Models@ run.time

Runtime adaptation mechanisms that leverage software models extend the applicability of model-driven engineering techniques to the runtime environment. Contemporary mission-critical software systems are often expected to safely adapt to changes in their execution environment. Given the critical roles these systems play, it is often inconvenient to take them offline to adapt their functionality. Consequently, these systems are required, when feasible, to adapt their behavior at runtime with little or no human intervention. A promising approach to managing complexity in runtime environments is to develop adaptation mechanisms that leverage software models, referred to as models@run. time. Work on models@run.time seeks to extend the applicability of models produced in model-driven engineering (MDE) approaches to the runtime environment. Models@run. time is a causally connected self-representation of the associated system that emphasizes the structure, behavior, or goals of the system from a problem space perspective.     

A pseudo-transient heat transfer simulation of a continuous casting process,employing the element-free Galerkin method

The present work has been conducted in order to develop a novel solution for the heat transfer problem during the continuous casting of steel billets and blooms, by using the element-free Galerkin method under a pseudo-transient moving cross-section slice approach. The transport laws, non-linear aspects and boundary conditions of the initial value problem have been specified. A detailed explanation concerning the characteristics inherent to the application of the element-free Galerkin method to this problem has also been provided. The feasibility and suitability of this novel approach has been verified by comparison with the numerical techniques proposed and the results reported by other researchers as well as an analytical solution of a simple 1-D alloy solidification problem. The results have revealed that this technique could be used successfully in the pseudo transient moving cross-section solution of the heat transfer problem involved in the continuous casting of blooms and square billets.     

Identification and Tuning Methods for PI Control Systems Based on Symmetric Send-on-delta Sampling

International Journal of Control, Automation and Systems - Two procedures for the definition of an autotuning algorithm for event-based proportional-integral (PI) control systems are proposed in...     

The uncertainty interaction problem in self-adaptive systems

Software and Systems Modeling - The problem of mitigating uncertainty in self-adaptation has driven much of the research proposed in the area of software engineering for self-adaptive systems in...     

Parallel dynamic programming on clusters of workstations

The standard DP (dynamic programming) algorithms are limited by the substantial computational demands they put on contemporary serial computers. In this work, the theory behind the solution to serial monadic dynamic programming problems highlights the theory and application of parallel dynamic programming on a general-purpose architecture (cluster or network of workstations). A simple and well-known technique, message passing, is considered. Several parallel serial monadic DP algorithms are proposed, based on the parallelization in the state variables and the parallelization in the decision variables. Algorithms with no interpolation are also proposed. It is demonstrated how constraints introduce load unbalance which affect scalability and how this problem is inherent to DP.     

Effect of using bentonite during fermentation on protein stabilisation and sensory properties of white wine

The bentonite use to remove proteins from white wine is a widespread practice that prevents protein haze formation after bottling. However, an excess of bentonite can have negative effects on both the aromatic profile of young white wines and the quality of the foam of sparkling wines. Therefore, the optimisation of bentonite amount to be used and the moment of its application during winemaking to minimise wine quality losses are of great interest for winemakers. This paper analyses how applying an equal bentonite dose at different stages (must clarification; beginning, middle and end of fermentation) on two scales (industrial and pilot) affects the protein content and stability, physical–chemical characteristics, aromatic profile and foam quality of the obtained wines. No important differences in the oenological parameters were observed between industrial and pilot scales, whereas the scale of the experimental treatments affected protein stability, aroma composition and foam quality of the wines.