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PQC for DNSSEC: a format size analysis on Falcon signatures
Get PDFFalcon is a post-quantum signature algorithm recently chosen for standardization by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Its official implementation has two different signature formats that differ in size. In this paper, we measure the impact of the two different formats of Falcon signatures on DNSSEC-signed zones and on DNSSEC queries, based on real-world traffic for a large country-code Top Level Domain (ccTLD). We take into consideration Falcon's two signature formats, called padded and compressed, and evaluate their effects on DNSSEC signature sizes. We provide a signature size distribution for each format, using data obtained from a DNSSEC-signed ccTLD zone and queries for this zone. We use the results to study whether there are advantages to choosing one of the two signature formats. Our results show that the difference in DNS message size between padded and compressed signatures is small. Therefore, while in theory smaller signatures are favorable, the use of the compressed signature format does not have tangible real-world benefits. As our results show, the use of compressed signatures does not lead to a significant shift in message size such that more DNSSEC answers would fit within MTU limits. These results provide useful input for the discussion on Falcon signature standardization in DNSSEC, concluding that standardization of a fixed-size padded format may be preferable for its predictability and to avoid potential implementation errors
Cardiovascular positron emission tomography imaging of fibroblast activation:A review of the current literature
No full textFibrosis is one of the key healing responses to injury, especially within the heart, where it helps to maintain structural integrity following acute insults such as myocardial infarction. However, if it becomes dysregulated, then fibrosis can become maladaptive, leading to adverse remodelling, impaired cardiac function and heart failure. Fibroblast activation protein is exclusively expressed by activated fibroblasts, the key effector cells of fibrogenesis, and has a unique extracellular domain that is an ideal ligand for novel molecular imaging probes. Fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) radiotracers have been developed for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, demonstrating high selectivity for activated fibroblasts across a range of different pathologies and disparate organ systems. In this review, we will summarise the role of fibroblast activation protein in cardiovascular disease and how FAPI radiotracers might improve the assessment and treatment of patients with cardiovascular diseases.</p
A cluster-randomised controlled feasibility trial evaluating the Cognitive Occupation-Based programme for people with Multiple Sclerosis (COB-MS)
No full textIntroduction: There is a high prevalence of cognitive difficulties in MS, but despite this, there are few programmes targeting cognition that focus on the ability to function well in everyday life. The Cognitive Occupation-Based programme for people with Multiple Sclerosis (COB-MS), an occupation-focused cognitive intervention, was developed to address this. It addresses both the functional difficulties and the wide-ranging symptoms that present in MS.Objective: Here we report on the results of a cluster-randomised controlled feasibility trial (ISRCTN11462710; registered 4th September 2019) evaluating the COB-MS in terms of feasibility and initial efficacy as a cognitive intervention for people with MS.Method: The eight-session COB-MS intervention was delivered remotely by occupational therapists to participants with MS in the intervention group. Following the end of the trial the COB-MS was delivered to the wait-list control group. Data was collected from people with MS experiencing cognitive difficulties at baseline, post-intervention, 12-weeks, and 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome measure was the Goal Attainment Scaling at 12 weeks. Data was also collected in the domains of cognition, quality of life, and mood.Results: One hundred and eighteen people with MS and cognitive difficulties were randomised to either usual care (n = 60) or COB-MS intervention (n = 58). Ninety-four participants were retained at 6-month follow-up. The COB-MS was found to be feasible, including trial procedures and protocol. Data indicates that the COB-MS is accepted by participants and had positive impacts on daily life. Those allocated to the COB-MS group had a significant improvement in the primary outcome compared to the control condition. Progression criteria set for the feasibility trial have been met therefore further testing of the COB-MS at a definitive trial is supported by the results.Conclusion: The results provide a strong basis for a pathway to a future definitive trial of COB-MS, with respect to both feasibility and preliminary, clinical efficacy.Trial Registration: ISRCTN11462710 Date of registration: 4th September 2019.</p
Long Axial Field of View PET/CT:Technical Aspects in Cardiovascular Diseases
No full textPositron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET/CT) plays a pivotal role in the assessment of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), particularly in the context of ischemic heart disease. Nevertheless, its application in other forms of CVD, such as infiltrative, infectious, or inflammatory conditions, remains limited. Recently, PET/CT systems with an extended axial field of view (LAFOV) have been developed, offering greater anatomical coverage and significantly enhanced PET sensitivity. These advancements enable head-to-pelvis imaging with a single bed position, and in systems with an axial field of view (FOV) of approximately 2 meters, even total body (TB) imaging is feasible in a single scan session. The application of LAFOV PET/CT in CVD presents a promising opportunity to improve systemic cardiovascular assessments and address the limitations inherent to conventional short axial field of view (SAFOV) devices. However, several technical challenges, including procedural considerations for LAFOV systems in CVD, complexities in data processing, arterial input function extraction, and artefact management, have not been fully explored. This review aims to discuss the technical aspects of LAFOV PET/CT in relation to CVD by highlighting key opportunities and challenges and examining the impact of these factors on the evaluation of most relevant CVD.</p
Analogue speech recognition based on physical computing
