2,691 research outputs found
A convergent algorithm for the hybrid problem of reconstructing conductivity from minimal interior data
We consider the hybrid problem of reconstructing the isotropic electric
conductivity of a body from interior Current Density Imaging data
obtainable using MRI measurements. We only require knowledge of the magnitude
of one current generated by a given voltage on the boundary
. As previously shown, the corresponding voltage potential u in
is a minimizer of the weighted least gradient problem
with . In this paper we present an
alternating split Bregman algorithm for treating such least gradient problems,
for non-negative and . We
give a detailed convergence proof by focusing to a large extent on the dual
problem. This leads naturally to the alternating split Bregman algorithm. The
dual problem also turns out to yield a novel method to recover the full vector
field from knowledge of its magnitude, and of the voltage on the
boundary. We then present several numerical experiments that illustrate the
convergence behavior of the proposed algorithm
Formulas and equations for finding scattering data from the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map with nonzero background potential
For the Schrodinger equation at fixed energy with a potential supported in a
bounded domain we give formulas and equations for finding scattering data from
the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map with nonzero background potential. For the case of
zero background potential these results were obtained in [R.G.Novikov,
Multidimensional inverse spectral problem for the equation
-\Delta\psi+(v(x)-Eu(x))\psi=0, Funkt. Anal. i Ego Prilozhen 22(4), pp.11-22,
(1988)]
Emergence and patterning dynamics of mouse-definitive endoderm
The segregation of definitive endoderm (DE) from bipotent mesendoderm progenitors leads to the formation of two distinct germ layers. Dissecting DE commitment and onset has been challenging as it occurs within a narrow spatiotemporal window in the embryo. Here, we employ a dual Bra/Sox17 reporter cell line to study DE onset dynamics. We find Sox17 expression initiates in vivo in isolated cells within a temporally restricted window. In 2D and 3D in vitro models, DE cells emerge from mesendoderm progenitors at a temporally regular, but spatially stochastic pattern, which is subsequently arranged by self-sorting of Sox17 + cells. A subpopulation of Bra-high cells commits to a Sox17+ fate independent of external Wnt signal. Self-sorting coincides with upregulation of E-cadherin but is not necessary for DE differentiation or proliferation. Our in vivo and in vitro results highlight basic rules governing DE onset and patterning through the commonalities and differences between these systems
Full-wave invisibility of active devices at all frequencies
There has recently been considerable interest in the possibility, both
theoretical and practical, of invisibility (or "cloaking") from observation by
electromagnetic (EM) waves. Here, we prove invisibility, with respect to
solutions of the Helmholtz and Maxwell's equations, for several constructions
of cloaking devices. Previous results have either been on the level of ray
tracing [Le,PSS] or at zero frequency [GLU2,GLU3], but recent numerical [CPSSP]
and experimental [SMJCPSS] work has provided evidence for invisibility at
frequency . We give two basic constructions for cloaking a region
contained in a domain from measurements of Cauchy data of waves at \p
\Omega; we pay particular attention to cloaking not just a passive object, but
an active device within , interpreted as a collection of sources and sinks
or an internal current.Comment: Final revision; to appear in Commun. in Math. Physic
A comparative study of allowable pesticide residue levels on produce in the United States
Background: The U.S. imports a substantial and increasing portion of its fruits and vegetables. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration currently inspects less than one percent of import shipments. While countries exporting to the U.S. are expected to comply with U.S. tolerances, including allowable pesticide residue levels, there is a low rate of import inspections and few other incentives for compliance. Methods: This analysis estimates the quantity of excess pesticide residue that could enter the U.S. if exporters followed originating country requirements but not U.S. pesticide tolerances, for the top 20 imported produce items based on quantities imported and U.S. consumption levels. Pesticide health effects data are also shown. Results: The model estimates that for the identified items, 120 439 kg of pesticides in excess of U.S. tolerances could potentially be imported to the U.S., in cases where U.S. regulations are more protective than those of originating countries. This figure is in addition to residues allowed on domestic produce. In the modeling, the top produce item, market, and pesticide of concern were oranges, Chile, and Zeta-Cypermethrin. Pesticides in this review are associated with health effects on 13 body systems, and some are associated with carcinogenic effects. Conclusions: There is a critical information gap regarding pesticide residues on produce imported to the U.S. Without a more thorough sampling program, it is not possible accurately to characterize risks introduced by produce importation. The scenario presented herein relies on assumptions, and should be considered illustrative. The analysis highlights the need for additional investigation and resources for monitoring, enforcement, and other interventions, to improve import food safety and reduce pesticide exposures in originating countries
New global stability estimates for the Gel'fand-Calderon inverse problem
We prove new global stability estimates for the Gel'fand-Calderon inverse
problem in 3D. For sufficiently regular potentials this result of the present
work is a principal improvement of the result of [G. Alessandrini, Stable
determination of conductivity by boundary measurements, Appl. Anal. 27 (1988),
153-172]
The role of mutation rate variation and genetic diversity in the architecture of human disease
Background
We have investigated the role that the mutation rate and the structure of genetic variation at a locus play in determining whether a gene is involved in disease. We predict that the mutation rate and its genetic diversity should be higher in genes associated with disease, unless all genes that could cause disease have already been identified.
