Il carcinoma colo-rettale nel giovane. Fattori prognostici

Colorectal carcinoma is the third most frequently diagnosed malignant neoplasm. Usually patients affected by this neoplasia belong to VI decade of life. However approximately 2-8% of tumors arise in patients with age under 40 years. Aim of the study was to analyse the results of surgical treatment of colorectal cancer in patiets aged under forty. From January 1987 to December 2002, 46 patients under forty years with colorectal cancer underwent surgical procedure. No perioperative mortality was registered, and complicantions were evidenced in nine patients (20%). Actuarial five years survival was 33%, and overall mean survival was 53 months. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified as prognostic factors the tumor grade, Dukes' stage, nodal status, and length of symptom

HRTF individualization using deep learning

The research presented in this paper focuses on Head-Related Transfer Function (HRTF) individualization using deep learning techniques. HRTF individualization is paramount for accurate binaural rendering, which is used in XR technologies, tools for the visually impaired, and many other applications. The rising availability of public HRTF data currently allows experimentation with different input data formats and various computational models. Accordingly, three research directions are investigated here: (1) extraction of predictors from user data; (2) unsupervised learning of HRTFs based on autoencoder networks; and (3) synthesis of HRTFs from anthropometric data using deep multilayer perceptrons and principal component analysis. While none of the aforementioned investigations has shown outstanding results to date, the knowledge acquired throughout the development and troubleshooting phases highlights areas of improvement which are expected to pave the way to more accurate models for HRTF individualization

The Viking HRTF dataset v2

The Viking HRTF dataset v2 is a collection of head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) measured at the University of Iceland. It includes full-sphere HRTFs measured on a dense spatial grid (1513 positions) with a KEMAR mannequin with different pairs of artificial pinnae attached. The artificial pinnae were previously obtained through a custom molding procedure from different lifelike human heads (courtesy of Ernst Backman, Saga Museum Reykjavík)

3D ear shape as an estimator of hrtf notch frequency

This paper makes use of a new dataset of Head-Related Transfer Functions (HRTFs) containing high resolution median-plane acoustical measurements of a KEMAR mannequin with 20 different left pinna models as well as 3D scans of the same pinna models. This allows for an investigation of the relationship between 3D ear features and the first pinna notch present in the HRTFs, with the final aim of developing an accurate and handy procedure for predicting the individual HRTF from non-acoustical measurements. We propose a method that takes the 3D pinna mesh and generates a dataset of depth maps of the pinna viewed from various median-plane elevation angles, each having an associated pinna notch frequency value as identified in the HRTF measurements. A multiple linear regression model is then fit to the depth maps, aiming to predict the corresponding first pinna notch. The results of the regression model show moderate improvement to similar previous work built on global and elevation-dependent anthropometric pinna features extracted from 2D images

Towards a tailored mixed-precision sub-8-bit quantization scheme for Gated Recurrent Units using Genetic Algorithms

Despite the recent advances in model compression techniques for deep neural networks, deploying such models on ultra-low-power embedded devices still proves challenging. In particular, quantization schemes for Gated Recurrent Units (GRU) are difficult to tune due to their dependence on an internal state, preventing them from fully benefiting from sub-8bit quantization. In this work, we propose a modular integer quantization scheme for GRUs where the bit width of each operator can be selected independently. We then employ Genetic Algorithms (GA) to explore the vast search space of possible bit widths, simultaneously optimising for model size and accuracy. We evaluate our methods on four different sequential tasks and demonstrate that mixed-precision solutions exceed homogeneous-precision ones in terms of Pareto efficiency. In our results, we achieve a model size reduction between 25% and 55% while maintaining an accuracy comparable with the 8-bit homogeneous equivalent.Comment: Accepted as a full paper by the tinyML Research Symposium 202

Dynamic nsNet2: Efficient Deep Noise Suppression with Early Exiting

Although deep learning has made strides in the field of deep noise suppression, leveraging deep architectures on resource-constrained devices still proved challenging. Therefore, we present an early-exiting model based on nsNet2 that provides several levels of accuracy and resource savings by halting computations at different stages. Moreover, we adapt the original architecture by splitting the information flow to take into account the injected dynamism. We show the trade-offs between performance and computational complexity based on established metrics.Comment: Accepted at the MLSP 202

Fracture and migration in right atrium of a permanent venous central access system in a elderly patient: case report and literature review

Catheter dislocation and fracture with migration of central venous lines have been reported in the International literature. Catheter fracture with consequent migration has been observed in 0.5-3.0% and may either be consequent to catheter removal or it can occur spontane-ously. Our case report concerns the migration of a Hickman catheter connected to a venous port to the right atrium in a 61-year old patient. A literature up-to-date has been performed to assess the risk of port-a-cath positioning. The position of catheter tip is considered critical for the risk of migration, that is greater as higher the tip localization respect to the carina. The aim of our study is to underline the critical role of X-ray to visualize the exact location of the catheter tip, regard-less of the approach used for catheter positioning

A collaborative review of the current concepts and challenges of anastomotic leaks in colorectal surgery

The reduction of the incidence, detection and treatment of anastomotic leakage (AL) continues to challenge the colorectal surgical community. AL is not consistently defined and reported in clinical studies, its occurrence is variably reported and its impact on longterm morbidity and health-care resources has received relatively little attention. Controversy continues regarding the best strategies to reduce the risk. Diagnostic tests lack sensitivity and specificity, resulting in delayed diagnosis and increased morbidity. Intra-operative fluorescence angiography has recently been introduced as a means of real-time assessment of anastomotic perfusion and preliminary evidence suggests that it may reduce the rate of AL. In addition, concepts are emerging about the role of the rectal mucosal microbiome in AL and the possible role of new prophylactic therapies. In January 2016 a meeting of expert colorectal surgeons and pathologists was held in London, UK, to identify the ongoing controversies surrounding AL in colorectal surgery. The outcome of the meeting is presented in the form of research challenges that need to be addressed

Palliative surgery or metallic stent positioning for advanced gastric cancer: differences in QOL

Background and Objectives: Twenty percent of the patients affected with stage IV antropyloric stomach cancer are hospitalized with a gastric outlet obstruction syndrome (GOOS) requiring its resolution to improve the quality of life (QoL).We present our preliminary short- and mid-term results regarding the influence of endoscopic placement of self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) or open stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy in QoL. Materials and Methods: In this prospective randomized longitudinal cohort trial, we randomly assigned 27 patients affected with stage IV antropyloric stomach cancer into two groups: Group 1 (13 patients) who underwent SEMS positioning and Group 2 (14 patients) in whom open stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy was performed. The Karnofsky performance scale and QoL assessment using the EQ-5D-5L™ questionnaire was administered before treatment and thereafter at 1, 3, and 6 months. Results: At 1-month, index values showed a statistically significant deterioration of the QoL in patients of Group 2 when compared to those of Group 1 (p = 0.004; CI: 0.04 to 0.21). No differences among the groups were recorded at 3-month; whereas, at 6-month, the index values showed a statistically significant deterioration of the QoL in patients of Group 1 (p = 0.009; CI: -0.25 to -0.043). Conclusions: Early QoL of patients affected with stage IV antropyloric cancer and symptoms of GOOS is significantly better in patients treated with SEMS positioning but at 6-month the QoL significantly decrease in this group of patients. We explained the reasons of this fluctuation with the higher risk of re-hospital admission in the SEMS group