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Experimental Area (experimental + area)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	50%
Life Sciences	25%
Engineering	25%

Selected Abstracts

Saturday opening of alcohol retail shops in Sweden: an experiment in two phases

ADDICTION, Issue 6 2005
Thor Norström
ABSTRACT Aim In February 2000, a trial started with Saturday opening of alcohol retail shops in certain parts of Sweden (phase I), and in July 2001, Saturday opening was extended to the whole country (phase II). The aim of this study is to assess the impact of phase II, and to probe previous results regarding phase I. Design Prior to February 2000, all alcohol monopoly outlets were closed on Saturdays. After this date, stores in an experimental area (six counties) were open on Saturdays. In the control area (seven counties) the shops remained closed. To prevent biases due to trade leakage, the experimental and control areas were separated by a buffer area (seven counties). Because continuous evaluations of the trial did not reveal any negative consequences, the Saturday opening was implemented in the whole of Sweden after 17 months. Data and methods The outcome measures included alcohol sales and indicators of assaults and drunk driving. The pre-intervention period covered the time period January 1995-January 2000, phase I of the post-intervention period February 2000,June 2001 (17 months), and phase II July 2001,July 2002 (13 months). The effects of the two phases were estimated through analyses of monthly data (auto-regressive integrated moving-average (ARIMA) modelling) depicting how sales and harm rates evolved in the experimental area compared to the control area during phase I as well as during phase II. Results The analysis uncovered a statistically significant increase in alcohol sales of 3.7% during phase I, and about the same increase during phase II (3.6%). There were no significant changes in any of the assault indicators, neither during phase I nor during phase II. There was a statistically significant increase in drunk driving (12%) during phase I, but no change during phase II. The analyses suggested that the increase during phase I was mainly due to a change in the surveillance strategy of the police. Conclusions The results lend support to the public health perspective in that the increased accessibility to alcohol rendered by Saturday opening also seems to have increased consumption. On the other hand, we could not detect any increase in alcohol-related harm. The question of whether this may be due to insufficient statistical power is discussed, together with some other methodological complications that were highlighted by the study. [source]

Nest-site limitation and density dependence of reproductive output in the common goldeneye Bucephala clangula: implications for the management of cavity-nesting birds

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2002
H. Pöysä
Summary 1,Hole-nesting birds are frequently faced with a shortage of suitable nest sites in regions of intensive forest management. Nest boxes are sometimes provided to alleviate nest-site limitation in cavity-nesting waterfowl and are also recommended for several rare and endangered species. However, the impacts on effective breeding numbers and breeding success have rarely been considered, particularly in instances where density dependence might operate. 2,We experimentally manipulated nest sites to assess limits on the population size of a secondary cavity-nesting species, the common goldeneye Bucephala clangula, living on freshwater lakes. We also examined density dependence in their reproductive output. 3,Breeding pairs were counted in experimental and control areas over a 12-year period; for 4 years (1988,91) before nest box addition (1992,94 in the experimental area) and for 5 years (1995,99) afterwards. Broods were counted each year between 1988 and 1999 to study reproductive output. 4,Mean number of pairs per lake increased after the addition of nest boxes in the experimental area but not in the control area. However, neither the mean number of broods per lake nor the mean number of fledged birds per lake increased significantly in the experimental area. 5,When the whole period of 1988,99 was considered and data pooled from all the lakes, the numbers of broods and fledged birds showed negative density dependence of reproductive output. 6,Our results indicate that nest sites limit the population size of breeding common goldeneye, but show also that density-dependent factors operate to limit reproductive output. The possibility that density dependence may negate management actions directed at increasing breeding numbers in cavity-nesting waterfowl should be considered carefully before taking these actions. This also applies to nest box provisioning programmes aiming to manage populations of endangered species. [source]

Control of Plutella xylostella using polymer-formulated Steinernema carpocapsae and Bacillus thuringiensis in cabbage fields

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2005
S. Schroer
Abstract:, Field trials evaluating the potential of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae and the feasibility to combine nematodes with Bacillus thuringiensis for sustainable control of the diamondback moth (DBM) Plutella xylostella were conducted in cabbage cultivated in the province Probolinggo, east Java and Indonesia. A single use of 0.5 million S. carpocapsae m,2 applied with a surfactant-polymer-formulation containing 0.3% xanthan and 0.3% Rimulgan® achieved a significant reduction of the insects per plant with >50% control after 7 days. Even 14 days after the application about 45% control was recorded and dead larvae containing nematodes were found. No significant effects were recorded when the formulation was compared with nematodes applied in water or with a surfactant alone. This was attributed to high humidity in the experimental area at the end of the rainy season and a microclimate in the cabbage heads favouring nematode survival. Weekly applications of B. thuringiensis (Turex®) or alternating applications of Turex® and the nematodes achieved >80% control. The application of both biological agents together every second week reached insignificant lower efficacy (70%). Nematodes can be used to substitute ineffective chemical insecticides and alterations with B. thuringiensis can prevent the further development of resistance against the bacterial control agent. [source]

Influence of preimplant surgical intervention and implant placement on bone wound healing

CLINICAL ORAL IMPLANTS RESEARCH, Issue 5 2003
Christer Slotte
Abstract: The aims of the present investigation were to study (1) the influence of preimplant (4 weeks) surgical intervention and (2) the influence of the implant placement per se on bone density and mineralized bone,implant contact (BIC) at implant sites in the rabbit jawbone. The experiment was performed in the edentulous area of the maxillas of 16 adult rabbits. In eight rabbits, the alveolar bone on the left side (test) was surgically exposed and a groove was prepared in the bone crest. Trabecular bone and marrow tissue were removed, and a bioabsorbable barrier membrane was placed to cover the groove. The right side underwent no treatment and served as the control. Four weeks later, a screw-shaped titanium implant was placed transversally through the maxilla, penetrating both the test and the control areas. After another 4 weeks of healing, the animals were killed to obtain ground sections for histomorphometry. Untreated jaws from eight rabbits served as reference specimens. In the rabbits subjected to surgery, the areas (mm2) of both mineralized bone and marrow tissue were similar for test and control (4.9 ± 1.7 vs. 5.1 ± 2.2 and 6.3 ± 5.7 vs. 6.8 ± 5.7 for bone and marrow, respectively). The BIC (%) for all threads was significantly lower on the test side than on the control side (32.1 ± 27.7 vs. 47.7 ± 20.3). The bone density (%) of the total experimental area was similar for test and control (48.5 ± 12.1 vs. 46.5 ± 9.3), as was the bone density in the area within the implant thread valleys and their mirror areas (43.0 ± 13.9 vs. 41.3 ± 13.5, and 40.2 ± 11.0 vs. 40.3 ± 7.2 for thread area and mirror area, respectively). The bone density of the total experimental area in the untreated rabbits was 35.9 ± 5.2%. This value was significantly lower than the values in the total experimental areas (test and control) of the surgically treated rabbits. Similarly, the density of the reference area in the untreated rabbits was 25.4 ± 5.3%, which was also significantly lower than the bone density of the periimplant area of the surgically treated rabbits. We conclude that the surgical trauma caused by the placement of implants in the maxilla of rabbits significantly enhanced the bone density of the implant sites. Surgical intervention in the implant sites 4 weeks prior to the implant placements, however, did not further enhance bone density or BIC. Résumé Les buts de cette étude ont été d'étudier 1) l'influence d'une intervention chirurgicale préimplantaire (4 semaines) et 2) l'influence du placement de l'implant per se sur la densité osseuse et le contact implant-os minéralisé (BIC). Cette expérience a été effectuée dans la région édentée du maxillaire de seize lapins adultes. Chez huit lapins, l'os alvéolaire du côté gauche (test) était chirurgicalement exposé et une marque a été faite dans la crête osseuse. L'os trabéculaire et le tissu spongieux ont été enlevés et une membrane biorésorbable a été placée pour couvrir ce trou. Le côté droit ne subissait aucun traitement et a servi de contrôle. Quatre semaines après, un implant en titane vis a été placé transversalement à travers le maxillaire pénétrant tant la zone test que contrôle. Après quatre semaines de guérison les animaux ont été tués pour obtenir des coupes pour l'histomorphométrie. Les mâchoires non-traitées de huit lapins ont servi de spécimens de référence. Chez les lapins soumis à la chirugie les zones d'os minéralisé et de tissu spongieux étaient semblables pour le test et le contrôle (respectivement 4,9±1,7 mm2 vs 5,1±2,2 mm2 et 6,3±5,7 mm2 vs 6,8±5,7mm2). Les BIC pour tous les filetages étaient significativement moins importants au niveau des tests que des contrôles (32,1±27,7% vs 47,7±20,3%). La densité osseuse du total de l'aire expérimentale était semblable pour les tests et les contrôles (48,5±12,1%vs 46,3±9,3%) comme l'était la densité osseuse dans la zone à l'intérieur du filetage de l'implant et de leurs aires mineures (43,0±13,9%vs 41,3±13,5% pour les filetages et 40,2±11,0% vs40,3±7,2% pour les aires mineures). La densité osseuse de l'aire expérimentale totale chez les lapins nont-traités était de 35,9 ±5,2%. Cette valeur était significativement inférieure à celles dans les aires expérimentales totales (tests et contrôles) des lapins traités chirurgicalement. Parallèlement, la densité de l'aire de référence des lapins non-traités était de 25,4±5,3% c.