224 research outputs found
Graph-Controlled Insertion-Deletion Systems
In this article, we consider the operations of insertion and deletion working
in a graph-controlled manner. We show that like in the case of context-free
productions, the computational power is strictly increased when using a control
graph: computational completeness can be obtained by systems with insertion or
deletion rules involving at most two symbols in a contextual or in a
context-free manner and with the control graph having only four nodes.Comment: In Proceedings DCFS 2010, arXiv:1008.127
Key ethical issues discussed at CDC-sponsored international, regional meetings to explore cultural perspectives and contexts on pandemic influenza preparedness and response
Background: Recognizing the importance of having a broad exploration of how cultural perspectives may shape thinking about ethical considerations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded four regional meetings in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Eastern Mediterranean to explore these perspectives relevant to pandemic influenza preparedness and response. The meetings were attended by 168 health professionals, scientists, academics, ethicists, religious leaders, and other community members representing 40 countries in these regions.
Methods: We reviewed the meeting reports, notes and stories and mapped outcomes to the key ethical challenges for pandemic influenza response described in the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) guidance, Ethical Considerations in Developing a Public Health Response to Pandemic Influenza: transparency and public engagement, allocation of resources, social distancing, obligations to and of healthcare workers, and international collaboration.
Results: The important role of transparency and public engagement were widely accepted among participants. However, there was general agreement that no “one size fits all” approach to allocating resources can address the variety of economic, cultural and other contextual factors that must be taken into account. The importance of social distancing as a tool to limit disease transmission was also recognized, but the difficulties associated with this measure were acknowledged. There was agreement that healthcare workers often have competing obligations and that government has a responsibility to assist healthcare workers in doing their job by providing appropriate training and equipment. Finally, there was agreement about the importance of international collaboration for combating global health threats.
Conclusion: Although some cultural differences in the values that frame pandemic preparedness and response efforts were observed, participants generally agreed on the key ethical principles discussed in the WHO’s guidance. Most significantly the input gathered from these regional meetings pointed to the important role that procedural ethics can play in bringing people and countries together to respond to the shared health threat posed by a pandemic influenza despite the existence of cultural differences
Competitiveness for nodule colonization in sinorhizobium meliloti: Combined in vitro-tagged strain competition and genome-wide association analysis
A Study Of The Misuse Of Drugs Among Secondary School Children In The State Of Kelantan.
Adolescent drug abuse in Malaysia - a phenomenon of the
late 1960 l s and the 1970's - has been the cause of considerable public concern and discussion but, until recently, much of the discussion was necessarily founded upon speculation, for there was little systematic collecting of information on the extent and nature of the problem
The Current Role of Viability Imaging to Guide Revascularization and Therapy Decisions in Patients With Heart Failure and Reduced Left Ventricular Function
This review describes the current evidence and controversies for viability imaging to direct revascularization decisions and the impact on patient outcomes. Balancing procedural risks and possible benefit from revascularization is a key question in patients with heart failure of ischemic origin (IHF). Different stages of ischemia induce adaptive changes in myocardial metabolism and function. Viable but dysfunctional myocardium has the potential to recover after restoring blood flow. Modern imaging techniques demonstrate different aspects of viable myocardium; perfusion (single-photon emission computed tomography [SPECT], positron emission tomography [PET], cardiovascular magnetic resonance [CMR]), cell metabolism (PET), cell membrane integrity and mitochondrial function (201Tl and 99mTc-based SPECT), contractile reserve (stress echocardiography, CMR) and scar (CMR). Observational studies suggest that patients with IHF and significant viable myocardium may benefit from revascularization compared with medical treatment alone but that in patients without significant viability, revascularization appears to offer no survival benefit or could even worsen the outcome. This was not supported by 2 randomized trials (Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure [STICH] and PET and Recovery Following Revascularization [PARR] -2) although post-hoc analyses suggest that benefit can be achieved if decisions had been strictly based on viability imaging recommendations. Based on current evidence, viability testing should not be the routine for all patients with IHF considered for revascularization but rather integrated with clinical data to guide decisions on revascularization of high-risk patients with comorbidities.Peer reviewe
Modelling of Multi-Agent Systems: Experiences with Membrane Computing and Future Challenges
Formal modelling of Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) is a challenging task due to
high complexity, interaction, parallelism and continuous change of roles and
organisation between agents. In this paper we record our research experience on
formal modelling of MAS. We review our research throughout the last decade, by
describing the problems we have encountered and the decisions we have made
towards resolving them and providing solutions. Much of this work involved
membrane computing and classes of P Systems, such as Tissue and Population P
Systems, targeted to the modelling of MAS whose dynamic structure is a
prominent characteristic. More particularly, social insects (such as colonies
of ants, bees, etc.), biology inspired swarms and systems with emergent
behaviour are indicative examples for which we developed formal MAS models.
