Using Spec Explorer for Automatic Checking of Constraints in Software €Controlled Systems.

In software engineering, several formal models and tools are proposed for defining system requirements and constraints formally. Such formal definitions can help in the automatic checking and verification for them. It can also help in the automatic test case generation, execution and verification. In this paper, we will demonstrate and evaluate the usage of Spec Explorer from Microsoft for defining and checking examples of software controlled system such as cruise control. Such formal requirements can be eventually embedded in the developed system or can help in exposing important elements to test in the testing stage or through the usage of the applicationModel-Based Testing, Spec Explorer, FSM Models, Software Controlled Systems

Impact of Mitochondrial Genetic Variants in ND1, ND2, ND5 and ND6 Genes on Sperm Motility and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) Outcomes

Sperm mitochondrial dysfunction generates an insufficient amount of the energy that required for the movement of sperm flagellum. In this case, sperm cannot reach the site of fertilization, thereby reducing sperm fertilization capacity, and thus usually causing most asthenozoospermic men to need assisted reproductive techniques. The etiology of asthenozoospermia itself remains largely unknown. The aim of this current study is therefore to investigate the effect of mitochondrial genetic variants on sperm motility and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes. Furthermore, this study aims to investigate the role of oxidative stress in mitochondrial dysfunction by measuring the protein carbonyl levels in the sperm of asthenozoospermic men. A total of 150 couples from the ICSI cycle were enrolled in this study. One hundred-and-five of the male partners were asthenozoospermic patients, and they were subdivided into three groups, according to their percentage of sperm motility, while forty-five of the male partners were normozoospermic. Genetic variants were screened using direct Sanger’s sequencing in four mitochondrial genes Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen (NADH) dehydrogenase 6 (ND6), NADH dehydrogenase 5 (ND5), NADH dehydrogenase 2 (ND2) and NADH dehydrogenase 1 (ND1) in the sperm of the male partners. Protein carbonyl was used as a biomarker to detect protein oxidative damage, a phenomenon which is induced by the attacks of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in addition to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, protein degradation causing the formation of carbonyl groups, which is derived from the direct oxidation process of a number of amino-acids’ side chains such as threonine and arginine residues. Quantitation of the protein carbonyl levels in the sperm of asthenozoospermic men was performed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Sperm motility was significantly positively correlated with the fertilization rate (r=0.701, p<0.001). The medians of the fertilization rate among groups (G) were: (G1 (36±1.86), G2 (40±1.63), G3 (47±13.41) and the control (67±14.69) p< 0.001). Sperm motility was also significantly positively correlated with the embryo cleavage score (r=0.549, p<0.001). The medians of the embryo cleavage score among the groups were: (G1 (3±0.31), G2 (3.34±0.36), G3 (3.58±0.31) and the control (3.66±0.25) p< 0.001). Furthermore, sperm motility was significantly positively correlated with the embryo quality score (r=0.656, p<0.001). The medians of the embryo quality score among the groups were: (G1 (1.5±0.31), G2 (1.75±0.39), G3 (2.14±0.44) and the control (2.5±0.27) p< 0.001). On the other hand, the fertilization rate was significantly positively correlated with the embryo cleavage score (r=0.590, p<0.001) and with the embryo quality score (r=0.745, p<0.001). The protein carbonyl levels were significantly negatively correlated with the sperm motility (r=-0.894, P<0.001). The medians of the protein carbonyl levels among the groups were: (G1 (2.24±0.3), G2 (1.97±0.17), G3 (1.22±0.2) and the control (0.32±0.12) p< 0.001). The protein carbonyl levels were negatively correlated with the fertilization rate (r = - 0.670, P <0.001), the embryo cleavage score (r = - 0.511, P <0.001) and the embryo quality score (r = - 0.623, P <0.001). The frequency of the total variants in all genes was negatively correlated with the percentage of sperm motility, P A (rs28359178) in ND5, 4216 T>C (rs1599988) in ND1 and a novel 12506T>A in ND5 with P-values: 0.006, 0.036 and 0.013, respectively. The medians of the sperm motility, the fertilization rate, the embryo quality score and the embryo cleavage score were significantly differed between men showing 4216 T>C, 12506T>A, 13708G>A and the wild type, Mann-Whitney P-values for the differences in the medians were < 0.05 in all of them. In conclusion, the sperm motility was positively correlated with the ICSI outcomes, while protein carbonyl levels were negatively correlated with sperm motility and ICSI outcomes. This demonstrates that sperm motility can predict the ICSI outcomes, and the quantification of protein carbonyl can be used as a biomarker for protein oxidative damage in