| 1. |
- Bäckström, Christer, et al.
(author)
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Automaton Plans
- 2014
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In: The journal of artificial intelligence research. - : AI ACCESS FOUNDATION. - 1076-9757 .- 1943-5037. ; 51, s. 255-291
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Macros have long been used in planning to represent subsequences of operators. Macros can be used in place of individual operators during search, sometimes reducing the effort required to find a plan to the goal. Another use of macros is to compactly represent long plans. In this paper we introduce a novel solution concept called automaton plans in which plans are represented using hierarchies of automata. Automaton plans can be viewed as an extension of macros that enables parameterization and branching. We provide several examples that illustrate how automaton plans can be useful, both as a compact representation of exponentially long plans and as an alternative to sequential solutions in benchmark domains such as LOGISTICS and GRID. We also compare automaton plans to other compact plan representations from the literature, and find that automaton plans are strictly more expressive than macros, but strictly less expressive than HTNs and certain representations allowing efficient sequential access to the operators of the plan.
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| 2. |
- Bäckström, Christer, et al.
(author)
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From Macro Plans to Automata Plans
- 2012
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In: ECAI 2012. 20th European Conference on Artificial Intelligence, 27-31 2012, August, Montpellier, France. - 9781614990970 - 9781614990987 ; , s. 91-96
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Macros have a long-standing role in planning as a tool for representing repeating subsequences of operators. Macros are useful both for guiding search towards a solution and for representing plans compactly. In this paper we introduce automata plans which consist of hierarchies of finite state automata. Automata plans can be viewed as an extension of macros that enables parametrization and branching. We provide several examples of the utility of automata plans, and prove that automata plans are strictly more expressive than macro plans. We also prove that automata plans admit polynomialtime sequential access of the operators in the underlying “flat” plan, and identify a subset of automata plans that admit polynomial-time random access. Finally, we compare automata plans with other representations allowing polynomial-time sequential access.
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| 3. |
- Bäckström, Christer, et al.
(author)
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Macros, Reactive Plans and Compact Representations
- 2012
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In: ECAI 2012. 20th European Conference on Artificial Intelligence 27-31 August 2+12, Montpellier, France. - 9781614990970 - 9781614990987 ; , s. 85-90
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The use and study of compact representations of objects is widespread in computer science. AI planning can be viewed as the problem of finding a path in a graph that is implicitly described by a compact representation in a planning language. However, compact representations of the path itself (the plan) have not received much attention in the literature. Although both macro plans and reactive plans can be considered as such compact representations, little emphasis has been placed on this aspect in earlier work. There are also compact plan representations that are defined by their access properties, for instance, that they have efficient random access or efficient sequential access. We formally compare two such concepts with macro plans and reactive plans, viewed as compact representations, and provide a complete map of the relationships between them.
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| 4. |
- Gustavsson, Anders, et al.
(author)
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Corrigendum to “Cost of disorders of the brain in Europe 2010” [Eur. Neuropsychopharmacol. 21 (2011) 718–779]
- 2012
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In: European Neuropsychopharmacology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0924-977X .- 1873-7862. ; 22:3, s. 237-238
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The spectrum of disorders of the brain is large, covering hundreds of disorders that are listed in either the mental or neurological disorder chapters of the established international diagnostic classification systems. These disorders have a high prevalence as well as short- and long-term impairments and disabilities. Therefore they are an emotional, financial and social burden to the patients, their families and their social network. In a 2005 landmark study, we estimated for the first time the annual cost of 12 major groups of disorders of the brain in Europe and gave a conservative estimate of €386 billion for the year 2004. This estimate was limited in scope and conservative due to the lack of sufficiently comprehensive epidemiological and/or economic data on several important diagnostic groups. We are now in a position to substantially improve and revise the 2004 estimates. In the present report we cover 19 major groups of disorders, 7 more than previously, of an increased range of age groups and more cost items. We therefore present much improved cost estimates. Our revised estimates also now include the new EU member states, and hence a population of 514 million people.
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| 5. |
- Jonsson, Olof, 1941, et al.
(author)
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Afferent intussuscepted antireflux nipple valve complications in the Kock pouch for continent urinary diversion Early results with a modified technique.
