A new technique for nonconvex primal-dual decomposition of a large-scale separable optimization problem

The primal-dual approach is quite effective in decomposing a convex separable optimization problem into several subproblems of smaller sizes. In this paper, we present a new technique which extends the primal-dual approach to nonconvex problems. Since a straightforward application of the multiplier method destroys separability, a new Lagrangian function is proposed which preserves separability. Based on this new function we develop a new iterative method for finding an optimal solution to the problem and show that the method is locally convergent to an optimal solution. Furthermore, the effect of certain parameters on the ratio of convergence is investigated and simple examples are given to illustrate the proposed approach.     

Binderless moulding of green cokes delivered from solvent refined coal and ethylene tar pitch

Green cokes, derived from the co-carbonization of Solvent Refined Coals with ethylene tar pitch, have been moulded into discs without using a binder. Cokes with a range of size of optical texture have been prepared by control of the ratios of the two components of the carbonization blend. The appearance of the discs was assessed by optical and scanning microscopy after calcination to 1200° C. The most acceptable disc was prepared by moulding carbon of a heat treatment temperature (HTT) of 440° C. With cokes of HTT< 440° C excessive dilation adversely decreased the density of the disc. With cokes of HTT > 440° C, dimished cohesion of the coke grains prevented the development of a strong disc on calcination. It is considered that the presence of benzene-soluble (BS) and benzene-insoluble/quinoline-soluble (BI/QS) fractions in the pitch systems contribute to cohesion of coke particles having a HTT of 440° C.     

Endoscopic sphincterotomy for lithotripsy (EST-L) of bile duct stones

We performed EST-L for 555 patients with choledocholithiasis between 1981 and 1992. With the aid of conventional occlusion balloons and dormia-type baskets, calculi < or = 1.5 cm was extracted with relative ease. In patients with larger stone (> 1.5 cm), the mechanical lithotripter, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and electrohydrolic lithotripsy were used for the lithotripsy. The overall success rate was 95%. Important early and late complications from these procedures occurred in 6.9% and 9.1% of all cases respectively. This result reveal that EST-L is safe and effective therapeutic procedures for choledocholithiasis. We would recommend EST-L is adopted as an initial measure to remove common bile duct stones.     

Antibodies to beta 2-glycoprotein I and clinical manifestations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) bind to beta 2-glycoprotein I (beta 2GPI), and to search for a relationship between the presence of IgG and/or IgM anti-beta 2GPI antibody and clinical manifestations in SLE patients. METHODS: IgG and IgM anti-beta 2GPI in 308 Japanese SLE patients were measured using phospholipid-independent enzyme immunoassays. Relationships to clinical histories and to various laboratory data were examined. RESULTS: The values of anti-beta 2GPI and aCL, as measured by conventional enzyme immunoassay, showed a strong correlation, but the anti-beta 2GPI assay was more useful in distinguishing beta 2GPI-dependent aCL from beta 2GPI-independent aCL. The presence of IgG anti-beta 2GPI was associated with an increased frequency of a history of thrombosis. Comparisons of various laboratory data suggested that the titer of anti-beta 2GPI may fluctuate with disease activity. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that pathogenic aCL is directed against structurally altered beta 2GPI and that enzyme immunoassay for anti-beta 2GPI may prove useful in evaluating the risk of thrombosis and monitoring the clinical course in patients with SLE.     

NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester inhibits bone metastasis after modified intracardiac injection of human breast cancer cells in a nude mouse model

A retrospective evaluation of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and unconjugated oestriol (uE3) levels in maternal blood in the second trimester was conducted for cases of aneuploid pregnancies identified from a series of women who underwent amniocentesis. Blood samples were collected from 1078 women just before genetic amniocentesis was performed, mainly for individuals of advanced maternal age (greater than 35 years). Twenty-five maternal serum samples from pregnant women with an aneuploid fetus, including 14 with Down's syndrome, were available for analysis of all three parameters. An algorithm to detect Down's syndrome was used for this analysis with a risk of > or = 1:299 classified as screen-positive, this being found for 20.4 per cent of the cases (220/1078). The actual Down's syndrome detection rate was 85.7 per cent (12/14), whereas the detection rate for all aneuploidies was 72.0 per cent (18/25). Those that were not detected were two cases of trisomy 21, one trisomy 18, two trisomy 13, three sex chromosome abnormalities, and one case of an additional marker chromosome. The data indicate that this tri-analyte test should be provided after thorough genetic counselling and informed decision-making regarding maternal serum screening for women who wish for a prenatal diagnosis.     

