Software Training in HEP

The long-term sustainability of the high-energy physics (HEP) research software ecosystem is essential to the field. With new facilities and upgrades coming online throughout the 2020s, this will only become increasingly important. Meeting the sustainability challenge requires a workforce with a combination of HEP domain knowledge and advanced software skills. The required software skills fall into three broad groups. The first is fundamental and generic software engineering (e.g., Unix, version control, C++, and continuous integration). The second is knowledge of domain-specific HEP packages and practices (e.g., the ROOT data format and analysis framework). The third is more advanced knowledge involving specialized techniques, including parallel programming, machine learning and data science tools, and techniques to maintain software projects at all scales. This paper discusses the collective software training program in HEP led by the HEP Software Foundation (HSF) and the Institute for Research and Innovation in Software in HEP (IRIS-HEP). The program equips participants with an array of software skills that serve as ingredients for the solution of HEP computing challenges. Beyond serving the community by ensuring that members are able to pursue research goals, the program serves individuals by providing intellectual capital and transferable skills important to careers in the realm of software and computing, inside or outside HEP.

Pathfinder

Designers of instructional software use gamification to help motivate and engage learners. Typically focusing on gamifying a single task, designers aim to provide a straightforward path through learning. In contrast, video games frequently provide optional secondary tasks using collectibles. Collectibles-like coins-are secondary, non-essential goals that encourage players to selectively take on additional challenges and engage more with a game. While research supports the idea that by increasing engagement learning can be improved, exactly how collectibles-an extremely common element in games-might be employed in gamified learning and how it might affect the play experience is underexplored. We present the results of a study comparing a gamified photo-editing training game that uses collectibles to one without collectibles. Our results show that learners choose to engage more when collectibles are present, and that this has a positive effect on software skills applied to a representative out-of-game challenge. Our findings provide a nuanced view of the tradeoffs in motivation and experience when collectibles are used.

Discussion and Improvement on the Calculation of the Relationship between the Base Emitter of the Bipolar Junction Transistor and the Temperature by Using MATLAB Software

The purpose of this article is to explore and improve the effect of Bipolar Junction Transistor amplifier base-emitter on temperature changes. The prelude starts with Shockley's theory and its formula calculation. Research motivation, literature data and book principles cooperate with MATLAB application software skills to develop programs; it is used to calculate the relationship between various component parameters and temperature changes. The artificial calculation steps are too cumbersome and prone to clerical errors. Therefore, the program approach has been developed with report-style calculation results with both text and pictures. The feature of computer program calculation is the ability to compare and analyze the results produced at different temperatures, rapidly and repeatedly. The lack of known Bipolar Junction Transistors is replaced by Field Effect Transistors that are not affected by temperature. If the Bipolar Junction Transistor is used as the basis for the design, temperature changes must be considered to ensure the design quality. The purpose of this article is to introduce that the process of calculation has made the shift from an artificial-based way to a computer-based one.

Teaching for a Data-Driven Future: Intentionally Building Foundational Computing Skills

Despite the centrality of data analysis to the discipline, sociology departments are currently falling short of teaching both undergraduate and graduate students crucial computing and statistical software skills. We argue that sociology instructors must intentionally and explicitly teach computing skills alongside statistical concepts to prepare their students for participation in a data-driven world. We illuminate foundational concepts for computing in the social sciences and provide easy-to-integrate recommendations for building competency with these concepts in the form of a workshop designed to introduce sociology undergraduate and graduate students to the logic of statistical software. We use our workshop to show that students appreciate and gain confidence from being taught how to think about computing.

Open-Source Thermometer, Temperature Controller, and Light Meter for Use in Animal Facilities and During Experiments

Experiments with biological samples require precise control of environmental conditions. In our work we use zebrafish (Danio rerio) to understand the neurobiology of sleep, which requires precise control of temperature and lighting. Like many labs, lighting and temperature in the animal facility are centrally controlled in the building. During behavioral experiments and microscopy sessions, we use custom-built heating systems and perform occasional manual checks of conditions. However, without a system to precisely record conditions, gradual changes in temperature can go unnoticed for a long time, and temporary failures may be missed entirely. Here we present the design and characterization of affordable open-source tools to record temperature and light conditions during animal experiments using an Arduino microcontroller or a Raspberry Pi compact computer. The waterproof temperature sensor has high stability over 50 days of recording and is precise to 0.1°C. The Arduino device can be used through a common serial port interface for which we present code in Python and MATLAB. The Raspberry Pi version can be accessed through a web interface, for which we provide an installation guide. We use the device to record and review temperature and lighting conditions in two zebrafish animal facilities. We use our platform to add a water heating system to maintain temperature at 28°C during in vivo light-sheet imaging of larval zebrafish. We show that a change in temperature from 28°C to 32°C affects resting heart rate of the animal, highlighting the importance of maintaining and recording conditions. The protocols presented here do not require advanced engineering, fabrication, or software skills, and provide an approach to accurately record and report experimental conditions.

Deep Learning and its Application for Healthcare Delivery in Low and Middle Income Countries

As anyone who has witnessed firsthand knows, healthcare delivery in low-resource settings is fundamentally different from more affluent settings. Artificial Intelligence, including Machine Learning and more specifically Deep Learning, has made amazing advances over the past decade. Significant resources are now dedicated to problems in the field of medicine, but with the potential to further the digital divide by neglecting underserved areas and their specific context. In the general case, Deep Learning remains a complex technology requiring deep technical expertise. This paper explores advances within the narrower field of deep learning image analysis that reduces barriers to adoption and allows individuals with less specialized software skills to effectively employ these techniques. This enables a next wave of innovation, driven largely by problem domain expertise and the creative application of this technology to unaddressed concerns in LMIC settings. The paper also explores the central role of NGOs in problem identification, data acquisition and curation, and integration of new technologies into healthcare systems.

EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS-A STUDY ON THE PERCEPTION OF THE ENGINEERING STUDENTS AND THEIR PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS IN INDIA

This paper aims at studying the perception of Employers along with the employees regarding the employability skills required by the Entry level engineering graduates to possess for getting employed in the Multinational Software Companies. It seems to be an experimental study. For evaluating the perception of skill set required by the engineering graduates and their employers, two sets of questionnaires were developed by the researcher. The data was collected and its study revealed the significant differences between the opinion (perceptions) of the graduates and the employers. It is the disparity which makes the graduates prone to less likely to be employable to various MNCs requiring the software skills. The Indian Engineers’ Employability skills haven’t been into light in terms of its literature and research. The available study reveals the perception from the employers’ sides. This paper covers both the graduates’ as well as employers’ perception regarding the employability skills they have and the skills which are required.

Causes of Ineffective Electronic Journal Subscription in Academic Library

Problem Statement: The high cost of e-journal subscriptions makes it difficult for universities to have several databases for scientific disciplines. Meanwhile, database subscriptions is one of the library accreditation assessment points that create prestige for universities. Purpose: This study aims to determine the ineffectiveness of e-Journal subscriptions in the IPDN Library. Method: Method: Data were collected by interviewing 13 respondents out of a survey of 90 with the Convergent Parallel Mixed Method. The obtained data were further analyzed using a technique adapted from Sin and Kim's research, which is based on the factors influencing a person's desire to use electronic journal database facilities. This technique analyzed the readiness of human resources, infrastructure, budget, and legal protection. Result: The result showed that the librarian's human resource's support is in the very good category. Furthermore, users possess very good computer and software skills, good motivation and electronic search skills, and moderate foreign language skills. However, university libraries still lack infrastructure support due to insufficient search equipment, inadequate internet network, and limited content. Although budget support is included in the lacking category, institutional support related to the legal protection is sufficient, while sharing and using e-resources are carried out with the National Library. In addition, due to the numerous academic institutions in Asia, sharing and use of e-resources have become difficult, with poor collaborations among universities within the country. Conclusion: The causes of ineffective e-journal subscriptions are budget constraints, limited supporting devices, poor internet network, limited content, as well as lack of e-resource collaboration and sharing with other university libraries. Keywords: E-Journal Subscription; e-Resources; Library Services; Academic Library, IPDN Library Abstrak Permasalahan: Tingginya biaya langganan e-journal menyebabkan tidak semua perguruan tinggi mampu memiliki banyak database disiplin ilmu, bahkan banyak yang tidak mampu memiliki satu pun. Sementara itu, menjadi salah satu poin penilaian akreditasi perpustakaan dan menjadikan prestise tersendiri bagi perguruan tinggi. Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan mengapa langganan E Journal di Perpustakaan IPDN kurang efektif. Metode: Penelitian ini menggunakan Convergent Parallel Mixed Method. Pengambilan data melalui wawancara mendalam terhadap 13 informan dan survey terhadap 90 responden. Teknik analisa datanya menggunakan analisis yang telah diadaptasi dari model penelitian Sin dan Kim mengenai faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi keinginan seseorang untuk menggunakan fasilitas pangkalan data jurnal elektronik dan menganalisa faktor kesiapan SDM, infrastruktur, anggaran, dan payung hukum. Hasil: Temuan penelitian menunjukkan bahwa berkaitan dengan dukungan SDM pustakawan sangat baik, kemampuan menggunakan komputer dan software pemustaka sangat baik, motivasi dan keterampilan penelusuran elektronis tergolong baik, serta kemampuan bahasa asing sedang. Adapun berkaitan dengan infrastruktur masih sangat kurang, yang disebabkan karena perangkat pendukung penelusuran masih sangat kurang, jaringan internet sangat kurang, dan konten yang disediakan terbatas. Selanjutnya dalam hal dukungan anggaran termasuk dalam kategori kurang. Dukungan kelembagaan berkaitan dengan payung hukum tergolong cukup, akan tetapi sharing dan pemanfaatan e-resource hanya terlaksana dengan Perpustakaan Nasional saja, sementara dengan beberapa lembaga akademik di asia tidak berjalan baik, bahkan belum dilakukan kolaborasi dengan universitas di dalam negeri. Kesimpulan: Penyebab langganan e-journal menjadi kurang efektif di IPDN diantaranya adalah keterbatasan anggaran, keterbatasan perangkat pendukung, jaringan internet yang buruk, konten yang terbatas, serta belum dilakukannya kolaborasi sharing/pemanfaatan e-resource dengan perpustakaan perguruan tinggi lain. Kata kunci: Langganan e-Journal, e-Resources, Layanan Perpustakaan; Perpustakaan Akademik; Perpustakaan IPDN

Security and Privacy Challenges in Big Data

Big data refers to enormous amount of information which may be in planned and unplanned form. The huge capacity of data creates impracticable situation to handle with conventional database and traditional software skills. Thousands of servers are needed for its processing purpose. Big data gathers and examines huge capacity of data from various resources to determine exceptional novel awareness and recognizing the technical and commercial circumstances. However, big data discloses the endeavor to several data safety threats. Various challenges are there to maintain the privacy and security in big data. Protection of confidential and susceptible data from attackers is a vital issue. Therefore, the goal of this chapter is to discuss how to maintain security in big data to keep your organization robust, operational, flexible, and high performance, preserving its digital transformation and obtaining the complete benefit of big data, which is safe and secure.

Competencies of the present-day Graphic Designer: A document analysis of online job ads in Ghana

This study sought to provide an overview of the competencies required by employers in advertising for graphic design position in relation to inter-active design in Ghana. This was done in the context of the dynamism of graphic design profession with current technological advances. Both thematic and content analysis were used to analyse online job adver-tisements collected within eight months to determine the patterns and frequencies of occurrence of specific requirements for the job position relating to graphic design. This was to better understand employers’ expectations from the graphic designer in terms of designing for interac-tivity and the implications for graphic design pedagogy. Findings from the study revealed that, traditional graphic designers in Ghana will now have to acquire skills in interactive design and competencies associated with them. These include among others, responsive design, problem-solving, coding skill, software skills, creativity, CMS tools, project management and personal characteristics. Beyond these, request for skills in coding, knowl-edge in responsive design, knowledge in content management system tools, software skills and teamwork are the most frequently expected skills from the present day graphic designer. We end the paper by suggesting how our study could trigger graphic design pedagogy development.