Robotic clicker training (draft)

In this paper we want to propose the idea that some techniques used for animal training might be helpful for solving human robot interaction problems in the context of entertainment robotics. We present a model for teaching complex actions to an animal-like autonomous robot based on ”clicker training”, a method used efficiently by professional trainers for animals of different species. After describing our implementation of clicker training on an enhanced version of AIBO, Sony’s four-legged robot, we argue that this new method can be a promising technique for teaching unusual behavior and sequences of actions to a pet robot. Key words: Robot training, dog training techniques, pet robots.

Chordal topologies for interconnection networks

The class of dense circulant graphs of degree four with optimal distance-related properties is analyzed in this paper. An algebraic study of this class is done. Two geometric characterizations are given, one in the plane and other in the space. Both characterizations facilitate the analysis of their topological properties and corroborate their suitability for implementing interconnection networks for distributed and parallel computers. Also a distance-hereditary non-disjoint decomposition of these graphs into rings is computed. Besides its practical consequences, this decomposition allows us the presentation of these optimal circulant graphs as a particular evolution of the traditional ring topology.Ramón Beivide, Carmen Martínez, Cruz Izu, Jaime Gutierrez, José-Ángel Gregorio and José Miguel-Alons

Functional genomics of calcium channels in human melanoma cells.

Ca(2+)-signaling of human melanoma is in the focus of intensive research since the identification of the role of WNT-signaling in melanomagenesis. Genomic and functional studies pointed to the important role of various Ca(2+) channels in melanoma, but these data were contradictory. In the present study we clearly demonstrate, in a number of different ways including microarray analysis, DNA sequencing and immunocytochemistry, that various human melanoma cell lines and melanoma tissues overexpress ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR2) and express P2X(7) channel proteins as compared to melanocytes. These channels, although retain some of their usual characteristics and pharmacological properties, display unique features in melanoma cells, including a functional interaction between the two molecules. Unlike P2X(7), RyR2 does not function as a calcium channel. On the other hand, the P2X(7) receptor has an antiapoptotic function in melanoma cells, since ATP-activation suppresses induced apoptosis, while knock down of the gene expression significantly enhances that