The CIFF Proof Procedure for Abductive Logic Programming with Constraints: Theory, Implementation and Experiments

We present the CIFF proof procedure for abductive logic programming with constraints, and we prove its correctness. CIFF is an extension of the IFF proof procedure for abductive logic programming, relaxing the original restrictions over variable quantification (allowedness conditions) and incorporating a constraint solver to deal with numerical constraints as in constraint logic programming. Finally, we describe the CIFF system, comparing it with state of the art abductive systems and answer set solvers and showing how to use it to program some applications. (To appear in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming - TPLP)

Non-destructive testing (NDT) and inspection of the blast furnace refractory lining by stress wave propagation technique

Generally speaking, a blast furnace is the main equipment in Ironmaking and the campaign life of a blast furnace depends on its remaining hearth refractory lining [1]. The Acousto Ultrasonic- Echo (AU-E) is a stress wave propagation technique that uses time and frequency data analysis to determine coarse-grained material thicknesses, such as refractory and stave materials in operating blast furnaces. A mechanical impact on the surface of the structure (via a hammer or a mechanical impactor) generates a stress pulse, propagating into the furnace layers. The wave is partially reflected by the change in refractory layer properties, but the main pulse propagates through the solid refractory layers until its energy dissipates. The signal is mainly reflected by the refractory/ molten metal interface, or alternatively by the build up/air or molten metal interfaces that are formed between internal layers or at external boundaries. In this paper, we describe the AU-E technique in details and demonstrate a few results that are indicative of the technique reliability and accuracy

On cognitive readiness in construction decision making

Cognitive readiness (CR) in construction is the mental, emotional and interpersonal skills that relate to the way project teams perceive, remember, think, speak and solve problems. CR compliments the necessary technical and contextual competences, and is necessary for making appropriate decisions in real-world problems. The investigation of cognitive enablers and barriers as well as their prioritization, adaptation and implementation in construction projects is the subject ofthe work described here

Arthroskopische Behandlung des femoroazetabulären Impingements

Zusammenfassung: Eine erst kürzlich etablierte, aber häufige Ätiologie der Hüftschmerzen beim jungen Erwachsenen ist das femoroazetabuläre Impingement (FAI), das eine leichte Form der frühzeitigen degenerativen Erkrankung des Hüftgelenks darstellt. Die klinischen Aspekte und diagnostischen Möglichkeiten sollen im Folgenden diskutiert und eine komplett arthroskopische Korrektur dieser Pathologie präsentiert werden. Mit dieser Technik können die azetabuläre Komponente ebenso wie die pathologischen Veränderungen am Femurkopf behandelt werden. Das schließt — falls notwendig — auch eine Labrumnaht mit ein. Neurologische Komplikationen durch lange Distraktionszeiten können durch die Anwendung einer invasiven Distraktionsmethode vermieden werden. Die Ergebnisse der arthroskopischen Behandlung sind mit denen der offenen chirurgischen Technik vergleichba

Incidence of branch block of the heart and its related factors in patients with myocardial infarction hospitalized in Hajar hospital, Shahrekord

زمینه و هدف: با وجود پیشرفت های وسیع تشخیصی و درمانی، هنوز یک سوم بیمارانی که دچار انفارکتوس حاد میوکارد می شوند، فوت می کنند.آریتمی های قلبی شایع­ترین علت مرگ در جریان انفارکتوس حاد میوکارد و بلوک­های قلبی دسته مهمی از این آریتمی ها هستند. هدف از این مطالعه، تعیین بروز بلوک های شاخه ای قلب و عوامل خطر دموگرافیک و سوابق بالینی مرتبط با آن در بیماران انفارکتوس قلبی می باشد. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه توصیفی تحلیلی مقطعی پرونده 263 بیمار مبتلا به انفارکتوس حاد میوکارد بستری شده در بخش مراقبت ویژه قلب مورد بررسی قرار گرفت و اطلاعات دموگرافیک و سوابق بالینی بیماران جمع آوری شد. اطلاعات به­دست آمده با استفاده از شاخص های مرکزی و پراکندگی و آزمون های تی مستقل، کای اسکور و آنالیز واریانس یک­طرفه در نرم­افزار STATA مورد تجزیه و تحلیل آماری قرار گرفت. یافته ها: فراوانی نسبی بروز بلوک شاخه ای کامل 97/15 (42 بیمار) بود. 23/45 بیماران بلوک شاخه راست کامل و 76/54 بلوک شاخه چپ کامل داشتند. بروز بلوک شاخه راست و چپ در کل جمعیت مورد مطالعه به­ترتیب 22/7 و 75/8 بود. بروز بلوک شاخه ای چپ و راست قلبی با متغیرهای جنسیت، سن، محل سکونت افراد، فشارخون بالا و سابقه بیماری ایسکمیک ارتباط معنی­داری نداشت (05/0<P)؛ ولی با سابقه ابتلا به دیابت رابطه معنی داری داشت (05/0>P). نتیجه گیری: در این مطالعه بروز بلوک های شاخه ای قلب در بیماران بستری گزارش شد. با توجه به بروز بالای پیامد مورد بررسی، توصیه می شود بیماران با انفارکتوس حاد میوکارد قلب به­طور جدی از­نظر عوامل مساعد کننده نظیر دیابت و آریتمی های بطنی مانند وجود اختلالات الکتریکی بررسی شوند. در نهایت اقدامات درمانی مناسب، از ایجاد آریتمی های خطرناک جلوگیری نمایند

