We implement a parallel algorithm with the advantage of MPI (Message Passing Interface) to speed up the rapid relaxation inversion for 3D magnetotelluric data. We test the parallel rapid relaxation algorithm with sy...We implement a parallel algorithm with the advantage of MPI (Message Passing Interface) to speed up the rapid relaxation inversion for 3D magnetotelluric data. We test the parallel rapid relaxation algorithm with synthetic and real data. The execution efficiency of the algorithm for several different situations is also compared. The results indicate that the parallel rapid relaxation algorithm for 3D magnetotelluric inversion is effective. This parallel algorithm implemented on a common PC promotes the practical application of 3D magnetotelluric inversion and can be suitable for the other geophysical 3D modeling and inversion.展开更多
Objectives:As Watson's Human Caring Theory continues to evolve and guide the discipline of nursing,the challenge is to find ways to integrate it into practice.The purpose of this study is to describe interprofessi...Objectives:As Watson's Human Caring Theory continues to evolve and guide the discipline of nursing,the challenge is to find ways to integrate it into practice.The purpose of this study is to describe interprofessional team members'perspectives on human caring based on the Ten Caritas Processes(R)/Caritas-Veritas Literacy of Watson's Human Caring Theory within the Unitary Caring Science.Methods:This is a qualitative directed content analysis study,taking place in a Children's Hospital in the United States between November 2017 and April 2018.Information redundancy was utilized to guide the recruitment.Data were collected via a one-time face-to-face individual interview.A qualitative directed content analysis was conducted using Watson's Ten Caritas Processes(R)/Caritas-Veritas Literacy as a coding framework.Results:Twenty-seven healthcare professionals participated in the study.Interprofessional human caring,based on the Ten Caritas Processes(R)/Caritas-Veritas Literacy,was referred to as performing lovingkindness to patients,each other,and self;maintaining faith-hope in teamwork;valuing intersubjective interactions and building trust among team members;cultivating heart-centered-caring relations;acknowledging and processing positive and negative feelings non-judgmentally;applying all ways of knowing in caring;encouraging reciprocal teaching-learning;developing caring-healing environments collaboratively;respecting human dignity of patients and each other;and being open-minded to the unknowns and believing in miracles.Conclusions:Watson's Human Caring Theory can be an underlying guide to enrich human-to-human relations and create a caring-healing environment.When human caring is applied in interprofessional teams,healthcare professionals find a caring consciousness to care for oneself and each other and promote patient care.展开更多
The coal mine roof rating(CMRR) is a measure of roof quality or structure competency for bedded roof types typically of underground coal mines. The CMRR has been used widely in the US, South Africa,Canada and Australi...The coal mine roof rating(CMRR) is a measure of roof quality or structure competency for bedded roof types typically of underground coal mines. The CMRR has been used widely in the US, South Africa,Canada and Australia. In order to investigate the application of the CMRR system in Chinese coal mines,two coal mines in China located in Panjiang Coal Field in Guizhou Province were investigated. Field data were collected which is required to calculate the CMRR value based on underground exposure. The CMRR values of 11 locations in two coal mines were calculated. The investigations demonstrated that the chance of mine roof failure is very low if the CMRR value is more than 50, given adequate support is installed in mine. It was found that the CMRR guideline are useful to preliminarily investigate stability in Panjiang Coal Field mines.展开更多
The aim of this article is to synthetically describe the research projects that a selection of Italian univer- sities is undertaking in the context of big data. Far from being exhaustive, this article has the objectiv...The aim of this article is to synthetically describe the research projects that a selection of Italian univer- sities is undertaking in the context of big data. Far from being exhaustive, this article has the objective of offering a sample of distinct applications that address the issue of managing huge amounts of data in Italy, collected in relation to diverse domains.展开更多
