Set Of Nomograms Research Articles

A practical nomogram for predicting early death in elderly small cell lung cancer patients: A SEER-based study.

This study aimed to identify risk factors for early death in elderly small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients and develop nomogram prediction models for all-cause and cancer-specific early death to improve patient management. Data of elderly patients diagnosed with SCLC were extracted from the SEER database, then randomly divided into training and validation cohorts. Univariate and stepwise multivariable Logistic regression analyses were performed on the training cohort to identify independent risk factors for early death in these patients. Nomograms were developed based on these factors to predict the overall risk of early death. The efficacy of the nomograms was validated using various methods, including ROC analysis, calibration curves, DCA, NRI, and IDI. Among 2077 elderly SCLC patients, 773 died within 3 months, 713 due to cancer-specific causes. Older age, higher AJCC staging, brain metastases, and lack of surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy increase the risk of all-cause early death, while higher AJCC staging, brain metastases, lung metastases, and lack of surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy increase the risk of cancer-specific death (P < .05). These identified factors were used to construct 2 nomograms to predict the risk of early death. The ROC indicated that the nomograms performed well in predicting both all-cause early death (AUC = 0.823 in the training cohort and AUC = 0.843 in the validation cohort) and cancer-specific early death (AUC = 0.814 in the training cohort and AUC = 0.841 in the validation cohort). The results of calibration curves, DCAs, NRI and IDI also showed that the 2 sets of nomograms had good predictive power and clinical utility and were superior to the commonly used TNM staging system. The nomogram prediction models constructed in this study can effectively assist clinicians in predicting the risk of early death in elderly SCLC patients, and can also help physicians screen patients at higher risk and develop personalized treatment plans for them.

Mix design and strength of soil–cement concrete based on the effective water concept

Saturated surface-dry condition of fine aggregate has been well defined in mortar and concrete production as the dry mass percentage moisture content where aggregate particles are saturated. However in soil–cement concrete construction, no mix design based on the saturated surface-dry condition of soil was attempted partly because the control of soil moisture on site is difficult. We have proposed the definition and testing methods of the saturated surface-dry condition of soil in the previous papers. In this paper, we introduce the concept of effective unit water to the soil–cement concrete mix design and propose a mix design method for soil-sand-cement systems. Strength and density of the soil–cement concretes were determined and discussed. A number of mixes were proportioned with accurate control of composition (C/W, soil/sand ratio, free water, etc.) and consistency. It was found that strength can be determined by C/W for a wide variety of clayey soils in various soil/sand ratios except for a soil with very high content of organic material. A set of nomograms for C/W versus strength and soil/sand versus strength were presented for future proportioning.

Development and Internal Validation of the First Set of Nomograms Predicting Late Rectal Toxicity in Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing 3D-CRT

Development and Internal Validation of the First Set of Nomograms Predicting Late Rectal Toxicity in Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing 3D-CRT

Prostate Cancer Gene 3 (PCA3): Development and Internal Validation of a Novel Biopsy Nomogram

Urinary prostate cancer gene 3 (PCA3) represents a promising novel marker of prostate cancer detection. To test whether urinary PCA3 assay improves prostate cancer (PCa) risk assessment and to construct a decision-making aid in a multi-institutional cohort with pre-prostate biopsy data. PCA3 assay cut-off threshold analyses were followed by logistic regression models which used established predictors to assess PCa-risk at biopsy in a large multi-institutional data set of 809 men at risk of harboring PCa. Regression coefficients were used to construct four sets of nomograms. Predictive accuracy (PA) estimates of biopsy outcome predictions were quantified using the area under the curve of the receiver operator characteristic analysis in models with and without PCA3. Bootstrap resamples were used for internal validation and to reduce overfit bias. The extent of overestimation or underestimation of the observed PCa rate at biopsy was explored graphically using nonparametric loss-calibration plots. Differences in PA were tested using the Mantel-Haenszel test. Finally, nomogram-derived probability cut-offs were tested to assess the ability to identify patients with or without PCa. PCA3 was identified as a statistically independent risk factor of PCa at biopsy. Addition of a PCA3 assay improved bootstrap-corrected multivariate PA of the base model between 2% and 5%. The highest increment in PA resulted from a PCA3 assay cut-off threshold of 17, where a 5% gain in PA (from 0.68 to 0.73, p=0.04) was recorded. Nomogram probability-derived risk cut-off analyses further corroborate the superiority of the PCA3 nomogram over the base model. PCA3 fulfills the criteria for a novel marker capable of increasing PA of multivariate biopsy models. This novel PCA3-based nomogram better identifies men at risk of harboring PCa and assists in deciding whether further evaluation is necessary.

