Compiling Prolog to Idiomatic Java

Today, Prolog is often used to solve well-defined, domain-specific problems that are part of larger applications. In such cases, a tight integration of the Prolog program and the rest of the application, which is commonly written in a different language, is necessary. One common approach is to compile the Prolog code to (native) code in the target language. In this case, the effort necessary to build, test and deploy the final application is reduced. However, most of the approaches that achieve reasonable performance compile Prolog to object-oriented code that relies on some kind of virtual machine (VM). These VMs are libraries implemented in the target language and implement Prolog\u27s execution semantics. This adds a significant layer to the object-oriented program and results in code that does not look and feel native to developers of object-oriented programs. Further, if Prolog\u27s execution semantics is implemented as a library the potential of modern runtime environments for object-oriented programs, such as the Java Virtual Machine, to effectively optimize the program is more limited. In this paper, we report on our approach to compile Prolog to high-level, idiomatic object-oriented Java code. The generated Java code closely resembles code written by Java developers and is effectively optimized by the Java Virtual Machine

Reify Your Collection Queries for Modularity and Speed!

Modularity and efficiency are often contradicting requirements, such that programers have to trade one for the other. We analyze this dilemma in the context of programs operating on collections. Performance-critical code using collections need often to be hand-optimized, leading to non-modular, brittle, and redundant code. In principle, this dilemma could be avoided by automatic collection-specific optimizations, such as fusion of collection traversals, usage of indexing, or reordering of filters. Unfortunately, it is not obvious how to encode such optimizations in terms of ordinary collection APIs, because the program operating on the collections is not reified and hence cannot be analyzed. We propose SQuOpt, the Scala Query Optimizer--a deep embedding of the Scala collections API that allows such analyses and optimizations to be defined and executed within Scala, without relying on external tools or compiler extensions. SQuOpt provides the same "look and feel" (syntax and static typing guarantees) as the standard collections API. We evaluate SQuOpt by re-implementing several code analyses of the Findbugs tool using SQuOpt, show average speedups of 12x with a maximum of 12800x and hence demonstrate that SQuOpt can reconcile modularity and efficiency in real-world applications.Comment: 20 page

Laser Ablation for Gliomas

Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a novel minimally invasive neurosurgical procedure in which laser light is delivered through a stereotactically positioned probe to an intracranial lesion for controlled thermal ablation of the pathological tissue. LITT is considered for patients who are poor candidates for open surgical resection due to (1) location of lesion (e.g., deep-seated or near critical structures), (2) history of intracranial interventions or medical comorbidities that increase surgical risk, or (3) lesion refractoriness to prior conventional therapies. The use of LITT was initially limited by concerns over off-target thermal damage; however, recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging-based thermal imaging have enabled real-time monitoring of tissue ablation dynamics, thereby improving its safety profile. Accordingly, the past two decades have seen a rapid expansion in the use of LITT for a variety of intracranial pathologies, including neoplasms, radiation necrosis, and epilepsy. This chapter focuses on the novel application of LITT to both newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). We first review the technological developments that enabled the safe use of LITT for GBM. We then review recent evidence regarding the indications, outcomes, and limitations of LITT as a novel adjuvant treatment for GBM

Automatic incrementalization of prolog based static analyses

Abstract. Modern development environments integrate various static analyses into the build process. Analyses that analyze the whole project whenever the project changes are impractical in this context. We present an approach to automatic incrementalization of analyses that are specified as tabled logic programs and evaluated using incremental tabled evaluation, a technique for efficiently updating memo tables in response to changes in facts and rules. The approach has been implemented and integrated into the Eclipse IDE. Our measurements show that this technique is effective for automatically incrementalizing a broad range of static analyses.

Stimulated Raman Histology for Intraoperative Guidance in the Resection of a Recurrent Atypical Spheno-orbital Meningioma: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Meningiomas are the most common intracranial, extra-axial neoplasms and account for a significant proportion of all central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Regardless of the grade, treatment typically involves upfront surgical resection. However, in many instances, especially in meningiomas arising from the skull base, complete removal is often difficult given the close proximity to important anatomic structures. In this report, we discuss the use of stimulated Raman histology as a means to identify tissue boundaries during the resection of an extensive, recurrent, atypical spheno-orbital meningioma. We report a 75-year-old male with a history of a prior left frontotemporal craniotomy for a grade II meningioma three years prior, who presented with worsening left-sided visual loss and pronounced temporal bossing. Repeat magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a recurrent left spheno-orbital tumor suggestive of a meningioma extending into the middle cranial fossa, the lateral orbit, and the temporalis muscle. He underwent an extended orbito-pterional craniotomy, and intraoperative stimulated Raman histology aided in the identification of tumor margins within the orbit and the temporalis muscle in order to better preserve the normal orbital contents and muscle bulk of the infratemporal fossa. This case demonstrates the utility of stimulated Raman histology during the resection of invasive skull base tumors. The immediate intraoperative Raman histologic sections can clearly identify tissue boundaries and thus help preserve important anatomic structures. Continued development of this method can potentially improve the accuracy of intraoperative diagnoses and guide surgeons during tumor resections near eloquent anatomical regions or important normal structures

