Pedestrian motion modelled by Fokker-Planck Nash games.

A new approach to modelling pedestrians' avoidance dynamics based on a Fokker-Planck (FP) Nash game framework is presented. In this framework, two interacting pedestrians are considered, whose motion variability is modelled through the corresponding probability density functions (PDFs) governed by FP equations. Based on these equations, a Nash differential game is formulated where the game strategies represent controls aiming at avoidance by minimizing appropriate collision cost functionals. The existence of Nash equilibria solutions is proved and characterized as a solution to an optimal control problem that is solved numerically. Results of numerical experiments are presented that successfully compare the computed Nash equilibria to the output of real experiments (conducted with humans) for four test cases.

Observations on quadruple immunosuppression maintenance therapy using rapamycin, low-dose cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone following ATG induction.

INTRODUCTION: We prospectively evaluated an immunosuppressive regimen consisting of rapamycin (Rapa), low-dose cyclosporine (CsA), low-dose mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and prednisone (group 1) versus a regimen of CsA, MMF, and prednisone (group 2) in mismatched living related donor (LRD) and living unrelated donor (LUD) kidney transplantation. METHODS: Group 1 included 24 transplant recipients of eight mismatched LRD and 16 LUD, treated with Rapa, low-dose MMF, CsA, and prednisone. Group 2 included 53 transplant recipients (25 LRD, 27 LUD, and one cadaveric donor), treated with MMF, CsA, and prednisone. All patients in group 1 received a single bolus of rabbit-anti-human T-lymphocyte immune serum (ATG-Fresenius 4 to 6 mg/kg). In group 2, patients received either a single ATG or an extended ATG course (3 to 5 days postoperatively). RESULTS: Acute rejection occurred in one patient in group 1 (4.2%) and in five patients (9.4%) in group 2, all of which resulted in graft loss. Serum creatinine was not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The immunosuppressive protocol of Rapa, CsA, MMF, and prednisone with single-bolus induction ATG achieves excellent immunosuppression and graft survival with no apparent risks in the short and intermediate term.

A guideline to clinical utility of prostate specific antigen.

Prostate cancer has emerged as the most common tumor effecting adult men. In the USA, 300,000 cases each year, and some 40,000 deaths per year are expected from this disease. Once prostate cancer gets to an advanced stage, one cannot prevent its progression and cure is no longer possible. Thus, to effect the course of prostate cancer and to diminish the death rate from this disease, it should be detected at its early stages. The prostate specific antigen serum test is the best tumor marker present but it is certainly not perfect. The proper utility of prostate specific antigen testing, and analysis of prostate specific antigen parameters, will allow us to detect prostate cancer at earlier stages, and prevent progression and death rates from this disease. In this manuscript, we review the current status of prostate specific antigen testing for early detection and staging of prostate cancer, as well as its role for monitoring response to various forms of therapy.

Seroimmunity to measles and mumps among medical students and nurses in a teaching hospital in Lebanon.

Two hundred thirty-three newly enrolled medical and nursing students at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, were tested for antibodies to measles and mumps. Antibodies to measles were detected in 95% of the sample, and antibodies to mumps in 84% of the sample. Susceptible individuals were appropriately immunized.