Resource contention in shared-memory multiprocessors: A parameterized performance degradation model

A standard metric conventionally employed to compare the performance of different multiprocessor systems is speedup. Although providing a measure of the improvement in execution speed achievable on a system, this metric does not yield any insight into the factors responsible for limiting the potential improvement in speed. This paper studies the performance degradation in shared-memory multiprocessors as a result of contention for shared-memory resources. A replicate workload framework with a flexible mechanism for workload specification is proposed for measuring performance. Two normalized performance metrics—efficiency and overhead factor—are introduced to quantify the factors limiting performance and facilitate comparison across architectures. Finally, the proposed model is employed to measure and compare the performance of three contemporary shared-memory systems, with special emphasis on the newly released BBN Butterfly-II (TC2000), currently undergoing Beta test.     

Mechanism of the skeletal isomerisation of linear butenes over ferrierite: analysis of side reactions

An investigation of the effect of reaction conditions on product distribution in the skeletal isomerisation reaction of linear butenes has been carried out. The main reaction routes over ferrierite have been identified. Beside the main product isobutene, major by-product formation occurs. The unwanted reactions include dimerisation of butene to form octenes, hydrogen transfer yielding small amounts of saturated C₃ and C₄ hydrocarbons and disproportionation producing propene and pentenes. The most abundant by-products were pentene and propene, though these were not formed in equimolar amounts as could be expected. Oligomerisation experiments of propene over ferrierite produced large amounts of butene and pentene, revealing the presence of adsorbed nonene. The cracking of this surface species to hexene and propene is the most likely reaction route for the excess propene formation. This additional path to propene formation operates mainly at temperatures above 623 K.     

Simplified method for the measurement of segmental colonic transit time

Segmental colonic transit has been measured in 101 patients. Two MBq of 111Indium absorbed on resin pellets and encapsulated in an enteric coated capsule was given at 7 00 am. Hourly images during the first day, and three images during each subsequent day were acquired for up to three days. Using all scan and patient data the scans were categorised in one of the five patterns of colonic transit: normal, rapid, right delay, left delay, or generalised delay. The geometric centres and per cent activity at each time point was compared between the five groups of colonic transit patients to find the best time for imaging and so to distinguish the five groups. During the first day, early images did not help in diagnosis of patterns of transit, however, in the later images (six hours onwards after the ingestion of the activity) the rapid transit groups could be identified. Images at 27 and 51 hours were both required to distinguish all five groups of patients from each other. Only in the 'normal' transit patients was there some excretion of the activity during the course of the second day, otherwise there was no difference in the images taken in the course of a day (second or third day). A simplified protocol requires a minimum of three images to distinguish all five patterns of colonic transit. The activity should be ingested in the morning (7 00 am) and the first image taken at the end of the working day (8-10 hours after ingestion), the second image on the morning of the second day, and the third image during the course of the third day. This simple protocol would provide all the clinically relevant information necessary for correct classification of the colonic transit.     

Distributed memory systems for simulating artificial neural networks

In executing tasks involving intelligent information processing, the human brain performs better than the digital computer. The human brain derives its power from a large number [O(10¹¹)] of neurons which are interconnected by a dense interconnection network [O(10⁵) connections per neuron]. Artificial neural network (ANN) paradigms adopt the structure of the brain to try to emulate the intelligent information processing methods of the brain. ANN techniques are being employed to solve problems in areas such as pattern recognition, and robotic processing. Simulation of ANNs involves implementation of large number of neurons and a massive interconnection network. In this paper, we discuss various simulation models of ANNs and their implementation on distributed memory systems. Our investigations reveal that communication-efficient networks of distributed memory systems perform better than other topologies in implementing ANNs.     

An integrated modeling approach to predict flooding on urban basin.

Correct prediction of flood extents in urban catchments has become a challenging issue. The traditional urban drainage models that consider only the sewerage-network are able to simulate the drainage system correctly until there is no overflow from the network inlet or manhole. When such overflows exist due to insufficient drainage capacity of downstream pipes or channels, it becomes difficult to reproduce the actual flood extents using these traditional one-phase simulation techniques. On the other hand, the traditional 2D models that simulate the surface flooding resulting from rainfall and/or levee break do not consider the sewerage network. As a result, the correct flooding situation is rarely addressed from those available traditional 1D and 2D models. This paper presents an integrated model that simultaneously simulates the sewerage network, river network and 2D mesh network to get correct flood extents. The model has been successfully applied into the Tenpaku basin (Nagoya, Japan), which experienced severe flooding with a maximum flood depth more than 1.5 m on September 11, 2000 when heavy rainfall, 580 mm in 28 hrs (return period > 100 yr), occurred over the catchments. Close agreements between the simulated flood depths and observed data ensure that the present integrated modeling approach is able to reproduce the urban flooding situation accurately, which rarely can be obtained through the traditional 1D and 2D modeling approaches.