An automatically‐tuned sorting library

We present ATSL, an automatically‐tuned sorting library. ATSL generates a sorting routine optimized to the target machine for a specific data type. ATSL finds a high‐performance sorting routine by searching an algorithmic space that we have defined. The search space includes basic sorting algorithms and automatically‐generated compositions of sorting algorithms. Performance measurements are used both for ranking candidate algorithms and for characterizing the behavior of candidates in specific settings (e.g. ranges of input sizes). These characterizations allow ATSL to generate hybrid algorithms that intelligently exploit the strengths of particular algorithms, such as high speed at specific input‐size ranges. Many sorting algorithms can be tuned using numeric parameters and ATSL searches these parameter spaces to find values that yield high performance on the target machine. The building blocks from which ATSL synthesizes sorting algorithms include adaptations of many of the most effective hand‐tuned sorting routines, including several that are tuned for cache efficiency. An extensive experimental evaluation shows that ATSL generates high‐performance codes that are well tuned for the target machine and data type. The experiments were conducted on six different machines, of several architectures, and with three different compilers. The algorithms that are generated are fast; in particular, they beat the hand‐tuned building blocks and the compiler's C++ built‐in sorting routine. The algorithms that ATSL generates on different machines and using different compilers are different from each other. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Partition between volitional and induced forces in electrically augmented dynamic isometric muscle contractions.

Augmentation of force in partially deficient muscles can be achieved by combining electrical stimulation (ES) with their volitional activation (hybrid activation). However, while the overall torque results from the combination of the volitional and the electrically-induced torque components, the exact share between these components is not known. In a previous work, we described a method to resolve the share between the torque components under isometric static contractions. In this work, we extend our analysis to the case of isometric dynamic contractions. Five healthy subjects were instructed to contract their Tibialis Anterior (TA) muscles according to a typical gait-like dynamic torque pattern, that was visually displayed to them, while monitoring their actual ankle torque and TA electromyography (EMG). These experiments were done with and without augmented activation by means of ES. A computational algorithm was developed to dissociate the volitional from the overall torque, based on EMG signal processing and on precalibration of the dynamic system of the volitional torque versus EMG. The results indicated the quantitative relations between decrease in the volitional torque and the required increase in ES enhancement. The developed method also demonstrated what ES intensity profile is necessary to produce a desired overall torque output. This provides the means for designing an adaptive rehabilitation device for the hybrid activation of deficient muscles.     

Combined top-down/bottom-up segmentation

We construct a segmentation scheme that combines top-down with bottom-up processing. In the proposed scheme, segmentation and recognition are intertwined rather than proceeding in a serial manner. The top-down part applies stored knowledge about object shapes acquired through learning, whereas the bottom-up part creates a hierarchy of segmented regions based on uniformity criteria. Beginning with unsegmented training examples of class and non-class images, the algorithm constructs a bank of class-specific fragments and determines their figure-ground segmentation. This bank is then used to segment novel images in a top-down manner: the fragments are first used to recognize images containing class objects, and then to create a complete cover that best approximates these objects. The resulting segmentation is then integrated with bottom-up multi-scale grouping to better delineate the object boundaries. Our experiments, applied to a large set of four classes (horses, pedestrians, cars, faces), demonstrate segmentation results that surpass those achieved by previous top-down or bottom-up schemes. The main novel aspects of this work are the fragment learning phase, which efficiently learns the figure-ground labeling of segmentation fragments, even in training sets with high object and background variability; combining the top-down segmentation with bottom-up criteria to draw on their relative merits; and the use of segmentation to improve recognition.     

Not Even Past: Information Aging and Temporal Privacy in Online Social Networks

Online social networks (OSNs) make information accessible for unlimited periods and provide easy access to past information by arranging information in time lines or by providing sophisticated search mechanisms. Despite increased concerns over the privacy threat that is posed by digital memory, there is little knowledge about retrospective privacy: the extent to which the age of the exposed information affects sharing preferences. In this article, we investigate how information aging impacts users’ sharing preferences on Facebook. Our findings are based on a between-subjects experiment (n = 272), in which we measured the impact of time since first publishing an OSN post on its sharing preferences. Our results quantify how willingness to share is lower for older Facebook posts and show that older posts have lower relevancy to the user’s social network and are less representative of the user’s identity. We show that changes in the user’s social circles, the occurrence of significant life changes and a user’s young age are correlated with a further decrease in the willingness to keep sharing past information. We discuss our findings by juxtaposing digital memory theories and privacy theories and suggest a vision for mechanisms that can help users manage longitudinal privacy.     

