STREAM-AP: um processo para sistematizar a escolha de padrões arquiteturais baseado em requisitos não-funcionais

The importance of non-functional requirements for computer systems is increasing. Satisfying these requirements requires special attention to the software architecture, since an unsuitable architecture introduces greater complexity in addition to the intrinsic complexity of the system. Some studies have shown that, despite requirements engineering and software architecture activities act on different aspects of development, they must be performed iteratively and intertwined to produce satisfactory software systems. The STREAM process presents a systematic approach to reduce the gap between requirements and architecture development, emphasizing the functional requirements, but using the non-functional requirements in an ad hoc way. However, non-functional requirements typically influence the system as a whole. Thus, the STREAM uses Architectural Patterns to refine the software architecture. These patterns are chosen by using non-functional requirements in an ad hoc way. This master thesis presents a process to improve STREAM in making the choice of architectural patterns systematic by using non-functional requirements, in order to guide the refinement of a software architecture

Um middleware como interface padrão para acesso a dispositivos biomédicos

A grande diversidade na arquitetura de dispositivos de hardware, aliada aos seus diferentes protocolos de comunicação, tem dificultado a implementação de sistemas que necessitam realizar o acesso a esses dispositivos. Diante dessas diferenças, surge a necessidade de prover o acesso a esses dispositivos de forma transparente. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho propõe um middleware mult entrada e saída para acesso a dispositivos, como forma de abstrair o mecanismo de escrita e leitura de dados em dispositivos de hardware, contribuindo desta forma, para o aumento na produtividade dos sistemas, uma vez que os desenvolvedores estão focados apenas nos seus requisitos funcionais

Análise de desempenho de sistemas distribuídos de grande porte na plataforma Java

The lava Platform is increasing1y being adopted in the development of distributed sys¬tems with higb user demando This kind of application is more complex because it needs beyond attending the functional requirements, to fulfil1 the pre-established performance parameters. This work makes a study on the Java Vutual Machine (JVM), approaching its intemal aspects and exploring the garbage collection strategies existing in the literature and used by the NM. It also presents a set of tools that helps in the job of optimizing applications and others that help in the monitoring of applications in the production envi¬ronment. Doe to the great amount of technologies that aim to solve problems which are common to the application layer, it becomes difficult to choose the one with best time response and less memory usage. This work presents a brief introduction to each one of tbe possible technologies and realize comparative tests through a statistical analysis of the response time and garbage collection activity random variables. The obtained results supply engineers and managers with a subside to decide which technologies to use in large applications through the knowledge of how they behave in their environments and the amount of resources that they consume. The relation between the productivity of the technology and its performance is also considered ao important factor in this choice

SOA-DB: uma arquitetura embarcada orientada a serviço para acesso a dispositivos biomédicos

The great diversity in the architecture of biomedical devices, coupled with their different communication protocols, has hindered the implementation of systems that need to make access to these devices. Given these differences, the need arises to provide access to such a transparent manner. In this sense, this paper proposes an embedded architecture, service-oriented, for access to biomedical devices, as a way to abstract the mechanism for writing and reading data on these devices, thereby contributing to the increase in quality and productivity of biomedical systems so as to enable that, the focus of the development team of biomedical software, is almost exclusively directed to its functional requirements

Desenvolvimento de têxteis técnicos para reforço de compósitos poliméricos

Materials denominated technical textiles can be defined as structures designed and developed with function to fulfill specific functional requirements of various industrial sectors as are the cases of the automotive and aerospace industries. In this aspect the technical textiles are distinguished from conventional textile materials, in which the aesthetic and of comfort needs are of primordial importance. Based on these considerations, the subject of this dissertation was established having as its main focus the study of development of textile structures from aramid and glass fibers and acting in order to develop the manufacture of composite materials that combine properties of two different structures, manufactured in an identical operation, where each structure contributes to improving the properties of the resulting composite material. Therefore were created in laboratory scale, textile structures with low weight and different composition: aramid (100%), glass (100%) and aramid /glass (65/35%), in order to use them as a reinforcing element in composite materials with polyester matrix. These composites were tested in tension and its fracture surface, evaluated by MEV. Based on the analysis of mechanical properties of the developed composites, the efficiency of the structures prepared as reinforcing element were testified by reason of that the resistance values of the composites are far superior to the polyester matrix. It was also observed that hybridization in tissue structure was efficient, since the best results obtained were for hybrid composites, where strength to the rupture was similar to the steel 1020, reaching values on the order of 340 MPa

Avaliação da estrutura de tecidos técnicos como elemento reforçante em compósitos poliméricos sistema poliéster isoftálico

Materials known as technical textiles can be defined as structures designed and developed to meet specific functional requirements of various industry sectors, which is the case in automotive and aerospace industries, and other specific applications. Therefore, the purpose of this work presents the development and manufacture of polymer composite with isophthalic polyester resin. The reinforcement of the composite structure is a technical textile fabric made from high performance fibers, aramid (Kevlar 49) and glass fiber E. The fabrics are manufactured by the same method, with the aim of improving the tensile strength of the resulting polymer composite material. The fabrics, we developed some low grammage technical textile structures in laboratory scale and differentiated-composition type aramid (100%), hybrid 1 aramid fiber / glass (65/35%) and hybrid 2 aramid fiber / glass (85/15% ) for use as a reinforcing element in composite materials with unsaturated isophthalic polyester matrix. The polymer composites produced were tested in uniaxial tensile fracture surface and it´s evaluated by SEM. The purpose of this work characterize the performance of polymer composites prepared, identifying changes and based on resistance to strain corresponding to the mechanical behavior. The objectives are to verify the capability of using this reinforcement structure, along with the use of high performance fibers and resin in terms of workability and mechanical strength; verify the adherence of the fiber to the matrix and the fracture surface by electron microscopy scanning and determination of tensile strength by tensile test. The results indicate that, in a comparative study to the response of uniaxial tensile test for tensile strength of the composites and the efficiency of the low percentage of reinforcement element, being a technical textile fabric structure that features characteristic of lightness and low weight added in polymer composites

A Linguagem de Especificação algébrica CASL e o Tipo de Dados Intervalos

Na computação científica é necessário que os dados sejam o mais precisos e exatos possível, porém a imprecisão dos dados de entrada desse tipo de computação pode estar associada às medidas obtidas por equipamentos que fornecem dados truncados ou arredondados, fazendo com que os cálculos com esses dados produzam resultados imprecisos. Os erros mais comuns durante a computação científica são: erros de truncamentos, que surgem em dados infinitos e que muitas vezes são truncados", ou interrompidos; erros de arredondamento que são responsáveis pela imprecisão de cálculos em seqüências finitas de operações aritméticas. Diante desse tipo de problema Moore, na década de 60, introduziu a matemática intervalar, onde foi definido um tipo de dado que permitiu trabalhar dados contínuos,possibilitando, inclusive prever o tamanho máximo do erro. A matemática intervalar é uma saída para essa questão, já que permite um controle e análise de erros de maneira automática. Porém, as propriedades algébricas dos intervalos não são as mesmas dos números reais, apesar dos números reais serem vistos como intervalos degenerados, e as propriedades algébricas dos intervalos degenerados serem exatamente as dos números reais. Partindo disso, e pensando nas técnicas de especificação algébrica, precisa-se de uma linguagem capaz de implementar uma noção auxiliar de equivalência introduzida por Santiago [6] que ``simule" as propriedades algébricas dos números reais nos intervalos. A linguagem de especificação CASL, Common Algebraic Specification Language, [1] é uma linguagem de especificação algébrica para a descrição de requisitos funcionais e projetos modulares de software, que vem sendo desenvolvida pelo CoFI, The Common Framework Initiative [2] a partir do ano de 1996. O desenvolvimento de CASL se encontra em andamento e representa um esforço conjunto de grandes expoentes da área de especificações algébricas no sentido de criar um padrão para a área. A dissertação proposta apresenta uma especificação em CASL do tipo intervalo, munido da aritmética de Moore, afim de que ele venha a estender os sistemas que manipulem dados contínuos, sendo possível não só o controle e a análise dos erros de aproximação, como também a verificação algébrica de propriedades do tipo de sistema aqui mencionado. A especificação de intervalos apresentada aqui foi feita apartir das especificações dos números racionais proposta por Mossakowaski em 2001 [3] e introduz a noção de igualdade local proposta por Santiago [6, 5, 4]

Joker: um realizador de desenhos animados para linguagens formais

Using formal methods, the developer can increase software s trustiness and correctness. Furthermore, the developer can concentrate in the functional requirements of the software. However, there are many resistance in adopting this software development approach. The main reason is the scarcity of adequate, easy to use, and useful tools. Developers typically write code and test it. These tests usually consist of executing the program and checking its output against its requirements. This, however, is not always an exhaustive discipline. On the other side, using formal methods one might be able to investigate the system s properties further. Unfortunately, specification languages do not always have tools like animators or simulators, and sometimes there are no friendly Graphical User Interfaces. On the other hand, specification languages usually have a compiler which normally generates a Labeled Transition System (LTS). This work proposes an application that provides graphical animation for formal specifications using the LTS as input. The application initially supports the languages B, CSP, and Z. However, using a LTS in a specified XML format, it is possible to animate further languages. Additionally, the tool provides traces visualization, the choices the user did, in a graphical tree. The intention is to improve the comprehension of a specification by providing information about errors and animating it, as the developers do for programming languages, such as Java and C++.

ArchWiSeN: uma estratégia baseada em modelos para desenvolvimento de aplicações para redes de sensores e atuadores sem fio

Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks (WSAN) are a key component in Ubiquitous Computing Systems and have many applications in different knowledge domains. Programming for such networks is very hard and requires developers to know the available sensor platforms specificities, increasing the learning curve for developing WSAN applications. In this work, an MDA (Model-Driven Architecture) approach for WSAN applications development called ArchWiSeN is proposed. The goal of such approach is to facilitate the development task by providing: (i) A WSAN domain-specific language, (ii) a methodology for WSAN application development; and (iii) an MDA infrastructure composed of several software artifacts (PIM, PSMs and transformations). ArchWiSeN allows the direct contribution of domain experts in the WSAN application development without the need of specialized knowledge on WSAN platforms and, at the same time, allows network experts to manage the application requirements without the need for specific knowledge of the application domain. Furthermore, this approach also aims to enable developers to express and validate functional and non-functional requirements of the application, incorporate services offered by WSAN middleware platforms and promote reuse of the developed software artifacts. In this sense, this Thesis proposes an approach that includes all WSAN development stages for current and emerging scenarios through the proposed MDA infrastructure. An evaluation of the proposal was performed by: (i) a proof of concept encompassing three different scenarios performed with the usage of the MDA infrastructure to describe the WSAN development process using the application engineering process, (ii) a controlled experiment to assess the use of the proposed approach compared to traditional method of WSAN application development, (iii) the analysis of ArchWiSeN support of middleware services to ensure that WSAN applications using such services can achieve their requirements ; and (iv) systematic analysis of ArchWiSeN in terms of desired characteristics for MDA tool when compared with other existing MDA tools for WSAN.

Um middleware como interface padrão para acesso a dispositivos biomédicos

A grande diversidade na arquitetura de dispositivos de hardware, aliada aos seus diferentes protocolos de comunicação, tem dificultado a implementação de sistemas que necessitam realizar o acesso a esses dispositivos. Diante dessas diferenças, surge a necessidade de prover o acesso a esses dispositivos de forma transparente. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho propõe um middleware mult entrada e saída para acesso a dispositivos, como forma de abstrair o mecanismo de escrita e leitura de dados em dispositivos de hardware, contribuindo desta forma, para o aumento na produtividade dos sistemas, uma vez que os desenvolvedores estão focados apenas nos seus requisitos funcionais

Um método semi-automatizado para elicitação de requisitos de acessibilidade Web

In the context of Software Engineering, web accessibility is gaining more room, establishing itself as an important quality attribute. This fact is due to initiatives of institutions such as the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) and the introduction of norms and laws such as Section 508 that underlie the importance of developing accessible Web sites and applications. Despite these improvements, the lack of web accessibility is still a persistent problem, and could be related to the moment or phase in which this requirement is solved within the development process. From the moment when Web accessibility is generally regarded as a programming problem or treated when the application is already developed entirely. Thus, consider accessibility already during activities of analysis and requirements specification shows itself a strategy to facilitate project progress, avoiding rework in advanced phases of software development because of possible errors, or omissions in the elicitation. The objective of this research is to develop a method and a tool to support requirements elicitation of web accessibility. The strategy for the requirements elicitation of this method is grounded by the Goal-Oriented approach NFR Framework and the use of catalogs NFRs, created based on the guidelines contained in WCAG 2.0 (Web Content Accessibility Guideline) proposed by W3C

Distribuição regional da ventilação pulmonar em indivíduos com insuficiência cardíaca crônica após serem submetidos a um programa de treinamento da musculatura inspiratória e sua correlação com dados funcionais

Introduction: Chagas Disease is a serious public health problem, with 5 million infected individuals in Brazil. Of these, approximately 30% develop chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC), where the main symptoms are fatigue and dyspnea. Objective: To correlate maximal exercise capacity with pulmonary function, inspiratory muscle strength and quality of life in patients with CCC. Methodology: Twelve individuals suffering from CCC were evaluated (7 men), with a mean age of 54.91± 8.60 years and the following inclusion criteria: functional class II and III according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA); left ventricle ejection fraction below 45%; clinical stability (> 3 months); symptom duration > 1 year, body mass index (BMI) < 35Kg/m2 and non-smokers or ex-smokers with a history of smoking <10 packs/day. All subjects were submitted to spirometry, manometer testing, maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) and a quality of life questionnaire (Minnesota). Results: A negative correlation was observed between VO2máx and MLHFQ scores (r=-0.626; p=0.03) and a positive association with MIP (r=0.713; p=0.009). Positive correlations were also recorded between MIP and spirometric variables [FEV1(r=0.825;p=0.001 ), FVC(r=0.66;p=0.01 and FEF25-75%(r=0.639;p=0.02)]. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that in patients with CCC: VO2MAX is directly related to inspiratory muscle strength and quality of life, while deteriorating lung function is directly associated with respiratory muscle weakness

Medidas de parâmetros morfológicos e funcionais do Coração em brasileiros: um subestudo do primeiro registro multicêntricos latino-americano em ressonância magnética cardiáca

There is no data about cardiac measurements em Brazilians obtained by CMR. This a muldisciplinary study with the objective of obtaining measurements of the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) diastolic diameter (Dd), systolic diameter (Ds), diastolic volume (Dv), systolic volume (Sv), ejection fraction (EF) and myocardial mass in Brazilians. One hundred and seven (54 men and 53 women, mean age of 43.4 ± 13.1 years) asymptomatic individuals without heart disease were submitted to cardiac magnetic resonance (cMR) studies using steady state free precession technique. The means and standard deviations of the parameters of the LV and RV were respectively: LVDD = 4,8 ± 0,5 cm; LVSD = 3,0±0,6 cm; LVDV = 128,4±29,6 ml; LVSV = 45,2±16,6 ml; LVEF = 65,5±6,3%; LV mass = 95,2±30,8.1 g; RVDD = 3,9±1,3 cm; RVSD = 2,5±0,5 cm; RVDV = 126,5±30,7 ml; RVSV = 53.6±18,4 ml; RVEF = 58.3±8,0.0% and RV mass = 26,1±6,1 g. The masses and volumes were significantly higher in men, except for the LVSV. The RV EF was significantly higher in women. There was inverse correlation between RV systolic volume and with age, being more significant in men. This study describes for the first time benchmarks for cardiac measurements obtained by CMR among asymptomatic Brazilians individuals without heart disease and demonstrated differences according to sex and age

