Performance analysis and improvement of InfiniBand networks. Modelling and effective Quality-of-Service mechanisms for interconnection networks in cluster computing systems.

The InfiniBand Architecture (IBA) network has been proposed as a new industrial standard with high-bandwidth and low-latency suitable for constructing high-performance interconnected cluster computing systems. This architecture replaces the traditional bus-based interconnection with a switch-based network for the server Input-Output (I/O) and inter-processor communications. The efficient Quality-of-Service (QoS) mechanism is fundamental to ensure the import at QoS metrics, such as maximum throughput and minimum latency, leaving aside other aspects like guarantee to reduce the delay, blocking probability, and mean queue length, etc. Performance modelling and analysis has been and continues to be of great theoretical and practical importance in the design and development of communication networks. This thesis aims to investigate efficient and cost-effective QoS mechanisms for performance analysis and improvement of InfiniBand networks in cluster-based computing systems. Firstly, a rate-based source-response link-by-link admission and congestion control function with improved Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) packet marking scheme is developed. This function adopts the rate control to reduce congestion of multiple-class traffic. Secondly, a credit-based flow control scheme is presented to reduce the mean queue length, throughput and response time of the system. In order to evaluate the performance of this scheme, a new queueing network model is developed. Theoretical analysis and simulation experiments show that these two schemes are quite effective and suitable for InfiniBand networks. Finally, to obtain a thorough and deep understanding of the performance attributes of InfiniBand Architecture network, two efficient threshold function flow control mechanisms are proposed to enhance the QoS of InfiniBand networks; one is Entry Threshold that sets the threshold for each entry in the arbitration table, and other is Arrival Job Threshold that sets the threshold based on the number of jobs in each Virtual Lane. Furthermore, the principle of Maximum Entropy is adopted to analyse these two new mechanisms with the Generalized Exponential (GE)-Type distribution for modelling the inter-arrival times and service times of the input traffic. Extensive simulation experiments are conducted to validate the accuracy of the analytical models

Two-Step Synthesis of CuS/C@PANI Nanocomposite as Advanced Electrode Materials for Supercapacitor Applications

In this study, the dense cloud-like structured CuS nanoparticles were successfully prepared using a simple two-step hydrothermal method. The experimental temperature was the most important factor that affected the microstructure and surface functions of CuS/C. Therefore, the CuS/C electrodes were synthesized at different temperatures (80 °C, 120 °C, and 160 °C). Subsequently, their crystallographic phase and morphologies as well as the structure of the as-prepared electrodes were analyzed in detail. The electrode prepared at 120 °C (CuS/C-120) was determined to have a perfect microstructure, high specific capacitance, and good rate performance. To further improve the electrochemical performance of this electrode, it was combined with polyaniline (PANI) to obtain a CuS/C-120@PANI electrode via the cyclic voltammetric electrodeposition method. The CuS/C-120@PANI electrode exhibits a specific capacitance of 425.53 Fg−1 at a current density of 1 Ag−1 and a good cycling stability of 89.86% after 3000 cycles. The perfect architecture of CuS/C-120@PANI maximizes the synergistic effect between its different components and provides abundant electrochemically reactive sites, promoting the diffusion and transfer of electrolyte ions during the electrochemical reaction processes. Detailed analysis shows that the CuS/C-120@PANI electrode has great potential for use in high-performance energy storage devices

Transcriptome profiling analysis of Mactra veneriformis by deep sequencing after exposure to 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are ubiquitous global pollutants, which are known to have immune, development, reproduction, and endocrine toxicity in aquatic organisms, including bivalves. 2,2',4,4'-Tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) is the predominant PBDE congener detected in environmental samples and the tissues of organisms. However, the mechanism of its toxicity remains unclear. In this study, high-throughput sequencing was performed using the clam Mactra veneriformis, a good model for toxicological research, to clarify the transcriptomic response to BDE-47 and the mechanism responsible for the toxicity of BDE-47. The clams were exposed to 5 mu g/L BDE-47 for 3 days and the digestive glands were sampled for high-throughput sequencing analysis. We obtained 127 648, 154 225, and 124 985 unigenes by de novo assembly of the control group reads (CG), BDE-47 group reads (BDEG), and control and BDE-47 reads (CG & BDEG), respectively. We annotated 32 176 unigenes from the CG & BDEG reads using the NR database. We categorized 24 401 unigenes into 25 functional COG clusters and 21 749 unigenes were assigned to 259 KEGG pathways. Moreover, 17 625 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected, with 10 028 upregulated DEGs and 7 597 downregulated DEGs. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were involved with detoxification, antioxidant defense, immune response, apoptosis, and other functions. The mRNA expression levels of 26 DEGs were verified by quantitative real-time PCR, which demonstrated the high agreement between the two methods. These results provide a good basis for future research using the M. veneriformis model into the mechanism of PBDEs toxicity and molecular biomarkers for BDE-47 pollution. The regulation and interaction of the DEGs would be studied in the future for clarifying the mechanism of PBDEs toxicity

