Extending the VEF traces framework to model data center network workloads

Producción CientíficaData centers are a fundamental infrastructure in the Big-Data era, where applications and services demand a high amount of data and minimum response times. The interconnection network is an essential subsystem in the data center, as it must guarantee high communication bandwidth and low latency to the communication operations of applications, otherwise becoming the system bottleneck. Simulation is widely used to model the network functionality and to evaluate its performance under specific workloads. Apart from the network modeling, it is essential to characterize the end-nodes communication pattern, which will help identify bottlenecks and flaws in the network architecture. In previous works, we proposed the VEF traces framework: a set of tools to capture communication traffic of MPI-based applications and generate traffic traces used to feed network simulator tools. In this paper, we extend the VEF traces framework with new communication workloads such as deep-learning training applications and online data-intensive workloads.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación y Agencia Estatal de Investigación (MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) R &D Project Grant (PID2019-109001RA-I00)Publicación en abierto financiada por el Consorcio de Bibliotecas Universitarias de Castilla y León (BUCLE), con cargo al Programa Operativo 2014ES16RFOP009 FEDER 2014-2020 DE CASTILLA Y LEÓN, Actuación:20007-CL - Apoyo Consorcio BUCL

Prosthetic shoulder joint infection by cutibacterium acnes: does rifampin improve prognosis? a retrospective, multicenter, observational study

This retrospective, multicenter observational study aimed to describe the outcomes of surgical and medical treatment of C. acnes-related prosthetic joint infection (PJI) and the potential benefit of rifampin-based therapies. Patients with C. acnes-related PJI who were diagnosed and treated between January 2003 and December 2016 were included. We analyzed 44 patients with C. acnes-related PJI (median age, 67.5 years (IQR, 57.3–75.8)); 75% were men. The majority (61.4%) had late chronic infection according to the Tsukayama classification. All patients received surgical treatment, and most antibiotic regimens (43.2%) included β-lactam. Thirty-four patients (87.17%) were cured; five showed relapse. The final outcome (cure vs. relapse) showed a nonsignificant trend toward higher failure frequency among patients with previous prosthesis (OR: 6.89; 95% CI: 0.80–58.90) or prior surgery and infection (OR: 10.67; 95% IC: 1.08–105.28) in the same joint. Patients treated with clindamycin alone had a higher recurrence rate (40.0% vs. 8.8%). Rifampin treatment did not decrease recurrence in patients treated with β-lactams. Prior prosthesis, surgery, or infection in the same joint might be related to recurrence, and rifampin-based combinations do not seem to improve prognosis. Debridement and implant retention appear a safe option for surgical treatment of early PJI

A dual-wavelength fiber laser sensor with temperature and strain discrimination

This work presents a dual-wavelength C-band erbium-doped fiber laser assisted by an artificial backscatter reflector. This fiber-based reflector, inscribed by femtosecond laser direct writing, was fabricated into a single mode fiber with a length of 32 mm. The dual-wavelength laser obtained, centered at 1527.7 nm and 1530.81 nm, showed an optical signal-to-noise ratio over 46 dB when pumped at 150 mW. Another feature of this laser was that the power difference between the two channels was just 0.02 dB, regardless of the pump power, resulting in a dual emission laser with high equalization. On the other hand, an output power level and a central wavelength instability as low as 0.3 dB and 0.01 nm were measured, in this order for both channels. Moreover, the threshold pump power was 40 mW. Finally, the performance of this dual-wavelength fiber laser enhanced with a random reflector for sensing applications was studied, achieving the simultaneous measurement of strain and temperature with sensitivities around 1 pm/µε and 9.29 pm/°C, respectively.This work is part of the projects PID2019-107270RB, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/ 501100011033 and FEDER 'A way to make Europe', and PDC2021-121172 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/ 501100011033 and European Union 'Next generation EU'/PTR, the Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte of Spain (PhD grant FPU2018/02797)

Understanding the local and remote source contributions to ambient O3 during a pollution episode using a combination of experimental approaches in the Guadalquivir valley, southern Spain

The Guadalquivir Valley is one of three major O3 hotspots in Spain. An airborne and surface measurement campaign was carried out from July 9th to 11th, 2019 to quantify the local/regional O3 contributions using experimental approaches. Air quality and meteorology data from surface measurements, a microlight aircraft, a helium balloon, and remote sensing data (TROPOMI-NO2-ESA) were used to obtain the 3D distribution of O3 and various tracer pollutants. O3 accumulation over 2.5 days started with inputs from oceanic air masses transported inland by sea breezes, which drew O3 and its precursors from a local/regional origin to the northeastern end of the basin. The orographic–meteorological setting of the valley caused vertical recirculation of the air masses inside the valley that caused the accumulation by increasing regional background O3 concentration by 25–30 ppb. Furthermore, possible Mediterranean O3 contributions and additional vertical recirculation through the entrainment zone of the convective boundary layer also contributed. Using particulate matter finer than 2.5 μm (PM2.5), ultrafine particles (UFP), and black carbon (BC) as tracers of local sources, we calculated that local contributions increased regional O3 levels by 20 ppb inside specific pollution plumes transported by the breeze into the valley, and by 10 ppb during midday when flying over an area with abundant agricultural burning during the morning. Air masses that crossed the southern boundaries of the Betic system at mid-altitude (400–1850 m a.s.l.) on July 10th and 11th may have provided additional O3. Meanwhile, a decreasing trend at high altitudes (3000–5000 m a.s.l.) was observed, signifying that the impact of stratospheric O3 intrusion decreased during the campaign

Effect of wear-corrosion of reduced graphene oxide functionalized with hyaluronic acid on inflammatory and proteomic response of J774A.1 macrophages

The presence of a worn surface in the implanted material, as in the case of a replacement of a damaged osteoarticular joint, is the normal condition after implantation. This manuscript focuses precisely on the comparative study of the cellular behavior on worn CoCr surfaces, analyzing the effect of different surface modifications on macrophages’ responses. CoCr surfaces were modified by the deposition of electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (CoCrErGO), followed by additional surface functionalization with hyaluronic acid (CoCrErGOHA). After the wear corrosion processes, the macrophage response was studied. In addition, macrophage supernatants exposed to the surfaces, before and after wear, were also evaluated for osteoblast response through the analysis of the metabolic activity, plasma membrane damage, and phosphatase alkaline activity (ALP). The proteomic analysis and the quantitative TNF-α/IL-10 ratios of the J774A.1 macrophages exposed to the surfaces under study showed a polarization shift from M0 (basal state) to M1, associated with the pro-inflammatory response of all surfaces. A lower M1 polarization was observed upon exposure to the surface modification with ErGO, whereas posterior HA functionalization attenuated, even more, the M1 polarization. The wear corrosion process contributed to inflammation and exacerbated the M1 polarization response on macrophages to CoCr, which was diminished for the ErGO and attenuated the most for the ErGOHA surfaces. Comparative proteomics showed that the pathways related to M1 polarization were downregulated on the surfaces of CoCrErGOHA, which suggests mechanisms for the observed attenuation of M1 polarization. The suitable immuno-modulatory potential induced by the ErGOHA surface, with and without wear, together with the stimulation of ALP activity in osteoblasts induced by macrophage supernatants, promotes the mineralization processes necessary for bone repair. This makes it feasible to consider the adsorption of ErGOHA on CoCr as a recommended surface treatment for the use of biomaterials in osseous joint applications.Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicada

Role of asymptomatic bacteriuria on early periprosthetic joint infection after hip hemiarthroplasty. BARIFER randomized clinical trial

[Purpose] To evaluate preoperative asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) treatment to reduce early-periprosthetic joint infections (early-PJIs) after hip hemiarthroplasty (HHA) for fracture.[Methods] Open-label, multicenter RCT comparing fosfomycin-trometamol versus no intervention with a parallel follow-up cohort without ASB. Primary outcome: early-PJI after HHA.[Results] Five hundred ninety-four patients enrolled (mean age 84.3); 152(25%) with ASB (77 treated with fosfomycin-trometamol/75 controls) and 442(75%) without. Despite the study closed without the intended sample size, ASB was not predictive of early-PJI (OR: 1.06 [95%CI: 0.33–3.38]), and its treatment did not modify early-PJI incidence (OR: 1.03 [95%CI: 0.15–7.10]). [Conclusions] Neither preoperative ASB nor its treatment appears to be risk factors of early-PJI after HHA. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: Eudra CT 2016-001108-47.This work was supported by the Spanish Clinical Research Network (SCReN), co-finaced by the ISCIII-Subdirección General de Evaluación y Fomento de la Investigación, through the project PI15/02161 and by the Plan Nacional de I+D+i 2013-016 and ISCIIII, Subdireccion General de Redes y Centros de Investigacion Cooperativa, Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad, Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI RD16/0016/0003)-co-financed by European Development Regional Fund “A way to achieve Europe,” Operative program Intelligent Growth 2014-2020.Peer reviewe

Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Neuroprotectant Activities of New Asymmetrical 1,3-Diketones

A series of fourteen new asymmetrical 1,3-diketone derivatives have been synthesized and evaluated in the ABTS, FRAP and DPPH assays as a new chemotype with antioxidant and drug-like properties. All the compounds displayed low cytotoxicity in comparison to curcumin against the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line. Among them, (3Z,5E)-6-(2,5-difluoro-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoro-4-hydroxyhexa-3,5-dien-2-one (6b) and (3Z,5E)-6-(2,3-difluoro-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoro-4-hydroxyhexa-3,5-dien-2-one (7b) with excellent solubility and chemical stability in biorelevant media, have also shown a similar Fe+2 chelation behavior to that of curcumin. Additionally, both derivatives 6b and 7b have afforded good neuroprotection activity against H2O2 induced oxidative stress in the same neuronal cell line, with a significant reduction of intracellular ROS levels, in parallel with a good recovery of the Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (ΔΨm). Compounds 6b and 7b with a promising antioxidant and drug-like profile, with low cytotoxic and good neuroprotectant activity, constitute a new interesting chemical class with high potential as new therapeutic agents against neurodegenerative diseases

