Approximate Computing in Coarse Grained Reconfigurable Architecture

Approximate computing has emerged as a new computing paradigm capable of reducing the power requirements for or accelerating some workloads. Due to cascading error and the nature of binary arithmetic, it is difficult to predict the exact effects that approximation may have on an error tolerant workload. In this work, we implemented configurable levels of approximation into a Coarse Grained Reconfigurable Architecture (CGRA) to study the effects of error tolerant algorithms on an approximate CGRA. We will use the CGRA Compilation Framework which simulates a CGRA using gem5, and we will implement the approximate hardware using multiple different approximate arithmetic modules included in Low Power Approximate Computing Library. Finally, we will perform a hardware level simulation on approximate modules to estimate the reduction in power from using approximate hardware

A cidade canção e João Pereira passos do poeta grão de areia no Teatro Caipira do norte do Paraná

The Teatro Caipira occurred during the 1960s and 1970s in the states of Paraná and São Paulo, and is far from being contemplated, with due importance, in the history of Brazilian theatre. The present article strives to fill the gap of a historiography of the Teatro Caipira and to understand its trajectory. For this, the life and career of the actor, poet and composer João Pereira, self-denominated poet grain of sand, is analyzed, as well as the piece Corisco antes de ser cangaceiro (1968), by the same artist, with the objective of apprehending the means of scenic production, dramaturgy and themes present in the Teatro Caipira. Finally, and beyond all, to keep alive the memory of João Pereira.El Teatro Caipira se produjo durante las décadas de 1960 y 1970 en los estados de Paraná y São Paulo, y está lejos de ser contemplado, con la debida importancia, en la historia del teatro brasileño. El presente artículo pretende llenar el vacío de una historiografía del Teatro Caipira y comprender su trayectoria. Para ello, se analiza la vida y trayectoria del actor, poeta y compositor João Pereira, autodenominado poeta grano de arena, así como la obra Corisco antes de ser cangaceiro (1968), del mismo artista, con el objetivo de aprehender los medios de producción escénica, la dramaturgia y los temas presentes en el Teatro Caipira. Por último, y más allá de todo, para mantener viva la memoria de João Pereira.O Teatro Caipira ocorreu durante as décadas de 60 e 70 no estado do Paraná e de São Paulo e encontra-se distante de ser contemplado, com a devida importância, na História do teatro brasileiro. Este artigo pretende contribuir para o preenchimento da lacuna de uma historiografia do Teatro Caipira e para o entendimento de sua trajetória. Para isso, é analisada a vida e carreira do ator, poeta e compositor João Pereira, autodenominado, poeta grão de areia, e também é analisada a peça Corisco antes de ser cangaceiro (1968), do mesmo artista, com o objetivo de apreender os meios de produção cênica, dramaturgia e temáticas presentes no Teatro Caipira. Por fim, e para além de tudo, deseja manter viva a memória de João Pereira

Test–retest repeatability of the NX-16: a three-dimensional (3D) body scanner in a male cohort

© 2019, The Author(s). Purpose: Whole-body three-dimensional scanning is a tool utilised for the collection of body girths, volume, and surface area measurements. Few studies have investigated the validity and repeatability of this technology. The aim of the present study was to investigate the test retest variability of the NX-16 body scanner (NX-16, TC2, Cary, North Carolina, USA). Methods: Phase one involved the measurement of a mannequin on 300 occasions (30 scans over 10 sessions). In phase two, 13 apparently healthy male participants were recruited; each participant was scanned a total of four times (two scans over two sessions). Stature, body mass, and body fat % were obtained. Fourteen girth measurements were obtained (chest, underbust, stomach, waist, seat, hip, R/L bicep, R/L thigh, R/L mid-thigh, and R/L calf). Coefficient of variation was calculated for measurements obtained. Results: Coefficient of variation for phase one ranged from 0.0% for the R calf, to 3.3% for the L thigh measurement. For phase two, values were higher, ranging from 0.5% for calf and chest to 4.6% for thigh measurements. Conclusions: Test–retest variability of the measurements provided by the NX-16 body scanner varied according to body location. However, variability within measurements was low using a mannequin or human participant. The NX-16 body scanner (TC2, Cary, North Carolina, USA) may be a useful tool for tracking changes in body composition over time during large population studies

