522 research outputs found
An evaluation of preoperative CA 15-3 measurement in primary breast carcinoma.
In this study of 500 patients with breast carcinoma, we have prospectively assessed the role of preoperative CA 15-3 as a marker of disease burden over a 7 year period. CA 15-3 levels at presentation correlate with stage of disease, tumour size, lymph node status, the presence of metastases and lymphocyte infiltration into the tumour. CA 15-3 alone is not an independent prognostic indicator, although a serum level of > 40 U ml-1 has a positive predictive value of 83% for the presence of advanced disease. We recommend the routine use of this marker in the preoperative assessment of primary breast carcinoma
Green Function on the q-Symmetric Space SU_q(2)/U(1)
Following the introduction of the invariant distance on the non-commutative
C-algebra of the quantum group SU_q(2), the Green function and the Kernel on
the q-homogeneous space M=SU(2)_q/U(1) are derived. A path integration is
formulated. Green function for the free massive scalar field on the
non-commutative Einstein space R^1xM is presented.Comment: Plain Latex, 19
Randomly Evolving Idiotypic Networks: Structural Properties and Architecture
We consider a minimalistic dynamic model of the idiotypic network of
B-lymphocytes. A network node represents a population of B-lymphocytes of the
same specificity (idiotype), which is encoded by a bitstring. The links of the
network connect nodes with complementary and nearly complementary bitstrings,
allowing for a few mismatches. A node is occupied if a lymphocyte clone of the
corresponding idiotype exists, otherwise it is empty. There is a continuous
influx of new B-lymphocytes of random idiotype from the bone marrow.
B-lymphocytes are stimulated by cross-linking their receptors with
complementary structures. If there are too many complementary structures,
steric hindrance prevents cross-linking. Stimulated cells proliferate and
secrete antibodies of the same idiotype as their receptors, unstimulated
lymphocytes die.
Depending on few parameters, the autonomous system evolves randomly towards
patterns of highly organized architecture, where the nodes can be classified
into groups according to their statistical properties. We observe and describe
analytically the building principles of these patterns, which allow to
calculate number and size of the node groups and the number of links between
them. The architecture of all patterns observed so far in simulations can be
explained this way. A tool for real-time pattern identification is proposed.Comment: 19 pages, 15 figures, 4 table
Motional Squashed States
We show that by using a feedback loop it is possible to reduce the
fluctuations in one quadrature of the vibrational degree of freedom of a
trapped ion below the quantum limit. The stationary state is not a proper
squeezed state, but rather a ``squashed'' state, since the uncertainty in the
orthogonal quadrature, which is larger than the standard quantum limit, is
unaffected by the feedback action.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures, to appear in the special Issue "Quantum
Correlations and Fluctuations" of J. Opt.
Stringy Instantons and Quiver Gauge Theories
We explore contributions to the 4D effective superpotential which arise from
Euclidean D3 branes (``instantons'') that intersect space-filling D-branes.
These effects can perturb the effective field theory on the space-filling
branes by nontrivial operators composed of charged matter fields, changing the
vacuum structure in a qualitative way in some examples. Our considerations are
exemplified throughout by a careful study of a fractional brane configuration
on a del Pezzo surface.Comment: 30 pages, 4 figures; v2: reference added; v3: confusing minor error
in axion charges fixed (thanks to D. Green for pointing it out
Capillary Condensation and Interface Structure of a Model Colloid-Polymer Mixture in a Porous Medium
We consider the Asakura-Oosawa model of hard sphere colloids and ideal
polymers in contact with a porous matrix modeled by immobilized configurations
of hard spheres. For this ternary mixture a fundamental measure density
functional theory is employed, where the matrix particles are quenched and the
colloids and polymers are annealed, i.e. allowed to equilibrate. We study
capillary condensation of the mixture in a tiny sample of matrix as well as
demixing and the fluid-fluid interface inside a bulk matrix. Density profiles
normal to the interface and surface tensions are calculated and compared to the
case without matrix. Two kinds of matrices are considered: (i) colloid-sized
matrix particles at low packing fractions and (ii) large matrix particles at
high packing fractions. These two cases show fundamentally different behavior
and should both be experimentally realizable. Furthermore, we argue that
capillary condensation of a colloidal suspension could be experimentally
accessible. We find that in case (ii), even at high packing fractions, the main
effect of the matrix is to exclude volume and, to high accuracy, the results
can be mapped onto those of the same system without matrix via a simple
rescaling.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures, submitted to PR