PKN interacts with a paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration-associated antigen, which is a potential transcription factor

Reports from the development of the Ethics Environment Questionnaire identify three critical features for ethical environments in health care settings of registered nurses. They are the ability of nurses to engage in discussions about patient care, support from administrators, and the development of policies-procedures that support their practice. Implications for clinical practicing nurses are explored.     

Fibrotic focus in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast: a histopathological prognostic parameter for tumor recurrence and tumor death within three years after the initial operation

We investigated whether the presence of a fibrotic focus (FF) in the primary lesion and in lymph node metastasis is a good predictor of early tumor recurrence or death in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). Multivariate relative risk (RR) of tumor recurrence and death according to the presence of FF in the primary tumor was estimated using the Cox proportional hazards regression model with adjustment for other prognostic factors (histologic grade, T classification, nodal status, tumor necrosis, DNA ploidy, c-erbB-2 protein expression, p53 protein expression, and labeling index of proliferating cell nuclear antigen). For the evaluation of the metastatic status in the axillary lymph nodes, RR of multivariate analysis was adjusted for the presence of FF in the metastatic tumor and the number of lymph nodes involved (1-3 and > 3). The presence of FF increased the RR of tumor recurrence significantly for the cases in all stages, and especially for those in stages I and II (RR = 6.9, P < 0.05 and RR = 25.0, P < 0.005, respectively). All cases that died of disease had FF. Among IDCs with FF, 24 cases had FF in lymph node metastasis. Significantly higher RRs of tumor recurrence and death were observed in cases with FF in lymph node metastasis than in those without it (RR = 2.0, P < 0.001 and RR = 5.9, P < 0.05, respectively). It was suggested that the presence of FF is an important predictor of early tumor recurrence or death in patients with IDCs. The presence of FF in lymph node metastatic lesions is also a significant prognostic parameter.     

Small solid renal lesions: usefulness of power Doppler US

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the vascular pattern at power Doppler ultrasonography (US) improves diagnostic accuracy in small solid renal lesions over that at gray-scale US. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gray-scale and power Doppler US were performed prospectively in 64 small (1.5-3.0-cm-diameter) solid renal lesions (26 renal cell carcinomas [RCCs], 34 angiomyolipomas, two oncocytomas, two pseudotumors). At gray-scale US, echogenicity and homogeneity of the lesion, an anechoic rim, intratumoral cysts, shadowing, or a central scar were sought. At power Doppler US, the vascular distribution was divided into four patterns. RESULTS: Findings at gray-scale US included an anechoic rim or intratumoral cysts in 20 of 26 RCCs (77%) and the two oncocytomas. Shadowing was seen in seven of 34 angiomyolipomas (21%). Echogenicity, homogeneity, and a central scar were not pathognomonic. At power Doppler US, pattern 3 (peripheral) or 4 (mixed penetrating and peripheral) was seen in all RCCs, seven of 34 angiomyolipomas, and the two oncocytomas. Pattern 1 (intratumoral focal) or 2 (penetrating) was seen in 27 angiomyolipomas. Pattern 1 or 2 was characteristic of angiomyolipoma. The rate of correct diagnosis was significantly increased with combined US (78%) as compared to that with gray-scale (42%) or power Doppler (45%) US alone. CONCLUSION: The vascular distribution at power Doppler US could add important information to gray-scale US findings for differential diagnosis of small solid renal lesions.