Here, we aim to review our work and disseminate our findings to fellow
researchers who might face similar challenges and, furthermore, to discuss
important issues for advancing research on the application of membrane
computing in MAS modelling.Comment: In Proceedings AMCA-POP 2010, arXiv:1008.314
Multiscale Bone Remodelling with Spatial P Systems
Many biological phenomena are inherently multiscale, i.e. they are
characterized by interactions involving different spatial and temporal scales
simultaneously. Though several approaches have been proposed to provide
"multilayer" models, only Complex Automata, derived from Cellular Automata,
naturally embed spatial information and realize multiscaling with
well-established inter-scale integration schemas. Spatial P systems, a variant
of P systems in which a more geometric concept of space has been added, have
several characteristics in common with Cellular Automata. We propose such a
formalism as a basis to rephrase the Complex Automata multiscaling approach
and, in this perspective, provide a 2-scale Spatial P system describing bone
remodelling. The proposed model not only results to be highly faithful and
expressive in a multiscale scenario, but also highlights the need of a deep and
formal expressiveness study involving Complex Automata, Spatial P systems and
other promising multiscale approaches, such as our shape-based one already
resulted to be highly faithful.Comment: In Proceedings MeCBIC 2010, arXiv:1011.005
Key Ethical Issues Discussed at CDC-Sponsored International, Regional Meetings to Explore Cultural Perspectives and Contexts on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response
Background: Recognizing the importance of having a broad exploration of how cultural perspectives may shape
thinking about ethical considerations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded four regional
meetings in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Eastern Mediterranean to explore these perspectives relevant to
pandemic influenza preparedness and response. The meetings were attended by 168 health professionals, scientists,
academics, ethicists, religious leaders, and other community members representing 40 countries in these regions.
Methods: We reviewed the meeting reports, notes and stories and mapped outcomes to the key ethical challenges for
pandemic influenza response described in the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) guidance, Ethical Considerations
in Developing a Public Health Response to Pandemic Influenza: transparency and public engagement, allocation of
resources, social distancing, obligations to and of healthcare workers, and international collaboration.
Results: The important role of transparency and public engagement were widely accepted among participants.
However, there was general agreement that no “one size fits all” approach to allocating resources can address the variety
of economic, cultural and other contextual factors that must be taken into account. The importance of social distancing
as a tool to limit disease transmission was also recognized, but the difficulties associated with this measure were
acknowledged. There was agreement that healthcare workers often have competing obligations and that government
has a responsibility to assist healthcare workers in doing their job by providing appropriate training and equipment.
Finally, there was agreement about the importance of international collaboration for combating global health threats.
Conclusion: Although some cultural differences in the values that frame pandemic preparedness and response efforts
were observed, participants generally agreed on the key ethical principles discussed in the WHO’s guidance. Most
significantly the input gathered from these regional meetings pointed to the important role that procedural ethics can
play in bringing people and countries together to respond to the shared health threat posed by a pandemic influenza
despite the existence of cultural differences
Highly sensitive integrated pressure sensor with horizontally oriented carbon nanotube network
Histone deacetylases as new therapy targets for platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer
Introduction: In developed countries, ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. Due to the nonspecific symptomatology associated with the disease many patients with ovarian cancer are diagnosed late, which leads to significantly poorer prognosis. Apart from surgery and radiotherapy, a substantial number of ovarian cancer patients will undergo chemotherapy and platinum based agents are the mainstream first-line therapy for this disease. Despite the initial efficacy of these therapies, many women relapse; therefore, strategies for second-line therapies are required. Regulation of DNA transcription is crucial for tumour progression, metastasis and chemoresistance which offers potential for novel drug targets. Methods: We have reviewed the existing literature on the role of histone deacetylases, nuclear enzymes regulating gene transcription. Results and conclusion: Analysis of available data suggests that a signifant proportion of drug resistance stems from abberant gene expression, therefore HDAC inhibitors are amongst the most promising therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. Together with genetic testing, they may have a potential to serve as base for patient-adapted therapies
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