A search space “cartography” for guiding graph coloring heuristics

We present a search space analysis and its application in improving local search algorithms for the graph coloring problem. Using a classical distance measure between colorings, we introduce the following clustering hypothesis: the high quality solutions are not randomly scattered in the search space, but rather grouped in clusters within spheres of specific diameter. We first provide intuitive evidence for this hypothesis by presenting a projection of a large set of local minima in the 3D space. An experimental confirmation is also presented: we introduce two algorithms that exploit the hypothesis by guiding an underlying Tabu Search (TS) process. The first algorithm (TS-Div) uses a learning process to guide the basic TS process toward as-yet-unvisited spheres. The second algorithm (TS-Int) makes deep investigations within a bounded region by organizing it as a tree-like structure of connected spheres. We experimentally demonstrate that if such a region contains a global optimum, TS-Int does not fail in eventually finding it. This pair of algorithms significantly outperforms the underlying basic TS algorithm; it can even improve some of the best-known solutions ever reported in the literature (e.g. for dsjc1000.9).     

Hybrid wet paper coding mechanism for steganography employing n-indicator and fuzzy edge detector

Data hiding technique can facilitate security and the safe transmission of important information in the digital domain, which generally requires a high embedding payload and good stego image quality. Recently, a steganographic framework known as wet paper coding has been utilized as an effective strategy in image hiding to achieve the requirements of high embedding payload, good quality and robust security. In this paper, besides employing this mechanism as a fundamental stage, we take advantage of two novel techniques, namely, an efficient n-indicator and a fuzzy edge detector. The first is to increase the robustness of the proposed system to guard against being detected or traced by the statistics methods while allowing the receiver without knowledge of secret data positions to retrieve the embedded information. The second is to improve the payload and enhance the quality of stego image. The experimental results show that our proposed scheme outperforms its ability to reduce the conflict among three steganography requirements.     

A modelling framework to support farmers in designing agricultural production systems

Given the new challenges confronting world agriculture, innovative production systems need to be designed at the farm level. As experiments are not easy to conduct at this level, modelling is required to evaluate ex-ante the multiple impacts of proposed innovations. A conceptual framework based on three sub-systems (biophysical, technical, and decisional) interacting within the farm is proposed to guide this process. The advantages and limitations of the framework are illustrated with three examples. The first describes a conceptual, rule-based model representing management decisions for the cultivation of salad in southern France. The second uses a computerized model of the three sub-systems to study irrigation management strategies on farms producing hay in southern France. The third presents a spreadsheet model designed to assist dairy farms in Morocco to define new livestock and forage system strategies. The lessons learned concern the modelling process, the fit between the type of model and its use, and the advantage of involving stakeholders in the design process of tools and innovations.     

Co-constructing with stakeholders a role-playing game to initiate collective management of erosive runoff risks at the watershed scale

Erosive runoff is a recurring problem and is a source of sometimes deadly muddy floods in the Pays de Caux (France). The risk results from a conjunction of natural factors and human activity. Efficient actions against runoff in agricultural watersheds are well known. However they are still difficult to implement as they require co-operation between stakeholders. Local actors thus need tools to help them understand the collective consequences of their individual decisions and help to initiate a process of negotiation between them. We decided to use a participatory approach called companion modelling (ComMod), and, in close collaboration with one of the first group of local stakeholders, to create a role-playing game (RPG) to facilitate negotiations on the future management of erosive runoff. This paper describes and discusses the development of the RPG and its use with other groups of local stakeholders within the framework of two game sessions organized by two different watershed management committees. During the joint construction step, stakeholders shared their viewpoints about the environment, agents, rules, and how to model runoff in preparation for the creation of the RPG. During the RPG sessions, two groups of eight players, including farmers, mayors and watershed advisors, were confronted with disastrous runoff in a fictive agricultural watershed. Results showed that they managed to reduce runoff by 20–50% by engaging a dialogue about grass strips, storage ponds and management of the intercrop period. However, further progress is still needed to better control runoff through the implementation of better agricultural practices because, during the RPG sessions, the watershed advisors did not encourage farmers to do so. Because of the complexity of management problems, results of jointly constructing the game and the RPG sessions showed that modelling and simulation can be a very useful way of accompanying the collective learning process. This new way of working was welcomed by the participants who expressed their interest in organizing further RPG sessions.     

