Development of a Real Time System in Algol 68.

For various reasons, many Algol 68 compilers do not directly implement the parallel processing operations defined in the Revised Algol 68 Report. It is still possible however, to perform parallel processing, multitasking and simulation provided that the implementation permits the creation of a master routine for the coordination and initiation of processes under its control. The package described here is intended for real time applications and runs in conjunction with the Algol 68R system; it extends and develops the original Algol 68RT package, which was designed for use with multiplexers at the Royal Radar Establishment, Malvern. The facilities provided, in addition to the synchronising operations, include an interface to an ICL Communications Processor enabling the abstract processes to be realised as the interaction of several teletypes or visual display units with a real time program providing a useful service

Activation of microglial NADPH oxidase is synergistic with glial iNOS expression in inducing neuronal death: a dual-key mechanism of inflammatory neurodegeneration.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation-activated glia are seen in many CNS pathologies and may kill neurons through the release of cytotoxic mediators, such as nitric oxide from inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and possibly superoxide from NADPH oxidase (NOX). We set out to determine the relative role of these species in inducing neuronal death, and to test the dual-key hypothesis that the production of both species simultaneously is required for significant neuronal death. METHODS: Primary co-cultures of cerebellar granule neurons and glia from rats were used to investigate the effect of NO (from iNOS, following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and/or cytokine addition) or superoxide/hydrogen peroxide (from NOX, following phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), ATP analogue (BzATP), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) or arachidonic acid (AA) addition) on neuronal survival. RESULTS: Induction of glial iNOS caused little neuronal death. Similarly, activation of NOX alone resulted in little or no neuronal death. However, if NOX was activated (by PMA or BzATP) in the presence of iNOS (induced by LPS and interferon-gamma) then substantial delayed neuronal death occurred over 48 hours, which was prevented by inhibitors of iNOS (1400W), NOX (apocynin) or a peroxynitrite decomposer (FeTPPS). Neurons and glia were also found to stain positive for nitrotyrosine (a putative marker of peroxynitrite) only when both iNOS and NOX were simultaneously active. If NOX was activated by weak stimulators (IL-1beta, AA or the fibrillogenic prion peptide PrP106-126) in the presence of iNOS, it caused microglial proliferation and delayed neurodegeneration, which was prevented by iNOS or NOX inhibitors, a peroxynitrite decomposer or a NMDA-receptor antagonist (MK-801). CONCLUSION: These results suggest a dual-key mechanism, whereby glial iNOS or microglial NOX activation alone is relatively benign, but if activated simultaneously are synergistic in killing neurons, through generating peroxynitrite. This mechanism may mediate inflammatory neurodegeneration in response to cytokines, bacteria, ATP, arachidonate and pathological prions, in which case neurons may be protected by iNOS or NOX inhibitors, or scavengers of NO, superoxide or peroxynitrite.RIGHTS : This article is licensed under the BioMed Central licence at http://www.biomedcentral.com/about/license which is similar to the 'Creative Commons Attribution Licence'. In brief you may : copy, distribute, and display the work; make derivative works; or make commercial use of the work - under the following conditions: the original author must be given credit; for any reuse or distribution, it must be made clear to others what the license terms of this work are

A morphometric analysis of vegetation patterns in dryland ecosystems

Vegetation in dryland ecosystems often forms remarkable spatial patterns. These range from regular bands of vegetation alternating with bare ground, to vegetated spots and labyrinths, to regular gaps of bare ground within an otherwise continuous expanse of vegetation. It has been suggested that spotted vegetation patterns could indicate that collapse into a bare ground state is imminent, and the morphology of spatial vegetation patterns, therefore, represents a potentially valuable source of information on the proximity of regime shifts in dryland ecosystems. In this paper, we have developed quantitative methods to characterize the morphology of spatial patterns in dryland vegetation. Our approach is based on algorithmic techniques that have been used to classify pollen grains on the basis of textural patterning, and involves constructing feature vectors to quantify the shapes formed by vegetation patterns. We have analysed images of patterned vegetation produced by a computational model and a small set of satellite images from South Kordofan (South Sudan), which illustrates that our methods are applicable to both simulated and real-world data. Our approach provides a means of quantifying patterns that are frequently described using qualitative terminology, and could be used to classify vegetation patterns in large-scale satellite surveys of dryland ecosystems

An optimal stratified Simon two-stage design

In Phase II oncology trials, therapies are increasingly being evaluated for their effectiveness in specific populations of interest. Such targeted trials require designs that allow for stratification based on the participants’ molecular characterisation. A targeted design proposed by Jones and Holmgren (JH) Jones CL, Holmgren E: ‘An adaptive Simon two-stage design for phase 2 studies of targeted therapies’, Contemporary Clinical Trials 28 (2007) 654-661.determines whether a drug only has activity in a disease sub-population or in the wider disease population. Their adaptive design uses results from a single interim analysis to decide whether to enrich the study population with a subgroup or not; it is based on two parallel Simon two-stage designs. We study the JH design in detail and extend it by providing a few alternative ways to control the familywise error rate, in the weak sense as well as the strong sense. We also introduce a novel optimal design by minimising the expected sample size. Our extended design contributes to the much needed framework for conducting Phase II trials in stratified medicine

