Update on gingival overgrowth by cyclosporine A in renal transplants

Severe gingival overgrowth is one of the most frequent side effects in renal transplant patients associated with assumption of cyclosporine A. Several associations with age, sex, dosage, duration of therapy or interval since transplantation have been hypothesized. The introduction of alternative immunosuppressant drugs have been suggested to permit better long-term transplant outcomes and a decrease in incidence of gingival overgrowth. The aim of the present paper is to summarize current knowledge regarding aetiology, pathogenesis and management of gingival overgrowth induced by Cyclosporine A

A possible approach to the development of robotic multi-agent systems

The design of a an agent system for robotics is a problem that involves aspects coming from many different disciplines (robotics, artificial intelligence, computer vision, software engineering). The most difficult part of it, often consists in producing and tuning the algorithms that incorporates the robot behavior (planning, obstacle avoidance,. . . ) and abilities (vision, manipulation, navigation,. . . ). Frequently, the reuse of these parts is left to a copy and paste procedure from previous applications to the new one. In so doing many problems could arise. We propose a comprehensive approach for multi-agent systems oriented to robotics applications that uses a complete design methodology supported by a specific design tools and a pattern repository that interacting each other and with the designer allow the production of a coherent design that easily incorporates patterns coming from previously experienced features and automatically produces a large part of the final code © 2003 IEEE

Patterns reuse in the PASSI methodology

Design patterns already proved successful in lowering the development time and number of errors of object-oriented software; now, they are, candidate to play a similar role in the MAS (multi-agent system) context. In this work we describe our experiences in the identification, production and application of patterns for agents. Some patterns are described together with the classification criteria and documentation approach we adopt. Upon them, we base a pattern reuse process that can be considered one of the distinguishing elements of the design methodology (PASSI) we use to develop MAS. Patterns can be applied to an existing agent or used to produce a new one with the support of a specific web based application that can read both the JAVA source code and XMI representation of the agent design documentation. After the successful application of the desired pattern(s), the source code and the design diagrams (usually a structural and dynamic diagram) of the agent can be exported. Some experimental results are reported in order to demonstrate the utility of this approach in automatically producing an interesting percentage of code lines

Designing JADE systems with the support of CASE tools and patterns

In the last years, multi-agent systems (MAS) have proved more and more successful. The need of a quality software engineering approach to their design arises together with the request of new tools that could support a quick, affordable and costprofitably development process. In this work w

Tools and patterns in designing multi-agent systems with PASSI

In the last years the increasing attention on multi-agent systems (MAS) emphasized the need of a quality software engineering approach to their design and realization. In this paper we propose a comprehensive approach for the development of MAS oriented applications that uses a complete design methodology addressing important issues such as ontology representation, agent collaboration and patterns reuse. The PASSI (Process for Agent Societies Specification and Implementation) design methodology is supported by a specific design tool, granting a great number of automatisms during the design, and a pattern repository for the reuse practice; these are determinant in cutting down the time and cost for developing these systems. During the description of PASSI and its supporting tools, we refer to the most diffused standard for agents (FIPA - Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agents) and modeling languages (UML and AUML). We will complete our discussion with some examples of the functionalities offered by these tools

Agile PASSI: An Agile Process for Designing Agents

We have been developing robotic multi-agent systems for several years according to a well defined methodology (PASSI) obtaining good results, but day by day needs of a more versatile approach for designing software in a research context suggested us to find out a new methodology. A solution to our problems is represented by the Agile version of the PASSI methodology we present in this paper. We built this agile methodology by exploiting all the experiences done with conventional PASSI; it is supported by specific tools allowing patterns reuse and automatic production of some design documentation