A Framework for Mining and Querying Summarized XML Data through Tree-Based Association Rules

In this work we describe the TreeRuler tool, which makes it possible for inexperienced users to access huge XML (or relational) datasets. TreeRuler encompasses two main features: (1) it mines all the frequent association rules from input documents without any a-priori specification of the desired results, and (2) it provides quick, summarized, thus often approximate answers to user’s queries, by using the previously mined knowledge. TreeRuler has been developed in the scenario of the Odyssey EU project dealing with information about crimes, both for the relational and XML data model. In this chapter we mainly focus on the objectives, strategies, and difficulties encountered in the XML context

Context through Answer Set Programming ∗

In a world of global networking, the variety and abundance of information generates the need for effectively and efficiently gathering, synthesizing, and querying the available data while removing information noise. The concept of context has been developed and refined since the first approaches to ubiquitous computing [3], the research area of everywhere computing systems, which has the objective to provide help and information to users in an almost imperceptible way. At first, the idea of context was limited to time and location; later it was extended also to the other external environmental factors, current trends and phenomena that may change or influence the information and services available to a user. In this work, we refer to context primarily in relation with the effects that this notion has over data

Microcosm Experiment to Assess the Capacity of a Poplar Clone to Grow in a PCB-Contaminated Soil

Polychlorinated byphenyls (PCBs) are a class of Persistent Organic Pollutants extremely hard to remove from soil. The use of plants to promote the degradation of PCBs, thanks to synergic interactions between roots and the natural soil microorganisms in the rhizosphere, has been proved to constitute an effective and environmentally friendly remediation technique. Preliminary microcosm experiments were conducted in a greenhouse for 12 months to evaluate the capacity of the Monviso hybrid poplar clone, a model plant for phytoremediation, to grow in a low quality and PCB-contaminated soil in order to assess if this clone could be subsequently used in a field experiment. For this purpose, three different soil conditions (Microbiologically Active, Pre-sterilized and Hypoxic soils) were set up in order to assess the capacity of this clone to grow in the polluted soil in these different conditions and support the soil microbial community activity. The growth and physiology (chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, ascorbate, phenolic compounds and flavonoid contents) of the poplar were determined. Moreover, chemical analyses were performed to assess the concentrations of PCB indicators in soil and plant roots. Finally, the microbial community was evaluated in terms of total abundance and activity under the different experimental conditions. Results showed that the poplar clone was able to grow efficiently in the contaminated soil and to promote microbial transformations of PCBs. Plants grown in the hypoxic condition promoted the formation of a higher number of higher-chlorinated PCBs and accumulated lower PCBs in their roots. However, plants in this condition showed a higher stress level than the other microcosms, producing higher amounts of phenolic, flavonoid and ascorbate contents, as a defence mechanism

Effects of Apirolio Addition and Alfalfa and Compost Treatments on the Natural Microbial Community of a Historically PCB-Contaminated Soil

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous and persistent organic pollutants generated exclusively from human sources and found in the environment as several congeners (e.g. Apirolio, produced in Italy and used for electrical transformers). To evaluate the ability of the natural microbial community of historically PCB-contaminated soil to transform or degrade PCBs after fresh contamination through the addition of Apirolio, a microcosm experiment was conducted in a greenhouse for approximately 8 months. Compost and Medicago sativa (alfalfa) were additionally used in the microcosms to stimulate microbial PCB degradation. Chemical analyses were performed to evaluate PCB concentrations in the soil and plant tissue. Changes in the microbial community under the different experimental conditions were evaluated in terms of total abundance, viability, diversity, and activity. Interestingly, the addition of Apirolio did not negatively affect the microbial community but did stimulate the degradation of the freshly added PCBs. The plant and compost co-presence did not substantially increase PCB degradation, but it increased the microbial abundance and activity and the occurrence of α-Proteobacteria and fungi

Environmental factors influencing deposition and preservation of laminated sediments in Edisto Inlet, western Ross Sea (Antarctica)

