• Title/Summary/Keyword: multi-agents

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Functional Gene Analysis to Identify Potential Markers Induced by Benzene in Two Different Cell Lines, HepG2 and HL-60

  • Kim, Youn-Jung;Song, Mi-Kyung;Sarma, Sailendra Nath;Choi, Han-Saem;Ryu, Jae-Chun
    • Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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    • v.4 no.3
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    • pp.183-191
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    • 2008
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are common constituents of cleaning and degreasing agents, paints, pesticides, personal care products, gasoline and solvents. And VOCs are evaporated at room temperature and most of them exhibit acute and chronic toxicity to human. Benzene is the most widely used prototypical VOC and the toxic mechanisms of them are still unclear. The multi-step process of toxic mechanism can be more fully understood by characterizing gene expression changes induced in cells by toxicants. In this study, DNA microarray was used to monitor the expression levels of genes in HepG2 cells and HL-60 cells exposed to the benzene on IC20 and IC50 dose respectively. In the clustering analysis of gene expression profiles, although clusters of HepG2 and HL-60 cells by benzene were divided differently, expression pattern of many genes observed similarly. We identified 916 up-regulated genes and 1,144 down-regulated genes in HepG2 cells and also 1,002 up-regulated genes and 919 down-regulated genes in HL-60 cells. The gene ontology analysis on genes expressed by benzene in HepG2 and HL-60 cells, respectively, was performed. Thus, we found some principal pathways, such as, focal adhesion, gap junction and signaling pathway in HepG2 cells and toll-like receptor signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, p53 signaling pathway and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction in HL-60 cells. And we also found 16 up-regulated and 14 down-regulated commonly expressed total 30 genes that belong in the same biological process like inflammatory response, cell cycle arrest, cell migration, transmission of nerve impulse and cell motility in two cell lines. In conclusion, we suggest that this study is meaningful because these genes regarded as strong potential biomarkers of benzene independent of cell type.

Application of reinforcement learning to hyper-redundant system Acquisition of locomotion pattern of snake like robot

  • Ito, K.;Matsuno, F.
    • Proceedings of the Korea Inteligent Information System Society Conference
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    • 2001.01a
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    • pp.65-70
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    • 2001
  • We consider a hyper-redundant system that consists of many uniform units. The hyper-redundant system has many degrees of freedom and it can accomplish various tasks. Applysing the reinforcement learning to the hyper-redundant system is very attractive because it is possible to acquire various behaviors for various tasks automatically. In this paper we present a new reinforcement learning algorithm "Q-learning with propagation of motion". The algorithm is designed for the multi-agent systems that have strong connections. The proposed algorithm needs only one small Q-table even for a large scale system. So using the proposed algorithm, it is possible for the hyper-redundant system to learn the effective behavior. In this algorithm, only one leader agent learns the own behavior using its local information and the motion of the leader is propagated to another agents with time delay. The reward of the leader agent is given by using the whole system information. And the effective behavior of the leader is learned and the effective behavior of the system is acquired. We apply the proposed algorithm to a snake-like hyper-redundant robot. The necessary condition of the system to be Markov decision process is discussed. And the computer simulation of learning the locomotion is demonstrated. From the simulation results we find that the task of the locomotion of the robot to the desired point is learned and the winding motion is acquired. We can conclude that our proposed system and our analysis of the condition, that the system is Markov decision process, is valid.

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A Virtual Manufacturing Agent for Sales Agent of Manufacturers in EC Marketplace (전자상거래 환경하에서의 제초업체 판매 에이전트를 위한 가상생산 에이전트)

  • 최형림;박병주;김현수;이창호
    • Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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    • v.7 no.1
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    • pp.1-15
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    • 2001
  • Recently, Internet based Electronic Commerce is recognized as one of the alternatives for strengthening sales power of small and medium companies. However, small and medium manufacturers can't adjust properly to the new environment because they are in short of money, personnel, and technology. To cope with this problem, this paper deals with the development of virtual manufacturing agent to support sales agent. The sales activity of most of parts manufacturing companies is based on orders of buyers. The process of promotion, receipt and selection of orders of the parts manufacturing is closely coupled with the load status of the production lines. On deciding whether to accept an order or not, as well as negotiating with buyers, sales person needs information such as load and schedule of production lines, manufacturability of the order. Therefore, the functions of virtual manufacturing agents manufacturability analysis, process planning, and scheduling are key features in developing an agent of sales activity for the parts manufacturing business. While most of research on virtual manufacturing system so far is focused on the simulation of each product, this paper deals with the development of agent assisting internet-based product sales by supporting production information promptly. The pilot system of virtual manufacturing agent is implemented using KQML-based agent template and Java-based expert system shell for a small molding company.

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ATG5 knockout promotes paclitaxel sensitivity in drug-resistant cells via induction of necrotic cell death

  • Hwang, Sung-Hee;Yeom, Hojin;Lee, Michael
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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    • v.24 no.3
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    • pp.233-240
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    • 2020
  • Autophagy regulators are often effective as potential cancer therapeutic agents. Here, we investigated paclitaxel sensitivity in cells with knockout (KO) of ATG5 gene. The ATG5 KO in multidrug resistant v-Ha-ras-transformed NIH 3T3 cells (Ras-NIH 3T3/Mdr) was generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The qPCR and LC3 immunoblot confirmed knockout of the gene and protein of ATG5, respectively. The ATG5 KO restored the sensitivity of Ras-NIH 3T3/Mdr cells to paclitaxel. Interestingly, ATG5 overexpression restored autophagy function in ATG5 KO cells, but failed to rescue paclitaxel resistance. These results raise the possibility that low level of resistance to paclitaxel in ATG5 KO cells may be related to other roles of ATG5 independent of its function in autophagy. The ATG5 KO significantly induced a G2/M arrest in cell cycle progression. Additionally, ATG5 KO caused necrosis of a high proportion of cells after paclitaxel treatment. These data suggest that the difference in sensitivity to paclitaxel between ATG5 KO and their parental MDR cells may result from the disparity in the proportions of necrotic cells in both populations. Thus, our results demonstrate that the ATG5 KO in paclitaxel resistant cells leads to a marked G2/M arrest and sensitizes cells to paclitaxel-induced necrosis.

Pharmacologic Management of Chronic Pain

  • Park, Hue-Jung;Moon, Dong-Eon
    • The Korean Journal of Pain
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    • v.23 no.2
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    • pp.99-108
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    • 2010
  • Chronic pain is a multifactorial condition with both physical and psychological symptoms, and it affects around 20% of the population in the developed world. In spite of outstanding advances in pain management over the past decades, chronic pain remains a significant problem. This article provides a mechanism- and evidence-based approach to improve the outcome for pharmacologic management of chronic pain. The usual approach to treat mild to moderate pain is to start with a nonopioid analgesic. If this is inadequate, and if there is an element of sleep deprivation, then it is reasonable to add an antidepressant with analgesic qualities. If there is a component of neuropathic pain or fibromyalgia, then a trial with one of the gabapentinoids is appropriate. If these steps are inadequate, then an opioid analgesic may be added. For moderate to severe pain, one would initiate an earlier trial of a long term opioid. Skeletal muscle relaxants and topicals may also be appropriate as single agents or in combination. Meanwhile, the steps of pharmacologic treatments for neuropathic pain include (1) certain antidepressants (tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), calcium channel ${\alpha}2-{\delta}$ ligands (gabapentin and pregabalin) and topical lidocaine, (2) opioid analgesics and tramadol (for first-line use in selected clinical circumstances) and (3) certain other antidepressant and antiepileptic medications (topical capsaicin, mexiletine, and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonists). It is essential to have a thorough understanding about the different pain mechanisms of chronic pain and evidence-based multi-mechanistic treatment. It is also essential to increase the individualization of treatment.

A study of design the agent system for management and service of S&T information (학술정보 관리 및 유통을 위한 에이전트 시스템 설계에 관한 연구)

  • Lee, Seok-Hyoung;Yoon, Hee-Jun;Yoon, Hwa-Mook
    • Proceedings of the Korea Contents Association Conference
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    • 2006.05a
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    • pp.503-506
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    • 2006
  • In this paper, we suggest the Agent System for management and service of science and technology information that performs the collection, analyzing, processing and managing the information. Generally, any system can process the collection and service the information as usual method, but that mean can't be clear because of the data process method on different systems of hardware and software. So, it's very important point that the design and development of S&T information flow framework that can accept the various data, and we expect that the agent system adapted in framework guarantee the reduction of man power and process time and the enlarged system. Agent System consists of five multi agents, Resource Format Register Agent, Data Collector Agent, Data Analyzer Agent, Data Processor Agent and MetaDB Creator Agent. We describe the main roles and elements of agent systems.

