Browse Articles

Revolutionizing load harmony in edge computing networks with probabilistic cellular automata and Markov decision processes

Abstract In general, edge computing networks are based on a distributed computing environment and hence, present some difficulties to obtain an appropriate load balancing, especially under dynamic workload and limited resources. The conventional approaches of Load balancing like Round-Robin and Threshold-based load balancing fails in scalability and flexibility issues when applied to highly variable edge environments. To solve the problem of how to achieve steady-state load balance and provide dynamic adaption to edge networks, this paper proposes a new framework that using PCA and MDP. Taking advantage of the stochasticity of PCA classification our model describes interactions between neighboring nodes in terms of a local load thus allowing for a distributed, self-organizing approach to load balancing. The MDP framework then determines each node’s decision-making with the focus on load offloading policies that are aligned with rewards that promote per node balance and penalties for offloading a larger load than it can handle.These models are then incorporated into our proposed PCA-MDP system to achieve dynamic load balancing with low variability in resource usage among nodes. By conducting a large number of experiments, we prove that the proposed PCA-MDP model yields a higher efficiency in the distribution of the load, higher stabilities of the reward function, and a faster convergence speed compared to the existing approaches. Key performance parameters, such as load variance, convergence time, and scalability, validate the robustness of the proposed model. Besides optimizing resource exploitation, load harmony in edge computing networks helps provide efficient work progression and minimize latency, thereby contributing to the advancement of the field with respect to real-time applications such as self-driving vehicles and the Internet of Things. The presented work offers an excellent foundation for the next-generation edge-computing load-balancing solution that can be easily scaled up.

Confinement-induced Ni-based MOF formed on Ti3C2Tx MXene support for enhanced capacitive deionization of chromium(VI)

Understanding Burnout among Surgical residents: a mixed method study

Statistical flaws of the fitness-fatigue sports performance prediction model

The effect of sarpogrelate compared to aspirin in high- or very-high-risk diabetes for primary prevention

Elucidating the potential of EGFR mutated NSCLC and identifying its multitargeted inhibitors

Dimensional structure of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and Association with adverse childhood experiences in patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

Spatial accuracy of dose delivery significantly impacts the planning target volume margin in linear accelerator-based intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery

Abstract The impact of three-dimensional (3D) dose delivery accuracy of C-arm linacs on the planning target volume (PTV) margin was evaluated for non-coplanar intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). A multi-institutional 3D starshot test using beams from seven directions was conducted at 22 clinics using Varian and Elekta linacs with X-ray CT-based polymer gel dosimeters. Variability in dose delivery accuracy was observed, with the distance between the imaging isocenter and each beam exceeding 1 mm at one institution for Varian and nine institutions for Elekta. The calculated PTV margins for Varian and Elekta linacs that could cover the gross tumor volume with 95% probability at 95% of the institutions were 2.3 and 3.5 mm, respectively, in the superior–inferior direction. However, with multifactorial system management (i.e., high-accuracy 3D dose delivery with rigorous linac quality assurance, strict patient immobilization, and high intra-fractional positioning accuracy), these margins could be reduced to 1.0 mm and 1.5 mm, respectively. The findings indicate significant millimeter-level variability in 3D dose delivery accuracy among linacs installed in clinical settings. Thus, maximizing a linac’s 3D dose delivery accuracy is essential to achieve the required PTV margin in intracranial SRS.

Assessment of Hsp90β-selective inhibitor safety and on-target effects

Assessment of retinal pigment epithelium tears in eyes with submacular hemorrhage secondary to age-related macular degeneration

Author Correction: Structural and free energy landscape analysis for the discovery of antiviral compounds targeting the cap‑binding domain of influenza polymerase PB2

Diagnostic cholangioscopy for surgical planning of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Atmospheric cold plasma alters plant traits and negatively affects the growth and development of fall armyworm in rice

Trends and determinants of maternal health services utilization in India from 2015 to 2021

Global regional and national burden of intracerebral hemorrhage between 1990 and 2021

Alkali and sulfate effects on mechanical properties and microscopic mechanisms of slag and fly ash geopolymers

Sanger validation of WGS variants

Abstract With the development of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies it became possible to simultaneously analyze millions of variants. Despite the quality improvement, it is generally still required to confirm the variants before reporting. However, in recent years the dominant idea is that one could define the quality thresholds for “high quality” variants which do not require orthogonal validation. Despite that, no works to date report the concordance between variants from whole genome sequencing and their gold-standard Sanger validation. In this study we analyzed the concordance for 1756 WGS variants in order to establish the appropriate thresholds for high-quality variants filtering. Resulting thresholds allowed us to drastically reduce the number of variants which require validation, to 4.8% and 1.2% of the initial set for caller-agnostic (DP, AF) and caller-dependent (QUAL) thresholds, respectively.

Altered mitochondrial unfolded protein response and FGF21 secretion in MASLD progression and the effect of exercise intervention

Emergence of opposing arrows of time in open quantum systems

Abstract Deriving an arrow of time from time-reversal symmetric microscopic dynamics is a fundamental open problem in many areas of physics, ranging from cosmology, to particle physics, to thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Here we focus on the derivation of the arrow of time in open quantum systems and study precisely how time-reversal symmetry is broken. This derivation involves the Markov approximation applied to a system interacting with an infinite heat bath. We find that the Markov approximation does not imply a violation of time-reversal symmetry. Our results show instead that the time-reversal symmetry is maintained in the derived equations of motion. This imposes a time-symmetric formulation of quantum Brownian motion, Lindblad and Pauli master equations, which hence describe thermalisation that may occur into two opposing time directions. As a consequence, we argue that these dynamics are better described by a time-symmetric definition of Markovianity. Our results may reflect on the formulations of the arrow of time in thermodynamics, cosmology, and quantum mechanics.

Impact of polyvinyl chloride nano-plastics on the biochemical status of Oreochromis niloticus under a predicted global warming scenario

Abstract Plastic pollution and global warming are widespread issues that lead to several impacts on aquatic organisms. Despite harmful studies on both subjects, there are few studies on how temperature increases plastics’ adverse effects on aquatic animals, mainly freshwater species. So, this study aims to clarify the potential impact of temperature increases on the toxicological properties of polyvinyl chloride nano-plastics (PVC-NPs) in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) by measuring biochemical and oxidative biomarkers. The fish groups were subjected to three distinct temperatures (30, 32, and 34 °C) and subsequently separated into two groups: 0 and 10 mg/L of PVC-NPs, as it is expected that these temperatures may modify their chemical properties, which can influence their absorption and toxicity in fish. After 4 days, the biochemical response of fish exposed to PVC-NPs and elevated temperatures showed a significant increase in the levels of plasma total proteins, albumin, globulin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, and uric acid. Additionally, the level of oxidative stress biomarkers in the liver, gills, and brain was found to have a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and a decrease in glutathione reduced (GSH) concentration and catalase (CAT) activity in all studied groups. Finally, the current findings revealed a synergistic cytotoxic effect of PVC-NPs and temperatures on the metabolic and oxidative stress indices of O. niloticus.