Persistent Contextual Values as Inter-Process Layers

Mobile applications today often fail to be context aware when they also need to be customizable and efficient at run-time. Context-oriented programming allows programmers to develop applications that are more context aware. Its central construct, the so-called layer, however, is not customizable. We propose to use novel persistent contextual values for mobile development. Persistent contextual values automatically adapt their value to the context. Furthermore they provide access without overhead. Key-value configuration files contain the specification of contextual values and the persisted contextual values themselves. By modifying the configuration files, the contextual values can easily be customized for every context. From the specification, we generate code to simplify development. Our implementation, called Elektra, permits development in several languages including C++ and Java. In a benchmark we compare layer activations between threads and between applications. In a case study involving a web-server on a mobile embedded device the performance overhead is minimal, even with many context switches.Comment: 8 pages Mobile! 16, October 31, 2016, Amsterdam, Netherland

A Conceptual Framework for Adapation

This paper presents a white-box conceptual framework for adaptation that promotes a neat separation of the adaptation logic from the application logic through a clear identification of control data and their role in the adaptation logic. The framework provides an original perspective from which we survey archetypal approaches to (self-)adaptation ranging from programming languages and paradigms, to computational models, to engineering solutions

A Conceptual Framework for Adapation

We present a white-box conceptual framework for adaptation. We called it CODA, for COntrol Data Adaptation, since it is based on the notion of control data. CODA promotes a neat separation between application and adaptation logic through a clear identification of the set of data that is relevant for the latter. The framework provides an original perspective from which we survey a representative set of approaches to adaptation ranging from programming languages and paradigms, to computational models and architectural solutions

A Conceptual Framework for Adapation

This paper presents a white-box conceptual framework for adaptation that promotes a neat separation of the adaptation logic from the application logic through a clear identification of control data and their role in the adaptation logic. The framework provides an original perspective from which we survey archetypal approaches to (self-)adaptation ranging from programming languages and paradigms, to computational models, to engineering solutions

Towards an aspect weaving BPEL engine

This position paper proposes the use of dynamic aspects and the visitor design pattern to obtain a highly configurable and extensible BPEL engine. Using these two techniques, the core of this infrastructural software can be customised to meet new requirements and add features such as debugging, execution monitoring, or changing to another Web Service selection policy. Additionally, it can easily be extended to cope with customer-specific BPEL extensions. We propose the use of dynamic aspects not only on the engine itself but also on the workflow in order to tackle the problems of Web Service hot deployment and hot fixes to long running processes. In this way, composing aWeb Service "on-the-fly" means weaving its choreography interface into the workflow

A Framework for Evaluating Model-Driven Self-adaptive Software Systems

In the last few years, Model Driven Development (MDD), Component-based Software Development (CBSD), and context-oriented software have become interesting alternatives for the design and construction of self-adaptive software systems. In general, the ultimate goal of these technologies is to be able to reduce development costs and effort, while improving the modularity, flexibility, adaptability, and reliability of software systems. An analysis of these technologies shows them all to include the principle of the separation of concerns, and their further integration is a key factor to obtaining high-quality and self-adaptable software systems. Each technology identifies different concerns and deals with them separately in order to specify the design of the self-adaptive applications, and, at the same time, support software with adaptability and context-awareness. This research studies the development methodologies that employ the principles of model-driven development in building self-adaptive software systems. To this aim, this article proposes an evaluation framework for analysing and evaluating the features of model-driven approaches and their ability to support software with self-adaptability and dependability in highly dynamic contextual environment. Such evaluation framework can facilitate the software developers on selecting a development methodology that suits their software requirements and reduces the development effort of building self-adaptive software systems. This study highlights the major drawbacks of the propped model-driven approaches in the related works, and emphasise on considering the volatile aspects of self-adaptive software in the analysis, design and implementation phases of the development methodologies. In addition, we argue that the development methodologies should leave the selection of modelling languages and modelling tools to the software developers.Comment: model-driven architecture, COP, AOP, component composition, self-adaptive application, context oriented software developmen

Modular Composite Body Armor

Tasked with the development of a composite material profile for use in the application of body armor design, the team worked with with Desmark/Amerisewn to create a stab and slash resistant composite material. This report investigates the design, development, and analysis of such composite material, and details the accomplishments made by the team throughout the entire design process. The objective was to meet and adhere to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) 0115.00 Standards, specifically the specifications described for a Protection Level III apparatus. Thinking beyond this scope, the initiative is to provide a more lightweight, flexible, reliable, and modular solution to threats encountered by law enforcement officials in regards to slash and stab attacks, with a primary concern being those implemented by a knife or spike-like object. Corresponding manufacturing and experimentation procedures are included for analyzing the implicit dynamic penetration resistance and associated mechanical behaviors of the configured composite material. Through this analysis, a numerical method pertaining to the design and prediction of a multi-laminate composite material’s mechanical behavior, given an impact due to a weapon/implement mentioned above, aided in a final solution that adheres to both the items described within the NIJ 0115.00 Standard as well as design specifications corresponding to the product. Proposed to adhere to these requirements, the team developed a composite material that applies a multi-laminate design to create the desired product characteristics. The carbon fiber epoxy resin solution has an overall profile thickness of 0.495 inches and an estimate total weight of approximately 2.38 lb. A manufacturing method for producing such composite material is also explained in this report. Further analysis and testing of the was conducted through means of numerical analysis. A composite program developed by the team using MATLAB was used to calculate the mechanical characteristics of the composite using data inputs collected by experimental methods. The program will then assess the respective stress and strain relations through the entire composite profile. This gave insight to where the material will fail and under what load, and is a useful tool in determining the failure conditions, as well as identifying materials that do not contribute to the overall integrity of the composite. Several methods of experimentation, both physically and numerically, were conducted in order to validate the performance and adherence to design specifications. Ultimately, the carbon fiber/epoxy composite material adheres to National Institute of Justice’s 0115.00 Protection Level III Standard the most effectively and efficiently, minimizing the depth of puncture to less than 1/4 and 3/4 past the backing material due to a force applied at the strike face of 43.0J and 65.0J respectively

Design of freeform membrane -tensegrity structure

Inspired by a lightweight, and tectonically decent pavilion, MOOM pavilion in Japan, this thesis study explores a digital approach to transform an existing physical structure into a digital computational model by following the principle behind in order to explore and generalize the principle and develop a generic digital tool for designing freeform membrane-tensegrity structures in architecture. Through generalize the regulations behind the existing structure and the generic digital tool development, the way of designing the same type of structure could be more efficient, logical and free. In this thesis, a generic digital tool for constructing membrane-tensegrity structure will be developed by referring to the analysis of MOOM pavilion and the generic freeform tensegrity algorithm proposed by Tomohiro Tachi and his team in The University of Tokyo. Through analysis and tool development process, the digital modeling and simulation programs are required. Here the used programs are Rhinoceros 6; Rhinoceros plug-in Grasshopper and Kangaroo Physics; Kangaroo 2; Weaverbird etc. in grasshopper. Furthermore, two demonstrators of freeform membrane-tensegrity structures would be proposed as two possible approaches to apply the developed digital tool in architectural and structural design. Since then, this thesis study will be an inspiring starting point for the further researches and designs of membrane-tensegrity structures

Advanced textile applications for primary aircraft structures

Advanced composite primary structural concepts have been evaluated for low cost, damage tolerant structures. Development of advanced textile preforms for fuselage structural applications with resin transfer molding and powder epoxy material is now under development