Mining Uncertain Sequential Patterns in Iterative MapReduce

This paper proposes a sequential pattern mining (SPM) algorithm in large scale uncertain databases. Uncertain sequence databases are widely used to model inaccurate or imprecise timestamped data in many real applications, where traditional SPM algorithms are inapplicable because of data uncertainty and scalability. In this paper, we develop an efficient approach to manage data uncertainty in SPM and design an iterative MapReduce framework to execute the uncertain SPM algorithm in parallel. We conduct extensive experiments in both synthetic and real uncertain datasets. And the experimental results prove that our algorithm is efficient and scalable

Towards Efficient Sequential Pattern Mining in Temporal Uncertain Databases

Uncertain sequence databases are widely used to model data with inaccurate or imprecise timestamps in many real world applications. In this paper, we use uniform distributions to model uncertain timestamps and adopt possible world semantics to interpret temporal uncertain database. We design an incremental approach to manage temporal uncertainty efficiently, which is integrated into the classic pattern-growth SPM algorithm to mine uncertain sequential patterns. Extensive experiments prove that our algorithm performs well in both efficiency and scalability

Preparation and In-Vitro Evaluation of Controlled-Release Matrices of Losartan Potassium Using Ethocel Grade 10 and Carbopol 934P NF as Rate-Controlling Polymers

Controlled-release formulations are essential for those drugs that require fine tuning of their activity to increase the ratio between therapeutic vs. adverse effects. Losartan potassium is among those drugs whose adverse effects may somehow impair its purported benefits. Previous investigations have been carried out to ascertain the suitability of several polymers for being associated with losartan. This study is focused on the effects of Ethocel grade 10 and Carbopol 934P NF on losartan release. Flow and physical properties were assessed according to the protocols standardized by the pharmacopeia (USP-NF 29), and the drug release in phosphate buffer (pH = 6.8) was measured for 24 h. Data evidenced good to excellent flow and physical properties according to the drug/polymer ratio and the addition of co-excipients. The release rate in 24 h was found to be 63–69% to 79–82% without or with the addition of co-excipients, respectively, following zero-order kinetics. The results also suggest a significant difference with the release profile of a traditional release losartan formulation. The results suggest the suitability of Ethocel grade 10 and Carbopol 934P NF as components of a controlled-release losartan formulation

Conceivable security risks and authentication techniques for smart devices

With the rapidly escalating use of smart devices and fraudulent transaction of users’ data from their devices, efficient and reliable techniques for authentication of the smart devices have become an obligatory issue. This paper reviews the security risks for mobile devices and studies several authentication techniques available for smart devices. The results from field studies enable a comparative evaluation of user-preferred authentication mechanisms and their opinions about reliability, biometric authentication and visual authentication techniques

Assessment of sublethal and transgenerational effects of spirotetramat, on population growth of cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae L.) is a devastating pest of cruciferous crops causing economic damage worldwide and notably owing to its increasing resistance to commonly used pesticides. Such resistance prompts the development of integrated pest management (IPM) programs that include novel pesticides being effective against the aphids. Spirotetramat is a novel insecticide used against sap-sucking insect pests, particularly aphids. This study evaluated the toxicity of spirotetramat to adult apterous B. brassicae after 72 h using the leaf dipping method. According to the toxicity bioassay results, the LC50 value of spirotetramat to B. brassicae was 1.304 mgL−1. However, the sublethal concentrations (LC5 and LC15) and transgenerational effects of this novel insecticide on population growth parameters were estimated using the age-stage, two-sex life table theory method. The sublethal concentrations (LC5; 0.125 mgL−1 and LC15; 0.298 mgL−1) of spirotetramat reduced the adult longevity and fecundity of the parent generation (F0). These concentrations prolonged the preadult developmental duration while decreasing preadult survival, adult longevity and reproduction of the F1 generation. The adult pre-reproductive period was also extended by spirotetramat treatment groups. Subsequently, the population growth parameters such as the intrinsic rate of increase r, finite rate of increase λ and net reproductive rate R0 of the F1 generation were decreased in spirotetramat treatment groups whereas, the mean generation time T of the F1 generation was not affected when compared to the control. These results indicated the negative effect of sublethal concentrations of spirotetramat on the performance of B. brassicae by reducing its nymphal survival, extending the duration of some immature stages and suppressing the population growth of B. brassicae. Overall, we demonstrated that spirotetramat is a pesticide showing both sublethal activities, and transgenerational effects on cabbage aphid; it may be useful for implementation in IPM programs against this aphid pest

Trust and Mobility-Based Protocol for Secure Routing in Internet of Things

In the Internet of Things (IoT), the de facto Routing Protocol for Low Power and Lossy Networks (RPL) is susceptible to several disruptive attacks based on its functionalities and features. Among various RPL security solutions, a trust-based security is easy to adapt for resource-constrained IoT environments. In the existing trust-based security for RPL routing attacks, nodes’ mobility is not considered or limited to only the sender nodes. Similarly, these trust-based protocols are not evaluated for mobile IoT environments, particularly regarding RPL attacks. Hence, a trust and mobility-based secure routing protocol is proposed, termed as SMTrust, by critically analysing the trust metrics involving the mobility-based metrics in IoT. SMTrust intends to provide security against RPL Rank and Blackhole attacks. The proposed protocol is evaluated in three different scenarios, including static and mobile nodes in an IoT network. SMTrust is compared with the default RPL objective function, Minimum Rank with Hysteresis Objective Function (MRHOF), SecTrust, DCTM, and MRTS. The evaluation results indicate that the proposed protocol outperforms with respect to packet loss rate, throughput, and topology stability. Moreover, SMTrust is validated using routing protocol requirements analysis to ensure that it fulfils the consistency, optimality, and loop-freeness

