Interactive Graphical Environment Research Articles

Robust control of a forward‐converter active battery cell balancing

AbstractControl of balancing current is important for the safety of battery cells and active cell balancing (ACB) power electronics. This paper presents a method, based on quantitative feedback theory (QFT), for robust control of balancing current despite uncertainties, which exist in the battery cells' and power electronics' dynamical models. A remarkable feature of QFT is its interactive graphical design environment, which gives useful insights for the selection of desired robust stability and performance specifications, controller structure, and parameters tuning. Without loss of generality, this paper describes the QFT‐based balancing current robust control system design for a forward‐converter‐based ACB. This paper also presents an average model of the forward‐converter‐based ACB circuit, operating in more than two modes; a case that has not been addressed in literatures. The effectiveness of the proposed QFT‐based balancing current robust control system is evaluated experimentally.

Stateflow-Based Energy Management Strategy for Hybrid Energy System to Mitigate Load Shedding

This study investigates the potential application of Stateflow (SF) to design an energy management strategy (EMS) for a renewable-based hybrid energy system (HES). The SF is an extended finite state machine; it provides a platform to design, model, and execute complex event-driven systems using an interactive graphical environment. The HES comprises photovoltaics (PV), energy storage units (ESU) and a diesel generator (Gen), integrated with the power grid that experiences a regular load shedding condition (scheduled power outages). The EMS optimizes the energy production and utilization during both modes of HES operation, i.e., grid-connected mode and the islanded mode. For islanded operation mode, a resilient power delivery is ensured when the system is subjected to intermittent renewable supply and grid vulnerability. The contributions of this paper are twofold: first is to propose an integrated framework of HES to address the problem of load shedding, and second is to design and implement a resilient EMS in the SF environment. The validation of the proposed EMS demonstrates its feasibility to serve the load for various operating scenarios. The latter include operations under seasonal variation, abnormal weather conditions, and different load shedding patterns. The simulation results reveal that the proposed EMS not only ensures uninterrupted power supply during load shedding but also reduces grid burden by maximizing the use of PV energy. In addition, the SF-based adopted methodology is envisaged to be a useful alternative to the popular design method using the conventional software tools, particularly for event-driven systems.

A Fast GUI-Based Tool for Group-Velocity Analysis of Surface Waves

AbstractWe present an interactive graphical tool for extraction of group-velocity dispersion curves of seismic traces for rapid manual picking of large amounts of data: a task commonly encountered in ambient-noise tomography. The program can be used for group-velocity analysis of surface waves from earthquakes and controlled source data as well as of Green’s functions from cross-correlated ambient-noise data. The presented tool is especially suited to datasets in which automatic picking algorithms fail and so dispersion analysis is only possible by visual inspection. Such situations can occur in highly heterogeneous regions with complex surface-wave dispersion or where surface-wave arrivals are poorly emerged (as can often be the case with ambient-noise-derived Green’s functions from temporary seismic deployments). In these datasets, the poor signal-to-noise ratio, spectral holes, or limited bandwidth may therefore mean that manual analysis is the only choice. However, without an efficient workflow the feasibility of this can be seriously constrained by the analysis time for the potentially vast number of traces to be analyzed. We tackled this problem by implementing well-known techniques of dispersion curve analysis (traditional frequency–time analysis) in a fast and interactive graphical environment. It is specifically developed for high user processing speed, prioritizing fast computation, and high display responsiveness. This solution retains the benefits of manual dispersion picking for complex datasets, while maintaining good user processing efficiency. An experienced analyst can measure upward of 200 traces per hour. xdcpick stands for an X-window-based picking of dispersion curves.

Designing an Interactive Graphical Electronic Environment Using (Ipad) to Develop Mathematical Concepts for Kindergarten Children

The aim of the current research is to identify Designing an interactive graphical electronic environment using (iPad) to develop mathematical concepts for kindergarten children.

Matrix-graph model of the polymer materials destruction process

The paper deals with the problem of mathematical modeling of the process of thermochemical destruction using the theory of graphs. To synthesize a mathematical model, the Markov chain is used. For the formalization of the model a matrix-graph method of coding is used. It is proposed to consider the process of destruction as a random process, under which the state of the system changes, characterized by the proportion of macromolecules in each fraction of the molecular mass distribution. The intensities of transitions from state to state characterize the corresponding rates of destruction processes for each fraction of the molecular weight distribution (MWD). The processes of crosslinking and polymerization in this work have been neglected, and it is accepted that there is a probability of transition from any state with a lower order index (corresponding to fractions with higher molecular weights) to any state with a higher index (corresponding fractions with lower molecular weights). A computational formula is presented for estimating the number of arcs and model parameters from a given number of fractions of the molecular weight distribution of the polymer. An example of coding in a matrix form of a graph model of the process of degradation of polybutadiene in solution for the case of six fractions of the molecular weight distribution is shown. As the simulation environment, the interactive graphical simulation environment of MathWorks Simulink is used. To evaluate the parameters of the mathematical model, experimental studies of the degradation of polybutadiene in solution were carried out. The chromatography of the polybutadiene solution was used as the initial data for the estimation of the MWD polymer. The considered matrix-graph representation of the structure of the mathematical model of the polymer destruction process makes it possible to simplify the compilation of the model and its software implementation in the case of a large number of vertices of the graph describing the process of destruction

