Showing papers by "University of Alberta published in 2003"
University of Genoa1, University of Manchester2, KEK3, CERN4, Imperial College London5, Stanford University6, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research7, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare8, University of Pittsburgh9, Lyon College10, TRIUMF11, Northeastern University12, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility13, University of Córdoba (Spain)14, Goethe University Frankfurt15, University of Southampton16, University of Udine17, University of Alberta18, Tokyo Metropolitan University19, Helsinki Institute of Physics20, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI21, University of Bath22, Niigata University23, Naruto University of Education24, Kobe University25, University of Calabria26, University of Trieste27, European Space Agency28, University of Birmingham29, Ritsumeikan University30, Qinetiq31, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne32, Massachusetts Institute of Technology33, Brookhaven National Laboratory34
01 Jul 2003-Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A-accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment
TL;DR: The Gelfant 4 toolkit as discussed by the authors is a toolkit for simulating the passage of particles through matter, including a complete range of functionality including tracking, geometry, physics models and hits.
Abstract: G eant 4 is a toolkit for simulating the passage of particles through matter. It includes a complete range of functionality including tracking, geometry, physics models and hits. The physics processes offered cover a comprehensive range, including electromagnetic, hadronic and optical processes, a large set of long-lived particles, materials and elements, over a wide energy range starting, in some cases, from 250 eV and extending in others to the TeV energy range. It has been designed and constructed to expose the physics models utilised, to handle complex geometries, and to enable its easy adaptation for optimal use in different sets of applications. The toolkit is the result of a worldwide collaboration of physicists and software engineers. It has been created exploiting software engineering and object-oriented technology and implemented in the C++ programming language. It has been used in applications in particle physics, nuclear physics, accelerator design, space engineering and medical physics.
18,904 citations
TL;DR: The authors argue that long-term changes in family composition and in the roles and relations of family members have produced families in North America that are growing smaller and losing many of their previous role relationships.
2,192 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a new Bayesian method that uses individual multilocus genotypes to estimate rates of recent immigration (over the last several generations) among populations is presented, and the method also estimates the posterior probability distributions of individual immigrant ancestries, population allele frequencies, population inbreeding coefficients, and other parameters of potential interest.
Abstract: A new Bayesian method that uses individual multilocus genotypes to estimate rates of recent immigration (over the last several generations) among populations is presented. The method also estimates the posterior probability distributions of individual immigrant ancestries, population allele frequencies, population inbreeding coefficients, and other parameters of potential interest. The method is implemented in a computer program that relies on Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques to carry out the estimation of posterior probabilities. The program can be used with allozyme, microsatellite, RFLP, SNP, and other kinds of genotype data. We relax several assumptions of early methods for detecting recent immigrants, using genotype data; most significantly, we allow genotype frequencies to deviate from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium proportions within populations. The program is demonstrated by applying it to two recently published microsatellite data sets for populations of the plant species Centaurea corymbosa and the gray wolf species Canis lupus. A computer simulation study suggests that the program can provide highly accurate estimates of migration rates and individual migrant ancestries, given sufficient genetic differentiation among populations and sufficient numbers of marker loci.
1,704 citations
TL;DR: Using electrophysiological recordings, ghrelin stimulated the activity of arcuate NPY neurons and mimicked the effect of NPY in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH), thus representing a novel regulatory circuit controlling energy homeostasis.
1,578 citations
TL;DR: A novel algorithm is developed that is inspired by the Pohst enumeration strategy and is shown to offer a significant reduction in complexity compared to the Viterbo-Boutros sphere decoder and is supported by intuitive arguments and simulation results in many relevant scenarios.
Abstract: Maximum-likelihood (ML) decoding algorithms for Gaussian multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) linear channels are considered. Linearity over the field of real numbers facilitates the design of ML decoders using number-theoretic tools for searching the closest lattice point. These decoders are collectively referred to as sphere decoders in the literature. In this paper, a fresh look at this class of decoding algorithms is taken. In particular, two novel algorithms are developed. The first algorithm is inspired by the Pohst enumeration strategy and is shown to offer a significant reduction in complexity compared to the Viterbo-Boutros sphere decoder. The connection between the proposed algorithm and the stack sequential decoding algorithm is then established. This connection is utilized to construct the second algorithm which can also be viewed as an application of the Schnorr-Euchner strategy to ML decoding. Aided with a detailed study of preprocessing algorithms, a variant of the second algorithm is developed and shown to offer significant reductions in the computational complexity compared to all previously proposed sphere decoders with a near-ML detection performance. This claim is supported by intuitive arguments and simulation results in many relevant scenarios.
