Extraction of structured programs from specification proofs

We present a method using an extended logical system for obtaining programs from specifications written in a sublanguage of CASL. These programs are “correct” in the sense that they satisfy their specifications. The technique we use is to extract programs from proofs in formal logic by techniques due to Curry and Howard. The logical calculus, however, is novel because it adds structural rules corresponding to the standard ways of modifying specifications: translating (renaming), taking unions, and hiding signatures. Although programs extracted by the Curry-Howard process can be very cumbersome, we use a number of simplifications that ensure that the programs extracted are in a language close to a standard high-level programming language. We use this to produce an executable refinement of a given specification and we then provide a method for producing a program module that maximally respects the original structure of the specification. Throughout the paper we demonstrate the technique with a simple example.

Monodic temporal resolution

Until recently, First-Order Temporal Logic (FOTL) has been only partially understood. While it is well known that the full logic has no finite axiomatisation, a more detailed analysis of fragments of the logic was not previously available. However, a breakthrough by Hodkinson et al., identifying a finitely axiomatisable fragment, termed the monodic fragment, has led to improved understanding of FOTL. Yet, in order to utilise these theoretical advances, it is important to have appropriate proof techniques for this monodic fragment.In this paper, we modify and extend the clausal temporal resolution technique, originally developed for propositional temporal logics, to enable its use in such monodic fragments. We develop a specific normal form for monodic formulae in FOTL, and provide a complete resolution calculus for formulae in this form. Not only is this clausal resolution technique useful as a practical proof technique for certain monodic classes, but the use of this approach provides us with increased understanding of the monodic fragment. In particular, we here show how several features of monodic FOTL can be established as corollaries of the completeness result for the clausal temporal resolution method. These include definitions of new decidable monodic classes, simplification of existing monodic classes by reductions, and completeness of clausal temporal resolution in the case of monodic logics with expanding domains, a case with much significance in both theory and practice.

Mechanising first-order temporal resolution

First-order temporal logic is a concise and powerful notation, with many potential applications in both Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. While the full logic is highly complex, recent work on monodic first-order temporal logics has identified important enumerable and even decidable fragments. Although a complete and correct resolution-style calculus has already been suggested for this specific fragment, this calculus involves constructions too complex to be of practical value. In this paper, we develop a machine-oriented clausal resolution method which features radically simplified proof search. We first define a normal form for monodic formulae and then introduce a novel resolution calculus that can be applied to formulae in this normal form. By careful encoding, parts of the calculus can be implemented using classical first-order resolution and can, thus, be efficiently implemented. We prove correctness and completeness results for the calculus and illustrate it on a comprehensive example. An implementation of the method is briefly discussed.

Monodic Temporal Resolution

First-order temporal logic is a coincise and powerful notation, with many potential applications in both Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. While the full logic is highly complex, recent work on monodic first-order temporal logics have identified important enumerable and even decidable fragments. In this paper we present the first resolution-based calculus for monodic first-order temporal logic. Although the main focus of the paper is on establishing completeness result, we also consider implementation issues and define a basic loop-search algorithm that may be used to guide the temporal resolution system.

Stratified resolution

We introduce a calculus of stratified resolution, in which special attention is paid to clauses that "define" relations. If such clauses are discovered in the initial set of clauses, they are treated using the rule of definition unfolding, i.e. the rule that replaces defined relations by their definitions. Stratified resolution comes with a powerful notion of redundancy: a clause to which definition unfolding has been applied can be removed from the search space. To prove the completeness of stratified resolution with redundancies, we use a novel combination of Bachmair and Ganzingerâ??s model construction technique and a hierarchical construction of orderings and least fixpoints.

On the EA-style integrated processing of self-contained mathematical texts

A sound and complete first-order goal-oriented sequent-type calculus is developed with ``large-block'' inference rules. In particular, the calculus contains formal analogues of such natural proof-search techniques as handling definitions and applying auxiliary propositions.

