SurvJamda: an R package to predict patients' survival and risk assessment using joint analysis of microarray gene expression data

Summary: SurvJamda (Survival prediction by joint analysis of microarray data) is an R package that utilizes joint analysis of microarray gene expression data to predict patients' survival and risk assessment. Joint analysis can be performed by merging datasets or meta-analysis to increase the sample size and to improve survival prognosis. The prognosis performance derived from the combined datasets can be assessed to determine which feature selection approach, joint analysis method and bias estimation provide the most robust prognosis for a given set of datasets. Availability: The survJamda package is available at the Comprehensive R Archive Network, http://cran.r-project.org. Contact: [email protected]

Determination of an Ultimate Pit Limit Utilising Fractal Modelling to Optimise NPV

The speed and complexity of globalisation and reduction of natural resources on the one hand, and interests of large multinational corporations on the other, necessitates proper management of mineral resources and consumption. The need for scientific research and application of new methodologies and approaches to maximise Net Present Value (NPV) within mining operations is essential. In some cases, drill core logging in the field may result in an inadequate level of information and subsequent poor diagnosis of geological phenomenon which may undermine the delineation or separation of mineralised zones. This is because the interpretation of individual loggers is subjective. However, modelling based on logging data is absolutely essential to determine the architecture of an orebody including ore distribution and geomechanical features. For instance, ore grades, density and RQD values are not included in conventional geological models whilst variations in a mineral deposit are an obvious and salient feature. Given the problems mentioned above, a series of new mathematical methods have been developed, based on fractal modelling, which provide a more objective approach. These have been established and tested in a case study of the Kahang Cu-Mo porphyry deposit, central Iran. Recognition of different types of mineralised zone in an ore deposit is important for mine planning. As a result, it is felt that the most important outcome of this thesis is the development of an innovative approach to the delineation of major mineralised (supergene and hypogene) zones from ‘barren’ host rock. This is based on subsurface data and the utilisation of the Concentration-Volume (C-V) fractal model, proposed by Afzal et al. (2011), to optimise a Cu-Mo block model for better determination of an ultimate pit limit. Drawing on this, new approaches, referred to Density–Volume (D–V) and RQD-Volume (RQD-V) fractal modelling, have been developed and used to delineate rock characteristics in terms of density and RQD within the Kahang deposit (Yasrebi et al., 2013b; Yasrebi et al., 2014). From the results of this modelling, the density and RQD populations of rock types from the studied deposit showed a relationship between density and rock quality based on RQD values, which can be used to predict final pit slope. Finally, the study introduces a Present Value-Volume (PV-V) fractal model in order to identify an accurate excavation orientation with respect to economic principals and ore grades of all determined voxels within the obtained ultimate pit limit in order to achieve an earlier pay-back period.Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, the global network IOM3Cornish Institute of EngineersWhittle Consulting (Business Optimisation for the Mining Industry

A new MoVI Schiff base complex: methanol[N′-(3-meth­oxy-2-oxidobenzyl­idene)benzohydrazidato]dioxido­molybdenum(VI)

In the title benzil­idene Schiff base molybdenum(VI) complex, [Mo(C15H12N2O3)O2(CH3OH)], the MoVI ion is coordinated by two oxide O atoms and by two O atoms and one N atom of the tridentate N′-(3-meth­oxy-2-oxidobenzyl­idene)benzo­hydrazidate (L) Schiff base ligand. The methanol O atom completes the distorted octa­hedral configuration of the MoVI atom. Strong O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds form a C(5) chain around a 21 screw axis. Weak C—H—O hydrogen bonds are also present

High Speed Under-Sampling Frequency Measurements on FPGA

A Sampling rate is less than Nyquist rate in some applications because of hardware limitations. Consequently, extensive researches have been conducted on frequency detection from sub-sampled signals. Previous studies on under-sampling frequency measurements have mostly discussed under-sampling frequency detection in theory and suggested possible methods for fast under-sampling frequencies detection. This study examined few suggested methods on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) for fast under-sampling frequencies measurement. Implementation of the suggested methods on FPGA has issues that make them improper for fast data processing. This study tastes and discusses different methods for frequency detection including Least Squares (LS), Direct State Space (DSS), Goertzel filter, Sliding DFT, Phase changes of Fast Furrier Transform (FFT), peak amplitude of FFT to conclude which one from these methods are suitable for fast under-sampling frequencies detection on FPGA. Moreover, our proposed approach for sub-sampling detection from real waveform has less complextity than previous approaches from complex waveform

Correlation between geology and concentration-volume fractal models: significance for Cu and Mo mineralized zones separation in the Kahang porphyry deposit (Central Iran)

ArticleThis study identifies the major mineralized zones including supergene enrichment and hypogene enrichment in the Kahang Cu-Mo porphyry deposit which is located in Central Iran based on subsurface data and utilization of the concentration-volume (C-V) fractal model. Additionally, a correlation between results achieved from a C-V fractal model and geological models consisting of zonation, mineralography and alteration have been conducted in order to have an accurate recognition and modification of the main mineralized zones. Log-log plots indicate five geochemical populations for Cu and Mo in the deposit which means that mineralization commences with 0.075 % and 13 ppm for Cu and Mo (as the first thresholds) respectively. The main mineralization began for Cu≥0.42 % and Mo≥100 ppm and also enriched mineralization containing Cu≥1.8 % and Mo≥645 ppm which is located in the central part of the deposit. According to the C-V model, the main Cu-Mo mineralized zones occur in the hypogene zone, especially in the central, NW and NE parts of the Kahang deposit. The supergene enrichment zone derived via the C-V model is smaller than that in the geological model and is located in the central and eastern parts of the deposit. Results analysed by the C-V fractal model certify that the interpreted zones based on the fractal model are accurate. To certify this, a logratio matrix has been employed to validate the C-V fractal model for the Cu and Mo main mineralized zones.The authors are grateful to the National Iranian Copper Industries Co. (NICICO) for their permission to have access to the Kahang deposit dataset. Additionally, the authors would like to thank Dr. A. Saad Mohammadi the former CEO of NICICO for his support. The authors would like to thank the reviewers of this paper for their comments and valuable remarks

Idiopathic Uveitis and Familial Mediterranean Fever: Is There Any Relationship?

