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Background/Objectives Early diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is important as PDAC can lead to mortality; however, no specific biomarker has been identified for its early diagnosis. We previously identified fibrinogen α chain as a promising biomarker for differentiating between patients with and without PDAC using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Here, we aimed to validate the clinical usefulness of serum fibrinogen as a biomarker for PDAC. Methods From 2009 to 2011, blood samples of 67 PDAC patients and 43 healthy adults (controls) were prospectively collected. Serum fibrinogen levels and their clinical significances were evaluated. Results Mean fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in the PDAC group than in the control group (3.08 ± 0.565 vs. 2.54 ± 0.249 log10 ng/mL, P Conclusions Serum fibrinogen levels may be a useful biomarker for diagnosing and predicting PDAC prognosis.

The current system of assessing food quality via “use-by” dates needs to be replaced by a real-time assessment to prevent blind disposal of consumable food products. Time-temperature history (TTH) based wireless food label, which can wirelessly provide real-time food safety information to the consumer via smartphone, is a viable alternative to the “use-by” dates. However, the cost of wireless TTH-food label has been a major bottleneck in their universal application, especially regarding low-cost, large-quantity products. In addition, such labels should be robust enough to combat external debilitating factors associated with the cold chain system. To overcome these issues, a roll-to-roll (R2R) gravure was exploited to continuously print the wireless TTH-food label platform, in which an NFC antenna and thermistor were realized via all-R2R gravure printing. Then, a Si-chip transponder with an inbuilt microcontroller and R2R printed battery were simply bridged. The resulting wireless TTH-food label thus demonstrated a real-time quality assessment by examining the growth level of foodborne pathogens computed via wirelessly transmitted TTH data to the big data server system.

BackgroundRecent studies have found that muscle depletion may be a prognostic predictor in patients with pancreatic cancer (PC). However, in these studies, limited data were used to assess the relationship between the serial change in body composition and outcomes after PC resection. Hence, we evaluated the changes in body composition during the perioperative period in patients with PC and their association with the overall survival (OS).MethodsA total of 89 patients with PC who received surgery with curative intent between 2006 and 2015 were included in this study retrospectively. These patients underwent serial computed tomography (CT) scans: preoperatively, immediately after surgery (4 weeks), and 12 and 24 weeks after resection. The muscle and visceral fat areas were measured at the third lumbar vertebra level on cross-sectional CT images using sliceOmatic V5.0 program (TomoVision, Canada). The body composition ratio was determined by dividing the post-resection body composition at each point (4, 12, and 24 weeks) by the pre-resection body composition. Patients were divided into two groups-higher and lower groups-based on this body composition ratio (skeletal muscle mass ratio [SMR], visceral fat mass ratio [VFR]). The OS was compared between the two groups using the log-rank test.ResultsThe median age of patients was 63 (27-84) years, and the baseline body mass index was 23.0 (17.0-35.8) kg/m2. In the comparison of the SMR, there was no significant difference in the OS between the two groups at 4 and 12 weeks (4 weeks, P = 0.488; 12 weeks, P = 0.397). However, the higher group showed a longer OS than the lower group at 24 weeks (39 vs. 20 months, P = 0.008). Similarly, in the VFR, there was no significant difference in the OS between the two groups at 4 and 12 weeks (4 weeks, P = 0.732; 12 weeks, P = 0.060). However, the OS was longer in the higher group at 24 weeks (35 vs. 22 months, P = 0.023). When we analyzed the effect of muscle restoration at 24 weeks after resection on the OS by gender, there was no significant difference between the OS and SMR in the male group (P = 0.213), but a significant difference was noted in the female group (P = 0.002). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, the SMR at 24 weeks after resection was significantly associated with the OS (P = 0.023) but not VFR at 24 weeks. In 69 patients without recurrence at 6 months, the SMR at 24 weeks was related to longer OS but without statistical significance (P = 0.07).ConclusionsThis study suggests that the restoration of muscle mass at 24 weeks after resection may be an independent prognostic factor for survival in patients with resected PC.