Barriers and facilitators of following perioperative internal medicine recommendations by surgical teams: a sequential, explanatory mixed-methods study

Abstract Background Preoperative medical consultations add expense and burden for patients and the impact of these consults on patient outcomes is conflicting. Previous work suggests that 10–40% of preoperative medical consult recommendations are not followed. This limits measurement of the effect of perioperative medical consultation on patient outcomes and represents a quality gap, given the patient time and healthcare cost associated with consultation. We aimed to measure, characterize, and understand reasons for missed recommendations from preoperative medical consultation. Methods This explanatory, sequential mixed-methods study used chart audits followed by semi-structured interviews. Chart audit of consecutive patients seen in preoperative medical clinic were reviewed to measure the proportion and characterize the type of recommendations that were not completed (“missed”). This phase informed the interview participants and questions. The interview guide was developed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and the Theoretical Domains Framework. Template analysis was used to understand drivers and barriers of missed recommendations Results Chart audit included 255 patients (n=161, 63.1% female) seen in preadmission clinic between April 1 and April 30, 2019. 55.7% of patients had all recommendations followed (n=142). Postoperative anticoagulation management and postoperative cardiac biomarker surveillance recommendations were least commonly followed (50.0%, n=28, and 68.9%, n=82, respectively). Eighteen surgical team members were interviewed. Missed recommendations were both unintentional and intentional, and the key drivers differed by these categories. Unintentionally missed recommendations occurred due to individual-level factors (drivers: knowledge of the consultation note, lack of routine for reviewing the consultation note, and competing demands on time) and systems-level factors (driver: lack of role clarity). Intentionally missed recommendations occurred due to user error due (drivers: lack of knowledge of guidelines or evidence) and appropriate modifications (driver: need to adapt a preoperative plan for a complicated postoperative course). Conclusions Only 55.7% of consult notes had all recommendations followed, suggesting a quality gap in perioperative medical care. Qualitative data suggests multiple drivers of missed recommendations that should be targeted to improve the efficiency of care for these patients

Electromagnetic wave absorption performance of Ni doped Cu-ferrite nanocrystals

Ni _x Cu _1−x Fe _2 O _4 nanocrystals were prepared by co-precipitation technique to study the electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption properties. The XRD and SEM results confirm the formation of single-phase cubic spinel structure and reveal that the crystallite size decreases with the addition of Ni content. The vibrating sample magnetometer results showed that the as-prepared material was soft magnetic and have potential applications in magnetic storage technology and field sensors. The dielectric parameters and EM wave absorption characteristics of Ni _x Cu _1−x Fe _2 O _4 nanocrystals were studied in the frequency range of 1-18GHz using a vector network analyzer. The permittivity, impedance matching, and EM wave absorption of the materials are significantly improved with the increase in Ni content. The lowest value of reflection loss (R _L ) is observed −22.8 dB at 16.09 GHz (R _L  ≤ −10dB, absorption >90%), showing an optimal EM wave absorption performance, which might generate from the synergistic effect between relative permittivity and permeability

ATAD2 in cancer: a pharmacologically challenging but tractable target

Introduction: ATAD2 protein is an emerging oncogene that has strongly been linked to the etiology of multiple advanced human cancers. Therapeutically, despite the fact that genetic suppression/knockdown studies have validated it as a compelling drug target for future therapeutic development, recent druggability assessment data suggest that direct targeting of ATAD2's bromodomain (BRD) may be a very challenging task. ATAD2's BRD has been predicted as a 'difficult to drug' or 'least druggable' target due to the concern that its binding pocket, and the areas around it, seem to be unfeasible for ligand binding. Areas covered: In this review, after shedding light on the multifaceted roles of ATAD2 in normal physiology as well as in cancer-etiology, we discuss technical challenges rendered by ATAD2's BRD active site and the recent drug discovery efforts to find small molecule inhibitors against it. Expert opinion: The identification of a novel low-nanomolar semi-permeable chemical probe against ATAD2's BRD by recent drug discovery campaign has demonstrated it to be a pharmacologically tractable target. Nevertheless, the development of high quality bioavailable inhibitors against ATAD2 is still a pending task. Moreover, ATAD2 may also potentially be utilized as a promising target for future development of RNAi-based therapy to treat cancers

Preparation and Characterization of Controlled-Release Floating Bilayer Tablets of Esomeprazole and Clarithromycin

Controlled-release effervescent floating bilayer tablets reduce dosage frequency and im-prove patient compliance with enhanced therapeutic outcomes. Generally, two different tablets of clarithromycin and esomeprazole, respectively, are given for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection and it might be worth incorporating both in a single tablet. In the current study, controlled-release floating bilayer tablets of clarithromycin and esomeprazole (F1–F4) were developed with different rates of polymeric materials by a direct compression method. During the formulation, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis was performed for possible interactions between drugs and excipients. No interactions between drugs and excipients were noted. Moreover, the bilayer tablets’ thickness, diameter, friability, hardness, weight variation, dissolution, and percent purity were found within the acceptable limits. The floating lag time and total floating time of all formulations were found to be < 25 s and 24 h, respectively. The release of both the clarithromycin and esomeprazole started at the same time from the controlled-release floating bilayer tablets by anomalous non-Fickian diffusion, and the polymeric materials extended the drug release rate up to 24 h. In the case of F1, the results approached ideal zero-order kinetics. The dissolution profiles of the tested and reference tablet formulations were compared, but no significant differences were observed. It can be concluded that such controlled-release effervescent floating bilayer tablets can be efficiently used in clinical practice to reduce dosage frequency and increase patient compliance with continuous drug release for 24 h, which ultimately might enhance therapeutic efficacy