Formalizing Cyber--Physical System Model Transformation via Abstract Interpretation

Model transformation tools assist system designers by reducing the labor--intensive task of creating and updating models of various aspects of systems, ensuring that modeling assumptions remain consistent across every model of a system, and identifying constraints on system design imposed by these modeling assumptions. We have proposed a model transformation approach based on abstract interpretation, a static program analysis technique. Abstract interpretation allows us to define transformations that are provably correct and specific. This work develops the foundations of this approach to model transformation. We define model transformation in terms of abstract interpretation and prove the soundness of our approach. Furthermore, we develop formalisms useful for encoding model properties. This work provides a methodology for relating models of different aspects of a system and for applying modeling techniques from one system domain, such as smart power grids, to other domains, such as water distribution networks.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures; to appear in HASE 2019 proceeding

Energy - and Heat-aware HPC Benchmarks

International audienceTo evaluate data centers is tough. Several metrics are available to provide insight into their behaviour, but usually they are tested using simple benchmarks like LINPACK for HPC oriented data centers. A good choice of benchmarks is necessary to evaluate all the impact of applications on those data centers. One point that is often overlooked is their energy- and thermal-quality. To evaluate these qualities, adequate benchmarks are required from several points of view: from the nodes to the whole building. Classical benchmarks selection mainly focuses on time and raw performance. This article aims at shifting the focus towards an energy- and power-point of view. To this end, we select benchmarks able to evaluate data centers not only from this performance perspective, but also from the energy and thermal standpoint. We also provide insight into several classical benchmarks and method to select an adequate and small number of benchmarks in order to provide a sensible and minimum set of energy- and thermal-aware benchmarks for HPC systems

Modeling Data Center Building Blocks for Energy-efficiency and Thermal Simulations

International audienceIn this paper we present a concept and specification of Data Center Efficiency Building Blocks (DEBBs), which represent hardware components of a data center complemented by descriptions of their energy efficiency. Proposed building blocks contain hardware and thermodynamic models that can be applied to simulate a data center and to evaluate its energy efficiency. DEBBs are available in an open repository being built by the CoolEmAll project. In the paper we illustrate the concept by an example of DEBB defined for the RECS multi-server system including models of its power usage and thermodynamic properties. We also show how these models are affected by specific architecture of modeled hardware and differences between various classes of applications. Proposed models are verified by a comparison to measurements on a real infrastructure. Finally, we demonstrate how DEBBs are used in data center simulations

Iron Domes: Desecuritization in the 2014 Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and the Battle for Identities

This thesis investigates the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; specifically, the empirical study centers on the 2014 military conflict. The objective of the study was to determine the optimal courses of action actors could take in their desecuritization efforts, within the Jewish Israeli context. This was achieved through the investigation of the intersubjective mechanisms that the Israeli government relied upon during this time, as well as the various strategies used by human rights organizations, Knesset members and other actors in their work to counter the securitization process. Theoretically, this work aims to bridge the gap between existing securitization literature, and critical theory, and further expand on existing literature. This thesis argues that desecuritizing agents should incorporate socio-cultural motifs in their arguments in front of Jewish Israeli audiences, as well as pivot towards international audiences to succeed in desecuritization

Examining the Usefulness of Amerinet\u27s Valusource 3.0 Software

The main focus of this research is to provide AmeriNet, Inc., a group purchasing organization of medical and healthcare supplies, with a statistical and realistic perspective regarding user training requirements and effectiveness of their latest software release, ValuSource 3.0. This electronic catalog was developed for AmeriNet members to provide contract pricing information. The software release took over a year to design and implemented most of the functionality required/requested by AmeriNet shareholders and members. The purpose of the software is to give members access to up-to-date contract information such as pricing, contract terms, commitment levels, etc. ValuSource 3.0 is capable of providing the user with a large volume of information in many different formats, including the capability to export data to other software packages. Because of its functionality, however, the software could be perceived as somewhat confusing to use or not exactly user-friendly. Based on this assumption, the main purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of ValuSource 3.0 to the average computer user. It is felt that users experiencing difficulty with the software would probably fail to utilize it to its fullest or not at aJl. The software was intended to replace current paper and microfiche catalog information. If users are unable to effectively utilize the electronic version, then they would not have access to vital contract and pricing data for purchasing needs. If members fail to purchase effectively from AmeriNet contracted vendors, then the business itself could fail. It is vitally important that members access and utilize AmeriNet contracts effectively. There were 38 respondents, or about 35% of the initial sample that returned the ValuSource 3.0 Survey. The survey was mailed out to healthcare personnel from AmeriNet facilities currently utilizing the software. After studying the mean responses of these users, it became statistically clear that the majority of AmeriNet members are capable of utilizing the software with ease. Additional training availability could be provided to those members having difficulty, but the need is not clearly visible

Comparison of embedded and added motor imagery training in patients after stroke: Results of a randomised controlled pilot trial

