Graphical means for inspecting qualitative models of system behaviour

This article presents the design and evaluation of a tool for inspecting conceptual models of system behaviour. The basis for this research is the Garp framework for qualitative simulation. This framework includes modelling primitives, such as entities, quantities and causal dependencies, which are combined into model fragments and scenarios. Given a library of model fragments and a scenario describing an initial situation, the qualitative simulation engine generates predictions in the form of a state-transition graph. This rich knowledge representation has potential for educational purposes. However, communicating the contents of simulation models effectively to learners is not trivial. The predicate logic format used by Garp is not easy for non-experts to understand, and a simulation often contains so much information that it is difficult to get an overview while still having access to detailed information. To address these problems, a tool has been developed that generates graphical representations of the information contained in a qualitative simulation. This tool, named VisiGarp, incorporates a vocabulary of graphical elements for model ingredients and relationships, and combines these into interactive diagrams. VisiGarp has been evaluated by thirty students, with promising results, using a setup which included simulation results and exercises about Brazilian Cerrado ecology

From proteomic analysis to potential therapeutic targets: functional profile of two lung cancer cell lines, A549 and SW900, widely studied in pre-clinical research

Lung cancer is a serious health problem and the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The standard use of cell lines as in vitro pre-clinical models to study the molecular mechanisms that drive tumorigenesis and access drug sensitivity/effectiveness is of undisputable importance. Label-free mass spectrometry and bioinformatics were employed to study the proteomic profiles of two representative lung cancer cell lines and to unravel the specific biological processes. Adenocarcinoma A549 cells were enriched in proteins related to cellular respiration, ubiquitination, apoptosis and response to drug/hypoxia/oxidative stress. In turn, squamous carcinoma SW900 cells were enriched in proteins related to translation, apoptosis, response to inorganic/organic substances and cytoskeleton organization. Several proteins with differential expression were related to cancer transformation, tumor resistance, proliferation, migration, invasion and metastasis. Combined analysis of proteome and interactome data highlighted key proteins and suggested that adenocarcinoma might be more prone to PI3K/Akt/mTOR and topoisomerase IIα inhibitors, and squamous carcinoma to Ck2 inhibitors. Moreover, ILF3 overexpression in adenocarcinoma, and PCNA and NEDD8 in squamous carcinoma shows them as promising candidates for therapeutic purposes. This study highlights the functional proteomic differences of two main subtypes of lung cancer models and hints several targeted therapies that might assist in this type of cancer.publishe

Handling Peaches in Pallet Boxes

Excerpts from the report: During recent years the pallet box has been used as a handling container for many agricultural products. It is an economical handling container for transporting large quantities of products or materials over long distances. The pallet box was not used for handling fresh fruits and vegetables for many years because growers thought that perishable commodities would be injured if handled in this way. This study was undertaken to establish guidelines that will enable packinghouse operators to determine the economic feasibility of converting to pallet box handling. The specific objective of this study was to compare the labor and equipment costs for pallet box handling with those for field box handling on the basis of operating conditions prevalent in typical commercial peach packinghouses

Evaluation of Mechanized Egg-Grading and Packing Equipment

Excerpts from the report: Many types of egg-grading and packing equipment are available to the plant operator. They perform similar functions, but differ in degree of mechanization, capacity, cost, and labor requirements. Four representative systems of egg grading and packing, identified in this report as A, B, C, and D, were evaluated. Studies were conducted in plants utilizing these systems to determine ownership and operating costs, operating characteristics, and labor requirements. Many interrelated factors must be considered in the selection and utilization of egg-grading and packing equipment. Sound decisions cannot be made by considering the factors independently, but must be based on an analysis of the overall system. Manual-candling equipment should be available in all plants to handle occasional small lots or eggs of irregular quality, since even the most effective quality-control programs include occasional lots of poor quality. A procedure was developed for estimating the cost per case to grade and pack various volumes of eggs annually at any labor rate with each of the systems studied