This paper discusses the conditions for the integration of a software companion into a distance training system. The study context is that of Croisières, a device to learn French. The main questions raised when integrating a software companion into such a device can be answered by defining the various roles that the companion plays for the learner, by defining a written dialogue that can be est...

A critical challenge to creating effective agent-based systems is allowing them to operate effectively when the operating environment is complex, dynamic, and error-prone. In this paper we will review the limitations of current “agent-local” approaches to exception handling in agent systems, and propose an alternative approach based on a shared exception handling service that is “plugged”, with...

BACKGROUND Many hospitals with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) capability also use fibrinolytic therapy in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, but factors influencing the choice of reperfusion strategy at these hospitals are poorly understood. We examined clinical and system-related factors associated with choice of reperfusion strategy in patients with ST-segment...

A procedure for cell fractionation using lectin-affinity chromatography is described . It consists of a single affinity adsorbent, hog gastric mucin blood group A+H substance covalently coupled to Sephadex or Sepharose, to which lectins of various specificities can bind . The complex formed, lectin -, hog A+H substanceSephadex, then serves as an affinity probe for isolating and fractionating ce...

With its new features such as multi-homing, multi-streaming, and enhanced security, the Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) has become a promising candidate to join UDP and TCP as a general-purpose transport layer protocol. Multiple streams in an SCTP association provide an aggregation mechanism to accommodate heterogeneous objects, which belong to the same application but may require d...

Often, the behavior of animals can be better explained and predicted, it seems, if we ascribe the capacity to have beliefs, intentions, and concepts to them. Whether we really can do so, however, is a debated issue. Particularly, Donald Davidson maintains that there is no basis in fact for ascribing propositional attitudes or concepts to animals. I will consider his and rival views, such as Col...