No full textWith the rise of decentralized computing, such as in the Internet of Things, autonomous driving and personalized healthcare, it is increasingly important to process time-dependent signals ‘at the edge’ efficiently: right at the place where the temporal data are collected, avoiding time-consuming, insecure and costly communication with a centralized computing facility (or ‘cloud’). However, modern-day processors often cannot meet the restrained power and time budgets of edge systems because of intrinsic limitations imposed by their architecture (von Neumann bottleneck) or domain conversions (analogue to digital and time to frequency). Here we propose an edge temporal-signal processor based on two in-materia computing systems for both feature extraction and classification, reaching near-software accuracy for the TI-46-Word1 and Google Speech Commands2 datasets. First, a nonlinear, room-temperature reconfigurable-nonlinear-processing-unit3,4 layer realizes analogue, time-domain feature extraction from the raw audio signals, similar to the human cochlea. Second, an analogue in-memory computing chip5, consisting of memristive crossbar arrays, implements a compact neural network trained on the extracted features for classification. With submillisecond latency, reconfigurable-nonlinear-processing-unit-based feature extraction consuming roughly 300 nJ per inference, and the analogue in-memory computing-based classifier using around 78 µJ (with potential for roughly 10 µJ)6, our findings offer a promising avenue for advancing the compactness, efficiency and performance of heterogeneous smart edge processors through in materia computing hardware.</p
Neuroscience tools at work:approaches to use across the employee lifecycle and future research agenda
No full textPurpose – Neuroscience tools offer new frontlines to understand areas of human behavior that are so far unexplored. However, the types and scopes of such NTs are currently known only to a limited number of Human Resource Management (HRM) innovators and scholars. In our study, we investigate and report on the approaches to use NTs across employee life cycle phases, including acquiring, developing, and retaining. Design/methodology/approach – The review was conducted according to the guidance for scoping reviews and reported following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Findings – Our results indicate that the application of NTs across the employee lifecycle is a growing, interdisciplinary field. However, we found a few empirical studies with existing applications primarily concentrated on the employee development and retention phases. The findings provide an overview of various NT applications and their scope, shedding light on the sectors where these technologies are most prevalent. Additionally, we identify gaps in the literature and, based on these, propose a comprehensive research agenda for future explorations. Originality/value – The study offers the first literature review on this topic and establishes an agenda for future research.</p
Using Design Thinking for Explainable AI:A Case Study Predicting the Start of the Palliative Phase in Patients with COPD or Heart Failure
No full textThe workload in the healthcare sector is increasing, requiring the need for innovative solutions. One such solution is for AI to assist in clinical decision-making by extracting information from patient’s records. To ensure healthcare professionals stay in the lead, the reasoning of the AI should be transparent, creating the need for explainable AI (XAI). As this XAI representation should fit the users’ needs and workflows, the user needs to be included in the design process. This research focuses on a case study using the Design Thinking method for generating an XAI representation for predicting the start of the palliative phase in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart failure. This paper presents knowledge about and experiences with the design practices used, focusing on the ideation, prototype, and test phases. This contributes to the understanding of the needed design process to design XAI representations in the healthcare sector.</p
Trapped in technocentric thinking? Revisiting Digital Twins through a pragmatic framework
No full textTo conceptualise the requirements and shape of construction digital twins, literatureoften proposes ideal-types and frameworks involving sensorised, real-time, and highlyautomated systems. While concepts demand significant resource investments andchanges to business processes, their benefits remain debatable. To refocus on theneeds of construction practice, we propose an alternative characterisation ofconstruction digital twin systems. This study explores the conceptual diversity ofuseful systems through a framework comprising latency, fidelity, physical-digitalconnectivity, and analytic capabilities. It uses an engaged scholarship approach toapply this framework to two cases: A construction control room and an undergroundutility digital twin. Results show that these cases deviate from techno-centricperceptions, exhibiting variations in latency (low to high), fidelity (low to highrealism), physical-digital connectivity (loose to tight), and analytic capabilities(descriptive to predictive). We conclude that construction may defy techno-centricstereotypes. Instead of exploring how organisations must adapt to comprehensivetechnological twins, future research should prioritise contextual needs to developuseful systems that enhance decision-making practices in the field
Videoflow:Uroflowmetry in Children Exploiting Standard Care Video Urodynamic Imaging
No full textIntroduction: Pressure-flow study, consisting of flow rate combined with detrusor pressure, is the gold standard to determine bladder outflow obstruction and evaluate the detrusor voiding contraction. In very young children, not able to sit on a uroflowmetry device, the flow rate cannot be measured. This results in an incomplete evaluation of bladder and urethral functions. The aim of this study is to derive the flow rate using standard care video-urodynamic study X-ray images. Methods: We retrospectively included 50 video urodynamic studies in children able to void on a uroflowmetry toilet, to correlate the outcome with standard uroflowmetry. The X-ray images taken during voiding were manually segmented and algorithmically converted into a flow rate, called “videoflow”. This videoflow was compared with the measured (standard) uroflowmetry. Results: An excellent cross-correlation of 0.98 was found between the videoflow and normal uroflowmetry outcomes. The videoflow maximum flow rate (Qmax) was accurate with a not significant bias of +0.1 mL/s difference with standard uroflowmetry. Conclusions: In conclusion, the proposed videoflow is found feasible and accurate in children who are able to void in a uroflowmetry toilet. This method paves the way to measure urine flow rate in very young children who cannot yet sit upright. For the first time, this new technique will enable the validation of a pressure-flow-based urethral resistance measurement in this very young age group. Trial Registration: Clinical Registration Number: 23U-0621.</p