The long-term stability of large-span soft rock tunnel is influenced greatly by the creep effect of surrounding rock.The development of a new type of foam concrete which has the property of high compressibility and lo...The long-term stability of large-span soft rock tunnel is influenced greatly by the creep effect of surrounding rock.The development of a new type of foam concrete which has the property of high compressibility and low ductility was introduced.And it was made as filling material of reserved deformation layer between the first lining and the second lining used in large-span soft rock tunnel.The effect of the new type of foam concrete was simulated as filling material of reserved deformation layer using numerical simulation.Through the comparison with the common large-span soft rock tunnel,the vault settlement and surrounding convergence are reduced by about 61% and 45%,respectively,after creep of 100 a.And in the second lining,the plastic zone reduces apparently and the maximum equivalent plastic strain decreases relatively.So,it can be found that the application of the new type of foam concrete as the filling material of reserved deformation layer can relieve the excessive force in second lining induced by rock creep,reduce its deformation and improve the stability of tunnel.展开更多
The general construction procedure of the steel middle pylon is briefly introduced. The alignment control of the pylon is carried out during the whole process of the construction. The control concept is extended to th...The general construction procedure of the steel middle pylon is briefly introduced. The alignment control of the pylon is carried out during the whole process of the construction. The control concept is extended to the manufacture stage. The manufacturing alignment error is strictly controlled in the segments precast process in factory, and the error is recognized and predicted precisely during the installation stage. The adjusting joints are employed to amend the accumulated error, which ensure that the steel pylon alignment could satisfy the precision requirements after installation.展开更多
Hyperexcitability of neural network is a key neurophysiological mechanism in several neurological disorders including epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and tinnitus. Although standard paradigm of pharmacological management ...Hyperexcitability of neural network is a key neurophysiological mechanism in several neurological disorders including epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and tinnitus. Although standard paradigm of pharmacological management of them is to suppress this hyperexcitability, such as having been exemplified by the use of certain antiepileptic drugs, their frequent refractoriness to drug treatment suggests likely different pathophysiological mechanism. Because the pathogenesis in these disorders exhibits a transition from an initial activity loss after injury or sensory deprivation to subsequent hyperexcitability and paroxysmal discharges, this process can be regarded as a process of functional compensation similar to homeostatic plasticity regulation, in which a set level of activity in neural network is maintained after injury-induced activity loss through enhanced network excitability. Enhancing brain activity, such as cortical stimulation that is found to be effective in relieving symptoms of these disorders, may reduce such hyperexcitability through homeostatic plasticity mechanism. Here we review current evidence of homeostatic plasticity in the mechanism of acquired epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and tinnitus and the effects and mechanism of cortical stimulation. Establishing a role of homeostatic plasticity in these disorders may provide a theoretical basis on their pathogenesis as well as guide the development and application of therapeutic approaches through electrically or pharmacologically stimulating brain activity for treating these disorders.展开更多
Colorectal cancer(CRC)is the second most frequent malignant disease in Europe.Every year,412 000people are diagnosed with this condition,and 207 000patients die of it.In 2003,recommendations forscreening programs were...Colorectal cancer(CRC)is the second most frequent malignant disease in Europe.Every year,412 000people are diagnosed with this condition,and 207 000patients die of it.In 2003,recommendations forscreening programs were issued by the Council of the European Union(EU),and these currently serve as thebasis for the preparation of European guidelines forCRC screening.The manner in which CRC screening iscarried out varies significantly from country to countrywithin the EU,both in terms of organization and thescreening test chosen.A screening program of onesort or another has been implemented in 19 of 27 EUcountries.The most frequently applied method is testing stool for occult bleeding(fecal occult blood test,FOBT).In recent years,a screening colonoscopy hasbeen introduced,either as the only method(Poland)orthe method of choice(Germany,Czech Republic).展开更多
This letter presents a new chunking method based on Maximum Entropy (ME) model with N-fold template correction model.First two types of machine learning models are described.Based on the analysis of the two models,the...This letter presents a new chunking method based on Maximum Entropy (ME) model with N-fold template correction model.First two types of machine learning models are described.Based on the analysis of the two models,then the chunking model which combines the profits of conditional probability model and rule based model is proposed.The selection of features and rule templates in the chunking model is discussed.Experimental results for the CoNLL-2000 corpus show that this approach achieves impressive accuracy in terms of the F-score:92.93%.Compared with the ME model and ME Markov model,the new chunking model achieves better performance.展开更多
