Assess and Summarize: Improve Outage Understanding with Large Language Models

Cloud systems have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their flexibility and scalability. Each time cloud computing applications and services hosted on the cloud are affected by a cloud outage, users can experience slow response times, connection issues or total service disruption, resulting in a significant negative business impact. Outages are usually comprised of several concurring events/source causes, and therefore understanding the context of outages is a very challenging yet crucial first step toward mitigating and resolving outages. In current practice, on-call engineers with in-depth domain knowledge, have to manually assess and summarize outages when they happen, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. In this paper, we first present a large-scale empirical study investigating the way on-call engineers currently deal with cloud outages at Microsoft, and then present and empirically validate a novel approach (dubbed Oasis) to help the engineers in this task. Oasis is able to automatically assess the impact scope of outages as well as to produce human-readable summarization. Specifically, Oasis first assesses the impact scope of an outage by aggregating relevant incidents via multiple techniques. Then, it generates a human-readable summary by leveraging fine-tuned large language models like GPT-3.x. The impact assessment component of Oasis was introduced in Microsoft over three years ago, and it is now widely adopted, while the outage summarization component has been recently introduced, and in this article we present the results of an empirical evaluation we carried out on 18 real-world cloud systems as well as a human-based evaluation with outage owners. The results show that Oasis can effectively and efficiently summarize outages, and lead Microsoft to deploy its first prototype which is currently under experimental adoption by some of the incident teams

Chromosome 10Q2432 Variants associate With Brain arterial Diameters in Diverse Populations: a Genome-Wide association Study

BACKGROUND: Brain arterial diameters (BADs) are novel imaging biomarkers of cerebrovascular disease, cognitive decline, and dementia. Traditional vascular risk factors have been associated with BADs, but whether there may be genetic determinants of BADs is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: The authors studied 4150 participants from 6 geographically diverse population-based cohorts (40% European, 14% African, 22% Hispanic, 24% Asian ancestries). Brain arterial diameters for 13 segments were measured and averaged to obtain a global measure of BADs as well as the posterior and anterior circulations. A genome-wide association study revealed 14 variants at one locus associated with global BAD at genome-wide significance ( CONCLUSIONS: The current study reveals 3 novel risk loci

Mutations in the C-terminus of the X protein of hepatitis B virus regulate Wnt-5a expression in hepatoma Huh7 cells: cDNA microarray and proteomic analyses

Background: The hepatitis B virus x gene (HBx) is a promiscuous transactivator implicated in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The present study was designed to investigate the molecular events regulated by HBx. Methods: Genomic and proteomic expression profiling was performed in Huh7 HCC cells transfected with HBx mutants with a C-terminal deletion. The gene and protein expression of wingless-type murine-mammary-tumour virus (MMTV) integration site family, member 5A (Wnt-5a) was validated by analyses of reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR), real-time RT–PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry. Results: Differentially expressed genes and proteins were found in the transfected Huh7 HCC cells; most of them were involved in transcriptional regulation, although others including oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, and molecules involved in cell junctions, signal transduction pathways, metabolism or the immune response were also observed. The expression of the Wnt-5a gene was elevated >10-fold in Huh7 cells transfected with the HBx3′-30 amino acid deletion mutant. However, the expression was downregulated by the transfection with the HBx3′-40 amino acid deletion mutant. The changes in Wnt-5a expression were also observed in human HCC tissues, compared with corresponding non-cancerous liver tissues. A negative correlation was found between the expression of Wnt-5a and HBx COOH mutations in HCC tissues. Conclusions: HBx mutants may participate in the development and progression of HCC, at least in part through the Wnt-5a pathway

