The KB paradigm and its application to interactive configuration

The knowledge base paradigm aims to express domain knowledge in a rich formal language, and to use this domain knowledge as a knowledge base to solve various problems and tasks that arise in the domain by applying multiple forms of inference. As such, the paradigm applies a strict separation of concerns between information and problem solving. In this paper, we analyze the principles and feasibility of the knowledge base paradigm in the context of an important class of applications: interactive configuration problems. In interactive configuration problems, a configuration of interrelated objects under constraints is searched, where the system assists the user in reaching an intended configuration. It is widely recognized in industry that good software solutions for these problems are very difficult to develop. We investigate such problems from the perspective of the KB paradigm. We show that multiple functionalities in this domain can be achieved by applying different forms of logical inferences on a formal specification of the configuration domain. We report on a proof of concept of this approach in a real-life application with a banking company. To appear in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming (TPLP).Comment: To appear in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming (TPLP

Continuously-variable survival exponent for random walks with movable partial reflectors

We study a one-dimensional lattice random walk with an absorbing boundary at the origin and a movable partial reflector. On encountering the reflector, at site x, the walker is reflected (with probability r) to x-1 and the reflector is simultaneously pushed to x+1. Iteration of the transition matrix, and asymptotic analysis of the probability generating function show that the critical exponent delta governing the survival probability varies continuously between 1/2 and 1 as r varies between 0 and 1. Our study suggests a mechanism for nonuniversal kinetic critical behavior, observed in models with an infinite number of absorbing configurations.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Anomalous f-electron Hall Effect in the Heavy-Fermion System CeTIn5_{5} (T = Co, Ir, or Rh)

The in-plane Hall coefficient $R_{H}(T)$ of CeRhIn$_{5}$, CeIrIn$_{5}$, and CeCoIn$_{5}$ and their respective non-magnetic lanthanum analogs are reported in fields to 90 kOe and at temperatures from 2 K to 325 K. $R_{H}(T)$ is negative, field-independent, and dominated by skew-scattering above $\sim$ 50 K in the Ce compounds. $R_{H}(H \to 0)$ becomes increasingly negative below 50 K and varies with temperature in a manner that is inconsistent with skew scattering. Field-dependent measurements show that the low-T anomaly is strongly suppressed when the applied field is increased to 90 kOe. Measurements on LaRhIn$_{5}$, LaIrIn$_{5}$, and LaCoIn$_{5}$ indicate that the same anomalous temperature dependence is present in the Hall coefficient of these non-magnetic analogs, albeit with a reduced amplitude and no field dependence. Hall angle ($\theta_{H}$) measurements find that the ratio $\rho_{xx}/\rho_{xy}=\cot(\theta_{H})$ varies as $T^{2}$ below 20 K for all three Ce-115 compounds. The Hall angle of the La-115 compounds follow this T-dependence as well. These data suggest that the electronic-structure contribution dominates the Hall effect in the 115 compounds, with $f$-electron and Kondo interactions acting to magnify the influence of the underlying complex band structure. This is in stark contrast to the situation in most $4f$ and $5f$ heavy-fermion compounds where the normal carrier contribution to the Hall effect provides only a small, T-independent background to $R_{H}.$Comment: 23 pages and 8 figure

Large Anomalous Hall effect in a silicon-based magnetic semiconductor

Magnetic semiconductors are attracting high interest because of their potential use for spintronics, a new technology which merges electronics and manipulation of conduction electron spins. (GaMn)As and (GaMn)N have recently emerged as the most popular materials for this new technology. While Curie temperatures are rising towards room temperature, these materials can only be fabricated in thin film form, are heavily defective, and are not obviously compatible with Si. We show here that it is productive to consider transition metal monosilicides as potential alternatives. In particular, we report the discovery that the bulk metallic magnets derived from doping the narrow gap insulator FeSi with Co share the very high anomalous Hall conductance of (GaMn)As, while displaying Curie temperatures as high as 53 K. Our work opens up a new arena for spintronics, involving a bulk material based only on transition metals and Si, and which we have proven to display a variety of large magnetic field effects on easily measured electrical properties.Comment: 19 pages with 5 figure

