GPU accelerated maximum cardinality matching algorithms for bipartite graphs

We design, implement, and evaluate GPU-based algorithms for the maximum cardinality matching problem in bipartite graphs. Such algorithms have a variety of applications in computer science, scientific computing, bioinformatics, and other areas. To the best of our knowledge, ours is the first study which focuses on GPU implementation of the maximum cardinality matching algorithms. We compare the proposed algorithms with serial and multicore implementations from the literature on a large set of real-life problems where in majority of the cases one of our GPU-accelerated algorithms is demonstrated to be faster than both the sequential and multicore implementations.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure

Fast and high quality topology-aware task mapping

Considering the large number of processors and the size of the interconnection networks on exascale capable supercomputers, mapping concurrently executable and communicating tasks of an application is a complex problem that needs to be dealt with care. For parallel applications, the communication overhead can be a significant bottleneck on scalability. Topology-aware task-mapping methods that map the tasks to the processors (i.e., cores) by exploiting the underlying network information are very effective to avoid, or at worst bend, this limitation. We propose novel, efficient, and effective task mapping algorithms employing a graph model. The experiments show that the methods are faster than the existing approaches proposed for the same task, and on 4096 processors, the algorithms improve the communication hops and link contentions by 16% and 32%, respectively, on the average. In addition, they improve the average execution time of a parallel SpMV kernel and a communication-only application by 9% and 14%, respectively

In vivo biocompatibility and fracture healing of hydroxyapatite-hexagonal boron nitridechitosan- collagen biocomposite coating in rats

The biocompatibility of orthopaedic implants and their effects on fracture healing have key roles for success. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of a novel biocomposite consisting of hydroxyapatite (HA), hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), chitosan (Cs), and type 1 collagen (Ct1) on biocompatibility and fracture healing in rats. A total of 60 adult male Wistar rats weighing 300–500 g were used in the study. The rats were randomly divided into 2 groups named A (uncoated/control) and B (biocomposite coated). Biocomposite (HA/h-BN/Cs/Ct1) coated and uncoated stainless-steel implants were used as intramedullary pins. Groups A and B were divided into subgroups of A1 and B1 (15th day), A2 and B2 (30th day), A3 and B3 (45th day) according to the date of euthanasia. Clinical, radiographic, haematological, biochemical, and histopathological findings were evaluated by pairwise comparisons. The findings were consistent and similar. No statistically significant difference was found for a finding disturbing the biocompatibility. Histopathological examinations showed that coating biomaterials did not resorb over the course of 15, 30, and 45 days. It is thus revealed that the content is biocompatible. However, it has been concluded that it is necessary to increase the physical strength of the coating surface against sterilization and surgical procedures. As a result, based on the interpretations of the clinical, radiographic, haematological, biochemical, and histopathological findings, the biocompatibility of HA/h-BN/Cs/Ct1 biocomposite materials has been revealed

Systematic review to explore the effect of yoga on anxiety in adults

Introduction: The National Health Service cannot chronically sustain the overwhelming demands being placed on it due to financial cuts, staff numbers and recent presence of Covid-19. As a result, anxiety levels are on the rise thus increasing the need for effective first-line treatment. Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the efficacy of yoga as a first-line treatment for anxiety. Previous systematic reviews have produced mixed results. Methodology: The inclusion criteria followed the PICO research statement. The population (P) were either healthy or diagnosed with anxiety and the intervention (I) was yoga. The comparison (C) was a control group, or CBT, or used a pre-and post-intervention design. The outcome (O) was the change in the level of anxiety post-intervention. Results and Discussion: After the review of 64 studies, 7 studies fit the inclusion criteria: four randomized controlled studies, one longitudinal study, and two pre- and post-intervention comparisons. All the studies included provided statistically significant results for the beneficial effect of yoga on anxiety. Conclusion: This study adds to preceding literature on the current anxiety levels of adults and the potential utility of yoga as a first-line treatment for self-management of anxiety levels. This review stresses the issue of heterogeneity, mode of yoga and calls for more robust randomised controlled trials to pioneer the subject matter to help, if not prevent, to slow down the rising cases of anxiety and ill mental health worldwide

Acute effect of hemodialysis on serum levels of the proinflammatory cytokines.

