Discrete-time dynamic modeling for software and services composition as an extension of the Markov chain approach

Discrete Time Markov Chains (DTMCs) and Continuous Time Markov Chains (CTMCs) are often used to model various types of phenomena, such as, for example, the behavior of software products. In that case, Markov chains are widely used to describe possible time-varying behavior of “self-adaptive” software systems, where the transition from one state to another represents alternative choices at the software code level, taken according to a certain probability distribution. From a control-theoretical standpoint, some of these probabilities can be interpreted as control signals and others can just be observed. However, the translation between a DTMC or CTMC model and a corresponding first principle model, that can be used to design a control system is not immediate. This paper investigates a possible solution for translating a CTMC model into a dynamic system, with focus on the control of computing systems components. Notice that DTMC models can be translated as well, providing additional information

Stellar Parameters and Metallicities of Stars Hosting Jovian and Neptunian Mass Planets: A Possible Dependence of Planetary Mass on Metallicity

The metal content of planet hosting stars is an important ingredient which may affect the formation and evolution of planetary systems. Accurate stellar abundances require the determinations of reliable physical parameters, namely the effective temperature, surface gravity, microturbulent velocity, and metallicity. This work presents the homogeneous derivation of such parameters for a large sample of stars hosting planets (N=117), as well as a control sample of disk stars not known to harbor giant, closely orbiting planets (N=145). Stellar parameters and iron abundances are derived from an automated analysis technique developed for this work. As previously found in the literature, the results in this study indicate that the metallicity distribution of planet hosting stars is more metal-rich by ~0.15 dex when compared to the control sample stars. A segregation of the sample according to planet mass indicates that the metallicity distribution of stars hosting only Neptunian-mass planets (with no Jovian-mass planets) tends to be more metal-poor in comparison with that obtained for stars hosting a closely orbiting Jovian planet. The significance of this difference in metallicity arises from a homogeneous analysis of samples of FGK dwarfs which do not include the cooler and more problematic M dwarfs. This result would indicate that there is a possible link between planet mass and metallicity such that metallicity plays a role in setting the mass of the most massive planet. Further confirmation, however, must await larger samples.Comment: 41 pages, 10 figures, 6 tables, accepted for publication in Ap

Using Graph Transformation Systems to Specify and Verify Data Abstractions

This paper proposes an approach for the specification of the behavior of software components that implement data abstractions. By generalizing the approach of behavior models using graph transformation, we provide a concise specification for data abstractions that describes the relationship between the internal state, represented in a canonical form, and the observers of the component. Graph transformation also supports the generation of behavior models that are amenable to verification. To this end, we provide a translation approach into an LTL model on which we can express useful properties that can be model-checked with a SAT solver

A Metric Encoding for Bounded Model Checking (extended version)

In Bounded Model Checking both the system model and the checked property are translated into a Boolean formula to be analyzed by a SAT-solver. We introduce a new encoding technique which is particularly optimized for managing quantitative future and past metric temporal operators, typically found in properties of hard real time systems. The encoding is simple and intuitive in principle, but it is made more complex by the presence, typical of the Bounded Model Checking technique, of backward and forward loops used to represent an ultimately periodic infinite domain by a finite structure. We report and comment on the new encoding technique and on an extensive set of experiments carried out to assess its feasibility and effectiveness

Is erythropoietin a worthy candidate for traumatic brain injury or are we heading the wrong way?

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability in the modern society. Although primary prevention is the only strategy that can counteract the primary brain damage, numerous preclinical studies have been accumulated in order to find therapeutic strategies against the secondary damage. In this scenario erythropoietin (EPO) has been shown to be a promising candidate as neuroprotective agent. A recent clinical trial, however, has shown that EPO has not an overall effect on outcomes following TBI thus renewing old concerns. However, the results of a prespecified sensitivity analysis indicate that the effect of EPO on mortality remains still unclear. In the light of these observations, further investigations are needed to resolve doubts on EPO effectiveness in order to provide a more solid base for tailoring conclusive clinical trials

Self-efficacy configurations and wellbeing in the academic context: A person-centred approach

