Meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging data using Bayesian nonparametric binary regression

In this work we perform a meta-analysis of neuroimaging data, consisting of locations of peak activations identified in 162 separate studies on emotion. Neuroimaging meta-analyses are typically performed using kernel-based methods. However, these methods require the width of the kernel to be set a priori and to be constant across the brain. To address these issues, we propose a fully Bayesian nonparametric binary regression method to perform neuroimaging meta-analyses. In our method, each location (or voxel) has a probability of being a peak activation, and the corresponding probability function is based on a spatially adaptive Gaussian Markov random field (GMRF). We also include parameters in the model to robustify the procedure against miscoding of the voxel response. Posterior inference is implemented using efficient MCMC algorithms extended from those introduced in Holmes and Held [Bayesian Anal. 1 (2006) 145--168]. Our method allows the probability function to be locally adaptive with respect to the covariates, that is, to be smooth in one region of the covariate space and wiggly or even discontinuous in another. Posterior miscoding probabilities for each of the identified voxels can also be obtained, identifying voxels that may have been falsely classified as being activated. Simulation studies and application to the emotion neuroimaging data indicate that our method is superior to standard kernel-based methods.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/11-AOAS523 the Annals of Applied Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aoas/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

Divided difference estimates and accuracy enhancement of discontinuous Galerkin methods for nonlinear symmetric systems of hyperbolic conservation laws

In this paper, we investigate the accuracy-enhancement for the discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method for solving one-dimensional nonlinear symmetric systems of hyperbolic conservation laws. For nonlinear equations, the divided difference estimate is an important tool that allows for superconvergence of the post-processed solutions in the local L2-norm. Therefore, we first prove that the L2-norm of the α-th order (1≤ α≤ k+1) divided difference of the DG error with upwind fluxes is of order k+(3-α)/2, provided that the flux Jacobian matrix, f'(u), is symmetric positive definite. Furthermore, using the duality argument, we are able to derive superconvergence estimates of order 2k+(3-α)/2 for the negative-order norm, indicating that some particular compact kernels can be used to extract at least (3k/2+1)-th order superconvergence for nonlinear systems of conservation laws. Numerical experiments are shown to demonstrate the theoretical results

Ising Anyons in Frustration-Free Majorana-Dimer Models

Dimer models have long been a fruitful playground for understanding topological physics. Here we introduce a new class - termed Majorana-dimer models - wherein bosonic dimers are decorated with pairs of Majorana modes. We find that the simplest examples of such systems realize an intriguing, intrinsically fermionic phase of matter that can be viewed as the product of a chiral Ising theory, which hosts deconfined non-Abelian quasiparticles, and a topological $p_x - ip_y$ superconductor. While the bulk anyons are described by a single copy of the Ising theory, the edge remains fully gapped. Consequently, this phase can arise in exactly solvable, frustration-free models. We describe two parent Hamiltonians: one generalizes the well-known dimer model on the triangular lattice, while the other is most naturally understood as a model of decorated fluctuating loops on a honeycomb lattice. Using modular transformations, we show that the ground-state manifold of the latter model unambiguously exhibits all properties of the $\text{Ising} \times (p_x-ip_y)$ theory. We also discuss generalizations with more than one Majorana mode per site, which realize phases related to Kitaev's 16-fold way in a similar fashion

Implications of Dam Removal: Modeling Streamflow in Lansing, Michigan Using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool

This paper uses hydrologic modeling methods to determine the effects of dam removal in Lansing, Michigan, on the streamflow of the Grand River, flooding risks, and flood mitigation strategies. In Michigan, more than one-half of the state’s dam infrastructure is more than 50 years old, and more than one-third are classified as having a moderate-to high-risk potential. Lansing, Michigan, contains two moderate-to high-risk dams along the Grand River that are a significant hazard to the surrounding community in the event of structural failure. This research utilizes the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to model the impacts of the Moores Park Dam and the North Lansing Dam on streamflow in the greater Lansing area. The purpose of using SWAT was to represent baseline streamflow conditions in the Grand River, compare the differences in streamflow magnitude between baseline conditions and a dam-out environment, and interpret the implications of modeling results for mitigation and management strategies in the study area. Our model exhibited similar streamflow patterns to USGS historical data, with overestimation errors during calibration and validation stemming from groundwater infiltration inaccuracies. The dams-out model for streamflow was higher than the baseline model for streamflow; however, both model iterations require further calibration and validation for the magnitude differences to be considered statistically significant. Despite issues of model calibration and validation, and ongoing model adjustments for accurately representing heavily impounded watershed, the results of this study provide a template for the City of Lansing to adapt their flood mitigation strategies in the study area and further calibrate SWAT with improved sediment, nutrient, and dam attribute data

Potentiation of endogenous nitric oxide with superoxide dismutase inhibits platelet-mediated thrombosis in injured and stenotic arteries

AbstractObjectives. We tested the hypothesis that dismutation of superoxide anion increases endogenous levels of nitric oxide, resulting in inhibition of cyclic variations in blood flow in arteries that are injured and stenotic.Background. Platelet adhesion and aggregation leading to cyclic flow variations might result, in part, from generation of superoxide anion that can deplete endogenously produced nitric oxide.Methods. Spontaneous cyclic flow variations, monitored with a proximal Doppler probe, were induced in the carotid artery of anesthetized rabbits by clamping the vessel with forceps and placing a high grade stenosis at the site of injury. Bovine copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (12 mg/kg body weight, n = 5), a synthetic low molecular weight mimetic (12 mg/kg, n = 8) or buffer vehicle (n = 8) was administered intravenously as divided boluses over 45 min, and the frequency of cyclic flow variations was monitored for 4 h.Results. Cyclic flow variations remained stable for 4 h in vehicle-treated animals (15 ± 1 [mean ± SEM]/30 min at baseline and 16 ± 1/30 min after 4 h, n = 8) but exhibited a marked and persistent reduction in animals given copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (from 14 ± 1/30 min at baseline to 4 ± 1/30 min after 4 h) or the mimetic (from 15 ± 1/30 min at baseline to 3 ± 1/30 min after 4 h, p < 0.005). They were restored in three of four mimetic-treated animals during infusion of NG-monomethyl-l-arginine (100 mg/kg), an inhibitor of nitric oxide production. In addition, levels of cyclic guanosine 5′-monophosphate in platelets were elevated after administration of the mimetic (from 2.4 ± 0.5 fmol/106platelets at baseline to 4.9 ± 0.6 fmol/106platelets 45 min after the mimetic, p < 0.03, n = 6), whereas mean arterial blood pressure was decreased and flow velocity in the carotid artery was increased consistent with mediation of the effect on cyclic flow variations by increased endogenous nitric oxide.Conclusions. Dismutation of superoxide anion appears to attenuate platelet thrombus formation at a site of vessel injury by potentiation of endogenously produced nitric oxide. This approach may have utility to inhibit platelet-rich thrombosis in injured and stenotic arteries where production of superoxide anion is increased

Evaluating the food for education program in Bangladesh

The Food for Education (FFE) program was introduced to Bangladesh in 1993 and has been operating for more than 8 years. This paper evaluates the e.ect of this program on school participation and duration of schooling using household sample survey data collected in 2000. Various evaluation methodologies are employed. We found that the program is successful in that the participating children on average have 20 to 30 per cent higher school participation rates, relative to their counterfactuals who did not participate in the program. Conditional on school participation, participants also stay at school 0.5 of a year to 2 years longer than their counterfactuals. Using estimated earnings functions from the Bangladesh Household Income and Expenditure survey, these combined education e.ects of the FFE program would represent an increase in lifetime earnings of between 7 and 16 per cent if the participant is going to work in the rural sector, and 13 to 25 per cent if in the urban sector. These increases would bring large numbers of households above the poverty line

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine administration Trends among Commercially insured Us adults aged 27-45 Years Before and after advisory Committee On Immunization Practices Recommendation Change, 2007-2020

IMPORTANCE: In 2019, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended patient-clinician shared decision-making for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in adults aged 27 to 45 years. Less is known about the HPV vaccine administration trends in this age group before and after this recommendation update. OBJECTIVE: to examine the association between the ACIP recommendation update and the HPV vaccine administration among US adults aged 27 to 45 years. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This large commercial claim-based retrospective cohort study used the Optum Clinformatics database for validated claims from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2020. A total of 22 600 520 US adults aged 27 to 45 years without previous HPV vaccination claims during the study and enrollment period were included. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The first-appearing HPV vaccination claim per individual was defined as a new HPV vaccine administration. Interrupted time-series analyses were conducted to assess the association between the ACIP update and the quarterly vaccine administration rate change. The annual rate trends across race and ethnicity groups and the proportions of vaccination cases by sub-age groups and valent types were also estimated. Vaccine administration trends were assessed by race and ethnicity in this age group because HPV vaccination trends were found to differ by race and ethnicity in the initially eligible population. RESULTS: Among 22 600 520 final study participants, the majority were men (50.9%) and non-Hispanic White (53.4%), and the mean (SD) age when first observed was 34.6 (5.8) years. In women, the ACIP update was associated with an immediate increase in vaccine administration rate (coefficient β2, 40.18 per 100 000 persons; P = .01) and an increased slope (coefficient β3, 9.62 per 100 000 persons per quarter; P = .03) over time postupdate. The ACIP update was only associated with an immediate increase in vaccine administration in men (coefficient β2, 27.54; P \u3c .001). The annual rate trends were similar across race and ethnicity groups. Age at vaccine administration shifted over time (eg, women aged 40-45 years comprised only 4.9% of vaccinations in 2017, then 19.0% in 2019, and 22.7% in 2020). The most administered HPV vaccines in 2020 were 9 valent (women, 97.0%; men, 97.7%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this population-based cohort study, there were statistically significant increases in HPV vaccine administration in adults aged 27 to 45 years after the ACIP recommendation update. Patient-clinician shared decision-making may have been the main associated factor for this increase. Further research is warranted to explore the decision-making process in receiving HPV vaccination and to develop effective decision aids to maximize the cancer prevention benefit in this age group

Cement-Based Materials With Solid-Gel Phase Change Materials For Improving Energy Efficiency Of Building Envelope

This paper evaluated the cement-based materials incorporated with novel solid-gel phase change materials (PCMs) for improving the energy efficiency of building envelopes. This novel PCM is form-stable, which will not leak as solid-liquid PCMs do and not need encapsulation, and it features high energy-storage capacity. Experimental results showed that the thermal properties of cement-based materials were improved as the increase of PCM content. A 30% replacement of sand by volume with PCM can increase the latent heat of the mixture from around 0 to 7 J/g and decrease the thermal conductivity of PCM mortar based on the generalized self-consistent (GSC) model by about 20%. However, the workability and mechanical properties were compromised. The simulation results indicated that 30% PCM-incorporated walls can contribute to 5% energy saving for cooling in a whole year and 12% reduction in peak cooling load compared with the reference without PCM. The proposed PCM composite offers a promising avenue to achieve energy-efficient building envelopes