Safety factor nomograms for homogeneous earth dams less than ten meters high

Homogeneous earth dams that are waterproofed with geomembranes are a suitable option for storing water and other sorts of liquids, like leachates from landfills. Such dams do not require complicated engineering technical calculations, their cost is usually low and they are not difficult to construct. To ensure the geotechnical safety of the dam, the slopes of the embankment must be correctly designed and constructed. This paper provides a set of nomograms which allow the user to get the safety factor of the slopes immediately. In some cases, it is only necessary to know previously the material classification according to the Unified Soil Classifications System. From this information it can be determined whether the material is appropriate or not. If the material classification is not available, geotechnical data of the material used in the construction of the embankment are needed. Examples of the application of nomograms are presented. Secondly, the paper includes a set of equations to calculate quickly the safety factor of a slope of earth upper than 7.5 m height.

DEVELOPMENT OF A NOMOGRAM FOR PREDICTING HIGH- GRADE PROSTATE CANCER ON BIOPSY: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SERUM TESTOSTERONE LEVELS

BACKGROUND: A screening method that focuses on the early detection of high-grade prostate cancer is required. In this study, two sets of nomograms were developed, one to predict the presence of prostate cancer, and the other to predict the presence of high-grade prostate cancer (defined as Gleason Score > or =7). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prostate biopsies were obtained from 396 men with an abnormal serum level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Using factors including age, PSA, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), serum teststerone level and prostate volume of the transitional zone (TZ), nomograms were created that incorporated these factors. External validations were performed involving 174 males, including 103 normal and 71 prostate cancer cases from our institution. RESULTS: Out of the 396 patients referred for prostate biopsy, 146 were found to have prostate cancer. On logistic regression analysis, age, PSA, prostate volume of the TZ and FSH were significant predictors of prostate cancer, while serum PSA, and testosterone levels were significant predictors of high-grade prostate cancer. The pretreatment testosterone level was found to be a significant biomarker for predicting the pathological features. CONCLUSION: The testosterone level might be a useful biomarker to be included in conventional PSA screening programs to further improve the efficacy of detecting potentially lethal carcinomas.

A set of nomograms predicting acute gastrointestinal syndrome after prostate cancer conformal radiation

15555 Background: To predict acute toxicities (tox) of the gastrointestinal syndrome (SOMA LENT) in prostate cancer (PCa) patients (pts) undergoing 3D-CRT using a tool (nomogram) with clinical as well as dosimetric variables which has proved to be significant in the AIROPROS 01–02 trial. Methods: Acute rectal tox was scored in 1,132 pts using a 10 item self assessed questionnaire (QST) describing radio-induced GI symptoms profiles for bowel frequency, tenesmus, fecal continence, rectal pain and bleeding. The correlation between hormonal therapy (HT), drug prescription, diabetes or hypertension, pelvic node or seminal vesicles irradiation, mean rectal dose, DVH constraints and rectal tox was investigated by uni- and multivariate (MVA) logistic analyses. MVA results were used the R-project software to create nomograms predicting the symptoms of the acute GI syndrome. Results: 4/10 items of the QST are reported: moderate/severe bleeding, increased bowel frequency, moderate/severe bowel urgency and severe fecal incontinence. Bleeding is related to haemorrhoids (OR=1.9), HT (protective factor, OR=0.78) and mean rectal dose (continuous variable (cv), OR=1.024). Bowel frequency is related to seminal vesicles irradiation (OR=2.8) and V60 (cv, OR=1.024), while bowel urgency is correlated to seminal vesicles irradiation (OR=3.3) and mean rectal dose (cv, OR=1.027). Fecal incontinence depends on seminal vesicles irradiation (OR=4.6) and V70 (cv, OR=1.029). MVA results were used to create a set of nomograms. Conclusions: The combined effect of several independent, prognostically valuable variables for a specific disease can be expressed using nomograms. They can evaluate clinical and technical parameters of the single pt and offer clinicians a tailored probability of a specific outcome. To our best knowledge, this work presents the first set of nomograms available in the literature specific symptoms of the GI syndrome. The prediction capability of these tools will be validated on a independent set of patients. This work was partly supported by Fondazione I. Monzino, Milan No significant financial relationships to disclose.

