Accelerating Markov chain Monte Carlo via parallel predictive prefetching

We present a general framework for accelerating a large class of widely used Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms. This dissertation demonstrates that MCMC inference can be accelerated in a model of parallel computation that uses speculation to predict and complete computational work ahead of when it is known to be useful. By exploiting fast, iterative approximations to the target density, we can speculatively evaluate many potential future steps of the chain in parallel. In Bayesian inference problems, this approach can accelerate sampling from the target distribution, without compromising exactness, by exploiting subsets of data. It takes advantage of whatever parallel resources are available, but produces results exactly equivalent to standard serial execution. In the initial burn-in phase of chain evaluation, it achieves speedup over serial evaluation that is close to linear in the number of available cores.Engineering and Applied Science

Stereotactic MRI-guided Adaptive Radiation Therapy (SMART) for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Promising Approach.

Locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) is characterized by poor prognosis and low response durability with standard-of-care chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy treatment. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), which has a shorter treatment course than conventionally fractionated radiotherapy and allows for better integration with systemic therapy, may confer a survival benefit but is limited by gastrointestinal toxicity. Stereotactic MRI-guided adaptive radiation therapy (SMART) has recently gained attention for its potential to increase treatment precision and thus minimize this toxicity through continuous real-time soft-tissue imaging during radiotherapy. The case presented here illustrates the promising outcome of a 69-year-old male patient with LAPC treated with SMART with daily adaptive planning and respiratory-gated technique

Copper-catalyzed enantioselective N-H insertion reactions

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Chemistry, 2007.Vita.Includes bibliographical references.The development of an improved synthesis of nucleophilic planar-chiral catalysts is described in Chapter 1. This route is amenable to scale-up and preparative chiral HPLC is unnecessary to resolve the racemic catalysts. Using planar-chiral catalysts, two synthetic methodology projects have been developed: Chapter 2 describes the first asymmetric synthesis of trans P-lactams, and Chapter 3 describes the asymmetric synthesis of tertiary a-chloroesters. In the chapter describing the asymmetric synthesis of trans [beta]-lactams, we present mechanistic data supporting a novel mechanism, in which the N-triflylimine, rather than the ketene, reacts with the catalyst first. In the chapter describing the asymmetric synthesis of tertiary a-chloroesters, we introduced an under-utilized commercially available chlorinating reagent (2,2,6,6-tetrachlorocyclohexanone). Finally, in chapter 4, the Cu-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of [alpha]-aminoesters via an N-H insertion is described. We have demonstrated that carbamates such as BocNH2 and CbzNH2 are efficient coupling partners in reactions with a-diazoesters to generate highly useful Boc- or Cbz-protected a-aminoesters.by Elaine C. Lee.Ph.D

Mild Dehydration Led to Increased Difficulty Falling Asleep

Sleep is fundamental process that benefits health and overall quality of life which can be affected by various aspects of daily living such as dehydration. A study has yet to investigate the impacts of euhydration and mild dehydration on sleep. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine effects of euhydration, mild-dehydration, and ad libitum drinking on sleep. METHODS: Eighteen male participants (mean±SD; age, 23±4y; height, 175.8±5.7cm; weight, 80.1±9.7kg) reported to the laboratory with different hydration status for 4 consecutive mornings(Day 1, baseline; Day 2, euhydrated; Day 3, mild-dehydrated; Day 4, ad libitum drinking). Hydration status was monitored by first morning urine specific gravity (USG) and plasma osmolality. Sleepwas measured using the Karolinska sleep diary (KSD). RESULTS: USG (baseline, 1.024±0.006; euhydrated, 1.018±0.007; mild-dehydrated, 1.030±0.003; ad libitum, 1.021±0.008, pCONCLUSION: When subjects were mildly dehydrated, sleep duration was longer while it was more difficult to fall asleep. More research is necessary, but the results of this study suggest it may be important to maintain euhydration to fall asleep easier

High resolution PET, SPECT and projection imaging in small animals

Positron emission tomography, single photon emission computed tomography and planar projection imaging of radioactive tracers have long been in use for detecting and diagnosing disease in human subjects. More recently, advanced versions of these same technologies have begun to be used across the breadth of modern biomedical research to study non-invasively small laboratory animals in a myriad of experimental settings. In this report, we describe some of the new instruments and techniques that make these measurements possible and illustrate, with a few examples, the potential power of these methods in modern biomedical researchPublicad

Intermittent Auditory Imperception: Clinical Characteristics and Implications for Treatment

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Leukocyte Subset Changes in Response to a 164-km Road Cycle Ride in a Hot Environment

International Journal of Exercise Science 9(1): 34-46, 2016. The purpose of this observational study was to determine the circulating leukocyte subset response to completing the 2013 Hotter’N Hell Hundred recreational 164-km road cycle event in a hot and humid environmental condition. Twenty-eight men and four women were included in this study. Whole blood samples were obtained 1-2 hours before (PRE) and immediately after (POST) the event. Electronic sizing/sorting and cytometry were used to determine complete blood counts (CBC) including neutrophil, monocyte, and lymphocyte subsets. The concentration of circulating total leukocytes (103·µL-1) increased 134% from PRE to POST with the greatest increase in neutrophils (319%, p\u3c0.0001). Circulating monocytes (including macrophages) increased 24% (p=0.004) and circulating lymphocytes including B and T cells increased 53% (p\u3c0.0001). No association was observed between rolling time or relative intensity and leukocyte subset. Completing the Hotter n’ Hell Hundred (HHH), a 100 mile recreational cycling race in extreme (hot and humid) environmental conditions, induces a substantial increase in total leukocytes in circulation. The contribution of increases in specific immune cell subsets is not equal, with neutrophils increasing to greater than 4-fold starting values from PRE to POST race. It is likely that exercise in stressful environmental conditions affects the complement of circulating immune cells, although activational state and characterization of specific leukocyte subsets remains unclear. The observed increase in circulating cell sub-populations suggests that the circulating immune surveillance system may be acutely affected by exercise in hot and humid conditions