Compositional software verification based on game semantics and process algebra

We present an approach to software model checking based on game semantics and the CSP process algebra. Open program fragments (i.e. terms-in-context) are compositionally modelled as CSP processes which represent their game semantics. This translation is performed by a prototype compiler. Observational equivalence and regular properties are checked by traces refinement using the FDR tool. We also present theorems for parameterised verification of polymorphic terms and properties. The effectiveness of the approach is evaluated on several examples. We acknowledge support by the EPSRC (GR/S52759/01). The second author was also supported by the Intel Corporation, and is also affiliated to the Mathematical Institute, Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Belgrade     

An approach to developing complex database schemas using form types

In this paper we consider an approach to developing complex database schemas. Apart from the theoretical model of the approach, we also developed a CASE tool named Integrated Information Systems*Case, R.6.2 (IIS*Case) that supports the practical application of the approach. In this paper the basis of our approach to the design and integration of database schemas and ways of using IIS*Case is outlined. The main features of a new version of IIS*Case, developed in Java, are described. IIS*Case is based on the concept of ‘form type’ and supports the conceptual modelling of a database schema, generating subschemas and integrating them into a relational database schema in 3NF. IIS*Case provides an intelligent support for complex and highly formalized design and programming tasks. Having an advanced knowledge of information systems and database design is not a compulsory prerequisite for using IIS*Case. IIS*Case is based on a methodology of gradual integration of independently designed subschemas into a database schema. The process of independent subschema design may lead to collisions in expressing real‐world constraints. IIS*Case uses specialized algorithms for checking the consistency of constraints embedded in a database schema and its subschemas. This paper briefly outlines the application of the process of detecting collisions, and actions the designer may take to resolve them. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Correlation between fracture toughness and microstructure of seeded silicon nitride ceramics

Microstructure development and fracture toughness of Si₃N₄ composites were studied in the presence of seeds and Al₂O₃ + Y₂O₃ as sintering aids. The elongated β-Si₃N₄ seeds were introduced into two different α-Si₃N₄ matrix powders; one was the ultra fine powder matrix and the other was the coarse powder matrix. The amount of seeds varied from 0 to 6 wt%. The grain growth inhibition and the mechanism of toughening were discussed and correlated with microstructure. The maximum fracture toughness of 9.0 MPa m^1/2 was obtained for ultra fine powder with 5 wt% seeds hot pressed at 1,700 °C for 6 h.     

The mechanism of formation of a surface film of silver on a platinum electrode in galvanostatic deposition

A mechanism for the growth of thin metal films on inert substrates in galvanostatic metal deposition is proposed. Qualitative agreement between theoretical and experimental results was obtained.     

Backstepping in Infinite Dimension for a Class of Parabolic Distributed Parameter Systems

 In this paper a family of stabilizing boundary feedback control laws for a class of linear parabolic PDEs motivated by engineering applications is presented. The design procedure presented here can handle systems with an arbitrary finite number of open-loop unstable eigenvalues and is not restricted to a particular type of boundary actuation. Stabilization is achieved through the design of coordinate transformations that have the form of recursive relationships. The fundamental difficulty of such transformations is that the recursion has an infinite number of iterations. The problem of feedback gains growing unbounded as the grid becomes infinitely fine is resolved by a proper choice of the target system to which the original system is transformed. We show how to design coordinate transformations such that they are sufficiently regular (not continuous but L _∞). We then establish closed-loop stability, regularity of control, and regularity of solutions of the PDE. The result is accompanied by a simulation study for a linearization of a tubular chemical reactor around an unstable steady state. Date received: June 22, 2001. Date revised: January 17, 2002. RID="*" ID="*"This work was supported by grants from AFOSR, ONR, and NSF.     

Amorphous alloys resistant to corrosion in artificial saliva solution

The tailoring of new corrosion-resistant alloys with specific properties has recently been performed mostly by the sputter deposition technique. The aim of this work was to investigate corrosion resistance of aluminum–tungsten (Al–W) amorphous alloys in artificial saliva solution, pH=5.5, based on the electrochemical methods of cyclic voltammetry and linear polarization. Thin alloy films were prepared on a sapphire substrate by magnetron codeposition. Completely amorphous films were obtained in the Al₈₀W₂₀–Al₆₇W₃₃ composition range. Amorphous Al–W alloys exhibit very high corrosion resistance due to their homogeneous single-phase nature. The passive films spontaneously formed at their surface are uniform with characteristics of an insulator film and prevent corrosion progression in the bulk in a very demanding oral environment. The mechanism of increasing resistivity of Al–W alloys to pitting corrosion and generalized corrosion has been discussed in the view of increasing tungsten content in the alloy. Considering these exceptional corrosion properties and microhardness which falls in the range 7.5±1.6 Pa, Al–W alloys represent promising materials for dental applications.     

