Exploiting Data Compression for Adaptive Block Placement in Hybrid Caches

STT-RAM (Spin-Transfer Torque Random Access Memory) appears to be a viable alternative to SRAM-based on-chip caches. Due to its high density and low leakage power, STT-RAM can be used to build massive capacity last-level caches (LLC). Unfortunately, STT-RAM has a much longer write latency and a much greater write energy than SRAM. Researchers developed hybrid caches made up of SRAM and STT-RAM regions to cope with these challenges. In order to store as many write-intensive blocks in the SRAM region as possible in hybrid caches, an intelligent block placement policy is essential. This paper proposes an adaptive block placement framework for hybrid caches that incorporates metadata embedding (ADAM). When a cache block is evicted from the LLC, ADAM embeds metadata (i.e., write intensity) into the block. Metadata embedded in the cache block are then extracted and used to determine the block’s write intensity when it is fetched from main memory. Our research demonstrates that ADAM can enhance performance by 26% (on average) when compared to a baseline block placement scheme.

HadoopSec 2.0: Prescriptive analytics-based multi-model sensitivity-aware constraints centric block placement strategy for Hadoop

Like many open-source technologies such as UNIX or TCP/IP, Hadoop was not created with Security in mind. Hadoop however evolved from the other tools over time and got widely adopted across large enterprises. Some of Hadoop’s architectural features present Hadoop its unique security issues. Given this security vulnerability and potential invasion of confidentiality due to malicious attackers or internal customers, organizations face challenges in implementing a strong security framework for Hadoop. Furthermore, given the method in which data is placed in Hadoop Cluster adds to the only growing list of these potential security vulnerabilities. Data privacy is compromised when these critical and data-sensitive blocks are accessed either by unauthorized users or for that matter even misuse by authorized users. In this paper, we intend to address the strategy of data block placement across the allotted DataNodes. Prescriptive analytics algorithms are used to determine the Sensitivity Index of the Data and thereby decide on data placement allocation to provide impenetrable access to an unauthorized user. This data block placement strategy aims to adaptively distribute the data across the cluster using innovative ML techniques to make the data infrastructure extra secured.

Perioperative Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Children

Anesthesiologists and other acute care physicians perform and interpret portable ultrasonography—point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS)—at a child’s bedside, in the perioperative period. In addition to the established procedural use for central line and nerve block placement, POCUS is being used to guide critical clinical decisions in real-time. Diagnostic point-of-care applications most relevant to the pediatric anesthesiologist include lung ultrasound for assessment of endotracheal tube size and position, pneumothorax, pleural effusion, pneumonia, and atelectasis; cardiac ultrasound for global cardiac function and hydration status, and gastric ultrasound for aspiration risk stratification. This article reviews and discusses select literature regarding the use of various applications of point-of-care ultrasonography in the perioperative period.

Total Knee Arthroplasty with CAOS Augmentation

This study sought to evaluate the efficiency, usage, and accuracy of a novel technology that augments mechanical instrumentation with intraoperative CAOS guidance. Technical reports on 411 primary TKA cases performed using the technology were reviewed. The results demonstrated high surgical efficiency (time) and resection accuracy (alignment and resection depth). Furthermore, it was observed that one fifth of the time, the surgeons placed the cutting block that deviated more than >2°/mm from the ideal position in the coronal plane. Substantial adjustments were found to be required (on average ~10 °/mm per case) to correct the initial placement of the cutting block. The CAOS augmentation minimized the error in cutting block placement and assisted in achieving high accuracy in bony resections. The findings revealed the prevalence of clinical error with manual conventional bony preparation that can be addressed with efficiency and accuracy by adding CAOS augmentation to the mechanical instrumentation.

Novel use of a continuous PECS II block for mastitis pain treatment

Nipple trauma and mastitis (an inflammatory condition of the breast) are common causes of intense pain during breast feeding. Although such pain normally results in early weaning, which has negative impacts on both maternal and child health, little is understood about the treatment of pain experienced during breast feeding. Here, we describe our experience with a woman who presented at 26 days post partum with a 15-day history of deep nipple wounds that caused bilateral mastitis and excruciating pain that radiated dorsally. Antibiotic, antifungal and non-pharmacological therapies were unsuccessful, and she wished to suspend breast feeding. We performed a bilateral pectoralis nerve block type II and inserted intrafascial catheters between the pectoralis minor and serratus muscles for continuous analgesia. Following block completion, the pain in her torso resolved immediately. The local anesthetic infusion continued for 40 hours and the patient had sustained analgesia with rapid healing of nipple lesions and her breast feeding commencing at 36 hours after block placement.