Higher-Order Syntax and Saturation Algorithms for Hybrid Logic

We present modal logic on the basis of the simply typed lambda calculus with a system of equational deduction. Combining first-order quantification and higher-order syntax, we can maintain modal reasoning in terms of classical logic by remarkably simple means. Such an approach has been broadly uninvestigated, even though it has notable advantages, especially in the case of Hybrid Logic.We develop a tableau-like semi-decision procedure and subsequently a decision procedure for an alternative characterization of , a well-studied fragment of Hybrid Logic.With regards to deduction, our calculus simplifies in particular the treatment of identities. Moreover, labeling and access information are both internal and explicit, while in contrast traditional modal tableau calculi either rely on external labeling mechanisms or have to maintain an implicit accessibility relation by equivalent formulas.With regards to computational complexity, our saturation algorithm is optimal. In particular, this proves the satisfiability problem for to be in PSPACE, a result that was previously not achieved by the saturation approach.     

PHEBUS FP: a severe accident research programme for current and advanced light water reactors

The ongoing PHEBUS FP programme is the centrepiece of an international co-operation investigating, through a series of integral in-pile experiments, key-phenomena involved in the progression of a postulated severe accident in a light water reactor (LWR). The dedicated PHEBUS facility offers the capability to study the degradation of real core material, from the early phase of cladding oxidation and hydrogen production up to the late phase of melt progression and molten pool formation. The subsequent release of fission products (FPs) and structural materials is also experimentally studied, including their physicochemical interactions, their transport in the cooling system, and their deposition in the containment. The revolatilisation of iodine due to radiochemical effects in the water of the sump and the amount of low-volatility FPs and transuranium elements reaching the containment are receiving a special interest, as large uncertainties related to their modelling subsist. FPT-0 and FPT-1, the first experiments of the programme, performed in December 1993, and July 1996, respectively, have demonstrated that the PHEBUS FP facility is capable of successfully attaining these objectives. They reached very advanced states of degradation, comparable to what was observed in TMI 2, and generated a wealth of results on FP behaviour. The resulting database has been—and will be—applied to develop and validate the computer codes used to assess the safety of the currently operating plants and to check the efficiency of accident management procedures. They will also support the design of future plants having the capacity to confine core melt-down accidents within their containments.     

A method of mobile robot localisation by fusion of odometric and magnetometric data

This paper presents the dead reckoning localisation technique of the robot ROMANE (Robot Mobile Autonome de Navigation en Extérieur) which is conceived to move outdoors on level roads without traffic. Vehicle localisation with incremental shaft encoders on the wheels is improved by integration of a magnetic compass into the robot system. Fusion of odometric and magnetometric data by Kalman filtering increases the accuracy of the estimated robot heading. Consequently the uncertainty of the vehicle position is reduced. To evaluate our localisation method we present some experimental results of trajectory estimations.     

Vulvar vestibulitis is rarely associated with human papillomavirus infection types 6, 11, 16, or 18

Vulvar vestibular biopsy specimens from 31 women with clinical and pathologic findings of vulvar vestibulitis were studied using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the identification of human papilloma virus (HPV). The PCR technique specifically probed for HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. Of the 31 subjects, three were found to have HPV within the biopsy specimens; two had HPV type 11 and one had HPV 16. Five of the 31 cases had histopathologic features of koilocytosis consistent with HPV effect; three of these five were found to have HPV. The findings support the hypothesis that HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18 are rarely associated with vulvar vestibulitis. The frequencies identified were similar to those seen with control patients. True koilocytosis is the most useful pathologic feature distinguishing HPV-related cases; it is rarely identified in typical vulvar vestibulitis. Nonspecific changes in the vestibular epithelium associated with glycogen effect should not be interpreted as koilocytosis.     

Development of general multivariable run-by-run control methods with application to a sheet metal forming process

The problem of flexible-tool sheet metal forming and in-process shape control has been confounded by the lack of available measurements during the process. Run-by-run (rbr) control has been developed to achieve feedback control advantages in processes that do not lend themselves to in-process sensing and actuation. While the process cycle time sampling interval limits the performance, rbr can still achieve zero mean error and predictable variance on the output. This paper demonstrates a novel extension of typically single input–single output (SISO) rbr control to the control of discrete-die sheet metal forming which is a multivariable, regionally-coupled process; one where a single input affects a limited region of outputs and a single output is affected by multiple independent inputs. To this end, an easily calibrated, generic plant model is first reviewed. This model, along with others describing regional coupling, proves to be ill-conditioned for even moderately-sized processes. This renders the direct plant inversion used in SISO rbr control impractical. As a result, three controllers that do not rely on inverting the plant are considered: the linear-quadratic regulator (LQR), linear-quadratic Gaussian (LQG), and H-infinity. All three of these controllers are applicable to both square and non-square plants, and they are not limited to the class of plant explicitly considered in this paper. Next, the concept of robustness is introduced by establishing stability limits through structured singular values. All three controllers are experimentally tested on a discrete-die sheet metal forming press. In this stretch forming process, the traditionally monolithic die is divided into many small segments. These segments can then be rearranged to form a new die shape between sheet metal stretching cycles. The proper rearrangement of these inputs in response to output shape error is the goal of the three controllers. Experimental results are in close agreement with theoretical predictions, showing the validity of the modeling and control approaches.     

The Spatial Brain.

Themes emerging from the collection of articles in the Special Section on Long-Term Spatial Memory include the notion of multiple spatial systems, the relation between spatial representations and episodic memory, the role of context, and the neural systems involved in space. The authors conclude that distinguishing between egocentric and allocentric spatial systems makes sense of both behavioral and neurobiological data. The special role of the hippocampal system in allocentric space, and as a consequence, in context, suggests how a spatial system might end up central to the ability to remember episodes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Steering of Liquid Mixing Speed in Interdigital Micro Mixers – From Very Fast to Deliberately Slow Mixing

Very fast mixing in the range of milliseconds as well as deliberately slow mixing was realized by specially adjusted interdigital micro mixers made of glass or stainless steel. The corresponding micro mixers are presented including experimental and theoretical investigations of the respective mixing process. Fast mixing was realized by combination of flow multilamination by interdigital microstructured feeding structures with geometric focusing. Details on the microfabrication, achievable throughputs and hydrodynamics are discussed. To prevent clogging of microsized feeding structures in the case of precipitation reactions, mixing was deliberately slowed down by separating the reactant solutions at the outlet by additional layers of inert liquids.     

Broadening the educator's role. The use of support staff in implementing staff empowerment

The move to empowerment is on. Healthcare organizations are beginning to recognize the benefits of staff empowerment to both the organization and the staff members. The question for educators is how can skills be best used to support the organization throughout the change. In this article, the role of the educator in the implementation of staff empowerment at a large tertiary care center is described.