Integration testing of heterotic systems

Computational theory and practice generally focus on single-paradigm systems, but relatively little is known about how best to combine components based on radically different approaches (e.g. silicon chips and wetware) into a single coherent system. In particular, while testing strategies for single-technology artefacts are generally well developed, it is unclear at present how to perform integration testing on heterotic systems: can we develop a test-set generation strategy for checking whether specified behaviours emerge (and unwanted behaviours do not) when components based on radically different technologies are combined within a single system? In this paper, we describe an approach to modelling multi-technology heterotic systems using a general-purpose formal specification strategy based on Eilenberg's X-machine model of computation. We show how this approach can be used to represent disparate technologies within a single framework, and propose a strategy for using these formal models for automatic heterotic test-set generation. We illustrate our approach by showing how to derive a test set for a heterotic system combining an X-machine-based device with a cell-based P system (membrane system)

An Agent Based Approach of Collective Foraging

In this paper the behaviour of a bee colony is modeled as a society of communicating agents acting in parallel and synchroniz-ing their behaviour. Two computational models for defining the agents behaviour are introduced and compared and tools developed for these models are briefly illustrated.Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología TIC2002-04220-C03-0

Design of a decision support system for improving air quality assessment

Establishing a system that allows the transition from environmental and traffic monitoring to environmental management at the personal level has become a necessity. Such a system will improve the life quality, reduce health costs and increase the support of vulnerable groups (i.e., the elderly, children). ESTABLISH project aims to advance an innovative platform which allows converting environmental (sensor) data into actionable information for users to provide a healthier and safer environment thereby improving the quality of life. Smart adaptive services providing real-time feedback tailored to specific user and application needs will be developed by combining networked sensors and other data sources with adaptive models. This paper will present the on-going research within the ESTABLISH project related to the development of a decision support component which assesses the air quality. Based on real-time monitoring and quantification methods, and certain types of notifications for risk groups and general populations, the proposed system links pollutant concentrations to individual health risks. The proposed decision support for air quality assessment is structured on two components. The first component is represented by the comparison with the limit values provided by the legislation, and the second is the forecast of near-real-time air pollution episodes (based on trigger values). Thus, for each pollutant considered (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, O3, and CO) the frequency of pollutants concentrations measurement, the averaging periods according to the legislation, the averaging period and the limit values used for the notification component were established

Magnetic nanoparticles used in envinronmental engineering for Pb and Zn removal

International audienceMaghemite nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3) were synthesized in order to be used as magnetic adsorbent for two heavy metals, Pb(II) and Zn(II), from aqueous solutions. γ-Fe2O3 was prepared from magnetite nanoparticles and was tested for single and binary aqueous solutions. Efficiency removal (%) for single solutions appears only after 10 minutes and was higher than 80%. In case of binary solutions, same results regarding efficiency removal were registered after 60 minutes, being almost 90% for Pb(II) and only 70% for Zn(II). In this case, the experimental data for single solutions were correlated with the Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin- Radushkevich adsorption models in order to evaluate the adsorption capacity of the magnetic adsorbent. Level of the metals concentration removed with these types of particles can be assumed as satisfactory. The maximum adsorption capacity was found at 19.23 mg/g for Zn(II) and 9.89 mg/g for Pb(II) in case of single solution (at 25°C) according to the Langmuir model. The results obtained in case of Dubinin-Radushkevich model indicate a good adsorption in terms of ion-exchange process. Also, recovery for Pb(II) and Zn(II), after acidic washing, was studied. The results suggest that magnetic nanomaterial can be used as efficient adsorbents of heavy metals also from aqueous environments. © 2016 Gh. Asachi Technical University of Iasi. All rights reserved