A Model-Derivation Framework for Software Analysis

Model-based verification allows to express behavioral correctness conditions like the validity of execution states, boundaries of variables or timing at a high level of abstraction and affirm that they are satisfied by a software system. However, this requires expressive models which are difficult and cumbersome to create and maintain by hand. This paper presents a framework that automatically derives behavioral models from real-sized Java programs. Our framework builds on the EMF/ECore technology and provides a tool that creates an initial model from Java bytecode, as well as a series of transformations that simplify the model and eventually output a timed-automata model that can be processed by a model checker such as UPPAAL. The framework has the following properties: (1) consistency of models with software, (2) extensibility of the model derivation process, (3) scalability and (4) expressiveness of models. We report several case studies to validate how our framework satisfies these properties.Comment: In Proceedings MARS 2017, arXiv:1703.0581

A Model-Derivation Framework for Software Analysis

Model-based verification allows to express behavioral correctness conditions like the validity of execution states, boundaries of variables or timing at a high level of abstraction and affirm that they are satisfied by a software system. However, this requires expressive models which are difficult and cumbersome to create and maintain by hand. This paper presents a framework that automatically derives behavioral models from real-sized Java programs. Our framework builds on the EMF/ECore technology and provides a tool that creates an initial model from Java bytecode, as well as a series of transformations that simplify the model and eventually output a timed-automata model that can be processed by a model checker such as UPPAAL. The framework has the following properties: (1) consistency of models with software, (2) extensibility of the model derivation process, (3) scalability and (4) expressiveness of models. We report several case studies to validate how our framework satisfies these properties.Comment: In Proceedings MARS 2017, arXiv:1703.0581

Mechanical properties of some bioplastics under different soil types used as biodegradable drip tubes

A lack of degradability and the closing of landfill sites, as well as growing water and land pollution problems, have led to concern about plastics.  With the excessive use of plastics and increasing pressure being placed on capacities available for plastic waste disposal, the need for biodegradable plastics and biodegradation of plastic wastes has assumed increasing importance in the last few years.  Awareness of the waste problem and its impact on the environment has awakened new interest in the area of degradable polymers.  The biodegradation of five different types of commercial bioplastics available on the market as agricultural mulch film (Bioflex, Ecoflex, Mater Bi, Chitosan and Bi-OPL foil) was evaluated under different soil types (Sandy, Sandy Loam and Loamy soil) to study the material stability and life expectancy, and to establish which was better to be used in the production of biodegradable drip tubes for drip irrigation system.  Weight loss, tensile strength (TS) loss and loss of percentage elongation (%E) were measured in 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 months.  Bi-OPL appeared to possess a high resistance to soil types, as indicated by lower changes in tensile strength, weight losses and with maximum 26% decreased in elongation at break.  At the end of the experiments, Chitosan films were completely degraded in all soil types and both surface and subsurface positions.  The starch contained in Mater Bi samples was degraded after 60 days with 4% weight losses and leads to 3% observed losses in tensile strength.  Weight losses of Ecoflex and Bioflex were greater after three months (more than 30%) than that previously (5% to 10%).  The tensile strength of both Ecoflex and Bioflex films decreased about 4% and 3% respectively in loamy soil and loamy sand soil by Week 12, More than 40% of the elongation capacity of the films were lost by Month 3 in both soil types.  The decrease of %E in both films was slightly faster in loamy and loamy sand soil than in sandy soil.Keywords: biodegradation, soil, Bi-OPL, Chitosan, Mater Bi, Bioflex, Ecoflex, drip tubes Citation: Mostafa, H. M., H. Sourell, and F. J. Bockisch.  Mechanical properties of some bioplastics under different soil types used as biodegradable drip tubes.  Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal, 2010, 12(1): 12-21

A timed-automata approach for critical path detection in a soft real-time application

In this paper, we report preliminary ideas from our project called “Time Performance Improvement With Parallel Processing Systems” (TIPS). In the TIPS project, we plan to take advantage of multi-core platforms for performance improvement by parallelizing a complex soft real-time application. In order to increase the timing performance, one needs to adapt the optimizations on the critical execution paths of an application which are both significantly time consuming and important from user requirements' perspective. In this work, we present an approach how to detect critical paths in a target application

A model-derivation framework for timing analysis of Java software Systems

One of the main challenges in developing a software system is to assure that its properties fulfill the specifications. In the context of this paper, we are especially interested in timing properties. Model-based software verification is one of the approaches to achieve this. However, model-based verification requires expressive models of software systems and deriving such models is not a trivial task. Although there are a few model derivation tool proposals for the purpose of model-checking timing properties, these are dedicated tools supporting a selected set of verification techniques and as such they are not explicitly designed for coping with new demands. This paper presents a framework that derives models from Java programs in an automated way for analyzing timing properties. The framework has the following properties that are not provided by the previous proposals: (1) Efficiency in model development, (2) consistency of models with software, (3) expressiveness of models, (4) scalability and (5) extensibility of the model derivation process

