MemorAI: Energy-Efficient Last-Level Cache Memory Optimization for Virtualized RANs

The virtualization of Radio Access Networks (vRAN) is well on its way to become a reality, driven by its advantages such as flexibility and cost-effectiveness. However, virtualization comes at a high price - virtual Base Stations (vBSs) sharing the same computing platform incur a significant computing overhead due to in extremis consumption of shared cache memory resources. Consequently, vRAN suffers from increased energy consumption, which fuels the already high operational costs in 5G networks. This paper investigates cache memory allocation mechanisms' effectiveness in reducing total energy consumption. Using an experimental vRAN platform, we profile the energy consumption and CPU utilization of vBS as a function of the network state (e.g., traffic demand, modulation scheme). Then, we address the high dimensionality of the problem by decomposing it per vBS, which is possible thanks to the Last-Level Cache (LLC) isolation implemented in our system. Based on this, we train a vBS digital twin, which allows us to train offline a classifier, avoiding the performance degradation of the system during training. Our results show that our approach performs very closely to an offline optimal oracle, outperforming standard approaches used in today's deployments

CORROSION DE LAS ESTRUCTURAS DE CONCRETO ARMADO DE GALPONES EXPUESTOS A AMBIENTES MARINOS

Se estudiaron varios galpones industriales con estructuras de concreto armado, geometría y ambientes similares. Para el trabajo reportado aquí se tomó un galpón ejemplo, con los problemas comunes al resto. Estudios "in si tu" revelan que los elementos más afectados por el ambiente agresivo de una salina son los canales y las columnas que los soportan. También se notó un grave deterioro en las columnas adyacentes a los cristalizadores. Se estableció que la corrosión de las columnas se propaga, principalmente, desde el tope hacia abajo. Este deterioro es causado por las filtraciones de soluciones salinas hacia las columnas, a través de las juntas entre canales. Algunas columnas mostraron un cierto grado de deterioro en su parte inferior debido a la difusión capilar de aguas selenitosas freáticas. La corrosión y deterioro de 1 canales se concentra en la parte inferior de éstos, originada por filtraciones de soluciones salinas a través del concreto hasta la superficie de las armaduras. Se estableció además que el recubrimiento de las armaduras de los canales y columnas era muy delgado y que el concreto no era el más apropiado para un ambiente salinero. También se encontró que la inclinación de los canales no era suficiente para un desagüe eficiente. Estudios de las muestras tomadas "in situ" revelan que los agentes principales responsables de la corrosión de concreto y armadura son los sulfatos y cloruros; arrastrados hasta los puntos de acción por los vientos húmedos que soplan con fuerza desde los cristalizadores y por el agua de lluvia.   PALABRAS CLAVES: corrosión, galpones, concreto armado.   ABSTRACT   Various industrial sheds built of reinforced concrete of the same geometry and ambients were studied. An example shed with common problems to the rest is presented in this work. Studies "in situ" showed that the most affected elements by the agressive ambient of a salt field are the channels and their support columns. It was noted a1so a serious damage in the columns adjacent to the crystallizers. lt was established that the corrosion in the columns propagates, mainly from the top down. This damage is-caused by filtrations of salty solutiom toward the columns, through the joints between the channels. Sorne columns show damage in its lower part dueto capillary diffusion of salty freatic waters. The corrosion and damage of the channels, is mainly concentrated in their lower section, originated by flltratioM of salty solutions through the concrete to the surface of the steel armour. It was established also that the concrete coat of the channel armours was too thin and that the concrete used was not the most appropriate for salty ambients. It was found also that the channels did not have sufficient inclination to facilitate an efficient drain. Studies of the samples taken "in situ" revealed that the principal agents responsible for the corrosion of the concrete and armours are the sulphates and the chlorides; brought to the point of action by moisted winds blowing with force over the solar-ctystallizers and by rain water.   KEY WORDS: corrosion, reinforced concrete, sheds

Increased Intestinal Permeability in Older Subjects Impacts the Beneficial Effects of Dietary Polyphenols by Modulating Their Bioavailability

Polyphenols have great potential in regulating intestinal health and ameliorating pathological conditions related to increased intestinal permeability (IP). However, the efficacy of dietary interventions with these phytochemicals may significantly be influenced by interindividual variability factors affecting their bioavailability and consequent biological activity. In the present study, urine samples collected from older subjects undergoing a crossover intervention trial with polyphenol-rich foods were subjected to metabolomics analysis for investigating the impact of increased IP on the bioavailability of polyphenols. Interestingly, urinary levels of phase II and microbiota-derived metabolites were significantly different between subjects with healthier intestinal barrier integrity and those with increased IP disruption. Our results support that this IP-dependent impaired bioavailability of polyphenols could be attributed to disturbances in the gut microbial metabolism and phase II methylation processes. Furthermore, we also observed that microbiota-derived metabolites could be largely responsible for the biological activity elicited by dietary polyphenols against age-related disrupted IP

