Data-driven Design of Engineering Processes with COREPROModeler

Enterprises increasingly demand IT support for the coordination of their engineering processes, which often consist of hundreds up to thousands of sub-processes. From a technical viewpoint, these sub-processes have to be concurrently executed and synchronized considering numerous interdependencies. So far, this coordination has mainly been accomplished manually, which has resulted in errors and inconsistencies. In order to deal with this problem, we have to better understand the interdependencies between the subprocesses to be coordinated. In particular, we can benefit from the fact that sub-processes are often correlated to the assembly of a product (represented by a product data structure). This information can be utilized for the modeling and execution of so-called data-driven process structures. In this paper, we present the COREPRO demonstrator that supports the data-driven modeling of these process structures. The approach explicitly establishes a close linkage between product data structures and engineering processes

A multicenter study on the appropriateness of hospitalization in obstetric wards: application of Obstetric Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (Obstetric AEP)

The cross-sectional study has been based on the implementation of the Obstetric Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (OAEP) in seven hospitals to determine inappropriate hospital admissions and days of stay. The outcomes were: inappropriateness of admission and "percentage of inappropriateness" for one hospitalization. A total number of 2196 clinical records were reviewed. The mean percentage of inappropriateness for hospitalization was 22%. The percentage of inappropriateness for the first 10 d of hospitalization peaked in correspondence of the fourth (42%). The logistic regression model on inappropriated admission reported that emergency admission was a protective factor (OR = 0.4) and to be hospitalized in wards with 6530 beds risk factor (OR = 5.12). The second linear model on "percentage of inappropriateness" showed that inappropriated admission and wards with 6530 beds increased the percentage (p < 0.001); whereas the admission in Teaching Hospitals was inversely associated (p < 0.001). The present study suggests that the percentage of inappropriate admission depends especially on the inappropriate admission and the large number of beds in obstetric wards. This probably indicates that management of big hospitals, which is very complex, needs improving the processes of support and coordination of health professionals. The OAEP tool seems to be an useful instrument for the decision-makers to monitor and manage the obstetric wards. \ua9 2014 Informa UK Ltd. All rights reserved

Исследовательская деятельность эколого-биологической направленности в НОУ "Эврика" - эффективное средство профессиональной ориентации учащихся

В статье научно-исследовательская деятельность эколого-биологической направленности старшеклассников НОУ "Эврика" г. Нижнего Новгорода рассматривается как одна из значимых инновационных форм профессионального самоопределения. Материалом исследования послужил анализ программ конференции городского научного общества учащихся "Эврика" и судьбы выпускников данного общества. Отмечена тенденция роста популярности эколого-биологических исследований среди старшеклассников г. Нижнего Новгорода и успешное вхождение в профессию выпускников научного общества учащихся.In the article, the research activity of the ecology and biology of senior pupils of the scientific society of the pupils "Eureka" in Nizhny Novgorod is considered as one of the significant innovative forms of professional self-determination. The material of the study was the analysis of the programs of the conference of the city scientific society of the students "Eureka" and the fate of the graduates of this society. The tendency of growth of popularity of ecological and biological researches among senior pupils of Nizhny Novgorod and successful entry into the profession of graduates of the scientific society of students is noted

Surface Deposition and Imaging of Large Ag Clusters Formed in He Droplets

The utility of a continuous beam of He droplets for the assembly and surface deposition of Ag clusters, ~ 300 - 6 000, is studied with transmission electron microscopy. Images of the clusters on amorphous carbon substrates obtained at short deposition times have provided for a measure of the size distribution of the metal clusters. The average sizes of the deposited clusters are in good agreement with an energy balance based estimate of Ag cluster growth in He droplets. Measurements of the deposition rate indicate that upon impact with the surface the He-embedded cluster is attached with high probability. The stability of the deposited clusters on the substrate is discussed.Comment: 24 pages, 5 figure

Adherence issues related to sublingual immunotherapy as perceived by allergists

Objectives: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a viable alternative to subcutaneous immunotherapy to treat allergic rhinitis and asthma, and is widely used in clinical practice in many European countries. The clinical efficacy of SLIT has been established in a number of clinical trials and meta-analyses. However, because SLIT is self-administered by patients without medical supervision, the degree of patient adherence with treatment is still a concern. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perception by allergists of issues related to SLIT adherence. Methods: We performed a questionnaire-based survey of 296 Italian allergists, based on the adherence issues known from previous studies. The perception of importance of each item was assessed by a VAS scale ranging from 0 to 10. Results: Patient perception of clinical efficacy was considered the most important factor (ranked 1 by 54% of allergists), followed by the possibility of reimbursement (ranked 1 by 34%), and by the absence of side effects (ranked 1 by 21%). Patient education, regular follow-up, and ease of use of SLIT were ranked first by less than 20% of allergists. Conclusion: These findings indicate that clinical efficacy, cost, and side effects are perceived as the major issues influencing patient adherence to SLIT, and that further improvement of adherence is likely to be achieved by improving the patient information provided by prescribers. © 2010 Scurati et al, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd

From the search to the autopsy: the multidisciplinary approach to the assessment of bodies buried in soil: The Italian bodyfarm

In the forensic practice one of the most difficult scenario concerns the search of buried corpses (which sometimes takes place several years after the burial) and the estimation of post mortem interval. In these cases evaluable data may derive from a multidisciplinary approach which takes into account the contribution from botany, entomology, geopedology in order to verify the interaction between the presence of a corpse in decomposition and the natural environment. In addition, the use of different technologies such as geophysical and geochemical methods may bring about several advantages for the search of cadavers; however, in literature very few studies deal with experimental projects including the analysis of the complicate interactions between the buried body and the soil. The main limit consists in fact in the lack of experimental studies concerning the decomposition of corpses left in a natural environment; literature has so far provided numerous case reports concerning the different forensic disciples, from geology to the botany and entomology: however, the results provided by these studies are not homogeneous, and the different environmental conditions prevents from drawing out general conclusions. Relevant information may derive from the use of cadavers for experimental purposes: in USA the bodyfarm experience represents a relevant attempt at obtaining information concerning decomposition processes and correlation between the corpse and the environmental variables. However, in Italy the use of human samples is not allowed and cannot be used in order to reach such standardization by experimental projects. This experimental study is the first attempt at developing an Italian bodyfarm in order to study the different aspects of decomposition, botanic and entomological modifications, search and recovery of buried bodies on animal samples, and took place within the park of Ticino (Lombardia). Ten ditches were filled with 11 pigs carcasses weighing between 60 and 90 Kg. The botanic characteristics of the area were periodically recorded in order to verify possible modifications induced by the burial. In addition, periodical analyses of ditches were performed throughout a georadar in order to verify possible modifications of the soil induced by the burial. Every acquisition was followed by the periodic exhumation of two samples: each sample underwent also to autopsy in order to verify the decomposition processes which had affected the skin surface and the viscera. Entomological samples were taken from each sample in order to draw up information concerning the colonization and the reconstruction of post mortem interval. The first results which derived from the first exhumation showed relevant modifications of soil and different approaches of botanic and entomological colonization due to the burial of the carcasses: vegetation showed changes which were still detectable up to the 7th month. In addition, the samples were less visible by georadar after 5 months. These results point out the dynamic relation between the soil and the corpse. The next exhumations will provide important data concerning the geopedologic and botanic modifications of soil induced by the presence of a buried corpse; in addition, the autopsy of each sample will bring about information concerning the specific decomposition processes and the entomological colonization. These results will be useful for a standardization of search procedures of bodies buried in soil and for the estimation of post mortem interval