443 research outputs found
CP-nets: From Theory to Practice
Conditional preference networks (CP-nets) exploit the power of ceteris paribus rules to represent preferences over combinatorial decision domains compactly. CP-nets have much appeal. However, their study has not yet advanced sufficiently for their widespread use in real-world applications. Known algorithms for deciding dominance---whether one outcome is better than another with respect to a CP-net---require exponential time. Data for CP-nets are difficult to obtain: human subjects data over combinatorial domains are not readily available, and earlier work on random generation is also problematic. Also, much of the research on CP-nets makes strong, often unrealistic assumptions, such as that decision variables must be binary or that only strict preferences are permitted. In this thesis, I address such limitations to make CP-nets more useful. I show how: to generate CP-nets uniformly randomly; to limit search depth in dominance testing given expectations about sets of CP-nets; and to use local search for learning restricted classes of CP-nets from choice data
Bussey systems and Steiner\u27s tactical problem
In 1853, Steiner posed a number of combinatorial (tactical) problems, which eventually led to a large body of research on Steiner systems.
However, solutions to Steiner\u27s questions coincide with Steiner systems only for strengths two and three.
For larger strengths, essentially only one class of solutions to Steiner\u27s tactical problems is known, found by Bussey more than a century ago.
In this paper, the relationships among Steiner systems, perfect binary one-error-correcting codes, and solutions to Steiner\u27s tactical problem (Bussey systems) are discussed.
For the latter, computational results are provided for at most 15 points
The 3-GDDs of type
A 3-GDD of type exists if and only if and have the same parity, divides and .Such a 3-GDD of type is equivalent to an edge decomposition of into triangles
On orthogonal generalized equitable rectangles
In this note, we give a complete solution of the existence of orthogonal generalized equitable rectangles, which was raised as an open problem in [4]. Key words: orthogonal latin squares, orthogonal equitable rectangles,
Orthogonal Arrays of Strength Three from Regular 3-Wise Balanced Designs
The construction given in Kreher, J Combin Des 4 (1996) 67 is extended to obtain new infinite families of orthogonal arrays of strength 3. Regular 3-wise balanced designs play a central role in this construction
Computational analysis of the synergy among multiple interacting genes
Diseases such as cancer are often related to collaborative effects involving interactions of multiple genes within complex pathways, or to combinations of multiple SNPs. To understand the structure of such mechanisms, it is helpful to analyze genes in terms of the purely cooperative, as opposed to independent, nature of their contributions towards a phenotype. Here, we present an information-theoretic analysis that provides a quantitative measure of the multivariate synergy and decomposes sets of genes into submodules each of which contains synergistically interacting genes. When the resulting computational tools are used for the analysis of gene expression or SNP data, this systems-based methodology provides insight into the biological mechanisms responsible for disease
Polar processing and development of the 2004 Antarctic ozone hole: First results from MLS on Aura
Interferon-stimulated gene (ISG)-expression screening reveals the specific antibunyaviral activity of ISG20
Bunyaviruses pose a significant threat to human health, prosperity and food security. In response to viral infections, interferons (IFNs) upregulate the expression of hundreds of interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) whose cumulative action can potently inhibit the replication of bunyaviruses. We used a flow cytometry-based method to screen the ability of ∼500 unique ISGs from humans and rhesus macaques to inhibit the replication of Bunyamwera orthobunyavirus (BUNV), the prototype of both the Peribunyaviridae family and Bunyavirales order. Candidates possessing antibunyaviral activity were further examined using a panel of divergent bunyaviruses. Interestingly, one candidate, ISG20, exhibited potent antibunyaviral activity against most viruses examined from the Peribunyaviridae, Hantaviridae and Nairoviridae families, whereas phleboviruses (Phenuiviridae) largely escaped inhibition. Similar to other viruses known to be targeted by ISG20, the antibunyaviral activity of ISG20 is dependent upon its functional ribonuclease activity. Through use of an infectious VLP assay (based on the BUNV minigenome system), we confirmed that gene expression from all 3 viral segments is strongly inhibited by ISG20. Using in vitro evolution, we generated a substantially ISG20-resistant BUNV and mapped the determinants of ISG20 sensitivity/resistance. Taken together, we report that ISG20 is a broad and potent antibunyaviral factor yet some bunyaviruses are remarkably ISG20 resistant. Thus, ISG20 sensitivity/resistance could influence the pathogenesis of bunyaviruses, many of which are emerging viruses of clinical or veterinary significance
Ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) and related chemicals
The amended and adjusted Montreal Protocol continues to be successful at reducing emissions and atmospheric abundances of most controlled ozone-depleting substances (ODSs).Global Ozone Research and Monitoring Projec
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