Order-Sorted Equational Computation

The expressive power of many-sorted equational logic can be greatly enhanced by allowing for subsorts and multiple function declarations. In this paper we study some computational aspects of such a logic. We start with a self-contained introduction to order-sorted equational logic including initial algebra semantics and deduction rules. We then present a theory of order-sorted term rewriting and show that the key results for unsorted rewriting extend to sort decreasing rewriting. We continue with a review of order-sorted unification and prove the basic results. In the second part of the paper we study hierarchical order-sorted specifications with strict partial functions. We define the appropriate homomorphisms for strict algebras and show that every strict algebra is base isomorphic to a strict algebra with at most one error element. For strict specifications, we show that their categories of strict algebras have initial objects. We validate our approach to partial functions by proving that completely defined total functions can be defined as partial without changing the initial algebra semantics. Finally, we provide decidable sufficient criteria for the consistency and strictness of ground confluent rewriting systems

The HMA-LMA dichotomy revisited: an electronmicroscopical survey of 56 sponge species

The dichotomy between high microbial abundance (HMA) and low microbial abundance (LMA) sponges has been long recognized. In the present study, 56 sponge species from three geographic regions (greater Caribbean, Mediterranean, Red Sea) were investigated by transmission electron microscopy for the presence of microorganisms in the mesohyl matrix. Additionally, bacterial enumeration by DAPI-counting was performed on a subset of samples. Of the 56 species investigated, 28 were identified as belonging to the HMA and 28 to the LMA category. The sponge orders Agelasida and Verongida consisted exclusively of HMA species, and the Poecilosclerida were composed only of LMA sponges. Other taxa contained both types of microbial associations (e.g., marine Haplosclerida, Homoscleromorpha, Dictyoceratida), and a clear phylogenetic pattern could not be identified. For a few sponge species, an intermediate microbial load was determined, and the microscopy data did not suffice to reliably determine HMA or LMA status. To experimentally determine the HMA or LMA status of a sponge species, we therefore recommend a combination of transmission electron microscopy and 16S rRNA gene sequence data. This study significantly expands previous reports on microbial abundances in sponge tissues and contributes to a better understanding of the HMA-LMA dichotomy in sponge-microbe symbioses

Low CT temporal sampling rates result in a substantial underestimation of myocardial blood flow measurements

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of temporal sampling rate in dynamic CT myocardial perfusion imaging (CTMPI) on myocardial blood flow (MBF). Dynamic perfusion CT underestimates myocardial blood flow compared to PET and SPECT values. For accurate quantitative analysis of myocardial perfusion with dynamic perfusion CT a stable calibrated HU measurement of MBF is essential. Three porcine hearts were perfused using an ex-vivo Langendorff model. Hemodynamic parameters were monitored. Dynamic CTMPI was performed using third generation dual source CT at 70 kVp and 230-350 mAs/rot in electrocardiography(ECG)-triggered shuttle-mode (sampling rate, 1 acquisition every 2-3 s; z-range, 10.2 cm), ECG-triggered non-shuttle mode (fixed table position) with stationary tube rotation (1 acquisition every 0.5-1 s, 5.8 cm), and non-ECG-triggered continuous mode (1 acquisition every 0.06 s, 5.8 cm). Stenosis was created in the circumflex artery, inducing different fractional flow reserve values. Volume perfusion CT Myocardium software was used to analyze ECG-triggered scans. For the non-ECG triggered scans MASS research version was used combined with an in-house Matlab script. MBF (mL/g/min) was calculated for non-ischemic segments. True MBF was calculated using input flow and heart weight. Significant differences in MBF between shuttle, non-shuttle and continuous mode were found, with median MBF of 0.87 [interquartile range 0.72-1.00], 1.20 (1.07-1.30) and 1.65 (1.40-1.88), respectively. The median MBF in shuttle mode was 56% lower than the true MBF. In non-shuttle and continuous mode, the underestimation was 41% and 18%. Limited temporal sampling rate in standard dynamic CTMPI techniques contributes to substantial underestimation of true MBF

From Cooperation to Competition: The Future of U.S.-Russian Relations

https://press.armywarcollege.edu/monographs/1928/thumbnail.jp

Revising the IS Model Curriculum: Rethinking the Approach and the Process

This paper summarizes the key elements of a panel presentation at the Americas Conference for Information Systems (AMCIS) 2007 that reviewed the current status of the joint Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)/Association for Information Systems (AIS) undergraduate information systems model curriculum revision project. After providing a brief historical overview of IS model curricula and describing the reasons why a revision is overdue, the paper focuses on three main aspects of the current revision proposal. These include: 1) extending the reach and applicability of the curriculum model beyond business schools and making it a genuinely global model; 2) separating core topics from career track electives and including career tracks in the model; and 3) revising the curriculum development model to be significantly more inclusive using modern Web-based technologies

IS 2010: Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Information Systems

IS 2010 is the latest in a series of model curricula for undergraduate degrees in Information Systems. It builds on the foundation formed by this earlier work, but it is a major revision of the curriculum and incorporates several significant new characteristics. IS 2010 is the third collaborative effort by ACM and AIS. Both organizations have worldwide membership, and, therefore, IS 2010 includes elements that make it more universally adaptable than its predecessors. IS 2010 is not directly linked to a degree structure in any specific environment but it provides guidance regarding the core content of the curriculum that should be present everywhere and suggestions regarding possible electives and career tracks based on those

