scholarly journals Applying DTGolog to Large-scale Domains

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huy N Pham
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Search Space ◽  
Minimal Amount ◽  
Value Iteration ◽  
Evaluation Tool ◽  
Software Customization ◽  
Domain Specific Knowledge ◽  
State Enumeration ◽  
Logical Representation ◽  
High Level

While decision theoretic planning (DTP) offers great potential benefits to elicit purposeful behavior of the agent operating in uncertain environments, state-based approaches to DTP are known to be computationally intractable in large-scale domains. DTGolog is a decision-theoretic extension of a logic-based high level programming language Golog that completes a given partial Golog program using a form of directed value iteration. DTGolog has been proposed to alleviate some of the computational difficulties associated with DTP. The main advantages of DTGolog are that a DTP problem can be formulated using a logical representation to avoid explicit state enumeration, and the programmer can encode domain-specific knowledge in terms of high-level procedural templates to partially specify behavior of an agent. These templates constrain the search space to manageable size. Despite these clear advantages, there are few studies that investigate the applicability of DTGolog to very large-scale practical domains. In this thesis, we conduct two studies. First, we apply DTGolog to the well known case-study of the London Ambulance Service to demonstrate advantages and potentials of DTGolog as a quantitative evaluation tool for designing decision making agents. Second, we develop a software interface that allows to control the well-known Sony's AIBO robotics platform using DTGolog. We show that DTGolog can be used on this platform with a minimal amount of software customization. We run experiments to test functionality of our interface. The main contribution of this thesis is demonstration of applicability of DTGolog to two different large scale domains that are both practical and interesting.

scholarly journals Applying DTGolog to Large-scale Domains

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huy N Pham
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Search Space ◽  
Minimal Amount ◽  
Value Iteration ◽  
Evaluation Tool ◽  
Software Customization ◽  
Domain Specific Knowledge ◽  
State Enumeration ◽  
Logical Representation ◽  
High Level

While decision theoretic planning (DTP) offers great potential benefits to elicit purposeful behavior of the agent operating in uncertain environments, state-based approaches to DTP are known to be computationally intractable in large-scale domains. DTGolog is a decision-theoretic extension of a logic-based high level programming language Golog that completes a given partial Golog program using a form of directed value iteration. DTGolog has been proposed to alleviate some of the computational difficulties associated with DTP. The main advantages of DTGolog are that a DTP problem can be formulated using a logical representation to avoid explicit state enumeration, and the programmer can encode domain-specific knowledge in terms of high-level procedural templates to partially specify behavior of an agent. These templates constrain the search space to manageable size. Despite these clear advantages, there are few studies that investigate the applicability of DTGolog to very large-scale practical domains. In this thesis, we conduct two studies. First, we apply DTGolog to the well known case-study of the London Ambulance Service to demonstrate advantages and potentials of DTGolog as a quantitative evaluation tool for designing decision making agents. Second, we develop a software interface that allows to control the well-known Sony's AIBO robotics platform using DTGolog. We show that DTGolog can be used on this platform with a minimal amount of software customization. We run experiments to test functionality of our interface. The main contribution of this thesis is demonstration of applicability of DTGolog to two different large scale domains that are both practical and interesting.

Social inequality in the evolution of human societies

2019 ◽  
pp. 98-120
Author(s):  
Georgi Derluguian
Keyword(s):  
Social Inequality ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Mass Violence ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Tangible Assets ◽  
Transition To Agriculture ◽  
New Institutions ◽  
High Level ◽  
Political Economic

The author develops ideas about the origin of social inequality during the evolution of human societies and reflects on the possibilities of its overcoming. What makes human beings different from other primates is a high level of egalitarianism and altruism, which contributed to more successful adaptability of human collectives at early stages of the development of society. The transition to agriculture, coupled with substantially increasing population density, was marked by the emergence and institutionalisation of social inequality based on the inequality of tangible assets and symbolic wealth. Then, new institutions of warfare came into existence, and they were aimed at conquering and enslaving the neighbours engaged in productive labour. While exercising control over nature, people also established and strengthened their power over other people. Chiefdom as a new type of polity came into being. Elementary forms of power (political, economic and ideological) served as a basis for the formation of early states. The societies in those states were characterised by social inequality and cruelties, including slavery, mass violence and numerous victims. Nowadays, the old elementary forms of power that are inherent in personalistic chiefdom are still functioning along with modern institutions of public and private bureaucracy. This constitutes the key contradiction of our time, which is the juxtaposition of individual despotic power and public infrastructural one. However, society is evolving towards an ever more efficient combination of social initiatives with the sustainability and viability of large-scale organisations.