Automated,Ultra‐Fast Laser‐Drilling of Nanometer Scale Pores and Nanopore Arrays in Aqueous Solutions

The ability to quickly and reliably fabricate nanoscale pore arrays in ultra‐thin membranes such as silicon nitride (Si_xN) is extremely important for the growing field of nanopore biosensing. Laser‐based etching of thin Si_xN membranes immersed in aqueous solutions has recently been demonstrated as a method to produce stable functional pores. Herein, the principal mechanism governing material etching and pore formation using light is investigated. It is found that the process is extremely sensitive to the relative content of Si over N atoms in the amorphous membrane, produced by chemical vapor deposition. Commonly, Si_xN membranes are made to be Si‐rich to increase their mechanical stability, which substantially reduces the material's bandgap and increases the density of Si‐dangling bonds. Hence, even minimal batch‐to‐batch variation may lead to remarkably different etch rates. It is shown that higher Si content results in orders of magnitude faster etching rates. This rate is further accelerated in an alkaline environment allowing on‐demand controlled nanopore formation in about 10 s time even at low laser radiation intensities. These results highlight that photoactivation of the Si_xN by the incident beam is critical to the chemical etching process and can be used to readily produce nanopore arrays at any specific location.     

Thermodynamic theory of dislocation-mediated plasticity

We reformulate the theory of polycrystalline plasticity, in externally driven, nonequilibrium situations, by writing equations of motion for the flow of energy and entropy associated with dislocations. Within this general framework, and using a minimal model of thermally assisted depinning with essentially only one adjustable parameter, we find that our theory fits the strain-hardening data for Cu over a wide range of temperatures and six decades of strain rate. We predict the transition between stage II and stage III hardening, including the observation that this transition occurs at smaller strains for higher temperatures. We also explain why strain-rate hardening is very weak up to large rates; and, with just one additional number, we accurately predict the crossover to power-law rate hardening in the strong-shock regime. Our analysis differs in several important respects from conventional dislocation-mediated continuum theories. We provide some historical background and discuss our rationale for these differences.     

Carbonization of PAN grafted uniform crosslinked polystyrene microspheres

Micrometer-sized polystyrene/poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) and polystyrene/polydivinylbenzene composite particles of narrow size distribution were formed by a single-step swelling process of uniform polystyrene template particles with emulsion droplets of dibutyl phthalate containing benzoyl peroxide and divinylbenzene in the presence or absence of styrene, followed by polymerization of the monomer(s) within the swollen template particles at 70 °C. Porous poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) and polydivinylbenzene uniform microspheres were formed by dissolution of the polystyrene part of the former composite particles. Hydroperoxide conjugated microspheres were formed by ozonolysis of the former porous microspheres. Uniform poly(styrene-divinylbenzene)/PAN and polydivinylbenzene/PAN core/shell microspheres were prepared by room temperature redox graft polymerization of AN onto the hydroperoxide conjugated particles. Uniform carbon microspheres were prepared by carbonization of the core/shell particles at 800 and 1100 °C under dynamic N₂ atmosphere. On the other hand, a similar treatment of the core particles only resulted in destruction of the particle shape. Carbon microspheres of increasing surface area (up to ca. 1000 m²/g) were prepared by activation of the former carbon microspheres with CO₂ at 850 °C. The influence of the carbonization temperature of the core/shell particles and the activation time of the carbon particles on the carbon yield and surface area has been elucidated.     

A Stepwise Open-Ended Approach to the Identification of Joint Management Structures for Shared Aquifers

The need for joint management of increasingly stressed cross-boundary aquifers is likely to grow in upcoming years. Yet there is a lack of experience in the management of cross-boundary groundwater. Moreover, the differences in the nature of groundwater and surface water preclude direct transfer of experience gained in managing cross-boundary rivers and lakes to the management of cross-border groundwater basins. This paper suggests an open-ended approach to the identification of joint management structures for shared aquifers to overcome the inability to rely on prior experience. A flexible-sequential framework is proposed that allows the parties to identify and evaluate options not tried before. The discussion is on the most salient points for analysts and decision-makers. The framework is developed within the Israeli-Palestinian context; however, the approach is applicable to a wider array of situations.     

Experimental and Numerical Study of the Effect of an Electric Field on a Bunsen-type Flame

The effect of an electric field on the behavior of premixed methane-air flames has been studied. A candle-type flame has been observed experimentally and analyzed for its geometrical proportions under an electric field. A numerical model has been developed to explain some of the experimental observations. The model employs a two-dimensional cylindrical coordinate system and assumes axial symmetry. The mass, momentum, species, and energy conservation equations are solved by an integrated version of the PHOENICS and CHEMKIN computer codes. It is concluded that the effect of the electric field on the flame behavior is mainly due to ionic wind effects.     

DSP应用程序中C代码和汇编代码的结合

随着DSP处理器的功能日益强大,加上编译器的优化技术不断提高,以往只利用汇编语言编写DSP应用程序的普遍做法已逐渐被淘汰.今天,几乎所有的DSP应用程序都是由C代码和汇编代码共同构成.