bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of podcast technology to facilitate education, communication and dissemination in palliative care: the development of the AmiPal podcast
Authors: Nwosu Amara Callistus , Monnery Daniel , Reid Victoria Louise , Chapman Laura
Published: September 2016

Objectives

Podcasts have the potential to facilitate communication about palliative care with researchers, policymakers and the public. Some podcasts about palliative care are available; however, this is not reflected in the academic literature. Further study is needed to evaluate the utility of podcasts to facilitate knowledge-transfer about subjects related to palliative care. The aims of this paper are to (1) describe the development of a palliative care podcast according to international recommendations for podcast quality and (2) conduct an analysis of podcast listenership over a 14-month period.

Methods

The podcast was designed according to internationally agreed quality indicators for medical education podcasts. The podcast was published on SoundCloud and was promoted via social media. Data were analysed for frequency of plays and geographical location between January 2015 and February 2016.

Results

20 podcasts were developed which were listened to 3036 times (an average of 217 monthly plays). The Rich Site Summary feed was the most popular way to access the podcast (n=1937; 64%). The mean duration of each podcast was 10 min (range 3–21 min). The podcast was listened to in 68 different countries and was most popular in English-speaking areas, of which the USA (n=1372, 45.2%), UK (n=661, 21.8%) and Canada (n=221, 7.3%) were most common.

Conclusions

A palliative care podcast is a method to facilitate palliative care discussion with global audience. Podcasts offer the potential to develop educational content and promote research dissemination. Future work should focus on content development, quality metrics and impact analysis, as this form of digital communication is likely to increase and engage wider society.
What can we learn from patients to improve their non-invasive ventilation experience? ‘It was unpleasant; if I was offered it again, I would do what I was told’
Authors: Beckert Lutz , Wiseman Rachel , Pitama Suzanne , Landers Amanda
Published: September 2016

Objectives

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is widely used as a lifesaving treatment in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; however, little is known about the patients' experience of this treatment. This study was designed to investigate the experiences and perceptions of participants using NIV. The study interprets the participants' views and explores implications for clinical practice.

Methods

Participants with respiratory failure requiring NIV were interviewed 2 weeks after discharge. A grounded theory methodology was used to order and sort the data. Theoretical sufficiency was achieved after 15 participants.

Results

Four themes emerged from the data: levels of discomfort with NIV, cognitive experiences with NIV, NIV as a life saver and concern for others. NIV was uncomfortable for participants and affected their cognition; they still reported considering NIV as a viable option for future treatment. Participants described a high level of trust in healthcare professionals and delegated decision-making to them regarding ongoing care.

Conclusions

This study provides insights into ways clinicians could improve the physical experience for patients with NIV. It also identifies a lack of recall and delegation of decision-making, highlighting the need for clinical leadership to advocate for patients.
Practical guide to monitoring anaesthetised small animal patients
Authors: Mathis Alessandra
Published: September 2016

Anaesthesia – a reversible and controlled coma‐like state – is an art based on an understanding of many contributing factors: pharmacology, the patient and its varied physiological processes or disease states, the procedure being undertaken and the potential complications arising as a result of all of these. Monitoring a patient at this time can be challenging but the increasing use of multiparameter monitors reduces the incidence of morbidity and mortality in both people and animals. Understanding the data displayed on these monitors is important, but it is vital not to lose sight of the whole picture as well. This article focuses on the main parameters that are monitored when small animals undergo general anaesthesia (including the patient itself) and explains how the data acquired should be considered in relation to other information.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the small animal brain
Authors: Joslyn Steve , Hague Devon
Published: September 2016

Advanced imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are readily available to most specialist referral hospitals and also increasingly to a growing number of first‐opinion/general practice veterinary hospitals. Despite this increased availability, MRI remains an expensive and complicated diagnostic tool. This article describes an approach to MRI of the brain in small animal patients and aims to provide an insight into its use and interpretation, to help practitioners understand the benefits and limitations for clinical practice.
Use of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator and hospital costs for patients with acute ischaemic stroke aged 18–64 years in the USA
Authors: Joo Heesoo , Wang Guijing , George Mary G
Published: September 2016

Introduction

Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) is a globally recommended treatment for patients with acute ischaemic stroke. We examined IV tPA use among patients aged 18–64 years with a primary diagnosis of acute ischaemic stroke in the USA and inpatient costs per hospitalisation by IV tPA use status among these patients.

Methods

Using the 2010–2013 MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Inpatient Data, we identified 39 149 hospitalisations with a primary diagnosis of acute ischaemic stroke. We verified those with and without IV tPA by ICD-9 procedure code 99.10. We estimated trends in IV tPA use by applying logistic regression. The average inpatient costs per acute ischaemic stroke hospitalisation were assessed for subpopulations. We examined costs per acute ischaemic stroke hospitalisation using multivariate regression models controlling for IV tPA status, age, gender, urbanisation, geographic region, Charlson comorbidity index, length of hospital stays (LOS) and discharge status.

