583 research outputs found
LIPIcs, Volume 251, ITCS 2023, Complete Volume
LIPIcs, Volume 251, ITCS 2023, Complete Volum
Current and Future Challenges in Knowledge Representation and Reasoning
Knowledge Representation and Reasoning is a central, longstanding, and active
area of Artificial Intelligence. Over the years it has evolved significantly;
more recently it has been challenged and complemented by research in areas such
as machine learning and reasoning under uncertainty. In July 2022 a Dagstuhl
Perspectives workshop was held on Knowledge Representation and Reasoning. The
goal of the workshop was to describe the state of the art in the field,
including its relation with other areas, its shortcomings and strengths,
together with recommendations for future progress. We developed this manifesto
based on the presentations, panels, working groups, and discussions that took
place at the Dagstuhl Workshop. It is a declaration of our views on Knowledge
Representation: its origins, goals, milestones, and current foci; its relation
to other disciplines, especially to Artificial Intelligence; and on its
challenges, along with key priorities for the next decade
The Public Performance Of Sanctions In Insolvency Cases: The Dark, Humiliating, And Ridiculous Side Of The Law Of Debt In The Italian Experience. A Historical Overview Of Shaming Practices
This study provides a diachronic comparative overview of how the law of debt has been applied by certain institutions in Italy. Specifically, it offers historical and comparative insights into the public performance of sanctions for insolvency through shaming and customary practices in Roman Imperial Law, in the Middle Ages, and in later periods.
The first part of the essay focuses on the Roman bonorum cessio culo nudo super lapidem and on the medieval customary institution called pietra della vergogna (stone of shame), which originates from the Roman model.
The second part of the essay analyzes the social function of the zecca and the pittima Veneziana during the Republic of Venice, and of the practice of lu soldate a castighe (no translation is possible).
The author uses a functionalist approach to apply some arguments and concepts from the current context to this historical analysis of ancient institutions that we would now consider ridiculous.
The article shows that the customary norms that play a crucial regulatory role in online interactions today can also be applied to the public square in the past. One of these tools is shaming. As is the case in contemporary online settings, in the public square in historic periods, shaming practices were used to enforce the rules of civility in a given community. Such practices can be seen as virtuous when they are intended for use as a tool to pursue positive change in forces entrenched in the culture, and thus to address social wrongs considered outside the reach of the law, or to address human rights abuses
Electron Thermal Runaway in Atmospheric Electrified Gases: a microscopic approach
Thesis elaborated from 2018 to 2023 at the Instituto de AstrofĂsica de AndalucĂa under the supervision of Alejandro Luque (Granada, Spain) and Nikolai Lehtinen (Bergen, Norway). This thesis presents a new database of atmospheric electron-molecule collision cross sections which was published separately under the DOI :
With this new database and a new super-electron management algorithm which significantly enhances high-energy electron statistics at previously unresolved ratios, the thesis explores general facets of the electron thermal runaway process relevant to atmospheric discharges under various conditions of the temperature and gas composition as can be encountered in the wake and formation of discharge channels
Belief Revision in Expressive Knowledge Representation Formalisms
We live in an era of data and information, where an immeasurable amount of discoveries, findings, events, news, and transactions are generated every second. Governments, companies, or individuals have to employ and process all that data for knowledge-based decision-making (i.e. a decision-making process that uses predetermined criteria to measure and ensure the optimal outcome for a specific topic), which then prompt them to view the knowledge as valuable resource. In this knowledge-based view, the capability to create and utilize knowledge is the key source of an organization or individual’s competitive advantage. This dynamic nature of knowledge leads us to the study of belief revision (or belief change), an area which emerged from work in philosophy and then impacted further developments in computer science and artificial intelligence.
In belief revision area, the AGM postulates by Alchourrón, Gärdenfors, and Makinson continue to represent a cornerstone in research related to belief change. Katsuno and Mendelzon (K&M) adopted the AGM postulates for changing belief bases and characterized AGM belief base revision in propositional logic over finite signatures. In this thesis, two research directions are considered. In the first, by considering the semantic point of view, we generalize K&M’s approach to the setting of (multiple) base revision in arbitrary Tarskian logics, covering all logics with a classical model-theoretic semantics and hence a wide variety of logics used in knowledge representation and beyond. Our generic formulation applies to various notions of “base”, such as belief sets, arbitrary or finite sets of sentences, or single sentences.
