Case study: Class diagram restructuring

This case study is an update-in-place refactoring transformation on UML class diagrams. Its aim is to remove clones of attributes from a class diagram, and to identify new classes which abstract groups of classes that share common data features. It is used as one of a general collection of transformations (such as the removal of redundant inheritance, or multiple inheritance) which aim to improve the quality of a specification or design level class diagram. The transformation is a typical example of a model refactoring, and illustrates the issues involved in such transformations.Comment: In Proceedings TTC 2013, arXiv:1311.753

Solving the Petri-Nets to Statecharts Transformation Case with UML-RSDS

This paper provides a solution to the Petri-Nets to statecharts case using UML-RSDS. We show how a highly declarative solution which is confluent and invertible can be given using this approach.Comment: In Proceedings TTC 2013, arXiv:1311.753

Saying Hello World with UML-RSDS - A Solution to the 2011 Instructive Case

In this paper we apply the UML-RSDS notation and tools to the "Hello World" case studies and explain the underlying development process for this model transformation approach.Comment: In Proceedings TTC 2011, arXiv:1111.440

Language-independent model transformation verification

One hinderance to model transformation verification is the large number of different MT languages which exist, resulting in a large number of different language-specific analysis tools. As an alternative, we define a single analysis process which can, in principle, analyse speci- fications in several different transformation languages, by making use of a common intermediate representation to express the semantics of trans- formations in any of these languages. Some analyses can be performed directly on the intermediate representation, and further semantic models in specific verification formalisms can be derived from it. We illustrate the approach by applying it to ATL

Solving the TTC 2011 Model Migration Case with UML-RSDS

In this paper we apply the UML-RSDS notation and tools to the GMF model migration case study and explain how to use the UML-RSDS tools.Comment: In Proceedings TTC 2011, arXiv:1111.440

Verification of model transformations

Model transformations are a central element of model-driven development (MDD) approaches such as the model-driven architecture (MDA). The correctness of model transformations is critical to their effective use in practical software development, since users must be able to rely upon the transformations correctly preserving the semantics of models. In this paper we define a formal semantics for model transformations, and provide techniques for proving the termination, confluence and correctness of model transformations

Evaluation of Model Transformation Approaches for Model Refactoring

This paper provides a systematic evaluation framework for comparing model transformation approaches, based upon the ISO/IEC 9126-1 quality characteristics for software systems. We apply this framework to compare five transformation approaches (QVT-R, ATL, Kermeta, UMLRSDS and GrGen.NET) on a complex model refactoring case study: the amalgamation of apparent attribute clones in a class diagram. The case study highlights the problems with the specification and design of the refactoring category of model transformations, and provides a challenging example by which model transformation languages and approaches can be compared. We take into account a wide range of evaluation criteria aspects such as correctness, efficiency, flexibility, interoperability, reusability and robustness, which have not been comprehensively covered by other comparative surveys of transformation approaches. The results show clear distinctions between the capabilities and suitabilities of different approaches to address the refactoring form of transformation problem

Common mental disorders in young adults born late-preterm

Background Results of adulthood mental health of those born late-preterm (34 + 0–36 + 6 weeks + days of gestation) are mixed and based on national registers. We examined if late-preterm birth was associated with a higher risk for common mental disorders in young adulthood when using a diagnostic interview, and if this risk decreased as gestational age increased. Method A total of 800 young adults (mean = 25.3, s.d. = 0.62 years), born 1985–1986, participated in a follow-up of the Arvo Ylppö Longitudinal Study. Common mental disorders (mood, anxiety and substance use disorders) during the past 12 months were defined using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (Munich version). Gestational age was extracted from hospital birth records and categorized into early-preterm (<34 + 0, n = 37), late-preterm (34 + 0–36 + 6, n = 106), term (37 + 0–41 + 6, n = 617) and post-term (≥42 + 0, n = 40). Results Those born late-preterm and at term were at a similar risk for any common mental disorder [odds ratio (OR) 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67–1.84], for mood (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.54–2.25), anxiety (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.40–2.50) and substance use (OR 1.31, 95% CI 0.74–2.32) disorders, and co-morbidity of these disorders (p = 0.38). While the mental disorder risk decreased significantly as gestational age increased, the trend was driven by a higher risk in those born early-preterm. Conclusions Using a cohort born during the advanced neonatal and early childhood care, we found that not all individuals born preterm are at risk for common mental disorders in young adulthood – those born late-preterm are not, while those born early-preterm are at a higher risk. Available resources for prevention and intervention should be targeted towards the preterm group born the earliest

An Institutional Framework for Heterogeneous Formal Development in UML

We present a framework for formal software development with UML. In contrast to previous approaches that equip UML with a formal semantics, we follow an institution based heterogeneous approach. This can express suitable formal semantics of the different UML diagram types directly, without the need to map everything to one specific formalism (let it be first-order logic or graph grammars). We show how different aspects of the formal development process can be coherently formalised, ranging from requirements over design and Hoare-style conditions on code to the implementation itself. The framework can be used to verify consistency of different UML diagrams both horizontally (e.g., consistency among various requirements) as well as vertically (e.g., correctness of design or implementation w.r.t. the requirements)

Effect of childhood developmental coordination disorder on adulthood physical activity; Arvo Ylppo longitudinal study

Individuals at risk of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) have low levels of physical activity in childhood due to impaired motor competence; however, physical activity levels in adulthood have not been established. This study sought to determine the impact of DCD risk on physical activity levels in adults using accelerometry measurement. Participants (n = 656) from the Arvo Ylppo Longitudinal Study cohort had their motor competence assessed at the age of five years, and their physical activity quantified via device assessment at the age of 25 years. Between group differences were assessed to differentiate physical activity measures for individuals based on DCD risk status, with general linear modeling performed to control for the effects of sex, body mass index (BMI), and maternal education. Participants at risk of DCD were found to have a lower total number of steps (d = 0.3, p = 0.022) than those not at risk. Statistical modeling indicated that DCD risk status increased time spent in sedentary light activity (beta = 0.1, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.3, p = 0.026) and decreased time spent in vigorous physical activity via interaction with BMI (beta = 0.04, 95% CI 0.001 to 0.1, p = 0.025). Sensitivity analysis found that visuomotor impairment did not significantly impact physical activity but did increase the role of DCD risk status in some models. This 20-year-longitudinal study indicated that DCD risk status continues to negatively impact on levels of physical activity into early adulthood.Peer reviewe