分布式环境下的关系型XML查询优化

XML数据查询是XML相关技术中一项的重要技术.与普通的XML查询方法不同,关系型XML查询不需要路径表达式,给查询者带来了便利,然而与此同时也带来了计算量增大的问题.针对该问题,给出了一种在分布式环境下基于部分求值的解决方案,并提出了优化算法.实验表明,该算法不仅能提高关系型XML查询的效率,而且能提高查询的适应性,使得查询可以在更为苛刻的条件下进行.     

Integrated metallic gauge in a piezoelectric cantilever

In this study, a self-sensitive piezoelectric cantilever with a new design for sensing is presented. Micro-cantilevers were actuated by a 120 nm-thick Lead Zirconate Titanate Oxide (PZT) layer. Detection was done by measuring the resistance of a metallic gauge integrated on the surface of the micro-piezoelectric cantilevers. Some metallic gauges were embedded in a Wheatstone bridge to improve the measured resistance accuracy. Devices with direct resistance measurement were also realized. Gauge resistance responses were compared with an optical measurement by a White Light Interferometer. By biasing the PZT between −5 V and 5 V, cyclic deflection of the cantilever was detected with both optical and metallic gauge resistance systems. The two measurements fit. This self-sensitive piezoelectric cantilever can be used for fatigue test with packaged devices.     

Modeling the high pH sensitivity of Suspended Gate Field Effect Transistor (SGFET)

High sensitivity to chemical species of sub-micron gap Suspended-Gate FETs (more than 200 mV/pH for example) is explained from the charge distribution induced by the high field in the sub-micronic gap under the gate-bridge. Modeling of Metal-Electrolyte-Insulator-Silicon (MEIS) capacitor, which is the basic vertical structure of the transistor, is performed to highlight this effect through the response to the pH change of the solution filling the gap. The analytical model is based on the 2D-numerical resolution of Poisson's equation. The response of quasi-static C(V) plots versus pH is simulated using both electrolyte charge distribution and site-binding theory considering the influence of sites densities on silicon nitride. Device modeling and simulated/experimental electrical characteristics are presented. Effect of the gap thickness on the pH sensitivity is also discussed in this study.     

Optimizing the execution of XSLT stylesheets for querying transformed XML data

We have to deal with different data formats whenever data formats evolve or data must be integrated from heterogeneous systems. These data when implemented in XML for data exchange cannot be shared freely among applications without data transformation. A common approach to solve this problem is to convert the entire XML data from their source format to the applications’ target formats using the transformations rules specified in XSLT stylesheets. However, in many cases, not all XML data are required to be transformed except for a smaller part described by a user’s query (application). In this paper, we present an approach that optimizes the execution time of an XSLT stylesheet for answering a given XPath query by modifying the XSLT stylesheet in such a way that it would (a) capture only the parts in the XML data that are relevant to the query and (b) process only those XSLT instructions that are relevant to the query. We prove the correctness of our optimization approach, analyze its complexity and present experimental results. The experimental results show that our approach performs the best in terms of execution time, especially when many cost-intensive XSLT instructions can be excluded in the XSLT stylesheet.     

涉密文档违规处理系统在保密部门的应用

计算机网络技术的高速发展大幅提高了人们的工作效率和信息获取量,但是提供便利的同时也隐藏着安全隐患。各地保密部门始终高度重视涉密文件、机密数据及个人隐私的安全防护,以防患于未然。因此针对堵截涉密信息泄露扩散的最佳时机研制出监测涉密文档监控系统。系统可通过安装在外网客户端上的监控程序,对客户机上文档的编辑工作进行监控,将编辑的文档标题自动发送给监视控制台或保密局等主管单位,并对编辑的文档自动进行涉密分析,一旦发现该文档可能包含有涉密信息,即刻屏蔽该机的网络连接,并立即报警。