101 research outputs found
Linearized inverse scattering based on seismic Reverse Time Migration
In this paper we study the linearized inverse problem associated with imaging
of reflection seismic data. We introduce an inverse scattering transform
derived from reverse-time migration (RTM). In the process, the explicit
evaluation of the so-called normal operator is avoided, while other
differential and pseudodifferential operator factors are introduced. We prove
that, under certain conditions, the transform yields a partial inverse, and
support this with numerical simulations. In addition, we explain the recently
discussed 'low-frequency artifacts' in RTM, which are naturally removed by the
new method
Reliable change in neuropsychological assessment of breast cancer survivors
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this study was to enhance the current understanding and interpretation of longitudinal change on tests of neurocognitive function in individuals with cancer. Scores on standard neuropsychological instruments may be impacted by practice effects and other random forms of error.
METHODS:
The current study assessed the test-retest reliability of several tests and overarching cognitive domains comprising a neurocognitive battery typical of those used for research and clinical evaluation using relevant time frames. Practice effect-adjusted reliable change confidence intervals for test-retest difference scores based on a sample of patient-matched healthy controls are provided.
RESULTS:
By applying reliable change confidence intervals to scores from two samples of breast cancer patients at post-treatment follow-up assessment, meaningful levels of detectable change in cognitive functioning in breast cancer survivors were ascertained and indicate that standardized neuropsychological instruments may be subject to limitations in detection of subtle cognitive dysfunction over clinically relevant intervals, especially in patient samples with average to above average range baseline functioning.
CONCLUSIONS:
These results are discussed in relation to reported prevalence of cognitive change in breast cancer patients along with recommendations for study designs that enhance detection of treatment effects
Relating Natural Language Text to Musical Passages
There is a vast body of musicological literature containing detailed analyses of musical works. These texts make frequent references to musical passages in scores by means of natural language phrases. Our long- term aim is to investigate whether these phrases can be linked automatically to the musical passages to which they refer. As a first step, we have organised for two years running a shared evaluation in which participants must develop software to identify passages in a MusicXML score based on a short noun phrase in English. In this paper, we present the rationale for this work, discuss the kind of references to musical passages which can occur in actual scholarly texts, describe the first two years of the evaluation and finally appraise the results to establish what progress we have made
Canine pseudopregnancy: an evaluation of prevalence and current treatment protocols in the UK
Background: There is a dearth of literature on pseudopregnancy in the bitch, with only a few treatment-based
studies published since the 1990s. Pseudopregnancy may be under-recognised in bitches and may account for a
proportion of behavioural cases seen in veterinary practices including aggression. Little is known about commonly
used treatments for overtly pseudopregnant bitches and it is possible that current regimes may not be prescribed
for a sufficient duration to control any clinical signs including, physical and behavioural changes. To investigate
current trends in diagnosis and treatment of canine pseudopregnancy, a postal survey was sent to 2000 randomly
selected veterinary surgeons in UK veterinary practices. The questionnaire queried how often vets recognise cases
of pseudopregnancy in spayed and entire bitches, which physical or behavioural signs are commonly recognised
for diagnosis, and which management or treatment protocols are used.
Results: The response rate was 19.8% (397/2000). Ninety-six percent of veterinary surgeons reported seeing
pseudopregnant bitches showing behavioural changes without any physical changes within the last 12 months.
Of those behavioural changes, collecting and mothering objects was the most frequently reported behavioural
sign (96%). Ninety-seven percent of vets had seen aggression in pseudopregnant bitches. Nevertheless, only 52%
of vets routinely asked owners about behavioural changes during consultations. Forty-nine percent of respondents
reported seeing pseudopregnancy in spayed bitches. The most commonly reported physical sign was enlarged
mammary glands and/or milk production (89%). Treatment options varied (surgical, medical or none) and depended on
duration and severity of physical and behavioural signs, ownersâ preference, cost, concurrent disease, drug availability
and previous history.
Conclusions: This is the largest epidemiological study of canine pseudopregnancy in the UK. The prevalence and
severity of clinical signs in dogs with pseudopregnancy are variable and possibly under-estimated. Dogs with overt
pseudopregnancy experience diverse physical and behavioural changes and information on standard treatment
protocols are lacking. Although, progress on our understanding of diagnosis and treatment of pseudopregnancy in
spayed and entire bitches has been made, further studies are warranted
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Epigenetic aging in older breast cancer survivors and noncancer controls: preliminary findings from the Thinking and Living with Cancer Study.
