Standardization Efforts Research Articles

Standardizing digital biobanks: integrating imaging, genomic, and clinical data for precision medicine.

Advancements in data acquisition and computational methods are generating a large amount of heterogeneous biomedical data from diagnostic domains such as clinical imaging, pathology, and next-generation sequencing (NGS), which help characterize individual differences in patients. However, this information needs to be available and suitable to promote and support scientific research and technological development, supporting the effective adoption of the precision medicine approach in clinical practice.Digital biobanks can catalyze this process, facilitating the sharing of curated and standardized imaging data, clinical, pathological and molecular data, crucial to enable the development of a comprehensive and personalized data-driven diagnostic approach in disease management and fostering the development of computational predictive models.This work aims to frame this perspective, first by evaluating the state of standardization of individual diagnostic domains and then by identifying challenges and proposing a possible solution towards an integrative approach that can guarantee the suitability of information that can be shared through a digital biobank.Our analysis of the state of the art shows the presence and use of reference standards in biobanks and, generally, digital repositories for each specific domain. Despite this, standardization to guarantee the integration and reproducibility of the numerical descriptors generated by each domain, e.g. radiomic, pathomic and -omic features, is still an open challenge. Based on specific use cases and scenarios, an integration model, based on the JSON format, is proposed that can help address this problem.Ultimately, this work shows how, with specific standardization and promotion efforts, the digital biobank model can become an enabling technology for the comprehensive study of diseases and the effective development of data-driven technologies at the service of precision medicine.

Biomarkers of Cartilage Composition.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has significantly advanced the understanding of osteoarthritis (OA) because it enables visualization of noncalcified tissues. Cartilage is avascular and nurtured by diffusion, so it has a very low turnover and limited capabilities of repair. Consequently, prevention of structural and detection of premorphological damage is key in maintaining cartilage health. The integrity of cartilage composition and ultrastructure determines its mechanical properties but is not accessible to morphological imaging. Therefore, various techniques of compositional MRI with and without use of intravenous contrast medium have been developed. Spin-spin relaxation time (T2) and spin-lattice relaxation time constant in rotating frame (T1rho) mapping, the most studied cartilage biomarkers, were included in the recent standardization effort by the Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers Alliance (QIBA) that aims to make compositional MRI of cartilage clinically feasible and comparable. Additional techniques that are less frequently used include ultrashort echo time with T2*, delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC), glycosaminoglycan concentration by chemical exchange-dependent saturation transfer (gagCEST), sodium imaging, and diffusion-weighted MRI.

A Comprehensive Review of Hybrid Strategies and Deep Learning in Tyre Defect Detection

Abstract: This comprehensive exploration centers on the pivotal role of tyres in vehicular performance, particularly in the era of autonomous vehicles. Navigating the intricate dynamics of tyre-road interactions, the study delves into a spectrum of methodologies for effective tyre defect detection. Emphasizing the evolutionary landscape from intelligent tyres with sensor technology to the transformative impact of deep learning, the focus remains on addressing challenges such as imbalanced datasets and limited labeled samples through strategies like transfer learning and domain adaptation. Key studies include innovative approaches like Hybrid-DBN for crack detection, 3D laser scanning for low-visibility defects, and the application of Wasserstein GAN for handling imbalanced datasets. These advancements signal paradigm shifts in the field, integrating hybrid methodologies, inventive data augmentation, and domain adaptation. Real-world scenarios, including tyre tread wear detection and MEMS accelerometer-based monitoring, highlight the practical implications of these methodologies. The conclusion acknowledges persistent challenges and suggests future research directions, advocating for standardized evaluation frameworks and collaborative efforts. The synthesis of insights contributes to the maturation of tyre defect detection research, offering a guide for the development of safer and more reliable vehicles on the road.

Comparative Study: Cloud Computing

The concept of cloud computing was invented by the Internet service providers to support a large number of users and elastic services with the least number of resources. This expanding field of cloud computing has become the need of the future and is at the cutting edge. The hosting process of cloud computing has been transformed from internal IT systems to public services, from cost-effective tools to revenue generator tools, and from ISP to telecom services. This paper describes the concept, overview, services of cloud computing, issues and challenges of cloud computing as the value chain and standardization effort. Working of Cloud is the distribution of Computing services which include servers, database, networking devices, storage devices, software, analytics and intelligence-over the Internet (“the Cloud“) to offer faster revolution, cost-saving and flexible resources, and economies of scale. The purpose of cloud computing is to deliver computing services which include servers, storage, database, networking, software, analytics, intelligence, and more, over the Cloud (Internet).Overviewing at the characteristics of cloud computing there are majorly 5 characteristics : (1) large scale computing resources (2) high scalability & elasticity (3)shared resource pool (virtualized and physical resource) (4)dynamic resource scheduling (5) general purpose

Performance and Efficiency Exploration of Hardware Polynomial Multipliers for Post-Quantum Lattice-Based Cryptosystems

The significant effort in the research and design of large-scale quantum computers has spurred a transition to post-quantum cryptographic primitives worldwide. The post-quantum cryptographic primitive standardization effort led by the US NIST has recently selected the asymmetric encryption primitive Kyber as its candidate for standardization and indicated NTRU, as a valid alternative if intellectual property issues are not solved. Finally, a more conservative alternative to NTRU, NTRUPrime was also considered as an alternate candidate, due to its design choices that remove the possibility for a large set of attacks preemptively. All the aforementioned asymmetric primitives provide good performances, and are prime choices to provide IoT devices with post-quantum confidentiality services. In this work, we present a comprehensive exploration of hardware designs for the computation of polynomial multiplications, the workhorse operation in all the aforementioned cryptosystems, with a thorough analysis of performance, compactness and efficiency. The presented designs cope with the differences in the arithmetics of polynomial rings employed by distinct cryptosystems, benefiting from configurations and optimizations that are applicable at synthesis time and/or run time. In this context, we target a use case scenario where long-term key pairs are used, such as the ones for VPNs (e.g., over IPSec), secure shell protocols and instant messaging applications. Our high-performance design variants exhibit figures of latency comparable to the ones needed for the execution of the symmetric cryptographic primitives also included in the Post-Quantum schemes. Notably, the performance figures of the designs proposed for NTRU and NTRU Prime surpass the ones described in the related literature.

CLSM-Guided Imaging for Quantifying Endodontic Disinfection.

Elimination of microbes in the root canal system is crucial for achieving long-term success in endodontic treatment. Further efforts in study design and standardization are needed in order to improve the validity and comparability of in vitro results on endodontic disinfection procedures, in turn improving clinical outcomes. This study optimizes two models at all steps: tooth selection, pretreatment, inoculation method (by growth or centrifugation), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM)-guided imaging of LIVE/DEAD-stained specimens. Individual anatomical conditions lead to substantial differences in penetration depth. Sclerosis grading (SCG), a classification system introduced in this study, provides information about the sclerosis status of the dentine and is helpful for careful, specific, and comparable tooth selection in in vitro studies. Sonically activated EDTA for the pretreatment of roots, inoculation of Enterococcus faecalis in an overflow model, 3-4 weeks of incubation, as well as polishing of dentine slices before staining, led to advances in the visualization of bacterial penetration and irrigation depths. In contrast, NaOCl pretreatment negatively affected performance reproducibility and should be avoided in any pretreatment. Nonsclerotized teeth (SCG0) can be used for microbial semilunar-shaped inoculation by centrifugation as a "quick-and-dirty" model for initial orientation. In conclusion, CLSM-guided imaging for quantifying endodontic infection/disinfection is a very powerful method after the fine-tuning of materials and methods.

