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Publications

2018

RedThreads: An Interface for Application-Level Fault Detection/Correction Through Adaptive Redundant Multithreading

Authors
Hukerikar, S; Teranishi, K; Diniz, PC; Lucas, RF;

Publication
International Journal of Parallel Programming

Abstract
In the presence of accelerated fault rates, which are projected to be the norm on future exascale systems, it will become increasingly difficult for high-performance computing (HPC) applications to accomplish useful computation. Due to the fault-oblivious nature of current HPC programming paradigms and execution environments, HPC applications are insufficiently equipped to deal with errors. We believe that HPC applications should be enabled with capabilities to actively search for and correct errors in their computations. The redundant multithreading (RMT) approach offers lightweight replicated execution streams of program instructions within the context of a single application process. However, the use of complete redundancy incurs significant overhead to the application performance. In this paper we present RedThreads, an interface that provides application-level fault detection and correction based on RMT, but applies the thread-level redundancy adaptively. We describe the RedThreads syntax and semantics, and the supporting compiler infrastructure and runtime system. Our approach enables application programmers to scope the extent of redundant computation. Additionally, the runtime system permits the use of RMT to be dynamically enabled, or disabled, based on the resiliency needs of the application and the state of the system. Our experimental results demonstrate how adaptive RMT exploits programmer insight and runtime inference to dynamically navigate the trade-off space between an application’s resilience coverage and the associated performance overhead of redundant computation. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

2018

Building automation systems and smart meter integrated residential customer platform

Authors
Aydin, Z; Portela, JC; Kucuk, U; Zehir, MA; Gul, H; Bagriyanik, M; Soares, FJ; Ozdemir, A;

Publication
IET Conference Publications

Abstract
Building automation systems (BAS) have promising potential to support power and energy management applications, in addition to the current and conventional intention of use for improving comfort. Integration of BAS with smart meters to provide remote monitoring and control over user-friendly interfaces can foster consumer awareness, proactiveness towards more effective use of energy and it is one of the keystones of the future's smart cities. This paper proposes development and field implementation of a remote monitoring, control and data processing system for residential customers. The system is designed to comprise a widely used BAS protocol (KNX) and smart meters in the market, adding on a central database and a web application. The developed solution is implemented in 3 houses with real residents in Istanbul, Turkey. The study provides developments for hardware-software integration in building energy management and solutions for problems encountered during field implementation. Energy management potential of three houses from the field is also discussed.

2018

Spaces sing, are you listening?

Authors
Bernardes, Gilberto; Lopes, Filipe; Cardoso, Clara;

Publication
Resonate, Thinking Sound and Space

Abstract
We present ?Soniferous Resonances?, an ongoing collection of electroacoustic composition pieces that intersect music, digital technologies and architecture. The creative impetus supporting this research is grounded in the interchange of the following two concepts: 1) the phenomenological exploration of the aural architecture [1], particularly the reverberation as a sonic effect [2] through music performance and 2) the real time sound analysis of both the performance and the reverberation (i.e. impulse responses) intervallic content — which ultimately leads to a generic control over consonance/dissonance (C/D). Their conceptual and morphological nature can be understood as sonic improvisations where the interaction of sound producing bodies (e.g. saxophone) with the real (e.g. performance space) and the imaginary (i.e. computer) acoustic response of a space results in formal elements mirroring their physical surroundings. Particular emphasis is given to spectromorphological manipulations by a large array of “contrasting” digital reverberations with extended control over the sound mass [3] and its musical interval content across a continuum between pitched and consonant to unpitched and dissonant sounds. Two digital applications developed by the authors are seminal in Soniferous Resonances?: Wallace [4] and MusikVerb [5]. The first is a navigable user-control surface that offers a fluid manipulation of audio signals to be convolved with several “contrasting” digital reverberations. The second offers refined (compositional) control over the interval content and/or C/D levels computed from the perceptually-inspired Tonal Interval Space [6] resulting in an automatically adaptation of harmonic content in real time. Soniferous Resonances? aims at pushing the boundaries of musical performances that are formally tied to its surrounding space, as well as triggering new concepts and greater awareness about the sublime qualities of experiencing aural architecture.

