24 months. 505 proceeded with management. A total of 79.0% achieved initial dryness within a median of 10 weeks. Of those achieving initial dryness 73.0% had remained dry at 6-month follow-up and 64% had remained dry at 24 months. A total of 99.2% follow-up was achieved. Nineteen per cent of children required more than 16 weeks management with 56% achieving dryness. More girls achieved dryness than boys and in a shorter time. There was no gender difference in relapse rates at 6 and 24 months. No difference in achieving initial success was found with respect to initial severity of wetting, nor age. Relapse rates were unrelated to gender, age, or initial severity. MNE can be successfully managed using body-worn alarms achieving good initial and long-term complete dryness, without the need for expensive pharmacologic intervention. A strong supportive programme can make the management less arduous for child and family.

Implementation of a Nursing Home Urinary Incontinence Management Program With and Without Tolterodine

<h3>Objective</h3> To evaluate the implementation of a nursing home urinary incontinence management program. <h3>Design</h3> A prospective field trial of the program incorporating practice guidelines and principles of continuous quality improvement. <h3>Setting</h3> Five nursing homes in New York, Virginia, and Georgia <h3>Participants</h3> One hundred fifty-one residents identified as being incontinent of urine and who met inclusion criteria for ongoing participation in the program. <h3>Intervention</h3> Key multidisciplinary staff from the five nursing homes were trained in the program and assumed responsibility for implementing it in their facilities. The program consisted of a clinical assessment, toileting protocols, and the addition of the antimuscarinic drug tolterodine in selected residents who did not respond well to toileting alone. Data on dryness rates during the 60-day toileting protocols, collected by nursing home staff, were analyzed on a weekly basis by an overall project coordinator who sent data back to the nursing homes in an easy-to-read graphical format. <h3>Measures</h3> (1) The dryness rate, defined as the number of times the resident was dry divided by the number of times the resident was checked (every 2 hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.); and (2) adverse events (eg, dry mouth, increased confusion, need for dosage reduction). <h3>Results</h3> Of 645 residents in the 5 nursing homes, 377 (58%) were identified as incontinent of urine, of whom 151 (40%) were placed on an ongoing toileting program. Of these 151 residents, 48 (32%) were prescribed tolterodine, and 117 (78%) completed the 60-day trial. The initial dryness rate was 57%, and for the group as a whole remained essentially unchanged (increase in dryness 1%, <i>P</i> = 0.50). Among 50 clinically stable residents on a toileting program alone, the increase in the dryness rate was 16% (<i>P</i> = 0.001), and for 31 clinically stable residents prescribed tolterodine, the increase in the dryness rate was 29% (<i>P</i> = 0.012). Two residents had their dosage of tolterodine reduced because of dry mouth and nausea, and one resident was taken off the drug because of increased pain in the back and legs and increased confusion. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Overall, this program resulted in significant increases in dryness rates for clinically stable incontinent nursing home residents. These residents represented 22% of the total number of residents identified as incontinent in the five participating nursing homes. Tolterodine was prescribed for approximately one-third of incontinent residents as a supplement to a toileting program, and was well tolerated. Nursing homes should be encouraged to implement similar urinary incontinence programs, target toileting protocols to the most responsive residents, and maintain the program using principles of continuous quality improvement.

Implementation of a Nursing Home Urinary Incontinence Management Program With and Without Tolterodine

