On-demand distributed image processing over an adaptive Campus-Grid

This thesis explores how scientific applications, which are based upon short jobs (seconds and minutes) can capitalize upon the idle workstations of a Campus-Grid. These resources are donated on a voluntary basis, and consequently, the Campus-Grid is constantly adapting and the availability of workstations changes. Typically, to utilize these resources a Condor system or equivalent would be used. However, such systems are designed with different trade-offs and incentives in mind and therefore do not provide intrinsic support for short jobs. The motivation for creating a provisioning scenario for short jobs is that Image Processing, as well as other areas of scientific analysis, are typically composed of short running jobs, but still require parallel solutions. Much of the literature in this area comments on the challenges of performing such analysis efficiently and effectively even when dedicated resources are in use. The main challenges are: latency and scheduling penalties, granularity and the potential for very short jobs. A volunteer Grid retains these challenges but also adds further challenges. These can be summarized as: unpredictable re source availability and longevity, multiple machine owners and administrators who directly affect the operating environment. Ultimately, this creates the requirement for well conceived and effective fault management strategies. However, these are typically not in place to enable transparent fault-free job administration for the user. This research demonstrates that these challenges are answerable, and that in doing so opportunistically sourced Campus-Grid resources can host disparate applications constituted of short running jobs, of as little as one second in length. This is demonstrated by the significant improvements in performance when the system presented here was compared to a well established Condor system. Here, improvements are increased job efficiency from 60–70% to 95%–100%, up to a 99% reduction in application makespan and up to a 13000% increase in the efficiency of resource utilization. The Condor pool in use is approximately 1,600 workstations distributed across 27 administrative domains of Cardiff University. The application domain of this research is Matlab-based image processing, and the application area used to demonstrate the approach is the analysis of Magnetic Resonance Imagery (MRI). However, the presented approach is generalizable to any application domain with similar characteristics

The safety and efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells for prevention or regeneration of intervertebral disc degeneration: a systematic review

General Posters: abstract no. GP86INTRODUCTION: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used to halt the progression or regenerate the disc with hopes to prevent or treat discogenic back pain. However, the safety and efficacy of the use of MSCs for such treatment in animal and human models at short and long term assessment (i.e. greater than 48 weeks) have not been systematically addressed. This study addressed a systematic review of comparative controlled studies addressing the use of MSCs to that of no treatment/saline for the treatment of disc degeneration. METHODS: Online databases were extensively searched. Controlled trials in animal models and humans were eligible for inclusion. Trial design, MSC characteristics, injection method, disc assessment, outcome intervals, and complication events were assessed. Validity of each study was assessed addressing trial design. Two individuals independently addressed the aforementioned. RESULTS: Twenty-two animal studies were included. No human comparative controlled trials were reported. All three types of MSCs (i.e. derived from bone marrow, synovial and adipose tissue) showed successful inhibition of disc degeneration progression. From three included studies, bone marrow derived MSC showed superior quality of disc repair when compared to other treatments, including TGF-β1, NP bilaminar co-culture and axial distraction regimen. However, osteophyte development was reported in two studies as potential complication of MSC transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Based on animal models, the current evidence suggests that in the short-term MSC transplantation is safe and effective in halting disc degeneration; however, additional and larger studies are needed to assess the long-term regenerative effects and potential complications. Inconsistency in methodological design and outcome parameters prevent any robust conclusions. In addition, randomized controlled trials in humans are needed to assess the safety and efficacy of such therapy.published_or_final_versio

NASA Thesaurus. Volume 1: Hierarchical listing

There are 16,713 postable terms and 3,716 nonpostable terms approved for use in the NASA scientific and technical information system in the Hierarchical Listing of the NASA Thesaurus. The generic structure is presented for many terms. The broader term and narrower term relationships are shown in an indented fashion that illustrates the generic structure better than the more widely used BT and NT listings. Related terms are generously applied, thus enhancing the usefulness of the Hierarchical Listing. Greater access to the Hierarchical Listing may be achieved with the collateral use of Volume 2 - Access Vocabulary

NASA thesaurus. Volume 1: Hierarchical Listing

There are over 17,000 postable terms and nearly 4,000 nonpostable terms approved for use in the NASA scientific and technical information system in the Hierarchical Listing of the NASA Thesaurus. The generic structure is presented for many terms. The broader term and narrower term relationships are shown in an indented fashion that illustrates the generic structure better than the more widely used BT and NT listings. Related terms are generously applied, thus enhancing the usefulness of the Hierarchical Listing. Greater access to the Hierarchical Listing may be achieved with the collateral use of Volume 2 - Access Vocabulary and Volume 3 - Definitions

Using Dynamic Condor-based Services for Classifying Schizophrenia in Diffusion Tensor Images

Abstract — Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) provides insight into the white matter of the human brain, which is affected by Schizophrenia. By comparing a patient group to a control group, the DTI-images are on average expected to be different for white matter regions. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) are used to classify the groups. In this work, the number of principal components is optimised for obtaining the minimal classification error. A robust estimate of this error is computed in a cross-validation framework, using different compositions of the data into a training and a testing set. Previously, sequential runs were performed in MATLAB, resulting in long execution times. In this paper we describe an experiment where this application was run on a grid with minimal modifications and user effort. We have adopted a service-based approach that autonomously launches Imag

NASA Thesaurus. Volume 1: Alphabetical listing

The NASA Thesaurus -- Volume 1, Alphabetical Listing -- contains all subject terms (postable and nonpostable) approved for use in the NASA scientific and technical information system. Included are the subject terms of the Preliminary Edition of the NASA Thesaurus (NASA SP-7030, December 1967); of the NASA Thesaurus Alphabetical Update (NASA SP-7040, September 1971); and terms approved, added or changed through May 31, 1975. Thesaurus structuring, including scope notes, a generic structure with broader-term/narrower-term (BT-NT) relationships displayed in embedded hierarchies, and other cross references, is provided for each term, as appropriate

Annual Report of the University, 1976-1977, Volumes 1-4

The University of New Mexico again fielded intercollegiate teams in 13 sports in 197&-77 school year. Two individuals won national championships. One athlete won an NCAA Postgraduate scholarship and seven Lobo athletes were accorded All America status. The total of all varsity athletics at UNM drew 411,906 spectators to home events. The basketball team ranked second in the nation in home attendance. Football attendance increased 18 per cent and season ticket sales for football jumped almost 50 per cent. The Lobo football team generated additional revenue by appearing on an ABC telecast against Brigham Young in Albuquerque in November