Diabetic retinopathy: loss of neuroretinal adaptation to the diabetic metabolic environment

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106882/1/nyas12412.pd

Implementing the WebSocket Protocol Based on Formal Modelling and Automated Code Generation

International audienceModel-based software engineering offers several attractive benefits for the implementation of protocols, including automated code generation for different platforms from design-level models. In earlier work, we have proposed a template-based approach using Coloured Petri Net formal models with pragmatic annotations for automated code generation of protocol software. The contribution of this paper is an application of the approach as implemented in the PetriCode tool to obtain protocol software implementing the IETF WebSocket protocol. This demonstrates the scalability of our approach to real protocols. Furthermore, we perform formal verification of the CPN model prior to code generation, and test the implementation for interoperability against the Autobahn WebSocket test-suite resulting in 97% and 99% success rate for the client and server implementation, respectively. The tests show that the cause of test failures were mostly due to local and trivial errors in newly written code-generation templates, and not related to the overall logical operation of the protocol as specified by the CPN model

Combining modelling tools to evaluate a goose management scheme

Many goose species feed on agricultural land, and with growing goose numbers, conflicts with agriculture are increasing. One possible solution is to designate refuge areas where farmers are paid to leave geese undisturbed. Here, we present a generic modelling tool that can be used to designate the best locations for refuges and to gauge the area needed to accommodate the geese. With a species distribution model, locations are ranked according to goose suitability. The size of the area to be designated as refuge can be chosen by including more or less suitable locations. A resource depletion model is then used to estimate whether enough resources are available within the designated refuge to accommodate all geese, taking into account the dynamics of food resources, including depletion by geese. We illustrate this with the management scheme for pink-footed goose Anser brachyrhynchus implemented in Norway. Here, all geese can be accommodated, but damage levels appear to depend on weather, land use and refuge size

Biocompatibility and tolerability of a purely bicarbonate-buffered peritoneal dialysis solution.

Contains fulltext : 80497.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Novel peritoneal dialysis solutions are characterized by a minimal content of glucose degradation products and a neutral pH. Many studies have shown the biocompatibility of neutral lactate-buffered solutions; however, until now, the effect of purely bicarbonate-buffered solutions has not been intensively studied in vivo. METHODS: This study was an open label, prospective, crossover multicenter trial to investigate the biocompatibility of a purely bicarbonate-buffered solution (bicPDF) by measuring biocompatibility parameters such as cancer antigen 125 (CA125) in peritoneal effluent. 55 patients were enrolled in the study. After a 2-week run-in phase, 53 patients could be randomized into 2 groups, starting with either standard lactate-buffered peritoneal dialysis fluid (SPDF) for 12 weeks (phase 1) and then switching to bicPDF for 12 weeks (phase 2), or vice versa. Overnight peritoneal effluents were collected at baseline and at the end of phases 1 and 2 and were tested for CA125, hyaluronic acid, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interferon gamma (IFNgamma), and transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta1). Total ultrafiltration and residual renal function were also assessed. At the end of the study, pain during fluid exchange and dwell was evaluated using special questionnaires. RESULTS: 34 patients completed the study; 27 of them provided data for analysis of the biocompatibility parameters. CA125 levels in overnight effluent were significantly higher with bicPDF (61.9 +/- 33.2 U/L) than with SPDF (18.6 +/- 18.2 U/L, p < 0.001). Hyaluronic acid levels were significantly lower after the use of bicPDF (185.0 +/- 119.6 ng/mL) than after SPDF (257.4 +/- 174.0 ng/mL, p = 0.013). Both TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1 showed higher levels with the use of bicPDF than with SPDF. No differences were observed for IL-6, VEGF, or IFNgamma levels. We observed an improvement in the glomerular filtration rate with the use of bicPDF but no differences were observed for total fluid loss. Pain scores could be analyzed in 23 patients: there was no difference between the solutions. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a purely bicarbonate-buffered low-glucose degradation product solution significantly changes most of the peritoneal effluent markers measured, suggesting an improvement in peritoneal membrane integrity. Additionally, it seems to have a positive effect on residual renal function