Configurable Blocks Research Articles

Impacto microclimático estival de la configuración de distintas tipologías de espacio abierto en manzanas urbanas. Esquema concentrado versus disperso

Traditionally, the configuration of urban blocks includes a central open space, which results from the addition of lot backyards. However, this configuration has undergone modifications resulting in a spread-out model of open-space. This paper evaluates both models—concentrated and disperse—in low-density blocks, in order to determine the most efficient distribution regarding the impact on urban microclimates. For this purpose, scenarios were characterized by a set of indicators and the air temperature in the urban canyons was measured at each block. Data was processed statistically using frequency analysis and principal components. Results show that the disperse distribution of open space in summer reduces the temperatures of the immediate environment, contributing to reduce the impact of the built tissue on the city’s microclimate.

Experiences of the GPU Thread Configuration and Shared Memory

Nowadays, GPU processors are widely used for general-purpose parallel computation applications. In the GPU programming, thread and block configuration is one of the most important decisions to be made, which increases parallelism and hides instruction latency. However, in many cases, it is often difficult to have sufficient parallelism to hide all the latencies, where the high latencies are often caused by the global memory accesses. In order to reduce the number of those accesses, the shared memory is instead used which is much faster than the global memory being located on a chip. The performance of the proposed thread configuration is evaluated on the GPU 960 processor. The experimental result shows that the best configuration improves the performance by 7.3 times compared to the worst configuration in the experiment. The experiences are also discussed for the shared memory performance when compared to that of the global memory.

Experiences of the GPU Thread Configuration and Shared Memory

Nowadays, GPU processors are widely used for general-purpose parallel computation applications. In the GPU programming, thread and block configuration is one of the most important decisions to be made, which increases parallelism and hides instruction latency. However, in many cases, it is often difficult to have sufficient parallelism to hide all the latencies, where the high latencies are often caused by the global memory accesses. In order to reduce the number of those accesses, the shared memory is instead used which is much faster than the global memory being located on a chip. The performance of the proposed thread configuration is evaluated on the GPU 960 processor. The experimental result shows that the best configuration improves the performance by 7.3 times compared to the worst configuration in the experiment. The experiences are also discussed for the shared memory performance when compared to that of the global memory.

An Area Efficient and Low Power Consumption of Run Time Digital System Based on Dynamic Partial Reconfiguration

Digital signal processing besides multimedia applications needs plenty of data, real-time processing capacity, and high computational power. Thus, adaptable architectures with run-time reconfiguration abilities have gotten expanded consideration. Basically, Reconfiguration computing is going towards advancing the application adaptability at runtime. A reconfigurable structure can be attained by working up the strategy aimed at configuring an array of programmable logic reprogramming. Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) is made with the intention of reconfiguring the array system with interconnects as well as the configuration of logic blocks. To implement a high-performance FPGA device and also to enhance, the given paper proposes a proficient design strategy. The proposed strategy count upon the employment of dynamic partial reconfiguration (DPR) to drive from one mode then onto the next utilizing time-multiplexing on the same chip region. Furthermore, reconfigure modules to spare considerable area and enable the low-cost FPGAs usage. In the given work, reconfigurations of the modules accompanied by the memory are finished. The DPR is implemented betwixt these modes to shift from one mode then onto the next. The proposed method helps in diverse applications with various demands and also attains high performance, power consumption together with throughput. The proposed work gives improved performance with fewer powers and less area utilization which is illustrated by the Experimental outcomes.

A loadless 6T SRAM cell for sub- & near- threshold operation implemented in 28 nm FD-SOI CMOS technology

Most ultra low power SRAM cells operating in the sub and near threshold region deploy 8 or more transistors per storage cell to ensure stability. In this paper we propose and design a low voltage, differential write, single ended read memory cell that consists of a total of 6 transistors. The innovative idea is to bring the loadless 4-transistor latch into the realm of low voltage memory cells by exploiting features of the 28 nm FDSOI Process and by adding a 2-transistor readbuffer with a footer line. Stand-alone and on a system level, the cell is stable during read, write and hold operations and it has great write-ability due to its differential write and loadless nature. The single NWELL option in 28 nm FD-SOI allows the loadless core to have minimal device widths while greatly improving the time it takes to evaluate the read bit-line. The cell has, in this paper, been used in a 128 kb (217) SRAM in a 16 block configuration exploring 3 different types of logic libraries for the peripheral logic of the system. Depending on the application, the IO-peripheral logic may be implemented using either high threshold voltage transistors or low threshold voltage transistors in where the power consumption of the 128 kb system was found to range from 1.31 µW to 71.09 µW, the maximum operational frequency lies within 1.87 MHz and 14.97 MHz while the read energy varies from 13.08 to 75.21 fJ/operation/bit for a supply voltage of 350 mV. The minimum retention voltage of the loadless SRAM cell is found to be 230 mV covering 5σ of variation with Monte Carlo simulations.

