Advanced operator splitting based semi-implicit spectral method to solve the binary and single component phase-field crystal model

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.We present extensive testing in order to find the optimum balance among errors associated with time integration, spatial discretization, and splitting for a fully spectral semi implicit scheme of the phase field crystal model. The scheme solves numerically the equations of dissipative dynamics of the binary phase field crystal model proposed by Elder et al. [Elder et al, 2007]. The fully spectral semi implicit scheme uses the operator splitting method in order to decompose the complex equations in the phase field crystal model into sub-problems that can be solved more efficiently. Using the combination of non-trivial splitting with the spectral approach, the scheme leads to a set of algebraic equations of diagonal matrix form and thus easier to solve. Using this method developed by the BCAST research team we are able to show that it speeds up the computations by orders of magnitude relative to the conventional explicit finite difference scheme, while the costs of the pointwise implicit solution per timestep remains low. Comparing both the finite difference scheme used by Elder et al [Elder et al, 2007] to the spectral semi implicit scheme, we are also able to show that the finite differencing cannot compete with the spectral differencing in regards to accuracy. This is mainly due to numerical dissipation in finite differencing. In addition the results show that this method can efficiently be parallelized for distributed memory systems, where an excellent scalability with the number of CPUs. We have applied the semi-implicit spectral scheme for binary alloys to explore polycrystalline dendritic solidification. The kinetics of transformation has been analysed in terms of Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov formalism. We show that Avrami plots are not linear, and the respective Avrami-Kolmogorov exponents (PAK) vary with the transformed fraction (or time). Using the semi-implicit spectral scheme we have been able to provide extensive numerical testing of methods in solving the single component case. This has been demonstrated by using unconditional time stepping with comparable simulations using conditional time stepping. We show the accuracy of the solution for unconditional time stepping is not compromised and furthermore computational efficiency can be significantly increased with the introduction of this scheme. Finally we have investigated how the composition of the initial liquid phase influences the eutectic morphology evolving during solidification. This is the first study that addresses this question using the dynamical density functional theory.EPSR

Application of Organizational Effectiveness Model Using Balanced Score Card for Security Forces in Kashmir Valley

The Kashmir valley in the Indian subco ntinent has been a bone of contention between India and Pakistan and has assumed importance due to its geostrategic location The region provides vital link between China and Europe and the rest of the world The OBOR One Belt One Road and CPEC China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects are a testimony to this The valley has exquisite beauty and vast tourist potential but has been adversely affected due to violence and terrorist activities in addition to the border skirmishes between India and Pakistan The economy and development of the region have been poorly affected Indian security forces ar e deployed in large numbers and have a role in bringing the region to the path of peace and development It is imperative that the security forces are effective efficient and motivated in playing this role A modern tool has been designed to measure the organizational effectiveness in the Kashmir valley A questionnaire has b een designed based on organizational effectiveness model and Balanced Score card for its application to security forces in kashmir valley and a pilot study is being carried out to measure and test its efficac

Performance Evaluation of Adaptive Scheduling Algorithm for Shared Heterogeneous Cluster Systems

Cluster computing systems have recently generated enormous interest for providing easily scalable and cost-effective parallel computing solution for processing large-scale applications. Various adaptive space-sharing scheduling algorithms have been proposed to improve the performance of dedicated and homogeneous clusters. But commodity clusters are naturally non-dedicated and tend to be heterogeneous over the time as cluster hardware is usually upgraded and new fast machines are also added to improve cluster performance. The existing adaptive policies for dedicated homogeneous and heterogeneous parallel systems are not suitable for such conditions. Most of the existing adaptive policies assume a priori knowledge of certain job characteristics to take scheduling decisions. However such information is not readily available without incurring great cost. This paper fills these gaps by designing robust and effective space-sharing scheduling algorithm for non-dedicated heterogeneous cluster systems, assuming no job characteristics to reduce mean job response time. Evaluation results show that the proposed algorithm provide substantial improvement over existing algorithms at moderate to high system utilizations

