A fast version of the k-means classification algorithm for astronomical applications

Context. K-means is a clustering algorithm that has been used to classify large datasets in astronomical databases. It is an unsupervised method, able to cope very different types of problems. Aims. We check whether a variant of the algorithm called single-pass k-means can be used as a fast alternative to the traditional k-means. Methods. The execution time of the two algorithms are compared when classifying subsets drawn from the SDSS-DR7 catalog of galaxy spectra. Results. Single-pass k-means turn out to be between 20 % and 40 % faster than k-means and provide statistically equivalent classifications. This conclusion can be scaled up to other larger databases because the execution time of both algorithms increases linearly with the number of objects. Conclusions. Single-pass k-means can be safely used as a fast alternative to k-means

EmBench: Quantifying Performance Variations of Deep Neural Networks across Modern Commodity Devices

In recent years, advances in deep learning have resulted in unprecedented leaps in diverse tasks spanning from speech and object recognition to context awareness and health monitoring. As a result, an increasing number of AI-enabled applications are being developed targeting ubiquitous and mobile devices. While deep neural networks (DNNs) are getting bigger and more complex, they also impose a heavy computational and energy burden on the host devices, which has led to the integration of various specialized processors in commodity devices. Given the broad range of competing DNN architectures and the heterogeneity of the target hardware, there is an emerging need to understand the compatibility between DNN-platform pairs and the expected performance benefits on each platform. This work attempts to demystify this landscape by systematically evaluating a collection of state-of-the-art DNNs on a wide variety of commodity devices. In this respect, we identify potential bottlenecks in each architecture and provide important guidelines that can assist the community in the co-design of more efficient DNNs and accelerators.Comment: Accepted at MobiSys 2019: 3rd International Workshop on Embedded and Mobile Deep Learning (EMDL), 201

Initial pseudo-steady state & asymptotic KPZ universality in semiconductor on polymer deposition

The Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) class is a paradigmatic example of universality in nonequilibrium phenomena, but clear experimental evidences of asymptotic 2D-KPZ statistics are still very rare, and far less understanding stems from its short-time behavior. We tackle such issues by analyzing surface fluctuations of CdTe films deposited on polymeric substrates, based on a huge spatio-temporal surface sampling acquired through atomic force microscopy. A \textit{pseudo}-steady state (where average surface roughness and spatial correlations stay constant in time) is observed at initial times, persisting up to deposition of $\sim 10^{4}$ monolayers. This state results from a fine balance between roughening and smoothening, as supported by a phenomenological growth model. KPZ statistics arises at long times, thoroughly verified by universal exponents, spatial covariance and several distributions. Recent theoretical generalizations of the Family-Vicsek scaling and the emergence of log-normal distributions during interface growth are experimentally confirmed. These results confirm that high vacuum vapor deposition of CdTe constitutes a genuine 2D-KPZ system, and expand our knowledge about possible substrate-induced short-time behaviors.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures, 2 table

The importance of design as a creative process in business schools: How to fill the design/business knowledge and communication gap?

