On the interfacing between QEMU and SystemC for virtual platform construction: Using DMA as a case

In this paper, we present an interface for the hardware modeled in SystemC to access those modeled in QEMU on a QEMU and SystemC-based virtual platform. By using QEMU as the instruction-accurate instruction set simulator (IA-ISS) and its capability to run a full-fledged operating system such as Linux, the virtual platform with the proposed interface can be used to facilitate the co-design of hardware models and device drivers at the early stage of Electronic System Level (ESL) design flow. In other words, by using such a virtual platform, the hardware models and associated device drivers can be cross verified while they are being developed so that malfunctions in the hardware models or the device drivers can be easily detected. Moreover, the virtual platform with the proposed interface is capable of providing statistics of instructions executed, memory accessed, and I/O performed at the instruction-accurate level—thus not only making it easy to evaluate the performance of the hardware models but also making it possible for design space exploration.     

Modeling asphalt pavement overlay transverse cracks using the genetic operation tree and Levenberg-Marquardt Method

The Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and the nonlinear regression method are commonly used to build models from experimental data. However, the ANN has been criticized for incapable of providing clear relationships and physical meanings, and is usually regarded as a black box. The nonlinear regression method needs predefined and correct formula structures to process parameter search in terms of the minimal sum of square errors. Unfortunately, the formula structures of these models are often unclear and cannot be defined in advance. To overcome these challenges, this study proposes a novel approach, called “LMGOT,” that integrates two optimization techniques: the Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) Method and the genetic operation tree (GOT). The GOT borrows the concept from the genetic algorithm, a famous algorithm for solving discrete optimization problems, to generate operation trees (OTs), which represent the structures of the formulas. Meanwhile, the LM takes advantage of its merit for solving nonlinear continuous optimization problems, and determines the coefficients in the GOTs that best fit the experimental data. This paper uses the LMGOT to investigate the data sets of pavement cracks from a 15-year experiment conducted by the Texas Departments of Transportation. Results show a concise formula for predicting the length of pavement transverse cracking, and indicate that the LMGOT is an efficient approach to building an accurate crack model.     

A developed competitive immunoassay based on impedance measurements for methamphetamine detection

In this study, an electro-microchip was successfully used to detect the impedance signals of various methamphetamine (MET) concentrations based on the developed competitive immunoassay method. MET is a commonly used drug often abused by drug addicts and can cause irregular behavior; therefore, MET concentration detection is important for quantitative analysis. In this study, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were introduced into an electro-microchip through the specific binding of antibodies, thus constructing a bridge between two electrodes and allowing electrons to move between them. The decreasing impedance value can be easily measured with a commercial LCR meter. According to the collected measurements, a significant difference was observed in impedance signals after 13?min when MET concentrations were reduced. Additionally, a clear, distinguished impedance (a steep slope for both impedance and MET concentration) in the frequency effect (100?Hz?C1?MHz) was observed at 100?Hz. When the concentration of the anti-MET antibody?Ccolloidal gold conjugates was diluted 100×, the detectable limit for MET concentration was 1?ng/mL with 0.5???g/mL of BSA?CMET conjugate. Therefore, the developed electro-microchip is advantageous because it is effective with small sample volumes (30???L), is a form of rapid quantitative measurement, and works with smaller detectable concentrations than other existing commercial detection products which have the best limit of detection of 100?ng/mL.     

Heat Killed Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 Reduces Fibrosis Effects on the Liver and Heart in High Fat Diet-Hamsters via TGF-β Suppression

Obesity is one of the major risk factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and NAFLD is highly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Scholars have suggested that certain probiotics may significantly impact cardiovascular health, particularly certain Lactobacillus species, such as Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 (Lr263) probiotics, which have been shown to reduce obesity and arteriosclerosis in vivo. In the present study, we examined the potential of heat-killed bacteria to attenuate high fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic and cardiac damages and the possible underlying mechanism of the positive effects of heat-killed Lr263 oral supplements. Heat-killed Lr263 treatments (625 and 3125 mg/kg-hamster/day) were provided as a daily supplement by oral gavage to HFD-fed hamsters for eight weeks. The results show that heat-killed Lr263 treatments reduce fatty liver syndrome. Moreover, heat-killed Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 supplementation in HFD hamsters also reduced fibrosis in the liver and heart by reducing transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) expression levels. In conclusion, heat-killed Lr263 can reduce lipid metabolic stress in HFD hamsters and decrease the risk of fatty liver and cardiovascular disease.     

A study on the formation of a measurement scale for the environmental quality of Taiwan’s long-term care institutions by the Delphi method

This study used a two-round modified Delphi technique with a questionnaire survey in order to reach a consensus for the questionnaire; the survey was conducted from September to December 2009. The six indicators for the environmental quality of long-term care institutions in Taiwan are (1) indoor environmental quality, (2) safety equipment for the prevention and management of disasters occurring in residents?? daily lives, (3) provision for assistive devices for residents?? daily use, (4) provision for privacy and individualized space, (5) provision for comfortable and decorated indoor environments, and (6) provision for social interaction space. The scale included 34 items with an acceptable number of panel members and acceptable construct validity. Panel members all highly approved of Indicators 1, 2, and 6. Although they approved of Indicator 3, they suggested that caregivers at institutions should replace the functions of living assistive devices. They approved of Indicator 5; however, they questioned the method for providing comfortable and decorated environments. They approved of Indicator 4; however, they suggested that private space need not be provided in the living room of the institution. In terms of long-term care institution environments in Taiwan, Indicators 1, 2, and 6 were important for protecting residents?? physical and psychological well-being and improving their social interactions. Indicator 3, although important, could be directly replaced by caregivers. Indicator 5 required more implementation methods, while Indicator 4, the living room of the institution, was considered unnecessary.     

A New Union Bound on the Error Probability of Binary Coded OFDM Systems in Wireless Environments

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems are commonly used to mitigate frequency-selective multipath fading and provide high-speed data transmission. In this paper, we derive new union bounds on the error probability of a coded OFDM system in wireless environments. In particular, we consider convolutionally coded OFDM systems employing single and multiple transmit antennas over correlated block fading (CBF) channels with perfect channel state information (CSI). Results show that the new union bound is tight to simulation results. In addition, the bound accurately captures the effect of the correlation between sub-carriers channels. It is shown that as the channel becomes more frequency-selective, the performance get better due to the increased frequency diversity. Moreover, the bound also captures the effect of multi-antenna as space diversity. The proposed bounds can be applied for coded OFDM systems employing different coding schemes over different channel models.     

Bipolar switching characteristics of low-power Geo resistive memory

We reported an ultra low-power resistive random access memory (RRAM) combining a low-cost Ni electrode and covalent-bond GeO_x dielectric. This cost-effective Ni/GeO_x/TaN RRAM device has very small set power of 2 μW, ultra-low reset power of 130 pW, greater than 1 order of magnitude resistance window, and stable retention at 85 °C. The current flow at low-resistance state is governed by Poole-Frenkel conduction with electrons hopping via defect traps, which is quite different from the filament conduction in metal-oxide RRAM.     

Drawing and tensile properties of polyamide 6/calcium chloride composite fibers

The influence of calcium chloride (CaCl₂) contents on the drawing and tensile properties of polyamide 6 (PA6)/CaCl₂ composite fibers prepared at varying drawing temperatures were investigated. At any fixed drawing temperature, the achievable draw ratio (D_ra) values of PA6_x(CaCl₂)_y as-spun fiber specimens approach a maximum value, as their CaCl₂ contents are close to the 3 wt% optimum value. The maximum D_ra values obtained for PA6_x(CaCl₂)_y as-spun fiber specimens prepared at the optimum CaCl₂ content reach another maximum as their drawing temperatures approach the optimum drawing temperature at 120 °C. The initial modulus, tensile strength and birefringence values of the PA6 and PA6_x(CaCl₂)_y fiber specimens were found to improve consistently with D_ra or with drawing temperatures when they were stretched to a fixed D_ra. Similar to those found for their achievable drawing properties, the ultimate initial modulus, tensile strength and birefringence values of PA6_x(CaCl₂)_y fiber specimens approach a maximum value, as their CaCl₂ contents and drawing temperatures approach the 3 wt% and 120 °C optimum values, respectively. Experiments including thermal, FTIR, melt shear viscosity and wide angle X-ray diffraction experiments were performed on the PA6_x(CaCl₂)_y resin and/or fiber specimens to clarify the possible reasons accounting for the interesting drawing, tensile and birefringence properties found for the PA6_x(CaCl₂)_y fiber specimens.     

Two-dimensional simulations of ion concentration distribution in microstructural electroforming

A theoretical model is constructed to predict the metal ion concentration distribution during the electroforming of high-aspect-ratio microstructures. Two-dimensional numerical simulations are then performed using COMSOL Multiphysics^TM software to investigate the effect of the processing conditions and the microstructure geometry on the electroforming results. The electroforming outcome is significantly dependent upon the current density and the microstructure aspect ratio, respectively. The simulation results for the electroforming of microstructural posts with an aspect ratio of 10:1 are found to be in good agreement with the analytical solutions.     

Integration of four-phase QFD and TRIZ in product R&D: a notebook case study

Worldwide demand for notebook computers has outstripped that for desktop computers. Today, notebook computer design and manufacturing is one of the most competitive of all electronic industry subsectors. Innovation and environmental friendliness (i.e., “green”) are both of increasing importance to notebook computer makers. Traditional strategies for NB design and manufacturing may be inadequate to meet steadily rising customer product expectations and environmental concerns. This study aimed to develop and market an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient notebook computer. A four-phase QFD plan, based on a series of matrices, was developed to create an innovative product that (1) satisfied customer needs, (2) fulfilled target specifications, (3) achieved target cost objectives, (4) was achievable within a set development timetable and (5) realized high production yields. Contradictions among plan objectives represent a threat to overall project success. This study identified major QFD contradictions in the spheres of engineering and administration and applied a methodology integrating TRIZ inventive principles, a contradiction matrix, and eco-efficiency elements to achieve green-design solutions.