A deterministic simulation model for sojourn time in urban cells with square street geometry

A deterministic simulation model for the calculation of sojourn time statistics is proposed. The model is designed for urban cells taking into account city movement in street pattern, traffic lights, and crossings. Sojourn time and remaining sojourn time are assumed to be random variables that follow a gamma distribution. The parameters of gamma are found for a range of the chosen cell parameters (road length, probability of stopping at a crossing and cell radius) using Monte Carlo simulation. Then, the values are fitted to the empirical model using genetic algorithms with grammatical evolution. The model can be used to calculate sojourn time statistical parameters for any urban circular cell with square street pattern

UAV-Assisted 5G Network Architecture with Slicing and Virtualization

Next generation networks promise not only extremely high data rates and low latency, but also ubiquitous coverage and massive IoT. One of the major challenges is the guaranteed service provision even in cases of network failure (e.g. infrastructure damage, remote areas, flash crowd areas etc.). Flying nodes that will act as aerial base stations or relays could back-up the network fast and prevent any service interruption or even enhance network performance. This paper discusses the architecture and possible applications of flying modes in the frame of a 5G network supporting network slicing and lightweight virtualization. It also provides aerial LTE measurement results to support the feasibility check for using UAVs in two possible scenarios, i.e. network capacity enhancement and increasing network coverage

Clinical feasibility of NGS liquid biopsy analysis in NSCLC patients.

BackgroundAnalysis of circulating tumor nucleic acids in plasma of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients is the most widespread and documented form of "liquid biopsy" and provides real-time information on the molecular profile of the tumor without an invasive tissue biopsy.MethodsLiquid biopsy analysis was requested by the referral physician in 121 NSCLC patients at diagnosis and was performed using a sensitive Next Generation Sequencing assay. Additionally, a comparative analysis of NSCLC patients at relapse following EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKIs) treatment was performed in 50 patients by both the cobas and NGS platforms.ResultsAt least one mutation was identified in almost 49% of the cases by the NGS approach in NSCLC patients analyzed at diagnosis. In 36 cases with paired tissue available a high concordance of 86.11% was observed for clinically relevant mutations, with a Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of 88.89%. Furthermore, a concordance rate of 82% between cobas and the NGS approach for the EGFR sensitizing mutations (in exons 18, 19, 21) was observed in patients with acquired resistance to EGFR TKIs, while this concordance was 94% for the p.T790M mutation, with NGS being able to detect this mutation in three 3 additional patients.ConclusionsThis study indicates the feasibility of circulating tumor nucleic acids (ctNA) analysis as a tumor biopsy surrogate in clinical practice for NSCLC personalized treatment decision making. The use of new sensitive NGS techniques can reliably detect tumor-derived mutations in liquid biopsy and provide clinically relevant information both before and after targeted treatment in patients with NSCLC. Thus, it could aid physicians in treatment decision making in clinical practice

Revisiting the Implications of Positive Germline Testing Results Using Multi-gene Panels in Breast Cancer Patients

Background/Aim: The use of multi-gene panels for germline testing in breast cancer enables the estimation of cancer risk and guides risk-reducing management options.The aim of this study was to present data that demonstrate the different levels of actionability for multi-gene panels used in genetic testing of breast cancer patients and their family members. Materials and Methods: We performed an analysis in our clinical database to identify breast cancer patients undergoing genetic testing. We reviewed positive results in respect of risk estimation and management, cascade family testing, secondary findings and information for treatment decision-making. Results: A total of 415 positive test reports were identified with 57.1%, 18.1%, 10.8% and 13.5% of individuals having pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in high, moderate, low and with insufficient evidence for breast cancer risk genes, respectively. Six point seven percent of individuals were double heterozygotes. Conclusion: Germline findings in 92% of individuals are linked to evidence-based treatment information and risk estimates for predisposition to breast and/or other cancer types. The use of germline findings for treatment decision making expands the indication of genetic testing to include individuals that could benefit from targeted treatments

Revisiting the Implications of Positive Germline Testing Results Using Multi-gene Panels in Breast Cancer Patients

Background/Aim: The use of multi-gene panels for germline testing in breast cancer enables the estimation of cancer risk and guides risk-reducing management options.The aim of this study was to present data that demonstrate the different levels of actionability for multi-gene panels used in genetic testing of breast cancer patients and their family members. Materials and Methods: We performed an analysis in our clinical database to identify breast cancer patients undergoing genetic testing. We reviewed positive results in respect of risk estimation and management, cascade family testing, secondary findings and information for treatment decision-making. Results: A total of 415 positive test reports were identified with 57.1%, 18.1%, 10.8% and 13.5% of individuals having pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in high, moderate, low and with insufficient evidence for breast cancer risk genes, respectively. Six point seven percent of individuals were double heterozygotes. Conclusion: Germline findings in 92% of individuals are linked to evidence-based treatment information and risk estimates for predisposition to breast and/or other cancer types. The use of germline findings for treatment decision making expands the indication of genetic testing to include individuals that could benefit from targeted treatments

Interoperability and definition of a national standard for geospatial data: the case of the Hellenic Cadastre

Summarization: This study, evaluation and proposal of a standard suitable for the exchange of geographic data was conducted by the National Technical University of Athens as part of a research project on behalf of KTIMATOLOGIO S.A. and the Hellenic Mapping and Cadastral Organization. The primary application interest was the Hellenic Cadastre Project, which can be seen as a case-study of the role of standards, the functionality they provide, and their effects. The study reported relates mainly to theoretical and scientific issues of standardization. Several subjects were addressed during the process of selecting the standard and a series of evaluation criteria were formed. Three primary trends in standardization were considered, Open GIS, ISO/TC 211 and CEN/TC 287, and a generic-profile-product approach was pursued. The selected standard was DIGEST-C with a customized (and not modified) implementation version of an Urban VMap product. The customization process included the association of the schema available in the selected standard with the schema that have been used so far in Greece for cadastre applications. The utilization and implementation of the selected standard, intended to be a National Spatial Data Exchange Standard, has various implications, which are reported and evaluated.Presented on: International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformatio