Complete contingency planners

A framework is proposed for the investigation of planning systems that must deal with bounded uncertainty. A definition of this new class of contingency planners is given. A general, complete contingency planning algorithm is described. The algorithm is suitable to many incomplete information games as well as planning situations where the initial state is only partially known. A rich domain is identified for the application and evaluation of contingency planners. Preliminary results from applying our complete contingency planner to a portion of this domain are encouraging and match expert level performance

Sensitizing Protective Tumor Microenvironments to Antibody-Mediated Therapy

Therapy-resistant microenvironments represent a major barrier toward effective elimination of disseminated malignancies. Here, we show that select microenvironments can underlie resistance to antibody-based therapy. Using a humanized model of treatment refractory B cell leukemia, we find that infiltration of leukemia cells into the bone marrow rewires the tumor microenvironment to inhibit engulfment of antibody-targeted tumor cells. Resistance to macrophage-mediated killing can be overcome by combination regimens involving therapeutic antibodies and chemotherapy. Specifically, the nitrogen mustard cyclophosphamide induces an acute secretory activating phenotype (ASAP), releasing CCL4, IL8, VEGF, and TNFα from treated tumor cells. These factors induce macrophage infiltration and phagocytic activity in the bone marrow. Thus, the acute induction of stress-related cytokines can effectively target cancer cells for removal by the innate immune system. This synergistic chemoimmunotherapeutic regimen represents a potent strategy for using conventional anticancer agents to alter the tumor microenvironment and promote the efficacy of targeted therapeutics.Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Ludwig Center for Molecular OncologyKathy and Curt Marble Cancer Research FundSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and TechnologyGerman Research Foundation (KFO286)German Research Foundation (Fellowship)National Cancer Institute (U.S.) (Koch Institute Support (Core) Grant P30-CA14051

Complete contingency planners

A framework is proposed for the investigation of planning systems that must deal with bounded uncertainty. A definition of this new class of contingency planners is given. A general, complete contingency planning algorithm is described. The algorithm is suitable to many incomplete information games as well as planning situations where the initial state is only partially known. A rich domain is identified for the application and evaluation of contingency planners. Preliminary results from applying our complete contingency planner to a portion of this domain are encouraging and match expert level performance

Working with ModSAF: Interfaces for Programs and Users

In order to explore the domain of air-to-air combat with Soar, a unified theory of cognition used to model human behavior, it was necessary to interface Soar to vehicles which use the Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) protocol. Rather than create what would be in essence a simulator of fighter aircraft, the ModSAF simulation system was chosen to simulate fighter aircraft and provide a DIS interface. To link Soar and ModSAF, we have developed the Soar/ModSAF Interface (SMI). The SMI provides a simulated cockpit for Soar pilots. To guide others in the development of interfaces for other intelligent systems, this paper describes the SMI along with associated design constraints. Implementation details concerning functionality, modularity, and efficiency are addressed. We also identify issues arising from integration difficulties. Introduction Computer modeling of intelligent agent behavior is a concern to many researchers in the fields of cognitive science, artificial intelligence..

Enantioselective β‑Protonation by a Cooperative Catalysis Strategy

An enantioselective <i>N</i>-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed β-protonation through the orchestration of three distinct organocatalysts has been developed. This cooperative catalyst system enhances both yield and selectivity, compared to only the NHC-catalyzed process. This new method allows for the efficient conversion of a large scope of aryl-oxobutenoates to highly enantioenriched succinate derivatives and demonstrates the benefits of combining different activation modes in organocatalysis

Intelligent automated agents for tactical air simulation: A progress report

time, flexibly use a small amount of tactical This article reports on recent progress in the development of TacAir-Soar, an intelligent automated agent for tactical air simulation. This includes progress in expanding the agent’s coverage of the tactical air domain, progress in enhancing the quality of the agent’s behavior, and progress in building an infrastructure for research and development in this area. knowledge about two classes of one-versusone (1-v-1) Beyond Visual Range (BVR) tactical air scenarios. In the non-jinking bogey scenarios, one plane (the non-jinking bogey) is unarmed and maintains a straight-and-level flight path. The other plane is armed with long-range radar-guided, medium-range radar-guided, and short-range infrared-guided missiles. Its task is to set up for a sequence of missile shots, a