A Mapping Framework Based on Packing for Design Space Exploration of Heterogeneous MPSoCs

The computational demand of signal processing algorithms is rising continuously. Heterogeneous embedded multiprocessor systems-on-chips are one solution to satisfy this demand. But to be able to take advantage of these systems, new strategies are required to map applications to such a system and to evaluate the systems performance at a very early design stage. We will present a framework for static, analytical, bottom-up temporal and spatial mapping of applications to MPSoCs based on packing. This mapping framework allows easy performance evaluation and design space exploration of heterogeneous systems on chip.

A “proton pump” concept for the investigation of proton transport and anode kinetics in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

A novel concept for the measurement of proton transport properties and electrode kinetics in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) is presented. The “proton pump” is essentially a fuel cell operated with pure nitrogen or very low hydrogen partial pressure instead of oxygen-containing gas on the cathode side, avoiding the complicated electrode kinetics of oxygen reduction. In this first study using this concept, we investigated the proton transport in high temperature PEMFC based on polybenzimidazole (PBI)/phosphoric acid membranes. The impedance spectra of the proton pump allow the clear distinction between anode and cathode kinetics and proton transport in the membrane. Identifying and analyzing the contribution of the anodic processes in the impedance spectra enabled the quantitative investigation of anode kinetics based on the Butler-Volmer equation. The proton transport was investigated in more detail in the current saturation region, where proton transport turned out to be the limiting process in case of sufficient H₂ supply at the anode. The maximum proton transport capacity of the PBI/phosphoric acid membrane was found to be comparable to those of Nafion^® membranes.     

Hochleistungsleichtbeton unter mehraxialer Druckbeanspruchung

An vielen Stellen im Tragwerk herrschen mehraxiale Spannungszustände. Ob sich die Tragfähigkeit von Hochleistungsleichtbetonen unter mehraxialer Druckbeanspruchung ebenso erhöht wie bei Normalbetonen, wurde in zwei‐ und dreiaxialen Tests untersucht. Es wurde ein Bruchkriterium für Leichtbetone abgeleitet und Parallelen und Unterschiede zu Normalbeton aufgezeigt. High Performance Lightweight Aggregate Concrete under Multiaxial Compression There are multiaxial stress conditions at many points in a structure. Whether the strength of high performance lightweight concrete under multiaxial compression increases as well as the strength of normal concrete, was verified in bi‐ and triaxial tests. A failure criterion for lightweight concrete was derived and analogies and differences to normal oncrete were pointed out.     

Expression of Connexin43 Stimulates Endothelial Angiogenesis Independently of Gap Junctional Communication In Vitro

Connexins (Cx) form gap junctions (GJ) and allow for intercellular communication. However, these proteins also modulate gene expression, growth, and cell migration. The downregulation of Cx43 impairs endothelial cell migration and angiogenetic potential. Conversely, endothelial Cx43 expression is upregulated in an in vivo angiogenesis model relying on hemodynamic forces. We studied the effects of Cx43 expression on tube formation and proliferation in HUVECs and examined its dependency on GJ communication. Expectedly, intercellular communication assessed by dye transfer was linked to Cx43 expression levels in HUVECs and was sensitive to a GJ blockade by the Cx43 mimetic peptide Gap27. The proliferation of HUVECs was not affected by Cx43 overexpression using Cx43 cDNA transfection, siRNA-mediated knockdown of Cx43, or the inhibition of GJ compared to the controls (transfection of an empty vector, scrambled siRNA, and the solvent). In contrast, endothelial tube and sprout formation in HUVECs was minimized after Cx43 knockdown and significantly enhanced after Cx43 overexpression. This was not affected by a GJ blockade (Gap27). We conclude that Cx43 expression positively modulates the angiogenic potential of endothelial cells independent of GJ communication. Since proliferation remained unaffected, we suggest that Cx43 protein may modulate endothelial cell migration, thereby supporting angiogenesis. The modulation of Cx43 expression may represent an exploitable principle for angiogenesis induction in clinical therapy.     

Hygrothermische Wirkungen von Raum‐ und Außenoberflächen

The hygrothermal effect of inside and outside building envelope surfaces. In the past the protection of building constructions under outdoor and indoor climate conditions was one of the most important subjects building physics. Nowadays the energy balance and the hygrothermal performance of building envelopes are current topics. This paper deals with the coupled heat and moisture transfer on the internal and external envelope surfaces. By means of numerical simulation and laboratory investigation the influence of the internal surface of exterior walls on the indoor air humidity is demonstrated. The influence of evaporation cooling on the energy transfer in winter time and during the warm season requires investigations on dewing and driving. It depends on the hygroscopic parameters of the outside wall coating. The effect of infrared reflecting coating is determined. It is shown in which way heat sources integrated in exterior walls could be a possibility to avoid microbiological growth on building envelopes.     

