Modeling and measurement of fault-tolerant multiprocessors

The workload effects on computer performance are addressed first for a highly reliable unibus multiprocessor used in real-time control. As an approach to studing these effects, a modified Stochastic Petri Net (SPN) is used to describe the synchronous operation of the multiprocessor system. From this model the vital components affecting performance can be determined. However, because of the complexity in solving the modified SPN, a simpler model, i.e., a closed priority queuing network, is constructed that represents the same critical aspects. The use of this model for a specific application requires the partitioning of the workload into job classes. It is shown that the steady state solution of the queuing model directly produces useful results. The use of this model in evaluating an existing system, the Fault Tolerant Multiprocessor (FTMP) at the NASA AIRLAB, is outlined with some experimental results. Also addressed is the technique of measuring fault latency, an important microscopic system parameter. Most related works have assumed no or a negligible fault latency and then performed approximate analyses. To eliminate this deficiency, a new methodology for indirectly measuring fault latency is presented

Basic principles of postgrowth annealing of CdTe:Cl ingot to obtain semi-insulating crystals

The process of annealing of a CdTe:Cl ingot during its cooling after growth was studied. The annealing was performed in two stages: a high-temperature stage, with an approximate equality of chlorine and cadmium vacancy concentrations established at the thermodynamic equilibrium between the crystal and vapors of volatile components, and a low-temperature stage, with charged defects interacting to form neutral associations. The chlorine concentrations necessary to obtain semi-insulating crystals were determined for various ingot cooling rates in the high temperature stage. The dependence of the chlorine concentration [Cl+Te] in the ingot on the temperature of annealing in the high-temperature stage was found. The carrier lifetimes and drift mobilities were obtained in relation to the temperature and cadmium vapor pressure in the postgrowth annealing of the ingot.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure

Simulation of associative learning with the replaced elements model

Associative learning theories can be categorised according to whether they treat the representation of stimulus compounds in an elemental or configural manner. Since it is clear that a simple elemental approach to stimulus representation is inadequate there have been several attempts to produce more elaborate elemental models. One recent approach, the Replaced Elements Model (Wagner, 2003), reproduces many results that have until recently been uniquely predicted by Pearce’s Configural Theory (Pearce, 1994). Although it is possible to simulate the Replaced Elements Model using “standard” simulation programs the generation of the correct stimulus representation is complex. The current paper describes a method for simulation of the Replaced Elements Model and presents the results of two example simulations that show differential predictions of Replaced Elements and Pearce’s Configural Theor

EFFECT OF FEEDING WET DISTILLERS GRAINS WITH SOLUBLES TO BEEF CATTLE ON AIR AND MANURE QUALITY

Air quality is becoming a pressing issue for beef feedlot producers. Feeding practices influence the excretion of starch, fiber, nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S) in manure, thereby affecting nutrient content and the production of ammonia (NH3) and odorous compounds. Wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) are a common and economical ingredient in feedlot diets. WDGS are high in protein, fiber, phosphorus (P), and S but low in starch. The objective of this study was to compare NH3 concentration in the air and nutrients and volatile organic compounds (VOC) concentration in manure between two dietary treatments fed to feedlot cattle. Five pens of feedlot cattle were fed diets containing 14% to 35% WDGS and five pens were fed a corn-based diet with no ethanol byproducts (Control). Each pen had twelve sampling locations (N = 120) where air and manure samples were collected from the feedlot surface. Air samples were analyzed for NH3 concentration. Manure samples were analyzed for dry matter, pH, volatile solids, VOC, and nutrient composition (N, P, and S). Concentrations of P and S in manure and NH3 in the air were higher in pens fed WDGS compared to pens fed the control diet. Concentrations of VOC were similar across both treatments

Energetics of the primary electron transfer reaction revealed by ultrafast spectroscopy on modified bacterial reaction centers

The modification of reaction centers from Rhodobacter sphaeroides by the introduction of pheophytins instead of bacteriopheophytins leads to interesting changes in the primary photosynthetic reaction: long-living populations of the excited electronic state of the special pair P* and the bacteriochlorophyll anion B−A show up. The data allow the determination of the energetics in the reaction center. The free energy of the first intermediate P+B−A, where the electron has reached the accessory bacteriochlorophyll BA lies ≈ 450 cm−1 below the initially excited special pair P*

Influence of extended dynamics on phase transitions in a driven lattice gas

Monte Carlo simulations and dynamical mean-field approximations are performed to study the phase transition in a driven lattice gas with nearest-neighbor exclusion on a square lattice. A slight extension of the microscopic dynamics with allowing the next-nearest-neighbor hops results in dramatic changes. Instead of the phase separation into high- and low-density regions in the stationary state the system exhibits a continuous transition belonging to the Ising universality class for any driving. The relevant features of phase diagram are reproduced by an improved mean-field analysis.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figure

Combined genome-wide linkage and targeted association analysis of head circumference in autism spectrum disorder families

Background: It has long been recognized that there is an association between enlarged head circumference (HC) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the genetics of HC in ASD is not well understood. In order to investigate the genetic underpinning of HC in ASD, we undertook a genome-wide linkage study of HC followed by linkage signal targeted association among a sample of 67 extended pedigrees with ASD. Methods: HC measurements on members of 67 multiplex ASD extended pedigrees were used as a quantitative trait in a genome-wide linkage analysis. The Illumina 6K SNP linkage panel was used, and analyses were carried out using the SOLAR implemented variance components model. Loci identified in this way formed the target for subsequent association analysis using the Illumina OmniExpress chip and imputed genotypes. A modification of the qTDT was used as implemented in SOLAR. Results: We identified a linkage signal spanning 6p21.31 to 6p22.2 (maximum LOD = 3.4). Although targeted association did not find evidence of association with any SNP overall, in one family with the strongest evidence of linkage, there was evidence for association (rs17586672, p = 1.72E-07). Conclusions: Although this region does not overlap with ASD linkage signals in these same samples, it has been associated with other psychiatric risk, including ADHD, developmental dyslexia, schizophrenia, specific language impairment, and juvenile bipolar disorder. The genome-wide significant linkage signal represents the first reported observation of a potential quantitative trait locus for HC in ASD and may be relevant in the context of complex multivariate risk likely leading to ASD