Chemical discovery as belief revision

In this paper we describe STAHLp, a system that constructs componential models of chemical substances. STAHLp is a descendent of Zytkow and Simon's (1986) STAHL system, and both use chemical reactions and known componential models in order to construct new chemical models. However, STAHLp employs a more unified and effective strategy for recovering from erroneous inferences, based partly on de Kleer's (1984) assumption-based method of belief revision. This involves recording the underlying source beliefs or premises which lead to each inferred reaction or model. Where Zytkow and Simon's system required multiple methods for detecting errors and recovering from them, STAHLp uses a more powerful representation and additional rules which allow a unified method for error detection and recovery. When given the same initial data, the new system constructs the same historically correct models as STAHL, but it has other capabilities as well. In particular, STAHLp can modify data it has been given if this is necessary to achieve consistent models, and then proceed to construct new models based on the revised data

Developing Cost Effective Methods for Estimating Household Income and Nutrient Intake Adequacy

Community/Rural/Urban Development, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Downloads July 2008 - July 2009: 6,

A Simplified Method for Assessing Dietary Adequacy in Mozambique

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Directorate of Economics, Republic of Mozambiquefood security, food policy, Mozambique, food consumption, Food Security and Poverty, Q18,

AI in space: Past, present, and possible futures

While artificial intelligence (AI) has become increasingly present in recent space applications, new missions being planned will require even more incorporation of AI techniques. In this paper, we survey some of the progress made to date in implementing such programs, some current directions and issues, and speculate about the future of AI in space scenarios. We also provide examples of how thinkers from the realm of science fiction have envisioned AI's role in various aspects of space exploration

The Relationship between Tobacco, Alcohol, and Marijuana Use among Teenagers.

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use among teenagers. This study examined three research questions: (1) Is there a relationship between demographic characteristics (i.e., sex and race), the attitudinal variable (attachment to family), and the admitted use of marijuana, alcohol, and tobacco among teenagers? (2) Is there a relationship between the use of marijuana by teenagers and the use of tobacco by teenagers? (3) Is there a relationship between the use of marijuana by teenagers and the use of alcohol by teenagers? The data used for this paper were from the Evaluation of the Gang Resistance Education and Training Program research project (Esbensen, 2003). The analysis found that the frequency of teenage alcohol use had the strongest correlation with the use of marijuana. The frequency of teenage tobacco use was also found to have a significant correlation to marijuana use

Personalized Multimedia Videos As Reminiscence Therapy For Persons With Dementia

Reminiscence therapies are an effective intervention in increasing self-esteem, well-being, sense of personhood and even reducing distress and confusion in persons with dementia. There is even evidence that reminiscence therapies can slightly slow the progression of dementia, by enabling a cohesive narrative and sense of identity. This paper will consider relevant literature and explore the potential of using modern technological advances, such as a wealth of digital media and the ability to scan old photos, to create personalized and engaging life narratives. In addition to this paper, this special project will include a concrete example of this type of video that I will create of memorabilia, primarily photographs, from my grandfather’s life, from what exists from his early childhood up to present day. It will also include a qualitative questionnaire to be given to the participant and their care partner to assess the effectiveness of increasing well-being, personal identity and even to further understand reminiscence therapy’s relationship with dementia symptomology

Implementing a Simplified Method for Predicting Dietary Adequacy in Mozambique: A User's Manual

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Directorate of Economics, Republic of Mozambiquefood security, food policy, Mozambique, food consumption, diet, Food Security and Poverty, Q18,

Economic Value of the Oil and Gas Resources on the Outer Continential Shelf

A theoretical framework for estimating the economic value of the federal government's offshore oil and gas resources is developed. This framework is then applied to geological and economic data generated by the Minerals Management Service in support of their five-year leasing plan. With an 8 percent real discount rate and a 1 percent real price growth rate, the remaining economic rent as of 1987 on the reserves plus the undiscovered offshore oil and gas resources is estimated at $118.6 billion (1987 dollars). The present value of the government's receipts from cash bonus and royalty payments on these deposits is estimated at$37.2 billion. Over 80 percent of the remaining economic rent is derived from developed reserve deposits located in the Gulf of Mexico. The private sector has previously paid cash bonuses for the leases located on those deposits and financed the installation of the development platforms. Because of this, the government will collect only a small portion, approximately 22 percent, of the rent remaining on those reserves.Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

An Empirical Exploration of Exchange Rate Target-Zones

In the context of a flexible-price monetary exchange rate model and the assumption of uncovered interest parity, we obtain a measure of the fundamental determinant of exchange rates. Daily data for the European Monetary System are used to explore the importance of non-linearities in the relationship between the exchange rates and fundamentals. Many implications of existing "target-zone" exchange rate models are tested; little support is found for existing non-linear models of limited exchange rate flexibility.