194preal life utilization of genomic testing for invasive breast cancer patients in italy and france reduces chemotherapy recommendations

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Exact Histogram Specification Optimized for Structural Similarity

An exact histogram specification (EHS) method modifies its input image to have a specified histogram. Applications of EHS include image (contrast) enhancement (e.g., by histogram equalization) and histogram watermarking. Performing EHS on an image, however, reduces its visual quality. Starting from the output of a generic EHS method, we maximize the structural similarity index (SSIM) between the original image (before EHS) and the result of EHS iteratively. Essential in this process is the computationally simple and accurate formula we derive for SSIM gradient. As it is based on gradient ascent, the proposed EHS always converges. Experimental results confirm that while obtaining the histogram exactly as specified, the proposed method invariably outperforms the existing methods in terms of visual quality of the result. The computational complexity of the proposed method is shown to be of the same order as that of the existing methods. Index terms: histogram modification, histogram equalization, optimization for perceptual visual quality, structural similarity gradient ascent, histogram watermarking, contrast enhancement

Hyperon Polarization in the Constituent Quark Model

We consider mechanism for hyperon polarization in inclusive production. The main role belongs to the orbital angular momentum and polarization of the strange quark-antiquark pairs in the internal structure of the constituent quarks. We consider a nucleon as a core consisting of the constituent quarks embedded into quark condensate. The nonperturbative hadron structure is based on the results of chiral quark models.Comment: 14 pages, LaTeX, 2 Figures, References adde

Environmental Costs of Government-Sponsored Agrarian Settlements in Brazilian Amazonia

Brazil has presided over the most comprehensive agrarian reform frontier colonization program on Earth, in which ~1.2 million settlers have been translocated by successive governments since the 1970's, mostly into forested hinterlands of Brazilian Amazonia. These settlements encompass 5.3% of this ~5 million km2 region, but have contributed with 13.5% of all land conversion into agropastoral land uses. The Brazilian Federal Agrarian Agency (INCRA) has repeatedly claimed that deforestation in these areas largely predates the sanctioned arrival of new settlers. Here, we quantify rates of natural vegetation conversion across 1911 agrarian settlements allocated to 568 Amazonian counties and compare fire incidence and deforestation rates before and after the official occupation of settlements by migrant farmers. The timing and spatial distribution of deforestation and fires in our analysis provides irrefutable chronological and spatially explicit evidence of agropastoral conversion both inside and immediately outside agrarian settlements over the last decade. Deforestation rates are strongly related to local human population density and road access to regional markets. Agrarian settlements consistently accelerated rates of deforestation and fires, compared to neighboring areas outside settlements, but within the same counties. Relocated smallholders allocated to forest areas undoubtedly operate as pivotal agents of deforestation, and most of the forest clearance occurs in the aftermath of government-induced migration

First Observation of Self-Amplified Spontaneous Emission in a Free-Electron Laser at 109 nm Wavelength

We present the first observation of Self-Amplified Spontaneous Emission (SASE) in a free-electron laser (FEL) in the Vacuum Ultraviolet regime at 109 nm wavelength (11 eV). The observed free-electron laser gain (approx. 3000) and the radiation characteristics, such as dependency on bunch charge, angular distribution, spectral width and intensity fluctuations all corroborate the existing models for SASE FELs.Comment: 6 pages including 6 figures; e-mail: [email protected]

The Spin Structure of the Nucleon

We present an overview of recent experimental and theoretical advances in our understanding of the spin structure of protons and neutrons.Comment: 84 pages, 29 figure

Hyperon polarization and single spin left-right asymmetry in inclusive production processes at high energies

It is shown that the polarization of hyperons observed in high energy collisions using unpolarized hadron beams and unpolarized nucleon or nuclear targets is closely related to the left-right asymmetries observed in single spin inclusive hadron production processes. The relationship is most obvious for the production of the hyperons which have only one common valence quark with the projectile. Examples of this kind are given. Further implications of the existence of large polarization for hyperon which has two valence quarks in common with the projectile and their consequences are discussed. A comparison with the available data is made. Further tests are suggested.Comment: REVTeX, 12 pages, 2 figures embedde

Phase II study of a triplet regimen in advanced colorectal cancer using methotrexate, oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil

Building upon the concept of schedule-specific biochemical modulation of 5-fluorouracil (FU), which alternates bolus and continuous infusion (CI) FU, we have incorporated oxaliplatin (l-OHP) following the bolus part of the regimen to explore the activity of this new combination. Patients with advanced, untreated, measurable colorectal cancer received sequential methotrexate (MTX) (days 1 and 15)-->l-OHP+FU (days 2 and 16) (200, 85 and 600 mg m(-2), respectively) followed by 3 weeks of CI FU (200 mg m(-2) day(-1)) given from day 29 to 50, modulated by weekly leucovorin (LV) (20 mg m(-2)). After 1 week of rest, the second cycle was started. The treatment was continued until progression or patient's refusal. According to the intention-to-treat analysis on all 46 patients accrued, the response rate was 42% (95% CL=28-55%), with three complete responses and 16 partial responses. The median overall survival was 15.9 months and the median progression-free survival 6.9 months. Toxicity was very mild, with the bolus part of the regimen more toxic than the infusional part (24 vs 7% of grade III-IV, respectively). This new combination of MTX -->l-OHP-FU followed by FU CI is well tolerated, feasible and produces activity results similar to other more simple, but more toxic, regimens. Pros and cons of the different fluoropyrimidines-l-OHP combinations are discussed