News
All news are listed in reversed chronological order.
Dec 2024
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Dec 10, 2024Our research paper, “Object Proxy Patterns for Accelerating Distributed Applications”, has been published in IEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems. Distributed applications benefit from workflow and serverless frameworks, but advanced data flow optimization is often left to developers—especially as data scales. We propose three high-level proxy-based programming patterns—distributed futures, streaming, and ownership—to simplify and optimize distributed programming. Using benchmarks and scientific applications, we demonstrate significant improvements in runtime, throughput, and memory usage, showcasing the power of these patterns for complex distributed systems.
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Dec 10, 2024Two of our research papers have been accepted for publication: “Interatrial block is an independent risk factor for new-onset atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery” in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Open and “Preoperative interatrial block is associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery” in Interdisciplinary CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery.
Nov 2024
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Nov 18, 2024I accepted the invitation as program committee member at the 11th International Conference on Time Series and Forecasting (ITISE).
Oct 2024
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Oct 18, 2024I am happy to announce that our Workshop on Hot Topics in Cloud Computing Performance (HotCloudPerf 2025) has been accepted to be co-located with the 16th ACM/SPEC International Conference on Performance Engineering (ICPE).
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Oct 1, 2024Our paper, “Prediction of Perceived Exertion Ratings in National Level Soccer Players Using Wearable Sensor Data and Machine Learning Techniques”, has been accepted in Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. We analyzed 5402 training sessions & 732 matches using 174 parameters (heart rate, GPS, accelerometer, etc.). We compared different techniques and deep learning achieved top perceived exertion ratings predictions, with max heart rate, acceleration & distance covered as key predictors.
Sep 2024
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Sep 17, 2024Our article, “Network impact analysis on the performance of Secure Group Communication schemes with focus on IoT”, has been accepted for publication in the International Journal of Discover Data. Secure and scalable group communication is vital for IoT applications like smart cities and healthcare, especially in Wireless Sensor Networks with low-capacity sensors. Choosing the right Secure Group Communication (SGC) scheme is tough due to varied options. While past research focused on server/client runtimes, we are the first to analyze network-based performance. Using ComBench, we tested SKDC, LKH (centralized), and G-DH (decentralized) schemes under different network conditions. Our findings? Packet loss and delay significantly affect execution times, more so than group size.
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Sep 12, 2024I accepted the invitation as program committee member at the 14th International Conference on Data Science, Technology and Applications (DATA).
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Sep 7, 2024Our research paper, “Octopus: Experiences with a Hybrid Event-Driven Architecture for Distributed Scientific Computing”, has been accepted for presentation at the International Workshop on Fault Tolerance for HPC at eXtreme Scale (FTXS). Scientific research increasingly depends on distributed resources from HPC and cloud systems to edge devices. Event-driven architecture (EDA) enhances applications targeting these infrastructures by managing communication, processing, and security of distributed events. Enter Octopus—a hybrid cloud-to-edge event fabric designed to scale with demand, enable resilient applications, and enforce fine-grained access control. Supporting up to 9.6M events/second, Octopus is tailored for use cases like self-driving labs, data automation, and dynamic workflows.
Aug 2024
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Aug 12, 2024I am thrilled to start my journey today as an Assistant Professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology! Excited for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Jul 2024
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Jul 18, 2024Our research paper, “An Empirical Investigation of Container Building Strategies and Warm Times to Reduce Cold Starts in Scientific Computing Serverless Functions”, has been accepted for presentation at the 20th IEEE International Conference on e-Science (eScience). Serverless computing abstracts infrastructure, letting developers focus on code. Yet, “cold start” latency, the cost to deploy environments, can hinder scientific computing with its sporadic demands. Our study tackles this by pre-installing Python packages in container images. Analyzing data from Globus Compute and Binder, we evaluate four container strategies. Pre-installed packages reduce cold start time but need more storage, while dynamic installs save space but add delays. Our simulator shows moderate warm times can cut cold starts without heavy overhead.
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Jul 2, 2024I accepted the invitation as program committee member at the 15th Symposium on Software Performance (SSP).
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Jul 1, 2024Our research paper, “Security Analysis of a Decentralized, Revocable and Verifiable Attribute-Based Encryption Scheme”, has been accepted for presentation at the 19th International Conference on Availability, Reliability and Security (ARES). In previous research, we identified security flaws in one Attribute-Based Encryption (ABE) approach. Our latest study continues this analysis, revealing an attack vector in another ABE scheme that allows unauthorized decryption. We highlight the crucial need for thorough security evaluations of new schemes and propose a solution to fix this vulnerability.
Jun 2024
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Jun 15, 2024I accepted the invitation as chair for the data challenge at the 16th ACM/SPEC International Conference on Performance Engineering (ICPE).
