Ein flexibles, heterogenes Bildverarbeitungs-Framework für weltraumbasierte, rekonfigurierbare Datenverarbeitungsmodule

Scientific instruments as payload of current space missions are often equipped with high-resolution sensors. Thereby, especially camera-based instruments produce a vast amount of data. To obtain the desired scientific information, this data usually is processed on ground. Due to the high distance of missions within the solar system, the data rate for downlink to the ground station is strictly limited. The volume of scientific relevant data is usually less compared to the obtained raw data. Therefore, processing already has to be carried out on-board the spacecraft. An example of such an instrument is the Polarimetric and Helioseismic Imager (PHI) on-board Solar Orbiter. For acquisition, storage and processing of images, the instrument is equipped with a Data Processing Module (DPM). It makes use of heterogeneous computing based on a dedicated LEON3 processor in combination with two reconfigurable Xilinx Virtex-4 Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). The thesis will provide an overview of the available space-grade processing components (processors and FPGAs) which fulfill the requirements of deepspace missions. It also presents existing processing platforms which are based upon a heterogeneous system combining processors and FPGAs. This also includes the DPM of the PHI instrument, whose architecture will be introduced in detail. As core contribution of this thesis, a framework will be presented which enables high-performance image processing on such hardware-based systems while retaining software-like flexibility. This framework mainly consists of a variety of modules for hardware acceleration which are integrated seamlessly into the data flow of the on-board software. Supplementary, it makes extensive use of the dynamic in-flight reconfigurability of the used Virtex-4 FPGAs. The flexibility of the presented framework is proven by means of multiple examples from within the image processing of the PHI instrument. The framework is analyzed with respect to processing performance as well as power consumption.Wissenschaftliche Instrumente auf aktuellen Raumfahrtmissionen sind oft mit hochauflösenden Sensoren ausgestattet. Insbesondere kamerabasierte Instrumente produzieren dabei eine große Menge an Daten. Diese werden üblicherweise nach dem Empfang auf der Erde weiterverarbeitet, um daraus wissenschaftlich relevante Informationen zu gewinnen. Aufgrund der großen Entfernung von Missionen innerhalb unseres Sonnensystems ist die Datenrate zur Übertragung an die Bodenstation oft sehr begrenzt. Das Volumen der wissenschaftlich relevanten Daten ist meist deutlich kleiner als die aufgenommenen Rohdaten. Daher ist es vorteilhaft, diese bereits an Board der Sonde zu verarbeiten. Ein Beispiel für solch ein Instrument ist der Polarimetric and Helioseismic Imager (PHI) an Bord von Solar Orbiter. Um die Daten aufzunehmen, zu speichern und zu verarbeiten, ist das Instrument mit einem Data Processing Module (DPM) ausgestattet. Dieses nutzt ein heterogenes Rechnersystem aus einem dedizierten LEON3 Prozessor, zusammen mit zwei rekonfigurierbaren Xilinx Virtex-4 Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). Die folgende Arbeit gibt einen Überblick über verfügbare Komponenten zur Datenverarbeitung (Prozessoren und FPGAs), die den Anforderungen von Raumfahrtmissionen gerecht werden, und stellt einige existierende Plattformen vor, die auf einem heterogenen System aus Prozessor und FPGA basieren. Hierzu gehört auch das Data Processing Module des PHI Instrumentes, dessen Architektur im Verlauf dieser Arbeit beschrieben wird. Als Kernelement der Dissertation wird ein Framework vorgestellt, das sowohl eine performante, als auch eine flexible Bilddatenverarbeitung auf einem solchen System ermöglicht. Dieses Framework besteht aus verschiedenen Modulen zur Hardwarebeschleunigung und bindet diese nahtlos in den Datenfluss der On-Board Software ein. Dabei wird außerdem die Möglichkeit genutzt, die eingesetzten Virtex-4 FPGAs dynamisch zur Laufzeit zu rekonfigurieren. Die Flexibilität des vorgestellten Frameworks wird anhand mehrerer Fallbeispiele aus der Bildverarbeitung von PHI dargestellt. Das Framework wird bezüglich der Verarbeitungsgeschwindigkeit und Energieeffizienz analysiert

