Detecting news topics from microblogs using sequential pattern mining

This thesis presents a sequential pattern based model (PMM) to detect news topics from a popular microblogging platform, Twitter. PMM captures key topics and measures their importance using pattern properties and Twitter characteristics. This study shows that PMM outperforms traditional term-based models, and can potentially be implemented as a decision support system. The research contributes to news detection and addresses the challenging issue of extracting information from short and noisy text.

Genetic association and gene expression studies suggest that genetic variants in the SYNE1 and TNF genes are related to menstrual migraine

BACKGROUND: Menstrual migraine (MM) encompasses pure menstrual migraine (PMM) and menstrually-related migraine (MRM). This study was aimed at investigating genetic variants that are potentially related to MM, specifically undertaking genotyping and mRNA expression analysis of the ESR1, PGR, SYNE1 and TNF genes in MM cases and non-migraine controls. METHODS: A total of 37 variants distributed across 14 genes were genotyped in 437 DNA samples (282 cases and 155 controls). In addition levels of gene expression were determined in 74 cDNA samples (41 cases and 33 controls). Association and correlation analysis were performed using Plink and RStudio. RESULTS: SNPs rs3093664 and rs9371601 in TNF and SYNE1 genes respectively, were significantly associated with migraine in the MM population (p = 0.008; p = 0.009 respectively). Analysis of qPCR results found no significant difference in levels of gene expression between cases and controls. However, we found a significant correlation between the expression of ESR1 and SYNE1, ESR1 and PGR and TNF and SYNE1 in samples taken during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that SNPs rs9371601 and rs3093664 in the SYNE1 and TNF genes respectively, are associated with MM. The present study also provides strong evidence to support the correlation of ESR1, PGR, SYNE1 and TNF gene expression in MM.

Feeding and waste management strategies in the culture of Clarias gariepinus

Nutrient digestibility and amino acid availability were assessed in sharp-toothed catfish, Clarias gariepinus, fingerlings fed diets containing soyabean flour (SF) - Poultry meat meal (PMM) blends (25:75. 50:50, and 75:25) and 0.5 of 1.0%, Cr sub(2)0 sub(3). There was agreement between the pattern of overall protein digestibility and average amino acid availability despite the variability in individual amino acid availability the best dry matter, lipid and protein digestibility coefficients, and amino acid availability values were obtained with diets containing 0.5% Cr sub(2)0 sub(3). Chromic Oxide inclusion level appeared to affect nutrient availability. Increased marker level resulted into decreased nutrient digestibility coefficients. Similarly, these diets generated lower fecal crude protein than those with 1.0% Cr sub(2)0 sub(3). However, the latter group recorded higher protein retention efficiency. Dry mailer and lipid of diets containing more soyabean flour seemed to be more digestible than those of poultry meat meal. Similar trend was observed for the apparent availability of the amino acids. This investigation has indicated that low level of marker was better in digestibility study. Utilization of more SF than PMM in the diets of this catfish was more beneficial and should be encouraged in the feed industries producing catfish diets towards a better feed and waste management strategies in this aquaculture operation