C-NNAP - A parallel processing architecture for binary neural networks

This paper describes the CNNAP machine, a MIMD implementation of an array of ADAM binary neural networks, primarily designed for image processing. CNNAP comprises an array of VME cards each containing a DSP, SCSI controller, and a new design of the SAT peripheral processor. The SAT processor is a dedicated hardware implemention that performs binary neural network computations. The SAT processor yields a potential speed-up of between 108 times to 182 times that of the current DSP with its dedicated coprocessor. CNNAP in association with the SAT provides a fast, parallel environment for performing binary neural network operations

Forward pi^0 Production and Associated Transverse Energy Flow in Deep-Inelastic Scattering at HERA

Deep-inelastic positron-proton interactions at low values of Bjorken-x down to x \approx 4.10^-5 which give rise to high transverse momentum pi^0 mesons are studied with the H1 experiment at HERA. The inclusive cross section for pi^0 mesons produced at small angles with respect to the proton remnant (the forward region) is presented as a function of the transverse momentum and energy of the pi^0 and of the four-momentum transfer Q^2 and Bjorken-x. Measurements are also presented of the transverse energy flow in events containing a forward pi^0 meson. Hadronic final state calculations based on QCD models implementing different parton evolution schemes are confronted with the data.Comment: 27 pages, 8 figures and 3 table

America's Rural Hospitals: A Selective Review of 1980s Research

We review 1980s research on American rural hospitals within the context of a decade of increasing restrictiveness in the reimbursement and operating environments. Areas addressed include rural hospital definitions, organizational and financial performance, and strategic management activities. The latter category consists of hospital closure, diversification and vertical integration, swing-bed conversion, sole community provider designation, horizontal integration and multihospital system affiliation, marketing, and patient retention. The review suggests several research needs, including: developing more meaningful definitions of rural hospitals, engaging in methodologically sound work on the effects of innovative programs and strategic management activities—including conversion of the facility itself—on rural hospital performance, and completing studies of the effects of rural hospital closure or conversion on the health of the communities served.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/74857/1/j.1748-0361.1990.tb00682.x.pd

Inelastic photoproduction of J/Psi mesons at HERA

An analysis of inelastic photoproduction of J/Psi mesons is presented using data collected at the ep collider HERA corresponding to an integrated luminosity of above 80pb-1. Differential and double differential cross sections are measured in a wide kinematic region: 6