Synthesis and catalysis of chemically reduced metal–metalloid amorphous alloys

This is the published version. Copyright 2012 Royal Society of ChemistryAmorphous alloys structurally deviate from crystalline materials in that they possess unique short-range ordered and long-range disordered atomic arrangement. They are important catalytic materials due to their unique chemical and structural properties including broadly adjustable composition, structural homogeneity, and high concentration of coordinatively unsaturated sites. As chemically reduced metal–metalloid amorphous alloys exhibit excellent catalytic performance in applications such as efficient chemical production, energy conversion, and environmental remediation, there is an intense surge in interest in using them as catalytic materials. This critical review summarizes the progress in the study of the metal–metalloid amorphous alloy catalysts, mainly in recent decades, with special focus on their synthetic strategies and catalytic applications in petrochemical, fine chemical, energy, and environmental relevant reactions. The review is intended to be a valuable resource to researchers interested in these exciting catalytic materials. We concluded the review with some perspectives on the challenges and opportunities about the future developments of metal–metalloid amorphous alloy catalysts

Antagonistic regulation of Yan nuclear export by Mae and Crm1 may increase the stringency of the Ras response

Phosphorylation of Yan, a major target of Ras signaling, leads to Crm1-dependent Yan nuclear export, a response that is regulated by Yan polymerization. Yan SAM (sterile α motif) domain mutations preventing polymerization result in Ras-independent, but Crm1-dependent Yan nuclear export, suggesting that polymerization prevents Yan export. Mae, which depolymerizes Yan, competes with Crm1 for binding to Yan. Phosphorylation of Yan favors Crm1 in this competition and counteracts inhibition of nuclear export by Mae. These findings suggest that, prior to Ras activation, the Mae/Yan interaction blocks premature nuclear export of Yan monomers. After activation, transcriptional up-regulation of Mae apparently leads to complete depolymerization and export of Yan

Thermodynamics, Kinetics, and Regeneration Studies for Adsorption of Cr(VI) from Aqueous Solutions using Modified Cellulose as Adsorbent

Cellulose adsorbent was prepared by ATRP grafting of glycidyl methacrylate onto a cellulose backbone with subsequent functionalization with ethanediamine, and then used for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. Batch experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of initial pH and initial Cr(VI) concentration on the adsorption performance. The optimum pH for adsorption of Cr(VI) ranged from 2 to 3, and the maximum uptake of Cr(VI) from solution was 500 mg/g at pH 3.0 and 50 °C. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were applied to the adsorption process, and the thermodynamic parameters were calculated. The results showed that the sorption process to be feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic. Kinetics studies revealed that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model fitted well with the experimental data and the intra-particle diffusion was not the only rate-determining step for Cr(VI)sorption onto adsorbent. The cellulose adsorbent before and after Cr(VI) adsorption were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Regeneration of cellulose adsorbent loaded with Cr(VI) can be achieved by treating with 2.0M NaOH

The Extent of the Crack on Artificial Simulation Models with CBCT and Periapical Radiography.

The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of the crack of a cracked tooth on an artificial simulation model with Periapical Radiography (PR) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in vitro, providing the basis for early diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan.Forty-four teeth with different extents of artificial cracks, created by exposure to liquid nitrogen after hot water at 100°C, were collected. They were subjected to PR and CBCT. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) examination, regarded as a relatively more accurate measurement than others, was used to measure and record the crack depth. Three observers, an endodontic graduate student, an experienced endodontist, and an experienced radiologist, examined the PR and CBCT results independently, and the presence or absence of cracks with PR and CBCT were respectively recorded. The external consistency ICC with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was used to analyze the consistency among the graduate student, endodontist, and radiologist; ROC curves were used for the analysis of diagnostic performance of both radiographic modalities for tooth cracks with crack depth.For the interpretation of the PR results, there were statistically significant differences among the three different observers (P < 0.001), and the interpretation of the CBCT results (P < 0.001). In the group of results read by the graduate student, the sensitivity of diagnosis with CBCT and PR was 77.27% and 22.73%, respectively (P < 0.001). In the group of results read by the endodontist, the sensitivity of diagnosis with CBCT and PR was 81.81% and 8.19%, respectively (P < 0.001). In the group of results read by the radiologist, the sensitivity of diagnosis with CBCT and PR was 88.64% and 11.36%, respectively (P < 0.001). As for CBCT diagnosis, the critical value for the graduate, endodontist, and radiologist was 3.20 mm, 2.06 mm, and 1.24 mm, respectively. For the PR diagnosis, the critical value for the graduate, endodontist, and radiologist was 6.12 mm, 6.94 mm, and 6.94 mm, respectively.Within the limitations of this study, on an artificial simulation model of cracked teeth for early diagnosis, we recommend that it would be better for a cracked tooth to be diagnosed by a radiologist with CBCT than PR, CBCT with a minimum depth of 1.24 mm

