A theoretical foundation for program transformations to reduce cache thrashing due to true data sharing

AbstractCache thrashing due to true data sharing can degrade the performance of parallel programs significantly. Our previous work showed that parallel task alignment via program transformations can be quite effective for the reduction of such cache thrashing. In this paper, we present a theoretical foundation for such program transformations. Based on linear algebra and the theory of numbers, our work analyzes the data dependences among the tasks created by a fork-join parallel program and determines at compile time how these tasks should be assigned to processors in order to reduce cache thrashing due to true data sharing. Our analysis and program transformations can be easily performed by compilers for parallel computers

Particles migrating and plugging mechanism in loosen sandstone heavy oil reservoir and the strategy of production with moderate sanding

Fine rock particles is easy to be suspended and carried in loosen sandstone heavy oil reservoir due to the higher density and viscosity of heavy oil. The sand particles settle down, bridge and clog in pore and throat, as the result, the filtration resistance in reservoir will be redistributed. It significantly impacts on the well productivity. In this paper, the process of sand particles transporting and clogging in tunnels of rock is observed utilizing a microscopic visualization model with the unconsolidated sandpack. Furthermore, the mechanism of fine particles migration and clogging and the effects to percolation capacity of porous medium is investigated through the dynamic permeability changes in the weak-consolidated sandpack tube is monitored under different conditions of particles suspended fluid injection. It is shown that the performance of permeability decline with particles migration is affected by the size and sorting of mobile particles and throats, concentration of suspended particles, total amount of particles and the pressure drawdown or fluid flowing velocity, the maximum permeability reduction and the clogging transition time is determined by the minimum size of bridging particles. As a field application example, the strategy of production with moderate sanding in loosen sandstone heavy oil reservoir is discussed at the end of this pape

Recent key advances in human immunodeficiency virus medicine and implications for China

In this article we summarize several recent major developments in human immunodeficiency virus treatment, prevention, outcome, and social policy change. Updated international guidelines endorse more aggressive treatment strategies and safer antiretroviral drugs. New antiretroviral options are being tested. Important lessons were learned in the areas of human immunodeficiency virus vaccines and microbicide gels from clinical studies, and additional trials in prevention, especially pre-exposure prophylaxis, are nearing completion. Insight into the role of the virus in the pathogenesis of diseases traditionally thought to be unrelated to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome has become a driving force for earlier and universal therapy. Lastly, we review important achievements of and future challenges facing China as she steps into her eighth year of the National Free Antiretroviral Treatment Program

Mulberry Anthocyanin Extract Ameliorates Oxidative Damage in HepG2 Cells and Prolongs the Lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans

Mulberry anthocyanins possess many pharmacological effects including liver protection, anti-inflammation, and anticancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether mulberry anthocyanin extract (MAE) exerts beneficial effects against oxidative stress damage in HepG2 cells and Caenorhabditis elegans. In vitro, MAE prevented cytotoxicity, increased glucose consumption and uptake, and eliminated excessive intracellular free radicals in H2O2-induced cells. Moreover, MAE pretreatment maintained Nrf2, HO-1, and p38 MAPK stimulation and abolished upregulation of p-JNK, FOXO1, and PGC-1α that were involved in oxidative stress and insulin signalling modulation. In vivo, extended lifespan was observed in C. elegans damaged by paraquat in the presence of MAE, while these beneficial effects were disappeared in pmk-1 and daf-16 mutants. PMK-1 and SKN-1 were activated after exposure to paraquat and MAE suppressed PMK-1 activation but enhanced SKN-1 stimulation. Our findings suggested that MAE recovered redox status in HepG2 cells and C. elegans that suffered from oxidative stress, which might be by targeting MAPKs and Nrf2

