A Parallelization of Non-Serial Polyadic Dynamic Programming on GPU

Parallelization of Non-Serial Polyadic Dynamic Programming (NPDP) on high-throughput manycore architectures, such as NVIDIA GPUs, suffers from load imbalance, i.e. non-optimal mapping between the sub-problems of NPDP and the processing elements of the GPU. NPDP exhibits non-uniformity in the number of subproblems as well as computational complexity across the phases. In NPDP parallelization, phases are computed sequentially whereas subproblems of each phase are computed concurrently. Therefore, it is essential to effectively map the subproblems of each phase to the processing elements while implementing thread level parallelism. We propose an adaptive Generalized Mapping Method (GMM) for NPDP parallelization that utilizes the GPU for efficient mapping of subproblems onto processing threads in each phase. Input-size and targeted GPU decide the computing power and the best mapping for each phase in NPDP parallelization. The performance of GMM is compared with different conventional parallelization approaches. For sufficiently large inputs, our technique outperforms the state-of-the-art conventional parallelization approach and achieves a significant speedup of a factor 30. We also summarize the general heuristics for achieving better gain in the NPDP parallelization

Prevalence of fear of fall in perimenopausal overweight and obese women between 40-50 years of age

Background: The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity, coupled with their association with disability, and disease has main to their identification as a major, potentially preventable cause of premature morbidity and late sequalae as death. Obesity not only increases the risk of falls, but also the fear of falling resulting postural fluctuations and loss of balance even if there is not any history of falls. The aim of the study is to find the prevalence for fear of fall in perimenopausal overweight and obese women between 40-50 years of ageMethods: It was a cross-sectional study of 89 overweight and obese perimenopausal women between 40-50 years of age. Perceived weight was documented, body mass index was calculated and modified fall efficacy scale were used to evaluate the fear of fall.Results: As there was more fear of fall while using rare steps and while crossing the road and while using the public transport in perimenopausal obese women. Whereas there was fear of fall while using rare steps and while doing shopping in perimenopausal overweight women.Conclusions: The study concludes positive prevalence of fear of fall among obese and overweight perimenopausal women. Less confidence was noted in activities like using front or rear steps at home, crossing road, using public transport and simple shopping

Modeling and experimental demonstration of an integrated photoelectrochemical hydrogen generator working under concentrated irradiation

The thesis focuses on producing renewable fuels by direct conversion of concentrated solar energy via photoelectrochemical (PEC) approaches, which is one viable route for renewable fuel processing and energy storage. The aim of the Ph.D. thesis is to assess and support the development of solar fuel production and in particular to develop the practical design and operational guidelines in order to stabilize the performance, maximize hydrogen production, energetic effïciencies, and to minimize the cost of solar-fuel generation systems. The thesis presents a novel integrated photoelectrochemical device design, i.e. composed of an integrated traditional photovoltaic component and an electrolyzer component, which allows to circumvent some of the challenges imposed by solid-liquid interface in traditional PEC devices, and has the potential to operate at higher efficiencies and lower cost than externally wired (non-integrated) photovoltaic (PV) plus electrolyzer (EC) devices. Further, the concentration of irradiation is considered reducing the usage of expensive photoactive/catalytic materials and making the device cost-effective. A fully automated coupled 2D multi-physics non-isothermal model, which uses finite element and finite volume methods to predict the performance of the concentrated integrated PEC (CIPEC) devices, is developed. This validated model is the most complete yet computationally economical model of its kind. Further, the model is exploited formulating thermal management strategies and design guidelines; and showing that the thermal management is the rationale for CIPEC devices. Additionally, the collaborative work is performed on techno-economic and sustainability analysis showing that CIPEC devices can be economically competitive as well as sustainable. The extensive learnings from the previous modeling work have been deployed to implement a lab-scale CIPEC prototype (PV area = 4 cm2, EC area = 25 cm2, Concentration = 474). This resulted in a successful implementation and demonstration of high performance (17.2% solar-to-fuel efficiency) at an operating electrochemical current density of 0.88 A/cm2 (with 6.04 A/cm2 PV current density) and output power of 27 W, the first demonstration of such high current density/power operation and a step towards production of cost-effective solar fuels. The dissertation further exploits the developed model which led to the design and development of controller/controlling strategies utilizing only the water mass flow to actively track the optimum power point of the system during the day and in turn counteract the adverse effects of frequent and sustained disturbances like weatherly irradiation changes and device degradation. The thesis shows that concentrated photoelectrochemical approaches can provide a competitive solar fuel processing pathway. The detailed multi-physics model and techno-economic-sustainability model prove that operation of these devices is feasible and dynamic, and can be cost-effective as well as sustainable. The reactant flow based controlling approach shows device's ability to produce in a stable, reliable and robust way in spite of sustained/fluctuating disturbances. Finally, the experimental demonstration strengthens the case for the competitive performance and scalability of these devices. The thesis helps in bridging the gap between academia and practical implementation, and this work may lead to fast realization of these systems

