Rules and Apriori Algorithm in Non-deterministic Information Systems

This paper presents a framework of rule generation in Non-deterministic Information Systems (NISs), which follows rough sets based rule generation in Deterministic Information Systems (DISs). Our previous work about NISs coped with certain rules, minimal certain rules and possible rules. These rules are characterized by the concept of consistency. This paper relates possible rules to rules by the criteria support and accuracy in NISs. On the basis of the information incompleteness in NISs, it is possible to define new criteria, i.e., minimum support, maximum support, minimum accuracy and maximum accuracy. Then, two strategies of rule generation are proposed based on these criteria. The first strategy is Lower Approximation strategy, which defines rule generation under the worst condition. The second strategy is Upper Approximation strategy, which defines rule generation under the best condition. To implement these strategies, we extend Apriori algorithm in DISs to Apriori algorithm in NISs. A prototype system is implemented, and this system is applied to some data sets with incomplete information

Development of a loop-mediated Isothermal amplification assay for sensitive and rapid detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Vibrio parahaemolyticus </it>is a marine seafood-borne pathogen causing gastrointestinal disorders in humans. Thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH) and TDH-related hemolysin (TRH) are known as major virulence determinants of <it>V. parahaemolyticus</it>. Most <it>V. parahaemolyticus </it>isolates from the environment do not produce TDH or TRH. Total <it>V. parahaemolyticus </it>has been used as an indicator for control of seafood contamination toward prevention of infection. Detection of total <it>V. parahaemolyticus </it>using conventional culture- and biochemical-based assays is time-consuming and laborious, requiring more than three days. Thus, we developed a novel and highly specific loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the sensitive and rapid detection of <it>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The assay provided markedly more sensitive and rapid detection of <it>V. parahaemolyticus </it>strains than conventional biochemical and PCR assays. The assay correctly identified 143 <it>V. parahaemolyticus </it>strains, but did not detect 33 non-<it>parahaemolyticus Vibrio </it>and 56 non-<it>Vibrio </it>strains. Sensitivity of the LAMP assay for direct detection of <it>V. parahaemolyticus </it>in pure cultures and in spiked shrimp samples was 5.3 × 10²CFU per ml/g (2.0 CFU per reaction). The sensitivity of the LAMP assay was 10-fold more sensitive than that of the conventional PCR assay. The LAMP assay was markedly faster, requiring for amplification 13–22 min in a single colony on TCBS agar from each of 143 <it>V. parahaemolyticus </it>strains and less than 35 min in spiked shrimp samples. The LAMP assay for detection of <it>V. parahaemolyticus </it>required less than 40 min in a single colony on thiosulfate citrate bile salt sucrose (TCBS) agar and 60 min in spiked shrimp samples from the beginning of DNA extraction to final determination.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The LAMP assay is a sensitive, rapid and simple tool for the detection of <it>V. parahaemolyticus </it>and will facilitate the surveillance for control of contamination of <it>V. parahaemolyticus </it>in seafood.</p

Gross E esophageal atresia with unique course

The patient was a 15 months-old boy who had been diagnosed CHARGE syndrome, which is a multiple congenital anomaly syndrome caused by mutations in the CHD7 gene. Mechanical ventilation management was initiated 2 hours after birth for dysphagia and respiratory failure, and tracheotomy was performed 3 months after birth for dysphagia and failed extubation. He was repeatedly hospitalized due to pneuomoniae. Approximately 1 year after birth, the boy had two consecutive episodes of sudden ventilatory insufficiency while replacing the tracheotomy cannula. A bronchoscopic examination under general anesthesia revealed a tracheoesophageal fistula directly below the tracheostomy. The patient was diagnosed with Gross E esophageal atresia, and we speculated that the cannula migrated to the esophagus via the fistula during tracheostomy cannula replacement. Gross E esophageal atresia is a rare disease. Its diagnosis is often delayed, and it is discovered by recurrent pneumonia in many cases. A tracheoesophageal fistula may also be found in children with deformities of the respiratory system. Furthermore, tracheoesophageal fistulae are often found in the neck. Therefore, when sudden ventilatory insufficiency occurs in a child with a tracheostomy after replacing the tracheostomy cannula, caution must be exercised since the cannula may have migrated to the esophagus via a fistula