Comments on Supersymmetry Algebra and Contact Term in Matrix String Theory

Following hep-th/0309238 relating the matrix string theory to the light-cone superstring field theory, we write down two supercharges in the matrix string theory explicitly. After checking the supersymmetry algebra at the leading order, we proceed to discuss higher-order contact terms.Comment: 17 pages, no figures, v2: eq. (5.1) and related appendices corrected, v3: final version to appear in JHE

Branes in the plane wave background with gauge field condensates

Supersymmetric branes in the plane wave background with additional constant magnetic fields are studied from the world-sheet point of view. It is found that in contradistinction to flat space, boundary condensates on some maximally supersymmetric branes necessarily break at least some supersymmetries. The maximally supersymmetric cases with condensates are shown to be in one to one correspondence with the previously classified class II branes.Comment: LaTeX, 31 pages, no figures; v2: references added, some typos correcte

Squashed Giants: Bound States of Giant Gravitons

We consider giant gravitons in the maximally supersymmetric type IIB plane-wave, in the presence of a constant NSNS B-field background. We show that in response to the background B-field the giant graviton would take the shape of a deformed three-sphere, the size and shape of which depend on the B-field, and that the giant becomes classically unstable once the B-field is larger than a critical value B_{cr}. In particular, for the B-field which is (anti-)self-dual under the SO(4) isometry of the original giant S^3, the closed string metric is that of a round S^3, while the open string metric is a squashed three-sphere. The squashed giant can be interpreted as a bound state of a spherical three-brane and circular D-strings. We work out the spectrum of geometric fluctuations of the squashed giant and study its stability. We also comment on the gauge theory which lives on the brane (which is generically a noncommutative theory) and a possible dual gauge theory description of the deformed giant.Comment: Latex file, 32 pages, 6 .eps figures; v3: typos correcte

Collagen Type XIX Regulates Cardiac Extracellular Matrix Structure and Ventricular Function

The cardiac extracellular matrix plays essential roles in homeostasis and injury responses. Although the role of fibrillar collagens have been thoroughly documented, the functions of non-fibrillar collagen members remain underexplored. These include a distinct group of non-fibrillar collagens, termed, fibril-associated collagens with interrupted triple helices (FACITs). Recent reports of collagen type XIX (encoded by Col19a1) expression in adult heart and evidence of its enhanced expression in cardiac ischemia suggest important functions for this FACIT in cardiac ECM structure and function. Here, we examined the cellular source of collagen XIX in the adult murine heart and evaluated its involvement in ECM structure and ventricular function. Immunodetection of collagen XIX in fractionated cardiovascular cell lineages revealed fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells as the primary sources of collagen XIX in the heart. Based on echocardiographic and histologic analyses, Col19a1 null (Col19a1(N/N)) mice exhibited reduced systolic function, thinning of left ventricular walls, and increased cardiomyocyte cross-sectional areas—without gross changes in myocardial collagen content or basement membrane morphology. Col19a1(N/N) cardiac fibroblasts had augmented expression of several enzymes involved in the synthesis and stability of fibrillar collagens, including PLOD1 and LOX. Furthermore, second harmonic generation-imaged ECM derived from Col19a1(N/N) cardiac fibroblasts, and transmission electron micrographs of decellularized hearts from Col19a1(N/N) null animals, showed marked reductions in fibrillar collagen structural organization. Col19a1(N/N) mice also displayed enhanced phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), signifying de-repression of the FAK pathway—a critical mediator of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Collectively, we show that collagen XIX, which had a heretofore unknown role in the mammalian heart, participates in the regulation of cardiac structure and function—potentially through modulation of ECM fibrillar collagen structural organization. Further, these data suggest that this FACIT may modify ECM superstructure via acting at the level of the fibroblast to regulate their expression of collagen synthetic and stabilization enzymes