Visualizing program dependencies: An experimental study

This paper addresses the problem of visualizing program dependencies (i.e. entities and their relations). A code visualization tool that maintains a repository of structural and functional dependencies for C programs is described. Visualization of such dependencies is accomplished by using a presentation model which combines data and control flow information. Moreover, transformation mechanisms and partitioning techniques used by the tool provide the means for managing large graphical representations. The quantitative results from an experimental study using this tool indicate that the productivity of its users was increased and that the quality of changes made during a program modification exercise was improved. Furthermore, the qualitative results have shown that its presentation model, transformation mechanisms and partitioning techniques constitute a promising platform for the comprehension and maintenance of C programs. Finally, the outcome of an empirical evaluation of the tool and the enhancement of its functionality and user interface are also discussed in this paper.     

Macrodiversity analysis of anM-ary noncoherent orthogonal DS/CDMA system on shadowed Rayleigh channels

DS/CDMA noncoherentM-ary orthogonal signaling is presented in a hexagonal cell with three and six corner-based antennas. Multipath Rayleigh channel with lognormal shadowing and perfect power control are assumed. The asynchronous case (uplink) is studied. Bit error rate analysis is carried out to investigate the benefits of combining theM-ary orthogonal signaling and macrodiversity techniques either with uncorrelated or correlated base stations. Comparative analysis between the one central antenna arrangement and the proposed one is presented. The results show that the combination ofM-ary signaling with multiple corner-based antennas improves system performance especially in terms of accommodating more users and supporting new services. The results also show that shadowing does not degrade system performance significantly.     

Performability indicators for the traffic analysis of wide area networks

In this paper, a repairable circular consecutive-k-out-of-n:F system with one repairman is studied. It is assumed that the working time and the repair time of each component are both exponentially distributed and every component after repair is ‘as good as new’. Each component is classified as either a key component or an ordinary component. Key components have priority in repair when failed. By using the definition of generalized transition probability, the state transition probabilities of the system are derived. Important reliability indices are evaluated for an example.     

Robust inverse optimal control laws for nonlinear systems

This work proposes a robust inverse optimal controller design for a class of nonlinear systems with bounded, time‐varying uncertain variables. The basic idea is that of re‐shaping the scalar nonlinear gain of an L_gV controller, based on Sontag's formula, so as to guarantee certain uncertainty attenuation properties in the closed‐loop system. The proposed gain re‐shaping is shown to yield a control law that enforces global boundedness of the closed‐loop trajectories, robust asymptotic output tracking with an arbitrary degree of attenuation of the effect of uncertainty on the output, and inverse optimality with respect to a meaningful cost that penalizes the tracking error and the control action. The performance of the control law is illustrated through a simulation example and compared with other controller designs. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Photocatalytic Activity of Titania Loaded Cd-MCM-41

Catalysts consisting of cadmium incorporated into MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieves (Cd-MCM-41) with Si/Cd = 80 have been synthesized by the hydrothermal method using cadmium acetate as the source of cadmium. This was then loaded with titania via the sol-gel method to explore the photoactivity in UV light. These two materials were characterized by various physicochemical techniques such as N₂ physisorption, O₂ chemisorption, diffuse reflectance UV-vis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The pore size of the Cd-MCM-41 was higher and the BET surface area was lower than those commonly found in our siliceous MCM-41. This is due to the partial pore breakage, as recorded by pore size distribution analysis. The oxygen chemisorption results shows that the dispersion of cadmium is quite high, and decreased after loading of titania. The XRD patterns of Cd-MCM-41 and 25%TiO₂/Cd-MCM-41 are similar to those of siliceous MCM-41; however, the intensity of the d ₁₀₀ peak is decreased and the unit-cell parameter increased with titania loading. Raman spectra could not detect any peaks, whereas peaks were detected at 144, 397, 518 and 641 cm_-1 with loading of titania, these peaks being associated with the anatase phase of titania. The surface composition and binding energy of the Cd 3d_5/2 peak for Cd-MCM-41 and 25%TiO₂/Cd-MCM-41 was analyzed by XPS and showed considerable infusion of cadmium ions on to the surface upon loading of titania. The Cd/Si surface atomic ratio measured by XPS increases 10 times with loading of titania on Cd-MCM-41, indicating that the two separate surface electronic levels such as Cd-O-Si and Cd-O-Ti were found for 25%TiO₂/Cd-MCM-41. The 25%TiO₂/Cd-MCM-41 showed higher activity than 25%TiO₂/MCM-41 for photocatalytic degradation of formic acid. The activity results are compared with the pure titania based on the transformation per site of Ti.     

