1,979 research outputs found
Modularizing and Specifying Protocols among Threads
We identify three problems with current techniques for implementing protocols
among threads, which complicate and impair the scalability of multicore
software development: implementing synchronization, implementing coordination,
and modularizing protocols. To mend these deficiencies, we argue for the use of
domain-specific languages (DSL) based on existing models of concurrency. To
demonstrate the feasibility of this proposal, we explain how to use the model
of concurrency Reo as a high-level protocol DSL, which offers appropriate
abstractions and a natural separation of protocols and computations. We
describe a Reo-to-Java compiler and illustrate its use through examples.Comment: In Proceedings PLACES 2012, arXiv:1302.579
Toward Sequentializing Overparallelized Protocol Code
In our ongoing work, we use constraint automata to compile protocol
specifications expressed as Reo connectors into efficient executable code,
e.g., in C. We have by now studied this automata based compilation approach
rather well, and have devised effective solutions to some of its problems.
Because our approach is based on constraint automata, the approach, its
problems, and our solutions are in fact useful and relevant well beyond the
specific case of compiling Reo. In this short paper, we identify and analyze
two such rather unexpected problems.Comment: In Proceedings ICE 2014, arXiv:1410.701
Data optimizations for constraint automata
Constraint automata (CA) constitute a coordination model based on finite
automata on infinite words. Originally introduced for modeling of coordinators,
an interesting new application of CAs is implementing coordinators (i.e.,
compiling CAs into executable code). Such an approach guarantees
correctness-by-construction and can even yield code that outperforms
hand-crafted code. The extent to which these two potential advantages
materialize depends on the smartness of CA-compilers and the existence of
proofs of their correctness.
Every transition in a CA is labeled by a "data constraint" that specifies an
atomic data-flow between coordinated processes as a first-order formula. At
run-time, compiler-generated code must handle data constraints as efficiently
as possible. In this paper, we present, and prove the correctness of two
optimization techniques for CA-compilers related to handling of data
constraints: a reduction to eliminate redundant variables and a translation
from (declarative) data constraints to (imperative) data commands expressed in
a small sequential language. Through experiments, we show that these
optimization techniques can have a positive impact on performance of generated
executable code
A Procedure for Splitting Processes and its Application to Coordination
We present a procedure for splitting processes in a process algebra with
multi-actions (a subset of the specification language mCRL2). This splitting
procedure cuts a process into two processes along a set of actions A: roughly,
one of these processes contains no actions from A, while the other process
contains only actions from A. We state and prove a theorem asserting that the
parallel composition of these two processes equals the original process under
appropriate synchronization.
We apply our splitting procedure to the process algebraic semantics of the
coordination language Reo: using this procedure and its related theorem, we
formally establish the soundness of splitting Reo connectors along the
boundaries of their (a)synchronous regions in implementations of Reo. Such
splitting can significantly improve the performance of connectors.Comment: In Proceedings FOCLASA 2012, arXiv:1208.432
Relating BIP and Reo
Coordination languages simplify design and development of concurrent systems.
Particularly, exogenous coordination languages, like BIP and Reo, enable system
designers to express the interactions among components in a system explicitly.
In this paper we establish a formal relation between BI(P) (i.e., BIP without
the priority layer) and Reo, by defining transformations between their semantic
models. We show that these transformations preserve all properties expressible
in a common semantics. This formal relation comprises the basis for a solid
comparison and consolidation of the fundamental coordination concepts behind
these two languages. Moreover, this basis offers translations that enable users
of either language to benefit from the toolchains of the other.Comment: In Proceedings ICE 2015, arXiv:1508.0459
Connectors meet Choreographies
We present Cho-Reo-graphies (CR), a new language model that unites two
powerful programming paradigms for concurrent software based on communicating
processes: Choreographic Programming and Exogenous Coordination. In CR,
programmers specify the desired communications among processes using a
choreography, and define how communications should be concretely animated by
connectors given as constraint automata (e.g., synchronous barriers and
asynchronous multi-casts). CR is the first choreography calculus where
different communication semantics (determined by connectors) can be freely
mixed; since connectors are user-defined, CR also supports many communication
semantics that were previously unavailable for choreographies. We develop a
static analysis that guarantees that a choreography in CR and its user-defined
connectors are compatible, define a compiler from choreographies to a process
calculus based on connectors, and prove that compatibility guarantees
deadlock-freedom of the compiled process implementations
Geophysical investigation of landslides : a review
International audienceIn the last two decades, shallow geophysics has considerably evolved with the emergence of 2D spatial imaging, then 3D spatial imaging and now 4D time and space imaging. These techniques allow the study of the spatial and temporal variations of geological structures. This paper aims at presenting a current state-of-the-art on the application of surface geophysical methods to landslide characterization and focuses on recent papers (after 1990) published in peer-reviewed International Journals. Until recently, geophysical techniques have been relatively little used for the reconnaissance of landslides for at least two main reasons. The first one is that geophysical methods provide images in terms of physical parameters which are not directly linked to the geological and mechanical properties required by geologists and engineers. The second reason shown through this study probably comes from a tendency among a part of the geophysicists to overestimate the quality and reliability of the results. This paper gave the opportunity to review recent applications of the main geophysical techniques to landslide characterisation, showing both their interest and their limits. We also emphasized the geophysical image characteristics (resolution, penetration depth) which have to be provided for assessing their reliability, as well as the absolute requirements to combine geophysical methods and to calibrate them with existing geological and geotechnical data. We hope that this paper will contribute to fill the gaps between communities and to strength of using appropriate geophysical methods for landslide investigation
Formalizing Propagation of Priorities in Reo, Using Eight Colors
Reo is a language for programming of coordination protocols among concurrent processes. Central to Reo are connectors: programmable synchronization/communication mediums used by processes to exchange data. Every connector runs at a clock; at every tick, it enacts an enabled synchronization/communication among processes. Connectors may prioritize certain synchronizations/communications over others. “Passive” connectors use their priorities only at clock ticks, to decide which enabled synchronization/communication to enact. “Active” connectors, in contrast, use their priorities also between clock ticks, to influence which synchronizations/communications become enabled; they are said to “propagate their priorities”. This paper addresses the problem of formalizing propagation of priorities in Reo. Specifically, this paper presents a new instantiation of the connector coloring framework, using eight colors. The resulting formalization of propagation of priorities is evaluated by proving several desirable behavioral equalities.</p
A 2D numerical study of the effect of particle shape and orientation on resistivity in shallow formations
International audienceSurficial heterogeneous soils such as till, alluvial fans or slope deposits are difficult to characterize by geotechnical tests due to the presence of decimeter to meter sized pebbles or rocks. The effective resistivity of such two-component medium composed of a percentage of resistive particles embedded in a conductive matrix is given by the Bussian's equation. The application of this equation allows the concentration of resistive particles to be determined if the resistivity values of each component and of the mixture, as well as the cementation exponent m, are known. However, previous theoretical and experimental studies have shown that the effective resistivity is affected by the shape of the particles. The objective of this study is to numerically determine the 2D effects of particle shape and orientation on the resistivity. Two configurations have been considered in the Finite Element modeling: laboratory like measurements and field layout. For circular particles, the numerical results fit the Bussian's equation with an exponent m of 2. Aligned elongated particles induce an anisotropy which can raise or diminish the exponent m, depending on the particle orientation and on the tortuosity of the current paths. Field experiment simulations showed that m varies 2 between 2.5 and 3.1 for an aspect ratio of 5 and that anisotropy resulting from the particle shape has little effect (m close to 2) when this ratio is lower than 2.5. This increase of m with the aspect ratio is in agreement with the theoretical model of Mendelson and Cohen and is consistent with the results of experimental studies. For laboratory measurement simulations, m values vary between 1.3 and 4 for a particle aspect ratio of 5, whatever the resistivity contrast between the particles and the matrix. The difference of results between the two configurations is explained by the paradox of anisotropy
Are Cities of Northern Europe at Risk ?
A benchmark study on seimic risk has been realised on Liege, Belgium, at the request of the Regional Authority. Its main interest is that it deals with the seismic risk of a city in a low seismicity region. The work involves a hazard study based on the recently defined map of seismicity of Belgium, the definition of the individual vulnerability of buildings, the combination of hazard and vulnerability to define risk and static evaluations of connecting details in non engineered structures.
For the evaluation of vulnerability, a simplified screening method has been defined. The main conclusion is that in regions where the Peak Ground Acceleration is higher than 0,1g and the building stock does not possess good structural quality, the seismic risk may be considered high.Peer reviewe
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