Supporting Multi-Domain Model Management

Model-driven engineering has been used in different domains such as software engineering, robotics, and automotive. This approach has models as the primary artifacts, and it is expected to improve quality of system specification and design, as well as the communication among the development team. Managing models that belong to the same domain might not be a complex task because of the features provided by the available development tools. However, managing interrelated models of different domains is challenging. A robot is an example of such a multi-domain system. To develop it one might need to combine models created by experts from mechanics, electronics and software domains. These models might be created using domain specific tools of each domain, and a change in one model of one domain might impact a model from a different domain causing inconsistency in the entire system. This thesis therefore aims to facilitate the evolution of the models in this multi-domain setting. It starts with a systematic literature review in order to identify the open issues, and strategies used to manage models from different domains. We identified that making explicit the relationship between models from different domains can support the models maintenance, making it easy to recognize affected models because of a change. The following step was to investigate ways of extracting information from different engineering models that were created using different modeling notations. For this goal, we required a uniform approach that would be independent from the peculiarities of the notations. This uniform approach can only be based on elements typically present in various modeling notations, i.e., text, boxes, and lines. Thus, we investigated the suitability of optical character recognition (OCR) for extracting textual elements from models from different domains. We also identified the common errors made by the off-the-shelf OCR services, and we proposed two approaches to correct one of these errors. After that, we used name matching techniques on the textual elements extracted by OCR to identify relationships between models from different domains. To conclude, we created an infrastructure that combines all the previous elements into one single tool that can also store the relationships in a structured manner making it easier to maintain the consistency of an entire system. We evaluated it by means of an observational study with a multidisciplinary team that builds autonomous robots designed to play football

A inserção do lúdico no tratamento da SIDA pediátrica

Este trabalho descreve o significado atribuído por usuários e equipa a uma brinquedoteca que atende crianças e adolescentes seropositivos para SIDA. Elegeu-se como estratégia metodológica a pesquisa qualitativa através da observação participante e entrevistas semi-estruturadas. O grupo estudado constituiu-se de 57 sujeitos e as informações foram trabalhadas na perspectiva da análise de conteúdo, através das seguintes categorias temáticas: A Brinquedoteca como espaço terapêutico, espaço de acolhimento, de troca de experiências; favorecedor da adesão, como “empowerment” (empoderamento) e na formação de recursos humanos. Segundo os entrevistados, no espaço lúdico, os sujeitos podem elaborar suas vivências, podendo favorecer o tratamento e a adesão. O brincar também trouxe uma grande contribuição na humanização do ambulatório. Possibilitou aos familiares trocas de experiências, compartilhamento de vivências e reflexão sobre a condição da seropositividade. Ressalta-se a alternactiva de monitoria por parte de adolescentes seropositivos, caracterizando a brinquedoteca como espaço de (re)significação do tratamento e melhoria na auto-estima

Model management tools for models of different domains: a systematic literature review

Objective: The goal of this study is to present an overview of industrial and academic approaches to cross-domain model management. We aim at identifying industrial and academic tools for cross-domain model management and describing the inconsistency types addressed by them as well as strategies the users of the tools employ to keep consistency between models of different domains. Method: We conducted a systematic literature review. Using the keyword-based search on Google Scholar we analyzed 515 potentially relevant studies; after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria 88 papers were selected for further analysis. Results: The main findings/contributions are: (i) a list of available tools used to support model management; (ii) approximately 31% of the tools can provide consistency model checking on models of different domains and approximately 24% on the same domain; (iii) available strategies to keep the consistency between models of different domains are not mature enough; (iv) explicit modeling dependencies between models is not common in the industry. However, it is considered as a requirement by academia if one wishes to manage inconsistency between models of different domains. Conclusion: This study presents an overview of industrial practices and academic approaches about the cross-domain model management. The results presented in this study can be used as a starting point for future research on model management topics, and also for further improvement of actual model management tools

