NASA selects IBM supercomputer
for next-generation application

Gina Jesberg

Moffett Field: Last week NASA and IBM (NYSE: IBM), Armonk, N.Y., announced the agency has selected an IBM System p575+ supercomputer for evaluating next-generation technology to meet the agency's future supercomputing requirements. Supercomputers play a critical role in many NASA missions, including new space vehicle design, global climate studies and astrophysics research.
   The IBM system is being installed at the NASA Advanced Supercomputing (NAS) facility at the Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, Calif., where it is undergoing testing and evaluation. With 640 computational cores and a peak performance of approximately 5.6 teraflops, the system will augment the agency's existing "Columbia" system, currently ranked as the eighth fastest supercomputer in the world.
   A teraflop is a measure of a computer's speed; one teraflop can be expressed as a trillion floating point operations per second.
   "With NASA's high-end computing needs expected to continue during the next few years, we need to keep pace with improved technologies. IBM's system meets all the criteria for our base system evaluation, and working closely with them, we will chart out a successful path for the NASA supercomputing environment," said Dr. Piyush Mehrotra, who leads the NAS applications group and is steering the technology upgrade effort.
   The NASA supports scientists and engineers throughout the United States who work on projects such as designing spacecraft, improving weather and hurricane models, and understanding the behaviour of the sun. Many NASA projects require large, complex calculations and sophisticated mathematical models that can be efficiently handled only by a supercomputer.
   "The research undertaken by NASA scientists is allowing engineers to design and build safer, more advanced spacecraft more quickly than ever," said Dave Turek, vice president of Deep Computing for IBM. "Computer simulation technology produces perfect prototypes for virtual testing, reducing the need for physical testing."
   The NASA technology upgrade effort used a comprehensive benchmark suite to characterize system performance on NASA-relevant applications and to measure job throughput for a workload in a complex, high-performance computing environment.
   The IBM p575+ supercomputer acquisition is the first of a four-phase procurement process that eventually will replace the Columbia supercomputer system. This phased replacement supports the requirements of the agency Strategic Capabilities Assets Programme (SCAP) High-End Computing Capability to provide supercomputing capability to meet the needs of NASA's programs and missions.
   The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an agency of the United States federal government, responsible for the nation's public space program. Established on July 29, 1958, by the National Aeronautics and Space Act, its annual funding for fiscal year 2007 (FY2007) amounts to US$16.8 billion.
   In addition to the space program, it is also responsible for long-term civilian and military aerospace research. Since February 2006 NASA's self-described mission statement is to "pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research."
   Its motto is per aspera ad astra, Latin for "through hardships to the stars."
   Following the Soviet space program's launch of the world's first man-made satellite (Sputnik 1) on 4 October 1957, the attention of the United States turned toward its own fledgling space efforts. The U.S. Congress, alarmed by the perceived threat to U.S. security and technological leadership (known as the "Sputnik crisis"), urged immediate and swift action; President Dwight D. Eisenhower and his advisors counseled more deliberate measures. Several months of debate produced agreement that a new federal agency was needed to conduct all non-military activity in space.
   May 5, 1961 launch of Redstone rocket and NASA's Mercury spacecraft #7 Freedom 7 with Alan Shepard Jr. on the United States' first manned sub-orbital spaceflight. (Atlas rockets were used to launch Mercury's orbital missions.)Explorer-I, officially Satellite 1958 Alpha (and sometimes referred to as Explorer 1), was the first Earth satellite of the United States, having been launched at 10:48pm EST on 31 January, 1958. On 29 July, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, establishing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). When it began operations on 1 October 1958, NASA consisted mainly of the four laboratories and some 80 employees of the government's 46-year-old research agency, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). A significant contributor to NASA's entry into the Space race was the technology from the German rocket program, led by Wernher von Braun, who became a naturalized citizen of the United States after World War II. He is today regarded as the father of the United States space program. Elements of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency (of which von Braun's team was a part) and the Naval Research Laboratory were incorporated into NASA.
   NASA's earliest programs involved research into human spaceflight and were conducted under the pressure of the competition between the USA and the USSR (the Space Race) that existed during the Cold War. The Mercury program, initiated in 1958, started NASA down the path of human space exploration with missions designed to discover simply if man could survive in space. Representatives from the U.S. Army (M.L. Raines, LTC, USA), Navy (P.L. Havenstein, CDR, USN) and Air Force (K.G. Lindell, COL, USAF) were selected/requested to provide assistance to the NASA Space Task Group through coordination with the existing U.S. military research and defense contracting infrastructure, and technical assistance resulting from experimental aircraft (and the associated military test pilot pool) development in the 1950s. On May 5, 1961, astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. became the first American in space when he piloted Freedom 7 on a 15-minute suborbital flight. John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth on 20 February, 1962 during the 5 and a quarter-hour flight of Friendship 7.

