About speedup improvement of classical genetic algoritms using CUDA environment

Due to the increasing computational cost required for the numerical solution of evolutionary systems and problems based on topological design, in the last years, many parallel algorithms have been developed in order to improve its performance. Perhaps, the main numerical tool used to solve heuristic problems is known as Genetic Algorithm (GA), deriving its name from the similarity to the evolutionary theory of Darwing. During the last decade, Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) has been used for computing acceleration due to the intrinsic vector-oriented design of the chip set. This gave race to a new programming paradigm: the General Purpose Computing on Graphics Processing Units (GPGPU). Which was replaced then by the Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) environment in 2007. CUDA environment is probably the parallel computing platform and programming model that more heyday has had in recent years, mainly due to the low acquisition cost of the graphics processing units (GPUs) compared to a cluster with similar functional characteristics. Consequently, the number of GPU-CUDAs present in the top 500 fastest supercomputers in the world is constantly growing. In this work, a numerical algorithm developed in the NVIDIA CUDA platform capable of solving classical optimization functions usually employed as benchmarks (De Jong, Rastring and Ackley functions) is presented. The obtained results using a GeForce GTX 750 Ti GPU shown that the proposed code is a valuable tool for acceleration of GAs, improving its speedup in about 130%.Fil: Mroginski, Javier Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Castro, Hugo Guillermo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Modelado e Innovación Tecnológica. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Instituto de Modelado e Innovación Tecnológica; ArgentinaXXII Congreso de Métodos Numéricos y sus AplicacionesCórdobaArgentinaUniversidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional CórdobaAsociación Argentina de Mecánica Computaciona

A metaheuristic optimization algorithm for multimodal benchmark function in a GPU architecture

It is well known that the numerical solution of evolutionary systems and problems based on topological design requires a high computational power. In the last years, many parallel algorithms have been developed in order to improve its performance. Among them, genetic algorithms (GAs) are one of the most popular metaheuristic algorithms inspired by Darwin´s evolution theory. From the High Performance Computing (HPC) point of view, the CUDA environment is probably the parallel computing platform and programming model that more heyday has had in recent years, mainly due to the low acquisition cost of graphics processing units (GPUs) compared to a cluster with similar functional characteristics. Consequently, the number of GPU-CUDAs present in the top 500 fastest supercomputers in the world is constantly growing. In this paper, a numerical algorithm developed in the NVIDIA CUDA platform capable of solving classical optimization functions usually employed as benchmarks is presented. The obtained results demonstrate that GPUs are a valuable tool for acceleration of GAs and may enable its use in much complex problems. Also, a sensitivity analysis is carried out in order to show the relative weight of each GA operator in the whole computational cost of the algorithm.Fil: Mroginski, Javier Luis. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ingeniería; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Castro, Hugo Guillermo. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Reg. Resistencia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Modelado e Innovación Tecnológica. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Instituto de Modelado e Innovación Tecnológica; Argentin

Metodología PETI para puntual correo urbano E.U.

Este trabajo de investigación aplica la metodología PETI (plan estratégico para las tecnologías de la información) en la empresa Puntual Correo Urbano, buscando alinear las tecnologías de información y comunicaciones (TIC) con las estrategias y fines comerciales de la misma, para así determinar el desarrollo del software tipo ERP más adecuado.This research work applies the methodology PETI (strategic plan for information technologies) in the company Puntual Correo Urbano, seeking to align information and communication technologies (ICT) with its strategies and commercial purposes, in order to determine the development of the most appropriate ERP-type software

Scarcity climate rents under a carbon price with oligopoly competition

Prior research has shown that environmental policy can create scarcity rents. We analyse this phenomenon in the framework of a duopoly that faces a carbon price, considering both Cournot and Stackelberg competition. We identify the different sources of scarcity rents, which we classify in ‘output’ and ‘grandfathering’ scarcity rents. The former depend on the elasticity of the rivals’ output to the carbon price, while the latter is exogenous. We also determine under which conditions these rents can be large enough to increase firms’ profits and, as a policy implication, to what extent the existence of scarcity rents can make the firms agree on a tougher policy. This event is more likely to happen under Cournot than under Stackelberg competition, and the chances increase if the firms are allowed to pollute a large amount without paying a price

Application of eco-friendly new surfactants in pesticide formulations

El crecimiento de la población mundial permite proyectar para el año 2050 un número de habitantes estimado en 9.000 millones de personas. Un problema central será satisfacer la demanda de alimentos. Las ciencias agronómicas y sus distintas disciplinas deberán brindar las herramientas necesarias para incrementar, de manera eficiente y sustentable, la producción de agroalimentos. La lucha contra las plagas a través del empleo de plaguicidas amigables con el ambiente resultará fundamental para el desarrollo de la actividad agropecuaria. Los tensioactivos presentes en la mayoría de las formulaciones de plaguicidas son esenciales para potenciar la eficiencia biológica de los ingredientes activos, por medio del aumento de la estabilidad de los compuestos en solución o suspensión, y debido a las mejoras en propiedades tales como adherencia, distribución, estabilidad e incorporación en sitios de unión específicos. Generalmente, la selección de estos compuestos como coadyuvantes no tiene en cuenta el impacto ambiental que pueden generar por sus aplicaciones en formulaciones de plaguicidas. El presente proyecto tiene por objeto el desarrollo de nuevas formulaciones de plaguicidas que utilicen como coadyuvantes tensioactivos amigables con el ambiente y su posterior evaluación de las propiedades interfaciales, toxicológicas y de adsorción en distintos sustratos sólidos.Fil: Castro, Mariano Javier Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Unidad Ejecutora de Investigaciones En Produccion Animal; ArgentinaFil: Ojeda, Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Unidad Ejecutora de Investigaciones en Produccion Animal; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez Cirelli, Alicia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Unidad Ejecutora de Investigaciones en Produccion Animal; Argentin

Systemic treatment of immune-mediated keratoconjunctivitis sicca with allogeneic stem cells improves the schirmer tear test score in a canine spontaneous model of disease

[Abstract] Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is characterized by ocular discomfort, conjunctival hyperaemia, and corneal scarring, causing reduced aqueous tear production that can be measured using the standard Schirmer tear test (STT). Canine adipose tissue-derived MSCs (cATMSCs) have been proposed as treatment due to their anti-inflammatory effect, by releasing cytokines and immunomodulatory soluble factors. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the systemic administration of cATMSCs on tear production in dogs with immune-mediated KCS, compared to classical Cyclosporine A (CsA) treatment. Methods: Twenty-eight client-owned dogs with spontaneous KCS were allocated in the experimental group (n = 14, treated with systemic cATMSCs or control group (n = 14, treated with CsA). SST values increased significantly at days 15 (p = 0.002), 45 (p = 0.042) and 180 (p = 0.005) with no observed side-effects in the experimental group. Eyes with an initial STT value of 11-14 mm/min maintained significant improvement at day 180, needing only artificial tears as treatment. Eyes with an initial STT value <11 mm/min needed cyclosporin treatment at day 45, so follow-up was stopped. Control animals treated with CsA did not improve their STT at day 180. Results and conclusions: Systemic allogeneic cATMSCs application appeared to be a feasible and effective therapy with positive outcome in dogs with initial STT between 11-14 mm/min, with a significant improvement in tear production. The STT increment was maintained for at least 180 days, without needing additional medication, thus suggesting it could constitute an alternative therapy to classical immunosuppressive treatments.Comunidad de Madrid; S2017/BMD369

La utilización de la bandera de España por las fuerzas y cuerpos de seguridad del Estado

The flags are no longer tactical, but as a symbol of the nation, they represent the higher values expressed in the Spanish Constitution of 1978.The Army has kept flags as part of the traditions, and provide great brilliance to the military acts. Instead, in Spanish literature there are few studies about the flag in the State Security Forces.After a brief review of current legislation in Vexillology, this paper deals with the procedure for bestowal of the use the National Flag to different units of the National Security Forces, as well as their modalities, use and placement in official events, honours and protocol.Finally, we analyze the peculiarities of ceremonial in the Act of delivery of the flag, as a distinction that is given in recognition of the work they perform as guarantors of citizen freedoms and public safety, considering the different nature - military and civil- of both security Forces.Las banderas ya no tienen finalidad táctica, pero como símbolo de la nación, representan los valores superiores expresados en la Constitución de 1978.A diferencia de las Fuerzas Armadas, donde las banderas se mantienen como parte de las tradiciones, y aportan gran brillantez a los actos militares, en la literatura española existen pocos estudios relativos a la bandera en el ámbito de las fuerzas y cuerpos de seguridad del Estado.Tras un breve repaso a la normativa vigente en el ámbito de la Vexilología, este trabajo aborda el procedimiento para la concesión del derecho de uso de la enseña Nacional a distintas unidades de las fuerzas y cuerpos de seguridad de ámbito estatal, así como sus modalidades, uso y colocación en actos oficiales, honores y protocolo.Finalmente, se analizan las peculiaridades del ceremonial en el acto de entrega de la bandera, como distinción que se otorga en reconocimiento a la labor que desarrollan como garantes de las libertades públicas y de la seguridad ciudadana, considerando la distinta naturaleza -militar y civil- de ambos cuerpos de seguridad. _________________ The flags are no longer tactical, but as a symbol of the nation, they represent the higher values expressed in the Spanish Constitution of 1978.The Army has kept flags as part of the traditions, and provide great brilliance to the military acts. Instead, in Spanish literature there are few studies about the flag in the State Security Forces.After a brief review of current legislation in Vexillology, this paper deals with the procedure for bestowal of the use the National Flag to different units of the National Security Forces, as well as their modalities, use and placement in official events, honours and protocol.Finally, we analyze the peculiarities of ceremonial in the Act of delivery of the flag, as a distinction that is given in recognition of the work they perform as guarantors of citizen freedoms and public safety, considering the different nature - military and civil- of both security Forces

Dynamic Energy Return on Energy Investment (EROI) and material requirements in scenarios of global transition to renewable energies

Producción CientíficaA novel methodology is developed to dynamically assess the energy and material investments required over time to achieve the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources in the electricity sector. The obtained results indicate that a fast transition achieving a 100% renewable electric system globally by 2060 consistent with the Green Growth narrative could decrease the EROI of the energy system from current ~12:1 to ~3:1 by the mid-century, stabilizing thereafter at ~5:1. These EROI levels are well below the thresholds identified in the literature required to sustain industrial complex societies. Moreover, this transition could drive a substantial re-materialization of the economy, exacerbating risk availability in the future for some minerals. Hence, the results obtained put into question the consistence and viability of the Green Growth narrative.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Project no. FJCI-2016-28833)MEDEAS project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 69128