A generic approach to the evolution of interaction in ubiquitous systems

This dissertation addresses the challenge of the configuration of modern (ubiquitous, context-sensitive, mobile et al.) interactive systems where it is difficult or impossible to predict (i) the resources available for evolution, (ii) the criteria for judging the success of the evolution, and (iii) the degree to which human judgements must be involved in the evaluation process used to determine the configuration. In this thesis a conceptual model of interactive system configuration over time (known as interaction evolution) is presented which relies upon the follow steps; (i) identification of opportunities for change in a system, (ii) reflection on the available configuration alternatives, (iii) decision-making and (iv) implementation, and finally iteration of the process. This conceptual model underpins the development of a dynamic evolution environment based on a notion of configuration evaluation functions (hereafter referred to as evaluation functions) that provides greater flexibility than current solutions and, when supported by appropriate tools, can provide a richer set of evaluation techniques and features that are difficult or impossible to implement in current systems. Specifically this approach has support for changes to the approach, style or mode of use used for configuration - these features may result in more effective systems, less effort involved to configure them and a greater degree of control may be offered to the user. The contributions of this work include; (i) establishing the the need for configuration evolution through a literature review and a motivating case study experiment, (ii) development of a conceptual process model supporting interaction evolution, (iii) development of a model based on the notion of evaluation functions which is shown to support a wide range of interaction configuration approaches, (iv) a characterisation of the configuration evaluation space, followed by (v) an implementation of these ideas used in (vi) a series of longitudinal technology probes and investigations into the approaches

Alternative Approach to Sand Bags for Flood Prevention Through the use of 3D Printed Flood Panels

This is an alternative approach to sand bags which could save time and money when implementing temporary barriers around critical areas during times of flooding in flood plains or areas near rivers

Transcriptome analysis of porcine M. semimembranosus divergent in intramuscular fat as a consequence of dietary protein restriction

peer-reviewedBackground: Intramuscular fat (IMF) content is positively correlated with aspects of pork palatability, including flavour, juiciness and overall acceptability. The ratio of energy to protein in the finishing diet of growing pigs can impact on IMF content with consequences for pork quality. The objective of this study was to compare gene expression profiles of Musculus semimembranosus (SM) of animals divergent for IMF as a consequence of protein dietary restriction in an isocaloric diet. The animal model was derived through the imposition of low or high protein diets during the finisher stage in Duroc gilts. RNA was extracted from post mortem SM tissue, processed and hybridised to Affymetrix porcine GeneChip® arrays. Results: IMF content of SM muscle was increased on the low protein diet (3.60 ± 0.38% versus 1.92 ± 0.35%). Backfat depth was also greater in animals on the low protein diet, and average daily gain and feed conversion ratio were lower, but muscle depth, protein content and moisture content were not affected. A total of 542 annotated genes were differentially expressed (DE) between animals on low and high protein diets, with 351 down-regulated and 191 up-regulated on the low protein diet. Transcript differences were validated for a subset of DE genes by qPCR. Alterations in functions related to cell cycle, muscle growth, extracellular matrix organisation, collagen development, lipogenesis and lipolysis, were observed. Expression of adipokines including LEP, TNFα and HIF1α were increased and the hypoxic stress response was induced. Many of the identified transcriptomic responses have also been observed in genetic and fetal programming models of differential IMF accumulation, indicating they may be robust biological indicators of IMF content. Conclusion: An extensive perturbation of overall energy metabolism in muscle occurs in response to protein restriction. A low protein diet can modulate IMF content of the SM by altering gene pathways involved in lipid biosynthesis and degradation; however this nutritional challenge negatively impacts protein synthesis pathways, with potential consequences for growth.Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Ireland - Food Institutional Research Measur

Assessing the Stringency of Penalties for NCAA Violations Related To Banned Substances among the Top Division I and II Men's Basketball Programs

