Reuse patterns in adaptation languages : creating a meta-level for the LAG adaptation language

A growing body of research targets authoring of content and adaptation strategies for adaptive systems. The driving force behind it is semantics-based reuse: the same strategy can be used for various domains, and vice versa. Whilst using an adaptation language (LAG e.g.) to express reusable adaptation strategies, we noticed, however, that: a) the created strategies have common patterns that, themselves, could be reused; b) templates based on these patterns could reduce the designers' work; c) there is a strong preference towards XML-based processing and interfacing. This has leaded us to define a new meta-language for LAG, extracting common design patterns. This paper provides more insight into some of the limitations of Adaptation Languages like LAG, as well as describes our meta-language, and shows how introducing the meta-level can overcome some redundancy issues

On the number of solutions of a transcendental equation arising in the theory of gravitational lensing

The equation in the title describes the number of bright images of a point source under lensing by an elliptic object with isothermal density. We prove that this equation has at most 6 solutions. Any number of solutions from 1 to 6 can actually occur.Comment: 26 pages, 12 figure

A Phase 1b Study of Humanized Ks-Interleukin-2 (Huks-Il2) Immunocytokine with Cyclophosphamide in Patients with Epcam-Positive Advanced Solid Tumors

BackgroundHumanized KS-interleukin-2 (huKS-IL2), an immunocytokine with specificity for epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), has demonstrated favorable tolerability and immunologic activity as a single agent.MethodsPhase 1b study in patients with EpCAM-positive advanced solid tumors to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and safety profile of huKS-IL2 in combination with low-dose cyclophosphamide. Treatment consisted of cyclophosphamide (300mg/m2 on day 1), and escalating doses of

Lattice Boltzmann study on Kelvin-Helmholtz instability: the roles of velocity and density gradients

A two-dimensional lattice Boltzmann model with 19 discrete velocities for compressible Euler equations is proposed (D2V19-LBM). The fifth-order Weighted Essentially Non-Oscillatory (5th-WENO) finite difference scheme is employed to calculate the convection term of the lattice Boltzmann equation. The validity of the model is verified by comparing simulation results of the Sod shock tube with its corresponding analytical solutions. The velocity and density gradient effects on the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (KHI) are investigated using the proposed model. Sharp density contours are obtained in our simulations. It is found that, the linear growth rate $\gamma$ for the KHI decreases with increasing the width of velocity transition layer ${D_{v}}$ but increases with increasing the width of density transition layer ${D_{\rho}}$. After the initial transient period and before the vortex has been well formed, the linear growth rates, $\gamma_v$ and $\gamma_{\rho}$, vary with ${D_{v}}$ and ${D_{\rho}}$ approximately in the following way, $\ln\gamma_{v}=a-bD_{v}$ and $\gamma_{\rho}=c+e\ln D_{\rho} ({D_{\rho}}<{D_{\rho}^{E}})$, where $a$, $b$, $c$ and $e$ are fitting parameters and ${D_{\rho}^{E}}$ is the effective interaction width of density transition layer. When ${D_{\rho}}>{D_{\rho}^{E}}$ the linear growth rate $\gamma_{\rho}$ does not vary significantly any more. One can use the hybrid effects of velocity and density transition layers to stabilize the KHI. Our numerical simulation results are in general agreement with the analytical results [L. F. Wang, \emph{et al.}, Phys. Plasma \textbf{17}, 042103 (2010)].Comment: Accepted for publication in PR

RESEARCHES ON THE INFLUENCE OF RISKS IN INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONS’ PROCESSES WHEN IMPLEMENTING QUALITY-RISK INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

The concept of the integrated quality-risk management system can be defined as a set of methodologies, associated processes that invariably use human resources, material and financial resources, equipments and knowledge, in order to meet the objectives aimed at satisfying all interested parties.In the conditions of fulfilling the integrated management system, it will bring many economic and financial benefits in order to reduce the consumption of resources and increase the profit. If implemented correctly, the quality-risk integrated management system will include all business competencies in a systematic environment that will deliver on the mission of the organization, contribute to increasing benefits, optimize resource consumption, and reduce costs to maintain multiple integrated management systems

