Software Implementation Research Articles

A lightweight anonymity protocol at terabit speeds on programmable switches

Anonymous communication protocols are integral tools for people to exercise the right to privacy in their online activities. Such tools are urged to offer maximum protection against various classes of adversaries, including rogue criminals, exploitative companies, and authoritarian or paternalistic regimes, while respecting the diversity of users’ activities, from e-mail and web browsing to file transfer and video streaming. In such a context, lightweight anonymity protocols are a promising solution to provide well-balanced anonymity and performance for daily use against a class of adversaries with a relaxed but realistic assumption of their capability. However, as the existing instantiations of these protocols solely target software implementation, they did not fully exhibit their advantages in performance by the relaxation of the adversarial model. This paper presents P5HI, a novel instantiation and implementation of a lightweight anonymity protocol on hardware programmable switches. Its realization requires a rethinking of all aspects of the system, beginning with the realization of bit-rotation on the switch, through the construction of a cryptographic scheme and attack prevention, to hardware-friendly procedures during path setup and data transmission. We deploy the full-fledged design of the lightweight anonymity protocol on an actual programmable switch, and our prototype demonstrates its operation at a speed of over 3.0 Tbps.

Computer modeling of a new type galactic cosmic rays simulator

A new type of a galactic cosmic rays (GCR) simulator, provided at the JINR Laboratory of Radiation Biology, is potentially capable of generating a complex radiation field with inclusions of a variety of ions with a wide energy range and with required abundance at the charged particle accelerators. This complex multicomponent radiation field simulates radiation environment inside a spacecraft during an interplanetary flight, for example, to Mars. The article provides an analytical description of the GCR simulator as well as a description of a specially developed software that enables selection of necessary parameters of a simulator model for creating relevant mixed radiation conditions. The software implements processing of data obtained with Monte Carlo-based FLUKA and PHITS programs, fitting and optimization of model parameters as well as data visualization tools.

Information System for Payment of Dues and Savings at SMA Negeri 1 Cibungbulang School Based on WEB

SMA Negeri 1 Cibungbulang, in recording Student Dues and Savings, still uses a spreadsheet application, where transaction recording use spreadsheet application has identified four cases that were complained of by the school administration: first, when recording payment transaction data, there was still an error in data input; secondly, when created the recapitulation report is still less effective and efficient; third when entering the school year the school Administration needs to re-create spreadsheet pages to separate old and new data; fourth transaction data is still prone to be scattered due to manual storage. Because of this, we need a better alternative to managing student finances so that it can be more effective and efficient. This study aims to analyze, design, and build a WEB-based Information System for Student Dues and Savings at SMA Negeri 1 Cibungbulang. The results obtained can improve the performance of the school administration in managing school finances. The system development method used is the waterfall model, which consists of four steps: Requirement Analysis and Definition, System and Software Design, Implementation and Unit Testing, Integration and System Testing. The results of this study obtained an information system that can manage information consisting of student data, class data, monthly dues data, savings, and recapitulation reports with automatically generate recapitulation reports also present a user-friendly user interface design so that errors in payment input and calculating the number of months in one semester do not occur. This information system is aimed at School Treasurer Staff, School Treasurer, and the Principal.

Empowering the biomedical research community: Innovative SAS deployment on the All of Us Researcher Workbench.

The All of Us Research Program is a precision medicine initiative aimed at establishing a vast, diverse biomedical database accessible through a cloud-based data analysis platform, the Researcher Workbench (RW). Our goal was to empower the research community by co-designing the implementation of SAS in the RW alongside researchers to enable broader use of All of Us data. Researchers from various fields and with different SAS experience levels participated in co-designing the SAS implementation through user experience interviews. Feedback and lessons learned from user testing informed the final design of the SAS application. The co-design approach is critical for reducing technical barriers, broadening All of Us data use, and enhancing the user experience for data analysis on the RW. Our co-design approach successfully tailored the implementation of the SAS application to researchers' needs. This approach may inform future software implementations on the RW.