A cell sorting and trapping microfluidic device with an interdigital channel

The growing interest in cell sorting and trapping is driving the demand for high performance technologies. Using labeling techniques or external forces, cells can be identified by a series of methods. However, all of these methods require complicated systems with expensive devices. Based on inherent differences in cellular morphology, cells can be sorted by specific structures in microfluidic devices. The weir filter is a basic and efficient cell sorting and trapping structure. However, in some existing weir devices, because of cell deformability and high flow velocity in gaps, trapped cells may become stuck or even pass through the gaps. Here, we designed and fabricated a microfluidic device with interdigital channels for cell sorting and trapping. The chip consisted of a sheet of silicone elastomer polydimethylsiloxane and a sheet of glass. A square-wave-like weir was designed in the middle of the channel, comprising the interdigital channels. The square-wave pattern extended the weir length by three times with the channel width remaining constant. Compared with a straight weir, this structure exhibited a notably higher trapping capacity. Interdigital channels provided more space to slow down the rate of the pressure decrease, which prevented the cells from becoming stuck in the gaps. Sorting a mixture K562 and blood cells to trap cells demonstrated the efficiency of the chip with the interdigital channel to sort and trap large and less deformable cells. With stable and efficient cell sorting and trapping abilities, the chip with an interdigital channel may be widely applied in scientific research fields

IMB0901 inhibits muscle atrophy induced by cancer cachexia through MSTN signaling pathway

Abstract Background Cancer cachexia as a metabolic syndrome can lead to at least 25% of cancer deaths. The inhibition of muscle atrophy is a main strategy to treat cancer cachexia. In this process, myostatin (MSTN) can exert a dual effect on protein metabolism, including inhibition of protein biosynthesis and enhancement of protein degradation. In this study, we will test the effect on muscle atrophy induced by cancer cachexia of IMB0901, a MSTN inhibitor. Methods Two high-throughput screening models against MSTN were developed. By screening, IMB0901, 2-((1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo [3,4-d] pyrimidin-4-yl) amino) butan-1-ol, was picked out from the compound library. The in vitro cell model and the C26 animal model of muscle atrophy induced by cancer cachexia were used to determine the pharmacological activity of IMB0901. Whether IMB0901 could inhibit the aggravating effect of doxorubicin on muscle wasting was examined in vitro and in vivo. Results IMB0901 inhibited the MSTN promoter activity, the MSTN signaling pathway, and the MSTN positive feedback regulation. In atrophied C2C12 myotubes, IMB0901 had a potent efficiency of decreasing MSTN expression and modulating MSTN signaling pathway which was activated by C26-conditioned medium (CM). In C2C12 myotubes, the expressions of three common myotube markers, myosin heavy chain (MyHC), myogenic differentiation 1 (MyoD), and myogenin (MyoG), were downregulated by CM, which could be efficiently reversed by IMB0901 via reduction of ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis and enhancement of AKT/mTOR-mediated protein synthesis. In the C26 animal model, IMB0901 mitigated the weight loss of body, quadricep and liver, and protected the quadriceps cell morphology. Furthermore, IMB0901 decreased the expression of two E3 ligases Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 in the quadriceps in vivo. At the cellular level, IMB0901 had no influence on anti-tumor effect of three chemotherapeutic agents (cisplatin, doxorubicin, and gemcitabine) and lowered doxorubicin-induced upregulation of MSTN in C2C12 myotubes. IMB0901 did not affect the inhibitory effect of doxorubicin on C26 tumor and delayed the weight loss of muscle and adipose tissue caused by C26 tumor and doxorubicin. Conclusions IMB0901 inhibits muscle atrophy induced by cancer cachexia by suppressing ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis and promoting protein synthesis. These findings collectively suggest that IMB0901 is a promising leading compound for the management of muscle atrophy induced by cancer cachexia