Cross-middleware Interoperability in Distributed Concurrent Engineering

Secure, distributed collaboration between different organizations is a key challenge in Grid computing today. The GDCD project has produced a Grid-based demonstrator Virtual Collaborative Facility (VCF) for the European Space Agency. The purpose of this work is to show the potential of Grid technology to support fully distributed concurrent design, while addressing practical considerations including network security, interoperability, and integration of legacy applications. The VCF allows domain engineers to use the concurrent design methodology in a distributed fashion to perform studies for future space missions. To demonstrate the interoperability and integration capabilities of Grid computing in concurrent design, we developed prototype VCF components based on ESA’s current Excel-based Concurrent Design Facility (a non-distributed environment), using a STEP-compliant database that stores design parameters. The database was exposed as a secure GRIA 5.1 Grid service, whilst a .NET/WSE3.0-based library was developed to enable secure communication between the Excel client and STEP database

Inter-institutional Relationships in Global Health: Regulating Coordination and Ensuring Accountability

In this paper we will explore issues related to the governance of inter-organizational relationships in the field of global health - taking the multi-layered response to the 2014 West African Ebola Outbreak as our point of departure. We note that, ideally organizations engaged in global health activity would have a clear set of governance rules that would guide their behaviours, and set expectations for collaborating with other organizations, though this is rarely the case. More broadly, we highlight that there is no overarching set of principles that would cover all the possible ways in which collaborations can take place. We conclude by suggesting some principles to guide collaboration between organizations engaged in global health in the future

Effect of suspension systems on the physiological and psychological responses to sub-maximal biking on simulated smooth and bumpy tracks

The aim of this study was to compare the physiological and psychological responses of cyclists riding on a hard tail bicycle and on a full suspension bicycle. Twenty males participated in two series of tests. A test rig held the front axle of the bicycle steady while the rear wheel rotated against a heavy roller with bumps (or no bumps) on its surface. In the first series of tests, eight participants (age 19 – 27 years, body mass 65 – 82 kg) were tested on both the full suspension and hard tail bicycles with and without bumps fitted to the roller. The second series of test repeated the bump tests with a further six participants (age 22 – 31 years, body mass 74 – 94 kg) and also involved an investigation of familiarization effects with the final six participants (age 21 – 30 years, body mass 64 – 80 kg). Heart rate, oxygen consumption (VO<sub>2</sub>), rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and comfort were recorded during 10 min sub-maximal tests. Combined data for the bumps tests show that the full suspension bicycle was significantly different (P < 0.001) from the hard tail bicycle on all four measures. Oxygen consumption, heart rate and RPE were lower on average by 8.7 (s = 3.6) ml · kg<sup>-1</sup> · min<sup>-1</sup>, 32.1 (s = 12.1) beats · min<sup>-1</sup> and 2.6 (s = 2.0) units, respectively. Comfort scores were higher (better) on average by 1.9 (s = 0.8) units. For the no bumps tests, the only statistically significant difference (P = 0.008) was in VO<sub>2</sub>, which was lower for the hard tail bicycle by 2.2 (s = 1.7) ml · kg-1 · min<sup>-1</sup>. The results indicate that the full suspension bicycle provides a physiological and psychological advantage over the hard tail bicycle during simulated sub-maximal exercise on bumps

Homologous and heterologous desensitization of guanylyl cyclase-B signaling in GH3 somatolactotropes

The guanylyl cyclases, GC-A and GC-B, are selective receptors for atrial and C-type natriuretic peptides (ANP and CNP, respectively). In the anterior pituitary, CNP and GC-B are major regulators of cGMP production in gonadotropes and yet mouse models of disrupted CNP and GC-B indicate a potential role in growth hormone secretion. In the current study, we investigate the molecular and pharmacological properties of the CNP/GC-B system in somatotrope lineage cells. Primary rat pituitary and GH3 somatolactotropes expressed functional GC-A and GC-B receptors that had similar EC50 properties in terms of cGMP production. Interestingly, GC-B signaling underwent rapid homologous desensitization in a protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)-dependent manner. Chronic exposure to either CNP or ANP caused a significant down-regulation of both GC-A- and GC-B-dependent cGMP accumulation in a ligand-specific manner. However, this down-regulation was not accompanied by alterations in the sub-cellular localization of these receptors. Heterologous desensitization of GC-B signaling occurred in GH3 cells following exposure to either sphingosine-1-phosphate or thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH). This heterologous desensitization was protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent, as pre-treatment with GF109203X prevented the effect of TRH on CNP/GC-B signaling. Collectively, these data indicate common and distinct properties of particulate guanylyl cyclase receptors in somatotropes and reveal that independent mechanisms of homologous and heterologous desensitization occur involving either PP2A or PKC. Guanylyl cyclase receptors thus represent potential novel therapeutic targets for treating growth-hormone-associated disorders

OpenFermion: The Electronic Structure Package for Quantum Computers

Quantum simulation of chemistry and materials is predicted to be an important application for both near-term and fault-tolerant quantum devices. However, at present, developing and studying algorithms for these problems can be difficult due to the prohibitive amount of domain knowledge required in both the area of chemistry and quantum algorithms. To help bridge this gap and open the field to more researchers, we have developed the OpenFermion software package (www.openfermion.org). OpenFermion is an open-source software library written largely in Python under an Apache 2.0 license, aimed at enabling the simulation of fermionic models and quantum chemistry problems on quantum hardware. Beginning with an interface to common electronic structure packages, it simplifies the translation between a molecular specification and a quantum circuit for solving or studying the electronic structure problem on a quantum computer, minimizing the amount of domain expertise required to enter the field. The package is designed to be extensible and robust, maintaining high software standards in documentation and testing. This release paper outlines the key motivations behind design choices in OpenFermion and discusses some basic OpenFermion functionality which we believe will aid the community in the development of better quantum algorithms and tools for this exciting area of research.Comment: 22 page