Optimized k-Nearest neighbors search implementation on resource-constrained FPGA platforms

The k-Nearest Neighbors (kNN) algorithm is a fundamental machine learning classification technique with wide-ranging applications. Among various kNN implementation choices, FPGA-based heterogeneous systems have gained popularity due to FPGA's inherent parallelism, energy efficiency, and reconfigurability. However, implementing the kNN algorithm on resource-constrained embedded FPGA platforms, typically characterized by constrained programmable resources shared among various application-specific hardware units, necessitates a kNN accelerator architecture that balances high performance, hardware efficiency, and flexibility. To address this challenge, in this paper, we present a kNN hardware accelerator unit designed to optimize resource utilization by utilizing sequential, i.e. accumulation-based, instead of pipelined/parallel distance computations. The proposed architecture incorporates two key algorithmic optimizations to reduce the iteration count of the sequential distance computation loop: a dynamic lower bound enabling early termination of the distance computation and an online element selection that maximizes partial distance growth per iteration. We further enhance the accelerator's performance by incorporating multiple optimized sequential distance computation units, each dedicated to processing a segment of the training dataset. Our experiments demonstrate that the proposed approach is scalable, making it applicable to various hardware platforms and resource constraints. In particular, when implemented on an AMD Zynq device, the proposed single-core kNN accelerator occupies a mere 5 % of the FPGA's resources while delivering a speedup of 3 – 5 times compared to the kNN software implementation running on the accompanying ARM A9 processor. For the 8-core kNN accelerator, the resource utilization stands at 30 %, while the speedup factor ranges between 25 and 35.

PointPCA: point cloud objective quality assessment using PCA-based descriptors

Point clouds denote a prominent solution for the representation of 3D photo-realistic content in immersive applications. Similarly to other imaging modalities, quality predictions for point cloud contents are vital for a wide range of applications, enabling trade-off optimizations between data quality and data size in every processing step from acquisition to rendering. In this work, we focus on use cases that consider human end-users consuming point cloud contents and, hence, we concentrate on visual quality metrics. In particular, we propose a set of perceptually relevant descriptors based on principal component analysis (PCA) decomposition, which is applied to both geometry and texture data for full-reference point cloud quality assessment. Statistical features are derived from these descriptors to characterize local shape and appearance properties for both a reference and a distorted point cloud. The extracted statistical features are subsequently compared to provide corresponding predictions of visual quality for the distorted point cloud. As part of our method, a learning-based approach is proposed to fuse these individual predictors to a unified perceptual score. We validate the accuracy of the individual predictors, as well as the unified quality scores obtained after regression against subjectively annotated datasets, showing that our metric outperforms state-of-the-art solutions. Insights regarding design decisions are provided through exploratory studies, evaluating the performance of our metric under different parameter configurations, attribute domains, color spaces, and regression models. A software implementation of the proposed metric is made available at the following link: https://github.com/cwi-dis/pointpca.

Integrative spatiotemporal modeling of biomolecular processes: application to the assembly of the Nuclear Pore Complex.

Dynamic processes involving biomolecules are essential for the function of the cell. Here, we introduce an integrative method for computing models of these processes based on multiple heterogeneous sources of information, including time-resolved experimental data and physical models of dynamic processes. We first compute integrative structure models at fixed time points and then optimally select and connect these snapshots into a series of trajectories that optimize the likelihood of both the snapshots and transitions between them. The method is demonstrated by application to the assembly process of the human Nuclear Pore Complex in the context of the reforming nuclear envelope during mitotic cell division, based on live-cell correlated electron tomography, bulk fluorescence correlation spectroscopy-calibrated quantitative live imaging, and a structural model of the fully-assembled Nuclear Pore Complex. Modeling of the assembly process improves the model precision over static integrative structure modeling alone. The method is applicable to a wide range of time-dependent systems in cell biology, and is available to the broader scientific community through an implementation in the open source Integrative Modeling Platform software.

Arduino Nano Voice Recorder with MAX9814 Mic

This project involves creating a compact and efficient voice recorder using the Arduino Nano and the MAX9814 microphone amplifier. The device captures and stores high-quality audio, leveraging the Arduino Nano's small form factor and the superior audio sensitivity of the MAX9814. Ideal for various applications, including voice logging, sound monitoring, and DIY audio projects, this setup provides an affordable and accessible solution for enthusiasts and developers interested in audio recording technology. The project includes detailed instructions on hardware assembly and software implementation, ensuring ease of replication and customization.

