Schema design and implementation of the grasp-related mirror neuron system

 Mirror neurons within a monkey's premotor area F5 fire not only when the monkey performs a certain class of actions but also when the monkey observes another monkey (or the experimenter) perform a similar action. It has thus been argued that these neurons are crucial for understanding of actions by others. We offer the hand-state hypothesis as a new explanation of the evolution of this capability: the basic functionality of the F5 mirror system is to elaborate the appropriate feedback – what we call the hand state– for opposition-space based control of manual grasping of an object. Given this functionality, the social role of the F5 mirror system in understanding the actions of others may be seen as an exaptation gained by generalizing from one's own hand to an other's hand. In other words, mirror neurons first evolved to augment the “canonical” F5 neurons (active during self-movement based on observation of an object) by providing visual feedback on “hand state,” relating the shape of the hand to the shape of the object. We then introduce the MNS1 (mirror neuron system 1) model of F5 and related brain regions. The existing Fagg–Arbib–Rizzolatti–Sakata model represents circuitry for visually guided grasping of objects, linking the anterior intraparietal area (AIP) with F5 canonical neurons. The MNS1 model extends the AIP visual pathway by also modeling pathways, directed toward F5 mirror neurons, which match arm–hand trajectories to the affordances and location of a potential target object. We present the basic schemas for the MNS1 model, then aggregate them into three “grand schemas”– visual analysis of hand state, reach and grasp, and the core mirror circuit – for each of which we present a useful implementation (a non-neural visual processing system, a multijoint 3-D kinematics simulator, and a learning neural network, respectively). With this implementation we show how the mirror system may learnto recognize actions already in the repertoire of the F5 canonical neurons. We show that the connectivity pattern of mirror neuron circuitry can be established through training, and that the resultant network can exhibit a range of novel, physiologically interesting behaviors during the process of action recognition. We train the system on the basis of final grasp but then observe the whole time course of mirror neuron activity, yielding predictions for neurophysiological experiments under conditions of spatial perturbation, altered kinematics, and ambiguous grasp execution which highlight the importance of the timingof mirror neuron activity. Received: 6 August 2001 / Accepted in revised form: 5 February 2002     

Integrating impact evaluation in the design and implementation of monitoring marine protected areas

Quasi-experimental impact evaluation approaches, which enable scholars to disentangle effects of conservation interventions from broader changes in the environment, are gaining momentum in the conservation sector. However, rigorous impact evaluation using statistical matching techniques to estimate the counterfactual have yet to be applied to marine protected areas (MPAs). While there are numerous studies investigating ‘impacts’ of MPAs that have generated considerable insights, results are variable. This variation has been linked to the biophysical and social context in which they are established, as well as attributes of management and governance. To inform decisions about MPA placement, design and implementation, we need to expand our understanding of conditions under which MPAs are likely to lead to positive outcomes by embracing advances in impact evaluation methodologies. Here, we describe the integration of impact evaluation within an MPA network monitoring programme in the Bird''s Head Seascape, Indonesia. Specifically we (i) highlight the challenges of implementation ‘on the ground’ and in marine ecosystems and (ii) describe the transformation of an existing monitoring programme into a design appropriate for impact evaluation. This study offers one potential model for mainstreaming impact evaluation in the conservation sector.     

基于Web的基因组序列数据库管理系统的设计与实现

设计一种基于网络的可用来存储和注释海量DNA数据的数据库模型。整个过程分为三部分：首先是构建数据库框架,然后对原始基因组序列数据进行批量注释并输出有效格式导入数据库,最后通过一个友好的用户交互界面,实现对基因组数据的在线读取,查询,注释等操作。设计的数据库用于解决大量产生并有待分析的基因组序列的有效存储和管理问题。     

A core system for the implementation of task sets

When performing tasks, humans are thought to adopt task sets that configure moment-to-moment data processing. Recently developed mixed blocked/event-related designs allow task set-related signals to be extracted in fMRI experiments, including activity related to cues that signal the beginning of a task block, "set-maintenance" activity sustained for the duration of a task block, and event-related signals for different trial types. Data were conjointly analyzed from mixed design experiments using ten different tasks and 183 subjects. Dorsal anterior cingulate cortex/medial superior frontal cortex (dACC/msFC) and bilateral anterior insula/frontal operculum (aI/fO) showed reliable start-cue and sustained activations across all or nearly all tasks. These regions also carried the most reliable error-related signals in a subset of tasks, suggesting that the regions form a "core" task-set system. Prefrontal regions commonly related to task control carried task-set signals in a smaller subset of tasks and lacked convergence across signal types.     

Design,implementation and evaluation of a practical pseudoknot folding algorithm based on thermodynamics

Background  

The general problem of RNA secondary structure prediction under the widely used thermodynamic model is known to be NP-complete when the structures considered include arbitrary pseudoknots. For restricted classes of pseudoknots, several polynomial time algorithms have been designed, where the O(n ⁶)time and O(n ⁴) space algorithm by Rivas and Eddy is currently the best available program.     

