Abstract

This report documents the program and outcomes of Dagstuhl Seminar 23302, "Software Architecture and Machine Learning". We summarize the goals and format of the seminar, results from the breakout groups, key definitions relevant to machine learning-enabled systems that were discussed, and the research roadmap that emerged from the discussions during the seminar. The report also includes the abstracts of the talks presented at the seminar and summaries of open discussions.

Abstract

Microservice architectures have gained enormous popularity due to their ability to be dynamically added/removed, replicated, and updated according to run-time needs. However, the dynamic nature of microservices introduces uncertainty, which in turn can affect the provided Quality of Service (QoS). This calls for novel service discovery mechanisms able to adapt to the variability of the QoS attributes and further perform effective service discovery and selection. To this end, this paper combines machine learning and self-adaptation techniques to perform service discovery and selection by trading off different QoS attributes. The results of our validation on a state-of-the-art microservices exemplar show that our ML-enabled approach can perform service discovery with 35% higher effectiveness with respect to existing baselines.

Abstract

Urbanization, driven by technological advancements, has brought about improved connectivity and efficiency, especially with the rise of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Smart cities use these innovations to manage resources better and enhance resident’s quality of life. However, implementing smart city projects comes with challenges like monitoring, maintaining, and testing urban infrastructure. Digital Twin(DT) entails the connection of physical facilities or devices with their digital counterparts, facilitating real-time monitoring, manipulation, and predictive analysis of their behavior. This innovative concept offers a virtual replica of assets, processes and systems, enabling insights into their real-time performance and predictive behaviors. By simulating real-world scenarios, DT aids in planning maintenance activities and conducting comprehensive testing, thereby enhancing the resilience and efficiency of Smart City Systems. Particularly in the context of managing water networks, DT technology holds significant promise. Visualization capabilities provide intuitive insights, while actuation enables control actions based on predictive analytics and optimization algorithms. To this end, in this paper, we present the architecture of WaterTwin, a DT we developed for water quality networks in smart city systems. We demonstrate our approach through the use case of a water quality network in the smart city living lab of the IIIT Hyderabad campus.

Abstract

While documenting Architectural Knowledge (AK) is crucial, it is frequently neglected in many projects, and existing manual tools are underutilized. Although undocumented, Archi-tecture Knowledge (AK) is dispersed across various sources such as source code, documentation, and runtime logs. To address this, automated tools for efficient AK extraction and documentation are essential. Even after generating AK, navigating through vast the Architectural Records can be overwhelming. Building on that, we propose an automated Architectural Knowledge Management (AKM) System using Information Extraction and Generative AI, which generates AK from various source for a given system and answers architectural queries with respect to the given system. The development of an efficient Architectural Knowledge Management (AKM) system, which is both effective and user-friendly, entails the resolution of numerous challenges. It requires consolidating diverse AK data sources scattered across code, dia-grams, repository commits, and online platforms. The integration of Multimodal AI for AK extraction, incorporation of global AK, and leveraging Generative AI for AK documentation further compounds the problem. Moreover, generating contextually appropriate query responses adds another layer of complexity. To this end, we performed an initial exploratory study on generating Architectural Design Decisions using generative Large Language Models (LLM) in the context of Architecture Decision Records (ADR). Our initial results have been promising indicating the potential impact of GenAI for architectural knowledge management.

Abstract

Text summarization is a well-established task within the natural language processing (NLP) community. However, the focus on controllable summarization tailored to user requirements is gaining traction only recently. While several efforts explore controllability in text summarization, the investigation of Multi-Attribute Controllable Summarization (MACS) remains limited. This work addresses this gap by examining the MACS task through the lens of large language models (LLMs), using various learning paradigms, particularly low-rank adapters. We experiment with different popular adapter fine-tuning strategies to assess the effectiveness of the resulting models in retaining cues and patterns associated with multiple controllable attributes. Additionally, we propose and evaluate a novel hierarchical adapter fusion technique to integrate learnings from two distinct controllable attributes. Subsquently, we present our findings, discuss the challenges encountered, and suggest potential avenues for advancing the MACS task.

Abstract

Generic text summarization approaches often fail to address the specific intent and needs of individual users. Recently, scholarly attention has turned to the development of summarization methods that are more closely tailored and controlled to align with specific objectives and user needs. Despite a growing corpus of controllable summarization research, there is no comprehensive survey available that thoroughly explores the diverse controllable attributes employed in this context, delves into the associated challenges, and investigates the existing solutions. In this survey, we formalize the Controllable Text Summarization (CTS) task, categorize controllable attributes according to their shared characteristics and objectives, and present a thorough examination of existing datasets and methods within each category. Moreover, based on our findings, we uncover limitations and research gaps, while also exploring potential solutions and future directions for CTS. We release our detailed analysis of CTS papers at https://github.com/ashokurlana/controllable_text_summarization_survey.

Abstract

This paper presents the design and development of heater control for a flexible embedded microheater (7000 um x 9000 um) for a lab-on-a-chip system. Our work focuses on advancing the PWM-based control system with the goal of reducing the system time constant. We also present the fabrication of an embedded flexible microheater in a PDMS substrate. We validate the efficacy of the flexible microheater and its control system by using it for glucose detection. A steady state temperature in the range of 40$^o$C to 120 degree C is achieved in approximately 40 s, with the heater's power consumption ranging from 0.4 W to 2 W. The novelty of the work lies in that we have made a small, flexible, low-cost chip without the use of sophisticated equipment or conventional fabrication techniques.

Abstract

Chart question answering (CQA) is a crucial area of Visual Language Understanding. However, the robustness and consistency of current Visual Language Models (VLMs) in this field remain under-explored. This paper evaluates state-of-the-art VLMs on comprehensive datasets, developed specifically for this study, encompassing diverse question categories and chart formats. We investigate two key aspects: 1) the models' ability to handle varying levels of chart and question complexity, and 2) their robustness across different visual representations of the same underlying data. Our analysis reveals significant performance variations based on question and chart types, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses of current models. Additionally, we identify areas for improvement and propose future research directions to build more robust and reliable CQA systems. This study sheds light on the limitations of current models and paves the way for future advancements in the field.

Abstract

This paper presents a simple method for stabilizing the quadrotor dynamics under complete loss of one actuator using two-stage optimal control. Detailed equilibrium analysis and subsequent selection of operating point under actuator loss are provided, incorporating constraints on the maximum available thrust. A detailed simulation study using a high-fidelity nonlinear model of the quadrotor is presented showing the stability and performance of the closed-loop system under complete actuator loss, in the presence of external disturbances.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for low cost, scalable approaches to measuring contactless vital signs, either during initial triage at a healthcare facility or virtual telemedicine visits. Remote photoplethysmography (rPPG) can accurately estimate heart rate (HR) when applied to closeup videos of healthy volunteers in well-lit laboratory settings. However, results from such highly optimized laboratory studies may not be readily translated to healthcare settings. One significant barrier to practical application of rPPG in healthcare is accurate localization of region of interest (ROI). Clinical or telemedicine visits may involve sub-optimal lighting, movement artifacts, variable camera angle, and subject distance. This paper presents an rPPG ROI selection method based on 3D facial landmarks and patient head yaw angle. We then demonstrate robustness of this ROI selection method when coupled to Plane-Orthogonal-to-Skin (POS) rPPG method when applied to videos of patients presenting to an Emergency Department for respiratory complaints. Our primary contributions are twofold: (1) a robust ROI selection framework that adapts to real-world clinical scenarios, and (2) first unrestricted rPPG dataset collected from emergency ward settings, addressing critical gaps between controlled laboratory conditions and real-world clinical environments. Our results demonstrate effectiveness of our proposed approach in improving accuracy and robustness of rPPG in a challenging clinical environment.