ACOTES Project: Advanced Compiler Technologies for Embedded Streaming

Streaming applications are built of data-driven, computational components, consuming and producing unbounded data streams. Streaming oriented systems have become dominant in a wide range of domains, including embedded applications and DSPs. However, programming efficiently for streaming architectures is a challenging task, having to carefully partition the computation and map it to processes in a way that best matches the underlying streaming architecture, taking into account the distributed resources (memory, processing, real-time requirements) and communication overheads (processing and delay). These challenges have led to a number of suggested solutions, whose goal is to improve the programmer??s productivity in developing applications that process massive streams of data on programmable, parallel embedded architectures. StreamIt is one such example. Another more recent approach is that developed by the ACOTES project (Advanced Compiler Technologies for Embedded Streaming). The ACOTES approach for streaming applications consists of compiler-assisted mapping of streaming tasks to highly parallel systems in order to maximize cost-effectiveness, both in terms of energy and in terms of design effort. The analysis and transformation techniques automate large parts of the partitioning and mapping process, based on the properties of the application domain, on the quantitative information about the target systems, and on programmer directives. This paper presents the outcomes of the ACOTES project, a 3-year collaborative work of industrial (NXP, ST, IBM, Silicon Hive, NOKIA) and academic (UPC, INRIA, MINES ParisTech) partners, and advocates the use of Advanced Compiler Technologies that we developed to support Embedded Streaming.     

Effect of dietary mixture of gallic acid and linoleic acid on antioxidative potential and quality of breast meat from broilers

The effect of dietary mixture of gallic acid and linoleic acid (MGL) on the antioxidative potential and quality of breast meat from broilers was investigated. Broilers during the 22–36 days on trial received 3 dietary treatments: 1) control (commercial finisher diet), 2) 0.5% MGL (gallic acid:linoleic acid = 1 M:1 M), and 3) 1.0% MGL. The feed efficiency, DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS⁺ reducing activity, reducing power, TBARS, and total phenolic content in the breast from the broilers improved significantly by 1.0% MGL dietary treatment. Arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids were higher in the broilers fed both levels of MGL diets. In addition, water holding capacity of the breast was enhanced by the 1.0% dietary MGL treatment and was accompanied by a slight antimicrobial activity (1 decimal reduction) during storage. In conclusion, 1.0% dietary supplementation with MGL can improve the antioxidative potential, and nutritional and functional qualities of broiler breast meat.     

Electroless formation of conductive polymer-metal nanostructured composites at boundary of two immiscible solvents. Morphology and properties

Formation of polypyrrole (PPy) with metallic inclusions was carried out at the interface between the aqueous phase containing an oxidizer and an organic solution of the monomer. A variety of the polymer-metal composites were obtained in the system. When the oxidizers were silver- and gold salts the obtained material contained from 4 to 9 at.% of metal. In the case of Ag⁺ oxidant the structure of the metallic silver objects varied and included beads and ultra thin wires covered by polymer film, nanocrystals, micrometer cuboid monocrystals and microplates. Metallic gold practically appeared only in one structure—granules. The granules of Au incorporated into PPy were porous and made of very fine flat crystals of thickness in the nanometer range. The use of copper salts never led to the formation of metallic species in the composite. The influence of selected process parameters such as temperature and concentration of the reactants on the polymerization reaction was investigated. The composites with metallic nanoobjects were found to be better catalysts for the electrooxidation of ascorbic acids compared to pure polypyrrole. SEM, X-ray diffractometry, Raman spectroscopy and voltammetry were used in the investigation.     

Texture and other changes during storage in model high-protein nutrition bars formulated with modified milk protein concentrates

Extruded or toasted milk protein concentrate with approximately 80 g protein per 100 g were incorporated into model high-protein nutrition bars formulated at 30 g protein per 100 g. The model high-protein nutrition bars also contained other constituents, including glycerol, palm kernel stearin, sugar alcohol syrup, and high-fructose corn syrup, to mimic commercial high-protein nutrition bars. The bars were stored at room temperature (∼22 °C), 32 °C, or 42 °C for up to 42 days. Texture, water activity, and color were measured periodically over the storage period. High-protein nutrition bars formulated with unmodified milk protein concentrate served as the control and maintained similar texture to those high-protein bars formulated with toasted milk protein concentrate. High-protein nutrition bars prepared with milk protein concentrate extruded at 65 °C were significantly softer than the control. Significant differences in hardness and fracturability between high-protein nutrition bars formulated with milk protein concentrate extruded at 120 °C and the control were intermittent over the storage period. Water activity of the high-protein nutrition bars increased slightly during storage, but remained less than 0.65, which assured shelf stability. Surface color change was minimal at 22 °C storage, but increased at 32 °C and 42 °C.     

