Quantifying Privacy: A Novel Entropy-Based Measure of Disclosure Risk

It is well recognised that data mining and statistical analysis pose a serious treat to privacy. This is true for financial, medical, criminal and marketing research. Numerous techniques have been proposed to protect privacy, including restriction and data modification. Recently proposed privacy models such as differential privacy and k-anonymity received a lot of attention and for the latter there are now several improvements of the original scheme, each removing some security shortcomings of the previous one. However, the challenge lies in evaluating and comparing privacy provided by various techniques. In this paper we propose a novel entropy based security measure that can be applied to any generalisation, restriction or data modification technique. We use our measure to empirically evaluate and compare a few popular methods, namely query restriction, sampling and noise addition.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figure

Effects of turbulence compressibility and unsteadiness in compression corner flow

The structure of the separated flow region over a 20 degree compression corner at a free-stream Mach number of 2.84 is investigated computationally using a Reynolds averaged Navier Stokes (R.A.N.S.) solver and kappa-epsilon model. At this Mach number and ramp angle, a steady-state recirculation region of order delta(sub o) is observed, with onset of a 'plateau' in the wall pressure distribution near the corner. At lower ramp angles, separation is negligible, while at an angle of 24 degrees, separation regions of length 2 delta(sub o) are expected. Of interest here is the response of the mathematical model to inclusion of the pressure dilatation term for turbulent kinetic energy. Compared with the experimental data of Smits and Muck (1987), steady-state computations show improvement when the pressure dilatation term is included. Unsteady computations, using both unforced and then forced inlet conditions, did not predict the oscillatory motion of the separation bubble as observed in laboratory experiments. An analysis of the separation bubble oscillation and the turbulent boundary layer (T.B.L.) frequencies for this flow suggests that the bubble oscillations are of nearly the same order as the turbulent frequencies, and therefore difficult for the model to separate and resolve

26. Chromosomal damage and survival of keratinocytes and fibroblasts after irradiation with 200 kV or 25 kV X-rays

A relative biological effectiveness of 1 is accepted for soft X-rays (25–30 kV), which are applied in diagnostic radiology (mammography). However, it has been shown that soft X-rays can be more effective in cell killing and chromosomal damage. The present study was initiated to define biological effects of low-energy X-rays in vitro. Experiments were performed with 25 kV X-rays and 200 kV reference X-rays on neonatal human keratinocytes (HEKn), and NIH/3T3 mouse fibroblasts. Cell survival was studied with graded doses in a clonogenic assay, chromosomal damage in a micronucleus (MN) assay. The surviving fraction at 2 Gy for keratinocytes was 46±5% after 200 kV and 33±11% after 25 kV X-rays. Linear-quadratic cell survival analysis yielded α=0.305±0.033 Gy-1 and β=0.048±0.011 Gy-2 for 200 kV and α=0.399±0.103 Gy-1 and β=0.048±0.054 Gy-2 for 25 kV. For 3T3 fibroblasts an SF2 of 53±3% after 200 kV and 61±18% after 25 kV was observed. Values of α=0.24±0.02 Gy-1 and β=0.022±0.002 Gy-2 for 200 kV and α=0.10±0.05 Gy-1 and β=0.070±0.010 Gy-2 for 25 kV were derived. In conclusion, keratinocyte survival was similar for both radiation qualities. For fibroblasts, a reduction in survival at higher doses was observed. Results from MN studies will be presented

26. Chromosomal damage and survival of keratinocytes and fibroblasts after irradiation with 200 kV or 25 kV X-rays

A relative biological effectiveness of 1 is accepted for soft X-rays (25–30 kV), which are applied in diagnostic radiology (mammography). However, it has been shown that soft X-rays can be more effective in cell killing and chromosomal damage. The present study was initiated to define biological effects of low-energy X-rays in vitro. Experiments were performed with 25 kV X-rays and 200 kV reference X-rays on neonatal human keratinocytes (HEKn), and NIH/3T3 mouse fibroblasts. Cell survival was studied with graded doses in a clonogenic assay, chromosomal damage in a micronucleus (MN) assay. The surviving fraction at 2 Gy for keratinocytes was 46±5% after 200 kV and 33±11% after 25 kV X-rays. Linear-quadratic cell survival analysis yielded α=0.305±0.033 Gy-1 and β=0.048±0.011 Gy-2 for 200 kV and α=0.399±0.103 Gy-1 and β=0.048±0.054 Gy-2 for 25 kV. For 3T3 fibroblasts an SF2 of 53±3% after 200 kV and 61±18% after 25 kV was observed. Values of α=0.24±0.02 Gy-1 and β=0.022±0.002 Gy-2 for 200 kV and α=0.10±0.05 Gy-1 and β=0.070±0.010 Gy-2 for 25 kV were derived. In conclusion, keratinocyte survival was similar for both radiation qualities. For fibroblasts, a reduction in survival at higher doses was observed. Results from MN studies will be presented

A novel kcna2 variant in a patient with non-progressive congenital ataxia and epilepsy: Functional characterization and sensitivity to 4-aminopyridine