Revising Undergraduate IS Model Curriculum: New Outcome Expectations

This paper outlines and further specifies the key points articulated in an IS Model Curriculum panel presentation at the Americas Conference for Information Systems (AMCIS) 2008. This presentation centered on the major changes to the IS Model Curriculum that is currently being proposed by the joint Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Association for Information Systems (AIS) task force. The goal of this task force is to provide the first major revision of the IS model curriculum since IS ’97. The major modifications to the IS Model Curriculum involve: 1) reaching beyond the business school to include programs housed in other parts of the university (e.g., health informatics); 2) revising the outcome expectations for the IS graduates and proposing subsequent changes to the curriculum topics; 3) revising the curriculum structure by separating the curriculum core from the elective topics; and 4) involving and making relevant the model curriculum to the global IS community. Also, this paper summarizes the key components to the restructuring of the IS Model Curriculum: high-level organizational needs for IS capabilities and graduate knowledge and skills. Finally, future steps in the curriculum revision process are discussed

Positron Emission Tomography Imaging Reveals Auditory and Frontal Cortical Regions Involved with Speech Perception and Loudness Adaptation

Considerable progress has been made in the treatment of hearing loss with auditory implants. However, there are still many implanted patients that experience hearing deficiencies, such as limited speech understanding or vanishing perception with continuous stimulation (i.e., abnormal loudness adaptation). The present study aims to identify specific patterns of cerebral cortex activity involved with such deficiencies. We performed O-15-water positron emission tomography (PET) in patients implanted with electrodes within the cochlea, brainstem, or midbrain to investigate the pattern of cortical activation in response to speech or continuous multi-tone stimuli directly inputted into the implant processor that then delivered electrical patterns through those electrodes. Statistical parametric mapping was performed on a single subject basis. Better speech understanding was correlated with a larger extent of bilateral auditory cortex activation. In contrast to speech, the continuous multi-tone stimulus elicited mainly unilateral auditory cortical activity in which greater loudness adaptation corresponded to weaker activation and even deactivation. Interestingly, greater loudness adaptation was correlated with stronger activity within the ventral prefrontal cortex, which could be up-regulated to suppress the irrelevant or aberrant signals into the auditory cortex. The ability to detect these specific cortical patterns and differences across patients and stimuli demonstrates the potential for using PET to diagnose auditory function or dysfunction in implant patients, which in turn could guide the development of appropriate stimulation strategies for improving hearing rehabilitation. Beyond hearing restoration, our study also reveals a potential role of the frontal cortex in suppressing irrelevant or aberrant activity within the auditory cortex, and thus may be relevant for understanding and treating tinnitus

Barriers to HIV remission research in low- and middle-income countries.

INTRODUCTION: HIV eradication and remission research has largely taken place in high-income countries. In low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), there may be factors that have a substantial impact on the size of the latent HIV reservoir and the immunological response to infection. If a curative strategy is to be available to all HIV-infected individuals, these factors must be understood. METHODS: We use a scoping review to examine the literature on biological factors that may have an impact on HIV persistence in LMIC. Three databases were searched without date restrictions. RESULTS: Uncontrolled viral replication and higher coinfection prevalence may alter the immunological milieu of individuals in LMIC and increase the size of the HIV reservoir. Differences in HIV subtype could also influence the measurement and size of the HIV reservoir. Immune activation may differ due to late presentation to care, presence of chronic infections, increased gut translocation of bacterial products and poor nutrition. CONCLUSIONS: Research on HIV remission is urgently needed in LMIC. Research into chronic immune activation in resource poor environments, the immune response to infection, the mechanisms of HIV persistence and latency in different viral clades and the effect of the microbiological milieu must be performed. Geographic differences, which may be substantial and may delay access to curative strategies, should be identified

Low-dose triple drug combination targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and the MAPK pathway is an effective approach in ovarian clear cell carcinoma

Advanced stage ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is poorly responsive to platinum-based chemotherapy and has an unfavorable prognosis. Previous studies revealed heterogeneous mutations in PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathway nodules converging in mTORC1/2 activation. Here, we aimed to identify an effective low-dose combination of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and MAPK pathway inhibitors simultaneously targeting key kinases in OCCC to preclude single-inhibitor initiated pathway rewiring and limit toxicity. Small molecule inhibitors of mTORC1/2, PI3K and MEK1/2 were combined at monotherapy IC20 doses in a panel of genetically diverse OCCC cell lines (n = 7) to determine an optimal low-dose combination. The IC20 dose triple combination reduced kinase activity in PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathways, prevented single-inhibitor induced feedback mechanisms and inhibited short and long-term proliferation in all seven cell lines. Finally, this low-dose triple drug combination treatment significantly reduced tumor growth in two genetically characterized OCCC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models without resulting in weight loss in these mice. The effectiveness and tolerability of this combined therapy in PDX models warrants clinical exploration of this treatment strategy for OCCC and might be applicable to other cancer types with a similar genetic background