Parallelized formulation of the maximum likelihood-expectation maximization algorithm for fine-grain message-passing architectures

Recent architectural and technological advances have led to the feasibility of a new class of massively parallel processing systems based on a fine-grain, message-passing computational model. These machines provide a new alternative for the development of fast, cost-efficient Maximum Likelihood-Expectation Maximization (ML-EM) algorithmic formulations. As an important first step in determining the potential performance benefits to be gathered from such formulations, we have developed an ML-EM algorithm suitable for the high-communications, low-memory (HCLM) execution model supported by this new class of machines. Evaluation of this algorithm indicates a normalized least-square error comparable to, or better than, that obtained via a sequential ray-driven ML-EM formulation and an effective speedup in execution time (as determined via discrete-event simulation of the Pica multiprocessor system currently under development at the Georgia Institute of Technology) of well over two orders of magnitude compared to current ray-driven sequential ML-EM formulations on high-end workstations. Thus, the HCLM algorithmic formulation may provide ML-EM reconstructions within clinical time-frames.     

Cyclo- and cyclized diene polymers. XVI. Nature of the active species and a proposed mechanism of cyclopolymerization of isoprene with catalysts containing ethylaluminum halides

The polymerization of isoprene with C₂H₅AlCl₂ to yield solid cyclopolyisoprene is markedly accelerated by the addition of TiCl₄. The polymer yield passes through a maximum on increasing the catalyst reaction time with or without monomer present. The active species are probably cations formed by dissociation of the reaction product of C₂H₅AlCl₂ and TiCl₄. The polymerization of isoprene with (C₂H₅)₂AlX–TiCl₄ (X = F, Br, Cl) has maximum activity at an Al/Ti mole ratio of 0.75 corresponding to conversion of R₂AlX to RAIX₂ which then reacts with remaining TiCl₄. A proposed mechanism of cyclopolymerization of conjugated dienes involves monomer activation, i.e., conversion to cation radical by one-electron transfer to catalyst cation which is itself neutralized, addition of cation end of monomer cation radical to terminal or internal unsaturation of fused cyclohexane polymer chain, one-electron transfer from “neutral” catalyst to cation on polymer chain which is then transformed to a diradical which undergoes coupling to form a cyclohexene ring. The mechanism of the “living” polymerization involves addition of catalyst-activated monomer to a “dead” polymer with a terminal cyclohexene ring and regeneration of the active catalyst.     

DNA hybridization detection with water-soluble conjugated polymers and chromophore-labeled single-stranded DNA

A sensor is provided that detects single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA) with a specific base sequence. The ssDNA sequence sensor comprises an aqueous solution containing a cationic water-soluble conjugated polymer [in this case, poly(9,9-bis(6'-N,N,N-trimethylammonium)-hexyl)-fluorene phenylene), 1] with a ssDNA labeled with a dye (in this case, fluorescein). The emission of light from the sensor solution with the wavelength characteristic of the probe oligonucleotide indicates the presence of ssDNA with a specific base sequence complementary to that of the probe ssDNA-fluorescein. Maximum energy transfer from 1 to the signaling chromophore occurs when the ratio of polymer chains to DNA strands is approximately 1:1. Energy transfer from 1 results in a fluorescein emission that is more intense than that observed by direct excitation of the chromophore. Furthermore, the decrease in energy transfer upon addition of electrolyte indicates that electrostatic forces dominate the interactions between 1 and DNA.     

Normal-incidence guided-mode resonant grating filters: design and experimental demonstration

Guided-mode resonant grating filters have numerous applications. However, in weakly modulated gratings designed for use at normal incidence, the filtering resonance of these subwavelength-period devices splits for angles of incidence that are even slightly off normal incidence. Strongly modulated gratings are designed that essentially overcome this practical problem near normal incidence. In addition, these gratings can have, by design, either broad or narrow spectral characteristics. An experimental demonstration (1.5-2.0-mu m wavelength range) of such a normal-incidence guided-mode resonant silicon grating upon a sapphire substrate is presented. The measured reflection resonance had a FWHM of 67-100 nm for angles of incidence of 0-8 degrees and peak efficiency of ~80% .     

Fluorescein provides a resonance gate for FRET from conjugated polymers to DNA intercalated dyes

Fluorescence spectra show that excitation of the cationic water-soluble conjugated polymer poly[(1,4-phenylene)-2,7-[9,9-bis(6'-N,N,N-trimethylammonium)-hexyl]fluorene diiodide] (1) results in inefficient fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to ethidium bromide (EB) intercalated within double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). When fluorescein (Fl) is attached to one terminus of the dsDNA, there is efficient FRET from 1 through Fl to EB. The cascading energy-transfer process was examined mechanistically via fluorescence decay kinetics and fluorescence anisotropy measurements. These experiments show that the proximity and conformational freedom of Fl provide a FRET gate to dyes intercalated within DNA which are optically amplified by the properties of the conjugated polymer. The overall process provides a substantial improvement over previous homogeneous conjugated polymer based DNA sensors, namely, in the form of improved selectivity.     

Quantum-well infrared photodetector structure synthesis: methodology and experimental verification

A numerical method for global optimization of quantum-well infrared photodetector (QWIP) performance parameters is presented and experimentally verified. The single-band effective-mass Schroedinger equation is solved by employing the argument principle method (APM) to extract both the bound and quasibound eigen-energies of the quantum heterostructure. APM is combined with a simulated annealing algorithm to determine a set of device design parameters such as potential barrier height V/sub i/, layer thickness d/sub i/, number of material layers N, total device length, applied bias V/sub Bias/ etc., for which the QWIP performance is within a predetermined convergence criterion. The method presented incorporates the effect of energy-dependent effective mass of electrons in nonparabolic conduction bands. The present model can handle many optimization parameters and can incorporate fabrication constraints to achieve physically realizable devices. In addition, the method is not limited to the optimization of absorption structures, and can be used for other intersubband devices such as electron-wave Fabry-Perot filters and quantum-cascade lasers. The strength and versatility of the present method are demonstrated by the design of a bicolor equal-absorption-peak QWIP structure, and experimental verification of the zero-bias absorption spectrum is presented.     

Diffraction of ballistic electrons by semiconductor gratings:Rigorous analysis, approximate analyses, and device design

A rigorous coupled-wave analysis is developed to model ballistic electron diffraction by semiconductor gratings with periodic effective mass and for potential energy variations. This analysis includes expressions for diffracted angles, evanescent and propagating orders, the Bragg condition, and diffraction efficiencies. Two approximate diffraction regimes, Bragg and Raman-Nath, are defined in which the rigorous coupled-wave equations (RCWEs) can be solved analytically, and the approximations required, the approximate solutions, and the restrictions placed on the grating parameters for each regime are given. It is shown that both the Bragg regime and the Raman-Nath regime are achievable with physically fabricated semiconductor grating structures. In addition, it is shown that both narrow and broad angular and energy selectivities can be achieved through control of the effective thickness of the grating. These results are used in the design of a two-dimensional electron gas (2-DEG) switch and a 2-DEG broadcast device     

Untersuchung der Doppelbrechung der spannungsinduzierten Kristallisation von Kautschuken

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