Search

Active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and impaired function of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Previous work suggests that HDL may become dysfunctional through oxidative modifications within the RA joint. The current work evaluates an association of synovial power doppler ultrasound signal (PDUS) with HDL function and structure. Two open-label clinical therapeutic studies using PDUS as a disease outcome measure were included in this analysis, including a 12-month trial of subcutaneous abatacept in 24 RA patients and a 6-month trial of IV tocilizumab in 46 RA patients. Laboratory assays included assessments of HDL function and structure, HDL and total cholesterol levels, and a cytokine/chemokine panel. Patients with the highest baseline PDUS scores in both clinical studies, had worse HDL function, including suppression of paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity as well as lower HDL-C levels. Associations between other disease assessments (DAS28 and CDAI) and HDL function/structure were noted but were generally of lesser magnitude and consistency than PDUS across the HDL profile. Treatment with tocilizumab for 6 months was associated with increases in cholesterol levels and improvements in the HDL function profile, which correlated with greater decreases in PDUS scores. Similar trends were noted following treatment with abatacept for 3 months. Higher baseline PDUS scores identified patients with worse HDL function. This data supports previous work suggesting a direct association of joint inflammation with abnormal HDL function.

Adaptive image restoration models can restore images with different degradation levels at inference time without the need to retrain the model. We present an approach that is highly accurate and allows a significant reduction in the number of parameters. In contrast to existing methods, our approach can restore images using a single fixed-size model, regardless of the number of degradation levels. On popular datasets, our approach yields state-of-the-art results in terms of size and accuracy for a variety of image restoration tasks, including denoising, deJPEG, and super-resolution., 5 pages, 5 Figures, ICASSP 2023

Objective Ultrasound-guided synovial biopsy (USGSB) is a simple, rapid procedure that is well-tolerated by patients and successfully collects samples of synovial tissue from both small and large joints. This retrospective analysis of 25 clinical cases examines its utility in the assessment of inflammatory arthritis.Methods USGSB can be performed as an outpatient procedure using a local anesthetic and a biopsy needle of appropriate gauge (range 14–18 gauge, depending on the size of the joint) introduced under direct ultrasound guidance.Results This procedure provides assessment of synovial thickness in grayscale and synovial vascularity with Doppler signal for biopsy site selection with an estimated 80% success rate. The histological findings of subsequent arthroscopic or surgical synovial biopsies were congruent with those of US-guided synovial biopsies, showing comparable results in large, medium, and small joints.Conclusion In recent years, ultrasound procedures have been increasingly used in routine rheumatology outpatient practice. Given its clinical feasibility, the low rate of complications or adverse events, and its diagnostic value and impact on treatment decisions, USGSB should be a more widely applied practice in the United States.

We introduce a novel approach for gait transfer from unconstrained videos in-the-wild. In contrast to motion transfer, the objective here is not to imitate the source's motions by the target, but rather to replace the walking source with the target, while transferring the target's typical gait. Our approach can be trained only once with multiple sources and is able to transfer the gait of the target from unseen sources, eliminating the need for retraining for each new source independently. Furthermore, we propose a novel metrics for gait transfer based on gait recognition models that enable to quantify the quality of the transferred gait, and show that existing techniques yield a discrepancy that can be easily detected. We introduce Cycle Transformers GAN (CTrGAN), that consist of a decoder and encoder, both Transformers, where the attention is on the temporal domain between complete images rather than the spatial domain between patches. Using a widely-used gait recognition dataset, we demonstrate that our approach is capable of producing over an order of magnitude more realistic personalized gaits than existing methods, even when used with sources that were not available during training. As part of our solution, we present a detector that determines whether a video is real or generated by our model.

The study of social learning examines how individuals learn from others by means of observation, imitation, or compliance with advice. However, it still remains largely unknown whether social learning processes have a distinct contribution to choice behavior, independent from non-social trial-and-error learning that often occurs simultaneously. 153 participants completed a reinforcement learning task, where they were asked to make choices to gain rewards. Advice from an artificial teacher was presented on 60% of the trials, allowing us to compare choice behavior with and without advice. Results showed a strong and reliable tendency to follow advice (test-retest reliability ~ .73). Computational modeling suggested a unique contribution of three distinct learning strategies: (a) individual learning (i.e., learning the value of actions, independent of advice), (b) informed advice-taking (i.e., learning the value of following advice), and (c) non-informed advice-taking (i.e., a constant bias to follow advice regardless of outcome history). Computational lesion simulations analyses provided specific regression signatures to both informed and non-informed advice taking processes that were then confirmed by empirical data. We discuss the theoretical implications of integrating internal and external information during the learning process.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound real-time image acquisition and scoring are complex, and many factors affect reliability. Static image reliability does not guarantee real-time scoring. This study aimed to identify factors and solutions to improve real-time scoring reliability for the grey scale and power Doppler evaluation of synovitis. We also report on using a novel musculoskeletal ultrasound synovitis rule-based scoring atlas.In four stages, we evaluated inter- and intra-reader reliability among three ultrasonographers (US1-3). Intra- and inter-reader reliability was calculated using weighted-kappa, intraclass correlation coefficient, and Spearman correlation. Reliability statistics were compared between stages using permutation tests to compute empirical distributions for differences in those statistics. At each stage, factors that diminished reliability were identified and addressed. After intensive reliability exercises, a RA MSUS atlas with in-depth scoring rules was generated to improve interpretive reliability.The three ultrasonographers had good to excellent intra-reader reliability for real-time acquisition scoring over 2432 views (weighted kappa 0.52-0.80, intraclass correlation coefficient 0.59-0.86, and Spearman correlation 0.64-0.86). Inter-reader reliability was good to excellent between US1/US2 and US1/US3 (weighted kappa 0.51-0.66, intraclass correlation coefficient 0.66-0.75, Spearman correlation 0.59-0.73). US1 achieved significant improvement in intra-reader reliability from stage 1 to stage 2 (

Within rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with intravenous tocilizumab (IV-TCZ), it is unclear if power Doppler ultrasonography (PDUS) can predict future clinical response. This study sought to determine if baseline PDUS or its early changes can predict 12-week and 24-week disease activity outcomes, and quantify the need for dose escalation (4 to 8 mg/kg). Fifty-four RA patients starting IV-TCZ were evaluated at baseline, 4, 6, 12, 16, and 24 weeks using 34-joint PDUS (US34-PDUS), clinical disease activity index (CDAI), 28-joint disease activity score using erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR), ACR 20/50/70, health assessment questionnaire-disability index (HAQ-DI), and PDUS 20/50/70, a novel measure. Logistic regression models evaluated the predictive utility of US34-PDUS of DAS28-ESR response after adjusting for covariates. Ninety-four percent of patients required dose escalation to 8 mg/kg. US34-PDUS, CDAI, and DAS28-ESR improved significantly over 24 weeks (p

We introduce a novel model of similarity. Following previous models, we espouse the metric approach, namely, (dis)similarity between objects is represented as distance. Unlike previous models, we incorporate a distinction between a long term memory (LTM)-like probability space that functions as a data-base, and a short term memory (STM)-like space in which similarity is calculated. STM in our model, is a manifold-like metric space, which contains only a subset of LTM at a time and changes constantly with respect to both its content and metric. On top of this structure of STM, we assume another discrete layer. This layer represents the limited sensitivity of our “measuring tools”, namely, our limited capability of distinguishing between similar objects. It results in a “pixalization” of STM representing limited resolution. We associate this seemingly shortcoming of STM to the very important function of abstraction. Finally, we show how probability (that exists in LTM) dictates varying concept representations and similarity in STM.

To establish accurate action-outcome associations in the environment, individuals must refrain from assigning value to outcome-irrelevant features. However, studies have largely ignored the role of attentional control processes on action value updating. In the current study, we examined the extent to which working memory—a system that can filter and block the processing of irrelevant information in one’s mind—also filters outcome-irrelevant information during value-based learning. For this aim, 174 individuals completed a well-established working memory capacity measurement and a reinforcement learning task designed to estimate outcome-irrelevant learning. We replicated previous studies showing a group-level tendency to assign value to tasks’ response keys, despite clear instructions and practice suggesting they are irrelevant to the prediction of monetary outcomes. Importantly, individuals with higher working memory capacity were less likely to assign value to the outcome-irrelevant response keys, thus suggesting a significant moderation effect of working memory capacity on outcome-irrelevant learning. We discuss the role of working memory processing on value-based learning through the lens of a cognitive control failure.

Current studies suggest that individuals estimate the value of their choices based on observed feedback. Here, we ask whether individuals update the value of their unchosen actions, even when the associated feedback remains unknown. Two hundred and three individuals completed a multi-armed bandit task, making choices to gain rewards. We found robust evidence suggesting inverse value updating for unchosen actions based on the chosen action’s outcome. Computational modeling results suggested that this effect is mainly explained by a value updating mechanism whereby individuals integrate the outcome history for choosing an option with that of avoiding the alternative. Properties of the deliberation (i.e., duration/difficulty) did not moderate the latent value updating of unchosen actions, suggesting that memory traces generated during deliberation take a smaller role in this phenomenon than previously thought. We discuss the mechanisms facilitating credit assignment to unchosen actions and their implications for human decision-making.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and there is a growing demand for safe and effective vaccines. The thermophilic

This paper addresses the three concepts of consistency, stability and convergence in the context of compact finite volume schemes for systems of nonlinear hyperbolic conservation laws. The treatment utilizes the framework of “balance laws”. Such laws express the relevant physical conservation laws in the presence of discontinuities. Finite volume approximations employ this viewpoint, and the present paper can be regarded as being in this category. It is first shown that under very mild conditions a weak solution is indeed a solution to the balance law. The schemes considered here allow the computation of several quantities per mesh cell (e.g., slopes) and the notion of consistency must be extended to this framework. Then a suitable convergence theorem is established, generalizing the classical convergence theorem of Lax and Wendroff. Finally, the limit functions are shown to be entropy solutions by using a notion of “Godunov compatibility”, which serves as a substitute to the entropy condition.

