bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Impact of Main Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with Colon Cancer
Authors: Sugiura Kiyoaki , Seo Yuki , Tajima Yuki , Kikuchi Hiroto , Hirata Akira , Nakadai Jumpei , Baba Hideo , Kondo Takayuki , Makino Akitsugu , Kato Yujin , Matsui Shimpei , Seishima Ryo , Shigeta Kohei , Okabayashi Koji , Kitagawa Yuko
Published: January 2023

Background

Although extended lymph node dissection during colon cancer surgery is recommended in both Western and Eastern countries, the perception and clinical significance of main lymph node metastasis (MLNM) remains controversial.

Methods

In total, 1557 patients with colon cancer who underwent curative resection with D3 dissection were retrospectively analyzed. Clinicopathological factors associated with MLNM were analyzed. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and log‐rank tests were used to compare the prognosis between the MLNM and non‐MLNM groups.

Results

Multivariate analysis showed that overall survival (OS) [hazard ratio, 2.117 (0.939–4.774), p = 0.071] and recurrence‐free survival (RFS) [hazard ratio, 2.183 (1.182–4.031), p = 0.013] were affected by the MLNM status independent of the TNM stage. Survival analysis demonstrated that among patients with stage III disease, the OS and RFS rates were significantly different between patients with and without MLNM (OS: p = 0.0147, RFS: p = 0.0001). However, the OS and RFS rates were not significantly different between patients who had stage III disease with MLNM and patients who had stage IV disease (OS: p = 0.5901, RFS: p = 0.9610).

Conclusions

MLNM is an independent prognostic factor for patients with colon cancer. The addition of the MLNM status to the current TNM classification may enhance the prognostic value of the TNM staging system and the clinical efficacy of adjuvant therapy in patients with colon cancer.
Two-stage stochastic formulation for relief operations with multiple agencies in simultaneous disasters
Authors: Rodríguez-Espíndola Oscar
Published: January 2023

The increasing damage caused by disasters is a major challenge for disaster management authorities, especially in instances where simultaneous disasters affect different geographical areas. The uncertainty and chaotic conditions caused by these situations combined with the inherent complexity of collaboration between multiple stakeholders complicates delivering support for disaster victims. Decisions related to facility location, procurement, stock prepositioning and relief distribution are essential to ensure the provision of relief for these victims. There is a need to provide analytical models that can support integrated decision-making in settings with uncertainty caused by simultaneous disasters. However, there are no formulations tackling these decisions combining multiple suppliers, multiple agencies, and simultaneous disasters. This article introduces a novel bi-objective two-stage stochastic formulation for disaster preparedness and immediate response considering the interaction of multiple stakeholders in uncertain environments caused by the occurrence of simultaneous disasters. At the first stage, decisions related to the selection of suppliers, critical facilities, agencies involved, and pre-disaster procurement are defined. Resource allocation, relief distribution and procurement of extra resources after the events are decided at the second stage. The model was tested on data from the situation caused by simultaneous hurricanes and storms in Mexico during September of 2013. The case is contrasted with instances planning for disasters independently. The results show how planning for multiple disasters can help understand the real boundaries of the disaster response system, the benefits of integrated decision-making, the impact of deploying only the agencies required, and the criticality of considering human resources in disaster planning.
Epidemiological, mechanistic, and practical bases for assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle status in adults in healthcare settings
Authors: Gallo-Villegas Jaime A. , Calderón Juan C.
Published: January 2023

Given their importance in predicting clinical outcomes, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscle status can be considered new vital signs. However, they are not routinely evaluated in healthcare settings. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the epidemiological, mechanistic, and practical bases of the evaluation of CRF and muscle status in adults in primary healthcare settings. We highlight the importance of CRF and muscle status as predictors of morbidity and mortality, focusing on their association with cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes. Notably, adults in the best quartile of CRF and muscle status have as low as one-fourth the risk of developing some of the most common chronic metabolic and cardiovascular diseases than those in the poorest quartile. The physiological mechanisms that underlie these epidemiological associations are addressed. These mechanisms include the fact that both CRF and muscle status reflect an integrative response to the body function. Indeed, muscle plays an active role in the development of many diseases by regulating the body’s metabolic rate and releasing myokines, which modulate metabolic and cardiovascular functions. We also go over the most relevant techniques for assessing peak oxygen uptake as a surrogate of CRF and muscle strength, mass, and quality as surrogates of muscle status in adults. Finally, a clinical case of a middle-aged adult is discussed to integrate and summarize the practical aspects of the information presented throughout. Their clinical importance, the ease with which we can assess CRF and muscle status using affordable techniques, and the availability of reference values, justify their routine evaluation in adults across primary healthcare settings.
A nationwide population-based study on the clinical and economic burden of anastomotic leakage in colorectal surgery
Authors: Weber Marie-Christin , Berlet Maximilian , Stoess Christian , Reischl Stefan , Wilhelm Dirk , Friess Helmut , Neumann Philipp-Alexander
Published: January 2023

Aim

Anastomotic leakage (AL) is one of the most dreaded complications in colorectal surgery. In 2013, the International Classification of Diseases code K91.83 for AL was introduced in Germany, allowing nationwide analysis of AL rates and associated parameters. The aim of this population-based study was to investigate the current incidence, risk factors, mortality, clinical management, and associated costs of AL in colorectal surgery.