sperm. The frequencies of total mitochondrial variants in ND1, ND2, ND5 and ND6 genes were negatively correlated with the percentages of sperm motility and the ICSI outcomes. Finally, the results from this study showed three missense variants, namely, 13708 G>A, 4216 T>C and 12506T>A, which were found to be negatively correlated with sperm motility and ICSI outcomes.Die mitochondriale Dysfunktion von Spermien erzeugt eine unzureichende Menge an Energie, die für die Bewegung der Spermiengeißel erforderlich ist. In diesem Fall können die Spermien den Ort der Befruchtung nicht erreichen, wodurch die Befruchtungsfähigkeit der Spermien reduziert wird und somit die meisten asthenozoospermischen Männer in der Regel assistierte Reproduktionstechniken benötigen. Die Ätiologie der Asthenozoospermie selbst ist noch weitgehend unbekannt. Das Ziel dieser aktuellen Studie ist es daher, den Einfluss mitochondrialer genetischer Varianten auf die Spermienmotilität und die Ergebnisse der intrazytoplasmatischen Spermieninjektion (ICSI) zu untersuchen. Darüber hinaus soll in dieser Studie die Rolle von oxidativem Stress bei der mitochondrialen Dysfunktion untersucht werden, indem der Protein-Carbonyl-Gehalt in den Spermien von asthenozoospermischen Männern gemessen wird. Insgesamt wurden 150 Paare aus dem ICSI-Zyklus in diese Studie eingeschlossen. Einhundertfünfundfünfzig der männlichen Partner waren asthenozoospermische Patienten, und sie wurden in drei Gruppen unterteilt, je nach dem Prozentsatz ihrer Spermienmotilität, während fünfundvierzig der männlichen Partner normozoospermisch waren. Genetische Varianten wurden mittels direkter Sanger-Sequenzierung in vier mitochondrialen Genen Nicotinamid-Adenin-Dinukleotid-Hydrogenase 6 (ND6), NADH-Dehydrogenase 5 (ND5), NADH-Dehydrogenase 2 (ND2) und NADH-Dehydrogenase 1 (ND1) im Sperma der männlichen Partner untersucht. Protein-Carbonyl wurde als Biomarker verwendet, um oxidative Schäden an Proteinen nachzuweisen, ein Phänomen, das durch den Angriff reaktiver Stickstoffspezies (RNS) zusätzlich zu den reaktiven Sauerstoffspezies (ROS) induziert wird. Darüber hinaus verursacht der Proteinabbau die Bildung von Carbonylgruppen, die aus dem direkten Oxidationsprozess einer Reihe von Seitenketten von Aminosäuren wie Threonin- und Argininresten stammen. Die Quantifizierung der Protein-Carbonyl-Gehalte in den Spermien asthenozoospermischer Männer wurde mit der Enzymimmunoassay (ELISA)-Technik durchgeführt. Die Spermienmotilität war signifikant positiv mit der Befruchtungsrate korreliert (r=0,701, p<0,001). Die Mediane der Befruchtungsrate zwischen den Gruppen (G) waren: (G1 (36±1.86), G2 (40±1.63), G3 (47±13.41) und die Kontrolle (67±14.69) p< 0.001). Die Spermienmotilität war auch signifikant positiv mit dem Embryo-Cleavage-Score korreliert (r=0,549, p<0,001). Die Mediane des Embryo-Cleavage-Scores zwischen den Gruppen waren: (G1 (3±0,31), G2 (3,34±0,36), G3 (3,58±0,31) und die Kontrolle (3,66±0,25) p<0,001). Außerdem war die Spermienmotilität signifikant positiv mit dem Embryoqualitätsscore korreliert (r=0,656, p<0,001). Die Mediane des Embryoqualitätsscores zwischen den Gruppen waren: (G1 (1,5±0,31), G2 (1,75±0,39), G3 (2,14±0,44) und die Kontrolle (2,5±0,27) p<0,001). Andererseits war die Befruchtungsrate signifikant positiv korreliert mit dem Embryo-Cleavage-Score (r=0,590, p<0,001) und mit dem Embryo-Quality-Score (r=0,745, p<0,001). Die Protein-Carbonyl-Werte waren signifikant negativ mit der Spermienmotilität korreliert (r=-0,894, p<0,001). Die Mediane der Protein-Carbonyl-Werte zwischen den Gruppen waren: (G1 (2,24±0,3), G2 (1,97±0,17), G3 (1,22±0,2) und die Kontrolle (0,32±0,12) p<0,001). Die Protein-Carbonyl-Gehalte waren negativ korreliert mit der Befruchtungsrate (r = - 0,670, p <0,001), dem Embryo-Cleavage-Score (r = - 0,511, p <0,001) und dem Embryo-Quality-Score (r = - 0,623, p <0,001). Die Häufigkeit der Gesamtvarianten in allen Genen war negativ mit dem Prozentsatz der Spermienmotilität korreliert, P A (rs28359178) in ND5, 4216 T>C (rs1599988) in ND1 und eine neue 12506T>A in ND5 mit P-Werten: 0,006, 0,036 und 0,013, jeweils. Die Mediane der Spermienmotilität, der Befruchtungsrate, des Embryo-Qualitäts-Scores und des Embryo-Cleavage-Scores unterschieden sich signifikant zwischen Männern mit 4216 T>C, 12506T>A, 13708G>A und dem Wildtyp, Mann-Whitney P-Werte für die Unterschiede in den Medianen waren in allen Fällen < 0,05. Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass die Spermienmotilität negativ mit den ICSI-Ergebnissen korreliert war. Die Protein-Carbonyl-Werte waren ebenfalls negativ mit der Spermienmotilität und den ICSI-Ergebnissen korreliert. Dies zeigt, dass die Spermienmotilität die ICSI-Ergebnisse vorhersagen kann, und die Quantifizierung von Protein-Carbonyl kann als Biomarker für oxidative Proteinschäden in Spermien verwendet werden. Die Häufigkeiten der gesamten mitochondrialen Varianten in den Genen ND1, ND2, ND5 und ND6 waren negativ mit den Prozentsätzen der Spermienmotilität und den ICSI-Ergebnissen korreliert. Schließlich zeigten die Ergebnisse dieser Studie drei Missense-Varianten, nämlich 13708 G>A, 4216 T>C und 12506T>A, die negativ mit der Spermienmotilität und den ICSI-Ergebnissen korreliert waren

