Vulnerability to Reentry in a 3D Regionally Ischemic Ventricular Slab Preparation, a Simulation Study

Ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation are known to be two types of cardiac arrhythmias that usually take place during acute ischemia and frequently lead to sudden death. In this work, we have studied the different patterns of activation displayed in a virtual ventricular slab preparation after premature stimulation during acute ischemia. Furthermore, we also have analyzed the vulnerable window (VW) under such conditions. Influence of the tissue structure and morphology of the ischemic zone have also been considered. For a centered ischemic zone, eight shaped reentry was originated at the mid plane of the slab and the VW was found to be almost the same as for the 2D simulations. Eight shaped reentry were formed in the epicardial surface as the morphology of the ischemic zone changed (the centre of the ischemic zone was moved toward the epicardial surface). These changes also caused a reduction in the VW of a 24% as compared with the centered ischemic zone

Testing CAB-IDS Through Mutations: On the Identification of Network Scans

This study demonstrates the ability of powerful visualization tools (based on the use of connectionist models) to identify network intrusion attempts in an effective and reliable manner. It presents a novel technique to test and evaluate a previously developed network-based intrusion detection system (IDS). This technique applies mutant operators and is intended to test IDSs using numerical data sets. It should be made clear that some mutations were discarded as they did not all provide real life situations. As an application example of the proposed testing model, it has been specially applied to the identification of network scans and mutations of these. The tested Connectionist Agent-Based IDS (CAB-IDS) is used as a method to investigate the traffic which travels along the analysed network, detecting anomalous traffic patterns. The specific tests performed in this study were based on the mutation of one or several variables analysed by CAB-IDS

Constructing a Global and Integral Model of Business Management Using a CBR System

Knowledge has become the most strategic resource in the new business environment. A case-based reasoning system, which incorporates a novel clustering and retrieval method, has been developed for identifying critical situations in business processes. The proposed method is based on a Cooperative Maximum Likelihood Hebbian Learning model, which can be used to categorize the necessities for the Acquisition, Transfer and Updating of Knowledge of the different departments of a firm. This technique is used as a tool to develop a part of a Global and Integral Model of business Management, which brings about a global improvement in the firm, adding value, flexibility and competitiveness. From this perspective, the model tries to generalise the hypothesis of organizational survival and competitiveness, so that the organisation that is able to identify, strengthen, and use key knowledge will reach a pole position

Carcass bone content in wild rabbits hunted in Andalusia (Spain)

Para caracterizar el contenido de hueso de la canal del conejo de monte ( Oryctolagus cuniculus algirus ) procedente de la ca- za, se analizaron 53 canales encorambradas adquiridas en mercados de abastos de Sevilla (España) con un peso medio de 767,8 g. Las canales encorambradas se desollaron y prepararon para obtener las canales de referencia, que tuvieron un peso medio de 551,2 g, Se realizó el despiece tecnológico propuesto por la World Rabbit Science Association, que rindió un 14,3% de patas delanteras, un 38,0% de patas traseras, un 32,1% de pieza lomo y un 11,4% de caja torácica. El contenido de hueso fue del 16,3% en las patas delanteras, 13,4% en las patas traseras, 9,4% en la pieza lomo, 22,5% en la caja torácica y 13,0% en el conjunto de la canal de referencia. El contenido de hueso de la pata trasera fue un predictor fiable del contenido de hueso de la canal de referencia, pues se obtuvo una R 2 =0,737 (p<0,001). No se encontró dimorfismo sexual en el contenido de hue- so ni correlación entre el peso de la canal y el contenido de hueso de la canal del conejo de monte. En comparación con los valores publicados para razas y líneas de aptitud cárnica a la edad de sacrificio habitual en España, el contenido de hueso de la canal del conejo de monte es moderado.With the aim to characterise the carcass bone content of the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus algirus) obtained from hunting, 53 specimens (unskinned, eviscerated rabbits) bought in markets of Seville (Spain) were analysed. The specimens weighed 767.8 g. T he reference carcass, obtained by flaying the specimens, weighed 551.2 g, and after carrying out the technological division accord ing the method proposed by the World Rabbit Science Association, 14.3% of fore leg, 38.0% of hind part, 32.1% of loin, and 11.4% of tho ra- cic cage were obtained. Bone percentage was 16.3% in the fore leg, 13.4% in the hind part, 9.4% in the loin, 22.5% in the thora cic ca- ge, and 13.0 in the reference carcass. Bone percentage of the hind leg gave a reliable prediction of the bone percentage of the carcass, because R 2 =0,737 (p<0,001) was achieved. No sexual dimorphism was found for the bone content, nor correlation between carcass weight and bone content of the carcass of the wild rabbit. When compared to figures published for meat breeds and lines at the usual age of slaughtering in Spain, the bone content of the wild rabbit carcass is moderat

