Teaching computer language handling - From compiler theory to meta-modelling

Most universities teach computer language handling by mainly focussing on compiler theory, although MDA (model-driven architecture) and meta-modelling are increasingly important in the software industry as well as in computer science. In this article, we investigate how traditional compiler theory compares to meta-modelling with regard to formally defining the different aspects of a language, and how we can expand the focus in computer language handling courses to also include meta-model-based approaches. We give an outline of a computer language handling course that covers both paradigms, and share some experiences from running a course based on this outline at the University of Agder

Discussing uncertainty and risk in primary care: recommendations of a multi-disciplinary panel regarding communication around prostate cancer screening.

BackgroundShared decision making improves value-concordant decision-making around prostate cancer screening (PrCS). Yet, PrCS discussions remain complex, challenging and often emotional for physicians and average-risk men.ObjectiveIn July 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention convened a multidisciplinary expert panel to identify priorities for funding agencies and development groups to promote evidence-based, value-concordant decisions between men at average risk for prostate cancer and their physicians.DesignTwo-day multidisciplinary expert panel in Atlanta, Georgia, with structured discussions and formal consensus processes.ParticipantsSixteen panelists represented diverse specialties (primary care, medical oncology, urology), disciplines (sociology, communication, medical education, clinical epidemiology) and market sectors (patient advocacy groups, Federal funding agencies, guideline-development organizations).Main measuresPanelists used guiding interactional and evaluation models to identify and rate strategies that might improve PrCS discussions and decisions for physicians, patients and health systems/society. Efficacy was defined as the likelihood of each strategy to impact outcomes. Effort was defined as the relative amount of effort to develop, implement and sustain the strategy. Each strategy was rated (1-7 scale; 7 = maximum) using group process software (ThinkTank(TM)). For each group, intervention strategies were grouped as financial/regulatory, educational, communication or attitudinal levers. For each strategy, barriers were identified.Key resultsHighly ranked strategies to improve value-concordant shared decision-making (SDM) included: changing outpatient clinic visit reimbursement to reward SDM; development of evidence-based, technology-assisted, point-of-service tools for physicians and patients; reframing confusing prostate cancer screening messages; providing pre-visit decision support interventions; utilizing electronic health records to promote benchmarking/best practices; providing additional training for physicians around value-concordant decision-making; and using re-accreditation to promote training.ConclusionsConference outcomes present an expert consensus of strategies likely to improve value-concordant prostate cancer screening decisions. In addition, the methodology used to obtain agreement provides a model of successful collaboration around this and future controversial cancer screening issues, which may be of interest to funding agencies, educators and policy makers

SciTech News Volume 71, No. 2 (2017)

Columns and Reports From the Editor 3 Division News Science-Technology Division 5 Chemistry Division 8 Engineering Division 9 Aerospace Section of the Engineering Division 12 Architecture, Building Engineering, Construction and Design Section of the Engineering Division 14 Reviews Sci-Tech Book News Reviews 16 Advertisements IEEE

In Situ SEM Solidification Study of Ga and eGaIn: A Characterization Technique for Monitoring the Microstructural Evolution of Liquid Metals

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) video recording is used to characterize the solidification of small volumes of 99.999% pure gallium (Ga) and eutectic gallium-indium (eGaIn) under a high vacuum environment. Specimen are superheated to 55℃ using a hot plate, cast into spherical droplets, and cooled in situ by means of a Peltier cooling stage. Special attention is given to the preparation of the specimen prior to viewing because of gallium and its alloys’ nature to form an oxide layer when melted and air cooled. The oxide acts as a skin that inhibits the observation of microstructural features during solidification. Heated samples are etched using a 3% HCl solution to yield an oxide-free mirror finish prior to imaging. A series of observations are performed to determine whether the use of the etchant is effective in removing the oxide layer thereby enhancing viewing capabilities of the solidification process. SEM video recordings and micrographs show that the application of etchant changes the surface chemistry such that the oxide layer is reduced to a metallic chloride and causes the cast samples to bead up into spheres showing a decrease in surface tension. Cavities are observed at the surface of samples caused by gas bubbles that diffuse into the surface of the sample as the SEM chamber reaches a high vacuum. The cavities act as windows for viewing the underlying liquid and the microstructural evolution of those regions upon cooling. The technique developed and employed in the preset study can be replicated and performed for other liquid metals however should be made more robust for future application

Complexity of XOR/XNOR boolean functions: a model using binary decision diagrams and back propagation neural networks

This paper proposes a model that predicts the complexity of Boolean functions with only XOR/XNOR min-terms using back propagation neural networks (BPNNs) applied to Binary Decision Diagrams (BDDs). The BPNN model (BPNNM) is developed through the training process of experimental data already obtained for XOR/XNOR-based Boolean functions. The outcome of this model is a unique matrix for the complexity estimation over a set of BDDs derived from Boolean expressions with a given number of variables and XOR/XNOR min-terms. The comparison results of the experimental and BPNNM underline the efficiency of this approach, which is capable of providing some useful clues about the complexity of the circuit to be implemented. It also proves the computational capabilities of NNs in providing reliable classification of the complexity of Boolean functions.Facultad de Informátic

Catalog 2009-10

https://openspace.dmacc.edu/catalogs/1003/thumbnail.jp