Coding Of Information Research Articles

Garbage codes in the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry 1996–2019

BackgroundReliable statistics on the underlying cause of death are essential for monitoring the health in a population. When there is insufficient information to identify the true underlying cause of death, the death will be classified using less informative codes, garbage codes. If many deaths are assigned a garbage code, the information value of the cause-of-death statistics is reduced. The aim of this study was to analyse the use of garbage codes in the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry (NCoDR).MethodsData from NCoDR on all deaths among Norwegian residents in the years 1996–2019 were used to describe the occurrence of garbage codes. We used logistic regression analyses to identify determinants for the use of garbage codes. Possible explanatory factors were year of death, sex, age of death, place of death and whether an autopsy was performed.ResultsA total of 29.0% (290,469/1,000,128) of the deaths were coded with a garbage code; 14.1% (140,804/1,000,128) with a major and 15.0% (149,665/1,000,128) with a minor garbage code. The five most common major garbage codes overall were ICD-10 codes I50 (heart failure), R96 (sudden death), R54 (senility), X59 (exposure to unspecified factor), and A41 (other sepsis). The most prevalent minor garbage codes were I64 (unspecified stroke), J18 (unspecified pneumonia), C80 (malignant neoplasm with unknown primary site), E14 (unspecified diabetes mellitus), and I69 (sequelae of cerebrovascular disease).The most important determinants for the use of garbage codes were the age of the deceased (OR 17.4 for age ≥ 90 vs age < 1) and death outside hospital (OR 2.08 for unknown place of death vs hospital).ConclusionOver a 24-year period, garbage codes were used in 29.0% of all deaths. The most important determinants of a death to be assigned a garbage code were advanced age and place of death outside hospital. Knowledge of the national epidemiological situation, as well as the rules and guidelines for mortality coding, is essential for understanding the prevalence and distribution of garbage codes, in order to rely on vital statistics.

Similarities and Differences in the Outsiders and Insiders' Visual Preferences on Sacred Landscape

Previous studies have reported religious and non-religious people as having different psychological experiences when visiting sacred landscapes; however, the visual consensus and differences between diverse groups visiting them have rarely been considered. This study used subjective preference evaluation and experimental eye tracking to assess the visual preferences of different groups regarding sacred landscapes. Overall, 48 photos of the Han Chinese Buddhist temples were selected as stimulus materials, including the categories of squares, architecture, waterscapes, and plants. In all, 90 participants were classified into two groups of outsiders and insiders to view the photos. The consensus and differences in their visual preferences and eye movement metrics were evaluated. The results showed that the two groups were more inclined toward the visual preference of religious architectures than the natural landscape that people usually prefer. Another noteworthy discovery revealed the significant differences between the outsiders and the insiders in viewing and evaluating sacred landscapes; the immersion effect explains this result. Specifically, the group with a higher interaction with the environment had greater visual experiences, easier visual information coding, and larger visual exploration range. In addition, this study revealed familiarity with the religious background facilitated achieving a higher consistency between the landscape preference scores and the eye movement metrics. These findings expand the theory of religious environment perception and provided important insights for subsequent research on sacred landscape planning and management.

Celsr2 regulates NMDA receptors and dendritic homeostasis in dorsal CA1 to enable social memory.

Social recognition and memory are critical for survival. The hippocampus serves as a central neural substrate underlying the dynamic coding and transmission of social information. Yet the molecular mechanisms regulating social memory integrity in hippocampus remain unelucidated. Here we report unexpected roles of Celsr2, an atypical cadherin, in regulating hippocampal synaptic plasticity and social memory in mice. Celsr2-deficient mice exhibited defective social memory, with rather intact levels of sociability. In vivo fiber photometry recordings disclosed decreased neural activity of dorsal CA1 pyramidal neuron in Celsr2 mutants performing social memory task. Celsr2 deficiency led to selective impairment in NMDAR but not AMPAR-mediated synaptic transmission, and to neuronal hypoactivity in dorsal CA1. Those activity changes were accompanied with exuberant apical dendrites and immaturity of spines of CA1 pyramidal neurons. Strikingly, knockdown of Celsr2 in adult hippocampus recapitulated the behavioral and cellular changes observed in knockout mice. Restoring NMDAR transmission or CA1 neuronal activities rescued social memory deficits. Collectively, these results show a critical role of Celsr2 in orchestrating dorsal hippocampal NMDAR function, dendritic and spine homeostasis, and social memory in adulthood.

