Formal verification of synchronous data-flow program transformations toward certified compilers

Translation validation was invented in the 90’s by Pnueli et al. as a technique to formally verify the correctness of code generators. Rather than certifying the code generator or exhaustively qualifying it, translation validators attempt to verify that program transformations preserve semantics. In this work, we adopt this approach to formally verify that the clock semantics and data dependence are preserved during the compilation of the Signal compiler. Translation validation is implemented for every compilation phase from the initial phase until the latest phase where the executable code is generated, by proving the transformation in each phase of the compiler preserves the semantics. We represent the clock semantics, the data dependence of a program and its transformed counterpart as first-order formulas which are called clock models and synchronous dependence graphs (SDGs), respectively. We then introduce clock refinement and dependence refinement relations which express the preservations of clock semantics and dependence, as a relation on clock models and SDGs, respectively. Our validator does not require any instrumentation or modification of the compiler, nor any rewriting of the source program.     

Note: fast and reliable fracture strain extraction technique applied to silicon at nanometer scale

Simple fabrication process and extraction procedure to determine the fracture strain of monocrystalline silicon are demonstrated. Nanowires/nanoribbons in silicon are fabricated and subjected to uniaxial tensile stress along the complete length of the beams. Large strains up to 5% are measured for nanowires presenting a cross section of 50 nm × 50 nm and a length of 2.5 μm. An increase in fracture strain for silicon nanowires (NWs) with the downscaling of their volume is observed, highlighting the reduction of the defects probability as volume is decreased.     

Searching for a black hole in interconnected networks using mobile agents and tokens

We study the impact of the topological structure on the complexity of the Black hole search (Bhs) problem using mobile agents that communicate via tokens. First, we show that the token model can support the same cost as in the whiteboard model, despite the fact that communication between mobile agents is considerably more restricted (and complex) in a token model than in a whiteboard one. More precisely, in this paper, we focus on three specific topologies, namely: an asynchronous (i) hypercube, (ii) torus and (iii) complete network. With knowledge of which of these topologies is being used, we present token-based solutions for Bhs   where the number of moves executed by a team of two co-located anonymous agents can be reduced to Θ(n)$\Theta \left(n\right)$. These proposed solutions do not require the availability of a map and do not assume FIFO on either nodes or links.     

Chemical enterprise model and decision-making framework for sustainable chemical product design

The chemical product substitution process is undertaken by chemical industries for complying with regulations, like REACH in Europe. Initially devoted to chemists, chemicals substitution is nowadays a complex process involving corporate, business and engineering stakeholders across the chemical enterprise for orienting the search toward a sustainable solution. We formalize a decision making process framework dedicated to the sustainable chemical product design activity in an industrial context. The framework aims at improving the sharing of information and knowledge and at enabling a collaborative work across the chemical enterprise stakeholders at the strategic, tactical and operational levels. It is supported by information and communication technologies (ICT) and integrates a computer aided molecular design tool. During the initial intelligence phase, a systemic analysis of the needs and usages enables to define the product requirements. In the design phase, they are compiled with the help of a facilitator to generate the input file of a computer aided product design tool. This multiobjective tool is designed to find mixtures with molecular fragments issued from renewable raw materials, and is able to handle environment-health and safety related properties along with process physicochemical properties. The final choice phase discusses the solution relevancy and provides feedback, before launching the product manufacturing. The framework is illustrated by the search of a bio-sourced water–solvent mixture formulation for lithographic blanket wash used in printing industry. The sustainability of the solution is assessed by using the sustainability shades method.     

Minimizing Bromate Concentration by Controlling the Ozone Reaction Time in a Full-Scale Plant

The latest European Directive 98/83/CE (5 December 1998), concerning the quality of water intended for human consumption, has set a two-stage parametric value for bromate. Bromate concentration will comply with 25 μg/L after December 25, 2003, and with 10 μg/L after December 25, 2008. Bromate formation in water is generally due to bromide oxidation during the ozonation stage. Due to higher temperatures, this latter parametric value is often exceeded in summer. Minimizing bromate levels is thus a crucial problem for drinking water producers. A bromate-minimizing strategy consists of shortening the reaction time between ozone and water. This can be done by neutralizing dissolved ozone residual with bisulfite at the exit of the ozone reactor chamber and/or by managing the introduction of ozone in different chambers depending on the water flow rate. This is only possible if, in our case, the disinfection goal for ozone is respected toward bacteria and viruses. The CT value must comply with 1.6 mg/min/L. In our plants, this value could be very large due to high contact time in and after leaving the ozone reactors.     

