The First Report on Scheme Revisited

Higher-Order and Symbolic Computation -     

The effect of frequent hemodialysis on matrix metalloproteinases,their tissue inhibitors,and FGF23: Implications for blood pressure and left ventricular mass modification in the Frequent Hemodialysis Network trials

Background: Frequent hemodialysis modifies serum phosphorus, blood pressure, and left ventricular mass (LVM). We ascertained whether frequent hemodialysis is associated with specific changes in biomarker profile among patients enrolled in the frequent hemodialysis network (FHN) trials. Methods: This was a post hoc analysis of biomarkers among patients enrolled to the FHN trials. In particular, we hypothesized that frequent hemodialysis is associated with changes in a specific set of biomarkers which are linked with changes in blood pressure or LVM. Results: Among 332 randomized patients, 243 had biomarker data available. Of these, 124 patients were assigned to 3‐times‐a‐week hemodialysis (94 [Daily Trial] and 30 [Nocturnal Trial]) and 119 patients were assigned to 6‐times‐a‐week hemodialysis (87 [Daily Trial] and 32 [Nocturnal Trial]). Frequent hemodialysis lowered phosphate, blood pressures, LVM, log fibroblast growth factor (FGF)23, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)—2 levels. The fall in phosphate was associated with changes in FGF23 (r = 0.48, P < 0.001) [Daily Trial] and (r = 0.55, P < 0.001) [Nocturnal Trial]) and tended to be associated with changes in systolic blood pressure (r = 0.18, P = 0.057) [Daily Trial] and (r = 0.31, P = 0.04) [Nocturnal Trial]. Within the Daily Trial, changes in MMP2 (r = 0.20, P = 0.034) were associated with changes in LVM. In the Nocturnal Trial, changes in TIMP‐1 (r = 0.37, P = 0.029) and MMP 9 (r = ?0.38, P = 0.01) were associated with LVM changes. MMP2 changes were associated with changes in systolic blood pressure. Conclusions: Reduction of serum phosphate by frequent hemodialysis may modulate FGF23 levels and systolic blood pressure. Markers of matrix turnover are associated with LVM changes. Frequent hemodialysis may affect pathological mediators of chronic kidney disease‐mineral bone‐metabolism disorder.     

Thyroid function in end stage renal disease and effects of frequent hemodialysis

Introduction: End‐stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with perturbations in thyroid hormone concentrations and an increased prevalence of hypothyroidism. Few studies have examined the effects of hemodialysis dose or frequency on endogenous thyroid function. Methods: Within the Frequent Hemodialysis Network (FHN) trials, we examined the prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients with ESRD. Among those with endogenous thyroid function (without overt hyper/hypothyroidism or thyroid hormone supplementation), we examined the association of thyroid hormone concentration with multiple parameters of self‐reported health status, and physical and cognitive performance, and the effects of hemodialysis frequency on serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and free tri‐iodothyronine (FT3) levels. Conventional thrice‐weekly hemodialysis was compared to in‐center (6 d/wk) hemodialysis (Daily Trial) and Nocturnal (6 nights/wk) home hemodialysis (Nocturnal Trial) over 12 months. Findings: Among 226 FHN Trial participants, the prevalence of hypothyroidism was 11% based on thyroid hormone treatment and/or serum TSH ≥8 mIU/mL. Among the remaining 195 participants (147 Daily, 48 Nocturnal) with endogenous thyroid function, TSH concentrations were modestly (directly) correlated with age (r = 0.16, P = 0.03) but not dialysis vintage. Circulating thyroid hormone levels were not associated with parameters of health status or physical and cognitive performance. Furthermore, frequent in‐center and nocturnal hemodialysis did not significantly change (baseline to month 12) TSH, FT4, or FT3 concentrations in patients with endogenous thyroid function. Discussion: Among patients receiving hemodialysis without overt hyper/hypothyroidism or thyroid hormone treatment, thyroid indices were not associated with multiple measures of health status and were not significantly altered with increased dialysis frequency.     

Transport network design of integrated networks with real-time dynamic routing

Integrated real-time dynamic routing (IRR) networks provide dynamic routing features for multiple classes-of-service on an integrated transport network. In a previous Journal paper it is shown that IRR networks allow reduced network management costs since with real-time dynamic routing a number of network operations are simplified or eliminated, leading to savings in operations costs and expenses. In this paper a new algorithm is described for the transport design of IRR networks which achieves near-optimal capacity engineering. In particular, a Karmarkar Algorithm optimal solution to the linear programming flow model achieves approximately a 5 to 8 percentage point reduction in network design cost in comparison to the designs of pre-planned dynamic networks solved with heuristic design techniques. The optimization techniques described in this and the previous Journal paper attain significant capital cost reductions and network performance improvements by properly modeling the more efficient operation of IRR networks.     

模块化风机机械动力传动装置的先进解决方案

时下模块化风机齿轮箱的可靠性是一个普遍存在的问题。为此,Maag开发和试制了一种新型Maag DPPV-7-79齿轮箱,在平衡刚度和柔性的基础上能更好地实现载荷的分配均匀,具有较小的应力和最佳齿轮接触模式。     

Link-Node Characterization for Energy-Efficient Communication in a Static Random Wireless Sensor Network

Studies of wireless networks often work with a relatively high communication range so that each node typically communicates with a high number of neighbors. This is necessary, with a random placement, to avoid loss of coverage or connectivity. However, communicating through remote neighbors requires more energy, which can be a severe disadvantage since energy is often critical in this type of network. By comparing two-ranges, one to ensure coverage and one to save energy, we identify link-nodes which play an essential role to keep the network connected. Characterizing these nodes and their occurrence in communication routes will help to save energy and increase lifetime of the overall network. Without precautions, these link-nodes receive a high traffic load. Using simulations we find that slightly longer routes can avoid link-nodes and thus reduce average energy consumption. Network lifetime can be extended by identifying these nodes at startup and reducing their energy consumption wherever possible.     

A Quantitative Genetic Study of Sclerotinia Head Rot Resistance Introgressed from the Wild Perennial Helianthus maximiliani into Cultivated Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Sclerotinia head rot (HR), caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is an economically important disease of sunflower with known detrimental effects on yield and quality in humid climates worldwide. The objective of this study was to gain insight into the genetic architecture of HR resistance from a sunflower line HR21 harboring HR resistance introgressed from the wild perennial Helianthus maximiliani. An F₂ population derived from the cross of HA 234 (susceptible-line)/HR21 (resistant-line) was evaluated for HR resistance at two locations during 2019–2020. Highly significant genetic variations (p < 0.001) were observed for HR disease incidence (DI) and disease severity (DS) in both individual and combined analyses. Broad sense heritability (H²) estimates across environments for DI and DS were 0.51 and 0.62, respectively. A high-density genetic map of 1420.287 cM was constructed with 6315 SNP/InDel markers developed using genotype-by-sequencing technology. A total of 16 genomic regions on eight sunflower chromosomes, 1, 2, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16 and 17 were associated with HR resistance, each explaining between 3.97 to 16.67% of the phenotypic variance for HR resistance. Eleven of these QTL had resistance alleles from the HR21 parent. Molecular markers flanking the QTL will facilitate marker-assisted selection breeding for HR resistance in sunflower.