Negation as Failure as Resolution

Providing a clean procedural semantics of the Negation As Failure rule in Logic Programming has been an open problem for some time now. This rule has been treated as a technique in nonmonotonic reasoning, not as a rule in classical logic. This paper contains a demonstration of the negation as failure rule as a resolution procedure in first-order logic. We present a sound and complete resolution scheme for negation as failure rule for the larger class of constraint logic programs. The approach is to consider a canonical partition of the completion of a definite (constraint) program into the IF and the FI programs. We show that a negated goal, provable from the completed definite program is provable from just the FI part. The clauses in this program have a structure dual to that of definite Horn clauses. We describe a sound and complete linear resolution rule for this fragment, and show that a resolution proof of the negated goal from the FI part corresponds to a finite failure tree resulting from classical linear resolution applied to the goal on the If part of the original definite program. Our work shows that negation as failure rule can be computationally efficient in the sense that the SLD-resolution on the If part of a definite program along with the negation as failure rule is more efficient than a direct resolution procedure on the completion of that program.     

Reinterpretable Imager: Towards Variable Post‐Capture Space,Angle and Time Resolution in Photography

We describe a novel multiplexing approach to achieve tradeoffs in space, angle and time resolution in photography. We explore the problem of mapping useful subsets of time‐varying 4D lightfields in a single snapshot. Our design is based on using a dynamic mask in the aperture and a static mask close to the sensor. The key idea is to exploit scene‐specific redundancy along spatial, angular and temporal dimensions and to provide a programmable or variable resolution tradeoff among these dimensions. This allows a user to reinterpret the single captured photo as either a high spatial resolution image, a refocusable image stack or a video for different parts of the scene in post‐processing. A lightfield camera or a video camera forces a‐priori choice in space‐angle‐time resolution. We demonstrate a single prototype which provides flexible post‐capture abilities not possible using either a single‐shot lightfield camera or a multi‐frame video camera. We show several novel results including digital refocusing on objects moving in depth and capturing multiple facial expressions in a single photo.     

Experimental technique using FTIR to estimate IR optical properties at variable temperatures: application to PMDA-ODA polyimide thin films from 100 to 380 degrees C

An experimental technique is presented to measure reflectance at high sample temperature with respect to room temperature in the infrared using Fourier transform infrared fitted with a reflectometer. Sample temperature artifacts are accounted for by sequential measurements taken with the lamp source on and with the lamp source off. The sequential measurements are shown mathematically to correct for the modulation of sample and detector thermal emissions. Further, the technique is applied to a polyimide (PMDA-ODA) film on a layer of gold deposited on a thermally oxidized Si wafer. It is shown that the optical properties (index of refraction and extinction coefficient) remain relatively constant with temperature (from room temperature to 380 degrees C) in the 4000-6000 cm(-1) spectral region. The significant changes that occur with temperature are the change in thickness of the film and also the spectral properties in the 2000-4000 cm(-1) region. Also, by using a Lorentz oscillator model, it is shown that this method is able to discern that spectral features corresponding to the OH stretching bands at 3630 and 3470 cm(-1) show significant variation with increasing temperature.     

Apportioning: a technique for efficient reachability analysis ofconcurrent object-oriented programs

The object-oriented paradigm in software engineering provides support for the construction of modular and reusable program components and is attractive for the design of large and complex distributed systems. Reachability analysis is an important and well-known tool for static analysis of critical properties in concurrent programs, such as deadlock freedom. It involves the systematic enumeration of all possible global states of program execution and provides the same level of assurance for properties of the synchronization structure in concurrent programs, such as formal verification. However, direct application of traditional reachability analysis to concurrent object-oriented programs has many problems, such as incomplete analysis for reusable classes (not safe) and increased computational complexity (not efficient). We propose a novel technique called apportioning, for safe and efficient reachability analysis of concurrent object-oriented programs, that is based upon a simple but powerful idea of classification of program analysis points as local (having influence within a class) and global (having possible influence outside a class). We have developed a number of apportioning-based algorithms, having different degrees of safety and efficiency. We present the details of one of these algorithms, formally show its safety for an appropriate class of programs, and present experimental results to demonstrate its efficiency for various examples     

Evaluation of a workplace technology for mental health assessment: A meaning-making process

This paper describes the results of a summative evaluation conducted to explore the usability and acceptability of an automated telephone-based technology, designed and developed as a screening tool for mental health disorders in the workplace. The system screens employees for symptoms and subsequently provides educational information and referrals to improve mental health and enhance productivity. The qualitative evaluation was a sub-study of a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT). We conducted in-depth interviews with 15 individuals who participated in the RCT and had used the system. A phenomenological theoretical framework was utilized to analyze the narrative data. Results indicated that participants had mostly positive experience with the system and perceived it as a confidential program that allowed them to reflect on their symptoms without inhibition, fear of judgment or embarrassment. We also learned that asking mere questions about mental health symptoms can be a positive, instructive and possibly a restorative experience. There is a likelihood that for many participants, exposure to questions about their emotional and mental distress validated their feelings about their symptoms and was sufficiently compelling to promote help-seeking behavior. This evaluation study demonstrates that computers can be utilized in the workplace as effective screening and educational tools to improve employees’ mental health.     

Multi-scale modeling in damage mechanics of composite materials

This paper addresses the multi-scale modeling aspects of damage in composite materials. The multiplicity of the scales of the operating mechanisms is discussed and clarified by taking examples of damage in a unidirectional ceramic matrix composite and in a cross ply polymer matrix composite laminate. Two multi-scale modeling strategies––the hierarchical and the synergistic––are reviewed in the context of deformational response. Finally, the “big picture” as it relates to the cost-effective manufacturing of composite structures intended for long-term performance is outlined and desired future direction in multi-scale modeling is discussed.     

Thermal, mechanical and vibration characteristics of epoxy-clay nanocomposites

Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) epoxy resin system filled individually with organoclay (OC) and unmodified clay (UC) were synthesized by mechanical shear mixing with the addition of diamino-diphenylmethane (DDM) hardener. The unmodified clay used was Na⁺-Montmorillonite (MMT) and the organoclay was alkyl ammonium treated MMT clay. The reinforcement effect of OC and UC in the epoxy polymer on thermal, mechanical and vibration properties were studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to study the structure and morphology of nanocomposites. Curing study shows that the addition of OC in epoxy resin aids the polymerization by catalytic effect, and UC addition does not show any effect in the curing behavior of epoxy polymer. Thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) shows enhanced thermal stability for epoxy with OC fillers than that of epoxy with UC fillers. The epoxy with OC fillers shows considerable improvement on tensile and impact properties over pure epoxy polymer and epoxy with UC fillers. The improvement in tensile and impact properties of nanocomposites is supported with the fracture surface studies. Epoxy with OC fillers shows enhanced vibration characteristics than that of the pure epoxy polymer and epoxy with UC fillers.