-à-d. inférieure à la densité osseuse de la zone paroïmplantaire des lapins traités chirurgicalement. Le trauma chirurgical causé par le placement d'implants dans le maxillaire de lapins augmente significativement la densité osseuse au niveau des sites implantaires. L'intervention chirurgicale des sites à implanter quatre semaines avant le placement des implants n'avait cependant augmenté ni la densité osseuse ni le BIC. Zussammenfassung Der Einfluss eines praeimplantären chirurgischen Eingriffes und der Implantation per se auf die Heilung der Knochenwunde. Eine Studie am Kieferknochen des Kaninchens. Ziel: Das Ziel dieser Studie war es 1) den Einfluss eines praeimplantären chirurgischen Eingriffes (4 Wochen vorher) und 2) den Einfluss der Implantation per se auf die Knochendichte und den mineralisierten Knochen-Implantatkontakt (BIC) an einer Implantationsstelle im Kieferknochen des Kaninchens zu untersuchen. Material und Methode: Die Testregion war der zahnlose Oberkieferabschnitt von 16 ausgewachsenen Kaninchen. Bei 8 Kaninchen wurde der Alveolarknochen der linken Seite (Test) chirurgisch freigelegt und eine Vertiefungen in den Knochenkortex präpariert. Dann entfernte man den trabekulären Knochen und das Knochenmark und deckte die Vertiefung mit einer bioresorbierbaren Membran ab. Die rechte Seite wurde unbehandelt belassen und diente als Kontrolle. Vier Wochen später implantierte man ein schraubenförmiges Titanimplantat transversal durch die Maxilla, so dass es Test- oder Kontrollregion durchdrang. Nach einer Heilphase von weiteren vier Wochen wurden die Tiere geopfert und von der zu untersuchenden Region Grundschnitte für die Histologie hergestellt. Als Referenz dienten unbehandelte (jungfräuliche) Kiefer von weiteren 8 Kaninchen. Resultate: Bei den Kaninchen, welche die oben beschriebenen chirurgischen Schritte durchlaufen haben, waren sowohl bei der Test- wie auch bei der Kontrollgruppe die Fläche von mineralisiertem Knochen und Knochenmark (in mm2) ähnlich gross (4.9+1.7 gegenüber 5.1+2.2 beim Knochen und 6.3+5.7 gegenüber 6.8+5.7 beim Knochenmark). Der BIC (%) war in allen Schraubenwindungen auf der Testseite signifikant tiefer als auf der Kontrollseite (32.1+27.7 gegenüber 47.7+20.3). Die Knochendichte (%) war in der untersuchten Region bei der Test- und Kontrollseite etwa gleich gross (48.5+12.1 gegenüber 46.5+9.3) wie die Knochendichte in den Vertiefungen der Schraubenwindungen und ihrer spiegelbildlichen Regionen (43.0+13.9 gegenüber 41.3+13.5 in den Schraubenwindungen und 40.2+11.0 gegenüber 40.3+7.2 in den spiegelbildlichen Regionen). Die Knochendichte in der gesamten Region der unbehandelten (jungfräulichen) Kaninchen betrug 35.9+5.2%. Dieser Wert war signifikant tiefer als die Werte der gesamten untersuchten Region der chirurgisch behandelten Kaninchen (Test- und Kontrollseite). Ganz ähnlich war die Dichte in der Referenzregion der unbehandelten Kaninchen 25.4+5.3%, ein Wert der auch signifikant tiefer war als die Knochendichte in der periimplantären Region von chirurgisch behandelten Kaninchen. Zusammenfassung: Das chirurgische Trauma, das beim Setzen eines Implantates im Oberkiefer von Kaninchen entsteht, begünstigt die Knochendichte an den Stellen der Implantate signifikant. Der chirurgischen Eingriff vier Wochen vor der Implantation jedoch, förderte an den zur Implantation vorgesehenen Stellen weder Knochendichte noch BIC. Resumen Objetivos: La intención de la presente investigación fue estudiar 1) la influencia de la intervención quirúrgica (4 semanas) periimplantaria y 2) la influencia de la colocación de implantes per se en la densidad ósea y el contacto del hueso mineralizado al implante (BIC) en los lugares de implante en el hueso mandibular del conejo. Material y métodos: El experimento se realizó en el área edéntula del maxilar de 16 conejos adultos. Se expuso quirúrgicamente el hueso alveolar en el lado izquierdo (test) de 8 conejos y se preparó un hueco en la cresta ósea. Se retiró el hueso trabecular y el tejido de médula ósea, colocándose una membrana de barrera biorreabsorbible para cubrir el hueco. El lado derecho no sufrió ningún tratamiento y sirvió de control. Cuatro semanas mas tarde, se colocó un implante de forma roscada transversalmente a través del maxilar, penetrando las áreas de prueba y de control. Tras otras 4 semanas de cicatrización, los animales se sacrificaron para obtener cortes histológicos para histomorfometría. Las mandíbulas sin tratar de los 8 conejos sirvieron como especímenes de referencia. Resultados: En los conejos sometidos a cirugía las áreas (mm2) del hueso mineralizado y del tejido medular fueron similares para la prueba y el control (4.9 ± 1.7 vs. 5.1 ± 2.2 y 6.3 ± 5.7 vs. 6.8 ± 5.7, hueso y médula respectivamente). El BIC (%) para todas las roscas fue significativamente mas bajo en el lado de prueba que en el de control (32.1 ± 27.7 vs. 47.7 ± 20.3). La densidad de ósea (%) de toda el área experimental fue similar para la prueba y el control (48.5 ± 12.1 vs. 46.5 ± 9.3) así como la densidad ósea en el área en los valles entre las roscas y en su área espejo (43.0 ± 13.9 vs. 41.3 ± 13.5, y 40.2 ± 11.0 vs. 40.3 ± 7.2, área de roscas y área espejo respectivamente). La densidad ósea en el área total experimental en los conejos no tratados (vírgenes) fue del 35.9 ± 5.2%. Este valor fue significativamente mas bajo que los valores en el total de las áreas experimentales (test y control) de los conejos tratados quirúrgicamente. Del mismo modo, la densidad del área de referencia de los conejos no tratados fue de 25.4 ± 5.3%, que también fue significativamente mas baja que la densidad ósea del área periimplantaria de los conejos tratados quirúrgicamente. Conclusión: El trauma quirúrgico causado por la colocación de implantes en el maxilar de conejos estimuló significativamente la densidad ósea de los lugares de implantes. Sin embargo, la intervención quirúrgica de los lugares de implantes 4 semanas antes de la colocación de los implantes no estimuló mas la densidad ósea o el BIC. [source]

Hydrological and erosional response to natural rainfall in a semi-arid area of south-east Spain

HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 4 2001
M. Martinez-Mena
Abstract A better knowledge of soil erosion by water is essential for planning effective soil and water conservation practices in semi-arid Mediterranean environments. The special climatic and hydrological characteristics of these areas, however, make accurate soil loss predictions difficult, particularly in the absence of minimal data. Two zero-order experimental microcatchments (328,759 m2), representative of an extensive semi-arid watershed with a high potential erosion risk in the south-east of Spain, were selected and monitored for 3 years (1991,93) in order to provide information on the hydrological and erosional response. A pluviogram and hydrograph recorded data at 1-min intervals during each storm, after which the soil loss was collected and the particle size of the sediment was analysed. Runoff coefficients of about 9% and soil losses of between 84·83 and 298·9 g m,2 year,1 were observed in the area. Rapid response times (geometric mean values lower than 2 h) and low runoff thresholds (mean values between 3·5 to 5·9 mm) were the norm in the experimental areas. A rain intensity of over 15 mm h,1 was considered as ,erosive rainfall' in these areas because of the total soil loss and the transport capacity of the overland flow. Differences in pore-size distribution explained the different hydrological responses observed between areas. The erosional response was more complex and basically seemed to be determined by soil aggregate stability and topographical properties. A greater proportion of finer particles in the eroded material than in the soil matrix indicated selective erosion and the transport of finer material. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Drainage and salinity assessment in the Huinong Canal Irrigation District, Ningxia, China,

IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE, Issue 2 2005
Peter Hollanders
irrigation; drainage; salinisation; développement durable Abstract In the Huinong Canal Irrigation District, Ningxia, China, annually almost half of the amount of irrigation water, which is supplied from the Yellow River, is drained back to the river through an open drainage system. Waterlogging and salinization occur in parts of the irrigated area and part of the water drains to the surrounding desert. While 85,90% of inflow to the area is irrigation water there are good possibilities for water saving. To analyse water movement at field level and resulting drainage needs, from autumn 1998 until spring 2001 observations were made in two experimental areas: Pingluo and Huinong. The data were used for the calibration and validation of three computer models: SWAP, MODFLOW and DUFLOW. Different scenarios of water and salt behaviour in the unsaturated and saturated zone were simulated, as well as the flow through one of the main drains. The effects of various irrigation amounts and groundwater tables on crop growth, percolation and drainage needs were analysed. The present average irrigation water application during the growing season is 630,mm. On average 15% of the supplied water (665 million m3,yr,1) remains in the area. This is mainly irrigation water that was not used by the crops and did not reach the drainage system. It was found that an irrigation level of 75% of the present practice with a groundwater table of 1.0,m below the surface during the growing season gave the best results. Under such a practice the soil salinity will fluctuate around 3,3.5,dS,m,1, resulting in a good growth of wheat and a yield reduction for maize of about 20%. When adequate amounts of irrigation water are supplied in combination with local drainage improvements, the areas with middle and low-yielding crops can be reduced, as well as the area of wasteland. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Annuellement presque la moitié de la quantité d'eau d'irrigation dans le district d'irrigation du canal Huinong, Ningxia, Chine, alimenté par la Rivière Jaune, est retournée à la rivière par un système de drainage à ciel ouvert. Des cas de saturation d'eau et de salinisation surgissent dans certaines parties de la zone irriguée et une partie de l'eau suinte vers le désert environnant. Comme 85,90% de l'entrée de l'eau dans la zone est de l'eau d'irrigation il y a de bonnes possibilités pour économiser de l'eau. Pour analyser la circulation de l'eau au niveau du champ et la nécessité de drainage des observations ont été effectuées pendant la période d'automne 1998 jusqu'au printemps 2001 dans deux zones expérimentales, Pingluo et Huinong. Les données rassemblées ont servi pour le calibrage et la validation de trois modèles informatiques: SWAP, MODFLOW et DUFLOW. Ces modèles ont été employés pour simuler plusieurs scénarios de comportement de l'eau et du sel dans la zone non saturée et dans la zone saturée tout comme l'écoulement par un des tuyaux d'écoulement principaux: le cinquième tuyau d'écoulement. L'effet de l'apport de différentes quantités d'eau d'irrigation, de différents niveaux de la nappe phréatique sur la croissance des cultures, la percolation et la nécessité de drainage a été analysé. L'actuel apport d'eau d'irrigation est de 630,mm en moyenne pendant la saison de croissance. Quinze pour cent en moyenne de l'eau fournie (665 millions m3/année) reste dans la zone, principalement de l'eau d'irrigation qui n'a pas servi aux cultures et qui n'a pas atteint le système de drainage. Un niveau d'irrigation représentant 75% des valeurs actuelles et une surface de la nappe phréatique de 1.0,m sous la surface donnent les meilleurs résultats pendant la saison de croissance. De tels apports entretiennent une salinisation du sol qui fluctuera entre environ 3 et 3.5,dS,m,1, donnant un bon résultat de la croissance du blé et une diminution du rendement pour le maïs d'environ 20%. Lorsque l'alimentation par des quantités adéquates d'eau d'irrigation sera assurée en combinaison avec des améliorations du drainage local, la zone donnant des récoltes moyennes et basses peut être réduite ainsi que les zones incultes. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Gingival blood flow changes following periodontal access flap surgery using laser Doppler flowmetry

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 5 2007
M. Retzepi
Abstract Aim: To investigate the pattern of gingival blood flow changes following periodontal access flap surgery by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). Material and methods: Fourteen patients with chronic periodontitis presenting upper anterior sites with pocket depth 5 mm after initial treatment were included in the study. Periodontal access flap surgery was performed on the experimental areas and LDF recordings were taken at baseline, following anaesthesia, immediately postoperatively and on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 15, 30 and 60 of healing, at nine predetermined sites per flap. Results: Significant ischaemia was observed at all flap sites following anaesthesia and immediately postoperatively. At the alveolar mucosal sites, a peak increase of the gingival blood flow was observed on postoperative day 1 (p<0.001), which persisted until day 7 (p=0.012) and resolved by day 15. The mucosal sites close to the flap periphery presented higher blood perfusion compared with the sites located centrally in the flap. The microcirculatory perfusion of the buccal and palatal papillae was maximum on postoperative day 7 (p=0.013 and <0.001, respectively) and returned to baseline by day 15. Conclusion: Topographically distinct areas of the periodontal access flap consistently present different patterns of microvascular blood flow alterations during the wound-healing period. [source]