Analyzing the Reliability of Alternative Convolution Implementations for Deep Learning Applications

Convolution represents the core of Deep Learning (DL) applications, enabling the automatic extraction of features from raw input data. Several implementations of the convolution have been proposed. The impact of these different implementations on the performance of DL applications has been studied. However, no specific reliability-related analysis has been carried out. In this paper, we apply the CLASSES cross-layer reliability analysis methodology for an in-depth study aimed at: i) analyzing and characterizing the effects of Single Event Upsets occurring in Graphics Processing Units while executing the convolution operators; and ii) identifying whether a convolution implementation is more robust than others. The outcomes can then be exploited to tailor better hardening schemes for DL applications to improve reliability and reduce overhead

Significance of borderline hemoglobin A2 values in an Italian population with a high prevalence of -thalassemia

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Radioactive ion beam opportunities at the new FRAISE facility of INFN-LNS

At the Laboratori Nazionali del Sud of INFN (INFN-LNS) in Catania, the construction of the new Radioactive Ion Beams (RIBs) facility FRAISE (FRAgment In-flight SEparator) has reached its ending phase. The facility uses the in-flight technique based on a primary beam fragmentation impinging on light Be or C targets. FRAISE makes use of light and medium mass primary beams, having power up to asymptotic to 2-3 kW, leading to RIBs, whose intensities vary in the range of asymptotic to 10(3)-10(7) pps, for nuclei far from and close to the stability valley, respectively. FRAISE aims at providing high-intensity and high-quality RIBs for nuclear physics experiments, also serving to interdisciplinary research areas, such as medical physics. Critical aspects for high-quality beams are the tuning and transport, representing time-consuming processes and requiring dedicated diagnostics and tagging devices measuring many features of RIBs. Some of these devices should be capable to operate in radioactively activated environments because of the expected 2 kW beam lost in the dipole after the production target. Due to its peculiar robustness to radioactive damage, Silicon Carbide (SiC) technology has been considered for the detection layer. In this view, an R & D campaign has been started aiming at developing the FRAISE facility, the new diagnostics system, and a new tagging device, the latter of which will be useful for the CHIMERA multidetector beamline. In this paper, we discuss the status and the perspectives of the facility with a focus on the RIBs opportunities

Ten new insights in climate science 2020 – a horizon scan

Non-technical summary We summarize some of the past year's most important findings within climate change-related research. New research has improved our understanding of Earth's sensitivity to carbon dioxide, finds that permafrost thaw could release more carbon emissions than expected and that the uptake of carbon in tropical ecosystems is weakening. Adverse impacts on human society include increasing water shortages and impacts on mental health. Options for solutions emerge from rethinking economic models, rights-based litigation, strengthened governance systems and a new social contract. The disruption caused by COVID-19 could be seized as an opportunity for positive change, directing economic stimulus towards sustainable investments. Technical summary A synthesis is made of ten fields within climate science where there have been significant advances since mid-2019, through an expert elicitation process with broad disciplinary scope. Findings include: (1) a better understanding of equilibrium climate sensitivity; (2) abrupt thaw as an accelerator of carbon release from permafrost; (3) changes to global and regional land carbon sinks; (4) impacts of climate change on water crises, including equity perspectives; (5) adverse effects on mental health from climate change; (6) immediate effects on climate of the COVID-19 pandemic and requirements for recovery packages to deliver on the Paris Agreement; (7) suggested long-term changes to governance and a social contract to address climate change, learning from the current pandemic, (8) updated positive cost–benefit ratio and new perspectives on the potential for green growth in the short- and long-term perspective; (9) urban electrification as a strategy to move towards low-carbon energy systems and (10) rights-based litigation as an increasingly important method to address climate change, with recent clarifications on the legal standing and representation of future generations. Social media summary Stronger permafrost thaw, COVID-19 effects and growing mental health impacts among highlights of latest climate science

Simultaneous modeling of VLE, LLE and VLLE of CO2 and 1, 2, 3 and 4 alkanol containing mixtures using GC-PPC-SAFT EOS

