This paper describes a co-evolutionary algorithm for generating simple spatially oriented tactics and considers whether students can learn better by playing against co-evolved opponents or by playing against an expert system or other similar hard-coded opponent. Although a number of artificially intelligent tutoring and e-learning systems exist, our work looks at using co-evolution to generate competent opponents for human students to learn from. This paper describes and discusses early results on using computationally intelligent opponents for tactical training of human students. Initial results indicate that the learning environment for human players, measured by game difficulty and transfer of training, is comparable across co-evolved and hard-coded computer opponents.

The Internet and technologies that enable online interaction and access to a variety of content can be a perilous place for minors between 8 and 18. Parents and teachers are often ill-equipped to deal with the variety of devices and applications such as email, instant messaging, browsing, blogs, cell phones, and personal digital assistant devices (PDAs) that can facilitate the dangers lurking online. This book shares the risks of the Internet by detailing recent, real-world tragedies and revealing some of the secrets of online activities. It provides a pragmatic approach to help parents and teachers protect children against the threats of going online. Protecting Your Children on the Internet provides a road-map to enable parents and teachers to become more engaged in children's online activities, arming them with techniques and tips to help protect their children. Recommendations come by technology topic (search engines, social networking, cell phones, etc.) and by age category (elementary, middle, high school) to align with how parents and educators think when they're dealing with multiple children that span different risk profiles. Smith underscores his arguments through chilling, real-life stories, revealing approaches people use to deceive and conceal their activities online. Filled with practical advice and recommendations, this book is indispensable to anyone who uses the Internet and related technologies, especially to those charged with keeping children safe.

Background. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is associated with sepsis and loss of immune reactivity. The authors previously have shown that changes in the intestinal mucosal immune system-ie, intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL)-lead to a loss of epithelial barrier function. This may be a mechanism by which bacteria and toxins endanger individuals receiving TPN. To identify altered IEL gene expression during TPN administration, microarray assays were used.Methods: Mice received oral feeding (control) or TPN for 7 days. Small bowel IEL were separated and retained, RNA purified, and microarray assays performed (Affymetrix system, 12,491 genes). Results were expressed as quantile-normalized trimmed-means. Significance equals a greater than 2-fold change (TPN v control), P < .01 (t test) or greater than 3-fold, P < .05.Results: In the TPN group 88, IEL genes were significantly up regulated and 114 downregulated (v control). Of these genes, 4 were identified to have highest degree of upregulation (FK506-binding protein 5; mannose-binding lectin, metallothionein 1 and 2), 2 were highly downregulated (microsomal epoxide hydrolase 1 and cytochrome P450 1a1). These genes were found to have high potential for immune-modulatory effects.Conclusions: The observed alterations in IEL gene expression may have an important role in the altered immune response with TPN and may relate to the increase in sepsis with TPN administration. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The synthesis of a series of 3-thiosubstituted carbacephem derivatives is described. The compounds were assayed against penicillin susceptible, intermediate and resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Several analogs displayed potent in vitro activity against these organisms.

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