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Semiconductor chip is the core of the digital economy, has important strategic significance, in recent years, the global semiconductor market size is growing rapidly. At present, the domestic semiconductor industry is still in the late stage relative to the leading enterprises with first-mover advantages, and is in urgent need of rapid and stable development. The international and domestic semiconductor market has been analysed and focuses on the opportunities and challenges currently facing the domestic semiconductor industry. Based on the semiconductor component risk assessment data, the risk value of semiconductor components is modelled and analysed from a microscopic point of view using the CART regression tree method in data mining, and the model accuracy is further verified and improved by XGBoost, which analyses the microscopic influencing factors of semiconductor component risk, and is an important revelation for the construction of a complete semiconductor component risk prediction mechanism in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant changes have been observed from 2019 in the COVID period as study styles shifted from traditional to hybrid learning. This paper predicted the applicability of the hybrid learning mode of education in the programming labs for the informatics faculty. It explored novel vital features that predicted the applicability of hybrid learning in the practical labs of the informatics domain. For this, the Classification and Regression Tree (CART) identified the relevance of hybrid education with an accuracy of 71.7%. The confusion matrix of the CART model has 67.3% correctness (sensitivity) for "Yes", and 76% correctness (specificity) for "No" during validation. The false negative rate (type II error) is 32.7%, and the false positive rate (type I error) is 24%. The AUC value of the CART model is 0.68. Some obstacles were identified, such as isolation from the natural study environment, reduced quality of interaction with other faculty, and turning o ff the mic or camera during labs. Also, it was found that the university initiated and provided support to create less stress and ease of communication. Adopting the Hyrbid learning mode is unsuitable for handling group tasks or projects in the laboratory. Also, the hybrid learning mode proved a vital mode of study in practical labs as online learning with a safe environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Late cART initiation (CD4 count ≤200 cells/μL or AIDS-defining opportunistic illnesses [AOIs] at cART initiation) impedes CD4 count recovery and virologic suppression after cART initiation. However, studies to evaluate trends of and modifiable factors for optimal immunological response (IR) and virological response (VR) in people living with HIV (PLWH) with late cART initiation with the current HIV treatment strategies are limited. We retrospectively identified 475 PLWH with late cART initiation in 2009–2020. Patients were grouped based on the presence of IR (CD4 count ≥200 cells/μL) or VR (plasma viral load [PVL] ≤ 50 copies/mL) within 18 months after cART initiation (403 [84.8%] IR(+) and 72 [15.2%] IR(−); 422 [88.8%] VR(+) and 53 [11.2%] VR(−)). We used Joinpoint regression to identify IR (+) and VR(+) proportion changes. From 2009 to 2020, the proportion of IR(+) patients remained unchanged (75% to 90%, P = 0.102), whereas that of VR(+) patients increased significantly (75% to 95%, P = 0.007). No join point was identified for either IR(+) or VR(+), and the annual percentage change was 0.56% (nonsignificant) and 1.35% (significant) for IR(+) and VR(+), respectively. Compared to IR(−) patients, IR(+) patients were more likely to have a higher pre-cART PVL, to start with a first-line INSTI-based regimen, or to start cART within 14 days of HIV diagnosis but were less likely to have chronic kidney disease, composite AOIs, or a lower pre-cART CD4 count. Compared to VR(−) patients, VR(+) patients were more likely to start a single-tablet regimen but were less likely to have a higher pre-cART PVL. Our study identified several modifiable factors for optimal IR (rapid cART initiation and INSTI-based regimen initiation) and for optimal VR (STR initiation) among late initiators, which may guide early treatment modifications to reduce their AIDS-defining event incidence and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The prevalence of PAD was low in HIV patients on cART treatment compared to treatment-naïve HIV patients and non-HIV controls. • HIV patients with low CD4+ cell count, those on tenofovir-based and efavirenz-based treatment had a high likelihood of having PAD. • Metabolic syndrome mediates the relationship between cART-treatment and PAD. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is common in HIV patients and can be diagnosed noninvasively using the ankle-brachial index (ABI). The burden of PAD has not been investigated in Ghanaian HIV patients. We investigated the prevalence and risk factors associated with PAD in HIV patients at a periurban hospital in Ghana. In a case-control design, ABI was measured in 158 cART-treated HIV patients, 150 cART-naïve HIV patients and 156 non-HIV controls with no clinical symptoms of CVDs. PAD was defined as ABI ≤ 0.9. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and clinical data. Fasting venous blood samples were collected to measure plasma levels of glucose, lipid profile, and CD4+ lymphocytes. The prevalence of PAD was 13.9% among cART-treated HIV patients, 21.3% among cART-naïve HIV patients, and 15.4% among non-HIV controls. Patients with PAD had increased odds of having low CD4+ cell counts [OR (95% CI) = 3.68 (1.41–12.85)]. In cART-treated HIV patients, those on TDF-based [5.76 (1.1–30.01), p = 0.038] and EFV-based [9.28 (1.51–57.12), p = 0.016] regimens had increased odds of having PAD. In our study population, there was no difference in the prevalence of PAD between cART-treated HIV patients compared to cART-naïve HIV patients or non-HIV controls. Having a low CD4 cell count and being on TDF- or EFV-based regimens were associated with an increased likelihood of having PAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water quality in drinking-water reservoirs is crucial for ensuring safe and healthy water supplies. However, these reservoirs are vulnerable to various factors that can negatively impact water quality. This article presents a comprehensive study focused on identifying and assessing the key impact factors affecting water quality in drinking-water reservoirs. The study employs a rigorous methodology involving data collection, laboratory analysis, and advanced monitoring techniques. Natural and anthropogenic factors such as sedimentation, nutrient loading, microbial contamination, chemical pollutants, temperature fluctuations, and land-use practices are examined in detail for their potential impacts on water quality. Assessment methodologies, including statistical analysis and modeling techniques, are utilized to quantify the significance of each factor and its contribution to water quality degradation. Case studies are presented to illustrate the practical application of the study's findings. Management and mitigation strategies, such as source protection, watershed management, and treatment technologies, are discussed to safeguard water quality. The research outcomes emphasize the need for a holistic approach to water quality management, integrating scientific research, advanced monitoring, and effective governance. The findings of this comprehensive study provide valuable insights and guidance for policymakers, water resource managers, and researchers, aiming to ensure the availability of clean and safe drinking water for communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robots are most widely used to replace human contribution with machine generated response. When humans interact with robots, its mandatory for both to forecast actions