Improving the scalability of parallel N-body applications with an event driven constraint based execution model

The scalability and efficiency of graph applications are significantly constrained by conventional systems and their supporting programming models. Technology trends like multicore, manycore, and heterogeneous system architectures are introducing further challenges and possibilities for emerging application domains such as graph applications. This paper explores the space of effective parallel execution of ephemeral graphs that are dynamically generated using the Barnes-Hut algorithm to exemplify dynamic workloads. The workloads are expressed using the semantics of an Exascale computing execution model called ParalleX. For comparison, results using conventional execution model semantics are also presented. We find improved load balancing during runtime and automatic parallelism discovery improving efficiency using the advanced semantics for Exascale computing.Comment: 11 figure

Science and Technology Cooperation in Cross-border Regions::A Proximity Approach with Evidence for Northern Europe

Given the sheer number of cross-border regions (CBRs) within the EU, their socio-economic importance has been recognized both by policy-makers and academics. Recently, the novel concept of cross-border regional innovation system has been introduced to guide the assessment of integration processes in CBRs. A central focus of this concept is set on analyzing the impact of varying types of proximity (cognitive, technological, etc.) on cross-border cooperation. Previous empirical applications of the concept have, however, relied on individual case studies and varying methodologies, thus complicating and constraining comparisons between different CBRs. Here a broader view is provided by comparing 28 Northern European CBRs. The empirical analysis utilizes economic, science and technology (S&T) statistics to construct proximity indicators and measures S&T integration in the context of cross-border cooperation. The findings from descriptive statistics and exploratory count data regressions show that technological and cognitive proximity measures are significantly related to S&T cooperation activities (cross-border co-publications and co-patents). Taken together, our empirical approach underlines the feasibility of utilizing the proximity approach for comparative analyses in CBR settings

ToScA North America (6 – 8 June 2017, The University of Texas, Austin, TX) Program

ToScA North America will address key areas of science, including Multi-modal Imaging, Geosciences, Forensics, Increasing Contrast, Educational Outreach, Data, Materials Science and Medical and Biological Science.University of Texas High-Resolution X-ray CT Facility (UTCT); Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin; Natural History Museum (London); Royal Microscopical Society (Oxford, UK)Geological Science

Spatial and temporal heterogeneity and their effects on predator behaviour

Bibliography: p. 136-147

Extreme scale parallel NBody algorithm with event driven constraint based execution model

Traditional scientific applications such as Computational Fluid Dynamics, Partial Differential Equations based numerical methods (like Finite Difference Methods, Finite Element Methods) achieve sufficient efficiency on state of the art high performance computing systems and have been widely studied / implemented using conventional programming models. For emerging application domains such as Graph applications scalability and efficiency is significantly constrained by the conventional systems and their supporting programming models. Furthermore technology trends like multicore, manycore, heterogeneous system architectures are introducing new challenges and possibilities. Emerging technologies are requiring a rethinking of approaches to more effectively expose the underlying parallelism to the applications and the end-users. This thesis explores the space of effective parallel execution of ephemeral graphs that are dynamically generated. The standard particle based simulation, solved using the Barnes-Hut algorithm is chosen to exemplify the dynamic workloads. In this thesis the workloads are expressed using sequential execution semantics, a conventional parallel programming model - shared memory semantics and semantics of an innovative execution model designed for efficient scalable performance towards Exascale computing called ParalleX. The main outcomes of this research are parallel processing of dynamic ephemeral workloads, enabling dynamic load balancing during runtime, and using advanced semantics for exposing parallelism in scaling constrained applications

Survey report: intersections of mining and agriculture, Boddington Radius

There is considerable evidence that the recent strength of Australia’s export oriented mining sector has contributed to economic growth both nationally and in the main mining states and regions although at uneven rates of growth. However investigation and analysis of the internal distribution of costs and benefits from mining within host regions transitioning from agricultural economies has been limited.This document reports results from a survey conducted by the lead author in the Peel Region during March-June 2012 as a part of the Regions in Transition (RiT) project under the umbrella of the CSIRO Minerals Down Under Flagship. The survey examines changing patterns of workforce participation, changing patterns of rural land use, income and expenditure flows and cross-sectoral influences between mining and agriculture. The targeted survey sample comprises adults over 18 years of age either living or working within a radius of approximately 50 km from Boddington town in the most sparsely populated shire of the region, where two separate mineral extraction and processing operations have been undergoing significant expansion. The data reveals that during the RiT project period (2009-2012) these developments triggered a considerable change in the existing socio-economic fabric sustaining proximate towns, communities and individuals. The particularities of the case mean that this report is most relevant to those with a close interest in the future wellbeing of the Boddington 50 km Radius during and beyond the life of current mining operations.The survey also makes a contribution to the wider literature concerning the socio-economic implications of mining. It investigates and confirms the possibility raised by Hajkowicz et al (2011) that the quantifiable benefits of mineral wealth they identify across 71 LGAs may “mask highly localised inequalities and disadvantage”. By providing a nuanced account of the uneven impacts of mining experienced in one region, the survey serves to illuminate the temporally specific economic trends in mining LGAs that Measham and Reeson (2011) identify from ABS statistical data. The findings presented here are undergoing further analysis as a component of an interdisciplinary study at Curtin Graduate School of Business utilizing economic multiplier analysis and qualitative social data to track and map economic impacts of mine operations income expenditure at regional and state level

A gap in competencies or in capabilities?: the role of regional universities in developing scientific and technological skills in Campania

A gap in competencies or in capabilities?: the role of regional universities in developing scientific and technological skills in Campania The paper assesses the role of universities in resolving the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) skills gap in the Campania region of Southern Italy. The results are shown to hinge on a doubled supply/demand model, involving a first upstream stage (logically if not chronologically) of derived demands for and supplies of STEM-based skill development within universities, and a second downstream stage of the usage of these skills in industrial firms. The main objective of this work is to re-examine the role of conventional ‘knowledge capital’ arguments for the role of universities in development processes in catching-up regions of the EU – i.e. human capital and R&D capital, or what will be identified here as ‘competencies’ – as against what we refer to as ‘capabilities’ arguments, reflected here in better ways in which universities might adapt to the actual needs of industry for highly skilled workers and research outcomes. The results suggest that the STEM skills gap is not clearly a deficiency just in capabilities, but more so in the links between capabilities and competencies. Moreover, the STEM universities are trying to feed the interaction with industry, however it is still left mostly to the personal relationships of the professors or their administrative counterparts, e.g. head of the T&T office, and/or to placement. Key words: Derived demand and supply, STEM subjects, Mezzogiorno region, skills gap, competencies and capabilities.