Formalization of Transform Methods using HOL Light

Transform methods, like Laplace and Fourier, are frequently used for analyzing the dynamical behaviour of engineering and physical systems, based on their transfer function, and frequency response or the solutions of their corresponding differential equations. In this paper, we present an ongoing project, which focuses on the higher-order logic formalization of transform methods using HOL Light theorem prover. In particular, we present the motivation of the formalization, which is followed by the related work. Next, we present the task completed so far while highlighting some of the challenges faced during the formalization. Finally, we present a roadmap to achieve our objectives, the current status and the future goals for this project.Comment: 15 Pages, CICM 201

Survey of Period Variations of Superhumps in SU UMa-Type Dwarf Novae

We systematically surveyed period variations of superhumps in SU UMa-type dwarf novae based on newly obtained data and past publications. In many systems, the evolution of superhump period are found to be composed of three distinct stages: early evolutionary stage with a longer superhump period, middle stage with systematically varying periods, final stage with a shorter, stable superhump period. During the middle stage, many systems with superhump periods less than 0.08 d show positive period derivatives. Contrary to the earlier claim, we found no clear evidence for variation of period derivatives between superoutburst of the same object. We present an interpretation that the lengthening of the superhump period is a result of outward propagation of the eccentricity wave and is limited by the radius near the tidal truncation. We interpret that late stage superhumps are rejuvenized excitation of 3:1 resonance when the superhumps in the outer disk is effectively quenched. Many of WZ Sge-type dwarf novae showed long-enduring superhumps during the post-superoutburst stage having periods longer than those during the main superoutburst. The period derivatives in WZ Sge-type dwarf novae are found to be strongly correlated with the fractional superhump excess, or consequently, mass ratio. WZ Sge-type dwarf novae with a long-lasting rebrightening or with multiple rebrightenings tend to have smaller period derivatives and are excellent candidate for the systems around or after the period minimum of evolution of cataclysmic variables (abridged).Comment: 239 pages, 225 figures, PASJ accepte

A review of online platforms in training and surgical education

Introduction: The use of technology in surgical education has rapidly evolved. Blended learning refers to provision of online instruction platforms by international technology companies, prompting a combination of face-to-face teaching with computer-mediated tuition. This nonsystematic literature review focuses on online teaching platforms with applications for potential use in future surgical education.Methods: A literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, OVID, and Google Scholar. To identify studies on online platforms in surgical education, the following search terms were used: “online platform,” “online learning,” “surgical education and online learning,” and “surgical education and blended learning.” The search was limited to citations in English from 1998 to 2018. The first author performed the detailed literature search. The final list of the articles was included by consensus between authors. Search items were studied from the nature of the articles, country of origin, date of publication, and aims and findings in relation to use of online platforms surgical education.Results: Altogether 279 relevant citations were reviewed, of which 22 articles met the inclusion criteria: 19 papers (ten original research, two review items, seven Internet articles) and three books were found to be relevant for this study. Their analysis comprised models of platforms along with their applications in surgical education. Data on the advantages and disadvantages of online platforms as well as authors’ personal experience of this instruction manner in surgical education were extracted. Problems with determining, analyzing, and integrating reading matters in a nonsystematic literature review comprising different teaching methods combined with the use of online platforms in surgical education were discussed and resolved.Conclusion: Online platforms were introduced by international technology companies to encourage paperless blended learning in schools. We envisaged the use of online classrooms in surgical education because of its simple format, easy access, low costs, and interaction-inspiring nature between teachers and students in professional surgical education.</p

Determination of sin2 θeff w using jet charge measurements in hadronic Z decays

The electroweak mixing angle is determined with high precision from measurements of the mean difference between forward and backward hemisphere charges in hadronic decays of the Z. A data sample of 2.5 million hadronic Z decays recorded over the period 1990 to 1994 in the ALEPH detector at LEP is used. The mean charge separation between event hemispheres containing the original quark and antiquark is measured for bb̄ and cc̄ events in subsamples selected by their long lifetimes or using fast D*'s. The corresponding average charge separation for light quarks is measured in an inclusive sample from the anticorrelation between charges of opposite hemispheres and agrees with predictions of hadronisation models with a precision of 2%. It is shown that differences between light quark charge separations and the measured average can be determined using hadronisation models, with systematic uncertainties constrained by measurements of inclusive production of kaons, protons and A's. The separations are used to measure the electroweak mixing angle precisely as sin2 θeff w = 0.2322 ± 0.0008(exp. stat.) ±0.0007(exp. syst.) ± 0.0008(sep.). The first two errors are due to purely experimental sources whereas the third stems from uncertainties in the quark charge separations