Computational Tessellation of Freeform, Cut-Stone Vaults

Contemporary innovations in structural form-finding and fabrication techniques are leading to design of freeform masonry architecture. These new forms create new challenges in laying out tessellation patterns, especially if structural, fabrication and construction requirements as well as aesthetical considerations are taken into account. Addressing these challenges, we review historic stone-cutting strategies and their geometric principles, forming the base for the development of two new discretisation approaches for given thrust surfaces, allowing for various degrees of user control. First, we introduce a tessellation approach based on primal, anisotropic triangular meshes and their dual counterparts. Second, an alternative tessellation approach based on transverse cutting curves is presented. Using a simple set of geometric rules, both methods enable the design of rigid, staggered bonds with locally force-flow aligned block configurations to avoid sliding failures. For this research, the tessellation design of the Armadillo Vault, an unreinforced, dry-assembled, cut-stone stone shell, served as a case study to demonstrate the feasibility of our methods in the context of a full-scale architectural project.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy response in heart failure patients with different subtypes of true left bundle branch block

Left bundle branch block (LBBB) configuration has been described as a predictor of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). We investigated whether different subtypes of true LBBB configuration could help select patients with better response and clinical outcome. This retrospective study included 198 consecutive LBBB patients implanted with a CRT. True LBBB was defined using the Strauss and the Predict study criteria. Echocardiographic response was evaluated by the reduction in left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) and the increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Clinical response was defined as an improvement in one category of the NYHA functional class. Patients with true LBBB had a greater improvement in both LVESV reduction (median = - 27.6%, interquartile range = [- 4.9, - 50.1]) and LVEF increase (median 10.8 ± 10) than those with non-true LBBB (- 19.7%, [16.7, - 48.0]) p = 0.04 and 5.1 ± 10, p = 0.03, respectively. No differences were exhibited between true LBBB Strauss group (- 26.7%, [- 11.0, - 46.9]) and true LBBB Predict group (- 26.6%, [- 15.9, - 39.4]). There were no statistically significant differences in the percentage of patients with clinical response, assessed by NYHA improvement, among all groups. In the Cox model for death, age, ischemic etiology, and ΔLVESV were independent predictors of mortality. True LBBB (Strauss + Predict) patients had a trend towards lower mortality than non-true LBBB [HR = 0.55, 95% CI = (0.22-1.15)], p = 0.08. In the Cox model for HF hospitalization, age, sex male, prior LVEF, and ΔLVESV were independent predictors. True LBBB (Strauss + Predict) patients had a significantly lower risk of developing HF hospitalization than those with non-true LBBB [0.45 (0.21-0.90)], p = 0.029. Patients with true LBBB, either Strauss or Predict criteria, had greater echocardiographic response and lower incidence of HF hospitalization than non-true LBBB when implanted with CRT.

Stacking outbound barge containers in an automated deep-sea terminal

In this paper, we study the stacking problem of outbound containers in a deep-sea container terminal. In such a terminal, outbound containers -to be transported by barge to the hinterland or other terminals within the port area- are stacked in a container stack. Reshuffling which is the process of removing interfering containers to access a desired container is one of the main challenges of such container terminals. In order to avoid reshuffling, container terminals commonly use a stacking policy in which each pile (column) accommodates the containers of the same barge with the same weight class, destination, etc. However, due to a limited number of containers per barge per weight class and destination, this policy might result in a low stack utilization. To address this issue, this study proposes an alternative stacking policy allowing different container types to share the same pile. We aim to minimize the total retrieval time of a set of containers. We show that the problem is strongly NP-complete. Thus, we propose a heuristic to quickly solve the problem and we compare the results with a lower bound. The results show that the proposed stacking heuristic can provide solutions with a gap of less than 10% with the lower bound for real-sized instances with high utilization. In addition, the results show that the stacking heuristic can reduce the total retrieval time up to 30% compared to often-used in practice stacking policy. Furthermore, in order to investigate the performance of the proposed stacking policy under different settings, we perform a sensitivity analysis by varying block configuration, number of barges, barge size, and barge arrival time window.

The directed self-assembly of amphiphilic diblock copolymers in selective solvents

ABSTRACTThe directed self-assembly of diblock copolymers in solvents is studied systematically using a simulated annealing method. Effects of the shape, scale, and adsorption capacity of the induced surface on the morphology of the aggregates are examined. A variety of morphologies are predicted. By increasing the scale of induced surface, the micellar shape transforms from cylinder to sheet with a tail and finally to thin sheet without tail. The shape of induced surface determines the sheet’s shape, such as rounded and square. Configurations of hydrophobic blocks and interfacial energies are investigated by calculating the mean square end-to-end distances and the contact numbers between hydrophobic monomer and other species, respectively.

