Countdown games, and simulation on (succinct) one-counter nets

We answer an open complexity question by Hofman, Lasota, Mayr, Totzke (LMCS 2016) [HLMT16] for simulation preorder of succinct one-counter nets (i.e., one-counter automata with no zero tests where counter increments and decrements are integers written in binary), by showing that all relations between bisimulation equivalence and simulation preorder are EXPSPACE-hard for these nets. We describe a reduction from reachability games whose EXPSPACE-completeness in the case of succinct one-counter nets was shown by Hunter [RP 2015], by using other results. We also provide a direct self-contained EXPSPACE-completeness proof for a special case of such reachability games, namely for a modification of countdown games that were shown EXPTIME-complete by Jurdzinski, Sproston, Laroussinie [LMCS 2008]; in our modification the initial counter value is not given but is freely chosen by the first player. We also present a new simplified proof of the belt theorem that gives a simple graphic presentation of simulation preorder on one-counter nets and leads to a polynomial-space algorithm; it is an alternative to the proof from [HLMT16].Comment: A part of this paper elaborates arxiv-paper 1801.01073 and the related paper presented at Reachability Problems 201

Cooperative game-theoretic features of cost sharing in location-routing

This article studies several variants of the location-routing problem using a cooperative game-theoretic framework. The authors derive characteristics in terms of subadditivity, convexity, and non-emptiness of the core. Moreover, for some of the game variants, it is shown that for facility opening costs substantially larger than the costs associated with routing, the core is always non-empty. The theoretical results are supported by numerical experiments aimed at illustrating the properties and deriving insights. Among others, it is observed that, while in general it is not possible to guarantee core allocations, in a huge majority of cases the core is non-empty

Functional bowel disorders and adherence to restricted diets

A systematic review indicated little prior consideration of dietary adherence in this population. A pilot questionnaire, using the theory of planned behaviour as a framework, was subsequently created. This accounted for 59.2% of the variance in adherence intention, and 49.7% of the variance in adherence behaviour (along with psychological distress)

Triadic fuzzy Galois connections as ordinary connections

Abstract-The paper presents results on representation of the basic structures related to ternary fuzzy relations by the structures related to ordinary ternary relations, such as Galois connections, closure operators, and trilattices (structures of maximal Cartesian subrelations). These structures appear as the fundamental structures in relational data analysis such as formal concept analysis or association rules. We prove several representation theorems that allow us to automatically transfer some of the known results from the ordinary case to fuzzy case. The transfer is demonstrated by examples. I. INTRODUCTION Relations play a fundamental role in mathematics, computer science, and their applications. Many results about ordinary relations have been generalized to the setting of fuzzy relations in the past. There has always been a fundamental question of how the various fuzzifications are related to the ordinary notions and results. Needless to say, this question is important both from a practical and theoretical point of view and is treated to some extent in textbooks, see e.g. In this paper we deal with basic structures associated to ternary relations that appear as fundamental ones in the methods of relational data analysis, namely the closure-like structures such as Galois connections, closure operators, structures of their fixpoints and the like. Such structures appear e.g. in formal concept analysis The most common way of looking at the relationship between ordinary notions and their fuzzy counterparts is in terms of a-cuts of fuzzy relations (see e.g. [15]) but there are additional possible views at the question as well. One of them, utilized in this paper, is provided in [3, Section 3.1.2]. Our paper is organized as follows. We first provide preliminaries in Section II. In Section III, we introduce the Galoi

Type IV fimbrial subunit protein ApfA contributes to protection against porcine pleuropneumonia

Porcine pleuropneumonia caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae accounts for serious economic losses in the pig farming industry worldwide. We examined here the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the recombinant type IV fimbrial subunit protein ApfA as a single antigen vaccine against pleuropneumonia, or as a component of a multi-antigen preparation comprising five other recombinant antigens derived from key virulence factors of A. pleuropneumoniae (ApxIA, ApxIIA, ApxIIIA, ApxIVA and TbpB). Immunization of pigs with recombinant ApfA alone induced high levels of specific serum antibodies and provided partial protection against challenge with the heterologous A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 9 strain. This protection was higher than that engendered by vaccination with rApxIVA or rTbpB alone and similar to that observed after immunization with the tri-antigen combination of rApxIA, rApxIIA and rApxIIIA. In addition, rApfA improved the vaccination potential of the penta-antigen mixture of rApxIA, rApxIIA, rApxIIIA, rApxIVA and rTbpB proteins, where the hexa-antigen vaccine containing rApfA conferred a high level of protection on pigs against the disease. Moreover, when rApfA was used for vaccination alone or in combination with other antigens, such immunization reduced the number of pigs colonized with the challenge strain. These results indicate that ApfA could be a valuable component of an efficient subunit vaccine for the prevention of porcine pleuropneumonia

