Advanced quantum based neural network classifier and its application for objectionable web content filtering

© 2013 IEEE. In this paper, an Advanced Quantum-based Neural Network Classifier (AQNN) is proposed. The proposed AQNN is used to form an objectionable Web content filtering system (OWF). The aim is to design a neural network with a few numbers of hidden layer neurons with the optimal connection weights and the threshold of neurons. The proposed algorithm uses the concept of quantum computing and genetic concept to evolve connection weights and the threshold of neurons. Quantum computing uses qubit as a probabilistic representation which is the smallest unit of information in the quantum computing concept. In this algorithm, a threshold boundary parameter is also introduced to find the optimal value of the threshold of neurons. The proposed algorithm forms neural network architecture which is used to form an objectionable Web content filtering system which detects objectionable Web request by the user. To judge the performance of the proposed AQNN, a total of 2000 (1000 objectionable + 1000 non-objectionable) Website's contents have been used. The results of AQNN are also compared with QNN-F and well-known classifiers as backpropagation, support vector machine (SVM), multilayer perceptron, decision tree algorithm, and artificial neural network. The results show that the AQNN as classifier performs better than existing classifiers. The performance of the proposed objectionable Web content filtering system (OWF) is also compared with well-known objectionable Web filtering software and existing models. It is found that the proposed OWF performs better than existing solutions in terms of filtering objectionable content

A Generalized Enhanced Quantum Fuzzy Approach for Efficient Data Clustering

© 2013 IEEE. Data clustering is a challenging task to gain insights into data in various fields. In this paper, an Enhanced Quantum-Inspired Evolutionary Fuzzy C-Means (EQIE-FCM) algorithm is proposed for data clustering. In the EQIE-FCM, quantum computing concept is utilized in combination with the FCM algorithm to improve the clustering process by evolving the clustering parameters. The improvement in the clustering process leads to improvement in the quality of clustering results. To validate the quality of clustering results achieved by the proposed EQIE-FCM approach, its performance is compared with the other quantum-based fuzzy clustering approaches and also with other evolutionary clustering approaches. To evaluate the performance of these approaches, extensive experiments are being carried out on various benchmark datasets and on the protein database that comprises of four superfamilies. The results indicate that the proposed EQIE-FCM approach finds the optimal value of fitness function and the fuzzifier parameter for the reported datasets. In addition to this, the proposed EQIE-FCM approach also finds the optimal number of clusters and more accurate location of initial cluster centers for these benchmark datasets. Thus, it can be regarded as a more efficient approach for data clustering

Gas Under Right Hemidiaphragm: A Rare Presentation of Unruptured Liver Abscess

A perforated liver abscess mimics hollow viscus perforations. It may be accompanied by pneumoperitoneum and peritonitis. A hollow viscus perforation appears to be the most common cause of gas under diaphragm. In about 10% of the cases, it can be due to rare abdominal and extra-abdominal causes. One of the causes could be intra-abdominal infection caused by gas-forming organisms. We are reporting a rare case of pneumoperitoneum resulting from an unruptured liver abscess in an old male with no comorbidity. An unruptured pyogenic right lobe liver abscess in a 70-year-old male was accompanied by X-ray flat plate abdomen features suggestive of free gas under the right hemidiaphragm. Culture of the pus drained from liver abscess grew Klebsiella sensitive to piperacillin and tazobactam, and antibiotic treatment was administered

A review of clustering techniques and developments

© 2017 Elsevier B.V. This paper presents a comprehensive study on clustering: exiting methods and developments made at various times. Clustering is defined as an unsupervised learning where the objects are grouped on the basis of some similarity inherent among them. There are different methods for clustering the objects such as hierarchical, partitional, grid, density based and model based. The approaches used in these methods are discussed with their respective states of art and applicability. The measures of similarity as well as the evaluation criteria, which are the central components of clustering, are also presented in the paper. The applications of clustering in some fields like image segmentation, object and character recognition and data mining are highlighted

