APGAN and RPMC: Complementary Heuristics for Translating DSP Block Diagrams into Efficient Software Implementations

Dataflow has proven to be an attractive computational model for graphical DSP design environments that support the automatic conversion of hierarchical signal flow diagrams into implementations on programmable processors. The synchronous dataflow (SDF) model is particularly well-suited to dataflow-based graphical programming because its restricted semantics offer strong formal properties and significant compile-time predictability, while capturing the behavior of a large class of important signal processing applications. When synthesizing software for embedded signal processing applications, critical constraints arise due to the limited amounts of memory. In this paper, we propose a solution to the problem of jointly optimizing the code and data size when converting SDF programs into software implementations.We consider two approaches. The first is a customization to acyclic graphs of a bottom-up technique, called pairwise grouping of adjacent nodes (PGAN), that was proposed earlier for general SDF graphs. We show that our customization to acyclic graphs significantly reduces the complexity of the general PGAN algorithm, and we present a formal study of our modified PGAN technique that rigorously establishes its optimality for a certain class of applications. The second approach that we consider is a top-down technique, based on a generalized minimum-cut operation, that was introduced recently in [14]. We present the results of an extensive experimental investigation on the performance of our modified PGAN technique and the top-down approach and on the trade-offs between them. Based on these results, we conclude that these two techniques complement each other, and thus, they should both be incorporated into SDF-based software implementation environments in which the minimization of memory requirements is important. We have implemented these algorithms in the Ptolemy software environment [5] at UC Berkeley.     

On the VLSI implementation of real-time order statistic filters

Real-time implementation of an order-statistic filter (OSF) or ranked order filter requires the computation of the order statistic (ranked order) of the samples in a window which gets periodically updated with the arrival of a new sample(s). The authors give an algorithm for the computation of the running order statistic. A highly parallel architecture suitable for VLSI implementation is presented. The architecture is very versatile, with programmable window size and rank order. An expansion algorithm and its VLSI architecture, which permit the usage of two r-bit OSFs to implement an (r+1)-bit OSF, where r is the resolution of the input signal samples, are given. In a special case where one is satisfied with at most one LSB error, the hardware complexity of the proposed architecture can be reduced by almost one half. It is further shown how a VLSI chip incorporating the proposed architecture can be used as the basic building block in the real-time implementation of other forms of nonlinear filters     

Thermal stratification in ribbed liquid hydrogen storage tanks

A significant decrease in the degree of thermal stratification is demonstrated by improvising transverse wall ribs on the inner cylindrical surfaces of large liquid hydrogen storage tanks. The ribbed surfaces are modeled as fins and a conjugate transient heat transfer problem is formulated for predicting flow currents and heat transfer. Turbulent Rayleigh numbers between 1.2×10¹²$1.2\times {10}^{12}$ and 6×10¹⁶$6\times {10}^{16}$ are considered. A stratification parameter based on the moment of energy is defined to quantify the degree of stratification and this parameter is seen to be about 30% lower for the ribbed tanks. The degree of stratification is not sensitive to changes in the ratio of the rib height to the spacing between the ribs. The transient free convection is shown to be characterized by the parameter Fo×Ra^0.15$\mathrm{Fo}\times {\mathrm{Ra}}^{0.15}$. The process of stratification takes place more slowly in the ribbed tanks than in smooth-walled tanks. The free convective heat transfer coefficient for tanks having ribbed surface is also seen to be significantly lower. Incorporation of ribs over the inner surface of the insulated tanks is demonstrated to offer a simple means of reducing the stratification and boil-off losses.     

Influence of Media Composition on the Production of alpha-Amylase and Amyloglucosidase by a Strain of Aspergillus niger

The nature of thermophilic amylolytic enzymes produced by a strain of Aspergillus niger Van Tieghem was influenced by media composition. While glucose, maltose, dextrin and soluble starch induced the production of amyloglucosidase, pectin and sodium polypectate almost exclusively induced the formation of α-amylase. Alkali ions suppressed the formation of amyloglucosidase. NH₄NO₃, (NH₄)₂HPO₄ and (NH₄)₂C₄H₄O₆ served as good inorganic nitrogen sources, while casein, groundnut protein and corn steep liquor served to a similar capacity as nitrogen sources from organic material. Deletion of the growth factors pyridoxine-hydrochloride and inositol suppressed enzyme production, while the absence of riboflavin had the opposite effect.     

HCFC22-based absorption cooling systems,part III: Effects of different absorbers and condenser temperatures

Generally in a vapour absorption refrigeration system (VARS) heat rejection temperatures at absorber (T_a) and condenser (T_c) are taken to be equal. However, different temperatures can exist when the cooling water flows in series through the two components. Under such situations, it is essential to know which of T_a and T_c has greater influence on the performance of the VARS. Here the influence of different T_a and T_c on the performance of a single-stage VARS working with HCFC22 as a refrigerant and three organic solvents, namely DMA, DMF and DEMTEG, as absorbents is studied. Results are obtained over a wide range of operating temperatures. To improve the performance of HCFC22-based VARS, results reveal that (i) the cooling water in parallel pipe connections should be used at low values of temperatures at evaporator, cooling water and heat source, and (ii) cooling water should first flow through condenser and then through the absorber when evaporator and heat source temperatures are high over the complete range of cooling water temperatures. COP_th is more sensitive to T_c than to T_a.     

