Showing papers by "James Taylor published in 1984"

An expert system architecture for computer-aided control engineering

Abstract: We propose the development of a rule-based expert system to create a third-generation man/machine environment for computer-aided control engineering (CACE). The breadth of the CACE problem is of particular concern, and provides a major motivation for the use of artificial intelligence. This approach promises to provide a high-level design environment that is powerful, supportive, flexible, broad in scope, and readily accessible to nonexpert users. We focus primarily on the high-level requirements for an improved CACE environment, and on the expert system concepts and structures that we have conceived to fulfill these needs. Our chief goal is to determine what artificial intelligence has to contribute to such an environment, and to provide as definite and credible a vision of an expert system for CACE as possible. The main product of this effort is an expert system architecture for CACE.

Applications of a Nonlinear Controller Design Approach based on Quasilinear System Models

Abstract: In this paper, we report on recent progress in developing nonlinear control system design techniques based on sinusoidal-input describing function (SIDF) methods. Primarily, this involves illustrating a fundamental difference between SIDF and random-input describing function (RIDF) models of nonlinear systems, developing the nonlinear controller design method more fully, and demonstrating it by applying it to a significant nonlinear control design problem in robotics. Based on these results, the use of this nonlinear controller design method should be substantially better understood.

Ego-Involvement and Attributions for Success and Failure in a Field Setting:

Abstract: To test directly cognitive and motivational explanations of self-serving biases in the field, 141 male and 116 female alpine ski racers provided attributions for their performance in competitions varying in rank on a 5-level hierarchy developed by the United States Ski Association. This hierarchy, which reflects the importance of races, functioned as a naturally-occurring manipulation of ego-involvement. Results supported the cognitive rather than the motivational explanation of divergent attributions for success versus failure. Racers made more internal attributions (to ability and effort) when they did well rather than poorly, but their ego-involvement in the race had no effects on their attributions. Consistent with previous field research, external attributions (to task difficulty and luck) were not affected by performance outcome.

An Expert System Scenario for Computer-Aided Control Engineering

Abstract: We propose using expert systems to create third-generation man/machine environments for Computer-Aided Control Engineering (CACE). We believe that this approach promises to provide a high-level design environment that is powerful, supportive, flexible, broad in scope, and readily accessible to non-expert users. This paper focuses on illustrating the capabilities of such an expert system via an extended transaction (sample interaction between the expert system and a user).

Amino acid sequence homology between rat and human C-reactive protein

Abstract: The rat serum protein that undergoes Ca2+-dependent binding to pneumococcal C-polysaccharide and to phosphocholine residues, and that is evidently a member of the pentraxin family of proteins by virtue of its appearance under the electron microscope, has been variously designated as rat C-reactive protein (CRP) [de Beer, Baltz, Munn, Feinstein, Taylor, Bruton, Clamp & Pepys (1982) Immunology 45, 55-70], 'phosphoryl choline-binding protein' [Nagpurkar & Mookerjea (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 7440-7448] and rat serum amyloid P component (SAP) [Pontet, D'Asnieres, Gache, Escaig & Engler (1981) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 671, 202-210]. The partial amino acid sequence (45 residues) towards the C-terminus of this protein was determined, and it showed 71.7% identity with the known sequence of human CRP but only 54.3% identity with human SAP. Since human CRP and SAP are themselves approximately 50% homologous, the level of identity between the rat protein and human SAP is evidence only of membership of the pentraxin family. In contrast, the much greater resemblance to human CRP confirms that the rat C-polysaccharide-binding/phosphocholine-binding protein is in fact rat CRP.