Investimento estrangeiro direto e crescimento econômico na Jordânia: uma pesquisa empírica que utiliza o teste de limites de cointegração

Este artículo investiga las elasticidades a largo y corto plazo entre el producto interno bruto y la IED en Jordania. El estudio utiliza datos anuales para analizar la relación entre la IED y el crecimiento económico para el periodo de 1992-2013. Los datos para las variables IED y PIB se obtuvieron de los Indicadores del Desarrollo Mundial y del Banco Mundial, y se utilizó el enfoque ARDL. Los resultados muestran elasticidades de largo y corto plazo en la IED y el PIB. En general, los responsables políticos de Jordania centran sus esfuerzos para atraer más IED a la economía jordana. Esto se debe a que se espera que más IED en la economía jordana conduzca a una disminución de los obstáculos económicos (por ejemplo, disminución de la tasa de desempleo y mayor nivel de inversión).Este artigo pesquisa sobre as elasticidades em curto e longo prazo entre o produto interno bruto (PIB) e o investimento estrangeiro direto (IED) na Jordânia. Este estudo utiliza dados anuais para analisar a relação entre a IED e o crescimento econômico para o período de 1992-2013. Os dados para as variáveis IED e PIB foram obtidos dos Indicadores do Desenvolvimento Mundial e do Banco Mundial, e foi utilizada a abordagem Autorregressiva com Defasagens Distribuídas (ARDL). Os resultados indicam elasticidades de curto e longo prazo no IED e no PIB. Em geral, os responsáveis políticos da Jordânia focam seus esforços para atrair mais IED à economia jordana. Isso se deve a que se espera que mais IED na economia jordana leve a uma diminuição dos obstáculos econômicos (por exemplo, diminuição da taxa de desemprego, maior nível de investimento).This paper investigates both long-run and short-run elasticities between gross domestic product and foreign direct investment (FDI) in Jordan. Annual data have been used in order to explore the relationship between foreign direct investments (FDI) with economic growth for the period 1992-2013. Data were collected for both variables (FDI and GDP) from the World Bank and World Development Indicators, and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL) approach was used. The results show long-run and short-run elasticities in foreign direct investment (FDI) and GDP. The results indicate that Jordanian policy makers focus their efforts to attract more FDI to Jordanian economy. This is because more FDI is expected to lead to a decrease in economic obstacles in Jordan (e.g., increased level of investment, decreased unemployment rate)