BACKGROUND: Cancer and its treatments may accelerate aging in survivors; however, research has not examined epigenetic markers of aging in longer term breast cancer survivors. This study examined whether older breast cancer survivors showed greater epigenetic aging than noncancer controls and whether epigenetic aging related to functional outcomes. METHODS: Nonmetastatic breast cancer survivors (n = 89) enrolled prior to systemic therapy and frequency-matched controls (n = 101) ages 62 to 84 years provided two blood samples to derive epigenetic aging measures (Horvath, Extrinsic Epigenetic Age [EEA], PhenoAge, GrimAge, Dunedin Pace of Aging) and completed cognitive (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function) and physical (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-12) function assessments at approximately 24 to 36 and 60 months after enrollment. Mixed-effects models tested survivor-control differences in epigenetic aging, adjusting for age and comorbidities; models for functional outcomes also adjusted for racial group, site, and cognitive reserve. RESULTS: Survivors were 1.04 to 2.22 years biologically older than controls on Horvath, EEA, GrimAge, and DunedinPACE measures (p = .001-.04) at approximately 24 to 36 months after enrollment. Survivors exposed to chemotherapy were 1.97 to 2.71 years older (p = .001-.04), and among this group, an older EEA related to worse self-reported cognition (p = .047) relative to controls. An older epigenetic age related to worse physical function in all women (p < .001-.01). Survivors and controls showed similar epigenetic aging over time, but Black survivors showed accelerated aging over time relative to non-Hispanic White survivors. CONCLUSION: Older breast cancer survivors, particularly those exposed to chemotherapy, showed greater epigenetic aging than controls that may relate to worse outcomes. If replicated, measurement of biological aging could complement geriatric assessments to guide cancer care for older women
Cognitive function prior to systemic therapy and subsequent wellâbeing in older breast cancer survivors: Longitudinal findings from the Thinking and Living with Cancer Study
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationships between selfâreported and objectively measured cognitive function prior to systemic therapy and subsequent wellâbeing outcomes over 24âmonths in older breast cancer survivors.MethodsData were from 397 women aged 60 to 98 diagnosed with nonâmetastatic breast cancer in the Thinking and Living with Cancer Study recruited from 2010â2016. Cognitive function was measured at baseline (following surgery, prior to systemic therapy) using neuropsychological assessments of attention, processing speed, and executive function (APE), learning and memory (LM), and the selfâreported FACTâCog scale. Wellâbeing was measured using the FACTâG functional, physical, social, and emotional wellâbeing domain scales at baseline and 12 and 24âmonths later, scaled from 0 (low) to 100 (high). Linear mixedâeffects models assessed the relationships between each of baseline APE, LM, and FACTâCog quartiles with wellâbeing scores over 24âmonths, adjusted for confounding variables.ResultsAt baseline, older survivors in the lowest APE, LM, and FACTâCog score quartiles experienced poorer global wellâbeing than those in the highest quartiles. At 24âmonths, older survivors tended to improve in wellâbeing, and there were no differences according to baseline APE or LM scores. At 24âmonths, mean global wellâbeing was 80.3 (95% CI: 76.2â84.3) among those in the lowest vs 86.6 (95% CI: 83.1â90.1) in the highest FACTâcog quartile, a clinically meaningful difference of 6.3 points (95% CI: 1.5â11.1).ConclusionsAmong older breast cancer survivors, selfâreported, but not objective cognitive impairments, were associated with lower global wellâbeing over the first 2âyears of survivorship.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155908/1/pon5376.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155908/2/pon5376_am.pd
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Plasma levels of interleukin-6 mediate neurocognitive performance in older breast cancer survivors: The Thinking and Living With Cancer study.
BACKGROUND: Immune activation/inflammation markers (immune markers) were tested to explain differences in neurocognition among older breast cancer survivors versus noncancer controls. METHODS: Women >60 years old with primary breast cancer (stages 0-III) (n = 400) were assessed before systemic therapy with frequency-matched controls (n = 329) and followed annually to 60 months; blood was collected during annual assessments from 2016 to 2020. Neurocognition was measured by tests of attention, processing speed, and executive function (APE). Plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interferon γ were determined using multiplex testing. Mixed linear models were used to compare results of immune marker levels by survivor/control group by time and by controlling for age, racial/ethnic group, cognitive reserve, and study site. Covariate-adjusted multilevel mediation analyses tested whether survivor/control group effects on cognition were explained by immune markers; secondary analyses examined the impact of additional covariates (e.g., comorbidity and obesity) on mediation effects. RESULTS: Participants were aged 60-90 years (mean, 67.7 years). Most survivors had stage I (60.9%) estrogen receptor-positive tumors (87.6%). Survivors had significantly higher IL-6 levels than controls before systemic therapy and at 12, 24, and 60 months (p †.001-.014) but there were no differences for other markers. Survivors had lower adjusted APE scores than controls (p < .05). Levels of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α were related to APE, with IL-6 explaining part of the relationship between survivor/control group and APE (p = .01). The magnitude of this mediation effect decreased but remained significant (p = .047) after the consideration of additional covariates. CONCLUSIONS: Older breast cancer survivors had worse long-term neurocognitive performance than controls, and this relationship was explained in part by elevated IL-6
Aquilegia, Vol. 15 No. 5, September-October 1991: Newsletter of the Colorado Native Plant Society
https://epublications.regis.edu/aquilegia/1060/thumbnail.jp
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