Identification of fertility restorer and sterility maintainer lines in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Three cytoplasmic geneic male sterile lines of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) namely, JNKVVA1, ACBGA1 and ACBGA2 showed 100% male sterility when tested with 1% acetocarmine solution. Among the 50 chilli lines crossed with the three male sterile lines, 36 lines were stable for fertility restoration (Rf) while, two lines namely, AVNPC131 and X235 were identified as sterility maintainers (rf). &nbsp

Concentration dependence of drift and magnetoresistance ballistic mobility in a scaled-down metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor

The degradation of ballistic mobility in a metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor is attributed to the nonstationary ballistic injection from the contacts as the length of a channel shrinks to the length smaller than the scattering-limited mean free path. Apparent contradiction between the rise of magnetoresistance mobility and fall of drift mobility with increasing channel concentration is attributed to scattering-dependent magnetoresistance factor. The ballistic mean free path of injected carriers is found to be substantially higher than the long-channel drift mean free path. Excellent agreement with the experimental data on length-limited ballistic mobility is obtained

Controlling strategies to maximize reliability of integrated photo-electrochemical devices exposed to realistic disturbances

We numerically investigate the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy by integrated photo-electrochemical (IPEC) devices and assess their response to time-dependent changes in the boundary conditions and the material properties. We focus on a device architecture which uses concentrated solar irradiation to reduce the use of rare and expensive components such as light absorbers and catalysts. For practical usability of IPEC devices, it is of particular importance that the device operates with stable efficiency and production rates. Variations in the operating conditions, resulting, for example, from degradation of the materials over the lifetime and from the daily and seasonal changes in incoming irradiation, pose a challenge for the stable and secure production of fuel from such devices. To tackle these issues, we develop performance optimization strategies utilizing device design, component and material choice, and adaptation of operational conditions. Degradation effects can be alleviated (3-21% improvement in production) by dynamically adapting the input water flow rates. The water mass flow controller acts as an optimum operating point tracker for the IPEC device eliminating any need for additional, external power electronics (such as a dc-dc based maximum power point tracker). Mass flow rate adaptation can further be used to alleviate higher frequency variations given by the per-minute and daily variation in the irradiation. A stabilized efficiency and hydrogen production for the day can be achieved with mass flow controlling, with a production increase in the range of 1-6%. The developed strategies highlight that the design of an IPEC device needs to consider the realistic operation of the IPEC during the complete life. The developed strategies show that mass flow control allows for a more dynamic PEC operation and is a powerful tool to ensure robust and efficient device operation and to allow for alleviation of degradation effected performance reduction while excluding any external power electronics

Integrated Photo-Electrochemical Solar Fuel Generators under Concentrated Irradiation- Part I: 2-D Non-Isothermal Multiphysics Modelling

We investigate the direct conversion of solar energy and water into a storable fuel via integrated photo-electrochemical (IPEC) devices. Here we focus particularly on a device design which uses concentrated solar irradiation to reduce the use of rare and expensive components, such as light absorbers and catalysts. We present a 2-dimensional coupled multi-physics model using finite element and finite volume methods to predict the performance of the IPEC device. Our model accounts for charge generation and transport in the photoabsorber, charge transport in the membrane-separated catalysts, electrochemical reaction at the catalytic sites, fluid flow and species transport in the porous charge collectors and channels, and radiation absorption and heat transfer for all components. We then develop performance optimization strategies utilizing device design, component and material choice, and adaptation of operational conditions. Our model predicts that operation under high irradiation is possible and that dedicated thermal management can ensure high performant operation. The model shows to be a valuable tool for the design of IPEC devices under concentrated irradiation at elevated temperatures. To our knowledge, it is the most detailed yet computationally low-cost model of an IPEC device reported

Stability analysis in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Twenty cytoplasmic genetic male sterility (CGMS) based F1 hybrids, three promising genotypes and a check were evaluated in three different environments for stability analysis. The correlation and path coefficient analysis were studied in 75 genotypes for 18 and 12 different quantitative characters, respectively. Variance due to genotypes × environment interactions were significant for all the characters except number of fruits plant-1 and fresh fruit weight plant-1. Considering all the stability parameters, JCH-47, BCH-24 and BVC-37 exhibited wider stability for dry fruit yield plant-1, JCH-01 had stability for favourable environment and JCH-05, JCH-14, JCH-23, JCH-24, JCH-54 and RCH-23 showed below average stability. Highest performing F1 hybrid JCH-54 was identified as stable performer under unfavourable environment for dry fruit yield. The highest correlations were found with dry fruit weight plant-1 and fresh fruit weight plant-1 (r=1.00), number of fruits plant-1 (r=0.63), dry fruit weight fruit-1 (r=0.44), number of seeds fruit-1 (r=0.35), fresh fruit weight fruit-1 (r=0.32) and fruit length (r=0.28). Path analysis indicated that the number of fruits plant-1 and fresh fruit weight fruit-1 were the two factors that exerted the greatest influence both directly and indirectly upon the dry fruit yield. These two traits were the most important components that involved dry fruit yield plant-1. &nbsp

Anti-Anxiety and Antidepressant Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Dalbergia Sissoo for Anxiety and Depression in Ovariectomized Rats

There are studies showing the effects of long-term ovarian hormones withdrawal and post-menopause on animal behavior. Ovarian hormones play a critical role is modulating anxiety and depressive symptoms in female. Thus, this current study evaluated the anxiety and depression of long-term ovariectomy (OVX) in adult rats subjected to the light and dark chamber and forced swimming tests. In this study, we tested the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Dalbergia sissoo on female anxiety and depression in long-term postsurgical bilateral ovariectomized female rats. 6-month old female Wistar rats were used and distributed in 5 groups; diestrus rats, ovariectomized (OVX) groups with 60 days, OVX treated with standard β Estradiol (0.1mg/kg/s.c), OVX treated hydroalcoholic extract of Dalbergia sissoo (200 & 400 mg/kg). All treatments were given for further 28 days after post-surgical period (60 days) in ovariectomized female rats. They were evaluated on the 28th day in the light and dark chamber and forced swim test apparatus. The treatment of the hydroalcoholic extract of Dalbergia sissoo (200 and 400 mg/kg) in the OVX rats shows significant increase in the time spent in the light chamber and the immobility time was significantly decrease in the extracted treated groups as compared to the OVX group. Anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors were observed in rats which were influenced by post-menopause or ovarian hormone withdrawal. Results suggested that 28 days of treatment with hydroalcoholic extract of Dalbergia sissoo is able to lower the anxiety levels and depression in estrogen deficient females. Keywords: Dalbergia sissoo, Post menopause, Anxiety, Depression, Light dark box, Forced swim test