2018

Survey on Complex Optimization and Simulation for the New Power Systems Paradigm

Authors
Soares, J; Pinto, T; Lezama, F; Morais, H;

Publication
COMPLEXITY

Abstract
This survey provides a comprehensive analysis on recent research related to optimization and simulation in the new paradigm of power systems, which embraces the so-called smart grid. We start by providing an overview of the recent research related to smart grid optimization. From the variety of challenges that arise in a smart grid context, we analyze with a significance importance the energy resource management problem since it is seen as one of the most complex and challenging in recent research. The survey also provides a discussion on the application of computational intelligence, with a strong emphasis on evolutionary computation techniques, to solve complex problems where traditional approaches usually fail. The last part of this survey is devoted to research on large-scale simulation towards applications in electricity markets and smart grids. The survey concludes that the study of the integration of distributed renewable generation, demand response, electric vehicles, or even aggregators in the electricity market is still very poor. Besides, adequate models and tools to address uncertainty in energy scheduling solutions are crucial to deal with new resources such as electric vehicles or renewable generation. Computational intelligence can provide a significant advantage over traditional tools to address these complex problems. In addition, supercomputers or parallelism opens a window to refine the application of these new techniques. However, such technologies and approaches still need to mature to be the preferred choice in the power systems field. In summary, this survey provides a full perspective on the evolution and complexity of power systems as well as advanced computational tools, such as computational intelligence and simulation, while motivating new research avenues to cover gaps that need to be addressed in the coming years.

2018

Scheduling Model for Renewable Energy Sources Integration in an Insular Power System

Authors
Osorio, GJ; Shafie khah, M; Lujano Rojas, JM; Catalao, JPS;

Publication
ENERGIES

Abstract
Insular power systems represent an asset and an excellent starting point for the development and analysis of innovative tools and technologies. The integration of renewable energy resources that has taken place in several islands in the south of Europe, particularly in Portugal, has brought more uncertainty to production management. In this work, an innovative scheduling model is proposed, which considers the integration of wind and solar resources in an insular power system in Portugal, with a strong conventional generation basis. This study aims to show the benefits of increasing the integration of renewable energy resources in this insular power system, and the objectives are related to minimizing the time for which conventional generation is in operation, maximizing profits, reducing production costs, and consequently, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

2018

Cognitive Impact and Psychophysiological Effects of Stress Using a Biomonitoring Platform

Authors
Rodrigues, S; Paiva, JS; Dias, D; Aleixo, M; Filipe, RM; Cunha, JPS;

Publication
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH

Abstract
Stress can impact multiple psychological and physiological human domains. In order to better understand the effect of stress on cognitive performance, and whether this effect is related to an autonomic response to stress, the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) was used as a testing platform along with a 2-Choice Reaction Time Task. When considering the nature and importance of Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) work and the fact that they are subjected to high levels of stress, this study was conducted with a sample of ATCs (n = 11). Linear Heart Rate Variability (HRV) features were extracted from ATCs electrocardiogram (ECG) acquired using a medical-grade wearable ECG device (Vital Jacket((R)) (1-Lead, Biodevices S.A, Matosinhos, Portugal)). Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) were also used to measure perceived stress. TSST produced statistically significant changes in some HRV parameters (Average of normal-to-normal intervals (AVNN), Standard Deviation of all NN (SDNN), root mean square of differences between successive rhythm-to-rhythm (RR) intervals (RMSSD), pNN20, and LF/HF) and subjective measures of stress, which recovered after the stress task. Although these short-term changes in HRV showed a tendency to normalize, an impairment on cognitive performance was evident. Despite that participant's reaction times were lower, the accuracy significantly decreased, presenting more errors after performing the acute stress event. Results can also point to the importance of the development of quantified occupational health (qOHealth) devices to allow for the monitoring of stress responses.

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