MR-Guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for Treatment of Brain Tumors

Minimally invasive technologies for intracranial lesions are a rapidly growing area of surgical neuro-oncology. Magnetic resonance (MR)-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is novel adjunctive therapy for patients who are poor candidates for open surgical resection. Recent developments in modern stereotaxy, fiber optics, and MR thermography imaging have improved the safety profile of LITT, enabling its emergence as an attractive alternative adjunct therapy for intracranial lesions which are deep-seated, refractory to standard therapies, or in patients with multiple comorbidities. In this chapter, we review the technological principles underlying LITT and provide a comprehensive, up-to-date summary of the evidence regarding the indications, outcomes, and limitations of LITT for a diverse array of intracranial tumors, including dural-based lesions, metastases, gliomas, and radiation necrosis

Incremental Confined Types Analysis

Research related to alias protection and related concepts, such as, confined types and ownership types has a long tradition and is a promising concept for the design and implementation of more reliable and secure software. Unfortunately, the use of these concepts is not widespread as most implementations are proofs of concept and fall short with respect to the integration with standard software development tools and processes. In this paper, we discuss an implementation of confined types based on Java 5 annotations. The contribution of this paper is twofold: First, we discuss the incrementalization of the confined types analysis and second, we present the integration of the analysis into Eclipse using the static analysis platform Magellan

ICT-based system to predict and prevent falls (iStoppFalls): study protocol for an international multicenter randomized controlled trial

[EN] Background: Falls are very common, especially in adults aged 65 years and older. Within the current international European Commission's Seventh Framework Program (FP7) project 'iStoppFalls' an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based system has been developed to regularly assess a person's risk of falling in their own home and to deliver an individual and tailored home-based exercise and education program for fall prevention. The primary aims of iStoppFalls are to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention program, and its effectiveness to improve balance, muscle strength and quality of life in older people. Methods/Design: This international, multicenter study is designed as a single-blinded, two-group randomized controlled trial. A total of 160 community-dwelling older people aged 65 years and older will be recruited in Germany (n = 60), Spain (n = 40), and Australia (n = 60) between November 2013 and May 2014. Participants in the intervention group will conduct a 16-week exercise program using the iStoppFalls system through their television set at home. Participants are encouraged to exercise for a total duration of 180 minutes per week. The training program consists of a variety of balance and strength exercises in the form of video games using exergame technology. Educational material about a healthy lifestyle will be provided to each participant. Final reassessments will be conducted after 16 weeks. The assessments include physical and cognitive tests as well as questionnaires assessing health, fear of falling, quality of life and psychosocial determinants. Falls will be followed up for six months by monthly falls calendars. Discussion: We hypothesize that the regular use of this newly developed ICT-based system for fall prevention at home is feasible for older people. By using the iStoppFalls sensor-based exercise program, older people are expected to improve in balance and strength outcomes. In addition, the exercise training may have a positive impact on quality of life by reducing the risk of falls. Taken together with expected cognitive improvements, the individual approach of the iStoppFalls program may provide an effective model for fall prevention in older people who prefer to exercise at home.The authors are members of the iStoppFalls project. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development, and demonstration under grant agreement no [287361]. The Australian arm is funded by an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) EU collaboration grant (#1038210). The content of the manuscript does not represent the opinion of the European Community or NHMRC. The funding sources have no role in any aspects of this study. Yves J. Gschwind has been financially supported by a research grant from the Margarete and Walter Lichtenstein Foundation, Basel, Switzerland. Stephen R. Lord is supported by NHMRC as a Senior Principal Research Fellow and Kim Delbaere as a NHMRC Career Development Fellow. All other authors are supported by the iStoppFalls project, European Community Grant Agreement 287361. On behalf the iStoppFalls consortium, we would like to thank all the participants who take part in the study.Gschwind, YJ.; Eichberg, S.; Marston, HR.; Ejupi, A.; De Rosario Martínez, H.; Kroll, M.; Drobics, M.... (2014). ICT-based system to predict and prevent falls (iStoppFalls): study protocol for an international multicenter randomized controlled trial. BMC Geriatrics. 14(91):1-13. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2318-14-91S1131491Berchicci M, Lucci G, Di Russo F: Benefits of physical exercise on the aging brain: the role of the prefrontal cortex. 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