Methods

A data query was performed based on diagnosis-related group data of all hospital cases of inpatients undergoing colon or sphincter-preserving rectal resections between 2013 and 2018 in Germany.

Results

A total number of 690,690 inpatient cases were included in this study. AL rates were 6.7% for colon resections and 9.2% for rectal resections in 2018. Regarding the treatment of AL, the application of endoluminal vacuum therapy increased during the studied period, while rates of relaparotomy, abdominal vacuum therapy, and terminal enterostomy remained stable. AL was associated with significantly increased in-house mortality (7.11% vs. 20.11% for colon resections and 3.52% vs. 11.33% for rectal resections in 2018) and higher socioeconomic costs (mean hospital reimbursement volume per case: 14,877€ (no AL) vs. 37,521€ (AL) for colon resections and 14,602€ (no AL) vs. 30,606€ (AL) for rectal resections in 2018).

Conclusions

During the studied time period, AL rates did not decrease, and associated mortality remained at a high level. Our study provides updated population-based data on the clinical and economic burden of AL in Germany. Focused research in the field of AL is still urgently necessary to develop targeted strategies to prevent AL, improve patient care, and decrease socioeconomic costs.
Evolving shallow conduit revealed by tremor and vent activity observations during episodic lava fountaining of the 2021 Geldingadalir eruption, Iceland
Authors: Eibl Eva P. S. , Thordarson Thor , Höskuldsson Ármann , Gudnason Egill Á. , Dietrich Thoralf , Hersir Gylfi Páll , Ágústsdóttir Thorbjörg
Published: January 2023

Cyclic behaviour is observed in volcanic phenomena ranging from caldera collapses to explosions, spattering or lava fountaining. The repeating processes can define irregular, regular or systematically changing patterns. These patterns yield information about the subsurface structure, which often is not considered in detail. We analyse the pattern of 7058 lava fountaining episodes that occur between 2 May and 14 June 2021 during the Geldingadalir eruption, Iceland. Our seismometer records the lava fountaining episodes as tremor episodes. We analyse the seismic tremor amplitude, the episode duration, the repose time and the sum of episode duration and repose time (cycle duration). We define six periods characterised by different patterns: Three periods feature long episodes that exponentially shorten with time. One period features coexisting long and short episodes in a haphazard sequence. One period shows a stable pulsing duration but increasing repose time, and one period has stable, short episodes and repose times. We conclude that the episodic fountaining starts because a shallow-conduit container forms on 2 May shifting the magma degassing from sustained continuous to an episodic state. This situation evolves until 11 May when a semi-stable state is reached. The length of the repose times is most likely influenced by the amount of outgassed magma present in the uppermost part of the shallow conduit. Finally, we suggest that the vent is mechanically eroded and widens with time causing increasing seismic tremor amplitudes. However, the trends are frequently punctuated by partial crater wall collapses that temporarily disrupt the system.
Abolishment of morphology-based taxa and change to binomial species names: 2022 taxonomy update of the ICTV bacterial viruses subcommittee
Authors: Turner Dann , Shkoporov Andrey N. , Lood Cédric , Millard Andrew D. , Dutilh Bas E. , Alfenas-Zerbini Poliane , van Zyl Leonardo J. , Aziz Ramy K. , Oksanen Hanna M. , Poranen Minna M. , Kropinski Andrew M. , Barylski Jakub , Brister J Rodney , Chanisvili Nina , Edwards Rob A. , Enault François , Gillis Annika , Knezevic Petar , Krupovic Mart , Kurtböke Ipek , Kushkina Alla , Lavigne Rob , Lehman Susan , Lobocka Malgorzata , Moraru Cristina , Moreno Switt Andrea , Morozova Vera , Nakavuma Jesca , Reyes Muñoz Alejandro , Rūmnieks Jānis , Sarkar BL , Sullivan Matthew B. , Uchiyama Jumpei , Wittmann Johannes , Yigang Tong , Adriaenssens Evelien M.
Published: January 2023

This article summarises the activities of the Bacterial Viruses Subcommittee of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses for the period of March 2021−March 2022. We provide an overview of the new taxa proposed in 2021, approved by the Executive Committee, and ratified by vote in 2022. Significant changes to the taxonomy of bacterial viruses were introduced: the paraphyletic morphological families Podoviridae, Siphoviridae, and Myoviridae as well as the order Caudovirales were abolished, and a binomial system of nomenclature for species was established. In addition, one order, 22 families, 30 subfamilies, 321 genera, and 862 species were newly created, promoted, or moved.
A survey on deep learning approaches for text-to-SQL
Authors: Katsogiannis-Meimarakis George , Koutrika Georgia
Published: January 2023