AIM:To compare a first diagnostic procedure of transbronchial needle aspiration(TBNA)with selection of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration(EUS-FNA)or TBNA for mediastinal lymphadenopathy.METHODS:Sixty-...AIM:To compare a first diagnostic procedure of transbronchial needle aspiration(TBNA)with selection of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration(EUS-FNA)or TBNA for mediastinal lymphadenopathy.METHODS:Sixty-eight consecutive patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy on computed tomography(CT),who required cytopathological diagnosis,were recruited.The first 34 underwent a sequential approach in which TBNA was performed first,followed by EUS-FNA if TBNA was unrevealing.The next 34 underwent a selective approach where either TBNA or EUS-FNA was selected as the first procedure based on the CT findings.RESULTS:The diagnostic yield of TBNA as the first diagnostic procedure in the sequential approach was 62%.In the selective approach,the diagnostic yield of the first procedure was 71%.There was no significant difference in the overall diagnostic yield,but there were significantly fewer combined procedures with the selective approach.CONCLUSION:Selecting either EUS-FNA or TBNA as the first diagnostic procedure achieved a comparable diagnostic yield with significantly fewer procedures than performing TBNA first in all patients.展开更多
With the ( k, n )-threshold scheme of secret sharing in the field of information security technology as an application background, the concept of set ( k, n )-exact cover is presented in this paper. It is a modifi...With the ( k, n )-threshold scheme of secret sharing in the field of information security technology as an application background, the concept of set ( k, n )-exact cover is presented in this paper. It is a modification of the original concept of set covering problem. It is also different from the concept of exact cover defined by J.E. Hopcmft. Some properties of (k, n ) -exact cover are investigated; a sufficient condition for a set to be ( k, n ) -exactly coverable is given. It follows that a feasible assignment scheme of a set for the ( k, n) -exact eover is obtained if this set satisfies the sufficient condition.展开更多
Different planning methods have been applied in private and public infrastructure projects, which resulted in different approval procedures and querry about impartiality. However, planning methods of infrastructure pr...Different planning methods have been applied in private and public infrastructure projects, which resulted in different approval procedures and querry about impartiality. However, planning methods of infrastructure projects are seldom investigated up to now. The authors propose a proper project planning method which is applicable to all kinds of infrastructure projects with various funedorigins. The project planning method includes a comprehensive planning frame- work and a six-step planning process. The financial indicator, i. e. , self-reimbursement ratio is introduced for the proper division of financial obligation between government and project company.展开更多
The paper considers the main causes of the difficulties of zootechnics in Friulian mountains (Italy), evaluating different approaches. From the methodological point of view, there were analyzed the different aspects...The paper considers the main causes of the difficulties of zootechnics in Friulian mountains (Italy), evaluating different approaches. From the methodological point of view, there were analyzed the different aspects that causes the present crisis in this territorial contest and that, contextually, at the same time, prevent its recovery. The procedural pathway followed these steps: analysis, synthesis, comparison, deduction and induction. The results showed that there are technical, social, environmental, political and infra-structural aspects that cause this stated economical emergency for the compartment. A "new rural paradigm", in particular, the multi-functionality of the farm seems to be the road to the progress of mountain regions. Unfortunately, there are no definitive universal answers, hut individual solutions that should be investigated and calibrated for specific local resources.展开更多
AIM:To compare program costs of chronic hepatitis B(CHB) screening and treatment using Australian and other published CHB treatment guidelines.METHODS:Economic modeling demonstrated that in Australia a strategy of hep...AIM:To compare program costs of chronic hepatitis B(CHB) screening and treatment using Australian and other published CHB treatment guidelines.METHODS:Economic modeling demonstrated that in Australia a strategy of hepatocellular cancer(HCC) prevention in patients with CHB is more cost-effective than current standard care,or HCC screening.Based upon this model,we developed the B positive program to optimize CHB management of Australians born in countries of high CHB prevalence.We estimated CHB program costs using the B positive program algorithm and compared them to estimated costs of using the CHB