A Nomogram Approach to Hemodialysis Urea Modeling

Two sets of nomograms were developed for modeling hemodialysis urea kinetics. The first set is designed to arrive at an initial dialysis prescription. One nomogram estimates the mass transfer area coefficient (KoA) based on urea clearances of a dialyzer, based on urea clearances provided in the manufacturer's product literature. A second nomogram uses the dialyzer KoA value to estimate the expected in vivo urea clearance (K) based on the nominal blood flow rate. The computations include corrections for blood flow-related errors in urea clearance, blood water content, and cardiopulmonary recirculation. Mean urea clearance measured in a series of patients was 226 +/- 22 mL/min and did not differ significantly from mean clearance estimated using this nomogram (232 +/- 8 mL/min). Another pair of nomograms, based on an anthropometric formula, can be used to estimate urea distribution volume (V) from patient sex, height, and weight. The first set of nomograms is designed to estimate an initial dialysis prescription because the nomograms propose an estimated K and an estimated V. Once the target Kt/V is chosen, the appropriate initial treatment time (t) is computed algebraically. The second set of nomograms was developed to verify delivery of the dialysis prescription and to estimate the normalized protein catabolic rate (PCRn). Kt/V is estimated from the postdialysis to predialysis blood urea nitrogen ratio and the ratio of ultrafiltrate volume to postdialysis weight (UF/W). The PCRn is estimated from the predialysis blood urea nitrogen and Kt/V. In a series of 115 patients, Kt/V and PCRn determined from the nomograms correlated highly with corresponding values determined from formal urea modeling (r = 0.99).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Concrete durability: estimation of chloride concentration during design life

Values of the coefficient of chloride diffusion D, as measured by the classical diffusion test and by a penetration test, are compared. It is shown that D cannot be determined reliably from penetration tests. Two sets of nomograms are developed for the design of concrete structures in chloride environments. The proposed nomograms can cope with a wide range of concrete variables: a basis is provided for their extension to include parameters not studied in the present investigation.

Nomograms for the analysis of recovery tests on large-diameter wells

Abstract A set of nomograms has been constructed to facilitate the application of the solution of Papadopulos &amp; Cooper to recovery tests on fully-penetrating large-diameter wells in confined aquifers. The data required are: the well geometry, the abstraction rate and period, the drawdown at the end of pumping and the time taken for 25, 50 or 75% recovery to occur.

Rapid gravity interpretation by nomograms — A discussion

Pal (1983) presented a set of nomograms for interpreting gravity fields due to some two-dimensional models (thin dike, geological contact and thick dike) under the assumption that the depth to the bottom is infinite for all models. Raising a discussion on this paper, Rambabu and Atchuta Rao (1985) pointed out the mathematical fallacies, rightly questioning the validity of Pal’s (1983 ) nomograms. I have the following additional comments to make. Taking the example of a thin dike, Pal’s (1983) study can be more clearly expanded in the following steps. (i) The expression for gravity field dg( x)~ due to a thin dike is available in the literature. (ii) The limit of dg( n) t as H, the depth to the bottom tends to infinity, is infinity as the author himself admits with the remark that it is “practically inconceivable” (Pal, 1985, p.284). (iii) The Fourier transform ( FT ) of dg (x) t is derived. Comment. Unlike the author’s notation I discriminate by denoting the frequency domain function as &j (co) t. (iv) The limit of s( w) t as H+ co is obtained. I denote this as a, (m) t. (v) The inverse FT of Zg, (co) t is obtained. Comment. As I show later this step is not possible mathematically. Assuming it is I call the resulting space domain function as dg, ( x) t which, in the author’s notation is dg( x), (Pal, 1983, eq. 5d). (vi) The author constructs nomograms based on dg, (x) t which according to him is the desired expression for the gravity field as H+co. Comment. In essence acccording to the author, a well behaved, continuous and continuously differentiable function like Ag (x) t has two distinctly different limits as H+ca One is the well known infinity (see step ii) and the other is the author’s round about result Ag, ( x) t (or Ag ( LX) t of eq. 5d of Pal, 1983 ) . The above absurdity is due to the lack of mathematical rigour in step (v) . To elaborate, consider the vertical thin dike model. The gravity field is given by:

On: “Nomogram for the direct interpretation of magnetic anomalies due to long horizontal cylinders,” by T. K. S. Prakasa Rao, M. Subrahmanyam, and A. Srikrishna Murty, (GEOPHYSICS, 51, 2156–2159, November 1986.)

In the article by T. K. S. Prakasa Rao, M. Subrahmanyam, and A. Srikrishna Murty, the trivial problem of interpreting the magnetic anomaly over a horizontal cylinder was examined and a set of nomograms to assist with the interpretation was presented. Prakasa Rao et al. begin their discussion with equation (1) from Gay (1965).

Choice of Moon for G/T Measurement

The satellite earth station is characterized by its figure of merit G/T, a ratio of antenna gain to effective system noise temperature. The direct calculation of G/T does not model the actual operating conditions. Thus, a need for direct measurement arises. This paper brings out the choice of Moon for satellite earth station G/T measurement in Indian context. The experimental details and results for G/T of INSAT-1 satellite control earth station, using standard noise source Cassiopeia and Moon are given. A set of nomograms is also presented here for quick determination of G/ T using Moon as noise source.

Computation of minimum volume sixth order superconducting solenoids

A direct optimisation technique for computing the parameters of a sixth order minimum volume superconducting solenoid is described. Both the inside and outside notched geometries are considered. A set of nomograms are given from which the coil parameters, the homogeneity and the volume of the superconducting wire required can be read directly as a function of the Fabry number. The variation of the homogeneity with each of the coil parameters is also presented.