scholarly journals Arabidopsis Genes Essential for Seedling Viability: Isolation of Insertional Mutants and Molecular Cloning

Genetics ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 159 (4) ◽  
pp. 1765-1778
Author(s):  
Gregory J Budziszewski ◽  
Sharon Potter Lewis ◽  
Lyn Wegrich Glover ◽  
Jennifer Reineke ◽  
Gary Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Gene Families ◽  
Mutant Phenotype ◽  
Lethal Mutant ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
High Level ◽  
Mutant Lines ◽  
Genome Scale

Abstract We have undertaken a large-scale genetic screen to identify genes with a seedling-lethal mutant phenotype. From screening ~38,000 insertional mutant lines, we identified >500 seedling-lethal mutants, completed cosegregation analysis of the insertion and the lethal phenotype for >200 mutants, molecularly characterized 54 mutants, and provided a detailed description for 22 of them. Most of the seedling-lethal mutants seem to affect chloroplast function because they display altered pigmentation and affect genes encoding proteins predicted to have chloroplast localization. Although a high level of functional redundancy in Arabidopsis might be expected because 65% of genes are members of gene families, we found that 41% of the essential genes found in this study are members of Arabidopsis gene families. In addition, we isolated several interesting classes of mutants and genes. We found three mutants in the recently discovered nonmevalonate isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway and mutants disrupting genes similar to Tic40 and tatC, which are likely to be involved in chloroplast protein translocation. Finally, we directly compared T-DNA and Ac/Ds transposon mutagenesis methods in Arabidopsis on a genome scale. In each population, we found only about one-third of the insertion mutations cosegregated with a mutant phenotype.

scholarly journals Solving the Real Power Limitations in the Dynamic Economic Dispatch of Large-Scale Thermal Power Units under the Effects of Valve-Point Loading and Ramp-Rate Limitations

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1274
Author(s):  
Loau Al-Bahrani ◽  
Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian ◽  
Ben Horan ◽  
Alex Stojcevski
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Optimization Technique ◽  
Economic Dispatch ◽  
Pso Algorithm ◽  
Search Space ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Optimization Techniques ◽  
Ramp Rate ◽  
Dynamic Economic Dispatch

Few non-traditional optimization techniques are applied to the dynamic economic dispatch (DED) of large-scale thermal power units (TPUs), e.g., 1000 TPUs, that consider the effects of valve-point loading with ramp-rate limitations. This is a complicated multiple mode problem. In this investigation, a novel optimization technique, namely, a multi-gradient particle swarm optimization (MG-PSO) algorithm with two stages for exploring and exploiting the search space area, is employed as an optimization tool. The M particles (explorers) in the first stage are used to explore new neighborhoods, whereas the M particles (exploiters) in the second stage are used to exploit the best neighborhood. The M particles’ negative gradient variation in both stages causes the equilibrium between the global and local search space capabilities. This algorithm’s authentication is demonstrated on five medium-scale to very large-scale power systems. The MG-PSO algorithm effectively reduces the difficulty of handling the large-scale DED problem, and simulation results confirm this algorithm’s suitability for such a complicated multi-objective problem at varying fitness performance measures and consistency. This algorithm is also applied to estimate the required generation in 24 h to meet load demand changes. This investigation provides useful technical references for economic dispatch operators to update their power system programs in order to achieve economic benefits.

New Harvesting and Curing Techniques in the Production of Breeder's Seed Peanuts1

1979 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-72
Author(s):  
T. A. Coffelt ◽  
F. S. Wright ◽  
J. L. Steele
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Combine Method ◽  
Frost Damage ◽  
New Method ◽  
Experimental Equipment ◽  
Harvesting Method ◽  
Curing Methods ◽  
Labor Requirements ◽  
High Level ◽  
Varietal Purity

Abstract A new method of harvesting and curing breeder's seed peanuts in Virginia was initiated that would 1) reduce the labor requirements, 2) maintain a high level of germination, 3) maintain varietal purity at 100%, and 4) reduce the risk of frost damage. Three possible harvesting and curing methods were studied. The traditional stack-pole method satisfied the latter 3 objectives, but not the first. The windrow-combine method satisfied the first 2 objectives, but not the last 2. The direct harvesting method satisfied all four objectives. The experimental equipment and curing procedures for direct harvesting had been developed but not tested on a large scale for seed harvesting. This method has been used in Virginia to produce breeder's seed of 3 peanut varieties (Florigiant, VA 72R and VA 61R) during five years. Compared to the stackpole method, labor requirements have been reduced, satisfactory levels of germination and varietal purity have been obtained, and the risk of frost damage has been minimized.

