Parallel Processes in HPX: Designing an Infrastructure for Adaptive Resource Management

Advancement in cutting edge technologies have enabled better energy efficiency as well as scaling computational power for the latest High Performance Computing(HPC) systems. However, complexity, due to hybrid architectures as well as emerging classes of applications, have shown poor computational scalability using conventional execution models. Thus alternative means of computation, that addresses the bottlenecks in computation, is warranted. More precisely, dynamic adaptive resource management feature, both from systems as well as application\u27s perspective, is essential for better computational scalability and efficiency. This research presents and expands the notion of Parallel Processes as a placeholder for procedure definitions, targeted at one or more synchronous domains, meta data for computation and resource management as well as infrastructure for dynamic policy deployment. In addition to this, the research presents additional guidelines for a framework for resource management in HPX runtime system. Further, this research also lists design principles for scalability of Active Global Address Space (AGAS), a necessary feature for Parallel Processes. Also, to verify the usefulness of Parallel Processes, a preliminary performance evaluation of different task scheduling policies is carried out using two different applications. The applications used are: Unbalanced Tree Search, a reference dynamic graph application, implemented by this research in HPX and MiniGhost, a reference stencil based application using bulk synchronous parallel model. The results show that different scheduling policies provide better performance for different classes of applications; and for the same application class, in certain instances, one policy fared better than the others, while vice versa in other instances, hence supporting the hypothesis of the need of dynamic adaptive resource management infrastructure, for deploying different policies and task granularities, for scalable distributed computing

Active disassembly applied to end of life vehicles

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Active Disassembly is technology that has been developed to allow assemblies to readily separate for recycling when they are exposed to certain triggering conditions. It is based around fasteners that use `Smart' Materials, typically Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) or Shape Memory Polymers (SMP). This has led to research in the field to be known as Active Disassembly Using Smart Materials (ADSM). Particularly within the context of the EU End of Life Vehicle (ELV) legislation, ADSM has the potential to enable the achievement of the recycling levels required. In this thesis, active disassembly solutions have been developed which have focused on the disassembly of the Instrument Panel, and the glazing within a vehicle. To achieve this, a number of novel Smart fastening devices have been developed, two of which are triggered by integral heating elements. This investigation also led to the creation of a new releasable hook and loop fastening system, known as `Shape Memory Hook and Loop Fasteners' (SM-HALF). SM-HALF is a repositionable fastening system that can be released remotely under a thermal stimulus. Research into the residual energy content of ELV batteries has been a significant part of the investigation. It has been found that it is possible to use the energy from `dead' car batteries to power at least 16 shape-memory alloy devices constructed from 25-micron diameter wire, at End of Life. No external energy input is required for disassembly. This research is timely as it provides a means of reclaiming 10% of a vehicle that would otherwise be lost to the shredder. The technology can: increase the number of parts available for recycling and reuse, separate waste streams, decrease shredder residue otherwise destined for landfill and increase economic returns for either the vehicle dismantling yards or shredder operator

The motivation of junior high school pupils to learn English in provincial Indonesia

The purpose of this work is to explore the motivation of young Indonesians to learn English over the first two years of formal study in a provincial junior high school. The national education system has always struggled to produce competent users of the language, yet the country's need for such graduates is never greater than at the beginning of the 21" century as it responds to the social, economic and political challenges of globalization. Meanwhile motivation has always been recognised as an important factor in language learning success, but recent work has stressed its complexity and changeability over time and in particular contexts, encouraging the possibility of new discoveries in this academically unexplored territory. Defining motivation as a dynamic constellation of contextually sensitive cognitions and affects stimulating individuals to learn, the study adopted a mixed method strategy, using questionnaires at beginning and end of the 20-month research period to track motivational trends across the whole school year group (n = 195) and developing indepth portraits of 12 individuals through interview and classroom observation at three points. The eight school English teachers were also interviewed at the beginning. Results showed a very high level of motivation to learn English, reflected in much autonomous learning of the language outside of school. Although there was evidence of dissatisfaction with aspects of school English lessons, this motivation was largely sustained throughout the period under study and appeared to contribute to significant gains in competence in the language among some learners. It is argued that this motivation derives its strength from identification processes, nurtured and developed through social interaction at home and in the community, which encouraged many young Indonesians in this context to view English as integral to their future lives. 'Me study strongly suggests that understanding differences in the way learners identify with the language is an important direction for future research into L2 motivation in general. Understanding how schools and teachers promote or challenge pupils' L2 identities could lead to improvements in language pedagog

