PCA3 and PCA3-Based Nomograms Improve Diagnostic Accuracy in Patients Undergoing First Prostate Biopsy

While now recognized as an aid to predict repeat prostate biopsy outcome, the urinary PCA3 (prostate cancer gene 3) test has also been recently advocated to predict initial biopsy results. The objective is to evaluate the performance of the PCA3 test in predicting results of initial prostate biopsies and to determine whether its incorporation into specific nomograms reinforces its diagnostic value. A prospective study included 601 consecutive patients addressed for initial prostate biopsy. The PCA3 test was performed before ≥12-core initial prostate biopsy, along with standard risk factor assessment. Diagnostic performance of the PCA3 test was evaluated. The three available nomograms (Hansen’s and Chun’s nomograms, as well as the updated Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial risk calculator; PCPT) were applied to the cohort, and their predictive accuracies were assessed in terms of biopsy outcome: the presence of any prostate cancer (PCa) and high-grade prostate cancer (HGPCa). The PCA3 score provided significant predictive accuracy. While the PCPT risk calculator appeared less accurate; both Chun’s and Hansen’s nomograms provided good calibration and high net benefit on decision curve analyses. When applying nomogram-derived PCa probability thresholds ≤30%, ≤6% of HGPCa would have been missed, while avoiding up to 48% of unnecessary biopsies. The urinary PCA3 test and PCA3-incorporating nomograms can be considered as reliable tools to aid in the initial biopsy decision.     

平均天空采光诺谟图

本文在平均天空模式基础上,研制出既反映太阳对天空散射光的影响又考虑了墙厚影响的适合于多种天空类型的采光诺谟图。     

再生陶瓷混凝土的力学性能与配合比设计

使用废弃陶瓷代替天然骨料配制再生混凝土技术,因具有明显的环境效益、经济效益和社会效益,正逐步受到人们的重视.详细分析了再生陶瓷混凝土力学特性之间的关系,特别是抗压强度、密度、劈拉强度、抗折强度和弹性模量之间的关系.结果表明,再生陶瓷混凝土力学性能之间的关系与普通混凝土不同,基于统计回归分析提出了一些改进公式来预测再生陶瓷混凝土力学特性之间的关系.研究表明,在进行再生混凝土配合比耐久性设计时,配合比设计列线图法是一种新型的实效的工具.     

ASME标准锅炉热效率计算的线算法

建立了标准锅炉热效率试验的线算格式,给出了烟气量和空气量的简易测量和计算方法,并与GB10184-88、ASME标准进行了对比。     

平板颤振导数的参数弹性研究

提出了颤振导数的“参数弹性”概念;基于复模态理论,计算了平板颤振导数的平板宽度、质量、质量惯矩、竖弯频率、扭转频率和空气密度6种参数弹性;绘制了8个颤振导数的参数弹性曲线和诺模图,分析了各自特点,获得了无量纲参数对颤振导数参数弹性的影响规律。分析结果表明,新提出的参数弹性具有概念无量纲、简洁、直观、实用特点,为颤振导数参数分析提供了一种新的有效途径。     

SPLASH诺模图的修正及应用

介绍了采用SPLASH模式诺模图法预报登陆台风引起最大风暴潮增水的基本思路和方法,并对SPLASH模式诺模图作了一定的修正和完善,使对其的编程计算更加易于实现且结果更精确.在此基础上对SPLASH模式诺模图法进行二元插值计算编程,并用若干个算例验证,获得了较为精确的预报结果.     

Construction of a nomogram for predicting the risk of allergic rhinitis among employees of long-distance bus stations in China

This study examined indoor air pollutants and their health effects on allergic rhinitis in 3194 employees of 226 bus station halls and then constructed a nomogram model to predict allergic rhinitis risk in those employees. Indoor air temperature, relative humidity, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, total bacteria, and total fungi were measured, and questionnaires were used to collect basic station information and employee health information. The results revealed that the over-standard rates of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, total bacteria, and total fungi were 18.16%, 31.13%, 2.22%, and 55.89%, respectively. Seasonal variations were found in temperature, relative humidity, and PM_2.5. Passenger flow could affect temperature, and total bacteria. Central air conditioning could affect total bacteria. A total of 15.90% of the employees were diagnosed as allergic rhinitis by physicians. Relative humidity, fungi, self-reported allergic rhinitis symptoms, and exposure to smoking were the influencing factors for allergic rhinitis. These four variables were incorporated to construct a nomogram. The concordance index of the nomogram was 0.775 (95% CI: 0.745-0.806) and 0.749 (95% CI: 0.715-0.783) for the training cohort and test cohort, respectively. The calibration plot revealed that the nomogram model exhibited good discrimination and consistency. This nomogram model may help predict the occurrence of allergic rhinitis.     

Forms for representation of thermal responses of evaporative cooling towers

Various forms of standard temperature nomograms for cooled water are analyzed. It is recommended to use a single standard form of computed nomograms for chimney, mechanical-draft, and ejection cooling towers. The nomogram makes it possible to determine the temperature of cooled water during operation of a cooling tower in both closed and open cycles. The working nomogram is readily corrected by data derived from full-scale tests. For mechanical-draft and ejection cooling towers, the nomogram makes it possible to construct an operational nomogram, which determines the temperature of the cooled water as a function of the temperature as read from a wet-bulb thermometer. __________ Translated from élektricheskie Stantsii, No. 10, October 2007, pp. 7–14.     

限食辟谷试验干预观察和基于比例风险回归模型的 限食降压的预后估计

随着人们物质生活水平的提高及生活方式的改变，高血压等慢性病的患病率呈快速增长趋 势。多项动物和人体试验研究表明，一定程度限制摄入热量(限食干预)正在成为一种可有效控制体 重、降低肥胖率、改善血压的治疗方法。该研究报告了一项在中国进行的 149 人限食辟谷试验，受 试人群在连续 5 天的限食干预后体重、身体质量指数、腰围等生理指标对比基线值均出现显著下降 (P＜0.001)。其中，处于高血压状态的受试者(包括 2 级和 1 级高血压)在干预后收缩压和舒张压的 下降幅度分别为 11.2 mmHg(95% 置信区间为 7.5～14.9 mmHg, P＜0.001)和 7.2 mmHg(95% 置信区间为 4.7～9.7 mmHg, P＜0.001)，正常血压的受试者收缩压和舒张压均未出现明显变化。在此基础上，该 研究进一步通过比例风险回归模型实现对个体进行限食干预后降压效果的预后估计，并绘制出直观 方便、易于使用的列线图，模型经内部重采样 1 000 次校正后的一致性指数(C-index)为 0.891。