RELEASE: A High-level Paradigm for Reliable Large-scale Server Software

Erlang is a functional language with a much-emulated model for building reliable distributed systems. This paper outlines the RELEASE project, and describes the progress in the first six months. The project aim is to scale the Erlang’s radical concurrency-oriented programming paradigm to build reliable general-purpose software, such as server-based systems, on massively parallel machines. Currently Erlang has inherently scalable computation and reliability models, but in practice scalability is constrained by aspects of the language and virtual machine. We are working at three levels to address these challenges: evolving the Erlang virtual machine so that it can work effectively on large scale multicore systems; evolving the language to Scalable Distributed (SD) Erlang; developing a scalable Erlang infrastructure to integrate multiple, heterogeneous clusters. We are also developing state of the art tools that allow programmers to understand the behaviour of massively parallel SD Erlang programs. We will demonstrate the effectiveness of the RELEASE approach using demonstrators and two large case studies on a Blue Gene

Alkali release from aggregates in long-service concrete structures. Laboratory test evaluation and ASR prediction

Il lavoro propone un semplice modello per la previsione dello sviluppo di espansione deleteria da reazione alcali-silice (ASR) in strutture di calcestruzzo progettate per lunga vita di servizio. Il modello è basato su parametri di composizione e di reattività legati alla ASR, compreso il contributo in alcali a lungo termine da parte degli aggregati. Questo contributo è stato stimato attraverso una prova di estrazione di laboratorio, appositamente sviluppata con lo scopo di massimizzare il rilascio in tempi di prova relativamente brevi e con basso rapporto soluzione lisciviante/aggregato. Il metodo di prova proposto è basato sullo standard italiano riportato nella norma UNI 11417-2 e consiste nel sottoporre l'aggregato a lisciviazione con una soluzione satura di idrossido di calcio a 105°C, in autoclave. Sono stati sottoposti a prova nove aggregati (sette sabbie e due aggregati grossi), il rapporto in peso lisciviante/aggregato era pari a 0,6, il rapporto Ca(OH)2 solida/aggregato era pari a 0,05 ed il tempo di prova 120 ore. I risultati delle prove sono stati utilizzati nel modello di previsione dell'espansione deleteria a lungo termine, ottenendo delle previsioni del tutto congruenti con le informazioni sul comportamento reale dei materiali, nonché con le raccomandazioni riportate nel CEN/TR 16349:2012.This paper proposes a simple model for predicting the development of deleterious expansion from alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in long-service concrete structures. This model is based on some composition and reactivity parameters related to ASR, including the long-term alkali contribution by aggregates to concrete structures. This alkali contribution was estimated by means of a laboratory extraction test, appositely developed in this study in order to maximize the alkali extraction within relatively short testing times and with low leaching solution/aggregate ratios. The proposed test is a modification of the Italian Standard test method UNI 11417-2 (Ente Nazionale Italiano di Normazione) and it consists of subjecting an aggregate sample to leaching with saturated calcium hydroxide solution in a laboratory autoclave at 105 degrees C. Nine natural ASR-susceptible aggregates (seven sands and two coarse aggregates) were tested and the following optimized test conditions were found: leaching solution/aggregate weight ratio = 0.6; solid calcium hydroxide/aggregate weight ratio = 0.05; test duration = 120 h. The results of the optimized alkali extraction tests were used in the proposed model for predicting the potential development of long-term ASR expansion in concrete dams. ASR predictions congruent with both the field experience and the ASR prevention criteria recommended by European Committee for Standardization Technical Report CEN/TR 16349: 2012 were found, thus indicating the suitability of the proposed model

Considering and interpreting leisure: pastimes, entertainments, hobbies and addictions in the Barcelona of 1900

In the throes of modernization, the Barcelona of 1900 was buzzing with energy and an unprecedented culture of leisure emerged. The city’s residents made full use of their free time, forging relationships with one another through a highly varied range of initiatives and activities, taking advantage of existing opportunities and creating new ones. In addition to the traditional celebration of civic festivals, popular meals and various types of processions, innovative new forms of cultural consumption sprang up to satisfy all tastes and budgets. Numerous cinemas opened, the first amusement parks threw open their gates and new theatres raised their curtains. Thanks to these developments, the vicinity around the avenue Paral·lel became the epicentre of Barcelona nightlife. This book offers a panoply of images of the diversions, entertainments and hobbies of that fascinating era of contrasts, the turn-of-the-century Barcelona of Modernisme

Back to the Future. The Future in the Past. Conference Proceedings Book

ICDHS is the acronym of the International Committee of De­sign History and Design Studies, an organisation that brings together scholars from Spain, Cuba, Turkey, Mexico, Finland, Japan, Belgium, the Netherlands, Brazil, Portugal, the US, Tai­wan, Canada and the UK. Since 1999, when the Design and Art History departments of the University of Barcelona organised the first edition of the ICDHS, a conference has been held every two years at a different venue around the world. These conferences have had two dis­tinct aims: first, to present original research in the fields of Design History and Design Studies and, second, to include contributions in these fields from non-hegemonic countries, offering a speaking platform to many scientific communities that are already active or are forming and developing. For that reason, the structure of the conferences combines many paral­lel strands, including poster presentations and keynote speak­ers who lecture on the conferences’ main themes. The 2018 event is rather special. The Taipei 2016 conference was the 10th edition and a commemoration of the ten celebrations to date. Returning to Barcelona in 2018 marks the end of one stage and the beginning of a new one for the Committee. The numbering chosen—“10+1”—also means that Barcelona 2018 is both an end and a beginning in the ICDHS’s own history. The book brings together 137 papers delivered at the ICDHS 10th+1 Conference held in Barcelona on 29–31 October 2018. The papers are preceded by texts of the four keynote lectures and a written tribute from the ICDHS Board to its founder and figurehead, Anna Calvera (1954–2018). The Conference, and the book, are dedicated to her memory

Gender and methodology in the ancient Near East: approaches from assyriology and beyond

This collection of 23 essays, presented in three sections, aims to discuss women’s studies as well as methodological and theoretical approaches to gender within the broad framework of ancient Near Eastern studies. The first section, comprising most of the contributions, is devoted to Assyriology and ancient Near Eastern archaeology. The second and third sections are devoted to Egyptology and to ancient Israel and biblical studies respectively, neighbouring fields of research included in the volume to enrich the debate and facilitate academic exchange. Altogether these essays offer a variety of sources and perspectives, from the textual to the archaeological, from bodies and sexuality to onomastics, to name just a few, making this a useful resource for all those interested in the study of women and gender in the past