Parallel processing for scientific computations

The main contribution of the effort in the last two years is the introduction of the MOPPS system. After doing extensive literature search, we introduced the system which is described next. MOPPS employs a new solution to the problem of managing programs which solve scientific and engineering applications on a distributed processing environment. Autonomous computers cooperate efficiently in solving large scientific problems with this solution. MOPPS has the advantage of not assuming the presence of any particular network topology or configuration, computer architecture, or operating system. It imposes little overhead on network and processor resources while efficiently managing programs concurrently. The core of MOPPS is an intelligent program manager that builds a knowledge base of the execution performance of the parallel programs it is managing under various conditions. The manager applies this knowledge to improve the performance of future runs. The program manager learns from experience

Performance analysis of local area networks

A simulation of the TCP/IP protocol running on a CSMA/CD data link layer was described. The simulation was implemented using the simula language, and object oriented discrete event language. It allows the user to set the number of stations at run time, as well as some station parameters. Those parameters are the interrupt time and the dma transfer rate for each station. In addition, the user may configure the network at run time with stations of differing characteristics. Two types are available, and the parameters of both types are read from input files at run time. The parameters include the dma transfer rate, interrupt time, data rate, average message size, maximum frame size and the average interarrival time of messages per station. The information collected for the network is the throughput and the mean delay per packet. For each station, the number of messages attempted as well as the number of messages successfully transmitted is collected in addition to the throughput and mean packet delay per station

The TurboLAN project. Phase 1: Protocol choices for high speed local area networks. Phase 2: TurboLAN Intelligent Network Adapter Card, (TINAC) architecture

The hardware and the software architecture of the TurboLAN Intelligent Network Adapter Card (TINAC) are described. A high level as well as detailed treatment of the workings of various components of the TINAC are presented. The TINAC is divided into the following four major functional units: (1) the network access unit (NAU); (2) the buffer management unit; (3) the host interface unit; and (4) the node processor unit

Parallel processing for scientific computations

The scope of this project dealt with the investigation of the requirements to support distributed computing of scientific computations over a cluster of cooperative workstations. Various experiments on computations for the solution of simultaneous linear equations were performed in the early phase of the project to gain experience in the general nature and requirements of scientific applications. A specification of a distributed integrated computing environment, DICE, based on a distributed shared memory communication paradigm has been developed and evaluated. The distributed shared memory model facilitates porting existing parallel algorithms that have been designed for shared memory multiprocessor systems to the new environment. The potential of this new environment is to provide supercomputing capability through the utilization of the aggregate power of workstations cooperating in a cluster interconnected via a local area network. Workstations, generally, do not have the computing power to tackle complex scientific applications, making them primarily useful for visualization, data reduction, and filtering as far as complex scientific applications are concerned. There is a tremendous amount of computing power that is left unused in a network of workstations. Very often a workstation is simply sitting idle on a desk. A set of tools can be developed to take advantage of this potential computing power to create a platform suitable for large scientific computations. The integration of several workstations into a logical cluster of distributed, cooperative, computing stations presents an alternative to shared memory multiprocessor systems. In this project we designed and evaluated such a system

Lifetime of inkjet printing OPV modules for indoor applications.

International audienceHarvesting energy from their environment could be an ideal solution for an autonomous function of numerous small electronics. Organic Photovoltaic (OPV) cells are a promising technology for next generation photovoltaic cells combining novel properties such as light weight, flexibility, or color design with large-scale manufacturing with low environmental impact. Furthermore, the OPV cells are good solution for Indoor applications. In this field, DRACULA TECHNOLOGIES (DT) has developed inkjet printing organic solar cells and modules. The great advantage of inkjet printing as a digital technology is the freedom of forms and designs, large area organic modules with different artistic shapes. The stability of OPV cells are critical element for up-scaling and commercialization of this technology. To evaluate the stability and lifetime of the DT modules, the ISOS-D-1 (shelf lifetime) protocol is applied for 175 days. The devices were stored under dark ambient conditions and a LED light source is used for the periodical characterizations

The Effect of Therapeutic Doses of Culinary Spices in Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) place a significant burden on global health and the healthcare systems which support it. Metabolic syndrome is a major risk factor for a large number of NCDs; however, treatments remain limited. Previous research has shown the protective benefits of edible dietary spices on key components of metabolic syndrome. Therefore we performed a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial to evaluate the effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale), cinnamon (Cinnamomum), and black seed (Nigella sativa) consumption on blood glucose, lipid profiles, and body composition in 120 participants with, or at risk of, metabolic syndrome. Each participant consumed 3 g/day of powder (spice or placebo). Data related to different parameters were collected from participants at the baseline, midpoint, and endpoint of the intervention. Over the 12-week interventions, there was an improvement in a number of biochemical indices of metabolic syndrome, including fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, LCL, and total cholesterol associated with supplementation with the spices when compared to a placebo. This study provides evidence to support the adjunct use of supplementation for those at risk of metabolic syndrome and its sequelae

Gall Bladder Diverticulum: A Case Report

Gallbladder pseudodiverticulum is an unusual and uncommon disease. This disorder may not be diagnosed until surgically resected. Preoperative; Ultrasonography findings of gallstones was diagnosed. The presentation may entail nonspecific complaints over a prolonged period as highlighted in a case report of a 50-year-old man with this disease. The incidence and pathophysiology of this disease process is correlated to the symptoms and signs of this patient. In this paper, we report imaging findings and the surgical results, procedure, and outcome are described

GC/MS and LC-MS/MS phytochemical evaluation of the essential oil and selected secondary metabolites of Ajuga orientalis from Jordan and its antioxidant activity

The current investigation aimed to shed light in the volatile and non-volatile secondary metabolites of Ajuga orientalis L. from Jordan. GC/MS and GC/FID analysis of the hydrodistilled essential oil obtained from aerial parts of the plant revealed tiglic acid (18.90 %) as main constituent. Each of the methanol and butanol fractions of A. orientalis were screened for their total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity determined by DDPH and ABTS methods. The extracts were then analyzed by LC-ESI-MS/MS to unveil their chemical constituents, especially phenols and flavonoids. Results showed that the AO-B extract had the highest TPC (217.63 ± 2.65 mg gallic acid/g dry extract), TFC (944.41 ± 4.77 mg quercetin /g dry extract), highest DPPH and ABTS antioxidant activity ((4.00 ± 0.20) × 10-2; (3.00 ± 0.20) × 10-2 mg/mL, respectively) as compared to the AO-M extract. LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of both extracts revealed the presence of several phenolics, flavonoids and nonphenolic acids

Proximate composition and mineral content of spices increasingly employed in the Mediterranean diet

The present study aimed to investigate the nutritional constituents of common market available spices in the United Arab Emirates. Seven commonly consumed spices namely, ginger (Zingiber officinale), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), black seed (Nigella sativa), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) and saffron (Crocus sativus) were obtained from local markets. Proximate analyses were performed according to AOAC procedures. Assessment of major (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P and S) and minor (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) elements was conducted using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Findings revealed varying macronutrient, micronutrient and mineral contents which are highly valuable for dietary purposes. The present study demonstrates that these edible spices could be used for nutritional support, due to their micro and macronutrient contents

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely