Prototyping Multiprocessor System-on-Chip Applications: A Platform-Based Approach

Multiprocessor system-on-chip designers face challenges during prototyping, when there is a real need for methods and tools that can easily map applications onto different architectures without tedious redesigning. Such methods and tools must also ensure rapid validation. A new MPSoC prototyping and validation approach uses the Posix 1003 1.C API standard and a reconfigurable multiprocessor hardware platform for fast prototyping of Posix-based applications.     

Thymoquinone-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles as Natural Preservative Agent in Cosmetic Products

The current status of controversy regarding the use of certain preservatives in cosmetic products makes it necessary to seek new ecological alternatives that are free of adverse effects on users. In our study, the natural terpene thymoquinone was encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were characterized by DLS and TEM, showing a particle size of 20 nm. The chemical structure, thermal properties, and release profile of thymoquinone were evaluated and showed a successful stabilization and sustained release of terpenes. The antimicrobial properties of the nanoparticles were evaluated against typical microbial contaminants found in cosmetic products, showing high antimicrobial properties. Furthermore, natural moisturizing cream inoculated with the aforementioned microorganisms was formulated with thymoquinone-chitosan nanoparticles to evaluate the preservative efficiency, indicating its promising use as a preservative in cosmetics.     

An accurate time-to-digital converter based on a self-timed ring oscillator for on-the-fly time measurement

This paper proposes a new architecture of a time-to-digital converter (TDC) based on a self-timed ring (STR) oscillator with sub-gate delay resolution. The proposed TDC can virtually achieve as fine as desired time resolution by simply increasing its number of stages thanks to the STR unique features. Exploiting the phase difference between events propagating in the same STR without collision, this TDC benefit from a uniform phase distribution. Thus, under certain conditions, a regular time base can be generated and a compact readout algorithm can be applied. Moreover, the proposed technique allows on-the-fly time measurement on fast non-periodic signals. As a proof-of-concept, an STR-based TDC with only 9-stages has been simulated using 28 nm FDSOI technology. A time resolution of 8.9 ps has been achieved. Without using calibration, the measured DNL and INL are 0.44 and 0.40 LSB, respectively. Simulation results point out the advantage of this TDC in terms of measurement accuracy and state the limit of the on-the-fly measurement according to the dependency between the jitter and the time resolution.     

Use of Genetic Algorithms in Resource Scheduling of Construction Projects

This paper presents an augmented Lagrangian genetic algorithm model for resource scheduling. The algorithm considers scheduling characteristics that were ignored in prior research. Previous resource scheduling formulations have primarily focused on project duration minimization. Furthermore, resource leveling and resource-constrained scheduling have traditionally been solved independently. The model presented here considers all precedence relationships, multiple crew strategies, total project cost minimization, and time-cost trade-off. In the new formulation, resource leveling and resource-constrained scheduling are performed simultaneously. The model presented uses the quadratic penalty function to transform the resource-scheduling problem to an unconstrained one. The algorithm is general and can be applied to a broad class of optimization problems. An illustrative example is presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method.     

Pivoting based manipulation by a humanoid robot

In this paper we address whole-body manipulation of bulky objects by a humanoid robot. We adopt a “pivoting” manipulation method that allows the humanoid to displace an object without lifting, but by the support of the ground contact. First, the small-time controllability of pivoting is demonstrated. On its basis, an algorithm for collision-free pivoting motion planning is established taking into account the naturalness of motion as nonholonomic constraints. Finally, we present a whole-body motion generation method by a humanoid robot, which is verified by experiments.     

Time-Profit Trade-Off Analysis for Construction Projects

This paper presents a multiobjective optimization model that provides new and unique capabilities including generating and evaluating optimal/near-optimal construction resource utilization and scheduling plans that simultaneously minimize the time and maximize the profit of construction projects. The computations in the present model are organized in three major modules: (1) a scheduling module that develops practical schedules for construction projects; (2) a profit module that computes the project profit; and (3) a multiobjective module that searches for and identifies optimal/near optimal trade-offs between project time and profit. A large-scale construction project is analyzed to illustrate the use of the model and to demonstrate its capabilities in generating and visualizing optimal trade-offs between construction time and profit.     

Economic growth and pollutant emissions in Tunisia: An empirical analysis of the environmental Kuznets curve

This paper investigates the relationship between economic growth and pollutant emissions for a small and open developing country, Tunisia, during the period 1961–2004. The investigation is made on the basis of the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis, using time series data and cointegration analysis. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) are used as the environmental indicators, and GDP as the economic indicator. Our results show that there is a long-run cointegrating relationship between the per capita emissions of two pollutants and the per capita GDP. An inverted U relationship between SO₂ emissions and GDP has been found, with income turning point approximately equals to $1200 (constant 2000 prices) or to $3700 (in PPP, constant 2000 prices). However, a monotonically increasing relationship with GDP is found more appropriate for CO₂ emissions. Furthermore, the causality results show that the relationship between income and pollution in Tunisia is one of unidirectional causality with income causing environmental changes and not vice versa, both in the short-run and long-run. This implies that an emission reduction policies and more investment in pollution abatement expense will not hurt economic growth. It could be a feasible policy tool for Tunisia to achieve its sustainable growth in the long-run.     

Task-level approaches for the control of constrained multibody systems

This paper presents a task-level control methodology for the general class of holonomically constrained multibody systems. As a point of departure, the general formulation of constrained dynamical systems is reviewed with respect to multiplier and minimization approaches. Subsequently, the operational space framework is considered and the underlying symmetry between constrained dynamics and operational space control is discussed. Motivated by this symmetry, approaches for constrained task-level control are presented which cast the general formulation of constrained multibody systems into a task space setting using the operational space framework. This provides a means of exploiting task-level control structures, native to operational space control, within the context of constrained systems. This allows us to naturally synthesize dynamic compensation for a multibody system, that properly accounts for the system constraints while performing a control task. A set of examples illustrate this control implementation. Additionally, the inclusion of flexible bodies in this approach is addressed.     

Integrated performance assessment model for water distribution networks

The American infrastructure report card in 2013 rated the US water system infrastructure with grade of ‘D’. The Canadian infrastructure report card in 2012 stated that around 15.4% of Canada’s water infrastructure has a condition of fair to very poor. Thus, there is a critical need to develop efficient inspection, maintenance and rehabilitation plans for water distribution networks. However, such plans require an assessment tool to evaluate the performance and condition of water distribution networks. Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated performance assessment model for water distribution networks. Two modules were developed to assess the performance of water pipelines and accessories, respectively. A third module was developed to assess the performance of water segments that includes pipelines and accessories. Moreover, a fourth module was built to assess the performance of each sub-network and the entire network based on the segments’ connection type using a reliability-based approach. To assess the performance of the water distribution network, the critical factors affecting its pipelines and accessories were identified and studied. The fuzzy analytic network process technique was used to obtain the importance weights of the identified factors.     

Simulation-based deterioration patterns of water pipelines

Water pipelines deteriorate overtime due to several distressing factors. To keep water pipelines in good condition, municipalities need to use reliable and credible deterioration models and inspection plans to better manage their rehabilitation and maintenance. Thus, this paper presents the development of deterioration models and patterns of water pipelines. The deterioration models consider different water pipe sizes and materials as well as different surrounding environmental conditions which affect their deterioration rates. As a prerequisite to the development of such deterioration models, a condition assessment model for water pipelines was first developed. Questionnaires were distributed among experts to determine the weights of the factors affecting water pipeline conditions using the fuzzy analytic network process. Monte-Carlo simulation was used to account for the large uncertainties of the calculated weights in the development of the condition assessment model. The validation of the model, which was performed using historical data, yielded an average validity percentage of 93.59%. The developed models are expected to help municipalities and decision makers to accurately plan for future water pipelines maintenance and rehabilitation activities based on their different deterioration patterns. It takes into consideration both the uncertainties at the initial stage and those accumulated during the calculation process.