bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research studies on patients' illness experience using the Narrative Medicine approach: a systematic review
Authors: Fioretti Chiara , Mazzocco Ketti , Riva Silvia , Oliveri Serena , Masiero Marianna , Pravettoni Gabriella
Published: July 2016

Objective

Since its birth about 30 years ago, Narrative Medicine approach has increased in popularity in the medical context as well as in other disciplines. This paper aims to review Narrative Medicine research studies on patients' and their caregivers' illness experience.

Setting and participants

MEDLINE, Psycinfo, EBSCO Psychological and Behavioural Science, The Cochrane Library and CINAHL databases were searched to identify all the research studies which focused on the Narrative Medicine approach reported in the title, in the abstract and in the keywords the words ‘Narrative Medicine’ or ‘Narrative-based Medicine’. Primary and secondary outcome measures: number of participants, type of disease, race and age of participants, type of study, dependent variables, intervention methods, assessment.

Results

Of the 325 titles screened, we identified 10 research articles fitting the inclusion criteria. Our systematic review showed that research on Narrative Medicine has no common specific methodology: narrative in Medicine is used as an intervention protocol as well as an assessment tool. Patients' characteristics, types of disease and data analysis procedures differ among the screened studies.

Conclusions

Narrative Medicine research in medical practice needs to find clear and specific protocols to deepen the impact of narrative on medical practice and on patients' lives.
Healthcare professional and patient codesign and validation of a mechanism for service users to feedback patient safety experiences following a care transfer: a qualitative study
Authors: Scott Jason , Heavey Emily , Waring Justin , Jones Diana , Dawson Pamela
Published: July 2016

Objective

To develop and validate a mechanism for patients to provide feedback on safety experiences following a care transfer between organisations.

Design

Qualitative study using participatory methods (codesign workshops) and cognitive interviews. Workshop data were analysed concurrently with participants, and cognitive interviews were thematically analysed using a deductive approach based on the developed feedback mechanism.

Participants

Expert patients (n=5) and healthcare professionals (n=11) were recruited purposively to develop the feedback mechanism in 2 workshops. Workshop 1 explored principles underpinning safety feedback mechanisms, and workshop 2 included the practical development of the feedback mechanism. Final design and content of the feedback mechanism (a safety survey) were verified by workshop participants, and cognitive interviews (n=28) were conducted with patients.

Results

Workshop participants identified that safety feedback mechanisms should be patient-centred, short and concise with clear signposting on how to complete, with an option to be anonymous and balanced between positive (safe) and negative (unsafe) experiences. The agreed feedback mechanism consisted of a survey split across 3 stages of the care transfer: departure, journey and arrival. Care across organisational boundaries was recognised as being complex, with healthcare professionals acknowledging the difficulty implementing changes that impact other organisations. Cognitive interview participants agreed the content of the survey was relevant but identified barriers to completion relating to the survey formatting and understanding of a care transfer.

Conclusions

Participatory, codesign principles helped overcome differences in understandings of safety in the complex setting of care transfers when developing a safety survey. Practical barriers to the survey's usability and acceptability to patients were identified, resulting in a modified survey design. Further research is required to determine the usability and acceptability of the survey to patients and healthcare professionals, as well as identifying how governance structures should accommodate patient feedback when relating to multiple health or social care providers.
Mapping the progress and impacts of public health approaches to palliative care: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Archibald Daryll , Patterson Rebecca , Haraldsdottir Erna , Hazelwood Mark , Fife Shirley , Murray Scott A
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Public health palliative care is a term that can be used to encompass a variety of approaches that involve working with communities to improve people's experience of death, dying and bereavement. Recently, public health palliative care approaches have gained recognition and momentum within UK health policy and palliative care services. There is general consensus that public health palliative care approaches can complement and go beyond the scope of formal service models of palliative care. However, there is no clarity about how these approaches can be undertaken in practice or how evidence can be gathered relating to their effectiveness. Here we outline a scoping review protocol that will systematically map and categorise the variety of activities and programmes that could be classified under the umbrella term ‘public health palliative care’ and highlight the impact of these activities where measured.

Methods and analysis

This review will be guided by Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review methodology and incorporate insights from more recent innovations in scoping review methodology. Sensitive searches of 9 electronic databases from 1999 to 2016 will be supplemented by grey literature searches. Eligible studies will be screened independently by two reviewers using a data charting tool developed for this scoping review.

Ethics and dissemination

This scoping review will undertake a secondary analysis of data already collected and does not require ethical approval. The results will facilitate better understanding of the practical application of public health approaches to palliative care, the impacts these activities can have and how to build the evidence base for this work in future. The results will be disseminated through traditional academic routes such as conferences and journals and also policy and third sector seminars.
Review of the national external quality assessment (EQA) scheme for breast pathology in the UK
Authors: Rakha Emad A , Bennett Rachel L , Coleman Derek , Pinder Sarah E , Ellis Ian O
Published: July 2016

Background

The National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP; pathology) external quality assurance (EQA) scheme aims to provide a mechanism for examination and monitoring of concordance of pathology reporting within the UK. This study aims to review the breast EQA scheme performance data collected over a 24-year period following its introduction.

