Embracing a new era of highly efficient and productive quantum Monte Carlo simulations

QMCPACK has enabled cutting-edge materials research on supercomputers for over a decade. It scales nearly ideally but has low single-node efficiency due to the physics-based abstractions using array-of-structures objects, causing inefficient vectorization. We present a systematic approach to transform QMCPACK to better exploit the new hardware features of modern CPUs in portable and maintainable ways. We develop miniapps for fast prototyping and optimizations. We implement new containers in structure-of-arrays data layout to facilitate vectorizations by the compilers. Further speedup and smaller memory-footprints are obtained by computing data on the fly with the vectorized routines and expanding single-precision use. All these are seamlessly incorporated in production QMCPACK. We demonstrate upto 4.5x speedups on recent Intel processors and IBM Blue Gene/Q for representative workloads. Energy consumption is reduced significantly commensurate to the speedup factor. Memory-footprints are reduced by up-to 3.8x, opening the possibility to solve much larger problems of future.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures, 2 tables, to be published at SC1

Experimental and theoretical characterization of microbial bioanodes formed in pulp and paper mill effluent in electrochemically controlled conditions

Microbial bioanodes were formed in pulp and paper effluent on graphite plate electrodes under constant polarization at -0.3 V/SCE, without any addition of nutriment or substrate. The bioanodes were characterized in 3-electrode set-ups, in continuous mode, with hydraulic retention times from 6 to 48 h and inlet COD from 500 to 5200 mg/L. Current densities around 4 A/m2 were obtained and voltammetry curves indicated that 6 A/m2 could be reached at +0.1 V/SCE. A theoretical model was designed, which allowed the effects of HRT and COD to be distinguished in the complex experimental data obtained with concomitant variations of the two parameters. COD removal due to the electrochemical process was proportional to the hydraulic retention time and obeyed a Michaelis–Menten law with respect to the COD of the outlet flow, with a Michaelis constant KCOD of 400 mg/L. An inhibition effect occurred above inlet COD of around 3000 mg/L

A life threatening secondary postpartum haemorrhage due to AV malformation of uterus: a missed diagnosis

In current practice, the incidence of c section and other pelvic surgeries has been risen steadily worldwide, so is the complications of surgeries one such rare complication is "AV malformation". The classical presentation of uterine AVM is recurrent profuse vaginal bleeding. Presence of retained product of conception can cause diagnostic dilemma and clinical presentation could be similar. We presented a case report of 19 year old primigravida with secondary post-partum hemorrhage, 1 month following caesarean section. USG shows RPOC so patient was managed conservatively and discharge. Again she had massive bleeding per vaginum on Post LSCS day 57, was re-admitted, as the patient was hemodynamically unstable to save her life hysterectomy was performed, patient  condition improved and was discharged successfully but at the cost of her fertility. HPR showed ‘vascular lesions in lower uterine segment’. Uterine AVM could present in a variety of ways from asymptomatic to periodic or episodic vaginal bleeding or secondary PPH to life threatening torrential vaginal bleeding. The proper diagnosis of AVM is crucial because the primary treatment modalities for the alternative diagnosis of RPOC is dilation and curettage that can worsen the condition. In past AVM were difficult to diagnose. However, availability of Doppler USG scanning has made diagnosis of AVM more feasible. Prompt resuscitation, a high index of suspicion and timely treatment is essential for avoiding a catastrophic outcome in this situation

Microbial fuel cells: a green and alternative source for bioenergy production

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) represents one of the green technologies for the production of bioenergy. MFCs using microalgae produce bioenergy by converting solar energy into electrical energy as a function of metabolic and anabolic pathways of the cells. In the MFCs with bacteria, bioenergy is generated as a result of the organic substrate oxidation. MFCs have received high attention from researchers in the last years due to the simplicity of the process, the absence in toxic by-products, and low requirements for the algae growth. Many studies have been conducted on MFC and investigated the factors affecting the MFC performance. In the current chapter, the performance of MFC in producing bioenergy as well as the factors which influence the efficacy of MFCs is discussed. It appears that the main factors affecting MFC’s performance include bacterial and algae species, pH, temperature, salinity, substrate, mechanism of electron transfer in an anodic chamber, electrodes materials, surface area, and electron acceptor in a cathodic chamber. These factors are becoming more influential and might lead to overproduction of bioenergy when they are optimized using response surface methodology (RSM)

