Applications for Packetized Memory Interfaces

The performance of the memory subsystem has a large impact on the performance of modern computer systems. Many important applications are memory bound and others are expected to become memory bound in the future. The importance of memory performance makes it imperative to understand and optimize the interactions between applications and the system architecture. Prototyping and exploring various configurations of memory systems can give important insights, but current memory interfaces are limited in the amount of flexibility they provide. This inflexibility stems primarily from the fixed timing of the memory interface. Packetized memory interfaces abstract away the underlying timing characteristics of the memory technology and allow greater flexibility in the design of memory hierarchies. This work uses packetized interfaces to explore memory hierarchy designs and prototype a novel network attached memory. Since current processors do not support packetized memory interfaces, a coherent processor bus is used as a memory interface for the DiskRAM project. The Hybrid Memory Cube (HMC) packetized memory interface is also presented and used to prototype network-attached memory. The HMC interface is discussed in detail, along with the design and implementation of a Universal Verification Component (UVC) environment. The convergence of network and memory interfaces is also predicted

Considerations for design of source apportionment studies

This report recommends procedures for source and ambient sampling and analysis in source apportionment studies. The recommendations are based on the results of receptor model studies of atmospheric particles in urban areas, especially a recent study of Houston, TX, undertaken as part of the Mathematical and Empirical Receptor Models Workshop (Quail Roost II). The recommendations are presented at three levels of increasing cost and detail of information obtained. Existing mass emissions inventories combined with chemically resolved test data from similar sources (not necessarily in the same locale) can be used to initially estimate the sources of elements present on ambient particles. To aid local users in construction of chemically resolved emission estimates, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is compiling a library of compositions and size distributions of particulate emissions from major source types. More reliable source characterization can be achieved if the actual sources are tested directly. EPA should develop and publish detailed procedures for source sampling that would be more appropriate for receptor model use than are existing standard methods. Source and ambient sampling should be conducted by similar methods. If possible, particles from sources should be collected in a way that simulates changes that would normally occur before they reach distant receptors (e.g. by diluting and cooling the particles from hot sources). It is recommended that particulate samples be routinely collected in two size fractions by use of virtual impactors and that all samples be subjected, at a minimum, to mass and X-ray fluorescence analyses. Additional measurements are suggested for obtaining more detailed information: neutron activation analysis; X-ray diffraction; automated particle classification by electron microscopy; analyses for classes of organic species, ^(14)C and thermally released carbonaceous species; and real-time observation of several gases during sample collection. Methods for collecting meteorological data in parallel with ambient samples are described, as are methods for incorporating such data into the source identification process

Poissonian and non Poissonian Voronoi Diagrams with application to the aggregation of molecules

The distributions that regulate the spatial domains of the Poissonian Voronoi Diagrams are discussed adopting the sum of gamma variate of argument two. The distributions that arise from the product and quotient of two gamma variates of argument two are also derived. Three examples of non Poissonian seeds for the Voronoi Diagrams are discussed. The developed algorithm allows the simulation of an aggregation of methanol and water.Comment: 18 pages 10 Figure

Mechanosensitivity in the model sea anemone Nematostella vectensis

Abstract Tentacles of the sea anemone, Nematostella vectensis, are covered with hair bundles. Hair bundles were deXected by water jets to test whether they are mechanoreceptors. Electrophysiological recordings conWrm that deXections of hair bundles induce transients in membrane current. In a diVerent species of anemone, hair bundle mechanoreceptors are known to change shape and responsiveness according to the activity of chemoreceptors that bind prey-derived compounds including N-acetylated sugars. In Nematostella, hair bundles signiWcantly elongate upon exposure to NANA, an N-acetylated sugar. Based on a bioassay in which discharged nematocysts are counted in gelatin-coated test probes touched to tentacles, we Wnd that NANA shifts vibration dependent discharge of basitrich nematocysts to lower frequencies overlapping those produced during swimming by known prey including planktonic crustaceans. Furthermore, we Wnd for the Wrst time that vibration detection extends at least 2.5 cm beyond the tentacle tips. Thus, Nematostella likely employs its hair bundles to detect swimming movements of nearby prey

Core data set on safety, efficacy, and durability of hemophilia gene therapy for a global registry: Communication from the SSC of the ISTH

BackgroundGene therapy for people with hemophilia (PWH) will soon become available outside current clinical trials. The World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH), in collaboration with International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis Scientific and Standardization Committee (ISTH SSC), the European Haemophilia Consortium (EHC), the US National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF), the American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network (ATHN), industry gene therapy development partners and Regulatory liaisons have developed the Gene Therapy Registry (GTR), designed to collect long- term data on all PWH who receive hemophilia gene therapy.ObjectiveThe objectives of the GTR are to record the long- term safety and efficacy data post gene therapy infusion and to assess the changes in quality of life and burden of disease post- gene- therapy infusion.MethodsThe GTR is a prospective, observational, and longitudinal registry developed under the guidance of a multi- stakeholder GTR Steering Committee (GTR SC), composed of health care professionals, patient advocates, industry representatives, and regulatory agency liaisons. All PWH who receive gene therapy by clinical trial or commercial product will be invited to enrol in the registry through their hemophilia treatment centers (HTCs). The registry aims to recruit 100% of eligible post gene therapy PWH globally. Through an iterative process, and following the guidance of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the GTR SC has developed a core set of data to be collected on all patients post gene therapy.ResultsThe core data set includes demographic information, vector infusion details, safety, efficacy, quality of life and burden of disease.ConclusionsThe GTR is a global effort to ensure that long term safety and efficacy outcomes are recorded and analysed and rare adverse events, in a small patient population, are identified. Many unknowns on the long- term safety and efficacy of gene therapy for hemophilia may also be addressed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163440/2/jth15023.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163440/1/jth15023_am.pd

Effect of Particle Size on Droplet Infiltration into Hydrophobic Porous Media As a Model of Water Repellent Soil

The wettability of soil is of great importance for plants and soil biota, and in determining the risk for preferential flow, surface runoff, flooding,and soil erosion. The molarity of ethanol droplet (MED) test is widely used for quantifying the severity of water repellency in soils that show reduced wettability and is assumed to be independent of soil particle size. The minimum ethanol concentration at which droplet penetration occurs within a short time (≤10 s) provides an estimate of the initial advancing contact angle at which spontaneous wetting is expected. In this study, we test the assumption of particle size independence using a simple model of soil, represented by layers of small (0.2–2 mm) diameter beads that predict the effect of changing bead radius in the top layer on capillary driven imbibition. Experimental results using a three-layer bead system show broad agreement with the model and demonstrate a dependence of the MED test on particle size. The results show that the critical initial advancing contact angle for penetration can be considerably less than 90° and varies with particle size, demonstrating that a key assumption currently used in the MED testing of soil is not necessarily valid

High Repetition Rate, LINAC-Based Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence FY 2008 Final Report

This summarizes the first year of a multi-laboratory/university, multi-year effort focusing on high repetition rate, pulsed LINAC-based nuclear resonance fluorescence (NRF) measurements. Specifically, this FY2008 effort centered on experimentally assessing NRF measurements using pulsed linear electron accelerators, operated at various repetition rates, and identifying specific detection requirements to optimize such measurements. Traditionally, interest in NRF as a detection technology, which continues to receive funding from DHS and DOE/NA-22, has been driven by continuous-wave (CW), Van de Graff-based bremsstrahlung sources. However, in addition to the relatively sparse present-day use of Van de Graff sources, only limited NRF data from special nuclear materials has been presented; there is even less data available regarding shielding effects and photon source optimization for NRF measurements on selected nuclear materials

What should we assess in practice?

Aim: This article reports on a PhD study and follow up work undertaken to review and develop a tool for assessment of practice. Background: The assessment of practice in nursing and midwifery education and, other health professions has been the source of concern, criticism and research for a number of years with the conclusion that it might not be possible to develop an assessment tool that could encompass all aspects of professional practice. Methods: A qualitative evaluation study was undertaken using the naturalistic method of inquiry. A combination of tools was used in order to collect the data and enable progressive focusing and cross checking of the findings. These included documentary analysis, a questionnaire and focus group and individual interviews. The data was collected from documents analysis, focus group interviews, individual interviews and questionnaires. Results: The results showed that the assessment tool in use at the time did not encompass all criteria assessors used and six areas were identified as those to include in any future tool. Conclusion: The six areas identified by subjects as those to include in any assessment tool were further developed with specific statements so that they could be used within a tool. Implications for nursing management and education: Within the changing nature of health care there is a need to review whether the tool used for assessing pre-registration education of nursing and midwifery students practice is ‘fit for purpose’