Towards a context-driven development framework for ambient intelligence

Component-based Development (CBD) is an important emerging topic in Software Engineering, promising long sought after benefits like increased reuse and reduced time-to-market (and hence software production cost). However, there are at present many obstacles to overcome before CBD can succeed. For one thing, CBD success is predicated on a standardised market place for software components, which does not yet exist. In fact currently CBD even lacks a universally accepted terminology. Existing component models adopt different component definitions and composition operators. Therefore much research remains to be done. We believe that the starting point for this endeavour should be a thorough study of current component models, identifying their key characteristics and comparing their strengths and weaknesses. A desirable side-effect would be clarifying and unifying the CBD terminology. In this tutorial, we present a clear and concise exposition of all the current major software component models, including a taxonomy. The purpose is to distill and present knowledge of current software component models, as well as to present an analysis of their properties with respect to commonly accepted criteria for CBD. The taxonomy also provides a starting point for a unified terminology.

Software modules and components have always played a key role in software engineering, primarily as coarse-grained abstractions that embody the principle of information hiding. The fundamental contribution of component-based software engineering lies in making the black-box property a core requirement. In this paper we point out that this important notion tends to be neglected in component model analyses, and define the black-box property in terms of detailed characteristics which help to evaluate component models from this perspective. A survey of typical representatives of industrial and research component models shows that especially the former ones leave much to be desired, and the paper discusses the consequences of the weak aspects of their design.

Component-Based Software Development (CBSD) is an approach that has many benefits, such as improving application developer productivity, reducing costs and complexity by reusing of existing codes. Programming within this approach is like assembly (i.e. composing software out of prefabricated components) rather than development, which reduces skill requirements, and allows expertise focuses on domain problems. The foundation of any CBSD methodology is its underlying component model, which defines what components are, how they can be constructed, and specifies the standards and conventions that are needed to enable composition of independently developed component. The current component models do not support composition in both design and deployment phase. They also focus on the specification and packaging of components but provide almost no support for the easy composition of components. Component in these models uses either direct or indirect message passing as connection schemes, which leads to tightly coupling (i.e. components mix computation with control). It is conclude that this research has proposed an effective way for component composition which provides loosely coupling between composed components. For system maintenance and evolution, this decoupling should make it simpler to manage changes in the components, and also changes in the connector separately. This research has resulted in the proposed of mediator connector which is similar to a communication hub. It initiates method calls and manages the returns, and also provides total loosely coupling between components and also itself. Mediator connector is a framework and can be reused without any modification. The components composition using mediator connector belongs to the deployment phase. Our approach is based on interactions between components as a subset of behavior in a system. In order to minimize coupling between components and mediator connector, we have designed and developed an XML-based language, called Component Interaction Markup Language (CIML), where components as well as their interactions are described in a CIML document which are used by mediator connector. For evaluation of mediator connector in order to measure the loosely coupling it provides, four case studies have been tested. To measure coupling we applied Coupling Between Object (CBO) software metric. The result shows that mediator connector provides totally loosely coupling between software components composing in the deployment phase.

Component bused software engineering (CBSE) represents an exciting and promising paradigm for software development, attracting much interest and effort from industrial practice and scientific research. Software components are one of the key issues in CBSE. While practical, the current component models are limited in providing support for CBSE. We introduce a framework aimed at comprehensive interface modelling for software components in the context of CBSE. This framework deals with interface signature, interface constraints, interface packaging and configurations, and non functional properties of software components.

Currently, the interest in Ambient Intelligence (or AmI) has increased exponentially due to the widespread use of portable devices. Users demand more and more functionality from these devices, especially in order to perform collaborative tasks and interchange information. As a result, this technology proposes new challenges that must be addressed by both the hardware manufacturers and Software Engineers. The first challenge is to provide a middleware platform providing specific AmI services like communication or device discovery and able to cope with several challenges posed by AmI applications. One of these challenges is to manage heterogeneity of devices that are present in AmI environments in a transparent way, and in particular to manage the evolution of such devices without breaking the code of already developed applications. Moreover, an AmI middleware platform has to support the evolution of the software architecture of AmI applications over time, making it possible to add new functionalities, to adapt applications to any technological changes, and to produce a product line of AmI platforms to be executed in different devices. A final challenge is that the middleware platform has to support the adaptation of AmI applications to unexpected and dynamic changes in AmI environments. Aspect Oriented Programming (AOP) provides good and advanced solutions to the evolution management problem at different levels, so our work focuses on applying AOP to develop an AmI platform. In this paper, we will discuss these problems, propose solutions and present how these problems are handled in our AmI aspect-oriented platform named AOPAmI. This paper describes the internal platform structure and how it provides support to AmI devices. We will focus on the dynamic nature of AmI applications and on how to solve the above mentioned problems.

