9729858 Franklin, Mark A. Washington University CISE Research Instrumentation: Equipment in Support of Parallel Processing Research This research instrumentation enables research in the following areas:- Patterns and Image Recognition,- Computational Biology, and- Discrete Event Simulation. The instrumentation grant funds the purchase of UtraSPARC II processors, data storage, interfaces, backup disk, and software. The parallel processor will support research requiring considerable computational resources to sustain current efforts and make additional progress. A brief description of the projects follows. - Mammogram Screening: Research will continue in the development of automated means for detecting cancer from mammograms. The goal is to improve existing parallel implementations for effective clinical usage. The techniques employed combine the technologies of artificial neural networks and wavelet transforms. - MCD (Multiple Complete Digestion) Mapping: Research will continue on a form of high-resolution, restriction-fragment DNA mapping (MCD mapping). The mapping problem is fundamental to DNA based genetic research. With genomes of enormous size (millions to billions of base pairs), even relatively simple support activities such as software testing are extremely time consuming. The requested equipment will be used to develop parallel algorithms which are faster and more accurate. - Discrete-Event Simulation: Research will continue on developing parallel discrete-event simulation algorithms for modeling large computer communications networks. Effective network designs are needed for the continued expansion and improvement of the Internet and World Wide Web. Parallel simulation techniques will be used to evaluate system performance when relatively rare events occur. For example, blocking probability evaluation in modest sized networks requires processing more than 10 trillion events.