Real-time monitoring of bioprocesses by the integration of analytics at critical unit operations is one of the paramount necessities for quality by design manufacturing and real-time release (RTR) of biopharmaceuticals. A well-defined process analytical technology (PAT) roadmap enables the monitoring of critical process parameters and quality attributes at appropriate unit operations to develop an analytical paradigm that is capable of providing real-time data. We believe a comprehensive PAT roadmap should entail not only integration of analytical tools into the bioprocess but also should address automated-data piping, analysis, aggregation, visualization, and smart utility of data for advanced-data analytics such as machine and deep learning for holistic process understanding. In this review, we discuss a broad spectrum of PAT technologies spanning from vibrational spectroscopy, multivariate data analysis, multiattribute chromatography, mass spectrometry, sensors, and automated-sampling technologies. We also provide insights, based on our experience in clinical and commercial manufacturing, into data automation, data visualization, and smart utility of data for advanced-analytics in PAT. This review is catered for a broad audience, including those new to the field to those well versed in applying these technologies. The article is also intended to give some insight into the strategies we have undertaken to implement PAT tools in biologics process development with the vision of realizing RTR testing in biomanufacturing and to meet regulatory expectations.

Background Despite many reports on the diagnostic yield of cytology from endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA), inter-slide differences are unknown. This prospective study aimed to compare diagnostic yield and cellular characteristics of bottom slides (BS) and top slides (TS) from EUS-FNA cytology performed without an on-site cytopathologist. Methods In patients with suspected pancreatic cancer on previous imaging explorations, a single endoscopist performed EUS-FNA and obtained 2 sets of cytology slide (8 BS and 8 TS), 1 cellblock slide, and 1 biopsy slide. Both slide sets were randomly assigned. A cytopathologist with more than 10 years of expertise in pancreatic cytopathology blindly inspected and compared two slide sets. Results In total, 73 specimens [42 head (57.5%), 16 body (21.9%), and 15 tail (20.5%)] were acquired for final analysis. Seventy-one cases were finally diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The sensitivity and specificity of BS were 80.3% and 100.0%; and of TS 78.9% and 100.0%, respectively. In analyzing inter-slide difference, 66 cases (90.4%) showed consistent results between BS and TS. However, seven (9.6%) were positive only in one slide sets (4 BS and 3 TS). The proportions of specimens more than moderate and high cellularity were 75.3% and 60.3% in both slide sets (P> 0.99), and the proportion of artifact-free sets were 50.7%, and 52.1% for the BS and TS, respectively (P= 0.869). Conclusions Although BS and TS exhibited highly consistent diagnostic yields in cytologic smears from EUS-FNA, the proportion of inter-slide discordance is clinically considerable. Both slide sets need to be examined if there is no on-site cytopathologist.

OBJECTIVE Decompensated liver cirrhosis (LC) can negatively affect the outcome of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of ERCP in patients with clinically defined compensated and decompensated LC. METHODS In a single tertiary hospital, 146 endoscopic sphincterotomy-naive patients with LC who underwent ERCP between 2005 and 2016 were reviewed. Patients with LC who had experienced variceal bleeding, ascites or hepatic encephalopathy were included in the decompensated LC group. Cannulation, technical and clinical successes, and major post-ERCP adverse events including bleeding, pancreatitis, cholangitis and perforation were compared between the two groups. RESULTS Patients were divided into compensated and decompensated LC groups. Their baseline characteristics were not different, except for comorbid malignancy (22.3 % vs 38.5%, P = 0.038) and preprocedural transfusion (7.4% vs 36.5%, P < 0.001). The cannulation (97,9% vs 94.2%, P = 0.348) and technical (95.7% vs 88.5%, P = 0.167) success rates were not different. The clinical success rate was lower in the decompensated LC group (95.7% and 78.8%, P = 0.003), mainly due to comorbid hepatobiliary malignancy. Post-ERCP pancreatitis (6.4% vs 30.8%, P = 0.008) and cholangitis (18.1% vs 32.7%, P = 0.046) rates were higher in the decompensated LC group. CONCLUSIONS Despite lower clinical success rates due to comorbid hepatobiliary malignancy, ERCP in patients with decompensated LC is technically feasible. Because postprocedural cholangitis and pancreatitis are more frequent in patients with decompensated LC, greater procedural precautions are needed in these patients.

Electric stability and recovery properties of multilayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) field-effect transistors (FETs) were investigated by plasma treatment via inductively coupled plasma and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) passivation. Plasma treatment is proposed as an efficient method for cleaning the surface of MoS2. The results indicate that performance degradation of MoS2 field-effect transistors owing to oxygen absorption is largely restored by the plasma treatment. It is also shown that PMMA passivation (7% chlorobenzene) degrades the performance of the MoS2 FET. The performance degradation of the device can be restored by the plasma treatment. It is suggested that high-density plasma treatment with minimized damage to the surface can be an efficient method of surface cleaning. These findings are especially important for the nanolithography and nanodevice fabrication of two-dimensional devices made of MoS2, graphene, etc., using PMMA resistors.