An introduction to aspect-oriented music representation

This paper introduces Aspect Oriented Music Representation (AOMR), and its application to create tools offering new kinds of flexibility to musicians. Psychologists have demonstrated the diversity of composers' approaches, but existing computer-based tools support this diversity poorly. Current tools generally require musicians to work with pre-established abstractions and operations. AOMR systematically allows composers to create and work with musical viewpoints of their choice. This paper uses simple case studies to analyse a prototype AOMR implementation and characterise the new kinds of flexibility it affords to musicians

Antihysteresis of perceived longitudinal body axis during continuous quasi-static whole-body rotation in the earth-vertical roll plane

Estimation of subjective whole-body tilt in stationary roll positions after rapid rotations shows hysteresis. We asked whether this phenomenon is also present during continuous quasi-static whole-body rotation and whether gravitational cues are a major contributing factor. Using a motorized turntable, 8 healthy subjects were rotated continuously about the earth-horizontal naso-occipital axis (earth-vertical roll plane) and the earth-vertical naso-occipital axis (earth-horizontal roll plane). In both planes, three full constant velocity rotations (2°/s) were completed in clockwise and counterclockwise directions (acceleration=0.05°/s2, velocity plateau reached after 40s). Subjects adjusted a visual line along the perceived longitudinal body axis (pLBA) every 2s. pLBA deviation from the longitudinal body axis was plotted as a function of whole-body roll position, and a sine function was fitted. At identical whole-body earth-vertical roll plane positions, pLBA differed depending on whether the position was reached by a rotation from upright or by passing through upside down. After the first 360° rotation, pLBA at upright whole-body position deviated significantly in the direction of rotation relative to pLBA prior to rotation initiation. This deviation remained unchanged after subsequent full rotations. In contrast, earth-horizontal roll plane rotations resulted in similar pLBA before and after each rotation cycle. We conclude that the deviation of pLBA in the direction of rotation during quasi-static earth-vertical roll plane rotations reflects static antihysteresis and might be a consequence of the known static hysteresis of ocular counterroll: a visual line that is perceived that earth-vertical is expected to be antihysteretic, if ocular torsion is hystereti

Cold thermal irrigation decreases the ipsilateral gain of the vestibulo-ocular reflex

OBJECTIVES: During head rotations, neuronal firing rates increase in ipsilateral and decrease in contralateral vestibular afferents. At low accelerations, this "push-pull mechanism" is linear. At high accelerations, however, the change of firing rates is nonlinear in that the ipsilateral increase of firing rate is larger than the contralateral decrease. This mechanism of stronger ipsilateral excitation than contralateral inhibition during high-acceleration head rotation, known as Ewald's second law, is implemented within the nonlinear pathways. The authors asked whether caloric stimulation could provide an acceleration signal high enough to influence the contribution of the nonlinear pathway to the rotational vestibulo-ocular reflex gain (rVOR gain) during head impulses. DESIGN: Caloric warm (44°C) and cold (24, 27, and 30°C) water irrigations of the left ear were performed in 7 healthy human subjects with the lateral semicircular canals oriented approximately earth-vertical (head inclined 30° from supine) and earth-horizontal (head inclined 30° from upright). RESULTS: With the lateral semicircular canal oriented earth-vertical, the strongest cold caloric stimulus (24°C) significantly decreased the rVOR gain during ipsilateral head impulses, while all other irrigations, irrespective of head position, had no significant effect on rVOR gains during head impulses to either side. CONCLUSIONS: Strong caloric irrigation, which can only be achieved with cold water, reduces the rVOR gain during ipsilateral head impulses and thus demonstrates Ewald's second law in healthy subjects. This unilateral gain reduction suggests that cold-water caloric irritation shifts the set point of the nonlinear relation between head acceleration and the vestibular firing rate toward a less acceleration-sensitive zone

Low fertility and population replacement in Scotland

It has been argued that Scotland faces population ageing and decline that will have potentially serious economic and social consequences, and that the origin of these processes lie in its low and declining fertility rates. After considering alternatives to the total period rate measure of fertility, empirical evidence and theoretical argument about low fertility and its consequences is briefly reviewed. The paper argues that low fertility in general may not be the problem it is often purported to be, that Scotland has relatively high fertility, and that pro-natalist policies are neither desirable nor necessary. It suggests that low fertility and population ageing may be viewed as positive developments, and that within Europe, Scotland is distinguished more by its excess of early deaths than by any shortage of births.Peer reviewe

The future of hybrid imaging—part 1: hybrid imaging technologies and SPECT/CT

Since the 1990s, hybrid imaging by means of software and hardware image fusion alike allows the intrinsic combination of functional and anatomical image information. This review summarises in three parts the state-of-the-art of dual-technique imaging, with a focus on clinical applications. We will attempt to highlight selected areas of potential improvement of combined imaging technologies and new applications. In this first part, we briefly review the origins of hybrid imaging and comment on the status and future development of single photon emission tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT). In short, we could predict that, within 10 years, we may see all existing dual-technique imaging systems, including SPECT/CT, in clinical routine use worldwide. SPECT/CT, in particular, may evolve into a whole-body imaging technique with supplementary use in dosimetry applications