FPGA implementation of a pyramidal Weightless Neural Networks learning system

A hardware architecture of a Probabilistic Logic Neuron (PLN) is presented. The suggested model facilitates the on-chip learning of pyramidal Weightless Neural Networks using a modified probabilistic search reward/penalty training algorithm. The penalization strategy of the training algorithm depends on a predefined parameter called the probabilistic search interval. A complete Weightless Neural Network (WNN) learning system is modeled and implemented on Xilinx XC4005E Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), allowing its architecture to be configurable. Various experiments have been conducted to examine the feasibility and performance of the WNN learning system. Results show that the system has a fast convergence rate and good generalization ability.     

Indoor objects detection system implementation using multi-graphic processing units

Cluster Computing - Indoor objects detection and recognition plays an important role in computer science and artificial intelligence fields. This task plays also a crucial role especially for blind...     

水土流失生态修复生态效益评价指标体系研究进展

建立合理的评价指标体系是科学评价区域水土流失生态修复效益的基础.在分析水土流失生态修复生态效益评价指标体系的研究现状与存在问题的基础上,结合国内外最新的研究成果,提出今后的生态效益评价指标体系除体现蓄水保土效益外,还应加强生态系统的植被结构、生物多样性和生态过程3个方面的监测与评价,进而从生态系统健康层面上评价水土流失生态修复效益.

Abstract：

To establish a rational evaluation index system is the basis of scientifically evaluating the benefit of ecological restoration for controlling regional water and soil loss. Based on the anal-ysis of current researches on ecological benefit evaluation index system of ecological restoration for controlling water and soil loss, and the latest research achievements, it was suggested that be-sides the benefit of water and soil conservation, the monitoring and evaluation of vegetation struc-ture, biological diversity, and ecological processes should be strengthened to make that the bene-fit evaluation of ecological restoration for water and soil loss can be conducted on ecosystem health level.     

Great apes’ understanding of biomechanics: eye-tracking experiments using three-dimensional computer-generated animations

Primates - Visual processing of the body movements of other animals is important for adaptive animal behaviors. It is widely known that animals can distinguish articulated animal movements even...     

Preparation and evaluation of a novel buccal adhesive system

The aim of the present study was to prepare and evaluate a novel buccal adhesive system (NBAS) containing propranolol hydrochloride (PH). A special punch was fabricated and used while preparing an NBAS. Solubility of PH in phosphate buffer solution (pH 6.6), partition coefficient between phosphate buffer (pH 6.6) and 1-octanol, and permeability coefficient through the porcine buccal mucosa were performed and found to be 74.66 mg/mL, 5.17, and 5.6, respectively. Stability of NBAS was determined in natural human saliva, and it was found that both PH and device are stable in human saliva. NBAS was evaluated by weight uniformity, thickness, hardness, friability, swelling, mucoadhesive strength, in vitro drug release, and in vivo human acceptability studies. Swelling index was higher (4.4) for formulations containing hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) K4M alone, and it decreases with its decreasing concentration in the NBAS. Mucoadhesive strength (MS) was measured by using a modified apparatus. All NBASs showed higher MS with porcine buccal mucosa when compared with that of rabbit buccal mucosa. NBASs containing carbopol (CP) 934P and HPMC K4M at the ratio of 1∶1 showed higher MS (44.76 g) with porcine buccal mucosa when compared with 1∶2 (39.76 g), 0∶1 (23.29 g), and 1∶0 (22.22 g) ratios, respectively. The mechanism of PH release was found to be by non-Fickian diffusion (value of “n” between 0.5 and 1.0) and followed first order kinetics. In vivo human acceptability study showed that the newly prepared NBAS was comfortable in the human buccal cavity. It can be concluded that NBAS is a superior, novel system that overcomes the draw-back associated with the conventional buccal adhesive tablet.     

Method for automated extraction and purification of nucleic acids and its implementation in microfluidic system

A method and a microfluidic device for automated extraction and purification of nucleic acids from biological samples have been developed. The method involves disruption of bacterial cells and/or viral particles by combining enzymatic and chemical lysis procedures followed by solid-phase sorbent extraction and purification of nucleic acids. The procedure is carried out in an automated mode in a microfluidic module isolated from the outside environment, which minimizes contact of the researcher with potentially infectious samples and, consequently, decreases the risk of laboratory-acquired infections. The module includes reservoirs with lyophilized components for lysis and washing buffers; a microcolumn with a solid-phase sorbent; reservoirs containing water, ethanol, and water-ethanol buffer solutions for dissolving freeze-dried buffer components, rinsing the microcolumn, and eluting of nucleic acids; and microchannels and valves needed for directing fluids inside the module. The microfluidic module is placed into the control unit that delivers pressure, heats, mixes reagents, and flows solutions within the microfluidic module. The microfluidic system performs extraction and purification of nucleic acids with high efficiency in 40 min, and nucleic acids extracted can be directly used in PCR reaction and microarray assays.     