Kv1.2 channels, encoded by the KCNA2 gene, are localized in the central and peripheral nervous system, where they regulate neuronal excitability. Recently, heterozygous mutations in KCNA2 have been associated with a spectrum of symptoms extending from epileptic encephalopathy, intellectual disability, and cerebellar ataxia. Patients are treated with a combination of antiepileptic drugs and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) has been recently trialed in specific cases. We identified a novel variant in KCNA2, E236K, in a Serbian proband with non-progressive congenital ataxia and early onset epilepsy, treated with sodium valproate. To ascertain the pathogenicity of E236K mutation and to verify its sensitivity to 4-AP, we transfected HEK 293 cells with Kv1.2 WT or E236K cDNAs and recorded potassium currents through the whole-cell patchclamp. In silico analysis supported the electrophysiological data. E236K channels showed voltagedependent activation shifted towards negative potentials and slower kinetics of deactivation and activation compared with Kv1.2 WT. Heteromeric Kv1.2 WT+E236K channels, resembling the condition of the heterozygous patient, confirmed a mixed gain-and loss-of-function (GoF/LoF) biophysical phenotype. 4-AP inhibited both Kv1.2 and E236K channels with similar potency. Homology modeling studies of mutant channels suggested a reduced interaction between the residue K236 in the S2 segment and the gating charges at S4. Overall, the biophysical phenotype of E236K channels correlates with the mild end of the clinical spectrum reported in patients with GoF/LoF defects. The response to 4-AP corroborates existing evidence that KCNA2-disorders could benefit from variant-tailored therapeutic approaches, based on functional studies

Developing textile entrepreneurial inclination model by integrating experts mining and ISM-MICMAC

The Indian textile industry is lacking in an entrepreneurial inclination of a skilled young generation; because of this, the industry is facing a challenge to achieve sustainable development and growth. To overcome this problem, the goal of this work is to build an entrepreneurial inclination model in the context of the textile industry. For achieving this goal, a combined approach of an extensive literature review and experts mining has been used to establish the entrepreneurial inclination factors in phased of the study. In the second phase, an Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) with Matrice d'Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliqués à un Classement (MICMAC) has been applied to build a structural model and to find the driving force factors and dependence power. The results show that effective entrepreneurship courses, institutional policy, training and internship, institutional corporation and the involvement of institutional heads play a very significant role in encouraging youth towards entrepreneurship. The outcomes of the study can help both the government and academic institutes to draw up effective policy and develop an entrepreneurial culture which can help to create more entrepreneurs in the textile field.N

Formation of Nanoclusters and Nanopillars in Nonequilibrium Surface Growth for Catalysis Applications: Growth by Diffusional Transport of Matter in Solution Synthesis

Growth of nanoclusters and nanopillars is considered in a model of surface deposition of building blocks (atoms) diffusionally transported from solution to the forming surface structure. Processes of surface restructuring are also accounted for in the model, which then yields morphologies of interest in catalysis applications. Kinetic Monte Carlo numerical approach is utilized to explore the emergence of FCC-symmetry surface features in Pt-type metal nanostructures. Available results exemplify evaluation of the fraction of the resulting active sites with desirable properties for catalysis, such as (111)-like coordination, as well as suggest optimal growth regimes

Towards Optimal and Expressive Kernelization for d-Hitting Set

d-Hitting Set is the NP-hard problem of selecting at most k vertices of a hypergraph so that each hyperedge, all of which have cardinality at most d, contains at least one selected vertex. The applications of d-Hitting Set are, for example, fault diagnosis, automatic program verification, and the noise-minimizing assignment of frequencies to radio transmitters. We show a linear-time algorithm that transforms an instance of d-Hitting Set into an equivalent instance comprising at most O(k^d) hyperedges and vertices. In terms of parameterized complexity, this is a problem kernel. Our kernelization algorithm is based on speeding up the well-known approach of finding and shrinking sunflowers in hypergraphs, which yields problem kernels with structural properties that we condense into the concept of expressive kernelization. We conduct experiments to show that our kernelization algorithm can kernelize instances with more than 10^7 hyperedges in less than five minutes. Finally, we show that the number of vertices in the problem kernel can be further reduced to O(k^{d-1}) with additional O(k^{1.5 d}) processing time by nontrivially combining the sunflower technique with d-Hitting Set problem kernels due to Abu-Khzam and Moser.Comment: This version gives corrected experimental results, adds additional figures, and more formally defines "expressive kernelization

Screening of the DNA mismatch repair genes MLH1, MSH2 and MSH6 in a Greek cohort of Lynch syndrome suspected families

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Germline mutations in the DNA mismatch repair genes predispose to Lynch syndrome, thus conferring a high relative risk of colorectal and endometrial cancer. The <it>MLH1, MSH2 </it>and <it>MSH6 </it>mutational spectrum reported so far involves minor alterations scattered throughout their coding regions as well as large genomic rearrangements. Therefore, a combination of complete sequencing and a specialized technique for the detection of genomic rearrangements should be conducted during a proper DNA-testing procedure. Our main goal was to successfully identify Lynch syndrome families and determine the spectrum of <it>MLH1</it>, <it>MSH2 </it>and <it>MSH6 </it>mutations in Greek Lynch families in order to develop an efficient screening protocol for the Greek colorectal cancer patients' cohort.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Forty-two samples from twenty-four families, out of which twenty two of Greek, one of Cypriot and one of Serbian origin, were screened for the presence of germline mutations in the major mismatch repair genes through direct sequencing and MLPA. Families were selected upon Amsterdam criteria or revised Bethesda guidelines.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Ten deleterious alterations were detected in twelve out of the twenty-four families subjected to genetic testing, thus our detection rate is 50%. Four of the pathogenic point mutations, namely two nonsense, one missense and one splice site change, are novel, whereas the detected genomic deletion encompassing exon 6 of the <it>MLH1 </it>gene has been described repeatedly in the LOVD database. The average age of onset for the development of both colorectal and endometrial cancer among mutation positive families is 43.2 years.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The mutational spectrum of the MMR genes investigated as it has been shaped by our analysis is quite heterogeneous without any strong indication for the presence of a founder effect.</p