Preferential Multi-Context Systems

Multi-context systems (MCS) presented by Brewka and Eiter can be considered as a promising way to interlink decentralized and heterogeneous knowledge contexts. In this paper, we propose preferential multi-context systems (PMCS), which provide a framework for incorporating a total preorder relation over contexts in a multi-context system. In a given PMCS, its contexts are divided into several parts according to the total preorder relation over them, moreover, only information flows from a context to ones of the same part or less preferred parts are allowed to occur. As such, the first $l$ preferred parts of an PMCS always fully capture the information exchange between contexts of these parts, and then compose another meaningful PMCS, termed the $l$-section of that PMCS. We generalize the equilibrium semantics for an MCS to the (maximal) $l_{\leq}$-equilibrium which represents belief states at least acceptable for the $l$-section of an PMCS. We also investigate inconsistency analysis in PMCS and related computational complexity issues

Random Logic Programs: Linear Model

This paper proposes a model, the linear model, for randomly generating logic programs with low density of rules and investigates statistical properties of such random logic programs. It is mathematically shown that the average number of answer sets for a random program converges to a constant when the number of atoms approaches infinity. Several experimental results are also reported, which justify the suitability of the linear model. It is also experimentally shown that, under this model, the size distribution of answer sets for random programs tends to a normal distribution when the number of atoms is sufficiently large.Comment: 33 pages. To appear in: Theory and Practice of Logic Programmin

Indole-3-acetate induces apoptosis and stimulates phosphorylation of p65NF-κB in 143B and HOS osteosarcoma cells

Purpose: To investigate the effect of indole-3-acetate (IAA) on the proliferation of 143B and HOS osteosarcoma cells, and its mechanism of action.Methods: Indole-3-acetate (IAA)-induced changes in cell proliferation and apoptosis were investigated using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The effects of IAA on expressions of mRNAs for phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), fas ligand (FasL), and fas receptor (FasR) were evaluated using western blot assay.Results: Early apoptosis in 143B cell cultures due to addition of IAA (5 μM) was 34.67 %, relative to 2.82 % in untreated cultures. In HOS cells, IAA caused 39.21 % apoptosis, relative to 3.53 % apoptosis in control. The addition of IAA to the cell cultures significantly enhanced the expressions of mRNAs for PTEN, FasL and FasR, compared to untreated cells (p < 0.05). Western blot analysis showed that IAA caused a significant decrease in the level of IκBα expression in both cell lines (p < 0.05). In 143B and HOS cells, treatment with IAA led to accumulation of higher levels of NF-κB in the nucleus than in the cytosol. The levels of cytosolic NF-κB, and nuclear lamin B1 in IAA-treated cells were lower than the corresponding levels in untreated cells.Conclusion: These results indicate that IAA inhibits proliferation, and induces apoptosis in 143B and HOS cells via activation of NF-κB, and its translocation to the nucleus. Therefore, IAA may be a useful drug target in the treatment of osteosarcoma.Keywords: Indole-3-acetate, Phosphatase, Fas receptor, Translocation, Proliferation, Tumoricidal activit