Algorithm Accounts For Uncertainty To Enable More Accurate Modeling

Data Integration Algorithm – Improve Modelling Accuracy

Parametric uncertainty is a remarkable error source in modelling physical systems where the values of model parameters characterizing the system are not clear due to inadequate knowledge or limited data. In this case, data integration algorithm could improve modelling accuracy by calculatingand reducing this uncertainty. Nevertheless these algorithms frequently need a huge number of repetitive model evaluations, incurring important computational resource costs.

With regards to this issue, PNNL’s Dr Weixuan Li together with Professor Guang Lin from Purdue University proposed an adaptive position sampling algorithm which could alleviate the burden produced by computationally demanding models and in three of these test cases, they demonstrated the algorithm could effectively arrest the complex posterior parametric uncertainties for the precise problems examined while at the same time enhance the computational efficiency. With great headway in modern computers, numerical models are being used regularly for the purpose of stimulating physical system behaviours in scientific field which ranges from climate to chemistry and materials to biology, several of them within DOE’s serious mission zones.

Several Potential Applications

However, parametric uncertainty often tends to ascend in these models due to insufficient knowledge of the system being stimulated, resulting in models which diverge from reality. The algorithms created in this study offers active means to assume model parameters from any direct and/or indirect measurement data through uncertainty quantification, thereby improving model accuracy. This algorithm seems to have several potential applications for instance; it can be used to estimate the location not known, of an underground contaminant source as well as to improve that accuracy of the model which envisages how the groundwater tends to get affected by this source. Two of the key systems which has been implemented in this algorithm are

•  A Gaussian mixture – GM model adaptively built in order to capture the distribution of uncertain parameters 
•  A mixture of polynomial chaos – PC expansions which are built as a surrogate model in order to relieve the computational burden caused by forward model evaluation. These systems provide the algorithm with great flexibility in handling multimodal distributions and powerfully nonlinear models while at the same time, keeping the computational costs at the lowest level.

Worked Well with Small Number of Uncertain Parameters

Though the algorithm worked well for problem connecting with small number of uncertain parameters, constant research with regards to problems linking to bigger number of uncertain parameters indicated that it is better to re-parameterize the issue or represent it with lesser parameters rather than to directly illustrate from the high dimensional probability density function. Besides this it also involves implementing the algorithm within a consecutive importance sampling outline for successive data integration issues. One of the example problems comprises of dynamic state estimation of power grid system.

The New Microsoft Edge Browser Logo

Microsoft’s New Edge Browser – Break from Internet Explorer

Microsoft’s new Edge browser was likely to mark a break from Internet Explorer and recently the company unveiled Edge’s new logo and it seems incredibly similar to the earlier IE logo but a little sharper. Microsoft Edge, the new name for web browser will be included in Windows 10 and has a familiar look for users of Microsoft’s current browser – Internet Explorer. Since 1996, the popular blue `e’ with the orbital rings round it symbolized Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser and IE 3 seemed to be the first version to sport the logo.

 However in recentyears, the `e’ seemed to become identical with bugs, out-dated technology and security problems. When Joe Belfiore, Microsoft operating systems chief, unveiled Edge in April, he noted that Edge would have an `e’ icon though he said that it `now has a completely different and better meaning than it has for a while’. Edge is an improvement over IE and much trimmer than IE without the various menu choices and bells and whistles. It has a clean, modern look just like Google’s GOOGL.Tech30, Chrome browser. One can mark-up websites by using Edge which integrates some of the powers of Microsoft’s’ digital assistant – Cortana.

Integrating on Improved Features 

Retaining the Edge logo is consistent with the Microsoft in considering Windows 10 and with the updated operating system set to be unveiled on July 29; Microsoft is making attempts in creating the software, familiar to users who have been using Windows for a long time and are alarmed by the radical design change of Windows 8. However the company is also integrating on improved features which would make Windows 10 much more than just an `everything old is new again’, operating system.

The new Edge loge seems to be an improvement over the temporary logo that Microsoft had given its new browser prior to making a decision on its official name. When Edge had been known as `Project Spartan’, its logo looked like something the World Bank’s logo crossed with Toyota’s symbol. Microsoft Edge is the only browser which enables the user to take notes, doodle, write and directly highlight on webpages, The web is the palette where one can add a few secret ingredients to a recipe right on the screen while sharing with friends, collaborate on a new project with co-workers, etc.

Default Browser on PC/Mobile Device Editions of Windows 10

Microsoft Edge would be serving as the default browser on the PC as well as the mobile device editions of windows 10, replacing Internet Explorer 11 and Internet Explorer Mobile. It would be utilising a new layout engine known as EdgeHTML which has branched from Trident, designed for inter-operability with the current web.

The updated `Edge’ engine would be used across Windows 10 by default and would support the legacy MSHTML engine for backwards compatibility though late,r backed down revealing that because of strong feedback, Edge would be hosting the new engine entirely while Internet Explorer would be hosting the legacy engine completely. Edge does not intend to support legacy technologies like ActiveX and Browser Helper Objects, but instead will utilise an extension system.

 Availability of Internet Explorer 11 would be possible together with Edge on Windows 10 for the purpose of compatibility and will remain almost identical to the Windows 8.1 version and will not use the Edge engine as announced earlier.

IBM Discloses Working Version of a Much Higher-Capacity Chip

IBM has taken the technology industry with surprise through its announcement of successfully developing working versions of ultradense computer chips. These chips are said to possess four times the capacity of today’s most powerful chips.

This announcement was essentially made on behalf of an international consortium led by IBM. IBM has invested $3 billion in an exclusive private public partnership in New York’s Hudson Valley with New York State, Samsung, GlobalFoundries and equipment vendors to manufacture advanced computer chips.

New Generation Of Chip In Development

It should be noted that each generation of chip is defined by the minimum size of fundamental components, which play role in switch current at nanosecond intervals. In modern times technology industry is actively working towards making a commercial transition from 14 nanometer to 10 nanometer manufacturing. Each generation helps in achieving 50 per cent reduction in the amount of area required for circuitry. IBM has affirmed its new chip which is still in research phase will be based on the shirking the area of semiconductor as much as possible by 2018.

IBM currently has working samples of chips with just seven nanometer transistors. It has been able to develop such sizes due to use of advanced silicon-gremanium instead of relying on pure silicon in key regions of chip. This material has made it possible to develop faster transistor switching with low power requirements, which is an added advantage. Given the smaller size of the transistors, it is highly possible to build microprocessors with not more than 20 billion transistors.

IBM Brings Focus Back On Itself As Revolutionary Chip Manufacturer

IBM has already shed a certain amount of its computer and semiconductor manufacturing capacity in the recent past. But this announcement shows that IBM is still interested in backing the technology manufacturing base with its efficient research facilities. Rather than being the horse power in building and providing chips to the companies it will act as a pioneer in unearthing advanced technological solutions for others. IBM will have to grapple with shift to use extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light for etching patterns on the chips at a resolution which approaches the diameter of an individual atom.

IBM will be licensing the technology to a variety of manufactures and most importantly, GlobalFoundries which is owned by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi will be making these chips for some big companies which includes, Qualcomm, Broadcom and others. It is yet to been whether semiconductor industry thinks on using silicon-gremanium as the best option or not.

IBM Refuses To Confirm Commercial Manufacturing

IBM has simply declined whether it will begin commercial manufacturing of this technology or not. Another ambitious company named Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company had given green lights to its plans to begin production of seven nanometer chips in 2017.

Given the precision required for using EUV light to keep the high capacity usage of chips optimum might be a concern in the commercial manufacturing operations. The goal of IBM here is to create next generation circuits, which offer higher capacity with reduced area, and most probably with current advancements and right amount of further research this technology will be introduced next year.

Hackers Unearth Major Security Flaw That Affects Adobe Flash Player

A major gaping hole is found in the popular Adobe Flash Player software used for watching videos online on a global scale. This flaw allows the attackers to take control of user’s system once they visit any malicious website.

Hackers Team which is known to create surveillance software for governmental agencies had stumbled upon this flaw when 400 GB of data was stolen from it over the weekend. Adobe had cleared all the speculations surrounding the emergence of this serious flaw and it had promised to make a fix available to all the users by Wednesday.

All You Need To Know About The Flaw In Flash Player

This serious flaw is present in the Adobe Flash Player 18.0.0.194 and its earlier versions, which were released for all the major OS like Windows, Mac and Linux. Adobe stresses on the fact that this flaw can be used to cause a sudden crash and act as a backdoor for the attackers to take control of affected system.

Hacking Team had described this bug as a fascinating bug, which had come to light in as many as four years of successful running of Flash player. The severity of this flaw is extremely high and some of the hackers are already utilizing it for a long time to create undue nuisance for the users with affected systems. The internal documents also stress on the point that it can be used as a weapon on mass scale to cause considerable loss of information and high-jacking of systems on a larger scale. Until a fix or security update is provided by the Adobe it will be wise to disable the Flash Player completely in the browsers to avoid further damages.

Hacking Teams Cautions Windows Users

The data released by the Hacking Team also reveals about vulnerability in the Adobe font drivers in Windows. The flaw in Flash Player has high severity rate in both 32 and 64 bits versions of Windows OS ranging from the order XP to latest 8.1. Windows computer is at greater risk of losing control to the hackers with the presence of this flaw. For successful taking control a hacker will have to rely on other vulnerability of font driver. Microsoft is quick to give heed on this situation and they are actively working on bringing a security fix for its users.

Hackers Are Already Exploiting This Flaw

Hackers Team got a wind of this flaw after a mysterious hacker going by the name PhineasFisher started exploiting this flaw. He had already created immense troubles for many companies being serviced by Hackers Team which includes even some governmental institutions.

The detailed report furnished by Hackers Team states that its RCS surveillance software possess capabilities for monitoring activities on Skype, Gmail, Facebook and Outlook.com along with cryptocurrencies transactions. This can be helpful for companies and its clients in keeping a keen eye upon its employees. However European parliament is seriously debating upon the legitimacy of any such software being used by a governmental organization to snoop upon its citizens.

Smart Phones Spot Tired Drivers

 

Smartphone App to Warn Tired Drivers

Thousands of unavoidable road accidents take place due to driver’s tiredness when theytend to feel drowsy on long journeys which could be as dangerous as drivers with alcohol consumption. Researchers have created a smartphone app which warns drivers if they tend to appear distracted or drowsy behind the wheel, with the help of a blinking light and noise alert to help them overcome this problem.

Smartphone technology is utilised by app to imitate fancier car safety systems by identifying troublesome signs which could lead to accidents. According to TechNewsDaily website it has been reported that most of the updated phones with cameras facing front as well as back enables the app to monitor the driver’s head pose, eyes and the blinking rate in detecting possible drowsiness or distractions, while keeping track on the road ahead.

Computer scientist at Dartmouth College, Andrew Campbell has commented that the distance can be determined between cars in front and whether a driver is changing lanes on the outside while detecting drowsiness and distraction inside. 

Mounted on Dashboard Holder As Hands-Free

The Smartphone is mounted on a dashboard holder as hands-free helper for the drivers and whenever the car safety app tends to identify any dangerous patterns in the behaviour of the driver or outside conditions, it signals the driver with a blinking light and noise alert.

The app developers’ team from Dartmouth College, Autonomous National University of Mexico, and Microsoft Research Asia together with the University of Bologna in Italy had to face big challenges in making their idea a reality. Smartphones do not have the potential ofprocessing video streams from both the front and the back camera at the same time.

Campbell together with his colleagues had to create intelligent algorithms which could switch quickly between the two cameras at the time of processing the data. Quick switching solution meant that the car safety app technically has a blind spot in the front or back at any particular point of time. This problem has been fixed by utilising the smartphone’s other sensors like the accelerometers and gyroscopes in order to find out what goes on in the blind spot either inside or outside the car at any point of time.

Vision Algorithms with Minimum Computing Power

Campbell has informed the website that when the phone camera is looking at the driver, the accelerometer sensor is used to detect if the car is weaving. The sensors are used to fill in when the camera is looking at the wrong place. The vision algorithms of the app has the potential of pushing the computing limits of prevailing smartphones and also slow down the image processing from the cameras.

Hence the developers have created vision algorithms with the minimum computing power essentials as they perform tests on smartphones. The focus of the team lies in completing road testing of the application with small pool of users in November or December. Around 20 people have been enlisted with three various car models though they admit that it would not be easy to push the limits of the app without the drivers almost falling off to sleep behind the wheels. Campbell comments that unless someone is up all night, it would be difficult to predict whether they will be tired or not.