Towards the automatic generation of software diagrams

The authors formulate the criteria for drawing dataflow diagrams and describe the placement and routing algorithms used in a system called MONDRIAN. A generalized approach to the question of software diagrams is proposed based on the authors' experience with MONDRIAN and a metasystem approach to the creation of CASE (computer-aided software engineering) environments. A formal approach to the definition of software objects and their graphical representation is given. The use of location constraints as a basis for generalized layout algorithms is discussed     

Optically pumped rubidium as a frequency standard at 196 THz

The performance of 196.0-THz (1529-nm) DFB lasers frequency-locked to absorption lines of a rubidium vapor optically pumped at 384.2 THz (780.2 nm) is studied. The absorption profiles of the pumped vapor are measured under various conditions and compared with theoretical predictions. A bright resonance resulting from the cascade of two cycling transitions is characterized both experimentally and theoretically. The measured frequency stability of a DFB laser frequency-locked to this line reaches a level of 2×10^-10 for an averaging time of 100 s when compared to a similar laser locked to an acetylene line     

Reward prediction in primate basal ganglia and frontal cortex

Reward information is processed in a limited number of brain structures, including fronto-basal ganglia systems. Dopamine neurons respond phasically to primary rewards and reward-predicting stimuli depending on reward unpredictability but without discriminating between rewards. These responses reflect 'errors' in the prediction of rewards in correspondence to learning theories and thus may constitute teaching signals for appetitive learning. Neurons in the striatum (caudate, putamen, ventral striatum) code reward predictions in a different manner. They are activated during several seconds when animals expect predicted rewards. During learning, these activations occur initially in rewarded and unrewarded trials and become subsequently restricted to rewarded trials. This occurs in parallel with the adaptation of reward expectations by the animals, as inferred from their behavioral reactions. Neurons in orbitofrontal cortex respond differentially to stimuli predicting different liquid rewards, without coding spatial or visual features. Thus, different structures process reward information processed in different ways. Whereas dopamine neurons emit a reward teaching signal without indicating the specific reward, striatal neurons adapt expectation activity to new reward situations, and orbitofrontal neurons process the specific nature of rewards. These reward signals need to cooperate in order for reward information to be used for learning and maintaining approach behavior.     

Testing usability and trainability of indirect touch interaction: perspective for the next generation of air traffic control systems

This study aims to determine whether indirect touch device can be used to interact with graphical objects displayed on another screen in an air traffic control (ATC) context. The introduction of such a device likely requires an adaptation of the sensory-motor system. The operator has to simultaneously perform movements on the horizontal plane while assessing them on the vertical plane. Thirty-six right-handed participants performed movement training with either constant or variable practice and with or without visual feedback of the displacement of their actions. Participants then performed a test phase without visual feedback. Performance improved in both practice conditions, but accuracy was higher with visual feedback. During the test phase, movement time was longer for those who had practiced with feedback, suggesting an element of dependency. However, this ‘cost’ of feedback did not extend to movement accuracy. Finally, participants who had received variable training performed better in the test phase, but accuracy was still unsatisfactory. We conclude that continuous visual feedback on the stylus position is necessary if tablets are to be introduced in ATC.     

Cinétique de dégagement des matières volatiles lors de la pyrolyse d'électrodes de carbone industrielles

In aluminium plants, the anode baking process is associated with an important release of volatile combustible matter. It is the purpose of this study to investigate the kinetics of the evolution of these volatiles. A large thermogravimetry set-up has been designed in such a way that it could simulate real plant conditions. Samples of two distinct masses have been subjected to pyrolysis at different heating regimes. The loss of weight together with the concentrations of the released gases were recorded on a continuous basis during the temperature rise. Kinetic results were found for methane, hydrogen and tar. No variation of the order of reaction with the heating rate was observed, whereas the activation energy and the pre-exponential factor increased. Furthermore, for the range of sample dimensions studied, it was found that the mass of the solid had no significant influence on the kinetic parameters.     

Improvement in polyetherimide gas separation membranes through the incorporation of nanostructured metal complexes

Polyetherimide (PEI) gas separation membranes were tailored, at the molecular scale, by the incorporation of nanostructured metallic complexes into the PEI network. The influence of these additives on the micropore size distributions of the membranes produced and on their performance for oxygen/nitrogen separation was investigated. Changing the metal within the same ligand had a significant influence on the microporosity and gas separation performance of these membranes. Magnesium (II) phathalocyanine (MgPc) in PEI membranes was found to be an excellent additive to increase membrane performance for air separation. The performance of these membranes increases with increasing additive concentrations. Membranes with this additive also exhibit an improved stability as determined through the annealing process. Annealing these membranes caused a slight decrease in their gas permeance and total micropore volume but a significant increase in their gas selectivity. The results show that the properties of the nanophase additive and nanophase-polymer interactions play a pivotal role in stabilizing and determining membrane performance for air separation.     

Density Displays for Data Stream Monitoring

In many business applications, large data workloads such as sales figures or process performance measures need to be monitored in real‐time. The data analysts want to catch problems in flight to reveal the root cause of anomalies. Immediate actions need to be taken before the problems become too expensive or consume too many resources. In the meantime, analysts need to have the “big picture” of what the information is about. In this paper, we derive and analyze two real‐time visualization techniques for managing density displays: (1) circular overlay d isplays which visualize large volumes of data without data shift movements after the display is full, thus freeing the analyst from adjusting the mental picture of the data after each data shift; and (2) variable resolution density displays which allow users to get the entire view without cluttering. We evaluate these techniques with respect to a number of evaluation measures, such as constancy of the display and usage of display space, and compare them to conventional d isplays with periodic shifts. Our real time data monitoring system also provides advanced interactions such as a local root cause analysis for further exploration. The applications using a number of real‐world data sets show the wide applicability and usefulness of our ideas.