Classification consistency analysis for bootstrapping gene selection

Consistency modelling for gene selection is a new topic emerging from recent cancer bioinformatics research. The result of operations such as classification, clustering, or gene selection on a training set is often found to be very different from the same operations on a testing set, presenting a serious consistency problem. In practice, the inconsistency of microarray datasets prevents many typical gene selection methods working properly for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. In an attempt to deal with this problem, this paper proposes a new concept of classification consistency and applies it for microarray gene selection problem using a bootstrapping approach, with encouraging results.     

Modeling anisotropic light propagation in a realistic model of the human head

A Monte Carlo model capable of describing photon migration in arbitrary three-dimensional geometry with spatially varying optical properties and tissue anisotropy is presented. We use the model to explore the effects of anisotropy for optical measurements of the human head. An anisotropic diffusion equation that corresponds to our Monte Carlo model is derived, and a comparison between the Monte Carlo model and the diffusion equation solution with finite elements is given.     

MORE – a multimodal observation and analysis system for social interaction research

The MORE system is designed for observation and machine-aided analysis of social interaction in real life situations, such as classroom teaching scenarios and business meetings. The system utilizes a multichannel approach to collect data whereby multiple streams of data in a number of different modalities are obtained from each situation. Typically the system collects a 360-degree video and audio feed from multiple microphones set up in the space. The system includes an advanced server backend component that is capable of performing video processing, feature extraction and archiving operations on behalf of the user. The feature extraction services form a key part of the system and rely on advanced signal analysis techniques, such as speech processing, motion activity detection and facial expression recognition in order to speed up the analysis of large data sets. The provided web interface weaves the multiple streams of information together, utilizes the extracted features as metadata on the audio and video data and lets the user dive into analyzing the recorded events. The objective of the system is to facilitate easy navigation of multimodal data and enable the analysis of the recorded situations for the purposes of, for example, behavioral studies, teacher training and business development. A further unique feature of the system is its low setup overhead and high portability as the lightest MORE setup only requires a laptop computer and the selected set of sensors on site.     

High levels of equol in organic skimmed Finnish cow milk

The isoflavonoids, equol, formononetin, daidzein, genistein, biochanin A, and O-demethylangolensin (O-DMA), were analyzed from commercial cartons of skimmed Finnish milk by HPLC-diode array detector (DAD)-FL. We found 411 +/- 65 ng/mL of equol and traces of formononetin and daidzein in organic skimmed milk whereas conventionally produced milk contained 62 +/- 16 ng/mL of equol and no formononetin or daidzein.     

BMC via on-the-fly determinization

This paper develops novel bounded model checking (BMC) techniques for asynchronous parallel systems. The aim is to increase the efficiency of BMC by exploiting the inherent concurrency in such systems. This added efficiency is gained by covering more reachable states within a given bound using two techniques. Firstly, a nonstandard execution model, step executions, where multiple actions can take place simultaneously is applied. Secondly, the number of executions the system can have is reduced by modeling the execution of the system components as if they were determinized. This determinization technique also enables the removal of the internal transitions of the components. Step executions can be further restricted to a subclass called process executions without losing any reachable states.The paper presents a translation scheme for BMC of reachability properties. The translation is from an asynchronous system where the components are modeled as labeled transition systems (LTSs) to a propositional formula. The models of the formula correspond to the step executions of the original system where each component is replaced with its determinized counterpart. The formula for step executions can be easily extended in such a way that its models correspond to the process executions of the system. The translation scheme has been implemented and some experimental comparisons performed. The results show that the bound needed to detect a violation of a reachability property is, for step and process executions, in most cases lower than in interleaving executions and that the running time of the model checker using process executions is smaller than of that using steps. Moreover, the performance compares favorably to a state-of-the-art interleaving BMC implementation in the NuSMV system.     

On simplification of large fault trees

This paper describes some fault tree optimization algorithms used in STUK PSA code SPSA that is capable of generating minimal cut sets for fault trees containing 12 000 gates and basic events. The complexity of a minimal cut set search is a function of multiple gates and basic events. In a fault tree containing 1000 multiple elements, these optimizations reduce the number of multiple elements often by 30 to 50%. One novel feature of the algorithm is that no boolean reduction rules are used, since the fault tree itself contains its simplification rules.     

Vertically high-density interconnection for mobile application

There are several PWB technologies in the market that enables high density interconnection for product miniaturization, and this paper focuses on two HDI technologies, SSP and FVSS^®, and discuss the new PWB technologies and the reliability evaluation results for mobile applications. SSP is manufactured in simple lamination process using conventional FR4 materials, which enables future cost reduction and high reliability. FVSS contains filled buried via hole (BVH) and filled micro blind via (μvia) process. By combining the two process FVSS accomplishes high vertical design capability with Stacked μvia-on-μvia and stacked μvia-on-BVH designs.Key reliability requirements for final product quality is drop and temperature cycling reliability in board level in addition to evaluate PWB specific tests to compare performance of new materials used in PWB.     

Significance of tissue anisotropy in optical tomography of the infant brain

We study the effect of tissue anisotropy in optical tomography of neonates. A Monte Carlo method capable of modeling photon migration in an arbitrary 3D tissue model with spatially varying optical properties and tissue anisotropy is used for simulating measurements of neonates. Anatomical and diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging of neonates are used for creating the anatomical models. We find that tissue anisotropy affects the measured signal and the pattern of sensitivity in optical measurements.     

Tissue biocompatibility of new biodegradable drug-eluting stent materials

Drug-eluting stents are a recent innovation for endovascular and endourethral purposes. The aim of this study was to assess the biocompatibility of new biodegradable drug-eluting stent materials in vivo. Rods made of SR-PLDLA (self-reinforced poly-96l,4d-lactic acid) covered with P(50l/50d)LA and rods made of 96l/4D SR-PLA and covered with P(50l/50d)LA including indomethacin 3.3 μg/mm² or dexamethasone 1.5 μg/mm², were inserted into the dorsal muscles of 20 rabbits serving as test animals. Rods made of silicone and organotin-positive polyvinylchloride were used as negative and positive controls. The animals were sacrificed after 1 week, 1 month, 2 months or 4 months. Histological changes attributable to the operative trauma were seen in all specimens at 1 week and 1 month. At 2 months both dexamethasone and indomethacin induced less fibrosis than the plain SR-PLDLA covered with P(50l/50d)LA without drug. At 4 months dexamethasone induced both chronic inflammatory changes and foreign body reaction, whereas the reactions in the indomethacin and drug-free plain SR-PLDLA groups were insignificant. The new biodegradable drug-eluting stent materials are highly biocompatible. Drug-eluting biodegradable stents may offer a promising new treatment modality for vascular and urethral diseases. However, further studies are needed to demonstrate their feasibility and efficacy.