Discrete approximations to the equation \begin{equation*} L_{cont}u = u^{(4)} + D(x) u^{(3)} + A(x) u^{(2)} + (A'(x)+H(x)) u^{(1)} + B(x) u = f, \; x\in[0,1] \end{equation*} are considered. This is an extension of the Sturm-Liouville case $D(x)\equiv H(x)\equiv 0$ [ M. Ben-Artzi, J.-P. Croisille, D. Fishelov and R. Katzir, Discrete fourth-order Sturm-Liouville problems, IMA J. Numer. Anal. {\bf 38} (2018), 1485-1522. doi: 10.1093/imanum/drx038] to the non-self-adjoint setting. The "natural" boundary conditions in the Sturm-Liouville case are the values of the function and its derivative. The inclusion of a third-order discrete derivative entails a revision of the underlying discrete functional calculus. This revision forces evaluations of accurate discrete approximations to the boundary values of the second, third and fourth order derivatives. The resulting functional calculus provides the discrete analogs of the fundamental Sobolev properties--compactness and coercivity. It allows to obtain a general convergence theorem of the discrete approximations to the exact solution. Some representative numerical examples are presented., Comment: 4 figures

Musculoskeletal ultrasound quantifies the total synovial inflammatory burden in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but is time consuming when scanning numerous joints. This study evaluated a novel patient-centered method for constructing a longitudinal ultrasound score in RA patients. Fifty-four RA patients starting intravenous tocilizumab were evaluated with power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) of 34 joints and DAS28-ESR was assessed at baseline and weeks 4, 12, 16, and 24. The sentinel joint score (SJS) was derived from the reduced subset of joints with PDUS ≥ 1 at baseline. Total PDUS (tPDUS) score and US7 were also calculated. Changes in tPDUS and SJS were correlated. Effect sizes were calculated for tPDUS, SJS, and US7. The proportion of “flipped” joints without baseline PDUS signal that later developed PDUS signal was estimated. At baseline, 1236/1829 joints scanned (67.5%) did not have PDUS signal. The proportion of “flipped” joints at 24 weeks was 5.6% for ≥ 1, 2.9% for ≥ 2, and 1.0% for = 3 PD. tPDUS and SJS scores were highly correlated (r = 0.91 to 0.97). Overall the effect sizes for tPDUS, SJS, and US7 increased over 24 weeks, where SJS was the highest (SJS 1.00 4-week, 1.07 12-week, 1.26 24-week) and tPDUS and US7 were comparable (tPDUS 0.32 4-week, 0.52 12-week, 0.84 24-week; US7 0.23 4-week, 0.52 12-week, 0.74 24-week). In RA patients starting a biologic, scanning only joints with baseline PDUS signal can substantially reduce the number of joints requiring follow-up scanning by 67.5% and improves feasibility. “Flipped” joints are infrequently seen after starting therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01717859

Von Neumann's original proof of the ergodic theorem is revisited. A uniform convergence rate is established under the assumption that one can control the density of the spectrum of the underlying self-adjoint operator when restricted to suitable subspaces. Explicit rates are obtained when the bound is polynomial, with applications to the linear Schr\"odinger and wave equations. In particular, decay estimates for time-averages of solutions are shown., Comment: 13 pages

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-tpx-10.1177_01926233221090518 for Toxicity and Local Tolerance of a Novel Spike Protein RBD Vaccine Against SARS-CoV-2, Produced Using the C1 Thermothelomyces Heterothallica Protein Expression Platform by Yuval Ramot, Noam Kronfeld, Yakir Ophir, Nati Ezov, Sheli Friedman, Markku Saloheimo, Marika Vitikainen, Hanna Ben-Artzi, Avi Avigdor, Ronen Tchelet, Noelia Valbuena Crespo, Mark Emalfarb and Abraham Nyska in Toxicologic Pathology

This paper explores the complexity associated with solving the inverse Sturm-Liouville problem with Robin boundary conditions: given a sequence of eigenvalues and a sequence of norming constants, how many limits does a universal algorithm require to return the potential and boundary conditions? It is shown that if all but finitely many of the eigenvalues and norming constants coincide with those for the zero potential then the number of limits is zero, i.e. it is possible to retrieve the potential and boundary conditions precisely in finitely many steps. Otherwise, it is shown that this problem requires a single limit; moreover, if one has a priori control over how much the eigenvalues and norming constants differ from those of the zero-potential problem, and one knows that the average of the potential is zero, then the computation can be performed with complete error control. This is done in the spirit of the Solvability Complexity Index. All algorithms are provided explicitly along with numerical examples., Comment: 27 pages

