bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A case study on the adaptive maintenance of an Internet application
Authors: Bergin Susan , Keating John 
Published: August 2003

AbstractWe describe an Internet application for providing mobile phone tariff information for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Using this application it is possible to accurately and easily determine and compare mobile phone packages offered by different service providers. One of the important features of such an Internet application is the potential for high maintenance associated with the data in the system and more importantly the structure of the system given the inevitable changes in the corresponding mobile phone market. We have identified the maintenance tasks associated with our system to reflect changes in the mobile phone market and outline an evaluation technique for describing the system's ability to cope with change. In particular, we evaluate the actual change required to our software system to implement various maintenance tasks. We have found that there is an upper bound (˜5%) on the maintenance effort associated with the system which is both acceptable and manageable for maintenance purposes. We show that at most the changes required to our system are no greater than 3.07%, when a complete new service provider is added or removed. We conclude that the development of a maintenance model in conjunction with system design is essential for estimating the maintenance effort associated with similar Internet applications. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cellular inflammatory response to porcine collagen membranes
Authors: Patino Maria G. , Neiders Mirdza E. , Andreana Sebastiano , Noble Bernice , Cohen Robert E. 
Published: August 2003

Objectives:  The purpose of this study was to assess local inflammatory changes associated with the implantation of three different porcine collagen membranes having potential use in periodontal regeneration.Methods:  Materials were implanted subcutaneously into prepared sites along the dorsal skin surface of 60 female Wistar rats. Saline and turpentine were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. Animals were killed and biopsies obtained after 3 d, and at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after membrane implantation. A panel of six monoclonal antibodies was used to identify circulating monocytes (ED1), resident tissue macrophages (ED2), lymphoid macrophages (ED3), Ia‐antigen expression (OX6), T‐lymphocytes (OX19), and B‐lymphocytes (OX33). Cells identified by each antibody were subjected to quantitative immunocytochemistry to compare any differences present among groups. Sera obtained 8 weeks after grafting were used in immunoblotting assays to detect the presence of systemic antiporcine antibodies.Results:  We found that the mononuclear cell subsets associated with implantation of porcine collagen membranes were similar to those obtained with saline administration. On the other hand, the use of turpentine resulted in an inflammatory infiltrate characterized by significantly higher numbers of all six monoclonal cell subsets at all time periods evaluated, compared to either saline or any of the membranes (P < 0.001).Conclusions:  The collagen membranes do not appear to be associated with a significant local inflammatory response, nor a systemic immune response, and thus appear to be well tolerated, rendering them useful in periodontal regeneration.
Endpoint quantitative PCR assays for Bacteroides forsythus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans
Authors: Rudney J. D. , Chen R. , Pan Y. 
Published: August 2003

Background:  Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for periodontal pathogens are so sensitive that they detect infections of no clinical significance. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) may provide a solution to this problem. However, most qPCR systems require expensive real‐time thermal cyclers.Objective:  Our goal was to develop qPCR assays which would allow endpoint quantification.Materials and methods:  16S rRNA primers for Bacteroides forsythus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans were adapted to the Amplifluor™ qPCR system, which incorporates fluorescein into the PCR product so that endpoint fluorescence is proportional to the original amount of template. DNA dilutions representing known numbers of cells were used as standard curves. Pooled subgingival plaques from the four deepest pockets of 21 severe adult periodontitis patients were assayed. Buccal molar supragingival plaque from 35 dental students provided healthy controls. Endpoint fluorescence was measured with a microplate reader.Results:  Optimized standard curves were linear in log–log or semilog fits over a range of 100–106 cells. Countable B. forsythus was present in all patients, with counts (as logs) from 2.4 to 7.3 (mean = 5.0), and 11 controls with counts from 2.1 to 4.5 (mean = 3.0). P. gingivalis was present in 11 patients and no controls, with counts from 2.2 to 4.7 (mean = 3.2). A. actinomycetemcomitans was present in two patients, with counts of 1.5 and 3.5.Conclusions:  Amplifluor™ qPCR assays discriminated between plaque samples differing by one log or more, allowing major infections to be distinguished from minor ones. This approach allows high‐throughput qPCR of plaque samples, using equipment available to many laboratories.
Immunoglobulin G profiles in different forms of periodontitis
Authors: Chung Hsien‐Yang , Lu Hsi‐Chi , Chen Woan‐Ling , Lu Chun‐Tai , Yang Yi‐Hsin , Tsai Chi‐Cheng 
Published: August 2003

