Arguing with behavior influence: A model for web-based group decision support systems

In this work, we propose an argumentation-based dialogue model designed for Web-based Group Decision Support Systems, that considers the decision-makers' intentions. The intentions are modeled as behavior styles which allow agents to interact with each other as humans would in face-to-face meetings. In addition, we propose a set of arguments that can be used by the agents to perform and evaluate requests, while considering the agents' behavior style. The inclusion of decision-makers' intentions intends to create a more reliable and realistic process. Our model proved, in different contexts, that higher levels of consensus and satisfaction are achieved when using agents modeled with behavior styles compared to agents without any features to represent the decision-makers' intentions.- (undefined

Molecular modeling of ARF6 dysregulation caused by mutations in IQSEC2

IQSEC2 gene mutations are associated with epilepsy, autism, and intellectual disability. The primary function IQSEC2, mediated via its Sec 7 domain, is to act as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for ARF6. We sought to develop a molecular model, which may explain the aberrant Sec 7 activity on ARF6 of different human IQSEC2 mutations. We integrated experimental data of IQSEC2 mutants with protein structure prediction by the RaptorX server combined with molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulations. Normally, apocalmodulin (apoCM) binds to IQSEC2 resulting in its N-terminal fragment inhibiting access of its Sec 7 domain to ARF6. An increase in Ca2+ concentration destabilizes the interaction of IQSEC2 with apoCM and removes steric hindrance of Sec 7 binding with ARF6. Mutations at amino acid residue 350 of IQSEC2 result in loss of steric hindrance of Sec 7 binding with ARF6 leading to constitutive activation of ARF6 by Sec 7. On the other hand, a mutation at amino acid residue 359 of IQSEC2 results in constitutive hindrance of Sec 7 binding to ARF6 leading to the loss of the ability of IQSEC2 to activate ARF6. These studies provide a model for dysregulation of IQSEC2 Sec 7 activity by mutant IQSEC2 proteins. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma</p

Providing Computer Game Characters with Conversational Abilities

This paper pres ents the NICE fairy-tale game s ys tem, whi ch enables ad lts and children to engage in convers ation with an imated characters in a 3D world. In this paper we arg e that s poken dialog e tech nology have the potential to greatly enrichen the s er&apos;s experience in f t re comp ter games . We als o pres ent s ome req irements that have to be f lfilled to s cces s f lly integrate s poken dialog e technology with a comp ter game appl ication. Finally, we briefly des cribe an implemented s ys tem that has provide d comp ter game characters with s ome conversational abilities that kids have interacted with in studies

ADULT HEIGHT AND MORTALITY IN LONDON - EARLY-LIFE, SOCIOECONOMIC CONFOUNDING, OR SHRINKAGE

Study objective - To examine in detail the cause specific associations between height and mortality.Design - A prospective cohort study with an 18 year mortality follow up.Setting and participants - The Whitehall study of 18 403 men in the civil service in London examined between 1967 and 1969 aged 40-64 and followed up for mortality until the end of January 1987.Main results - There was considerable variation in the strength of height-mortality association by cause. Respiratory disease showed the strongest inverse association, cardiovascular disease a moderate effect, and all neoplasms virtually no effect. Adjustment for age and civil service grade reduced the strength of these associations slightly, but had no impact on the heterogenous pattern by cause (X(2) 3df p<0.001). The height-mortality association declined with the length of follow up. By 15 + years, the only appreciable height affect was for respiratory disease mortality.Conclusions - The attenuation of the height-mortality association with length of follow up might be explained by differential height reduction before entry that was greatest for people who were already ill, and hence at greatest risk of dying. The cause specific variation in the height-mortality association lends little support to the contention that impaired growth in childhood is a marker of general susceptibility to disease in adulthood

Introducing the cast for social computing: Life-like characters

Summary. Life-like characters are one of the most exciting technologies for human– computer interface applications. They convincingly take the roles of virtual presenters, synthetic actors and sales personas, teammates and tutors. A common characteristic underlying their believability or life-likeness as conversational partners is computational models that provide them with affective functions such as synthetic emotions and personalities, and implement human interactive behavior or presentation skills. In social computing, a paradigm that aims to support the tendency of humans to interact with computers as social actors, life-like characters are key. They may embody the interface between humans and computers, and thus improve the otherwise poor communicative capabilities of computational devices. The success of life-like character applications today relies relies on the careful crafting of their designers, mostly programmers. The wide dissemination of life-like character technology in interactive systems, however, will greatly depend on the availability of tools that facilitate scripting of intelligent life-like behavior. The core tasks include the synchronization of synthetic speech and gestures, the expressio