Dual reinforcement learning theory offers two decision-making strategies. The model-free (MF) control system chooses actions solely based on reward history, whereas the model-based system incorporates a learned internal “model” of the task environment. Previous studies have shown that the model-free system assigns value to outcome-irrelevant features that temporally precede an outcome. Here, we will examine whether the model-based system which is assumed to be goal-directed is also prone to outcome-irrelevant learning. Participants will complete 250 trials of a novel variant of a dual-outcome bandit task, wherein each trial they will be asked to choose between two offered bandits to obtain two outcomes related to the chosen bandit. Importantly, the task will be designed such that only visual, but not spatial-motor information will predict the outcome, allowing us to estimate outcome-irrelevant learning. According to existing literature, we hypothesize that outcome-irrelevant learning will not be apparent in model-based credit assignment, such that the value will not depend on irrelevant spatial-motor information. This work is aimed to shed light on the nature of model-based decision-making in face of outcome-irrelevant information.

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-tpx-10.1177_01926233221090518 for Toxicity and Local Tolerance of a Novel Spike Protein RBD Vaccine Against SARS-CoV-2, Produced Using the C1 Thermothelomyces Heterothallica Protein Expression Platform by Yuval Ramot, Noam Kronfeld, Yakir Ophir, Nati Ezov, Sheli Friedman, Markku Saloheimo, Marika Vitikainen, Hanna Ben-Artzi, Avi Avigdor, Ronen Tchelet, Noelia Valbuena Crespo, Mark Emalfarb and Abraham Nyska in Toxicologic Pathology

We study the large time behavior of classical solutions to the two-dimensional Vlasov-Poisson (VP) and relativistic Vlasov-Poisson (RVP) systems launched by radially-symmetric initial data with compact support. In particular, we prove that particle positions and momenta grow unbounded as $t \to \infty$ and obtain sharp rates on the maximal values of these quantities on the support of the distribution function for each system. Furthermore, we establish nearly sharp rates of decay for the associated electric field, as well as upper and lower bounds on the decay rate of the charge density in the large time limit. We prove that, unlike (VP) in higher dimensions, smooth solutions do not scatter to their free-streaming profiles as $t \to \infty$ because nonlinear, long-range field interactions dominate the behavior of characteristics due to the exchange of energy from the potential to the kinetic term. In this way, the system may "forget" any previous configuration of particles., Comment: 27 pages

Intimate relationships have been shown to be loneliness positively related to self-esteem. Happiness and well-being and have also been regarded as a buffer against loneliness. Nevertheless, substantive research indicates that intimate relationships and marriage can produce or result in loneliness and thus seriously affect the person’s physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Loneliness in intimate relationships may damage the relationship if it goes on, and thus, this newly developed scale has been introduced to aid clinicians and researchers in discovering loneliness in an intimate union so it can be addressed before it negatively affects the union. Since none of the measures of loneliness tap loneliness as experienced in intimate relationships, a new rating scale, the Loneliness in Intimate Relationships Scale (LIRS), was developed and tested psychometrically. The generation of items followed a qualitative approach based on a semi-structured questionnaire administered to 108 volunteers from the general Israeli population, theoretical and empirical literature, and assessments of expert psychologists. In a second study (N = 215), a self-report scale assessing loneliness in intimate relationships was developed. This was followed by psychometric and construct validity evaluations with a new sample of 306 participants. Analyses revealed that loneliness in intimate relationships is experienced mainly in terms of three aspects: detachment, hurt, and guilt. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and validity tests indicate that the final 14-item Loneliness in Intimate Relationship Scale is a well-structured, reliable, and valid scale tapping emotional, behavioral, and cognitive manifestations of loneliness in intimate relationships.

The identification of a vaccination candidate against COVID-19 providing protecting activity against emerging SARS-COV-2 variants remains challenging. Here, we report protection activity against a spectrum of SARS-COV-2 and variants by immunization with protein-based recombinant RBD-C-tag administered with aluminum-phosphate adjuvant intramuscularly. Immunization of C57BL/6 mice with RBD-C-tag resulted in the in vivo production of IgG antibodies recognizing the immune-critical spike protein of the SARS-COV-2 virus as well as the SARS-COV-2 variants alpha (“United Kingdom”), beta (“South Africa”), gamma (“Brazil/Japan”), and delta (“India”) as well as wt-spike protein. RBD-C-tag immunization led to a desired Th1 polarization of CD4 T cells producing IFNγ. Importantly, RBD-C-tag immunization educated IgG production delivers antibodies that exert neutralizing activity against the highly transmissible SARS-COV-2 virus strains “Washington”, “South Africa” (beta), and “India” (delta) as determined by conservative infection protection experiments in vitro. Hence, the protein-based recombinant RBD-C-tag is considered a promising vaccination candidate against COVID-19 and a broad range of emerging SARS-COV-2 virus variants.

