MPWide: a light-weight library for efficient message passing over wide area networks

We present MPWide, a light weight communication library which allows efficient message passing over a distributed network. MPWide has been designed to connect application running on distributed (super)computing resources, and to maximize the communication performance on wide area networks for those without administrative privileges. It can be used to provide message-passing between application, move files, and make very fast connections in client-server environments. MPWide has already been applied to enable distributed cosmological simulations across up to four supercomputers on two continents, and to couple two different bloodflow simulations to form a multiscale simulation.Comment: accepted by the Journal Of Open Research Software, 13 pages, 4 figures, 1 tabl

movingAlps - ein neuer Weg in der Regional-entwicklung?

Community/Rural/Urban Development,

Vertrauen in Daten oder: Die politische Suche nach numerischen Beweisen und die Erkenntnisversprechen von Big Data

Seit einiger Zeit gibt es wieder verstärktes Interesse an sogenannter evidenzbasierter Politikgestaltung. Angelockt durch die großen Versprechen von Big Data scheinen politische Entscheidungsträger zunehmend mit stärker auf digitalen Daten basierenden Regierungsformen experimentieren zu wollen. Doch obwohl das Aufkommen von Big Data und die damit verbundenen Gefahren von wissenschaftlicher Seite durchaus kritisch hinterfragt werden, gab es bislang nur wenige Versuche, ein besseres Verständnis für die historischen Kontexte und Grundlagen dieser Vorgänge zu entwickeln. Der hier vorliegende Kommentar befasst sich mit dieser Lücke, indem er das derzeitige Streben nach numerischen Beweisen in einen breiteren gesellschaftspolitischen Kontext einordnet und dadurch zeigt, wie die Erkenntnisversprechen von Big Data sich mit bestimmten Formen von Vertrauen, Wahrheit und Objektivität kreuzen. Wir argumentieren, dass das übersteigerte Vertrauen in zahlenbasierte Evidenz einer speziellen politischen Kultur zugeordnet werden kann, nämlich einer repräsentativen Demokratie, die von öffentlichem Misstrauen und großer Zukunftsunsicherheit gekennzeichnet ist

Using Molecular Gas Observations to Guide Initial Conditions for Star Cluster Simulations

The earliest evolution of star clusters involves a phase of co-existence of both newly-formed stars, and the gas from which they are forming. Observations of the gas in such regions provide a wealth of data that can inform the simulations which are needed to follow the evolution of such objects forward in time. We present a method for transforming the observed gas properties into initial conditions for simulations that include gas, stars, and ongoing star formation. We demonstrate our technique using the Orion Nebula Cluster. Since the observations cannot provide all the necessary information for our simulations, we make choices for the missing data and assess the impact of those choices. We find that the results are insensitive to the adopted choices of the gas velocity in the plane of the sky. The properties of the surrounding gas cloud (e.g. overall density and size), however, have an effect on the star formation rate and pace of assembly of the resultant star cluster. We also analyze the stellar properties of the cluster and find that the stars become more tightly clustered and in a stronger radial distribution even as new stars form in the filament.Comment: 11 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Using molecular gas observations to guide initial conditions for star cluster simulations

The earliest evolution of star clusters involves a phase of co-existence of both newly formed stars, and the gas from which they are forming. Observations of the gas in such regions provide a wealth of data that can inform the simulations which are needed to follow the evolution of such objects forward in time. We present a method for transforming the observed gas properties into initial conditions for simulations that include gas, stars, and ongoing star formation. We demonstrate our technique using the Orion Nebula Cluster. Since the observations cannot provide all the necessary information for our simulations, we make choices for the missing data and assess the impact of those choices. We find that the results are insensitive to the adopted choices of the gas velocity in the plane of the sky. The properties of the surrounding gas cloud (e.g. overall density and size), however, have an effect on the star formation rate and pace of assembly of the resultant star cluster. We also analyse the stellar properties of the cluster and find that the stars become more tightly clustered and in a stronger radial distribution even as new stars form in the filament

Prescribing competency assessment for Canadian medical students: a pilot evaluation

Background: The knowledge and ability to prescribe safely and effectively is a core competency for every graduating medical student. Our previous research suggested concerns about medical student prescribing abilities, and interest in a standardized assessment process. Methods: A multi-year cross-sectional study evaluating the feasibility, acceptability, and discriminative ability of an online prescribing competency assessment for final year Canadian medical students was conducted. Students at nine sites of four Ontario medical schools were invited to participate in an online one-hour exam of eight domains related to prescribing safely. Student feedback on perceived fairness, clarity, and ease of use formed the primary outcome. Exam performance and parity between schools were the secondary outcome.  Results: A total of 714 students completed the assessment during spring final review courses between 2016 and 2018. Student feedback was more favourable than not for appropriateness of content (53.5% agreement vs 18.3% disagreement), clarity of questions (65.5% agreement vs 11.6% disagreement), question layout and presentation (70.8% agreement vs 12.2% disagreement), and ease of use of online interface (67.1% agreement vs 13.6% disagreement). Few (23.6% believed their course work had prepared them for the assessment. Mean total exam score was 70.0% overall (SD 10.4%), with 47.6% scoring at or above the pass threshold of 70%. Conclusion: Our prescribing competency assessment proved feasible, acceptable, and discriminative, and indicated a need for better medical school training to improve prescribing competency. Further evaluation in a larger sample of medical schools is warranted