• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6591-6594
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• 2015

Background: Mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL) is a unique entity of peripheral B-cell lymphoma that has a discrete morphologic, immunologic, and genetic phenotype, with more common 'classic' and less frequent 'blastoid' and 'pleomorphic' variants, associated with an aggressive clinical course. The aim of this study was to analyze proliferation (Ki-67) indices of 'classic' (c-MCL) and 'blastoid' (b-MCL) variants of a cohort of MCL and to suggest cut off values for the Ki-67 proliferation index in these two subsets. Materials and Methods: MCL cases diagnosed over $4{\frac{1}{2}}$ years at Section of Histopathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi were retrieved and reviewed. Ki-67 labelling was scored and analysed. Results: A total of 90 of cases of MCL were scrutinized. Mean age ${\pm}SD$ was $60.2{\pm}12.5$ years and the male to female ratio was 4:1, with 67 (75%) cases of c-MCL and 23 (25%) cases of b-MCL. Most samples were lymph node biopsies (n=68), whereas the remainder were from various extranodal sites The mean Ki-67 proliferation index was $29.5%{\pm}14.4%$ in classic variants and $64.4{\pm}15.2%$ for the blastoid variant, the difference being statistically significant (p = 0.029). Conclusions: It was concluded that differential cut-off values of Ki-67 labeling may be used in more objective way to reliably classify MCL into classic or blastoid variants by diagnostic pathologists. We propose a < 40 proliferative index to be suggestive of c-MCL and one of > 50 for the blastoid variant.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6575-6579
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent malignancy among females and is a leading cause of death of middle-aged women. Herein, we evaluated baseline characteristics for BC patients and also compared these variables across ealry and late recurrence groups. Materials and Methods: Between 1995 to 2014, among female breast cancer patients referred to our oncology clinic, eighty-six were entered into our study. All had distant metastasis. Early recurrence was defined as initial recurrence within 5 years following curative surgery irrespective of site. Likewise, late recurrence was defined as initial recurrence after 5 years. No recurrence was defined for survivors to a complete minimum of 10 years follow-up. Significant prognostic factors associated with early or late recurrence were selected according to the Akaike Information Criterion. Results: The median follow-up was 9 years (range, 1-18 years). During follow-up period, 51 recurrences occurred (distant metastasis), 31 early and 20 late. According to the site of recurrence, there were 51 distant. In this follow-up period, 19 patients died. Compared with the early recurrence group, the no recurrence group had lower lymph node involvement and more p53 positive lesions but the late recurrence group had lower tumor size. In comparison to no recurrence, p53 (odds ratio [OR] 6.94, 95% CI 1.49-32.16) was a significant prognostic factor for early recurrence within 5 years. Conclusions: Tumor size, p53 and LN metastasis are the most important risk factors for distance recurrence especially in early recurrence and also between of them, p53 is significant prognostic factor for early recurrence.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.198-204
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• 2011

In this letter, another analytical approach for the opportunistic amplify-and-forward (OAF) relay systems is proposed over Rayleigh fading channels. Based on set-operation at the selected relay node, its selection probability as the best relay is derived and then, the probability density function (PDF) of the received instantaneous signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is expressed as a more tractable form in which the number of summations and the length of each summation are specified. Then, the average error rate, outage probability, and average channel capacity are obtained as approximated closed-forms. Simulation results are finally presented to validate that the proposed analytical expressions can be a unified frame work covering all Rayleigh fading channel conditions. Furthermore, it is confirmed that OAF schemes can outperform the other non-selective schemes on the average error rate, outage probability, and average channel capacity.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.35-45
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• 2001

Recently, the floor systems those require large open space may have low inherent damping due to the decline of the use of curtain walls. Furthermore, the use of the high strength materials has resulted in more flexible and longer spanning in floor systems. The long span structures such as shopping malls, offices and large assembly rooms may lead to significant dynamic response due to human activities. Excessive vibrations make the occupants uncomfortable and deteriorate the serviceability of buildings. It is now proved that footfall loading is the major source of floor vibrations. The common method of application of walking loads for the vibration analysis of structures subjected to walking loads is to inflict measured walking loads and periodic function at a node. But this method could not account for the moving effect of walking. In this study, natural frequency and damping ratio of example structure are evaluated by heel drop tests. And the application of equivalent walking loads is used for on efficient vibration analysis of the plate structures subjected to walking loads.

• Journal of KSNVE
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.163-177
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• 1996

An investigation on thermohydraulic stability of flow oscillations in the CANada Deuterium Uranium-600(CANDU-6) heat transport system has been conducted. Flow oscillations in reactor coolant loops, comprising two heat sources and two heat sinks in series, are possibly caused by the response of the pressure to extraction of fluid in two-phase region. This response consists of two contributions, one arising from mass and another from enthalpy change in the two-phase region. The system computer code used in the investigation os SOPHT, which is capable of simulating steady states as well as transients with varying boundary conditions. The model was derived by linearizing and solving one-dimensional, homogeneous single- and two-phase flow conservation equations. The mass, energy and momentum equations with boundary conditions are set up throughout the system in matrix form based on a node-link structure. Loop stability was studied under full power conditions with interconnecting the two compressible two phase regions in the figure-of-eight circuit. The dominant function of the interconnecting pipe is the transfer of mass between the two-phase regions. Parametric survey of loop stability characteristics, i. e., damping ratio and period, has been made as a function of geometrical parameters of the interconnection line such as diameter, length, height and orifice flow coefficient. The stability characteristics with interconnection line has been clarified to provide a simple criterion to be used as a guide in scaling of the pipe.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.252-259
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• 2011

