An Approximation Algorithm for Alignment of Multiple Sequences using Motif Discovery

Given a set of N sequence, the Multiple Sequence Alignment problem is to align these N sequences, possibly with gaps, that brings out the best commonality of the N sequences. The quality of the alignment is usually measured by penalizing the mis-matches and gaps, and rewarding the matches with appropriate weight functions. However for larger values of N, additional constraints are required to give meaningful alignments. We identify a user-controlled parameter, an alignment number K (2 K N): this additional requirement constrains the alignment to have at least K sequences agree on a character, whenever possible, in the alignment. We identify a natural optimization problem for this approach called the K-MSA problem. We show that the problem is MAX SNP hard. We give a natural extension of this problem that incorporates biological relevance by using motifs (common patterns in the sequences) and give an approximation algorithm for this problem in terms of the motifs in the data. MUSCA is an implementation of this approach and our experimental results indicate that this approach is efficient, particularly on large numbers of long sequences, and gives good alignments when tested on biological data such as DNA and protein sequences.     

The Evolution of Worker Connect: A Case Study of a System of Systems

We discuss the rationale, development, deployment, and evolution of Worker Connect, a federation of agency systems that is used by authorized health and human services workers in New York City. We show how Worker Connect evolved with HHS-Connect, the organization that enables the integration and synergy of interagency health and human services systems. We show how the system of systems framework provides a way to understand issues encountered and lessons learned in developing and deploying Worker Connect and similar interagency human services systems. The first part of this article provides a history of the Worker Connect project in the context of a case study on achieving interoperability. The second part of this article introduces the framework of system of systems, and describes Worker Connect and HHS-Connect within this framework. The third part of the article describes future work, and offers some lessons for others wanting to implement a system of systems project for human services.     

Governance and performance of MFIs: the Cameroon case

The main challenge of microfinance institutions and social economy firms remains their survival, and to meet this challenge, MFIs need to be competitive. The poor performance of MFIs is usually attributed to their decision-making and operational processes. The governance of MFIs is therefore identified as one of their main risks. Despite this, governance is still little explored in these organizations and empirical studies find a weak relationship between classical governance mechanisms and MFI performance, especially for the MFIs situated in Africa (Thrikawala et al. in Asian J Financ Account 5(1):160–182, 2013a). In this study, we examine whether the effect of governance mechanisms on the performance of MFIs differs according to their legal status in the Cameroonian context. On the one hand, our empirical results show that there is a significant relationship between some specific governance mechanisms and MFIs’ performance. On the other hand, adjusting the governance mechanisms according to the MFIs’ legal status improves their efficiency. The analysis of the impact of the governance mechanisms on the performance of MFIs requires not only an approach that is specific to this sector but also an approach that is adapted to their legal status. Moreover, from a managerial point of view, it would be desirable to adjust the governance mechanisms, depending on the legal status of the MFIs, to make them more efficient from the social as well as the financial standpoint.     

Psychotherapeutic approaches to the cancer patient

Three basic therapeutic approaches applicable to the majority of cancer patients are outlined and illustrated with case vignettes. They are: (1) Initial catharsis and validation of feelings, (2) Restoring communication impaired by denial, and (3) Understanding the psychological meaning of the illness. Using this framework, the therapist's professional skills may be organized toward specific interventions, thereby stabilizing the associated ego functions against the regression often induced by the anxieties mobilized by working with seriously ill patients.