Parallel Frequent Item Set Mining with Selective Item Replication

Cataloged from PDF version of article.We introduce a transaction database distribution scheme that divides the frequent item set mining task in a top-down fashion. Our method operates on a graph where vertices correspond to frequent items and edges correspond to frequent item sets of size two. We show that partitioning this graph by a vertex separator is sufficient to decide a distribution of the items such that the subdatabases determined by the item distribution can be mined independently. This distribution entails an amount of data replication, which may be reduced by setting appropriate weights to vertices. The data distribution scheme is used in the design of two new parallel frequent item set mining algorithms. Both algorithms replicate the items that correspond to the separator. NoClique replicates the work induced by the separator and NoClique2 computes the same work collectively. Computational load balancing and minimization of redundant or collective work may be achieved by assigning appropriate load estimates to vertices. The experiments show favorable speedups on a system with small-to-medium number of processors for synthetic and real-world databases

miR-132/212 knockout mice reveal roles for these miRNAs in regulating cortical synaptic transmission and plasticity

miR-132 and miR-212 are two closely related miRNAs encoded in the same intron of a small non-coding gene, which have been suggested to play roles in both immune and neuronal function. We describe here the generation and initial characterisation of a miR-132/212 double knockout mouse. These mice were viable and fertile with no overt adverse phenotype. Analysis of innate immune responses, including TLR-induced cytokine production and IFNβ induction in response to viral infection of primary fibroblasts did not reveal any phenotype in the knockouts. In contrast, the loss of miR-132 and miR-212, while not overtly affecting neuronal morphology, did affect synaptic function. In both hippocampal and neocortical slices miR-132/212 knockout reduced basal synaptic transmission, without affecting paired-pulse facilitation. Hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) induced by tetanic stimulation was not affected by miR-132/212 deletion, whilst theta burst LTP was enhanced. In contrast, neocortical theta burst-induced LTP was inhibited by loss of miR-132/212. Together these results indicate that miR-132 and/or miR-212 play a significant role in synaptic function, possibly by regulating the number of postsynaptic AMPA receptors under basal conditions and during activity-dependent synaptic plasticity

Theory of branching morphogenesis by local interactions and global guidance

Branching morphogenesis governs the formation of many organs such as lung, kidney, and the neurovascular system. Many studies have explored system-specific molecular and cellular regulatory mechanisms, as well as self-organizing rules underlying branching morphogenesis. However, in addition to local cues, branched tissue growth can also be influenced by global guidance. Here, we develop a theoretical framework for a stochastic self-organized branching process in the presence of external cues. Combining analytical theory with numerical simulations, we predict differential signatures of global vs. local regulatory mechanisms on the branching pattern, such as angle distributions, domain size, and space-filling efficiency. We find that branch alignment follows a generic scaling law determined by the strength of global guidance, while local interactions influence the tissue density but not its overall territory. Finally, using zebrafish innervation as a model system, we test these key features of the model experimentally. Our work thus provides quantitative predictions to disentangle the role of different types of cues in shaping branched structures across scales

Cumulative sum analysis for the learning curve of robot-assisted laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation surgery in children

[Abstract Not Available

Análise numérico-experimental da agitação de calda em reservatórios de pulverizadores agrícolas

RESUMO Neste trabalho apresenta-se um estudo numérico-experimental do comportamento da agitação de fluido em reservatórios de pulverizadores agrícolas. Uma adequada agitação da calda de defensivos agrícolas em um reservatório é muito importante para garantir a homogeneidade da pulverização ao longo de toda a cultura. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a viabilidade da utilização de um modelo computacional aplicado ao problema de agitação de calda em reservatórios de pulverizadores agrícolas, e assim, auxiliar no projeto dos mesmos, com economia de tempo e custo. Deste modo, resultados de simulações computacionais de fluidodinâmica (CFD) foram comparados a testes experimentais normalizados. Utilizando um modelo monofásico (água), avaliaram-se os perfis de velocidades e de tensões de cisalhamento na parede do reservatório, a fim de possibilitar a visualização do comportamento do fluido em agitação e relacionar essas variáveis com a concentração de resíduos. A comparação entre resultados experimentais e o modelo computacional desenvolvido mostrou-se viável, indicando que regiões com baixos valores numéricos de tensão de cisalhamento estavam em concordância com as regiões de alta deposição de cobre da solução-teste

