Static priority scheduling of event-triggered real-time embedded systems

Real-time embedded systems are often specified as a collection of independent tasks, each generating a sequence of event-triggered code blocks. The goal of scheduling tasks in this domain is to find an execution order which satisfies all real-time constraints. Within the context of recurring real-time tasks, all previous work either allowed preemptions, or only considered dynamic scheduling, and generally had exponential complexity. However, for many embedded systems running on limited resources, preemptive scheduling may be very costly due to high context switching and memory overheads, and dynamic scheduling can be less desirable due to high CPU overhead. In this paper, we study static priority scheduling of recurring real-time tasks. We focus on and obtain schedule-theoretic results for the non-preemptive uniprocessor case. To achieve this, we derive a sufficient (albeit not necessary) condition for schedulability under static priority scheduling and show that this condition can be efficiently tested in practice. The latter technique is demonstrated with examples, where in each case, an optimal solution for a given problem specification is obtained within reasonable time, by first detecting good candidates using meta-heuristics, and then by testing them for schedulability.

Block copolymers of cyclohexene oxide and ketonic resins via condensation and promoted cationic polymerization

Block copolymers of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and ketonic resin were prepared by using ketonic resins as free radical photoinitiators via two‐step procedure. In the first step, cyclohexanone–formaldehyde and acetophenone–formaldehyde resins were modified during their preparation with benzoin and benzoin isobutyl ether. Then, AB or ABA type block copolymers depending on the resin employed were obtained by irradiation of these resins in the presence of pyridinium salt and CHO as a cationically polymerizable monomer. By this way, block copolymers of CHO with ketonic resin were prepared and characterized by GPC, DCS, FTIR, and ¹H NMR spectral measurements. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Human Factors Concerning Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Future Operations

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) play increasingly important roles in many modern militaries. The proven success of UAS during operations in Afghanistan and Iraq has created a demand for UAS with varying functionalities and capabilities. UAS are currently performing tasks and playing roles of manned systems in many mission areas. Although UAS are limited in meeting all the required parameters when compared to the manned systems, their low risk, low cost attributes and critical mission capabilities often make them preferable. However, the extent to which UAS can continue defining tomorrow’s military missions is not predictable. There is some skepticism and hesitation about operating UAS with minimal human oversight and how it influences the operational effectiveness when the limitations of autonomy or constant control needs are accounted for. Therefore, it becomes crucially important to find out and apply the best match between systems and missions considering the type of the mission and the capabilities of UAS. The emerging challenge is to identify the place of UAS in operational structures and versatile missions, and possibly provide an integrative solution where both manned and unmanned systems collaborate in meeting given requirements in the future of warfare. The aim of this paper is to compare cognitive capabilities of manned systems and UAS, and evaluate them in the context of anticipated future operating environments. The evaluation will focus on the efficiency of systems on the cognitive domain of information environments and their impact on specific missions. The research is expected to contribute to a more informed structural transformation of modern militaries.     

A hybrid fuzzy MCDM approach to machine tool selection

The selection of the appropriate machine tools for a manufacturing company is one of the important points to achieving high competitiveness in the market. Besides, an appropriate choice of machine tools is very important as it helps to realize full production quickly. Today’s market offers many more choices for machine tool alternatives. There are also many factors one should consider as part of the appropriate machine tool selection process, including productivity, flexibility, compatibility, safety, cost, etc. Consequently evaluation procedures involve several objectives and it is often necessary to compromise among possibly conflicting tangible and intangible factors. For these reasons, multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) has been found to be a useful approach to solve this kind of problem. Most of the MCDM models are basically mathematical and ignore qualitative and often subjective considerations. The use of fuzzy set theory allows incorporating qualitative and partially known information into the decision model. This paper describes a fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) based methodology for evaluation and selection of vertical CNC machining centers for a manufacturing company in Istanbul, Turkey. The criteria weights are calculated by using the fuzzy AHP (analytical hierarchy process).     

