Two CEGAR-based approaches for the safety verification of PLC-controlled plants

In this paper we address the safety analysis of chemical plants controlled by programmable logic controllers (PLCs). We consider a specification of the control program of the PLCs, extended with the specification of the dynamic plant behavior. The resulting hybrid models can be transformed to hybrid automata, for which advanced techniques for reachability analysis exist. However, the hybrid automata models are often too large to be analyzed. We propose two counterexample-guided abstraction refinement (CEGAR) approaches to keep the size of the hybrid models moderate.     

Analytical estimation of error in flank milling of ruled surfaces

This article introduces a method to estimate geometric error during flank milling of a ruled surface. The various positioning schemes developed by researchers are intended to reduce this geometric error in order to mill with larger sized milling cutters while respecting the tolerance interval. There are two trends in positioning: either positioning is simple and right from the start it is easy to determine design of the maximum allowed milling cutter radius, or positioning is complex and determination of the maximum milling cutter dimensions can only be conducted after digital calculations of the error. It will then be necessary to choose another milling cutter radius and recommence the positioning procedure and error calculation in order to validate the tool. In the present study, a method to estimate error in the scope of complex positioning is presented. The aim is to be capable of choosing a maximum cutting tool radius that respects the tolerance interval.     

TWC LOGD: A portal for linked open government data ecosystems

International open government initiatives are releasing an increasing volume of raw government datasets directly to citizens via the Web. The transparency resulting from these releases not only creates new application opportunities but also imposes new burdens inherent to large-scale distributed data integration, collaborative data manipulation and transparent data consumption. The Tetherless World Constellation (TWC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) has developed the Semantic Web-based TWC LOGD portal to support the deployment of linked open government data (LOGD). The portal is both an open source infrastructure supporting linked open government data production and consumption and a vibrant community portal that educates and serves the growing international open government community of developers, data curators and end users. This paper motivates and introduces the TWC LOGD Portal and highlights innovative aspects and lessons learned.     

Digital Game Dynamics Preferences and Player Types

In this study, we examine digital game preferences by identifying game dynamics, i.e. player–game interaction modes, of 700 contemporary digital games, and players' (N = 1717) desire to play games with specific types of dynamics. Based on statistical analysis of the data, 5 game dynamics preference categories (“assault,” “manage,” “journey,” “care,” and “coordinate”) and 7 player types were revealed. The results show that identifying player types requires including both preferred and undesired game dynamics categories in the analysis. The findings unveil digital gaming as a more multifaceted phenomenon than common stereotypes suggest. The original game preferences model we present in this study can be conceptualized as a complementary approach for motivations to play and player behavior studies.     

Query Learning of Regular Tree Languages: How to Avoid Dead States

We generalize an inference algorithm by Angluin, that learns a regular string language from a "minimally adequate teacher", to regular tree languages. The (deterministic bottom-up) finite tree automaton constructed by the learning algorithm is the minimal partial one recognizing the unknown language. This improves a similar algorithm proposed by Sakakibara by avoiding dead states both in the resulting automaton and the learning phase, which also leads to a considerable improvement with respect to efficiency.     

Correlation between machining direction,cutter geometry and step-over distance in 3-axis milling: Application to milling by zones

Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) occupies an increasingly important role in engineering with all it has to offer in terms of new possibilities and improving designer/manufacturer productivity. The present study addresses machining of free-form surfaces on a 3-axis NC machine tool. There have recently been a large number of studies devoted to planning tool paths on free-form surfaces with various strategies being adopted. These strategies are intended to increase efficiency by reducing the overall length of machining. Often, the choice of the cutter is arbitrary and the work focuses on planning. In order to boost productivity, the present work offers assistance in choosing the cutting tool, the machining direction and cutting by surface zones, adopting a milling strategy by parallel planes. To do so, a comparison is made between milling using a spherical end milling cutter and a torus end milling cutter with the same outer radius. This comparison relates to the radius of curvature of the trace left by the cutter at the point of contact between the tool and the workpiece in relation to the direction of feed motion.     

BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS AS ORGANIZATIONAL PARADIGMS†

It is suggested that biological systems provide the best source of paradigms for the consideration of the kinds of organizations which we find in human systems; social, political or economic. A brief review of the several ways in which biological activities can be mathematically modelled is given, together with indications of the manner in which these ideas can be extended and applied beyond biology.     

Quantitative risk assessment on the dietary exposure of Finnish children and adults to nitrite

Nitrite intake from the consumption of cured meat and tap water was estimated for Finnish children of 1, 3 and 6 years as well as Finnish adults of 25–74 years. Nitrite content in the foods was measured by capillary electrophoresis, and was then used together with individual food consumption data from the FINDIET 2007 and DIPP studies in a stochastic exposure assessment by a Monte Carlo Risk Assessment (MCRA) program. Nitrite intake from additive sources and tap water was assessed, and more than every 10th child between the ages 3 and 6 years was estimated to have a nitrite intake exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of nitrite. The high exposure levels were caused by frequent consumption of large portions of sausages, up to 350 g day^–1 or 750 g in 3 days, among the children. Median nitrite intake from cured meat was 0.016, 0.040, 0.033 and 0.005 mg kg^–1 body weight day^–1 for children of 1, 3 and 6 years and adults, respectively. Bayesian estimation was employed to determine safe consumption levels of sausages and cold cuts for children, and these results gave rise to new national food consumption advice.     

COMPLEXITY AND ERROR IN SOCIAL DYNAMICS

A model of cultural dynamics based on the work of Colin Renfrew is briefly described. It is shown how the general concepts of complexity and error pertain to this kind of cultural model. In particular, it is suggested that conflict in cultural contexts arises through the generation of diverse simple models of the culture, created by different members of the culture. We indicate how general system-theoretic concepts can thus be brought to bear on problems of conflict in and between cultures.