Digital Commons Network^™

High-Throughput Next-Generation Sequencing Technologies Foster New Cutting-Edge Computing Techniques In Bioinformatics, Mary Qu Yang, Brian D. Athey, Hamid R. Arabnia, Andrew H. Sung, Qingzhong Liu, Jack Y. Yang, Jinghe Mao, Youping Deng

Faculty Publications

The advent of high-throughput next generation sequencing technologies have fostered enormous potential applications of supercomputing techniques in genome sequencing, epi-genetics, metagenomics, personalized medicine, discovery of non-coding RNAs and protein-binding sites. To this end, the 2008 International Conference on Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (Biocomp) - 2008 World Congress on Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Applied Computing (Worldcomp) was designed to promote synergistic inter/multidisciplinary research and education in response to the current research trends and advances. The conference attracted more than two thousand scientists, medical doctors, engineers, professors and students gathered at Las Vegas, Nevada, USA during July 14-17 and received great …

An Ensemble Learning Approach To Reverse-Engineering Transcriptional Regulatory Networks From Time-Series Gene Expression Data, Jianhua Ruan, Youping Deng, Edward J. Perkins, Weixiong Zhang

Faculty Publications

Background

One of the most challenging tasks in the post-genomic era is to reconstruct the transcriptional regulatory networks. The goal is to reveal, for each gene that responds to a certain biological event, which transcription factors affect its expression, and how a set of transcription factors coordinate to accomplish temporal and spatial specific regulations.

Results

Here we propose a supervised machine learning approach to address these questions. We focus our study on the gene transcriptional regulation of the cell cycle in the budding yeast, thanks to the large amount of data available and relatively well-understood biology, although the main ideas …

Entrepreneurship: The Engine Of Growth. Minniti, Maria, Andrew Zacharakis, Stephen Spinelli, And Mark P. Rice. (Eds.). Westport, Ct.: Praeger Publishers, 2007, 768 Pp., Us $300.00, Isbn 0275989860., Leticia Camacho

Faculty Publications

Existing literature demonstrates that there is a close link between entrepreneurship and economic growth, primarily because new businesses contribute to employment creation. According to U.S. Census data, small businesses employ up to 50% of the private work force and generate 60% to 80% of the net new jobs each year. In a time where countries face multiple economic challenges, entrepreneurs could play a significant role in the economic growth of a country, a state, or a city.

Output Feedback Adaptive Control Of A Class Of Nonlinear Discrete-Time Systems With Unknown Control Directions, C Yang, Ss Ge, Th Lee

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

In this paper, output feedback adaptive control is investigated for a class of nonlinear systems in output-feedback form with unknown control gains. To construct output feedback control, the system is transformed into the form of the NARMA (nonlinear-auto-regressive-moving-average) model, based on which future output prediction is carried out. With employment of the predicted future output, a constructive output feedback adaptive control is given with the discrete Nussbaum gain exploited to overcome the difficulty due to unknown control directions. Under the global Lipschitz condition of the system functions, the boundedness of all the closed-loop signals and asymptotical output tracking are achieved …

Effector Memory T Cell Responses Are Associated With Protection Of Rhesus Monkeys From Mucosal Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Challenge., Scott G. Hansen, Cassandra Vieville, Nathan Whizin, Lia Coyne-Johnson, Don C. Siess, Derek D. Drummond, Alfred W. Legasse, Michael K. Axthelm, Kelli Oswald, Charles M. Trubey, Michael Piatak, Jeffrey D. Lifson, Jay A. Nelson, Michael A. Jarvis, Louis J. Picker

School of Biomedical Sciences

The rapid onset of massive, systemic viral replication during primary HIV or simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection and the immune evasion capabilities of these viruses pose fundamental problems for vaccines that depend upon initial viral replication to stimulate effector T cell expansion and differentiation. We hypothesized that vaccines designed to maintain differentiated effector memory T cell (TEM cell) responses at viral entry sites might improve efficacy by impairing viral replication at its earliest stage, and we have therefore developed SIV protein-encoding vectors based on rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV), the prototypical inducer of life-long TEM cell responses. RhCMV vectors expressing SIV Gag, …

Endotoxin Emissions From Commercial Composting Activities, Lewis Deacon, Louise Pankhurst, Jian Liu, Gillian H. Drew, Enda T. Hayes, Simon Jackson, J Longhurst, P Longhurst, Simon Pollard, Sean Tyrrel

School of Biomedical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Design, Manufacture, Mechanical Testing And Numerical Modelling Of An Asymmetric Composite Crossbow Limb, Amandeep S. Virk, J. Summerscales, W. Hall, S. M. Grove, M. E. Miles

