Case-based reasoning: concepts, features and soft computing

Here we first describe the concepts, components and features of CBR. The feasibility and merits of using CBR for problem solving is then explained. This is followed by a description of the relevance of soft computing tools to CBR. In particular, some of the tasks in the four REs, namely Retrieve, Reuse, Revise and Retain, of the CBR cycle that have relevance as prospective candidates for soft computing applications are explained

Extracting New Physics from the CMB

We review how initial state effects generically yield an oscillatory component in the primordial power spectrum of inflationary density perturbations. These oscillatory corrections parametrize unknown new physics at a scale $M$ and are potentially observable if the ratio $H_{infl}/M$ is sufficiently large. We clarify to what extent present and future CMB data analysis can distinguish between the different proposals for initial state corrections.Comment: Invited talk by B. Greene at the XXII Texas Symposium on Relativistic Astrophysics, Stanford University, 13-17 December 2004, (TSRA04-0001), 8 pages, LaTeX, some references added, added paragraph at the end of section 2 and an extra note added after the conclusions regarding modifications to the large k power spectra deduced from galaxy survey

The Relationship Between Concerns About Falling and Daily Life Activity in Older Men and Women

Concerns about falling (CAF) affect daily life activities in older people; however, it is unclear whether gender moderates this relationship. The authors investigated the cross-sectional relationship between CAF and objectively measured physical activity (PA) and gait quality in 503 community-dwelling older men and women. About 448 people (age = 76.2 [SD 7.9] years, 296 females) contributed sufficient data on movement intensity, activity duration (bouts of walking, sitting, and standing), number of transitions between activities (sit-to-stand and sit-to-walk), number of steps and gait quality, quantified as walking speed, and sample entropy. Associations with the Iconographical Falls Efficacy Scale were tested. The authors found no significant moderation by gender. However, women participated in less PA than men and showed a more irregular walking pattern. Higher levels of CAF led to lower PA and poorer gait quality. Our findings suggest that prevention of CAF-related PA avoidance may be particularly important for women, who are less active and at higher risk of falls

Higgs as a Slepton

In theories with TeV scale quantum gravity there is a logical possibility where the electroweak Higgs can be a fourth generation slepton. Despite maximal supersymmetry breaking such a scenario turns out to be tightly constrained, and might be testable already at present collider experiments. Also, a light Higgs is no longer a prediction of supersymmetry.Comment: 7 pages, no figures, reference adde

Challenges in the treatment of gastric cancer in the older patient

Gastric cancer is considered an age-related disease, with the majority of new cases in the UK diagnosed in individuals over the age of 75. At present most guidance related to the management of gastric cancer is based on trials undertaken in the fit, younger patient. Historically the elderly have been underrepresented in clinical trials, which frequently have a restricted inclusion to an upper age limit of 75. The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) recommends use of a geriatric assessment to determine functional age when initiating treatment in elderly patients with gastric cancer, which has been shown to be a better predictor of treatment response than chronological age. The physiological changes that occur with age, including reduced organ function and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variability, together with impaired functional status, necessitate a more individualised approach to treatment decisions in the older patient to provide them with the same advantages from radical treatment and palliative chemotherapy as younger patients. This review summarises the current evidence extrapolated from trial data on how best to optimise treatment for elderly patients with gastric cancer

Association between serum concentrations of soluble lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1 and serum amyloid A in type 2 diabetes

This journal suppl. entitled: Abstracts of the 10th International Diabetes Federation-Western Pacific Region Congress and the 6th AASD Scientific MeetingPosters: no. PO020BACKGROUND: Lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) mediates the uptake of oxidized LDL in endothelial cells and macrophages, and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. The extracellular domain of LOX-1 can be proteolytically cleaved and released as a soluble form (sLOX-1). It has been suggested that circulating level of sLOX-1 reflects LOX-1 expression and can act as a biomarker. LOX-1 expression is inducible and recent experimental data have shown that serum amyloid A (SAA), an acute phase protein, can induce LOX-1 expression in macrophages in vitro. Since type 2 diabetes is associated with subclinical inflammation, we have evaluated whether serum sLOX-1 level is ...postprin

Studies of new media radiation induced laser

Various lasants were investigated especially, 2-iodohepafluoropropane (i-C3F7I) for the direct solar pumped lasers. Optical pumping of iodine laser was achieved using a small flashlamp. Using i-C3F7I as a laser gain medium, threshold inversion density, small signal gain, and laser performance at the elevated temperature were measured. The experimental results and analysis are presented. The iodine laser kinetics of the C3F7I and IBr system were numerically simulated. The concept of a direct solar-pumped laser amplifier using (i-C3F7I) as the laser material was evaluated and several kinetic coefficients for i-C3F7I laser system were reexamined. The results are discussed