HQ-learning is a hierarchical extension of Q()-learning designed to solve certain types of partially observable Markov decision problems (POMDPs). HQ automatically decomposes POMDPs into sequences of simpler subtasks that can be solved by memoryless policies learn-able by reactive subagents. HQ can solve partially observable mazes with more states than those used in most previous POMDP work.

This study investigated tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-mediated death pathway contribution to hydroquinone (HQ) cytotoxicity in human leukemia U937 cells. HQ-induced apoptosis of human leukemia U937 cells was characterized by the increase in mitochondrial membrane depolarization, procaspase-8 degradation and tBid production. Downregulation of Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD) blocked ...

SYNOPSIS INTRODUCTION Brain-based learning, a recent approach in the educational literature, is related with the structure and the relation of the functioning of the brain with learning. The pioneers of this approach (Caine & Caine, 1994) have come up with principles about brain and learning. Another recent approach, constructivism, is also concerned with teaching and learning and has brought i...

Hydroquinone (HQ) is a high-volume commodity chemical used as a reducing agent, antioxidant, polymerization inhibitor, and chemical intermediate. It is also used in over-the-counter (OTC) drugs as an ingredient in skin lighteners and is a natural ingredient in many plant-derived products, including vegetables, fruits, grains, coffee, tea, beer, and wine. While there are few reports of adverse h...

Small molecules capable of eradicating non-replicating bacterial biofilms are of great importance to human health as conventional antibiotics are ineffective against these surface-attached bacterial communities. Here, we report the discovery of several halogenated quinolines (HQs) identified through a reductive amination reaction that demonstrated potent eradication of MRSA (HQ-6; MBEC = 125 μM...

The purpose of this study was to investigate the rate and extent of hydroquinone (HQ) absorption and first pass metabolism in the lungs of male rats in vivo. [14C]HQ in physiological saline was administered intratracheally via an indwelling endotracheal tube to simulate inhalation exposure to HQ dust. The bioavailability of HQ was determined by blood sampling simultaneously at arterial and veno...

The multiplicity reactivation of T4D phage irradiated with UV was inhibited by treatment of infected cells with 0.5 mM hydroquinone (HQ). HQ also inhibited genetic recombination of T4B rII mutants. The recombination frequency was reduced by treatment of infected cells with HQ in a buffer when compared with an untreated control. In addition to HQ, the effects of quinone, an oxide form of HQ, mer...

Although recent research showed that advanced glycation endproduct (AGE) and hydroquinone (HQ) are related to the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the mechanism how AGE and HQ induce or accelerate AMD remains elusive. In the present study, we examined the effects of AGE and HQ on changes of human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell numbers and found that the viable cell...