Cpo's of measures for nondeterminism

AbstractIn this approach to the semantics of nondeterminism, we introduce and study the complete partial order (cpo) of probability distributions on a domain. The approach avoids considering equivalent subsets, used in theory of powerdomains, which may lead to some unwelcome identifications. These results show that the class of probability distributions on a cpo is itself a cpo and that every probability distribution is the lub of an increasing sequence of ‘finite’ probability distributions. We introduce the probabilistic extensions of continuous functions in order to extend the ‘usual’ continuous functions on this new domain. On the other hand the structure of this cpo suggests introducing an operation called ‘random selection’, which is the counterpart of the ‘OR’ (or union) operation, commonly used in nondeterministic programs. The paper then studies the ‘naturalness’ of these extended notions and treats the question of continuity, which is of prime importance in the Scott theory of fixed point semantics

Osteometric study of human femur

Skeleton is playing important role in various like Medicine, Forensic sciences, Anthropology etc. Estimation of sex, age, race, stature by skeleton and the presence of disease is discovered by Krogman and Iscan (1986). Sex is determined after death by skeletal remains of that individual by some forensic anthropologists with the help of pelvis, skull and long bones. The study was undertaken in 50 femurs for measuring epicondylar breadth, Neck shaft angle, transverse and vertical diameter of head. The results were the average meanepicondylar breadth was 75.6 ± 6.06mm, mean right epicondylar breadth was 73.96 ± 4.99mm and left it was 76.35 ± 7.0mm. The average mean neck shaft angle was 125.3 ± 6.50mm, mean right neck shaft angle was 124.44 ± 5.7mm and left it was 126.3 ± 7.33mm. The average mean transverse diameter of head was 37.86 ± 3.06mm, mean right transverse diameter of head was 37.74 ± 3.05mm and left it was 38.00 ± 3.13mm. The average mean vertical diameter of head was 42.24 ± 3.53mm, mean right vertical diameter of head was 41.63 ± 3.09mm and left it was 42.96 ± 3.92mm, Neck shaft angle ranges from a minimum of 106° to maximum 135° with a mean value of 125.3°. The knowledge of osteometric values is helpful to anthropological and forensic practice

Modelling the asymmetrical relationships between digitalisation and sustainable competitiveness : a cross-country configurational analysis

Sustainable competitiveness (SC) encourages nations not only to meet the needs of the current generation but also to sustain or even expand national wealth in the future without depleting natural and social capital. Drawing on complexity theory, we used a configurational approach to identify under what necessary and sufficient conditions, digitalisation contributes to achieve higher SC. Shifting attention from net effects to configuration analysis improves our understanding of cross-national differences in sustainability by exploring how the digitalisation factors combine to strengthen SC power across countries. To address the complexity of this configuration, we have incorporated fsQCA and NCA techniques in the modelling of high and low levels of sustainable competitiveness recipes. Analysis of data from 127 countries advanced our perception of how access to ICT infrastructures and capabilities, combined with the adoption and usage of ICT could result in different degrees of sustainable competitiveness. Theoretically, this study contributes to the literature on digitalisation and national sustainability; and it can practically act as a guideline for policymakers to understand the complex interactions and causal configurations of digitalisation factors on sustainability

Integrative systematic review meta-analysis and bioinformatics identifies MicroRNA-21 and its target genes as biomarkers for colorectal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Advanced colorectal has poor survival and are difficult to treat. Therefore, there is an urgent need for biomarkers to diagnose this cancer at earlier manageable stages. Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are amongst the most significant biomarkers that have shown promise in improving management and early detection of different types of cancers. However, since MiRNAs are non-coding, the main limitation of using them as biomarkers is that they do not have associated phenotype and therefore difficult to validate using other techniques. This makes it difficult to understand the mechanism of miRNA is disease initiation and progression, therefore any methodology that can provide semantics to miRNA expression would enhance the understanding of the role of miRNA in disease. METHODS: Here we report an integrative meta-analysis and bioinformatics methodology that showed microRNA21 and its associated target mRNA to be the most significant predictive biomarkers for colorectal adenoma and adenocarcinoma. After drawing key inferences by meta-analysis, the authors then developed a bioinformatics method to identify mir-21 gene targeting in a specific tissue using two different bioinformatics approaches; absolute GSEA (Gene Set Enrichment Analysis) and LIMMA (Linear Models for MicroArray data) to identify differentially expressed genes of miRNA-21. RESULTS: Results from GSEA intersection with mir-21 gene targets was a subset of longer gene list that was obtained from the GEO2R intersect. In our study, both of longer GEO2R gene target list and the more focused GSEA list established the fact that mir-21 target numerous functional pathways that are mostly interconnected. Our three steps bioinformatics approach identified ABCB1, HPGD, BCL2, TIAM1, TLR3, and PDCD4 as common targets for mir-21 in both of adenoma as well as adenocarcinoma suggesting they are biomarkers for early CRC. CONCLUSIONS: The approach in this study proposed combining the big data from the scientific literature together with novel bioinformatics to bring about a methodology that can be used to first identify which microRNAs are involved in a specific disease, and then to identify a panel of biomarkers derived from the microRNAs target genes, and from these target genes the functional significance of these microRNAs can be inferred providing better clinical value for the surgeon