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

This paper considers the design, manufacture, mechanical testing and numerical analysis of a crossbow beam (limb). The limb should be lightweight and permit a high deflection of the beam's tip in order to achieve a good ballistic performance. Consequently, fibre-reinforced polymer matrix composites are suitable candidate materials. However, carbon fibres were considered too brittle for this application. Aramid fibres combine low density and high stiffness but are weak in compression. E-glass fibres are relatively flexible but are of high density. The optimised design developed here uses aramid fibres on the tension face with E-glass fibres on the compression side. This …

Statistics Of Natural Movements Are Reflected In Motor Errors, Ian S. Howard, James N. Ingram, Kp Koerding, Daniel M. Wolpert

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Land Fragmentation And Resource Ownership On Productivity And Efficiency: The Case Of Rice Producers In Bangladesh, S Rahman, M Rahman

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

The paper analyzes the impact of land fragmentation and ownership of resources on productivity and technical efficiency in rice production in Bangladesh using farm level survey data. Results reveal that land fragmentation has a significant detrimental effect on productivity and efficiency as expected. The elasticity estimates of land fragmentation reveal that a 1% increase in land fragmentation reduces rice output by 0.05% and efficiency by 0.03%. On the other hand, ownership of key resources (land, family labour, and draft animals) significantly increases efficiency. The mean elasticity estimates reveal that a 1% increase in family labour and owned draft animal improve …

Demonstration Of Microcantilever Array With Simultaneous Readout Using An In-Plane Photonic Transduction Method, Seunghyun Kim, Gregory P. Nordin, Ryan Anderson, Weisheng Hu, Yusheng Qian, Jiguo Song, Jong Wook Noh

Faculty Publications

We demonstrate a microcantilever array with an in-plane photonic transduction method for simultaneous readout of each microcantilever. The array is fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator substrate. Rib waveguides in conjunction with a compact waveguide splitter network comprised of trench-based splitters and trench-based bends route light from a single optical input to each microcantilever on the chip. Light propagates down a rib waveguide integrated into the microcantilever and, at the free end of the microcantilever, crosses a small gap. Light is captured in static asymmetric multimode waveguides that terminate in Y-branches, the outputs of which are imaged onto an InGaAs line scan …

Author Entropy Vs. File Size In The Gnome Suite Of Applications, Jason R. Casebolt, Daniel P. Delorey, Charles D. Knutson, Jonathan Krein, Alexander C. Maclean

Faculty Publications

We present the results of a study in which author entropy was used to characterize author contributions per file. Our analysis reveals three patterns: banding in the data, uneven distribution of data across bands, and file size dependent distributions within bands. Our re- sults suggest that when two authors contribute to a file, large files are more likely to have a dominant author than smaller files.

Ruth, Redemption, Covenant, And Christ, Kerry M. Muhlestein

Faculty Publications

The book of Ruth is one of the most loved stories of the Old Testament. Yet sometimes it remains just that: a story from which some readers gain little in the way of doctrine or application. We identify with the story because the principal actors are neither kings nor prophets but the average people of a typical village. There are neither mighty warriors nor great conflicts, but there are intense struggles for surviving life's difficulties and genuine battles with grief. We love the story because it is so well told, because it has characters we can identify with, because it …

Optimization Of A Convective Air Flow Solar Food Dryer, Jonathan K. Russon, Michael L. Dunn, Frost M. Steele

Faculty Publications

A solar food dryer, previously developed for personal and small community use, was the object of this optimization study. Based on previous research of convective solar food dehydrators, several dryer parameters were identified for this study. Chimney height and dryer product load were two factors tested in a central composite experimental design. Dryer product load was found to produce a maximum efficiency of the dryer when fifteen product-filled trays were inserted in the dryer. Maximum efficiency was observed at the maximum chimney height tested. Post-optimization configuration compared with pre-optimization configuration resulted in a 40% increase in final dry product production …

Piezoresistive Feedback Control Of A Mems Thermal Actuator, Robert K. Messenger, Quentin Theodore Aten, Timothy W. Mclain, Larry L. Howell

Faculty Publications

Feedback control of MEMS devices has the potential to significantly improve device performance and reliability. One of the main obstacles to its broader use is the small number of on-chip sensing options available to MEMS designers. A method of using integrated piezoresistive sensing is proposed and demonstrated as another option. Integrated piezoresistive sensing utilizes the inherent piezoresistive property of polycrystalline silicon from which many MEMS devices are fabricated. As compliant MEMS structure’s flex to perform their functions, their resistance changes. That resistance change can be used to transduce the structures’ deflection into an electrical signal. The piezoresistive microdisplacement transducer (PMT) …

Imaginative Instruction: What Master Storytellers Can Teach Instructional Designers, Jason K. Mcdonald

