Adaptive block size for dense QR factorization in hybrid CPU–GPU systems via statistical modeling

QR factorization is a computational kernel of scientific computing. How can the latest computer be used to accelerate this task? We investigate this topic by proposing a dense QR factorization algorithm with adaptive block sizes on a hybrid system that contains a central processing unit (CPU) and a graphic processing unit (GPU). To maximize the use of CPU and GPU, we develop an adaptive scheme that chooses block size at each iteration. The decision is based on statistical surrogate models of performance and an online monitor, which avoids unexpected occasional performance drops. We modify the highly optimized CPU–GPU based QR factorization in MAGMA to implement the proposed schemes. Numerical results suggest that our approaches are efficient and can lead to near-optimal block sizes. The proposed algorithm can be extended to other one-sided factorizations, such as LU and Cholesky factorizations.     

Preparation of microporous chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) membrane in fabric and the characterization of their pore sizes and pore‐size distributions

Chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) (CPVC)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) membranes were prepared by using the solvent system tetrahydrofuran (THF)/n‐butyl alcohol (n‐BA) to investigate the possibility of pore size and pore‐size distribution control. The coagulation of CPVC/PVP solution was induced by the exposure to water vapor at 25 (±0.5)°C. The average pore diameter, d_p, and the size distribution of pores on the surface of the membrane were quantified through the image analyzer from the images visualized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM). Surface pore size and distribution of the prepared CPVC/PVP membrane were strongly affected by the relative humidity (RH) in the environment and the content of PVP used as an additive. Particularly, in the case of CPVC membrane without PVP, the mean pore size was 0.15–0.2 μm, depending on the RH. The pore distribution became broad with the increase of the RH. The membranes had open pores as confirmed by the hydraulic permeation experiment. In addition, the water flux and membrane resistance (R_m) were greatly affected by the composition of polymer solution and the RH. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1195–1202, 2002     

Critical evaluation of coupling particle size distribution with the shrinking core model

The shrinking core model (SCM) is widely used to model fluid-solid reactions such as the leaching of metals from minerals. In most cases, however, the particle size distribution (PSD) of the solid material was disregarded. In this paper the erroneous shift in the control regime when neglecting PSD was quantified and the dependence of the shift on the coefficients of variation (CV) and the type of PSD was analysed. By coupling the SCM with a Gamma PSD, it was found that neglecting the PSD would shift the control regime from chemical reaction to inert/ash layer diffusion, when the CV was between 0.7 and 1.2. For a system controlled by liquid film diffusion, neglect of the PSD, would shift the control regime to chemical reaction when CV is between 0.3 and 0.7 or to inert/ash layer diffusion when CV is greater (0.9-1.5). It was therefore postulated that some researchers had unknowingly made invalid conclusions about the control regime due to the neglect of PSD. However, an inert/ash layer diffusion-controlled process was insensitive to the neglect of PSD. When CV<0.3, neglect of the PSD would not cause any erroneous shifts, irrespective of the control regime. Experimental data confirmed the observation. For a given CV, the deviation in the fraction reacted from the mono-PSD increases with CV and decreases with time. The maximum deviation, which occurs at the beginning, is about 10% with a gamma PSD of CV=0.3. The percent deviation is dependent of the type of PSDs. Gamma PSD gives the lowest deviation while Gaudin-Schuhmann results in the largest deviation (maxi. ∼19%, with CV=0.3) in the first half of dissolution process. Log-normal distribution gives a larger deviation than gamma but quickly approaches the latter with time. The deviation for Rosin-Rammler is between log-normal and Gaudin-Schuhmann. For systems with CV less than 0.3, the SCM can be fairly used without considering PSD. When CV is greater than 0.3, particularly in the early stage of a dissolution process with a PSD other than gamma, PSD should be included to avoid substantial errors.     

MACROPROCESS OF PARTICLE FORMATION IN SUSPENSION POLYMERIZATION OF STYRENE WITH INORGANIC STABILIZER SYSTEM

The macroprocess of particle formation from suspension droplets of styrene in a pdymerizationsystem was investigated.Inorganic hydroxyapatite or its mixture with polyvinyl alcohol as thepolymerization system was used.Those items such as the effects of the Weight fraction of dispersed-phase,the amount of the inorganic stabilizer and the agitation speed on the breakup and coalescence of thetransient dispersed drops etc.Were examined.Results showd that the dynamic behavior of the transi-ent polymer droplets changed in the presence of the suspension stabilizer during the reaction.     