The landscape of somatic copy-number alteration across human cancers

available in PMC 2010 August 18.A powerful way to discover key genes with causal roles in oncogenesis is to identify genomic regions that undergo frequent alteration in human cancers. Here we present high-resolution analyses of somatic copy-number alterations (SCNAs) from 3,131 cancer specimens, belonging largely to 26 histological types. We identify 158 regions of focal SCNA that are altered at significant frequency across several cancer types, of which 122 cannot be explained by the presence of a known cancer target gene located within these regions. Several gene families are enriched among these regions of focal SCNA, including the BCL2 family of apoptosis regulators and the NF-κΒ pathway. We show that cancer cells containing amplifications surrounding the MCL1 and BCL2L1 anti-apoptotic genes depend on the expression of these genes for survival. Finally, we demonstrate that a large majority of SCNAs identified in individual cancer types are present in several cancer types.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center and Pacific Northwest Prostate Cancer SPOREs, P50CA90578)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center and Pacific Northwest Prostate Cancer SPOREs, R01CA109038))National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center and Pacific Northwest Prostate Cancer SPOREs, R01CA109467)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center and Pacific Northwest Prostate Cancer SPOREs, P01CA085859)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center and Pacific Northwest Prostate Cancer SPOREs, P01CA 098101)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center and Pacific Northwest Prostate Cancer SPOREs, K08CA122833

Development of a Finite Volume Inter-cell Polynomial Expansion Method for the Neutron Diffusion Equation

Heterogeneous nuclear reactors require numerical methods to solve the neutron diffusion equation (NDE) to obtain the neutron flux distribution inside them, by discretizing the heterogeneous geometry in a set of homogeneous regions. This discretization requires additional equations at the inner faces of two adjacent cells: neutron flux and current continuity, which imply an excess of equations. The finite volume method (FVM) is suitable to be applied to NDE, because it can be easily applied to any mesh and it is typically used in the transport equations due to the conservation of the transported quantity within the volume. However, the gradient and face-averaged values in the FVM are typically calculated as a function of the cell-averaged values of adjacent cells. So, if the materials of the adjacent cells are different, the neutron current condition could not be accomplished. Therefore, a polynomial expansion of the neutron flux is developed in each cell for assuring the accomplishment of the flux and current continuity and calculating both analytically. In this polynomial expansion, the polynomial terms for each cell were assigned previously and the constant coefficients are determined by solving the eigenvalue problem with SLEPc. A sensitivity analysis for determining the best set of polynomial terms is performed.This work has been partially supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Eduacion Cultura y Deporte [grant number FPU13/01009]; the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion [project number ENE2014-59442-P], [project number ENE2012-34585]; the Generalitat Valenciana [project number PROMETEOII/2014/008]; the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia [project number UPPTE/2012/118]; and the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad [project number TIN2013-41049-P].Bernal García, Á.; Román Moltó, JE.; Miró Herrero, R.; Ginestar Peiro, D.; Verdú Martín, GJ. (2016). Development of a Finite Volume Inter-cell Polynomial Expansion Method for the Neutron Diffusion Equation. Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology. 53(8):1212-1223. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2015.1102661S1212122353

The dynamics of E1A in regulating networks and canonical pathways in quiescent cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Adenoviruses force quiescent cells to re-enter the cell cycle to replicate their DNA, and for the most part, this is accomplished after they express the E1A protein immediately after infection. In this context, E1A is believed to inactivate cellular proteins (e.g., p130) that are known to be involved in the silencing of E2F-dependent genes that are required for cell cycle entry. However, the potential perturbation of these types of genes by E1A relative to their functions in regulatory networks and canonical pathways remains poorly understood.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>We have used DNA microarrays analyzed with Bayesian ANOVA for microarray (BAM) to assess changes in gene expression after E1A alone was introduced into quiescent cells from a regulated promoter. Approximately 2,401 genes were significantly modulated by E1A, and of these, 385 and 1033 met the criteria for generating networks and functional and canonical pathway analysis respectively, as determined by using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software. After focusing on the highest-ranking cellular processes and regulatory networks that were responsive to E1A in quiescent cells, we observed that many of the up-regulated genes were associated with DNA replication, the cell cycle and cellular compromise. We also identified a cadre of up regulated genes with no previous connection to E1A; including genes that encode components of global DNA repair systems and DNA damage checkpoints. Among the down-regulated genes, we found that many were involved in cell signalling, cell movement, and cellular proliferation. Remarkably, a subset of these was also associated with p53-independent apoptosis, and the putative suppression of this pathway may be necessary in the viral life cycle until sufficient progeny have been produced.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These studies have identified for the first time a large number of genes that are relevant to E1A's activities in promoting quiescent cells to re-enter the cell cycle in order to create an optimum environment for adenoviral replication.</p