bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction and observation of cloud processing of the aerosol size distribution by a band of cumulus
Authors: Peter J. R. , Siems S. T. , Jensen J. B. , Gras J. L. , Ishizaka Y. , Hacker J. M. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAirborne observations of aerosol processing by a cumulus cloud, obtained during the ACE‐Asia experiment, are presented. Mixing diagrams of conserved variables, wet equivalent potential temperature and total water mixing ratio are used to identify the fraction of cloud‐base air that has combined with environmental air entrained into the cloud. We extend this analysis to deduce the origins of detrained air. Using observations of aerosol spectra obtained from below cloud base, and upwind and downwind of the cumulus band, we predict the shape of the aerosol spectrum in the detrained air and compare it with observations. The results show evidence of size‐dependent scavenging of the aerosol, with up to 20% loss of ultra‐fine (particle radius, rp ≤ 0.003 µm) and fine mode particles 0.006 µm ≤ rp ≤ 0.066 µm) and up to a 40% loss of aerosol in the accumulation mode 0.066 µm ≤ rp ≤ 0.7 µm).We conclude that coalescence of cloud droplets, even in a mildly precipitating cumulus, can result in a substantial depletion of larger accumulation mode aerosol. The cloud not only caused a general reduction in aerosol concentration, but also substantially modified the aerosol size distribution in the lower free troposphere. This effect may significantly influence the properties of clouds subsequently formed on the detrained aerosol. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society.
Conservative constraint for a quasi‐uniform overset grid on the sphere
Authors: Peng Xindong , Xiao Feng , Takahashi Keiko 
Published: June 2006

AbstractA conservative constraint is presented for a new quasi‐uniform overset (Yin‐Yang) grid on the sphere. The Yin‐Yang grid is a newly developed grid system in spherical geometry created by matching two notched latitude–longitude grids which are normal to each other. Global and local conservation is achieved with an interpolation algorithm that exactly guarantees that the fluxes on boundaries of the two grid components are identical. Several numerical experiments are shown to confirm the conservation in passive transport situations and shallow‐water dynamical equations. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society.
Hormone replacement therapy and mammographic screening outcomes in Western Australia
Authors: Crouchley Kathryn , Wylie Elizabeth , Khong Eric 
Published: June 2006

Objectives: The study objectives were three-fold: to estimate the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use on the sensitivity of mammographic screening; to examine the odds of having an interval cancer as a function of duration of HRT use and to compare the size, grade, lymph node and hormone receptor status of tumours for HRT users and non-users. Setting: Perth, Western Australia, where a free, population-based mammographic screening service targets women aged 50–69 years. Methods: The cohort consisted of 113,310 women who had 119,296 screening episodes between January 1998 and December 1999. Unconditional logistic regression was used to model the odds of having an interval cancer as a function of the effect of the duration of HRT use (measured in years). Using subsequent screening rounds, χ2-tests were used to examine whether HRT users differed from HRT non-users in terms of tumour characteristics. Results: Ninety-seven screen-detected and 31 interval cancers were diagnosed among women who were on initial screening rounds, and 393 screen-detected and 153 interval cancers were diagnosed among women on subsequent screens, two years post screening. Two-year sensitivity outcomes were significantly lower for HRT users on initial screening rounds. For women on subsequent screening rounds, the odds of having an interval cancer increased with the duration of HRT use (odds ratio 1.09, 95% confidence interval 1.04–1.14, P<0.04) after controlling for age, family history, tumour grade, size and pathology type. The histopathological characteristics of cancers did not differ for HRT users compared with HRT non-users. Conclusion: The sensitivity of mammographic screening was reduced and the odds of having an interval cancer were increased for HRT users compared with HRT non-users. For women on subsequent screening episodes, the odds of having an interval cancer increased with duration of HRT use.
Receiver operating characteristics of the prostate specific antigen test in an unselected population
Authors: McLernon David J , Donnan Peter T , Gray Mike , Weller David , Sullivan Frank 
Published: June 2006