Background FOLFIRINOX has increased efficacy but also toxicity. Despite various modified FOLFIRINOX regimens, how much reduction is acceptable remains unclear. This study aimed to find the optimal relative dose intensity (RDI, %) of FOLFIRINOX that preserves tumour responses in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (PC). Methods We reviewed 201 patients with PC treated with first-line FOLFIRINOX during 2012–2015. We established a modified Hryniuk model ( http://www.rdicalc.com ) and defined cumulative RDI (cRDI, %). The optimal cRDI thresholds for response rate (RR) and disease control rate (DCR) were assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Relationships between cRDI and haematologic toxicities (neutropenia and febrile neutropenia [FN]) were also analysed according to use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Results Among 156 eligible patients, 133 (48 locally advanced PC and 85 metastatic PC) completed initial treatment plan prior to the first radiological evaluation (median 58 days; 71.8% cRDI). For optimal cRDI thresholds, ROC curves showed a 71.2% cRDI for RR (83.3% sensitivity, 64.7% specificity, and 0.746 area under the curve [AUC]) and a 55.3% cRDI for DCR (93.6% sensitivity, 62.5% specificity and 0.805 AUC). Among 96 patients who did not receive prophylactic G-CSF, cRDI ≥80.1% was a significant predictor for frequent FN (73.7% sensitivity, 72.7% specificity and 0.793 AUC). There was no correlation between cRDI and haematologic toxicities in patients receiving prophylactic G-CSF. Conclusion To preserve optimal RR and DCR in advanced PC, cRDI values for FOLFIRINOX >70% and >55%, respectively, are recommended. If cRDI is >80%, primary G-CSF prophylaxis is needed.

Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) has been developed as an alternative drainage method in patients with malignant cystic duct obstruction. However, the procedure of track dilation is difficult in case of severe gallbladder wall thickening with tumor involvement or inflammation. The rendezvous technique via external fistulous track is considered in failed attempts to dilate an internal track between the gallbladder and the stomach/duodenum using conventional approach of EUS-GBD. This report presents a 56-year-old man with pancreatic cancer with malignant cystic duct obstruction who underwent percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage. The patient was successfully treated using rendezvous EUS-GBD technique after he failed the conventional EUS-GBD procedure of internal track dilation.

Introduction Although recurrence rate among cases of resected pancreatic cancer are as high as 85%, an optimal treatment for recurrent pancreatic cancer (RePC) has not been established. Previous evidence regarding RePC is scarce, and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are particularly lacking. The evidence mapping (EM) method has been introduced as a tool intended to complement the conventional systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis (MA) and is suitable for this issue. This review aims to investigate the optimal treatment options for RePC, using a newly developed automatic EM tool. Method and analysi s All study types, including RCTs, non-randomised studies and other forms of observational studies will be included in the SR-EM. The Medline, Embase, Cochrane library and Scopus databases will be searched for reports of five treatment options for local and metastatic recurrences, including re-resection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, best supportive care and other novel treatments, published from database inception to 30 April 2017. References from relevant studies will be searched manually. If meta-analysis is feasible, the primary outcome measure will be median overall survival. Two independent authors will select the studies and assess the risk of bias, and a third author will resolve discrepancies in consensus meeting. To visualise EM, we will use a novel web-based and open-access mapping programme, Plotting E-Map (PLOEM) (http://plotting-e-map.com). If eligible combinations of interventions for quantitative comparison are identified, we will conduct subgroup MAs using random-effect models and I 2 statistics. Publication bias will be visualised using funnel plots. Ethics and dissemination This study will not use primary data, and therefore formal ethical approval is not required. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and committee conferences. PROSPEROregistration number CRD42016049178.

Background/Aims: For the suspected choledocholithiasis, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy has proposed guidelines to assign risk based on clinical predictors. The study aimed to assess the usefulness of clinical predictors of choledocholithiasis set forth by the guidelines in patients with intermediate risk of choledocholithiasis. Methods: In 2014, 109 patients with intermediate risk of choledocholithiasis underwent endoscopic ultrasound. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed. The gold standard for choledocholithiasis was endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or clinical follow-up. Results: Based on endoscopic ultrasound findings, choledocholithiasis was suspected in 18 patients, and it was removed in 17 patients. Choledocholithiasis was absent in the remaining 91 who did not show any signs from endoscopic ultrasound. Among the 2 strong (common bile duct (CBD) diameter >6 mm and bilirubin 1.8-4 mg/dl) and 3 moderate (abnormal liver biochemical test other than bilirubin, age >55 years and gallstone pancreatitis) clinical predictors, 28.8% of patients with one of the strong predictors had choledocholithiasis; however, only 3.5% of patients with any one of the moderate predictors had choledocholithiasis. As a result, only strong clinical predictors showed predictability: increased bilirubin level (OR 3.23; 90% CI 0.85-12.28) and dilated CBD diameter (OR 5.83; 90% CI 1.93-17.57). Conclusion: Only strong clinical predictors of choledocholithiasis showed predictability for patients with intermediate risk of choledocholithiasis.