treatment guidelines published by the AsianPacific,American and European Associations for the Study of Liver Disease(APASL,AASLD,EASL) and those suggested by an independent United States hepatology panel.We used a Markov model that factored in the costs of CHB screening and treatment,individualized by viral load and alanine aminotransferase levels,and calculated the relative costs of program components.Costs were discounted by 5% and calculated in Australian dollars(AUD).RESULTS:Using the B positive algorithm,total program costs amount to 13 979 224 AUD,or 9634 AUD per patient.The least costly strategy is based upon using the AASLD guidelines,which would cost 34% less than our B positive algorithm.Using the EASL and the United States Expert Group guidelines would increase program costs by 46%.The largest expenditure relates to the cost of drug treatment(66.9% of total program costs).The contribution of CHB surveillance(20.2%) and HCC screening and surveillance(6.6%) is small-and together they represent only approximately a quarter of the total program costs.CONCLUSION:The significant cost variations in CHB screening and treatment using different guidelines are relevant for clinicians and policy makers involved in designing population-based disease control programs.展开更多
AIM: To compare high resolution colonoscopy (Olympus Lucera) with a megapixel high resolution system (Pentax HiLine) as an in-service evaluation. METHODS: Polyp detection rates and measures of performance were c...AIM: To compare high resolution colonoscopy (Olympus Lucera) with a megapixel high resolution system (Pentax HiLine) as an in-service evaluation. METHODS: Polyp detection rates and measures of performance were collected for 269 colonoscopy procedures. Five colonoscopists conducted the study over a three month period, as part of the United Kingdom bowel cancer screening program. RESULTS:There were no differences in procedure duration (x^2 p = 0.98), caecal intubation rates (x^2 P = 0.67), or depth of sedation (x^2 P = 0.64). Mild discomfort was more common in the Pentax group (x^2 p = 0.036). Adenoma detection rate was significantly higher in the Pentax group (x^2 test for trend P = 0.01). Most of the extra polyps detected were flat or sessile adenomas. CONCLUSION: Megapixel definition colonoscopes improve adenoma detection without compromising other measures of endoscope performance. Increased polyp detection rates may improve future outcomes in bowel cancer screening programs.展开更多
Different areas of cognitive science traditionally perceived the mind as an abstract information processing entity, whose interactions with the outside world should be of small or no relevance at all. However, a recen...Different areas of cognitive science traditionally perceived the mind as an abstract information processing entity, whose interactions with the outside world should be of small or no relevance at all. However, a recent embodied cognition perspective, view cognitive processes as deeply embedded into the body's interactions with the world. In support of such contention, lots of empirical evidence has been brought and thusly different claims proposed. In this paper, we present the computer based neurocognitive task of sustained attention which is a dual task with many characteristics that obviously mirror some of the above claims. In this regard, we take into consideration both on-line and off-line aspects of the embodied cognition and point out how processing efficiency and attentional functioning are crucial vehicles in bringing perception into effective action (embodied cognition). Furthermore, there is plenty of evidence about the bidirectional relationship between the attentional/cognitive functioning and emotion regulation as well. This rises new possibilities in looking at the cognitive bias modification approaches and brain-cognitive training procedures for human beings without perceiving them as disembodied minds or complex machines but instead proactive and physically involved in the real world. We argue that such cognitive training approaches even though at first glance seemed as mere technical and machine oriented procedures, should be regarded as humanistic in its nature which perfectly mirror the Merleau-Ponty's concept of "embodied subjectivity." Finally, we explain how such approaches can be successfully combined with the neurobiological accounts and effectively implemented into clinical practice (self-regulation, self-directed neuroplasticity, effortful control, behavior change).展开更多
