Improved Invariant Generation for Tvoc

The NYU Tvoc project applies the method of translation validation to verify that optimized code is semantically equivalent to the unoptimized code, by establishing, for each run of the optimizing compiler, a set of verification conditions (VCs) whose validity implies the correctness of the optimized run. The core of Tvoc is Tvoc-sp, that handles structure preserving optimizations, i.e., optimizations that do not alter the inner loop structures. The underlying proof rule, Val, on whose soundness Tvoc-sp is based, requires, among other things, to generating invariants at each “cutpoint” of the control graph of both source and target codes. The current implementation of Tvoc-sp employs somewhat naïve fix-point computations to obtain the invariants. In this paper, we propose an alternative method to compute invartiants which is based on simple data-flow analysis techniques.     

The relationships of self-efficacy for the Holland themes to gender, occupational group membership, and vocational interests.

The studies presented in this article resulted in the findings that gender differences in self-efficacy for the Holland themes are consistent with previous findings regarding gender differences in Holland interest patterns, although the gender differences are less pronounced in employed adults than in college students. Within occupational group, the self-efficacy profiles of women and men were very similar and closely corresponded to the Holland interest code of the occupation. Confidence for and interest in a theme were moderately correlated, and recommendations for the counseling use of joint combinations of interests and self-efficacy are made. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Verification of multi-linked heaps

We define the class of single-parent heap systems, which rely on a singly-linked heap in order to model destructive updates on tree structures. This encoding has the advantage of relying on a relatively simple theory of linked lists in order to support abstraction computation. To facilitate the application of this encoding, we provide a program transformation that, given a program operating on a multi-linked heap without sharing, transforms it into one over a single-parent heap. It is then possible to apply shape analysis by predicate and ranking abstraction. The technique has been successfully applied on examples with lists (reversal and bubble sort) and trees with of fixed arity (balancing of, and insertion into, a binary sort tree).     

Susceptibility and precipitating factors in depression: Sex differences and similarities.

Argues that the well-documented sex difference in depression may be due to a sex difference in susceptibility, in precipitating factors, or in both. Data from a large mental health survey (2,515 White over-18 residents of 2 cities) were used to study precipitating factors. It was found that women were exposed more often to more of the factors that relate to depression; with a few exceptions, the factors related to depression similarly for men and women. Matching on these factors did not eliminate the sex difference in depression. This suggests that there may be a sex difference in susceptibility. Current theories of depression are incorporated into a sequential model of how learned factors might contribute both to susceptibility and to the sex difference. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychology and violence against women.

The discipline of psychology has made many contributions to the understanding of the social problem of men's violence against women during the past 15 years by reframing the problem as one of misuse of power by men who have been socialized into believing they are entitled to control the women in their lives, even by violent means. The new scientific psychology data base formed by integrating feminist gender analysis methods into more traditional psychological methodology is discussed, as are the implications of the resulting empirical data on which are based newer assessment, treatment, and forensic applications. A review of the major psychological advances in psychotherapy with women who have been sexually assaulted, exploited, and battered is presented, as well as implications for national policy. The feminist model presented is one in which science and practice concerns are carefully considered at all steps of the process. The article concludes with a discussion of the challenges involved in making the future training of psychologists more relevant to women's mental health concerns. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The structure and dynamics of microparticles at pickering emulsion interfaces

We have employed a laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) to study the structure and dynamics of microparticles at Pickering emulsion interfaces. The microparticles can have rich morphology at the emulsion interfaces, ranging from an aggregated structure to colloidal lattices, with a possibility of involving heterogeneous particles. With a specific interest in colloidal lattices, we find that although the enhanced electrostatic repulsion explains the formation of colloidal lattices by sulfate-treated polystyrene (S-PS) particles, it fails to interpret the unsuccessfulness of assembling lattices containing single-species carboxylate-treated polystyrene (C-PS) particles. A small percentage of C-PS particles in the colloidal mixture does not disturb the formation of lattices made of S-PS particles. The LSCM also provides a meaningful way to probe dynamic information. The diffusion of single particles at the emulsion interfaces depends strongly on the oil phase viscosity, particle size, and particle wettability. A highly curved emulsion interface slows the motion of microparticles at oil-water interfaces but the interface curvature effect decreases with increasing oil phase viscosity. Although the confocal microscope was originally used as an imaging tool, we find that the thermodynamic equilibrium of colloidal lattices can be disturbed and even destroyed when increasing the output laser intensity.