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Software predicts emerging
infectious diseases

Jenny Hunter

IBM announced on 8 June that it has made available an advanced software technology that can help predict the transmission of diseases across countries and around the globe to the open source community. The tool will aid scientists and public health officials in understanding and planning more efficient responses to health crises, ultimately providing new tools for protecting population health.
   The software --- known as Spatiotemporal Epidemiological Modeler (STEM) --- is now available for use through the Eclipse Open Healthcare Framework Project (OHF), hosted at the Eclipse Foundation, the non-profit foundation that guides the Eclipse open source community.
   STEM represents nearly three years of research spanning the globe with scientists from IBM's Almaden, Haifa and Watson labs contributing to its creation. The technology is designed to enable the rapid creation of epidemiological models for how an infectious disease, such as avian influenza or dengue fever, is likely to geographically spread over time. STEM, which runs on any operating system, creates a graphical representation of the spread of a disease based on a variety of parameters such as population, geographic and macro-economic data, roadmaps, airport locations, travel patterns and bird migratory routes around the world.
   "STEM will allow public health officials to model the spread of a disease much like modeling a storm or hurricane - it allows us to produce a public health 'weather map' for the spread of a particular disease," said Joseph Jasinski, IBM Distinguished Engineer and programme director, Healthcare and Life Sciences. "Until now, it has been difficult to simulate health crisis scenarios on a global scale. STEM gives us the power to do that."
   A basic epidemiological model framework will be provided to software developers, who can customize and configure the models based on their specific requirements. These models, which involve multiple populations and interactions between diseases, can help public health experts develop more effective preparedness plans. IBM's donation is also intended to help facilitate collaboration between governments, scientific researchers and other players in the public health community. Users will have the ability to share the customized epidemiological models that they create in addition to the plug-ins they build using Eclipse.
   STEM is one of the key technologies being utilized in the Global Pandemic Initiative, a collaborative effort formed by IBM and over twenty major worldwide public health institutions to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The tool is also compatible with the standards-based interoperable healthcare infrastructure developed by IBM and can query clinics, hospitals, lab systems and other information sources for anonymized data by disease, which enables a complete picture of the health of a population with real-time data.
   "Eclipse is a community that promotes innovation and collaboration," said Mike Milinkovich, executive director, Eclipse Foundation. 'We are thrilled to have IBM's STEM technology contributed to Eclipse and look forward to fostering more innovation on this important technology."

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Mazda power retractable: Like the car itself, the MX-5's new retractable hardtop is small, simple and elegant. The back-window area electrically flips upside down into the storage well on pivots that lie outside the seats, while the roof panel nests inside. This design reduces the number of hydraulic pumps, saving weight to help maintain the car's hallmark handling. The 13-foot Mazda is not the world's smallest retractable-roof car, however-that's the kei-class Daihatsu Copen, which is a full two feet shorter. [2007 Mazda MX-5 power retractable hard top]
   Adding a new dimension to the Mazda MX-5 without diminishing its driving joy is no mean feat. The MX-5 Miata reinvented the lightweight, fun-to-drive, two-seat category in 1989,
   and has since become the world's best-selling two-seat roadster. For 2007, Mazda's iconic MX-5 will again set a new standard for the segment with the introduction of a Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT). And with pricing beginning at only $24,350 (MSRP, not including tax, license and destination and handling fees), it provides drivers with year-round comfort and security as well as the joy of an open-top roadster at a truly affordable price.
   Powered by a 170-hp, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine, the MX-5 PRHT provides exactly the same trunk capacity as its soft-top cousin, regardless of whether the roof is stowed or over-head-a feat no other retractable hard top-equipped car sold in North America can boast. This breakthrough system requires only 12 seconds to open or close.
   For $24,350, buyers will receive a Sport-trim MX-5 PRHT which includes the power retractable hard top, power windows, mirrors and door locks, anti-lock brakes, seat-mounted side SRS airbags and an AM/FM/CD player. Available options (some only available in packages) include leather seating, dynamic stability and traction control, Bilstein gas shock absorbers and run-flat tires. MX-5 PRHT will be available at Mazda dealers throughout the nation starting in late September.
   Even fitted with its coupe-like hard top, the MX-5 PRHT continues to be a light-weight roadster offering a truly fun-to-drive experience, adding only approximately 77 pounds net weight. Some minor adjustments were in order to compensate for the added weight, though, including firmer shock absorbers, higher spring rates and a larger diameter front anti-roll bar. When the top is down, MX-5 PRHT models can be identified by a fine chrome ring around the grille opening, bright bezels inside the headlamps, a chrome band in each door handle and a white lens on the CHMSL. Mazda MX-5 PRHT comes with seven exterior colors having two new colors -- Stormy Blue Mica and Highland Green Mica replacing two existing colors. Three interior packages-black fabric, black leather, and saddle-tan leather-carry over from the MX-5 soft top.
   Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc, located in Ontario, Canada.
   Mini Cooper S: How to make the fastest production mini ever? Boost it to 214 horsepower by tweaking its intercooler, which chills the air the supercharger crams into the 1.6-liter engine (cooler air equals more air, which results in a faster Mini). Then reprogram the engine- control software for better acceleration, and shave 100 pounds by using18-inch alloy wheels, swapping steel suspension arms for aluminum and losing the rear seat and the sound dampening. Only 415 GPs will hit the U.S.. $31,150.
   Engine Performance: Supercharger Pullies, Air Intakes, Schrick Cams, Intercoolers, Throttle Bodies, Cylinder Heads, Performance Software, NGK Spark Plugs, MSD Ignition, JCW Filters, Polyurethane Bushings and more.
   Drivetrain and gearbox performance: Lightweight flywheels, clutch kits, skid plates, short shifter, limited slip differentials, fluid, featured brands include Quaife, SPEC, redline, ACT
   Brake: Big brake kits, brake pads, rotors, brake fluid, brake lines, power bleeders, featured brands Ferodo, EBC, Stoptech, Wilwood, Powerslot, Motul.
   Exhaust systems: MINI headers, street and sport exhaust systems, locking header bolts, Milltek exhaust systems.
   Suspension: MINI Cooper S lowering springs, Koni shocks, Leda coilovers, rear sway bar, camber plates, rear control arms.
   MINI Cooper Performance Packages are designed to take MINI to the next level. Packages range from 195hp to 265hp.
   MINI Cooper 2 and 4 lamp rally light kits, light protection, light brackets.
   Interior: ipod holder, armrests, cell phone holders, auto window up switchs, street and competition seats, racing harnesses.
   Exterior: Madness graphics, body kits, rally stripes, stage badges.
   Wheel and Tire: BFGoodrich tires, lightweight forged wheels, stud conversion kits, wheel spacers.
   -Internet