Massively parallel pyrosequencing-based transcriptome analyses of small brown planthopper (Laodelphax striatellus), a vector insect transmitting rice stripe virus (RSV)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The small brown planthopper (<it>Laodelphax striatellus</it>) is an important agricultural pest that not only damages rice plants by sap-sucking, but also acts as a vector that transmits rice stripe virus (RSV), which can cause even more serious yield loss. Despite being a model organism for studying entomology, population biology, plant protection, molecular interactions among plants, viruses and insects, only a few genomic sequences are available for this species. To investigate its transcriptome and determine the differences between viruliferous and naïve <it>L. striatellus</it>, we employed 454-FLX high-throughput pyrosequencing to generate EST databases of this insect.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We obtained 201,281 and 218,681 high-quality reads from viruliferous and naïve <it>L. striatellus</it>, respectively, with an average read length as 230 bp. These reads were assembled into contigs and two EST databases were generated. When all reads were combined, 16,885 contigs and 24,607 singletons (a total of 41,492 unigenes) were obtained, which represents a transcriptome of the insect. BlastX search against the NCBI-NR database revealed that only 6,873 (16.6%) of these unigenes have significant matches. Comparison of the distribution of GO classification among viruliferous, naïve, and combined EST databases indicated that these libraries are broadly representative of the <it>L. striatellus </it>transcriptomes. Functionally diverse transcripts from RSV, endosymbiotic bacteria <it>Wolbachia </it>and yeast-like symbiotes were identified, which reflects the possible lifestyles of these microbial symbionts that live in the cells of the host insect. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that <it>L. striatellus </it>encodes similar innate immunity regulatory systems as other insects, such as RNA interference, JAK/STAT and partial Imd cascades, which might be involved in defense against viral infection. In addition, we determined the differences in gene expression between vector and naïve samples, which generated a list of candidate genes that are potentially involved in the symbiosis of <it>L. striatellus </it>and RSV.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>To our knowledge, the present study is the first description of a genomic project for <it>L. striatellus</it>. The identification of transcripts from RSV, <it>Wolbachia</it>, yeast-like symbiotes and genes abundantly expressed in viruliferous insect, provided a starting-point for investigating the molecular basis of symbiosis among these organisms.</p

Recent key advances in human immunodeficiency virus medicine and implications for China

Abstract In this article we summarize several recent major developments in human immunodeficiency virus treatment, prevention, outcome, and social policy change. Updated international guidelines endorse more aggressive treatment strategies and safer antiretroviral drugs. New antiretroviral options are being tested. Important lessons were learned in the areas of human immunodeficiency virus vaccines and microbicide gels from clinical studies, and additional trials in prevention, especially pre-exposure prophylaxis, are nearing completion. Insight into the role of the virus in the pathogenesis of diseases traditionally thought to be unrelated to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome has become a driving force for earlier and universal therapy. Lastly, we review important achievements of and future challenges facing China as she steps into her eighth year of the National Free Antiretroviral Treatment Program

Carbon footprint and embodied nutrition evaluation of 388 recipes

Food consumption, which delivers fundamental energy and essential nutrients to human beings, is crucial for achieving a series of sustainable goals. Alongside rising population growth and living standards, there has been a significant increase in food cultivation demands, supply chain complexities, and waste management. Therefore, to protect human health and the environment, promoting sustainable food systems and the uptake of sustainable dietary habits are vital. Yet, information on the environmental and health impact of dietary choices remains inconsistent across multiple evaluation methods, which fail to deliver essential ideas to consumers. In this study, we formulate an integrated approach using Environmentally Extended Input-Output analysis, covering the food supply chain from production to the distribution phase, complemented with a hybrid Life Cycle Assessment for cooking and disposal processes, to quantify the carbon footprint of specific recipes. Our dataset also includes the distinct nutritional values of each recipe. This dataset not only informs the food industry and recipe platforms, enabling more sustainable choices, but also helps individuals balance nutritional value with environmental impact, leading to more informed and sustainable dietary decisions

Direct Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Oxindole-Derived δ-Hydroxy-β-ketoesters by Aldol Reactions

Direct asymmetric synthesis of δ-hydroxy-β-ketoesters was accomplished via regio- and enantioselective aldol reactions of β-ketoesters with isatins catalyzed by cinchona alkaloid thiourea derivatives. The C–C bond formation of the reactions occurred only at the γ-position of the β-ketoesters. Reaction progress monitoring and product stability analyses under the conditions that included the catalyst indicated that the γ-position reaction products were formed kinetically. Various δ-hydroxy-β-ketoesters bearing 3-alkyl-3-hydroxyoxindole cores relevant to the development of bioactive molecules were synthesized