GPU-Based Volume Rendering of Noisy Multi-Spectral Astronomical Data

Traditional analysis techniques may not be sufficient for astronomers to make the best use of the data sets that current and future instruments, such as the Square Kilometre Array and its Pathfinders, will produce. By utilizing the incredible pattern-recognition ability of the human mind, scientific visualization provides an excellent opportunity for astronomers to gain valuable new insight and understanding of their data, particularly when used interactively in 3D. The goal of our work is to establish the feasibility of a real-time 3D monitoring system for data going into the Australian SKA Pathfinder archive. Based on CUDA, an increasingly popular development tool, our work utilizes the massively parallel architecture of modern graphics processing units (GPUs) to provide astronomers with an interactive 3D volume rendering for multi-spectral data sets. Unlike other approaches, we are targeting real time interactive visualization of datasets larger than GPU memory while giving special attention to data with low signal to noise ratio - two critical aspects for astronomy that are missing from most existing scientific visualization software packages. Our framework enables the astronomer to interact with the geometrical representation of the data, and to control the volume rendering process to generate a better representation of their datasets.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, to appear in the proceedings of ADASS XIX, Oct 4-8 2009, Sapporo, Japan (ASP Conf. Series

Management of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient patients undergoing open-heart surgery

Background: There are scarce studies on the management of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient patients during cardiac surgery. The purposes of this retrospective study were to present and evaluate our experience with G6PD deficient patients who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods: We included 20 patients with G6PD deficiency who had cardiac surgeries from 2015 to 2019. We used free radical scavenging strategy and careful perioperative management. The patients were compared to a control group of 20 patients with normal G6PD enzyme activity who underwent the same type of operations in the same period. Results: Males represented 80% of G6PD deficient patients. There were significant elevations in preoperative total bilirubin (1.03±0.33 vs. 0.57±0.11 mg/dl, p< 0.001) and reticulocytes (1.87±0.62 vs. 0.54±0.18%) in G6PD deficient patients. Valve surgery was done for 60% of G6PD deficient patients. There were no significant differences between both groups regarding the type of surgery, aortic cross-clamp, CPB, and total operative time. G6PD deficient patients had significantly lower postoperative hemoglobin levels (9.44±0.94 vs. 10.0±0.59 g/dl, p= 0.04) and significantly higher postoperative total bilirubin (1.51±0.51 vs. 0.98±0.45 mg/dl; p=0.002) and reticulocytes (1.85±0.51 vs. 0.57±0.13%; p< 0.001). There was no significant difference regarding postoperative urea and creatinine levels. Ventilation time (10.3±2.7 vs. 8.2±1.9 hours; p=0.01), ICU stay (3.1±0.87 vs. 2.3±0.71 days; p=0.004), and hospital stay (3.1±0.87 vs. 6.0±1.02 days; p<0.001) significantly increased in G6PD deficient patients. The mortality rate was 5% (one patient) in G6PD deficient patients. Conclusion: Despite the management strategy, G6PD deficient patients undergoing cardiac surgery are more liable to hemolysis and hypoxia with more need for blood transfusion and longer ventilation time, ICU, and hospital stays when compared to patients with normal G6PD enzyme activity. Further research to improve the outcomes in G6PD deficient patients is required

Foliar application of chitosan zinc oxide nanoparticles on wheat productivity and water use efficiency under deficit irrigation water

