Modular Solution Research Articles

A Modular Aspect-Oriented Programming Approach of Join Point Interfaces

This paper describes and analyzes the main differ-ences and advantages of the Join Point Interfaces (JPI) as an Aspect-Oriented Programming (AOP) approach for the modular software production concerning the standard aspect-oriented pro-gramming methodology for Java (AspectJ) to propose a structural modeling approach looking for modular software solutions. Using a Software Engineering point-of-view, we highlight the relevance of structural and conceptual design for JPI software applications. We model and implement a classic example of AOP using AspectJ and JPI as an application example to review their main difference and highlight the JPI consistency between products (models and code). Our proposal of UML JPI class diagrams allows the definition of oblivious classes which know about their JPI connections, an essential element to adapt and transform tradition like-AspectJ AOP solutions to their JPI version. Thus, for the modular software production and education, JPI seems an ideal software development approach.

Management of Severe Proximal Femur Bone Loss With a Modular Articulating Antibiotic Spacer.

Introduction:Management of periprosthetic infection in total hip arthroplasties is challenging, especially when there is severe loss of proximal femoral bone stock. When a 2-stage approach is used, either a static or an articulating spacer may be considered. Static spacers leave the patient with a flail leg, which can be very difficult with massive bone loss. The purpose of this study is to report a novel technique for articulating antibiotic spacers and report our results.Materials and Methods:We describe a technique for an articulating hip spacer in the setting of a large amount of proximal femoral bone loss using a locked intramedullary nail, modular femoral body, and an all-polyethylene constrained acetabular component. This technique allowed for mobilization of the patient without a flail leg. Four patients underwent 2-stage reconstruction, and the case series is reported here.Results:No complications occurred due to the spacer, and in all cases, a second reconstruction was later carried out after treatment with intravenous antibiotics. Three of 4 patients did well after 2-stage reconstruction, with 1 patient ultimately requiring an amputation.Discussion:We feel this technique improves upon previously reported large spacers due to the stability and maintenance of leg length.Conclusion:This technique offers a modular solution to address massive bone loss of the proximal femur in the face of periprosthetic joint infection.

Wireless colorimetric readout to enable resource-limited point-of-care.

A scalable, generic wireless colour detector for point-of-care diagnostics in resource-limited settings is presented. The challenges faced in these settings have limited the effectiveness of point-of-care diagnostics. By combining the growing fields of paper-based diagnostics and printed electronics with Southern African clinic perspectives, a mass-producible, low-cost, paper-based solution for result readout and communication was developed. Printed radio frequency identification devices with sensing capabilities were manufactured, targeting colour detection from lateral flow test strip devices and other typical paper-based rapid test formats. The results were compared to those obtained from a commercial lateral flow test strip reader and image analysis using ImageJ, and demonstrate suitability for delivering automated readout and communication of results. The wireless colour detector is compatible with different test strip form factors, providing a modular solution and reducing the need for training. The solution is low cost and maintenance free, and thus fitting for resource-limited settings. A scalable version of the solution has been developed, making use of standard manufacturing processes for printing and packaging industries, initially using sheet-to-sheet formats, but with the goal of being scalable to roll-to-roll processes. This would enable the possibility of local manufacture, and mass distribution of the devices to those resource-limited areas where they are most needed, and where they will have the greatest impact on point-of-care testing.

Design of a modular solution for an autonomous vehicle for cargo transport and handling

Due to the globalization of markets, the industrial competitiveness has increased significantly in the recent years. Within this scope, the transportation of products inside industrial parks acquires special relevancy. One of the solutions is the use of autonomous guided vehicles. This work presents the design of a modular autonomous vehicle, capable of carrying heavy loads, which will improve the performance of industrial parks. This is a compact vehicle with low associated costs and good transport speeds. A drive system was designed, which will be capable of transporting the proposed loads. This design was carried out using simulations of the transport with loads, either in plane ground or in an industrial park. A structural analysis to the vehicle was also undertaken by the Finite Element Method, showing the points of the structure that require reinforcement for the different load cases. Finally, the required corrections were implemented, giving to the structure the ability to carry the desired loads. The end result was an autonomous vehicle with capacity to safely transport the imposed loads in the most efficient possible manner.

