Towards Personalized Prostate Cancer Therapy Using Delta-Reachability Analysis

Recent clinical studies suggest that the efficacy of hormone therapy for prostate cancer depends on the characteristics of individual patients. In this paper, we develop a computational framework for identifying patient-specific androgen ablation therapy schedules for postponing the potential cancer relapse. We model the population dynamics of heterogeneous prostate cancer cells in response to androgen suppression as a nonlinear hybrid automaton. We estimate personalized kinetic parameters to characterize patients and employ $\delta$-reachability analysis to predict patient-specific therapeutic strategies. The results show that our methods are promising and may lead to a prognostic tool for personalized cancer therapy.Comment: HSCC 201

County-Level Hispanic Ethnic Density and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality.

Background Hispanics are the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States, and little is known about how Hispanic ethnic population density impacts cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) mortality. Methods and Results We examined county-level deaths for Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites from 2003 to 2012 using data from the National Center for Health Statistics' Multiple Cause of Death mortality files. Counties with more than 20 Hispanic deaths (n=715) were included in the analyses. CVD deaths were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), I00 to I78, and population estimates were calculated using linear interpolation from 2000 and 2010 census data. Multivariate linear regression was used to examine the association of Hispanic ethnic density with Hispanic and non-Hispanic white age-adjusted CVD mortality rates. County-level age-adjusted CVD mortality rates were adjusted for county-level demographic, socioeconomic, and healthcare factors. There were a total of 4 769 040 deaths among Hispanics (n=382 416) and non-Hispanic whites (n=4 386 624). Overall, cardiovascular age-adjusted mortality rates were higher among non-Hispanic whites compared with Hispanics (244.8 versus 189.0 per 100 000). Hispanic density ranged from 1% to 96% in each county. Counties in the highest compared with lowest category of Hispanic density had 60% higher Hispanic mortality (215.3 versus 134.2 per 100 000 population). In linear regression models, after adjusting for county-level demographic, socioeconomic, and healthcare factors, increasing Hispanic ethnic density remained strongly associated with mortality for Hispanics but not for non-Hispanic whites. Conclusions CVD mortality is higher in counties with higher Hispanic ethnic density. County-level characteristics do not fully explain the higher CVD mortality among Hispanics in ethnically concentrated counties

Analogue mouse pointer control via an online steady state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) brain-computer interface

The steady state visual evoked protocol has recently become a popular paradigm in brain–computer interface (BCI) applications. Typically (regardless of function) these applications offer the user a binary selection of targets that perform correspondingly discrete actions. Such discrete control systems are appropriate for applications that are inherently isolated in nature, such as selecting numbers from a keypad to be dialled or letters from an alphabet to be spelled. However motivation exists for users to employ proportional control methods in intrinsically analogue tasks such as the movement of a mouse pointer. This paper introduces an online BCI in which control of a mouse pointer is directly proportional to a user's intent. Performance is measured over a series of pointer movement tasks and compared to the traditional discrete output approach. Analogue control allowed subjects to move the pointer faster to the cued target location compared to discrete output but suffers more undesired movements overall. Best performance is achieved when combining the threshold to movement of traditional discrete techniques with the range of movement offered by proportional control

A probabilistic fusion framework for 3-D reconstruction using heterogeneous sensors

This letter proposes a framework to perform 3-D reconstruction using a heterogeneous sensor network, with potential use in augmented reality, human behavior understanding, smart-room implementations, robotics, and many other applications. We fuse orientation measurements from inertial sensors, images from cameras and depth data from Time of Flight sensors within a probabilistic framework in a synergistic manner to obtain robust reconstructions. A fully probabilistic method is proposed to efficiently fuse the multi-modal data of the system

