Agent-based modelling of a social dilemma in mode choice based on travelers' expectations and social learning mechanisms

This study attempts to apply an agent-based approach to = modelling travel behaviour. A social dilemma situation of travel mode choice is modelled and viewed as a complex system by considering psychological and sociological aspects, which are represented by individuals’ expectations and social learning mechanisms. We apply an imitation game in order to evolve the decision making rules of each traveller. The study reveals some informed insights for resolving the social dilemma, such as the conditions that make cooperation as a possible outcome. Some behaviour and policy implications are also discussed in this paper

Multi-command Tactile Brain Computer Interface: A Feasibility Study

The study presented explores the extent to which tactile stimuli delivered to the ten digits of a BCI-naive subject can serve as a platform for a brain computer interface (BCI) that could be used in an interactive application such as robotic vehicle operation. The ten fingertips are used to evoke somatosensory brain responses, thus defining a tactile brain computer interface (tBCI). Experimental results on subjects performing online (real-time) tBCI, using stimuli with a moderately fast inter-stimulus-interval (ISI), provide a validation of the tBCI prototype, while the feasibility of the concept is illuminated through information-transfer rates obtained through the case study.Comment: Haptic and Audio Interaction Design 2013, Daejeon, Korea, April 18-19, 2013, 15 pages, 4 figures, The final publication will be available at link.springer.co

Strategies for Preclinical Studies Evaluating the Biological Effects of an Accelerator-based BNCT System

This review discusses the strategies of preclinical studies intended for accelerator-based (AB)-boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) clinical trials, which were presented at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Workshop on Neutron Capture Therapy held from April 20 to 22, 2022. Clinical studies of BNCT have been conducted worldwide using reactor neutron sources, with most targeting malignant brain tumors, melanoma, or head and neck cancer. Recently, small accelerator-based neutron sources that can be installed in hospitals have been developed. AB-BNCT clinical trials for recurrent malignant glioma, head and neck cancers, high-grade meningioma, melanoma, and angiosarcoma have all been conducted in Japan. The necessary methods, equipment, and facilities for preclinical studies to evaluate the biological effects of AB-BNCT systems in terms of safety and efficacy are described, with reference to two examples from Japan. The first is the National Cancer Center, which is equipped with a vertical downward neutron beam, and the other is the University of Tsukuba, which has a horizontal neutron beam. The preclinical studies discussed include cell-based assays to evaluate cytotoxicity and genotoxicity, in vivo cytotoxicity and efficacy of BNCT, and radioactivation measurements

Medaka: a promising model animal for comparative population genomics

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Within-species genome diversity has been best studied in humans. The international HapMap project has revealed a tremendous amount of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among humans, many of which show signals of positive selection during human evolution. In most of the cases, however, functional differences between the alleles remain experimentally unverified due to the inherent difficulty of human genetic studies. It would therefore be highly useful to have a vertebrate model with the following characteristics: (1) high within-species genetic diversity, (2) a variety of gene-manipulation protocols already developed, and (3) a completely sequenced genome. Medaka (<it>Oryzias latipes</it>) and its congeneric species, tiny fresh-water teleosts distributed broadly in East and Southeast Asia, meet these criteria.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Using <it>Oryzias </it>species from 27 local populations, we conducted a simple screening of nonsynonymous SNPs for 11 genes with apparent orthology between medaka and humans. We found medaka SNPs for which the same sites in human orthologs are known to be highly differentiated among the HapMap populations. Importantly, some of these SNPs show signals of positive selection.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results indicate that medaka is a promising model system for comparative population genomics exploring the functional and adaptive significance of allelic differentiations.</p