Klessydra-T: Designing Vector Coprocessors for Multi-Threaded Edge-Computing Cores

Computation intensive kernels, such as convolutions, matrix multiplication and Fourier transform, are fundamental to edge-computing AI, signal processing and cryptographic applications. Interleaved-Multi-Threading (IMT) processor cores are interesting to pursue energy efficiency and low hardware cost for edge-computing, yet they need hardware acceleration schemes to run heavy computational workloads. Following a vector approach to accelerate computations, this study explores possible alternatives to implement vector coprocessing units in RISC-V cores, showing the synergy between IMT and data-level parallelism in the target workloads.Comment: Final revision accepted for publication on IEEE Micro Journa

Efficacy of the additional use of subgingival air polishing with erythritol powder in the treatment of periodontitis patients: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract Objectives To date, scarce evidence exists around the application of subgingival air polishing during treatment of severe periodontitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of subgingival air polishing during non-surgical treatment of deep bleeding pockets in stages III–IV periodontitis patients Materials and methods Forty patients with stages III–IV periodontitis were selected, and pockets with probing depth (PD) 5– 9 mm and bleeding on probing (BoP) were selected as experimental sites. All patients underwent a full-mouth session of erythritol powder supragingival air polishing and ultrasonic instrumentation. Test group received additional subgingival air polishing at experimental sites. The proportion of experimental sites shifting to PD ≤ 4 mm and no BoP at 3 months (i.e., nonbleeding closed pockets, NBCPs) was regarded as the primary outcome variable. Results The proportion of NBCP was comparable between test and control group (47.9 and 44.7%, respectively). Baseline PD of 7–9 mm, multi-rooted teeth and the presence of plaque negatively influenced the probability of obtaining NBCP. Conclusions The additional application of subgingival air polishing does not seem to provide any significant clinical advantage in achieving closure at moderate to deep bleeding pockets in treatment of stages III–IV periodontitis patients. The study was registered on Clinical Trials.gov (NCT04264624). Clinical relevance While air polishing can play a role in biofilm removal at supragingival and shallow sites, ultrasonic root surface debridement alone is still the choice for initial treatment of deep bleeding periodontal pockets

Microbiologic characteristics and predictors of mortality in bloodstream infections in intensive care unit patients. a 1-year, large, prospective surveillance study in 5 Italian hospitals

Background Bloodstream infections (BSIs) from multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria cause morbidity and mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients worldwide. This study investigated the incidence of BSIs in 5 adult general ICUs in Rome, Italy, and evaluated the mortality rate and risk factors associated with these infections. Methods Over a 12-month period, 1,318 patients were enrolled. Demographic characteristics, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II), comorbidities, and BSI isolate data were collected. After stratification for the outcome, statistical analysis was performed to assess the impact of patient risk factors on in-hospital mortality. Results There were 324 BSIs in 175 patients recorded, with an in-hospital mortality rate of 46%. Univariate analysis revealed that SAPS II, cardiac comorbidity, and Klebsiella pneumoniae BSI were significantly associated with a higher risk of death. Having a K pneumoniae BSI and cardiac illness at admission were both confirmed to be associated with death by multivariate analysis (P =.0162 and P =.0158, respectively). Most of the K pneumoniae isolates showed high resistance rates to carbapenems. Conclusion BSIs caused by K pneumoniae and cardiovascular comorbidity in ICU patients are associated with a higher risk of death. Thorough surveillance for MDR pathogens and stratification of the patients' risk on admission into the ICU are key to improving the outcomes of these infections

N-3 fatty acids in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors

BACKGROUND: Trials have shown a beneficial effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with a previous myocardial infarction or heart failure. We evaluated the potential benefit of such therapy in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors or atherosclerotic vascular disease who had not had a myocardial infarction. METHODS: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, we enrolled a cohort of patients who were followed by a network of 860 general practitioners in Italy. Eligible patients were men and women with multiple cardiovascular risk factors or atherosclerotic vascular disease but not myocardial infarction. Patients were randomly assigned to n-3 fatty acids (1 g daily) or placebo (olive oil). The initially specified primary end point was the cumulative rate of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke. At 1 year, after the event rate was found to be lower than anticipated, the primary end point was revised as time to death from cardiovascular causes or admission to the hospital for cardiovascular causes. RESULTS: Of the 12,513 patients enrolled, 6244 were randomly assigned to n-3 fatty acids and 6269 to placebo. With a median of 5 years of follow-up, the primary end point occurred in 1478 of 12,505 patients included in the analysis (11.8%), of whom 733 of 6239 (11.7%) had received n-3 fatty acids and 745 of 6266 (11.9%) had received placebo (adjusted hazard ratio with n-3 fatty acids, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.88 to 1.08; P=0.58). The same null results were observed for all the secondary end points. CONCLUSIONS: In a large general-practice cohort of patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, daily treatment with n-3 fatty acids did not reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Copyright © 2013 Massachusetts Medical Society