Advancing synthesis of decision tree-based multiple classifier systems: an approximate computing case study

AbstractSo far, multiple classifier systems have been increasingly designed to take advantage of hardware features, such as high parallelism and computational power. Indeed, compared to software implementations, hardware accelerators guarantee higher throughput and lower latency. Although the combination of multiple classifiers leads to high classification accuracy, the required area overhead makes the design of a hardware accelerator unfeasible, hindering the adoption of commercial configurable devices. For this reason, in this paper, we exploit approximate computing design paradigm to trade hardware area overhead off for classification accuracy. In particular, starting from trained DT models and employing precision-scaling technique, we explore approximate decision tree variants by means of multiple objective optimization problem, demonstrating a significant performance improvement targeting field-programmable gate array devices

Modulation of MAA-induced apoptosis in male germ cells: role of Sertoli cell P/Q-type calcium channels

Spontaneous germ cell death by apoptosis occurs during normal spermatogenesis in mammals and is thought to play a role in the physiological mechanism limiting the clonal expansion of such cell population in the male gonad. In the prepubertal rat testis, the most conspicuous dying cells are pachytene spermatocytes, which are also the primary target of the apoptosis experimentally induced by the methoxyacetic acid (MAA). Since we have recently reported that Sertoli cells, the somatic component of the seminiferous epithelium, regulate not only germ cell viability and differentiation but also their death, we have further investigated the mechanism involved in such a control. In this paper we have used the protein clusterin, produced by Sertoli cells and associated with tissue damage or injury, as indicator of germ cell apoptosis in rat seminiferous tubules treated with MAA in the presence or in the absence of omega-agatoxin, a specific inhibitor of P/Q type voltage-operated calcium channels (VOCC's). We performed both a qualitative analysis of clusterin content and germ cell apoptosis by immunofluorescence experiments and a quantitative analysis by in situ end labelling of apoptotic germ cells followed by flow cytometry. The results obtained demonstrate that Sertoli cells modulate germ cell apoptosis induced by methoxyacetic acid also throughout the P/Q-type VOCC's

Arte, scienza e storia in un mondo globalizzato: il caso Italia-Cina

Art and science, over the centuries, though starting from different positions, have very often led to the same conclusions. History, on the other hand, establishes identities that derive from our past and allows for exchanges and unity between people of different nationalities, in both a commercial and scientific context, in a world without borders, in spite of obvious contradictions related to this globalized world. The case of Italy-China bears witness to this in a significant way.A case in point is represented by the scientific collaboration between the Alma Mater University of Bologna and Zhejiang University, as well as that between the Salesian Pontifical University of Rome and Fudan University in Shanghai, Zhejiang University and the Foreign Studies University of Beijing.In the first case, the ongoing research project “Historical anamnesis, preservation and valorization of the statues of the Longxing Buddhist Temple of Qingzhou (China)” is being carried out between the Department of Cultural Heritage Diagnostic Laboratory for Cultural Heritage of the University of Bologna and the Cultural Heritage Institute of Zhejiang University. In the second case, collaboration between the Salesian Pontifical University and the Chinese Universities, covers activities relating to the study of philosophy, pedagogy and Latin language and literature.The paper highlights the importance of drawing value of a cultural, conservative, social, identitary nature within the context of the holistic value of cultural heritage and respecting ethical aspects at a personal and interpersonal level, in particular, by offering young people the opportunity to enter the employment market and of which they are currently experiencing all the problematic fluctuations.Arte e scienza, nel corso dei secoli, pur partendo da posizioni iniziali differenti, molto spesso conducono alle stesse conclusioni. D’altra parte la storia stabilisce le identità che nascono dal passato e permette scambi e coesioni fra genti di diversa nazionalità, in campo sia commerciale sia scientifico, in un mondo senza confini. Pur con contraddizioni evidenti riconducibili a questo mondo globalizzato, una significativa testimonianza è rappresentata da Italia-Cina. Al riguardo, si fa riferimento alla collaborazione scientifica fra l’Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna e Zhejiang University nonché fra l’Università Pontificia Salesiana di Roma e Fudan University di Shanghai, Zhejiang University e Beijing Foreign Studies University. Nel primo caso è in atto il progetto di ricerca “Historical anamnesis, preservation and valorization of the statues of the Longxing Buddhist Temple of Qinzhou (Cina)” fra il Dipartimento di Beni Culturali - Laboratorio Diagnostico per i Beni Culturali dell’Università di Bologna e il Cultural Heritage Institute di Zhejiang University. Nel secondo caso la collaborazione fra l’Università Pontificia Salesiana e le Università cinesi riguarda attività relative agli studi di filosofia, pedagogia e lettere latine. Si fa presente l ’importanza di trarre benefici di carattere culturale, conservativo, sociale, identitario nell’ ambito del valore olistico del bene culturale e nel rispetto degli aspetti etici a livello personale e interpersonale, offrendo in particolare ai giovani la possibilità di entrare nel mercato del lavoro del quale vivono le attuali e problematiche fluttuazioni

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome in a Patient with Polycytemia Vera: Diagnosis and Treatment

Polycythemia vera is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by thrombotic complications both in the arterial and venous systems. We report the case of a 55-year-old patient affected by polycythemia vera, presenting with acute superior vena cava syndrome due to thrombosis of the upper part of the superior vena cava. Diagnosis was done clinically and by computed tomography scan and showed an unusual finding: an air bubble trapped in the brachiocephalic venous trunk. The patient underwent emergency surgery. Diagnosis and treatment of the case are discussed

La valutazione della ricerca scientifica sulla base dei parametri di stima in economia

Below are some considerations following on from a past Editorial entitled “The evaluation of scientific research: the result of merit-based or discretionary criteria?” published in issue No.11 (2011) of the historical-technical journal “Conservation Science in Cultural Heritage”. The Editorial looked at various tools for evaluating scientific research and expressed some reservations about the bibliometric criteria:- Impact Factor (IF), the most well-known bibliometric tool, owned by Thomson Reuters – Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), which collects data from over 14,000 journals in its web portal: an evaluation system that determines the frequency with which an article is cited in a given period;- Peer Review, a quality indicator typically used in selecting articles for publication;- Open Linking, a reference service offered by aggregators which transforms citations into hyperlinks and allows researchers to browse online from article to article regardless of the journal or publisher;- H Factor or H Index, which aims to quantify the overall scientific contribution of a researcher.Si fa prosieguo alle considerazioni riportate in un Editoriale pubblicato sul fascicolo N. 11 (2011) del Journal storico-tecnico “Conservation Science in Cultural Heritage” dal titolo “La valutazione della ricerca scientifica: risultato di criteri meritocratici o discrezionali?”, in cui si prendevano in considerazione i criteri di valutazione della ricerca scientifica e si esprimevano delle riserve relativamente ai singoli criteri bibliometrici, in riferimento a: - Impact Factor (IF), lo strumento bibliometrico più noto, di proprietà della Thompson Reuters - Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), che raccoglie i dati di oltre 14 mila riviste presenti nel suo portale web: si tratta di un sistema di valutazione che determina la frequenza con cui un articolo viene citato in un determinato periodo. - Peer Review, indicatore di qualità tipicamente utilizzato nella selezione degli articoli pubblicabili; - Open Linking, servizio di referenza offerto dagli aggregatori, che trasforma le citazioni in hyperlink e consente ai ricercatori di navigare online da articolo a articolo, indipendentemente dalla rivista e dalla casa editrice; - Fattore H o h index che punta a quantificare il contributo scientifico complessivo di un ricercatore

fabrication of fluidic reactors by a customized 3d printing process

Abstract Microfluidic systems demonstrated to improve the analysis of biological and chemical processes by providing a more controlled fluid-handling environment. Typically, microfluidic systems are created in monolithic form by means of microfabrication techniques that constrain designers to work in a two-dimensional space. In this regard, Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a powerful set of technologies that can deal with the complexity of 3D structures producing flow paths with sections differing in size and direction. In this work, the use of a commercial laser-based stereolithography 3D printer has been firstly explored to fabricate transparent channels for flow reactors. A custom 3D printer, based on Digital Light Processing Stereolithography (DLP-SLA), has then been developed with the aim at gaining flexibility and overcoming typical limitations raised from standard commercial solutions. The effectiveness of the developed DLP-SLA 3D printer has been experienced by printing transparent fluidic devices with embedded channels with a specifically designed three-step printing process

Severe Kawasaki disease in a 3-month-old patient: a case report

BACKGROUND: Kawasaki disease is a multi-system vasculitis which usually occurs in children under 5 years of age. In infants under three months of age, it is very rare and usually associated with a high incidence of incomplete or atypical forms, often unresponsive to treatment. This condition increases the risk of cardiovascular complications such as coronary artery aneurysms. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a 3-month-old infant who developed early and severe aneurysms in three coronary arteries despite a timely administration of intravenous immunoglobulins, followed by three days of intravenous methylprednisolone. CONCLUSION: This case report underlines that the development of coronary artery aneurysm correlates with a delayed diagnosis and treatment, incomplete or atypical forms of the disease, and additionally the severity of clinical presentation, especially in cases of very young infants below 3 months of age. Our case is notable because of the very young age of the patient, the severity of clinical presentation with an early development of coronary artery aneurysms and the unresponsiveness to the therapy