The minimum description length principle for pattern mining: a survey

Mining patterns is a core task in data analysis and, beyond issues of efficient enumeration, the selection of patterns constitutes a major challenge. The Minimum Description Length (MDL) principle, a model selection method grounded in information theory, has been applied to pattern mining with the aim to obtain compact high-quality sets of patterns. After giving an outline of relevant concepts from information theory and coding, we review MDL-based methods for mining different kinds of patterns from various types of data. Finally, we open a discussion on some issues regarding these methods.

A traceability model for imported dairy products using multiplatform ID product

Milk is a food product with a long chain circulation pattern. It must be handled correctly to maintain its quality. The variety of products and suppliers creates the need for various product identities, types and patterns. Identity or ID is made in the form of a code of important information. This diversity poses a challenge for industrial-scale recipients to record and obtain information to ensure quality and traceability. This study aims to design a system that can read, store product identity data with complex patterns, different types of codes, and translate them into information. This study uses the SDLC method to build a conceptual framework, where the mapping of needs in this study is shown in UML diagrams, use case diagrams, and BPMN diagrams. The information system is made web-based. Mobile data and information are facilitated by android devices equipped with an ID code scanner (multiplatform). This system works in an online network and automatically provides decision-making information.

Enhanced motor cortex output and disinhibition in asymptomatic female mice with C9orf72 genetic expansion.

Information and action coding by cortical circuits relies on a balanced dialogue between excitation and inhibition. Circuit hyperexcitability is considered a potential pathophysiological mechanism in various brain disorders, but the underlying deficits, especially at early disease stages, remain largely unknown. We report that asymptomatic female mice carrying the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) repeat expansion, which represents a high-prevalence genetic abnormality for human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) spectrum disorder, exhibit abnormal motor cortex output. The number of primary motor cortex (M1) layer 5 pyramidal neurons is reduced in asymptomatic mice, with the surviving neurons receiving a decreased inhibitory drive that results in a higher M1 output, specifically during high-speed animal locomotion. Importantly, using deep-learning algorithms revealed that speed-dependent M1 output predicts the likelihood of C9orf72 genetic expansion. Our data link early circuit abnormalities with a gene mutation in asymptomatic ALS/FTLD carriers.

Coding structure of highway engineering information model

Model identification code is the key to the data integration and effective transmission of highway engineering information model from the early stage of design to project construction and operation management, so as to form structured data for integrated management and analysis. By studying the existing information model classification and coding system, this paper analyzes the application and existing problems of various information model identification and code breakdown structures such as engineering system breakdown structure coding, space and classification coding, and work breakdown structure coding, comprehensively considers the different needs of construction management, measurement and payment, file management and big data utilization, and puts forward a "five-grade" highway engineering information model with location and version based on ISO 12006-2 framework, covering projects, construction sites, components, classification and coding framework. This model has been applied in the actual engineering construction management information system. The association and data transmission between construction management information and models are effectively realized through the application of model identification coding, which provides a basis for data sharing and exchange between information systems.