海河流域典型河流沉积物粒度特征及分布规律

为了解海河流域典型河流沉积物粒度参数空间分布规律,对海河典型河流的表层沉积物进行采集并利用Mstersize2000激光粒度仪进行粒度分析。结果表明,海河典型河流沉积物平均粒径差异显著,分选状况总体较差;山区水系与平原水系相比,沉积物平均粒径减小,呈集中分布,水动力减弱;山区自北向南变化明显,水系沉积物平均粒径减小,分布集中化,分选状况变差,由极正偏-正偏,向对称方向变化,峰度向平坦方向趋近,水动力减弱,符合粒径自然变化规律;平原区水系沉积物粒径参数表明南北变化不明显,因受较多支流、河流-湖泊-洼淀湿地等复杂系统和人为干扰强烈的影响,南北无显著变化规律。总的来说,海河流域河流受人为干扰强度较大,河流沉积物源较为复杂,栖息地物理完整性差。     

Particle size distribution,mixing behavior,and mechanical properties of carbon black (high‐abrasion furnace)–filled powdered styrene butadiene rubber

High‐abrasion furnace black (HAF, grade N330)–filled powdered styrene butadiene rubber [P(SBR/HAF)] was prepared and the particle size distribution, mixing behavior in a laboratory mixer, and mechanical properties of P(SBR/HAF) were studied. A carbon black–rubber latex coagulation method was developed for preparing carbon black–filled free‐flowing, noncontact staining SBR powders, with particle diameter less than 0.9 mm, under the following conditions: carbon black content > 40 phr, emulsifier/carbon black ratio > 0.02, and coating resin content > 2.5 phr. Over the experimental range, the mixing torque τ_α of P(SBR/HAF) was not as sensitive to carbon black content and mixing temperature as that of HAF‐filled bale SBR (SBR/HAF), whereas the temperature build‐up ΔT showed little dependency on carbon black content. Compared with SBR/HAF, P(SBR/HAF) showed a 20–30% mixing energy reduction with high carbon black content (>30 phr), which confers to powdered SBR good prospects for internal mixing. Carbon black and the rubber matrix formed a macroscopic homogenization in P(SBR/HAF), and the incorporation step is not obvious in the internal mixing processing results in these special mixing behaviors of P(SBR/HAF). A novel mixing model of carbon black–filled powdered rubber, during the mixing process in an internal mixer, was proposed based on the special mixing behaviors. P(SBR/HAF) vulcanizate showed better mechanical properties than those of SBR/HAF, dependent primarily on the absence of free carbon black and a fine dispersion of filler on the rubber matrix attributed to the proper preparation conditions of noncontact staining carbon black–filled powdered SBR. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 2494–2508, 2004     

Influence of fly ash and its mean particle size on certain engineering properties of cement composite mortars

An experimental investigation on the effects of incorporating large volumes of fly ash on the early engineering properties and long-term strength of masonry mortars is reported. The effect of fly ash and its mean particle size (PD) on the variation of workability and strength has been studied. It was found that fly ash and its mean particle size play a very significant role on the strength of masonry mortars. It has been observed that the early-term strength, except the mortars incorporating coarse fly ash (CFA), was slightly influenced by the replacement with fly ash. The long-term strength (both the bond strength and the compressive strength) will significantly increase, especially for the bond strength of mortars incorporating coarse fly ash. It was also found that the bond strength significantly increased as the mean particle size of fly ash decreases after 28 days curing. However, the 7-day strength was little influenced by fly ash particle size. The fluidity of composite mortar enhanced due to replace cement and lime with fly ash, and the mean PD of fly ash significantly influenced the workability.     

直接甲醇燃料电池用碳气凝胶载铂催化剂的研究

利用溶胶—疑胶方法制备了高比表面积的碳气凝胶,利用浸渍还原法制备了Pt/碳气凝胶和Pt/C催化剂。采用BJH和TEM考察碳气凝胶的孔径分布和金属粒子的大小与分布,循环伏安曲线测试考察Pt/碳气凝胶对甲醇催化氧化性能的影响。结果表明,碳气凝胶的比表面积达到480 m2/g,孔径分布良好,催化剂金属颗粒较小,分散较好,循环伏安曲线图显示出Pt/碳气凝胶比传统的Pt/C对甲醇催化氧化性能高。     

均衡模糊C均值聚类算法

模糊C均值聚类算法没有考虑各类样本容量因素,当各类样本容量差异较大时,其聚类判决将向小样本类倾斜。提出一种新的聚类算法——均衡模糊C均值聚类,对模糊C均值聚类算法最小化目标函数进行修正,使得改进的目标函数包含了样本容量因素,利用粒子群算法并以样本模糊隶属度为编码对象求解参数优解。从理论上分析了该算法的性质,通过仿真实验验证了所提算法对平衡、不平衡数据集的有效性。