Multi-GPU-based Swendsen-Wang multi-cluster algorithm for the simulation of two-dimensional q-state Potts model

We present the multiple GPU computing with the common unified device architecture (CUDA) for the Swendsen-Wang multi-cluster algorithm of two-dimensional (2D) q-state Potts model. Extending our algorithm for single GPU computing [Comp. Phys. Comm. 183 (2012) 1155], we realize the GPU computation of the Swendsen-Wang multi-cluster algorithm for multiple GPUs. We implement our code on the large-scale open science supercomputer TSUBAME 2.0, and test the performance and the scalability of the simulation of the 2D Potts model. The performance on Tesla M2050 using 256 GPUs is obtained as 37.3 spin flips per a nano second for the q=2 Potts model (Ising model) at the critical temperature with the linear system size L=65536.Comment: accepted for publication in Comp. Phys. Commun. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1202.063

GPU-based Swendsen-Wang multi-cluster algorithm for the simulation of two-dimensional classical spin systems

We present the GPU calculation with the common unified device architecture (CUDA) for the Swendsen-Wang multi-cluster algorithm of two-dimensional classical spin systems. We adjust the two connected component labeling algorithms recently proposed with CUDA for the assignment of the cluster in the Swendsen-Wang algorithm. Starting with the q-state Potts model, we extend our implementation to the system of vector spins, the q-state clock model, with the idea of embedded cluster. We test the performance, and the calculation time on GTX580 is obtained as 2.51 nano sec per a spin flip for the q=2 Potts model (Ising model) and 2.42 nano sec per a spin flip for the q=6 clock model with the linear size L=4096 at the critical temperature, respectively. The computational speed for the q=2 Potts model on GTX580 is 12.4 times as fast as the calculation speed on a current CPU core. That for the q=6 clock model on GTX580 is 35.6 times as fast as the calculation speed on a current CPU core.Comment: accepted for publication in Comp. Phys. Commu

X-Ray Diffraction Study of CeT2Al10 (T = Ru, Os) at Low Temperatures and under Pressures

We have carried out a powder X-ray diffraction investigation on antiferromagnetic Kondo semiconductorsCeRu2Al10 and CeOs2Al10 at low temperatures and under high pressures as well as the structural investigationon single crystal of these compounds. The results of powder X-ray studies of CeRu2Al10 and CeOs2Al10 indicatethat these compounds do not have structural transition at its antiferromagnetic ordering temperature. The resultsof single crystal structural refinement indicate that the b-axis of this crystal structure is insensitive not only topressure but also to temperature and that the effect of cooling to Ce–Ce distance for CeRu2Al10 is the same asthat for CeOs2Al10

Fasudil is a superior vasodilator for the internal thoracic artery in coronary surgery

Background: The internal thoracic artery (ITA) is a very useful conduit for coronary artery bypass artery (CABG), with excellent long-term patency. With the purpose to dilate the ITA graft and increase graft free flow (GFF) intraoperatively, we evaluated the usefulness of intraluminal injection of fasudil, a Rho-kinase inhibitor, in comparison to the conventional graft dilating agent, papaverine. Methods: Between June 2011 and January 2012, 30 patients with ischemic heart disease who underwent isolated CABG using ITA were enrolled. The patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups: the fasudil group (n = 15) in which fasudil solution 0.9 mg/dL was injected into the ITA, and the papaverine group (n = 15) in which papaverine solution (0.4 mg/mL) mixed with heparinized blood was used. Outcome measures were left ITA GFF, heart rate, and mean blood pressure during flow measurements, and histopathologic examination of the ITA. Results: In the fasudil group, GFF increased significantly (p < 0.01) from 19.7 ± 15.2 mL/minute at baseline to 66.9 ± 31.7 mL/minute after fasudil injection. In the papaverine group, GFF increased significantly (p < 0.01) from 22.9 ± 17.3 mL/minute at baseline to 44.8 ± 26.7 mL/minute after papaverine injection. Blood pressure and heart rate did not change significantly after drug injection in both groups. The GFF was significantly higher (p = 0.038) in fasudil-treated ITA than in papaverine-treated ITA. Histopathologically, the diameter of the ITA was markedly increased after fasudil injection. Elastica van Gieson staining showed that the multiple elastic lamellae structure was intact. Conclusions: Fasudil exhibited very potent vasodilatory effect on the ITA compared with conventional papaverine resulting in increased GFF. This agent is a useful graft dilating agent. © 2013 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

First EMC3-EIRENE Simulations with Divertor Legs of LHD in Realistic Device Geometry

An extended mesh system for EMC3-EIRENE has been developed to simulate peripheral plasma including the ergodic and the divertor leg regions of LHD. Both the open and the closed divertor configurations are available. A series of simulations for 8MW input power, five different electron densities at the LCFS (last closed flux surface) and the open/closed configurations were carried out. Approximately 10 times larger neutral pressure was observed under the dome structure compared with the open configuration, which is in good agreement with experimental measurements. In the case of the closed configuration, the leg regions have a large contribution of ionization to hydrogen recycling. In the case of high density discharges, however, electron temperature in the legs becomes low and the major contribution of ionization moves to the ergodic region. Significant influence of configurations is observed in the inboard side of LHD, where closed divertor components are installed but little influence is seen near the LCFS. (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Structural Phase Transition and Possible Valence Instability of Ce−4f-4f Electron Induced by Pressure in CeCoSi

