bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surgical excision of extensive sacrococcygeal chordomas assisted by occlusion of the abdominal aorta
Authors: Xue-Song Liu , Chao You , Kai-Yong Yang , Si-Qing Huang , Heng Zhang 
Published: June 2010

ObjectAn extensive sacrococcygeal chordoma is considered a challenge for neurosurgeons. Because of the complex anatomy of the sacral region, the risk of uncontrollable intraoperative hemorrhage, and the typically large tumor size at presentation, complete resections are technically difficult and the tumor recurrence rate is high. The aim of this study was to assess the value of using occlusion of the abdominal aorta by means of a balloon dilation catheter and electrophysiological monitoring when an extensive sacrococcygeal chordoma is removed.MethodsBetween 2004 and 2008, 9 patients underwent resection of extensive sacrococcygeal chordomas in the authors' department with the aid of occlusion of the abdominal aorta and electrophysiological monitoring. All of these operations were performed via the posterior approach. The records of the 9 patients were reviewed retrospectively.ResultsWide resections were performed in 6 cases and marginal excisions in the other 3. Five patients underwent postoperative radiotherapy. Intraoperative hemorrhage was controlled at 100–400 ml. Postoperatively, none of the patients had any new neurological dysfunction, and 2 patients regained normal urinary and bowel function. The mean follow-up period was 31.4 months (range 10–57 months). No patient developed local recurrence or had metastatic spread of tumor during follow-up.ConclusionsOcclusion of the abdominal aorta and electrophysiological monitoring are useful methods for assisting in resection of sacrococcygeal chordoma. They can reduce intraoperative hemorrhage and entail little chance of tumor cell contamination. They can also help surgeons to protect the organs in the pelvic cavity and neurological function. Use of these methods could give patients better quality of life.
Knowledge of health care-associated infections among Georgian obstetricians and gynecologists
Authors: Butsashvili Maia , Kamkamidze George , Umikashvili Lia , Gvinjilia Lia , Kankadze Kartlos , Berdzuli Nino 
Published: June 2010

Background: Knowledge of health care associated infections (HAIs) and adherence to infection control precautions in medical institutions, including obstetrics and gynecological settings, is important to prevent the transmission of infections among health care workers and patients. This study evaluated the level of knowledge of Georgian obstetricians and gynecologists (OBGYN) in the field of HAIs and standard precautions. Methodology: The survey was conducted in nine maternity hospitals. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used and a summary knowledge score was created from 10 questions estimating awareness of health care workers (HCWs). An acceptable knowledge was arbitrarily determined to be correctly answering six or more questions. Results: The total number of surveyed HCWs was 433. Of these 49.2% were physicians and 50.8% were nurses. The data showed that 31.4% of HCWs had never received any educational intervention in the field of HAIs/safety precautions. By multivariate analysis factors related to knowledge score were age (HCWs > 35 years had higher scores), position (physicians had higher scores than nurses) and educational intervention on safety precautions. Conclusion: This study demonstrates an acute need for educational interventions in the field of HAIs/safety precautions for HCWs in most OBGYN settings, particularly among nurses.
Oxaliplatin-induced lung fibrosis
Authors: Shah Arpan , Udwadia Zarir F , Almel Sachin 
Published: June 2010

AbstractOxaliplatin has been approved for use as an adjuvant treatment in stage III colorectal carcinoma by the US-FDA. The majority of toxicity caused by this drug is manageable. However, rare, isolated cases of pulmonary fibrosis induced by this drug have been reported in literature. We report one such case of rapidly evolving pulmonary fibrosis following treatment with oxaliplatin.
Significant resolution of tuberculous pleural effusion on chemotherapy alone
Authors: Loh LC , Lim BK , Wan Yusuf S 
Published: June 2010