A inserção do lúdico no tratamento da SIDA pediátrica

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-10T10:38:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 license.txt: 1914 bytes, checksum: 7d48279ffeed55da8dfe2f8e81f3b81f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009Submitted by Gilvan Almeida ([email protected]) on 2016-08-09T17:28:11Z No. of bitstreams: 1 license.txt: 1914 bytes, checksum: 7d48279ffeed55da8dfe2f8e81f3b81f (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2016-08-17T18:37:09Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 ve_Schall_Drummond_Ivana_A inserção_CPqRR_2009.pdf: 6759534 bytes, checksum: f537b659d64e0c0bdbbcd50105a8614b (MD5) license.txt: 1914 bytes, checksum: 7d48279ffeed55da8dfe2f8e81f3b81f (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-17T18:37:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 ve_Schall_Drummond_Ivana_A inserção_CPqRR_2009.pdf: 6759534 bytes, checksum: f537b659d64e0c0bdbbcd50105a8614b (MD5) license.txt: 1914 bytes, checksum: 7d48279ffeed55da8dfe2f8e81f3b81f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou Laboratório de Educação em Saúde. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Faculdade de Medicina. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilIndeterminadoFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou Laboratório de Educação em Saúde. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou Laboratório de Educação em Saúde. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilEste trabalho descreve o significado atribuído por usuários e equipa a uma brinquedoteca que atende crianças e adolescentes seropositivos para SIDA. Elegeu-se como estratégia metodológica a pesquisa qualitativa através da observação participante e entrevistas semi-estruturadas. O grupo estudado constituiu-se de 57 sujeitos e as informações foram trabalhadas na perspectiva da análise de conteúdo, através das seguintes categorias temáticas: A Brinquedoteca como espaço terapêutico, espaço de acolhimento, de troca de experiências; favorecedor da adesão, como “empowerment ” (empoderamento) e na formação de recursos humanos. Segundo os entrevistados, no espaço lúdico, os sujeitos podem elaborar suas vivências, podendo favorecer o tratamento e a adesão. O brincar também trouxe uma grande contribuição na humanização do ambulatório. Possibilitou aos familiares trocas de experiências, compartilhamento de vivências e reflexão sobre a condição da seropositividade. Ressalta-se a alternactiva de monitoria por parte de adolescentes seropositivos, caracterizando a brinquedoteca como espaço de (re)significação do tratamento e melhoria na auto-estima.This work describes the meanings and/or signification attributed by users and the professional team of a toy library, which attends HIV/SIDA positive children and adolescents. In order to describe the attributed meanings of this toy library by different social actors, qualitative research using participative observation, semi-structured interviews were chosen as a methodological strategy. Data of 57 individuals were analyzed by applying content analysis, using the following categories: (1) the toy library as a therapeutic space; (2) a space for welcoming; (3) a place for exchanging experiences; (4) strengthening compliance and (5) strengthening of capacity building of students involved in the project. According to the interviewees, the participants were able to elaborate upon their life experience at the toy library, and in this way contribute to the treatment and its compliance. The playing aspect in itself also brought a significant contribution to the humanization of the ambulatory. It offered the possibility for families to share and exchange their experiences and reflect about the condition of seropositivity. It is also important to point out that the possibility of the seropositive adolescents to be monitors characterized the toy library as place for (re)signification of their treatment and improvement of self-confidence

Analysis of transformations nucleated on non-random sites simulated by cellular automata in three dimensions

Cellular automata simulation in three dimensions is carried out to simulate microstrutural evolution for nuclei distribution ranging from a periodic arrangement to clusters of nuclei. The effect of clustering in three dimensions is found to be much more difficult to detect using conventional microstructural path analysis than in two dimensions. Microstructural path equations fit simulated data well, even when the nuclei are non-randomly located. However, the parameters obtained by means of this fitting lead to erroneous time dependent velocities. Therefore, measuring a descriptor that is sensitive to non-randomness such as the contiguity is even more important in three than in two dimensions

Superação de dormência em sementes de Leucaena leucocephala, Lam., de Wit. com métodos físicos e químicos

Leucena is a forest species that provides good quality forage and can be used as green manure, however, its seeds present dormancy caused by the impermeability of the seed coat to water, causing reduction in germination, which makes seedling production difficult. It was aimed evaluate the overcome of dormancy in leucena seeds by physical and chemical methods. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications consisting of 20 seeds in each treatment. Chemical immersion of the seeds in concentrated sulfuric acid for 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 minutes was used as chemical treatments. The physical treatments used were topping (cutting with a stylus on the opposite side to the micropyle), scarification with sandpaper no 80 and scarification with sandpaper no 100 (in these last two treatments, the seed was sanded on the opposite side to the micropyle), also having the control treatment (without intervention). The germination speed index, average germination time, percentage of germination for a period of 10 days after sowing, seedling height, root length, stem diameter, fresh and dry matter of the shoot and fresh matter were evaluated and dry the root. The most suitable method to overcome dormancy in leucena seeds is the use of scarification with sandpaper no 100.A leucena é uma espécie florestal que proporciona forragem de boa qualidade e, pode ser utilizada como adubo verde, porém, suas sementes apresentam dormência causada pela impermeabilidade do tegumento à água, provocando redução na germinação, o que dificulta a produção de mudas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a superação de dormência em sementes de leucena por métodos físicos e químicos. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições composto por 20 sementes em cada tratamento. Utilizou-se como tratamentos químicos a imersão das sementes em ácido sulfúrico concentrado durante 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 e 10 minutos. Os tratamentos físicos usados foram o desponte (corte com estilete em lado oposto à micrópila), a escarificação com lixa d'agua no 80 e a escarificação com lixa d’agua no 100 (nestes dois últimos tratamentos lixou-se a semente em lado oposto à micrópila), tendo também o tratamento testemunha (sem intervenção). Avaliou-se o índice de velocidade de germinação, tempo médio de germinação, percentagem de germinação por um período de 10 dias após o semeio, altura de plântula, comprimento da raiz, diâmetro do caule, matéria fresca e seca da parte aérea e matéria fresca e seca da raiz. O método mais adequado para superar a dormência em sementes de leucena é o uso da escarificação com lixa d’água no 100