based on current conditions. Huge efforts have been channelized towards attaining this perfect coordination. To decipher complex environments, the inference of robotic mobility and alteration of random unstructured scenarios is a complicated task in the field of visual processing and imaging. To address this issue, a new Vision-Based Interaction Model based on deep neural networks has been suggested. The proposed model solves the error amplification issue by the application of past inputs through features as reposed by a Deep Belief Network (DBN). In addition, a novel Vision-Based Robotics Learning model is also proposed for scene understanding and recognition using deep neural network understanding. Moreover, a vision theory-based smart learning algorithm is also suggested to decide positive possible outcomes.Therefore, the model is capable of using object motions to extract relevant information used for Turning, Griping and object mobility.To validate the suggested model, a number of experiments have been performed on benchmark datasets and it showed a higher performance as evaluated against some of the niche methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We investigate the effect of sanctions on the occurrence of financial crises. • We use the classification and regression tree algorithm. • Sanctions can cause financial crises. • Trade sanctions are associated with banking crises. • We find no evidence of the effect of sanctions on sovereign debt crises. We investigate the effect of sanctions on the occurrence of financial crises. We use the Classification and Regression Tree (CART) algorithm to check whether binary classification mechanism selects sanctions as a predictive factor for the different types of financial crises. We find that trade sanctions matter for the increased probability of banking crises, while military sanctions are associated with currency crises. We find no evidence of the effect of sanctions on sovereign debt crises. We furthermore indicate which variables and their respective thresholds serve as potential harbingers of financial crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bathymetric mapping is integral to maintaining marine ecosystems, managing coastal zones, and safeguarding the environment. However, achieving accurate large-scale bathymetric maps remains a challenge in China, particularly in nearshore turbid waters. To address this gap, we leveraged seasonal Gaofen-6 (GF-6) data to conduct bathymetry mapping in the Yellow River Delta-Laizhou Bay area. In our study, we found that longer wavelengths, such as those in the red-edge2 and near-infrared (NIR) bands, exhibited superior performance in determining bathymetry. Moreover, specific band ratios derived from GF-6 data—such as Blue/NIR (BN), Violet/NIR (VN), Blue/Red-edge2 (BE), Violet/Red-edge2 (VE), Green/NIR (GN), and Green/Red-edge2 (GE)—showed promising outcomes, particularly in turbid nearshore waters. When comparing models, the random forest regression (RFR) model outperformed the classification and regression trees (CART) model in turbid nearshore areas, showing higher R2 values and lower RMSE. Notably, both models demonstrated higher accuracy in March compared to May and October. Incorporating the Normalized Difference Turbidity Index (NDTI) notably improved bathymetric results, especially in turbid sea regions. Furthermore, nearshore bathymetry proved highly susceptible to natural processes, seasonal variations, and human activities. The significant discrepancies in bathymetry among coastal areas emphasize the need for tailored management strategies to enhance coastal management and foster sustainable marine economic development. • The GF-6 data with different seasons were used to map nearshore bathymetry. • Longer wavelengths had better bathymetric performance in nearshore turbid waters. • The band ratios of BN, VN, BE, VE, GN and GE had good bathymetry performances. • Better bathymetry results were modelled with NDTI, especially in the turbid sea. • Adaptive strategies were proposed according to water depth and human activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess biomarkers between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, and to construct a classification and regression tree (CART) algorithm for their discrimination. Patients and Methods: 136 patients were enrolled. They were symptomatic (high risk) (N = 82, stenosis degree ≥ 50%, proven to be responsible for ischemic stroke the last six months) and asymptomatic (low risk) (N = 54, stenosis degree ≤ 50%). Levels of fibrinogen, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase- 1 (TIMP-1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (SiCAM), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (SvCAM), adiponectin and insulin were measured on a Luminex 3D platform and their differences were evaluated; subsequently, a CART model was created and evaluated. Results: All measured biomarkers, except adiponectin, had significantly higher levels in symptomatic patients. The constructed CART prognostic model had 97.6% discrimination accuracy on symptomatic patients and 79.6% on asymptomatic, while the overall accuracy was 90.4%. Moreover, the population was split into training and test sets for CART validation. Conclusion: Significant differences were found in the biomarkers between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. The CART model proved to be a simple decision-making algorithm linked with risk probabilities and provided evidence to identify and, therefore, treat patients being at high risk for cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) is a manufacturing concept where machine tools are automated to perform some predefined functions based on the instructions fed to them. CNC turning processes have found wide-ranging applications in modern-day manufacturing industries due to their capabilities to produce low-cost high-quality parts/components with very close dimensional tolerances. In order to exploit the fullest potential of a CNC turning process, its diffierent input parameters should always be set to the optimal level for operation. In this paper, two classification tree algorithms, i.e., Classification And Regression Tree (CART) and CHi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection (CHAID) are applied to study the effects of various turning parameters on the responses and identify the best machining conditions for a CNC process. It is perceived that the obtained settings almost match with the observations of the earlier researchers. The CART algorithm outperforms CHAID with respect to higher overall classification accuracy and lower prediction risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The condition of a high-voltage circuit breaker (HVCB) may have a major effect on a power system. In the practical application of artificial intelligence, many advanced technologies have been applied to the assessment of the state of health of a HVCB or the identification of a fault. To date, most related research related to the improvement of a feature extraction process or a classification method intended to attain a higher level of precision have been based on a single sensor. However, any method that relies on data from a single sensor cannot exceed a given level of precision. Most studies have neglected to consider whether the information provided by a single vibration signal is sufficient and effective. Therefore, this study proposes a multi-vibration Information joint diagnosis method to improve the diagnosis of HVCB faults. The procedure has two key steps: 1) the basic probability assigns an acquisition using a classification and regression tree (CART); and 2) a combination rule design based on the Gini index in the CART. By comparing the results of eight typical classifiers and three traditional fusion methods in a case of HVCB system, the validity and superiority of the proposed method has been verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early