1,410 citations
TL;DR: The confidence limit of the method here termed EMD/HSA (for empirical mode decomposition/Hilbert spectral analysis) is introduced by using various adjustable stopping criteria in the sifting processes of the EMD step to generate a sample set of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The confidence limit is a standard measure of the accuracy of the result in any statistical analysis. Most of the confidence limits are derived as follows. The data are first divided into subsections and then, under the ergodic assumption, the temporal mean is substituted for the ensemble mean. Next, the confidence limit is defined as a range of standard deviations from this mean. However, such a confidence limit is valid only for linear and stationary processes. Furthermore, in order for the ergodic assumption to be valid, the subsections have to be statistically independent. For non‐stationary and nonlinear processes, such an analysis is no longer valid. The confidence limit of the method here termed EMD/HSA (for empirical mode decomposition/Hilbert spectral analysis) is introduced by using various adjustable stopping criteria in the sifting processes of the EMD step to generate a sample set of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). The EMD technique acts as a pre‐processor for HSA on the original data, producing a set of components (IMFs) from the original data that equal the original data when added back together. Each IMF represents a scale in the data, from smallest to largest. The ensemble mean and standard deviation of the IMF sample sets obtained with different stopping criteria are calculated, and these form a simple random sample set. The confidence limit for EMD/HSA is then defined as a range of standard deviations from the ensemble mean. Without evoking the ergodic assumption, subdivision of the data stream into short sections is unnecessary; hence, the results and the confidence limit retain the full‐frequency resolution of the full dataset. This new confidence limit can be applied to the analysis of nonlinear and non‐stationary processes by these new techniques. Data from length‐of‐day measurements and a particularly violent recent earthquake are used to demonstrate how the confidence limit is obtained and applied. By providing a confidence limit for this new approach, a stable range of stopping criteria for the decomposition or sifting phase (EMD) has been established, making the results of the final processing with HSA, and the entire EMD/HSA method, more definitive.
1,178 citations
TL;DR: The widespread use of HUI facilitates the interpretation of results and permits comparisons of disease and treatment outcomes, and comparisons of long-term sequelae at the local, national and international levels.
Abstract: This is a review of the Health Utilities Index (HUI®) multi-attribute health-status classification systems, and single- and multi-attribute utility scoring systems. HUI refers to both HUI Mark 2 (HUI2) and HUI Mark 3 (HUI3) instruments. The classification systems provide compact but comprehensive frameworks within which to describe health status. The multi-attribute utility functions provide all the information required to calculate single-summary scores of health-related quality of life (HRQL) for each health state defined by the classification systems. The use of HUI in clinical studies for a wide variety of conditions in a large number of countries is illustrated. HUI provides comprehensive, reliable, responsive and valid measures of health status and HRQL for subjects in clinical studies. Utility scores of overall HRQL for patients are also used in cost-utility and cost-effectiveness analyses. Population norm data are available from numerous large general population surveys. The widespread use of HUI facilitates the interpretation of results and permits comparisons of disease and treatment outcomes, and comparisons of long-term sequelae at the local, national and international levels.
1,176 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a distinction between fundamental and derived senses of literacy is drawn to show that scientific literacy tends to attend to the derived sense but tend to neglect the fundamental sense, and that such notions fail to address a central component of scientific literacy.
Abstract: This paper draws upon a distinction between fundamental and derived senses of literacy to show that conceptions of scientific literacy attend to the derived sense but tend to neglect the fundamental sense. In doing so, they fail to address a central component of scientific literacy. A notion of literacy in its fundamental sense is elaborated and contrasted to a simple view of reading and writing that still has much influence on literacy instruction in schools and, we believe, is widely assumed in science education. We make suggestions about how scientific literacy would be viewed differently if the fundamental sense of literacy were taken seriously and explore some educational implications of attending to literacy in its fundamental sense when teaching science. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed87:224–240, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/sce.10066
1,162 citations
TL;DR: The authors have observed a growth in the number of qualitative studies that have no guiding set of philosophic assumptions in the form of one of the established qualitative methodologies, and they encourage such debate and offer four basic requirements as a point of departure: noting the researchers' position, distinguishing method and methodology, making explicit the approach to rigor, and identifying the researchers's analytic lens.