Stillbirth and loss: family practices and display

This paper explores how parents respond to their memories of their stillborn child over the years following their loss. When people die after living for several years or more, their family and friends have the residual traces of a life lived as a basis for an identity that may be remembered over a sustained period of time. For the parent of a stillborn child there is no such basis and the claim for a continuing social identity for their son or daughter is precarious. Drawing on interviews with the parents of 22 stillborn children, this paper explores the identity work performed by parents concerned to create a lasting and meaningful identity for their child and to include him or her in their families after death. The paper draws on Finch's (2007) concept of family display and Walter's (1999) thesis that links continue to exist between the living and the dead over a continued period. The paper argues that evidence from the experience of stillbirth suggests that there is scope for development for both theoretical frameworks

The nonlinear analysis of an innovative slit reinforced concrete water tower in seismic regions

Water towers are widely used in our society as one of water distribution facilities within water network systems. In the event of a severe earthquake, however, a single plastic hinge that occurs in a water tower could cause its total collapse before nonlinear resources of the rest of the tower remains fully utilised. This research presents an innovative technique for the assembly of a water tower using the slits in its reinforced concrete shaft for the purpose of mitigating the seismic response. Slit shafts were designed to have four slits at 90 degree intervals along the full height of the shafts. The shaft parts were connected to each other at the bottom, top and every five meters with coupling beams. The slit width was used as a variable in this study which varied between 50 mm and 2000 mm. The nonlinear seismic performance of the proposed slit towers was analysed by means of a finite element approach with respect to soil types defined in Eurocode 8 and seismic behaviour were compared to the solid water tower. A detailed observation of the compression and tension stress distributions with respect to the slit width was performed. The obtained analytical results revealed that slit width in the reinforced concrete tower affect the failure mode and stiffness of a water tower significantly. With an appropriate design, the conversion of a solid water tower into a slit tower can significantly increase its ductility under seismic action without significantly compromising its bearing capacity. The results showed that contours of tension and compression stress intensity in shafts, which could lead to a failure of water towers, highly depended on the slit width. In the solid water tower, the stress concentration dominated at the base of the shaft, however in the narrow slit water towers the stresses were equally distributed along the height of the shafts. Also, the stresses were mostly concentrated at the top of the shafts in the wide slit water towers. Conclusively, the results provided useful information regarding the compression stress distribution along the slit shafts in the water towers which can be used in obtaining an optimum slit shaft design for different soil types

Understanding key elements in establishing a social license for CCS: An empirical approach

© 2017 This paper presents results of empirical research with the broad aim of exploring societal responses to CO2 storage, framed around the concept of social license to operate (SLO). We describe a mixed method approach incorporating stakeholder interviews and focus groups deployed in two case study locations in the UK. The approach helps us to build up an understanding of the social context in which Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) will be introduced, in terms of the specific local conditions and with reference to the influence of local experiences of other technologies (such as hydraulic fracturing (fracking), for example). This understanding is then used to guide further empirical research, from which we assess the extent to which an SLO for CCS is emerging. Results show that perceptions of trust and confidence in key institutions to safely manage projects are highly dependent not just on the track record of the organisations but are strongly influenced by past experiences with different technologies. While the indications for achieving an SLO for CCS are currently positive, consolidating and maintaining that support depends on the evolving social, industrial and political landscape

Evaluation of a brief art psychotherapy group for adults suffering from mild to moderate depression: Pilot pre, post and follow-up study

Current therapies do not offer universal solutions for the ‘global burden’ of depression. By focusing on non-verbal communication and creativity, arts therapies might present a relevant treatment option but their effectiveness remains unclear. A pilot study was undertaken to evaluate a brief art therapy group for adults suffering from depression. Adults experiencing mild to moderate depression took part in art therapy and completed questionnaires at three points in time. The intensity of depression, levels of anxiety and general wellbeing were measured. Semi-structured interviews focused on participants’ expectations and experience of therapy. A decrease in depressive symptoms was observed immediately after the therapy and at the follow-up, and a trend for improvement of subjectively perceived wellbeing was recorded. Potential benefits of therapy recognised by participants included: acceptance of depression, readiness to express emotions, sense of self and awareness of others, readiness for meaningful relationships, sense of achievement, sense of balance and new insights, growth and meaning. The statistically significant results and participants’ experience indicate that art therapy may offer a valuable treatment option for depression, and further research is recommended. Future studies should explore ways of addressing both the outcomes and the process of therapy through creative methodological designs