K−means clustering microaggregation for statistical disclosure control

This paper presents a K-means clustering technique that satisfies the bi-objective function to minimize the information loss and maintain k-anonymity. The proposed technique starts with one cluster and subsequently partitions the dataset into two or more clusters such that the total information loss across all clusters is the least, while satisfying the k-anonymity requirement. The structure of K− means clustering problem is defined and investigated and an algorithm of the proposed problem is developed. The performance of the K− means clustering algorithm is compared against the most recent microaggregation methods. Experimental results show that K− means clustering algorithm incurs less information loss than the latest microaggregation methods for all of the test situations

Histopathological Changes of the Flaxseed Extract on Skin Wound Healing in Diabetic Rabbits

BACKGROUND: Wound healing includes phases such as cell migration, extracellular matrix deposition, remodeling, and angiogenesis. There are growing medicines that accelerate wound healing, significantly herbal medications that mainly safe and reliable. AIM: The aim of the study is to examine the histological changes induced by flaxseed oil during wound healing in diabetic animal model. METHODS: Forty-five male white New Zealand rabbits divided into two main groups diabetic and non-diabetic each group is divided into three groups (n = 9).Diabetic animal group include: (1) Study group (adding Flaxseed), (2) positive control group (adding fucidin 2% cream), and (3) negative control group (no treatment) same distribution of non-diabetic animals groups. Four linearshape,full-thickness wounds were made in both sides of the backbone skin in each animal. Tissue samples were obtained at days 4th, 7th, and 14th post wounding for microscopical analysis, histopathological parameters included inflammation, re-epithelialization, neovascularization, and surface closure rates. RESULTS: The study groups (using flax seed) in both diabetic and non-diabetic groups show significant reduction in inflammatory cells infiltration at day 14 (0.67 ± 0.753) (1.67 ± 0.516), and noticeable increase in wound closure rate (4.00+-0.000). Both diabetic and non-diabetic animal groups show high re-epithelialization potential at day 4 and day 7, respectively (2.00 ± 1.549; 4.00 ± 0.00). Diabetic animal study group using flaxseed shows high neovascularization rate at the day 14 (2.17 ± 0.753) compared with positive control diabetic animal group (2.00 ± 0.000). CONCLUSION: Topical application of flaxseed promoted healing process particularly in diabetic animal model by shortening inflammation phase, elevating surface closure rate, promoting re-epithelialization process, and enhancing neovascularization, flaxseed is suggested as a potential effective herbal base medication for facilitating wound healing

Microaggregation Sorting Framework for K-Anonymity Statistical Disclosure Control in Cloud Computing

In cloud computing, there have led to an increase in the capability to store and record personal data ( microdata ) in the cloud. In most cases, data providers have no/little control that has led to concern that the personal data may be beached. Microaggregation techniques seek to protect microdata in such a way that data can be published and mined without providing any private information that can be linked to specific individuals. An optimal microaggregation method must minimize the information loss resulting from this replacement process. The challenge is how to minimize the information loss during the microaggregation process. This paper presents a sorting framework for Statistical Disclosure Control (SDC) to protect microdata in cloud computing. It consists of two stages. In the first stage, an algorithm sorts all records in a data set in a particular way to ensure that during microaggregation very dissimilar observations are never entered into the same cluster. In the second stage a microaggregation method is used to create k -anonymous clusters while minimizing the information loss. The performance of the proposed techniques is compared against the most recent microaggregation methods. Experimental results using benchmark datasets show that the proposed algorithms perform significantly better than existing associate techniques in the literature

Impact of family structure and sociodemographic characteristics on parents headed families in Ramadi City, Iraq