Synthesis of the Markov model of the thermochemical degradation of a polymer in solution

The paper deals with the problem of mathematical modeling of thermochemical destruction process. The apparatus of Markov's chains is used to synthesize a mathematical model. The authors of the study suggest to consider the destruction process as a random one, where the system state changes, which is characterized by the proportion of macromolecules in each fraction of the molecular- and weight distribution. The intensities of transitions from one state to another characterize the corresponding rates of destruction processes for each fraction of the molecular- and weight distribution. The processes of crosslinking and polymerization in this work were neglected, and it was accepted that there is a probability of transition from any state with a lower order index (corresponding to fractions with higher molecular weights) to any state with a higher index (corresponding to fractions with lower molecular weights). Markov's chain with discrete states and continuous time was taken as the mathematical model basis. Interactive graphical simulation environment MathWorksSimulink was used as a simulation environment. Experimental studies of polybutadiene destruction in solution were carried out to evaluate the mathematical model parameters. The GPC (gel-penetration chromatography) data of the polybutadiene solution were used as the initial (starting) data for estimating the polymer WMD (molecular weight distribution). Mean-square deviation of the calculated data from the experimental data for each fraction and at specified times was minimized for the numerical search of parameter values. The results of comparison of experimental and calculated on mathematical model data showed an error of calculations on the average about 5%, which indicates an acceptable error in estimating of polymer fractions proportions change during the process of destruction for the process under consideration and conditions.

SymD webserver: a platform for detecting internally symmetric protein structures.

Internal symmetry of a protein structure is the pseudo-symmetry that a single protein chain sometimes exhibits. This is in contrast to the symmetry with which monomers are arranged in many multimeric protein complexes. SymD is a program that detects proteins with internal symmetry. It proved to be useful for analyzing protein structure, function and modeling. This web-based interactive tool was developed by implementing the SymD algorithm. To the best of our knowledge, SymD webserver is the first tool of its kind with which users can easily study the symmetry of the protein they are interested in by uploading the structure or retrieving it from databases. It uses the Galaxy platform to take advantage of its extensibility and displays the symmetry properties, the symmetry axis and the sequence alignment of the structures before and after the symmetry transformation via an interactive graphical visualization environment in any modern web browser. An Example Run video displays the workflow to help users navigate. SymD webserver is publicly available at http://symd.nci.nih.gov.

An exploratory approach to spatial decision support

The paper presents a decision support approach to solving problems characterized by spatially-explicit decision variables, multiple objectives, and preferences for ancillary decision criteria. The approach offers a three-step workflow, in which Pareto non-dominated solutions to a multi-objective decision problem are generated with a spatially adaptive genetic algorithm, objective value trade-offs are examined in an interactive graphics environment, and the selected solution alternatives are evaluated on the bases of ancillary multiple criteria. The three-step workflow is demonstrated on the example of a selection problem involving alternative configurations of sensors for radioactivity monitoring in a trans-border region including the state of Lower Saxony in Germany and the Netherlands. The presented approach promotes the search for diverse, non-dominated solution alternatives by coupling a fuzzy logic system with spatially adaptive genetic operators. The three-step workflow offers a comprehensive approach to spatial decision support starting with diverse option generation, through exploration of decision objective trade-offs, to multiple criteria evaluation of the selected non-dominated decision alternatives.

An interactive parser generator for context-free grammars

This paper describes a parser generator that accepts arbitrary context-free grammars. It generates a parser using the Earley algorithm [1]. It enables the user to develop, edit, and test a grammar in an interactive graphical environment. This GUI visualizes both the operation of the Earley algorithm as well as the generated parse trees. The generated parsers are saved as fully-functional Java source files, ready to be incorporated into an application. These Java programs can be reloaded into the GUI for further editing of the grammar. Employing this parser generator in a sophomore-level software development course enables students to become proficient in writing a parser with two days of lecture and one assignment.

ExpressionView—an interactive viewer for modules identified in gene expression data

ExpressionView is an R package that provides an interactive graphical environment to explore transcription modules identified in gene expression data. A sophisticated ordering algorithm is used to present the modules with the expression in a visually appealing layout that provides an intuitive summary of the results. From this overview, the user can select individual modules and access biologically relevant metadata associated with them. http://www.unil.ch/cbg/ExpressionView. Screenshots, tutorials and sample data sets can be found on the ExpressionView web site.

The representation of molecular electrostatics using interactive graphics

A vector representation of molecular electrostatic fields is described. Its usefulness within a 3-D interactive graphics environment is demonstrated by evaluating the differences between the electrostatic fields computed from different methods of representing an ah initio charge distribution. This study describes work on the biologically important RNA base Uracil (I). The inability of point-charge models to represent accurately electrostatics in regions close to the van der Waals surface of molecules is clearly seen in our visualization studies. This graphical representation also highlights the need to consider the long-range effects of electrostatics in controlling the directionality of intermolecular interactions. Contrary to simple models that have been proposed to rationalize hydrogen-bonding patterns obtained from analysis of crystallographic data, we find no evidence for rabbit ears of electron density about carbonyl oxygens O{sub 2} and O{sub 4}. The implications for modeling recognition events are discussed.

Modeling multi-cellular behavior in epidermal tissue homeostasis via finite state machines in multi-agent systems

For the efficient application of multi-agent systems to spatial and functional modeling of tissues flexible and intuitive modeling tools are needed, which allow the graphical specification of cellular behavior in a tissue context without presuming specialized programming skills. We developed a graphical modeling system for multi-agent based simulation of tissue homeostasis. An editor allows the intuitive and hierarchically structured specification of cellular behavior. The models are then automatically compiled into highly efficient source code and dynamically linked to an interactive graphical simulation environment. The system allows the quantitative analysis of the morphological and functional tissue properties emerging from the cell behavioral model. We demonstrate the relevance of the approach using a recently published model of epidermal homeostasis as well as a series of cell-cycle models. The complete software is available in binary executables for MS-Windows and Linux at tiga.uni-hd.de.

Technique for Concept Selection Using Interactive Probabilistic Multiple Attribute Decision Making

Design is a decision-making process that depends on multiple attributes. Analysis of alternatives with respect to a single metric representing the “goodness” of the concept is difficult without resorting to subjective weightings on an overall evaluation criterion. The use of subjective factors in a decision-making process is often met with criticism, as the selection of a design may be traced to preferential decisions made on a certain day by a single individual. A methodology is needed that reduces the impact of uncertainty in the subjective weighting factors while retaining the traceability, defensibility, and rigor provided by traditional multiple attribute decision-making techniques. In this work, a standard process for systems engineering using the quality function deployment approach with a multiple attribute decision-making technique for concept selection is supplemented through the use of parametric slide bars to play “what-if” games and a probabilistic environment that plays all possible “what-if” games and summarizes the results. Using the modified process, families of concepts can be rapidly examined based on varying levels of subjective preferences. Decision makers, armed with a rapid parametric sensitivity analysis tool, can make more informed decisions about future concepts, policies, and acquisition decisions. An interactive graphical environment can be used to visualize the diverse sets of trades and understand non-intuitive answers by tracing customer needs to proposed solutions in real-time. In practice, the proposed process facilitates iteration between needs and concepts and fosters and increased understanding of the concept space between designer and decision maker.

An interactive computer graphics interface for the introduction of fuzzy inference in environmental education

Fuzzy logic is based on sets of rules that can be easily understood by the students, since they bear a close resemblance to natural language. The introduction of fuzzy logic, within the framework of Environmental Education, is considered to be necessary in order to provide an insight to the complex environmental interactions. Fuzzy inference is introduced in this paper as an extension of hypothetico-predictive argumentation and it allows the investigation of alternative hypotheses. This is achieved through the development of an interactive computer graphics environment that encompasses a set of fuzzy logic analysis tools and a fuzzy inference model of a lake. The fuzzy model guarantees the scientific integrity of the simulation results, and the graphical interface presents to the students only the comprehensible characteristics of the environmental stressors in the ecosystem of the lake. The proposed graphical interface was developed in successive design stages, with the active participation of the students. The results of the students' experimentation with the graphical interface indicate that their comprehension of the significant environmental problems of the lake is considerably improved and some misconceptions are resolved. Thus, it is considered valuable as an aid to environmental education.

ProteoMix: an integrated and flexible system for interactively analyzing large numbers of protein sequences.

ProteoMix is a suite of JAVA programs for identifying, annotating and predicting regions of interest in large sets of amino acid sequences, according to systematic and consistent criteria. It is based on two concepts (1) the integration of results from different sequence analysis tools increases the prediction reliability; and (2) the integration protocol is critical and needs to be easily adaptable in a case-by-case manner. ProteoMix was designed to analyze simultaneously multiple protein sequences using several bioinformatics tools, merge the results of the analyses using logical functions and display them on an integrated viewer. In addition, new sequences can be added seamlessly to an analysis performed on an initial set of sequences. ProteoMix has a modular design, and bioinformatics tools are run on remote servers accessed using the Internet Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), ensuring the swift implementation of additional tools. ProteoMix has a user-friendly interactive graphical user interface environment and runs on PCs with Microsoft OS. ProteoMix is freely available for academic users at http://bio.gsc.riken.jp/ProteoMix/

Interactive visual functional programming

An interactive graphical environment for supporting the development and use of Haskell applications programs is described. The environment, named Vital, is particularly intended for supporting the open-ended, incremental development style often preferred by non-specialist users in which successive steps of program development are motivated and informed by results so far obtained.Significant features of Vital include: the graphical display of data structures in a format defined by a datatype-indexed stylesheet, the way that evaluation of (possibly infinite) values is demand-driven by the action of the user scrolling around an unbounded workspace, and support for copy-and-paste graphical editing of data structures. This latter allows, for example, the user to modify a complex data structure by point-and-click operations, or to create (by functional evaluation) a regular data structure and then edit values or expressions into it. The effect of each editing operation is immediately reflected in the Haskell program source code.

FULL-VIEW: A VISUAL DATA-MINING ENVIRONMENT

This paper presents a 3D user-centered interactive graphical environment dedicated to data mining. The aims of this environment are to involve the user in the data mining process (to use domain knowledge during the process), to improve comprehensibility (of both the data and the results of data mining algorithms), to improve interactivity and to use algorithms from various research areas: statistics, data analysis, visualization and machine learning. The environment is made of a set of bulletin boards where the graphical tools will be mapped; bulletin boards are predefined or can be user-defined. Several different visualization tools might be used in a single display, these tools are linked together to improve data comprehensibility. The tools available in the environment are both graphical and non-graphical tools, they can be used alone or in a cooperative way. One of these tools is more detailed: CIAD, a new graphical interactive decision tree construction algorithm that allows bivariate splits and so gives smaller trees (improving result comprehensibility). Its results are compared to existing decision tree algorithms. This environment can be used on any personal computer (it is based on open-source software and so, is platform independent) as well as on high performance graphical systems like reality centers.

Facility description language for integrating distributed designs

A principal goal of concurrent engineering has been to reduce the development cycle and time-to-market for new products. The success of such efforts brings about a parallel need for rapid design, evaluation, and reconfiguration of the facilities required to manufacture these products. Traditional facility layout methods rely on a sequence of actions progressing through a series of increasingly detailed analyses. More recent techniques automate and improve this process. However, there has been little progress toward an integrated facility design environment that would support the interactions of multidisciplinary designer teams. Such teams have been created with significant benefits for realizing the concurrent engineering process, and can be more effective if given a common design language. This article describes the generic Facility Description Language (FDL), which provides a common formal base for collaborative work and detailed analysis of process layout, flow geometry, visual aspects of control and safety. FDL augments the capabilities of simulator-emulator design workstations to integrate the physical and logical aspects of production facility design. Specifically, our research has defined the basic features and functions of FDL and resulted in a prototype implementation architecture. FDL can serve as a useful structure for the definition and description of a production facility at different levels of abstraction, allowing the same basic design model to be iteratively refined throughout the development process. It is demonstrated how an interactive graphical environment provides a powerful modelling tool that permits distributed users to achieve a higher level of design synergy.

Developing interactive educational engineering software for the world wide web with Java

The World Wide Web has emerged as an effective mechanism for distributing educational material to students beyond the bounds of the classroom. The introduction of mobile code, such as Java applets, combined with the pervasiveness of the World Wide Web, present the potential to significantly enhance the development and distribution of educational software. This paper illustrates the design and implementation of a Java applet for use in educational propulsion engineering curricula. The Java Gas Turbine Simulator applet provides an interactive graphical environment which allows the rapid, efficient construction and analysis of arbitrary gas turbine systems. The simulation system couples a graphical user-interface and a transient, space-averaged, aero-thermodynamic gas turbine analysis method, both entirely coded in the Java language. The combined package provides analytical, graphical and data management tools which allow the student to construct and control dynamic gas turbine simulations by manipulating graphical objects on the computer display screen. The simulator, running as a Java applet, can be easily accessed from the World Wide Web and run from a variety of heterogeneous computer platforms, including PCs, Macintosh, and UNIX machines, through the use of Java-enabled Web browsers.

Mathematical and informational issues of radiological element analysis

The article examines the mathematical model of recorded data and issues of sample element analysis by radionuclide methods. The proposed element-analysis technology is software-implemented in an intelligent interactive-graphical environment, which provides opportunities for active interaction with data banks and inclusion of expert support. This environment makes it possible to apply complex data-processing schemes coded in a special-purpose language and to adapt processing models and procedures to the specific features of data streams and to properties of the technological process or experiment.