In the name of the people: speeches and writings of Lincoln and Douglas in the Ohio campaign of 1859

(print) x, 307 p. ; 22 cmIntroduction -- The Setting 1 -- The Issues 34 -- The Dividing Line between Federal and Local Authority, by Stephen A. Douglas Harper's Magazine, September, 1859 58 -- Speech of Stephen A. Douglas at Columbus, Ohio, September 7, 1859 126 -- Speech of Stephen A. Douglas at Cincinnati, Ohio, September 9, 1859 151 -- Observations on Senator Douglas' Views of Popular Sovereignty, by Jeremiah Black September 10, 1859 173 -- Speech of Stephen A. Douglas at Wooster, Ohio, September 16, 1859 200 -- Speech of Abraham Lincoln at Columbus, Ohio, September 16, 1859 231 -- Speech of Abraham Lincoln at Cincinnati, Ohio, September 17, 1859 27

Mechanical Properties of Mini-Implants Used in Extra-Radicular Anchorage

Objective: To evaluate the mechanical properties of mini-implants (MIs) manufactured from stainless steel and compare them with conventional titanium-aluminum-vanadium alloy MIs. Material and Methods: The following groups were formed: G1 (n=24), 8×1.5 mm steel MIs; G2 (n=24), 12×2.0 mm steel MIs; and G3 (n=24), 10×1.5 mm titanium MIs. The 72 MIs were inserted in the infra zygomatic crest region of the maxilla and retromolar trigone in the jaw of 10 pigs. Pull-out, insertion torque, fracture and percussion tests were performed in order to measure the tensile strength, primary stability and fracture strength of MIs. A digital torque gauge was used to measure insertion and fracture torque, a universal mechanical testing machine was used for pull-out testing and a periotest device was used to measure the micromovement of MIs. For morphological and MI component evaluation, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed. D\u27Agostino & Pearson, Kruskal-Wallis, and Dunn post-hoc and normality tests were used. Results:G2 insertion and fracture torques were significantly higher than G1 and G3 insertion and fracture torques (p<0.05). The pull-out and percussion tests presented similar values among the groups. SEM revealed that the fracture point was predominantly on the fourth thread for steel MIs (G1 and G2) and on the seventh thread for titanium-aluminum-vanadium MIs (G3). Conclusion: The mechanical properties of stainless steel MIs are superior to those of titanium-aluminum-vanadium alloy MIs

Towards integration of environmental and health impact assessments for wild capture fishing and farmed fish with particular reference to public health and occupational health dimensions

The paper offers a review and commentary, with particular reference to the production of fish from wild capture fisheries and aquaculture, on neglected aspects of health impact assessments which are viewed by a range of international and national health bodies and development agencies as valuable and necessary project tools. Assessments sometimes include environmental health impact assessments but rarely include specific occupational health and safety impact assessments especially integrated into a wider public health assessment. This is in contrast to the extensive application of environmental impact assessments to fishing and the comparatively large body of research now generated on the public health effects of eating fish. The value of expanding and applying the broader assessments would be considerable because in 2004 the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reports there were 41,408,000 people in the total ‘fishing’ sector including 11,289,000 in aquaculture. The paper explores some of the complex interactions that occur with regard to fishing activities and proposes the wider adoption of health impact assessment tools in these neglected sectors through an integrated public health impact assessment tool

Seeing the way: visual sociology and the distance runner's perspective

Employing visual and autoethnographic data from a two‐year research project on distance runners, this article seeks to examine the activity of seeing in relation to the activity of distance running. One of its methodological aims is to develop the linkage between visual and autoethnographic data in combining an observation‐based narrative and sociological analysis with photographs. This combination aims to convey to the reader not only some of the specific subcultural knowledge and particular ways of seeing, but also something of the runner's embodied feelings and experience of momentum en route. Via the combination of narrative and photographs we seek a more effective way of communicating just how distance runners see and experience their training terrain. The importance of subjecting mundane everyday practices to detailed sociological analysis has been highlighted by many sociologists, including those of an ethnomethodological perspective. Indeed, without the competence of social actors in accomplishing these mundane, routine understandings and practices, it is argued, there would in fact be no social order

A Randomised Trial Comparing Genotypic and Virtual Phenotypic Interpretation of HIV Drug Resistance: The CREST Study

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of different HIV drug resistance test reports (genotype and virtual phenotype) in patients who were changing their antiretroviral therapy (ART). DESIGN: Randomised, open-label trial with 48-week followup. SETTING: The study was conducted in a network of primary healthcare sites in Australia and New Zealand. PARTICIPANTS: Patients failing current ART with plasma HIV RNA > 2000 copies/mL who wished to change their current ART were eligible. Subjects were required to be > 18 years of age, previously treated with ART, have no intercurrent illnesses requiring active therapy, and to have provided written informed consent. INTERVENTIONS: Eligible subjects were randomly assigned to receive a genotype (group A) or genotype plus virtual phenotype (group B) prior to selection of their new antiretroviral regimen. OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient groups were compared for patterns of ART selection and surrogate outcomes (plasma viral load and CD4 counts) on an intention-to-treat basis over a 48-week period. RESULTS: Three hundred and twenty seven patients completing > one month of followup were included in these analyses. Resistance tests were the primary means by which ART regimens were selected (group A: 64%, group B: 62%; p = 0.32). At 48 weeks, there were no significant differences between the groups for mean change from baseline plasma HIV RNA (group A: 0.68 log copies/mL, group B: 0.58 log copies/mL; p = 0.23) and mean change from baseline CD4+ cell count (group A: 37 cells/mm(3), group B: 50 cells/mm(3); p = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of clear demonstrated benefits arising from the use of the virtual phenotype interpretation, this study suggests resistance testing using genotyping linked to a reliable interpretive algorithm is adequate for the management of HIV infection

Oxytocin in the Circadian Timing of Birth

BACKGROUND: The molecular components determining the timing for birth remain an incompletely characterized aspect of reproduction, with important conceptual and therapeutic ramifications for management of preterm, post-term and arrested labor. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To test the hypothesis that oxytocin mediates circadian regulation of birth, we evaluated parturition timing following shifts in light cycles in oxytocin (OT)-deficient mice. We find that, in contrast to wild type mice that do not shift the timing of birth following a 6-h advance or delay in the light cycle, OT-deficient mice delivered at random times of day. Moreover, shifts in the light-dark cycle of gravid wild type mice have little impact on the pattern of circadian oxytocin release. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results demonstrate oxytocin plays a critical role in minimizing labor disruption due to circadian clock resetting

ATH1 and KNAT2 proteins act together in regulation of plant inflorescence architecture

The inflorescence of flowering plants is a highly organized structure, not only contributing to plant reproductive processes, but also constituting an important part of the entire plant morphology. Previous studies have revealed that the class-I KNOTTED1-like homeobox (KNOX) genes BREVIPEDICELLUS (BP or KNAT1), KNAT2, and KNAT6 play essential roles in inflorescence architecture. Pedicel morphology is known to contribute greatly to inflorescence architecture, and BP negatively regulates KNAT2 and KNAT6 to ensure that pedicels have a normal upward-pointing orientation. These findings indicate that a genetic network exists in controlling pedicel orientation, but how this network functions in the developmental process remains elusive. Here it is reported that the ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA HOMEOBOX GENE1 (ATH1) gene, which belongs to the BELL1-like homeodomain gene family, is a new member participating in regulating pedicel orientation in the class-I KNOX network. In a genetic screening for suppressors of isoginchaku-2D, a gain-of-function ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2 mutant that displays downward-pointing pedicels, a suppressor mutant was obtained. Characterization of this mutant revealed that the mutation corresponds to ATH1. Genetic analysis indicated that ATH1 acts mainly in the KNAT2 pathway. Yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays demonstrated that ATH1 physically interacts with KNAT2. The data indicate that the ATH1–KNAT2 complex acts redundantly with KNAT6, both of which are negatively regulated by BP during pedicel development