Weaves: A Framework for Reconfigurable Programming

This paper presents a language independent runtime framework—called Weaves—for object based composition of unmodified code modules that enables selective sharing of state between multiple control flows through a process. Furthermore, the framework allows dynamic instantiation of code modules and control flows through them. In effect, weaves create intra-process modules (similar to objects in OOP) from code written in any language. Applications can be built by instantiating Weaves to form Tapestries of dynamically interacting code. The framework enables objects to be arbitrarily shared—it is a true superset of both processes as well as threads, with code sharing and fast context switching time similar to threads. Weaves does not require any special support from either the language or application code—practically any code can be weaved. Weaves also include support runtime loading and linking of object modules enabling the next generation of highly dynamic applications. This paper presents the elements of the Weaves framework and its implementation on the Linux platform over source-code independent ELF object files. The current implementation has been validated over Sweep3D, a benchmark for 3D discrete ordinates neutron transport (Koch et al. Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc. 65 (198) [1992]), and a user-level port of the Linux 2.4 family kernel TCP/IP protocol stack.     

A CAD system design to diagnosize alzheimers disease from MRI brain images using optimal deep neural network

Memory related issues in brain are mainly caused by Alzheimer disease (AD) which is the most common form of dementia. This disease must be diagnosed in its prodromal stage known as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) also it needs an accurate detection and classification technique. In this paper, a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system is implemented on Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from ADNI database. This disease highly affects the Hippocampus and cerebrum regions which are normally found in the grey matter region of brain. At first, MNI/ICBM atlas space of every three dimensional MRI images are constructed using normalization procedure, then grey matter region of brain is extracted. Subsequently, feature extraction is done by two dimensional Gabor filter in three scales and eight orientations. Then, the proposed optimal Deep Neural Network (DNN) classifier is used to classify the images as Cognitive normal (CN), Alzheimer disease (AD), and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Here, DNN classifier is optimized by selecting optimal weight parameter using Enhanced Squirrel Search Algorithm. The experimental results prove an efficiency of the proposed method using MR images. The proposed algorithm beats existing techniques in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity.

     

Correction to: Efficient Algorithm for Identification and Cache Based Discovery of Cloud Services

Mobile Networks and Applications - The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake in the author group section. Author “V. Varadarajan” should be expanded to...     

Laboratory evaluation of custom-designed surfactants to remediate NAPL source zones

Laboratory column studies were conducted using custom-designed anionic surfactants, the branched alcohol propoxylated sulfates, to evaluate their effectiveness in removing nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) from both Ottawa sand and field alluvium. Surfactant efficacy was tested at temperatures ranging between 11 and 50 degrees C for contaminants such as tetrachloroethene (PCE), weathered gasoline, and Naval Special Fuel Oil. It has been shown that use of branched alcohol propoxylated sulfates can achieve very low final NAPL saturations even with recalcitrant NAPLs, while exhibiting low induced hydraulic gradients, low microemulsion viscosity, and minimal sorption on contaminated field soils. These custom-designed surfactants are effective with both dense NAPLs (DNAPLs) and light NAPLs. Finally, these surfactants were used to create neutrally buoyant microemulsions with a PCE DNAPL. The laboratory experiments show that these custom-designed, high-performance surfactants can be tailored to optimize contaminant solubility for specific field NAPLs.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of copper incorporated manganese oxide OMS-2 materials synthesized via potassium birnessite

Metal ion incorporated tunnel structured manganese oxide OMS-2 has been recently exploited as potential materials in the field of heterogeneous catalysis Cryptomelane type copper incorporated manganese oxide OMS-2 type tunnel structured material has been synthesized by hydrothermal method using birnessite-containing potassium as a parent precursor instead of using birnessite containing sodium. Crystal structure and thermal stability of as synthesized materials are characterized by using XRD and TGA. Surface area and morphology of newly synthesized copper incorporated OMS-2 type materials have been studied by BET and SEM analyses.     

Synthesis and Irreversibility of Oxygen Weight Loss in 80 K YBa2Cu4O8 Superconductor

Synthesis of YBa₂Cu₄O₈ superconductor usually requires oxygen pressure greater than 20 MPa and very long heating schedules at high temperatures. Here we report synthesis of YBa₂Cu₄O₈ superconductor by the standard solid-state reaction between the precursors BaCu₂O₃ and Y₂O₃ in the presence of alkali nitrate. NaNO₃, under ambient O₂ pressure. The resulting sample showed zero resistance at 78 K. The presence of 124 was confirmed by high-resolution X-ray diffraction studies. Irreversibility of oxygen weight loss was studied by thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis.     

Testing and Modeling Two Rockfill Materials

Modeled rockfill materials consisting of rounded and angular particles obtained from two dam sites are subjected to drained triaxial tests using large size specimens. An elastoplastic constitutive model based on the disturbed state concept is adopted to characterize the behavior of the modeled rockfill materials. The material parameters for the two rockfill materials are determined from the experimental results. The variation of the material parameters with respect to the size of the particles for the rockfill material with the rounded particle is, in general, opposite to that for the rockfill material with the angular particles. The model is shown to provide satisfactory prediction of the behavior of the rockfill materials tested. Material parameters are predicted for prototype size of rockfill materials.     

Structural consequences of replacement of an {alpha}-helical Pro residue in Escherichia coli thioredoxin

While it is well known that introduction of Pro residues intothe interior of protein     

Modeling and performance prediction of chromate reduction by iron oxide coated sand in adsorber reactors

Iron oxide coated sand (IOCS) as an adsorbent medium for removing hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from industrial wastewater, as well as in permeable reactive barriers for remediation of Cr(VI) in aquifers is investigated in this study. An important feature was the use of a mathematical model for performance forecasting and process upscaling of IOCS fixed‐bed adsorber systems for Cr(VI) removal. Another significance aspect was the elucidation of IOCS surface mechanisms and interactions responsible for Cr(VI) sorption and reduction to the less toxic Cr(III). The adsorption equilibrium and mass‐transfer parameters for modeling were obtained from independent laboratory studies. Adsorber studies validated the predictive model and established the effectiveness of IOCS for Cr(VI) removal under different conditions. Model simulation studies demonstrated that adsorbent capacity, surface diffusion, and film transfer significantly influenced process dynamics. The study showed that IOCS can be used to remove Cr(VI) from contaminated waters, meeting the overall objectives of regulatory agencies. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 3717–3729, 2016     

A comparative study on macroscopic and nanoscale polarization mapping on large area PLD grown PZT thin films

By optimizing laser raster scanning conditions and controlling PbO evaporation, we have grown high quality large area PbZr_.52Ti_.48O₃ (PZT) thin films using custom-built off-axis pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. The realization of high quality PZT thin films over a large area with uniform polarization is a challenging task due to the formation of non-ferroelectric or pyrochlore like PbTi₃O₇ phases at the processing temperature ($>600°\mathrm{C}$). Our results show the polycrystalline nature of the sample with a uniform chemical surface composition. The macroscopic level of polarization mapping shows excellent saturated P-E loops with a narrow variation (6%) of the remnant polarization (2P_r) across the large area thin films. A comparative study of macroscopic and nanoscale level of mapping of polarization switching are performed, to demonstrate the existence of stoichiometry ferroelectric PZT thin films over a large area. The achievement of high quality large area PZT thin films with uniform polarization might be used for under-water SONAR devices and in power harvesting.