Sorting Integers on the AP1000

Sorting is one of the classic problems of computer science. Whilst well understood on sequential machines, the diversity of architectures amongst parallel systems means that algorithms do not perform uniformly on all platforms. This document describes the implementation of a radix based algorithm for sorting positive integers on a Fujitsu AP1000 Supercomputer, which was constructed as an entry in the Joint Symposium on Parallel Processing (JSPP) 1994 Parallel Software Contest (PSC94). Brief consideration is also given to a full radix sort conducted in parallel across the machine.Comment: 1994 Project Report, 23 page

Nurses’ decision-making around gastric residual volume measurement in adult intensive care: a four-centre survey

Background: Despite increasing evidence of the potential inaccuracy and unwarranted practice of regular gastric residual volume (GRV) measurement in critically in adults, this practice persists within the United Kingdom.Aim: To explore adult intensive care nurses’ decision-making around the practice of gastric residual volume measurement to guide enteral feeding.Methods: A cross sectional 16 item electronic survey in four adult intensive care units in England and Wales.Results: Two hundred and seventy-three responses were obtained across four intensive care units with acceptable response rates for most [Unit 1 74 /127 = 58.2%; Unit 2 87/129 =67.4%; Unit 3 77/120= 64.1%; Unit 4 35/168 = 20.8%]. Most (243/273 (89%) reported measuring GRV 4-6 hourly, with most (223/273 82%) reporting that the main reason was to assess feed tolerance or intolerance and 37/273 (13.5%) saying their unit protocol required it. In terms of factors affecting decision-making, volume obtained was the most important factor, followed by the condition of the patient, with aspirate colour and appearance less important. When asked how they would feel about not measuring gastric residual volume routinely, the majority (78.2%) of nurses felt worried (140/273 = 51.2%) or very worried (74/273 = 27%).Conclusions: Factors affecting the nurses’ decision making around gastric residual volume were based on largely on fear of risk (around vomiting and pulmonary aspiration) and compliance with unit protocols. Relevance to clinical practice: Despite increasing evidence suggesting it is unnecessary, nurses’ beliefs around the value of this practice persist and it continues to be embedded into unit protocols around feeding.<br/

Clonal analyses and gene profiling identify genetic biomarkers of human brown and white preadipocyte thermogenic potential

Targeting brown adipose tissue (BAT) content or activity has therapeutic potential for treating obesity and the metabolic syndrome by increasing energy expenditure. Both inter- and intra-individual differences contribute to heterogeneity in human BAT and potentially to differential thermogenic capacity in human populations. Here, we demonstrated the generated clones of brown and white preadipocytes from human neck fat of four individuals and characterized their adipogenic differentiation and thermogenic function. Combining an uncoupling protein 1(UCP1) reporter system and expression profiling, we defined novel sets of gene signatures in human preadipocytes that could predict the thermogenic potential of the cells once they were maturated in culture. Knocking out the positive UCP1 regulators identified by this approach, PREX1 and EDNRB in brown preadipocytes using CRISPR/Cas9 markedly abolished the high level of UCP1 in brown adipocytes differentiated from the preadipocytes. Finally, we were able to prospectively isolate adipose progenitors with great thermogenic potential using cell surface marker CD29. These data provide new insights into the cellular heterogeneity in human fat and offer the identification of possible biomarkers of thermogenically competent preadipocytes

ADRA1A-Gα_q signalling potentiates adipocyte thermogenesis through CKB and TNAP

Noradrenaline (NA) regulates cold-stimulated adipocyte thermogenesis(1). Aside from cAMP signalling downstream of β-adrenergic receptor activation, how NA promotes thermogenic output is still not fully understood. Here, we show that coordinated α(1)-adrenergic receptor (AR) and β(3)-AR signalling induces the expression of thermogenic genes of the futile creatine cycle(2,3), and that early B cell factors, oestrogen-related receptors and PGC1α are required for this response in vivo. NA triggers physical and functional coupling between the α(1)-AR subtype (ADRA1A) and Gα(q) to promote adipocyte thermogenesis in a manner that is dependent on the effector proteins of the futile creatine cycle, creatine kinase B and tissue-non-specific alkaline phosphatase. Combined Gα(q) and Gα(s) signalling selectively in adipocytes promotes a continual rise in whole-body energy expenditure, and creatine kinase B is required for this effect. Thus, the ADRA1A–Gα(q)–futile creatine cycle axis is a key regulator of facultative and adaptive thermogenesis

An analysis of power dialectics occurring between patients and staff on an acute hospital ward

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Sorting Integers on the AP1000

Sorting is one of the classic problems of computer science. Whilst well understood on sequential machines, the diversity of architectures amongst parallel systems means that algorithms do not perform uniformly on all platforms. This document describes the implementation of an radix based algorithm for sorting positive integers on a Fujitsu AP1000 Supercomputer, which was constructed as an entry in the Joint Symposium on Parallel Processing (JSPP) 1994 Parallel Software Contest (PSC94). Brief consideration is also given to a full radix sort conducted in parallel across the machine. Contents 1 Introduction 3 1.1 Program Specification : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : 3 2 Preliminary Investigation 4 2.1 A General Purpose Parallel Sorting Algorithm : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : 4 2.1.1 Pre-Balancing : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : 4 2.1.2 Serial Sorting : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : 5 2.1.3 Primary Me..

Ab initio molecular dynamics studies of hydroxide coordination of alkaline earth metals and uranyl

Ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations of the Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+ and UO22+ ions in either a pure aqueous environment or an environment containing two hydroxide ions have been carried out at the density functional level of theory, employing the generalised gradient approximation via the PBE exchange-correlation functional. Calculated mean M-O bond lengths in the first solvation shell of the aquo systems compared very well to existing experimental and computational literature, with bond lengths well within values measured previously and coordination numbers in line with previously calculated values. When applied to systems containing additional hydroxide ions, the methodology revealed increased bond lengths in all systems. Proton transfer events (PTEs) were recorded and were found to be most prevalent in the strontium hydroxide systems, likely due to the low charge density of the ion and the consequent lack of hydroxide coordination. For all alkaline earths, intrashell PTEs which occurred outside of the first solvation shell were most prevalent. Only three PTEs were identified in the entire simulation data of the uranium dihydroxide system, indicating the clear impact of the increased charge density of the hexavalent uranium ion on the strength of metal-oxygen bonds in aqueous solution. Broadly, systems containing more charge dense ions were found to exhibit fewer PTEs than those containing ions of lower charge density