Performance Evaluation of Software using Formal Methods

Formal Methods (FMs) can be used in varied areas of applications and to solve critical and fundamental problems of Performance Evaluation (PE). Modelling and analysis techniques can be used for both system and software performance evaluation. The functional features and performance properties of modern software used for performance evaluation has become so intertwined. Traditional models and methods for performance evaluation has been studied widely which culminated into the modern models and methods for system and software engineering evaluation such as formal methods. Techniques have transcended from functionality to performance modeling and analysis. Formal models help in identifying faulty reasoning far earlier than in traditional design; and formal specification has proved useful even on already existing software and systems. Formal approach eliminates ambiguity. The basic and final goal of the performance evaluation technique is to come to a conclusion, whether the software and system are working in a good condition or satisfactorily

POWER SYSTEMS OPERATION IMPROVEMENT CONSIDERING LOSS MINIMIZATION AND VOLTAGE STABILITY ENHANCEMENT

The challenge of energy and power losses during electrical energy transmission from generation plants to users is a major problem that cannot be over-emphasized. These Losses are inevitable because they are inherent in the conduction of electrical energy through physical means but can be minimized. This paper presents a VSC-PSO method for optimizing the power system operation by simultaneously minimizing the loss and enhancing the voltage stability which are the objective functions. The optimal power flow (OPF) was performed on IEEE 30-bus system with Newton Raphson algorithm implemented in MATLAB simulation software. The simulation results showed that the VSC-PSO approach performed more excellently with concurrent consideration of line loss reduction and voltage stability improvement when compared with other methods in literatur

Study of the Negative Magneto-Resistance of Single Proton-Implanted Lithium-Doped ZnO Microwires

The magneto-transport properties of single proton-implanted ZnO and of Li(7\%)-doped ZnO microwires have been studied. The as-grown microwires were highly insulating and not magnetic. After proton implantation the Li(7\%) doped ZnO microwires showed a non monotonous behavior of the negative magneto-resistance (MR) at temperature above 150 K. This is in contrast to the monotonous NMR observed below 50 K for proton-implanted ZnO. The observed difference in the transport properties of the wires is related to the amount of stable Zn vacancies created at the near surface region by the proton implantation and Li doping. The magnetic field dependence of the resistance might be explained by the formation of a magnetic/non magnetic heterostructure in the wire after proton implantation.Comment: 6 pages with 5 figure

Profitability of Watermelon to Farmers in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area of Oyo State

The study analyzed the profitability of watermelon as an alternative crop to the melon the farmers in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area of Oyo state, Nigeria are used to grow traditionally. Unfortunately, melon had remained a poor marketing commodity over a long period of time due to price fluctuation. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and gross margin. Budgetary analysis revealed a profitability of watermelon with gross margin of ₦2.18 is realized for every ₦1 invest on watermelon per hectare. The result of the analysis also showed that total cost was N3254250 and the total revenue was N7109600. This gave a gross margin of N3855350 of watermelon produced it therefore recommended that the local government should acquire more tractors for hiring to the farmers while subsidy is required in other to reduce the cost of land clearing. Finally, government should as a matter of urgency make credit facilities and fertilizer available to farmer, grade and open up more road network that will facilitating easy transportation of farm produce and reduce cost of transportatio

Home-based intervention to test and start (HITS) protocol : a cluster-randomized controlled trial to reduce HIV-related mortality in men and HIV incidence in women through increased coverage of HIV treatment

Abstract: To realize the full benefits of treatment as prevention in many hyperendemic African contexts, there is an urgent need to increase uptake of HIV testing and HIV treatment among men to reduce the rate of HIV transmission to (particularly young) women. This trial aims to evaluate the effect of two interventions - microincentives and a tablet-based male-targeted HIV decision support application - on increasing home-based HIV testing and linkage to HIV care among men with the ultimate aim of reducing HIV-related mortality in men and HIV incidence in young women..

Lattice dynamics and structural stability of ordered Fe3Ni, Fe3Pd and Fe3Pt alloys

We investigate the binding surface along the Bain path and phonon dispersion relations for the cubic phase of the ferromagnetic binary alloys Fe3X (X = Ni, Pd, Pt) for L12 and DO22 ordered phases from first principles by means of density functional theory. The phonon dispersion relations exhibit a softening of the transverse acoustic mode at the M-point in the L12-phase in accordance with experiments for ordered Fe3Pt. This instability can be associated with a rotational movement of the Fe-atoms around the Ni-group element in the neighboring layers and is accompanied by an extensive reconstruction of the Fermi surface. In addition, we find an incomplete softening in [111] direction which is strongest for Fe3 Ni. We conclude that besides the valence electron density also the specific Fe-content and the masses of the alloying partners should be considered as parameters for the design of Fe-based functional magnetic materials.Comment: Revised version, accepted for publication in Physical Review

Genotoxic and Histopathological Effects of Chlorpyrifos on African Catfish, C. gariepinus and Ameliorative Potentials of Ackee Apple, blighia sapida Seed

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a very toxic pesticide commonly used for controlling agriculturally important pests. The present study investigates DNA damaging effects of CPF on Clarias gariepinus was assessed using genetic assays. Fish were exposed to varying concentrations of CPF (100ppm, 200ppm and 300ppm) at 96 hours (acute exposure). LC50 of the pesticide was found to be 120ppm and one-tenth of the LC50 (12ppm) was taken for the chronic exposure. Distilled water and colchicine were used as negative and positive controls respectively. After 28 days of chronic exposure, fish were fed with inclusion of B. sapida seed (powder) for 14 days. Liver and gills of the fish were removed following 96h exposure, days 7, 14 and 28 of the chronic exposure as well as after the period of amelioration (14 days) for CA assay and histopathological analysis. The results of CA assay showed statistically significant (p ˂ 0.05) increase in CA in a dose-dependent manner for all the exposed groups after acute exposure and time dependent after chronic exposure. Also, this study showed that CPF can potentially induce genotoxic and histopathological changes in fish and other aquatic organisms