Within rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with intravenous tocilizumab (IV-TCZ), it is unclear if power Doppler ultrasonography (PDUS) can predict future clinical response. This study sought to determine if baseline PDUS or its early changes can predict 12-week and 24-week disease activity outcomes, and quantify the need for dose escalation (4 to 8 mg/kg).Fifty-four RA patients starting IV-TCZ were evaluated at baseline, 4, 6, 12, 16, and 24 weeks using 34-joint PDUS (US34-PDUS), clinical disease activity index (CDAI), 28-joint disease activity score using erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR), ACR 20/50/70, health assessment questionnaire-disability index (HAQ-DI), and PDUS 20/50/70, a novel measure. Logistic regression models evaluated the predictive utility of US34-PDUS of DAS28-ESR response after adjusting for covariates.Ninety-four percent of patients required dose escalation to 8 mg/kg. US34-PDUS, CDAI, and DAS28-ESR improved significantly over 24 weeks (p 0.001). Baseline PDUS and 12-week PDUS change correlated with CDAI at 24 weeks (p 0.05). Logistic regression demonstrated baseline US34-PDUS was independently associated with DAS28-ESR ≥ 1.2 response, even after adjusting for baseline DAS28-ESR (p = 0.03). CDAI, DAS28-ESR, and their components increased across PDUS 20/50/70 categories; however, HAQ-DI did not.RA patients treated with IV-TCZ for 24 weeks demonstrated significant improvement, and baseline/early changes in PDUS were predictive of later clinical response. The PDUS 20/50/70 measure is a novel metric of response. This study suggests that IV-TCZ 4 mg/kg may not be sufficient to attain low RA disease activity at 12 weeks, in RA patients with moderate to severe disease (DAS28 ≥ 4.4 and US34-PDUS ≥ 10).ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01717859 Key Points • Over 90% of RA patients with baseline DAS28-ESR ≥ 4.4 and PDUS34 ≥ 10 required intravenous tocilizumab dose escalation from 4 to 8 mg/kg at 12 weeks. • Reduction in power Doppler ultrasonography (US34-PDUS) scores correlate with DAS28-ESR and CDAI over 24 weeks in rheumatoid arthritis patients with moderate to severe disease activity. • Baseline US34-PDUS predicts future improvements in clinical disease activity outcomes, independent of baseline DAS28-ESR. • Clinical response measures, DAS28-ESR and CDAI, improved across US34-PDUS 20/50/70 categories, while patient-reported outcomes did not.

The biharmonic operator plays a central role in a wide array of physical models, such as elasticity theory and the streamfunction formulation of the Navier–Stokes equations. Its spectral theory has been extensively studied. In particular the one-dimensional case (over an interval) constitutes the basic model of a high order Sturm–Liouville problem. The need for corresponding numerical simulations has led to numerous works. The present paper relies on a discrete biharmonic calculus. The primary object of this calculus is a high-order compact discrete biharmonic operator (DBO). The DBO is constructed in terms of the discrete Hermitian derivative. However, the underlying reason for its accuracy remained unclear. This paper is a contribution in this direction, expounding the strong connection between cubic spline functions (on an interval) and the DBO. The first observation is that the (scaled) fourth-order distributional derivative of the cubic spline is identical to the action of the DBO on grid functions. It is shown that the kernel of the inverse of the discrete operator is (up to scaling) equal to the grid evaluation of the kernel of $$\left[ \left( \frac{d}{dx}\right) ^4\right] ^{-1}$$ , and explicit expressions are presented for both kernels. As an important application, the relation between the (infinite) set of eigenvalues of the fourth-order Sturm–Liouville problem and the finite set of eigenvalues of the discrete biharmonic operator is studied. The discrete eigenvalues are proved to converge (at an “optimal” $$O(h^4)$$ rate) to the continuous ones. Another consequence is the validity of a comparison principle. It is well known that there is no maximum principle for the fourth-order equation. However, a positivity result is derived, both for the continuous and the discrete biharmonic equation, showing that in both cases the kernels are order preserving.

