Haren: A Framework for Ad-Hoc Thread Scheduling Policies for Data Streaming Applications

In modern Stream Processing Engines (SPEs), numerous diverse applications, which can differ in aspects such as cost, criticality or latency sensitivity, can co-exist in the same computing node. When these differences need to be considered to control the performance of each application, custom scheduling of operators to threads is of key importance (e.g., when a smart vehicle needs to ensure that safety-critical applications always have access to computational power, while other applications are given lower, variable priorities).Many solutions have been proposed regarding schedulers that allocate threads to operators to optimize specific metrics (e.g., latency) but there is still lack of a tool that allows arbitrarily complex scheduling strategies to be seamlessly plugged on top of an SPE. We propose Haren to fill this gap. More specifically, we (1) formalize the thread scheduling problem in stream processing in a general way, allowing to define ad-hoc scheduling policies, (2) identify the bottlenecks and the opportunities of scheduling in stream processing, (3) distill a compact interface to connect Haren with SPEs, enabling rapid testing of various scheduling policies, (4) illustrate the usability of the framework by integrating it into an actual SPE and (5) provide a thorough evaluation. As we show, Haren makes it is possible to adapt the use of computational resources over time to meet the goals of a variety of scheduling policies

Modelling of content-aware indicators for effective determination of shot boundaries in compressed MPEG videos

In this paper, a content-aware approach is proposed to design multiple test conditions for shot cut detection, which are organized into a multiple phase decision tree for abrupt cut detection and a finite state machine for dissolve detection. In comparison with existing approaches, our algorithm is characterized with two categories of content difference indicators and testing. While the first category indicates the content changes that are directly used for shot cut detection, the second category indicates the contexts under which the content change occurs. As a result, indications of frame differences are tested with context awareness to make the detection of shot cuts adaptive to both content and context changes. Evaluations announced by TRECVID 2007 indicate that our proposed algorithm achieved comparable performance to those using machine learning approaches, yet using a simpler feature set and straightforward design strategies. This has validated the effectiveness of modelling of content-aware indicators for decision making, which also provides a good alternative to conventional approaches in this topic

ANAPSID: An Adaptive Query Processing Engine for SPARQL Endpoints

Abstract. Following the design rules of Linked Data, the number of available SPARQL endpoints that support remote query processing is quickly growing; however, because of the lack of adaptivity, query executions may frequently be unsuccessful. First, fixed plans identified following the traditional optimize-then-execute paradigm, may timeout as a consequence of endpoint availability. Sec-ond, because blocking operators are usually implemented, endpoint query en-gines are not able to incrementally produce results, and may become blocked if data sources stop sending data. We present ANAPSID, an adaptive query engine for SPARQL endpoints that adapts query execution schedulers to data availabil-ity and run-time conditions. ANAPSID provides physical SPARQL operators that detect when a source becomes blocked or data traffic is bursty, and opportunis-tically, the operators produce results as quickly as data arrives from the sources. Additionally, ANAPSID operators implement main memory replacement policies to move previously computed matches to secondary memory avoiding duplicates. We compared ANAPSID performance with respect to RDF stores and endpoints, and observed that ANAPSID speeds up execution time, in some cases, in more than one order of magnitude.

Using motivational techniques to reduce cardiometabolic risk factors in long term psychiatric inpatients: A naturalistic interventional study

Background People with severe mental illness have markedly reduced life expectancy; cardiometabolic disease is a major cause. Psychiatric hospital inpatients have elevated levels of cardiometabolic risk factors and are to a high degree dependent of the routines and facilities of the institutions. Studies of lifestyle interventions to reduce cardiometabolic risk in psychiatric inpatients are few. The current study aimed at assessing the feasibility and effects of a lifestyle intervention including Motivational Interviewing (MI) on physical activity levels, cardiometabolic risk status and mental health status in psychotic disorder inpatients. Methods Prospective naturalistic intervention study of 83 patients at long term inpatient psychosis treatment wards in South-Eastern Norway. Patients were assessed 3–6 months prior to, at start and 6 months after a life-style intervention program including training of staff in MI, simple changes in routines and improvements of facilities for physical exercise. Assessments were done by clinical staff and included level of physical activity, motivation, life satisfaction, symptom levels (MADRS, AES-C, PANSS, and GAF) as well as anthropometric and biochemical markers of cardiometabolic risk. A mixed model was applied to analyze change over time. Results A total of 88% of patients received MI interventions, with a mean of 2.5 MI interventions per week per patient. The physical activity level was not increased, but activity level was positively associated with motivation and negatively associated with positive symptoms. Triglyceride levels and number of smokers were significantly reduced and a significant decrease in symptom levels was observed. Conclusions The current results suggest that a simple, low cost life-style intervention program focusing on motivational change is feasible and may reduce symptoms and improve lifestyle habits in psychosis patients in long term treatment facilities. Similar programs may easily be implemented in other psychiatric hospitals.submittedVersio

