The current study explores the interactions of cognitive load and stereotypes on emotions felt toward stereotyped groups and decisions of punitiveness for a crime. Dual processing models suggest that cognitive load can decrease deliberation and increase intuitive and emotional judgments. The Stereotype Content Model suggests that different stereotyped groups evoke different emotions. The current study tested the hypothesis that individuals under high cognitive load will be more likely to rely on stereotypical information and associated emotions when making decisions on punishment for a crime. Study 1 had 205 participants from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk website complete an online survey in which they read a vignette about an elderly man, a man who receives welfare checks, or a neutrally described man, who commits a “hit and run” crime. Half of the participants were then put under cognitive load, and all participants completed questions on punitiveness for the character’s crime, emotions felt towards the character, and perceptions of warmth and competence in the character. Study 2 repeated the manipulations and measures of study 1 with a few changes and in a college lab setting. Results were inconclusive in both studies and the null hypothesis was retained. Methodological and theoretical reasons for these results are discussed.

Distributed Hash Tables (DHTs) are protocols and frameworks used by peer-to-peer (P2P) systems. They are used as the organizational backbone for many P2P file-sharing systems due to their scalability, fault-tolerance, and load-balancing properties. These same properties are highly desirable in a distributed computing environment, especially one that wants to use heterogeneous components. We show that DHTs can be used not only as the framework to build a P2P file-sharing service, but as a P2P distributed computing platform. We propose creating a P2P distributed computing framework using distributed hash tables, based on our prototype system ChordReduce. This framework would make it simple and efficient for developers to create their own distributed computing applications. Unlike Hadoop and similar MapReduce frameworks, our framework can be used both in both the context of a datacenter or as part of a P2P computing platform. This opens up new possibilities for building platforms to distributed computing problems. One advantage our system will have is an autonomous load-balancing mechanism. Nodes will be able to independently acquire work from other nodes in the network, rather than sitting idle. More powerful nodes in the network will be able use the mechanism to acquire more work, exploiting the heterogeneity of the network. By utilizing the load-balancing algorithm, a datacenter could easily leverage additional P2P resources at runtime on an as needed basis. Our framework will allow MapReduce-like or distributed machine learning platforms to be easily deployed in a greater variety of contexts.

In spite of their high technical maturity, load sensing systems (LS) have system-inherent energy losses that are largely due to the operation of parallel actuators with different loads at the same pressure level. Hereby, the pressure compensators of the system are crucial. So far, excessive hydraulic energy has been throttled at these compensators and been discharged as heat via the oil. The research project “Reduction of System Inherent Pressure Losses at Pressure Compensators of Hydraulic Load Sensing Systems” aims to investigate a novel solution of reducing such energy losses. The pressure of particular sections can be increased by means of a novel hydraulic circuit. Therefore, a recovery unit is connected in series with a hydraulic accumulator via a special valve in the reflux of the actuators. The artificially increased pressure level of the section reduces the amount of hydraulic power to be throttled at the pressure compensators. As long as a section fulfills the switching condition of the valve, pressure losses at the respectiv pressure compensator can be reduced. Thus, via a suitable recovery unit excessive energy can be regenerated and can be directed to other process steps eventually.

The paper shows standard circuits with load reactive and non load reactive counterbalance valves. A Matlab simulation based on a linear model for the circuit with load reactive counterbalance valves shows what parameters have a significant influence on the stability of the system. The most important parameters of the counterbalance valve that influence the stability are pilot gain and relief gain. The factors describe how pilot pressure and load pressure affect the flow across the counterbalance valve. A new counterbalance valve (patent pending) has the pilot gain and relief gain required for stability only in operating ranges that require the parameters for stability. When the load is not moving or the counterbalance valve is not required for positive (non overrunning) loads, the new valve has a higher pilot ratio, which means that the valve opens further at lower inlet pressures. The new counterbalance valves saves about 30% power compared with a standard counterbalance valve that has the same parameters for stability when it is lowering an overrunning load. The standard counterbalance can be replaced with the new load adaptive valve in the same cavity. The paper shows test results and the design of the valve.