The core result is a representation theorem showing a two-way correspondence between AGM base revision operators and certain “assignments”: functions mapping belief bases to total — yet not transitive — “preference” relations between interpretations. Alongside, we present a companion result for the case when the AGM postulate of syntax-independence is abandoned. We also provide a characterization of all logics for which our result can be strengthened to assignments producing transitive preference relations (as in K&M’s original work), giving rise to two more representation theorems for such logics, according to syntax dependence vs. independence. The second research direction in this thesis explores two approaches for revising description logic knowledge bases under fixed-domain semantics, namely model-based approach and individual-based approach. In this logical setting, models of the knowledge bases can be enumerated and can be computed to produce the revision result, semantically. We show a characterization of the AGM revision operator for this logic and present a concrete model-based revision approach via distance between interpretations. In addition, by weakening the KB based on certain domain elements, a novel individual-based revision operator is provided as an alternative approach
On-premise containerized, light-weight software solutions for Biomedicine
Bioinformatics software systems are critical tools for analysing large-scale biological
data, but their design and implementation can be challenging due to the need for reliability, scalability, and performance. This thesis investigates the impact of several
software approaches on the design and implementation of bioinformatics software
systems. These approaches include software patterns, microservices, distributed
computing, containerisation and container orchestration. The research focuses on
understanding how these techniques affect bioinformatics software systems’ reliability, scalability, performance, and efficiency. Furthermore, this research highlights
the challenges and considerations involved in their implementation. This study also
examines potential solutions for implementing container orchestration in bioinformatics research teams with limited resources and the challenges of using container
orchestration. Additionally, the thesis considers microservices and distributed computing and how these can be optimised in the design and implementation process to
enhance the productivity and performance of bioinformatics software systems. The
research was conducted using a combination of software development, experimentation, and evaluation. The results show that implementing software patterns can
significantly improve the code accessibility and structure of bioinformatics software
systems. Specifically, microservices and containerisation also enhanced system reliability, scalability, and performance. Additionally, the study indicates that adopting
advanced software engineering practices, such as model-driven design and container
orchestration, can facilitate efficient and productive deployment and management of
bioinformatics software systems, even for researchers with limited resources. Overall, we develop a software system integrating all our findings. Our proposed system
demonstrated the ability to address challenges in bioinformatics. The thesis makes
several key contributions in addressing the research questions surrounding the design,
implementation, and optimisation of bioinformatics software systems using software
patterns, microservices, containerisation, and advanced software engineering principles and practices. Our findings suggest that incorporating these technologies can
significantly improve bioinformatics software systems’ reliability, scalability, performance, efficiency, and productivity.Bioinformatische Software-Systeme stellen bedeutende Werkzeuge für die Analyse
umfangreicher biologischer Daten dar. Ihre Entwicklung und Implementierung kann
jedoch aufgrund der erforderlichen Zuverlässigkeit, Skalierbarkeit und Leistungsfähigkeit eine Herausforderung darstellen. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die Auswirkungen von Software-Mustern, Microservices, verteilten Systemen, Containerisierung
und Container-Orchestrierung auf die Architektur und Implementierung von bioinformatischen Software-Systemen zu untersuchen. Die Forschung konzentriert sich
darauf, zu verstehen, wie sich diese Techniken auf die Zuverlässigkeit, Skalierbarkeit,
Leistungsfähigkeit und Effizienz von bioinformatischen Software-Systemen auswirken
und welche Herausforderungen mit ihrer Konzeptualisierungen und Implementierung
verbunden sind. Diese Arbeit untersucht auch potenzielle Lösungen zur Implementierung von Container-Orchestrierung in bioinformatischen Forschungsteams mit begrenzten Ressourcen und die Einschränkungen bei deren Verwendung in diesem Kontext. Des Weiteren werden die Schlüsselfaktoren, die den Erfolg von bioinformatischen Software-Systemen mit Containerisierung, Microservices und verteiltem Computing beeinflussen, untersucht und wie diese im Design- und Implementierungsprozess optimiert werden können, um die Produktivität und Leistung bioinformatischer
Software-Systeme zu steigern. Die vorliegende Arbeit wurde mittels einer Kombination aus Software-Entwicklung, Experimenten und Evaluation durchgefĂĽhrt. Die
erzielten Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Implementierung von Software-Mustern, die Zuverlässigkeit und Skalierbarkeit von bioinformatischen Software-Systemen erheblich
verbessern kann. Der Einsatz von Microservices und Containerisierung trug ebenfalls zur Steigerung der Zuverlässigkeit, Skalierbarkeit und Leistungsfähigkeit des
Systems bei. DarĂĽber hinaus legt die Arbeit dar, dass die Anwendung von SoftwareEngineering-Praktiken, wie modellgesteuertem Design und Container-Orchestrierung,
die effiziente und produktive Bereitstellung und Verwaltung von bioinformatischen
Software-Systemen erleichtern kann. Zudem löst die Implementierung dieses SoftwareSystems, Herausforderungen für Forschungsgruppen mit begrenzten Ressourcen. Insgesamt hat das System gezeigt, dass es in der Lage ist, Herausforderungen im Bereich
der Bioinformatik zu bewältigen und stellt somit ein wertvolles Werkzeug für Forscher in diesem Bereich dar. Die vorliegende Arbeit leistet mehrere wichtige Beiträge
zur Beantwortung von Forschungsfragen im Zusammenhang mit dem Entwurf, der
Implementierung und der Optimierung von Software-Systemen fĂĽr die Bioinformatik unter Verwendung von Prinzipien und Praktiken der Softwaretechnik. Unsere
Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass die Einbindung dieser Technologien die Zuverlässigkeit, Skalierbarkeit, Leistungsfähigkeit, Effizienz und Produktivität bioinformatischer Software-Systeme erheblich verbessern kann
Application of metabolomic profiling and fingerprinting approaches to food fraud cases
[eng] Food fraud is an intentional and misleading act in food that generally does not comply with food law and is motivated by economic gain. It encompasses several fraudulent practices such as deception during manufacture, diversion into illicit supply chains, interventions with the food product, or misrepresentation. In this context, the coming to light of the horse meat scandal at the beginning of 2013 highlighted the shortcomings of the European system against food fraud, increasing concern and interest among European citizens and administrative bodies.
