Functional Coupling of Slack Channels and P2X3 Receptors Contributes to Neuropathic Pain Processing

The sodium-activated potassium channel Slack (K_Na1.1, Slo2.2, or Kcnt1) is highly expressed in populations of sensory neurons, where it mediates the sodium-activated potassium current (I_KNa) and modulates neuronal activity. Previous studies suggest that Slack is involved in the processing of neuropathic pain. However, mechanisms underlying the regulation of Slack activity in this context are poorly understood. Using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings we found that Slack-mediated I_KNa in sensory neurons of mice is reduced after peripheral nerve injury, thereby contributing to neuropathic pain hypersensitivity. Interestingly, Slack is closely associated with ATP-sensitive P2X3 receptors in a population of sensory neurons. In vitro experiments revealed that Slack-mediated I_KNa may be bidirectionally modulated in response to P2X3 activation. Moreover, mice lacking Slack show altered nocifensive responses to P2X3 stimulation. Our study identifies P2X3/Slack signaling as a mechanism contributing to hypersensitivity after peripheral nerve injury and proposes a potential novel strategy for treatment of neuropathic pain.     

Timing slack optimization approach using FPGA hybrid routing strategy of rip-up-retry and pathfinder

To improve the path slack of Field Programmable Gate Array （FPGA）, this paper proposes a timing slack optimization approach which utilizes the hybrid routing strategy of rip-up-retry and pathfinder. Firstly, effect of process variations on path slack is analyzed, and by constructing a col- location table of delay model that takes into account the multi-corner process, the complex statistical static timing analysis is successfully translated into a simple classical static timing analysis. Then, based on the hybrid routing strategy of rip-up-retry and pathfinder, by adjusting the critical path which detours a long distance, the critical path delay is reduced and the path slack is optimized. Experimental results show that, using the hybrid routing strategy, the number of paths with negative slack can be optimized （reduced） by 85.8% on average compared with the Versatile Place and Route （VPR） tim- ing-driven routing algorithm, while the run-time is only increased by 15.02% on average.     

Hierarchical optimization of boiler–turbine unit using fuzzy stable model predictive control

This paper develops a hierarchical control system structure based on the Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy model to achieve an optimal control of a boiler–turbine unit. In the upper layer of the hierarchy, an optimal reference governor is designed to find the optimal operating point. A disturbance term is introduced to the fuzzy model to lump the modeling mismatch and unknown disturbance. Thus, the effect of plant behavior variation can be removed and the operating point found can be feasible to control. In the lower layer, a stable model predictive controller is developed to track the optimal set-points while guaranteeing the input-to-state stability of the system. Fuzzy Lyapunov function and appropriate slack and collection matrices are used to reduce the conservatism of stability design and improve the performance. Through the estimation of the disturbance term using an observer, the two layers in the hierarchy are coupled and the integrated system can realize a dynamic optimal control of the boiler–turbine unit, even in the case of severe plant behavior variations.     

ASIC设计中的静态时序分析技术

随着工艺线宽的减小,时序问题开始主导集成电路设计。为了解决全芯片的互连延时,需要全芯片分析和优化。PrimeTime 是Synopsys 公司全芯片和门级静态时序分析工具。PrimeTime 用来分析大型同步数字专用集成电路。静态时序分析是一种彻底的分析、调试、验证设计的方法。     

基于PTIDES执行策略的调度算法

分析现有PTIDES执行策略调度算法,综合考虑事件的截止期和执行时间,改进传统最小空闲时间优先算法,将空闲时间作为事件调度优先权,提出零空闲时间优先PTIDES调度算法——ZSFPTIDES。实例分析表明,ZSFPTIDES调度算法能避免事件在处理过程中因得不到及时处理而夭折的现象,减小事件的抢占切换率,优化分布实时嵌入式系统的调度性能。     

Relaxed fuzzy control synthesis of nonlinear networked systems under unreliable communication links

This paper proposes relaxed conditions for control synthesis of discrete-time Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy control systems under unreliable communication links. To widen the applicability of the fuzzy control approach under network environments, a novel fuzzy controller, which is homogenous polynomially parameter-dependent on both the current-time normalized fuzzy weighting functions and the multi-steps-past normalized fuzzy weighting functions, is provided to make much more use of the information of the underlying system. Moreover, a new kind of slack variable approach is also developed and thus the algebraic properties of these multi-instant normalized fuzzy weighting functions are collected into some augmented matrices. As a result, the conservatism of control synthesis of discrete-time Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy control systems under unreliable communication links can be significantly reduced. Two illustrative examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theoretical development.     

Effective real-time scheduling algorithm for cyber physical systems society

CPS (Cyber Physical Systems) tightly couple their cyber factor and physical factor in distributed computing or Grids environments to provide real-time services such as avionics, transportation, manufacturing processes, energy, healthcare, etc. We need to consider not only the cyber space (CPU, network, storage systems, etc.) and the physical space (location, migration, etc.) but also the socio space and mental space for the precise analysis and useful services. In this paper, real-time scheduling algorithms, namely ELST (Effective Least Slack Time First) and H-ELST (Heuristic-Effective Least Slack Time First), are presented for CPS, where servicing node needs to move to serviced node for real-time services. We measure the real-time performance in terms of deadline meet ratio by mathematical analysis and simulations. The results show that our algorithms reduce a deadline miss ratio approximately up to 50% and 20% compared to the conventional real-time scheduling algorithm, FIFO (First In First Out) and LST (Least Slack Time First), respectively.     

Budget Management with Applications

Abstract. Given a directed acyclic graph with timing constraints, the budget management problem is to assign to each vertex an incremental delay such that the sum of these delays is maximized without violating given constraints. We propose the notion of slack sensitivity and budget gradient to demonstrate the characteristics of budget management. We develop a polynomial-time algorithm for the budget management problem, based on the maximum independent set of an established transitive graph . We show the comparison of our approach with the well-known zero-slack algorithm , and extend it to general weighted graphs . Applications to a class of problems in VLSI CAD are also discussed.     

Performance ranking of Asian lead frame firms: a slack-based method in data envelopment analysis

With the quick growth of economics, the semiconductor foundry in the Asian area produces a large amount of derived demand for the lead frame. To deal with the quickly changing competitive environment in high technology innovation, better performing firms can constantly capture a competitive advantage. A survey is conducted to obtain the operating data of Asian lead frame firms and a slack analysis in data envelopment analysis (DEA) is applied to identify the benchmarks of the Asian lead frame industry according to their management performance. This study is carried out through literature review and experts’ opinions to conclude assessing factors. This can aid the scholars in their performance evaluation of the related industries. We also interview the CEOs of benchmark firms to attain the outstanding strengths and strategies. In addition, this study investigates the differences among firms in proposing possible improvement strategies for inefficient firms.     

Particle-in-Cell等离子体模拟方法的优化研究

由于PIC(Particle-in-Cell)方法在模拟GEO轨道上等离子体与航天器相互作用时计算量较大,因此限制了该方工程上的应用。文章分析了PIC方法在航天器充放电效应模拟中的计算效率问题,针对占用时间最多的泊松方程求解步骤提出了改进方法,并通过模拟验证了该方法的有效性。