Supporting the resolution of inconsistencies in specifications based on mathematical argumentation theory (Model theoretic aspects of the notion of independence and dimension)

In this paper, we propose a method to support for resolving “inconsistencies” in a requirement specification document which is written in a natural language. We also develop a tool based on the method. We use mathematical argumentation theory and natural language processing to realize the method. Based on mathematical argumentation theory, we can formulate various “inconsistencies” including logical contradiction as an attack relation R in an argumentation framework (A, R). Then an extension S in (A, R) represents a set of acceptable descriptions of a requirement specification document. Moreover, an extension S suggests an engineer the set of descriptions which should be corrected to resolve “inconsistencies” by referring R. Our method consists of the following methods. First, we adopt the method in [1], which is based on natural language processing, to generate an argumentation framework (A, R) from a requirement specification document. Second, we use the method in [2] to define an extension S of (A, R) in an extension of first-order logic, and then we use the method in [3] to enumerate extensions from (A, R) by solving a Partial Maximal Satisfiable Subsets Enumeration problem that is an extension of a Maximal Satisfiable Subsets Enumeration problem. Finally we visualize the (A, R) and S's to support for resolving “inconsistencies” in a requirement specification document

医療機器応用のためのダイヤモンドライクカーボンの生体適合性の向上に関する研究

広島大学(Hiroshima University)博士(工学)Doctor of Engineeringdoctora

A Case Study : Meyer's Formulation of a Specification and Theorem Proving with an SMT Solver Z3 (Model theoretic aspects of the notion of independence and dimension)

An SMT solver is a program to solve satisfiability problems described in restricted first-order formulas. Recently, SMT solvers are becoming powerful and applied to solve concrete problems in many research areas. But a concrete problem requires a complex first-order formula, then the satisfiability of the resulting formula often cannot be solved with an SMT solver. In these cases, we must use some model-theoretic techniques (Skolemization, quantifier-elimination, etc.) to reduce the complexity of a given first-order formula. Our future goal is to propose a simple formal specification language and a validation method, which is based on a model-theoretic method, to fill a gap in natural languages and standard formal languages. In this paper, we show a case study. In the case study, we formalize a specification and its properties with Meyer s formulation, and then we prove some theorems for specifications with an SMT solver Z3

A case of retroesophageal right subclavian artery, with special reference to the second intercostal artery, retroesophageal right vertebral artery, and thoracic duct

We report a case of retroesophageal right subclavian artery identified in a 59-year-old Japanese female during routine dissection in Nagasaki University School of Medicine. This kind of variation is relatively rare; however, reports of such cases have accumulated. We paid attention to the intersegmental arteries and above all, the second intercostal artery. On the other hand, there have been reports of a retroesophageal right vertebral artery, although such cases are extremely rare. It is considered that both retroesophageal arteries are formed by similar mechanisms. In other words, the distal part of the right dorsal aorta remained in such cases. However, in the case of a retroesophageal right vertebral artery, there might be the possibility of intercostal arteries developing into the vertebral artery, and we discuss such points here

Interactions between IL-32 and tumor necrosis factor alpha contribute to the exacerbation of immune-inflammatory diseases

IL-32 is a newly described cytokine in the human found to be an in vitro inducer of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). We examined the in vivo relationship between IL-32 and TNFα, and the pathologic role of IL-32 in the TNFα-related diseases – arthritis and colitis. We demonstrated by quantitative PCR assay that IL-32 mRNA was expressed in the lymphoid tissues, and in stimulated peripheral T cells, monocytes, and B cells. Activated T cells were important for IL-32 mRNA expression in monocytes and B cells. Interestingly, TNFα reciprocally induced IL-32 mRNA expression in T cells, monocyte-derived dendritic cells, and synovial fibroblasts. Moreover, IL-32 mRNA expression was prominent in the synovial tissues of rheumatoid arthritis patients, especially in synovial-infiltrated lymphocytes by in situ hybridization. To examine the in vivo relationship of IL-32 and TNFα, we prepared an overexpression model mouse of human IL-32β (BM-hIL-32) by bone marrow transplantation. Splenocytes of BM-hIL-32 mice showed increased expression and secretion of TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6 especially in response to lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Moreover, serum TNFα concentration showed a clear increase in BM-hIL-32 mice. Cell-sorting analysis of splenocytes showed that the expression of TNFα was increased in resting F4/80(+ )macrophages, and the expression of TNFα, IL-1β and IL-6 was increased in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated F4/80(+ )macrophages and CD11c(+ )dendritic cells. In fact, BM-hIL-32 mice showed exacerbation of collagen-antibody-induced arthritis and trinitrobenzen sulfonic acid-induced colitis. In addition, the transfer of hIL-32β-producing CD4(+ )T cells significantly exacerbated collagen-induced arthritis, and a TNFα blockade cancelled the exacerbating effects of hIL-32β. We therefore conclude that IL-32 is closely associated with TNFα, and contributes to the exacerbation of TNFα-related inflammatory arthritis and colitis

Titanium Immobilized with an Antimicrobial Peptide Derived from Histatin Accelerates the Differentiation of Osteoblastic Cell Line, MC3T3-E1

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of titanium immobilized with a cationic antimicrobial peptide (JH8194) derived from histatin on the biofilm formation of Porphyromonas gingivalis and differentiation of osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1). The titanium specimens (Ti) were immobilized with JH8194, according to the method previously described. The colonization of P. gingivalis on JH8194-Ti was significantly lower than that on control- and blocking-Ti. JH8194-Ti enhanced the mRNA expressions of Runx2 and OPN, and ALPase activity in the MC3T3-E1, as compared with those of control- and blocking-Ti. These results, taken together, suggested the possibility that JH8194-Ti may be a potential aid to shorten the period of acquiring osseointegration

Structure of the inhibitor complex of old yellow enzyme from Trypanosoma cruzi

The structures of old yellow enzyme from Trypanosoma cruzi which produces prostaglandin F2α from PGH2 have been determined in the presence or absence of menadione