Avoiding Alignment-based Conservativity Violations through Dialogue

A number of ontology matching techniques have been proposed that rely on full disclosure of their ontological models prior to the construction of the alignment. However, within open and opportunistic environments, such approaches may not always be pragmatic or even acceptable (due to privacy concerns). Several studies have focussed on collaborative, decentralised approaches to ontology alignment, where agents negotiate the acceptability of correspondences (i.e. mappings between corresponding entities in different ontologies) acquired from past encounters, or try to ascertain novel correspondences on the fly. However, such approaches can lead to logical flaws that may undermine their utility. In this paper, we extend a dialogical approach to correspondence negotiation, whereby agents not only exchange details of possible correspondences, but also identify potential violations to the so-called conservativity principle, where novel but undesirable entailments between named concepts in one of the input ontologies emerge. We present a formal model of the dialogue, and show how \conservativity violations can be repaired (using an existing correspondence repair system) during the dialogue through the exchange of repairs. We then illustrate how agents negotiate over possible correspondences and repairs by means of a walkthrough example

A novel scheduling algorithm to maximize the D2D spatial reuse in LTE networks

In order to offload base station (BS) traffic and to enhance efficiency of spectrum, operators can activate many Device-to-Device (D2D) pairs or links in LTE networks. This increases the overall spectral efficiency because the same Resource Blocks (RBs) are used across cellular UEs (CUEs) (i.e., all UEs connected to BS for both C-Plane and D-plane communication) and D2D links (i.e., where the UEs are connected to BS only for C-plane communication). However, significant interference problems can be caused by D2D communications as the same RBs are being shared. In our work, we address this problem by proposing a novel scheduling algorithm, Efficient Scheduling and Power control Algorithm for D2Ds (ESPAD), which reuses the same RBs and tries to maximize the overall network throughput without affecting the CUEs throughput. ESPAD algorithm also ensures that Signal to Noise plus Interference Ratio (SINR) for each of the D2D links is maintained above a certain predefined threshold. The aforementioned properties of ESPAD algorithm makes sure that the CUEs do not experience very high interference from the D2Ds. It is observed that even when the SINRdrop (i.e., maximum permissible drop in SINR of CUEs) is as high as 10 dB, there is no drastic decrease in CUEs throughput (only 3.78%). We also compare our algorithm against other algorithms and show that D2D throughput improves drastically without undermining CUEs throughput

Heisenberg scaling precision in multi-mode distributed quantum metrology

We consider the estimation of an arbitrary parameter φ, such as the temperature or a magnetic field, affecting in a distributed manner the components of an arbitrary linear optical passive network, such as an integrated chip. We demonstrate that Heisenberg scaling precision (i.e. of the order of 1/N, where N is the number of probe photons) can be achieved without any iterative adaptation of the interferometer hardware and by using only a simple, single, squeezed light source and well-established homodyne measurements techniques. Furthermore, no constraint on the possible values of the parameter is needed but only a preliminary shot-noise estimation (i.e. with a precision of) easily achievable without any quantum resources. Indeed, such a classical knowledge of the parameter is enough to prepare a single, suitable optical stage either at the input or the output of the network to monitor with Heisenberg-limited precision any variation of the parameter to the order of without the need to iteratively modify such a stage

Desmopressin Stimulates Nitric Oxide Production in Human Lung Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Desmopressin (dDAVP) is the best characterized analogue of vasopressin, the endocrine regulator of water balance endowed with potent vasoconstrictive effects. Despite the use of dDAVP in clinical practice, ranging from the treatment of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus to bleeding disorders, much remains to be understood about the impact of the drug on endothelial phenotype. The aim of this study was, thus, to evaluate the effects of desmopressin on the viability and function of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HLMVECs). The results obtained demonstrate that the vasopressor had no cytotoxic effect on the endothelium; similarly, no sign of endothelial activation was induced by dDAVP, indicated by the lack of effect on the expression of inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules. Conversely, the drug significantly stimulated the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase, NOS2/iNOS. Since the intracellular level of cAMP also increased, we can hypothesize that NO release is consequent to the activation of the vasopressin receptor 2 (V2R)/guanylate cyclase (Gs)/cAMP axis. Given the multifaceted role of NOS2-deriving NO for many physio-pathological conditions, the meanings of these findings in HLMVECs appears intriguing and deserves to be further addressed

