CAWL: A Cache-aware Write Performance Model of Linux Systems

The performance of data intensive applications is often dominated by their input/output (I/O) operations but the I/O stack of systems is complex and severely depends on system specific settings and hardware components. This situation makes generic performance optimisation challenging and costly for developers as they would have to run their application on a large variety of systems to evaluate their improvements. Here, simulation frameworks can help reducing the experimental overhead but they typically handle the topic of I/O rather coarse-grained, which leads to significant inaccuracies in performance predictions. Here, we propose a more accurate model of the write performance of Linux-based systems that takes different I/O methods and levels (via system calls, library calls, direct or indirect, etc.), the page cache, background writing, and the I/O throttling capabilities of the Linux kernel into account. With our model, we reduce, for example, the relative prediction error compared to a standard I/O model included in SimGrid for a random I/O scenario from 67 % down to 10 % relative error against real measurements of the simulated workload. In other scenarios the differences are even more pronounced.Comment: 22 pages, 9 figures, 1 tabl

Effects of Root Debridement With Hand Curettes and Er:YAG Laser on Chemical Properties and Ultrastructure of Periodontally-Diseased Root Surfaces Using Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy

Introduction: The efficacy of erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser for root debridement in comparison with curettes has been the subject of many recent investigations. Considering the possibility of chemical and ultra-structural changes in root surfaces following laser irradiation, this study sought to assess the effects of scaling and root planing (SRP) with curettes and Er:YAG laser on chemical properties and ultrastructure of root surfaces using spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Methods: In this in vitro experimental study, extracted sound human single-rooted teeth (n = 50) were randomly scaled using manual curettes alone or in conjunction with Er:YAG laser at 100 and 150 mJ/pulse output energies. The weight percentages of carbon, oxygen, phosphorous and calcium remaining on the root surfaces were calculated using spectroscopy and the surface morphology of specimens was assessed under SEM. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results: No significant differences (P > 0.05) were noted in the mean carbon, oxygen, phosphorous and calcium weight percentages on root surfaces following SRP using manual curettes with and without laser irradiation at both output energies. Laser irradiation after SRP with curettes yielded rougher surfaces compared to the use of curettes alone.Conclusion: Although laser irradiation yielded rougher surfaces, root surfaces were not significantly different in terms of chemical composition following SRP using manual curettes with and without Er:YAG laser irradiation. Er:YAG laser can be safely used as an adjunct to curettes for SRP

Infertility and physical activity: A cross-sectional study of women living in Yazd aged 20-49 yr, 2014-2015

Background: Changes in the state of energy balance owing to changes in physical activity (PA) may affect the reproductive system. Objectives: the aim of this study was to assess the association between PA and infertility of women living in Yazd 2014 - 2015. Materials and Methods: The study method was analytical cross-sectional on the Yazd Health Study (YaHS) data which was conducted on 10,000 people. We studied 2,611 women (20 and 49 yrs old), living in Greater Yazd area. PA information was collected using a physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) short form. The standardized instruments were used for anthropometrics measurement. Results: Totally 135 cases of infertility were documented. The overall prevalence of infertility was 4.73% (95% CI: 3.94-5.59%). The median of PA scores (METs) in women was 746.66 and 25-75% interquartile range was 361.25-1277.25. The relationship according to the Chi-square test between infertility and PA, as categorized variables, was significant (p = 0.015). It showed over 90% of those who suffered from infertility had a low or moderate PA. Conclusion: The results of our study showed that there is a significant relationship between infertility and PA level in women living in Greater Yazd area. Also, women with infertility had lower activity levels, consistent with most previous studies. Key words: Women, Infertility, Physical activity, Yazd, Iran

Evaluation of the metformin effects on Anti-Müllerian Hormone in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: A double-blind randomized clinical trial

This is a Letter to the Editor and does not have an abstract

The study of hyoscyamine in oxidative stress of liver cells in male rat

Background and aims: Increased production of free radicals by endogenous systems and exogenous sources in cells leads to oxidative stress, which damages to the cells of various organs. Hyoscyamine is one of the important tropane alkaloid isolated from some Solanaceous species used to traditional medicine that they are used for their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and anticonvulsant activities. The antioxidant and antiglycation properties of tropane alkaloids may represent a role in dealing with oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and antiglycation effects of hyoscyamine component on the liver cells in male rats. Methods: In this experimental- laboratory study, liver cells were isolated from male Sprague–Dawley rats. The cells cultured under standard conditions. Various concentrations of hyoscyamine (0-32 µM) were treated on rat liver cells. Then, the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) as well as glyoxal and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) inhibition were measured by spectrophotometry. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed for measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver cells. Results: CAT, SOD and GPX enzyme activities increased as the concentration of hyoscyamine increased. DPPH showed a strong inhibition on reactive oxygen species generation compared to control group. The amount of SOD, CAT and GPX enzyme activities in 8 micromolar concentration of hyoscyamine compared with the control group significantly increased as 10.33 and 8.6 and 6.3 units (P<0.05). Also, hyoscyamine (4µM) reduced the amount of MDA, glyoxylate and DPPH compared to the control group as 1.94, 2.26, and 2.33 times (P<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings indicated that hyoscyamine had considerable antioxidant and antiglycation activities on rat liver cells. This compound protects liver cells against the damaging effects of free radicals. The effects of this compound for the treatment of diseases associated with oxidative stress would be useful in the future