Tree-Like Structure Graphs with Full Diversity of Balls

Under study is the diversity of metric balls in connected finite ordinary graphs considered as a metric space with the usual shortest-path metric. We investigate the structure of graphs in which all balls of fixed radius i are distinct for each i less than the diameter of the graph. Let us refer to such graphs as graphs with full diversity of balls. For these graphs, we establish some properties connected with the existence of bottlenecks and find out the configuration of blocks in the graph. Using the obtained properties, we describe the tree-like structure graphs with full diversity of balls.

Effect of baffle block configurations on characteristics of hydraulic jump in adverse stilling basins

The construction of stilling basin with adverse slope change the characteristics of hydraulic jump such as sequent depth ratio, length of jump ratio, length of roller and energy dissipation ratio, consequently the dimensions of stilling basin are changed, also using baffle blocks with different configurations develop these characteristics. In this study different shapes of baffle block (models (A), (B), (C) and (D)) installed in the stilling basins at adverse slopes (- 0.03, - 0.045, - 0.06) in addition to horizontal bed, all these models are tested in the stilling basin to show their effects on the characteristics of hydraulic jump, the experiments applied for the range of Froude number (Fr1) between 3.99 and 7.48. The baffle block model (D) showed good results when compared with models (B) and (C), therefore it used with arrangement of (single and double row) and compared with baffle block model (A) at slopes (0, - 0.03, - 0.045, - 0.06) to study the effects of baffle blocks on hydraulic jump when bed slopes are changed. In general using baffle block caused a reduction in sequent depth ratio, length of jump ratio and the length of the roller, but the energy dissipation ratio increased.

Energy-Efficient Design of Processing Element for Convolutional Neural Network

Convolutional neural network (CNN) is the most prominent algorithm for its wide usage and good performance. Despite the fact that the processing element (PE) plays an important role in CNN processing, there has been no study focusing on PE design optimized for state-of-the-art CNN algorithms. In this brief, we propose an optimal PE implementation including a data representation scheme, circuit block configurations, and control signals for energy-efficient CNN. To validate the excellence of this brief, we compared our proposed design with several previous methods, and fabricated a silicon chip. The software simulation results demonstrated that we can reduce 54% of data bit lengths with negligible accuracy loss. Our optimization on PE achieves to save computing power up to 47%, and an accelerator exploiting our method shows superior results in terms of power, area, and external DRAM access.

USE OF UAS FOR THE CONSERVATION OF HISTORICAL BUILDINGS IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES

Abstract. The task of conservation and management of cultural heritage is quite central in Italy, which lists a high number of beautiful architectures. A quick and precise survey may be requested in case of calamity. In the present paper, the most commonly used survey techniques are discussed, focusing on their applications for the conservation of the artistic heritage in case of emergency. Particular attention is given to Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) photogrammetry and its potentiality in obtaining good results in terms of speed, cheapness, precision and accuracy, assuring at the same time the safety of the operators in critical situations (e.g. natural disasters). A case study, realized at the Castle of Casalbagliano (Alessandria, Italy), is discussed. Different image block configurations and acquisition geometries (nadiral and oblique images) have been exploited, with the aim of defining useful guidelines for emergencies UAS survey of partially collapsed structures. An application to a significative case study is introduced.

Numerical analysis of thermal transmittance of hollow concrete blocks

Since the 1970s, due to the worldwide energy crisis, some countries have adopted severe legislation to promote energy efficiency in buildings. The electrical power utilized in buildings is directly related to the equipment required to provide thermal comfort to occupants. In this context, one of the most important factors that determine the choice of these systems is the conduction load through the building envelope. In several countries, hollow concrete blocks have become common over the past few years. Therefore, for the assessment of building energy efficiency, the thermal transmittance evaluation of hollow blocks is required. This study obtains values of thermal transmittance for different cavity configurations of concrete blocks by performing computational fluid dynamics simulations. These transmittances are compared to those calculated using the methodology presented in international standards. In the “Results” section, it is shown that large cavities provide higher transmittance values due to convection and that thermal radiation may play an important role in the overall heat transfer through concrete hollow blocks. Some methods used to reduce the thermal transmittance are presented and discussed. Finally, thermal transmittance of cavities with the same wall height has been compared with the ones of a single block and different strategies are considered for reducing the thermal transmittance of concrete hollow blocks.

Vertically Oriented and Interpenetrating CuSe Nanosheet Films with Open Channels for Flexible All-Solid-State Supercapacitors.

As a p-type multifunctional semiconductor, CuSe nanostructures show great promise in optoelectronic, sensing, and photocatalytic fields. Although great progress has been achieved, controllable synthesis of CuSe nanosheets (NSs) with a desirable spacial orientation and open frameworks remains a challenge, and their use in supercapacitors (SCs) has not been explored. Herein, a highly vertically oriented and interpenetrating CuSe NS film with open channels is deposited on an Au-coated polyethylene terephthalate substrate. Such CuSe NS films exhibit high specific capacitance (209 F g–1) and can be used as a carbon black- and binder-free electrode to construct flexible, symmetric all-solid-state SCs, using polyvinyl alcohol–LiCl gel as the solid electrolyte. A device fabricated with such CuSe NS films exhibits high volumetric specific capacitance (30.17 mF cm–3), good cycling stability, excellent flexibility, and desirable mechanical stability. The excellent performance of such devices results from the vertically oriented and interpenetrating configuration of CuSe NS building blocks, which can increase the available surface and facilitate the diffusion of electrolyte ions. Moreover, as a prototype for application, three such solid devices in series can be used to light up a red light-emitting diode.

Energy Optimization of BIPV Glass Blocks: A Multi-software Study

Abstract The aim of this paper is to show the results of the performance analyses carried out on four patented glass block configurations integrated with third-generation Dye-sensitized Solar Cell (DSC) modules. The analyses take into account the thermal, optical and electrical performance by using three different software (COMSOL Multiphysics, WINDOW, Zemax), also enabling to take into consideration the peculiar three-dimensional geometry of this innovative glazed product. Starting from these results, new configurations improved as for the thermal insulation, are also introduced and studied, in order to make further considerations about the applicability of this building component for the construction of energy-saving and generating building envelopes.

Innovative design of a solar volumetric receiver: Arrangements of absorbing block configurations

Innovative design of a solar volumetric receiver is introduced and influence of the absorption coefficient and geometric orientations of the absorbing blocks on the receiver performance is presented. An analytical expression is incorporated for the selection of the absorption coefficient of the absorbing blocks within the receiver; in which case, the intensity parameter (n) is used to alter the absorption characteristics of the blocks. The aerodynamic design of the absorbing blocks is considered to minimize the pressure drop across the receiver inlet and exit ports. Air is used as the working fluid inside the receiver. Energy transfer parameter is defined to assess the energy gain by the working fluid against the amount of solar energy absorbed by the blocks. Similarly, the global effectiveness of the receiver is introduced to determine the ratio of the useful thermal energy gained by the working fluid over the overall solar irradiation reached to the receiver. It is found that the energy transfer parameter increases for certain arrangements of the absorbing blocks in the receiver; in which case, power intensity parameter is n=0.35 and two absorbing blocks configuration results in the highest energy transfer parameter. The similar arguments are true for the global effectiveness of the solar volumetric receiver.

An Analysis of Form Changes of a Toroidal Body with a Meridional Arrangement of Fibers on the Basis of the Two-Level Carcass Theory and of a Homogeneous Body Congruent to It

Results of an analysis of form changes of a toroidal body highly filled with fibers at large torsional deformations and rotational motions are presented. The body is reinforced in the meridional direction. The investigation was carried out by using the two-level carcass theory of fibrous media at large deformations, according to which the macroscopic fields of a reinforced body are determined by its internal fields. These fields are represented by the material configurations of nodal material blocks of the body, for which, on the basis of the model of a piecewise homogeneous medium, boundary-values problems of the micromechanical level of the theory are solved. The results obtained are compared with those for a homogeneous body. The congruent deformation of the homogeneous body at which its initial form and dimensions are practically restored upon superposition of torsion and rotation is determined.

Wireless Power Transfer System Architectures for Portable or Implantable Applications

This paper discusses the near-field inductive coupling wireless power transfer (WPT) at the system level, with detailed analyses on each state-of-the-art WPT output voltage regulation topologies. For device miniaturization and power loss reduction, several novel architectures for efficient WPT were proposed in recent years to reduce the number of passive components as well as to improve the system efficiency or flexibility. These schemes are systematically studied and discussed in this paper. The main contribution of this paper is to provide design guidelines for WPT system design. In addition, possible combinations of the WPT building block configurations are summarized, compared, and investigated for potential new architectures.

Влияние конструкции и относительного обжатия брикета сеток в процессе консолидации на межслойную прочность пористых сетчатых материалов

Влияние конструкции и относительного обжатия брикета сеток в процессе консолидации на межслойную прочность пористых сетчатых материалов