Incremental Art: A Neural Network System for Recognition by Incremental Feature Extraction

Abstract Incremental ART extends adaptive resonance theory (ART) by incorporating mechanisms for efficient recognition through incremental feature extraction. The system achieves efficient confident prediction through the controlled acquisition of only those features necessary to discriminate an input pattern. These capabilities are achieved through three modifications to the fuzzy ART system: (1) A partial feature vector complement coding rule extends fuzzy ART logic to allow recognition based on partial feature vectors. (2) The addition of a F2 decision criterion to measure ART predictive confidence. (3) An incremental feature extraction layer computes the next feature to extract based on a measure of predictive value. Our system is demonstrated on a face recognition problem but has general applicability as a machine vision solution and as model for studying scanning patterns.Office of Naval Research (N00014-92-J-4015, N00014-92-J-1309, N00014-91-4100); Air Force Office of Scientific Research (90-0083); National Science Foundation (IRI 90-00530

An Active Pattern Recognition Architecture for Mobile Robots

An active, attentionally-modulated recognition architecture is proposed for object recognition and scene analysis. The proposed architecture forms part of navigation and trajectory planning modules for mobile robots. Key characteristics of the system include movement planning and execution based on environmental factors and internal goal definitions. Real-time implementation of the system is based on space-variant representation of the visual field, as well as an optimal visual processing scheme utilizing separate and parallel channels for the extraction of boundaries and stimulus qualities. A spatial and temporal grouping module (VWM) allows for scene scanning, multi-object segmentation, and featural/object priming. VWM is used to modulate a tn~ectory formation module capable of redirecting the focus of spatial attention. Finally, an object recognition module based on adaptive resonance theory is interfaced through VWM to the visual processing module. The system is capable of using information from different modalities to disambiguate sensory input.Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (90-0083); Office of Naval Research (N00014-92-J-1309); Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (63462

Navite: A Neural Network System For Sensory-Based Robot Navigation

A neural network system, NAVITE, for incremental trajectory generation and obstacle avoidance is presented. Unlike other approaches, the system is effective in unstructured environments. Multimodal inforrnation from visual and range data is used for obstacle detection and to eliminate uncertainty in the measurements. Optimal paths are computed without explicitly optimizing cost functions, therefore reducing computational expenses. Simulations of a planar mobile robot (including the dynamic characteristics of the plant) in obstacle-free and object avoidance trajectories are presented. The system can be extended to incorporate global map information into the local decision-making process.Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (AFOSR 90-0083); Office of Naval Research (N00014-92-J-l309); Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (63l462

Analysis of nifH-RNA reveals phylotypes related to Geobacter and Cyanobacteria as important functional components of the N₂-fixing community depending on depth and agricultural use of soil

In this survey, a total of 80 787 reads and 28 171 unique NifH protein sequences were retrieved from soil RNA. This dataset extends our knowledge about the structure and diversity of the functional diazotrophic communities in agricultural soils from Argentinean Pampas. Operational taxonomic unit (OTU)-based analyses showed that nifH phylotypes related to Geobacter and Anaeromyxobacter (44.8%), Rhizobiales (29%), Cyanobacteria (16.7%), and Verrucomicrobiales (8%) are key microbial components of N2 fixation in soils associated with no-till management and soil depth. In addition, quantification of nifH gene copies related to Geobacter and Cyanobacteria revealed that these groups are abundant in soils under maize–soybean rotation and soybean monoculture, respectively. The correlation of physicochemical soil parameters with the diazotrophic diversity and composition showed that soil stability and organic carbon might contribute to the functional signatures of particular nifH phylotypes in fields under no-till management. Because crop production relies on soil-borne microorganism's activities, such as free N2 fixation, the information provided by our study on the diazotrophic population dynamics, associated with the edaphic properties and land-use practices, represents a major contribution to gain insight into soil biology, in which functionally active components are identified.Instituto de Biotecnologia y Biologia Molecula

Glutathione is involved in environmental stress responses in Rhizobium tropici, including acid tolerance

The isolation of rhizobial strains which exhibit an intrinsic tolerance to acidic conditions has been reported and has facilitated studies on the basic mechanisms underlying acid tolerance. Rhizobium tropici strain CIAT899 displays a high intrinsic tolerance to acidity and therefore was used in this work to study the molecular basis of bacterial responses to acid conditions and other environmental stresses. We generated a collection of R. tropici CIAT899 mutants affected in acid tolerance using Tn5-luxAB mutagenesis, and one mutant strain (CIAT899-13T2), which fails to grow under acid conditions, was characterized in detail. Strain CIAT899-13T2 was found to contain a single Tn5-luxAB insertion in a gene showing a high degree of similarity with the Escherichia coli gshB gene, encoding the enzyme glutathione synthetase. Intracellular potassium pools and intracellular pH levels were found to be lower in the mutant than in the parent. The glutathione-deficient mutant was shown to be sensitive to weak organic acids, osmotic and oxidative stresses, and the presence of methylglyoxal. Glutathione restores responses to these stresses almost to wild-type levels. Our data show that in R. tropici the production of glutathione is essential for growth in extreme environmental conditions. The mutant strain CIAT899-13T2 induced effective nodules; however, it was found to be outcompeted by the wild-type strain in coinoculation experiments.Facultad de Ciencias ExactasInstituto de Biotecnologia y Biologia Molecula