Prediabetes and diabetes prevalence and risk factors comparison between ethnic groups in the United Arab Emirates

The economic growth has paralleled the rise of diabetes and its complications in multiethnic population of United Arab Emirates (UAE). Previous studies have shown that characteristics of diabetes is variable across different ethnicities. The objective of this study was to compare diabetes prevalence and risk factors between UAE nationals and different expatriate's ethnic groups in UAE using data from UAE National Diabetes and Lifestyle Study (UAEDIAB). The UAE nationals made one-fourth (n = 797, 25%) of total cohort and the remaining 75% belonged to immigrants. Across different ethnicities, adjusted prevalence of prediabetes ranged from 8% to 17%, while adjusted prevalence of newly diagnosed diabetes ranged from 3% to 13%. UAE nationals, Arabs non-nationals and Asians had the highest number of pre-diabetic as well as newly diagnosed diabetic patients. Adjusted prevalence of diabetes was highest in UAE nationals (male 21% and female 23%) as well as Asian non-Arabs (male 23% and female 20%), where 40% of both groups fell under the range of either prediabetes or diabetes conditions. Multivariate factors of diabetes versus non-diabetes included older age, ethnicities of Asian non-Arabs and local UAE nationals, family history of diabetes, obesity, snoring, decreased level of high density lipoprotein, elevated levels of triglycerides and blood pressure. In conclusion, diabetes prevalence and risk factors vary across the different ethnic groups in UAE, and hence interventions towards identification and prevention of diabetes should not treat all patients alike

A study on fracture of femur shaft treatment with intramedullary interlocking nailing

Background: Rigid interlocking nailing for femoral shaft fracture is ideal for use in adolescents in terms of stability of the fracture and convenience for the patient. Closed reduction and intramedullary interlocking nailing is the surgical treatment of choice for the closed shaft fractures of femur. Present study conducted to study the principles of intramedullary interlocking nailing and to assess the outcome of the patient.Methods: The present study comprises of 28 cases of fracture shaft of the femur admitted in orthopaedics wards of JJM Medical College, Davangere. Total 28 cases considered for closed intramedullary nailing.Results: In 55% cases closed intramedullary nailing given excellent healing of fracture, in 25% cases healing was good, in 10% cases it was average and 5% cases poor healing was observed.Conclusions: It is concluded that closed intramedullary interlocking nailing method given good result in treatment of shaft fractures of femur

Enhanced Expression of Autoantigens During SARS-CoV-2 Viral Infection

Immune homeostasis is disturbed during severe viral infections, which can lead to loss of tolerance to self-peptides and result in short- or long-term autoimmunity. Using publicly available transcriptomic datasets, we conducted an in-silico analyses to evaluate the expression levels of 52 autoantigens, known to be associated with 24 autoimmune diseases, during SAR-CoV-2 infection. Seven autoantigens (MPO, PRTN3, PADI4, IFIH1, TRIM21, PTPRN2, and TSHR) were upregulated in whole blood samples. MPO and TSHR were overexpressed in both lung autopsies and whole blood tissue and were associated with more severe COVID-19. Neutrophil activation derived autoantigens (MPO, PRTN3, and PADI4) were prominently increased in blood of both SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 viral infections, while TSHR and PTPRN2 autoantigens were specifically increased in SARS-CoV-2. Using single-cell dataset from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), we observed an upregulation of MPO, PRTN3, and PADI4 autoantigens within the low-density neutrophil subset. To validate our in-silico analysis, we measured plasma protein levels of two autoantigens, MPO and PRTN3, in severe and asymptomatic COVID-19. The protein levels of these two autoantigens were significantly upregulated in more severe COVID-19 infections. In conclusion, the immunopathology and severity of COVID-19 could result in transient autoimmune activation. Longitudinal follow-up studies of confirmed cases of COVID-19 could determine the enduring effects of viral infection including development of autoimmune disease

