Evaluation of the parallel computational capabilities of embedded platforms for critical systems

Modern critical systems need higher performance which cannot be delivered by the simple architectures used so far. Latest embedded architectures feature multi-cores and GPUs, which can be used to satisfy this need. In this thesis we parallelise relevant applications from multiple critical domains represented in the GPU4S benchmark suite, and perform a comparison of the parallel capabilities of candidate platforms for use in critical systems. In particular, we port the open source GPU4S Bench benchmarking suite in the OpenMP programming model, and we benchmark the candidate embedded heterogeneous multi-core platforms of the H2020 UP2DATE project, NVIDIA TX2, NVIDIA Xavier and Xilinx Zynq Ultrascale+, in order to drive the selection of the research platform which will be used in the next phases of the project. Our result indicate that in terms of CPU and GPU performance, the NVIDIA Xavier is the highest performing platform

Space shuttle: a test vehicle for the reliability of the SkyWater 130nm PDK using OpenLane and the Google/E-fabless shuttle run for future space systems

The ASIC industry is experiencing a massive change in the recent years with more and more small and medium business entering the custom ASIC development. This trend is fueled by the recent open hardware movement and relevant government and privately funded initiatives. These new developments can open new opportunities in the space sector, which is traditionally characterised by very low volumes and very high non-recurrent (NRE) costs, if we can show that the produced chips have favourable radiation properties. In this ACM SRC entry, we describe the design and tape-out of Space Shuttle, the first test chip for the evaluation of the suitability of the SkyWater 130nm PDK and the OpenLane EDA toolchain using the Google/E-fabless shuttle run for future space processors

Complexation of adamantyl derivatives by a .beta.-cyclodextrin dimer

The binding constants, standard molar enthalpy, Gibbs free energy, and entropy changes were determined for the formation of complexes between adamantyl derivatives and a β-cyclodextrin dimer. It is concluded that, within experimental error, the two cyclodextrin residues in the dimer behave independent to each other when complexing the adamantyl derivatives

Complexation of 3.alpha.,7.alpha.,12.alpha.-trihydroxy-5.beta.-cholan-24-amine by .beta.- and .gamma.-cyclodextrins

The binding constants, standard molar enthalpy, Gibbs free energy, and entropy changes were determined for the formation of inclusion complexes between 3α,7α,12α- trihydroxy-5β-cholan-24-amine, C24NH2, and β-cyclodextrin and γ-cyclodextrin. The stoichiometry of both complexes is 1:1 in agreement with previously reported results for other trihydroxy bile salts. The equilibrium constant values for the formation of the inclusion complex are similar as well. The structure of the C24NH2/γ-cyclodextrin complex was studied by ROESY experiments. These results suggest that B, C and D-rings of the steroid skeleton, as well as the side chain, interact with the cyclodextrin cavity, while the A ring of the steroid nucleus remains outside the cavity

Formation of host-guest and sandwich complexes by a β-cyclodextrin derivative

A unimer with two host binding sites of β-cyclodextrin and two guest binding sites (two p-tert-butylphenyl moities) has been synthesized. The host and guest residues are linked through an EDTA bridge. Static and dynamic light scattering measurements evidence the formation of supramolecular entities in aqueous solution with a low degree of polymerization (<10). The formation of dendrimer-like structures is demonstrated by TEM measurements. From NMR experiments it is concluded that the p-tert-butylphenyl group is located at three different environments. Two of these sites correspond to the typical locations of a guest in equilibrium with a host, i.e.; inside the host cavity and in the bulk solution. The third location corresponds to a p-tert-butylphenyl group sandwiched between the outer surface of at least two cyclodextrin residues and the bridge of the unimer, forming an external complex. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V

Aggregation Behavior of Tetracarboxylic Surfactants Derived from Cholic and Deoxycholic Acids and Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid

The reaction of 3 beta-aminoderivatives of cholic and deoxycholic acids (steroid residues) with dimethyl ester of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (bridge) leads to the formation of dimers carrying four carboxylic organic function,, two of them located on the side chain of each steroid residue and the other two on the bridge. As tetrasodium stilts. these new compounds behave as surfactants and have been characterized by surface tension. fluorescence intensity of pyrene (as a probe), and static and dynamic light scattering measurements. Thermodynamic parameters for micellization were obtained from the dependence of the critical micelle concentration (cmc) with temperature. For both surfactants. the fraction of bound counterions is close to 0.5. The aggregation behavior is similar to one of their bile salt residues [i.e., sodium cholate (NaC) and sodium deoxycholate (NaDC)] and can be Summarized its follows: (i) molecular areas at the interface for the new surfactants are fairly close to twice the value for a single molecule in a monolayer of natural bile salts; (ii) the environment where pyrene is solubilized is very apolar, as in natural bile salt aggregates; (iii) Gibbs free energies (per steroid residue) for micellization are not far from published values for NaC and NaDC, and the differences can e understood on the basis of less hydrophobicity of the new surfactants due to the charges in the bridge: and (iv) as for NaC and NaDC. aggregates have rather low aggregation numbers (which depend oil the amount of added inert salt, NaCl). A structure based oil the disklike model accepted for small bile salt aggregates is proposed

Ice-like encapsulated water by two cholic acid moieties

Starting from the structure of ice (in which each water molecule is surrounded by other four water molecules forming a tetrahedron with a value of 4.51 A for the edge O-O distance), and the knowledge that this value also corresponds to the O7-O12 distance of the skeleton of cholic acid, it is hypothesized that two steroid cholic acid moieties, with an appropriate steroid-steroid distance and a belly-to-belly orientation, could encapsulate a single water molecule between them. To check this hypothesis two succinyl derivatives of cholic acid (a monomer and the related head-head dimer in which the succinyl group is the linking bridge) were designed. The expected "ice-like" structure is found in the crystal of the dimer. There is a hydrogen bond synergy between those participating in the "ice-like" structure, and those in which the bridge is involved with the O7-H hydroxy group and the side chain of the steroid. (c) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved