China's High Performance Computer Standard Commission Established

China's High Performance Computer Standard Commission was established on March 28, 2007, under the guidance of the Science and Technology Bureau of the Ministry of Information Industry. It will prepare relevant professional standards on high performance computers to break through the monopoly in the field by foreign manufacturers and vendors.……

Progress and Challenges in High Performance Computer Technology

High performance computers provide strategic computing power in the construction of national economy and defense, and become one of symbols of the country＇s overall strength. Over 30 years, with the supports of governments, the technology of high performance computers is in the process of rapid development, during which the computing performance increases nearly 3 million times and the processors number expands over 10 hundred thousands times. To solve the critical issues related with parallel efficiency and scalability, scientific researchers pursued extensive theoretical studies and technical innovations. The paper briefly looks back the course of building high performance computer systems both at home and abroad, and summarizes the significant breakthroughs of international high performance computer technology. We also overview the technology progress of China in the area of parallel computer architecture, parallel operating system and resource management, parallel compiler and performance optimization, environment for parallel programming and network computing. Finally, we examine the challenging issues, ＂memory wall＂, system scalability and ＂power wall＂, and discuss the issues of high productivity computers, which is the trend in building next generation high performance computers.

ArchSim:A System-Level Parallel Simulation Platform for the Architecture Design of High Performance Computer

High performance computer （HPC） is a complex huge system, of which the architecture design meets increasing difficulties and risks. Traditional methods, such as theoretical analysis, component-level simulation and sequential simulation, are not applicable to system-level simulations of HPC systems. Even the parallel simulation using large-scale parallel machines also have many difficulties in scalability, reliability, generality, as well as efficiency. According to the current needs of HPC architecture design, this paper proposes a system-level parallel simulation platform： ArchSim. We first introduce the architecture of ArchSim simulation platform which is composed of a global server （GS）, local server agents （LSA） and entities. Secondly, we emphasize some key techniques of ArchSim, including the synchronization protocol, the communication mechanism and the distributed checkpointing/restart mechanism. We then make a synthesized test of some main performance indices of ArchSim with the phold benchmark and analyze the extra overhead generated by ArchSim. Finally, based on ArchSim, we construct a parallel event-driven interconnection network simulator and a system-level simulator for a small scale HPC system with 256 processors. The results of the performance test and HPC system simulations demonstrate that ArchSim can achieve high speedup ratio and high scalability on parallel host machine and support system-level simulations for the architecture design of HPC systems.

Precursor engineering enables high-performance all-inorganic CsPbIBr_(2) perovskite solar cells with a record efficiency approaching 13%

All-inorganic CsPbIBr_(2) perovskite has attracted widespread attention in photovoltaic and other optoelectronic devices because of its superior thermal stability.However,the deposition of high-quality solutionprocessed CsPbIBr_(2) perovskite films with large thicknesses remains challenging.Here,we develop a triple-component precursor(TCP) by employing lead bromide,lead iodide,and cesium bromide,to replace the most commonly used double-component precursor(DCP) consisting of lead bromide and cesium iodide.Remarkably,the TCP system significantly increases the solution concentration to 1.3 M,leading to a larger film thickness(~390 nm) and enhanced light absorption.The resultant CsPbIBr_(2) films were evaluated in planar n-i-p structured solar cells,which exhibit a considerably higher optimal photocurrent density of 11.50 mA cm^(-2) in comparison to that of DCP-based devices(10.69 mA cm^(-2)).By adopting an organic surface passivator,the maximum device efficiency using TCP is further boosted to a record efficiency of 12.8% for CsPbIBr_(2) perovskite solar cells.