To bridge the gap between users and data, numerous text-to-SQL systems have been developed that allow users to pose natural language questions over relational databases. Recently, novel text-to-SQL systems are adopting deep learning methods with very promising results. At the same time, several challenges remain open making this area an active and flourishing field of research and development. To make real progress in building text-to-SQL systems, we need to de-mystify what has been done, understand how and when each approach can be used, and, finally, identify the research challenges ahead of us. The purpose of this survey is to present a detailed taxonomy of neural text-to-SQL systems that will enable a deeper study of all the parts of such a system. This taxonomy will allow us to make a better comparison between different approaches, as well as highlight specific challenges in each step of the process, thus enabling researchers to better strategise their quest towards the “holy grail” of database accessibility.
Softmax policy gradient methods can take exponential time to converge
Authors: Li Gen , Wei Yuting , Chi Yuejie , Chen Yuxin
Published: January 2023

The softmax policy gradient (PG) method, which performs gradient ascent under softmax policy parameterization, is arguably one of the de facto implementations of policy optimization in modern reinforcement learning. For$$\gamma $$γ-discounted infinite-horizon tabular Markov decision processes (MDPs), remarkable progress has recently been achieved towards establishing global convergence of softmax PG methods in finding a near-optimal policy. However, prior results fall short of delineating clear dependencies of convergence rates on salient parameters such as the cardinality of the state space$${\mathcal {S}}$$Sand the effective horizon$$\frac{1}{1-\gamma }$$11-γ, both of which could be excessively large. In this paper, we deliver a pessimistic message regarding the iteration complexity of softmax PG methods, despite assuming access to exact gradient computation. Specifically, we demonstrate that the softmax PG method with stepsize$$\eta $$ηcan take$$\begin{aligned} \frac{1}{\eta } |{\mathcal {S}}|^{2^{\Omega \big (\frac{1}{1-\gamma }\big )}} ~\text {iterations} \end{aligned}$$1η|S|2Ω(11-γ)iterationsto converge, even in the presence of a benign policy initialization and an initial state distribution amenable to exploration (so that the distribution mismatch coefficient is not exceedingly large). This is accomplished by characterizing the algorithmic dynamics over a carefully-constructed MDP containing only three actions. Our exponential lower bound hints at the necessity of carefully adjusting update rules or enforcing proper regularization in accelerating PG methods.
Balancing disturbance risk and ecosystem service provisioning in Swiss mountain forests: an increasing challenge under climate change
Authors: Thrippleton Timothy , Temperli Christian , Krumm Frank , Mey Reinhard , Zell Jürgen , Stroheker Sophie , Gossner Martin M. , Bebi Peter , Thürig Esther , Schweier Janine
Published: January 2023

Climate change severely affects mountain forests and their ecosystem services, e.g., by altering disturbance regimes. Increasing timber harvest (INC) via a close-to-nature forestry may offer a mitigation strategy to reduce disturbance predisposition. However, little is known about the efficiency of this strategy at the scale of forest enterprises and potential trade-offs with biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES). We applied a decision support system which accounts for disturbance predisposition and BES indicators to evaluate the effect of different harvest intensities and climate change scenarios on windthrow and bark beetle predisposition in a mountain forest enterprise in Switzerland. Simulations were carried out from 2010 to 2100 under historic climate and climate change scenarios (RCP4.5, RCP8.5). In terms of BES, biodiversity (structural and tree species diversity, deadwood amount) as well as timber production, recreation (visual attractiveness), carbon sequestration, and protection against gravitational hazards (rockfall, avalanche and landslides) were assessed. The INC strategy reduced disturbance predisposition to windthrow and bark beetles. However, the mitigation potential for bark beetle disturbance was relatively small (− 2.4%) compared to the opposite effect of climate change (+ 14% for RCP8.5). Besides, the INC strategy increased the share of broadleaved species and resulted in a synergy with recreation and timber production, and a trade-off with carbon sequestration and protection function. Our approach emphasized the disproportionally higher disturbance predisposition under the RCP8.5 climate change scenario, which may threaten currently unaffected mountain forests. Decision support systems accounting for climate change, disturbance predisposition, and BES can help coping with such complex planning situations.
Altered vitamin B12 metabolism in the central nervous system is associated with the modification of ribosomal gene expression: new insights from comparative RNA dataset analysis
Authors: Mathew Aimee Rachel , Cavallucci Virve , Fidaleo Marco
Published: January 2023

Recent studies have confirmed the direct role of vitamin B12 (VitB12) in the central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis; nevertheless, the detailed mechanisms are poorly understood. By analyzing RNA-Seq and microarray datasets obtained from databanks, this study aims to identify possible basic mechanisms, related to the brain, involved in altering the gene expression under VitB12 deficiency mimicking conditions. The database inquiry returned datasets generated from distinctly heterogeneous experimental sets and considering the quality and relevance requirements, two datasets from mouse and one from rat models were selected. The analyses of individual datasets highlighted a change in ribosomal gene expression in VitB12 deficiency mimicking conditions within each system. Specifically, a divergent regulation was observed depending on the animal model: mice showed a down regulation of the ribosomal gene expression, while rats an upregulation. Interestingly, E2f1 was significantly upregulated under VitB12 deficiency mimicking conditions in the animal models, with a greater upregulation in rats. The rat model also revealed putative E2F1 Transcription Factor Binding Sites (TFBSs) in the promoter of the differently regulated genes involved in ribosomal gene expression. This suggested the possibility that E2F1, being greater expressed in rats, could activate the ribosomal genes having E2F1 TFBSs, thus giving a plausible explication to the divergent regulation observed in animal models. Despite the great diversity of the experimental sets used to generate the datasets considered, a common alteration of the ribosomes exists, thereby indicating a possible basic and conserved response to VitB12 deficiency. Moreover, these findings could provide new insights on E2F1 and its association with CNS homeostasis and VitB12 deficiency.

Graphical Abstract
Morphological and antioxidant responses of Nopalea cochenillifera cv. Maya (edible Opuntia sp. “Kasugai Saboten”) to chilling acclimatization
Authors: Kondo Ayumu , Ito Masashi , Takeda Yusaku , Kurahashi Yuka , Toh Shigeo , Funaguma Toru
Published: January 2023

To clarify the wintering ability of the cactus Nopalea cochenillifera cv. Maya (edible Opuntia sp., common name “Kasugai Saboten”), we investigated the effects of temperature and antioxidant capacity on chilling acclimatization. We analyzed the anatomy of cladode chlorenchyma tissue of plants exposed to light under chilling. We found that chilling acclimatization can be achieved by exposure to approximately 15 °C for 2 weeks and suggest that it is affected by whether or not antioxidant capacity can recover. The overwintering cacti had the thinnest cuticle but firm cuticular wax, which is important in the acquisition of low temperature tolerance under strong light. In cacti with severe chilling injury, round swollen nuclei with clumping chloroplasts were localized in the upper part (axial side) of the cell, as though pushed up by large vacuoles in the lower part. In overwintering cacti, chloroplasts were arranged on the lateral side of the cell as in control plants, but they formed pockets: invaginations with a thin layer of chloroplast stroma that surrounded mitochondria and peroxisomes. Specific cellular structural changes depended on the degree of chilling stress and provide useful insights linking chloroplast behavior and structural changes to the environmental stress response.
Route effects in city-based survey knowledge estimates
Authors: Krukar Jakub , Navas Medrano Samuel , Schwering Angela
Published: January 2023

When studying wayfinding in urban environments, researchers are often interested in obtaining measures of participants’ survey knowledge, i.e., their estimate of distant locations relative to other places. Previous work showed that distance estimations are consistently biased when no direct route is available to the queried target or when participants follow a detour. Here we investigated whether a corresponding bias is manifested in two other popular measures of survey knowledge: a pointing task and a sketchmapping task. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a systematic bias in pointing/sketchmapping performance associated with the preferred route choice in an applied urban setting. The results were mixed. We found moderate evidence for the presence of a systematic bias, but only for a subset of urban locations. When two plausible routes to the target were available, survey knowledge estimates were significantly biased in the direction of the route chosen by the participant. When only one plausible route was available, we did not find a statistically significant pattern. The results may have methodological implications for spatial cognition studies in applied urban settings that might be obtaining systematically biased survey knowledge estimates at some urban locations. Researchers should be aware that the choice of urban locations from which pointing and sketchmapping are performed might systematically distort the results, in particular when two plausible but diverging routes to the target are visible from the location.
Speciation and historical migration pattern interaction: examples from P. nigra and P. sylvestris phylogeography
Authors: Naydenov Krassimir D. , Naydenov Michel K. , Alexandrov Alexander , Gurov Todor , Gyuleva Veselka , Hinkov Georgi , Ivanovska Sofiya , Tsarev Anatoly , Nikolic Biljana , Goudiaby Venceslas , Carcaillet Christopher , Volosyanchuk Roman , Bojovic Srdjan , Vasilevski Kole , Matevski Vlado , Peruzzi Lorenzo , Christou Andreas , Paitaridou Despina , Goia Irina , Kamary Salim , Gulcu Suleyman , Ture Cengiz , Bogunic Faruk
Published: January 2023

Here, from macrophylogeographic mtDNA empirical data, we propose a scenario for the evolution and speciation of two important forest trees, European black pine and Scotch pine, and their multiple subspecies and varieties. Molecular clock simulations revealed thatINDELvariability in thePinusmitochondrial genome is relatively old, i.e., from the Pliocene-Miocene epoch, and related to historical tectonic continental fluctuations rather than to climate change at a large geographic scale. For conservation and management biodiversity program recommendations, special attention is given to the relationships between different speciation models, historical migration patterns, and differences between peripheral and central populations. Species evolution involves the mixing of different speciation modes, and every speciation mode has different effects on different DNA types (e.g., mitochondrial vs. chloroplast vs. nuclear DNA). The misbalance between the contributions of different meta-population census sizes vs. effective population sizes to asymmetric migration patterns is the result of different genotypes (and subphylogenetic lines) responding to selection pressure and adaptive evolution. We propose initial minimal size of conservation unit (between 3 and 5 ha) from central and marginal natural area of distribution for both species in the dynamic management system for practical forest genetic diversity management. The proposed physical sizes were determined by the effective population size, effective radius of seed distribution data, forest density age dynamics, succession pattern, natural selection pressing and species biology [R-17].
The methodological problem of unit roots: stationarity and its consequences in the context of the Tinbergen debate
Authors: Nasir Muhammad Ali , Morgan Jamie
Published: January 2023

In this paper we highlight an important yet often neglected issue that arises within the context of the broader set of concerns set out in Keynes’s seminal critique of Tinbergen’s early work in econometrics and that is the problem of “trend” in the dataset. We use the example of conforming data to achieve stationarity to solve a problem of unit roots to highlight that Keynes concerns with the “logical issues” regarding the “conditions which the economic material must satisfy” still gains little attention in theory and practice. There is a lot more discussion of the technical aspects of method than there is reflection on conditions that must be satisfied when methods are applied. Concomitantly, there is a tendency to respond to problems of method by applying fixes rather than addressing the underlying problem. We illustrate various facets of the argument using central bank policy targeting and using examples of differencing, co-integration and Bayesian applications.
Iron overload consequences for submerged plants stoichiometry, homeostasis and performance
Authors: Rybak Michał , Drzewiecka Kinga , Woźniak Magdalena , Öksüz Safa , Krueger Michał , Sobczyński Tadeusz , Ratajczak Izabela , Joniak Tomasz
Published: January 2023

Accelerated lakes eutrophication is one of the greatest challenges nowadays. To counteract its negative effects, large-scale restoration treatments are carried out worldwide. However, research in this field is mainly focused on the process effectiveness and there is a scarcity of studies concerning the impact of restoration treatments on water organisms and ecosystem homeostatsis. Our microcosm study presents the effects of a phosphorus coagulant (iron [III] chloride) on functional traits changes, oxidative stress and macro- and microelement stoichiometry disturbances in macrophyte Myriophyllum spicatum, a model species inhabiting eutrophic waters. Application of the coagulant to experimental vessels influenced the physicochemical and optical parameters of water and led to significant changes in biogeochemistry. Stoichiometric alterations were reflected by disturbances in the relative contents of macro- (C, N, P, Ca, Mg) and microelements (Fe, Zn, Cu, Co) and induced luxury consumption of available ions. Physicochemical and stoichiometric changes mutually exerted negative influence on M. spicatum functional traits. The parameters of oxidative stress remained at low levels, comparable to the untreated control whereas stoichiometric analysis revealed the activation of mechanisms responsible for minimizing low light stress. The ability of M. spicatum to maintain homeostasis of Cu and Co under simulated chemical water restoration was closely related to high concentrations of Fe and Zn ions, which simultaneously were not subjected to homeostasis control. Thus, chemical lake restoration treatments based on phosphorus coagulants are not as environmentally safe as previously considered and may have far-reaching consequences for the biogeochemical cycle and food web functioning.
Automated opioid risk scores: a case for machine learning-induced epistemic injustice in healthcare
Authors: Pozzi Giorgia
Published: January 2023

Artificial intelligence-based (AI) technologies such as machine learning (ML) systems are playing an increasingly relevant role in medicine and healthcare, bringing about novel ethical and epistemological issues that need to be timely addressed. Even though ethical questions connected to epistemic concerns have been at the center of the debate, it is going unnoticed how epistemic forms of injustice can be ML-induced, specifically in healthcare. I analyze the shortcomings of an ML system currently deployed in the USA to predict patients’ likelihood of opioid addiction and misuse (PDMP algorithmic platforms). Drawing on this analysis, I aim to show that the wrong inflicted on epistemic agents involved in and affected by these systems’ decision-making processes can be captured through the lenses of Miranda Fricker’s account of hermeneutical injustice. I further argue that ML-induced hermeneutical injustice is particularly harmful due to what I define as an automated hermeneutical appropriation from the side of the ML system. The latter occurs if the ML system establishes meanings and shared hermeneutical resources without allowing for human oversight, impairing understanding and communication practices among stakeholders involved in medical decision-making. Furthermore and very much crucially, an automated hermeneutical appropriation can be recognized if physicians are strongly limited in their possibilities to safeguard patients from ML-induced hermeneutical injustice. Overall, my paper should expand the analysis of ethical issues raised by ML systems that are to be considered epistemic in nature, thus contributing to bridging the gap between these two dimensions in the ongoing debate.
Pulsar search acceleration using FPGAs and OpenCL templates
Authors: Oppermann Julian , Mickaliger Mitchell B. , Sinnen Oliver
Published: January 2023

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is the world’s largest radio telescope currently under construction, and will employ elaborate signal processing to detect new pulsars, i.e. highly magnetised rotating neutron stars. This paper addresses the acceleration of demanding computations for this pulsar search on Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) using a new high-level design process based on OpenCL templates that is transferable to other scientific problems. The successful FPGA acceleration of large-scale scientific workloads requires custom architectures that fully exploit the parallel computing capabilities of modern reconfigurable hardware and are amenable to substantial design space exploration. OpenCL-based high-level synthesis toolchains, with their ability to express interconnected multi-kernel pipelines in a single source language, excel in this domain. However, the achievable performance strongly depends on how well the compiler can infer desirable hardware structures from the code. One key aspect to excellent performance is commonly the uninterrupted, high-bandwidth streaming of data into and through the design. This is difficult to achieve in complex designs when data order needs to be re-arranged, e.g. transposed. It is equally hard to pre-fetch and burst-load from DDR memory when reading occurs in non-trivial patterns. In this paper, we propose new approaches to these two problems that use OpenCL-based code templates.

We demonstrate the practical benefits of these approaches with the acceleration of a key component in the SKA’s pulsar search pipeline: the Fourier Domain Acceleration Search (FDAS) module. Using our proposed methodology, we are able to develop a more scalable FDAS accelerator architecture than previously possible. We explore its design space to eventually achieve a 10x throughput improvement over a prior, thoroughly optimised implementation in plain OpenCL.
Two-dimensional perfect evolution algebras over domains
Authors: Casado Yolanda Cabrera , Barquero Dolores Martín , González Cándido Martín
Published: January 2023

We will study evolution algebras A that are free modules of dimension two over domains. We start by making some general considerations about algebras over domains: They are sandwiched between a certain essential D-submodule and its scalar extension over the field of fractions of the domain. We introduce the notion of quasiperfect algebras and we characterize the perfect and quasiperfect evolution algebras in terms of the determinant of its structure matrix. We classify the two-dimensional perfect evolution algebras over domains parametrizing the isomorphism classes by a convenient moduli set.
An Investigation into the Failure Characteristics of External PCB Traces with Different Angle Bends
Authors: Elliot Jake , Brown Jason
Published: January 2023

The design of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) involves satisfying numerous design constraints in terms of the positioning of components and the routing of conducting tracks or traces between components. One common design constraint is limiting the maximum angular bend that a trace can make (e.g. to 45°) for several potential reasons including reliability. In this paper, we systematically investigate the failure characteristics of PCB external traces with different angle bends to understand the implications in a modern context with modern PCB manufacturing processes. This involves destructive testing of straight traces with no bends, traces with only 45° bends and traces with only 90° bends. There are three aspects to the testing: (1) maximal current testing, in which the maximum current that a trace can withstand before failure is measured, (2) failure location testing for traces with bends i.e. trace failed on straight segment or at the bend, and (3) time to failure testing. We did not find a large difference between the maximum currents that can be withstood by straight traces, traces with 45° bends and traces with 90° bends. However, some of the interesting results are that traces with 45° bends are significantly more likely to fail at the location of a bend than traces with 90° bends, and straight traces take much longer to fail on average than traces with bends for a given test current.
In-situ scanning transmission electron microscopy study of Al-amorphous SiO2 layer-SiC interface
Authors: Adabifiroozjaei Esmaeil , Rastkerdar Ebad , Nemoto Yoshihiro , Nakayama Yoshiko , Nishimiya Yuki , Fronzi Marco , Yao Yin , Nguyen Minh Triet , Molina-Luna Leopoldo , Suzuki Tohru S.
Published: January 2023

Here, we present a comprehensive study on atomic-scale in-situ biasing/heating scanning transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM) of Al-amorphous SiO2–SiC interface. The investigation includes electrical, chemical, and structural analysis of the interface at different temperatures (25–600 °C). The results show that at ~ 500 °C the electrical (three-orders of magnitude resistivity drop), chemical (dissolution of SiO2amorphous layer), and microstructural features (e.g.formation of Al2O3, Si and Al4C3) of the interface start to change. According to the results, amorphous SiO2dissolves in Al, leading to formation of α-Al2O3and Si within the Al. In contrast, elemental interdiffusion (Al3+ ⇄ Si4+) between Al and SiC occurs resulting in formation of Al4C3. From the results, we can infer that reaction mechanism between Al and crystalline SiC is different with that between Al and SiO2amorphous phase. It is believed that structural similarities between SiC and Al4C3play an important role in paving the way for elemental interdiffusion.
Low Latency Low Loss Media Delivery Utilizing In-Network Packet Wash
Authors: Clayman Stuart , Sayıt Müge
Published: January 2023

This paper presents new techniques and mechanisms for carrying streams of layered video using Scalable Video Coding (SVC) from servers to clients, utilizing the Packet Wash mechanism which is part of the Big Packet Protocol (BPP). BPP was designed to handle the transfer of packets for high-bandwidth, low-latency applications, aiming to overcome a number of issues current networks have with high precision services. One of the most important advantages of BPP is that it allows the dynamic adaption of packets during transmission. BPP uses Packet Wash to reduce the payload, and the size of a packet by eliminating specific chunks. For video, this means cutting out specific segments of the transferred video, rather than dropping packets, as happens with UDP based transmission, or retrying the transmission of packets, as happens with TCP. The chunk elimination approach is well matched with SVC video, and these techniques and mechanisms are utilized and presented. An evaluation of the performance is provided, plus a comparison of using UDP or TCP, which are the other common approaches for carrying media over IP. Our main contributions are the mapping of SVC video into BPP packets to provide low latency, low loss delivery, which provides better QoE performance than either UDP or TCP, when using those techniques and mechanisms. This approach has proved to be an effective way to enhance the performance of video streaming applications, by obtaining continuous delivery, while maintaining guaranteed quality at the receiver. In this work we have successfully used an H264 SVC encoded video for layered video transmission utilizing BPP, and can demonstrate video delivery with low latency and low loss in limited bandwidth environments.
FFNSL: Feed-Forward Neural-Symbolic Learner
Authors: Cunnington Daniel , Law Mark , Lobo Jorge , Russo Alessandra
Published: January 2023

Logic-based machine learning aims to learn general, interpretable knowledge in a data-efficient manner. However, labelled data must be specified in a structured logical form. To address this limitation, we propose a neural-symbolic learning framework, called Feed-Forward Neural-Symbolic Learner (FFNSL), that integrates a logic-based machine learning system capable of learning from noisy examples, with neural networks, in order to learn interpretable knowledge from labelled unstructured data. We demonstrate the generality of FFNSL on four neural-symbolic classification problems, where different pre-trained neural network models and logic-based machine learning systems are integrated to learn interpretable knowledge from sequences of images. We evaluate the robustness of our framework by using images subject to distributional shifts, for which the pre-trained neural networks may predict incorrectly and with high confidence. We analyse the impact that these shifts have on the accuracy of the learned knowledge and run-time performance, comparing FFNSL to tree-based and pure neural approaches. Our experimental results show that FFNSL outperforms the baselines by learning more accurate and interpretable knowledge with fewer examples.
The Poisson Method of Poverty Measurement Using Non-monetary Indicators: A Replication Study Based on Australian Data
Authors: Yoo Kitae
Published: January 2023

This study revisits the Poisson-based framework to derive optimal thresholds of relative deprivation in the Australian context. Poverty measurement in developed countries mainly relies upon household income to capture those who are poor from the rest of the population. However, there is a growing recognition that the non-monetary indicators of relative deprivation can significantly improve the identification of those living in poverty. Relative deprivation is typically operationalised as not being able to afford and obtain a list of items that are considered essential in a given society. The key advantage of using such non-monetary indicators relates to its ability to directly capture the manifestations of poverty and assess people’s living standards. Yet, one salient issue is the selection of a meaningful threshold from which the deprived and the non-deprived can be separated. Following on Babones et al. (Babones et al. Social Indicators Research 126:711–726, 2016), this study replicates the Poisson method to specify an appropriate threshold value (k)—the number of missing essential items—that defines a person or household as deprived in Australia. Based on data from the 2018 Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, thresholds of k ≥ 4 for non-possession (merely lacking items), k ≥ 3 for derived deprivation (lacking and not being able to afford items), and k ≥ 3 for inferred deprivation (lacking and regarding items as essential) are suggested, respectively.
Quantifying elementary teachers’ foreknowledge about their students
Authors: Sedlacek Quentin Charles , Murdock-Perriera Lisel Alice
Published: January 2023

Teachers sometimes learn information about their students prior to teaching them, a phenomenon we call “teacher foreknowledge.” This information may be useful, but it may also bias teacher expectations for students in harmful ways. To date, few studies have quantitatively documented the types of foreknowledge teachers receive. When, where, and from whom do teachers commonly acquire foreknowledge? Are some sources or types of foreknowledge perceived to be more influential than others? We explore these questions through a survey of elementary teachers (N = 414) in one U.S. state. Most respondents received foreknowledge about at least some of their students months or even years prior to teaching them, and foreknowledge was primarily transmitted within school settings. Fellow teachers and students themselves were generally characterized as the most influential sources of foreknowledge. Foreknowledge about student behavior and character was considered more influential than foreknowledge about other topics. Some of these patterns covaried with classroom-, school- and teacher-level demographic or contextual variables. We discuss implications for research and practice with a focus on educational equity.
Deepfakes, Fake Barns, and Knowledge from Videos
Authors: Matthews Taylor
Published: January 2023

Recent develops in AI technology have led to increasingly sophisticated forms of video manipulation. One such form has been the advent of deepfakes. Deepfakes are AI-generated videos that typically depict people doing and saying things they never did. In this paper, I demonstrate that there is a close structural relationship between deepfakes and more traditional fake barn cases in epistemology. Specifically, I argue that deepfakes generate an analogous degree of epistemic risk to that which is found in traditional cases. Given that barn cases have posed a long-standing challenge for virtue-theoretic accounts of knowledge, I consider whether a similar challenge extends to deepfakes. In doing so, I consider how Duncan Pritchard’s recent anti-risk virtue epistemology meets the challenge. While Pritchard’s account avoids problems in traditional barn cases, I claim that it leads to local scepticism about knowledge from online videos in the case of deepfakes. I end by considering how two alternative virtue-theoretic approaches might vindicate our epistemic dependence on videos in an increasingly digital world.
Development of a remote-control system for catheterization capable of high-speed force feedback
Authors: Takagi Rei , Osada Keita , Hanafusa Akihiko , Takagi Motoki , Mohamaddan Shahrol Bin , Mitsui Kazuyuki , Anzai Hidenobu
Published: January 2023

Purpose

There is a growing interest in minimally invasive surgery as interventional radiology (IVR), which decreases the burden on a patient. However, occupational exposure is a problem because the treatment is performed using X-ray fluoroscopic images. This problem can be solved by the development of a teleoperation system, but rapid force presentation is important to perform safe surgery. The purpose of this study is to develop a new teleoperation system that can be controlled at a high speed and can provide feedback force sensation within 20 ms delay.

Methods

A master–slave-type remote-control system for catheterization was developed. A compact and high-speed force feedback system is realized using a novel electro-attractive material (EAM) device by which the resistance force is generated by the magnitude of the voltage applied. The linear and rotational movement of master is transferred to the slave device by UDP communication with the LAN cable, and the same movement is performed by two motors. The collision force of catheter or guidewire, detected by the sensor inside the slave device, is also transmitted to the master device. Two voltage-based methods for EAM: the ON/OFF and linear control methods, were implemented.

Results

After the collision force is detected by the slave sensor, the voltage is applied to the EAM in the master device for an average of 10.33 ms and 15.64 ms by the ON/OFF and linear control methods, respectively. These delays are less than required 20 ms. The movement of the master was stopped by the resistance force of EAM, and that of the slave was also stopped accordingly.

Conclusion

A master–slave-type remote-control system for catheterization that is capable of high-speed force feedback was developed. With a low delay, the developed system achieved the requirements of 20 ms that was aimed for this study. Therefore, this system may facilitate the realization of IVR surgery that is safe for both doctors and patients.
A real-world study of treatment patterns among patients with osteoporotic fracture: analysis of a Japanese hospital database
Authors: Hagino Hiroshi , Yoshinaga Yoko , Hamaya Etsuro , Lin Tzu-Chieh , Ajmera Mayank , Meyers Juliana
Published: January 2023

Summary

Health records of patients hospitalized for osteoporotic fracture were analyzed. Prior to the index hospital admission, most patients were not receiving any antiosteoporotic treatment. During the index hospitalization visit, 25.5% of patients received antiosteoporotic treatment. The most common treatment regimens were active vitamin D3, bisphosphonates, and teriparatide.

Purpose

To examine the real-world treatment patterns and factors associated with receipt of treatment among Japanese patients with osteoporotic fracture.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed health records of patients who were hospitalized for osteoporotic fracture between February 2016 and February 2018 in Japan. The type and duration of treatment with antiosteoporotic medications prescribed during hospital stays and after discharge were examined using descriptive statistics. Demographic and clinical factors (e.g., age, previous diagnoses, Charlson Comorbidity Index scores) associated with osteoporotic treatment were explored using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

A total of 112,275 patient medical records were evaluated, including 56,574 records from patients with hip fracture, 26,681 records from patients with vertebrae fracture, and 29,020 patients with non-vertebral non-hip fractures. Prior to the index hospital admission, most patients (91.7%, n = 102,919) were not receiving any antiosteoporotic treatment. For those receiving treatment, active vitamin D3 (51.1%, n = 4778) and bisphosphonates (47.5%, n = 4441) were the most common. During the index hospitalization visit, 25.5% (n = 28,678) of patients received treatment for their fracture, including active vitamin D3 (n = 17,074), bisphosphonates (n = 10,007), and teriparatide (n = 4561). Upon discharge, 41.5% (n = 46,536) of patients returned to their home and 34.3% (n = 38,542) of patients were transferred to a different hospital or medical care facility. Variables associated with receipt of treatment at follow-up included older age, previous diagnoses of osteoporosis and fracture, and higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores.

Conclusion

Despite osteoporotic fracture being a major health concern within older Japanese populations, treatment with antiosteoporotic medication regimens remains generally low.
Modeling the Droplet Impact on the Substrate with Surface Preparation in Thermal Spraying with SPH
Authors: Bobzin K. , Heinemann H. , Jasutyn K. , Jeske S. R. , Bender J. , Warkentin S. , Mokrov O. , Sharma R. , Reisgen U.
Published: January 2023

The properties of thermally sprayed coatings depend heavily on their microstructure. The microstructure is determined by the dynamics of the impact of the droplets on the substrate surface and the subsequent overlapping of the previously solidified and deformed droplets. Substrate preparation prior to spraying ensures strong adhesion of the coating. This includes roughening and preheating of the substrate surface. In the present study, the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method is used to model the Al2O3 impact on a preheated substrate and a roughened substrate surface. A semi-implicit enthalpy–porosity method is applied to simulate the solidification process in the mushy zone. In addition, an implicit correction for SPH simulations is used to improve the performance and stability of the simulation. To investigate the dynamics of heat transfer in the contact between the surface and the droplet, the discretization of the substrate is also taken into account. The results show that the studied substrate surface conditions affect the splat morphology and the solidification process. Subsequently, the simulation of multiple droplets for coating formation is also performed and analyzed.