Quantitative Information Flow, Relations and Polymorphic Types

This paper uses Shannon's information theory to give a quantitative definition of information flow in systems that transform inputs to outputs. For deterministic systems, the definition is shown to specialise to a simpler form when the information source and the known inputs jointly determine the inputs. For this special case, the definition is related to the classical security condition of non-interference and an equivalence is established between non-interference and independence of random variables. Quantitative information flow for deterministic systems is then presented in relational form. With this presentation, it is shown how relational parametricity can be used to derive upper and lower bounds on information flows through families of functions defined in the second order lambda calculus.

O processo decisório para obtenção de materiais de emprego militar no Exército Brasileiro

Este trabalho tem como objetivo descrever como os fatores racionais, organizacionais e políticos influenciam o processo decisório no Exército Brasileiro para a obtenção de Materiais de Emprego Militar (MEM). Utilizou-se a abordagem proposta no trabalho de Allison para análise das decisões durante a crise dos mísseis de Cuba em 1962. Os fatores racionais utilizados foram: cálculo, maximização de valor, impessoalidade, escolha racional e racionalidade limitada. Os fatores organizacionais foram: padrões e processos organizacionais, segmentação do problema, coordenação e controle centralizados, flexibilidade limitada, previsibilidade e cultura organizacional. Os fatores políticos utilizados foram: conflito, poder, negociação, contingências, cooptação, interesses e influência externa. Os resultados permitiram constatar que o processo decisório, mesmo ocorrendo em uma organização baseada em pressupostos racionais, sofre influência de fatores organizacionais e políticos.

Periodontal diseases in a representative urban population in south Brazil

Background and Aims: There is little information about the epidemiology and risk factors of periodontal diseases in Latin America in general, and Brazil in particular. The principal aims of this study were to: 1) describe the prevalence and severity of periodontal attachment loss and gingival recession, and to assess the contribution of demographic, behavioral, and environmental exposures to the occurrence of periodontal disease outcomes in a sample representative of the urban population in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in south Brazil; and 2) report the epidemiology and risk indicators of aggressive periodontitis in this population. Methods: A representative sample consisting of 1,586 subjects 14-103 years of age (mean 38 y) and comprising 45.3% males and 54.7% females was selected using a multi-stage, probability, cluster sampling strategy. The subjects were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and underwent a full-mouth, six sites per tooth clinical examination in a mobile examination center. Results: Moderate and severe clinical attachment loss and gingival recession were widespread among adults in this population. The prevalence and extent of attachment loss ³5 and ³7 mm were 79% and 52% subjects, and 36% and 16% teeth; and for gingival recession ³3 mm and ³5 mm were 52% and 22% subjects, and 17% and 6% teeth, respectively. Aggressive periodontitis was diagnosed in 5.5% of subjects, which is significantly higher than the reported prevalence in most other populations. Among the main risk indicators for chronic as well as aggressive destructive periodontal diseases were: older age, low socioeconomic status, dental calculus, and smoking. Cigarette smoking accounted for an important part of periodontal disease burden, particularly in adults, and should be considered an important target in any prevention strategy aimed at reducing the burden of periodontal diseases. Partial recording methods consistently underestimated the prevalence of attachment loss in the population, and the extent of underestimation was dependent on the type of system used and the threshold of attachment loss. Conclusions: Destructive periodontal diseases are prevalent in this Brazilian population. Suitable disease prevention and health promotion programs should be established to improve the periodontal health in this population.

Gestão de periódicos científicos: um estudo com revistas da área de administração