Geometric Factors for Common Electrode Arrays used in Resistivity Logging of Inclined Drill Holes

The placement of an in-hole electrode array into a mineral exploration drill hole gives rise to complicated geometric factor (G.F.) relationships. For the same arrays placed at the surface of the earth the G.F. relationships are relatively simple. This paper presents a set of nomograms giving the G.F. for three commonly used exploration logging arrays: the two (normal) array, equispaced three array and dipole-dipole array (n = 1), for inclined drill holes. The nomograms may be used to compute the G.F' for drill holes of constant inclination or for deviating drill holes, by considering the deviating drill path as a series of segments of constant inclination. The disturbing influence of the air/earth interface on the G.F. for the in-hole arrays is least for the dipole dipole array and greatest for the two-array.

Prediction of storm surges on the east coast of India

Nomograms to estimate peak storm surges generated by tropical cyclones impinging on, the east coast of India are prepared using Jelesnianski's. SPLASH (1972) model. The. pre-computed nomograms accommodate fixed values for pressure drop, radius of maximum wild, vector motion of storms and offshore bathymetry.&#x0D; Two sets of nomograms are presented -one for the northeast coast of India where the slope of the continental shelf is extremely shallow -the other for the remaining east coast where the slope in general is extremely steep.&#x0D; A nomogram to correct the magnitude of the peak surge for tidal effects is also prepared for the notheast coast of India where the semidiurnal tide range is large.&#x0D; A method to estimate total sea level elevation along a coastal stretch by means of nomograms is given for the northeast coast of India.

Determination of Long-term Median Transmission Loss in Tropo-Scatter Circuits by a Graphical Method

C.C.I.R. report 244–2 gives the following empirical equation for the long-term median transmission loss between two isotropic antennas: L (50) = 30 log f—20 log d + F(θd)—V(de.)dB.Here, the angular distance θ and the effective distance de have to be calculated from the basic transmission parameters like frequency, antenna heights and great circle distance by using a number of equations. Thus the method involves considerably long and tedious calculations.A graphical method using nomograms and charts given in this paper is expected to greatly simplify these calculations. de is determined from one set of nomograms. Another set of nomograms will determine θd. Then F (θd) and V(de) can be read from the charts in the C.C.I.R. report by using these values of θd and de respectively.

A simplified method of computing Radio refractive index

Dependence of variation in radio refractive index on the anomalous propagation of radio waves in the lower layers of the atmosphere is of interest to the Cloud-physicists and Radio-physicists. For easy and quick evaluation of this parameter at different levels of the atmosphere a set of nomograms have been presented. The values obtained from these nomogrms when compared with those calculated values are found to be within 0.5 to 1 per cent of error

Influence of Age on the Intravenous Tolbutamide Response Test

Intravenous tolbutamide response tests were performed on a selected group of 100 community-dwelling volunteer male subjects aged twenty-one to eighty-one years. A deterioration in performance with age was manifest as a progressively lesser fall and later nadir of blood glucose concentration throughout the early adult years and middle age. There was no further decrease in response after the sixth decade of life. Many investigations of the tolbutamide response test have been reported since the standards of normality for the test were introduced eight years ago. Those studies, in addition to the present report, show that the application of these standards to diverse population groups results in a very high percentage of “abnormal” or “diabetic” responses. We have considered the reasons for the large variation in response to intravenous tolbutamide reported in the literature. It appears that studies which report relatively large responses to tolbutamide are those in which the subject group was (a) composed predominantly of young adults, or (b) preselected on the basis of superior performance on glucose tolerance tests, or both. Data derived from this type of selection procedure provide standards of normality which are not applicable to the general population. We therefore propose a new approach to the interpretation of the results on the tolbutamide test: A set of nomograms is provided which permits the rapid computation of ageadjusted percentile ranking of an individual's response to intravenous tolbutamide.

Nomograms for evaluating Richardson Number for forecasting Clear Air Turbulence

Research in the last decade has shown that one of the meteorological parameters which is associated with clear air turbulence (CAT) is Richardson’s Number. To make Richardson number Ri useful for forecasting the location and intensity of CAT, we made a study under Indian conditions of the association between CAT and different ranges in the values of Ri. In this paper a set of nomograms is presented by which Ri may be estimated without elaborate calculations and with a fair degree of accuracy for the layer between 300 and 200 mb. Similar nomograms can be prepared for other isobaric levels for the use of different types of aircraft in operation in India. If a singularity, like a wind maximum, is found between 300 and 200 mb, Ri may be also computed separately for the layer between 300 mb and the level of maximum wind and for the layer between the level of maximum wind and 200 mb.