Analysis of a novel metal hydride cycle for simultaneous heating and cooling

Out of the many promising applications of metal hydrides, refrigeration, heat pumping and heat transformation are important. In order to achieve improved performance, a novel three-alloy cycle is proposed in which, for heat input at an intermediate temperature, heat outputs at high temperature and also at warm temperature are obtained in addition to refrigeration. The performance of this cycle using the alloys LaNi_4.6Sn_0.4, LaNi_4.7Al_0.3 and MmNi_4.5Al_0.5 is studied based on thermodynamics and reaction kinetics. Coefficients of performance, half-cycle times and specific alloy outputs are evaluated.     

Quantification in positron emission mammography (PEM) with planardetectors: contrast resolution measurements using a custom breastphantom and novel spherical hot-spots

The authors have previously demonstrated that their Positron Emission Mammography-1 (PEM-1) system can successfully detect small (<2 cm diameter) tumors. Images in the current system are judged qualitatively for the presence of focal uptake of ¹⁸F-FDG. The authors are presently taking steps toward quantifying the emission images. To this end they have constructed a breast phantom and developed a novel technique for fabricating very small wall-less radioactive hot-spots. The hot-spots are made by adding ¹⁸F-FDG to a 25 mg/cc solution of Agarose in water. The heated solution is poured into spherical molds which are separated upon congealing to yield robust wall-less radioactive hot-spots. The hot-spots were uniform to within 1-5 parts in 100. Less than 0.1% of the total hot-spot activity leaked into the background in 30 minutes. Contrast resolution experiments have been performed with 12 mm and 16 mm diameter hot-spots in the breast phantom containing water with various amounts of background activity. In both cases, the observed contrast values agree well with the ideal values. In the case of the 12 mm hot-spot with a 350-650 keV energy window, image contrast differed from the ideal by an average of 11%. The image contrast for 12 mm hot-spot improved by 40% and the number of detected events decreased by 35% when the low energy threshold was increased from 300 keV to 450 keV     

Identification and characterization of a novel human aldose reductase-like gene

We have identified a novel human protein that is highly homologous to aldose reductase (AR). This protein, which we called ARL-1, consists of 316 amino acids, the same size as AR, and its amino acid sequence is 71% identical to that of AR. It is more closely related to the AR-like proteins such as mouse vas deferens protein, fibroblast growth factor-regulated protein, and Chinese hamster ovary reductase, with 81, 82, and 83%, respectively, of its amino acid sequence identical to the amino acid sequence of these proteins. The cDNA of ARL-1 was expressed in Escherichia coli to obtain recombinant protein for characterization of its enzymatic activities. For comparison, the cDNA of human AR was also expressed in E. coli and analyzed in parallel. These two enzymes differ in their pH optima and salt requirement, but they act on a similar spectrum of substrates. Similar to AR, ARL-1 can efficiently reduce aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, and it is less active on hexoses. While AR mRNA is found in most tissues studied, ARL-1 is primarily expressed in the small intestines and in the colon, with a low level of its mRNA in the liver. The ability of ARL-1 to reduce various aldehydes and the locations of expression of this gene suggest that it may be responsible for detoxification of reactive aldehydes in the digested food before the nutrients are passed on to other organs. Interestingly, ARL-1 and AR are overexpressed in some liver cancers, but it is not clear if they contribute to the pathogenesis of this disease.     

Detection and characterization of the electron paramagnetic resonance-silent glutathionyl-5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide adduct derived from redox cycling of phenoxyl radicals in model systems and HL-60 cells

Rapidly growing knowledge about the nature and behaviour of breast cancer has led to many treatment modalities. Consequently, the possibilities of individualizing the treatment of breast cancer increase. The major tool for the determination of an optimal treatment plan is the estimation of the extent of the disease: in other words, staging. As a consequence, together with the expected result of the treatment, the stage of the disease gives information on the prognosis of the patient. Current staging systems insufficiently describe the clinically important features of breast cancer with respect to management and outcome: local and regional extent, invasiveness, aggressiveness, the state of dissemination, and the effectiveness of different treatment modalities. For staging of the local and regional extent, histology plays a prominent role and should be incorporated in future staging systems. Histological workup therefore needs standardisation. Histological parameters as tumour size, grade, nodal status, and vascular invasion are also the most important prognostic factors. Many so-called biological prognostic factors are related to the invasiveness and aggressiveness (metastatic potential) of the tumour, and therefore to the prognosis of the patient. However, these factors do not necessarily predict the effectiveness of certain systemic treatments. Only if the biological foundation of a prognostic factor is completely clarified can treatment be based on this knowledge, and the factor will become a predictor for the treatment effect. Many "biological" prognostic factors do not fulfil this main criterion and are therefore not useful for clinical decision making. A clinically useful staging system covers three primary aims: (1) to guide locoregional treatment, (2) to prognosticate the chance of survival, and (3) to indicate who needs what kind of adjuvant treatment. For the conception of a new staging system the following steps should be taken: standardization of all aspects of histology, identification of regional nodal involvement, and validation of prognostic factors with respect to their predictive value to treatment outcome.