Background: Several factors in the family profile contribute significantly to determining the effective policy when heading the family. This study aims to evaluate the sociodemographic and economic burdens on parents-headed families in Ramadi City, west of Iraq. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional household-based survey was conducted from 1st to 28th February 2019 among Iraqi people residents in Ramadi city, Anbar province. A multistage sampling technique was recruited to identify the eligible sample. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview (face-to-face) the respondents. Data from 267 households have undergone univariate and bivariate analyses. Multiple logistic regression, odds ratio (OR), and confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated to explore the predicting variables. The statistically significant is considered at less than 0.05. Results: The mean age of respondents was 43.88 (± 12.1) years (range: 25 to 69 years). Out of the total surveyed people, 52.8% were young (less than 44 years), male-headed families (59.6%), low educated level (65.5%), unemployed (52.4%), married (67.4%) and headed big families of seven members and above (43.1%). History of chronic diseases and smoking habits was positive among 46.4% and 45.7% of respondents, respectively. Findings of the binary logistic regressions showed that history of smoking (OR = 7.201, 95% CI: 3.254 to15.936), families of 7 members and above (OR = 6.239, 95% CI: 2.938 to 13.250), unhappy (OR = 5.237, 95% CI: 2.140 to 12.818), aged 44 years and above (OR = 3.518, 95% CI: 1.581 to 7.829), being single (unmarried, divorced, widow) (OR = 2.697, 95% CI: 1.230 to 5.914), and had a monthly income of less than USD400 (OR = 2.333, 95% CI: 1.112 to 4.859) are significantly associated with female-headed family. Conclusion: Priority must be given to some elements such as genetic, physical differences, biopsychosocial factors, and the economic situation when discussing parents' behavior in heading the family

Physicochemical properties of virgin coconut oil extracted from different processing methods

Virgin Coconut Oils (VCO) were prepared from fresh-dry (grated coconut route), chilling and thawing, enzymatic and fermentation method in this study. All of the VCO produced conformed physicochemically to the standards established by the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) and Codex Alimentarius Commission. The highest FA (fatty acid) is lauric acid in all of the VCO and ranged from 46.36-48.42 %, while the principal TAG (triacylglycerol) is LaLaLa (La: Lauric) with 17.94-19.83 % of the total TAG. Tocopherol analysis showed the presence of beta, gamma and delta tocopherols at low levels. In all, the physicochemical, FA and TAG analyses of the VCO extracted from different methods showed some significant differences, while the tocopherol content does not differ significantly among the different types of extraction methods used

Microaggregation sorting framework for k-anonymity statistical disclosure control in cloud computing

In cloud computing, there have led to an increase in the capability to store and record personal data (microdata) in the cloud. In most cases, data providers have no/little control that has led to concern that the personal data may be beached. Microaggregation techniques seek to protect microdata in such a way that data can be published and mined without providing any private information that can be linked to specific individuals. An optimal microaggregation method must minimize the information loss resulting from this replacement process. The challenge is how to minimize the information loss during the microaggregation process. This paper presents a sorting framework for Statistical Disclosure Control (SDC) to protect microdata in cloud computing. It consists of two stages. In the first stage, an algorithm sorts all records in a data set in a particular way to ensure that during microaggregation very dissimilar observations are never entered into the same cluster. In the second stage a microaggregation method is used to create k-anonymous clusters while minimizing the information loss. The performance of the proposed techniques is compared against the most recent microaggregation methods. Experimental results using benchmark datasets show that the proposed algorithms perform significantly better than existing associate techniques in the literature

Synthesis of bulk FeTe1−xSex (x = 0.1−0.5) at ambient pressure

In this study, polycrystalline samples with nominal composition FeTe1−xSe x (x=0.1−0.5) were synthesized by solid-state reaction method at ambient pressure. In order to minimize oxidation, argon gas flow was maintained throughout the heat treatment. The phase formation of FeTe1−xSe x samples was checked by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The polycrystalline FeTe1−xSe x samples were indexed to a tetragonal structure with space group of P4/nmm. The lattice parameters a- and c-axes shrink significantly with the substitution of Se. As shown by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, the samples developed a plate-like grain structure gradually with the increase of Se concentration. Measurements of temperature dependence of magnetic moment showed that the onset of superconducting transition temperature, T c, increased with Se concentration. The T c is about 10.6 and 13.5 K for x= 0.1 and 0.5, respectively. All the samples exhibit ferromagnetic behavior as shown by the field-dependent magnetization measured at room temperature

Electro-plating and characterisation of cadmium sulphide thin films using ammonium thiosulphate as the sulphur source

