SchemaMapper: A tool for visualization of schema mapping

The world has changed significantly in the past few years with an increasing thrust towards the use of digital information. Every kind of application domain has found reasons to use digital information sources extensively. As a result, different types of data representation models or schemas have been developed. This poses a problem when there is a need for data integration from several sources. Diverse representations must be merged in order to create a single global representation. Hence there is a need for schema mapping tools that will enable amalgamation of heterogeneous data representations. That goal is difficult to achieve today since existing schema mapping tools are domain unaware. SchemaMapper, a new tool we have developed, tries to be domain aware and hence help speed up the schema mapping process. Further, it supports visualization of the mapping process by using a hyperbolic tree representation. This has not been used before in the context of schema mapping. Although the primary motivation for SchemaMapper comes from ETANA-DL (a digital library to promote integration of information and services from diverse archaeological sites), it can potentially be used in any other similar domains in the future, or further extended for different types of schema mappings. This report describes in detail the prototype developed for exploring the feasibility of such a tool, providing architecture and implementation details. Experiments were conducted to evaluate SchemaMapper and the initial results have been very encouraging. All the schemas used during the evaluation process were real life examples taken from ETANA-DL. Analysis of the evaluation results suggests that domain awareness is extremely useful for the schema mapping process. Also, the linear tree representation of schemas which existing tools use appears to have inherent disadvantages which need to be overcome in order to make the process more effective

Pain management in Gridhrasi through Ayurveda - An Observational Study

Gridhrasi is a Shula Pradhana Vata Nanatmaja Vyadhi which is characterized by the Kramat Shula in the Prushtha Bhaaga of Sphik, Kati, Uru, Jaanu Jangha and Pada Pradesha. It is corelated with Sciatica based on the aetiology and symptomatology. This disease is mainly caused due the improper postures and the nature of the work. The main challenge is the management of pain. In Modern Science this condition is managed by the administration of Analgesics and in the later conditions Surgery will be advised with no definite relief. Shodhana, Siravyadha, Basti, Agni Karma are the treatment modalities have been mentioned in the classics. Here the study is conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Siravyadha in the management of the Shula in Gridhrasi with a successful outcome

Schema Mapper: A Visualization Tool for DL Integration

Schema mapping is a challenging problem. It has come to the fore in recent years; there are important applications like database schema integration and, more recently, digital library merging of heterogeneous data. Previous studies have approached the schema mapping process either from algorithmic or visualization perspectives, with few integrating both. With Schema Mapper we demonstrate a semi-automatic tool for schema integration that combines a novel visual interface with an algorithm-based recommendation engine. Schemas are visualized as hyperbolic trees (see Fig. 1), thus allowing more schema nodes to be displayed at one time. Matches to selections are recommended to the user, which makes the mapping operation easier and faster

Integration of Heterogeneous Digital Libraries with Semi-automatic Mapping and Browsing: From Formalization to Specification to Visualization

In this paper, we formalize the digital library (DL) integration problem and propose an overall approach based on the 5S framework. We apply 5S to domain-specific (archaeological) DLs, illustrating our solutions for key problems in DL integration. We use ETANA-DL as a case study to describe the process of semi-automatically generating a union catalog and a unified browsing service in an archaeological DL. A visual schema mapping tool is developed for union catalog creation. A pilot user study aids tool evaluation. Our approach is further validated through application of a general browsing component to two integrated DLs

Gajah. Securing the Future for Elephants in India.

It is estimated that six in every ten wild Asian elephants live in India. This report by the Ministry of Environment and Forests in India outlines plans to safeguard the species and associated habitats in the face of rapid economic expansion and development pressures