Emergy evaluation of organic rice-duck mutualism system

Rice-duck mutualism is one form of ecological engineering which makes use of the symbiotic relationship between rice and ducks to more effectively utilize materials, reduce chemical fertilizer and pesticide inputs, increase product safety and overall productivity and decrease the pollutants discharged from rice-fields. This is becoming a popular mode for organic rice production in China and it can be used as one measure taken in the drainage area to assist in the ecological rehabilitation of lakes. This study applied the emergy evaluation method to analyze the resource use and environmental impact of organic rice-duck mutualism (mode 1) compared with the conventional wheat/rice rotation system (mode 2) in the same farm to evaluate its sustainability and ecological and economic benefits and provide suggestions for optimizing this system. The results showed that mode 1 produced greater emergy benefits, and had higher self-organization, lower environmental pressure and higher product safety. The net emergy yield ratio (EYR), feedback ratio of yield emergy (FYE) and emergy sustainable index (ESI) of mode 1 were 1.57 times, 14.10 times and 8.71 times those of mode 2, respectively, and the emergy index of product safety (PSI) was 0 in mode 1 and −0.66 in mode 2. The emergy investment ratio (EIR) and environmental loading ratio (ELR) were 40.1 and 18.3% of those of mode 2. The economic benefit of mode 1 was lower than mode 2. The economic output, gross income and net income of mode 1 were 15.7, 10.8 and 35.4% less than those of mode 2, respectively, but using Em$, the output, gross income and net income of mode 1 were 47.4, 161.2, 87.3% higher than mode 2. With the development of markets for organic foods, mode 1 has the potential to achieve better economic benefits.     

基于遥感数据源的景观分析系统的设计与实现

在Ｖｉｓｕａｌ Ｃ＋＋环境下,设计并实现了一个景观分析系统。该系统采用提取斑块边界象素集的方法,提高了斑块搜索的速度,而且提供了斑块间距离计算、相邻斑块间边界长度计算等景观分析功能。该系统被应用到北京西北郊同分析中。通过分析表明,该系统不仅能计算面积、周长、中心坐标和最近同类型斑块的距离等单个斑块指数,而且能在此基础上计算景观类型和整个景观层次上的各种指数,从而弥补了目前多数地理信息系统在分析应用     

Development and implementation of a database system to manage a large-scale mouse ENU-mutagenesis program

A mouse ENU-mutagenesis program at RIKEN GSC has been initiated to conduct a large-scale, genome-wide, early- and late-onset phenotypic screen of mutant mice. We screened about a hundred mice every week with a comprehensive set of phenotype assays including behavioral tests based on a modified SHIRPA protocol, blood tests (both clinical biochemical testing and hemogram), and measurement of locomotor activity in their home cages. To manage the entire program, we developed a client/server architecture database system and named it MUSDB (Mutagenesis Universal Support DataBase). It manages mouse husbandry, mating protocols, procedures for ENU injection and phenotypic screens, phenotype inheritance tests, preservation of sperm and organs, and other materials generated during the program. We have implemented MUSDB in quite a large-scale system that includes 150 client computers. It has, helped reduce typographical errors and provided simple and efficient operation via its front-end user interface. It significantly contributed to the communication within and between workgroups in the program and in the accumulation of various phenotypic and inheritance data.     

An implementation of the HACCP system in the production of food-packaging material

The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system according to the Codex Alimentarius model was applied to the processes of five paper and paperboard mills and four plants further converting paper or board intended for contact with foodstuffs. The generalised flow diagrams of the processes are presented. Each of the overall processes contained 40–150 process steps. Normally three to five sessions with HACCP teams and additional private negotiations were needed for each mill or plant. Hazards leading to critical control points (CCPs) were microbiological (handling/storage, circulation water, starch, process environment) and physical (process environment) in mills, and microbiological (storage, lacquers or glues, packaging and process environment), chemical (printing) and physical (storage of products, packaging and process environment) in plants. Specifications, critical limits (e.g., based on different kinds of reports and instructions), monitoring methods (microbiological and visual) and frequency, responsibilities and corrective actions of the processes are presented. Most of the improvements focused on improving the process environment. In five cases, hygiene training was included in the implementation of the HACCP system. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2002) 28, 213–218 DOI: 10.1038/sj/jim/7000233 Received 04 April 2001/ Accepted in revised form 06 December 2001     

An efficient medical database system implementation with its tool and data structure consideration

The development of a new system for medical database application running on minicomputer under MUMPS system is described. Two kinds of data representation in global structure are briefly reviewed. The use of a subject oriented multi-dimensional data structure greatly simplifies database design and facilitates data manipulation, organization, selective retrieval and software development. It is concluded that the program generator approach can provide the flexibility necessary for various applications and future growth of computerized medical record system. The final system has been proven effective in practical operation. The future extension concerns the introduction of multi-microprocessor structure and logic representation is presented.