Embedded Systems Requirements Verification Using HiLeS Designer

International audienceOne of the issues related to systems design is the early verification in first design steps: system specifications verification. Nowadays, it is common to use text-based specifications to begin a system design. However, these specifications cannot be verified until a software model is made. In this work, we show how can we use HiLeS Designer to model and verify, formally and by simulation an embedded system specification. This tool makes easier to build the model, using graphical concepts which are familiar to designers. It also helps to verify formally the structure and some logical behavior, and by simulation, it is possible to verify the consistence of the embedded system specification. We model and verify System Display Selector Requirements applying HiLeS Designer

UML as a system level design methodology with application to software radio

Master'sMASTER OF SCIENC

Curriculum Subcommittee Agenda, November 3, 2011

Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences Add Repeatable for Credit Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning Prerequisite Change Department of Art University Studies Request Delete Course Department of Management Information Systems Prerequisite Change, Course Description Change Prerequisite Change Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services Dual List Change Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation Reactive Course Elementary and Secondary Education Program (School of TEAL) New Course Prerequisite Change Title Change, Course Description Change Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Credit Hour Change Title Change, Course Description Change College of Engineering New Course Department of History New Course University Studies Request Change Multiple List Department of Journalism and Communication Prerequisite Change Department of Languages, Philosophy and Speech Communication New Course Department of Environment and Society New Course Department of Biology Prerequisite Change Department of Geology New Course Prerequisite Change, Course Description Change Department of Physics New Course Other Removing the Aquatic Ecology specialization from the MS and PhD degrees in Fisheries Biology Eliminating the emphasis areas in the BS program in Agricultural Education Department of Languages, Philosophy and Speech Communication name change, and BS/BA name change Removing the Plan B and replacing it with a Plan C in the English MA and MS specialization in Technical Writing Adding a Plan C option to the Master of Dietetics degree Changing the name of the Master of Food Microbiology and Safety to Master of Food Quality and Safety Offering a Master of Science in International Food and Agribusiness Offering a Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Natural Resource Economic

Abbreviations and acronyms

This booklet provides a partial list of acronyms, abbreviations, and other short word forms, including their definitions, used in documents at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). This list does not preclude the use of other short forms of less general usage, as long as these short forms are identified the first time they appear in a document and are defined in a glossary in the document in which they are used. This document supplements information in the GSFC Scientific and Technical Information Handbook (GHB 2200.2/April 1989). It is not intended to contain all short word forms used in GSFC documents; however, it was compiled of actual short forms used in recent GSFC documents. The entries are listed first, alphabetically by the short form, and then again alphabetically by definition

Miniaturised nucleic acid analysis systems

The design and implementation of miniaturised systems for analysis of nucleic acids from various biological samples has undergone extensive development. Several advances have been made particularly with the integration of nucleic acid amplification and detection, where amplification is most often polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sample preparation remains a major obstacle for achieving a quantitative analysis employing full miniaturised integration. Miniaturised devices for nucleic acid sample preparation, amplification and detection have to be further developed in order to achieve a fully integrated system, which ultimately can perform single cells genomic analysis with sample-in-answer-out ability. In this thesis, three miniaturised systems have been presented, which can be used for purification and preconcentration of DNA, pre-amplification and long-term storage of DNA, and amplification with real-time detection of DNA, respectively. The first miniaturised system applies isotachophoresis for pretreatment of DNA, where the DNA sample can be purified and concentrated using a discontinuous electrolyte system. Both qualitative and quantitative information can be acquired simultaneously. The second miniaturised system employs simple isothermal multiple displacement amplification, (MDA) for whole genome amplification (WGA) of human genomic DNA. The miniaturised WGA process showed a high efficiency of 95.8%, and the fidelity of the amplified products is extremely high as suggested by single-nucleotide polymorphisms analysis. For the last system, we developed a bidirectional shunting PCR microdevice equipped with real-time fluorescence detection, which allows higher flexibility and fast thermocycling by combining both advantages of stationary PCR and continuous-flow PCR. Real-time monitoring of RNase P PCR amplification from lower concentration human genomic DNA down to ~24 copy numbers or 12 cells was achieved. The three systems described in this thesis can be readily adapted to current reported miniaturised platforms. Such a fully integrated device capable of quantitative nucleic acid analysis remains an enigma, and with further development will represent significant importance for the development of point-of-care device.Das Design und die Implementierung miniaturisierter Systeme für die Analyse von Nukleinsäuren aus verschiedenen biologischen Proben haben eine beträchtliche Entwicklung erlebt. Fortschritte wurden insbesondere bei der Integration der Nukleinsäure-Vervielfältigung und -Detektion gemacht, wobei die Vervielfältigung meistens auf der Polymerase-Kettenreaktion (Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR) beruht. Die Probenvorbereitung bleibt ein Haupthemmnis bei dem Versuch, eine quantitative Analyse mit vollständig miniaturisierten Systemen zu verwirklichen. Miniaturisierte Geräte für die Probenvorbereitung, Vervielfältigung und Detektion von Nukleinsäuren müssen weiter entwickelt werden, um ein vollständig integriertes System zu verwirklichen, das letztendlich in der Lage ist, die Genomanalyse einzelner Zellen mit "sample-in-answer-out"-Fähigkeit durchzuführen. In dieser Arbeit werden drei miniaturisierte Systeme präsentiert, die jeweils für die DNA-Aufreinigung und -Vorkonzentrierung, deren Vor-Vervielfältigung und Langzeit-Speicherung bzw. der Vervielfältigung mit Echtzeitdetektion von DNA verwendet werden können. Das erste miniaturisierte System nutzt die Isotachophorese zur Vorbehandlung der DNA, bei der die DNA-Probe in einem diskontinuierlichen Elektrolytsystem gereinigt und aufkonzentriert werden kann. Dabei können sowohl qualitative als auch quantitative Informationen simultan aufgenommen werden. Das zweite miniaturisierte System verwendet die simple Methode der isothermischen Multiplen Displacement Amplification (MDA) für die Vervielfältigung des gesamten Genoms (Whole Genome Amplification, WGA) der humanen, genomischen DNA. Der miniaturisierte WGA-Prozess zeigte eine hohe Effizienz von 95,8% und die Wiedergabetreue des vervielfachten Produkts ist extrem hoch, was durch die Ergebnisse einer Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Analyse angedeutet wurde. Für des letzte System entwickelten wir ein kleines bidirektionales shunting-PCR-Instrument, in dem die injizierte DNA durch eine temperierte Zone mehrfach hin und her verschoben wird. Ausgestattet mit einem Fluoreszens Detektor, erreicht man eine höhere Flexibilität und schelle Temperaturzyklen, und kombiniert so die Vorteile der stationären PCR und der Durchfluss-PCR. Eine Echtzeitdetektion der RNase-P-PCR-Vervielfältigung von niedrig konzentrierter, humaner genomischer DNA mit einem Minimum von ~24 Kopien oder 12 Zellen wurde erreicht. Die drei in dieser Arbeit beschriebenen Systeme können direkt an aktuelle miniaturisierte Aufbauten angepasst werden. Ein solches vollständig integriertes, zur quantitativen Nukleinsäure-Analyse fähiges Gerät bleibt ein Mysterium, und zusammen mit weiteren Verbesserungen wäre es von großer Bedeutung für die Entwicklung von point-of-care Geräten

Advanced characterisation methods for the analysis of nanoformulations and extracellular vesicles

Nanomedicine represents a challenging and highly multidisciplinary research field, concerned with the development and study of nanoformulations for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes. The nano-sized particles of interest are increasingly complex. Their translational potential has been hampered by difficulties in their thorough characterisation. On the nano scale, small variations in size and composition can have large implications for their pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic behaviour. More precise techniques are therefore required to address these challenges. This thesis describes novel, advanced characterisation methods designed for the detailed study of single nanoparticles and their interaction and uptake behaviour with cells. A platform technology for Single Particle Automated Raman Trapping Analysis – SPARTA - was developed, capable of non-destructive, label-free and automated comprehensive single particle analysis. With the SPARTA system, the composition, functionalisation, size and dynamic reactions on the surface can be investigated in detail, of a wide variety of nanoparticles, through their Raman spectra. A further improved, custom designed SPARTA 2.0 platform was built, optimised for the analysis of complex biological particles, such as EVs. EVs represent a high potential as biomarkers, studied here in the context of breast cancer. The SPARTA 2.0 platform was able to resolve compositional differences between non-cancerous and cancer cell-derived EVs with excellent sensitivity and specificity. This highlights the possibility for development of new minimally invasive diagnostic approaches. In addition, a new imaging strategy for investigation of the EV-cellular interaction is presented, based on 3D Focused Ion Beam – Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM). FIB-SEM allows the generation of 3D models of the subcellular structure and visualisation of the cellular trafficking of nanoparticles. This represents a powerful new approach for investigating EV uptake. The methods developed in this thesis allow for the single particle-based analysis of a wide variety of nanoformulations and EVs, to aid in understanding their composition, applicability and cellular interactions.Open Acces

Identification of Cancer Stem Cells: Applications for a Spy1 Clinical Trial

Triple-negative breast cancer is considered the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer; while patients respond well to initial treatment the tumour relapse rate in patients is approximately 1 in 3. There is increasing evidence for a small population of cells that are able to evade treatment and repopulate the tumour after treatment, called cancer stem cells. Understanding key factors in cancer stem cell resistance is important to decrease tumour relapse. In a Spy1 clinical trial, responses to treatment and in vitro and in vivo to a standard of care treatment are investigated. Spy1 is an atypical cyclin-like regulator that enhances cellular proliferation. Spy1 overexpression has been implicated in cancer stem cell population and drug resistance, in other forms of cancer. The role of Spy1 in resistance to treatment has yet to be elucidated in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells; however, we have established the knockdown of Spy1 sensitizes cells to treatment. The current standard of care for TNBC is a combination of AC/T. When mimicking clinical treatment in vitro and in vivo, with standard of care with or without carboplatin, a population of cells remain viable after treatment. Detoxification enzymes, like aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), have enhanced expression in cancer stem cell populations; thereby, ALDH can be used as a marker to identify and isolate cancer stem cells. This study outlines the creation and validation of an ALDH reporter system to identify cancer stem cells in heterogeneous triple-negative breast cancer cell lines. Elucidating characteristic of drug-resistant populations, such as expression of Spy1 and ALDH, can provide insight into drug-resistance and tumour relapse

On Aggregation and Prediction of Cybersecurity Incident Reports

[EN] The study of cybersecurity incidents is an active research field. The purpose of this work is to determine accurate measures of cybersecurity incidents. An effective method to aggregate cybersecurity incident reports is defined to set these measures. As a result we are able to make predictions and, therefore, to deploy security policies. Forecasting time-series of those cybersecurity aggregates is performed based on Koopman's method and Dynamic Mode Decomposition algorithm. Both techniques have shown to be accurate for a wide variety of dynamical systems ranging from fluid dynamics to social sciences. We have performed some experiments on public databases. We show that the measure of the risk trend can be effectively forecasted.S