CROSS CUSTOMERS SMART NETWORK INVENTORY PLANNER (SNIP) AND OPTIMIZATIONS USING DEEP REINFORCEMENT LEARNING

Optimal inventory upgrade planning is one of the most challenging tasks in managing network assets. A Smart Network Inventory Planning (SNIP) architecture or framework is presented herein that leverages a deep reinforcement learning (DRL) framework to enable network inventory upgrade planning for different scenarios. As a foundation for the DRL framework, techniques herein provide for establishing a network inventory environment through which interaction with a supply chain can be used to allow the SNIP architecture to incrementally optimize upgrading sequences for multiple customers. To further optimize inventory upgrades via the DRL framework, the SNIP architecture may employ a multi-objective reward function. Additionally, a transformer can be utilized as a policy network to capture long-term correlations in the inventory upgrading sequence. By incorporating weighting coefficients into both the reward function and a multi-agent actor network, the SNIP architecture can provide customized inventory task scheduling within an optimal framework

Mathematical modelling of a hand crank generator for powering lower-limb exoskeletons

SummaryWith advances in technology and ageing societal concerns growing, personal care devices are gaining importance globally. One such area is lower-limb exoskeletons, used to assist persons to move around for normal daily living. Most of the commercially available assistive exoskeletons use rechargeable Li-ion batteries, which require frequent charging to meet the operational needs. Charging becomes a problem when a person relying on a mobility exoskeleton has to go outdoors for shopping or a leisure walk. Experimental data from on-going research to develop assistive mobility exoskeletons for elderly persons indicates that, the power required for exoskeletons is around 45–60W which falls in the output range of hand-crank generators. So use of hand-crank generators as a charging source is discussed. In this work, we develop a mathematical model to investigate the potential of hand-crank devices in charging mobility exoskeletons and to give relation between input cranking speed and output charging power, and estimate the cranking time

Biochemical and molecular characterisation of the bacterial endophytes from native sugarcane varieties of Himalayan region

Seven endophytic bacterial isolates were finally recovered from native sugarcane varieties at hilly areas namely Berinag, Champawat and Didihat of Uttarakhand state in northern Himalayan region. New isolates and two standard cultures—Azospirillum brasilense and Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus, were evaluated for their morphological, biochemical and molecular characteristics. Morphologically all were rod shaped, Gram-negative bacteria. Their plant growth promotory properties were also assessed which proved isolates RtBn and StBn as IAA producing. Except isolate StBn, all were phosphate solubilising and except RtBn all produced siderophores. Molecular characterisation of the isolates was performed using amplified 16S r-DNA restriction analysis. Similarity index in unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean programme clustered the isolates according to their geographical distribution. Native isolates showed insignificant similarity with South American strains used as standards. nifH amplification was observed with all the isolates used in the study which again establish them as potential N-fixers

2.21 BILLION REASONS: Creating Safe Environments for Children

»NO VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN IS JUSTIFIABLE; ALL VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN IS PREVENTABLE.« Violence touches everyone; it either hides behind the closed doors of homes and institutions, or it permeates every aspect of life through war and conflict. It is a daily reality for millions of people around the world, affecting all ages and both genders within every social context and nationality. Violence is a complex problem related to patterns of individual thought and behaviour that are shaped by a multitude of forces within relationships, families, communities and societies. It is a health, social, justice, legal, economic, spiritual, development, risk management, and human rights issue. Although violence impacts members in every community and society, children and youth are the most vulnerable. In every part of their lives – their homes and families, schools, institutions, workplaces and communities – children are beaten, sexually assaulted, tortured, neglected, maimed, bought and sold, and killed. Far too often the adults in their lives are the perpetrators of their pain or the »observers« and take little or no responsibility to protect them and create safe environments. The consequences are enormous – at the individual, family, community, and societal levels