Synchronization of abstract and concrete syntax in domain-specific modeling languages

Modern domain-specific modeling (DSM) frameworks provide refined techniques for developing new languages based on the clear separation of conceptual elements of the language (called abstract syntax) and their graphical visual representation (called concrete syntax). This separation is usually achieved by recording traceability information between the abstract and concrete syntax using mapping models. However, state-of-the-art DSM frameworks impose severe restrictions on traceability links between elements of the abstract syntax and the concrete syntax. In the current paper, we propose a mapping model which allows to define arbitrarily complex mappings between elements of the abstract and concrete syntax. Moreover, we demonstrate how live model transformations can complement mapping models in providing bidirectional synchronization and implicit traceability between models of the abstract and the concrete syntax. In addition, we introduce a novel architecture for DSM environments which enables these concepts, and provide an overview of the tool support.     

pCBT/MWCNT Nanocomposites Prepared by In situ Polymerization of CBT After Solid‐Phase High‐Energy Ball Milling of CBT with MWCNT

pCBT/MWCNT nanocomposites were prepared by in situ polymerization of CBT after solid‐phase HEBM of the polymerization catalyst containing CBT with MWCNT. The crystallinity and crystallization behavior of the pCBT nanocomposites were studied by WAXS and DSC. The MWCNTs did not affect the crystallinity of the isothermally produced pCBT significantly, but acted as nucleation agents during the crystallization of pCBT from its melt. pCBT/MWCNT nanocomposites were subjected to DMTA, static flexure, and dynamic Charpy impact tests. The flexural modulus, strength, and impact strength from these tests all went through a maximum as a function of the MWCNT content. Optimum properties were found in the MWCNT range of 0.25–0.5 wt.‐%.

     

Memory prerequisites of mismatch negativity in the auditory event-related potential (ERP).

The mismatch negativity (MMN) is a component of the auditory event-related brain potential that occurs in response to infrequent changes in the physical properties of homogeneous series of sounds, even when Ss are instructed to ignore the auditory channel of stimulation. It has been proposed (e.g., R. N??t?nen, see record 1991-00298-001) that the MMN is generated by an automatic process in which a difference between the deviant sound and the previous, standard sound is detected by the brain. However, it is unclear how the form of memory involved is related to the rest of the memory system. The present study indicates that, for an MMN to be elicited in response to a change in tone frequency, the representation of the standard tone must be both well-established as a standard in memory and in a currently active state. The relation between physiological and psychological aspects of memory representation is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Rotor-stator molecular crystals of fullerenes with cubane

Cubane (C8H8) and fullerene (C60) are famous cage molecules with shapes of platonic or archimedean solids. Their remarkable chemical and solid-state properties have induced great scientific interest. Both materials form polymorphic crystals of molecules with variable orientational ordering. The idea of intercalating fullerene with cubane was raised several years ago but no attempts at preparation have been reported. Here we show that C60 and similarly C70 form high-symmetry molecular crystals with cubane owing to topological molecular recognition between the convex surface of fullerenes and the concave cubane. Static cubane occupies the octahedral voids of the face-centred-cubic structures and acts as a bearing between the rotating fullerene molecules. The smooth contact of the rotor and stator molecules decreases significantly the temperature of orientational ordering. These materials have great topochemical importance: at elevated temperatures they transform to high-stability covalent derivatives although preserving their crystalline appearance. The size-dependent molecular recognition promises selective formation of related structures with higher fullerenes and/or substituted cubanes.     

Polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma lipids of obese children with and without metabolic cardiovascular syndrome

Previously we reported significantly higher values of γ-linolenic acid (GLA, 18∶3n−6), dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DHGLA, 20∶3n−6), and arachidonic acid (20∶4n−6) in plasma lipid classes in obese children than in nonobese controls. In the present study, fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids (PL) and sterol esters (STE) was determined by high-resolution capillary gas-liquid chromatography in obese children with an without metabolic cardiovascular syndrome [MCS: defined as simultaneous presence of (i) dyslipidemia, (ii) hyperinsulinemia, (iii) hypertension, and (iv) impaired glucose tolerance] and in nonobese controls. Fatty acid composition of PL and STE lipids did not differ between obese children without MCS and controls. Obese children with MCS exhibited significantly lower linoleic acid (LA, 18∶2n−6) values in PL (17.43 [2.36], %wt/wt, median [range from the first to the third quartile]) than obese children without MCS (19.14 [3.49]) and controls (20.28 [3.80]). In contrast, PL GLA values were significantly higher in obese children with (0.13 [0.08]) than in those without MCS (0.08 [0.04]), whereas STE GLA values were higher in obese children with MCS (1.04 [0.72]) than in controls (0.62 [0.48]). DHGLA values in PL were significantly higher in obese children with MCS (4.06 [0.74]) than in controls (2.69 [1.60]). The GLA/LA ratio was significantly higher, whereas the AA/DHGLA ratio was significantly lower in obese children with MCS than in obese children without MCS and in controls. In this study, LA metabolism was affected only in obese children with but not in those without MCS. In obese children with MCS, δ6-desaturase activity appeared to be stimulated, whereas δ5-desaturase activity appeared to be inhibited. Disturbances in LA metabolism may represent an additional health hazard within the multifaceted clinical picture of MCS.     

Application of the MIMO Concept in Millimeter-Wave Broadband Wireless Access Networks

In the usual application of Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO) and space–time coding (STC) the basis of the operation is a rich-scattering fading channel and a high density of links. In this paper a different situation: cellular millimeter-wave systems are investigated. It is shown that the MIMO concept can also have advantages in this case. Rain-induced fading characteristics and the concept of route diversity are briefly introduced. A route diversity system can be regarded as a parallel MIMO channel. Basic characteristics of these channels including capacity for various cases are investigated. Optimal codes are determined for space-time convolutional coding. Conceptual design of a route-time coding (RTC) system is shown. Simulation results on coding gain, based on empirical rain attenuation data are given.     

Road to a reactive and incremental model transformation platform: three generations of the VIATRA framework

The current release of VIATRA provides open-source tool support for an event-driven, reactive model transformation engine built on top of highly scalable incremental graph queries for models with millions of elements and advanced features such as rule-based design space exploration complex event processing or model obfuscation. However, the history of the VIATRA model transformation framework dates back to over 16 years. Starting as an early academic research prototype as part of the M.Sc project of the the first author it first evolved into a Prolog-based engine followed by a family of open-source projects which by now matured into a component integrated into various industrial and open-source tools and deployed over multiple technologies. This invited paper briefly overviews the evolution of the VIATRA/IncQuery family by highlighting key features and illustrating main transformation concepts along an open case study influenced by an industrial project.     

Optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy technique–based immunosensor development for deoxynivalenol determination in wheat samples

Contamination by deoxynivalenol (DON), a trichothecene mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species, occurs in cereals worldwide; therefore, efforts have been made toward the development of rapid and sensitive methods for the detection of this compound. In our investigation, optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy (OWLS) technique has been applied to label-free detection of DON in both competitive and in direct immunoassay formats using DON-specific polyclonal antibodies. After immobilizing the antibody or the antigen conjugate for the direct or indirect measurement, the sensor chip was used in a flow-injection analyzer system. The direct method was found to result in an unstable sensor response and sensitivity insufficient to determine DON in different grains. In contrast, a competitive immunosensor format provided reproducible quantitative detection in the sub-ppt range. For competitive sensor investigation with the sensitized chip, first the optimal dilution rate of polyclonal antibodies was determined. For the measurements, antibody stock solution was diluted to 8 μg mL⁻¹. During the competitive measurement, standard solutions were mixed with the antibodies at the appropriate concentration, and the mixture was incubated for 1 min and injected into the OWLS system. The sensitive detection range of the competitive detection method was between 0.01 and 50 ng mL⁻¹. After the establishment of the indirect method, spiked wheat flour samples were investigated. Results obtained with spiked samples showed that OWLS detection has a potential for quick determination of DON in wheat samples.     

Comparison of urinary excretion of radon from the human body before and after radon bath therapy

Theoretically, the human body absorbs radon through the lungs and the skin and excretes it through the lungs and the excretory organs during radon bath therapy. To check this theory, the radon concentrations in urine samples were compared before and after radon bath therapy. During the therapy, the geometric mean (GM) and the geometric standard deviation of the radon concentration in air and in the bath water were 979 Bq m(-3), 1.58 and 73.6 Bq dm(-3), 1.1, respectively. Since radon was detected in each urine sample (GM around 3.0 Bq dm(-3)), urinary excretion of radon was confirmed. The results of this study can neither reject nor confirm the hypothesis of radon absorption through the skin. A 15 times higher increment of inhaled radon level did not cause significant changes in radon of urine samples.