Computing infinite plans for LTL goals using a classical planner

Classical planning has been notably successful in synthesizing finite plans to achieve states where propositional goals hold. In the last few years, classical planning has also been extended to incorporate temporally extended goals, expressed in temporal logics such as LTL, to impose restrictions on the state sequences generated by finite plans. In this work, we take the next step and consider the computation of infinite plans for achieving arbitrary LTL goals. We show that infinite plans can also be obtained efficiently by calling a classical planner once over a classical planning encoding that represents and extends the composition of the planningdomain and the B¨uchi automaton representingthe goal. This compilation scheme has been implemented and a number of experiments are reported.

Parallel Research, Multiple Intellectual Property Right Protection Instruments, and the Correlation among R&D Projects, September 2005

The choice of a research path in attacking scientific and technological problems is a significant component of firms’ R&D strategy. One of the findings of the patent races literature is that, in a competitive market setting, firms’ noncooperative choices of research projects display an excessive degree of correlation, as compared to the socially optimal level. The paper revisits this question in a context in which firms have access to trade secrets, in addition to patents, to assert intellectual property rights (IPR) over their discoveries. We find that the availability of multiple IPR protection instruments can move the paths chosen by firms engaged in an R&D race toward the social optimum.

Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas in children : typical radiological findings and pathological correlation

Introduction : Les tumeurs solides pseudo-papillaires du pancréas (SPT) sont des tumeurs rares, d'étiopathogénie encore incertaine.Le but de notre travail était de décrire les caractéristiques radiologiques des SPT dans le groupe d'âge pédiatrique et d'étudier leur corrélation avec les études anatomopathologiques en vue d'établir un diagnostic.Patients et Méthodes : Nous avons étudié rétrospectivement trois malades pédiatriques pour lesquelles le diagnostic de tumeur solide pseudo-papillaire du pancréas a été porté à l'examen d'une pièce opératoire. Ce groupe comprenait 3 jeunes filles et femmes (âge médian: 13 ans).Résultats : La tumeur a été découverte pendant le bilan de symptômes digestifs non spécifiques. Les examens biologiques n'étaient pas informatifs. Des investigations radiologiques complètes ont été réalisées y compris les ultrasons (US), la tomodensitométrie (CT) et l'imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM).Celles-ci ont montré de volumineuses lésions nodulaires, peu vascularisées, de compositions habituellement hétérogènes, avec des composantes kystiques et hémorragiques identifiées dans les 3 cas. Un traitement chirurgical a été pratiqué chez toute les patientes. L'étude de la pièce opératoire a montré une tumeur encapsulée dans les 3 cas. Aucune métastase n'a été mise en évidence.Conclusion : Les SPT doivent être considérées dans le diagnostic différentiel des masses pancréatiques pédiatriques, en particulier chez les adolescentes. Certaines caractéristiques radiologiques comme des masses volumineuses bien circonscrites, des lésions hétérogènes avec des zones kystiques et hémorragiques, de plus entourées d'une pseudocapsule fibreuse réactive, suggèrent fortement le diagnostic de SPT. Celui-ci devrait ensuite être confirmé par une biopsie avant que la résection chirurgicale soit effectuée. Chez les enfants, Γ écho graphie abdominale reste la méthode de première intention, suivie par l'IRM comme technique d'imagerie de choix pour évaluer les caractéristiques et l'extension de la lésion, tout en évitant l'exposition des patients aux rayonnements ionisants.

Are There Classical Business Cycles?

The aim of this paper is to test formally the classical business cycle hypothesis, using data from industrialized countries for the time period since 1960. The hypothesis is characterized by the view that the cyclical structure in GDP is concentrated in the investment series: fixed investment has typically a long cycle, while the cycle in inventory investment is shorter. To check the robustness of our results, we subject the data for 15 OECD countries to a variety of detrending techniques. While the hypothesis is not confirmed uniformly for all countries, there is a considerably high number for which the data display the predicted pattern. None of the countries shows a pattern which can be interpreted as a clear rejection of the classical hypothesis.

Correlation between depressive symptoms and quality of life in users of psychoactive substances

Objectives: To evaluate the correlation between the presence of depressive symptoms and quality of life in users of psychoactive substances from Psychosocial Attention Centers in Mato Grosso. Method: A cross-sectional analytical study, conducted in Psychosocial Attention Centers, with 109 users. The instruments used were: Medical Outcomes Study 36, Beck Depression Inventory, socio-demographic variables and the use of psychoactive substances. A Tukey analysis and a Spearman correlation were conducted with a significance level of α<0,05. Results: The most affected domains of quality of life were emotional, social and mental health aspects, besides the strong correlation between depressive symptoms and quality of life. Conclusion: The use of psychoactive substances and the presence of symptoms significantly interfere in the life of users, which can compromise the motivation to the treatment, negatively affecting the quality of life in this population.



Geology and correlation of the Mersin mélanges, southern Turkey

Our paper aims to give a thorough description of the infra-ophiolitic melanges associated with the Mersin ophiolite. We propose new regional correlations of the Mersin melanges with other melange-like units or similar series, located both in southern Turkey and adjacent regions. The palaeotectonic implications of the correlations are also discussed. The main results may be summarized as follows: the infra-ophiolitic melange is subdivided into two units, the Upper Cretaceous Sorgun ophiolitic melange and the Ladinian-Carnian Hacialani melange. The Mersin melanges, together with the Antalya and Mamonia domains, are represented by a series of exotic units now found south of the main Taurus range, and are characteristic of the South-Taurides Exotic Units. These melanges clearly show the mixed origin of the different blocks and broken formations. Some components have a Palaeotethyan origin and are characterized by Pennsylvanian and Lower to Middle Permian pelagic and slope deposits. These Palaeotethyan remnants, found exclusively in the Hacialani melange, were reworked as major olistostromes in the Neotethys basin during the Eo-Cimmerian orogenic event. Neotethyan elements are represented by Middle Triassic seamounts and by broken formations containing typical Neotethyan conodont faunas such as Metapolygnathus mersinensis Kozur & Moix and M. primitius s. s., both present in the latest Carnian interval, as well as the occurrence of the middle Norian Epigondolella praeslovakensis Kozur, Masset & Moix. Other elements are clearly derived from the former north Anatolian passive margin and are represented by Huglu-type series including the Upper Triassic syn-rift volcanic event. These sequences attributed to the Huglu-Pindos back-arc ocean were displaced southward during the Late Cretaceous obduction event. The Tauric elements are represented by Eo-Cimmerian flysch-like and molasse sequences intercalated in Neotethyan series. Additionally, some shallow-water blocks might be derived from the Bolkardag para-autochthonous and the Taurus-Beydaglari marginal sequences.

Correlation between the infestation level of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, 1855 (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) and the quality factors of stored corn, Zea mays L. (Poaceae)

This experiment was carried out in order to evaluate the effect of Sitophilus zeamais on physical, physiological and sanitary quality of stored corn. Samples of 500 g of the hybrid OC-705, in three replicates, were conditioned in glasses covered with a screened lid, and kept in chamber at 25±2ºC, 70±5% RH and 12 h of photophase, for 150 days. The infestation levels were 0, 5, 15 and 50 adults/replicate, for the storage periods of 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days. The moisture content, classification, weight loss, germination and internal infestation were evaluated monthly. Significant inverse correlations were verified between the number of insects and both the germination and the weight loss; also between the internal infestation and the germination and the standard type. The presence of S. zeamais showed a positive correlation with the weight loss, what means that the internal and external infestations contribute to the reduction of physiological and physical quality of corn seeds. The mean dry matter loss was 0,36%/day, corresponding to a consumption of 0,0001%/insect/month. As the result of those damages, the product suffered reduction of the commercial grade in 30 days, with significant loss in all quality factors.

The algebraic equality of two asymptotic tests for the hypothesis that a normal distribution has a specified correlation matrix

It is proved the algebraic equality between Jennrich's (1970) asymptotic$X^2$ test for equality of correlation matrices, and a Wald test statisticderived from Neudecker and Wesselman's (1990) expression of theasymptoticvariance matrix of the sample correlation matrix.

Follicular Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma Expands the Spectrum of Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma Mimics.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected B cells with Reed-Sternberg-like cell (RS) features may occur in peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs), especially in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. Here, we report 5 patients presenting with lymphadenopathy whose first biopsies demonstrated nodular lymphoid proliferations containing scattered CD30, CD15, EBV Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg-like cells, which led to an initial diagnosis of lymphocyte-rich classical Hodgkin lymphoma. However, the uncommon clinical features and/or the occurrence of relapse as PTCL prompted review of the biopsies with expanded immunohistologic and molecular studies and revision of the diagnoses to follicular variant of PTCL (F-PTCL). All cases had atypical small to medium-sized CD3 T cells that expressed CD10 (4/5) and the follicular helper T-cell (TFH) antigens BCL6, PD1, CXCL13, and ICOS. All demonstrated clonal T cells with a similar pattern in multiple samples from 4 patients. In 2 cases, flow cytometry demonstrated circulating lymphocytes with an abnormal sCD3, CD4, ICOS immunophenotype. Two patients had a skin rash at presentation, and 1 had B symptoms. Two of the 4 patients treated with polychemotherapy are alive at 3 and 6 years after first diagnosis. These cases highlight how some F-PTCLs may closely mimic lymphocyte-rich classical Hodgkin lymphoma requiring careful assessment of the T cells before rendering the latter diagnosis. The functional properties of TFH cells might lead to the presence of EBV-positive B blasts with RS-like features in TFH-derived PTCL such as angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and F-PTCL.

Illusory correlation in the remuneration of chief executive officers: It pays to play golf, and well

Illusory correlation refers to the use of information in decisions that is uncorrelated with the relevantcriterion. We document illusory correlation in CEO compensation decisions by demonstrating thatinformation, that is uncorrelated with corporate performance, is related to CEO compensation. We usepublicly available data from the USA for the years 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2004 to examine the relationsbetween golf handicaps of CEOs and corporate performance, on the one hand, and CEO compensationand golf handicaps, on the other hand. Although we find no relation between handicap and corporateperformance, we do find a relation between handicap and CEO compensation. In short, golfers earnmore than non-golfers and pay increases with golfing ability. We relate these findings to the difficultiesof judging compensation for CEOs. To overcome this and possibly other illusory correlations inthese kinds of decisions, we recommend the use of explicit, mechanical decision rules.

Are these classical business cycles?

The aim of this paper is to test formally the classical business cyclehypothesis, using data from industrialized countries for the timeperiod since 1960. The hypothesis is characterized by the view that the cyclical structure in GDP is concentrated in the investment series: fixed investment has typically a long cycle, while the cycle in inventory investment is shorter. To check the robustness of our results, we subject the data for 15 OECD countries to a variety of detrending techniques. While the hypothesis is not confirmed uniformly for all countries, there is a considerably high number for which the data display the predicted pattern. None of the countries shows a pattern which can be interpreted as a clear rejection of the classical hypothesis.

Generalized canonical correlation analysis of matrices with different row and column orders

A Method is offered that makes it possible to apply generalized canonicalcorrelations analysis (CANCOR) to two or more matrices of different row and column order. The new method optimizes the generalized canonical correlationanalysis objective by considering only the observed values. This is achieved byemploying selection matrices. We present and discuss fit measures to assessthe quality of the solutions. In a simulation study we assess the performance of our new method and compare it to an existing procedure called GENCOM,proposed by Green and Carroll. We find that our new method outperforms the GENCOM algorithm both with respect to model fit and recovery of the truestructure. Moreover, as our new method does not require any type of iteration itis easier to implement and requires less computation. We illustrate the methodby means of an example concerning the relative positions of the political parties inthe Netherlands based on provincial data.