How Progressive Visualizations Affect Exploratory Analysis.

The stated goal for visual data exploration is to operate at a rate that matches the pace of human data analysts, but the ever increasing amount of data has led to a fundamental problem: datasets are often too large to process within interactive time frames. Progressive analytics and visualizations have been proposed as potential solutions to this issue. By processing data incrementally in small chunks, progressive systems provide approximate query answers at interactive speeds that are then refined over time with increasing precision.

A biodegradable and biocompatible gecko-inspired tissue adhesive.

There is a significant medical need for tough biodegradable polymer adhesives that can adapt to or recover from various mechanical deformations while remaining strongly attached to the underlying tissue. We approached this problem by using a polymer poly(glycerol-co-sebacate acrylate) and modifying the surface to mimic the nanotopography of gecko feet, which allows attachment to vertical surfaces. Translation of existing gecko-inspired adhesives for medical applications is complex, as multiple parameters must be optimized, including: biocompatibility, biodegradation, strong adhesive tissue bonding, as well as compliance and conformability to tissue surfaces.

Assessment of resident surgical skills: is testing feasible?

Objective: We have previously shown that in a single residency program objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) is a reliable and valid method of assessing surgical competency. Our goal was to establish feasibility of this evaluation instrument when administered at multiple residency programs throughout the US, and assess the impact of a laboratory-based surgical curriculum on results.

Study Design: An OSATS exam was administered to 116 residents from 5 residency programs.

Irradiation in carcinoma of the vulva: factors affecting outcome.

Purpose: This report reviews the increasing role of radiation therapy in the management of patients with histologically confirmed vulvar carcinoma, based on a retrospective analysis of 68 patients with primary disease (2 in situ and 66 invasive) and 18 patients with recurrent tumor treated with irradiation alone or combined with surgery.

Methods And Materials: Of the patients with primary tumors, 14 were treated with wide local excision plus irradiation, 19 received irradiation alone after biopsy, 24 were treated with radical vulvectomy followed by irradiation to the operative fields and inguinal-femoral/pelvic lymph nodes, and 11 received postoperative irradiation after partial or simple vulvectomy. The 18 patients with recurrent tumors were treated with irradiation alone.

Prospective phase I/II studies of definitive irradiation and chemotherapy for advanced gynecologic malignancies.

Purpose: This is a prospective study to evaluate toxicity and efficacy of concurrent irradiation and three cycles of chemotherapy bolus cisplatin and infusion 5-fluorouracil (5FU) in patients with advanced gynecologic malignancies.

Materials And Methods: Patients received cisplatin, 50 mg/m2 I.V.