Allostatic load, or the “wear and tear” on the body due to stress, is thought to have a negative impact on length of pregnancy and contribute to health disparities in preterm birth. However, the magnitude of the effect on birth outcomes is unknown, in part due to questions of timing of measurement of allostatic load during pregnancy. This study used linear regression analysis of data from 156 pregnant women to test whether allostatic load is a predictor of length of gestation in the study sample, finding that third trimester allostatic load predicted length of gestation among women with full-term births. The study also compared allostatic load in each trimester to determine an optimal time of measurement for prediction of preterm birth. Findings were inconclusive because regardless of trimester of measurement, allostatic load was not a significant predictor of gestational length in the sample. Finally, the study compared allostatic load with scores on the Everyday Stressors Index, a psychosocial measure, to understand the relative benefits of allostatic load measurement during pregnancy. Neither was found to be a statistically significant predictor of preterm birth, so direct comparisons were not possible. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Thompson Seedless and Regal Seedless are two white seedless table grape cultivars widely produced in South Africa. Both cultivars are susceptible to berry browning, especially Regal Seedless. Browning leads to annual financial losses for table grape growers. Although a correlation between harvest maturity and the occurrence of browning seems to exist, it is still unclear whether maturity levels are the actual contributing factor. The aim of the study was to establish if harvest maturity and crop load could influence the occurrence of browning of both cultivars. The impact of harvest maturity and crop load on phenolic compound concentration in the berry skin of both cultivars was also investigated. Total external browning of Regal Seedless and Thompson Seedless occurred in much higher percentages than internal browning. Regal Seedless showed a tendency to decreased total external browning with harvest maturity. The main reason for this is that net-like browning, which is the greatest contributor to total external browning, decreased with harvest maturity, in all three seasons. External browning of Thompson Seedless increased with harvest maturity in both seasons. Contact browning was the greatest contributor to total external browning of Thompson Seedless. Crop load did not significantly influence berry browning of Regal Seedless or Thompson Seedless grapes. The flavan-3-ol concentration (catechin, epicatechin, procyanidin B1 and procyanidin B2) in Regal Seedless generally increased with harvest maturity, whereas in Thompson Seedless the general tendency was a decrease in the flavan-3-ol concentration with harvest maturity. The development of phenolic compound concentration with maturity could not be correlated with the occurrence of berry browning. Crop load did not affect flavan-3-ol concentration. When the flavan-3-ol concentration of Regal Seedless and Thompson Seedless were compared at different harvest maturities the concentrations of flavan-3-ols were clearly much higher in the skin of Regal Seedless than in the skin of Thompson Seedless (for both the 2008 & 2009 seasons). Comparison of the browning incidence with harvest maturity for these two cultivars (see above) clearly reveals that external browning of Regal Seedless occurred in much higher percentages than on Thompson Seedless. Regal Seedless had much higher levels of external browning than Thompson Seedless. The concentration of flavan-3-ols in the skin of white seedless cultivars may be an indication of the cultivar’s susceptibility to external browning. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Thompson Seedless en Regal Seedless is twee wit pitlose tafeldruif kultivars wat ekstensief in Suid-Afrika verbou word. Verbruining kan ‘n probleem wees by beide kultivars, spesifiek Regal Seedless. Die faktore wat aanleiding gee tot verbruining is nog nie duidelik bepaal nie. Alhoewel dit lyk of daar ‘n korrelasie tussen rypheidsgraad van die oes en verbruining kan wees is dit steeds onduidelik of oesrypheidsvlakke die werklike oorsaak van verbruining is. Die doel van die studie was om vas te stel of die rypheidsgraad van die oes en oeslading verbruining van beide kultivars kan beïnvloed. Die effek van oes rypheidsgraad en oeslading op konsentrasie van fenoliese verbindings in die korrelskil van beide kultivars is ook ondersoek. Totale eksterne verbruining van Regal Seedless en Thompson Seedless het in baie hoër persentasies voorgekom as interne verbruining. Daar was ‘n tendens by Regal Seedless dat totale eksterne verbruining verminder het soos die oes ryper geraak het as gevolg van netagtige verbruining, wat die grootste bydrae tot totale eksterne verbruining veroorsaak het. Netagtige verbruining se voorkoms het verminder oor al drie seisoene. Eksterne verbruining van Thompson Seedless het toegeneem met oes rypheid in beide seisoene. Kontak verbruining het grootste byrdae gelewer tot totale eksterne verbruining van Thompson Seedless. Oeslading het nie ‘n betekenisvolle invloed op verbruining van Regal Seedless en Thompson Seedless gehad nie. Die flavan-3-ol (katesjien, epikatesjien, prosianidien B1 en prosianidien B2) konsentrasie van Regal Seedless het met oes rypheid toegeneem. By Thompson Seedless was daar ‘n afname in die flavan-3-ol konsentrasie met oes rypheid. Daar was geen korrrelasie tussen die konsentrasie van fenoliese verbinding en die voorkoms van verbruining vir beide kultivars. Oeslading het nie ‘n betekenisvolle effek op die konsentrasie van fenoliese verbindings gehad nie. Vergelyking van die flavan-3-ol konsentrasie van Regal Seedless en Thompson Seedless by verskillende rypheidsgrade wys dat die konsentrasie baie hoër in die korrel skil van Regal Seedless as in die van Thompson Seedless (vir beide 2008 & 2009 seisoene). Die vergelyking van die voorkoms van verbruining met oesrypheid van beide kultivars wys duidelik dat eksterne verbruining van Regal Seedless in baie hoër persentasies voorkom as in Thompson Seedless. Flavan-3-ol konsentrasie in die skil van wit pitlose kultivars kan ‘n aanduiding wees van die kultivar se moontlike risiko vir die voorkoms van eksterne verbruining.