The Safety and Feasibility of Transitioning From Transfemoral to Transradial Access Left Ventricular Endomyocardial Biopsy

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular endomyocardial biopsy (LVEMB) is commonly performed via the transfemoral route. Radial access may help reduce vascular access complications, but there are few data on the safety and feasibility of transradial LVEMB. OBJECTIVE: Describe the safety and feasibility of transitioning from transfemoral to transradial access LVEMB. METHODS: This is a single-center, prospective, observational cohort study. Fifty procedures in 49 patients were included, 25 (50%) via the femoral route and 25 (50%) via the radial route. RESULTS: The cohort had a mean age of 47 ± 13 years and the most common indication for LVEMB was myocarditis. From June 2015 until September 2016, all procedures (n = 21) were performed via the femoral approach; thenceforth, there was a gradual transition to the radial approach. More tissue samples were obtained when the procedure was performed via the femoral approach (P<.01). The minimum sampling target of 3 specimens was not met in 4 patients (16%) via the radial approach and in 1 patient (4%) via the femoral approach. Complications occurred in 3/25 transradial procedures (12%; 2 cardiac perforations and 1 forearm hematoma) and 3/25 transfemoral procedures (12%; 1 cardiac perforation, 1 femoral artery pseudoaneurysm, and 1 ventricular fibrillation). Cardiac perforations via the transradial approach occurred during the early transition period. There were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Transradial LVEMB is feasible, with a similar complication profile to femoral procedures, but associated with a smaller number of specimens. Transitioning from transfemoral to transradial procedures may initially be associated with a higher risk of complications and potentially a lower diagnostic yield

Optimal synthesis and characterization of Ag nanofluids by electrical explosion of wires in liquids

Silver nanoparticles were produced by electrical explosion of wires in liquids with no additive. In this study, we optimized the fabrication method and examined the effects of manufacturing process parameters. Morphology and size of the Ag nanoparticles were determined using transmission electron microscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. Size and zeta potential were analyzed using dynamic light scattering. A response optimization technique showed that optimal conditions were achieved when capacitance was 30 μF, wire length was 38 mm, liquid volume was 500 mL, and the liquid type was deionized water. The average Ag nanoparticle size in water was 118.9 nm and the zeta potential was -42.5 mV. The critical heat flux of the 0.001-vol.% Ag nanofluid was higher than pure water

Single-channel properties of a stretch-sensitive chloride channel in the human mast cell line HMC-1

A stretch-activated (SA) Cl− channel in the plasma membrane of the human mast cell line HMC-1 was identified in outside-out patch-clamp experiments. SA currents, induced by pressure applied to the pipette, exhibited voltage dependence with strong outward rectification (55.1 pS at +100 mV and an about tenfold lower conductance at −100 mV). The probability of the SA channel being open (Po) also showed steep outward rectification and pressure dependence. The open-time distribution was fitted with three components with time constants of τ1o = 755.1 ms, τ2o = 166.4 ms, and τ3o = 16.5 ms at +60 mV. The closed-time distribution also required three components with time constants of τ1c = 661.6 ms, τ2c = 253.2 ms, and τ3c = 5.6 ms at +60 mV. Lowering extracellular Cl− concentration reduced the conductance, shifted the reversal potential toward chloride reversal potential, and decreased the Po at positive potentials. The SA Cl− currents were reversibly blocked by the chloride channel blocker 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS) but not by (Z)-1-(p-dimethylaminoethoxyphenyl)-1,2-diphenyl-1-butene (tamoxifen). Furthermore, in HMC-1 cells swelling due to osmotic stress, DIDS could inhibit the increase in intracellular [Ca2+] and degranulation. We conclude that in the HMC-1 cell line, the SA outward currents are mediated by Cl− influx. The SA Cl− channel might contribute to mast cell degranulation caused by mechanical stimuli or accelerate membrane fusion during the degranulation process

Facultative methanotrophy: false leads, true results, and suggestions for future research

