Mobile robot path planning based on hierarchical hexagonal decomposition and artificial potential fields

In this article, a new algorithm based on an artificial potential field and hierarchical cell decomposition technique is developed to solve the find-path problem for a mobile robot. The complete map of the workspace including obstacle locations is assumed to be known a priori. The basic cell structure used for decomposition is a hexagon. The artificial potential field is based on an attractive force from the goal position and repelling forces from the obstacles. Computer simulations of the algorithm for various obstacle scenarios are also presented. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Molecular cloning of human class IV alcohol dehydrogenase cDNA

A cDNA encoding a new type of alcohol dehydrogenase was cloned from a human stomach cDNA library. PCR amplification of 5'-stretch human stomach lambda gt11 library, using degenerate inosine-containing oligonucleotide probes compatible with peptide sequences of human sigma-ADH, resulted in a single product. Subsequently, internal non-degenerate primers were constructed according to the sequences occurring in the product. By PCR with combinations of these new primers and lambda gt11 forward and reverse primers, fragments of the cDNA containing its 5' and 3' ends were amplified. The full length cDNA sequence has 1125 nucleotides with a 72% similarity to those of human class I ADH. The polypeptide sequence, predicted from the cDNA, corresponds to 373 amino acids with a high degree of similarity (96%) to fragments of sigma-ADH previously reported. Northern hybridization analysis with the specific probe for the mRNA of this protein showed that it is expressed in the human stomach but not in the liver. These data indicate that the cDNA we cloned is that of human class IV ADH.     

Evidence for superantigen involvement in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus aetiology

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease whose onset is believed to be triggered by unknown environmental factors acting on a predisposing genetic background. Islet-infiltrating T (IIT) cells from two IDDM patients, who had died at the onset of the disease from brain swelling as a complication of ketoacidosis, were analysed. The results provided evidence for the involvement of a pancreatic islet cell membrane-bound superantigen as a diabetes aetiopathogenetic factor. There was a selective expansion of a T-cell receptor (TCR) variable segment of the beta-chain (V beta 7) in these IIT cells in association with unselected V alpha-chain segments; extensive junctional diversity of the TCR V beta 7 chains; and evidence of positive selection, after exposure to diabetic islet cell membrane preparations, of V beta 7+ T-cell clones among peripheral blood lymphocytes from non-diabetic individuals.     

Analysis of the genes encoding the variable regions of human IgG rheumatoid factor

OBJECTIVE: To better understand the immunoglobulin variable (V) region repertoire of rheumatoid factors (RF). METHODS: We characterized the heavy (H) and light (L) chain gene segments utilized in a monospecific IgG RF secreting hybridoma (AEE111F) which were derived from a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The hybridoma was established by fusion of a mouse myeloma cell line with bone marrow derived mononuclear cells from a patient with RA. First strand complementary DNA (cDNA) was generated and used for a polymerase chain reaction amplification of the H and L chain V domains. The amplified V domains were sequenced and compared with an extensive database of germline and cDNA V gene segments. RESULTS: The VH sequence was found to be 96% homologous to a previously described fetal VH3 cDNA (60P2). The VL sequence was also highly homologous to the previously described V lambda II gene (96%) derived from a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus which correlated with an 8.12 idiotype (Id), and to an antibacterial antibody against the Haemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide (94.7%). CONCLUSION: The overlap among this RF VL gene and the 2 reported V lambda sequences of antibodies that expressed anti-DNA related Id and an environmental pathogen specificity suggests that a part of the IgG RF isolated from patients with RA may thus be derived from the physiological natural antibody repertoire during an abnormal immune response and then develop high affinity, monospecific RF by the selection of an antigen driven mechanism.     

Chronic herpes simplex encephalitis initially presenting with persistent myoclonus

A 59-year-old female patient with atypical chronic herpes simplex encephalitis was reported. Initial symptom was persistent myoclonus involving the trunk and limb muscles, and later lateral gaze palsy to the left side, cerebellar ataxia, consciousness disturbance and other brainstem symptoms including absence of corneal and gag reflex and vocal cord palsy developed. The patient was successfully treated with high dose of acyclovir. Electroencephalogram was normal in the initial stage but later showed diffuse slow waves. Although CT scan and MRI showed no abnormal finding in the cerebral cortex, brainstem lesion was observed on PD weighted image of MRI. Lumbar puncture yielded a clear cerebrospinal fluid, with slightly elevated protein, increased lymphocytes, and elevated titer of herpes simplex virus type I. The serological data, albumin ratio (10.3), antibody index (12.3) and antibody ratio (7.1) were consistent with herpes simplex encephalitis. Ten days' administration of acyclovir, 1,200 mg a day and repeated three times, was prominently effective for the myoclonus and consciousness disturbance. A diagnosis of chronic herpes simplex encephalitis initially presenting with brainstem encephalitis was made. Judging from the clinical and EEG findings, the brainstem lesion was initially thought to be a cause of myoclonus in this case. However, somatosensory evoked potential (SPE) of both upper and lower extremities revealed enlarged amplitude (giant SEP), and long loop reflex was enhanced (C-reflex) on the left. Giant SEP and C-reflex imply cerebral cortex as the origin of the myoclonus. Brainstem inflammatory lesion might have involved the ascending inhibitory system, thus disinhibiting the cortical sensorimotor area and causing cortical myoclonus.     

Comparative antimycobacterial activities of the newly synthesized quinolone AM-1155, sparfloxacin, and ofloxacin

AM-1155 is a newly synthesized 6-fluoro-8-methoxy quinolone. We assessed its in vitro antimycobacterial activity using sparfloxacin (SPFX) and ofloxacin (OFLX) as comparison drugs. The MICs of these agents for various mycobacterial strains were determined by the agar dilution method with 7H11 medium. AM-1155 had lower MICs for 50 and 90% of tested strains of Mycobacterium kansasii, M. marinum, and M. fortuitum-M. chelonae complex than SPFX and OFLX, and the values for M. tuberculosis, M. scrofulaceum, and the M. avium-M. intracellulare complex were similar to those of SPFX and considerably lower than those of OFLX. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of AM-1155 against M. tuberculosis and M. intracellulare phagocytosed into murine peritoneal macrophages was compared with that of OFLX. AM-1155 (1 microgram/ml) inhibited the intracellular growth of both M. tuberculosis and M. intracellulare, whereas OFLX at the same concentration failed to show any such effect. Moreover, AM-1155 (10 micrograms/ml) exhibited a steady bactericidal action against M. tuberculosis, whereas OFLX at the same concentration had only a weak effect. AM-1155 (10 micrograms/ml) also inhibited the growth of M. intracellulare more effectively than OFLX.     

The influence of trigger configurations and laminate lay-up on the failure mode of composite crush cylinders

In this paper the results are presented of a test program on the energy absorption of composite cylinders loaded in compression. The influence of the laminate lay-up and of the trigger configuration were determined. Two different failure modes for the different laminates and triggers were observed: a splaying mode and a fragmentation mode. The splaying mode is more efficient in absorbing energy. The failure mode did not change during the crushing process.