In-place Processing Research Articles

ACE-GCN: A Fast Data-driven FPGA Accelerator for GCN Embedding

ACE-GCN is a fast and resource/energy-efficient FPGA accelerator for graph convolutional embedding under data-driven and in-place processing conditions. Our accelerator exploits the inherent power law distribution and high sparsity commonly exhibited by real-world graphs datasets. Contrary to other hardware implementations of GCN, on which traditional optimization techniques are employed to bypass the problem of dataset sparsity, our architecture is designed to take advantage of this very same situation. We propose and implement an innovative acceleration approach supported by our “implicit-processing-by-association” concept, in conjunction with a dataset-customized convolutional operator. The computational relief and consequential acceleration effect arise from the possibility of replacing rather complex convolutional operations for a faster embedding result estimation. Based on a computationally inexpensive and super-expedited similarity calculation, our accelerator is able to decide from the automatic embedding estimation or the unavoidable direct convolution operation. Evaluations demonstrate that our approach presents excellent applicability and competitive acceleration value. Depending on the dataset and efficiency level at the target, between 23× and 4,930× PyG baseline, coming close to AWB-GCN by 46% to 81% on smaller datasets and noticeable surpassing AWB-GCN for larger datasets and with controllable accuracy loss levels. We further demonstrate the unique hardware optimization characteristics of our approach and discuss its multi-processing potentiality.

Characterization of Classified Indian Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP): In-Situ and Lab Density, Bitumen Content and Gradation Characteristics.

Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is the term given to removed and/or reprocessed pavement materials containing asphalt and aggregates. These materials are generated when asphalt pavements are removed for reconstruction, resurfacing, or to obtain access to buried utilities. When properly crushed and screened, RAP consists of high-quality, well-graded aggregates coated by asphalt cement. Process of utilization of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is called recycling of asphalt pavement. RAP material is generated when old, damaged pavement materials are milled and crushed for addition as a component to new mixtures placed in the pavement structure. Historically, old pavement material was removed and disposed of in landfills. As land filling these materials has become less practical and more expensive and the availability of quality virgin materials declines, the addition of RAP to pavement mixtures has become more and more prevalent. Recycling of pavement material can be done as an in-place process or a central plant process. The in-place process combines the reclamation, mixing, lay down, and compaction procedures into a single paving train in the field. In-place recycled materials are typically used for base or binder courses and are typically overlaid with a surface course. The central plant process involves stockpiling RAP at the asphalt plant, which is then mixed with virgin materials at the plant and trucked to the construction site for lay down and compaction. Use of RAP in road construction will reduce depletion of virgin aggregates resources and also overcome to disposal problem of bituminous wastes. It is required to access properties of RAP aggregate and recovered bitumen before using in actual road pavements. RAP samples collected and a series of tests are performed for characterization and performance evaluation of selected RAP samples of different groups. In this study characterization of RAP limited to in-situ and lab density along with bitumen content and gradation of RAP classified in different groups. Results of this study will be beneficial in job mix formula (JMF) design with varying percentage of RAP to be use in bituminous layer in flexible pavements. This study is a step towards sustainable developments with green road construction i.e. construction of flexible pavement with environmental protection and conservation of natural resources.

Determination of anionic trace impurities in glycerol by capillary isotachophoresis with enlarged sample load

Glycerol of different quality classifications served as a model for a neutral excess component in the isotachophoretic determination of low-molecular-mass anionic trace impurities. Potential anionic contaminants such as nitrate, sulphate, chlorate, nitrite, oxalate, fluoride formate and phosphate were analysed up to an analyte-to-excess ratio of 1:4·10 7, thus providing the possibility of checking the sample for the mentioned analytes in the order of 2.5·10 −6–9.5·10 −6%. Because we used a column-coupling isotachophoretic instrument the electrolyte system consisted of two different leading electrolytes, one for the pre-separation (10 mmol/l HCl, β-alanine, pH 3.2) in the first capillary and one for the final separation (5 mmol/l HCl, 1,3-bis[tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamino]propane, β-alanine, pH 3.6) in the second capillary. The terminating electrolyte was citric acid. Due to an increased injection volume of 300 μl, limits of detection (LODs) in the nanomolar range were realised by conductivity detection. The developed method allows simultaneous analysis without sample preparation and/or preconcentration within 25 min and is for that reason suitable for in-place process control.

Modified Cold In-Place Asphalt Recycling

Cold in-place asphalt recycling has been shown to be a technically sound, cost-effective, environmentally friendly method of strengthening and maintaining a wide range of deteriorating asphalt pavements. The overall process combines testing and mix design procedures, milling, processing and mixing units with microprocessor control of emulsion addition, compaction, placement of a wearing surface and quality assurance testing. In laboratory work and a number of Ontario projects during the past 3 years it has been shown that modification of the cold in-place process to incorporate new aggregate results in an improved recycled binder course with closer voids and stability control. These findings address observed conventional cold in-place asphalt recycling problems such as high residual asphalt cement content (flushing), fine mix (high percent passing 4.75 mm and 75 μm), rutting (low initial stability with emulsion system), and adequacy of in-place material thickness. Structural equivalency factors for cold in-place recycled asphalt compared with conventional binder course hot-mix asphalt have been developed. Resilient properties of laboratory and field samples have been determined with the Nottingham asphalt tester and used in standard mechanistic design programs such as BISAR. Future applications of modified cold in-place asphalt recycling to improve flexible pavements will undoubtedly include airports, which will require consideration of special features such as operational constraints.

Modified Cold In-Place Asphalt Recycling

Cold in-place asphalt recycling has been shown to be a technically sound, cost-effective, environmentally friendly method of strengthening and maintaining a wide range of deteriorating asphalt pavements. The overall process combines testing and mix design procedures, milling, processing and mixing units with microprocessor control of emulsion addition, compaction, placement of a wearing surface and quality assurance testing. In laboratory work and a number of Ontario projects during the past 3 years it has been shown that modification of the cold in-place process to incorporate new aggregate results in an improved recycled binder course with closer voids and stability control. These findings address observed conventional cold in-place asphalt recycling problems such as high residual asphalt cement content (flushing), fine mix (high percent passing 4.75 mm and 75 μm), rutting (low initial stability with emulsion system), and adequacy of in-place material thickness. Structural equivalency factors for cold in-place recycled asphalt compared with conventional binder course hot-mix asphalt have been developed. Resilient properties of laboratory and field samples have been determined with the Nottingham asphalt tester and used in standard mechanistic design programs such as BISAR. Future applications of modified cold in-place asphalt recycling to improve flexible pavements will undoubtedly include airports, which will require consideration of special features such as operational constraints.

Real-time holographic interferometry: a system

A complete photographic system for performing real-time holographic interferometry is described. The holograms are recorded on an experimental film that permits rapid, dry, in-place processing in a specially designed chamber. The expose-process-view cycle is fully automated so that real-time interferograms can be produced with ease. The features of the system pertinent to holography are discussed and examples of real-time stroboscopic holographic interferometry are shown.