IMPLEMENTATION OF A METHOD FOR SYNTHESIZING GROUPS OF SYMMETRIC DOUBLE-OPERAND OPERATIONS OF CRYPTOGRAPHIC INFORMATION CODING FOR BLOCK ENCRYPTION SYSTEMS

The object of the study is the processes of building groups of symmetric double-operand operations of cryptographic coding of information. The subject of the study are features of the implementation of a generalized method of synthesis groups of symmetric two-operand operations of cryptographic coding information for "lightweight cryptography". The purpose of this work is to investigate the process of building and implementing a method of synthesis of groups of symmetric multibit double-operand operations of information cryptographic coding to provide automation for finding ways to increase the variability, and stability of lightweight cryptoalgorithms. The following tasks are solved in the article: to determine the mathematical group of single-operand operations, on the basis of which the realization of the method of synthesis of groups of symmetric double-operand operations of cryptographic coding will be presented; to offer the search technology of symmetric double-operand operations; to evaluate power of synthesized groups of operations, and their influence on variability and stability of " lightweight cryptography" algorithms. The following results were obtained: the technology for determining symmetric double-operand operations, which will be the basis for the synthesis of a group of symmetric double-operand operations, was proposed. A method for synthesizing groups of symmetric double-operand cryptographic information coding operations for block encryption systems was proposed and implemented. On the example of module-two addition with correction and the use of three-digit single-operand operations, the practical implementation of this method was shown. Based on the synthesized operations and the given quantitative characteristics of the set of single-operand operations, the power of synthesized groups of operations and their influence on the variability and stability of "lightweight cryptography" algorithms were evaluated. Conclusions: the proposed and implemented method of synthesis of groups of symmetric double-operand operations of cryptographic coding information allows to provide the possibility of increasing the variability of lightweight crypto-algorithms. Synthesis of symmetric cryptographic coding operations belonging to different mathematical groups provides increase of algorithm's crypto stability. Application of synthesized cryptographic coding operations leads to significant increase of variability of cryptoalgorithms and their complexity.

CONSTRUCTIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INFORMATION AND METHODOLOGICAL SUPPORT IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Educational and methodical materials in modern institutions of secondary vocational education are associated with the use of complex information and technical systems, computing and measuring instruments, and their implementation, using systems for transmission, storage, processing, formalization, and coding of information. At the heart of these processes are intensively implemented information systems that operate on the basis of information and communication technologies. Many studies have shown that the use of the above tools and systems requires the formation of a certain information culture of teachers of secondary vocational education, which they acquire in the process of vocational education. The current state of development and use of information and methodological support, which operates on the basis of information and communication technologies in secondary vocational education institutions, is analyzed. Pedagogical and ergonomic requirements and pedagogical conditions for the electronic educational resource for academic disciplines are substantiated. The conducted pedagogical experiment on the assessment of the level of competence of the teacher of secondary vocational education in the field of creation and use of the electronic educational resource as a part of information and methodical maintenance of educational process is described. In the process of designing information and methodological support of the educational process, significant sources of information were identified: pedagogical and ergonomic quality of the developed electronic educational resources; formation of professionally important qualities in the conditions of use of means of information and communication technologies; formation of the teacher’s readiness to develop and use an electronic educational resource based on the implementation of didactic capabilities of information and communication technologies.&#x0D; Keywords: information and methodological support; institutions of professional (vocational) education; professional education; educational process; electronic educational resource.

Generation of elliptical airy vortex beams based on all-dielectric metasurface

Elliptical airy vortex beams (EAVBs) can spontaneously form easily identifiable topological charge focal spots. They are used for topological charge detection of vortex beams because they have the abruptly autofocusing properties of circular airy vortex beams and exhibit unique propagation characteristics. We study the use of the dynamic phase and Pancharatnam–Berry phase principles for generation and modulation of EAVBs by designing complex-amplitude metasurface and phase-only metasurface, at an operating wavelength of 1500 nm. It is found that the focusing pattern of EAVBs in the autofocusing plane splits into |m|+1 tilted bright spots from the original ring, and the tilted direction is related to the sign of the topological charge number m. Due to the advantages of ultra-thin, ultra-light, and small size of the metasurface, our designed metasurface device has potential applications in improving the channel capacity based on orbital angular momentum communication, information coding, and particle capture compared to spatial light modulation systems that generate EAVBs.

Error-based or target-based? A unified framework for learning in recurrent spiking networks.

The field of recurrent neural networks is over-populated by a variety of proposed learning rules and protocols. The scope of this work is to define a generalized framework, to move a step forward towards the unification of this fragmented scenario. In the field of supervised learning, two opposite approaches stand out, error-based and target-based. This duality gave rise to a scientific debate on which learning framework is the most likely to be implemented in biological networks of neurons. Moreover, the existence of spikes raises the question of whether the coding of information is rate-based or spike-based. To face these questions, we proposed a learning model with two main parameters, the rank of the feedback learning matrix [Formula: see text] and the tolerance to spike timing τ⋆. We demonstrate that a low (high) rank [Formula: see text] accounts for an error-based (target-based) learning rule, while high (low) tolerance to spike timing promotes rate-based (spike-based) coding. We show that in a store and recall task, high-ranks allow for lower MSE values, while low-ranks enable a faster convergence. Our framework naturally lends itself to Behavioral Cloning and allows for efficiently solving relevant closed-loop tasks, investigating what parameters [Formula: see text] are optimal to solve a specific task. We found that a high [Formula: see text] is essential for tasks that require retaining memory for a long time (Button and Food). On the other hand, this is not relevant for a motor task (the 2D Bipedal Walker). In this case, we find that precise spike-based coding enables optimal performances. Finally, we show that our theoretical formulation allows for defining protocols to estimate the rank of the feedback error in biological networks. We release a PyTorch implementation of our model supporting GPU parallelization.

Liquid-crystal q-plates with a phase core to generation vortex beams with controllable number of singularities

Based on the method of azo dye photoalignment, electrically controlled liquid crystal (LC) q-plates for the generation of a given number of polarization and phase optical singularities have been designed. The results of experimental studies of polarization and phase characteristics of the generated singular beams are in good agreement with the proposed theoretical model. The proposed devices can be adapted for a variety of problems of modern photonics, including implementation of structured illumination microscopy, information coding, optical security technology, microrheology etc.

Socioenvironmental conflicts and social representations surrounding mining extractivism at Santurban

During the process of delimitation of the Santurban moorland ecosystem (Colombia), a socioenvironmental conflict arose from small and large-scale mining extractivism. This study analyzes the social representations of settlers in this moorland ecosystem, regarding the meaning, practice and value of their territory and water as a vital resource, in order to interpret their perceptions on the internal dynamics of conflict and the different aspects symbolizing their complexity. An ethnographic design was implemented by NVIVO software information coding. The findings underscore the uncertainty of rural stakeholders facing the impossibility to continue to develop ancestral mining activities and the disputes arising from the urban setting for the defense of water. It was concluded that the socioenvironmental conflict presented requires ongoing participation from rural and urban settlers, in consideration to their permanent questions regarding the current situation in their regions and the permanent search for solutions.

A general decoding strategy explains the relationship between behavior and correlated variability.

Improvements in perception are frequently accompanied by decreases in correlated variability in sensory cortex. This relationship is puzzling because overall changes in correlated variability should minimally affect optimal information coding. We hypothesize that this relationship arises because instead of using optimal strategies for decoding the specific stimuli at hand, observers prioritize generality: a single set of neuronal weights to decode any stimuli. We tested this using a combination of multineuron recordings in the visual cortex of behaving rhesus monkeys and a cortical circuit model. We found that general decoders optimized for broad rather than narrow sets of visual stimuli better matched the animals' decoding strategy, and that their performance was more related to the magnitude of correlated variability. In conclusion, the inverse relationship between perceptual performance and correlated variability can be explained by observers using a general decoding strategy, capable of decoding neuronal responses to the variety of stimuli encountered in natural vision.

