bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Repeated Aerosol Allergen Exposure Suppresses Inflammation in B-Cell-Deficient Mice with Established Allergic Asthma
Authors: Jungsuwadee Paiboon , Benkovszky Michaela , Dekan Gerhard , Stingl Georg , Epstein Michelle M. 
Published: December 2003

<i>Background:</i> Repeated allergen administration is a well-established therapeutic strategy for desensitizing patients with allergic disease. Similarly, repeated inhalation of antigen by mice with established allergen-induced asthma suppresses allergic inflammation. The mechanisms underlying antigen-dependent suppression of allergic immune responses remain unknown. In previous studies, we found that repeated aerosol antigen challenges in sensitized mice reduced eosinophils while increasing plasma cells and antibody in the lungs. We sought to test whether plasma cells and antibody played a role in suppression of allergic disease. <i>Methods:</i> We primed wild-type and B-cell-deficient (µMT) mice with 25 µg ovalbumin (OVA) precipitated in alum on days 0 and 5, nebulized weekly with 1% OVA, 1 h, twice daily, for up to 6 weeks, and assessed lung inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and IgE/IgG1. <i>Results:</i> Kinetic studies revealed that initial aerosol exposure induced high numbers of eosinophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages within lung infiltrates and increased mucus production in wild-type mice. After 3–4 weeks of antigen exposure, eosinophils diminished while lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages and mucus hypersecretion increased. However, by 6 weeks, lung inflammation and mucus hypersecretion were dramatically reduced. In contrast, repeated aerosol challenges maintained OVA-specific IgG1 and IgE production. Repeated aerosol antigen challenges in µMT mice resulted in reduced lung inflammation and mucus hypersecretion and the development of smooth muscle hypertrophy of the pulmonary microvasculature. <i>Conclusions:</i> B cells and antibody do not appear to play a role in antigen-dependent suppression of allergic responses in mice.
Abnormal Colonic Propagated Activity in Patients with Slow Transit Constipation and Constipation-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Bassotti Gabrio , Chistolini Fabio , Marinozzi Gabriele , Morelli Antonio 
Published: December 2003

Background: The pathophysiological basis of constipation is still unclear, and the role of colonic dysfunction is debated, especially in irritable bowel syndrome. Objective data are quite scarce, especially concerning colonic propulsive activity. Aims: To evaluate high- and low-amplitude colonic propulsive activity in constipated patients (slow-transit type and irritable bowel syndrome) in comparison with normal controls. Patients and Methods: Forty-five constipated patients (35 with slow-transit constipation and 10 with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome) were recruited, and their data compared to those of 18 healthy subjects. Twenty-four-hour colonic manometric recordings were obtained in the three groups of subjects, and data concerning high- and low-amplitude colonic propulsive activity were then compared. Results: High-amplitude propagated contractions were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in patients with slow-transit constipation and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome with respect to controls (1.5 ± 0.4, 3.7 ± 2, and 6 ± 1 events/subject/day, respectively). In slow-transit constipation, a significant decrease of contractions’ amplitude was also observed. Concerning low-amplitude propagated contractions, patients with slow-transit constipation had significantly less events with respect to patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (46 ± 7 vs. 87.4 ± 19, p = 0.015); no differences were found between patients with slow-transit constipation and controls and between patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome and controls. All three groups displayed a significant increase of low-amplitude propagated contractions after meals (6.3 ± 2 vs. 18.2 ± 5 for controls, p < 0.005; 6.4 ± 1.4 vs. 16.3 ± 2.4 for slow-transit constipation, p < 0.005; 10.5 ± 3.2 vs. 32.6 ± 7 for constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Low-amplitude propagated contractions may represent an important physiologic motor event in constipated patients, reducing the severity of constipation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and preserving a residual colonic propulsive activity in patients with slow-transit constipation.
Characteristics of Children Attending for Dental General Anaesthesia in 1993 and 1997
Authors: Carson Pauline , Freeman Ruth 
Published: December 2003

