Hitohide Usami

A problem-solving environment (PSE) for distributed computing

A problem-solving environment (PSE) for a distributed high-performance computing (HPC) is proposed to help users to work on distributed computer environment. When users access and use distributed computers for scientific computations, the PSE tells users which computers are available and appropriate for their specific application software by using hardware and software informations specified. Then, the users deploy their software on the distributed computer systems. The software, which can be used later or available for other users, is plugged and pooled in the PSE application pool in order to enhance their reusability. The problem-solving process work flow (WF) is also stored in a case-based database (DB) in the PSE and then the case DB can be used to suggest a WF for users to solve their problems. The PSE may open a new flexible HPC environment.

Scientific Simulation Execution Support on a Closed Distributed Computer Environment

It is difficult for users to submit jobs to distributed computers and to retrieve calculation data from them in scientific computings. In this paper, we discuss and develop a robust job execution service system in a closed distributed computer system. The job execution service system consists of a dynamic system management servers, execution servers and data servers. The dynamic system management server is duplicated in order to keep the system robust, and has an assistant management server. The dynamic system management server has a function of the job execution system management, including software deployment, program compilation, job execution, job status retrieval and computing data retrieval. This system does not require special middleware such as Globus or UNICORE or GLite or so. Users access the web page on the dynamic system management server, and the clients submit jobs. After the submitted job finishes, the dynamic system management server collects the information from other distributed computers. The dynamic management server and its assistant server move dynamically to new servers, if the present servers become busy. The dynamic system management server also demands the execution server to transfer the result data to the optimal data server. The dynamic system management server copies the computing data and sends the compressed computing data to another optimal data server in order for a robust data storage system. The clients can deploy their programs, execute jobs and retrieve the result data by accessing only the web page in the job execution service system. This job execution management server also has a function of automatic system construction, so that the users can manage the setup of the job execution management system easily on their closed distributed computers.

Design and Implementation of NAREGI Problem Solving Environment for Large-Scale Science Grid

NAREGI is a Japanese National Grid Project started in 2003, whose chief aim is to develop a set of Grid middleware to serve as a basis for future e- Science. In this paper, we describe a software tool called NAREGI-PSE (Problem Solving Environment), which aims to supports the scientists¿ works for scientific computer simulations on widely-distributed heterogeneous grid computing environment. Its core component is implemented as WSRF services based on some grid standards, such as Application Contents Service specification. NAREGI-PSE achieves functions sharing peculiar applications in each research community, which is implemented as Virtual Organization. The shared application program is easily compiled and deployed to grid environment using NAREGI-PSE.

Application hosting services for research community on hierarchical grid infrastructure

This paper describes the application hosting services (AHS) that is one of software component of multiple grid environments middleware developed by RENKEI (REsources liNKage for E-scIence) project. The purpose of this middleware realizing the federate/share resources (computers, storages, databases and applications) distributed among multiple grid environments, such as research laboratories, national computer centers and international grids etc. AHS provides repository of application information to the research community created by grid virtual organization (VO). Community members can share the applications and their execution environment on the hierarchical grid environments.

Growth and alkaloids production in Madagascar periwinkle plants grown under red LED

Abstract Madagascar periwinkle plants containing physiologically active indole alkaloids were grown hydroponically under red light (R) from red Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs; 660nm peak wavelength) or white light (FL) from fluorescent lamps in the enclosed artificial lighting plant factory. The effects of light quality on growth and vindoline (VIN) and catharanthine (CAT) accumulation per plant were investigated. Total leaf fresh weight and dry weight were greater in the R-grown plants than in the FL-grown plants. This increase of leaf biomass was caused by an increase of individual leaf fresh weight rather than an increase of leaf number per plant. At 77 d after germination the VIN and CAT accumulations per plant were 1.7 times and 1.4 times higher in the R-grown plants than in the FL-grown plants, respectively. Both the increase in the total leaf dry weight and the increase in the VIN and CAT concentrations in the total leaves contributed to the enhancement of alkaloids accumulation under R conditions. Cultivation under the red light using red LEDs for more than two and a half months was more effective than FL-based white light to produce VDL and CAT in the Madagascar periwinkle.

A meta Problem Solving Environment (PSE)

In this paper, we introduce a new framework called PSE Park for constructing a Problem Solving Environment (PSE); it enables us to construct PSEs easily. PSE Park outputs PSEs depending on users demand/input. In this sense, PSE Park is a kind of PSE for PSE, and helps users to construct PSEs. PSE Park consists of four engines: PIPE server, core, registration engine, and console. A PSE designed and constructed in PSE Park consists of several cores, which are functions of a PSE. The PIPE server manages the cores on the basis of the core map, which expresses the flow of the cores for a specific PSE. The output of each core is retrieved and merged by the PIPE server. All outputs of the cores are saved and easily reused. The cores are independent of programming languages because each core is executed individually as a process in PSE Park. They are registered by using the registration engine, and users access the engines via the console. All data including the core itself, definitions related to the core, the core map, results, and so on are stored in a distributed key-value store on the cloud computing environment. PSE Park retrieves the data by using a key name that can identify individual data uniquely. We applied PSE Park to develop the job execution PSE and the PSE for partial differential equation (PDE)-based problems. The job execution PSE helps Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) simulation execution. This PSE outputs the simulation results of the electric field. PDE-based PSE supports some simulation steps. Seven cores were used to construct this example PSE. By using this PSE, users can execute a PDE-based simulation and obtain a detailed document about the simulation. We believe that the concept of PSE Park, i.e., a framework for PSE development, presents a meaningful new direction for problem solving environments.

Operation of a Semi-Commercial Scale Plant Factory

A state of the art pilot-scale plant-factory, planned for research, is currently under operation at Tamagawa University in Tokyo, Japan. The full research facility, named Future Sci Tech Lab, has been operational since March 2010. The main focus of this facility is to explore the possibility of an enclosed artificial lighting type plant factory. The total construction area of the facility is 1906m2 which includes 115.6m2 for the main cultivation room, 25.7m2 for the nursery room, 63m2 for the genetic transformation laboratory, 93.5m2 in the plant photophysiology lab, and lastly 55m2 for the space agriculture laboratory. The facility utilizes multiple lighting sources, such as water-cooled high power Chip on Board (COB) Light-emitting Diodes (LEDs), Hybrid Electrode Fluorescent Lamps (HEFLs) and Hf fluorescent lamps for plant production. The facility also employs a multi-layered hydroponic cultivation system. Various leafy vegetables, herbs, medicinal plants, and fruit vegetables are being cultured using this system. In this presentation, the lessons learned from more than one year of operation will be discussed. In addition, the performance of artificial lighting sources used in the plant factory, such as water-cooled COB LED panels, will be discussed.

Application Hosting Services in a Virtual Organization That Supports Multiple Grid Environments

This paper describes the application hosting services (AHS) that are a part of the Japan e-science project following NAREGI project. AHS provides application catalog information for the applications in the multiple grid environments that are deployed in heavy duty grid environments and lightweight laboratory level grid environments to users. In addition, community members can co-share applications in community created by grid virtual organization (VO) .