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		    [ DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED ]
	 [ Abstracts due on March 27 / Paper due on April 3 ]

  QEST 2006 - CALL FOR PAPERS

  3rd International Conference on Quantitative Evaluation of SysTems

	     University of California, Riverside, CA, USA

			September 11-14, 2006

			 http://www.qest.org

SCOPE AND TOPICS

The International Conference on Quantitative Evaluation of SysTems
(QEST) is the leading forum on evaluation and verification of computer
systems and networks, through stochastic models and measurements,
possibly incorporating non-deterministic behavior. Quantitative
properties of interest include performance, reliability, availability,
safety, security, survivability, correctness, timeliness, and
efficiency. Topics of interest cover the areas of modelling formalisms
and methodologies, measurements, analytical and numerical evaluation,
simulation and verification, and theory of probabilistic systems, as
well as case studies showing the role of quantitative evaluation in
the design of systems including computer architectures, distributed
and fault tolerant systems, communication systems, embedded systems,
web-based systems, and safety-critical systems. Moreover, tools for
supporting the practical application of research results in all the
above areas are of special interest for QEST and therefore tool papers
are sought. In short, QEST aims to create a sound methodological basis
for assessing and designing trustworthy computing systems and
networks.

Example topics of interest include: schedulability analysis;
verification of stochastic and probabilistic systems; concurrency
theory for probabilistic systems; analysis of randomized algorithms;
model-checking algorithms; optimization techniques; probabilistic
decision-making and planning; hybrid and hierarchical modelling and
evaluation techniques; stochastic and timed automata; queueing
networks; Markov chains; non-Markovian models and algorithms;
numerical and analytical solution techniques; efficient simulation
techniques; formal specification techniques; quantitative extensions
of UML; measurement and benchmarking.

SUBMISSIONS

We invite submissions of original papers, in English, related to the
topics of the conference and formatted in the IEEE double-column
format.  Electronic submission instructions may be found at
www.qest.org. Submitted papers should not exceed 10 pages. Additional
material for the aid of the reviewers (e.g., proofs) can be presented
in a clearly-marked appendix. Papers must be unpublished and must not
be submitted for publication elsewhere. All papers will be thoroughly
reviewed by at least 3 referees on the basis of originality and
scientific and practical contributions to the state of the
art. Accepted papers must be presented at the conference by one of the
authors. A best-paper award will be presented at the
conference. Selected papers will appear in a special issue of a
journal.

TOOL PRESENTATIONS

Sessions will be arranged to present and demonstrate tools relevant to
any conference topic. Tool submissions (2 pages, IEEE double-column
format) should be sent to the Tool Chair. Accepted tool descriptions
will appear in the conference proceedings.

TUTORIALS

There will be one day of tutorials at the start of the
conference. Tutorial proposals (up to 4 pages) should be sent to the
Tutorial Chair.

IMPORTANT DATES

  * Abstract submission: March 27, 2006
  * Paper submission: April 3, 2006
  * Tools submission: May 7, 2006
  * Tutorial submission: April 24, 2006
  * Author notification: May 22, 2006
  * Camera ready version: June 26, 2006

GENERAL CHAIR
Gianfranco Ciardo (USA)

PROGRAM CO-CHAIRS
Pedro D'Argenio (Argentina)
Andrew Miner (USA)
Gerardo Rubino (France)

TOOL CHAIR
Enrico Vicario (Italy)

TUTORIAL CHAIR
Peter Kemper (Germany)

PUBLICITY CHAIR
Alma Riska (USA)

TECHNICAL PROGRAM COMMITTEE

Christel Baier (Germany)
Gianfranco Balbo (Italy)
Andrea Bondavalli (Italy)
Mario Bravetti (Italy)
Peter Buchholz (Germany)
Hector Cancela (Uruguay)
Juan Carrasco (Spain)
Giuliana Franceschinis (Italy)
Reinhard German (Germany)
Serge Haddad (France)
Mor Harchol-Balter (USA)
Boudewijn Haverkort (The Netherlands)
Holger Hermanns (Germany)
Jane Hillston (UK)
Alain Jean-Marie (France)
Joost-Pieter Katoen (Germany)
Peter Kemper (Germany)
William Knottenbelt (UK)
Gabriele Kotsis (Austria)
Marta Kwiatkowska (UK)
Kim G. Larsen (Denmark)
John C.S. Lui (Hong Kong)
Raymond Marie (France)
Patrice Moreaux (France)
Carroll Morgan (Australia)
Gethin Norman (UK)
Prakash Panangaden (Canada)
Alma Riska (USA)
William H. Sanders (USA)
Roberto Segala (Italy)
Evgenia Smirni (USA)
Scott Smolka (USA)
Edmundo de Souza e Silva (Brazil)
Marielle Stoelinga (The Netherlands)
Miklos Telek (Hungary)
Yann Thierry-Mieg (France)
Kishor Trivedi (USA)
Franck van Breugel (Canada)
Murray Woodside (Canada)

STEERING COMMITTEE

Gianfranco Balbo (Italy)
Pedro D'Argenio (Argentina)
Susanna Donatelli (Italy)
Boudewijn Haverkort (The Netherlands)
Jane Hillston (UK)
Joost-Pieter Katoen (Germany)
Marta Kwiatkowska (UK)
William H. Sanders (USA, chair)
Roberto Segala (Italy)
Evgenia Smirni (USA)
Manuel Silva (Spain)