Purpose. This study was performed to assess the accuracy of high-resolution sonography in measuri... more Purpose. This study was performed to assess the accuracy of high-resolution sonography in measuring penile carcinoma.
Objective To explore the possibility of reducing the margin of clearance at surgery for carcinoma... more Objective To explore the possibility of reducing the margin of clearance at surgery for carcinoma of the penis without causing an increase in the incidence of local tumour recurrence, so that the functional and cosmetic compromise associated with penectomy might be minimized.Patients and methods Sixty-four patients underwent partial or total penectomy based on the extent of tumour. The specimens were evaluated histologically for grade and for proximal microscopic extensions beyond the grossly visible tumour margin, by examining serial proximal 5 mm sections. The histological grade of the lesion was correlated with its clinical site, morphology and proximal microscopic spread. Differences were assessed using the chi-squared test.Results Of 64 tumours, 31% were grade 1, 50% grade 2 and the remaining 19% grade 3. Higher grade lesions were more likely to involve the penile shaft. The maximum proximal histological extent was 5 mm for grades 1 and 2, and 10 mm for grade 3 tumours; there was no discontinuous spread.Conclusions Histological grading is mandatory in the management of carcinoma of the penis. A 10-mm clearance is adequate for grade 1 and 2 lesions, and 15 mm for grade 3 tumours. This approach would qualify more patients for partial rather than total amputation; the residual length of the penis would then be cosmetically and functionally more acceptable.
Institute for Software Integrated Systems, Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN, 37235 {aditya.agr... more Institute for Software Integrated Systems, Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN, 37235 {aditya.agrawal, gabor.karsai, akos.ledeczi}@vanderbilt.edu ... ABSTRACT This paper presents a comprehensive, domain-driven framework for software development. It consists of a ...
Domain-specific modeling languages amortize the cost of the development of a language over all th... more Domain-specific modeling languages amortize the cost of the development of a language over all the software products they can be used for. This paper describes an infrastructure for developing DSMLs and using them in a systematic manner. The infrastructure consists of a modeling language (UML class diagrams), a modeling tool, a code generator, and a number of generic libraries that provide support for object performance in several forms.
Abstract. The Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) vision of the Object Management Group offers a uniq... more Abstract. The Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) vision of the Object Management Group offers a unique opportunity for introducing Graph Transformation (GT) technology to the software industry. The paper proposes a domain-specific refinement of MDA, and describes a ...
This paper introduces a UML-based approach for specifying model transformations. The technique is... more This paper introduces a UML-based approach for specifying model transformations. The technique is based on graph transformations, where UML class diagrams are used to represent the graph grammars of the input and the output of the transformations, and the transformations are represented as explicitly sequenced elementary rewriting operations. The paper discusses the visual language designed for the representation of transformation programs and the graph transformation execution engine which implements the semantics of the language.
In this paper we discuss efficiency related constructs of a graph rewriting language, called Grap... more In this paper we discuss efficiency related constructs of a graph rewriting language, called Graph Rewriting and Transformation (GReAT), and introduce a code generator tool, which together provide a programming framework for the specification and efficient realization of graph rewriting systems. We argue that the performance problems frequently associated with the implementation of the transformation can be significantly reduced by partial evaluation and adopting language constructs that allow algorithmic optimizations.
ABSTRACT. In model driven development, model transformations play a crucial role. This paper intr... more ABSTRACT. In model driven development, model transformations play a crucial role. This paper introduces a new, UML-based approach for the specification and implementation of model transformations. The technique is based on graph transformations, where the ...
Model-driven development of software systems envisions transformations applied in various stages ... more Model-driven development of software systems envisions transformations applied in various stages of the development process. Similarly, the use of domain-specific languages also necessitates transformations that map domain-specific constructs into the constructs of an underlying programming language. Thus, in these cases, the writing of transformation tools becomes a first-class activity of the software engineer. This paper introduces a language that was designed to support implementing highly efficient transformation programs that perform model-to-model or model-to-code translations. The language uses the concepts of graph transformations and metamodeling, and is supported by a suite of tools that allow the rapid prototyping and realization of transformation tools.
The implementation of Computer Based Systems (CBSs) is commonly guided by constraints imposed by ... more The implementation of Computer Based Systems (CBSs) is commonly guided by constraints imposed by the particular domain of the CBS. Domain-specific programming is a convenient way to provide a domain expert with a language that is customized to the particular constraints and assumptions of the domain.. The careful thought and design that precede the development of any domain-specific visual language restrict the programmer from illegal formalisms, and allow for the rapid determination of the validity of the "program". Usually, the domain-specific visual language is designed and produced using a metamodel of some sort. Occasionally, similar domains can benefit from models created according to the ontology of this original metamodel, but usually some amount of modeltransformation is required to give validity of the transformed models. This paper presents a visual language for transforming domain-models that can express the mapping between the meta-models of the "input" (i.e. the "old" domain) and the "output" (i.e. the "new" domain), and uses graph-rewriting techniques to transform the "old" domain-models into the appropriate "new" form.
ACM Transactions on Modeling and Computer Simulation, 2003
Developing a single embedded application involves a multitude of different development tools incl... more Developing a single embedded application involves a multitude of different development tools including several different simulators. Most tools use different abstractions, have their own formalisms to represent the system under development, utilize different input and output data formats and have their own semantics. A unified environment that allows capturing the system in one place and one that drives all necessary simulators and analysis tools from this shared representation needs a common representation technology that must support several different abstractions and formalisms seamlessly. Describing the individual formalisms by metamodels and carefully composing them is the underlying technology behind MILAN, a Model-based Integrated Simulation Framework. MILAN is an extensible framework that supports multi-granular simulation of embedded systems by seamlessly integrating existing simulators into a unified environment. Formal metamodels and explicit constraints define the domain-specific modeling language developed for MILAN that combines hierarchical, heterogeneous, parametric dataflow representation with strong data typing. Multiple modeling aspects separate orthogonal concepts. The language also allows the representation of the design space of the application, not just a point solution. Non-functional requirements are captured as formal, application-specific constraints. MILAN has integrated tool support for design-space exploration and pruning. The models are used to automatically configure the integrated functional simulators, high level performance and power estimators, cycle accurate performance simulators and power-aware simulators. Simulation results are used to automatically update the system models.
The Model Driven Architecture (MDA) can have a greater impact by expanding its scope to Domain Sp... more The Model Driven Architecture (MDA) can have a greater impact by expanding its scope to Domain Specific MDA (DSMDA). DSMDA is the use of MDA for a particular domain. This helps developers to represent their systems using familiar domain concepts. For each DSMDA, a transformer is needed to convert Domain Specific Platform Independent Models (DSPIM -s) to Domain Specific Platform Specific Models (DSPDM-s). Such model transformers are time consuming and error prone to develop and maintain. Hence, a high-level specification language to formally specify the behavior of model transformers is required. The language must also have an execution framework, which can be used to execute the specifications in the language. This research proposes to develop such a language and execution framework that will help to considerably speed-up the development time for model transformers.
This paper introduces a UML-based approach for specifying model transformations. The technique is... more This paper introduces a UML-based approach for specifying model transformations. The technique is based on graph transformations, where UML class diagrams are used to represent the graph grammars of the input and the output of the transformations, and the transformations are represented as explicitly sequenced elementary rewriting operations. The paper discusses the visual language designed for the representation of transformation programs and the graph transformation execution engine which implements the semantics of the language.
Domain-specific visual programming is a convenient way to hide complexity from the programmer. Th... more Domain-specific visual programming is a convenient way to hide complexity from the programmer. The careful thought and design that precede the development of any domainspecific visual language restrict the programmer from illegal formalisms, and allow for the rapid determination of the validity of the "program". Usually, the domain-specific visual language is designed and produced using a metamodel of some sort. However, changes in the metamodel can lead to disastrous results when attempting to process domain-models built according to the original specifications. This paper presents a visual language for transforming domain-models that can express the mapping between the meta-models of the "input" (i.e. the "old" language) and the "output" (i.e. the "new" language), and uses graphrewriting techniques to transform the "old" domain-models into the appropriate "new" form.
The Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) vision of the Object Management Group offers a unique opportu... more The Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) vision of the Object Management Group offers a unique opportunity for introducing Graph Transformation (GT) technology to the software industry. The paper proposes a domain-specific refinement of MDA, and describes a practical manifestation of MDA called Model-Integrated Computing (MIC). MIC extends MDA towards domain-specific modeling languages, and it is well supported by various generic tools that include model transformation tools based on graph transformations. The MIC tools are metaprogrammable, i.e. they can be tailored for specific domains using metamodels that include metamodels of transformations. The paper describes the development process and the supporting tools of MIC, and it raises a number of issues for future research on GT in MDA.
The Model-Driven Architecture of OMG envisions a development paradigm where designers create a Pl... more The Model-Driven Architecture of OMG envisions a development paradigm where designers create a Platform-Independent Model (PIM) of the design, which is then refined into a Platform-Specific Model (PSM). This paper argues that this approach lends itself well to generative programming techniques, and that tools are needed to support this transformation. The paper shows how a technique based on graph transformations could be applied to automate the process, as well as make it user-extendible.
Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science, 2004
Software engineering tools based on Graph Transformation techniques are becoming available, but t... more Software engineering tools based on Graph Transformation techniques are becoming available, but their practical applicability is somewhat reduced by the lack of idioms and design patterns. Idioms and design patterns provide prototypical solutions for recurring design problems in software engineering, but their use can be easily extended into software development using graph transformation systems. In this paper we briefly present a simple graph transformation language: GREAT, and show how typical design problems that arise in the context of model transformations can be solved using its constructs. These solutions are similar to software design patterns, and intend to serve as the starting point for a more complete collection.
Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science, 2004
Embedded systems are often modeled using Matlab's Simulink and Stateflow (MSS), to simulate plant... more Embedded systems are often modeled using Matlab's Simulink and Stateflow (MSS), to simulate plant and controller behavior but these models lack support for formal verification. On the other hand verification techniques and tools do exist for models based on the notion of Hybrid Automata (HA) but there are no tools that can convert Simulink/Stateflow models into their semantically equivalent Hybrid Automata models. This paper describes a translation algorithm that converts a well-defined subset of the MSS modeling language into an equivalent hybrid automata. The translation has been specified and implemented using a metamodel-based graph transformation tool. The translation process allows semantic interoperability between the industry-standard MSS tools and the new verification tools developed in the research community.
Purpose. This study was performed to assess the accuracy of high-resolution sonography in measuri... more Purpose. This study was performed to assess the accuracy of high-resolution sonography in measuring penile carcinoma.
Objective To explore the possibility of reducing the margin of clearance at surgery for carcinoma... more Objective To explore the possibility of reducing the margin of clearance at surgery for carcinoma of the penis without causing an increase in the incidence of local tumour recurrence, so that the functional and cosmetic compromise associated with penectomy might be minimized.Patients and methods Sixty-four patients underwent partial or total penectomy based on the extent of tumour. The specimens were evaluated histologically for grade and for proximal microscopic extensions beyond the grossly visible tumour margin, by examining serial proximal 5 mm sections. The histological grade of the lesion was correlated with its clinical site, morphology and proximal microscopic spread. Differences were assessed using the chi-squared test.Results Of 64 tumours, 31% were grade 1, 50% grade 2 and the remaining 19% grade 3. Higher grade lesions were more likely to involve the penile shaft. The maximum proximal histological extent was 5 mm for grades 1 and 2, and 10 mm for grade 3 tumours; there was no discontinuous spread.Conclusions Histological grading is mandatory in the management of carcinoma of the penis. A 10-mm clearance is adequate for grade 1 and 2 lesions, and 15 mm for grade 3 tumours. This approach would qualify more patients for partial rather than total amputation; the residual length of the penis would then be cosmetically and functionally more acceptable.
Institute for Software Integrated Systems, Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN, 37235 {aditya.agr... more Institute for Software Integrated Systems, Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN, 37235 {aditya.agrawal, gabor.karsai, akos.ledeczi}@vanderbilt.edu ... ABSTRACT This paper presents a comprehensive, domain-driven framework for software development. It consists of a ...
Domain-specific modeling languages amortize the cost of the development of a language over all th... more Domain-specific modeling languages amortize the cost of the development of a language over all the software products they can be used for. This paper describes an infrastructure for developing DSMLs and using them in a systematic manner. The infrastructure consists of a modeling language (UML class diagrams), a modeling tool, a code generator, and a number of generic libraries that provide support for object performance in several forms.
