A Calculus of Evolving Objects

The demands of developing modern, highly dynamic applications have led to an increasing interest in dynamic programming languages and mechanisms. Not only must applications evolve over time, but the object models themselves may need to be adapted to the requirements of different run-time contexts. Class-based models and prototype-based models, for example, may need to co-exist to meet the demands of dynamically evolving applications. Multi-dimensional dispatch, fine-grained and dynamic software composition, and run-time evolution of behaviour are further examples of diverse mechanisms which may need to co-exist in a dynamically evolving run-time environment. How can we model the semantics of these highly dynamic features, yet still offer some reasonable safety guarantees? To this end we present an original calculus in which objects can adapt their behaviour at run-time. Both objects and environments are represented by first-class mappings between variables and values. Message sends are dynamically resolved to method calls. Variables may be dynamically bound, making it possible to model a variety of dynamic mechanisms within the same calculus. Despite the highly dynamic nature of the calculus, safety properties are assured by a type assignment system.

Population genetics of VNTR loci and their applications in evolutionary studies

Variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) are genetic loci at which short sequence motifs are found repeated different numbers of times among chromosomes. To explore the potential utility of VNTR loci in evolutionary studies, I have conducted a series of studies to address the following questions: (1) What are the population genetic properties of these loci? (2) What are the mutational mechanisms of repeat number change at these loci? (3) Can DNA profiles be used to measure the relatedness between a pair of individuals? (4) Can DNA fingerprint be used to measure the relatedness between populations in evolutionary studies? (5) Can microsatellite and short tandem repeat (STR) loci which mutate stepwisely be used in evolutionary analyses?^ A large number of VNTR loci typed in many populations were studied by means of statistical methods developed recently. The results of this work indicate that there is no significant departure from Hardy-Weinberg expectation (HWE) at VNTR loci in most of the human populations examined, and the departure from HWE in some VNTR loci are not solely caused by the presence of population sub-structure.^ A statistical procedure is developed to investigate the mutational mechanisms of VNTR loci by studying the allele frequency distributions of these loci. Comparisons of frequency distribution data on several hundreds VNTR loci with the predictions of two mutation models demonstrated that there are differences among VNTR loci grouped by repeat unit sizes.^ By extending the ITO method, I derived the distribution of the number of shared bands between individuals with any kinship relationship. A maximum likelihood estimation procedure is proposed to estimate the relatedness between individuals from the observed number of shared bands between them.^ It was believed that classical measures of genetic distance are not applicable to analysis of DNA fingerprints which reveal many minisatellite loci simultaneously in the genome, because the information regarding underlying alleles and loci is not available. I proposed a new measure of genetic distance based on band sharing between individuals that is applicable to DNA fingerprint data.^ To address the concern that microsatellite and STR loci may not be useful for evolutionary studies because of the convergent nature of their mutation mechanisms, by a theoretical study as well as by computer simulation, I conclude that the possible bias caused by the convergent mutations can be corrected, and a novel measure of genetic distance that makes the correction is suggested. In summary, I conclude that hypervariable VNTR loci are useful in evolutionary studies of closely related populations or species, especially in the study of human evolution and the history of geographic dispersal of Homo sapiens. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) ^

Public School Choice and Integration: Evidence from Durham, North Carolina

Using evidence from Durham, North Carolina, we examine the impact of school choice programs on racial and class-based segregation across schools. Theoretical considerations suggest that how choice programs affect segregation will depend not only on the family preferences emphasized in the sociology literature but also on the linkages between student composition, school quality and student achievement emphasized in the economics literature, and on the availability of schools of different types. Reasonable assumptions about how these factors differ for students of different races and socio-economic status suggest that the segregating choices of students from advantaged backgrounds are likely to outweigh any integrating choices by disadvantaged students. The results of our empirical analysis are consistent with these theoretical considerations. Using information on the actual schools students attend and on the schools in their assigned attendance zones, we find that schools in Durham are more segregated by race and class as a result of school choice programs than they would be if all students attended their geographically assigned schools. In addition, we find that the effects of choice on segregation by class are larger than the effects on segregation by race.

Mixture modeling for joint analysis of survival, discrete, and continuous data

Mixture modeling is commonly used to model categorical latent variables that represent subpopulations in which population membership is unknown but can be inferred from the data. In relatively recent years, the potential of finite mixture models has been applied in time-to-event data. However, the commonly used survival mixture model assumes that the effects of the covariates involved in failure times differ across latent classes, but the covariate distribution is homogeneous. The aim of this dissertation is to develop a method to examine time-to-event data in the presence of unobserved heterogeneity under a framework of mixture modeling. A joint model is developed to incorporate the latent survival trajectory along with the observed information for the joint analysis of a time-to-event variable, its discrete and continuous covariates, and a latent class variable. It is assumed that the effects of covariates on survival times and the distribution of covariates vary across different latent classes. The unobservable survival trajectories are identified through estimating the probability that a subject belongs to a particular class based on observed information. We applied this method to a Hodgkin lymphoma study with long-term follow-up and observed four distinct latent classes in terms of long-term survival and distributions of prognostic factors. Our results from simulation studies and from the Hodgkin lymphoma study demonstrated the superiority of our joint model compared with the conventional survival model. This flexible inference method provides more accurate estimation and accommodates unobservable heterogeneity among individuals while taking involved interactions between covariates into consideration.^

Appendix 1: List of cladistic characters published on ammonites

The file here provided, is the list of all characters that have been used in cladistic analysis on ammonoids published so far. It constitutes the base of a study which investigates practices in characters establishment. Find here after the abstract of the article that is associated to this file. Cladistics appears as one of the most useful method to reconstruct phylogeny of fossil taxa. However, ammonoids workers tend to sulk this method. The capital step of cladistic analysis is the recognition of homology hypothesis as clue to reconstruct monophyletic clades based on the sharing of derived traits. Previous authors have suggested that coding schemes are usually direct transcription of original taxa description. However, establishing a list of characters (i.e. a matrix taxa /characters) is a very different work compared to a compilation of diagnoses. How morphology is coded in ammonoids? How coding schemes are influenced by traditional descriptions / characters? Here, we review all cladistic analyses of ammonoids published in the literature to compare characters and the way authors have dealt with the treatment of continuous characters, polymorphism and ontogeny. Several barriers are usually invoked to justify that cladistics cannot be applied to reconstruct ammonoids phylogenies. We show that an appropriate use of improvements both on ammonoids' knowledge and cladistics methodology may overcome limitations usually invoked to perform cladistic analysis on ammonoids.

Precise set sharin analysis for java-style programs (and proofs).

Finding useful sharing information between instances in object- oriented programs has recently been the focus of much research. The applications of such static analysis are multiple: by knowing which variables definitely do not share in memory we can apply conventional compiler optimizations, find coarse-grained parallelism opportunities, or, more importantly, verify certain correctness aspects of programs even in the absence of annotations. In this paper we introduce a framework for deriving precise sharing information based on abstract interpretation for a Java-like language. Our analysis achieves precision in various ways, including supporting multivariance, which allows separating different contexts. We propose a combined Set Sharing + Nullity + Classes domain which captures which instances do not share and which ones are definitively null, and which uses the classes to refine the static information when inheritance is present. The use of a set sharing abstraction allows a more precise representation of the existing sharings and is crucial in achieving precision during interprocedural analysis. Carrying the domains in a combined way facilitates the interaction among them in the presence of multivariance in the analysis. We show through examples and experimentally that both the set sharing part of the domain as well as the combined domain provide more accurate information than previous work based on pair sharing domains, at reasonable cost.

A EXPECTATIVA DOS PAIS DIANTE DA EDUCAÇÃO INFANTIL: UM ESTUDO DE CASO

A partir do estudo de caso de uma unidade privada de educação infantil, a presente pesquisa pretendeu investigar, através das expectativas dos pais diante da educação infantil, a influência da herança cultural familiar na trajetória escolar da criança. O interesse teórico de uma pesquisa empírica sobre esse universo é atestado pelo fato de que, conforme Pierre Bourdieu, a valorização e a compreensão da escola, já nos primeiros anos de vida da criança são comuns entre as famílias que possuem um maior nível de escolarização e que conseqüentemente começam a traçar desde cedo a trajetória escolar de seus filhos. Assim, ao estudarmos os pais de alunos de uma unidade privada de educação infantil, estaremos abordando, sobretudo, as expectativas educacionais de famílias da classe média. Apoiados em algumas idéias básicas sobre a conexão entre capital cultural e estratégias educacionais apresentados por Bourdieu, trabalhamos com a hipótese de que as diferentes categorias sociais são desigualmente predispostas a compreender e a valorizar a escolarização em geral, e que este fato está diretamente relacionado ao capital cultural familiar. De acordo com o autor é o volume e o tipo de capital (econômico, social e cultural) que o indivíduo possui que irá definir sua posição na hierarquia social, bem como suas expectativas diante da escola. Nota-se, então, que a cultura de um modo geral opera como um patrimônio de diferenciação de classe.(AU)

A EXPECTATIVA DOS PAIS DIANTE DA EDUCAÇÃO INFANTIL: UM ESTUDO DE CASO

A partir do estudo de caso de uma unidade privada de educação infantil, a presente pesquisa pretendeu investigar, através das expectativas dos pais diante da educação infantil, a influência da herança cultural familiar na trajetória escolar da criança. O interesse teórico de uma pesquisa empírica sobre esse universo é atestado pelo fato de que, conforme Pierre Bourdieu, a valorização e a compreensão da escola, já nos primeiros anos de vida da criança são comuns entre as famílias que possuem um maior nível de escolarização e que conseqüentemente começam a traçar desde cedo a trajetória escolar de seus filhos. Assim, ao estudarmos os pais de alunos de uma unidade privada de educação infantil, estaremos abordando, sobretudo, as expectativas educacionais de famílias da classe média. Apoiados em algumas idéias básicas sobre a conexão entre capital cultural e estratégias educacionais apresentados por Bourdieu, trabalhamos com a hipótese de que as diferentes categorias sociais são desigualmente predispostas a compreender e a valorizar a escolarização em geral, e que este fato está diretamente relacionado ao capital cultural familiar. De acordo com o autor é o volume e o tipo de capital (econômico, social e cultural) que o indivíduo possui que irá definir sua posição na hierarquia social, bem como suas expectativas diante da escola. Nota-se, então, que a cultura de um modo geral opera como um patrimônio de diferenciação de classe.(AU)

On representations of finite type

Representations of the (infinite) canonical anticommutation relations and the associated operator algebra, the fermion algebra, are studied. A “coupling constant” (in (0,1]) is defined for primary states of “finite type” of that algebra. Primary, faithful states of finite type with arbitrary coupling are constructed and classified. Their physical significance for quantum thermodynamical systems at high temperatures is discussed. The scope of this study is broadened to include a large class of operator algebras sharing some of the structural properties of the fermion algebra.

First EURONEAR NEA discoveries from La Palma using the INT

Since 2006, the European Near Earth Asteroids Research (EURONEAR) project has been contributing to the research of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) within a European network. One of the main aims is the amelioration of the orbits of NEAs, and starting in 2014 February we focus on the recovery of one-opposition NEAs using the Isaac Newton Telescope (INT) in La Palma in override mode. Part of this NEA recovery project, since 2014 June EURONEAR serendipitously started to discover and secure the first NEAs from La Palma and using the INT, thanks to the teamwork including amateurs and students who promptly reduce the data, report discoveries and secure new objects recovered with the INT and few other telescopes from the EURONEAR network. Five NEAs were discovered with the INT, including 2014 LU14, 2014 NL52 (one very fast rotator), 2014 OL339 (the fourth known Earth quasi-satellite), 2014 SG143 (a quite large NEA), and 2014 VP. Another very fast moving NEA was discovered but was unfortunately lost due to lack of follow-up time. Additionally, another 14 NEA candidates were identified based on two models, all being rapidly followed-up using the INT and another 11 telescopes within the EURONEAR network. They include one object discovered by Pan-STARRS, two Mars crossers, two Hungarias, one Jupiter trojan, and other few inner main belt asteroids (MBAs). Using the INT and Sierra Nevada 1.5 m for photometry, then the Gran Telescopio de Canarias for spectroscopy, we derived the very rapid rotation of 2014 NL52, then its albedo, magnitude, size, and its spectral class. Based on the total sky coverage in dark conditions, we evaluate the actual survey discovery rate using 2-m class telescopes. One NEA is possible to be discovered randomly within minimum 2.8 deg2 and maximum 5.5 deg2. These findings update our past statistics, being based on double sky coverage and taking into account the recent increase in discovery.

Is video-case an efficient tool to complement the practical learning in real contexts? Effects on satisfaction and performance in Social Work Degree students

Este documento es un artículo inédito que ha sido aceptado para su publicación. Como un servicio a sus autores y lectores, Alternativas. Cuadernos de trabajo social proporciona online esta edición preliminar. El manuscrito puede sufrir alteraciones tras la edición y corrección de pruebas, antes de su publicación definitiva. Los posibles cambios no afectarán en ningún caso a la información contenida en esta hoja, ni a lo esencial del contenido del artículo.

