Bayesian hierarchical classes analysis

Hierarchical classes models are models for N-way N-mode data that represent the association among the N modes and simultaneously yield, for each mode, a hierarchical classification of its elements. In this paper we present a stochastic extension of the hierarchical classes model for two-way two-mode binary data. In line with the original model, the new probabilistic extension still represents both the association among the two modes and the hierarchical classifications. A fully Bayesian method for fitting the new model is presented and evaluated in a simulation study. Furthermore, we propose tools for model selection and model checking based on Bayes factors and posterior predictive checks. We illustrate the advantages of the new approach with applications in the domain of the psychology of choice and psychiatric diagnosis

Polynomial scaling approximations and dynamic correlation corrections to doubly occupied configuration interaction wave functions

A class of polynomial scaling methods that approximate Doubly Occupied Configuration Interaction (DOCI) wave functions and improve the description of dynamic correlation is introduced. The accuracy of the resulting wave functions is analysed by comparing energies and studying the overlap between the newly developed methods and full configuration interaction wave functions, showing that a low energy does not necessarily entail a good approximation of the exact wave function. Due to the dependence of DOCI wave functions on the single-particle basis chosen, several orbital optimisation algorithms are introduced. An energy-based algorithm using the simulated annealing method is used as a benchmark. As a computationally more affordable alternative, a seniority number minimising algorithm is developed and compared to the energy based one revealing that the seniority minimising orbital set performs well. Given a well-chosen orbital basis, it is shown that the newly developed DOCI based wave functions are especially suitable for the computationally efficient description of static correlation and to lesser extent dynamic correlation.Fil: Van Raemdonck, Mario. Ghent University; BélgicaFil: Alcoba, Diego Ricardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Poelmans, Ward. Ghent University; BélgicaFil: De Baerdemacker, Stijn. Ghent University; BélgicaFil: Torre, Alicia. Universidad del País Vasco; EspañaFil: Lain, Luis. Universidad del País Vasco; EspañaFil: Massaccesi, Gustavo Ernesto. Universidad de Barcelona. Facultad de Física. Departamento de Física Fomental; EspañaFil: Van Neck, D.. Ghent University; BélgicaFil: Bultinck, P.. Ghent University; Bélgic

Preoperative embolization in surgical treatment of long bone metastasis: A systematic literature review

Surgery of long bone metastases is associated with a significant risk of perioperative blood loss, which may necessitate blood transfusion. Successful embolization (> 70% obliteration of vascularity) can be achieved in 36-75% of cases. The reported rate of embolization-related complications is 0-9%. Three out of six level III evidence studies showed a reduction in perioperative blood loss and/orblood transfusion requirement after preoperative embolization of renal cell carcinoma metastasis in long bones; three out of six studies did not. One level III evidence study did not show a reduction in perioperative blood loss and/or transfusion requirement after preoperative embolization of hepatocellular carcinoma metastases in long bones. There were no studies found that support preoperative embolization of thyroid metastases or other frequent long bone metastases (e.g. mamma carcinoma, lung carcinoma, or prostate carcinoma). The clinical level of evidence of the studies found is low and randomized studies taking into account primary tumour, location of metastases and type of surgery are therefore desired

Parents’ Perspectives on Radicalization: A Qualitative Study

Abstract: Radicalization of young people might be influenced by the way parents react towards the development of political or religious ideals. However, these reactions have hardly been explored. This study aimed to discover how parents reacted to the development of extreme ideals, and why they responded in the way that they did. To gain knowledge about the influence of parents on adolescents who developed extreme ideals, 82 in-depth interviews were held with adolescents and young adults who held extreme ideals. Interviews were also held with the parents or siblings of each adolescent and young adult. In line with parenting style theory, it was found that parents react in four possible ways: (1) by rejecting, (2) applauding, (3) ignoring, or (4) discussing the (extreme) ideals of their children. Few parents discuss ideals and values with their child, and this paper tries to show why (e.g., powerlessness, disassociation, occupation with other problems, believing it to be a phase that will pass, or that their reaction would not help). Most parents struggle to cope with radicalization and do not know how to react. Support and control are potentially important tools for parents to use to combat the development of extreme ideology

Direct measurements of dust attenuation in z~1.5 star-forming galaxies from 3D-HST: Implications for dust geometry and star formation rates