Methanotrophs are a group of phylogenetically diverse microorganisms characterized by their ability to utilize methane as their sole source of carbon and energy. Early studies suggested that growth on methane could be stimulated with the addition of some small organic acids, but initial efforts to find facultative methanotrophs, i.e., methanotrophs able to utilize compounds with carbon–carbon bonds as sole growth substrates were inconclusive. Recently, however, facultative methanotrophs in the genera Methylocella , Methylocapsa , and Methylocystis have been reported that can grow on acetate, as well as on larger organic acids or ethanol for some species. All identified facultative methanotrophs group within the Alphaproteobacteria and utilize the serine cycle for carbon assimilation from formaldehyde. It is possible that facultative methanotrophs are able to convert acetate into intermediates of the serine cycle (e.g. malate and glyoxylate), because a variety of acetate assimilation pathways convert acetate into these compounds (e.g. the glyoxylate shunt of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the ethylmalonyl‐CoA pathway, the citramalate cycle, and the methylaspartate cycle). In this review, we summarize the history of facultative methanotrophy, describe scenarios for the basis of facultative methanotrophy, and pose several topics for future research in this area.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/86841/1/fml2315.pd

Broad targeting of resistance to apoptosis in cancer

Apoptosis or programmed cell death is natural way of removing aged cells from the body. Most of the anti-cancer therapies trigger apoptosis induction and related cell death networks to eliminate malignant cells. However, in cancer, de-regulated apoptotic signaling, particularly the activation of an anti-apoptotic systems, allows cancer cells to escape this program leading to uncontrolled proliferation resulting in tumor survival, therapeutic resistance and recurrence of cancer. This resistance is a complicated phenomenon that emanates from the interactions of various molecules and signaling pathways. In this comprehensive review we discuss the various factors contributing to apoptosis resistance in cancers. The key resistance targets that are discussed include (1) Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 proteins; (2) autophagy processes; (3) necrosis and necroptosis; (4) heat shock protein signaling; (5) the proteasome pathway; (6) epigenetic mechanisms; and (7) aberrant nuclear export signaling. The shortcomings of current therapeutic modalities are highlighted and a broad spectrum strategy using approaches including (a) gossypol; (b) epigallocatechin-3-gallate; (c) UMI-77 (d) triptolide and (e) selinexor that can be used to overcome cell death resistance is presented. This review provides a roadmap for the design of successful anti-cancer strategies that overcome resistance to apoptosis for better therapeutic outcome in patients with cancer

Childhood intussusception in Uzbekistan: Analysis of retrospective surveillance data

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Estimates of baseline incidence of childhood intussusception could help safety monitoring after the introduction of rotavirus vaccines. We studied the incidence of intussusception in Uzbekistan, a GAVI-fund eligible state in Central Asia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We retrospectively reviewed intussusception cases in children <2 years of age treated during 2004-2008 at 15 hospitals in the Bukhara region of Uzbekistan. Demographic and clinical data as well as information on diagnostic and treatment practices were obtained from hospital records. We categorized cases using the Brighton collaboration clinical case definition and calculated the national incidence rate.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Over a 5-year study period, 67 confirmed cases were identified, of which 67% were boys. The median age was 12 months, and no seasonal trend in the distribution of cases was observed. The diagnostic methods used included abdominal radiography (87%) and ultrasonography (57%). Intussusception reduction by air enema was successful in 33 (49%) patients and 34 (50%) cases underwent surgery. A total of 4 deaths occurred, including 3 deaths in infants aged 0-6 months. The median length of hospital stay was 7.3 (range 0-37) days. The incidence of intussusception is estimated at 23 (95% CI 13.6-32.4) cases per 100,000 child-years, corresponding to approximately 237 cases annually.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This is the first study to estimate the incidence of childhood intussusception prior to the introduction of the rotavirus vaccination in Uzbekistan. A prospective surveillance system using a standardized case definition is needed in order to better examine the occurrence of intussusception in developing countries.</p