Improving Simulations of Spiking Neural P Systems in NVIDIA CUDA GPUs: CuSNP

Spiking neural P systems (in short, SN P systems) are parallel models of computations inspired by the spiking ( ring) of biological neurons. In SN P systems, neurons function as spike processors and are placed on nodes of a directed graph. Synapses, the connections between neurons, are represented by arcs or directed endges in the graph. Not only do SN P systems have parallel semantics (i.e. neurons operate in parallel), but their structure as directed graphs allow them to be represented as vectors or matrices. Such representations allow the use of linear algebra operations for simulating the evolution of the system con gurations, i.e. computations. In this work, we continue the implementations of SN P systems with delays, i.e. a delay is associated with the sending of a spike from a neuron to its neighbouring neurons. Our implementation is based on a modi ed representation of SN P systems as vectors and matrices for SN P systems without delays. We us massively parallel processors known as graphics processing units (in short, GPUs) from NVIDIA. For experimental validation, we use SN P systems implementing generalized sorting networks. We report a speedup, i.e. the ratio between the running time of the sequential over the parallel simulator, of up to approximately 51 times for a 512-size input to the sorting network

CuSNP: Spiking Neural P Systems Simulators in CUDA

Spiking neural P systems (in short, SN P systems) are models of computation inspired by biological neurons. CuSNP is a project involving sequential (CPU) and parallel (GPU) simulators for SN P systems. In this work, we report the following results: a P-Lingua le parser is included, for ease of use when performing simulations; extension of the matrix representation of SN P systems to include delay; comparison and analysis of our simulators by simulating two types (bitonic and generalized) of parallel sorting networks; extension of supported types of regular expressions in SN P systems. Our GPU simulator is better suited for generalized sorting as compared to bitonic sorting networks, and the GPU simulators run up to 50 faster than our CPU simulator. Finally, we discuss our experiments and provide directions for further work

The Study on the Applicability of AHO-CORASICK Algorithm in Identifying Tests' Validity

Aho-Corasick Algorithm (ACA) is a kind of dictionary-matching algorithm that locates elements of finite set of strings within an input text. It matches all patterns “at once”, so the complexity of the algorithm is linear in the length of the patterns plus the length of the searched text plus the number of output matches. This paper discusses the applicability of Aho-Corasick algorithm in identifying test validity using the standard Guidelines in Evaluating Tests. A proposed Quiz-Zone system was developed in order to evaluate and test the applicability of the algorithm used. Quiz-Zone allows the user to create exam that will check the test's validity. It also allows the user to choose five types of exam namely: Matching Type, Multiple Choice, Essay, True or False and Short-Answer. The researchers revealed that there are some rules in identifying test validity that ACA can't be applied

Convening for a Thriving Future: Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian, Asian, and Asian American Community

On October 1, 2022, Portland State University (PSU) held the Convening for a Thriving Future for Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian, Asian, and Asian American (PIAA) Communities at the university’s Native American Student Community Center (NASCC). This event was part of a series of BIPOC-centered and -led community convenings by PSU’s Global Diversity & Inclusion as one of our action items in the Time to Act Plan for Equity & Racial Justice. PSU contracted with Roxanna Bautista of Rise Up Solutions to support the planning, development, and coordination of this convening, in addition to providing facilitation and contributing to this convening report. In addition, PSU partnered with PIAA communitybased organizations to hold this convening. Those community partners were: API Forward, Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO), Oregon Pacific Islander Coalition (OPIC), Filipino Bayanihan Center, and the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO)-Pacific Islander Asian Family Center. The convening was organized into morning and afternoon sessions and breakfast and lunch were provided by Asian owned businesses, Phat Cart and Khao Niew Lao Street Food. The morning sessions consisted of remarks and presentations on data and PSU history from PSU leadership and Global Diversity & Inclusion. After these presentations, the next session featured a panel of PIAA community-based organizations and leaders who responded to discussion prompts, including what they would say a thriving future looks like for PIAA communities. After lunch, the afternoon sessions were composed of four breakout groups, where facilitators guided the discussion through various prompts. The convening wrapped up with report backs from those breakout groups and completion of evaluations. Related Materials: Five affinity-based convenings: Latiné Futures Convening Convening on the Future of Black Thriving & Joy Convening for a Thriving Future for Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian, Asian, and Asian American Communities (PIAA) Convening for a Prosperous Future for Middle East, North African and South Asian Community (MENASA) Native Leaders Roundtable Time to Act Events:The Future and Thriving of BIPOC Communities: A Time to Act Macroconvening(Affinity groups met in-person November 2022)Time 2 Act: Continuing Action for a Just and Equitable PSU(Video - Winter Symposium 2021) Time to Act: Envisioning and Creating a Just and Equitable PSU(Video - Virtual Equity Summit, October 30, 2020) Equity Plan: Time to Act: Plan for Equity & Racial Justice 2021 - 2024 (PDF - Report, 2021

