Mathematical modeling of genome replication

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Stochastic optimization on continuous domains with finite-time guarantees by Markov chain Monte Carlo methods

We introduce bounds on the finite-time performance of Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms in approaching the global solution of stochastic optimization problems over continuous domains. A comparison with other state-of-the-art methods having finite-time guarantees for solving stochastic programming problems is included.Comment: 29 pages, 6 figures. Revised version based on referees repor

Hybrid Planning and Control for Multiple Fixed-Wing Aircraft under Input Constraints

This paper presents a novel hybrid control protocol for de-conflicting multiple vehicles with constraints on control inputs. We consider turning rate and linear speed constraints to represent fixed-wing or car-like vehicles. A set of state-feedback controllers along with a state-dependent switching logic are synthesized in a hybrid system to generate collision-free trajectories that converge to the desired destinations of the vehicles. The switching law is designed so that the safety can be guaranteed while no Zeno behavior can occur. A novel temporary goal assignment technique is also designed to guarantee convergence. We analyze the individual modes for safety and the closed-loop hybrid system for convergence. The theoretical developments are demonstrated via simulation results.Comment: Best Student Paper Finalist, AIAA-SciTech GNC Conference, 201

Equivalence of switching linear systems by bisimulation

A general notion of hybrid bisimulation is proposed for the class of switching linear systems. Connections between the notions of bisimulation-based equivalence, state-space equivalence, algebraic and input–output equivalence are investigated. An algebraic characterization of hybrid bisimulation and an algorithmic procedure converging in a finite number of steps to the maximal hybrid bisimulation are derived. Hybrid state space reduction is performed by hybrid bisimulation between the hybrid system and itself. By specializing the results obtained on bisimulation, also characterizations of simulation and abstraction are derived. Connections between observability, bisimulation-based reduction and simulation-based abstraction are studied.\ud \u

Profundidade da experiência, evocação de memórias episódicas e mudança em psicanálise

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada no ISPA – Instituto Universitário para obtenção de grau de Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia Clínica.Enquadramento: A terapia focada nas emoções (EFT) é uma das terapias com eficácia reconhecida no tratamento da depressão. No entanto, ainda não existe nenhuma revisão de literatura que sintetize os resultados da investigação neste contexto. Objetivo: Fazer uma revisão sistemática dos estudos sobre a terapia focada nas emoções (EFT) no tratamento da depressão. Método: A pesquisa foi realizada em bases de dados eletrónicas (PsycInfo, PsycArticles, PEP, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection e Academic Search Complete), com as palavras-chave Depression e Emotion Focused Therapy. Resultados: Foram encontrados vinte artigos que podem organizar-se em três grandes grupos: estudo da eficácia, análise do processamento emocional e EFT e narrativa. Conclusões: Os estudos sustentam a eficácia da EFT no tratamento da depressão em terapia individual e de casal. A integração da intensidade da expressão emocional, da aliança terapêutica e do processamento das vivências emocionais podem ser promotoras do progresso terapêutico na EFT. A compreensão das narrativas pessoais à luz das emoções pode ser importante para o estabelecimento de estratégias de intervenção mais eficazes no tratamento da depressão.ABSTRACT: Framework: Emotion focused therapy (EFT) is one of the therapies with recognized efficiency in the depression treatment. However, there is still no literature review that synthesizes research results in this context. Purpose: Conduct a systematic review of studies on emotion-focused therapy (FET) in depression treatment. Method: The research was carried out in electronic databases (PsycInfo, PsycArticles, PEP, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection and Academic Search Complete), with the keywords Depression and Emotion Focused Therapy. Results: 20 articles were found, that can be organized into three main groups: efficiency study, analysis of emotional processing and EFT and narrative. Conclusions: The studies support the efficiency of EFT in the treatment of depression in individual and couple therapy. The integration of the intensity of emotional expression, the therapeutic alliance and the processing of emotional experiences can be the promoter of therapeutic progress in EFT. The understanding of personal narratives in the light of emotions may be important for the establishment of more effective intervention strategies in the treatment of depression

Formal Verification of Autonomous Vehicle Platooning

The coordination of multiple autonomous vehicles into convoys or platoons is expected on our highways in the near future. However, before such platoons can be deployed, the new autonomous behaviors of the vehicles in these platoons must be certified. An appropriate representation for vehicle platooning is as a multi-agent system in which each agent captures the "autonomous decisions" carried out by each vehicle. In order to ensure that these autonomous decision-making agents in vehicle platoons never violate safety requirements, we use formal verification. However, as the formal verification technique used to verify the agent code does not scale to the full system and as the global verification technique does not capture the essential verification of autonomous behavior, we use a combination of the two approaches. This mixed strategy allows us to verify safety requirements not only of a model of the system, but of the actual agent code used to program the autonomous vehicles