Latent Class Probabilistic Latent Feature Analysis of Three-Way Three-Mode Binary Data

The analysis of binary three-way data (i.e., persons who indicate which attributes apply to each of a set of objects) may be of interest in several substantive domains as sensory profiling, marketing research or personality assessment. Latent class probabilistic latent feature models (LCPLFMs) may be used to explain binary object-attribute associations on the basis of a small number of binary latent variables (called latent features). As LCPLFMs aim to model object-attribute associations using a small number of latent features they may be more suited to analyze data with many objects/attributes than standard multilevel latent class models which do not include such a dimension reduction. In this paper we describe new functions of the plfm package for analyzing binary three-way data with LCPLFMs. The new functions provide a flexible modeling approach as they allow to (1) specify different assumptions for modeling statistical dependencies between object-attribute pairs, (2) use different assumptions for modeling parameter heterogeneity across persons, (3) conduct a confirmatory analysis by constraining specific parameters to pre-specified values, (4) inspect results with print, summary and plot methods. As an illustration, the models are applied to analyze data on the perception of midsize cars, and to study the situational determinants of anger-related behavior

Schwannoma of the seminal vesicle

A 61-year -old male presented with a five month history of atypical left lower quadrant abdominal discomfort. There was no relevant past medical history and routine laboratory tests and physical examination were unremarkable. Work up included an abdominal CT of the lower abdomen. It revealed a well-delineated left intrapelvic soft tissue mass with some low attenuation areas, indistinguishable of the left seminal vesicle (Fig. A). He subsequently underwent a MRI of the pelvis. Axial T2-weighted MRI (Fig. B) demonstrated a well encapsulated mass, indistinguishable of the left seminal vesicle and a normal appearance of the right seminal vesicle. Coronal T1-weighted MRI (Fig. C) with fat saturation after the injection of intravenous gadolinium revealed the avid contrast uptake of the lesion with a small non-enhancing cystic component. It also depicted the extrinsic compression of the mass on the sigmoid colon and rectum

Structural and photophysical properties of various polypyridyl ligands : a combined experimental and computational study

Covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) with polypyridyl ligands are very promising supports to anchor photocatalytic complexes. Herein, we investigate the photophysical properties of a series of ligands which vary by the extent of the aromatic system, the nitrogen content and their topologies to aid in selecting interesting building blocks for CTFs. Interestingly, some linkers have a rotational degree of freedom, allowing both a trans and cis structure, where only the latter allows anchoring. Therefore, the influence of the dihedral angle on the UV-Vis spectrum is studied. The photophysical properties are investigated by a combined computational and experimental study. Theoretically, both static and molecular dynamics simulations are performed to deduce ground- and excited state properties based on density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT. The position of the main absorption peak shifts towards higher wavelengths for an increased size of the pi-system and a higher pi-electron deficiency. We found that the position of the main absorption peak among the different ligands studied in this work can amount to 271 nm; which has a significant impact on the photophysical properties of the ligands. This broad range of shifts allows modulation of the electronic structure by varying the ligands and may help in a rational design of efficient photocatalysts

Sinus venosus ASD

A 32-year-old man presented at the cardiology department for a routine check-up. He had no symptoms, particularly no cardio - logical symptoms. Clinical examination and ECG revealed no abnormalities. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a mild dilatation of the right heart

Eagle syndrome

A thirty-eight-year-old male patient was referred by the general practitioner to our department for recurrent throat pain radiating to head and neck for a few months. The pain was more prominent on the left side, especially during swallowing, and sometimes accompanied by a creaking noise and sensation of a ‘click’. Physical examination showed a slightly hard bulge on the left upper neck. Previous medical history was not helpful and laboratory findings were normal. Ultrasound of the neck, as a first investigation, showed no abnormalities. In addition, enhanced computed tomo - graphy of the neck was performed. Coronal reconstruction, as shown in Fig. A, revealed total ossification of the stylohyoid ligaments, from the origin on the styloid process to the insertion on the lesser horn of the hyoid bone, as well as enlargement of both styloid processes, more pronounced on the left. Pseudo-articulation between the left stylohyoid ligament and styloid process, also shown in Fig. A and more in detail on the three-dimensional reconstruction in Fig. B, caused the local swelling in the left upper neck. These radiographic findings accompanied by the patient’s complaints, is known as “Eagle Syndrome”. Because of the minor clinical repercussions, conservative treatment was optioned

Left ventricular diverticulum: incidental finding on dual source cardiac ct

The purpose of this retrospective study is to describe the prevalence, size and location of left ventricular (LV) diverticulum- diverticuli on cardiac dual source CT. Dual source computed tomography cardiac angiography (DS CTCA) was performed in 482 patients. Where literature states their rare occurrence, this retrospective study demonstrates the fairly common finding of incidental LV diverticulum on DS CTCA examinations. LV diverticuli were found incidentally in 20 out of 482 patients (4.1%), a substantially higher incidence than previously reported. Although diverticuli were most common along the inferoseptal wall (45%) they also occurred in all parts of the left ventricular wall. Multiple diverticuli were found in 30% of patients. Dimensions of the LV diverticuli varied enormously. LV diverticuli are reported to be frequently associated with other congenital anomalies. Complications ranging from sudden death and heart failure to embolic events have been described in literature. No relevant associated anomaly or complication was present in the studied 20 patients. Our data support the hypothesis that LV diverticuli, incidentally found in adulthood, follow a benign course and can be managed conservatively. More knowledge is however required to understand history and prognosis about this condition

Sediment erosion in flexible canopies by vortex impact

A model experiment with a vortex impacting a flexible canopy filled with a thin homogeneous bed of particles is presented. Flexibility of the filaments increases the efficiency of resuspension by the amount it allows the effective canopy-height to reduce due to the reconfiguration of the flexible structures. Scaling of the results with the effective canopy height leads to a collapse of the observed resuspension in the history of several successive impacts. It is further shown that preferential pathways in the canopy play a large role in resuspension. When comparing a hexagonal arrangement to a random arrangement of the filaments at the same average porosity, one needs to double the amount of impacts to achieve the same average resuspension. Hence, it is concluded that the random path of the particles around the filaments is affected in a non-linear manner by the local resistance. Regions of locally sparse arrangements of the filaments cannot balance the trapping effect of particles within regions of dense arrangement in their travel history. Flexibility of the filaments again proves a better resuspension under such conditions