The Shock State of Itokawa Sample

One of the fundamental aspects of any astromaterial is its shock history, since this factor elucidates critical historical events, and also because shock metamorphism can alter primary mineralogical and petrographic features, and reset chronologies [1]. Failure to take shock history into proper account during characterization can result in seriously incorrect conclusions being drawn. Thus the Hayabusa Preliminary Examination Team (HASPET) made shock stage determination of the Itokawa samples a primary goal [2]. However, we faced several difficulties in this particular research. The shock state of ordinary chondrite materials is generally determined by simple optical petrographic observation of standard thin sections. The Itokawa samples available to the analysis team were mounted into plastic blocks, were polished on only one side, and were of non-standard and greatly varying thickness, all of which significantly complicated petrographic analysis but did not prevent it. We made an additional estimation of the sample shock state by a new technique for this analysis - electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) in addition to standard petrographic techniques. We are also investigating the crystallinity of Itokawa olivine by Synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD)

Selective depletion of mouse kidney proximal straight tubule cells causes acute kidney injury

The proximal straight tubule (S3 segment) of the kidney is highly susceptible to ischemia and toxic insults but has a remarkable capacity to repair its structure and function. In response to such injuries, complex processes take place to regenerate the epithelial cells of the S3 segment; however, the precise molecular mechanisms of this regeneration are still being investigated. By applying the “toxin receptor mediated cell knockout” method under the control of the S3 segment-specific promoter/enhancer, Gsl5, which drives core 2 β-1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase gene expression, we established a transgenic mouse line expressing the human diphtheria toxin (DT) receptor only in the S3 segment. The administration of DT to these transgenic mice caused the selective ablation of S3 segment cells in a dose-dependent manner, and transgenic mice exhibited polyuria containing serum albumin and subsequently developed oliguria. An increase in the concentration of blood urea nitrogen was also observed, and the peak BUN levels occurred 3–7 days after DT administration. Histological analysis revealed that the most severe injury occurred in the S3 segments of the proximal tubule, in which tubular cells were exfoliated into the tubular lumen. In addition, aquaporin 7, which is localized exclusively to the S3 segment, was diminished. These results indicate that this transgenic mouse can suffer acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by S3 segment-specific damage after DT administration. This transgenic line offers an excellent model to uncover the mechanisms of AKI and its rapid recovery

OBSERVATION OF DRESSED MOLECULES IN NEAR INFRARED-RF DOUBLE RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY OF CH3ICH_{3}I

$^{a}$M. de Labachelerie, K. Nakagawa, and M. Ohtsu, Opt. Lett. 19, 840 (1994) $^{b}$J. Ye, L. S. Ma, and J. L. Hall, Opt. Lett. 21, 1000 (1996) $^{c}$C. Cohen-Tannoudji, J. Dupont-Roc, and G. Grynberg. ``Atom-Photon Interactions'', Wiley Interscience, New York (1992).Author Institution: Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio UniversityNear infrared-radio frequency (rf) double-resonance spectroscopy of the vibrational overtone band of $CH_{3} I$ molecules has been carried out. To record saturated absorption lines of the near-infrared transitions, we employed and optical Fabry-Perot cavity absorption $cell^{a}$ and a frequency modulation $technique^{b}$. The rf field tuned with the hyperfine transition was applied through a pair of copper plates inserted in the Fabry-Perot cavity cell. Then the saturated absorption lines were split into two components separated by 1 MHz due to the ac-Stark effect. Two types of crossover reosnances were also observed; one appears at the center frequency of the two near-infrared transitions that share either upper or lower level of the rf transition, and the others lie at the middle of the two components split by the ac-Stark effect. Quantum interference phenomena were also observed. All the spectral features have been well expressed in terms of the dressed-molecule picture of a four-level $system^{c}$