Measuring Defect Datasets Sensitivity to Attributes Variation

The study of the correlation between software project and product attributes and its modules quality status (faulty or not) is the subject of several research papers in the software testing and maintenance fields. In this paper, a tool is built to change the values of software data sets\u27 attributes and study the impact of this change on the modules\u27 defect status. The goal is to find those specific attributes that highly correlate with the module defect attribute. An algorithm is developed to automatically predict the module defect status based on the values of the module attributes and based on their change from reference or initial values. For each attribute of those software projects, results can show when such attribute can be, if any, a major player in deciding the defect status of the project or a specific module. Results showed consistent, and in some cases better, results in comparison with most surveyed defect prediction algorithms. Results showed also that this can be a very powerful method to understand each attribute individual impact, if any, to the module quality status and how it can be improved

Approaches for Testing and Evaluation of XACML Policies

Security services are provided through: The applications, operating systems, databases, and the network. There are many proposals to use policies to define, implement and evaluate security services. We discussed a full test automation framework to test XACML based policies. Using policies as input the developed tool can generate test cases based on the policy and the general XACML model. We evaluated a large dataset of policy implementations. The collection includes more than 200 test cases that represent instances of policies. Policies are executed and verified, using requests and responses generated for each instance of policies. WSO2 platform is used to perform different testing activities on evaluated policies

Activities and Trends in Testing Graphical User Interfaces Automatically

This study introduced some new approaches for software test automation in general and testing graphical user interfaces in particular. The study presented ideas in the different stages of the test automation framework. Test automation framework main activities include test case generation, execution and verification. Other umbrella activities include modeling, critical paths selection and some others. In modeling, a methodology is presented to transform the user interface of applications into XML (i.e., extensible Markup Language) files. The purpose of this intermediate transformation is to enable producing test automation components in a format that is easier to deal with (in terms of testing). Test cases are generated from this model, executed and verified on the actual implementation. The transformation of products\u27 Graphical User Interface (GUI) into XML files also enables the documentation and storage of the interface description. There are several cases where we need to have a stored documented format of the GUI. Having it in XML universal format, allows it to be retrieved and reused in other places. XML Files in their hierarchical structure make it possible and easy to preserve the hierarchical structure of the user interface. Several GUI structural metrics are also introduced to evaluate the user interface from testing perspectives. Those metrics can be collected automatically using the developed tool with no need for user intervention

Errors Measurement and their Presence in Group Slope Differences - Evaluation of OLS, SEM and EIV Estimators

The biases interaction, considered as measurement error, is responsible for affecting and distorting various inferences about the interactive hypotheses. The study aims focus on a single-indicator and depicted the accuracy of estimate group slope differences by disattenuation of interactive effects, together with error-in-variables (EIV) regression. The simulation results and analytic findings were used for the comparison between relative bias, Type I error of EIV, power, sparse multi-group structural equation model (SEM), and ordinary least squares (OLS). The results have shown that EIV estimators were less biased as compared to the OLS and SEM estimators. In a situation, where groups differ in the prediction of reliability, the OLS and SEM estimators are unable to control the rate of type I error. However, the impact of additional derivations using Cronbach’s alpha depicted decreased reliability with EIV estimator. While using alpha, the bias in EIV estimators was not increased as compared to the SEM and OLS estimators. The results suggested that EIV estimator should be used instead of using OLS and SEM estimators, for the estimation of group slope differences in the presence of measurement error. Keywords: EIV, Estimators, OLS, SEM, Type I Error DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-22-06 Publication date:August 31st 202