639 research outputs found
Randomly Evolving Idiotypic Networks: Structural Properties and Architecture
We consider a minimalistic dynamic model of the idiotypic network of
B-lymphocytes. A network node represents a population of B-lymphocytes of the
same specificity (idiotype), which is encoded by a bitstring. The links of the
network connect nodes with complementary and nearly complementary bitstrings,
allowing for a few mismatches. A node is occupied if a lymphocyte clone of the
corresponding idiotype exists, otherwise it is empty. There is a continuous
influx of new B-lymphocytes of random idiotype from the bone marrow.
B-lymphocytes are stimulated by cross-linking their receptors with
complementary structures. If there are too many complementary structures,
steric hindrance prevents cross-linking. Stimulated cells proliferate and
secrete antibodies of the same idiotype as their receptors, unstimulated
lymphocytes die.
Depending on few parameters, the autonomous system evolves randomly towards
patterns of highly organized architecture, where the nodes can be classified
into groups according to their statistical properties. We observe and describe
analytically the building principles of these patterns, which allow to
calculate number and size of the node groups and the number of links between
them. The architecture of all patterns observed so far in simulations can be
explained this way. A tool for real-time pattern identification is proposed.Comment: 19 pages, 15 figures, 4 table
A Two-Player Game of Life
We present a new extension of Conway's game of life for two players, which we
call p2life. P2life allows one of two types of token, black or white, to
inhabit a cell, and adds competitive elements into the birth and survival rules
of the original game. We solve the mean-field equation for p2life and determine
by simulation that the asymptotic density of p2life approaches 0.0362.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure
Efficacy and Safety of Alirocumab as Add-on Therapy in High–Cardiovascular-Risk Patients With Hypercholesterolemia Not Adequately Controlled With Atorvastatin (20 or 40 mg) or Rosuvastatin (10 or 20 mg)::Design and Rationale of the ODYSSEY OPTIONS Studies
The phase 3 ODYSSEY OPTIONS studies (OPTIONS I, NCT01730040; OPTIONS II, NCT01730053) are multicenter, multinational, randomized, double-blind, active-comparator, 24-week studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of alirocumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, as add-on therapy in ∼ 650 high-cardiovascular (CV)-risk patients whose low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels are ≥100 mg/dL or ≥70 mg/dL according to the CV-risk category, high and very high CV risk, respectively, with atorvastatin (20–40 mg/d) or rosuvastatin (10–20 mg/d). Patients are randomized to receive alirocumab 75 mg via a single, subcutaneous, 1-mL injection by prefilled pen every 2 weeks (Q2W) as add-on therapy to atorvastatin (20–40 mg) or rosuvastatin (10–20 mg); or to receive ezetimibe 10 mg/d as add-on therapy to statin; or to receive statin up-titration; or to switch from atorvastatin to rosuvastatin (OPTIONS I only). At week 12, based on week 8 LDL-C levels, the alirocumab dose may be increased from 75 mg to 150 mg Q2W if LDL-C levels remain ≥100 mg/dL or ≥70 mg/dL in patients with high or very high CV risk, respectively. The primary efficacy endpoint in both studies is difference in percent change in calculated LDL-C from baseline to week 24 in the alirocumab vs control arms. The studies may provide guidance to inform clinical decision-making when patients with CV risk require additional lipid-lowering therapy to further reduce LDL-C levels. The flexibility of the alirocumab dosing regimen allows for individualized therapy based on the degree of LDL-C reduction required to achieve the desired LDL-C level
Measuring flushing symptoms with extended-release niacin using the flushing symptom questionnaire©: results from a randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial
Predictive feedback control and Fitts' law
Fitts’ law is a well established empirical formula, known for encapsulating the “speed-accuracy trade-off”. For discrete, manual movements from a starting location to a target, Fitts’ law relates movement duration to the distance moved and target size. The widespread empirical success of the formula is suggestive of underlying principles of human movement control. There have been previous attempts to relate Fitts’ law to engineering-type control hypotheses and it has been shown that the law is exactly consistent with the closed-loop step-response of a time-delayed, first-order system. Assuming only the operation of closed-loop feedback, either continuous or intermittent, this paper asks whether such feedback should be predictive or not predictive to be consistent with Fitts law. Since Fitts’ law is equivalent to a time delay separated from a first-order system, known control theory implies that the controller must be predictive. A predictive controller moves the time-delay outside the feedback loop such that the closed-loop response can be separated into a time delay and rational function whereas a non- predictive controller retains a state delay within feedback loop which is not consistent with Fitts’ law. Using sufficient parameters, a high-order non-predictive controller could approximately reproduce Fitts’ law. However, such high-order, “non-parametric” controllers are essentially empirical in nature, without physical meaning, and therefore are conceptually inferior to the predictive controller. It is a new insight that using closed-loop feedback, prediction is required to physically explain Fitts’ law. The implication is that prediction is an inherent part of the “speed-accuracy trade-off”
Study of Non-Standard Neutrino Interactions with Atmospheric Neutrino Data in Super-Kamiokande I and II
In this paper we study non-standard neutrino interactions as an example of
physics beyond the standard model using atmospheric neutrino data collected
during the Super-Kamiokande I(1996-2001) and II(2003-2005) periods. We focus on
flavor-changing-neutral-currents (FCNC), which allow neutrino flavor
transitions via neutral current interactions, and effects which violate lepton
non-universality (NU) and give rise to different neutral-current
interaction-amplitudes for different neutrino flavors. We obtain a limit on the
FCNC coupling parameter, varepsilon_{mu tau}, |varepsilon_{mu tau}|<1.1 x
10^{-2} at 90%C.L. and various constraints on other FCNC parameters as a
function of the NU coupling, varepsilon_{e e}. We find no evidence of
non-standard neutrino interactions in the Super-Kamiokande atmospheric data.Comment: 12 Pages, 14 figures. To be submitted to Phys. Rev.