Convective heat-transfer measurements in liquid metals under different fluid flow conditions

In this study an experimental method to measure convective heat transfer characteristics in liquid metals is presented. This method involves the immersion into a metal bath of a solid specimen whose melting point is equal to or lower than that of the metal or alloy in the metal bath, and which will not react chemically with the liquid metal or alloys used. The specimen should have a hollow bore whose opening is held above the surface of the liquid metal; immersion continues until such a time as the liquid metal penetrates the hollow bore. The apparent weight of the specimen is monitored to determine the rate at which the net downward force changes. Experimental results are reported for liquid aluminum, liquid copper, and liquid steel. Those experimental results were conducted under different fluid flow conditions. The applicability of this method to liquid slags is also discussed. Formerly Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Department of Metallurgy and Materials Science, University of Toronto     

Free-radical synthesis of narrow polydispersed 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-based tetrapolymers for dilute aqueous base developable negative photoresists

Novel (meth)acrylate tetrapolymers based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) were synthesized via free-radical polymerization in refluxing xylene under monomer-starved conditions for use in negative photoresist formulations. 2,2′-Azobis(2-methylbutyronitrile) was used as initiator and 2-mercaptoethanol as chain transfer agent. Optimized resist formulations were obtained with a relatively narrow polydispersed (D=1.86) low molecular weight copolymer (M_n=1677) of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), isobornyl methacrylate (IBMA), cyclohexyl methacrylate (CHMA) and acrylic acid (AA), in a 40/30/23/7 weight ratio. A novel high-resolution single layer negative tone photoresist suitable for 193 nm and e-beam lithography that meets basic performance requirements (aqueous-base development, enhanced etch resistance, sub-0.2 μm resolution) was developed from the aforementioned (meth)acrylate tetrapolymer, the poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-cyclohexyl methacrylate-co-isobornyl methacrylate-co-acrylic acid) (PHECIMA) and a sulfonium salt photo acid generator. The key-components for the negative image formation (photoacid induced crosslinking) are the hydroxyl groups of the HEMA moieties. The swelling-free negative resist material was developed in diluted aqueous base [tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide, (TMAH) 0.26×10⁻²N] and presented enhanced etch resistance without the use of etch resistance promoters. 0.20-0.14 μm lines were obtained upon 193 nm and/or e-beam lithography.     

Improved Performance of Maximum Likelihood Decoding Algorithm with Efficient Use of Algebraic Decoder

A new soft decision maximum-likelihood decoding algorithm, which generates the minimum set of candidate codewords by efficiently applying the algebraic decoder is proposed. As a result, the decoding complexity is reduced without degradation of performance. The new algorithm is tested and verified by simulation results.Panagiotis G. Babalis was born in Athens, Greece, on January 3, 1974. He received his Diploma of electrical and computer engineering and the Ph.D. degree, both from National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Athens, Greece, in 1996 and 2001, respectively. His main research interests include mobile satellite communications, modulation, and wireless communications systems coding. Dr. Babalis is a member of the technical Chamber of Greece.Panagiotis T. Trakadas was born in Athens, Greece, on January 14, 1972. He received his Diploma of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Ph.D. degree from National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Athens, Greece, in 1996, and 2001, respectively. From 1998 to 2001, he participated in many European projects as a researcher. His main research interests include mobile communications systems and electromagnetic compatibility topics. Dr. Trakadas is a member of the Technical Chamber of Greece and IEEE Society.Theodore B. Zahariadis received his Ph.D. degree in electrical and computer engineering from the National Technical University of Athens, Greece, and his Dipl.-Ing. Degree in computer engineering and information science from the University of Patras, Greece. Currently, he is the technical director of Ellemedia Technologies, where he leads R&D of end-to-end interactive multimedia services, embedded systems, and 3G/4G core network services. Since 1994 he has participated in many European co-funded projects. His research interests are in the fields of broadband wireline/wireless/mobile communications, interactive service deployment, management of IP/WDM networks, and embedded systems. He has published more than 30 papers. He has been a reviewer and principal guest editor in many journals and magazines. He is a member of the ACM and the Technical Chamber of Greece.Christos N. Capsalis was born in Greece, in 1956. He received the diploma in electrical and mechanical engineering from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Athens, Greece, in 1979, the B.Sc. degree in economics from the University of Athens, Athens, Greece, in 1983, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from NTUA in 1985. He is currently a Professor at NTUA and Director of the wireless communications laboratory. His current research activities include wireless and satellite communications systems and EMC topics.