HW/SW Codesign for Robust and Efficient Binarized SNNs by Capacitor Minimization

Using accelerators based on analog computing is an efficient way to process the immensely large workloads in Neural Networks (NNs). One example of an analog computing scheme for NNs is Integrate-and-Fire (IF) Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs). However, to achieve high inference accuracy in IF-SNNs, the analog hardware needs to represent current-based multiply-accumulate (MAC) levels as spike times, for which a large membrane capacitor needs to be charged for a certain amount of time. A large capacitor results in high energy use, considerable area cost, and long latency, constituting one of the major bottlenecks in analog IF-SNN implementations. In this work, we propose a HW/SW Codesign method, called CapMin, for capacitor size minimization in analog computing IF-SNNs. CapMin minimizes the capacitor size by reducing the number of spike times needed for accurate operation of the HW, based on the absolute frequency of MAC level occurrences in the SW. To increase the operation of IF-SNNs to current variation, we propose the method CapMin-V, which trades capacitor size for protection based on the reduced capacitor size found in CapMin. In our experiments, CapMin achieves more than a 14$\times$ reduction in capacitor size over the state of the art, while CapMin-V achieves increased variation tolerance in the IF-SNN operation, requiring only a small increase in capacitor size.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figure

Multimodal Social Skills, Communication and Behavioral Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Comparison of Multiple Indices for Treatment Effectiveness

The study aimed to investigate the treatment effectiveness of evidence-based intervention program called Multimodal Social Skills, Communication and Behavioral (MSSCB) program. 34 participants with the diagnosis of high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) aged between 3 to 12 year-old were recruited  (F=9, M=25；Mean age =8.03, SD=2.14) at the beginning. The study collected and analyzed the data of participants’ socio-demographic characteristics as well as their psychometric outcomes measuring their cognitive, social, communication, behavioral, emotional, and other adaptive function. We used t-test and SPSS to analyze the data that were obtained at the beginning and at the time six months later on. The mean of the scores from the social domain of parents’ ASD screening questionnaires declined significantly (t=-2.15, p<0.05, α = .05). The means of the standardized scores in overall performance, communication domain, and social domains of Vinland’s Adaptive Rating Scale (Interview Version) elevated significantly (t=3.40, 3.69, & 2.35 respectively, P<0.01, α = .05). Additional significant improvements were noticed in the scores of syndrome scales of withdrawn/depressed, social problems, and aggressive behavior reported by parents and the scores of the externalized problem scale and syndrome scale of rule-breaking behavior reported by teachers (p-value ranged from 0.004 to 0.050, α = .05).   The present study implies that MSSCB program might be effective for children with high-functioning ASD detected by several psychometric measurements. Nevertheless, not all indices consistently and significantly supported benefits of the program. Further discussion and suggestions were made for the establishment and examination of an evidence-based intervention program for children with AS

Adaptive beamforming for optical wireless communication via fiber modal control

High-speed optical wireless communication can address the exponential growth in data traffic. Adaptive beamforming customized for the target location is crucial, but existing solutions such as liquidcrystal spatial light modulators and microelectromechanical systems require costly micro/nano manufacturing, delicate alignment, and a high degree of mechanical stability. These challenges reflect the fragility of integrating a fiber network with micro/nano mechanical or photonic systems. Here, we realize low-cost, low-loss, and fiber-compatible beamforming and continuous beam steering through controlled bending of a multi-mode fiber that modifies its modal coupling, and use it to enable flexible optical wireless communication at 10 Gb/s. By using the fiber modal coupling as degrees of freedom rather than an impediment, this approach offers a promising solution for flexible and cost-effective optical wireless communication networks.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figure

Model-Informed Drug Development:Steps Toward Harmonized Guidance

Global alignment of expectations is required to achieve consistency in the planning, conduct, reporting, and regulatory review of modelinformed drug development (MIDD) applications. An International Council for Harmonization (ICH) MIDD general principles guideline has been positioned to provide a common standard of practice including a framework for risk-based assessment of MIDD-derived evidence within the context of global regulatory decision-making. This perspective provides the background, our viewpoints, and the next steps in the development of this guideline

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) Band-1 Receiver

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array(ALMA) Band 1 receiver covers the 35-50 GHz frequency band. Development of prototype receivers, including the key components and subsystems has been completed and two sets of prototype receivers were fully tested. We will provide an overview of the ALMA Band 1 science goals, and its requirements and design for use on the ALMA. The receiver development status will also be discussed and the infrastructure, integration, evaluation of fully-assembled band 1 receiver system will be covered. Finally, a discussion of the technical and management challenges encountered will be presented