Is Arm software ecosystem ready for HPC?

In recent years, the HPC community has increasingly grown its interest towards the Arm architecture with research projects targeting primarily the installation of Arm-based clusters. State of the art research project examples are the European Mont-Blanc, the Japanese Post-K, and the UKs GW4/EPSRC. Primarily attention is usually given to hardware platforms, and the Arm HPC community is growing as the hardware is evolving towards HPC workloads via solutions borrowed from mobile market e.g., big.LITTLE and additions such as Armv8-A Scalable Vector Extension (SVE) technology. However the availability of a mature software ecosystem and the possibility of running large and complex HPC applications plays a key role in the consolidation process of a new technology, especially in a conservative market like HPC. For this reason in this poster we present a preliminary evaluation of the Arm system software ecosystem, limited here to the Arm HPC Compiler and the Arm Performance Libraries, together with a porting and testing of three fairly complex HPC code suites: QuantumESPRESSO, WRF and FEniCS. The selection of these codes has not been totally random: they have been in fact proposed as HPC challenges during the last two editions of the Student Cluster Competition at ISC where all the authors have been involved operating an Arm-based cluster and awarded with the Fan Favorite award.The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme [FP7/2007-2013] and Horizon 2020 under the Mont-Blanc projects [3], grant agreements n. 288777, 610402 and 671697. The authors would also like to thank E4 Computer Engineering for providing part of the hardware resources needed for the evaluation carried out in this poster as well as for greatly supporting the Student Cluster Competition team.Postprint (author's final draft

Recognizing Facial Mimicry In Virtual Group Conversations

With the current COVID-19 pandemic, group communication is often restricted to virtual video-conferencing platforms like Zoom in order to inhibit the spread of the virus. The virtual communication environment affects our ability to assess group emotion and support verbal messages through nonverbal communication. Because virtual meetings create visibility restrictions due to limited camera view, body language is occluded, and faces are now at the forefront of social interactions within groups. Since faces are still visible, it allows for some key components of interpersonal interactions to still occur, such as facial mimicry. Facial mimicry occurs when one person mirrors another person\u27s facial expressions. Most research on facial mimicry has been conducted on face-to-face interactions. Further studies have also shown that facial mimicry exists when an individual is reacting to a recorded video containing different expressions. However, there is limited research on facial mimicry within video-conferencing conversations. Our research aims to use facial expression recognition techniques to analyze if facial mimicry exists during group conversations over virtual platforms through facial action units and expressions. For this purpose, we used current state-of-the-art methods to recognize and analyze the activation of eye gaze, seven universal facial expressions, and seventeen commonly presented facial action units over time for each participant within various Zoom meetings that were uploaded on Youtube to measure facial mimicry. From observing the simultaneous activation of facial action units, our findings suggest that facial mimicry, specifically in reaction to smiling and positive facial expressions, does exist in video-conferencing group conversations. We plan to conduct future research to determine whether this positive facial mimicry improves group emotion and productivity.https://orb.binghamton.edu/research_days_posters_2021/1105/thumbnail.jp

The actin cytoskeleton of the mouse sperm flagellum is organized in a helical structure

Conception in mammals is determined by the fusion of a sperm cell with an oocyte during fertilization. Motility is one of the features of sperm that allows them to succeed in fertilization, and their flagellum is essential for this function. Longitudinally, the flagellum can be divided into the midpiece, the principal piece and the end piece. A precise cytoskeletal architecture of the sperm tail is key for the acquisition of fertilization competence. It has been proposed that the actin cytoskeleton plays essential roles in the regulation of sperm motility; however, the actin organization in sperm remains elusive. In the present work, we show that there are different types of actin structures in the sperm tail by using three-dimensional stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM). In the principal piece, actin is radially distributed between the axoneme and the plasma membrane. The actin-associated proteins spectrin and adducin are also found in these structures. Strikingly, polymerized actin in the midpiece forms a double-helix that accompanies mitochondria. Our findings illustrate a novel specialized structure of actin filaments in a mammalian cell.Fil: Gervasi, Maria Gracia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentina. University of Massachussets; Estados UnidosFil: Xu, Xinran. State University of Colorado - Fort Collins; Estados UnidosFil: Carbajal Gonzalez, Blanca. Mount Holyoke College; Estados UnidosFil: Buffone, Mariano Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Visconti, Pablo E.. University of Massachussets; Estados UnidosFil: Krapf, Diego. State University of Colorado - Fort Collins; Estados Unido

The tyrosine kinase FER is responsible for the capacitation-associated increase in tyrosine phosphorylation in murine sperm

Sperm capacitation is required for fertilization. At the molecular level, this process is associated with fast activation of protein kinase A. Downstream of this event, capacitating conditions lead to an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation. The identity of the tyrosine kinase(s) mediating this process has not been conclusively demonstrated. Recent experiments using stallion and human sperm have suggested a role for PYK2 based on the use of small molecule inhibitors directed against this kinase. However, crucially, loss-of-function experiments have not been reported. Here, we used both pharmacological inhibitors and genetically modified mice models to investigate the identity of the tyrosine kinase(s) mediating the increase in tyrosine phosphorylation in mouse sperm. Similar to stallion and human, PF431396 blocks the capacitation-associated increase in tyrosine phosphorylation. Yet, sperm from Pyk2(-/-) mice displayed a normal increase in tyrosine phosphorylation, implying that PYK2 is not responsible for this phosphorylation process. Here, we show that PF431396 can also inhibit FER, a tyrosine kinase known to be present in sperm. Sperm from mice targeted with a kinase-inactivating mutation in Fer failed to undergo capacitation-associated increases in tyrosine phosphorylation. Although these mice are fertile, their sperm displayed a reduced ability to fertilize metaphase II-arrested eggs in vitro.Fil: Alvau, Antonio. University of Massachussets; Estados UnidosFil: Battistone, Maria Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Gervasi, Maria Gracia. University of Massachussets; Estados UnidosFil: Navarrete, Felipe A.. University of Massachussets; Estados UnidosFil: Xu, Xinran. State University of Colorado - Fort Collins; Estados UnidosFil: Sánchez Cárdenas, Claudia. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Instituto de Biotecnología; MéxicoFil: De la Vega Beltran, José Luis. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Instituto de Biotecnología; MéxicoFil: Da Ros, Vanina Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Greer, Peter. Queens University; CanadáFil: Darszon, Alberto. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Instituto de Biotecnología; MéxicoFil: Krapf, Diego. State University of Colorado - Fort Collins; Estados UnidosFil: Salicioni, Ana María. University of Massachussets; Estados UnidosFil: Cuasnicu, Patricia Sara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Visconti, Pablo E.. University of Massachussets; Estados Unido

Dual function filtration and catalytic breakdown of organic pollutants in wastewater using ozonation with titania and alumina membranes

Water recycling via treatment from industrial and/or municipal waste sources is one of the key strategies for resolving water shortages worldwide. Polymer membranes are effective at improving the water quality essential for recycling, but depend on regular cleaning and replacement. Pure ceramic membranes can reduce the cleaning need and last significantly longer in the same applications while possessing the possibility of operating in more aggressive environments not suitable for polymers. In the current work, filtration using a tubular ceramic membrane (�-Al2O3 or TiO2) was combined with ozonation to remove organic compounds present in a secondary effluent to enhance key quality features of the water (colour and total organic carbon, TOC) for its potential reuse. ‘Bare’ commercial �-Al2O3 filters (pore size ∼0.58 �m) were tested as a microfiltration membrane and compared with the more advanced catalytically active TiO2 layer that was formed by the sol–gel method. The presence of anatase with a 4 nm pore size at the membrane surface was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and N2 adsorption. Filtration of the effluent over a 2 h period led to a reduction in flux to 45% and 60% of the initial values for the �-alumina and TiO2 membrane, respectively. However, a brief dose (2 min) of ozone at the start of the run resulted in reductions to only 70% of the initial flux for both membranes. It is likely that the oxide’s functional property facilitated the formation of hydroxyl (OH•) or other radicals on the membrane surface from ozone decomposition which targeted the breakdown of organic foulants thus inhibiting their deposition. Interestingly, the porous structure therefore acted in a synergistic, dual function mode to physically separate the particulates while also catalytically breaking down organic matter. The system also greatly improved the efficiency of membrane filtration for the reduction of colour, A254 (organics absorption at the wavelength of 254 nm) and TOC. The best performance came from combined ozonation (2 min ozonation time with an estimated applied ozone dose of 8 mg L−1) with the TiO2 membrane, which was able to reduce colour by 88%, A254 by 75% and TOC by 43%. It is clearly evident that a synergistic effect occurs with the process combination of ozonation and ceramic membrane filtration demonstrating the practical benefit of combining ceramic membrane filtration with conventional water ozonation

Synthesis of anthraquinone based electroactive polymers: A critical review

Conducting polymers or synthetic monomers have revolutionized the world and are at the heart of scientific research having a scope of vast diverse applications in many technological fields. The conducting and redox polymers have been investigated as energy storage systems because of their better sustainability, ease of synthesis, and environmental compatibility. Owing to the conducting properties of quinones, they gain too much importance among the researchers. Keeping in view the importance and sustainability of conducting polymers, for the first time, this study compiles a detailed overview of synthetic approaches followed by investigations on electrochemical properties and future directions. This study critically examines the synthetic process of simple monomers, substituted monomers, and polymers of anthraquinone (AQ) under the classification of low- and high-molecular-weight AQ–based derivatives, their working principles, and their electrochemical applications, which enable us to explore their novel possible application in automotive, solar cell devices, aircraft aileron, and biomedical equipment. Irrefutably, we confirm that high-molecular-weight polymeric AQ compounds are best in comparison with low-molecular-weight AQ monomers because they have pre-eminent properties over monomeric systems. Because of the significant properties of AQ, polymeric systems are high demanding and have emerged as a hot topic among the researchers these days. In the current scenario, this study is of immense importance because it identifies and discusses the right and sustainable combination and paves the way to utilize these novel materials in different technologies

Erratum: Ferosekhan et al. Influence of Genetic Selection for Growth and Broodstock Diet n-3 LC-PUFA Levels on Reproductive Performance of Gilthead Seabream, Sparus Aurata. Animals 2021, 11, 519

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...

Influence of Genetic Selection for Growth and Broodstock Diet n-3 LC-PUFA Levels on Reproductive Performance of Gilthead Seabream, Sparus aurata

© 2021 by the authors.Genetic selection in gilthead seabream (GSB), Sparus aurata, has been undertaken to improve the growth, feed efficiency, fillet quality, skeletal deformities and disease resistance, but no study is available to delineate the effect of genetic selection for growth trait on GSB reproductive performance under mass spawning condition. In this study, high growth (HG) or low growth (LG) GSB broodstock were selected to evaluate the sex steroid hormones, sperm, egg quality and reproductive performance under different feeding regime of commercial diet or experimental broodstock diet containing either fish oil (FO) or vegetable oil (VO) based diet. Under commercial diet feeding phase, broodstock selected for either high growth or low growth did not show any significant changes in the egg production per kg female whereas egg viability percentage was positively (p = 0.014) improved by the high growth trait broodstock group. The experimental diet feeding results revealed that both growth trait and dietary fatty acid composition influenced the reproductive performance of GSB broodstock. In the experimental diet feeding phase, we observed high growth trait GSB males produced a higher number of sperm cells (p < 0.001) and also showed a higher sperm motility (p = 0.048) percentage. The viable egg and larval production per spawn per kg female were significantly improved by the broodstock selected for high growth trait and fed with fish oil-based diet. This present study results signifies that gilthead seabream broodstock selected on growth trait could have positive role in improvement of sperm and egg quality to produce viable progeny.This study was funded by the EU-funded project AQUAIMPACT (Genomic and Nutritional Innovations for Genetically Superior Farmed Fish), grant agreement No. 818367, PROGENSA III (Mejora de la competitividad del sector de la dorada a través de la selección genética, JACUMAR program with support from the European Maritime and Fisheries), and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, India

Feature fusion based deep spatiotemporal model for violence detection in videos

© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019. It is essential for public monitoring and security to detect violent behavior in surveillance videos. However, it requires constant human observation and attention, which is a challenging task. Autonomous detection of violent activities is essential for continuous, uninterrupted video surveillance systems. This paper proposed a novel method to detect violent activities in videos, using fused spatial feature maps, based on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) units. The spatial features are extracted through CNN, and multi-level spatial features fusion method is used to combine the spatial features maps from two equally spaced sequential input video frames to incorporate motion characteristics. The additional residual layer blocks are used to further learn these fused spatial features to increase the classification accuracy of the network. The combined spatial features of input frames are then fed to LSTM units to learn the global temporal information. The output of this network classifies the violent or non-violent category present in the input video frame. Experimental results on three different standard benchmark datasets: Hockey Fight, Crowd Violence and BEHAVE show that the proposed algorithm provides better ability to recognize violent actions in different scenarios and results in improved performance compared to the state-of-the-art methods

Case report on the role of radiofrequency-assisted spleen-preserving surgery for splenic metastasis in the era of check-point inhibitors.

RATIONALE: An isolated splenic metastasis is a rare phenomenon noted in advanced stage melanoma. We report the role of radiofrequency (RF) -based splenic-preserving splenectomy in a patient with a solitary splenic metastasis from advanced stage melanoma that was managed with checkpoint inhibitors. PATIENT CONCERNS: We report a case of a 60-year-old man who presented with multiple lung metastases and a solitary splenic metastasis with advanced stage melanoma following excision of primary from his trunk 2.3 years back. DIAGNOSIS: Considering the diagnosis of advanced stage melanoma with multiple lung metastases and a solitary splenic metastasis, and its ongoing progressive nature. This case was discussed in the tumour board meeting. INTERVENTIONS: A decision was made to commence treatment with immunotherapy in the form of PD-1 inhibitor (programmed cell death 1 receptor) pembrolizumab. Follow-up restaging computer tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and chest showed a significant reduction in the lung and chest wall lesions, but the splenic lesion remained unchanged. Given the lack of response to treatment in the splenic metastasis and the significant decrease in lung metastases, the multidisciplinary team decided that a partial splenectomy combined with continued immunotherapy treatment would be appropriate as the success of immunotherapy was imminent within the splenic preservation. OUTCOMES: The postoperative recovery was smooth and the patient was discharged from hospital on the sixth postoperative day with normal platelets and white blood cells. The histopathological analysis of the resected specimen showed a metastatic melanoma with negative margins.At 10-month follow-up after the splenic resection the patient had not experienced further tumour recurrences. LESSONS: Spleen-preserving resection for an isolated, solitary splenic metastasis of melanoma is a feasible approach as it not only preserves the ongoing efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors by preserving the physiological T cell milieu, but the immunomodulation properties of RF can produce potentially additional therapeutic benefit