Background:  Races and Gm(23) allotypes can modify the serum levels of IgG subclasses. The average serum levels of IgG subclasses of African‐Americans have been reported to be higher than those of Caucasians in both healthy young adults and patients with aggressive periodontitis; Gm(23)‐positive subjects generally had higher IgG2 levels than Gm(23)‐negative subjects.Objective:  We examined serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations in Taiwanese patients with different forms of periodontitis.Methods:  The serum levels of four IgG subclasses were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and Gm(23) allotypes were verified by radial immunodiffusion tests in 50 patients with chronic periodontitis, 30 patients with aggressive periodontitis, and 74 healthy controls.Results:  There were no differences in the concentrations of four IgG subclasses in patients with chronic periodontitis compared with age‐matched controls. However, in subjects younger than 35 years, levels of IgG2 were significantly elevated in patients with aggressive periodontitis compared with controls. We also found significant differences in IgG2 levels within the control group when stratified by age (≤ 35 years and > 35 years). Gm(23) allotypes were not correlated with the serum levels of IgG2 in either patient group.Conclusion:  Microbial challenge might not provoke significant changes in systemic IgG response in patients with chronic periodontitis. However, in patients with aggressive periodontitis, IgG2 levels were increased when compared with age‐matched controls. Gm(23) allotypes had no influence on IgG2 levels in well‐established generalized chronic periodontitis or aggressive periodontitis.
Decreased expression of α2 integrin in fibroblasts isolated from cyclosporin A‐ induced gingival overgrowth in rats
Authors: Kataoka Masatoshi , Seto Hiroyuki , Wada Chie , Kido Jun‐ichi , Nagata Toshihiko 
Published: August 2003

Objectives:  Cyclosporin A (CsA), an immunosuppressive agent, induces fibrous gingival overgrowth through reduction of collagen phagocytosis by fibroblasts. Distinct receptors are involved in the binding of collagen to fibroblasts in collagen phagocytosis, and α2β1 integrin serves as a specific receptor for type I collagen on fibroblasts. To elucidate the role of α2β1 integrin in CsA‐induced gingival overgrowth, we investigated collagen phagocytosis and α2β1 integrin expression in rat gingival fibroblasts.Materials and methods:  Fibroblats were isolated from gingiva of rats fed a powdered diet containing or lacking CsA for 30 d. Flow cytometric analysis were performed to measure the collagen phagocytosis and the α2 integrin expression in fibroblasts. Furthermore, total RNAs were isolated from fibroblasts, and the reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction was employed to investigate the mRNA levels of α2 integrin.Results:  In vitro collagen phagocytosis assay revealed that CsA‐treated and control fibroblasts contained a mean of 13.5% and 36.1% phagocytic cells, respectively. CsA‐treated fibroblasts had 28% lower expression of α2 integrin than that of control. and mRNA expression of α2 integrin in CsA‐treated fibroblasts was apparently lower than in the controls, but the mRNA expression of β1 integrin was not affected.Conclusion:  These findings suggest that one etiological factor of gingival overgrowth may be inhibition of collagen phagocytosis by reducing α2 integrin expression in gingival fibroblasts.
Smoke or fog? The usefulness of retrospectively reported information about smoking
Authors: Kenkel Donald , Lillard Dean R. , Mathios Alan 
Published: August 2003

ABSTRACTAims  To investigate the reliability and validity of retrospectively reported information on smoking.Design  Nationally representative retrospective data from longitudinal surveys and contemporaneous data from repeated cross‐sectional surveys were used.Participants  Adult respondents to three of the four samples of the National Longitudinal Surveys Original Cohort 1966–68; the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979; and various waves of the US National Health Interview Survey.Measurements  Reliability was investigated by calculating kappa statistics for repeated measures of ever‐smoking and annual‐smoking status. Validity was investigated by comparing smoking prevalence rates generated by retrospective data with contemporaneously measured rates.Findings  Kappa statistics indicated the repeated measures of ever‐smoking status show substantial agreement; repeated measures of annual‐smoking status show moderate agreement. Retrospective reports on smoking behavior produced prevalence rates that match reasonably well with those from contemporaneous reports of smoking behavior.Conclusions  Retrospective data on smoking can be an important resource for tobacco addiction research.
Impacts of federal ephedrine and pseudoephedrine regulations on methamphetamine‐related hospital admissions
Authors: Cunningham James K. , Liu Lon‐Mu 
Published: August 2003

ABSTRACTAims  To determine whether the federal regulation of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, precursors used in illicit methamphetamine production, reduced methamphetamine‐related acute care hospital admissions.Design  ARIMA‐intervention time‐series analysis.Setting  California (1983–2000), Arizona and Nevada (1991–2000), USA.Measurements  Monthly counts of methamphetamine‐related acute care hospital admissions.Interventions  Bulk powder ephedrine and pseudoephedrine: regulated November 1989. Products containing ephedrine as the single active medicinal ingredient: regulated August 1995. Products containing pseudoephedrine:regulated October 1997. Large‐scale producers used ephedrine and pseudoephedrine in these forms. Ephedrine combined with other active medicinal ingredients (e.g. various cold medicines), used mainly by small‐scale producers: regulated October 1996.Findings  In California, the bulk powder regulation stopped a 7‐year rise in admissions (1983–89) and reduced them by 35% (P < 0.01). The single ingredient ephedrine regulation stopped a 4‐year rise (1992–95) in California, Arizona and Nevada, with 48% (P < 0.01), 71% (P < 0.01) and 52% (P < 0.01) reductions, respectively. The pseudoephedrine products regulation stopped a 2‐year rise (1996–97) in California, Arizona and Nevada, with 38% (P < 0.01), 41% (P < 0.05) and 61% (P < 0.01) reductions, respectively. Admissions rose at the end of the study period but were still well below peak 1990s levels. The regulation of ephedrine combined with other active medicinal ingredients had no significant impact in any of the three states.Conclusions  Regulations targeting precursors used by large‐scale producers reduced admissions substantially during the study period. However, the regulation of precursors used primarily by small‐scale producers had little, if any, effect.
Alcohol consumption and liver cirrhosis mortality with and without mention of alcohol—the case of Canada
Authors: Ramstedt Mats 
Published: August 2003

