MHCWeb: Converting a WWW database into a knowledge-based collaborative environment

The World Wide Web (WWW) is useful for distributing scientific data. Most existing web data resources organize their information either in structured flat files or relational databases with basic retrieval capabilities. For databases with one or a few simple relations, these approaches are successful, but they can be cumbersome when there is a data model involving multiple relations between complex data. We believe that knowledge-based resources offer a solution in these cases. Knowledge bases have explicit declarations of the concepts in the domain, along with the relations between them. They are usually organized hierarchically, and provide a global data model with a controlled vocabulary, We have created the OWEB architecture for building online scientific data resources using knowledge bases. OWEB provides a shell for structuring data, providing secure and shared access, and creating computational modules for processing and displaying data. In this paper, we describe the translation of the online immunological database MHCPEP into an OWEB system called MHCWeb. This effort involved building a conceptual model for the data, creating a controlled terminology for the legal values for different types of data, and then translating the original data into the new structure. The 0 WEB environment allows for flexible access to the data by both users and computer programs.

Formal methods within a totally functional approach to programming

Taking functional programming to its extremities in search of simplicity still requires integration with other development (e.g. formal) methods. Induction is the key to deriving and verifying functional programs, but can be simplified through packaging proofs with functions, particularly folds, on data (structures). Totally Functional Programming avoids the complexities of interpretation by directly representing data (structures) as platonic combinators - the functions characteristic to the data. The link between the two simplifications is that platonic combinators are a kind of partially-applied fold, which means that platonic combinators inherit fold-theoretic properties, but with some apparent simplifications due to the platonic combinator representation. However, despite observable behaviour within functional programming that suggests that TFP is widely-applicable, significant work remains before TFP as such could be widely adopted.

Response programming in dementia of the Alzheimer type: A kinematic analysis

Although planning is important for the functioning of patients with dementia of the Alzheimer Type (DAT), little is known about response programming in DAT. This study used a cueing paradigm coupled with quantitative kinematic analysis to document the preparation and execution of movements made by a group of 12 DAT patients and their age and sex matched controls. Participants connected a series of targets placed upon a WACOM SD420 graphics tablet, in response to the pattern of illumination of a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs). In one condition, participants could programme the upcoming movement, whilst in another they were forced to reprogramme this movement on-line (i.e. they were not provided with advance information about the location of the upcoming target). DAT patients were found to have programming deficits, taking longer to initiate movements; particularly in the absence of cues. While problems spontaneously programming a movement might cause a greater reliance upon on-line guidance, when both groups were required to guide the movement on-line, DAT patients continued to show slower and less efficient movements implying declining sensori-motor function; these differences were not simply due to strategy or medication status. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.

The frontal assessment battery (FAB) reveals neurocognitive dysfunction in substance-dependent individuals in distinct executive domains: Abstract reasoning, motor programming, and cognitive flexibility

Substance-dependence is highly associated with executive cognitive function (ECF) impairments. However. considering that it is difficult to assess ECF clinically, the aim of the present study was to examine the feasibility of a brief neuropsychological tool (the Frontal Assessment Battery FAB) to detect specific ECF impairments in a sample of substance-dependent individuals (SDI). Sixty-two subjects participated in this study. Thirty DSM-IV-diagnosed SDI, after 2 weeks of abstinence, and 32 healthy individuals (control group) were evaluated with FAD and other ECF-related tasks: digits forward (DF), digits backward (DB), Stroop Color Word Test (SCWT), and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). SDI did not differ from the control group on sociodemographic variables or IQ. However, SDI performed below the controls in OF, DB, and FAB. The SDI were cognitively impaired in 3 of the 6 cognitive domains assessed by the FAB: abstract reasoning, motor programming, and cognitive flexibility. The FAB correlated with DF, SCWT, and WCST. In addition, some neuropsychological measures were correlated with the amount of alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine use. In conclusion, SDI performed more poorly than the comparison group on the FAB and the FAB`s results were associated with other ECF-related tasks. The results suggested a negative impact of alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine use on the ECF. The FAB may be useful in assisting professionals as an instrument to screen for ECF-related deficits in SDI. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Recognition by toll-like receptor 2 induces antigen-presenting cell activation and Th1 programming during infection by Neospora caninum

Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan parasite responsible for major economic losses due to abortions in cattle. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) sense specific microbial products and direct downstream signaling pathways in immune cells, linking innate, and adaptive immunity. Here, we analyze the role of TLR2 on innate and adaptive immune responses during N. caninum infection. Inflammatory peritoneal macrophages and bone marrow-derived dendritic cells exposed to N. caninum-soluble antigens presented an upregulated expression of TLR2. Increased receptor expression was correlated to TLR2/MyD88-dependent antigen-presenting cell maturation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production after stimulation by antigens. Impaired innate responses observed after infection of mice genetically deficient for TLR2((-/-)) was followed by downregulation of adaptive T helper 1 (Th1) immunity, represented by diminished parasite-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell proliferation, IFN-gamma:interleukin (IL)-10 ratio, and IgG subclass synthesis. In parallel, TLR2(-/-) mice presented higher parasite burden than wild-type (WT) mice at acute and chronic stages of infection. These results show that initial recognition of N. caninum by TLR2 participates in the generation of effector immune responses against N. caninum and imply that the receptor may be a target for future prophylactic strategies against neosporosis. Immunology and Cell Biology (2010) 88, 825-833; doi:10.1038/icb.2010.52; published online 20 April 2010

MapScript: A map algebra programming language incorporating neighborhood analysis

Map algebra is a data model and simple functional notation to study the distribution and patterns of spatial phenomena. It uses a uniform representation of space as discrete grids, which are organized into layers. This paper discusses extensions to map algebra to handle neighborhood operations with a new data type called a template. Templates provide general windowing operations on grids to enable spatial models for cellular automata, mathematical morphology, and local spatial statistics. A programming language for map algebra that incorporates templates and special processing constructs is described. The programming language is called MapScript. Example program scripts are presented to perform diverse and interesting neighborhood analysis for descriptive, model-based and processed-based analysis.

Using visual spatial search interface for WWW applications

Most Internet search engines are keyword-based. They are not efficient for the queries where geographical location is important, such as finding hotels within an area or close to a place of interest. A natural interface for spatial searching is a map, which can be used not only to display locations of search results but also to assist forming search conditions. A map-based search engine requires a well-designed visual interface that is intuitive to use yet flexible and expressive enough to support various types of spatial queries as well as aspatial queries. Similar to hyperlinks for text and images in an HTML page, spatial objects in a map should support hyperlinks. Such an interface needs to be scalable with the size of the geographical regions and the number of websites it covers. In spite of handling typically a very large amount of spatial data, a map-based search interface should meet the expectation of fast response time for interactive applications. In this paper we discuss general requirements and the design for a new map-based web search interface, focusing on integration with the WWW and visual spatial query interface. A number of current and future research issues are discussed, and a prototype for the University of Queensland is presented. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

The use of stochastic dynamic programming in optimal landscape reconstruction for metapopulations

A decision theory framework can be a powerful technique to derive optimal management decisions for endangered species. We built a spatially realistic stochastic metapopulation model for the Mount Lofty Ranges Southern Emu-wren (Stipiturus malachurus intermedius), a critically endangered Australian bird. Using diserete-time Markov,chains to describe the dynamics of a metapopulation and stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) to find optimal solutions, we evaluated the following different management decisions: enlarging existing patches, linking patches via corridors, and creating a new patch. This is the first application of SDP to optimal landscape reconstruction and one of the few times that landscape reconstruction dynamics have been integrated with population dynamics. SDP is a powerful tool that has advantages over standard Monte Carlo simulation methods because it can give the exact optimal strategy for every landscape configuration (combination of patch areas and presence of corridors) and pattern of metapopulation occupancy, as well as a trajectory of strategies. It is useful when a sequence of management actions can be performed over a given time horizon, as is the case for many endangered species recovery programs, where only fixed amounts of resources are available in each time step. However, it is generally limited by computational constraints to rather small networks of patches. The model shows that optimal metapopulation, management decisions depend greatly on the current state of the metapopulation,. and there is no strategy that is universally the best. The extinction probability over 30 yr for the optimal state-dependent management actions is 50-80% better than no management, whereas the best fixed state-independent sets of strategies are only 30% better than no management. This highlights the advantages of using a decision theory tool to investigate conservation strategies for metapopulations. It is clear from these results that the sequence of management actions is critical, and this can only be effectively derived from stochastic dynamic programming. The model illustrates the underlying difficulty in determining simple rules of thumb for the sequence of management actions for a metapopulation. This use of a decision theory framework extends the capacity of population viability analysis (PVA) to manage threatened species.

