247 research outputs found
Schema Correspondences between Objects
In a multi-database system, schematic conflicts between two objects are usually of interest only when the objects have some semantic similarity. In this paper we try to reconcile the schematic and semantic perspectives. We introduce a uniform formalism called schema correspondences to represent structural similarities between the objects. We represent the semantic similarities between the objects using the concept of semantic proximity. We show how the reconciliation is achieved by illustrating the association of the schema correspondence(s) with and as component(s) of the semantic proximity. We also provide a data model independent semantic taxonomy on the basis of the semantic proximity defined. We then enumerate and classify the schematic and data conflicts. The association between the schema correspondences and semantic proximity helps represent the possible semantic similarities between two objects having these conflicts. One representation of uncertain information using semantic proximity as the basis is explored. Issues of inconsistent information are also discussed in the framework of semantic proximity.Technical report DCS-TR-30
Semantics-based Information Brokering: A step towards realizing the Infocosm
The rapid advances in computer and communication technologies, and their merger, is leading to a global information market place. It will consist of federations of very large number of information systems that will cooperate to varying extents to support the users' information needs. We propose an architecture which may facilitate meeting these needs. It consists of three main components: information providers, information brokers and information consumers. We also propose an approach to information brokering. We discuss two of it's tasks: information resource discovery, which identities relevant information sources for a given query, and query processing, which involves the generation of appropriate mapping from relevant but structurally heterogeneous objects. Query processing consists of information focusing and information correlation.
While the access-based search, and syntactic and hierarchical information organization has been adequate in the past, information brokering in presence of huge digital libraries or millions of information sources will likely require semantics and information-content based search and structuring of information. Our approach is based on: semantic proximity, which represents semantic similarities based on the context of comparison, and schema correspondences which are used to represent structural mappings and are associated with the context. The context of comparison of the two objects is the primary vehicle to represent the semantics for determining semantic proximity. Specifically, we use a context to capture the semantics in terms of the meaning and/or the use of an object. Using a partial context representation, we capture the assumptions in the intended use of the objects and the intended meaning of the user query. Information focusing is supported by subsequent context comparison. The same mechanism can be used to support information resource discovery. Context comparison leads to changes in schema correspondences that are used to support information correlation.Technical report DCS-TR-30
Caste and democracy: the politics of exclusion and inclusion
Der Verfasser spricht zwei Aspekte in der Debatte um das Kastensystem in Indien an. Der erste Aspekt betrifft das Kastensystem als Mechanismus sozialer Exklusion. Das Kastensystem muss als sakralisierte Machtstruktur verstanden werden, bei der die Vererbung des Kastenstatus dazu führt, dass sich diese Struktur selbst reproduziert. Kasten bilden gleichzeitig ein Netzwerk ethnischer Gemeinschaften, sie sind aber flexibel genug, um neue Bevölkerungsgruppen (Einwanderer) und neue Berufsgruppen integrieren zu können. Die dominante Position der Kongresspartei war das Ergebnis des gelungenen Versuchs, Kastenpolitik und nationalistische Ideologie zu verknüpfen. Mit ihrer Politik der "affirmative action" leistete sie einen Beitrag zur Politisierung der Kasten und zur gleichzeitigen Entritualisierung der Beziehung der Kasten untereinander. An die Stelle der rituellen Hierarchie geschlossener Statusgruppen tritt ein offenes System sozialer Schichtung, in dem beispielsweise die Zugehörigkeit zu den neuen Mittelschichten Mitgliedern aller Kasten offen steht. Die demokratische Politik hat insgesamt zu einer Säkularisierung des Kastensystems geführt. (ICE)"Caste is the most intensively and widely studied South Asian institution and there is no need to reiterate the established wisdom here. The author wishs to focus on, rather attempt to reformulate, some propositions on caste in terms that can facilitate a more direct and precise understanding of the contemporary structures of social exclusion in India. Before he proceeds with this exercise two important, even if obvious, points need to be underlined. First, while many new forms of exclusion are indeed structurally integral to the caste system, there also are those unrelated to caste as well as the ones representing a combination of caste and non-caste elements. Second, in making of a social policy for combating exclusion, it is crucial to take account of both, the changed political-cultural context of exclusion (modernity, nation-state and democracy) and the ideological and structural changes that have occurred in the caste-system itself (Sheth 2002)." (excerpt
Toxicological Evaluation of Crude Alkaloid Fraction Isolated From Indian Folklore Plant Telosma Pallida (Roxb) wg Craib Root Using Probit Value Analysis
Present study first time reported the toxicological profile of Telosma pallida (TP) crude alkaloid fraction (CAF) isolated from the root of the climber plant by brine shrimp lethality test (BLT). Telosma pallida is a perennial herb found throughout the Junagadh district and surrounding. Previous studies showed the use of these alkaloids in the inhibition of thymidylate synthetase enzymes and cell growth. Brine shrimp toxicity study was carried out with Artemia salina Leach. In this assay, brine shrimp was hatched in sea salt water and allowed to contact with various concentrations of the crude alkaloid fractions. At 500μg/ml, highest mortality was found 74.44±0.35%whereas in the case of positive control, at the dose of 50μg/ml, 80.00±0.609% mortality was found. LD50 values for CAF and test control was found to be 89.12μg/ml and 12.59μg/ml, respectively. Further in-vitro and in-vivo studies may testify the anticancer potential of this plant
Self nano-emulsifying drug delivery system for Embelin: Design, characterization and in-vitro studies
AbstractCThe objective of the present study was to prepare solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (S-SNEDDS) containing Capryol-90 as oil phase for the delivery of Embelin, a poorly water soluble herbal active ingredient. Box-Behnken experimental design was employed to optimise the formulation variables, X1 (amount of oil; Capryol 90), X2 (amount of surfactant; Acrysol EL 135) and X3 (amount of co-surfactant; PEG 400). Systems were appraised for visual characteristics for self emulsifying time, globule size and drug release. Optimised liquid formulations were formulated into free flowing granules (S-SNEDDS) by adsorption on the porous materials like Aerosil 200 and Neusilin and thereby compressed into tablet. In vitro dissolution studies of SNEDDS revealed increased in the dissolution rate of the drug. FT-IR data revealed no physicochemical interaction between drug and excipients. Solid state characterization of S-SNEDDS by DSC and Powder XRD confirmed reduction in drug crystallinity which further supports the results of dissolution studies. TEM analysis exhibited spherical globules. Further, the accelerated stability studies for 6 months revealed that S-SNEDDS of Embelin are found to be stable without any significant change in physicochemical properties. Thus, the present studies demonstrated dissolution enhancement potential of porous carrier based S-SNEDDS for poorly water soluble herbal active ingredient, Embelin
Hotel @ Olympic Park, Berlin
Proposed site for the project is on the western end of the Olympic Stadium. The site has historical structures old open air arena Waldbune, and Glockenturm, as well as scattered sports facilities which includes the equestrian center, tennis club, athletic center, sports center and a small hotel. The place is used by many people for regular practice and during the events; the site is supporting facility for the Stadium. Only public transport that reach the site is Metro station Pichelsberg. Problem identification/task: 1. Improve connectivity and movement: vehicular and pedestrian + barrier free 2. Relocation of existing dilapidated sports facilities 3. Proposal of new hotel (150 beds)Hyperbody Research Lab.ArchitectureArchitectur
Neuropharmacological activity of hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of<i>Colocasia esculenta</i>
State Estimation and Optimal Control for Racing Drones: In search of control algorithms for competing against human pilots
The e-sport of drone-racing involves human pilots to race against time. Recently, drone races have also gone fully-autonomous. As a result, these agile robotic platforms not only pose challenges of flying fast to the participating pilots but also create challenges for the flight control computers. As a result, the concept of autonomous drone racing has gained significant attention from research groups around the world. These races aim to push the boundaries of perception and control algorithms, while simultaneously mitigating the real-world uncertainty of execution on autonomous systems. While perception algorithms face challenges due to limited feature detection, high motion blur and computational requirements, control algorithms face challenges of convergence to the desired trajectories that are planned out in the race arena. This thesis addresses the challenge of control for racing, which is responsible for guiding the drone to design and track desired trajectories for fast flights. The control sub-modules of racing drones are responsible for generating trajectories for fastest possible flights and also for obeying these generated commands. Additionally, the requirement of limited algorithm complexity is added to match the philosophy of computationally efficient algorithms at the Micro Air Vehicle Laboratory. However, to address the requirements of these control sub-modules, the prerequisite of accurate state estimation always persists. Assigning control actions to a robot without information on the current state of the robot is rather unwise. As a result, this thesis first aims to perform accurate state estimation before designing controllers for time-optimal trajectory tracking. Again, another constraint of using only a single sensor (i.e. the Inertial Measurement Unit) is added to make the drone race in GPS denied environments. As a result, the goal of the thesis is two-fold i.e. making accurate state estimators while using limited sensors and designing optimal controllers for taking the quickest trajectory through the arena. To achieve the goal of accurate state estimation, existing techniques are studied. Several features from each of these methods are selected to design a new estimator. To achieve the goal of time-optimal trajectory generation, firstly, the flaws of traditional control methods are pointed out. A new optimal-control technique is proposed, which makes use of fundamental principles dating back several decades. This principle is then fused along with present-day optimization solvers. Finally, the proposed state estimation and control algorithm are compared against prior (benchmarked) techniques in the area. Compared to existing optimal control techniques, the proposed algorithm leads to faster trajectories and consumes less computational power onboard
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