A Declarative Semantics for CLP with Qualification and Proximity

Uncertainty in Logic Programming has been investigated during the last decades, dealing with various extensions of the classical LP paradigm and different applications. Existing proposals rely on different approaches, such as clause annotations based on uncertain truth values, qualification values as a generalization of uncertain truth values, and unification based on proximity relations. On the other hand, the CLP scheme has established itself as a powerful extension of LP that supports efficient computation over specialized domains while keeping a clean declarative semantics. In this paper we propose a new scheme SQCLP designed as an extension of CLP that supports qualification values and proximity relations. We show that several previous proposals can be viewed as particular cases of the new scheme, obtained by partial instantiation. We present a declarative semantics for SQCLP that is based on observables, providing fixpoint and proof-theoretical characterizations of least program models as well as an implementation-independent notion of goal solutions.Comment: 17 pages, 26th Int'l. Conference on Logic Programming (ICLP'10

A Transformation-based Implementation for CLP with Qualification and Proximity

Uncertainty in logic programming has been widely investigated in the last decades, leading to multiple extensions of the classical LP paradigm. However, few of these are designed as extensions of the well-established and powerful CLP scheme for Constraint Logic Programming. In a previous work we have proposed the SQCLP (proximity-based qualified constraint logic programming) scheme as a quite expressive extension of CLP with support for qualification values and proximity relations as generalizations of uncertainty values and similarity relations, respectively. In this paper we provide a transformation technique for transforming SQCLP programs and goals into semantically equivalent CLP programs and goals, and a practical Prolog-based implementation of some particularly useful instances of the SQCLP scheme. We also illustrate, by showing some simple-and working-examples, how the prototype can be effectively used as a tool for solving problems where qualification values and proximity relations play a key role. Intended use of SQCLP includes flexible information retrieval applications.Comment: 49 pages, 5 figures, 1 table, preliminary version of an article of the same title, published as Technical Report SIC-4-10, Universidad Complutense, Departamento de Sistemas Inform\'aticos y Computaci\'on, Madrid, Spai

Procesos de planificación democrática para la diversidad, la diferencia y las minorías

El texto explora la planificación democrática en sus diversas formas y conflictos como un intento de sugerir posibles formas de ejercerla en el contexto contemporáneo. Democracia puede ser un concepto ambiguo, caracterizado por la equidad, la igualdad o ambas. Esta ambigüedad puede encontrarse también en el horizonte de su implementación. El principal desacuerdo entre los académicos que defienden la “planificación democrática” es si la democracia debería ser inherente al proceso de toma de decisiones o a los resultados a los que da lugar dicho proceso. Este trabajo distingue de manera articulada entre varios planificadores, tal como Paul Davidoff, quien destaca los resultados y aspectos fortalecedores, así como los atajos que se encuentran en ambos. Utiliza tres estudios de caso que ofrecen ejemplos concretos de muchos de los dilemas de la práctica de la planificación democrática como parte de un análisis que conducirá a conclusiones sólidas sobre cómo ejercerla en las metrópolis contemporáneas, caracterizadas por la diversidad, la diferencia y la presencia creciente de las minorías.This paper explores democratic planning in its various forms and conflicts as an attempt to suggest possible ways to exercise it in today‟s contemporary context. Democracy can be an ambiguous term, characterized by equity or equality or both. This ambiguity can also be found on the scope of its implementation. The main disagreement among scholars advocating for “democratic planning”, is whether democracy should be inherent in the decision-making process or in the outcomes which are product of that process. This work articulately distinguishes planners, like Paul Davidoff, who emphasize process from others, like Krumholz, who emphasize outcomes and notes the strengths and shortcomings of both. It uses three case studies, which bring up real examples of many of the dilemmas of practical democratic planning, as part of the analysis that will lead to solid conclusions on how to exercise democratic planning in a contemporary metropolis characterized by diversity, difference and the growing presence of minorities

Crane Mechanical

This report explains the structural and mechanical design of a crane located in a offshore platform. The introduction summarizes the two main parts of the project, the structural calculus of the crane and the mechanical design of the equipment. The report continues with the structural calculus of the crane, both theoretical and using a software. Following, the structural calculus and the mechanical design of the equipment are detailed. Finally, the conclusions show that, by following the mentioned steps the objectives have been achieved. The integrity of the crane and the possibility to be built have been demonstrated. Regarding to the mechanical design, the suitability of the equipment has been validated and the conditions required to meet by the gear box determined.Departamento de Ciencias de los Materiales e Ingeniería Metalúrgica, Expresión Gráfica en la Ingeniería, Ingeniería Cartográfica, Geodesia y Fotogrametría, Ingeniería Mecánica e Ingeniería de los Procesos de FabricaciónGrado en Ingeniería Mecánic

La batalla diplomática de Beijing y Taipei en América Latina y el Caribe

La mitad de los 23 países que mantienen relaciones diplomáticas oficiales con Taiwán están en América. Uno de los principales objetivos de la creciente presencia de China en esa región es conseguir el reconocimiento diplomático de estos países. En este artículo se examinan los factores que manejan los países latinoamericanos y caribeños a la hora de decidir si mantienen relaciones diplomáticas oficiales con China o con Taiwán. A la luz de este análisis, se sostiene que no se va a producir en breve un rápido y brusco descenso del número de aliados políticos de Taiwán en la zona, a pesar de que Costa Rica decidiese establecer relaciones diplomáticas con Beijing en junio de 2007

Elecciones en Taiwán: ¿hacia una nueva relación con Pekín?

Los resultados de las elecciones legislativas del pasado 12 de enero, así como los de las presidenciales que se celebrarán el 22 de marzo, tendrán un importante impacto en las relaciones de la isla con China. El afianzamiento del control del Kuomintang (KMT) sobre el Parlamento y la salida de Chen Shui–bian de la presidencia vaticinan una reducción de la tensión en el estrecho de Taiwán, en un año además cargado de simbolismo por la celebración de los Juegos Olímpicos de Pekín. La mejora de las relaciones entre Taipei y Pekín será particularmente apreciable si Ma Ying–jeou, el candidato del KMT, se convierte en el nuevo presidente de Taiwán

Identifying mode confusion potential in software design

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2000.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 53-54).by Mario A. Rodríguez.S.M