Mechanical transfer of electrochemically grown molybdenum sulfide layers to silicon wafer

Journal of Applied Electrochemistry - Large area MoS2 ultra-thin film deposition is one of the big challenges in the recent years. Electrodeposition provides an opportunity to grow such ultra-thin...     

MidDRIFTS-PLSR-based quantification of physico-chemical soil properties across two agroecological zones in Southwest Germany: generic independent validation surpasses region specific cross-validation

Development of spectroscopic prediction models via partial least squares regression (PLSR) suggests that model performance is highly affected by means of calibration and nature of the dataset. This study compares the predictive performance of PLSR models obtained by cross-validation and independent validation to quantify physico-chemical soil properties from their mid-infrared diffuse reflectance Fourier transform spectra (midDRIFTS) across two contrasting regions, Kraichgau (K) and Swabian Alb (SA), in Southwest Germany. We evaluated the capability of midDRIFTS-PLSR models for predicting total carbon (TC), organic carbon (TOC), inorganic carbon (TIC), nitrogen (TN), mineral N (N_min), C:N ratio, hot water extractable C and N (C_HWE, N_HWE), microbial biomass C and N (C_mic, N_mic), pH, bulk density, and clay, silt and sand contents of 126 soil samples. Based on calibrated models, most soil properties were predicted successfully using either calibration approach with residual prediction deviations ≥3 and R² > 0.9, except for N_min, C/N ratio, pH, bulk density and sand. However, predictive performance of generic independent validation derived models (GIC) of test set was considerably higher than generic cross-validation models. Validation using GIC models gave relatively the same predictive performance with those obtained in calibration except for N_min. Validation of region specific cross-validated models, however, resulted in successful predictions only for TC, TIC, TOC and TN in SA and TC and TIC and TOC in K. Our results show the superiority of independent validation over both generic and region specific cross-validation as a robust tool for predicting soil properties without further laboratory measurements.     

Influence of pressure and dwell time on pressure-assisted sintering of calcium cobaltite

Calcium cobaltite Ca₃Co₄O₉, abbreviated Co349, is a promising thermoelectric material for high-temperature applications in air. Its anisotropic properties can be assigned to polycrystalline parts by texturing. Tape casting and pressure-assisted sintering (PAS) are a possible future way for a cost-effective mass-production of thermoelectric generators. This study examines the influence of pressure and dwell time during PAS at 900°C of tape-cast Co349 on texture and thermoelectric properties. Tape casting aligns lentoid Co349. PAS results in a textured Co349 microstructure with the thermoelectrically favorable ab-direction perpendicular to the pressing direction. By pressure variation during sintering, the microstructure of Co349 can be tailored either toward a maximum figure of merit as required for energy harvesting or toward a maximum power factor as required for energy harvesting. Moderate pressure of 2.5 MPa results in 25% porosity and a textured microstructure with a figure of merit of 0.13 at 700°C, two times higher than the dry-pressed, pressureless-sintered reference. A pressure of 7.5 MPa leads to 94% density and a high power factor of 326 µW/mK² at 800°C, which is 11 times higher than the dry-pressed reference (30 MPa) from the same powder.     

Design,Synthesis, and Characterization of Macrocyclic Inhibitors of the Proprotein Convertase Furin

The activation of viral glycoproteins by the host protease furin is an essential step in the replication of numerous pathogenic viruses. Thus, effective inhibitors of furin could serve as broad-spectrum antiviral drugs. A crystal structure of an inhibitory hexapeptide derivative in complex with furin served as template for the rational design of various types of new cyclic inhibitors. Most of the prepared derivatives are relatively potent furin inhibitors with inhibition constants in the low nanomolar or even sub-nanomolar range. For seven derivatives the crystal structures in complex with furin could be determined. In three complexes, electron density was found for the entire inhibitor. In the other cases the structures could be determined only for the P6/P5-P1 segments, which directly interact with furin. The cyclic derivatives together with two non-cyclic reference compounds were tested as inhibitors of the proteolytic activation and replication of respiratory syncytial virus in cells. Significant antiviral activity was found for both linear reference inhibitors, whereas a negligible efficacy was determined for the cyclic derivatives.     

Untersuchung und Klassifikation der Fahreraufmerksamkeit bei längerer partiell automatisierter Fahrt

Forschung im Ingenieurwesen - Um die Unfallzahlen weiter zu senken, schreibt die Europäische Union ab 2030 eine höhere Fahrerüberwachung für neue Fahrzeuge vor. Bislang liegt...