Global diversity of enterococci and description of 18 novel species

Bacteria of the genus Enterococcus colonize the guts of diverse animals. Some species have acquired multiple antibiotic resistances on top of a high level of intrinsic resistance and have emerged as leading causes of hospital-associated infection. Although clinical isolates of enterococcal species E. faecalis and E. faecium have been studied with respect to their antibiotic resistances and infection pathogenesis, comparatively little is known about the biology of enterococci in their natural context of the guts of humans and other land animals, including arthropods and other invertebrates. Importantly, little is also known about the global pool of genes already optimized for expression in an enterococcal background with the potential to be readily acquired by hospital adapted strains of E. faecalis and E. faecium , known facile exchangers of mobile genetic elements. We therefore undertook a global study designed to reach into maximally diverse habitats, to establish a first approximation of the genetic diversity of enterococci on Earth. Presumptive enterococci from over 900 diverse specimens were initially screened by PCR using a specific reporter gene that we found to accurately reflect genomic diversity. The genomes of isolates exceeding an operationally set threshold for diversity were then sequenced in their entirety and analyzed. This provided us with data on the global occurrence of many known enterococcal species and their association with various hosts and ecologies and identified 18 novel species expanding the diversity of the genus Enterococcus by over 25%. The 18 novel enterococcal species harbor a diverse array of genes associated with toxins, detoxification, and resource acquisition that highlight the capacity of the enterococci to acquire and adapt novel functions from diverse gut environments. In addition to the discovery and characterization of new species, this expanded diversity permitted a higher resolution analysis of the phylogenetic structure of the Enterococcus genus, including identification of distinguishing features of its 4 deeply rooted clades and genes associated with range expansion such as B-vitamin biosynthesis and flagellar motility. Collectively, this work provides an unprecedentedly broad and deep view of the genus Enterococcus , along with new insights into their potential threat to human health

Global diversity of enterococci and description of 18 previously unknown species

Enterococci are gut microbes of most land animals. Likely appearing first in the guts of arthropods as they moved onto land, they diversified over hundreds of millions of years adapting to evolving hosts and host diets. Over 60 enterococcal species are now known. Two species, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium, are common constituents of the human microbiome. They are also now leading causes of multidrug-resistant hospital-associated infection. The basis for host association of enterococcal species is unknown. To begin identifying traits that drive host association, we collected 886 enterococcal strains from widely diverse hosts, ecologies, and geographies. This identified 18 previously undescribed species expanding genus diversity by >25%. These species harbor diverse genes including toxins and systems for detoxification and resource acquisition. Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium were isolated from diverse hosts highlighting their generalist properties. Most other species showed a more restricted distribution indicative of specialized host association. The expanded species diversity permitted the Enterococcus genus phylogeny to be viewed with unprecedented resolution, allowing features to be identified that distinguish its four deeply rooted clades, and the entry of genes associated with range expansion such as B-vitamin biosynthesis and flagellar motility to be mapped to the phylogeny. This work provides an unprecedentedly broad and deep view of the genus Enterococcus, including insights into its evolution, potential new threats to human health, and where substantial additional enterococcal diversity is likely to be found

Zerconidae) from Turkey

Morphological features of Prozercon bulbiferus Ujvari, 2011 and Prozercon graecus Ujvari, 2011, which are new records for the Turkish fauna, are given with drawings. Deutonymph members of P. bulbiferus are described and illustrated for the first time. Information about habitat and distribution for each species is also provided. Additionally, a key to species of the genus Prozercon known from Turkey is given. Both species are found in the Thrace region of Turkey

Effects of curcumin on metabolic syndrome components [Kurkuminin metabolik sendrom bileşenleri üzerine etkileri]

Curcumin is derived from the roots of the plant Curcuma longa known as turmeric. Curcumin mediates glucose homeostasis through activation of glycosis, inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis and reducing lipid metabolism. As a nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor, curcumin helps to alleviate insulin resistance; activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and shows hypoglycemic effects and thus suppresses increases in blood glucose levels. There are studies showing that curcumin may have an effect on insulin secretion. By regulating the expression of the Ang II Type-1 receptor in the arteries, it can prevent the development of hypertension, an important component of the metabolic syndrome. The triglyceride-lowering effects of curcumin were confirmed in various experimental studies. In addition to the effects on the lipid metabolism, there is some evidence that curcumin can reduce body weight by increasing the basal metabolic rate and release of some cytokines. Curcumin was found to reduce hepatic fat accumulation and prevent steatosis by down-regulating lipogenic factors. In addition, it reduces the biomarkers of systemic inflammation, hepatocyte injury and oxidative stress, and improves insulin sensitivity and glycemic control. Curcumin reduces hepatic cholesterol and total cholesterol levels by inhibiting hepatic enzymes HMG-CoA reductase and acyl CoA cholesterol acyltransferase. In addition, it inhibits hepatic fatty acid synthase activity and increases beta oxidation of fatty acids. Curcumin is a promising agent in the treatment of metabolic syndrome by correcting the parameters caused by the metabolic syndrome and eliminating its negative effects. Copyright © 2019 by Türkiye Klinikleri