X-ray powder diffraction and electrical resistivity measurements were performed on the tetragonal compound CeCoSi under pressure to elucidate the phase boundary of the pressure-induced structural transition and the change in the 4$f$ electronic state. The temperature-pressure phase diagram has been determined from the shift of the Bragg peaks and from the anomaly in the resistivity. The critical pressure, $P_{\rm s}$ $\sim$ 4.9 GPa at 300 K, decreases to $P_{\rm s}$ $\sim$ 3.6 GPa at 10 K. The decrease of $P_{\rm s}$ is due not only to the decrease in volume of the unit cell but also to an anisotropic shrinkage by cooling. When crossing the boundary to the high-pressure phase, the resistivity shows a significant drop to exhibit a metallic temperature dependence. The results of this study strongly suggest that the structural phase transition can be ascribed to valence instability of Ce-$4f$ electron.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, submitted to J. Phys. Soc. Jp

Effects of single therapeutic doses of promethazine, fexofenadine and olopatadine on psychomotor function and histamine-induced wheal- and flare-responses: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy volunteers

Since most first-generation antihistamines have undesirable sedative effects on the central nervous systems (CNS), newer (second-generation) antihistamines have been developed to improve patients’ quality of life. However, there are few reports that directly compare the antihistaminic efficacy and impairment of psychomotor functions. We designed a double-blind, placebo controlled, crossover study to concurrently compare the clinical effectiveness of promethazine, a first-generation antihistamine, and fexofenadine and olopatadine, second-generation antihistamines, by measuring their potency as peripheral inhibitors of histamine-induced wheal and flare. Further, we investigated their sedative effects on the CNS using a battery of psychomotor tests. When single therapeutic doses of fexofenadine (60 mg), olopatadine (5 mg) and promethazine (25 mg) were given in a double-blind manner to 24 healthy volunteers, all antihistamines produced a significant reduction in the wheal and flare responses induced by histamine. In the comparison among antihistamines, olopatadine showed a rapid inhibitory effect compared with fexofenadine and promethazine, and had a potent effect compared with promethazine. In a battery of psychomotor assessments using critical flicker fusion, choice reaction time, compensatory tracking, rapid visual information processing and a line analogue rating scale as a subjective assessment of sedation, promethazine significantly impaired psychomotor function. Fexofenadine and olopatadine had no significant effect in any of the psychomotor tests. Promethazine, fexofenadine and olopatadine did not affect behavioral activity, as measured by wrist actigraphy. These results suggest that olopatadine at a therapeutic dose has greater antihistaminergic activity than promethazine, and olopatadine and fexofenadine did not cause cognitive or psychomotor impairment

Ketone bodies : A double-edged sword for mammalian life span.

Accumulating evidence suggests health benefits of ketone bodies, and especially for longevity. However, the precise role of endogenous ketogenesis in mammalian life span, and the safety and efficacy of the long-term exogenous supplementation of ketone bodies remain unclear. In the present study, we show that a deficiency in endogenous ketogenesis, induced by whole-body Hmgcs2 deletion, shortens life span in mice, and that this is prevented by daily ketone body supplementation using a diet containing 1,3-butanediol, a precursor of β-hydroxybutyrate. Furthermore, feeding the 1,3-butanediol-containing diet from early in life increases midlife mortality in normal mice, but in aged mice it extends life span and prevents the high mortality associated with atherosclerosis in ApoE-deficient mice. By contrast, an ad libitum low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet markedly increases mortality. In conclusion, endogenous ketogenesis affects mammalian survival, and ketone body supplementation may represent a double-edged sword with respect to survival, depending on the method of administration and health status

1D fluid model of plasma profiles in the LHD divertor leg

"One dimensional plasma model of the divertor leg in Large Helical Device is presented. The plasma isdescribed by stationary fluid equations for electron and ion with particle source by ionization and momentumsink by charge exchange with neutrals. Also a simple model of neutral atoms and radiative cooling by impuritiesare included. This model is intended to be employed in an integrated simulation where an equilibrium of theupstream plasma and plasma-surface interactions at the divertor plate are solved in different numerical codesseparately. From the computational point of view, the numerical code solving the fluid equations for the divertorleg is developed for 1D flux tube where the boundary conditions of both ends are specified. The calculation timeis much less than 0.1 seconds and sufficiently fast to use in future integrated simulations. Solutions for typicalplasma parameters are shown in the paper. In the results, a density peaking near the wall was observed for theplasma of high density. The peaking is caused by the ion heat conduction and the collisional presheath and itssharpness increases for higher density. Also solutions for different impurity density profiles were obtained andreduction of the electron energy flux and temperature were observed. However, their effects were small andqualitative changes were not observed.