Distributed Response Time Analysis of GSPN Models with MapReduce

widely used in the performance analysis of computer and communications systems. Response time densities and quantiles are often key outputs of such analysis. These can be extracted from a GSPN’s underlying semi-Markov process using a method based on numerical Laplace transform inversion. This method typically requires the solution of thousands of systems of complex linear equations, each of rank n, where n is the number of states in the model. For large models substantial processing power is needed and the computation must therefore be distributed. This paper describes the implementation of a Response Time Analysis module for the Platform Independent Petri net Editor (PIPE2) which interfaces with Hadoop, an open source implementation of Google’s MapReduce distributed programming environment, to provide distributed calculation of response time densities in GSPN models. The software is validated with analytically calculated results as well as simulated ones for larger models. Excellent scalability is shown. I

A study into the effects of meloxicam and piroxicam on telomerase activity in canine transitional cell carcinoma

No abstract available

A study into the effects of meloxicam and piroxicam on telomerase activity in canine transitional cell carcinoma

No abstract available

Nicotine hair concentrations in dogs exposed to environmental tobacco smoke: a pilot study

Objectives<p></p> To investigate the association between dog hair nicotine concentration and owner-reported exposure to environmental tobacco smoke to establish whether dogs are exposed to significant, detectable amounts of environmental tobacco smoke in the home.<p></p> Methods<p></p> Hair was collected from 23 dogs exposed to environmental tobacco smoke and from 15 dogs reportedly not exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. Hair was washed to remove adhered nicotine, digested in 1 M NaOH and extracted using solid phase extraction. Nicotine concentration was measured by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Results were analysed using a Kruskall-Wallis test and post hoc pair-wise comparisons using a Mann–Whitney test to assess significance between exposure groups.<p></p> Results<p></p> The different exposure groups were significantly different (P < 0·001) for both hair and surface nicotine. Pair-wise comparisons were significant at P < 0·05 for all categories except unexposed and occasionally exposed groups (P = 0·076).<p></p> Clinical Significance<p></p> Dog hair nicotine concentration appears to be strongly associated with reported exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. The range and median of hair nicotine concentration in dogs exposed to environmental tobacco smoke was similar to those reported in children. This suggests that dog hair could provide a useful method of determining the amount of environmental tobacco smoke exposure in all environments common to pets and children

Locally invasive melanoma in the internal laminae of the hoof of a bay mule

An 8‐year‐old bay mule was presented with moderate right forelimb lameness and dark discolouration of the white line. Histopathology of the dark material indicated a melanoma. Extensive resection and debridement were not curative and the mule was subjected to euthanasia 70 days after presentation

Retrospective evaluation of trilostanes effect on insulin requirement and fructosamine in eight hyperadrenocorticoid diabetic dogs

No abstract available