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in colorectal cancer. Methods: Twenty patients of colorectal cancer were enrolled in this study. Endoscopic ...Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in colorectal cancer. Methods: Twenty patients of colorectal cancer were enrolled in this study. Endoscopic injection submucosally of ^99m Tc-DX was performed around the primary tumor 3 h before operation. Immediately after laparotomy, methylene blue was injected into subserosal layer adjacent to the tumor. Sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) were defined as blue stained nodes or (and) those containing 10 times more radioactivity than surrounding tissue with a y probe, all resected nodes were examined postoperatively by routine rapid frozen examination and HE stain. The diagnostic nodes metastasis states and false-negative rate of regional lymph node status on the basis of SLNs were calculated respectively. Results: SLNs were detected in 16 of 20 patients with a successful detection rate of 80%, the number of SLNs ranged from 1 to 3, with a mean value of 2.4 per case, metastasis rate of SLNs were 37.5% (18/48), the diagnostic sensitivity was 80% (16/20), the diagnostic accuracy was 83.3% (15/18), the false-negative rate was 20% (4/20). Conclusion: The SLN concept is validated in colorectal cancer. Com- bined-agent SLN mapping is an accurate diagnostic procedure for detecting lymph node metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer and may indicate rational extent of lymphadenectomy for colorectal cancer.展开更多
基金sponsored by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.40774029,40374024)the National Hi-tech Rsearch and Development Program of China(863 Program)(No.2007AA09Z310,)the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University(NCET)
文摘We implement a parallel algorithm with the advantage of MPI (Message Passing Interface) to speed up the rapid relaxation inversion for 3D magnetotelluric data. We test the parallel rapid relaxation algorithm with synthetic and real data. The execution efficiency of the algorithm for several different situations is also compared. The results indicate that the parallel rapid relaxation algorithm for 3D magnetotelluric inversion is effective. This parallel algorithm implemented on a common PC promotes the practical application of 3D magnetotelluric inversion and can be suitable for the other geophysical 3D modeling and inversion.
基金This study was supported in part by a Seed Grant from the College of Nursing at East Carolina University received by the first author
文摘Objectives:As Watson's Human Caring Theory continues to evolve and guide the discipline of nursing,the challenge is to find ways to integrate it into practice.The purpose of this study is to describe interprofessional team members'perspectives on human caring based on the Ten Caritas Processes(R)/Caritas-Veritas Literacy of Watson's Human Caring Theory within the Unitary Caring Science.Methods:This is a qualitative directed content analysis study,taking place in a Children's Hospital in the United States between November 2017 and April 2018.Information redundancy was utilized to guide the recruitment.Data were collected via a one-time face-to-face individual interview.A qualitative directed content analysis was conducted using Watson's Ten Caritas Processes(R)/Caritas-Veritas Literacy as a coding framework.Results:Twenty-seven healthcare professionals participated in the study.Interprofessional human caring,based on the Ten Caritas Processes(R)/Caritas-Veritas Literacy,was referred to as performing lovingkindness to patients,each other,and self;maintaining faith-hope in teamwork;valuing intersubjective interactions and building trust among team members;cultivating heart-centered-caring relations;acknowledging and processing positive and negative feelings non-judgmentally;applying all ways of knowing in caring;encouraging reciprocal teaching-learning;developing caring-healing environments collaboratively;respecting human dignity of patients and each other;and being open-minded to the unknowns and believing in miracles.Conclusions:Watson's Human Caring Theory can be an underlying guide to enrich human-to-human relations and create a caring-healing environment.When human caring is applied in interprofessional teams,healthcare professionals find a caring consciousness to care for oneself and each other and promote patient care.
基金supported by the Science Foundation of Guizhou Province of China (No. 20177283)the Special Program for Academic Foster and Innovation research of Guizhou University of China (No. 20175788)
文摘The coal mine roof rating(CMRR) is a measure of roof quality or structure competency for bedded roof types typically of underground coal mines. The CMRR has been used widely in the US, South Africa,Canada and Australia. In order to investigate the application of the CMRR system in Chinese coal mines,two coal mines in China located in Panjiang Coal Field in Guizhou Province were investigated. Field data were collected which is required to calculate the CMRR value based on underground exposure. The CMRR values of 11 locations in two coal mines were calculated. The investigations demonstrated that the chance of mine roof failure is very low if the CMRR value is more than 50, given adequate support is installed in mine. It was found that the CMRR guideline are useful to preliminarily investigate stability in Panjiang Coal Field mines.
文摘The aim of this article is to synthetically describe the research projects that a selection of Italian univer- sities is undertaking in the context of big data. Far from being exhaustive, this article has the objective of offering a sample of distinct applications that address the issue of managing huge amounts of data in Italy, collected in relation to diverse domains.
基金Projects(41072238,51009133)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘The long-term stability of large-span soft rock tunnel is influenced greatly by the creep effect of surrounding rock.The development of a new type of foam concrete which has the property of high compressibility and low ductility was introduced.And it was made as filling material of reserved deformation layer between the first lining and the second lining used in large-span soft rock tunnel.The effect of the new type of foam concrete was simulated as filling material of reserved deformation layer using numerical simulation.Through the comparison with the common large-span soft rock tunnel,the vault settlement and surrounding convergence are reduced by about 61% and 45%,respectively,after creep of 100 a.And in the second lining,the plastic zone reduces apparently and the maximum equivalent plastic strain decreases relatively.So,it can be found that the application of the new type of foam concrete as the filling material of reserved deformation layer can relieve the excessive force in second lining induced by rock creep,reduce its deformation and improve the stability of tunnel.
基金National Science and Technology Support Program of China ( No. 2009BAG15B02) Key Pro-grams for Science and Technology Development of Chinese Transportation Industry( No. 2008-353-332-180)
文摘The general construction procedure of the steel middle pylon is briefly introduced. The alignment control of the pylon is carried out during the whole process of the construction. The control concept is extended to the manufacture stage. The manufacturing alignment error is strictly controlled in the segments precast process in factory, and the error is recognized and predicted precisely during the installation stage. The adjusting joints are employed to amend the accumulated error, which ensure that the steel pylon alignment could satisfy the precision requirements after installation.
基金supported in part by the NIH DA039530(to XJ)a grant from the CURE Epilepsy Foundation(to XJ)
文摘Hyperexcitability of neural network is a key neurophysiological mechanism in several neurological disorders including epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and tinnitus. Although standard paradigm of pharmacological management of them is to suppress this hyperexcitability, such as having been exemplified by the use of certain antiepileptic drugs, their frequent refractoriness to drug treatment suggests likely different pathophysiological mechanism. Because the pathogenesis in these disorders exhibits a transition from an initial activity loss after injury or sensory deprivation to subsequent hyperexcitability and paroxysmal discharges, this process can be regarded as a process of functional compensation similar to homeostatic plasticity regulation, in which a set level of activity in neural network is maintained after injury-induced activity loss through enhanced network excitability. Enhancing brain activity, such as cortical stimulation that is found to be effective in relieving symptoms of these disorders, may reduce such hyperexcitability through homeostatic plasticity mechanism. Here we review current evidence of homeostatic plasticity in the mechanism of acquired epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and tinnitus and the effects and mechanism of cortical stimulation. Establishing a role of homeostatic plasticity in these disorders may provide a theoretical basis on their pathogenesis as well as guide the development and application of therapeutic approaches through electrically or pharmacologically stimulating brain activity for treating these disorders.
基金Supported by International Agency for Research on Cancer(Lawrence von Karsa,MD)International Digestive Cancer Alliance(Professor Meinhard Classen,MD,Professor Sidney JWinawer,MD)
文摘Colorectal cancer(CRC)is the second most frequent malignant disease in Europe.Every year,412 000people are diagnosed with this condition,and 207 000patients die of it.In 2003,recommendations forscreening programs were issued by the Council of the European Union(EU),and these currently serve as thebasis for the preparation of European guidelines forCRC screening.The manner in which CRC screening iscarried out varies significantly from country to countrywithin the EU,both in terms of organization and thescreening test chosen.A screening program of onesort or another has been implemented in 19 of 27 EUcountries.The most frequently applied method is testing stool for occult bleeding(fecal occult blood test,FOBT).In recent years,a screening colonoscopy hasbeen introduced,either as the only method(Poland)orthe method of choice(Germany,Czech Republic).
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.60504021).
文摘This letter presents a new chunking method based on Maximum Entropy (ME) model with N-fold template correction model.First two types of machine learning models are described.Based on the analysis of the two models,then the chunking model which combines the profits of conditional probability model and rule based model is proposed.The selection of features and rule templates in the chunking model is discussed.Experimental results for the CoNLL-2000 corpus show that this approach achieves impressive accuracy in terms of the F-score:92.93%.Compared with the ME model and ME Markov model,the new chunking model achieves better performance.
