bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Universal Architecture Description Framework
Authors: Grady Jeffrey O. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractCurrently software architecting commonly follows a pattern that is sufficiently different from the systems and hardware architecting pattern of work that it is unnecessarily difficult for management and system engineering people as well as hardware and software people to understand and correlate the two processes. This can lead to a frustrated acceptance on the part of management and systems people that the software people know what they are doing and can be left alone motivated by an inability to understand their methods. Obviously, the whole of the system must be brought under an effective integration, optimization, and management influence, not just the hardware aspects, especially since the hardware component is a decreasing subset in terms of cost and complexity. It is possible to reorder the software development pattern slightly to encourage improved hardware‐software integration and management visibility while simultaneously improving the software development process. A model is emerging from research and work activity that promises to supply system and software engineers with a complete model that will be comprehensively effective in transforming a problem space defined by a user community into a precise definition of the problem and solution spaces at the system level as well as throughout the lower tier levels, no matter the physical entities that the system solution will be composed of, including hardware, software, people and procedures, and facilities. In that there is no established name for the aggregate entity, the title Universal Architecting Description Framework has been selected to stretch across the application of the models in an integrated fashion as it could be applied on an unprecedented development program today. This paper offers one form combining unified modeling language (UML), system modeling language (SysML), and four artifacts from traditional structured analysis (TSA). Other UADF are possible and the author has covered two others in a new book by this title. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng
Enterprise scale portfolio analysis at the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA)
Authors: Moynihan Richard A. , Reining Robert C. , Salamone Patricia P. , Schmidt Brian K. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis article describes an approach to modeling the value of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's investment options that was used to select portfolios of environmental observing systems that best satisfy NOAA's mission‐critical observing requirements at target budget constraints. We describe a portfolio analysis approach based on capability‐based performance measures that was developed to satisfy recent Government acquisition and planning regulations. The evaluation and selection methodology utilized a MITRE‐developed optimization tool called the Portfolio Analysis Machine or PALMA™. PALMA has been used at a variety of Government agencies to support selection of investment portfolios. Because of the detailed and extensive nature of the NOAA mission tree decomposition, we use a notional—and simpler—Search and Rescue mission to describe PALMA's capabilities in more detail. Finally, we provide some observations on results, including the impact on NOAA investment decisions, and lessons learned from the NOAA implementations of investment analysis and some future directions for this work. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng
Empirical research in systems engineering: challenges and opportunities of a new frontier
Authors: Valerdi Ricardo , Davidz Heidi L. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis paper aims to advance the pedagogy of systems engineering by identifying opportunities and challenges in empirical research in the field. After an introduction to how empirical research could be further utilized in systems engineering, this paper discusses challenges faced when conducting empirical research in the field, threats to validity associated with systems engineering data collection, and considerations for empirical mixed‐methods research. Two recently completed systems engineering empirical studies are used to illustrate specific examples. Finally, suggestions are given on how a professional society might provide additional support for researchers completing empirical research in systems engineering. The overarching goal of this paper is to describe how the increased use of empirical methods can be used to enrich the quality of research results which will in turn enhance the position of systems engineering as a widely recognized academic field. It is proposed that utilizing well‐grounded, valid theory will improve understanding of systems engineering phenomena and advance the maturity of the field. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng
Conflict Resolution: Practical Principles for Surgeons
Authors: Lee Liz , Berger David H. , Awad Samir S. , Brandt Mary L. , Martinez George , Brunicardi F. Charles 
Published: September 2008