Efficacy and Safety of Oral Fosfomycin for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Kidney Transplant Recipients: Results from a Spanish Multicenter Cohort

Current guidelines recommend against systematic screening for or treating asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB) among kidney transplant (KT) recipients, although the evidence regarding episodes occurring early after transplantation or in the presence of anatomical abnormalities is inconclusive. Oral fosfomycin may constitute a good option for the treatment of posttransplant AB, particularly due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) uropathogens. Available clinical evidence supporting its use in this specific setting, however, remains scarce. We performed a retrospective study in 14 Spanish institutions from January 2005 to December 2017. Overall, 137 episodes of AB diagnosed in 133 KT recipients treated with oral fosfomycin (calcium and trometamol salts) with a test-of-cure urine culture within the first 30 days were included. Median time from transplantation to diagnosis was 3.1 months (interquartile range [IQR], 1.1 to 10.5). Most episodes (96.4% [132/137]) were caused by Gram-negative bacteria (GNB), and 56.9% (78/137) were categorized as MDR (extended?spectrum ??lactamase?producing Enterobacterales [20.4%] and carbapenem?resistant GNB [2.9%]). Rate of microbiological failure at month 1 was 40.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 31.9% to 48.9%) for the whole cohort and 42.3% (95% CI, 31.2% to 54.0%) for episodes due to MDR pathogens. Previous urinary tract infection (odds ratio [OR], 2.42; 95% CI, 1.11 to 5.29; P value = 0.027) and use of fosfomycin as salvage therapy (OR, 8.31; 95% CI, 1.67 to 41.35; P value = 0.010) were predictors of microbiological failure. No severe treatment-related adverse events were detected. Oral fosfomycin appears to be a suitable and safe alternative for the treatment (if indicated) of AB after KT, including those episodes due to MDR uropathogens.ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This study was supported by Plan Nacional de I+D+i 2013‐2016 and Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Subdirección General de Redes y Centros de Investigación Cooperativa, Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI RD16/0016), and Spanish Network for Research in Renal Diseases (REDInREN RD16/0009) and cofinanced by the European Development Regional Fund entitled A way to achieve Europe. M.F.-R. holds a research contract (Miguel Servet, CP18/00073), from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, ISCIII. Funding sources were not involved in the study design and conduction, data analysis, or manuscript preparation

Real-world experience with bezlotoxumab for prevention of recurrence of Clostridioides difficile infection

Bezlotoxumab is marketed for the prevention of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI). Its high cost could be determining its prescription to a different population than that represented in clinical trials. The objective of the study was to verify the effectiveness and safety of bezlotoxumab in preventing rCDI and to investigate factors related to bezlotoxumab failure in the real world. A retrospective, multicentre cohort study of patients treated with bezlotoxumab in Spain was conducted. We compared the characteristics of cohort patients with those of patients treated with bezlotoxumab in the pivotal MODIFY trials. We assessed recurrence rates 12 weeks after completion of treatment against C. difficile, and we analysed the factors associated with bezlotoxumab failure. Ninety-one patients were included in the study. The cohort presented with more risk factors for rCDI than the patients included in the MODIFY trials. Thirteen (14.2%) developed rCDI at 12 weeks of follow-up, and rCDI rates were numerically higher in patients with two or more previous episodes (25%) than in those who had fewer than two previous episodes of C. difficile infection (CDI) (10.4%); p = 0.09. There were no adverse effects attributable to bezlotoxumab. Despite being used in a more compromised population than that represented in clinical trials, we confirm the effectiveness of bezlotoxumab for the prevention of rCDI

Complement component 3 as biomarker of disease activity and cardiometabolic risk factor in rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis.

Funder: Europeo de Desarrollo Regional de la Unión EuropeaFunder: Rheumatic Diseases NetworkOBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between complement component 3 (C3) and the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors and disease activity in the rheumatic diseases having the highest rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study including 200 RA, 80 PsA, 150 axSpA patients and 100 healthy donors. The prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors [obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A (apoB/apoA) and atherogenic risks and hypertension] was analyzed. Serum complement C3 levels, inflammatory markers and disease activity were evaluated. Cluster analysis was performed to identify different phenotypes. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to assess the accuracy of complement C3 as biomarker of insulin resistance and disease activity was carried out. RESULTS: Levels of complement C3, significantly elevated in RA, axSpA and PsA patients, were associated with the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors. Hard clustering analysis identified two distinctive phenotypes of patients depending on the complement C3 levels and insulin sensitivity state. Patients from cluster 1, characterized by high levels of complement C3 displayed increased prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors and high disease activity. ROC curve analysis showed that non-obesity related complement C3 levels allowed to identify insulin resistant patients. CONCLUSIONS: Complement C3 is associated with the concomitant increased prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors in rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis. Thus, complement C3 should be considered a useful marker of insulin resistance and disease activity in these rheumatic disorders