Further Comparison between ATNoSFERES and XCSM

International audienceIn this paper we present ATNoSFERES, a new framework based on an indirect encoding Genetic Algorithm which builds finite-state automata controllers able to deal with perceptual aliazing. In the context of our ongoing line of research, we compare it with XCSM, a memory-based extension of the most studied Learning Classifier System, XCS, through two benchmark experiments. We focus in particular on internal state generalization, and add special purpose features to ATNoSFERES to fulfill that comparison. We then discuss the role played by internal state generalization in the experiments studied

Aggregate Selection in Evolutionary Robotics

Can the processes of natural evolution be mimicked to create robots or autonomous agents? This question embodies the most fundamental goals of evolutionary robotics (ER). ER is a field of research that explores the use of artificial evolution and evolutionary computing for learning of control in autonomous robots, and in autonomous agents in general. In a typical ER experiment, robots, or more precisely their control systems, are evolved to perform a given task in which they must interact dynamically with their environment. Controllers compete in the environment and are selected and propagated based on their ability (or fitness) to perform the desired task. A key component of this process is the manner in which the fitness of the evolving controllers is measured. In ER, fitness is measured by a fitness function or objective function. This function applies some given criteria to determine which robots or agents are better at performing the task for which they are being evolved. Fitness functions can introduce varying levels of a priori knowledge into evolving populations. Som

The Enhancer of Trithorax and Polycomb Corto Interacts with Cyclin G in Drosophila

BACKGROUND: Polycomb (PcG) and trithorax (trxG) genes encode proteins involved in the maintenance of gene expression patterns, notably Hox genes, throughout development. PcG proteins are required for long-term gene repression whereas TrxG proteins are positive regulators that counteract PcG action. PcG and TrxG proteins form large complexes that bind chromatin at overlapping sites called Polycomb and Trithorax Response Elements (PRE/TRE). A third class of proteins, so-called "Enhancers of Trithorax and Polycomb" (ETP), interacts with either complexes, behaving sometimes as repressors and sometimes as activators. The role of ETP proteins is largely unknown. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In a two-hybrid screen, we identified Cyclin G (CycG) as a partner of the Drosophila ETP Corto. Inactivation of CycG by RNA interference highlights its essential role during development. We show here that Corto and CycG directly interact and bind to each other in embryos and S2 cells. Moreover, CycG is targeted to polytene chromosomes where it co-localizes at multiple sites with Corto and with the PcG factor Polyhomeotic (PH). We observed that corto is involved in maintaining Abd-B repression outside its normal expression domain in embryos. This could be achieved by association between Corto and CycG since both proteins bind the regulatory element iab-7 PRE and the promoter of the Abd-B gene. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results suggest that CycG could regulate the activity of Corto at chromatin and thus be involved in changing Corto from an Enhancer of TrxG into an Enhancer of PcG

Evolution and development of a Central Pattern Generator for the swimming of a lamprey

Lišmanioze su u mnogim krajevima svijeta postale zaboravljene tropske bolesti, no ponajviše klimatske promjene uzrokuju širenje bolesti na nova područja gdje do sada nisu bile zabilježene. Uzročnici ovih bolesti su različite vrste bičaša iz roda Leishmania, a prenose ih različite vrste sitnih insekata, koji se u Hrvatskoj zovu papatači. Težina bolesti varira od subkliničkih do vrlo teških oblika, a vrlo rijetko invazije mogu završiti i smrtno. Psi su rezervoari uzročnika, a ljudi slučajne žrtve. Zbog toga je važno je pravovremeno dijagnosticirati bolest i liječiti invadirane životinje. Imajući na umu navedeno, kvantitativni proteomski pristup visoke rezolucije primijenjen je za profiliranje proteoma seruma pasa. Razvijena je metoda spektrometrije masa temeljena na podatkovno neovisnoj akviziciji (DIA) te testirana na kliničkim arhivskim uzorcimaseruma kontrolne skupine (zdravih) i bolesnih pasa (kojima je serološkim metodama dijagnosticirana lišmanioza). Nova metoda DIA je brza, jednostavna i osjetljivija te omogućuje identifikaciju potencijalnih biomarkera lišmanioze u pasa.Leishmaniasis is one of the most dangerous neglected tropical diseases which has (re)- emerged in many geographic regions, mostly due to climatic changes. It is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, transmitted by the bite of a female phlebotomine sandfly. The severity of disease may vary from non-symptomatic to fatal. Infected dogs are the main reservoir for human infection. Due to its zoonotic potential, it is very important to diagnose the disease, and treat infected animals. Whithin this aim, the high-resolution quantitative proteomic approach has been employed for canine serum proteome profiling. The mass spectrometry (MS) method based on data independent acquisition (DIA) was developed and tested using clinical samples - serum of healthy and Leishmania-infected dogs. The new DIA MS method is simple, fast and more sensitive, and provides a detailed insight into canine serum proteome, enabling the identification of potential biomarkers for canine leismaniasi