Asymmetric page split generalized index search trees for formal concept analysis

Formal Concept Analysis is an unsupervised machine learning technique that has successfully been applied to document organisation by considering documents as objects and keywords as attributes. The basic algorithms of Formal Concept Analysis then allow an intelligent information retrieval system to cluster documents according to keyword views. This paper investigates the scalability of this idea. In particular we present the results of applying spatial data structures to large datasets in formal concept analysis. Our experiments are motivated by the application of the Formal Concept Analysis idea of a virtual filesystem [11,17,15]. In particular the libferris [1] Semantic File System. This paper presents customizations to an RD-Tree Generalized Index Search Tree based index structure to better support the application of Formal Concept Analysis to large data sources.

Organizational Learning in the Context of an Agri-Food Chain

This paper reports on the outcomes of the first stage of a longitudinal study that focused on the transformational change process being undertaken within the Supply Chain and Operations Area of a major Australian food manufacturing company. Organizational learning is an essential prerequisite for any successful change process and an organization's ability to learn is dependent on the existence of an environment within the organization that nurtures learning and the presence of key enablers that facilitate the learning process. An organization's capacity to learn can be enhanced through its ability to form and sustain collaborative relationships with its chain partners. The results show that an environment that supports organizational learning is being developed through consultative leadership and the empowerment of individuals within a culture that supports innovation and cross-functional teamwork but demands responsibility and accountability. The impact of these changes within the Supply Chain and Operations Area is evident in the significant improvement in the Area's productivity and efficiency levels over the past twelve months. The company's endeavours to engage its major supply chain partners in the learning process have been limited by the turmoil within the company. However the company has involved its supply chain partners in a series of mutually beneficial projects that have improved communication and built trust thereby laying the foundations for more collaborative chain relationships.

Expression of transcription factors NF-kappa B and AP-1 in nasal polyposis

Background The treatment and prognosis of nasal polyposis (NP) may be influenced by transcription factors, but their expression is poorly understood. Objective To determine the expression of transcription factors [(nuclear factor-kappa B) NF-kappa B and (activator protein) AP-1], cytokines [IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha and (granulocytes and macrophage colony-stimulating factor) GM-CSF], growth factor (b-FGF), chemokine (eotaxin-2) and adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) in NP in comparison with nasal mucosa controls. Methods Cross-sectional study. Twenty biopsies of nasal polyps were compared with eight middle turbinate biopsies. p65, c-Fos, IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, ICAM-1, b-FGF, eotaxin-2 and GM-CSF were analysed through RQ-PCR, and p65 and c-Fos were also analysed through Western blotting. Results NF-kappa B expression was increased in patients with NP when compared with control mucosa (P < 0.05), whereas AP-1 expression did not differ significantly between groups. Expressions of IL-1 beta, eotaxin-2 and b-FGF were also increased in patients with NP compared with controls (P < 0.05). Conclusions The transcription factor NF-kappa B is more expressed in NP than in control mucosa. This is important in NP because NF-kappa B can induce the transcription of cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules, which play an important role in the inflammatory process. Moreover, transcription factors influence the response to corticosteroids, which are the basis of NP treatment. Transcription factor AP-1 does not seem to have a significant role in the pathological process.

Slight activation of nuclear factor kappa-B is associated with increased hepatic stellate cell apoptosis in human schistosomal fibrosis

To investigate the relationship between NF-kappa B activation and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) apoptosis in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, hepatic biopsies from patients with Schistosoma mansoni-induced periportal fibrosis, hepatitis C virus-induced cirrhosis, and normal liver were submitted to alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and NF-kappa B p65 immunohistochemistry, as well as to NF-kappa B Southwestern histochemistry and TUNEL assay. The numbers of alpha-SMA-positive cells and NF-kappa B- and NF-kappa B p65-positive HSC nuclei were reduced in schistosomal fibrosis relative to liver cirrhosis. In addition, increased HSC NF-kappa B p65 and TUNEL labeling was observed in schistosomiasis when compared to cirrhosis. These results suggest a possible relationship between the slight activation of the NF-kappa B complex and the increase of apoptotic HSC number in schistosome-induced fibrosis, taking place to a reduced HSC number in schistosomiasis in relation to liver cirrhosis. Therefore, the NF-kappa B pathway may constitute an important down-regulatory mechanism in the pathogenesis of human schistosomiasis mansoni, although further studies are needed to refine the understanding of this process. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Risk stratification in neonates and infants submitted to cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: A multimarker approach combining inflammatory mediators, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and troponin I

Low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) is a common problem following cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in neonates and infants, and its early recognition remains a challenging task. We aimed to test whether a multimarker approach combining inflammatory and cardiac markers provides complementary information for prediction of LCOS and death in children submitted to cardiac surgery with CPB. Forty-six children younger than 18 months with congenital heart defects were prospectively enrolled. No intervention was made. Blood samples were collected pre-operatively, during CPB and post-operatively (PO) for measurement of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Clinical data and outcome variables were recorded. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of LCOS and death. Multivariate logistic regression identified pre-operative NT-proBNP and IL-8 4 h PO as independent predictors of LCOS, while cTnI 4 h PO and CPB length were independent predictors of death. The use of inflammatory and cardiac markers in combination improved sensitivity, negative predictive value and accuracy of the models. In conclusion, the combined assessment of inflammatory and cardiac biochemical markers can be useful for identifying young children at increased risk for LCOS and death after heart surgery with CPB. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Role of sensory innervation in the rat pulmonary neutrophil recruitment induced by staphylococcal enterotoxins type A and B

Rat airways exposure to Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) and B (SEB) induces marked neutrophil influx. Since sensory neuropeptides play important roles in cell infiltration, in this study we have investigated its contribution in triggering SEA- and SEB-induced pulmonary neutrophil infiltration. Male Wistar rats were exposed intratracheally with SEA (3 ng/trachea) or SEB (250 ng/trachea). Animals received different in vivo pretreatments, after which the neutrophil counts and levels of substance P and IL-1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were evaluated. Alveolar macrophages and peritoneal mast cells were incubated with SEA and SEB to determine the IL-1 and TNF-alpha levels. Capsaicin pretreatment significantly reduced SEA- and SEB-induced neutrophil influx in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, but this treatment was more effective to reduce SEA responses. Treatments with SR140333 (tachykinin NK(1) receptor antagonist) and SR48968 (tachykinin NK(2) receptor antagonist) decreased SEA-induced neutrophil influx, whereas SEB-induced responses were inhibited by SR140333 only. Cyproheptadine (histamine/5-hydroxytriptamine receptor antagonist) and MD 7222 (5-HT(3) receptor antagonist) reduced SEA- and SEB-induced neutrophil influx. The substance P and IL-1 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of SEA-exposed rats were significantly hi.-her than SEB. In addition, SEA (but not SEB) significantly released mast cell TNF-alpha. Increased production of TNF-alpha and IL-1 in alveolar macrophages was observed in response to SEA and SEB. In conclusion, sensory neuropeptides contribute significantly to SEA- and SEB-induced pulmonary neutrophil recruitment, but SEA requires in a higher extent the airways sensory innervation, and participation of mast cells and alveolar macrophage products. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.