Two NCC-supported and AI-related research papers @SymOrg 2024 conference

Representatives from NCC Montenegro in joint efforts with young researchers from UDG, published two scientific papers at the SymOrg 2024 conference, organized by the Faculty of Organizational Science, University of Belgrade, at Zlatibor, Serbia on June 12-14, 2024. The conference, traditionally envisioned as a platform for knowledge innovation and empirical research, bringing together representatives from the scientific and professional community, was themed: ”Unlocking The Hidden Potential Of Organization Through Merging Of Humans And Digitals”, aiming to address the newfound need for balance in the era of AI.

Image source: SymOrg 2024 website

The scientific paper “Detection of Scoliosis” by Elvis Taruh, Enisa Trubljanin, and Dejan Babić explores the application of a deep learning model integrated with a web application to detect scoliosis using x-ray images. Utilizing a dataset of 198 x-ray images from Roboflow, the initial model performance was unsatisfactory, prompting manual annotation of 245 images, which significantly improved the model’s accuracy. YOLOv8, a state-of-the-art object detection algorithm, was used to train two models, demonstrating improved performance with manual annotations. The web application, built with Flask, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, provides a user-friendly interface for analyzing scoliosis detection results. The backend uses MySQL for data storage and management, facilitating efficient image processing, result display, and feedback from doctors. Evaluation metrics indicate that the second model, which underwent refined annotation and augmentation, performed better, avoiding overfitting and demonstrating higher precision. This approach enhances early scoliosis diagnosis and offers a scalable solution for other medical detection challenges, supporting healthcare providers with more accurate diagnostic tools and improving patient care.

Click on image to open SymOrg 2024 proceedings

In the paper “LLM Consistent Character Bias”, the authors Igor Culafic and Tomo Popovic investigate the potential of Large Language Models (LLMs) for character imitation in media, education, and entertainment. Traditionally, LLMs have been used for tasks like web search and programming, but this study focuses on their application in mimicking specific characters from books. Using a dataset created from the Ciaphas Cain anthology of Warhammer 40k, the authors trained models using Low-Rank Adaptation (LoRA) methods. Three models of varying sizes (1.1B, 7B, and 10.7B parameters) were tested, with training conducted on a NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU. The study found that the larger models (7B and 10.7B) performed well in maintaining character consistency, though they occasionally struggled with specific details and displayed unexpected behaviors like excessive emoji usage. The smallest model (1.1B), despite higher LoRA Rank parameters, was less effective and prone to errors such as repetitive responses and long rants. The authors conclude that LLMs can successfully imitate fictional characters given adequate data and training, suggesting future improvements could make them useful in various fields, including education and therapy. These models have the potential to enhance interactive experiences in theme parks, video games, and educational tools by providing authentic character interactions. However, they caution against using these models as replacements for human therapists due to their limitations and tendency for inaccuracies.

Click on image to open SymOrg 2024 proceedings

Both research papers were partly supported by the EuroCC2 project that is funded by the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (JU) under Grant Agreement No 101101903.

IHMS precise weather forecast at VEGA HPC system

NCC Montenegro successfully submitted the proposal No. EHPC-BEN-2023B12-015 High-Resolution Weather Prediction Model for Montenegro, to the EuroHPC Benchmark Access Call, in cooperation with Institute of Hydrometeorology and Seismology of Montenegro (IHMS) on VEGA CPU for the period 15.01.-15.04.2024. The project aimed to leverage the EuroHPC resources to establish and benchmark precise weather forecast models in the complex topography of Montenegro, utilize these models to refine existing meteorological models, and ultimately enhance the accuracy of weather forecasts, particularly for severe weather events.

Simulations used the Weather Research and Forecasting Non-Hydrostatic Mesoscale Model (WRF-NMM) combining advanced numerical techniques with HPC, for studying atmospheric phenomena with high spatial and temporal resolution and providing accurate and efficient simulations of regional weather patterns. Key activities included installing and fine-tuning the model based on previous verification results, preparing input data, running and fine-tuning the model, and analyzing results in the context of weather prediction and parallel computing performance. WRF model is tested on complex Montenegrin terrain on resolutions 0.5km, 1km, 3km, and 5km. Application scalability was tested on up to 8 nodes, running up to 1024 tasks simultaneously. Simulations were executed for different timespans, but results/overall execution time was scaled to one day period to calculate application speedup and efficiency.

Vega HPC has significantly enhanced research capabilities, allowing to achieve results more quickly and with greater accuracy: scalability was successfully tested on 64-512 CPU cores and the model was successfully downscaled to the resolution of 0.5 km. The final report on granted EUROHPC JU Benchmark Access and effective utilization of the VEGA CPU system assigned is submitted.

Advancing Automated Trading: PAID-T simulations at LUMI supercomputer

PAID-T (Price Action Intelligent Detection Trading) is a scalable software solution for investment funds, banks, brokers and digital banks that automatically analyzes markets, executes trades and optimizes trading. The basis of the solution is the awareness of the context when the most potent moment for trading is, the ability to quickly adapt to new market conditions, as well as rigorous rules for risk management.

PAID-T uses mathematical models for statistical data processing (big data), instrument price detection algorithms, machine learning, artificial intelligence and blockchain technology to create a unique trading experience.

Using the Lumi supercomputer will help us significantly speed up historical testing. Before using Lumi resources, our tests took an average of 6 days. We now expect to be able to complete testing between 5 and 12 hours depending on the number of parameters used.