Results

2546 hospitalisations (6.5%) used IV tPA. IV tPA use increased over time (2010 vs 2013; OR 1.50). Average inpatient costs per acute ischaemic stroke hospitalisation were $20 331 ($31 369 for the IV tPA group, $19 563 for the non-tPA group). From multivariate analyses, higher costs per acute ischaemic stroke hospitalisation were associated with longer LOS, non-home discharge destination, and IV tPA use, which might be correlated with severity of stroke.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that IV tPA use has increased in recent years while the inpatient costs per acute ischaemic stroke hospitalisation using IV tPA are substantial. Those findings are useful in better understanding the overall economic burden of stroke, short-term cost implications of using IV tPA, and for estimating the accurate cost-effectiveness of stroke treatments.
Does diabetes type increase the odds of venous thromboembolism following traumatic injury?
Authors: Leonard Jan , Caputo Lisa M , Carrick Matthew M , Slone Denetta S , Mains Charles W , Bar-Or David
Published: September 2016

Background

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a clinically significant complication after trauma even though screening and prophylaxis strategies for at-risk patients have substantially reduced incidence. Our study sought to determine if diabetes, a condition that promotes thrombi formation, is associated with developing a VTE in trauma patients.

Methods

The registries of 2 level I and a level II trauma centers were retrospectively reviewed for consecutively admitted trauma patients over a 6-year period. Demographics, VTE risk factors, injury characteristics, and VTE incidence were univariately compared between patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), and no diabetes. Stepwise logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of VTE; results were further stratified by age (<65 and ≥65 years) and presented as adjusted ORs (AOR).

Results

Of the 26 934 total patients, 779 (2.9%) had IDDM, 2052 (7.6%) had NIDDM, and the remaining 89.5% were without diabetes. VTE incidence was 3.6%, 2.4%, and 2.2%, in IDDM, NIDDM, and non-diabetes, respectively (p=0.02). After adjustment for established and significant risk factors, neither IDDM (AOR=1.43, 95% CI 0.95 to 2.15, p=0.09) nor NIDDM (AOR=1.03, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.40, p=0.88) was associated with increased odds of developing a VTE. Patients ≥65 years developed VTE more frequently than those <65 years (2.5% vs 2.1%, p=0.04). Among patients <65 years, IDDM was significantly predictive of VTE (AOR=1.86, 95% CI 1.01–3.41, p=0.045), but NIDDM was not. For patients ≥65 years, neither type of diabetes was predictive of VTE.

Conclusions

VTE incidence was ∼2 times higher among injured patients <65 years with IDDM versus no diabetes. Overall, we did not find an increased risk of VTE in patients with any diabetes. Additional studies are needed before a recommendation on VTE screening or prophylaxis in IDDM can be made.

Level of evidence

Level III, therapeutic/care management.
Detection of skunk adenovirus 1 (SkAdV‐1) in an African pigmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)
Authors: Madarame Hiroo , Ogihara Kikumi , Ochiai Hideharu , Omatsu Tsutomu , Mizutani Tetsuya
Published: September 2016

Skunk adenovirus 1 (SkAdV‐1) was detected in an African pigmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) that died following congestive heart failure. Incidental segmental desquamative tracheitis with nuclear inclusions was observed, and SkAdV‐1 was suspected as a possible causative agent of respiratory tract infection. As far as the authors are concerned, adenovirus infection has not yet been reported in hedgehogs and SkAdV‐1 has been not identified in any species other than skunks (Mephitis mephitis). SkAdV‐1 should be monitored closely as a potential cause of emerging and cross‐species infections.
The provenance of Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous clastic sediments offshore southwestern Nova Scotia
Authors: Dutuc Dan-Cezar , Pe-Piper Georgia , Piper David J.W.
Published: September 2016

Jurassic and Cretaceous sandstones in the Shelburne subbasin and Fundy Basin offshore Nova Scotia, are poorly known but are of current interest for petroleum exploration. The goal of this study is to determine the provenance of sandstones and shales, which will contribute to a better understanding of regional tectonics and paleogeography in the study area. Mineral and lithic clast chemistry was determined from samples from conventional cores and cuttings from exploration wells, using scanning electron microscopy and an electron microprobe. Whole-rock geochemical composition of shales was used to test the hypotheses regarding provenance of Mesozoic clastic sedimentary rocks in the SW Scotian Basin. Lower Jurassic clastic sedimentary rocks in the Fundy Basin contain magnetite, biotite, and chlorite, suggesting local supply from the North Mountain Basalt and Meguma Terrane, whereas pyrope and anthophyllite suggest small supply from distant sources. In the SW Scotian Basin, detrital minerals, lithic clasts, and shale geochemistry from Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous indicate a predominant Meguma Terrane source and transport by local rivers. Rare spinel and garnet grains of meta-ultramafic rocks, only in the Middle Jurassic at the Mohawk B-93 well, suggest minor supply from the rising Labrador rift, via the same river that transported distant sediments to the Fundy Basin. Lower Cretaceous sandstones from the Mohican I-100 well contain minor garnet, spinel, and tourmaline from meta-ultramafic rocks, characteristic of sediment supplied to the central Scotian Basin at that time. The dominant Meguma Terrane provenance precludes thick deep-water sandstones in the eastern part of the Shelburne subbasin, but the evidence of Middle Jurassic distant river supply through the Fundy Basin is encouraging for deep-water reservoir quality in the western part.
Evidence-based validation of quorum quenching from Lysinibacillus sphaericus and Geobacillus sp. in bioremediation of oil sludge
Authors: Gómez-Garzón Camilo , Dussán Jenny
Published: September 2016

Many studies on quorum quenching focus on the discovery and characterization of novel acyl-homoserine lactonases (AHL-lactonases) because these enzymes could be used in the control of diseases caused by Gram-negative bacteria. The effects of quorum quenching are also remarkable in the performance of bacterial consortia in applications such as bioremediation. In the current work, we demonstrated the presence of a potential novel AHL-lactonase-encoding locus (Bsph_3377) from Lysinibacillus sphaericus and Geobacillus sp. The deduced amino acid sequences for this enzyme possess the characteristic domains and motifs involved in Zn-binding from AHL lactonases and were grouped into 1 clade within the phylogeny of the lactonases from firmicutes, showing 70% of identity with the lactonase AhlS from Solibacillus silvestris. We demonstrated the locus transcription by RT-qPCR and its relationship with the suppression of the pathogenicity of Pectobacterium carotovorum. Additionally, we analyzed the interaction of these bacilli with a commercial consortium in the bioremediation of a hydrocarbon-contaminated soil, showing inhibitory effects on its establishment. These results represent a new contribution in the understanding of the potential biotechnological applications of L. sphaericus and Geobacillus sp. as well as in the research on antibacterial techniques based on quorum-sensing disruption.
Simulated microgravity increases myocardial susceptibility to ischemia–reperfusion injury via a deficiency of AMP-activated protein kinase
Authors: Lu Yuan-Ming , Jiao Bo , Lee Jun , Zhang Lin , Yu Zhi-Bin
Published: September 2016

Gravitation is an important factor in maintaining cardiac contractility. Our study investigated whether simulated microgravity increases myocardial susceptibility to ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury. Using the Langendorff-perfused heart model with 300 beats/min pacing, 4-week tail suspension (SUS) and control (CON) male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 10 rats/group) were subjected to 60 min of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion followed by 120 min of reperfusion. Left ventricular end-systolic pressure (LVESP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and infarct size were assessed. Data demonstrated that there were significantly increased LVEDP, CK, LDH, and infarct size in SUS compared with CON (P < 0.05), accompanied by decreased LVESP (P < 0.05). Furthermore, TUNEL-positive cardiomyocytes were higher in SUS than that in CON (P < 0.01), and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and Bcl-2/Bax in SUS were less compared with CON (P < 0.05). Similarly, isolated hearts pre-treated with A-769662 exhibited better recovery of cardiac function, increased AMPK phosphorylation, and reduced necrosis and apoptosis. Furthermore, AMPKα protein showed a significant suppression in 4-week hindlimb unweighting rats. These results suggest that AMPK deficiency increases myocardial susceptibility to IR injury in rats subjected to simulated microgravity.
Nonlocal symmetries and interaction solutions of the Sawada–Kotera equation
Authors: Hao Xiazhi , Liu Yinping , Tang Xiaoyan , Li Zhibin
Published: September 2016

The nonlocal symmetries of the residual symmetry and the spectral function symmetry of Sawada–Kotera (SK) equation can be derived from the truncated Painlevé expansion and the Lax pair, respectively. By localizing the nonlocal symmetries of the original system to local ones of the prolonged system, the Bäcklund transformation and the Darboux transformation for both the original and the prolonged systems are obtained. Moreover, by the truncated Painlevé expansion, we further study the integrability of the SK quation in the sense of having a consistent Riccati expansion (CRE).
Regulatory band gap of vacancy at the B sites in CH3NH3Pb1−xI3 perovskite
Authors: Ji D. H. , Xiao X. J. , Zhang C. M. , Li X. L. , Hu M. Z. , Yin Y.
Published: September 2016

The structure, electronic structure, states density and optics properties of the orthorhombic CH3NH3Pb[Formula: see text]I3 perovskite with vacancy at the B sites are calculated by the CASTEP program. The calculated results indicate that the cell volume shrinks with the content of vacancy at the B sites increasing, and the structure has the large degree of distortion from the cubic structure. The band gaps are 1.656, 1.750, 3.077, 3.256 and 4.76 eV, corresponding to [Formula: see text], 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00, respectively. As an application, the additional absorption peak can be obtained by CH3NH3Pb[Formula: see text]I3 perovskite doped vacancy at the B sites.
A novel hybrid blend based on phenoxy-substituted boron subphthalocyanine for organic photodetectors
Authors: Maklakov Sergey S. , Dubinina Tatiana V. , Osipova Marina M. , Petrusevich Elizaveta F. , Mishin Alexey D. , Tomilova Larisa G.
Published: September 2016

Phenoxy-substituted boron subphthalocyanine, blended with a conductive polymer MEH-PPV, is presented as a photoresistive organic material. Using an easily accessible drop casting technique, the blend produces a thin-layer organic photoresistor with a photoresistive ratio of ~2–12. Variations in the blend composition and morphology are shown to change the transport properties of the material. The photoelectrochemical characteristics of the photoresistor are discussed in terms of impedance spectroscopy and the morphology of the material is analyzed using confocal fluorescent microscopy. The device developed is a daylight detector.
Wavelet Packet Characterization of Scenario Earthquake Ground Motions
Authors: Baby Ajin , Shrikhande Manish
Published: September 2016

