Spatial analysis can identify communities where men are at risk for aggressive prostate cancer (PCan) and need intervention. However, there are several definitions for aggressive PCan. In this study, ...we evaluate geospatial patterns of 3 different aggressive PCan definitions in relation to PCan-specific mortality and provide methodologic and practical insights into how each definition may affect intervention targets.
Using the Pennsylvania State Cancer Registry data (2005-2015), we used 3 definitions to assign "aggressive" status to patients diagnosed with PCan. Definition one (D1, recently recommended as the primary definition, given high correlation with PCan death) was based on staging criteria T4/N1/M1 or Gleason score ≥ 8. Definition two (D2, most frequently-used definition in geospatial studies) included distant SEER summary stage. Definition three (D3) included Gleason score ≥ 7 only. Using Bayesian spatial models, we identified geographic clusters of elevated odds ratios for aggressive PCan (binomial model) for each definition and compared overlap between those clusters to clusters of elevated hazard ratios for PCan-specific mortality (Cox regression).
The number of "aggressive" PCan cases varied by definition, and influenced quantity, location, and extent/size of geographic clusters in binomial models. While spatial patterns overlapped across all three definitions, using D2 in binomial models provided results most akin to PCan-specific mortality clusters as identified through Cox regression. This approach resulted in fewer clusters for targeted intervention and less sensitive to missing data compared to definitions that rely on clinical TNM staging.
Using D2, based on distant SEER summary stage, in future research may facilitate consistency and allow for standardized comparison across geospatial studies.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Fuzzy random variables possess several interpretations. Historically, they were proposed either as a tool for handling linguistic label information in statistics or to represent uncertainty about ...classical random variables. Accordingly, there are two different approaches to the definition of the variance of a fuzzy random variable. In the first one, the variance of the fuzzy random variable is defined as a crisp number, which makes it easier to handle in further processing. In the second case, the variance is defined as a fuzzy interval, thus offering a gradual description of our incomplete knowledge about the variance of an underlying, imprecisely observed, classical random variable. In this paper, we also discuss another view of fuzzy random variables, which comes down to a set of random variables induced by a fuzzy relation describing an ill-known conditional probability. This view leads to yet another definition of the variance of a fuzzy random variable in the context of the theory of imprecise probabilities. The new variance is a real interval, which achieves a compromise between both previous definitions in terms of representation simplicity. Our main objective is to demonstrate, with the help of simple examples, the practical significance of these definitions of variance induced by various existing views of fuzzy random variables.
Previously, we reported on using Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) in place of traditional solvents for supported liquid membranes to take advantage of their unique properties. This previous ...work used RTILs with the hexafluorophosphate PF
6
− anion. However, the PF
6
− anion in the presence of water can break down into HF. In the current work, we studied RTIL-membranes made from the following water stable anions: bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide Tf
2N
−, trifluoromethanesulfone CF
3SO
3
−, chloride Cl
−, and dicyanamide dca
−. We report CO
2 permeabilities of 350
barrers (for Cl
−) to 1000
barrers (for Tf
2N
−) combined with CO
2/N
2 ideal selectivities of 15 (for Cl
−) to 61 (for dca
−). Note that these permeability/selectivities place RTIL-membranes above the upper-bound in a CO
2/N
2 Robeson plot of representative polymers. The CO
2/CH
4 ideal selectivities range from 4 (for Cl
−) to 20 (for dca
−), thereby placing the dca-membrane above the upper-bound for the CO
2/CH
4 Robeson plot.
There exist several simple representations of uncertainty that are easier to handle than more general ones. Among them are random sets, possibility distributions, probability intervals, and more ...recently Ferson’s p-boxes and Neumaier’s clouds. Both for theoretical and practical considerations, it is very useful to know whether one representation is equivalent to or can be approximated by other ones. In this paper, we define a generalized form of usual p-boxes. These generalized p-boxes have interesting connections with other previously known representations. In particular, we show that they are equivalent to pairs of possibility distributions, and that they are special kinds of random sets. They are also the missing link between p-boxes and clouds, which are the topic of the second part of this study.
A critical view of the alleged significance of Belnap four-valued logic for reasoning under inconsistent and incomplete information is provided. The difficulty lies in the confusion between ...truth-values and information states, when reasoning about Boolean propositions. So our critique is along the lines of previous debates on the relevance of many-valued logics and especially of the extension of the Boolean truth-tables to more than two values as a tool for reasoning about uncertainty. The critique also questions the significance of partial logic.
An algebraic model of a kind of modal extension of de Morgan logic is described under the name MDS5 algebra. The main properties of this algebra can be summarized as follows: (1) it is based on a de ...Morgan lattice, rather than a Boolean algebra; (2) a modal necessity operator that satisfies the axioms
N,
K,
T, and 5 (and as a consequence also
B and 4) of modal logic is introduced; it allows one to introduce a modal possibility by the usual combination of necessity operation and de Morgan negation; (3) the necessity operator satisfies a distributivity principle over joins. The latter property cannot be meaningfully added to the standard Boolean algebraic models of S5 modal logic, since in this Boolean context both modalities collapse in the identity mapping. The consistency of this algebraic model is proved, showing that usual fuzzy set theory on a universe
U can be equipped with a MDS5 structure that satisfies all the above points (1)–(3), without the trivialization of the modalities to the identity mapping. Further, the relationship between this new algebra and Heyting-Wajsberg algebras is investigated. Finally, the question of the role of these deviant modalities, as opposed to the usual non-distributive ones, in the scope of knowledge representation and approximation spaces is discussed.
Background
Prucalopride is a high‐affinity 5‐HT4 receptor agonist for the treatment of chronic constipation. The aims of this study were to investigate the relationship between health‐related quality ...of life (HRQoL) and symptoms of constipation, and to assess the response of HRQoL to treatment using integrated data from three phase III trials of prucalopride.
Methods
This was an integrated analysis of data from three pivotal multicenter, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group trials (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT00488137, NCT00483886 and NCT00485940). Relationships were investigated between Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC‐QOL) scores, Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms (PAC‐SYM) scores, bowel movement frequency (assessed using daily diaries), and treatment.
Key Results
Patients treated with prucalopride 2 mg (n = 659) and placebo (n = 661) were included in the analysis. An improvement in PAC‐SYM scores correlated well with an improvement in PAC‐QOL overall score (r = 0.711) and satisfaction subscale score (r = 0.589). After 12 weeks, PAC‐QOL overall score and satisfaction subscale score significantly (p < 0.001) improved by ≥1 point (clinically relevant) in 36.5% and 44.1% of patients treated with prucalopride, compared with 18.5% and 22.4% with placebo respectively. Moreover, 39.0% of patients with an improvement in satisfaction of ≥1 point achieved ≥3 spontaneous complete bowel movements/week, compared with 7.4% of those with no improvement in satisfaction (<1 point).
Conclusions & Inferences
Improvements in PAC‐QOL overall score and satisfaction score were associated with improvements in symptoms of chronic constipation. Compared with placebo, treatment with prucalopride significantly improved HRQoL.
This was an integrated analysis of data from three pivotal multicenter, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group trials or prucalopride in patients with chronic constipation. The data from the three trials were pooled, and correlations were assessed for the change from baseline in PAC‐QOL overall and satisfaction subscale scores compared with PAC‐SYM scores. There was a strong correlation (r = 0.710) between improvement in PAC‐SYM and improvement in PAC‐QOL scores. PAC‐SYM scores also correlated well with the PAC‐QOL satisfaction subscale (r = 0.589).
The circadian dynamics of important neuroendocrine-immune mediators have been implicated in progression of rheumatoid arthritis pathophysiology, both clinically as well as in animal models. We ...present a mathematical model that describes the circadian interactions between mediators of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the proinflammatory cytokines. Model predictions demonstrate that chronically elevated cytokine expression results in the development of adrenal insufficiency and circadian variability in paw edema. Notably, our model also predicts that an increase in mean secretion of corticosterone (CST) after the induction of the disease is accompanied by a decrease in the amplitude of the CST oscillation. Furthermore, alterations in the phase of circadian oscillation of both cytokines and HPA axis mediators are observed. Therefore, by incorporating the circadian interactions between the neuroendocrine-immune mediators, our model is able to simulate important features of rheumatoid arthritis pathophysiology.
Here we present the chemical characterization of the water-soluble organic carbon fraction of atmospheric aerosol collected during a prescribed fire burn in relation to soil organic matter and ...biomass combustion. Using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we observed that humic-like substances in fire emissions have been associated with soil organic matter rather than biomass. Using a chemical mass balance model, we estimated that soil organic matter may contribute up to 41% of organic hydrogen and up to 27% of water-soluble organic carbon in fire emissions. Dust particles, when mixed with fresh combustion emissions, substantially enhances the atmospheric oxidative capacity, particle formation and microphysical properties of clouds influencing the climatic responses of atmospheric aeroso. Owing to the large emissions of combustion aerosol during fires, the release of dust particles from soil surfaces that are subjected to intense heating and shear stress has, so far, been lacking.
•We characterized the water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) of fire emissions by NMR.•Distinct patterns were observed for soil dust and vegetation combustion emissions.•Soil organic matter accounted for most of WSOC in early prescribed burn emissions.
Humic-like soil organic matter may be an important component of particulate emissions in the early stages of wildfires.
Summary
Background : Patient‐based symptom assessments are necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of medical treatments for gastroparesis.
Aim : To summarize the development and measurement ...qualities of the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI), a new measure of gastroparesis‐related symptoms.
Methods : The GCSI was based on reviews of the medical literature, clinician interviews and patient focus groups. The measurement qualities (i.e. reliability, validity) of the GCSI were examined in 169 gastroparesis patients. Patients were recruited from seven clinical centres in the USA to participate in this observational study. Patients completed the GCSI, SF‐36 Health Survey and disability day questions at a baseline visit and again after 8 weeks. Clinicians independently rated the severity of the patients' symptoms, and both clinicians and patients rated the change in gastroparesis‐related symptoms over the 8‐week study.
Results: The GCSI consists of three sub‐scales: post‐prandial fullness/early satiety, nausea/vomiting and bloating. The internal consistency reliability was 0.84 and the test–re‐test reliability was 0.76 for the GCSI total score. Significant relationships were observed between the clinician‐assessed symptom severity and the GCSI total score, and significant associations were found between the GCSI scores and SF‐36 physical and mental component summary scores and restricted activity and bed disability days. Patients with greater symptom severity, as rated by clinicians, reported greater symptom severity on the GCSI. The GCSI total scores were responsive to changes in overall gastroparesis symptoms as assessed by clinicians (P = 0.0002) and patients (P = 0.002).
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the GCSI is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring the symptom severity in patients with gastroparesis.
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