Astrophysical and electromagnetic emissivity properties of black holes surrounded by a quintessence type exotic fluid in the Scalar-Vector-Tensor Modified Gravity

The astrophysical consequences of the presence of a quintessence scalar field on the evolution of the horizon and on the accretion disk surrounding a static black hole, in the Scalar-Vector-Tensor version of Modified Gravity (MOG), are investigated. The positions of the stable circular orbits of the massive test particles, moving around the central object, are obtained from the extremum of the effective potential. Detailed calculations are also presented to investigate the light deflection, shadow and Shapiro effect for such a black hole. The electromagnetic properties of the accretion disks that form around such black holes are considered in detail. The energy flux and efficiency parameter are estimated analytically and numerically. A comparison with the disk properties in Schwarzschild geometry is also performed. The quantum properties of the black hole are also considered, and the Hawking temperature and the mass loss rate due to the Hawking radiation are considered. The obtained results may lead to the possibility of direct astrophysical tests of black hole type objects in modified gravity theories.Comment: 30 pages, including diagrams and table

Cardiovascular medications and regulation of COVID-19 receptors expression

INTRODUCTION: Emerging epidemiological studies suggested that Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors may increase infectivity and severity of COVID-19 by modulating the expression of ACE2. METHODS: In silico analysis was conducted to compare the blood expression levels of SARS-CoV-2 entry genes between age and gender matched cohort of hypertensive patients versus control, and to determine the effect of common cardiovascular medications on the expression of COVID-19 receptors in vitro using primary human hepatocytes. RESULTS: The transcriptomic analysis revealed a significant increase of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the blood of patients with hypertension. Treatment of primary human hepatocytes with captopril, but not enalapril, significantly increased ACE2 expression. A similar pattern of ACE2 expression was found following the in vitro treatments of rat primary cells with captopril and enalapril. Telmisartan, a second class RAAS inhibitors, did not affect ACE2 levels. We have also tested other cardiovascular medications that may be used alone, or in combination with RAAS inhibitors. Some of these medications increased TMPRSS2, while others, like furosemide, significantly reduced COVID-19 receptors. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in ACE2 expression levels could be due to chronic use of RAAS inhibitors or alternatively caused by other hypertension-related factors or presence of other comorbidities. Treatment of common co-morbidities often require chronic use of multiple medications, which may result in an additive increase in the expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Our data suggest that more research is needed to determine the effect of different medications, as well as medication combinations, on COVID-19 receptors

Enhanced expression of immune checkpoint receptors during SARS-CoV-2 viral infection

The immune system is tightly regulated by the activity of stimulatory and inhibitory immune receptors. This immune homeostasis is usually disturbed during chronic viral infection. Using publicly available transcriptomic datasets, we conducted in silico analyses to evaluate the expression pattern of 38 selected immune inhibitory receptors (IRs) associated with different myeloid and lymphoid immune cells during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Our analyses revealed a pattern of overall upregulation of IR mRNA during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. A large number of IRs expressed on both lymphoid and myeloid cells were upregulated in nasopharyngeal swabs (NPSs), while lymphoid-associated IRs were specifically upregulated in autopsies, reflecting severe, terminal stage COVID-19 disease. Eight genes (BTLA, LAG3, FCGR2B, PDCD1, CEACAM1, CTLA4, CD72, and SIGLEC7), shared by NPSs and autopsies, were more expressed in autopsies and were directly correlated with viral levels. Single-cell data from blood and bronchoalveolar samples also reflected the observed association between IR upregulation and disease severity. Moreover, compared to SARS-CoV-1, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus infections, the number and intensities of upregulated IRs were higher in SARS-CoV-2 infections. In conclusion, the immunopathology and severity of COVID-19 could be attributed to dysregulation of different immune inhibitors. Targeting one or more of these immune inhibitors could represent an effective therapeutic approach for the treatment of COVID-19 early and late immune dysregulations