High Performance Biological Pairwise Sequence Alignment: FPGA versus GPU versus Cell BE versus GPP

This paper explores the pros and cons of reconfigurable computing in the form of FPGAs for high performance efficient computing. In particular, the paper presents the results of a comparative study between three different acceleration technologies, namely, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Graphics Processor Units (GPUs), and IBM’s Cell Broadband Engine (Cell BE), in the design and implementation of the widely-used Smith-Waterman pairwise sequence alignment algorithm, with general purpose processors as a base reference implementation. Comparison criteria include speed, energy consumption, and purchase and development costs. The study shows that FPGAs largely outperform all other implementation platforms on performance per watt criterion and perform better than all other platforms on performance per dollar criterion, although by a much smaller margin. Cell BE and GPU come second and third, respectively, on both performance per watt and performance per dollar criteria. In general, in order to outperform other technologies on performance per dollar criterion (using currently available hardware and development tools), FPGAs need to achieve at least two orders of magnitude speed-up compared to general-purpose processors and one order of magnitude speed-up compared to domain-specific technologies such as GPUs

Symmetry breaking and criticality in tensor-product states

We discuss variationally optimized matrix-product states for the transverse-field Ising chain, using D*D matrices with small D=2-10. For finite system size N there are energy minimums for symmetric as well as symmetry-broken states, which cross each other at a field value hc(N,D); thus the transition is first-order. A continuous transition develops as N->infinity. The asymptotic critical behavior is then always of mean-field type (the magnetization exponent beta=1/2), but a window of field strengths where true Ising scaling holds (beta=1/8) emerges with increasing D. We also demonstrate asymptotic mean-field behavior for infinite-size two-dimensional tensor-product (iPEPS) states with small tensors.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

A TIME SERIOUS ANALYSIS OF THE DYNAMIC INFLUENCE OF FEMALE'S MENSTRUAL CYCLE TO SPORT PERFORMANCE

This research uses Cross Correlation Function, C.C.F., as a dynamic relationship evaluation model to study the dynamic influences of the menstrual cycle on sport performances. This research takes females with a regular menstrual cycle to be the test subjects. Their basic body temperatures were recorded every day. A Kistler Quattro Jump force plate was used to record continuously for sixty days the parameters of muscular strength, jump performance, and fatigue index during the subjects performance of a counter-movement Jump (CMJ), squat Jump (SJ), and thirty-second continuous bent leg jumps (CJB). The late stage of the follicular phase and the early stage of the luteal phase have a positive influence on sport performance. This also illustrates that sport performance for female athletes will be varied dynamically in accordance with the time of menstrual cycle

Investigation of the drivers of logistics outsourcing in the United Kingdom's pharmaceutical manufacturing industry

Logistics outsourcing is a practice commonly used by firms to allow them to access capabilities that they lack internally. Although the main drivers of outsourcing in general are fairly well known, the question of what explains logistics outsourcing decisions within the UK pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, in particular, remains under-researched. Therefore, this study aims to bridge the aforementioned gap in the literature. We surveyed 49 drug manufacturers located in the UK using a web-based questionnaire. The data collected were analysed using logistics regression, exploratory factor analysis, and t-tests. We found that UK drug manufacturers regard improving quality and reliability and reducing logistics costs as the most significant reasons for outsourcing logistics services. We also found a direct positive relationship between the service provider's techno-commercial offerings and delivery performance, and the likelihood of being selected to provide these services. We further explored materials transportation, product delivery, research and development, and clinical trials, which are among the most frequently outsourced logistics activities in the UK pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. The study contributes to the wider literature on logistics outsourcing, and more specifically to that on the UK pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. Findings from this research can also be used to guide outsourcing practitioners’ decisions about the selection of logistics service providers. In addition, the study can help to enhance the service providers' understanding of why firms buy logistics services and which services they are likely to buy