Database reverse engineering: From requirements to CARE tools

This paper analyzes the requirements that CASE tools should meet for effective database reverse engineering (DBRE), and proposes a general architecture for data-centered applications reverse engineering CASE environments. First, the paper describes a generic DBMS-independent DBRE methodology, then it analyzes the main characteristics of DBRE activities in order to collect a set of desirable requirements. Finally, it describes DB-MAIN, an operational CASE tool developed according to these requirements. The main features of this tool that are described in this paper are its unique generic specification model, its repository, its transformation toolkit, its user interface, the text processors, the assistants, the methodological control and its functional extensibility. Finally, the paper describes five real-world projects in which the methodology and the CASE tool were applied. This is a heavily revised and extended version of “Requirements for Information System Reverse Engineering Support” by J.-L. Hainaut, V. Englebert, J. Henrard, J.-M. Hick, D. Roland, which first appeared in the Proceedings of the Second Working Conference on Reverse Engineering, IEEE Computer Society Press, pp. 136–145, July 1995. This paper presents some results of the DB-MAIN project. This project is partially supported by the Région Wallonne, the European Union, and by a consortium comprising ACEC-OSI (Be), ARIANE-II (Be), Banque UCL (Lux), BBL (Be), Centre de recherche public H. Tudor (Lux), CGER (Be), Cockerill-Sambre (Be), CONCIS (Fr), D'Ieteren (Be), DIGITAL, EDF (Fr), EPFL (CH), Groupe S (Be), IBM, OBLOG Software (Port), ORIGIN (Be), Ville de Namur (Be), Winterthur (Be), 3 Suisses (Be). The DB-Process subproject is supported by the Communauté Fran?aise de Belgique.     

The impact of LIMS design and functionality on laboratory quality achievements

 A laboratory information management system (LIMS) can make a major contribution to the quality and therefore to the efficiency and competitiveness of a laboratory. Since it can impact all aspects of a laboratory's organization it must be the key if not the principal player of the laboratory's quality system. It should support the laboratory in establishing, maintaining and applying quality procedures thereby enabling the laboratory to achieve its quality goals. As a tool, LIMS permits the laboratory to input and use its own know-how and experience to optimize the total organization (internal and external) and workflow of generated information. However, perceived "quality" in the context of an LIMS, can be viewed as being made up of different facets such as the security, reliability and accessibility of information as well as its turn around time and production cost. This paper reviews the role of a LIMS in the laboratory and the contribution that both system design and functionality can have on "building quality ". Received: 5 October 1998 · Accepted: 20 October 1998     

Open-Source Browser-Based Tools for Structure-Based Computer-Aided Drug Discovery

We here outline the importance of open-source, accessible tools for computer-aided drug discovery (CADD). We begin with a discussion of drug discovery in general to provide context for a subsequent discussion of structure-based CADD applied to small-molecule ligand discovery. Next, we identify usability challenges common to many open-source CADD tools. To address these challenges, we propose a browser-based approach to CADD tool deployment in which CADD calculations run in modern web browsers on users’ local computers. The browser app approach eliminates the need for user-initiated download and installation, ensures broad operating system compatibility, enables easy updates, and provides a user-friendly graphical user interface. Unlike server apps—which run calculations “in the cloud” rather than on users’ local computers—browser apps do not require users to upload proprietary information to a third-party (remote) server. They also eliminate the need for the difficult-to-maintain computer infrastructure required to run user-initiated calculations remotely. We conclude by describing some CADD browser apps developed in our lab, which illustrate the utility of this approach. Aside from introducing readers to these specific tools, we are hopeful that this review highlights the need for additional browser-compatible, user-friendly CADD software.     

Dynamic Modeling of the Feed Drive System of a CNC Metal Cutting Machine

Studying the vibrational behavior of feed drive systems is important for enhancing the structural performance of computer numerical control (CNC) machines. The preload on the screw and nut position have a great influence on the vibration characteristics of the feed drive as two very important operational conditions. Rotational acceleration of the screw also affects the performance of the CNC feed drive when machining small parts. This paper investigates the influence of preload and nut position on the vibration characteristics of the feed drive system of a CNC metal cutting machine in order to be able to eliminate an observed resonance occurred at high rotational speeds of the screw, corresponding to high feed rates. Additionally, rational structural parameters of the feed drive system are selected in order to increase the rotational acceleration for improving the performance of the CNC machine. Experiments and analyses showed that by selecting specific parameters of feed drive system and simultaneously applying a certain value of preload, a 97% increase in rotational acceleration and 30% time reduction considering the vibration resistance at high rotational speeds can be achieved.     

Diversely Functionalised Cytochalasins through Mutasynthesis and Semi-Synthesis

Mutasynthesis of pyrichalasin H from Magnaporthe grisea NI980 yielded a series of unprecedented 4′-substituted cytochalasin analogues in titres as high as the wild-type system (≈60 mg L⁻¹). Halogenated, O-alkyl, O-allyl and O-propargyl examples were formed, as well as a 4′-azido analogue. 4′-O-Propargyl and 4′-azido analogues reacted smoothly in Huisgen cycloaddition reactions, whereas p-Br and p-I compounds reacted in Pd-catalysed cross-coupling reactions. A series of examples of biotin-linked, dye-linked and dimeric cytochalasins was rapidly created. In vitro and in vivo bioassays of these compounds showed that the 4′-halogenated and azido derivatives retained their cytotoxicity and antifungal activities; but a unique 4′-amino analogue was inactive. Attachment of larger substituents attenuated the bioactivities. In vivo actin-binding studies with adherent mammalian cells showed that actin remains the likely intracellular target. Dye-linked compounds revealed visualisation of intracellular actin structures even in the absence of phalloidin, thus constituting a potential new class of actin-visualisation tools with filament-barbed end-binding specificity.     

TiB2增强Al2O3陶瓷刀具高速干切削摩擦磨损性能

采用TiB2增强Al2O3陶瓷刀具对淬硬钢进行高速干切削试验,利用切削高温作用下的摩擦化学反应,在刀具表面原位生成具有润滑作用的反应膜,从而实现Al2O3/TiB2陶瓷刀具的自润滑.结果表明:低速干切削时,Al2O3/TiB2陶瓷刀具的磨损机制主要表现为粘着磨损和磨料磨损;而在高速干切削时,刀具的磨损机制主要表现为氧化磨损,刀具表面经由氧化反应生成具有润滑作用的反应膜而起到固体润滑作用,从而使刀具的耐磨性能提高,随着TiB2含量和切削速度的增加,反应膜的减摩抗磨作用增强;而在切削区通入氮气时,由于刀具表面氧化膜形成受阻,刀具的抗磨能力有所降低.     

Comments on selected fundamental aspects of microarray analysis

Microarrays are becoming a ubiquitous tool of research in life sciences. However, the working principles of microarray-based methodologies are often misunderstood or apparently ignored by the researchers who actually perform and interpret experiments. This in turn seems to lead to a common over-expectation regarding the explanatory and/or knowledge-generating power of microarray analyses. In this note we intend to explain basic principles of five (5) major groups of analytical techniques used in studies of microarray data and their interpretation: the principal component analysis (PCA), the independent component analysis (ICA), the t-test, the analysis of variance (ANOVA), and self organizing maps (SOM). We discuss answers to selected practical questions related to the analysis of microarray data. We also take a closer look at the experimental setup and the rules, which have to be observed in order to exploit microarrays efficiently. Finally, we discuss in detail the scope and limitations of microarray-based methods. We emphasize the fact that no amount of statistical analysis can compensate for (or replace) a well thought through experimental setup. We conclude that microarrays are indeed useful tools in life sciences but by no means should they be expected to generate complete answers to complex biological questions. We argue that even well posed questions, formulated within a microarray-specific terminology, cannot be completely answered with the use of microarray analyses alone.     

Embedding optimisation algorithms with Mosel

Algebraic modelling languages allow models to be implemented in such a way that they can easily be understood and modified. They are therefore a working environment commonly used by practitioners in Operations Research. Having once developed models, they need to be integrated inside the company information system. This step often involves embedding a model into a programming language environment: many existing algebraic modelling languages make possible to run parameterised models and subsequently retrieve their results, but without any facility for interacting with the model during the model generation or solution process.In this paper we show how to use the Mosel environment to implement complex algorithms directly in the modelling language.The Office cleaning problem is solved by a branch-and-cut algorithm, implemented entirely in the modelling language (including the definition of the callback function for the solver). Secondly, a cutting stock problem is solved by column generation, also implemented in the modelling language.AMS classification: 90Cxx, 65K05, 68N15     

从专利文献分析金刚石涂层工具技术进展

本文采集1975年到2008年金刚石涂层工具技术1100多件世界专利文献,建立专利数据库,从技术和竞争两个方面对其发展脉络和竞争格局进行定量、定性和引证分析.分析表明:(1)在生长工艺、设备及膜/基结合力等技术方面都已比较成熟,金刚石涂层工具已处于产业化阶段,国内外已有批量产品销售;(2)美日等国不仅重视该技术的基础研究和应用基础研究,而且更重视原创技术开发和知识产权的保护;而我国明显表现出严重的重论文轻专利现象;(3)美日等国绝大多数专利为公司开发,原创性专利多,申请量大,实施率较高;而我国大学申请多,企业申请少,专利的实施率较低.我国研发机构应规划适当专利战略,加强研发机构整合,提高专利的授权量,多申请外国专利.