From integrative biology to the nerve impulse: Rethinking neural information and semiotics in functional systems perspective

Received concepts of neural activity, building on the technical concepts of information processing and coding, do not formulate the problems that an organism must formulate in order to cope with its environment. Specifically, this includes the problems of self-maintenance and adaptation, and how such activities are to be monitored and corrected in case of their (anticipated) deviation from viable norms. In this paper, it is shown how the functional systems theory of P. K. Anokhin formulated key notions of adaptive control, self-monitoring, and self-detectable (“system-detectable”) error that directly anticipate current debates on neural information and representation, and allow to reframe these debates in new empirical and theoretical perspectives. In addition to showing this on the basis of early (less known and untranslated) works, we analyze how functional systems pose new questions for current research. Specifically, recent discoveries in integrative and cellular neuroscience regarding the biophysical limits of signal summation in neural cells directly confirm Anokhin’s analysis of the integrative activities of the neuron. These findings may have wide implications, and call for new and biologically more specific models of the integrative and semiotic closure of nervous activity, in line with the systemic closure of the organismic functions in which they participate.

Scattering-coded architectured boundary for computational sensing of elastic waves

Object localization through active elastic waves is a crucial technology but generally requires a transducer array with complex hardware. Although computational sensing can overcome the shortcomings of transducer array by merging artificially designed structures into the sensing process, coding spatial elastic waves for active object sensing is still a knowledge gap. Here, we propose a scattering-coded architectured boundary composed of randomly distributed scatterers for computational sensing of objects with a single transducer. The multiple scattering effects of the architectured boundary introduce complexity into scattered fields to achieve a highly uncorrelated scattering coding of Lamb waves, thereby eliminating the ambiguity of the object location information. We demonstrate that the object locations can be uniquely identified by using the scattering-coded architectured boundary. The proposed strategy opens avenues for artificially designed boundaries with the capability of information coding and identification, providing important applications in wave sensing such as human-machine interactions and structural monitoring. • An architectured boundary is proposed for object localization with a single transducer • Complex disturbances caused by multiple scattering enable spatial scattering coding • Object locations are identified by using a computational sensing algorithm • A type of touchscreen with an architectured boundary is designed for interactive input Jiang et al. propose a scattering-coded architectured boundary composed of randomly distributed scatterers for computational sensing of objects with a single transducer. This strategy provides avenues for artificially designed boundaries with the capability of information coding, boosting wave-sensing applications such as structural monitoring and human-machine interactions.

Hamilton energy, complex dynamical analysis and information patterns of a new memristive FitzHugh-Nagumo neural network

This paper presents and studies the dynamics of a single neuron, followed by the network of an improved FitzHugh-Nagumo model with memristive autapse. The investigation on the single neuron revealed that, for the set of the system parameters used for our study, the improved model experiences hidden dynamics. The Hamilton energy of the proposed model is established by exploiting the Helmholtz theorem. It is found that the external current has no effect on that energy and only the memristive autapse strength is able to affect the energy released by the considered neuron. The study of the dynamics of the proposed model revealed neuronal behaviors such as quiescent, bursting, spiking, and hysteretic dynamics characterized by the coexistence of firing patterns for the same set of parameters. The electronic circuit of the proposed model is constructed and simulated in the Pspice environment, and the obtained results match well with those obtained from the direct investigations of the mathematical model of the introduced neuron. Furthermore, a chain network of 500 identical neurons with memristive autapses is built and information pattern stability is investigated numerically via modulational instability under memristive autapse strength. It is found that with initial conditions taken as slightly modulated plane waves, the new network supports localized information patterns with traits of synchronization as a means of information coding. Also, by fixing the stimulation current, higher autaptic couplings resulted in new localized pattern formation, confirming the new information coding pattern and possible mode transition. This could provide a possible application in the building of artificial neurons.