Optimization of concrete I-beams using a new hybrid glowworm swarm algorithm

In this paper a new hybrid glowworm swarm algorithm (SAGSO) for solving structural optimization problems is presented. The structure proposed to be optimized here is a simply-supported concrete I-beam defined by 20 variables. Eight different concrete mixtures are studied, varying the compressive strength grade and compacting system. The solutions are evaluated following the Spanish Code for structural concrete. The algorithm is applied to two objective functions, namely the embedded CO2 emissions and the economic cost of the structure. The ability of glowworm swarm optimization (GSO) to search in the entire solution space is combined with the local search by Simulated Annealing (SA) to obtain better results than using the GSO and SA independently. Finally, the hybrid algorithm can solve structural optimization problems applied to discrete variables. The study showed that large sections with a highly exposed surface area and the use of conventional vibrated concrete (CVC) with the lower strength grade minimize the CO2 emissionsGarcía Segura, T.; Yepes Piqueras, V.; Martí Albiñana, JV.; Alcalá González, J. (2014). Optimization of concrete I-beams using a new hybrid glowworm swarm algorithm. Latin American Journal of Solids and Structures. 11(7):1190-1205. doi:10.1590/S1679-78252014000700007S11901205117Alinia Ahandani, M., Vakil Baghmisheh, M. T., Badamchi Zadeh, M. A., & Ghaemi, S. (2012). Hybrid particle swarm optimization transplanted into a hyper-heuristic structure for solving examination timetabling problem. Swarm and Evolutionary Computation, 7, 21-34. doi:10.1016/j.swevo.2012.06.004Chen, S.-M., Sarosh, A., & Dong, Y.-F. (2012). Simulated annealing based artificial bee colony algorithm for global numerical optimization. Applied Mathematics and Computation, 219(8), 3575-3589. doi:10.1016/j.amc.2012.09.052Collins, F. (2010). Inclusion of carbonation during the life cycle of built and recycled concrete: influence on their carbon footprint. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 15(6), 549-556. doi:10.1007/s11367-010-0191-4Dutta, R., Ganguli, R., & Mani, V. (2011). Swarm intelligence algorithms for integrated optimization of piezoelectric actuator and sensor placement and feedback gains. Smart Materials and Structures, 20(10), 105018. doi:10.1088/0964-1726/20/10/105018Fan, S.-K. S., & Zahara, E. (2007). A hybrid simplex search and particle swarm optimization for unconstrained optimization. European Journal of Operational Research, 181(2), 527-548. doi:10.1016/j.ejor.2006.06.034García-Segura, T., Yepes, V., & Alcalá, J. (2013). Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of blended cement concrete including carbonation and durability. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 19(1), 3-12. doi:10.1007/s11367-013-0614-0Gong, Q. Q., Zhou, Y. Q., & Yang, Y. (2010). Artificial Glowworm Swarm Optimization Algorithm for Solving 0-1 Knapsack Problem. Advanced Materials Research, 143-144, 166-171. doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.143-144.166Hare, W., Nutini, J., & Tesfamariam, S. (2013). A survey of non-gradient optimization methods in structural engineering. Advances in Engineering Software, 59, 19-28. doi:10.1016/j.advengsoft.2013.03.001He, S., Prempain, E., & Wu, Q. H. (2004). An improved particle swarm optimizer for mechanical design optimization problems. Engineering Optimization, 36(5), 585-605. doi:10.1080/03052150410001704854Karaboga, D., & Basturk, B. (2008). On the performance of artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm. Applied Soft Computing, 8(1), 687-697. doi:10.1016/j.asoc.2007.05.007Khan, K., & Sahai, A. (2012). A Glowworm Optimization Method for the Design of Web Services. International Journal of Intelligent Systems and Applications, 4(10), 89-102. doi:10.5815/ijisa.2012.10.10Kicinger, R., Arciszewski, T., & Jong, K. D. (2005). Evolutionary computation and structural design: A survey of the state-of-the-art. Computers & Structures, 83(23-24), 1943-1978. doi:10.1016/j.compstruc.2005.03.002Kirkpatrick, S., Gelatt, C. D., & Vecchi, M. P. (1983). Optimization by Simulated Annealing. Science, 220(4598), 671-680. doi:10.1126/science.220.4598.671Koide, R. M., França, G. von Z. de, & Luersen, M. A. (2013). An ant colony algorithm applied to lay-up optimization of laminated composite plates. Latin American Journal of Solids and Structures, 10(3), 491-504. doi:10.1590/s1679-78252013000300003Krishnanand, K. N., & Ghose, D. (2009). Glowworm swarm optimisation: a new method for optimising multi-modal functions. International Journal of Computational Intelligence Studies, 1(1), 93. doi:10.1504/ijcistudies.2009.025340Li, L. J., Huang, Z. B., & Liu, F. (2009). A heuristic particle swarm optimization method for truss structures with discrete variables. Computers & Structures, 87(7-8), 435-443. doi:10.1016/j.compstruc.2009.01.004Liao, W.-H., Kao, Y., & Li, Y.-S. (2011). A sensor deployment approach using glowworm swarm optimization algorithm in wireless sensor networks. Expert Systems with Applications, 38(10), 12180-12188. doi:10.1016/j.eswa.2011.03.053Luo, Q. F., & Zhang, J. L. (2011). Hybrid Artificial Glowworm Swarm Optimization Algorithm for Solving Constrained Engineering Problem. Advanced Materials Research, 204-210, 823-827. doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.204-210.823Martí, J. V., Gonzalez-Vidosa, F., Yepes, V., & Alcalá, J. (2013). Design of prestressed concrete precast road bridges with hybrid simulated annealing. Engineering Structures, 48, 342-352. doi:10.1016/j.engstruct.2012.09.014Martinez-Martin, F. J., Gonzalez-Vidosa, F., Hospitaler, A., & Yepes, V. (2013). A parametric study of optimum tall piers for railway bridge viaducts. Structural Engineering and Mechanics, 45(6), 723-740. doi:10.12989/sem.2013.45.6.723Medina, J. R. (2001). Estimation of Incident and Reflected Waves Using Simulated Annealing. Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering, 127(4), 213-221. doi:10.1061/(asce)0733-950x(2001)127:4(213)Parsopoulos, K. E., & Vrahatis, M. N. (2002). Natural Computing, 1(2/3), 235-306. doi:10.1023/a:1016568309421Paya-Zaforteza, I., Yepes, V., González-Vidosa, F., & Hospitaler, A. (2010). On the Weibull cost estimation of building frames designed by simulated annealing. Meccanica, 45(5), 693-704. doi:10.1007/s11012-010-9285-0Sarma, K. C., & Adeli, H. (1998). Cost Optimization of Concrete Structures. Journal of Structural Engineering, 124(5), 570-578. doi:10.1061/(asce)0733-9445(1998)124:5(570)Shieh, H.-L., Kuo, C.-C., & Chiang, C.-M. (2011). Modified particle swarm optimization algorithm with simulated annealing behavior and its numerical verification. Applied Mathematics and Computation, 218(8), 4365-4383. doi:10.1016/j.amc.2011.10.012Sideris, K. K., & Anagnostopoulos, N. S. (2013). Durability of normal strength self-compacting concretes and their impact on service life of reinforced concrete structures. Construction and Building Materials, 41, 491-497. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.12.042Valdez, F., Melin, P., & Castillo, O. (2011). An improved evolutionary method with fuzzy logic for combining Particle Swarm Optimization and Genetic Algorithms. Applied Soft Computing, 11(2), 2625-2632. doi:10.1016/j.asoc.2010.10.010Wang, H., Sun, H., Li, C., Rahnamayan, S., & Pan, J. (2013). Diversity enhanced particle swarm optimization with neighborhood search. Information Sciences, 223, 119-135. doi:10.1016/j.ins.2012.10.012Yepes, V., Gonzalez-Vidosa, F., Alcala, J., & Villalba, P. (2012). CO2-Optimization Design of Reinforced Concrete Retaining Walls Based on a VNS-Threshold Acceptance Strategy. 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State of the climate in 2013

