3D high definition video coding on a GPU-based heterogeneous system

H.264/MVC is a standard for supporting the sensation of 3D, based on coding from 2 (stereo) to N views. H.264/MVC adopts many coding options inherited from single view H.264/AVC, and thus its complexity is even higher, mainly because the number of processing views is higher. In this manuscript, we aim at an efficient parallelization of the most computationally intensive video encoding module for stereo sequences. In particular, inter prediction and its collaborative execution on a heterogeneous platform. The proposal is based on an efficient dynamic load balancing algorithm and on breaking encoding dependencies. Experimental results demonstrate the proposed algorithm's ability to reduce the encoding time for different stereo high definition sequences. Speed-up values of up to 90× were obtained when compared with the reference encoder on the same platform. Moreover, the proposed algorithm also provides a more energy-efficient approach and hence requires less energy than the sequential reference algorith

Work on PETS Developed at CIEMAT

CIEMAT has been working on the RF power extractor so-called PETS (Power Extraction and Transfer Structure) for the CLIC Test Facility 3 (CTF3) since 2007. The first contribution has been installed at the Test Beam Line (TBL). Additionally, a new PETS configuration is presently under fabrication at CIEMAT and will be installed in the Test Module at CTF3. This paper describes the PETS prototypes design, fabrication and assembly techniques. The characterization of the devices with low RF power is also described.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figures, 3 tables, 10 references. Work presented in the LCWS1

RSVP-TE Extensions to Provide Guarantee of Service to MPLS 1

Abstract. Independent Quality of Service (QoS) models need to be set up in IP and ATM integration and they are difficult to coordinate. This gap is bridged when MultiProtocol Label Switching (MPLS) is used for this purpose. We propose Guarantee of Service (GoS) to improve performance of privileged flows in congested MPLS networks. We first discuss the GoS requirements for the use in conjunction with MPLS. Then we propose a minimum set of extensions to RSVP-TE that allow signaling of GoS information across the MPLS domain

Experimental investigation of a thermal storage system using phase change materials

A home-made heat exchanger (HE), used in the evaluation of the performance of different phase change materials (PCMs), was designed, mounted and operated. The HE unit was used as a heat thermal storage system for recovering the residual energy coming from a hydrogen cycle, which could be in turn used in building air-conditioning facilities. Four PCMs (Rubitherm® RT28, Rubitherm® RT48, Rubitherm® RT55 and Mikrocaps PCM35; the latter supplied as a slurry of microcapsules) was selected for their suitable thermal properties. Water was used as the heat transfer fluid (HTF) while the PCM was tightly stored inside the shell. Among all the studied PCMs, Rubitherm® RT48 presented the best thermal performance since it accumulated the maximum amount of energy. The influence of the HTF flow rate on the thermal performance of the shell and tube HE was also evaluated. Low HTF flow rates led to high values of heat transferred. Finally, different operation modes (watertight and countercurrent PCM flow) were compared by using Mikrocaps PCM35. PCM countercurrent flow system showed to be the best experimental set-up configuration system for energy transfer, reaching values of heat accumulation about 71% higher than that shown by the watertight mode.Se diseñó, montó y operó un intercambiador de calor casero (HE), utilizado en la evaluación del desempeño de diferentes materiales de cambio de fase (PCM). La unidad HE se utilizó como sistema de almacenamiento térmico de calor para recuperar la energía residual procedente de un ciclo de hidrógeno, que a su vez podría utilizarse en la construcción de instalaciones de aire acondicionado. Se seleccionaron cuatro PCM (Rubitherm® RT28, Rubitherm® RT48, Rubitherm® RT55 y Mikrocaps PCM35; este último suministrado como una suspensión de microcápsulas) por sus propiedades térmicas adecuadas. Se usó agua como fluido de transferencia de calor (HTF) mientras que el PCM se almacenó herméticamente dentro de la carcasa. Entre todos los PCM estudiados, Rubitherm® RT48 presentó el mejor desempeño térmico ya que acumuló la máxima cantidad de energía. También se evaluó la influencia del caudal de HTF en el rendimiento térmico de la carcasa y el tubo HE. Las bajas tasas de flujo de HTF condujeron a altos valores de transferencia de calor. Finalmente, se compararon diferentes modos de operación (flujo PCM estanco y contracorriente) utilizando Mikrocaps PCM35. El sistema de flujo a contracorriente PCM demostró ser el mejor sistema de configuración experimental para la transferencia de energía, alcanzando valores de acumulación de calor un 71% superiores a los mostrados por el modo estanco

Yearly evolution of organ damage markers in diabetes or metabolic syndrome: data from the LOD-DIABETES study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cardiovascular disease morbidity-mortality is greater in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the yearly evolution of organ damage markers in diabetes or metabolic syndrome, and to analyze the associated factors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An observational prospective study was carried out in the primary care setting, involving 112 patients: 68 diabetics and 44 subjects with metabolic syndrome, subjected to 12 months of follow-up. Measurements: traditional cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, blood glucose, lipids, smoking, body mass index (BMI) and) and non-traditional risk factors (waist circumference, hsC Reactive Protein and fibrinogen); subclinical vascular (carotid intima-media thickness, pulse wave velocity and ankle/brachial index), cardiac (Cornell voltage-duration product), renal organ damage (creatinine, glomerular filtration and albumin/creatinine index), and antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drugs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At baseline, the diabetics presented a mean age of 59.9 years, versus 55.2 years in the subjects with metabolic syndrome (p = 0.03). Diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were lower among the patients with diabetes, while blood glucose and HbA1c, as well as antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drug use, were greater. At evaluation after one year, the diabetics showed a decrease in BMI (-0.39), diastolic blood pressure (-3.59), and an increase in fibrinogen (30.23 mg/dL), ankle/brachial index (0.07) and the number of patients with ankle/brachial index pathologic decreased in 6. In turn, the patients with metabolic syndrome showed an increase in HDL-cholesterol (1-91 mg/dL), fibrinogen (25.54 mg/dL), Cornell voltage-duration product (184.22 mm/ms), ankle/brachial index (0.05) and the use of antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drugs, and a reduction in serum glucose (3.74 mg/dL), HOMA, systolic (-6.76 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (-3.29 mmHg), and pulse wave velocity (-0.72 m/s). The variable that best predicted a decrease in pulse wave velocity in subjects with metabolic syndrome was seen to be an increase in antihypertensive drug use.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The annual assessment of cardiovascular risk factors and the decrease in pulse wave velocity was more favorable in the patients with metabolic syndrome, probably influenced by the increased percentage of subjects treated with antihypertensive and lipid lowering drugs in this group.</p

LEARNING STYLES IN HYBRID EDUCATION PROCESSES

A documentary review was carried out on the production and publication of research papers related to the study of the variables Learning Styles and Hybrid Education. The purpose of the bibliometric analysis proposed in this paper was to know the main characteristics of the volume of publications registered in the Scopus database during the period 2016-2021, achieving the identification of 92 publications. The information provided by the said platform was organized through tables and figures, categorizing the information by Year of Publication, Country of Origin, Area of Knowledge and Type of Publication. Once these characteristics were described, the position of different authors regarding the proposed topic was referenced by applying qualitative analysis. Among the main findings of this research, it is found that the United States, with 26 publications, was the country with the highest scientific production registered in the name of authors affiliated with institutions of that country. The Knowledge Area that made the greatest contribution to the construction of bibliographic material referring to the study of the different learning styles in hybrid education processes was Computer Science with 49 published documents, and the type of publication that was most used during the above-mentioned period was the conference article, which represents 53% of the total scientific production

Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Methotrexate Resistance in Melanoma

Endocrinolog