Abstract: Provided are methods of identifying oligonucleotides having transcriptional or translational activity by integrating ilie oligonucleotide into a eukaryotic cell genome such that the oligonucleotide is operatively linked to an expressible polynucleotide, and detecting a change in expression of the expressible polynucleotide due to the operatively linked oligonucleotide. Also provided are vectors useful for identifying an oligonucleotide having transcriptional or translational regulatory activity according to a method of the invention. In addition, isolated synthetic transcriptional or translational regulatory elements identified according to a method of the invention are provided, as are kits, which contain a vector useful for identifying a transcriptional or translational regulatory element, or an isolated synthetic transcriptional or translational regulatory element or plurality of such elements. Also provided are isolated transcriptional regulatory elements.

Abstract: A mobile brain-based device (BBD) includes a mobile platform with sensors and effects, which is guided by a simulated nervous system that is an analogue of the cerebellar areas of the brain used for predictive motor control to determine interaction with a real-world environment. The simulated nervous system has neural areas including precerebellum nuclei (PN), Purkinje cells (PC), deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) and an inferior olive (IO) for predicting turn and velocity control of the BBD during movement in a real-world environment. The BBD undergoes training and testing, and the simulated nervous system learns and performs control functions, based on a delayed eligibility trace learning rule.

Abstract: A hybrid control system for a robot can include a neuronal control portion and a non-neuronal control portion.

Abstract: A translation enhancer-driven positive feedback vector system is disclosed which is designed to facilitate identification of a Translational Enhancer Element (TEE) and to provide a means for overexpression of gene products. The system exploits both transcriptional and translational approaches to control the expression levels of genes and/or gene products. Methods are also disclosed for screening libraries of random nucleotide sequences to identify translational elements and for overproduction of proteins, which have uses in both research and industrial environments.

Abstract: A brain-based device (BBD) having a physical mobile device NOMAD controlling and under control by a simulated nervous system. The simulated nervous system is based on an intricate anatomy and physiology of the hippocampus and its surrounding neuronal regions including the cortex. The BBD integrates spatial signals from numerous objects in time and provides flexible navigation solutions to aid in the exploration of unknown environments. As NOMAD navigates in its real world environment, the hippocampus of the simulated nervous system organizes multi-modal input information received from sensors on NOMAD over timescales and uses this organization for the development of spatial and episodic memories necessary for navigation.

Abstract: A mobile brain-based device BBD includes a mobile base equipped with sensors and effectors (Neurally Organized Mobile Adaptive Device or NOMAD), which is guided by a simulated nervous system that is an analogue of cortical and sub-cortical areas of the brain required for visual processing, decision-making, reward, and motor responses. These simulated cortical and sub-cortical areas are reentrantly connected and each area contains neuronal units representing both the mean activity level and the relative timing of the activity of groups of neurons. The brain-based device BBD learns to discriminate among multiple objects with shared visual features, and associated “target” objects with innately preferred auditory cues. Globally distributed neuronal circuits that correspond to distinct objects in the visual field of NOMAD 10 are activated. These circuits, which are constrained by a reentrant neuroanatomy and modulated by behavior and synaptic plasticity, result in successful discrimination of objects.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel genetic method for mapping a network of functional gene interactions relating to Alzheimer's disease. Further provided by the invention is a screening method lor identifying therapeutic agents for treating Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Apparatus which segments visual scenes into discrete objects. The apparatus is able to perceptually group the elements corresponding to a coherent figure, and to segregate them from the background or from another figure. Reentrant signaling among rhythmically active neuronal groups is used to correlate responses along spatially extended contours. The efficacy of the connections is allowed to change on a fast time scale resulting in active reentrant connections which amplify the correlations among neuronal groups and provides the desired segmentation.