Land-use change and windstorms legacies drove the recolonization dynamics of laurel forests in Tenerife, Canary islands

Laurel forests are quite relevant for biodiversity conservation and are among the island ecosystems most severely damaged by human activities. In the past, Canary laurel forests have been greatly altered by logging, livestock and agriculture. The remains of laurel forests are currently protected in the Canary Islands (Spain). However, we miss basic information needed for their restoration and adaptive management, such as tree longevity, growth potential and responsiveness to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Using dendrochronological methods, we studied how forest dynamic is related to land-use change and windstorms in two well-preserved laurel forests on Tenerife Island. Wood cores were collected from over 80 trees per stand at three stands per forest. We used ring-width series to estimate tree ages and calculate annual basal area increments (BAI), cumulative diameter increases, and changes indicative of released and suppressed growth. Twelve tree species were found in all stands, with Laurus novocanariensis, Ilex canariensis and Morella faya being the most common species. Although some individuals were over 100 years old, 61.8%–88.9% of the trees per stand established between 1940 and 1970, coinciding with a post-war period of land abandonment, rural exodus and the onset of a tourism economy. Some trees have shown growth rates larger than 1 ​cm diameter per year and most species have had increasing BAI trends over the past decades. Strong growth releases occurred after windstorms at both sites, but the effects of windstorms were site-dependent, with the 1958 storm affecting mainly the eastern tip of the island (Anaga massif) and the 1991 storm the western tip (Teno massif). Given the great ability of laurel forest trees to establish after land use cessation and to increase growth after local disturbances such as windstorms, passive restoration may be sufficient to regenerate this habitat in currently degraded areas.12 página

Influencia de variables meteorológicas sobre el rendimiento de la caña de azúcar

Se  seleccionaron   14   ingenios   azucareros  pertenecientes   a  las   provincias   Artemisa, Mayabeque y Matanzas, con sus respectivas estaciones meteorológicas asociadas. Los datos anuales de rendimiento agrícola e industrial de la caña de azúcar y los registros diarios de precipitaciones y temperaturas en el período comprendido entre 1980 y 2011 (30 años), sirvieron de base para el estudio. El análisis de los datos arrojó que en todo el período, la temperatura máxima (Tmáx) no experimentó cambios, la temperatura media (Tm) aumentó en 0,93ºC, mientras que la temperatura mínima (Tmín) lo hizo en 0,62ºC y la amplitud térmica  (AT)  se  redujo  en  0,72ºC.  De  todas  las  regiones  estudiadas,  la  estación meteorológica de Bahía Honda fue la que mostró los menores valores de AT. Las precipitaciones incrementaron en 33,78%, mientras que RA disminuyó en 52,83% con relación a su valor inicial. Se encontró una dependencia inversa entre la AT y la Tmín, mientras que hubo una fuerte dependencia entre RI y Prec (97%) en las tres provincias. Estas últimas, 10 días antes de la cosecha, tuvieron un ligero efecto negativo sobre RI, en tanto que, éste no fue prácticamente afectado. Se concluyó que la provincia Matanzas fue la que presentó las mejores condiciones climáticas para el cultivo de la caña de azúcar y dentro de ella, la zona más propicia para su desarrollo fue el municipio Jovellanos

A Polyphenol-Rich Diet Increases the Gut Microbiota Metabolite Indole 3-Propionic Acid in Older Adults with Preserved Kidney Function

Scope: Dietary polyphenols can alter the gut microbiota (GM) and promote the production of bioactive metabolites. Several indoles result of GM metabolism of dietary tryptophan have been associated with intestinal barrier integrity. Our aim is to study the changes in GM-derived indoles during a polyphenol-rich (PR) diet intervention in older adults. Methods and results: Randomized, controlled, crossover trial in adults ≥ 60 years living in a residential care facility during an 8-week PR versus control diet (n = 51). Seven GM-tryptophan metabolites are measured in serum, and metataxonomic analysis of GM is performed on fecal samples. Exploratory subgroup analyses are performed based on renal function (RF). The PR-diet significantly increases serum indole 3-propionic acid (IPA) in subjects with normal RF, but not in subjects with impaired RF. Other GM-tryptophan metabolites are not affected. Comparison of baseline GM composition shows shifts in Bacteroidales order members as well as higher abundance of Clostridiales in participants with normal RF. During the trial, variations of IPA are associated with changes in C-reactive protein (β = 0.32, p = 0.010) and GM, particularly with the Clostridiales (r = 0.35, p < 0.001) and Enterobacteriales (r = -0.15, p < 0.05) orders. Conclusion: A PR diet increases the serum concentration of IPA in older adults with normal RF. Our findings may be important when defining appropriate dietary interventions for older adults

