9,530 research outputs found
ImageJ2: ImageJ for the next generation of scientific image data
ImageJ is an image analysis program extensively used in the biological
sciences and beyond. Due to its ease of use, recordable macro language, and
extensible plug-in architecture, ImageJ enjoys contributions from
non-programmers, amateur programmers, and professional developers alike.
Enabling such a diversity of contributors has resulted in a large community
that spans the biological and physical sciences. However, a rapidly growing
user base, diverging plugin suites, and technical limitations have revealed a
clear need for a concerted software engineering effort to support emerging
imaging paradigms, to ensure the software's ability to handle the requirements
of modern science. Due to these new and emerging challenges in scientific
imaging, ImageJ is at a critical development crossroads.
We present ImageJ2, a total redesign of ImageJ offering a host of new
functionality. It separates concerns, fully decoupling the data model from the
user interface. It emphasizes integration with external applications to
maximize interoperability. Its robust new plugin framework allows everything
from image formats, to scripting languages, to visualization to be extended by
the community. The redesigned data model supports arbitrarily large,
N-dimensional datasets, which are increasingly common in modern image
acquisition. Despite the scope of these changes, backwards compatibility is
maintained such that this new functionality can be seamlessly integrated with
the classic ImageJ interface, allowing users and developers to migrate to these
new methods at their own pace. ImageJ2 provides a framework engineered for
flexibility, intended to support these requirements as well as accommodate
future needs
GEANT4 : a simulation toolkit
Abstract Geant4 is a toolkit for simulating the passage of particles through matter. It includes a complete range of functionality including tracking, geometry, physics models and hits. The physics processes offered cover a comprehensive range, including electromagnetic, hadronic and optical processes, a large set of long-lived particles, materials and elements, over a wide energy range starting, in some cases, from 250 eV and extending in others to the TeV energy range. It has been designed and constructed to expose the physics models utilised, to handle complex geometries, and to enable its easy adaptation for optimal use in different sets of applications. The toolkit is the result of a worldwide collaboration of physicists and software engineers. It has been created exploiting software engineering and object-oriented technology and implemented in the C++ programming language. It has been used in applications in particle physics, nuclear physics, accelerator design, space engineering and medical physics. PACS: 07.05.Tp; 13; 2
The Astrophysical Multipurpose Software Environment
We present the open source Astrophysical Multi-purpose Software Environment
(AMUSE, www.amusecode.org), a component library for performing astrophysical
simulations involving different physical domains and scales. It couples
existing codes within a Python framework based on a communication layer using
MPI. The interfaces are standardized for each domain and their implementation
based on MPI guarantees that the whole framework is well-suited for distributed
computation. It includes facilities for unit handling and data storage.
Currently it includes codes for gravitational dynamics, stellar evolution,
hydrodynamics and radiative transfer. Within each domain the interfaces to the
codes are as similar as possible. We describe the design and implementation of
AMUSE, as well as the main components and community codes currently supported
and we discuss the code interactions facilitated by the framework.
Additionally, we demonstrate how AMUSE can be used to resolve complex
astrophysical problems by presenting example applications.Comment: 23 pages, 25 figures, accepted for A&
Study for identification of beneficial uses of space, phase 1. Volume 1: Executive summary
The technological effects of the Space Shuttle Program are considered in terms of the development of improved products, processes, and services aimed at benefitting the public from economic and sociological points of view. As such, an outline is provided for a large number of private organizations to suggest and identify specific areas of research and development which can most effectively be exploited in an extraterrestrial environment
Separating Agent-Functioning and Inter-Agent Coordination by Activated Modules: The DECOMAS Architecture
The embedding of self-organizing inter-agent processes in distributed
software applications enables the decentralized coordination system elements,
solely based on concerted, localized interactions. The separation and
encapsulation of the activities that are conceptually related to the
coordination, is a crucial concern for systematic development practices in
order to prepare the reuse and systematic integration of coordination processes
in software systems. Here, we discuss a programming model that is based on the
externalization of processes prescriptions and their embedding in Multi-Agent
Systems (MAS). One fundamental design concern for a corresponding execution
middleware is the minimal-invasive augmentation of the activities that affect
coordination. This design challenge is approached by the activation of agent
modules. Modules are converted to software elements that reason about and
modify their host agent. We discuss and formalize this extension within the
context of a generic coordination architecture and exemplify the proposed
programming model with the decentralized management of (web) service
infrastructures
PRODUCT LINE ARCHITECTURE FOR HADRONTHERAPY CONTROL SYSTEM: APPLICATIONS DEVELOPMENT AND CERTIFICATION
Hadrontherapy is the treatment of cancer with charged ion beams. As the
charged ion beams used in hadrontherapy are required to be accelerated to
very large energies, the particle accelerators used in this treatment are
complex and composed of several sub-systems. As a result, control systems
are employed for the supervision and control of these accelerators.
Currently, The Italian National Hadrontherapy Facility (CNAO) has the
objective of modernizing one of the software environments of its control
system. Such a project would allow for the integration of new types of
devices into the control system, such as mobile devices, as well as
introducing newer technologies into the environment.
In order to achieve this, this work began with the requirement analysis
and definition of a product line architecture for applications of the upgraded
control system environment. The product line architecture focuses on
reliability, maintainability, and ease of compliance with medical software
certification directives. This was followed by the design and development of
several software services aimed at allowing the communication of the
environments applications and other components of the control system, such
as remote file access, relational data access, and OPC-UA. In addition,
several libraries and tools have been developed to support the development
of future control system applications, following the defined product line
architecture.
Lastly, a pilot application was created using the tools developed during
this work, as well as the preliminary results of a cross-environment
integration project. The approach followed in this work is later evaluated by
comparing the developed tools to their legacy counterparts, as well as
estimating the impact of future applications following the defined product
line architecture.Hadrontherapy is the treatment of cancer with charged ion beams. As the
charged ion beams used in hadrontherapy are required to be accelerated to
very large energies, the particle accelerators used in this treatment are
complex and composed of several sub-systems. As a result, control systems
are employed for the supervision and control of these accelerators.
Currently, The Italian National Hadrontherapy Facility (CNAO) has the
objective of modernizing one of the software environments of its control
system. Such a project would allow for the integration of new types of
devices into the control system, such as mobile devices, as well as
introducing newer technologies into the environment.
In order to achieve this, this work began with the requirement analysis
and definition of a product line architecture for applications of the upgraded
control system environment. The product line architecture focuses on
reliability, maintainability, and ease of compliance with medical software
certification directives. This was followed by the design and development of
several software services aimed at allowing the communication of the
environments applications and other components of the control system, such
as remote file access, relational data access, and OPC-UA. In addition,
several libraries and tools have been developed to support the development
of future control system applications, following the defined product line
architecture.
Lastly, a pilot application was created using the tools developed during
this work, as well as the preliminary results of a cross-environment
integration project. The approach followed in this work is later evaluated by
comparing the developed tools to their legacy counterparts, as well as
estimating the impact of future applications following the defined product
line architecture
COBE's search for structure in the Big Bang
The launch of Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) and the definition of Earth Observing System (EOS) are two of the major events at NASA-Goddard. The three experiments contained in COBE (Differential Microwave Radiometer (DMR), Far Infrared Absolute Spectrophotometer (FIRAS), and Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment (DIRBE)) are very important in measuring the big bang. DMR measures the isotropy of the cosmic background (direction of the radiation). FIRAS looks at the spectrum over the whole sky, searching for deviations, and DIRBE operates in the infrared part of the spectrum gathering evidence of the earliest galaxy formation. By special techniques, the radiation coming from the solar system will be distinguished from that of extragalactic origin. Unique graphics will be used to represent the temperature of the emitting material. A cosmic event will be modeled of such importance that it will affect cosmological theory for generations to come. EOS will monitor changes in the Earth's geophysics during a whole solar color cycle
Space biology initiative program definition review. Trade study 3: Hardware miniaturization versus cost
The optimum hardware miniaturization level with the lowest cost impact for space biology hardware was determined. Space biology hardware and/or components/subassemblies/assemblies which are the most likely candidates for application of miniaturization are to be defined and relative cost impacts of such miniaturization are to be analyzed. A mathematical or statistical analysis method with the capability to support development of parametric cost analysis impacts for levels of production design miniaturization are provided
Space biology initiative program definition review. Trade study 4: Design modularity and commonality
The relative cost impacts (up or down) of developing Space Biology hardware using design modularity and commonality is studied. Recommendations for how the hardware development should be accomplished to meet optimum design modularity requirements for Life Science investigation hardware will be provided. In addition, the relative cost impacts of implementing commonality of hardware for all Space Biology hardware are defined. Cost analysis and supporting recommendations for levels of modularity and commonality are presented. A mathematical or statistical cost analysis method with the capability to support development of production design modularity and commonality impacts to parametric cost analysis is provided
- …