Uncertainty Quantification with Support Vector Regression Prediction Models

Uncertainty quantification of petroleum reservoir models is one of the present challenges, which is usually approached with a wide range of geostatistical tools linked with statistical optimisation or/and inference algorithms. The paper considers a data driven approach in modelling uncertainty in spatial predictions. Proposed semi-supervised Support Vector Regression (SVR) model has demonstrated its capability to represent realistic features and describe stochastic variability and non-uniqueness of spatial properties. It is able to capture and preserve key spatial dependencies such as connectivity, which is often difficult to achieve with two-point geostatistical models. Semi-supervised SVR is designed to integrate various kinds of conditioning data and learn dependences from them. A stochastic semi-supervised SVR model is integrated into a Bayesian framework to quantify uncertainty with multiple models fitted to dynamic observations. The developed approach is illustrated with a reservoir case study. The resulting probabilistic production forecasts are described by uncertainty envelopes.

Transglutaminase 1-deficient recessive lamellar ichthyosis associated with a LINE-1 insertion in Jack Russell terrier dogs.

BACKGROUND: Congenital, nonepidermolytic cornification disorders phenotypically resembling human autosomal recessive ichthyosis have been described in purebred dog breeds, including Jack Russell terrier (JRT) dogs. One cause of gene mutation important to humans and dogs is transposon insertions. OBJECTIVES: To describe an autosomal recessive, severe nonepidermolytic ichthyosis resembling lamellar ichthyosis (LI) in JRT dogs due to insertion of a long interspersed nucleotide element (LINE-1) in the transglutaminase 1 (TGM1) gene. METHODS: Dogs were evaluated clinically, and skin samples were examined by light and electron microscopy. Phenotypic information and genotyping with a canine microsatellite marker suggested TGM1 to be a candidate gene. Genomic DNA samples and cDNA generated from epidermal RNA were examined. Consequences of the mutation were evaluated by Western blotting, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme activity from cultured keratinocytes. RESULTS: Affected dogs had generalized severe hyperkeratosis. Histological examination defined laminated to compact hyperkeratosis without epidermolysis; ultrastructurally, cornified envelopes were thin. Affected dogs were homozygous for a 1980-bp insertion within intron 9 of TGM1. The sequence of the insertion was that of a canine LINE-1 element. Quantitative RT-PCR indicated a significant decrease in TGM1 mRNA in affected dogs compared with wild-type. TGM1 protein was markedly decreased on immunoblotting, and membrane-associated enzyme activity was diminished in affected dogs. CONCLUSIONS: Based on morphological and molecular features, this disease is homologous with TGM1-deficient LI in humans, clinically models LI better than the genetically modified mouse and represents its first spontaneous animal model. This is the first reported form of LI due to transposon insertion.

Constructive micritic envelope developed in the vadose continental environment in the Pleistocene eoliantes of Mallorca (Spain)

In this study we analyze and explain the formation of the constructive micrite envelope in the vadose continental environment. This constructive micrite envelope shows a wide variety of textural components. The principal textural components are: microorganisms, micritic and microspar LMC cement, whisker crystals, microfibres and aggregates of LMC acicular crystals. The main microorganisms are hyphae fungi, although actynomicetes and bacteries also occur. The constructive micrite envelope is due to the action of calcified filaments (hyphae fungi) which collapse and coalesce forming an intertwined mesh as well as due to the precipitation of micritic and microspar cement. The whisker crystals, microfibres and aggregates of LMC acicular crystals are secondary microtextures. Constructive micrite envelopes does not indicate a specific diagenetic environment. The constructive micrite envelopes present irregularities or bumps at the outer surface of the grains, and the destructive micrite envelopes present irregularities towards the grain interior. This morphologic criterion is useful to differenciate the micrite envelope origin, constructive or destructive, in the fossil record.

