ERBlox: Combining Matching Dependencies with Machine Learning for Entity Resolution

Entity resolution (ER), an important and common data cleaning problem, is about detecting data duplicate representations for the same external entities, and merging them into single representations. Relatively recently, declarative rules called matching dependencies (MDs) have been proposed for specifying similarity conditions under which attribute values in database records are merged. In this work we show the process and the benefits of integrating three components of ER: (a) Classifiers for duplicate/non-duplicate record pairs built using machine learning (ML) techniques, (b) MDs for supporting both the blocking phase of ML and the merge itself; and (c) The use of the declarative language LogiQL -an extended form of Datalog supported by the LogicBlox platform- for data processing, and the specification and enforcement of MDs.Comment: To appear in Proc. SUM, 201

Algorithmic aspects of disjunctive domination in graphs

For a graph $G=(V,E)$, a set $D\subseteq V$ is called a \emph{disjunctive dominating set} of $G$ if for every vertex $v\in V\setminus D$, $v$ is either adjacent to a vertex of $D$ or has at least two vertices in $D$ at distance $2$ from it. The cardinality of a minimum disjunctive dominating set of $G$ is called the \emph{disjunctive domination number} of graph $G$, and is denoted by $\gamma_{2}^{d}(G)$. The \textsc{Minimum Disjunctive Domination Problem} (MDDP) is to find a disjunctive dominating set of cardinality $\gamma_{2}^{d}(G)$. Given a positive integer $k$ and a graph $G$, the \textsc{Disjunctive Domination Decision Problem} (DDDP) is to decide whether $G$ has a disjunctive dominating set of cardinality at most $k$. In this article, we first propose a linear time algorithm for MDDP in proper interval graphs. Next we tighten the NP-completeness of DDDP by showing that it remains NP-complete even in chordal graphs. We also propose a $(\ln(\Delta^{2}+\Delta+2)+1)$-approximation algorithm for MDDP in general graphs and prove that MDDP can not be approximated within $(1-\epsilon) \ln(|V|)$ for any $\epsilon>0$ unless NP $\subseteq$ DTIME$(|V|^{O(\log \log |V|)})$. Finally, we show that MDDP is APX-complete for bipartite graphs with maximum degree $3$

Analysis of the Complications in Patients Undergoing Orthognathic Surgery by Piezosurgery(R): A 13 Years Retrospective Study

Orthognathic surgery is a branch of maxillo-facial surgery increasingly in demand, which deals with the correction of skeletal deformities. The aim of the present study is to identify the most common post-operative complications following orthognathic bimaxillary surgery performed by means of Piezosurgery(R). Furthermore, through an examination of the available scientific literature, we wanted to establish whether the frequency of postoperative complications were consistent with those already reported. A retrospective study on 58 patients who underwent orthognathic surgery with a bilateral sagittal osteotomy (BSSO) of the mandibular bone branch, maxillary surgery with Le Fort I mono-segmented or multi-segmented approach, and genioplasty technique using Piezosurgery(R). The complications taken into consideration were disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), paraesthesia and hypoesthesia, asymmetries, nose enlargement, nasal septum deviation, nasal obstruction, dental discolorations, pulpal necrosis, occlusion and masticatory efficiency, gingival recession, periodontal problems, dysgeusia, nausea and vomiting, weeping alterations, hearing problems, delayed healing, superinfection, removal of synthesis means, reoperation, cicatricial outcome, and bilateral pneumothorax. It has been highlighted that a number and type of postoperative complications matched those reported by the most recent literature reviews. Temporomandibular disorders and paraesthesia were the most common ones. The only complication rate that differed from the literature was nerve damage, which was significantly lower. Post-surgical complications depend on the used surgical techniques, clinical work, and treatment methods. The use of piezoelectric devices in orthognathic surgery operations provides an innovative, safe, and effective technique compared to traditional methods

A SAT-based System for Consistent Query Answering

An inconsistent database is a database that violates one or more integrity constraints, such as functional dependencies. Consistent Query Answering is a rigorous and principled approach to the semantics of queries posed against inconsistent databases. The consistent answers to a query on an inconsistent database is the intersection of the answers to the query on every repair, i.e., on every consistent database that differs from the given inconsistent one in a minimal way. Computing the consistent answers of a fixed conjunctive query on a given inconsistent database can be a coNP-hard problem, even though every fixed conjunctive query is efficiently computable on a given consistent database. We designed, implemented, and evaluated CAvSAT, a SAT-based system for consistent query answering. CAvSAT leverages a set of natural reductions from the complement of consistent query answering to SAT and to Weighted MaxSAT. The system is capable of handling unions of conjunctive queries and arbitrary denial constraints, which include functional dependencies as a special case. We report results from experiments evaluating CAvSAT on both synthetic and real-world databases. These results provide evidence that a SAT-based approach can give rise to a comprehensive and scalable system for consistent query answering.Comment: 25 pages including appendix, to appear in the 22nd International Conference on Theory and Applications of Satisfiability Testin

Lingual frenectomy: a comparison between the conventional surgical and laser procedure.

Aim: Ankyloglossia, commonly known as tongue-tie, is a congenital oral anomaly characterized by a short lingual frenulum that may contribute to feeding, speech and mechanical problems. The purpose of this study is to compare the advantages of laser vis-à-vis conventional frenectomy in both intra- and post-surgical phases. Methods: This study took into consideration two patients, who were respectively 9 and 10-year-old. The first one underwent a common surgical procedure. A Nd:Yap laser device with a micropulsed wavelength of 1340 nm and power of 8 watts was used for the second. The postsurgical discomfort and healing characteristics were evaluated. Results: The results indicated that the Nd:Yap laser has the following advantages when compared to the conventional frenectomy: 1) soft tissue cutting was efficient, with no bleeding, giving a clear operative field; 2) there was no need to use sutures; 3) the surgery was less time-consuming; 4) there was no postsurgical infection and no need for analgesics or antibiotics; 5) wound contraction and scarring were decreased or eliminated; 6) despite the initial slowness of the healing process, the complete and final recovery was faster. Conclusion: Considering the above elements, it is possible to assert that the laser frenectomy has a series of unquestionable advantages if compared to the conventional surgical technique

Rainbow domination and related problems on some classes of perfect graphs

Let $k \in \mathbb{N}$ and let $G$ be a graph. A function $f: V(G) \rightarrow 2^{[k]}$ is a rainbow function if, for every vertex $x$ with $f(x)=\emptyset$, $f(N(x)) =[k]$. The rainbow domination number $\gamma_{kr}(G)$ is the minimum of $\sum_{x \in V(G)} |f(x)|$ over all rainbow functions. We investigate the rainbow domination problem for some classes of perfect graphs

Experimental analysis about the evaluation of tungsten carbide-bur, piezoelectric and laser osteotomies.

Aim: Osteotomies are performed in oral surgery with five kinds of cutting instruments: 1) burs (Tungsten carbide cylindric burs), 2-3) ultrasound Piezosurgery (type I and II), 4-5) and lasers (Er:YAG; Er,Cr:YSGG). This study compares the quality of cutting of every single instruments, evaluating accuracy (length, thickness, depth and morphology), velocity (number of passages and time) and entity of damage. Methods: In vitro experiments with ten osteotomies were performed on one-hundred of cow ribs with each instrument. In vivo surgery was performed on New Zealand white rabbit: two osteotomies are made with all instruments on the mandible and on the shinbone, totalizing four osteotomies for each instrument. Samples are processed to be evaluated through histological exam at stereomicroscopy Discussion: Results show a statistically significant variability on "thickness" (p value=0.001), "time" (p value=0.001), "depth" and penetration speed (p-value=0.001; p-value=0.001) and the "number of passages" (p-value=0.001). No differences have been observed in "length" (p-value=0.078). Histological analysis reveals that osteotomy performed with laser and Piezosurgery II generates major damage to osteocytes near cutting surfaces. Conclusion: Currently, purchase and management elevated costs, minor versatility of use, and long training times for equipments such as Piezosurgery and laser limit their general use, but remain advantageous in case of risky interventions near noble structures. Choice of device depends on experience maturated by operator in time, characteristics of operation and patient's clinical conditions

Aneurysmal bone cyst of the nasal bone: case report

The aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a solitary, expansile, non-neoplastic bone lesion, described as a distinct clinicopathological entity by Jaffe and Lichtenstein. We report a case of an ABC arising from the nasal bone in a adult male patient treated with complete surgical excision

Reduction of precocious peri-implant resorption cone

Aim: After implant-insertion, bone tissue, newly-formed on peri-implant crest, undergoes to a mild marginal osseous readjustment due to build-up of inflammatory cell tissue (ICT). The present study verifies the possibility to limit bone resorption by placing implant fixtures 0.5 mm outside cortical bone edge. Methods: A clinically-controlled randomized study on 100 implants has been performed to compare early resorption process of implant fixtures placed 0.5 mm outside cortical bone edge with implant-fixtures inserted according to juxtacortical bone conventional protocols. Results: After 6 months, bone implant level was higher with emersion approach (-1.01\ub10.54 mm, mean\ub1SD) than with submerged treatment (-1.56\ub10.5 mm) (P<0.001). Conclusion: Factors to achieve an excellent result at mean-long term seem to be very good, even though the latter have to be confirmed by follow-up

Hippo: A System for Computing Consistent Answers to a Class of SQL Queries

Integrity constraints express important properties of data, but the task of pre-serving data consistency is becoming increasingly problematic with new database applications. For example, in the case of integration of several data sources, even if the sources are separately consistent, the integrated data can violate the in