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IBM offers free software for text,
video and voice collaboration

IBM recently announced a no-charge, 90-day trial offer of its industry leading unified communications and collaboration platform, IBM Lotus Sametime 7.5.1. Lotus Sametime features business-ready instant messaging (IM), Web conferencing, point-to-point video capabilities, mobile device support and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) voice chat.
   With this trial, businesses will be able to exchange instant messages via a computer or mobile device, take advantage of integrated VoIP and video conferencing capabilities, and conduct Web conferences. By bringing together different forms of communication into one security-rich and easy-to-use solution, IBM is continuing to redefine how organizations collaborate and work.
   Lotus Sametime is leading a new stage in corporate collaboration by making Web 2.0 consumer technologies, such as social networking, relevant to businesses. For example, in Lotus Sametime a customer could combine or "mash-up" their IM contact list and location awareness capabilities with an online map to get a visual representation of where key business communities and specific contacts are located.
   As the centerpiece of IBM's unified communication and collaboration (UC2) strategy, Lotus Sametime allows organizations to select the best collaboration method without opening multiple applications. In addition, Lotus Sametime is built on the open Eclipse framework, giving organizations the flexibility to expand and customize their platform without being locked into one proprietary software model.
   
   Free trial of Lotus Sametime
   IP telephony integration: enables businesses to integrate Lotus Sametime with their existing supported telephony system, adding features like the ability to initiate a traditional phone call from within LotusSametime.
   Integrated VoIP: enables users to speak with other Lotus Sametime users in their company session without having to pick up the phone.
   Integration with Microsoft Office and Outlook: enables users to take advantage of Lotus Sametime 7.5.1 features, such as sending an instant message, initiating a call, or sharing an application directly from within Microsoft Office and Outlook.
   Point-to-point video: enables Windows users to integrate a Webcam, enhancing their instant messaging or VoIP conversation with real-time video capabilities.
   Mobile device support: enables users to send and receive instant messages, including multi-person chats on supported mobile devices.
   Plugin and mash-up capabilities: enable users to add new capabilities to the Lotus Sametime environment quickly and easily. For example, users could pull information directly from a supported database into a LotusSametime instant messaging chat.
   After customers have completed the 90-day trial, they can purchase a full Lotus Sametime license. This license includes the IBM Lotus Sametime Gateway, which allows users to send and receive instant messages with users of AIM, Google Talk and Yahoo! Messenger networks.
   Businesses have a variety of purchasing options for Lotus Sametime including:
   Customers can also engage with IBM Business Partners that provide expertise on application integration, installation, and customization of Lotus Sametime.
   For customers who want a deployment-ready installation of Lotus Sametime, IBM Global Services offers Applications On Demand (AoD). AoD is a robust portfolio of application management services for clients of all sizes packed as standardized offerings. The operational platform simplifies the management of enterprise applications and can help reduce clients' costs by as much as 50 percent. Enterprises and small and mid-sized businesses alike can delegate the management of their applications through a fully configurable set of application services. Since clients pay-as-they-go for these services, they are able to reduce up-front project and infrastructure costs, thereby speeding returns on investment. Full-scale implementation services are also available from IBM Global Services.
   Lotus Sametime, and the 90-day trial version, is available for Windows, Linux and Macintosh clients and AIX, Linux, Windows, i5/OS and z/OS servers at Lotus Sametime is available at a suggested list price of $57.00 per user for a one-time software license.
   Mobile devices supported by Lotus Sametime include RIM BlackBerry, Nokia and Windows Mobile. Lotus Sametime integrates with Microsoft Outlook 2000 and 2003 and Office XP.
   -Internet

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