We present a novel framework to reason on programs based on probability distributions on the state space of a program: Such framework can be used to provide an elegant semantics in the style of UTP to a variety of programming languages using both probabilistic and nondeterministic constructs: The behaviour of probabilistic nondeterministic programs is treated algebraically via this framework, and as a result it is straightforward to derive algebraic expressions for the probability of some properties to hold for a given program.

Moreover our framework unifies all of the different kinds of choice under a single "generic choice" construct, and the usual choice constructs disjunction, conditional choice, probabilistic choice, and nondeterministic choice can be viewed as some of its specific instances. Later on we will discuss also other possible specific instances namely conditional probabilistic choice, switching probabilistic choice, conditional nondeterministic choice, nondeterministic probabilistic choice, and fair nondeterministic choice.

The use of probability allows us to introduce the notion of probabilistic refinement, which generalises the traditional one: A probabilistic theory of designs based on distributions We present a theory of designs based on functions from the state space to real numbers, which we term "distributions". This theory uses predicates, in the style of UTP, based on homogeneous relations between distributions, and is richer than the standard UTP theory of designs as it allows us to reason about probabilistic programs; the healthiness conditions H1-H4 of the standard theory are implicitly accounted for in the distributional theory we present.

In addition we propose a Galois connection linkage between our distribution-based model of probabilistic designs, and the standard UTP model of non-probabilistic designs. A probabilistic theory of designs based on distributions The paper presented at UTP, August A UTP approach towards probabilistic protocol verification This paper describes an approach towards protocol verification, which is based on the Unifying Theories of Programming UTP framework and the associated refinement calculus: The attacker model is a variation of the classical Dolev-Yao model, where cryptographic primitives can be broken probabilistically.

When you sit down to a keyboard, however, your fingers can't move. Any string of words you dream up comes so freaking far from your amazing idea that you give up and google "French Foreign Legion. They call up images of people from your past who doubted and judged you and made you feel like a rather small, rather dim-witted, naked mole rat.

Your little paws shake so much that you can not type.

Getting published does not make them go away. Children make art, sing, invent stories, and dance as easily as they breathe. Somewhere along the way, many people lose the easy grace that is the natural partner of creativity. Our work is held up and compared to others. We're trained to strive for a high grade, one that can be evaluated and measured according to metrics and rubrics. There are fewer and fewer chances to strengthen our creative muscles and they wither.

Your writer's block is a painful response to old training. That training can be undone. You can get back to the ability to create with the ease of childhood. I'll tell you tomorrow. Write it all down, all of the bad things that you fear could happen to you if you write your story. Then set the piece of paper on fire, dump the ashes into the toilet and flush. Write a fanfiction piece about that character and how her life would have turned out if she had not confronted her fear and done the hard things. The endings to my historical fiction novels are somewhat easier than my YA books.

My YA novels are much more fluid.

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I do not outline at all; I explore the story as the first draft unfolds in my head and on the page. While this probably makes extra revision work for me, I have no interest in outlining my YAs. I love the magic of watching the character grow, without knowing how the story ends.

Stine starts with the titles of his books and outlines heavily , so he always knows where his story is headed. It certainly works for him. If you are stuck, rudderless, in your story, try this. Can't do that yet?

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Then use e ditor Cheryl Klein's handy-dandy Plot Checklist. Please don't beat yourself up if the plot of your story doesn't leap from your head onto the page all neat and tidy. Sometimes it takes a lot of exploring and digging and pondering before your character is ready to fully share who she is and what's bugging her. In every book I write, I generally throw out pages of scenes and chapters that don't work.

Was that wasted effort?


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It's all part of the adventure. How would you have changed it? Stine's technique, write a title and a one sentance description of how a story ends, then outline it backwards to the beginning.

Skip to content The process of Boiling Down The Bones aka Revision is the hardest part of the writing process to teach, but I'll give a shot. I always work with two levels of revision: Now the fun begins. Draw a line thru the scenes you want to cut. Thanks for your patience. You are in the throes of an evil spell. In my experience, Writer's Block comes from: Fear can be broken down a little further into these flavors: There is only one solution.

What was that Filling The Well thing I mentioned above? That's it in one word: You are a normal writer. But the desire to create does not.

Foundations and Methods Group > Riccardo Bresciani

But I'll give it my best shot. Consistently hitting the mph range on his fastball and adds a little sink with almost picture perfect accuracy. His change-up is his best secondary pitch which many scouts say has a grade-plus and he can throw his three-quarters breaking ball for strikes. Arguably among all of the pitchers in the class, Nola appears to be the favorite to reach his full potential first and also may be the first pitcher to reach the big leagues according to MLB.

2014 MLB Draft: 3 Prospects For Seattle Mariners

Tucker is an athletic shortstop and will likely stay at that position whichever levels he chooses to play at. A strong performance at the National High School Invitational this past spring helped his draft stock significantly. The University of Arizona commit is a switch-hitter that makes consistent solid contact. Still, his best offensive tool will be his speed, which plays well on both sides of the ball. His defense is ahead of his offense right now, but there is projection in his bat. If he chooses to follow his dreams early and play in the big leagues he will more than likely be a top pick in the draft.

If Allen is still available with this selection the Mariners need to at the very least consider him.