Generic Methodology for Formal Verification of UML Models

This paper discusses a Unified Modelling Language (UML) based formal verification methodology for early error detection in the model-based software development cycle. Our approach proposes a UML-based formal verification process utilising functional and behavioural modelling artifacts of UML. It reinforces these artifacts with formal model transition and property verification. The main contribution is a UML to Labelled Transition System (LTS) Translator application that automatically converts UML Statecharts to formal models. Property specifications are derived from system requirements and corresponding Computational Tree Logic (CTL)/Linear Temporal Logic (LTL) model checking procedure verifies property entailment in LTS. With its ability to verify CTL and LTL specifications, the methodology becomes generic for verifying all types of embedded system behaviours. The steep learning curve associated with formal methods is avoided through the automatic formal model generation and thus reduces the reluctance of using formal methods in software development projects. A case study of an embedded controller used in military applications validates the methodology. It establishes how the methodology finds its use in verifying the correctness and consistency of UML models before implementation.

Formal concept analysis model for static code analysis

Tools that focus on static code analysis for early error detection are of utmost importance in software development, especially since the propagation of errors is strongly related to higher costs in the development process. Formal Concept Analysis is a prominent field of applied mathematics that uses conceptual landscapes to discover and represent maximal clusters of data. Its expressive visualization method makes it suitable for exploratory analyses in different fields. In this paper we present a Formal Concept Analysis framework for static code analysis that can serve as a model for quantitative and qualitative exploration and interpretation of such results.

Concurrent bronchopulmonary foregut malformations: a rare case of right-sided extralobar pulmonary sequestration and bronchogenic cyst

Background Bronchopulmonary foregut malformations are rare congenital malformations. It is extremely rare to have malformations that occur simultaneously. There is literature to show that extralobar sequestration is associated with other congenital anomalies, most commonly diaphragmatic hernias, and also with other bronchopulmonary foregut malformations (e.g., extralobar sequestration and congenital pulmonary airway malformations). However, very few case reports were found that reported extralobar sequestration and foregut duplication cysts and only one report of a right-sided complex foregut malformation with pulmonary sequestration. Case presentation We present a case of a 3-month-old male infant with a prenatal diagnosis of a cystic lung lesion who, after developing symptoms of respiratory distress, was found to have concurrent right-sided extralobar pulmonary sequestration and a mediastinal bronchogenic cyst. Conclusions The concurrent occurrence of these malformations in one patient could help support the theory that these malformations result from an early error in development during the time when both the lung buds and foregut are developing simultaneously.

Cardiac afferent activity modulates early neural signature of error detection during skilled performance

Behavioral adaptations during performance rely on predicting and evaluating the consequences of our actions through action monitoring. Previous studies revealed that proprioceptive and exteroceptive signals contribute to error-monitoring processes, which are implemented in the posterior medial frontal cortex. Interestingly, errors also trigger changes in autonomic nervous system activity such as pupil dilation or heartbeat deceleration. Yet, the contribution of implicit interoceptive signals of bodily states to error-monitoring during ongoing performance has been overlooked.This study investigated whether cardiovascular interoceptive signals influence the neural correlates of error processing during performance, with an emphasis on the early stages of error processing. We recorded musicians’ electroencephalography and electrocardiogram signals during the performance of highly-trained music pieces. Previous event-related potential (ERP) studies revealed that pitch errors during skilled musical performance are preceded by an error detection signal, the pre-error-negativity (preERN), and followed by a later error positivity (PE). In this study, by combining ERP, source localization and multivariate pattern classification analysis, we found that the error-minus-correct ERP waveform had an enhanced amplitude within 40-100 ms following errors in the systolic period of the cardiac cycle. This component could be decoded from singletrials, was dissociated from the preERN and PE, and stemmed from the inferior parietal cortex, which is a region implicated in cardiac autonomic regulation. In addition, the phase of the cardiac cycle influenced behavioral alterations resulting from errors, with a smaller post-error slowing and less perturbed velocity in keystrokes following pitch errors in the systole relative to the diastole phase of the cardiac cycle. Lastly, changes in the heart rate anticipated the upcoming occurrence of errors. This study provides the first evidence of preconscious visceral information modulating neural and behavioral responses related to early error monitoring during skilled performance.

MML: Multi Markup Language — When one markup language just isn’t enough

The fundamental arguments in the “XML” vs “JSON” “Debate/War” are irrelevant. True, XML can be extremely complicated and bloated for what should be a simple task. True, JSON lacks native support for mixed content, complex types, and is difficult to hand edit. In complex environments it is necessary to exploit the advantages of each format and to mitigate the weaknesses of each. Using as an example a multi-year ongoing project of authoring and managing the lifecycle of a particular document type, I will demonstrate how very minor differences in markup style, ironically differences intentional designed into JSON specifically as a counterpoint to XML “complexity” make a huge impact on the ability of software to assist in the editing process, and equally for humans to accurately author and modify even small documents. These little things — added together — make even “well formedness” validation impossible, useless, or worse — a valid document that is structurally different than what it appears. I propose to solve this problem with “MML”; a hybrid approach for multi markup documents. “MML” allows multiple “Native Markup” variants of the same document to co-exist. Simple transformations can produce variants of the document suitable for different tooling including JSON and XML formats, each of which is syntactically valid for the specific markup language. This is critical for early error detection and integration with existing tools.