An instruction-systolic programmable shader architecture for multi-threaded 3D graphics processing

In order to guarantee both performance and programmability demands in 3D graphics applications, vector and multithreaded SIMD architectures have been employed in recent graphics processing units. This paper introduces a novel instruction-systolic array architecture, which transfers an instruction stream in a pipelined fashion to efficiently share the expensive functional resources of a graphics processor. Specifically, cache misses and dynamic branches can cause additional latencies and complicated management in these parallel architectures. To address this problem, we combine a systolic execution scheme with on-demand warp activation that handles cache miss latency and branch divergence efficiently without significantly increasing hardware resources, either in terms of logic or register space. Simulation indicates that the proposed architecture offers 25% better performance than a traditional SIMD architecture with the same resources, and requires significantly fewer resources to match the performance of a typical modern vector multi-threaded GPU architecture.     

The relation between anxiety sensitivity and depression in children and adolescents referred for anxiety

Research conducted with adult samples suggests that anxiety sensitivity is positively related to depression (Otto et al., 1995, Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 10, 117-123). The Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index (CASI, Silverman et al., 1991, Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 20 162-168) was used in this study to provide an examination of the relation between anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, and depression in a sample of children and adolescents (N = 234) referred for anxiety disorders. A significant correlation between depression and anxiety sensitivity was found. This relation remained statistically significant when controlling for other aspects of anxiety (i.e. worry, physiological anxiety, and concentration). The similarities between these findings and findings obtained with adults are discussed, as well as suggestions for future research.     

The image understanding architecture

This paper provides an overview of the Image Understanding Architecture (IUA), a massively parallel, multilevel system for supporting real-time image understanding applications and research in knowledge-based computer vision. The design of the IUA is motivated by considering the architectural requirements for integrated real-time vision in terms of the type of processing element, control of processing, and communication between processing elements.The IUA integrates parallel processors operating simultaneously at three levels of computational granularity in a tightly coupled architecture. Each level of the IUA is a parallel processor that is distinctly different from the other two levels, designed to best meet the processing needs at each of the corresponding levels of abstraction in the interpretation process. Communication between levels takes place via parallel data and control paths. The processing elements within each level can also communicate with each other in parallel, via a different mechanism at each level that is designed to meet the specific communication needs of each level of abstraction.An associative processing paradigm has been utilized as the principle control mechanism at the low and intermediate levels. It provides a simple yet general means of managing massive parallelism, through rapid responses to queries involving partial matches of processor memory to broadcast values. This has been enhanced with hardware operations that provide for global broadcast, local compare, Some/None response, responder count, and single responder select. To demonstrate how the IUA may be used for vision processing, several sample algorithms and a typical interpretation scenario on the IUA are presented.We believe that the IUA represents a major step toward the development of a proper combination of integrated processing power, communication, and control required for real-time computer vision. A proof-of-concept prototype of 1/64th of the IUA is currently being constructed by the University of Massachusetts and Hughes Research Laboratories.     

The equivalence of regression models using difference scores and models using separate scores for each informant: Implications for the study of informant discrepancies.

Research on informant discrepancies has increasingly utilized difference scores. This article demonstrates the statistical equivalence of regression models using difference scores (raw or standardized) and regression models using separate scores for each informant to show that interpretations should be consistent with both models. First, regression equations were used to demonstrate that difference score models are equivalent to models using separate scores for each informant. Second, a hypothesis-driven empirical example (218 mother–child dyads, mean age = 11.5 years, 49% female participants, 49% White, 47% African American) was used to provide an illustration of the equivalence of the 2 models. Implications of the equivalence of models using difference scores and models using separate scores for each informant are discussed in terms of the growing prevalence of an interpretation in the literature of difference score analyses that is inconsistent with results from equivalent separate informant analyses. Differences in the separate predictive ability of informants should be acknowledged as an alternative interpretation of the difference score regression coefficient. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effect of intramammary antibiotic therapy at calving on udder health traits

The effect of intramammary antibiotic therapy at calving on mastitis infection prevalence, linear score milk somatic cell count, and milk NAGase activity, 30 d postpartum, and on milk production, 90 to 120 d postpartum, was tested. Cows (n = 175) were split into treatment and control groups at drying off. All cows received commercial dry cow therapy. At calving, treated cows received commercial lactating cow therapy in all quarters after the first two milkings; control cows were not treated. Composite milk samples were aseptically collected from all cows at drying off, calving, and 30 d postpartum. Udder health traits: linear score milk SCC, NAGase activity, and bacterial content in milk, were determined on all samples. The first three DHI milk weights were recorded for all cows. Treatment and control cows had similar prevalences of intramammary infections during the dry and 30-d postpartum periods. Least squares means of linear score milk SCC and NAGase activities were similar at drying off and calving. Cell count scores were similar between groups; NAGase activities were higher in control cows at 30 d postpartum. Control cows tended to produce more milk postpartum. Results demonstrated no advantage of intramammary therapy at calving in improving milk production or udder health.