With increased emphasis on performance-based seismic design, the need for appropriate ground motion time histories for use in nonlinear dynamic analyses is felt accutely. However, it is generally not possible to get a suitable recorded time history consistent with the estimated hazard at a specific site. The ground motion prediction models are therefore derived/developed from a statistical analysis of recorded ground motion for a variety of source and site conditions to address this need. Most often, the ground motion prediction models are developed to model the response spectrum amplitudes at a set of natural periods and the ground motion time history, if required, is then generated to be consistent with this predicted response spectrum. These simulated time histories often lack in modeling the wave arrivals and temporal variation in the distribution of energy with respect to frequency. In this paper, we present a wavelet-based ground motion prediction model for directly generating ground motion time history that is consistent with the postulated scenario earthquake at a site.
Pulse-shape discrimination scintillators for homeland security applications
Authors: Ellis Mark E. , Duroe Kirk , Kendall Paul A.
Published: September 2016

An extensive programme of research has been conducted for scintillation liquids and plastics capable of neutron–gamma discrimination for deployment in future passive and active Homeland Security systems to provide protection against radiological and nuclear threats. The more established detection materials such as EJ-301 and EJ-309 are compared with novel materials such as EJ-299-33 and p-terphenyl. This research also explores the benefits that can be gained from improvements in the analogue–to–digital sampling rate and sample bit resolution. Results are presented on the Pulse Shape Discrimination performance of various detector and data acquisition combinations and how optimum configurations from these studies have been developed into field-ready detector arrays. Early results from application-specific experimental configurations of multi-element detector arrays are presented.
Analysis of sewage sludge using an experimental prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (pgnaa) set-up with an am-be source
Authors: Idiri Z. , Redjem F. , Beloudah N.
Published: September 2016

An experimental PGNAA set-up using a 1 Ci Am–Be source has been developed and used for analysis of bulk sewage sludge samples issued from a wastewater treatment plant situated in an industrial area of Algiers. The sample dimensions were optimized using thermal neutron flux calculations carried out with the MCNP5 Monte Carlo Code. A methodology is then proposed to perform quantitative analysis using the absolute method. For this, average thermal neutron flux inside the sludge samples is deduced using average thermal neutron flux in reference water samples and thermal flux measurements with the aid of a 3He neutron detector. The average absolute gamma detection efficiency is determined using the prompt gammas emitted by chlorine dissolved in a water sample. The gamma detection efficiency is normalized for sludge samples using gamma attenuation factors calculated with the MCNP5 code for water and sludge. Wet and dehydrated sludge samples were analyzed. Nutritive elements (Ca, N, P, K) and heavy metals elements like Cr and Mn were determined. For some elements, the PGNAA values were compared to those obtained using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) methods. Good agreement is observed between the different values. Heavy element concentrations are very high compared to normal values; this is related to the fact that the wastewater treatment plant is treating not only domestic but also industrial wastewater that is probably rejected by industries without removal of pollutant elements. The detection limits for almost all elements of interest are sufficiently low for the method to be well suited for such analysis.
Experiments and Monte Carlo modeling of a higher resolution Cadmium Zinc Telluride detector for safeguards applications
Authors: Borella Alessandro
Published: September 2016

The Belgian Nuclear Research Centre is engaged in R&D activity in the field of Non Destructive Analysis on nuclear materials, with focus on spent fuel characterization. A 500 mm3 Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) with enhanced resolution was recently purchased. With a full width at half maximum of 1.3% at 662 keV, the detector is very promising in view of its use for applications such as determination of uranium enrichment and plutonium isotopic composition, as well as measurement on spent fuel. In this paper, I report about the work done with such a detector in terms of its characterization. The detector energy calibration, peak shape and efficiency were determined from experimental data. The data included measurements with calibrated sources, both in a bare and in a shielded environment. In addition, Monte Carlo calculations with the MCNPX code were carried out and benchmarked with experiments.
Monte Carlo simulation of gamma-ray interactions in an over-square high-purity germanium detector for in-vivo measurements
Authors: Saizu Mirela Angela
Published: September 2016

The developments of high-purity germanium detectors match very well the requirements of the in-vivo human body measurements regarding the gamma energy ranges of the radionuclides intended to be measured, the shape of the extended radioactive sources, and the measurement geometries. The Whole Body Counter (WBC) from IFIN-HH is based on an “over-square” high-purity germanium detector (HPGe) to perform accurate measurements of the incorporated radionuclides emitting X and gamma rays in the energy range of 10 keV–1500 keV, under conditions of good shielding, suitable collimation, and calibration. As an alternative to the experimental efficiency calibration method consisting of using reference calibration sources with gamma energy lines that cover all the considered energy range, it is proposed to use the Monte Carlo method for the efficiency calibration of the WBC using the radiation transport code MCNP5. The HPGe detector was modelled and the gamma energy lines of [Formula: see text]Am, [Formula: see text]Co, [Formula: see text]Ba, [Formula: see text]Cs, [Formula: see text]Co, and [Formula: see text]Eu were simulated in order to obtain the virtual efficiency calibration curve of the WBC. The Monte Carlo method was validated by comparing the simulated results with the experimental measurements using point-like sources. For their optimum matching, the impact of the variation of the front dead layer thickness and of the detector photon absorbing layers materials on the HPGe detector efficiency was studied, and the detector’s model was refined. In order to perform the WBC efficiency calibration for realistic people monitoring, more numerical calculations were generated simulating extended sources of specific shape according to the standard man characteristics.
The RICH detector of the NA62 experiment
Authors: Duk Viacheslav
Published: September 2016

The NA62 experiment at CERN is aimed at measuring the ultra-rare decay K[Formula: see text] with 10% accuracy. One of the detectors that is crucial for the rejection of background events is the RICH detector: a gas based detector aimed at [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] separation in the 15–35 GeV/c momentum range with an inefficiency of less than 1%. The RICH must also provide a very precise time measurement (with the time resolution ∼100 ps) to correctly associate the [Formula: see text] with the parent K[Formula: see text] particle measured by an upstream detector. This paper contains the detailed description of the RICH detector, its readout, and the results of the commissioning run at CERN in 2014.
A double-Bragg detector with digital signal processing for the event-by-event study of fission in actinide nuclei
Authors: Frost R. J. W. , Smith A. G.
Published: September 2016

In the current paper, a windowless double-Bragg chamber incorporating full signal digitisation has been developed for the purpose of studying the energy (E), mass (A), charge (Z) and angular distributions ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] of nuclei generated by fission. This device measures E for each fission fragment by collection of the charge produced during ionisation of the fill gas. Subsequent digitisation of the signals from each of two anodes yields information on dE/dx, as well as electron collection time, which can be further used for polar angle ([Formula: see text] determination. Frisch-grid and cathode signals are also digitised and are used both for anode signal correction and to produce further information on [Formula: see text]. To verify the operation of this detector, three angular determination techniques from the literature were implemented, and the results were found to be consistent with the referenced paper. Current results from the spontaneous fission of [Formula: see text]Cf are presented.
Semi-insulating GaAs detectors with HDPE layer for detection of fast neutrons from D–T nuclear reaction
Authors: Sagatova Andrea , Zatko Bohumir , Sedlackova Katarina , Pavlovic Marius , Necas Vladimir , Fulop Marko , Solar Michael , Granja Carlos
Published: September 2016

Bulk semi-insulating (SI) GaAs detectors optimized for fast-neutron detection were examined using mono-energetic neutrons. The detectors have an active area of 7.36 mm2 defined by a multi-pixel structure of a AuZn Schottky contact allowing a relatively high breakdown voltage (300 V) sufficient for full depletion of the detector structure. The Schottky contact is covered by a HDPE (high density polyethylene) conversion layer, where neutrons transfer their kinetic energy to hydrogen atoms through elastic nuclear collisions. The detectors were exposed to mono-energetic neutrons generated by a deuterium (D)–tritium (T) nuclear reaction at a Van de Graaff accelerator. Neutrons reached a kinetic energy of 16.8 MeV when deuterons were accelerated by 1 MV potential. The influence of the HDPE layer thickness on the detection efficiency of the fast neutrons was studied. The thickness of the conversion layer varied from 50 [Formula: see text]m to 1300 [Formula: see text]m. The increase of the HDPE layer thickness led to a higher detection efficiency due to higher conversion efficiency of the HDPE layer. The effect of the active detector thickness modified by the detector reverse bias voltage on the detection efficiency was also evaluated. By increasing the detector reverse voltage, the detector active volume expands to the depth and also to the sides, slightly increasing the neutron detection efficiency.
Static Analysis of Runtime Errors in Interrupt-Driven Programs via Sequentialization
Authors: Wu Xueguang , Chen Liqian , Miné Antoine , Dong Wei , Wang Ji
Published: September 2016

Embedded software often involves intensive numerical computations and suffers from a number of runtime errors. The technique of numerical static analysis is of practical importance for checking the correctness of embedded software. However, most of the existing approaches of numerical static analysis consider sequential programs, while interrupts are a commonly used facility that introduces concurrency in embedded systems. Therefore, a numerical static analysis approach is highly desired for embedded software with interrupts. In this article, we propose a static analysis approach specifically for interrupt-driven programs based on sequentialization techniques. We present a method to sequentialize interrupt-driven programs into nondeterministic sequential programs according to the semantics of interrupts. The key benefit of using sequentialization is the ability to leverage the power of state-of-the-art analysis and verification techniques for sequential programs to analyze interrupt-driven programs, for example, the power of numerical abstract interpretation to analyze numerical properties of the sequentialized programs. Furthermore, to improve the analysis precision and scalability, we design specific abstract domains to analyze sequentialized interrupt-driven programs by considering their specific features. Finally, we present encouraging experimental results obtained by our prototype implementation.
High-Performance and Energy-Efficient Network-on-Chip Architectures for Graph Analytics
Authors: Duraisamy Karthi , Lu Hao , Pande Partha Pratim , Kalyanaraman Ananth
Published: September 2016

