Distributed intelligent control and management (DICAM) applications and support for semi-automated development

We have recently begun a 4-year effort to develop a new technology foundation and associated methodology for the rapid development of high-performance intelligent controllers. Our objective in this work is to enable system developers to create effective real-time systems for control of multiple, coordinated entities in much less time than is currently required. Our technical strategy for achieving this objective is like that in other domain-specific software efforts: analyze the domain and task underlying effective performance, construct parametric or model-based generic components and overall solutions to the task, and provide excellent means for specifying, selecting, tailoring or automatically generating the solution elements particularly appropriate for the problem at hand. In this paper, we first present our specific domain focus, briefly describe the methodology and environment we are developing to provide a more regular approach to software development, and then later describe the issues this raises for the research community and this specific workshop

A Drosophila melanogaster H3.3 cDNA encodes a histone variant identical with the vertebrate H3.3

A cDNA encoding an H3.3 histone variant in Drosophila melanogaster predicts a protein with an amino acid (aa) sequence identical with that in vertebrates. The D. melanogaster H3.3 nucleotide (nt) sequence has diverged significantly from that of both the H3.3 gene of vertebrates and the H3.1 gene of D. melanogaster, largely through third nt changes in its codons. The perfect H3.3 aa sequence conservation between organisms as phylogenetically divergent as vertebrates and flies suggests that the H3.3 histone variant itself is an important structural component of chromatin, apart from the value of its replication-independent expression pattern. Keywords: Conserved proteins, amino acid sequence homologies, chromatin, bacteriophage λ library, invertebrat

Promoter sequence containing (CT)n.(GA)n repeats is critical for the formation of the DNase I hypersensitive sites in the Drosophila hsp26 gene

We have analyzed P-element-transformed lines carrying hsp26/lacZ transgenes with various deletions and substitutions within the Drosophila melanogaster hsp26 promoter region in order to identify the sequences required for the formation of the DNase I hypersensitive sites (DH sites). DH sites are generally found associated with promoters and enhancer elements of active and inducible eukaryotic genes, and are thought to be nucleosome-free regions of DNA that interact with regulatory proteins and the transcriptional machinery. There are two major DH sites located within the promoter region of the hsp26 gene, centered at -50 and at -350 (relative to the hsp26 transcription start site). The sequences from -135 to -85, which contain (CT)n.(GA)n repeats, contribute significantly to the formation of the DH sites in the hsp26 promoter region. Deletion or substitution of this (CT)n region drastically reduces the accessibility of the DNA at these sites to DNase I. This reduction in accessibility was quantified by measuring the susceptibility of the DNA within nuclei to cleavage at a restriction site within the DH site. In addition to the (CT)n region and the promoter at -85 to +11 (region P), one of two other regions must be present for effective creation of the DH sites: sequences between -351 and -135 (region A), or sequences between +11 and +632 (region D). Disruption of the wild-type chromatin structure, as assayed by the loss of accessibility to the DH sites, is correlated with a decrease in inducible transcriptional activity, even when the TATA box and heat shock regulatory elements are present in their normal positions

Zebrafish models for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common, debilitating neurodevelopmental disorder associated with inattentiveness, pathological hyperactivity and impulsivity. Despite the mounting human and animal evidence, the neurological pathways underlying ADHD remain poorly understood. Novel translational model organisms, such as the zebrafish (Danio rerio), are becoming important tools to investigate genetic and pathophysiological mechanisms of various neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we discuss ADHD etiology, existing animal models and their limitations, and emphasize the advantages of using zebrafish to model ADHD. Overall, the growing utility of zebrafish models may improve our understanding of ADHD and facilitate drug discovery to prevent or treat this disorder. © 2019 Elsevier Lt

The size, burden and cost of disorders of the brain in the UK

Aim: The aim of this paper is to increase awareness of the prevalence and cost of psychiatric and neurological disorders (brain disorders) in the UK. Method: UK data for 18 brain disorders were extracted from a systematic review of European epidemiological data and prevalence rates and the costs of each disorder were summarized (2010 values). Results: There were approximately 45 million cases of brain disorders in the UK, with a cost of €134 billion per annum. The most prevalent were headache, anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, mood disorders and somatoform disorders. However, the five most costly disorders (€ million) were: dementia: €22,164; psychotic disorders: €16,717; mood disorders: €19,238; addiction: €11,719; anxiety disorders: €11,687. Apart from psychosis, these five disorders ranked amongst those with the lowest direct medical expenditure per subject (Peer reviewe

Filipinosenior high school teachers’ continuing professional development attitudes: Exploring the roles of perceived demand amid a national education reform

The professional development of teachers is an important component of quality standards for any educational system, as teachers’ engagement in continuing professional development (CPD) activities are related with aspects of professional commitment and satisfaction. In this study, we explore how perceived demands of a national educational reform in the Philippines are associatedwithdifferent indicators of senior high school teachers’ professional development.A survey of 289teachers recruited to teach senior high school for the first time in the Philippines indicated that perceived demand was not associated with CPD participation intentions,but thatperceived demand related to job requirement and to career planning had different associations with attitudes towards CPD. These different associations can be viewed as adaptive responding to the uncertainties in their changing work environment. The implications for conceptualizing the context of teachers’ professional development, and the external factors that strengthen or weaken teachers’ positive attitudes towards CPD are discussed

Statistical analysis of climatological data to characterize erosion potential : 1. precipitation events in western Oregon

Periods of precipitation with certain combinations of characteristics (e.g„ high intensity rainfall on saturated soil) can lead to appreciable soil loss in western Oregon. In order to assign realistic probabilities to the occurrence of these periods for use in predicting long-term erosion rates, a soil erosion-specific definition of a precipitation event is applied to more than 31 years of hourly wet season precipitation data from Portland, Salem, and Eugene, Oregon. The values of nine characteristics (duration, magnitude, average intensity, maximum intensity, hours between events, and four measures of antecedent rainfall) that are associated with each event are examined. The statistical analysis of the precipitation event characteristics includes consideration of the marginal distributions and order and return statistics of the individual characteristics as well as joint and conditional distributions of several pairs of characteristics. The order and return statistics provide information about extreme values of individual characteristics, whereas the probabilities of occurrence of some combinations of characteristics are estimated by the joint distributions. Examination of the conditional distributions suggests the types of relationships that exist among the characteristics. The results of these analyses provide general information regarding the types of precipitation events that occur in western Oregon as well as estimates of specific probabilities that are important in the modeling and forecasting of soil erosion in this region.Published October 1984. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalo

Statistical analysis of climatological data to characterize erosion potential : 4. freezing events in eastern Oregon/Washington

The occurrence of frozen soil has a major effect on runoff and soil loss in the Pacific Northwest. Hence, information regarding the probabilities of occurrence of periods during which the soil may be frozen is necessary in order to adequately forecast long-term erosion rates for this region. In order to assign realistic probabilities to the occurrence of these periods, a long record of hourly surface air temperature data from Pendleton in eastern Oregon and Walla Walla in eastern Washington are summarized in terms of freezing events. The values of several characteristics of freezing events which may be useful for predicting soil frost occurrence are examined. The statistical analysis of the freezing event characteristics includes consideration of the marginal distributions and order and return statistics of the individual characteristics as well as joint and conditional distributions of several pairs of characteristics. The order and return statistics provide information about extreme values of individual characteristics, whereas the probabilities of occurrence of some combinations of characteristics are estimated by the joint distributions. Examination of the conditional distributions suggests the types of relationships that exist among the characteristics. The results of these analyses provide general information regarding the types of freezing events that occur in eastern Oregon and eastern Washington as well as estimates of specific probabilities that are important in the modeling and forecasting of soil erosion in this region.Published October 1984. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalo

Statistical analysis of climatological data to characterize erosion potential: 5. joint precipitation and freezing events in Western Oregon

When precipitation falls on frozen soil, serious soil loss can occur. In order to assign realistic probabilities to the occurrence of this condition for use in predicting erosion rates over long time periods, a technique for combining characteristics of precipitation and air temperature records is applied to more than 31 years of hourly, wet season data from Portland, Salem, and Eugene, Oregon. Periods of overlapping precipitation and freezing air temperature events are combined into clusters and the values of thirteen characteristics that are associated with each cluster are examined. The statistical analysis of the cluster characteristics includes discussions of the marginal distributions and order statistics of the individual characteristics as well as joint distributions of several pairs of characteristics. The order statistics provide information about extreme values of individual characteristics (e.g., minimum temperature) whereas the probabilities of occurrence of certain combinations of characteristics (e.g., precipitation amount and freeze index) are estimated by the joint distributions. The results of these analyses provide information regarding the types of precipitation events that occur in combination with freezing air temperatures in western Oregon as well as estimates of specific probabilities that are important in the modeling and forecasting of soil erosion in this region.Published March 1984. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalo

Statistical analysis of climatological data to characterize erosion potential : 6. joint precipitation and freezing events in eastern Oregon/Washington

When precipitation falls on frozen soil, serious soil loss can occur. In order to assign realistic probabilities to the occurrence of this condition for use in predicting erosion rates over long time periods, a technique for combining characteristics of precipitation and air temperature records is applied to hourly wet season data from Pendleton, Oregon and Walla Walla, Washington. Periods of overlapping precipitation and freezing air temperature events are combined into clusters and the values of thirteen characteristics that are associated with each cluster are examined. The statistical analyses of the cluster characteristics include discussions of the marginal distributions and order statistics of the individual characteristics as well as joint distributions of several pairs of characteristics. The order statistics provide information about extreme values of individual characteristics (e.g., minimum temperature) whereas the probabilities of occurrence of certain combinations of characteristics (e.g., precipitation amount and freeze index) are estimated by the joint distributions. The results of these analyses provide information regarding the types of precipitation events that occur in combination with freezing air temperatures in eastern Oregon and Washington as well as estimates of specific probabilities that are important in the modeling and forecasting of soil erosion in this region.Published April 1984. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalo