Investigating the usability of real-time scheduling theory with the Cheddar project

This article deals with real-time critical systems modelling and verification. Real-time scheduling theory provides algebraic methods and algorithms in order to make timing constraints verifications of these systems. Nevertheless, many industrial projects do not perform analysis with real-time scheduling theory even if demand for use of this theory is large and the industrial application field is wide (avionics, aerospace, automotive, autonomous systems, …). The Cheddar project investigates why real-time scheduling theory is not used and how its usability can be increased. The project was launched at the University of Brest in 2002. In Lecture Notes on Computer Sciences, vol. 5026, pp. 240–253, 2008, we have presented a short overview of this project. This article is an extended presentation of the Cheddar project, its contributions and also its ongoing works.     

Visual tracking for the recovery of multiple interacting plant root systems from X-ray $$\upmu $$CT images

We propose a visual object tracking framework for the extraction of multiple interacting plant root systems from three-dimensional X-ray micro computed tomography images of plants grown in soil. Our method is based on a level set framework guided by a greyscale intensity distribution model to identify object boundaries in image cross-sections. Root objects are followed through the data volume, while updating the tracker’s appearance models to adapt to changing intensity values. In the presence of multiple root systems, multiple trackers can be used, but need to distinguish target objects from one another in order to correctly associate roots with their originating plants. Since root objects are expected to exhibit similar greyscale intensity distributions, shape information is used to constrain the evolving level set interfaces in order to lock trackers to their correct targets. The proposed method is tested on root systems of wheat plants grown in soil.     

Influence of Unmodified and β-Glycerophosphate Cross-Linked Chitosan on Anti-Candida Activity of Clotrimazole in Semi-Solid Delivery Systems

The combination of an antifungal agent and drug carrier with adjunctive antimicrobial properties represents novel strategy of complex therapy in pharmaceutical technology. The goal of this study was to investigate the unmodified and ion cross-linked chitosan’s influence on anti-Candida activity of clotrimazole used as a model drug in hydrogels. It was particularly crucial to explore whether the chitosans’ structure modification by β-glycerophosphate altered its antifungal properties. Antifungal studies (performed by plate diffusion method according to CLSI reference protocol) revealed that hydrogels obtained with chitosan/β-glycerophosphate displayed lower anti-Candida effect, probably as a result of weakened polycationic properties of chitosan in the presence of ion cross-linker. Designed chitosan hydrogels with clotrimazole were found to be more efficient against tested Candida strains and showed more favorable drug release profile compared to commercially available product. These observations indicate that novel chitosan formulations may be considered as promising semi-solid delivery system of clotrimazole.     

The dorsolateral pre‑frontal cortex bi‑polar error‑related potential in a locked‑in patient implanted with a daily use brain–computer interface

While brain computer interfaces (BCIs) offer the potential of allowing those suffering from loss of muscle control to once again fully engage with their environment by bypassing the affected motor system and decoding user intentions directly from brain activity, they are prone to errors. One possible avenue for BCI performance improvement is to detect when the BCI user perceives the BCI to have made an unintended action and thus take corrective actions. Error-related potentials (ErrPs) are neural correlates of error awareness and as such can provide an indication of when a BCI system is not performing according to the user’s intentions. Here, we investigate the brain signals of an implanted BCI user suffering from locked-in syndrome (LIS) due to late-stage ALS that prevents her from being able to speak or move but not from using her BCI at home on a daily basis to communicate, for the presence of error-related signals. We first establish the presence of an ErrP originating from the dorsolateral pre-frontal cortex (dLPFC) in response to errors made during a discrete feedback task that mimics the click-based spelling software she uses to communicate. Then, we show that this ErrP can also be elicited by cursor movement errors in a continuous BCI cursor control task. This work represents a first step toward detecting ErrPs during the daily home use of a communications BCI.     

Evaluation of temperature field and heat flux by inverse analysis during steel strip rolling

Knowledge of the temperature field in the roll is a critical factor of modern, high-speed rolling mills. In this paper, an inverse analytical method is developed to determine the temperature field and especially the temperature (and heat flux) at the surface of the roll by measuring the temperature with a thermocouple (fully embedded) at only one point inside the roll. Iterative methods are not studied because short computation times are desired. Some assumptions are done to resolve analytically the unsteady heat equation, taking into account the restrictions of the measurement system (e.g., measurement according to successive times). The solution is validated by comparing the outputs of the method and prescribed analytical temperature fields. Good agreement is obtained. Noise sensitivity is estimated by adding artificial random numbers to the inputs. Good accuracy is observed. A 10% error of the temperature sensor depth is also considered and does not compromise the method. On the other hand, the computation time (around 0.05 s by cycle) is studied to rapidly optimise the industrial parameters during the rolling process.     

ENERGY DISSIPATION DISTRIBUTION AND MIXING IN A TORUS REACTOR

Previous works devoted to the development of the swirl flow generated by rotation of the marine screw impeller in the loop toroidal reactor show that the flow structure is characterized by the existence of a secondary flow. The deformation of the axial velocity profile, due to the bends curvature and the rotation of the agitator, modify considerably the friction and the transfer near the wall. The objective of this work is to study the toroidal flow and to characterize the wall turbulence. The wall shear stress distribution in the torus were performed by using an electrochemical method. The measurements of the wall shear stress were carried out in the inner and outer walls. The evolution of the wall velocity gradient with the longitudinal distance depends on the location in the torus. These results allow to obtain information about the friction factor, which is compared with the one measured directly by using piezometric connections. The experimental determination of the axial dispersion coefficient is obtained by using the dispersion plug flow model with a total recirculation. Finally, a relationship between the turbulent characteristics and the mixing parameters has been established.