Prospective observational cohort study on grading the severity of postoperative complications in global surgery research

Background The Clavien–Dindo classification is perhaps the most widely used approach for reporting postoperative complications in clinical trials. This system classifies complication severity by the treatment provided. However, it is unclear whether the Clavien–Dindo system can be used internationally in studies across differing healthcare systems in high- (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods This was a secondary analysis of the International Surgical Outcomes Study (ISOS), a prospective observational cohort study of elective surgery in adults. Data collection occurred over a 7-day period. Severity of complications was graded using Clavien–Dindo and the simpler ISOS grading (mild, moderate or severe, based on guided investigator judgement). Severity grading was compared using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Data are presented as frequencies and ICC values (with 95 per cent c.i.). The analysis was stratified by income status of the country, comparing HICs with LMICs. Results A total of 44 814 patients were recruited from 474 hospitals in 27 countries (19 HICs and 8 LMICs). Some 7508 patients (16·8 per cent) experienced at least one postoperative complication, equivalent to 11 664 complications in total. Using the ISOS classification, 5504 of 11 664 complications (47·2 per cent) were graded as mild, 4244 (36·4 per cent) as moderate and 1916 (16·4 per cent) as severe. Using Clavien–Dindo, 6781 of 11 664 complications (58·1 per cent) were graded as I or II, 1740 (14·9 per cent) as III, 2408 (20·6 per cent) as IV and 735 (6·3 per cent) as V. Agreement between classification systems was poor overall (ICC 0·41, 95 per cent c.i. 0·20 to 0·55), and in LMICs (ICC 0·23, 0·05 to 0·38) and HICs (ICC 0·46, 0·25 to 0·59). Conclusion Caution is recommended when using a treatment approach to grade complications in global surgery studies, as this may introduce bias unintentionally

The surgical safety checklist and patient outcomes after surgery: a prospective observational cohort study, systematic review and meta-analysis

© 2017 British Journal of Anaesthesia Background: The surgical safety checklist is widely used to improve the quality of perioperative care. However, clinicians continue to debate the clinical effectiveness of this tool. Methods: Prospective analysis of data from the International Surgical Outcomes Study (ISOS), an international observational study of elective in-patient surgery, accompanied by a systematic review and meta-analysis of published literature. The exposure was surgical safety checklist use. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality and the secondary outcome was postoperative complications. In the ISOS cohort, a multivariable multi-level generalized linear model was used to test associations. To further contextualise these findings, we included the results from the ISOS cohort in a meta-analysis. Results are reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. Results: We included 44 814 patients from 497 hospitals in 27 countries in the ISOS analysis. There were 40 245 (89.8%) patients exposed to the checklist, whilst 7508 (16.8%) sustained ≥1 postoperative complications and 207 (0.5%) died before hospital discharge. Checklist exposure was associated with reduced mortality [odds ratio (OR) 0.49 (0.32–0.77); P\u3c0.01], but no difference in complication rates [OR 1.02 (0.88–1.19); P=0.75]. In a systematic review, we screened 3732 records and identified 11 eligible studies of 453 292 patients including the ISOS cohort. Checklist exposure was associated with both reduced postoperative mortality [OR 0.75 (0.62–0.92); P\u3c0.01; I2=87%] and reduced complication rates [OR 0.73 (0.61–0.88); P\u3c0.01; I2=89%). Conclusions: Patients exposed to a surgical safety checklist experience better postoperative outcomes, but this could simply reflect wider quality of care in hospitals where checklist use is routine

Critical care admission following elective surgery was not associated with survival benefit: prospective analysis of data from 27 countries

This was an investigator initiated study funded by Nestle Health Sciences through an unrestricted research grant, and by a National Institute for Health Research (UK) Professorship held by RP. The study was sponsored by Queen Mary University of London