Managing sensor traffic data and forecasting unusual behaviour propagation

Sensor data on traffic events have prompted a wide range of research issues, related with the so-called ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems). Data are delivered for both static (fixed) and mobile (embedded) sensors, generating large and complex spatio-temporal series. This scenario presents several research challenges, in spatio-temporal data management and data analysis. Management issues involve, for instance, data cleaning and data fusion to support queries at distinct spatial and temporal granularities. Analysis issues include the characterization of traffic behavior for given space and/or time windows, and detection of anomalous behavior (either due to sensor malfunction, or to traffic events). This paper contributes to the solution of some of these issues through a new kind of framework to manage static sensor data. Our work is based on combining research on analytical methods to process sensor data, and data management strategies to query these data. The first aspect is geared towards supporting pattern matching. This leads to a model to study and predict unusual traffic behavior along an urban road network. The second aspect deals with spatio-temporal database issues, taking into account information produced by the model. This allows distinct granularities and modalities of analysis of sensor data in space and time. This work was conducted within a project that uses real data, with tests conducted on 1,000 sensors, during 3 years, in a large French city.     

Modelling and forecasting noisy realized volatility

Several methods have recently been proposed in the ultra-high frequency financial literature to remove the effects of microstructure noise and to obtain consistent estimates of the integrated volatility (IV) as a measure of ex post daily volatility. Even bias-corrected and consistent realized volatility (RV) estimates of IV can contain residual microstructure noise and other measurement errors. Such noise is called “realized volatility error”. As such errors are ignored, we need to take account of them in estimating and forecasting IV. This paper investigates through Monte Carlo simulations the effects of RV errors on estimating and forecasting IV with RV data. It is found that: (i) neglecting RV errors can lead to serious bias in estimators; (ii) the effects of RV errors on one-step-ahead forecasts are minor when consistent estimators are used and when the number of intraday observations is large; (iii) even the partially corrected R² recently proposed in the literature should be fully corrected for evaluating forecasts. This paper proposes a full correction of R². An empirical example for S&P 500 data is used to demonstrate the techniques developed in this paper.     

A System for Change Documentation Based on a Spatiotemporal Database

The evolution of geographic phenomena has been one of the concerns of spatiotemporal database research. However, in a large spectrum of geographical applications, users need more than a mere representation of data evolution. For instance, in urban management applications—e.g., cadastral evolution—users often need to know why, how, and by whom certain changes have been performed as well as their possible impact on the environment. Answers to such queries are not possible unless supplementary information concerning real world events is associated with the corresponding changes in the database and is managed efficiently. This paper proposes a solution to this problem, which is based on extending a spatiotemporal database with a mechanism for managing documentation on the evolution of geographic information. This solution has been implemented in a GIS-based prototype, which is also discussed in the paper.     

The influence of dietary nucleotides and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on the incorporation of [3H] arachidonic acid on experimental liver cirrhosis

The purposes of this study were to determine: a) the incorporation of labeled [3H] arachidonic acid on the intestinal mucosa, the liver and plasma, after 1,3 and 5 hours of administration, b) preferential incorporation by different tissues, c) and the effects on experimental rats with thioacetamide-induced cirrhosis, after four weeks of a dietary supplementation with nucleotides and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. 209 female Wistar rats were divided into two groups (control and TAA group). The TAA group was given 300 mg of thioacetamide/L, in their drinking water for four months. After this period, a sample of 6 rats were taken from each group and examined, to evaluate the biochemical and histological changes of the experimental model, and 36 rats were taken to determine the incorporation of radioactivity by the groups. The rest of the animals were divided into four subgroups. Each group, receiving a supplementary diet with only long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and/or nucleotides or neither, for 4 weeks. After four months of thioacetamide, the incorporation of the [3H] arachidonic acid showed: a) an increased within 3 h in the intestinal mucosa, b) a decreased in the liver after 3 to 5 h c) and a drastic decrease in the plasma after 3 to 5 h. With a dietary supplementation of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and nucleotides combined, there was a decrease of accumulate [3H] arachidonic acid in the intestine and a increase in the liver and plasma. The simultaneous supply of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and nucleotides was beneficial in the reversal of abnormalities of the lipid metabolism, in this experimental model of liver cirrhosis.     

Hodgkin''s disease of the esophagus

The effects of tilisolol, a nonselective beta-adrenoceptor blocker, on transmembrane ionic currents were studied in single guinea pig ventricular myocytes by using the whole-cell voltage clamp technique. In the absence of beta-adrenergic stimulation, 10 microM tilisolol, a concentration higher than that used in the clinical therapeutic regimen, did not affect the L-type Ca2+ current (ICa), the inwardly rectifying K+ current (IK1), or the delayed rectifying K+ current (IK). In addition, it did not induce currents through the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive K+ channels. However, under the nonselective beta-adrenergic stimulation with 1 microM isoproterenol, 1 microM tilisolol almost completely reversed the agonist-induced increase of IK. The increase of ICa by isoproterenol was blocked only by approximately 30% with tilisolol. We concluded that, at therapeutic concentrations (0.01-0.15 microM), tilisolol is a pure beta-adrenoceptor antagonist that has no direct effects on the transmembrane ionic currents of mammalian ventricular myocytes, such as ICa, IK1, or IK. Comparison of the dose-dependent effects of tilisolol on ICa and IK suggested that tilisolol may selectively inhibit catecholamine-induced increase of IK at the therapeutic concentrations. The virtually selective inhibition of IK, leaving ICa intact, may be favorable to prevent the catecholamine-induced arrhythmia without inhibiting contraction.     

Comparison of lipase production by Geotrichum candidum in stirring and airlift fermenters

The production of lipase by Geotrichum candidum in both, stirred tank and airlift bioreactors were compared. G candidum an imperfect filamentous fungus, grows well in liquid medium, and produces a lipase with specific affinity for long‐chain fatty acids with cis‐9 double bonds but, lipase production is generally not efficient because the optimum medium composition and fermentation conditions are not known. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the agitation speed (100–500 rpm) and aeration (0.2–1.8 vvm) for production of lipase by G candidum in a bench‐scale stirred fermenter. A Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) was used to optimize lipase activity and productivity. Lipase production in an airlift fermenter was also studied with aeration ranging from 1 to 3 vvm. A previously optimized culture medium containing 3.58% of peptone, 0.64% of soy oil and an initial pH of 7.0, was used in the experiments, incubating at 30°C. In the stirred reactor the optimum conditions of agitation and aeration for lipase production and productivity were 300 rpm and 1 vvm, leading to an activity of 20 U cm^?3 in 54 h of fermentation and 0.3900 (U cm^?3 h^?1) of productivity. The best aeration condition in the airlift fermenter was 2.5 vvm, which yielded similar lipase activity after 30 h of fermentation, resulting in a productivity of 0.6423 (U cm^?3 h^?1). In the absence of mechanical agitation similar lipase yields were achieved but in less time, resulting in productivity, about 60% greater than in a stirred fermenter; the lower energy demand for the same lipase yield offers economic advantages. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Observation versus self-report: validation of a consumer food behavior questionnaire

A reliable and validated set of food safety behavior questions that could be used with confidence when evaluating food safety education programs was identified in this study. A list of 29 food-handling and consumption behaviors rank-ordered within five pathogen control factors by nationally recognized food safety experts was the basis for the development of the behavior questions. Questions were evaluated for reliability and several forms of validity. During a kitchen activity session, 70 graduates of a nutrition education program completed four food preparation tasks while being observed and videotaped. The individuals also participated in an in-depth interview to validate behaviors that could not be observed during the food preparation activity, e.g., refraining from preparing food for others when experiencing diarrhea. Criterion validity was established by comparing questionnaire responses to observed behavior and interview responses. Twenty-eight questions met the validity criterion (> or = 70% agreement between observed and interviewed responses and self-reported responses), with three or more questions from each of five pathogen control factor areas. Observation assessments revealed that hand washing was more likely to be performed prior to beginning food preparation than between working with raw meats and fresh produce. Errors in methods of washing hands, utensils, and preparation surfaces between food preparation tasks were common. Most participants did not use thermometers to evaluate doneness but still cooked to safe internal temperatures. The results provide a tool that educators can use to evaluate food safety programs and will help guide the development of more effective food safety education programs targeting needed improvements in behavioral skills.     

One-step synthesis of LaNiO3 with chitosan for dry reforming of methane

This paper presents a new preparation method of a catalytic precursor LaNiO₃ perovskite type in one-step using chitosan as a chelating agent. During synthesis La and Ni nitrates were added into a solution containing chitosan, placed into an oven to decompose the reagents and subsequently calcined. The perovskite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with chemical microanalysis (SEM-EDS), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The catalytic tests were conducted in a space velocity of 18 Lh^?1g^?1 at three temperatures: 600, 700 and 800°C. The characterization results indicated the formation above 95% of LaNiO₃ phase with good chemical homogeneity at lower temperature with metallic area and dispersion compatible with literature. The catalytic test results showed good levels of CH₄ and CO₂ conversions and good yields of CO and H₂. Therefore, the described method is a simple, fast and low-cost route to prepare LaNiO₃ for hydrogen production via dry reforming of methane.     

Pharmacogenomics of Methotrexate Membrane Transport Pathway: Can Clinical Response to Methotrexate in Rheumatoid Arthritis Be Predicted?

Background: Methotrexate (MTX) is widely used for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) could be used as predictors of patients’ therapeutic outcome variability. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the influence of SNPs in genes encoding for MTX membrane transport proteins in order to predict clinical response to MTX. Methods: Clinicopathological data from 233 RA patients treated with MTX were collected, clinical response defined, and patients genotyped for 23 SNPs. Genotype and haplotype analyses were performed using multivariate methods and a genetic risk index (GRI) for non-response was created. Results: Increased risk for non-response was associated to SLC22A11 rs11231809 T carriers; ABCC1 rs246240 G carriers; ABCC1 rs3784864 G carriers; CGG haplotype for ABCC1 rs35592, rs2074087 and rs3784864; and CGG haplotype for ABCC1 rs35592, rs246240 and rs3784864. GRI demonstrated that patients with Index 3 were 16-fold more likely to be non-responders than those with Index 1. Conclusions: This study revealed that SLC22A11 and ABCC1 may be important to identify those patients who will not benefit from MTX treatment, highlighting the relevance in translating these results to clinical practice. However, further validation by independent studies is needed to develop the field of personalized medicine to predict clinical response to MTX treatment.