The global-in-time existence of classical solutions to the relativistic Vlasov-Maxwell (RVM) system in three space dimensions remains elusive after nearly four decades of mathematical research. In this note, a simplified ``toy model'' is presented and studied. This toy model retains one crucial aspect of the RVM system: the phase-space evolution of the distribution function is governed by a transport equation whose forcing term satisfies a wave equation with finite speed of propagation., Comment: 13 pages, final version for publication in KRM

To learn accurate action-outcome associations, observers need to exert control so that value will be assigned only to outcome-relevant features of the environment. For example, the visual and tactile cues of a fruit might predict its taste, while its position on a tabletop might be arbitrary, and do not encode its value. Here, we will examine to what extent working memory load, a system devoted to the maintenance of relevant information in mind, influences credit-assignment to outcome-irrelevant features in the environment. Participants completed a dual-task, where they were asked to choose cards to gain rewards (multiple-armed bandit task) during maintenance of a visual array (change detection task). To manipulate working memory load the task was performed with low vs. high set-size for the visual array. Importantly, only cards predicted reward, but not the response-keys used to report selection. We predict an effect of set-size on credit assignment to the outcome-irrelevant response-key. We discuss the influence of working memory load on outcome-irrelevant learning in light of depleted cognitive control resources.

We present a novel approach for RANSAC-based computation of the fundamental matrix based on epipolar homography decomposition. We analyze the geometrical meaning of the decomposition-based representation and show that it directly induces a consecutive sampling strategy of two independent sets of correspondences. We show that our method guarantees a minimal number of evaluated hypotheses with respect to current minimal approaches, on the condition that there are four correspondences on an image line. We validate our approach on real-world image pairs, providing fast and accurate results.

Position of probe: Place the probe in short axis orientation on the dorsal aspect of the proximal wrist. The ulnar side of the probe should lay on the dorsal ulnar head. The radial side of the probe should lay on the distal dorsal radius. The probe should span the radioulnar joint. The convex surface of the ulnar dome should be visible on the left side of the screen. Lister’s tubercle may be visible on the right side of the screen. The radioulnar articulation should be visible near the center of the screen, slightly to the left side. Ideally, a thin layer of gel should be seen between the probe and skin surface (to confirm that no pressure is being applied to the joint).

Position of probe: Place the probe in longitudinal orientation on the dorsal aspect of the wrist. The distal radius should be seen on the left side of the screen and the distal capitate on the right side. The lunate should be clearly visible, in line with the radius and capitate. Longitudinal view of common extensor tendon compartment IV should be seen extending across the length of the screen, superficial to the bony landmarks. Ideally, a thin layer of gel should be seen between the probe and skin surface (to confirm that no pressure is being applied to the joint).

Musculoskeletal ultrasound quantifies the total synovial inflammatory burden in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but is time consuming when scanning numerous joints. This study evaluated a novel patient-centered method for constructing a longitudinal ultrasound score in RA patients.Fifty-four RA patients starting intravenous tocilizumab were evaluated with power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) of 34 joints and DAS28-ESR was assessed at baseline and weeks 4, 12, 16, and 24. The sentinel joint score (SJS) was derived from the reduced subset of joints with PDUS ≥ 1 at baseline. Total PDUS (tPDUS) score and US7 were also calculated. Changes in tPDUS and SJS were correlated. Effect sizes were calculated for tPDUS, SJS, and US7. The proportion of "flipped" joints without baseline PDUS signal that later developed PDUS signal was estimated.At baseline, 1236/1829 joints scanned (67.5%) did not have PDUS signal. The proportion of "flipped" joints at 24 weeks was 5.6% for ≥ 1, 2.9% for ≥ 2, and 1.0% for = 3 PD. tPDUS and SJS scores were highly correlated (r = 0.91 to 0.97). Overall the effect sizes for tPDUS, SJS, and US7 increased over 24 weeks, where SJS was the highest (SJS 1.00 4-week, 1.07 12-week, 1.26 24-week) and tPDUS and US7 were comparable (tPDUS 0.32 4-week, 0.52 12-week, 0.84 24-week; US7 0.23 4-week, 0.52 12-week, 0.74 24-week).In RA patients starting a biologic, scanning only joints with baseline PDUS signal can substantially reduce the number of joints requiring follow-up scanning by 67.5% and improves feasibility. "Flipped" joints are infrequently seen after starting therapy.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01717859 Key messages • Only a small percent of joints develop power Doppler signal after baseline scanning. • Changes in the SJS correlate well with changes in clinical activity measured by DAS28-ESR over time. • The SJS effect size is higher than total PDUS and US7 scores, and may improve examination feasibility.

In recent years the central Ottoman archive in Istanbul has been gradually releasing and computerizing thousands of maps stored in its collections. Our study introduces 137 maps already available t...

