HMC algorithm with multiple time scale integration and mass preconditioning

We present a variant of the HMC algorithm with mass preconditioning (Hasenbusch acceleration) and multiple time scale integration. We have tested this variant for standard Wilson fermions at β=5.6 and at pion masses ranging from 380 to 680 MeV. We show that in this situation its performance is comparable to the recently proposed HMC variant with domain decomposition as preconditioner. We give an update of the “Berlin Wall” figure, comparing the performance of our variant of the HMC algorithm to other published performance data. Advantages of the HMC algorithm with mass preconditioning and multiple time scale integration are that it is straightforward to implement and can be used in combination with a wide variety of lattice Dirac operators.     

From ICT coordination to ICT integration: a longitudinal case study

This study utilizes a school‐improvement perspective to examine the role of curriculum coordination in the integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) into primary schools. The nature and impact of this role is examined in seven primary schools in Australia. These seven schools were drawn from a longitudinal intervention that provided additional ICT‐related resources and personnel to the schools. An instrument, referred to as the Learning Outcomes and Pedagogy Attributes (LOPA) measure, was developed and charted for the seven schools over the 4‐year data collection period. The changes in LOPA score over time were then analysed in terms of the conditions at the school with regard to curriculum ICT coordination. The study concludes that the coordinator role and school leadership in general, play critical but varying roles in the complex process of ICT integration into schools. Success appeared to be associated with the support provided for the role, the extent to which the role was connected to school leadership, personal leadership characteristics of those in the role and the strategies employed within the role.     

基于自然元法和精细积分法的功能梯度材料瞬态热传导问题求解

为促进无网格法分析技术在热传导分析中的应用,提出空间离散采用自然单元法、时间离散采用精细积分法求解功能梯度材料瞬态热传导问题的数值计算方法.在计算过程中,取高斯点的材料参数模拟功能梯度材料特性的变化.温度场采用自然邻接点插值形函数进行离散插值.数值算例验证该数值算法的正确性和有效性.     

From integration to composition: On the impact of software product lines, global development and ecosystems

Three trends accelerate the increase in complexity of large-scale software development, i.e. software product lines, global development and software ecosystems. For the case study companies we studied, these trends caused several problems, which are organized around architecture, process and organization, and the problems are related to the efficiency and effectiveness of software development as these companies used too integration-centric approaches. We present five approaches to software development, organized from integration-centric to composition-oriented and describe the areas of applicability.     

An ontology based approach to the integration of entity–relationship schemas

In schema integration, schematic discrepancies occur when data in one database correspond to metadata in another. We explicitly declare the context that is the meta information relating to the source, classification, property etc. of entities, relationships or attribute values in entity–relationship (ER) schemas. We present algorithms to resolve schematic discrepancies by transforming metadata into the attribute values of entity types, keeping the information and constraints of original schemas. Although focusing on the resolution of schematic discrepancies, our technique works seamlessly with the existing techniques resolving other semantic heterogeneities in schema integration.     

自动化的建设对实现交通信息资源整合应用的分析与探讨

自动化的建设对实现交通信息资源整合应用能够保证建设综合业务平台,实现交通信息的共享机制。通过高新信息自动化技术的应用从而有效地发挥交通的整体效益,为最终达成交通高效、安全、舒适的目标提供坚实的基础,真正实现交通信息资源的共享和整合。本文探索了自动化建设对交通信息的整合要素,提出了自动化交通信息的资源整合应用措施,为我国信息化交通发展的长期战略提供了理论依据。     

The e-HUB evolution: From a Custom Software Architecture to a Software-as-a-Service implementation

New technological advances have enabled the creation of distributed collaborative industrial networks giving origin to new collaborative e-business models such as the Virtual Organisation (VO). These industrial networks require new Information and Communication Technologies Infrastructures (ICT-I) playing the intermediary role as the enablers of interoperation among their participant organisations. Furthermore, these networks require coordination and cooperation mechanism among its members which in turn can be supported through specific vertical applications deployed over a common platform. PyME CREATIVA was a project defined with the aim of playing the role of a service provider of an open technological platform named the e-HUB, providing a set of collaborative electronic solutions named the e-services, to support collaborative business processes among Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Till today, the e-HUB platform has proved to be a complete IT architecture able to satisfy SMEs technological requirements to get involved in collaborative business opportunities, nevertheless with the technology progress new opportunities appear to improve the way these e-services are delivered to the SMEs. This paper provides an insight into the benefits and implications of evolving the e-HUB architecture into new one based-on Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) premises.     

The coordination generalized particle model—An evolutionary approach to multi-sensor fusion

The rising popularity of multi-source, multi-sensor networks supporting real-life applications calls for an efficient and intelligent approach to information fusion. Traditional optimization techniques often fail to meet the demands. The evolutionary approach provides a valuable alternative due to its inherent parallel nature and its ability to deal with difficult problems. We present a new evolutionary approach based on the coordination generalized particle model (C-GPM) which is founded on the laws of physics. C-GPM treats sensors in the network as distributed intelligent agents with various degrees of autonomy. Existing approaches based on intelligent agents cannot completely answer the question of how their agents could coordinate their decisions in a complex environment. The proposed C-GPM approach can model the autonomy of as well as the social coordinations and interactive behaviors among sensors in a decentralized paradigm. Although the other existing evolutionary algorithms have their respective advantages, they may not be able to capture the entire dynamics inherent in the problem, especially those that are high-dimensional, highly nonlinear, and random. The C-GPM approach can overcome such limitations. We develop the C-GPM approach as a physics-based evolutionary approach that can describe such complex behaviors and dynamics of multiple sensors.     

The integration of proteomics and systems approaches to map regulatory mechanisms underpinning platelet function

Platelets in the circulation are triggered by vascular damage to activate, aggregate and form a thrombus that prevents excessive blood loss. Platelet activation is stringently regulated by intracellular signalling cascades, which when activated inappropriately lead to myocardial infarction and stroke. Strategies to address platelet dysfunction have included proteomics approaches which have lead to the discovery of a number of novel regulatory proteins of potential therapeutic value. Global analysis of platelet proteomes may enhance the outcome of these studies by arranging this information in a contextual manner that recapitulates established signalling complexes and predicts novel regulatory processes. Platelet signalling networks have already begun to be exploited with interrogation of protein datasets using in silico methodologies that locate functionally feasible protein clusters for subsequent biochemical validation. Characterization of these biological systems through analysis of spatial and temporal organization of component proteins is developing alongside advances in the proteomics field. This focused review highlights advances in platelet proteomics data mining approaches that complement the emerging systems biology field. We have also highlighted nucleated cell types as key examples that can inform platelet research. Therapeutic translation of these modern approaches to understanding platelet regulatory mechanisms will enable the development of novel anti-thrombotic strategies.     

The next generation air transportation system: An approach to function allocation

A method for function allocation was developed and applied to the conflict detection and resolution problem in the next generation air transportation system. The method identifies key capabilities required of agents, automated or human, to achieve the goals of the system through state‐based modeling. For conflict detection and resolution in the next generation air transportation system, those capabilities include the ability to accurately identify current separation, predict future losses of separation and collisions, and identify four‐dimensional trajectory changes that, when implemented, will result in proper future separation. The modeling method feeds into an analysis of potential levels of automation across four stages of information processing, yielding a taxonomy of possible function allocation schemes, which can then be analyzed with respect to system and operator performance needs. The taxonomy is identified and analyzed for the current and future conflict detection and resolution system in air traffic control. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

从“人本位”到“主客关系”的思考——刍议设计之沟通观念

本文以"人本位"设计理念为出发点,以设计中"主客体关系"为切入点,以链接设计的主体(设计者)和客体(客户、用户)间的"沟通"元素为立足点。阐述设计沟通的基本形式,及其内在规律性、相互关联性等问题。并试图说明沟通行为在设计活动中的地位与所起到的积极作用。     

Gray scale in zenithal bistable LCDs: The route to ultra‐low‐power color displays

Abstract— Zenithal bistable devices (ZBD?) exhibit rugged image storage, excellent optical performance, fast latching, and infinite multiplexibility. The excellent performance characteristics are achieved using a surface‐relief grating to align the nernatic liquid crystal. Such gratings offer a high degree of design flexibility, at manufacturing costs equivalent to today's STN displays. In the present work, the grating shape is varied within each pixel to produce several separate latching thresholds, thereby introducing error‐free analog gray scales. Passive‐matrix waveforms, suitable for use with commercial STN drivers, are reported and shown to discriminate between at least seven error‐free grays in a test cell. The combination of analog and digital grays was considered. Careful selection of the digital dither weighting factors allows for a large total number of grays to be achieved, while reducing the effect of errors if all of the analog levels are not achieved.     

The Operations-Time Chart: A graphical tool to evaluate the performance of production systems – From batch-and-queue to lean manufacturing

In this paper, we describe the spreadsheet modeling of manufacturing systems by means of the Operations-Time Chart (hereafter, OT-Chart), a graphical tool for an automatic time-phased representation and measurement of the operation of production systems, developed by the authors. In order to improve the design of a production system, it is necessary to know the key performance metrics of the system (productivity, lead-time, inventories, downtimes and wait times) and identify the effects of design parameters on system performance. Calculating some of these magnitudes can be very complicated, especially for production systems involving multiple and confluent processes, with different cycle times and lot sizes. The OT-Chart permits a visual tracking of the aforementioned parameters throughout each process, and like a simulation tool, the program calculates and displays the effects of changing input parameters. A special version of the Chart has been designed for lean manufacturing environments, where visual tools are much appreciated. The OT-Chart provides tracking of different types of waste and supports inventory supermarkets and pull scheduling. The paper includes a case study: a plant is redesigned from a conventional batch-and-queue production system into a lean manufacturing system with the help of the OT-Chart (it is used to test the performance of each layout) allowing managers to evaluate and refine their designs.