FOR A CRITIQUE OF THE H-INDEX IN THE AREA OF NURSING, IN THE LIGHT OF THOMAS KUHN

ABSTRACT Objective: to discuss the use of the H-index as an indicator for the evaluation of the Nursing area researcher in the light of Thomas Kuhn's disciplinary matrix. Method: this is a reflective study, conducted between March and April 2018, which identifies the elements that underlie the H-index and criticizes it as an indicator for the evaluation of the researcher in the nursing scientific community. Results: the Nursing area is in the normal science phase and has a disciplinary matrix. It consists of theories, research methods and experiments; establishes procedures; indicates the problems to be studied and determines the scientific agenda; provides modular solutions for the scientific community; it has epistemic values that legitimize and justify the research practice. The values are of a quantitative and qualitative nature, namely: accuracy, consistency, range, simplicity, objectivity, originality and fruitfulness. The H-index cannot display the qualitative values of science. Conclusion: the quantitative and qualitative epistemic values form an amalgam, making it impossible to separate them, for it is in axiological complementarity that science is founded. From its evaluative approach with the so-called mature sciences, it is inferred that the Nursing area should consider these values for itself. The H-index is limited for the evaluation of the researcher. Care should be taken to harbor it, so as not to hinder the insertion of new candidates to be researchers into the postgraduate teaching staff, thus preventing generational sharing among peers, given that the index does not can measure the category made up by young researchers.

Integrating a photovoltaic storage system in one device: A critical review

AbstractDue to the variable nature of the photovoltaic generation, energy storage is imperative, and the combination of both in one device is appealing for more efficient and easy‐to‐use devices. Among the myriads of proposed approaches, there are multiple challenges to overcome to make these solutions realistic alternatives to current systems. This paper classifies and identifies previous efforts to achieve integrated photovoltaic storage devices. Moreover, the gaps and future perspectives are analysed to give an overview of the field, paying attention to low‐power devices (<10 W) as well as high‐power devices (>10 W). We focus on devices that combine solar cells with supercapacitors or batteries, providing information about the structure, materials used, and performance. On the one hand, small power devices must concentrate on including power electronics to increase the efficiency of the system as well as ensuring a safe operation; likewise, more attention should be drawn to validate the feasibility of novel concepts by carrying out more realistic and standardised tests, including long‐term testing. On the other hand, high‐power devices must be researched thoroughly to evaluate the impact of high temperatures on energy storage and solar module ageing; furthermore, optimum system sizing is a relevant topic that deserves attention and its relation to modular solutions. This critical literature review serves as a guide to understand the characteristics of the approaches followed to integrate photovoltaic devices and storage in one device, shedding light on the improvements required to develop more robust products for a sustainable future.

Optimizing Software Modularity with Minimum Possible Variations

Abstract Poor design choices at the early stages of software development and unprincipled maintenance practices usually deteriorate software modularity and subsequently increase system complexity. In object-oriented software, improper distribution of classes among packages is a key factor, responsible for modularity degradation. Many optimization techniques to improve the software modularity have been proposed in the literature. The focus of these optimization techniques is to produce modularization solutions by optimizing different design quality criteria. Such modularization solutions are good from the different aspect of quality; however, they require huge modifications in the existing modular structure to realize the suggested solution. Thus these techniques are costly and time consuming if applied at early stages of software maintenance. This paper proposes a search-based optimization technique to improve the modularity of the software system with minimum possible variation between the existing and produced modularization solution. To this contribution, a penalized fitness function, namely, penalized modularization quality, is designed in terms of modularization quality and the Move or Join Effectiveness Measure metric. Furthermore, this fitness function is used in both single-objective genetic algorithm (SGA) and multi-objective genetic algorithm (MGA) to generate the modularization. The effectiveness of the proposed remodularization approach is evaluated over five open-source and three random generated software systems. The experimentation results show that the proposed approach is able to generate modularization solutions with improved quality along with lesser perturbation compared to their non-penalty counterpart and at the same time it performs better with the MGA compared to the SGA. The proposed approach can be very useful, especially when total remodularization is not feasible/desirable due to lack of time or high cost.

Modular design of versatile surgical mini-robots

Abstract Surgical robots have been introduced in the field of Computer Assisted Surgery (CAS) to assist the surgeon by providing an accurate link between the computer-based plan and the exact (a) positioning or (b) dynamic path control of an instrument on the operating site respectively. Whereas initial systems mostly have been based on an active supervisory control scheme of industrial robots with large universal workspaces, later on specialized miniaturized kinematics have been proposed, with restricted workspaces adapted to specific applications in order to ease handling and provide inherent safety properties. However, this specialization resulted in even narrower fields of application, low quantities and higher costs. Modularization seems to be a key factor to combine the benefits of both approaches. In this paper two modular robotic solutions, validated in the context of their purpose, are analysed regarding their modular design. Based on this, the potential of modularity for instrument guiding tasks in surgery is discussed.

New Modular Bridges Solutions

The present paper describes new modular bridges solutions developed by MBSbyBERD, with higher range of spans and load capacity, fast assembly and smart packing. As an upgrade of the Bailey bridges type, MBSbyBERD’s developed new structural solutions thought to be launched by increment launching.Natural disasters, conflicts between peoples and the aging of existing infrastructures have been the main causes for the search of modular bridges as a solution for the rapid reestablishment of interrupted roads. MBSbyBERD solutions aims to accelerate the reestablishment of the connections comparing with the existing market solutions. Designed to be pre-assembled and containerized in order to minimize assembly time, 4 different models of modular bridges have been developed, optimized to cover a range of spans from 15m to 120m. The new range of spans up to 120m offered by BERD, open new possibilities of bridging further margins reducing distances between populations and so social and economic impact.

A modular mobile robotic architecture for defects detection and repair in narrow tunnels of CFRP aeronautic components

Abstract Advanced composite structural components in aeronautics are characterized by very high production costs because of their dimensions, complex shapes and expensive forming equipment. For these components, such as horizontal stabilizers and wings, a defect occurrence is often critical because large part of inner surfaces, made of long and tapered narrow tunnels, are not reachable for repair operations. In these cases, the part is rejected with a relevant economic loss and high production costs. For this reason, aircraft constructors plan huge investments for defects avoidance during the forming processes of CFRP and to develop effective, robust and reliable repair tools and methods. Mobile robotics can play an important role, with specific systems capable of moving into narrow channels of wings structures (i.e. multi spar boxes) and repair it in accordance to technical standards. This paper describes an innovative mobile robot architecture for bonded repair scarfing operations on CFRP components. Targeting and responding to the demanding machining requirements, the functional-oriented design approach clearly highlights the advantages of a modular robotic solution. The mobile robotic architecture can be also applied in other fields with similar challenging manufacturing operations for further inspection, detection and machining operations.

Identifying lncRNA and mRNA Co-Expression Modules from Matched Expression Data in Ovarian Cancer.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to be involved in multiple biological processes and play critical roles in tumorigenesis. Numerous lncRNAs have been discovered in diverse species, but the functions of most lncRNAs still remain unclear. Meanwhile, their expression patterns and regulation mechanisms are also far from being fully understood. With the advances of high-throughput technologies, the increasing availability of genomic data creates opportunities for deciphering the molecular mechanism and underlying pathogenesis of human diseases. Here, we develop an integrative framework called JONMF to identify lncRNA-mRNA co-expression modules based on the sample-matched lncRNA and mRNA expression profiles. We formulate the module detection task as an optimization problem with joint orthogonal non-negative matrix factorization that could effectively prevent multicollinearity and produce a good modularity interpretation. The constructed lncRNA-mRNA co-expression network and the gene-gene interaction network are used as the network-regularized constraints to improve the module accuracy, while the sparsity constraints are simultaneously utilized to achieve modular sparse solutions. We applied JONMF to human ovarian cancer dataset and the experiment results demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively discover biologically functional co-expression modules, which may provide insights into the function of lncRNAs and molecular mechanism of human diseases.