International audience; A discrete fourth-order elliptic theory on a one-dimensional interval is constructed. It is based on ‘Hermitian derivatives’ and compact higher-order finite difference operators, and is shown to possess the analogues of the standard elliptic theory such as coercivity and compactness. The discrete version of the fourth-order Sturm–Liouville problem (ddx)4u+ddx(A(x)ddxu)+B(x)u=f on a real interval is studied in terms of the functional calculus. The resulting (compact) finite difference scheme constitutes a scale of finite-dimensional Sturm–Liouville problems. A major difficulty is the presence of boundaries, in contrast to periodic problems (and analogous to boundary layers in Navier–Stokes simulations). Convergence of the finite-dimensional solutions to the continuous one is proved in the general case, and optimal (⁠O(h4)⁠) convergence rates are obtained in the constant coefficient case. Numerical examples are given, demonstrating the optimal rate even in highly oscillatory cases.

The relativistic Vlasov-Maxwell system describes the evolution of a collisionless plasma. The problem of linear instability of this system is considered in two physical settings: the so-called "one and one-half" dimensional case, and the three dimensional case with cylindrical symmetry. Sufficient conditions for instability are obtained in terms of the spectral properties of certain Schr\"odinger operators that act on the spatial variable alone (and not in full phase space). An important aspect of these conditions is that they do not require any boundedness assumptions on the domains, nor do they require monotonicity of the equilibrium., Comment: 49 pages

Let $$L_0=\suml_{j=1}^nM_j^0D_j+M_0^0,\,\,\,\,D_j=\frac{1}{i}\frac{\pa}{\paxj}, \quad x\in\Rn,$$ be a constant coefficient first-order partial differential system, where the matrices $M_j^0$ are Hermitian. It is assumed that the homogeneous part is strongly propagative. In the nonhomegeneous case it is assumed that the operator is isotropic . The spectral theory of such systems and their potential perturbations is expounded, and a Limiting Absorption Principle is obtained up to thresholds. Special attention is given to a detailed study of the Dirac and Maxwell operators. The estimates of the spectral derivative near the thresholds are based on detailed trace estimates on the slowness surfaces. Two applications of these estimates are presented: \begin{itemize} \item Global spacetime estimates of the associated evolution unitary groups, that are also commonly viewed as decay estimates. In particular the Dirac and Maxwell systems are explicitly treated. \item The finiteness of the eigenvalues (in the spectral gap) of the perturbed Dirac operator is studied, under suitable decay assumptions on the potential perturbation. \end{itemize}

The one-dimensional viscous conservation law is considered on the whole line u t + f ( u ) x = ε u x x , ( x , t ) ∈ R × R + ¯ , ε > 0 , \begin{equation*} u_t + f(u)_x=\varepsilon u_{xx},\quad (x,t)\in \mathbb {R}\times \overline {\mathbb {R}_{+}},\quad \varepsilon >0, \end{equation*} subject to positive measure initial data. The flux f ∈ C 1 ( R ) f\in C^1(\mathbb {R}) is assumed to satisfy a p − p- condition, a weak form of convexity. In particular, any flux of the form f ( u ) = ∑ i = 1 J a i u m i f(u)=\sum _{i=1}^Ja_iu^{m_i} is admissible if a i > 0 , m i > 1 , i = 1 , 2 , … , J . a_i>0,\,m_i>1,\,\,i=1,2,\ldots ,J. The only case treated hitherto in the literature is f ( u ) = u m f(u)=u^m [Arch. Rat. Mech. Anal. 124 (1993), pp. 43–65] and the initial data is a “single source”, namely, a multiple of the delta function. The corresponding solutions have been labeled as “source-type” and the treatment made substantial use of the special form of both the flux and the initial data. In this paper existence and uniqueness of solutions is established. The method of proof relies on sharp decay estimates for the viscous Hamilton-Jacobi equation. Some estimates are independent of the viscosity coefficient, thus leading to new estimates for the (inviscid) hyperbolic conservation law.

The present study investigated true and false memory manifestations of adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism using the DRM (Deese-Roediger-McDermott) word lists paradigm. Ninety-seven college students were administered the DRM paradigm and completed the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (Slaney, Rice, Mobley, Trippi, & Ashby, 2001). Signal detection analyses revealed that perfectionism strivings was associated with more accurate memory, whereas perfectionistic concerns was associated with higher levels of false memories and higher confidence ratings about the accuracy of these memories. Moreover, individuals high in perfectionistic concerns manifested a lower memory discriminative ability, suggesting poor working memory capacity. These findings corroborate previous studies suggesting a working memory involvement in false memories and call for further investigation into the cognitive and emotional processes underlying false memories.

This study assessed the effect of metacognitive instruction on the spelling and word reading of Hebrew-speaking children with specific language impairment (SLI). Participants were 67 kindergarteners with SLI in a supported learning context. Children were classified into three spelling instruction groups: (a) metalinguistic instruction (ML), (b) ML that integrates metacognitive strategies (MCML), and (c) a control group. Letter naming, letter sounding, word spelling, and word recognition were assessed at pretest and posttest. Findings from spelling and reading tests as well as interviews indicated that both the ML and MCML groups made statistically significant gains in all measures, whereas the control group did not. However, children with SLI who received training in metacognitive strategies significantly outperformed those who received ML alone in spelling and reading skills. This study provides evidence that children with SLI benefit from applying of metacognitive strategies to spelling practices when acquiring early spelling and reading skills.