Three-Dimensional (3D) integration of circuits based on die and wafer stacking using through-silicon-via is a critical technology in enabling "more-than-Moore", i.e. functional integration of devices beyond pure scaling ("more Moore"). In particular, the scaling from multi-core to many-core architecture is an excellent candidate for such integration. 3D systems design follows is a challenging and a complex design process involving integration of heterogeneous technologies. It is also expensive to prototype because the 3D industrial ecosystem is not yet complete and ready for low-cost mass production. Networks-on-Chip (NoCs) efficiently facilitates the communication of massively integrated cores on 3D many-core architecture. In this thesis scalability and performance issues of NoCs are explored in terms of architecture, organization and functionality of many-core systems. First, we evaluate on-chip network performance in massively integrated many-core architecture when network size grows. We propose link and channel models to analyze the network traffic and hence the performance. We develop a NoC simulation framework to evaluate the performance of a deflection routing network as the architecture scales up to 1000 cores. We propose and perform comparative analysis of 3D processor-memory model configurations in scalable many-core architectures. Second, we investigate how the deflection routing NoCs can be designed to maximize the benefit of the fast TSVs through clock pumping techniques. We propose multi-rate models for inter-layer communication. We quantify the performance benefit through cycle-accurate simulations for various configurations of 3D architectures. Finally, the complexity of massively integrated many-core architecture by itself brings a multitude of design challenges such as high-cost of prototyping, increasing complexity of the technology, irregularity of the communication network, and lack of reliable simulation models. We formulate a zero-load average distance model that accurately predicts the performance of deflection routing networks in the absence of data flow by capturing the average distance of a packet with spatial and temporal probability distributions of traffic. The thesis research goals are to explore the design space of vertical integration for many-core applications, and to provide solutions to 3D technology challenges through architectural innovations. We believe the research findings presented in the thesis work contribute in addressing few of the many challenges to the field of combined research in many-core architectural design and 3D integration technology. / <p>QC 20151221</p>