Building performance evaluation using OpenMath and Linked Data

A pronounced gap often exists between expected and actual building performance. The multi-faceted and cross lifecycle causes of this performance gap are found in design assumptions, construction issues and commissioning and operational compromises. Some important factors are firmly rooted in the lack of interoperability around building information. New solutions to the interoperability challenge offer the potential to leverage and reuse available heterogeneous data in a manner that can significantly assist building performance assessment. Linked data provides an open, modular and extensible solution for the challenge. However, in the buildings domain, the integration of rule-based performance metrics and contextual information has yet to be formally established. This paper describes an approach to the provision of in-depth building performance assessment through the integration of OpenMath and linked data. An ontology describing performance metrics in RDF is presented, together with an automated metric evaluation solution using multi-silo queries and computer algebra systems, providing a flexible, automated and extensible mechanism for the assessment of building performance. Building managers and engineers can simultaneously analyse time-series building performance at a range of levels, without burdensome manual intervention such as is the case with traditional solutions. A test implementation on a large university building highlights the potential of this solution.

Combinatorial and modular solutions of some sequences with links to a certain conformal map

If fn is a free parameter, we give a combinatorial closed form solution of the recursion (n + 1)2un+1 − fnun − n 2un−1 = 0, n ≥ 1, and a related generating function. This is used to give a solution to the Apery type sequence rnn3 + rn−1nαn3 −3α2n+α+ 2θon − θo+ rn−2(n − 1)3 = 0, n ≥ 2, for certain parameters α, θ. We show from another viewpoint two independent solutions of the last recursion related to certain modular forms associated with a problem of conformal mapping: Let f(τ) be a conformal map of a zero-angle hyperbolic quadrangle to an open half plane with values 0, ρ, 1, ∞ (0 < ρ < 1) at the cusps and define t = t(τ) := 1ρf(τ)f(τ)−ρ(τ)−1. Then the function E(τ) = 12πif0(τ)f(τ)11 −f(τ)ρ is a solution, as a generating function in the variable t, of the above recurrence. In other words, E(τ) = r0 +r1t+r2t 2 +. . . , where r0 = 1, r1 = −θ, α = 2− 4ρ.

On modular solutions of certain modular differential equation and supersingular polynomials

We extend the results of Kaneko–Zagier and Baba–Granath on relations of supersingular polynomials and solutions of certain second-order modular differential equations.

Optimized distillation coupled with state-of-the-art membranes for propylene purification

The growing production of polyolefins, mainly polyethylene and polypropylene, currently demands increasing outputs of polymer-grade light olefins. The most commonly adopted process for the separation of olefin/paraffin mixtures is performed by energy intensive high pressure or cryogenic distillation, which is considered the most expensive operation in the petrochemical industry. The use of membrane technology offers a compact and modular solution for capital and energy savings, thanks to process intensification. In this work, we move one step forward in the design of hybrid propane/propylene separation systems, using computer aided modeling tools to identify economically optimal combinations of distillation and state-of-the-art membranes. A model is proposed to optimize a hybrid configuration, whereby the membrane performs the bulk separation and the distillation column is intended for the final product polishing, accounting for membrane investment cost and process operating expenses. The decision variables are the membrane area and the column reflux ratio, and the model is able to calculate the optimal feed trays. The upper-bound properties of selected membranes, which define their performance and reliability criteria, have been studied, benchmarking the economic evaluation against conventional distillation in order to assess the expedience of a hybrid system implementation.

Evolving morphology automatically reformulates the problem of designing modular control

Modularity is a system property of many natural and artificial adaptive systems. Evolutionary algorithms designed to produce modular solutions have increased convergence rates and improved generalization ability; however, their performance can be impacted if the task is inherently nonmodular. Previously, we have shown that some design variables can influence whether the task on the remaining variables is inherently modular. We investigate the possibility of exploiting that dependence to simplify optimization and arrive at a general design pattern that we use to show that evolutionary search can seek such modularity-inducing design variable values, thus easing subsequent search for highly fit, modular organization within the remaining design variables. We investigate this approach with embodied agents in which evolutionary discovery of morphology enables subsequent discovery of highly fit, modular controllers and show that it benefits from biasing search toward modular controllers and setting the mutation rate for control policies higher than that for morphology. This work also reinforces our previous finding that the relationship between modularity and evolvability that is well-studied in nonembodied systems can, under certain conditions, be generalized to include embodied systems as well and provides a practical approach to satisfying the conditions in question.

A new paradigm for autonomous human motion description and evaluation: Application to the Get Up & Go test use case

Human Motion Analysis is receiving a growing attention in the field of assistive technologies. Portable systems, able to be carried home or mounted on socially assistive robots, can help in monitoring and evaluating the autonomy level of elderly people in the upcoming silver society. This paper presents a new paradigm to describe and evaluate human motion that can be used in these scenarios. The proposal is based on parametric segmentation and evaluation of action primitives. These actions can be combined in different sequences or even evaluated in parallel, providing a modular solution that can easily adapt to the analysis of new behaviours or motion tests. The particular use case of the Get Up & Go test has been used to study the validity of the proposal. Autonomous evaluation of the gaits of different performers have been achieved using data captured by a Kinect 2.0 device mounted on a social robot. Experiments have also involved gait data captured with a precise Vicon Nexus system based on markers, to compare with previous results and characterize capture errors of the Kinect device. Results show that the proposed system is adequate to be used in these scenarios.

Rapid deployment modular building solutions and climatic adaptability: Case based study of a novel approach to “thermal capacity on demand”

In this research, a novel “thermal capacity on demand” approach to modular thermal storage design has been discussed, seen as a key to the climatic adaptability of a proposed Smart-POD building system and its energy performance. Smart-POD is a unique and innovative research project which provides an alternative to traditional classroom design. It proposes a rapid deployment building solution, temporary or permanent in its use, modular in design, flexible in set-up and self-sustaining in use, requiring minimal site preparation, and meeting all its energy demands from renewable energy sources. Its feasibility was tested by a design case study which investigated climatic adaptability based on the proposed approach. This approach uniquely combines balancing of energy demand and supply using renewable technologies and a bespoke low temperature thermal store. It further proposes to use an open source Building energy Management System (oBeMS) conceived in this research, to intelligently manage thermal, ventilation and humidity control strategies which adapt to the climate, season and weather in which the building is placed. The predicted performance of proposed system demonstrates potential for an effective diurnal climatic adaptability, enhanced by integrated passive design strategies, and intelligent modes of building control. The method of BIM integrated sustainable design analysis (SDA) and building management system (BMS) has also been deliberated, as a framework for exploring the integration of proposed building management system into smart building environments (SBEs).

Modularity research to guide MOSA implementation

The US Department of Defense’s acquisition strategy incorporates directives to encourage the use of open architectures and modular solutions through the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA). The ways in which open standards are currently implemented, and programmatic guidance regarding the adoption of modular approaches, are inadequate, however, because of limitations on how modularity is objectively viewed to achieve its perceived benefits. Furthermore, current examples of implementations of modular concepts largely do not consider interdependencies at the enterprise level. This paper reviews ongoing research on modularity and openness, to synthesize best practices, community driven knowledge, and technical and programmatic catalysts that can better shape the appropriate adoption of MOSA. These items will be part of a comprehensive decision-making framework that can provide guidance to program managers in defense acquisition.

Aspect-Combining Functions for Modular MapReduce Solutions

MapReduce represents a programming framework for modular Big Data computation that uses a function map to identify and target intermediate data in the mapping phase, and a function reduce to summarize the output of the map function and give a final result. Because inputs for the reduce function depend on the map function’s output to decrease the communication traffic of the output of map functions to the input of reduce functions, MapReduce permits defining combining function for local aggregation in the mapping phase. MapReduce Hadoop solutions do not warrant the combining functioning application. Even though there exist proposals for warranting the combining function execution, they break the modular nature of MapReduce solutions. Because Aspect-Oriented Programming (AOP) is a programming paradigm that looks for the modular software production, this article proposes and apply Aspect-Combining function, an AOP combining function, to look for a modular MapReduce solution. The Aspect-Combining application results on MapReduce Hadoop experiments highlight computing performance and modularity improvements and a warranted execution of the combining function using an AOP framework like AspectJ as a mandatory requisite.