Results from a prospective, randomized, controlled study evaluating the acceptability and effects of routine pre-IVF counselling.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate a model of routine pre-IVF counselling focusing on the narrative capacities of couples. The acceptability of counselling, the effects on emotional factors and the participants' assessments were considered. METHODS: The study included 141 consecutive childless couples preparing for their first IVF. Randomization was carried out through sealed envelopes attributing participants to counselled and non-counselled groups and was accepted by 100 couples. Another 12 couples refused randomization because they wanted counselling and 29 because they did not. Questionnaires including the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory and assessments of help were mailed to couples before IVF and counselling, and after the IVF outcome. RESULTS: Counselling was accepted by 79% (112/141) of couples. There was no significant effect of counselling on anxiety and depression scores which were within normal ranges at both times. Counselling provided help for 86% (75/87) of initially non-demanding subjects and 96% (25/26) of those initially requesting a session. Help was noted in areas of psychological assistance, technical explanations and discussing relationships. CONCLUSIONS: This model of routine counselling centred on the narrative provides an acceptable form of psychological assistance for pre-IVF couples.

Larvicidal potential of Sapindus saponaria to control the cattle tick Boophilus microplus

The objective of this study was to evaluate the larvicidal potential of a crude ethanol extract (CEE) of soapberry Sapindus saponaria stem peel on the cattle tick Boophilus microplus. Tick larvae obtained by incubating engorged females, collected from naturally infested cattle, were placed in envelopes of filter paper impregnated with different concentrations of CEE in the test group, and distilled water in the control group. Four repetitions were made with each solution (n>120). Mortality was observed after 48 hours. Lethal concentration values of 1,258 ppm (LC50) and 6,360 ppm (LC99) were obtained.

Zinc adsorption in highly weathered soils

The objective of this work was to assess the effects of pH and ionic strength upon zinc adsorption, in three highly weathered variable charge soils. Adsorption isotherms were elaborated from batch adsorption experiments, with increasing Zn concentrations (0-80 mg L-1), and adsorption envelopes were constructed through soil samples reactions with 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mol L-1 Ca(NO3)2 solutions containing 5 mg L-1 of Zn, with an increasing pH value from 3 to 8. Driving force of reaction was quantified by Gibbs free energy and separation factor. Isotherms were C-, H- and L-type and experimental results were fitted to nonlinear Langmuir model. Maximum adsorption ranged from 59-810 mg kg-1, and Zn affinity was greater in subsoil (0.13-0.81 L kg-1) than in the topsoil samples (0.01-0.34 L kg-1). Zinc adsorption was favorable and spontaneous, and showed sharply increase (20-90%) in the 4-6 pH range. No effect of ionic strength was observed at pH values below 5, because specific adsorption mechanisms predominated in the 3-5 pH range. Above pH 5, and in subsoil samples, Zn was adsorbed by electrostatic mechanisms, since ionic strength effect was observed. Despite depth and ionic strength effects, Zn adsorption depends mainly on the pH.

Altering α-dystroglycan receptor affinity of LCMV pseudotyped lentivirus yields unique cell and tissue tropism.

BACKGROUND: The envelope glycoprotein of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) can efficiently pseudotype lentiviral vectors. Some strains of LCMV exploit high affinity interactions with α-dystroglycan (α-DG) to bind to cell surfaces and subsequently fuse in low pH endosomes. LCMV strains with low α-DG affinity utilize an unknown receptor and display unique tissue tropisms. We pseudotyped non-primate feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) vectors using LCMV derived glycoproteins with high or low affinity to α-DG and evaluated their properties in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: We pseudotyped FIV with the LCMV WE54 strain envelope glycoprotein and also engineered a point mutation in the WE54 envelope glycoprotein (L260F) to diminish α-DG affinity and direct binding to alternate receptors. We hypothesized that this change would alter in vivo tissue tropism and enhance gene transfer to neonatal animals. RESULTS: In mice, hepatic α- and β-DG expression was greatest at the late gestational and neonatal time points. When displayed on the surface of the FIV lentivirus the WE54 L260F mutant glycoprotein bound weakly to immobilized α-DG. Additionally, LCMV WE54 pseudotyped FIV vector transduction was neutralized by pre-incubation with soluble α-DG, while the mutant glycoprotein pseudotyped vector was not. In vivo gene transfer in adult mice with either envelope yielded low transduction efficiencies in hepatocytes following intravenous delivery. In marked contrast, neonatal gene transfer with the LCMV envelopes, and notably with the FIV-L260F vector, conferred abundant liver and lower level cardiomyocyte transduction as detected by luciferase assays, bioluminescent imaging, and β-galactosidase staining. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a developmentally regulated receptor for LCMV is expressed abundantly in neonatal mice. LCMV pseudotyped vectors may have applications for neonatal gene transfer. ABBREVIATIONS: Armstrong 53b (Arm53b); baculovirus Autographa californica GP64 (GP64); charge-coupled device (CCD); dystroglycan (DG); feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV); glycoprotein precursor (GP-C); firefly luciferase (Luc); lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV); nuclear targeted β-galactosidase (ntLacZ); optical density (OD); PBS/0.1% (w/v) Tween-20 (PBST); relative light units (RLU); Rous sarcoma virus (RSV); transducing units per milliliter (TU/ml); vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV-G); wheat germ agglutinin (WGA); 50% reduction in binding (C50).

Tietojärkäle maailman vesilinnuista

Kirjallisuusarvostelu

Influência da percepção dos profissionais quanto ao aborto provocado na atenção à saúde da mulher

OBJETIVO: Identificar o conhecimento e a percepção dos profissionais da saúde em relação à legislação brasileira sobre o aborto provocado. MÉTODOS: Envelopes selados não identificados contendo os questionários foram enviados a todos os profissionais (n=149) que trabalham no Departamento de Obstetrícia de hospital universitário e de hospital público da periferia de São Paulo. Responderam ao questionário 119 profissionais. Para análise dos dados, utilizou-se intervalo de confiança de 0,05 e os testes exatos de Fischer e χ². RESULTADOS: Dos profissionais entrevistados, 48,7% eram médicos, 33,6% profissionais da área de enfermagem e 17,6% eram profissionais de outras áreas (psicólogos, nutricionistas, fisioterapeutas, administrativos e técnicos de laboratórios). Constatou-se diferença significativa (p=0,01) na proporção de profissionais que acreditam que o aborto por malformação fetal não letal e no aborto decorrente de gestações não planejadas deveriam ser incluídos na legislação brasileira. Observou-se que o conhecimento da legislação e da descrição das situações permitidas por lei acerca do aborto foi significativamente diferente na comparação entre os profissionais de saúde (p=0,01). Quando questionados sobre as situações em que a legislação brasileira permite o aborto, observou-se que 32,7% dos médicos, 97,5% profissionais da área de enfermagem e 90,5% dos demais profissionais desconhecem a legislação vigente. CONCLUSÃO: Neste estudo, evidenciou-se o desconhecimento dos profissionais de saúde com relação à legislação brasileira, em menor proporção entre obstetras e em maior proporção entre os profissionais da área de enfermagem. Foram constatadas atitudes de discriminação, julgamento e preconceito na assistência prestada às mulheres que provocam o aborto.