Results
Consistent with our predictions we find that genes associated with Mendelian and complex disease are substantially longer than non-disease genes. However, we find that both Mendelian and complex disease genes are found in regions of the genome with relatively low mutation rates, as inferred from intron divergence between humans and chimpanzees, and they are predicted to have similar rates of non-synonymous mutation as other genes. Finally, we find that disease genes are in regions of significantly elevated genetic diversity, even when variation in the rate of mutation is controlled for. The effect is small nevertheless.
Conclusions
Our results suggest that gene length contributes to whether a gene is associated with disease. However, the mutation rate and the genetic architecture of the locus appear to play only a minor role in determining whether a gene is associated with disease
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Baseline resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors fails to predict virologic response to combination therapy in children (PACTG 338)
BACKGROUND: The association between baseline drug resistance mutations and subsequent increase in viral failure has not been established for HIV-infected children. We evaluated drug resistance mutations at 39 codon sites (21 protease inhibitor (PI) resistant codons and 18 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) resistant codons) for 92 clinically stable NRTI-experienced, PI-naive HIV-infected children 2 to 17 years of age who were initiating new therapy with ritonavir plus zidovudine (ZDV) and lamivudine or plus stavudine. The association between baseline drug resistance mutations and subsequent viral failure after 12 and 24 weeks of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was studied. RESULTS: There were few primary PI associated mutations in this PI-naïve population, but 84% had NRTI mutations – codons 215 (66%), 41 (42%), 67 (37%), 210 (33%) and 70 (32%). None of the specific baseline drug resistance mutations were associated with a higher rate of virologic failure after 12 or 24 weeks of HAART. Median week 12 viral load decreased as the total number of NRTI mutations at baseline increased (P = 0.006). Specifically, a higher level of baseline ZDV resistance mutation was associated with a decrease in viral failure after 12 weeks on a ZDV-containing HAART regimen (P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: No increase was seen in the rate of viral failure after HAART associated with the presence of resistance mutations at baseline. This paradoxical result may be due to adherence, replicative capacity, or ZDV hypersusceptibility to the new regimen
A Pediatric Infectious Disease Perspective of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 in Children.
Understanding the role that children play in the clinical burden and propagation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) responsible for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infections is emerging. While the severe manifestations and acute clinical burden of COVID-19 has largely spared children compared to adults, understanding the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostics, management, and prevention opportunities as well as the social and behavioral impacts on child health is vital. Foremost is clarifying the contribution of asymptomatic and mild infections to transmission within the household and community and the clinical and epidemiologic significance of uncommon severe post-infectious complications. Herein we summarize the current knowledge, identify useful resources, and outline research opportunities. Pediatric infectious disease clinicians have a unique opportunity to advocate for the inclusion of children in epidemiological, clinical, treatment and prevention studies to optimize their care, as well as to represent children in the development of guidance and policy during pandemic response
Inverse medium problem for a singular contrast
We consider an inverse medium problem in two- and three-dimensional cases. Namely, we investigate the problem of reconstruction of unknown compactly supported refractive index (contrast) from L-2 with a fixed positive wave number. The proof is based on the new estimates for the Green-Faddeev function in L-infinity space. The main goal of this work is to prove a uniqueness result in the two- and three-dimensional cases and to discuss some possible constructive methods for solving the problem. Finally, we present some numerical examples to demonstrate the results in two dimensions. Published under license by AIP Publishing.Peer reviewe
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