Hemodynamic impact of isobaric levobupivacaine versus hyperbaric bupivacaine for subarachnoid anesthesia in patients aged 65 and older undergoing hip surgery

BackgroundThe altered hemodynamics, and therefore the arterial hypotension is the most prevalent adverse effect after subarachnoid anesthesia. The objective of the study was to determine the exact role of local anesthetic selection underlying spinal anesthesia-induced hypotension in the elderly patient. We conducted a descriptive, observational pilot study to assess the hemodynamic impact of subarachnoid anesthesia with isobaric levobupivacaine versus hyperbaric bupivacaine for hip fracture surgery.DescriptionHundred twenty ASA status I-IV patients aged 65 and older undergoing hip fracture surgery were enrolled. The primary objective of our study was to compare hemodynamic effects based on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and dyastolic blood pressure (DBP) values, heart rate (HR) and hemoglobin (Hb) and respiratory effects based on partial oxygen saturation (SpO2%) values. The secondary objective was to assess potential adverse events with the use of levobupivacaine versus bupivacaine. Assessments were performed preoperatively, at 30 minutes into surgery, at the end of anesthesia and at 48 hours and 6 months after surgery.Among intraoperative events, the incidence of hypotension was statistically significantly higher (p <0.05) in group BUPI (38.3%) compared to group LEVO (13.3%). There was a decrease (p <0.05) in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at 30 minutes intraoperatively (19% in group BUPI versus 17% in group LEVO). SpO2% increased at 30 minutes after anesthesia onset (1% in group BUPI versus 1.5% in group LEVO). Heart rate (HR) decreased at 30 minutes after anesthesia onset (5% in group BUPI versus 9% in group L). Hemoglobin (Hb) decreased from time of operating room (OR) admission to the end of anesthesia (9.3% in group BUPI versus 12.5% in group LEVO). The incidence of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion was 13.3% in group BUPI versus 31.7% in group LEVO, this difference was statistically significant. Among postoperative events, the incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF) was significantly higher in group BUPI (8,3%). At 6 months after anesthesia, no differences were found.ConclusionsGiven the hemodynamic stability and lower incidence of intraoperative hypotension observed, levobupivacaine could be the agent of choice for subarachnoid anesthesia in elderly patients

The Correlation-Based Method for the Movement Compensation in the Analysis of the Results of FRAP Experiments

This paper presents a computational algorithm for the detection and compensation for intracellular movement in the FRAP experiments with focal adhesions in living cells. The developed approach is based on the calculation of correlation coefficient. It was validated on the series of the experimental datasets and shows the successful results in the comparison with other widelyestablished methods

Successful Auxiliary Liver Transplant Followed by Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in X-Linked Lymphoproliferative Disease Type 1

We described a five-year-old boy who presented with acute liver failure of indeterminate aetiology, requiring urgent liver transplant. Post-operative course was complicated by pancytopaenia, hypogammaglobulinaemia and cerebral lesions, histologically confirmed as EBV-driven post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. Genetic testing showed XLP1 mutation, prompting matched-unrelated haematopoietic stem cell transplant to cure his primary immunodeficiency

Application of a fuzzy, indicator‐based methodology for investigating the functional vulnerability of critical infrastructures to flood hazards