Laboratory of computational analysis in vibratory systems

Las vibraciones en sistemas mecánicos constituyen un problema clave en Ingeniería Mecánica por lo que resulta primordial su estudio en cualquier asignatura relacionada con Ingeniería Mecánica. Las ecuaciones que describen el movimiento de las vibraciones mecánicas son de sobra conocidas. Sin embargo, su solución puede ser muy compleja en función de las suposiciones del modelo empleado y las condiciones de contorno del sistema mecánico. La comprensión del significado físico de los parámetros involucrados en las ecuaciones y su influencia relativa es importante para los estudiantes. Se propone así el desarrollo de una interfaz gráfica bilingüe (español-inglés) para una mejor comprensión de los conceptos físicos y matemáticos implicados en teoría de vibraciones. Dicha herramienta serviría para la resolución de diferentes casos de estudio en función del nivel de complejidad requerido y se podría utilizar como laboratorio virtual de cara al análisis de la influencia de las distintas variables y parámetros implicados en el movimiento. Así, se potencia el enfoque autónomo del aprendizaje y por tanto se promueven el desarrollo de habilidades personales por parte del alumnado. La herramienta fue compilada en MatLab© y se ha utilizado por primera vez en la Universidad de Córdoba en el curso académico 2017-2018.Vibrations in mechanical systems is a key topic in mechanical engineering and its proper understanding is paramount for students of any course related to Mechanical Engineering. The equations of movement describing mechanical vibrations are well-known. The solutions of these equations can be very complex in terms of the assumptions of the models and the boundary conditions to which they are subjected. The understanding of the physical meaning of the parameters involved in the equations and their relative influence is important for students. This paper presents the development of a bilingual graphical interface (Spanish-English) for a better understanding of the physical and mathematical concepts related to discrete vibrations with multiple degrees of freedom in mechanical systems. The tool here developed constitutes a virtual lab for the analysis of the variables and parameters involved in the equations of movement in a step-by-step way, allowing to easily change the input parameter values so as to understand the importance of the different variables. Thus, the autonomous apprenticeship and the development of personal skills of students is enhanced and promoted. This lab was coded in MatLab© and is being used for the first time at the University of Cordoba during the academic year 2017-2018

Economic evaluation of the primary recovery of tetracycline with traditional and novel aqueous two-phase systems

Antibiotics are a key pharmaceutical to inhibit growth or kill microorganisms. They represent a profitable market and, in particular, tetracycline has been listed as an essential medicine by the WHO. Therefore it is important to improve their production processes. Recently novel and traditional aqueous two-phase systems for the extraction have been developed with positive results. The present work performs an economic analysis of the production and recovery of tetracycline through the use of several ATPS through bioprocess modeling using specialized software (BioSolve, Biopharm Services Ltd, UK) to determine production costs per gram (CoG/g). First, a virtual model was constructed using published data on the recovery of tetracycline and extended to incorporate uncertainties. To determine how the model behaved, a sensitivity analysis and Monte Carlo simulations were performed. Results showed that ATPS formed by cholinium chloride/K3PO4 was the best option to recover tetracycline, as it had the lowest CoG/g (US$ 672.83/g), offered the highest recovery yield (92.42%), second best sample input capacity (45% of the ATPS composition) and one of the lowest materials contribution to cost. The ionic liquid-based method of ATPS is a promising alternative for recovering tetracycline from fermentation broth.publishe

Caregiver Burden Domains and Their Relationship with Anxiety and Depression in the First Six Months of Cancer Diagnosis

Cancer caregiving is associated with burden and a poor psychological state. However, there is no previous information about the predictive utility of specific burden domains on anxiety and depression in the first six months after a partner’s cancer diagnosis. In a longitudinal study, 67 caregivers completed the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at T1 (45–60 days after diagnosis) and T2 (180–200 days after diagnosis). Most of the caregivers were female (65.7%, mean age = 51.63, SD = 13.25), while patients were mostly male (56.7%). The TRIPOD checklist was applied. ZBI scores were moderate and HADS anxiety reached significant values. There were no differences in ZBI and HADS between T1 and T2. The relationship between burden, anxiety, and depression were more consistent at T2, while emotional burden at T1 were related and predicted anxiety and depression at T2. Some burden domains were related and predicted anxiety in caregivers in the first six months after partner cancer diagnosis. This information could be useful to prevent the onset of these symptoms in the first six months after diagnosis