Python-based eSES/MB Framework: Model Specification and Automatic Model Generation for Multiple Simulators

The specification of modeling and analysis of real-time and embedded systems (MARTE) is an extension of the unified modeling language (UML) in the domain of real-time and embedded systems. Even though MARTE time model offers a support to describe both discrete and dense clocks, the biggest effort has been put so far on the specification and analysis of discrete MARTE models. To address hybrid real-time and embedded systems, we propose to extend statecharts using both MARTE and the theory of hybrid automata. We call this extension hybrid MARTE statecharts. It provides an improvement over the hybrid automata in that: the logical time variables and the chronometric time variables are unified. The formal syntax and semantics of hybrid MARTE statecharts are given based on labeled transition systems and live transition systems. As a case study, we model the behavior of a train control system with hybrid MARTE statecharts to demonstrate the benefit.

The paper examines the impact of seasonal influences on Australian housing approvals, represented by the State of Victoria[1] building approvals for new houses (BANHs). The prime objective of BANHs is to provide timely estimates of future residential building work. Due to the relevance of the residential property sector to the property sector as whole, BANHs are viewed by economic analysts and commentators as a leading indicator of property sector investment and as such the general level of economic activity and employment. The generic objective of the study is to enhance the practice of modelling housing variables. In particular, the study seeks to cast some additional light on modelling the seasonal behaviour of BANHs by: (i) establishing the presence, or otherwise, of seasonality in Victorian BANHs; (ii) if present, ascertaining is it deterministic or stochastic; (iii) determining out of sample forecasting capabilities of the considered modelling specifications; and (iv) speculating on possible interpretation of the results. To do so the study utilises a structural time series model of Harwey (1989). The modelling results confirm that the modelling specification allowing for stochastic trend and deterministic seasonality performs best in terms of diagnostic tests and goodness of fit measures. This is corroborated with the analysis of out of sample forecasting capabilities of the considered modelling specifications, which showed that the models with deterministic seasonal specification exhibit superior forecasting capabilities. The paper also demonstrates that if time series are characterized by either stochastic trend or seasonality, the conventional modelling approach[2] is bound to be mis-specified i.e. would not be able to identify statistically significant seasonality in time series.According to the selected modeling specification, factors corresponding to June, April, December and November are found to be significant at five per cent level. The observed seasonality could be attributed to the ‘summer holidays’ and ‘the end of financial year’ seasonal effects. [1] Victoria is geographically the second smallest state in Australia. It is also the second most populous state in Australia. Australia has six states (New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia), and two territories (the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory).[2] A modelling approach based on the assumption of deterministic trend and deterministic seasonality.

Model-based statistical testing with Markov chain usage models (MCUMs) represents a highly automated test approach. However, specifying the usage model by hand is not a trivial task, especially if the system under test (SUT) allows concurrent streams of use. Modeling concurrent streams leads to a state space explosion and therefore is an error-prone task. Relevant usage scenarios may not be tested as they are overlooked during the specification of the model. In this paper we show how composite states with regions can be used to formalize concurrent streams in usage models. This allows a simplified and reasonable specification of usage models as it hides the state space explosion. We further elaborate on the required steps for an automatic and configurable test case generation from such models. We also provide a suitable analysis method taking advantage of the model structure for computing relevant parameters to guide the test process.

The authors discuss the development of a railway simulation system incorporating automatic model specification and automatic model generation techniques. The modeling environment features a GEM-like graphical user interface consisting of a layout editor and an icon editor. The model builder draws only the geometrical layout of a railway network section (e.g., a railway terminal) including the position of the signals, thus constructing a partial railway model. This graphical model consists of arcs representing tracks and nodes that represent junctions. The system assists in completing the specification of the model by automatically inferring the layout of the remaining control installations and the possible train routes through the network. Thus, by the end of this process the modeler has come up with a complete railway network data model stored in a database. The final stage of the project involves the development of a simulation code generator that will transform the stored data model to simulation code. >

Logical specifications for behavioural models are crucial for the formal analysis of complex system designs. The automation of obtaining such a specification is essential particularly for promoting logical and deductive methods in software development. This article replicates earlier methods for automatically generating logical specifications equivalent to behavioural models, while also extending the approach to include workflow mining processes. Various and effective interactions with existing theorem provers are also proposed. We conducted straightforward, yet comprehensive, experiments covering multiple stages, which include workflow extraction, automatic logical specification generation, and theorem prover based analysis and the evaluation of these specifications.

Logical specifications for behavioural models are crucial for the formal analysis of complex system designs. The automation of obtaining such a specification is essential particularly for promoting logical and deductive methods in software development. This article replicates earlier methods for automatically generating logical specifications equivalent to behavioural models, while also extending the approach to include workflow mining processes. Various and effective interactions with existing theorem provers are also proposed. We conducted straightforward, yet comprehensive, experiments covering multiple stages, which include workflow extraction, automatic logical specification generation, and theorem prover based analysis and the evaluation of these specifications.

Aim: Automatic item generation is "a process of using models to generate items using computer technology". The use of automatic item generation typically involves one of three primary methods: syntax-based, semantic-based, and template-based. Non-template automatic item generation approaches leverage natural language processing techniques. A study showed the potential of using template-based automatic item generation to create high-quality multiple-choice questions for assessing clinical reasoning in Turkish, marking a first in the field. However, the findings of the study were based only on expert opinions, necessitating further research to examine the psychometric qualities of Turkish items. The aim of this study was to reveal psychometric characteristics of the first Turkish case-based multiple-choice questions generated by using automatic item generation in medical education. Methods: This was a psychometric study. Three Turkish case-based multiple-choice questions generated using template-based automatic item generation on essential hypertension were included in an exam that 281 fourth-year medical students participate in. This examination was carried out in-person in classroom settings under proctor supervision. Item difficulty and item discrimination (point-biserial correlation) were calculated, and non-functioning distractors were determined. Results: All three items had acceptable levels (higher than 0.20) of point-biserial correlation (p<0.001). The item difficulty levels indicated the presence of one easy, one moderate, and one difficult question. Each item had 2-3 non-functioning options among five options. All three items had acceptable levels (higher than 0.20) of point-biserial correlation (p<0.001). The item difficulty levels indicated the presence of one easy, one moderate, and one difficult question. Each item had 2-3 non-functioning options among five options. Conclusions: The results indicated that the items successfully discriminate between high and low performers, providing validity evidence on the quality of the questions in evaluating students' comprehension of the subject. Additionally, the findings suggest that it is feasible to create multiple-choice questions with different difficulty levels in Turkish using a single automatic item generation model. This study demonstrated for the first time that automatic generation of case-based multiple-choice questions in Turkish produces acceptable psychometric characteristics in an authentic assessment setting in medical education. The ability to automatically generate effective multiple-choice questions in Turkish holds promise for enhancing the efficiency of written assessment in Turkish medical education.

The quality in public transport is a relevant factor affecting travellers’ behaviour. Recently, research has improved methods and models to evaluate the attributes that mostly influence users’ satisfaction about the trip. The role of quality in the field of travel choices is an under-researched topic. Existing contributions mainly focus the attention on service reliability and travel time, travel information, ticket, access to the terminals, while little attention was dedicated on the influence of the comfort and safety perception produced by the architectural design and the public spaces of the transport terminals. Starting from this gap in the literature, the objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of quality in public transport (aesthetics, comfort, perception of security and travel experiences) in users’ choices. Specifically, original element of this research has been to propose methods and models (functional forms and/or specific attributes) unconventional, aimed at better reproduce the decision-making process, including the specification of measures able to quatify users’ attitude and perception not directly measurable (e.g. latent variables) and function of the traveler . Innovative element of the estimated models is also related to their application fields, that are, a greater ability to quantify (evaluate) the impacts arising from high quality public transport infrastructures and services (e.g. transport terminals of high aesthetic and architectural standard, more services to travelers, on-board comfort, infomobility). Among the estimations proposed in this thesis there were: (A.). Non-conventional attributes able to quantify the quality attributes and applied to a bus transport extra urban case study (B).non-conventional model specifications using latent variables applied to a rail transport urban case study In the first part of research for the case study of bus public transport, a mobility survey was carried at national scale, considering the bus terminals in Milan, Rome, Naples, Avellino end Crotone. SP scenario were proposed to 1,100 respondents allowing to estimate a switching (change vs. not changes) model (with serial correlation in residuals) toward an high-quality terminal increasing the ticket price or reducing the bus frequency but could use of the high quality of the terminal. Estimation results show that the hedonic value (at national scale) related to a high quality bus terminal is 2.5 €/trip (the 19% of the ticket price). This value increases for the cities in the Centre and North Italy, and decreases for the South ones (5.9 €/trip (31% of the ticket price and 136% greater than the average value of the panel) for Milan-Nord and 0.6 €/trip (16% of the ticket price and 76% less than the average value of the panel) for Avellino-South). A “travel experience effect” was also observed; the average hedonic value (of an high quality bus terminal) decrease to 2,1€/trip (-16%) if the user carry out a “long trip” (travel time greater than 2 hours and/or more than one transport mode used) under a medium-low quality. The opposite occurs for the “short trips” (hedonic value equal to 3.0 €/trip -+20%). This means that if a passenger has to face a long journey under medium-low quality, he will assign a lower value to the high quality terminal, since he will benefit them for shorter time (lower willingness to pay in a travel experience context). For the second model estimation (No-conventional modeling specifications using latent variables applied to urban rail quality), the case study was the metro system of Naples where there are several origin-destination pairs (e.g. historical center of Naples towards central station) that are served by two different lines competing each other in terms level of service attributes (e.g. travel time, waiting time, fare), but completely different in terms of aesthetic and quality of the stations. A mobility survey was carried in 2016, interviewing about 550 users in three different stations belonging to the investigated lines, asking to describe their travel details, socioeconomic characteristics and to respond to specific psychological tests (e.g. cognitive behavioural assessment) aimed to capture users’ attitudes and perceptions. A Hybrid Choice Model was calibrated considering different latent variables in order to grasp aesthetic, comfort and safety attitudes. Estimation results showed that users who have a greater perception of art and comfort and safety attitude, were more likely to choose the metro-line with high architectural and aesthetic standards (with no differences for other attributes).