Using dozens of Ottoman maps from the Central Ottoman Archives in Istanbul, the article challenges the prevailing standpoint regarding the historical-geographic process that took place on both sides of the Bay of Acre/haifa during the last decades of the Ottoman period, and led to Haifa’s emergence as one of the most important port towns in the eastern Mediterranean, and concomitantly to Acre’s demise and negligence. To date, the few researchers who have dealt with this process, especially from the viewpoint of Haifa’s local history, have viewed the Ottoman regime as a passive force that did not act to preserve the status or economic strength of Acre, the regional headquarters, the province’s capital city and the region’s most important town for many years. We argue that the central Ottoman government in Istanbul did not perceive the process of Acre’s demise and Haifa’s rise as a deterministic process. Official Ottoman maps drawn at the request of the imperial centre as early as the 1880s show that plans ...

The aim of the present study is to examine the morphological knowledge of readers with developmental dyslexia compared to chronological age and reading-level matched controls. The study also analyzes the errors dyslexics make and their metamorphological awareness compared to controls. Participants included 31 seventh-grade dyslexic children and two matched control groups of normal readers: 34 seventh graders matched for chronological age and 32 third graders matched for reading age. Two tasks were administered via the auditory modality—morphological priming and morphological analogies task. We also performed error analysis and a metamorphological interview. Our analyses reveal that although dyslexics perform equally to chronological age matched controls on the priming task and similarly to reading-level matched controls on the morphological analogies task, their errors and metamorphological awareness are qualitatively different.

Young drivers' reckless driving, especially among males, is a global phenomenon and a major cause of injury and death. The behavior of young people, including their driving norms, is influenced by the dominant social discourse in their age group. Thus, the nature of the interaction between young drivers and their peers may contribute to increased or decreased risk exposure not only for everyone in the car, but also for other road users, and therefore warrants deeper examination. This study aims to shed light on driving with friends as a particular case of driving with peers. It was designed to examine the role of the four dimensions of the Safe Driving Climate among Friends (SDCaF) scale, in predicting young drivers' intention to take risks behind the wheel, beyond the contribution of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The sample consisted of 166 participants (70 men, 96 women), ranging in age from 17 to 24 years, who completed a set of self-report questionnaires. The findings demonstrate that the SDCaF dimensions, and especially perceived friends' pressure while driving, add to the explained variance in intention to engage in risky driving, beyond the variance explained by gender and the three components of the TPB. In addition to its theoretical expansion of the TPB model to include specific components relating to perceived driving with friends, the study's practical significance lies in directing efforts towards revealing pathways to reduce reckless driving among young people, through engaging their friends in the process.

ObjectivesValidating musculoskeletal ultrasound features of the joints and tendons of the hands in a large scleroderma cohort.MethodsA total of 81 scleroderma patients participated in this prospective, cross-sectional study. Grayscale and power Doppler musculoskeletal ultrasound images of 13 joints and 5 tendons of the wrist and hand were obtained. Clinical assessment included modified Rodnan skin thickness score, joint count, and Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire. Face validity, content validity, construct validity, and feasibility were assessed.ResultsMean age was 53.8 years (range 22-80), 76.5% were females, and disease duration ranged from 0.25 to 29 years. Mean length of the examination was 36 min. Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index correlated with musculoskeletal ultrasound erosions (r = 0.5, p = 0.0003). Skin score correlated with tendinitis grayscale (r = 0.26, p = 0.02). Intra-reader correlation coefficient for musculoskeletal ultrasound was 0.96 for the joints and could not be calculated for tendons because there were too few positive findings. When tendon changes existed, percent of agreement was 77.7%-83.3%.ConclusionMusculoskeletal ultrasound of 13 joints and 5 tendons of the hands and wrist has face and content validity. Construct validity was shown for the tendons and erosion scores. Feasibility and reliability were partially validated.

Smoothing (and decay) spacetime estimates are discussed for evolution groups of self-adjoint operators in an abstract setting. The basic assumption is the existence (and weak continuity) of the spectral density in a functional setting. Spectral identities for the time evolution of such operators are derived, enabling results concerning "best constants" for smoothing estimates. When combined with suitable "comparison principles" (analogous to those established in our previous work), they yield smoothing estimates for classes of functions of the operators . A important particular case is the derivation of global spacetime estimates for a perturbed operator $H+V$ on the basis of its comparison with the unperturbed operator $H.$ A number of applications are given, including smoothing estimates for fractional Laplacians, Stark Hamiltonians and Schr\"odinger operators with potentials., Comment: 16 pages