The effect of eight weeks of interval and continuous endurance training on PGC-1α and FNDC5 gene expression in the gastrocnemius muscle of male Wistar rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the effect of eight weeks of continuous and interval training on PGC-1α and FNDC5 gene expression in the gastrocnemius muscle of male Wistar rats. 30 eight-week-old rats with an average weight of 192 ± 10 were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=10): control group (Ctrl), interval endurance training group (IET) and continuous endurance training group (CET). The exercise groups participated in 8 weeks of continuous or interval training program (5 days per week). 24 hours after the last training session, all the rats were anesthetized and their gastrocnemius muscles were collected and transferred to the laboratory to measure the mRNA levels of PGC-1α and FNDC5 genes by Real Time-PCR method. The results showed that the expression level of FNDC5 in the gastrocnemius muscle was significantly higher in the interval and continuous endurance training groups than in the control group. Also, the expression of this gene was higher in the interval group than in the continuous group. It was also found that the expression of PGC-1α gene was significantly increased in both training groups compared to the control group. Also, the expression of this gene increased significantly in the interval training group compared to the continuous. It seems that interval endurance training has a greater effect on the expression of PGC-1α and FNDC5 factors in the gastrocnemius muscle

Voltammetric Determination of Homocysteine Using Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Paste Electrode in the Presence of Chlorpromazine as a Mediator

We propose chlorpromazine (CHP) as a new mediator for the rapid, sensitive, and highly selective voltammetric determination of homocysteine (Hcy) using multiwall carbon nanotube paste electrode (MWCNTPE). The experimental results showed that the carbon nanotube paste electrode has a highly electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of Hcy in the presence of CHP as a mediator. Cyclic voltammetry, double potential step chronoamperometry, and square wave voltammetry (SWV) are used to investigate the suitability of CHP at the surface of MWCNTPE as a mediator for the electrocatalytic oxidation of Hcy in aqueous solutions. The kinetic parameters of the system, including electron transfer coefficient, and catalytic rate constant were also determined using the electrochemical approaches. In addition, SWV was used for quantitative analysis. SWV showed wide linear dynamic range (0.1–210.0 μM Hcy) with a detection limit of 0.08 μM Hcy. Finally, this method was also examined as a selective, simple, and precise electrochemical sensor for the determination of Hcy in real samples

Global burden of chronic respiratory diseases and risk factors, 1990–2019: an update from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: Updated data on chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are vital in their prevention, control, and treatment in the path to achieving the third UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a one-third reduction in premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by 2030. We provided global, regional, and national estimates of the burden of CRDs and their attributable risks from 1990 to 2019. Methods: Using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we estimated mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), prevalence, and incidence of CRDs, i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumoconiosis, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis, and other CRDs, from 1990 to 2019 by sex, age, region, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) in 204 countries and territories. Deaths and DALYs from CRDs attributable to each risk factor were estimated according to relative risks, risk exposure, and the theoretical minimum risk exposure level input. Findings: In 2019, CRDs were the third leading cause of death responsible for 4.0 million deaths (95% uncertainty interval 3.6–4.3) with a prevalence of 454.6 million cases (417.4–499.1) globally. While the total deaths and prevalence of CRDs have increased by 28.5% and 39.8%, the age-standardised rates have dropped by 41.7% and 16.9% from 1990 to 2019, respectively. COPD, with 212.3 million (200.4–225.1) prevalent cases, was the primary cause of deaths from CRDs, accounting for 3.3 million (2.9–3.6) deaths. With 262.4 million (224.1–309.5) prevalent cases, asthma had the highest prevalence among CRDs. The age-standardised rates of all burden measures of COPD, asthma, and pneumoconiosis have reduced globally from 1990 to 2019. Nevertheless, the age-standardised rates of incidence and prevalence of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis have increased throughout this period. Low- and low-middle SDI countries had the highest age-standardised death and DALYs rates while the high SDI quintile had the highest prevalence rate of CRDs. The highest deaths and DALYs from CRDs were attributed to smoking globally, followed by air pollution and occupational risks. Non-optimal temperature and high body-mass index were additional risk factors for COPD and asthma, respectively. Interpretation: Albeit the age-standardised prevalence, death, and DALYs rates of CRDs have decreased, they still cause a substantial burden and deaths worldwide. The high death and DALYs rates in low and low-middle SDI countries highlights the urgent need for improved preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic measures. Global strategies for tobacco control, enhancing air quality, reducing occupational hazards, and fostering clean cooking fuels are crucial steps in reducing the burden of CRDs, especially in low- and lower-middle income countries