A general framework for trajectory data warehousing and visual OLAP

In this paper we present a formal framework for modelling a trajectory data warehouse (TDW), namely a data warehouse aimed at storing aggregate information on trajectories of moving objects, which also offers visual OLAP operations for data analysis. The data warehouse model includes both temporal and spatial dimensions, and it is flexible and general enough to deal with objects that are either completely free or constrained in their movements (e.g., they move along a road network). In particular, the spatial dimension and the associated concept hierarchy reflect the structure of the environment in which the objects travel. Moreover, we cope with some issues related to the efficient computation of aggregate measures, as needed for implementing roll-up operations. The TDW and its visual interface allow one to investigate the behaviour of objects inside a given area as well as the movements of objects between areas in the same neighbourhood. A user can easily navigate the aggregate measures obtained from OLAP queries at different granularities, and get overall views in time and in space of the measures, as well as a focused view on specific measures, spatial areas, or temporal intervals. We discuss two application scenarios of our TDW, namely road traffic and vessel movement analysis, for which we built prototype systems. They mainly differ in the kind of information available for the moving objects under observation and their movement constraints.     

Intensive BFM chemotherapy for childhood ALL: interim analysis of the AIEOP-ALL 91 study. Associazione Italiana Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Since 1988 the AIEOP has used BFM-based chemotherapy for childhood ALL. Current organization and results and role of cranial irradiation in the AIEOP-ALL 91 study are reported. DESIGN AND METHODS: From 1991 to 1995, 1194 children (< 15 years) with non-B ALL, were enrolled and assigned to the standard risk [SR: age > 1 year, non-T-ALL, BFM risk factor (RF) < 0.8], intermediate risk (IR: RF > or = 0.8 but < 1.7, or with RF < 0.8 and age < 1 year, or T-ALL), or high risk [HR: RF > or = 1.7, or t(9;22), or t(4;11) or prednisone poor response or late response or CNS involvement] groups. All patients received initially protocol Ia. Thereafter SR patients received HD-MTX 2 g/m2, a modified protocol II, and continuation therapy with triple intrathecal chemotherapy (TIT); IR patients received protocol Ib, HD-MTX 5 g/m2, protocol II and continuation therapy with TIT; HR patients received 9 polychemotherapy blocks, cranial irradiation and continuation therapy. Duration of treatment was 24 months. A randomized study was conducted to evaluate the impact of high-dose asparaginase in non high risk patients: the results of this study cannot be disclosed yet. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred and fifty-two (96.5%) patients achieved CR. Overall EFS (SE) at 5-years was 71.0% (1.4), with a survival of 80.3% (1.3). Relapse occurred in 262 children (21.9%), either in the marrow (n = 192 isolated and 32 with other sites, 18.7%), in the CNS (n = 18, 1.5%), or elsewhere (n = 20, 1.7%). 5-year EFS (SE) was 83.3% (2.4) in SR, 74.7% (1.8) in IR, and 39.7% (3.5) in HR groups, respectively. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: Overall cure rate was higher than in the previous AIEOP-ALL 88 study. Treatment intensification with polychemotherapy blocks did not improve results in HR. Cranial irradiation can be safely omitted in over 80% of children treated with BFM based chemotherapy.     

Downregulation of the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 on bronchial epithelial cells by fenoterol, a beta2-adrenoceptor agonist

An effect of estrogen in the uterus of rats is the invasion of eosinophil granulocytes into the endometrium and the myometrium. Progesterone prevents the estrogen induced eosinophilia. In the uterus the eosinophils degranulate, probably mediated by steroid hormones. The extent of infiltration with eosinophils may allow estimation of the estrogen activity of drugs. The present study investigates the effects of a long-term treatment with the progesterone antagonists Onapristone and ZK 112.993 on the eosinophils in the uterus of intact mature rats. The visualization of the eosinophils was done immunohistochemically with an antiserum against the Major Basic Protein (MBP) localized in the secondary granules. The localization of this protein in the extracellular matrix immediately beneath the eosinophils in Carnoy-fixed uteri was taken as a marker for their degranulation (Duchesne and Badia 1992). Onapristone caused a strong infiltration by eosinophils which corresponds to those seen in ovariectomized rats treated with estrogen, while the effect of ZK 112.993 was clearly weaker. This is in agreement with the lower antiprogestational activity of ZK 112.993 also found with other endpoints. In uteri fixed in Bouin' solution the immunoreactivity of the eosinophils was strongest and restricted to these cells. However, after Carnoy' fixation the antibody reacted with the extracellular matrix beneath the eosinophils while the staining intensity of the cells was decreased. Our results do not support the idea of a substantial extracellular deposition of MBP in the uterus of rats but speak in favour of a permeabilization of the eosinophil membranes by alcohol containing fixatives allowing granule contents to leave the cell.     

Bounded size dictionary compression: SC-completeness and NC algorithms

We study the parallel complexity of a bounded size dictionary version (LRU deletion heuristic) of the LZ2 compression algorithm. The unbounded version was shown to be P-complete. When the size of the dictionary is O(log^kn), the problem of computing the LZ2 compression is shown to be hard for the class of problems solvable simultaneously in polynomial time and O(log^kn) space (that is, SC^k). We also introduce a variation of this heuristic that turns out to be an SC^k-complete problem (the original heuristic belongs to SC^k+1). In virtue of these results, we argue that there are no practical parallel algorithms for LZ2 compression with LRU deletion heuristic or any other heuristic deleting dictionary elements in a continuous way. For simpler heuristics (SWAP, RESTART, FREEZE), practical parallel algorithms are given.     

Different time-scale approaches to the real power dispatch ofthermal units

Different time-scale approaches to the dispatch problem are proposed for the centralized control of real power. In particular, the problem of optimally sharing a time-varying load among the committed thermal units of an electrical power system is addressed. It is shown that the real power dispatch of the thermal units is handled at different time scales as a dynamic problem where rate of change limits , environmental constraints, and the security constraints of the traditional static approach are taken into account. The adoption of the same general model guarantees the coherency of the results in the three phases of day-before scheduling, advance dispatch, and online dispatch. A modified gradient projection algorithm, which suitably exploits some good second-order information, has been adopted for the solution of the large-scale problem arising from the discretization of the dynamic model. The resulting procedure is capable of solving the very large day-before scheduling (more than 2000 variables and 4000 constraints for the Italian EHV system) in a few minutes, as well as providing the solution of the advanced dispatch problem in no more than 10 s even when a corrective rescheduling is required     

Particulate separation from gas streams by means of a liquid film in annular two-phase climbing flow

A new process for separating particles from turbulent gas streams is proposed. The process is based on annular two-phase upward flow for particle retention. High efficiencies are obtained with this method. Experimental tests are performed with the use of lycopodium seeds (～ μm), aluminium oxide particles (～ 1 μm) and sooty dust ( ～ 5–500 μm). A mathematical method interpreting separator behaviour has been developed by means of Hutchinson, Hewitt and Duckler's theory.     

Intracardiac mycotic thrombosis in the course of permanent endocardial stimulation

A case of intracardiac micotic thrombosis during permanent endocardial stimulation is reported. After a brief note on the pathogenesis of pocket infections, the AA. conclude that, in those cases, a medical treatment is insufficient and a surgical treatment is necessary to remove the micotic thrombus.     

Supercritical fluid extraction in sunflower seed technology

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seed represents an important source for edible oil and its protein fraction is also recognised as valuable for human consumption when suitably purified from polyphenols, which negatively affect colour and nutritional value. On this basis, a main research has been developed, with the aim of testing the technical feasibility of a supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) process involving a preliminary supercritical CO₂ (SC‐CO₂) extraction of oil from sunflower de‐hulled seeds, followed by the removal of polyphenols from de‐fatted meal by means of ethanol coupled with SC‐CO₂. The paper reports the experimental protocol followed, together with the kinetics of the extractions, knowledge of which allows the optimisation of working parameters and the determination of process yields.