Which interval is most crucial to presentation and survival in gastroesophageal cancer: a systematic review

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the most crucial interval to encourage earlier diagnosis in with gastroesophageal cancer and to identify potential factors effecting this interval. Background: Gastroesophageal malignancy is the eighth most commonly presenting cancer with one of the worst survival rates. Identifying the most crucial period for intervention to inform earlier diagnosis is an important step towards improving survival. Design: Mixed methods literature review. Data Sources: CINAHL, MEDLINE and Academic search primer online databases were searched using keywords and inclusion/exclusion criteria. Empirical evidence published between 2000–2016 with a focus on gastroesophageal cancer presentation and survival was reviewed to inform this study. Review methods: Twelve studies were extracted for further review. Selected studies were appraised and presented through Olensen's “delay interval” framework to inform the most crucial interval to survival in gastroesophageal cancer. Results: The findings identify the patient interval as the most critical period for encouraging earlier presentation and reducing advanced stage presentation in gastroesophageal cancer. The article also highlighted some methodological limitations to cancer research, such as a lack of consensus in definitions which prevent statistical meta-analysis of cancer data, survivor bias in gastroesophageal cancer studies and a significant lack of qualitative evidence to reveal patient experience in presenting with this cancer. Conclusion: Further research into the patient interval is required to elicit information on how and why patients present with their cancer symptoms

Analysis of interactive fixed effects dynamic linear panel regression with measurement error

This paper studies a simple dynamic panel linear regression model with interactive fixed effects in which the variable of interest is measured with error. To estimate the dynamic coefficient, we consider the least-squares minimum distance (LS-MD) estimation method.

Loss of Control In-Flight (LOC-I): A Mixed Methods Study of Voluntary Versus Mandatory Reports from the United States of America

Loss of control in flight (LOC-I) is one of modern aviation’s three most prominent fatal accidents. In the United States, air accidents are mandatorily reported to and investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Established in 1976, the Air Safety Reporting System (ASRS) is a voluntary safety reporting (VSR) system administered by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Over 1.7 million ASRS reports have been processed to date. While the NTSB system handles LOC-I accidents, less severe incidents may have been reported voluntarily through the ASRS. Safety reporting has been deemed the most valuable activity and the centerpiece of safety data collection for safety management systems (SMS). Both mandatory and voluntary safety reports (VSRs) are essential sources of SMS for safety assurance and risk management. Based on the age-old Heinrich’s common cause hypothesis, mitigating hazards identified in low-severity safety reports, such as voluntary safety reporting (VSR) programs, would prevent more severe events such as fatal accidents. This mixed methods study aims to determine whether normalized rates of LOC-I hazards identified by NASA, named Belcastro LOC-I Hazards, differ collectively or v individually across mandatory and voluntary safety reports in the United States, represented by NTSB and ASRS reports. The quantitative part dominates this study. LOC-I safety reports were obtained from searches performed on already classified cases by the administrators of the databases, and by augmented search based on the LOC-I precursors keyword search used by Belcastro et al. (2017). A total of 12,432 safety reports from 2004 to 2020 were analyzed. The research results suggested that the Belcastro LOC-I Hazard rates were statistically different at the multivariate level across the four safety report groups for both commercial and general aviation. Out of the eight Belcastro LOC-I Hazards, five in general aviation and seven in commercial aviation displayed univariate differences. A cursory review of the narratives of the reports also suggested that the textual reports related to the Belcastro LOC-I Hazards were contextually different across the groups. These findings provided insights: firstly, ASRS was a credible source in identifying some, but not all, hazards leading to LOC-I accidents; secondly, the augmented search would enrich intelligence gained from the ASRS database for some LOC-I hazards; and, thirdly, the validity of Heinrich’s common cause hypothesis was not generally supported. While the NTSB system and investigations are more formalized, the research results suggested that ASRS safety reports are still effective in identifying some Belcastro LOC-I Hazards. This point is especially relevant in situations when accident data is limited. This research pointed to the need for a targeted approach, rather than one-sizefits- all, when using safety reporting databases. Before interrogating the data, practitioners should understand the precursors of the hazard to be analyzed, and the strengths and weaknesses of the associated safety reporting system. This awareness will enable safety vi professionals to calibrate, interpret, and supplement the data appropriately, resulting in more effective safety mitigations

Exploring Personal Boundaries: Sensuality/Sexuality

ABSTRACT This work is about my perception of the sensual form. These ceramic sculptures are meant to interact with the audience through internal thoughts and feelings without the impression of \u27things\u27 that objectify the body. There is a part of my work that is manifest through the viewer as voyeur, but my intent is not to be so explicit in that manner. Contrary to this, I am attempting to deliver a tactile approach to perceive sensuality through forms that provoke sensual pleasure. It provides a counterpoint to how we might reconsider what is sensual to what is sexual by investigating our internal thoughts and emotions rather than the preconceived objects of the body. Through an exploration of the physiological body, I have investigated the idea of vulnerability as a \u27bodily\u27 experience that has continued to reveal itself innately through the use of my materials. Vulnerability also appears in my work as a condition of discomfort and anxiety when the viewer is confronted with imagery that is sexually suggestive. I am suggesting that the viewer determine their personal boundaries between sexuality and sensuality while negotiating conditioned inhibitions

EVALUATION OF SELECTED FRESH VEGETABLE TERMINAL MARKETS: A STOCHASTIC DOMINANCE APPROACH

Vegetable production can offer a high-valued cash crop alternative. While returns may be high, vegetables are perceived to have more risk than conventional row crops. This study used stochastic dominance analysis to evaluate terminal market price risk for four vegetable crops across five market locations. Results from the analysis identify differences in efficient market selection depending on the form which price risk follows. While vegetables as a whole are considered risky, substantial differences in the type of terminal market price variability existed between the commodities.Crop Production/Industries,

Inference for VARs identified with sign restrictions

There is a fast growing literature that partially identifies structural vector autoregressions (SVARs) by imposing sign restrictions on the responses of a subset of the endogenous variables to a particular structural shock (sign-restricted SVARs). To date, the methods that have been used are only justified from a Bayesian perspective. This paper develops methods of constructing error bands for impulse response functions of sign-restricted SVARs that are valid from a frequentist perspective. The authors also provide a comparison of frequentist and Bayesian error bands in the context of an empirical application — the former can be twice as wide as the latter.Vector autoregression ; Econometric models

A new approach for shaping of dual-reflector antennas

The shaping of 2-D dual-reflector antenna systems to generate a prescribed distribution with uniform phase at the aperture of the second reflector is examined. This method is based on the geometrical nature of Cassegrain and Gregorian dual-reflector antennas. The method of syntheses satisfies the principles of geometrical optics which are the foundations of dual-reflector designs. Instead of setting up differential equations or heuristically designing the subreflector, a set of algebraic equations is formulated and solved numerically to obtain the desired surfaces. The caustics of the reflected rays from the subreflector can be obtained and examined. Several examples of 2-D dual-reflector shaping are shown to validate the study. Geometrical optics and physical optics are used to calculate the scattered fields from the reflectors

A study of the function of the Family Society as a marriage counseling agency.

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston Universit