ONFS： a hierarchical hybrid file system based on memory, SSD, and HDD for high performance computers

With supercomputers developing towards exascale, the number of compute cores increases dramatically, making more complex and larger-scale applications possible. The input/output （I/O） requirements of large-scale applications, workflow applications, and their checkpointing include substantial bandwidth and an extremely low latency, posing a serious challenge to high performance computing （HPC） storage systems. Current hard disk drive （HDD） based underlying storage systems are becoming more and more incompetent to meet the requirements of next-generation exascale supercomputers. To rise to the challenge, we propose a hierarchical hybrid storage system, on-line and near-line file system （ONFS）. It leverages dynamic random access memory （DRAM） and solid state drive （SSD） in compute nodes, and HDD in storage servers to build a three-level storage system in a unified namespace. It supports portable operating system interface （POSIX） semantics, and provides high bandwidth, low latency, and huge storage capacity. In this paper, we present the technical details on distributed metadata management, the strategy of memory borrow and return, data consistency, parallel access control, and mechanisms guiding downward and upward migration in ONFS. We implement an ONFS prototype on the TH-1A supercomputer, and conduct experiments to test its I/O performance and scalability. The results show that the bandwidths of single-thread and multi-thread ＇read＇/＇write＇ are 6-fold and 5-fold better than HDD-based Lustre, respectively. The I/O bandwidth of data-intensive applications in ONFS can be 6.35 timcs that in Lustre.

Determination of Benzo[a]pyrene in Edible Oil by High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Fluorescence Detector (HPLC-FL)

In this study, an optimized high performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detector (HPLC-FL) method for the determination of benzo[a]pyrene in edible oil was established. HPLC was performed with Thermo Fisher Scientific C18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm) as the chromatographic column and acetonitrile and water as the mobile phase, and the excitation wavelength and emission wavelength of fluorescence detector were 286 and 430 nm, respectively. The response was high, and the linear range was 0.5-10.0 ng/ml. The lowest limit of detection was 0.11 ng/ml, and the average recovery was 92.5%. This method is suitable for quantitative analysis of benzo[a]pyrene content in edible oil.

STUDY ON OPTIMIZATION OF HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE ADMIXTURES

Influences of admixtures on the workability and strength of high performance concrete （HPC） are in- vestigated. The types of investigated admixtures include naphthalene series high range water reducing agent, polycarboxlic series high range water reduce agent and sodium sulfate hardening accelerating agent. Two kinds of curing condition, namely steam curing condition and standard curing condition, are adopted. The result shows that HPC, added with polycarboxlic series of high performance water reducer, has high workability and strength, while sodium sulfate accelerating agent causes poor workability and low strength. Thus for vapor-cured HPC and its formulations, naphthalene series high range water reducing agent with less sodium sulfate should be given pri- ority. Therefore, the differences of curing conditions should be considered when selecting HPC admixtures.

High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Bilobalide and Ginkgolides in Ginkgo biloba L. Leaves

The ginkgo terpenoids including bilobalide and ginkgolides are the main pharmaceutical components in the leaves or extracts of Ginkgo biloba L. In this paper, the analysis of bilobalide and ginkgolides in leaves of Ginkgo biloba L. by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-electrospray ionization (ESI)-mass spectrometry (MS) was carried out. The separation was performed on Inertsil ODS3 column with methanol-water (36:64) as mobile phase, with 1 mL·min -1 of flow rate at 35℃. Then the mass spectrum analysis was conducted by ZMD micromass electrospray ionization (ESI)-mass spectrometer (MS). The HPLC total ion chromatogram and selected ion chromatogram (with 325, 407, 423, 439 of m/z) of the sample and ESI-/MS mass spectra of the peaks in the chromatograms were obtained. So bilobalide, ginkgolide A, B, C and J in Ginkgo biloba L. leaves were identified. The method is easy and rapid, with a good accuracy.

