Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rank-adaptive spectral pruning of convolutional layers during training

The computing cost and memory demand of deep learning pipelines have grown fast in recent years and thus a variety of pruning techniques have been developed to reduce model parameters. The majority of these techniques focus on reducing inference costs by pruning the network after a pass of full training. A smaller number of methods address the reduction of training costs, mostly based on compressing the network via low-rank layer factorizations. Despite their efficiency for linear layers, these methods fail to effectively handle convolutional filters. In this work, we propose a low-parametric training method that factorizes the convolutions into tensor Tucker format and adaptively prunes the Tucker ranks of the convolutional kernel during training. Leveraging fundamental results from geometric integration theory of differential equations on tensor manifolds, we obtain a robust training algorithm that provably approximates the full baseline performance and guarantees loss descent. A variety of experiments against the full model and alternative low-rank baselines are implemented, showing that the proposed method drastically reduces the training costs, while achieving high performance, comparable to or better than the full baseline, and consistently outperforms competing low-rank approaches.
NicePIM: Design Space Exploration for Processing-In-Memory DNN Accelerators with 3D-Stacked-DRAM

With the widespread use of deep neural networks(DNNs) in intelligent systems, DNN accelerators with high performance and energy efficiency are greatly demanded. As one of the feasible processing-in-memory(PIM) architectures, 3D-stacked-DRAM-based PIM(DRAM-PIM) architecture enables large-capacity memory and low-cost memory access, which is a promising solution for DNN accelerators with better performance and energy efficiency. However, the low-cost characteristics of stacked DRAM and the distributed manner of memory access and data storing require us to rebalance the hardware design and DNN mapping. In this paper, we propose NicePIM to efficiently explore the design space of hardware architecture and DNN mapping of DRAM-PIM accelerators, which consists of three key components: PIM-Tuner, PIM-Mapper and Data-Scheduler. PIM-Tuner optimizes the hardware configurations leveraging a DNN model for classifying area-compliant architectures and a deep kernel learning model for identifying better hardware parameters. PIM-Mapper explores a variety of DNN mapping configurations, including parallelism between branches of DNN, DNN layer partitioning, DRAM capacity allocation and data layout pattern in DRAM to generate high-hardware-utilization DNN mapping schemes for various hardware configurations. The Data-Scheduler employs an integer-linear-programming-based data scheduling algorithm to alleviate the inter-PIM-node communication overhead of data-sharing brought by DNN layer partitioning. Experimental results demonstrate that NicePIM can optimize hardware configurations for DRAM-PIM systems effectively and can generate high-quality DNN mapping schemes with latency and energy cost reduced by 37% and 28% on average respectively compared to the baseline method.
Numerical methods for optimal stochastic control in finance

In this thesis, we develop partial differential equation (PDE) based numerical methods to solve certain optimal stochastic control problems in finance. The value of a stochastic control problem is normally identical to the viscosity solution of a Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation or an HJB variational inequality. The HJB equation corresponds to the case when the controls are bounded while the HJB variational inequality corresponds to the unbounded control case. As a result, the solution to the stochastic control problem can be computed by solving the corresponding HJB equation/variational inequality as long as the convergence to the viscosity solution is guaranteed. We develop a unified numerical scheme based on a semi-Lagrangian timestepping for solving both the bounded and unbounded stochastic control problems as well as the discrete cases where the controls are allowed only at discrete times. Our scheme has the following useful properties: it is unconditionally stable; it can be shown rigorously to converge to the viscosity solution; it can easily handle various stochastic models such as jump diffusion and regime-switching models; it avoids Policy type iterations at each mesh node at each timestep which is required by the standard implicit finite difference methods. In this thesis, we demonstrate the properties of our scheme by valuing natural gas storage facilities—a bounded stochastic control problem, and pricing variable annuities with guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (GMWBs)—an unbounded stochastic control problem. In particular, we use an impulse control formulation for the unbounded stochastic control problem and show that the impulse control formulation is more general than the singular control formulation previously used to price GMWB contracts.
TOWARDS A SIMPLE AND ACCURATE LARGE EDDY SIMULATION OFWALL-BOUNDED TURBULENT FLOW AT HIGH REYNOLDS NUMBER