In LTE-Advanced that different networks coexist, it is considered that it is actually difficult to provide service continuity with a procedural and static control method applied to the existing voice service. This paper suggests Service Self-Organization to support the service continuity effectively based on SON. It means a method in which a subscriber's terminal collects information about its current condition and base station around, and a base station, through the data collected by monitoring inner or adjacent base station, shares related data and converges, controlling service continuity on its own. In other words, as context information of mobile terminal and base station changes, set-up of related functions such as ISHO, cell selection, source allocation, load control, and QoS mapping is adapted; each function fits into the change, exchanges the process of reorganization, and interacts; these actions go toward to satisfy service continuity. Simulation results show that it provides better performances than the conventional one with the measure of resource utilization rate and outage probability.

In sensor networks, sensor nodes are usually distributed to manage the networks in continuous unique area, however as by the network property nodes can be located in several areas. The data gathering of distributed nodesto several areas can be different with current continuous area. Hence, the distributed networks can be differently managed to the current continuous networks. In this paper, we describe the data gathering of sensor nodes in distributed sensor areas. It is possible that sensor nodes cannot instantly connect the mobile sink, and the node operation should be considered. The real time data sending to the instant connection scheme of mobile sink can be implemented, but the property of mobile sink should be considered for the sink connection of distributed areas. Inthis paper, we analyze the proposed scheme by the simulation results. The simulation results show that the overall lifetime to the periodic data gathering method is longer than the threshold method. Key Words

In the object inheritance of SR DEVS, partial or overall asset inheritance can be possible. To a asset inherited from parent object, by respective dedicated function a child object can implement partial or whole asset, or not. Even though a child has a inherited asset, if the asset is the hidden property its implementation will not be provided. A inherited asset cannot be showed in whole asset implementation, or it can be implemented by special system state. Here, the whole asset implementation means may include time parameter. In this paper, we describe a determination probability scheme for partial or whole asset inherited from the parent object to determine the hidden inheritance. By the determination probability function it is decided that the inherited asset will be hidden or normal asset.

As the service continuity of mobile multimedia service is affected by packet loss and delay, the efficient handover control is essentially required. This paper proposes a handover admission control scheme to satisfy service continuity of mobile multimedia services in LTE-Advanced System. In this method, based on context information of mobile terminal and base station changes, the sequence diagrams between the function modules for controlling new sessions and ISHO sessions are proposed. Simulation is done for performance analysis with the measure of transmission delay and packet loss rate.

Because each resource in LTE-Advanced system and network`s shapes such as bandwidth, error rate change variably, it is judged that it is impossible to control service continuity with procedural, artificial, and static control method applied to the existing voice service. This research suggests a QoS management mechanism to support the service continuity effectively based on policy control. It means a method in which a subscriber`s terminal collects information about its current condition and base station around, and a base station, through the data collected by monitoring inner or adjacent base station, shares related data and converges, controlling service continuity on its own.

Since global service providers consider seamless interworking with existing networks as the most important factor, it is most likely that LTE-Advanced of 3GPP is selected as international standard for 4G wireless communication. As such, we suggest SON based service self-organization which provides users with service continuity even when mobile users have terminal mobility and session mobility, and enable service providers to implement “heterogeneous multi-network of integrated” which guarantees better service in terms of wireless communication access, transmission speed, and Quality of Service (QoS). It is also expected to allow fast handover service such as VOD, and streaming in LTE-Advanced system. Moreover, this study could be conducted with various research institutions and manufacturers, leading joint research and technology transfer in the future.

The future mobile communication system can support not only voice but also multimedia applications such as data, image and video. It requires greater resources than the voice-oriented mobile system. We propose user and sub-channel priority based resource allocation for mobile multimedia services in the OFDMA systems. Our method is able to guarantee QoS continuity of realtime services and carry the maximum number of non-realtime subscriber. Simulation is focused on total throughput and blocking rate. The simulation results show that our proposed method provides a better performance than the conventional method.

The objective of this paper is to provide service continuity based on an efficient subchannel allocation in OFDMA systems. The resource management for handover are necessary to maintain the QoS requirements of different multimedia applications because the service continuity may be defected by some delay and information loss. Therefore we propose two subchannel management schemes applied to OFDMA systems. Firstly, a superposition allocation of interference subchannels is achieved by modifying a frequency reuse scheme, using co-subchannel interference principle. Secondly for handover applications, we suggest a novel subchannel reservation scheme to adjust the number of allocated channels, depending on the different characteristics and diverse quality of mobile multimedia applications. Simulation results show that the total throughput for the proposed method is increased up to 20% at average and peak arrivals and the handover failure rate is decreased to about 25%, as compared to the conventional method.

The B3G networks that provide the internetworking techniques of heterogeneous network systems and services are constructed to support various service requirements of mobile users. In this paper, we represent the internetworking scheme of heterogeneous networks systems such like UMTS and WLAN which can be used as access networks, and illustrate the service providing of each network system and the internetworking service based on heterogeneous access networks. UMTS and WLAN can provide each proper service to mobile users, and is included to B3G networks to increase the service usage effectiveness by using complementary service for mobile users.

LTE-Advanced network will form the high-speed IP backbone in collaboration with heterogeneous radio access networks for dynamic optimized resource utilization. In order to implement more innovative and attractive services such as U-Cloud streaming, LBS and mobile smart TV, a mobile terminal needs to support multiple sessions simultaneously. Efficient resource allocation schemes are necessary to maintain QoS of multiple sessions because service continuity may be defected by delay and information loss during handover. This paper proposes a resource allocation scheme to accommodate multiple sessions in a mobile terminal on handover period based on session priority mechanism. Simulation is focused on the forced termination probability of handover sessions. Simulation results show that our proposed method provides a better performance than the conventional method.

We conducted a retrospective study to find out the optimum values of serum ferritin and other hematologic indices in adult anemic patients who should be referred for thorough gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopic evaluation for GI neoplasms. 544 adult anemic patients were stratified into three groups according to the results of GI endoscopy: benign versus premalignant versus malignant. As compared to non-malignant groups, malignant group demonstrated statistically significant differences in terms of median values of ferritin and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) saturation. By receiver operating characteristics curve analyses to find out optimum cut-off points of the serum ferritin and TIBC saturation which distinguish between non-malignant diseases and malignant diseases, the cut-off ferritin value of 44.33 ng/mL in male had 72.73 % sensitivity and 70.95 % specificity. The cut-off TIBC saturation value of 9.13 % in male had 73.33 % sensitivity and 70.92 % specificity. The cut-off TIBC saturation value of 6.16 % in female had 69.57 % sensitivity and 65.13 % specificity. It is recommended that adult male patients with anemia undergo thorough endoscopic evaluation to detect GI neoplasms when their serum ferritin levels are ≤44 ng/mL or TIBC saturation values are ≤9 %. For adult female, only TIBC saturation values less than 6 % may contribute to determining whether they undergo GI endoscopic evaluation.

Advances in mobile communication and digital video technology enable to commercialize converged multimedia services such as VoD in the mobile networks. Media convergence is evolving into U-Cloud and mobile IP-TV services constituted by high-speed mobile multimedia networks and integrated personal devices. This paper proposes a resource allocation scheme to guarantee QoS of converged mobile multimedia services, and simultaneously maximize legacy services in heterogeneous wireless networks. Performances are analyzed by the simulation.

In this paper, we propose a method of schoolzone safety to the protection and management of accident and crime of school circumstance that it is increased recently. Hence, sensor network based intelligent monitoring module must be considered for schoolzone safety. It is not simple CCTV monitoring, but it means that the ability extension is proposed to monitor the dangerous situation for the risk management. Hence, this paper proposes the design of monitoring module considering various danger situations that can be occurred around the school.

The QoS management is an agreement of service user and service provider in B3G networks, and service provider must support proper the network service to service users by the agreement facts. The service provider must provide the QoS method to maintain the agreed service, which manages the detail method of system level from policy level. By the agreement of service policy, the service provider can give the QoS to the service customer with the service agreement. Hence, in this paper we propose a QoS mapping method of heterogeneous networks to provide the customer service through the service agreement based on the SLA of B3G networks.

