Abstract
Multi-core platforms are challenging the way software is developed, in all application domains. For the particular case of real-time systems, models for the development of parallel software must be able to be shown correct in both functional and non-functional properties at design-time. In particular, issues such as concurrency, timing behaviour and interaction with the environment need to be addressed with the same caution as for the functional requirements. This paper proposes an execution model for the parallelization of real-time software, based upon a fine-grained parallelism support being proposed to Ada, a programming language particularly suited to the development of critical, concurrent software. We also show the correctness of the proposed model in terms of satisfying constraints related to execution order and unbounded priority inversions. © 2013 ACM.

Abstract
Experts provided information about parallel and multicore systems in papers submitted and discussed at a workshop. Discussion followed about the wisdom of giving any directive further than with parallel for the programmers to control the details of how parallelism was configured, executed, and potentially mapped in the runtime. The counter argument was raised that in real-time systems there was a need for the programmer to specify such control to directly specify the behavior, which was required for behavior analysis and timing behavior analysis. Questions were raised about the memory model of the proposal, and it was decided that the general model was that which supported a shared memory system, with cache coherency and uniform access to memory= within a single partition.

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We present Carousel-EDF, a new hierarchical scheduling algorithm for a system of identical processors, and its overhead-aware schedulability analysis based on demand bound functions. Carousel-EDF is an offshoot of NPS-F and preserves its utilization bounds, which are the highest among algorithms not based on a single dispatching queue and that have few preemptions. Furthermore, with respect to NPS-F, Carousel-EDF reduces by up to 50% the number of context switches and of preemptions caused by the high-level scheduler itself. The schedulability analysis we present in this paper is grounded on a prototype implementation of Carousel-EDF that uses a new implementation technique for the release of periodic tasks. This technique reduces the pessimism of the schedulability analysis presented and can be applied, with similar benefits, to other scheduling algorithms such as NPS-F.

Abstract
O projeto “Serious Game em contexto de formação profissional” teve por objetivo explorar o potencial da utilização de Serious Games nas atividades de formação da PT Inovação SA. O projeto, que decorreu entre Janeiro de 2011 e Maio de 2013, incluiu a conceção, prototipagem e validação de um Serious Game destinado a familiarizar os novos colaboradores da PT Inovação SA com a organização física e lógica da empresa, para o que foi desenvolvido um ambiente realista que permite a navegação em alguns espaços de referência da empresa bem como o contacto com a estrutura dirigente e com alguns produtos. Em diversas fases do jogo o utilizador é convidado a realizar atividades pedagógicas que permitem que tome consciência dos progressos de aprendizagem que está a realizar. O Serious Game desenvolvido foi validado com sucesso através de um modelo composto por parâmetros e estratégias de avaliação orientados para análise da usabilidade e do resultados de aprendizagem, tendo-se efetuado recolha de dados através de testes de usabilidade, observação direta não participativa, registo audiovisual, think-aloud protocol e questionário por inquérito pré e pós-sessão. As principais conclusões do trabalho realizado indicam que o Serious Game possui bom potencial enquanto instrumento de apoio à formação, pois possibilita uma aprendizagem rápida e eficaz promovendo positivamente para a integração do novo colaborador na empresa.;The project "Serious Game in the context of vocational training" aimed exploring the potential use of Serious Games in the training activities of PT Inovação SA. The project, which took place between September 2010 and June 2013, included design, prototyping and validation of a Serious Game intended to familiarize new employees of PT Inovação SA with the physical and logical organization of the company. For this purpose a realistic environment was developed allowing navigation in some reference spaces in the company, as well as contact with the managing structure and with some products. In various stages of the game the user is invited to perform educational activities that allow him to be aware of his learning progress. The Serious Game was validated successfully by a model consisting of parameters and assessment strategies oriented to the analysis of usability and the learning outcomes. Data collection was achieved through usability testing, nonparticipatory direct observation, audiovisual recording, think-aloud protocol and questionnaire survey before and after the session. The main conclusions of the work indicate that the Serious Game has good potential as a tool to support training, as it proved to enable quick learning and effectiveness in promoting positive integration of a new employee in the company.