Decidability and syntactic control of interference

AbstractWe investigate the decidability of observational equivalence and approximation in Reynolds’ “Syntactic Control of Interference” (SCI), a prototypical functional-imperative language in which covert interference between functions and their arguments is prevented by the use of an affine typing discipline.By associating denotations of terms in a fully abstract “relational” model of finitary basic SCI (due to Reddy) with multitape finite state automata, we show that observational approximation is not decidable (even at first order), but that observational equivalence is decidable for all terms.We then consider the same problems for basic SCI extended with non-local control in the form of backwards jumps. We show that both observational approximation and observational equivalence are decidable in this “observably sequential” version of the language by describing a fully abstract games model in which strategies are regular languages

Applicative Notions in ML-like Programs

Pure functional languages are expressive tools for writing modular and reliable code. State in programming languages is a useful tool for programming dynamic systems. However, their combination yields programming languages that are difficult to model and to reason about. There have been ongoing attempts to find subsets of the whole languages which have good properties; in particular subsets where the programs are more modular and the side effects are controlled. The existing studies are: interference control, typing with side-effects information, and linear logic based languages. This thesis presents a new classification for a paradigm called constant program throughout a computational invariant. A program is called constant throughout an invariant R if its input-output behaviour is constant over any variations of state that satisfy the invariant R. Hence such a program behaves in an applicative way when it is executed in a context that satisfies the invariant R. The language of discussion is a pure ML fragment augmented with ref, :=, and !. Programs with side effects are modelled in terms of sets, functions, and the side effect monad. Computational invariants are modelled in terms of transition systems. The notion of being constant throughout an invariant requires the notion of indistinguishability throughout an invariant and we define the latter using logical relation technique. We give two definitions of each of them: the first one can be used for reasoning about programs with at stores adequately. The second one is more sensitive to the behaviour of ref and gives a better account of constant programs with dynamic allocations. Our results are: indistinguishability throughout an invariant R is an equivalence relation over elements that are constant throughout R, and the notion of being constant throughout an invariant is preserved under function application. On the practical side we present some substantial ML examples which use references and side effects but externally behave in a constant way, together with the proofs that they are classified as being constant. These are evidences that our notions are useful concepts in the practise of writing modular programs

On the design of finite-state type systems

Practical computers have only finite amounts of memory. However, the programs that run on them are often written in languages that effectively assume (via providing constructs such as general recursion) that infinite memory is available, meaning that an implementation of those programs is necessarily an approximation. The main focus of this thesis is on the use of contraction: the ability to use a function parameter more than once in the body of that function (or more generally, to mention a free variable more than once in a term). Unrestricted contraction is a common reason for a language to require unbounded amounts of memory to implement. This thesis looks at a range of type systems, both existing and new, that restrict the use of contraction so that they can be implemented with finite amounts of state, identifying common themes, and explaining and suggesting solutions for common deficiencies. In particular, different restrictions on contraction are seen to correspond to different features of the language’s implementation

Anthropology of Color

The field of color categorization has always been intrinsically multi- and inter-disciplinary, since its beginnings in the nineteenth century. The main contribution of this book is to foster a new level of integration among different approaches to the anthropological study of color. The editors have put great effort into bringing together research from anthropology, linguistics, psychology, semiotics, and a variety of other fields, by promoting the exploration of the different but interacting and complementary ways in which these various perspectives model the domain of color experience. By so doing, they significantly promote the emergence of a coherent field of the anthropology of color

Recent Developments in Smart Healthcare

Medicine is undergoing a sector-wide transformation thanks to the advances in computing and networking technologies. Healthcare is changing from reactive and hospital-centered to preventive and personalized, from disease focused to well-being centered. In essence, the healthcare systems, as well as fundamental medicine research, are becoming smarter. We anticipate significant improvements in areas ranging from molecular genomics and proteomics to decision support for healthcare professionals through big data analytics, to support behavior changes through technology-enabled self-management, and social and motivational support. Furthermore, with smart technologies, healthcare delivery could also be made more efficient, higher quality, and lower cost. In this special issue, we received a total 45 submissions and accepted 19 outstanding papers that roughly span across several interesting topics on smart healthcare, including public health, health information technology (Health IT), and smart medicine