With its applicability spanning numerous data-driven fields, the implementation of graph analytics on multicore platforms is gaining momentum. One of the most important components of a multicore chip is its communication backbone. Due to inherent irregularities in data movements manifested by graph-based applications, it is essential to design efficient on-chip interconnection architectures for multicore chips performing graph analytics. In this article, we present a detailed analysis of the traffic patterns generated by graph-based applications when mapped to multicore chips. Based on this analysis, we explore the design-space for the Network-on-Chip (NoC) architecture to enable an efficient implementation of graph analytics. We principally consider three types of NoC architectures, viz., traditional mesh, small-world, and high-radix networks. We demonstrate that the small-world-network-enabled wireless NoC (WiNoC) is the most suitable platform for executing the considered graph applications. The WiNoC achieves an average of 38% and 18% full-system Energy Delay Product savings compared to wireline-mesh and high-radix NoCs, respectively.
mTOR signaling regulates myotube hypertrophy by modulating protein synthesis, rDNA transcription, and chromatin remodeling
Authors: von Walden Ferdinand , Liu Chang , Aurigemma Nicole , Nader Gustavo A.
Published: September 2016

Ribosome production is an early event during skeletal muscle hypertrophy and precedes muscle protein accretion. Signaling via mTOR is crucial for ribosome production and hypertrophy; however, the mechanisms by which it regulates these processes remain to be identified. Herein, we investigated the activation of mTOR signaling in hypertrophying myotubes and determined that mTOR coordinates various aspects of gene expression important for ribosome production. First, inhibition of translation with cycloheximide had a more potent effect on protein synthesis than rapamycin indicating that mTOR function during hypertrophy is not on general, but rather on specific protein synthesis. Second, blocking Pol II transcription had a similar effect as Rapamycin and, unexpectedly, revealed the necessity of Pol II transcription for Pol I transcription, suggesting that mTOR may regulate ribosome production also by controlling Class II genes at the transcriptional level. Third, Pol I activity is essential for rDNA transcription and, surprisingly, for protein synthesis as selective Pol I inhibition blunted rDNA transcription, protein synthesis, and the hypertrophic response of myotubes. Finally, mTOR has nuclear localization in muscle, which is not sensitive to rapamycin. Inhibition of mTOR signaling by rapamycin disrupted mTOR-rDNA promoter interaction and resulted in altered histone marks indicative of repressed transcription and formation of higher-order chromatin structure. Thus mTOR signaling appears to regulate muscle hypertrophy by affecting protein synthesis, Class I and II gene expression, and chromatin remodeling.
Development of an animal-borne blood sample collection device and its deployment for the determination of cardiovascular and stress hormones in phocid seals
Authors: Takei Yoshio , Suzuki Ippei , Wong Marty K. S. , Milne Ryan , Moss Simon , Sato Katsufumi , Hall Ailsa
Published: September 2016

An animal-borne blood sampler with data-logging functions was developed for phocid seals, which collected two blood samples for the comparison of endocrinological/biochemical parameters under two different conditions. The sampler can be triggered by preset hydrostatic pressure, acceleration (descending or ascending), temperature, and time, and also manually by light. The sampling was reliable with 39/50 (78%) successful attempts to collect blood samples. Contamination of fluids in the tubing to the next blood sample was <1%, following the prior clearance of the tubing to a waste syringe. In captive harbor seals ( Phoca vitulina), the automated blood-sampling method was less stressful than direct blood withdrawal, as evidenced by lower levels of stress hormones ( P < 0.05 for ACTH and P = 0.078 for cortisol). HPLC analyses showed that both cortisol and cortisone were circulating in seal blood. Using the sampler, plasma levels of cardiovascular hormones, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), AVP, and ANG II were compared in grey seals ( Halichoerus grypus), between samples collected when the animals were on land and in the water. HPLC analyses determined that [Met12] ANP (1–28) and various forms of angiotensins (ANG II, III, and IV) were circulating in seal blood. Although water immersion profoundly changes the plasma levels of cardiovascular hormones in terrestrial mammals, there were only tendencies toward an increase in ANP ( P = 0.069) and a decrease in AVP ( P = 0.074) in the seals. These results suggest that cardiovascular regulation in phocid seals may have undergone adaptation during evolution of the carnivore to a semiaquatic lifestyle.
Functionomics of NCC mutations in Gitelman syndrome using a novel mammalian cell-based activity assay
Authors: Valdez-Flores Marco A. , Vargas-Poussou Rosa , Verkaart Sjoerd , Tutakhel Omar A. Z. , Valdez-Ortiz Angel , Blanchard Anne , Treard Cyrielle , Hoenderop Joost G. J. , Bindels René J. M. , Jeleń Sabina
Published: September 2016

