Approximate Reasoning with Fuzzy Booleans

This paper introduces, in analogy to the concept of fuzzy numbers, the concept of fuzzy booleans, and examines approximate reasoning with the compositional rule of inference using fuzzy booleans. It is shown that each set of fuzzy rules is equivalent to a set of fuzzy rules with singleton crisp antecedents; in case of fuzzy booleans this set contains only two rules. It is shown that Zadeh's extension principle is equivalent to the compositional rule of inference using a complete set of fuzzy rules with singleton crisp antecedents. The results are applied to describe the use of approximate reasoning with fuzzy booleans to object-oriented design methods

Fuzzy Weighted Average: Analytical Solution

An algorithm is presented for the computation of analytical expressions for the extremal values of the α-cuts of the fuzzy weighted average, for triangular or trapeizoidal weights and attributes. Also, an algorithm for the computation of the inverses of these expressions is given, providing exact membership functions of the fuzzy weighted average. Up to now, only algorithms exist for the computation of the extremal values of the α-cuts for a fixed value of α. To illustrate the power of our algorithms, they are applied to several examples from the literature, providing exact membership functions in each case

A Model for Quality Optimization in Software Design Processes

The main objective of software engineers is to design and implement systems that implement all functional and non-functional requirements. Unfortunately, it is very difficult or even generally impossible to deliver a software system that satisfies all the requirements. Even more seriously, failures in fulfilling requirements are generally detected after the realization of software systems. This is because design decisions are mostly taken based on estimations, which can turn out to be wrong at a later stage in the design process. Switching to different design alternatives at a later stage can be very difficult since this may demand drastic changes in design and also may increase project time and costs. In this paper a model is proposed for modeling and tracing design processes with respect to the selected design alternatives. Based on the model, two algorithmic definitions of design strategies are given, which enable software engineers to optimize design decisions with respect to quality and resource constraints

Dealing with Fuzzy Information in Software Design Methods

Software design methods incorporate a large set of heuristic rules that should result in stable software architecture of high quality. In general, clearly defined inputs are required to deliver the desired results. Unfortunately, especially in the early phases of software development, it is very difficult or even impossible to provide precisely defined information. Since methods cannot deal with imprecision, the designers need to make approximations which are generally not justifiable. In this paper, we will advocate an approach where the inputs for software design methods are modeled by using fuzzy sets. This approach renders the need for introduction of extra information for removal of inexactness obsolete

Individuals, organisations, and local context shaping small-scale agricultural initiatives addressing sustainability : two case studies in Hawke's Bay, Aotearoa New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Agriculture & Environment at Massey University, Manawatū, Aotearoa

Figure 3 (=Avelino & Wittmayer, 2016 Fig 3) was removed for copyright reasons.Experts have recognised agricultural land-use is in need of transformative change to become sustainable while feeding the world population. In this thesis it is assumed based on changing regulation, literature, and media coverage there is an on-going agricultural sustainability transition in Aotearoa New Zealand. Scholars highlighted the potential of local initiatives to address sustainability issues in locally fitting ways. The role of initiatives collectively driving transformative change has been studied in sustainability transitions literature. However, how individual initiatives are being shaped at the level of individuals and initiatives has not been studied extensively. To inform people seeking to support agricultural initiatives navigating sustainability transitions, this thesis answers the research question: How are agricultural initiatives seeking to address local sustainability being shaped in the context of a sustainability transition? After a scoping phase to identify agricultural sustainability initiatives, two agricultural initiatives addressing local sustainability in which farmers and local government were involved, were selected and studied. Insights into how these initiatives were being shaped revealed forces associated with an ongoing transition were experienced at the individual level in both cases and shaped the initiatives through mechanisms including funding requirements and expertise. Local contexts being defined by strained historical relationships in the first case and challenged practices in the second shaped how boundary objects emerged in their functions. It also shaped the role of the intermediary that had a role to mediate relationships in the second case. Relationships with organisations in both initiatives were embodied by individuals and personal relationships shaped their roles in initiatives. Personal attributes of individuals were found to shape those roles as well as the involvement of farmers and the role of the intermediary. This thesis exposes a rich field of enquiry at the level of individuals and initiatives in sustainability transitions that can be further explored by conducting additional research into small scale initiatives navigating sustainability transitions in agricultural contexts as well as other fields. More insights into this micro-level of sustainability transitions may assist organisations in their efforts to support small scale initiatives navigating a sustainability transition

Envy and other stories

This thesis consists of three stories, part of a series of seven stories. The stories were written between September, 1973 and April, 1974. The primary aim of this thesis was to tell three stories true enough to be interesting. Essentially the three deal with Southern women, their emotions, their control on these emotions. Since all these stories concern the life of one woman, their order of presentation is geared to her age at the time of the particular story

High mannose-specific lectin Msl mediates key interactions of the vaginal Lactobacillus plantarum isolate CMPG5300

To characterize the interaction potential of the human vaginal isolate Lactobacillus plantarum CMPG5300, its genome was mined for genes encoding lectin-like proteins. cmpg5300.05_29 was identified as the gene encoding a putative mannose-binding lectin. Phenotypic analysis of a gene knock-out mutant of cmpg5300.05_29 showed that expression of this gene is important for auto-aggregation, adhesion to the vaginal epithelial cells, biofilm formation and binding to mannosylated glycans. Purification of the predicted lectin domain of Cmpg5300.05_29 and characterization of its sugar binding capacity confirmed the specificity of the lectin for high-mannose glycans. Therefore, we renamed Cmpg5300.05_29 as a mannose-specific lectin (Msl). The purified lectin domain of Msl could efficiently bind to HIV-1 glycoprotein gp120 and Candida albicans, and showed an inhibitory activity against biofilm formation of uropathogenic Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella Typhimurium. Thus, using a combination of molecular lectin characterization and functional assays, we could show that lectin-sugar interactions play a key role in host and pathogen interactions of a prototype isolate of the vaginal Lactobacillus microbiota