Performance and Power Evaluation of an In-line Accelerator

ABSTRACT In this paper we evaluate the performance and power of a processor-attached in-line accelerator. The accelerator provides high-performance SIMD computing and power efficiency by means of a very large register file and a set of vector multimedia extensions based on IBM's PowerPC VMX. Our experiments show significant performance improvements and power reduction, compared to a baseline vector execution unit, mainly due to the drastic decrease of memory accesses caused by the software-managed locality of the very large register file. Total execution time is, on average, reduced by 61%, while consuming 55% less energy

Functional communication training for the treatment of multiply determined behaviour in two boys with autism

Functional communication training was used to replace multiply determined problem behaviour in two boys with autism. Experiment 1 involved a functional analysis of several topographies of problem behaviour using a variation of the procedures described by Iwata, Dorsey, Slifer, Bauman, and Richman. Results suggested that aggression, self-injury, and disruption were multiply determined (i.e., maintained by both attention and access to preferred objects). Experiment 2 involved a multiple-baseline design across subjects. The focus of intervention was to replace aggression, self-injury, and disruption with functionally equivalent communicative alternatives. Both boys were taught alternative “mands” to recruit attention and request preferred objects. Acquisition of these alternative communication skills was associated with concurrent decreases in aggression, self-injury, and disruption. Results suggest that multiply determined challenging behaviour can be decreased by teaching an alternative communication skill to replace each assessed function of the problem behaviour

In-Situ Observation of Phase Separation During Growth of Cs₂LiLaBr₆:Ce Crystals Using Energy-Resolved Neutron Imaging

In-situ imaging and characterization of Cs₂LiLaBr₆:Ce crystal growth are performed utilizing energy-resolved neutron imaging. The unique capability of neutrons to penetrate the furnace and to provide direct information on the materials within the furnace is used to visualize the growth dynamics, location, and shape of the liquid/solid interface and to map the elemental composition. Nontrivial dynamics of phase separation within the liquid and solid phases were observed and investigated. Quantitative projected two-dimensional maps of Li concentrations were obtained with sub-millimeter spatial resolution delineating Li-rich and Li-depleted areas. Concurrent variations in Cs and Br concentrations were identified. Good transparency was obtained in part of the ingot where the liquid phase separation has reached steady state, suggesting that nonstoichiometric materials may be optimal for the original charge. The results demonstrate that energy-resolved neutron imaging and its associated modalities can provide unique information for the optimization of crystal growth conditions, in particular having the potential to accelerate scale-up from laboratory to commercial production by improving the yield and quality of single crystal materials

The antibody aducanumab reduces Aβ plaques in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, accompanied by synaptic dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Antibody-based immunotherapy against Aβ to trigger its clearance or mitigate its neurotoxicity has so far been unsuccessful. Here we report the generation of aducanumab, a human monoclonal antibody that selectively targets aggregated Aβ. In a transgenic mouse model of AD, aducanumab is shown to enter the brain, bind parenchymal Aβ, and reduce soluble and insoluble Aβ in a dose-dependent manner. In patients with prodromal or mild AD, one year of monthly intravenous infusions of aducanumab reduces brain Aβ in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This is accompanied by a slowing of clinical decline measured by Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes and Mini Mental State Examination scores. The main safety and tolerability findings are amyloid-related imaging abnormalities. These results justify further development of aducanumab for the treatment of AD. Should the slowing of clinical decline be confirmed in ongoing phase 3 clinical trials, it would provide compelling support for the amyloid hypothesis