Target Product Profile for a Machine Learning–Automated Retinal Imaging Analysis Software for Use in English Diabetic Eye Screening: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study
\ua9 2024 JMIR Publications Inc.. All rights reserved.Background: Diabetic eye screening (DES) represents a significant opportunity for the application of machine learning (ML) technologies, which may improve clinical and service outcomes. However, successful integration of ML into DES requires careful product development, evaluation, and implementation. Target product profiles (TPPs) summarize the requirements necessary for successful implementation so these can guide product development and evaluation. Objective: This study aims to produce a TPP for an ML-automated retinal imaging analysis software (ML-ARIAS) system for use in DES in England. Methods: This work will consist of 3 phases. Phase 1 will establish the characteristics to be addressed in the TPP. A list of candidate characteristics will be generated from the following sources: an overview of systematic reviews of diagnostic test TPPs; a systematic review of digital health TPPs; and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s Evidence Standards Framework for Digital Health Technologies. The list of characteristics will be refined and validated by a study advisory group (SAG) made up of representatives from key stakeholders in DES. This includes people with diabetes; health care professionals; health care managers and leaders; and regulators and policy makers. In phase 2, specifications for these characteristics will be drafted following a series of semistructured interviews with participants from these stakeholder groups. Data collected from these interviews will be analyzed using the shortlist of characteristics as a framework, after which specifications will be drafted to create a draft TPP. Following approval by the SAG, in phase 3, the draft will enter an internet-based Delphi consensus study with participants sought from the groups previously identified, as well as ML-ARIAS developers, to ensure feasibility. Participants will be invited to score characteristic and specification pairs on a scale from “definitely exclude” to “definitely include,” and suggest edits. The document will be iterated between rounds based on participants’ feedback. Feedback on the draft document will be sought from a group of ML-ARIAS developers before its final contents are agreed upon in an in-person consensus meeting. At this meeting, representatives from the stakeholder groups previously identified (minus ML-ARIAS developers, to avoid bias) will be presented with the Delphi results and feedback of the user group and asked to agree on the final contents by vote. Results: Phase 1 was completed in November 2023. Phase 2 is underway and expected to finish in March 2024. Phase 3 is expected to be complete in July 2024. Conclusions: The multistakeholder development of a TPP for an ML-ARIAS for use in DES in England will help developers produce tools that serve the needs of patients, health care providers, and their staff. The TPP development process will also provide methods and a template to produce similar documents in other disease areas
Laparoscopic completely extraperitoneal repair of inguinal hernia in children: a single-institute experience with 1,257 repairs compared with cut-down herniorrhaphy
Psychological distress in newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients following microsatellite instability testing for Lynch syndrome on the pathologist’s initiative
According to the Dutch Guideline on Hereditary Colorectal Cancer published in 2008, patients with recently diagnosed colorectal cancer (CRC) should undergo microsatellite instability (MSI) testing by a pathologist immediately after tumour resection if they are younger than 50 years, or if a second CRC has been diagnosed before the age of 70 years, owing to the high risk of Lynch syndrome (MIPA). The aim of the present MIPAPS study was to investigate general distress and cancer-specific distress following MSI testing. From March 2007 to September 2009, 400 patients who had been tested for MSI after newly diagnosed CRC were recruited from 30 Dutch hospitals. Levels of general distress (SCL-90) and cancer-specific distress (IES) were assessed immediately after MSI result disclosure (T1) and 6 months later (T2). Response rates were 23/77 (30%) in the MSI-positive patients and 58/323 (18%) in the MSI-negative patients. Levels of general distress and cancer-specific distress were moderate. In the MSI-positive group, 27% of the patients had high general distress at T1 versus 18% at T2 (p = 0.5), whereas in the MSI-negative group, these percentage were 14 and 18% (p = 0.6), respectively. At T1 and T2, cancer-specific distress rates in the MSI-positive group and MSI-negative group were 39 versus 27% (p = 0.3) and 38 versus 36% (p = 1.0), respectively. High levels of general distress were correlated with female gender, low social support and high perceived cancer risk. Moderate levels of distress were observed after MSI testing, similar to those found in other patients diagnosed with CRC. Immediately after result disclosure, high cancer-specific distress was observed in 40% of the MSI-positive patients
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