bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DISTRIBUTED VIRTUAL MANUFACTURING FOR DEVELOPMENT OF MODULAR MACHINE SYSTEMS
Authors: OLOFSGÅRD PETTER , NG AMOS , MOORE PHILIP , PU JUNSHENG , WONG CHI BUI , VIN LEO DE 
Published: September 2002

To support all phases of an agile modular manufacturing machine life cycle with CAE and Virtual Manufacturing tools, a number of different engineering applications (e.g. specialist software based tools) are typically used for design, simulation, analysis, programming, control and monitoring of a machine. These applications mainly exist today as small applications islands where each of them manages their own data. When a manufacturing machine is designed, simulated, programmed, analyzed, tested, or operated, the information, connected to that specific machine, used and generated by each application island is stored separately by each application. These application islands often use different storage technologies. Each one of the applications has an information structure to separate the information connected to each machine; however, they do not necessarily use the same information structure. Another issue concerning these applications is the functionality that is implemented in them to manage information; namely, processes such as store, retrieve, search, permissions, etc. The functionality for one process is the same in all applications that has the process implemented. But the implementation of the process functionality may differ, due to misinterpretation of the functionality specification and regular implementation bugs, which could lead to problem with integrity and consistency of the data. Applications that make use of newer information technologies, such as databases and software development tools can simplify the implementation of the functionality but each application still has to implement their own version of the functionality. This paper presents a research investigation focused on the development of a distributed integration platform that supports the whole life cycle of agile modular machine systems, which includes the design, simulation, programming, analysis, machine operation and re-configuration. The environment supports distributed management and storage of information in a system-wide library, information management and storage that is machine oriented, not application oriented, and information storage structured as reusable components to enable reuse of information and know-how that is produced throughout the life cycle of machines.
Effect of pattern and severity of respiratory muscle weakness on carbon monoxide gas transfer and lung volumes
Authors: Hart N. , Cramer D. , Ward S.P. , Nickol A.H. , Moxham J. , Polkey M.I. , Pride N.B. 
Published: September 2002

In clinical practice, an elevated carbon monoxide (CO) transfer coefficient (KCO) and restrictive ventilatory defect are taken as features of respiratory muscle weakness (RMW). However, the authors hypothesised that both pattern and severity of RMW effect gas transfer and lung volumes.Measurements of CO transfer and lung volumes were performed in patients with isolated diaphragm weakness (n=10), inspiratory muscle weakness (n=12), combined inspiratory and expiratory muscle weakness (n=5) and healthy controls (n=6).Patients with diaphragm weakness and inspiratory muscle weakness had reduced total lung capacity (TLC) (83.6% predicted and 68.9% pred, respectively), functional residual capacity (FRC) (83.9% pred and 83.6% pred) and transfer factor of the lung for CO (TL,CO) (86.2% pred and 66.2% pred) with increasedKCO(114.1% pred and 130.2% pred). Patients with combined inspiratory and expiratory muscle weakness had reduced TLC (80.9% pred) but increased FRC (109.9% pred) and RV (157.4% pred) with decreasedTL,CO(58.0% pred) andKCO(85.5% pred).In patients with diaphragm weakness, the increase in carbon monoxide transfer coefficient was similar to that of normal subjects when alveolar volume was reduced. However, the increase in carbon monoxide transfer coefficient in inspiratory muscle weakness was often less than expected, while in combined inspiratory and expiratory muscle weakness, the carbon monoxide transfer coefficient was normal/reduced despite further reductions in alveolar volume, which may indicate subtle abnormalities of the lung parenchyma or pulmonary vasculature. Thus, this study demonstrates the limitations of using carbon monoxide transfer coefficient in the diagnosis of respiratory muscle weakness, particularly if no account is taken of the alveolar volume at which the carbon monoxide transfer coefficient is made.
Assisted ventilation for heart failure patients with Cheyne-Stokes respiration
Authors: Köhnlein T. , Welte T. , Tan L.B. , Elliott M.W. 
Published: September 2002

Patients with chronic congestive cardiac failure (CCF) frequently suffer from central sleep apnoea syndrome (CSAS). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been suggested as a treatment. The authors hypothesised that bilevel ventilation might be easier to initiate and superior to CPAP at correcting the sleep-related abnormality of breathing in patients with CCF.After excluding those with a history suggestive of obstructive sleep apnoea, 35 patients with CCF (left ventricular ejection fraction <35%) were screened with overnight oximetry and the diagnosis of CSAS was established with polysomnography in 18. Two 14-day cycles of CPAP (0.85 kPa (8.5 mbar)) or bilevel ventilation (0.85/0.3 kPa (8.5/3 mbar)) in random order, were compared in a crossover study.Sixteen patients (13 males), mean age 62.0±7.4 yrs completed the study. The pretreatment apnoea/hypopnoea index of 26.7±10.7 was significantly reduced by CPAP and bilevel ventilation to 7.7±5.6 and 6.5±6.6, respectively. The arousal index fell from 31.1±10.0 per hour of sleep to 15.7±5.4 and 16.4±6.9, respectively. Significant and equal improvements with CPAP and bilevel ventilation were found for sleep quality, daytime fatigue, circulation time and New York Heart Association class.The authors conclude that continuous positive airway pressure and bilevel ventilation equally and effectively improve Cheyne-Stokes respiration in patients with congestive cardiac failure.
Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial lung biopsy in solitary pulmonary nodules and peripheral lesions
Authors: Herth F.J.F. , Ernst A. , Becker H.D. 
Published: September 2002

Transbronchial biopsy (TBBX) for peripheral lung lesions is usually performed with the help of fluoroscopy, but the yield varies widely. This feasibility study aimed to assess the ability of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) to provide imaging guidance for TBBX.In a prospective study, 50 consecutive patients referred for TBBX for peripheral lesions underwent fluoroscopy-guided and EBUS-guided TBBX in random order. Diagnostic yields were compared for both modalities and feasibility was assessed for EBUS.Diagnostic material was obtained in 80% of patients with EBUS and 76% of patients with fluoroscopy. There was a nonsignificant trend for EBUS to be better than fluoroscopy for lesions <3 cm in diameter. Four lesions could not be visualised with EBUS. There were no significant complications associated with the use of EBUS.Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial biopsy is feasible. It appears to be at least equivalent to fluoroscopy without the accompanying radiation exposure. Further large-scale studies are indicated to assess the possible role of endobronchial ultrasound as a potential imaging method of choice for the biopsy of peripheral lung lesions.
Chronic bronchitis among French adults: high prevalence and underdiagnosis
Authors: Huchon G.J. , Vergnenègre A. , Neukirch F. , Brami G. , Roche N. , Preux P-M. 
Published: September 2002

The aims of this survey were to determine the prevalence of symptoms indicative of chronic bronchitis (CB) in the French adult population, to identify the role of risk factors for CB, and to assess rates of CB diagnosis and pulmonary function testing (PFT) in the presence of CB.A representative sample of 14,076 individuals aged ≥25 yrs completed a self-administered questionnaire on symptoms, comorbidities, smoking history, sociodemographical data, and diagnosis and care by physicians.The prevalence of CB was 4.1% and the prevalence of chronic cough and/or expectoration was 11.7%. In individuals with comorbidity, these figures were 10.4% and 24.4%, respectively. Smoking was associated with an increased frequency of CB. In subjects with CB, 44.6% had PFT (spirometry or peak expiratory flow measurement), 24% were diagnosed as having CB, and 7.2% received care. Rates of diagnosis, PFT, and follow-up were lower in young individuals and in those without comorbidity. PFT and follow-up were less common in current smokers.Prevalence of chronic bronchitis in French adults is high and similar in magnitude to that of other industrialised countries. Comorbidities and tobacco smoking increase the frequency of chronic bronchitis symptoms. Chronic bronchitis is too infrequently diagnosed, investigated and cared for.
Efficacy of acupuncture in asthma: systematic review and meta-analysis of published data from 11 randomised controlled trials
Authors: Martin J. , Donaldson A.N.A. , Villarroel R. , Parmar M.K.B. , Ernst E. , Higginson I.J. 
Published: September 2002

