350 research outputs found
A PCP Characterization of AM
We introduce a 2-round stochastic constraint-satisfaction problem, and show
that its approximation version is complete for (the promise version of) the
complexity class AM. This gives a `PCP characterization' of AM analogous to the
PCP Theorem for NP. Similar characterizations have been given for higher levels
of the Polynomial Hierarchy, and for PSPACE; however, we suggest that the
result for AM might be of particular significance for attempts to derandomize
this class.
To test this notion, we pose some `Randomized Optimization Hypotheses'
related to our stochastic CSPs that (in light of our result) would imply
collapse results for AM. Unfortunately, the hypotheses appear over-strong, and
we present evidence against them. In the process we show that, if some language
in NP is hard-on-average against circuits of size 2^{Omega(n)}, then there
exist hard-on-average optimization problems of a particularly elegant form.
All our proofs use a powerful form of PCPs known as Probabilistically
Checkable Proofs of Proximity, and demonstrate their versatility. We also use
known results on randomness-efficient soundness- and hardness-amplification. In
particular, we make essential use of the Impagliazzo-Wigderson generator; our
analysis relies on a recent Chernoff-type theorem for expander walks.Comment: 18 page
Asymptotic Expansions for Stationary Distributions of Perturbed Semi-Markov Processes
New algorithms for computing of asymptotic expansions for stationary
distributions of nonlinearly perturbed semi-Markov processes are presented. The
algorithms are based on special techniques of sequential phase space reduction,
which can be applied to processes with asymptotically coupled and uncoupled
finite phase spaces.Comment: 83 page
Future directions for the management of pain in osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the predominant form of arthritis worldwide, resulting in a high degree of functional impairment and reduced quality of life owing to chronic pain. To date, there are no treatments that are known to modify disease progression of OA in the long term. Current treatments are largely based on the modulation of pain, including NSAIDs, opiates and, more recently, centrally acting pharmacotherapies to avert pain. This review will focus on the rationale for new avenues in pain modulation, including inhibition with anti-NGF antibodies and centrally acting analgesics. The authors also consider the potential for structure modification in cartilage/bone using growth factors and stem cell therapies. The possible mismatch between structural change and pain perception will also be discussed, introducing recent techniques that may assist in improved patient phenotyping of pain subsets in OA. Such developments could help further stratify subgroups and treatments for people with OA in future
The problem of equilibration and the computation of correlation functions on a quantum computer
We address the question of how a quantum computer can be used to simulate
experiments on quantum systems in thermal equilibrium. We present two
approaches for the preparation of the equilibrium state on a quantum computer.
For both approaches, we show that the output state of the algorithm, after long
enough time, is the desired equilibrium. We present a numerical analysis of one
of these approaches for small systems. We show how equilibrium
(time)-correlation functions can be efficiently estimated on a quantum
computer, given a preparation of the equilibrium state. The quantum algorithms
that we present are hard to simulate on a classical computer. This indicates
that they could provide an exponential speedup over what can be achieved with a
classical device.Comment: 25 pages LaTex + 8 figures; various additional comments, results and
correction
Cortical Factor Feedback Model for Cellular Locomotion and Cytofission
Eukaryotic cells can move spontaneously without being guided by external
cues. For such spontaneous movements, a variety of different modes have been
observed, including the amoeboid-like locomotion with protrusion of multiple
pseudopods, the keratocyte-like locomotion with a widely spread lamellipodium,
cell division with two daughter cells crawling in opposite directions, and
fragmentations of a cell to multiple pieces. Mutagenesis studies have revealed
that cells exhibit these modes depending on which genes are deficient,
suggesting that seemingly different modes are the manifestation of a common
mechanism to regulate cell motion. In this paper, we propose a hypothesis that
the positive feedback mechanism working through the inhomogeneous distribution
of regulatory proteins underlies this variety of cell locomotion and
cytofission. In this hypothesis, a set of regulatory proteins, which we call
cortical factors, suppress actin polymerization. These suppressing factors are
diluted at the extending front and accumulated at the retracting rear of cell,
which establishes a cellular polarity and enhances the cell motility, leading