Introduction. Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an auto-inflammatory disease characterized by attacks of fever and polyserositis. FMF is often associated with other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), and Behcet. Uveitis is an inflammatory process caused by underlying infectious and inflammatory disorders. This study investigates the probable relationship between idiopathic uveitis and FMF. Methods. Patients with idiopathic uveitis were analyzed for the 12 most common MEFV mutations (P369S, F479L, M680I(G/C), M680I(G/A), I692del, M694V, M694I, K695R, V726A, A744S, R761H, E148Q) by a reverse hybridization assay (FMF StripAssay,Vienna lab,Vienna, Austria). Results. 12 patients with idiopathic uveitis were enrolled in this study. 10 of them were female. The youngest patient was a 7-year-old child and the oldest was 57. The most common complaints of patients were blurred vision and then eye redness. One patient was heterozygous for R761H. Genetic analysis of the 12 most common MEFV mutations in the patients with idiopathic uveitis didnot have any positive results. Conclusion. According to the analysis of the 12 most common MEFV gene mutations, FMF is not an underlying cause of idiopathic uveitis. On the other hand, uveitis merely could not be the first presentation of FMF

Effect of an Increase in Nano-Filler Content on the Mechanical Properties of High-Leucite Composite Resins Useable in Dentistry

Objective: Currently, a large number of studies are under way on the technologies used to prepare fillers and improve composite resins. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the physical properties of dental composite resins after incorporation of ceramic nano-fillers. Materials and Methods: In the present study, high-leucite nano-fillers were incorporated into dental composite resins (a mixture of Bis-GMA [70%] and TEGDMA [30%]) at different concentrations. Then the mechanical properties of the resultant composite resins, including tensile and flexural strengths, were evaluated. The tensile and flexural strengths of the samples were measured with the use of a universal testing machine. Data were analyzed with t test, using SPSS 20. Results: The results showed that the flexural strength in 10% nano-filler-reinforced composite resin group was significantly higher (56.05 ± 90.75 MPa) than that in the conventional composite resin group (51.4 ± 59.08 MPa) (P < 0.05). In addition, the tensile strength in the 10% nano-filler-reinforced composite resin group (48.3±43.03 MPa) was significantly higher than that in the conventional composite resin group (39.3 ± 27.83 MPa) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, in composite resins containing 10 wt% of nano-fillers, the tensile and flexural strengths increased significantly

Application of fractal modeling for integration of data layers in GIS, case study: Sharafabad-Hizehjan area (NW Iran)

The aim of this study is to indicate an Au prospect utilizing fractal modelling in the Hizehjan-SharafAbad area, NW Iran, which is located in the Alborz-Azerbayjan structural zone and the Arasbaran metallogenic belt. In this study, Au geochemical anomalies, lithological layers, alteration zones, faults, vein densities and geophysical data were generated and integrated into a GIS package. Different populations of the geochemical anomalies, faults and vein densities were determined based on Concentration-Number (C-N) and Concentration-Area (C-A) fractal models [1, 2]. In addition, these layers were converted to a raster format and subsequently weighted using an Index Overlay method and fractal modelling for the subsequent identification of Au prospects. Finally, results obtained by the Index Overlay method were classified by the C-A fractal modelling. The results revealed that significant Au prospects were situated in the NW and central parts of the study area

Comparison of Mechanical and Physical Properties of White and Gray Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Useable in Dentistry

Objectives: Currently, different materials are used to obdurate tooth root canals. An ideal root canal flling material should have some specifc properties, including biocompatibility, dimensional stability and insolubility. Materials and Methods: One of the methods to evaluate these materials is to carry out solubility and microhardness tests. To this end, 20 mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) samples were prepared for solubility test and 60 samples for microhardness test. MTA (Angelus, Brazil) was prepared based on manufacturer’s instructions by mixing the powder and catalyst at a ratio of 1:1 and was placed in Teflon molds. The samples were stored in a room with 95% relative humidity at 37°C for 390 minutes (3 times longer than the setting time). The solubility of the materials was tested by immersing the samples in distilled water and measuring weight loss at 24-hour and 7-day intervals. The microhardness was determined using Vickers test before and after immersion in Ringer’s solution at different intervals and the results were compared. Results: The results showed that solubility of white MTA after 1 day was similar to that of gray MTA; however, after 7 days, its solubility increased. There were no signifcant differences in microhardness on day 1 and on the subsequent days between white and gray MTA samples (P<0.05). Conclusions: There was no signifcant difference in the solubility of white and gray MTA samples at 24-hour interval; however, at 7-day interval, the solubility of white MTA (WMTA) was signifcantly higher than that of grey MTA (GMTA) (with the solubility of both materials being <3%) In addition, there was no signifcant difference in microhardness of white and gray MTA between the frst day and other intervals (P<0.05)