Technology: The Problem Or The Solution To Childhood Obesity

One-third of the population of US children is considered obese and two-thirds of the adult population falls into the same category. These figures have tripled over the last 30 years. This demonstrates that the existing strategies to combat obesity do not work and it is time to look for alternatives. The recommendation is to turn the problem into a solution - give children an activity they WANT TO DO, NOT HAVE TO DO. Today’s younger generation is “hard wired to technology”, so take advantage of this fact. Several entrepreneurs have developed new technologies that combine physical activity, technology, and learning that “appeal” to this Generation Z and they are demonstrating promising results. In this paper, we have included details of the childhood obesity epidemic, the problem, costs and consequences, and have provided a new successful avenue to pursue. Results to date are positive and encouraging. We have identified a new strategy which, in a limited time, has been embraced by children, incorporates new technology, and has the potential for huge benefits for those who choose

Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomics Reveals Distinct Mechanisms of Astrocyte Protein Secretion

The ability of astrocytes to secrete proteins subserves many of its known function, such as synapse formation during development and extracellular matrix remodeling after cellular injury. Protein secretion may also play an important, but less clear, role in the propagation of inflammatory responses and neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis. While potential astrocyte-secreted proteins may number in the thousands, known astrocyte-secreted proteins are less than 100. To address this fundamental deficiency, mass spectrometry-based proteomics and bioinformatic tools were utilized for global discovery, comparison, and quantification of astrocyte-secreted proteins. A primary mouse astrocyte cell culture model was used to generate a collection of astrocyte-secreted proteins termed the astrocyte secretome. A multidimensional protein and peptide separation approach paired with mass spectrometric analysis interrogated the astrocyte secretome under control and cytokine-exposed conditions, identifying cytokine-induced secreted proteins, while extending the depth of known astrocyte-secreted proteins to 169. Several of these proteins were likely secreted by non-conventional mechanisms. These non-conventional mechanisms were explored further using stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture, revealing 12 putative non-conventionally secreted proteins. These qualitative and quantitative mass spectrometry approaches are broadly applicable for the study of cellular secretomes as well as for extension to in vivo secretomes

The Challenges of Developing a Nutritious Food System for a Mars Mission

No abstract availabl

Transport Characteristics of Pin Fin Enhanced Microgaps under Single and Two Phase Cooling

Microfluidic convection cooling is a promising technique for future high power microprocessors, radio-frequency (RF) transceivers, solid-state lasers, and light emitting diodes (LED). Three-dimensional (3D) stacking of chips is a configuration that allows many performance benefits. A microgap with circulating fluid is a promising cooling arrangement that can be incorporated within a 3D chip stack. Although studies have examined the thermal characteristics of microgaps under both single-phase and two-phase convection, the characteristics and benefits of microgaps with surface enhancement features have not been fully explored. In this work, firstly, the single phase thermal/fluid characteristics of microgaps with staggered pin fin arrays are studied. The effects of the pin fin dimensions including diameter, transversal and longitudinal spacing, and height are investigated computationally and experimentally over a range of Reynolds number (Re) 22-357. Micropin fin arrays investigated have pin diameter of 100 μm, pitch/ diameter ratios of 1.5 ~ 2.25, and height/ diameter ratios of 1.5 ~ 2.25. Correlations of friction factor (f) and Colburn j factor for these dense arrays of micro pins have been developed. Subsequently, microfluidic cooling with staggered pin fin arrays is employed in functional 3D integrated circuit (ICs). Thermal and electrical performance of a CMOS chip in terms of temperature and leakage power under realistic operating conditions are studied. Both experimental and modeling results show that microfluidic cooling could significantly decrease the chip temperature and leakage power, thus increasing the chip performance. Lastly, two-phase cooling is studied with dielectric fluid HFE-7200 as a baseline with mass flux from 354.5 kg/m2-s to 576.3 kg/m2-s. Critical heat flux (CHF) increases with increasing mass flux but decreases with decreasing gap height. Nonuniform heating will cause nonuniform flow with a decrease of mass flux in high power area, which decreases the thermal performance. The effects of fluid mixture (HFE-7200/Methanol) on thermal performance are studied with mass fraction of Methanol from 8.5% to 35.8%. A very small amount of addition of Methanol (8.5% mass fraction) can significantly increase the thermal performance due to the sharp decrease of saturation temperature and increase of effective thermal conductivity and latent heat. However, the Marangoni effect caused by the concentration gradient deteriorates the CHF.Ph.D

ASSESSING THE INFLUENCE OF PARENT/GUARDIAN VARIABLES ON SELECT TYPE 2 DIABETES RISK FACTORS AMONG 10 TO 14 YEAR OLD NORTHERN PLAINS INDIAN YOUTH

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a growing health concern among American Indian populations. Many behavioral risk factors for T2DM are influenced by the family unit. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of certain parent/guardian variables on youth type 2 diabetes risk factors. Methods: The parents/guardians of 10-14 year old Northern Plains American Indian youth (n=37) were surveyed regarding their knowledge for physical activity and nutrition, support behaviors for physical activity and nutrition in their youth, and their individual physical activity and nutrition behaviors. Youth variables including physical activity behavior, dietary behavior, and body mass index percentile-for-age (BMI %ile) were also collected. Results: Higher levels of parent/guardian physical activity support were correlated with higher youth BMI %ile (r= 0.433, p=0.013). Parent/guardian nutrition support was also significantly correlated with higher youth BMI %ile as well (r=0.406, p=0.021). Parent/guardian physical activity support and nutrition support were not significantly correlated (p\u3e0.05) with youth physical activity behavior or dietary behavior. Parent/guardian knowledge about physical activity and nutrition was not associated with youth physical activity, youth dietary intake, or youth BMI %ile. Parent/guardian nutrition behaviors and physical activity behaviors were also not significantly correlated with youth physical activity, dietary intake, or BMI %ile. Discussion: The results for parent/guardian support to be associated with higher youth BMI %ile were unexpected and deserve attention in future research to evaluate the motivating forces behind parent/guardian support of youth physical activity and nutrition. Although parents/guardians have an influential role in the lives of adolescents, this role did not translate broadly to measurable outcomes concerning T2DM risk factors for the 10-14 year old Northern Plains American Indian youth in the study. While this study was not conclusive regarding the influence of parent/guardian factors on youth disease risk factors, this topic merits further research in light of the increasing incidence of T2DM among American Indian youth

Sustainability Indicators in the Vermont-Regional Food System

Food systems are inherently complex areas of interaction between economic, environmental, and social factors. The local food movement in Vermont presents new opportunities to shape the local and regional food systems according to the values of stakeholders. In order to create the spaces necessary for reflexivity and ethical concerns it is necessary to understand food system stakeholder values. Through coding interviews with 17 stakeholders, the study identified values of producers, processors, chefs, food purchasers, distributors, advocates, state agencies, and other stakeholders. The five most commonly cited, strongly felt stakeholder values in the Vermont-regional food system were: promotion of the local food economy, financial viability, environmental integrity, community wellbeing, and quality of service or product. Understanding these values was central to the second portion of this research, which addressed the need to communicate information about the Vermont-regional food system. Indicators were selected as the most appropriate tool for this task, specifically because indicators have proven to be useful tools for communicating information in complex systems. Indicators also allow information about these systems to be framed by stakeholders, who are often the end users of the information as well. The methodology of this research was designed to integrate stakeholder and expert feedback to produce a robust and defensible indicator set tailored to the environmental, social, and economic context of the Vermont-regional food system. Each of the five most common stakeholder values were assigned three proposed indicators (condition, pressure, policy response) in order to describe critical dimensions of the food system. Finally, data behind the indicators were compiled to show trends in the Vermontregional food system related to sustainability. Areas of missing data were identified to show what information is still needed in the Vermont-regional food system in order for this system to more towards sustainability

Graduate course catalog (Florida International University). [2021-2022]

This catalog contains a description of the various policies, graduate programs, degree requirements, and course offerings at Florida International University during the 2021-2022 academic year.https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/catalogs/1082/thumbnail.jp