GPU Accelerated Discontinuous Galerkin Methods for Shallow Water Equations

We discuss the development, verification, and performance of a GPU accelerated discontinuous Galerkin method for the solutions of two dimensional nonlinear shallow water equations. The shallow water equations are hyperbolic partial differential equations and are widely used in the simulation of tsunami wave propagations. Our algorithms are tailored to take advantage of the single instruction multiple data (SIMD) architecture of graphic processing units. The time integration is accelerated by local time stepping based on a multi-rate Adams-Bashforth scheme. A total variational bounded limiter is adopted for nonlinear stability of the numerical scheme. This limiter is coupled with a mass and momentum conserving positivity preserving limiter for the special treatment of a dry or partially wet element in the triangulation. Accuracy, robustness and performance are demonstrated with the aid of test cases. We compare the performance of the kernels expressed in a portable threading language OCCA, when cross compiled with OpenCL, CUDA, and OpenMP at runtime.Comment: 26 pages, 51 figure

Study of prevalence of non alcoholic fatty liver disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and variations in liver function tests, lipid profile and mean platelet volume in patients with fatty liver in comparison with patients without fatty liver

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients potentially are at risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of NAFLD among T2DM patients, diagnosed by ultrasonography of liver, to study the age & sex incidence of NAFLD and to compare the liver function tests, lipid profile and mean platelet volume (MPV) between individuals with NAFLD and without NAFLD.Methods: Total of 97 type 2 diabetes mellitus ambulatory patients were selected for the study. Among them 62 were males (63.9%) and 35 were females (36%). 78 healthy subjects were selected as controls. Their age ranged between 27 to 75 years. Serum was used for the estimation of FBS, PPBS, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). EDTA blood was used for the estimation of MPV. Fatty liver was diagnosed on ultrasound based on the echogenicity and size of the liver.Results: In this study, liver size & echotexture, liver enzymes such as AST, ALT, ALP and GGT, serum cholesterol, TGL and LDLC were found to be statistically significantly increased in T2DM patients when compared to controls. T2DM patients were divided in to two groups; group 1 included patients with NAFLD and group 2 included patients without NAFLD. Liver size, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, Cholesterol and TGL were significantly increased in group 1 patients when compared to group 2 patients (P value<0.05). Elevation of MPV was found to be more in group 1 patients than group 2 patients ranging between 12.1±3.0 and 10.2±0.9 respectively.Conclusions: Early detection and optimum control of diabetes mellitus is important to minimize the effect of diabetes on liver. Hence, assay of serum levels of hepatic enzymes and USG abdomen to detect NAFLD should be done in all patients with T2DM as preliminary diagnostic tests.

Associations of health-related quality of life, fear of falling and objective measures of physical function with bone health in postmenopausal women with low bone mass

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and physical function deteriorate with age and may adversely impact bone health in older adults. We determined associations of objective measures of physical function and HRQoL with bone health in postmenopausal women with low areal bone mineral density (aBMD). Fifty postmenopausal women (64.4 ± 7.7 years old, mean ± standard deviation) with low spine, hip or femoral neck aBMD (T- or Z-score < −1.0) on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) participated. Femoral surface BMD, trabecular, integral and cortical volumetric BMD (vBMD) measurements were obtained using 3D-SHAPER software on DXA. Distal tibial vBMD and microarchitecture were assessed using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HRpQCT). Participants completed self-administered EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) and modified falls efficacy scale (MFES) questionnaires, and physical function assessments. Stair climb power was positively associated with bone parameters at the hip, femoral neck, and distal tibia (all p < 0.05) in multivariable linear regression. EQ-5D demonstrated no significant associations with bone parameters and MFES was positively associated only with distal tibial cortical vBMD and cortical von Mises stress (both p < 0.05). Objective measures of physical function, particularly muscle power, are more consistently associated with bone parameters compared with self-administered HRQoL questionnaires

Process for the preparation of 3-(aminomethyl)-4,6-dimethylpyridin-2(1H)-one hydrochloride

Abstract: Process for the preparation of 3-(aminomethyl)-4,6-dimethylpyridin-2(1H)-one hydrochloride of formula-1, which is represented by the following structural formula: which is key intermediate for the preparation of Tazemetostat hydrobromide, which is chemically known as [1,1’-Biphenyl]-3-carboxamide, N-[(1,2-dihydro-4,6-dimethyl-2-oxo-3-pyridinyl)methyl]-5[ethyl(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)amino]-4-methyl-4’-(4-morpholinyl methyl)-, hydrobromide (1:1)