Methods

Data on circulations, number of cases and diagnosis were collected. Detailed analyses with and without combinations of certain diagnostic entities, and over different time periods were performed.

Results

Overall, of 576 cases (172 benign, 11 atypical hyperplasia, 98 ductal carcinoma in situ/microinvasive and 295 invasive disease), consistency of assessment of diagnostic parameters was very high (overall k=0.80; k for benign diagnosis=0.79; k for invasive disease=0.91). For distinguishing benign versus malignant lesions, no further improvement is considered possible in view of the limitations of the scheme methodology. Although diagnostic consistency of atypical hyperplasia remains at a low level, combining it with the benign category results in a high level of agreement (k=0.93). The level of consistency of reporting prognostic information is variable and some items such as lymphovascular invasion and tumour size measurement may need further intervention to improve their reporting consistency. Although the level of consistency of reporting of histological grade remained at a moderate level overall (k=0.48), it was variable among cases and appears to have levelled off; no further significant improvement is expected and no significant impact of the previous publication of guidelines is observed.

Conclusions

These results provide further evidence to indicate the value of the breast EQA scheme in monitoring performance and the identification of specific areas where improvement or new approaches are required. For most parameters, the concordance of reporting reached a plateaux a few years after the introduction of the EQA scheme. It is important to maintain this high level and also to tackle specific low-performance areas innovatively.
Associations of socioeconomic position in childhood and young adulthood with cardiometabolic risk factors: the Jerusalem Perinatal Family Follow-Up Study
Authors: Savitsky B , Manor O , Friedlander Y , Burger A , Lawrence G , Calderon-Margalit R , Siscovick D S , Enquobahrie D A , Williams M A , Hochner H
Published: July 2016

Background

Several stages in the life course have been identified as important to the development of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to assess the associations of childhood and adulthood socioeconomic position (SEP) and social mobility with cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRs) later in life.

Methods

We conducted follow-up examinations of 1132 offspring, aged 32, within a population-based cohort of all births in Jerusalem from 1974 to 1976. SEP was indicated by parents’ occupation and education, and adulthood SEP was based on offspring's occupation and education recorded at age 32. Linear regression models were used to investigate the associations of SEP and social mobility with CMRs.

Results

Childhood-occupational SEP was negatively associated with body mass index (BMI; β=−0.29, p=0.031), fat percentage (fat%; β=−0.58, p=0.005), insulin (β=−0.01, p=0.031), triglycerides (β=−0.02, p=0.024) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; β=−1.91, p=0.015), independent of adulthood SEP. Adulthood-occupational SEP was negatively associated with waist-to-hip ratio (WHR; β=−0.01, p=0.002), and positively with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; β=0.87, p=0.030). Results remained similar after adjustment for smoking and inactivity. Childhood-educational SEP was associated with decreased WHR and LDL-C level (p=0.0002), and adulthood-educational SEP was inversely associated with BMI (p=0.001), waist circumference (p=0.008), WHR (p=0.001) and fat% (p=0.0002) and positively associated with HDL-C (p=0.030). Additionally, social mobility (mainly upward) was shown to have adverse cardiometabolic outcomes.

Conclusions

Both childhood and adulthood SEP contribute independently to CMR. The match–mismatch hypothesis may explain the elevated CMRs among participants experiencing social mobility. Identification of life-course SEP-related aspects that translate into social inequality in cardiovascular risk may facilitate efforts for improving health and for reducing disparities in cardiovascular disease.
Peer-reviewed and unbiased research, rather than ‘sound science’, should be used to evaluate endocrine-disrupting chemicals
Authors: Trasande Leonardo , Vandenberg Laura N , Bourguignon Jean-Pierre , Myers John Peterson , Slama Remy , vom Saal Frederick , Zoeller Robert Thomas
Published: July 2016

Evidence increasingly confirms that synthetic chemicals disrupt the endocrine system and contribute to disease and disability across the lifespan. Despite a United Nations Environment Programme/WHO report affirmed by over 100 countries at the Fourth International Conference on Chemicals Management, ‘manufactured doubt’ continues to be cast as a cloud over rigorous, peer-reviewed and independently funded scientific data. This study describes the sources of doubt and their social costs, and suggested courses of action by policymakers to prevent disease and disability. The problem is largely based on the available data, which are all too limited. Rigorous testing programmes should not simply focus on oestrogen, androgen and thyroid. Tests should have proper statistical power. ‘Good laboratory practice’ (GLP) hardly represents a proper or even gold standard for laboratory studies of endocrine disruption. Studies should be evaluated with regard to the contamination of negative controls, responsiveness to positive controls and dissection techniques. Flaws in many GLP studies have been identified, yet regulatory agencies rely on these flawed studies. Peer-reviewed and unbiased research, rather than ‘sound science’, should be used to evaluate endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Republished: Trigeminocardiac reflex caused by selective angiography of the middle meningeal artery
Authors: Tamura Takamitsu , Rex David E , Marosfoi Miklos G , Puri Ajit S , Gounis Matthew J , Wakhloo Ajay K
Published: July 2016

