1,025 research outputs found
Frequency scaling in multilevel queues
In this paper, we study a variant of PS+PS multilevel scheduling, which we call the PS+IS queue. Specifically, we use Processor Sharing (PS) at both queues, but with linear frequency scaling on the second queue, so that the latter behaves like an Infinite Server (IS) queue. The goals of the system are low response times for small jobs in the first queue, and reduced power consumption for large jobs in the second queue. The novelty of our model includes the frequency scaling at the second queue, and the batch arrival process at the second queue induced by the busy period structure of the first queue which has strictly higher priority. We derive a numerical solution for the PS+IS queueing system in steady-state, and then study its properties under workloads obtained from fitting of TCP flow traces. The simulation results confirm the
Grain growth competition during melt pool solidification -- Comparing phase-field and cellular automaton models
A broad range of computational models have been proposed to predict
microstructure development during solidification processing but they have
seldom been compared to each other on a quantitative and systematic basis. In
this paper, we compare phase-field (PF) and cellular automaton (CA) simulations
of polycrystalline growth in a two-dimensional melt pool under conditions
relevant to additive manufacturing (powder-bed fusion). We compare the
resulting grain structures using local (point-by-point) measurements, as well
as averaged grain orientation distributions over several simulations. We
explore the effect of the CA spatial discretization level and that of the melt
pool aspect ratio upon the selected grain texture. Our simulations show that
detailed microscopic features related to transient growth conditions and
solid-liquid interface stability (e.g. the initial planar growth stage prior to
its cellular/dendritic destabilization, or the early elimination of unfavorably
oriented grains due to neighbor grain sidebranching) can only be captured by PF
simulations. The resulting disagreement between PF and CA predictions can only
be addressed partially by a refinement of the CA grid. However, overall grain
distributions averaged over the entire melt pools of several simulations seem
to lead to a notably better agreement between PF and CA, with some variability
with the melt pool shape and CA grid. While further research remains required,
in particular to identify the appropriate selection of CA spatial
discretization and its link to characteristic microstructural length scales,
this research provides a useful step forward in this direction by comparing
both methods quantitatively at process-relevant length and time scales
Energy harvesting towards self-powered iot devices
The internet of things (IoT) manages a large infrastructure of web-enabled smart devices, small devices that use embedded systems, such as processors, sensors, and communication hardware to collect, send, and elaborate on data acquired from their environment. Thus, from a practical point of view, such devices are composed of power-efficient storage, scalable, and lightweight nodes needing power and batteries to operate. From the above reason, it appears clear that energy harvesting plays an important role in increasing the efficiency and lifetime of IoT devices. Moreover, from acquiring energy by the surrounding operational environment, energy harvesting is important to make the IoT device network more sustainable from the environmental point of view. Different state-of-the-art energy harvesters based on mechanical, aeroelastic, wind, solar, radiofrequency, and pyroelectric mechanisms are discussed in this review article. To reduce the power consumption of the batteries, a vital role is played by power management integrated circuits (PMICs), which help to enhance the system's life span. Moreover, PMICs from different manufacturers that provide power management to IoT devices have been discussed in this paper. Furthermore, the energy harvesting networks can expose themselves to prominent security issues putting the secrecy of the system to risk. These possible attacks are also discussed in this review article
Fluorescence emission spectra of silver and silver/cobalt nanoparticles
AbstractVarious aqueous solutions of silver and silver/cobalt nanoparticles (Ag and Ag/Co NPs) were obtained, and their fluorescence emission spectra have been studied. First, colloidal Ag NPs were prepared by an electrochemical method under different time intervals and at different rotation speeds of rotating electrode. Next, in a reduction method, Ag/Co core–shell NPs were prepared, using Ag NPs as a core. The core–shell structure of Ag/Co NPs has been demonstrated by the Transmission Electron Micrograph (TEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) pattern. The fluorescence emission spectra of Ag and Ag/Co NPs, at different ranges of excitation wavelength, were investigated, which revealed two kinds of fluorescence emission peak. The shorter emission peak was fixed at about 485 (for Ag NPs) and 538 nm (for Ag/Co NPs). For both NPs, with an increase in excitation wavelength, the latter emission peak becomes red-shifted. The effect of duration time and rotation speed of the rotating electrode, in the electrochemical preparation of Ag NPs, on its fluorescence emission spectra, has also been investigated
Crystallographic and NMR Investigation of Ergometrine and Methylergometrine, Two Alkaloids from Claviceps purpurea
Ergometrine and methylergometrine are two alkaloids that are used as maleate salts for the prevention and control of postpartum hemorrhage. Although the two molecules have been known for a long time, few and discordant crystallographic and NMR spectroscopic data are available in the literature. With the aim of providing more conclusive data, we performed a careful NMR study for the complete assignment of the 1H, 13C, and 15N NMR signals of ergometrine, methylergometrine, and their maleate salts. This information allowed for a better definition of their conformational equilibria. In addition, the stereochemistry and the intermolecular interactions in the solid state of the two maleate salts were deeply investigated by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction, showing the capability of these derivatives to act as both hydrogen-bond donors and acceptors, and evidencing a correlation between the number of intermolecular interactions and their different solubility
Human mesenchymal stromal cells from different sources diverge in their expression of cell surface proteins and display distinct differentiation patterns
When germ-free cell cultures became a laboratory routine, hopes were high for using this novel technology for treatment of diseases or replacement of cells in patients suffering from injury, inflammation, or cancer or even refreshing cells in the elderly. Today, more than 50 years after the first successful bone marrow transplantation, clinical application of hematopoietic stem cells is a routine procedure, saving the lives of many every day. However, transplanting other than hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells is still limited to a few applications, and it mainly applies to mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) isolated from bone marrow. But research progressed and different trials explore the clinical potential of human MSCs isolated from bone marrow but also from other tissues including adipose tissue. Recently, MSCs isolated from bone marrow (bmMSCs) were shown to be a blend of distinct cells and MSCs isolated from different tissues show besides some common features also some significant differences. This includes the expression of distinct antigens on subsets of MSCs, which was utilized recently to define and separate functionally different subsets from bulk MSCs. We therefore briefly discuss differences found in subsets of human bmMSCs and in MSCs isolated from some other sources and touch upon how this could be utilized for cell-based therapies
(S)-Pramipexole and Its Enantiomer, Dexpramipexole : a New Chemoenzymatic Synthesis and Crystallographic Investigation of Key Enantiomeric Intermediates
A new chemoenzymatic method has been developed for the synthesis of (S)- and (R)-N-(6-hydroxy-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[d]thiazol-2-yl) acetamide, two key synthons for the preparation of (S)-pramipexole, an anti-Parkinson drug, and its enantiomer dexpramipexole, which is currently under investigation for the treatment of eosinophil-associated disorders. These two building blocks have been obtained in good yields and high enantiomeric excess (30% and >98% ee for the R-enantiomer, and 31% and >99% ee for the S- one) through a careful optimization of the reaction conditions, starting from the corresponding racemic mixture and using two consecutive irreversible transesterifications, catalyzed by Candida antarctica lipase type A. Single crystal X-ray analysis has been carried out to unambiguously define the stereochemistry of the two enantiomers, and to explore in depth their three-dimensional features
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