Contradictory results from randomised controlled trials of acupuncture in asthma suggest both a beneficial and detrimental effect. The authors conducted a formal systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomised clinical trials in the published literature that have compared acupuncture at real and placebo points in asthma patients.The authors searched for trials published in the period 1970–2000. Trials had to measure at least one of the following objective outcomes: peak expiratory flow rate, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity. Estimates of the standarised mean difference, between acupuncture and placebo were computed for each trial and combined to estimate the overall effect. Hetereogeneity was investigated in terms of the characteristics of the individual studies.Twelve trials met the inclusion criteria but data from one could not be obtained. Individual patient data were available in only three. Standardised differences between means ranging from 0.071 to 0.133, in favour of acupuncture, were obtained. The overall effect was not conventionally significant and it corresponds to an approximate difference in FEV1means of 1.7. After exploring hetereogenenity, it was found that studies where bronchoconstriction was induced during the experiment showed a conventionally significant effect.This meta-analysis did not find evidence of an effect of acupuncture in reducing asthma. However, the meta-analysis was limited by shortcomings of the individual trials, in terms of sample size, missing information, adjustment of baseline characteristics and a possible bias against acupuncture introduced by the use of placebo points that may not be completely inactive. There was a suggestion of preferential publication of trials in favour of acupuncture. There is an obvious need to conduct a full-scale randomised clinical trial addressing these limitations and the prognostic value of the aetiology of the disease.
Broncholithiasis and lithoptysis associated with silicosis
Authors: Antão V.C.S. , Pinheiro G.A. , Jansen J.M. 
Published: September 2002

A case of broncholithiasis associated with massive silicosis is reported, showing a rare aspect of parenchymal lesions generating broncholiths as well as the presence of recurrent lithoptysis, with subsequent regression of radiological lesions.Aetiological, clinical, physiopathological, and radiological aspects of the disease are discussed, demonstrating the importance of the use of computed tomography in diagnosis. The mineralogical analysis of expectorated fragments is also shown.
Chlamydia pneumoniaeimmunoglobulin A reactivation and airway inflammation in acute asthma
Authors: Wark P.A.B. , Johnston S.L. , Simpson J.L. , Hensley M.J. , Gibson P.G. 
Published: September 2002

Infection withChlamydia pneumoniaecan trigger acute asthma and is associated with severe chronic asthma. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between airway inflammation and serological response toC. pneumoniaein acute severe asthma.Subjects (n=54) were recruited within 4 h of presentation to the emergency department with an acute exacerbation of asthma. Clinical history taking, sputum induction (0.9% saline), spirometry and acute and convalescent serology forC. pneumoniaeimmunoglobulins A and G were performed.At presentation, 47% of subjects had antibodies directed againstC. pneumoniae, and 38% (20) demonstrated an increase inC. pneumoniaeantibody levels, with 15 demonstrating a rise in immunoglobulin A concentration.C. pneumoniaeresponders exhibited significantly higher sputum neutrophil levels (4.6×106cells·mL−1) compared to nonresponders (1.2×106cells·mL−1, p=0.02) and elevated sputum eosinophil cationic protein concentration (3,981versus1,122 ng·mL−1, p=0.02).An acute antibody response toChlamydia pneumoniaeis common in exacerbations of asthma. The serological features suggest thatChlamydia pneumoniaereactivation may trigger neutrophilic airway inflammation in acute asthma.
Increased alveolar nitric oxide concentration in asthmatic patients with nocturnal symptoms
Authors: Lehtimäki L. , Kankaanranta H. , Saarelainen S. , Turjanmaa V. , Moilanen E. 
Published: September 2002

Nocturnal asthma symptoms and impaired lung function at night are related to inflammatory activity in the peripheral lung compartment. Exhaled nitric oxide (NO) measurement at multiple exhalation flow rates can be used to separately assess alveolar and bronchial NO production and inflammation. The authors hypothesised that asthmatic patients with nocturnal symptoms have a higher alveolar NO concentration than those with only daytime symptoms.The authors asked 40 patients with newly-diagnosed steroid-naïve asthma about their nocturnal asthma symptoms through the use of a written questionnaire. Alveolar NO concentration and bronchial NO flux were assessed in the 40 asthmatics and 40 healthy controls.Nineteen of the 40 patients reported nocturnal symptoms. Patients with nocturnal symptoms had a higher alveolar NO concentration (1.7±0.3 (mean±sem) parts per billion (ppb)) than patients without nocturnal symptoms (0.8±0.3 ppb, p=0.012) or healthy controls (1.0±0.1 ppb, p=0.032). Bronchial NO flux was higher both in patients with (2.4±0.4 nL·s−1, p<0.001) and without (2.6±0.4 nL·s−1, p<0.001) nocturnal symptoms, compared to controls (0.7±0.1 nL·s−1).Nocturnal symptoms in asthmatic patients are related to a higher alveolar nitric oxide concentration. The results suggest that assessment of alveolar nitric oxide concentration can be used to detect the parenchymal inflammation in asthmatic patients with nocturnal symptoms.
Measurement of lung volume and ventilation distribution with an ultrasonic flow meter in healthy infants
Authors: Schibler A. , Hall G.L. , Businger F. , Reinmann B. , Wildhaber J.H. , Cernelc M. , Frey U. 
Published: September 2002

Small airway disease in infants is characterised by abnormal lung volume and uneven ventilation distribution. An inert tracer gas washin/washout technique using a pulsed ultrasonic flow meter is presented to measure functional residual capacity (FRC) and ventilation distribution in spontaneously breathing and unsedated infants.With a pulsed ultrasound sent through the main stream of the flow meter, flow, volume and MM of the breathing gas can be calculated. Sulphur hexafluoride was used as a tracer gas. In a mechanical lung model (volume range 53–188 mL) and in 12 healthy infants (aged 38.3±9.2 days; mean±sd) accuracy and reproducibility of the technique was assessed. Indices of ventilation distribution such as alveolar-based mean dilution number (AMDN) and pulmonary clearance delay (PCD) were calculated.Mean error of volume measurement in the lung model was 0.58% (coefficient of variance (CV) 1.3%). FRC was in the low predicted range for normal infants (18.0±2.0 mL·kg−1) and highly reproducible (5.5±1.7% intra-subject CV). AMDN was 1.63±0.15 and PCD was 52.9±11.1%.Measurement of functional residual capacity and ventilation distribution using a sulphur hexafluoride washin/washout and an ultrasonic flow meter proved to be highly accurate and reproducible in a lung model and in healthy, spontaneously breathing and unsedated infants.
Short-term health effects of particulate and photochemical air pollution in asthmatic children
Authors: Just J. , Ségala C. , Sahraoui F. , Priol G. , Grimfeld A. , Neukirch F. 
Published: September 2002

In a previous panel study in Paris, France, detrimental effects of moderately high levels of winter air pollution on the symptoms and lung function of asthmatic children were demonstrated. A new study was conducted, with the aim of assessing the short-term effects of photo-oxidant and particulate air pollution on childhood asthma during spring and early summer in Paris.Eighty-two medically diagnosed asthmatic children were followed up for 3 months. Outcomes included the incidence and prevalence of asthma attacks, nocturnal cough, supplementary use of β2-agonists, symptoms of airway irritation, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) value and its variability. The statistical methods controlled for the lack of independence between daily health outcomes, temporal trends and pollen and weather conditions.Black smoke and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were associated with increases in the occurrence of nocturnal cough and respiratory infections. Ozone (O3) was associated with an increase in the occurrence of asthma attacks and respiratory infections and with changes in lung function, as shown by an increase in PEF variability and a decrease in PEF. Statistically significant interactions were demonstrated between O3and temperature and between O3and pollen count for asthma attacks. O3levels had a greater effect on additional bronchodilator use and on irritations of the eyes, nose and throat on days on which no steroids were used. Particulate matter was associated with eye irritation only.This study showed that, although within international air quality standards, the prevailing levels of photo-oxidant and particulate pollution in spring and early summer had measurable short-term effects on children with mild-to-moderate asthma.
Montelukastversusfluticasone: effects on lung function, airway responsiveness and inflammation in moderate asthma
Authors: Kanniess F. , Richter K. , Böhme S. , Jörres R.A. , Magnussen H. 
Published: September 2002

