Parallel Finger Search Structures

In this paper we present two versions of a parallel finger structure FS on p processors that supports searches, insertions and deletions, and has a finger at each end. This is to our knowledge the first implementation of a parallel search structure that is work-optimal with respect to the finger bound and yet has very good parallelism (within a factor of O(log p)^2) of optimal). We utilize an extended implicit batching framework that transparently facilitates the use of FS by any parallel program P that is modelled by a dynamically generated DAG D where each node is either a unit-time instruction or a call to FS. The work done by FS is bounded by the finger bound F_L (for some linearization L of D), i.e. each operation on an item with distance r from a finger takes O(log r+1) amortized work. Running P using the simpler version takes O((T_1+F_L)/p + T_infty + d * ((log p)^2 + log n)) time on a greedy scheduler, where T_1, T_infty are the size and span of D respectively, and n is the maximum number of items in FS, and d is the maximum number of calls to FS along any path in D. Using the faster version, this is reduced to O((T_1+F_L)/p + T_infty + d *(log p)^2 + s_L) time, where s_L is the weighted span of D where each call to FS is weighted by its cost according to F_L. FS can be extended to a fixed number of movable fingers. The data structures in our paper fit into the dynamic multithreading paradigm, and their performance bounds are directly composable with other data structures given in the same paradigm. Also, the results can be translated to practical implementations using work-stealing schedulers

Mixing-vessel composting system at a large swine finishing farm

Reviewed by Joseph Heywood Harrison, Professor, Nutrient Management Specialist, Washington State University, andLide Chen, Associate Professor, Nutrient Management Specialist, University of Idaho."On-farm manure treatment can be challenging for many animal feeding operations, especially for those who have limited nearby fields for manure land application. To date, very few large-scale animal farms utilize composting as a long-term treatment for liquid manure. Composting is a biological process in which microorganisms convert organic materials into soillike material, which can effectively convert animal manure into value-added products. Compost has been well-documented and proven to be an excellent soil conditioner, which could add organic matter, improve soil structure, reduce fertilizer requirements, and reduce soil erosion potential."--First page.Written by Zonggang Li (Post Doctoral fellow, Agricultural Systems Technology), Gilbert J. Miito (Post Doctoral fellow, Agricultural Systems Technology), Teng Teeh Lim (Extension Professor, Agricultural Systems Technology). Reviewed by Joseph Heywood Harrison, Professor, Nutrient Management Specialist, Washington State University, andLide Chen, Associate Professor, Nutrient Management Specialist, University of Idaho.Includes bibliographical reference

Small polar hits against <i>S. aureus</i>:Screening, initial hit optimization and metabolomic studies

The global prevalence of antibacterial resistance requires new antibacterial drugs with novel chemical scaffolds and modes of action. It is also vital to design compounds with optimal physicochemical properties to permeate the bacterial cell envelope. We described an approach of combining and integrating whole cell screening and metabolomics into early antibacterial drug discovery using a library of small polar compounds. Whole cell screening of a diverse library of small polar compounds against Staphylococcus aureus gave compound 2. Hit expansion was carried out to determine structure–activity relationships. A selection of compounds from this series, together with other screened active compounds, was subjected to an initial metabolomics study to provide a metabolic fingerprint of the mode of action. It was found that compound 2 and its analogues have a different mode of action from some of the known antibacterial compounds tested. This early study highlighted the potential of whole cell screening and metabolomics in early antibacterial drug discovery. Future works will require improving potency and performing orthogonal studies to confirm the modes of action

Spatial Cognitive Implications of Teleporting Through Virtual Environments

Teleporting is a popular interface to allow virtual reality users to explore environments that are larger than the available walking space. When teleporting, the user positions a marker in the virtual environment and is instantly transported without any self-motion cues. Five experiments were designed to evaluate the spatial cognitive consequences of teleporting and to identify environmental cues that could mitigate those costs. Participants performed a triangle completion task by traversing 2 outbound path legs before pointing to the unmarked path origin. Locomotion was accomplished via walking or 2 common implementations of the teleporting interface distinguished by the concordance between movement of the body and movement through the virtual environment. In the partially concordant teleporting interface, participants teleported to translate (change position) but turned the body to rotate. In the discordant teleporting interface, participants teleported to translate and rotate. Across all 5 experiments, discordant teleporting produced larger errors than partially concordant teleporting which produced larger errors than walking, reflecting the importance of translational and rotational self-motion cues. Furthermore, geometric boundaries (room walls or a fence) were necessary to mitigate the spatial cognitive costs associated with teleporting, and landmarks were helpful only in the context of a geometric boundary

Individual differences in teleporting through virtual environments: A latent profile analysis

Teleportation in virtual reality (VR) affords the ability to explore beyond the physical space. Previous work has demonstrated that this interface comes at a spatial cognitive cost – though, upon closer inspection, not everyone appears similarly affected. A latent profile analysis identified three groups that significantly differed on spatial updating performance and follow-up analyses showed significant differences in objective measures of spatial ability (e.g., mental rotation and perspective-taking). These results suggest that there are individual differences in domains of spatial cognition that are related to how well a user may keep track of his or her location while teleporting in VR

Safety and efficacy of mirvetuximab soravtansine, a folate receptor alpha (FRα)-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), in combination with bevacizumab in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer

Bevacizumab; Folate receptor alpha; Platinum-resistant ovarian cancerBevacizumab; Receptor de folato alfa; Cáncer de ovario resistente al platinoBevacizumab; Receptor de folat alfa; Càncer d'ovari resistent al platíPurpose Evaluate the antitumor activity and safety profile of the combination of mirvetuximab soravtansine and bevacizumab in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Methods Patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, whose most recent platinum-free interval was ≤6 months, were administered mirvetuximab soravtansine (6 mg/kg adjusted ideal body weight) and bevacizumab (15 mg/kg), intravenously, once every 3 weeks. Eligibility included FRα expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC; ≥25% of cells with ≥2+ intensity). Prior bevacizumab and/or PARP inhibitor (PARPi) treatment were permitted. The primary endpoint was confirmed objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), and safety. Results Ninety-four patients received combination treatment with mirvetuximab soravtansine and bevacizumab. Median age was 62 years (range, 39–81). Fifty-two percent had ≥3 prior therapies; 59% had prior bevacizumab; and 27% had prior PARPi. ORR was 44% (95% CI 33, 54) with 5 complete responses, median DOR 9.7 months (95% CI 6.9, 14.1), and median PFS 8.2 months (95% CI 6.8, 10.0). Treatment-related adverse events were consistent with the profiles of each agent, with the most common being blurred vision (all grades 57%; grade 3, 1%), diarrhea (54%; grade 3, 1%), and nausea (51%; grade 3, 1%). Conclusion The mirvetuximab soravtansine plus bevacizumab doublet is an active and well-tolerated regimen in patients with FRα-expressing platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Promising activity was observed for patients regardless of level of FRα expression or prior bevacizumab. These data underscore the potential for mirvetuximab soravtansine as the combination partner of choice for bevacizumab in this setting.This study was supported by ImmunoGen, Inc

Phase II trial of dasatinib for recurrent or metastatic c-KIT expressing adenoid cystic carcinoma and for nonadenoid cystic malignant salivary tumors

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a subtype of malignant salivary gland tumors (MSGT), in which 90% of cases express cKIT. Dasatinib is a potent and selective inhibitor of five oncogenic protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs)/kinase families including cKIT. We conducted a phase II study to determine the antitumor activity of dasatinib in ACC and non-ACC MSGT

Effect of rhenium irradiations on the mechanical properties of tungsten for nuclear fusion applications

As-received and annealed tungsten samples were irradiated at a temperature of 400 °C with Re and W ions to peak concentrations of 1600 appm (atomic parts per million) and damage levels of 40 dpa (displacements per atom). Mechanical properties were investigated using nanoindentation, and the orientation and depth dependence of irradiation damage was investigated using Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD). Following irradiation there was a 13% increase in hardness in the as received sheet and a 23% increase in the annealed material for both tungsten and rhenium irradiation. The difference between the tungsten and rhenium irradiated samples was negligible, suggesting that for the concentrations and damage levels employed, the presence of rhenium does not have a significant effect on the hardening mechanism. Energy dependent EBSD of annealed samples provided information about the depth distribution of the radiation damage in individual tungsten grains and confirmed that the radiation damage is orientation dependant

UK Breastfeeding Helpline support: An investigation of influences upon satisfaction

Background Incentive or reward schemes are becoming increasingly popular to motivate healthy lifestyle behaviours. In this paper, insights from a qualitative and descriptive study to investigate the uptake, impact and meanings of a breastfeeding incentive intervention integrated into an existing peer support programme (Star Buddies) are reported. The Star Buddies service employs breastfeeding peer supporters to support women across the ante-natal, intra-partum and post-partum period. Methods In a disadvantaged area of North West England, women initiating breastfeeding were recruited by peer supporters on the postnatal ward or soon after hospital discharge to participate in an 8 week incentive (gifts and vouchers) and breastfeeding peer supporter intervention. In-depth interviews were conducted with 26 women participants who engaged with the incentive intervention, and a focus group was held with the 4 community peer supporters who delivered the intervention. Descriptive analysis of routinely collected data for peer supporter contacts and breastfeeding outcomes before and after the incentive intervention triangulated and retrospectively provided the context for the qualitative thematic analysis. Results A global theme emerged of 'incentives as connectors', with two sub-themes of 'facilitating connections' and 'facilitating relationships and wellbeing'. The incentives were linked to discussion themes and gift giving facilitated peer supporter access for proactive weekly home visits to support women. Regular face to face contacts enabled meaningful relationships and new connections within and between the women, families, peer supporters and care providers to be formed and sustained. Participants in the incentive scheme received more home visits and total contact time with peer supporters compared to women before the incentive intervention. Full participation levels and breastfeeding rates at 6-8 weeks were similar for women before and after the incentive intervention. Conclusion The findings suggest that whilst the provision of incentives might not influence women's intentions or motivations to breastfeed, the connections forged provided psycho-social benefits for both programme users and peer supporters