We describe an interesting case of trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) caused by selective angiography of the middle meningeal artery (MMA). A 28-year-old woman presented with a symptomatic meningioma. Preoperative tumour embolisation was performed. In the procedure, when selective MMA angiography was done with Omnipaque 300 mg I/mL for 3 mL by manual injection, the patient complained of flashing lights in her eye followed by vomiting and bradycardia down to 40 bpm without increased intracranial pressure signs. On selective MMA angiography, the choroidal crescent and arteries of the periorbital region were opacified by anastomosis from the MMA via the meningo-ophthalmic artery. We diagnosed that her symptoms were caused by selective MMA angiography leading to high pressure stimulation towards the ophthalmic nerve innervation around the orbit as a TCR. We suggest that the operator should be prepared to manage TCR during treatment with expected selective MMA angiography, and gentle low pressure contrast injection should be attempted.
Increased glucose utilization and cell growth of Corynebacterium glutamicum by modifying the glucose-specific phosphotransferase system (PTSGlc) genes
Authors: Xu Jianzhong , Zhang Junlan , Liu Dongdong , Zhang Weiguo
Published: July 2016

The phosphoenolpyruvate:glucose phosphotransferase system (PTSGlc) is the major pathway of glucose uptake in Corynebacterium glutamicum. This study investigated glucose consumption rate, cell growth, and metabolite changes resulting from modification of PTSGlc. The classical l-lysine producer C. glutamicum XQ-8 exhibited low glucose consumption, cell growth, and l-lysine production rates, whereas these parameters were significantly increased during cultivating on glucose plus maltose, through inactivation of SugR, or by overexpression of PTSGlc genes. XQ-8sugR::cat/pDXW-8-ptsI exhibited the highest increase in glucose consumption, growth rate, and l-lysine production, followed by XQ-8sugR::cat/pDXW-8-ptsG. However, overexpression of ptsH had little effect on the above-mentioned factors. Although co-overexpression of ptsGHI led to the highest glucose consumption, growth rate, and final l-lysine production; the l-lysine production rate was lower than that of XQ-8sugR::cat/pDXW-8-ptsIH. In fed-batch fermentation, XQ-8sugR::cat/pDXW-8-ptsIH had a higher growth rate of 0.54 h−1 to a dry cell mass of 66 g·L−1 after 16 h, and had a higher l-lysine production rate of 159.2 g·L−1 after 36 h. These results indicate that modification of the sugar transport systems improves amino acid production, especially for mutants obtained by repeated physical and (or) chemical mutagenesis. However, modification of these systems needs to be performed on a case-by-case basis.
Thermal transport across a pair of thin silicon films with the presence of minute vacuum gap: effect of film thickness on thermal characteristics
Authors: Ali Haider , Yilbas Bekir Sami
Published: July 2016

Energy transport across a pair of thin silicon films with the vacuum gap at the films interface is studied. The Boltzmann transport equation is incorporated in the analysis and the solution for the transient frequency-dependent phonon distribution across the films pair is presented. To assess the phonon characteristics, equivalent equilibrium temperature is introduced, which resembles the average energy of all phonons around a local point when they redistribute adiabatically to an equilibrium state. Because the gap size is comparable to the mean free path of silicon, a near-field radiation heat transfer is incorporated across the film edges at the interface. The frequency cutoff method is used at the interface of the films and the phonons jump across the gap resembling the ballistic phonon contribution to the energy transport is accommodated. The thermal conductivity data predicted are validated with the data obtained from the previous study. The effect of near-field radiation heat transfer on temperature increase at the edges of the film, across the gap interface, is not considerable as compared to that corresponding to phonons transmitted across the gap. Increasing the first film thickness increases temperature difference across the gap, which is more pronounced for large gap sizes.
Cryptanalysis of Multiplicative Coupled Cryptosystems Based on the Chebyshev Polynomials
Authors: Shakiba Ali , Hooshmandasl Mohammad Reza , Meybodi Mohsen Alambardar
Published: July 2016

In this work, we propose a class of public-key cryptosystems called multiplicative coupled cryptosystem, or MCC for short, as well as discuss its security within three different models. Moreover, we discuss a chaotic instance of MCC based on the first and the second types of Chebyshev polynomials over real numbers for these three security models. To avoid round-off errors in floating point arithmetic as well as to enhance the security of the chaotic instance discussed, the Chebyshev polynomials of the first and the second types over a finite field are employed. We also consider the efficiency of the proposed MCCs. The discussions throughout the paper are supported by practical examples.
Proving Chaotic Behavior of CBC Mode of Operation
Authors: Abidi Abdessalem , Wang Qianxue , Bouallegue Belgacem , Machhout Mohsen , Guyeux Christophe
Published: July 2016

