A different perspective on canonicity

One of the most interesting aspects of Conceptual Structures Theory is the notion of canonicity. It is also one of the most neglected: Sowa seems to have abandoned it in the new version of the theory, and most of what has been written on canonicity focuses on the generalization hierarchy of conceptual graphs induced by the canonical formation rules. Although there is a common intuition that a graph is canonical if it is "meaningful'', the original theory is somewhat unclear about what that actually means, in particular how canonicity is related to logic. This paper argues that canonicity should be kept a first-class notion of Conceptual Structures Theory, provides a detailed analysis of work done so far, and proposes new definitions of the conformity relation and the canonical formation rules that allow a clear separation between canonicity and truth

Solving the Bose-Hubbard model in new ways

We introduce a new method for analysing the Bose-Hubbard model for an array of bosons with nearest neighbor interactions. It is based on a number-theoretic implementation of the creation and annihilation operators that constitute the model. One of the advantages of this approach is that it facilitates computation with arbitrary accuracy, enabling nearly perfect numerical experimentation. In particular, we provide a rigorous computer assisted proof of quantum phase transitions in finite systems of this type. Furthermore, we investigate properties of the infinite array via harmonic analysis on the multiplicative group of positive rationals. This furnishes an isomorphism that recasts the underlying Fock space as an infinite tensor product of Hecke spaces, i.e., spaces of square-integrable periodic functions that are a superposition of non-negative frequency harmonics. Under this isomorphism, the number-theoretic creation and annihilation operators are mapped into the Kastrup model of the harmonic oscillator on the circle. It also enables us to highlight a kinship of the model at hand with an array of spin moments with a local anisotropy field. This identifies an interesting physical system that can be mapped into the model at hand.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures; submitte

Learning about knowledge: A complex network approach

This article describes an approach to modeling knowledge acquisition in terms of walks along complex networks. Each subset of knowledge is represented as a node, and relations between such knowledge are expressed as edges. Two types of edges are considered, corresponding to free and conditional transitions. The latter case implies that a node can only be reached after visiting previously a set of nodes (the required conditions). The process of knowledge acquisition can then be simulated by considering the number of nodes visited as a single agent moves along the network, starting from its lowest layer. It is shown that hierarchical networks, i.e. networks composed of successive interconnected layers, arise naturally as a consequence of compositions of the prerequisite relationships between the nodes. In order to avoid deadlocks, i.e. unreachable nodes, the subnetwork in each layer is assumed to be a connected component. Several configurations of such hierarchical knowledge networks are simulated and the performance of the moving agent quantified in terms of the percentage of visited nodes after each movement. The Barab\'asi-Albert and random models are considered for the layer and interconnecting subnetworks. Although all subnetworks in each realization have the same number of nodes, several interconnectivities, defined by the average node degree of the interconnection networks, have been considered. Two visiting strategies are investigated: random choice among the existing edges and preferential choice to so far untracked edges. A series of interesting results are obtained, including the identification of a series of plateaux of knowledge stagnation in the case of the preferential movements strategy in presence of conditional edges.Comment: 18 pages, 19 figure

Electron spin relaxation can enhance the performance of a cryptochrome-based magnetic compass sensor

The radical pair model of the avian magnetoreceptor relies on long‐lived electron spin coherence. Dephasing, resulting from interactions of the spins with their fluctuating environment, is generally assumed to degrade the sensitivity of this compass to the direction of the Earth's magnetic field. Here we argue that certain spin relaxation mechanisms can enhance its performance. We focus on the flavin‐tryptophan radical pair in cryptochrome, currently the only candidate magnetoreceptor molecule. Correlation functions for fluctuations in the distance between the two radicals in Arabidopsis thaliana cryptochrome 1 were obtained from molecular dynamics simulations and used to calculate the spin relaxation caused by modulation of the exchange and dipolar interactions. We find that intermediate spin relaxation rates afford substantial enhancements in the sensitivity of the reaction yields to an Earth‐strength magnetic field. Supported by calculations using toy radical pair models, we argue that these enhancements could be consistent with the molecular dynamics and magnetic interactions in avian cryptochromes

An Introduction to Ontologies and Ontology Engineering

In the last decades, the use of ontologies in information systems has become more and more popular in various fields, such as web technologies, database integration, multi agent systems, natural language processing, etc. Artificial intelligent researchers have initially borrowed the word “ontology” from Philosophy, then the word spread in many scientific domain and ontologies are now used in several developments. The main goal of this chapter is to answer generic questions about ontologies, such as: Which are the different kinds of ontologies? What is the purpose of the use of ontologies in an application? Which methods can I use to build an ontology

A combined XAS and XRD Study of the High-Pressure Behaviour of GaAsO4 Berlinite

Combined X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments have been carried out on GaAsO4 (berlinite structure) at high pressure and room temperature. XAS measurements indicate four-fold to six-fold coordination changes for both cations. The two local coordination transformations occur at different rates but appear to be coupled. A reversible transition to a high pressure crystalline form occurs around 8 GPa. At a pressure of about 12 GPa, the system mainly consists of octahedral gallium atoms and a mixture of arsenic in four-fold and six-fold coordinations. A second transition to a highly disordered material with both cations in six-fold coordination occurs at higher pressures and is irreversible.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, LaTeX2

Microsatellite genotyping clarified conspicuous accumulation of Candida parapsilosis at a cardiothoracic surgery intensive care unit.

Contains fulltext : 124291.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Candida parapsilosis has become a significant cause of invasive fungal infections in seriously ill patients. Nosocomial outbreaks through direct and indirect contact have been described. The aim of this study was the molecular characterization of what appeared to be an ongoing C. parapsilosis outbreak at the cardiothoracic intensive care unit of the University Hospital of Vienna between January 2007 and December 2008. Using two different molecular typing methods-automated repetitive sequence-based PCR (DiversiLab; bioMerieux) and microsatellite genotyping-we investigated the genetic relationship of 99 C. parapsilosis isolates. Eighty-three isolates originated from the cardiothoracic intensive care unit, while 16 isolates were random control isolates from other intensive care units and a different Austrian hospital. The 99 C. parapsilosis isolates analyzed by repetitive-element PCR all showed identical genotypes, suggesting an ongoing outbreak. In contrast, microsatellite genotyping showed a total of 56 different genotypes. Two major genotypes were observed in 10 and 15 isolates, respectively, whereas another 13 genotypes were observed in 2 to 4 isolates each. Forty-one genotypes were observed only once. Closely related genotypes that differed in only a single microsatellite marker were grouped into clonal complexes. When it comes to C. parapsilosis, microsatellite genotyping is a more discriminative method than repetitive-element PCR genotyping to investigate outbreaks.1 november 201