Hybridization of institutions

Extended version including all proofsModal logics are successfully used as specification logics for reactive systems. However, they are not expressive enough to refer to individual states and reason about the local behaviour of such systems. This limitation is overcome in hybrid logics which introduce special symbols for naming states in models. Actually, hybrid logics have recently regained interest, resulting in a number of new results and techniques as well as applications to software specification. In this context, the first contribution of this paper is an attempt to ‘universalize’ the hybridization idea. Following the lines of [DS07], where a method to modalize arbitrary institutions is presented, the paper introduces a method to hybridize logics at the same institution-independent level. The method extends arbitrary institutions with Kripke semantics (for multi-modalities with arbitrary arities) and hybrid features. This paves the ground for a general result: any encoding (expressed as comorphism) from an arbitrary institution to first order logic (FOL) deter- mines a comorphism from its hybridization to FOL. This second contribution opens the possibility of effective tool support to specification languages based upon logics with hybrid features.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Advances and Challenges in Computational Research of Micro and Nano Flows

This paper was presented at the 4th Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2014), which was held at University College, London, UK. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Italian Union of Thermofluiddynamics, IPEM, the Process Intensification Network, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Heat Transfer Society, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group, and the Energy Institute, ASME Press, LCN London Centre for Nanotechnology, UCL University College London, UCL Engineering, the International NanoScience Community, www.nanopaprika.eu.This paper presents a collective overview of recent studies regarding the computational modelling of micro- and nano-fluidic systems. The review provides an introduction to atomistic, mesoscale and hybrid methods for simulating micro and nano-flows, as well as discusses recent applications and results from the application of such methods

Role of Local Institution and Indigenous Knowledge Linkages in Overcoming the Problem of Hybrid Corn Seeds in Remote Area

The role of local institution linkage  greatly determines the sustainability of the national hybrid corn seed production system. Linking and integrating indigenous knowledge and local institution in one program is necessary to support an efficient and effective work system. This study analyzes the linkages between institutions and indigenous knowledge  that support the smooth supply of hybrid corn seeds for farmers in remote areas. Using Interpretative Structural Modeling analysis to map institutions into four quadrants (Dependent, Linkage, Autonomous, and Independent). Involved three experts in defining the institutions that play a role in the seed system: government, seed producers, and researchers. The results showed that 19 institutions played an active role, 6 of which were in the Independent quadrant, 9 in the linkage quadrant, 6 in the dependent quadrant, and none in the autonomous quadrant. This means that the identification of related institutions by experts is correct. Based on this mapping, 4 institutions have a very large influence on the development of the corn seed system, namely the Indonesian House of Representatives (IHR), the Planning Bureau (PB), the Directorate General of Food Crops (DGF), and the Seed Certification Inspection Center (SCIC). That institution can encourage the advancement of hybrid corn seed production systems. However, their dependence on external environmental influences is still high, so their independence is relatively low. Then the institutions that must be conditioned that they still have high Driving Power and Dependence Power are the Agency for Agricultural Research and Development  (AARD), the National Seed Company (NSC), the Seed Grower Group (SGG), the Governor (GV), and the Provincial Agricultural Services (PAS). That institution only needs maintenance to continue excelling in providing farmers with corn seeds. The role of local institutions and indigenous culture  (LG, EWF, EAO, and LFG) have not been seen to be involved in strengthening the seed system even though its independence is very high, so it is feared that the seed system is unsustainable

Challenging Journalistic Authority in the Networked Affective Dynamics of #Chemnitz

Journalism as an institution is increasingly under pressure in hybrid media systems. Various far-right actors use social media platforms as a key staging ground for contesting legacy media. Drawing on affect theory and discursive institutionalism, this article empirically examines how journalistic authority was challenged on Twitter during far-right riots in the German city of Chemnitz in 2018. Through these public and networked contestations, we see the emergence of “affective publics” that form around shared and competing emotions. Through social network analysis, we examine the networked polarization around #Chemnitz. By applying in-depth textual analysis, we then untangle how far-right actors attack legacy media by strategically mobilizing and performing outrage. Based on our findings, we propose to understand journalism as an affective institution, whose authority is perpetually contested as affective publics gain agency. Such an understanding involves a profound questioning of the notion of objectivity that has been constitutive of journalism in the 20th century

Joomla as a Tool for Hybrid or Online Course Development

Joomla is a freely available content management system that streamlines development of complex websites. It is well-suited to the development of hybrid educational environments where online resources augment traditional classroom learning. While requiring more time and effort than most online learning management systems (e.g. Blackboard), Joomla-developed content can be made easily accessible to those not enrolled at an institution and can be maintained on department or college servers where faculty members can have greater control over their course materials. A user-friendly graphical user interface allows easy creation and management of individual webpages, while numerous freely available plugins and extensions requiring little to no programming expertise add capabilities such as online quizzes and easily displayed photo galleries. A website developed in Joomla for a sophomore level dendrology course will be demonstrated as an example of the advantages and disadvantages of this content management system for hybrid educational environments. Results of student surveys assessing this educational approach will be presented

Exponential Stabilisation of Continuous-time Periodic Stochastic Systems by Feedback Control Based on Periodic Discrete-time Observations

Since Mao in 2013 discretised the system observations for stabilisation problem of hybrid SDEs (stochastic differential equations with Markovian switching) by feedback control, the study of this topic using a constant observation frequency has been further developed. However, time-varying observation frequencies have not been considered. Particularly, an observational more efficient way is to consider the time-varying property of the system and observe a periodic SDE system at the periodic time-varying frequencies. This study investigates how to stabilise a periodic hybrid SDE by a periodic feedback control, based on periodic discrete-time observations. This study provides sufficient conditions under which the controlled system can achieve pth moment exponential stability for p > 1 and almost sure exponential stability. Lyapunov's method and inequalities are main tools for derivation and analysis. The existence of observation interval sequences is verified and one way of its calculation is provided. Finally, an example is given for illustration. Their new techniques not only reduce observational cost by reducing observation frequency dramatically but also offer flexibility on system observation settings. This study allows readers to set observation frequencies according to their needs to some extent

Development and performance evaluation of a prototype electric hybrid powertrain system for automotive applications

Researchers at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) have developed a dedicated hybrid power plant based on the parallel configuration using a gasoline engine coupled to a high performance electric motor, specifically targeted for automotive application. The aims are to achieve even lower exhaust emissions, better fuel economy and better performance than the conventional arrangement, demonstrating an alternative solution to the conventional power plant. The engine used is a 1.3 litre spark-ignition, coupled with a 27.5 kW Nexus electric motor. The control strategy developed in conjunction with the program is to use the electric drive motor for initial acceleration and for regeneration braking energy recovery, and for reducing the peak load and transients seen by the engine. A relatively small pack of advanced lead acid batteries is use for energy storage. The design, development and evaluation exercises are fully described giving a comprehensive insight of the prototype and its capabilities