The capacity of multilevel threshold functions

Lower and upper bounds for the capacity of multilevel threshold elements are estimated, using two essentially different enumeration techniques. It is demonstrated that the exact number of multilevel threshold functions depends strongly on the relative topology of the input set. The results correct a previously published estimate and indicate that adding threshold levels enhances the capacity more than adding variables

The sequences of 150,119 genomes in the UK Biobank

Detailed knowledge of how diversity in the sequence of the human genome affects phenotypic diversity depends on a comprehensive and reliable characterization of both sequences and phenotypic variation. Over the past decade, insights into this relationship have been obtained from whole-exome sequencing or whole-genome sequencing of large cohorts with rich phenotypic data(1,2). Here we describe the analysis of whole-genome sequencing of 150,119 individuals from the UK Biobank(3). This constitutes a set of high-quality variants, including 585,040,410 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, representing 7.0% of all possible human single-nucleotide polymorphisms, and 58,707,036 indels. This large set of variants allows us to characterize selection based on sequence variation within a population through a depletion rank score of windows along the genome. Depletion rank analysis shows that coding exons represent a small fraction of regions in the genome subject to strong sequence conservation. We define three cohorts within the UK Biobank: a large British Irish cohort, a smaller African cohort and a South Asian cohort. A haplotype reference panel is provided that allows reliable imputation of most variants carried by three or more sequenced individuals. We identified 895,055 structural variants and 2,536,688 microsatellites, groups of variants typically excluded from large-scale whole-genome sequencing studies. Using this formidable new resource, we provide several examples of trait associations for rare variants with large effects not found previously through studies based on whole-exome sequencing and/or imputation

Modelling and Performance Analysis of Cache Networks.

This paper develops and implements a World Wide Web cache infrastructure model which is to be used for analysis of features that are otherwise difficult to get from existing log data or for evaluation of nonexisting cache scenarios. A prominent feature of our model that differentiates it from other similar models is its dynamical aspect, which allows for the investigation of temporal features. Using the model we verify and quantify observations made from real log data and provide a more comprehensive picture of the caching processes that take place behind the scenes. We also show how the model can be used to assess the economic viability of the caching solution

WWW Cache Modelling Toolbox.

This paper develops and implements a World Wide Web cache infrastructure model which is to be used for analysis of features that are otherwise difficult to get from existing log data or for evaluation of nonexisting cache scenarios. A prominent feature of our model that differentiates it from other similar models is its dynamical aspect, which allows for the investigation of temporal features. Using the model we verify and quantify an observation made from real log data that the popularity of Web pages diversifies the higher we go in the cache hierarchy. We then use the model to predict the cache population dynamics in a hypothetical scenario of sufficiently large caches

Predictive call admission control algorithm for power-controlled wireless systems

In wireless communication systems, a conventional call admission control (CAC) mechanism determines whether a node can be admitted to the network by firstly monitoring the received interference plus noise and estimate the achievable signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR). However, in the presence of power control, the SINR may vary over time, thus, rendering the conventional CAC inaccurate. The maximum achievable SINR for a new node in a general wireless system depends on the link gains amongst all the co-channel interfering nodes involved. Thus, one of the challenges of CAC in a power-controlled wireless system is the estimation of maximum achievable SINR when information about global link gains is not available. By ignoring the white noise factor, we present a predictor for the maximum achievable signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) of a new node trying to gain access to the medium. Using the SIR predictor we then calculate an optimal active link protection margin, which together with a SIR threshold would constitute an enhanced threshold value for the new node to attain. By doing so current active communication links would be protected from performance degradation should the maximum achievable SIR value common to all the nodes be lower than the SIR threshold. The accuracy of the predictor is evaluated by means of simulation in terms of mean error and root-mean-square error. Together with finding the corresponding optimal active link protection margin, efficient CAC mechanism to ensure stability of the feasible system can be maintained over a wide range of operating SIR values

Sveinsson chorioretinal atrophy/helicoid peripapillary chorioretinal degeneration: first histopathology report

To access publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links fieldPURPOSE: To report the histopathologic features in an eye with Sveinsson chorioretinal atrophy (SCRA), also termed helicoid peripapillary chorioretinal degeneration, for the first time. PARTICIPANT: An 82-year-old woman clinically and genetically confirmed to have SCRA. DESIGN: Examination of an eye obtained after death. METHOD: Light microscopic examination of an eye of an 82-year-old woman documented to have SCRA since the age of 10 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The findings in ocular tissues were determined by light microscopy. RESULTS: In the most advanced areas of chorioretinal atrophy, the sensory retina, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), choriocapillaris, and choroid were absent. In the transition between affected and unaffected areas, the RPE and the outer segments of the photoreceptors only were affected. The optic nerve was smaller than normal, but well myelinated. Other ocular tissues retained a relatively normal appearance for a patient who had died at this age. CONCLUSIONS: The mildest and presumably earliest morphologic changes involved the photoreceptor outer segments, the RPE, and choriocapillaris in this progressive degenerative disease of the retina and choroid

Topical moistening of mastectomy wounds with diluted tranexamic acid to reduce bleeding: randomized clinical trial

Background: Topical administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) may be an alternative to intravenous administration to reduce bleeding with a lower risk of systemic adverse events. The aim of this study was to investigate whether moistening a surgical wound with TXA before closure, leaving a thin film of drug only, would reduce postoperative bleeding. Methods: This was a two‐centre, stratified, parallel‐group, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind RCT. Patients undergoing mastectomy with or without axillary lymph node clearance were randomized 1 : 1 to moistening of wound surface before closure with either 25 mg/ml TXA or 0·9 per cent sodium chloride (placebo). The primary endpoint was postoperative bleeding as measured by drain production in the first 24 h. Secondary endpoints were early haematoma, total drain production, postoperative complications and late aspirations of seroma within 3 months. Results: Between 1 January 2016 and 31 August 2018, 208 patients were randomized. Two patients were converted to a different surgical procedure at surgery, and four did not receive the intervention owing to technical error. Thus, 202 patients were included in the study (101 in the TXA and 101 in the placebo group). TXA reduced mean drain production at 24 h (110 versus 144 ml; mean difference 34 (95 per cent c.i. 8 to 60) ml, P = 0·011). One patient in the TXA group had early haematoma compared with seven in the placebo group (odds ratio (OR) 0·13 (95 per cent c.i. 0·02 to 1·07); P = 0·057). There was no significant difference in postoperative complications between TXA and placebo (13 versus 10; OR 1·11 (0·45 to 2·73), P = 0·824) or need for late seroma aspirations (79 versus 67 per cent; OR 1·83 (0·91 to 3·68), P = 0·089). Conclusion Moistening the wound with TXA 25 mg/ml before closure reduces postoperative bleeding within the first 24 h in patients undergoing mastectomy. Registration number: NCT02627560 (https://clinicaltrials.gov)