1,277 research outputs found
Design for a Darwinian Brain: Part 1. Philosophy and Neuroscience
Physical symbol systems are needed for open-ended cognition. A good way to
understand physical symbol systems is by comparison of thought to chemistry.
Both have systematicity, productivity and compositionality. The state of the
art in cognitive architectures for open-ended cognition is critically assessed.
I conclude that a cognitive architecture that evolves symbol structures in the
brain is a promising candidate to explain open-ended cognition. Part 2 of the
paper presents such a cognitive architecture.Comment: Darwinian Neurodynamics. Submitted as a two part paper to Living
Machines 2013 Natural History Museum, Londo
Prognostic factors for tumour response, progression-free survival and toxicity in metastatic colorectal cancer patients given irinotecan (CPT-11) as second-line chemotherapy after 5FU failure
Our purpose was to determine, in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma treated with irinotecan single-agent after 5-FU failure, the most significant predictive parameters for tumour response, progression-free survival and toxicity. Between October 1992 and April 1995, 455 patients with 5-FU resistant metastatic colorectal carcinoma entered four consecutive phase II trials. The first two studies assessed tumour response, the other two were randomized studies which assessed the efficacy of racecadotril to prevent irinotecan-induced diarrhoea. Due to homogeneous main eligibility criterias, data from those studies could be pooled for statistical analysis. Potential clinical and biological predictive factors (PF) for toxicity, tumour growth control, e.g. response or stabilization and progression-free survival (PFS), were studied in multivariate analysis. 363 patients were evaluable for response, 432 were evaluable for PFS, 368 for neutropenia and 416 for delayed diarrhoea, respectively. Normal baseline haemoglobin level (Hb), time since diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma, grade 3 or 4 neutropenia or diarrhoea at first cycle and a low number of organs involved were the most PF for tumour growth control (P< 0.05). Significant prognostic variables for PFS were WHO Performance Status, liver and lymph-node involvement, time since diagnosis, age and CEA value (P≤ 0.02). Six groups of patients based on the number of unfavourable prognostic factors are presented. Baseline bilirubin, haemoglobin level, number of organs involved and time from diagnosis were PF for neutropenia; PS, serum creatinine, leukocyte count, time from 5-FU progression and prior abdominopelvic irradiation were PF for delayed diarrhoea (P≤ 0.05). These PF should help clinicians to anticipate for a given patient the probability to observe a response/stabilization or a toxicity. These results should also be prospectively confirmed in ongoing or future trials using irinotecan, both as a single agent and in combination with other drugs. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaig
Promoting adaptation to changing coasts - Work Package T.2.4.1: Methodology for Engagement and Involvement of End Users and Key Stakeholders in Coastal Climate Adaptation Schemes. Executive Summary
This is the final versionPebblebed Heaths Conservation TrustEuropean Regional Development Fund (ERDF
Promoting adaptation to changing coasts - Work Package T.2.4.1: Methodology for Engagement and Involvement of End Users and Key Stakeholders in Coastal Climate Adaptation Schemes. Report 2: Stakeholder Interviews, Resident Workshops, and Model for Engagement in Coastal Adaptation and Landscape Change
This is the final version.Pebblebed Heaths Conservation TrustEuropean Regional Development Fund (ERDF
Promoting adaptation to changing coasts - Work Package T.2.4.1: Methodology for Engagement and Involvement of End Users and Key Stakeholders in Coastal Climate Adaptation Schemes. Report 1: Documentary Analysis
This is the final version.Pebblebed Heaths Conservation TrustEuropean Regional Development Fund (ERDF
Biomarkers in disk-averaged near-UV to near-IR Earth spectra using Earthshine observations
We analyse the detectability of vegetation on a global scale on Earth's
surface. Considering its specific reflectance spectrum showing a sharp edge
around 700 nm, vegetation can be considered as a potential global biomarker.
This work, based on observational data, aims to characterise and to quantify
this signature in the disk-averaged Earth's spectrum. Earthshine spectra have
been used to test the detectability of the "Vegetation Red Edge" (VRE) in the
Earth spectrum. We obtained reflectance spectra from near UV (320 nm) to near
IR (1020 nm) for different Earth phases (continents or oceans seen from the
Moon) with EMMI on the NTT at ESO/La Silla, Chile. We accurately correct the
sky background and take into account the phase-dependent colour of the Moon.
VRE measurements require a correction of the ozone Chappuis absorption band and
Rayleigh plus aerosol scattering. Results : The near-UV spectrum shows a dark
Earth below 350 nm due to the ozone absorption. The Vegetation Red Edge is
observed when forests are present (4.0% for Africa and Europe), and is lower
when clouds and oceans are mainly visible (1.3% for the Pacific Ocean). Errors
are typically , and in the worst case. We discuss the
different sources of errors and bias and suggest possible improvements. We
showed that measuring the VRE or an analog on an Earth-like planet remains very
difficult (photometric relative accuracy of 1% or better). It remains a small
feature compared to atmospheric absorption lines. A direct monitoring from
space of the global (disk-averaged) Earth's spectrum would provide the best VRE
follow-up.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A. 9 pages, 8 figure
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