GNSS Software-Defined Radio: History, Current Developments, and Standardization Efforts

GNSS Software-Defined Radio: History, Current Developments, and Standardization Efforts

Ideal free distributions form across a regulatory boundary in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Division 4X and 5Z groundfish fisheries

We used isodars, developed from the ideal free distribution (IFD), to predict the distribution of fishing effort across regulatory boundaries in the south-western Scotian Shelf’s haddock fishery. Our analysis was focused around the boundary between Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization’s Divisions 4X and 5Z. While effort within 4X was related to the standardized catch value and effort experienced along the 4X–5Z boundary, most effort predictions across the boundary were also accurate. Accuracy of these cross-boundary isodars suggests that a high degree of movement across the boundary meets the IFD assumption of free movement and thus, effort on one side of the boundary is related to fishing success on the other side of the boundary. Fisheries management strategies should adopt a broad view that encompasses adjacent regulatory regions to understand where vessels may choose to fish when multiple regulatory regions are accessible. In fisheries where isodars describe effort distributions across a regulatory boundary, the relative abundance of the underlying fish population could be better indicated by effort distribution among regulatory regions than by catch rates.

Multimodel approach to a support stock assessment of standardized catch and effort data: A case study of blue shark (Prionace glauca) in the Indian Ocean by the Taiwanese large-scale longline fishery

Multimodel approach to a support stock assessment of standardized catch and effort data: A case study of blue shark (Prionace glauca) in the Indian Ocean by the Taiwanese large-scale longline fishery

Initiation of Red Ginger Callus (Zingiber officinale var. rubrum Rosc.) from Various Explants

The increasing demand for red ginger (Zingiber officinale Roxb. var. rubrum Rosc.) both at the domestic and international levels has led to the need for gingerol production, a main compound of red ginger, which has various pharmacological activities. The urgency of this research is related to gingerol produced in cultivated red ginger, which often shows variability in quantity due to genetic variation and differences in geographical and environmental conditions where it is grown, so it requires gingerol standardization efforts. Through tissue culture techniques, it is possible to propagate plants in a controlled environment, ensuring genetic uniformity and minimizing variations caused by genetic factors. Red ginger raw materials that can be produced consistently, quickly, and land-efficiently with high gingerol content and pesticide-free have become an essential economic necessity. In this joint study with PT. Bintang Toedjoe, researchers intend to utilize root culture bioprocessing technology to increase gingerol production from red ginger. Root cultures have stabile genetics and growth faster; thus, these techniques imply the formation of organs or structures conducive to enhanced gingerol production. Our research has revealed successful protocols for inducing and multiplying suitable callus for organogenesis. Through the application of hormones, the best callus induction is using a combination of 3 ppm 2,4-D and 0.2 ppm BA with a callus production percentage of 67%. On the other hand, a satisfactory callus multiplication rate was used using 1 ppm 2,4-D with the most significant increase in explant area (79 mm2) by ruler alignment. Meanwhile, the rooting response was prominent at 1 ppm 2,4-D + 3 ppm BA.

Potentials of the Metaverse for Robotized Applications in Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0

As a digital environment of interconnected virtual ecosystems driven by measured and synthesized data, the Metaverse has so far been mostly considered from its gaming perspective that closely aligns with online edutainment. Although it is still in its infancy and more research as well as standardization efforts remain to be done, the Metaverse could provide considerable advantages for smart robotized applications in the industry. Workflow efficiency, collective decision enrichment even for executives, as well as a natural, resilient, and sustainable robotized assistance for the workforce are potential advantages. Hence, the Metaverse could consolidate the connection between Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0. This paper identifies and puts forward potential advantages of the Metaverse for robotized applications and highlights how these advantages support goals pursued by the Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 visions.