Comparative Study of Obstetrics Outcome Between Scarred and Unscarred Uterus in Placenta Previa Cases

Objective(s): To compare the incidence of placenta previa, associated factors, complications, placental position, mode of deliveryand fetal and maternal outcome in scarred (Group A) and unscarred uterus (Group B) in 20 months of hospital-based study.Material and methods: In a prospective study, 140 cases of pregnancies beyond 28 weeks of gestation complicated by placentaprevia were identified. These cases were divided into two groups, scarred uterus (Group A, n = 34) and unscarred uterus(Group B, n = 106). Total number of deliveries were 16,784 out of which 2,354 patients had cesarean section and 140 patients hadplacenta previa. Results: The incidence of placenta previa in scarred cases is significantly higher (1.2%) than overall incidence(0.6%). Majority of scarred cases had anterior placenta (85.2%) and majority of unscarred cases had posterior placenta (63.2%)(p = 0.00, HS). The number of unbooked cases in both Groups A and B was high (p = 0.404, NS). A significant association ofplacenta previa following curretage in Group B was observed (p = 0.002, S). There was only one maternal mortality in Group Band none in Group A. Results showed a favorable fetal outcome in both groups. (Group A-70.6%, Group B-64.2%, p = 0.08, NS).Conclusion(s): An increase in the incidence of prior cesarean section and advanced maternal age probably contribute to a rise inthe number of pregnancies complicated with placenta previa and its association with adverse maternal and perinatal outcome

A comparative study of magnesium sulphate and isoxsuprine as a tocolytic in preterm labour

Background: Preterm birth is a significant health problem across the world because of associated neonatal mortality and short-and long-term morbidity in later life. The incidence in India is higher than developed countries.Methods: The present study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, MGM Medical College and M. Y. Hospital. Indore, (Madhya Pradesh). The patients selected from labour rooms.100 antenatal women of gestational age between 28 weeks to 37 weeks presenting with preterm labor, 50 in each group. Group A consisted women receiving magnesium sulphate, group B had women receiving isoxsuprine. Efficacy of the two tocolytics, prolongation of pregnancy and neonatal outcome in preterm labour was assessed.Results: Intravenous magnesium sulphate was much effective in postponement of preterm labour for at least 48 hours (74%) as compared to isoxsuprine (50%). As a cervical dilatation, effacement increased the success rate of both the drugs came down. Magnesium sulphate side effects were better monitored clinically and tolerated. Also, better neonatal outcome and lesser perinatal mortality were noticed in this group (24%) compared to isoxsuprine (54%).Conclusions: Prematurity is the one of the major risk factor determing perinatal outcome. There is no ideal tocolytic, short term prolongation till steroid coverage for lung maturit with minimum side effects and to achieve better perinatal outcome recommended. The number of nursery admissions of preterm babies with better perinatal outcome were observed with magnesium sulphate. Also, the number of nursery admissions of preterm babies were less when treated with magnesium sulphate as tocolytic (also found to have neuroprotective effects in various studies), as compared to isoxsuprine

Study factors associated with poor glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in tertiary care center

Background: Poor glycemic control is a major public health issue among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and a significant risk factor for the progression of diabetic complications. This study aimed to assess the magnitude and contributing factors of poor glycemic control among type 2 diabetes patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 type 2 diabetes patients a sample of 150 type 2 diabetics of both sexes was obtained diabetes in medicine OPD, any type 2 diabetes patient at the healthcare facilities over the age of 18 was eligible to participate in the study. Results: Of the 150 type 2 diabetes patients included in the study, 118   had poor glycemic control. Mean age was 59.67 (SD = 9.617) years; 115 (76.9%) of them were men. Most patients [n = 62 (41%)] used insulin or oral anti-diabetics as monotherapy [n = 32 (21%)] to regulate their blood sugar levels. The glycemic control got worse the longer the patient had diabetes, from 5 to 10 years (OR = 1.74) to more than 10 years (OR = 2.55), compared to patients with less than 5 years of illness. In comparison to patients with co-morbidity, patients without co-morbidity had significantly better glycemic control (OR=1.56). Conclusions: Gender, age, BMI, occupation, medical history, medication history, triglycerides, HDL, duration of diabetes, type and number of diabetes medications, and HbA1c were significantly associated. These factors can identify patients at risk of poor glycemic control, allowing targeted interventions for optimal outcomes. Adherence, physical activity, diabetes education, and training affect glycemic control, but this study did not.