Purpose: To evaluate retrospectively the survival outcome, patterns of failure, and complications in patients treated with postoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in advanced gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Between January 2000 and December 2006, 80 patients with advanced gastric cancer who received postoperative concurrent CRT were included. Pathological staging was IB-II in 9%, IIIA in 38%, IIIB in 33%, and IV in 21%. Radiotherapy consisted of 45 Gy of radiation. Concurrent chemotherapy consisted of a continuous intravenous infusion of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin on the first 4 days and last 3 days of radiotherapy. Results: The median follow-up period was 48 months (range, 3 to 83 months). The 5-year overall survival, disease-free survival, and locoregional recurrence-free survivals were 62%, 59%, and 80%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, significant factors for disease-free survival were T stage (hazard ratio [HR], 0.278; P = 0.038), lymph node dissection extent (HR, 0.201; P = 0.002). and maintenance oral chemotherapy (HR, 2.964; P = 0.004). Locoregional recurrence and distant metastasis occurred in 5 (6%) and 18 (23%) patients, respectively. Mixed failure occurred in 10 (16%) patients. Grade 3 leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 4 (5%) and one (1%) patient, respectively. Grade 3 nausea and vomiting developed in 8 (10%) patients. Intestinal obstruction developed in one (1%). Conclusion: The survival outcome of the postoperative CRT in advanced gastric cancer was similar to those reported previously. Our postoperative CRT regimen seems to be a safe and effective method, reducing locoregional failure without severe treatment toxicity in advanced gastric cancer patients.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea CI
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.106-113
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• 2008

In this paper, we propose an Entropy-based Cooperative-Aided Routing Protocol (ECARP) in Mobile Ad-hoc fireless Sensor Networks (MAWSN). The main contributions and features of this paper are as follows. First, the entropy-based cooperative routing protocol which is based on node mobility is proposed for supporting stable routing route construction. Second, cooperative data transmission method is used for improving data transmission ratio with the improved SNR. Third, we consider a realistic approach, in the points of view of the MAWSN, based on mobile sensor nodes as well as fixed sensor nodes in sensor fields while the conventional research for sensor networks focus on mainly fixed sensor nodes. The performance evaluation of the proposed routing protocol is performed via simulation and analysis.

• Convergence Security Journal
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.11-16
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• 2017

MANET composed of only mobile node is applied to various environments because of its advantage which can construct network quickly in emergency situation. However, many routing vulnerabilities are exposed due to the dynamic topology and link failures by the movement of nodes. It can significantly degrade network performance. In this paper, we propose a secure routing protocol based on trust model. The domain-based network structure is used for efficient trust evaluation and management of nodes in the proposed technique. The reliability evaluation of nodes was performed by the discard ratio of control packet and data packet of the nodes. The abnormal nodes are detected by performing traffic check and inspecting of nodes on a path that generates excessive traffic in order to increase the efficiency of routing. It is confirmed through experiments of the proposed technique that data transmission is performed securely even if an attack exists on the path.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.39-54
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• 2014

Node layout optimization of structural wireless systems is investigated as a means to prolong the network lifetime without, if possible, compromising information quality of the measurement data. The trade-off between these antagonistic objectives is studied within a multi-objective layout optimization framework. A Genetic Algorithm is adopted to obtain a set of Pareto-optimal solutions from which the end user can select the final layout. The information quality of the measurement data collected from a heterogeneous WSN is quantified from the placement quality indicators of strain and acceleration sensors. The network lifetime or equivalently the network energy consumption is estimated through WSN simulation that provides realistic results by capturing the dynamics of the wireless communication protocols. A layout optimization study of a monitoring system on the Great Belt Bridge is conducted to evaluate the proposed approach. The placement quality of strain gauges and accelerometers is obtained as a ratio of the Modal Clarity Index and Mode Shape Expansion values that are computed from a Finite Element model of the monitored bridge. To estimate the energy consumption of the WSN platform in a realistic scenario, we use a discrete-event simulator with stochastic communication models. Finally, we compare the optimization results with those obtained in a previous work where the network energy consumption is obtained via deterministic communication models.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.5951-5956
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• 2015

Background: To evaluate the rate of pathologic high-risk factors, intermediate-risk factors, and treatment outcomes in early-stage cervical cancer patients undergoing radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy (RHPL). Materials and Methods: Medical records of stage IA-IIA1 cervical cancer patients who underwent RHPL during the 2006 to 2012 time period and patient follow-up data until December 2013 were reviewed. Results: Of 331 patients, 52 women (15.7%) had pathologic high-risk factors and 59 women (17.8%) had intermediate-risk factors without high-risk factors. All studied patients had an initial complete response. At median follow-up time of 40.9 months (range 1-103.3 months) and mean follow-up time of$ 43.3{\pm}25.3$ months, 37 women had disease recurrence and 4 women had died of disease. The most common site of recurrence was the pelvis (64.8%). Five-year and 10-year disease free survival rates were 96.1% and 91.5%, respectively. Five-year and 10-year overall survival rates were 100% and 99.4%, respectively. Independent factors related to recurrence were pelvic node metastasis (odds ratio [OR], 2.670; 95%CI, 1.001-7.119), and >1/3 cervical stromal invasion (OR, 3.763; 95%CI, 1.483-9.549). Conclusions: The rates of pathologic high-risk and intermediate-risk factors should be considered and disclosed when counseling patients regarding primary treatment by RHPL. Oncologic outcomes of primary surgical treatment for early-stage cervical carcinoma were found to be excellent.