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In this paper we present a comprehensive architecture to carry out experimental repeatability studies on clusters of smartphones. Our architecture is founded on Smart Lab1, our in-house architecture for managing real and virtual smartphones via an intuitive Web user interface. Our presented architecture consists of several exciting components for re-programming and instrumenting smartphones to perform application testing and data gathering in a facile manner, as well as executing mockup experiments by "feeding" the devices with GPS/sensor readings. We will particularly demonstrate the various components of our architecture that encompasses smartphone sensor data collected by mobile users and organized in our distributed NoSQL document store. The given datasets can then be replayed on our test bed comprising of real and virtual smartphones accessible to developers through our Web 2.0 user interface. We present the applicability of our architecture through various mockup experiments over different application scenarios. © 2015 IEEE. 1 287 290 Sponsors: Aalborg University et al. IEEE Computer Society IEEE Technical Committee on Data Engineering The National Science Foundation University of Pittsburgh Conference code: 118117

Context Agile software development approaches are currently becoming the industry standard for Web Application development. On the other hand, Model-Driven Web Engineering (MDWE) methodologies are known to improve productivity when building this kind of applications. However, current MDWE methodologies tend to ignore important aspects of Web Applications development supported by agile processes, such as constant customer feedback or early design of user interfaces. Objective In this paper we analyze the difficulties of supporting agile features in MDWE methodologies. Then, we propose an approach that eases the incorporation of well-known agile practices to MDWE. Method We propose using User Interface prototypes (usually known as mockups) as a way to start the modeling process in the context of a mixed agile-MDWE process. To assist this process, we defined a lightweight metamodel that allows modeling features over mockups, interacting with end-users and generating MDWE models. Then, we conducted a statistical evaluation of both approaches (traditional vs. mockup-based modeling). Results First we comment on how agile features can be added to MDWE processes using mockups. Then, we show by means of a quantitative study that the proposed approach is faster, less error-prone and still as complete as traditional MDWE processes. Conclusion The use of mockups to guide the MDWE process helps in the reduction of the development cycle as well as in the incorporation of agile practices in the model-driven workflow. Complete MDWE models can be built and generated by using lightweight modeling over User Interface mockups, and this process suggests being more efficient, in terms of errors and effort, than traditional modeling in MDWE. Fil: Rivero, José Matías. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Informática. Laboratorio de Investigación y Formación en Informática Avanzada; Argentina Fil: Grigera, Julian. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Informática. Laboratorio de Investigación y Formación en Informática Avanzada; Argentina Fil: Rossi, Gustavo Héctor. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Informática. Laboratorio de Investigación y Formación en Informática Avanzada; Argentina Fil: Robles Luna, Esteban. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Informática. Laboratorio de Investigación y Formación en Informática Avanzada; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina Fil: Montero, Francisco. LoUISE Research Group. Madrid; España Fil: Gaedke, Martin. Chemnitz University of Technology; Alemania

In this demonstration paper we present SmartLab1, an architecture for managing a cluster of both Android Real Devices (ARDs) and Android Virtual Devices (AVDs) via an intuitive web-based interface. Our architecture consists of several exciting components for re-programming and instrumenting smartphones to perform application testing and data gathering in a facile manner, as well as executing mockup experiments by 'feeding' the devices with GPS/sensor readings. We will particularly demonstrate the various components of our architecture that encompasses smartphone sensor data collected by mobile users and organized in our distributed NoSQL document store. The given datasets can then be replayed on our testbed comprising of real and virtual smartphones accessible to developers through our Web 2.0 user interface. We present the applicability of our architecture through various mockup experiments over different application scenarios. © 2014 IEEE. 339 340 Sponsors: ACM SIGBED IEEE Computer Society Conference code: 106452 Cited By :2

Cool materials have a large potential as cost-effective solution for reducing cooling energy consumption in hot summer and mild winter regions like Mediterranean countries. A previous paper has described in detail the development of cool coloured ceramic tiles, acrylic paints and bituminous membranes for the building envelope taking into account both roof and façade application. This paper proposes an experimental and numerical approach for evaluating thermal performances of these materials on calibrated middle scale units and the energy impact on real buildings. This twofold analysis aims at describing a method that can help manufacturers to accurately compare new products against existing ones taking into account also new potential applications (e.g. building façades). Five dedicated test cells have been realized in Algete, near Madrid, fully instrumented and calibrated before being covered with traditional and cool systems of the same colour. Thermal performances have been then monitored during summer 2012 and May 2013 showing a net reduction of heat flux through the building envelope (up to 50% of peak value) and wall temperature (up to 4.7°C) in the case of cool materials. An uncertainty analysis was also performed to validate results. In parallel with the testing campaign a 3D numerical model of the mock-up has been implemented and fine-tuned with experimental data. This model has been then used as virtual scenario on which coverings with different radiative properties can be accurately evaluated and compared. For a full characterization of new materials complementary simulations have been performed with the ESP-r software. Yearly cooling energy reductions ranging from 0.6 to 3.5kWh/m2 have been estimated on different European localities. This preliminary study also demonstrates how cool façades can have a positive impact on yearly energy savings especially in the case of multi-storeys buildings and hot climates. The results shown in the paper have been achieved within the EU project COOL-Coverings aiming at developing new cool coloured products for the building envelope. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.

Cool materials have a large potential as cost-effective solution for reducing cooling energy consumption in hot summer and mild winter regions like Mediterranean countries. A previous paper has described in detail the development of cool coloured ceramic tiles, acrylic paints and bituminous membranes for the building envelope taking into account both roof and façade application. This paper proposes an experimental and numerical approach for evaluating thermal performances of these materials on calibrated middle scale units and the energy impact on real buildings. This twofold analysis aims at describing a method that can help manufacturers to accurately compare new products against existing ones taking into account also new potential applications (e.g. building façades). Five dedicated test cells have been realized in Algete, near Madrid, fully instrumented and calibrated before being covered with traditional and cool systems of the same colour. Thermal performances have been then monitored during summer 2012 and May 2013 showing a net reduction of heat flux through the building envelope (up to 50% of peak value) and wall temperature (up to 4.7°C) in the case of cool materials. An uncertainty analysis was also performed to validate results. In parallel with the testing campaign a 3D numerical model of the mock-up has been implemented and fine-tuned with experimental data. This model has been then used as virtual scenario on which coverings with different radiative properties can be accurately evaluated and compared. For a full characterization of new materials complementary simulations have been performed with the ESP-r software. Yearly cooling energy reductions ranging from 0.6 to 3.5kWh/m2 have been estimated on different European localities. This preliminary study also demonstrates how cool façades can have a positive impact on yearly energy savings especially in the case of multi-storeys buildings and hot climates. The results shown in the paper have been achieved within the EU project COOL-Coverings aiming at developing new cool coloured products for the building envelope. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-11T14:03:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Luis Jorge Enrique Rivero Cabrejos.pdf: 6587426 bytes, checksum: 089733fd8799984279076721cca2ad48 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-20 Coordena????o de Aperfei??oamento de Pessoal de N??vel Superior CAPES - Coordena????o de Aperfei??oamento de Pessoal de N??vel Superior Despite the increasing number of usability inspection methods for Web applications, most of these methods are being applied in later stages of the development process, which increases the cost of correcting the identified problems. This master degree thesis presents the Web Design Usability Evaluation (Web DUE) technique, a technique that was specifically crafted for the usability inspection of paper based prototypes (or mockups). The Web DUE technique aims at aiding inspectors in the identification of usability problems in earlier stages of the development process, thus reducing the cost of correcting them. To achieve this goal, the Web DUE technique suggests to divide mockups into Web page zones and, using a set of usability verification items, to check if the interface is usable or presents usability problems. To simulate interaction between the mockups and the user, and to support usability problems detection, we created the Mockup DUE tool. Both, the creation of the Web DUE technique and Mockup DUE tool, were supported by empirical validation. In this dissertation we present: (a) how we created the Web DUE technique based on the analysis of the results of a systematic mapping extension; (b) the feasibility study of the technique; (c) how the results from the empirical study helped in the creation of the Mockup DUE tool; (d) the feasibility study of the Mockup DUE tool; and (e) the evolution of the proposed technologies for the inspection of Web mockups. Apesar do aumento do n??mero de m??todos de inspe????o de usabilidade de aplica????es Web, a maioria destes m??todos s?? ?? aplicada nas ??ltimas etapas do processo de desenvolvimento, aumentando o custo de corre????o dos problemas encontrados. Esta disserta????o de mestrado apresenta a t??cnica Web Design Usability Evaluation (Web DUE), uma t??cnica espec??fica para inspe????es de usabilidade de prot??tipos em papel (ou mockups). A t??cnica Web DUE tem por finalidade apoiar os inspetores na identifica????o de problemas de usabilidade durante as primeiras etapas do processo de desenvolvimento, visando assim ?? redu????o dos custos de corre????o dos mesmos. Para atingir esse objetivo, a t??cnica Web DUE sugere a divis??o dos mockups em zonas de p??ginas Web e a avalia????o de usabilidade dos mesmos com base em um conjunto de itens de verifica????o. Para simular a intera????o entre os mockups e o usu??rio e apoiar a detec????o de defeitos de usabilidade, foi criada a ferramenta Mockup DUE. Tanto a t??cnica Web DUE quanto a ferramenta Mockup DUE tiveram sua constru????o e avalia????o apoiada por experimenta????o. Esta disserta????o apresenta: (a) como a t??cnica Web DUE foi elaborada com base na an??lise da extens??o de um mapeamento sistem??tico; (b) o estudo de viabilidade da t??cnica Web DUE; (c) a cria????o da ferramenta Mockup DUE com base nos resultados do primeiro estudo de viabilidade da t??cnica; (d) o estudo de viabilidade da ferramenta Mockup DUE; e (e) a evolu????o das tecnologias propostas para a inspe????o de mockups de aplica????es Web.