Countdown games, and simulation on (succinct) one-counter nets

We answer an open complexity question by Hofman, Lasota, Mayr, Totzke (LMCS 2016) for simulation preorder on the class of succinct one-counter nets (i.e., one-counter automata with no zero tests where counter increments and decrements are integers written in binary); the problem was known to be PSPACE-hard and in EXPSPACE. We show that all relations between bisimulation equivalence and simulation preorder are EXPSPACE-hard for these nets; simulation preorder is thus EXPSPACE-complete. The result is proven by a reduction from reachability games whose EXPSPACE-completeness in the case of succinct one-counter nets was shown by Hunter (RP 2015), by using other results. We also provide a direct self-contained EXPSPACE-completeness proof for a special case of such reachability games, namely for a modification of countdown games that were shown EXPTIME-complete by Jurdzinski, Sproston, Laroussinie (LMCS 2008); in our modification the initial counter value is not given but is freely chosen by the first player. We also present an alternative proof for the upper bound by Hofman et al. In particular, we give a new simplified proof of the belt theorem that yields a simple graphic presentation of simulation preorder on (non-succinct) one-counter nets and leads to a polynomial-space algorithm (which is trivially extended to an exponential-space algorithm for succinct one-counter nets)

A systematic review of adherence to restricted diets in people with functional bowel disorders

Functional bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome are commonly experienced within the population, and have an adverse impact on emotions, physical well-being, social activity, and occupational output. Adherence to a restricted diet can reduce symptoms, which in turn leads to increased quality of life and well-being. The aim of this review was to assess the extent to which predictors of dietary adherence have been considered in studies relating to functional bowel disorders and following a restricted diet. This was done firstly by examining such studies which contained a measure or indicator of adherence, and then by examining predictors of adherence within and between studies. A search of PsycINFO, Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases was performed during July 2014, with the search criteria including relevant terms such as gastrointestinal disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, diet, and adherence. Of an initial 7927 papers, 39 were suitable for inclusion. Fourteen of the 39 studies included had a structured measure or indicator of dietary adherence, and the remaining 25 mentioned adherence without any structured levels of adherence. There was little investigation into the predictors of adherence, with symptom relief or induction being the primary goal of most of the studies. This review indicates that predictors of dietary adherence are rarely considered in research regarding functional bowel disorders. Further investigation is needed into the variables which contribute to rates of adherence to restricted diets, and more rigorous research is needed to characterise those individuals most likely to be non-adherent. Such research is necessary to ensure that people with these conditions can be provided with appropriate support and interventions

Automatic ROI detection and classification of the Achilles tendon ultrasound images

Ultrasound (US) imaging plays an important role in medical imaging technologies. It is widely used because of its ease of use and low cost compared to other imaging techniques. Specifically, ultrasound imaging is used in the detection of the Achilles Tendon (AT) pathologies as it detects important details. For example, US imaging is used for AT rupture that affects about 1 in 5,000 people worldwide. Decision support systems are important in medical imaging, as they assist radiologist in detecting probable diagnoses and lesions. The work presented in this paper concerns the development of a software application to detect changes in the AT ultrasound images and subsequently classify them into normal or abnormal. We propose an approach that fully automates the detection for the Region of Interest (ROI) in ultrasound AT images. The original image is divided into six blocks with 1 cm size in each direction. The blocks lie inside the vulnerable area considered as our ROI. The proposed system achieved an accuracy of 97.21%

Las WebQuest en la formación del profesorado universitario en Química Analítica

En el presente trabajo se describe una experiencia realizada con alumnos de la cátedra de Química Analítica I  de la Universidad Nacional del Chaco Austral (UNCAUS), y se aplicó la estrategia  con los Alumnos del tercer año de la Carrera de Profesorado en Ciencias Químicas y del Ambiente, en la que se utilizaron clases tradicionales, con trabajos colaborativos y el uso de nuevas tecnologías, las WebQuest. La incorporación de WebQuest tiene por objeto optimizar el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje y  la información , además de servir de apoyo a las clases presenciales, promoviendo el aprendizaje autónomo. También se analizan las ventajas de este recurso didáctico y  que el equipo docente enfrentó para el desarrollo de la misma. Se muestran algunos de los resultados alcanzados con la experiencia basados en un enfoque constructivista y de aprendizaje colaborativo.

PROPUESTA DE EVALUACIÓN INTEGRAL EN LA UNIVERSIDAD: UNA EXPERIENCIA QUIMICA ANALITICA GENERAL

Resumen Este trabajo pretende mostrar una descripción del Sistema de Evaluación Integral (SEI) diseñado e implementado en la Cátedra de Química Analítica General durante el periodo 1998-2001, a partir de un modelo que articula los diferentes tipos de evaluación (evaluación diagnóstica, formativa, sumativa y autoevaluación), con las diferentes fases de evaluación (inicial, procesual y final), principios que proporcionaron la base teórica necesaria para su realización. La continua realimentación, producto de una mayor interrelación docente-alumno, permitió modificar algunos aspectos de los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje con la consiguiente mejora en la práctica pedagógica y en el rendimiento de los alumnos.   Palabras clave: Sistema de Evaluación Integral, Evaluación diagnóstica, formativa, sumativa y autoevaluación, realimentación, procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje, práctica pedagógica.     SUMMARY This work seeks to show a description of the System of Integral Evaluation (SIE) designed and implemented within the course of General Analytical Chemistry in a period of 4 years, from 1998 to 2001. The design of the SIE was built from a model that articulates the different types of evaluation (diagnostic, formative and additive evaluation and self evaluation) with the different evaluation steps (initial, ¨in the process¨ and final), principles that gave the theoretical base needed for its achievement. The continuous feed-back, due to a better interrelation between the teacher and the student, helps to modify some aspects of the teaching and learning process improving the pedagogic practice and in the students academic performance.   Keywords: System of Integral Evaluation, diagnostic, formative and additive evaluation and self evaluation, feed-back, teaching and learning process, pedagogic practice