In most Business Schools (BS), Design in business education plays a minimal role. It is neither part of the core basic learning courses nor part of the electives. No courses in design, corporate identity, graphic design, communication design, environmental design, or product design were found in this study. When business students are enrolled in design principles, they learn it loosely, as part of new product development or entrepreneurship classes. Business teachers simply assume that when corporate design decision-making is needed, the managers will simply ask a designer. However, designers are not educated in business and business managers are not educated in design. Without design in the curriculum, BS is far away from the real business world. Therefore, why BS does not change the curriculum to meet the real business-world needs? The current study addresses the (i) perceptions of business education and training experts; (ii) accreditation and curriculum requirements; and (iii) scientific journal articles, books on current standards and processes in business education. The curriculum specifications for business programs are generally established by the International Association for Management Education (AACSB). Our results reveal that the AACSB demanding: the business curriculum should include "accounting, economics, mathematics, statistics and behavioural science" alongside "basic written and oral communication skills and quantitative analysis". No mention of design or quality analysis is done. Moreover, the specific content of the course does not matter for the accreditation process. Instead, the business programs evaluation is performed following their goals. Design and design management were not mentioned when comparing goals and curricula from several Portuguese business schools. In our research, when business teachers were questioned about the hypothesis of curriculum changing, one of the most cited answers was that “Someone should have a vision. If there is no leader, nothing will happen" However, to develop non-traditional curricula, it requires efforts from all, and several faculty members, particularly the teachers, are overstretched. Likewise, it is much easier to teach the same subject multiple times. We conclude that the teacher’s passion for design must be sufficiently robust to drive change. But, in another hand, the business students must demonstrate curiosity and willingness to engage. When a new course is introduced in a traditional curriculum it will be appreciated, and the first criterion is the extent of demand for it. An average of 30 students must enrol. The second is concerning the professor and the new course must be well taught. If both conditions are met, they can continue. But the new and real-world-touching courses are always introduced as electives, and students put a lower priority on electives than on core needs – the compulsory courses. As a result, what needs to be done to overcome the curriculum stalemate, the priority of the students, and the burnout of the faculty members? What could cause business schools to change? What would make possible the inclusion of design in Business curricula, despite the above-mentioned obstacles? The present work is a search for adequate answers.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Contribution of a new-design multifunctional artificial reefs to the sustainable management of coastal areas

Coastal territories are the focus of constant antagonism and conflict. The lack of integrated management of maritime and terrestrial resources causes serious tension among various sectors of activity (fisheries, agriculture and services). Consequently, the sustainable development of the coastal areas is put on hold. So, how to find a sustainable solution that balances the need to preserve the shoreline and economic development (local or regional)? Scientific knowledge about climatic changes, theoretical background in shorelines infrastructures construction, coastal engineers’ awareness, controlling, monitoring and managing of coastal related operations could not avoid a relevant impact on coastal sustainability. Coastal resources are under increasing pressure and specific management programs strive to protect coastal resources for future generations while balancing today's competing economic, cultural and environmental interests. These management programs are determined to balance all the dimensions of the coastline importance (Tourism, Resource Extraction, Wildlife Habitat, Settlements and Industry). These interventions are socially important: they are concerned with the fair allocation/use of coastal resources while sustainably managing these areas so that they can be used by future generations. Sustainable coastal management should involve all parties in the decision-making process so that resources are used fairly without permanent damage. Without sustainable coastal management, there could be a loss in a country’s economy and, even, no economic growth. The problem of coastal erosion has been sharpening in Europe. Several publications discuss pressure situations and erosion processes across the entire coastline, pointing to critical situations together with the densification of coastal urban areas partly due to successive waves of human migration towards coastal areas and estuaries. Portugal owns 2830 km of coast, islands included and is one of the European countries where the growth of coastal urban areas was faster, the growth of population along the shoreline was higher, the most agricultural area along the coast was lost to other uses, and evident loss of dunes is due to construction/exploitation. So, how to find a sustainable solution that balances the need to preserve the shoreline and economic development, either local or regional? Rock walls, breakwaters or groynes usually serve the purpose of protecting land from erosion and/or enabling safe navigation into harbours and marinas, but other commercial value and multi-purpose recreational and amenity enhancement objectives can also be incorporated into coastal protection and coastal development projects. Submerged breakwaters (also called multifunctional artificial reefs (MFARs)), made partially from sludge muds resulting from the dimensional stone cutting process, could be an interesting and efficient strategy, not only to protect a coastal system but because recycling and incorporating such wastes into building materials is a practical solution for pollution problems from stone industry. Moreover, MFARs will improve the bathing conditions of some coastal zones and cope to enlarge sea biodiversity. This research main objective is to find a sustainable solution that balances the need to preserve the shoreline in a sustainable way by enhancing the use of stone cutting sludge waste in the production of MFARs, reducing both the environmental impact and the production costs.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Kounis Syndrome Associated With Selective Anaphylaxis to Cefazolin.

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio