Recurring Meeting of Cleveland Clinic - Stanford University

Date: November 15, 2016

Time: 1:00 PM EST

Means: Conference call

Attendees:

1. Ahmet Erdemir (Cleveland Clinic)
2. Joy Ku (Stanford University)
3. Henry Kwong (Stanford University)

Agenda:

Freeform discussion on alternative sample problem for cloud computing.

Immediate Action Items:

• Cleveland Clinic (Ahmet)
  • Meet with University of Utah team to resolve logistics of using FEBio for cloud computing.

• Stanford University (Joy & Henry)

  • Evaluate the alternative cloud computing problem based on the publication Ahmet provided.
  • Meet with University of Utah team to resolve logistics of using FEBio for cloud computing.

Notes:

1. In this meeting, an alternative sample problem for cloud computing was discussed. This problem was proposed by Ahmet, while the also worked on logistics of using FEBio on the cloud.
2. Ahmet described the problem, which was based on a recent publication from his group. In summary, the computing involves generation of finite element meshes of a prismatic volume filled with cellular inclusions. A simple statistically based descriptor of cell density and shape is used with a Python script to generate another text based input file that contains exact parametrized geometries and locations of the cells in the volume. Using Salome, an open source software, and Python scripting CAD geometries and meshes are generated. The meshes, including potentially useful set definitions, are the output of the computing and are provided to the user.
3. The group discussed potential issues that may strain computing, i.e. unrealistically large mesh sizes that may require unfeasibly increased computational times and large file sizes. Ahmet mentioned a few tweaks to the scripts that may prevent such input. He also noted that the computing should be capable of reproducing all the sample cases in the publication, which can be done on a mainstream desktop computer.
4. Ahmet wondered if this alternative problem should be provided in a separate project page rather than the originating project. He noted that this new project site can be set as a publication project that can be used by the readers of the manuscript to reproduce some results and evaluate functionality. On the other hand, Joy would like to keep the cloud computing as part of the larger originating projects with the intention to understand changes in user traffic, i.e. increased user base after release of cloud computing capacity in a project. Both scenarios may be tested depending on other sample cloud computing problems.
5. Simultaneously, the group will try to resolve logistics of using FEBio for cloud computing of Open Knee(s) problems. The Stanford University and Cleveland Clinic personnel will meet with University of Utah group by the end of this week to discuss potential pathways.