Analysis and Design of Communication Avoiding Algorithms for Out of Memory(OOM) SVD

Many applications — including big data analytics, information retrieval, gene expression analysis, and numerical weather prediction – require the solution of large, dense singular value decomposition (SVD). The size of matrices used in many of these applications is becoming too large to fit into into a computer’s main memory at one time, and the traditional SVD algorithms that require all the matrix components to be loaded into memory before computation starts cannot be used directly. Moving data (communication) between levels of memory hierarchy and the disk exposes extra challenges to design SVD for such big matrices because of the exponential growth in the gap between floating-point arithmetic rate and bandwidth for many different storage devices on modern high performance computers. In this dissertation, we have analyzed communication overhead on hierarchical memory systems and disks for SVD algorithms and designed communication-avoiding (CA) Out of Memory (OOM) SVD algorithms. By Out of Memory we mean that the matrix is too big to fit in the main memory and therefore must reside in external or internal storage. We have studied communication overhead for classical one-stage blocked SVD and two-stage tiled SVD algorithms and proposed our OOM SVD algorithm, which reduces the communication cost. We have presented theoretical analysis and strategies to design CA OOM SVD algorithms, developed optimized implementation of CA OOM SVD for multicore architecture, and presented its performance results. When matrices are tall, performance of OOM SVD can be improved significantly by carrying out QR decomposition on the original matrix in the first place. The upper triangular matrix generated by QR decomposition may fit in the main memory, and in-core SVD can be used efficiently. Even if the upper triangular matrix does not fit in the main memory, OOM SVD will work on a smaller matrix. That is why we have analyzed communication reduction for OOM QR algorithm, implemented optimized OOM tiled QR for multicore systems and showed performance improvement of OOM SVD algorithms for tall matrices

Entrepreneurial Competency As Determinant For Success Of Female Entrepreneurs In Nigeria

This study aimed at examining the direct relationship between entrepreneurial competency and firm performance of female Entrepreneurs in Nigeria. The data were collected from respondents via the use of questionnaires, and were analysed using SPSS and Smart PLS 3.0. Evidence put forward indicated that for female Entrepreneurs in Nigeria to succeed in running their businesses effectively and efficiently, they need to equip themselves with necessary competencies. The findings revealed that strategy, opportunity and organizing competencies have positive direct relationship with firm performance

Causal Relationship between Trade Openness and Economic Growth: A Panel Data Analysis of Asian Countries

This paper examines the causal relationship between economic growth and trade openness for 15 Asian countries over period 1990–2017. We have applied panel cointegration and causality approaches to examine the long-run and causal relationship between variables. Empirical results confirm the presence of cointegration between variables. The impact of trade openness on economic growth is found to be positive. The panel VECM Granger causality analysis reveals the bidirectional causality between economic growth and trade openness. Keywords: Trade Openness, Economic Growth, Panel Cointegration, Causality. JEL Classifications: F11, F14, F43, C23 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijefi.865

HPC Programming on Intel Many-Integrated-Core Hardware with MAGMA Port to Xeon Phi

This paper presents the design and implementation of several fundamental dense linear algebra (DLA) algorithms for multicore with Intel Xeon Phi coprocessors. In particular, we consider algorithms for solving linear systems. Further, we give an overview of the MAGMA MIC library, an open source, high performance library, that incorporates the developments presented here and, more broadly, provides the DLA functionality equivalent to that of the popular LAPACK library while targeting heterogeneous architectures that feature a mix of multicore CPUs and coprocessors. The LAPACK-compliance simplifies the use of the MAGMA MIC library in applications, while providing them with portably performant DLA. High performance is obtained through the use of the high-performance BLAS, hardware-specific tuning, and a hybridization methodology whereby we split the algorithm into computational tasks of various granularities. Execution of those tasks is properly scheduled over the heterogeneous hardware by minimizing data movements and mapping algorithmic requirements to the architectural strengths of the various heterogeneous hardware components. Our methodology and programming techniques are incorporated into the MAGMA MIC API, which abstracts the application developer from the specifics of the Xeon Phi architecture and is therefore applicable to algorithms beyond the scope of DLA

EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL COMPETENCIES AND FIRM PERFORMANCE: A STUDY OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS OF NIGERIA

The purpose of current study is to investigate the effects of entrepreneurial competencies on firm performance of businesses owned by Nigerian women entrepreneurs. The 200 respondents of this study are women entrepreneurs operating micro-business units in Kaduna state, Nigeria. Survey questions was used to collect data. The study utilises SPSS and SmartPLS 2.0 to analyse the data. The findings indicated that strategic, opportunity and organizing competencies significantly affect the firm performance of women entrepreneurs in Nigeria

