Toward Perceiving Robots as Humans: Three Handshake Models Face the Turing-Like Handshake Test.

In the Turing test a computer model is deemed to "think intelligently" if it can generate answers that are indistinguishable from those of a human. We developed an analogous Turing-like handshake test to determine if a machine can produce similarly indistinguishable movements. The test is administered through a telerobotic system in which an interrogator holds a robotic stylus and interacts with another party - artificial or human with varying levels of noise. The interrogator is asked which party seems to be more human. Here, we compare the human-likeness levels of three different models for handshake: (1) Tit-for-Tat model, (2) λ model, and (3) Machine Learning model. The Tit-for-Tat and the Machine Learning models generated handshakes that were perceived as the most human-like among the three models that were tested. Combining the best aspects of each of the three models into a single robotic handshake algorithm might allow us to advance our understanding of the way the nervous system controls sensorimotor interactions and further improve the human-likeness of robotic handshakes.

Two cycles of escalated BEACOPP followed by four cycles of ABVD utilizing early-interim PET/CT scan is an effective regimen for advanced high-risk Hodgkin's lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Escalated combination therapy with bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisone (escBEACOPP) regimen is superior to cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisone alternating with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine (COPP-ABVD) for advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) patients. However, the original schedule of eight cycles of escBEACOPP was associated with significant toxicity. This study was conducted in an attempt to reduce the toxicity of the original schedule, while attempting to preserve improved initial tumor control. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-five newly diagnosed patients with advanced-stage HL and International Prognostic Score > or = 3 received two initial cycles of escBEACOPP and then were evaluated by positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography scan. If a good imaging response was obtained, they were treated by four cycles of ABVD. RESULTS: Following the first two cycles of escBEACOPP, the overall response was 100% and at the end of all therapy, 40 (89%) patients were in complete response (disappearance of all clinical evidence of disease and PET negativity), three (7%) in partial response (PET-positive residual lesions and a size reduction of the majority of large masses by >50%), while two (4%) had progressive disease. After a median follow-up of 48 months, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival at 4 years were 78% and 95%, respectively. The 4-year PFS for early PET-negative patients (n = 31) and early PET-positive patients (n = 13) were 87% and 53%, respectively (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that combined escBEACOPP-ABVD may improve the outcome in patients with high-risk advanced HL. The potential benefit of early-interim PET activity as a guide to continuing therapy in these patients merits further study in the future.

Zoonotic infections as causes of hospitalization among febrile Bedouin patients in southern Israel.

A prospective 12-month study was conducted throughout 1998 to determine the frequency of selected bacterial zoonoses as causes of fever among hospitalized Bedouins in southern Israel. One or more zoonoses were diagnosed in 30 (27%) of 110 patients admitted with fever. Brucellosis was diagnosed in 9 (8%), rickettsial infections in 20 (18%), and ehrlichiosis in 2 (2%), one of whom had also evidence of rickettsial spotted fever infection. None of the patients was diagnosed with Q fever. Compared with patients without zoonoses, patients with zoonoses were younger (P = 0.01), fewer of them had underlying conditions (P < 0.02), they had a longer febrile period prior to hospitalization (P = 0.04), a significantly higher proportion had arthralgia (P = 0.02), rash (P = 0.03), and splenomegaly (P = 0.04) and a lower proportion had pathological findings on chest auscultation (P < 0.01). Patients with zoonoses were found to have more commonly anaemia (P = 0.03) and leucopenia (P = 0.02) compared to the rest of the study population. Of the 30 patients with zoonoses 60% were misdiagnosed and only 57% received adequate antibiotic treatment. Zoonotic infections are a common cause of fever in adult Bedouins living in southern Israel. Because of the non-specific features of these diseases they are often misdiagnosed. Blood cultures and multiple serological tests should be used in the investigation of fever in such patients and tetracycline should be considered for initial empirical treatment.

Clinical assessment of Holo-Or trifocal diffractive contact lens.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the objective and subjective performance of the Holo-Or multifocal contact lens, a new rigid gas permeable (RGP) trifocal diffractive contact lens. METHODS: Eleven experienced and two non-experienced RGP contact lens wearers participated in the study. Eleven patients were presbyopic (age range: 40-57 years) and two were aphakic (ages: 12 and 14 years). Each patient was evaluated by comparing best spectacle correction to Holo-Or multifocal contact lens correction, using the following tests of visual function: visual acuity at 6 m, 80 cm, and 40 cm; contrast sensitivity at near and distance; and depth of focus. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between best spectacle correction and the Holo-Or contact lenses. When using the contact lenses, there was an improvement in depth of focus and a small reduction in contrast sensitivity compared with best spectacle correction. Overall satisfaction and comfort was good to excellent in ten of thirteen patients. CONCLUSIONS: Holo-Or trifocal diffractive contact lenses are a satisfactory means of optical correction for patients with presbyopia or accommodative problems.

Growth and development of the digestive organs and some enzymes in broiler chicks after hatching.

1. Body weight and the weight of the digestive organs and activities of some digestive enzymes were determined from hatching to 23 d of age. 2. Relative daily growth rate peaked at 11 d of age (22% gain/d) and then decreased gradually. 3. The vitelline residue was decreased rapidly from 4.6 g at hatching to negligible values from 4 d of age. 4. Maximal allometric growth of the pancreas and small intestine was 4-fold and that of liver 2-fold greater than that of the body. 5. Activities (units/kg body weight) of the digestive enzymes measured in the pancreas and intestinal contents increased with age. In the pancreas maximal values were attained on day 8 for amylase and lipase and 11 for trypsin and chymotrypsin. In the small intestine maxima were attained on day 4 for lipase, 11 for trypsin and chymotrypsin and 17 for amylase. 6. The development of secretion of digestive enzymes in the post-hatched chick could be a limiting factor in digestion and subsequently in food intake and growth.