Weighted Modal Transition Systems

Specification theories as a tool in model-driven development processes of component-based software systems have recently attracted a considerable attention. Current specification theories are however qualitative in nature, and therefore fragile in the sense that the inevitable approximation of systems by models, combined with the fundamental unpredictability of hardware platforms, makes it difficult to transfer conclusions about the behavior, based on models, to the actual system. Hence this approach is arguably unsuited for modern software systems. We propose here the first specification theory which allows to capture quantitative aspects during the refinement and implementation process, thus leveraging the problems of the qualitative setting. Our proposed quantitative specification framework uses weighted modal transition systems as a formal model of specifications. These are labeled transition systems with the additional feature that they can model optional behavior which may or may not be implemented by the system. Satisfaction and refinement is lifted from the well-known qualitative to our quantitative setting, by introducing a notion of distances between weighted modal transition systems. We show that quantitative versions of parallel composition as well as quotient (the dual to parallel composition) inherit the properties from the Boolean setting.Comment: Submitted to Formal Methods in System Desig

Map Matching Algorithm for the ”Spar p ̊a farten” Intelligent Speed Adaptation Project

The availability of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) enables sophisticated vehicle guidance and advisory systems such as Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) systems. In ISA systems, it is essential to be able to position vehicles within a road network. Because digital road networks as well as GNSS positioning are often inaccurate, a technique known as map matching is needed that aims to use this inaccurate data for determining a vehicle’s real road-network position. Then, knowing this position, an ISA system can compare speed with the speed limit in effect and take measures against speeding. This paper presents an on-line map matching algorithm with an extensive number of weighting parameters that allow better determination of a vehicle’s road network position. The algorithm uses certainty value to express its belief in the correctness of its results. The algorithm was designed and implemented to be used in the large scale ISA project ”Spar p ̊a farten” . Using test data and data collected from project participants, the algorithm’s performance is evaluated. It is shown that algorithm performs correctly 95 % of the time and is capable of handling GNSS positioning errors in a conservative manner

Map Matching Algorithm for the ”Spar på farten” Intelligent Speed Adaptation Project

The availability of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) enables sophisticated vehicle guidance and advisory systems such as Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) systems. In ISA systems, it is essential to be able to position vehicles within a road network. Because digital road networks as well as GNSS positioning are often inaccurate, a technique known as map matching is needed that aims to use this inaccurate data for determining a vehicle’s real road-network position. Then, knowing this position, an ISA system can compare speed with the speed limit in effect and take measures against speeding. This paper presents an online map matching algorithm with an extensive number of weighting parameters that allow better determination of a vehicle’s road network position. The algorithm uses certainty value to express its belief in the correctness of its results. The algorithm was designed and implemented to be used in the large scale ISA project ”Spar på farten” . Using test data and data collected from project participants, the algorithm’s performance is evaluated. It is shown that algorithm performs correctly 95 % of the time and is capable of handling GNSS positioning errors in a conservative manner

Association of the Sweet-Liking Phenotype and Craving for Alcohol With the Response to Naltrexone Treatment in Alcohol Dependence: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Identification of moderators of the response to naltrexone hydrochloride treatment for alcohol dependence could improve clinical care for patients with alcohol use disorders. To investigate the preliminary finding that the sweet-liking (SL) phenotype interacts with a high level of craving for alcohol and is associated with an improved response to naltrexone in alcohol dependence. This 12-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted from February 1, 2010, to April 30, 2012, in an academic outpatient medical center. Eighty actively drinking patients were randomized by the SL (n = 22) or the sweet-disliking (SDL) (n = 58) phenotype and by pretreatment high (n = 40) or low (n = 40) craving for alcohol, with high craving defined as greater than the median. Patients and staff were blinded to categorization. Patients were excluded for unstable medical or psychiatric illness, including dependence on drugs other than nicotine. Four patients (2 in the placebo arm and 2 in the naltrexone arm) stopped medication therapy because of adverse effects. Data were analyzed from January 15, 2013, to May 15, 2016, based on intention to treat. Oral naltrexone hydrochloride, 50 mg/d, or daily placebo with weekly to biweekly brief counseling. The a priori hypothesis tested SL/SDL phenotype, pretreatment craving, and their interaction as moderators of frequency of abstinent and heavy drinking days during treatment, assessed with the timeline follow-back method. Eighty patients were randomized (57 men [71%]; 23 women [29%]; mean [SD] age, 47.0 [8.6] years). A nonsignificant effect of naltrexone on heavy drinking was noted (4.8 fewer heavy drinking days; Cohen d = 0.45; 95% CI, -0.01 to 0.90; F1,67 = 3.52; P = .07). The SL phenotype moderated the effect of naltrexone on heavy drinking (6.1 fewer heavy drinking days; Cohen d = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.12-1.03; F1,67 = 5.65; P = .02) and abstinence (10.0 more abstinent days; Cohen d = 0.57; 95% CI, 0.11-1.02; F1,67 = 5.36; P = .02), and high craving moderated heavy drinking (7.1 fewer heavy drinking days; Cohen d = 0.66; 95% CI, 0.20-1.11; F1,67 = 7.37; P = .008). The combination of the SL phenotype and high craving was associated with a strong response to naltrexone, with 17.1 fewer heavy drinking days (Cohen d = 1.07; 95% CI, 0.58-1.54; F1,67 = 19.33; P < .001) and 28.8 more abstinent days (Cohen d = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.25-1.17; F1,67 = 8.73; P = .004) compared with placebo. The SL phenotype and a high craving for alcohol independently and particularly in combination are associated with a positive response to naltrexone. The SL/SDL phenotype and a high craving for alcohol merit further investigation as factors to identify patients with alcohol dependence who are responsive to naltrexone. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01296646

Transient accumulation and bidirectional movement of KIF13B in primary cilia.

