Towards the algebraic analysis of hyperlink structures

Structuring media objects such as text, graphics etc. by means of XML is a broadly discussed issue in hypermedia modeling. Thereby, an entire hypermedia document is not only arranged in such a way different developers may interchange data and have easy access to the inner structure of media objects by means of powerful tools available in the XML scene. Moreover, utilizing a given document structure to find new possibilities of linking documents is a major concern. Formal approaches, however, rarely appear in this context. In this paper, we contribute to formally structuring media objects and their linkage, thereby aiming at analyzing hyperlink structures. That is, properties of hyperlinks between media objects underlie a mathematical verification in advance of encoding the concrete hyperdocument. Algebraic specifications serve as a formal model allowing to obtain algebras reflecting hyperlink structures open to analysis

An Approach to Algebraic Semantics of Object-Oriented Languages

Studying the semantics of programming languages has a long tradition in computer science. Various approaches use various formalisms with various objectives. In the last two decades, algebraic specifications have requently been used to study functional as well as imperative languages, and, in particular, object-orientated ones, thereby often focusing on specific aspects and concepts of this programming paradigm. In this paper, we follow this tradition and develop an algebraic semantics of a sample object-oriented language. We thereby distinguish between the object-oriented concepts of the language to structure code, and the imperative ones to implement functionality and thus the algorithmic parts of the language. Therefore, our approach encompasses two steps: first, we develop an algebraic semantics of basic object-oriented principles, into which, secondly, the semantics of the language s imperative parts is embedded. Static semantic aspects are captured by structured algebraic specifications, whereas dynamic ones are reflected by many-sorted algebras. These aspects are treated as "second order" concepts and are thus interpreted within a model class of the underlying specification. The approach elaborated here can be employed to formalize the semantics of "standard" object-oriented languages such as Eiffel, Java, or C++

Egypt and Mormonism: Oriental Traits of the Latter-Day Saints

In his lecture, Dr. Francaviglia presents a fascinating framework in which to understand American history and culture, as well as Mormons specifically. Orientalism was defined for the lecture as the assimilation or imitation of that which is oriental in religious or philosophical thought, or in art. Through various mediums, including architectural examples, quotes from Mormons and their detractors, and travel literature, Dr. Francaviglia demonstrates that not only Mormons were compared to Oriental peoples and assigned Oriental traits, but they also actively attributed such traits to themselves; they assumed an Oriental identity. By understanding how Mormons were Orientalized by others and themselves, he suggests that we can better understand the Mormon experience. In brief, the following was addressed in the lecture: Orientalism defined, Orientalism in history, particularly American history, how Mormons were Orientalized by others, and Orientalized themselves and their surroundings (including the belief that Native Americans come from the Holy Land), and “real” and attributed connections or similarities between Mormons and various Eastern peoples, including ancient Egypt, Muslims, and ancient Israelites. A major theme running throughout was that the West’s ambivalent attitude toward the Orient enables Orientalism to serve at least three purposes: to differentiate, to venerate, or to denigrate. Detractors of the Mormons have compared them unfavorably to Oriental peoples and traits that were held in disregard, others Orientalized the Mormons to better understand and differentiate them from other groups, and Mormons created an identity for themselves that connected them and their surroundings to that which was revered and considered wise and sacred from the East. A very interesting aspect of the Mormons’ Orientalizing behaviors is their affinity with Egypt, a subject that was touched on very lightly in the lecture. According to Dr.Francaviglia, Egypt is associated with both negative and positive characteristics, as is the Orient in general (e.g., servitude and oppression, as well as wisdom and accomplishment). In the official canon of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the golden plates from which the Book of Mormon was allegedly translated were inscribed with “reformed Egyptian” (see Mormon 9:32 and 1 Nephi 1:2 in the Book of Mormon), and the Book of Abraham is purportedly translated from an Egyptian papyrus (Smith, 1978, pp. 236, 248-251)[1]. Dr. Francaviglia also briefly mentioned in the lecture that the name Deseret, taken from the Book of Mormon, supposedly denoting the honeybee, could be related to the Egyptian word Deshret. This is the desert land surrounding Egypt, the Red Land (David, 2002, pp. 12-13, 46, 49; Mercantante, 1978, p. 35). Lower Egypt, also called the Red Land, is symbolized by the honeybee (David, 2002, p. 49), and, as was explained in the lecture, the crown itself bears a stylized tongue of the bee. The similarities and connections between Mormonism and Ancient Egypt extend beyond that which was covered in the lecture. Surprisingly, in many respects, there are a seemingly large number of overlapping characteristics between the two religions. There are far more dissimilarities than similarities; the theologies are fundamentally and substantially different, but those connections which can be demonstrated, whether they are directly linked or coincidental, attest to the Orientalized nature of the Mormons and their theology

