Accelerator Memory Reuse in the Dark Silicon Era

Accelerators integrated on-die with General-Purpose CPUs (GP-CPUs) can yield significant performance and power improvements. Their extensive use, however, is ultimately limited by their area overhead; due to their high degree of specialization, the opportunity cost of investing die real estate on accelerators can become prohibitive, especially for general-purpose architectures. In this paper we present a novel technique aimed at mitigating this opportunity cost by allowing GP-CPU cores to reuse accelerator memory as a non-uniform cache architecture (NUCA) substrate. On a system with a last level-2 cache of 128kB, our technique achieves on average a 25% performance improvement when reusing four 512 kB accelerator memory blocks to form a level-3 cache. Making these blocks reusable as NUCA slices incurs on average in a 1.89% area overhead with respect to equally-sized ad hoc cache slice

Coupling Latency-Insensitivity with Variable-Latency for Better Than Worst Case Design: A RISC Case Study

The gap between worst and typical case delays is bound to increase in nanometer scale technologies due to the spread in process manufacturing parameters. To still profit from scaling, designs should tolerate worst case delays seamlessly and with a minimum performance degradation with respect to the typical case. We present a simple RISC core which tolerates worst case extra latency using the Latency-Insensitive Design approach coupled to a Variable-Latency mechanism. Stalls caused by excessive delay, by data and control hazards and by late memory access are dealt with in a uniform way. Compared to a pure worst-case approach, our design method permits to increase the core clock frequency by 23% in a 45 nm CMOS technology, without area and power penalty

MAXIMAL DEPTH SQUATING IN ASYMPTOMATIC UNILATERAL CAM FAI

Femoracetabular impingement (FAI) is a condition that causes hip joint pain and has been found to result in decreased range of motion. However it is not known whether biomechanical deficiencies are associated with the mechanical impingement or further underlying issues associated with pain. This study consisted of comparing the squat biomechanics of two FAI groups to a matched control group. It was found that the asymptomatic group had squat performance very similar to the control group. Both the control and asymptomatic groups were able to squat to a deeper depth, had greater pelvic range of motion and a larger maximum hip flexion angle. These findings suggest that the bone deformity might not be directly related to restricting motion for the squat, and an issue of soft tissue damage and muscle problems may be the root cause, and should be the next avenue of study

MUSCULAR CO-ACTIVATION IN SUBJECTS AFFECTED BY FEMOROACETABULAR IMPINGEMENT

Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) is a hip deformity that causes hip and groin pain. Previous research showed that FAI patients have altered hip kinetics and kinematics and pelvic kinematics. Whether or not this is due to different muscular strategies is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the muscular co-activation in FAI patients. Electromyographic signals were recorded from 16 hip muscles. The coactivation index was calculated for FAI symptomatic, asymptomatic and control groups. Even if not statistically significant, the co-activation measurements showed a trend similar to the findings for osteoarthritic (OA) patients. Additional investigations are warranted to confirm this analogy that could further relate FAI and OA development, and to confirm the hypothesis that FAI anomalies are also due to altered muscular strategies

Os benefícios da contabilidade gerencial em empresas de pequeno porte

Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso apresentado para obtenção do grau de Bacharel, no Curso de Ciências Contábeis da Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, UNESC.No cenário atual, as empresas necessitam se prevenir perante os desafios dos mercados, afiançando assim sua continuidade. Neste sentido, a contabilidade aplicada às organizações de pequeno porte representa, além de tudo, um forte apoio na gestão. No entanto é pouco explorada em algumas áreas importantes, como a contabilidade gerencial. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo geral demonstrar os benefícios relacionados ao desenvolvimento e aperfeiçoamento das análises gerenciais em uma organização de pequeno porte. O trabalho expõe o uso da contabilidade gerencial em empresas de pequeno porte como instrumento de administração, auxiliando diretamente na gestão e no controle, promovendo assim, mudanças quando necessárias. Visando obter vantagens positivas como o aumento dos lucros ou no controle e redução dos custos e despesas, aplicam-se ferramentas gerenciais tais como o planejamento estratégico, análises das demonstrações contábeis e o orçamento. Para a realização deste estudo, a tipologia da pesquisa quanto aos objetivos caracteriza-se como descritiva, o delineamento da tipologia transcorrerá por meio de técnicas de análise qualitativa e quantitativa. Quanto aos procedimentos, empregou-se a pesquisa bibliográfica e o estudo de caso. No estudo de caso será apresentado um modelo simplificado e suscetível a utilização em empresas de pequeno porte. No contexto geral, a apresentação do estudo demonstrou que o uso das ferramentas gerenciais em empresas de pequeno porte é imprescindível para a obtenção de bons resultados e principalmente para a superação dos desafios cotidianos

Esempi di morfoneotettonica nelle Dolomiti occidentali e nell'Appcnnino modenese

Sono illustrati alcuni esempi di deduzioni neotettoniche fatte in base a studi di Morfotettonica. Vengono illustrati alcuni esempi che riguardano tre aree: due nelle Dolomiti e una nell'Appennino modenese

Intracranial and cerebral perfusion pressures and hemodinamic parameters behaviour during abdominal compartment syndrome in dogs

BACKGROUND: The abdominal compartment syndrome and its repercussion on hemodynamic and central nervous system repercussions were studied experimentally in an animal model. METHODS: Eigth dogs were operated under general anesthesia. Intracranial pressure(ICP), mean arterial pressure(MAP), cerebral perfusion pressure(CPP), central venous pressure(CVP) and cardiac output(CO) were studied. Baseline measurements were obtained, and then an abdominal pucture was performed in order to raise the IAP by air insufflations. The IAP was initially increased to 10cmH2O and further elevated by increments of 10cmH2O. All parameters were measured after a 15 minute stabilization period of each pressure increase. When the abdominal pressure reached 40cmH2O, all parameters were measured again and decompression of the abdominal cavity was carried on. Final measurements were then obtained. RESULTS: The increase of IAP caused the following physiologic changes: ICP progressively increase; initial MAP increase until 20cmH2O IAP and decrease at 40cmH2O; initial CPP increased until 10cmH2O intra-abdominal pressure and progressively decreased beyond 30cmH2O; CVP progressive increase; CO decrease beyond 30cmH2O. ICP, MAP, CPP, CVP and CO returned to near baseline level after abdominal surgical decompression. CONCLUSION: The progressive increase of IAP is associated with several hemodynamic and central nervous system changes, that returned to near initial values after abdominal cavity surgical decompression.OBJETIVO: Estudar as alterações hemodinâmicas e as repercussões sobre o sistema nervoso central ocasionados pela síndrome do compartimento abdominal. MÉTODO: Utilizou-se cães sem raça definida submetidos à anestesia geral e monitorização das pressões arterial média(PAM), intracraniana(PIC), de perfusão cerebral(PPC), da artéria pulmonar(PAP) e venosa central(PVC), do débito cardíaco(DC) e da freqüência cardíaca(FC). Aumentou-se a pressão intra-abdominal(PIA) para níveis de 10,20,30 e 40cmH2O . Após atingir-se nível PIA=40cmH2O realizou-se a descompressão cirúrgica da cavidade abdominal. Em cada etapa realizou-se a medida dos parâmetros PIA, PIC, PAM, PPC, PVC e DC. RESULTADOS: Observou-se que o aumento da PIA causou as seguintes alterações fisiológicas: aumento progressivo da PIC; aumento da PAM até PIA=20cmH2O e diminuição progressiva da mesma após PIA= 40cmH2O; aumento da PPC até PIA=10cmH2O e diminuição progressiva da mesma após PIA= 30cmH2O; aumento progressivo da PVC; diminuição progressiva do DC após PIA= 30cmH2O; Após a descompressão da cavidade, notou-se o retorno da PIC, PAM, PPC, PVC e do DC para valores próximos aos dos iniciais (antes do aumento da PIA). CONCLUSÕES: Concluímos que o aumento da PIA provocou alterações nos sistemas cardiovascular e nervoso central, que foram revertidas após a descompressão cirúrgica da cavidade abdominal.21121

Total hepatic warm ischemia and reperfusion associated with controlled hemorrhagic shock: effects of neutrophil sequestration in distal ileum and sigmoid colon of rats