Whether leukotriene receptor antagonists exhibit adequate anti-inflammatory effects in the treatment of asthma is still a controversial issue. The aim of the present study was to perform a direct comparison of the effects of a 4-week treatment with either montelukast (10 mg, once a day) or low-dose inhaled fluticasone (100 µgb.i.d.) on functional and inflammatory parameters in steroid-naïve patients with moderate asthma.Forty patients (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), 60–80% predicted) were studied in a double-blind, randomised, crossover design. Treatment periods were separated by 3–8 weeks of washout. At the beginning and end of each period, FEV1, airway responsiveness to inhaled methacholine (provocative concentration causing a 20% fall in FEV1(PC20)), the level of exhaled nitric oxide (NO) and sputum differential cell counts were determined. Only short-acting β2-agonists were allowed for relief of symptoms.FEV1increased by 0.50±0.07 L (mean±sem) after fluticasone and by 0.37±0.07 L after montelukast (p<0.001, each), and PC20by 1.33±0.13 (p<0.001) and 0.15±0.17 (ns) doubling doses, respectively. Correspondingly, percentages of sputum eosinophils were reduced by factor 2.7 (p<0.01) and 1.4 (nonsignificant (ns)), and the levels of exhaled NO (at 50 mL·s−1) by factor 2.1 (p<0.01) and 1.1 (ns).These data indicate a comparable bronchodilator action of montelukast and fluticasone in patients with moderate asthma, but additional attenuation of airway inflammation by fluticasone as detectable through noninvasive methods.
The effect of hypertonic saline dextran solutions on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in anaesthetised piglets
Authors: Bellezza M. , Kerbaul F. , Roussel L. , Imbert M. , Guidon C. 
Published: September 2002

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) is a regulatory mechanism by which blood is diverted from poorly ventilated to better ventilated areas of the lung. The aim of the present study was to assess the extent to which hypertonic saline dextran and dextran solutions modify the magnitude of HPV during isovolumic haemodilution in intact acutely instrumented piglets.Eighteen large white piglets were anesthetised and assigned to two groups. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and cardiac output (Q), systemic arterial pressure and left arterial pressure (LAP) were measured. A decrease in Q was obtained by reducing venous return. This enabled measurement of transpulmonary pressures (mean PAP minus LAP) at four levels of Q in hyperoxia (inspiratory oxygen fraction (Fi,O2)=0.4), then in hypoxia (Fi,O2=0.1) in the two groups before blood soustraction (10 mL·kg−1) and after loading with sodium chloride (NaCl) 7.5% and dextran 6% or with dextran 6% alone. Dextran alone led to a decrease in mean PAP–LAP/Q values, and NaCl with dextran was associated with a significant shift of mean PAP–LAP/Q plots to higher pressures in hypoxia.Hypertonic saline dextran solution, as replacement fluid in isovolaemic haemodilution increased the magnitude of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, whereas dextran solution reduced it.
Age-related differences in perceived asthma control in childhood: guidelines and reality
Authors: Kuehni C.E. , Frey U. 
Published: September 2002

Current guidelines specify the goals of asthma treatment in children and propose a stepwise approach to achieve them. The authors sought to determine whether these goals were attained in children of different age groups in the community and to assess treatment in those with unsatisfactory asthma control.A cross-sectional postal questionnaire survey was performed in 1998 in all members of the major Swiss parents organisation for childhood asthma.With a response rate of 85%, data from 572 Swiss-German children aged 4–16 yrs with wheeze were analysed. Asthma control was excellent in 18% of the children, satisfactory (only episodic symptoms) in 33%, and unsatisfactory in 49% with disturbed sleep, restricted activities and school absences. When stratified by age, excellent or satisfactory control was attained by 66% of children aged 13–16 yrs, but only by 56%, 44%, and 38% of those aged 10–12, 7–9 and 4–6 yrs, respectively. Although the majority were followed-up by a doctor (95%) and were receiving β2-agonists (82%) and inhaled corticosteroids (68%), intensity and duration of treatment were not sufficiently matched to asthma severity. In virtually all children there was scope to improve medical treatment, preventive measures and knowledge of asthma management, with very few if any children with therapy-resistant asthma. Even in children with poor asthma control, 89% of parents were satisfied with the results of treatment.The goals of asthma treatment were attained in one-half of the children, particularly in younger age groups. Although inhaler use was common, detailed assessment showed evidence for undertreatment, especially in the youngest age group, and insufficient adherence to preventive measures. Parental expectations of asthma control, which were lower than those outlined in guidelines, might be an important but underestimated factor in paediatric asthma management.