Abstract. The Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) vision of the Object Management Group offers a uniq... more Abstract. The Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) vision of the Object Management Group offers a unique opportunity for introducing Graph Transformation (GT) technology to the software industry. The paper proposes a domain-specific refinement of MDA, and describes a ...
This paper introduces a UML-based approach for specifying model transformations. The technique is... more This paper introduces a UML-based approach for specifying model transformations. The technique is based on graph transformations, where UML class diagrams are used to represent the graph grammars of the input and the output of the transformations, and the transformations are represented as explicitly sequenced elementary rewriting operations. The paper discusses the visual language designed for the representation of transformation programs and the graph transformation execution engine which implements the semantics of the language.
In this paper we discuss efficiency related constructs of a graph rewriting language, called Grap... more In this paper we discuss efficiency related constructs of a graph rewriting language, called Graph Rewriting and Transformation (GReAT), and introduce a code generator tool, which together provide a programming framework for the specification and efficient realization of graph rewriting systems. We argue that the performance problems frequently associated with the implementation of the transformation can be significantly reduced by partial evaluation and adopting language constructs that allow algorithmic optimizations.
ABSTRACT. In model driven development, model transformations play a crucial role. This paper intr... more ABSTRACT. In model driven development, model transformations play a crucial role. This paper introduces a new, UML-based approach for the specification and implementation of model transformations. The technique is based on graph transformations, where the ...
Model-driven development of software systems envisions transformations applied in various stages ... more Model-driven development of software systems envisions transformations applied in various stages of the development process. Similarly, the use of domain-specific languages also necessitates transformations that map domain-specific constructs into the constructs of an underlying programming language. Thus, in these cases, the writing of transformation tools becomes a first-class activity of the software engineer. This paper introduces a language that was designed to support implementing highly efficient transformation programs that perform model-to-model or model-to-code translations. The language uses the concepts of graph transformations and metamodeling, and is supported by a suite of tools that allow the rapid prototyping and realization of transformation tools.
The implementation of Computer Based Systems (CBSs) is commonly guided by constraints imposed by ... more The implementation of Computer Based Systems (CBSs) is commonly guided by constraints imposed by the particular domain of the CBS. Domain-specific programming is a convenient way to provide a domain expert with a language that is customized to the particular constraints and assumptions of the domain.. The careful thought and design that precede the development of any domain-specific visual language restrict the programmer from illegal formalisms, and allow for the rapid determination of the validity of the "program". Usually, the domain-specific visual language is designed and produced using a metamodel of some sort. Occasionally, similar domains can benefit from models created according to the ontology of this original metamodel, but usually some amount of modeltransformation is required to give validity of the transformed models. This paper presents a visual language for transforming domain-models that can express the mapping between the meta-models of the "input" (i.e. the "old" domain) and the "output" (i.e. the "new" domain), and uses graph-rewriting techniques to transform the "old" domain-models into the appropriate "new" form.
ACM Transactions on Modeling and Computer Simulation, 2003
Developing a single embedded application involves a multitude of different development tools incl... more Developing a single embedded application involves a multitude of different development tools including several different simulators. Most tools use different abstractions, have their own formalisms to represent the system under development, utilize different input and output data formats and have their own semantics. A unified environment that allows capturing the system in one place and one that drives all necessary simulators and analysis tools from this shared representation needs a common representation technology that must support several different abstractions and formalisms seamlessly. Describing the individual formalisms by metamodels and carefully composing them is the underlying technology behind MILAN, a Model-based Integrated Simulation Framework. MILAN is an extensible framework that supports multi-granular simulation of embedded systems by seamlessly integrating existing simulators into a unified environment. Formal metamodels and explicit constraints define the domain-specific modeling language developed for MILAN that combines hierarchical, heterogeneous, parametric dataflow representation with strong data typing. Multiple modeling aspects separate orthogonal concepts. The language also allows the representation of the design space of the application, not just a point solution. Non-functional requirements are captured as formal, application-specific constraints. MILAN has integrated tool support for design-space exploration and pruning. The models are used to automatically configure the integrated functional simulators, high level performance and power estimators, cycle accurate performance simulators and power-aware simulators. Simulation results are used to automatically update the system models.
The Model Driven Architecture (MDA) can have a greater impact by expanding its scope to Domain Sp... more The Model Driven Architecture (MDA) can have a greater impact by expanding its scope to Domain Specific MDA (DSMDA). DSMDA is the use of MDA for a particular domain. This helps developers to represent their systems using familiar domain concepts. For each DSMDA, a transformer is needed to convert Domain Specific Platform Independent Models (DSPIM -s) to Domain Specific Platform Specific Models (DSPDM-s). Such model transformers are time consuming and error prone to develop and maintain. Hence, a high-level specification language to formally specify the behavior of model transformers is required. The language must also have an execution framework, which can be used to execute the specifications in the language. This research proposes to develop such a language and execution framework that will help to considerably speed-up the development time for model transformers.
This paper introduces a UML-based approach for specifying model transformations. The technique is... more This paper introduces a UML-based approach for specifying model transformations. The technique is based on graph transformations, where UML class diagrams are used to represent the graph grammars of the input and the output of the transformations, and the transformations are represented as explicitly sequenced elementary rewriting operations. The paper discusses the visual language designed for the representation of transformation programs and the graph transformation execution engine which implements the semantics of the language.
Domain-specific visual programming is a convenient way to hide complexity from the programmer. Th... more Domain-specific visual programming is a convenient way to hide complexity from the programmer. The careful thought and design that precede the development of any domainspecific visual language restrict the programmer from illegal formalisms, and allow for the rapid determination of the validity of the "program". Usually, the domain-specific visual language is designed and produced using a metamodel of some sort. However, changes in the metamodel can lead to disastrous results when attempting to process domain-models built according to the original specifications. This paper presents a visual language for transforming domain-models that can express the mapping between the meta-models of the "input" (i.e. the "old" language) and the "output" (i.e. the "new" language), and uses graphrewriting techniques to transform the "old" domain-models into the appropriate "new" form.
The Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) vision of the Object Management Group offers a unique opportu... more The Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) vision of the Object Management Group offers a unique opportunity for introducing Graph Transformation (GT) technology to the software industry. The paper proposes a domain-specific refinement of MDA, and describes a practical manifestation of MDA called Model-Integrated Computing (MIC). MIC extends MDA towards domain-specific modeling languages, and it is well supported by various generic tools that include model transformation tools based on graph transformations. The MIC tools are metaprogrammable, i.e. they can be tailored for specific domains using metamodels that include metamodels of transformations. The paper describes the development process and the supporting tools of MIC, and it raises a number of issues for future research on GT in MDA.
The Model-Driven Architecture of OMG envisions a development paradigm where designers create a Pl... more The Model-Driven Architecture of OMG envisions a development paradigm where designers create a Platform-Independent Model (PIM) of the design, which is then refined into a Platform-Specific Model (PSM). This paper argues that this approach lends itself well to generative programming techniques, and that tools are needed to support this transformation. The paper shows how a technique based on graph transformations could be applied to automate the process, as well as make it user-extendible.
Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science, 2004
Software engineering tools based on Graph Transformation techniques are becoming available, but t... more Software engineering tools based on Graph Transformation techniques are becoming available, but their practical applicability is somewhat reduced by the lack of idioms and design patterns. Idioms and design patterns provide prototypical solutions for recurring design problems in software engineering, but their use can be easily extended into software development using graph transformation systems. In this paper we briefly present a simple graph transformation language: GREAT, and show how typical design problems that arise in the context of model transformations can be solved using its constructs. These solutions are similar to software design patterns, and intend to serve as the starting point for a more complete collection.
Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science, 2004
Embedded systems are often modeled using Matlab's Simulink and Stateflow (MSS), to simulate plant... more Embedded systems are often modeled using Matlab's Simulink and Stateflow (MSS), to simulate plant and controller behavior but these models lack support for formal verification. On the other hand verification techniques and tools do exist for models based on the notion of Hybrid Automata (HA) but there are no tools that can convert Simulink/Stateflow models into their semantically equivalent Hybrid Automata models. This paper describes a translation algorithm that converts a well-defined subset of the MSS modeling language into an equivalent hybrid automata. The translation has been specified and implemented using a metamodel-based graph transformation tool. The translation process allows semantic interoperability between the industry-standard MSS tools and the new verification tools developed in the research community.
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Papers by Aditya Agrawal