AbstractHistorically, surgeons have had little formal training in conflict resolution; however, there has been an increasing body of evidence that poor conflict resolution skills may have an adverse impact on patient outcomes and career advancement. Furthermore, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has recognized the importance of conflict resolution skills in resident training by mandating the training of communication skills and professionalism. These skills have often been taught in other professions, and surgeons may need to acquaint themselves with the literature from those fields. Conflict resolution techniques such as the 7‐step model or principle‐based conflict resolution can be applied to conflict in the operating room, wards, and among colleagues. We propose a model for conflict resolution by using the basic tools of the history and physical exam, a process well known to all physicians.
Comparison of Naproxen with Placebo for the Management of Noncyclical Breast Pain: A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Controlled Trial
Authors: Kaviani A. , Mehrdad N. , Najafi M. , Hashemi E. S. , Yunesian M. , Ebrahimi M. , Hooshmand H. , Izadi S. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackgroundBreast pain is a common symptom in patients attending breast clinics. Although most patients experience mastalgia of mild to moderate severity, approximately 15% of patients suffer from severe pain that causes significant distress and some disturbance in their daily life that lead them to seek treatment. Despite a considerable number of drugs suggested for decreasing the severity of mastalgia, there is no standard treatment for the complaint. In this study, we investigated the effect of naproxen on reducing the complaint of breast pain compared with placebo.MethodsEighty‐one women suffering from noncyclic breast pain were recruited to a randomized, double‐blind, clinical trial between January 2002 and September 2004. All patients were suffering from this complaint for at least 3 months before the study. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Patients in the case group received naproxen 250 mg BD. Patients in the placebo group took placebo in a similar manner. The intensity of mastalgia was assessed before and twice after intervention by using a Visual Analogue Scale.ResultsForty‐two of 81 patients were recruited randomly as cases and the remaining 39 were assigned placebo. Of these 24 and 22 patients fulfilled the study protocol respectively. The mean age of patients was 35 (SD = 7.5; range, 19–55) years. The mean pain severity at the beginning of the study was 5.8 and 6.1 in naproxen and placebo groups, respectively. The severity of pain was decreased significantly at the end of the study in both groups (3.9 in patients and 3.7 in controls (P = 0.005 and 0.0001)). Although the decrease in pain severity in each individual group was statistically significant, it was not significant compared with one another (P = 0.64).ConclusionsBreast pain is a complex symptom that can be relieved significantly with reassurance. According to the result of this study, naproxen has no superiority over placebo in reducing noncyclic breast pain.
Preventive Antireflux Surgery in Patients with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Authors: Chamond Caroline , Morineau Marianne , Gouizi Ghania , Bargy Frederic , Beaudoin Sylvie 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackgroundGastroesophageal reflux (GER) is common in children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), and the optimal management in these patients is not well established. The aim of this study was to assess whether a preventive fundoplication performed during the first surgery will improve GER and nutritional morbidity in patients with a left CDH.MethodsThus we studied one group of 17 patients treated with a one‐step antireflux procedure (group A) and a group of 19 patients with only initial diaphragmatic repair (group B) between January 1994 and December 2004. The patients were classified in three stages, mild intermediate and severe form, based on anatomic criteria (liver position and patch requirement). Most of the patients with the severe form of disease were in group A. Clinical charts were compared between the two groups with a mean follow‐up of 3 years.ResultsFor patients with intra‐abdominal liver and direct diaphragmatic closure, the duration of hospitalization was significantly longer in group A than in group B (p = 0.08). The incidence of GER was significantly lower in group A (17.6%) than in group B (52.6%) at 1‐year follow‐up (p < 0.5). In the last group, 30% required a fundoplication before 6 months. Seven patients (19%) required intermittent nutritional supplementation via nasogastric tube feeding; for these patients there was no difference between the two groups. A gastrostomy was performed in only one patient. Twelve percent of patients had growth retardation during most of their first year, again with no difference between the two groups.ConclusionsBased on the published data, recommendations can be made regarding the efficacy of adding an antireflux surgery procedure to left CDH repair in only patients with intrathoracic liver and/or patch requirement.
Routine Suction of Intercostal Drains Is Not Necessary After Lobectomy: A Prospective Randomized Trial
Authors: Prokakis Christos , Koletsis Efstratios N. , Apostolakis Efstratios , Panagopoulos Nikolaos , Kouki Hellen Stamou , Sakellaropoulos George C. , Filos Kriton , Dougenis Dimitrios V. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackgroundThe decision to proceed to simple underwater seal drainage or apply active suction to the underwater seal after lung resection is mostly based on surgeon preference. The purpose of this study was to test whether routine application of active suction is necessary after lobectomy.Patients and methodsThis was a prospective randomized controlled trial conducted in the Patras University Hospital. Ninety‐one patients who underwent lobectomy or bilobectomy for lung cancer and met the eligibility criteria were enrolled. Group I included 47 patients and group II had 44 patients. The two groups were comparable. At the end of surgical procedure patients were randomly assigned to receive −15 to −20 cm H2O active suction applied to the underwater seal drainage (group I) or simple underwater seal drainage (group II). The primary end point was the time elapsed between placement and removal of drains.ResultsNo statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of time elapsed between the removal of chest drains, mortality, morbidity, adequacy of drainage system, and postoperative hospital stay. Suction applied to the underwater seal to re‐expand the lung succeeded in 3 of 10 cases of persistent pneumothorax in group II. Discontinuing suction in 7 patients with persistent air leak in group I resulted in leak resolution in 4 patients.ConclusionsRoutine application of active drain suction to the underwater seal is not necessary after lobectomy. However, it could be useful in persistent pneumothorax with sufficient air entry in the lung and clear airways. It is of no help in persistent air leaks when the lung is expanded.
Foamability of Detergent Solutions Prepared with Different Types of Surfactants and Waters
Authors: Amaral Maria Helena , das Neves José , Oliveira Ângela Z. , Bahia M. Fernanda 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIn the development of new detergent products, it is important to test the foaming behavior of different types of surfactants. Different types and concentrations of surfactant solutions prepared with three types of water are expected to present differences in their foamability. In this study, foam volumes produced by cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB; C19H42BrN), Tween 80® (T80; C64H124O26) and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS; C12H25NaO4S) aqueous solutions (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%, w/v) were compared using a stirring system, rotating at 8,000, 9,500 and 13,500 rpm. The foamability produced by CTAB, SDS and T80 solutions, in a concentration range between 0.2 and 1.0% (w/v), prepared using deionized, hard and hypersaline water were also compared. Foam volumes were higher at a stirring speed of 9,500 rpm than at 8,000 rpm. However, the results obtained at 9,500 and 13,500 rpm were not significantly different. In general, SDS solutions produced higher foam volumes than CTAB and T80 solutions. Water characteristics did not seem to influence significantly the foamability of the three types of surfactants in the studied concentrations. These studies related with foaming behavior appear to be an important step in the pre‐formulation of detergent products, particularly in cosmetics and pharmaceutics.
CCN3: Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde
Authors: Perbal Bernard 
Published: September 2008