Faculty Publications

Good instructional storytelling engages students’ attention and cognitive abilities to the end of more effective learning, and instructional researchers have discussed whether the principles of storytelling could lead to the same or similar results if applied to educational situations beyond only telling traditional stories. But despite this potential, the principles of storytelling are seemingly underutilized by today’s instructional designers. This study investigates what instructional designers might learn from another design field that is more experienced in the art of storytelling, specifically that of film production. Eight filmmakers who have successfully produced films that motivate, inspire, and educate were interviewed to …

The Application Of Single-Pass Heuristics For U-Lines, Jaydeep Balakrishnan, Chun Hung Cheng, Kin Chuen Ho, Kum Khiong Yang

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

U-lines have been adopted in many manufacturing settings as part of JIT implementation. In this paper, we examine the applicability of existing straight-line heuristics for obtaining a balance on a U-line. We modify 13 single-pass heuristics and study the effectiveness of various heuristics under different problem conditions. An extensive computational study is carried out to help identify the best heuristics. In addition, we compare recent U-line procedures with a single-pass heuristic using some literature problems. Based on a single-pass heuristic, we compare the configurations of a straight- and U-line. © 2009 The Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

Chinese Philanthropy In Southeast Asia: Between Continuity And Change, Thomas Menkhoff

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

What makes ethnic Chinese philanthropy tick? Thomas Menkhoff looks at what drives prominent Chinese business leaders to give back to society and offers a glimpse of the changing face of ethnic philanthropy.

Procter & Gamble’S Pur Water Purifier: The Hunt For A Sustainable Business Model, Lisa Jones Christensen, Jessica Thomas

Faculty Publications

Over the last 6 years, under the leadership of Dr. Greg Allgood, director of the Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program, P&G has helped to distribute 65 million PuR packets. These packets have been used to purify 650 million liters of water, most often in rural locations. Over time, and through a variety of deliberate partnerships that Allgood cultivated in 10 countries, P&G has tested three different sales and distribution models: commercial marketing, social marketing and disaster relief-- each with varying degrees of success. Drawing from past successes and failures, Allgood is considering how to fulfill P&G’s aggressive commitment to providing …

A Petri Net-Based Approach To Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems Modeling, Linda L. Zhang, Brian Rodrigues

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Reconfigurable manufacturing systems (RMSs) have been used to provide manufacturing companies with the required capacities and capabilities, when needed. Recognizing (1) the importance of dynamic modeling and visualization in decision making support in RMSs and (2) the limitations of the existing studies, we model RMSs based on Petri net (PN) techniques with focus on the process of reconfiguring system elements while considering constraints and system performance. In response to the modeling difficulties identified, a new formalism of colored timed PNs is introduced. In conjunction with colored tokens and timing in colored PNs and timed PNs, we further define a reconfiguration …

A Behavioral Analysis Of Passphrase Design And Effectiveness, Mark Keith, Benjamin Shao, Paul Steinbart

Faculty Publications

Although the use of multiple methods of user authentication for IT system increases security, passwords are often the only credential required for access. Consequently, the challenge is to discover ways to improve password strength without impairing usability. Longer pass “phrases” have received increased attention as a solution to this challenge because they are potentially more resistant to attacks yet are easy to remember. Recent evidence, however, suggests that passphrases increase the likelihood of typographical errors resulting in login failures and negative user perceptions. This paper presents experimental results that demonstrate well-designed passphrases do not increase login failures and, thereby, generate …

Detecting Concealment Of Intent In Transportation Screening: A Proof Of Concept, Judee K. Burgoon, Douglas P. Twitchell, Matthew L. Jensen, Thomas O. Meservy, Mark Adkins, John Kruse, Amit V. Deokar, Gabriel Tsechpenakis, Shan Lu, Dimitris N. Metaxas, Jay F. Nunamaker Jr., Robert E. Younger

Faculty Publications

Transportation and border security systems have a common goal: to allow law-abiding people to pass through security and detain those people who intend to harm. Understanding how intention is concealed and how it might be detected should help in attaining this goal. In this paper, we introduce a multidisciplinary theoretical model of intent concealment along with three verbal and nonverbal automated methods for detecting intent: message feature mining, speech act profiling, and kinesic analysis. This paper also reviews a program of empirical research supporting this model, including several previously published studies and the results of a proof-of-concept study. These studies …

Variation Of Failure Mechanisms Due To Geometric Changes, Kaiwalya M. Telang

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Comparison Between Software And Hardware Implementations Of Turbo Codec Systems, Anlei Wang

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Computer Program For Analysis, Design And Optimization Of Propulsion, Dynamics, And Kinematics Of Multistage Rockets, Mehdi Lali

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Mobile Metasearch Engine Using A Page Analysis To Enhance Information Retrieval And Layout, Anusha Gopalakrishnan

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Equivalent Circuit Modeling And Performance Analysis Of Pem Fuel Cells Using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, Aparna M. Dhirde

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Expectation Of Social Dominance : The Implications Of Expectation States For A Theory Of Resistance, Joshua Clark Burbank

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.