Correct and Efficient Antichain Algorithms for Refinement Checking

The notion of refinement plays an important role in software engineering. It is the basis of a stepwise development methodology in which the correctness of a system can be established by proving, or computing, that a system refines its specification. Wang et al. describe algorithms based on antichains for efficiently deciding trace refinement, stable failures refinement and failures-divergences refinement. We identify several issues pertaining to the soundness and performance in these algorithms and propose new, correct, antichain-based algorithms. Using a number of experiments we show that our algorithms outperform the original ones in terms of running time and memory usage. Furthermore, we show that additional run time improvements can be obtained by applying divergence-preserving branching bisimulation minimisation

Adaptive Non-Linear Pattern Matching Automata

Efficient pattern matching is fundamental for practical term rewrite engines. By preprocessing the given patterns into a finite deterministic automaton the matching patterns can be decided in a single traversal of the relevant parts of the input term. Most automaton-based techniques are restricted to linear patterns, where each variable occurs at most once, and require an additional post-processing step to check so-called variable consistency. However, we can show that interleaving the variable consistency and pattern matching phases can reduce the number of required steps to find a match all matches. Therefore, we take the existing adaptive pattern matching automata as introduced by Sekar et al and extend it these with consistency checks. We prove that the resulting deterministic pattern matching automaton is correct, and show that its evaluation depth is can be shorter than two-phase approaches

Assisting students with concept acquisition in basic skills reading through the use of an interactive website

This project creates an interactive website on the literature surrounding reading and concept acquisition skills in adult learners. This website used in conjunction with the Basic Skills English 10A course given in community colleges will enhance reading and concept acquisitions skills enabling student the self cofidence, encouragement and motivation to complete the course

Adaptive Non-linear Pattern Matching Automata

Efficient pattern matching is fundamental for practical term rewrite engines. By preprocessing the given patterns into a finite deterministic automaton the matching patterns can be decided in a single traversal of the relevant parts of the input term. Most automaton-based techniques are restricted to linear patterns, where each variable occurs at most once, and require an additional post-processing step to check so-called variable consistency. However, we can show that interleaving the variable consistency and pattern matching phases can reduce the number of required steps to find all matches. Therefore, we take the existing adaptive pattern matching automata as introduced by Sekar et al and extend these with consistency checks. We prove that the resulting deterministic pattern matching automaton is correct, and show several examples where some reduction can be achieved

Localized nasal cavity, sinus, and massive bilateral orbital involvement by human T cell leukemia virus 1 adult T cell lymphoma, with epidermal hypertrophy due to mite infestation

HTLV1 adult T cell lymphoma occurs tends to be widely disseminated and aggressive, with only brief responses to chemotherapy. Aside from cervical adenopathy, involvement of head and neck structures is uncommon and orbital involvement rare

Correct and Efficient Antichain Algorithms for Refinement Checking

The notion of refinement plays an important role in software engineering. It is the basis of a stepwise development methodology in which the correctness of a system can be established by proving, or computing, that a system refines its specification. Wang et al. describe algorithms based on antichains for efficiently deciding trace refinement, stable failures refinement and failures-divergences refinement. We identify several issues pertaining to the soundness and performance in these algorithms and propose new, correct, antichain-based algorithms. Using a number of experiments we show that our algorithms outperform the original ones in terms of running time and memory usage. Furthermore, we show that additional run time improvements can be obtained by applying divergence-preserving branching bisimulation minimisation

Aplicação da metodologia 5s em um laboratório de fisiologia de peixes da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

As estratégias da Gestão da Qualidade invariavelmente visam ao envolvimento da mão-de-obra no esforço para produzir qualidade em processos, produtos e serviços. O Programa 5S criado no Japão na década de 1950, surgiu como um modelo prático para o combate às causas de perdas, desperdícios e organização do ambiente de trabalho. Porém, para esta organização acontecer, é necessário o envolvimento e ação do grupo de funcionários diante da inegável importância dos recursos humanos para a competitividade da organização. Já de comprovada eficiência e eficácia, ao longo dos anos, o Programa 5S se destaca como uma das ferramentas da qualidade mais importantes na busca da educação, treinamento, qualificação profissional, capacidade intelectual e disciplina no ambiente das organizações. O presente estudo foi desenvolvido em um laboratório de fisiologia de peixes da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. O objetivo do estudo foi implementar o Programa 5S visando melhorias no laboratório a fim de otimizar a organização, tempo e espaço. Foram realizados sete encontros ao longo de 32 dias com a equipe do laboratório para a implementação das cinco etapas do programa. Como resultado, após a implementação do programa as melhorias foram facilmente identificadas. Ambiente mais organizado, mais limpo, aumento do espaço útil, otimização do tempo na busca de materiais e melhoria na iluminação foram alguns dos benefícios alcançados com a implementação do Programa 5S no laboratório estudado

Challenges in conducting community-driven research created by differing ways of talking and thinking about science: a researcher’s perspective

Increasingly, health scientists are becoming aware that research collaborations that include community partnerships can be an effective way to broaden the scope and enhance the impact of research aimed at improving public health. Such collaborations extend the reach of academic scientists by integrating a variety of perspectives and thus strengthening the applicability of the research. Communication challenges can arise, however, when attempting to address specific research questions in these collaborations. In particular, inconsistencies can exist between scientists and community members in the use and interpretation of words and other language features, particularly when conducting research with a biomedical component. Additional challenges arise from differing perceptions of the investigative process. There may be divergent perceptions about how research questions should and can be answered, and in expectations about requirements of research institutions and research timelines. From these differences, misunderstandings can occur about how the results will ultimately impact the community. These communication issues are particularly challenging when scientists and community members are from different ethnic and linguistic backgrounds that may widen the gap between ways of talking and thinking about science, further complicating the interactions and exchanges that are essential for effective joint research efforts. Community-driven research that aims to describe the burden of disease associated with Helicobacter pylori infection is currently underway in northern Aboriginal communities located in the Yukon and Northwest Territories, Canada, with the goal of identifying effective public health strategies for reducing health risks from this infection. This research links community representatives, faculty from various disciplines at the University of Alberta, as well as territorial health care practitioners and officials. This highly collaborative work will be used to illustrate, from a researcher’s perspective, some of the challenges of conducting public health research in teams comprising members with varying backgrounds. The consequences of these challenges will be outlined, and potential solutions will be offered