The effectiveness of chitosan zinc oxide nanoparticles (CS-ZnO-NPs) on growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., Sakha-93), zinc content and water use efficiency (WUE) under water stress were investigated. A pot experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design by foliar application of CS-ZnO-NPs. Wheat plants were sprayed four times at 15, 30, 45 and 60 days after sowing. The treatments were: control (treated with distilled water), 50, 100 and 150 ppm of CS-ZnO-NPs under 100, 80 and 60% of field capacity. Water shortage has a negative effect on growth parameters and productivity of wheat plants. While the foliar application of 150 ppm CS-ZnO-NPs significantly increased (P≤0.05) NPK content, growth parameters which in turn led to increase the productivity. The highest values of wheat yield were: 4990.55, 4453.50 and 4350.50 kg/ha under 100 80 and 60% of irrigation water, respectively at 150 ppm CS-ZnO-NPs. The highest values of N, P and K content in wheat grain were 1.95, 0.43 and 1.66, respectively at 100% FC under150 ppm CS-ZnO-NPs compared to control. Zn content in wheat grain significantly increased (P≤0.05) by application of CS-ZnO NPs. The interaction of supplementary irrigation water and CS-ZnO-NPs treatments gave clear variation in water use efficiency. The highest relative increase of WUE (23.03%) was at the highest rate of CS-ZnO-NPs (150 ppm). Overall, the data suggested that the foliar application of CS-ZnO-NPs can be an efficient strategy for improving wheat yield, water use efficiency under deficit water and one of the solutions for Zn deficiency in wheat grains

Visualisation and Analysis Challenges for WALLABY

Visualisation and analysis of terabyte-scale datacubes, as will be produced with the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP), will pose challenges for existing astronomy software and the work practices of astronomers. Focusing on the proposed outcomes of WALLABY (Widefield ASKAP L-Band Legacy All-Sky Blind Survey), and using lessons learnt from HIPASS (HI Parkes All Sky Survey), we identify issues that astronomers will face with WALLABY data cubes. We comment on potential research directions and possible solutions to these challenges.Comment: 6 pages, accepted for publication in Proceedings of the Sixth IEEE International Conference on e-Science Workshops (Brisbane, Australia, December 2010

Astrophysical Supercomputing with GPUs: Critical Decisions for Early Adopters

General purpose computing on graphics processing units (GPGPU) is dramatically changing the landscape of high performance computing in astronomy. In this paper, we identify and investigate several key decision areas, with a goal of simplyfing the early adoption of GPGPU in astronomy. We consider the merits of OpenCL as an open standard in order to reduce risks associated with coding in a native, vendor-specific programming environment, and present a GPU programming philosophy based on using brute force solutions. We assert that effective use of new GPU-based supercomputing facilities will require a change in approach from astronomers. This will likely include improved programming training, an increased need for software development best-practice through the use of profiling and related optimisation tools, and a greater reliance on third-party code libraries. As with any new technology, those willing to take the risks, and make the investment of time and effort to become early adopters of GPGPU in astronomy, stand to reap great benefits.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in PAS

The Theoretical Astrophysical Observatory: Cloud-Based Mock Galaxy Catalogues

We introduce the Theoretical Astrophysical Observatory (TAO), an online virtual laboratory that houses mock observations of galaxy survey data. Such mocks have become an integral part of the modern analysis pipeline. However, building them requires an expert knowledge of galaxy modelling and simulation techniques, significant investment in software development, and access to high performance computing. These requirements make it difficult for a small research team or individual to quickly build a mock catalogue suited to their needs. To address this TAO offers access to multiple cosmological simulations and semi-analytic galaxy formation models from an intuitive and clean web interface. Results can be funnelled through science modules and sent to a dedicated supercomputer for further processing and manipulation. These modules include the ability to (1) construct custom observer light-cones from the simulation data cubes; (2) generate the stellar emission from star formation histories, apply dust extinction, and compute absolute and/or apparent magnitudes; and (3) produce mock images of the sky. All of TAO's features can be accessed without any programming requirements. The modular nature of TAO opens it up for further expansion in the future.Comment: 17 pages, 11 figures, 2 tables; accepted for publication in ApJS. The Theoretical Astrophysical Observatory (TAO) is now open to the public at https://tao.asvo.org.au/. New simulations, models and tools will be added as they become available. Contact [email protected] if you have data you would like to make public through TAO. Feedback and suggestions are very welcom

Interferon gamma: is it a co-player in the pathogenesis of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

Introduction: Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), the most common form of NS in childhood, was considered 4 decades ago as a systemic disorder of T cells, mediated through its released cytokines. To date, the exact incriminated cytokine or immunological mediator is not properly defined. Interferon gamma (IFN-γ), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is thought to have a role in the provocation of the T cell mediated INS relapse, through promotion of T helper1 (Th1) differentiation and suppression of regulatory T cells (Treg). Aim of the study: to evaluate the immunopathogenic role of IFN-γ in children with steroid sensitive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) through monitoring the changes in its levels with disease course. Methods: This study included twenty-five newly diagnosed children with SSINS. They were all given full dose prednisolone, evaluated at initial diagnosis and at full remission as regards the serum level of IFN-γ. Results: Serum levels of IFN-γ were lowermost at time of diagnosis and increased with remission on corticosteroids. Conclusions: this study points to a role for the lower serum IFN-γ at diagnosis, in the immunopathogenesis of INS than at remission and the rise in its serum level might be a marker of remission induction, however this awaits confirmation in larger scale studies. Studies on renal biopsy specimens are needed to determine the exact renal in situ levels and effects of IFN-

Flexural Behavior of Unbounded Pre-stressed Beams Modified With Carbon Nanotubes under Elevated Temperature

Since fire is one of the common reasons for rehabilitation and reconstructions during the service life of a building, it is necessary to assess the elements structural and technical conditions. The objective of the present paper is to investigate the flexural behavior in bending for unbounded full pre-stressed beams with and without the incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) under the exposure to elevated temperature in comparison with non-pre-stressed beams. The test Method was divided into two major stages where the principal stage’s goal was considering the flexural behavior of fully and non-prestressed concrete beams containing CNT of 0 and 0.04% as cement replacement at ambient temperature. In the second stage, a typical group of beams was prepared and the flexural behavior was explored under the exposure to temperature of 400ºC, for 120 minutes. The major findings upon monitoring the failure mechanisms, ultimate load capacity, and deflection at critical sections, was that the CNT had shown a significant impact on the behavior and extreme resistance of fully and non-prestressed normal concrete. With CNT beams also exhibited higher imperviousness to high-temperature than that of the normal beams. Finally the significant Improvement was that the ultimate load of the non-pre-stressed beam with the presence of the CNT at the lower 50mm in the tension zone showed a gain of 13%, while the ultimate load of the fully pre-stressed beam with the presence of the CNT at the lower 50mm in the tension zone showed a gain of 21% as compared to the same beam without CNT, respectively. For the non-pre-stressed beams, the load capacity of the beam with CNT after exposure had a similar load capacity as the beam without CNT before exposure to high temperature

Amelioration effect of 18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid on methylation inhibitors in hepatocarcinogenesis -induced by diethylnitrosamine

Aimsuppression of methylation inhibitors (epigenetic genes) in hepatocarcinogenesis induced by diethylnitrosamine using glycyrrhetinic acid.MethodIn the current work, we investigated the effect of sole GA combined with different agents such as doxorubicin (DOX) or probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus rhamanosus) against hepatocarcinogenesis induced by diethylnitrosamine to improve efficiency. The genomic DNA was isolated from rats’ liver tissues to evaluate either methylation-sensitive or methylation-dependent resection enzymes. The methylation activity of the targeting genes DLC-1, TET-1, NF-kB, and STAT-3 was examined using specific primers and cleaved DNA products. Furthermore, flow cytometry was used to determine the protein expression profiles of DLC-1 and TET-1 in treated rats’ liver tissue.ResultsOur results demonstrated the activity of GA to reduce the methylation activity in TET-1 and DLC-1 by 33.6% and 78%, respectively. As compared with the positive control. Furthermore, the association of GA with DOX avoided the methylation activity by 88% and 91% for TET-1 and DLC-1, respectively, as compared with the positive control. Similarly, the combined use of GA with probiotics suppressed the methylation activity in the TET-1 and DLC-1 genes by 75% and 81% for TET-1 and DLC-1, respectively. Also, GA and its combination with bacteria attenuated the adverse effect in hepatocarcinogenesis rats by altering potential methylomic genes such as NF-kb and STAT3 genes by 76% and 83%, respectively.ConclusionGA has an ameliorative effect against methylation inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by decreasing the methylation activity genes