Primary cilia are microtubule-based sensory organelles whose assembly and function rely on the conserved bidirectional intraflagellar transport (IFT) system, which is powered by anterograde kinesin-2 and retrograde cytoplasmic dynein-2 motors. Nematodes additionally employ a cell-type-specific kinesin-3 motor, KLP-6, which moves within cilia independently of IFT and regulates ciliary content and function. Here, we provide evidence that a KLP-6 homolog, KIF13B, undergoes bursts of bidirectional movement within primary cilia of cultured immortalized human retinal pigment epithelial (hTERT-RPE1) cells. Anterograde and retrograde intraciliary velocities of KIF13B were similar to those of IFT (as assayed using IFT172–eGFP), but intraciliary movement of KIF13B required its own motor domain and appeared to be cell-type specific. Our work provides the first demonstration of motor-driven, intraciliary movement by a vertebrate kinesin other than kinesin-2 motors.post-print449 K

Psychosocial predictors of doping intentions and use in sport and exercise: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To conduct a meta-analytic review of psychosocial predictors of doping intention, doping use and inadvertent doping in sport and exercise settings. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources: Scopus, Medline, Embase, PsychINFO, CINAHL Plus, ProQuest Dissertations/Theses and Open Grey. Eligibility criteria: Studies (of any design) that measured the outcome variables of doping intention, doping use and/or inadvertent doping and at least one psychosocial determinant of those three variables. Results: We included studies from 25 experiments (N=13 586) and 186 observational samples (N=3 09 130). Experimental groups reported lower doping intentions (g=−0.21, 95% CI (−0.31 to –0.12)) and doping use (g=−0.08, 95% CI (−0.14 to –0.03), but not inadvertent doping (g=−0.70, 95% CI (−1.95 to 0.55)), relative to comparators. For observational studies, protective factors were inversely associated with doping intentions (z=−0.28, 95% CI −0.31 to –0.24), doping use (z=−0.09, 95% CI −0.13 to to –0.05) and inadvertent doping (z=−0.19, 95% CI −0.32 to –0.06). Risk factors were positively associated with doping intentions (z=0.29, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.32) and use (z=0.17, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.19), but not inadvertent doping (z=0.08, 95% CI −0.06 to 0.22). Risk factors for both doping intentions and use included prodoping norms and attitudes, supplement use, body dissatisfaction and ill-being. Protective factors for both doping intentions and use included self-efficacy and positive morality. Conclusion: This study identified several protective and risk factors for doping intention and use that may be viable intervention targets for antidoping programmes. Protective factors were negatively associated with inadvertent doping; however, the empirical volume is limited to draw firm conclusions

Psychosocial predictors of doping intentions and use in sport and exercise: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To conduct a meta-analytic review of psychosocial predictors of doping intention, doping use and inadvertent doping in sport and exercise settings. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources: Scopus, Medline, Embase, PsychINFO, CINAHL Plus, ProQuest Dissertations/Theses and Open Grey. Eligibility criteria: Studies (of any design) that measured the outcome variables of doping intention, doping use and/or inadvertent doping and at least one psychosocial determinant of those three variables. Results: We included studies from 25 experiments (N=13 586) and 186 observational samples (N=3 09 130). Experimental groups reported lower doping intentions (g=−0.21, 95% CI (−0.31 to –0.12)) and doping use (g=−0.08, 95% CI (−0.14 to –0.03), but not inadvertent doping (g=−0.70, 95% CI (−1.95 to 0.55)), relative to comparators. For observational studies, protective factors were inversely associated with doping intentions (z=−0.28, 95% CI −0.31 to –0.24), doping use (z=−0.09, 95% CI −0.13 to to –0.05) and inadvertent doping (z=−0.19, 95% CI −0.32 to –0.06). Risk factors were positively associated with doping intentions (z=0.29, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.32) and use (z=0.17, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.19), but not inadvertent doping (z=0.08, 95% CI −0.06 to 0.22). Risk factors for both doping intentions and use included prodoping norms and attitudes, supplement use, body dissatisfaction and ill-being. Protective factors for both doping intentions and use included self-efficacy and positive morality. Conclusion: This study identified several protective and risk factors for doping intention and use that may be viable intervention targets for antidoping programmes. Protective factors were negatively associated with inadvertent doping; however, the empirical volume is limited to draw firm conclusions

The IMO Reference Data Model: One Solution Fits Most!

In 2019, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) made it mandatory to support the electronic clearance of ships entering foreign ports. In preparation, the IMO Facilitation Committee started to develop a reference data model to harmonise the most important standards for ship clearance. The first version was published in 2020. The model is already extending into other areas of ship-port data exchanges and it is now increasingly seen as a tool to coordinate development of new electronic data exchange standards for ship operations. The lack of such coordination has, up until now, been a significant problem—much better coordination is essential in the relatively small and highly international market that shipping represents.acceptedVersio