Performance Analysis of DNN Inference/Training with Convolution and non-Convolution Operations

Today's performance analysis frameworks for deep learning accelerators suffer from two significant limitations. First, although modern convolutional neural network (CNNs) consist of many types of layers other than convolution, especially during training, these frameworks largely focus on convolution layers only. Second, these frameworks are generally targeted towards inference, and lack support for training operations. This work proposes a novel performance analysis framework, SimDIT, for general ASIC-based systolic hardware accelerator platforms. The modeling effort of SimDIT comprehensively covers convolution and non-convolution operations of both CNN inference and training on a highly parameterizable hardware substrate. SimDIT is integrated with a backend silicon implementation flow and provides detailed end-to-end performance statistics (i.e., data access cost, cycle counts, energy, and power) for executing CNN inference and training workloads. SimDIT-enabled performance analysis reveals that on a 64X64 processing array, non-convolution operations constitute 59.5% of total runtime for ResNet-50 training workload. In addition, by optimally distributing available off-chip DRAM bandwidth and on-chip SRAM resources, SimDIT achieves 18X performance improvement over a generic static resource allocation for ResNet-50 inference

Factors associated with failure to complete phase II cardiac rehabilitation: Survey registry in Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center

Background: A significant proportion of patients who begin CR (cardiac rehabilitation) do not complete the program. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the predicting factors that interfere with adherence and completion of an outpatient CR program. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with all 128 patients who entered the CR program at the Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center in Tehran, IR Iran, from March 2009 to March 2010. The demographic variables included age, sex, education, employment status, insurance status, and return to work. These variables were compared in patients who completed and did not complete phase II CR. The reason for CR incompletion was asked in follow-up phone interviews. Results: The most frequent clinical diagnosis among the patients enrolled in the CR program was coronary artery disease. 83.6 of patients who participated had a CABG or PCI procedure during the last year. CR participation increased when cardiac revascularization procedures were performed during the first hospitalization. 88 of the 128 patients dropped out, yielding a dropout rate of 68.7, which was significantly (P < 0.01) higher than the same study in other countries. Sex and age did not predict the completion rate. As education increased, cardiac rehabilitation utilization and completion increased. Unemployed patients were less likely than employed patients to complete the program. Conclusions: Our data indicate a low rate of CR completion, with lower rates among unemployed, uninsured, and less educated patients. © 2011 Kowsar Corp. All rights reserved

Separating mouse malignant cell line (EL4) from neonate spermatogonial stem cells utilizing microfluidic device in vitro

Background: Some children who have survived cancer will be azoospermic in the future. Performing isolation and purification procedures for spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) is very critical. In this regard, performing the process of decontamination of cancerous cells is the initial step. The major objective of the present study is to separate the malignant EL4 cell line in mice and spermatogonial stem cells in vitro. Methods: The spermatogonial stem cells of sixty neonatal mice were isolated, and the procedure of co-culturing was carried out by EL4 which were classified into 2 major groups: (1) the control group (co-culture in a growth medium) and (2) the group of co-cultured cells which were separated using the microfluidic device. The percentage of cells was assessed using flow cytometry technique and common laboratory technique of immunocytochemistry and finally was confirmed through the laboratory technique of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The actual percentage of EL4 and SSC after isolation was collected at two outlets: the outputs for the smaller outlet were 0.12 for SSC and 42.14 for EL4, while in the larger outlet, the outputs were 80.38 for SSC and 0.32 for EL4; in the control group, the percentages of cells were 21.44 for SSC and 23.28 for EL4 (based on t test (p � 0.05)). Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that the use of the microfluidic device is effective in separating cancer cells from spermatogonial stem cells. © 2020 The Author(s)

Shutdown Policies with Power Capping for Large Scale Computing Systems

International audienceLarge scale distributed systems are expected to consume huge amounts of energy. To solve this issue, shutdown policies constitute an appealing approach able to dynamically adapt the resource set to the actual workload. However, multiple constraints have to be taken into account for such policies to be applied on real infrastructures, in particular the time and energy cost of shutting down and waking up nodes, and power capping to avoid disruption of the system. In this paper, we propose models translating these various constraints into different shutdown policies that can be combined. Our models are validated through simulations on real workload traces and power measurements on real testbeds.