Results from a Large-Scale Epidemiologic Look-Back Investigation of Improperly Reprocessed Endoscopy Equipment

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (07) ◽  
pp. 649-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Holodniy ◽  
Gina Oda ◽  
Patricia L. Schirmer ◽  
Cynthia A. Lucero ◽  
Yury E. Khudyakov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Testing ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Bloodborne Pathogens ◽  
Medical Centers ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Viral Testing ◽  
Veterans Affairs Medical Centers ◽  
High Level ◽  
Nose And Throat

Objective.To determine whether improper high-level disinfection practices during endoscopy procedures resulted in bloodborne viral infection transmission.Design.Retrospective cohort study.Setting.Four Veterans Affairs medical centers (VAMCs).Patients.Veterans who underwent colonoscopy and laryngoscopy (ear, nose, and throat [ENT]) procedures from 2003 to 2009.Methods.Patients were identified through electronic health record searches and serotested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV). Newly discovered case patients were linked to a potential source with known identical infection, whose procedure occurred no more than 1 day prior to the case patient's procedure. Viral genetic testing was performed for case/proximate pairs to determine relatedness.Results.Of 10,737 veterans who underwent endoscopy at 4 VAMCs, 9,879 patients agreed to viral testing. Of these, 90 patients were newly diagnosed with 1 or more viral bloodborne pathogens (BBPs). There were no case/proximate pairings found for patients with either HIV or HBV; 24 HCV case/proximate pairings were found, of which 7 case patients and 8 proximate patients had sufficient viral load for further genetic testing. Only 2 of these cases, both of whom underwent laryngoscopy, and their 4 proximates agreed to further testing. None of the 4 remaining proximate patients who underwent colonoscopy agreed to further testing. Mean genetic distance between the 2 case patients and 4 proximate patients ranged from 13.5% to 19.1%.Conclusions.Our investigation revealed that exposure to improperly reprocessed ENT endoscopes did not result in viral transmission in those patients who had viral genetic analysis performed. Any potential transmission of BBPs from colonoscopy remains unknown.

scholarly journals Revealing the constituents of Egypt’s oldest beer using infrared and mass spectrometry

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed A. Farag ◽  
Moamen M. Elmassry ◽  
Masahiro Baba ◽  
Renée Friedman
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Beer Brewing ◽  
Chemical Signatures ◽  
Chemical Determination ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
High Level ◽  
Beer Production ◽  
First Time ◽  
Detailed Chemical

Abstract Previous studies have shown that the Ancient Egyptians used malted wheat and barley as the main ingredients in beer brewing, but the chemical determination of the exact recipe is still lacking. To investigate the constituents of ancient beer, we conducted a detailed IR and GC-MS based metabolite analyses targeting volatile and non-volatile metabolites on the residues recovered from the interior of vats in what is currently the world’s oldest (c. 3600 BCE) installation for large-scale beer production located at the major pre-pharaonic political center at Hierakonpolis, Egypt. In addition to distinguishing the chemical signatures of various flavoring agents, such as dates, a significant result of our analysis is the finding, for the first time, of phosphoric acid in high level probably used as a preservative much like in modern beverages. This suggests that the early brewers had acquired the knowledge needed to efficiently produce and preserve large quantities of beer. This study provides the most detailed chemical profile of an ancient beer using modern spectrometric techniques and providing evidence for the likely starting materials used in beer brewing.

scholarly journals Equity Effects of Congestion Charges: An Exploratory Analysis with MATSim

2017 ◽  
Vol 2670 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Meyer de Freitas ◽  
Oliver Schuemperlin ◽  
Milos Balac ◽  
Francesco Ciari
Keyword(s):  
Travel Time ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Travel Time Savings ◽  
Time Savings ◽  
Time Changes ◽  
High Level ◽  
Congestion Charging ◽  
Equity Effects