Copyright @ 2012 Schuster et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.Background: Motor imagery (MI) when combined with physiotherapy can offer functional benefits after stroke. Two MI integration strategies exist: added and embedded MI. Both approaches were compared when learning a complex motor task (MT): ‘Going down, laying on the floor, and getting up again’. Methods: Outpatients after first stroke participated in a single-blinded, randomised controlled trial with MI embedded into physiotherapy (EG1), MI added to physiotherapy (EG2), and a control group (CG). All groups participated in six physiotherapy sessions. Primary study outcome was time (sec) to perform the motor task at pre and post-intervention. Secondary outcomes: level of help needed, stages of MT-completion, independence, balance, fear of falling (FOF), MI ability. Data were collected four times: twice during one week baseline phase (BL, T0), following the two week intervention (T1), after a two week follow-up (FU). Analysis of variance was performed. Results: Thirty nine outpatients were included (12 females, age: 63.4 ± 10 years; time since stroke: 3.5 ± 2 years; 29 with an ischemic event). All were able to complete the motor task using the standardised 7-step procedure and reduced FOF at T0, T1, and FU. Times to perform the MT at baseline were 44.2 ± 22s, 64.6 ± 50s, and 118.3 ± 93s for EG1 (N = 13), EG2 (N = 12), and CG (N = 14). All groups showed significant improvement in time to complete the MT (p < 0.001) and degree of help needed to perform the task: minimal assistance to supervision (CG) and independent performance (EG1+2). No between group differences were found. Only EG1 demonstrated changes in MI ability over time with the visual indicator increasing from T0 to T1 and decreasing from T1 to FU. The kinaesthetic indicator increased from T1 to FU. Patients indicated to value the MI training and continued using MI for other difficult-to-perform tasks. Conclusions: Embedded or added MI training combined with physiotherapy seem to be feasible and benefi-cial to learn the MT with emphasis on getting up independently. Based on their baseline level CG had the highest potential to improve outcomes. A patient study with 35 patients per group could give a conclusive answer of a superior MI integration strategy.The research project was partially funded by the Gottfried und Julia Bangerter-Rhyner Foundation

Understanding hardware and software metrics with respect to power consumption

Analyzing and understanding energy consumption of applications is an important task which allows researchers to develop novel strategies for optimizing and conserving energy. A typical methodology is to reduce the complexity of real systems and applications by developing a simplified performance model from observed behavior. In the literature, many of these models are known; however, inherent to any simplification is that some measured data cannot be explained well. While analyzing a models accuracy, it is highly important to identify the properties of such prediction errors. Such knowledge can then be used to improve the model or to optimize the benchmarks used for training the model parameters. For such a benchmark suite, it is important that the benchmarks cover all the aspects of system behavior to avoid overfitting of the model for certain scenarios. It is not trivial to identify the overlap between the benchmarks and answer the question if a benchmark causes different hardware behavior. Inspection of all the available hardware and software counters by humans is a tedious task given the large amount of real-time data they produce. In this paper, we utilize statistical techniques to foster understand and investigate hardware counters as potential indicators of energy behavior. We capture hardware and software counters including power with a fixed frequency and analyze the resulting timelines of these measurements. The concepts introduced can be applied to any set of measurements in order to compare them to another set of measurements. We demonstrate how these techniques can aid identifying interesting behavior and significantly reducing the number of features that must be inspected. Next, we propose counters that can potentially be used for building linear models for predicting with a relative accuracy of 3%. Finally, we validate the completeness of a benchmark suite, from the point of view of using the available architectural components, for generating accurate models

"And BAM. You Have a Connection”: Blind/Partially Blind Students and the Belonging in Academia Model

Belonging has significant impacts on success in postsecondary. Blind people are underrepresented in postsecondary and lack equitable opportunities to develop a sense of belonging. To build a better understanding of this underrepresented experience, this study shares narratives of 28 Blind students from across Turtle Island (and what is colonially called Canada) using Teng et al.’s (2020) Belonging in Academia Model (BAM) as a conceptual framework. Thematically analyzed findings suggest that blind students’ perspectives offer nuance to the BAM’s conceptualization of how belonging develops. For blind students, external factors such as class size are especially important in determining affiliation with an institution. Blind students elucidated the importance of familiarity with different ways of being in the world, including blindness. Third, acceptance involved having their blind embraced in postsecondary contexts. Forth, interdependence was key to building trusting connections for blind students. Fifth, blind participants discussed equity at length related to access, the added work of trying to obtain access, and the emotional work involved. This study helps fill a gap regarding the experiences of these traditionally underrepresented postsecondary students in Canada. The BAM may raise the consciousness of stakeholders in considering the unique factors impacting belonging for blind people. By attending to these perspectives, stakeholders can become more responsive to the experiences of people from equity-deserving groups. Understanding facilitators and barriers to belonging could result in culturally safer practices and inclusive pedagogical practices and system policies.&nbsp;Only when we create a space where everyone can belong will&nbsp;higher education be truly inclusive

Reflection on Professionalism: Retrospective Review of Health Professional Student Reflections

Professionalism is one of the core competencies for occupational and physical therapists. However, difficulty in providing clear definitions of core professional values and behaviours makes professionalism a complex concept to teach. Most proposed frameworks for defining the concept are theoretical or have focused on the academics’ and clinicians’ perspectives; evidence from students’ experiences is lacking. The purpose of this study was to develop a framework to define the concept of professionalism from occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) students’ perspectives through analysis of their reflections. The study was a retrospective content analysis of OT and PT students’ reflections completed during clinical placements from 2014-2015 academic years. Sixty students (30 PT and 30 OT) were randomly sampled and one anonymized reflection of each of these students was selected. The qualitative content analysis was initiated by applying a deductive approach using previously presented frameworks to define professionalism. Four themes emerged which resulted in a new framework to define professionalism from students’ perspectives. The emergent themes included the effect of context, the relational dimension, personal dimension, and societal dimension. Students considered context an overarching factor influencing all dimensions of professionalism. Although their perceptions of professionalism were comparable to other presented frameworks, they primarily focused on the relational and personal dimensions of professionalism. The results of this study indicate that OT and PT students consider professionalism as a multi-dimensional and context-specific concept. Despite understanding contextual barriers, at this stage of their professional identity development, students tried to adhere to ethics, and professional values and responsibilities.&nbsp