BEEBS: Open Benchmarks for Energy Measurements on Embedded Platforms

This paper presents and justifies an open benchmark suite named BEEBS, targeted at evaluating the energy consumption of embedded processors. We explore the possible sources of energy consumption, then select individual benchmarks from contemporary suites to cover these areas. Version one of BEEBS is presented here and contains 10 benchmarks that cover a wide range of typical embedded applications. The benchmark suite is portable across diverse architectures and is freely available. The benchmark suite is extensively evaluated, and the properties of its constituent programs are analysed. Using real hardware platforms we show case examples which illustrate the difference in power dissipation between three processor architectures and their related ISAs. We observe significant differences in the average instruction dissipation between the architectures of 4.4x, specifically 170uW/MHz (ARM Cortex-M0), 65uW/MHz (Adapteva Epiphany) and 88uW/MHz (XMOS XS1-L1)

Massive model visualization: An investigation into spatial partitioning

The current generation of visualization software is incapable of handling the interactive rendering of arbitrarily large models. While many solutions have been proposed for Massive Model Visualization, very few are able to achieve the full capabilities needed for a computer visualization solution. In most cases this is due to overly complex approaches that, while achieving impressive frame rates, make it virtually impossible to implement features like part manipulation. What is needed is a simple approach with rendering performance bounded by screen complexity not model size, with primitive traceability to the original model to facilitate part manipulation, and capability to be modified in near-real-time. This thesis introduces MMDr, a simple system to achieve interactive frame rates on extremely large data sets, while retaining support for most if not all the features required for a computer visualization solution

In search of a sustainable success strategy in the Chinese chemical industry

The Chinese chemical industry is facing fierce competition and changing market dynamics due to the change in the country's economic policy. Its government has applied administr.ttive actions rather than simply relying on the market to address the changing dynamics. It has attempted to privatise government-owned enterprises by corporatisation coupled with industrial restructuring. This paper uses a case study of Peony Printing Ink Co Ltd, a state-owned chemical enterprise, to illustrate the effectiveness of developing internal competences to improve long-term operational performance rather than the adoption of a privatisation approach

Ascension

https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/ascen/1002/thumbnail.jp

Identifying Compiler Options to Minimise Energy Consumption for Embedded Platforms

This paper presents an analysis of the energy consumption of an extensive number of the optimisations a modern compiler can perform. Using GCC as a test case, we evaluate a set of ten carefully selected benchmarks for five different embedded platforms. A fractional factorial design is used to systematically explore the large optimisation space (2^82 possible combinations), whilst still accurately determining the effects of optimisations and optimisation combinations. Hardware power measurements on each platform are taken to ensure all architectural effects on the energy consumption are captured. We show that fractional factorial design can find more optimal combinations than relying on built in compiler settings. We explore the relationship between run-time and energy consumption, and identify scenarios where they are and are not correlated. A further conclusion of this study is the structure of the benchmark has a larger effect than the hardware architecture on whether the optimisation will be effective, and that no single optimisation is universally beneficial for execution time or energy consumption.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figure

Applying fluvial depositional concepts in solute transport modelling

The spatial configuration of hydraulic properties in the subsurface controls groundwater flow and solute transport. Exploitable aquifer systems are often found in fluvial sedimentary deposits, which can exhibit predictable stratigraphic characteristics. However, sedimentary concepts are often overlooked when simulating aquifer heterogeneity. This can lead to differences in predictions of groundwater flow and solute transport. Understanding these differences is the central focus of this doctoral thesis. The main hypothesis is that by integrating geological concepts into hydrogeological modelling, we can improve predictions of solute transport. In this thesis, I linked geological concepts to hydrogeological parameters based on extensive site characterisations from the literature. An object-based modelling framework was developed in the Python programming language to facilitate further improvements in using geological conceptual models in numerical flow and transport simulations. By comparing model ensembles generated using object-based, multiple-point geostatistical, and multi-Gaussian simulation methods, I show that hydrogeological models that account for geological processes behave differently to models where such processes are neglected. In particular, transverse solute mixing is strongly affected by sedimentary anisotropy and the juxtaposition of zones of contrasting hydraulic conductivity that have been widely reported in the field. In addition, conditioning simulations to field data is important to constrain prediction of flow and transport to the range that is in accordance with observed data. Therefore, simulation methods that can integrate geological concepts and conditioning information (e.g., multiple-point geostatistical methods) have the greatest potential to improve the accuracy of solute transport predictions. The methods and workflow implemented in this work provide a platform for further investigation of the effects of geological realism on solute transport simulations.Die räumliche Konfiguration der hydraulischen Eigenschaften im Untergrund steuert die Grundwasserströmung und den Stofftransport. Nutzbare Aquifersysteme finden sich häufig in fluvialen Sedimentablagerungen, die vorhersagbare stratigraphische Eigenschaften aufweisen können. Sedimentären Konzepte bleiben jedoch bei der Simulation der Aquiferheterogenität oft unbeachtet. Dies kann zu Abweichungen in der Vorhersage von Grundwasserströmung und Stofftransport führen. Das Verständnis dieser Abweichungen steht im Mittelpunkt der vorliegenden Dissertation. Die zentrale Hypothese ist, dass wir durch die Integration geologischer Konzepte in die hydrogeologische Modellierung die Vorhersage des Stofftransports verbessern können. In dieser Arbeit habe ich geologische Konzepte mit hydrogeologischen Parametern verknüpft, die auf umfangreichen Standortcharakterisierungen aus der Literatur basieren. In der Programmiersprache Python wurde ein objektbasiertes Modellierungsframework entwickelt, um weitere Verbesserungen bei der Verwendung geologischer konzeptioneller Modelle in numerischen Strömungs- und Transportsimulationen zu ermöglichen. Durch den Vergleich von Modell-Ensembles, die mit objektbasierten, mehrpunktgeostatistischen und multi-Gaußschen Simulationsmethoden erzeugt wurden, zeige ich, dass sich hydrogeologische Modelle, die geologische Prozesse berücksichtigen, anders verhalten als Modelle, bei denen solche Prozesse vernachlässigt werden. Insbesondere die transversale Vermischung von gelösten Stoffen wird stark durch die Sedimentanisotropie und benachbarte Zonen mit kontrastierender hydraulischer Leitfähigkeit beeinflusst, die im Feld oft angetroffen werden. Darüber hinaus ist die Konditionierung von Simulationen auf Felddaten wichtig, um die Vorhersage von Strömung und Transport auf den Bereich einzuschränken, der mit den beobachteten Daten übereinstimmt. Daher haben Simulationsmethoden, die geologische Konzepte und Konditionierungsinformationen integrieren können (z.B. geostatistische Mehrpunktverfahren), das größte Potenzial, die Genauigkeit von Stofftransportvorhersagen zu verbessern. Die in dieser Arbeit implementierten Methoden und Arbeitsabläufe bieten eine Plattform für die weitere Untersuchung der Auswirkungen von geologischer Realitätsnähe auf die Simulation des Stofftransports

