Data Handling in EU-SILC

This report aims to assist researchers who conduct analysis on the basis of the European Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC). The main objective is to explain the structure of the EU-SILC data and aid researchers in compiling information from the different data files. To this aim, the report includes a number of practical examples which explain how to merge the different files and how to aggregate information from different levels of analysis. All practical examples include code for both SPSS and Stata which can be used or customized to construct data files for different types of analyses. The primary target audience of this report is quantitative researchers with little experience with complex datasets. However it might also prove useful to more experienced analysts unfamiliar with the specifics of the EU-SILC

The spectral-curvature parameter: an alternative tool for the analysis of synchrotron spectra

The so-called Spectral Curvature Parameter(SCP), when plotted versus the high-frequency spectral index ($alpha_{high}$) of synchrotron sources, provides crucial parameters on the continuum spectrum of synchrotron radiation without the more complex modeling of spectral ageing scenarios. An important merit of the SCP-$alpha$ diagram is the enhanced reliability of extracting multiple injection spectra, $alpha_{inj}$. Different from the colour-colour diagram, tracks of different $alpha_{inj}$s, especially when the synchrotron particles are young, exhibit less overlap and less smearing in the SCP-$alpha$ diagram. Three giant radio galaxies(GRGs) and a sample of Compact steep spectrum(CSS) souces are presented. GRGs exhibit asymmetries of their injection spectral indices $alpha_{inj}$ in the SCP-$alpha_{high}$ diagram. The obtained $alpha_{inj}$s and the trends in the sources are cross-checked with the literature and show remarkable confidence. Besides the spectral steepening, spectral flattening is prominent in the radio lobes. The spectral flattening is a clue to efficient re-acceleration processes in the lobes. It implies interaction with the surrounding intergalactic or intra-cluster medium is an important characteristic of GRGs. In the SW lobe of DA240, there is a clear sign of CI and KP/JP bifurcation at the source extremity. This indicates a highly relativistic energy transportation from the core or in situ acceleration in this typical FR I lobe. Our analysis proves, if exists, KP spectra imply the existence of strong $B_{sync}$ field with $B_{sync} > B_{CMB}$. In the CSS sources, our result confirms the CI model and $B_{sync} >> B_{CMB}$. The synchrotron self-absorption is significant in the CSS sample.Comment: to be published in A&

Harmonization of Income Data in EU-SILC

This report is intended to provide an overview of income measures employed in the EU-SILC and to inform on procedures which can be employed to harmonize these data both for comparisons over time and between countries. Each subsection provides a short overview over a topic or method and contains example code for Stata and SPSS which can be used to implement the described procedures. Alongside this report syntax files as well as a data files for both SPSS and Stata are delivered which include the code provided here as well auxiliary country level data drawn from the Eurostat database

Hypofractionated SBRT versus conventionally fractionated EBRT for prostate cancer: comparison of PSA slope and nadir.

BackgroundPatients with early stage prostate cancer have a variety of curative radiotherapy options, including conventionally-fractionated external beam radiotherapy (CF-EBRT) and hypofractionated stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). Although results of CF-EBRT are well known, the use of SBRT for prostate cancer is a more recent development, and long-term follow-up is not yet available. However, rapid post-treatment PSA decline and low PSA nadir have been linked to improved clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to compare the PSA kinetics between CF-EBRT and SBRT in newly diagnosed localized prostate cancer.Materials/methods75 patients with low to low-intermediate risk prostate cancer (T1-T2; GS 3 + 3, PSA < 20 or 3 + 4, PSA < 15) treated without hormones with CF-EBRT (>70.2 Gy, <76 Gy) to the prostate only, were identified from a prospectively collected cohort of patients treated at the University of California, San Francisco (1997-2012). Patients were excluded if they failed therapy by the Phoenix definition or had less than 1 year of follow-up or <3 PSAs. 43 patients who were treated with SBRT to the prostate to 38 Gy in 4 daily fractions also met the same criteria. PSA nadir and rate of change in PSA over time (slope) were calculated from the completion of RT to 1, 2 and 3 years post-RT.ResultsThe median PSA nadir and slope for CF-EBRT was 1.00, 0.72 and 0.60 ng/ml and -0.09, -0.04, -0.02 ng/ml/month, respectively, for durations of 1, 2 and 3 years post RT. Similarly, for SBRT, the median PSA nadirs and slopes were 0.70, 0.40, 0.24 ng and -0.09, -0.06, -0.05 ng/ml/month, respectively. The PSA slope for SBRT was greater than CF-EBRT (p < 0.05) at 2 and 3 years following RT, although similar during the first year. Similarly, PSA nadir was significantly lower for SBRT when compared to EBRT for years 2 and 3 (p < 0.005).ConclusionPatients treated with SBRT experienced a lower PSA nadir and greater rate of decline in PSA 2 and 3 years following completion of RT than with CF-EBRT, consistent with delivery of a higher bioequivalent dose. Although follow-up for SBRT is limited, the improved PSA kinetics over CF-EBRT are promising for improved biochemical control

Harmonization of Income Data in EU-SILC: Update of GESIS Paper 2015/18

This report is intended to provide an overview of income measures employed in the EU-SILC and to inform on procedures which can be employed to harmonize these data both for comparisons over time and between countries. Each subsection provides a short overview over a topic or meth-od and contains example code for Stata and SPSS which can be used to implement the described procedures. Alongside this report syntax files as well as a data files for both SPSS and Stata are delivered which include the code provided here as well auxiliary country level data drawn from the Eurostat database1. In this updated version, an extended appendix is included that explains how to generate and replicate these files in more detail

Anonymized EU-LFS Microdata for Research: Background, Resources, and Introduction to Data Handling

This report is intended to aid researchers working with the European Labour Force Survey, which Eurostat disseminates in anonymized form to accredited researchers. The report seeks to fulfil three objectives: Firstly, to provide an overview of the scope of the survey and it’s potential for scientific inquiry. Secondly, to review the wide array of resources made available by Eurostat and the services provided by GESIS and provide links for further reading. And finally, to instruct on the use of the microdata by outlining the data structure, the different identifiers and how these can be used for analyses at the household level and to study individuals over multiple quarters. To this aim the report includes a num- ber of illustrated examples alongside Stata code. These examples are mainly intended for researchers with little experience with complex data files, they can also be useful to experienced researchers as they highlight some of the key features of the EU-LFS microdata

Light-Activatable Nucleic Acids 'Caged' at the Nucleobases

The attachment of photolabile groups to biologically active molecules offers a very versatile way to put a biological effect under the control of an external trigger signal and thus confers spatiotemporal and dose control to this effect. Over the last years we have prepared a number of oligonucleotide derivatives that are modified in such a way. These derivatives are usually referred to as 'caged compounds' and in particular our photolabile 'caging groups' are located at the nucleobases of oligonucleotides so that the Watson–Crick interaction is temporarily impossible. Thus several nucleic acid-based applications have now become controllable with light

Keratin 8 expression in head and neck epithelia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The intermediate filament forming protein keratin 8 (K8) is a tumour-associated antigen, which was shown to be over-expressed in a variety of malignancies. Here, we present a study of K8 expression in squamous epithelia of the head and neck area, including normal mucosa, hyperplastic and dysplastic leukoplakia, carcinomas of different sub-localisations, and lymph node metastases.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>K8 expression was assessed upon immunohistochemistry with specific antibodies in cryosections of primary tumours of the head and neck area.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>K8 expression was characteristic of transformed tissue and marked early stages of disease, <it>i.e. </it>dysplastic oral leukoplakia, but not normal or hyperplastic epithelium. With the exception of carcinomas of the larynx and the tongue, K8 expression also strictly differentiated carcinomas from normal epithelium of the same origin. Furthermore, K8^highwas characteristic of cells, which had detached from the sites of primary tumours and had been invading the surrounding tissue at the time point of surgery.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>K8 is an excellent marker for head and neck malignancies, which allows for early detection as well as for visualisation of potentially disseminating tumour cells <it>in vivo</it>.</p

Improving plan quality and consistency by standardization of dose constraints in prostate cancer patients treated with CyberKnife.

Treatment plans for prostate cancer patients undergoing stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) are often challenging due to the proximity of organs at risk. Today, there are no objective criteria to determine whether an optimal treatment plan has been achieved, and physicians rely on their personal experience to evaluate the plan's quality. In this study, we propose a method for determining rectal and bladder dose constraints achievable for a given patient's anatomy. We expect that this method will improve the overall plan quality and consistency, and facilitate comparison of clinical outcomes across different institutions. The 3D proximity of the organs at risk to the target is quantified by means of the expansion-intersection volume (EIV), which is defined as the intersection volume between the target and the organ at risk expanded by 5 mm. We determine a relationship between EIV and relevant dosimetric parameters, such as the volume of bladder and rectum receiving 75% of the prescription dose (V75%). This relationship can be used to establish institution-specific criteria to guide the treatment planning and evaluation process. A database of 25 prostate patients treated with CyberKnife SBRT is used to validate this approach. There is a linear correlation between EIV and V75% of bladder and rectum, confirming that the dose delivered to rectum and bladder increases with increasing extension and proximity of these organs to the target. This information can be used during the planning stage to facilitate the plan optimization process, and to standardize plan quality and consistency. We have developed a method for determining customized dose constraints for prostate patients treated with robotic SBRT. Although the results are technology specific and based on the experience of a single institution, we expect that the application of this method by other institutions will result in improved standardization of clinical practice