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

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

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

Region of Turkey (Acari: Mesostigmata: Zerconidae)

Two new species of the mite genus Zercon C. L. Koch, 1836 have been found: Zercon ekizi sp. n. and Zercon emirdagicus sp. n. are described and illustrated from female specimens collected in Afyonkarahisar and Kutahya provinces, Turkey. The similarities and differences between the related species are discussed