Multi-step Decision Process Research Articles

MANTI: Automated Annotation of Protein N-Termini for Rapid Interpretation of N-Terminome Data Sets.

Site-specific proteolytic processing is an important, irreversible post-translational protein modification with implications in many diseases. Enrichment of protein N-terminal peptides followed by mass spectrometry-based identification and quantification enables proteome-wide characterization of proteolytic processes and protease substrates but is challenged by the lack of specific annotation tools. A common problem is, for example, ambiguous matches of identified peptides to multiple protein entries in the databases used for identification. We developed MaxQuant Advanced N-termini Interpreter (MANTI), a standalone Perl software with an optional graphical user interface that validates and annotates N-terminal peptides identified by database searches with the popular MaxQuant software package by integrating information from multiple data sources. MANTI utilizes diverse annotation information in a multistep decision process to assign a conservative preferred protein entry for each N-terminal peptide, enabling automated classification according to the likely origin and determines significant changes in N-terminal peptide abundance. Auxiliary R scripts included in the software package summarize and visualize key aspects of the data. To showcase the utility of MANTI, we generated two large-scale TAILS N-terminome data sets from two different animal models of chemically and genetically induced kidney disease, puromycin adenonucleoside-treated rats (PAN), and heterozygous Wilms Tumor protein 1 mice (WT1). MANTI enabled rapid validation and autonomous annotation of >10 000 identified terminal peptides, revealing novel proteolytic proteoforms in 905 and 644 proteins, respectively. Quantitative analysis indicated that proteolytic activities with similar sequence specificity are involved in the pathogenesis of kidney injury and proteinuria in both models, whereas coagulation processes and complement activation were specifically induced after chemical injury.

Ballast water high-efficiency allocation optimisation modelling with dynamic programming for revolving floating cranes

ABSTRACTBallasting with water tanks is essential for improving the efficiency, cost and safety of lifting operation with revolving floating cranes. An optimisation model of ballast water high-efficiency adjustment was presented for the tube tunnel type ballast system. The water level variation of each ballast tank during ballasting process, the ballast water filling mass from sea before lifting and discharging mass after lifting operation are taken as optimisation variables, the minimal ballasting time during lifting process as the optimisation objective, and keeping the hull balance and stability in the lifting process as the constraint conditions. The ballast water allocation optimisation can be characterised by a multi-step decision process, and a dynamic programming method is presented which divides the decision stages based on the crane revolving angles in the rotary lifting process. An example is given to illustrate and analyse the proposed model and approach.

Guidance law for intercepting target with multiple no-fly zone constraints

ABSTRACTA composite guidance law is proposed for intercepting moving target while strictly satisfying the constraints on multiple No-Fly Zones (NFZs) distributed arbitrarily. The research has two major steps. In the first step, by considering only one NFZ, a guidance law is developed with three parts: Orientation Adjustment Scheme (OAS), Boundary-Constraint Handling Scheme (BCHS), and Proportional Navigation (PN). OAS determines the major flight direction by predicting the collision point of the missile and target. BCHS controls the missile to approach and then fly along the boundary of the NFZ smoothly so as to bypass the NFZ through a short path. PN is used to intercept the target in the endgame phase. In the second step, we use the multi-step decision process to set up a series of appropriate waypoints in order to avoid multiple NFZs. The superior performance of the proposed guidance law has been demonstrated by trajectory simulations.

Solution to Economic Power Dispatch Planning Problem considering Generator Constraints using Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm

Optimum active and reactive power dispatch is an inherent part of power system generation planning and it is the need of an hour for the electrical utilities and power engineers to dig this area in short and long term planning scenarios. Load demand requirements subjected to economic feasible solutions matching voltage profile, power demand, minimization of losses, voltage stability and improve the capacity of the system is the need of the hour. Optimization techniques based on evolutionary computing, artificial intelligence, search method finds their applications in the area of economic load dispatch planning to reach global optimal solution for this multi-decision, multi-objective combinatorial problem subjected to different constraints. In this paper, ant bee colony based algorithm has been proposed to solve economic dispatch problem. Unlike other heuristic algorithms, ABC utilizes search space as multi-step decision process. It possesses a flexible and well-balanced operator to enhance and adapt the global and fine tune local search to follow the minimum cost path in the search boundary. The suggested technique is tested on IEEE 25 bus system. Test results are compared with other techniques presented in literature.

