Quantized Convolutional Neural Networks Through the Lens of Partial Differential Equations

Quantization of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) is a common approach to ease the computational burden involved in the deployment of CNNs, especially on low-resource edge devices. However, fixed-point arithmetic is not natural to the type of computations involved in neural networks. In this work, we explore ways to improve quantized CNNs using PDE-based perspective and analysis. First, we harness the total variation (TV) approach to apply edge-aware smoothing to the feature maps throughout the network. This aims to reduce outliers in the distribution of values and promote piece-wise constant maps, which are more suitable for quantization. Secondly, we consider symmetric and stable variants of common CNNs for image classification, and Graph Convolutional Networks (GCNs) for graph node-classification. We demonstrate through several experiments that the property of forward stability preserves the action of a network under different quantization rates. As a result, stable quantized networks behave similarly to their non-quantized counterparts even though they rely on fewer parameters. We also find that at times, stability even aids in improving accuracy. These properties are of particular interest for sensitive, resource-constrained, low-power or real-time applications like autonomous driving

The Ferris ferromagnetic resonance technique: principles and applications

Measurements of ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) are pivotal to modern magnetism and spintronics. Recently, we reported on the Ferris FMR technique, which relies on large-amplitude modulation of the externally applied magnetic field. It was shown to benefit from high sensitivity while being broadband. The Ferris FMR also expanded the resonance linewidth such that the sensitivity to spin currents was enhanced as well. Eventually, the spin Hall angle ({\theta}_SH) was measurable even in wafer-level measurements that require low current densities to reduce the Joule heating. Despite the various advantages, analysis of the Ferris FMR response is limited to numerical modeling where the linewidth depends on multiple factors such as the field modulation profile and the magnetization saturation. Here, we describe in detail the basic principles of operation of the Ferris FMR and discuss its applicability and engineering considerations. We demonstrated these principles in a measurement of the orbital Hall effect taking place in Cu, using an Au layer as the orbital to spin current converter. This illustrates the potential of the Ferris FMR for the future development of spintronics technology

Opinión de un grupo de expertos sobre facilitadores para la implantación del seguimiento farmacoterapéutico en las farmacias comunitarias españolas

En el contexto de un estudio de investigación sobre priorización de facilitadores para la implantación del Seguimiento Farmacoterapéutico en las farmacias comunitarias españolas, se realizó un grupo focal compuesto por miembros de Foro de Atención Farmacéutica en Farmacia Comunitaria. El objetivo era explorar sus opiniones sobre los facilitadores priorizados en dicho estudio que se habían definido como “Incentivos”, “Campañas externas”, “Experto en SFT” y “Profesionalidad del farmacéutico”. El facilitador prioritario del estudio, denominado “incentivos”, incluye fundamentalmente incentivos económicos, imprescindibles en la implantación y sostenibilidad del Seguimiento Farmacoterapéutico, aunque también hace referencia a otro tipo de incentivo como el reconocimiento profesional.Los participantes estaban de acuerdo con los resultados del estudio, que indican la necesidad de un pago previo para implantar nuevos servicios profesionales. Se considera que este pago queda justificado por los beneficios que la realización del Seguimiento Farmacoterapéutico aporta a la salud del paciente y a la reducción del gasto sanitario derivado de un buen uso de la medicación. Por consiguiente, se plantearon distintos métodos para incentivar económicamente a la farmacia que realiza Seguimiento Farmacoterapéutico. En cuanto al reconocimiento profesional, se consideró como un incentivo la acreditación de la farmacia que realiza SFT y que su provisión tenga relevancia a nivel curricular. Se confirma también como de gran importancia tanto la realización de campañas externas como la existencia de un experto farmacéutico profesional, preparado y acreditado para realizar nuevos SPF

Comprehensive identification of essential Staphylococcus aureus genes using Transposon-Mediated Differential Hybridisation (TMDH).

BACKGROUND: In recent years there has been an increasing problem with Staphylococcus aureus strains that are resistant to treatment with existing antibiotics. An important starting point for the development of new antimicrobial drugs is the identification of "essential" genes that are important for bacterial survival and growth. RESULTS: We have developed a robust microarray and PCR-based method, Transposon-Mediated Differential Hybridisation (TMDH), that uses novel bioinformatics to identify transposon inserts in genome-wide libraries. Following a microarray-based screen, genes lacking transposon inserts are re-tested using a PCR and sequencing-based approach. We carried out a TMDH analysis of the S. aureus genome using a large random mariner transposon library of around a million mutants, and identified a total of 351 S. aureus genes important for survival and growth in culture. A comparison with the essential gene list experimentally derived for Bacillus subtilis highlighted interesting differences in both pathways and individual genes. CONCLUSION: We have determined the first comprehensive list of S. aureus essential genes. This should act as a useful starting point for the identification of potential targets for novel antimicrobial compounds. The TMDH methodology we have developed is generic and could be applied to identify essential genes in other bacterial pathogens.RIGHTS : This article is licensed under the BioMed Central licence at http://www.biomedcentral.com/about/license which is similar to the 'Creative Commons Attribution Licence'. In brief you may : copy, distribute, and display the work; make derivative works; or make commercial use of the work - under the following conditions: the original author must be given credit; for any reuse or distribution, it must be made clear to others what the license terms of this work are

