Optimizing the Performance of the Sparse Matrix-Vector Multiplication Kernel in FPGA Guided by the Roofline Model.

The widespread adoption of massively parallel processors over the past decade has fundamentally transformed the landscape of high-performance computing hardware. This revolution has recently driven the advancement of FPGAs, which are emerging as an attractive alternative to power-hungry many-core devices in a world increasingly concerned with energy consumption. Consequently, numerous recent studies have focused on implementing efficient dense and sparse numerical linear algebra (NLA) kernels on FPGAs.

Wireless EEG System Achieving High Throughput and Reduced Energy Consumption Through Lossless and Near-Lossless Compression.

This work presents a wireless multichannel electroencephalogram (EEG) recording system featuring lossless and near-lossless compression of the digitized EEG signal. Two novel, low-complexity, efficient compression algorithms were developed and tested in a low-power platform. The algorithms were tested on six public EEG databases comparing favorably with the best compression rates reported up to date in the literature.

Wearable EEG via lossless compression.

This work presents a wearable multi-channel EEG recording system featuring a lossless compression algorithm. The algorithm, based in a previously reported algorithm by the authors, exploits the existing temporal correlation between samples at different sampling times, and the spatial correlation between different electrodes across the scalp. The low-power platform is able to compress, by a factor between 2.

Unique Transcriptional Programs Identify Subtypes of AKI.

Two metrics, a rise in serum creatinine concentration and a decrease in urine output, are considered tantamount to the injury of the kidney tubule and the epithelial cells thereof (AKI). Yet neither criterion emphasizes the etiology or the pathogenetic heterogeneity of acute decreases in kidney excretory function. In fact, whether decreased excretory function due to contraction of the extracellular fluid volume (vAKI) or due to intrinsic kidney injury (iAKI) actually share pathogenesis and should be aggregated in the same diagnostic group remains an open question.

A Subpopulation of Label-Retaining Cells of the Kidney Papilla Regenerates Injured Kidney Medullary Tubules.

To determine whether adult kidney papillary label-retaining cells (pLRCs) are specialized precursors, we analyzed their transcription profile. Among genes overexpressed in pLRCs, we selected candidate genes to perform qPCR and immunodetection of their encoded proteins. We found that Zfyve27, which encodes protrudin, identified a subpopulation of pLRCs.

The regulation of growth and metabolism of kidney stem cells with regional specificity using extracellular matrix derived from kidney.

Native extracellular matrix (ECM) that is secreted and maintained by resident cells is of great interest for cell culture and cell delivery. We hypothesized that specialized bioengineered niches for stem cells can be established using ECM-derived scaffolding materials. Kidney was selected as a model system because of the high regional diversification of renal tissue matrix.

Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin predicts mortality and identifies acute kidney injury in cirrhosis.

Background: Kidney failure predicts mortality in patients with cirrhosis. Identification of kidney failure etiology and recognition of those at the highest mortality risk remains a challenge.

Aims: We hypothesized that urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) predicts mortality and identifies hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) in patients with cirrhosis.

SDF-1 activates papillary label-retaining cells during kidney repair from injury.

The adult kidney contains a population of low-cycling cells that resides in the papilla. These cells retain for long periods S-phase markers given as a short pulse early in life; i.e.

Gastrointestinal quality of life improvement of renal transplant recipients converted from mycophenolate mofetil to enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium drugs or agents: mycophenolate mofetil and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium.

Background: In renal transplant (RT) recipients, treatment with enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) improves gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability compared with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). The impact of conversion from MMF to EC-MPS on patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using GI-specific instruments has been scarcely evaluated in randomized trials.

Methods: The present randomized, multicenter, open-labeled, 12-week study included RT recipients experiencing GI adverse events due to MMF treatment.

Increased complexity of vasopressin's vascular actions.

Vasopressin is becoming a widely used pressor in conditions with severe hypotension. Like several other hormones important in cardiovascular and extracellular fluid control, however, vasopressin can activate several receptors that when pharmacologically or pathologically stimulated may result in conflicting effects. In the present issue of Critical Care, Rehberg and colleagues examined the hypothesis that blockade of vasopressin V2 receptor during septic shock may be beneficial.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in renal transplantation between 1990 and 2002 in Spain.

Background. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARB) decrease cardiovascular mortality and slow the progression of renal disease in non-transplant patients, but their impact on kidney transplant outcome has not been well established.Methods.

Afferent mechanisms of sodium retention in cirrhosis and hepatorenal syndrome.

Cirrhosis induces extra-cellular fluid volume expansion, which when the disease is advanced can be severe and poorly responsive to therapy. Prevention and/or effective therapy for cirrhotic edema requires understanding the stimulus that initiates and maintains sodium retention. Despite much study, this stimulus remains unknown.

Proliferation and migration of label-retaining cells of the kidney papilla.

The kidney papilla contains a population of cells with several characteristics of adult stem cells, including the retention of proliferation markers during long chase periods (i.e., they are label-retaining cells [LRCs]).

Pythium infection activates conserved plant defense responses in mosses.

The moss Physcomitrella patens (P. patens) is a useful model to study abiotic stress responses since it is highly tolerant to drought, salt and osmotic stress. However, very little is known about the defense mechanisms activated in this moss after pathogen assault.

Endogenous and exogenous vasopressin during hemodialysis.

Intradialytic hypotension likely results from hypovolemia as well as patient and dialysis-specific factors. An impaired vasoconstrictive response to volume loss during hemodialysis has been demonstrated and increasing evidence suggests that deficiency in the hormone arginine vasopressin may be a contributing factor. Although vasopressin is widely recognized for its role in the regulation of serum osmolality, vasopressin is also an important regulator of blood pressure in health and in various disease states.

Erwinia carotovora elicitors and Botrytis cinerea activate defense responses in Physcomitrella patens.

Background: Vascular plants respond to pathogens by activating a diverse array of defense mechanisms. Studies with these plants have provided a wealth of information on pathogen recognition, signal transduction and the activation of defense responses. However, very little is known about the infection and defense responses of the bryophyte, Physcomitrella patens, to well-studied phytopathogens.

The kidney papilla is a stem cells niche.

Stem cells are characterized by low cycle time, which has allowed us to identify such cells in the mature kidney. These putative stem cells are located mostly outside the renal tubule and are concentrated in the papilla of the kidney potentially under the urinary epithelium of the papilla. Clonal analysis of these cells shows that they can differentiate into epithelial, neuronal, and other uncharacterized cells.

Endogenous and exogenous vasopressin in shock.

Purpose Of Review: Vasopressin is critical for blood pressure regulation when cardiovascular homeostasis is threatened and some patients with shock have inappropriately low levels of hormone in plasma. The present review focuses on recent work that addresses the role of endogenous vasopressin in the pathogenesis of shock and the potential therapeutic indications and secondary effects of exogenous hormone in patients with shock.

Recent Findings: Examples of types of shock resistant to catecholamine pressors in which exogenous vasopressin was effective in restoring arterial pressure continued to accumulate.