Characterization of Two Novel Missense Mutations in the AQP2 Gene Causing Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus

Here, we report the aquaporin 2 (AQP2) mutational analysis of a patient with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus heterozygote due to two novel missense mutations. Direct sequencing of DNA in the male patient revealed that he was compound heterozygote for two mutations in the AQP2 gene: a thymine-to-adenine transversion at position 450 (c.450T>A) in exon 2 and a guanine-to-thymine at nucleotide position 643 (c.643G>T) in exon 4. The double heterozygous 450T>A and 643G>T transversion causes the amino acid substitution D150E and G215C. Direct sequencing of exons 2 and 4 of the AQP2 gene from each of the parents revealed that the c.450T>A mutation was inherited from the father while the c.643G>T mutation was inherited from the mother. Analysis of AQP2 excretion demonstrated that no AQP2 was detectable in the urine of the proband, whereas normal AQP2 levels were measured in both parents. When expressed in renal cells, both proteins were retarded in the endoplasmic reticulum and no redistribution was observed after forskolin stimulation. Of note, homology modeling revealed that the two mutations involve two highly conserved residues providing important clues about the role of the wt residues in AQP2 stability and function

The Road to Quantum Computational Supremacy

We present an idiosyncratic view of the race for quantum computational supremacy. Google's approach and IBM challenge are examined. An unexpected side-effect of the race is the significant progress in designing fast classical algorithms. Quantum supremacy, if achieved, won't make classical computing obsolete.Comment: 15 pages, 1 figur

On handovers in uplink/downlink decoupled LTE HetNets

Cellular heterogeneous networks (HetNets) are going to be one of the key enablers for 5G. Downlink/Uplink decoupling (DUDe) is a concept in which a mobile device is connected with Macro cell for downlink communication and with small cell for uplink communication in LTE/LTE-A HetNets. It improves uplink data rate, reduces power consumption of devices, balances load between Macro cell and small cells. Due to incorporation of DUDe, a mobile device has to perform separate uplink and downlink handovers unlike traditional handovers in coupled LTE networks. In this paper, we propose various handover schemes for DUDe LTE networks. Apart from this, we have mathematically analysed the received SINR by small cells taken part in decoupling, with respect to a device moving in decoupling regions of these small cells, in multiple cell interference scenario. Simulation results show the signaling impact of DUDe in handovers, increased uplink SINR, decreased power consumption of devices in both single small cell and multiple small cell scenarios

Method for accessing a channel in a wireless communication network

Embodiments herein disclose a method and a base station for accessing a channel of an unlicensed band in a wireless communication network. The method includes maintaining a plurality of virtual stations by the base station in the wireless communication network based on a value. Further, the method includes contending to access the channel using the plurality of virtual stations. Each virtual station in the plurality of virtual stations includes a contention window and a counter value

In vitro and in vivo nutraceutical characterization of two chickpea accessions: Differential effects on hepatic lipid over-accumulation

Dietary habits are crucially important to prevent the development of lifestyle-associated diseases. Diets supplemented with chickpeas have numerous benefits and are known to improve body fat composition. The present study was undertaken to characterize two genetically and phenotypically distinct accessions, MG_13 and PI358934, selected from a global chickpea collection. Rat hepatoma FaO cells treated with a mixture of free fatty acids (FFAs) (O/P) were used as an in vitro model of hepatic steatosis. In parallel, a high-fat diet (HFD) animal model was also established. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed that both chickpea accessions showed a significant antioxidant ability. However, only MG_13 reduced the lipid over-accumulation in steatotic FaO cells and in the liver of HFD fed mice. Moreover, mice fed with HFD + MG_13 displayed a lower level of glycemia and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) than HFD mice. Interestingly, exposure to MG_13 prevented the phosphorylation of the inflammatory nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-kB) which is upregulated during HFD and known to be linked to obesity. To conclude, the comparison of the two distinct chickpea accessions revealed a beneficial effect only for the MG_13. These findings highlight the importance of studies addressing the functional characterization of chickpea biodiversity and nutraceutical properties