Where Fail-Safe Default Logics Fail

Reiter's original definition of default logic allows for the application of a default that contradicts a previously applied one. We call failure this condition. The possibility of generating failures has been in the past considered as a semantical problem, and variants have been proposed to solve it. We show that it is instead a computational feature that is needed to encode some domains into default logic

A Default Logic Patch for Default Logic

International audienceThis paper is about the fusion of multiple information sources represented using default logic. More precisely, the focus is on solving the problem that occurs when the standard-logic knowledge parts of the sources are contradictory, as default theories trivialize in this case. To overcome this problem, it is shown that replacing each formula belonging to Minimally Unsatisfiable Subformulas by a corresponding supernormal default allows appealing features. Moreover, it is investigated how these additional defaults interact with the initial defaults of the theory. Interestingly, this approach allows us to handle the problem of default theories containing inconsistent standard-logic knowledge, using the default logic framework itself

The twinflower in the Augustow Forest: occurrence, condition and threats

The twinflower Linnaea borealis L. is a rare, boreal plant species that grows in coniferous forests and is partly protected in Poland. We studied its distribution and the condition of twinflower patches in the Augustów Forest (NE Poland) describing 22 twinflower patches in total. The following features were assessed: (1) patch area, (2) distance between individual twinflowers, (3) patch density, (4) intensity of flowering, (5) fruiting, (6) main accompanying plant species, (7) plant community structure, (8) species composition and age of the forest stands, (9) canopy cover of the forest stands, (10) existing and potential threats. In the northern part of the forest where suitable pine sites dominated, twinflowers were distributed irregularly and unevenly. Twinflowers in the Augustów Forest occur in relatively big areas with individual patches covering from 100 m2 to 3000 m2, but most commonly 500–1000 m2. The mean distance to the nearest neighbouring twinflower was 1600 m (range from 250 m to 6035 m). This pattern of distribution and separating distance does allow for sexual reproduction within the studied forest stand and blooming was confirmed in 21 out of 22 patches. In four locations, intensive blooming with >50 flowers shoot/m2 was observed. We did not observe a dependency of the flowering intensity on patch size. Despite the intensive and frequent flowering, as well as the presence of fruits, which were found in 15 patches, the twinflower reproduces mainly vegetatively. Twinflowers grew in 34–166 years-old pine-spruce stands with moderate canopy cover, but there was no relationship between the age of forest stands and the size of a flower patch. Plant species, which commonly occurred with twinflowers were: Vaccinium myrtillus, Calamagrostis arundinacea, Goodyera repens, Rubus saxatilis, Fragaria vesca, Pleurosium schreberi. Twinflower communities are threatened by invasive species in the forest understory in two locations only, while in the other locations no active protection is needed and the plants should rather be protected and monitored through multifunctional forest management. We emphasise the importance of the Augustów Forest for the twinflower in Poland, because about 10% of the Polish population grows in this forest complex

IGF2 Peptide-Based LYTACs for Targeted Degradation of Extracellular and Transmembrane Proteins

Lysosome-targeting chimeras (LYTACs) have recently been developed to facilitate the lysosomal degradation of specific extracellular and transmembrane molecular targets. However, the LYTAC particles described to date are based on glycopeptide conjugates, which are difficult to prepare and produce on a large scale. Here, we report on the development of pure protein LYTACs based on the non-glycosylated IGF2 peptides, which can be readily produced in virtually any facility capable of monoclonal antibody production. These chimeras utilize the IGF2R/CI-M6PR pathway for lysosomal shuttling and, in our illustrative example, target programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), eliciting physiological effects analogous to immune checkpoint blockade. Results from in vitro assays significantly exceed the effects of anti-PD-L1 antibodies alone

Urban infant mortality and religion at the end of the nineteenth and in the early twentieth century: the case of Ekaterinburg, Russia

Modern demographers analyse regional and other infant mortality differentials as important factors behind the current life expectancy of Russian citizens. Historically, however, the Russian Empire is simply displayed as one block with high infant mortality rates. Also with respect to cultural background factors, Russia is often perceived as religiously homogeneous with the Orthodox Church dominating the country. In reality, Russia has a long history of coexisting religious traditions. This includes both provinces with a majority of Catholics, Muslims, Buddhists or shamanistic populations as well as territories characterized by religious diversity and significant minority religions. Our project studies minority religious groups in the Urals, a province by the Ural Mountains stretching into Asia. While no territory can claim to be truly representative of this mega-country, we believe that this centrally located province is well suited to show some of the Russian variety, including differential infant mortality among the followers of minority religions, which is the topic of this article. We employ church record microdata to study Catholics, Jews and Old Believers in the main metal-producing city of Ekaterinburg