Respostas funcionais de diferentes tamanhos de Tilápia do Nilo; Oreochromis niloticus; predando zooplâncton

The Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, is an important omnivorous fish in the reservoirs of the semi-arid region of Brazil. Throughout its growth tilapia s feeding behavior changes from a visual predator of zooplankton to a filter-feeder, collecting suspended particulate matter, including planktonic organisms, through pumping. This feature results in different impacts of tilapia on plankton community as the fish grows. Aiming to quantify the functional response of different sizes of Nile tilapia on zooplankton experiments in microcosms scale in the laboratory and in mesocosm scale in the field were carried out. The data were fitted to four different models of functional response. The best fits were obtained for nonlinear models in laboratory experiments. While the experiments in mesocosms were the best settings for responses of type I (juvenile and adult tilapia) and type III (fry). The Manly's alpha index was used to evaluate the feeding selectivity of tilapia on the three main groups of the zooplankton in the experiments in mesocosms. The results show that: (i) rotifers were the preferred prey of fingerlings,(ii) copepods were rejected by fry and juvenile tilapia and (iii) adult fish fed non-selectively on copepods, cladocerans and rotifers. The functional response models obtained in this research can be applied to population models and help in modeling the dynamics of interactions between Nile tilapia and the planktonic communities in the reservoirs of the semi-arid

A perda de grupos funcionais em comunidades virtuais: efeito das interações entre espécies e grupos funcionais

High levels of local, regional, and global extinctions has progressively simplified communities in terms of both species and ecosystem functioning. Theoretical models demonstrated that the degree of functional redundancy determines the rates of functional group loss in response to species extinctions. Here, we improve the theoretical predictions by incorporating in the model interactions between species and between functional groups. In this study, we tested the effect of different scenarios of interspecific interactions and effects between functional groups on the resistance to loss of community functional groups. Virtual communities have been built with different distribution patterns of species in functional groups, both with high and low evenness. A matrix A was created to represent the net effect of interspecific interactions among all species, representing nesting patterns, modularity, sensitive species, and dominant species. Moreover, a second matrix B was created to represent the interactions between functional groups, also exhibiting different patterns. The extinction probability of each species was calculated based on community species richness and by the intensity of the interspecific interactions that act upon it and group to which it belongs. In the model, successive extinctions decrease the community species richness, the degree of functional redundancy and, consequently, the number of functional groups that remain in the system. For each scenario of functional redundancy, A, and B, we ran 1000 simulations to generate an average functional extinction curve. Different model assumptions were able to generate remarkable variation on functional extinction curves. More extreme variations occurred when the matrix A and B caused a higher heterogeneity in the species extinction probability. Scenarios with sensitive species, positive or negative, showed a greater variation than the scenarios with dominant species. Nested interactions showed greater variation than scenarios where the interactions were in modules. Communities with maximal functional evenness can only be destabilized by the interactions between species and functional groups. In contrast, communities with low functional evenness can have its resistance either increased or decreased by the interactions. The concentration of positive interactions in low redundancy groups or negative interactions in high redundancy groups was able to decrease the functional extinction rates. In contrast, the concentration of negative interactions in low redundancy groups or positive interactions in high redundancy groups was able to increase the functional extinction rates. This model shows results that are relevant for species priorization in ecosystem conservation and restoration