1,542 research outputs found
Tree-Based Overlay Networks for Scalable Applications
The increasing availability of high-performance computing systems with thousands, tens of thousands, and even hundreds of thousands of computational nodes is driving the demand for programming models and infrastructures that allow effective use of such large-scale environments. Tree-based Overlay Networks (TBĆNs) have proven to provide such a model for distributed tools like performance profilers, parallel debuggers, system monitors and system administration tools. We demonstrate that the extensibility and flexibility of the TBĆN distributed computing model, along with its performance characteristics, make it surprisingly general, particularly for applications outside the tool domain. We describe many interesting applications and commonly-used algorithms for which TBĆNs are well-suited and provide a new (non-tool) case study, a distributed implementation of the mean-shift algorithm commonly used in computer vision to delineate arbitrarily shaped clusters in complex, multi-modal feature spaces. 1
On the unconstrained expansion of a spherical plasma cloud turning collisionless : case of a cloud generated by a nanometer dust grain impact on an uncharged target in space
Nano and micro meter sized dust particles travelling through the heliosphere
at several hundreds of km/s have been repeatedly detected by interplanetary
spacecraft. When such fast moving dust particles hit a solid target in space,
an expanding plasma cloud is formed through the vaporisation and ionisation of
the dust particles itself and part of the target material at and near the
impact point. Immediately after the impact the small and dense cloud is
dominated by collisions and the expansion can be described by fluid equations.
However, once the cloud has reached micro-m dimensions, the plasma may turn
collisionless and a kinetic description is required to describe the subsequent
expansion. In this paper we explore the late and possibly collisionless
spherically symmetric unconstrained expansion of a single ionized ion-electron
plasma using N-body simulations. Given the strong uncertainties concerning the
early hydrodynamic expansion, we assume that at the time of the transition to
the collisionless regime the cloud density and temperature are spatially
uniform. We do also neglect the role of the ambient plasma. This is a
reasonable assumption as long as the cloud density is substantially higher than
the ambient plasma density. In the case of clouds generated by fast
interplanetary dust grains hitting a solid target some 10^7 electrons and ions
are liberated and the in vacuum approximation is acceptable up to meter order
cloud dimensions. ..
Forward Flux Sampling for rare event simulations
Rare events are ubiquitous in many different fields, yet they are notoriously
difficult to simulate because few, if any, events are observed in a conventiona
l simulation run. Over the past several decades, specialised simulation methods
have been developed to overcome this problem. We review one recently-developed
class of such methods, known as Forward Flux Sampling. Forward Flux Sampling
uses a series of interfaces between the initial and final states to calculate
rate constants and generate transition paths, for rare events in equilibrium or
nonequilibrium systems with stochastic dynamics. This review draws together a
number of recent advances, summarizes several applications of the method and
highlights challenges that remain to be overcome.Comment: minor typos in the manuscript. J.Phys.:Condensed Matter (accepted for
publication
Adam Smith and Colonialism
In the context of debates about liberalism and colonialism, the arguments of Adam Smith have been taken as illustrative of an important line of anti-colonial liberal thought. The reading of Smith presented here challenges this interpretation. It argues that Smithâs opposition to colonial rule derived largely from its impact on the metropole, rather than on its impact on the conquered and colonised; that Smith recognised colonialism had brought âimprovementâ in conquered territories and that Smith struggled to balance recognition of moral diversity with a universal moral framework and a commitment to a particular interpretation of progress through history. These arguments have a wider significance as they point towards some of the issues at stake in liberal anti-colonial arguments more generally
Information theoretic approach to interactive learning
The principles of statistical mechanics and information theory play an
important role in learning and have inspired both theory and the design of
numerous machine learning algorithms. The new aspect in this paper is a focus
on integrating feedback from the learner. A quantitative approach to
interactive learning and adaptive behavior is proposed, integrating model- and
decision-making into one theoretical framework. This paper follows simple
principles by requiring that the observer's world model and action policy
should result in maximal predictive power at minimal complexity. Classes of
optimal action policies and of optimal models are derived from an objective
function that reflects this trade-off between prediction and complexity. The
resulting optimal models then summarize, at different levels of abstraction,
the process's causal organization in the presence of the learner's actions. A
fundamental consequence of the proposed principle is that the learner's optimal
action policies balance exploration and control as an emerging property.
Interestingly, the explorative component is present in the absence of policy
randomness, i.e. in the optimal deterministic behavior. This is a direct result
of requiring maximal predictive power in the presence of feedback.Comment: 6 page
Density functional study of the adsorption of K on the Ag(111) surface
Full-potential gradient corrected density functional calculations of the
adsorption of potassium on the Ag(111) surface have been performed. The
considered structures are Ag(111) (root 3 x root 3) R30degree-K and Ag(111) (2
x 2)-K. For the lower coverage, fcc, hcp and bridge site; and for the higher
coverage all considered sites are practically degenerate.
Substrate rumpling is most important for the top adsorption site. The bond
length is found to be nearly identical for the two coverages, in agreement with
recent experiments. Results from Mulliken populations, bond lengths, core level
shifts and work functions consistently indicate a small charge transfer from
the potassium atom to the substrate, which is slightly larger for the lower
coverage.Comment: to appear in Phys Rev
1950: Abilene Christian College Bible Lectures - Full Text
Introduction
We offer with interest and pleasure another volume of a great series of discourses delivered at Abilene Christian College. The following were given in February, 1950. The first of these Lectureships was held in the year 1919, and was published by the Firm Foundation Publishing House in book form. With little exception they have appeared each year since that time. The printing was done by others a few times. Those who are fortunate enough to have a complete set of these fine gospel sermons are possessed of a treasure in religious literature. Only a few of the later years can now be supplied. The rest are numbered among the ârare booksâ and we frequently have calls for them, but of course cannot supply them. Any reader having a copy for sale is requested to write the office of the Firm Foundation at Austin, Texas. The âLectureshipâ of Abilene Christian College has become a great annual affair to the churches of Christ; thousands are in attendance, many of them coming from Canada and other countries besides all over the United States. This annual âmass meetingâ must not be understood to be a âConventionâ of the churches of Christ. We have no such conventions and do not endorse them. The Lectureship is simply a feature in the work of Abilene Christian College, a series of gospel sermons to which friends and patrons of the school and others are invited. It is our hope that the contents of this book may enrich the life, and strengthen the faith of the reader.
G. H. F. SHOWALTER
Austin, Texas August 20, 195
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