Objectives To confirm clinical observations and to investigate the characteristics (demography, dental anxiety status, dental health status, treatment experiences and dental health behaviours) of children attending for dental general anaesthesia (DGA). Design A case series design was used in which each consecutive parent and child, referred for DGA, were invited to take part. Method Identical protocols for the selection of the sample, administration of the questionnaire and clinical examination were used to ensure comparability. To account for seasonal variation the data were collected during and between the months of January and May in both 1993 and 1997. Two hundred children and their parents were selected in 1993 and 200 in 1997. The parent completed a questionnaire. It enquired of the parent and child demography, parental dental anxiety status, and the child's treatment experiences. Children were asked to complete the Children's Fear Survey Schedule (CFSS) to assess their dental anxiety. The child's caries experience was assessed using the guidelines to standardise the collection of epidemiological data throughout the UK. Results Children studied in 1997 compared with 1993 were younger, had more decayed but fewer filled teeth, were more dentally anxious, more likely to present in pain and came from families who were in receipt of Government benefits. A linear regression analysis showed that the children with previous experience of DGA had higher levels of dental caries, fewer filled teeth, were older and attended in 1997. An individual regression for 1993 showed that an additional predictor was child attendance pattern. Conclusions These findings confirmed the clinical observations and suggested that children who attend in pain and present for repeated DGA represent a group of children with special dental healthcare needs. There is a need for an integrated dental healthcare service to identify such children and provide appropriate dental care facilities for them.
Where do VT Trainers Go?
Authors: Grieveson Brian 
Published: December 2003

Vocational training (VT) has been running since 1985 in the Northern Deanery, first as a voluntary scheme and continuing right through to the present time. In 1985 there were six vocational practices and now there are 48 one -year VT practices and 12 practices dedicated to pilot the two-year general professional training schemes. During that time many practices have been involved, but not all have reapplied in subsequent years. As it is such a large scheme it is necessary for practitioners to apply every year to be vocational trainers, either as new applicants or those who have had vocational trainees before. This paper looks at the reasons why previous trainers have not reapplied, and looks at any outcomes that may be put in place in order to facilitate or improve the quality and number of VT applications each year.
Clinical Effectiveness of Mandibular Implant-retained Overdentures
Authors: Jagger Robert G , Shaikh Sahar , Jagger Daryll C 
Published: December 2003

Introduction The literature reports that the treatment of fully edentulous mandibles with implant-retained over-dentures has become a recognised form of therapy: however long-term data on the success are limited. The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical effectiveness of mandibular implant-supported/retained overdentures in the management of a group of edentulous patients. Materials and Methods The study group consisted of 59 consecutive edentulous patients attending the clinic of prosthetic dentistry at Cardiff Dental Hospital, who had been provided with implants in the mandible for complete overdenture retention. Several clinical parameters were examined in each patient: mobility of each implant, probing pocket depth, the presence or absence of plaque and calculus on each implant, bleeding index, marginal bone loss, jaw bone quality and quantity, complications that had occurred with the implants and patients opinions of the treatment. Discussion Of implants placed, 97% remained in function. Three fixtures had been lost. There was a high frequency of bleeding on probing. Complications associated with treatment included damage or looseness of abutment screws, fracture of the bar, entrapment of food beneath the overdenture and looseness of the opposing non-implant-retained complete denture. Conclusion In general a very high degree of patient satisfaction with the implant-retained overdentures was recorded.
A Case-Control Study of Differences between Regular and Casual Adult Attenders in General Dental Practice
Authors: Bullock Clive , Boath Elizabeth , Lewis Martyn , Gardam Kirsty , Croft Peter 
Published: December 2003

Objectives To assess whether adults attending a dental practice for regular dental care have better oral health than adults attending casually in response to a dental problem, and to explore the barriers to asymptomatic attendance. Methods An observational case-control study comparing the characteristics of 100 regular attenders with 100 casual attenders in one general dental practice in North Staffordshire. All study subjects were aged 18 years or over. Sociodemographic characteristics of the two groups were collated, including age, gender, social class, marital status, employment status and smoking status. The primary outcome measure was the observed number of teeth with dentinal caries diagnosed using bitewing radiographs. Results Regular attenders were observed to have better oral health with respect to dental caries and tooth mobility (p<0.05). This was not explained by the observation that casual attenders were more likely than regular attenders to be male, aged 18–44 years, in social class III or IV. Secondary outcomes, including number of subjects with mobile teeth and teeth with >30% bone-loss, were also significantly worse in the casual attenders. However, the median number of teeth present in both groups was 27. In regular attenders, the most common reason for attending was to ‘keep the teeth’ (96%). In casual attenders, ‘fear/dislike of dental treatment’ was the most frequent indicator of non-attendance (56%). Conclusions In our study, adults who regularly attended general dental practice were shown to have better oral health, including less overall tooth decay, mobility and bone-loss, compared with adults who did not attend on a regular basis. Assuming this result to be externally valid, a challenge for the dental profession in the future will be to develop effective oral health promotion initiatives.
Image-Based Visual Servoing zur autonomen Navigation einer mobilen Plattform (Image-Based Visual Servoing for Autonomous Navigation of a Mobile Platform)
Authors: Lietmann T. , Lohmann B. 
Published: December 2003

Abstract
Ein neuartiger visueller Regler zur autonomen, bildbasierten Navigation einer mobilen Plattform (Rollstuhl) wird vorgestellt. Ziel ist es, den Rollstuhl mittels Image-Based Visual Servoing in eine relative Lage bezüglich einer Landmarke zu navigieren, was allein durch Auswertung von Abweichungen im Kamerabild und ohne Bestimmung der Landmarkenposition in Weltkoordinaten geschieht. Dies wird mithilfe des in diesem Artikel vorgestellten 3D-Visual Servoing erreicht, das eine Erweiterung des herkömmlichen 2D-Visual Servoing darstellt, indem die Entfernung zwischen Kamera und Landmarke mit in die bildbasierte Regelung einbezogen wird. Der visuelle Regler wird dabei durch eine unterlagerte Trajektorienfolgeregelung unterstützt, welche die Fahrt der Plattform überwacht. Zusätzlich wird die Kamera drehbar auf einem Schwenk-Neige-Kopf gelagert, sodass die Landmarke während der Fahrt im Kamerabild gehalten werden kann.
RegIS – Ein interaktives Informationssystem für Regelungstechnik (RegIS – An Interactive Multimedia Information System for Control Theory)
Authors: Horn Martin , Dourdoumas Nicolaos 
Published: December 2003

Abstract
Der Einsatz von elektronischen Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien soll die Qualität und die Effizienz der akademischen Lehre steigern. Das regelungstechnische Informationssystem RegIS ist kein eigenständiges eLearning-System, sondern eine wachsende Sammlung von multimedialen Dokumenten zur Regelungstechnik. Der Einsatz des angebotenen Materials steigert die Attraktivität bewährter Vorlesungen und gibt Studierenden die Möglichkeit, sich im Selbststudium mit der oft als schwierig empfundenen Materie zu beschäftigen. Der Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über den Entwicklungsstand von RegIS und über Erfahrungen beim praktischen Einsatz.
Modifizierte hybride Modellierung zur Vermeidung der Simulation von Sliding Modes (Modified Hybrid Modelling for the Prevention of the Simulation of Sliding Modes)
Authors: Giebler Eckart 
Published: December 2003

Abstract
Bei der Simulation von hybriden Systemen kann es prozess- oder modellbedingt zu einem fortlaufenden Springen zwischen diskreten Zuständen, so genannten Sliding Modes kommen. Die Simulation dieses Phänomens bringt Probleme mit sich. Als Alternative zur Anwendung spezieller Simulationsalgorithmen wird in diesem Beitrag ein Vorgehen diskutiert, bei dem die Simulation der Sliding-Mode-Schwingungen durch geeignete hybride Modellierung vermieden wird. Dabei wird die Dynamik während des Sliding Modes beschrieben und einem zusätzlich eingeführten diskreten Zustand zugeordnet. Als Beispiele dienen ein begrenzter PI-Regler mit ARW-Maßnahme und ein chemischer Verfahrensprozess.
Ein binaurales Richtungshörsystem für mobile Roboter in echoarmer Umgebung (A Binaural Sound Localization System for Mobile Robots in Low-reflecting Environments)
Authors: Adamy Jürgen , Voutsas Kyriakos , Willert Volker 
Published: December 2003

Abstract
In diesem Beitrag wird ein binaurales Lokalisationsmodell für einen autonomen mobilen Roboter vorgestellt, das sich am menschlichen Hörsystem orientiert. Im Mittelpunkt steht die technische Umsetzung der neuronalen Verarbeitungsmechanismen der Olivenkerne des auditorischen Systems, die ein binaurales Richtungshören ermöglichen. Das System ist in der Lage, im Bereich des Sichtfeldes des Roboters eine Schallquelle in echoarmer, d.h. reflexionsarmer Umgebung anhand von Laufzeitunterschieden und Pegeldifferenzen zu lokalisieren. Die Möglichkeit des Richtungshörens verbessert die Wahrnehmung der unmittelbaren Umgebung des Roboters entscheidend und erlaubt z.B. die Ausrichtung des Roboterkopfes zur Schallquelle.
Distinctness of Reaction – Ein Messverfahren zur Beurteilung von Echtzeitsystemen (Teil 1) (Distinctness of Reaction – A Method for the Evaluation of Real-Time Systems)
Authors: Wolter Björn , Albert Amos , Gerth Wilfried 
Published: December 2003