Thermal-Aware Networked Many-Core Systems

Advancements in IC processing technology has led to the innovation and growth happening in the consumer electronics sector and the evolution of the IT infrastructure supporting this exponential growth. One of the most difficult obstacles to this growth is the removal of large amount of heatgenerated by the processing and communicating nodes on the system. The scaling down of technology and the increase in power density is posing a direct and consequential effect on the rise in temperature. This has resulted in the increase in cooling budgets, and affects both the life-time reliability and performance of the system. Hence, reducing on-chip temperatures has become a major design concern for modern microprocessors. This dissertation addresses the thermal challenges at different levels for both 2D planer and 3D stacked systems. It proposes a self-timed thermal monitoring strategy based on the liberal use of on-chip thermal sensors. This makes use of noise variation tolerant and leakage current based thermal sensing for monitoring purposes. In order to study thermal management issues from early design stages, accurate thermal modeling and analysis at design time is essential. In this regard, spatial temperature profile of the global Cu nanowire for on-chip interconnects has been analyzed. It presents a 3D thermal model of a multicore system in order to investigate the effects of hotspots and the placement of silicon die layers, on the thermal performance of a modern ip-chip package. For a 3D stacked system, the primary design goal is to maximise the performance within the given power and thermal envelopes. Hence, a thermally efficient routing strategy for 3D NoC-Bus hybrid architectures has been proposed to mitigate on-chip temperatures by herding most of the switching activity to the die which is closer to heat sink. Finally, an exploration of various thermal-aware placement approaches for both the 2D and 3D stacked systems has been presented. Various thermal models have been developed and thermal control metrics have been extracted. An efficient thermal-aware application mapping algorithm for a 2D NoC has been presented. It has been shown that the proposed mapping algorithm reduces the effective area reeling under high temperatures when compared to the state of the art.

Germinação de sementes de melão osmoticamente condicionadas durante o armazenamento

O condicionamento osmótico das sementes de melão pode amenizar o efeito inibitório das baixas temperaturas, melhorando, assim, a germinação e a emergência das plântulas no campo. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a viabilidade das sementes de melão condicionadas e não condicionadas durante o armazenamento. Sementes de melão foram condicionadas por nove dias, a 25°C, em solução aerada de KNO3 (0,35M). As sementes condicionadas ou não foram acondicionadas em envelopes aluminizados e armazenadas por 0, 6, 12, 18 e 24 meses em condições ambientais de laboratório. Sementes condicionadas apresentaram uma maior deterioração durante o armazenamento, sendo que, após 24 meses, apenas 30% germinaram, comparado com 78% nas sementes não condicionadas. Estudos devem ser enfatizados visando, simultaneamente, alcançar um efeito positivo do condicionamento e minimizar os efeitos deletérios durante o armazenamento.

Efeito de diferentes materiais de peletização na deterioração de sementes de tomate durante o armazenamento

O revestimento de sementes de hortaliças é uma técnica bastante utilizada, principalmente para as espécies que possuem sementes pequenas, sendo uma de suas funções, o aumento do tamanho das mesmas para fins de semeadura. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo revestir sementes de tomate com diferentes materiais, e avaliar seu comportamento durante o armazenamento. Utilizaram como revestimento uma mistura de areia + microcelulose e outra de calcário + microcelulose, contendo ou não o fungicida Rovrin na dosagem de 200g/100 kg de sementes. As sementes revestidas, juntamente com as não revestidas (com ou sem fungicida), foram secadas e embaladas em envelopes de papel comum (embalagem permeável) e em papel laminado (embalagem impermeável) e armazenadas em condições de ambiente no Laboratório de Análise de Sementes da Universidade Federal de Lavras. A avaliação da qualidade das sementes foi realizada a cada quatro meses, por um período de 24 meses, utilizando as seguintes determinações: teste de germinação, envelhecimento acelerado e emergência de plântulas em solo + areia. Pelos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que: sementes revestidas apresentaram germinação mais lenta do que as não revestidas; sementes revestidas com calcário + microcelulose deterioram mais rápido que com areia + microcelulose e sementes tratadas com fungicida em associação com os materiais de revestimento perdem sua qualidade mais rapidamente durante o armazenamento. Verificou-se ainda que sementes revestidas com areia + microcelulose e sem tratamento fungicida mantiveram sua qualidade durante os 24 meses de armazenamento, independente da embalagem utilizada.

