bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Continued Cigarette Smoking by Patients Receiving Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Limited-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer Is Associated With Decreased Survival
Authors: Videtic Gregory M.M. , Stitt Larry W. , Dar A. Rashid , Kocha Walter I. , Tomiak Anna T. , Truong Pauline T. , Vincent Mark D. , Yu Edward W. 
Published: April 2003

Purpose: To determine the impact of continued smoking by patients receiving chemotherapy (CHT) and radiotherapy (RT) for limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LSCLC) on toxicity and survival.Patients and Methods: A retrospective review was carried out on 215 patients with LSCLC treated between 1989 and 1999. Treatment consisted of six cycles of alternating cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and etoposide, cisplatin (EP). Thoracic RT was concurrent with EP (cycle 2 or 3) only. Patients were known smokers, with their smoking status recorded at the start of chemoradiotherapy (CHT/RT). RT interruption during concurrent CHT/RT was used as the marker for treatment toxicity.Results: Of 215 patients, smoking status was recorded for 186 patients (86.5%), with 79 (42%) continuing to smoke and 107 (58%) abstaining during CHT/RT. RT interruptions were recorded in 38 patients (20.5%), with a median duration of 5 days (range, 1 to 18 days). Median survival for former smokers was greater than for continuing smokers (18 v 13.6 months), with 5-year actuarial overall survival of 8.9% versus 4%, respectively (log-rank P = .0017). Proportion of noncancer deaths was comparable between the two cohorts. Continuing smokers did not have a greater incidence of toxicity-related treatment breaks (P = .49), but those who continued to smoke and also experienced a treatment break had the poorest overall survival (median, 13.4 months; log-rank P = .0014).Conclusion: LSCLC patients who continue to smoke during CHT/RT have poorer survival rates than those who do not. Smoking did not have an impact on the rate of treatment interruptions attributed to toxicity.
Evaluation of energy-saving driving styles for bus drivers
Authors: Vangi D , Virga A 
Published: April 2003

A procedure is presented for evaluating the performance in terms of driving style of public transport bus drivers, within the context of a programme for energy savings in urban public transportation. The purpose of this evaluation is that of providing suitable tools for training of personnel with the objective of attaining more energy-efficient driving styles and improving driving quality. Quality can be defined as the combination of an energy saving driving style with a behaviour that is respectful of the environment (noise, pollution and safety) and of the vehicle and is comfortable for the passengers as well. Economical driving provides direct savings in fuel of up to 25 per cent as well as indirect savings deriving from general improvements in quality; a more controlled driving style can also be accompanied by reductions in air pollution and noise emission. The procedure utilizes a fuzzy logic approach and can be implemented aboard vehicles in an automatic monitoring system, the sole requirement being that of measuring the instantaneous road speed of the vehicle and its current load. The procedure has been developed and validated on the basis of data coming from a test campaign carried out on vehicles equipped with automatic and manual transmission, operating over both urban and intercity itineraries in three different cities, and adopting different driving styles with different drivers. By analysing the results, in relation to the itinerary and conditions of traffic, stops, load, etc., it can be determined which conditions, for each driver, lead to either good or poor performance. Such specific information, together with assessment of the overall driving style, provides useful indications for training drivers, both through training programmes with specific itineraries and trials, and through self-learning processes with the procedure implemented using an on-board monitoring system.
Third Degree Stochastic Dominance and Mean-Risk Analysis
Authors: Gotoh Jun-ya , Konno Hiroshi 
Published: April 2003

In their recent article, Ogryczak and Ruszczyński (1999) proved that those portfolios associated with the efficient frontiers generated by mean-lower semi-standard deviation model and mean- (lower semi-)absolute deviation model are efficient in the sense of second degree stochastic dominance. This rather surprising result reveals the importance of lower partial risk models in portfolio analysis. In this paper, we extend the results of Ogryczak and Ruszczyński for second degree stochastic dominance to third degree stochastic dominance. We show that portfolios on a significant portion of the efficient frontier generated by mean-lower semi-skewness model are efficient in the sense of third degree stochastic dominance. Also, we prove that the portfolios generated by mean-variance-skewness model are semi-efficient in the sense of third degree stochastic dominance.
Majorization of Weighted Trees: A New Tool to Study Correlated Stochastic Systems
Authors: Xu Susan H. , Li Haijun 
Published: April 2003

Stochastic models with simultaneous arrivals arise naturally in the areas such as synchronized communication networks, flexible manufacturing systems, production/inventory systems, reliability modeling in random environment, etc., with a wide variety of interpretations. Simultaneous arrivals introduce dependence among various components of the system and make the explicit solutions of joint system performance measures either computationally intensive or intractable. This calls for structural analysis of dependence natures of such systems so that the insight gained from the analysis can suggest plausible approaches to develop tight bounds and efficient approximations to key system performance measures. The usual majorization order on a totally ordered index set and Schur convexity are powerful tools for establishing inequalities, in particular, for stochastic systems. However, the investigation on stochastic systems with simultaneous arrivals leads naturally to the comparison of distributions of parameter values on a tree-structured index set. In this paper, we introduce the notion of majorization with respect to weighted trees. The fundamental strength of tree majorization lies in its ability to make versatile comparisons over two parameter sets defined on a partially ordered index set. We identify several classes of transformations that provide simple characterizations of tree majorization orders. Finally, we apply the new notion to an assemble-to-order system and to a shock model with simultaneous subsystem failures and study the dependence structure of these systems. Our results show that tree majorization and its interplay with various notions of stochastic orders are useful tools to study the dependency of stochastic systems with multivariate, synchronized input processes.
Diffusion Approximations for Some Multiclass Queueing Networks with FIFO Service Disciplines
Authors: Chen Hong , Zhang Hanqin 
Published: April 2003

The diffusion approximation is proved for a class of multiclass queueing networks under FIFO service disciplines. In addition to the usual assumptions for a heavy traffic limit theorem, a key condition that characterizes this class is that a J × J matrix G, known as the workload contents matrix, has a spectral radius less than unity, where J represents the number of service stations. The (j, 𝓁)th component of matrix Gcan be interpreted as the long-run average amount of future work for station j that is embodied in a unit of immediate work at station 𝓁. This class includes, as a special case, the feedforward multiclass queueing network and the Rybko-Stolyar network under FIFO service discipline.A new approach is taken in establishing the diffusion limit theorem. The traditional approach is based on an oblique reflection mapping, but such a mapping is not well defined for the network under consideration. Our approach takes two steps: Arst establishing the C-tightness of the scaled queueing processes, and then completing the proof for the convergence of the scaled queueing processes by invoking the weak uniqueness for the limiting processes, which are semimartingale reflecting Brownian motions.
Performance Analysis and Best Implementations of Old and New Algorithms for the Open-Pit Mining Problem
Authors: Hochbaum Dorit S. , Chen Anna 
Published: April 2003

The open-pit mining problem is to determine the contours of a mine, based on economic data and engineering feasibility requirements, to yield maximum possible net income. This practical problem needs to be solved for very large data sets. In practice, moreover, it is necessary to test multiple scenarios, taking into account a variety of realizations of geological predictions and forecasts of ore value. The industry is experiencing computational difficulties in solving the problem. Yet, the problem is known to be equivalent to the minimum cut or maximum flow problem. For the maximum flow problem there are a number of very efficient algorithms that have been developed over the last decade. On the other hand, the algorithm that is most commonly used by the mining industry has been devised by Lerchs and Grossmann (LG). This algorithm is used in most commercial software packages for open-pit mining. This paper describes a detailed study of the LG algorithm as compared to the maximum flow “push-relabel” algorithm. We propose here an efficient implementation of the push-relabel algorithm adapted to the features of the open-pit mining problem. We study issues such as the properties of the mine and ore distribution and how they affect the running time of the algorithm. We also study some features that improve the performance of the LG algorithm. The proposed implementations offer significant improvements compared to existing algorithms and make the related sensitivity analysis problem practically solvable.
Social background and age at menarche in Portuguese university students: A note on the secular changes in Portugal
Authors: Padez C. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractMenarcheal age of a sample of Portuguese university students (n = 3,366), born between 1972 and 1983, age 18–23 years, was analyzed. The influence of parents' educational level and occupation, family size, birth order, and degree of urbanization of girl's locality of residence during childhood and adolescence were analyzed as well as secular trend in the Portuguese population. Mean age at menarche for girls born in 1983 was 12.32 years. Parents' educational level and occupation did not show any significant influence on mean age at menarche. Place of residence during childhood years and adolescence showed a significant effect on mean age at menarche, with girls from rural places with a later age at menarche than those who spent their childhood or adolescence in urban areas (P ≤ 0.01 and P ≤ 0.05 for childhood and adolescence, respectively). Family size and birth order showed the highest effect. Girls born in small families, with one child, matured earlier (12.32 years) than those born in large families with four or more children (12.67 years), (P ≤ 0.01). Also, girls that were first‐born had an earlier menarche (12.41 years) than those who were third or later (12.58 years, P ≤ 0.01). Regression analysis selected family size and place of residence in childhood as the most important determinants of mean age at menarche in our university students. In this sample, from 1972 to 1983, mean age at menarche remained stable. When we considered published data from all the Portuguese population we found a decrease in mean age at menarche from 15 years for girls born in 1880 to 12.44 for those born in the 1980s. This decrease was the result of great improvements in the social and economic living conditions that occurred in Portugal especially after the 1970s concerning nutrition and health care, among many other environmental factors. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 15:415–427, 2003. ©2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Waist‐to‐hip ratio and adipose tissue distribution: Contribution of subcutaneous adiposity
Authors: Daniel Mark , Martin Alan D. , Drinkwater Donald T. , Clarys Jan P. , Marfell‐Jones Michael J. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractThe waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR) reflects the relative distribution of adipose tissue in the human body. However, whether this is due to the musculoskeletal structures of the waist and hip or the overlying subcutaneous adipose tissue has been disputed. We measured waist and hip girths in 11 male and 11 female cadavers, aged 55–94 years, before and after complete removal of skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue. Girths measured following removal of subcutaneous adipose tissue were termed “waist gx” and “hip gx”, and their ratio “WHRx”. Masses of regional adipose tissue segments were obtained by complete dissection, and the adipose mass ratios “trunk/arm‐plus‐leg”, “trunk/leg”, “internal/arm‐plus‐leg”, and “internal/leg” were derived. As assessed by analysis of variance, WHR accounted for significant (P < 0.05) portions of the variance in all adipose mass ratios; adjustment for internal adipose mass increased the significance of all these relationships (P < 0.005). The ratio WHRx was not related to any ratio of regional adipose masses. Waist girth was related to trunk (P < 0.001) and internal (P < 0.05) adipose masses, and hip girth was related to arm‐plus‐leg adipose mass (P < 0.0001) and leg adipose mass (P < 0.0001), but waist gx and hip gx were not related to dependent variables. The results indicate that the ability of WHR and waist and hip girths to reflect the regional distribution of adipose tissue in the body is dependent upon the subcutaneous adipose tissue mass of the waist hip area, not its musculoskeletal constituency. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 15:428−432, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Workplace health and safety regulations: Impact of enforcement and consultation on workers' compensation claims rates in Washington State
Authors: Baggs James , Silverstein Barbara , Foley Michael 
Published: April 2003

AbstractBackgroundThere has been considerable debate in the public policy arena about the appropriate mix of regulatory enforcement and consultation in achieving desired health and safety behavior across industries. Recently there has been a shift in federal policy toward voluntary approaches and constraining the scope of enforcement programs, although there is little evidence that this might improve health and safety outcomes. To address this, we examined changes in lost time workers compensation claims rates for Washington State employers who had (1) no OSHA State Plan (WISHA) activity, (2) enforcement, (3) consultation, and (4) both types of visits.MethodsCompensable claims rates, hours, and WISHA activity were determined for each employer account with a single business location that had payroll hours reported for every quarter from 1997–2000 and more than 10 employees. We used a generalized estimating equations (GEE) approach to Poisson regression to model the association between WISHA activity and claims rate controlling for other external factors.ResultsControlling for previous claims rate and average size, claims rates for employers with WISHA enforcement activity declined 22.5% in fixed site industry SIC codes compared to 7% among employers with no WISHA activity (P < 0.05), and in non‐fixed site SICs (e.g., construction) claims rates declined 12.8% for employers with enforcement activity compared to a 7.4% decline for those with no WISHA activity (P > 0.10). WISHA consultation activity was not associated with a greater decline in compensable claims rates (−2.3% for fixed sites and +3.5% for non‐fixed sites). WISHA activity did not adversely affect worksite survivability through the study period.ConclusionsEnforcement inspections are significantly associated with decreasing compensable workers compensation claims rates especially for fixed site employers. We were unable to identify an association between consultation activities and decreasing claims rates. Am. J. Ind. Med. 43:483–494, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dying for work: The magnitude of US mortality from selected causes of death associated with occupation
Authors: Steenland Kyle , Burnett Carol , Lalich Nina , Ward Elizabeth , Hurrell Joseph 
Published: April 2003

AbstractBackgroundDeaths due to occupational disease and injury place a heavy burden on society in terms of economic costs and human suffering.MethodsWe estimate the annual deaths due to selected diseases for which an occupational association is reasonably well established and quantifiable, by calculation of attributable fractions (AFs), with full documentation; the deaths due to occupational injury are then added to derive an estimated number of annual deaths due to occupation.ResultsUsing 1997 US mortality data, the estimated annual burden of occupational disease mortality resulting from selected respiratory diseases, cancers, cardiovascular disease, chronic renal failure, and hepatitis is 49,000, with a range from 26,000 to 72,000. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there are about 6,200 work‐related injury deaths annually. Adding disease and injury data, we estimate that there are a total of 55,200 US deaths annually resulting from occupational disease or injury (range 32,200–78,200).ConclusionsOur estimate is in the range reported by previous investigators, although we have restricted ourselves more than others to only those diseases with well‐established occupational etiology, biasing our estimates conservatively. The underlying assumptions and data used to generate the estimates are well documented, so our estimates may be updated as new data emerges on occupational risks and exposed populations, providing an advantage over previous studies. We estimate that occupational deaths are the 8th leading cause of death in the US, after diabetes (64,751) but ahead of suicide (30,575), and greater than the annual number of motor vehicle deaths per year (43,501). Am. J. Ind. Med. 43:461–482, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electrical properties of epoxy resins during polymerization
Authors: Delmonte John 
Published: April 2003

AbstractVariations in electrical properties of epoxies during polymerization permit interpretation of molecular changes occuring. Three liquid epoxy resins selected for test were of different molecular weights, varying from 6,400 to 26,800 cycles/sec. Curing agents selected included triethylene tetramine, m‐phenylenediamine, and phthalic anhydride. Test specimens were cast between glass plates containing thin foil electrodes which permitted observations of electrical properties during cure. Test results disclose that for each of the resin systems, dissipation factors fell sharply as cure commenced and then at the onset of gelation, values rose again to a peak value, falling with continued cure and hardening of the product. These measurements were conducted over a range of frequencies, the higher the frequency the higher the peak value of dissipation factor and the sooner it occurs. The disclosures of peak values of dissipation factor during cure are unique and appeared to be correlated to the mechanical changes occuring in the polymer. Measurements of other electrical parameters were made during polymerization, such as dielectric constant and volume resistivity, and while data were carefully noted and plotted in the charts, the most revealing was dissipation factor. The influence of heat and other factors upon results is explored.
The development of molecular orientation during formation of cellulose film from viscose
Authors: Haskell V. C. , Owens D. K. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractThe distribution of molecular orientation in cellophane and its correlation with processing conditions have been studied by means of optical retardation measurements. With thin sections of cellophane cut with a standard microtome edge views were obtained, and it was possible to measure optical retardation profiles of the sections. This yielded information about the variation of molecular orientation in different layers of the film. In lanes near the edge of the machine‐cast sheet the machine direction orientation was higher than in center lanes. In layers near the surface, machine direction orientation was higher, and transverse direction orientation was lower than in center layers. Studies of shear induced orientation in viscose indicated that this did not persist long enough to contribute to the structure of cellophane. The distribution of molecular orientation in cellophane was explained in terms of the forces acting on the web during and after coagulation and regeneration. These include the viscous drag of the treatment baths, the internal friction as the viscose is drawn outside the extrusion die, the tendency of the film to shrink during its formation and drying, and the tentering action of machine rolls.
The relative inhibitory effect of various compounds on the rate of polymerization of vinyl acetate
Authors: Georgieff K. K. , Shaw G. S. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractThe relative inhibitory effects of acetaldehyde, acetone, 1‐acetoxy‐1,3‐butadiene, benzene, 1,3‐butadienylacetylene, carbon disulfide, crotonaldehyde, diacetyl, diacetylene, divinylacetylene, divinyl sulfide, 1,3,5‐hexatriene, monovinylacetylene, thiophene, and toluene on the bulk polymerization of vinyl acetate were measured. Two polymerization tests utilizing different concentrations of benzoyl peroxide catalyst were used. Experimental details of the tests, inhibition factors and curves, and general conclusions regarding the magnitude of the inhibition caused by various organic functional groups are given.
Effects of by‐products, trace components, and similar compounds in viscose on ripening
Authors: Easterwood Marie , Mueller W. A. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractThe effects on viscose ripening of a variety of materials are reported. (1) Normal constituents (Na2CO3, Na2CS3, NaCl) appeared not to affect ripening; however, Na2S retarded ripening. By‐product removal appeared to retard ripening. (2) Oxidizing agents (H2O2, Na2Sx) accelerated ripening; reducing agent (Na2SO3) retarded ripening; this is suggestive of possible addition product formation. (3) Na2SO4, (CH3)2SO, KClO3, Na2BH4 showed no effect on ripening. (4) Salts which precipitated as hydroxides or carbonates did not appear to affect ripening. (5) Salts which formed insoluble sulfides resulted in an initial increase in ripening rates. In later stages, ripening proceeded normally, probably after the salts were removed from solution as insoluble sulfides. (6) FeCl3, BiCl3 and Na3AsO3 appeared to retard ripening. (7) A comparison of the effect on ripening of the trivalent state of elements in group V of the periodic table showed that the rate of ripening decreased with the oxidation potential of the element. (8) The addition of sodium zincate retarded ripening and suggested possible cross‐linking of xanthate and by‐product sulfur, or of two xanthate groups. (9) Addition of tin and chromium salts at the 0.5% level resulted in gelation of the viscose within 30 min. after the addition.
Aliphatic polyureas: Melting points versus intrinsic viscosities
Authors: Boenig Herman V. , Walker Norman , Myers Elliot H. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractAn homologous series of aliphatic polyureas of the type where the x = 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 12, was prepared from hexamethylene diisocyanate and diamines. The polymers were obtained in powder form with the use of acetone as the solvent. The intrinsic viscosities of the phenolic solutions of these polyureas were found to decrease with increasing polymerization temperature. When the melting points of the polymers were plotted against the intrinsic viscosities within each species of polymer, these melting points were found to increase with the intrinsic viscosity. The curves so formed appeared to approach an asymptote.