Сценарное моделирование протестного потенциала на основе событийной идентификации динамики факторов

In this study, we present a scenario-based approach to investigate the protest potential in society using mathematical tools from graph theory and simulation modeling. The research objective. The research aims to construct a cognitive map that reflects key factors, such as population deprivation levels, overall well-being, social fears, trust in authority, social expectations, and stability of social structures. Materials and methods. The model of functional oriented graphs, which in turn is a development of the classical cognitive model, is used as a metamathematical apparatus in the study. In the software implementation, the method of linear regression data analysis was used to calculate e-scenarios for the behavior of vertices. Results. We report the results of a scenario analysis of the developed model, obtaining forecasted scenarios of the dynamics of society’s protest potential under various conditions and influences. At the core of this research is the examination of a complex system’s possible response to external destructive impacts, and we propose a set of measures to counteract these influences on societal dynamics. The scenario methodology combines graph theory for representing complex relationships between key factors and simulation modeling for predicting potential developmental scenarios. Conducting this study required modifying the traditional mathematical apparatus of cognitive modeling. We developed methods and algorithms for scenario-event identification of the model’s significant factors’ behavior and utilizing the results of such identification when forming complex functional relationships in the scenario model. In generating scenarios, the range of events is significantly expanded compared to traditional cognitive modeling approaches, which could have been overlooked but may be crucial for situational analysis. Conclusion. The scenario modeling technology presented in the work is implemented in the appropriate software and analytical complex, the purpose of which is to automate the processes of scenario research of socio-economic and political systems.

A STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF ANNEALING HEAT TREATMENT ON THE FATIGUE PROPERTIES OF 0.17%C HSLA STEELS: A STATISTICAL APPROACH

The present study investigated the effect of annealing heat treatment on the fatigue properties of 0.17%C of HSLA steels using a statistical approach. The Carbon equivalent (CE) was first calculated to determine the ideal starting point for annealing which is 840oC from the Iron Carbon phase diagram. The steel samples were then exposed to multi-régimes of annealing temperatures namely; 840 oC, 870 oC, 900oC, 930oC, 960oC and 990oC at 30oC interval they were then soaked for 30 minutes. Some of the samples were thereafter machined into fatigue samples before being subjected to fatigue test. Quantitative metallography was also carried to examine its microstructure; results showed that for the steel under study, higher annealing temperature improved the fatigue properties significantly. Highest number of cycles being recorded at 3.9 Ⅹ 103 and 1.3 X 103 at 321.3 MPa and 1606.57 MPa stress levels for samples annealed at 990 oC, this is followed closely by samples annealed at 960 oC which had 3.5 X 103 and 0.8 X 103 number of cycles at the same stress levels before failure. The control had the least number of cycles of about 0.9 X 103 and 0.1 X 103 at the same stress levels, and, standard deviation of 5.960 and a mean of 26.881 which shows that annealing greatly improved the fatigue life of the steel. The implemented software (ANOVA) test confirmed the results at 95% confidence which further showed that there was significant difference amid the annealing parameters and, it shows promising results.

Evaluating individualized treatment effect predictions: A model-based perspective on discrimination and calibration assessment.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the prediction of individualized treatment effects. While there is a rapidly growing literature on the development of such models, there is little literature on the evaluation of their performance. In this paper, we aim to facilitate the validation of prediction models for individualized treatment effects. The estimands of interest are defined based on the potential outcomes framework, which facilitates a comparison of existing and novel measures. In particular, we examine existing measures of discrimination for benefit (variations of the c-for-benefit), and propose model-based extensions to the treatment effect setting for discrimination and calibration metrics that have a strong basis in outcome risk prediction. The main focus is on randomized trial data with binary endpoints and on models that provide individualized treatment effect predictions and potential outcome predictions. We use simulated data to provide insight into the characteristics of the examined discrimination and calibration statistics under consideration, and further illustrate all methods in a trial of acute ischemic stroke treatment. The results show that the proposed model-based statistics had the best characteristics in terms of bias and accuracy. While resampling methods adjusted for the optimism of performance estimates in the development data, they had a high variance across replications that limited their accuracy. Therefore, individualized treatment effect models are best validated in independent data. To aid implementation, a software implementation of the proposed methods was made available in R.