Background: As a standard, significant pleural effusion, whether tuberculous (TB) or not, requires therapeutic thoracocentesis. We tested the hypothesis that standard anti-TB chemotherapy alone can resolve significant pleural effusion. Methods: 20 eligible patients with TB pleural effusion of at least 30% of the hemithorax (10 with moderate-size and 10 with large-size effusion, respectively) were retrospectively reviewed for radiological resolution of their effusions at two, six and 12 months after commencement of standard six-month therapy. Results: The mean percentage resolutions in both groups were comparable (48% vs 46% at two months; 59% vs 85% at six months; 84% vs 95% at 12 months). The mean sizes of effusions were also comparable (18% vs 33% at two months; 14% vs 10% at six months; 6% vs 4% at 12 months). Cigarette smoking and Indian ethnicity were univariately associated with incomplete resolution of effusions. Conclusion: Standard anti-TB chemotherapy alone appears to be sufficient to resolve significant TB pleural effusion. An avoidance of therapeutic thoracocentesis may reduce the risk of infection exposure or allow better channelling of resources in certain clinical settings.
Digital Image Processing and Analysis with ImageJ
Authors: Gallagher Sean R. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractImageJ is a freely available, cross‐platform (e.g., Windows, Mac, Linux) image processing and analysis program developed by the NIH. In addition to being readily available for no cost, ImageJ is supported by a wide range of constantly evolving user‐created functionalities to address a remarkable range of applications, complementing commercial software that typically comes with imaging instruments such as digital gel‐imaging systems or microscopy workstations. New processing/analysis macros and plug‐ins are routinely added to the support site, and are frequently validated via refereed publications. With the continued improvements and growth of fluorescence‐based applications, ImageJ continues to be a mainstay in the laboratory. ImageJ has extensive support materials available online, its base code is regularly updated, and a survey of Medline references indicates that it is one of the most widely used image‐analysis packages available today. Curr. Protoc. Essential Lab. Tech. 3:A.3C.1‐A.3C.24. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A Review of Equity in Nonprofit and Public Sector: A Vehicle Routing Perspective
Authors: Balcik Burcu , Iravani Seyed M. R. , Smilowitz Karen 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
The majority of operations research (OR) applications and models focus on performance metrics and objectives based on effectiveness and efficiency. Equity is a key goal of nonprofit and public sector operations and has been studied considerably less than effectiveness and efficiency. In this article, we present an overview of incorporating equity in OR models and we review vehicle routing applications, such as disaster relief, mobility services, food distribution, and hazardous material transportation, which consider equity. We suggest future research directions in studying equity in vehicle routing.
Aggregation and Lumping of
DTMCs
Authors: Thomas Marlin U. 
Published: June 2010

Abstract

Under certain conditions the state space of a discrete time Markov chain (DTMC) can be partitioned into subsets of states called
lumpings
, each of which can be treated as a single state of a smaller Markov chain. Such a chain is said to be “lumpable” and this article provides an overview of the conditions and methods for examining aggregated chains for lumpability.
American Football: Rules and Research
Authors: Wilson Rick L. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAmerican football, known as justfootballin the United States, is a popular team sport played primarily in the United States (not to be confused with the sport known assoccerin the United States, but football elsewhere in the world). This article will briefly describe the game of American football, highlighting its basic premises, rules, and pertinent background information. It will then conclude by identifying and describing some of the academic research that has explored relevant attributes of this fascinating, yet decidedly North American game.
Assessing Probability Distributions from Data
Authors: Jose Victor Richmond R. 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
Data can be a powerful tool in the process of probability elicitation, especially in situations where a decision maker has limited prior experience in dealing with the event considered. We provide an introductory discussion on how historical data can be used to generate probability assessments. We also discuss some methods that can be used to incorporate explanatory variables in assessing probability distributions.
A
ustrian Society of Operations Research (
O
esterreichische
G
esellschaft für Operations Research,
O
egor)
Authors: Rauner Marion S. , Haunschmied Josef 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
The Austrian Society for Operations Research (Oesterreichische Gesellschaft fuer Operations Research, OEGOR) was founded at the Vienna University of Technology in 1978. OEGOR is a nonprofit scientific organization, which supports application and promotes development of operations research (OR) methods with particular focus on efficient knowledge transfer among high‐profile scientific research and decision makers in all areas. Hereby, our working groups play a key role in metaheuristics, OR in finance, OR in health care, production and logistics, theory and practice of optimization, and mathematical économics and optimization in energy. As a nationwide association, OEGOR also represents Austria in the international network of OR experts such as the Association of European Operational Research Societies (EURO) and the International Federation of Operational Research Societies (IFORS). In the past, several major Austrian OR conferences were organized in cooperation with fellow societies such as: (i) Vienna, OR 1990, and (ii) Klagenfurt, OR 2002. A European Summer Institute (ESI) on nonlinear methods in combinatorial optimization for EURO will be held at the University of Klagenfurt in September 2010. OEGOR cooperates with fellow societies from Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Croatia to edit and finance the SCI‐indexed journal, Central European Journal of Operations Research (CEJOR), which is published by Springer.
Average Reward of a Given
MDP
Policy
Authors: Bailey Matthew D. 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
This article describes the fundamentals of determining the average reward of a given policy for a Markov decision process (MDP). For an MDP, a given policy induces a DTMC with rewards. The average reward for the policy is then dependent on the structure of this induced Markov chain. Summarized within this article are the classifications of average reward MDPs, the definition of the gain and bias for a given MDP policy, and approaches for determining the gain and bias for each of these classifications.
Basic Interdiction Models
Authors: Smith J. Cole 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe field of network interdiction explores techniques for optimally impeding network operations using limited disruption actions. These disruptions may serve to remove network components, decrease arc capacities, or increase cost flows. Network interdiction models and algorithms help to identify vulnerabilities in a complex network without resorting to exhaustively enumerating worst‐case scenarios, and can be coupled with fortification models to assess benefits of protecting a network. This article is presented at an introductory level to illustrate the use and breadth of interdiction models, along with a discussion of fortification and design problems.
Biclustering: Algorithms and Application in Data Mining
Authors: Petros Xanthopoulos , Nikita Boyko , Neng Fan , Panos M Pardalos 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBiclustering(orcoclustering) refers to the problem of simultaneously grouping similar objects and similar features at the same time. It is a problem with various applications in a broad range of fields like pattern recognition, text mining, bioinformatics, and financial engineering. Although biclustering has attracted the interest of many researches in the field of computational bioinformatics (because of its usefulness in microarray data analysis), there exist many applications in other fields of science. In this article, we present a description of the biclustering problem, the main algorithmic approaches proposed in the literature and also in some of the most prominent applications with emphasis on data mining.
Combining Forecasts
Authors: Radziukyniene Ingrida , Xanthopoulos Petros , Pardalos Panos M. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractCombining forecasts is a methodology for increasing prediction accuracy by taking multiple predictors of a random variable/process into account. This approach is popular especially when the amount of data available for forecasting is limited and it is necessary to utilize the underlying information included in this data set to the maximum level. In this article, we give an overview of the most commonly used methods for combining forecasts applied in practice. These methodologies range from simple averaging to most recent expert system based techniques.
Conceptual Modeling for Simulation
Authors: Robinson Stewart 
Published: June 2010