IoT-based automatic deep learning model generation and the application on Empty-dish Recycling Robots

Abstract. Low-cost sensor generated 3D models can be useful for quick 3D urban model updating, yet the quality of the models is questionable. In this article, we evaluate the reliability of an automatic point cloud generation method using multi-view iPhone images or an iPhone video file as an input. We register such automatically generated point cloud on a TLS point cloud of the same object to discuss accuracy, advantages and limitations of the iPhone generated point clouds. For the chosen example showcase, we have classified 1.23% of the iPhone point cloud points as outliers, and calculated the mean of the point to point distances to the TLS point cloud as 0.11 m. Since a TLS point cloud might also include measurement errors and noise, we computed local noise values for the point clouds from both sources. Mean (μ) and standard deviation (σ) of roughness histograms are calculated as (μ1 = 0.44 m., σ1 = 0.071 m.) and (μ2 = 0.025 m., σ2 = 0.037 m.) for the iPhone and TLS point clouds respectively. Our experimental results indicate possible usage of the proposed automatic 3D model generation framework for 3D urban map updating, fusion and detail enhancing, quick and real-time change detection purposes. However, further insights should be obtained first on the circumstances that are needed to guarantee a successful point cloud generation from smartphone images.

This paper presents methods for automatic generation of synthesizable models of Transducer, a highly flexible communication module for interfacing multicore system components. We describe the transducer architecture, comprising the bus interface, high-level communication controllers and buffer management blocks. The well defined architecture and model semantics of the transducer enable its automatic generation. Moreover, the simple interface of the transducer provides for a well defined software interface, making it easy to update the software after changes in multicore system architecture. Our experimental results show that in multicore system design for large applications such as MP3 decoder and JPEG encoder, automatic transducer generation provides productivity gains of 9-23X due to significant savings in communication model development. On the quality axis, we show that multicore communication design using automatically generated transducers has only a 9% overhead in communication delay over a fully-connected point-to-point communication architecture.

This paper presents a tool for automatic generation of transaction level models (TLMs)for MPSoC designs using only C-code and graphical capture. The MPSoC platform is captured as a graphical net-list of components, busses and bridge elements. The application is captured as C processes mapped to the platform components. Once the platform is decided, a set of transaction level communication APIs is automatically generated for each process. After the C code is input, an executable SystemC TLM of the design is automatically generated using our tool. This TLM can be executed using standard SystemC simulators for early functional verification of the design. Although, several TLM styles and standards have been proposed in the past, our approach differs in the fact that the designers do not need to understand the underlying SystemC code or TLM modeling style to verify that their application executes on the selected platform. Moreover, the platform can be easily modified and a new TLM for that platform can be automatically generated. Our experimental results demonstrate that for large industrial applications such as MP3 decoder and H.264, high-speed TLMs can be generated for a wide variety of platforms in a few seconds.

The System Entity Structure (SES) is a high level approach for variability modeling, particularly in simulation engineering. An SES describes a set of system configurations, i.e. different system structures and parameter settings of system components. In combination with a Model Base (MB), executable models can be generated from an SES. Based on an extended SES/MB approach, an enhanced software framework is introduced that supports variability modeling and automatic model generation for different simulation environments. The main focus of this paper is the presentation of open source software tools for modeling an SES and for the automated generation and execution of models derived from an SES and the belonging MB by means of an engineering application.

Building the behavioral model for each circuit block is an efficient approach for mixed-signal system verification. If an automatic model generator is available to extract the required behavioral model from the given circuit netlist, it is useful for designers to reduce the extra efforts. Instead of modeling the relationship between circuit inputs and outputs directly, this paper proposes a divide and conquer approach to alleviate the difficulty on building behavioral models. By dividing the circuit into several small building blocks, it is much easier to model the behavior of each block by the black-box approach Therefore, the model construction efforts can be greatly reduced without losing the generality for different circuits. As shown in the experimental results, the proposed approach does generate the corresponding behavioral models automatically with good accuracy.

Automatic code generation is a standard method in software engineering since it improves the code consistency and reduces the overall development time. In this context, this paper presents a design flow for automatic VHDL code generation of mppSoC (massively parallel processing System-on-Chip) configuration. Indeed, depending on the application requirements, a framework of Netbeans Platform Software Tool named MppSoCGEN was developed in order to accelerate the design process of complex mppSoC. Starting from an architecture parameters design, VHDL code will be automatically generated using parsing method. Configuration rules are proposed to have a correct and valid VHDL syntax configuration. Finally, an automatic generation of Processor Elements and network topologies models of mppSoC architecture will be done for Stratix II device family. Our framework improves its flexibility on Netbeans 5.5 version and centrino duo Core 2GHz with 22 Kbytes and 3 seconds average runtime. Experimental results for reduction algorithm validate our MppSoCGEN design flow and demonstrate the efficiency of generated architectures.