Quantum Computing in Cryptographic Systems

Quantum computing represents a transformative advancement in computational power, with profound implications for cryptographic systems. This paper explores the intersection of quantum computing and cryptography, examining the potential for quantum computers to both break traditional cryptographic algorithms and enable new forms of secure communication. Classical cryptographic systems, such as RSA and ECC, rely on the computational difficulty of problems like integer factorization and discrete logarithms. However, quantum algorithms, notably Shor's algorithm, can solve these problems exponentially faster than the best-known classical algorithms, posing a significant threat to the security of current cryptographic practices. This vulnerability necessitates the development and implementation of quantum-resistant algorithms to ensure data security in a post-quantum world. The paper reviews the state-of-the-art in quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms, including lattice-based, hash-based, code-based, and multivariate polynomial cryptography. These algorithms are analyzed for their security properties, efficiency, and practicality for real-world deployment. Additionally, the paper discusses the ongoing standardization efforts led by organizations such as NIST, which are crucial for establishing widely accepted quantum-safe cryptographic protocols. Beyond the threat posed by quantum computing, this paper also highlights the potential benefits quantum computing can bring to cryptographic systems. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is one such advancement, offering theoretically unbreakable encryption by leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics. QKD enables secure communication channels that are immune to any computational advances, including those of quantum computers, by ensuring that any attempt at eavesdropping can be detected. The practical implementation challenges of QKD and other quantum cryptographic protocols are also addressed, including issues related to transmission distance, error rates, and integration with existing communication infrastructures. Experimental results from recent QKD trials are presented, showcasing significant progress in extending the viability of quantum-secure communication over long distances. Furthermore, the paper delves into the hybrid approaches combining classical and quantum cryptographic techniques. These approaches aim to leverage the strengths of both paradigms to enhance security and performance. For instance, hybrid protocols might use classical encryption for bulk data transfer, supplemented by quantum techniques for key exchange, thereby ensuring robust security even against future quantum adversaries. In conclusion, while quantum computing poses substantial risks to existing cryptographic systems, it also offers novel opportunities for creating highly secure communication protocols. The transition to quantum-safe cryptography is imperative to protect sensitive information in the quantum era. This paper underscores the urgency of advancing quantum-resistant cryptographic research, promoting international collaboration for standardization, and exploring innovative applications of quantum technologies in cryptography. Continued research and development in these areas are essential to stay ahead of the evolving threat landscape and harness the full potential of quantum computing for secure communications.

한국 철도 노선명 및 역명 제정 기준의 현황과 개선 방안

Railroad lines and stations are not just physical spaces, but representations of local and regional identities, geographic information for social information communication, and important operational tools related to safety and speed for facility management and operators. Frequent complaints over the recent establishment of railway station names not only show public interest in railroad-related nominations, but also call for efforts for standardization of geographical names and rational improvement of route names and station names based on the establishment of standards. The researcher diagnosed the limitations and development tasks of the current guidelines based on the principles and recommendations of the UN Group of Experts on Geographical Names and the National Geographical Name Committee based on the correct terminology based on the law and the clarification of key concepts open to implicit interpretation, and proposed ways to improve the standards for establishing railway line names and station names. The improvement measures are summarized as follows. First, the naming of the railway lines follows the combination of the representative administrative name of the departure area and the destination area. However, along with these official line names, facility managers and operators can use the name of the station by naming method using the railway line type classification system or a combination of alphabets and Arabic numbers to promote the safety and speed of management and operation. Second, the naming of a station uses only the name of the representative administrative district where the station building is located. In a station building that spans two or more administrative districts, two or more administrative names can be consecutively used to those naming, but in this case, the name of the administrative district corresponding to the representative address shall be prioritized. Third, other improvements include the following: In principle, the standards for naming of railway lines and stations to be improved in the future should not be applied retroactively, the revision of the station name once rejected should not be allowed to be re-appointed as a future agenda, and caution against social exclusion, such as nominations for specific persons or commercial purposes, or names that can be linked to the economic interests of specific subjects.

The kitchen turn in Socialist Yugoslavia: Women, materiality, and (un)paid labor, 1950s-1970s

The article shows the trajectory of Yugoslav kitchen design between early 1950s and early 1970s, from its pathbreaking emergence within home economies institutions and women’s organizations to mass production, commercialization, and popularization by the furniture industry. Centered on two case studies –the Swedish kitchen designed by Branka Tancig in 1954 and Cocktail 68, designed by Biala Leban in 1968– the article explores temporal and qualitative changes in Yugoslav kitchenscapes with several critical junctions –women’s activism, home economics, kitchen design, and women’s (un)paid labor. We argue that the initial expert focus on producing simplified, efficient kitchens for modern households has been transformed in the light of economic, social, and artistic changes from the mid-1960s into an industry-driven promotion of elaborate and colorful kitchen designs. This transformation, however, should not be seen in a dichotomic manner; although the differences in design were strongly linked to changing materialities, and their symbolic values while promoting an entirely dissimilar type of user, all were a result of efforts in standardization and modernization driven by Yugoslav women’s professional activities in architecture, design, and home economics. By weaving together these different themes, we bring new insights into the history of Yugoslav design, materiality, science, women’s expertise, organizing labor, and transnationalism in the 1950s and 1960s.