A criação e popularização da Internet têm provocado sérias mudanças no campo da comunicação. Especificamente na comunicação científica, o uso do meio eletrônico permite agilizar as etapas do processo editorial, bem como facilitar a criação, disseminação, pesquisa e uso de informação científica. Entretanto, a incorporação de tecnologias é também desafiadora, pois exige diversas mudanças no modelo de gestão de periódicos científicos. Esse é composto basicamente por aspectos científicos (certificação de conteúdo visando a seleção e divulgação de conhecimento de qualidade), administrativos (produção editorial e gráfica, gestão administrativa e financeira, comunicação e marketing) e financeiros (modelo de rendimentos) que precisam estar alinhados para que o periódico possa cumprir seu objetivo. A presente pesquisa teve como principal objetivo analisar a gestão editorial de periódicos científicos da área de Administração no contexto brasileiro e propor uma tipologia de seus modelos de gestão. Adotou-se de uma abordagem qualitativa e foram utilizados métodos de pesquisa documental, entrevista e análise bibliométrica para, respectivamente, identificação do contexto, descrição dos modelos de gestão editorial e cálculo do impacto dos periódicos selecionados para o estudo (Revista de Administração de Empresas, Revista de Administração Contemporânea, Revista de Administração da USP, Organizações & Sociedade e Brazilian Administration Review). Identificou-se que os periódicos selecionados apresentam impacto (medido por meio de citações) relativamente alto quando comparados aos periódicos estrangeiros avaliados pelo Qualis da área de Administração, Contabilidade e Turismo. Percebe-se que o modelo de gestão dos periódicos está fortemente vinculado ao tipo de Instituição Mantenedora desse (Associação Científica, Instituição de Ensino Superior (IES) Pública, IES Privada), a qual influencia nas questões financeiras, administrativas e científicas das revistas. Espera-se que os resultados da pesquisa possam contribuir não só para os editores de revistas científicas, mas também para os responsáveis por decisões que se referem às políticas de avaliação e fomento de periódicos científicos no Brasil.

Studies in non-Gaussian analysis

This thesis presents general methods in non-Gaussian analysis in infinite dimensional spaces. As main applications we study Poisson and compound Poisson spaces. Given a probability measure μ on a co-nuclear space, we develop an abstract theory based on the generalized Appell systems which are bi-orthogonal. We study its properties as well as the generated Gelfand triples. As an example we consider the important case of Poisson measures. The product and Wick calculus are developed on this context. We provide formulas for the change of the generalized Appell system under a transformation of the measure. The L² structure for the Poisson measure, compound Poisson and Gamma measures are elaborated. We exhibit the chaos decomposition using the Fock isomorphism. We obtain the representation of the creation, annihilation operators. We construct two types of differential geometry on the configuration space over a differentiable manifold. These two geometries are related through the Dirichlet forms for Poisson measures as well as for its perturbations. Finally, we construct the internal geometry on the compound configurations space. In particular, the intrinsic gradient, the divergence and the Laplace-Beltrami operator. As a result, we may define the Dirichlet forms which are associated to a diffusion process. Consequently, we obtain the representation of the Lie algebra of vector fields with compact support. All these results extends directly for the marked Poisson spaces.

Os paradoxos de Prior e o calculo proposicional deôntico relevante E¹.

Cruz, Ângela Maria Paiva. Os paradoxos de Prior e o cálculo proposicional deôntico relevante. Princípios, Natal, v. 4, p. 05-18, 1996.

Identificação e fatores de virulência de Candida spp isoladas da cavidade bucal de transplantados renais do hospital universitário Onofre Lopes em Natal-RN

Despite Candida species are often human commensals isolated from various oral sites such as: tongue, cheek and palatal mucosa plus subgingival region, there are some properties linked to the organism commonly known as virulence factors which confer them the ability to produce disease. Oral candidiasis is one of the main oral manifestations reported in literature related to kidney transplant patients. The objectives of the present study were to identify and investigate virulence factors of yeasts isolated from the oral cavity of kidney transplant recipients admitted at the Hospital Universitário Onofre Lopes, in Natal RN. Seventy Candida species isolated from 111 kidney transplant recipients were investigated in this study. Identification of the isolates was performed by using the evidence of germ tube formation, hypertonic broth, tolerance to grow at 42°C, micromorphology and biochemical profiles. We observed a high rate of isolation of yeasts from the oral cavity of kidney transplant recipients (63.1%) being C. albicans was the most prevalent species. Oral candidiasis was diagnosed in 14.4% of transplant recipients. We evaluated virulence properties of the isolates regarding to: biofilm formation on polystyrene microplates as well as XTT reduction, adherence to acrylic resin and human buccal epithelial cells and proteinase activity. Most isolates were able to form biofilm by the method of adhesion to polystyrene. All isolates of Candida spp. remained viable during biofilm formation when analyzed by the method of XTT reduction. The number of CFU attached to the acrylic resin suggested high adherence for C. parapsilosis. C. albicans isolates showed higher median adherence to human buccal epithelial cells than non-C. albicans Candida isolates. Nevertheless, this difference was not statistically significant. C. dubliniensis showed low ability to adhere to plastic and epithelial cells and biofilm formation. Proteolytic activity was observed for all the isolates investigated, including the unique isolate of C. dubliniensis. There was a statistically significant association between proteinase production and the presence of oral candidiasis. Studies related to oral candidiasis in renal transplant recipients are limited to clinical and epidemiological data, but investigations concerning Candida spp. virulence factor for this group of individuals are still scarce. We emphasize the importance of studies related to virulence factors of yeasts isolated from this population to contribute to the knowledge of microbiological aspects of oral candidiasis

Estudo da papila mamária em fêmeas bovinas (Bos taurus - Linnaeus, 1758), mediante as características ultra-sonográficas em modo-B (tempo real)

Nesta pesquisa foram utilizadas vinte fêmeas bovinas, sem patologias aparentes nas glândulas mamárias, em lactação, objetivando avaliar estruturas anatômicas das papilas mamárias. Quatro técnicas ultra-sonográficas foram avaliadas. Utilizou-se transdutor linear de 7,5 MHz para uso endoretal, na obtenção das imagens, padronizando-se o lado direito do animal para visualização das papilas craniais e caudais, em dois planos anatômicos (sagital e transversal). Os animais foram divididos em quatro grupos (G1, G2, G3, G4) que representaram as diferentes técnicas empregadas em momentos distintos (antes e após ordenha). Os resultados indicaram que entre as técnicas estudadas, as de exame direto e com uso de almofadada de silicone, foram as que apresentaram maior aplicabilidade, quando considerada a sua facilidade de uso na rotina com complementação do exame clinico. Entretanto, pólipos e cálculos lácteos tem sua extensão e localização convenientemente visibilizados mediante uso da técnica de pressão de liquido. Já a técnica de imersão em água, mostrou-se mais eficiente quanto à qualidade das imagens obtidas e na caracterização das estruturas anatômicas. O experimento realizado, traz subsídios anatomo-topográfico que irão contribuir com a qualidade do diagnóstico em pacientes que possam ter indicação cirúrgica (telotomia) e levanta questões que poderão ser respondidas conforme a casuística e a experiência consolidada do cirurgião.

Problemas e modelos que contribuíram com o desenvolvimento do cálculo diferencial e integral: dos gregos à Newton

This article refers to a research which tries to historically (re)construct the conceptual development of the Integral and Differential calculus, taking into account its constructing model feature, since the Greeks to Newton. These models were created by the problems that have been proposed by the history and were being modified by the time the new problems were put and the mathematics known advanced. In this perspective, I also show how a number of nature philosophers and mathematicians got involved by this process. Starting with the speculations over scientific and philosophical natures done by the ancient Greeks, it culminates with Newton s work in the 17th century. Moreover, I present and analyze the problems proposed (open questions), models generated (questions answered) as well as the religious, political, economic and social conditions involved. This work is divided into 6 chapters plus the final considerations. Chapter 1 shows how the research came about, given my motivation and experience. I outline the ways I have gone trough to refine the main question and present the subject of and the objectives of the research, ending the chapter showing the theoretical bases by which the research was carried out, naming such bases as Investigation Theoretical Fields (ITF). Chapter 2 presents each one of the theoretical bases, which was introduced in the chapter 1 s end. In this discuss, I try to connect the ITF to the research. The Chapter 3 discusses the methodological choices done considering the theoretical fields considered. So, the Chapters 4, 5 and 6 present the main corpus of the research, i.e., they reconstruct the calculus history under a perspective of model building (questions answered) from the problems given (open questions), analyzing since the ancient Greeks contribution (Chapter 4), pos- Greek, especially, the Romans contribution, Hindus, Arabian, and the contribution on the Medium Age (Chapter 5). I relate the European reborn and the contribution of the philosophers and scientists until culminate with the Newton s work (Chapter 6). In the final considerations, it finally gives an account on my impressions about the development of the research as well as the results reached here. By the end, I plan out a propose of curse of Differential and Integral Calculus, having by basis the last three chapters of the article