All Division I and Division II student-athletes, under National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules are required to subject themselves to year round drug testing by the governing body. If a student-athlete tests positive for drug use under an NCAA mandated drug tests, they will lose eligibility. In addition to these NCAA mandated tests, institutions are encouraged by the NCAA to have institutional drug testing policies. For these institutional drug testing policies, member institutions can set their own penalties for their student-athletes and the penalties can range from mandatory drug education sessions to expulsion from the athletic department. It is imperative to determine why each of these member institutions chooses the drug testing penalties that they do for first, second, and third offenses. Additionally it is also crucial to understand if member institutions take into consideration the athlete’s health and well-being or if the mantra for their policy is based on equity considerations they are setting for the fairness of the game, or student-athlete eligibility for competition. The purpose of this study will be to determine if the competitiveness and success of a member institution's men's basketball program has an impact on the drug testing penalties that they have in their policies. The study will determine the following: (1) Do member institutions with men's basketball programs in the top 25 ranked teams in 2013 have lower penalties for student-athletes who test positive for NCAA banned substances? (2) Do member institutions with men's basketball programs in the top 25 ranked teams in 2013 give more second chances to student-athletes after their first positive drug test? (3) Do member institutions with men's basketball programs in the top 25 ranked teams in 2013 have drug education and counseling sessions for student-athletes who test positive for NCAA banned substances at a lower rate than the average member institution?M.S., Sport Management -- Drexel University, 201

DNMT inhibitors reverse a specific signature of aberrant promoter DNA methylation and associated gene silencing in AML

<b>Background</b>. Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are neoplastic disorders of hematopoietic stem cells. DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi), 5-azacytidine (AzaC) and 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine (Decitabine), benefit some MDS/AML patients. However, the role of DNMTi-induced DNA hypomethylation in regulation of gene expression in AML is unclear.<p></p> <b>Results. </b> We compared the effects of AzaC on DNA methylation and gene expression using whole-genome single-nucleotide bisulfite-sequencing (WGBS) and RNA-sequencing in OCI-AML3 (AML3) cells. For data analysis, we used an approach recently developed for discovery of differential patterns of DNA methylation associated with changes in gene expression, that is tailored to single-nucleotide bisulfite-sequencing data (Washington University Interpolated Methylation Signatures (WIMSi)). By this approach, a subset of genes upregulated by AzaC was found to be characterized by AzaC-induced signature methylation loss flanking the transcription start site. These genes are enriched for genes increased in methylation and decreased in expression in AML3 cells compared to normal hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Moreover, these genes are preferentially upregulated by Decitabine in human primary AML blasts, and control cell proliferation, death and development. <p></p> <b>Conclusions.</b> Our WGBS and WIMSi data analysis approach has identified a set of genes whose is methylation and silencing in AML is reversed by DNMTi. These genes are good candidates for direct regulation by DNMTi, and their reactivation by DNMTi may contribute to therapeutic activity. This study also demonstrates the ability of WIMSi to reveal relationships between DNA methylation and gene expression, based on single-nucleotide bisulfite-sequencing and RNA-seq data.<p></p&gt

TASK-BASED OPTIMIZATION OF MULTI-ARM SPACE ROBOTICS

There are many benefits to using multi-arm systems over a single arm system including higher flexibility in planning, better payload handling capacity, and reduction of joint torques. However, multi-arm systems are inherently more complex. This complexity does not necessarily translate to ``bigger" and ``heavier". This research seeks to answer the question of whether or not a multi-arm system can have lower mass than a single arm system. Using a task-based methodology, Independent single-arm and cooperative dual-arm manipulator systems are designed. A task defines the payload's motion and thus the manipulator's trajectory. Utilizing linear programming, a new method is developed in order to optimize the distribution of forces among the multiple arms in order to guarantee a minimum system mass. The mass of the motors and gears are estimated based on the required torque and speed, obtained from the trajectory and force-distribution. This study shows that a well-designed multi-arm system can in fact have a lower mass than a single-arm system. Further optimization demonstrates that a multi-arm system, when designed as a complete system rather than individual parts, can significantly reduce the total system mass