Reducing Patient Emergency Department Visits at A Local Community Health Center

D.N.P.D.N.P. Thesis. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 201

Asynchronous bi-directional relay-assisted communication networks

We consider an asynchronous bi-directional relay network, consisting of two singleantenna transceivers and multiple single-antenna relays, where the transceiver-relay paths are subject to different relaying and/or propagation delays. Such a network can be viewed as a multipath channel which can cause inter-symbol-interference (ISI) in the signals received by the two transceivers. Hence, we model such a communication scheme as a frequency selective multipath channel which produces ISI at the two transceivers, when the data rates are relatively high. We study both multi- and single-carrier communication schemes in such networks. In a multi-carrier communication scheme, to tackle ISI, the transceivers employ an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) scheme to diagonalize the end-to-end channel. The relays use simple amplify-and-forward relaying, thereby materializing a distributed beamformer. For such a scheme, we propose two different algorithms, based on the max-min fair design approach, to calculate the subcarrier power loading at the transceivers as well as the relay beamforming weights. In a single-carrier communication, assuming a block transmission/reception scheme, block channel equalization is used at the both transceivers to combat the inter-blockinterference (IBI). Assuming a limited total transmit power budget, we minimize the total mean squared error (MSE) of the estimated received signals at the both transceivers by optimally obtaining the transceivers??? powers and the relay beamforming weight vector as well as the block channel equalizers at the two transceivers

Benefits of Polydopamine as Particle/Matrix Interface in Polylactide/PD-BaSO4 Scaffolds

This work reports the versatility of polydopamine (PD) when applied as a particle coating in a composite of polylactide (PLA). Polydopamine was observed to increase the particle–matrix interface strength and facilitate the adsorption of drugs to the material surface. Here, barium sulfate radiopaque particles were functionalized with polydopamine and integrated into a polylactide matrix, leading to the formulation of a biodegradable and X-ray opaque material with enhanced mechanical properties. Polydopamine functionalized barium sulfate particles also facilitated the adsorption and release of the antibiotic levofloxacin. Analysis of the antibacterial capacity of these composites and the metabolic activity and proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts in vitro demonstrated that these materials are non-cytotoxic and can be 3D printed to formulate complex biocompatible materials for bone fixation devices.The authors express thanks for technical and human support provided by SGIker of UPV/EHU and European funding: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and European Social Fund (ESF)

Proteomic Analysis of Anti-Tumor Effects of 11-Dehydrosinulariolide on CAL-27 Cells

The anti-tumor effects of 11-dehydrosinulariolide, an active ingredient isolated from soft coral Sinularia leptoclados, on CAL-27 cells were investigated in this study. In the MTT assay for cell proliferation, increasing concentrations of 11-dehydrosinulariolide decreased CAL-27 cell viability. When a concentration of 1.5 μg/mL of 11-dehydrosinulariolide was applied, the CAL-27 cells viability was reduced to a level of 70% of the control sample. The wound healing function decreased as the concentration of 11-dehydrosinulariolide increased. The results in this study indicated that treatment with 11-dehydrosinulariolide for 6 h significantly induced both early and late apoptosis of CAL-27 cells, observed by flow cytometric measurement and microscopic fluorescent observation. A comparative proteomic analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of 11-dehydrosinulariolide on CAL-27 cells at the molecular level by comparison between the protein profiling (revealed on a 2-DE map) of CAL-27 cells treated with 11-dehydrosinulariolide and that of CAL-27 cells without the treatment. A total of 28 differential proteins (12 up-regulated and 16 down-regulated) in CAL-27 cells treated with 11-dehydrosinulariolide have been identified by LC-MS/MS analysis. Some of the differential proteins are associated with cell proliferation, apoptosis, protein synthesis, protein folding, and energy metabolism. The results of this study provided clues for the investigation of biochemical mechanisms of the anti-tumor effects of 11-dehydrosinulariolide on CAL-27 cells and could be valuable information for drug development and progression monitoring of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)

Cnidarians as a Source of New Marine Bioactive Compounds—An Overview of the Last Decade and Future Steps for Bioprospecting

Marine invertebrates are rich sources of bioactive compounds and their biotechnological potential attracts scientific and economic interest worldwide. Although sponges are the foremost providers of marine bioactive compounds, cnidarians are also being studied with promising results. This diverse group of marine invertebrates includes over 11,000 species, 7500 of them belonging to the class Anthozoa. We present an overview of some of the most promising marine bioactive compounds from a therapeutic point of view isolated from cnidarians in the first decade of the 21st century. Anthozoan orders Alcyonacea and Gorgonacea exhibit by far the highest number of species yielding promising compounds. Antitumor activity has been the major area of interest in the screening of cnidarian compounds, the most promising ones being terpenoids (monoterpenoids, diterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids). We also discuss the future of bioprospecting for new marine bioactive compounds produced by cnidarians

Culture strategies for redclaw, Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens, 1868) (Decapoda: Parastacidae) and silver perch, Bidyanus bidyanus (Mitchell, 1838) (Perciformes: Teraponidae) : natural foods and artificial shelters

