Design of a fuzzy affective agent based on typicality degrees of physiological signals

Conference paper presented at International Conference on Information Processing and Management in July 2014Physiology-based emotionally intelligent paradigms provide an opportunity to enhance human computer interactions by continuously evoking and adapting to the user experiences in real-time. However , there are unresolved questions on how to model real- time emotionally intelligent applications through mapping of physiological patterns to users ' affective states. In ·this study, we consider an approach for design of fuzzy affective agent based on the concept of typicality. We propose the use of typicality degrees of physiological patterns to construct the fuzzy rules representing the continuous transitions of user 's affective states. The approach was tested· on experimental data in which physiological measures were recorded on players involved in an action game to characterize various gaming experiences . We show that , in addition to exploitation of the results to characterize users ' affective states through .typicality degrees, this approach is a systematic way to automatically define fuzzy rules from experimental data for an affective agent to be used in real -time continuous assessment of user's affective states.Physiology-based emotionally intelligent paradigms provide an opportunity to enhance human computer interactions by continuously evoking and adapting to the user experiences in real-time. However , there are unresolved questions on how to model real- time emotionally intelligent applications through mapping of physiological patterns to users ' affective states. In ·this study, we consider an approach for design of fuzzy affective agent based on the concept of typicality. We propose the use of typicality degrees of physiological patterns to construct the fuzzy rules representing the continuous transitions of user 's affective states. The approach was tested· on experimental data in which physiological measures were recorded on players involved in an action game to characterize various gaming experiences . We show that , in addition to exploitation of the results to characterize users ' affective states through .typicality degrees, this approach is a systematic way to automatically define fuzzy rules from experimental data for an affective agent to be used in real -time continuous assessment of user's affective states

Expression dynamics of metalloproteinases during mandibular bone formation: association with Myb transcription factor

As the dentition forms and becomes functional, the alveolar bone is remodelled. Metalloproteinases are known to contribute to this process, but new regulators are emerging and their contextualization is challenging. This applies to Myb, a transcription factor recently reported to be involved in bone development and regeneration. The regulatory effect of Myb on Mmps expression has mostly been investigated in tumorigenesis, where Myb impacted the expression of Mmp1, Mmp2, Mmp7, and Mmp9. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the regulatory influence of the Myb on Mmps gene expression, impacting osteogenesis and mandibular bone formation. For that purpose, knock-out mouse model was used. Gene expression of bone-related Mmps and the key osteoblastic transcription factors Runx2 and Sp7 was analysed in Myb knock-out mice mandibles at the survival limit. Out of the metalloproteinases under study, Mmp13 was significantly downregulated. The impact of Myb on the expression of Mmp13 was confirmed by the overexpression of Myb in calvarial-derived cells causing upregulation of Mmp13. Expression of Mmp13 in the context of other Mmps during mandibular/alveolar bone development was followed in vivo along with Myb, Sp7 and Runx2. The most significant changes were observed in the expression of Mmp9 and Mmp13. These MMPs and MYB were further localized in situ by immunohistochemistry and were identified in pre/osteoblastic cells as well as in pre/osteocytes. In conclusion, these results provide a comprehensive insight into the expression dynamics of bone related Mmps during mandibular/alveolar bone formation and point to Myb as another potential regulator of Mmp13

Interactions Between Laminin Receptor and the Cytoskeleton During Translation and Cell Motility

Human laminin receptor acts as both a component of the 40S ribosomal subunit to mediate cellular translation and as a cell surface receptor that interacts with components of the extracellular matrix. Due to its role as the cell surface receptor for several viruses and its overexpression in several types of cancer, laminin receptor is a pathologically significant protein. Previous studies have determined that ribosomes are associated with components of the cytoskeleton, however the specific ribosomal component(s) responsible has not been determined. Our studies show that laminin receptor binds directly to tubulin. Through the use of siRNA and cytoskeletal inhibitors we demonstrate that laminin receptor acts as a tethering protein, holding the ribosome to tubulin, which is integral to cellular translation. Our studies also show that laminin receptor is capable of binding directly to actin. Through the use of siRNA and cytoskeletal inhibitors we have shown that this laminin receptor-actin interaction is critical for cell migration. These data indicate that interactions between laminin receptor and the cytoskeleton are vital in mediating two processes that are intimately linked to cancer, cellular translation and migration

Non-apoptotic functions of caspase-7 during osteogenesis

Caspase-3 and -7 are generally known for their central role in the execution of apoptosis. However, their function is not limited to apoptosis and under specific conditions activation has been linked to proliferation or differentiation of specialised cell types. In the present study, we followed the localisation of the activated form of caspase-7 during intramembranous (alveolar and mandibular bones) and endochondral (long bones of limbs) ossification in mice. In both bone types, the activated form of caspase-7 was detected from the beginning of ossification during embryonic development and persisted postnatally. The bone status was investigated by microCT in both wild-type and caspase-7-deficient adult mice. Intramembranous bone in mutant mice displayed a statistically significant decrease in volume while the mineral density was not altered. Conversely, endochondral bone showed constant volume but a significant decrease in mineral density in caspase-7 knock-out mice. Cleaved caspase-7 was present in a number of cells that did not show signs of apoptosis. PCR array analysis of the mandibular bone of caspase-7-deficient versus wild-type mice pointed to a significant decrease in mRNA levels for Msx1 and Smad1 in early bone formation. These observations might explain the decrease in the alveolar bone volume of adult knock-out mice. In conclusion, this study is the first to report a non-apoptotic function of caspase-7 in osteogenesis and also demonstrates further specificities in endochondral versus intramembranous ossification

Synthetic studies on macrolactin A : construction of C4-C24 fragment

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Unusual ordering of a dioxyethylene chain in dialkoxy laterally substituted nematogen as evidenced by 13 C NMR

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