Constructing, Creating and Contesting Cityscapes. A Socio-Anthropological Approach to Urban Transformation in Southern Xinjiang, People’s Republic of China

This manuscript is based on a PhD thesis submitted at the Institute of Social Anthropology at the University of Bern in 2014. The dissertation was part of the research project „Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and Chinese Territoriality. The Development of Infrastructure and Han Migration into the Region“ under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Heinzpeter Znoj and financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation SNSF. Madlen Kobi analyzes the architectural and socio-political transformation of public places and spaces in rapidly urbanizing southern Xinjiang, P.R. China, and in doing so pays particular attention to the cities of Aksu and Kaxgar. As the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region lies in between China and Central Asia, it is especially characterized by differing political, cultural, and religious influences, and, furthermore, due to its being a multiethnic region, by multiple identities. One might expect cultural and social identities in this area to be negotiated by referring to history, religion, or food. However, they also become visible by the construction and reconstruction, if not demolition, of public places, architectural landmarks, and private residences. Based on ethnographic fieldwork performed in 2011 and 2012, the study explores everyday life in a continuously transforming urban environment shaped by the interaction of the interests of government institutions, investment companies, the middle class, and migrant workers, among many other actors. Here, urban planning, modernization, and renewal form a highly sensitive lens through which the author inspects the tense dynamics of ethnic, religious, and class-based affiliations. She respects varieties and complexities while thoroughly grounding unfolding transformation processes in everyday lived experiences. The study provides vivid insights into how urban places and spaces in this western border region of China are constructed, created, and eventually contested.

Reflective analysis: Techniques for facilitating reflection

This paper describes a number of techniques for facilitating reflective critical analysis as a means of eliciting in-depth reflections on practice. The authors have previously used similar techniques in the research context, to assist practitioners to identify and analyse the basis of their work with clients. The techniques presented in this paper have been adapted for use in social work education, including in class-based and field education contexts, and to professional supervision.

Probabilistic world modelling for distributed team planning

This paper describes an application of decoupled probabilistic world modeling to achieve team planning. The research is based on the principle that tbe action selection mechanism of a member in a robot team cm select am effective action if a global world model is available to all team members. In the real world, the sensors are imprecise, and are individual to each robot, hence providing each robot a partial and unique view about the environment. We address this problem by creating a probabilistic global view on each agent by combining the perceptual information from each robot. This probsbilistie view forms the basis for selecting actions to achieve the team goal in a dynamic environment. Experiments have been carried ont to investigate the effectiveness of this principle using custom-built robots for real world performance, in addition, to extensive simulation results. The results show an improvement in team effectiveness when using probabilistic world modeling based on perception sharing for team planning.

EDUCACÃO E ECONOMIA SOLIDARIA: UM ESTUDO DE VIVÊNCIA DE CIDADANIA

A proposta desta pesquisa pressupõe que cada um de nós, e especificamente cada educador da associação em estudo, desenvolva sua ação educativa conforme suas convicções profundas sobre o ser humano, o mundo e a sociedade. Com qual consciência isso é vivido, é uma dúvida. Pode ocorrer que o indivíduo não tenha essa percepção. Pode ocorrer também que a pessoa pense fazer algo coerente, mas, na realidade, está agindo até contra suas próprias convicções, sem, contudo, ter consciência disso. Esta análise situa-se na perspectiva da educação popular não-formal que é desenvolvida pela Associação de Promoção Humana e Resgate da Cidadania, conhecida como Centro de Formação Profissional Padre Leo Commissari . Trata-se de uma pesquisa de pesquisa de tipo qualitativo para investigar o perfil dos educadores, e identificar sua concepção de ser humano, de mundo, de sociedade e de educação. O quadro teórico é alicerçado na visão de ser humano e de educação, segundo Paulo Freire, e na visão e identidade do ser brasileiro, de acordo com Darcy Ribeiro. A metodologia usada para a investigação é a observação participante, por meio dos jogos psicodramaticos do Psicodrama, de Jocob Levy Moreno, especialmente a teoria da Matriz de Identidade e da Ação. Tal analise permitiu identificar que os educadores participantes apresentam uma visão de ser humano contraditório, retraído e incompleto, reprodutor de uma sociedade dividida em classes. A educação, identificada como uma pilastra de garantia da vida, impregnada pela conserva cultural, parece contradizer uma vontade política de transformação.