Classical Proofs as Parallel Programs

We introduce a first proofs-as-parallel-programs correspondence for classical logic. We define a parallel and more powerful extension of the simply typed lambda calculus corresponding to an analytic natural deduction based on the excluded middle law. The resulting functional language features a natural higher-order communication mechanism between processes, which also supports broadcasting. The normalization procedure makes use of reductions that implement novel techniques for handling and transmitting process closures.Comment: In Proceedings GandALF 2018, arXiv:1809.02416. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1607.0512

Studio di un indicatore per la valutazione del rischio delprogetto nella metodologia dell’analisi costi benefici - Proposed risk indicators in the cost-benefit analisys methodology

Cost-benefit analysis allows to assess in advance the performance of investment projects through the calculation of appropriate indices, such as the NPV, the IRR, the B/C ratio. Performance indicators are, however, affected by the uncertainty inherent in the exercise of forecasting the future values of the physical and economic parameters generated by the project. Probability distribution of the expected values of each performance indicator can be determined, e.g., through Montecarlo simulations of the CBA model. Derived from the simulated probability distribution, the paper, starting from the definition of the loss function in the statistical decision theory, proposes a set of risk indicators (Index of absolute risk, Index of internal relative risk, Index of generalized relative risk), which include a "weight" function that models the level of aversion against the expected loss of the performance indices by the person who will bear the project risk.risk analysis, risk adversion, Montecarlo simulation, cost benefit analysis - rischio, avversione al rischio, simulazione Montecarlo, analisi costi benefici

Embedding the Remote Application Control: Visual API for PDA Programming

PDAs are more and more used as advanced adaptive HEI (human-environment interaction) interfaces, thus enabling their users to easily operate applications remotely running in pervasive computing scenarios. Based on a previous implementation, in this paper we discuss the development of a new set of .NET-compliant Application Programming Interfaces to be used within the Visual Studio IDE. Our main goal is to provide programmers with a set of components to be used with the common drag-and-drop operation, in order to embed a remote application control within an application running on the PDA and vice-versa. The interaction relies on ad-hoc communication protocols over a framework devoted to pair PDAs and remote devices according to their relative position, with no need to use any connection software

Long term impact of a major infrastructure project: the port of Gioia Tauro

This paper illustrates the story of the Port of Gioia Tauro, a major infrastructure investment co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund in the period 1994-1998, but whose origin dates back to the beginning of the 1970s. It draws from a recent ex-post evaluation carried out for the European Commission aimed at assessing the long term effects produced by a sample of ten major infrastructures in the Transport and Environment sectors and interpreting the key determinants of the observed performance. The analysis shows an emblematic story of great business success and unexploited potential for local development: the overall assessment of the economic impact of the project is mixed, stressing the multi-faceted dimensions of development plans. Although a significant effect in terms of job creation, the expected long term development effects, in particular in terms of industrial development in the surrounding area, did not materialise despite much effort (and money) being spent to that end. Wider effects of efficiency on the Italian and Mediterranean port system are additional benefits of the project, but they did not materialise at the local level and did not affect the living conditions of the local population. A key determinant of the past, present and even future performance of the port is the governance structure of the port and the broader area of Gioia Tauro (including in particular two industrial zones located close to the port area), which has been always characterised by fragmented actions and lack of coordination and clear political will. The number of actors, poor strategic direction, vested interests at national, regional and local level and, finally, conflicts between local public authorities are responsible for the current state of play and are the main difficulty to be resolved going forward. In addition, the weakness of the overall transport (and more specifically port) strategy at national level has exacerbated the existing governance problems. The paper discusses to what extent factors such as governance, managerial response and social acceptability can be key determinants of long term effects of a large infrastructure project, more than forecasting capacity or project technical design. It also offers a pilot case testing an innovative evaluation exercise combining cost-benefit analysis with qualitative assessment and adopting a long-run perspective (30 years), which extends into both the past and the future, and requires a mix of retrospective and prospective analysis

Effect of microgravity on several visual functions during STS shuttle missions

Changes in the acuity of astronaut vision during flight are discussed. Parameters such as critical flicker vision, stereopsis to 10 seconds of arc, visual acuity in small steps to 20/7.7, cyclophoria, lateral and vertical phoria and retinal rivalry were tested using a visual function tester. Twenty-three Space Transportation System (STS) astronauts participated in the experiments. Their vision was assessed twice before launch and after landing, and three to four times while on-orbit and landing. No significant differences during space flight were observed for any of the visual parameters tested. In some cases, slight changes in acuity and stereopsis were observed with a subsequent return to normal vision after flight

Numerical Simulation of Energy Systems to Control Environment Microclimate

The aim of the present work is the development of a predictive mathematical model for the analysis and optimization of energy systems used to control the environment microclimate in industrial plants. This model provides not only the evaluation of the optimal configuration on the basis of different process parameters in the existing environments, but also the analysis and the prediction of the energy consumption of a plant during the design phase. The model describes the thermodynamics of conditioning processes and allows the evaluation of the influence of design variables and of hourly averaged weather conditions on energy consumption. The model is developed both in TRNSYS-17 and C ++ programming language such that it can also be used under MATLAB computing environment. The results obtained with the two models are compared under different climatic conditions in terms of heating/cooling and humidification/dehumidification energy consumption, thus assessing the accuracy of both models. The results obtained by using different set-point conditions under different climatic zones are also presented