to the further accumulation of cortical factors at the rear. Stochastic
simulation of cell movement shows that the positive feedback mechanism of
cortical factors stabilizes or destabilizes modes of movement and determines
the cell migration pattern. The model predicts that the pattern is selected by
changing the rate of formation of the actin-filament network or the threshold
to initiate the network formation
Caspase-2 is upregulated after sciatic nerve transection and its inhibition protects dorsal root ganglion neurons from Apoptosis after serum withdrawal
Sciatic nerve (SN) transection-induced apoptosis of dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRGN) is one factor determining the efficacy of peripheral axonal regeneration and the return of sensation. Here, we tested the hypothesis that caspase-2(CASP2) orchestrates apoptosis of axotomised DRGN both in vivo and in vitro by disrupting the local neurotrophic supply to DRGN. We observed significantly elevated levels of cleaved CASP2 (C-CASP2), compared to cleaved caspase-3 (C-CASP3), within TUNEL+DRGN and DRG glia (satellite and Schwann cells) after SN transection. A serum withdrawal cell culture model, which induced 40% apoptotic death in DRGN and 60% in glia, was used to model DRGN loss after neurotrophic factor withdrawal. Elevated C-CASP2 and TUNEL were observed in both DRGN and DRG glia, with C-CASP2 localisation shifting from the cytosol to the nucleus, a required step for induction of direct CASP2-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, siRNAmediated downregulation of CASP2 protected 50% of DRGN from apoptosis after serum withdrawal, while downregulation of CASP3 had no effect on DRGN or DRG glia survival. We conclude that CASP2 orchestrates the death of SN-axotomised DRGN directly and also indirectly through loss of DRG glia and their local neurotrophic factor support. Accordingly, inhibiting CASP2 expression is a potential therapy for improving both the SN regeneration response and peripheral sensory recovery
Patient-reported outcomes of parenteral somatostatin analogue injections in 195 patients with acromegaly.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported LicenseBACKGROUND: Long-acting somatostatin analogues delivered parenterally are the most widely used medical treatment in acromegaly. This patient-reported outcomes survey was designed to assess the impact of chronic injections on subjects with acromegaly. METHODS: The survey was conducted in nine pituitary centres in Germany, UK and The Netherlands. The questionnaire was developed by endocrinologists and covered aspects of acromegaly symptoms, injection-related manifestations, emotional and daily life impact, treatment satisfaction and unmet medical needs. RESULTS: In total, 195 patients participated, of which 112 (57%) were on octreotide (Sandostatin LAR) and 83 (43%) on lanreotide (Somatuline Depot). The majority (>70%) of patients reported acromegaly symptoms despite treatment. A total of 52% of patients reported that their symptoms worsen towards the end of the dosing interval. Administration site pain lasting up to a week following injection was the most frequently reported injection-related symptom (70% of patients). Other injection site reactions included nodules (38%), swelling (28%), bruising (16%), scar tissue (8%) and inflammation (7%). Injection burden was similar between octreotide and lanreotide. Only a minority of patients received injections at home (17%) and 5% were self-injecting. Over a third of patients indicated a feeling of loss of independence due to the injections, and 16% reported repeated work loss days. Despite the physical, emotional and daily life impact of injections, patients were satisfied with their treatment, yet reported that modifications that would offer major improvement over current care would be 'avoiding injections' and 'better symptom control'. CONCLUSION: Lifelong injections of long-acting somatostatin analogues have significant burden on the functioning, well-being and daily lives of patients with acromegaly.Chiasma, Inc. 60 Welles Ave, Newton, MA 02 459, USA
Appraisal of progenitor markers in the context of molecular classification of breast cancers
Clinical management of breast cancer relies on case stratification, which increasingly employs molecular markers. The motivation behind delineating breast epithelial differentiation is to better target cancer cases through innate sensitivities bequeathed to the cancer from its normal progenitor state. A combination of histopathological and molecular classification of breast cancer cases suggests a role for progenitors in particular breast cancer cases. Although a remarkable fraction of the real tissue repertoire is maintained within a population of independent cell line cultures, some steps that are closer to the terminal differentiation state and that form a majority of primary human breast tissues are missing in the cell line cultures. This raises concerns about current breast cancer models
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