Laminated diatomaceous deposits have been documented in some regions of Antarctica, including the Antarctic Peninsula and the Ross Sea. In general, very high sedimentation rates can overwhelm limited bioturbation, thus favoring the varve preservation, for example, in certain glacio-marine environments. The laminated sediments collected in the Edisto Inlet, western Ross Sea, exhibited well-defined dark and light laminae on a mm- to cm-scale. Dark laminae contained relatively high concentrations of a biomarker for fast ice, IPSO25, while low IPSO25 concentrations characterized the light laminae, and the diatom Corethron pennatum became the dominant species. Based on these assumptions, the dynamics of fast ice was reconstructed over the last 2.6 ka for the western Ross Sea. However, the absence of direct observations leaves the paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic interpretation of these laminated sediments with a certain degree of uncertainty. The project LASAGNE (Laminated Sediments in the Magnificent Edisto Inlet, Victoria Land: What processes control their deposition and preservation?), funded by the Italian Program of Antarctic Research (PNRA), proposes a multidisciplinary study that integrates the characteristics of fast ice, water column, and surface sediment, aiming to obtain information on the factors influencing both formation and preservation of laminated sediment in Edisto Inlet. The project integrates also biological data (phytoplankton, microzooplankton and foraminifera) collected in situ, and time series of satellite images of sea ice. The main goal is to provide new insights into the sub-seasonal formation of laminated sediments, offering a backbone for the interpretation of paleoclimatic sedimentary archives. Here, we present the results obtained from a comprehensive dataset collected in Edisto Inlet during the XXXVIII Italian PNRA expedition conducted on board the I/B Laura Bassi in February 2023. Collected data include CTD (Conductivity-Temperature-Depth) profiles with additional parameters (Dissolved Oxygen, fluorescence, turbidity) spatially distributed within and at the entrance of the bay, which was still partially covered by seasonal sea ice at the time of the cruise. Additionally, vessel-mounted and lowered ADCPs (Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers) were collected along transects and at each CTD station, respectively. The synoptic survey conducted during the austral Antarctic summer is used to describe the distribution of water masses and current dynamics in the bay, primarily driven by sea ice formation and melting, as well as atmospheric and tidal forcing. Time series obtained from a mooring deployed 1-year before the cruise (data covers the period February 2022 - February 2024) provide thermohaline variability of the water column even during the winter season, and fluxes and composition of organic debris sinking in the water column through time-series sediment trap samples. Sea ice cores, short sediment cores, and water samples are used to gain insight into the phytoplankton and microzooplankton living in platelet ice in spring and in open water in summer, respectively. Early diagenesis has also been taken into account to define how the original signal is preserved in the sedimentary record

Long-term benefits of dapagliflozin on renal outcomes of type 2 diabetes under routine care: a comparative effectiveness study on propensity score matched cohorts at low renal risk

Background Despite the overall improvement in care, people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) experience an excess risk of end-stage kidney disease. We evaluated the long-term effectiveness of dapagliflozin on kidney function and albuminuria in patients with T2D. Methods We included patients with T2D who initiated dapagliflozin or comparators from 2015 to 2020. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance the two groups. The primary endpoint was the change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline to the end of observation. Secondary endpoints included changes in albuminuria and loss of kidney function. Findings We analysed two matched groups of 6197 patients each. The comparator group included DPP-4 inhibitors (40%), GLP-1RA (22.3%), sulphonylureas (16.1%), pioglitazone (8%), metformin (5.8%), or acarbose (4%). Only 6.4% had baseline eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) and 15% had UACR >30 mg/g. During a mean follow-up of 2.5 year, eGFR declined significantly less in the dapagliflozin vs comparator group by 1.81 ml/min/1.73 m(2) (95% C.I. from 1.13 to 2.48; p < 0.0001). The mean eGFR slope was significantly less negative in the dapagliflozin group by 0.67 ml/min/1.73 m(2)/year (95% C.I. from 0.47 to 0.88; p < 0.0001). Albuminuria declined significantly in new-users of dapagliflozin within 6 months and remained on average 44.3 mg/g lower (95% C.I. from-66.9 to-21.7; p < 0.0001) than in new-users of comparators. New-users of dapagliflozin had significantly lower rates of new-onset CKD, loss of kidney function, and a composite renal outcome. Results were confirmed for all SGLT2 inhibitors, in patients without baseline CKD, and when GLP-1RA were excluded from comparators. Interpretation Initiating dapagliflozin improved kidney function outcomes and albuminuria in patients with T2D and a low renal risk. Copyright (c) 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)