treatment with combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has improved survival of children perinatally infected with HIV into adolescence. This population is at risk of long term complications related to HIV infection, particularly chronic respiratory disease. Limited data on chest imaging findings in HIV-infected adolescents, suggest that the predominant disease is of small and large airways: predominantly bronchiolitis obliterans or bronchiectasis. Single cases of emphysema have been reported. Lung fibrosis, lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis, post tuberculous apical fibrocystic changes and malignancies do not feature in this population. Chest radiograph (CXR) is easily accessible and widely used, especially in resource limited settings, such as sub Saharan Africa, where the greatest burden of HIV disease occurs. Lung ultrasound has been described for the diagnosis of pneumonia in children, pulmonary oedema and interstitial lung disease [1-3]. The use of this modality in chronic respiratory disease in adolescents where the predominant finding is small airway disease and bronchiectasis has however not been described. CXR is useful to evaluate structural/post infective changes, parenchymal opacification and nodules, hyperinflation or extensive bronchiectasis. CXR however, is inadequate for diagnosing small airway disease, for which high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is the modality of choice. Where available, low dose HRCT should be used early in the course of symptomatic disease in adolescents and for follow up in children who are non responsive to treatment or clinically deteriorating. This article provides a pictorial review of the spectrum of CXR and HRCT imaging findings of chronic pulmonary disease in perinatally HIV-infected adolescents on cART and guidelines for imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concurrence of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), presents an intriguing problem with many uncertainties underlying their pathogenesis. Despite over 96.2 million cases of COVID-19 worldwide as of January 22, 2021, reports of patients coinfected with HIV and SARS-CoV-2 are scarce. It remains unknown whether HIV patients are at a greater risk of infection from SARS-CoV-2, despite their immunocompromised status. We present a systematic review of the literature reporting cases of HIV and SARS-CoV-2 coinfection, and examine trends of clinical outcomes among coinfected patients. We systematically compiled 63 reports of HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 coinfection, published as of January 22, 2021. These studies were retrieved through targeted search terms applied to PubMed/Medline and manual search. Despite scattered evidence, reports indicate a favorable prognosis for HIV patients with strict adherence to combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). However, the presence of comorbidities was associated with a poorer prognosis in HIV/SARS-CoV-2 patients, despite cART and viral suppression. Studies were limited by geographic coverage, small sample size, lack of patient details, and short follow-up durations. Although some anti-HIV drugs have shown promising in vitro activity against SARS-CoV-2, there is no conclusive evidence of the clinical efficacy of any anti-HIV drug in the treatment of COVID-19. Further research is needed to explain the under-representation of severe COVID-19 cases among the HIV patient population and to explore the possible protective mechanisms of cART in this vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although many youth consider suicide, only a subset act on suicidal thoughts and attempt suicide. The objective of this study was to identify patterns of risk factors that differentiate adolescents who experienced suicidal thoughts from those who attempted suicide. This study analyzed data from the 2013, 2015, and 2017 National Youth Risk Behavior Surveys. Classification tree analysis was used to identify combinations of health risk behaviors and demographic factors that improved the identification of past-year suicide attempts among adolescents with past-year suicide ideation or planning (overall n = 7,493). Forty percent of the past-year ideators attempted suicide in the same period. The best-performing tree included three variables and defined four subgroups. Youth characterized by heroin use and past-year physical fights were at a strikingly high risk of being attempters (78%). Youth who had experienced rape were also likely to be attempters (58%), whereas those who had endorsed none of these three variables were relatively less likely to be attempters (29%). Overall, the tree's classification accuracy was modest (area under the curve =.65). This study advances previous research by identifying notable constellations of risk behaviors that accounted for adolescents' transition from suicidal ideation to behavior. However, even with many health risk behavior variables, a large sample, and a multidimensional analytic approach, the overall classification of suicide attempters among ideators was limited. Implications for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron is a key factor at various stages of HIV life cycle and determines the progression of HIV infection. Data about cellular labile iron pool (LIP) in the settings of contemporary antiretroviral therapy (cART) are lacking. Yet LIP is directly related to the generation of reactive oxygen species, and may contribute to immune activation, dysfunction, and exhaustion. Using multiparameter flow cytometry, we evaluated LIP in CD4 and CD8 T cells from HIV+ patients with sustained viral suppression (SVS) as a result of continuous long-term cART. Based on the recovery of CD4/CD8 ratio, two patients' subgroups were defined: A (n = 26), CD4/CD8 > 0.9, and B (n = 37), CD4/CD8 < 0.9, with significantly differing CD4 absolute count (AC) (mean 752 vs. 571 cells/μL, p < .05). Although hemoglobin and serum iron had recovered in all patients, CD4 T cell LIP and CD8 T cell LIP were significantly higher than that of controls, both in the subgroup with complete (A) and with incomplete (B) immune recovery [mean CD4 mean fluorescence intensity (ΔMFI) 318.7 and 777.8 vs. 157.6; mean CD8 ΔMFI 359.5 and 628.7 vs. 179.2, analysis of variance p < .05 for both]. CD4 LIP correlated inversely with CD4 AC (R = −0.4, p < .01), and both CD4 LIP and CD8 LIP—with CD4/CD8 ratio (R = −0.4, p < .01). Thus, increased CD4 T cell LIP and CD8 T cell LIP in the settings of SVS and immune recovery are a sensitive marker of residual immune activation and may predict immune exhaustion in long-term cART-treated patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Company size plays a pivotal role in credit ratings. • CART models combine accuracy with transparency, unlike SVRs. • A CART model with interest coverage ratio, size, and dividend payment achieves top accuracy among monotonic models. • Larger size is necessary but not sufficient for higher ratings; large-cap firms can still receive speculative-grade ratings. This study utilizes machine learning techniques, notably classification and regression trees (CART) and support vector regression (SVR), to predict corporate credit ratings. While SVR marginally outperforms in accuracy, CART offers interpretability. However, unconstrained models can produce non-monotonic relationships between credit ratings and core features, an undesired outcome. To circumvent this, we recommend restricted CART models that ensure interpretable, theory-consistent results. We underscore the importance of company size in credit rating prediction with an ideal model integrating size, interest coverage, and dividends. Although being a large-cap company is crucial, it doesn't guarantee high ratings, and small-cap companies rarely secure investment-grade ratings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Croaking is a unique component of reproductive behaviour in amphibians which plays a key role in intraspecies communication and mate evaluation. While gonadal hormones are known to induce croaking, central regulation of sound production is less studied. Croaking is a dramatic, transient activity that sets apart an animal from non-croaking individuals. Herein, we aim at examining the profile of the neuropeptide cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) in actively croaking and non-croaking frog Microhyla nilphamariensis. In anurans, this peptide is widely expressed in the areas inclusive of acoustical nuclei as well as areas relevant to reproduction. CART immunoreactivity was far more in the preoptic area (POA), anteroventral tegmentum (AV), ventral hypothalamus (vHy), pineal (P) and pituitary gland of croaking frog compared to non-croaking animals. On similar lines, tissue fragments collected from the mid region of the brain inclusive of POA, vHy, AV, pineal and pituitary gland of croaking frog showed upregulation of CART mRNA. However, CART immunoreactivity in the neuronal perikarya of raphe (Ra) was completely abolished during croaking activity. The data suggest that CART signaling in the brain may be an important player in mediating croaking behaviour in the frog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of the helmet is beneficial in reducing the severity of injuries and avoiding fatalities for motorcyclists, therefore, legislation exists in almost all countries. In practice, the situation is different regarding the helmet use, especially in the developing countries. This paper investigates the helmet use behavior of motorcyclists in Karachi, Pakistan. It determines the significant factors affecting the helmet use in Karachi (Pakistan) and recommending effective campaign measures to promote helmet use. It is vital in relation to the exponential growth of motorcycle users and poor enforcement of traffic rules. Repeated cross-sectional data collected before (n = 226) and after (n = 277) the helmet use enforcement campaign is analyzed using univariate and non-parametric classification and regression tree (CART) techniques. A significant number of motorcyclists do not hold a driving license and CART analysis highlighted the significance of this variable along with exposure to the road environment (measured as daily usage of motorcycle) to explain helmet use. Campaign effects are found temporary, therefore, serious efforts are required to design coherent and structured awareness and enforcement programs. • Helmet use for motorcyclists using repeated X-sectional survey is analyzed using CART and univariate approaches. • The data is collected from Karachi, Pakistan before and after the enforcement campaign. • Holding a motorcycle driving license, age and number of daily trips are found to have an effect on helmet use. • Effectiveness of an enforcement campaign is determined and some directions for their better design are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper applies Classification and Regression Tree (CART) to classify the selected compounds of cancer drugs related to radiation protection for cancer treatment. CART is one of machine learning methods that has been widely applied in drug design due to its simple algorithm and efficiency. The classification is applied to the 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 35% most important features selected by Mean Decreasing Gini Index. Moreover, the performance of CART on classification with full features is also investigated. The analysis shows that classification of cancer drug compounds using CART reached 79% accuracy when it uses 5% or 10% most important features. In this case, the performance of CART is slightly better than other complex machine learning methods applied in the previous researches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess if there is a relationship between use of combined antiretroviral therapy among pregnant women living with HIV and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP).Design: Due to the heterogeneity of study designs in the literature and the utilization of different outcome measures in regards to assessing the presence of HDP, a systematic review was performed.Methods: ClinicalTrials.gov and MEDLINE, via PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global, EBSCOHost, DARE, and the Cochrane Library, were queried from January 1997 to October 2017. Studies were included if they reported HDP and focused on pregnant women living with HIV who used combined antiretroviral therapy. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessment of risk of bias and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force grading scale were used to assess the studies.Results: Of 1055 abstracts, 28 articles met inclusion criteria. The data are marked by multiple biases and poor study design. All studies demonstrate an increased risk of HDP among pregnant women living with HIV who used combined antiretroviral therapy when compared to seropositive pregnant women not using antiretroviral therapy. Three studies suggest protease inhibitors may be associated with a higher risk of HDP.Conclusion: Despite all studies indicating a higher frequency of HDP among pregnant women living with HIV using combined antiretroviral therapy when compared with seropositive pregnant women not using antiretroviral therapy, the quality of the studies is mixed, necessitating further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tennis is a very popular sport in the world. Many researchers have worked in the fields of forecasting the outcome of tennis matches using past statistical data records. This paper mainly investigates the comparison between three different classifiers namely decision tree, learning vector quantization and support vector machine. The research study aims to predict the result of tennis singles matches using eight UCI databases of grand slam tennis tournaments and evaluate the classification performance using various measures such as the root-mean-square error, accuracy, false positive rate, true positive rate, kappa statistic, recall, precision, and f-measure. All these performance measures confirm the supremacy of the decision tree classification algorithm compared to the others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is an increasing and leading cause of morbidity and mortality in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) infection. Arterial stiffness is a predictor of endothelial dysfunction in subclinical patients. The aim of this study was to assess which of the laboratory parameters performed during the standard PLHIV medical care visit may be associated with increased arterial stiffness. Material and methods: Thirty HIV-1-infected adult patients (four females and 26 males) were recruited to this study. Endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness assessment was performed using the Endo-PAT 2000 device (ITAMAR®). Baseline pressure waveform obtained by peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) was used to calculate the augmentation index (AI). AI values were corrected for heart rate using an arbitrarily defined reference heart rate of 75 bpm (AI@75). Results: Our analysis included 30 patients. Men comprised 87% (n = 26), 16 patients (53%) were on combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), 11 patients (36.7%) had undetectable HIV viral load, 15 patients (50%) had active or previous hepatitis C virus (HCV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection, and 16 patients (53%) smoked cigarettes. In univariate analysis, only total platelet count and effective cART use influenced arterial stiffness in PLHIV. In multivariate analysis, the variables with confirmed statistical significance were low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (p = 0.040; slope estimate = 6.30 per mmol/l of LDL) and platelet (PLT) count (p = 0.003; slope estimate = 0.13 per 109/l of platelet count). Conclusions: We showed that high LDL