The SLA (Service Level Agreement) is once determined between service provider and users in B3G networks so that the network service must be provided as QoS management. Here, the network situation is changed as the time flow, and the service environment is also altered. Hence, dynamic QoS management scheme should be considered. In this paper, we propose a handover scheme for dyanamic QoS as the network situation in B3G networks. The heterogeneous networks can be used for dynamic QoS management in B3G networks.

216 Background: Pancreatic protocol CT (pCT) is widely used to evaluate stage and resectability of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Recent studies show that CT enhancement patterns are related to the patient’s prognosis in several cancers, however it is not well described that pCT enhancement has prognostic effect in resectable PDAC so far. We aimed to show correlaton between pCT enhancements and prognosis in resectable PDAC. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 159 patients (median age, 67.8 years) who underwent pCT before curative resection in Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between January 2010 and December 2015, with final pathological diagnosis of PDAC. CT enhancement ratio (CTER) of each primary lesion was calculated as proportional difference between maximum Houndsfield Unit (HU) of pancreatic phase (PP) image and maximum HU of non-contrast image; [(max HU of PP) - (max HU of non-contrast)] / (max HU of non-contrast). Patients were classified into two groups, based on CTER. Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were used to correlate CTER with overall survival (OS) and recurrence free survival (RFS). Results: Median overall survival was 22.0 months during a median follow-up period of 18.5 months. Based on CTER with cut-off value of 1.8, higher (CTER ≥ 1.8) group (N = 43) was compared with lower (CTER < 1.8) group (N = 116) in terms of OS and RFS. Lower group showed significantly shorter median OS (18.5 months versus 39.3 months, P < 0.001) and median RFS (9.9 months versus 21.5 months, P = 0.006) than those of higher group. Multivariate regression analysis showed that lower group had shorter OS (HR 1.70; CI 1.01-2.85, P = 0.044) and RFS (HR 1.84; CI 1.10-3.06, P = 0.019). Conclusions: Our study suggests that lower enhancement in pancreatic phase of pCT is related to poor prognosis in PDAC. Therefore, active surveillance would be required in resected PDAC patients with CTER less than 1.8.

Systemic chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy is the initial primary option for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). This study analyzed the effect of FOLFIRINOX and assessed the factors influencing conversion to surgical resectability for LAPC. Sixty-four patients with LAPC who received FOLFIRINOX as initial chemotherapy were enrolled retrospectively. Demographic characteristics, tumor status, interval/dosage/cumulative relative dose intensity (cRDI) of FOLFIRINOX, conversion to resection, and clinical outcomes were reviewed and factors associated with conversion to resectability after FOLFIRINOX were analyzed. After administration of FOLFIRINOX (median 9 cycles, 70% of cRDI), the median patient overall survival (OS) was 17.0 months. Fifteen of 64 patients underwent surgery and R0 resection was achieved in 11 patients. During a median follow-up time of 9.4 months after resection, cumulative recurrence rate was 28.5% at 18 months after resection. The estimated median OS was significantly longer for the resected group (>40 months vs 13 months). There were no statistical differences between the resected and non-resected groups in terms of baseline characteristics, tumor status and hematologic adverse effects. The patients who received standard dose of FOLFIRINOX had higher probability of subsequent resection compared with patients who received reduced dose, although cRDIs did not differ between groups. FOLFIRINOX is an active regimen in patients with LAPC, given acceptable resection rates and promising R0 resection rates. Additionally, our data demonstrate it is advantageous for obtaining resectability to administer FOLFIRINOX without dose reduction.

Stoichiometric crystalline binary metal oxide thin films can be used as channel materials for transparent thin film transistors. However, the nature of the process used to fabricate these films causes most binary metal oxide thin films to be highly conductive, making them unsuitable for channel materials. We overcame this hurdle by forming stoichiometric ultra-thin (5 nm) crystalline In2O3 films by using a thermal atomic layer deposition method. Specifically, (3-(dimethylamino)propyl)dimethylindium was used as a liquid precursor and ozone as an oxygen source to grow In2O3 thin films at a high growth rate of 0.06 nm/cycle. Adjustment of the deposition processing temperature followed by annealing in an oxygen atmosphere enabled us to fully crystallize the film into a cubic bixbyite structure with the retained stoichiometry. The transparent crystalline ultra-thin In2O3-based bottom-gate thin film transistors showed excellent and statistically uniform switching characteristics such as a high Ion/Ioff ratio exceeding 107, a high linear mobility of 41.8 cm2/V s, a small subthreshold swing of 100 mV/dec, and a low hysteresis of 0.05 V. Our approach offers a straightforward scheme, which is compatible with oxide electronics, for fabricating a transparent metal oxide device without resorting to complicated oxide compositional strategies.

