Investigating the Influence of Population and Generation Size on GeneRepair Templates

In 2005 Lolle et al published controversial findings showing that the Arabidopsis thaliana plant repairs invalid genetic information using the grandparent as a kind of repair template. We have previously shown how a genetic repair operator (GeneRepair) can be used to correct invalid individuals in an evolutionary strategy. It has been shown that superior results are produced when the individual’s grandparent is used as the repair template in comparison to using the individual’s parent. This paper investigates whether the results produced by GeneRepair templates are affected by parameters of population size and number of generations. The results indicate that the grandparent template outperforms the parent template regardless of population or generation size. These findings further supports the controversial theory of Lolle et al

Biologically Inspired Non-Mendelian Repair for Constraint Handling in Evolutionary Algorithms

This paper examines a repair technique that enables evolutionary algorithms to handle constraints. This repair technique, known as GeneRepair, repairs invalid individuals so that all problem constraints are met by every individual in the population. GeneRepair is based on the repair technique used by the Arabidopsis thaliana plant which was proposed by Lolle et al in 2005. This controversial repair method uses information inherited from ancestors previous to the parent (non-Mendelian inheritance) as a repair template to fix errors or invalidities in the current population. We compare the use of three different ancestors as repair templates and investigate the effects of various biological parameters on the choice of repair template to use

Analyzing Pain Medication Use and Adherence in Patients with Myotonic Dystrophy and Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy

Objectives: Myotonic dystrophy (DM) and facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) are two of the most common muscular dystrophies in adults. It has been reported that patients with these two disorders may suffer from pain and inadequate pain management. The purpose of this study is to analyze the current use of pain medications and develop a survey to assess pain medication use and adherence in this patient population. Methods: Patients registered in the National Registry for DM and FSHD at the University of Rochester were surveyed on pain medication use and the most significant problem of their disease. After analysis of these surveys, an additional survey was created that contained questions specifically on pain medication use, adherence, and general questions about the patients’ pain. Questions for the survey were devised from previous studies on medication adherence, questionnaires on medication adherence and beliefs, and questions from the Brief Pain Inventory. Results: In the first survey, pain medication was used by 34% of the survey respondents (n=519/1527). Specifically, NSAIDs were used by 23.5% and opioids were used by 4% of survey respondents. In a separate survey, pain was reported as the most burdensome problem by 8% of patients (n= 27/355). This was greater than problems related with balance (n=10/355), fatigue (n=20/355), or gastrointestinal distress (n=8/355). Conclusion: Despite the low reported response that pain was the most significant problem associated with their disease, the prevalence of pain medication use indicates that further study into the impact of pain and pain medication use in this patient population is warranted. Specifically, investigating questions about adherence, use, and beliefs toward pain medication will lead to an increased understanding of pain and its treatment in this patient population. This knowledge can lead to the ability of pharmacists to optimize pain management and to reduce adverse reactions to pain medications

Genetic Repair Strategies inspired by Arabidopsis thaliana

Recent advances in genetics controversially suggest that the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana performs genetic repair using genetic information that originates in the individual's grandparent generation. We apply this ancestral genetic repair strategy within an Evolutionary Algorithm (EA) to solve a constraint based optimisation problem. Re- sults indicate that the grandparent based genetic repair strategy out- performs the parent alternative. Within this framework, we investigate the impact of storing only the ttest ancestors for use as a repair tem- plate. The in uence of performing repair in a xed direction is compared to randomly varying the direction in which error detection proceeds. Fi- nally we explore the impact of varying the direction of repair on the results produced. All results seem to support the non-Mendelian inheri- tance process suggested by Lolle et al

Threnody

Vera Anholt thinks of herself simply as a gentile with a conscience. But as a rescuer of Jews during World War II--and, later, the second wife of a Holocaust survivor--Vera faces choices and consequences that are anything but simple. She confronts the moral ambiguities inherent in even her seemingly noble role, the reality of lasting trauma stacked against hope for redemption, and the question of whether her actions ultimately make a difference. This honors thesis, which is also a song of mourning, explores an overwhelming historical tragedy through the lens of a fictional couple\u27s shared--and unshared--struggles

The Externalities Associated with Various Heating Sources at Bates College

The aim of this report is to determine the costs associated with the externalities of #2 fuel oil, natural gas, biomass, and renewable fuel oil. Externalities occur when a market transaction imposes costs on parties external to that transaction. These four energy sources are options Bates College is considering for heating its campus, either through the central steam plant or separate boiler systems. Evaluating the costs of these externalities will provide a picture of the true cost of energy, allowing the school to make a decision with complete information regarding the implications of using these energy sources. The methodology for estimating the cost of externalities differs for the two groups of energy sources. The values for #2 fuel oil and natural gas largely follow the methodology of the ExternE report of the European Commission, in which empirical modeling and case studies provide for the estimates of various externalities of fuel sources used across Europe. The findings of the ExternE report are supplemented with outside literature in order to confirm that the ExternE methodology is valid, and to provide additional externality cost information lacking in the report. This study finds that there are a range of externality costs associated with the use of #2 fuel oil and natural gas, from the costs of health effects to atmospheric pollution. Biomass and renewable fuel oil follow similar methodologies in terms of evaluating the costs of externalities. Various sources of literature are used to determine the possible mechanisms in which externalities may exist through the use of these energy types, and to determine their impact in terms of a monetary value. As these two energy sources are very recent additions to the market, reports beyond those available in the academic literature are also relied upon to provide information. One of the major contributors to externalities associated with renewable fuel oil is the Pacific Northwest National research Lab (PNNL). This report finds that the externality costs associated with biomass and renewable fuel oil are minimal compared to the other energy sources, as the primary externality costs are associated with the transportation of these materials. The results of this study are reported as lower bounds for fossil fuel externalities and upper bounds for renewable fuel externalities. By reporting the renewable fuel externalities as upper bounds, we can show the worst-case scenario associated with renewables. This will provide a contrasting figure to our minimum conservative values for fossil fuels that show the best-case scenario. These values are estimates due to our understanding that certain impacts cannot be valued monetarily given the complexity of the relationships among these energy markets, the economy, and the environment

An exploration of animal abuse in the context of family violence.

Recent studies have found high rates of coexistence between animal abuse and other forms of family violence. This study explores the resultant questions of how and why animal abuse and other forms of family violence frequently coexist. In an effort to address these questions, information was gathered through in-depth, semi-standardized interviews with abused women who had at least one pet while they were with their abusive partner. In particular, this study focuses on the women\u27s experiences and interpretations of how and why these forms of abuse coexist, and the degree to which the animal abuse perpetrated by their partners was instrumental or expressive. It is demonstrated that animal abuse was predominantly instrumentalized by the participants\u27 abusive partners to gain power and control over them and their children, and it was additionally perpetrated out of jealousy in cases where the pet posed a threat to the attention and devotion the abuser received from his partner. Recommendations are made in light of the research findings, and further research in this area, and human-animal relations in general, is urged.Dept. of Sociology and Anthropology. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis2001 .F53. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 40-06, page: 1430. Adviser: Tanya Basok. Thesis (M.A.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 2001

Development Of A Comprehensive Web-Based Prehabilitation Program For Gastrointestinal Cancer Survivors

Background: Individuals with frailty who undergo surgical procedures for gastrointestinal cancers are more likely to experience post-surgical complications, have a higher readmission rate, are more likely to be discharged to skilled care, and have an over four-fold risk of mortality. Developing targeted patient education tools and resources may support, and reduce complications for, individuals with frailty undergoing and recovering from major abdominal surgery. Methods: Program development began via the Delphi Method, including three survey iterations distributed to top experts in the field of Oncologic Physical Therapy. Results achieved expert consensus for exercise parameters. Brief, simple to understand exercise videos and instructions were created for patients to perform independently preoperatively to increase their physical capabilities at home. Other key stakeholders including the surgical oncologist, pre-operative admissions staff, surgical care clinical manager, surgical oncology navigators, physical therapists and education specialists created the complete prehabilitation program curriculum within the Thinkific on-line education platform with input from cancer survivors.Results: The final curriculum included: prehabilitation instructions for pre-surgical preparation, therapeutic exercise, and nutrition optimization; tobacco cessation resources; instruction in stress management and relaxation techniques; and postoperative delirium reduction strategies and incision care. Promotional materials were created to launch the pilot program within the surgical oncology service line.Conclusion: This process improvement project proved to be feasible and appropriate for this application as a new oncology service. Future directions include program implementation for gastrointestinal cancer survivors with the intention for outcomes data collection. Further implementation is planned for cancer survivors with different diagnoses facing surgery.https://dune.une.edu/pt_studcrposter/1189/thumbnail.jp