Optimizing the C4.5 Decision Tree Algorithm using MSD-Splitting

We propose an optimization of Dr. Ross Quin-lan’s C4.5 decision tree algorithm, used for data mining and classification. We will show that by discretizing and binning a data set’s continuous attributes into four groups using our novel technique called MSD-Splitting, we can significantly improve both the algorithm’s accuracy and efficiency, especially when applied to large data sets. We applied both the standard C4.5 algorithm and our optimized C4.5 algorithm to two data sets obtained from UC Irvine’s Machine Learning Repository: Census Income and Heart Disease. In our initial model, we discretized continuous attributes by splitting them into two groups at the point with the minimum expected information requirement, in accordance with the standard C4.5 algorithm. Using five-fold cross-validation, we calculated the average accuracy of our initial model for each data set. Our initial model yielded a 75.72% average accuracy across both data sets. The average execution time of our initial model was 1,541.57 s for the Census Income data set and 50.54 s for the Heart Disease data set. We then optimized our model by applying MSD-Splitting, which discretizes continuous attributes by splitting them into four groups using the mean and the two values one standard deviation away from the mean as split points. The accuracy of our model improved by an average of 5.11%across both data sets, while the average execution time reduced by an average of 96.72% for the larger Census Income data set and 46.38% for the Heart Disease data set

trans-Diaqua­bis­(dl-valinato-κ2 N,O)nickel(II)

In the title complex, [Ni(C5H9NO2)2(H2O)2], the NiII atom, located on a centre of inversion, is trans-coordinated by two O atoms and two N atoms from d-bidentate valine and l-bidentate valine ligands and two water O atoms in an octa­hedral geometry. In the crystal, the discrete mononuclear units are linked into a three-dimensional network via O—H⋯O and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. C—H⋯O inter­actions are also observed

Automatic Video Monitoring system for assessment of Alzheimer's Disease symptoms

International audienceIn order to fully capture the complexity of the behavioural, functioning and cognitive disturbances in Alzheimer Disease (AD) and related disorders information and communication techniques (ICT), could be of interest. This article presents using 3 clinical cases the feasibility results of an automatic video monitoring system aiming to assess subjects involved in a clinical scenario

Automatic Video Monitoring system for assessment of Alzheimer's Disease symptoms

International audienceIn order to fully capture the complexity of the behavioural, functioning and cognitive disturbances in Alzheimer Disease (AD) and related disorders information and communication techniques (ICT), could be of interest. This article presents using 3 clinical cases the feasibility results of an automatic video monitoring system aiming to assess subjects involved in a clinical scenario

Oncogenic CagA Promotes Gastric Cancer Risk via Activating ERK Signaling Pathways: A Nested Case-Control Study

Background: CagA cellular interaction via activation of the ERK signaling pathway may be a starting point in the development of gastric cancer. This study aimed to evaluate whether genes involved in ERK downstream signaling pathways activated by CagA are susceptible genetic markers for gastric cancer. Methods: In the discovery phase, a total of 580 SNPs within +/-5 kbp of 30 candidate genes were genotyped to examine an association with gastric cancer risk in the Korean Multi-center Cancer Cohort (100 incident gastric cancer case-control sets). The most significant SNPs (raw or permutated p value??0.02) identified in the discovery analysis were re-evaluated in the extension phase using unconditional logistic regression model (400 gastric cancer case-control sets). Combined analyses including pooled-and meta-analysis were conducted to summarize all the results. Results: 24 SNPs in eight genes (ERK, Dock180, C3G, Rap1, Src, CrkL, Mek and Crk) were significantly associated with gastric cancer risk in the individual SNP analyses in the discovery phase (p??0.05). In the extension analyses, ERK rs5999749, Dock180 rs4635002 and C3G rs7853122 showed marginally significant gene-dose effects for gastric cancer. Consistently, final combined analysis presented the SNPs as significantly associated with gastric cancer risk (OR = 1.56, [95% CI: 1.19-2.06], OR = 0.61, [95% CI: 0.43-0.87], OR = 0.59, [95% CI: 0.54-0.76], respectively). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that ERK rs5999749, Dock180 rs4635002 and C3G rs7853122 are genetic determinants in gastric carcinogenesis

An overview of burst, buckling, durability and corrosion analysis of lightweight FRP composite pipes and their applicability

© 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.The main aim of this review article was to address the performance of filament wound fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composite pipes and their critical properties, such as burst, buckling, durability and corrosion. The importance of process parameters concerning merits and demerits of the manufacturing methods was discussed for the better-quality performance. Burst analysis revealed that the winding angle of ±55° was observed to be optimum with minimum failure mechanisms, such as matrix cracking, whitening, leakage and fracture. The reduction of buckling effect was reported in case of lower hoop stress value in the hoop to axial stress ratio against axial, compression and torsion. A significant improvement in energy absorption was observed in the hybrid composite pipes with the effect of thermal treatment. However, the varying winding angle in FRP pipe fabrication was reported as an influencing factor affecting all the aforementioned properties. Almost 90% of the reviewed studies was done using E-glass/epoxy materials for the composite pipe production. By overcoming associated limitations, such as replacing synthetic materials, designing new material combinations and cost-benefit analysis, the production cost of the lightweight FRP composite pipes can be decreased for the real-time applications.Peer reviewe

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

Defining the causes of sporadic Parkinson's disease in the global Parkinson's genetics program (GP2)

The Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2) will genotype over 150,000 participants from around the world, and integrate genetic and clinical data for use in large-scale analyses to dramatically expand our understanding of the genetic architecture of PD. This report details the workflow for cohort integration into the complex arm of GP2, and together with our outline of the monogenic hub in a companion paper, provides a generalizable blueprint for establishing large scale collaborative research consortia