APEnet+: high bandwidth 3D torus direct network for petaflops scale commodity clusters

We describe herein the APElink+ board, a PCIe interconnect adapter featuring the latest advances in wire speed and interface technology plus hardware support for a RDMA programming model and experimental acceleration of GPU networking; this design allows us to build a low latency, high bandwidth PC cluster, the APEnet+ network, the new generation of our cost-effective, tens-of-thousands-scalable cluster network architecture. Some test results and characterization of data transmission of a complete testbench, based on a commercial development card mounting an Altera FPGA, are provided.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures, proceeding of CHEP 2010, Taiwan, October 18-2

A Simple Numerical Tool for Dynamic Soil-Structure Interaction Analyses Including Non-Linear Behaviour of Both Structure and Foundation

In this paper a simple model to take into account dynamic non-linear soil-structure interaction is presented: it consists of a 1 degree-of-freedom (dof) superstructure and a 3 dof macro-element foundation. Both the superstructure and the soil-foundation system exhibit a non-linear behaviour. In particular the superstructure is characterized by an elastic perfectly plastic behaviour, while the foundation macro-element encompasses the two sources of non-linearity that arise in the soil-foundation interface: a) the one due to the irreversible elastoplastic soil behaviour (material non-linearity) and b) the one due to possible foundation uplift (geometric non-linearity). The global model thus entails the following features: a) the coupling between the foundation and the superstructure when one or both of them enter into the non-linear range, b) the capability for the foundation and the superstructure to dissipate energy, c) a prediction of peak and residual displacements in both the superstructure and the foundation, d) the possibility to model the isolation effects for the structure due to the foundation non-linear behaviour and e) the possibility for the superstructure to reach a particular level of ductility demand. Therefore, the model can serve as a numerical tool for assessing performance-based design approaches that wish to take into account non-linear soil-structure interaction. This is illustrated through several case studies of bridge piers, in which a comparison between the results obtained by dynamic analyses performed with different base conditions (fixed base, elastic base, elastoplastic base with uplift) emphasizes the role of the non-linear soil-structure interaction in design

In vitro percutaneous penetration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from sunscreen creams

Background: Dermal exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) affects many outdoor workers such as asphalt workers. Usually the use of sunscreen creams is suggested to protect them from UV radiation. However sunscreen could prevent or facilitate dermal absorption of industrial chemicals. Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess percutaneous penetration of anthracene using 2 different sunscreen creams as vehicle. Methods: In vitro permeation experiments were carried out using standardized in vitro methods with static diffusion cells. Excised human skin prepared to approximately 350 mm thickness was fixed on the diffusion cells. The receiving phase was a saline solution with 6% PEG 20. The 2 sunscreen creams (one lipophilic and one hydrophilic) were applied uniformly (2mg/cm2) on the skin mounted on the diffusion cell. After 20 minutes, a solution of anthracene and artificial sweat was added. Analysis of anthracene in the receptor samples was carried out by beta counter analyzer (Packard). Results: Results did not show a percutaneous penetration of anthracene from sunscreen creams while in previous studies in vitro percutaneous penetration of anthracene was demonstrated using the same methodology. Discussion and Conclusion: The use of sunscreen creams among outdoor workers, would not seem to enhance percutaneous penetration of PAHs. On the contrary it seems to be able to reduce dermal absorption of anthracene in the workplace

The 3D numerical simulation of near-source ground motion during the Marsica earthquake, central Italy, 100 years later

In this paper we show 3D physics-based numerical simulations of ground motion during one of the most devastating earthquakes in the recent Italian history, occurred on Jan 13, 1915, Marsica, Central Italy. The results provide a realistic estimate of the earthquake ground motion and fit reasonably well both the geodetic measurements of permanent ground settlement, and the observed macroseismic distribution of damage. In addition, these results provide a very useful benchmark to improve the current knowledge of near-source earthquake ground motion, including evaluation of the best distance metrics to describe the spatial variability of the peak values of ground motion, the relative importance of fault normal vs fault parallel components, the conditions under which vertical ground motion may prevail, as well as the adequacy of 1D vs 3D modelling of site amplification effects