Hazard vulnerability assessment of critical infrastructures (CIs) is crucial for ranking infrastructures based on their level of criticality, enabling the urban managers to prioritize CIs for allocating funds in the hazard mitigation/recovery process. This study aims to provide a framework for ranking CIs based on a rapid and preliminary flood vulnerability assessment by introducing a methodology for classifying CIs according to their vulnerability to riverine flooding. An indicator-based vulnerability curve is calculated both quantitatively (using Fuzzy Logic Toolbox in MATLAB) and qualitatively (using susceptibility–exposure matrix), based on which CIs prioritization is accomplished with a focus on functional flood vulnerability considering structural/nonstructural damages. Besides, this study addresses the consequences that a damaged infrastructure may have on the rest of CIs and estimates their vulnerability given the additive impact of the surrounding failed infrastructures considering their interdependence. The methodology was applied to Berat (Albania) and Sarajevo (Bosnia-Herzegovina) with findings compared to those of a multi-criteria decision-making-based approach commonly used in CI ranking literature. The obtained results from both methods represent that roads are the most vulnerable studied infrastructure in the case of Berat, while regarding the city of Sarajevo, road infrastructures are considered the least vulnerable to riverine floods compared to bridges and schools

The effects of intrathecal morphine on urinary bladder function and recovery in patients having a cesarean delivery - A randomized clinical trial.

peer reviewedINTRODUCTION: Spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine (ITM) is a common anesthesia technique for cesarean delivery. The hypothesis was that the addition of ITM will delay micturition in women undergoing cesarean delivery. METHODS: Fifty-six ASA physical status I and II women scheduled to undergo elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were randomized to the PSM group (50 mg prilocaine + 2.5 mcg sufentanil + 100 mcg morphine; n = 30) or PS group (50 mg prilocaine + 2.5 mcg sufentanil; n = 24). The patients in the PS group received a bilateral transverse abdominal plane (TAP) block. The primary outcome was the effect of ITM on the time to micturition and the secondary outcome was the need for bladder re-catheterization. RESULTS: The time to first urge to urinate (8 [6-10] hours in the PSM group versus 6 [4-6] hours in the PS group) and the time to first micturition (10 [8-12] hours in the PSM group versus 6 [6-8] hours in the PS group) were significantly (p < 0.001) prolonged in the PSM group. Two patients in the PSM group met the 800 mL criterium for urinary catheterization after 6 and 8 h respectively. CONCLUSION: This study is the first randomized trial to demonstrate that the addition of ITM to the standardized mixture of prilocaine and sufentanil significantly delayed micturition

RNA/DNA co-analysis from human menstrual blood and vaginal secretion stains:Results of a fourth and fifth collaborative EDNAP exercise

The European DNA Profiling Group (EDNAP) organized a fourth and fifth collaborative exercise on RNA/DNA co-analysis for body fluid identification and STR profiling. The task was to identify dried menstrual blood and vaginal secretion stains using specific RNA biomarkers, and additionally test 3 housekeeping genes for their suitability as reference genes. Six menstrual blood and six vaginal secretion stains, two dilution series (1/4-1/64 pieces of a menstrual blood/vaginal swab) and, optionally, bona fide or mock casework samples of human or non-human origin were analyzed by 24 participating laboratories, using RNA extraction or RNA/DNA co-extraction methods. Two novel menstrual blood mRNA multiplexes were used: MMP triplex (MMP7, MMP10, MMP11) and MB triplex (MSX1, LEFTY2, SFRP4) in conjunction with a housekeeping gene triplex (B2M, UBC, UCE). Two novel mRNA multiplexes and a HBD1 singleplex were used for the identification of vaginal secretion: Vag triplex (MYOZ1, CYP2B7P1 and MUC4) and a Lactobacillus-specific Lacto triplex (Ljen, Lcris, Lgas). The laboratories used different chemistries and instrumentation and all were able to successfully isolate and detect mRNA in dried stains. The simultaneous extraction of RNA and DNA allowed for positive identification of the tissue/fluid source of origin by mRNA profiling as well as a simultaneous identification of the body fluid donor by STR profiling, also from old and compromised casework samples. The results of this and the previous collaborative RNA exercises support RNA profiling as a reliable body fluid identification method that can easily be combined with current STR typing technology