Design of an Inventory Information System at ITSK Soepraoen Using the Waterfall Method

In the current digital era, the use of information technology has become an urgent need for various institutions, including educational institutions. ITSK Soepraoen has integrated information systems in several units to increase operational efficiency. However, inventory data collection is still done manually using Microsoft Excel, which has proven to be less efficient and often causes delays in data processing. This research aims to design a website-based inventory information system at ITSK Soepraoen using the Waterfall method. This system is expected to facilitate data collection and management of inventory items as well as increase accuracy, transparency and efficiency in data processing. The research method used is the Waterfall approach which consists of four stages: requirements definition, system and software design, implementation, and testing. The result of this research is a lo-fi mockup of an inventory system that is well received by users with an acceptance rate of 92.75%. This percentage is relatively high so it can be concluded that the user accepts the design that has been created and for the next stage this inventory system can be fully implemented.

SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE SYSTEM DESIGN FOR THE MASS SERVICE SYSTEMS MODELING TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN GO PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE

The subject of the article is the methods and approaches to organizing the architecture of software implementation designed for modeling the behavior of mass service systems. The goal of the work is to design a software architecture for implementation in Go language, intended to replicate the behavior of various types of mass service systems, without considering the failure of individual service channels, using parallel computing. The article addresses the following tasks: consider the basis for designing the architecture and conclude its appropriateness; develop requirements for the future software product for more effective resource use and clear definition of successful completion; analyze the approaches to organizing software architecture and make a justified decision on the application of one of them; design a general algorithm scheme taking into account all requirements; identify the components of the modeled system and their interactions; build process diagrams considering the specifics of the Go programming language; define the method and contracts of interaction with the software. The research will utilize the following methods: Go programming language, concurrency, architectural UML diagrams, C4 diagrams, process diagrams. The following results were obtained: the requirements for the software for modeling mass service operations (SMO) were defined; common approaches to organizing architecture were considered and a comparative analysis was conducted; the structure of the future program was developed at the necessary levels of abstraction; for the first time, an architecture of the software product for modeling various mass service systems using parallel computing and the concurrency approach under the implementation in the Go programming language was proposed.

HPC software for modelling field electron emission

The aim of this work is modeling processes of field electron emission in strong electromagnetic fields. This problem is relevant for many technical and medical applications. At present time, electrical devices that combine a large value of field, a powerful relativistic effect and an ultra-short time interval of action are in demand. They find their application in the treatment of the surfaces with inorganic, organic and mixed structures. Modeling of such devices encounters certain difficulties due to the complexity of the mathematical description of the emission processes. In this paper, an approach using the method of large smoothed particles in combination with grid calculation of fields based on Maxwell's equations is proposed. The study was carried out within the framework of the problem of calculating the field emission of electrons from the surface of axisymmetric metal cathodes on Cartesian and unstructured curved meshes. To implement the approach, a complex mathematical model, a parallel numerical algorithm and its software realization have been developed. The elaborated software is focused on the use of multiprocessor computing systems with a central architecture. Test calculations confirmed the correctness of the proposed approach and the high efficiency of its software implementation.

Current situation and future issues with Kampo medicine: A survey of Japanese physicians

AbstractAimWe aimed to elucidate the present clinical situation, future challenges, and potential need for diagnostic support software in Kampo medicine.MethodsWe conducted an online survey (comprising 28 questions) of Japanese physicians from the 23 to 24 January 2024 via MedPeer. The participants' responses were stratified according to their age distribution.ResultsWe evaluated data for 652 respondents. The most common respondent age groups were those in their 30s and 40s. The most common specialty of respondents was internal medicine (43.7%). Only 33.7% of respondents had received education on Kampo medicine at university. Most respondents (90.0%) were not licensed as certified physicians or members of the Japan Society for Oriental Medicine. Most respondents (86.7%) currently prescribed Kampo formulas (current users); only 3.8% had no experience in prescribing Kampo formulas. The conditions for which Kampo formulas were frequently prescribed were muscle cramps, constipation, medically unexplained symptoms/menopausal syndrome, appetite loss/malnutrition, and fatigue. However, 48.3% of current users did not use traditional Kampo patterns (sho). The most frequent issues reported by respondents were the lack of scientific evidence and standardization of diagnostic methods in Kampo medicine. Respondents indicated the need for postgraduate education and implementation of diagnostic support software for using Kampo patterns by non‐specialists in Kampo medicine.ConclusionThere was a discrepancy between the high frequency of Kampo formula prescriptions and the low use of traditional Kampo patterns in Japan. Diagnostic support software is likely to become a useful method of improving appropriate Kampo formula prescriptions by non‐specialists.