Objectives: To determine the operating characteristics of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and prostate cancer diagnosis rates in men who have had an initial PSA test in Tayside. Setting: A retrospective cohort study in Tayside, Scotland from 1992 to 2001. Methods: In total, 20,623 men were PSA tested during the period 1992–2001. After exclusions, 19,660 were studied. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for various PSA cut-off values by age group using logistic regression weighted for verification bias (biopsy). Cox regression analysis was performed using six test pattern cohorts. Results: The annual rate of PSA testing increased from 5.1 per 1000 man years in 1992 to 21.3 per 1000 man years in 2001. The average number of PSA tests per patient increased from 1.11 in 1992 to 2.57 in 2001. Prostate cancer diagnosis and death rates remained constant from 1995 onward. The PSA test had generally inadequate sensitivity and specificity values, so a unique cut-off could not be found for the two older age groups which could be used as a recommendation for biopsy. The commonly used 4 ng/mL cut-off was reasonably sensitive and specific only for the under 60 age group with values of 92.4% and 90.7%, respectively. For prostate cancer diagnosis, the hazard ratios (HR) were reported relative to those with a series of all normal tests. For those with an initially normal PSA test who had at least one abnormal retest result the HR for diagnosis was 10.43 (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.17–17.63). For those with initially abnormal tests with normal retests HR = 1.63 (95% CI 0.65–4.07). Conclusions: There are no optimal PSA cut-off values for older age groups with which to make a confident referral for biopsy. The increase in PSA testing and the questionable cut-off values of the test calls for the development of an alternative screening strategy.
Development and characterization of dried blood spot materials for the measurement of immunoreactive trypsinogen
Authors: Li Lixia , Zhou Yingtao , Bell Carol J , Earley Marie C , Hannon W Harry , Mei Joanne V 
Published: June 2006

Objectives: In response to increasing numbers of states in the US that test newborn babies for cystic fibrosis (CF), the Newborn Screening Quality Assurance Programme initiated a pilot proficiency testing programme for immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT), the biomarker for CF. Dried blood spot specimens (DBS) were used to evaluate the performance of laboratories that screen babies for CF. Methods: DBS were prepared from human whole blood enriched with physiologically relevant levels of IRT. Various methods of making IRT-enriched DBS were used to optimize the recovery and stability of the biomarker, including preparation of DBS from either intact or lysed red blood cells, varying the timing of IRT addition to blood before dispensing onto filter paper, adding a protease inhibitor cocktail, and treating serum with charcoal before IRT enrichment. The recovery and stability of IRT in DBS were assessed. Newborn screening laboratories were offered the opportunity to test blind-coded DBS in the pilot PT programme. Results: IRT was stable in the filter paper matrix when stored for one year at either −20°C or 4°C. Fifty percent more IRT was recovered from DBS prepared with lysed red blood cells where the IRT was added to blood just before dispensing; however, protease inhibitors did not improve IRT recovery. Conclusions: IRT in the DBS matrix is stable and can be shipped worldwide under ambient conditions. Optimal IRT recovery was achieved by adjustment of DBS production practices. Laboratories receiving specimens accurately measured IRT by a variety of commercial and in-house methods.
Screening for breast cancer in England: past and future
Authors:   Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer Screening
Published: June 2006

• The NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) began in 1988. It aims to invite all women aged 50–70 years for mammographic screening once every three years. The programme now screens 1.3 million women each year, about 75% of those invited, and diagnoses about 10,000 breast cancers annually. • Although some have questioned the value of screening for breast cancer, the scientific evidence demonstrates clearly that regular mammographic screening between the ages of 50 and 70 years reduces mortality from the malignancy. • Screened women are slightly more likely than unscreened women to be diagnosed with breast cancer. The cancers in screened women are smaller and are less likely to be treated with mastectomy than they would have been if diagnosed without screening. •For every 400 women screened regularly by the NHSBSP over a 10-year period, one woman fewer will die from breast cancer than would have died without screening. • The current NHSBSP saves an estimated 1400 lives each year in England. • The screening programme spends about £3000 for every year of life saved.
Probabilités de Ruine pour une Classe de Modèles de Risque Semi-Markoviens
Authors: Janssen Jacques , Reinhard Jean-Marie 
Published: June 2006

AbstractWe consider particular semi-Markov risk models M/SM and /SM for which the interarrival distributions are exponential with parameters depending of the risk type. We obtain theoretical expressions for the ruin probabilities on an infinite horizon.In the special case of exponential distributions for the claim amounts, ruin probabilities are in both models solutions of linear differential systems. These systems are explicitly solved when there are only two risk types.
Surgical outcome of T4a and resected T4b oral cavity cancer
Authors: Liao Chun‐Ta , Chang Joseph Tung‐Chieh , Wang Hung‐Ming , Ng Shu‐Hang , Hsueh Chuen , Lee Li‐Yu , Lin Chih Hung , Chen I‐How , Kang Chung‐Jan , Huang Shiang‐Fu , Tsai Ming‐fong , Yen Tzu‐Chen 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBACKGROUND.The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 2002 staging system (AJCC 2002) suggested that squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OSCC) with T4b is unresectable. The current retrospective results show that selected T4b patients were resectable with favorable outcomes.METHODS.From January 1996 to December 2000, 103 consecutive untreated T4 OSCC patients (reclassified by AJCC 2002) without carotid artery encasement and skull base extension were eligible for radical treatment. All received head‐and‐neck magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or computed tomography (CT) scans before operation. The surgical principles were safety margins of ≥1 cm for primary tumors, modified/radical neck dissections for clinical lymph node‐positive disease, and supraomohyoid neck dissection for lymph node‐negative disease. In all, 95.1% of patients (98 of 103 patients) underwent free‐flap reconstructions. Adjuvant radiotherapy or concomitant chemoradiotherapy was administed to those with pathological T4 (AJCC 1997), cervical lymph node metastasis, or close margins (≤4 mm). Survivals were calculated according to the method of Kaplan and Meier.RESULTS.In all, 58 patients were classified as having T4a disease and 45 were classified as having T4b disease. No statistical difference was observed in the 5‐year local control, neck control, disease‐free survival, and overall survival rates between the T4a and T4b groups. In multivariate analyses, pathologic lymph node status (pN0‐1 vs. pN2) was found to be the sole independent predictor for T4b for local control (P = .012), disease‐free survival (P = .005), and overall survival (P = .008).CONCLUSIONS.Selected T4b OSCC patients were found to be resectable with outcomes that were comparable to those of T4a OSCC patients and may benefit from radical surgery, free‐flap reconstruction, and adjuvant therapy. A pathologic lymph node status of ≥2 was found to be the sole independent predictor for T4b disease in local control and survival. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Review of capecitabine as oral treatment of gastric, gastroesophageal, and esophageal cancers
Authors: Ajani Jaffer 
Published: June 2006

AbstractCapecitabine is a novel, orally administered fluoropyrimidine carbamate that has been approved for adjuvant treatment in patients with Stage III colon cancer, first‐line metastatic colorectal cancer, and metastatic breast cancer, both as a single agent (for patients who are resistant to paclitaxel and anthracyclines) and in combination with docetaxel (after failure on anthracycline‐based therapy). Capecitabine is being investigated in Phase I and II trials for the treatment of gastric, gastroesophageal, and esophageal cancers, primarily in the first‐line metastatic setting but also in the adjuvant setting. The MEDLINE data base was searched for English‐language clinical trials that were published from 1996 through October 2005 along with relevant abstracts that were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology and at meetings of the European Cancer Conference and the European Society of Medical Oncology. The most frequently investigated combinations were capecitabine with docetaxel, paclitaxel, cisplatin, or oxaliplatin, and capecitabine also has been combined with irinotecan. These therapies have yielded efficacy data that compare favorably with data from Phase III trials of parenteral 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) in the first‐line metastatic setting, and they mostly are well tolerated. Capecitabine, when combined in doses <1250 mg/m2 twice daily, consistently resulted in a lower frequency of Grade 3 or 4 toxic effects. Capecitabine, as a representative of oral fluoropymidine, is a promising agent in gastroesophageal cancers. Although some Phase III trials are completed, additional Phase III trials of capecitabine‐based combinations that compare its efficacy and safety with parenteral 5‐FU–based combinations, in both first‐line metastatic and adjuvant settings, would be important. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Hodgkin disease survival in Europe and the U.S.
Authors: Allemani Claudia , Sant Milena , De Angelis Roberta , Marcos‐Gragera Rafael , Coebergh Jan Willem ,   and the EUROCARE Working Group
Published: June 2006

