New Techniques For Adaptive Program Optimization

Living organisms are adapted to their environment. Modern compilers and runtime systems for computer software are no different: as part of a continuous optimization process, they can adapt the execution cycle of a program to the workload it operates on. This thesis brings novel ideas to the software optimization domain. It illustrates methodological and practical contributions that advance the state of the art for performance profiling techniques and adaptive runtime designs, backed by promising experimental results on industrial-strength benchmarks. Part of the results has been presented in flagship programming language venues.

This book presents adaptive solution methods for multiobjective optimization problems based on parameter dependent scalarization approaches. Readers will benefit from the new adaptive methods and ideas for solving multiobjective optimization.

This book is about various adaptive and dynamic techniques used to optimize processor power and performance. It is based on a very successful forum at ISSCC which focused on Adaptive Techniques. The book looks at the underlying process technology for adaptive designs and then examines different circuits, architecture and software that address the different aspects. The chapters are written by people both in academia and the industry to show the scope of alternative practices.

This book presents new trends in optimization methods that can be used to handle the stochastic, predictive nature of large-scale system problems in power and energy. The author provides decision tools and techniques for heuristic optimization and adaptive dynamic programming. He also reviews the latest research in optimization techniques derived from static optimization, decision support tools, and heuristic and adaptive dynamic programming for handling problems with stochastic, predictive, and adaptive behavior. In addition to easy-to-follow algorithms and illustrative engineering examples, the author also includes benchmark problems from power systems using state-of-the-art optimization.

This PhD thesis consists of three projects: the first and the second ones, carried out at Sapienza University of Rome, deal with the design and synthesis of novel COX-2 selective inhibitors and dual COX-2 inhibitors/NO-releasing agents, respectively. The third project concerns the development of a novel BRD9 chemical probe and was realized at the University of Oxford (Department of Chemistry).

Considering the seismic behaviour of cultural heritage buildings, recent earthquakes have emphasised the high vulnerability of vaulted structures. In this regard, the present thesis deals with masonry cross vaults, among the most diffused and fascinating structural typologies of the European cultural heritage. After a thorough review of cross vault historical developments, the focus is shifted to the shaking table tests of a scaled arch. These two points provided valuable information to calibrate the finite element model of cross vault, discussed next. Finally, the influence of the main geometrical and mechanical parameters on the seismic capacity of cross vaults are examined by means of a sensitivity analysis.

The topic of proactivity of brain functions has become of growing interest in the cognitive neuroscience. Brain activity is no longer described solely in a reactive way, but also as preparatory and predictive of future events. This volume focuses especially on the neurocognitive activities associated with anticipatory processes of perceptual decision-making. What does the brain do to prevent mistakes? Is it possible to prevent speed and accuracy of a decision even before it is made? Why do some people perform better or worse than others? The volume answers these and other questions through the description of some original research. In particular, electroencephalographic investigations are illustrated which allowed to define a first version of the model known as “preparation-perception-action cycle”. Present findings reveal theoretical and practical implications which constitute a useful reference for researchers and scholars interested in discovering the aware and unaware ways in which our brain anticipates the future.

This volume collects the main results of the Author’s Ph.D. course in Electromagnetics and Mathematical Models for Engineering, attended at ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome from November 2011 to February 2015, in the Electromagnetic Fields 1 Lab of the Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, under the tutoring of Prof. Alessandro Galli.