An approach to evolving cell signaling networks in silico

Cell Signaling Networks(CSN) are complex bio-chemical networks which, through evolution, have become highly efficient for governing critical control processes such as immunological responses, cell cycle control or homeostasis. From a computational point of view, modeling Artificial Cell Signaling Networks (ACSNs) in silico may provide new ways to design computer systems which may have specialized application areas. To investigate these new opportunities, we review the key issues of modeling ACSNs identified as follows. We first present an analogy between analog and molecular computation. We discuss the application of evolutionary techniques to evolve biochemical networks for computational purposes. The potential roles of crosstalk in CSNs are then examined. Finally we present how artificial CSNs can be used to build robust real-time control systems. The research we are currently involved in is part of the multi disciplinary EU funded project, ESIGNET, with the central question of the study of the computational properties of CSNs by evolving them using methods from evolutionary computation, and to re-apply this understanding in developing new ways to model and predict real CSNs. This also complements the present requirements of Computational Systems Biology by providing new insights in micro-biology research

Correlation between layer thickness and periodicity of long polytypes in silicon carbide

The layer widths and repeat spacing of long-period polytypes (LPPs) have been determined using synchrotron radiation source (SRS) X-ray diffraction topography (XRDT). This method has proved to be a powerful tool in investigating the spatial extent of one-dimensional disorder (1DD), long-period polytypes (LPPs) and the boundaries of polytype layers in silicon carbide (SiC). The resulting neighbourhood coalescence models have confirmed the validity of the sandwich rule even in the limit of two arbitrarily long LPPs, as well as the unique nature of the 6H polytype. A significant empirical trend is reported here that relates the thickness of LPP layers to the periodicity of the repeat stacking sequence measured on the topographs. A good correlation between the data suggests that this behaviour is governed by a simple mathematical expression t = kNn. Values for k and n have been determined that relate the polytype thickness (t in microns) to the number of hexagonal layers (N) in the polytype stacking repeat. These values can be used to prompt questions about the limits of polytypism and disorder in SiC

Sentencing Commissions and Guidelines by the Numbers: Cross-Jurisdictional Comparisons Made Easy by the Sentencing Guidelines Resource Center

Though the Sentencing Guidelines Resource Center highlights information for 26 jurisdictions, including the federal government, not all of these jurisdictions have sentencing guidelines. Neither do all of the jurisdictions have sentencing commissions. And over time, jurisdictions have moved back and forth between classifications as sentencing commissions have been formed and sunsetted and as guidelines systems have developed and been undercut by various factors, creating an even larger potential pool for study. This publication focuses on the 17 jurisdictions that exhibit the strongest characteristics of sentencing guidelines: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, U.S., Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Washington, D.C

Fungible commodities

This is an unbound portfolio printed using polymer plates on the vandercook press, in Providence, Rhode Island. The portfolio was created as a supplement for fungible commodities, a series of three multimedia installations

Preliminary steps toward artificial protocell computation

Protocells are hypothesised as a transitional phase in the origin of life, prior to the evolution of fully functional prokaryotic cells. The work reported here is being done in the context of the PACE project, which is investigating the fabrication of artificial protocells de novo. We consider here the important open question of whether or how articifial protocells (if or when they are successfully fabricated) might be applied as “computing” devices—what sort of computing might they be suitable for, and how might they be “programmed”? We also present some preliminary analysis of a crude model of such “evolutionary protocell computation”

Criminal History Enhancements Sourcebook

Criminal history scores make up one of the two most significant determinants of the punishment an offender receives in a sentencing guidelines jurisdiction. While prior convictions are taken into account by all U.S. sentencing systems, sentencing guidelines make the role of prior crimes more explicit by specifying the counting rules and by indicating the effect of prior convictions on sentence severity. Yet, once established, criminal history scoring formulas go largely unexamined. Moreover, there is great diversity across state and federal jurisdictions in the ways that an offender's criminal record is considered by courts at sentencing. This Sourcebook brings together for the first time information on criminal history enhancements in all existing U.S. sentencing guidelines systems. Building on this base, the Sourcebook examines major variations in the approaches taken by these systems, and identifies the underlying sentencing policy issues raised by such enhancements.The Sourcebook contains the following elements:A summary of criminal history enhancements in all guidelines jurisdictions;An analysis of the critical dimensions of an offender's previous convictions;A discussion of the policy options available to commissions considering amendments to their criminal history enhancements;A bibliography of key readings on the role of prior convictions at sentencing

The Continuing Leverage of Releasing Authorities: Findings from a National Survey

The Robina Institute of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice launched a national survey of releasing authorities in March 2015 to each state, and the U.S. Parole Commission. The importance of the survey was underscored by an endorsement from the Association of Paroling Authorities International (APAI). We are pleased to present the results from this important survey here. This is the first comprehensive survey of parole boards completed in nearly 10 years. Its findings provide a rich database for better understanding the policy and practice of paroling authorities. The last survey to be conducted of paroling authorities was in 2007/2008.The current report offers an expansion and update of previous surveys. The results summarized throughout the report offer a timely resource for paroling authorities, correctional policy-makers and practitioners, legislators, and those with a public policy interest in sentencing and criminal justice operations. It is our hope that the document and its findings provide key justice system and other stakeholders with an incisive snapshot of the work of paroling authorities across the country in a manner that contributes to a larger conversation about sound and effective parole release and revocation practices.The completion of this comprehensive survey and the reporting of its findings offers a timely and invaluable resource for releasing authorities. It provides them and other key justice system stakeholders with a comparative understanding of their colleagues' work across the nation, and contributes to a larger conversation pertaining to effective parole release and revocation practices