Computer aided kinetic modeling with KMT and KME

The complexity of many chemical and refining reaction systems and the thus-derived tedious and time-consuming process of building the associated kinetic models have been major obstacles in the use of fundamental kinetics in the solution of chemical engineering problems. This review summarizes work aimed at removing theses obstacles. Our recent work that has led to the enhancement of the Kinetic Modeler's Toolbox (KMT) and the development of the Kinetic Model Editor (KME) presents an end-to-end solution to the kinetic modeling process, including automated feedstock modeling, reaction network construction, kinetic rate estimation, model programming, process system configurations, model customizations, compilations, model execution and results analysis.     

Affiliation motivation: People who need people… but in different ways.

The Interpersonal Orientation Scale was developed to focus on four dimensions assumed to underlie affiliation motivation: social comparison, emotional support, positive stimulation, and attention. Factor analyses basically supported the proposed multidimensional construct. Evidence for the validity of the four dimensions was provided by their correlations with measures of constructs conceptually related to affiliation motivation and their lack of correlation with measures conceptually unrelated to affiliation motivation. Moreover, in a laboratory study, each motivational subscale tended to correlate most highly with role-played responses in a situation affording the relevant incentive type. Future research on social motivation and interaction will profit from identifying the particular incentives that are salient in a given setting. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Propane conversion over zeolite catalysts: Comments on the role of Ga

The activation of propane using zeolite H-Y and Ga³⁺ exchanged zeolite Y indicates that in the presence of Ga³⁺ the mechanism of propane activation is changed from a cracking pathway to a dehydrogenation pathway. The presence of both Ga³⁺ and H⁺ are required to achieve this effect.     

An electrocoaters guide to selecting and maintaining rectifiers

Considering the critical contribution of your rectifier to the safe, effective, and reliable operation of your electrocoating process, the selection and maintenance of the optimum unit for your operation is time well spent.     

Distribution of alpha 1A, alpha 1B and alpha 1E voltage-dependent calcium channel subunits in the human hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus

The distribution of voltage-dependent calcium channel subunits in the central nervous system may provide information about the function of these channels. The present study examined the distribution of three alpha-1 subunits, alpha 1A, alpha 1B and alpha 1E, in the normal human hippocampal formation and parahippocampal gyrus using the techniques of in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry. All three subunit mRNAs appeared to be similarly localized, with high levels of expression in the dentate granule and CA pyramidal layer. At the protein level, alpha 1A, alpha 1B and alpha 1E subunits were differentially localized. In general, alpha 1A-immunoreactivity was most intense in cell bodies and dendritic processes, including dentate granule cells, CA3 pyramidal cells and entorhinal cortex pre-alpha and pri-alpha cells. The alpha 1B antibody exhibited relatively weak staining of cell bodies but stronger staining of neuropil, especially in certain regions of high synaptic density such as the polymorphic layer of the dentate gyrus and the stratum lucidum and radiatum of the CA regions. The alpha 1E staining pattern shared features in common with both alpha 1A and alpha 1B, with strong immunoreactivity in dentate granule, CA3 pyramidal and entorhinal cortex pri-alpha cells, as well as staining of the CA3 stratum lucidum. These findings suggest regions in which particular subunits may be involved in synaptic communication. For example, comparison of alpha 1B and alpha 1E staining in the CA3 stratum lucidum with calbindin-immuno-reactivity suggested that these two calcium channels subunits may be localized presynaptically in mossy fibre terminals and therefore may be involved in neurotransmitter release from these terminals.     

Sequentially optimal repeated coalition formation under uncertainty

Coalition formation is a central problem in multiagent systems research, but most models assume common knowledge of agent types. In practice, however, agents are often unsure of the types or capabilities of their potential partners, but gain information about these capabilities through repeated interaction. In this paper, we propose a novel Bayesian, model-based reinforcement learning framework for this problem, assuming that coalitions are formed (and tasks undertaken) repeatedly. Our model allows agents to refine their beliefs about the types of others as they interact within a coalition. The model also allows agents to make explicit tradeoffs between exploration (forming “new” coalitions to learn more about the types of new potential partners) and exploitation (relying on partners about which more is known), using value of information to define optimal exploration policies. Our framework effectively integrates decision making during repeated coalition formation under type uncertainty with Bayesian reinforcement learning techniques. Specifically, we present several learning algorithms to approximate the optimal Bayesian solution to the repeated coalition formation and type-learning problem, providing tractable means to ensure good sequential performance. We evaluate our algorithms in a variety of settings, showing that one method in particular exhibits consistently good performance in practice. We also demonstrate the ability of our model to facilitate knowledge transfer across different dynamic tasks.     

A mashup based framework for multi level healthcare interoperability

Healthcare delivery is evolving from disease-centered to patient-centered care delivery where patients are active participants in their healthcare delivery. This calls for more communication and collaboration among all healthcare actors. There is also an increasing demand for personalized healthcare systems that provide effective information management, facilitate communication and collaboration, and support applications to meet user requirements. To address these challenges, we need to advance the integration and interoperability of healthcare applications in a controlled manner. Drawing upon a conceptual model from a collaborative care case study, we identified a set of interoperability requirements and developed a Mashup based interoperability framework. Our framework allows patients and other healthcare actors to engage in collaborative processes through online applications facilitated by mashups. We then use proof-of-concept implementations to demonstrate how our framework is able to facilitate different types of interoperability. We believe that collaborative technologies such as mashups can implement process interoperability requirements to support collaborative care delivery, particularly for asynchronous care delivery.