The cipher block chaining (CBC) mode of operation was invented by IBM (International Business Machine) in 1976. It presents a very popular way of encrypting that is used in various applications. In this paper, we have mathematically proven that, under some conditions, the CBC mode of operation can admit a chaotic behavior according to Devaney. Some cases will be properly studied in order to provide evidence for this idea.
Delay-Induced Triple-Zero Bifurcation in a Delayed Leslie-Type Predator–Prey Model with Additive Allee Effect
Authors: Jiang Jiao , Song Yongli , Yu Pei
Published: July 2016

In this paper, a Leslie-type predator–prey model with ratio-dependent functional response and Allee effect on prey is considered. We first study the existence of the multiple positive equilibria and their stability. Then we investigate the effect of delay on the distribution of the roots of characteristic equation and obtain the conditions for the occurrence of simple-zero, double-zero and triple-zero singularities. The formulations for calculating the normal form of the triple-zero bifurcation of the delay differential equations are derived. We show that, under certain conditions on the parameters, the system exhibits homoclinic orbit, heteroclinic orbit and periodic orbit.
Bifurcational Mechanism of Multistability Formation and Frequency Entrainment in a van der Pol Oscillator with an Additional Oscillatory Circuit
Authors: Astakhov Sergey , Astakhov Oleg , Astakhov Vladimir , Kurths Jürgen
Published: July 2016

In this paper, the bifurcational mechanism of frequency entrainment in a van der Pol oscillator coupled with an additional oscillatory circuit is studied. It is shown that bistability observed in the system is based on two bifurcations: a supercritical Andronov–Hopf bifurcation and a sub-critical Neimark–Sacker bifurcation. The attracting basin boundaries are determined by stable and unstable invariant manifolds of a saddle two-dimensional torus.
Quasi-local energy in presence of gravitational radiation
Authors: Chen Po-Ning , Wang Mu-Tao , Yau Shing-Tung
Published: July 2016

We discuss our recent work [P.-N. Chen, M.-T. Wang and S.-T. Yau, Quasi-local mass in the gravitational perturbations of black holes, to appear.] in which gravitational radiation was studied by evaluating the Wang–Yau quasi-local mass of surfaces of fixed size at the infinity of both axial and polar perturbations of the Schwarzschild spacetime, à la Chandrasekhar. [S. Chandrasekhar, The Mathematical Theory of Black Holes, Oxford Classic Texts in the Physical Sciences (Oxford University Press, New York, 1998).]
A Methodology for Economic Evaluation of Cloud-Based Web Applications
Authors: Domenech Josep , Peña-Ortiz Raul , Gil Jose A. , Pont Ana
Published: July 2016

Cloud technology is an attractive infrastructure solution to optimize the scalability and performance of web applications. The workload of these applications typically fluctuates between peak and valley loads and sometimes in an unpredictable way. Cloud systems can easily deal with this fluctuation because they provide customers with an almost unlimited on-demand infrastructure capacity using a pay-per-use model, which enables internet-based companies to pay for the actual consumption instead of peak capacity. In this paradigm, this paper links the business model of an internet-based company to the performance evaluation of the infrastructure. To this end, the paper develops a new methodology for assessing the costs and benefits of implementing web-based applications in the cloud. Traditional performance models and indexes related to usage of the main system resources (such as processor, memory, storage, and bandwidth) have been reformulated to include new metrics (such as customer losses and service costs) that are useful for business managers. Additionally, the proposed methodology has been illustrated with a case study of a typical e-commerce scenario. Experimental results show that the proposed metrics enable internet-based companies to estimate the cost of adopting a particular cloud configuration more accurately in terms of the infrastructure cost and the cost of losing customers due to performance degradation. Consequently, the methodology can be a useful tool to assess the feasibility of business plans.
Steganography on quantum pixel images using Shannon entropy
Authors: Laurel Carlos Ortega , Dong Shi-Hai , Cruz-Irisson M.
Published: July 2016

This paper presents a steganographical algorithm based on least significant bit (LSB) from the most significant bit information (MSBI) and the equivalence of a bit pixel image to a quantum pixel image, which permits to make the information communicate secretly onto quantum pixel images for its secure transmission through insecure channels. This algorithm offers higher security since it exploits the Shannon entropy for an image.
A new approach on electromagnetism with dual number coefficient octonion algebra
Authors: Chanyal Bhupesh Chandra , Chanyal Sunil Kumar , Bektaş Özcan , Yüce Salim
Published: July 2016

Dual number coefficient octonion (DNCO) is one of the kind of octonion, it has 16 components with an additional dual unit [Formula: see text]. Starting with DNCO algebra, we develop the generalized electromagnetic field equations of dyons regarding the DNCOS spaces, which has two octonionic space-times namely the octonionic internal space-time and the octonionic external space-time. Besides, the generalized four-potential components of dyons have been expressed with respect to the dual octonion form. Furthermore, we obtain the symmetrical form of Dirac–Maxwell equations, and the generalized potential wave equations for dyons in terms of the dual octonion. Finally, we conclude that dual octonion formulation is compact and simpler like octonion formulation.
Patient Specific Vascular Benchtop Models for Development and Validation of Medical Devices for Minimally Invasive Procedures
Authors: Kvasnytsia Maryna , Famaey Nele , Böhm Michal , Verhoelst Eva
Published: July 2016