Celastrol ameliorates ulcerative colitis-related colorectal cancer in mice via suppressing inflammatory responses and epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Celastrol, also named as tripterine, is a pharmacologically active ingredient extracted from the root of traditional Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F with potent anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. In the present study, we investigated the effects of celastrol on ulcerative colitis-related colorectal cancer (UC-CRC) as well as colorectal cancer (CRC) in vivo and in vitro and explored its underlying mechanisms. UC-CRC model was induced in C57BL/6 mice by administration of azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Colonic tumor xenograft models were developed in BALB/c-nu mice by subcutaneous injection with HCT116 and HT-29 cells. Intragastric administration of celastrol (2 mg/kg/d) for 14 weeks significantly increased the survival ratio and reduced the multiplicity of colonic neoplasms compared with AOM/DSS model mice. Mechanically, celastrol treatment significantly prevented AOM/DSS-induced up-regulation of expression levels of oncologic markers including mutated p53 and phospho-p53, β-catenin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). In addition, treatment with celastrol inhibited inflammatory responses, as indicated by the decrease of serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, down-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and inactivation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Moreover, celastrol obviously suppressed epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) through up-regulating E-cadherin and down-regulating N-cadherin, Vimentin and Snail. Additionally, we also demonstrated that celastrol inhibited human CRC cell proliferation and attenuated colonic xenograft tumor growth via reversing EMT. Taken together, celastrol could effectively ameliorate UC-CRC by suppressing inflammatory responses and EMT, suggesting a potential drug candidate for UC-CRC therapy

Simultaneously Enhanced Thermal Conductivity and Breakdown Performance of Micro/Nano-BN Co-Doped Epoxy Composites

Micro/nano- BN co-doped epoxy composites were prepared and their thermal conductivity, breakdown strength at power frequency and voltage endurance time under high frequency bipolar square wave voltage were investigated. The thermal conductivity and breakdown performance were enhanced simultaneously in the composite with a loading concentration of 20 wt% BN at a micro/nano proportion of 95/5. The breakdown strength of 132 kV/mm at power frequency, the thermal conductivity of 0.81 W·m−1·K−1 and voltage endurance time of 166 s were obtained in the composites, which were approximately 28%, 286% and 349% higher than that of pristine epoxy resin. It is proposed that thermal conductive pathways are mainly constructed by micro-BN, leading to improved thermal conductivity and voltage endurance time. A model was introduced to illustrate the enhancement of the breakdown strength. The epoxy composites with high thermal conductivity and excellent breakdown performance could be feasible for insulating materials in high-frequency devices

The Diagnostic Value of PI-RADS v2.1 in Patients with a History of Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)

To explore the diagnostic value of the Prostate Imaging–Reporting and Data System version 2.1 (PI-RADS v2.1) for clinically significant prostate cancer (CSPCa) in patients with a history of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), we conducted a retrospective study of 102 patients who underwent systematic prostate biopsies with TURP history. ROC analyses and logistic regression analyses were performed to demonstrate the diagnostic value of PI-RADS v2.1 and other clinical characteristics, including PSA and free/total PSA (F/T PSA). Of 102 patients, 43 were diagnosed with CSPCa. In ROC analysis, PSA, F/T PSA, and PI-RADS v2.1 demonstrated significant diagnostic value in detecting CSPCa in our cohort (AUC 0.710 (95%CI 0.608–0.812), AUC 0.768 (95%CI 0.676–0.860), AUC 0.777 (95%CI 0.688–0.867), respectively). Further, PI-RADS v2.1 scores of the peripheral and transitional zones were analyzed separately. In ROC analysis, PI-RADS v2.1 remained valuable in identifying peripheral-zone CSPCa (AUC 0.780 (95%CI 0.665–0.854; p p = 0.594)). PSA and F/T PSA retain significant diagnostic value for CSPCa in patients with TURP history. PI-RADS v2.1 is reliable for detecting peripheral-zone CSPCa but has limited diagnostic value when assessing transitional zone lesions

Comparison of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) produced using 3 commercially available centrifuges at both high (~ 700 g) and low (~ 200 g) relative centrifugation forces.

OBJECTIVES Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) has gained tremendous momentum in recent years as a natural autologous growth factor derived from blood capable of stimulating tissue regeneration. Owing to its widespread use, many companies have commercialized various centrifugation devices with various proposed protocols. The aim of the present study was to compare 3 different commercially available centrifuges at both high and low g-force protocols. MATERIALS AND METHODS PRF was produced on three commercially available centrifuges including the IntraSpin Device (IntraLock), the Duo Quattro (Process for PRF), and Salvin (Salvin Dental). Two separate protocols were tested on each machine including the original leukocyte and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) protocol (~ 700 RCF max (~ 400 RCF clot) for 12 min) as well as the advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF+) protocol (~ 200 g RCF max (~ 130 g RCF clot) for 8 min). Each of the tested groups was compared for cell numbers, growth factor release, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphological differences, and clot size (both weight and length/width). RESULTS The present study found that PRF clots produced utilizing the low-speed centrifugation speeds (~ 200 g for 8 min) produce clots that (1) contained a higher concentration of evenly distributed platelets, (2) secreted higher concentrations of growth factors over a 10 day period, and (3) were smaller in size. This was irrespective of the centrifugation device utilized and consistently observed on all 3 devices. The greatest impact was found between the protocols utilized (up to a 200%). Interestingly, it was further revealed that the centrifugation tubes used had a much greater impact on the final size outcome of PRF clots when compared to centrifugation devices. It was found that, in general, the Process for PRF tubes produced significantly greater-sized clots when compared to other commercially available tubes. The Salvin Dental tubes also produced significantly greater PRF clots when compared to the IntraLock tubes on each of the tested centrifugation devices. CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrated the reproducibility of a scientific concept (reduction in RCF produces PRF clots with more evenly distributed cells and growth factors) utilizing different devices. Furthermore, (and until now overlooked), it was revealed for the first time that the centrifugation tubes are central to the quality production of PRF. Future research investigating tube characteristics thus becomes critically important for the future optimization of PRF. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This is the first study to reveal the marked impact of centrifugation tubes on the final production of PRF. Future study thus becomes markedly important to further optimize the quality of PRF-based matrices. It was further found that little variability existed between the centrifugation devices if optimized centrifugation protocols (lower centrifugation speeds) were utilized