Using a simple expert system to assist a powered wheelchair user

A simple expert system is described that helps wheelchair users to drive their wheelchairs. The expert system takes data in from sensors and a joystick, identifies obstacles and then recommends a safe route. Wheelchair users were timed while driving around a variety of routes and using a joystick controlling their wheelchair via the simple expert system. Ultrasonic sensors are used to detect the obstacles. The simple expert system performed better than other recently published systems. In more difficult situations, wheelchair drivers did better when there was help from a sensor system. Wheelchair users completed routes with the sensors and expert system and results are compared with the same users driving without any assistance. The new systems show a significant improvement

A transputer Based Laser Scanning System

This paper presents a transputer-based laser scanner. This is to be integrated into an existing transputer-based mariufacturing environment to allow rapid construction of' 3-0 models. The approach allows Z-gradient informaticm to be obtained from a 2-D image by illuminating areas of interest with a form of structured light. An active scanning system is described. Simple algorithms are applied to the raw image data to extract concise information. This foveal analysis greatly reduces the data to be processed, allowing a simple and fast method for analysis. The system primarily consists of a video camera wlhich obliquely views a scene being scanned by a laser. The principle, the procedure, and methods of scanning are described. An overview of the principles of foveal analysis, the prototype experimental system and initial results are presented

42 - Evaluating ERK inhibitor sensitivity in HRAS-mutant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a significant public health problem and the prognosis is very poor. There are limited treatments. RAS is a membrane-associated GTP binding protein that is a well-established driver for cancer progression. One approach to target RAS is to inhibit the activity of its downstream effectors. Of many pathways that is downstream of RAS, a critical pathway in other cancers is the MAPK pathway. Activated RAS binds to RAF which in turns activates MEK1 and MEK2 protein kinases. Ultimately, the MEK1/2 protein kinases phosphorylate ERK1/2 which control critical cell processes. SCH772984 is an allosteric and ATP-competitive ERK inhibitor (ERKi). We hypothesized that ERKi would inhibit the growth of HRAS-mutant HNSCC cells such as UMSCC43. I first made sure that SCH772984 inhibited ERK1/2 signaling, by immunoblotting for loss of activity of ERK and its substrates. I then evaluated the effect of ERK inhibition upon both anchorage-dependent and independent cell growth. In addition, I analyzed the cell cycle distribution upon treatment with ERK inhibitor using flow cytometry. The results showed that the doses I used did inhibit the growth in anchorage-dependent and –independent conditions. This study was limited to one cell line. Further studies in additional cell lines and at lower doses of ERK inhibitor are needed to evaluate the consequences of inhibition of ERK activity in HNSCC

EDITORIAL

Editoria

On the Nonlocal Equations and Nonlocal Charges Associated with the Harry Dym Hierarchy

A large class of nonlocal equations and nonlocal charges for the Harry Dym hierarchy is exhibited. They are obtained from nonlocal Casimirs associated with its bi-Hamiltonian structure. The Lax representation for some of these equations is also given.Comment: to appear in Journal of Mathematical Physics, 17 pages, Late