concentration and high total platelet count may be an independent risk factor of the subclinical atherosclerotic disease in PLHIV. Moreover, we observed a possible negative influence of cART on arterial stiffness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Serum cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART) is reduced in obesity. • RYGB downregulates serum CART and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). • Serum BDNF correlates to %EBL after RYGB. • The hormonal and neuropeptide profile explains 82% of variability in %EBL after RYGB. • CART and BDNF could be envisaged as new candidate biomarkers of surgery outcome. Abstract Background The identification of biomarkers associated with obesity and response to treatment could represent an important advance to design more effective and personalized therapeutic strategies. The complexity of morbid obesity could be explained as the combination of genetic, biochemical, cultural, and behavioral factors, among others. The study of biomarkers should be considered a determinant factor taken into account in this equation. Objectives The aim of this study was to define better biomarker profiles potentially associated to the short-term outcome of bariatric surgery by paying attention to cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, 2 neuropeptides related to eating behavior. Setting University General Hospital of Ciudad Real, Spain. Methods Twenty-seven morbidly obese patients and 30 healthy weight individuals matched by age and sex were selected for the study. Results Patients underwent bariatric surgery by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and responded adequately in terms of weight loss and normalization of many biochemical parameters 1 year postsurgery. A multivariate analysis showed that the hormonal/neuropeptidic profile explained 82% of the variability of the weight loss response. The evolution of cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript paralleled that of insulin and leptin, serum levels of this peptide were initially elevated in patients (4.24 ±.47 ng/mL) with respect to controls (2.94 ±.2 ng/mL), but this difference disappeared 1 year after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (3.14 ±.26 ng/mL). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels were also decreased by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (11.93 ±.96 ng/mL postsurgery versus 15.3 ± 1.02 ng/mL presurgery), even when this peptide was not elevated in patients before surgery (14.23 ±.86 ng/mL in controls). Conclusions The results suggest that cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript and brain-derived neurotrophic factor could be envisaged as new candidate biomarkers of short-term outcome after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of the present study was to determine the influence of low and high doses of acrylamide on CART-like immunoreactivity within the ENS of the porcine small intestines. Investigation was performed on 15 sexually immature female pigs, divided into three groups: control group, where empty gelatin capsules were administered, and two experimental groups, where capsules containing low or high doses of acrylamide were given. After 28 days of acrylamide exposure all animals were euthanized with a gradual overdose of anaesthetics. Immediately after euthanasia fragments of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were collected and fixed. Then, 14 μm-thick cryostat sections were processed for routine double-labelling immunofluorescence using primary antisera directed towards a pan neuronal marker — protein gene-product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated peptide transcript (CART). During the present investigation, CART-LI cell bodies were detected in all types of enteric plexuses of duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Acrylamide intoxication resulted in a significant increase in expression of CART in the intramural neurons of the porcine small intestines, especially in myenteric plexuses. It may suggest participation of CART in neuronal protection and recovery processes within the gut. Moreover, results of the present study suggest that even low doses of acrylamide cause a significant response of ENS neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous work suggests that the charter value hypothesis is theoretically grounded and empirically supported, but not universally. Accordingly, this paper aims to perform an analysis of the relations between charter value, risk taking, and supervision, taking into account the relations’ complexity. Specifically, using the CAMELS rating system as a general framework for supervision, we study how charter value relates to risk and supervision by means of classification and regression tree analysis. The sample covers the period 2005–2016 and consists of listed banks in countries that were members of the Eurozone when it came into existence, along with Greece. To evaluate the crisis consequences, we also separately analyze four subperiods and countries that required financial aid from third parties and those that did not so, along with large and small banks. Our results reflect the complexity of the relations between charter value, supervision, and risk. Indeed, supervision and charter value seem aligned regarding only some types of risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, an efficient bagging ensemble model based on two well-known decision tree algorithms, namely, M5′ and Classification and Regression Trees (CART) is utilized so as to estimate the peak time-domain strong ground motion parameters. Four different predictive models, namely, CART, Ensemble M5′, Ensemble CART, and Ensemble M5′ + CART are developed to evaluate Peak Ground Acceleration, Peak Ground Velocity, and Peak Ground Displacement. A big database from the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center is employed so as to develop the proposed models. Earthquake magnitude, earthquake source to site distance, average shear-wave velocity, and faulting mechanisms are considered as the predictive parameters. The superior performances of the developed models are observed in the validation against the most recent soft computing based models available in the specialized literature. Parametric as well as sensitivity analyses are carried out to ensure the robustness of the predictive models in discovering the physical concept latent in the nature of the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHLs)is a very heterogonous malignancy with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL) as the most common subtypes. Standard treatment with anti-CD20 based chemoimmunotherapy is usually very effective for disease control. However a significant proportion of patients with high-risk features (double hit lymphoma, transformed lymphomas or early relapses) will become refractory to standard therapies and will have limited alternatives for cure. Adoptive therapy with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells is a new paradigm for effective treatment of poor prognosis lymphomas. Here we review the biology of poor risk DLBCL and FL, the rationale for CAR T-cell therapy in malignant lymphoma and the efficacy/toxicity profile of CD19 directed CAR T cell therapy for DLBCL and FL from early single center studies to multicenter/global clinical trial with different CAR T cell constructs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The persistence of HIV infection, even after lengthy and successful combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), has precluded an effective cure. The anatomical locations and biological mechanisms through which the viral population is maintained remain unknown. Much research has focused nearly exclusively on circulating resting T cells as the predominant source of persistent HIV, a strategy with limited success in developing an effective cure strategy. In this study, we review research supporting