463 research outputs found
On the Complexity of Case-Based Planning
We analyze the computational complexity of problems related to case-based
planning: planning when a plan for a similar instance is known, and planning
from a library of plans. We prove that planning from a single case has the same
complexity than generative planning (i.e., planning "from scratch"); using an
extended definition of cases, complexity is reduced if the domain stored in the
case is similar to the one to search plans for. Planning from a library of
cases is shown to have the same complexity. In both cases, the complexity of
planning remains, in the worst case, PSPACE-complete
Enhancement by postfiltering for speech and audio coding in ad-hoc sensor networks
Enhancement algorithms for wireless acoustics sensor networks~(WASNs) are
indispensable with the increasing availability and usage of connected devices
with microphones. Conventional spatial filtering approaches for enhancement in
WASNs approximate quantization noise with an additive Gaussian distribution,
which limits performance due to the non-linear nature of quantization noise at
lower bitrates. In this work, we propose a postfilter for enhancement based on
Bayesian statistics to obtain a multidevice signal estimate, which explicitly
models the quantization noise. Our experiments using PSNR, PESQ and MUSHRA
scores demonstrate that the proposed postfilter can be used to enhance signal
quality in ad-hoc sensor networks
Nitrogen cycle disruption through the application of de-icing salts on upland highways
It is hypothesized that episodic introductions of road salt severely disrupt the soil nitrogen cycle at a range of spatial and temporal scales. A field-scale study has confirmed impacts on the nitrogen cycle in soil, soil solution and river samples. There is evidence that ammonium-N retention on cation exchange sites has been reduced by the presence of sodium ions, and that ammonium-N has been flushed from the exchange sites. Increases in soil pH have been caused in naturally acidic uplands. These have enhanced mineralization of organic-N, especially nitrification, leading to a reduction in the mineralizable-N pool of roadside soils. There is evidence to support the hypothesis that organic matter content has been lowered over decades either through desorption or dispersal processes. Multiple drivers are identified that contribute to the disruption of nitrogen cycling processes, but their relative importance is difficult to quantify unequivocally. The influence of road salt on soil and soil solution declines with distance from the highway, but impacts on water chemistry in a local stream are still strongly evident at some distance from the road
Attachment Styles Within the Coach-Athlete Dyad: Preliminary Investigation and Assessment Development
The present preliminary study aimed to develop and examine the psychometric properties of a new sport-specific self-report instrument designed to assess athletesâ and coachesâ attachment styles. The development and initial validation comprised three main phases. In Phase 1, a pool of items was generated based on pre-existing self-report attachment instruments, modified to reflect a coach and an athleteâs style of attachment. In Phase 2, the content validity of the items was assessed by a panel of experts. A final scale was developed and administered to 405 coaches and 298 athletes (N = 703 participants). In Phase 3, confirmatory factor analysis of the obtained data was conducted to determine the final items of the Coach-Athlete Attachment Scale (CAAS). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed acceptable goodness of fit indexes for a 3-first order factor model as well as a 2-first order factor model for both the athlete and the coach data, respectively. A secure attachment style positively predicted relationship satisfaction, while an insecure attachment style was a negative predictor of relationship satisfaction. The CAAS revealed initial psychometric properties of content, factorial, and predictive validity, as well as reliability
The FERRUM project: Transition probabilities for forbidden lines in [FeII] and experimental metastable lifetimes
Accurate transition probabilities for forbidden lines are important
diagnostic parameters for low-density astrophysical plasmas. In this paper we
present experimental atomic data for forbidden [FeII] transitions that are
observed as strong features in astrophysical spectra.
Aims: To measure lifetimes for the 3d^6(^3G)4s a ^4G_{11/2} and 3d^6(^3D)4s b
^4D_{1/2} metastable levels in FeII and experimental transition probabilities
for the forbidden transitions 3d^7 a ^4F_{7/2,9/2}- 3d^6(^3G)4s a ^4G_{11/2}.
Methods: The lifetimes were measured at the ion storage ring facility CRYRING
using a laser probing technique. Astrophysical branching fractions were
obtained from spectra of Eta Carinae, obtained with the Space Telescope Imaging
Spectrograph onboard the Hubble Space Telescope. The lifetimes and branching
fractions were combined to yield absolute transition probabilities.
Results: The lifetimes of the a ^4G_{11/2} and the b ^4D_{1/2} levels have
been measured and have the following values, 0.75(10) s and 0.54(3) s
respectively. Furthermore, we have determined the transition probabilities for
two forbidden transitions of a ^4F_{7/2,9/2}- a ^4G_{11/2} at 4243.97 and
4346.85 A. Both the lifetimes and the transition probabilities are compared to
calculated values in the literature.Comment: 5 pages, accepted for publication in A&
Integrating isotopes and documentary evidence : dietary patterns in a late medieval and early modern mining community, Sweden
We would like to thank the Archaeological Research Laboratory, Stockholm University, Sweden and the Tandem Laboratory (Ă
ngström Laboratory), Uppsala University, Sweden, for undertaking the analyses of stable nitrogen and carbon isotopes in both human and animal collagen samples. Also, thanks to Elin Ahlin Sundman for providing the ÎŽ13C and ÎŽ15N values for animal references from VĂ€sterĂ„s. This research (BĂ€ckströmâs PhD employment at Lund University, Sweden) was supported by the Berit Wallenberg Foundation (BWS 2010.0176) and Jakob and Johan Söderbergâs foundation. The âSala projectâ (excavations and analyses) has been funded by Riksens Clenodium, Jernkontoret, Birgit and Gad Rausingâs Foundation, SAUâs Research Foundation, the Royal Physiographic Society of Lund, Berit Wallenbergs Foundation, Ă
ke Wibergs Foundation, Lars Hiertas Memory, Helge Ax:son Johnsonâs Foundation and The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.Peer reviewedPublisher PD
Imigração e saĂșde: a (in)acessibilidade das mulheres imigrantes aos cuidados de saĂșde
A utilização dos serviços de saĂșde pelas populaçÔes imigrantes tem vindo a ser considerado um dos mais importantes indicadores da sua integração nas so- ciedades receptoras (Dias e col., 2009). No entanto, o conhecimento em torno da qualidade e da eficĂĄcia do acesso dos/as imigrantes aos cuidados de saĂșde, especialmente no que respeita Ă s mulheres imigran- tes, Ă© ainda escasso em Portugal (Fonseca e col., 2005). Embora os estudos nacionais tenham vindo, nas Ășltimas dĂ©cadas, a procurar traçar os diferentes perfis sociais das mulheres imigrantes em Portugal, sobretudo no que concerne Ă s suas relaçÔes fami- liares ou laborais (Wall e col., 2005), a investigação no domĂnio da saĂșde Ă© ainda parca e exclusora de uma anĂĄlise centrada no gĂ©nero ou interseccional. Neste texto apresenta-se uma reflexĂŁo sobre os de- terminantes que condicionam a (in)acessibilidade das mulheres imigrantes aos cuidados de saĂșde, enfatizando-se os fatores que poderĂŁo estar a agir no sentido contrĂĄrio Ă sua integração neste setor
A bridge between a lonely soul and the surrounding world: A study on existential consequences of being closely related to a person with aphasia
This study illuminates existential consequences of being closely related to a person suffering from aphasia. Seventeen close relatives were interviewed and their narratives were interpreted with inspiration from Ricoeur, Levinas, Husserl, Winnicot, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty. The emerging interpretations resulted in four themes that illuminate a life characterized by lost freedom, staying, a new form of relationship, and growing strong together with others. An overarching theme suggests that a life together with an aphasic person means being used as a bridge between the aphasic person and the surrounding world. Moreover, it illuminates that a close relative to a person with aphasia is a person who does not leave, despite a heavy burden of lonely responsibility. It is concluded that community services need to fulfill their responsibility of providing support to informal caregivers as suggested by the Swedish lawmakers
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