Monthly Archives: January 2013

Researchers solve biological mystery and boost artificial intelligence

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By simulating 25,000 generations of evolution within computers, Cornell University engineering and robotics researchers have discovered why biological networks tend to be organized as modules a finding that will lead to a deeper understanding of the evolution of complexity.

The new insight also will help evolve artificial intelligence, so robot brains can acquire the grace and cunning of animals.

From brains to gene regulatory networks, many biological entities are organized into modules dense clusters of interconnected parts within a complex network. For decades biologists have wanted to know why humans, bacteria and other organisms evolved in a modular fashion. Like engineers, nature builds things modularly by building and combining distinct parts, but that does not explain how such modularity evolved in the first place. Renowned biologists Richard Dawkins, Gnter P. Wagner, and the late Stephen Jay Gould identified the question of modularity as central to the debate over "the evolution of complexity."

For years, the prevailing assumption was simply that modules evolved because entities that were modular could respond to change more quickly, and therefore had an adaptive advantage over their non-modular competitors. But that may not be enough to explain the origin of the phenomena.

The team discovered that evolution produces modules not because they produce more adaptable designs, but because modular designs have fewer and shorter network connections, which are costly to build and maintain. As it turned out, it was enough to include a "cost of wiring" to make evolution favor modular architectures.

This theory is detailed in "The Evolutionary Origins of Modularity," published today in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B by Hod Lipson, Cornell associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering; Jean-Baptiste Mouret, a robotics and computer science professor at Universit Pierre et Marie Curie in Paris; and by Jeff Clune, a former visiting scientist at Cornell and currently an assistant professor of computer science at the University of Wyoming.

To test the theory, the researchers simulated the evolution of networks with and without a cost for network connections.

"Once you add a cost for network connections, modules immediately appear. Without a cost, modules never form. The effect is quite dramatic," says Clune.

The results may help explain the near-universal presence of modularity in biological networks as diverse as neural networks such as animal brains and vascular networks, gene regulatory networks, protein-protein interaction networks, metabolic networks and even human-constructed networks such as the Internet.

"Being able to evolve modularity will let us create more complex, sophisticated computational brains," says Clune.

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Researchers solve biological mystery and boost artificial intelligence

Cornell engineers solve a biological mystery and boost artificial intelligence

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Public release date: 29-Jan-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Blaine Friedlander bpf2@cornell.edu 607-254-8093 Cornell University

ITHACA, N.Y. By simulating 25,000 generations of evolution within computers, Cornell University engineering and robotics researchers have discovered why biological networks tend to be organized as modules a finding that will lead to a deeper understanding of the evolution of complexity. (Proceedings of the Royal Society, Jan. 30, 2013.)

The new insight also will help evolve artificial intelligence, so robot brains can acquire the grace and cunning of animals.

From brains to gene regulatory networks, many biological entities are organized into modules dense clusters of interconnected parts within a complex network. For decades biologists have wanted to know why humans, bacteria and other organisms evolved in a modular fashion. Like engineers, nature builds things modularly by building and combining distinct parts, but that does not explain how such modularity evolved in the first place. Renowned biologists Richard Dawkins, Gnter P. Wagner, and the late Stephen Jay Gould identified the question of modularity as central to the debate over "the evolution of complexity."

For years, the prevailing assumption was simply that modules evolved because entities that were modular could respond to change more quickly, and therefore had an adaptive advantage over their non-modular competitors. But that may not be enough to explain the origin of the phenomena.

The team discovered that evolution produces modules not because they produce more adaptable designs, but because modular designs have fewer and shorter network connections, which are costly to build and maintain. As it turned out, it was enough to include a "cost of wiring" to make evolution favor modular architectures.

This theory is detailed in "The Evolutionary Origins of Modularity," published today in the Proceedings of the Royal Society by Hod Lipson, Cornell associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering; Jean-Baptiste Mouret, a robotics and computer science professor at Universit Pierre et Marie Curie in Paris; and by Jeff Clune, a former visiting scientist at Cornell and currently an assistant professor of computer science at the University of Wyoming.

To test the theory, the researchers simulated the evolution of networks with and without a cost for network connections.

"Once you add a cost for network connections, modules immediately appear. Without a cost, modules never form. The effect is quite dramatic," says Clune.

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Cornell engineers solve a biological mystery and boost artificial intelligence

Astronics Corporation to Participate in Cowen and Company 34th Annual Aerospace and Defense Conference

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EAST AURORA, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Astronics Corporation (ATRO), a leading provider of advanced technologies for the global aerospace and defense industries, announced that Peter J. Gundermann, President and Chief Executive Officer, and David C. Burney, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will present at the Cowen and Company 34th Annual Aerospace and Defense Conference at the InterContinental Barclay Hotel in New York City on Wednesday, February 6, 2013.

Astronics presentation is scheduled to begin at 1:15 PM ET. A live webcast of this presentation, along with presentation materials, will be available at http://www.astronics.com and an archive of the presentation will be made available in the Investor Relations section, on the Calendar of Events page, of the Companys website.