Relationship of antecedent stressful life events to childhood and family history of anxiety and the course of panic disorder

OBJETIVO: Os autores examinaram a freqüência de eventos vitais significativos (estressores) durante o ano que antecedeu o transtorno do pânico e sua relação com história de ansiedade na infância, história familiar de ansiedade, comorbidades e curso da doença. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: 223 pacientes foram acompanhados em um estudo naturalístico, longitudinal do transtorno do pânico. RESULTADOS: Apesar de 80% dos pacientes com transtorno do pânico referirem a presença de um fator estressor durante o ano anterior ao início da sua doença, sua freqüência é mais elevada em pacientes com história de ansiedade na infância e comorbidade com depressão na vida adulta. CONCLUSÕES: A presença de eventos vitais significativos não está associada com a presença de outros transtornos de ansiedade na vida adulta e nem com história familiar de ansiedade. Apesar de sua associação com história de ansiedade na infância e depressão, a presença de um fator estressor identificável não está associado a severidade ou ao curso do transtorno do pânico.OBJECTIVES: The authors examined the incidence of significant life events during the year prior to the onset of panic disorder and its relationship to childhood and family history of anxiety difficulties, comorbidity, and the course of illness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 223 panic patients were followed in a naturalistic study of panic disorder. RESULTS: Similar to previous reports, antecedent negative life events occurred in the majority (80%) of patients. Patients with a childhood history of anxiety and comorbid adulthood major depression were more likely to report an antecedent, stressful life event. CONCLUSIONS: Antecedent events were not linked with comorbid adulthood anxiety disorders or a family history of anxiety difficulties. Despite its associations with childhood anxiety pathology and adulthood major depression, the presence of an identifiable antecedent at the onset of panic disorder was not associated with the subsequent severity or course of the disorder

A study protocol for a randomised controlled feasibility trial of an intervention to increase activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in people with severe mental illness: Walking fOR Health (WORtH) Study

Abstract Background People with severe mental illness (SMI) are less physically active and more sedentary than healthy controls, contributing to poorer physical health outcomes in this population. There is a need to understand the feasibility and acceptability, and explore the effective components, of health behaviour change interventions targeting physical activity and sedentary behaviour in this population in rural and semi-rural settings. Methods This 13-week randomised controlled feasibility trial compares the Walking fOR Health (WORtH) multi-component behaviour change intervention, which includes education, goal-setting and self-monitoring, with a one-off education session. It aims to recruit 60 inactive adults with SMI via three community mental health teams in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Primary outcomes are related to feasibility and acceptability, including recruitment, retention and adherence rates, adverse events and qualitative feedback from participants and clinicians. Secondary outcome measures include self-reported and accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour, anthropometry measures, physical function and mental wellbeing. A mixed-methods process evaluation will be undertaken. This study protocol outlines changes to the study in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussion This study will address the challenges and implications of remote delivery of the WORtH intervention due to the COVID-19 pandemic and inform the design of a future definitive randomised controlled trial if it is shown to be feasible. Trial registration The trial was registered on clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT04134871 ) on 22 October 2019

Relação entre eventos vitais e história de ansiedade na infância, história familiar de ansiedade e curso do transtorno do pânico

OBJECTIVES: The authors examined the incidence of significant life events during the year prior to the onset of panic disorder and its relationship to childhood and family history of anxiety difficulties, comorbidity, and the course of illness.MATERIALS AND METHODS: 223 panic patients were followed in a naturalistic study of panic disorder.RESULTS: Similar to previous reports, antecedent negative life events occurred in the majority (80%) of patients. Patients with a childhood history of anxiety and comorbid adulthood major depression were more likely to report an antecedent, stressful life event.CONCLUSIONS: Antecedent events were not linked with comorbid adulthood anxiety disorders or a family history of anxiety difficulties. Despite its associations with childhoodnxiety pathology and adulthood major depression, the presence of an identifiable antecedent at the onset of panic disorder was not associated with the subsequent severity or course of the disorder.OBJETIVO: Os autores examinaram a freqüência de eventos vitais significativos (estressores) durante o ano que antecedeu o transtorno do pânico e sua relação com história de ansiedade na infância, história familiar de ansiedade, comorbidades e curso da doença.MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: 223 pacientes foram acompanhados em um estudo naturalístico, longitudinal do transtorno do pânico.RESULTADOS: Apesar de 80% dos pacientes com transtorno do pânico referirem a presença de um fator estressor durante o ano anterior ao início da sua doença, sua freqüência é mais elevada em pacientes com história de ansiedade na infância e comorbidade com depressão na vida adulta.CONCLUSÕES: A presença de eventos vitais significativos não está associada com a presença de outros transtornos de ansiedade na vida adulta e nem com história familiar de ansiedade. Apesar de sua associação com história de ansiedade na infância e depressão, a presença de um fator estressor identificável não está associado a severidade ou ao curso do transtorno do pânico