In traditional engineering disciplines, design is a problem solving process. It aims at mapping problems to realizable solutions, expressed using the artifacts in the corresponding engineering domain. Traditional engineering disciplines have introduced the concepts of canonical component models, systemic models, system construction rules and multiple (simultaneous) models. The emerging phenomena of the aspect-oriented software development techniques can be explained and motivated within this context. The concepts of component models, systemic models, system construction rules, multiple models as defined in traditional engineering disciplines correspond respectively to the concepts of base-level models, aspect models, join point models and multi-dimensional separation of concerns of aspect-oriented languages. Aspect-oriented languages can model the natural systemic properties of problem domains. This allows them to be a better representation than conventional object-oriented languages. This talk will explain the principles of aspect-oriented programming languages from the problem solving perspective. Based on this conceptual framework, aspect-oriented language design dimensions will be outlined. In the second part of the talk, the approach taken by the composition filters model will be explained. The talk will end by comparing filters with other approaches, advantages and shortcomings.

Abstract: The fast growth of high-bandwidth wide-area networks has encouraged the development of computational grids. To deal with the increasing complexity of grid applications, the software component technology seems very appealing since it emphasizes software composition and re-use. However, current software component models only support explicit data transfers between components through remote procedure call (RPC), remote method invocation (RMI) or event based ports. The distributed shared memory paradigm has demonstrated its utility by enabling a transparent access to data via a globally shared data space. Data localization, replication and transfer as well as synchronization of concurrent accesses are delegated to an external data-sharing service. This paper proposes to extend software component models with shared memory capabilities: a) a transparent access to shared data, and b) the possibility to use shared data as parameters of operations provided by component ports. The proposed model is instantiated as an extension of the CORBA Component Model (CCM) and the Common Component Architecture (CCA), using the transparent data access model provided by the JUXMEM grid data-sharing service. Key-words: data sharing, component, grid, JUXMEM

Computational Intelligence and Intelligent Technologies are very important tools in building intelligent systems with various degree of autonomous behavior. These groups of tools support such features as ability to learn and adaptability of the intelligent systems in various types of environments and situations. The current and future Information Society is expecting to be implemented with the framework of the Ambient Intelligence (AmI) approach into technologies and everyday life. These accomplishments provide the wide range of application potentials for Machine Intelligence tools to support the AmI concept implementation. The number of studies indicates that this approach is inevitable and will play essential and central role in the development of Information Society in close future.

This study presents land-use regression (LUR) models for submicron particulate matter (PM1) components from an urban area. Models are presented for mass concentrations of inorganic species (SO4, NO3, NH4), organic aerosol (OA) factors, and total PM1. OA is source-apportioned using positive matrix factorization (PMF) of data collected from aerosol mass spectrometry deployed on a mobile laboratory. PMF yielded a three-factor solution: cooking OA (COA), hydrocarbon-like OA (HOA), and less-oxidized oxygenated OA (LO-OOA). This study represents the first time that LUR has been applied to source-resolved OA factors. We sampled a roughly 20 km2 area of West Oakland, California, USA, over 1 month (mid-July to mid-August, 2017). The road network of the sampling domain was comprehensively sampled each day using a randomized driving route to minimize temporal and spatial bias. Mobile measurements were aggregated both spatially and temporally for use as discrete spatial observations for LUR model building. LUR model performance was highest for those species with more spatial variability (primary OA factors: COA R2 = 0.80, HOA R2 = 0.67) and lowest for secondary inorganic species (SO4 R2 = 0.47, NH4 R2 = 0.43) that were more spatially homogeneous. Notably, the stepwise selective LUR algorithm largely selected predictors for primary OA factors that correspond to the associated land-use categories (e.g., cooking land-use variables were selected in cooking-related PM models). This finding appears to be robust, as we demonstrate the predictive link between land-use variables and the corresponding source-resolved PM1 components through a subsampling analysis.

In the Grid environment, user can manage and make use of web services, such as uploading or downloading web services. But when user wants to download one web services to run it in a local machine, one problem may occur: The web service can only be run on a special operating system, which is not the operating system that the user operates. To solve this problem, we need construct one middleware to emulate the running environment of the web service in the operating system that user operates. Middleware is the component created by the Operation System according to its metadata, and it is also the center from which the Internet technology extended. Component-based middleware has emerged as an important architectural component in modern distributed systems, such as XPCOM, UNO and the CORBA Component Model. Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is a middleware, aimed at making application cross platform to run. The goal of our research is to extend this work in order to exploit one component-based middleware platform that can make web services to run on different operating system platforms, such as Elastos, Windows and Linux operating system. In this paper, a new and efficient component model based on COM (ezCOM) is proposed. More specifically, this paper describes in detail how ezCOM can be used to construct a full component-based crossing Operating system middleware platform and also puts forward one new measure model to compare the performance of ezCOM, Wine-COM, XPCOM and UNO.

Communication networks are complex information systems influenced by a vast amount of factors. It is critically important to forecast the paths that data take to verify the network, check its security and plan its updates. Model allows exploring processes that take place in the network without affecting performance and availability of a real network itself. With modelling it becomes possible to investigate the results of infrastructural changes introduced to the network before actually implementing them. It is important to be able to formally convert real network description into the model definition which preserves all data that is significant for network operation and skip data which is not. Outlining the rules for such conversion and using a limited set of basic functional components provide the ground for automatic model creation for the network of different levels of complexity.Proposed approach to modelling of communication networks is based on decomposition of the overall function of every particular real network component into a set of functions that belong to some predefined basic set. Functions of the basic set include L3 routing, L2 switching, packet filtering, NAT, etc. Model of a real network component is defined as a group of functional nodes each of which implements some function from the basic set.Configuration and current state of network components that influence its operation are also decomposed into elements each of which relates to some particular functional node. Configuration of network components is modelled as a set of configuration storage elements and current state is modelled as a set of current state storage elements.Links that connect real network components and links that connect functional nodes in the model are presented as singledirection channels that implement propagation of L2 frames thus simplifying the model due to excluding physical layer (L1) from the scope.Using the proposed approach to modelling may allow to formalize conversion of a real network descrip- tion to a model thus making automated modelling possible. By using a sufficient basic set of functional nodes it is possible to model the network containing components of any complexity level.

A cutting-edge solution enables accurate prediction of the remaining useful life (RUL) of drill string components before deployment in the field. This proactive approach allows informed decisions about such components to be made prior to actual drilling, significantly reducing the risk of field fatigue-related failures. The solution provides an efficient and cost-effective method for extending the lifespan of critical components, such as BHA connectors, ultimately improving overall operational efficiency. The solution seamlessly integrates drill plan data with results from offset well analysis to estimate the RUL of various drill string components, particularly different BHA connectors. By examining offset wells with similar equipment and geological conditions, it extracts essential anticipated operational parameters. Combining a physics-based model of the relevant drill string components with a data-driven approach and modeling capabilities, the solution ensures reliable decision-making regarding the suitability of specific components for particular drilling operations. Additionally, it facilitates the optimal selection of drill string components for the intended job. This innovative solution has undergone extensive testing, leveraging historical data to validate its reliability and effectiveness. A comprehensive comparison of predicted RUL for monitored components before field runs with actual post-job RUL estimates based on recorded drilling time consistently demonstrates favorable outcomes. This rigorous validation confirms the accuracy and dependability of the approach. By implementing this solution, drilling engineers can optimize drill string component selection, configurations, and maintenance operations, minimizing uncertainties in RUL estimation and reducing the risk of costly failures. Integrating predicted RUL estimates into routine post-job maintenance before starting new drilling runs enables well-informed decisions, preventing unnecessary maintenance and mitigating premature component retirements. The solution is now thoroughly validated and ready for seamless integration into a comprehensive drilling platform, encompassing maintenance systems, well construction planning, and execution. This unified strategy for drill string component management maximizes equipment utilization, enhances drilling performance, and ensures reliability throughout the drilling process. Operators adopting this integrated approach can optimize fleet management, reduce nonproductive time, minimize associated costs, and ultimately maximize revenue. This solution highlights the significant value digital technology brings to traditional mechanical systems in the oil and gas industry by enhancing functionality and creating new service opportunities. The described algorithm and its validation process are novel to the industry. Several instances analyzed demonstrate the methodology's application, providing valuable comparisons to post-job results and underscoring the approach's robustness.

Models for blood component and fluid administration

Multi-Agent Model-Based Optimization for Future Electrical Grids

Increasing complexity of real-time systems, and demands for enabling their configurability and tailorability are strong motivations for applying new software engineering principles, such as aspect-oriented and component-based development. In this paper we introduce a novel concept of aspectual component-based real-time system development. The concept is based on a design method that assumes decomposition of real-time systems into components and aspects, and provides a real-time component model that supports the notion of time and temporal constraints, space and resource management constraints, and composability. We anticipate that the successful applications of the proposed concept should have a positive impact on real-time system development in enabling efficient configuration of real-time systems, improved reusability and flexibility of real-time software, and modularization of crosscutting concerns. We provide arguments for this assumption by presenting an application of the proposed concept on the design and development of a configurable embedded real-time database, called COMET. Furthermore, using the COMET system as an example, we introduce a novel way of handling concurrency in a real-time database system, where concurrency is modeled as an aspect crosscutting the system.