The KlaperSuite framework for model-driven reliability analysis of component-based systems

Automatic prediction tools play a key role in enabling the application of non-functional requirements analysis, to simplify the selection and the assembly of components for component-based software systems, and in reducing the need for strong mathematical skills for software designers. By exploiting the paradigm of Model-Driven Engineering (MDE), it is possible to automatically transform design models into analytical models, thus enabling formal property verification. MDE is the core paradigm of the KlaperSuite framework presented in this paper, which exploits the KLAPER pivot language to fill the gap between design and analysis of component-based systems for reliability properties. KlaperSuite is a family of tools empowering designers with the ability to capture and analyze quality of service views of their systems, by building a one-click bridge towards a number of established verification instruments. In this article, we concentrate on the reliability-prediction capabilities of KlaperSuite and we evaluate them with respect to several case studies from literature and industry.     

Komponentenorientierte Programmierung im Kleinen

Die objektorientierte Programmierung ist in der Praxis fast schon zum Synonym für Programmierung überhaupt geworden.     

Neuregelungen in Vorarlberg zu Spielräumen

Ein Ma?nahmenpaket, bestehend aus dem Spielraumgesetz, dem Beschluss von entsprechenden F?rderungsrichtlinien sowie Novellierungen des Baugesetzes und der Kinderspielplatzverordnung und einer überarbeitung der Wohnbaufondsrichtlinie, soll dazu beitragen, dass sich das Bundesland Vorarlberg als besonders kinder- und jugendfreundliche Region etabliert. Hiefür gilt es, ?ffentliche und private Spielpl?tze und Freir?ume bedarfsgerecht zu erhalten, zu sanieren, neu zu errichten und untereinander zu vernetzen.     

Modeling the physical processes relevant during hot pressing of wood-based composites. Part II. Rheology

A rheological model to describe the development of the vertical density profile and of internal stresses within wood-furnish mats during hot pressing is presented in this paper. The rheological model is part of a comprehensive three-dimensional simulation model that accounts for those mechanisms most important during the pressing process, including heat and mass transfer inside the mat and adhesive cure. To model the rheological behavior of the mat, the four-element Burgers model commonly used to describe visco-elastic material behavior has been expanded with the addition of a fifth element that represents plastic and micro-fracture related deformation. The coefficients of the non-linear model are highly dependent on the material conditions. Equations of the coefficients as a function of temperature, moisture content and density, as well as a mathematical formulation of the five-element model is presented in this paper. Furthermore, model predictions for both a batch and a continuous press are given. A comparison with experimental results shows that the expanded Burgers model is suitable to predict typical features of the vertical density profile, such as the development of density maxima near the surfaces, shoulders or side maxima as a consequence of intermediate or final densification steps, and differences in the density profile between the mat center and the edges in the horizontal plane. Such agreement provides the basis for a wide range of industrial and research applications.     

Untersuchungen zum Transfer pharmakologisch wirksamer Substanzen aus der Nutztierhaltung in Porree und Weißkohl

Investigation on the transfer of pharmacologically active substances used in animal husbandry into leek and cabbage. The potential of leek and cabbage for uptake of highly prescribed veterinary drugs (antibiotics) was tested in hydroponically grown plants. For this purpose the antibiotics sulfadiazine (SFD), enrofloxacine (ENR), tetracycline (TC), chlortetracycline (CTC) and monensine (MON) were chosen. A further aim was to gain data on the situation of vegetables grown in agricultural practise with regard to antibiotic residues. The evident effects of the antibiotics on plants grown hydroponically (each antibiotic was administered at 5 μmol/l nutrient solution) were greatly different: With regard to leek there were no visible effects (MON, SFD), a weak bleaching of the younger leaf sections (CTC), and strong effects of ENR. The (phytotoxic) effects of antibiotics on cabbage were much more distinct. CTC caused a yellowing of the plant vasculature in cabbage. MON induced lesions on some leaves and finally led to leaf wilting. With administration of ENR a nearly complete bleaching of young leaves was observed. Using LC-MS/MS-methods (low-resolution and high-resolution MS) the administered antibiotics, as well as conversion products and metabolites, were separately identified and quantified in various organs of leek (roots, young and old sections of leaves) and cabbage (roots, stalks, young and old leaves). Depending on the type of antibiotic, vegetable species, and plant organ, the detected concentrations of antibiotic residues comprised several orders of magnitude ranging from μg/kg to mg/kg of fresh weight (fw). The highest concentrations of antibiotics were found in roots of both vegetable species: CTC and TC were detected at approximately 10 mg/kg fw in cabbage roots and at approximately 20 mg/kg fw in leek roots and ENR was determined at approximately 12 mg/kg fw in cabbage roots. Low amounts of ENR were metabolised to ciprofloxacine (CIP). ENR occurred at similar concentrations of approximately 7 mg/kg fw in roots and old leaves of cabbage, indicating a high transport rate of this antibiotic in the cabbage plant. In stalks, young and old leaves of cabbage and in young and old leaf sections of leek all administered antibiotics were detected. Within these antibiotics, ENR and CTC and their conversion products, e. g. demeclocycline (DMC) and TC, occurred at the highest concentrations. SFD and MON were found in considerably lower concentrations (<100 μg/kg fw). The results of our experiments in hydroponic cultures, using defined concentrations of antibiotics in the nutrient solution, evidently demonstrate that cabbage and leek have a very high potential for uptake of a number of veterinary antibiotic drugs, especially for tetracycline and ENR.