Automata for true concurrency properties

We present an automata-theoretic framework for the model checking of true concurrency properties. These are specified in a fixpoint logic, corresponding to history-preserving bisimilarity, capable of describing events in computations and their dependencies. The models of the logic are event structures or any formalism which can be given a causal semantics, like Petri nets. Given a formula and an event structure satisfying suitable regularity conditions we show how to construct a parity tree automaton whose language is non-empty if and only if the event structure satisfies the formula. The automaton, due to the nature of event structure models, is usually infinite. We discuss how it can be quotiented to an equivalent finite automaton, where emptiness can be checked effectively. In order to show the applicability of the approach, we discuss how it instantiates to finite safe Petri nets. As a proof of concept we provide a model checking tool implementing the technique

Computing, Design, Art: Reflections on an Innovative Moment in History

The paper is concerned with the role of art and design in the history and philosophy of computing. It offers insights arising from research into a period in the 1960s and 70s, particularly in the UK, when computing became more available to artists and designers, focusing on John Lansdown (1929-1999) and Bruce Archer (1922-2005) in London. Models of computing interacted with conceptualisations of art, design and related creative activities in important ways

The cystic fibrosis microbiome in an ecological perspective and its impact in antibiotic therapy

The recent focus on the cystic fibrosis (CF) complex microbiome has led to the recognition that the microbes can interact between them and with the host immune system, affecting the disease progression and treatment routes. Although the main focus remains on the interactions between traditional pathogens, growing evidence supports the contribution and the role of emergent species. Understanding the mechanisms and the biological effects involved in polymicrobial interactions may be the key to improve effective therapies and also to define new strategies for disease control. This review focuses on the interactions between microbe-microbe and host-microbe, from an ecological point of view, discussing their impact on CF disease progression. There are increasing indications that these interactions impact the success of antimicrobial therapy. Consequently, a new approach where therapy is personalized to patients by taking into account their individual CF microbiome is suggested.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013-CEB and UID/EQU/00511/2013-LEPABE units. This study was also supported by FCT and the European Community fund FEDER, through Program COMPETE, under the scope of the Projects “DNA mimics” PIC/IC/82815/2007, RECI/BBB-EBI/0179/2012 (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027462), “BioHealth—Biotechnology and Bioengineering approaches to improve health quality”, Ref. NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000027 and NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000025—RL2_ Environment and Health, co-funded by the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2 – O Novo Norte), QREN, FEDER. The authors also acknowledge the grant of Susana P. Lopes (SFRH/BPD/95616/2013) and of the COST-Action TD1004: Theragnostics for imaging and therapy

Clostridium difficile infection.

Infection of the colon with the Gram-positive bacterium Clostridium difficile is potentially life threatening, especially in elderly people and in patients who have dysbiosis of the gut microbiota following antimicrobial drug exposure. C. difficile is the leading cause of health-care-associated infective diarrhoea. The life cycle of C. difficile is influenced by antimicrobial agents, the host immune system, and the host microbiota and its associated metabolites. The primary mediators of inflammation in C. difficile infection (CDI) are large clostridial toxins, toxin A (TcdA) and toxin B (TcdB), and, in some bacterial strains, the binary toxin CDT. The toxins trigger a complex cascade of host cellular responses to cause diarrhoea, inflammation and tissue necrosis - the major symptoms of CDI. The factors responsible for the epidemic of some C. difficile strains are poorly understood. Recurrent infections are common and can be debilitating. Toxin detection for diagnosis is important for accurate epidemiological study, and for optimal management and prevention strategies. Infections are commonly treated with specific antimicrobial agents, but faecal microbiota transplants have shown promise for recurrent infections. Future biotherapies for C. difficile infections are likely to involve defined combinations of key gut microbiota

Experience of thoracic surgery performed under difficult conditions in Somalia

Objective: To review the outcome of thoracic surgery performed at Medina Hospital over last two years under situations of constraints and to assess its feasibility in such conditions.Design And Settings: Case series study in Medina Hospital, Mogadishu - Somalia.Subject and Methods: Thoracotomies were performed in thirty-two patients with traumatic and nontraumatic conditions. No proper pre-operative investigations were available such as spirometry, haemogasanalysis, bronchoscopy and CT scan. We relied only on clinical evaluation and plain x-rays. Operations were performed under general anaesthesia with no inhalation substance; no anaesthetic machine was used. We simply used ketamine, Suxamethonium, Diazepam and Atropine. We did not use post-operative suction drainage but simple "under water seal" bottle drainage.Results: Thoracic surgery was performed in 32 patients in Medina Hospital. Most of these cases underwent pleural decortications for chronic empyema (18 patients), 7 patients had removal of bronchial foreign bodies, 4 patients had resection of oesophageal cancer, 2 patients had pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis and 1 had lobectomy for lobar consolidation. We had two post-operative complications and 2 patients died after having surgery for carcinoma of the oesophagus.Conclusion: Thoracic surgery can be performed under constrains with good results in skilled and experienced hands

Insight into the carbonaceous fraction of three cultural layers of different age from the area of Verona (NE Italy)

Cultural layers are deposits resulting from settlement and human activity on natural soil in the past. Materials from past domestic activities that become buried into the soil can be used to reconstruct human impact in a specific area in the past. For instance, humans have used fire for millennia, and charcoal in soils and sediments is applied as evidence of anthropic activity. In this context, assessing the abundance and degradation level of charcoal fragments can clarify anthropic activities in cultural deposits. In European towns, cultural layers with similar characteristics, have been defined as urban "Dark Earth" (UDE) but their age, formation and composition often differ significantly across sites.This study examined three archaeological sites in Verona, Italy, where UDE layers with similar characteristics have been identified. The primary aim of this research is to understand the anthropogenic influence on the development of UDE layers, by characterizing their geochemistry and the carbonaceous materials. To pursue this goal, we provide a micromorphological description of the sites, evaluate UDE features and the abundance of charred material and characterize the amorphous/crystalline degree through jr-Raman spectroscopy. Bulk material was described in terms of amounts of total organic carbon (TOC), recalcitrant organic carbon (ROC), total inorganic carbon (TIC), and trace element concentration. Radiocarbon dating of charred and humin fractions was performed to clarify the dynamics underlying UDE origin. We investigate the relationship between the different variables analyzed in the UDE layers at each site. Results show that a diverse array of human activities including metal tool and/or ceramic manufacturing were related to the formation of UDE layers. The investigation of carbonaceous fractions highlight differences in soil organic carbon and charred material, both of which are correlated with human influence