Alternative negative weight for simpler hardware implementation of synapse device based neuromorphic system

Lately, there has been a rapid increase in the use of software-based deep learning neural networks (S-DNN) for the analysis of unstructured data consumption. For implementation of the S-DNN, synapse-device-based hardware DNN (H-DNN) has been proposed as an alternative to typical Von-Neumann structural computing systems. In the H-DNN, various numerical values such as the synaptic weight, activation function, and etc., have to be realized through electrical device or circuit. Among them, the synaptic weight that should have both positive and negative numerical values needs to be implemented in a simpler way. Because the synaptic weight has been expressed by conductance value of the synapse device, it always has a positive value. Therefore, typically, a pair of synapse devices is required to realize the negative weight values, which leads to additional hardware resources such as more devices, higher power consumption, larger area, and increased circuit complexity. Herein, we propose an alternative simpler method to realize the negative weight (named weight shifter) and its hardware implementation. To demonstrate the weight shifter, we investigated its theoretical, numerical, and circuit-related aspects, following which the H-DNN circuit was successfully implemented on a printed circuit board.

Exposure to Negative Weight Talk From Family Members Is Associated With Weight Bias Internalization in Children

Objectives Frequent exposure to negative familial weight talk (NFWT), such as teasing or critical comments about weight from family members, may contribute to weight bias internalization (WBI) in children. WBI entails applying negative weight-based stereotypes to oneself and results in self-devaluation. Higher levels of WBI are linked to adverse outcomes, such as low self-esteem and disordered eating. We examined the association between NFWT exposure and WBI in a diverse sample of children from the Greater Boston Area. Methods Baseline data on 137 parent-child dyads were analyzed. Children, 9–14yo, completed six items measuring NFWT frequency on a 6-point Likert scale (“never” to “almost every day”) from parents, siblings, and other household family members. Responses were converted to times in the past 3 months, summed, and dichotomized as < 9 times vs. ≥9 times. Children completed the WBI Scale–Modified indicating their agreement with applying negative weight-based statements to themselves on a 6-point Likert scale (“strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”). Responses were averaged and the mean WBI score was dichotomized as “low” (<3.0) versus “moderate-high” (≥3.0). Results Over half (52%) of the children were girls and 30% had overweight/obesity (BMI > 85th percentile). Half of the parents were non-Hispanic white. The mean child WBI score was 2.1 (SD = 0.9) and 15% had moderate-high levels of WBI. The median NFWT frequency was 0 (IQR = 6.0) and 25% reported NFWT ≥ 9 times. Children exposed to NFWT ≥ 9 times were 8.2 times more likely to have moderate-high levels of WBI than children exposed to NFWT < 9 times in the past 3 months (prevalence ratio = 8.2, 95%CI = 3.4 to 20.0, P < 0.001, by log binomial regression adjusted for child weight and parent race/ethnicity). Conclusions Family members appear to be a salient source of weight stigma in children. Exposure to NFWT as little as 3 times per month was significantly associated with moderate-high levels of WBI in this diverse sample of children. More research is needed to understand the impact of NFWT on child WBI, such as differences across racial/ethnic groups, by source (i.e., parents versus siblings), and across the lifespan. Funding Sources National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the National Institute of Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Fine-Grained Reductions from Approximate Counting to Decision

In this article, we introduce a general framework for fine-grained reductions of approximate counting problems to their decision versions. (Thus, we use an oracle that decides whether any witness exists to multiplicatively approximate the number of witnesses with minimal overhead.) This mirrors a foundational result of Sipser (STOC 1983) and Stockmeyer (SICOMP 1985) in the polynomial-time setting, and a similar result of Müller (IWPEC 2006) in the FPT setting. Using our framework, we obtain such reductions for some of the most important problems in fine-grained complexity: the Orthogonal Vectors problem, 3SUM, and the Negative-Weight Triangle problem (which is closely related to All-Pairs Shortest Path). While all these problems have simple algorithms over which it is conjectured that no polynomial improvement is possible, our reductions would remain interesting even if these conjectures were proved; they have only polylogarithmic overhead and can therefore be applied to subpolynomial improvements such as the n 3 / exp(Θ (√ log n ))-time algorithm for the Negative-Weight Triangle problem due to Williams (STOC 2014). Our framework is also general enough to apply to versions of the problems for which more efficient algorithms are known. For example, the Orthogonal Vectors problem over GF( m ) d for constant m can be solved in time n · poly ( d ) by a result of Williams and Yu (SODA 2014); our result implies that we can approximately count the number of orthogonal pairs with essentially the same running time. We also provide a fine-grained reduction from approximate #SAT to SAT. Suppose the Strong Exponential Time Hypothesis (SETH) is false, so that for some 1 < c < 2 and all k there is an O ( c n )-time algorithm for k -SAT. Then we prove that for all k , there is an O (( c + o (1)) n )-time algorithm for approximate # k -SAT. In particular, our result implies that the Exponential Time Hypothesis (ETH) is equivalent to the seemingly weaker statement that there is no algorithm to approximate #3-SAT to within a factor of 1+ɛ in time 2 o ( n )/ ɛ 2 (taking ɛ > 0 as part of the input).

Prevalence of Parental Comments on Weight/Shape/Eating amongst Sons and Daughters in an Adolescent Sample

Reports suggest that 12–76% of adolescents have experienced parental comments regarding their weight/shape and/or eating behaviours. Parents may engage in conversations about weight/shape and eating out of concern, even without any ill intent; however, the associations of these comments with subsequent problematic psychosocial and eating behaviours are evidenced. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the content and prevalence of such comments is needed. To date, adolescent-reported prevalence estimates have not included differentiation between mother or father and sons or daughters, nor have they considered eating-focussed comments. This study considered the prevalence of positive and negative parental commentary regarding weight/shape and eating with a focus on parental origin. A total of 2287 Australian male and female adolescents participated via a self-report survey. Adolescents reported frequent positive comments on weight/shape and on eating, most commonly maternal positive comments on weight/shape (78%; 95% CI 77–80). Daughters reported significantly more maternal comments on weight/shape (positive and negative) as well as more negative eating comments from mothers than did sons. Sons reported significantly more negative weight/shape comments from fathers than did daughters. Some negative comments increased significantly with age. These findings support a notable prevalence of reported parental weight/shape and eating comments directed at their offspring, particularly from mothers.

Weight bias among public health trainees

Objective: To explore explicit beliefs about the controllability of obesity and the internalisation of negative weight-related stereotypes among public health trainees. Design: Cross-sectional online survey assessing explicit beliefs about the controllability of obesity using the Beliefs About Obese Persons Scale (BAOP) and internalisation of weight bias using the Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M). Bivariate associations between BAOP and WBIS-M scores and demographic characteristics were examined using t tests or ANOVA with post hoc Tukey’s tests. Setting: School of Public Health at a large, Midwestern University. Participants: Public health students (n 322). Results: Relative to students who identified as male, those who identified as female had a stronger belief that obesity is not within the control of the individual (P = 0·03), yet had more internalisation of weight bias (P < 0·01). Greater weight bias internalisation was also seen among students who perceived themselves to be of a higher weight status (P < 0·001) and those who were at risk for food insecurity (P < 0·01). Conclusions: Public health trainees may be more attuned to the complexities of weight relative to trainees in other health-related fields, but are still susceptible to internalisation of negative weight-related stereotypes.