This paper shows an application of the multiagent, activity-based transport simulation MATSim to evaluate equity effects of a congestion charging scheme. A cordon pricing scheme was set up for a scenario of the city of Zurich, Switzerland, to conduct such an analysis. Equity is one of the most important barriers toward the implementation of a congestion charging system. After the challenges posed by equity evaluations are examined, it is shown that agent-based simulations with heterogeneous values of time allow for an increased level of detail in such evaluations. Such detail is achieved through a high level of disaggregation and with a 24-h simulation period. An important difference from traditional large-scale models is the low degree of correlation between travel time savings and welfare change. While traditional equity analysis is based on travel time savings, MATSim shows that choice dimensions not included in traditional models, such as departure time changes, can also play an important role in equity effects. The analysis of the results in light of evidence from the literature shows that agent-based models are a promising tool to conduct more complete equity evaluations not only of congestion charges but also of transport policies in general.

scholarly journals A CloudSat–CALIPSO View of Cloud and Precipitation Properties across Cold Fronts over the Global Oceans

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (17) ◽  
pp. 6743-6762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine M. Naud ◽  
Derek J. Posselt ◽  
Susan C. van den Heever
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Cold Front ◽  
Conveyor Belt ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Scale Parameters ◽  
Convective Clouds ◽  
Cold Fronts ◽  
Surface Front ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The distribution of cloud and precipitation properties across oceanic extratropical cyclone cold fronts is examined using four years of combined CloudSat radar and CALIPSO lidar retrievals. The global annual mean cloud and precipitation distributions show that low-level clouds are ubiquitous in the postfrontal zone while higher-level cloud frequency and precipitation peak in the warm sector along the surface front. Increases in temperature and moisture within the cold front region are associated with larger high-level but lower mid-/low-level cloud frequencies and precipitation decreases in the cold sector. This behavior seems to be related to a shift from stratiform to convective clouds and precipitation. Stronger ascent in the warm conveyor belt tends to enhance cloudiness and precipitation across the cold front. A strong temperature contrast between the warm and cold sectors also encourages greater post-cold-frontal cloud occurrence. While the seasonal contrasts in environmental temperature, moisture, and ascent strength are enough to explain most of the variations in cloud and precipitation across cold fronts in both hemispheres, they do not fully explain the differences between Northern and Southern Hemisphere cold fronts. These differences are better explained when the impact of the contrast in temperature across the cold front is also considered. In addition, these large-scale parameters do not explain the relatively large frequency in springtime postfrontal precipitation.

Holes and Entrainment in Stratocumulus

2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 443-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Gerber ◽  
G. Frick ◽  
S. P. Malinowski ◽  
J-L. Brenguier ◽  
F. Burnet
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Evaporative Cooling ◽  
Length Distribution ◽  
Relative Length ◽  
Minimal Amount ◽  
Entrainment Rate ◽  
Conditional Sampling ◽  
Free Atmosphere ◽  
Average Width

Abstract Aircraft flights through stratocumulus clouds (Sc) during the Dynamics and Chemistry of Marine Stratocumulus II (DYCOMS-II) study off the California coast found narrow in-cloud regions with less liquid water content (LWC) and cooler temperatures than average background values. The regions are named cloud holes and are assumed to be a result of water evaporated by the entrainment of dryer air from above the Sc. While such features have been noted previously, this study provided a unique opportunity to investigate in much greater detail the nature of the holes, as well as their relationship to the entrainment rate, because high-speed temperature and LWC probes with maximum spatial resolution of 10 cm were flown together for the first time. Nine long-duration flights were made through mostly unbroken Sc for which conditional sampling was used to identify the location and size of the holes. The holes are concentrated near cloud top, their average width near cloud top is about 5 m, their relative length distribution is nearly constant for all flights, and they can penetrate hundreds of meters deep into the Sc before being lost by mixing. Entrainment velocities at cloud top are estimated from measurements of fluxes of reduced LWC and vapor mixing ratios in holes, the fraction of cloud area covered by holes, and the total water jump between cloud top and the free atmosphere. Rates as large as 10 mm s−1 are found for nocturnal flights, and these rates are about 3 times larger than for daytime flight segments. The rates correlate best with the size of the buoyancy jump above the Sc; the present conditional-sampling approach for measuring the rates gives larger rates than the “flux jump” rates determined by others for the same flights by a factor of about 2. The stability criterion for all Sc predicts thinning and breakup of the Sc, which does not occur. The minimal amount of cloud-top evaporative cooling caused by entrainment contributes little to the top-down convection dominated by radiative cooling during nocturnal flights; however, evaporative cooling caused by the mixing of holes as they subduct with the large-scale eddy circulation in the Sc may contribute, but with an as-of-yet unknown amount.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document