In Choi & Moin (2011), it was shown that the number of grid points (N) required for solving turbulent boundary layer flow using wall-modeled large eddy simulation (WMLES) is proportional to Re Lx , but a wall-resolving LES requires N ∼ Re 13/7 Lx , where Lx is the flat-plate length in the streamwise direction. This grid-point requirement indicates the importance of WMLES for high Reynolds number flow. In this study, we provide the mean wall shear stress as a boundary condition for WMLES without any further modeling near the wall. The motivation of using this wall boundary condition for WMLES is such that in the framework of finite volume method, an accurate information of mean wall shear stress is the most important in the momentum transport near the wall, even if the first grid used in WMLES locates far away from the wall. For turbulent channel flow, the mean wall shear stress is balanced with the mean pressure gradient and thus is provided a priori during the simulation. DNS and LES with this boundary condition show that the results agree very well with those with no-slip boundary condition. WMLES up to Reτ = 2 × 10? (based on the wall shear velocity and boundary layer thickness) with current boundary condition predicts the log law very well.
Influence of cross correlation between soil parameters on probability of failure of simple cohesive and c-ϕ slopes

This paper focuses on the calculation of probability of failure of simple unreinforced slopes and the influence of the magnitude of cross correlation between soil parameters on numerical outcomes. A general closed-form solution for cohesive slopes with cross correlation between cohesion and unit weight was investigated and results compared with cases without cross correlation. Negative cross correlations between cohesion and friction angle and positive cross correlations between cohesion and unit weight, and friction angle and unit weight were considered in the current study. The factors of safety and probabilities of failure for the slopes with uncorrelated soil properties were obtained using probabilistic slope stability design charts previously reported by the writers. Results for cohesive soil slopes and positive cross correlation between cohesion and unit weight are shown to decrease probability of failure. Probability of failure also decreased for increasing negative cross correlation between cohesi.
Metformin impairs trophoblast metabolism and differentiation in a dose-dependent manner

Metformin is a widely prescribed medication whose mechanism of action is not completely defined and whose role in gestational diabetes management remains controversial. In addition to increasing the risk of fetal growth abnormalities and preeclampsia, gestational diabetes is associated with abnormalities in placental development including impairments in trophoblast differentiation. Given that metformin impacts cellular differentiation events in other systems, we assessed metformin’s impact on trophoblast metabolism and differentiation. Using established cell culture models of trophoblast differentiation, oxygen consumption rates and relative metabolite abundance were determined following 200 µM (therapeutic range) and 2000 µM (supra-therapeutic range) metformin treatment using Seahorse and mass-spectrometry approaches. While no differences in oxygen consumption rates or relative metabolite abundance were detected between vehicle and 200 µM metformin-treated cells, 2000 µM metformin impaired oxidative metabolism and increased the abundance of lactate and TCA cycle intermediates, α-ketoglutarate, succinate, and malate. Examining differentiation, treatment with 2000 μM, but not 200 µM metformin, impaired HCG production and expression of multiple trophoblast differentiation markers. Overall, this work suggests that supra-therapeutic concentrations of metformin impair trophoblast metabolism and differentiation whereas metformin concentrations in the therapeutic range do not strongly impact these processes.
Effects of Reference Group Instructions on Big Five Trait Scores

People responding to personality questionnaires rate themselves by comparing themselves to some reference group, but this reference group is typically not specified. In this study, we examined the differences between Big Five trait scores when people responded to trait questionnaires without a specified reference group, as is typical in personality assessment, and when they were asked to compare themselves to people in general, close others, people their age, people their same gender, their ideal self, or their past self. We found that personality scores tended to be more adaptive for between-person comparisons than for within-person comparisons. We also found that unprompted instructions produced mildly higher scores across all traits. There were few differences among between-person reference group conditions. Men rated themselves as slightly more agreeable when comparing themselves to other men. Implications for basic and applied personality assessment are discussed.
Wii Fit-Based Biofeedback Rehabilitation Among Post-Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Stroke is one of the most widespread reasons for acquired adult disability. Recent experimental studies have reported the beneficial influence of Wii Fit-based feedback on improving overall balance and gait for stroke survivors. Methods We conducted a systematic review of the literature using the following keywords to retrieve the data: feedback, biofeedback, stroke, visual, auditory, tactile, virtual reality, videogame rehabilitation, Nintendo Wii stroke, videogame stroke, exergame stroke, Nintendo Wii rehabilitation, balance, and gait. A review and meta-analysis of RCTs regarding Wii Fit-based rehabilitation accompanied by conventional therapy effects on Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG), functional reach test, and gait (speed) in stroke survivors was conducted. Objective To determine the impacts of Wii Fit-based feedback combined with traditional therapy on balance and gait in stroke survivors. Results 22 studies were included. The meta-analysis results revealed statistically significant improvements in functional ambulation measured using TUG (p < 0.0001), balance measured using BBS (p = 0.0001), and functional reach test (p = 0.01), but not in gait speed (p = 0.32) following Wii Fit-based feedback. Regarding the types of feedback, significant differences were found in BBS scores when mixed visual and auditory feedback was used. Conclusion Wii Fit-based feedback has desired effects on improving balance in stroke patients, making it a suitable adjunct to physical therapy.
Once-Weekly Insulin Icodec vs. Once-Daily Insulin Glargine U100 for type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of phase 2 randomized controlled trials

ABSTRACT Objective: Insulin Icodec is a novel basal insulin analogue designed for once-weekly administration, therefore might propitiate reduction in the frequency of injections and facilitate treatment adherence. This study aimed to determine the glycemic control and safety profile of Insulin Icodec, compared with Glargine U100 in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. Materials and methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) data comparing Once-Weekly Insulin Icodec and Once-Daily Insulin Glargine U100 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for trials published up to May 14, 2022. Data were extracted from published reports and quality assessment was performed per Cochrane recommendations. Results: Three studies were included comprising 453 patients, 230 (50.77%) using Once-Weekly Insulin Icodec and 223 (49.22%) using Once-Daily Insulin Glargine U100. In the pooled data, Glycated Hemoglobin (MD -0.20% CI -0.33 to -0.07%; P=0.002) change from baseline demonstrated a significantly higher reduction in the Icodec group. Time with Glucose in Range (MD 6.60% CI 3.63 to 9.57%; P < 0.0001) and Insulin Dose Difference (MD 0.97UI CI 0.76 to 1.18UI; P < 0.0001) were higher in the Icodec group. There was no significant difference in fasting plasma glucose, body weight change, hypoglycemia or any adverse event evaluated. Conclusions: Once-Weekly Insulin Icodec was associated with a small reduction in Glycated Hemoglobin, as well as higher Time with Glucose in Range, with similar hypoglycemic adverse events, when compared with Once-Daily Insulin Glargine U100.
Association between the first and second trimester cell free DNA fetal fraction and spontaneous preterm birth

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate whether the fetal fraction of cell-free DNA at the first and second trimesters is associated with spontaneous preterm birth. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study with singleton pregnancies who underwent noninvasive prenatal testing. According to pregnancy outcome, eligible patients were divided into a delivery group ≥37 weeks of pregnancy (term group) and <37 weeks of pregnancy (spontaneous preterm group). Stepwise linear regression was used to identify maternal characteristics associated with the fetal fraction of cell‐free DNA. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between the fetal fraction of cell-free DNA and spontaneous preterm birth, adjusted for confounding factors. Results 14,020 cases were included in the study, 13292 cases (94.81%) in the term group and 728 cases (5.19%) in the spontaneous preterm group. The cell-free fraction of fetal DNA was inversely correlated with maternal age and body mass index. Positively correlated with gestational age, fertility, and assisted reproductive technology. After adjusting for the covariates, logistic regression analysis revealed no statistically significant association between the fetal fraction of cell-free DNA and spontaneous preterm birth. Conclusion In our original study, we found no association between the fetal fraction on NIPT and subsequent spontaneous preterm birth.
Simulation of dilute pneumatic conveying with bends by CFD-DEM

CFD-DEM model was used to simulate the gas-solid flow in dilute pneumatic conveying with bends. In CFD-DEM,the discrete particle phase was obtained by Discrete Element Method( DEM),and the flow of continuum gas phase was determined by Computational Fluid Dynamics( CFD). In order to consume less simulation time,the effect of the particle solid fraction on the gas phase was not taken into account.The results showed the particle rope formation in the bend and its dispersion in the vertical pipe,and obtained the particle-particle and particle-wall collision information. Comparison of the collision information in the bend,the collision and abrasion seemed more intensive at the bottom of the bend. It was also found that the geometry and parameters have different magnitude effects on the gas-solid flow and collisions in the pipe. The gas velocity was considered to be limited influence on the rope dispersion,but significant effect on the collisions in bend section. With the increase of the solid mass flow,the particle rope seemed stronger and more dispersed at a low rate,and there was a shield formed to impede particle-wall collision at the bend section. The increase of the bend radius ratio also made the particle rope stronger,and the dispersion rate lower.
The Relationship between Social Network Service Use Motives and Subjective Well-Being: The Mediating Effect of Online and Offline Social Capital

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effect of social capital on the relationship between Social Media use motives and subjective well-being. Methods In the study, online self-reporting surveys were conducted with Social Media users in their 20s, and data from 445 participants were used for structural equation modeling. Results The main findings of the study were as follows. First, the interpersonal motives for Social Media use had an indirect effect on subjective well-being by mediating offline bonding capital and online bonding capital. In addition, interpersonal motives had an indirect effect on subjective well-being by dual-mediating online and offline bonding capital. Second, the self-expression motive for Social Media use did not directly affect subjective well-being, but it indirectly affected subjective well-being by mediating offline bonding capital. Third, the information-seeking motive for Social Media use did not directly affect subjective well-being, but it indirectly affected subjective well-being by mediating offline bonding capital. Conclusion This study identified a specific mechanism for how motives for using Social Media affect subjective well-being. Furthermore, the results of this study suggest that the effect of Social Media use on subjective well-being may differ depending on the motive for Social Media use.
Temporal trends and determinants of COVID-19 vaccine series initiation after recent pregnancy

ABSTRACT During the rapid deployment of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021, safety concerns may have led some pregnant individuals to postpone vaccination until after giving birth. This study aimed to describe temporal patterns and factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine series initiation after recent pregnancy in Ontario, Canada. Using the provincial birth registry linked with the COVID-19 vaccine database, we identified all individuals who gave birth between January 1 and December 31, 2021, and had not yet been vaccinated by the end of pregnancy, and followed them to June 30, 2022 (follow-up ranged from 6 to 18 months). We used cumulative incidence curves to describe COVID-19 vaccine initiation after pregnancy and assessed associations with sociodemographic, pregnancy-related, and health behavioral factors using Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Among 137,198 individuals who gave birth in 2021, 87,376 (63.7%) remained unvaccinated at the end of pregnancy; of these, 65.0% initiated COVID-19 vaccination by June 30, 2022. Lower maternal age (<25 vs. 30–34 y aHR: 0.73, 95%CI: 0.70–0.77), smoking during pregnancy (vs. nonsmoking aHR: 0.68, 95%CI: 0.65–0.72), lower neighborhood income (lowest quintile vs. highest aHR: 0.79, 95%CI: 0.76–0.83), higher material deprivation (highest quintile vs. lowest aHR: 0.74, 95%CI: 0.70–0.79), and exclusive breastfeeding (vs. other feeding aHR: 0.81, 95%CI: 0.79–0.84) were associated with lower likelihood of vaccine initiation. Among unvaccinated individuals who gave birth in 2021, COVID-19 vaccine initiation after pregnancy reached 65% by June 30, 2022, suggesting persistent issues with vaccine hesitancy and/or access to vaccination in this population.
High-Dose Influenza Vaccine Is Associated With Reduced Mortality Among Older Adults With Breakthrough Influenza Even When There Is Poor Vaccine-Strain Match

Abstract Background High-dose (HD) influenza vaccine offers improved protection from influenza virus infection among older adults compared with standard-dose (SD) vaccine. Here, we explored whether HD vaccine attenuates disease severity among older adults with breakthrough influenza. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of US claims data for influenza seasons 2016–2017, 2017–2018, and 2018–2019, defined as 1 October through 30 April, among adults aged ≥65 years. After adjusting the different cohorts for the probability of vaccination conditional on patients’ characteristics, we compared 30-day mortality rate post-influenza among older adults who experienced breakthrough infection after receipt of HD or SD influenza vaccines and among those not vaccinated (NV). Results We evaluated 44 456 influenza cases: 23 109 (52%) were unvaccinated, 15 037 (33.8%) received HD vaccine, and 6310 (14.2%) received SD vaccine. Significant reductions in mortality rates among breakthrough cases were observed across all 3 seasons for HD vs NV, ranging from 17% to 29% reductions. A significant mortality reduction of 25% was associated with SD vaccination vs NV in the 2016–2017 season when there was a good match between circulating influenza viruses and selected vaccine strains. When comparing HD vs SD cohorts, mortality reductions were higher among those who received HD in the last 2 seasons when mismatch between vaccine strains and circulating H3N2 viruses was documented, albeit not significant. Conclusions HD vaccination was associated with lower post-influenza mortality among older adults with breakthrough influenza, even during seasons when antigenically drifted H3N2 circulated. Improved understanding of the impact of different vaccines on attenuating disease severity is warranted when assessing vaccine policy recommendations.
Introduction of a Penicillin Allergy De-Labelling Program with Direct Oral Challenge is Associated with Increased Downstream Utilization of Beta-Lactam Antimicrobials: A Multicenter Parallel Cohort Study with Crossover Evaluation

Background. Penicillin allergy labels are common and are often inaccurate. These labels can lead to unnecessary use of second-line non-beta-lactam antibiotics, and worse clinical outcomes. Objectives. We measured the impact of the introducing of a standardized proactive penicillin allergy de-labelling program with oral amoxicillin challenge on subsequent antibiotic use. Methods. We performed a retrospective comparison of parallel cohorts from two separate tertiary care hospital campuses across two penicillin de-labelling intervention periods. Outcomes included data including penicillin allergy label and antibiotic use, were collected for the index admission and the subsequent 6-month period. Descriptive statistics as well as multivariate regression analyses were performed. Results. A total of 368 patients with penicillin allergy label were included across two campuses and study periods. 24 (13.8%) patients in the intervention group sustained penicillin allergy label at 30 days from admission vs. 3 (1.5%) in the non-intervention group (p < 0.001). In the 6-months following admission, beta-lactams were prescribed more frequently in the intervention groups vs. the non-intervention groups for all patients (28 [16.1%] vs 15 [7.7%], p= 0.04) and for only those patients who received antibiotics (28/46 [60.9%] vs. 15/40 [37.5%], p=0.097). In a multivariate analysis, the intervention was found to be associated with an increased odds of beta-lactam prescribing in all patients (OR 2.49, 95% CU 1.29-5.02) and in those prescribed at least one antibiotic (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.00-6.15). There were no differences in overall antibiotic prescribing by intervention and non-intervention group during admission (113 [64.9%] vs. 112 [57.7%]) or within 6-months (46 [26.4%] vs. 40 [20.6%]). No drug related adverse events were reported. Conclusions. Proactive penicillin allergy de-labelling for inpatients was associated with a reduced number of penicillin allergy labels and increased utilization of beta-lactam vs. other antibiotics in the subsequent 6-months.