The nature of dust in distant galaxies is not well understood, and until recently few direct dust measurements have been possible. We investigate dust in distant star-forming galaxies using near-infrared grism spectra of the 3D-HST survey combined with archival multi-wavelength photometry. These data allow us to make a direct comparison between dust around star-forming regions ($A_{V,\mathrm{HII}}$) and the integrated dust content ($A_{V,\mathrm{star}}$). We select a sample of 163 galaxies between $1.36\le{}z\le1.5$ with H$\alpha$ signal-to-noise ratio $\ge5$ and measure Balmer decrements from stacked spectra to calculate $A_{V,\mathrm{HII}}$. First, we stack spectra in bins of $A_{V,\mathrm{star}}$, and find that $A_{V,\mathrm{HII}}=1.86\,A_{V,\mathrm{star}}$, with a significance of $\sigma=1.7$. Our result is consistent with the two-component dust model, in which galaxies contain both diffuse and stellar birth cloud dust. Next, we stack spectra in bins of specific star formation rate ($\log\,\mathrm{SSFR}$), star formation rate ($\log\,\mathrm{SFR}$), and stellar mass ($\log{}M_*$). We find that on average $A_{V,\mathrm{HII}}$ increases with SFR and mass, but decreases with increasing SSFR. Interestingly, the data hint that the amount of extra attenuation decreases with increasing SSFR. This trend is expected from the two-component model, as the extra attenuation will increase once older stars outside the star-forming regions become more dominant in the galaxy spectrum. Finally, using Balmer decrements we derive dust-corrected H$\alpha$ SFRs, and find that stellar population modeling produces incorrect SFRs if rapidly declining star formation histories are included in the explored parameter space.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal (13 pages, 9 figures

Pharmacokinetically-guided dosing to improve the efficacy of brigatinib in non-small cell lung cancer patients

Brigatinib was recently approved for the treatment of anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive non-small cell lung cancer and is dosed according to a one-dose-fits-all paradigm. We aimed to identify a pharmacokinetically-guided precision dosing strategy to improve treatment response with brigatinib through simulations using a previously published pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model. Dosing strategies explored were the approved 180 mg QD; the highest tolerable dose tested in clinical trials: 240 mg QD; and two precision dosing strategies targeting the median trough concentrations following 180 mg QD, and 240 mg QD. We investigated the impact of alternative dosing regimens on progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and the probability of developing a grade ≥2 rash or grade ≥2 amylase increase. Median PFS and OS increased by 1.6 and 7.8 months, respectively between the currently approved dosing strategy and precision dosing to the median trough concentration of the 240 mg dosing strategy, with only a minor increase in the probability of developing toxicity

Systemic impairment in relation to disease burden in patients with moderate COPD eligible for a lifestyle program. Findings from the INTERCOM trial

Carel R van Wetering1, Floortje E van Nooten2, Stijn J M Mol3, Martine Hoogendoorn2, Maureen P M H Rutten-van Mölken2, Annemie M Schols41Department of Physiotherapy, Máxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, The Netherlands; 2Institute for Medical Technology Assessment, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; 3Department of Respiratory Medicine, Máxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, The Netherlands; 4Department of Respiratory Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The NetherlandsIntroduction: In contrast with the frequency distribution of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) stages in the population, in which the majority of the patients is classified as GOLD 2, much less information is available on the prevalence and implications of systemic manifestations in less severe patients relative to GOLD 3 and 4.Aim: To characterize local and systemic impairment in relation to disease burden in a group of GOLD 2 COPD patients (n = 127, forced expiratory volume in one second (SD): 67 (11)% pred) that were eligible for the Interdisciplinary Community-based COPD management (INTERCOM) trial.Methods: Patients were included for this lifestyle program based on a peak exercise capacity (Wmax) <70% of predicted. Metabolic and ventilatory response to incremental cycle ergometry, 6 minute walking distance (6MWD), constant work rate test (CWR), lung function, maximal inspiratory pressure (Pimax), quadriceps force (QF), quadriceps average power (QP) (isokinetic dynamometry), handgrip force (HGF) and body composition were measured. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed by the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and dyspnea by the modified Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnea scale. Exacerbations and COPD-associated hospital admissions in 12 months prior to the start of the study were recorded. Burden of disease was defined in terms of exercise capacity, QoL, hospitalization, and exacerbation frequency. GOLD 2 patients were compared with reference values and with GOLD 3 patients who were also included in the trial.Results: HGF (77.7 (18.8) % pred) and Pimax (67.1 (22.5)% pred) were impaired in GOLD 2, while QF (93.5 (22.5)% pred) was only modestly decreased. Depletion of FFM was present in 15% of weight stable GOLD 2 patients while only 2% had experienced recent involuntary weight loss. In contrast to Wmax, submaximal exercise capacity, muscle function, and body composition were not significantly different between GOLD 2 and 3 subgroups. Body mass index and fat-free mass index were significantly lower in smokers compared to ex-smokers. In multivariate analysis, QF and diffusing capacity (DLco) were independently associated with Wmax and 6 MWD in GOLD 2 while only 6 MWD was identified as an independent determinant of health-related QoL. HGF was an independent predictor of hospitalization.Conclusions: This study shows that also in patients with moderate COPD, eligible for a lifestyle program based on a decreased exercise capacity, systemic impairment is an important determinant of disease burden and that smoking affects body composition.Keywords: COPD, systemic impairment, lifestyle, pulmonary rehabilitatio