KNODWAT: A scientific framework application for testing knowledge discovery methods for the biomedical domain

BACKGROUND: Professionals in the biomedical domain are confronted with an increasing mass of data. Developing methods to assist professional end users in the field of Knowledge Discovery to identify, extract, visualize and understand useful information from these huge amounts of data is a huge challenge. However, there are so many diverse methods and methodologies available, that for biomedical researchers who are inexperienced in the use of even relatively popular knowledge discovery methods, it can be very difficult to select the most appropriate method for their particular research problem. RESULTS: A web application, called KNODWAT (KNOwledge Discovery With Advanced Techniques) has been developed, using Java on Spring framework 3.1. and following a user-centered approach. The software runs on Java 1.6 and above and requires a web server such as Apache Tomcat and a database server such as the MySQL Server. For frontend functionality and styling, Twitter Bootstrap was used as well as jQuery for interactive user interface operations. CONCLUSIONS: The framework presented is user-centric, highly extensible and flexible. Since it enables methods for testing using existing data to assess suitability and performance, it is especially suitable for inexperienced biomedical researchers, new to the field of knowledge discovery and data mining. For testing purposes two algorithms, CART and C4.5 were implemented using the WEKA data mining framework

Karst landforms Within Noctis Labyrinthus, Mars

Noctis Labyrinthus is an intricate system of Late Hesperian and Early Amazonian linear troughs and rounded pits connecting the Tharsis volcanic rise and western Valles Marineris next to Martian equator. This study was focused on three light-toned deposits (LTDs) located within a trough located in the western part of Noctis Labyrinthus, centered at −6.8°N, 261.1°E, approximately 60 x 50 km in dimension and with a depth of 5 km below the adjacent plateau. These LTDs located on the floor in the central region of this trough display spectral signature of gypsum and are characterised by the widespread presence of shallow depression morphologies. We performed a morphologic and morphometric analysis of the surfaces of these LTDs through an integrated study of images available through the Reconnaissance Mars Orbiter High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment with the aim to describe, for the first time, these landforms, and to discuss their possible origins and lithological and paleo-climatic significance. Analysis, on the basis of the characteristics of the investigated landforms and the similarities of features on Earth and Mars, and after discarding other possible origins, revealed that the examined Martian landforms have karst origin. The landform features appear to reflect water-related processes, probably due to ice melting formed during periods of ice-snow-rich deposition from the atmosphere as the result of changes in the obliquity of Mars, which could have driven the processes of dissolution or collapse on the evaporite rock. Thus, the observed karst landforms suggest a climate change and the presence of liquid water due to ice melting during the Late Amazonian age.Key words: karst, gypsum, shallow depressions, climate change, Noctis Labyrinthus, Mars

Heavy baryons as polarimeters at colliders

In new-physics processes that produce b or c jets, a measurement of the initial b or c-quark polarization could provide crucial information about the structure of the new physics. In the heavy-quark limit, the b and c-quark polarizations are preserved in the lightest baryons they hadronize into, Lambda_b and Lambda_c, respectively. We revisit the prediction for the polarization retention after the hadronization process and extend it to the case of transverse polarization. We show how ATLAS and CMS can measure the b-quark polarization using semileptonic Lambda_b decays, and the c-quark polarization using Lambda_c+ -> p K- pi+ decays. For calibrating both measurements we suggest to use ttbar samples in which these polarizations can be measured with precision of order 10% using 100/fb of data in Run 2 of the LHC. Measurements of the transverse polarization in QCD events at ATLAS, CMS and LHCb are motivated as well. The proposed measurements give access to nonperturbative QCD parameters relevant to the dynamics of the hadronization process.Comment: 47 pages, 5 figures; v2: minor improvements, published versio