ABSTRACTAims  To analyse post‐war variations in per capita alcohol consumption in relation to gender‐specific liver cirrhosis mortality in Canadian provinces and to assess the extent to which alcohol bears a different relation to cirrhosis deaths with mention of alcohol (alcoholic cirrhosis) compared to cirrhosis deaths without mention of alcohol (non‐alcoholic cirrhosis).Data and method  Annual liver cirrhosis mortality rates by 5‐year age groups were converted into gender‐specific and age‐adjusted mortality rates. Outcome measures included total cirrhosis—the conventional measure of liver cirrhosis—alcoholic cirrhosis and non‐alcoholic cirrhosis. Per capita alcohol consumption was measured by alcohol sales and weighted with a 10‐year distributed lag model. A graphical analysis was used to examine the regional relationship and the Box–Jenkins technique for time‐series analysis was used to estimate the temporal relationship.Findings  Geographical variations in alcohol consumption corresponded to variations in total liver cirrhosis and particularly alcoholic cirrhosis, whereas non‐alcoholic cirrhosis rates were not associated geographically with alcohol consumption. In general, for all provinces, time‐series analyses revealed positive and statistically significant effects of changes in alcohol consumption on cirrhosis mortality. In Canada at large, a 1‐litre increase in per capita consumption was associated with a 17% increase in male total cirrhosis rates and a 13% increase in female total cirrhosis rates. Alcohol consumption had a stronger impact on alcoholic cirrhosis, which increased by fully 30% per litre increase in alcohol per capita for men and women. Although the effect on the non‐alcoholic cirrhosis rate was weaker (12% for men and 7% for women) it was nevertheless statistically significant and suggests that a large proportion of these deaths may actually be alcohol‐related.Conclusions  Some well‐established findings in alcohol research were confirmed by the Canadian experience: per capita alcohol consumption is related closely to death rates from liver cirrhosis and alcohol‐related deaths tend to be under‐reported in mortality statistics.
The relationship of average volume of alcohol consumption and patterns of drinking to burden of disease: an overview
Authors: Rehm Jürgen , Room Robin , Graham Kathryn , Monteiro Maristela , Gmel Gerhard , Sempos Christopher T. 
Published: August 2003

ABSTRACTAims  As part of a larger study to estimate the global burden of disease attributable to alcohol:

to quantify the relationships between average volume of alcohol consumption, patterns of drinking and disease and injury outcomes, and
to combine exposure and risk estimates to determine regional and global alcohol‐attributable fractions (AAFs) for major disease and injury categories.

Design, methods, setting  Systematic literature reviews were used to select diseases related to alcohol consumption. Meta‐analyses of the relationship between alcohol consumption and disease and multi‐level analyses of aggregate data to fill alcohol–disease relationships not currently covered by individual‐level data were used to determine the risk relationships between alcohol and disease. AAFs were estimated as a function of prevalence of exposure and relative risk, or from combining the aggregate multi‐level analyses with prevalence data.Findings  Average volume of alcohol consumption was found to increase risk for the following major chronic diseases: mouth and oropharyngeal cancer; oesophageal cancer; liver cancer; breast cancer; unipolar major depression; epilepsy; alcohol use disorders; hypertensive disease; hemorrhagic stroke; and cirrhosis of the liver. Coronary heart disease (CHD), unintentional and intentional injuries were found to depend on patterns of drinking in addition to average volume of alcohol consumption. Most effects of alcohol on disease were detrimental, but for certain patterns of drinking, a beneficial influence on CHD, stroke and diabetes mellitus was observed.Conclusions  Alcohol is related to many major disease outcomes, mainly in a detrimental fashion. While average volume of consumption was related to all disease and injury categories under consideration, pattern of drinking was found to be an additional influencing factor for CHD and injury. The influence of patterns of drinking may be underestimated because pattern measures have not been included in many epidemiologic studies. Generalizability of the results is limited by methodological problems of the underlying studies used in the present analyses. Future studies need to address these methodological issues in order to obtain more accurate risk estimates.
Experimental and numerical study of water flow in soil under irrigation in northern Senegal: evidence of air entrapment
Authors: Hammecker C. , Antonino A.C.D. , Maeght J.L. , Boivin P. 
Published: August 2003

SummaryIrrigation by surge flooding does not always wet the soils thoroughly, and we have investigated the reasons for this on an irrigated plot in northern Senegal by monitoring the water budget during a rice cropping season (100 days). The amount of water added during each irrigation event was measured, and evapotranspiration and infiltration were estimated with lysimeters and Muntz infiltration rings, respectively. At the same time, piezometric levels, neutron probe values and water tension data were recorded at two stations in the plot. These measurements showed unusual results: infiltration rate was less than 1 × 10−6 mm s−1 (less than 0.1 mm a day), there was a constant water deficit during the entire irrigation period, around 50 cm deep, and tensiometers at 40 cm reacted very slowly to water infiltration. The water fluxes in the vadose zone derived from these data showed clearly a discrepancy between fluxes calculated from hydraulic gradients and fluxes calculated from mass conservation. The hydraulic gradients suggested a zero flux plane at 40 cm below the surface, but the calculated values of the fluxes overestimated by several orders of magnitude the infiltration rates determined on the plot, whereas fluxes determined from mass conservation matched far better. These results show that air was entrapped between the shallow water table and the wetting front, and this inhibited water infiltration. Modelling water flow down the soil profile with a computer program for simulating one‐dimensional water movement (Hydrus) confirmed that single‐phase models cannot describe imbibition in this situation. Simple infiltration models based on a modified Green–Ampt equation accounting for air compression and air counter‐flow, however, fit experimental infiltration data much better. We demonstrated that where surge flooding is associated with a shallow water table, as in many large irrigation schemes, one must take into account the presence of air to quantify the flow of water into the soil.
An improved simulation of void structure, water retention and hydraulic conductivity in soil with the Pore‐Cor three‐dimensional network
Authors: Johnson A. , Roy I. M. , Matthews G. P. , Patel D. 
Published: August 2003

SummaryWe present a new method of characterizing the void structures of soils from water retention curves as the primary source of data. The method avoids the problems of other current approaches, which use smoothing curves and can miss the subtleties of soil structure, and usually ignore the shielding of large pores by the small connecting throats surrounding them. In the new method, software we have named ‘Pore‐Cor’ is used to generate simple three‐dimensional networks of voids that have the same water retention characteristics and porosities as the soils. To find the geometry of the required networks, we have introduced a Boltzmann‐annealed simplex which works in four parametric and three Boolean dimensions of parameter space. Also, a more robust measure of the difference between the experimental and simulated water retention curves has been developed. The method is applied to water retention curves for a wide range of English and Welsh soils, both experimental and generated from a pedotransfer function. The resulting simulated void structures have void sizes that change as expected across the soil texture diagram, have different structures as highlighted by the locations of retained water, but have connectivities (number of connecting throats per pore) that vary little. A wide range of other calculations of wetting and non‐wetting fluid transport properties, and calculations of the behaviour of fluid‐borne pollutants, are now possible. The main bar to further progress is a lack of sufficiently accurate and comprehensive data for water retention, and for saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity.
Hydrochemistry of runoff and subsurface flow within Sahelian microdunes
Authors: Ribolzi O. , Bariac T. , Casenave A. , Delhoume J. P. , Ducloux J. , VallÈs V. 
Published: August 2003

SummaryThe sandy microdune systems of the Sahel are important for biomass production, in that they trap and store water. We have studied the movement of water over and in a dune and the chemistry of the water to understand this aspect of the systems. We experimented with simulated rain using a field sprinkling infiltrometer. We applied demineralized water with a chemical composition similar to that of the natural rain on a 1‐m2 plot. The plot was delimited by a metallic two‐level setting: the first enabled us to collect surface runoff, while the second measured subsurface flow. Water samples were taken at 5‐ to 10‐minute intervals throughout each simulation for chemical analysis (alkalinity, SO42–, F–, NO3–, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+ and Si). Mass balances, combined with a simple mixture model involving one tracer (chloride) and two reservoirs (old and new waters), were calculated. The equilibrating pressures of the CO2 (pCO2) and the saturation index with respect to specified minerals (e.g. calcite, fluorite, silicates) were also calculated by the AQUA ion‐pair model. The solute concentrations decrease in surface runoff as well as in subsurface water, except for F– and Si in the subsurface. The pCO2 decreased to a pressure less than the atmospheric pressure. The difference between measured concentrations and concentrations computed with the mixing model highlighted interactions between the soil and water. The dissolution of calcite which consumes CO2, and the cation exchanges, dominated, whereas the dissolutions of fluorite, silicates and gypsum appear secondary. Reactive mineral stocks were quickly exhausted, especially in the surface flow.