916 research outputs found
Abstract LB-271: SplashRNA, a sequential classification algorithm for ultra-potent RNAi
No full textAbstract
We present SplashRNA, a sequential classifier - analogous to face detection algorithms - to predict ultra-potent microRNA-based short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) for virtually any gene. Trained on existing and novel large-scale datasets, SplashRNA outperforms previous algorithms and reliably predicts the most efficient shRNAs for a given gene. Combined with the optimized miR-E backbone, >90% of high-scoring SplashRNA predictions trigger >85% protein knockdown when expressed from a single genomic integration. SplashRNA can significantly improve the accuracy of loss-of-function genetics studies and facilitates the generation of compact shRNA libraries. The open source SplashRNA platform completes the RNAi toolkit to harness microRNA-based shRNAs for robust single-gene and multiplexed inducible and reversible target inhibition.
Citation Format: Raphael Pelossof, Lauren Fairchild, Christina S. Leslie, Christof Fellmann. SplashRNA, a sequential classification algorithm for ultra-potent RNAi [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-271. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-LB-271</jats:p
Raphael\u27s School of Athens: A Theorem in a Painting?
No full textRaphael\u27s famous painting The School of Athens includes a geometer, presumably Euclid himself, demonstrating a construction to his fascinated students. But what theorem are they all studying? This article first introduces the painting, and describes Raphael\u27s lifelong friendship with the eminent mathematician Paulus of Middelburg. It then presents several conjectured explanations, notably a theorem about a hexagram (Fichtner), or alternatively that the construction may be architecturally symbolic (Valtieri). The author finally offers his own null hypothesis : that the scene does not show any actual mathematics, but simply the fascination, excitement, and joy of mathematicians at their work
The nineteen letters of Ben Uziel : being a spiritual presentation of the principles of Judaism
No full textby Samson Raphael Hirsch. Transl. by Bernard Brachman, together with a pref. and a biographical scetch of the author by the transl
Eddies and currents: A review of Upstream, anyone? A critical reply to J.J. Fellows’ Downstream of the experts, by Raphael Sassower
No full textJill Fellows responds to Raphael Sassower's review 'Upstream, anyone? A critical reply to J.J. Fellows’ Downstream of the Experts.'Final article published
Rapid Learning with Stochastic Focus of Attention
No full textWe present a method to determine when to stop the evaluation of a decision-making process. The method determines to stop the evaluation process when the result of the full evaluation is obvious. This trait is highly desirable for margin-based Machine Learning algorithms where a classifier traditionally evaluates all the features for every example. However, some examples are easier to classify than others, a phenomenon which is characterized by the event when most of the features agree on the class of an example. By stopping the feature evaluation when encountering an easy to classify example, a margin-based Machine Learning algorithm can achieve substantial reduction in running times. To determine when to stop the feature evaluation, we develop a set of novel sequential tests, the Sequential Thresholded Sum Tests (STST). These tests stop the partial evaluation of the sum when the result of the full summation is guaranteed with high probability. By making different assumptions on the data and the features different tests arise. In general we look at the feature evaluation process as a random walk and apply different Brownian motion early stopping inequalities to determine when to stop the walk. From these inequalities we derive a family of stopping thresholds for sequential feature evaluations under different assumptions. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the different STST by speeding up several Online Learning algorithms on synthetic and real data
In the Footsteps of Raphael Lemkin
No full textWhen Raphael Lemkin invented the word ‘‘genocide’’ in 1944, he explained that this is a ‘‘new word, coined by the author to denote an old practice in its modern development.’’1 As Lemkin wrote these words, the paradigmatic genocide, the Holocaust, was raging in Europe
Weight regulation in British Bronze Age gold objects: a reanalysis and reinterpretation
No full textSophisticated metrological systems were common in the European Bronze Age and mass-regulation has been argued for various classes of object, including gold artefacts. A recent study published in Antiquity used Cosine Quantogram Analysis to demonstrate mass-regulation in a small sample of gold objects from Britain, Ireland and France. Since then, substantial quantities of new data from British Bronze Age gold objects have been collated. Here, the author presents the results of Cosine Quantogram Analysis on nearly 1000 such objects—the largest sample analysed to date. The results demonstrate that, even though some regularities can be discerned, mass-regulation is no longer a tenable interpretation of gold objects from Bronze Age Britain
A thematic analysis of Lay knowledge and beliefs about dementia among first-generation Black African immigrants from West Africa living in London: Informed by a grounded theory approach
No full textAcknowledgments:
The author would like to acknowledge the support of Dr. Wendy Martin, Professor Holly Nelson-Becker, and Professor Meriel Norris for their exceptional guidance and encouragement throughout this study. The author would also like to thank all the respondents who participated in the study. All names used are pseudonyms and do not represent the actual names of the participants.Background:
Many Black Africans live in the UK. More than 850,000 people live with dementia in the UK, and more than 25,000 people with dementia are from Black and minority ethnic groups. The study explores themes of lay knowledge and beliefs about dementia.
Design and Methods:
This study employs a qualitative research design and methods to explore lay knowledge and beliefs about dementia amongst Black African populations living in London. The research is philosophically underpinned by social constructionism and sociological and anthropological lay concepts of health and illness. The researcher interviewed 31 adult respondents, male and female, from the Black African community in London to generate rich data. Participants were first-generation immigrants from West Africa living in London and were mainly carers. Thematic data analysis informed by a grounded theory approach was used to analyse the data.
Results:
The findings show that dementia is a complex biopsychosocial phenomenon. Four key themes with subthemes emerged and were developed: (i) Traditional views, (ii) Disease and illness, (iii) Help-seeking, and (iv) Caregiving and treatment. The group’s understanding of dementia evolved from traditional views to a more medical perspective. This study added witchcraft to the dementia literature on BAME in the UK.
Conclusions:
The study concluded that the group does not lack knowledge of dementia. Their understanding and beliefs about dementia are evolving, and further efforts are needed to enhance awareness through education, training, and outreach to support individuals with dementia and their families within the Black African community.The author received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article
A Bias Steam-Ironed into Women\u27s Lives : A Conversation with Author Phyllis Chesler about Women and Madness, 47 Years After Publication
No full textA conversation with Phyllis Chesler about Women and Madness, 47 years after publication, conducted by Jody Raphael. Chesler discusses her motive for writing Women and Madness and its early reception. She reflects on changes and lack of changes in views and treatment of women by society and the mental health system in the years since its publication. Her feminist analysis now includes Islamic fundamentalism, prostitution, and surrogacy, which are not always politically correct views among feminists today
Memoirs of the life and administration of William Cecil Baron Burleigh, Lord High Treasurer of England in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth; including a parallel between the state of government then and now. To which is prefixed a preface to the people of Britain. Together with an appendix of original papers [electronic resource].
No full textDedication signed: R. C., i.e. Raphael Courteville.Electronic reproduction.English Short Title Catalog,Reproduction of original from British Library
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