High Performance 70nm CMOS Devices

A high performance 70nm CMOS device has been demonstrated for the first time in the continent, China. Some innovations in techniques are applied to restrain the short channel effect and improve the driving ability, such as 3nm nitrided oxide, dual poly Si gate electrode, novel super steep retrograde channel doping by heavy ion implantation, ultra shallow S/D extension formed by Ge PAI(Pre Amorphism Implantation) plus LEI(Low Energy Implantation), thin and low resistance Ti SALICIDE by Ge PAI and special cleaning, etc. The shortest channel length of the CMOS device is 70nm. The threshold voltages, G m and off current are 0 28V,490mS·mm -1 and 0 08nA/μm for NMOS and -0 3V,340mS·mm -1 and 0 2nA/μm for PMOS, respectively. Delays of 23 5ps/stage at 1 5V, 17 5ps/stage at 2 0V and 12 5ps/stage at 3V are achieved in the 57 stage unloaded 100nm CMOS ring oscillator circuits.

An Improved High Fan-in Domino Circuit for High Performance Microprocessors

An improved high fan-in domino circuit is proposed. The nMOS pull-down network of the circuit is divided into several blocks to reduce the capacitance of the dynamic node and each block only needs a small keeper transistor to maintain the noise margin. Because we omit the footer transistor, the circuit has better performance than the standard domino circuit. A 64-input OR-gate implemented with the structure is simulated using HSPICE under typical conditions of 0.13μm CMOS technology. The average delay of the circuit is 63.9ps, the average power dissipation is 32.4μW, and the area is l15μm^2. Compared to compound domino logic, the proposed circuit can reduce delay and power dissipation by 55% and 38%, respectively.

Determination of trans-resveratrol in mouse liver by high performance liquid chromatography

To develop a sensitive high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） assay for the determination of trans-resveratrol in mouse liver. The whole liver of a mouse was removed from the body, homogenated, and extracted by ethyl acetate. The organic layer was isolated and evaporated to dryness, the residue was reconstituted in 0.2 mL mobile phase for centrifugation, and 50 uL of the supernatant was injected into the/-IPLC instrument. The sample was separated on a Shimadzu ODS column （150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 um） at 35 ℃ and detected by ultraviolet （UV） detector at the wavelength of 305 nm. The mobile phase consisted of methanol and 0.1 mol/L acetic acid （4：6, v/v） with the flow-rote at 1 mL/min. The limit of detection was 3.0 ng/g in liver homogenate with a signal/noise ratio of 3：1. The linear range of the calibration curve was 5.0-120.0 ng/g. The mean recoveries at the concentrations of 6, 10 and 80 ng/g were 102%, 96.0% and 91.5%, respectively. The RSDs for inter- and intra-day assays were less than 5%. Compared with other reported methods, this method was faster and more sensitive. It was also proved to be of good linearity, selectivity, accuracy and precision, and can be efficiently applied to the pharmacoldnetic study of trans-resveratrol in mouse liver.

INFLUENCE OF AIRCRAFT DEICER ON FREEZE-THAW DURABILITY OF HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE

The influence of glycol,the main composition of the most frequently used aircraft dicer,on the freeze-thaw durability of high performance concrete（HPC）is investigated.Freeze-thaw durability of HPC is tested by accelerated freeze-thaw test.Four kinds of the solution,i.e.,tap water,3.5% NaCl solution,glycol solutions,and a LBR-A type commercial aircraft deicer are employed.Results show that freeze-thaw durability of HPC exposed to glycol solutions is closely related to the solution concentrations.The failure of HPC exposed to 3.5% glycol solution is similar to that of those exposed to 3.5% NaCl solution,i.e.,serious surface scaling.While the damage of HPC exposed to 12.5%—25% glycol solutions is postponed.Compared with glycol solution,the commercial aircraft deicer has much more negative effects on HPC freeze-thaw durability compared with 3.5% NaCl solution.In the presence of commercial aircraft deicer for HPC subjected to freeze-thaw cycles,the deterioration is mainly due to scaling and spalling.

Detection of 36 antibiotics in coastal waters using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Among pharmaceuticals and personal care products released into the aquatic environment, antibiotics are of particular concern, because of their ubiquity and health effects. Although scientists have recently paid more attention to the threat of antibiotics to coastal ecosystems, researchers have often focused on relatively few antibiotics, because of the absence of suitable analytical methods. We have therefore developed a method for the rapid detection of 36 antibiotic residues in coastal waters, including tetracyclines （TCs）, sulfanilamides （SAs）, and quinolones （QLs）. The method consists of solid-phase extraction （SPE） and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS） analysis, using electrospray ionization （ESI） in positive mode. The SPE was performed with Oasis HLB and Oasis MCX cartridges. Chromatographic separation on a Cr8 column was achieved using a binary eluent containing methanol and water with 0.1% formic acid. Typical recoveries of the analytes ranged from 67.4% to 109.3% at a fortification level of 100 ng/L. The precision of the method, calculated as relative standard deviation （RSD）, was below 14.6% for all the compounds. The limits of detection （LODs） varied from 0.45 pg to 7.97 pg. The method was applied to detemaine the target analytes in coastal waters of the Yellow Sea in Liaoning, China. Among the tested antibiotics, 31 were found in coastal ＇waters, with their concentrations between the LOD and 212.5 ng/L. These data indicate that this method is valid for analysis of antibiotics in coastal waters. The study first reports such a large number of antibiotics along the Yellow Sea coast of Liaoning, and should facilitate future comprehensive evaluation of antibiotics in coastal ecosystems

Novel method for the determination of five carbamate pesticides in water samples by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with high performance liquid chromatography

A novel method for the determination of five carbamate pesticides （metolcarb, carbofuran, carbaryl, isoprocard and diethofencard） in water samples was developed by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction （DLLME） coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector （HPLC-DAD）. Some experimental parameters that influence the extraction efficiency were studied and optimized to obtain the best extraction results. Under the optimum conditions for the method, the calibration curve was linear in the concentration range from 5 to 1000 ng mL^-1 for all the five carbamate pesticides, with the correlation coefficients （r^2） varying from 0.9984 to 0.9994. Good enrichment factors were achieved ranging from 80 to 177- fold, depending on the compound. The limits of detection （LODs） （S/N = 3） were ranged from 0.1 to 0.5 ng mL^-1. The method has been successfully applied to the analysis of the pesticide residues in environmental water samples.

Combined effect of steel fibres and steel rebars on impact resistance of high performance concrete

The impact properties of normal concrete (NC) and reinforced concrete (RC) specimens,steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) specimens and RC+SFRC specimens with different steel fibre dosages were investigated with the drop-weight impact test recommended by ACI Committee 544.The results indicate that the number of blows to final failure is greatly increased by addition of steel fibres.Moreover,the combination of steel fibres and steel rebars demonstrates a significant positive composite effect on the impact resistance,which results in the improvement in impact toughness of concrete specimens.In the view of variation of impact test results,the two-parameter Weibull distribution was adopted to analyze the experimental data.It is proved that the probabilistic distributions of the blows to first crack and to final failure of six types of samples approximately follow two-parameter Weibull distribution.

Looking Ahead——A New Generation of High Performance Refractory Ceramics

It is expected that in the new century, to cope with developments of new high temperature technologies , a new generation of high performance refractory ceramics will e-merge and flourish which should include the following (1) oxide and nonoxide composites characterized by a unique combination of high hot strength , high thermal shock resistance and high corrosion resistance ; (2) free CaO bearing basic refractories capable of purifying molten metal for improving cleanliness and of absorbing contaminants from waste gases for reducing environmental pollution ; (3) free flowing zero cement castables with improved thermome-chanical properties , thermal shock resistance and corrosion resistance and gradient castables with varying matrix composition and varying texture.

Comparison of protocatechuic aldchyde in Radix Salvia miitiorrhiza and corresponding pharmacological sera from normal and fibrotic rats by high performance liquid chromatography

AIM： To observe the effect of protocatechuic aldchyde on the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells （HSCs）. METHODS： Liver fibrosis was induced in rats by carbon tetrachloride （CCh）. Then normal and fibrotic drug sera were extracted from rats. The effects of protocatechuic aldchyde, raw Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza and drug sera of Salvia miltiorrhiza on HSC growth were determined by CCKoS. The protocatechuic aldchyde was separated by high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） in a AIItima C18 column （250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm） with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-4% glacial acetic acid solution （gradient elution） at the wavelength of 281 nm. RESULTS： Protocatechuic aldchyde, raw Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza and drug sera of Salvia miltiorrhiza were found to have inhibitory effects on proliferation of rat HSCs. Raw Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza had a stronger inhibitory effect than the drug sera. The fibrotic drug sera showed a higher suppressive effect than the normal drug sera （P 〈 0.05）. Protocatechuic aldchyde was found in crude materials of both Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza and its corresponding drug sera. The average recovery （n = 6） was 110.5% for raw Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge, 102% for normal drug sera and 105.2% for fibrotic drug sera. The relative standard devitation （RSD） was 0.37%, 1.96% and 1.51%, respectively （n=6）. The contents of protocatechuic aldchyde were 0.22%, 0.15% and 0.19%, respectively （n = 6） （P〈 0.05）. The RSD was 0.33%, 0.75% and 1.24% （n=6） for raw material of Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza, normal drug sera and fibrotic drug sera, respectively. The samples were stable for 6 d. CONCLUSION： Protocatechuic aldchyde can inhibit the growth of HSCs. HPLC is suitable for the determination of virtual bioactive components of Chinese herbal medicines in vitro.

Determination of Organic Acids in Root Exudates by High Performance Liquid Chromatography: I. Development and Assessment of Chromatographic Conditions *1

Methods for determining nine low molecular weight organic acids in root exudates were developed by using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography with UV (ultraviolet) detection at 214 nm. The mobile phase was 18 mmol L -1 kH 2PO 4 adjusted to pH 2.25 with phosphoric acid and the flow rate was 0.3 mL min -1 . The analytical column was a reversed phase silica based C 18 column (Shim pack CLC ODS). The root exudates were collected through submerging the whole root system into aerated deionized water for 2 hours. The filtered exudate solutions were concentrated to dryness by rotary evaporation at 40 °C, dissolved in 10 mL mobile phase. The chromatographic conditions of organic acid determination were analyzed. The results showed that there was a high selectivity and sensitivity in the organic acid determination by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. Coefficients of variation for organic acid determination were lower than 10% except lactic acid. The recoveries were consistently between 80.1% to 108.3%. Detection limits were approximately 0.05 to 4.5 mg L -1 for organic acids except succinic acid with the detection limit of 7.0 mg L -1 . Phosphorus deficiency may contribute to the release of organic acids in soybean root exudates especially malic, lactic and citric acids.

Carbonation Resistance of Sulphoaluminate Cement-based High Performance Concrete

The influences of water/cement ratio and admixtures on carbonation resistance of sulphoaluminate cement-based high performance concrete （HPC） were investigated. The experimental results show that with the decreasing water/cement ratio, the carbonation depth of sulphoaluminate cement-based HPC is decreased remarkably, and the carbonation resistance capability is also improved with the adding admixtures. The morphologies and structure characteristics of sulphoaluminate cement hydration products before and after carbonation were analyzed using SEM and XRD. The analysis results reveal that the main hydration product of sulphoaluminate cement, that is ettringite （AFt）, decomposes after carbonation.

High Performance Concrete and Its Typical Mixes

With the modern development of chemical and mineral admixtures, it is now possible to produce much higher performance concrete than before. Higher performance does not only mean higher strength, but also better durability, lower risk of thermal cracking and higher dimensional stability etc. The three most effective admixtures for producing high performance concrete are superplastieizer, pulverized fuel ash and condensed silica fume. This paper outlines the properties of these materials and presents some practical guidelines for their usage.