Chronic inflammation is a common feature of end-stage renal disease, which carries a heightened risk of atherosclerosis and other co-morbid conditions. Dialysis treatment per se can bring additional risk factors for inflammation, such as increased risk of local graft and fistula infections, impure dialysate or bio-incompatible membranes. Our study was designed to determine whether a hemodialysis session leads to an acute substantial alteration in the plasma levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, the T-lymphocyte activation factor soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R), and an inflammation mediator and chemotactic granulocyte factor, IL-8, in end-stage renal disease patients receiving chronic intermittent HD. In this study, 21 (12 male/nine female) patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis were enrolled. The acute effect of a hemodialysis session on serum cytokine concentrations was assessed by comparison of pre-hemodialysis and post-hemodialysis determinations. Serum IL-1beta, sIL-2R, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha levels were determined with chemiluminescence enzyme immunometric assays. A significant difference was not observed for IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and sIL-2R concentrations in pre-hemodialysis and post-hemodialysis specimens (p>0.05). Serum median (25th-75th percentiles) IL-8 concentration was 69.4 (34.9-110.3) pg/ml before hemodialysis, and decreased to 31.5 (18.0-78.8) pg/ml following hemodialysis (p: 0.006). Clearance of IL-8 increased by 0.47+/-0.08 pg/ml for each unit increase in pre-dialysis IL-8 (p<0.001) and decreased by 5.63+/-2.59 pg/ml for each unit increase in pre-dialysis urea mmol/l (p<0.05). In conclusion, the results of our study demonstrate that a hemodialysis session markedly decreases IL-8 concentration, which is significantly affected by pre-dialysis concentrations, indicating that removal of IL-8 is a concentration gradient-dependent action, but does not change the serum levels of IL-1beta, sIL-2R, IL-6, and TNF-alpha, underlining importance of the structural characteristics of the molecules

Thermal characteristics of oriental beech wood treated with some leaching resistant borates

It was aimed to investigate thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential-thermogravimetric (DTG), and differential-thermal analysis (DTA) of Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis L.) wood treated with some leaching resistant borates such as sodium tetraphenylborate (STPB) and phenylboronic acid (PBA). In this study; 0.25, 1.00, and 4.70 % aqueous solutions of borates were prepared. Results of the study indicated that pyrolysis occurred in three stages for STPB and PBA treated Oriental beech wood. Generally, while concentrations of the STPB and PBA increased, Ti and Tmax values of STPB and PBA treated wood specimens decreased. Residual char contents of STPB and PBA treated wood specimens for all concentrations were higher than untreated control specimen

Evaluation of Legal Violations in Organ Transplantations According to Turkish Penal Code Article 25/2

Objective:Illegal organ transplantations are attempted from time to time by issuing fake IDs or using someone else’s identity to receive transplantation as soon as possible by bypassing the organ waiting list. In recent years, it has been requested by the Court of Cassation that the people who were alleged to have purchased organs be evaluated in terms of Turkish Penal Code (TPC) 25/2. This study aims to discuss the method of approach to these cases.Methods:The forensic reports prepared by the Department of Forensic Medicine of Akdeniz University Hospital between 01.01.2019 and 31.12.2021 were examined, and the cases that were sent by judicial authorities to be evaluated in terms of TPC 25/2 were included in the study.Results:A total of nine cases were identified. It was understood that five of these cases used fake IDs, as well as, in six cases the illegal transplants were identified after the completion of the transplantations.Conclusion:TPC Article 25/2 states that, in case of necessity, the person does not have any criminal responsibility regarding the behaviors they do to protect against a serious and certain danger which was directed at a right to which they, or another, were entitled where there are no other means of protection. Although end-stage renal disease is an important public health problem, there are treatment alternatives for patients with end-stage renal disease. As a result, it was concluded that these cases did not have a medical emergency that prevented hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis before transplantation