Network inference in matrix-variate Gaussian models with non-independent noise

Inferring a graphical model or network from observational data from a large number of variables is a well studied problem in machine learning and computational statistics. In this paper we consider a version of this problem that is relevant to the analysis of multiple phenotypes collected in genetic studies. In such datasets we expect correlations between phenotypes and between individuals. We model observations as a sum of two matrix normal variates such that the joint covariance function is a sum of Kronecker products. This model, which generalizes the Graphical Lasso, assumes observations are correlated due to known genetic relationships and corrupted with non-independent noise. We have developed a computationally efficient EM algorithm to fit this model. On simulated datasets we illustrate substantially improved performance in network reconstruction by allowing for a general noise distribution

Innovation and Tradition: A Survey of Intellectual Property and Technology Legal Clinics

For artists, nonprofits, community organizations and small-business clients of limited means, securing intellectual property rights and getting counseling involving patent, copyright and trademark law are critical to their success and growth. These clients need expert IP and technology legal assistance, but very often cannot afford services in the legal marketplace. In addition, legal services and state bar pro bono programs have generally been ill-equipped to assist in these more specialized areas. An expanding community of IP and Technology clinics has emerged across the country to meet these needs. But while law review articles have described and examined other sectors of clinical legal education, there has not been an article to date that examines the rise and the role of such clinics. This is an important need to fill. With student and client and law firm demand for IP and Technology clinics, law schools want information about existing programs, and existing programs want information about the innovations of other clinics and collaboration opportunities. In addition, the traditional clinical community wants to ensure that these new programs build on the strengths of the original founding clinics. This survey data and article fills that need. This article distills the results of a comprehensive survey of 70 directors of IP and Technology Clinics into themes that analyze the focus and aspirations of this new clinical community. It takes stock of what IP and Technology clinics were founded to accomplish, how and what they are teaching students, and what clients and missions drive them. It highlights some individual innovations to inspire the community to continue to grow and change. It concludes by assessing what these clinics accomplish, how they are faring on these goals and the role they may play in the future of clinical legal education and experiential learning more generally

Muligheten for å få fastsettelsesdom for brudd på barnekonvensjonen

Utgangspunktet for avhandlingen var plenumsdommen, Rt-2012-2039, som fastslo at det ikke kan kreves fastsettelsesdom for brudd på FNs konvensjon om barnets rettigheter (barnekonvensjonen). Hovedproblemstillingen for avhandlingen er om det er mulig å få fastsettelsesdom for brudd på barnekonvensjonen, og hvilken betydning det vil ha å kunne få slik fastsettelsesdom

The prevalence and origin of exoprotease-producing cells in the <em>Bacillus subtilis </em>biofilm

Biofilm formation by the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis is tightly controlled at the level of transcription. The biofilm contains specialized cell types that arise from controlled differentiation of the resident isogenic bacteria. DegU is a response regulator that controls several social behaviours exhibited by B. subtilis including swarming motility, biofilm formation and extracellular protease (exoprotease) production. Here, for the first time, we examine the prevalence and origin of exoprotease-producing cells within the biofilm. This was accomplished using single-cell analysis techniques including flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. We established that the number of exoprotease-producing cells increases as the biofilm matures. This is reflected by both an increase at the level of transcription and an increase in exoprotease activity over time. We go on to demonstrate that exoprotease-producing cells arise from more than one cell type, namely matrix-producing and non-matrix-producing cells. In toto these findings allow us to add exoprotease-producing cells to the list of specialized cell types that are derived during B. subtilis biofilm formation and furthermore the data highlight the plasticity in the origin of differentiated cells

Epidemiology and survival factors for sarcoma patients in minority populations: a SEER-retrospective study

Background: Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated race as a predictor of worse oncological outcomes. To better understand the effect of race on oncological outcomes, we utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to determine what treatment courses are provided to minority patients and how this impacts survival. Materials and methods: A retrospective review of bone and soft tissue sarcoma cases was performed using the SEER database for a minimum 5-year survival rate using Kaplan-Meier curves. Categorical variables were compared using Pearson’s Chi-Square test and Cramer V. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to determine survival rates (SR) and Cox regression analysis was used to determine hazard ratios (HRs). Results: Races that had an increased risk of death included Native American/Alaska Native (NA/AN) [hazard ratio (HR): 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.049–1.761, p = 0.020) and Black (HR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.091–1.256, p &lt; 0.001). NA/AN individuals had the lowest SR (5-year SR = 70.9%, 95% CI: 63.8–78.0%, p &lt; 0.001). The rate of metastasis at diagnosis for each race was 13.07% — Hispanic, 10.62% — NA/AN, 12.77% — Black, 10.61% — Asian/Pacific Islander (A/PI), and 9.02% — White individuals (p &lt; 0.001). There were increases in the rate of metastasis at diagnosis and decreases in rates of surgical excision for Hispanic and Black patients (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: Race is determined to be an independent risk factor for death in NA/AN and Black patients with sarcomas of the extremities. Access to healthcare and delay in seeking treatment may contribute to higher rates of metastasis upon diagnosis for minority patients, and decreased rates of surgical excision could be associated with poor follow up and lack of resources

Enabling Responsible Living Springer A Multi-Level Framework and Values-Based Indicators to Enable Responsible Living

Abstract Efforts to enable responsible living require supporting frameworks and tools to bridge science and values at all levels from local to global. At the local level, community action is most effective in a village or neighbourhood where people will invest for the common betterment of their families and neighbours. Educational activities in and outside formal education for children, preadolescents, youth and adults should encourage action for responsible living based on the community&apos;s own values and vision of human purpose and well-being. Values-based indicators can help to measure the impact of sustainability education on behaviours in communities and organizations, as demonstrated in a recent pilot project. At the national level, in addition to formal curricular change, the media and diverse organizations of civil society from businesses to faith-based organizations can lead discussions of various dimensions of responsible living. Internationally, the debate on the future of sustainability around the Rio+20 conference has stimulated a re-examination of preconceptions and certitudes about individual and collective purposes and underlining the importance of values and ethical principles to sustainability. Linking local efforts to these international debates and implementing values-based indicators of education for sustainability will help to move from words to action for responsible living

Epidemiology and survival factors of appendicular myxofibrosarcoma: a SEER-retrospective study

Background: The low incidence of myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) makes high power studies difficult to perform. Demographic and prognostic factors for MFS and how they differ from all extremity soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to characterize a large cohort of patients with MFS and evaluate epidemiologic and survival factors when compared to all STS. Material and methods: We performed a retrospective review of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2000 to 2015 to identify 1,440 patients diagnosed with MFS and 12,324 with STS. Survival curves were creased using Kaplan-Meier, and Cox regression analyses were performed to identify hazard ratios (HRs). Results: Overall survival was greater for STS than MFS (79% vs. 67%). Patients with MFS had a higher average age at diagnosis than STS (62 vs. 56), and older age was strongly associated with decreased survivorship for MFS (HR = 7.94). A greater proportion of patients under 30 diagnosed with MFS were female when compared to STS (49.6% vs. 45.4%). The incidence of MFS and STS increased over the 15-year period, with MFS increasing at a greater rate than STS (1.25% vs. 2.59%). Survival increased for patients diagnosed after 2008 for both STS (9.4%) and MFS (13.2%). Conclusions: There are differences between patient demographics and survival factors when comparing MFS to all STS. Monitoring changes in demographic and survival trends for rare STS subtypes like MFS is important to improve diagnostic algorithms and treatment options

Influence of CO2 on Nanoconfined Water in a Clay Mineral

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