Transformation and Punishment: Revisiting Monstrosity in Anglo-Saxon Literature

Anglo-Saxon scholars generally define monsters within very narrow parameters: monsters are beings that are against nature and therefore not human. Examples of these Anglo-Saxon monsters include Grendel, Grendel’s mom, and the dragon from Beowulf. However, Old English poetry contains another type of monsters often overlooked by scholars: the monstrous human. Human monstrosities present fascinating hybrid figures that visually look like humans, but who display characteristics of monsters. Under Foucault’s punishment theory, these monstrous humans serve as spectator punishments who are transformed because of their crimes against society. By analyzing lexical descriptions and applying theoretical concepts, I argue that a new category of monster should be recognized in Anglo-Saxon literature. Monstrous humans appear in both Anglo-Saxon biblical and heroic poetry. In the biblical texts Judith and Daniel, the main antagonists, Holofernes and Nebuchadnezzar, act as human monstrosities. They are characterized by their excessive vices, and through these vices, they lose their reason and ultimately their humanity. Similarly, in Beowulf, the bad king Heremod serves as a warning because his vice and evil actions lead him to be cast from the community and stripped of his humanity. Furthermore, Beowulf also illustrates human monstrosities since Beowulf and the Geats are depicted as dangerous, violent figures that are more monstrous than heroic when they are first introduced, which reflects the savage duality present within the warrior identity. Analyzing the texts through contemporary theoretical concepts also helps elucidate how monstrous humans function outside their societies. By using Kristeva’s theory of abjection, I examine how Holofernes both repulses and fascinates as a vice-ridden monster. Judith Butler’s performative identity theory applies to Heremod, who rejects his social role and therefore transforms into a monster, and to the armored Geats, who undertake monstrous violent acts as part of their performative warrior identity. Each of these texts explores the important relationship between humanity and monstrosity and how reason is the chief characteristic that keeps one from being termed a beast

Architecture and space for thought

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University, 21/11/1988.This thesis is concerned with the description of individual experiences of (architectural) space in a social milieu. Architecture, while considered to be primarily concerned with space as its medium, has a very impoverished (or occasionally, very contorted) verbal language in which to discuss space. The author, as a beginner teacher, noted this in attempts to explore spatial experience with students of architecture, and resolved with their help to generate an appropriate verbal vehicle. The main body of the thesis relates this attempt and accounts for its failure. The Thesis, thus, follows three intertwined streams. 1) A scientific investigation into means for the description of human experience of (architectural) space, using methods developed from Kelly's Personal Construct Theory Repertory Grids. 2) A partially developed spatial analytic language, my personal response to 1) above, which is to be seen as the start of a new research programme that may last many years (the future of which is outlined). 3) An account of a personal learning experience both from, around and through each of these. These streams are organised into three parts. Part 1: Background Studies - into work in associated areas and fields, with an assessment of their relevance to the undertaking presented here. Part 2: The Experiments - attempting (and failing) to create a language, and the transition from verbal to visual, with critical arguments and observations. Part 3: A New Beginning - learning from the failure of Part 2, and the argument for and commencement of a new research programme

John Miles Foley's World of Oralities

This collection brings together newly commissioned and cutting-edge essays on oral text and tradition ranging from the ancient and medieval world to the present day by a leading group of European and North American oral theorists. Using a range of materials including the Bible, Greek epic, Beowulf, Old Norse and Old English riddles, and medieval music, the contributors collectively work to refine, challenge, and further advance contemporary Oral Theory, an interdisciplinary school of thought heavily influenced by John Miles Foley, whose work provides the jumping-off point for this volume. The book includes a useful introduction to the history of oral theory and Foley’s ground-breaking and influential work