the importance of anatomical tissues and other immune cells for HIV maintenance and expansion, including the central nervous system, lymph nodes, and macrophages. We present accumulated research that clearly demonstrates the limitations of using blood-derived cells as a proxy for tissue reservoirs and sanctuaries throughout the body. We cite recent studies that have successfully used deep-sequencing strategies to uncover the complexity of HIV infection and the ability of the virus to evolve despite undetectable plasma viral loads. Finally, we suggest new strategies and highlight the importance of tissue banks for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid ventricular tachycardia ( VT ) and ventricular fibrillation ( VF ) are serious life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Correct detection of VT/VF is crucial for the rescue of cardiac arrest patient. In this paper, we proposed a new method for improving the detection effect of VT/VF . An adaptive variational mode decomposition ( adaptive-VMD ) algorithm was presented to decompose the electrocardiogram ( ECG ) signal into five band-limited intrinsic modes ( BLIMs ). Then, a total of 6 features were extracted from these BLIMs to characterize the details of VT/VF . Last, a boosted classification and regression tree ( Boosted-CART ) classifier that combines feature selection and recognition was used to detect VT/VF . Three annotated public ECG databases were used as the training and testing datasets. Ten-fold cross-validation was implemented to assess the performance of the method. An accuracy ( Acc ) of 98.29% ± 0.18%, a sensitivity ( SE ) of 97.32% ± 0.12% and a specificity ( SP ) of 98.95% ± 0.84% were obtained. In comparison with the existing state-of-the-art methods for VT/VF detection, the proposed method demonstrated better overall performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) codes for a pivotal neuropeptide important in the control of appetite and energy homeostasis. However, limited understanding exists for the defined effector sites underlying CART function, as discrepant effects of central CART administration have been reported. Methods By combining Cart-cre knock-in mice with a Cart adeno-associated viral vector designed using the flip-excision switch (AAV-FLEX) technology, specific reintroduction or overexpression of CART selectively in CART neurons in the arcuate nucleus (Arc) and lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), respectively, was achieved. The effects on energy homeostasis control were investigated. Results Here we show that CART neuron-specific reintroduction of CART into the Arc and LHA leads to distinct effects on energy homeostasis control. Specifically, CART reintroduction into the Arc of otherwise CART-deficient Cart cre/cre mice markedly decreased fat mass and body weight, whereas CART reintroduction into the LHA caused significant fat mass gain and lean mass loss, but overall unaltered body weight. The reduced adiposity in Arc CART ; Cart cre/cre mice was associated with an increase in both energy expenditure and physical activity, along with significantly decreased Npy mRNA levels in the Arc but with no change in food consumption. Distinctively, the elevated fat mass in LHA CART ; Cart cre/cre mice was accompanied by diminished insulin responsiveness and glucose tolerance, greater spontaneous food intake, and reduced energy expenditure, which is consistent with the observed decrease of brown adipose tissue temperature. This is also in line with significantly reduced tyrosine hydroxylase ( Th ) and notably increased corticotropin-releasing hormone ( Crh ) mRNA expressions in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Conclusions Taken together, these results identify catabolic and anabolic effects of CART in the Arc and LHA, respectively, demonstrating for the first time the distinct and region-specific functions of CART in controlling feeding and energy homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to compare the predictive performance of some data mining algorithms implemented in the estimation of egg weight (EW), some egg quality traits measurements in quail. These quality traits are albumen weight (AW), yolk weight (YW), specific weight (SW), albumen index (AI), albumen height (AH), yolk index (YI), shell weight (SHW), shell thickness (SHT), Haugh unit (HU) and shape index (SI). For comparing the predictive performance of these algorithms in Model, goodness of fit criteria such as coefficient of determination (R²%), adjusted coefficient of determination (Adj. R²%), coefficient of variation (CV%), SD ratio, root mean square error (RMSE), relative approximation error (RAE), and Pearson correlation coefficient, between observed and predicted values were calculated. The heaviest average EW of 13.516 g was obtained from the subgroup of those having AW > 8 cm. The results showed that the analysis based on exhaustive CHAID might be useful for further researches linked with characterization of quail egg better than those provided by CART and CHAID algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide has been demonstrated to exert neuroprotective effects in stroke and some neurodegeneration diseases. In current study, we investigated the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of CART in APP/PS1 mice. Methods: The protein levels of CART, soluble Aβ1–40 and Aβ1–42 were measured in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We determined the mRNA and protein levels of Aβ metabolism-associated enzymes including neprilysin (NEP), insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP-1) in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice using real-time PCR and western blotting. Spatial memory was measured in APP/PS1 mice using the Morris water maze. The phosphorylation of AKT, ERK, p38, and JNK was determined using western blotting. Results: The levels of soluble Aβ1–40 and Aβ1–42 were significantly decreased in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice after CART treatment. CART modulated the levels of NEP, IDE, RAGE, and LRP-1. In addition, CART inhibited the MAPK pathways and activated the AKT pathway, whereas inhibition of the AKT pathway decreased the levels of IDE and LRP-1. Furthermore, CART attenuated spatial memory deficits in the APP/PS1 mice. Conclusion: CART decreases the levels of soluble Aβ in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice by modulating the expression of Aβ metabolism-associated enzymes, which may be associated with the MAPK and AKT pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer has become a common disease around the world. Expert systems are valuable tools that have been successful for the disease diagnosis. In this research, we accordingly develop a new knowledge-based system for classification of breast cancer disease using clustering, noise removal, and classification techniques. Expectation Maximization (EM) is used as a clustering method to cluster the data in similar groups. We then use Classification and Regression Trees (CART) to generate the fuzzy rules to be used for the classification of breast cancer disease in the knowledge-based system of fuzzy rule-based reasoning method. To overcome the multi-collinearity issue, we incorporate Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in the proposed knowledge-based system. Experimental results on Wisconsin Diagnostic Breast Cancer and Mammographic mass datasets show that proposed methods remarkably improves the prediction accuracy of breast cancer. The proposed knowledge-based system can be used as a clinical decision support system to assist medical practitioners in the healthcare practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Perfiles Latinoamericanos is the property of FLACSO - Mexico (Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript ( CART ) is a key neuropeptide with predominant expression in the hypothalamus central to the regulation of diverse biological