May 2024
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May 24, 2024Our article, “Thinking in Categories: A Survey on Assessing the Quality for Time Series Synthesis”, has been accepted for publication in the International Journal of Data and Information Quality. As time series data are crucial yet often limited or confidential, we focus in this work on time series synthesis an important alternative. Despite the availability of numerous synthesis methods, evaluating their quality remains challenging. Our comprehensive survey defines what constitutes “good” synthesis and proposes a systematic evaluation procedure. This work aims to drive rigorous and reproducible research in the field of time series synthesis.
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May 23, 2024Our article, “Benchmarking of Secure Group Communication schemes with focus on IoT”, has been accepted for publication in the International Journal of Discover Data. With the proliferation of IoT devices comes an increase in cybersecurity threats. Unlike standard 1-to-1 communication, IoT requires efficient n-to-n encryption, which is achieved through Secure Group Communication schemes. However, the abundance of available schemes makes selecting the right one daunting. Our paper addresses this challenge by presenting a benchmark specifically tailored for IoT, assisting developers in their scheme selection process. We define business problems, design a specification-based benchmark, and extend it to a hybrid benchmark suitable for real-world IoT environments.
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May 7, 2024Our article, “Evaluation is key: a survey on evaluation measures for synthetic time series,” accepted for publication in the International Journal of Big Data, aims to clarify the evaluation of synthetic data generation for time series. Synthetic data generation models the distributions of real datasets to create new data, which is crucial in privacy-sensitive fields like healthcare. While image synthesis has been extensively studied, time series synthesis is equally vital for practical applications. Despite the availability of numerous models and measures, there is no consensus on defining or quantifying high-quality synthetic time series. Our comprehensive survey reviews various evaluation measures, provides clear definitions, organizes them into a taxonomy, and offers guidance on selecting appropriate measures.
Apr 2024
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Apr 16, 2024I accepted the invitation as program committee member at the 20th IEEE International Conference on eScience (eScience).
Mar 2024
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Mar 5, 2024Our research paper, “Unveiling Temporal Performance Deviation: Leveraging Clustering in Microservices Performance Analysis”, has been accepted for presentation at the 15th ACM/SPEC International Conference on Performance Engineering (ICPE). In the ever-expanding cloud computing landscape, performance is key. Our methodology tackles the challenge of identifying performance issues in microservices. By clustering containers based on performance at different time intervals, we unveil temporal deviations. Applied to the Alibaba dataset, we uncovered stable and dynamic performance patterns – an approach for enhancing overall performance and reliability in modern application landscapes!
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Mar 1, 2024I accepted the invitation as program committee member at the 5th International Conference on Autonomic Computing and Self-Organizing Systems (ACSOS).
Feb 2024
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Feb 6, 2024Just wrapped up an invited talk at the PSD Peer Mentorship Program @UChicago! I shared insights with my talk “Academic Success: Navigating your Journey”. Grateful for the opportunity to empower students in their educational pursuits.
Jan 2024
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Jan 22, 2024I have received a certificate of leadership for successfully completing the 2023 National Postdocotoral Assocication SmartSkills program.
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Jan 18, 2024I accepted the invitation as program committee member at the 10th International Conference on Time Series and Forecasting (ITISE).
Dec 2023
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Dec 15, 2023I accepted the invitation as program committee member at the 15th ACM/SPEC International Conference on Performance Engineering (ICPE).
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Dec 11, 2023Our article, “The Globus Compute Dataset: An Open Function-as-a-Service Dataset From the Edge to the Cloud”, has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Future Generation Computer Systems. We delve into the world of federated function-as-a-service (FaaS) through our unique dataset from the Globus Compute platform. This dataset spans 31 weeks, capturing 2 million task submissions, 252 users, and 580 computing endpoints. Explore intriguing observations, from short task runtimes to the diverse use of endpoints.
Nov 2023
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Nov 20, 2023Our article, “Towards a Cryptography Encyclopedia: A Survey on Attribute-based Encryption”, has been accepted for publication in the International Journal of Surveillance, Security and Safety. Dive into our survey, where we construct a sub-encyclopedia dedicated to Attribute-Based Encryption (ABE) schemes—a crucial component in digital business models, particularly in domains like streaming. Our work provides a comprehensive overview, taxonomy, and performance evaluation of 42 ABE schemes. By bridging the gap for developers, we envision a cryptography encyclopedia that simplifies the process of selecting the most suitable encryption schemes for various applications.
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Nov 18, 2023I accepted the invitation as program committee member at the 13th International Conference on Data Science, Technology and Applications (DATA).
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Nov 7, 2023I accepted the invitation as artifacts evaluation program committee member at the 24th IEEE/ACM International Symposium on Cluster, Cloud and Internet Computing (CCGRID).
Oct 2023
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Oct 30, 2023Our paper, “Trillion Parameter AI Serving Infrastructure for Scientific Discovery: A Survey and Vision”, has been accepted for publication at the 2023 IEEE/ACM International Conference on Big Data Computing, Applications and Technologies conference (BDCAT). Focusing on the transformative impact of deep learning, especially with Trillion Parameter Models such as Huawei’s PanGu-Σ, our paper presents a visionary ecosystem tailored to meet the evolving needs of the scientific community. Delving into the technical challenges associated with serving Trillion Parameter Models for groundbreaking discoveries, the paper outlines essential requirements for a robust software stack and flexible interfaces.
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Oct 27, 2023Our article, “De Bello Homomorphico: Investigation of the extensibility of the OpenFHE library with basic mathematical functions by means of common approaches using the example of the CKKS cryptosystem”, has been accepted for publication in the International Journal of Information Security. In the context of the growing number of IoT devices and the associated increased threat of cyber attacks, our study addresses the challenge of selecting the right Secure Group Communication (SGC) scheme. The comprehensive evaluation of 34 schemes, considering computational and communication costs along with security features, is presented. Our use of decision trees simplifies the selection process for centralized, distributed, and decentralized SGC schemes. Arm yourself with these insights for robust IoT security.
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Oct 27, 2023Our paper, “Tournament-Based Pretraining to Accelerate Federated Learning”, has been accepted for presentation at the 4th ACM International Workshops on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Scientific Applications (AI4S). In this work, we introduce three innovative variants of a serverless federated learning framework, specifically addressing challenges associated with leveraging edge data. We introduce tournament-based pretraining that significantly enhances model performance. With these federated learning advancements, we aim to enable researchers to move beyond hurdles and focus on advancing scientific applications.
Sep 2023
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Sep 30, 2023I was honored to be the first speaker of the first South Side Science Festival Science Slam. The video of my presentation is available here.
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Sep 27, 2023My talk at the GAIN 2023 Science Slam is now available on YouTube.
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Sep 11, 2023The last Leadership Academy’s week-long training on leadership begins today.
Aug 2023
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Aug 25, 2023Today the GAIN conference starts, and I’m happy to take part in the Science Slam.
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Aug 24, 2023I accepted the invitation as program committee member at the 14th International Conference on Cloud Computing and Services Science (CLOSER).
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Aug 17, 2023I accepted the invitation as chair for demo and poster session at the 15th ACM/SPEC International Conference on Performance Engineering (ICPE).
Jul 2023
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Jul 17, 2023Our workshop paper, “Performance Impact Analysis of Homomorphic Encryption: A Case Study Using Linear Regression as an Example”, has been accepted for presentation at the 18th International Conference on Information Security Practice and Experience (ISPEC). In this study, we delve into the performance of homomorphic encryption through real-world applications of linear regression. The verdict? While homomorphic linear regression takes minutes, slower than its non-homomorphic counterpart, it stands out for its security features.
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Jul 3, 2023I accepted the invitation as program committee member at the 16th IEEE/ACM International Conference on Utility and Cloud Computing and 10th IEEE/ACM International Conference on Big Data Computing, Applications and Technologies (UCC).
Jun 2023
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Jun 20, 2023I accepted the invitation as program committee member at the 14th Symposium on Software Performance (SSP).
May 2023
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May 25, 2023Our journal paper, “Recommendation of Secure Group Communication Schemes Using Multi-objective Optimization”, has been accepted for publication in the International Journal of Information Security. This study addresses the challenge of choosing the appropriate Secure Group Communication (SGC) scheme. We systematically evaluate 34 schemes, analyzing computational and communication costs along with security features. Utilizing decision trees, we streamline the selection process for centralized, distributed, and decentralized SGC schemes.
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May 19, 2023Our article, “Impact of Prophylactic Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump on Early Outcomes in Patients With Severe Left Ventricular Dysfunction Undergoing Elective Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting With Cardiopulmonary Bypass”, has been accepted for publication in the International Journal of Cardiology. In our study, we thoroughly investigated the use of prophylactic intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction. The results are conclusive: there is a notable reduction in postoperative low cardiac output syndrome, a lower requirement for support, and no increase in in-hospital mortality. The use of prophylactic IABP emerges as a beneficial strategy for improving outcomes in high-risk cardiac procedures.
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May 19, 2023I got the acceptance for the GAIN Participation Grant. The GAIN conference connects internationally mobile German scientists with representatives from the scientific community, politics, and industry.
Apr 2023
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Apr 28, 2023I accepted the invitation as program committee member (demo and poster session) at the 4th International Conference on Autonomic Computing and Self-Organizing Systems (ACSOS).
