Application of Isometric Resistance Training to Treat Hypertension

The objective of this thesis was to test the hypotheses that in medicated, borderline-Stage 1 hypertensive individuals, 8 weeks of isometric handgrip (IHG) training (3X/week) would elicit reductions in resting and ambulatory blood pressure (BP), and that these reductions would be predicted by cardiovascular reactivity to an IHG task (a 2-minute sustained isometric contraction). Additionally, it was hypothesized that 4 weeks of detraining following 8 weeks of IHG training would lead to BP returning to baseline values. Cardiovascular reactivity to an IHG task was determined prior to IHG training, while resting BP and ambulatory BP were determined prior to and following 8 weeks of IHG training, and again after 4 weeks of no training (n = 4; resting BP: 134/77 ± 14/10 mmHg; age: 58 ± 2 years). IHG training did not elicit statistically significant reductions in BP (P \u3e 0.05), and BP did not change following 4 weeks of detraining. Pre- IHG training cardiovascular reactivity to the IHG task was not strongly correlated to IHG training-induced changes in resting or ambulatory BP

Design of reinforced concrete water tower and tank

Theoretically the most economical dimension for a flat bottomed cylindrical tank would be such that the height of the tank is equal to the diameter, but such a tank does not look as well as one which has the height a little greater than the diameter and as the cost will be affected but little by making the height a few feet greater than the diameter, the most economical design will not be strictly carried out in this particular --Data, page 1

Causally Regularized Learning with Agnostic Data Selection Bias

Most of previous machine learning algorithms are proposed based on the i.i.d. hypothesis. However, this ideal assumption is often violated in real applications, where selection bias may arise between training and testing process. Moreover, in many scenarios, the testing data is not even available during the training process, which makes the traditional methods like transfer learning infeasible due to their need on prior of test distribution. Therefore, how to address the agnostic selection bias for robust model learning is of paramount importance for both academic research and real applications. In this paper, under the assumption that causal relationships among variables are robust across domains, we incorporate causal technique into predictive modeling and propose a novel Causally Regularized Logistic Regression (CRLR) algorithm by jointly optimize global confounder balancing and weighted logistic regression. Global confounder balancing helps to identify causal features, whose causal effect on outcome are stable across domains, then performing logistic regression on those causal features constructs a robust predictive model against the agnostic bias. To validate the effectiveness of our CRLR algorithm, we conduct comprehensive experiments on both synthetic and real world datasets. Experimental results clearly demonstrate that our CRLR algorithm outperforms the state-of-the-art methods, and the interpretability of our method can be fully depicted by the feature visualization.Comment: Oral paper of 2018 ACM Multimedia Conference (MM'18

Loop Calculus in Statistical Physics and Information Science

Considering a discrete and finite statistical model of a general position we introduce an exact expression for the partition function in terms of a finite series. The leading term in the series is the Bethe-Peierls (Belief Propagation)-BP contribution, the rest are expressed as loop-contributions on the factor graph and calculated directly using the BP solution. The series unveils a small parameter that often makes the BP approximation so successful. Applications of the loop calculus in statistical physics and information science are discussed.Comment: 4 pages, submitted to Phys.Rev.Lett. Changes: More general model, Simpler derivatio

Data assimilation for the Martian atmosphere using MGS Thermal Emission Spectrometer observations

From the introduction: Given the quantity of data expected from current and forthcoming spacecraft missions to Mars, it is now possible to use data assimilation as a means of atmospheric analysis for the first time for a planet other than the Earth. Several groups have described plans to develop assimilation schemes for Mars [Banfield et al., 1995; Houben, 1999; Lewis and Read, 1995; Lewis et al., 1996, 1997; Zhang et al., 2001]. Data assimilation is a technique for the analysis of atmospheric observations which combines currently valid information with prior knowledge from previous observations and dynamical and physical constraints, via the use of a numerical model. Despite the number of new missions, observations of the atmosphere of Mars in the near future are still likely to be sparse when compared to those of the Earth, perhaps comprising one orbiter and a few surface stations at best at any one time. Data assimilation is useful as a means to extract the maximum information from such observations, both by a form of interpolation in space and time using model constraints and by the combination of information from different observations, e.g. temperature profiles and surface pressure measurements which may be irregularly distributed. The procedure can produce a dynamically consistent set of meteorological fields and can be used directly to test and to refine an atmospheric model against observations

Assimilation of TES data from the Mars Global Surveyor scientifc mapping phase

The Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES)aboard Mars Global Surveyor has produced data which cover almost two Martian years so far (during its scientific mapping phase). Thermal profiles for the atmosphere below 40 km and total dust opacities can be retrieved from TES nadir spectra and assimilated into a Mars general circulation model (MGCM), by using the assimilation techniques described in detail by Lewis et al. (2002). This paper describes some preliminary results from assimilations of temperature data from the period Ls=141°- 270° corresponding to late northern summer until winter solstice on Mars. Work in progress is devoted to assimilate both temperature and total dust opacity data for the full period for which they are already available

Do Modernity and Traditionality Exist in Chinese Americans?

American researchers have not clearly conceptualized nor quantified whether traditionality and modernity exist in the United States despite these constructs being psychological variables investigated in China and Taiwan. The article first begins with delineating the conceptual and measurement barriers when quantifying traditionality and modernity in previous empirical literature. Next a project is discussed that measured these two constructs through developing a quantitative scale for Chinese-Americans measuring traditionality and modernity. A 46-item scale was given to 172 self-identified Chinese-Americans after items were constructed through review by two panel of experts as well as presented at state, regional and international conferences. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using maximum likelihood with a promax rotation yielded a five factor structure with 21 items. The five factor structure included themes of Family Relationships, Family Gender Roles, Indigenous Spiritual Practices, Image Management and Cultural Adherence. The new themes presenting the conceptualization of these two constructs are discussed along with an analysis of how the scale items further elucidate traditionality and modernity

Apparent Predation by Gray Jays, Perisoreus canadensis, on Long-toed Salamanders, Ambystoma macrodactylum, in the Oregon Cascade Range

We report observations of Gray Jays (Perisoreus canadensis) appearing to consume larval Long-toed Salamanders (Ambystoma macrodactylum) in a drying subalpine pond in Oregon, USA. Corvids are known to prey upon a variety of anuran amphibians, but to our knowledge, this is the first report of predation by any corvid on aquatic salamanders. Long-toed Salamanders appear palatable to Gray Jays, and may provide a food resource to Gray Jays when salamander larvae are concentrated in drying temporary ponds