文摘AIM:To compare a first diagnostic procedure of transbronchial needle aspiration(TBNA)with selection of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration(EUS-FNA)or TBNA for mediastinal lymphadenopathy.METHODS:Sixty-eight consecutive patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy on computed tomography(CT),who required cytopathological diagnosis,were recruited.The first 34 underwent a sequential approach in which TBNA was performed first,followed by EUS-FNA if TBNA was unrevealing.The next 34 underwent a selective approach where either TBNA or EUS-FNA was selected as the first procedure based on the CT findings.RESULTS:The diagnostic yield of TBNA as the first diagnostic procedure in the sequential approach was 62%.In the selective approach,the diagnostic yield of the first procedure was 71%.There was no significant difference in the overall diagnostic yield,but there were significantly fewer combined procedures with the selective approach.CONCLUSION:Selecting either EUS-FNA or TBNA as the first diagnostic procedure achieved a comparable diagnostic yield with significantly fewer procedures than performing TBNA first in all patients.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 60673053 90718011 )
文摘With the ( k, n )-threshold scheme of secret sharing in the field of information security technology as an application background, the concept of set ( k, n )-exact cover is presented in this paper. It is a modification of the original concept of set covering problem. It is also different from the concept of exact cover defined by J.E. Hopcmft. Some properties of (k, n ) -exact cover are investigated; a sufficient condition for a set to be ( k, n ) -exactly coverable is given. It follows that a feasible assignment scheme of a set for the ( k, n) -exact eover is obtained if this set satisfies the sufficient condition.
基金Science Foundation of Jimei University(No.ZQ2007027)Youth Talent Program of Department of Science and Technology of Fujian Province(No.2008F3072)
文摘Different planning methods have been applied in private and public infrastructure projects, which resulted in different approval procedures and querry about impartiality. However, planning methods of infrastructure projects are seldom investigated up to now. The authors propose a proper project planning method which is applicable to all kinds of infrastructure projects with various funedorigins. The project planning method includes a comprehensive planning frame- work and a six-step planning process. The financial indicator, i. e. , self-reimbursement ratio is introduced for the proper division of financial obligation between government and project company.
文摘The paper considers the main causes of the difficulties of zootechnics in Friulian mountains (Italy), evaluating different approaches. From the methodological point of view, there were analyzed the different aspects that causes the present crisis in this territorial contest and that, contextually, at the same time, prevent its recovery. The procedural pathway followed these steps: analysis, synthesis, comparison, deduction and induction. The results showed that there are technical, social, environmental, political and infra-structural aspects that cause this stated economical emergency for the compartment. A "new rural paradigm", in particular, the multi-functionality of the farm seems to be the road to the progress of mountain regions. Unfortunately, there are no definitive universal answers, hut individual solutions that should be investigated and calibrated for specific local resources.
基金Supported by A Cancer Council NSW grant,to George Jthe Robert W Storr bequest to the Sydney Medical Foundationgrants from the NHMRC
文摘AIM:To compare program costs of chronic hepatitis B(CHB) screening and treatment using Australian and other published CHB treatment guidelines.METHODS:Economic modeling demonstrated that in Australia a strategy of hepatocellular cancer(HCC) prevention in patients with CHB is more cost-effective than current standard care,or HCC screening.Based upon this model,we developed the B positive program to optimize CHB management of Australians born in countries of high CHB prevalence.We estimated CHB program costs using the B positive program algorithm and compared them to estimated costs of using the CHB treatment guidelines published by the AsianPacific,American and European Associations for the Study of Liver Disease(APASL,AASLD,EASL) and those suggested by an independent United States hepatology panel.We used a Markov model that factored in the costs of CHB screening and treatment,individualized by viral load and alanine aminotransferase levels,and calculated the relative costs of program components.Costs were discounted by 5% and calculated in Australian dollars(AUD).RESULTS:Using the B positive algorithm,total program costs amount to 13 979 224 AUD,or 9634 AUD per patient.The least costly strategy is based upon using the AASLD guidelines,which would cost 34% less than our B positive algorithm.Using the EASL and the United States Expert Group guidelines would increase program costs by 46%.The largest expenditure relates to the cost of drug treatment(66.9% of total program costs).The contribution of CHB surveillance(20.2%) and HCC screening and surveillance(6.6%) is small-and together they represent only approximately a quarter of the total program costs.CONCLUSION:The significant cost variations in CHB screening and treatment using different guidelines are relevant for clinicians and policy makers involved in designing population-based disease control programs.
