Application-independent feature construction based on almost-closedness properties

Feature construction has been studied extensively, including for 0/1 data samples. Given the recent breakthroughs in closedness-related constraint-based mining, we are considering its impact on feature construction for classification tasks. We investigate the use of condensed representations of frequent itemsets based on closedness properties as new features. These itemset types have been proposed to avoid set counting in difficult association rule mining tasks, i.e. when data are noisy and/or highly correlated. However, our guess is that their intrinsic properties (say the maximality for the closed itemsets and the minimality for the δ-free itemsets) should have an impact on feature quality. Understanding this remains fairly open, and we discuss these issues thanks to itemset properties on the one hand and an experimental validation on various data sets (possibly noisy) on the other hand.     

De Novo Missense Mutations in TNNC1 and TNNI3 Causing Severe Infantile Cardiomyopathy Affect Myofilament Structure and Function and Are Modulated by Troponin Targeting Agents

Rare pediatric non-compaction and restrictive cardiomyopathy are usually associated with a rapid and severe disease progression. While the non-compaction phenotype is characterized by structural defects and is correlated with systolic dysfunction, the restrictive phenotype exhibits diastolic dysfunction. The molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Target genes encode among others, the cardiac troponin subunits forming the main regulatory protein complex of the thin filament for muscle contraction. Here, we compare the molecular effects of two infantile de novo point mutations in TNNC1 (p.cTnC-G34S) and TNNI3 (p.cTnI-D127Y) leading to severe non-compaction and restrictive phenotypes, respectively. We used skinned cardiomyocytes, skinned fibers, and reconstituted thin filaments to measure the impact of the mutations on contractile function. We investigated the interaction of these troponin variants with actin and their inter-subunit interactions, as well as the structural integrity of reconstituted thin filaments. Both mutations exhibited similar functional and structural impairments, though the patients developed different phenotypes. Furthermore, the protein quality control system was affected, as shown for TnC-G34S using patient’s myocardial tissue samples. The two troponin targeting agents levosimendan and green tea extract (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCg) stabilized the structural integrity of reconstituted thin filaments and ameliorated contractile function in vitro in some, but not all, aspects to a similar degree for both mutations.     

Design of mixed-mode natural convection solar crop dryers: Application of principles and rules of thumb

A mixed-mode natural convection solar crop dryer (MNCSCD) designed and used for drying cassava and other crops in an enclosed structure is presented. A prototype of the dryer was constructed to specification and used in experimental drying tests. This paper outlines the systematic combination of the application of basic design concepts, and rules of thumb resulting from numerous and several years of experimental studies used and presents the results of calculations of the design parameters. A batch of cassava 160 kg by mass, having an initial moisture content of 67% wet basis from which 100 kg of water is required to be removed to have it dried to a desired moisture content of 17% wet basis, is used as the drying load in designing the dryer. A drying time of 30–36 h is assumed for the anticipated test location (Kumasi; 6.7°N,1.6°W) with an expected average solar irradiance of 400 W/m² and ambient conditions of 25 °C and 77.8% relative humidity. A minimum of 42.4 m² of solar collection area, according to the design, is required for an expected drying efficiency of 12.5%. Under average ambient conditions of 28.2 °C and 72.1% relative humidity with solar irradiance of 340.4 W/m², a drying time of 35.5 h was realised and the drying efficiency was evaluated as 12.3% when tested under full designed load signifying that the design procedure proposed is sufficiently reliable.     

Modelling and experimental studies on a mixed-mode natural convection solar crop-dryer

A mathematical model for drying agricultural products in a mixed-mode natural convection solar crop dryer (MNCSCD) using a single-pass double-duct solar air-heater (SPDDSAH) is presented. The model was developed in parallel with experimental work. The model comprises the air-heating process model, the drying model and the technical performance criteria model. The governing equations of the drying air temperature and humidity ratio; the material temperature and its moisture content; and performance criteria indicators are derived. The model requires the solution of a number of interrelated non-linear equations and a set of simultaneous differential equations. Results from experimental studies used for generating the required experimental data for validating the model are presented. Results of simulation runs using the model are presented and compared with the experimental data. It is shown that the model can predict the performance of the MNCSCD fairly accurately and therefore can be used as a design tool for prototype development.     

Calcium‐phosphate and parathyroid intradialytic profiles: A potential aid for tailoring the dialysate calcium content of patients on different hemodialysis schedules

Severe hyperparathyroidism is a challenge on hemodialysis. The definition of dialysate calcium (Ca) is a pending issue with renewed importance in cases of individualized dialysis schedules and of portable home dialysis machines with low‐flow dialysate. Direct measurement of calcium mass transfer is complex and is imprecisely reflected by differences in start‐to‐end of dialysis Ca levels. The study was performed in a dialysis unit dedicated to home hemodialysis and to critical patients with wide use of daily and tailored schedules. The Ca‐phosphate (P)‐parathyroid hormone (PTH) profile includes creatinine, urea, total and ionized Ca, albumin, sodium, potassium, P, PTH levels at start, mid, and end of dialysis. “Severe” secondary hyperparathyroidism was defined as PTH > 300 pg/mL for ≥3 months. Four schedules were tested: conventional dialysis (polysulfone dialyzer 1.8–2.1 m²), with dialysate Ca 1.5 or 1.75 mmol/L, NxStage (Ca 1.5 mmol/L), and NxStage plus intradialytic Ca infusion. Dosages of vitamin D, calcium, phosphate binders, and Ca mimetic agents were adjusted monthly. Eighty Ca‐P‐PTH profiles were collected in 12 patients. Serum phosphate was efficiently reduced by all techniques. No differences in start‐to‐end PTH and Ca levels on dialysis were observed in patients with PTH levels < 300 pg/mL. Conversely, Ca levels in “severe” secondary hyperparathyroid patients significantly increased and PTH decreased during dialysis on all schedules except on Nxstage (P < 0.05). Our data support the need for tailored dialysate Ca content, even on “low‐flow” daily home dialysis, in “severe” secondary hyperparathyroid patients in order to increase the therapeutic potentials of the new dialysis techniques.     

Elastic coefficients of anisotropic foundation beds

The influence exerted by anisotropy of the deformation properties of soil foundation beds on the elastic characteristics used in dynamic analyses of machine-bearing foundations is investigated. A model of an anisotropic foundation bed in the form of a transversally isotropic elastic half space is used to estimate the extent of this influence. It is suggested that correction factors dependent on the degree of anisotropy of the soil be used in the analyses. Translated from Osnovaniya, Fundamenty i Mekhanika Gruntov, No. 2, pp. 2–6, March–April, 2000.     

Incorporating detoxified Argania spinosa press cake into the diet of Alpine goats affects the antioxidant activity and levels of polyphenol compounds in their milk

Goat’s milk is an excellent source of antioxidants that resist oxidative stress. This paper reports on a study of Alpine goats, showing that introducing detoxified Argane press cake (DAPC) into their diet affected the antioxidant activity and polyphenol compounds in their milk during lactation. The results showed that the bioactive compounds of goat milk vary significantly (p < 0.001) depending on both their feed and milk lactation stage. The milk samples obtained from goats fed DAPC ranked highest total phenolic content, flavonoids, and DPPH(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assays (367.91 ± 102.17 mg GAE/g of milk dry matter [DM], 120.76 ± 24.21 mg QE/g of milk DM, and 71.19 ± 2.84%, respectively) compared to milk samples collected from goats fed a diet including non-detoxified Argane press cake (289.03 ± 104.42 mg GAE/g of milk DM, 105.72 ± 13.60 mg QE/g of milk DM, and 64.22 ± 2.45%, respectively) and milk samples from goats fed a local diet (179.26 ± 81.28 mg GAE/g of milk DM, 89.86 ± 17.83 mg QE/g of milk DM, and 61.57 ± 5.08%, respectively). Additionally, the data revealed that including DAPC in the goat diet offers a good method for raising the amounts of total phenolic compounds and total flavonoids, with antioxidant activity in goat’s milk.     

Quantitative analysis of myofilament protein phosphorylation in small cardiac biopsies

Phosphorylation of cardiac myofilament proteins represents one of the main post‐translational mechanisms that regulate cardiac pump function. Human studies are often limited by the amount of available tissue as biopsies taken during cardiac catheterization weigh only 1 mg (dry weight). Similarly, investigation of time‐ (or dose‐) dependent changes in protein phosphorylation in animal studies is often hampered by tissue availability. The present study describes quantitative analysis of phosphorylation status of multiple myofilament proteins by 2‐DE and Pro‐Q® Diamond stained gradient gels using minor amounts (?0.5 mg dry weight) of human and pig cardiac tissue.