Syntax for free: representing syntax with binding using parametricity

We show that, in a parametric model of polymorphism, the type ∀ α. ((α → α) → α) → (α → α → α) → α is isomorphic to closed de Bruijn terms. That is, the type of closed higher-order abstract syntax terms is isomorphic to a concrete representation. To demonstrate the proof we have constructed a model of parametric polymorphism inside the Coq proof assistant. The proof of the theorem requires parametricity over Kripke relations. We also investigate some variants of this representation

Utilisation de matrices de dissimilarité multiples pour la classification de documents

International audienceThis paper introduces a clustering algorithm that is able to partition objects taking into account simultaneously their relational descriptions given by multiple dissimilarity matrices. These matrices could have been generated using different sets of variables and a fixed dissimilarity function, using a fixed set of variables and different dissimilarity functions or using different sets of variables and dissimilarity functions. This method, which is based on the dynamic hard clustering algorithm for relational data, is designed to provided a partition and a prototype for each cluster as well as to learn a relevance weight for each dissimilarity matrix by optimizing an adequacy criterion that measures the fit between clusters and their representatives. These relevance weights change at each algorithm iteration and are different from one cluster to another. Experiments aiming at obtaining a categorization of a document data base demonstrate the usefulness of this partitional clustering method.Cet article introduit l'algorithme de classification donné dans CarvhaloLechevallier:2007:SFC capable de partitionner des objets en prenant en compte de manière simultanée plusieurs matrices de dissimilarité qui les décrivent. Ces matrices peuvent avoir été générées en utilisant différents ensembles de variables et une fonction de dissimilarité unique, un ensemble de variables donné et différentes fonctions de dissimilarité ou bien différents ensembles de variables et de fontions de dissimilarité. Cette méthode, basée sur l'algorithme de nuées dynamiques est conçu pour fournir une partition et un prototype pour chaque classe tout en découvrant une pondération pertinante pour chaque matrice de dissimilarité en optimisant un critère d'adéquation entre les classes et leurs représentants. Ces pondérations changent à chaque itération de l'algorithme et sont différentes pour chacune des classes. Ce papier se focalise sur une expérience utilisant un ensemble de documents, dont nous connaisssons une classification donnée a priori par des experts servant de référence, et montre l'utilité de cette méthode de partitionnement

A prototype personal aerosol sampler based on electrostatic precipitation and electrowetting-on-dielectric actuation of droplets

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Open Government Licence. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/ Crown Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. The version of record (T. G. Foat, et al, 'A prototype personal aerosol sampler based on electrostatic precipitation and electrowetting-on-dielectric actuation of droplets', Journal of Aerosol Science, Vol. 95, pp. 43-53, May 2016) is available online at doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaerosci.2016.01.007.An electrostatic precipitator (ESP) based personal sampler with a laboratory based electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) concentrator could provide a high concentration rate personal aerosol sampler system. A prototype system has been developed based on the concept of a lightweight personal ESP collecting aerosol particles onto a hydrophobic surface followed by the use of an EWOD actuated droplet system to transfer the deposited sample into a microlitre size water droplet.A personal sampler system could provide military or civilian personnel with a wide area biological monitoring capability supplying information on who has been infected, what they have been infected with, how much material they were exposed to and possibly where and when they were infected. Current commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) personal sampler solutions can be bulky and use volumes of water to extract the sample that are typically a thousand times greater than the proposed method.Testing of the prototype ESP at a sample flow rate of 5Lmin-1 demonstrated collection efficiencies greater than 80% for sodium fluorescein particles larger than 4μm diameter and of approximately 50% at 1.5μm. The ESP-EWOD system collection efficiency measured for Bacillus atrophaeus (BG) spores with an air sample flow rate of 20L min-1 was 2.7% with a concentration rate of 1.9×105 min-1. This was lower than expected due to the corona ions from the ESP affecting the hydrophobicity of the collection surface and hence the EWOD efficiency. However, even with this low efficiency the concentration rate is more than an order of magnitude higher than the theoretical maximum of the best current COTS personal sampler. For an optimised system, ESP-EWOD system efficiency should be higher than 32% with a comparable increase in concentration rate.Peer reviewe

A formalized general theory of syntax with bindings

We present the formalization of a theory of syntax with bindings that has been developed and refined over the last decade to support several large formalization efforts. Terms are defined for an arbitrary number of constructors of varying numbers of inputs, quotiented to alpha-equivalence and sorted according to a binding signature. The theory includes a rich collection of properties of the standard operators on terms, such as substitution and freshness. It also includes induction and recursion principles and support for semantic interpretation, all tailored for smooth interaction with the bindings and the standard operators

Axon contact is associated with modified expression of functional potassium channels in mouse Schwann cells

In organotypic cultures of mouse dorsal root ganglia, Schwann cells were classed as isolated, that is to say without contact with neurites, or as attached to neurites. It was known that isolated Schwann cells in these cultures display two types of voltage-dependent K$^{+}$ currents, a fast transient current and a delayed sustained current. In this study, we have investigated outward K$^{+}$ currents on Schwann cells attached to neurites. These all had a sustained current whose amplitude, timecourse, outward rectification, cumulative inactivation and sensitivity to tetraethylammonium were similar to those of the sustained current on isolated cells. However, the attached cells differed from the isolated cells in that only 15% had a detectable transient current. We suggest three possible explanations for this result: (i) that only cells with reduced transient K$^{+}$ current move to contact the axon; (ii) that functional expression of these channels is down-regulated by close association with the axon; or (iii) that the channels are lost by transfer to the axon