Logics of preference when there is no best

Well-behaved preferences (e.g., total pre-orders) are a cornerstone of several areas in artificial intelligence, from knowledge representation, where preferences typically encode likelihood comparisons, to both game and decision theories, where preferences typically encode utility comparisons. Yet weaker (e.g., cyclical) structures of comparison have proven important in a number of areas, from argumentation theory to tournaments and social choice theory. In this paper we provide logical foundations for reasoning about this type of preference structures where no obvious best elements may exist. Concretely, we compare and axiomatize a number of ways in which the concepts of maximality and optimality can be lifted to this general class of preferences. In doing so we expand the scope of the long-standing tradition of the logical analysis of preference

Malaria and land use: a spatial and temporal risk analysis in Southern Sri Lanka

Malaria / Waterborne diseases / Disease vectors / Land use / Water use / GIS / Statistical analysis / Risks / Mapping / Public health / Sri Lanka / Uda Walawe / Thanamalvila / Embilipitiya

Reasoning about actions meets strategic logics (LORI 2013)

International audienceWe introduce ATLEA, a novel extension of Alternating-time Temporal Logic with explicit actions in the object language. ATLEA allows to reason about abilities of agents under commitments to play certain actions. Pre- and postconditions as well as availability and unavailability of actions can be expressed. We show that the multiagent extension of Reiter’s solution to the frame problem can be encoded into ATLEA. We also consider an epistemic extension of ATLEA. We demonstrate that the resulting logic is sufficiently expressive to reason about uniform choices of actions. Complexity results for the satisfiability problem of ATLEA and its epistemic extension are given in the paper

Management options for restoring estuarine dynamics and implications for ecosystems: a quantitative approach for the Southwest Delta in the Netherlands

The Delta Works, a series of dams and barriers constructed in the 1960's–1980's changed the estuarine landscape of the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta (SW Netherlands) into more stagnant and disengaged freshwater, brackish water or saltwater lakes. The remaining tidal systems were adapted by building a storm surge barrier in the Oosterschelde and dike reinforcement works along the Westerschelde. The Delta Works brought protection against flooding, but at the same time resulted in environmental and socio-economic problems, such as degradation of ecological quality and ecosystem functioning, disruption of fish migration routes, water and sediment quality problems.In this study we explore in an integrated, quantitative way the consequences of a number of management options for the Southwest Delta and their implications for the occurrence and distribution of aquatic and estuarine habitats, considering the mutual coherence between the water basins. Five scenarios were evaluated using a 1D hydraulic, water quality and primary production numerical model and GIS habitat mapping. Scenarios vary from small-scale interventions, such as changes in day-to-day management of hydraulic infrastructures or creation of small inlets in dams, feasible in the short term, to restoration of an open delta by removing dams and barriers, as a long term potential. We evaluate the outcomes in relation to the restoration of estuarine dynamics, as this is in policy plans proposed as a generic solution for the current ecological and environmental problems. Net water flow rates show more complex patterns when connectivity between water basins is increased and when sluice management is less strict. Estuarine transition zones and fish migration routes are partly restored, but only fully develop when basins are in open connection with each other. Area of intertidal habitats, tidal flats and tidal marshes, increases in each scenario, ranging between 7 and 83%, 1–56%, and 8–100% respectively, depending on scenario. Large scale infrastructural adaptations are needed to restore estuarine dynamics at large scale.The use of a 1D numerical model allowed to quantify the effect of different management measures for all water basins simultaneously, but also has its limitations. The model does not resolve more complex processes such as vertical mixing and morphodynamic changes. This requires expert judgment and more detailed 3D modelling

The prognosis of oncologic patients in the pediatric intensive care unit

Objective: To evaluate the predicted mortality rate of oncologic patients in the PICU using the PRISM score and factors that might influence short-term outcomes. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Pedriatic ICU in a university hospital. Patients and Methods: The medical charts of all oncologic patients admitted to the PICU during the period from January 1983 to December 1992 were reviewed. Main Results: Over a period of 10 years, 51 oncologic patients were admitted on 57 occasions to the PICU. The mortality was 32%. This is significantly higher than the overall mortality in the PICU (8%). Comparison of observed and predicted mortality, derived from the PRISM score, using chi square goodness-of-fit tests showed a significantly higher observed mortality (χ2(5) = 20.1, P < 0.01). Patients admitted for circulatory failure had the highest mortality (47%), followed by those with respiratory failure due to tachypnea/cyanosis (36%), central nervous system deterioration (27%), respiratory failure due to airway obstruction (25%), and metabolic disorders (20%). Of the 31 patients who needed mechanical ventilation, 17 died (55%), and when they needed inotropic support as well, the mortality increased to 69%. The mortality rose to 100% when the patient was admitted with a septic shock, necessitating mechanical ventilation and inotropic support. The median PRISM score was 5 in the survivor group and 18.5 in the non-survivor group; this difference was found to be significant using the Wilcoxon test (P = 0.01). However, some patients with high scores were found in the survivor group, as well as some with low scores in the non-survivor group. Conclusion: The decision to treat oncologic patients in a PICU remains difficult and has to be considered on an individual basis. However, oncologic patients do benefit from admission to the PICU. The PRISM score is not suitable for oncologic patients in the PICU, because it underestimates the observed mortality. Other factors like neutropenia, septic shock, the need for mechanical ventilation, and inotropic support should be taken into consideration

Kwel en natuurontwikkeling in het Binnenveld tussen de Neder-Rijn en Veenedaal.

Geohydrologie onderdeel Gelderse Valle

Community uptake of safe storage boxes to reduce self-poisoning from pesticides in rural Sri Lanka

BACKGROUND: Acute poisoning by agricultural pesticides is a well established global public health problem. Keeping pesticides under safe storage is now promoted as a potential way to reduce the number of severe poisoning cases. However, there have been no published studies documenting the feasibility of such an approach. Therefore, the objective of the study presented here was to determine community perceptions and use of in-house safe storage boxes for pesticides in rural Sri Lanka. METHODS: Boxes with a lock, to be used for the in-house safe storage of pesticides, were distributed to 200 randomly selected farming households in two agricultural communities. A baseline survey determined pesticide storage practices and household characteristics prior to distribution. The selected households were encouraged to make use of the box at community meetings and during a single visit to each household one month after distribution. No further encouragement was offered. A follow-up survey assessed storage practices seven months into the project. RESULTS: Following the distribution of the boxes the community identified a number of benefits including the protection of pesticide containers against exposure from the rain and sun and a reduced risk of theft. Data were analysed for 172 households that reported agricultural use of pesticides at follow-up. Of these, 141 (82%) kept pesticides in the house under lock against 3 (2%) at baseline. As expected, the distribution of boxes significantly reduced the number of households storing pesticides in the field, from 79 (46%) at baseline to 4 (2%) at follow-up. There was a significant increase in the number of households keeping pesticides safe from children between baseline (64%) and seven months after the distribution of boxes (89%). The same was true for adults although less pronounced with 51% at baseline and 66% at follow-up. CONCLUSION: The farming community appreciated the storage boxes and made storage of pesticides safer, especially for children. It seems that additional, intensive promotion is needed to ensure that pesticide boxes are locked. The introduction of in-house safe storage boxes resulted in a shift of storage into the farmer's home and away from the field and this may increase the domestic risk of impulsive self-poisoning episodes. This increased risk needs attention in future safe storage promotion projects