processes, including food intake and energy expenditure. While there is considerable information on CART's role in the control of feeding, little is known about its thermoregulatory potential. Here we show the consequences of lack of CART signaling on major parameters of energy homeostasis in CART −/− mice under standard ambient housing (RT, 22 °C), which is considered a mild cold exposure for mice, and thermoneutral conditions (TN, 30 °C). WT mice kept at RT showed an increase in food intake, energy expenditure, BAT UCP-1 expression, and physical activity compared with TN condition, reflecting the augmented energy demand for thermogenesis at RT. On the molecular level, RT housing led to upregulated mRNA expression of TH , CRH , and TRH at the PVN, while NPY , AgRP and CART mRNA levels in the Arc were downregulated. CART −/− mice displayed elevated adiposity and diminished lean mass across both RT and TN. At RT, CART −/− mice showed unchanged food consumption yet greater body weight gain. In addition, an increase in energy expenditure and heightened BAT thermogenesis marked by UCP-1 protein expression was observed in the CART −/− mice. In contrast, TN-housed CART −/− mice exhibited lower weight gain than WT mice accompanied with pronounced reduction in basal feeding. These findings were correlated with reduced BAT temperature, but unchanged energy expenditure and UCP-1 levels. Interestingly, the respiratory exchange ratio for CART −/− mice, which shifted from lower at RT to higher at TN with respect to WT controls, indicates a transition of relative fuel source preference from fat to carbohydrate in the absence of CART signaling. Taken together, these results demonstrate that CART is a critical regulator of energy expenditure, energy partitioning and utilization dependent on the thermal environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim We have investigated treatment effects among patients from Polish Observational Cohort of HIV/AIDS Patients (POLCA) who started efavirenz (EFV) in their first combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Background Combination antiretroviral therapy has dramatically influenced HIV epidemic and patients outcomes. With wider access to care and treatment and newer forms of cART HIV-positive persons’ prognosis continue to further improve, yet still strongly dependent on optimal adherence and virological efficacy. Materials and Methods POLCA is an observational cohort where information is collected in real-time from clinic database. Patients were included into analyses, if being naïve prior and starting EFV-based cART regimen and followed until 24 months, treatment modification or death whichever occurred first. Results In total 285 patients started EFV-based cART and 55.1% continued the treatment after two years. Majority of patients were male (85.6%) and HIV infected through sexual contacts (97.5%). The median age at starting cART was 31.9 years. Baseline CD4 count was 228 cells/μl. Thirty patients (10.5%) had treatment failure defined as <200 copies/μl in two subsequent measurements and/or viral rebound above 500 copies/μl. In terms of toxicities we have observed continuous increase in proportion of patients with normal urine protein level from 75.3% at baseline to 89.3% after 24 month of treatment. The proportion of patients with normal triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol decreased over time on efavirenz-based treatment, whereas proportion of those with normal HDL cholesterol increased. 16.4% of patients discontinued EFV due to CNS-related toxicities. Conclusions EFV-based cART proved to be effective and safe treatment option for HIV-positive patients observed in POLCA study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree failure is an increasingly frequent issue in cities worldwide leading to the risk of property damage, financial loss, citizen injury, and death. Assessing tree failure is a challenging task since early signs are often not visible and require a detailed evaluation of each tree, which is limiting considering the management of trees across the whole city. We used Regression Trees and Bagging to assess tree failure on the streets of São Paulo / Brazil using parameters from the gray and green infrastructure that could be easily estimated in the field to support the proper preventive maintenance of street trees. We characterized the districts' age, average building height, tree height, canopy cover, sidewalk width, sidewalk slope, and terrain slope of 26,616 fallen trees. The Regression Tree shows 82% accuracy and reveals that building height is the main predictor of tree failure, followed by district age, sidewalk width, and tree height. The proportion of tree failure in the most verticalized areas, with on average five stories buildings or taller, is twice that observed in the entire city. Tree failure also increases in districts older than 42 years. The proportion of tree failure is 37% lower than the city's average in relatively newer districts with low building height, where trees taller than 9.58 m are more prone to failure. These results point to possible roles of wind tunneling, shading, pollution, canopy conflicts with service cables in the urban canyons, and the natural senescence of trees in the oldest districts. The present study establishes comprehensive guidelines for effective preventive maintenance of the street trees in São Paulo. [Display omitted] • Tree failure is a major disservice that risks properties and citizens' well-being. • Preventive maintenance requires assessing trees' conditions across the whole city. • We assessed tree failure using accessible predictors and artificial intelligence. • Tree failure is primarily related to urban canyon conditions and tree senescence. • Sidewalk width and tree height come next as key parameters predicting failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral treatment significant decrease of HIV related morbidity and mortality has been noted. Ritonavir boosted saquinavir is an alternatively recommended protease inhibitor. Therefore we evaluated log term efficacy and safety of saquinavir/r (SQV/r) containing initial antiretroviral regimen on the basis of Polish Observational Cohort of HIV/AIDS Patients (POLCA). Materials and Methods The analysed data were prospectively collected in routine clinical practice and included ART naive patients starting SQV/r regiment as their first ART. Results From among 259 naive patients, who started SQV/r containing regimen 56.1% continued it for 24 months. Majority of the patients were male (74.9%). Similar proportion of patients was infected by IVDU (40.1%) and by sexual contact (47.1%). Median time from initial diagnosis was 2.16 years. Median baseline lymphocytes count was 210 cells/mm 3 . Viral failure defined as HIV RNA > 200 copies/ml in at least two consecutive tests or > 500 copies/ml in one test was observed in 30 patients (11.5%). Analysing treatment related toxicities we found gradual decrease in proportion of patients with proteinuria (44.4–26%). Proportion of patients with normal total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides decreased after 6 months of treatment and remained stable, whereas proportion of patients with normal HDL increased gradually to the end of observation. 