Solar neutrino results in Super-Kamiokande-III
The results of the third phase of the Super-Kamiokande solar neutrino
measurement are presented and compared to the first and second phase results.
With improved detector calibrations, a full detector simulation, and improved
analysis methods, the systematic uncertainty on the total neutrino flux is
estimated to be ?2.1%, which is about two thirds of the systematic uncertainty
for the first phase of Super-Kamiokande. The observed 8B solar flux in the 5.0
to 20 MeV total electron energy region is 2.32+/-0.04 (stat.)+/-0.05 (sys.)
*10^6 cm^-2sec^-1, in agreement with previous measurements. A combined
oscillation analysis is carried out using SK-I, II, and III data, and the
results are also combined with the results of other solar neutrino experiments.
The best-fit oscillation parameters are obtained to be sin^2 {\theta}12 =
0.30+0.02-0.01(tan^2 {\theta}12 = 0.42+0.04 -0.02) and {\Delta}m2_21 =
6.2+1.1-1.9 *10^-5eV^2. Combined with KamLAND results, the best-fit oscillation
parameters are found to be sin^2 {\theta}12 = 0.31+/-0.01(tan^2 {\theta}12 =
0.44+/-0.03) and {\Delta}m2_21 = 7.6?0.2*10^-5eV^2 . The 8B neutrino flux
obtained from global solar neutrino experiments is
5.3+/-0.2(stat.+sys.)*10^6cm^-2s^-1, while the 8B flux becomes
5.1+/-0.1(stat.+sys.)*10^6cm^-2s^-1 by adding KamLAND result. In a three-flavor
analysis combining all solar neutrino experiments, the upper limit of sin^2
{\theta}13 is 0.060 at 95% C.L.. After combination with KamLAND results, the
upper limit of sin^2 {\theta}13 is found to be 0.059 at 95% C.L..Comment: 19 pages, 33 figures in the main text. The appendix section on errata
is added in v
Atmospheric neutrino oscillation analysis with sub-leading effects in Super-Kamiokande I, II, and III
We present a search for non-zero theta_{13} and deviations of sin^2
theta_{23} from 0.5 in the oscillations of atmospheric neutrino data from
Super-Kamiokande -I, -II, and -III. No distortions of the neutrino flux
consistent with non-zero theta_{13} are found and both neutrino mass hierarchy
hypotheses are in agreement with the data. The data are best fit at Delta m^2 =
2.1 x 10^-3 eV^2, sin^2 theta_{13} = 0.0, and sin^2 theta_{23} =0.5. In the
normal (inverted) hierarchy theta_{13} and Delta m^2 are constrained at the
one-dimensional 90% C.L. to sin^2 theta_{13} < 0.04 (0.09) and 1.9 (1.7) x
10^-3 < Delta m^2 < 2.6 (2.7) x 10^-3 eV^2. The atmospheric mixing angle is
within 0.407 <= sin^2 theta_{23} <= 0.583 at 90% C.L.Comment: 17 Pages, 14 figures. To be submitted to Phys. Rev. D Minor update to
text after referee comments. Figures modified for better grayscale printing
Search for Nucleon Decay into Charged Anti-lepton plus Meson in Super-Kamiokande I and II
Searches for a nucleon decay into a charged anti-lepton (e^+ or {\mu}^+) plus
a light meson ({\pi}^0, {\pi}^-, {\eta}, {\rho}^0, {\rho}^-, {\omega}) were
performed using the Super-Kamiokande I and II data. Twelve nucleon decay modes
were searched for. The total exposure is 140.9 kiloton \cdot years, which
includes a 91.7 kiloton \cdot year exposure (1489.2 live days) of
Super-Kamiokande-I and a 49.2 kiloton \cdot year exposure (798.6 live days) of
Super-Kamiokande-II. The number of candidate events in the data was consistent
with the atmospheric neutrino background expectation. No significant evidence
for a nucleon decay was observed in the data. Thus, lower limits on the nucleon
partial lifetime at 90% confidence level were obtained. The limits range from
3.6 \times 10^31 to 8.2 \times 10^33 years, depending on the decay modes.Comment: 25 pages, 18 figure
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