The Right Tools for the Job: Correctness of Cone of Influence Reduction Proved Using ACL2 and HOL4

We present a case study illustrating how to exploit the expressive power of higher-order logic to complete a proof whose main lemma is already proved in a first-order theorem prover. Our proof exploits a link between the HOL4 and ACL2 proof systems to show correctness of a cone of influence reduction algorithm, implemented in ACL2, with respect to the classical semantics of linear temporal logic, formalized in HOL4.     

On the construction of the unit tight frames in code division multiple access systems under total squared correlation criterion

We focus on the application of unit norm tight frames to design code division multiple (CDMA) systems spreading sequences with constant chip magnitude. An algorithm for the design of the overloaded real-valued signature sets with minimum total-squared-correlation equal to the Welch bound equality (WBE) set is presented. By using this algorithm we solved the open problem of existence of complex-valued WBE sequence sets with constant chip magnitude in the case when K=N+1, where K is the number of active users in the system and N is the processing gain. The normalized cross-correlation between any pair of signatures in a set obtained by the proposed algorithm is either 1/(K-1) or -1/(K-1) corresponding to equiangular sequences. The results are derived in the context of synchronous CDMA systems. Numerical examples for K=5 users for real WBE sequences and for K=4,3 users for complex WBE sequences with constant chip magnitude are provided.     

Microstructure evolution and development of annealed Ni/Au contacts to GaN nanowires

The development of Ni/Au contacts to Mg-doped GaN nanowires (NWs) is examined. Unlike Ni/Au contacts to planar GaN, current-voltage (I-V) measurements of Mg-doped nanowire devices frequently exhibit a strong degradation after annealing in N(2)/O(2). This degradation originates from the poor wetting behavior of Ni and Au on SiO(2) and the excessive void formation that occurs at the metal/NW and metal/oxide interfaces. The void formation can cause cracking and delamination of the metal film as well as reduce the contact area at the metal/NW interface, which increases the resistance. The morphology and composition of the annealed Ni/Au contacts on SiO(2) and the p-GaN films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. Adhesion experiments were performed in order to determine the degree of adhesion of the Ni/Au films to the SiO(2) as well as observe and analyze the morphology of the film's underside by SEM. Device degradation from annealing was prevented through the use of a specific adhesion layer of Ti/Al/Ni deposited prior to the nanowire dispersal and Ni/Au deposition. I-V measurements of NW devices fabricated using this adhesion layer showed a decrease in resistance after annealing, whereas all others showed an increase in resistance. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) on a cross-section of a NW with Ni/Au contacts and a Ti/Al/Ni adhesion layer showed a lack of void formation at the contact/NW interface. Results of the XRD and TEM analysis of the NW contact structure using a Ti/Al/Ni adhesion layer suggests Al alloying of the Ni/Au contact increases the adhesion and stability of the metal film as well as prevents excessive void formation at the contact/NW interface.     

Image based Localization under large perspective difference between Sfm and SLAM using split sim(3) optimization

Autonomous Robots - Image based Localization (IbL) uses both Structure from Motion (SfM) and Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) data for accurate pose estimation. However, under...     

A review of lanthanide-based fluorescent nanofiber membranes by electrospinning and their applications

Journal of Materials Science - In recent years, rare earth complexes have become famous for their unique luminescence characteristics, such as clear emission bands, long lifetimes, and high...     

LiDAR based hydro-conditioned hydrological modeling for enhancing precise conservation practice placement in agricultural watersheds

High resolution Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)-derived Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) improve hydrologic modeling and aid in identifying the targeted locations of best conservation practices (CPs) in agricultural watersheds. However, the inability of LiDAR data to represent the conveyance of water under or through the surfaces (i.e., bridges or culverts) impedes the simulated flow, resulting in false upstream pooling. Improper flow simulation affects the accuracy of pollutant load estimations and targeted locations delineated by watershed models or models built upon hydro-conditioned DEMs (hDEM). We propose a novel approach of Hydro-conditioning to modify LiDAR imagery through breach lines, which is essential to accurately replicate the landscape hydrologic connectivity. We compared variations in outcomes of Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF), based on manual and automated hDEMs for Plum Creek watershed, Minnesota. The derived flow network, catchment boundaries, drainage areas, locations/number of practices depend on the chosen hDEM. Locations, size and shape of bioreactors, drainage management, farm ponds, nutrient removal wetlands, riparian buffers are severely affected by hydro-conditioning. Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) validation of hDEMs showed that Mean Average Percentage Deviation (MAPE) for automated and manual hDEMs is 1.34 and 0.998 respectively. Also, proximity analysis with a buffer of 200 m showed that CPs’ locations delineated by manual hDEM match better with the existing ones as compared to automated hDEM. Results indicate that coupled approach of using automated and manual ‘hDEM’ is best suited for guiding stakeholders towards the field-scale planning in a cost-saving manner.

     

Assembly of Molecular Building Blocks into Integrated Complex Functional Molecular Systems: Structuring Matter Made to Order

Function‐inspired design of molecular building blocks for their assembly into complex systems has been an objective in engineering nanostructures and materials modulation at nanoscale. This article summarizes recent research and inspiring progress in the design/synthesis of various custom‐made chiral, switchable, and highly responsive molecular building blocks for the construction of diverse covalent/noncovalent assemblies with tailored topologies, properties, and functions. Illustrating the judicious selection of building blocks, orthogonal functionalities, and innate physical/chemical properties that bring diversity and complex functions once reticulated into materials, special focus is given to their assembly into porous crystalline networks such as metal/covalent–organic frameworks (MOFs/COFs), surface‐mounted frameworks (SURMOFs), metal–organic cages/rings (MOCs), cross‐linked polymer gels, porous organic polymers (POPs), and related architectures that find diverse applications in life science and various other functional materials. Smart and stimuli‐responsive or dynamic building blocks, once embedded into materials, can be remotely modulated by external stimuli (light, electrons, chemicals, or mechanical forces) for controlling the structure and properties, thus being applicable for dynamic photochemical and mechanochemical control in constructing new forms of matter made to order. Then, an overview of current challenges, limitations, as well as future research directions and opportunities in this field, are discussed.     

Simple Analysis of Primary and Secondary Bile Salt Hydrolysis in Mouse and Human Gut Microbiome Samples by Using Fluorogenic Substrates

Animals produce bile to act as an antibacterial agent and to maximize the absorption of lipophilic nutrients in the gut. The physical properties of bile are largely dictated by amphipathic bile salt molecules, which also participate in signaling pathways by modulating physiological processes upon binding host receptors. Upon excretion of bile salts from the gall bladder into the intestine, the gut microbiota can create metabolites with modified signaling capabilities. The category and magnitude of bile salt metabolism can have positive or negative effects on the host. A key modification is bile salt hydrolysis, which is a prerequisite for all additional microbial transformations. We have synthesized five different fluorogenic bile salts for simple and continuous reporting of hydrolysis in both murine and human fecal samples. Our data demonstrate that most gut microbiomes have the highest capacity for hydrolysis of host-produced primary bile salts, but some microbially modified secondary bile salts also display significant turnover.