Computational models in plant-pathogen interactions: the case of Phytophthora infestans

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Phytophthora infestans </it>is a devastating oomycete pathogen of potato production worldwide. This review explores the use of computational models for studying the molecular interactions between <it>P. infestans </it>and one of its hosts, <it>Solanum tuberosum</it>.</p> <p>Modeling and conclusion</p> <p>Deterministic logistics models have been widely used to study pathogenicity mechanisms since the early 1950s, and have focused on processes at higher biological resolution levels. In recent years, owing to the availability of high throughput biological data and computational resources, interest in stochastic modeling of plant-pathogen interactions has grown. Stochastic models better reflect the behavior of biological systems. Most modern approaches to plant pathology modeling require molecular kinetics information. Unfortunately, this information is not available for many plant pathogens, including <it>P. infestans</it>. Boolean formalism has compensated for the lack of kinetics; this is especially the case where comparative genomics, protein-protein interactions and differential gene expression are the most common data resources.</p

Gambit: An Autonomous Chess-Playing Robotic System

This paper presents Gambit, a custom, mid-cost 6-DoF robot manipulator system that can play physical board games against human opponents in non-idealized environments. Historically, unconstrained robotic manipulation in board games has often proven to be more challenging than the underlying game reasoning, making it an ideal testbed for small-scale manipulation. The Gambit system includes a low-cost Kinect-style visual sensor, a custom manipulator, and state-of-the-art learning algorithms for automatic detection and recognition of the board and objects on it. As a use-case, we describe playing chess quickly and accurately with arbitrary, uninstrumented boards and pieces, demonstrating that Gambits engineering and design represent a new state-of-the-art in fast, robust tabletop manipulation. © 2011 IEEE

Value-Based Leadership in Organizations: Balancing Values, Interests, and Power Among Citizens, Workers, and Leaders

The purpose of this article is to introduce a model of value-based leadership. The model is based on tensions among values, interests, and power (VIP); and tensions that take place within and among citizens, workers, and leaders (CWL). The VIP-CWL model describes the forces at play in the promotion of value-based practice and formulates recommendations for value-based leadership. The ability to enact certain values is conditioned by power and personal interests of communities, workers, and leaders of organizations. People experience internal conflicts related to VIP as well as external conflicts related to disagreements with the CWL. Value-based practice is predicated on the ability to alleviate these tensions. Leaders have 4 main roles in promoting value-based practice: (a) clarify values, (b) promote personal harmony among VIP, (c) enhance congruence of VIP among CWL, and (d) confront people and groups subverting values or abusing power to promote personal interests