New type of sorption composite for chemical heat pump and refrigeration systems

This paper describes new type of solid sorption composite based on expanded graphite (EXG) and carbon fibers (CF). Process of production (including preparation of the components and molding) of the composite, as well as measurements of its heat transfer coefficient has been presented. Introduction of carbon fibers allowed to obtain thermal conductivity λ of about 13–15 W/mK in comparison to 6.5–9.2 W/mK for expanded graphite based only composites described in available literature. Thermal conductivity of the composite has been measured in cryostat using the axial stationary heat flow method. Temperature profiles for various thermal conductivities (ranging 0.3–16 W/mK) were numerically calculated and compared.The composite has been introduced in experimental single stage sorption heat pump system using CaCl₂ – NH₃ as working pair.     

Application of nitroso-R-salt in modification of strongly basic anion-exchangers Amberlite IRA-402 and Amberlite IRA-958

The batch method was applied in order to determine the influence of phase contact time, solution pH and temperature as well as HCl concentration on nitroso-R-salt (NRS) deposition on the strongly basic anion-exchangers Amberlite IRA-402 and Amberlite IRA-958. The equilibrium sorption of NRS from 1 × 10^− 4 mol/dm³ solution was achieved after 60 min. The amount of NRS adsorbed decreased with increasing hydrochloric acid concentration. A significant increase of NRS uptake is observed with the increase of initial solution pH up to 3 for Amberlite IRA-402. Amberlite IRA-402 and Amberlite IRA-958 in chloride form as well as modified by means of NRS were used for recovery of Pd(II) ions from 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mol/dm³ HCl solutions.The studied anion-exchangers in NRS form as far as their application in removal of Pd(II) chlorocomplexes is concerned can be presented in the order: Amberlite IRA-402 > Amberlite IRA-958.     

Effect of liquid circulation in the draft-tube reactor on precipitation of calcium carbonate via carbonation

Precipitation of calcium carbonate was carried out in a draft-tube reactor by mechanical agitation of calcium hydroxide solution with carbon dioxide. The circulation of a reactive mixture was created by gas flow and a stirrer. It was observed that a higher circulation decreased the precipitation time and improved CO₂ consumption. A higher circulation velocity of liquid contributed to smaller calcium carbonate particles at the end of precipitation.     

Multi-Wedge Cross Rolling of Balls

The multi-wedge cross rolling process of forming balls is described. The process tool for rolling 8 balls with a diameter of 35 mm is presented. The course of the rolling process, distributions of forming forces as well as maps of effective strain and temperature in the obtained balls are presented by finite element modeling (FEM). Experimental tests of simultaneous forming of 4 balls with a diameter of 22 mm conducted in laboratory conditions at Lublin University of Technology have proved that the balls obtained in multi-wedge cross rolling are of good quality and can therefore be used in both ball mills and rolling bearings.     

River Floods in the Changing Climate—Observations and Projections

River flood damages, worldwide, have increased dynamically in the last few decades, so that it is necessary to interpret this change. River flooding is a complex phenomenon which can be affected by changes coupled to terrestrial, socio-economic and climate systems. The climate track in the observed changes is likely, even if human encroaching into the harm’s way and increase in the damage potential in floodplains can be the dominating factors in many river basins. Increase in intense precipitation has already been observed, with consequences to increasing risk of rain-induced flooding. Projections for the future, based on climate model simulations, indicate increase of flood risks in many areas, globally. Over large areas, a 100-year flood in the control period is projected to become much more frequent in the future time horizon. Despite the fact that the degree of uncertainty in model-based projections is considerable and difficult to quantify, the change in design flood frequency has obvious relevance to flood risk management practice. The number of flood-affected people is projected to increase with the amount of warming. For a 4°C warming the number of flood-affected people is over 2.5 times higher than for a 2°C warming. The present contribution addresses the climate track in an integrated way, tackling issues related to multiple factors, change detection, projections, and adaptation to floods.