Enable delegation for RBAC with Secure Authorization Certificate

Our motivation in this paper is to explore a Secure Delegation Scheme that could keep access control information hidden through network transmission. This approach introduces the quasirandom structure, 3-Uniform Hypergraph, as the representation structure for authorization information. It generates a Secure Authorization Certificate (SAC) in place of an Attribute Certificate (AC) to enable both Role-based Access Control (RBAC) and a delegation process for hiding authorization information. We have two contributions in this regard: (1) a value-based delegation scheme and (2) a pattern-based RBAC. A Secure Delegation Scheme is based on the hashing values generated with the quasirandom structure. With this scheme, the delegation process will greatly reduce the risk of sensitive authorization information leakage for applications. In the case of pattern-based access, we introduce a new hash function using quasirandom structure to make a fingerprint¹ for RBAC. The quasirandom structure derived from k-Uniform Hypergraph has measurable uniformity, which is an advantage over traditional hash functions. Another advantage is that it does not need to access the entire message context to generate the fingerprint which is essential for traditional hash functions such as MD5, SHA-1, etc.     

A Survey on Near Field Communication (NFC) Technology

Near Field Communication (NFC) as a promising short range wireless communication technology facilitates mobile phone usage of billions of people throughout the world that offers diverse services ranging from payment and loyalty applications to access keys for offices and houses. Eventually NFC technology integrates all such services into one single mobile phone. NFC technology has emerged lately, and consequently not much academic source is available yet. On the contrary, due to its promising business case options, there will be an increasing amount of work to be studied in the very close future. This paper presents the concept of NFC technology in a holistic approach with different perspectives, including communication essentials with standards, ecosystem and business issues, applications, and security issues. Open research areas and further recommended studies in terms of academic and business point of view are also explored and discussed at the end of each major subject’s subsection. This comprehensive survey will be a valuable guide for researchers and academicians as well as for business world interested in NFC technology.     

Dietary Sources of Fiber Intake and Its Association with Socio-Economic Factors among Flemish Preschool Children

The objectives were to assess total dietary fiber intake, identify the major sources of dietary fiber, and examine its association with socio-economic factors among Flemish preschoolers. Three-day estimated dietary records were collected from a representative sample of preschoolers 2.5-6.5 years old (n = 661; 338 boys, 323 girls). The mean dietary fiber intake (13.4 g/d) was lower than the intake level recommended by the Belgian Superior Health Council (70% boys and 81% girls below the guidelines). The most important contributor was the group of bread and cereals (29.5%), followed by fruits (17.8%), potatoes and grains (16.0%), energy-dense, low-nutritious foods (12.4%), and vegetables (11.8%). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that total fiber intake was associated with maternal education and parents' employment. Overall, fiber intakes from high-nutritious foods (vegetables and fruits) were higher in preschoolers of higher educated mothers and those with one or both parents being employed. In conclusion, the majority of the preschoolers had dietary fiber intakes below the recommended level. Hence, dietary fiber should be promoted among parents of preschoolers and low socio-economic status families should be addressed in particular.     

Crosslinked Aggregates of Fusion Enzymes in Microaqueous Organic Media

Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases (BVMOs) are attractive for selectively oxidizing various ketones using oxygen into valuable esters and lactones. However, the application of BVMOs is restrained by cofactor dependency and enzyme instability combined with water-related downsides such as low substrate loading, low oxygen capacity, and water-induced side reactions. Herein, we described a redox-neutral linear cascade with in-situ cofactor regeneration catalyzed by fused alcohol dehydrogenase and cyclohexanone monooxygenase in aqueous and microaqueous organic media. The cascade conditions have been optimized regarding substrate concentrations as well as the amounts of enzymes and cofactors with the Design of Experiments (DoE). The carrier-free immobilization technique, crosslinked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs), was applied to fusion enzymes. The resultant fusion CLEAs were proven to function in microaqueous organic systems, in which the enzyme ratios, water contents (0.5–5 vol. %), and stability have been systematically studied. The fusion CLEAs showed promising operational (up to 5 cycles) and storage stability.     

A multiscale investigation on controlling bovine serum albumin adsorption onto polyurethane films

Our previous study on castor oil (CO) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐based shape memory polyurethane (PU) films indicated that cell spreading on the polymer surface, cell morphology, and adhesion of fibroblast are closely related to the composition of the polymer that influences surface properties. This integrated experimental and computational study is designed to investigate the effect of important parameters such as surface roughness, crystallinity, hydrophilicity, distribution of hard/soft segments, and topology of the surface on protein adsorption for CO‐ and PEG‐based PUs. Analyses indicate that the crystallinity percentage highly promotes bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption. Roughness together with topological features determines BSA adsorption rate and concentration. Hydrophilicity and hard segment content seem to have less critical effect on adsorption. Distribution of hard segments into the soft segments emerges as another important factor for protein adsorption. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45669.