Cadmium sulphide (CdS) thin films have been successfully prepared from an aqueous electrolyte bath containing CdCl2 and ammonium thiosulphate ((NH4)2S2O3) using electrodeposition technique. The structural, compositional, optical, morphological and electrical properties of these thin films have been characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), photoelectrochemical cell and D.C. current–voltage (I–V) measurements. The optimum deposition cathodic potential has been observed at 1,455 mV, in a 2-electrode system with respect to carbon anode. Structural analysis using XRD shows a mixture of hexagonal and cubic phases in the as-deposited CdS samples and a phase transformation to the hexagonal structure occurred after heat treatment at 400 °C for 20 min. Optical studies demonstrate an improvement in the band edge, producing 2.42 eV for the band gap of the films after heat treatment. The heat treated CdS thin films show better transmission for wavelengths longer than 500 nm. SEM and AFM show that the heat-treated samples are more uniform, smoother and have larger grain size. Electrical studies confirm that the CdS thin films have n-type electrical conductivity and heat treated CdS thin films have resistivities of the order of 105 Ω cm

EIFiso4G augments the synthesis of specific plant proteins involved in normal chloroplast function

Copyright © 2019 American Society of Plant Biologists. All rights reserved. The plant-specific translation initiation complex eIFiso4F is encoded by three genes in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana)-genes encoding the cap binding protein eIFiso4E (eifiso4e) and two isoforms of the large subunit scaffolding protein eIFiso4G (i4g1 and i4g2). To quantitate phenotypic changes, a phenomics platform was used to grow wild-type and mutant plants (i4g1, i4g2, i4e, i4g1 × i4g2, and i4g1 × i4g2 × i4e [i4f]) under various light conditions. Mutants lacking both eIFiso4G isoforms showed the most obvious phenotypic differences from the wild type. Two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry were used to identify changes in protein levels in plants lacking eIFiso4G. Four of the proteins identified as measurably decreased and validated by immunoblot analysis were two light harvesting complex binding proteins 1 and 3, Rubisco activase, and carbonic anhydrase. The observed decreased levels for these proteins were not the direct result of decreased transcription or protein instability. Chlorophyll fluorescence induction experiments indicated altered quinone reduction kinetics for the double and triple mutant plants with significant differences observed for absorbance, trapping, and electron transport. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of the chloroplasts in mutant plants showed impaired grana stacking and increased accumulation of starch granules consistent with some chloroplast proteins being decreased. Rescue of the i4g1 × i4g2 plant growth phenotype and increased expression of the validated proteins to wild-type levels was obtained by overexpression of eIFiso4G1. These data suggest a direct and specialized role for eIFiso4G in the synthesis of a subset of plant proteins

A Comparative Study of the Effect of Non-Antibiotic Feed Additives on Experimental Colonization of Salmonella Enterica Serovar Enteridis and Intestinal Pathomorphology in Broiler Chickens

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of eubiotics on the intestinal morphology of broilers. For this purpose, 125 birds were divided into six groups with two replicates each (10 birds in each replicate). Group A was given a Basal diet. All groups except group A were challenged with Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis. Group B was provided the basal diet, group C was fed a Probiotic-added diet; group D was fed a Prebiotics-based diet; group E was given essential oils plus the basal diet; and group F was provided with organic acids plus the basal diet. Two separate experiments were carried out for Salmonella recovery, checking the cecal tonsils and conducting an intestinal pathomorphic evaluation. Villus length, villus width, villus surface area, and crypt depth were measured by micrometry. There was an overall improvement (p<0.05) in intestinal morphometric parameters for all the treatment groups except for the negative control group, which showed the lowest villus height and villus depth values. Maximum villus height (p<0.05) of the duodenum was achieved by group E, which was fed a diet containing essential oils, whereas a maximum villus surface area index (p<0.05) was recorded for the birds of Group D, which were fed a diet containing prebiotics. Maximum villus height (p<0.05) and surface area index in ileum mucosa was recorded (p<0.05) in the birds of group D (treated with prebiotics). It is concluded that there is an overall increase in the gut histology of broilers fed non-antibiotic based feed