Inexact proximal DC Newton-type method for nonconvex composite functions

We consider a class of difference-of-convex (DC) optimization problems where the objective function is the sum of a smooth function and a possible nonsmooth DC function. The application of proximal DC algorithms to address this problem class is well-known. In this paper, we combine a proximal DC algorithm with an inexact proximal Newton-type method to propose an inexact proximal DC Newton-type method. We demonstrate global convergence properties of the proposed method. In addition, we give a memoryless quasi-Newton matrix for scaled proximal mappings and consider a two-dimensional system of semi-smooth equations that arise in calculating scaled proximal mappings. To efficiently obtain the scaled proximal mappings, we adopt a semi-smooth Newton method to inexactly solve the system. Finally, we present some numerical experiments to investigate the efficiency of the proposed method, showing that the proposed method outperforms existing methods

Functional and histopathologic correlation in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy: An integrated evaluation by multivariate analysis

To correlate left ventricular function and histologic features in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, precise indexes of hemodynamics and semiquantitative histologic data were combined for multivariate analysis. Right endomyocardial biopsy was performed at the time of cardiac catheterization. Five hemodynamic indexes were used for functional assessment: 1) ejection fraction, 2) ratio of end-systolic stress to volume index, 3) end-dia-stolic stress, 4) time constant (T) of left ventricular pressure fall, and 5) end-systolic stress. Six histologic findings (disarray of myofibers, hypertrophy of myofibers, scarcity of myofibrils, nuclear changes of myofibers, vacuolization of myofibers and proliferation of collagen fibers) were graded from (−) to (4 + ). Each finding was assigned to category ( − ) or ( + ) according to the absence or presence of significant abnormality.Ordinary statistical analysis revealed that, although ejection fraction was lower in category ( + ) for proliferation of collagen fibers, ratio of end-systolic to volume index was reduced for category ( + ) of hypertrophy of myofibers. A significant correlation was present between hypertrophy of myofibers and proliferation of collagen fibers by Spearman rank correlation. When principal component analysis was applied to the hemodynamic data, two principal components could be extracted. Fisher's discriminant analysis could clearly differentiate two categories ( − ) and ( + ) in the semiquantitative histologic finding of proliferation of collagen fibers. The analysis indicated that contractility was reduced with elevated afterload in that category ( + ). Thus, proliferation of collagen fibers may play a pivotal role in deteriorating contractility in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

Split-Paper Testing: A Novel Approach to Evaluate Programming Performance

There is a great need to evaluate and/or test programming performance. For this purpose, two schemes have been used. Constructed response (CR) tests let the examinee write programs on a blank sheet (or with a computer keyboard). This scheme can evaluate the programming performance. However, it is difficult to apply in a large volume because skilled human graders are required (automatic evaluation is attempted but not widely used yet). Multiple choice (MC) tests let the examinee choose the correct answer from a list (often corresponding to the “hidden” portion of a complete program). This scheme can be used in a large volume with computer-based testing or mark-sense cards. However, many teachers and researchers are suspicious in that a good score does not necessarily mean the ability to write programs from scratch. We propose a third method, split-paper (SP) testing. Our scheme splits a correct program into each of its lines, shuffles the lines, adds “wrong answer” lines, and prepends them with choice symbols. The examinee answers by using a list of choice symbols corresponding to the correct program, which can be easily graded automatically by using computers. In particular, we propose the use of edit distance (Levenshtein distance) in the scoring scheme, which seems to have affinity with the SP scheme. The research question is whether SP tests scored by using an edit-distance-based scoring scheme measure programming performance as do CR tests. Therefore, we conducted an experiment by using college programming classes with 60 students to compare SP tests against CR tests. As a result, SP and CR test scores are correlated for multiple settings, and the results were statistically significant. Therefore, we might conclude that SP tests with automatic scoring using edit distance are useful tools for evaluating the programming performance

Caveolae-Specific CaMKII Signaling in the Regulation of Voltage-Dependent Calcium Channel and Cardiac Hypertrophy

Cardiac hypertrophy is a major risk for the progression of heart failure; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms contributing to this process remain elusive. The caveolae microdomain plays pivotal roles in various cellular processes such as lipid homeostasis, signal transduction, and endocytosis, and also serves as a signaling platform. Although the caveolae microdomain has been postulated to have a major contribution to the development of cardiac pathologies, including cardiac hypertrophy, recent evidence has placed this role into question. Lack of direct evidence and appropriate methods for determining activation of caveolae-specific signaling has thus far limited the ability to obtain a definite answer to the question. In this review, we focus on the potential physiological and pathological roles of the multifunctional kinase Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II and voltage-dependent L-type calcium channel in the caveolae, toward gaining a better understanding of the contribution of caveolae-based signaling in cardiac hypertrophy

Evaluation of the effect of sagging correction calibration errors in radiotherapy software on image matching

To investigate the impact of sagging correction calibration errors in radiotherapy software on image matching. Three software applications were used, with and without a polymethyl methacrylate rod supporting the ball bearings (BB). The calibration error for sagging correction across nine flex maps (FMs) was determined by shifting the BB positions along the Left–Right (LR), Gun–Target (GT), and Up–Down (UD) directions from the reference point. Lucy and pelvic phantom cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images underwent auto-matching after modifying each FM. Image deformation was assessed in orthogonal CBCT planes, and the correlations among BB shift magnitude, deformation vector value, and differences in auto-matching were analyzed. The average difference in analysis results among the three softwares for the Winston–Lutz test was within 0.1 mm. The determination coefficients (R2) between the BB shift amount and Lucy phantom matching error in each FM were 0.99, 0.99, and 1.00 in the LR-, GT-, and UD-directions, respectively. The pelvis phantom demonstrated no cross-correlation in the GT direction during auto-matching error evaluation using each FM. The correlation coefficient (r) between the BB shift and the deformation vector value was 0.95 on average for all image planes. Slight differences were observed among software in the evaluation of the Winston–Lutz test. The sagging correction calibration error in the radiotherapy imaging system was caused by an auto-matching error of the phantom and deformation of CBCT images

Prompt improvement of a pressure ulcer by the administration of high viscosity semi-solid nutrition via a nasogastric tube in a man with tuberculosis: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Semi-solid nutrition with high viscosity has the advantage of reducing gastroesophageal reflux and diarrhea and shortens the duration of administration compared with liquid nutrition. This is the first report describing the administration of semi-solid nutrition with high viscosity via a nasogastric tube, which achieved a remarkable improvement in the patient's nutritional state. CASE PRESENTATION: A 67-year-old man (mongoloid race, Japanese) with tuberculosis, a pressure ulcer and malnutrition was admitted to our hospital. He also had right hemiplegia, dysphagia and aphasia as sequelae of a cerebral hemorrhage. Before his admission, he had been treated at another hospital with 600 kcal/day of liquid nutrition via a nasogastric tube, which was insufficient and induced severe malnutrition. After he was admitted to our hospital, we increased the quantity of his liquid nutrition without success because of complications, specifically diarrhea and gastroesophageal reflux. As it was difficult to confirm whether or not he would accept gastrostomy feeding, we administered semi-solid nutrition with high viscosity (20,000 mPa x s) via a large-bore nasogastric tube (18 French). Soon after he was started on semi-solid nutrition, his pressure ulcer and malnutrition improved without diarrhea or complications accompanying the large-bore nasogastric tube. CONCLUSION: When patients have problems with liquid nutrition, such as diarrhea or gastroesophageal reflux, semi-solid nutrition via a nasogastric tube is a useful method of achieving improvements in nutritional state in a short period of time

The association between temperature variability and cause-specific mortality: Evidence from 47 Japanese prefectures during 1972–2015

BackgroundIn the context of climate change, extreme temperature events are known to be associated with increased mortality risk. However, data about the mortality risk related to temperature variability (TV) accounting for both intra- and inter-day variations in temperature are limited.ObjectivesThe present study aims to quantify the associations between TV and cause-specific mortality in Japan, evaluate whether the effects of TV are modified by prefecture-level characteristics and examine the temporal trend in mortality risk of TV.MethodsData on daily all-cause and 11 cause-specific mortality and meteorological variables in 47 Japanese prefectures from 1972 to 2015 were collected. TV was defined as the standard deviation of daily minimum and maximum temperatures during exposure days. A quasi-Poisson regression model combined with a distributed lag non-linear model was firstly applied to assess the prefecture-specific mortality effects of TV, adjusting for potential confounders. The pooled effects of TV at the national level were then obtained via a meta-analysis through the restricted maximum-likelihood estimation. Potential effect modification by prefecture characteristics was firstly examined using a meta-regression analysis, and the joint modification of season and humidity was then evaluated after including product terms in two-stage analyses. Finally, the temporal trend in TV effects was evaluated by a random-effect meta regression model after obtaining the prefecture-year-specific effects.ResultsTV had significant adverse effects on all-cause and cause-specific mortality. The effects of TV were more detrimental to those with asthma and senility. In general, the estimates of mortality risk increased with longer exposure days. A 1 °C increase in TV at 0–7 days of exposure was associated with a 0.9% (95% confidence intervals: 0.82%–0.98%) increase in all-cause mortality. All-cause mortality risk of TV showed a decreasing trend during our study period. TV effects were larger in densely populated prefectures and on warm and humid days.ConclusionsTV-related death is a significant issue in Japan that requires effective interventions