Vitamin D supplementation and exercise for improving physical function, body composition and metabolic health in overweight or obese older adults with vitamin D deficiency : A pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Purpose Vitamin D supplementation may have non-skeletal health benefits and enhance exercise responsiveness, particularly in those with low vitamin D levels. We determined whether, compared with placebo, vitamin D supplementation taken prior to and during a 12-week exercise program improves physical function, body composition or metabolic health, in overweight and obese older adults with vitamin D deficiency. Methods Fifty overweight or obese older adults (mean ± SD age: 60 ± 6 years; BMI 30.6 ± 5.7 kg/m2) with vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] < 50 nmol/L) were recruited. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either vitamin D3 (4000 IU/day) or matching placebo for 24 weeks. Between weeks 12 and 24, all participants completed multi-modal exercise three days per week while continuing with vitamin D/placebo. Mean changes in physical function (primary outcome: gait speed), body composition and biochemical parameters at weeks 12 and 24 were compared between groups. Results Vitamin D supplementation, with or without exercise, had no effect on gait speed. From baseline to week 12, vitamin D supplementation increased serum 25(OH)D levels (placebo: 2.5 ± 14.7 nmol/L; treatment: 43.4 ± 18.4 nmol/L; P < 0.001) and reduced stair climb times (placebo: 0.3 ± 1.0 s; treatment: − 0.2 ± 1.0 s; P = 0.046). From 12 to 24 weeks, vitamin D supplementation combined with exercise decreased waist circumference (placebo: 1.3 ± 7.3 cm; treatment: − 3.0 ± 6.1 cm; P = 0.02) and waist-to-hip ratio (placebo: 0.01 ± 0.05; treatment: − 0.03 ± 0.05; P = 0.01) relative to placebo. Vitamin D supplementation, with or without exercise, had no effect on other physical function, body composition or metabolic health outcomes. Conclusion Vitamin D supplementation had no effect on most physical function, body composition or metabolic health parameters when taken alone, or during exercise, in overweight or obese older adults with vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D-related improvements in stair climb times and waist circumference suggest that future trials should explore the effects of vitamin D on muscle power, and its effects on body composition when combined with exercise, in populations with moderate or severe vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D supplementation and exercise for improving physical function, body composition and metabolic health in overweight or obese older adults with vitamin D deficiency: A pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Purpose: Vitamin D supplementation may have non-skeletal health benefits and enhance exercise responsiveness, particularly in those with low vitamin D levels. We determined whether, compared with placebo, vitamin D supplementation taken prior to and during a 12-week exercise program improves physical function, body composition or metabolic health, in overweight and obese older adults with vitamin D deficiency. Methods: Fifty overweight or obese older adults (mean ± SD age: 60 ± 6 years; BMI 30.6 ± 5.7 kg/m2) with vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] \u3c 50 nmol/L) were recruited. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either vitamin D3 (4000 IU/day) or matching placebo for 24 weeks. Between weeks 12 and 24, all participants completed multi-modal exercise three days per week while continuing with vitamin D/placebo. Mean changes in physical function (primary outcome: gait speed), body composition and biochemical parameters at weeks 12 and 24 were compared between groups. Results: Vitamin D supplementation, with or without exercise, had no effect on gait speed. From baseline to week 12, vitamin D supplementation increased serum 25(OH)D levels (placebo: 2.5 ± 14.7 nmol/L; treatment: 43.4 ± 18.4 nmol/L; P \u3c 0.001) and reduced stair climb times (placebo: 0.3 ± 1.0 s; treatment: − 0.2 ± 1.0 s; P = 0.046). From 12 to 24 weeks, vitamin D supplementation combined with exercise decreased waist circumference (placebo: 1.3 ± 7.3 cm; treatment: − 3.0 ± 6.1 cm; P = 0.02) and waist-to-hip ratio (placebo: 0.01 ± 0.05; treatment: − 0.03 ± 0.05; P = 0.01) relative to placebo. Vitamin D supplementation, with or without exercise, had no effect on other physical function, body composition or metabolic health outcomes. Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation had no effect on most physical function, body composition or metabolic health parameters when taken alone, or during exercise, in overweight or obese older adults with vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D-related improvements in stair climb times and waist circumference suggest that future trials should explore the effects of vitamin D on muscle power, and its effects on body composition when combined with exercise, in populations with moderate or severe vitamin D deficiency

Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Sorghum: Exploring Native Variability for Traits Under Variable N-Regimes

Exploring the natural genetic variability and its exploitation for improved Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) in sorghum is one of the primary goals in the modern crop improvement programs. The integrated strategies include high-throughput phenotyping, next generation sequencing (NGS)-based genotyping technologies, and a priori selected candidate gene studies that help understand the detailed physiological and molecular mechanisms underpinning this complex trait. A set of sixty diverse sorghum genotypes was evaluated for different vegetative, reproductive, and yield traits related to NUE in the field (under three N regimes) for two seasons. Significant variations for different yield and related traits under 0 and 50% N confirmed the availability of native genetic variability in sorghum under low N regimes. Sorghum genotypes with distinct genetic background had interestingly similar NUE associated traits. The Genotyping- By-Sequencing based SNPs (>89 K) were used to study the population structure, and phylogenetic groupings identified three distinct groups. The information of grain N and stalk N content of the individuals covered on the phylogenetic groups indicated randomness in the distribution for adaptation under variable N regimes. This study identified promising sorghum genotypes with consistent performance under varying environments, with buffer capacity for yield under low N conditions. We also report better performing genotypes for varied production use—grain, stover, and dual-purpose sorghum having differential adaptation response to NUE traits. Expression profiling of NUE associated genes in shoot and root tissues of contrasting lines (PVK801 and HDW703) grown in varying N conditions revealed interesting outcomes. Root tissues of contrasting lines exhibited differential expression profiles for transporter genes [ammonium transporter (SbAMT), nitrate transporters (SbNRT)]; primary assimilatory (glutamine synthetase (SbGS), glutamate synthase (SbGOGAT[NADH], SbGOGAT[Fd]), assimilatory genes [nitrite reductase (SbNiR[NADH]3)]; and amino acid biosynthesis associated gene [glutamate dehydrogenase (SbGDH)]. Identification and expression profiling of contrasting sorghum genotypes in varying N dosages will provide new information to understand the response of NUE genes toward adaptation to the differential N regimes in sorghum. High NUE genotypes identified from this study could be potential candidates for in-depth molecular analysis and contribute toward the development of N efficient sorghum cultivars