ABOUT ASTRONICS CORPORATION

Astronics Corporation is a leader in advanced, high-performance lighting, electrical power, specialized avionics products and automated test systems for the global aerospace and defense industries. Astronics strategy is to develop and maintain positions of technical leadership in its chosen aerospace and defense markets, to leverage those positions to grow the amount of content and volume of product it sells to those markets and to selectively acquire businesses with similar technical capabilities that could benefit from our leadership position and strategic direction. Astronics Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corp., Ballard Technology, Inc., DME Corporation, Luminescent Systems Inc. and Max-Viz, Inc., have a reputation for high-quality designs, exceptional responsiveness, strong brand recognition and best-in-class manufacturing practices. The Company routinely posts news and other important information on its website at http://www.astronics.com.

For more information on Astronics and its products, visit its website at http://www.astronics.com.

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Astronics Corporation to Participate in Cowen and Company 34th Annual Aerospace and Defense Conference

UTC Aerospace Systems Showcases Complete Range of Safety, Situational Awareness, Precision Guidance and Passenger …

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- With key positions on nearly every aircraft flying today, UTC Aerospace Systems will exhibit a range of products, in hall B, booth 4.8 at Aero India in Bengaluru, February 6 10, 2013. Products on display will span military and civil markets and offer critical benefits such as enhanced safety, improved comfort, increased precision and extended situational awareness. UTC Aerospace Systems is a unit of United Technologies Corp. (UTX)

Two new unmanned aerial systems (UAS) will make their Indian debut at the show. The Vireo and Optio UAS are applicable to a wide variety of markets and offer low-cost, effective and flexible surveillance from a variety of sensors including electro optical and infra-red. These systems deliver actionable data to law enforcement, government agencies, agriculture producers and first responders. Further UTC Aerospace Systems UAS technology can be found in hall A on the TATA booth1.2A, providing a solution for India's UAS multi-intelligence collection requirement.

Also on display on the UTC Aerospace systems booth in hall B will be:

Technical staff will be available throughout the show to discuss all products on display on the UTC Aerospace Systems booth.

UTC Aerospace Systems, was formed in July 2012 by combining two industry leaders - Hamilton Sundstrand and Goodrich.

UTC Aerospace Systems designs, manufactures and services integrated systems and components for the aerospace and defense industries. UTC Aerospace Systems supports a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and customer service facilities.

United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries.

http://www.utcaerospacesystems.com

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UTC Aerospace Systems Showcases Complete Range of Safety, Situational Awareness, Precision Guidance and Passenger ...

The carbohydrate-binding module of xylanase from Nonomuraea flexuosa decreases its non-productive adsorption on lignin

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Background:
The enzymatic hydrolysis step converting lignocellulosic materials into fermentable sugars is recognized as one of the major limiting steps in biomass-to-ethanol process due to the low efficiency of enzymes and their cost. Xylanases have been found to be important in the improvement of the hydrolysis of cellulose due to the close interaction of cellulose and xylan. In this work, the effects of carbohydrate-binding module (CBM family II) of the xylanase 11 from Nonomuraea flexuosa (Nf Xyn11) on the adsorption and hydrolytic efficiency toward isolated xylan and lignocellulosic materials were investigated.
Results:
The intact family 11 xylanase of N. flexuosa clearly adsorbed on wheat straw and lignin, following the Langmuir-type isotherm. The presence of the CBM in the xylanase increased the adsorption and hydrolytic efficiency on insoluble oat spelt xylan. But the presence of the CBM did not increase adsorption on pretreated wheat straw or isolated lignin. On the contrary, the CBM decreased the adsorption of the core protein to lignin containing substrates, indicating that the CBM of N. flexuosa xylanase did not contribute to the non-productive adsorption.
Conclusion:
The CBM of the N. flexuosa xylanase was shown to be a xylan-binding module, which had low affinity on cellulose. The CBM of the N. flexuosa xylanase reduced the non-specific adsorption of the core protein to lignin and showed potential for improving the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials to platform sugars.Source:
http://www.biotechnologyforbiofuels.com/content/6/1/18

Quantum Neurology® with Dr. David Pascal 2/2 – Video

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Quantum Neurology® with Dr. David Pascal 2/2
Dr. George Gonzalez the founder of Quantum Neurology® Nervous System rehabilitation interviews Dr. David Pascal DC. He was the first doctor certified in Quantum Neurology and has had tremendous results applying Nervous System rehabilitation to elite athletes and severely damaged patients. For more information about learning Quantum Neurology or seeing a practitioner please visit our website: http://www.QuantumNeurology.com

By: George Gonzalez

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Quantum Neurology® with Dr. David Pascal 2/2 - Video

Quantum Neurology® with Dr. David Pascal 1/2 – Video

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Quantum Neurology® with Dr. David Pascal 1/2
Dr. George Gonzalez the founder of Quantum Neurology® Nervous System rehabilitation interviews Dr. David Pascal DC. He was the first doctor certified in Quantum Neurology and has had tremendous results applying Nervous System rehabilitation to elite athletes and severely damaged patients. For more information about learning Quantum Neurology or seeing a practitioner please visit our website: http://www.QuantumNeurology.com

By: George Gonzalez

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Quantum Neurology® with Dr. David Pascal 1/2 - Video

How to Pronounce Nanotechnology – Video

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How to Pronounce Nanotechnology
Learn how to say Nanotechnology correctly with EmmaSaying #39;s "how do you pronounce" free tutorials. Definition of nanotechnology (oxford dictionary): noun [mass noun] the branch of technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of less than 100 nanometres, especially the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules.: http://www.emmasaying.com Take a look at my comparison tutorials here http://www.youtube.com Subscribe to my channel here : http://www.youtube.com

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How to Pronounce Nanotechnology - Video