Evaluating parallel architectures for two real-time applicationswith 100 kHz repetition rate [hadron collider data]

In the context of research and development activities for future hadron colliders, competitive implementations of real-time algorithms for feature extraction have been made on various forms of commercial pipelined and parallel architectures. The algorithms used for benchmarking serve for decision making and are of relative complexity; they are required to run with a repetition rate of 100 kHz on data sets of kilobyte size. Results are reported and discussed in detail. Among the commercially available architectures, pipelined image processing systems can compete with custom-designed architectures. General-purpose processors with systolic mesh connectivity can also be used. Massively parallel systems of the SIMD type (many processors executing the same program on different data) are less suitable in the presently marketed form     

An adaptive strategy for solving kinetic model concomitant estimation — Reduction problems

In order to simultaneously estimate the parameters and to reduce a complex kinetic model, an adaptive strategy which combines effective adaptive random search (ARS) and statistical ridge analysis steps is developed. As demonstrated, this strategy can save computational time because the estimation is not repeated with each reduced model. The use of ARS is preferred for highly nonlinear models and cases having multiple parameter constraints, guaranteeing reliability for interactively obtaining the global reduced model parameter solution.     

PEGylation Effects on the Interaction of Sphingomyelin Nanoemulsions with Serum Albumin: A Thermodynamic Investigation

The recent focus in the development of novel nanosystems for biomedical applications lays firmly on their interactions with biomolecules. Thermodynamic parameters driving the interaction between nanoparticles and proteins provide insights into complex processes at bio/nanointerface. The present work aims to investigate the binding mechanisms and the dominant contributions that determine the adsorption processes during the interactions of a model protein, that is, bovine serum albumin, with a new type of drug delivery systems, Vitamin E/sphingomyelin nanoemulsions, plain and coated with polyethylene glycol, and d -ɑ-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate. The binding parameters (binding constant, binding stoichiometry, enthalpy, Gibbs energy, and entropy changes of binding) are evaluated by the isothermal titration calorimetry with a MicroCaliTC200 equipment. The effect of nanoemulsions on the protein stability is examined by measuring the thermodynamic parameters for the protein's unfolding (heat capacity; enthalpy, entropy, and free energy changes) with a NanoDSC (TA Instrument) apparatus. The thermodynamic profile shows for all compositions an entropy-driven interaction dominated by hydrophobic forces due to the rearrangements/displacement of the surrounding water molecules, while maintaining the native conformation of the protein. All the information acquired by thermodynamic approach may significantly enhance the knowledge with special focus on PEGylated nanoemulsions used for biomedical applications.     

Percolation network formation in poly(4‐vinylpyridine)/aluminum nitride nanocomposites: Rheological,dielectric, and thermal investigations

This work is concerned with several issues related to the rheological behavior of poly(4‐vinylpyridine)/aluminum nitride (AlN) nanocomposites. The composites are prepared by solution processing combined with ultrasonication and magnetic stirring. To understand the percolated structure, the nanocomposites are characterized via a set of rheological, dielectric, and thermal conductivity analyses. The nanoparticle networks are sensitive to the steady shear deformation particularly at low shear rates, where a shear‐thinning domain is observed. The rheological measurements revealed also that the activation energy is significantly lower at high nanofiller loadings suggesting stronger AlN interactions. The changes in the terminal behavior of shear moduli are the result of variations in composite elasticity determined by the percolation network. The flocculation and percolation thresholds estimated from the rheological moduli dependence on AlN loading are correlated with the dielectric constant values. Thermal conductivity is determined from a new theoretical model involving, besides the contribution of each phase, both percolation processes and the shape of the nanofiller. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1543–1552, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Behavioral circuit models of power BAW resonators and filters

A nonlinear circuit model taking into account the parasitics of the resonator connection to the measurement bench is presented; the measured data agree with the simulation results, except some undulations in the frequency dependence of the 2f harmonic component of the reflected power. New models for the anti-series and the anti-parallel connections of two resonators are proposed. The frequency warping effect is discussed together with its elimination using the Gear methods up to the sixth order.     

Deterministic and stochastic P systems for modelling cellular processes

This paper presents two approaches based on metabolic and stochastic P systems, together with their associated analysis methods, for modelling biological systems and illustrates their use through two case studies.     

Multiplicity analysis of a non-isothermal finite hollow cylindrical catalyst pellet

The paper examined the steady-state multiplicity of the porous, non-isothermal, finite hollow cylindrical catalyst pellet in the absence of external transport resistances. A numerical multigrid continuation technique with the preconditioned conjugate gradient squared as coarse grid solver was used. The continuation parameter is the reaction parameter (Thiele modulus). The effect of the other governing parameters (especially the geometric ratios) was analyzed. The numerical results obtained show that the finite hollow cylindrical catalyst pellet exhibits similar multiplicity patterns to the finite solid cylindrical catalyst pellet.     

Synthesis, characterization, and Ni(II) ion sorption properties of poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) functionalized with aminophosphonic acid groups

In this study, novel chelating resins containing aminophosphonic acid groups grafted on poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) (1 % or 15 % DVB) were obtained by “one-pot” reactions. The phosphorus contents were determined in order to calculate the degree of functionalization with pendant aminophosphonic acid groups. The fraction of repetitive units functionalized with aminophosphonic acid groups was determined by accepting the statistical structure of the repetitive unit of initial and final copolymer. These materials were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, EDX, and TGA. Adsorption properties of aminophosphonic acids grafted on poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) were examined for the removal of Ni(II) ions from aqueous solutions using the batch equilibrium procedure. By applying the kinetic models to the experimental data it was found that the adsorption of Ni(II) on the studied chelating resins is described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. For all the studied systems, Langmuir isotherm model provided an excellent fit of the equilibrium adsorption data.