Automated Theorem Proving in Euler Diagram Systems

Diagrammatic reasoning has the potential to be important in numerous application areas. This paper focuses on the simple, but widely used, Euler diagrams that form the basis of many more expressive logics. We have implemented a diagrammatic theorem prover, called Edith, which has access to four sound and complete sets of reasoning rules for Euler diagrams. Furthermore, for each rule set we develop a sophisticated heuristic to guide the search for a proof. This paper is about understanding how the choice of reasoning rule set affects the time taken to find proofs. Such an understanding will influence reasoning rule design in other logics. Moreover, this work specific to Euler diagrams directly benefits the many logics based on Euler diagrams. We investigate how the time taken to find a proof depends not only on the proof task but also on the reasoning system used. Our evaluation allows us to predict the best choice of reasoning system, given a proof task, in terms of time taken, and we extract a guide for defining reasoning rules for other logics in order to minimize time requirements.     

Reading and the corpus callosum: An MRI family study of volume and area.

This study examines the corpus callosum in 68 readers nested in 24 families. Callosa were measured and controlled for whole brain volume, intelligence, and gender. The relation of corpus callosum size to the within-family variance of oral reading was investigated with various measurements: volume, midsagittal area, and anterior-to-posterior one-fifth area segmentations. Because this is the first known publication of MRI calculations of corpus callosum volume, some basic questions about bilateral symmetry and the efficacy of area versus volumetric measurements were explored. Results suggest that better readers within families have larger midsagittal areas at the midbody. Although reliably measured, volume did not contribute to oral reading but was highly correlated with area. Bilateral volumes of the corpus callosum were symmetric. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The globoseries glycosphingolipid sialosyl galactosyl globoside is found in urinary tract tissues and is a preferred binding receptor In vitro for uropathogenic Escherichia coli expressing pap-encoded adhesins

Women with a history of recurrent Escherichia coli urinary tract infections (UTIs) are significantly more likely to be nonsecretors of blood group antigens than are women without such a history, and vaginal epithelial cells (VEC) from women who are nonsecretors show enhanced adherence of uropathogenic E. coli isolates compared with cells from secretors. We previously extracted glycosphingolipids (GSLs) from native VEC and determined that nonsecretors (but not secretors) selectively express two extended globoseries GSLs, sialosyl galactosyl globoside (SGG) and disialosyl galactosyl globoside (DSGG), which specifically bound uropathogenic E. coli R45 expressing a P adhesin. In this study, we demonstrated, by purifying the compounds from this source, that SGG and DSGG are expressed in human kidney tissue. We also demonstrated that SGG and DSGG isolated from human kidneys bind uropathogenic E. coli isolates expressing each of the three classes of pap-encoded adhesins, including cloned isolates expressing PapG from J96, PrsG from J96, and PapG from IA2, and the wild-type isolates IA2 and R45. We metabolically 35S labeled these five E. coli isolates and measured their relative binding affinities to serial dilutions of SGG and DSGG as well as to globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and globotetraosylceramide (Gb4), two other globoseries GSLs present in urogenital tissues. Each of the five E. coli isolates bound to SGG with the highest apparent avidity compared with their binding to DSGG, Gb3, and Gb4, and each isolate had a unique pattern of GSL binding affinity. These studies further suggest that SGG likely plays an important role in the pathogenesis of UTI and that its presence may account for the increased binding of E. coli to uroepithelial cells from nonsecretors and for the increased susceptibility of nonsecretors to recurrent UTI.     

Reformulation of the family life-cycle concept: implications for residential mobility

The author examines the utility of assuming a traditional life cycle framework in social science theory in view of the diversification of patterns of family and non-family structure and behavior. A more comprehensive life cycle model encompassing varied household types is suggested. The appropriateness of this model is investigated, with particular reference to single-headed family households and primary households in the United States     

New Approaches to Washfast Dyes for Wool:

Dyes incorporating β-isothioureidopropionamide and β-isnthioureidoethyl salt groups have been synthesized by reaction of the corresponding bromide or iodide with thiourea. Such dyes can be applied in the cationic form to wool and bask-dyeable fibres, and then, by raising the pH to 9–10, decomposed on the fibre to give fast dyeings. These dyes can also be successfully applied as disperse dyes to appropriate fibres by carrying out the decomposition before dyeing in the presence of dispersing agents. By a combination of these two systems, both components of wool polyester blends can be dyed with the same dye. The high washfastness of isothiouronium dyes on wool is thought to be due to insolubilization within the fibre rather than to mixed disulphide formation with cystine.     

Believing is seeing: cultivating radical media innovations

A major challenge to making creative leaps in media innovations is demonstrating the magnitude of human impact that each new media technology will bring. The emerging media of mixed reality - the blending of real and synthetic environments and objects - has melted the boundaries between physical and virtual realities, letting us interweave simulated characters and scenes into real-world experiences. So why do we treat mixed reality as we do more limiting media technology such as virtual reality, television, cinema, radio, or print media? A new vision might borrow from tradition, but by making creative leaps, we can find the magical power that lies within.     

e-Agricultural innovation using a human-centred systems lens,proposed conceptual framework

Historically, farmers have been amongst the most innovative people in the world. However, agriculture now lags behind other sectors in its uptake of new information technologies for the control and automation of farming systems. In spite of decades of research into innovation, we still do not have a good understanding as to why this is the case. With the globalisation of food markets, IT adoption in agricultural communities is perceived to be increasingly important by policy makers. As the most marginalised of rural communities, it is self-evident that agricultural communities in less developed countries are most in need of these systems. This paper proposes a new integral systems framework of e-agricultural adoption and innovation in less developed countries. It opens up a new avenue of research for control and automation systems theory and practice, which informs policy in respect of e-readiness of rural communities.     

Properties and Applications of Varistor–Transistor Hybrid Devices

The nonlinear current–voltage characteristics of a varistor device are modified with the help of external agents, resulting in tuned varistor–transistor hybrid devices with multiple applications. The substrate used to produce these hybrid devices belongs to the modified iron titanate family with chemical formula 0.55FeTiO₃·0.45Fe₂O₃ (IHC45), which is a prominent member of the ilmenite–hematite solid-solution series. It is a wide-bandgap magnetic oxide semiconductor. Electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient measurements from room temperature to about 700°C confirm that it retains its p-type nature for the entire temperature range. The direct-current (DC) and alternating-current (AC) properties of these hybrid devices are discussed and their applications identified. It is shown here that such varistor embedded ceramic transistors with many interesting properties and applications can be mass produced using incredibly simple structures. The tuned varistors by themselves can be used for current amplification and band-pass filters. The transistors on the other hand could be used to produce sensors, voltage-controlled current sources, current-controlled voltage sources, signal amplifiers, and low-band-pass filters. We believe that these devices could be suitable for a number of applications in consumer and defense electronics, high-temperature and space electronics, bioelectronics, and possibly also for electronics specific to handheld devices.