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Analysis of UV Filters in Water using Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction (SBSE) and GC/MS-MS (교반막대 추출법과 GC/MS-MS를 이용한 수중의 자외선 차단제 분석)

  • Seo, Chang-Dong;Son, Hee-Jong;Jung, Jong-Moon;Choi, Jin-Taek;Jang, Seong-Ho
    • Journal of Environmental Science International
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    • v.23 no.6
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    • pp.1037-1047
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    • 2014
  • A highly sensitive analytical method based on stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) technique and gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS-MS) has been developed, allowing the simultaneous multi-analyte determination of seven UV filters in water samples. The stir bar coated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was added to 40 mL of water sample at pH 3 and stirred at 1,100 rpm for 120 min. Other SBSE parameters (salt effect and presence of organic solvent) were optimised. The method shows good linearity (coefficients > 0.990) and reproducibility (RSD < 12.9%). The extraction efficiencies were above 84% for all the compounds. The limits of detections (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) were 2.1~8.6 ng/L and 6.8~27.5 ng/L, respectively. The developed method offers the ability to detect 8 UV filters at ultra-low concentration levels with only 40 mL of sample volume. Matrix effects in tap water, river water, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) final effluent water and seawater were investigated and it was shown that the method is suitable for the analysis of trace level of 7 UV filters except of benzophenone (BP). The method developed in the present study has the advantage of being rapid, simple, high-sensitive and both user and environmentally friendly.

A Design Methodology of TMN Distributed Object based on Platform Independent Class Repository (플랫폼독립형 클래스저장소에 기반한 TMN 분산객체 디자인 방법론)

  • 이광형;박수현
    • The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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    • v.24 no.12B
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    • pp.2233-2248
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    • 1999
  • The TMN that appears to operate the various communication networks generally and efficiently is developed under the different platform environment such as the different hardware and the different operating system. One of the main problems is that all the agents of the TMN system must be duplicated and maintain the software and the data blocks that perform the identical function. Therefore, the standard of the Q3 interface development cannot be defined and the multi-platform cannot be supported in the development of the TMN agent. In order to overcome these problems, the Farming methodology that is based on the Farmer model has been suggested. With the Farming methodology, the software and the data components which are duplicated and stored in each distributed object are saved in the platform independent class repository(PICR) by converting into the format of the independent componentware in the platform, so that the componentwares that are essential for the execution can be loaded and used statically or dynamically from PICR as described in the framework of each distributed object. The distributed TMN agent of the personal communication network is designed and developed by using the Farmer model.

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A Learning Accomplishment Analysis System using Answer Marking Events (답안 마킹 이벤트를 이용한 학습 성취도 분석 시스템)

  • Lee, Jong-Hee;Kim, Jung-Jae;Shin, Chang-Doon;Oh, Hae-Seok
    • The KIPS Transactions:PartA
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    • v.10A no.5
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    • pp.571-578
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    • 2003
  • The appearnace of web technology has accelerated the development of the multimedia technology, the computer communication technology and the multimedia application contents. Researches on WBI(Web-based Instruction) system have combined the technology of the digital library and LOD,. REcently WBI(Web-based Instruction) model which is based on web has been proposed in the part of the new activity model of teaching-learning. As the demand of the customized coursewares from the lwarners is increased, the needs of the efficient and automated education agents in the web-based instruction are recognized. In this paper we propose a system monitors learner's behaviors constantly, evaluates them, and calculates his accomplishment. And the system offers suitable course to learner applying this accomplishment degree to agent's schedules. Therefore, the learner achieves an active and complete learning from the repeated and suitable course semantic-based retrieval.

Making Levels More Challenging with a Cooperative Strategy of Ghosts in Pac-Man (고스트들의 협력전술에 의한 팩맨게임 난이도 제고)

  • Choi, Taeyeong;Na, Hyeon-Suk
    • Journal of Korea Game Society
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    • v.15 no.5
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    • pp.89-98
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    • 2015
  • The artificial intelligence (AI) of Non-Player Companions (NPC), especially opponents, is a key element to adjust the level of games in game design. Smart opponents can make games more challenging as well as allow players for diverse experiences, even in the same game environment. Since game users interact with more than one opponent in most of today's games, collaboration control of opponent characters becomes more important than ever before. In this paper, we introduce a cooperative strategy based on the A* algorithm for enemies' AI in the Pac-Man game. A survey from 17 human testers shows that the levels with our collaborative opponents are more difficult but interesting than those with either the original Pac-Man's personalities or the non-cooperative greedy opponents.