Desempenho de sementes de pimentão revestidas com diferentes materiais

A técnica de revestimento de sementes tem sido bastante utilizada, principalmente para as espécies que possuem sementes pequenas, como as olerícolas, forrageiras, florestais e ornamentais, pois além de aumentar o tamanho das mesmas para fins de semeadura direta, possibilita a aplicação de outros elementos essenciais ao bom desempenho da cultura em sua fase inicial. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo revestir sementes de pimentão com diferentes tipos de materiais e avaliar seu comportamento durante o armazenamento. Sementes tratadas ou não com Rovrin, na dosagem de 200g/100kg, foram submetidas ao pré-condicionamento, pela embebição das sementes em solução de KNO3 a -1,1MPa, em sistema aerado por cinco dias. Após secas, as sementes foram revestidas com uma mistura de areia + microcelulose e outra de calcário + microcelulose. As sementes revestidas, juntamente com as não revestidas, foram secadas e embaladas em envelopes de papel comum (embalagem permeável) e em papel laminado (embalagem impermeável) e armazenadas em condições de ambiente no Laboratório de Análise de Sementes da UFLA. A avaliação da qualidade das sementes foi realizada a cada quatro meses, por um período de 20 meses, utilizando as seguintes determinações: teor de água, teste de germinação, envelhecimento acelerado, deterioração controlada e emergência em solo + areia. Pelos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que o revestimento de sementes reduz a velocidade, mas não afeta a taxa de germinação das sementes de pimentão antes do armazenamento; no entanto, as sementes revestidas deterioram mais rapidamente do que as não revestidas quando armazenadas em embalagem permeável. A natureza dos materiais de revestimento não influencia na qualidade das sementes de pimentão, quando armazenadas em embalagem impermeável.

Qualidade fisiológica de sementes de urucum armazenadas em diferentes ambientes e embalagens

Urucum (Bixa orellana L.) é uma cultura de grande interesse comercial, sendo o principal produto a semente, da qual se extrai os corantes bixina e norbixina, de valor nos mercados nacional e internacional. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de urucum, cultivar Bico de Pato, armazenadas por um período de 12 meses em quatro ambientes (condição ambiental, câmara fria, refrigerador e freezer) e acondicionadas nas embalagens (envelopes trifoliados de papel-alumínio-polietileno, embalagem plástica em condições de vácuo e polietileno preto). Após as determinações do grau de umidade, as sementes foram escarificadas mecanicamente. Foram realizadas avaliações da qualidade das sementes aos 90, 180, 270, 360 dias do armazenamento pelos testes de germinação, primeira contagem de germinação e índice de velocidade de germinação. Concluiu-se que sementes de urucum com umidade de 7,0%, embaladas em condições de vácuo mantém sua qualidade fisiológica por até 270 dias e que as condições de armazenamento em freezer e refrigerador, em embalagens de alumínio e plástico em condições de vácuo proporcionam sementes de maior qualidade fisiológica.

Women over thirty choosing education as a solution to a problem

This study explored motivations of mid-life women over 30 years old who had returned to school. It sought to fmd whether these women returned to solve a problem arising from life events, whether viewing a problem was related to internal or external motivation, whether this perception was related to having greater coping skills, and whether having greater coping was related to seeking support from internal or external sources. This study examined which emotions were most related to viewing a life event as a problem. Finally, it explored the results of previous research of mid-life women in their role as a student. Women (N==83) from three types of institutions volunteered for this study: a university (N==34), a college (N==28), and an adult education centre (N==21). Participants took home a questionnaire package - a I3-page questionnaire and consent form - that were completed and mailed back to the researcher in pre-paid envelopes. Results showed that women over 30 seek education as a solution to a life event problem. External motivation was related to a life event being a problem (p<.005). There was a significant difference in coping scores between institutions. Moods that were related to viewing a life event as problematic were: anger and depressive moods (p<. 001), fatigue and vigor (p<.O 1), and tension/anxiety (p<.05). Mid-life women students' satisfaction in this role was related to being externally motivated. These women sought support from both internal and external sources, rarely had social interactions with peers, and viewed this role as important, yet, temporary in that it will help them change their lives. Implications ofthe results suggest further exploration ofthe roles of anger and depression in motivating women over 30 to learn and finding ways of directing women to use their emotional intelligence to seek out learning.