An Overview of Breath Phase Detection – Techniques & Applications

The main aim of this study is to provide an overview on the state of the art techniques (acoustic and nonacoustic approaches) involved in breath phase detection and to highlight applications where breath phase detection is vital. Both acoustic and non-acoustic approaches are summarized in detail. The non-acoustic approach involves placement of sensors or flow measurement devices to estimate the breath phases, whereas the acoustic approach involves the use of sophisticated signal processing methods on respiratory sounds to detect breath phases. This article also briefly discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the acoustic and non-acoustic approaches of breath phase detection. The literature reveals that recent advancements in computing technology open avenues for researchers to apply sophisticated signal processing techniques and artificial intelligence algorithms to detect the breath phases in a non-invasive way. Future works that can be implemented after detecting the breath phases are also highlighted in this article

Vortex Images and q-Elementary Functions

In the present paper problem of vortex images in annular domain between two coaxial cylinders is solved by the q-elementary functions. We show that all images are determined completely as poles of the q-logarithmic function, where dimensionless parameter $q = r^2_2/r^2_1$ is given by square ratio of the cylinder radii. Resulting solution for the complex potential is represented in terms of the Jackson q-exponential function. By composing pairs of q-exponents to the first Jacobi theta function and conformal mapping to a rectangular domain we link our solution with result of Johnson and McDonald. We found that one vortex cannot remain at rest except at the geometric mean distance, but must orbit the cylinders with constant angular velocity related to q-harmonic series. Vortex images in two particular geometries in the $q \to \infty$ limit are studied.Comment: 17 page

Approximate probabilistic verification of hybrid systems

Hybrid systems whose mode dynamics are governed by non-linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) are often a natural model for biological processes. However such models are difficult to analyze. To address this, we develop a probabilistic analysis method by approximating the mode transitions as stochastic events. We assume that the probability of making a mode transition is proportional to the measure of the set of pairs of time points and value states at which the mode transition is enabled. To ensure a sound mathematical basis, we impose a natural continuity property on the non-linear ODEs. We also assume that the states of the system are observed at discrete time points but that the mode transitions may take place at any time between two successive discrete time points. This leads to a discrete time Markov chain as a probabilistic approximation of the hybrid system. We then show that for BLTL (bounded linear time temporal logic) specifications the hybrid system meets a specification iff its Markov chain approximation meets the same specification with probability $1$. Based on this, we formulate a sequential hypothesis testing procedure for verifying -approximately- that the Markov chain meets a BLTL specification with high probability. Our case studies on cardiac cell dynamics and the circadian rhythm indicate that our scheme can be applied in a number of realistic settings

Big Domains Are Novel Ca2+-Binding Modules: Evidences from Big Domains of Leptospira Immunoglobulin-Like (Lig) Proteins

binds to a Big domains, which would provide a novel functional role of the proteins containing Big fold. with dissociation constants of 2–4 µM. Lig A9 and Lig A10 domains fold well with moderate thermal stability, have β-sheet conformation and form homodimers. Fluorescence spectra of Big domains show a specific doublet (at 317 and 330 nm), probably due to Trp interaction with a Phe residue. Equilibrium unfolding of selected Big domains is similar and follows a two-state model, suggesting the similarity in their fold. binding

Cardiovascular Health in African Americans: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Population-wide reductions in cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality have not been shared equally by African Americans. The burden of cardiovascular disease in the African American community remains high and is a primary cause of disparities in life expectancy between African Americans and whites. The objectives of the present scientific statement are to describe cardiovascular health in African Americans and to highlight unique considerations for disease prevention and management. METHOD: The primary sources of information were identified with PubMed/Medline and online sources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RESULTS: The higher prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors (eg, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk) underlies the relatively earlier age of onset of cardiovascular diseases among African Americans. Hypertension in particular is highly prevalent among African Americans and contributes directly to the notable disparities in stroke, heart failure, and peripheral artery disease among African Americans. Despite the availability of effective pharmacotherapies and indications for some tailored pharmacotherapies for African Americans (eg, heart failure medications), disease management is less effective among African Americans, yielding higher mortality. Explanations for these persistent disparities in cardiovascular disease are multifactorial and span from the individual level to the social environment. CONCLUSIONS: The strategies needed to promote equity in the cardiovascular health of African Americans require input from a broad set of stakeholders, including clinicians and researchers from across multiple disciplines