Compositional specification of functionality and timing of manufacturing systems

In this paper, a formal modeling approach is introduced for compositional specification of both functionality and timing of manufacturing systems. Functionality aspects can be considered orthogonally to the timing. The functional aspects are specified using two abstraction levels; high-level activities and lower level actions. Design of a functionally correct controller is possible by looking only at the activity level, abstracting from the different execution orders of actions. Furthermore, the specific timing of actions is not needed. As a result, controller designcan be performed on a much smaller state space compared to an explicit model where timing and actions are present. The performance of the controller can be analyzed and optimizedby taking into account the timing characteristics. Since formal semantics are given in terms of a (max, +) state space, various existing performance analysis techniques can be used. Weillustrate the approach, including performance analysis, on an example manufacturing system

Impact of obesity on surgical outcomes following open radical prostatectomy.

Item does not contain fulltextOBJECTIVE: The increasing incidence of both obesity and prostate cancer (PCa) detection will confront the urologist more often with obese men having PCa. It is unknown whether obesity affects the surgical and oncological outcomes following open radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). Knowledge concerning this issue is relevant when counselling obese patients with PCa for RRP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A single institution cohort study was performed including 252 men who underwent a RRP between 1992 and 2003. The surgical complications (perioperative complications, post-RRP urinary incontinence, urethral strictures) were compared between obese (BMI >30) and nonobese (BMI <or=30) men. RESULTS: Compared to nonobese (n = 221), obese men (n = 31) developed more frequently wound infections (16.1 vs. 4.5%; p < 0.05), urinary incontinence (25.8 vs. 8.7%; p < 0.05) as well as vesico-urethral strictures (46.2 vs. 12.3%; p < 0.05). The pathology results and the 5-year cumulative risk of PSA recurrence were comparable among both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to nonobese, obese men suffer more frequently from post-RRP urinary incontinence and vesicourethral strictures following open RRP

Ampullary carcinoid and neurofibromatosis: case report and review of the literature

Ampullary carcinoid and neurofibromatosis: case report and review of the literature. van Basten JP, van Hoek B, de Bruine A, Arends JW, Stockbrugger RW. Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Maastricht, Netherlands. A 49-year-old woman is reported with an ampullary carcinoid and von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis, presenting with melaena. On upper GI-endoscopy a tumour of the ampulla of Vater was seen. Histochemical examination revealed a carcinoid tumour. A review of the literature shows that patients with von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis are at increased risk for developing tumours of neuroectodermal origin, with the ampulla of Vater as predilection site. Therefore, early diagnostic evaluation, primarily by gastroduodenoscopy, for malignancies in patients with von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis and abdominal discomfort is recommended. Surgical removal is the only therapy so far evaluate

Sexual functioning after treatment for testicular cancer - review and meta-analysis of 36 empirical studies between 1975-2000

Literature concerning sexual functioning after treatment for testicular cancer from 1975-2000 is reviewed. After a literature search in Medline and Psylit was conducted, as well as a search for cross-references made, a meta-analysis was performed. To describe sexual functioning, several aspects of the sexual response cycle were used: sexual desire, sexual arousal, erection, and orgasm; ejaculatory function, sexual activity, and sexual satisfaction were used as well. The number of patients included in the studies as well as treatment modalities were taken into account. A total of 36 relevant studies was screened (28 retrospective and 7 prospective studies), concerning 2,786 cases of testicular cancer. Meta-analysis revealed that ejaculatory dysfunction was reported most frequently and was related to surgery in the retroperitoneal area. Erectile dysfunction was related to irradiation, but was reported least frequently. Other sexual functions were not related to treatment modality. Meta-analysis revealed no deterioration of sexual functioning in the course of time, except a decrease in sexual desire and an increase in sexual satisfaction. Retrospective studies reported more sexual dysfunction than did prospective studies. Detailed analysis of separate studies, however, revealed a wide variation in reported sexual morbidity, as well as in assessment methods. Somatic consequences of disease and treatment may reduce ejaculation; however, other aspects of sexual functioning are not clearly related to disease- or treatment-related factors and may instead refer to a psychological vulnerability caused by one's confrontation with a life-threatening, genito-urinary disease, such as testicular cancer