Abstract: We have observed a growth in the number of qualitative studies that have no guiding set of philosophic assumptions in the form of one of the established qualitative methodologies. This lack of allegiance to an established qualitative approach presents many challenges for "generic qualitative" studies, one of which is that the literature lacks debate about how to do a generic study well. We encourage such debate and offer four basic requirements as a point of departure: noting the researchers’ position, distinguishing method and methodology, making explicit the approach to rigor, and identifying the researchers’ analytic lens.
1,157 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that managers act for the controlling family, but not for shareholders in general, and that such structures give rise to their own set of agency problems, such as creative self-destruction, where a family might quash innovation in one firm to protect its obsolete investment in another.
Abstract: Greater managerial ownership in family firms need not mitigate agency problems, especially when each family controls a group of publicly traded and private firms, as is the case in most countries. Such structures give rise to their own set of agency problems, as managers act for the controlling family, but not for shareholders in general. For example, to avoid what we call “creative self-destruction,” a family might quash innovation in one firm to protect its obsolete investment in another. At present, we do not know whether these agency problems are more or less serious impediments to general prosperity than those afflicting widely held firms.
1,083 citations
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine1, Harvard University2, University of Alberta3, University of Basel4, University of California, Los Angeles5, Catholic University of Leuven6, University of Pittsburgh7, Vanderbilt University8, University of Leicester9, University of Helsinki10, University of Iowa11, Yale University12, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston13, Nagoya City University14, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill15, University of Vienna16, University of Barcelona17, Cornell University18, Rockyview General Hospital19
TL;DR: This article presents international consensus criteria for and classification of AbAR developed based on discussions held at the Sixth Banff Conference on Allograft Pathology in 2001, to be revisited as additional data accumulate in this important area of renal transplantation.
TL;DR: In this article, a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm is implemented to integrate over uncertain gene trees and branch lengths (or coalescence times) at each locus as well as species divergence times.
Abstract: The effective population sizes of ancestral as well as modern species are important parameters in models of population genetics and human evolution. The commonly used method for estimating ancestral population sizes, based on counting mismatches between the species tree and the inferred gene trees, is highly biased as it ignores uncertainties in gene tree reconstruction. In this article, we develop a Bayes method for simultaneous estimation of the species divergence times and current and ancestral population sizes. The method uses DNA sequence data from multiple loci and extracts information about conflicts among gene tree topologies and coalescent times to estimate ancestral population sizes. The topology of the species tree is assumed known. A Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm is implemented to integrate over uncertain gene trees and branch lengths (or coalescence times) at each locus as well as species divergence times. The method can handle any species tree and allows different numbers of sequences at different loci. We apply the method to published noncoding DNA sequences from the human and the great apes. There are strong correlations between posterior estimates of speciation times and ancestral population sizes. With the use of an informative prior for the human-chimpanzee divergence date, the population size of the common ancestor of the two species is estimated to be ∼20,000, with a 95% credibility interval (8000, 40,000). Our estimates, however, are affected by model assumptions as well as data quality. We suggest that reliable estimates have yet to await more data and more realistic models.
TL;DR: The purpose of this minireview is to provide a concise, yet detailed, introduction to the use of ABCs and polymeric micelles as delivery agents as well as to highlight current and past work in this area.
TL;DR: Low-grade systemic inflammation was present in participants with moderate to severe airflow obstruction and was associated with increased risk of cardiac injury, which may in part explain the high rates of cardiovascular complications in COPD.
Abstract: Background— Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease 2- to 3-fold. The factors responsible for this association remain largely unknown. Methods and Results— We analyzed data from participants, ≥50 years of age, of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n=6629) to determine whether C-reactive protein (CRP) and other systemic inflammatory markers are present in participants with chronic airflow obstruction and are associated with cardiac injury. Participants with severe airflow obstruction had circulating leukocyte, platelet, and fibrinogen levels that were 460/μL (95% confidence interval [CI], 30 to 890/μL), 39 510/μL (95% CI, 21 730 to 57 290/μL), and 41.63 mg/dL (95% CI, 19.87 to 63.39 mg/dL) higher, respectively, than in those without airflow obstruction. They were also 2.18 times (95% CI, 1.46 to 3.27) more likely to have an elevated circulating CRP level. Moderate airflow obstruction was associated with smaller but still significant...
01 Jan 2003
TL;DR: This paper shows that using C4.5 with undersampling establishes a reasonable standard for algorithmic comparison, and it is recommended that the cheapest class classifier be part of that standard as it can be better than under-sampling for relatively modest costs.
Abstract: This paper takes a new look at two sampling schemes commonly used to adapt machine learning algorithms to imbalanced classes and misclassification costs. It uses a performance analysis technique called cost curves to explore the interaction of over and undersampling with the decision tree learner C4.5. C4.5 was chosen as, when combined with one of the sampling schemes, it is quickly becoming the community standard when evaluating new cost sensitive learning algorithms. This paper shows that using C4.5 with undersampling establishes a reasonable standard for algorithmic comparison. But it is recommended that the cheapest class classifier be part of that standard as it can be better than under-sampling for relatively modest costs. Over-sampling, however, shows little sensitivity, there is often little dierence in performance when misclassification costs are changed.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the interview process and literature for evidence of benefit and harm, and concluded that qualitative research using unstructured inter-subjective interviews can become a process with benefits to both participants and researchers.
Abstract: Qualitative research using unstructured interviews is frequently reviewed by institutional review boards using criteria developed for biomedical research. Unlike biomedical studies, unstructured interactive interviews provide participants considerable control over the interview process, thereby creating a different risk profile. This article examines the interview process and literature for evidence of benefit and harm. Although there is evidence that qualitative interviews may cause some emotional distress, there is no indication that this distress is any greater than in everyday life or that it requires follow-up counseling, although the authors acknowledge distress is always a possibility. Essential to preventing participant distress is the researcher's interviewing skills and a code of ethics. When research is conducted with sensitivity and guided by ethics, it becomes a process with benefits to both participants and researchers. The authors conclude that qualitative research using unstructured interv...
TL;DR: A group of experts in nutrition, physical activity, and cancer met to evaluate the scientific evidence and best clinical practices related to optimal nutrition and physical activity after the diagnosis of cancer to present health care providers with the best possible information.
Abstract: Cancer survivors are often highly motivated to seek information about food choices, physical activity, dietary supplement use, and complementary nutritional therapies to improve their treatment outcomes, quality of life, and survival. To address these concerns, the American Cancer Society (ACS) convened a group of experts in nutrition, physical activity, and cancer to evaluate the scientific evidence and best clinical practices related to optimal nutrition and physical activity after the diagnosis of cancer. This report summarizes their findings and is intended to present health care providers with the best possible information on which to help cancer survivors and their families make informed choices related to nutrition and physical activity. The report discusses nutrition and physical activity issues during the phases of cancer treatment and recovery, living after recovery from treatment, and living with advanced cancer; selected nutritional and physical activity issues such as body weight, food choices, and complementary and alternative nutritional options; and selected issues related to breast, colorectal, lung, prostate, head and neck, and upper gastrointestinal cancers. In addition, handouts containing commonly asked questions and answers and a resource list are provided for survivors and families. Tables that grade the scientific evidence for benefit versus harm related to nutrition and physical activity for breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers are also included for this growing body of knowledge to provide guidance for informed decision making and to identify areas for future research.
TL;DR: In this large cohort of community-dwelling patients with CHF, anemia is common and an independent prognostic factor for mortality, and further research into the mechanisms of anemia in CHF and randomized controlled trials to test whether correction of anemic status improves prognosis are needed.
Abstract: Background— Although previous work has suggested that anemia is associated with an increased mortality in selected patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), little is known about the prevalence and predictors of anemia, or whether anemia is an independent prognostic factor in unselected, community-based patients with CHF. Methods and Results— We analyzed a population-based cohort of patients with new-onset CHF from a database of patients discharged from 138 acute-care hospitals in Alberta, Canada, between April 1993 and March 2001. Logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier survival analyses, and Cox proportional hazards model were used. Among the 12 065 patients with CHF (median age 78 years), 17% had anemia, 58% of whom had anemia of chronic disease. After adjustment for clinical and demographic variables, patients with anemia were more likely to be older (odds ratio [OR] 1.01 per year) and female (OR 1.2 [95% confidence interval 1.1 to 1.3]) and to have a history of chronic renal insufficiency (OR=3.2 [95% ...