The aim of the present study was to identify self-efficacy configurations in different domains (i.e., emotional, social, and self-regulated learning) in a sample of university students using a person-centred approach. Results from a two-cohort sample (N = 1650) assessed at the beginning of their first year supported a 4-cluster solution: 1) Highly Self-Efficacious students, with high levels of self-efficacy in all domains; 2) Low Self-Efficacious students, with low levels of self-efficacy in all domains; 3) Learning and Socially Self-Efficacious students, with a medium-high level of self-regulated learning, medium level of social, and medium-low level of emotional self-efficacies; and 4) Emotionally Self-Efficacious students, with a medium-high level of emotional, medium-low level of social, and low level of self-regulated learning self-efficacies. The association of these configurations with wellbeing indicators, concurrently and one year later, provides support for the validity of the cluster solution. Specifically, by adopting the informative hypothesis testing approach, results showed that the first and second groups have the best and the worst wellbeing levels, respectively. Furthermore, whereas the other two groups did not differ with respect to depression, Learning and Socially Self-Efficacious students have higher life satisfaction than the last group. These results were confirmed both concurrently and over time

MORPH: A Reference Architecture for Configuration and Behaviour Self-Adaptation

An architectural approach to self-adaptive systems involves runtime change of system configuration (i.e., the system's components, their bindings and operational parameters) and behaviour update (i.e., component orchestration). Thus, dynamic reconfiguration and discrete event control theory are at the heart of architectural adaptation. Although controlling configuration and behaviour at runtime has been discussed and applied to architectural adaptation, architectures for self-adaptive systems often compound these two aspects reducing the potential for adaptability. In this paper we propose a reference architecture that allows for coordinated yet transparent and independent adaptation of system configuration and behaviour

L’influence de la variable niveau socioculturel dans les formes d’adresse

En el presente artículo se muestran los resultados obtenidos en un estudio sobre la incidencia de la variable nivel sociocultural en la elección de las formas de tratamiento tú y usted en el español peninsular actual. Para llevarlo a cabo, en primer lugar se han estudiado las principales características de esta compleja variable sociolingüística y, a continuación, se ha realizado una encuesta a una muestra de un total de 190 estudiantes con edades comprendidas entre los 18 y los 25 años residentes en la ciudad de Salamanca. Para ello, se ha creado una encuesta ad hoc que contiene distintas situaciones comunicativas en las que se combinan variables sociales y contextuales, de acuerdo con la bibliografía especializada. Los resultados se han procesado estadísticamente y permiten observar el importante papel que desempeña en la elección pronominal el nivel sociocultural del interlocutor y también –aunque en menor medida– el del propio hablante.This article shows the results obtained in a study about the incidence of the social class variables when choosing between the address forms tú and usted in current peninsular Spanish. In order to carry this study out, the main characteristics of this variable have been primarily studied, and secondly, a survey was given to a sample of 190 students with ages between 18 and 25 years old who reside in the city of Salamanca (Spain). To do that, an ad hoc survey has been created, containing different communicative situations that combine social and contextual variables, according to the specialized bibliography. The results have been statistically processed and allow us to observe the important role that social class variables of the interlocutor, but also –to a lesser extent– of the speaker, take when choosing one of the pronouns.Cet article présente les résultats obtenus au cours d’une étude sur l’incidence de la variable du niveau socioculturel dans l’élection des formes d’adresse tú et usted en espagnol péninsulaire actuel. Pour réaliser l’étude, nous avons présenté les caractéristiques principales de cette complexe variable sociolinguistique et, ensuite, nous avons effectué une enquête sur un total de 190 étudiants d’entre 18 et 25 ans qui résident à Salamanque (Espagne). Pour ce faire, nous avons créé une enquête ad hoc qui contient différentes situations communicatives dans lesquelles sont combinées variables sociales et contextuelles, conformément à la bibliographie spécialisée. Les résultats ont été traités statistiquement et permettent d’observer l’importance du rôle du niveau socioculturel de l’interlocuteur et du locuteur –à une moindre échelle– dans l’élection pronominale

Syntax-driven program verification of matching logic properties

We describe a novel approach to program verification and its application to verification of C programs, where properties are expressed in matching logic. The general approach is syntax-directed: semantic rules, expressed according to Knuths attribute grammars, specify how verification conditions can be computed. Evaluation is performed by interplaying attribute computation and propagation through the syntax tree with invocation of a solver of logic formulae. The benefit of a general syntax-driven approach is that it provides a reusable reference scheme for implementing verifiers for different languages. We show that the instantiation of a general approach to a specific language does not penalize the efficiency of the resulting verifier. This is done by comparing our C verifier for matching logic with an existing tool for the same programming language and logic. A further key advantage of the syntax-directed approach is that it can be the starting point for an incremental verifier -- which is our long-term research target