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this experimental work was to study the effects of total hepatic ischemia and reperfusion on the accumulation of neutrophils in the terminal ileum and sigmoid colon of rats, under normal conditions and under controlled hemorrhagic shock. METHOD: Thirty two adult male Wistar rats, were divided into four groups: Sham group, was submitted to standard procedures for a period of 60 min. of observation; Shock group, was submitted to controlled hemorrhagic shock (mean arterial blood pressure = 40mmHg, 20 min.) followed by fluid resuscitation (lactated Ringer's solution + blood, 3:1) and reperfusion for 60 min.; Pringle group, was submitted to total hepatic ischemia for 15 min. and reperfusion for 60 min.; Total group, was submitted to controlled hemorrhagic shock for 15 min. followed by volemic resuscitation (lactated Ringer's solution + blood, 3:1) and reperfusion for 60 min. Neutrophils counting on intestinal tissues was performed after euthanasia. RESULTS: Values for neutrophils counting on the distal ileum indicate that, only animals from Shock group differed from other groups (p<0.001) (Sham 1.33±0.55, Shock 5.48±2.65, Pringle 2.47±1.38, Total 2.44±0.56). On sigmoid colon, Shock group differed only from Sham group (p=0.021) and did not differ from other groups (Sham 0.66±0.44, Shock 2.08±1.11, Pringle 1.04±0.71, Total 1.21±1.03). CONCLUSIONS: Differently from hemorrhagic shock, total hepatic ischemia for 15 minutes, followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion, did not present significant neutrophils accumulation on distal ileum and sigmoid colon tissues.OBJETIVO: Estudar os efeitos da isquemia e reperfusão hepática total sobre acúmulo de neutrófilos no íleo terminal e cólon sigmóide de ratos, em condições de normalidade e submetidos ao estado de choque hemorrágico controlado. MÉTODO: 32 ratos Wistar, machos, foram divididos em quatro grupos de oito animais cada: grupo Sham, submetido aos procedimentos padrões com um período de 60 minutos de observação; grupo Choque, submetido a choque hemorrágico controlado (PAM = 40mmHg, 20min) seguido de reposição volêmica (Ringer lactato + sangue, 3:1) e reperfusão (60min); grupo Pringle, submetido à isquemia hepática total (15min.) e reperfusão (60min); grupo Total submetido a choque hemorrágico controlado (20min) seguido de reposição volêmica (Ringer lactato + sangue, 3:1), isquemia hepática (15min) e reperfusão (60min). Após o sacrifício dos animais, procedeu-se à contagem de neutrófilos nos segmentos intestinais. RESULTADOS: Na contagem de neutrófilos no íleo terminal, apenas o grupo Choque diferiu dos demais (p<0.001) os quais não diferiram entre si (Sham 1.33 ± 0.55, Choque 5.48 ± 2.65, Pringle 2.47 ± 1.38, Total 2.44 ± 0.56) e, no cólon sigmóide, o grupo Choque diferiu apenas do grupo Sham (p = 0.021), sem diferença entre os demais (Sham 0.66 ± 0.44, Choque 2.08 ± 1.11, Pringle 1.04 ± 0.71, Total 1.21 ± 1.03). CONCLUSÃO: Diferentemente do estado de choque hemorrágico controlado, a isquemia hepática de 15 minutos, seguida de 60 minutos de reperfusão, não causou acúmulo significativo de neutrófilos no íleo terminal e cólon sigmóide.14515

IS PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS MORE EFFICIENT TO DETECT DIFFERENCES ON BIOMECHANICAL VARIABLES BETWEEN GROUPS?

The biomechanical analysis investigates variables such as angles, inter-segmental forces and moments at the joints. When the relevant parameters (e.g., range of motion, peak values) are selected a priori from these variables, they could not perfectly represent the information content of the original dataset. Therefore, in this study we want to validate the efficacy of the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in overcoming the limitations of the a priori selection of the parameters. An application study is reported; the lower-limb joint mechanics between patients operated with two different surgical techniques for a total hip arthroplasty are analyzed with both the traditional analysis and the PCA. The findings from the two methods converged, but the PCA identified new sources of variability not previously detected