TL;DR: A systematic clinical working case definition for myalgic encephalomyelitis is presented and an Ex- pert Medical Consensus Panel representing treating physicians, teaching faculty and researchers are selected.
Abstract: Recent years have brought growing recognition of the need for clinical criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), which is also called chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). An Expert Subcommittee of Health Canada established the Terms of Reference, and selected an Ex- pert Medical Consensus Panel representing treating physicians, teaching faculty and researchers. A Consensus Workshop was held on March 30 to April 1, 2001 to culminate the review process and establish consensus for a clinical working case definition, diagnostic protocols and treatment protocols. We present a systematic clinical working case definition that
TL;DR: In this article, the authors demonstrate the use of piecewise regression as a statistical technique to model ecological thresholds and demonstrate the need for a careful study of the likelihood surface when fitting and interpreting the results from piecewise-regression models.
Abstract: We demonstrate the use of piecewise regression as a statistical technique to model ecological thresholds. Recommended procedures for analysis are illustrated with a case study examining the width of edge effects in two understory plant communities. Piece-wise regression models are “broken-stick” models, where two or more lines are joined at unknown points, called “breakpoints.” Breakpoints can be used as estimates of thresholds and are used here to determine the width of edge effects. We compare a sharp-transition model with three models incorporating smooth transitions: the hyperbolic-tangent, bent-hyperbola, and bent-cable models. We also calculate three types of confidence intervals for the breakpoint estimate: an interval based on the computed standard error of the estimate from the fitting procedure, an empirical bootstrap confidence interval, and a confidence interval derived from an inverted F test. We recommend use of the inverted F test confidence interval when sample sizes are large, and cautious use of bootstrapped confidence intervals when sample sizes are smaller. Our analysis demonstrates the need for a careful study of the likelihood surface when fitting and interpreting the results from piecewise-regression models.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compared the long-term safety and efficacy of zoledronic acid with pamidronate in patients with bone lesions secondary to advanced breast carcinoma or multiple myeloma.
Abstract: BACKGROUND
The goal of the current study was to compare the long-term (25-month) safety and efficacy of zoledronic acid with pamidronate in patients with bone lesions secondary to advanced breast carcinoma or multiple myeloma.
METHODS
Patients (n = 1648) were randomized to receive 4 mg or 8 mg (reduced to 4 mg) zoledronic acid as a 15-minute infusion or to receive 90 mg pamidronate as a 2-hour infusion every 3–4 weeks for 24 months. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with at least 1 skeletal-related event (SRE), defined as pathologic fracture, spinal cord compression, radiation therapy, or surgery to bone. Secondary analyses included time to first SRE, skeletal morbidity rate, and multiple-event analysis. Hypercalcemia of malignancy (HCM) was included as an SRE in some secondary analyses.
RESULTS
After 25 months of follow-up, zoledronic acid reduced the overall proportion of patients with an SRE and reduced the skeletal morbidity rate similar to pamidronate. Compared with pamidronate, zoledronic acid (4 mg) reduced the overall risk of developing skeletal complications (including HCM) by an additional 16% (P = 0.030). In patients with breast carcinoma, zoledronic acid (4 mg) was significantly more effective than pamidronate, reducing the risk of SREs by an additional 20% (P = 0.025) compared with pamidronate and by an additional 30% in patients receiving hormonal therapy (P = 0.009). Zoledronic acid (4 mg) and pamidronate were tolerated equally well. The most common adverse events included bone pain, nausea, and fatigue.
CONCLUSIONS
Long-term follow-up data confirm that zoledronic acid was more effective than pamidronate in reducing the risk of skeletal complications in patients with bone metastases from breast carcinoma and was of similar efficacy in patients with multiple myeloma. Cancer 2003. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
DOI 10.1002/cncr.11701
TL;DR: VADAR (Volume Area Dihedral Angle Reporter) is a comprehensive web server for quantitative protein structure evaluation that calculates, identifies, graphs, reports and/or evaluates a large number of key structural parameters both for individual residues and for the entire protein.
Abstract: VADAR (Volume Area Dihedral Angle Reporter) is a comprehensive web server for quantitative protein structure evaluation. It accepts Protein Data Bank (PDB) formatted files or PDB accession numbers as input and calculates, identifies, graphs, reports and/or evaluates a large number (>30) of key structural parameters both for individual residues and for the entire protein. These include excluded volume, accessible surface area, backbone and side chain dihedral angles, secondary structure, hydrogen bonding partners, hydrogen bond energies, steric quality, solvation free energy as well as local and overall fold quality. These derived parameters can be used to rapidly identify both general and residue-specific problems within newly determined protein structures. The VADAR web server is freely accessible at http://redpoll.pharmacy.ualberta.ca/vadar.
TL;DR: Wavelet frames constructed via multiresolution analysis (MRA), with emphasis on tight wavelet frames, are discussed and it is shown how they can be used for systematic constructions of spline, pseudo-spline tight frames, and symmetric bi-frames with short supports and high approximation orders.
TL;DR: Declines in mean breeding values for weight and horn size have declined significantly over time in an evolutionary response to sport hunting of bighorn trophy rams, resulting in the production of smaller-horned, lighter rams and fewer trophies.
Abstract: Phenotype-based selective harvests, including trophy hunting, can have important implications for sustainable wildlife management if they target heritable traits. Here we show that in an evolutionary response to sport hunting of bighorn trophy rams (Ovis canadensis) body weight and horn size have declined significantly over time. We used quantitative genetic analyses, based on a partly genetically reconstructed pedigree from a 30-year study of a wild population in which trophy hunting targeted rams with rapidly growing horns, to explore the evolutionary response to hunter selection on ram weight and horn size. Both traits were highly heritable, and trophy-harvested rams were of significantly higher genetic 'breeding value' for weight and horn size than rams that were not harvested. Rams of high breeding value were also shot at an early age, and thus did not achieve high reproductive success. Declines in mean breeding values for weight and horn size therefore occurred in response to unrestricted trophy hunting, resulting in the production of smaller-horned, lighter rams, and fewer trophies.
TL;DR: The Wilson disease gene ATP7B encodes a P‐type ATPase, an inherited autosomal recessive disorder of hepatic copper metabolism leading to copper accumulation in hepatocytes and in extrahepatic organs such as the brain and the cornea.
Abstract: Wilson disease is an inherited autosomal recessive disorder of hepatic copper metabolism leading to copper accumulation in hepatocytes and in extrahepatic organs such as the brain and the cornea. Originally Wilson disease was described as a neurodegerative disorder associated with cirrhosis of the liver. Later, Wilson disease was observed in children and adolescents presenting with acute or chronic liver disease without any neurologic symptoms. While diagnosis of neurologic Wilson disease is straightforward, it may be quite difficult in non-neurologic cases. Up to now, no single diagnostic test can exclude or confirm Wilson disease with 100% certainty. In 1993, the gene responsible for Wilson disease was cloned and localized on chromosome 13q14.3 (MIM277900) (1, 2). The Wilson disease gene ATP7B encodes a P-type ATPase. More than 200 disease causing mutations of this gene have been described so far (3). Most of these mutations occur in single families, only a few are more frequent (like H1069Q, 3400delC and 2299insC in Caucasian (4-6) or R778L in Japanese (7), Chinese and Korean patients). Studies of phenotype-genotype relations are hampered by the lack of standard diagnostic criteria and phenotypic classifications. To overcome this problem, a working party discussed these problems in depth at the 8th International Meeting on Wilson disease and Menkes disease in Leipzig/Germany (April 16-18, 2001). After the meeting, a preliminary draft of a consensus report was mailed to all active participants and their comments were incorporated in the final text.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reviewed various contributing processes for the formation of porphyry Cu-(Mo-Au) deposits, from partial melting in the mantle wedge overlying the subducting plate, through processes of magma interaction with the lithosphere, to mechanisms for magma emplacement and volatile exsolution in the upper crust.
