A Case of Successful Surgical Treatment of Migraine Headaches in a Patient with Sporadic Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are thin-walled aneurysms caused by abnormal communication between the pulmonary arteries and veins. Migraine headaches are sometimes the presenting clinical manifestation of PAVMs. Although embolotherapy, using detachable balloons or stainless steel coils, is generally accepted as the best choice for the treatment of multiple PAVMs, the mode of intervention for solitary PAVMs remains a subject of debate. We present a 43-yr-old woman with a 10-yr history of chronic migraines and dyspnea on exertion. She was discovered to have a large solitary centrally located PAVM, placing her at high risk of complications if she were to undergo percutaneous transcatheter embolization. She underwent successful surgical resection of her right middle lobe without complications, resulting in subsequent symptomatic improvement

Application of Publish/Subscribe Messaging for Management of Streaming Water Resource Data

2008 S.C. Water Resources Conference - Addressing Water Challenges Facing the State and Regio

Augmenting Hydrologic Information Systems with Streaming Water Resource Data

2010 S.C. Water Resources Conferences - Science and Policy Challenges for a Sustainable Futur

System framework for autonomous data processing onboard next generation of nanosatellite

Progress within nanosatellite systems development makes niche commercial Earth observing missions feasible; however, despite advances in demonstrated data rates, these systems will remain downlink limited able to capture more data than can be returned to the ground cost-effectively in traditional raw or near-raw forms. The embedding of existing ground-based image processing algorithms into onboard systems is non-trivial especially in limited resource nanosatellites, necessitating new approaches. In addition, mission opportunities for systems beyond Earth orbit present additional challenges around relay availability and bandwidth, and delay-tolerance, leading to more autonomous approaches. This paper describes a framework for implementing autonomous data processing onboard resource-constrained nanosatellites, covering data selection, reduction, prioritization and distribution. The framework is based on high level requirements and aligned to existing off-the-shelf software and international standards. It is intended to target low-resource algorithms developed in other sectors including autonomous vehicles and commercial machine learning. Techniques such as deep learning and heuristic code optimization have been identified as both value-adding to the use cases studied and technically feasible. With the framework in place, work is now progressing within the consortium under UKSA Centre for Earth Observation and Instrument funding to deliver an initial prototype data chain implemented within a representative FPGA-based flight computer system

MPSoCs for Reconfigurable Modular Spacecraft

Modular, reconfigurable spacecraft offer a new approach to extending mission capability and maximising the lifetime of a spacecraft. Future uses of space robotics such as in-orbit construction and servicing allow faulty or obsolete parts of a modular spacecraft to be replaced by servicer spacecraft that dock with their targets and perform upgrades and maintenance. Such manoeuvres will require a high degree of autonomy from both platforms and thus will need to leverage high-performance onboard computing for both the robotic control and manipulation of service spacecraft but also for managing Thales Alenia Space in the UK (TAS UK) and The University of York (UoY) are involved in projects towards this goal and are collaborating to research autonomous network reconfiguration and fault tolerance of the onboard network based on existing space technology (SpaceWire, SpaceFibre). Both organisations have identified FPGA based MPSoCs as a solution for providing the high-performance computing that autonomous robotic systems require, using the FPGA fabric for mission-phase related hardware accelerators (e.g. vision soft co- processors) that can be swapped as the construction or maintenance task demands. In this presentation we will describe the modular spacecraft avionics unit that TAS UK is developing for the H2020 MOSAR project. This is based on the Xilinx Ultrascale+ MPSoC and uses the “big-little” architecture to provide a split between the spacecraft module’s mission functionality (executing on the “big” quad-core A53) and the support functions to provide: the communication network, module-to-module docking management and the module power management functions of the spacecraft (implemented on the “little” dual-core R5 cores). Details on our development of an AXI4 compatible SpaceWire and RMAP IP core will also be included. RMAP forms an important part of the MOSAR fault management strategy and this core allows processor-transparent RMAP access to the full MPSoC address range, with automatic DMA descriptors for all other SpaceWire traffic. The AXI4 interface simply allows it to be dropped into any Ultrascale+, Zynq 7000 and NG-ultra based design and several configuration options allow options such as SpW front end type (oversampling /clock recovery) and output data path width (32-bit/16bit) to be selected. We will also present details of research by the University of York on using RMAP in a MPSoC environment. Access to the full address space of a MPSoC via RMAP brings security and fault management concerns to complex SoCs and hardware security based approaches (e.g. ARM’s TrustZone) could be used in future MP- SoC architectures to protect against damage by either corrupt RMAP packets, damage from failure modes of RMAP initiators or malicious/compromised spacecraft modules. To tackle autonomy challenges UoY is cur- rently developing a reasoner based, reconfigurable modular robotic platform that can cope with uncertain environments that arise in space applications using FPGA based MPSoC and soft-processor technologies. MOSAR has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant agreement No. 821996. Part of this work is funded by EPSRC and Innovate UK under grant KTP12066

Pre-ataxic loss of intrinsic plasticity and motor learning in a mouse model of SCA1

