Enhancing POI Testing Approach through the Use of Additional Information

[EN] Recently, a new approach to perform regression testing has been defined: the point of interest (POI) testing. A POI, in this context, is any expression of a program. The approach receives as input a set of relations between POIs from a version of a program and POIs from another version, and also a sequence of entry points, i.e. test cases. Then, a program instrumentation, an input test case generation and different comparison functions are used to obtain the final report which indicates whether the alternative version of the program behaves as expected, e.g. it produces the same outputs or it uses less CPU/memory. In this paper, we present a method to improve POI testing by including additional context information for a certain type of POIs. Concretely, we use this method to obtain an enhanced tracing of calls. Additionally, it enables new comparison modes and a categorization of unexpected behaviours.This work has been partially supported by MINECO/AEI/FEDER (EU) under grant TIN2016-76843-C4-1-R, and by the Generalitat Valenciana under grant PROMETEOII/2015/013 (SmartLogic). Salvador Tamarit was partially supported by the Conselleria de Educación, Investigación, Cultura y Deporte de la Generalitat Valenciana under grant APOSTD/2016/036.Pérez-Rubio, S.; Tamarit Muñoz, S. (2019). Enhancing POI Testing Approach through the Use of Additional Information. Lecture Notes in Computer Science. 11285:74-90. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16202-3_5S74901128

The full spectrum of ethical issues in pediatric genome-wide sequencing: a systematic qualitative review

Background The use of genome-wide sequencing in pediatric medicine and research is growing exponentially. While this has many potential benefits, the normative and empirical literature has highlighted various ethical issues. There have not been, however, any systematic reviews of these issues. The aim of this systematic review is to determine systematically the spectrum of ethical issues that is raised for stakeholders in in pediatric genome-wide sequencing. Methods A systematic review in PubMed and Google Books (publications in English or German between 2004 and 2021) was conducted. Further references were identified via reference screening. Data were analyzed and synthesized using qualitative content analysis. Ethical issues were defined as arising when a relevant normative principle is not adequately considered or when two principles come into conflict. Results Our literature search retrieved 3175 publications of which 143 were included in the analysis. Together these mentioned 106 ethical issues in pediatric genome-wide sequencing, categorized into five themes along the pediatric genome-wide sequencing lifecycle. Most ethical issues identified in relation to genome-wide sequencing typically reflect ethical issues that arise in general genetic testing, but they are often amplified by the increased quantity of data obtained, and associated uncertainties. The most frequently discussed ethical aspects concern the issue of unsolicited findings. Conclusion Concentration of the debate on unsolicited findings risks overlooking other ethical challenges. An overarching difficulty presents the terminological confusion: both with regard to both the test procedure/ the scope of analysis, as well as with the topic of unsolicited findings. It is important that the genetics and ethics communities together with other medical professions involved work jointly on specific case related guidelines to grant the maximum benefit for the care of the children, while preventing patient harm and disproportionate overload of clinicians and the healthcare system by the wealth of available options and economic incentives to increase testing

Optical emission from Si O2 -embedded silicon nanocrystals: A high-pressure Raman and photoluminescence study

© 2015 American Physical Society. We investigate the optical properties of high-quality Si nanocrystals (NCs)/SiO2 multilayers under high hydrostatic pressure with Raman scattering and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The aim of our study is to shed light on the origin of the optical emission of the Si NCs/SiO2. The Si NCs were produced by chemical-vapor deposition of Si-rich oxynitride (SRON)/SiO2 multilayers with 5- and 4-nm SRON layer thicknesses on fused silica substrates and subsequent annealing at 1150°C, which resulted in the precipitation of Si NCs with an average size of 4.1 and 3.3 nm, respectively. From the pressure dependence of the Raman spectra we extract a phonon pressure coefficient of 8.5±0.3cm-1/GPa in both samples, notably higher than that of bulk Si(5.1cm-1/GPa). This result is ascribed to a strong pressure amplification effect due to the larger compressibility of the SiO2 matrix. In turn, the PL spectra exhibit two markedly different contributions: a higher-energy band that redshifts with pressure, and a lower-energy band which barely depends on pressure and which can be attributed to defect-related emission. The pressure coefficients of the higher-energy contribution are (-27±6) and (-35±8)meV/GPa for the Si NCs with a size of 4.1 and 3.3 nm, respectively. These values are sizably higher than those of bulk Si(-14meV/GPa). When the pressure amplification effect observed by Raman scattering is incorporated into the analysis of the PL spectra, it can be concluded that the pressure behavior of the high-energy PL band is consistent with that of the indirect transition of Si and, therefore, with the quantum-confined model for the emission of the Si NCs.Work supported by the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement No. 245977 (project NASCEnT). Financial support by the Spanish Government through projects LEOMIS (TEC2012-38540-C02-01) and MAT2012-38664-C02-02 is also acknowledgedPeer Reviewe

Efficacy of standard and low drift nozzles for insecticide applications against Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) in citrus

Drift is especially critical when spraying fruit, vine and citrus orchards where pesticides are intensively used. In this context, cone low drift nozzles (LDN) intended for spraying tree crops, have been evaluated relating to cone standard nozzles (STN) in laboratory and deciduous fruit orchards (Van de Zande et al. 2012); (Planas et al., 2013)

Impact of the interplay between stemness features, p53 and pol iota on replication pathway choices

Using human embryonic, adult and cancer stem cells/stem cell-like cells (SCs), we demonstrate that DNA replication speed differs in SCs and their differentiated counterparts. While SCs decelerate DNA replication, differentiated cells synthesize DNA faster and accumulate DNA damage. Notably, both replication phenotypes depend on p53 and polymerase iota (POL$_{ι}$). By exploring protein interactions and newly synthesized DNA, we show that SCs promote complex formation of p53 and POL$_{ι}$ at replication sites. Intriguingly, in SCs the translocase ZRANB3 is recruited to POL$_{ι}$ and required for slow-down of DNA replication. The known role of ZRANB3 in fork reversal suggests that the p53–POL$_{ι}$ complex mediates slow but safe bypass of replication barriers in SCs. In differentiated cells, POL$_{ι}$ localizes more transiently to sites of DNA synthesis and no longer interacts with p53 facilitating fast POL$_{ι}$-dependent DNA replication. In this alternative scenario, POL$_{ι}$ associates with the p53 target p21, which antagonizes PCNA poly-ubiquitination and, thereby potentially disfavors the recruitment of translocases. Altogether, we provide evidence for diametrically opposed DNA replication phenotypes in SCs and their differentiated counterparts putting DNA replication-based strategies in the spotlight for the creation of therapeutic opportunities targeting SCs

Measuring track vertical stiffness through dynamic monitoring

[EN] This paper proposes a methodology for the evaluation of the track condition by means of the measurement of the track stiffness. This magnitude is calculated from vertical acceleration data measured at the axle box of trains during their normal operation. From the corresponding vertical acceleration spectra, the dominant vibration frequencies for each track stretch are identified and the combined stiffness is then determined. Then the stiffness without the contribution of the rail is calculated. The results obtained for a High Speed ballasted track in several track stretches are within the range 120-130 kN/mm, a result consistent with direct stiffness measurements taken during previous studies. Therefore, the proposed methodology may be used to obtain a first insight to the track condition by means of a continuous measurement of the track combined stiffness. This offers an alternative to traditional stationary stiffness measuring devices and might be a useful complement to dedicated continuous monitoring vehicles.Cano, MJ.; Martínez Fernández, P.; Insa Franco, R. (2016). Measuring track vertical stiffness through dynamic monitoring. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Transport. 169(1). doi:10.1680/jtran.14.00081S169

Markers of cholesterol synthesis to cholesterol absorption across the spectrum of non-dialysis CKD: An observational study

In dialysis patients, cholesterol-lowering therapy with statins is less effective than in other high-risk patients. This may be explained by a shift from cholesterol synthesis toward cholesterol absorption. In line, markers of cholesterol absorption-such as campesterol-better predict atherosclerotic cardiovascular events than markers of cholesterol synthesis-such as lathosterol-in dialysis patients. To test the association between markers of cholesterol absorption such as campesterol-and markers of cholesterol synthesis-such as lathosterol-against cardiovascular events in non-dialysis CKD patients. Altogether 251 patients those not on lipid-lowering agents were followed annually for the composite endpoint atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and all-cause death. During follow-up of 5.2 ± 2.1 years, 61 participants reached the primary endpoint atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease/all-cause death [ASCVD/D], 47 participants suffered from ASCVD, and 46 participants died. In univariate Cox regression analysis, campesterol/lathosterol ratio did not significantly predict ASCVD/D (HR 0.643; 0.358-1.155; 3rd vs. 1st tertile), all-cause death (HR 1.309; 0.604-2.838; 3rd vs. 1st tertile) nor ASCVD (HR 0.589; 0.311-1.118; 3rd vs. 1st tertile). We did not observe a shift from cholesterol synthesis to cholesterol absorption across the spectrum of non-dialysis CKD. Campesterol/lathosterol ratio did not predict future ASCVD or all-cause death in non-dialysis CKD

Optical emission from SiO2-embedded silicon nanocrystals: a high pressure Raman and photoluminescence study

We investigate the optical properties of high-quality Si nanocrystals (NCs)/SiO2 multilayers under high hydrostatic pressure with Raman scattering and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The aim of our study is to shed light on the origin of the optical emission of the Si NCs/SiO2. The Si NCs were produced by chemical-vapor deposition of Si-rich oxynitride (SRON)/SiO2 multilayers with 5- and 4-nm SRON layer thicknesses on fused silica substrates and subsequent annealing at 1150 °C, which resulted in the precipitation of Si NCswith an average size of 4.1 and 3.3 nm, respectively. From the pressure dependence of the Raman spectra we extract a phonon pressure coefficient of 8.5 ± 0.3 cm−1/GPa in both samples, notably higher than that of bulk Si (5.1 cm−1/GPa). This result is ascribed to a strong pressure amplification effect due to the larger compressibility of the SiO2 matrix. In turn, the PL spectra exhibit two markedly different contributions: a higher-energy band that redshifts with pressure, and a lower-energy band which barely depends on pressure and which can be attributed to defect-related emission. The pressure coefficients of the higher-energy contribution are (−27 ± 6) and (−35 ± 8) meV/GPa for the Si NCs with a size of 4.1 and 3.3 nm, respectively. These values are sizably higher than those of bulk Si (−14 meV/GPa). When the pressure amplification effect observed by Raman scattering is incorporated into the analysis of the PL spectra, it can be concluded that the pressure behavior of the high-energy PL band is consistent with that of the indirect transition of Si and, therefore, with the quantum-confined model for the emission of the Si NCs