Alkoxide-Hydroxide Route to Syntheltize BaTiO3-Based Powders

When preparing homogeneous, fine barium titanate powders, the major difficulty is to avoid the spontaneous self-condensation between the Ti-OH groups. In the usual way of preparing fine barium titanate powders, chelating agents (citrate, oxalate) or simply unidentate ligands (alkoxy or carboxyl groups) are used to complex titanium atoms. Another way is to mix barium and titanium precursors in a strongly basic medium. The condensation between the Ti(OH)^2-₆Ba²⁺ species directly gives the perovskite compound. Using an alkoxide-hydroxide route, a homogeneous Ba-Ti solution was prepared that completely advanced by condensation between the Ti(OH)^2-₆Ba²⁺ species and led to a controlled-stoichiometry powder. Concerning pure barium titanate, dried powders exhibited the cubic perovskite structure, and a direct sintering at 1150°C, without calcination, led to highly dense BaTiO₃ bodies with fine-grained uniform microstructure (1 μm) that exhibited a high permittivity value at room temperature ( K = 5400). The alkoxide-hydroxide method was also used to prepare dense alkaline-earth perovskite ceramics with complex compositions.     

Structures and rheological properties of reactive solutions of block copolymers. Part I. Diblock copolymers in a liquid epoxy monomer

P(S-b-MMA) and P(B-b-MMA) diblock copolymers (BCP) have been solubilized in a liquid epoxy. The obtained solutions have been characterized by rheology and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). As in the solid state, BCP can self-organize in solution to form well-ordered micellar structures. The two blocks respective roles have been clearly identified: at room temperature the PS or the PB block microsegregates while the PMMA block for which epoxy constitutes a good solvent, acts as a stabilizer of the microphase separation. The geometries and thermal stabilities of the ordered structures depend strongly on the molar masses and the chemical nature of the BCP blocks. For instance, the total molar mass of the BCP has to be high enough to obtain a periodic structure. On the contrary, if this molar mass is too high, too long relaxation times prevent the system from reaching its equilibrium. For the P(S-b-MMA) copolymer solution, a transition temperature from an order to a disorder state (T_ODT) is observed. The origin of this transition has been attributed to a solubilization of the PS domains around T_ODT. Macroscopically, this transition can be defined as a solid-like to a liquid-like transition. In the case of the P(B-b-MMA) copolymer solution, no order-disorder transition has been observed: it can be explained by the fact that the PB blocks are not soluble in epoxy at any temperature, up to T=200 °C.     

Polymeric drugs carriers of methacrylic and acrylic derivatives

Summary 2-Amino-thiazole reacts with methacryloyl or acryloyl chloride to give amides which are polymerized. Hydrolyses of polymers have been studied with and without enzymatic catalysis in a synthetic gastric liquid.     

Crack-Tip Structure in Soda–Lime–Silicate Glass

The topology of crack tips in soda–lime–silicate glass was investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Studies were conducted on cracks that were first propagated in water and then subjected to stress intensity factors either at or below the crack growth threshold. Exposure to loads at the crack growth threshold resulted in long delays to restart crack growth after increasing the stress intensity factor to higher values. After breaking the fracture specimen in two, the "upper" and "lower" fracture surfaces were mapped and compared using AFM. Fracture surfaces matched to an accuracy of better than 0.5 nm normal to the fracture plane and 5 nm within the fracture plane. Displacements between the upper and lower fracture surfaces that developed after a critical holding time were independent of distance from the crack tip, and increased with holding time. Despite the surface displacement, crack tips appeared to be sharp. Results are discussed in terms of a hydronium ion–alkali ion exchange along the crack surfaces and corrosion of the glass surface near the crack tip by hydroxyl ions.