Hardness of Instance Generation with Optimal Solutions for the Stable Marriage Problem

In a variant of the stable marriage problem where ties and incomplete lists are allowed, finding a stable matching of maximum cardinality is known to be NP-hard. There are a lot of experimental studies for evaluating the performance of approximation algorithms or heuristics, using randomly generated or artificial instances. One of standard evaluation methods is to compare an algorithm's solution with an optimal solution, but finding an optimal solution itself is already hard. In this paper, we investigate the possibility of generating instances with known optimal solutions. We propose three instance generators based on a known random generation algorithm, but unfortunately show that none of them meet our requirements, implying a difficulty of instance generation in this approach

Relationship between quantity of IFNT estimated by IFN-stimulated gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and bovine embryonic mortality after AI or ET

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Interferon tau (IFNT), which is secreted into the uterine cavity during the maternal recognition period (MRP), is a key factor for establishment of pregnancy. The present study aims to clarify the relationship between the ability of a bovine conceptus to produce IFNT during the MRP and the conceptus's ability to establish pregnancy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In the first experiment, IFNT (0, 500, or 1000 micrograms) was administered into the uterine horn ipsilateral to the CL 16 or 17 d after standing estrus, and mRNA levels of IFN-stimulated gene 15-kDa protein (<it>ISG15</it>) and <it>Mx2 </it>in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were determined. In the second experiment, we investigated <it>ISG15 </it>mRNA expression in PBMCs during the MRP in cattle after either artificial insemination (AI) or embryo transfer (ET).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Intrauterine administration of IFNT stimulated <it>ISG15 </it>and <it>Mx2 </it>gene expressions in PBMCs in cattle, and there was a positive correlation between the expressions of peripheral markers and the quantity of IFNT administered. In pregnant and normal interestrous interval (< 25 d) cattle (nIEI cattle), expression levels of the <it>ISG15 </it>gene showed similar patterns after AI and ET, and <it>ISG15 </it>mRNA expression was increased in pregnant cattle but unchanged in nIEI cattle. In contrast, <it>ISG15 </it>gene expression in extended interestrous interval (greater than or equal to 25 d) cattle (eIEI cattle) differed after ET compared with AI. In eIEI cattle after ET, <it>ISG15 </it>gene expression increased, such that the value on day 18 was intermediate between those of pregnant and nIEI cattle. In eIEI cattle after AI, <it>ISG15 </it>gene expression did not increase throughout the observation period.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results of the current study indicate that the quantity of conceptus-derived IFNT can be estimated by measuring <it>ISG15 </it>mRNA levels in PBMCs from cattle. Using this approach, we demonstrate that <it>ISG15 </it>gene expression during the MRP in eIEI cattle differed after ET compared with AI. In addition, the modest increase in <it>ISG15 </it>gene expression in eIEI cattle after ET suggests that late embryo losses were due to delayed or insufficient growth of the conceptus during the MRP in cattle.</p

Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluation of Photoreceptor Synapses in Developing, Degenerating and Regenerating Retinas

Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of synapses is crucial to understand neural connectivity. This is particularly relevant now, in view of the recent advances in regenerative biology and medicine. There is an urgent need to evaluate synapses to access the extent and functionality of reconstructed neural network. Most of the currently used synapse evaluation methods provide only all-or-none assessments. However, very often synapses appear in a wide spectrum of transient states such as during synaptogenesis or neural degeneration. Robust evaluation of synapse quantity and quality is therefore highly sought after. In this paper we introduce QUANTOS, a new method that can evaluate the number, likelihood, and maturity of photoreceptor ribbon synapses based on graphical properties of immunohistochemistry images. QUANTOS is composed of ImageJ Fiji macros, and R scripts which are both open-source and free software. We used QUANTOS to evaluate synaptogenesis in developing and degenerating retinas, as well as de novo synaptogenesis of mouse iPSC-retinas after transplantation to a retinal degeneration mouse model. Our analysis shows that while mouse iPSC-retinas are largely incapable of forming synapses in vitro, they can form extensive synapses following transplantation. The de novo synapses detected after transplantation seem to be in an intermediate state between mature and immature compared to wildtype retina. Furthermore, using QUANTOS we tested whether environmental light can affect photoreceptor synaptogenesis. We found that the onset of synaptogenesis was earlier under cyclic light (LD) condition when compared to constant dark (DD), resulting in more synapses at earlier developmental stages. The effect of light was also supported by micro electroretinography showing larger responses under LD condition. The number of synapses was also increased after transplantation of mouse iPSC-retinas to rd1 mice under LD condition. Our new probabilistic assessment of synapses may prove to be a valuable tool to gain critical insights into neural-network reconstruction and help develop treatments for neurodegenerative disorders

チョウキ ケイヤク ガ トウシ ノ タイミング ニ アタエル エイキョウ

Librairie Classique d'Eugéne Berlin a Paris.33 x 48 c

Plaque REgression with Cholesterol absorption Inhibitor or Synthesis inhibitor Evaluated by IntraVascular UltraSound (PRECISE-IVUS Trial): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

