252 research outputs found
An architecture and execution environment for component integration rules
The Integration Rules (IRules) project at Arizona State University
(http://www.eas.asu.edu/~irules) is developing a declarative event-based
approach to component integration. Integration rules are based on the concept
of active database rules, providing an active approach for specifying event-
driven activity in a distributed environment. The IRules project consists of a
knowledge model that specifies the IRules Definition Language and an execution
model that supports integration rule execution. This research focuses on the
execution model and the architectural design parts of the IRules project. The
main objective of this research is to develop a distributed execution
environment for using integration rules in the integration of black-box
components. In particular, this research will investigate the design of an
architecture that supports the IRules semantic framework, the development of
an execution model for rule and transaction processing, and the design of a
rule processing algorithm for coordinating the execution of integration rules.
This research will combine the distributed computing framework of Jini, the
asynchronous event notification mechanism of the Java Message Service (JMS),
and the distributed blocking access functionality of JavaSpaces to support
active rule processing in a distributed environment. The limitations of the
underlying Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB) component model pose transaction
processing challenges for the integration process. This research will develop
a suitable transaction model and processing logic to overcome the limitations
of the underlying EJB component model. Furthermore, the architectural design
will allow an easy extension of the system to accommodate other component
models. This research is expected to contribute to nested rule and transaction
processing for active rules that have not been previously addressed in
distributed rule processing environments. The development of the IRules
execution environment will also contribute to the use of distributed rule-
based techniques for eventdriven component integration
Advanced Database Concepts for Undergraduates: Experience with Teaching a Second Course.
Abstract This paper describes the development of a second database course for undergraduates, preparing students for the advanced database concepts they will experience in industry. Assuming an introductory course on relational database systems as a prerequisite, the topics addressed in the course include object-oriented data modeling, objectoriented database systems, object-relational database systems, Web access to databases, and professionalism and ethics. We present our experience with teaching the course, elaborating on the topics and assignments. We also present feedback from students and industry partners as well as our own assessment of future course refinements
Identifying Bayesian Optimal Experiments for Uncertain Biochemical Pathway Models
Pharmacodynamic (PD) models are mathematical models of cellular reaction
networks that include drug mechanisms of action. These models are useful for
studying predictive therapeutic outcomes of novel drug therapies in silico.
However, PD models are known to possess significant uncertainty with respect to
constituent parameter data, leading to uncertainty in the model predictions.
Furthermore, experimental data to calibrate these models is often limited or
unavailable for novel pathways. In this study, we present a Bayesian optimal
experimental design approach for improving PD model prediction accuracy. We
then apply our method using simulated experimental data to account for
uncertainty in hypothetical laboratory measurements. This leads to a
probabilistic prediction of drug performance and a quantitative measure of
which prospective laboratory experiment will optimally reduce prediction
uncertainty in the PD model. The methods proposed here provide a way forward
for uncertainty quantification and guided experimental design for models of
novel biological pathways
Filtering features for a composite event definition language
This research has enhanced a distributed, rule-based application integration environment with a composite event definition language (CEDL) and detection system. CEDL builds on existing composite event operators and selection modes, adding features to support the filtering of primitive and composite events. The filtering features include basic parameter filtering on primitive and composite events, aggregate and quantifier filters on cumulative event parameters, and time filters for defining the lifetime of the composite event detection process. This paper presents examples of CEDL, illustrating the expression of application-oriented events through the aggregation and correlation of distributed events. 1
Spatial Distribution of the Cannabinoid Type 1 and Capsaicin Receptors May Contribute to the Complexity of Their Crosstalk
Angelika Varga has been supported by a European Union Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship (254661), a
Hungarian Social Renewal Operation Program (TÁMOP 4.1.2.E-13/1/KONV-2013-0010) and the Hungarian
Brain Research program (KTIA_NAP_13-2-2014-0005) of the Hungarian Government. Agnes Jenes has been
supported by a BJA/RCoA Project Grant. This work has also been supported, in part, by the BIOSS-2 Grant,
Project A6.
Genetic Variations in IL28B and Allergic Disease in Children
Environmental changes affecting the relationship between the developing immune system and microbial exposure have been implicated in the epidemic rise of allergic disease in developed countries. While early developmental differences in T cell function are well-recognised, there is now emerging evidence that this is related to developmental differences in innate immune function. In this study we sought to examine if differences associated with innate immunity contribute to the altered immune programming recognised in allergic children. Here, we describe for the first time, the association of carriage of the T allele of the tagging single nucleotide polymorphism rs12979860 3 kb upstream of IL28B, encoding the potent innate immune modulator type III interferon lambda (IFN-λ3), and allergy in children (p = 0.004; OR 4.56). Strikingly, the association between rs12979860 genotype and allergic disease is enhanced in girls. Furthermore, carriage of the T allele at rs12979860 correlates with differences in the pro-inflammatory profile during the first five years of life suggesting this contributes to the key differences in subsequent innate immune development in children who develop allergic disease. In the context of rising rates of disease, these immunologic differences already present at birth imply very early interaction between genetic predisposition and prenatal environmental influences
SMART trial: A randomized clinical trial of self-monitoring in behavioral weight management-design and baseline findings.
BACKGROUND: The primary form of treatment for obesity today is behavioral therapy. Self-monitoring diet and physical activity plays an important role in interventions targeting behavior and weight change. The SMART weight loss trial examined the impact of replacing the standard paper record used for self-monitoring with a personal digital assistant (PDA). This paper describes the design, methods, intervention, and baseline sample characteristics of the SMART trial. METHODS: The SMART trial used a 3-group design to determine the effects of different modes of self-monitoring on short- and long-term weight loss and on adherence to self-monitoring in a 24-month intervention. Participants were randomized to one of three conditions (1) use of a standard paper record (PR); (2) use of a PDA with dietary and physical activity software (PDA); or (3), use of a PDA with the same software plus a customized feedback program (PDA + FB). RESULTS: We screened 704 individuals and randomized 210. There were statistically but not clinically significant differences among the three cohorts in age, education, HDL cholesterol, blood glucose and systolic blood pressure. At 24 months, retention rate for the first of three cohorts was 90%. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, the SMART trial is the first large study to compare different methods of self-monitoring in a behavioral weight loss intervention and to compare the use of PDAs to conventional paper records. This study has the potential to reveal significant details about self-monitoring patterns and whether technology can improve adherence to this vital intervention component
Dietary Restriction Depends on Nutrient Composition to Extend Chronological Lifespan in Budding Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
10.1371/journal.pone.0064448PLoS ONE85
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