The MR (Mobile Router) by existing top-down or bottom-up methods may not be the optimal MR if the numbers of mobile nodes and routers are substantially increased, and the scale of the network is increased drastically. Since an inappropriate MR decision causes handover or binding renewal to mobile nodes, determining of the optimal MR is important for efficiency. In this paper, we propose an algorithm that decides on the optimal MR using MR QoS information, and we describe how to understand the various structured MLP (Multi-Layered Perceptron) based on the algorithm. In conclusion, we prove the ability of the suggested neural network for a nesting mobile network through the performance analysis of each learned MLP.

Supporting Quality of Service (QoS) for multimedia services in heterogeneous mobile networks is a part of key issue for Three Generation Evolution (3GE) development. A QoS management structure needs to guarantee the QoS of moving users based on an end-to-end negotiation to support the seamless service when MT is moving between the heterogeneous networks. We propose an end-to-end negotiation method based on SLA(Service Level Agreement). For this aim, the SLA control and algorithm for supporting MT`s QoS is considered. Simulation is focused on the average delay and packet loss rate, and the results show that our proposed method provides mobile terminals with the optimal performance.

This study investigates the validity of two non-invasive arterial pulse waveforms as viable indirect surrogates of arterial blood pressure waveforms, by conducting a data-driven modeling analysis of arterial wave propagation. Using the so-called “tube-load” model, we examined how well the relation between carotid versus femoral tonometry waveforms as well as carotid tonometry versus ankle pulse volume recording waveforms can be fitted to the model. Since the tube-load model describes the relationship between proximal versus distal blood pressures, we hypothesized that viable surrogates of blood pressure waveforms must be fitted well by the tube-load model. Preliminary results derived from 4 subjects with cardiovascular diseases indicated that carotid and femoral tonometry waveforms may serve as viable surrogate of arterial BP waveforms while PVR may need additional treatment, which was attributed to the nature of PVR waveforms: they are volume waveforms but not pressure waveforms.

There are two types of handovers for mobile users in the clustered cellular networks: inter-cluster and intra-cluster handovers. An inter-cluster handover which occurs as a result of mobile user's migration between clusters gives rise to additional handover delay, because more complex handover mechanism should be performed by mobile network.In this paper, we analyze multi-layered cluster architecture and we study the effect of cluster size on the inter-cluster handover performance. Then we propose a new hard handover scheme for inter-cluster handover. For an inter-cluster hard handover, additional delay is required for new bearer setup and reroute calculation. When a mobile terminal (MT) call crosses a cluster boundary, the proposed scheme performs some preparatory activities before actual handover is requested. It results in fast hard handover. We also analyze its performance and show that it reduces forced termination probability.

The ring rolling process involves 3D non-steady flow and continuous change of radius and thickness of the ring workpiece. In this study, a commercial FEM-code that is especially tailored to ring rolling process, SHAPE-RR™, is used to predict spread, pressure distribution and roll force in plain and T-shaped ring rolling processes. Two cases of plain and T-shaped rings are, respectively, simulated for the prediction of side spread by changing feed-rate and groove factor. Plain ring rolling is simulated for the prediction of pressure distribution and roll force. Compared with earlier experimental works, the results of simulations show good quantitative agreements. It is concluded that the solution tool can be utilized in design and analysis of ring products, process, and tooling and equipment.

In this study, we propose a novel mobile tracking method based on Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM), in which uncertain parameters—the received signal strength, the distance between the mobile and the base station, the moving direction, and the previous location—are used in the decision process using the aggregation function in the fuzzy set theory. Through numerical results, we show that our proposed mobile tracking method provides a better performance than the conventional method using the received signal strength.

In this paper, we propose an analysis method for mobile sinks in distributed area sensor networks. We use an agent node to communicate with the mobile sink in distributed environments. With the designed strategy, the agent sensor node gathers the appropriate data from general sensor nodes and then sends them to the mobile sink. We study the relation between the agent sensor node and the operation strategy based on the purpose of the mission. Based on the movement property of the mobile sink, network configuration can be modified to adjust the role of the sensor nodes. We provide simulation results of the proposed agent-based scheme for performance evaluation.

A general methodology to determine the principal axes of an arbitrary quasi-axi-symmetric resonator oscillating at its low-frequency flexural modal pair has been proposed. For an ideal axi-symmetric case, such a structure has two degenerated modes with identical eigen frequencies and similar modal shapes distinguished by their angular orientation only. However, in reality, due to a small non-uniformity of the structure, the structure has two specific directions corresponding to slightly-different modal properties. This paper describes a simple mathematical method to determine the principal axes using acoustic signals of the structure’s free oscillations in air. An ordinary wineglass was chosen to verify the methodology. An impulse was applied to the wineglass in an arbitrary direction that generates a beating, and the oscillatory data were acquired by a pair of microphones located in a vicinity of the shell rim to estimate its principal axes using the proposed method. The accuracy of this approach was verified by additional tests, in which impacts were applied along the calculated principal axes to show that there is no beating. This method can be applied for initial tuning of an imperfect shell resonator and can be generalized for a fine tuning of a gyroscopic resonator.

448 Background: Although almost patients with surgically resected pancreatic cancer (PC) experience recurrence, the optimal treatment option of recurrent PC is still unclear. Numerous studies have been reported about this issue, but all the scattered evidences are too small and heterogeneous to reach a conclusion. The aim of this systematic review is to perform ‘evidence mapping’ and subgroup meta-analysis. Methods: In regards to local recurrence and metastatic recurrence respectively, four treatment options including re-operation (ReOP), chemotherapy (CTx), radiotherapy (RT), best supportive care (BSC) were searched from Medline, Embase, Cochrane library, Scopus and Web of Science from 1976 to April 30, 2016. To visualize the mapping of evidence, we established a web-based mapping tool ( http://plotting-e-map.com ) and used it. In the treatment options with selected study types, subgroup meta-analyses were conducted using overall survival as a primary endpoint. Results: Among detected 12,040 studies, a total of 162 studies were included. In locally recurrent PC, overall 126 studies (39 of ReOP, 40 of CTx, 37 of RT, and 10 of BSC) were included. Median overall survival (OS) of each treatment option was 16.1 months (95% CI 4.9–22.1, I2 52%) for ReOP, 14.9 month (95% CI 7.5–18.9, I2 63%) for CTx, 13.8 months (95% CI 5.6–17.0, I2 59%) for RT. In metastatic recurred PC, overall 36 studies (10 of ReOP, 22 of CTx, no RT, 4 of BSC) were included. Median OS’s were 8.3 months (95% CI 3.6–11.2, I2 56%) for Re-OP, and 6.8 months (95% CI 4.1–9.5, I2 33%) for CTx. Conclusions: During recent 40 years, evidences showed that re-operation for highly selected patients with locally and metastatic recurrent PC could be a considerable therapeutic option. However, since the heterogeneity among the studies is relatively high, more prospective and comparative studies about re-operation with multimodality treatment are needed.

480 Background: Approximately, one third of pancreatic cancer patients have locally advanced status at diagnosis. Systemic chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy is the main option for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). Recently, many studies have been investigating the efficacy of FOLFIRINOX (5-fluorouracil [5-FU], oxaliplatin, irinotecan and leucovorin) in LAPC patients. The aim of this study is to assess the clinical outcomes of FOLFIRINOX in patients with LAPC. Methods: Patients with LAPC who received FOLFIRINOX as an initial chemotherapy were identified via the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital database warehouse retrospectively. Demographic characteristics, disease status, chemotherapy duration and cumulative relative dose intensity (cRDI), conversion to resection and clinical outcomes were reviewed. Resectabilitywas determined based on National Cancer Comprehensive Network (NCCN) guidelines version 1.2016. Results: Fifty-one LAPC patients between Apr. 2012 and Dec. 2015 were enrolled. The median age of the patients was 60 years (30-77 years). The median overall survival (OS) of total patients was 13.3 months. The number of treatment cycles administered was 10 (2-20) and cRDI was 69.2% (35.6-91.2%). Fourteen of 51 patients (27.5%) underwent surgery and R0 resection was achieved in 11 patients (78.6%). Three patients received preoperative radiotherapy. The median OS of resected patients did not reach the 50% mark during the follow-up period compared with 13.3 months of OS in the patients without resection. Eleven of 14 resected patients did not experience recurrence during the follow-up of 10.7 months (1.8-23.5 months). The cRDI was higher in resected patients versus others (71.5 vs. 66.7%). The median time to resection was 6.7 months (3.2-14.3 months). Conclusions: FOLFIRINOX is considerable active regimen in patients with LAPC promising R0 resection rate. Future research should assess adequate duration and dose intensity of FOLFIRINOX and proper point of radiotherapy in the patients with LAPC to achieve higher rate of R0 resection.