To evaluate the implementation of a nursing home urinary incontinence management program. A prospective field trial of the program incorporating practice guidelines and principles of continuous quality improvement. Five nursing homes in New York, Virginia, and Georgia One hundred fifty-one residents identified as being incontinent of urine and who met inclusion criteria for ongoing participation in the program. Key multidisciplinary staff from the five nursing homes were trained in the program and assumed responsibility for implementing it in their facilities. The program consisted of a clinical assessment, toileting protocols, and the addition of the antimuscarinic drug tolterodine in selected residents who did not respond well to toileting alone. Data on dryness rates during the 60-day toileting protocols, collected by nursing home staff, were analyzed on a weekly basis by an overall project coordinator who sent data back to the nursing homes in an easy-to-read graphical format. (1) The dryness rate, defined as the number of times the resident was dry divided by the number of times the resident was checked (every 2 hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.); and (2) adverse events (eg, dry mouth, increased confusion, need for dosage reduction). Of 645 residents in the 5 nursing homes, 377 (58%) were identified as incontinent of urine, of whom 151 (40%) were placed on an ongoing toileting program. Of these 151 residents, 48 (32%) were prescribed tolterodine, and 117 (78%) completed the 60-day trial. The initial dryness rate was 57%, and for the group as a whole remained essentially unchanged (increase in dryness 1%, P = 0.50). Among 50 clinically stable residents on a toileting program alone, the increase in the dryness rate was 16% (P = 0.001), and for 31 clinically stable residents prescribed tolterodine, the increase in the dryness rate was 29% (P = 0.012). Two residents had their dosage of tolterodine reduced because of dry mouth and nausea,one resident was taken off the drug because of increased pain in the back and legs and increased confusion. Overall, this program resulted in significant increases in dryness rates for clinically stable incontinent nursing home residents. These residents represented 22% of the total number of residents identified as incontinent in the five participating nursing homes. Tolterodine was prescribed for approximately one-third of incontinent residents as a supplement to a toileting program, and was well tolerated. Nursing homes should be encouraged to implement similar urinary incontinence programs, target toileting protocols to the most responsive residents, and maintain the program using principles of continuous quality improvement.

Relation between leakage impedance and equivalent salt deposit density on an insulator under a saltwater spray

The degree of pollution of an insulator polluted rapidly under a saltwater spray is observed by measurement of the leakage current, which flows between electrodes fixed on the surface of the insulator, under 30 V ac voltage. Long rod insulators were used as samples. The relation between the leakage impedance and the equivalent salt deposit density (ESDD) of the insulators was obtained under several experimental conditions. As a result, the following was found (1) the effect of the wind velocity on the insulator is small, and is especially small when the distance between the electrodes is short, (2) the effect of the distribution of the saltwater drops on the insulator is small, and (3) the leakage impedance does not depend on initial dryness of the insulator surface (and the conductance is low) before the saltwater spray. It is important that the ESDD be above a certain value, and that the distance between the electrodes be short. Furthermore, it was shown that ESDD can be estimated fairly exactly from the leakage impedance.

A preliminary assessment of intra-oral lubricating systems for dry mouth patients.

To provide extended intra-oral delivery of a saliva substitute. Three different types of prostheses containing saliva substitute were designed and assessed: a two-part device resembling a mandibular complete denture sealed by cobalt-samerium magnets, a one-part clear resin device for the edentate patients and a flexible mouth guard type of appliance containing a lubricant releasing bubble for the dentate patients. A teaching hospital Oral Medicine and Rheumatology Clinic. 8 edentate and 3 dentate Sjogren Syndrome sufferers. Subjective dryness after a week of wearing the lubricating appliance. The majority of the subjects wore the appliances for 6-12 hours during each 24 hours. The initial dryness severity diminished after wearing the lubricating prosthesis. The patients preferred to wear the appliance at night. All criteria were fulfilled on designing a saliva substitute lubricating appliance and some of the subjects have worn this prosthesis successfully for up to 3 years. Particular benefit was obtained by night-time wear.

Predicting treatment outcome in nocturnal enuresis.

A presenting sample of 127 consecutive referrals to a community based enuresis clinic were evaluated after treatment with baseline behavioural recording and the enuresis alarm. Almost one in five became dry after baseline recording only while 81 of 96 (84%) enuretics who used the alarm achieved the initial dryness criterion. Successful outcome was associated with the absence of adverse environmental factors and psychiatric disorders in the child. A logistic regression procedure enabled a risk score to be created so that successful outcome could be predicted. Psychiatric disorder in the child, family stress, and the degree of concern shown by the child emerged as the most important prognostic factors in the treatment of enuresis. The favourable success rates with baseline recording and the enuresis alarm confirm the role of conditioning treatment at the forefront of management of enuresis and the risk score allows outcome to be predicted for the first time.