The PAID-T has been supported by NCC Montenegro providing technical consultation, HPC systems expertise, and support regarding the application process for EuroHPC Development Call on LUMI (CPU partition). HPC infrastructure access was approved and provided for 12 months.

International Conference: Global commodity chains from a risk assessment perspective, BfR, May 2024

FoodHub and NCC Montenegro team attended the “International Conference: Global Commodity Chains from a Risk Assessment Perspective” in Berlin, hosted by German federal institute for Risk Assessment BfR. This conference brought together national and international experts in feed and food chains, digitalization, and consumer health protection. It was a fantastic platform to exchange knowledge on innovative techniques and digital solutions for evaluating risks in global commodity chains. The focus was on integrating data and insights about hazards, exposure, and technologies to enhance risk assessment along feed and food chains.

We proudly presented two abstracts in the poster/software session, as part of FoodDecide project:

  • Andrea Milacic, Amil Orahovac, Luka Filipovic, “Optimizing the Montenegrin Milk Supply Chain: A Data Visualization Approach”
  • Luka Filipovic, Andrea Milacic, Amil Orahovac, Aleksandra Martinovic, “HoneyChain: Enhancing Honey Production Monitoring System”

High-Performance Computing: A Powerful Tool for Industry Leaders

You want to optimize your business processes and accelerate innovations?

You need additional computing resources for your R&D&I process?

You need expert support to parallelize or scale your software solutions?

You need access to HPC infrastructure to train AI models?

In the digital era of data explosion, traditional computing methods are struggling to keep pace. High-Performance Computing (HPC) offers powerful solutions, allowing analysis of massive datasets in real-time, running complex simulations, and extraction of valuable insights and actionable results – all within a secure and scalable environment. Big industries and SMEs use HPC systems or Supercomputers to build innovative strategies, techniques, and products.
NCC Montenegro serves as a gateway to European supercomputing expertise and infrastructure and supports researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs in their HPC and AI needs. NCC experts provide HPC/HPDA/AI technical consultations, training, and support services, adapted to the business environment and industry domains.

NCC Montenegro service portfolio

You will learn about HPC and AI and get ready to use it! Our HPC expert will assist you with your software development or code parallelization and will guide you through the application process to access the European most powerful supercomputers, significantly reducing your workload and work time. NCC services are free of charge, i.e. subsidized by EuroCC program support for innovation, research, and development.

Contact us for a free consultation and discover how HPC can empower your business, competitiveness and innovation!

NCC Montenegro shared its HPC academic-related experience at the Romanian event “HPC MasterClass”

Representative of NCC Montenegro Ms. Sanja Nikolic participated in the HPC Masterclass, a hybrid event held at “Ovidius” University of Constanța (20-24.05.2024) co-organized by NCC Romania. The second day of the training event was dedicated to NCC’s shared experience on HPC academic utilization and research excellence, introducing presenters from NCC Portugal, Montenegro, Bulgaria, France, and Luxembourg. Ms. Nikolic presented the development of the HPC+ (HPC and related technologies) educational ecosystem in Montenegro, intensively driven by the EuroCC project, NCC Montenegro and the University of Donja Gorica.

NCC Montenegro is focused on developing HPC/HPDA/AI academic programs, study courses, and training portfolios, following a sustained learning pathway:

HPC/AI-related seasonal schools to mobilize high-school students and high-tech enthusiasts to enroll in HPC/AI-related academic programs. (“Open Mind Academy”).
BSc restructured program (M1-Software Development and M2-Digital Transformation), and first nationally accredited AI Master Program, at Faculty for Information Systems and Technologies.
Professional training courses, workshops, and networking events for academia and industry participants providing in-demand HPC/AI knowledge, technical upskilling, and supercomputing hands-on sessions.

NCC Montenegro’s training portfolio covers technology-specific know-how (HPC system architecture and applications, Parallel Programming, Python Programming, Deep Learning, Edge IoT, Computer Vision, NLL) and industry-specific priority domains, defined by the Smart Specialization Strategy of Montenegro (energy, health, tourism, agriculture, ICT).

NCC Montenegro is also fully exploiting joint training opportunities within the pan-European NCC network – to capitalize on their HPC expertise and resources, as well as productive collaboration with key MNE stakeholders (business associations, technical affiliations, and funding institutions) – to enhance national HPC/AI awareness, outreach and uptake.

Nvidia AI for Science Bootcamp

The AI for Scientific Computing Bootcamp provides a step-by-step overview of the fundamentals of deep neural networks and walks attendees through the hands-on experience of building and improving deep learning models for applications related to scientific computing and physical systems defined by differential equations. The material will cover more advanced topics such as physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) and operator learning and make use of tools like NVIDIA Modulus to develop and train the models. This online bootcamp is a hands-on learning experience where you will be guided through step-by-step instructions with teaching assistants on hand to help throughout.

This Bootcamp, which will be hosted virtually for three days on June 25 – 26, is co-organized by the High-Performance Computing Center Stuttgart (HLRS)Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC)Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ)Vienna Scientific Cluster (VSC)University of Donja GoricaRISE Research Institutes Of SwedenLinköping UniversityOpenACC organization, and NVIDIA for EuroCC AustriaEuroCC@GCS, EuroCC Montenegro, and EuroCC Sweden, all National Competence Centres for High-Performance Computing.

More info and registration : https://www.openhackathons.org/s/siteevent/a0C5e000008AbEaEAK/se000315