Influence of fibres on the resilient modulus and expansion of clayey subgrade soils

ABSTRACT Expansive clayey soils at the subgrade level of roads and highways in different cities can affect the performance and durability of pavements. This increases the need for maintenance and conservation work, leading to higher operating costs. Traditionally, clayey soils are stabilised by adding lime or cement. However, the handling and use of these materials are restricted in some Latin American countries due to illegal drug production, and obtaining high-quality materials from distant sources can be impractical. The goal of this study is to determine the effectiveness of incorporating fibres in improving the performance of expansive clayey subgrade soils. To achieve this goal, resilient modulus tests and measurements of compacted soil expansion were performed. Two types of fibres were selected for this study: natural Ichu fibre, which is common in the Peruvian Andes, and polypropylene fibre. The soil used was a high-plasticity clay from the city of Pucallpa, to which varying percentages of fibres were incorporated (0.25%, 0.5% and 1%). The samples were prepared with a gyratory compactor to achieve their maximum dry density as obtained with the standard compaction effort. The results indicated that the incorporation of fibres improved the value of the resilient modulus while significantly reducing soil swelling.

Usporedba između magnetne rezonancije dojki i kontrastne mamografije

Introduction: Imaging modalities such as contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used as valuable tools for understanding breast pathology. They enable early detection of breast cancer, provide a precise insi-ght into theslesions, and facilitate the monitoring of responses to treatment. Modern CEM improves the detection of breast abnor-malitiesfusing contrast agents and the combination of higher energy levels in a single examination. MRI uses magnetic fields and coils to produce detailed images of breast tissue in high-risk cases, and to evaluate suspicious findings with other imaging methods using different sequences.Aim of the paper: The aim of the paper is to introduce CEM and MRI separately, while also identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each technique. This will facilitate their direct comparison.Discussion: CEM excels in detecting multifocal or contralateral lesions, assessing response to treatment, and identifying microcalcifications. Combining the power of mammography and contrast, CEM has the disadvantages of higher radiation dose, artifacts, and possible reactions to the use of iodinated contrast agent. In contrast, MRI provides detailed images, better lesion identification and treatment assessment and possesses exceptional contrast for breast soft tissue evaluation. It has proven invalua-ble for assessing implant condition and detecting lesions not seen on mammography images. This is crucial for high-risk cases and hiddenstumours. However, MRI has limitations such as artifacts and cost. CEM is a viable alternative to MRI, with high sensitivity.Conclusion: The combined use of CEM and MRI has the potential to transform breast cancer treatment by improving diagnostic accuracy and enabling more personalized treatment approaches, especially in challenging cases, and among high-risk populations with dense breast tissue. With continued technological advances and standardization efforts, CEM and MRI will continue to play a critical role in early cancer detection, lesion characterization, and treatment monitoring, ultimately improving patient outcomes in the field of breast cancer.

From Theory to Therapy: The Advancements of Extracellular Vesicles in Immunotherapy

AbstractExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid‐membrane‐enclosed particles released from cells, playing a pivotal role in cellular communication, particularly within the immune system. The fundamental molecular mechanisms through which EVs offer unique functionality for immunotherapeutic benefits are identified and reviewed. The focus is on three essential features, all rooted in the EV lipid membrane: immune receptor–ligand interactions at the EV membrane interface, the shielding of immunogenic cargo within the EVs, and the fusion of EVs with target cell membranes for direct cargo delivery. From this, how these distinct EV attributes, from their initial description and analysis in immune communication, have led to the development of novel immunotherapeutic strategies is traced. This review delves into how these strategies are applied in various immunotherapies, such as cancer immunotherapy, autoimmune diseases, infections, vaccinations, and graft‐versus‐host diseases, to modulate communication among different cell types for immune regulation. It is concluded by reviewing clinical trials involving EVs in immunotherapy that have effectively harnessed EVs' unique molecular mechanisms in clinical settings. Research and standardization efforts to maximize the potential impact of EVs on immunotherapy are further suggested.

