Modern soil mapping is characterised by the need to interpolate point referenced (geostatistical) observations and the availability of large numbers of environmental characteristics for consideration as covariates to aid this interpolation. Modelling tasks of this nature also occur in other fields such as biogeography and environmental science. This analysis employs the Least Angle Regression (...

INTRODUCTION Rectal function following rectal resection for carcinoma was studied in 43 patients. METHODS Sixteen women and 27 men with a median age of 66 years (range 41-79 years) were included. Twenty-three patients had a diverting ileostomy at the time of resection. Eight patients had a 6-cm colonic J-pouch. Ten patients had anastomotic leakage including two patients without diverting ileo...

I n past years. the us" ,a1 surgical correction of rectal carci. noma was abdominal perineal resection with a permanent colostomy. This surgical procedure is very involved, requiring both abdominal and perineal wounds. The rectum is completely removed, leaving a large cavity to heal postoperatively, often with complications including slow healing and/or fistulization. Also, the patient must dea...