Constructing and Visualizing High-Quality Classifier Decision Boundary Maps dagger

Visualizing decision boundaries of machine learning classifiers can help in classifier design, testing and fine-tuning. Decision maps are visualization techniques that overcome the key sparsity-related limitation of scatterplots for this task. To increase the trustworthiness of decision map use, we perform an extensive evaluation considering the dimensionality-reduction (DR) projection techniques underlying decision map construction. We extend the visual accuracy of decision maps by proposing additional techniques to suppress errors caused by projection distortions. Additionally, we propose ways to estimate and visually encode the distance-to-decision-boundary in decision maps, thereby enriching the conveyed information. We demonstrate our improvements and the insights that decision maps convey on several real-world datasets

Significância prognóstica das micrometástases ocultas em linfonodos no câncer gástrico: estudo histoquímico e imunoistoquímico baseado nas classificações UICC TNM de 1997 e JCGCA de 1998

BACKGROUND: Micrometastasis is a single or a cluster of malignant cells inside the lymph node that are not detected by routine histopathological sections. Micrometastasis is related to poorer prognosis in many gastric cancer studies the real significance of these cells is still controversial. AIM: To evaluate if lymph node micrometastasis is a significant independent prognostic factor and important risk factor for recurrence in gastric cancer. METHODS: A total of 1290 lymph nodes from 28 patients with gastric cancer, since 1998 until 2003, treated by radical resection (D2 and modified D3 lymphadenectomies) were studied. Three sections per lymph node were stained by Hematoxilin-Eosin, histochemical (AB-PAS) and immunohistochemical (AE1-AE3) techniques. Kaplan-Meier's survival curves and Log-rank/Cox tests were used in order to compares lymph node micrometastasis positivity, depth (pT) and location of tumor in gastric wall, histologic type, lymphatic, vascular and perineural invasion, lymph node status (pN) and stage. RESULTS: There were worse prognosis and recurrence in patients with positive lymph node micrometastasis related to vascular and perineural invasions, advanced lymph node status and advanced stages. CONCLUSION: Lymph node micrometastasis seems to be a significant independent prognostic factor and important risk factor for recurrence in gastric cancer, in a context of radical D2 lymphadenectomyRACIONAL: Micrometástases são um conjunto de células malignas dentro de linfonodo que não são detectadas pelos exames histopatológicos de rotina. Elas são relacionadas a prognóstico mais pobre em muitos estudos sobre câncer gástrico, mas a real significância dessas células permanece controversa. OBJETIVO: Avaliar se micrometástase linfonodal é um fator independente de prognóstico e importante para detectar a recurrência do câncer gástrico. MÉTODOS: Um total de 1290 lifonodos de 28 pacientes com câncer gástrico, de 1998 a 2003, tratados com operações radicais (D2 e D3 modificadas) foram revistos. Três secções por linfonodo foram corados por Hematoxilina-Eosina, histoquímica (AB-PAS) e imunoistoquímica (AE1-AE3). Curvas de sobrevida de Kaplan-Meyer e teste de Log-rank/Cox foram usados para comparar positividade das imcrometástases, profundidade (pT) e localização tumoral na parede gástrica, tipo histológico, invasão linfática, vascular e perineural, estado linfonodal (pN) e estádio onde se encontra a doença. RESULTADOS: Houve pior prognóstico e recurrência nos pacientes com linfonodos com micrometástases relacionadas às invasões vascular e perineural , avançado estado de invasão linfática e estadiamento mais elevado. CONCLUSÃO: Micrometástase parece ser importante e independente fator de risco para recurrência no câncer gástrico no contexto das linfadenectomias radicais D2

THE PRESENCE OF BARK IN Acacia mangium WOOD IMPROVES ITS ENERGETIC POTENTIAL

The use of the wood associated with the bark of forest species for energy purposes can be a viable alternative from the technical, environmental and economic points of view. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of maintaining the bark on the energetic characteristics of Acacia mangium and Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus grandis (urograndis) wood and briquettes. Trees of both species of 7 years old were cut from field experiments and wood samples with and without bark were obtained to evaluate the physical and energetic characteristics of the biomass and briquettes. The presence of bark in A. mangium wood improved the energetic characteristics of the biomass, and its use in small quantities together with wood for energy applications is technically feasible. Maintaining the bark in small quantities in the Urograndis wood promoted a reduction in the energetic characteristics of the biomass. The characteristics of the briquettes were not influenced by the species or the presence of bark in the wood

Frontal electroencephalographic (EEG) activity and mediumship: a comparative study between spiritist mediums and controls

Mediumship and spirit possession are cultural phenomena found worldwide. The Spiritism, popular in Brazil, is a religious tradition that emphasizes mediumship. The “absorption hypothesis” (the association of marked increases in focused attention with concomitant decreases in self-awareness) is one of the neuropsychological explanatory theories for these experiences. We measured electroencephalographic (EEG) spectral power in frontal electrodes within theta, alpha and beta bandwidths, as well as cross-regional cortical coherences, in female Spiritist experienced mediums (n = 10) and in female non-medium control subjects from the same religious context (n = 10). Scalp EEG signals were captured simultaneously from participants in each of the two groups in three different moments: before, during and immediately after mediumistically speaking. Compared to non-medium controls, the mediums had greater beta power on some electrodes in all phases of the experiment, greater theta power on one electrode at the communication phase and greater alpha power on one electrode at the post-communication phase. No condition effects (within-group comparisons) were detected in any group. No group effects were noted for cross regional cortical coherences. No ictal EEG pattern was observed, except for one participant in the mediums group. These findings support the hypothesis that absorption could have a mechanistic role in anomalous sensorial experiences such as mediumship. The coherence pattern in mediums during the anomalous experience differed from prior studies on pathological dissociation and on hypnotic states. Cognitive control processes seem to be engaged during the anomalous sensorial experiences

Dermatomyositis and Breast Calcinosis

The authors report a rare case of dermatomyositis diagnosed at the Mastology Sector of the Division of Gynecology of the Federal University of São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, which caused breast deformity due to formation of bilateral dystrophic calcifications.Os autores relatam caso raro de dermatomiosite diagnosticado no Setor de Mastologia da Disciplina de Ginecologia da Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) - Escola Paulista de Medicina, causando deformidade mamária devido à formação de calcificações distróficas bilateralmente.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Setor de MastologiaUNIFESP, EPM, Setor de MastologiaSciEL

A study of hormone activity in premenopausal tamoxifen-treated women

Purpose: to evaluate the effects of tamoxifen (TAM) on plasma levels of estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and steroid hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) when given to premenopausal women in the doses of 10 and 20 mg/day for 22 days. Patients and Methods: a randomized double-blind study was performed with 43 premenopausal eumenorrheic women. The patients were divided into three groups: A (N = 15, placebo); B (N = 15, TAM 10 mg/day) and C (N = 13, 20 mg/day). They started taking an oral dose of TAM or placebo on the very first day of the menstrual cycle. Two hormone determinations were performed, both on the 22nd day of the menstrual cycle: the first in the cycle that preceded the use of the drug and the second, in the following cycle, after 22 days of using the medication. We used the Levine and Student tests in order to evaluate the homogeneity of the sample and the variation of the hormone determinations respectively. Results:serum levels of estradiol, progesterone and SHBG increased significantly in groups B and C. In group C, we also observed increase in serum level of FSH (p < 0.0045) and a fall in prolactin level (p < 0.0055). Conclusions: TAM promoted a significant increase in serum concentrations of estradiol, progesterone and SHBG either in the doses of 10 or 20 mg/day. However, significant increase in FSH and decrease in prolactin were obtained only with the dose of 20 mg/day.Objetivos: Avaliar o efeito do tamoxifeno nos níveis séricos de progesterona, estradiol, prolactina, hormônio luteinizante (LH), hormônio folículo-estimulante (FSH) e da globulina transportadora dos hormônios sexuais (SHBG), quando administrado a mulheres no menacme, nas doses de 10 e 20 mg/dia por 22 dias. Métodos: Estudo aleatório e duplo-cego. Foram incluídas 43 mulheres pré-menopausadas e eumenorréicas. Foram distribuídas em 3 grupos: A (N = 15; placebo), B (N = 15; 10 mg/dia) e C (N = 13; 20 mg/dia). Foram realizadas duas dosagens hormonais, sendo a primeira no 22º dia do ciclo menstrual que precedeu o uso da droga e a segunda após 22 dias de uso do medicamento. Utilizaram-se os testes de Levene e t-pareado para avaliar a homogeneidade da amostra e a variação das dosagens hormonais, respectivamente. Resultados: As concentrações séricas de estradiol, progesterona e SHBG aumentaram significantemente nos grupos B e C. No grupo C, observou-se ainda elevação no nível sérico de FSH (p < 0,0045) e queda dos valores de prolactina (p < 0,0055). Conclusões: O tamoxifeno promoveu aumento significante nas concentrações séricas de estradiol, progesterona e SHBG, tanto na dose de 10 como de 20 mg/dia. Porém, o aumento significante de FSH e a diminuição da prolactina foram obtidos apenas com a dose de 20 mg/dia.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Carotid stenosis: what is the high-risk population?

OBJECTIVE: Prevention is the best treatment for cerebrovascular disease, which is why early diagnosis and the immediate treatment of carotid stenosis contribute significantly to reducing the incidence of stroke. Given its silent nature, 80% of stroke cases occur in asymptomatic individuals, emphasizing the importance of screening individuals with carotid stenosis and identifying high-risk groups for the disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the most frequent risk factors for carotid stenosis. METHODS: A transversal study was conducted in the form of a stroke prevention campaign held on three nonconsecutive Saturdays. During the sessions, carotid stenosis diagnostic procedures were performed for 500 individuals aged 60 years or older who had systemic arterial hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus and/or coronary heart disease and/or a family history of stroke. RESULTS: The prevalence of carotid stenosis in the population studied was 7.4%, and the most frequent risk factors identified were mean age of 70 years, carotid bruit, peripheral obstructive arterial disease, coronary insufficiency and smoking. Independent predictive factors of carotid stenosis include the presence of carotid bruit or peripheral obstructive heart disease and/or coronary insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS: The population with peripheral obstructive heart disease and carotid bruit should undergo routine screening for carotid stenosis

A study of ion-exchange chromatography in an expanded bed for bovine albumin recovery

In the present work, the effect of bed expansion on BSA adsorption on Amberlite IRA 410 ion-exchange resin was studied. The hydrodynamic behavior of an expanded bed adsorption column on effects of the biomolecules and salt addition and temperature were studied to optimize the conditions for BSA recovery on ion-exchange resin. Residence time distribution showed that HEPT, axial dispersion and the Pecletl number increased with temperature and bed height, bed voidage and linear velocity. The binding capacity of the resin increased with bed height. The Amberlite IRA 410 ion-exchange showed an affinity for BSA with a recovery yield of 78.36 % of total protein.No presente trabalho foi estudado o efeito da expansão do leito sobre a adsorção de BSA na resina de troca iônica Amberlite IRA 410. O comportamento hidrodinâmico de uma coluna de adsorção em leito expandido sob efeito da adição de biomoléculas, sal e variação da temperatura também foi estudado para obter as condições ótimas de recuperação da BSA sob a resina de troca iônica. A distribuição do tempo de residência mostrou que a HEPT, a dispersão axial e o número de Pecletl aumentaram com a temperatura, altura do leito, porosidade do leito e velocidade linear. A capacidade de ligação da resina aumentou com a expansão do leito. A resina de troca iônica Amberlite IRA 410 mostrou ter afinidade pela BSA, com uma recuperação de 78,36 % da proteína total.427436Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

A new remarkable Early Cretaceous nelumbonaceous fossil bridges the gap between herbaceous aquatic and woody protealeans

Dating back to the late Early Cretaceous, the macrofossil record of the iconic lotus family (Nelumbonaceae) is one of the oldest of flowering plants and suggests that their unmistakable leaves and nutlets embedded in large pitted receptacular fruits evolved relatively little in the 100 million years since their first known appearance. Here we describe a new fossil from the late Barremian/Aptian Crato Formation flora (NE Brazil) with both vegetative and reproductive structures, Notocyamus hydrophobus gen. nov. et sp. nov., which is now the oldest and most complete fossil record of Nelumbonaceae. In addition, it displays a unique mosaic of ancestral and derived macro- and micromorphological traits that has never been documented before in this family. This new Brazilian fossil-species also provides a rare illustration of the potential morphological and anatomical transitions experienced by Nelumbonaceae prior to a long period of relative stasis. Its potential plesiomorphic and apomorphic features shared with Proteaceae and Platanaceae not only fill a major morphological gap within Proteales but also provide new support for their unexpected relationships first suggested by molecular phylogenies