Sixth Åland Island Conference on von Willebrand disease

Introduction The sixth angstrom land Islands Conference on von Willebrand disease (VWD) on the angstrom land Islands, Finland, was held from 20 to 22 September 2018. Aim The meeting brought together experts in the field of VWD from around the world to share the latest advances and knowledge in VWD. Results and discussion The topics covered both clinical aspects of disease management, and biochemical and laboratory insights into the disease. The clinical topics discussed included epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of VWD in different countries, management of children with VWD, bleeding control during surgery, specific considerations for the management of type 3 VWD and bleeding control in women with VWD. Current approaches to the management of acquired von Willebrand syndrome were also discussed. Despite significant advances in the understanding and therapeutic options for VWD, there remain many challenges to be overcome in order to optimise patient care. In comparison with haemophilia A, there are very few registries of VWD patients, which would be a valuable source of data on the condition and its management. VWD is still underdiagnosed, and many patients suffer recurrent or severe bleeding that could be prevented. Awareness of VWD among healthcare practitioners, including non-haematologists, should be improved to allow timely diagnosis and intervention. Diagnosis remains challenging, and the development of fast, simple assays may help to facilitate accurate and rapid diagnosis of VWD.Peer reviewe

Evidence for perinatal and child health care guidelines in crisis settings: can Cochrane help?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It is important that healthcare provided in crisis settings is based on the best available research evidence. We reviewed guidelines for child and perinatal health care in crisis situations to determine whether they were based on research evidence, whether Cochrane systematic reviews were available in the clinical areas addressed by these guidelines and whether summaries of these reviews were provided in Evidence Aid.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Broad internet searches were undertaken to identify relevant guidelines. Guidelines were appraised using AGREE and the clinical areas that were relevant to perinatal or child health were extracted. We searched The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews to identify potentially relevant reviews. For each review we determined how many trials were included, and how many were conducted in resource-limited settings.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Six guidelines met selection criteria. None of the included guidelines were clearly based on research evidence. 198 Cochrane reviews were potentially relevant to the guidelines. These reviews predominantly addressed nutrient supplementation, breastfeeding, malaria, maternal hypertension, premature labour and prevention of HIV transmission. Most reviews included studies from developing settings. However for large portions of the guidelines, particularly health services delivery, there were no relevant reviews. Only 18 (9.1%) reviews have summaries in Evidence Aid.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We did not identify any evidence-based guidelines for perinatal and child health care in disaster settings. We found many Cochrane reviews that could contribute to the evidence-base supporting future guidelines. However there are important issues to be addressed in terms of the relevance of the available reviews and increasing the number of reviews addressing health care delivery.</p

The Use of Radio Frequency Identification Technology in Labeling and Product Tracebility

Increasing number and diversity of products, and the need to produce these products and deliver them to consumers, increases the need for higher level form of products tracking and identification. This is evident in all steps, from production and monitoring in the production facility, to its distribution and sales. However, there is an increasing need for monitoring products after sales, to be able to influence the satisfaction of the customers. Standard methods of labeling the products, such as bar code systems, are slowly losing the battle with new technologies, especially Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). Stated RFID technology offers so far unseen capabilities for use in the entire supply chain. But regardless of its welfare and certain future, there are reasons why it is not currently used more.tracking products, RFID, IT support for logistics, cutting costs, trade and production support

Karst landforms within Noctis Labyrinthus, Mars (Kraške reliefne oblike na območju Noctis Labyrinthus, Mars)

Noctis Labyrinthus is an intricate system of Late Hesperian and Early Amazonian linear troughs and rounded pits connecting the Tharsis volcanic rise and western Valles Marineris next to Martian equator. This study was focused on three light-toned deposits (LTDs) located within a trough located in the western part of Noctis Labyrinthus, centered at −6.8°N, 261.1°E, approximately 60 x 50 km in dimension and with a depth of 5 km below the adjacent plateau. These LTDs located on the floor in the central region of this trough display spectral signature of gypsum and are characterised by the widespread presence of shallow depression morphologies. We performed a morphologic and morphometric analysis of the surfaces of these LTDs through an integrated study of images available through the Reconnaissance Mars Orbiter High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment with the aim to describe, for the first time, these landforms, and to discuss their possible origins and lithological and paleo-climatic significance. Analysis, on the basis of the characteristics of the investigated landforms and the similarities of features on Earth and Mars, and after discarding other possible origins, revealed that the examined Martian landforms have karst origin. The landform features appear to reflect water-related processes, probably due to ice melting formed during periods of ice-snow-rich deposition from the atmosphere as the result of changes in the obliquity of Mars, which could have driven the processes of dissolution or collapse on the evaporite rock. Thus, the observed karst landforms suggest a climate change and the presence of liquid water due to ice melting during the Late Amazonian age