23% of patients discontinued SQV/r containing regimen due to side effects, mainly gastrointestinal. Conclusions Saquinavir/r containing regimen remains a valuable and safe option for patients with indications to protease inhibitor based antiretroviral treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Forestry Chronicle is the property of Canadian Institute of Forestry and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim Assessment of long-term safety and effectiveness of atazanavir in the first cART regimen. Background Achievement of longer life span in recent years increased HIV-positive patients’ risk of experiencing conditions resulting from long term cART therapy including drug-induced toxicities like metabolic, hepatic or renal disorders. Materials and methods The study is a retrospective analysis of data collected in POLCA cohort. Safety analyses included changes in selected parameters: hepatic (ALT, AST, GGT, bilirubin, INR), metabolic (glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides) and renal (creatinine, urea). Effectiveness analyses included CD4 count on treatment vs. baseline and proportion of patients with durable VL suppression. Results After 12 and 24 months from starting treatment VL below 40 copies/mL had 60% and 56% of patients, respectively. VL below 200 copies/mL after 12 and 24 months had 80% and 76% of patients, respectively. The median CD4 count increased from baseline at all time points, and at 24 months was equal in late presents (baseline CD4 <350) and the whole group. Proportion of patients with normal levels of liver function parameters did not change significantly between baseline and treatment with exception of significant decrease for bilirubin. Differences in lipids and glucose levels did not change significantly between baseline and treatment with exception of significant increase for HDL at 24 months. Renal function parameters remained unchanged between baseline and treatment. Conclusion In POLCA cohort long term treatment with ATV was safe and effective, and observed drug-induced toxicities were similar or smaller than reported in literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jerome H. Friedman was bom in Yreka, California, USA, on December 29, 1939. He received his high schooleducation at Yreka High School, then spent two years at Chico State College before transferring to the University of California at Berkeley in 1959. He completed an undergraduate degree in physics in 1962 and a Ph.D. in high-energy particle physics in 1968 and was a post-doctoral research physicist at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory during 1968-1972. In 1972, he moved to Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) as head of the Computation Research Group, retaining this position until 2006. In 1981, he was appointed half time as Professor in the Department of Statistics, Stanford University, remaining half time with his SLAC appointment. He has held visiting appointments at CSIRO in Sydney, CERN and the Department of Statistics at Berkeley, and has had a very active career as a commercial consultant. Jerry became Professor Emeritus in the Department of Statistics in 2007. Apart from some 30 publications in high-energy physics early in his career, Jerry has published over 70 research articles and books in statistics and computer science, including co-authoring the pioneering books Classification and Regression Trees and The Elements of Statistical Learning. Many of his publications have hundreds if not thousands of citations (e.g., the CART book has over 21,000). Much of his software is incorporated in commercial products, including at least one popular search engine. Many of his methods and algorithms are essential inclusions in modern statistical and data mining packages. Honors include the following: the Rietz Lecture (1999) and the Wald Lectures (2009); election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2005) and the US National Academy of Sciences (2010); a Fellow of the American Statistical Association; Paper of the Year (JASA 1980, 1985; Technometrics 1998, 1992); Statistician of the Year (ASA, Chicago Chapter, 1999); ACM Data Mining Lifetime Innovation Award (2002), Emanuel & Carol Parzen Award for Statistical Innovation (2004); Noether Senior Lecturer (American Statistical Association, 2010); and the IEEE Computer Society Data Mining Research Contribution Award (2012). The interview was recorded at his home in Palo Alto, California during 3-4 August 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decision tree algorithms are extensively used in machine learning field to classify biomedical signals. De-noising and feature extraction methods are also utilized to get higher classification accuracy. The goal of this study is to find an effective machine learning method for classifying ElectroMyoGram (EMG) signals by applying de-noising, feature extraction and classifier. This study presents a framework for classification of EMG signals using multiscale principal component analysis (MSPCA) for de-noising, discrete wavelet transform (DWT) for feature extraction and decision tree algorithms for classification. The presented framework automatically classifies the EMG signals as myopathic, ALS or normal, using CART, C4.5 and random forest decision tree algorithms. Results are compared by using numerous performance measures such as sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, F -measure and area under ROC curve (AUC). Combination of DWT and random forest achieved the best performance using k -fold cross-validation with 96.67% total classification accuracy. These results demonstrate that the proposed approach has the capability for the classification of EMG signals with a good accuracy. In addition, the proposed framework can be used to support clinicians for diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the complex nature of turbulent fluid flow, which is the source of airfoil self-noise generation, prediction of airfoil self-noise is a challenging problem, crucial for designing silent airfoils. In this paper, models for prediction of airfoil self-noise using two different algorithms namely Random Forest and Stochastic Gradient Tree Boosting have been proposed and tested on the NACA0012 airfoil data set, published by NASA. The parameters used to build these models were studied extensively and 10-fold cross validation was performed on the data set. The models predict with significantly higher accuracy compared to results reported by earlier computational models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Aim of this study was to evaluate cardiovascular risk in HIV-infected patients treated with atazanavir or lopinavir, both boosted with ritonavir, in Poland. Background Introduction into clinical practice of cART has succeeded in decline in AIDS-related mortality and extended the life expectancy of patients living with HIV/AIDS. Observed, anyhow, side effects such as dyslipidemia and, as a result, cardiovascular disease seems to become predominant cause of mortality in this population. Materials and methods The study was a retrospective data analysis of HIV infected patients on ATV/r or LPV/r, treated between 1st of November 2004 and 31st of March 2009, and continued this treatment for at least 24 weeks. Results The study population included 328 patients (82 women and 246 men) within age range between 23 and 75 years (mean 38.5 ± 9.2 years) divided into two groups: group A (148 patients on atazanavir 300 mg + ritonavir 100 mg/d) and group B (180 patients treated with lopinavir/ritonavir 800/200 mg/d). Changes in the level of cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose were significantly different in the treatment groups ( p -value: 0.01, 0.009, 0.02 respectively). SCORE scale increase during observation did not differ statistically ( p = 0.53). Increase in cholesterol and triglyceride levels was higher in the group B (17.0% vs 7.8% and 41.5% vs 16.8%) while the increase in the level of glucose was in the group A (5.2% vs 0.7%). Conclusion The study confirms differences in CV risk factors between different cART drugs and this should be considered during initiation of the therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the long-term risk profiles for suicidal ideation among older adults using a decision tree approach, which allows for the exploration of how factors interact, with focus on the role of physical, social, and psychological risk factors, and the main impacts and interaction between the factors. Findings suggest that physical and social factors have a significant effect in improving the predictive ability of the decision tree model.