Sustained proliferation in cancer: mechanisms and novel therapeutic targets

Proliferation is an important part of cancer development and progression. This is manifest by altered expression and/or activity of cell cycle related proteins. Constitutive activation of many signal transduction pathways also stimulates cell growth. Early steps in tumor development are associated with a fibrogenic response and the development of a hypoxic environment which favors the survival and proliferation of cancer stem cells. Part of the survival strategy of cancer stem cells may manifested by alterations in cell metabolism. Once tumors appear, growth and metastasis may be supported by overproduction of appropriate hormones (in hormonally dependent cancers), by promoting angiogenesis, by undergoing epithelial to mesenchymal transition, by triggering autophagy, and by taking cues from surrounding stromal cells. A number of natural compounds (e.g., curcumin, resveratrol, indole-3-carbinol, brassinin, sulforaphane, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, genistein, ellagitannins, lycopene and quercetin) have been found to inhibit one or more pathways that contribute to proliferation (e.g., hypoxia inducible factor 1, nuclear factor kappa B, phosphoinositide 3 kinase/Akt, insulin-like growth factor receptor 1, Wnt, cell cycle associated proteins, as well as androgen and estrogen receptor signaling). These data, in combination with bioinformatics analyses, will be very important for identifying signaling pathways and molecular targets that may provide early diagnostic markers and/or critical targets for the development of new drugs or drug combinations that block tumor formation and progression

Evidence for a role for notch signaling in the cytokine-dependent survival of activated T cells

Peripheral T cell homeostasis results from a balance between factors promoting survival and those that trigger deletion of Ag-reactive cells. The cytokine IL-2 promotes T cell survival whereas reactive oxygen species (ROS) sensitize T cells to apoptosis. Two pathways of activated T cell apoptosis-one triggered by Fas ligand and the other by cytokine deprivation-depend on ROS, with the latter also regulated by members of the Bcl-2 family. Notch family proteins regulate several cell-fate decisions in metazoans. Ectopic expression of the Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD) in T cells inhibits Fas-induced apoptosis. The underlying mechanism is not known and the role, if any, of Notch in regulating apoptosis triggered by cytokine deprivation or neglect has not been examined. In this study, we use a Notch1/Fc chimera; a blocking Ab to Notch1 and chemical inhibitors of γ -secretase to investigate the role of Notch signaling in activated T cells of murine origin. We show that perturbing Notch signaling in activated CD4+/CD8+ T cells maintained in IL-2 results in the accumulation of ROS, reduced Akt/protein kinase B activity, and expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL, culminating in apoptosis. A broad-spectrum redox scavenger inhibits apoptosis but T cells expressing mutant Fas ligand are sensitive to apoptosis. Activated T cells isolated on the basis of Notch expression (Notch+) are enriched for Bcl-xL expression and demonstrate reduced susceptibility to apoptosis triggered by neglect or oxidative stress. Furthermore, enforced expression of NICD protects activated T cells from apoptosis triggered by cytokine deprivation. Taken together, these data implicate Notch1 signaling in the cytokine-dependent survival of activated T cells

Evidence for a Role for Notch Signaling in the Cytokine-Dependent Survival of Activated T Cells

Peripheral T cell homeostasis results from a balance between factors promoting survival and those that trigger deletion of Ag-reactive cells. The cytokine IL-2 promotes T cell survival whereas reactive oxygen species (ROS) sensitize T cells to apoptosis. Two pathways of activated T cell apoptosis–one triggered by Fas ligand and the other by cytokine deprivation–depend on ROS, with the latter also regulated by members of the Bcl-2 family. Notch family proteins regulate several cell-fate decisions in metazoans. Ectopic expression of the Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD) in T cells inhibits Fas-induced apoptosis. The underlying mechanism is not known and the role, if any, of Notch in regulating apoptosis triggered by cytokine deprivation or neglect has not been examined. In this study, we use a Notch1/Fc chimera; a blocking Ab to Notch1 and chemical inhibitors of $\gamma$-secretase to investigate the role of Notch signaling in activated T cells of murine origin. We show that perturbing Notch signaling in activated $CD4^+/CD8 ^+$ T cells maintained in IL-2 results in the accumulation of ROS, reduced Akt/protein kinase B activity, and expression of the antiapoptotic protein $Bcl-xL$, culminating in apoptosis. A broad-spectrum redox scavenger inhibits apoptosis but T cells expressing mutant Fas ligand are sensitive to apoptosis. Activated T cells isolated on the basis of Notch expression $(Notch^+)$ are enriched for $Bcl-xL$ expression and demonstrate reduced susceptibility to apoptosis triggered by neglect or oxidative stress. Furthermore, enforced expression of NICD protects activated T cells from apoptosis triggered by cytokine deprivation. Taken together, these data implicate Notch1 signaling in the cytokine-dependent survival of activated T cells