Efficient model checking for LTL with partial order snapshots

Certain behavioral properties of distributed systems are difficult to express in interleaving semantics, whereas they are naturally expressed in terms of partial orders of events or, equivalently, Mazurkiewicz traces. Two examples of such properties are serializability of a database and global snapshots of concurrent systems. Recently, a modest extension for LTL by an operator that expresses snapshots, has been proposed. It combines the ease of linear (interleaving) specification with this useful partial order concept. The new construct allows one to assert that a global snapshot appeared in the past, perhaps not in the observed execution sequence, but possibly in an equivalent one.     

Chosen postures during specific sitting activities

This research study analysed the interaction between people's postures and activities while in semi-public/leisure situations and during transportation (journey by train). In addition, the use of small electronic devices received particular emphasis. Video recordings in German trains and photographs in Dutch semi-public spaces were analysed using a variation of Branton and Grayson's (An evaluation of train seats by observation of sitting behaviour. Ergonomics, 10 (1), (1967), 35-51) postural targeting forms and photos. The analysis suggests a significant relationship between most activities and the position of the head, trunk and arms during transportation situations. The relationship during public situations is less straightforward. Watching, talking/discussing and reading were the most observed activities for the transportation and leisure situations combined. Surprisingly, differences in head, trunk, arm and leg postures were not significant when using small electronic devices. Important issues not considered in this study include the duration of the activities, the gender and age of observed subjects and the influence of the time of day. These are interesting issues to consider and include for future research. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: This study shows what activities people choose to carry out and their related postures when not forced to a specific task (e.g. driving). The results of this study can be used for designing comfortable seating in the transportation industry (car passenger, train, bus and aircraft seats) and semi-public/leisure spaces.     

Phasic norepinephrine: a neural interrupt signal for unexpected events

Extensive animal studies indicate that the neuromodulator norepinephrine plays an important role in specific aspects of vigilance, attention and learning, putatively serving as a neural interrupt or reset function. The activity of norepinephrine-releasing neurons in the locus coeruleus during attentional tasks is modulated not only by the animal's level of engagement and the sensory inputs, but also by temporally rich aspects of internal decision-making processes. Here, we propose that it is unexpected changes in the world within the context of a task that activate the noradrenergic interrupt signal. We quantify this idea in a Bayesian model of a well-studied visual discrimination task, demonstrating that the model captures a rich repertoire of noradrenergic responses at the sub-second temporal resolution.     

Interactive display of isosurfaces with global illumination

In many applications, volumetric data sets are examined by displaying isosurfaces, surfaces where the data, or some function of the data, takes on a given value. Interactive applications typically use local lighting models to render such surfaces. This work introduces a method to precompute or lazily compute global illumination to improve interactive isosurface renderings. The precompiled illumination resides in a separate volume and includes direct light, shadows, and intersections. Using this volume, interactive globally illuminated renderings of isosurfaces become feasible while still allowing dynamic manipulation of lighting, viewpoint and isovalue.     

1993: Axline's eight principles of play therapy revisited.

Examined V. Axlines's book, Play Therapy (1947) which includes 8 basic principles on non-directive play therapy. Student responses to learning these principles in play therapy classes were also examined. Each student was assigned a play therapy client and was observed and assisted directly by the instructor, a licensed clinical psychologist. Clients were mildly trouble children (aged 5–10 yrs) and were selected from a referral base by the instructor as appropriate for the course. As the semester progressed and students gained direct experience, weekly small (3–4 student) group discussions were held to explore in-depth understanding of play therapy principles and how these principles are put into practice. It is concluded that Axline's book remains a classic text and a foremost resource in the field. Coupling it with experiential learning is an invaluable basis for teaching play therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The design of a portable programming language

Summary We consider the design of a strongly-typed language with userdefined types in which it is arranged that, given that a type is available, it is immaterial to the user whether it is a user-defined type or one of the primitive types with representations selected by the implementer. This scheme provides unprecedented freedom in choosing the primitive types; by making these machine-dependent we can ensure production of programs that are easily and efficiently portable between computers of different architectures. A general discussion of the implementer's responsibilities in choosing primitive types appropriate to his machine is illustrated by considering implementation choices for translation of the language into BCPL. Finally we discuss the contribution of the language to the solution of the portability problem.     

Microstructure Development of Oxycarbide Composites during Active-Filler-Controlled Polymer Pyrolysis

The microstructure development of a ceramic composite material fabricated by active-filler-controlled polymer pyrolysis (AFCOP) was investigated. During heating of a polysiloxane precursor mixed with titanium powder in argon atmosphere up to 1400°C, thermally induced decomposition of the polymer phase is combined with simultaneous carburization of the transition metal filler. Precipitation of nanocrystalline titanium carbide at the filler particle surface starts above 400°C, and larger, faceted carbide particles have growth above 800°C. A skeleton of turbostratic carbon is formed above 800°C in the polymer-derived silicon oxycarbide matrix from which b-silicon carbide and cristobalite crystallize above 1000°C. A pronounced reduction in linear shrinkage involved in polymer–ceramic conversion is observed. The shrinkage reduction ranges from more than 25% for the filler-free precursor to less than 10% in the presence of 30 vol% of the titanium filler. Thus, active-filler-controlled pyrolysis offers the possibility of controlling shrinkage and porosity formation during polymer–ceramic conversion in order to fabricate bulk components from organometallic polymer precursor systems.