Biology of TiO2-oligonucleotide nanocomposites

Emerging areas of nanotechnology hold the promise of overcoming the limitations of existing technologies for intracellular manipulation. These new developments provide approaches for the creation of chemical-biological hybrid nanocomposites that can be introduced into cells and subsequently used to initiate intracellular processes or biochemical reactions. Such nanocomposites would advance medical biotechnology, just as they are improving microarray technology and imaging in biology and medicine, and introducing new possibilities in chemistry and material sciences. Here we describe the behaviour of 45-A nanoparticles of titanium dioxide semiconductor combined with oligonucleotide DNA into nanocomposites in vivo and in vitro. These nanocomposites not only retain the intrinsic photocatalytic capacity of TiO2 and the bioactivity of the oligonucleotide DNA (covalently attached to the TiO2 nanoparticle), but also possess the chemically and biologically unique new property of a light-inducible nucleic acid endonuclease, which could become a new tool for gene therapy.     

Integration of electrokinetic-based multidimensional separation/concentration platform with electrospray ionization-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance-mass spectrometry for proteome analysis of Shewanella oneidensis

This work focuses on the development of a multidimensional electrokinetic-based separation/concentration platform coupled with electrospray ionization-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FTICR-MS) for achieving the high resolution and ultrasensitive analysis of complex protein/peptide mixtures. A microdialysis junction is employed as the interface for on-line combination of capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF) with transient capillary isotachophoresis/zone electrophoresis (CITP/CZE) in an integrated platform. Besides the excellent resolving power afforded by both CIEF and CZE separations, the electrokinetic focusing/stacking effects of CIEF and CITP greatly enhance the dynamic range and detection sensitivity of MS for protein identification. The constructed multidimensional separation/concentration platform is demonstrated for the analysis of Shewanella oneidensis proteome, which has considerable implications toward the bioremediation of environmental pollutants. The electrokinetic-based platform offers the overall peak capacity comparable to those obtained using multidimensional chromatography systems, but with a much shorter run time and no need for column regeneration. Most importantly, a total of 1174 unique proteins, corresponding to 26.5% proteome coverage, are identified from the cytosolic fraction of S. oneidensis, while requiring <500 ng of proteolytic digest loaded in the CIEF capillary. The ultrasensitive capabilities of electrokinetic-based proteome approach are attributed to the concentration effect in CIEF, the electrokinetic stacking of CITP, the nanoscale peak volume in CZE, the "accurate mass tag" strategy for protein/peptide identification, and the high-sensitivity, high-resolution, and high-mass measurement accuracy of FTICR-MS.     

Two-point mid-range approximation enhanced recursive quadratic programming method

This research represents an attempt to combine good convergence properties of recursive quadratic programming methods with the benefits of mid-range approximations, initially developed in the field of structural optimization. In this paper, an optimization method based on Arora and coworkers PLBA (Pshenichny–Lim–Belegundu–Arora) algorithm is proposed in which, during the line search phase, cost and constraint functions are substituted by their two-point approximations using the Generalized Convex Approximation formulae of Chickermane and Gea. The results showed that the proposed optimization method preserves the reliability and accuracy of the recursive quadratic programming method while it might simultaneously reduce the computational effort for some problems. Therefore, the proposed optimization method may be taken as potentially suitable for general design optimization purposes.     

Analysis of gangliosides directly from thin-layer chromatography plates by infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometry with a glycerol matrix

A novel method is presented for direct coupling of high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) for the analysis of biomolecules. A first key feature is the use of a liquid matrix (glycerol), which provides a homogeneous wetting of the silica gel and a simple and fast MALDI preparation protocol. A second is the use of an Er:YAG infrared laser, which ablates layers of approximately 10-microm thickness of analyte-loaded silica gel and provides a soft desorption/ionization of even very labile analyte molecules. The orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometer employed in this study, finally provides a high accuracy of the mass determination, which is independent of any irregularity of the silica gel surface. The analytical potential of the method is demonstrated by the compositional mapping of a native GM3 (II(3)-alpha-Neu5Ac-LacCer) ganglioside mixture from cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells. The analysis is characterized by a high relative sensitivity, allowing the simultaneous detection of various major and minor GM3 species directly from individual HPTLC analyte bands. The lateral resolution of the direct HPTLC-MALDI-MS analysis is defined by the laser focus diameter of currently approximately 200 microm. This allows one to determine mobility profiles of individual species with a higher resolution than by reading off the chromatogram by optical absorption. The fluorescent dye primuline was, furthermore, successfully tested as a nondestructive, MALDI-compatible staining agent.