Antibacterial activity in leaf extracts of Bixa orellana Linn. (achuete)

Leaf extracts of Bixa orellana Linn. (achuete) using acetone, 95% ethyl alcohol and distilled water as solvents were tested for their antibacterial activity. The acetone and ethanol extracts were effective against the three gram positive test organisms, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The acetone extract (Bs, 1.27 Sa, 1.33 Se, 1.60) exhibited the greatest antibacterial index compared to the ethanol (Bs, 0.60 Sa, 0.87 Se, 1.27) and distilled water (Bs, 0.40 Sa, 0.60 Se, 0.00) extracts. The distilled water extract showed zones of inhibition against the test organisms S. aureus and B. subtilis. All of the leaf extracts did not show any inhibitory effect against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pre- and Post-Purchase Factors Contributing to Dissonance of Filipino Credit Cardholders Amidst Exposure to Financial Risk

Credit card transactions among Filipinos have steadily increased over the past years due to factors like convenience, availability, promotion, and payment terms. Amidst the benefits it brings, the possibility of consumer dissonance brought about by pre-and post-purchase factors as well as financial risk is still noteworthy consideration when utilizing credit. The study focuses on the analysis of the pre-and post-purchase factors that contribute to consumer dissonance amongst Filipino credit cardholders. Due to growing concerns over the development of consumer debt, a gap in the research literature suggests the need to examine the factors that influence the consumers in making their purchases amidst exposure to financial risk, especially with respect to the accessibility of payment extension solutions such as credit card payment. The study will utilize a Descriptive and Inferential Survey Research Design across 196 respondents within Metro Manila. Furthermore, this information can help business managers and operators to analyze and market their payment solutions more effectively

3M hot melt system marketing plan

Executive Summary. The emergence of many competitors in the adhesive industry has compelled the established companies such as 3M Philippines to produce innovative products. These would cater to the growing needs of the manufacturing particularly of the food and beverage industry. This, basically, is the objective behind the creation of the Jet Melt System. 3M wanted to give the industrial sector a new product which will be more effective than traditional adhesive. And which will be used for their everyday operation. Currently, Jet Melt is selling well in the electronic and automotive industries, but now, 3M would also like to penetrate the processed food and beverage packaging or case sealing industry. In line with this goal, the marketing plan was centered on the identification of the needs of the targeted market as well as the strategies by which 3M could meet those needs. The first part of the paper tackles the total adhesives market. Through extensive research, the conclusion that most of food manufacturing firms still uses tapes and staples in packaging their product. The second part of the thesis, discusses facts about the brand and product. In here, the development of 3M\u27s Hot Melt system can be read. This part also formally introduces and describes the Jet Melt System. In addition, it enumerates the benefits that can be obtained by using the product. In the succeeding part, 3M\u27s direct and indirect competitors as well as the former\u27s product\u27s advantages and disadvantages compared with the later\u27s are listed. The internal and external environment of the product were also evaluated in the SWOT analysis. The Marketing Mix Strategies and Programs will further elaborate on the product features and performance of the Jet Melt system such as the strength, good appearance and safety. Being an industrial product, the 3M Jet Melt System will only be using non-conventional advertising as this captures better the target market of 3M