Моделирование системы очистки сточных вод животноводческих ферм

Among the sources of pollution of surface water bodies from agricultural activities, livestock, pig and poultry complexes can be prioritized, which are uncontrolled and diffuse sources of suspended solids, organic compounds, biogenic elements, heavy metals and pathogenic microflora, which causes biochemical pollution and has a particularly detrimental effect on the state of inland reservoirs. Wastewater from agricultural processing enterprises and household water from rural settlements with unpredictable pollutants play a significant role in pollution. The livestock sector is one of the largest consumers of water. The large number of animals in a confined space, the use of hydraulic harvesting systems when removing their waste products, leads to the formation of manure in significant quantities. Sanitary and hygienic standards in industrial premises are supported with the help of water – animals are washed with it, rooms are cleaned, and they are disinfected, food is prepared, dishes and equipment are washed, manure is washed off with water, and so on. Accordingly, as the demand for water in animal husbandry increases, the volume of wastewater discharge that contains manure into nearby water bodies increases. The effluents that are formed as a result of the activities of the livestock sector are classified as containing a large amount of harmful substances with a high concentration. Depending on the sources of pollution and the main pollutants, technical solutions should be developed to reduce the volume of wastewater and its treatment. The effectiveness of their functioning can be ensured with the help of modern information processing methods, using methods of system analysis of complex objects based on a mathematical description of the technological process. To analyze the state of the treatment system as a whole and predict the development of emergency situations, a software implementation of a wastewater treatment system for livestock farms was created.

Polyenergetic reconstruction mitigates streak artifacts by dual source imaging in chest photon counting detector computed tomography

ObjectiveThis study aims to assess the efficacy of polyenergetic reconstruction methods in reducing streak artifacts caused by dual source imaging in Photon Counting Detector Computed Tomography (PCD-CT) imaging, thereby improving image quality and diagnostic accuracy. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted, involving 50 patients who underwent chest Computed Tomography Angiography with PCD-CT, focusing on those with streak artifacts. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed on images reconstructed using monoenergetic and polyenergetic techniques. Quantitative evaluations measured the attenuation of tracheal air density in regions affected by streak artifacts, while qualitative assessments employed a modified Likert scale to rate image quality. Statistical analyses included Wilcoxon's signed-rank tests and Spearman's correlation, alongside assessments of inter-rater reliability. ResultsThere was significantly lower attenuation of tracheal air density on the polyenergetic reconstructions (Median − 1010 ± 62 HU vs −930 ± 110 HU; P < 0.001), and significantly decreased variation on the polyenergetic reconstructions (Median 65.2 ± 79.5 HU vs 38.8 ± 33.9 HU; P < 0.001). The median modified-Likert scale were significantly better for the polyenergetic reconstructions (median modified-Likert 4 ± 0.5 vs 2.5 ± 1; P < 0.001). The inter-rater agreement was substantial and not significantly different between reconstructions (Gwet's ACPolyenergetic = 0.78 vs Gwet's ACVMI = 0.775). ConclusionPolyenergetic reconstruction significantly mitigates streak artifacts in PCD-CT imaging, enhancing quantitative and qualitative image quality. This advancement addresses a known limitation of current PCD-CT reconstruction techniques, offering a promising approach to improving diagnostic reliability and accuracy in clinical practice. We demonstrate that future software implementations can resolve this artifact.

