A generic persistence model for CLP systems (and two useful implementations)

This paper describes a model of persistence in (C)LP languages and two different and practically very useful ways to implement this model in current systems. The fundamental idea is that persistence is a characteristic of certain dynamic predicates (Le., those which encapsulate state). The main effect of declaring a predicate persistent is that the dynamic changes made to such predicates persist from one execution to the next one. After proposing a syntax for declaring persistent predicates, a simple, file-based implementation of the concept is presented and some examples shown. An additional implementation is presented which stores persistent predicates in an external datábase. The abstraction of the concept of persistence from its implementation allows developing applications which can store their persistent predicates alternatively in files or databases with only a few simple changes to a declaration stating the location and modality used for persistent storage. The paper presents the model, the implementation approach in both the cases of using files and relational databases, a number of optimizations of the process (using information obtained from static global analysis and goal clustering), and performance results from an implementation of these ideas

Elastography of the thyroid

AbstractThyroid nodules are very common, while thyroid cancer is rare and has a very good prognosis. Thyroid nodule ultrasound characterization performed by experienced clinicians allows the selection of the tumours to be punctured and guiding fine needle aspiration (FNA). FNA provide cytology information able to differentiate benign tumours from cancer in approximately 80% of cases. However, it remains difficult to identify thyroid cancers with ultrasound imaging, as demonstrated by the very low rate of cancers detected in all of the carried out FNA (approximately 5%). As a majority of thyroid cancers are hard, the stiffness evaluation has become part of nodular characterization. Since 2005, elastography has been used for the evaluation of thyroid nodules; quasi-static elastography was the first technique available and used, at first, an external pressure induced by the probe, which was then replaced by carotid internal excitation allowing improvement in sensitivity. Semi-quantitative analysis allows comparison of tissue elasticities between tissue with elasticity anomalies and normal tissue and provides therefore useful analytic information. Shear wave elastography (SWE) provides a map of the elasticity in a region and allows stiffness quantification of lesions in kilopascals in order to reinforce the predictive value of malignancy. A tumour whose stiffness is greater than 65kPa or for which the stiffness ratio is greater than 3.7 compared to surrounding healthy tissue is highly suspicious. SWE may enable the detection of malignant follicular tumours that currently escape detection by the ultrasound-guided ultrasound/aspiration cytology couple. Lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid cancer can also be detected by elastography due to its increased stiffness

A generic persistence model for CLP systems

This paper describes a model of persistence in (C)LP languages and two different and practically very useful ways to implement this model in current systems. The fundamental idea is that persistence is a characteristic of certain dynamic predicates (i.e., those which encapsulate state). The main effect of declaring a predicate persistent is that the dynamic changes made to such predicates persist from one execution to the next one. After proposing a syntax for declaring persistent predicates, a simple, file-based implementation of the concept is presented and some examples shown. An additional implementation is presented which stores persistent predicates in an external database. The abstraction of the concept of persistence from its implementation allows developing applications which can store their persistent predicates alternatively in files or databases with only a few simple changes to a declaration stating the location and modality used for persistent storage. The paper presents the model, the implementation approach in both the cases of using files and relational databases, a number of optimizations of the process (using information obtained from static global analysis and goal clustering), and performance results from an implementation of these ideas

A Generic Persistence Model for (C)LP Systems (and two useful implementations)

This paper describes a model of persistence in (C)LP languages and two di#erent and practically very useful ways to implement this model in current systems. The fundamental idea is that persistence is a characteristic of certain dynamic predicates (i.e., those which encapsulate state). The main e#ect of declaring a predicate persistent is that the dynamic changes made to such predicates persist from one execution to the next one. After proposing a syntax for declaring persistent predicates, a simple, file-based implementation of the concept is presented and some examples shown. An additional implementation is proposed which stores persistent predicates in an external database. The abstraction of the concept of persistence from its implementation allows developing applications which can store their persistent predicates alternatively in files or databases with only a few simple changes to a declaration stating the location and modality used for persistent storage. The paper presents the model, the implementation approach in both the cases of using files and relational databases, a number of optimizations of the process (using information obtained from static global analysis and goal clustering), and performance results from an implementation of these ideas

The MAL protein is crucial for proper membrane condensation at the ciliary base, which is required for primary cilium elongation

The base of the primary cilium contains a zone of condensed membranes whose importance is not known. Here, we have studied the involvement of MAL, a tetraspanning protein that exclusively partitions into condensed membrane fractions, in the condensation of membranes at the ciliary base and investigated the importance of these membranes in primary cilium formation. We show that MAL accumulates at the ciliary base of epithelial MDCK cells. Knockdown of MAL expression resulted in a drastic reduction in the condensation of membranes at the ciliary base, the percentage of ciliated cells and the length of the cilia, but did not affect the docking of the centrosome to the plasma membrane or produce missorting of proteins to the pericentriolar zone or to the membrane of the remaining cilia. Rab8 (for which there are two isoforms, Rab8A and Rab8b), IFT88 and IFT20, which are important components of the machinery of ciliary growth, were recruited normally to the ciliary base of MAL-knockdown cells but were unable to elongate the primary cilium correctly. MAL, therefore, is crucial for the proper condensation of membranes at the ciliary base, which is required for efficient primary cilium extensionThis work was supported by the Ministerio de Economıa y Competitividad, Spain [grant numbers BFU2012-32532 and CONSOLIDER COAT CSD2009-00016 to M. A.A.]. G.A. was supported by the Amarouto Program for senior researchers from the Comunidad Autónoma de Madri