Datahallar behöver reservkraft av god kvalitet för att garantera upprätthållandet av dess funktion. Laster i en datahall kommer att generera ström och spänningsövertoner som kan skapa problematik med elkvaliteten. Coromatic är intresserade av att veta mer hur dessa laster påverkar reservkraftsgeneratorn. En mätning utfördes på en datahall under ett funktionsprov. Resultatet blev att halten av THD ökade, främst är det 3:e övertonen som är framträdande. Mätvärdena för THDV ligger under gränsvärdena för SS-EN 50160 och 61000-2-2, men gränsvärdena för 3:e ton ligger långt över. Ingen åtgärd föreslås i nuläget för att hantera problemet. Denna avhandling har gett värdefull information till Coromatic att ta i beaktande vid utförande av nya reservkraftsanläggningar. / A facility full with computers needs backup-power to guarantee the function. Loads in this facility will produce current and voltage harmonics that can pollute and cause trouble with the quality of electricity. Coromatic are interested in knowing more about how these loads can affect the generator. A measurement was performed on a facility when they ran a functional test. The results indicated that THD increased, the third harmonic turned out to be the single harmonic with the highest value. The value is within the boundaries for THDV according to SS-EN 50160 and 61000-2-2, except for the third harmonic. Its value was far too high. No action is propsed to deal with the problem at the moment. This thesis has provided Coromatic with valuable information too consider when they building new systems.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: All structures are designed for a particular set of load combinations. For roof structures the critical loading combinations are predominantly wind actions. The accumulative effect of wind actions, by wind entering through dominant openings to exert pressure on the inside of roof structures together with the suction of wind vortices on the outside of the roof, can contribute to extreme load combinations. Frequently recorded failures on roof structures suggest that either the loads are underestimated or the resisting capacity of the roof coverings is overestimated. The focus of this study is directed on the latter, determining the effective resistance of roof coverings in the form of sheeting against a Uniformly Distributed Load (UDL) such as wind actions. To determine the carrying capacity of a roofing structure, the standard approach used involves experimental tests on certain configurations with two or more spans. The structural test set-up is loaded with sandbags until failure is reached. For the design of roofing systems, design tables are used that list the maximum allowable purlin spacing. The purlin spacing is presented in the form of a fixed value in units of length and is shown independent of a UDL that the roof needs to be designed for. The need to a new approach to determining the resistance of roof covering systems was identified. The resistance of roof coverings for the Ultimate Limit State (ULS) and the Serviceability Limit State (SLS) depends on a number of parameters such as the bending resistance, the stiffness of the sheeting in bending and the carrying capacity of the fastening system. To evaluate these structural parameters, experimental tests were performed. A full-scale experimental test setup, capable of simulating a UDL on roof sheeting, was developed. The experimental test set-up consists of four different configurations, each specifically schematized to evaluate a certain structural design parameter. The magnitude of the structural design parameters depends on the applied UDL and the span length, which is the distance between consecutive supports of the sheeting system. Therefore, by using the structural design parameters determined experimentally, a set of design tables could be generated. The design tables produce the maximum allowable span length of a roofing system that uses a desired UDL as a variable. By using the design tables, the purlin spacing for any roof structure can be calculated given its design loading combination. The calculated purlin spacings are now a function of the basic parameters that determine the resistance of the roof sheeting. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming

File systems store data in files and organize these files in directories. Over decades, file systems have evolved to handle increasingly large files: they distribute files across a cluster of machines, they parallelize access to these files, they decouple data access from metadata access, and hence they provide scalable file access for high-performance applications. Sadly, most cluster-wide file systems lack any sophisticated support for large directories. In fact, most cluster file systems continue to use directories that were designed for humans, not for large-scale applications. The former use-case typically involves hundreds of files and infrequent concurrent mutations in each directory, while the latter use-case consists of tens of thousands of concurrent threads that simultaneously create large numbers of small files in a single directory at very high speeds. As a result, most cluster file systems exhibit very poor file create rate in a directory either due to limited scalability from using a single centralized directory server or due to reduced concurrency from using a system-wide synchronization mechanism. This dissertation proposes a directory architecture called GIGA+ that enables a directory in a cluster file system to store millions of files and sustain hundreds of thousands of concurrent file creations every second. GIGA+ makes two indexing technique to scale out a growing directory on many servers and an efficient layered design to scale up performance. GIGA+ uses a hash-based, incremental partitioning algorithm that enables highly concurrent directory indexing through asynchrony and eventual consistency of the internal indexing state (while providing strong consistency guarantees to the application data). This dissertation analyzes several trade-offs between data migration overhead, load balancing effectiveness, directory scan performance, and entropy of indexing state made by the GIGA+ design, and compares them with policies used in other systems. GIGA+ also demonstrates a modular implementation that separates directory distribution from directory representation. It layers a client-server middleware, which spreads work among many GIGA+ servers, on top of a backend storage system, which manages on-disk directory representation. This dissertation studies how system behavior is tightly dependent on both the indexing scheme and the on-disk implementations, and evaluates how the system performs for different backend configurations including local and shared-disk stores. The GIGA+ prototype delivers highly scalable directory performance (that exceeds the most demanding Petascale-era requirements), provides the traditional UNIX file system interface (that can run applications without any modifications) and offers a new functionality layered on existing cluster file systems (that lack support for distributed directories)contributions: a concurrent