Experiences in autotuning matrix multiplication for energy minimization on GPUs

In this paper, we report extensive results and analysis of autotuning the computationally intensive graphics processing units kernel for dense matrix–matrix multiplication in double precision. In contrast to traditional autotuning and/or optimization for runtime performance only, we also take the energy efficiency into account. For kernels achieving equal performance, we show significant differences in their energy balance. We also identify the memory throughput as the most influential metric that trades off performance and energy efficiency. As a result, the performance optimal case ends up not being the most efficient kernel in overall resource use. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rapid rotating-disk-electrode evaluation of catalyst performance and durability during transient conditions: The Pt–Hf binary system

A comprehensive set of rotating disk electrode (RDE) tests has been developed to test the suitability of fuel cell catalyst candidates for use as either anode or cathode catalysts for transient conditions. The activity for Hydrogen Oxidation reaction (HOR), Oxygen Reduction reaction (ORR) and Oxygen Evolution reaction (OER) is tested together in one protocol. A total of 5 Pine Instruments RRDE test stations have been set up with automatic gas flow switching and computer software to control all aspects of the data collection process. The user simply sets up the electrochemical cell with a gas bubbler, reference electrode, counter electrode and sample and then selects a series of tests to be run. The software then switches gas flow, rotation rates and potentiostat set up files automatically. This infrastructure allows the rapid characterization of catalyst candidate materials. The series of tests is described, along with the purpose of each test in the protocol. As an example, the data collected from a Pt_1−xHf_x composition spread is presented. The optimal composition is found to be approximately 30 at.% Hf, when the ORR performance begins to decrease at a faster rate than the HOR performance and the OER current at 1300 mV is also a maximum. However, it was determined that from an applied point of view the drop in ORR performance was insufficient to adequately protect the cathode from the effects of the transient potentials during start-up of the fuel cell.     

Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Induce Fibrosis and Telomere Length Alterations

Telomere shortening can result in cellular senescence and in increased level of genome instability, which are key events in numerous of cancer types. Despite this, few studies have focused on the effect of nanomaterial exposure on telomere length as a possible mechanism involved in nanomaterial-induced carcinogenesis. In this study, effects of exposure to multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) on telomere length were investigated in mice exposed by intrapleural injection, as well as in human lung epithelial and mesothelial cell lines. In addition, cell cycle, apoptosis, and regulation of genes involved in DNA damage repair were assessed. Exposure to MWCNT led to severe fibrosis, infiltration of inflammatory cells in pleura, and mesothelial cell hyperplasia. These histological alterations were accompanied by deregulation of genes involved in fibrosis and immune cell recruitment, as well as a significant shortening of telomeres in the pleura and the lung. Assessment of key carcinogenic mechanisms in vitro confirmed that long-term exposure to the long MWCNT led to a prominent telomere shortening in epithelial cells, which coincided with G1-phase arrest and enhanced apoptosis. Altogether, our data show that telomere shortening resulting in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis may be an important mechanism in long MWCNT-induced inflammation and fibrosis.     

Queueing Systems with Stochastic Time out

In this paper, formulas are derived for queueing systems where the delayed customers are controlled by a stochastic time out, i.e., the delays are limited by a timeTthat is drawn from a general probability distribution. Formulas are also worked out for the case of a limitation of the time spent in the total system (queue + servers). In order to simplify numerical calculations, an approximate method is worked out and numerical examples are shown.     

Kinetics of the thermal decomposition of H2Se

We have found that H₂Se decomposes by a homogeneous gas-phase reaction between 673 and 748 K and 70 and 630 Torr. The reaction reaches equilibrium in approximately 200 min at 673 K and 5 min at 748 K, with ～65% of the H₂Se decomposed. The reaction order is near unity at 630 Torr but gradually increases with decreasing pressure. We have measured an activation energy of 46.4 ± 0.1 kcal/mol and an A-factor of 3.8 × 10¹⁰ in the first-order region.     

Coating of polyurethane scaffolds with collagen: comparison of coating and cross-linking techniques

Collagen has been coated successfully onto numerous hydrophilic polymer scaffolds to improve cell adhesion. Due to the hydrophobic nature of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), coating with aqueous collagen solution is problematic for such scaffolds. This study facilitated the coating of TPU with collagen and compared cross-linking and coating techniques. Three different cross-linking methods were compared. Both thermal and glutaraldehyde methods showed proof of cross-linking; however glutaraldehyde seemed to be superior to the other methods. The use of human urine as a wetting agent and the chemical glutaraldehyde had no effect on a cytotoxicity test performed by means of a WST-1 assay with a fibroblastic cell line. Three different coating techniques for porous TPU scaffolds were also investigated: ultrasound, pressurized air and injection. Of these, injection performed best. This method facilitated a coating of 100% of the porous scaffolds examined, which was verified by staining, FTIR and SEM.