AbstractCCN proteins are key regulators of signaling pathways that are essential for the control of normal life, from birth to death. As such, they make use of their unique mosaic structure to interact with several other regulatory proteins and ligands that control the fate of living cells. The various functions attributed to the CCN proteins may sometimes appear contradictory, but this situation reflects the complexity of the multimolecular scaffolds in which CCN proteins are engaged and the critical impact of the microenvironment that dictates the bioavailability of the elementary building blocks. CCN3 is one of the best examples of a CCN protein showing biological properties which may at first glance appear opposite or contradictory. Indeed, CCN3 acts both as a tumor suppressor and is associated with higher metastatic potential. Furthermore, the physical interaction of CCN3 with VEGF and its potential antiangionenic activity in glioma cells are in apparent contradiction with its proangiogenic activity in rabbit cornea. In this communication, I am revisiting the observations that led us to these apparent contradictions. After pointing out how the methodologies that were employed might have contributed to the confusion, I briefly discuss the dual biological activities of CCN3 in the context of tumor cell engineering and survival prognosis.
Enhanced negative feedback sensitivity of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis in chronic myogenous facial pain⋆
Authors: Galli Ursula , Gaab Jens , Ettlin Dominik A. , Ruggia Fidel , Ehlert Ulrike , Palla Sandro 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTDysregulations of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, as a physiological substrate of stress, have been observed in patients with different stress‐related and chronic pain disorders. In this study, we investigated possible dysregulations of the HPA axis in patients with masticatory muscles pain. In 20 patients with myogenous facial pain and 20 healthy controls, awakening cortisol responses, i.e. cortisol rise in the first hour after awakening, as well as a short circadian free cortisol profile, i.e. four cortisol samples over 12h during the day, were assessed before and after administration of 0.5mg dexamethasone. Results: In comparison to controls, chronic myogenous facial pain patients showed enhanced and prolonged suppression of cortisol after the administration of 0.5mg dexamethasone. Unstimulated cortisol response (before dexamethasone‐intake) to awakening and cortisol levels during the day did not differ between the groups. Dysregulation in terms of enhanced negative feedback suppression exists in chronic myogenous facial pain. These results are in line with a multifactorial etiology of chronic facial pain, shifting the perspective away from a local towards a more central etiology with dysregulations in the stress and pain modulating system.
Radiofrequency coblation for the resection of head and neck malignancies
Authors: Carney A. Simon , Timms Michael S. , Marnane Connor N. , Krishnan Suren , Rees Guy , Mirza Showkat 
Published: September 2008

ObjectiveTo review the safety and efficacy of the use of radiofrequency coblation for endoscopic resection of upper aero‐digestive tract malignancies and to compare length of procedures using coblation with CO2 laser surgery.Study Design and SettingA retrospective case‐note review of 40 adult patients with endoscopically treated mucosal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, 20 having undergone resection using radiofrequency coblation and being case‐matched to 20 treated with CO2 laser.ResultsCoblation proved to be an effective method for resection of selected head and neck malignancies. It allows for much faster resection times than the CO2 laser (P = 0.017) especially in the oropharynx (P = 0.007), but the large probes currently available can cause problems in assessment of adequate resection margins.ConclusionsAlthough current probe design limits the potential for resection of some tumors, radiofrequency coblation appears to be an attractive evolving technique for the endoscopic resection of selected upper aerodigestive tract malignancies.
Does the surgical approach in cochlear implantation influence the occurrence of postoperative vertigo?
Authors: Todt Ingo , Basta Dietmar , Ernst Arne 
Published: September 2008

ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of different cochleostomy techniques on vestibular receptor integrity and vertigo after cochlear implantation.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.SubjectsA total of 62 patients (17 to 84 years of age) underwent implantation via an anterior or round window insertion approach.MethodsTwo groups of cochlear implant patients were compared with respect to their pre‐ and postoperative vestibular function and the occurrence of postoperative vertigo. The data were related to the different cochleostomy techniques. The patients were tested by a questionnaire (dizziness handicap inventory, DIH), caloric irrigation (vestibulo‐ocular reflex, VOR) for the function of the lateral SCC and by vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) recordings for saccular function. RESULTS: Significant differences of postoperative VEMP responses (50% vs 13%) and electromystagmography (ENG) results (42.9% vs 9.4%) were found with respect to the 2 different insertion techniques. The number of patients with vertigo after the surgery as evidenced by DHI (23% vs 12.5%) was significantly different.ConclusionThe used round window approach for electrode insertion should be preferred to decrease the risk of loss of vestibular function and the occurrence of vertigo.
Esophagopharyngeal reflux
Authors: Belafsky Peter C. , Rees Catherine J. , Rodriguez Kimsey , Pryor Jan S. , Katz Philip O. 
Published: September 2008

ObjectiveLaryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is the disorder caused by the regurgitation of gastric contents into the laryngopharynx. Many persons diagnosed with LPR who fail medical therapy regurgitate contents from the proximal esophagus into the laryngopharynx (esophagopharyngeal reflux or EPR) on cinefluoroscopy.Study DesignRetrospective review.Subjects and MethodsThe charts of consecutive adult patients with findings of EPR on cinefluoroscopy were reviewed.ResultsTwenty patients met the diagnostic criteria for EPR (mean age, 50 years of age; 60% female). Most common symptoms were cough (40%), dysphagia (35%), dysphonia (25%), and chronic throat clearing (25%). Eighty‐five percent had a prior diagnosis of acid reflux disease (LPR or GER) and were unsuccessfully treated with proton pump inhibitors and/or anti‐reflux surgery; 15% had fluoroscopic oropharyngeal abnormalities; all patients had fluoroscopic esophageal abnormalities.ConclusionEPR is characterized by regurgitation of proximal esophageal contents into the laryngopharynx. The symptoms are similar to LPR. EPR appears to be caused by a disorder of volume clearance and esophageal dysmotility not acid and peptic injury.
Preoperative FDG‐PET imaging to assess the malignant potential of follicular neoplasms of the thyroid
Authors: Smith Russell B. , Robinson Robert A. , Hoffman Henry T. , Graham Michael M. 
Published: September 2008

ObjectiveWhen a fine needle aspiration biopsy of a thyroid nodule suggests follicular neoplasm, surgery is required for diagnosis. Establishing the diagnosis preoperatively would allow the patient to undergo the appropriate initial thyroidectomy. Preoper‐ative [18F]‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) imaging may be able to determine malignancy in follicular neoplasms.Study DesignProspective cases series.Subjects and MethodsTwenty‐three patients with a diagnosis of follicular neoplasm underwent presurgical FDG‐PET at 60, 90, and 120 minutes after injection of fluorodeoxyglucose (F18). Thyroidectomy was performed with comparison of the histopathologic results with the FDG‐PET results.ResultsThere were 5 malignant conditions and 18 benign conditions identified with the standard uptake valve (SUV) ranging from 0.9 to 44.8. The follicular thyroid cancers that exhibited only capsular invasion had an average SUV of 3.1, whereas those with vascular invasion had an average SUV of 39.9. The SUV increased in 80% of the malignant cases but in only 50% of the benign cases.ConclusionDespite certain patterns being suggestive of malignancy, FDG‐PET can not consistently predict the malignant potential of a follicular neoplasm.
Hypothyroidism following partial thyroidectomy
Authors: Vaiman Michael , Nagibin Andrey , Hagag Philippe , Kessler Alex , Gavriel Haim 
Published: September 2008

ObjectiveTo compare rates of hypothyroidism following three types of partial thyroidectomy for multinodular goiter.Study Design and MethodsAll cases of partial thy‐roidectomies (hemi‐, near‐total, or subtotal) carried out at one Israeli and one Russian medical center (1990–2006) were retrospectively studied to determine the incidence of hypothyroidism after each procedure.ResultsThere were 881 near‐total, 1538 subtotal, and 1051 hemithyroidectomies (total 3470). Postoperative follow‐up was 2 to 15 years. Twenty‐eight percent of the hemithyroidectomy patients suffered permanent hypothyroidism compared to 100% of the near‐total and 87% of the subtotal patients. Forty‐six percent of the hemithyroidectomy patients suffered temporary hypothyroid‐ism compared to 100% of the near‐total and 93% of the subtotal patients.ConclusionSubtotal and near‐total thyroidectomies produced a rate of hypothyroidism close to that of total thyroidectomy compared to 28% after hemithyroidectomy.SignificancePartial thyroidectomies provide no decisive advantage over total thyroidectomies in terms of subsequent requirements of supplemental hormone therapy.