Intensive Components Research Articles

Efficient parallel video processing techniques on GPU: from framework to implementation.

Through reorganizing the execution order and optimizing the data structure, we proposed an efficient parallel framework for H.264/AVC encoder based on massively parallel architecture. We implemented the proposed framework by CUDA on NVIDIA's GPU. Not only the compute intensive components of the H.264 encoder are parallelized but also the control intensive components are realized effectively, such as CAVLC and deblocking filter. In addition, we proposed serial optimization methods, including the multiresolution multiwindow for motion estimation, multilevel parallel strategy to enhance the parallelism of intracoding as much as possible, component-based parallel CAVLC, and direction-priority deblocking filter. More than 96% of workload of H.264 encoder is offloaded to GPU. Experimental results show that the parallel implementation outperforms the serial program by 20 times of speedup ratio and satisfies the requirement of the real-time HD encoding of 30 fps. The loss of PSNR is from 0.14 dB to 0.77 dB, when keeping the same bitrate. Through the analysis to the kernels, we found that speedup ratios of the compute intensive algorithms are proportional with the computation power of the GPU. However, the performance of the control intensive parts (CAVLC) is much related to the memory bandwidth, which gives an insight for new architecture design.

How monitoring networks contribute to the understanding and to the management of soil and forest ecosystems?

Faced with the uncertainties linked to environmental change, the monitoring networks are an essential source of data in order to anticipate changes in ecosystems. In France, three national networks are concerned with the change in the soil and/or forest in relation to the soil. Initially designed to monitor the effect of atmospheric pollution on the health of forests, the systematic network for the monitoring of forest damage (RSSDF) and the RENECOFOR network correspond to the two extensive and intensive components of pan-European forest monitoring (ICP Forests). Created more recently, the RMQS specifically monitors soil quality by extending the grid for forest monitoring to other land uses (crops, meadows, natural or urban environments). Pioneering and recent initiatives regarding the speed of change of soils and forests, these networks have nonetheless already generated a large number of original results and have shown their potential to meet expectations that are becoming increasingly diversified.

Integrated energy optimisation for the cement industry: A case study perspective

Energy costs play a major role in the cement production process. As much as 60% of total cost is allocated to energy and 18% to the consumption of electrical energy. Historically, energy cost savings were achieved by large infrastructure upgrades. These upgrades are often costly and lead to interruptions in production. In this paper the operation of all the energy intensive components of the cement production process are identified, modelled, integrated and optimised for minimum operational costs while meeting production targets. This integrated approach allows for simulation of the collective effect of individual production components. The system incorporates constraints such as maintenance, production and dynamic energy costs. No published research could be found where these constraints are incorporated into a single operational solution. The system was implemented on four cement plants and a total energy cost saving of 7% was achieved. This highlights the practical significance of an integrated approach to energy cost savings.

Supernodal sparse Cholesky factorization on graphics processing units

SUMMARYSparse Cholesky factorization is the most computationally intensive component in solving large sparse linear systems and is the core algorithm of numerous scientific computing applications. A large number of sparse Cholesky factorization algorithms have previously emerged, exploiting architectural features for various computing platforms. The recent use of graphics processing units (GPUs) to accelerate structured parallel applications shows the potential to achieve significant acceleration relative to desktop performance. However, sparse Cholesky factorization has not been explored sufficiently because of the complexity involved in its efficient implementation and the concerns of low GPU utilization.In this paper, we present a new approach for sparse Cholesky factorization on GPUs. We present the organization of the sparse matrix supernode data structure for GPU and propose a queue‐based approach for the generation and scheduling of GPU tasks with dense linear algebraic operations. We also design a subtree‐based parallel method for multi‐GPU system. These approaches increase GPU utilization, thus resulting in substantial computational time reduction.Comparisons are made with the existing parallel solvers by using problems arising from practical applications. The experiment results show that the proposed approaches can substantially improve sparse Cholesky factorization performance on GPUs. Relative to a highly optimized parallel algorithm on a 12‐core node, we were able to obtain speedups in the range 1.59× to 2.31× by using one GPU and 1.80× to 3.21× by using two GPUs. Relative to a state‐of‐the‐art solver based on supernodal method for CPU‐GPU heterogeneous platform, we were able to obtain speedups in the range 1.52× to 2.30× by using one GPU and 2.15× to 2.76× by using two GPUs. Concurrency and Computation: Practice and Experience, 2013. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Defect Detection in Fuel Cell Gas Diffusion Electrodes Using Infrared Thermography

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) are energy conversion devices that offer high power densities and high efficiencies for mobile and other applications. Successful introduction into the marketplace requires addressing cost barriers such as production volumes and platinum contents. The electrode is currently a cost intensive component within PEMFCs because platinum is employed as the catalyst. For cost reduction, it is vital to maximize efficiency and minimize waste during the manufacturing of electrodes, including gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs), by developing quality control (QC) diagnostics for fuel cell materials that can be applied to the moving material during large scale production. In this work, we report on developing a QC diagnostic for GDEs, involving creating an exothermic reaction on the electrode surface and using infrared (IR) thermography to measure the resulting temperature profile. Experiments with a moving substrate were conducted to demonstrate the applicability of the diagnostic for real-time web-line inspection.

Optical Wireless Communication With Adaptive Focus and MEMS-Based Beam Steering

An optical wireless communication system for an operation with wavelengths detectable by silicon optoelectronic integrated circuits is described. We use direct modulated vertical cavity surface emitting lasers as a transmitter. The field of view of the laser beam is adjusted with an adaptive optical system and aligned with a micro-electro-mechanical system based mirror for beam steering. To receive the modulated laser beam, we develop a receiver chip in 0.35 μm BiCMOS technology. The experimental system shows a 3 Gb/s wireless transmission over a distance of 7 m with a bit-error rate <;10-9 without cost intensive optical components and complex adjustment procedure.

AB1379 Evaluation of interprofessional patient-centred collaborative practice behaviour and perceptions following an intensive continuing education initiative in arthritis care

BackgroundThe Advanced Clinician Practitioner in Arthritis Care (ACPAC) program prepares expereinced physical therapists and occupational therapists for extended practice roles.ObjectivesThis study assessed the practice behaviour and perceptions of ACPAC program-trained...

Electronic structure of undoped and doped SnOx nanolayers

Results of electronic structure investigations for tin oxide nanolayers obtained by tin magnetron sputtering and their following oxidation in air at different temperatures are presented. Using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy techniques it was shown that at the 240°С anneal a predominant phase in the sample surface layers is tin monoxide. With the annealing temperature increase up to 450°C the phase composition corresponds to tin dioxide. Rather high sorption sensitivity for the samples oxidized at 450°C was found. The compositional model of the gap structure based on XANES and XPS data matching for SnOx nanolayers revealed occurrence of the crossed transitions with the energy of ~3.7eV in the presence of two phases: the SnO and the SnO2 or SnOx with vacancies. Under surface doping of SnO2 nanolayers with palladium PdO and PdO2 is observed where PdO is the most intensive component. O2 and H2 multiple alternate exposures resulted in the disappearance of palladium dioxide and PdO recovery to the metallic Pd. Under Pd bulk doping of nanolayers PdO and PdO2 were observed in the surface layers. In this case PdO2 was presented by two types of particles different in size, one of them having the greatest binding energy of Pd 3d5/2 (339.0eV).

DART-bid (Dose-differentiated accelerated radiation therapy, 1.8 Gy twice daily)–a novel approach for non-resected NSCLC: final results of a prospective study, correlating radiation dose to tumor volume

BackgroundSequential chemo-radiotherapies with intensive radiation components deliver promising results in non-resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In general, radiation doses are determined by dose constraints for normal tissues, not by features relevant for tumor control. DART-bid targets directly the doses required for tumor control, correlating doses to tumor volume in a differentiated mode.Materials/MethodsRadiation doses to primary tumors were aligned along increasing tumor size within 4 groups (<2.5 cm/2.5–4.5 cm/4.5–6.0 cm/>6.0 cm; mean number of three perpendicular diameters). ICRU-doses of 73.8 Gy/79.2 Gy/84.6 Gy/90.0 Gy, respectively, were applied. Macroscopically involved nodes were treated with a median dose of 59.4 Gy, nodal sites about 6 cm cranial to involved nodes electively with 45 Gy. Fractional doses were 1.8 Gy twice daily (bid).2 cycles chemotherapy were given before radiotherapy.Between 2004 and 2009, 160 not selected patients with 164 histologically/cytologically proven NSCLC were enrolled; Stage I: 38 patients; II: 6 pts.; IIIA: 69 pts.; IIIB: 47 pts. Weight loss >5%/3 months: 38 patients (24%).Primary endpoints are local and regional tumor control rates at 2 years (as >90% of locoregional failures occur within 2 years). Secondary endpoints are survival and toxicity. With a minimum follow-up time of 2 years for patients alive, the final results are presented.Results32 local and 10 regional recurrences occurred. The local and regional tumor control rates at 2 years are 77% and 93%, respectively.The median overall survival (OS) time is 28.0 months, the 2- and 5-year OS rates are 57% and 19%, respectively. For stage III patients, median OS amounts to 24.3 months, 2- /5-year OS rates to 51% and 18%, respectively.2 treatment-related deaths (progressive pulmonary fibrosis) occurred in patients with pre-existing pulmonary fibrosis. Further acute and late toxicity was mild.ConclusionsThis novel approach yields a high level of locoregional tumor control and survival times. In general it is well tolerated. In all outcome parameters it seems to compare favourably with simultaneous chemo-radiotherapies, at present considered ‘state of the art’; and is additionally amenable for an unselected patient population.

Changes of the antenna of photosystem I induced by short-term heating

Changes in low-temperature fluorescence spectra of pea chloroplasts induced by the short-term heating were studied. Excitation spectra of the long-wavelength fluorescence were studied as well. Heating was carried out at 45°C for 5 min in the darkness or in the presence of white light sourced with intensities of 260 or 1400 μmol/m2 s. All variants of heating decreased the intensity of the long-wavelength fluorescence band. The integral of the excitation spectrum decreased after the exposure to heating in the darkness and increased after the exposure to heating in the presence of light. The observed changes in most intensive components — 726, 729 and 731 nm — of the long-wavelength fluorescence band, induced by various modes of heating, were similar. The changes in the fourth intensive component at 735 nm were different. Twenty-five components were found in the fine structure of the excitation spectrum of the long-wavelength fluorescence. Positions of most of peaks corresponded to the absorption peaks of Lhca proteins. Heat-induced changes in the excitation spectrum in the regions corresponding to the absorption of chl b and short-wavelength forms of chl a have been shown to correlate with changes in the intensities of the 726-, 729-, and 731-nm components of the long-wavelength fluorescence. This allows one to assign them to the emission of the outer antenna of Photosystem I. Changes in the intensity of the component at 735 nm correlated only with changes in excitation spectrum in the long-wavelength region that corresponded to the absorption of the long-wave-length forms of chlorophyll a. Therefore, the 735-nm component could be assigned to the emission of the Photosystem I inner antenna. Analysis of the changes induced by heating in the emission and excitation spectra of fluorescence revealed changes in the energy transfer in the outer and the inner antennas of Photosystem I. Heating in the darkness lowered the energy transfer in the outer and in the inner antennas. Both modes of heating in the presence of light increased the energy transfer in the outer antenna. For the inner antenna, presence of the light promotes an efficient of energy transfer at the levels close to the control one. It is proposed that illumination during heating exposure causes a specific state of the antenna complex in Photosystem I that provides an increase in funneling of the energy toward the reaction centers.

Nonlinear Modeling and Simulation of a Four-phase Switched Reluctance Generator for Wind Energy Applications

Abstrac t—Thesubject of this paper is a modeling method of switched reluctance generator (SRG) based on the nonlinear inductance model and electromagnetic field finite element analysis (FEA) to be used in wind energy applications. SRG and its behavior, modeling and Simulations results are presented. It was analyzed the characteristics of the SRG under different conditions. The nonlinear inductance model allows us to develop a control strategy that gives high performance controller with a closed loop was designed on PI controller. I. INTRODUCT ION The rapid depletion of fossil fuels has necessitated the need for the utilization of non-conventional energy sources. Among these renewable energies widely used around the world in the last years, wind energy conversion system seems to be very interesting, it is clean energy source suitable for rural areas and the stand alone wind energy conversion system in rural areas must be characterized by economic and maintenance free operation. Doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) suffers from limited rotor converter rating and has problems with over currents during voltage dips and the multistage gearbox that the DFIG must incorporate is unreliable and expensive. The direct coupled variable speed generators for these systems obviate the need for gear box which is the most unreliable and maintenance intensive component in the system. Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator or Field Wound Synchronous Generator in standalone wind energy conversion systems eliminate the unreliability associated with gear box drive trains through direct coupled variable speed operation and even though permanent magnet machines will have a better torque density than the field wound version, the presence of permanent magnets will make assembly more difficult (1). In the Field Wound Synchronous Generator, the brushes required to excite the field winding demand maintenance at regular intervals. The variable speed direct drive synchronous generator shortfalls fr om cost, size, weight, energy yield and requirement of a converter. Although Permanent magnet generators exhibit low losses, lower weight, better torque density and perhaps low cost with the disadvantage that the excitation cannot be controlled while axial flux permanent magnet generators are heavier and more expensive than radial flux counterparts. To overcome the beyond mentioned obstacles Switched Reluctance Generator (SRG) is being considered as the generator of choice in standalone wind energy conversion

A Data-Driven Approach to Increasing Student Motivation in the Reading Classroom

Reading is widely accepted as one of the most important second-language skills as it offers language learners the opportunity to acquire a variety of lexical items, grammatical structures, and additional schematic knowledge. In an EFL or ESL context, two approaches to teaching reading, intensive and extensive reading, have generally been adopted. When employing intensive reading in a group context, the teacher faces many challenges, e.g., finding material interesting to all students and dealing with mixed levels, individual learner differences, and low motivation. After describing an action research project designed to indicate motivation for reading among two groups of Japanese college students and analyzing the results of that project, the author outlines a nontraditional, more holistic, and student-centered approach to intensive and extensive reading. This approach aims to overcome students’ low intrinsic motivation by adopting a more differentiated learning approach and applying some extensive reading principles to intensive reading. Although the ability to read effectively in a foreign language is widely viewed as one of the most important skills that a foreign language learner can possess, the teaching of reading poses a range of challenges, both pedagogical and logistical. From a pedagogical perspective, issues such as what type of reading should be carried out, what skills are necessary, how to teach these skills, and how to strike a balance between explicit instruction and time on task are still being discussed and researched (see Carrell, Devine, & Eskey, 1988; Hunt & Beglar, 2005; Macalister, 2008; Nation, 2009; Sehlaoui, 2001). For designers of the intensive reading component of a language course, the choice of materials (level, genre, style, and amount) and the grouping of students into levels are two of the biggest issues. Students’ second language levels vary considerably in many foreign language courses, causing many problems for students (Childs, 2002; DelliCarpini, 2006; Prodromou, 1989; Sehlaoui, 2001; Simanova, 2010).

Dynamic Power Management for the Iterative Decoding of Turbo Codes

Turbo codes are presently ubiquitous in the context of mobile wireless communications among other application domains. A decoder for such codes is typically the most power intensive component in the baseband processing chain of a wireless receiver. The iterative nature of these decoders represents a dynamic workload. This brief presents a dynamic power management policy for these decoders. An algorithm is proposed to tune a power manageable decoder according to a prediction of the workload involved within the decoding task. By reclaiming the timing slack left when operating the decoder at a high power mode, the proposed algorithm continuously looks for opportunities to switch to a lower power mode that guarantees the task completion. We apply this technique to an long term evolution Turbo decoder and explore the feasibility of a VLSI implementation on a CMOS technology of 65 nm. Energy savings of up to 54% were achieved with a relatively low loss in error-correction performance.

Evaluating the Value-Added Impact of Outdoor Management Training for Leadership Development in an MBA Program

This study examined the benefits of Outdoor Management Training for the leadership development of students enrolled in an MBA-level Organizational Behavior course. Students enrolled in one of two experiential courses. Both were identical, except one included an intensive outdoor training component called Leadership on the Edge. The quasi-experimental design indicated that students in both sections increased levels of self-efficacy, leadership motivation, and emotional intelligence over the course of the semester. Students in the outdoor training section did not show greater improvements than those in the experiential classroom section. Implications for leadership educators are discussed.

Predicting outcomes of children in residential treatment: A comparison of a decision support algorithm and a multidisciplinary team decision model

Residential treatment is the most intensive and costly component of all child welfare systems per episode of care. At the same time, decisions to place in residential treatment centers are prioritized by the practice of least restrictive setting and best interest for children. There are, however, no standard evidence-based criteria for placing children in residential treatment. Clinical judgment, staffing dynamics, and other system factors are part of the decision-making process. Thus, some residential placements may be unnecessary and may be even harmful. The present study compares two models of decision-making, a multidisciplinary team approach and an objective decision support algorithm, and assesses outcomes when the two models either concur or not. Concordant decisions predicted greater clinical improvement than discordant decisions, but no differences were found in length of stay in placement. Policy implications for the decision-making process in child welfare are discussed.

Kinematics prediction and experimental validation of machined surface roughness

Online monitoring of surface roughness is a desirable capability for machining processes; however, 100 % inspection of all parts is not feasible unless it can be integrated into the machining process itself through real-time monitoring of cutting conditions. One strategy is to feed these conditions into a predictive modeling kernel which would in turn give the properties of the finished part. In the case of roughness, the surface resulting from turning can be largely represented as the trace of the passing tool geometry. The question addressed herein is whether computationally intensive modeling of the surface accounting for tool nose radius is necessary for online monitoring of surface roughness. This paper presents a predictive modeling methodology wherein the tool-workpiece contact position varies under a simple cutting model, and the resulting surface roughness is estimated. It presents the concept of calculating a “pseudo-roughness” value based only on tool tip locations and to compare this value to that determined by full predictive modeling of the tool geometry. Cutting experimental data has been presented and compared to predictions for model validation. It is found that the root mean square roughness calculation is dominated by tool geometry, rather than tool position deviations and surface roughness estimation could be implemented without a computationally intensive modeling component, thereby enabling online monitoring and potentially real-time control of the part finish.

Nanoscale all-normal dispersion optical fibers for coherent supercontinuum generation at ultraviolet wavelengths

We report on the possibilities of nanoscale optical fibers with all-normal dispersion behavior for pulse-preserving and coherent supercontinuum generation at deep ultraviolet wavelengths. We discuss the influence of important parameters such as pump wavelength and fiber diameter, for both optical nanofibers and nanoscale suspended-core optical fibers. Simulations reveal that by appropriate combination of fiber geometry and input pulse parameters, intensive spectral components well below 300 nm are generated. In addition, the impact of preceding taper transitions used for input coupling purposes is discussed in detail.

Pediatric Critical Care – Fourth Edition

This is the fourth addition of a textbook which is long recognized as one of the core reference textbooks in the specialty of pediatric critical care medicine (PCCM). This edition should be seriously considered by trainees embarking on a career in PCCM or by established specialists seeking to update their desktop reference book. Similar to the other textbook models, the list of chapter authors is drawn from many of the experts who frequent international conferences along with authors who are beginning their careers. It is notable that the chapter authors are drawn predominantly from North America, with surprisingly few authors from elsewhere in the world. This approach has the advantage of contributing content that reflects contemporary North American practice, terminology, and nuances; however, with this type of focus, it has the disadvantage of possibly losing other perspectives, as PCCM is truly an international specialty. For the most part, the textbook format and writing style is consistent, although there are some chapters that are particularly strong and others that leave room for improvement. In my review of the textbook, I found the chapters in which I have a professional interest to be especially strong. I also used several chapters to structure resident tutorials and found them to be a comprehensive resource. The textbook was not designed as a resource for a resident to use when setting a ventilator at 4 a.m. while on-call, but it does provide depth into the fundamentals of the specialty. This edition of the book comes with an online version, which makes it accessible for those who wish to consult the textbook while on the go. The online version is intuitive and easy to use, and by using the search function, readers can quickly identify whether the book has the answer to a focused question. More often than not, I received answers to my focused questions when I made use of the search function, which, in my view, is characteristic of many similar texts. At the beginning of the textbook, the editors acknowledge that pediatric intensive care is a resource-intense highacuity specialty provided largely by academic institutions. There are some especially solid chapters that address institutional organization, ethics, family-centred care, quality metrics, research, education, and evidence-based medicine. I applaud the editors for this approach, as they recognize that most of an intensivist’s time is spent in pursuing the academic and administrative mandate of an institution and not in direct patient contact. This first part of the textbook provides a foundation for this perspective, and it is as important as the ‘‘comfort food’’ in the following chapters based on systems and disease. The focus of the remainder of the book is on applied physiology, pathology, and therapeutics—what a reader would expect from an intensive care textbook. The cardiovascular system is the main focus of the second part of the textbook. While the basic knowledge of this system is adequate, in my opinion, the coverage of the pediatric congenital cardiac surgical population is not comprehensive enough to meet the challenges of working in a large congenital cardiac surgical program. Programs that have large cardiac intensive care components would require an additional core textbook to cover this material in detail. Yet, I do not consider this as an indictment of this textbook but rather the reality of what some might consider a sister specialty. The neurocritical care section of the text is particularly strong and comprehensive. The textbook also includes D. Doherty, MD (&) Irish Paediatric Critical Care Network, Dublin, Ireland e-mail: dermot.doherty@cuh.ie

Co-firing Bosnian coals with woody biomass: Experimental studies on a laboratory-scale furnace and 110 MWe power unit

This paper presents the findings of research into cofiring two Bosnian cola types, brown coal and lignite, with woody biomass, in this case spruce sawdust. The aim of the research was to find the optimal blend of coal and sawdust that may be substituted for 100% coal in large coal-fired power stations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Two groups of experimental tests were performed in this study: laboratory testing of co-firing and trial runs on a large-scale plant based on the laboratory research results. A laboratory experiment was carried out in an electrically heated and entrained pulverized-fuel flow furnace. Coal-sawdust blends of 93:7% by weight and 80:20% by weight were tested. Co-firing trials were conducted over a range of the following process variables: process temperature, excess air ratio and air distribution. Neither of the two coal-sawdust blends used produced any significant ash-related problems provided the blend volume was 7% by weight sawdust and the process temperature did not exceed 1250?C. It was observed that in addition to the nitrogen content in the co-fired blend, the volatile content and particle size distribution of the mixture also influenced the level of NOx emissions. The brown coal-sawdust blend generated a further reduction of SO2 due to the higher sulphur capture rate than for coal alone. Based on and following the laboratory research findings, a trial run was carried out in a large-scale utility - the Kakanj power station, Unit 5 (110 MWe), using two mixtures; one in which 5%/wt and one in which 7%/wt of brown coal was replaced with sawdust. Compared to a reference firing process with 100% coal, these co-firing trials produced a more intensive redistribution of the alkaline components in the slag in the melting chamber, with a consequential beneficial effect on the deposition of ash on the superheater surfaces of the boiler. The outcome of the tests confirms the feasibility of using 7%wt of sawdust in combination with coal without risk to the efficiency of the unit, its combustion process and with the benefits of emissions reductions. Furthermore, they show that no modification to the existing coal transport system and boiler equipment is necessary to achieve this outcome.

Understanding L2 Speaking Problems: Implications for ESL Curriculum Development in a Teacher Training Institution in Hong Kong

This paper reports the result of a study that aimed to identify the problems with oral English skills of ESL (English as a second language) students at a tertiary teacher training institution in Hong Kong. The study, by way of semi-structured interview, addresses the gap in our understanding of the difficulties ESL students encountered in their oral English development in the context of a Bachelor of Education (English Language) programme. Insufficient opportunities to speak English in lectures and tutorials, lack of a focus on language improvement in the curriculum, and the input-poor environment for spoken communication in English outside class apparently contributed to a range of problems that closely related to the sociocultural, institutional and interpersonal contexts in which individual ESL students found themselves. The results of the study lead us to question the effectiveness of the knowledge- and pedagogy-based ESL teacher training curriculum. They also point to a need to incorporate a sufficiently intensive language improvement component in the current teacher preparation program.