Antiinflammatory Therapy with Canakinumab for Atherosclerotic Disease

Background: Experimental and clinical data suggest that reducing inflammation without affecting lipid levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Yet, the inflammatory hypothesis of atherothrombosis has remained unproved. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of canakinumab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, involving 10,061 patients with previous myocardial infarction and a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level of 2 mg or more per liter. The trial compared three doses of canakinumab (50 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg, administered subcutaneously every 3 months) with placebo. The primary efficacy end point was nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: At 48 months, the median reduction from baseline in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was 26 percentage points greater in the group that received the 50-mg dose of canakinumab, 37 percentage points greater in the 150-mg group, and 41 percentage points greater in the 300-mg group than in the placebo group. Canakinumab did not reduce lipid levels from baseline. At a median follow-up of 3.7 years, the incidence rate for the primary end point was 4.50 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group, 4.11 events per 100 person-years in the 50-mg group, 3.86 events per 100 person-years in the 150-mg group, and 3.90 events per 100 person-years in the 300-mg group. The hazard ratios as compared with placebo were as follows: in the 50-mg group, 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.07; P = 0.30); in the 150-mg group, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.98; P = 0.021); and in the 300-mg group, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; P = 0.031). The 150-mg dose, but not the other doses, met the prespecified multiplicity-adjusted threshold for statistical significance for the primary end point and the secondary end point that additionally included hospitalization for unstable angina that led to urgent revascularization (hazard ratio vs. placebo, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.95; P = 0.005). Canakinumab was associated with a higher incidence of fatal infection than was placebo. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for all canakinumab doses vs. placebo, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.06; P = 0.31). Conclusions: Antiinflammatory therapy targeting the interleukin-1β innate immunity pathway with canakinumab at a dose of 150 mg every 3 months led to a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events than placebo, independent of lipid-level lowering. (Funded by Novartis; CANTOS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01327846.

Does previous endoscopic subureteric injection (sting) effect the outcomes of robot - assisted laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation surgery (ralur) in children?

[Abstract Not Available

Intensive Care of a Weil's Disease With Multiorgan Failure

Leptospirosis is a commonly encountered type of zoonosis, especially in tropical regions. There is insufficient data regarding its frequency in non-tropical regions such as Turkey. Although leptospirosis presents with a mild icteric form in nearly 90% of cases, it can lead to Weils disease characterized by fever as well as fulminant hepatorenal and respiratory failure, in approximately 5 - 10% of cases. In this case report, we present a patient with Weil's disease, complicated with multiorgan failure

The importance of Fecaliths in the aetiology of acute appendicitis

Aim: Fecaliths, lymphoid hyperplasia, parasites, undigested plant residues and foreign bodies are considered as part of the aetiology of acute appendicitis. In our article we discussed about fecaliths, fecalith formation, and its aetiological value. Methods: Patients which have been operated onfor acute appendicitis between 2009-2010 are analysed retrospectively. Results: The average age was 29,3. The number of cases with fecalith was 261 (36,1%). Out of these, 19 acute appendicites, 95 phlegmons, and 30 perforations were detected. Conclusions: Intraluminal pathologies probably play a major role in the development of acute appendicitis. Intraluminal pathological findings may also be seen in healthy persons without necessarily pointing toacute appendicitis. Disease progresses from intraluminal fecalith with no inflammation to perforation from the beginning. There are many explanations regarding the formation of fecaliths. Diagnosis of the fecalith may be decided with ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging techniques. In case of preoperatively demonstrated intraluminal fecalith through ultrasonographic examination with clinical symptoms of acute appendicitis, early appendectomy must be performed in our opinion. Early appendectomy lowers morbidity and mortalityrates. Copyright © Celsius

The Importance of Fecaliths in the Aetiology of Acute Appendicitis

Aim: Fecaliths, lymphoid hyperplasia, parasites, undigested plant residues and foreign bodies are considered as part of the aetiology of acute appendicitis. In our article we discussed about fecaliths, fecalith formation, and its aetiological value. Methods: Patients which have been operated onfor acute appendicitis between 2009-2010 are analysed retrospectively. Results: The average age was 29,3. The number of cases with fecalith was 261 (36,1%). Out of these, 19 acute appendicites, 95 phlegmons, and 30 perforations were detected. Conclusions: Intraluminal pathologies probably play a major role in the development of acute appendicitis. Intraluminal pathological findings may also be seen in healthy persons without necessarily pointing toacute appendicitis. Disease progresses from intraluminal fecalith with no inflammation to perforation from the beginning. There are many explanations regarding the formation of fecaliths. Diagnosis of the fecalith may be decided with ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging techniques. In case of preoperatively demonstrated intraluminal fecalith through ultrasonographic examination with clinical symptoms of acute appendicitis, early appendectomy must be performed in our opinion. Early appendectomy lowers morbidity and mortalityrates