Multi Site Coordination using a Multi-Agent System

A new approach of coordination of decisions in a multi site system is proposed. It is based this approach on a multi-agent concept and on the principle of distributed network of enterprises. For this purpose, each enterprise is defined as autonomous and performs simultaneously at the local and global levels. The basic component of our approach is a so-called Virtual Enterprise Node (VEN), where the enterprise network is represented as a set of tiers (like in a product breakdown structure). Within the network, each partner constitutes a VEN, which is in contact with several customers and suppliers. Exchanges between the VENs ensure the autonomy of decision, and guarantiee the consistency of information and material flows. Only two complementary VEN agents are necessary: one for external interactions, the Negotiator Agent (NA) and one for the planning of internal decisions, the Planner Agent (PA). If supply problems occur in the network, two other agents are defined: the Tier Negotiator Agent (TNA) working at the tier level only and the Supply Chain Mediator Agent (SCMA) working at the level of the enterprise network. These two agents are only active when the perturbation occurs. Otherwise, the VENs process the flow of information alone. With this new approach, managing enterprise network becomes much more transparent and looks like managing a simple enterprise in the network. The use of a Multi-Agent System (MAS) allows physical distribution of the decisional system, and procures a heterarchical organization structure with a decentralized control that guaranties the autonomy of each entity and the flexibility of the network

Frequency Doubling Nanocrystals for Cancer Theranostics

A novel bio-photonics approach based on the nonlinear optical process of second harmonic generation by non-centrosymmetric nanoparticles is presented and demonstrated on malignant human cell lines. The proposed method allows to directly interact with DNA in absence of photosensitizing molecules, to enable independent imaging and therapeutic modalities switching between the two modes of operation by simply tuning the excitation laser wavelength, and to avoid any risk of spontaneous activation by any natural or artificial light source.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figure

Study of elementary micro-cutting in hardened tool steel

In order to model micro-milling cutting forces, a way is to apply a local model on discretized elements of the cutting edge and then summing on the whole edge to obtain the global cutting forces. This local model is usually obtained by numerical simulation or cutting experimentation. This paper focuses on orthogonal and oblique micro-cutting experiments of AISI 6F7 with tungsten carbide tools. Results show the influence of cutting edge sharpness on cutting forces and the existence of different mechanisms corresponding to different ranges of uncut chip thickness values. A phenomenological model has been identified to model correctly these zones. Then, by comparing experimental micro-milling forces with those deduced from these micro-cutting model and tests, a good agreement has been found. In order to complete this study, phenomenological and thermo mechanical models are being developed. The aim is to obtain an elementary cutting model that can be used for micro-milling simulation and optimization

Expérimentation de la micro-coupe élémentaire sur un acier dur et comparaison au micro-fraisage

Cet article présente des essais de micro-coupe orthogonale et oblique à partir de tournage sur un acier 40NiCrMo16. Les résultats obtenus démontrent l’influence du rayon d’acuité d’arête sur les efforts mesurés notamment aux faibles épaisseurs de copeau non déformé. Les efforts spécifiques de coupe déduits sont en cohérence avec ceux obtenus lors d’essais de micro-fraisage issus de travaux précédents. Pour compléter l’étude, cet article pose les bases de la modélisation phénoménologique et thermomécanique adaptée à la micro-coupe. Le but à terme est d’obtenir un modèle de coupe élémentaire utilisable dans le cas du micro-fraisage puis de comparer les résultats obtenus aux résultats expérimentaux

Affectiva-MIT Facial Expression Dataset (AM-FED): Naturalistic and Spontaneous Facial Expressions Collected In-the-Wild

Computer classification of facial expressions requires large amounts of data and this data needs to reflect the diversity of conditions seen in real applications. Public datasets help accelerate the progress of research by providing researchers with a benchmark resource. We present a comprehensively labeled dataset of ecologically valid spontaneous facial responses recorded in natural settings over the Internet. To collect the data, online viewers watched one of three intentionally amusing Super Bowl commercials and were simultaneously filmed using their webcam. They answered three self-report questions about their experience. A subset of viewers additionally gave consent for their data to be shared publicly with other researchers. This subset consists of 242 facial videos (168,359 frames) recorded in real world conditions. The dataset is comprehensively labeled for the following: 1) frame-by-frame labels for the presence of 10 symmetrical FACS action units, 4 asymmetric (unilateral) FACS action units, 2 head movements, smile, general expressiveness, feature tracker fails and gender; 2) the location of 22 automatically detected landmark points; 3) self-report responses of familiarity with, liking of, and desire to watch again for the stimuli videos and 4) baseline performance of detection algorithms on this dataset. This data is available for distribution to researchers online, the EULA can be found at: http://www.affectiva.com/facial-expression-dataset-am-fed/

