Static Coarse Grain Task Scheduling with Cache Optimization Using OpenMP

Effective use of cache memory is getting more important with increasing gap between the processor speed and memory access speed. Also, use of multigrain parallelism is getting more important to improve effective performance beyond the limitation of loop iteration level parallelism. Considering these factors, this paper proposes a coarse grain task static scheduling scheme considering cache optimization. The proposed scheme schedules coarse grain tasks to threads so that shared data among coarse grain tasks can be passed via cache after task and data decomposition considering cache size at compile time. It is implemented on OSCAR Fortran multigrain parallelizing compiler and evaluated on Sun Ultra80 four-processor SMP workstation using Swim and Tomcatv from the SPEC fp 95. As the results, the proposed scheme gives us 4.56 times speedup for Swim and 2.37 times on 4 processors for Tomcatv respectively against the Sun Forte HPC Ver. 6 update 1 loop parallelizing compiler.     

Crystallization behavior of poly(l-lactic acid)

The crystallization behavior of poly(l-lactic acid) was studied in the range of 80-160 °C. The peak crystallization time (τ_p) was defined and obtained from the crystallization isotherm measured with a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Isothermal crystallization temperature (T_c) dependence of log(τ_p) discretely changed at 113 °C (= T_b). The linear growth rate of spherulite, G, was measured with a polarizing microscope. The T_c dependence of G and the size of the spherulite also discretely changed at T_b. Crystal structures for samples isothermally crystallized at temperatures which were higher and lower than T_b were orthorhombic (α-form) and trigonal (β-form), respectively. The discrete change of the crystallization behavior was explained by the formation of different crystal.     

Effect of copper pretreatment on the zincate process and subsequent electroplating of a protective copper/nickel deposit on the AZ91D magnesium alloy

To obtain a durable Ni coating with excellent adhesion strength on an AZ91D Mg alloy, a pretreatment was performed with a small amount of Cu²⁺ ions added to the activation bath used in the pretreatment prior to the plating process. In the pretreatment activation process, a high density Cu layer was deposited on both the α-phase and β-phase areas of the substrate accompanied with Mg dissolution. The Cu deposit acted as nucleation seeds for the Zn deposition in the following zincate process which provided a uniform and dense Zn layer almost completely covering the substrate. Then a thin Cu layer was electroplated on this zincated substrate as an undercoating for the succeeding electroplating with Ni. Cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy observations showed that the Cu deposited by the pretreatment enabled the deposition of a protective Ni layer with few defects. This structure also contributed to the improvement of adhesion strength and corrosion resistance as compared with the non-Cu added sample.     

Metastatic Voyage of Ovarian Cancer Cells in Ascites with the Assistance of Various Cellular Components

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy and has a unique metastatic route using ascites, known as the transcoelomic root. However, studies on ascites and contained cellular components have not yet been sufficiently clarified. In this review, we focus on the significance of accumulating ascites, contained EOC cells in the form of spheroids, and interaction with non-malignant host cells. To become resistant against anoikis, EOC cells form spheroids in ascites, where epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition stimulated by transforming growth factor-β can be a key pathway. As spheroids form, EOC cells are also gaining the ability to attach and invade the peritoneum to induce intraperitoneal metastasis, as well as resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Recently, accumulating evidence suggests that EOC spheroids in ascites are composed of not only cancer cells, but also non-malignant cells existing with higher abundance than EOC cells in ascites, including macrophages, mesothelial cells, and lymphocytes. Moreover, hetero-cellular spheroids are demonstrated to form more aggregated spheroids and have higher adhesion ability for the mesothelial layer. To improve the poor prognosis, we need to elucidate the mechanisms of spheroid formation and interactions with non-malignant cells in ascites that are a unique tumor microenvironment for EOC.     

資源環境の保全をめざした二次副産材を導入するコンクリ一ト材料の発展的利用に関する研究

日本では,21世紀半ばに人工の固体物質の代表である解体コンクリート塊の排出量がピークを迎えると同時に,最終処分が困難になる状況が想定されていることから,コンクリート材料の完全資源型の利活用要求はより一層高まるといえる.本研究は,副産微粉,再生骨材などの二次副産材を積極的に混和し,同一産地*種類型の調合条件のもとで,コンクリートの物性改善,資源有効利活用を目的としたコンクリートを製造し,その基礎的物性の評価と環境影響評価を行い,環境保全に資するコンクリート材料の発展的利用のあり方を検討した.     

Eddy current analysis of thin metal container in induction heating by line integral equations

In recent years, induction‐heating cookers have spread rapidly. It is desirable to commercialize flexible and disposable food containers that are suitable for induction heating. In order to develop a good‐quality food container for moderate heating, the eddy currents induced in a thin metal plate must be accurately analyzed. The integral equation method is widely used for solving induction‐heating problems. If the plate thickness approaches zero, the surface integral equations on the upper and lower plate surfaces tend to become the same and the equations become ill‐conditioned. In this paper, we first derive line integral equations from the boundary integral equations under the assumption that the electromagnetic fields in the metal are attenuated more rapidly than those along the metal surface. Next, to test the validity of the line integral equations, we solve for the eddy current induced in a thin metal container in induction heating and obtain the power density imparted to the container and the impedance characteristics of the heating coil. We then compare the computed results with those obtained by the FEM. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 168(2): 20–27, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20813     

TEM Observations of the Initial Oxidation Stages of Nb-Ion-Implanted TiAl

Coupon specimens of TiAl were implanted with Nb ions at an acceleration voltage of 50 kV with a dose of 10²¹ ions m.^–2 They were then slightly oxidized during heating to 900 or 1200 K, or at 1200 K for 3.6 ksec (1 hr) in a flow of purified oxygen under atmospheric pressure. The implanted specimens and oxidized specimens were characterized and observed by AES, X-ray diffractometry, SEM, TEM, EDS, and EPMA. Implantation improves the oxidation resistance significantly by forming virtually -Al₂O₃ scales. The implanted layer is about 75 nm thick; the outer part of 30-nm thickness is -Ti phase and the rest of 45-nm thickness is amorphous. Heating to 900 K in O₂ results in partial crystallization of the amorphous layer to Ti₅Al₃O₂ (Z-phase) and to 1200 K results in oxide scales of 270 to 400 nm thickness consisting mainly of Al₂O₃. The fraction of Al₂O₃ in the scale increases toward the substrate. Oxidation at 1200 K for 3.6 ksec results in Al₂O₃-rich scales of about 400-nm thickness. The oxide grain size is very fine, about 80 nm in size, and becomes smaller toward the outer scale surface. This implies that implantation enhanced the nucleation of Al₂O₃ grains relative to the growth of TiO₂ grains. This finding and the formation of -Ti phase are thought to be responsible for the excellent oxidation resistance obtained.     

Construction of a learning environment supporting learners’ reflection: A case of information seeking on the Web

In this study, we design a learning environment that supports reflective activities for information seeking on the Web and evaluate its educational effects. The features of this design are: (1) to visualize the learners’ search processes as described, based on a cognitive schema, (2) to support two types of reflective activities, such as “reflection-in-action” and “reflection-on-action”, and (3) to facilitate reflective activities by comparing their own search processes to other learners’ search processes. We have conducted an experiment to investigate the effects of our design. The experimental results confirm that: (1) the participants’ search performance in the instructional group supported by our instructional design improved effectively than in the control group; (2) they changed their ideas about important activities when seeking information on the Web, and (3) they activated their search cycles more than the control group did.