In 2013, the vast majority of the monitored climate variables reported here maintained trends established in recent decades. ENSO was in a neutral state during the entire year, remaining mostly on the cool side of neutral with modest impacts on regional weather patterns around the world. This follows several years dominated by the effects of either La Niña or El Niño events. According to several independent analyses, 2013 was again among the 10 warmest years on record at the global scale, both at the Earths surface and through the troposphere. Some regions in the Southern Hemisphere had record or near-record high temperatures for the year. Australia observed its hottest year on record, while Argentina and New Zealand reported their second and third hottest years, respectively. In Antarctica, Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station reported its highest annual temperature since records began in 1957. At the opposite pole, the Arctic observed its seventh warmest year since records began in the early 20th century. At 20-m depth, record high temperatures were measured at some permafrost stations on the North Slope of Alaska and in the Brooks Range. In the Northern Hemisphere extratropics, anomalous meridional atmospheric circulation occurred throughout much of the year, leading to marked regional extremes of both temperature and precipitation. Cold temperature anomalies during winter across Eurasia were followed by warm spring temperature anomalies, which were linked to a new record low Eurasian snow cover extent in May. Minimum sea ice extent in the Arctic was the sixth lowest since satellite observations began in 1979. Including 2013, all seven lowest extents on record have occurred in the past seven years. Antarctica, on the other hand, had above-average sea ice extent throughout 2013, with 116 days of new daily high extent records, including a new daily maximum sea ice area of 19.57 million km2 reached on 1 October. ENSO-neutral conditions in the eastern central Pacific Ocean and a negative Pacific decadal oscillation pattern in the North Pacific had the largest impacts on the global sea surface temperature in 2013. The North Pacific reached a historic high temperature in 2013 and on balance the globally-averaged sea surface temperature was among the 10 highest on record. Overall, the salt content in nearsurface ocean waters increased while in intermediate waters it decreased. Global mean sea level continued to rise during 2013, on pace with a trend of 3.2 mm yr-1 over the past two decades. A portion of this trend (0.5 mm yr-1) has been attributed to natural variability associated with the Pacific decadal oscillation as well as to ongoing contributions from the melting of glaciers and ice sheets and ocean warming. Global tropical cyclone frequency during 2013 was slightly above average with a total of 94 storms, although the North Atlantic Basin had its quietest hurricane season since 1994. In the Western North Pacific Basin, Super Typhoon Haiyan, the deadliest tropical cyclone of 2013, had 1-minute sustained winds estimated to be 170 kt (87.5 m s-1) on 7 November, the highest wind speed ever assigned to a tropical cyclone. High storm surge was also associated with Haiyan as it made landfall over the central Philippines, an area where sea level is currently at historic highs, increasing by 200 mm since 1970. In the atmosphere, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide all continued to increase in 2013. As in previous years, each of these major greenhouse gases once again reached historic high concentrations. In the Arctic, carbon dioxide and methane increased at the same rate as the global increase. These increases are likely due to export from lower latitudes rather than a consequence of increases in Arctic sources, such as thawing permafrost. At Mauna Loa, Hawaii, for the first time since measurements began in 1958, the daily average mixing ratio of carbon dioxide exceeded 400 ppm on 9 May. The state of these variables, along with dozens of others, and the 2013 climate conditions of regions around the world are discussed in further detail in this 24th edition of the State of the Climate series. © 2014, American Meteorological Society. All rights reserved

Age at first birth in women is genetically associated with increased risk of schizophrenia

Prof. Paunio on PGC:n jäsenPrevious studies have shown an increased risk for mental health problems in children born to both younger and older parents compared to children of average-aged parents. We previously used a novel design to reveal a latent mechanism of genetic association between schizophrenia and age at first birth in women (AFB). Here, we use independent data from the UK Biobank (N = 38,892) to replicate the finding of an association between predicted genetic risk of schizophrenia and AFB in women, and to estimate the genetic correlation between schizophrenia and AFB in women stratified into younger and older groups. We find evidence for an association between predicted genetic risk of schizophrenia and AFB in women (P-value = 1.12E-05), and we show genetic heterogeneity between younger and older AFB groups (P-value = 3.45E-03). The genetic correlation between schizophrenia and AFB in the younger AFB group is -0.16 (SE = 0.04) while that between schizophrenia and AFB in the older AFB group is 0.14 (SE = 0.08). Our results suggest that early, and perhaps also late, age at first birth in women is associated with increased genetic risk for schizophrenia in the UK Biobank sample. These findings contribute new insights into factors contributing to the complex bio-social risk architecture underpinning the association between parental age and offspring mental health.Peer reviewe