Approximate similarity search for online multimedia services on distributed CPU–GPU platforms

Similarity search in high-dimensional spaces is a pivotal operation for several database applications, including online content-based multimedia services. With the increasing popularity of multimedia applications, these services are facing new challenges regarding (1) the very large and growing volumes of data to be indexed/searched and (2) the necessity of reducing the response times as observed by end-users. In addition, the nature of the interactions between users and online services creates fluctuating query request rates throughout execution, which requires a similarity search engine to adapt to better use the computation platform and minimize response times. In this work, we address these challenges with Hypercurves, a flexible framework for answering approximate k-nearest neighbor (kNN) queries for very large multimedia databases. Hypercurves executes in hybrid CPU–GPU environments and is able to attain massive query-processing rates through the cooperative use of these devices. Hypercurves also changes its CPU–GPU task partitioning dynamically according to the observed load, aiming for optimal response times. In our empirical evaluation, dynamic task partitioning reduced query response times by approximately 50 % compared to the best static task partition. Due to a probabilistic proof of equivalence to the sequential kNN algorithm, the CPU–GPU execution of Hypercurves in distributed (multi-node) environments can be aggressively optimized, attaining superlinear scalability while still guaranteeing, with high probability, results at least as good as those from the sequential algorithm.     

Very long chain PUFA in murine testicular triglycerides and cholesterol esters

Very long chain (VLC) PUFA of the n−6 and n−3 series are known to occur in mammalian testis. The aim of this work was to characterize further two testicular lipid classes with VLCPUFA, cholesterol esters (CE) and total triglycerides (TG) in rat and mouse testis. The VLCPUFA predominating in these lipids were a series of n−6 pentaenes and tetraenes with 24 to 32 carbons, including small amounts of odd-chain PUFA, 28∶5n−6 and 24∶5n−6 prevailing in CE and TG, respectively. Most of the VLCPUFA of TG were concentrated in a small fraction of TG, made up by 1-O-alkyl-2,3-DAG. This TG subclass was absent altogether from the TG of sexually immature testis. The TG and the CE with VLCPUFA only occurred in testis of adult fertile animals. The proportion of VLCPUFA in total TG and CE was higher in rodents than in other mammals. In the n−6 PUFA-rich adult mouse testis, the amounts of testicular triacylglycerols decreased significantly after consumption of fish oil for 2 wk. Whereas 18∶2n−6 was significantly reduced, the amounts of 22∶5n−6 and longer n−6 PUFA were less affected in all mamor testicular lipids including PC and PE, where they were unchanged. The 1-O-alkyl-2,3-DAG and their n−6 VLCPUFA were virtually unaffected by the diet. The VLCPUFA-containing molecular species of CE and TG may represent a form of storage of cholesterol and polyenoic FA required to sustain spermatogenesis. Via chain-shortening, VLCPUFA stored in the neutral lipids may serve as precursors of the major C₂₂ PUFA typical of cell membrane glycerophospholipids, protecting testicular cells against shifts in FA composition induced by dietary changes.     

Effect of elemental sulfur in the crosslinking reaction of poly(vinyl chloride) with tetramethyl thiuram disulfide

The effect of elemental sulfur (S₈) and tetramethyl thiuram disulfide (TMTD) on the chemical crosslinking of PVC is studied. The tensile strength, elongation at break, and gel content of crosslinked and uncrosslinked PVC molded samples, cured at different times in hot air, are evaluated. It was found that crosslinking PVC with TMTD improves its mechanical properties, and adding S₈ produces a slight improvement. Also, the S₈ presence accelerated the PVC/TMTD crosslinking reaction when the crosslinking reaction was carried out under shear forces, but not when the curing was done in hot air, where the S₈ retards the process.     

XPS Characterization of reduced LaCoO3 perovskite

Three samples of LaCoO₃ were prepared by two different methods and calcined at 800 or 1000 °C. They had BET areas of 1, 12, and 16 m²/g and all of them showed pure perovskite X-ray diffraction patterns with identical unit cell dimensions. In a series of experiments the oxide, having larger surface area, was stepwise reduced in hydrogen at temperatures between 60 and 500 °C. The XPS spectra, taken at room temperature after evacuation at 400 °C at each reduction level, showed that the surface concentration of Co° was very low up to 300 °C but increased sharply between 300 and 350 °C (9–75%). This concentration further increased to 100% after 10 min reduction at 450 °C, but upon heating in hydrogen for an additional 10 min at 500 °C it decreased again to 75%. In another series of experiments the mixed oxide was reoxidized after each reduction. A fresh sample was reduced to 350 and 400 °C by contacting with hydrogen for 1 hr and evacuated at temperatures between 400 and 500 °C. Both high evacuation temperatures and reduction at 400 °C during 1 hr produced a sharp decrease in Co° surface concentration. These results are consistent with the catalytic behavior of this perovskite reported earlier by E. A. Lombardo et al. (4–7). A model is proposed to interpret the reduction of LaCoO₃.     

Influence of different reactor types on Nannochloropsis oculata microalgae culture for lipids and fatty acid production

Greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere by burning of fossil fuels cause global warming. One option is obtaining biodiesel. Nannochloropsis oculata was cultured under different light intensities and reactors at 25°C for 21 days with f/2 medium to assess their effects on cell density, lipid, and fatty acids (FAs). N. oculata improved cell density on fed-batch glass tubular reactor (7 L) at 200 μmol E m⁻² s⁻¹, yielding 3.5 × 10⁸ cells ml⁻¹, followed by fed-batch Erlenmeyer flask (1 L) at 650 μmol E m⁻² s⁻¹ with 1.7 × 10⁸ cells ml⁻¹. The highest total lipid contents (% g lipid × g dry biomass⁻¹) were 44.4 ± 0.8% for the reactor (1 L) at 650 μmol E m⁻² s⁻¹ and 35.2 ± 0.2% for the tubular reactor (7 L) at 200 μmol E m⁻² s⁻¹, until twice as high compared with the control culture (Erlenmeyer flask 1 L, 80 μmol E m⁻² s⁻¹) with 21.2 ± 1%. Comparing the total lipid content at 200 μmol E m⁻² s⁻¹, tubular reactor (7 L) and reactor 1 L achieved 35.2 ± 0.2% and 28.3 ± 1%, respectively, indicating the effect of shape reactor. The FAs were affected by high light intensity, decreasing SFAs to 2.5%, and increased monounsaturated fatty acids + polyunsaturated fatty acids to 2.5%. PUFAs (20:5n-3) and (20:4n-3) were affected by reactor shape, decreasing by half in the tubular reactor. In the best culture, fed-batch tubular reactor (7 L) at 200 μmol E m⁻² s⁻¹ contains major FAs (16:0; 38.06 ± 0.16%), (16:1n-7; 30.74 ± 0.58%), and (18:1n-9; 17.15 ± 0.91%).     

Aramid pulp treated with imidazolium ionic liquids as a filler in rigid polyurethane bio-foams

This article reports an aramid pulp (AP) treated with two ionic liquids (IL), namely 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (C₄.Cl) and 1-carboxymethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (HO₂C), and its use as a filler in reinforced rigid polyurethane foams (RPUF). The RPUF were incorporated with the treated AP at three weight fractions (c.a. 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 wt%) and were produced by the free rising method. The results showed that the studied IL promoted a better interaction between the AP and the RPUF system, which increased the overall reactivity, imparting a higher cell anisotropy. This also yielded a positive effect in mechanical properties and thermal stability of the RPUF. Compared to the neat RPUF, outstanding increases of approximately 50 and 20% were achieved in compressive modulus and strength, respectively. In all, the use of IL promoted increased compatibility between matrix and reinforcement, especially that HO₂C IL.     

Analysis of surface integrity for minimum quantity lubricant—MQL in grinding

The quality of machined components is currently of high interest, for the market demands mechanical components of increasingly high performance, not only from the standpoint of functionality but also from that of safety. Components produced through operations involving the removal of material display surface irregularities resulting not only from the action of the tool itself, but also from other factors that contribute to their superficial texture. This texture can exert a decisive influence on the application and performance of the machined component. This article analyzes the behavior of the minimum quantity lubricant (MQL) technique and compares it with the conventional cooling method. To this end, an optimized fluid application method was devised using a specially designed nozzle, by the authors, through which a minimum amount of oil is sprayed in a compressed air flow, thus meeting environmental requirements. This paper, therefore, explores and discusses the concept of the MQL in the grinding process. The performance of the MQL technique in the grinding process was evaluated based on an analysis of the surface integrity (roughness, residual stress, microstructure and microhardness). The results presented here are expected to lead to technological and ecological gains in the grinding process using MQL.     

Optimizing the use of dry cutting in rough turning steel operations

The main objective of using cutting fluids in machining operations is the reduction of temperature in the cutting region to increase tool life. However, the advantages offered by cutting fluids have been strongly debated because of their negative effects on the economic aspect, the environment and the health of workers using them. A trend to solve these problems is cutting without fluid, a method named dry cutting, which has been made possible due to technological innovations. This work aims to seek conditions in which dry cutting is satisfactory compared with the flood of fluid (called here wet cutting) usually used. Aiming at this goal, several experiments were carried out varying parameters such as cutting speed, feed, depth of cut and tool material in rough turning of ABNT 1045 steel in dry and wet cutting. The analysis of the results showed that wet turning is, as expected, better for tool life. The second conclusion is that dry cutting cannot be used with large depth of cut. But the main conclusion is that, if the tool material is changed to a more wear resistant one, dry cutting can be used with results very similar to those obtained with a flood of fluid.     

Output feedback of Markov jump linear systems with no mode observation: An automotive throttle application

The note presents an output feedback control strategy for Markov jump linear systems with no mode observation. Based on minimizing a finite‐time quadratic cost, we derive an algorithm that generates output feedback gains that satisfy a necessary optimality condition. These gains can be computed off‐line relying only on the initial condition of the system. This result expands a previous one from the literature that considered state‐feedback only. To illustrate the usefulness of the approach, real‐time laboratory experiments were performed to control an automotive electronic throttle valve subject to Markov‐driven voltage fluctuations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.