Correction to: Separating mouse malignant cell line (EL4) from neonate spermatogonial stem cells utilizing microfluidic device in vitro (Stem Cell Research & Therapy, (2020), 11, 1, (191), 10.1186/s13287-020-01671-1)

The original article 1 displays incorrect affiliation information; the correct affiliations for each author can be viewed in this Correction article. © 2020, The Author(s)

Concern for information privacy:a cross-nation study of the United Kingdom and South Africa

Individuals have differing levels of information privacy concern, formed by their expectations and the confidence they have that organisations meet this in practice. Variance in privacy laws and national factors may also play a role. This study analyses individuals’ information privacy expectation and confidence across two nations, the United Kingdom and South Africa, through a survey of 1463 respondents. The findings indicate that the expectation for privacy in both countries are very high. However, numerous significant differences exist between expectations and confidence when examining privacy principles. The overall results for both countries show that there is a gap in terms of the privacy expectations of respondents compared to the confidence they have in whether organisations are meeting their expectations. Governments, regulators, and organisations with an online presence need to consider individuals’ expectations and ensure that controls that meet regulatory requirements, as well as expectations, are in place

Echocardiographic evaluation of mitral geometry in functional mitral regurgitation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>We sought to evaluate the geometric changes of the mitral leaflets, local and global LV remodeling in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and varying degrees of Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR).</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) occurs as a consequence of systolic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction caused by ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Mitral valve repair in ischemic MR is one of the most controversial topic in surgery and proper repairing requires an understanding of its mechanisms, as the exact mechanism of FMR are not well defined.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>136 consecutive patients mean age of 55 with systolic LV dysfunction and FMR underwent complete echocardiography and after assessing MR severity, LV volumes, Ejection Fraction, LV sphericity index, C-Septal distance, Mitral valve annulus, Interpapillary distance, Tenting distance and Tenting area were obtained.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was significant association between MR severity and echocardiogarphic indices (all p values < 0.001). Severe MR occurred more frequently in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients compared to ischemic patients, (p < 0.001). Based on the model, only Mitral valve tenting distance (TnD) (OR = 22.11, CI 95%: 14.18 – 36.86, p < 0.001) and Interpapillary muscle distance (IPMD), (OR = 6.53, CI 95%: 2.10 – 10.23, p = 0.001) had significant associations with MR severity.</p> <p>Mitral annular dimensions and area, C-septal distance and sphericity index, although greater in patients with severe regurgitation, did not significantly contribute to FMR severity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Degree of LV enlargement and dysfunction were not primary determinants of FMR severity, therefore local LV remodeling and mitral valve apparatus deformation are the strongest predictors of functional MR severity.</p

The Use of Multivitamin/Multimineral Supplements:A Modified Delphi Consensus Panel Report

PURPOSE: Evidence supporting the use of dietary supplements, in particular, multivitamin/multimineral supplements (MVMS), has been mixed, complicating the ability of health care professionals to recommend their use. To clarify the role that MVMS can play in supporting human health, a series of consensus statements was developed based on expert opinion. METHODS: A panel of 14 international experts in nutritional science and health care was convened to develop consensus statements related to using MVMS in supporting optimal human health. The modified Delphi process included 2 rounds of remote voting and a final round of voting at a roundtable meeting where evidence summaries were presented and discussed. The level of agreement with each of 9 statements was rated on a 5-point Likert scale: agree strongly; agree with reservation; undecided; disagree; or disagree strongly. Consensus was predefined as ≥80% of the panel agreeing strongly or agreeing with reservation to a given statement. FINDINGS: Consensus was reached for all statements. The panel determined that MVMS can broadly improve micronutrient intakes when they contain at least the micronutrients that are consumed insufficiently or have limited bioavailability within a specified population. MVMS formulations may also be individualized according to age, sex, life cycle, and/or other selected characteristics. There are specific biological processes and health outcomes associated with deficient, inadequate, and adequate micronutrient levels. Adequate intake is necessary for normal biological functioning required for good health; in some instances, higher than recommended micronutrient intakes have the potential to provide additional health benefits. Meeting daily intakes established by dietary reference values should be an explicit public health goal for individuals and populations. Use of MVMS is one approach to ensure that adequate micronutrient needs are met in support of biological functions necessary to maintain health. Long-term use of MVMS not exceeding the upper limit of recommended intakes has been determined to be safe in healthy adults. There is insufficient evidence to indicate that MVMS are effective for the primary prevention of chronic medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. However, for certain otherwise healthy subpopulations (eg, pregnant women, older adults) and some individuals with existing medical conditions who experience inadequacies in micronutrient intake, addressing inadequacies by using MVMS can provide health benefits. IMPLICATIONS: This consensus panel has described key issues related to the use of MVMS among individuals at risk of or presenting with inadequacies in micronutrient intake or biomarker status