Simulation of a continuum tumor model using distributed computing.

Mathematical modeling aims to provide a theoretical framework for understanding tissue dynamics and for establishing treatment response for diseased tissues, such as tumors. Previously published continuum models have successfully represented idealized two-dimensional and three-dimensional tissue for short periods of time. A recently published continuum model of cancer increases model complexity and describes three-dimensional tissue that, due to the required complexity of the geometric multigrid solver, can only be feasibly applied to millimeter-scale simulations. Furthermore, the computational cost for such models has hindered their application in the laboratory and in the clinic. With computational demands greatly outpacing current openMP-based approaches on single-CPU-socket machines, higher performance solvers for large-scale tissue models remain a critical need. In this thesis, preliminary results of a CUDA and CUDA-MPI based parallelization applied to a tissue model are presented, with significant speedups seen in solution calculation for an initial time step. With further access to larger distributed computing, these parallel frameworks could potentially scale to simulate large-scale tissues

Criminal Procedure - United States v. Restrepo: Uncharged Conduct Now Considered in the Ninth Circuit Under Federal Sentencing Guidelines

In United States v. Restrepo, the Ninth Circuit, on a petition for rehearing, held that conduct of which the defendant was neither charged nor convicted could be taken into consideration at the defendant\u27s sentencing hearing. The court reasoned that this interpretation is consistent with the clear intent of the United States Sentencing Commission and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The Ninth Circuit also held that when considering uncharged conduct at defendant\u27s post-conviction sentencing hearing, a preponderance of the evidence standard is sufficient for due process concerns. When used to enhance a sentence, however, a more demanding interpretation of the standard is necessary. Finally, the court held that applying the Guidelines as amended June 15, 1988, and mandated by statute, did not violate the ex post facto clause, although defendant\u27s conduct occurred prior to the amendment

The Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990: Further Defining the Rights and Duties of Artists and Real Property Owners

While eleven states have enacted legislation creating moral rights for artists, until recently there was no federal law addressing the issue. The Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990,10 which became effective June 1, 1991, creates federal moral rights for artists and contains provisions specifically covering artwork incorporated into buildings. This article will begin with a brief overview of VARA and a detailed analysis of the provisions covering artwork incorporated into buildings. The focus of the article will address the many problems concerning the rights and duties of artists and real property owners under VARA, and will propose solutions to these problems that will best serve the interests of both

Measurement of Synchrotron x-ray energies and line shapes using diffraction markers

Standard reference markers for accurate, reproducible synchrotron x-ray energies are obtained using a three Si crystal spectrometer. The first two crystals are in the monochromator and the third is used to obtain diffraction markers which monitor the energy. Then for any value of the glancing angle on the reference Si crystal the energy for the (333) diffraction must occur at 3/4 that of the (444) and 3/5 of that for the (555). This establishes for the first time an absolute synchrotron energy scale. Higher-order diffractions are used to determine excitation line profiles. We conclude that the use of reference diffractions is necessary to measure reproducible x-ray energies and to analyze the incident photons\u27 line profile. The detection of diffractions near the edge of measurement and near the Cu edge will provide a fast secondary standard which will allow comparison of edge data between different laboratories. The diffraction profiles will allow the proper analysis of spectral line widths

A call to look beyond prescription opioid supply-side restrictions and include health equity when predicting opioid policy effectiveness

We read with interest the study by Rao and colleagues on opioid policy effectiveness, which extends their previous modeling efforts to predict opioid-related overdose, life-years, and QALYs. This work presents a useful framework from which to investigate policy effectiveness

Bayesian spatio-temporal analysis and geospatial risk factors of Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis

Citation: Raghavan RK, Neises D, Goodin DG, Andresen DA, Ganta RR (2014) Bayesian Spatio-Temporal Analysis and Geospatial Risk Factors of Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis. PLoS ONE 9(7): e100850. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0100850Variations in spatio-temporal patterns of Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (HME) infection in the state of Kansas, USA were examined and the relationship between HME relative risk and various environmental, climatic and socio-economic variables were evaluated. HME data used in the study was reported to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment between years 2005–2012, and geospatial variables representing the physical environment [National Land cover/Land use, NASA Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)], climate [NASA MODIS, Prediction of Worldwide Renewable Energy (POWER)], and socio-economic conditions (US Census Bureau) were derived from publicly available sources. Following univariate screening of candidate variables using logistic regressions, two Bayesian hierarchical models were fit; a partial spatio-temporal model with random effects and a spatio-temporal interaction term, and a second model that included additional covariate terms. The best fitting model revealed that spatio-temporal autocorrelation in Kansas increased steadily from 2005–2012, and identified poverty status, relative humidity, and an interactive factor, ‘diurnal temperature range x mixed forest area’ as significant county-level risk factors for HME. The identification of significant spatio-temporal pattern and new risk factors are important in the context of HME prevention, for future research in the areas of ecology and evolution of HME, and as well as climate change impacts on tick-borne diseases

Analysis of Changes in Strength, Explosiveness, and Agility Performance over an NCAA Division I Tennis Career: A Case Study

Abstract available in the 9th Annual Coaches and Sport Science College

Analysis of clinical outcomes according to original treatment groups 16 years after the pivotal IFNB-1b trial

BACKGROUND: Evidence for efficacy of disease-modifying drugs in multiple sclerosis (MS) comes from trials of short duration. We report results from a 16 y, retrospective follow-up of the pivotal interferon beta-1b (IFNB-1b) study. METHODS: The 372 trial patients were randomly assigned to placebo (n=123), IFNB-1b 50 microg (n=125) or IFNB-1b 250 microg (n=124) subcutaneously every other day for at least 2 y. Some remained randomised for up to 5 y but, subsequently, patients received treatment according to physicians' discretion. Patients were re-contacted and asked to participate. Efficacy related measures included MRI parameters, relapse rate, the Expanded Disability Status Scale, the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite Measure and conversion to secondary progressive MS. RESULTS: Of the 88.2% (328/372) of patients who were identified, 69.9% (260/372) had available case report forms. No differences in outcome between original randomisation groups could be discerned using standard disability and MRI measures. However, mortality rates among patients originally treated with IFNB-1b were lower than in the original placebo group (18.3% (20/109) for placebo versus 8.3% (9/108) for IFNB-1b 50 microg and 5.4% (6/111) for IFNB-1b 250 microg). CONCLUSIONS: The original treatment assignment could not be shown to influence standard assessments of long-term efficacy. On-study behaviour of patients was influenced by factors that could not be controlled with the sacrifice of randomisation and blinding. Mortality was higher in patients originally assigned to placebo than those who had received IFNB-1b 50 microg or 250 microg. The dataset provides important resources to explore early predictors of long-term outcome