Harold L. Mitchell 65 Jahre

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Whither volition?

Argues that G. S. Howard and C. G. Conway (see record 1987-07162-001) have not achieved their aim of demonstrating a new methodology for elucidating the nature and effects of volition but have remained prisoners of the philosophy of determinant science. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Performance optimisation strategies for automatically generated FPGA accelerators for biomedical models

Biomedical modelling that is mathematically described by ordinary differential equations (ODEs) is often one of the most computationally intensive parts of simulations. With high inherent parallelism, hardware acceleration based on field programmable gate array has great potential to increase the computational performance of the ODE model integration while being very power efficient. ODE‐based Domain‐specific Synthesis Tool is a tool we proposed previously to automatically generate the complete hardware/software co‐design framework for computing biomedical models based on CellML. Although it provides remarkable performance improvement and high energy efficiency compared with CPUs and GPUs, there is still a great potential for optimisation. In this paper, we investigate a set of optimisation strategies including compiler optimisation, resource fitting and balancing, and multiple pipelines. They all have in common that they can be performed automatically and hence can be integrated in our domain‐specific high level synthesis tool. We evaluate the optimised hardware accelerator modules generated by ODE‐based Domain‐specific Synthesis Tool on real hardware based on their resource usage, processing speed and power consumption. The results are compared with single threaded and multi‐core CPUs with/without Streaming SIMD Extension (SSE) optimisation and a graphics card. The results show that the proposed optimisation strategies provide significant performance improvement and result in even more energy‐efficient hardware accelerator modules. Furthermore, the resources of the target field programmable gate array device can be more efficiently utilised in order to fit larger biomedical models than before. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Gradientenbetontechnologie

The technology of graded concrete – From the development of concrete mixtures and the conceptual design to the automatized manufacturing In accordance with the principle form follows force, the DFG Priority Programme (SPP) 1542 – Leicht Bauen mit Beton – focuses on energy efficient building elements which are designed specifically for desired operational demands. This concept is a specific adaption of the component's inner structure and works in parallel to the optimization of its outer shape which is often limited due to the outer geometry of slabs, walls and supporting pillars. The technology of graded concrete provides an innovative possibility to adapt the inner structure of a concrete component in order to meet defined static and structural‐physical requirements. The challenging demands imposed by the technology of graded concrete require a holistic approach including the development of the concrete mixtures, the design of the building components and finally the automatized manufacturing. In collaboration between the departments ILEK, IWB and ISYS of the University of Stuttgart a complete process chain for the manufacturing of functionally graded concrete components was realized. This approach for concrete results in fully recyclable building elements with significant savings in mass and energy.     

Transformation of CH4 and liquid fuels into syngas on monolithic catalysts

Active components comprised of fluorite-like Ln_x(Ce_0.5Zr_0.5)_1−xO_2−y (Ln = La, Pr, Sm) and perovskite-like La_0.8Pr_0.2Mn_0.2Cr_0.8O₃ mixed oxides and their composites with yttria-doped zirconia (YSZ) promoted by precious metals (Pt, Ru) and/or Ni were supported on several types of heat-conducting substrates (compressed Ni-Al foam, Fecralloy foil or gauze protected by corundum layer, Cr-Al-O microchannel cermets, titanium platelets protected by oxidic layer) as well as on honeycomb corundum monolithic substrate. These structured catalysts were tested in pilot-scale reactors in the reactions of steam reforming of methane, selective oxidation of decane and gasoline and steam/autothermal reforming of biofuels (ethanol, acetone, anisole, sunflower oil). Applied procedures of supporting nanocomposite active components on monolithic/structured substrates did not deteriorate their coking stability in real feeds with a small excess of oxidants, which was reflected in good middle-term (up to 200 h) performance stability promising for further up-scaling and long-term tests. Equilibrium yield of syngas at short contact times was achieved by partial oxidation of decane and gasoline without addition of steam usually required to prevent coking. For the first time possibility of successive transformation of biofuels (ethanol, acetone, anisole, sunflower oil) into syngas at short contact times on monolithic catalysts was demonstrated. This was provided by a proper combination of active component, thermal conducting monolithic substrates and unique evaporation/mixing unit used in this research.     

An investigation of the entomogenous fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. as a potential biological control agent for Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.)

In laboratory experiments, a soil isolate of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. was found to be an effective pathogen of adult Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) under certain conditions. Experiments on the effect of temperature showed that infection could occur down to 7°C, the lowest temperature tested. Little difference in mortality was noted when beetles were exposed to wheat treated with a range of concentrations of B. bassiana conidiospores in suspension (10⁶, 10⁵ and 10⁴ spores ml^?1), but mortality was lower at 10³ spores ml^?1. Humidity level, however, was the critical factor in allowing infection to occur. Beetles became infected at 100% r.h. but not at 90% r.h.When conidiospores of B. bassiana were applied to 50 g wheat grain cultures of O. surinamensis, the fungus proved ineffective in killing adult beetles. Breeding success, however, was sharply reduced with a 91% decrease in numbers of larvae and pupae in cultures treated with spores of the fungus mixed with the grain.     

Nanoscale Nutrient Delivery Systems for Food Applications: Improving Bioactive Dispersibility,Stability, and Bioavailability

There has been a surge of interest in the development of nanoscale systems for the encapsulation, protection, and delivery of lipophilic nutrients, vitamins, and nutraceuticals. This review article highlights the challenges associated with incorporating these lipophilic bioactive components into foods, and then discusses potential nanoscale delivery systems that can be used to overcome these challenges. In particular, the desirable characteristics required for any nanoscale delivery system are presented, as well as methods of fabricating them and of characterizing them. An overview of different delivery systems is given, such as microemulsions, nanoemulsions, emulsions, microgels, and biopolymer nanoparticles, and their potential applications are discussed. Nanoscale delivery systems have considerable potential within the food industry, but they must be carefully formulated to ensure that they are safe, economically viable, and effective.     

A new vinylpyranoanthocyanin pigment occurring in aged red wine

A new pyranoanthocyanin–vinylphenol pigment was detected in an aged Port red wine. The UV–Vis spectrum of this pigment was found to have a λ_max of 538 nm that is bathochromically shifted from that of original anthocyanins, exhibiting a more purple hue in acidic solution. This newly formed pigment was synthesized in model solution through the reaction between malvidin 3-O-glucoside–pyruvic acid adduct and vinylphenol and its structure was assigned by NMR and mass spectrometry. This pigment is reported herein for the first time.     

In search of intelligence: evolving a developmental neuron capable of learning

A neuro-inspired multi-chromosomal genotype for a single developmental neuron capable of learning and developing memory is proposed. This genotype is evolved so that the phenotype which changes and develops during an agent's lifetime (while problem-solving) gives the agent the capacity for learning by experience. Seven important processes of signal processing and neural structure development are identified from biology and encoded using Cartesian Genetic Programming. These chromosomes represent the electrical and developmental aspects of dendrites, axonal branches, synapses and the neuron soma. The neural morphology that occurs by running these chromosomes is highly dynamic. The dendritic/axonal branches and synaptic connections form and change in response to situations encountered in the learning task. The approach has been evaluated in the context of maze-solving and the board game of checkers (draughts) demonstrating interesting learning capabilities. The motivation underlying this research is to, ab initio, evolve genotypes that build phenotypes with an ability to learn.