Search Results (7)

Cross-project software defect prediction (CPDP) refers to the construction of defect prediction models by collecting multi-source project data, but the heterogeneity of data among projects and the modern problem of “data islands” hinder its development. In response to these challenges, we propose a CPDP algorithm based on differential perception combined with inheritance federated learning (FedDPI). Firstly, we design an efficient data preprocessing scheme, which lays a reliable data foundation for federated learning by integrating oversampling and optimal feature selection methods. Secondly, a two-stage collaborative optimization mechanism is proposed in the federated learning framework: the inheritance private model (IPM) is introduced in the local training stage, and the differential perception algorithm is used in the global aggregation stage to dynamically allocate aggregation weights, forming positive feedback for training to overcome the negative impact of data heterogeneity. In addition, we utilize the Ranger optimization algorithm to improve the convergence speed and privacy security of the model through its irreversible mixed optimization operation. The experimental results show that FedDPI significantly improves predictive performance in various defect item data combination experiments. Compared with different deep learning and federated learning algorithms, the average improvement in AUC and G-mean indicators is 0.2783 and 0.2673, respectively, verifying the practicality and effectiveness of federated learning and two-stage collaborative optimization mechanisms in the field of CPDP. Full article

Inherited and current trends of urbanization result in growing agri–urban mixed land use patterns that strongly call for innovative management and planning tools at the urban/rural interface. This could especially help to cope with both resilience and environmental fairness goals. In this framework, the category of the Agriculture Park (AP) deserves much attention in relating meaningful experiences, especially in Mediterranean areas. This article deepens the category with the aim of assessing its features as a viable tool in the planning domain to jointly protect and enhance peri-urban farmland areas. In particular, the adopted methodology taps into an integrated and holistic approach to define and assess, by design, a multi-purpose model of a Public Agri–urban Park (PAP) drawing on the Public–Private Partnership (PPP) management model (using break-even analysis to define the contents of the PPP itself), inhabitants’ participation, and referring to a typical fringe area in the municipality of Prato (Italy). Results show the potential of the PAP to jointly achieve—according to a proactive model of green spaces’ protection—many sustainable design targets along with new forms of services aimed at social welfare. At the same time, the article highlights the call for public bodies and agencies to overcome the “business as usual” and “silo-framed” institutional approach and establish fruitful collaborative and synergistic co-design procedures with inhabitants and local stakeholders. Full article

Background: Essential tremor (ET) is one of the more common movement disorders. Current diagnosis is solely based on clinical findings. ET appears to be inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. Several loci on specific chromosomes have been studied by linkage analysis, but the causes of essential tremor are still unknown in many patients. Genetic studies described the association of several genes with familial ET. However, they were found only in distinct families, suggesting that some can be private pathogenic variants. Aim of the Study: to characterize the phenotype of an Italian family with ET and identify the genetic variant associated. Methods: Clinical and genetic examinations were performed. Genetic testing was done with whole-exome sequencing (WES) using the Illumina platform. Bidirectional capillary Sanger sequencing was used to investigate the presence of variant in all affected members of the family. In silico prediction of pathogenicity was used to study the effect of gene variants on protein structure. Results: The proband was a 15-year-old boy. The patient was the first of two children of a non-consanguineous couple. Family history was remarkable for tremor in the mother line. His mother suffered from bilateral upper extremity kinetic tremors (since she was 20 years old), anxiety, and depression. Other relatives referred bilateral upper extremity tremors. In the index case, WES analysis performed supposing a dominant mode of inheritance, identified a novel heterozygous missense variant in potassium calcium-activated channel subfamily N member 2 (KCNN2) (NM_021614.3: c.1145G>A, p.Gly382Asp). In the pedigree investigation, all carriers of the gene variant had ET and showed variable expressivity, the elder symptomatic relative showing cognitive impairment and hallucinations in the last decade, in addition to tremor since a young age. The amino acid residue #382 is located in a transmembrane region and in silico analysis suggested a causative role for the variant. Modelling of the mutant protein structure showed that the variant causes a clash in the protein structure. Therefore, the variant could cause a conformational change that alters the ability of the protein in the modulation of ion channels Conclusions: The KCNN2 gene variant identified could be associated with ET. The variant could modify a voltage-independent potassium channel activated by intracellular calcium. Full article

Decorative openwork windows (DO-Ws) in Suzhou traditional private gardens play a vital role in Chinese traditional garden art. Due to the delicate and elegant patterns, as well as their rich cultural meaning, DO-Ws have quite high protection and utilization value. In this study, we firstly visited 15 extant traditional gardens in Suzhou and took almost 3000 photos to establish the DO-W datasets. Then, we present an effective visual recognition method named CSV-Net to classify different DO-Ws’ patterns in Suzhou traditional gardens. On the basis of the backbone module of the cross stage partial network optimized with the Soft-VLAD architecture, the proposed CSV-Net achieves a preferable representation ability for distinguishing different DO-Ws in practical scenes. The comparative experimental results show that the CSV-Net model achieves a good balance between its performance, robustness and complexity for identifying DO-Ws, also having further potential for sustainable application in traditional gardens. Moreover, the Canglang Pavilion and the Humble Administrator’s Garden were selected as the cases to analyze the relation between identifying DO-W types and their locations in intelligent approaches, which further reveals the design rules of the sustainable culture contained in Chinese traditional gardens. This work ultimately promotes the sustainable application of artificial intelligence technology in the field of garden design and inheritance of the garden art. Full article

Inherited retinal dystrophies are an assorted group of rare diseases that collectively account for the major cause of visual impairment of genetic origin worldwide. Besides clinically, these vision loss disorders present a high genetic and allelic heterogeneity. To date, over 250 genes have been associated to retinal dystrophies with reported causative variants of every nature (nonsense, missense, frameshift, splice-site, large rearrangements, and so forth). Except for a fistful of mutations, most of them are private and affect one or few families, making it a challenge to ratify the newly identified candidate genes or the pathogenicity of dubious variants in disease-associated loci. A recurrent option involves altering the gene in in vitro or in vivo systems to contrast the resulting phenotype and molecular imprint. To validate specific mutations, the process must rely on simulating the precise genetic change, which, until recently, proved to be a difficult endeavor. The rise of the CRISPR/Cas9 technology and its adaptation for genetic engineering now offers a resourceful suite of tools to alleviate the process of functional studies. Here we review the implementation of these RNA-programmable Cas9 nucleases in culture-based and animal models to elucidate the role of novel genes and variants in retinal dystrophies. Full article

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) in humans encompasses multiple subtypes that exhibit a wide array of skin lesions and, in some cases, are associated with the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We investigated dogs with exfoliative cutaneous lupus erythematosus (ECLE), a dog-specific form of chronic CLE that is inherited as a monogenic autosomal recessive trait. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) with 14 cases and 29 controls confirmed a previously published result that the causative variant maps to chromosome 18. Autozygosity mapping refined the ECLE locus to a 493 kb critical interval. Filtering of whole genome sequence data from two cases against 654 controls revealed a single private protein-changing variant in this critical interval, UNC93B1:c.1438C>A or p.Pro480Thr. The homozygous mutant genotype was exclusively observed in 23 ECLE affected German Shorthaired Pointers and an ECLE affected Vizsla, but absent from 845 controls. UNC93B1 is a transmembrane protein located in the endoplasmic reticulum and endolysosomes, which is required for correct trafficking of several Toll-like receptors (TLRs). The p.Pro480Thr variant is predicted to affect the C-terminal tail of the UNC93B1 that has recently been shown to restrict TLR7 mediated autoimmunity via an interaction with syndecan binding protein (SDCBP). The functional knowledge on UNC93B1 strongly suggests that p.Pro480Thr is causing ECLE in dogs. These dogs therefore represent an interesting spontaneous model for human lupus erythematosus. Our results warrant further investigations of whether genetic variants affecting the C-terminus of UNC93B1 might be involved in specific subsets of CLE or SLE cases in humans and other species. Full article

A growing public management literature has debated whether strategic management models originally developed for private firms are also relevant to contemporary public agencies. Thus far, it has been easier to apply strategic management models centred on competitive advantage in jurisdictions in which new public management (NPM) reforms have left an enduring inheritance, with the emphasis in these settings on the autonomization of public agencies and a prominent concern with ‘performance’. Based on the case study of public agencies in the European Union, we argue there is potential to apply strategic management models in other jurisdictions where the penetration of NPM has been much lower, provided certain conditions of agency autonomy are met and factors—such as stakeholders’ expectations stimulating the adoption of strategic management models—perform as the functional equivalent of the pressures provided by NPM incentivization systems. The paper contributes to the literature aimed at employing the discipline of strategic management—a thriving field of inquiry business administration and management—as a valuable source of knowledge for the advancement of public management. Full article