Real-Time Containers: A Survey

Container-based virtualization has gained a significant importance in a deployment of software applications in cloud-based environments. The technology fully relies on operating system features and does not require a virtualization layer (hypervisor) that introduces a performance degradation. Container-based virtualization allows to co-locate multiple isolated containers on a single computation node as well as to decompose an application into multiple containers distributed among several hosts (e.g., in fog computing layer). Such a technology seems very promising in other domains as well, e.g., in industrial automation, automotive, and aviation industry where mixed criticality containerized applications from various vendors can be co-located on shared resources. However, such industrial domains often require real-time behavior (i.e, a capability to meet predefined deadlines). These capabilities are not fully supported by the container-based virtualization yet. In this work, we provide a systematic literature survey study that summarizes the effort of the research community on bringing real-time properties in container-based virtualization. We categorize existing work into main research areas and identify possible immature points of the technology

Percutaneous Radiofrequency Lesioning of the Suprascapular Nerve for the Management of Chronic Shoulder Pain: A Case Series

Purpose: The objective of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the analgesic effects of continuous radiofrequency lesioning of the suprascapular nerve (SSN) for chronic shoulder pain. The authors sought to obtain insight into the time-sensitive analgesic success and complications of this therapy. Patients and methods: This study was a retrospective case series involving patients with unremitting shoulder pain that had lasted for at least 12 months. Patients were selected if they showed a reduction of at least 50% in pain intensity during the anesthetic phase after SSN block, no additional motor weakness of the shoulder, and pain relief lasting for less than 2 months after separate treatments of the SSN with depot corticosteroids and pulsed radiofrequency. Nine patients were referred to the Arnold Pain Management Center. Of these nine patients, six patients who had significant chronic shoulder pain unresponsive to oral medications and intra-articular injections and who were not considered surgical candidates were selected. These patients were treated with a single radiofrequency lesion of the SSN at 80$^\circ$C for 60 seconds. The primary outcome was a reduction in pain intensity by 50%, as determined by the numeric rating scale, and duration of this effect. The secondary outcome was improvement in either the passive or the active range of motion (ROM). Patients were also monitored for adverse effects such as weakness or increased pain. Results: The pooled mean numeric rating scale score before the procedure was 7.2 $\pm$ 1.2; this fell to 3.0 $\pm$ 0.9 at 5–7 weeks post procedure. The duration of pain relief ranged from 3 to 18 months, and all patients underwent at least one additional treatment. The change in baseline ROM improved from an average of 60$^\circ$ $\pm$ 28$^\circ$ (flexion) and 58$^\circ$ $\pm$ 28$^\circ$ (abduction) to 99$^\circ$ $\pm$ 46$^\circ$ (flexion) and 107$^\circ$ $\pm$ 39$^\circ$ (abduction). No adverse side effects were observed. Conclusion: Continuous radiofrequency lesioning of the SSN seems to be an effective treatment for chronic shoulder pain. There can be improved ROM of the shoulder following this treatment. More formal, controlled studies are required to confirm these observations

Produtividade de plantações de eucalipto intercaladas com espécies nativas em áreas de pastagens degradadas no noroeste do Estado do Paraná.

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Meteorological Conditions Associated with Lightning Ignited Fires and Long-Continuing-Current Lightning in Arizona, New Mexico and Florida

Lightning is the main precursor of wildfires in Arizona, New Mexico, and Florida during the fire season. Forecasting the occurrence of Lightning-Ignited Wildfires (LIW) is an essential tool to reduce their impacts on the environment and society. Long-Continuing-Current (LCC) lightning is proposed to be the main precursor of LIW. The long-lasting continuing current phase of LCC lightning is that which is more likely to ignite vegetation. We investigated the meteorological conditions and vegetation type associated with LIW and LCC lightning flashes in Arizona, New Mexico, and Florida. We analyzed LIW between 2009 and 2013 and LCC lightning between 1998 and 2014 and combined lightning and meteorological data from a reanalysis data set. According to our results, LIW tend to occur during dry thunderstorms with a high surface temperature and a high temperature gradient between the 700 hPa and the 450 hPa vertical levels for high-based clouds. In turn, we obtained a high lightning-ignition efficiency in coniferous forests, such as the ponderosa pine in Arizona and New Mexico and the slash pine in Florida. We found that the meteorological conditions that favor fire ignition and spread are more significant in Florida than in Arizona and New Mexico, while the meteorological conditions that favor the occurrence of LIW in Arizona and New Mexico are closely related with the meteorological conditions that favor high lightning activity. In turn, our results indicate high atmospheric instability during the occurrence of LIW. Our findings suggest that LCC (>18 ms) lightning tends to occur in thunderstorms with high relative humidity and ice content in the clouds, and with low temperature in the entire troposphere. Additionally, a weak updraft in the lower troposphere and a strong one in the upper troposphere favor the occurrence of LCC (>18 ms) lightning. We found that the meteorological conditions that favor the occurrence of LCC (>18 ms) lightning are not necessarily the preferential meteorological conditions for LIW

P16-17. Antigen sensitivity is a major determinant of CD8+ T-cell polyfunctionality and HIV suppressive activity

International audiencen.

Fermiology and superconductivity studies on the non-tetrachalcogenafulvalene structured organic superconductor beta-(BDA-TTP)_2SbF_6

The quantum oscillatory effect and superconductivity in a non-tetrachalcogenafulvalene (TCF) structure based organic superconductor beta-(BDA-TTP)_2SbF_6 are studied. Here the Shubnikov-de Haas effect (SdH) and angular dependent magnetoresistance oscillations (AMRO) are observed. The oscillation frequency associated with a cylindrical Fermi surface is found to be about 4050 tesla, which is also verified by the tunnel diode oscillator (TDO) measurement. The upper critical field Hc2 measurement in a tilted magnetic field and the TDO measurement in the mixed state reveal a highly anisotropic superconducting nature in this material. We compared physical properties of beta-(BDA-TTP)_2SbF_6 with typical TCF structure based quasi two-dimensional organic conductors. A notable feature of beta-(BDA-TTP)_2SbF_6 superconductor is a large value of effective cyclotron mass m_c^*=12.4+/1.1 m_e, which is the largest yet found in an organic superconductor. A possible origin of the enhanced effective mass and its relation to the superconductivity are briefly discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 10 figure

Serum α-Fetoprotein Levels at Time of Recurrence Predict Post-Recurrence Outcomes Following Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Introduction: Although preoperative α-fetoprotein (AFP) has been recognized as an important tumor marker among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the predictive value of AFP levels at the time of recurrence (rAFP) on post-recurrence outcomes has not been well examined. Methods: Patients undergoing curative-intent resection of HCC between 2000 and 2017 were identified using a multi-institutional database. The impact of rAFP on post-recurrence survival, as well as the impact of rAFP relative to the timing and treatment of HCC recurrence were examined. Results: Among 852 patients who underwent resection of HCC, 307 (36.0%) individuals developed a recurrence. The median rAFP level was 8 ng/mL (interquartile range 3-100). Among the 307 patients who developed recurrence, 3-year post-recurrence survival was 48.5%. Patients with rAFP > 10 ng/mL had worse 3-year post-recurrence survival compared with individuals with rAFP 10 vs. 10 vs. 10 ng/mL had a twofold higher hazard of death in the post-recurrence setting (hazard ratio 1.96, 95% confidence interval 1.26-3.04). Conclusion: AFP levels at the time of recurrence following resection of HCC predicted post-recurrence survival independent of the secondary treatment modality used. Evaluating AFP levels at the time of recurrence can help inform post-recurrence risk stratification of patients with recurrent HCC.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pulmonary functions of commercial tricyclists (Keke Napep riders) in Enugu State, Nigeria

Background: Tricyclists are continuously exposed to vehicle emissions and other environmental pollutants, due to the nature of their job and vehicle design, which may be hazardous to health. However, there is paucity of data on the pulmonary functions of commercial tricyclists in Nigeria, which should have provided insight into any relevant health concerns in this population, hence this study. Objectives: This study evaluated the pulmonary functions of tricyclists, in comparison with those of age-matched non-tricyclists. Methods: Two hundred and ten (210) [150 commercial tricyclists; 60 non-tricyclists] males (aged 20-65years) participated in this unmatched case-control study in Enugu, Enugu state, Nigeria. Their pulmonary functions [Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR)] were assessed using a computerized spirometer. Independent T-test and Pearson Chi-square were used to analyze data at a significant level of P<0.05. Results: Cough (46.0%) and dust allergies (40.7%) were the commonest reported respiratory symptoms among tricyclists. There were significant differences in the FVC (P<0.001), FEV1 (P<0.001) and PEFR (P<0.001) between the two groups, with tricyclists showing lower pulmonary function values. FEV1/FVC was <70% with increased FVC in 83.3% of the tricyclists, suggesting restrictive pulmonary abnormalities. Conclusion: Decreased pulmonary function values of commercial tricyclists in this study is suggestive of their predisposition to occupation-related pulmonary disorders, particularly the restrictive patterns

Long-term Cross-reactivity Against Nonvaccine Human Papillomavirus Types 31 and 45 After 2- or 3-Dose Schedules of the AS04-Adjuvanted Human HPV-16/18 Vaccine

This analysis focused on long-term cross-reactive immunogenicity against nonvaccine human papillomavirus (HPV) types 31 and 45 following 2 doses of AS04-adjuvanted HPV-16/18 vaccine in girls aged 9-14 years or following 3 doses in women aged 15-25 years, for up to 3 years (HPV-070 study) and up to 5 years (HPV-048 study) after the first vaccination. Both schedules elicited antibodies against HPV-31 and HPV-45 up to 5 years after first dose. The antibody concentration was similar in young girls as compared to women. Specific CD4+ T-cell and B-cell responses to HPV-31 and HPV-45 at month 36 were similar across groups. Clinical trials registration: NCT01381575 and NCT00541970