IDS Based on Bio-inspired Models

Unsupervised projection approaches can support Intrusion Detection Systems for computer network security. The involved technologies assist a network manager in detecting anomalies and potential threats by an intuitive display of the progression of network traffic. Projection methods operate as smart compression tools and map raw, high-dimensional traffic data into 2-D or 3-D spaces for subsequent graphical display. The paper compares three projection methods, namely, Cooperative Maximum Likelihood Hebbian Learning, Auto-Associative Back-Propagation networks and Principal Component Analysis. Empirical tests on anomalous situations related to the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) confirm the validity of the projection-based approach. One of these anomalous situations (the SNMP community search) is faced by these projection models for the first time. This work also highlights the importance of the time-information dependence in the identification of anomalous situations in the case of the applied methods

Zein-based nanospheres and nanocapsules for the encapsulation and oral delivery of quercetin

In this study, the ability of zein nanospheres (NS) and zein nanocapsules containing wheat germ oil (NC) to enhance the bioavailability and efficacy of quercetin was evaluated. Both types of nanocarriers had similar physico-chemical properties, including size (between 230 and 250 nm), spherical shape, negative zeta potential, and surface hydrophobicity. However, NS displayed a higher ability than NC to interact with the intestinal epithelium, as evidenced by an oral biodistribution study in rats. Moreover, both types of nanocarriers offered similar loading efficiencies and release profiles in simulated fluids. In C. elegans, the encapsulation of quercetin in nanospheres (Q-NS) was found to be two twice more effective than the free form of quercetin in reducing lipid accumulation. For nanocapsules, the presence of wheat germ oil significantly increased the storage of lipids in C. elegans; although the incorporation of quercetin (Q-NC) significantly counteracted the presence of the oil. Finally, nanoparticles improved the oral absorption of quercetin in Wistar rats, offering a relative oral bioavailability of 26% and 57% for Q-NS and Q-NC, respectively, compared to a 5% for the control formulation. Overall, the study suggests that zein nanocarriers, particularly nanospheres, could be useful in improving the bioavailability and efficacy of quercetin

A longitudinal study of gene expression in first-episode schizophrenia; exploring relapse mechanisms by co-expression analysis in peripheral blood

Little is known about the pathophysiological mechanisms of relapse in first-episode schizophrenia, which limits the study of potential biomarkers. To explore relapse mechanisms and identify potential biomarkers for relapse prediction, we analyzed gene expression in peripheral blood in a cohort of first-episode schizophrenia patients with less than 5 years of evolution who had been evaluated over a 3-year follow-up period. A total of 91 participants of the 2EPs project formed the sample for baseline gene expression analysis. Of these, 67 provided biological samples at follow-up (36 after 3 years and 31 at relapse). Gene expression was assessed using the Clariom S Human Array. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was applied to identify modules of co-expressed genes and to analyze their preservation after 3 years of follow-up or at relapse. Among the 25 modules identified, one module was semi-conserved at relapse (DarkTurquoise) and was enriched with risk genes for schizophrenia, showing a dysregulation of the TCF4 gene network in the module. Two modules were semi-conserved both at relapse and after 3 years of follow-up (DarkRed and DarkGrey) and were found to be biologically associated with protein modification and protein location processes. Higher expression of DarkRed genes was associated with higher risk of suffering a relapse and early appearance of relapse (p = 0.045). Our findings suggest that a dysregulation of the TCF4 network could be an important step in the biological process that leads to relapse and suggest that genes related to the ubiquitin proteosome system could be potential biomarkers of relapse. © 2021, The Author(s)

The polygenic basis of relapse after a first episode of schizophrenia

Little is known about genetic predisposition to relapse. Previous studies have linked cognitive and psychopathological (mainly schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) polygenic risk scores (PRS) with clinical manifestations of the disease. This study aims to explore the potential role of PRS from major mental disorders and cognition on schizophrenia relapse. 114 patients recruited in the 2EPs Project were included (56 patients who had not experienced relapse after 3 years of enrollment and 58 patients who relapsed during the 3-year follow-up). PRS for schizophrenia (PRS-SZ), bipolar disorder (PRS-BD), education attainment (PRS-EA) and cognitive performance (PRS-CP) were used to assess the genetic risk of schizophrenia relapse.Patients with higher PRS-EA, showed both a lower risk (OR=0.29, 95% CI [0.11–0.73]) and a later onset of relapse (30.96± 1.74 vs. 23.12± 1.14 months, p=0.007. Our study provides evidence that the genetic burden of neurocognitive function is a potentially predictors of relapse that could be incorporated into future risk prediction models. Moreover, appropriate treatments for cognitive symptoms appear to be important for improving the long-term clinical outcome of relapse

The relationship between genetic liability, childhood maltreatment, and IQ: findings from the EU-GEI multicentric case–control study

This study investigated if the association between childhood maltreatment and cognition among psychosis patients and community controls was partially accounted for by genetic liability for psychosis. Patients with first-episode psychosis (N = 755) and unaffected controls (N = 1219) from the EU-GEI study were assessed for childhood maltreatment, intelligence quotient (IQ), family history of psychosis (FH), and polygenic risk score for schizophrenia (SZ-PRS). Controlling for FH and SZ-PRS did not attenuate the association between childhood maltreatment and IQ in cases or controls. Findings suggest that these expressions of genetic liability cannot account for the lower levels of cognition found among adults maltreated in childhood