From coinductive proofs to exact real arithmetic: theory and applications

Based on a new coinductive characterization of continuous functions we extract certified programs for exact real number computation from constructive proofs. The extracted programs construct and combine exact real number algorithms with respect to the binary signed digit representation of real numbers. The data type corresponding to the coinductive definition of continuous functions consists of finitely branching non-wellfounded trees describing when the algorithm writes and reads digits. We discuss several examples including the extraction of programs for polynomials up to degree two and the definite integral of continuous maps

Probabilistic Bisimulation: Naturally on Distributions

In contrast to the usual understanding of probabilistic systems as stochastic processes, recently these systems have also been regarded as transformers of probabilities. In this paper, we give a natural definition of strong bisimulation for probabilistic systems corresponding to this view that treats probability distributions as first-class citizens. Our definition applies in the same way to discrete systems as well as to systems with uncountable state and action spaces. Several examples demonstrate that our definition refines the understanding of behavioural equivalences of probabilistic systems. In particular, it solves a long-standing open problem concerning the representation of memoryless continuous time by memory-full continuous time. Finally, we give algorithms for computing this bisimulation not only for finite but also for classes of uncountably infinite systems

Orbits and phase transitions in the multifractal spectrum

We consider the one dimensional classical Ising model in a symmetric dichotomous random field. The problem is reduced to a random iterated function system for an effective field. The D_q-spectrum of the invariant measure of this effective field exhibits a sharp drop of all D_q with q < 0 at some critical strength of the random field. We introduce the concept of orbits which naturally group the points of the support of the invariant measure. We then show that the pointwise dimension at all points of an orbit has the same value and calculate it for a class of periodic orbits and their so-called offshoots as well as for generic orbits in the non-overlapping case. The sharp drop in the D_q-spectrum is analytically explained by a drastic change of the scaling properties of the measure near the points of a certain periodic orbit at a critical strength of the random field which is explicitly given. A similar drastic change near the points of a special family of periodic orbits explains a second, hitherto unnoticed transition in the D_q-spectrum. As it turns out, a decisive role in this mechanism is played by a specific offshoot. We furthermore give rigorous upper and/or lower bounds on all D_q in a wide parameter range. In most cases the numerically obtained D_q coincide with either the upper or the lower bound. The results in this paper are relevant for the understanding of random iterated function systems in the case of moderate overlap in which periodic orbits with weak singularity can play a decisive role.Comment: The article has been completely rewritten; the title has changed; a section about the typical pointwise dimension as well as several references and remarks about more general systems have been added; to appear in J. Phys. A; 25 pages, 11 figures, LaTeX2

Resting and feeding preferences of Anopheles stephensi in an urban setting, perennial for malaria

Background: The Indian city of Chennai is endemic for malaria and the known local malaria vector is Anopheles stephensi. Plasmodium vivax is the predominant malaria parasite species, though Plasmodium falciparum is present at low levels. The urban ecotype of malaria prevails in Chennai with perennial transmission despite vector surveillance by the Urban Malaria Scheme (UMS) of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP). Understanding the feeding and resting preferences, together with the transmission potential of adult vectors in the area is essential in effective planning and execution of improved vector control measures. Methods: A yearlong survey was carried out in cattle sheds and human dwellings to check the resting, feeding preferences and transmission potential of An. stephensi. The gonotrophic status, age structure, resting and host seeking preferences were studied. The infection rate in An. stephensi and Anopheles subpictus were analysed by circumsporozoite ELISA (CS-ELISA). Results: Adult vectors were found more frequently and at higher densities in cattle sheds than human dwellings. The overall Human Blood Index (HBI) was 0.009 indicating the vectors to be strongly zoophilic. Among the vectors collected from human dwellings, 94.2% were from thatched structures and the remaining 5.8% from tiled and asbestos structures. 57.75% of the dissected vectors were nulliparous whereas, 35.83% were monoparous and the rest 6.42% biparous. Sporozoite positivity rate was 0.55% (4/720) and 1.92% (1/52) for An. stephensi collected from cattle sheds and human dwellings, respectively. One adult An. subpictus (1/155) was also found to be infected with P. falciparum. Conclusions: Control of the adult vector populations can be successful only by understanding the resting and feeding preferences. The present study indicates that adult vectors predominantly feed on cattle and cattle sheds are the preferred resting place, possibly due to easy availability of blood meal source and lack of any insecticide or repellent pressure. Hence targeting these resting sites with cost effective, socially acceptable intervention tools, together with effective larval source management to reduce vector breeding, could provide an improved integrated vector management strategy to help drive down malaria transmission and assist in India's plan to eliminate malaria by 2030

Effect of Kochia (Kochia indica) Plant Density on Yield and Some Physiological Characteristics of Sorghum under Salinity Stress

This study was carried out in two years, 2012 and 2013, to determine the effects of salinity and different kochia plant densities on yield and some physiological characteristics of sorghum (cv. Sepideh) at Salinity Research Center, National Salinity Research Center, Yazd, Iran. Treatments consisted of water salinity levels: 2 (control), 6, 10, and 14 dS m-1 of NaCl as main plots and different kochia (K. indica) densities: 0 (weed free sorghum, D0), 80 (D1), 60 (D2), and 40 (D3) cm between kochia plants on the sorghum row as sub plots. Results showed that at each salinity level, increase in kochia plant density was accompanied by reduction in sorghum dry matter, leaf area index and crop growth rate. Decreases in dry matter and leaf area index of sorghum due to kochia were more pronounced when grown at salinities of up to 6 dS m-1. Chlorophyll content index at 6, 10 and 14 dS m-1 were 23, 32 and 40% lower than the non-saline control. Increase in irrigation water salinity was accompanied by increase in canopy temperature. Canopy temperature of plants subjected to 14 dS m-1 of salt was higher than the non&ndash;stressed control by 13.6%. The weed free sorghum treatment had the highest canopy temperature. Therefore, it is necessary to control both salinity and Kochia indica to avoid meaningful decreases in sorghum yield

Effectivity of regular spaces

Abstract. General methods of investigating effectivity on regular Hausdorff (T3) spaces is considered. It is shown that there exists a functor from a category of T3 spaces into a category of domain representations. Using this functor one may look at the subcategory of effective domain representations to get an effectivity theory for T3 spaces. However, this approach seems to be beset by some problems. Instead, a new approach to introducing effectivity to T3 spaces is given. The construction uses effective retractions on effective Scott–Ershov domains. The benefit of the approach is that the numbering of the basis and the numbering of the elements are derived at once.

Human Urogenital Myiasis Caused by Lucilia sericata(Diptera, Calliphoridae) and Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Diptera,Sarcophagidae) in Markazi Province of Iran

We report a case of human urogenital myiasis in an 86-year-old rural man with a penil ulcer and numerous alive and motile larvae from urethra and glans penis. Entomological studies on adult flies showed the larvae were Lucilia sericata  and Wohlfahrtia magnifica. The clinical presentation and treatment strategies are discussed

First Report of Human Nasal Myiasis Caused by Eristalisin Iran (Diptera: Syrphidae)tenax

We report a case of human nasal myiasis caused by flower fly larva in a 14-year-old rural girl in Central Province of Iran. Entomological studies on larva showed the larva as Eristalis tenax which is a rarely cause of nasal myiasis. This is the first reported case of E. tenax larva causing human nasal myiasis in Iran