Caminhos da sustentabilidade para o cinema brasileiro

O artigo pretende mostrar as dificuldades de sustentabilidade da atividade cinematogr??fica brasileira. Com base na an??lise da cadeia produtiva, na estrutura tribut??ria e nas falhas da legisla????o de incentivo fiscal, prop??e-se a exist??ncia de um ciclo vicioso de depend??ncia aos incentivos fiscais. Tendo em vista as dificuldades de acesso a salas de cinema, devido, entre outros fatores, ao baixo poder aquisitivo da popula????o e ?? concentra????o geogr??fica de cinemas nas grandes cidades, prop??e-se uma parceria efetiva entre cinema e televis??o, facilitada pela tecnologia digital. Isso implicar?? altera????es na legisla????o atual, bem como a cria????o de regras regulat??rias, como forma de ampliar o acesso de filmes nacionais ?? grade de programa????o televisiva e tamb??m de viabilizar, em termos industriais, essa atividade econ??mica.

Gest??o p??blica e pesquisa operacional: avalia????o de desempenho em ag??ncias da Previd??ncia Social

O presente trabalho utiliza a metodologia DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis ), para avaliar a efici??ncia das 22 Ag??ncias da Previd??ncia Social ??? Ger??ncia Executiva Fortaleza (APS-GEXFOR). DEA utiliza programa????o linear cujo n??cleo das estruturas anal??ticas ?? formado a partir do modelo original CCR (Charnes, Cooper, e Rhodes). Aplicada ??s DMU (Decision Making Units), define uma Fronteira de Efici??ncia identificando Unidades Eficientes e Ineficientes. Foi utilizado o modelo DEA-CCR implementado pelo software DEA Solver??. A Previd??ncia Social (INSS) disp??e de indicadores de desempenho. Algumas vari??veis utilizadas no modelo implementado derivam desses indicadores, outras informa????es foram disponibilizadas pelos sistemas de informa????o da institui????o. A avalia????o de efici??ncia DEA das APS-GEXFOR permitiu identificar as melhores pr??ticas, mensurar a participa????o de cada vari??vel envolvida na avalia????o da unidade e projetar as unidades ineficientes na fronteira de efici??ncia, identificando metas a serem atingidas para torn??-las eficientes no conjunto observado.

A lei geral de comunica????o eletr??nica de massa e a qualidade da programa????o televisiva

O presente artigo pretende analisar a quest??o da qualidade da programa????o na televis??o brasileira a partir da proposta de um novo marco regulat??rio para o setor de comunica????o social eletr??nica. Essa nova lei, entre outras disposi????es, ir?? regulamentar o artigo 221 da Constitui????o Federal, que trata dos princ??pios pelos quais o conte??do televisivo deve pautar-se. Com isso, define-se qualidade levando-se em considera????o dois aspectos: diversidade e ressalvas ?? liberdade de express??o, ambos previstos na Constitui????o Federal. A partir dessa conceitua????o, prop??e-se a instrumentaliza????o do controle social sobre o conte??do televisivo e a garantia de meios para a diversidade da programa????o. Com rela????o ao primeiro aspecto, recomenda-se a atua????o transparente de uma futura ag??ncia reguladora e a implementa????o de mecanismo de controle individual da programa????o. No que tange ?? diversidade, ressalta-se a import??ncia do fortalecimento das televis??es p??blicas e medidas governamentais no sentido de estimular a multiprograma????o propiciada pelo advento da tecnologia digital.

Brazil's rise on the international scene: Brazil and the World

Since Cardoso and during Lula's Administration, the international order has undergone significant changes. These changes have allowed the Brazilian foreign policy to mitigate internal effects of an order established by others and, at the same time, to become an active participant in the formulation of the new order. To democratize globalization became the mainspring of Brazilian foreign policy. In the scope, President Lula has maintained the tradition of formulating and programming foreign policy as a State policy, and also has fostered the logistic strategy of incorporation of Brazil into the international scene.