Thymoquinone enhances sperm DNA integrity in nicotineinduced infertile male rats

Purpose: To assess the effects of thymoquinone (TQ) on the integrity of sperm DNA in nicotineinduced sperm impairment in rats. Methods: Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into four equal groups: control group received normal saline orally for 60 days; nicotine group was subcutaneously injected with 5 mg/kg/day nicotine for 30 days and then given normal saline for the next 30 days; TQ group was given normal saline for 30 days followed by TQ at 5 mg/kg/day for 30 days; and nicotine-TQ group received 5 mg/kg of nicotine for 30 days and 5mg/kg of TQ for another 30 days. Sperm DNA breakages were evaluated using Comet assay. The expression levels of protamine 1 (PT1) and transition nuclear protein 2 (Tnp2) genes which are essential for the proper compaction of the sperm DNA were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results: Thymoquinone significantly decreased DNA fragmentation in the sperm of nicotine-treated rats. However, there was no change in PT1 gene expression. Tnp2 was downregulated in the nicotine group and slightly upregulated in nicotine-TQ group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results demonstrate the potential benefits of TQ in improving sperm DNA quality of nicotine-induced male infertility

Negative index metamaterial-based frequency-reconfigurable textile cpw antenna for microwave imaging of breast cancer

In this paper, we report the design and development of a metamaterial (MTM)-based di�rectional coplanar waveguide (CPW)-fed reconfigurable textile antenna using radiofrequency (RF) varactor diodes for microwave breast imaging. Both simulation and measurement results of the proposed MTM-based CPW-fed reconfigurable textile antenna revealed a continuous frequency re�configuration to a distinct frequency band between 2.42 GHz and 3.2 GHz with a frequency ratio of 2.33:1, and with a static bandwidth at 4–15 GHz. The results also indicated that directional radiation pattern could be produced at the frequency reconfigurable region and the antenna had a peak gain of 7.56 dBi with an average efficiency of more than 67%. The MTM-based reconfigurable antenna was also tested under the deformed condition and analysed in the vicinity of the breast phantom. This microwave imaging system was used to perform simulation and measurement experiments on a custom-fabricated realistic breast phantom with heterogeneous tissue composition with image reconstruction using delay-and-sum (DAS) and delay-multiply-and-sum (DMAS) algorithms. Given that the MWI system was capable of detecting a cancer as small as 10 mm in the breast phan�tom, we propose that this technique may be used clinically for the detection of breast cancer

A replacement of plant protein sources as an alternative of fish meal ingredient for African catfish, Clarias gariepinus: A review

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. This industry supplies half of the fisheries products consumed annually, and future global demand can only be supplied by increasing aquaculture production, which, in turn, requires more aquafeed. Alternative ingredients must be increasingly used to supply significant proportions of protein and energy in aquafeeds, creating both challenges and opportunities for researchers and industry. Nowadays, there are too many researches on fish disease, growth and health but less in a fish feed especially a replacement of protein from plant sources in the fish feed. One of the alternative ways to optimise the growth and health condition of the fish is provide them a good protein from plant as a replacement in fish meal with the natural source protein instead of giving a good rearing condition and caring of the fish. The present article was constructed to highlight a replacement of plant protein sources as an alternative of fish meal for fish feed in African catfish, Clarias gariepinus that has been done by researchers. However, the application of replacement from plant protein sources in fish meal is now gradually gaining importance in commercial aquaculture practices and opened the door for the researchers to expend of this application, thus more detailed studies on molecular basis should be looked as to get the quality and enough nutrient fish feed for good production of aquaculture industry

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Cell Releasing System Using Light Responsive Photovoltaic Devices

Tissue and organ regeneration via transplantation of cell bodies in-situ has become an emerging strategy in regenerative medicine. Injected or implanted cells must be available in large enough numbers and suitable delivery methods must be found especially when implantation into the affected tissue is not possible. In addition, better understanding of how to mitigate the inflammatory reactions and how to degrade the cell carriers are needed. Current cell-based therapies are limited to injection or implantation of cell suspensions or implantation of cell sheets. Development of alternative systems to obtain cell sheets or other functional cellular structures are required. We are investigating light treatment as an efficient, safe, and repeatable method to release cells, cellular aggregates, structures or sheets for implantation in regenerative medicine. We hypothesize that cells cultured on the surfaces of a photovoltaic element may be released by applying visible radiation to the element. The light will induce a surface charge on the element causing cells to be released by electrostatic repulsion. Herein, we conducted a study that examines the amount and viability of myoblasts cells released from a photovoltaic element upon light exposure. We investigated (i) the biocompatibility of PV devices, (ii) the utilization of PV devices as cell substrate iii) the release of attached cells from PV surfaces upon light stimulation, and (iv) the progressive release of proliferated cells from PV devices. C2C12 myoblast cells were cultured on sterile silicon based photovoltaic elements with n-type surface under typical cell culture conditions. Upon confluence, the elements were exposed to low power visible lights for 1-2 hours. Cells in the supernatant and those attached were collected and counted. In addition live/dead assays and DAPI staining were performed on the released cells. Cells released by light exposure were re-seeded for further culture. The results showed that approximately 40% of attached cells could be released from the element upon a light exposure. This strategy may be used to release cells or cellular structures for eventual use in regenerative medicine