40 research outputs found
Structural Transition on Cooling of Plastic Adamantane: A Molecular-Dynamics Study
No full textThe new molecular-dynamics methods of Andersen and others have been used to study the structural phase transition that occurs in solid adamantane. While the transition between ordered and plastic-crystal phases is spontaneous on heating, cooling leads to metastable structures. The transition to the ordered phase can, however, be induced by extension to the complete molecular-dynamics sample of the short-range orientational correlations characteristic of the high-temperature phase
The productivity effects of decentralized reforms - an analysis of the Chinese industrial reforms
No full textThe empirical literature on the effects of ownership has not distinguished between the effects of ownership and the effects of control. It has also generally ignored the dynamic effects of various ownership and control rights. Using a rich set of panel data about changes in China's state-owned enterprises, the author examines the static and dynamic effects of decentralizing ownership and control rights. He finds that productivity and growth rates improved significantly when reform improved the incentives for managers and employees to learn and to work hard - for example by decentralizing the rights to control wages, make production decisions, and appoint new managers. Increasing profit-retention rates and adopting performance contracts - conventionally viewed as the most important reforms for China's state enterprises - did not improve productivity much. Overall, decentralization accounted for a least 42 percent of productivity growth in Chinese state enterprises in the 1980s. Much of that gain came from improvements in the growth rate of productivity rather than in improved levels of productivity.Labor Policies,Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,Banks&Banking Reform,Public Health Promotion,Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,Banks&Banking Reform,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Municipal Financial Management
Effects of the multifibre arrangement on developing countries : a survey
No full textThe purpose of this paper is to review the major findings of existing studies on the Multifibre Arrangement's (MFA) effect, with emphasis on the effects to LDCs, and to suggest the directions for further studies that are needed for a better understanding of the MFA. The paper is composed of six sections. Following the introduction, section 2 examines the dominant features of textile and clothing (T&C)exports from the LDCs. In section 3, the essence of the MFA provisions and their actual development is briefly summarized. These two sections provide a background to the discussion in the later part of the paper. Section 4 surveys the effects of the MFA on importing countries. The effects of the MFA on exporting LDCs are discussed in section 5. Finally, in section 6, a summary and conclusions are given, as well as the directions for further studies which are needed on the subject.Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,TF054105-DONOR FUNDED OPERATION ADMINISTRATION FEE INCOME AND EXPENSE ACCOUNT,Trade Policy,Development Economics&Aid Effectiveness
IN-VITRO evidence for the protective properties of the main components of the Mediterranean diet against colorectal cancer: A systematic review.
No full textAIM:
Epidemiological studies have shown that the incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) vary over 10-fold worldwide where within Westernized societies lower rates are observed amongst populations living within the Mediterranean basin, suggesting a significant influence of environment and dietary style in CRC carcinogenesis. Interpretation of the data concerning the benefits of mediterranean (MD) diet is difficult in vivo because of the variability of alimentary regimens used, the differing compliance with dietary supplementation and because of the non-uniform duration of patient cohort observation. Therefore, the aim of this review is to evaluate the in-vitro effects on colorectal cancer cell lines.
METHODS:
the literature concerning the in-vitro effects of 4 of the principal components symbolizing the MD such as olive oil (polyphenol), red chili (capsaicin), tomato (lycopene) and red grapes (resveratrol) have been systematically reviewed.
RESULTS:
Several studies have demonstrated that polyphenols form olive oil, lycopene, resveratrol and capsaicin have multiple anticancer properties affecting several metabolic pathways involved in cancerogenesis, apoptosis, and metastasis in CRC cell lines.
CONCLUSION:
This review summarizes some of the most recent data potentially supportive of the use of MD in CRC chemoprevention, analyzing the in vitro effects of individual components of the MD on CRC cell development, progression, metastasis and apoptosis
Effects of Curative Colorectal Cancer Surgery on Exhaled Volatile Organic Compounds and Potential Implications in Clinical Follow-up.
No full textOBJECTIVE:
The aim of this study was to determine whether the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pattern in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients is modified by curative surgery for a potential application in the oncologic follow-up.
BACKGROUND:
CRC has been proved to induce metabolic derangements detectable by high through-output techniques in exhaled breath showing a specific pattern of VOCs.
METHODS:
Forty-eight CRC patients and 55 healthy controls (HC) entered the study. Thirty-two patients (M/F: 1.4; mean age 63 years) attended the oncologic follow-up (mean 24 months) and were found disease-free. Breath samples were collected under similar environmental conditions into a Tedlar bags and processed offline by thermal-desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). VOCs were selected by U test to build a Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN) model to set-up a training phase, which was cross-validated using the leave-one out method.
RESULTS:
A total of 11 VOCs were finally selected for their excellent discriminant performance in identifying disease-free patients in follow-up from CRC patients before surgery, (sensitivity 100%, specificity 97.92%, accuracy 98.75%, and AUC: 1). The same VOCs pattern discriminated follow-up patients from HC, with a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 90.91%, accuracy of 94.25%, and AUC 0.959.
CONCLUSIONS:
Exhaled VOCs pattern from CRC patients is modified by cancer removal confirming the tight relationship between tumor metabolism and exhaled VOCs. PNN analysis provides a high discriminatory tool to identify patients disease-free after curative surgery suggesting potential implications in CRC screening and secondary prevention
Performance of comprehensive complication index and clavien‐dindo complication scoring system in liver surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma
No full textDebt as a control device in transitional economies : the experiences of Hungary and Poland
No full textThe basic economic challenge in the transition from socialism to capitalism is creating incentive structures and institutions that promote enterprise change and restructuring. This is the motivation for most of the reforms debated during the transition - whether privatization, demonopolization, trade reform, or financial sector reform. Most research on corporate governance and privatization has focused on the role of owners - whether on the problems inherent in the separation of ownership and management (most Western literature) or on the need for true owners who represents the interests of capital (most literature on transition economies). But debt is also an important control device, as Western literature on corporate finance increasingly recognizes. The authors explore debt's role as a control device in transition economies, focusing especially on Hungary and Poland, which are relatively far along in the reform process. They ask, first, in what ways creditors exert control over firms in advanced market economies and how such control interacts with that exerted by equity holders. They then ask whether creditors in Central and Eastern European countries play similar roles and, if not, what roles they should play, and what can be done to give them the capacity and incentives to play those roles. They focus on three fundamental requirements for debt to function as a control device: information, proper incentives for creditors (including banks, suppliers, and government), and an efficient legal framework for debt collection (including collateral, workout, and bankruptcy regimes). While both countries are making progress in all three areas, there is still much to be done. Hungary and Poland illustrate only two of many approaches. Other transitional economies, such as the Czech Republic, Estonia, and Russia, are following different approaches that should be explored in future analysis.International Terrorism&Counterterrorism,Banks&Banking Reform,Payment Systems&Infrastructure,Environmental Economics&Policies,Financial Intermediation,Banks&Banking Reform,Environmental Economics&Policies,Financial Intermediation,Financial Crisis Management&Restructuring,Housing Finance
Irreversible electroporation for the management of pancreatic cancer: Current data and future directions
No full textPancreatic cancer is currently the seventh leading cause of cancer death (4.5% of all cancer deaths) while 80%-90% of the patients suffer from unresectable disease at the time of diagnosis. Prognosis remains poor, with a mean survival up to 15 mo following systemic chemotherapy. Loco-regional thermal ablative techniques are rarely implemented due to the increased risk of thermal injury to the adjacent structures, which can lead to severe adverse events. Irreversible electroporation, a promising novel non-thermal ablative modality, has been recently introduced in clinical practice for the management of inoperable pancreatic cancer as a safer and more effective loco-regional treatment option. Experimental and initial clinical data are optimistic. This review will focus on the basic principles of IRE technology, currently available data, and future directions. © The Author(s) 2023. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved
Radiofrequency ablation vs surgical resection in elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in Milan criteria
No full textBACKGROUND Surgical resection and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) represent two possible strategy in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Milan criteria. AIM To evaluate short- A nd long-term outcome in elderly patients (70 years) with HCC in Milan criteria, which underwent liver resection (LR) or RFA. METHODS The study included 594 patients with HCC in Milan criteria (429 in LR group and 165 in RFA group) managed in 10 European centers. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method before and after propensity score matching (PSM) and Cox regression. RESULTS After PSM, we compared 136 patients in the LR group with 136 patients in the RFA group. Overall survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 91%, 80%, and 76% in the LR group and 97%, 67%, and 41% in the RFA group respectively (P = 0.001). Diseasefree survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 84%, 60% and 44% for the LR group, and 63%, 36%, and 25% for the RFA group (P = 0.001).Postoperative Clavien-Dindo IIIIV complications were lower in the RFA group (1% vs 11%, P = 0.001) in association with a shorter length of stay (2 d vs 7 d, P = 0.001).In multivariate analysis, Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (10) [odds ratio (OR) = 1.89], increased value of international normalized ratio (1.3) (OR = 1.60), treatment with radiofrequency (OR = 1.46) ,and multiple nodules (OR = 1.19) were independent predictors of a poor overall survival while a high MELD score (10) (OR = 1.51) and radiofrequency (OR = 1.37) were independent factors associated with a higher recurrence rate. CONCLUSION Despite a longer length of stay and a higher rate of severe postoperative complications, surgery provided better results in long-term oncological outcomes as compared to ablation in elderly patients (70 years) with HCC in Milan criteria. © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved
