University of Piraeus

About: University of Piraeus is a education organization based out in Piraeus, Attiki, Greece. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Context (language use) & Computer science. The organization has 1731 authors who have published 6209 publications receiving 106699 citations.

Effective Software Self-Test Methodology for Processor Cores

Abstract: Software self-testing for embedded processor cores based on their instruction set, is a topic of increasing interest since it provides an excellent test resource partitioning technique for sharing the testing task of complex systems-on-chip (SoC) between slow, inexpensive testers and embedded code stored in memory cores of the SoC. We introduce an efficient methodology for processor cores self-testing which requires knowledge of their instruction set and Register Transfer (RI) level description. Compared with functional testing methodologies proposed in the past, our methodology is more efficient in terms of fault coverage, test code size and test application time. Compared with recent software based structural testing methodologies for processor cores, our methodology is superior in terms of test development effort and has significantly smaller code size and memory requirements, while virtually the same fault coverage is achieved with an order of magnitude smaller test application time.

Sustainable development, environmental policy and renewable energy use: A dynamic panel data approach

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to cast light on the relationship between sustainable development environmental policy and renewable energy use. We utilize a dynamic GMM approach over a panel of 34 European Union (EU) countries spanning the period 2005-2013. Our findings reveal a positive monotonic relationship between development and pollution. Energy saving positively affects environmental degradation, while energy intensity increases air pollution. Our findings imply important policy implications to policy makers toward sustainability. Despite the fact that the Europe “20-20-20” climate and energy package strategy seems to be achieved, the recently adopted Energy Roadmap 2050 must be updated on regular basis in order to be effectively implemented and monitored by government officials and firms’ stakeholders. Therefore, we argue that EU countries must increase the use of new technology and renewable energy capacity in order to align environmental policies towards more efficient energy use and sustainable development among the EU periphery.

A new Probe Guided Mutation operator and its application for solving the cardinality constrained portfolio optimization problem

Abstract: This paper revisits the classical Polynomial Mutation (PLM) operator and proposes a new probe guided version of the PLM operator designed to be used in conjunction with Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithms (MOEAs). The proposed Probe Guided Mutation (PGM) operator is validated by using data sets from six different stock markets. The performance of the proposed PGM operator is assessed in comparison with the one of the classical PLM with the assistance of the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGAII) and the Strength Pareto Evolutionary Algorithm 2 (SPEA2). The evaluation of the performance is based on three performance metrics, namely Hypervolume, Spread and Epsilon indicator. The experimental results reveal that the proposed PGM operator outperforms with confidence the performance of the classical PLM operator for all performance metrics when applied to the solution of the cardinality constrained portfolio optimization problem (CCPOP). We also calculate the True Efficient Frontier (TEF) of the CCPOP by formulating the CCPOP as a Mixed Integer Quadratic Program (MIQP) and we compare the relevant results with the approximate efficient frontiers that are generated by the proposed PGM operator. The results confirm that the PGM operator generates near optimal solutions that lie very close or in certain cases overlap with the TEF.

Risks on the Security of Oil and Gas Supply

Abstract: European energy demand and import dependence continues to increase and primary energy sources are mainly used to cover European energy needs, making clear that the risks of energy security of supply and their minimization is a critical issue. The aim of this article is to address the energy supply status, considering the energy supply corridors to the European Union, in order to underline the importance of risk analysis and risk minimization. The aim of this article is to present an overview of possible risks to smooth energy supply. The emphasis is given on oil and natural gas's categorization of most important risks, as well as the presentation and analysis of collection of incidents that justify the categorization itself.

The Athenian Democracy

Abstract: In the Athenian democracy, political parties had been outlawed. All powers were in the hands of citizens themselves. By selecting, appointing, monitoring and recalling the officials and civil servants, citizens managed to control effectively phenomena of extreme individualism. To their success contributed also the kind of education they received and the social pressure to behave in accord with the ethical norms that prevailed. Central were the objectives and the freedoms of citizens as individuals. This priority was dominant and was ensured through institutions that protected property rights, enforced private contracts and facilitated voluntary transactions and entrepreneurship. In this chapter, we explain how governance by the people in the context of a proto-capitalist economy enabled the city–state of Athens in classical times to attain an unprecedented measure of civilisation in the history of mankind.