Runtime Configurable Deep Neural Networks for Energy-Accuracy Trade-off

We present a novel dynamic configuration technique for deep neural networks that permits step-wise energy-accuracy trade-offs during runtime. Our configuration technique adjusts the number of channels in the network dynamically depending on response time, power, and accuracy targets. To enable this dynamic configuration technique, we co-design a new training algorithm, where the network is incrementally trained such that the weights in channels trained in earlier steps are fixed. Our technique provides the flexibility of multiple networks while storing and utilizing one set of weights. We evaluate our techniques using both an ASIC-based hardware accelerator as well as a low-power embedded GPGPU and show that our approach leads to only a small or negligible loss in the final network accuracy. We analyze the performance of our proposed methodology using three well-known networks for MNIST, CIFAR-10, and SVHN datasets, and we show that we are able to achieve up to 95% energy reduction with less than 1% accuracy loss across the three benchmarks. In addition, compared to prior work on dynamic network reconfiguration, we show that our approach leads to approximately 50% savings in storage requirements, while achieving similar accuracy

Real-time Assessment of Right and Left Ventricular Volumes and Function in Children Using High Spatiotemporal Resolution Spiral bSSFP with Compressed Sensing

Background: Real-time (RT) assessment of ventricular volumes and function enables data acquisition during free-breathing. However, in children the requirement for high spatiotemporal resolution requires accelerated imaging techniques. In this study, we implemented a novel RT bSSFP spiral sequence reconstructed using Compressed Sensing (CS) and validated it against the breath-hold (BH) reference standard for assessment of ventricular volumes in children with heart disease. Methods: Data was acquired in 60 children. Qualitative image scoring and evaluation of ventricular volumes was performed by 3 clinical cardiac MR specialists. 30 cases were reassessed for intra-observer variability, and the other 30 cases for inter-observer variability. Results: Spiral RT images were of good quality, however qualitative scores reflected more residual artefact than standard BH images and slightly lower edge definition. Quantification of Left Ventricular (LV) and Right Ventricular (RV) metrics showed excellent correlation between the techniques with narrow limits of agreement. However, we observed small but statistically significant overestimation of LV end-diastolic volume, underestimation of LV end-systolic volume, as well as a small overestimation of RV stroke volume and ejection fraction using the RT imaging technique. No difference in inter-observer or intra-observer variability were observed between the BH and RT sequences. Conclusions: Real-time bSSFP imaging using spiral trajectories combined with a compressed sensing reconstruction is feasible. The main benefit is that it can be acquired during free breathing. However, another important secondary benefit is that a whole ventricular stack can be acquired in ~20 seconds, as opposed to ~6 minutes for standard BH imaging. Thus, this technique holds the potential to significantly shorten MR scan times in children

Free breathing contrast-enhanced time-resolved magnetic resonance angiography in pediatric and adult congenital heart disease

Contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is generally performed during a long breath-hold (BH), limiting its utility in infants and small children. This study proposes a free-breathing (FB) time resolved MRA (TRA) technique for use in pediatric and adult congenital heart disease (CHD)

Entwicklung eines Repositoriums für Fachkomponenten auf Grundlage des Vorschlages der vereinheitlichten Spezifikation von Fachkomponenten \u96 Analyse von Problemen und Diskussion von Lösungsalternativen

Mit dem Memorandum des Arbeitskreises 5.10.3 \u84Komponentenorientierte betriebliche Anwendungssysteme\u93 der Gesellschaft für Informatik wurde ein Fortschritt hinsichtlich der Vereinheitlichung der Spezifikation von Fachkomponenten erzielt. Um jedoch Fachkomponenten in geeigneter Art und Weise wiederverwenden zu können, werden Systeme für deren Archivierung bzw. für das Wiederauffinden dieser benötigt, wie beispielsweise Komponenten- Repositorien oder Komponenten-Marktplätze. Der Vorschlag der vereinheitlichten Spezifikation von Fachkomponenten kann dabei als Grundlage für die Ausgestaltung eines derartigen Systems verwendet werden. Die Analyse der Spezifikationsmethode zeigt jedoch verschiedene Probleme und Schwachstellen hinsichtlich einer Verwendung in diesem Kontext. Einige dieser Probleme werden im Rahmen des Beitrages aufgezeigt sowie mögliche Lösungsansätze dafür diskutiert. Die erzielten Ergebnisse bilden die Grundlage für die weitere Arbeit hin zu einem Konzept eines Repositoriums für Fachkomponenten