AbstractBACKGROUND.The survival of patients with Hodgkin disease (HD) varies markedly across Europe and generally is shorter than the survival of patients in the U.S. To investigate these differences, the authors compared population‐based HD survival in relation to morphologic type among populations in Europe and the U.S.METHODS.The authors analyzed 6726 patients from 37 cancer registries that participated in EUROCARE‐3 and 3442 patients from 9 U.S. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries. Patients were diagnosed during 1990 to 1994 and were followed for at least 5 years. The European registries were grouped into EUROCARE West, EUROCARE UK, and EUROCARE East. Morphologic groups were nodular sclerosis, mixed cellularity, lymphocyte depletion, lymphocyte predominance, and not otherwise specified (NOS). The influence of morphology on geographic differences in 5‐year relative survival was explored by using multiple regression analysis.RESULTS.In the model that was adjusted by age, gender, and years since diagnosis, the relative excess risk (RER) of death was 0.93 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.81–1.05) in EUROCARE West, 1.15 (95% CI, 1.04–1.28) in EUROCARE UK, and 1.39 (95% CI, 1.21–1.60) in EUROCARE East (compared with the SEER data). When morphology was included, EUROCARE UK and SEER no longer differed (RER, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.95–1.18). Morphology distribution varied markedly across Europe and much less in the U.S., with nodular sclerosis less common in Europe (45.9%) than the U.S.(61.7%). The RER data showed that patients who had lymphocyte depletion, NOS, and mixed cellularity had a significantly worse prognoses compared with patients who had nodular sclerosis, whereas patients who had lymphocyte predominance had the best prognosis.CONCLUSIONS.The current results provide population‐based evidence that morphology strongly influences the prognosis of patients with HD. However differences in the morphologic case mix explains only some of the geographic variations observed in survival. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Safety and efficacy of external beam radiation therapy for non‐Hodgkin lymphoma in patients with prior 90Y‐ibritumomab tiuxetan radioimmunotherapy
Authors: Justice Terry E. , Martenson James A. , Wiseman Gregory A. , Witzig Thomas E. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBACKGROUND.Non‐Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) are radiosensitive tumors. Recent trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of beta irradiation delivered by monoclonal antibodies conjugated to radioisotopes such as yttrium‐90 or iodine‐131. Many patients eventually relapse after radioimmunotherapy (RIT) and require additional treatment. The goal of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) delivered after RIT.METHODS.We reviewed the records of 135 patients with relapsed B‐cell NHL who had received RIT with 90Y‐ibritumomab tiuxetan to identify patients who subsequently received EBRT. The response rates and radiation‐induced toxicity from the EBRT were assessed.RESULTS.Nineteen of 135 (14%) patients received EBRT to a total of 39 tumor sites. Complete radiation therapy records were available for 16 patients (36 tumor sites), which formed the basis for this analysis. The median EBRT dose was 28.5 Gy (range, 10–40 Gy), with a median fraction size of 2 Gy (range, 1–5 Gy). Response data were available for 29 treated sites. The overall response rate was 90% (26/29) with 12 complete responses (41%), 7 complete clinical responses (24%), 7 partial responses (24%), and 3 stable (10%). Toxicities were generally transient, reversible, and corresponded to the anatomic regions irradiated.CONCLUSIONS.EBRT can produce tumor responses at sites of NHL that relapse after RIT with acceptable toxicity. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Pilot phase IIA study for evaluation of the efficacy of folic acid in the treatment of laryngeal leucoplakia
