Code Positioning in LLVM

Given the increasing performance disparity between processor speeds and memory latency, making efficient use of cache memory is more important than ever to achieve good performance in memory-bound workloads. Many modern first-level caches store instructions separately from data, making code layout and code size an important factor in the cache behavior of a program. This work investigates two methods that attempt to improve code locality, namely procedure splitting and procedure positioning, previously investigated by Pettis and Hansen. They are implemented in the open-source compiler framework LLVM to evaluate their effect on the SPEC CPU2000 benchmark suite and a benchmark run of the PostgreSQL database system. We found that our implementation is highly situational, but can be beneficial, reducing execution time by up to 3% on suitable SPEC benchmarks and an increase of 3% in average transactions per second on PostgreSQL

The challenges of military medical education and training for physicians and nurses in the Nordic countries - an interview study

Abstract Background Development and use of e-learning has not taken place to the same extent in military medicine in the Nordic countries. The aim was to explore the similarities and differences in education and training in military medicine for health professionals in the Nordic countries, and more specifically to identify the specific challenges regarding education and training of military medicine, and how e-learning is used at present and the opportunities for the future. Methods Key educators within military medicine in the Nordic countries, as approved by the respective Surgeons General, were interviewed and the interviews were analyzed using content analysis. Results The data showed that all Nordic countries cooperate in the field of military medical training to some extent. The models of recruitment and employment of health professionals differed as well as the degree of political support. These differences affected the ability for health professionals to gain actual experience from the military environment. To improve the quality of medical education and training, attempts were made to recruit physicians. The recruitment of physicians was considered a challenge which had resulted in disruptions of courses, training programs and maintenance of accreditation. The Nordic countries were described as having commonalities in the military medical systems and common needs for international collaboration within training, but differing in the range of education and training. Gaps were identified in methods for transferring outcomes from education into practice, as well as regarding evaluation and feedback of outcomes to military medicine. The educational tradition was described as oriented towards practical skills training without requirements on pedagogical education of educators. The results confirmed previous studies showing that e-learning was underutilized. Contextual understanding and experience of healthcare were seen as crucial factors for successful e-learning development. Conclusions Extended Nordic cooperation on military medical education and training are needed because of the limited volumes of advanced trauma cases. A key issue to the success of e-learning and blended learning is combining educational competence with contextual understanding into a strategy, of how to use digital educational methods

Teams managing civilian and military complex trauma: What are the competencies required in austere environments and the potential of simulation technology to address them?

Surgical training in civilian hospitals may not be sufficient for managing complex trauma in a setting where such care is not commonly practiced. Understanding the challenges that civilian teams face when moving to austere environments can inform the competencies that need to be trained. The aim of this study was to explore the competencies required in austere environments for teams managing complex trauma, and how they can be trained with simulation technologies. Ethnographic field observations were conducted, and field notes were synthesized. The field notes were structured with the elements of Activity Theory to generate the teams’ competencies that need to be trained. A literature review was conducted to verify the results and identify examples of relevant simulation modalities. The analysis resulted in a structured list of competencies for civilian teams to manage complex trauma in an austere environment and recommendations which simulation technologies could be used in training of those competencies based on published studies. Our study contributes to understanding the challenges that civilian teams face when operating in an austere environment. A systematized list of competencies with suggested simulation technologies directs future research to improve quality of complex trauma training in civilian and military collaboration

Efficacy and Safety of the Dopaminergic Stabilizer Pridopidine (ACR16) in Patients With Huntington's Disease.

OBJECTIVES:: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the dopaminergic stabilizer pridopidine (ACR16) in patients with Huntington's disease (HD). METHODS:: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 4-week trial, patients with HD received pridopidine (50 mg/d, n = 28) or placebo (n = 30). The primary outcome measure was the change from baseline in weighted cognitive score, assessed by cognitive tests (Symbol Digit Modalities, verbal fluency, and Stroop tests). Secondary outcome measures included changes in the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire, Reitan Trail-Making Test A, and Clinical Global Impression of Change. Safety assessments were also performed. RESULTS:: There was no significant difference between pridopidine and placebo in the change from baseline of the weighted cognitive score. However, secondary measures such as affective symptoms showed trends toward improvement, and there was significant improvement in voluntary motor symptoms compared with placebo (P < 0.05). Pridopidine was well tolerated, with a safety profile similar to placebo. CONCLUSIONS:: Pridopidine shows promise as a treatment for some of the symptoms of HD. In this small-scale study, the most notable effect was improvement in voluntary motor symptoms. Larger, longer-term trials are warranted

A Phase 2a Trial Investigating the Safety and Tolerability of the Novel Cortical Enhancer IRL752 in Parkinson's Disease Dementia

Background: IRL752 is a novel small-molecule compound that acts to regioselectively enhance norepinephrine, dopamine, and acetylcholine neurotransmission in the cerebral cortex. Objective: The primary objective of the trial was to investigate the safety and tolerability of IRL752 in patients with Parkinson's disease and dementia. Methods: Patients with Parkinson's disease and dementia were randomized to IRL752 or placebo treatment (3:1 ratio) for 28 days. The study drug was given as an adjunct treatment to the patients’ regular stable antiparkinsonian medication. Dosing was individually titrated for 14 days after which the dose was kept stable for an additional 14 days. Results: A total of 32 patients were randomized to treatment, and 29 patients completed the 4-week treatment. Adverse events were generally mild and transient and were mostly reported during the dose titration phase. There were 2 serious adverse events, and none of them were related to the experimental treatment. The average dose achieved in the stable dose phase was 600 mg daily, yielding a 2-hour postdose plasma concentration of about 4 μM on day 28. Exploratory assessment of secondary outcomes indicated efficacy for symptoms and signs known to be poorly responsive to levodopa. Conclusions: IRL752 appears to be safe and well tolerated for a 4-week treatment in patients with Parkinson's disease and dementia