A fast vectorized sorting implementation based on the ARM scalable vector extension (SVE)

The way developers implement their algorithms and how these implementations behave on modern CPUs are governed by the design and organization of these. The vectorization units (SIMD) are among the few CPUs’ parts that can and must be explicitly controlled. In the HPC community, the x86 CPUs and their vectorization instruction sets were de-facto the standard for decades. Each new release of an instruction set was usually a doubling of the vector length coupled with new operations. Each generation was pushing for adapting and improving previous implementations. The release of the ARM scalable vector extension (SVE) changed things radically for several reasons. First, we expect ARM processors to equip many supercomputers in the next years. Second, SVE’s interface is different in several aspects from the x86 extensions as it provides different instructions, uses a predicate to control most operations, and has a vector size that is only known at execution time. Therefore, using SVE opens new challenges on how to adapt algorithms including the ones that are already well-optimized on x86. In this paper, we port a hybrid sort based on the well-known Quicksort and Bitonic-sort algorithms. We use a Bitonic sort to process small partitions/arrays and a vectorized partitioning implementation to divide the partitions. We explain how we use the predicates and how we manage the non-static vector size. We also explain how we efficiently implement the sorting kernels. Our approach only needs an array of O(log N) for the recursive calls in the partitioning phase, both in the sequential and in the parallel case. We test the performance of our approach on a modern ARMv8.2 (A64FX) CPU and assess the different layers of our implementation by sorting/partitioning integers, double floating-point numbers, and key/value pairs of integers. Our results show that our approach is faster than the GNU C++ sort algorithm by a speedup factor of 4 on average.

Effect of series and parallel combination of photovoltaic thermal collectors on the performances of integrated active solar still

In this paper, an analytical expression for hourly yield, electrical energy and overall exergy of self-sustained solar still integrated with series and parallel combination of photovoltaic thermal-compound parabolic concentrator (PVT-CPC) collectors have been derived. Based on numerical computations, it has been observed that the yield is maximum for all self-sustained PVT-CPC collectors are connected in series [case (i)]. Further, the daily yield and exergy increase with the increase of water depth unlike passive solar still for all collectors connected in series. However, overall exergy decreases with an increase of water depth for all collectors connected in parallel [case (iv)]. For numerical simulations, the total numbers of self-sustained PVT-CPC collectors has been considered as constant. Further, an effect of series and parallel combination of PVT-CPC collectors on daily yield, electrical energy and overall exergy have also been carried out. Following additional conclusions have also been drawn: (i) The daily yield of the proposed active solar still decreases with the increase of packing factor of semi-transparent PV module for a given water depth and electrical energy and overall exergy increase with water depth for case (i) as expected due to low operating temperature range at higher water depth in the basin. (i) The daily yield, electrical energy and overall exergy increase with the increase of water depth for all combination of series and parallel arrangement of PVT-CPC collectors for a packing factor of 0.22 as per our expectation.

Absolute instability in shock-containing jets

We present an analysis of the linear stability characteristics of shock-containing jets. The flow is linearised around a spatially periodic mean, which acts as a surrogate for a mean flow with a shock-cell structure, leading to a set of partial differential equations with periodic coefficients in space. Disturbances are written using the Floquet ansatz and Fourier modes in the streamwise direction, leading to an eigenvalue problem for the Floquet exponent. The characteristics of the solution are directly compared with the locally parallel case, and some of the features are similar. The inclusion of periodicity induces minor changes in the growth rate and phase velocity of the relevant modes for small shock amplitudes. On the other hand, the eigenfunctions are now subject to modulation related to the periodicity of the flow. Analysis of the spatio-temporal growth rates led to the identification of a saddle point between the Kelvin–Helmholtz mode and the guided jet mode, characterising an absolute instability mechanism. Frequencies and mode shapes related to the saddle points for two conditions (associated with axisymmetric and helical modes) are compared with screech frequencies and the most energetic coherent structures of screeching jets, resulting in a good agreement for both. The analysis shows that a periodic shock-cell structure has an impulse response that grows upstream, leading to oscillator behaviour. The results suggest that screech can occur in the absence of a nozzle, and that the upstream reflection condition is not essential for screech frequency selection. Connections to previous models are also discussed.