基金Supported by Proportion of UCLH/UCL funding from the Department of Health’s NIHR Biomedical Research Centres funding schemeA grant from the UCL experimental cancer medicine centreUnrestricted educational grant support from Pentax United Kingdom (Lovat LB)
文摘AIM: To compare high resolution colonoscopy (Olympus Lucera) with a megapixel high resolution system (Pentax HiLine) as an in-service evaluation. METHODS: Polyp detection rates and measures of performance were collected for 269 colonoscopy procedures. Five colonoscopists conducted the study over a three month period, as part of the United Kingdom bowel cancer screening program. RESULTS:There were no differences in procedure duration (x^2 p = 0.98), caecal intubation rates (x^2 P = 0.67), or depth of sedation (x^2 P = 0.64). Mild discomfort was more common in the Pentax group (x^2 p = 0.036). Adenoma detection rate was significantly higher in the Pentax group (x^2 test for trend P = 0.01). Most of the extra polyps detected were flat or sessile adenomas. CONCLUSION: Megapixel definition colonoscopes improve adenoma detection without compromising other measures of endoscope performance. Increased polyp detection rates may improve future outcomes in bowel cancer screening programs.
文摘Different areas of cognitive science traditionally perceived the mind as an abstract information processing entity, whose interactions with the outside world should be of small or no relevance at all. However, a recent embodied cognition perspective, view cognitive processes as deeply embedded into the body's interactions with the world. In support of such contention, lots of empirical evidence has been brought and thusly different claims proposed. In this paper, we present the computer based neurocognitive task of sustained attention which is a dual task with many characteristics that obviously mirror some of the above claims. In this regard, we take into consideration both on-line and off-line aspects of the embodied cognition and point out how processing efficiency and attentional functioning are crucial vehicles in bringing perception into effective action (embodied cognition). Furthermore, there is plenty of evidence about the bidirectional relationship between the attentional/cognitive functioning and emotion regulation as well. This rises new possibilities in looking at the cognitive bias modification approaches and brain-cognitive training procedures for human beings without perceiving them as disembodied minds or complex machines but instead proactive and physically involved in the real world. We argue that such cognitive training approaches even though at first glance seemed as mere technical and machine oriented procedures, should be regarded as humanistic in its nature which perfectly mirror the Merleau-Ponty's concept of "embodied subjectivity." Finally, we explain how such approaches can be successfully combined with the neurobiological accounts and effectively implemented into clinical practice (self-regulation, self-directed neuroplasticity, effortful control, behavior change).
文摘Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in colorectal cancer. Methods: Twenty patients of colorectal cancer were enrolled in this study. Endoscopic injection submucosally of ^99m Tc-DX was performed around the primary tumor 3 h before operation. Immediately after laparotomy, methylene blue was injected into subserosal layer adjacent to the tumor. Sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) were defined as blue stained nodes or (and) those containing 10 times more radioactivity than surrounding tissue with a y probe, all resected nodes were examined postoperatively by routine rapid frozen examination and HE stain. The diagnostic nodes metastasis states and false-negative rate of regional lymph node status on the basis of SLNs were calculated respectively. Results: SLNs were detected in 16 of 20 patients with a successful detection rate of 80%, the number of SLNs ranged from 1 to 3, with a mean value of 2.4 per case, metastasis rate of SLNs were 37.5% (18/48), the diagnostic sensitivity was 80% (16/20), the diagnostic accuracy was 83.3% (15/18), the false-negative rate was 20% (4/20). Conclusion: The SLN concept is validated in colorectal cancer. Com- bined-agent SLN mapping is an accurate diagnostic procedure for detecting lymph node metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer and may indicate rational extent of lymphadenectomy for colorectal cancer.