Efficient Algorithms for Large-Scale Image Analysis

This work develops highly efficient algorithms for analyzing large images. Applications include object-based change detection and screening. The algorithms are 10-100 times as fast as existing software, sometimes even outperforming FGPA/GPU hardware, because they are designed to suit the computer architecture. This thesis describes the implementation details and the underlying algorithm engineering methodology, so that both may also be applied to other applications

The BG News January 27, 1988

The BGSU campus student newspaper January 27, 1988. Volume 70 - Issue 72https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/bg-news/5749/thumbnail.jp

A Parallel Processor System for Nuclear Shell-Model Calculations

This thesis describes the design and implementation of a dedicated parallel processor system for nuclear shell-model calculations. The purpose of these calculations is to determine nuclear energy eigenvalues by the tridiagonalisation of the nuclear Hamiltonian matrix using the Lanczos method. The Theoretical Nuclear Structure group at Glasgow University's Physics Department would normally perform this type of calculation on a high-performance main-frame computer. However these machines have limitations which restrict the number and scope of the calculations that can be performed. The Shell Model Processor system consists of a Multiple Microprocessor Unit (MMPU) driven by a highly pipelined dedicated front-end processor. The MMPU has a modular, moderately coupled, MIMD architecture based on autonomous processing modules. The elements within the system communicate via three shared buses. The front-end is responsible for determining the position of non-zero elements within the Hamiltonian matrix. Once the position of an element has been found it is passed to one of the free processing modules within the MMPU. The processing module then determines the value of the matrix element and performs the appropriate arithmetic to accumulate the resultant Lanczos vector. Two such processing modules have been developed. The most recently developed module is based on two MC68000 16/32 bit microprocessors. In addition there are two supervisory processor modules, one of which controls the front-end and also assists it in its function. The other module has privileged system capabilities and is responsible for supervising the system as a whole. The system has been successfully tested and performance figures are presented. The future expansion of the system to allow it to perform larger calculations is also discussed

NASA Tech Briefs, December 1990

Topics: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences

An investigation of some differences in A-level mathematics syllabuses in England and Wales

At the time when this study began, there were nine boards offering Advanced Level Mathematics syllabuses. Some of the boards offered three,and sometimes four versions of A-level Mathematics. The study looks at these various forms from a number of different standpoints.The first of these is a consideration of the 'readability' of the question papers themselves, using the Cloze Procedure. The data is analysed by a three-way, fully crossed, analysis of variance.The work then moves on to consider the structure of the various papers.It then proceeds to analyse questions from the papers under various headings. The method is a substantial modification of a method used by the GCE examination boards in cross-moderation studies.A questionnaire was developed to explore the opinions of sixth form teachers, regarding the various versions of A-level Mathematics. The opinions of university staff were also sought. The question as to whethersome A-level courses are better preparation for university mathematics courses is addressed. Results of students at A-level and in the first year university mathematics examinations are compared. The students who participated in the 'readability' exercise were also interviewed, after looking at further questions from a selection of A-level Mathematics papers.During the course of this study, a number of boards have started to offer modular, or unit based, courses. This significant development is considered towards the end of the study. Two schools and a sixth form college were visited, each one using a different modular A-level syllabus. An account of the observations is given.The study closes with a discussion of the findings from the various themes and makes suggestions for possible improvements