Authors: Almadori Giovanni , Bussu Francesco , Navarra Pierluigi , Galli Jacopo , Paludetti Gaetano , Giardina Bruno , Maurizi Maurizio 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBACKGROUNDIt has been previously observed that patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma or with laryngeal leucoplakia present a significant reduction in plasma folate levels. The current Phase IIA pilot study assessed the effectiveness of folic acid as a chemopreventive agent in patients affected by glottic laryngeal leucoplakia,METHODSForty‐three untreated patients affected by glottic laryngeal leucoplakia were enrolled in the Ear, Nose, and Throat Department (Universita Cattolica del Saco Cuore, Rome, Italy). Glottic leucoplakia was initially diagnosed by indirect laryngoscopy and successively confirmed by diagnostic direct microlaryngoscopy with a biopsy for histologic assessment. Folic acid (Folina, Schwarz Pharma, Germany) was administered orally (5 mg every 8 hours) for 6 months. Patients were monitored every 30 days by videolaryngoscopy.RESULTSTwelve (28%) patients had no response, 19 (44%) had a partial response, and 12 (28%) had a complete response. The mean increase in serum folate levels (10.06 ± 0.53) and the mean decrease in homocysteine serum (3.65349 ± 0.85526) at the end of the study were highly significant (P = .0001).CONCLUSIONSThe larynx is 1 of the sites of major interest and a good model for the development of chemopreventive agents, but so far the proposed agents have shown no clear efficacy on precancerous lesions or on the development of second malignancies. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Palliative goals, patient selection, and perioperative platelet management: Outcomes and lessons from 3 decades of splenectomy for myelofibrosiswith myeloid metaplasia at the Mayo Clinic
Authors: Mesa Ruben A. , Nagorney David S. , Schwager Susan , Allred Jacob , Tefferi Ayalew 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBACKGROUND.Although splenectomy may palliate massive splenomegaly in patients with myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia, this procedure carries significant risks. The authors retrospectively analyzed their experience with splenectomy over the course of 30 years to analyze the impact of improved techniques, antimicrobials, and aggressive postoperative control of platelet counts on outcome.METHODS.A total of 314 patients underwent splenectomy between 1976 and 2004 for mechanical symptoms (= 156 patients [49%]), anemia (= 78 patients [25%]), portal hypertension (= 47 patients [15%]), or thrombocytopenia (= 33 patients [11%]). Of a total of 91 patients studied during the last decade, 69 patients (76%) experienced a palliative benefit for their primary surgical indication for a median of 12 months (range, 1‐91 months).RESULTS.Perioperative complications occurred in 87 patients (27.7%) including infection (= 31 patients [9.9%]), thrombosis (= 31 patients [9.9%]), or bleeding (= 44 patients [14%]), 21 of which (6.7% of all patients) were fatal. Perioperative thrombohemorrhagic complications decreased in the last decade through the use of platelet apheresis and the prompt use of cytoreductive agents to counteract postsplenectomy thrombocytosis. Survival after splenectomy was found to be decreased in patients with preoperative thrombocytopenia (<100 × 109/L [P = 0.006]) but not by indication, myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (MMM) prognostic score, or the decade in which splenectomy was performed.CONCLUSIONS.The lack of improvement in overall postsplenectomy survival over time may be a reflection on the failure of medical therapy to improve survival in patients with MMM. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Fast Reciprocating Probe Assembly for the KSTAR
Authors: Bak J. G. , Lee S. G. , KSTAR project team  
Published: June 2006

AbstractA fast reciprocating probe assembly (FRPA) that can scan a distance of up to 32.5 cm with a maximum speed of 1.7 m/s was fabricated to obtain the spatial profile of basic plasma parameters in the edge region of the KSTAR plasma during a plasma discharge of 20 s. The probe driving mechanism consists of two parts; first a slow movement driven by a servo motor system and then a fast reciprocating movement actuated by a pneumatic system. A performance test of the drive system, which is remotely controlled by a PC, was carried out. The prototype of the probe head for the KSTAR FRPA was fabricated as a modular type for easy replacement. It was installed in the fast injection probe assembly (FIPA) in the Hanbit magnetic mirror device, and a radial plasma parameter profile measurement was carried out. The performance test results of the drive system and the profile measurements using the probe head are presented. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)