Unified Analysis of Kernel-Based Interior-Point Methods for \u3cem\u3eP\u3c/em\u3e *(κ)-LCP

We present an interior-point method for the P∗(κ)-linear complementarity problem (LCP) that is based on barrier functions which are defined by a large class of univariate functions called eligible kernel functions. This class is fairly general and includes the classical logarithmic function and the self-regular functions, as well as many non-self-regular functions as special cases. We provide a unified analysis of the method and give a general scheme on how to calculate the iteration bounds for the entire class. We also calculate the iteration bounds of both long-step and short-step versions of the method for several specific eligible kernel functions. For some of them we match the best known iteration bounds for the long-step method, while for the short-step method the iteration bounds are of the same order of magnitude. As far as we know, this is the first paper that provides a unified approach and comprehensive treatment of interior-point methods for P∗(κ)-LCPs based on the entire class of eligible kernel functions

Cervical vertebrae anomalies in subjects with Class II malocclusion assessed by lateral cephalogram and cone beam computed tomography

A high prevalence of cervical vertebrae anomalies (CVA) has been recently associated with various malocclusions. Our aim was to study the prevalence of CVA on lateral cephalograms in Class II subjects and to compare the findings with those obtained from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Standardized cephalograms of 238 Class II patients were analysed for CVA. Cephalogram and CBCT were available for an additional 21 subjects. Cephalometric values were correlated with vertebrae morphology; logistic regressions and intraobserver agreement were evaluated. Inspection of lateral cephalograms could exclude CVA in 90.3 per cent of the subjects, while 9.7 per cent showed potential fusions. No correlations were found between the cephalometric values and potential vertebrae anomalies. In the 21 patients with a CBCT and a lateral cephalogram, the visual assessment of the cephalogram yielded a potential fusion in nine cases. None could be confirmed by CBCT. A low number of potentially fused cervical vertebrae could be detected on lateral cephalograms. The possible fusions did not correlate to any cephalometric values nor could they be confirmed by CBCT, the gold standard for assessing CVA. Visual examination of a cephalogram may result in a false-positive finding and does not allow reliable diagnosis of CV

Dentofacial and upper airway characteristics of mild and severe class II division 1 subjects

The aim of this retrospective, cross-sectional study was to assess whether mild and severe Class II division 1 subjects have craniofacial and upper airway characteristics, which relate to the severity of Class II as judged by overjet or ANB angle. The sample consisted of pre-treatment lateral cephalograms and dental casts of 131 males and 115 females (mean age 10.4 ± 1.6). Inclusion criteria were: healthy Caucasian subjects, at least ¾ Class II first molar relationship on both sides and overjet ≥ 4 mm. The cephalograms were traced and digitized. Distances and angular values were computed. Mild and severe Class II was defined by overjet (<10 mm/≥ 10 mm) or by ANB angle (<7 degrees/≥7 degrees). Statistics were performed with two-sample t-test and Pearson's correlation analysis. In the two overjet groups, significant differences were mainly found for incisor inclination while the two ANB groups differed significantly in SNA, WITS, Go-Pg, SpaSpp/MGo, SN/MGo, and Ar-Gn. The shortest airway distance between the soft palate and the posterior pharyngeal wall was significantly correlated to the NS/Ar angle. Statistical analysis revealed several significant correlations. Patients with a large overjet or ANB angle differed significantly from patients with a small overjet or ANB angle mainly in their incisor inclination. In the present sample, the overjet and to some extent also the ANB angle is determined by soft tissue or individual tooth position rather than by skeletal background. In retrognathic patients, a tendency towards smaller airway dimensions was found. However, statistical analysis did not reveal a strong connection between upper airway and dentoskeletal parameters, but a large interindividual variatio

Decreased telomere length in children with cartilage-hair hypoplasia

Background Cartilage-hair hypoplasia (CHH) is an autosomal recessive chondrodysplasia caused by RMRP (RNA component of mitochondrial RNA processing endoribonuclease) gene mutations. Manifestations include short stature, variable immunodeficiency, anaemia and increased risk of malignancies, all of which have been described also in telomere biology disorders. RMRP interacts with the telomerase RT (TERT) subunit, but the influence of RMRP mutations on telomere length is unknown. We measured relative telomere length (RTL) in patients with CHH, their first-degree relatives and healthy controls and correlated RTL with clinical and laboratory features. Methods The study cohort included 48 patients with CHH with homozygous (n=36) or compound heterozygous RMRP mutations (median age 38.2 years, range 6.0-70.8 years), 86 relatives (74 with a heterozygous RMRP mutation) and 94 unrelated healthy controls. We extracted DNA from peripheral blood, sequenced the RMRP gene and measured RTL by qPCR. Results Compared with age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls, median RTL was significantly shorter in patients with CHH (n=40 pairs, 1.05 vs 1.21, p=0.017), but not in mutation carriers (n=48 pairs, 1.16 vs 1.10, p=0.224). RTL correlated significantly with age in RMRP mutation carriers (r=-0.482, p <0.001) and non-carriers (r=-0.498, p Conclusions Telomere length was decreased in children with CHH. We found no correlation between RTL and clinical or laboratory parameters.Peer reviewe

Assessing the length of the mandibular ramus and the condylar process: a comparison of OPG, CBCT, CT, MRI, and lateral cephalometric measurements

SummaryBackground/Objectives: To compare different imaging procedures [cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), orthopantomography (OPG), and lateral cephalometry (LC)] for assessing the mandibular height [ramus height (RH)] and condylar process (CondProc) length as they reflect mandibular growth. Materials/Methods: The RH and CondProc of eight cadaver heads (each side separately) were measured using CBCT, CT, MRI, OPG, and LC. They were measured twice by two independent observers parallel to the posterior border of the mandibular ramus. An intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess the inter- and intraobserver reliability. The coefficient of variation was used to elucidate precision. Bland-Altman (BA) plots were used to assess the agreement between the procedures and the intra- and interobserver measurements. Results: All procedures, with the exception of LC, showed good intra- and interobserver agreement (maximum range of agreement: 5.3mm) and excellent reliability (ICC > 0.9). The BA plot analysis for the CondProc and RH showed similar ranges of agreement between MRI, CT, and CBCT (maximum 6.4mm) but higher ranges for OPG and LC. The MRI and OPG values were generally smaller. Conclusions/Implications: All 3D imaging procedures yielded nearly equal results when used to measure the CondProc and RH. MRI is recommended because it avoids ionizing radiation and has higher sensitivity in the detection of inflammation. A 2-year threshold for detecting growth in the follow-up period should be taken into account for all 3D imaging methods. Measuring the RH is recommended for the follow-up of condylar growth because reference values for annual increments are publishe

DNA Methylation Adds Prognostic Value to Minimal Residual Disease Status in Pediatric T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Background. Despite increased knowledge about genetic aberrations in pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), no clinically feasible treatment-stratifying marker exists at diagnosis. Instead patients are enrolled in intensive induction therapies with substantial side effects. In modern protocols, therapy response is monitored by minimal residual disease (MRD) analysis and used for postinduction risk group stratification. DNA methylation profiling is a candidate for subtype discrimination at diagnosis and we investigated its role as a prognostic marker in pediatric T-ALL. Procedure. Sixty-five diagnostic T-ALL samples from Nordic pediatric patients treated according to the Nordic Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology ALL 2008 (NOPHO ALL 2008) protocol were analyzed by HumMeth450K genome wide DNA methylation arrays. Methylation status was analyzed in relation to clinical data and early T-cell precursor (ETP) phenotype. Results. Two distinct CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) groups were identified. Patients with a CIMP-negative profile had an inferior response to treatment compared to CIMP-positive patients (3-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR3y) rate: 29% vs. 6%, P = 0.01). Most importantly, CIMP classification at diagnosis allowed subgrouping of high-risk T-ALL patients (MRD >= 0.1% at day 29) into two groups with significant differences in outcome (CIR3y rates: CIMP negative 50% vs. CIMP positive 12%; P = 0.02). These groups did not differ regarding ETP phenotype, but the CIMP-negative group was younger (P = 0.02) and had higher white blood cell count at diagnosis (P = 0.004) compared with the CIMP-positive group. Conclusions. CIMP classification at diagnosis in combination with MRD during induction therapy is a strong candidate for further risk classification and could confer important information in treatment decision making. (C) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Peer reviewe

Nonrestoration of spontaneously broken P, CP and PQ at high temperature

The possibility of P and CP violation at high temperature in models where these symmetries are spontaneously broken is investigated. It is found that in minimal models that include singlet fields, high T nonrestoration is possible for a wide range of parameters of the theory, in particular in models of CP violation with a CP-odd Higgs field. The same holds true for the invisible axion version of the Peccei-Quinn mechanism. This can provide both a way out for the domain wall problem in these theories and the CP violation required for baryogenesis. In the case of spontaneous P violation it turns out that high T nonrestoration requires going beyond the minimal model.The results are shown to hold true when next-to-leading order effects are considered.Comment: 22 pages, 3 figures, uses psfig. Replaced version with the Latex sourc

Measuring your company's intellectual performance

Intellectual capital is rapidly becoming a very important measure of the company's future performance. It is therefore vital that indicators and measures are developed, to allow managers to handle this variable better. This article reports the results and conclusions from a large study among small and medium sized enterprises in Scandanavia. Previous research has captured intellectual capital, as a snapshot, at one point in time. This is the 'Balance Sheet' approach. Based on the results of our study, we suggest the adoption, alongside the Balance Sheet approach, of a 'Profit and Loss' approach will could help companies to monitor the flows among different types of intellectual capital and between intellectual and financial capital

Intellectual capital and strategy: a primer for today's manager

This paper discusses the value of applying the intellectual capital perspective in strategic theory and application. It draws on the historic development of the strategy field, to introduce the concept of the intellectual capital perspective. The author argues that the intellectual capital perspective, in its latest form, has made a major contribution to our way of thinking and working with strategy, specifically in organizations with a high dependence of intellectual capital resources or a high dependence of resources that can be classified as intangible. The paper recommends that researchers and practitioners alike put the intellectual capital perspective to use to increase the awareness and value that it provides and also to provide insights into areas of research that would further improve the intellectual capital perspective