Extending the scope of modular analysis for the validation of large systems. The increasing complexity of computer systems has severe implications for verification and validation, especially for critical systems (e.g. medical supervision, avionics mission systems). The standard approach is to build a formal model of the system and automatically analyse its behaviour. Such models can be captured in a modular, high-level description, but the number of states is usually so large as to preclude an ....Extending the scope of modular analysis for the validation of large systems. The increasing complexity of computer systems has severe implications for verification and validation, especially for critical systems (e.g. medical supervision, avionics mission systems). The standard approach is to build a formal model of the system and automatically analyse its behaviour. Such models can be captured in a modular, high-level description, but the number of states is usually so large as to preclude analysis. The modular analysis proposed in this project matches the analysis technique to the structure of the model. Preliminary results are promising and motivate the extension of the technique to a larger class of modular descriptions.Read moreRead less
Evolution of host relationships among the parasitic wasps inferred from morphology, DNA sequences and mitochondrial genome organisation. The parasitic Hymenoptera (wasps) are extensively used as biological control agents of agricultural and horticultural pests worldwide, but detailed information on their evolutionary relationships, how they have coevolved with major host groups, and the patterns of host relationships across various wasp families are lacking. This project will employ DNA sequence ....Evolution of host relationships among the parasitic wasps inferred from morphology, DNA sequences and mitochondrial genome organisation. The parasitic Hymenoptera (wasps) are extensively used as biological control agents of agricultural and horticultural pests worldwide, but detailed information on their evolutionary relationships, how they have coevolved with major host groups, and the patterns of host relationships across various wasp families are lacking. This project will employ DNA sequence data from 'new' genes, information on mitochondrial genome organisation, as well as morphology, to generate robust phylogenies for braconid and scelionid wasps that can be used to determine patterns of host utilisation and predict hosts for wasp groups where this information is currently unknown.Read moreRead less
Development of Australian model systems for speciation research. Our project will contribute to an understanding of the process of speciation, a fundamental biological problem, for which there are few well-developed model systems in the world. We will further our understanding of how Australia's extraordinary diversity of animal species have evolved, knowledge which is valuable for understanding the future impact of climatic and environmental changes on species. Our research will generate furthe ....Development of Australian model systems for speciation research. Our project will contribute to an understanding of the process of speciation, a fundamental biological problem, for which there are few well-developed model systems in the world. We will further our understanding of how Australia's extraordinary diversity of animal species have evolved, knowledge which is valuable for understanding the future impact of climatic and environmental changes on species. Our research will generate further knowledge of the diversity and biological significance of subterranean fauna in the arid zone of Australia, providing important background data for assessing the impacts of mining activities on groundwater-dependent-ecosystems and improved strategies for their sustainable management. Read moreRead less