Barreras para la implantación de servicios cognitivos en la farmacia comunitaria española

Objetivo: Identificar y analizar los elementos que dificultan la diseminación, la implantación y la sostenibilidad de distintos servicios cognitivos orientados a los pacientes en la farmacia comunitaria española. Diseño: Estudio cualitativo en el que se han utilizado entrevistas semiestructuradas, con el fin de realizar un análisis descriptivo. Métodos: Se eligieron dos conjuntos de expertos relacionados con la farmacia comunitaria española. El primero estaba compuesto de 15 farmacéuticos comunitarios que se habían destacado por sus actividades profesionales y el segundo, por 18 estrategas de la farmacia. Resultados: La falta de orientación clínica de la formación universitaria, la falta de actitud ante el cambio y la incertidumbre sobre su futuro profesional se identificaron como barreras del farmacéutico individual. Para la farmacia como empresa, se identificaron como barreras la falta de pago por los servicios, la ausencia de mensajes claros y el reducido volumen de la farmacia española. En la categoría profesión farmacéutica, el actual sistema de remuneración, la falta de formación universitaria clínica y la falta de liderazgo de las instituciones representantes fueron las barreras encontradas. En cuanto a los otros colectivos, se encontró que la falta de apoyo real de las administraciones sanitarias, el desconocimiento de los médicos de los objetivos de los servicios cognitivos farmacéuticos, y la falta de demanda de estos servicios por los pacientes fueron las barreras identificadas. Conclusiones: Se han encontrado 12 barreras que se han agrupado en 6 categorías. Estas barreras coinciden con las comunicadas en otros países.Objective: To identify and assess barriers for dissemination, implementation, and sustainability of different cognitive services in Spanish community pharmacies. Design: Qualitative study through semistructured interviews followed by a descriptive analysis. Method: Two groups of experts related to Spanish community pharmacy were chosen. One with 15 community pharmacists with a relevant professional activity, while the other group (n=18) was related to pharmacy strategists. Results: The lack of university clinical oriented learning, lack of pharmacists’ attitude towards change and some uncertainty over their professional future were identified as barriers at the pharmacists’ level. In relation to pharmacy as an organization the lack of clear messages by their leaders and the small volume of Spanish pharmacies were identified as barriers. In the category of pharmacy profession, the current reimbursement system, the lack of university clinical education, and the lack of leadership by current representative organizations were the barriers found. The lack of real involvement by health authorities, the lack of knowledge about the objectives of pharmacy cognitive services, and the lack of demand of these services by patients where also identified as barriers. Conclusions: Finally, 12 barriers were identified and grouped into 6 categories. These barriers fit in with the barriers identified in other countries

Homogenization pressures applied to citrus juice manufacturing. Functional properties and application

[EN] Homogenization is a unit operation that can be incorporated in citrus juice manufacturing to improve chemical and physical characteristics relevant for use in subsequent processing operations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different homogenization pressures on suspended solids and antiradical activity in mandarin low pulp juice (LPJ) and to understand their influence on a posterior vacuum impregnation operation. We found the pressure treatments applied to LPJ do not have negative effects on antiradical activity or functional compounds in the juice. In the vacuum impregnation study we found that more LPJ was introduced into the structural matrix of apples when homogenized at higher pressures and therefore more functional compounds may be introduced due to pulp stability and particle size reduction. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reservedThe authors acknowledge the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion of Spain for its contribution to projects AGL2009-09905, AGL2009-11805 and PET2008_0015.Betoret Valls, ME.; Sentandreu Vicente, E.; Betoret Valls, N.; Fito Maupoey, P. (2012). Homogenization pressures applied to citrus juice manufacturing. Functional properties and application. Journal of Food Engineering. 111(1):28-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2012.01.035S2833111

Activation of Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis by the Proto-Oncogene Pim-2

Potent survival effects have been ascribed to the serine/threonine kinase proto-oncogene PIM-2. Elevated levels of PIM-2 are associated with various malignancies. In human cells, a single Pim-2 transcript gives rise mainly to two protein isoforms (34, 41 kDa) that share an identical catalytic site but differ at their N-terminus, due to in-frame alternative translation initiation sites. In this study we observed that the 34 kDa PIM-2 isoform has differential nuclear and cytoplasmic forms in all tested cell lines, suggesting a possible role for the balance between these forms for PIM-2's function. To further study the cellular role of the 34 kDa isoform of PIM-2, an N-terminally HA-tagged form of this isoform was transiently expressed in HeLa cells. Surprisingly, this resulted in increased level of G1 arrested cells, as well as of apoptotic cells. These effects could not be obtained by a Flag-tagged form of the 41 kDa isoform. The G1 arrest and apoptotic effects were associated with an increase in T14/Y15 phosphorylation of CDK2 and proteasom-dependent down-regulation of CDC25A, as well as with up-regulation of p57, E2F-1, and p73. No such effects were obtained upon over-expression of a kinase-dead form of the HA-tagged 34 kDa PIM-2. By either using a dominant negative form of p73, or by over-expressing the 34 kDa PIM-2 in p73-silenced cells, we demonstrated that these effects were p73-dependent. These results demonstrate that while PIM-2 can function as a potent survival factor, it can, under certain circumstances, exhibit pro-apoptotic effects as well

Identification of macrophage-induced genes in Burkholderia pseudomallei

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