Abstract
Dieser zweigeteilte Aufsatz stellt mit der so genannten ´Distinctness of Reaction′ eine neue Messmethode zur Beurteilung von Echtzeitsystemen vor. Die Messmethode basiert auf einer orthogonalen Walsh-Korrelation und liefert Zuverlässigkeitsmaße in Form der mittleren Latenzzeit und des Jitters bei der Reaktion auf asynchrone externe Ereignisse. Das Ergebnis einer Messreihe spiegelt in einer Art ´Frequenzgang′ die charakteristischen Eigenschaften des untersuchten Systems wider und erlaubt eine vergleichende Bewertung verschiedener Systeme. Der vorliegende Teil des Artikels widmet sich der Darstellung des theoretischen Hintergrundes sowie einer ersten Einsatzmöglichkeit der Messmethode – dem Vergleich unterschiedlicher Betriebssysteme. Der zweite Teil des Artikels [1] behandelt weitere Einsatzmöglichkeiten. Diese sind die Beurteilung der Reaktionsfähigkeit unterschiedlicher Prozessoren und der Vergleich unterschiedlicher Buskonzepte bei echtzeitkritischen Kommunikationssystemen. Auf der Basis der Messergebnisse findet jeweils eine eingehende Diskussion statt, aus der sich wichtige Anhaltspunkte zur Planung, Fehlerbehebung und/oder Optimierung von Echtzeitsystemen ableiten lassen.
Thermodynamic data for modelling actinide speciation in environmental waters
Authors: Vitorge Pierre , Capdevila Hélène 
Published: December 2003

Abstract
An operational TDB is generated from the validated NEA-TDB by adding formation constants (eventually those of chemical analogues, and typically logβ°Pu(CO₃)₅⁶⁻ = 35.6, 4 pH1/2 = -37.5 for Np(VII) hydrolysis, possible maximum values for formation constants of several Pu(CO3)i(OH)j
(4-2

i

-

j

)+ complexes, and solubility products for compounds of tentative stoichiometries MO2+

x
for M = U, Np, Pu and Am), and by estimating new numerical values (typically E°(AmO₂²⁺/AmO₂⁺) = 1.50, E°(AmO₂⁺/Am³⁺) = 1.48, E°(Am⁴⁺/Am³⁺)=2.49V/SHE). Beside checking the consistency of published experimental data, and performing sensitivity analysis of their interpretation as for any critical review work, activity coefficients and pH calibration also appeared to be critical. Dramatic decrease in aqueous Np(V) solubility is expected, when it is coprecipitated at trace concentration: solubility controlled by the hypothetical ideal solid solution Na2

x

-1NpO2(CO3)
x
(s) (2≥ x ≥ 1), is calculated by solving the set of two thermodynamic equations [Na+]2

x

-1 [NpO2
+][CO3
2-]
x
= K
s

x
, together with (2x-1)[NpO2
+]/[Na+] = D, where K
s

x
= K
2-

x

s1 (16K
s2/27)
x

-1(2-1/x)2

x

-1/x, K
s1 and K
s2 are the solubility products of the end-member compounds, and D = 27K
s1
2/(16K
s2) is the equilibrium constant for Ionic Exchange NpO2
+/Na+. Conversely, equilibrium constant, D, of any ionic exchange equilibrium can be interpreted as ratio of solubility products of end-member compounds (eventually surface compounds).
BASSIST: an applied thermodynamic database for radionuclide chemistry
Authors: Bion Lionel 
Published: December 2003

Abstract
BASSIST (Base Applied to Speciation in Solution, at Interfaces and SolubiliTy) is an applied thermodynamic database (TDB) for chemistry of long-lived radionuclides. This TDB is developed at the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and concerns solution, sorption and dissolution equilibria. The order of the different steps necessary to elaborate this TDB are presented, from a critical review of experimental acquisitions until to a database compilation. Important concepts such as the heterogeneity of data, the coherence of database and the use of chemical analogies between elements are discussed by using an example of application of the TDB in speciation calculation. The TDB BASSIST is built by using "certified" data, such as selected values of the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and some uncertified data from literature. In the last part of this article, the choice of chemical analogies between elements, the impact of different sets of data on uranium(IV) speciation calculations are discussed.
The centennial of the 1903 Nobel Prize for physics
Authors: Adloff Jean-Pierre 
Published: December 2003

Abstract
The centennials of the discovery of radioactivity by Antoine Henri Becquerel in 1896 and of the discovery of polonium and radium by Pierre and Marie Curie in 1898 have been amply celebrated. In 1903 the Nobel Prize for Physics was awarded to the three scientists. The vicissitudes of the awarding and sharing of the prize are reviewed.
Measurement and calculation of radioactivities of spallation products by high-energy heavy ions
Authors: Yashima H. , Uwamino Y. , Iwase H. , Sugita H. , Nakamura T. , Ito S. , Fukumura A. 
Published: December 2003

Abstract
Irradiation experiments were performed at the HIMAC (Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba) facility, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Japan. The radioactivity distributions of spallation products in a thick Cu target were obtained by irradiating 230 and 100MeV/nucleon Ne, C, He, p and 230MeV/nucleon Ar ions. The gamma-ray spectra from thin irradiated samples of C, Al and Cu inserted into a Cu target were measured with a HPGe detector. From the gamma-ray spectra, we obtained the spatial distribution of radioactive yields of spallation products of about 40 nuclides in Cu sample in the Cu target. Our results agree with other experimental data. We also calculated the spatial distribution of residual radioactivities in the Cu target by the PHITS (Particle and Heavy-Ion Transport code System) code and compared with measured results. The PHITS code provides good results on residual activity calculations.
Extraction of the uranyl ion with 3-phenyl-4-benzoyl-5-isoxazolone (HPBI) and neutral donors from dilute nitric acid medium
Authors: Banerjee S. , Bhattacharyya A. , Mohapatra P. K. , Basu S. , Manchanda V. K. 
Published: December 2003

Abstract
The extraction behaviour of Uranium (VI) from aqueous nitric acid medium employing 3-phenyl-4-benzoyl-5-isoxazolone (HPBI) has been studied in the presence of various amides, e.g , di-2-ethylhexylacetamide (D2EHAA), di-2-ethylhexylpropanamide (D2EHPrA), di-2-ethylhexylisobutylamide (D2EHiBA) and di-2-ethylhexylpivylamide (D2EHPvA) in toluene medium. The extraction constant (log k
ex) for the binary species UO2(PBI)2·nH2O was found to be 1.42±0.14 which is by far the largest amongst the corresponding values known for the other β-diketones. The overall equilibrium constant (log K) for the ternary species UO2(PBI)2·D2EHAA, UO2(PBI)2·D2EHPrA, UO2(PBI)2·D2EHiBA and UO2(PBI)2·D2EHPvA were estimated to be 6.51, 6.21, 6.11 and 5.77 respectively. This trend in equilibrium constants was in accordance with the substitution of the amides as sterically crowded amides show relatively lower equilibrium constant values. The extraction constants follow an inverse correlation with the pK
a values of the β-diketonates while the equilibrium constants vary linearly with the size of the amides. The steric factors have been found to play a significant role in the co-ordination of the amides to the uranyl β-diketones when the carbonyl group is a part of the heterocyclic ring. The distribution ratios of the metal were measured in the temperature range 15 to 52 °C using each of the amide donors in combination with HPBI. Calculation of enthalpy and entropy therefrom indicated that the extraction was thermodynamically favoured process and maximum extraction resulted in the case of UO2(PBI)2·D2EHAA.
Quinoline-8-ol modified cellulose as solid phase extractant (SPE) for preconcentrative separation and determination of thorium(IV)
Authors: Metilda P. , Gladis J. Mary , Prasada Rao T. 
Published: December 2003

Abstract
Cellulose has been functionalized by coupling with 5-chloro-quinoline-8-ol in the presence of alkali. The resulting polymer material has been characterized by IR spectra and has been used for preconcentrating thorium prior to its determination by spectrophotometry. The optimum pH value for quantitative extraction is 5.0–7.0 and can be eluted with 5cm3 of 1mol dm-3 of HCl. The retention capacity of the quinoline-8-ol modified cellulose is 20.0mg g-1. The effect of various cations, anions and neutral electrolytes on the preconcentration of thorium in conjunction with the determination procedure has been studied and we have found that none of interferents including uranium (up to 10 fold amounts) interfere. The enrichment factor for preconcentration of thorium was found to be 200. Ten replicate determinations of 10μg of thorium (IV) present in 1dm3 of sample gave a mean absorbance of 0.084 with a relative standard deviation 1.52. The detection limit (corresponding to three times the standard deviation of the blank) was found to be 2μg dm-3. The thorium content of mixed rare earth chloride solution obtained from Indian Rare Earths Limited (IRE), India was estimated by using quinoline-8-ol immobilized cellulose for preconcentration and subsequent determination by spectrophotometry.