Using realistic benchtop models in early stages of device development can reduce time and efforts necessary to move the device to further testing. In this study, we propose several patient specific vascular benchtop models for the development and validation of a robotic catheter for transcatheter aortic valve implantation. The design and manufacturing of these models, and their properties are presented. Additionally, it is demonstrated that the described design process provides virtual models that are accurately linked to the physical models.
Modular Switched Multiported SRAM-Based Memories
Authors: Abdelhadi Ameer M. S. , Lemieux Guy G. F.
Published: July 2016

Multiported RAMs are essential for high-performance parallel computation systems. VLIW and vector processors, CGRAs, DSPs, CMPs, and other processing systems often rely upon multiported memories for parallel access. Although memories with a large number of read and write ports are important, their high implementation cost means that they are used sparingly. As a result, FPGA vendors only provide dual-ported block RAMs (BRAMs) to handle the majority of usage patterns. Furthermore, recent attempts to create FPGA-based multiported memories suffer from low storage utilization. Whereas most approaches provide simple unidirectional ports with a fixed read or write, others propose true bidirectional ports where each port dynamically switches read and write. True RAM ports are useful for systems with transceivers and provide high RAM flexibility; however, this flexibility incurs high BRAM consumption. In this article, a novel, modular, and BRAM-based switched multiported RAM architecture is proposed. In addition to unidirectional ports with fixed read/write, this switched architecture allows a group of write ports to switch with another group of read ports dynamically, hence altering the number of active ports. The proposed switched-ports architecture is less flexible than a true-multiported RAM where each port is switched individually. Nevertheless, switched memories can dramatically reduce BRAM consumption compared to true ports for systems with alternating port requirements. Previous live-value-table (LVT) and XOR approaches are merged and optimized into a generalized and modular structure that we call an invalidation-based live-value-table (I-LVT). Like a regular LVT, the I-LVT determines the correct bank to read from, but it differs in how updates to the table are made; the LVT approach requires multiple write ports, often leading to an area-intensive register-based implementation, whereas the XOR approach suffers from excessive storage overhead since wider memories are required to accommodate the XOR-ed data. Two specific I-LVT implementations are proposed and evaluated: binary and thermometer coding. The I-LVT approach is especially suitable for deep memories because the table is implemented only in SRAM cells. The I-LVT method gives higher performance while occupying fewer BRAMs than earlier approaches: for several configurations, BRAM usage is reduced by greater than 44% and clock speed is improved by greater than 76%. The I-LVT can be used with fixed ports, true ports, or the proposed switched ports architectures. Formal proofs for the suggested methods, resources consumption analysis, usage guidelines, and analytic comparison to other methods are provided. A fully parameterized Verilog implementation is released as an open source library. The library has been extensively tested using Altera’s EDA tools.
Multiagent Resource Allocation for Dynamic Task Arrivals with Preemption
Authors: Doucette John A. , Pinhey Graham , Cohen Robin
Published: July 2016

In this article, we present a distributed algorithm for allocating resources to tasks in multiagent systems, one that adapts well to dynamic task arrivals where new work arises at short notice. Our algorithm is designed to leverage preemption if it is available, revoking resource allocations to tasks in progress if new opportunities arise that those resources are better suited to handle. Our multiagent model assigns a task agent to each task that must be completed and a proxy agent to each resource that is available. Preemption occurs when a task agent approaches a proxy agent with a sufficiently compelling need that the proxy agent determines the newcomer derives more benefit from the proxy agent’s resource than the task agent currently using that resource. Task agents reason about which resources to request based on a learning of churn and congestion. We compare to a well-established multiagent resource allocation framework that permits preemption under more conservative assumptions and show through simulation that our model allows for improved allocations through more permissive preemption. In all, we offer a novel approach for multiagent resource allocation that is able to cope well with dynamic task arrivals.
SpinWise
Authors: Asgharimoghaddam Hadi , Kim Nam Sung
Published: July 2016

Spinning had been the classical way of implementing synchronization primitives (i.e., barriers, locks and conditions) in pthread library before the adoption of fast user space mutex (futex). Since spinning cores do not perform any useful work, it has been believed that futex is more energyefficient than spinning. In this paper, using commercial chip multi-processors (CMPs), first we provide deep insights on how the commercial CMP and operating system together reduce power consumption during spinning- and futex-based synchronization and analyze the duration of synchronization cycles for each implementation. Second, we analyze limitations of existing techniques that attempt to reduce power consumption of CMPs during synchronization. Finally, we propose a spinning-based energy-efficient synchronization technique dubbed SpinWise. We demonstrate that SpinWise can provide 22% higher geometric mean energy efficiency than futex for a CMP running applications with many frequent and short synchronization events.
Revising the Ada Timers and Group Budgets to Support Execution Time Control for Interrupt Handling
Authors: Gregertsen Kristoffer Nyborg
Published: July 2016

This position paper revises the execution time timers and group budgets of the Ada programming language, to provide full support for execution time control for interrupt handling similar to that for tasks. This is done by adding abstract execution time timer and group budget types, that are inherited by the concrete timers and group budgets for tasks and interrupts. The visitor pattern with double dispatching is applied to allow a single implementation of an execution time control policy, such as the deferrable server, to work for both tasks and interrupts.
Session Summary
Authors: Pinho Luis Miguel , Michell Stephen
Published: July 2016

The first session of the 18th International Real Time Ada Workshop discussed two aspects of parallel programming in real-time systems, the use of executors in parallel systems, and syntax to guide the reduction of parallel computations to return a correct single answer. This report captures the discussions held and the decisions and recommendations of the workshop on these topics.
Lubrication of Articular Cartilage
Authors: Jahn Sabrina , Seror Jasmine , Klein Jacob
Published: July 2016

The major synovial joints such as hips and knees are uniquely efficient tribological systems, able to articulate over a wide range of shear rates with a friction coefficient between the sliding cartilage surfaces as low as 0.001 up to pressures of more than 100 atm. No human-made material can match this. The means by which such surfaces maintain their very low friction has been intensively studied for decades and has been attributed to fluid-film and boundary lubrication. Here, we focus especially on the latter: the reduction of friction by molecular layers at the sliding cartilage surfaces. In particular, we discuss such lubrication in the light of very recent advances in our understanding of boundary effects in aqueous media based on the paradigms of hydration lubrication and of the synergism between different molecular components of the synovial joints (namely hyaluronan, lubricin, and phospholipids) in enabling this lubrication.
β-Cell dedifferentiation, reduced duct cell plasticity, and impaired β-cell mass regeneration in middle-aged rats
Authors: Téllez Noèlia , Vilaseca Marina , Martí Yasmina , Pla Arturo , Montanya Eduard
Published: July 2016

Limitations in β-cell regeneration potential in middle-aged animals could contribute to the increased risk to develop diabetes associated with aging. We investigated β-cell regeneration of middle-aged Wistar rats in response to two different regenerative stimuli: partial pancreatectomy (Px + V) and gastrin administration (Px + G). Pancreatic remnants were analyzed 3 and 14 days after surgery. β-Cell mass increased in young animals after Px and was further increased after gastrin treatment. In contrast, β-cell mass did not change after Px or after gastrin treatment in middle-aged rats. β-Cell replication and individual β-cell size were similarly increased after Px in young and middle-aged animals, and β-cell apoptosis was not modified. Nuclear immunolocalization of neurog3 or nkx6.1 in regenerative duct cells, markers of duct cell plasticity, was increased in young but not in middle-aged Px rats. The pancreatic progenitor-associated transcription factors neurog3 and sox9 were upregulated in islet β-cells of middle-aged rats and further increased after Px. The percentage of chromogranin A+/hormone islet cells was significantly increased in the pancreases of middle-aged Px rats. In summary, the potential for compensatory β-cell hyperplasia and hypertrophy was retained in middle-aged rats, but β-cell dedifferentiation and impaired duct cell plasticity limited β-cell regeneration.
Reversible redox modifications of ryanodine receptor ameliorate ventricular arrhythmias in the ischemic-reperfused heart
Authors: Becerra Romina , Román Bárbara , Di Carlo Mariano N. , Mariangelo Juan Ignacio , Salas Margarita , Sanchez Gina , Donoso Paulina , Schinella Guillermo R. , Vittone Leticia , Wehrens Xander H. , Mundiña-Weilenmann Cecilia , Said Matilde
Published: July 2016

Previous results from our laboratory showed that phosphorylation of ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) by Ca2+ calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) was a critical but not the unique event responsible for the production of reperfusion-induced arrhythmogenesis, suggesting the existence of other mechanisms cooperating in an additive way to produce these rhythm alterations. Oxidative stress is a prominent feature of ischemia/reperfusion injury. Both CaMKII and RyR2 are proteins susceptible to alteration by redox modifications. This study was designed to elucidate whether CaMKII and RyR2 redox changes occur during reperfusion and whether these changes are involved in the genesis of arrhythmias. Langendorff-perfused hearts from rats or transgenic mice with genetic ablation of CaMKII phosphorylation site on RyR2 (S2814A) were subjected to ischemia-reperfusion in the presence or absence of a free radical scavenger (mercaptopropionylglycine, MPG) or inhibitors of NADPH oxidase and nitric oxide synthase. Left ventricular contractile parameters and monophasic action potentials were recorded. Oxidation and phosphorylation of CaMKII and RyR2 were assessed. Increased oxidation of CaMKII during reperfusion had no consequences on the level of RyR2 phosphorylation. Avoiding the reperfusion-induced thiol oxidation of RyR2 with MPG produced a reduction in the number of arrhythmias and did not modify the contractile recovery. Conversely, selective prevention of S-nitrosylation and S-glutathionylation of RyR2 was associated with higher numbers of arrhythmias and impaired contractility. In S2814A mice, treatment with MPG further reduced the incidence of arrhythmias. Taken together, the results suggest that redox modification of RyR2 synergistically with CaMKII phosphorylation modulates reperfusion arrhythmias.
Local renin-angiotensin system mediates endothelial dilator dysfunction in aging arteries
Authors: Flavahan Sheila , Chang Fumin , Flavahan Nicholas A.
Published: July 2016

Aging impairs endothelium-dependent NO-mediated dilatation, which results from increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The local generation of angiotensin II (ANG II) is increased in aging arteries and contributes to inflammatory and fibrotic activity of smooth muscle cells and arterial wall remodeling. Although prolonged in vivo ANG II inhibition improves the impaired endothelial dilatation of aging arteries, it is unclear whether this reflects inhibition of intravascular or systemic ANG II systems. Experiments were therefore performed on isolated tail arteries from young (3–4 mo) and old (22–24 mo) F344 rats to determine if a local renin-angiotensin system contributes to the endothelial dilator dysfunction of aging. Aging impaired dilatation to the endothelial agonist acetylcholine but did not influence responses to a nitric oxide (NO) donor (DEA NONOate). Dilatation to acetylcholine was greatly reduced by NO synthase inhibition [nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME)] in young and old arteries. In isolated arteries, acute inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) (perindoprilat), renin (aliskiren), or AT1 receptors (valsartan, losartan) did not influence dilatation to acetylcholine in young arteries but increased responses in old arteries. After ANG II inhibition, the dilator response to acetylcholine was similar in young and old arteries. ROS activity, which was increased in endothelium of aging arteries, was also reduced by inhibiting ANG II (perindoprilat, losartan). Renin expression was increased by 5.6 fold and immunofluorescent levels of ANG II were confirmed to be increased in aging compared with young arteries. Exogenous ANG II inhibited acetylcholine-induced dilatation. Therefore, aging-induced impairment of endothelium-dependent dilatation in aging is caused by a local intravascular renin-angiotensin system.

Listen to this article’s corresponding podcast at http://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/angii-and-aging-induced-endothelial-dysfunction/ .
Endothelial hyperpermeability in severe pulmonary arterial hypertension: role of store-operated calcium entry
Authors: Zhou Chun , Townsley Mary I. , Alexeyev Mikhail , Voelkel Norbert F. , Stevens Troy
Published: July 2016

Here, we tested the hypothesis that animals with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) display increased sensitivity to vascular permeability induced by activation of store-operated calcium entry. To test this hypothesis, wild-type and transient receptor potential channel 4 (TRPC4) knockout Fischer 344 rats were given a single injection of Semaxanib (SU5416; 20 mg/kg) followed by 3 wk of exposure to hypoxia (10% oxygen) and a return to normoxia (21% oxygen) for an additional 2–3 wk. This Semaxanib/hypoxia/normoxia (i.e., SU5416/hypoxia/normoxia) treatment caused PAH, as evidenced by development of right ventricular hypertrophy, pulmonary artery medial hypertrophy, and occlusive lesions within precapillary arterioles. Pulmonary artery pressure was increased fivefold in Semaxanib/hypoxia/normoxia-treated animals compared with untreated, Semaxanib-treated, and hypoxia-treated controls, determined by isolated perfused lung studies. Thapsigargin induced a dose-dependent increase in permeability that was dependent on TRPC4 in the normotensive perfused lung. This increase in permeability was accentuated in PAH lungs but not in Semaxanib- or hypoxia-treated lungs. Fluid accumulated in large perivascular cuffs, and although alveolar fluid accumulation was not seen in histological sections, Evans blue dye conjugated to albumin was present in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of hypertensive but not normotensive lungs. Thus PAH is accompanied by a TRPC4-dependent increase in the sensitivity to edemagenic agents that activate store-operated calcium entry.
Measurement of voluntary activation based on transcranial magnetic stimulation over the motor cortex
Authors: Todd Gabrielle , Taylor Janet L. , Gandevia Simon C.
Published: July 2016

This article reviews the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the motor cortex to make estimates of the level of voluntary drive to muscles. The method, described in 2003 (Todd et al. J Physiol 551: 661-671, 2003), uses a TMS pulse to produce descending corticospinal volleys that synaptically activate motoneurons, resulting in a muscle twitch. Linear regression of the superimposed twitch amplitude and voluntary force (or torque) can generate an “estimated” resting twitch for muscles involved in a task. This procedure has most commonly been applied to elbow flexors but also to knee extensors and other muscle groups. Data from 44 papers using the method were tabulated. We identify and discuss five major technical challenges, and the frequency with which they are addressed. The technical challenges include inadvertent activation of the cortical representation of antagonist muscles, the role of antagonist torques at the studied joint, uncertainty about the effectiveness of the TMS pulse in activating the motoneuron pool, the linearity of the voluntary force (or torque) and superimposed twitch relationship, and variability in the TMS-evoked EMG and force/torque responses. The ideal situation in which the descending corticospinal volleys recruit all of the agonist motoneurons and none of the antagonist motoneurons is unlikely to ever occur, and hence results must be carefully examined to assess the authenticity of the voluntary activation estimates in the context of the experimental design. A partial compromise lies in the choice of stimulus intensity. We also identify aspects of the procedure that require further investigation.
ReexaminationIn VitroandIn Situof an Antibacterially Modified Experimental Dental Resin Composite with Molecular Methods: A Pilot Study
Authors: Henrich Birgit , Hermann Ilka , Di Giulio Mara , Köhrer Karl , Deenen René , Sivalingam Sugi , Peters Ulrike , Beikler Thomas , Janda Ralf , Rüttermann Stefan
Published: July 2016

