961 research outputs found
A Description Logic of Typicality for Conceptual Combination
We propose a nonmonotonic Description Logic of typicality able to
account for the phenomenon of combining prototypical concepts, an open problem
in the fields of AI and cognitive modelling. Our logic extends the logic of
typicality ALC + TR, based on the notion of rational closure, by inclusions
p :: T(C) v D (âwe have probability p that typical Cs are Dsâ), coming
from the distributed semantics of probabilistic Description Logics. Additionally,
it embeds a set of cognitive heuristics for concept combination. We show that the
complexity of reasoning in our logic is EXPTIME-complete as in ALC
Beyond internet as tool: A mixed-methods study of online drug discussion
This thesis describes how internet use has shaped drug practices among Australians who engage in the recreational use of psychostimulants and hallucinogens (âparty drugsâ) and participate in public internet forums. This thesis uniquely contributes to drugs research by applying theoretical frameworks from internet studies, finding that internet forums enable the consumption and production of drug information, facilitate the production of alternative online places, and are increasingly converged with offline social worlds
A compact light readout system for longitudinally segmented shashlik calorimeters
The longitudinal segmentation of shashlik calorimeters is challenged by dead
zones and non-uniformities introduced by the light collection and readout
system. This limitation can be overcome by direct fiber-photosensor coupling,
avoiding routing and bundling of the wavelength shifter fibers and embedding
ultra-compact photosensors (SiPMs) in the bulk of the calorimeter. We present
the first experimental test of this readout scheme performed at the CERN PS-T9
beamline in 2015 with negative particles in the 1-5~GeV energy range. In this
paper, we demonstrate that the scheme does not compromise the energy resolution
and linearity compared with standard light collection and readout systems. In
addition, we study the performance of the calorimeter for partially contained
charged hadrons to assess the separation capability and the response of
the photosensors to direct ionization.Comment: To appear in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research,
Generic Modal Cut Elimination Applied to Conditional Logics
We develop a general criterion for cut elimination in sequent calculi for
propositional modal logics, which rests on absorption of cut, contraction,
weakening and inversion by the purely modal part of the rule system. Our
criterion applies also to a wide variety of logics outside the realm of normal
modal logic. We give extensive example instantiations of our framework to
various conditional logics. For these, we obtain fully internalised calculi
which are substantially simpler than those known in the literature, along with
leaner proofs of cut elimination and complexity. In one case, conditional logic
with modus ponens and conditional excluded middle, cut elimination and
complexity were explicitly stated as open in the literature
Long-term effects of the new direct antiviral agents (DAAs) therapy for HCV-related mixed cryoglobulinaemia without renal involvement: a multicentre open-label study
Objective. To investigate the long-term effects and safety of new direct antiviral agents (DAAs) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related mixed cryoglobulinaemia (MC) without renal involvement.Methods. The study enrolled 22 consecutive patients, 19 received sofosbuvir-based regimen and three patients received other DAAs, individually tailored according to latest guidelines. As of December 2016, the median length of follow-up was 17 months (range 13-21).Results. Extra-hepatic manifestations at enrollment were: purpura and arthralgia (12 cases), peripheral neuropathy (10 cases) and marginal zone Blymphomas (2 cases). After a four-week DAA therapy, all patients became HCV-negative. Moreover, after 48 weeks since the beginning of DAA treatment, sustained regression of purpura and arthralgias was observed respectively in eight and in nine cases; peripheral neuropathy improved in seven cases, and cryocrit median values decreased from three (1-20) at baseline to two (1-12) after 48 weeks. Two cases with indolent marginal zone lymphomas did not show any haematological response: size and number of the involved nodes remained unchanged. In addition, the monoclonal B-cell population found in the peripheral blood in four cases did not disappear after recovery from HCV-RNA. Mild side effects occurred in nine patients, but six patients developed ribavirin-related anaemia requiring reduction of ribavirin dose.Conclusion. DAA therapy is safe and effective to eradicate HCV in MC, but seems associated with satisfactory clinical response in mild or moderate cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis and no response in B-NHL
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