McEntire (1984) proved that, for a portfolio problem with independent assets, the generalized harmonic mean plays the role of a risk-free threshold. Based upon this property, he developed a criterion for including or excluding assets in an optimal portfolio, and he proved an ordering theorem showing that an optimal portfolio always consists of positive amounts of the assets with the largest mean values. Also, some commonly used utility functions were shown to satisfy the property that the dominance of an asset (...) over another is unaffected by the addition of other assets. In this paper we extend these results to the case where assets are dependent. (shrink)

This book presents emerging work in the co-evolving fields of design-led systemics, referred to as systemic design to distinguish it from the engineering and hard science epistemologies of system design or systems engineering. There are significant societal forces and organizational demands impelling the requirement for “better means of change” through integrated design practices of systems and services. Here we call on advanced design to lead programs of strategic scale and higher complexity while adapting systems thinking methods, creatively pushing the boundaries (...) beyond the popular modes of systems dynamics and soft systems. Systemic design is distinguished by its scale, social complexity and integration – it is concerned with higher-order systems that that entail multiple subsystems. By integrating systems thinking and its methods, systemic design brings human-centred design to complex, multi-stakeholder service systems. As designers engage with ever more complex problem areas, it is necessary to draw on a basis other than individual creativity and contemporary “design thinking” methods. Systems theories can co-evolve with a new school of design theory to resolve informed action on today’s highly resilient complex problems and can deal effectively with demanding, contested and high-stakes challenges. (shrink)

BackgroundMany genetic counseling studies have focused on anxiety status because clients of GC often feel anxious during their visits. Metacognition is known to be one of the causes of having an inappropriate thinking style. In this study, we examined the relationship between anxiety and the metacognitive status of GC clients according to their characteristics.MethodsThe participants were 106 clients who attended their first GC session in our hospital from November 2018 to March 2021. The survey items were the clients’ characteristics, anxiety (...) status at the time of the visit, and metacognitive status.ResultsHigh state anxiety and high trait anxiety were observed in 34.9 and 11.3% of clients, respectively. Clients who were a relative or had a family history were significantly more likely to have high state anxiety. As for metacognitive status, only negative beliefs about thoughts concerning uncontrollability and danger were associated with having an anxiety status. Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that negative beliefs about thoughts concerning uncontrollability and danger were an independent determinant of higher state anxiety, but not being a relative or having a family history. Metacognitive status scores were significantly lower in clients than in the control group.ConclusionState anxiety was shown to be more dependent on negative beliefs about thoughts concerning uncontrollability and danger of GC clients than their characteristics such as being a relative or having a family history. The results of this study will contribute to the development of new GC psychosocial support measures to address the anxiety of GC clients. (shrink)

Ca2+ transients in myocardial cells are modulated by cyclic AMP‐dependent phosphorylation of a protein in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. This protein, termed phospholamban, serves to regulate the Ca2+ pump ATPase of this membrane, thus altering the mode of Ca2+ transients and the myocardial contractile response. Elucidating the structure of phospholamban and its intimate interaction with the Ca2+ pump ATPase should provide the basis for understanding, at the molecular level, how the cAMP system contributes to excitation‐contraction coupling in muscle cells.

Macroautophagy is a major degradation mechanism of cell components via the lysosome. Macroautophagy greatly contributes to not only cell homeostasis but also the prevention of various diseases. Because macroautophagy proceeds through multi‐step reactions, researchers often face a persistent question of how macroautophagic activity can be measured correctly. To make a straightforward determination of macroautophagic activity, diverse monitoring assays have been developed. Direct measurement of lysosome‐dependent degradation of radioisotopically labeled cell proteins has long been applied. Meanwhile, indirect monitoring procedures have been (...) developed. In these assays, autophagosome marker proteins, microtubule‐associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B‐II (LC3B‐II) and gamma‐aminobutyric acid receptor‐associated protein‐II (GABARAP‐II) have been analyzed and the validity of the assays strongly depends on appropriate assessment of the fluctuation of LC3‐II and/or GABARAP‐II levels in the presence or absence of lysosomal inhibitors. This article describes these monitoring methods, paying special attention to the principles and characteristics of each procedure. (shrink)