87 research outputs found
Deformation of canonical morphisms and the moduli of surfaces of general type
In this article we study the deformation of finite maps and show how to use
this deformation theory to construct varieties with given invariants in a
projective space. Among other things, we prove a criterion that determines when
a finite map can be deformed to a one--to--one map. We use this criterion to
construct new simple canonical surfaces with different and . Our
general results enable us to describe some new components of the moduli of
surfaces of general type. We also find infinitely many moduli spaces having one component whose general point corresponds to a
canonically embedded surface and another component whose general point
corresponds to a surface whose canonical map is a degree 2 morphism.Comment: 32 pages. Final version with some simplifications and clarifications
in the exposition. To appear in Invent. Math. (the final publication is
available at springerlink.com
Effect of the hardener to epoxy monomer ratio on the water absorption behavior of the DGEBA/TETA epoxy system
Diagnosing mucopolysaccharidosis IVA
Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (MPS IVA; Morquio A syndrome) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder resulting from a deficiency of N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS) activity. Diagnosis can be challenging and requires agreement of clinical, radiographic, and laboratory findings. A group of biochemical genetics laboratory directors and clinicians involved in the diagnosis of MPS IVA, convened by BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., met to develop recommendations for diagnosis. The following conclusions were reached. Due to the wide variation and subtleties of radiographic findings, imaging of multiple body regions is recommended. Urinary glycosaminoglycan analysis is particularly problematic for MPS IVA and it is strongly recommended to proceed to enzyme activity testing even if urine appears normal when there is clinical suspicion of MPS IVA. Enzyme activity testing of GALNS is essential in diagnosing MPS IVA. Additional analyses to confirm sample integrity and rule out MPS IVB, multiple sulfatase deficiency, and mucolipidoses types II/III are critical as part of enzyme activity testing. Leukocytes or cultured dermal fibroblasts are strongly recommended for enzyme activity testing to confirm screening results. Molecular testing may also be used to confirm the diagnosis in many patients. However, two known or probable causative mutations may not be identified in all cases of MPS IVA. A diagnostic testing algorithm is presented which attempts to streamline this complex testing process
Quality Measures for the Diagnosis and Non-Operative Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Occupational Settings
Introduction: Providing higher quality medical care to workers with occupationally associated carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) may reduce disability, facilitate return to work, and lower the associated costs. Although many workers’ compensation systems have adopted treatment guidelines to reduce the overuse of unnecessary care, limited attention has been paid to ensuring that the care workers do receive is high quality. Further, guidelines are not designed to enable objective assessments of quality of care. This study sought to develop quality measures for the diagnostic evaluation and non-operative management of CTS, including managing occupational activities and functional limitations. Methods: Using a variation of the well-established RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method, we developed draft quality measures using guidelines and literature reviews. Next, in a two-round modified-Delphi process, a multidisciplinary panel of 11 U.S. experts in CTS rated the measures on validity and feasibility. Results: Of 40 draft measures, experts rated 31 (78%) valid and feasible. Nine measures pertained to diagnostic evaluation, such as assessing symptoms, signs, and risk factors. Eleven pertain to non-operative treatments, such as the use of splints, steroid injections, and medications. Eleven others address assessing the association between symptoms and work, managing occupational activities, and accommodating functional limitations. Conclusions: These measures will complement existing treatment guidelines by enabling providers, payers, policymakers, and researchers to assess quality of care for CTS in an objective, structured manner. Given the characteristics of previous measures developed with these methods, greater adherence to these measures will probably lead to improved patient outcomes at a population level
The impact of nurse-driven targeted HIV screening in 8 emergency departments: study protocol for the DICI-VIH cluster-randomized two-period crossover trial
Alzheimer's disease in Brazilian elderly has a relation with homocysteine but not with MTHFR polymorphisms
Worldwide trends in population-based survival for children, adolescents, and young adults diagnosed with leukaemia, by subtype, during 2000–14 (CONCORD-3) : analysis of individual data from 258 cancer registries in 61 countries
Background Leukaemias comprise a heterogenous group of haematological malignancies. In CONCORD-3, we analysed
data for children (aged 0–14 years) and adults (aged 15–99 years) diagnosed with a haematological malignancy
during 2000–14 in 61 countries. Here, we aimed to examine worldwide trends in survival from leukaemia, by age and
morphology, in young patients (aged 0–24 years).
Methods We analysed data from 258 population-based cancer registries in 61 countries participating in CONCORD-3
that submitted data on patients diagnosed with leukaemia. We grouped patients by age as children (0–14 years),
adolescents (15–19 years), and young adults (20–24 years). We categorised leukaemia subtypes according to the
International Classification of Childhood Cancer (ICCC-3), updated with International Classification of Diseases
for Oncology, third edition (ICD-O-3) codes. We estimated 5-year net survival by age and morphology, with 95% CIs,
using the non-parametric Pohar-Perme estimator. To control for background mortality, we used life tables by
country or region, single year of age, single calendar year and sex, and, where possible, by race or ethnicity. All-age
survival estimates were standardised to the marginal distribution of young people with leukaemia included in the
analysis.
Findings 164563 young people were included in this analysis: 121328 (73·7%) children, 22963 (14·0%) adolescents, and
20272 (12·3%) young adults. In 2010–14, the most common subtypes were lymphoid leukaemia (28205 [68·2%] patients)
and acute myeloid leukaemia (7863 [19·0%] patients). Age-standardised 5-year net survival in children, adolescents, and
young adults for all leukaemias combined during 2010–14 varied widely, ranging from 46% in Mexico to more than
85% in Canada, Cyprus, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, and Australia. Individuals with lymphoid leukaemia had better
age-standardised survival (from 43% in Ecuador to ≥80% in parts of Europe, North America, Oceania, and Asia) than
those with acute myeloid leukaemia (from 32% in Peru to ≥70% in most high-income countries in Europe,
North America, and Oceania). Throughout 2000–14, survival from all leukaemias combined remained consistently
higher for children than adolescents and young adults, and minimal improvement was seen for adolescents and young
adults in most countries.
Interpretation This study offers the first worldwide picture of population-based survival from leukaemia in children,
adolescents, and young adults. Adolescents and young adults diagnosed with leukaemia continue to have lower
survival than children. Trends in survival from leukaemia for adolescents and young adults are important indicators
of the quality of cancer management in this age group.peer-reviewe
Global survival trends for brain tumors, by histology: analysis of individual records for 556,237 adults diagnosed in 59 countries during 2000–2014 (CONCORD-3)
Background:
Survival is a key metric of the effectiveness of a health system in managing cancer. We set out to provide a comprehensive examination of worldwide variation and trends in survival from brain tumors in adults, by histology.
Methods:
We analyzed individual data for adults (15–99 years) diagnosed with a brain tumor (ICD-O-3 topography code C71) during 2000–2014, regardless of tumor behavior. Data underwent a 3-phase quality control as part of CONCORD-3. We estimated net survival for 11 histology groups, using the unbiased nonparametric Pohar Perme estimator.
Results:
The study included 556,237 adults. In 2010–2014, the global range in age-standardized 5-year net survival for the most common sub-types was broad: in the range 20%–38% for diffuse and anaplastic astrocytoma, from 4% to 17% for glioblastoma, and between 32% and 69% for oligodendroglioma. For patients with glioblastoma, the largest gains in survival occurred between 2000–2004 and 2005–2009. These improvements were more noticeable among adults diagnosed aged 40–70 years than among younger adults.
Conclusions:
To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the largest account to date of global trends in population-based survival for brain tumors by histology in adults. We have highlighted remarkable gains in 5-year survival from glioblastoma since 2005, providing large-scale empirical evidence on the uptake of chemoradiation at population level. Worldwide, survival improvements have been extensive, but some countries still lag behind. Our findings may help clinicians involved in national and international tumor pathway boards to promote initiatives aimed at more extensive implementation of clinical guidelines
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Racial and Gender Discrimination by Teachers: Risks for Black Girls’ Depressive Symptomatology and Suicidal Ideation
ObjectivesThe present study examines how race and gender-specific factors (i.e., racial centrality and gender role beliefs) serve as protective assets against the harmful impact of racial and gender discrimination on depressive symptomatology and suicidal ideation for Black girls.MethodOur sample included 232 Black girls ages 15-17 years old (Mage = 16.85) from a socioeconomically diverse community context.ResultsOur findings revealed that racial and gender discrimination from teachers was associated with higher levels of depressive symptomatology. Perceived gender discrimination by teachers and endorsing traditional gender role beliefs were associated with higher reports of suicidal ideation. Perceiving higher instances of racial discrimination from teachers and reporting lower levels of racial centrality were associated with higher depressive symptomatology.ConclusionsThe findings suggest the need to create safe spaces and to consider the interactions that occur in school settings that impact the mental health of Black girls. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
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