LEO satellite networking relaunched: Survey and current research challenges

This document surveys recent and current developments in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite networking. It presents a brief overview of satellite networking in order to contextualize the issue. It then focuses on current research work in emerging domains, such as machine learning, Software-Defined Networking (SDN), low latency networking, green networking, Information-Centric Networks (ICN), etc. For each of these, it presents recent works and a direction of the research community within that emerging domain. The paper also describes the current state of standardization efforts in 3GPP and in IETF for LEO satellite networking. In particular, we present in some detail the direction these standards bodies are pointing towards for LEO networking with inter-satellites links. Finally, some future challenges and interesting research directions are described and encouraged. This is an overview of the current state of the LEO satellite research in both academic and industrial standardization environments which we believe will be helpful to understand the current state of the art.

China's Technical Standardization Power—a Challenge for NATO?

Technical standardization has turned into a central subject of geopolitical contestation. At first glance, this might be surprising as technical standards follow an inclusive logic of action and are legally non-binding. However, China has adopted a state-centric approach to standardization that stands in sharp contrast to the private actor driving practice in the West. This allows China to link its standardization efforts not least to its security interests. In fact, standards are not only relevant to ensure the convergence of defense technology. Standards can also unfold security relevance if they create lock-in dependencies and prevent or enable the globalization of backdoors. NATO could react to China's growing standardization power by establishing an information exchange platform, avoid excessive politicization of standard-setting and make sure not to overestimate the risks.

AD and ADRD Differences in Luminex and Lumipulse ATN Categories

AbstractBackgroundCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for amyloid (A), tau (T), and neurodegeneration (N) can be utilized to define pre‐mortem pathological status (ATN research framework). However, potential differences across methods present challenges when comparing studies. Our objective was to determine the ATN status in an AD/ADRD cohort using two different methods for measuring CSF AD‐related biomarkers; Fujirebio Lumipulse G1200 and the Luminex 200. The hypothesis was that the proportion of individuals in a given ATN category would differ between these two methods.MethodParticipants were recruited from the Cleveland Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (CADRC), and Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health (CBH) and included cognitively normal (CN), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), AD, dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), and PD patient groups. Aβ42/40 (A), p‐Tau181 (T) and t‐Tau (N) were quantitated using both Lumipulse and Luminex systems. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was utilized to identify optimal cutpoints for the three biomarkers (A, T, and N) based on the CN and AD cohorts. Youden index was calculated to identify the strength of these biomarkers.ResultCorrelation analyses between the two platforms, indicated that there was a significant correlation for Aβ42/40 (A), p‐Tau181 (T) and t‐Tau (N) among most patient groups, especially for Aβ42/40. The cut‐points were 0.0562 (A), 65 pg/mL (T) and 345 pg/mL (N) for Lumipulse, and 0.1600 (A), 106.77 pg/mL (T) and 399.41 pg/mL (N) for Luminex. Out of the overall cohort of 283 individuals, over half had identical ATN status for both Lumipulse and Luminex.ConclusionThere was a strong correlation for CSF AD‐related biomarkers between the two platforms. However, there was a lack of complete ATN category overlap between platforms suggesting that across study comparisons using ATN categories derived from different platforms (e.g. Luminex and Lumipulse) should be approached with caution. In light of different techniques that are available, it is important to understand the difference between them to inform standardization and data harmonization efforts. A definite and effective method to quantitate AD related biomarkers holds the promise of better differential diagnosis in individuals with AD and ADRD.