Dynamic modelling and nonlinear model predictive control of a fluid catalytic cracking unit

The paper presents the application of two nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) approaches: quasi-infinite-horizon nonlinear MPC (QIHNMPC) and moving horizon estimator nonlinear MPC (MHE-NMPC) to the Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (FCCU). A complex dynamic model of the reactor–regenerator–fractionator system is developed and subsequently used in the controller. The novelty of the model consists in that besides the complex dynamics of the reactor–regenerator system, it also includes the dynamic model of the fractionator, as well as a five lumps kinetic model for the riser. Tight control is achieved using the QIHNMPC approach. The MHE-NMPC considers important features of a real-time control algorithm, resulting in a framework for practical NMPC implementation, such as: state and parameter estimation and efficient solution of the optimisation problem. In the NMPC approach, only measurements available in practice are considered, whereas the rest of the states are estimated together with uncertain model parameters, via MHE technique. Using an efficient numerical implementation based on the multiple shooting algorithm real-time feasibility of the approach is achieved. The incentives of the proposed approaches are assessed on the simulated industrial FCCU

A graph-based monitoring tool for adaptive hypermedia course systems

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/11768012_33Proceedings of 4th International Conference, AH 2006, Dublin, Ireland, June 21-23, 2006Adaptive hypermedia courses are difficult to debug, validate and maintain. Logfile analysis is partly to blame. We propose a graph-based approach to both real-time student monitoring and logfile analysis. Students are represented at their current locations in a dynamically created map of the course. Selected parts of student user models are visually exposed, and more detail is available on demand. Hierarchically clustered graphs, automatic layout and focus+context techniques are used to keep visual complexity at a manageable level. This component has been developed for an existing AH course system. However we believe that our approach can be readily extended to a wide selection of adaptive hypermedia course systems, filling in an important gap during course creation and maintenance.This work has been sponsored by the Spanish Ministry of Science with project code TIN2004-0314

User-centred design of flexible hypermedia for a mobile guide: Reflections on the hyperaudio experience

A user-centred design approach involves end-users from the very beginning. Considering users at the early stages compels designers to think in terms of utility and usability and helps develop the system on what is actually needed. This paper discusses the case of HyperAudio, a context-sensitive adaptive and mobile guide to museums developed in the late 90s. User requirements were collected via a survey to understand visitors’ profiles and visit styles in Natural Science museums. The knowledge acquired supported the specification of system requirements, helping defining user model, data structure and adaptive behaviour of the system. User requirements guided the design decisions on what could be implemented by using simple adaptable triggers and what instead needed more sophisticated adaptive techniques, a fundamental choice when all the computation must be done on a PDA. Graphical and interactive environments for developing and testing complex adaptive systems are discussed as a further step towards an iterative design that considers the user interaction a central point. The paper discusses how such an environment allows designers and developers to experiment with different system’s behaviours and to widely test it under realistic conditions by simulation of the actual context evolving over time. The understanding gained in HyperAudio is then considered in the perspective of the developments that followed that first experience: our findings seem still valid despite the passed time

CONSIDERATIONS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF CULTIVATING SORGHUM TO THE BIOFUEL INDUSTRY FOR PRODUCING BIOETHANOL

Energy crops are crops suitable for the production of products such as biofuels (biodiesel, ecological diesel) and electric or thermal energy. Plants suitable for such energy crops are: woody (energy willow, poplar, paulownia) and grasses (annual crops such as corn, wheat, rapeseed, soybeans, sweet sorghum or perennials: pampas grass, elephant grass). The article presents a series of arguments for growing sugar sorghum on large areas in order to obtain the bioethanol used in the biofuel industry