Purpose. To introduce additional methods to detect and to quantify single pathogens in the complex biofilm formation on an antibacterial dental material.Materials and Methods. A conventional (ST) and an antibacterial dental composite (B) were manufactured.In vitro: specimens were incubated with a mixture of early colonizers. Bacterial adhesion was analyzed by TaqMan PCR after 8/24 h.In situ: TaqMan PCR and 16S rRNA Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) were performed.Results.In vitro: after 8 h incubation, B was covered by 58.6% of the bacterial amount that was attached to ST. After 24 h, the amount of attached bacteria to ST remained constant on ST only slightly lower on B.In situ: after 8 h the amount of adheringA. viscosusandS. mitiswas prominent on ST and reduced on B. NGS revealed thatS. sanguinis,S. parasanguinis,andGemella sanguiniswere the mainly attached species withS. sanguinisdominant on ST andS. parasanguinisandG. sanguinisdominant on B.Conclusions. Initial biofilm formation was altered by B. A shift between actinomycetes and streptococci was observedin situ. TaqMan PCR and 16S rRNA NGS revealed comparable resultsin situand demonstrated the usefulness of NGS to characterize complex bacterial communities.
Study of Electrical Transport Properties of Thin Films Used as HTL and as Active Layer in Organic Solar Cells, through Impedance Spectroscopy Measurements
Authors: Otalora Camilo A. , Loaiza Andres F. , Gordillo Gerardo
Published: July 2016

Impedance spectroscopy (IS) is used for studying the electrical transport properties of thin films used in organic solar cells with structure ITO/HTL/active layer/cathode, where PEDOT:PSS (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonic acid) and CuPC (tetrasulfonated copper-phthalocyanine) were investigated as HTL (hole transport layer) and P3HT:PCBM (poly-3-hexylthiophene:phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester) blends prepared from mesitylene and chlorobenzene based solutions were studied as active layer and Ag and Al were used as cathode. The study allowed determining the influence of the type of solvent used for the preparation of the active layer as well as the speed at which the solvents are removed on the carriers mobility. The effect of exposing the layer of P3HT to the air on its mobility was also studied. It was established that samples of P3HT and P3HT:PCBM prepared using mesitylene as a solvent have mobility values significantly higher than those prepared from chlorobenzene which is the solvent most frequently used. It was also determined that the mobility of carriers in P3HT films strongly decreases when this sample is exposed to air. In addition, it was found that the electrical properties of P3HT:PCBM thin films can be improved by removing the solvent slowly which is achieved by increasing the pressure inside the system of spin-coating during the film growth.
Contributions of HIV to Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Mortality Trends in the United States
Authors: Howlader Nadia , Shiels Meredith S. , Mariotto Angela B. , Engels Eric A.
Published: July 2016

Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic has strongly influenced non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) incidence in the U.S. general population, but its effects on NHL mortality trends are unknown.

Methods: Using SEER cancer registry data, we assessed NHL mortality rates in the United States (2005–2012) and mapped NHL deaths to prior incident cases. Data included HIV status at NHL diagnosis. We describe the proportion of NHL deaths linked to an HIV-infected case, for 3 AIDS-defining subtypes [diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), Burkitt lymphoma, and central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma] and within demographic categories. We also present incidence-based mortality (IBM) rates showing the impact of HIV on mortality trends and describe survival after NHL diagnosis by calendar year.

Results: Of 11,071 NHL deaths, 517 (4.6%) were in HIV-infected persons. This proportion was higher in deaths mapped to DLBCL (7.3% with HIV), Burkitt lymphoma (33.3%), and CNS lymphoma (17.6%), and among deaths from these subtypes, for people aged 20–49 years (46.6%), males (15.2%), and blacks (39.3%). IBM rates declined steeply during 2005–2012 for HIV-infected NHL cases (−7.6% per year, P = 0.001). This trend reflects a steep decline in incident NHL among HIV-infected people after 1996, when highly active antiretroviral therapy was introduced. Five-year cancer-specific survival improved more markedly among HIV-infected cases (9%–54%) than HIV-uninfected cases (62%–76%) during 1990–2008.

Conclusions: The HIV epidemic has strongly contributed to NHL deaths, especially for AIDS-defining NHL subtypes and groups with high HIV prevalence.

Impact: Declining NHL mortality rates for HIV-infected cases reflect both declining incidence and improving survival. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(9); 1289–96. ©2016 AACR.