Spinocerebellar ataxias are neurodegenerative diseases, the hallmark symptom of which is the development of ataxia due to cerebellar dysfunction. Purkinje cells, the principal neurons of the cerebellar cortex, are the main cells affected in these disorders, but the sequence of pathological events leading to their dysfunction is poorly understood. Understanding the origins of Purkinje cells dysfunction before it manifests is imperative to interpret the functional and behavioural consequences of cerebellar-related disorders, providing an optimal timeline for therapeutic interventions. Here, we report the cascade of events leading to Purkinje cells dysfunction before the onset of ataxia in a mouse model of spinocerebellar ataxia 1 (SCA1). Spatiotemporal characterization of the ATXN1[82Q] SCA1 mouse model revealed high levels of the mutant ATXN1[82Q] weeks before the onset of ataxia. The expression of the toxic protein first caused a reduction of Purkinje cells intrinsic excitability, which was followed by atrophy of Purkinje cells dendrite arborization and aberrant glutamatergic signalling, finally leading to disruption of Purkinje cells innervation of climbing fibres and loss of intrinsic plasticity of Purkinje cells. Functionally, we found that deficits in eyeblink conditioning, a form of cerebellum-dependent motor learning, precede the onset of ataxia, matching the timeline of climbing fibre degeneration and reduced intrinsic plasticity. Together, our results suggest that abnormal synaptic signalling and intrinsic plasticity during the pre-ataxia stage of spinocerebellar ataxias underlie an aberrant cerebellar circuitry that anticipates the full extent of the disease severity. Furthermore, our work indicates the potential for eyeblink conditioning to be used as a sensitive tool to detect early cerebellar dysfunction as a sign of future disease.</p

Groundwater ages, recharge conditions and hydrochemical evolution of a barrier island freshwater lens (Spiekeroog, Northern Germany)

Freshwater lenses below barrier islands are dynamic systems affected by changes in morphodynamic patterns, groundwater recharge and discharge. They are also vulnerable to pollution and overabstraction of groundwater. Basic knowledge on hydrogeological and hydrochemical processes of freshwater lenses is important to ensure a sustainable water management, especially when taking into account possible effects of climate change. This is the first study which gives a compact overview on the age distribution, recharge conditions and hydrochemical evolution of a barrier island freshwater lens in the southern North Sea (Spiekeroog Island, Eastfrisian Wadden Sea). Two ground- and surface water sampling campaigns were carried out in May and July 2011, supplemented by monthly precipitation sampling from July to October. 3H–3He ages, stable oxygen and hydrogen isotopes and major ion concentrations show that the freshwater lens reaches a depth of 44 mbsl, where an aquitard constrains further expansion in vertical direction. Groundwater ages are increasing from 4.4 years in 12 mbsl up to >70 years at the freshwater– saltwater interface. Stable isotope signatures reflect average local precipitation signatures. An annual recharge rate of 300–400 mm was calculated with 3H–3He data. Freshwater is primarily of Na–Ca–Mg–HCO3– and Ca–Na–HCO3–Cl type, while lowly mineralized precipitation and saltwater are of Na–Cl types. A trend towards heavier stable isotope signatures and higher electric conductivities in the shallower, younger groundwater within the freshwater lens may indicate increasing atmospheric temperatures in the last 30 years

Embolisation for pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (Review)

Background: Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations are abnormal direct connections between the pulmonary artery and pulmonary vein which result in a right-to-left shunt. They are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality mainly from the effects of paradoxical emboli. Potential complications include stroke, cerebral abscess, pulmonary haemorrhage and hypoxaemia. Embolisation is an endovascular intervention based on the occlusion of the feeding arteries the pulmonary arteriovenous malformations thus eliminating the abnormal right-to-left-shunting. Objectives: To determine the efficacy and safety of embolisation in patients with pulmonary arteriovenous malformations including a comparison with surgical resection and different embolisation devices. Search methods: We searched the Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group's Trials Register; date of last search: 31 March 2014. We also searched the following databases: the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry; ClinicalTrials.gov; International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Register; International Clinical Trials Registry Platform Search Portal (last searched 1 July 2014). We checked cross-references and searched references from review articles. Selection criteria: Trials in which individuals with pulmonary arteriovenous malformations were randomly allocated to embolisation compared to no treatment, surgical resection or embolisation using a different embolisation device. Data collection and analysis: Studies identified for potential inclusion were independently assessed for eligibility by two authors, with excluded studies further checked by a third author. No trials were identified for inclusion in the review and hence no analysis was performed. Main results: There were no randomised controlled trials included in the review; one ongoing trial has been identified which may be eligible for inclusion in the future. Authors' conclusions: There is no evidence from randomised controlled trials for embolisation of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. However, randomised controlled trials are not always feasible on ethical grounds. Accumulated data from observational studies suggest that embolisation reduces morbidity. A standardised approach to reporting with long-term follow-up through registry studies can help to strengthen the evidence for embolisation in the absence of randomised controlled trials

Development of a minaturised forwards looking imager using deep learning for responsive operations

This work presents the design and prototyping work of a miniaturised camera system with integrated ‘deep learning’ neural network capabilities, developed within a framework for implementing autonomous data processing onboard small and nanosatellites. The framework targets low-resource algorithms developed in other sectors including autonomous vehicles and commercial machine learning. For proof of concept, the system has been initially trained for real time cloud detection and classification, looking 1 min ahead of the satellite to enable responsive decision making for Earth observation and telecommunication applications. The design has been miniaturised and modularised to allow accommodation on small and nanosatellite systems. Flight representative and heritage components have been selected for prototyping. Compatibility of the autonomy framework with ECSS and CCSDS standards and existing off-the-shelf flight software was evaluated. A simulator to facilitate end to end testing of the system has been developed using existing data sets as input, incorporating distortions to test robustness. Results show that a competitive low power < 2 W system can be delivered, with the chain < 5 seconds from capture to input into the onboard planning and with timing consistent with continuous real time decision-making