23 research outputs found
RAMP: A Flat Nanosecond Optical Network and MPI Operations for Distributed Deep Learning Systems
Distributed deep learning (DDL) systems strongly depend on network
performance. Current electronic packet switched (EPS) network architectures and
technologies suffer from variable diameter topologies, low-bisection bandwidth
and over-subscription affecting completion time of communication and collective
operations.
We introduce a near-exascale, full-bisection bandwidth, all-to-all,
single-hop, all-optical network architecture with nanosecond reconfiguration
called RAMP, which supports large-scale distributed and parallel computing
systems (12.8~Tbps per node for up to 65,536 nodes).
For the first time, a custom RAMP-x MPI strategy and a network transcoder is
proposed to run MPI collective operations across the optical circuit switched
(OCS) network in a schedule-less and contention-less manner. RAMP achieves
7.6-171 speed-up in completion time across all MPI operations compared
to realistic EPS and OCS counterparts. It can also deliver a 1.3-16 and
7.8-58 reduction in Megatron and DLRM training time respectively} while
offering 42-53 and 3.3-12.4 improvement in energy consumption
and cost respectively
Design and transmission analysis of trench-assisted multi-core fibre in standard cladding diameter
6-core and 8-core trench-assisted heterogeneous fibres in standard cladding diameter are designed using artificial intelligence-based techniques including a cut-off wavelength regressor. The designs proposed here, for the first time, suppress crosstalk at 1550 nm of 8-core fibre to as low as â55 dB/km covering the whole S+C+L band while keeping coating loss below 0.001 dB/km. We compare them to reveal the influence of the additional cores in the 125 ”m cladding diameter scenario. We report on the transmission characteristics and performance of the MCFs in terms of capacity and spatial spectral efficiency, including the influence of bandwidth, effective mode area, distance and crosstalk, for a range of transmission distances. The artificial intelligence-based method and insights given can be used to significantly speed up and tailor designs for a variety of telecom and datacom applications
Microplastics Occurrence in the European Common Frog (Rana temporaria) from Cottian Alps (Northwest Italy)
Microplastics (MPs) pollution is arousing growing attention, yet knowledge about its occurrence in amphibians is scant to date. With this study, we aimed to determine whether plastic (>5000 ÎŒm) and MPs (10â5000 ÎŒm) could be detected in adult Rana temporaria from a high-mountain ecosystem (the Cottian Alps, northwest Italy). To do this, aquatic compartments and the digestive tract of adult R. temporaria were analyzed. Water, sediment, periphyton, aquatic macroinvertebrates, and tadpoles tested negative for plastic and MPs. Microplastics were detected in all the adult frogs (n = 5); all the identified items (one per specimen) were fibers (size range: 550.91â2355.51 ”m). A statistically significant positive correlation between the particle length and frog size was recorded. The predominant fiber color was blue. The chemical composition was polyamide (60%), polyethylene (20%), and polyethylene terephthalate (20%). Since both the biotic and the abiotic freshwater compartments (tadpoles included) revealed the absence of MPs, it can be assumed that adult frogs ingest MPs from the surrounding terrestrial environment.This research was partially funded by Fondazione CRT, the ALPLA II project, grant number 21D03.Peer reviewe
Predicting needlestick and sharps injuries in nursing students: Development of the SNNIP scale
© 2020 The Authors. Nursing Open published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Aim: To develop an instrument to investigate knowledge and predictive factors of needlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs) in nursing students during clinical placements. Design: Instrument development and cross-sectional study for psychometric testing. Methods: A self-administered instrument including demographic data, injury epidemiology and predictive factors of NSIs was developed between October 2018âJanuary 2019. Content validity was assessed by a panel of experts. The instrument's factor structure and discriminant validity were explored using principal components analysis. The STROBE guidelines were followed. Results: Evidence of content validity was found (S-CVI 0.75; I-CVI 0.50â1.00). A three-factor structure was shown by exploratory factor analysis. Of the 238 participants, 39% had been injured at least once, of which 67.3% in the second year. Higher perceptions of âpersonal exposureâ (4.06, SD 3.78) were reported by third-year students. Higher scores for âperceived benefitsâ of preventive behaviours (13.6, SD 1.46) were reported by second-year students
The ABC130 barrel module prototyping programme for the ATLAS strip tracker
For the Phase-II Upgrade of the ATLAS Detector, its Inner Detector,
consisting of silicon pixel, silicon strip and transition radiation
sub-detectors, will be replaced with an all new 100 % silicon tracker, composed
of a pixel tracker at inner radii and a strip tracker at outer radii. The
future ATLAS strip tracker will include 11,000 silicon sensor modules in the
central region (barrel) and 7,000 modules in the forward region (end-caps),
which are foreseen to be constructed over a period of 3.5 years. The
construction of each module consists of a series of assembly and quality
control steps, which were engineered to be identical for all production sites.
In order to develop the tooling and procedures for assembly and testing of
these modules, two series of major prototyping programs were conducted: an
early program using readout chips designed using a 250 nm fabrication process
(ABCN-25) and a subsequent program using a follow-up chip set made using 130 nm
processing (ABC130 and HCC130 chips). This second generation of readout chips
was used for an extensive prototyping program that produced around 100
barrel-type modules and contributed significantly to the development of the
final module layout. This paper gives an overview of the components used in
ABC130 barrel modules, their assembly procedure and findings resulting from
their tests.Comment: 82 pages, 66 figure
Autochthonous Human and Canine Strongyloides stercoralis Infection in Europe: Report of a Human Case in An Italian Teen and Systematic Review of the Literature
Autochthonous human and canine strongyloidiasis is reported in Europe but is unclear whether the transmission of infection still occurs. We report a previously unpublished human case in an Italian teen and perform a systematic review of literature on autochthonous human and canine strongyloidiasis in Europe to investigate the current dynamic of transmission. Overall, 109 papers published after 1987 were included and one previously unpublished Italian case was added. Eighty case reports were retrieved and 42 of them (52.5%) had severe strongyloidiasis. Most cases were diagnosed in Spain, Italy and France. The median age was 58, the most represented age group was 61-70 years, 11 patients were under 30, and 7 of them were diagnosed after 2000. Epidemiological studies on human strongyloidiasis showed prevalence ranging from 0.56% to 28%. Overall, agriculture work, mine work and walking barefoot were the most commonly reported risk factors for infection. Canine strongyloidiasis was reported mainly in Italy (68 cases), but a few cases occurred also in Iceland, Finland, England, Germany, France, Switzerland, Russia, Slovakia, Romania and Greece. Autochthonous strongyloidiasis is still reported in Europe and sporadic transmission still occurs. Health care professionals should be aware of this issue to identify infected subjects and avoid adverse outcomes, especially in immunosuppressed patients. Further investigations are needed to clarify the zoonotic transmission of this nematode