A biomimetic sensor using neurotransmitter detection to decode odor perception by an olfactory network

Mammalian olfactory perception is an important physiological function for tasks such as finding food, identifying species, and avoiding enemies. Previous studies have demonstrated the molecular basis of receptors and the anatomical structure of the olfactory bulb (OB), which is the initial processing center for odor perception. However, there remains some controversy about the coding and transmission mode of olfactory information in the OB through neuronal interaction mediated by different neurotransmitters. In this paper, a biomimetic sensor based on OB neuronal network was developed to detect trace amounts of typical neurotransmitters and decode odor perception in vitro. Primary OB neurons were seeded on a microelectrode array (MEA) chip to capture multichannel extracellular electrical activities. The firing features of OB neurons were statistically analyzed after stimulation with graded concentrations of the glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Cross-correlation analysis between channels was used to evaluate the connection status in the neuronal networks. The concentration-dependent responses to these two neurotransmitters were assessed over a range of values, and the lower limits of detection for glutamate and GABA were 100 nM and 50 nM, respectively. Stimulation with excessive concentrations produced response tolerance and neurotoxicity, and transmission between cells in the neural network was modulated by different neurotransmitters. This device could serve as a novel biosensor for detecting trace amounts of common neurotransmitters and for screening the effects of drugs on the physiology of olfaction. The response patterns of this biomimetic sensor are conducive to revealing the coding mechanism of information processing in the olfactory system.

Some new symmetric Hadamard matrices

Introduction: It is conjectured that the symmetric Hadamard matrices of order 4v exist for all odd integers v&gt;0. In recent years, their existence has been proven for many new orders by using a special method known as the propus construction. This construction uses difference families Xk (k=1, 2, 3, 4) over the cyclic group Zv (integers mod v) with parameters (v; k1, k2, k3, k4; λ) where X1 is symmetric, X2=X3, and k1+2k2+k4=v+λ. It is also conjectured that such difference families (known as propus families) exist for all parameter sets mentioned above excluding the case when all the ki are equal. This new conjecture has been verified for all odd v≤53. Purpose: To construct many new symmetric Hadamard matrices by using the propus construction and to provide further support for the above-mentioned conjecture. Results: The first examples of symmetric Hadamard matrices of orders 4v are presented for v=127 and v=191. The systematic computer search for symmetric Hadamard matrices based on the propus construction has been extended to cover the cases v=55, 57, 59, 61, 63. Practical relevance: Hadamard matrices are used extensively in the problems of error-free coding, and compression and masking of video information.

The time-course of feature-based attention effects dissociated from temporal expectation and target-related processes

Selective attention prioritises relevant information amongst competing sensory input. Time-resolved electrophysiological studies have shown stronger representation of attended compared to unattended stimuli, which has been interpreted as an effect of attention on information coding. However, because attention is often manipulated by making only the attended stimulus a target to be remembered and/or responded to, many reported attention effects have been confounded with target-related processes such as visual short-term memory or decision-making. In addition, attention effects could be influenced by temporal expectation about when something is likely to happen. The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamic effect of attention on visual processing using multivariate pattern analysis of electroencephalography (EEG) data, while (1) controlling for target-related confounds, and (2) directly investigating the influence of temporal expectation. Participants viewed rapid sequences of overlaid oriented grating pairs while detecting a “target” grating of a particular orientation. We manipulated attention, one grating was attended and the other ignored (cued by colour), and temporal expectation, with stimulus onset timing either predictable or not. We controlled for target-related processing confounds by only analysing non-target trials. Both attended and ignored gratings were initially coded equally in the pattern of responses across EEG sensors. An effect of attention, with preferential coding of the attended stimulus, emerged approximately 230 ms after stimulus onset. This attention effect occurred even when controlling for target-related processing confounds, and regardless of stimulus onset expectation. These results provide insight into the effect of feature-based attention on the dynamic processing of competing visual information.