Under these circumstances, in recent years, omics tools —comprising genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and elementomics/isotopollomics— have been applied to solve food fraud issues, along with biostatistics and chemometrics. In most cases, their application has relied on profiling (focusing on determining targeted secondary chemical markers) or fingerprinting approaches (based on the unspecific detection of instrumental responses without assuming any previous knowledge about the sample composition), overcoming the traditional targeted analysis. In particular, since a food product’s metabolome varies according to its biological nature and several external conditions (i.e., either from a natural or anthropogenic origin), metabolomics has shown excellent potential to assess several issues related to its authenticity and quality.
Therefore, in this thesis, several metabolomic profiling and fingerprinting approaches were developed to address different food fraud cases. In this line, liquid chromatography coupled to low- or high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC–LRMS, LC–HRMS) was proposed for the targeted approaches. In contrast, non-targeted methods were based on liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (LC-UV) or fluorescence detection (LC-FLD), LC–HRMS, or direct mass spectrometry (MS)-based techniques. Furthermore, non-supervised and supervised chemometric techniques allowed sample assignation and classification. As a result, the proposed analytical methodologies were successfully applied to several food products —including paprika, nuts and seeds, hen eggs, vegetable oils, and red wine— guaranteeing their classification and authentication regarding the geographical origin, botanical origin, production system, or quality category.[cat] El frau alimentari és un acte intencionat i enganyós produït en els aliments que, generalment, no compleix amb la legislació alimentà ria i que està motivat per un benefici econòmic. La sortida a la llum de l’escà ndol de la carn de cavall a principis del 2013 va posar de manifest les mancances del sistema europeu contra el frau alimentari, augmentant la preocupació i l’interès entre els ciutadans i els organismes administratius europeus.
En aquestes circumstĂ ncies, en els darrers anys, s’han aplicat eines òmiques —que inclouen la genòmica, la transcriptòmica, la proteòmica, la metabolòmica i l’elementòmica/isotopol·lòmica— per resoldre qĂĽestions relacionades amb el frau alimentari, juntament amb bioestadĂstica i quimiometria. En la majoria dels casos, la seva aplicaciĂł s’ha efectuat mitjançant estratègies basades en perfils (centrant-se en la determinaciĂł dirigida de marcadors quĂmics secundaris) o empremtes dactilars (basades en la detecciĂł inespecĂfica de respostes instrumental sense assumir cap coneixement previ sobre la composiciĂł de la mostra), superant l’anĂ lisi dirigida tradicional. En concret, com que el metaboloma d’un producte alimentari varia segons la seva naturalesa biològica i un seguit de condicions externes (siguin d’origen natural o antropogènic), la metabolòmica ha demostrat un excel·lent potencial per avaluar diverses qĂĽestions relacionades amb la seva autenticitat i qualitat.
En aquesta tesi, es van desenvolupar diverses estratègies de perfils i empremtes dactilars metabolòmiques per abordar alguns casos de frau alimentari. AixĂ, es va proposar la cromatografia lĂquida acoblada a l’espectrometria de masses de baixa o alta resoluciĂł (LC–LRMS, LC–HRMS) per als enfocaments dirigits. En canvi, els mètodes no dirigits es van basar en la cromatografia lĂquida amb detecciĂł ultraviolada (LC-UV) o fluorescent (LC-FLD), LC–HRMS o tècniques basades en l’espectrometria de masses (MS) directa. A mĂ©s, tècniques quimiomètriques no supervisades i supervisades van permetre l’assignaciĂł i classificaciĂł de les mostres. Com a resultat, les metodologies analĂtiques proposades es van aplicar amb èxit a diferents productes alimentaris —incloent el pebre vermell, fruits secs i llavors, ous de gallina, olis vegetals i vi negre— garantint-ne la classificaciĂł i autenticaciĂł pel que fa a l’origen geogrĂ fic, l’origen botĂ nic, el sistema de producciĂł o la categoria de qualitat
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