102,772 research outputs found
Solving Factored MDPs with Hybrid State and Action Variables
Efficient representations and solutions for large decision problems with
continuous and discrete variables are among the most important challenges faced
by the designers of automated decision support systems. In this paper, we
describe a novel hybrid factored Markov decision process (MDP) model that
allows for a compact representation of these problems, and a new hybrid
approximate linear programming (HALP) framework that permits their efficient
solutions. The central idea of HALP is to approximate the optimal value
function by a linear combination of basis functions and optimize its weights by
linear programming. We analyze both theoretical and computational aspects of
this approach, and demonstrate its scale-up potential on several hybrid
optimization problems
Mechanized semantics
The goal of this lecture is to show how modern theorem provers---in this
case, the Coq proof assistant---can be used to mechanize the specification of
programming languages and their semantics, and to reason over individual
programs and over generic program transformations, as typically found in
compilers. The topics covered include: operational semantics (small-step,
big-step, definitional interpreters); a simple form of denotational semantics;
axiomatic semantics and Hoare logic; generation of verification conditions,
with application to program proof; compilation to virtual machine code and its
proof of correctness; an example of an optimizing program transformation (dead
code elimination) and its proof of correctness
AMaĻoSāAbstract Machine for Xcerpt
Web query languages promise convenient and efficient access
to Web data such as XML, RDF, or Topic Maps. Xcerpt is one such Web
query language with strong emphasis on novel high-level constructs for
effective and convenient query authoring, particularly tailored to versatile
access to data in different Web formats such as XML or RDF.
However, so far it lacks an efficient implementation to supplement the
convenient language features. AMaĻoS is an abstract machine implementation
for Xcerpt that aims at efficiency and ease of deployment. It
strictly separates compilation and execution of queries: Queries are compiled
once to abstract machine code that consists in (1) a code segment
with instructions for evaluating each rule and (2) a hint segment that
provides the abstract machine with optimization hints derived by the
query compilation. This article summarizes the motivation and principles
behind AMaĻoS and discusses how its current architecture realizes
these principles
Spatio-temporal structure of cell distribution in cortical Bone Multicellular Units: a mathematical model
Bone remodelling maintains the functionality of skeletal tissue by locally
coordinating bone-resorbing cells (osteoclasts) and bone-forming cells
(osteoblasts) in the form of Bone Multicellular Units (BMUs). Understanding the
emergence of such structured units out of the complex network of biochemical
interactions between bone cells is essential to extend our fundamental
knowledge of normal bone physiology and its disorders. To this end, we propose
a spatio-temporal continuum model that integrates some of the most important
interaction pathways currently known to exist between cells of the osteoblastic
and osteoclastic lineage. This mathematical model allows us to test the
significance and completeness of these pathways based on their ability to
reproduce the spatio-temporal dynamics of individual BMUs. We show that under
suitable conditions, the experimentally-observed structured cell distribution
of cortical BMUs is retrieved. The proposed model admits travelling-wave-like
solutions for the cell densities with tightly organised profiles, corresponding
to the progression of a single remodelling BMU. The shapes of these spatial
profiles within the travelling structure can be linked to the intrinsic
parameters of the model such as differentiation and apoptosis rates for bone
cells. In addition to the cell distribution, the spatial distribution of
regulatory factors can also be calculated. This provides new insights on how
different regulatory factors exert their action on bone cells leading to
cellular spatial and temporal segregation, and functional coordination.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures; v2: Completed model description after Eq. (16),
clarified discussion/description after Eq. (23), between Eqs. (29)-(31), and
in 2nd bullet point in conclusion
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