Systematic revision of Gatesona (Crassiclitellata, Lumbricidae), an endemic earthworm genus from the Massif Central(France)

The Massif Central in France could potentially harbor numerous ancient endemic lineages owing to its long history of continuous geological stability. Several endemic earthworm species inhabit the area, with Allolobophora (Gatesona) chaetophora, Helodrilus (Acystodrilus) and Avelona ligra showing hints of a common evolutionary origin. However, the phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic status of the species remain to be studied through integrative molecular and morphological methods. To this end, eight species including most of the known species and subspecies of All. (Gatesona), Helodrilus (Acystodrilus) musicus, and Avelona ligra were sequenced for a set of five molecular markers. The species were grouped on the basis of the molecular findings in a phylogenetic framework. All. (Gatesona) was included within the same clade as Helodrilus (Acystodrilus) and Avelona, separated from Allolobophora sensu stricto, supporting its status as a good genus. Branch lengths and average pairwise genetic distances suggested the subspecies of All. (Gatesona) chaetophora examined should be considered species-level taxa. Thus, a generic diagnosis for Gatesona stat. nov. is provided, along with redescriptions of Gatesona chaetophora comb. nov., Gatesona rutena comb. nov. stat. nov., Gatesona lablacherensis comb. nov. stat. nov. and Gatesona serninensis comb. nov. stat. nov. The study findings highlight the need for further sampling of earthworm diversity in the Massif Central (and Southern France), in addition to an increased focus on the Eastern European species of Helodrilus

The ABC of social learning:Affect, Behaviour and Cognition

Debates concerning social learning in the behavioral and the developmental cognitive sciences have largely ignored the literature on social influence in the affective sciences despite having arguably the same object of study. We argue that this is a mistake and that no complete model of social learning can exclude an affective aspect. In addition, we argue that including affect can advance the somewhat stagnant debates concerning the unique characteristics of social learning in humans compared to other animals. We first review the two major bodies of literature in nonhuman animals and human development, highlighting the fact that the former has adopted a behavioral approach while the latter has adopted a cognitive approach, leading to irreconcilable differences. We then introduce a novel framework, affective social learning (ASL), that studies the way we learn about value(s). We show that all three approaches are complementary and focus, respectively, on behavior toward; cognitions concerning; and feelings about objects, events, and people in our environment. All three thus contribute to an affective, behavioral, and cognitive (ABC) story of knowledge transmission: the ABC of social learning. In particular, ASL can provide the backbone of an integrative approach to social learning. We argue that this novel perspective on social learning can allow both evolutionary continuity and ontogenetic development by lowering the cognitive thresholds that appear often too complex for other species and nonverbal infants. Yet, it can also explain some of the major achievements only found in human cultures

073 Right Ventricle Contractile Reserve as a Pre-operative Tool for Assessing RV failure after Continuous Flow LVAD Implantation

IntroductionLatest generation continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have been proposed as an alternative to heart transplantation for end-stage heart failure. However, postoperative right ventricle (RV) dysfunction remains common and has a negative impact on prognosis. Purpose of our study was to identify echocardiographic or hemodynamic parameters that could predict early RV failure after LVAD implantation in patients with biventricular dysfunction.MethodsFourteen patients with biventricular dysfunction who have been evaluated for LVAD implantation were included. Right and left ventricular dysfunction were respectively defined as: tricuspid annular plane excursion < 16 mm (TAPSE) and LV ejection fraction < 35%. In all patients, preoperative measurements were obtained at rest. In 7 patients, right heart catheterization was performed simultaneously with increasing doses of dobutamine (15γ/Kg/min). Primary endpoint was death caused by right ventricle systolic dysfunction or need for right ventricle mechanical support within 30 days after surgery (RVSD+).ResultsMean recipient age was 58±7 years. Primary end-point (RVSD+) was noted in five patients. Preoperative demographic, echocardiographic and hemodynamic data were similar between RVSD+ and RVSD- patients (Table). Percent increase of TAPSE and systolic PAP between basal and high dobutamine dose was significantly lower in RVSD+ than in RVSD- patients.ConclusionPercent increase of TAPSE and systolic PAP induced by high dose dobutamine infusion might be two interesting criteria to assess RV contractile reserve and predict RV outcome after LVAD implantation in patient with biventricular dysfunction.Baseline Measurement (n=14)Change after Dobutamine infusion,% (n=7)RVSD-RVSD+pRVSD-RVSD+pN95TAPSE, mm14±214±20.955±526±20.03Systolic PAP, mmHg51±753±60.842±84±70.05Cardiac Output, l/min3.3±0.53.5±0.50.987±1093±470.7Pulm Vasc Res, Wood3.9±14.3±10.62±41-36±70.