Fast solution of Cahn-Hilliard variational inequalities using implicit time discretization and finite elements

We consider the e�cient solution of the Cahn-Hilliard variational inequality using an implicit time discretization, which is formulated as an optimal control problem with pointwise constraints on the control. By applying a semi-smooth Newton method combined with a Moreau-Yosida regularization technique for handling the control constraints we show superlinear convergence in function space. At the heart of this method lies the solution of large and sparse linear systems for which we propose the use of preconditioned Krylov subspace solvers using an e�ective Schur complement approximation. Numerical results illustrate the competitiveness of this approach

The DAXX co-repressor is directly recruited to active regulatory elements genome-wide to regulate autophagy programs in a model of human prostate cancer.

While carcinoma of the prostate is the second most common cause of cancer death in the US, current methods and markers used to predict prostate cancer (PCa) outcome are inadequate. This study was aimed at understanding the genome-wide binding and regulatory role of the DAXX transcriptional repressor, recently implicated in PCa. ChIP-Seq analysis of genome-wide distribution of DAXX in PC3 cells revealed over 59,000 DAXX binding sites, found at regulatory enhancers and promoters. ChIP-Seq analysis of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), which is a key epigenetic partner for DAXX repression, revealed that DNMT1 binding was restricted to a small number of DAXX sites. DNMT1 and DAXX bound close to transcriptional activator motifs. DNMT1 sites were found to be dependent on DAXX for recruitment by analyzing DNMT1 ChIP-Seq following DAXX knockdown (K/D), corroborating previous findings that DAXX recruits DNMT1 to repress its target genes. Massively parallel RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was used to compare the transcriptomes of WT and DAXX K/D PC3 cells. Genes induced by DAXX K/D included those involved in autophagy, and DAXX ChIP-Seq peaks were found close to the transcription start sites (TSS) of autophagy genes, implying they are more likely to be regulated by DAXX. In conclusion, DAXX binds active regulatory elements and co-localizes with DNMT1 in the prostate cancer genome. Given DAXX's putative regulatory role in autophagy, future studies may consider DAXX as a candidate marker and therapeutic target for prostate cancer

The knowledge-based software assistant

Where the Knowledge Based Software Assistant (KBSA) is now, four years after the initial report, is discussed. Also described is what the Rome Air Development Center expects at the end of the first contract iteration. What the second and third contract iterations will look like are characterized

Noise reduction in chaotic time series by a local projection with nonlinear constraints

On the basis of a local-projective (LP) approach we develop a method of noise reduction in time series that makes use of nonlinear constraints appearing due to the deterministic character of the underlying dynamical system. The Delaunay triangulation approach is used to find the optimal nearest neighboring points in time series. The efficiency of our method is comparable to standard LP methods but our method is more robust to the input parameter estimation. The approach has been successfully applied for separating a signal from noise in the chaotic Henon and Lorenz models as well as for noisy experimental data obtained from an electronic Chua circuit. The method works properly for a mixture of additive and dynamical noise and can be used for the noise-level detection.Comment: 11 pages, 12 figures. See http://www.chaosandnoise.or

Sun-Safety: Assessing Barriers and Promoting Sun-Safe Practices for Vermonters.

Skin cancer continues to be the most common cancer in Vermont and the United States. About one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Vermont currently ranks second highest in the country for melanoma skin cancer rates. Rates continue to rise and skin cancer is impacting patients at younger and younger ages. Although several factors play into development of melanoma, a large risk factor for developing skin-cancer in one\u27s lifetime is UV exposure. One way to combat this is to encourage regular sun-safe practices, such as daily sunscreen use, seeking shade, and wearing sun-protective clothing. The aim of this project was to assess barriers to sunscreen use and evaluate current skin cancer statistics and sun-safe practices to create a SmartPhrase. Because providers only mention sunscreen in 0.9% of visits, the hope is that this SmartPhrase will be an easy and efficient way for providers at Colchester Family Practice to encourage sun-safe practices for their patients.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/fmclerk/1613/thumbnail.jp

The Presumption of Guilt: Systemic Factors that Contribute to Ineffective Assistance of Counsel in California

Our adversary system of criminal justice is premised upon the belief that effective advocacy by counsel for both the prosecution and the defense, conducted within a process founded upon principles of fundamental fairness, will best promote the ultimate objective that the guilty be convicted and the innocent go free. The exoneration of the wrongfully convicted by the California Innocence Project and other innocence projects across the county has revealed, however, that our criminal justice system is sometimes deeply flawed. In theory, every person accused of a serious crime comes to court protected by a presumption of innocence and the promise of effective representation by a well-prepared and experienced defense counsel, supported by defense investigators, experts, and other resources needed to mount an effective defense. Yet recent empirical research undertaken by the author for the California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice (Fair Commission) portrays a discouraging reality that is often far different from this theoretical model. Part II of this article describes the methodology used to collect the data reported in this article, and Part III gives an overview of some of the most significant findings arising from the research conducted for the Fair Commission. Parts IV through VI report details of our survey of California\u27s institutional public defender, contract defender, and assigned counsel systems. Part VII examines the funding for indigent defense services, revealing the disparity between counties and the disparity in resources between prosecution and defense. Part VIII discusses California judicial decisions that found ineffective assistance of counsel and looks at the types of errors that are most frequently made. These cases are individually detailed in Appendix II. Part IX presents a number of solutions to help alleviate some of the systemic problems that contribute to the ineffective assistance of counsel in California. Part X concludes by listening to the voices of those public defenders and private criminal defense attorneys who responded with comments about the system they live, breathe, and work in on a daily basis

Requiem for Miranda: The Rehnquist Court\u27s Voluntariness Doctrine in Historical Perspective

This Article retraces the path of history back to the origins of the privilege against self-incrimination and rediscovers a cluster of rights, embraced by the historical privilege, which are today no longer associated with the fifth amendment. The central thesis of this Article is that, because of our ignorance of history, we have failed to distinguish analytically between the historical privilege against self-incrimination and the relatively more recent right against compulsory self-incrimination. This failure has led to a one-dimensional analysis of self-incrimination issues (focusing solely upon compulsion) which has obfuscated fundamental values underlying once protected by the privilege, engendered muddled thinking, and given rise to a confused doctrine riddled with anomalies

Rethinking Modes of Political Influence: Catherine de\u27 Medici and her Female Political Network

Though previous studies on the political career of Catherine de\u27 Medici have been male-centric, focusing primarily on Catherine\u27s relationships with her sons and male noblemen, it is the contention of this thesis that Catherine amassed a female-based political network during her tenure as Queen mother. Comprised of both her female relatives and the noblewomen that surrounded her at court, Catherine used this system of females to manipulate both domestic and foreign politics. The first chapter of this thesis will focus on Catherine\u27s political purpose for her eldest and youngest daughters, Elisabeth de Valois (consort of Philip II of Spain) and Marguerite de Valois (first wife of Henri IV of France). The second chapter will next examine the role of Catherine\u27s three daughters-in-law, Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, Elisabeth of Austria, and Louise de Lorraine-Vaudemont within her political network. The final chapter will then concentrate on two members of Catherine\u27s infamous flying squadron, Louise de La Beraudiere, also known as la belle Rouhet and Charlotte de Sauve respectively, and how the Queen mother utilized them to manage potentially troublesome noblemen at court