A software-based dynamic-warp scheduling approach for load-balancing the Viola–Jones face detection algorithm on GPUs

Face detection is a key component in applications such as security surveillance and human–computer interaction systems, and real-time recognition is essential in many scenarios. The Viola–Jones algorithm is an attractive means of meeting the real time requirement, and has been widely implemented on custom hardware, FPGAs and GPUs. We demonstrate a GPU implementation that achieves competitive performance, but with low development costs. Our solution treats the irregularity inherent to the algorithm using a novel dynamic warp scheduling approach that eliminates thread divergence. This new scheme also employs a thread pool mechanism, which significantly alleviates the cost of creating, switching, and terminating threads. Compared to static thread scheduling, our dynamic warp scheduling approach reduces the execution time by a factor of 3. To maximize detection throughput, we also run on multiple GPUs, realizing 95.6 FPS on 5 Fermi GPUs.     

Information technology offshoring in India: a postcolonial perspective

In recent years India has become the information technology (IT) offshoring destination of choice for many Western organizations. From the perspective of vendor organizations in India, however, the IT offshoring phenomenon is more than just a business relationship with Western firms. It is also embedded within the context of the longstanding imbalances of power in the relationship between the West and the East, the implications of which have been largely ignored in empirical work on offshoring within the information systems (IS) discipline. Drawing on concepts from postcolonial theory and using data from our ethnographic fieldwork, we explore the experiences and responses of one Indian vendor organization to asymmetries of power in its relationship with Western client organizations. Our analysis demonstrates how a postcolonial reading and interpretation of IT offshoring adds an important new dimension to previous IS research and also helps to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the strategies deployed by vendor organizations.     

Characterization of Hemoglobin Adducts of 1,3-Dinitrobenzene and 1,3,5-Trinitrobenzene

1,3-dinitrobenzene (DNB) and 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNB) are used primarily in explosive compositions and munitions and have been detected as environmental contaminants of surface waters as well as ground waters near production waste disposal sites. Hemoglobin (Hb) adducts have recently been proposed as biological markers of exposure assessment for various environmental compounds, including nitroaromatics. In the present study, we have investigated the formation of DNB and TNB hemoglobin adducts in vivo and in vitro in the blood of shrew (Cryptotis parva). DNB and TNB hemoglobin adducts were detected by GC/MS after either basic (0.1N NaOH) or acid (2N HCl) hydrolysis followed by organic solvent extraction and derivatization of the corresponding amines. The levels of DNB-Hb adducts detected after basic hydrolysis (238.7 ± 50.2 pg/mg Hb) are higher than the corresponding levels detected after acid hydrolysis (52.5 ± 16.2 pg/mg Hb). For the TNB-Hb the levels after acid hydrolysis (132.2 ± 37.8 pg/mg Hb) are higher than the levels detected after basic hydrolysis (44.7 ± 15.3 pg/mg Hb.) These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the hemoglobin adduct model for monitoring exposure to nitroaromatics.     

Early communication key to software project success

The paper considers how customer/seller faulty communication causes many software development problems. At least part of this communications breakdown stems from customers' lack of comprehension regarding their role in the development process. Developers must help customers realize that software development is an inherently complex and uncertain activity that can only succeed through close cooperation     

Design considerations for minimal-power wireless spread spectrumcircuits and systems

Wireless local area networks (WLANs) provide untethered access to digital data in both home and office environments. To preserve mobility for extended periods of time, low power design is a critical enabler. Low-power WLAN design requires consideration at every level from the system topology, protocol, and radio architecture to the detailed circuit design. Every level is required to work together in harmony to gain the maximum in power reduction. This paper discusses the performance requirements and design tradeoffs encountered in the design of minimal-power WLAN systems     

Which setting is healthier and happier, academe or private practice?

We surveyed a stratified sample of 124 psychologists, half of them in private clinical practice, half in academic positions. The private practitioners, in contrast to academicians, indicated (a) substantially lower indices of job-related stresses (regarding salary, paperwork/committees, secretarial help, lack of professional recognition, colleagues' misbehaviors), (b) lower indices of health-related concerns (e.g., sadness, negativism/cynicism toward job, insomnia), and (c) lower indices of mental health problems (e.g., thoroughness in work beyond point of effectiveness). We conclude that academe may be less idyllic as a worksite than traditionally supposed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Particle size distribution by sedimentation/steric field-flow fractionation: development of a calibration procedure based on density compensation

Because of the important but mathematically complex role played by hydrodynamic lift forces in sedimentation/steric FFF, applied generally to particles greater than 1 micron in diameter, retention cannot readily be related to particle diameter on the basis of simple theory. Consequently, empirical calibration is needed. Unfortunately, retention is based on particle density as well as size so that a purely size-based calibration (e.g., with polystyrene latex standards) is not generally valid. By examining the balance between driving and lift forces, it is concluded that equal retention will be observed for equal size particles subject to equal driving forces irrespective of particle density. Therefore by adjusting the rotation rate to exactly compensate for density, retention can be brought in line with that of standards, a conclusion verified by microscopy. Linear calibration plots of log (retention time) versus log (diameter) can then be used. This approach is applied to two glass bead samples (5-30 and 5-50 microns) using both a conventional and a pinched inlet channel. The resulting size distribution curves are self consistent and in good agreement with results obtained independently.     

Agitator design for solids suspension under gassed conditions

Design of mechanical agitators for solids suspension under gassed conditions can be achieved using a constant ungassed torque criterion if the solids suspension task is more difficult than the gas dispersion task. When gas dispersion is the more difficult task, design for complete gas dispersion will ensure solids suspension. Evidence supporting this approach is very strong for radial-flow impellers, but less so for up-pumping and down-pumping axial-flow impellers.     

Microstructural stability during cyclic loading of multilayer copper/copper samples with nanoscale twinning

The response to cyclic deformation has been studied for Cu/Cu multilayer material consisting of columns of closely spaced, parallel nanotwins. The fatigue life under stress-controlled cycling is greatly improved over that of coarse-grained Cu. Nanotwinning provides significant strengthening, which is unchanged by fatigue or severe compression. Observations by focused ion beam microscopy showed that the microstructure is quite stable under deformation. Localized deformation from indentation produced shear bands and apparently some loss of nanotwinned area but no decrease in hardness.