Human species and mating systems: Neandertal-Homo sapiens reproductive isolation and the archaeological and fossil records

The present paper examined the assumption of strong reproductive isolation (RI) between Homo neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens, as well as the question of what form it might have taken, using insights from the parallel case of chimpanzee–bonobo hybridization. RI from hybrid sterility or inviability was thought unlikely based on the short separation-to-introgression timeline. The forms of RI that typically develop in primates have relatively short timelines (especially for partial implementation); they generally preclude mating or influence hybrid survival and reproduction in certain contexts, and they have the potential to skew introgression directionality. These RI barriers are also consistent with some interpretations of the archaeological and fossil records, especially when behavioral, cognitive, morphological, and genetic differences between the two human species are taken into consideration. Differences potentially influencing patterns of survival and reproduction include interspecies violence, Neandertal xenophobia, provisioning behavior, and ontogenetic, morphological, and behavioral differences affecting matters such as kin and mate recognition, infanticide, and sexual selection. These factors may have skewed the occurrence of interbreeding or the survival and reproduction of hybrids in a way that might at least partially explain the pattern of introgression.

Risk factors for diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis: A set of parallel case-control studies

Objective To compare potential risk factors for the diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods Four parallel case-control studies were conducted within The Health Improvement Network using data between 1994 and 2015. Patients with PsA, psoriasis, RA, or AS were identified using validated code lists and matched to controls on age, sex, practice, and year. Risk factors were selected in the time prior to diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed for each disease using automated stepwise regression to test potential risk factors. Results Patients with incident PsA (N=7,594), psoriasis (N=111,375), RA (N=28,341), and AS (N=3, 253) were identified and matched to 75,930, 1,113,345, 282,226, and 32,530 controls, respectively. Median diagnosis age was 48 (IQR 38-59), 41 (31-54), 43 (31-54), and 60 (48-71), respectively. In multivariable models, there were some shared and some differing risk factors across all 4 diseases: PsA was associated with obesity, pharyngitis, and skin infections; PsA and psoriasis were associated with obesity and moderate alcohol intake; PsA and AS were associated with uveitis; and PsA and RA were associated with preceding gout. Both RA and AS were associated with current smoking, former moderate drinking, anemia, osteoporosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. All shared former or current smoking as a risk factor; statin use was inversely associated with all 4 diseases. Conclusion Shared and different risk factors for PsA, psoriasis, RA, and AS were identified. Statin use was inversely associated with all 4 conditions.

Linear optical properties of a linear chain of interacting gold nanoparticles

In a Drude-like model for the conduction electrons of Metal Nanoparticles (MNPs) in a periodic linear chain, considering dipole-dipole interactions of adjacent particles, an analytical expression is derived for each particle permittivity for two different polarizations of incident light: parallel with and perpendicular to the chain line. A numerical analysis is carried out for a chain including 10 identical gold Nanoparticles (NPs) for two different sizes of NPs and two different host media of air and glass. It is shown that in the parallel case of polarization, interaction of NPs leads to a substantial increase in the extinction cross section and the red-shift of the Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) wavelength. In comparison with the linear properties of a single NP, the second and penultimate particles have the most increase in the extinction cross section and SPR wavelength displacement while the first and last particles experience the least variations due to the mutual interactions. For the perpendicular polarization, inversely, the dipolar coupling causes the decrease in extinction cross section of all particles and the blue-shift of SPR wavelength. For the parallel polarization, the absolute values of the real and imaginary parts of complex permittivity of each MNP decrease in comparison with the single particle case while they increase for the perpendicular state of polarization.

School Library Team

In New Zealand school libraries, the nature of educational activities performed by school library staff is unclear. Three parallel case studies were conducted to explore the actual work of school library team members. Ways of working with teachers and each other were explored in interviews and focus groups and the characteristics of information service provision were compared with those reflected in the wider literature. While many practices were affirmed for their positive influence on teaching and learning, areas for further development were identified. These are discussed in terms of creating change and strengthening learning outcomes.

Designing Study Abroad With Empathy and Engagement

This chapter describes results from a student-driven partnership between York College of Pennsylvania and governmental/non-governmental health agencies in Liberia. Presented as two parallel case studies, and narrating research processes and outcomes of the project, it argues that by combining the empathy techniques of “human-centered design” (commonly known as Design Thinking) with principles of project-based learning, this people-centered method can produce richer global experiences for students. This method can also produce qualitative data that is useful for intercultural problem-solving, and therefore can inform ongoing and productive partnerships that employ a human-centered approach to interdisciplinary collaboration.