Optimization of the Shunt Currents and Pressure Losses of a VRFB by Applying a Discrete PSO Algorithm

This paper presents an extensive study on the electrochemical, shunt currents, and hydraulic modeling of a vanadium redox flow battery of m stacks and n cells per stack. The shunt currents model of the battery has been developed through the use of Kirchoff’s laws, taking into account the different design cases that can occur and enumerating the equations of nodes and meshes specifying them so that the software implementation can be performed in a direct way. The hydraulic model has been developed by numerical methods. These models are put to work simultaneously in order to simulate the behavior of a VRFB battery during charging and discharging, obtaining the pressure losses and shunt currents that occur in the battery. Using these models, and by using a PSO-type optimization algorithm, specifically designed for discrete variables, the battery design is optimized in order to minimize the round-trip efficiency losses due to pressure losses and shunt currents. In the optimization of the battery design, value is given to the number of stacks in which the total number of cells in the battery is distributed and the dimensions of the piping relative to both the stacks and the cells.

A qualitative, multi-centre approach to the current state of digitalisation and automation of surveillance in infection prevention and control in German hospitals

BackgroundHealthcare associated infections (HAI) pose a major threat to healthcare systems resulting in an increased burden of disease. Surveillance plays a key role in rapidly identifying these infections and preventing further transmissions. Alas, in German hospitals, the majority of surveillance efforts have been heavily relying on labour intensive processes like manual chart review. In order to be able to identify further starting points for future digital tools and interventions to aid the surveillance of HAI we aimed to gain an understanding of the current state of digitalisation in the context of the general surveillance organisation in German clinics across all care-levels. The end user perspective of infection prevention and control (IPC) professionals was chosen to identify digital interventions that have the biggest impact on the daily surveillance work routines of IPC professionals. Perceived impediments in the advancement of surveillance digitalisation should be explored.MethodsFollowing the development of an interview guideline, eight IPC professionals from seven German hospitals of different care levels were questioned in semi- structured interviews between December 2022 and January 2023. These included questions about general surveillance organisation, access to digital data sources, software to aid the surveillance process as well as current issues in the surveillance process and implementation of software systems. Subsequently, after full transcription, the interview sections were categorized in code categories (first deductive then inductive coding) and analysed qualitatively.ResultsResults were characterised by high heterogeneity in terms of general surveillance organisation and access to digital data sources. Software configuration of hospital and laboratory information systems (HIS/LIS) as well as patient data management systems (PDMS) varied not only between hospitals of different care levels but also between hospitals of the same care level. Outside research projects, neither fully automatic software nor solutions utilising artificial intelligence have currently been implemented in clinical routine in any of the hospitals.ConclusionsAccess to digital data sources and software is increasingly available to aid surveillance of HAI. Nevertheless, surveillance processes in hospitals analysed in this study still heavily rely on manual processes. In the analysed hospitals, there is an implementation and funding gap of (semi-) automatic surveillance solutions in clinical practice, especially in healthcare facilities of lower care levels.

A Framework and Taxonomy for Characterizing the Applicability of Software Architecture Recovery Approaches: A Tertiary‐Mapping Study

SummarySoftware architecture assists developers in addressing non‐functional requirements and in maintaining, debugging, and upgrading their software systems. Consequently, consistency between the designed architecture and the implemented software system itself is important; without this consistency the non‐functional requirements targeted may not be addressed and architectural documentation may mis‐direct maintenance efforts that target the associated code‐base. But often, when software is initially implemented or subsequently evolved, the designed architecture and software architecture become inconsistent, with the implemented structure degraded due to issues like developer time‐pressures, or ambiguous communication of the designed architecture. In such cases, Software Architecture Recovery (SAR) or consistency approaches can be applied to reconstruct the architecture of the software system and possibly to compare it to/re‐align it with the designed architecture. Many SAR approaches have been proposed in the research. However, choosing an appropriate architecture recovery approach for software systems is still an open issue. Consequently, this research aims to conduct a tertiary‐mapping study based on available secondary studies of architecture recovery approaches, to uncover important characteristics, towards the selection of appropriate SAR approaches. This research has aggregated 13 secondary studies and 10 primary studies beyond 2020 from 5 databases and, in doing so, identified 111 architecture recovery approaches. Based on these approaches, a taxonomy, containing nine main SAR‐selection categories is proposed and a framework (in the form of a supporting tool to help developers select an appropriate SAR approach) has been developed. Finally, this research identifies six potential open research gaps related to the underlying research that could be helpful for guiding research in the future.