AbstractConceptual modeling is the process of abstracting a simulation model from the real world. The art of conceptual modeling is determining what to model and just as importantly what not to model. This article explores the key artifacts of conceptual modeling (system description and conceptual model) and the processes of knowledge acquisition and abstraction involved in deriving these artifacts. Different definitions of the termconceptual modelare discussed. Four ways of viewing the conceptual modeling process are also identified: the requirements of a conceptual model, principles of modeling, conceptual modeling frameworks, and methods of model simplification. Conceptual modeling for simulation is an area ripe for further research and specific ideas for research topics are listed.
Coordination of Production and Delivery in Supply Chain Scheduling
Authors: Chen Zhi‐Long 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
In many supply chains for make‐to‐order or time‐sensitive products, finished orders are often delivered to customers immediately or shortly after production. Consequently, there is little or no finished product inventory, and production and finished product delivery must be scheduled in a coordinated way in order to achieve a desired level of delivery performance at minimum total cost. Research on coordinated production and delivery scheduling models is relatively recent, but is growing rapidly due to an increasing number of applications in practice. In this article, major application examples that can be modeled as a coordinated production and delivery scheduling problem are reviewed, an overview of existing coordinated production and delivery scheduling models is given, and solution techniques that have been studied in the literature are discussed along with several directions for future research.
Describing Decision Problems by Decision Trees
Authors: Bordley Robert F. 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
Decision trees are especially useful in describing problems where the scientific trial and error processes used in continuous learning are not practical. This article describes the process of formulating the basis for decision trees: values, choices, uncertainties, and deciders. We then describe its application to the simplest problem where we are only concerned with meeting a target and then consider the more general problem—where utility assessment is required—where there is no well‐defined target describing our values. We first present a purely visual approach to decision trees followed by the more precise numerical approach. We close with a discussion of the special case of expected value.
The Exponentially Weighted Moving Average
Authors: Perry Marcus B. 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
In this tutorial, the exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) is discussed. The EWMA is often used for smoothing irregular fluctuations (i.e., noise) in a time series to permit the data analyst to better reveal trend/cycle patterns over time. Additionally, the EWMA is frequently used to compute short‐term forecasts of time series (e.g., sales and stocks). Some common applications of the EWMA in the management science and quality engineering disciplines are discussed. Further, some properties of the EWMA, such as the expected value, variance, and one‐step ahead prediction variance are also discussed.
Guided Local Search
Authors: Voudouris Christos , Tsang Edward P. K. , Alsheddy Abdullah 
Published: June 2010

AbstractGuided local search (GLS) is a metaheuristic method proposed to solve combinatorial optimization problems. It is a high‐level strategy that applies an efficient penalty‐based approach to interact with the local improvement procedure. This interaction creates a process capable of escaping from local minima, which improves the efficiency and robustness of the underlying local search algorithms. Fast local search (FLS) is a local search algorithm, which improves the efficiency of local search by reducing the size of the neighborhood. GLS can be efficiently combined with FLS in the form of guided fast local search (GFLS). This article describes the principles of GLS, FLS, and GFLS. It also surveys GLS's extensions, hybrids, and applications.
Horse Racing
Authors: Bacon‐Shone John 
Published: June 2010

AbstractHorse racing is a popular sport in many countries for racing on the flat, over obstacles, and with carts, because of the associated gambling. The wide range of bets available have attracted wide academic interest in predicting the outcomes, testing for efficiency of the betting markets, constructing betting systems, and predicting the turnover. This article discusses the key modeling issues raised in these different contexts, including the arguments about how to account for decreasing incentives down the finishing order and whether the inefficencies found are caused by risk preference or biased expectations.
Infinite Linear Programs
Authors: C. Sharkey Thomas 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
We consider infinite linear programs, that is, linear programs with an infinite number of variables and constraints. The analysis of infinite linear programs is quite challenging due to the fact that many of the fundamental properties of finite‐dimensional linear programming fall apart in infinite‐dimensional spaces. We discuss the challenges in extending such fundamental concepts as basic feasible solutions and duality theory to infinite linear programs and the methods used to overcome these challenges. We survey the two main classes of infinite linear programs, countable infinite linear programs and continuous linear programs, and discuss the motivating applications of them.
The Operational Research Society of
S
ingapore
Authors: Kah Wah Lai 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
Founded in 1975, the Operational Research Society of Singapore (ORSS) is the only professional association for operations research and management science in Singapore. ORSS fulfills its objectives by publishing a journal, organizing regular talks and seminars, promoting OR education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and serving as a channel for its members to network.
Operations Research to Improve Disaster Supply Chain Management
Authors: Ergun Ozlem , Karakus Gonca , Keskinocak Pinar , Swann Julie , Villarreal Monica 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
Disasters have recently received the attention of the operations research community because of the great potential of improving disaster‐related operations through the use of analytical tools, and the impact on people that this implies. In this introductory article, we describe the main characteristics of disaster supply chains, and we highlight the particular issues that are faced when managing these supply chains. We illustrate how operations research tools can be used to make better decisions, taking debris management operations as an example, and discuss potential general research directions in this area.
Parallel‐Series and Series‐Parallel Systems
Authors: Agustin Marcus 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
This article will consider the reliability of two different systems, namely, a parallel‐series system and a series‐parallel system. The main focus is on finding the system reliability when the failure of each component depends on the length of time that the component is observed. In particular, the main result will be illustrated for exponentially distributed failure times.
PASTAand Related Results
Authors: El‐Taha Muhammad 
Published: June 2010

AbstractPoisson Arrivals See Time Averages (PASTA) says that, in a queueing system, an arriving customer sees the same as an independent outside observer (i.e., customer averages are the same as time averages).PASTAhas been extended to Arrivals See Time Averages (ASTA), which is concerned with finding sufficient and/or necessary conditions for the equality of event (customer) and time averages. In this article, we give Wolff'sPASTAunder lack‐of‐anticipation assumption (LAA), and several illustrative examples. We also discussPASTA/ASTAin a sample‐path framework, where results pertaining to conditionalASTA, and reversedASTAare given. Several simple examples are also provided. Moreover,ASTAresults are given in a stochastic framework under the lack‐of‐bias‐assumption (LBA) and a discussion ofLBAconnection to a similar condition given in the sample‐path framework is highlighted. Finally, we provide a literature review emphasizingPASTAtype results and applications that are not covered in this article.
Prospect Theory
Authors: Chiu Andrew , Wu George 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
Prospect theory is a descriptive theory of how individuals choose among risky alternatives. The theory challenged the conventional wisdom that economic decision makers are rational expected utility maximizers. We present a number of empirical demonstrations that are inconsistent with the classical theory, expected utility, but can be explained by prospect theory. We then discuss the prospect theory model, including the value function and the probability weighting function. We conclude by highlighting several applications of the theory.
Random Search Algorithms
Authors: Zabinsky Zelda B. 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
Random search algorithms are useful for many ill‐structured global optimization problems with continuous and/or discrete variables. Typically random search algorithms sacrifice a guarantee of optimality for finding a good solution quickly with convergence results in probability. Random search algorithms include simulated annealing, tabu search, genetic algorithms, evolutionary programming, particle swarm optimization, ant colony optimization, cross‐entropy, stochastic approximation, multistart and clustering algorithms, to name a few. They may be categorized as global (exploration) versus local (exploitation) search, or instance‐based versus model‐based. However, one feature these methods share is the use of a random element embedded in their iterative procedures. This article provides an overview of random search algorithms used to solve black‐box global optimization problems.