High Performance Implementation of Support Vector Machines Using OpenCL

Support Vector Machines are a machine learning approach that is well studied, thoroughly vetted and effective in a large number of applications. The objective of this thesis is to accelerate an implementation of Support Vector Machines (SVM) using a heterogeneous computing system programmed using OpenCL in C/C++. LIBSVM, a widely-available, popular and open source implementation of SVM is chosen, allowing the presented work to be integrated seamlessly into existing systems. The proposed framework is evaluated in terms of speed and accuracy when performing training and classification on a number of standard data sets. Testing was based on two work station GPUs, the NVIDIA GTX 480 and Tesla K20, and a modern, work station CPU (Intel i5 Quad Core, 3 GHz). We find that, for large data sets, training is accelerated by a factor ranging from 9 to 22. In general, speedup increases with the total number of training samples in the data set until the GPU device is fully utilized. While these gains in speedup are significant, they do not match the ideal parallel speedup, that is the total number of cores in the parallel system. Our findings indicate that performance is hampered by the portions of the SVM training algorithm that are sequential. In addition, we find that the classification phase of the SVM system is accelerated by a factor of up to 12. During classification only a relatively small number of samples are classified compared to the typical number of training samples, and the computational complexity of classification grows only linearly with the number of samples processed, as opposed to the training phase where it grows quadratically. The contri- butions of this thesis include the use of OpenCL for accelerating SVM training and testing on heterogeneous systems, and the performance analysis of the acceleration of SVM

Mindset and its Effect on Student Science Achievement

The focus of this study is to assess student attitudes and beliefs about their abilities in the science classroom and whether those can be changed. In this study, surveys of students’ mindset were administered, a mindset intervention was implemented, student choice was observed, and standardized test scores were collected to study mindset and its influence on academic performance and behaviors, and whether a mindset intervention can influence student attitudes and beliefs. While no statistically significant findings were observed, important implications for supporting the mindset of students in the classroom are discussed

Eldoret, Kenya: Creating a Music Experience for Street Youth

The authors of this essay completed an advance pharmacy practice experience in adult medicine at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya. In this article, they describe their efforts to establish a music experience program with the Tumaini Innovation Center for street children while on rotation in Eldoret, Kenya. Through the foundation of the program, they hope to provide an outlet for the children to express themselves while filling a gap in fine arts training provided by the center

Computational Time Optimization in Airwake Vortex Mapping for Rotorcraft Flight Simulators

In the following paper, we demonstrate the use of Fourier Transform as an integrated method to approach the reduction of computational cost in vortex mapping for rotorcraft flight simulators. Fourier Transform is used to analyze airwake data, both in time and spatially, to understand the structure of readily occurring air vortices on the flight deck of a Simplified Frigate Ship configuration (SFS-2). The result was both a clear and descriptive amplitude spectrum for a particular range of positions on the flight deck. The technique proved to be promising in reducing computation and has the potential to improve rotorcraft flight simulation while maintaining a high degree of fidelity

Prediction of On-Disk Velocity Across a Coaxial Rotor with XGBoost

Recent updates in finite state inflow models to solve multi-rotor systems has come at the expense of extra computation time requirements, especially for higher harmonic cases. A potential solution to counter the lengthy time requirements is the application of machine learning algorithms to fit to velocity distributions and predict future distributions. In this paper, we look at XGBoost as a potential application of machine learning to predict accurate velocity distributions across the rotor disk

Theory of mind acquisition in children who are deaf: The importance of early identification and communication access

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare Theory of Mind (ToM) acquisition in typically-hearing preschool-age children (TH), and deaf children of hearing parents (DCHP) who received a cochlear implant by 18 months of age, to determine if early access to spoken language via a cochlear implant affected ToM acquisition. Methods: Participants included 25 children with cochlear implants ages 3.0 to 6.5 years and 25 age-matched children with TH all of whom were enrolled in preschools with typical peer models. The test battery included measures of expressive and receptive language and ToM. Results: There were no differences between DCHP and TH peers on language or ToM performance. Hearing age was significantly different; DCHP had been exposed to spoken language for less time than their hearing counterparts by approximately 12 months. Language skills were correlated with ToM after controlling for chronological age. Discussion: Early cochlear implantation may ameliorate some of the deleterious effects of congenital, profound deafness on oral language development; this could positively influence the development of social cognition. Conclusions: Children who are deaf who receive a cochlear implant early and who have good oral language skills are more likely to acquire ToM in a typical time frame. Key words: Cochlear implants, theory of mind, social cognition, languag

Concert recording 2021-10-28

[Track 1]. À la manière de Schumann / Jean-Michel Defaye -- [Track 2]. Bushes and briars / Ralph Vaughan Williams ; arranged by Richard Myers-- [Track 3]. Now is the month of Maying / Thomas Morley-- [Track 4]. Concerto in one movement / Alexey Lebedev -- [Track 5]. Suite of Lieder. I. Lob der Einsamkeit ; II. Grab und Mond ; III. Widersprich / Franz Schubert ; arranged by Rowell -- [Track 6]. The song of King David / Norman Bolter -- [Track 7]. Leviathan / Jack Wilds -- [Track 8]. -- Ave Maria / Anton Bruckner ; arranged by Donald R. Frederick -- [Track 9]. Prelude, op. 34, no. 19. / Dimitri Shostakovich-- [Track 10]. A canzona concoction / Allen Molineux

Improving Operations at the San Felipe Wastewater Treatment Plant

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) around the world take in, treat, and release millions of gallons of water every day. Their effectiveness and efficiency is critical to ensuring all the waste does not end up in our rivers, lakes, and ultimately oceans. In this project, we worked with Souder, Miller and Associates (SMA) to evaluate the operations at the San Felipe WWTP and recommend improvements. The team evaluated the plant’s data collection systems, sensors and control devices, and overall operation and maintenance procedures. We created a new data collection system used to collect and verify data reported by sensors at the plant. In a strategic plan we developed, we make recommendations regarding the operations and include ideas for future investments

Concert recording 2019-10-23

[Track 1]. Morgenmusik. I. Massig bewegt [Track 2]. II. Langsame viertel [Track 3]. III. Bewegt / Paul Hindemith -- [Track 4]. Joshua fit de Battle of Jericho / traditional, arranged by Chris Woods -- [Track 5]. Fantasy for trombone / Elizabeth Raum -- [Track 6]. Suite. I. Passepied [Track 7]. II. Arietta [Track 8]. III. March / Johann Adolphe Hesse, ed. William Glover -- [Track 9]. Suite for four trombones. I. Poco maestoso [Track 10]. II. Sarabanda [Track 11]. III. Alla marcia [Track 12]. IV. Spirituale [Track 13]. V. Finale alla fuga / Gordon Jacob -- [Track 14]. Concertino. II. Aria: Andante sostenuto [Track 15]. III. Finale: Allegro giocoso / Lars-Erik Larsson -- [Track 16]. Andante et allegro / Joseph Edouard Barat -- [Track 17]. Horizon of the Aten / Anthony Barfield -- [Track 18]. Round midnight / Thelonious Monk, arranged by Slide Hampton