Gitelman syndrome (GS) is an autosomal recessive salt-wasting tubular disorder resulting from loss-of-function mutations in the thiazide-sensitive NaCl cotransporter (NCC). Functional analysis of these mutations has been limited to the use of Xenopus laevis oocytes. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to analyze the functional consequences of NCC mutations in a mammalian cell-based assay, followed by analysis of mutated NCC protein expression as well as glycosylation and phosphorylation profiles using human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. NCC activity was assessed with a novel assay based on thiazide-sensitive iodide uptake in HEK293 cells expressing wild-type or mutant NCC (N59I, R83W, I360T, C421Y, G463R, G731R, L859P, or R861C). All mutations caused a significantly lower NCC activity. Immunoblot analysis of the HEK293 cells revealed that 1) all NCC mutants have decreased NCC protein expression; 2) mutant N59I, R83W, I360T, C421Y, G463R, and L859P have decreased NCC abundance at the plasma membrane; 3) mutants C421Y and L859P display impaired NCC glycosylation; and 4) mutants N59I, R83W, C421Y, C731R, and L859P show affected NCC phosphorylation. In conclusion, we developed a mammalian cell-based assay in which NCC activity assessment together with a profiling of mutated protein processing aid our understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of the NCC mutations.
Lymphocyte-specific deletion of IKK2 or NEMO mediates an increase in intrarenal Th17 cells and accelerates renal damage in an ischemia-reperfusion injury mouse model
Authors: Guo Linlin , Lee Hannah Heejung , Noriega María de las Mercedes , Paust Hans J. , Zahner Gunther , Thaiss Friedrich
Published: September 2016

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with poor patient outcome and a global burden for end-stage renal disease. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is one of the major causes of AKI, and experimental work has revealed many details of the inflammatory response in the kidney, such as activation of the NF-κB pathway. Here, we investigated whether deletion of the NF-κB kinases IKK2 or NEMO in lymphocytes or systemic inhibition of IKK2 would cause different kidney inflammatory responses after IRI induction. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level, and renal tubular injury score were significantly increased in CD4creIKK2f/f (CD4xIKK2Δ) and CD4creNEMOf/f (CD4xNEMOΔ) mice compared with CD4cre mice after IRI induction. The frequency of Th17 cells infiltrating the kidneys of CD4xIKK2Δ or CD4xNEMOΔ mice was also significantly increased at all time points. CCL20, an important chemokine in Th17 cell recruitment, was significantly increased at early time points after the induction of IRI. IL-1β, TNF-α, and CCL2 were also significantly increased in different patterns. A specific IKK2 inhibitor, KINK-1, reduced BUN and serum creatinine compared with nontreated mice after IRI induction, but the frequency of kidney Th17 cells was also significantly increased. In conclusion, although systemic IKK2 inhibition improved kidney function, lymphocyte-specific deletion of IKK2 or NEMO aggravated kidney injury after IRI, and, in both conditions, the percentage of Th17 cells was increased. Our findings demonstrate the critical role of the NF-κB pathway in Th17 activation, which advises caution when using systemic IKK2 inhibitors in patients with kidney injury, since they might impair the T cell response and aggravate renal disease.
Ironing out the cross talk between FGF23 and inflammation
Authors: David Valentin , Francis Connor , Babitt Jodie L.
Published: September 2016

The bone-secreted hormone fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) has an essential role in phosphate homeostasis by regulating expression of the kidney proximal tubule sodium-phosphate cotransporters as well as parathyroid hormone levels. Induction of FGF23 early in chronic kidney disease (CKD) helps to maintain normal phosphorous levels. However, high FGF23 levels become pathological as kidney disease progresses and are associated with an increased risk of CKD progression, cardiovascular events, and death. The factors responsible for increasing FGF23 levels early in CKD are unknown, but recent work has proposed a role for inflammation and disordered iron homeostasis. Notably, FGF23 has recently been shown to elicit an inflammatory response and to display immunomodulatory properties. Here, we will review emerging evidence on the cross talk between inflammation, iron, FGF23, and bone and mineral metabolism and discuss the relevance for CKD patients.
The Pancreatic β-Cell: A Bioenergetic Perspective
Authors: Nicholls David G.
Published: September 2016

The pancreatic β-cell secretes insulin in response to elevated plasma glucose. This review applies an external bioenergetic critique to the central processes of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, including glycolytic and mitochondrial metabolism, the cytosolic adenine nucleotide pool, and its interaction with plasma membrane ion channels. The control mechanisms responsible for the unique responsiveness of the cell to glucose availability are discussed from bioenergetic and metabolic control standpoints. The concept of coupling factor facilitation of secretion is critiqued, and an attempt is made to unravel the bioenergetic basis of the oscillatory mechanisms controlling secretion. The need to consider the physiological constraints operating in the intact cell is emphasized throughout. The aim is to provide a coherent pathway through an extensive, complex, and sometimes bewildering literature, particularly for those unfamiliar with the field.
Systematic Bioinformatic Approach for Prediction of Linear B-Cell Epitopes on Dengue E and prM Protein
Authors: Nadugala Mahesha N. , Premaratne Prasad H. , Goonasekara Charitha L.
Published: September 2016