Use of mutants to dissect the role of ethylene signalling in organ senescence and the regulation of yield in Arabidopsis thaliana

The role of ethylene in regulating organ senescence in Arabidopsis has been investigated by studying the development of mutants that have an attenu- ated capacity to perceive the gas. The onset of leaf senescence and floral organ abscission was delayed in the ethylene-insensitive mutant etr1. The photosynthetic life span of rosette leaves was similarly extended in the gain- of-function mutant ers2, and this mutant also exhibited a delay in the timing of pod dehiscence primarily as a con- sequence of an extension in the final stages of senescence. A detailed analysis of yield revealed that whilst thousand grain weight was increased, by as much as 20 %, in etr1, ein4, and the loss-of-function mutant etr2, only the latter showed a significant increase in total weight of seeds produced per plant. The other studied mutants exhibited a reduction in total seed yield of almost 40 %. These observations are discussed in the context of the possible role of ethylene in regulating organ senescence and their significance in the breeding of crop plants with enhanced phenotypic characteristics

Examination of Native American Household Food Security in Oklahoma

The hardships faced by citizens of the United States as a result of the recent "Great Recession" and other financial downturns have had the greatest impact upon groups from lower socioeconomic status (Andrews & Nord, 2009). One of the most basic human needs is food and the ability to access it. According to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports, 14.9 percent of U.S. households were considered food insecure in 2011 as compared to fewer than 11 percent in 2007, thus more Americans are relying on some sort of food assistance program. There are multiple factors that contribute to food insecurity.The goal of this study was to understand how different socioeconomic factors affect food security for Native Americans in Oklahoma. The three factors evaluated in this study were Native American's household income, educational attainment, and employment status. By using the 18-item Core Food Security Module, Native American households were classified into different food security levels; an additional questionnaire addressed underlying problems or factors that contributed to food insecurity and issues relating to food assistance programs.It was found that 35% of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN) of Shawnee surveyed were food insecure in 2013. Unemployment rates for CPN households were found to be higher (30.8%) than the national average of 7.6%. CPN household income levels of $20,000 or more were found to be extremely lower than national levels, yet earnings below this level were higher. High school graduates and students entering into college were found to be higher than at the national level, however, there were more high school students dropping out and less college graduates than at the national level. It was discovered in this research that employment was closely correlated to food insecurity, along with educational attainment depending on various models. Just as predicted, food assistance programs are widely used throughout the tribe. Furthermore, this research alluded to the need for more research in terms of Native American food security and utilization of different food assistance programs.Agricultural Economic

Effects of planting density and nitrogen application on seed yield and other morphological traits of the leafy vegetable kale (Brassica oleracea).

The relationship between food security and sustainable land use is considered to be of the uttermost importance to increase yields without having to increase the agricultural land area over which crops are grown. In the present study nitrogen concentration (25 and 85 kg ha-1) and planting density (6.7, 10 and 25 plants m-2) were investigated for their effect on whole plant physiology and pod seed yield in kale (Brassica oleracea), to determine if the fruit (pod) yield could be manipulated agronomically. Nitrogen concentration did not significantly affect seed yield and it is therefore recommended that the lower concentration be used commercially. Conversely planting density did have a significant effect with increases in seed yield observed at the highest planting density of 25 plants m-2, therefore this high planting density would be recommended commercially to maximise area efficiency, highlighting that simple agronomic changes are capable of increasing crop yields over a set area