Translating expert system rules into Ada code with validation and verification

The purpose of this ongoing research and development program is to develop software tools which enable the rapid development, upgrading, and maintenance of embedded real-time artificial intelligence systems. The goals of this phase of the research were to investigate the feasibility of developing software tools which automatically translate expert system rules into Ada code and develop methods for performing validation and verification testing of the resultant expert system. A prototype system was demonstrated which automatically translated rules from an Air Force expert system was demonstrated which detected errors in the execution of the resultant system. The method and prototype tools for converting AI representations into Ada code by converting the rules into Ada code modules and then linking them with an Activation Framework based run-time environment to form an executable load module are discussed. This method is based upon the use of Evidence Flow Graphs which are a data flow representation for intelligent systems. The development of prototype test generation and evaluation software which was used to test the resultant code is discussed. This testing was performed automatically using Monte-Carlo techniques based upon a constraint based description of the required performance for the system

Preparation, Characterisation and Photocatalytic Applications of TiO2-MWCNTs Composite

The nanocomposite of TiO2-MWCNTs has been synthesised by simple hydrothermal route showing significant enhancement in the photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methyl orange dye (MO). Several characterisations employed were X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy.XRD pattern shows the formation of anatase phase in prepared TiO2 which was retained in TiO2-MWCNTs composite as well. The Raman spectrum of prepared TiO2-MWCNT shows the interface integration of TiO2 and MWCNTs which is further supported by TEM data. Complete decolorisation and degradation of dye using TiO2-MWCNTs nanocomposite has been observed only in 45 minutes of UV irradiation. 65 per cent reduction in chemical oxygen demand (COD) value of treated dye shows substantial mineralisation of dye by composite catalyst. Dye degradation reactions were found to follow first order kinetics.Defence Science Journal, 2013, 63(4), pp.435-441, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.63.487

A study to correlate admission non stress test and immediate post-partum umbilical cord arterial pH with neonatal outcome

Background: Continuous electronic fetal monitoring in labour has become a standard practice in developed countries; this may not be possible in low middle-income countries. So, this study was conducted to correlate admission non stress test (NST) and immediate post-partum umbilical cord arterial (UCA) pH with neonatal outcome.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at tertiary care centre in North India. After informed and written consent, 100 pregnant women with singleton live pregnancy of gestational age ≥32 weeks admitted in labour, were subjected to admission NST and immediately after delivery sample for UCA pH was taken. Clinically relevant neonatal outcome was correlated with admission NST and UCA pH. Appropriate statistical tests were used and p-value <0.05 taken as significant.Results: Admission NST was normal, suspicious, pathological in 67%, 27%, 6% subjects, respectively. Study found statistically significant correlation between admission NST and UCA pH with neonatal outcomes (i.e. fetal distress, need of advanced resuscitation, delayed oral feeding). Fetal distress was seen in 9 newborns, in these 8 delivered by CS and 1 required ventous application. Admission NST had high sensitivity (88.89%) and NPV (98.5%) for detection of fetal distress. The optimal cut off for pH and lactate was 7.25 and 2.55 mmol/L, respectively to predict fetal distress.Conclusions: Admission NST can be considered as a screening modality to detect fetus in distress and it showed good correlation with umbilical cord arterial pH for predicting short term neonatal outcome.

Epidermoid cyst: a case report and review of literature

Epidermoid cysts are quite rare in the head and neck region. They present as an asymptomatic swelling. The differential diagnosis of these lesions include dermoid cyst, milia, pilar cyst, etc. Although benign they need to be treated as soon as a possible as they can cause disfigurement of the head and neck region. We report a case of epidermoid cyst in the middle face region which was surgically treated.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Enhancing hole mobility in III-V semiconductors

Transistors based on III-V semiconductor materials have been used for a variety of analog and high frequency applications driven by the high electron mobilities in III-V materials. On the other hand, the hole mobility in III-V materials has always lagged compared to group-IV semiconductors such as silicon and germanium. In this paper we explore the used of strain and heterostructure design guided by bandstructure modeling to enhance the hole mobility in III-V materials. Parameters such as strain, valence band offset, effective masses and splitting between the light and heavy hole bands that are important for optimizing hole transport are measured quantitatively using various experimental techniques. A peak Hall mobility for the holes of 960cm2/Vs is demonstrated and the high hole mobility is maintained even at high sheet charge.Comment: 18 pages, 21 figure

First principles high throughput screening of oxynitrides for water-splitting photocatalysts

In this paper, we present a first principles high throughput screening system to search for new water-splitting photocatalysts. We use the approach to screen through nitrides and oxynitrides. Most of the known photocatalytic materials in the screened chemical space are reproduced. In addition, sixteen new materials are suggested by the screening approach as promising photocatalysts, including three binary nitrides, two ternary oxynitrides and eleven quaternary oxynitrides.United States. Dept. of Energy (contract DE-FG02-96ER4557)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (TeraGrid resources under Grant No. TG-DMR970008S)Pittsburgh Supercomputing CenterUniversity of Texas at Austin. Texas Advanced Computing CenterEni-MIT Solar Frontiers Cente