Static timing analysis for modeling QoS in networks-on-chip

Networks-on-chip (NoCs) are used in a growing number of SoCs and multi-core processors. Because messages compete for the NoC’s shared resources, quality of service and resource allocation are major concerns for system designers. In particular, a model for the properties of packet delivery through the network is desirable. We present a methodology for packet-level static timing analysis in NoCs. Our methodology quickly and accurately gauges the performance parameters of a virtual-channel wormhole NoC without simulation. The network model can handle any topology, link capacities, and buffer sizes. It provides per-flow delay analysis that is orders-of-magnitude faster than simulation while being significantly more accurate than prior static modeling techniques. Using a carefully derived and reduced Markov chain, the model can statically represent the dynamic network state. Usage of the model in a placement optimization problem is shown as an example application.     

A typology of user liability to IT addiction

To date, information systems (IS) research mainly has provided a monolithic view of information technology (IT) use, considering it to be a desired behaviour with positive outcomes. However, given the dramatic increase in the use of technology during the last few years, susceptibility to IT addiction is increasingly becoming an important issue for technology users and IS researchers. In this paper, we report the results of a study that focuses on identifying variations in user liability to IT addiction, which reflects the susceptibility of individual users to develop IT addiction. First, a review of the literature in different disciplines (e.g. health, psychology and IS) allows us to better understand the concepts of IT addiction and liability to addiction. The literature review also provides an overview of the antecedents and consequences associated with IT addiction. Then, building on the analysis of 15 in‐depth interviews and 182 exploratory open‐ended surveys collected from smartphone users, we apply the concept of liability to addiction in the IT use context and propose a typological theory of user liability to IT addiction. Our typology reveals five ideal types; each can be associated to a user profile (addict, fanatic, highly engaged, regular and thoughtful ). Building upon both the extant literature and our results, we put forth propositions to extend the theoretical contributions of the study. We finally discuss the contributions and implications of our paper for research and practice.     

Safety implications of cultural and cognitive issues in nuclear power plant operation

This research project was designed to investigate cultural and cognitive issues related to the work of nuclear power plant operators during their time on the job in the control room and during simulator training (emergency situations), in order to show how these issues impact on plant safety. The modeling of the operators work deals with the use of operational procedures, the constant changes in the focus of attention and the dynamics of the conflicting activities. The paper focuses on the relationships between the courses of action of the different operators and the constraints imposed by their working environment. It shows that the safety implications of the control room operators' cognitive and cultural issues go far beyond the formal organizational constructs usually implied. Our findings indicate that the competence required for the operators are concerned with developing the possibility of constructing situation awareness, managing conflicts, gaps and time problems created by ongoing task procedures, and dealing with distractions, developing skills for collaborative work.     

Far-infrared absorption by phonons and librons in solid H2 and D2 in the ordered state

We present an experimental study of the infrared absorption spectra of solid, enriched ortho-hydrogen and para-deuterium in the ordered state for concentrations x of J = 1 molecules between 0.65 and 0.98 and temperatures from 0.9 to 11K. Comparison is made to theoretical expressions and numerical results for the absorption due to various microscopic processes, involving phonons and combinations oflibrons and phonons, which couple to the dipole moment induced by the electric quadrupole (EQ) fields of J = 1 molecules. The concentration dependence of the sharp, low-frequency optical phonon has also been studied. The integrated intensity of this feature is found to be quadratic in x and the frequency is well described by (x) = a + bx ²,which is the expected behavior for shifts arising from pairwise EQQ interactions. For constant x, the temperature dependence of the intensity of this phonon scales with the square of the long-range orientational order parameter. Our measurements of this quantity are compared to NMR determinations of the temperature dependence of the Pake splitting in the ordered state.Supported financially by the Stichting FOM.     

Task Switching After Cerebellar Damage.

The authors of this study investigated task switching following cerebellar damage. The study group consisted of 7 children and adolescents (M age = 13.8 years) who underwent surgical removal of a benign posterior fossa tumor. They were tested at a sufficient interval after surgery (M lag = 6.13 years) for restoration of normal cognitive skills and intelligence. Although all showed normal learning of the task compared with control participants, when rapid behavioral changes were required (short preparation time), they exhibited behavioral rigidity manifested by enhanced switching cost. These results are in line with another study on serial reaction time with the same patients (A. Berger et al., in press). They have important implications for our understanding of the cognitive sequelae of early cerebellar damage as well as the involvement of the cerebellum in task switching. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gradient method for inverse heat conduction problem in nanoscale

An inverse heat conduction problem for nanoscale structures was studied. The conduction phenomenon is modelled using the Boltzmann transport equation. Phonon‐mediated heat conduction in one dimension is considered. One boundary, where temperature observation takes place, is subject to a known boundary condition and the other boundary is exposed to an unknown temperature. The gradient method is employed to solve the described inverse problem. The sensitivity, adjoint and gradient equations are derived. Sample results are presented and discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimisation of maintenance strategy for rural road network using genetic algorithm

The objective of this paper is to develop an optimised maintenance strategy for the rural road network of Kerala state. This is accomplished with the development of a bi-objective deterministic optimisation model which simultaneously satisfies the objectives of both minimisation of total maintenance cost and maximisation of performance of the road network. The model is capable of planning the maintenance activities over a multi-year planning period. The performance of the road network is accounted using the composite index, namely Pavement Condition Index. The constraint-based genetic algorithm was used as the optimisation tool since it very well takes care of the combinatorial nature of the network-level pavement maintenance programming. The applicability of the model is illustrated using a case study for the rural road network of Kerala state in India. The effort made through this research work to develop a suitable Pavement Maintenance and Management System for rural road network can lead to the proper maintenance and upkeep of the rural roads, thereby triggering a positive impact on the Indian economy.