B-cell epitopes on the envelope (E) and premembrane (prM) proteins of dengue virus (DENV) were predicted using bioinformatics tools, BepiPred, Ellipro, and SVMTriP. Predicted epitopes, 32 and 17 for E and prM proteins, respectively, were then characterized for their level of conservations. The epitopes, EP4/E (48–55), epitope number 4 of E protein at amino acids 48–55, EP9/E (165–182), EP11/E (218–233), EP20/E (322–349), EP21/E (326–353), EP23/E (356–365), and EP25/E (380–386), showed a high intraserotype conservancy with very low pan-serotype conservancy, demonstrating a potential target as serotype specific diagnostic markers. EP3 (30–41) located in domain-I and EP26/E (393–409), EP27/E (416–435), EP28/E (417–430) located in the stem region of E protein, and EP8/prM (93–112) from the prM protein have a pan-serotype conservancy higher than 70%. These epitopes indicate a potential use as universal vaccine candidates, subjected to verification of their potential in viral neutralization. EP2/E (16–21), EP5/E (62–123), EP6/E (63–89), EP19/E (310–329), and EP24/E (371–402), which have more than 50% pan-serotype conservancies, were found on E protein regions that are important in host cell attachment. Previous studies further show evidence for some of these epitopes to generate cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies, indicating their importance in antiviral strategies for DENV. This study suggests that bioinformatic approaches are attractive first line of screening for identification of linear B-cell epitopes.
WildSense: Monitoring Interactions among Wild Deer in Harsh Outdoor Environments Using a Delay-Tolerant WSN
Authors: Ahn Junho , Mysore Akshay , Zybko Kati , Krumm Caroline , Thokala Sravan , Xing Xinyu , Lian Ming , Han Richard , Mishra Shivakant , Hobbs Thompson
Published: September 2016

Biologists and ecologists often monitor the spread of disease among deer in the wild by using tracking systems that record their movement patterns, locations, and interaction behavior. The existing commercial systems for monitoring wild deer utilize collars with GPS sensors, deployed on captured and rereleased deer. The GPS sensors record location data every few hours, enabling researchers to approximate the interaction behavior of tracked deer with their GPS locations. However, the coarse granularity of periodically recorded GPS location data provides only limited precision for determining deer interaction behavior. We have designed a novel system to monitor wild deer interaction behavior more precisely in harsh wilderness environments. Our system combines the functionalities of both GPS and RF-radio sensors with low-cost and minimal-resource motes. We designed and built our system to be able to operate robustly for a period of up to several months for continual tracking and monitoring of the locations and interaction behaviors of wild deer in harsh environments. We successfully deployed six deer collars on six wild deer that were captured and rereleased in the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area of northern Colorado over a one-month period. In this paper, we describe how we designed and built this system and evaluate its successful operation in a wilderness area.
Baicalin Attenuates Hypoxia‐Induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension to Improve Hypoxic Cor Pulmonale by Reducing the Activity of the p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway and MMP‐9
Authors: Yan Shuangquan , Wang Yiran , Liu Panpan , Chen Ali , Chen Mayun , Yao Dan , Xu Xiaomei , Wang Liangxing , Huang Xiaoying
Published: September 2016

Baicalin has a protective effect on hypoxia‐induced pulmonary hypertension in rats, but the mechanism of this effect remains unclear. Thus, investigating the potential mechanism of this effect was the aim of the present study. Model rats that display hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale under control conditions were successfully generated. We measured a series of indicators to observe the levels of pulmonary arterial hypertension, pulmonary arteriole remodeling, and right ventricular remodeling. We assessed the activation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the pulmonary arteriole walls and pulmonary tissue homogenates using immunohistochemistry and western blot analyses, respectively. The matrix metalloproteinase‐ (MMP‐) 9 protein and mRNA levels in the pulmonary arteriole walls were measured using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Our results demonstrated that baicalin not only reduced p38 MAPK activation in both the pulmonary arteriole walls and tissue homogenates but also downregulated the protein and mRNA expression levels of MMP‐9 in the pulmonary arteriole walls. This downregulation was accompanied by the attenuation of pulmonary hypertension, arteriole remodeling, and right ventricular remodeling. These results suggest that baicalin may attenuate pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale, which are induced by chronic hypoxia, by downregulating the p38 MAPK/MMP‐9 pathway.
Photoacoustic Flow Cytometry for Single Sickle Cell DetectionIn VitroandIn Vivo
Authors: Cai Chengzhong , Nedosekin Dmitry A. , Menyaev Yulian A. , Sarimollaoglu Mustafa , Proskurnin Mikhail A. , Zharov Vladimir P.
Published: September 2016

Control of sickle cell disease (SCD) stage and treatment efficiency are still time-consuming which makes well-timed prevention of SCD crisis difficult. We show here thatin vivophotoacoustic (PA) flow cytometry (PAFC) has a potential for real-time monitoring of circulating sickled cells in mouse model.In vivodata were verified byin vitroPAFC and photothermal (PT) and PA spectral imaging of sickle red blood cells (sRBCs) expressing SCD-associated hemoglobin (HbS) compared to normal red blood cells (nRBCs). We discovered that PT and PA signal amplitudes from sRBCs in linear mode were 2–4-fold lower than those from nRBCs. PT and PA imaging revealed more profound spatial hemoglobin heterogeneity in sRBCs than in nRBCs, which can be associated with the presence of HbS clusters with high local absorption. This hypothesis was confirmed in nonlinear mode through nanobubble formation around overheated HbS clusters accompanied by spatially selective signal amplification. More profound differences in absorption of sRBCs than in nRBCs led to notable increase in PA signal fluctuation (fluctuation PAFC mode) as an indicator of SCD. The obtained data suggest that noninvasive label-free fluctuation PAFC has a potential for real-time enumeration of sRBCs bothin vitroandin vivo.