Performance Assessment of Unsupervised Clustering Algorithms Combined MDL Index

Best clustering analysis should be resisting the presence of outliers and be less sensitive to initialization as well as the input sequence ordering. This chapter compares the performance among three of the unsupervised clustering algorithms: neural gas (NG), growing neural gas (GNG), and robust growing neural gas (RGNG). A complete explanation of NG and GNG algorithms is presented in the next comparison with RGNG. Another comparison due to the minimum description length (MDL) criterion between RGNG used MDL value as the clustering validity index versus GNG and NG combined with MDL. Statistical estimations are applied to explain the meaning of the output results when these algorithms are fed to the synthetic 2D dataset. The techniques introduced in this chapter are designed and implemented in a simple software package using a MATLAB-based graphical user interface (GUI) tool, which allows users to interact with the clustering techniques and output data easily

Estimation of NLRP3 Inflammasome Role and some Biochemical Parameters in Patients with Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD)

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a widespread condition that poses a major threat to human health. With substantial public health costs, severe morbidity, and mortality, CKD prevalence is increasing. The study aimed to look at NLRP3 inflammasome , hsCRP , Urea , Creatinine, Uric acid and GFR levels. Serum NLRP3 inflammasome , hsCRP , Urea , Creatinine, Uric acid and GFR levels were determined in 90 patients with Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD) , and 85 healthy subjects, an age range (30-75). The results  of  current  study  show a significant increase in the concentration of serum NLRP3 inflammasome, hs-CRP, urea , creatinine and uric acid in (CKD) patients group in comparison with controls group (p<0.05). While shows a significant decrease in GRF in (CKD) patients group in comparison with controls group (p<0.05). The aim of this study is estimated the NLRP3 inflammasome ,  Inflammation marker ,  kidney function tests  and Glomerular  filtration rate (GFR)  in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Design Graphical User Interface of Linear Algebra System Package by Using MATLAB

The Linear Algebra package offers routines to construct and manipulate Matrices and Vectors, compute standard operations, query results and solve linear algebra problems. This Linear Algebra package implements a vast array of common linear algebra functions. This library is intended to be completely self-contained and instructive to the interested user. In this paper a developed Software Package based on Graphical User Interface (GUI) using MATLAB is proposed which can be used for students and researchers in Mathematics. This package consists of two main modules; the first one deal with applying main important methods of linear algebra system (Gauss elimination, practical solution, least square solution and a square solution, Invertible).While in the second introduces some important explanation of linear algebra system as well as has created significant examination testing for students that related to linear algebra. In summary, this Software Package is designed and implemented in simple way and user friendly as well as it is very easy to use and apply any methods , so it can be easily used by students/ researchers using only standalone application or executable file (exe file) without installing MATLAB program

Nonlinear Ritz Approximation for the Camassa-Holm Equation by Using the Modify Lyapunov-Schmidt method

            In this work, the modified Lyapunov-Schmidt reduction is used to find a nonlinear Ritz approximation of Fredholm functional defined by the nonhomogeneous Camassa-Holm equation and Benjamin-Bona-Mahony. We introduced the modified Lyapunov-Schmidt reduction for nonhomogeneous problems when the dimension of the null space is equal to two.  The nonlinear Ritz approximation for the nonhomogeneous Camassa-Holm equation has been found as a function of codimension twenty-four

Structure and Reactivity of a Model Oxide Supported Silver Nanocluster Catalyst Studied by Near Ambient Pressure X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

The photocatalytic activity of anatase TiO2 decorated with metal clusters has been widely documented, but the nature of the metal-metal oxide interface and reaction intermediates in catalytic processes are still not well understood. This in part is due to the fact that use of photoelectron spectroscopy to deduce the surface chemistry of catalytic systems has long been hampered by the huge pressure difference between real-world operation and the requirement of high vacuum for electron detection. Here, the in situ growth of silver nanoparticles on a model metal-oxide catalyst support and their reactivity with a CO/H2O gas mixture has been investigated in detail. Using synchrotron X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy, the interaction of Ag with the anatase TiO2 surface leads to metal-surface charge transfer and low mobility of Ag on the surface. Upon exposure to a 1.5 mbar CO/1.5 mbar H2O gas mixture, partial oxidation of the Ag clusters is observed. There is also evidence suggesting that a Ag-carbonyl species is formed during exposure of the Ag/TiO2 surface to a CO/H2O gas mixture

Metastable Precursor Structures in Hydrogen-infused Super Duplex Stainless Steel Microstructure – An Operando Diffraction Experiment

We report the evolution of metastable precursor structures during hydrogen infusion in the near-surface region of a super duplex stainless steel. Grazing-incidence x-ray diffraction was employed to monitor, operando, the lattice degradation of the austenite and ferrite phases. Electrochemical hydrogen charging resulted in the splitting of the diffraction peaks of the austenite phase, suggesting the evolution of a metastable precursor structure. This may be explained by the formation of quasi-hydrides, which convert back into the austenite parent structure during hydrogen effusion. The ferrite showed less lattice deformation than the austenite and no phase transformation

Quantitative structure of an acetate dye molecule analogue at the TiO2- acetic acid interface

The positions of atoms in and around acetate molecules at the rutile TiO2(110) interface with 0.1 M acetic acid have been determined with a precision of ±0.05 Å. Acetate is used as a surrogate for the carboxylate groups typically employed to anchor monocarboxylate dye molecules to TiO2 in dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSC). Structural analysis reveals small domains of ordered (2 x 1) acetate molecules, with substrate atoms closer to their bulk terminated positions compared to the clean UHV surface. Acetate is found in a bidentate bridge position, binding through both oxygen atoms to two five-fold titanium atoms such that the molecular plane is along the [001] azimuth. Density functional theory calculations provide adsorption geometries in excellent agreement with experiment. The availability of these structural data will improve the accuracy of charge transport models for DSSC

Exploring Hydride Formation in Stainless Steel Revisits Theory of Hydrogen Embrittlement

Various mechanisms have been proposed for hydrogen embrittlement, but the causation of hydrogen-induced material degradation has remained unclear. This work shows hydrogen embrittlement due to phase instability (decomposition). In-situ diffraction measurements revealed metastable hydrides formed in stainless steel, typically declared as a non-hydride forming material. Hydride formation is possible by increasing the hydrogen chemical potential during electrochemical charging and low defect formation energy of hydrogen interstitials. Our findings demonstrate that hydrogen-induced material degradation can only be understood if measured in situ and in real-time during the embrittlement process.Comment: 31 Pages, 18 Figures, Preprin

Exploring factors influencing nurses’ attitudes towards their role in dental care

Background The burden of oral disease requires collaboration between health care professionals. Nurses are frequently exposed to patients and can play a vital role in prevention of oral diseases. This study aimed to investigate nurses’ attitudes towards their role in dental care and its associated factors. Methods This cross-sectional, survey-based study recruited a total of 525 nurses in Eastern Saudi Arabia, using a snow-ball sampling technique. Data was collected using an online, pre-validated 40-item questionnaire with four domains (attitudes, knowledge, practices, and demographic data). Results Nurses showed satisfactory attitudes (52.8 ± 8.2) and average knowledge (13.4 ±3.9). More than two thirds (70.3%) reported responding to patients’ questions about oral health conditions, 47.1% and 19.7% conducted oral health screening and education respectively. Referral practices were reported by 266 (50.7%) of the participants with pain being the main reason for referrals. Attending lectures/ trainings on oral health and having a formal education about oral health were significantly associated with nurses’ positive attitudes towards their role in dental care (P<0.001). Conducting oral health screening or education were also significantly associated with positive attitudes (P = 0.001). Conclusion Positive attitudes were observed among those with undergraduate oral health backgrounds, in continuous education, and those who were involved in oral health screenings. There is a need for under and postgraduate inclusion of oral health training in nurses’ education.publishedVersio

Renal Failure Associated with APECED and Terminal 4q Deletion: Evidence of Autoimmune Nephropathy

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator gene (AIRE). Terminal 4q deletion is also a rare cytogenetic abnormality that causes a variable syndrome of dysmorphic features, mental retardation, growth retardation, and heart and limb defects. We report a 12-year-old Saudi boy with mucocutaneous candidiasis, hypoparathyroidism, and adrenocortical failure consistent with APECED. In addition, he has dysmorphic facial features, growth retardation, and severe global developmental delay. Patient had late development of chronic renal failure. The blastogenesis revealed depressed lymphocytes' response to Candida albicans at 38% when compared to control. Chromosome analysis of the patient revealed 46,XY,del(4)(q33). FISH using a 4p/4q subtelomere DNA probe assay confirmed the deletion of qter subtelomere on chromosome 4. Parental chromosomes were normal. The deleted array was further defined using array CGH. AIRE full gene sequencing revealed a homozygous mutation namely 845_846insC. Renal biopsy revealed chronic interstitial nephritis with advanced fibrosis. In addition, there was mesangial deposition of C3, C1q, and IgM. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first paper showing evidence of autoimmune nephropathy by renal immunofluorescence in a patient with APECED and terminal 4q deletion