The demand for fish meal in aquaculture is an expensive part of aquaculture operations and this has generated interest in alternate food sources and use of natural live food. Use of traditional live food such as microalgae and zooplankton in aquaculture is reviewed. The current taxonomy of the redclaw Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens, 1868), silver perch Bidyanus bidyanus (Mitchell, 1838), and the oligochaetes; Aulophorus sp. (Schmarda, 1861), Branchiura sowerbyi (Beddard, 1892), Tubifex tubifex (Muller, 1774) and the terrestial worm Dendrodrilus rubidus (Savigny, 1826) was elucidated. Culture requirements for worm species and the nutritional and culture requirements for the aquaculture target species were determined as follows: The best substrate for mass production of Aulophorus was 100% cowdung, at a water temperature of 15°C. There was a significant correlation between oxygen concentration and reproduction in Aulophorus sp. with production levels of 3194.5 mg of T. tubifex per cm2 reached within 60 days and 4242.5 mg per cm2 of B. sowerbyi. Both were cultured in a mixture of 75% cowdung, 20% fine sand and 5% mud. An alternate substrate/food (ground peanut/shell, wheat pollard, rolled oats and lucerne pellets) was utilised for the mass propagation of T. tubifex and B. sowerbyi. Production of 2352 mg T. tubifex per cm2 and 2339.34 mg per cm2 of B. sowerbyi was obtained after 60 days. The population density was significantly influenced by substrate type, with highest population densities in the cowdung based substrate. Experimental culture of the terrestial worm D. rubidus was also carried out. Percentage increase in number and mean weight increase of the inoculated worms after a month was 532.2% and 0.50 g and an average of 2797 juveniles weighing 839.1 g was collected from each culture container after four weeks. Trials of oligochaete species as food for C. quadricarinatus juveniles, were conducted, single species and combinations of worm species being used. The nutritive values of T. tubifex and B. sowerbyi, for redclaw stocks from the Gregory, Mitchell, Gilbert, Flinders and Leichhardt river systems of North Queensland were compared with a commercial pellet (Aquafeed) as a reference diet and a lucerne pellet. The nutritive values of Aulophorus sp. and Dendrodrilus rubidus were compared with Aquafeed. Digestibility experiments were performed using Aulophorus sp. and B. sowerbyi

Culture strategies for redclaw, Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens, 1868) (Decapoda: Parastacidae) and silver perch, Bidyanus bidyanus (Mitchell, 1838) (Perciformes: Teraponidae) : natural foods and artificial shelters

The demand for fish meal in aquaculture is an expensive part of aquaculture operations and this has generated interest in alternate food sources and use of natural live food. Use of traditional live food such as microalgae and zooplankton in aquaculture is reviewed. The current taxonomy of the redclaw Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens, 1868), silver perch Bidyanus bidyanus (Mitchell, 1838), and the oligochaetes; Aulophorus sp. (Schmarda, 1861), Branchiura sowerbyi (Beddard, 1892), Tubifex tubifex (Muller, 1774) and the terrestial worm Dendrodrilus rubidus (Savigny, 1826) was elucidated. Culture requirements for worm species and the nutritional and culture requirements for the aquaculture target species were determined as follows: The best substrate for mass production of Aulophorus was 100% cowdung, at a water temperature of 15°C. There was a significant correlation between oxygen concentration and reproduction in Aulophorus sp. with production levels of 3194.5 mg of T. tubifex per cm2 reached within 60 days and 4242.5 mg per cm2 of B. sowerbyi. Both were cultured in a mixture of 75% cowdung, 20% fine sand and 5% mud. An alternate substrate/food (ground peanut/shell, wheat pollard, rolled oats and lucerne pellets) was utilised for the mass propagation of T. tubifex and B. sowerbyi. Production of 2352 mg T. tubifex per cm2 and 2339.34 mg per cm2 of B. sowerbyi was obtained after 60 days. The population density was significantly influenced by substrate type, with highest population densities in the cowdung based substrate. Experimental culture of the terrestial worm D. rubidus was also carried out. Percentage increase in number and mean weight increase of the inoculated worms after a month was 532.2% and 0.50 g and an average of 2797 juveniles weighing 839.1 g was collected from each culture container after four weeks. Trials of oligochaete species as food for C. quadricarinatus juveniles, were conducted, single species and combinations of worm species being used. The nutritive values of T. tubifex and B. sowerbyi, for redclaw stocks from the Gregory, Mitchell, Gilbert, Flinders and Leichhardt river systems of North Queensland were compared with a commercial pellet (Aquafeed) as a reference diet and a lucerne pellet. The nutritive values of Aulophorus sp. and Dendrodrilus rubidus were compared with Aquafeed. Digestibility experiments were performed using Aulophorus sp. and B. sowerbyi

Hydraulic Regenerative System for a Light Vehicle

The thesis is based in a constructed light vehicle that must be improved by adding a hydraulic energy recovery system. This vehicle named as TrecoLiTH, participated in the Formula Electric and Hybrid competition (Formula EHI) 2009 in Italy -Rome- and won several awards. This system consists in two hydraulic motors hub mounted which are used to store fluid at high pressure in an accumulator when braking. Through a valve the pressure will flow from the high pressure accumulator to the low pressure one, and consequently the vehicle will get extra acceleration. This thesis consists in finishing the assembly and testing it, as the main idea was already thought and some of the necessary parts were acquired before. Firstly, a quick overview of the bike is done and the current state of it at the end of the thesis is discussed. After that, the mechanism used to actuate the system is developed and explained, with which some CAD software was used to design and make some FEA. Straight afterwards the work focused on the tests and its development. A quick discussion about what tests should be done, the preparations and also the way that some measurements were done is commented. In order to do these measurements a data acquisition device and some software to deal with it was used. Thereupon, calculations to know if the system auto-compensates the weight added, causing more rolling resistance, and the oil frictions are done. In this part the performance and reliability of the system is discussed, as well as the feelings of the driver. Finally, improvements and possible modifications are listed with the aim of upgrade the vehicle, the system and the way of work