1,720,952 research outputs found

    Sopj: A scalable online provenance join for data integration

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    Data integration is a technique used to combine different sources of data together to provide an unified view among them. MOMIS[1] is an open-source data integration framework developed by the DBGroup1. The goal of our work is to make MOMIS be able to scale-out as the input data sources increase without introducing noticeable performance penalty. In particular, we present a full outer join method capable to efficiently integrate multiple sources at the same time by using data streams and provenance information. To evaluate the scalability of this innovative approach, we developed a join engine employing a distributed data processing framework. Our solution is able to process input data sources in the form of continuous stream, execute the join operation on-the-fly and produce outputs as soon as they are generated. In this way, the join can return partial results before the input streams have been completely received or processed optimizing the entire execution

    One-pot sonocatalyzed synthesis of sol–gel graphite electrodes containing gold nanoparticles for application in amperometric sensing

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    We propose here a one-pot synthetic approach to prepare sol–gel graphite electrodes containing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). At variance with the traditional synthesis, in which AuNPs are prepared in advance with respect to the silica matrix, they were here obtained directly inside the sol–gel, during its formation. Two reduction methods, namely chemical and thermal reduction, were used to achieve AuNPs starting from a suitable gold precursor, either consisting of NaAuCl 4 or HAuCl 4 . Different experimental parameters were tested in order to direct the synthesis of the material to the characteristics sought, namely Si/Au molar ratio, graphite (g): silane precursor (mL) ratio, chemical nature of the gold precursor and of the reductant, duration and temperature of thermal treatment. Sol–gel was prepared by means of sonocatalysis, in order to reduce the amount of solvent and time necessary for the hydrolysis step. Composition of the material, as well as shape, size and distribution of AuNPs inside the silica matrix was evaluated by spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Furthermore, electrochemical tests allowed us to ascertain the good conductivity of the composite material and the electrocatalytic activity of AuNPs with respect to glucose and ascorbic acid oxidation. These tests demonstrated that the electrodes obtained by thermal reduction show the best performance in terms of sensitivity for the detection of these analytes, suggesting the possible application of this composite in the field of amperometric sensin

    Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin immunoexpression in colorectal carcinoma: A stage-specific prognostic factor?

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    TNM post-surgical staging is considered to be one of the most powerful prognosticators for colorectal carcinoma. Although patient survival mostly decreases concomitantly to stage increase, in a percentage of cases TNM stage appears only to express the anatomic extent of the neoplasia with no correlation with clinical outcome. Thais, the identification of additional prognostic markers for colorectal cancer is required. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a 25-kDa protein that appears to play an important role in colorectal cancer progression. In order to evaluate whether NGAL expression may be considered as a predictor of colorectal cancer progression, we analyzed its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics, as well as with patient progression-free survival in a series of surgically resected colorectal carcinomas. A variable NGAL immunoexpression was found in 24 out of the 64 analyzed cases. When only the positive cases were considered, a significant association was found between a high NGAL expression and the presence of distant metastases or high tumor stage. In addition, the presence of NGAL was a significant negative prognostic marker correlated with a shorter progression-free survival in stage I colorectal carcinoma, but not in the remaining TNM stages. If our findings are confirmed in more extensive analyses on stage I colorectal carcinoma, NGAL assessment may be used in order to select those patients with a higher progression risk and to submit them to adjuvant therapies useful to prevent adverse outcome

    Lympha technique for primary and early secondary prevention of lymphedema following cancer treatment

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    LYMPHA proved to be an effective preventive procedure that contributes in giving our oncological patients a good quality of life. In this presentation, the author will report indications, technical aspects and benefits of LYMPHA technique

    Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis

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    The present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed

    Variations on the Author

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    “Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
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