Improving the Research Environment of High Performance Computing for Non-Cluster Experts Based on Knoppix Instant Computing Technology

Abstract. We have designed and implemented a new portable system that can rapidly construct a computer environment where highthroughput research applications can be performed instantly. One challenge in the instant computing area is constructing a cluster system instantly, and then readily restoring it to its former state. This paper presents an approach for instant computing using Knoppix technology that can allow even a non-computer specialist to easily construct and operate a Beowulf cluster . In the present bio-research field, there is now an urgent need to address the nagging problem posed by having highperformance computers. Therefore, we were assigned the task of proposing a way to build an environment where a cluster computer system can be instantly set up. Through such research, we believe that the technology can be expected to accelerate scientific research. However, when employing this technology in bio-research, a capacity barrier exists when selecting a clustered Knoppix system for a data-driven bioinformatics application. We have approached ways to overcome said barrier by using a virtual integrated RAM-DISK to adapt to a parallel file system. To show an actual example using a reference application, we have chosen InterProScan, which is an integrated application prepared by the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) that utilizes many database and scan methods. InterProScan is capable of scaling workload with local computational resources, though biology researchers and even bioinformatics researchers find such extensions difficult to set up. We have achieved the purpose of allowing even researchers who are non-cluster experts to easily build a system of "Knoppix for the InterProScan4.1 High Throughput Computing Edition." The system we developed is capable of not only constructing a cluster computer environment composed of 32 computers in about ten minutes (as opposed to six hours when done manually), but also restoring the original environment by rebooting the pre-existing operating system. The goal of our instant cluster computing is to provide an environment in which any target application can be built instantly from anywhere

Phoenix

A novel chiral coordination polymer, [Cu­(C₆H₅CH­(OH)­COO)­(μ-C₆H₅CH­(OH)­COO)] (<b>1</b>-L and <b>1</b>-D), was synthesized through a reaction of copper acetate with l-mandelic acid at room temperature. Although previously reported copper mandelate prepared by hydrothermal reaction was a centrosymmetric coordination polymer because of the racemization of mandelic acid, the current coordination polymer shows noncentrosymmetry and a completely different structure from that previously reported. The X-ray crystallography for <b>1</b>-L revealed that the copper center of the compound showed a highly distorted octahedral structure bridged by a chiral mandelate ligand in the unusual coordination mode to construct a one-dimensional (1D) zigzag chain structure. These 1D chains interdigitated each other to give a layered structure as a result of the formation of multiple aromatic interactions and hydrogen bonds between hydroxyl and carboxylate moieties at mandelate ligands. The coordination polymer <b>1</b>-L belongs to the noncentrosymmetric space group of C2 to show piezoelectric properties and second harmonic generation (SHG) activity

The Effect of Interim FDG-PET-guided Response-Adapted Therapy in Pediatric Patients with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL-14) : Protocol for a Phase II Study

This trial enrolls patients with untreated Hodgkin’s lymphoma aged<20 years at diagnosis and examines the effects of omitting radiation therapy if the FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) findings after two completed cycles of combination chemotherapy are negative. It thereby aims to determine whether patients who truly require radiation therapy can be identified by FDG-PET. If so, this modality could be used to omit radiation therapy for all other patients, decreasing the risk of serious long-term complications without affecting survival rates. The outcomes of patients for whom FDG-PET is used to assess early treatment response will also be determined

Total and High Molecular Weight Adiponectin and Hepatocellular Carcinoma with HCV Infection

Adiponectin is shown to be inversely associated with development and progression of various cancers. We evaluated whether adiponectin level was associated with the prevalence and histological grade of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and liver fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.A case-control study was conducted on 97 HCC patients (cases) and 97 patients (controls) matched for sex, Child-Pugh grade and platelet count in patients with HCV infection. The serum total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and examined in their association with the prevalence of HCC. In addition, the relationship between these adiponectin levels and body mass index (BMI), progression of liver fibrosis, and histological grade of HCC was also evaluated. Liver fibrosis was assessed using the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI).There were no significant differences in the serum total and HMW adiponectin levels between cases and controls. Moreover, there were no inverse associations between serum total and HMW adiponectin levels and BMI in both cases and controls. On the other hand, serum total and HMW adiponectin levels are positively correlated with APRI in both cases (r = 0.491, P<0.001 and r = 0.485, P<0.001, respectively) and controls (r = 0.482, P<0.001 and r = 0.476, P<0.001, respectively). Interestingly, lower serum total (OR 11.76, 95% CI: 2.97–46.66 [P<0.001]) and HMW (OR 10.24, CI: 2.80–37.40 [P<0.001] adiponectin levels were independent risk factors of worse histological grade of HCC.Our results suggested that serum total and HMW adiponectin levels were predictors of liver fibrosis, but not prevalence of HCC in patients with HCV infection. Moreover, low these adiponectin levels were significantly associated with worse histological grades

日本における小児劇症型心筋炎 : 医療機関あたり症例数，治療内容，および死亡率に関する後方視的データベース研究

内容の要約広島大学(Hiroshima University)博士(医学)Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Sciencedoctora