Plasmodium falciparum Adhesion on Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells Involves Transmigration-Like Cup Formation and Induces Opening of Intercellular Junctions

Cerebral malaria, a major cause of death during malaria infection, is characterised by the sequestration of infected red blood cells (IRBC) in brain microvessels. Most of the molecules implicated in the adhesion of IRBC on endothelial cells (EC) are already described; however, the structure of the IRBC/EC junction and the impact of this adhesion on the EC are poorly understood. We analysed this interaction using human brain microvascular EC monolayers co-cultured with IRBC. Our study demonstrates the transfer of material from the IRBC to the brain EC plasma membrane in a trogocytosis-like process, followed by a TNF-enhanced IRBC engulfing process. Upon IRBC/EC binding, parasite antigens are transferred to early endosomes in the EC, in a cytoskeleton-dependent process. This is associated with the opening of the intercellular junctions. The transfer of IRBC antigens can thus transform EC into a target for the immune response and contribute to the profound EC alterations, including peri-vascular oedema, associated with cerebral malaria

A review of the ecology, palaeontology and distribution of atlantid heteropods (Caenogastropoda: Pterotracheoidea: Atlantidae)

Fewer than 1% of marine gastropod species live a holoplanktic life. Of these, the shelled heteropods of the family Atlantidae are among the most poorly understood. The atlantids potentially make up an important part of the ocean zooplankton, composing up to 69% of shelled holoplanktic gastropods in the Late Pleistocene to Recent fossil record. They are also likely to be at high risk from current and future global changes, including anthropogenic ocean acidification. However, due to their small size (<12 mm), difficulty of sampling and complicated morphology, we still lack key information about atlantid taxonomy and ecology. This makes it difficult to understand how important they are in the ocean foodweb and how they will be affected by environmental change. Although many studies have been carried out on the atlantids, these have generally been broad and unconnected. Here, we draw together this previous research, summarizing what is currently known about atlantid taxonomy, palaeontology, ecology and biogeography, and aiming to provide a foundation for future research on this group. The data indicate complex behaviours involving seasonal and vertical migration, and demonstrate extended geographical ranges, with implications for understanding the role of atlantids in the ocean foodweb and their sensitivity to environmental changes. This review highlights the urgent need for further taxonomic research on the atlantids, including molecular analysis, and for improved sampling techniques

High prevalence of shoulder girdle muscles with myofascial trigger points in patients with shoulder pain

Background: Shoulder pain is reported to be highly prevalent and tends to be recurrent or persistent despite medical treatment. The pathophysiological mechanisms of shoulder pain are poorly understood. Furthermore, there is little evidence supporting the effectiveness of current treatment protocols. Although myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are rarely mentioned in relation to shoulder pain, they may present an alternative underlying mechanism, which would provide new treatment targets through MTrP inactivation. While previous research has demonstrated that trained physiotherapists can reliably identify MTrPs in patients with shoulder pain, the percentage of patients who actually have MTrPs remains unclear. The aim of this observational study was to assess the prevalence of muscles with MTrPs and the association between MTrPs and the severity of pain and functioning in patients with chronic non-traumatic unilateral shoulder pain. Methods: An observational study was conducted. Subjects were recruited from patients participating in a controlled trial studying the effectiveness of physical therapy on patients with unilateral non-traumatic shoulder pain. Sociodemographic and patient-reported symptom scores, including the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire, and Visual Analogue Scales for Pain were compared with other studies. To test for differences in age, gender distribution, and education level between the current study population and the populations from Dutch shoulder studies, the one sample T-test was used. One observer examined all subjects (n = 72) for the presence of MTrPs. Frequency distributions, means, medians, standard deviations, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for descriptive purposes. The Spearman's rank-order correlation (rho) was used to test for association between variables. Results: MTrPs were identified in all subjects. The median number of muscles with MTrPs per subject was 6 (active MTrPs) and 4 (latent MTrPs). Active MTrPs were most prevalent in the infraspinatus (77%) and the upper trapezius muscles (58%), whereas latent MTrPs were most prevalent in the teres major (49%) and anterior deltoid muscles (38%). The number of muscles with active MTrPs was only moderately correlated with the DASH score. Conclusion: The prevalence of muscles containing active and latent MTrPs in a sample of patients with chronic non-traumatic shoulder pain was high