International audienceA polar version of the group contribution PC-SAFT equation of state (GC-PPC-SAFT; Tamouza et al., 2004; NguyenHuynh et al., 2008) combined with a method for correlation/prediction of binary interaction parameters kij (NguyenHuynh et al., 2008) is here applied to model vapor–liquid, liquid–liquid and vapor–liquid–liquid phase equilibria of CO2 + alkanol mixtures simultaneously.A cross-association interaction between CO2 and alkanol had to be taken into account to model/predict the mixtures equilibria accurately. The cross-association parameters were evaluated using the so-called CR1 mixing rules supported by ab initio computations.Extensive prediction tests on CO2 + alkanol mixtures involving linear and branched alkanols are carried out. The results obtained showed that in most cases, the correlation and prediction calculations are qualitatively and quantitatively satisfactory: the overall deviations on liquid phase and vapor phase are respectively ΔX = 3–4% and ΔY = 1–2%

SCHEDE DI FARMACOLOGIA GENERALE

Scopo delle schede è quello di fornire al lettore il materiale scientificamente adeguato per la comprensione dei concetti basilari della Farmacologia. I principali argomenti trattati sono la farmacocinetica, la farmacodinamica e la variabilità della risposta ai farmaci. Inoltre sono stati inseriti dei cenni relativi ad alcune discipline della farmacologia come la farmacogenetica, la farmacoeconomia e la farmacovigilanza. La funzione delle schede è quella di permettere un approccio semplice ma completo ai concetti generali della farmacologia

Hb Southern Italy: coexistence of two missence mutations (the Hb Sun Prairie alpha(2) 130 Ala-->Pro and Hb Caserta alpha(2) 26 Ala-->Thr) in a single HBA2 gene.

This study describes a new molecular condition in the α2- globin gene (HBA2) found in six unrelated families from Southern Italy (Campania and Sicily). This new double mutant form of haemoglobin is called Hb Southern Italy and originated from the coexistence of two known mutations occurring in the same globin gene, HBA2 26 G→A (Hb Caserta) and HBA2 130 G→C (Hb Sun Prairie). Hb Sun Prairie was originally observed in Indian patients in either the homozygous state, with severe hemolytic anemia, and in the heterozygous state with microcytosis, or in asymptomatic cases as an α-thalassemia carrier phenotype. Hb Caserta was observed for the first time in a Casertian family (South Italy) that displayed a slowmigrating haemoglobin upon investigation. We report the clinical phenotype and molecular study of this new double mutant form of haemoglobin in heterozygous and homozygous subjects, as well as in association with α°delectional thalassemia

Evidence for ionic liquid gate-induced metallization of vanadium dioxide bars over micron length scales

It has recently been shown that the metal–insulator transition in vanadium dioxide epitaxial films can be suppressed and the material made metallic to low temperatures by ionic liquid gating due to migration of oxygen. The gating is only possible on certain crystal facets where volume channels along the VO2’s rutile c-axis intersect the surface. Here, we fabricate bars with the c-axis in plane and oriented parallel to or perpendicular to the length of the bars. We show that only bars with the c-axis perpendicular to the bars, for which the volume channels are accessible from the sides of the bar, can be metallized by ionic liquid gating. Moreover, we find that bars up to at least 0.5 μm wide can be fully gated, demonstrating the possibility of the electric field induced migration of oxygen over very long distances, ∼5 times longer than previously observed

"No words for feelings": A multidimensional analysis of the alexithymia construct

Contemporary neurosciences have shown that emotion, thought and language involve the functioning of connected brain areas, which allow the recognition and expression of one's own feelings. The present pilot study was aimed at investigating the link among verbal expression of emotional experiences (assessed through the Toronto Structured Interview for Alexithymia - TSIA), the capacity of emotional regulation (assessed by means of the Attachment Style Questionnaire, the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experiences), the linguistic structure and symbolic representation of narration (assessed through the Text Mining Analyses), and brain area structures (by means of a 3-T high-resolution structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging). To this aim, nine (males=5) healthy adult subjects were interviewed by means of the TSIA and scored on psychological questionnaires. The cortical and subcortical structural measures were also evaluated. TSIA transcripts were then analysed by using a cluster analysis and, subsequently, a correspondence analysis, and the values of lexical factors were correlated with cortical and subcortical structural measures as well as with TSIA and psychological scores. Overall, the reciprocal relationships among the measures of neurobiological structures, the capacity of identifying, describing and regulating emotions, and the ability of translating the emotional experiences into verbal forms, allowed to identify a complex pattern of biopsychosocial aspects, getting light on referential processes characterizing the verbally and not-verbally express emotions