Space station orbit design using dynamic programming

A space station orbit design mission is characterized by a long-duration and multi-step decision process. First, the long-duration design process is divided into multiple planning periods, each of which consists of five basic flight segments. Second, each planning period is modeled as a multi-step decision process, and the orbital altitude strategies of different flight segments have interaction effects on each other. Third, a dynamic programming method is used to optimize the total propellant consumption of a planning period while considering interaction effects. The step cost of each decision segment is the propellant for orbital-decay maintenance or lifting altitude, and is calculated by approximate analytical equations and combining a shooting iteration method. The proposed approach is demonstrated for a typical orbit design problem of a space station. The results show that the proposed approach can effectively optimize the design of altitude strategies, and can save considerable propellant consumption for the space station than previous public studies.

The AlphaACT Decision Support System for Emergency Responders

We first present cognitive psychological theories relevant to crisis decision making. Next we describe the AlphaACT™ (Alpha Advanced Crisis Technology) decision support system, a software application designed to support a range of military and civilian emergency responders. The essential components of the system are as follows: (a) a user interface that walks the decision maker through a multi-step decision process inspired by the recognition-primed decision model and case-based reasoning theory; (b) a pattern recognition engine that prompts the user for diagnostic information and retrieves similar cases; and (c) a community-wide shared knowledge base of cases that grows as the system is used. AlphaACT's objective is to train and enable responders in crisis situations to think like experienced decision makers, and to quickly build their store of available experiences. The first AlphaACT application under development will support key decisions made by first responders managing a hazardous materials emergency.

MD Anderson Surgical Oncology Handbook, 3rd Edition

The editors of MD Anderson Surgical Oncology Handbook nicely achieved their objective of creating, “a practical guide to the established surgical oncology principles for treating cancer as it involves each organ system in the body.” Not only does this edition include the expected updates with regard to staging and chemotherapeutic regimens but has been expanded to include lymphatic mapping, sentinel node biopsy, hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion for extremity melanoma and sarcoma, and cryosurgery for liver tumors. This handbook is an exceptional condensation of the surgical oncology knowledge regarding common malignancies. This material is, undoubtedly, required reading for any house staff involved in the care of patients with cancer. At the same time, it is an efficient reference for established practitioners with interest in reviewing areas outside their expertise. The majority of chapters are arranged by organ systems or anatomic area with their commonly associated malignancies. These usually include discussion of the cancer's epidemiology, presentation, pathology, diagnosis, staging, and treatment. The chapters address the breast, skin, bone and soft tissue, head and neck, thoracic, esophageal, gastric, small-bowel, large intestine (including anus), hepatobiliary, pancreatic, multiple endocrine neoplasms, adrenal, thyroid and parathyroid, and hematologic malignancies. The remaining chapters address evaluating metastatic cancer of an unknown primary, emergencies in surgical oncology, the relatively new and burgeoning area of biologic cancer therapy, and the basic principles of chemotherapy. Literature references are made throughout the chapters that highlight the data influencing current practices. This approach is strengthened by an extensive recommended reading list at the end of each chapter. Algorithms are placed in figures to clarify the multistep decision process required for various malignancies. Despite the handbook's strong association with MD Anderson Cancer Center, this has not limited the authors’ focus of experience. However, the limits of being a handbook surface at times when the subject deviates from common malignancies or when more detailed information is sought. This updated version of the MD Anderson Handbook will continue to be found in the pockets of house staff, board review groups, and practitioners alike with well-worn pages. The authors are to be commended for a well-organized, highly informative effort.