721 research outputs found
Expressiveness modulo Bisimilarity of Regular Expressions with Parallel Composition (Extended Abstract)
The languages accepted by finite automata are precisely the languages denoted
by regular expressions. In contrast, finite automata may exhibit behaviours
that cannot be described by regular expressions up to bisimilarity. In this
paper, we consider extensions of the theory of regular expressions with various
forms of parallel composition and study the effect on expressiveness. First we
prove that adding pure interleaving to the theory of regular expressions
strictly increases its expressiveness up to bisimilarity. Then, we prove that
replacing the operation for pure interleaving by ACP-style parallel composition
gives a further increase in expressiveness. Finally, we prove that the theory
of regular expressions with ACP-style parallel composition and encapsulation is
expressive enough to express all finite automata up to bisimilarity. Our
results extend the expressiveness results obtained by Bergstra, Bethke and
Ponse for process algebras with (the binary variant of) Kleene's star
operation.Comment: In Proceedings EXPRESS'10, arXiv:1011.601
A Process Algebra for Supervisory Coordination
A supervisory controller controls and coordinates the behavior of different
components of a complex machine by observing their discrete behaviour.
Supervisory control theory studies automated synthesis of controller models,
known as supervisors, based on formal models of the machine components and a
formalization of the requirements. Subsequently, code generation can be used to
implement this supervisor in software, on a PLC, or embedded microprocessor. In
this article, we take a closer look at the control loop that couples the
supervisory controller and the machine. We model both event-based and
state-based observations using process algebra and bisimulation-based
semantics. The main application area of supervisory control that we consider is
coordination, referred to as supervisory coordination, and we give an academic
and an industrial example, discussing the process-theoretic concepts employed.Comment: In Proceedings PACO 2011, arXiv:1108.145
Critical behavior at Mott-Anderson transition: a TMT-DMFT perspective
We present a detailed analysis of the critical behavior close to the
Mott-Anderson transition. Our findings are based on a combination of numerical
and analytical results obtained within the framework of Typical-Medium Theory
(TMT-DMFT) - the simplest extension of dynamical mean field theory (DMFT)
capable of incorporating Anderson localization effects. By making use of
previous scaling studies of Anderson impurity models close to the
metal-insulator transition, we solve this problem analytically and reveal the
dependence of the critical behavior on the particle-hole symmetry. Our main
result is that, for sufficiently strong disorder, the Mott-Anderson transition
is characterized by a precisely defined two-fluid behavior, in which only a
fraction of the electrons undergo a "site selective" Mott localization; the
rest become Anderson-localized quasiparticles.Comment: 4+ pages, 4 figures, v2: minor changes, accepted for publication in
Phys. Rev. Let
First-Order Logic Theorem Proving and Model Building via Approximation and Instantiation
In this paper we consider first-order logic theorem proving and model
building via approximation and instantiation. Given a clause set we propose its
approximation into a simplified clause set where satisfiability is decidable.
The approximation extends the signature and preserves unsatisfiability: if the
simplified clause set is satisfiable in some model, so is the original clause
set in the same model interpreted in the original signature. A refutation
generated by a decision procedure on the simplified clause set can then either
be lifted to a refutation in the original clause set, or it guides a refinement
excluding the previously found unliftable refutation. This way the approach is
refutationally complete. We do not step-wise lift refutations but conflicting
cores, finite unsatisfiable clause sets representing at least one refutation.
The approach is dual to many existing approaches in the literature because our
approximation preserves unsatisfiability
Staged Mucosal Advancement Flap versus Staged Fibrin Sealant in the Treatment of Complex Perianal Fistulas
Background. In this prospective randomised study, the staged mucosal advancement flap is compared with staged fibrin sealant application in the treatment of perianal fistulas.
Methods. All patients with high complex cryptoglandular fistulas were randomised to closure of the internal opening by a mucosal advancement flap (MF) or injection with fibrin sealant (FS) after treatment with setons. Recurrence rate and incontinence disorders were explored.
Results. The MF group (5 females and 10 males) with a median age of 51 years and a median followup of 52 months. The FS group (4 females and 11 males) with a median age of 45 years and a median followup of 49 months. Three (20%) patients of the MF group had a recurrent fistula compared to 9 (60%) of the FS group (P = 0.03). No new continence disorders developed.
Conclusion. Staged FS injection has a much lower success rate compared to MF
Decidability of the Monadic Shallow Linear First-Order Fragment with Straight Dismatching Constraints
The monadic shallow linear Horn fragment is well-known to be decidable and
has many application, e.g., in security protocol analysis, tree automata, or
abstraction refinement. It was a long standing open problem how to extend the
fragment to the non-Horn case, preserving decidability, that would, e.g.,
enable to express non-determinism in protocols. We prove decidability of the
non-Horn monadic shallow linear fragment via ordered resolution further
extended with dismatching constraints and discuss some applications of the new
decidable fragment.Comment: 29 pages, long version of CADE-26 pape
Awareness and willingness to use HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis amongst gay and bisexual men in Scotland: implications for biomedical HIV prevention
Objectives:<p></p>
To investigate the awareness of, and willingness to use, HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and willingness to take part in a PrEP study among gay and bisexual men in Scotland.<p></p>
Methods:<p></p>
Cross-sectional survey of 17 gay commercial venues in Glasgow and Edinburgh in May 2011 (N = 1515, 65.2% response rate); 1393 are included in the analyses.<p></p>
Results:<p></p>
Just under one-third of participants had heard of PrEP (n = 434; 31.2%), with awareness associated with being aged older than 35 years, talking to UAI partners about HIV, and with having had an HIV or STI test in the previous 12 months. Around half were willing to take part in a PrEP study (n = 695; 49.9%) or to take PrEP on a daily basis (n = 756; 54.3%). In multivariate analysis, willingness to take PrEP was associated with lower levels of education, regular gay scene attendance, ‘high-risk’ unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) and testing for HIV or STI in the previous 12 months. Reasons for not wanting to participate in a PrEP study or take PrEP included perceptions of low personal risk of HIV and concerns with using medication as an HIV prevention method.<p></p>
Conclusions:<p></p>
There is a willingness to engage in new forms of HIV prevention and research amongst a significant number of gay and bisexual men in Scotland. Future biomedical HIV interventions need to consider the links between sexual risk behaviour, testing, and potential PrEP use
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