A Decidability Result for the Model Checking of Infinite-State Systems

We present a decidability result for the model checking of a certain class of properties that can be conveniently expressed as ground formulae of a first-order temporal fragment. The decidability result is obtained by importing into the context of model-checking problems some techniques developed for the combination of decision procedures for the satisfiability of constraints. The general decidability result is then specialized for checking properties of particular interest, such as liveness and safety, and, for the latter case, a more optimized algorithm has been proposed.     

Fitting genetic algorithms to distributed on-line evolution of network protocols

In this work, we introduce a framework for enabling the on-line evolution of network protocols. The proposed approach is based on the use of techniques and tools drawn from evolutionary computing research, and it enables embedding evolutionary features in the operation of network protocols. In this way, it becomes possible to build a system in which the operation of the network changes at run-time to adapt to the current conditions. As a case study, we apply the proposed framework to the evolution of forwarding schemes in intermittently connected wireless networks. Simulation results are reported to validate the ability of the proposed scheme to converge to the optimal operating point and to explore the various trade-offs deriving from its design and implementation.     

A framework for the automatic synthesis of hybrid fuzzy/numerical controllers

In this paper, a framework for the automatic synthesis of hybrid fuzzy/numerical controllers is proposed. The methodology is based on model checking and on a very precise analysis of a system. This allows one to synthesize optimal numerical controllers and then use them to consistently improve fuzzy controllers. Moreover, we present a new approach that integrates the numerical and the fuzzy components and automatically outputs a hybrid controller. Such a hybrid controller exploits the optimality of numerical controllers and the robustness of fuzzy ones, and it is very compact and fast to read thanks to the use of OBDDs. We apply our methodology to two benchmark problems, the dc motor and the inverted pendulum. The results show that the hybrid controller can handle linear as well as nonlinear systems outperforming both the numerical and the fuzzy controllers.     

EGGS: Sparsity-Specific Code Generation

Sparse matrix computations are among the most important computational patterns, commonly used in geometry processing, physical simulation, graph algorithms, and other situations where sparse data arises. In many cases, the structure of a sparse matrix is known a priori, but the values may change or depend on inputs to the algorithm. We propose a new methodology for compile-time specialization of algorithms relying on mixing sparse and dense linear algebra operations, using an extension to the widely-used open source Eigen package. In contrast to library approaches optimizing individual building blocks of a computation (such as sparse matrix product), we generate reusable sparsity-specific implementations for a given algorithm, utilizing vector intrinsics and reducing unnecessary scanning through matrix structures. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our technique on a benchmark of artificial expressions to quantitatively evaluate the benefit of our approach over the state-of-the-art library Intel MKL. To further demonstrate the practical applicability of our technique we show that our technique can improve performance, with minimal code changes, for mesh smoothing, mesh parametrization, volumetric deformation, optical flow, and computation of the Laplace operator.     

Optimization by record dynamics

Large dynamical changes in thermalizing glassy systems are triggered by trajectories crossing record sized barriers, a behavior revealing the presence of a hierarchical structure in configuration space. The observation is here turned into a novel local search optimization algorithm dubbed record dynamics optimization, or RDO. RDO uses the Metropolis rule to accept or reject candidate solutions depending on the value of a parameter akin to the temperature and minimizes the cost function of the problem at hand through cycles where its ‘temperature’ is raised and subsequently decreased in order to expediently generate record high (and low) values of the cost function. Below, RDO is introduced and then tested by searching for the ground state of the Edwards–Anderson spin-glass model, in two and three spatial dimensions. A popular and highly efficient optimization algorithm, parallel tempering (PT), is applied to the same problem as a benchmark. RDO and PT turn out to produce solutions of similar quality for similar numerical effort, but RDO is simpler to program and additionally yields geometrical information on the system’s configuration space which is of interest in many applications. In particular, the effectiveness of RDO strongly indicates the presence of the above mentioned hierarchically organized configuration space, with metastable regions indexed by the cost (or energy) of the transition states connecting them.     

Hydroelastic optimization of a keel fin of a sailing boat: a multidisciplinary robust formulation for ship design

The paper presents a formulation for multidisciplinary design optimization of vessels, subject to uncertain operating conditions. The formulation couples the multidisciplinary design analysis with the Bayesian approach to decision problems affected by uncertainty. In the present context, the design specifications are no longer given in terms of a single operating design point, but in terms of probability density function of the operating scenario. The optimal configuration is that which maximizes the performance expectation over the uncertain parameters variation. In this sense, the optimal solution is “robust” within the stochastic scenario assumed. Theoretical and numerical issues are addressed and numerical results in the hydroelastic optimization of a keel fin of a sailing yacht are presented.     

Self-Organising Maps: A new way to screen the level of satisfaction of dialysis patients

Evaluation of patient satisfaction has become an important indicator for assessing health care quality. Fresenius Medical Care (FME) as a global provider of dialysis services through its NephroCare network has a strong interest in monitoring patient satisfaction.The aim of the paper is to test and validate a methodology for detecting a residual area of low satisfaction in dialysis patients.The FME Patient Satisfaction Programme questionnaire was distributed to haemodialysis (HD) patients treated in 335 centers of its network. It contained 79 questions covering various satisfaction aspects regarding Dialysis Unit, Dialysis Arrangement, Nurses, Doctors, etc.To analyse the data provided by the questionnaire, the Self-Organising Map (SOM) method was used. SOM is a neural network model for clustering and projecting high-dimensional data into a low-dimensional space, preserving topological relationships of original high-dimensional data spaces.10,632 HD patients completed the questionnaire. Mean age was 63.05 ± 14.93 years with 56.69% males. Response rate was 66%. Overall level of satisfaction was 1.99 (range from ?3 to +3). On average patients were very satisfied with all issues. Nevertheless, a group of patients, around 60 years old, balanced gender ratio, whose level of satisfaction was lower than 1, were highlighted.In the NephroCare clinics patient satisfaction with service is rather high. While traditional analysis usually stops here, the SOM method allows identification of areas of potential improvement for specific patient groups.     

Distributed Coordination and Workflow on the World Wide Web

This paper describes WebFlow, an environment thatsupports distributed coordination services on theWorld Wide Web. WebFlow leverages the HTTP Webtransport protocol and consists of a number of toolsfor the development of applications that require thecoordination of multiple, distributed servers.Typical applications of WebFlow include distributeddocument workspaces, inter/intra-enterprise workflow,and electronic commerce. In this paper we describe thegeneral WebFlow architecture for distributedcoordination, and then focus on the environment fordistributed workflow.     

A Constraint-based Approach for Annotating Music Scores with Gestural Information

The physical gestures that operate music instruments are responsible for the qualities of the sound being produced in a performance. Gestural information is thereby crucial for a model of music performance, paired with a model of sound synthesis where this information is applied. The highly constrained nature of performers gestures makes this task suitable to be modeled via a constraint-based approach, coupled with a strategy aimed at maximizing the gestural comfort of performers. We illustrate the problem representation, the search strategy and a validation of the model against human performance.