- 2006
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In: Scand J Urol Nephrol. - : Informa UK Limited. ; 40:6, s. 472-478
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives. To analyse the risk of afferent nipple valve stenosis and its consequences and management in patients with a Kock pouch for continent urinary diversion and to study the early results after using an alternative antireflux technique. Material and methods. Sixty patients consecutively operated on with a conventional Kock reservoir for continent cutaneous urinary diversion between 1988 and 2001 were analysed with regard to the occurrence of afferent nipple valve stenosis and its clinical characteristics. Sixteen patients operated on for continent urinary diversion during the period 2002-04 had the antireflux valve constructed according to the serous-lined extramural ileal valve technique. Results. Eight patients with a conventional Kock pouch developed true afferent nipple valve stenosis and the risk approached 30% after 15 years. Dilatation and stenting were usually successful. Conclusions. The high risk of afferent nipple valve stenosis when using the intussuscepted nipple valve in the construction of a Kock reservoir for continent cutaneous urinary diversion calls for an alternative method for anastomosing the ureters to the reservoir. Our early results with the combined Kock/T-pouch are promising.
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| 6. |
- Jonsson, Sarah, 1982-
(author)
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Pelvic inflammatory disease and epithelial ovarian tumors
- 2023
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: Epithelial ovarian cancer and borderline ovarian tumors consist of several histotypes in which high-grade serous carcinoma is the most common. The majority of epithelial ovarian tumors are considered to originate in the fimbriated end of the fallopian tubes. What initiates these tumors is far from completely understood. Pelvic inflammatory disease has been proposed as a modifiable risk factor for epithelial ovarian tumors. A major cause of pelvic inflammatory disease is Chlamydia trachomatis which has been shown to have cancer-causing potential. The overall purpose of this thesis was to study associations of pelvic inflammatory disease and C. trachomatis with risk of epithelial ovarian tumors.Methods: In a cross-sectional study (Paper I) we collected ovarian tissue and corresponding blood samples from 69 women undergoing surgery due to suspected ovarian pathology. C. trachomatis specific protein (immunohistochemistry) and C. trachomatis DNA (qPCR) in ovarian tissue were analyzed (Paper I). In a nested case-control study (Paper II) prospective blood samples from 92 women diagnosed with high-grade serous ovarian cancer were matched to four controls each for age and date of plasma sampling. C. trachomatis specific plasma antibodies were analyzed by commercial Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) and Micro-ImmunoFluorescence (MIF) (Paper I and Paper II). We performed a nationwide register-based case-control study where we included 15 072 women diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer (Paper III), 4782 women diagnosed with borderline ovarian tumors (Paper IV), and ten controls each matched for age and residential district. Using national Swedish registers, we retrieved data on historyof pelvic inflammatory disease and the potential confounding factors parity, educational level, previous gynecological surgery, and hormonal therapy.Results: We found C. trachomatis DNA in ovarian tissue of eight women with ovarian carcinoma, but not in ovarian tissue from women with borderline ovarian tumors or benign disease (Paper I). The prevalence of the C. trachomatis specific protein did not differ in benign and malignant tissue (Paper I). Prevalence of C. trachomatis specific plasma antibodies was similar in cases and controls at diagnosis (Paper I) and prospectively (Paper II). A history of clinically verified pelvic inflammatory disease was associated with an increased risk of epithelial ovarian cancer overall (Paper III) and borderline ovarian tumors overall (Paper IV). Histotype-specific analyses showed an increased risk of serous carcinoma (Paper III), high-grade serous carcinoma (Paper III), clear cell carcinoma (Paper III), and serous borderline ovarian tumors (Paper IV) but not significantly with other histotypes. A dose-response relationship was seen between an increased number of pelvic inflammatory disease episodes and epithelial ovarian cancer (Paper III), as well as borderline ovarian tumors (Paper IV).Conclusions: This thesis contributes to an improved understanding of the association between pelvic inflammatory disease and epithelial ovarian tumors. The results regarding C. trachomatis are inconclusive and suggests that the association of pelvic inflammatory disease with epithelial ovarian tumors acts through mechanisms other than Chlamydia alone.
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| 7. |
- Paananen, Ilkka, et al.
(author)
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Functional results after orthotopic bladder substitution : a prospective multicentre study comparing four types of neobladder
- 2014
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In: Scandinavian journal of urology. - : Medical Journals Sweden AB. - 2168-1813 .- 2168-1805. ; 48:1, s. 90-98
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate enterocystometry, voiding pattern and urine leakage of four types of orthotopic bladder substitute. Material and methods: At eight urological departments, 78 consecutive men were studied: 66 with an ileal neobladder [30 Studer pouches (S), 24 Hautmann pouches (H) and 12 T-pouches (T)] and 12 with a right colonic [Goldwasser type (G)] neobladder. Enterocystometry, determination of residual urine, micturition protocol and 24 h pad weight test were performed 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Results: Colonic neobladders had higher pouch pressure at first desire, normal desire and strong desire than ileal neobladders (except at first and normal desire at 12 months) (p < 0.02) and contraction was present more often at both 6 and 12 months (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01). Compliance was good in all types of pouch. Intermittent self-catheterization was more common in H patients at 6 months (p = 0.033). All patients with colonic neobladders used pads during the day and night. In patients with ileal pouches 32% used pads during the day and 70% during the night at 12 months. Urine leakage was higher in patients with colonic bladders at 6 and 12 months during the day (mean/median of 98/31 ml and 82/16 ml versus 10/0 ml and 4/0 ml, p < 0.001). T-pouches had excellent day-time continence, but nocturnal leakage was high. Conclusions: The Hautmann pouch and the Studer pouch behaved similarly at enterocystometry and clinically, and continence was good in the majority of patients. The low number of patients with the other two types of pouch precludes definitive statements.
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| 8. |
- Pazooki, David, 1958, et al.
(author)
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Continent cutaneous urinary diversion in patients with spinal cord injury.
- 2006
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In: Spinal cord : the official journal of the International Medical Society of Paraplegia. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1362-4393. ; 44:1, s. 19-23
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: To examine the functional results and effect on quality of life of continent cutaneous urinary diversion in spinal cord injured patients. SETTING: Department of Urology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. SUBJECTS: A total of 10 patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). METHOD: The patients were operated on with an ileal reservoir (Kock reservoir or T-pouch), Cr-EDTA clearance was determined preoperatively and at follow-up. The patients answered a questionnaire concerning reservoir function, various activities and quality of life. The patient charts were reviewed. RESULTS: One patient died of pulmonary embolism 3 years after surgery. Two patients were reoperated on for reservoir perforation. All patients were satisfied/very satisfied with their reservoirs. Half of them reported improved ability to perform various activities. Eight out of nine patients reported improved quality of life. CONCLUSION: For a selected group of patients with SCI, continent cutaneous urinary diversion provides successful outcome with improved quality of life.
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| 9. |
- Pazooki, David, 1958, et al.
(author)
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Continent cutaneous urinary diversion is still a valid alternative after cystectomy for bladder carcinoma.
- 2005
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In: Scand J Urol Nephrol. - : Informa UK Limited. ; 39:6, s. 468-473
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective. We compared patient opinions concerning reservoir/bladder function as well as quality of life (QOL) after cystectomy for bladder carcinoma and continent cutaneous urinary diversion or orthotopic bladder reconstruction. Material and methods. Fifteen patients with Kock reservoirs (11 females, 4 males) and 11 men with orthotopic bladders answered the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality-of-life questionnaire-C30 as well as specially constructed questions concerning reservoir/bladder function. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was determined using Cr-EDTA or iohexol clearance. Results. Functioning and global health/QOL scales did not differ between the two groups of operated patients or between diverted patients and gender- and age-matched groups from the general population. The majority of the patients were satisfied/very satisfied with their diversion but more patients were troubled by leakage in the orthotopic bladder group than in the Kock reservoir group. The GFR was similar in the two groups. Conclusion. Continent cutaneous urinary diversion is associated with fewer leakage problems than orthotopic bladder reconstruction after cystectomy for bladder carcinoma.
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| 10. |
- Aghighi, Meysam, et al.
(author)
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Analysing Approximability and Heuristics in Planning Using the Exponential-Time Hypothesis
- 2016
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In: ECAI 2016: 22ND EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. - : IOS Press. - 9781614996712 - 9781614996729 ; , s. 184-192
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cost-optimal planning has become a very well-studied topic within planning. Needless to say, cost-optimal planning has proven to be computationally hard both theoretically and in practice. Since cost-optimal planning is an optimisation problem, it is natural to analyse it from an approximation point of view. Even though such studies may be valuable in themselves, additional motivation is provided by the fact that there is a very close link between approximability and the performance of heuristics used in heuristic search. The aim of this paper is to analyse approximability (and indirectly the performance of heuristics) with respect to lower time bounds. That is, we are not content by merely classifying problems into complexity classes - we also study their time complexity. This is achieved by replacing standard complexity-theoretic assumptions (such as P not equal NP) with the exponential time hypothesis (ETH). This enables us to analyse, for instance, the performance of the h(+) heuristic and obtain general trade-off results that correlate approximability bounds with bounds on time complexity.
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