Endomorphisms of B(H)

The unital endomorphisms of B(H) of (Powers) index n are classified by certain U(n)-orbits in the set of non-degenerate representations of the Cuntz algebra O_n on H. Using this, the corre- sponding conjugacy classes are identified, and a set of labels is given. This set is given as P modulo a certain non-smooth equivalence, where P is a set of pure state on the UHF algebra of Glimm type n^infinity. Several subsets of P, giving concrete examples of non- conjugate shifts, are worked out in detail, including sets of product states, and a set of nearest neighbor states.Comment: 46 pages, amste

Slaying dragons with chickens and eggs: exploring the effectiveness of development training in the outdoors for aiding young women in making significant personal transitions within society

Development training is said to be intervention that aids individuals or groups in making transitions or changes in perception, behaviour or attitude. This article is about women in society and specifically how successful they may be at making transitions in life. In this case the transition that involves gaining independence from the family home. A style of development training has been successfully developed for working with men although the specific needs of women in a development training context have not been wholly facilitated. However, there have been attempts within the field of development training to provide more appropriate opportunities for young women. This article looks to examine ‘transition’ in the context of development training in the outdoors. Then we explore how the field might be able to better consider the needs of young women and implement programmes that might draw out greater successes for the individuals involved. The concept of ‘the chicken and the egg’ is then introduced as a means of discussing the roles of practice and wider society within which an individual is a part

Generative AI In The Classroom

Presentation by the Belmont University Teaching Center titled: Generative AI In The Classroom

Geodetic monitoring of the Yucca Mountain region using continuous GPS measurements

What Task 3 is About: Monitor current crustal deformation at YM – In the broader tectonic context of the NA-Pacific plate boundary – In the regional context of the East California Shear Zone (ECSZ) – In the geological context of specific fault activity – Vertical motion associated with geophysical fluids Using geodetic methods – GPS – mature, proven track the 3-D point-positions of 47 stations with \u3c 1 mm precision – InSAR – new, experimental regional map of displacement along the line-of-sight (accuracy??) proven capability: (1) co-seismic deformation; (2) local instabilitie

CT-based online adaptive radiotherapy improves target coverage and organ at risk (OAR) avoidance in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is an emerging treatment modality for clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa). Online daily adaptive radiotherapy (ART) could potentially improve the therapeutic ratio of prostate SBRT by accounting for inter-fraction variation in target and OAR volumes. To our knowledge, no group has evaluated the clinical utility of a novel AI-augmented CT-based ART system for prostate SBRT. In this study we hypothesized that adaptive prostate SBRT plans would result in improved target coverage and lower dose to OARs in comparison to unadapted treatment plans. METHODS: Seven patients with favorable intermediate to oligometastatic PCa treated with 5-fx prostate adaptive SBRT were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were treated with 3625 cGy to the prostate and seminal vesicles. 6 patients additionally received 2500 cGy to the pelvic nodes, 5 patients underwent a boost to 4000 cGy to the prostate. For each fraction, a CBCT was acquired and OARs (rectum, bladder, bowel, sigmoid, femurs) were segmented/deformed using AI. CTVs were rigidly registered. Volumes were adjusted manually and PTV expansions added. Adaptive treatment plans were developed based on the contoured targets and OARs and dose to these volumes for the adapted vs. initial plans were compared for each fraction. V100 and the D0.03 cc between scheduled and adapted treatment plans were compared using a Student\u27s RESULTS: Seven patients completed 35 Fx\u27s of adaptive RT. Daily adaptation resulted in a statistically significant mean improvement in PTV V100 for all targets: [21.4 % ± 4.3 % for PTV 4000 (p \u3c 0.0001); 8.7 % ± 1.1 % for PTV 3625 (p \u3c 0.0001); and 11.5 % ± 3.1 % for PTV 2500 (p = 0.0013)]. Mean rectal D0.03 was significantly reduced by 38.8 cGy ± 5.95 cGy (p \u3c 0.0001) per fraction (194 cGy/5 fractions) compared to the initial plans. There was a modest increase in bladder dose of 10.9 cGy ± 4.93 cGy per fraction (p = 0.0424) for the adaptive plans. The adaptive plans met bladder constraints for every fraction. There were no statistically significant differences between sigmoid or bowel dose for adapted vs. initial plans. No patients experienced acute CTCAE grade ≥ 3 GI/GU adverse events (median F/U 9.5 months). All statistically significant differences were maintained in the presence and absence of rectal hydrogel spacer (p \u3c 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CT-based online adaptive SBRT resulted in statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in PTV coverage and D0.03 cc dose to the rectum. A trial evaluating CT adaptive whole-pelvis prostate SBRT is underway

Molecular basis of FIR-mediated c-myc transcriptional control

The far upstream element (FUSE) regulatory system promotes a peak in the concentration of c-Myc during cell cycle. First, the FBP transcriptional activator binds to the FUSE DNA element upstream of the c-myc promoter. Then, FBP recruits its specific repressor (FIR), which acts as an on/off transcriptional switch. Here we describe the molecular basis of FIR recruitment, showing that the tandem RNA recognition motifs of FIR provide a platform for independent FUSE DNA and FBP protein binding and explaining the structural basis of the reversibility of the FBP-FIR interaction. We also show that the physical coupling between FBP and FIR is modulated by a flexible linker positioned sequentially to the recruiting element. Our data explain how the FUSE system precisely regulates c-myc transcription and suggest that a small change in FBP-FIR affinity leads to a substantial effect on c-Myc concentration.MRC Grant-in-aid U11757455

An economic model of school-based behavioral interventions to prevent sexually transmitted infections

Objectives: Reducing sexually transmitted infections (STI) and teenage pregnancy through effective health education is a high priority for health policy. Behavioral interventions which teach skills to practice safer sex may reduce the incidence of STIs. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of school-based behavioral interventions in young people. Methods: We developed an economic model to estimate the total number of STI cases averted, consequent gain in health related quality of life (HRQoL) and savings in medical costs, based on changes in sexual behavior. The parameters for the model were derived from a systematic literature search on the intervention effectiveness, epidemiology of STIs, sexual behavior and lifestyles, HRQoL and health service costs. Results: The costs of providing teacher-led and peer-led behavioral interventions were €5.16 and €18 per pupil, respectively. For a cohort of 1000 boys and 1000 girls aged 15 years, the model estimated that the behavioral interventions would avert two STI cases and save 0.35 Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). Compared to standard education, the incremental cost-effectiveness of the teacher-led and peer-led interventions was €24,268 and €96,938 per QALY gained, respectively. Conclusions: School-based behavioral interventions which provide information and teach young people sexual health skills can bring about improvements in knowledge and increased self-efficacy, though these may be limited in terms of impact on sexual behavior. There was uncertainty around the results due to the limited effect of the intervention on behavioral outcomes and paucity of data for other input parameters