Exploring Task Mappings on Heterogeneous MPSoCs using a Bias-Elitist Genetic Algorithm

Exploration of task mappings plays a crucial role in achieving high performance in heterogeneous multi-processor system-on-chip (MPSoC) platforms. The problem of optimally mapping a set of tasks onto a set of given heterogeneous processors for maximal throughput has been known, in general, to be NP-complete. The problem is further exacerbated when multiple applications (i.e., bigger task sets) and the communication between tasks are also considered. Previous research has shown that Genetic Algorithms (GA) typically are a good choice to solve this problem when the solution space is relatively small. However, when the size of the problem space increases, classic genetic algorithms still suffer from the problem of long evolution times. To address this problem, this paper proposes a novel bias-elitist genetic algorithm that is guided by domain-specific heuristics to speed up the evolution process. Experimental results reveal that our proposed algorithm is able to handle large scale task mapping problems and produces high-quality mapping solutions in only a short time period.Comment: 9 pages, 11 figures, uses algorithm2e.st

Adaptive ℋ∞-control for nonlinear systems: a dissipation theoretical approach

The adaptive ℋ∞-control problem for parameter-dependent nonlinear systems with full information feedback is considered. The techniques from dissipation theory as well as the vector and parameter projection methods are used to derive the adaptive ℋ∞-control laws. Both of the projection techniques are rigorously treated. The adaptive robust stabilization for nonlinear systems with ℒ2-gain hounded uncertainties is investigated

Effect of thermal and non-thermal treatment on the quality of honey: a review

In recent year, there has been an increasing amount of studies on the quality of honey particularly physicochemical properties and its nutritional value. Unfortunately, these properties will be affected when it is exposed to a temperature higher than 60°C during the conventional thermal processing and also altered its nutritional properties such as antioxidant activity and brown pigment formation. Hence, non-thermal processing that might be proven to be significant benefit, applied without causing significant heating that can damage taste, texture and nutritional value of honey. Although there are many research has been done on non-thermal processing on the bio-compounds in various foods in various foods, the application of non-thermal processing for the enhancement of the quality of honey is underexplored. By studying the effects of non-thermal processing on the quality of honey, it will help to improve the use of honey and also a diversification in food products containing it

Stable and verifiable state estimation methods and systems with spacecraft applications

The stability of a recursive estimator process (e.g., a Kalman filter is assured for long time periods by periodically resetting an error covariance P(t.sub.n) of the system to a predetermined reset value P.sub.r. The recursive process is thus repetitively forced to start from a selected covariance and continue for a time period that is short compared to the system's total operational time period. The time period in which the process must maintain its numerical stability is significantly reduced as is the demand on the system's numerical stability. The process stability for an extended operational time period T.sub.o is verified by performing the resetting step at the end of at least one reset time period T.sub.r whose duration is less than the operational time period T.sub.o and then confirming stability of the process over the reset time period T.sub.r. Because the recursive process starts from a selected covariance at the beginning of each reset time period T.sub.r, confirming stability of the process over at least one reset time period substantially confirms stability over the longer operational time period T.sub.o

Spatial patterns of diabetes related health problems for vulnerable populations in Los Angeles

Abstract Background Rates for Diabetes Mellitus continue to rise in most urban areas of the United States, with a disproportionate burden suffered by minorities and low income populations. This paper presents an approach that utilizes address level data to understand the geography of this disease by analyzing patients seeking diabetes care through an emergency department in a Los Angeles County hospital. The most vulnerable frequently use an emergency room as a common care access point, and such care is especially costly. A fine scale GIS analysis reveals hotspots of diabetes related health problems and provides output useful in a clinic setting. Indeed these results were used to support the work of a progressive diabetes clinic to guide management and intervention strategies. Results Hotspots of diabetes related health problems, including neurological and kidney issues were mapped for vulnerable populations in a central section of Los Angeles County. The resulting spatial grid of rates and significance were overlaid with new patient residential addresses attending an area clinic. In this way neighbourhood diabetes health characteristics are added to each patient's individual health record. Of the 29 patients, 4 were within statistically significant hotspots for at least one of the conditions being investigated. Conclusions Although exploratory in nature, this approach demonstrates a novel method to conduct GIS based investigations of urban diabetes while providing support to a progressive diabetes clinic looking for novel means of managing and intervention. In so doing, this analysis adds to a relatively small literature on fine scale GIS facilitated diabetes research. Similar data should be available for most hospitals, and with due consideration for preserving spatial confidentiality, analysis outputs such as those presented here should become more commonly employed in other investigations of chronic diseases.</p

System for star catalog equalization to enhance attitude determination

An apparatus for star catalog equalization to enhance attitude determination includes a star tracker, a star catalog and a controller. The star tracker is used to sense the positions of stars and generate signals corresponding to the positions of the stars as seen in its field of view. The star catalog contains star location data that is stored using a primary and multiple secondary arrays sorted by both declination (DEC) and right ascension (RA), respectively. The star location data stored in the star catalog is predetermined by calculating a plurality of desired star locations, associating one of a plurality of stars with each of the plurality of desired star locations based upon a neighborhood association angle to generate an associated plurality of star locations: If an artificial star gap occurs during association, then the neighborhood association angle for reassociation is increased. The controller uses the star catalog to determine which stars to select to provide star measurement residuals for correcting gyroscope bias and spacecraft attitude

Spacecraft attitude control systems with dynamic methods and structures for processing star tracker signals

Methods are provided for dynamically processing successively-generated star tracker data frames and associated valid flags to generate processed star tracker signals that have reduced noise and a probability greater than a selected probability P.sub.slctd of being valid. These methods maintain accurate spacecraft attitude control in the presence of spurious inputs (e.g., impinging protons) that corrupt collected charges in spacecraft star trackers. The methods of the invention enhance the probability of generating valid star tracker signals because they respond to a current frame probability P.sub.frm by dynamically selecting the largest valid frame combination whose combination probability P.sub.cmb satisfies a selected probability P.sub.slctd. Noise is thus reduced while the probability of finding a valid frame combination is enhanced. Spacecraft structures are also provided for practicing the methods of the invention

Visual Evoked Potential Measures of Blur Adaptation

It has been shown previously that blur adaptation occurs when subjects view a blurry image with both eyes for a significant period of time (Webster, Georgeson, & Webster, 2002). There has been no quantitative data taken on the phenomenon of blur adaptation. This study aimed to study various blur effects through the measurement of the visual evoked potential (VEP). VEP measurements were taken over time as subjects were exposed to a reversing sine-wave grating both with blur and with blur adaptation. The VEP measurement gave insight about the visual acuity, which can be used to interpret the behavior of the eyes and brain in adaption. The results reveal that there is a clear increase in the response amplitude and decrease in the latency of the VEP in response to blurred images after prior adaptation to the blur but not without prior adaptation to the blur

System and method for calibrating inter-star-tracker misalignments in a stellar inertial attitude determination system

A method and apparatus for determining star tracker misalignments is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of defining a defining a reference frame for the star tracker assembly according to a boresight of the primary star tracker and a boresight of a second star tracker wherein the boresight of the primary star tracker and a plane spanned by the boresight of the primary star tracker and the boresight of the second star tracker at least partially define a datum for the reference frame for the star tracker assembly; and determining the misalignment of the at least one star tracker as a rotation of the defined reference frame