Contention-conscious transaction ordering in multiprocessor DSP systems

This paper explores the problem of efficiently ordering interprocessor communication (IPC) operations in statically scheduled multiprocessors for iterative dataflow graphs. In most digital signal processing (DSP) applications, the throughput of the system is significantly affected by communication costs. By explicitly modeling these costs within an effective graph-theoretic analysis framework, we show that ordered transaction schedules can significantly outperform self-timed schedules even when synchronization costs are low. However, we also show that when communication latencies are nonnegligible, finding an optimal transaction order given a static schedule is an NP-complete problem, and that this intractability holds both under iterative and noniterative execution. We develop new heuristics for finding efficient transaction orders, and perform an extensive experimental comparison to gauge the performance of these heuristics.     

Gold Nanoparticle–Protein Agglomerates as Versatile Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery

The fabrication of a versatile nanocarrier based on agglomerated structures of gold nanoparticle (Au NP)–lysozyme (Lyz) in aqueous medium is reported. The carriers exhibit efficient loading capacities for both hydrophilic (doxorubicin) and hydrophobic (pyrene) molecules. The nanocarriers are finally coated with an albumin layer to render them stable and also facilitate their uptake by cancer cells. The interaction between agglomerated structures and the payloads is non‐covalent. Cell viability assay in vitro showed that the nanocarriers by themselves are non‐cytotoxic, whereas the doxorubicin‐loaded ones are cytotoxic, with efficiencies higher than that of the free drug. Transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy along with flow cytometry analysis confirm the uptake of the drug‐loaded nanocarriers by a human cervical cancer HeLa cell line. Field‐emission scanning electron microscopy reveals the formation of apoptotic bodies leading to cell death, confirming the release of the payloads from the nanocarriers into the cell. Overall, the findings suggest the fabrication of novel Au NP–protein agglomerate‐based nanocarriers with efficient drug‐loading and ‐releasing capabilities, enabling them to act as multimodal drug‐delivery vehicles.     

Intermediate Representations for Design Automation of Multiprocessor DSP Systems

Self-timed scheduling is an attractive implementation style for multiprocessor DSP systems due to its ability to exploit predictability in application behavior, its avoidanceof over-constrained synchronization, and its simplified clocking requirements.However, analysis and optimization of self-timed systems under real-time constraintsis challenging due to the complex, irregular dynamics of self-timed operation.In this paper, we review a number of high-level intermediate representationsfor compiling dataflow programs onto self-timed DSP platforms, including representationsfor modeling the placement of interprocessor communication (IPC) operations;separating synchronization from data transfer during IPC; modeling and optimizinglinear orderings of communication operations; performing accurate design spaceexploration under communication resource contention; and exploring alternativeprocessor assignments during the synthesis process. We review the structureof these representations, and discuss efficient techniques that operate onthem to streamline scheduling, communication synthesis, and power managementof multiprocessor DSP implementations.