Kigali Charity School Analyzed Through an Implementation Science Framework

Implementation science is a relatively new field focused on ensuring that programs are planned well and then delivered as planned. This thesis describes the implementation process for a nursery-level charity school in Kigali, Rwanda, focusing on the facilitators and difficulties encountered in establishing this school. The research process consisted of interviewing 13 individuals that are a part of the school in question. The researcher transcribed the interviews using an implementation science framework and found trends in their statements that shed light on the establishment of the school. With the help of three coders, the researcher assessed their comments for evidence of helps and hindrances through the implementation process. This thesis presents the results and the implications for implementation science. It will provide valuable information for those wishing to start and maintain grassroots, charitable programs for children in the developing world

Der DoDLc-Compiler

Die Sprache DoDL wurde 1996 erstmals vorgestellt. Sie propagiert die Möglichkeit, Hyperdokumente durch die Trennung ihres Inhalts von ihrer Struktur zu spezi.zieren ( DoDL = Do cument D escription L anguage). Dazu bedient sich DoDL objektorientierter Strategien und insbesondere einer Gastsprache, die, in DoDL integriert, die konstruktive Beschreibung hypermedialer Strukturen ermöglicht. Wir zeigen in dieser Arbeit einen Compiler für DoDL, wobei wir die Sprache C als Gastsprache herangezogen haben. Mit DoDLC lassen sich Hyperdokumente spezifizieren, ohne direkt auf HTML-Ebene codieren zu müssen. Da Hyperdokumente jedoch im allgemeinen nicht ohne HTML auskommen, benötigt man ein Compilersystem, das eine DoDLC -Spezifikation nach HTML transformiert. Dazu wird die Spezi.kation in ein C-Programm übersetzt, welches einen Graphen erzeugt, der wiederum mit einem geeigenten Werkzeug traversiert und ausgelesen werden kann, um daraus HTML-Code zu generieren. Wir zeigen hier einen Compiler, der eine DoDL-Spezifikation in ein Ansi-C -Programm transformiert. Das Memo gliedert sich in drei Teile: Teil I behandelt die Sprache DoDLC . Sie wird anhand eines durchgängigen Beispiels erklärt. Weitere Schwerpunkte liegen auf den Sichtbarkeitsregeln und der formalen Syntax in Form leicht lesbarer Syntaxdiagramme. Teil II beschreibt die Benutzung des Compilers als UNIX Shell-Tool, Teil III gibt Einblicke in die Compiler-Interna, und Teil IV schließt die Arbeit ab. Damit kann diese Arbeit sowohl als Lernunterstützung für DoDLC als auch als eine Fallstudie für angewandten Compilerbau verstanden werden

White Paper #2: Structure of Care About Childcare

In this white paper we describe interviewees’ perceptions of the implementation process for Utah’s Care About Childcare (CAC). White paper #1 outlined the research methods used and the components of implementation science that were under investigation. This white paper summarizes interviewees’ observations on the implementation components of source, destination, communication link, feedback loop, and sphere of influence

White Paper #3: Implementation Drivers

This paper summarizes the results from interviews with CCR&R and the Utah Office of Child Care (OCC) about the implementation of Care About Child Care (CAC) relative to implementation drivers. As was discussed in the first white paper, implementation drivers describe groups of behaviors that build and maintain the program. Drivers are split into three categories including competency drivers that support the capability of staff; organization drivers that support the infrastructure necessary to implement a program; and leadership drivers, or characteristics of those who successfully manage the program implementation

White Paper #4: Summary and recommendations

This is the fourth and last white paper in the series describing an implementation science evaluation of Utah’s Care About Childcare (CAC) QRIS program. CAC is a voluntary, strengths-based program wherein providers report the quality criteria met by their child care program. CAC is administered by the Utah Office of Child Care (OCC) and the regional CCR&R offices. OCC staff and CCRR directors and staff involved in CAC were interviewed for this white paper series. Their responses are organized according to an implementation science framework. Methods are reported in the first white paper. In this paper we report on CAC’s measures of success as summarized by CCR&R interviewees. We then summarize overall strengths and opportunities for growth noted during the interview