Enhancing declarative process models with DMN decision logic

Modeling dynamic, human-centric, non-standardized and knowledge-intensive business processes with imperative process modeling approaches is very challenging. Declarative process modeling approaches are more appropriate for these processes, as they offer the run-time flexibility typically required in these cases. However, by means of a realistic healthcare process that falls in the aforementioned category, we demonstrate in this paper that current declarative approaches do not incorporate all the details needed. More specifically, they lack a way to model decision logic, which is important when attempting to fully capture these processes. We propose a new declarative language, Declare-R-DMN, which combines the declarative process modeling language Declare-R with the newly adopted OMG standard Decision Model and Notation. Aside from supporting the functionality of both languages, Declare-R-DMN also creates bridges between them. We will show that using this language results in process models that encapsulate much more knowledge, while still offering the same flexibility

On-the-fly decoding luminescence lifetimes in the microsecond region for lanthanide-encoded suspension arrays

Significant multiplexing capacity of optical time-domain coding has been recently demonstrated by tuning luminescence lifetimes of the upconversion nanoparticles called 'τ-Dots'. It provides a large dynamic range of lifetimes from microseconds to milliseconds, which allows creating large libraries of nanotags/microcarriers. However, a robust approach is required to rapidly and accurately measure the luminescence lifetimes from the relatively slow-decaying signals. Here we show a fast algorithm suitable for the microsecond region with precision closely approaching the theoretical limit and compatible with the rapid scanning cytometry technique.We exploit this approach to further extend optical time-domain multiplexing to the downconversion luminescence, using luminescence microspheres wherein lifetimes are tuned through luminescence resonance energy transfer.We demonstrate real-time discrimination of these microspheres in the rapid scanning cytometry, and apply them to the multiplexed probing of pathogen DNA strands. Our results indicate that tunable luminescence lifetimes have considerable potential in high-throughput analytical sciences. © 2014 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved

中国上市公司治理结构的实证研究

我国上市公司的市场价值与其治理结构有无联系？投资者愿为治理良好的公司付出多大的溢价？本文旨在对上述两大问题进行全面和系统的实证研究，揭示当前上市公司存在的治理弊病，为建立具有中国特色的公司治理体系提供依据。为此，我们充分考虑了公司治理的内外部机制，并结合中国的市场环境，归纳出一系列变量来描述公司治理在我国的具体实践。基于这个变量体系，我们运用主元因素分析法编制了一个可反映上市公司治理水平的综合指标 - G指标。我们的实证研究发现：（1）治理水平高的企业其市场价值也高；（2）投资者愿为治理良好的公司付出相当可观的溢价。postprin

SSwWS: structural model of information architecture

The Web Technologies allow a representation of a domain of knowledge. This facilitates the conversion of an explicit and tacit knowledge to the possibility of adding knowledge to the Web for automatic processing by the computer. For this reason, it has been designed to be an architecture known as SSwWS (Search Semantic with Web Services) or Search Semantic Web Services, to show how to extend the functionality of the Web search and semantic raised by Berners-Lee, on the meta-references, defined in a Web ontology, so that a user on the Internet can find the answers to their questions through Web services in a simple and fast

CD98hc facilitates B cell proliferation and adaptive humoral immunity.

The proliferation of antigen-specific lymphocytes and resulting clonal expansion are essential for adaptive immunity. We report here that B cell-specific deletion of the heavy chain of CD98 (CD98hc) resulted in lower antibody responses due to total suppression of B cell proliferation and subsequent plasma cell formation. Deletion of CD98hc did not impair early B cell activation but did inhibit later activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase Erk1/2 and downregulation of the cell cycle inhibitor p27. Reconstitution of CD98hc-deficient B cells with CD98hc mutants showed that the integrin-binding domain of CD98hc was required for B cell proliferation but that the amino acid-transport function of CD98hc was dispensable for this. Thus, CD98hc supports integrin-dependent rapid proliferation of B cells. We propose that the advantage of adaptive immunity favored the appearance of CD98hc in vertebrates

Knowledge and risk behaviors related to HIV/AIDS, and their association with information resource among men who have sex with men in Heilongjiang province, China

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Backgroud</p> <p>In Heilongjiang province, the HIV prevalence in men who have sex with men (MSM) is generally lower than other part of China. However, the official perception for their risk of HIV/AIDS infection has been increasing in the province over the years. Moreover, little information on HIV/AIDS was provided to the communities so that we have disadvantage of controlling HIV/AIDS epidemic in the region. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of HIV among MSM in Heilongjiang province, to assess their knowledge levels and risk behaviors related to HIV/AIDS, and to explore their associations with information resources.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study using a standardized questionnaire and blood test was administered in 2008 by local interviewers to a sample (1353) of MSM in four cities in Heilongjiang province.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among 1353 MSM, 2.3% were identified with HIV infection. About 48.7% of the subjects had multiple male sexual partners and only 37.3% of the subjects had consistent condom use (use every time) in the past 6 months. Most had a fair level of knowledge on HIV/AIDS, with the highest mean knowledge score among the MSM from Jiamusi, those with income 2000-3000 RMB/month, those searching sexual partners via internet and those performed HIV testing over 1 year ago). However, some myths regarding viral transmission (e.g., via mosquito bites or sharing kitchen utensils) also existed. Resources of information from which knowledge and risk behaviors related to HIV/AIDS was most available were television (58.6%) among MSM, followed by sexual partner (51.6%), publicity material (51.0%) and internet (48.7%). Significantly statistical differences of mean knowledge score were revealed in favor of book (<it>P </it>= 0.0002), medical staff (<it>P </it>= 0.0007), publicity material (<it>P </it>= 0.005) and sexual partner (<it>P </it>= 0.02). Press (<it>P </it>= 0.04) and book (<it>P </it>= 0.0003) were contributory to the most frequent condom use (condom use every time), while medical staff (<it>P </it>= 0.005) and publicity material (<it>P </it>= 0.04) is associated with moderate rate of condom use (condom use often).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although the prevalence of HIV infection is low among MSM in Heilongjiang province, the situation that the risk behaviors were frequent in the population is alarming. The study suggests that some strategies like condom use and education intervention are practical approaches and need to be strengthened.</p

Global Burden of Sickle Cell Anaemia in Children under Five, 2010-2050: Modelling Based on Demographics, Excess Mortality, and Interventions

The global burden of sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is set to rise as a consequence of improved survival in high-prevalence low- and middle-income countries and population migration to higher-income countries. The host of quantitative evidence documenting these changes has not been assembled at the global level. The purpose of this study is to estimate trends in the future number of newborns with SCA and the number of lives that could be saved in under-five children with SCA by the implementation of different levels of health interventions.First, we calculated projected numbers of newborns with SCA for each 5-y interval between 2010 and 2050 by combining estimates of national SCA frequencies with projected demographic data. We then accounted for under-five mortality (U5m) projections and tested different levels of excess mortality for children with SCA, reflecting the benefits of implementing specific health interventions for under-five patients in 2015, to assess the number of lives that could be saved with appropriate health care services. The estimated number of newborns with SCA globally will increase from 305,800 (confidence interval [CI]: 238,400-398,800) in 2010 to 404,200 (CI: 242,500-657,600) in 2050. It is likely that Nigeria (2010: 91,000 newborns with SCA [CI: 77,900-106,100]; 2050: 140,800 [CI: 95,500-200,600]) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2010: 39,700 [CI: 32,600-48,800]; 2050: 44,700 [CI: 27,100-70,500]) will remain the countries most in need of policies for the prevention and management of SCA. We predict a decrease in the annual number of newborns with SCA in India (2010: 44,400 [CI: 33,700-59,100]; 2050: 33,900 [CI: 15,900-64,700]). The implementation of basic health interventions (e.g., prenatal diagnosis, penicillin prophylaxis, and vaccination) for SCA in 2015, leading to significant reductions in excess mortality among under-five children with SCA, could, by 2050, prolong the lives of 5,302,900 [CI: 3,174,800-6,699,100] newborns with SCA. Similarly, large-scale universal screening could save the lives of up to 9,806,000 (CI: 6,745,800-14,232,700) newborns with SCA globally, 85% (CI: 81%-88%) of whom will be born in sub-Saharan Africa. The study findings are limited by the uncertainty in the estimates and the assumptions around mortality reductions associated with interventions.Our quantitative approach confirms that the global burden of SCA is increasing, and highlights the need to develop specific national policies for appropriate public health planning, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Further empirical collaborative epidemiological studies are vital to assess current and future health care needs, especially in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and India

A Highly Porous Metal-Organic Framework System to Deliver Payloads for Gene Knockdown

© 2019 Elsevier Inc. Gene knockdown is an advantageous therapeutic strategy to lower dangerous genetic over-expression. However, the molecules responsible for initiating this process are unstable. Porous nanoparticles called metal-organic frameworks can encapsulate, protect, and deliver these compounds efficaciously without the need for chemical modifications—commonly done to enhance stability. By applying this platform technology, this work demonstrates the successful reduction in expression of a gene by avoiding retention and subsequent degradation in cellular compartments.This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (NanoMOFdeli), ERC-2016-COG 726380, and (SUPUVIR) no. 722380. M.H.T. thanks the Gates Cambridge Trust for funding, S. Haddad for helpful discussions, and A. Li for assistance with data visualization. D.F.-J. thanks the Royal Society for funding through a University Research Fellowship. S.B.d.Q.F., F.M.R., and D.I.J. were funded by Cancer Research UK Senior Group Leader Grant CRUK/A15678. O.K.F. gratefully acknowledges DTRA for financial support (grant HDTRA-1-14-1-0014). C.F.K. acknowledges funding from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (grants EP/L015889/1 and EP/H018301/1), the Wellcome Trust (grants 3-3249/Z/16/Z and 089703/Z/09/Z) and the UK Medical Research Council (grants MR/K015850/1 and MR/K02292X/1), and Infinitus (China) Ltd. Computational work was supported by the Cambridge High Performance Computing Cluster, Darwin