Emergent behaviors of two thermodynamically consistent inertial spin models.

We propose two thermodynamically consistent inertial spin models generalizing the inertial spin model for the ensemble of mechanical particles with spin. For the collective dynamics modeling consistent with an entropy principle, we use two modeling ideas based on Hamiltonian formulation and flocking formalism for the coupling of the inertial spin model and temperatures introduced by Ha and Ruggeri [Arch. Ration.

Oncologic impact of pathologic response on clinical outcome after preoperative chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer.

Purpose: Downstaging after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for rectal cancer usually occurs. The present study aimed to evaluate pathologic y-stage (yp-stage) and its influence on local recurrence and systemic recurrence in rectal cancer patients treated with CRT followed by surgical resection.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 261 patients underwent preoperative CRT and radical resection for rectal cancer between August 2004 and December 2010.

Factors associated with positive consequences of serving as a family caregiver for a terminal cancer patient.

Background: We examined factors associated with positive consequences for family members who served as caregivers of terminal cancer patients.

Methods: We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey of 501 bereaved family members who served as caregivers for terminal cancer patients. The main outcomes were measured by the previously developed Caregiving Consequences Inventory, which assesses perceived rewards and burdens of caregiving.

Behavioral signs of ongoing pain and cold allodynia in a rat model of neuropathic pain.

Previous studies by our laboratory established a rat model of neuropathic pain which displayed long-lasting heat hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia that are sympathetically maintained. The present study was undertaken to extend our earlier findings by examining additional behavioral signs of ongoing pain and cold allodynia in our animal model and testing their sympathetic dependency. Neuropathic surgery was done by tightly ligating the L5 and L6 segmental spinal nerves of rats unilaterally.