Geribesleme güdümlü adaptif kombinasyonel test etme yaklaşımı

The configuration space of a software system forms a combinatorial space, whose large size generally makes exhaustive testing infeasible. Combinatorial interaction testing (CIT) approaches systematically sample the configuration space and test only the selected configurations. The basic justification for CIT approaches, such as covering arrays, is that they can cost-effectively exercise all system behaviors caused by the settings of t or fewer options. We conjecture however that in practice many such behaviors are not actually tested in the presence of what we call masking effects failures perturbing behavior in ways that prevent some intended behaviors from being tested. In this work we present a feedback driven adaptive combinatorial testing approach aimed at detecting and working around masking effects. At each iteration of this approach, we detect potential masking effects, heuristically isolate their likely causes, and then generate new covering arrays that allow previously masked combinations to be tested in the subsequent iteration. We, furthermore, empirically assess the effectiveness of the proposed approach by using a large widely used open source software system as our subject application

The effect of octopaminergic compounds on the behaviour and transmission of Gyrodactylus

Background: The high transmission potential of species belonging to the monogenean parasite genus Gyrodactylus, coupled with their high fecundity, allows them to rapidly colonise new hosts and to increase in number. One gyrodactylid, Gyrodactylus salaris Malmberg, 1957, has been responsible for devastation of Altantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) populations in a number of Norwegian rivers. Current methods of eradicating G. salaris from river systems centre around the use of non-specific biocides, such as rotenone and aluminium sulphate. Although transmission routes in gyrodactylids have been studied extensively, the behaviour of individual parasites has received little attention. Specimens of Gyrodactylus gasterostei Gläser, 1974 and G. arcuatus Bychowsky, 1933, were collected from the skin of their host, the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus L.), and permitted to attach to the substrate. The movements of individual parasites were recorded and analysed. Results: The behaviour patterns of the two species were similar and parasites were more active in red light and darkness than in white light. Four octopaminergic compounds were tested and all four inhibited the movements of parasites. Treatment ultimately led to death at low concentrations (0.2 μM), although prolonged exposure was necessary in some instances. Conclusions: Octopaminergic compounds may affect the parasite's ability to locate and remain on its host and these or related compounds might provide alternative or supplementary treatments for the control of G. salaris infections. With more research there is potential for use of octopaminergic compounds, which have minimal effects on the host or its environment, as parasite-specific treatments against G. salaris infections

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Cardiovascular testing recovery in Latin America one year into the COVID-19 pandemic: An analysis of data from an international longitudinal survey

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted Latin America (LATAM), significantly disrupting cardiovascular testing. This study evaluated cardiac procedure recovery in LATAM one year after the outbreak. Methods: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) surveyed 669 centers in 107 countries worldwide, including 135 facilities in 19 LATAM countries, to assess cardiovascular procedure volumes in March 2019, April 2020, and April 2021, and changes in center practices and staffing conditions one year into the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings: LATAM centers reported a 21 % decrease in procedure volumes in April 2021 from pre-pandemic-baseline, vs. a 0 % change in the rest of the world (RoW), and greater volume reductions for almost all procedure types. Centers in Central America and Mexico reported the largest procedure reductions (47 % reduction) compared to the Caribbean (15 %), and South America (14 %, p = 0.01), and this LATAM region was a significant predictor of lower procedure recovery in multivariable regression. More LATAM centers reported reduced salaries and increased layoffs of clinical staff compared to RoW, and LATAM respondents estimated that half of physician and non-physician staff experienced excess psychological stress related to the pandemic, compared to 25 % and 30 % in RoW (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Cardiovascular testing recovery in LATAM trailed behind RoW for most procedure types, with centers in Central America and Mexico reporting the greatest volume reductions. This study found lasting impacts of COVID-19 on cardiovascular care in LATAM and the need for mental health support for LATAM healthcare workers in current and future pandemics

Dose Comparison Study of Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Patients With Ischemic Cardiomyopathy (The TRIDENT Study)

RATIONALE: Cell dose and concentration play crucial roles in phenotypic responses to cell-based therapy for heart failure. OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of two doses of allogeneic bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) identically delivered in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty patients with ICM received in a blinded manner either 20 million (20M, n=15) or 100 million (100M, n=15) allogeneic hMSCs via transendocardial injection (10 0.5 cc injections/patient). Patients were followed for 12-months for safety and efficacy endpoints. There were no treatment-emergent serious adverse events (SAE) at 30 days or treatment related SAEs at 12 months. The Major Adverse Cardiac Event rate was 20.0% (95% CI, 6.9%, 50.0%) in 20M and 13.3% (95% CI, 3.5%, 43.6%) in 100M (p=0.58). Worsening heart failure re-hospitalization was 20.0% (95% CI, 6.9%, 50.0%) in 20M and 7.1% (95% CI, 1.0%, 40.9%) in 100M (p=0.27). Whereas scar size reduced to a similar degree in both groups: 20M by −6.4g (IQR, −13.5g, −3.4g, p=0.001) and 100M by −6.1g (IQR, −8.1g, −4.6g, p=0.0002), the ejection fraction (EF) improved only with 100M by 3.7 units (IQR, 1.1, 6.1, p=0.04). NYHA class improved at 12 months in 35.7% (95% CI, 12.7%, 64.9%) in 20M and 42.9% (95% CI, 17.7%, 71.1%) in 100M. Importantly, pro-BNP increased at 12 months in 20M by 0.32 log pg/mL (95% CI, 0.02, 0.62, p=0.039), but not in 100M (−0.07 log pg/mL; 95% CI, −0.36, 0.23, p=0.65; between group p=0.07). CONCLUSION: Although both cell doses reduced scar size, only the 100M dose increased EF. This study highlights the crucial role of cell dose in the responses to cell therapy. Determining optimal dose and delivery is essential to advance the field, decipher mechanism(s) of action, and enhance planning of pivotal Phase III trials. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCTO2013674 [https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02013674