Abstract: Porphyry Cu-(Mo-Au) deposits are relatively rare but reproducible products of subduction-related magmatism. No unique processes appear to be required for their formation, although additive combinations of common tectono-magmatic processes, or optimization of these processes, can affect the grade and size as well as the location of the resulting deposits. These various contributing processes are reviewed, from partial melting in the mantle wedge overlying the subducting plate, through processes of magma interaction with the lithosphere, to mechanisms for magma emplacement and volatile exsolution in the upper crust. Specific ore-forming processes, such as magmatic-hydrothermal fluid evolution, are not discussed. Hot, hydrous, relatively oxidized, sulfur-rich mafic magmas (predominantly basalts) generated in the metasomatized mantle wedge above a subducting oceanic slab rise buoyantly to the base of the overlying crust where they stall due to density contrasts. Because these magmas are oxidized, sulfur is dominantly present as sulfate, and chalcophile elements such as Cu and Au are incompatible (i.e., they are retained in the melt). As these magmas begin to crystallize they release heat which causes partial melting of crustal rocks. Mixing between crustal- and mantle-derived magmas yields evolved (andesitic to dacitic), volatile-rich, metalliferous, hybrid magmas, which are of sufficiently low density to rise through the crust. Magma ascent is driven primarily by buoyancy forces and is dominantly a fracture-controlled phenomenon. As such, crustal stress and strain patterns play an important role in guiding the ascent of magma from the lower crust. In particular, translithospheric, orogen-parallel, strike-slip structures serve as a primary control on magma emplacement in many volcanic arcs worldwide. A feedback mechanism operates, whereby preexisting faults facilitate magma ascent, the heat from which further weakens the crust and focuses strain. Certain structural geometries, such as fault jogs, step-overs, and fault intersections, offer low-stress extensional volumes during transpressional strain. Such sites represent vertical conduits of relatively high permeability, up which magmas will preferentially ascend. Large upper crustal plutonic complexes may therefore be localized within these structural settings. Having delivered a sufficient volume of evolved, fertile arc magma to a focused position in the upper crust, magmatic fractionation, recharge, and volatile exsolution lead to the development of ore-forming magmatic-hydrothermal systems. To a first approximation, the size of the resulting deposit will be limited by the magma volume delivered to the upper crustal magma chamber. System-specific details such as magmatic-hydrothermal evolution, the nature of the country rocks, and subsequent erosional and weathering history will ultimately control the value of the deposit, but these factors fall outside the scope of this paper.
TL;DR: Tuberculin skin testing (TST) should be undertaken before any significant immunosuppressive therapy including these agents, though the possibility of false-negative reactions in immunocompromised populations must be borne in mind.
Abstract: Cases of active tuberculosis have been reported worldwide with the use of therapeutic agents that inhibit tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha. TNFalpha has a central role in mycobacterial infection and disease. Accordingly, progression of recently acquired tuberculosis infection or reactivation of remotely acquired infection should be expected with the use of anti-TNF agents. The available in-vitro and epidemiological evidence for the two currently approved agents, infliximab and etanercept, shows that the risk of development of active tuberculosis is greater with infliximab. Tuberculin skin testing (TST) should be undertaken before any significant immunosuppressive therapy including these agents, though the possibility of false-negative reactions in immunocompromised populations must be borne in mind. A positive TST should be followed by medical assessment and chest radiography, as well as by other tests judged appropriate by the physician to identify active disease. Active tuberculosis must be treated appropriately before initiation of treatment with an anti-TNF agent. Treatment of latent tuberculosis can be considered on an individual basis for TST-negative patients receiving anti-TNF agents when significant risk factors for infection are present.
TL;DR: Exercise training had beneficial effects on cardiopulmonary function and QOL in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors.
Abstract: Purpose: To determine the effects of exercise training on cardiopulmonary function and quality of life (QOL) in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors who had completed surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy with or without current hormone therapy use. Methods: Fifty-three postmenopausal breast cancer survivors were randomly assigned to an exercise (n = 25) or control (n = 28) group. The exercise group trained on cycle ergometers three times per week for 15 weeks at a power output that elicited the ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide. The control group did not train. The primary outcomes were changes in peak oxygen consumption and overall QOL from baseline to postintervention. Peak oxygen consumption was assessed by a graded exercise test using gas exchange analysis. Overall QOL was assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Breast scale. Results: Fifty-two participants completed the trial. The exercise group completed 98.4% of the exercise sessions. Baseline values for peak oxygen ...
01 Jan 2003
TL;DR: A dependency-based method for parser evaluation is presented and a broad-coverage parser, called MINIPAR, is evaluated with the SUSANNE corpus.
Abstract: In this paper, we first present a dependency-based method for parser evaluation. We then use the method to evaluate a broad-coverage parser, called MINIPAR, with the SUSANNE corpus. The method allows us to evaluate not only the overall performance of the parser, but also its performance with respect to different grammatical relationships and phenomena. The evaluation results show that MINIPAR is able to cover about 79% of the dependency relationships in the SUSANNE corpus with about 89% precision.