Generating Asymptotically Non-terminant Initial Variable Values for Linear Diagonalizable Programs.

We present the key notion of "asymptotically non-terminant initial variable values" for non-terminant loop programs. We show that those specific values are directly associated to inital variable values for which the loop program does not terminate.Considering linear diagonalizable programs, we describe powerful computational methods that generate automatically and symbolically a semi-linear space represented by a linear system of equalities and inequalities. Each element of this space provides us with asymptotically non-terminant initial variable values. Our approach is based on linear algebraic methods and results. We obtain conditions using a decomposition on a specific basis, involving the loop condition and the matrix encoding the instructions of the loop.

New insight on intergenerational attachment from a relationship-based analysis

Research on attachment transmission has focused on variable-centered analyses, where hypotheses are tested by examining linear associations between variables. The purpose of this study was to apply a relationship-centered approach to data analysis, where adult states of mind, maternal sensitivity, and infant attachment were conceived as being three components of a single, intergenerational relationship. These variables were assessed in 90 adolescent and 99 adult mother–infant dyads when infants were 12 months old. Initial variable-centered analyses replicated the frequently observed associations between these three core attachment variables. Relationship-based, latent class analyses then revealed that the most common pattern among young mother dyads featured maternal unresolved trauma, insensitive interactive behavior, and disorganized infant attachment (61%), whereas the most prevalent adult mother dyad relationship pattern involved maternal autonomy, sensitive maternal behavior, and secure infant attachment (59%). Three less prevalent relationship patterns were also observed. Moderation analyses revealed that the adolescent–adult mother distinction differentiated between secure and disorganized intergenerational relationship patterns, whereas experience of traumatic events distinguished between disorganized and avoidant patterns. Finally, socioeconomic status distinguished between avoidant and secure patterns. Results emphasize the value of a relationship-based approach, adding an angle of understanding to the study of attachment transmission.

Treatment of High-Risk (HR) Philadelphia Chromosome-Negative (Ph-) Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) According to Classical Risk Factors and Minimal Residual Disease (MRD). Interim Results of the PETHEMA ALL-AR-03 Trial.

Current therapeutic protocols for adult ALL consider MRD together with the classical risk factors (age, WBC count, immunophenotype, cytogenetics and speed in response to therapy) for treatment decisions. The aim of the prospective study ALL-AR-03 from the Spanish PETHEMA Group was to evaluate the feasibility of sequential MRD detection and the response to a differentiated therapy according to MRD levels (assessed by cytofluorometry at the end of induction and consolidation therapy) in HR Ph- adult ALL pts. HR ALL included one or more of the following: age 30–60 yr, WBC count >25×109/L and 11q23 or MLL rearrangements. Induction therapy included VCR, DNR and PDN for 4 wk. In pts with slow cytologic response (≥ 10% blasts in BM assessed on d14) intensified induction with HD-ARA-C and mitoxantrone was administered. Early consolidation therapy included 3 cycles with rotating cytotoxic drugs including HD-MTX, HD-ARA-C and HD-ASP. Pts. with slow cytologic response on d14 or MRD level >0.05% after consolidation were assigned to allogeneic SCT (related or unrelated) and those with standard cytologic response on d14 and MRD level <0.05% after consolidation received 3 additional cycles of delayed consolidation (identical to those of early consolidation) followed by maintenance therapy up to 2yr in CR. On May 2006,119 patients were evaluable (mean (SD) age 37(14) yr, 64 males, 75 precursor B-ALL, 44 T-ALL, WBC 67(87) ×109/L). Induction death 7(%), resistance 20 (%), CR 93 (78%) and MRD<0.1% in 64% were observed. Early consolidation was completed in 63 patients. MRD<0.05% was observed in 77% at the end of consolidation. Allo-SCT was performed in 20 pts (TRM 6, relapse 1, CCR 13) and delayed consolidation and maintenance in 38 (toxic death 2, relapse 7, CCR 29). Two-yr DFS for the whole series was 35±13%. No significant differences were observed between pts receiving chemotherapy or SCT. Slow cytologic response was associated with a lower CR. No initial variable was associated with a higher probability of MRD negativity after induction or consolidation. Neither the negativity of MRD nor the pattern of clearance of MRD were associated with a better DFS. These preliminary results suggest that in HR adult ALL pts with adequate response to induction and adequate clearance of MDR the results of late consolidation and maintenance are not hampered by avoiding allo-SCT.

A Central Limit Theorem for Contractive Stochastic Dynamical Systems

If (F n ) n∈ℕ is a sequence of independent and identically distributed random mappings from a second countable locally compact state space 𝕏 to 𝕏 which itself is independent of the 𝕏-valued initial variable X 0, the discrete-time stochastic process (X n ) n≥0, defined by the recursion equation X n = F n (X n−1) for n∈ℕ, has the Markov property. Since 𝕏 is Polish in particular, a complete metric d exists. The random mappings (F n ) n∈ℕ are assumed to satisfy ℙ-a.s. Conditions on the distribution of l(F n ) are given for the existence of an invariant distribution of X 0 making the process (X n ) n≥0 stationary and ergodic. Our main result corrects a central limit theorem by Łoskot and Rudnicki (1995) and removes an error in its proof. Instead of trying to compare the sequence φ (X n ) n≥0 for some φ : 𝕏 → ℝ with a triangular scheme of independent random variables our proof is based on an approximation by a martingale difference scheme.

A Central Limit Theorem for Contractive Stochastic Dynamical Systems

If (Fn)n∈ℕ is a sequence of independent and identically distributed random mappings from a second countable locally compact state space 𝕏 to 𝕏 which itself is independent of the 𝕏-valued initial variable X0, the discrete-time stochastic process (Xn)n≥0, defined by the recursion equation Xn = Fn(Xn−1) for n∈ℕ, has the Markov property. Since 𝕏 is Polish in particular, a complete metric d exists. The random mappings (Fn)n∈ℕ are assumed to satisfy ℙ-a.s. Conditions on the distribution of l(Fn) are given for the existence of an invariant distribution of X0 making the process (Xn)n≥0 stationary and ergodic. Our main result corrects a central limit theorem by Łoskot and Rudnicki (1995) and removes an error in its proof. Instead of trying to compare the sequence φ (Xn)n≥0 for some φ : 𝕏 → ℝ with a triangular scheme of independent random variables our proof is based on an approximation by a martingale difference scheme.

Conditioned Suppression and Acceleration of Two Concurrent Responses in Rhesus Monkeys

Two rhesus monkeys were exposed to conditioned suppression training in which a 20-sec. stimulus, terminated by unavoidable shock, was superimposed upon a variable interval 90-sec. reinforcement schedule. A concurrent response which had no programmed consequence was recorded during initial variable interval training, acquisition, extinction, and reacquisition of conditioned suppression of the reinforced lever-pressing response. A peak in the distribution of response 2 reliably occurred 30 to 75 sec. following the average lever-pressing (response 1) reinforcement interval. With suppression training, the presentation of the suppression stimulus was reliably followed by a changeover from response 1 to response 2; the presentation of the unavoidable shock immediately resulted in a changeover from response 2 to response 1. The rate of response 2 during the suppression stimulus declined to near zero during extinction of conditioned suppression and increased to a high rate when the suppression stimulus was again terminated by unavoidable shock. The rate of response 2 was dependent upon the intensity of the unavoidable shock.