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Apr 17, 2023Our research paper “Efficient Data Processing: Assessing the Performance of Different Programming Languages” was honored as runner-up for the best Data Challenge paper at the 14th ACM/SPEC International Conference on Performance Engineering (ICPE).
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Apr 12, 2023The Leadership Academy’s week-long training on leadership begins today.
Mar 2023
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Mar 24, 2023I received a Google Academic Research Grant worth $1000.
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Mar 6, 2023I accepted the invitation as program committee member at the 12th International Conference on Data Science, Technology and Applications (DATA).
Feb 2023
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Feb 25, 2023Our paper, “An Empirical Study of Container Image Configurations and Their Impact on Start Times,” just accepted at the 23rd IEEE/ACM International Symposium on Cluster, Cloud, and Internet Computing (CCGRID), delves into an analysis of 200,000 open-source Docker Hub images. Through this extensive examination, we discovered that container start times exhibit a broad range—from milliseconds to seconds—even within the same environment. Notably, our findings reveal that no single dominant configuration feature decisively determines a container’s start time.
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Feb 21, 2023Our research papers “Impact of Prophylactic Preoperative Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump on Early Outcome in Patients with Severe Left Ventricular Dysfunction Undergoing Elective On-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting” and “Association between Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation Recurrences and Interatrial Block by the Time of Open-Heart Surgery” were accepted at the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon.
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Feb 14, 2023Our research paper, “Searching for the Ground Truth: Assessing the Similarity of Benchmarking Runs”, has been accepted for presentation at the 14th ACM/SPEC International Conference on Performance Engineering (ICPE). Delving into the stability of benchmark measurements, our study scrutinizes 586 micro-benchmarks. We explore the challenges, evaluate previous approaches, and introduce a new heuristic. Even in a peer review scenario, humans find it challenging to identify disimilar benchmark runs, highlighting the complexity of the issue. Notably, our heuristic stands out with an impressive 92% sensitivity, offering a promising contribution to the assessment of benchmarking run similarity.
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Feb 14, 2023Our research paper, “Efficient Data Processing: Assessing the Performance of Different Programming Languages”, has been accepted for presentation at the 14th ACM/SPEC International Conference on Performance Engineering (ICPE). In this study, we delve into the intriguing realm of data processing, specifically comparing the performance of R, Python, and Rust in various tasks. Our paper presents the results of comprehensive benchmarks implemented in each language, revealing significant performance gaps. Surprisingly, even identical code exhibits variations based on the interpreter used. While Rust and Python showcase strong performance, R lags behind in the assessed data tasks.
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Feb 6, 2023I was honored with the 2023 SPECtacular Award for my dedicated service in the SPEC Research Group.
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Feb 1, 2023Our article, “A literature review of IoT and CPS - What they are, and what they are not”, has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Systems & Software. It investigates whether terms like Cyber-Physical-Systems (CPS), Internet of Things (IoT), Industry 4.0, and others are merely buzzwords or meaningful concepts. By delving into the origins, conducting a comprehensive literature review, and providing precise definitions for IoT and CPS, our research aims to contribute clarity to these evolving fields.
Jan 2023
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Jan 24, 2023I accepted the invitation as program committee member at the 9th International Conference on Time Series and Forecasting (ITISE).
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Jan 19, 2023I got the acceptance for the GSO Leadership Academy fellowship, which offer full stipends for 25 outstanding researchers of all disciplines.
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Jan 10, 2023Our paper, “A Systematic Approach for Benchmarking of Container Orchestration Frameworks”, has been accepted for presentation at the 14th ACM/SPEC International Conference on Performance Engineering (ICPE). In this latest work, we introduce COFFEE, a benchmarking approach designed specifically for container orchestrators. Recognizing the critical importance of assessing performance in this domain, our paper addresses the lack of a comprehensive approach until now. We systematically define requirements, link them to metrics, and propose a benchmark architecture.
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Jan 10, 2023My research grant entitled “MINERVA: Performance Prediction of Microservice Applications with Black-Box Container Orchestration” was founded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) with an amount of €322,096.
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Jan 10, 2023Our research paper, “Autoscaler Evaluation and Configuration: A Practitioner’s Guideline,” has been accepted for presentation at the 14th ACM/SPEC International Conference on Performance Engineering (ICPE). In this study, we address the intriguing question of how autoscaler setup influences both the quality and cost of cloud applications. Our paper offers valuable insights, presenting practical guidelines for autoscaler performance evaluation. With step-by-step instructions, realistic usage behaviors, and considerations for various traffic patterns, our research provides a comprehensive resource for practitioners navigating the challenges of autoscaler configuration.
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Jan 5, 2023Launch of this website.