AbstractBackgroundAlthough the positive association between achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level and the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) has been confirmed by randomized studies with statins, many patients remain at high residual risk of events suggesting the necessity of novel pharmacologic strategies. The combination of ezetimibe/statin produces greater reductions in LDL-C compared to statin monotherapy.PurposeThe Plaque REgression with Cholesterol absorption Inhibitor or Synthesis inhibitor Evaluated by IntraVascular UltraSound (PRECISE-IVUS) trial was aimed at evaluating the effects of ezetimibe addition to atorvastatin, compared with atorvastatin monotherapy, on coronary plaque regression and change in lipid profile in patients with CAD.MethodsThe study is a prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter study. The eligible patients undergoing IVUS-guided percutaneous coronary intervention will be randomly assigned to receive either atorvastatin alone or atorvastatin plus ezetimibe (10mg) daily using a web-based randomization software. The dosage of atorvastatin will be increased by titration within the usual dose range with a treatment goal of lowering LDL-C below 70mg/dL based on consecutive measures of LDL-C at follow-up visits. IVUS will be performed at baseline and 9–12 months follow-up time point at participating cardiovascular centers. The primary endpoint will be the nominal change in percent coronary atheroma volume measured by volumetric IVUS analysis.ConclusionPRECISE-IVUS will assess whether the efficacy of combination of ezetimibe/atorvastatin is noninferior to atorvastatin monotherapy for coronary plaque reduction, and will translate into increased clinical benefit of dual lipid-lowering strategy in a Japanese population

Impact of Dual Lipid-Lowering Strategy With Ezetimibe and Atorvastatin on Coronary Plaque Regression in Patients With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention The Multicenter Randomized Controlled PRECISE-IVUS Trial

AbstractBackgroundDespite standard statin therapy, a majority of patients retain a high “residual risk” of cardiovascular events.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ezetimibe plus atorvastatin versus atorvastatin monotherapy on the lipid profile and coronary atherosclerosis in Japanese patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).MethodsThis trial was a prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter study. Eligible patients who underwent PCI were randomly assigned to atorvastatin alone or atorvastatin plus ezetimibe (10 mg) daily. Atorvastatin was uptitrated with a treatment goal of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) <70 mg/dl. Serial volumetric intravascular ultrasound was performed at baseline and again at 9 to 12 months to quantify the coronary plaque response in 202 patients.ResultsThe combination of atorvastatin/ezetimibe resulted in lower levels of LDL-C than atorvastatin monotherapy (63.2 ± 16.3 mg/dl vs. 73.3 ± 20.3 mg/dl; p < 0.001). For the absolute change in percent atheroma volume (PAV), the mean difference between the 2 groups (–1.538%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: –3.079% to 0.003%) did not exceed the pre-defined noninferiority margin of 3%, but the absolute change in PAV did show superiority for the dual lipid-lowering strategy (–1.4%; 95% CI: –3.4% to –0.1% vs. –0.3%; 95% CI: –1.9% to 0.9% with atorvastatin alone; p = 0.001). For PAV, a significantly greater percentage of patients who received atorvastatin/ezetimibe showed coronary plaque regression (78% vs. 58%; p = 0.004). Both strategies had acceptable side effect profiles, with a low incidence of laboratory abnormalities and cardiovascular events.ConclusionsCompared with standard statin monotherapy, the combination of statin plus ezetimibe showed greater coronary plaque regression, which might be attributed to cholesterol absorption inhibition–induced aggressive lipid lowering. (Plaque Regression With Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitor or Synthesis Inhibitor Evaluated by Intravascular Ultrasound [PRECISE-IVUS]; NCT01043380

茨城県土浦市おおつ野におけるニュータウンの開発と変化

日本の高度経済成長期に「ニュータウン」と呼ばれる新興住宅地が郊外地域で多数形成された．今日，ニュータウンの課題として住民の高齢化や空き区画の増加などが指摘され，ニュータウンの再開発や再生が求められている．そこで本研究は，土浦協同病院の移転によって発展が加速する茨城県土浦市おおつ野を対象に，ニュータウンの再開発について考察した．聞き取りおよびアンケート調査を実施して，おおつ野の開発史，土浦協同病院の移転経緯，住民のライフコースと日常生活の変化を明らかにする．茨城県南部におけるニュータウンは，バブル崩壊後の都心回帰の傾向が強まる中で，東京大都市圏の郊外としての機能が低下し，地方都市の郊外として戸建住宅の用地を供給する役割を持つように変化した．その結果，おおつ野では空き区画が増加したが，土浦協同病院の移転により，商業施設が立地し，生活環境が改善され，ニュータウンとしての再発展が始まった．New residential areas called "new towns" have developed in the suburbs of Tokyo, Japan, since the 1960s. These new towns are now faced with such problems as an increased elderly population and growing numbers of vacant lots, and redevelopment is required. This study examines the redevelopment of the new town in Otsuno District, Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Prefecture, where the relocation of the Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital triggered a new residential development. Interviews and questionnaire surveys were conducted in order to clarify the development history of Otsuno District, the reason for relocation of the hospital, and the changes in daily life for the residents. The characteristics of the new town changed from that of a bedroom community of the Greater Tokyo Metropolitan Area into a commuter town of Southern Ibaraki Prefecture after the collapse of Japan\u27s overheated stock and real estate markets, leaving Otsuno District with many vacant lots immediately after the collapse. However, the new town has been redeveloped since the relocation of the Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital, and the living environment has improved