An approach to generating provably correct sequential code from formally developed algorithmic designs is presented. Given an algorithm modelled in the Event-B formalism, we automatically translate the design into the SPARK programming language. Our translation builds upon Abrial’s approach to the development of sequential programs from Event-B models. However, as well as generating code, our a...

The value of a gas fired power plant depends on the spark spread, defined as the difference between the unit price of electricity and the cost of gas. We model the spark spread using two-factor model, allowing mean-reversion in short-term variations and uncertainty in the equilibrium price to which prices revert. We analyze two types of gas plants. The first type is a base load plant, generatin...

This paper discusses the design and implementation of a bounded model checker for SPARK code, and provides a proof of concept of the utility and practicality of bounded verification for SPARK. Introduction. SPARK is a programming language and toolset designed for the development of high-assurance software [4]. The language is based on a restricted subset of Ada (see [1] for a full description),...

We investigate acute effects of axial stretch, applied by carbon fibers (CFs), on diastolic Ca2+ spark rate in rat isolated cardiomyocytes. CFs were attached either to both cell ends (to maximize the stretched region), or to the center and one end of the cell (to compare responses in stretched and nonstretched half-cells). Sarcomere length was increased by 8.01+/-0.94% in the stretched cell fra...

This paper describes an investigation of the performance characteristics of high performance data analytics (HPDA) workloads on the Cray XC40TM, with a focus on commonly-used open source analytics frameworks like Apache Spark. We look at two types of Spark workloads: the Spark benchmarks from the Intel HiBench 4.0 suite and a CX matrix decomposition algorithm. We study performance from both the...

In this study, MIE values measured with two different explosion tubes, HARTMANN and MIKE 3, are compared. Generally, MIKE 3 apparatus provides MIE results, which are equal or lower to those measured with the HARTMANN apparatus; this is particularly true for the energy ranges between 1 and 10mJ and higher than 100mJ. Differences observed can modify samples classification according to their sensi...

This paper analyzes the scalability potential of embarrassingly parallel genomics applications using the Apache Spark big data framework and compares their performance with native implementations as well as with Apache Hadoop scalability. The paper uses the BWA DNA mapping algorithm as an example due to its good scalability characteristics and due to the large data files it uses as input. Resul...

On February 24-26, 2014, the Coordinating Research Council (CRC) hosted a workshop at Hyatt Regency Baltimore, which focused on advanced fuel and engine efficiency. The workshop was co-sponsored by American Petroleum Institute (API) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The main goal of the workshop was to understand the state of the art and identify gaps in current research efforts towards unde...

Sheer increase in volume of data over the last decade has triggered research in cluster computing frameworks that enable web enterprises to extract big insights from big data. While Apache Spark is gaining popularity for exhibiting superior scale-out performance on the commodity machines, the impact of data volume on the performance of Spark based data analytics in scale-up configuration is not...

In this article, we report a new route to synthesize diamond by converting "solid" carbon nanofibers with a Spark Plasma Sintering system under low temperature and pressure (even at atmospheric pressure). Well-crystallized diamond crystals are obtained at the tips of the carbon nanofibers after sintering at 1500 °C and atmospheric pressure. Combining with scanning electron microscopy, transmiss...