Bisociative knowledge discovery for microarray data analysis

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Interactive exploration of heterogeneous biological networks with Biomine Explorer

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Tresholds of blood variables obtained by receiver operating characteristic analysis for indication of fat and glycogen content in the liver of postpartum dairy cows

The objective was to determine optimal thresholds of blood variables that are associated with liver lipid and glycogen content in dairy cows. Liver specimens of 15 Holstein dairy cows were taken 2 weeks postpartum (PP) and used for determination of lipid and glycogen content, respectively. Blood samples were collected weekly, starting from week 2 antepartum (AP) up to week 2 PP. Selected blood parameters and body condition scoring (BCS) were evaluated through receiver operating characteristic curve analysis as indication of fat and glycogen content in the liver. Postpartal low liver glycogen content (mode 20%, stereological quantification of fat content in the liver tissue samples) can be indicated if values are higher than 3.5 for BCS at week 2 AP. Optimal time for indicating both low liver glycogen/high fat content is 1 week PP, with LDL cut off point set at 0.88 mmol/L. Established cut off values in this study can be used for indication of fat and glycogen content in the liver of dairy cows

SegMine workflows for semantic microarray data analysis in Orange4WS

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Conceptual Representations for Computational Concept Creation

Computational creativity seeks to understand computational mechanisms that can be characterized as creative. The creation of new concepts is a central challenge for any creative system. In this article, we outline different approaches to computational concept creation and then review conceptual representations relevant to concept creation, and therefore to computational creativity. The conceptual representations are organized in accordance with two important perspectives on the distinctions between them. One distinction is between symbolic, spatial and connectionist representations. The other is between descriptive and procedural representations. Additionally, conceptual representations used in particular creative domains, such as language, music, image and emotion, are reviewed separately. For every representation reviewed, we cover the inference it affords, the computational means of building it, and its application in concept creation.Peer reviewe

Acceptability to patients, carers and clinicians of an mHealth platform for the management of Parkinson's disease (PD_Manager): study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease is a degenerative neurological condition causing multiple motor and non-motor symptoms that have a serious adverse effect on quality of life. Management is problematic due to the variable and fluctuating nature of symptoms, often hourly and daily. The PD_Manager mHealth platform aims to provide a continuous feed of data on symptoms to improve clinical understanding of the status of any individual patient and inform care planning. The objectives of this trial are to (1) assess patient (and family carer) perspectives of PD_Manager regarding comfort, acceptability and ease of use; (2) assess clinician views about the utility of the data generated by PD_Manager for clinical decision making and the acceptability of the system in clinical practice. METHODS/DESIGN: This trial is an unblinded, parallel, two-group, randomised controlled pilot study. A total of 200 persons with Parkinson's disease (Hoehn and Yahr stage 3, experiencing motor fluctuations at least 2 h per day), with primary family carers, in three countries (110 Rome, 50 Venice, Italy; 20 each in Ioannina, Greece and Surrey, England) will be recruited. Following informed consent, baseline information will be gathered, including the following: age, gender, education, attitudes to technology (patient and carer); time since Parkinson's diagnosis, symptom status and comorbidities (patient only). Randomisation will assign participants (1:1 in each country), to PD_Manager vs control, stratifying by age (1 ≤ 70 : 1 > 70) and gender (60% M: 40% F). The PD_Manager system captures continuous data on motor symptoms, sleep, activity, speech quality and emotional state using wearable devices (wristband, insoles) and a smartphone (with apps) for storing and transmitting the information. Control group participants will be asked to keep a symptom diary covering the same elements as PD_Manager records. After a minimum of two weeks, each participant will attend a consultation with a specialist doctor for review of the data gathered (by either means), and changes to management will be initiated as indicated. Patients, carers and clinicians will be asked for feedback on the acceptability and utility of the data collection methods. The PD_Manager intervention, compared to a symptom diary, will be evaluated in a cost-consequences framework. DISCUSSION: Information gathered will inform further development of the PD_Manager system and a larger effectiveness trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN17396879 . Registered on 15 March 2017

Achieving an effective FMEA : lessons learned from a case study of the construction project

Purpose: The aim of the study is to investigate and to understand the practice of implementing the failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) in an organisational context. Hence, the paper explores the applicability of FMEA to the complex construction project, with an emphasis on the construction process stage of the waste water collection tank. According to the complexity of the construction of the waste water collection tank, it is particularly necessary to adopt a proactive approach to prevent failures. Methodology/approach: The paper uses a case study approach focusing on the Slovenian construction company. FMEA was applied by a team of three experts covering different perspective of the construction process. Additional data collection methods included interviews and document studies. Findings: This paper evidenced that FMEA can bring several advantages to the construction industry. It was found that a proactive approach has a potential to contribute to the construction project performance in terms of quality improvement, cost reduction as well as improving the environmental performance. In particular, this paper revealed that FMEA team, especially team leader, plays an important role in achieving an effective FMEA. Alongside the team leader, interviewees outlined the following critical success factors: education and training, selecting an appropriate team, top management support as well as integrating the FMEA in early stages of the project life cycle. Originality/value - The article presents the results of the case study conducted in an industrial context. The paper provides possible explanations and recommendations for implementing an effective FMEA in the construction industry

Fatigue after short (100-m), medium (200-m) and long (400-m) treadmill sprints

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