Bio-informatic activity modeling for human-artifacts symbiosis under resource boundedness

We investigate a biologically inspired design of an interface agent that is embedded inside human-artifact interactions rather than as an external observer, and has to work as an intelligent associate for a human user/operator in a time-critical situation like in an emergency. First, recent paradigmatic shifts of artifact design principles are discussed from an interdisciplinary viewpoint. Then, after the idea of Clancey’s activity modeling, we discuss the design principles of a situated interface agent. That is, different from the conventional supervisory agent’s task of seeking to optimize an isolated control task, such an agent has to be able to maintain its identity as an organism living within multiple contexts and looking inwards to consider the the nature of memory and perception, and looking outwards to consider the nature of social action with a human operator. Initially, our prior work using such a design principle is presented, and then decision-theoretic formulations of an interface agent’s activities are provided. This work was presented, in part, at the Third International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, January 19–21, 1998     

Correlation investigation between contact approach speed of handheld metal rod and discharge parameters from charged human body

Characteristic measurement of contact discharge currents are made through a hand-held metal rod from charged human body. Correlation coefficients are obtained, through Statistic Package for Social Science （SPSS）, for various charge voltages, which is based on the effect test of electrode contact approach speeds on discharge current parameters of current peaks, maximum rising slope and spark lengths. Discharge parameters at charge voltage 300V are independent on approach speed. For charge voltages equal to and higher than 500V, the contact approach speed has strong positive correlation with discharge parameters of the peak current and the maximum rising slope, whereas has strong negative correlation with the spark length.     

Mycotoxicological quality evaluation of corn samples used by processing industries in the Northern region of Paraná State,Brazil

Based on fungal and fumonisin contamination of 870 freshly harvested samples, the quality of corn used by processing industries in the Northern region of Paraná State, Brazil (2003 and 2004 crop-year) was evaluated. Sampling was carried out for each crop at two points in the production chain, i.e. at reception by the processors and at the pre-drying step. Corn samples were more frequently contaminated with Fusarium sp. (100%) and Penicillium sp. (84.1–95.3%) than Aspergillus sp. (5.6–19.8%). Fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) was detected in all samples from the two points in both crop-years. FB₁ levels ranged 0.02–11.83 µg g^?1 in the reception and 0.02–10.98 µg g^?1 in the pre-drying samples of the 2003 crop. Samples from the 2004 crop showed FB₁ levels ranging 0.03–12.04 µg g^?1 in the reception and 0.06–7.74 µg g^?1 in the pre-drying samples. FB₂ levels ranged 0.02–5.25 µg g^?1 in the reception and 0.01–7.89 µg g^?1 in the pre-drying samples (2003 crop-year). In samples from the 2004 crop, FB₂ levels ranged 0.02–6.12 µg g^?1 in the reception and 0.05–3.47 µg g^?1 in the pre-drying samples. Low fumonisin levels were detected in most corn samples used by processors in the Northern region of Paraná State, showing a decreasing trend in fumonisin contamination over the years.     

Accumulation and elimination profiles of paralytic shellfish poison in the short-necked clam Tapes japonica fed with the toxic dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum

The paralytic shellfish poison (PSP)-producing dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum (Gc) was fed to the short-necked clam Tapes japonica, and the accumulation, transformation and elimination profiles of PSP were investigated by means of high-performance liquid chromatography with postcolumn fluorescence derivatization (HPLC-FLD). The short-necked clams ingested most of the Gc cells (4 x 10(6) cells) supplied as a bolus at the beginning of the experiment, and accumulated a maximal amount of toxin (181 nmol/10 clams) after 12 hr. The rate of toxin accumulation at that time was 16%, which rapidly decreased thereafter. During the rearing period, a variation in toxin composition, derived presumably from the transformation of toxin analogues in the clams, was observed, including a reversal of the ratio of C2 to C1, and the appearance of carbamate (gonyautoxin (GTX) 2, 3) and decarbamoyl (dc) derivatives (decarbamoylsaxitoxin (dcSTX) and dcGTX2, 3), which were undetectable in Gc cells. The total amount of toxin contained in clams and residue (remaining Gc cells and/or excrement in the rearing tank) gradually declined, and only about 1% of the supplied toxin was detected at the end of the experiment.     

Kinetic resolution of an indan derivative using Bacillus sp. SUI-12: synthesis of a key intermediate of the melatonin receptor agonist TAK-375

The chiral indan derivative (S)-2 (2-[(8S)-1,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-indeno[5,4-b]furan-8-yl]ethyl-amine) was synthesized by enzyme-catalyzed asymmetric hydrolysis of the racemic acetamide 1 (N-[2-(1,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-indeno[5,4-b]furan-8-yl)ethyl]acetamide). The reaction was carried out using Bacillus sp. SUI-12 screened for the ability to hydrolyze 1 to give (S)-2 with high enantioselectivity. In a scaled-up experiment, a low reaction rate was observed. However, by changing the culture medium and the reaction conditions, it became possible to run the reaction to 40% conversion on a 10-g or more scale, obtaining (S)-2 at >;99% enantiomeric excess (ee). The (S)-2 obtained was available for the synthesis of the melatonin receptor agonist TAK-375 (N-[2-[(8S)-1,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-indeno[5,4-b]furan-8-yl]ethyl]propanamide).     

Scale free interval graphs

Scale free graphs have attracted attention by their non-uniform structure that can be used as a model for various social and physical networks. In this paper, we propose a natural and simple random model for generating scale free interval graphs. The model generates a set of intervals randomly under a certain distribution, which defines a random interval graph. The main advantage of the model is its simpleness. The structure/properties of generated graphs are analyzable by relatively simple probabilistic and/or combinatorial arguments, which is different from many other models. Based on such arguments, we show for our random interval graph that its degree distribution follows a power law, and that it has a large average clustering coefficient.     

Spray Pyrolysis of Fe3O4–BaTiO3 Composite Particles

Fe₃O₄–BaTiO₃ composite particles were successfully prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. A mixture of iron(III) nitrate, barium acetate and titanium tetrachloride aqueous solution were atomized into the mist, and the mist was dried and pyrolyzed in N₂ (90%) and H₂ (10%) atmosphere. Fe₃O₄–BaTiO₃ composite particle was obtained between 900° and 950°C while the coexistence of FeO was detected at 1000°C. Transmission electron microscope observation revealed that the composite particle is consisted of nanocrystalline having primary particle size of 35 nm. Lattice parameter of the Fe₃O₄–BaTiO₃ nanocomposite particle was 0.8404 nm that is larger than that of pure Fe₃O₄. Coercivity of the nanocomposite particle (390 Oe) was much larger than that of pure Fe₃O₄ (140 Oe). These results suggest that slight diffusion of Ba into Fe₃O₄ occurred.     

EXAFS Study on Structural Change of Charcoal-supported Ruthenium Catalysts during Lignin Gasification in Supercritical Water

Lignin gasification in supercritical water over charcoal supported ruthenium trivalent salts was studied using a batch reactor at 673 K. Ruthenium (III) nitrosyl nitrate on charcoal (Ru(NO)(NO₃)₃/C) was more active than ruthenium (III) chloride on charcoal (RuCl₃/C) for the gasification reaction. EXAFS analysis revealed that ruthenium metal particles were formed in both RuCl₃/C and Ru(NO)(NO₃)₃/C catalysts during the lignin gasification and that the size of ruthenium metal in Ru(NO)(NO₃)₃/C was smaller than that in RuCl₃/C. It was concluded that well-dispersed ruthenium metal particles were active for the lignin gasification in supercritical water.     

A study on the preparation of supported metal oxide catalysts using JRC-reference catalysts. I. Preparation of a molybdena–alumina catalyst. Part 4. Preparation parameters and impact index

The effects of the volume and pH of the impregnation solution and of the calcination conditions were examined on the physicochemical and catalytic properties of a 13 wt% MoO₃/Al₂O₃ extrudate catalyst. The Al₂O₃ support and drying procedures (static conditions without flowing air) were fixed in the preparations. In the present series of catalysts, the amount of crystalline MoO₃ was marginally small. It was found that the dispersion of Mo oxide species increased as the volume of the impregnation solution increased, gradually approaching a maximum value. The increase in pH (2–8) of the impregnation solution was found to reduce the dispersion of Mo oxide species. The Mo dispersion increased slightly for the impregnation catalysts as the calcination temperature increased (673–873 K), whereas it decreased for the equilibrium adsorption catalysts. The effects of the calcination atmosphere (with or without flowing air, or with flowing humid air) were very small on the dispersion of Mo oxide species under the present preparation conditions. On the other hand, the methanol oxidation activity of MoO₃/Al₂O₃ was sensitive to the preparation parameters examined here. It was demonstrated by means of EPMA and XPS that a considerable migration of Mo took place during the calcination.

In the present study on the preparation of a 13 wt% MoO₃/Al₂O₃ catalyst, an impact index is proposed to measure the magnitude of the effects of the respective parameter(s) on the physicochemical and catalytic properties. With the Mo dispersion, the effects of the preparation parameter decreased in the order, surface area of the support >> drying process > volume of the impregnation solution > pH, calcination temperature and atmosphere. The size of the impact index for the dispersion of Mo sulfide species is 70–75% of that for the Mo oxide species. The HDS activity of the catalyst was less affected by the preparation parameters than the Mo sulfide dispersion. The preparation parameters affected the segregation of Mo on the outer surface of extrudates in a decreasing order: drying process > volume of the impregnation solution > pH, calcination conditions. It was found that the oxidation of methanol was affected most intensely by the drying procedures. The volume of the impregnation solution, calcination conditions and pH of the impregnation solution also strongly affected the oxidation activity. The impact index suggests that the sensitivity to the preparation variables of the physicochemical and catalytic properties of MoO₃/Al₂O₃ decreases in the order, methanol oxidation activity > surface Mo segregation > Mo oxide dispersion > Mo sulfide dispersion > HDS activity.